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The Acadia Parish Disaster Recovery Center will be closing its doors tomorrow (Oct. 15) at 6 p.m.

While the deadline to apply for disaster relief through the Federal Emergency Management Agency was extended through Nov. 14, those seeking help will have travel outside of Acadia Parish beginning next week. Three area recovery centers remain open for Lafayette, Iberia and Vermilion parishes. These centers are open Mondays through Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Area DRC locations include:

• Iberia Parish: Iberia Parish Fire Protection District Training Center - 2417 Darnall Road, New Iberia;
• Lafayette Parish: Lafayette Office Building - 301 W. University Avenue, Lafayette; and
• Vermilion Parish: Old Vermilion Health Unit - 401 S. St. Charles St., Abbeville.

Survivors can still visit any other disaster recovery center and may locate other centers near them by going online to fema.gov/disaster-recovery-centers, calling the FEMA helpline at 800-621-3362, or downloading the FEMA mobile app.

To register with FEMA, go online with any computer, smartphone or tablet to DisasterAssistance.gov, call the FEMA Helpline, or download the FEMA mobile app.

It is not necessary to visit a center to register for and receive federal disaster assistance. If possible, survivors should register with FEMA before visiting a recovery center.

Disaster survivors who are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech disability and use a TTY may call 800-462-7585to register. Those who use 711 or Video Relay Service or require accommodations while visiting a center may call800-621-3362. All disaster recovery centers are accessible and equipped with tools to accommodate disaster survivors who need disability-related communication aids. Each disaster recovery center has assistive technologies for people with disabilities. To arrange to have an ASL interpreter at the DRC when you visit, call 225-382-1739.

Low-interest disaster loans from the SBA are available for businesses of all sizes including landlords, private nonprofit organizations, homeowners and renters. Disaster loans cover losses not fully compensated by insurance or other recoveries.

For more information, applicants may contact the SBA’s Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center by calling800-659-2955, emailing DisasterCustomerService@sba.gov or visiting the SBA’s website at sba.gov/disaster. Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals may call 800-877-8339.

For information call the FEMA helpline at 800-621-3362, download the FEMA mobile app, or go online towww.DisasterAssistance.gov or www.fema.gov/disaster/4277.  

Just 27 days after her beloved husband of 68 years passed away, our mother, Bertha, let her spirit leave to join Henry in heaven. Bertha suffered from dementia in her final years, but her sudden decline and death can only be attributed to a broken heart at being separated from her life-long partner. Bertha was preceded in death by her husband, Henry; and sons, Kenneth John, Stephen and Steven Leo Sansoni; her parents; and brothers, Louis and Johnny LeBlanc; and great-grandson, George Timothy Merrill.
Bertha was born in the township of Egan in Acadia Parish to Eumia and Joseph LeBlanc. The second of eight children, she grew up in a busy household, speaking only French, and loving going to school barefoot when she could get away with it. Graduating from Estherwood High School, she wasted no time testing her wings, embarking on the train for Santa Barbara, California, with only a few dollars in her pocket and a heart full of dreams. She worked hard, and with her first paycheck purchased and had shipped, a “Cadillac” 2-tub washing machine to her mother in Louisiana. She loved her parents and siblings deeply.
Bertha waitressed late nights in a coffee shop and it was there she met Henry as he would come in for pie and coffee after shifts working as the bellman at the Biltmore Hotel, or from classes at Brook’s Institute of Photography. It took very little time for them to know they were made for each other, and when Bertha’s younger sister, Helen came out to visit while on vacation from her job as a telephone operator, Henry and Bertha decided to get married. They were married on May 15, 1948 at Mt. St. Carmel in Montecito. The unexpected plans extended Helen’s vacation time, resulted in the loss of her job, but helped launch a love affair that lasted 68 years.
Henry and Bertha moved to Merced after his graduation and began a small grocery business, later shifting into farming with Henry’s family. Bertha was ever at his side, following his dreams and supporting Henry in every way possible. Run a grocery and have two small children? Piece of cake! (or “slice of baloney” which they served to customers and family alike). Manage and cook for 30 farm workers everyday during tomato harvest while juggling three children? Done! Maintain farm bookkeeping, lend a hand with equipment when needed, and have three more children? Bring it on! Pick a load of cantaloupe then drive 20 miles to sell off the back of an aging Diamond T-truck to raise a little more cash? She was tireless! Sew six bridesmaid dresses for a daughter’s wedding? Completed! Even unto the fitting of each at the last minute, and cook the rehearsal dinner to boot. Bertha shouldered it all with love.
She was known for her humble spirit and genuine hospitality and culinary skills, churning out gallons of chicken gumbo for family and guests, tubs full of ragu taught to her by her Italian mother-in-law, and most famously, barrels of the best fried chicken around. She made meager staples stretch to feed as many people who might drop in, which frequently included Henry’s business associates from his farming activities, often with only a moments advance notice. Bertha was generous with her time and skills in many areas, including walking for the American Cancer Society and working at St. Vincent DePaul Thrift Shop in Los Banos for many years. She and Henry spent many fun evenings square dancing until Henry’s joints gave out.
Henry and Bertha suffered many challenges, including the death of their three sons, and the loss of their farm. In spite of these hurdles their commitment to one another, and their surviving daughters and families never waivered long, and they continued to lease and farm until 2010 when health matters forced their move to be near their daughters in Enumclaw, Washington.
Bertha is survived by daughters, Nancy and Jim Merrill of Enumclaw, Washington, Mary and Jeff Graham of Pioneer, California, and Andrea and Tony Carvalho of Enumclaw; daughter-in-law, Doris Hildenbrand of Lake Stevens, Washington; seven grandchildren, their spouses and nine great-grandchildren, Alex and Kim Sansoni, Max and Myles of Lake Stevens; Matty and Emily Merrill, Henry, Gus and Teddy of Portland, Oregon; Marty and Rachel Merrill, Janey and Joey of Sammamish, Washington; Angie Merrill and RC Laird, Kaeden and Kali of Olympia, Washington; Sarah Leary of Redmond, Oregon; Lance Leary of Eugene, Oregon; and Lizzy Leary of Sacramento, California. She is also survived by siblings, Helen LeBlanc of Crowley, Joyce and Buddy LeBouef of Rayne, Dud and Ruth LeBlanc of Houston, Texas, Celeste and Ron Robair of Alexandria and Bonnie and Rod Smith of Lafayette; and many, many nieces, nephews, grand- and great-grandnieces and nephews of Louisiana and Texas. In California, she is survived by Henry’s brothers and their families, Aldo and Virginia Sansoni, Claudia, Lisa, Sandra and families, and Ezio and Eleanor Sansoni, Julie and Joe and families.
Services for Bertha were celebrated at the same memorial with Henry, at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 8 at Delta Farms Party Barn, Los Banos, California. An interment in Merced will be scheduled at a later date. Grandson-in-law the Rev. RC Laird, will officiate. Memorial contributions may be made to American Legion Post 83, 939 W. Main St., Merced, CA., 95340, the Enumclaw Senior Center, 1350 Cole St., Enumclaw, WA, or charity of donor’s choice.

