West Bankers flock to Night Out Against crime parties
Residents turned on their porch lights to show appreciation for the Gretna Police and their crime-fighting efforts. Many Gretna residents attended private parties, as well as neighborhood association events.
Dodie Rackley with Gretna Economic Development Association arranged a large public party at Bellevue Park on Gretna Boulevard. Public officials mixed with the hundreds who attended in a show of solidarity against crime. Children enjoyed Bellevue’s playground equipment as well as bounce houses, games and food.
The neutral ground on Huey P. Long Avenue between Seventh and Eighth streets was a gathering spot for about 100 neighborhood residents who met and enjoyed talking. This year there was a spacewalk that the youngsters — and some adults — really enjoyed.
Representatives from West Jefferson Medical Center handed out free Frisbees, footballs and coloring books for the children’s and small bags with a drink cup for the adults. Delicious food was plentiful and music was supplied by a DJ.
LT turns pink for cancer
As a Breast Cancer survivor, LTHS Assistant Principal Kristine Costopoulos wanted to give the students a way to help the cause after seeing their concern for her, and from there Relay for Life began and is now on its 10th year. She is so proud of what the students have come together to accomplish, and it gives her hope.
“It’s comforting,” Costopoulos said. “It makes you believe a cure can be found so no one else has to go through this.”
From Oct. 10-14, Relay for Life sponsored Pink Week, LT’s nod towards Breast Cancer Awareness month. Monday through Thursday, five places donated a percent of their profits to Relay for Life. This all led up to the Pink Out football game on Bennett Field where the Lions played Proviso West. Although LT lost the game, many people came dressed in pink and donated money.
At the game and also at school throughout Pink Week were the Men in Tights. Boys from the club as well as popular boys volunteered to be a part of this. They wore pink tights every day and collected donations.
Several attendees sported Night Out Against Crime T-shirts, and one little girl dressed hers up with red ribbons that gathered up the sleeves. Boys played football in the street. A gaggle of little girls enjoyed the large bounce house, and at one point