Frank Martin “Sonny Boy” Milliken, husband to Faye and father to seven, Donna, Diane, Renee, Martin, Greg, Anna and Matthew, brother to Donald and Betty, and son to Frank Marion and Anna Louise, died peacefully at home surrounded by family on Oct. 8, 2016.
Born in Crowley on June 22, 1929, he lived a long life of over 87 years. Frank was a kind and gentle soul, always patient and forgiving. He lived his life in service to others. He is deeply loved and will be missed.
Frank attended college at the Southwestern Louisiana Institute, now University of Louisiana at Lafayette, home of the Ragin’ Cajuns, graduating in 1949 at the age of 19. Soon after, he was commissioned in the U.S. Air Force and subsequently, attended the University of Colorado, graduating in 1959 with a Master in Electrical Engineering. He rose to the rank of Lt. Colonel and served in both Korea and Vietnam before retiring in 1972. He continued to work in sales for more than another 20 years.
He was a devout Catholic, and was ordained a Deacon in the Catholic Church in 1978. He was a parishioner of All Saints in Dallas for over 30 years. Frank was a resident of Dallas for almost 45 years.
Frank is survived by a large and loving family, friends and neighbors, near and far, his wife of 59 years, Faye; his seven children and their spouses, Donna (Barry) Fallin, Diane (David) Garza, Renee Milliken, Martin (Marika) Milliken, Greg (Rose) Milliken, Anna (Brad) Eastman and Matthew (Kate) Milliken; his grandchildren, Elizabeth and Alexandra Garza, Zachary, Matthew and Eleni Milliken, Nathan and Faith Chandler and Sara Milliken, Ely, Abigail and Daniel Eastman, Violet and Ruby Milliken; great-grandchildren, Alex Siemens and Emma William; and sister, Anna Elizabeth (Betty) Davis.
Frank was preceded in death by his parents, Frank Marion and Anna Louise Milliken; his brother, Donald Milliken; and his granddaughter, Melissa Fallin.
A wake will be held at Geesey-Ferguson Funeral Home in Crowley on Friday, Oct. 14, from 5-8 p.m. with a rosary at 6:30 p.m. The funeral mass will be held at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church in Crowley on Saturday, Oct. 15, at 11 a.m.
In lieu of flowers please consider making a donation to Circle of Life Hospice in Bentonville, Arkansas, or the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (www.alzfdn.org) in Frank’s memory.
Condolences may be sent to the family by www.geesey-ferguson.com.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Geesey-Ferguson Funeral Home of Crowley: 301 N. Ave F Crowley, LA 70526 337-783-3313.

ACADIA PARISH - Trick or treating in the unincorporated areas Acadia Parish will occur on Monday, Oct. 31, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., according to Sheriff K.P. Gibson.
“We ask that measures be taken to protect our youth and parents,” Gibson said.
The sheriff recommends (and these recommendations hold true whether in the rural parts of the parish or within incorporated municipalities):
• Drivers of motor vehicles should drive with caution and know your surroundings as children are simply seeking candy and may be distracted;
• Parents need to maintain reflective strips on costumes and/or utilize flash lights to help drivers identify children / groups;
• Only seek candy from residences which have their lights on. Some people choose not to participate in trick-or-treating and they will normally keep their lights off to indicate that. Please respect their decision to not participate;
• Parents should inspect candy before allowing their children to eat it. Unwrapped or opened candy should be discarded for safety; and
• Trick-or-treat in an area / community you are familiar with for safety purposes.
In Rayne trick-or-treating will be observed from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. the city-sponsored Fright Fest will be held from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Rayne Civic Center.