By Mia Freneaux

Just 15 minutes from Central sits a beautiful, historical home in a peaceful pastoral setting. This is Bennett House, a reception facility situated under stunning 100 year old live oaks. Run by Danya and Dustin Delapasse of Zachary and Gary and Lynne Doiron of Central, Bennett House offers a gorgeous framework for truly spectacular, one of a kind events. Built in the late 1800’s by Dr. Lane (of Lane Memorial Regional Hospital fame), the house was later owned by the Bennett family for many years. They actually had the house turned on its foundation, using mules and logs, to face Plank Road as it presently does. Mrs. Bennett was a long time piano teacher, and the piano at which she taught so many still graces the front room.

Inside, Bennett House is filled with lovely antiques and original oil paintings. A graceful staircase adorns the center of the hall, and chandeliers sparkle at intervals throughout. Mantlepieces and corbels (some rescued from Katrina’s aftermath) add architectural interest, along with tall, original windows enhanced with elegant draperies. 3 dining areas, a front bar and a large back room with a fully stocked bar and dance area are featured. Upstairs, a bride’s room and a groom’s room are available. Outside, a chapel area defined by custom wrought iron work is surrounded by lovely, professionally landscaped grounds.

Bennett House offers menu selections featuring family recipes and some created by professional chef Gary Bonnano , formerly of Drusilla Seafood. All items are prepared in house by their fully trained staff, to be served buffet-style. Many menu options are available to suite any taste and budget. Sample items include smoked pork loin, fried turkey, crab mornay, and many other mouth-watering offerings. Served with a choice of beautifully presented hors d’oeuvres, vegetables, and desserts, Bennett House has something to tempt any palate.

"We aim to please our clients with our attention to detail," states owner Danya Delapasse, "We meet with our clients and plan their event down to the last detail, even offering samples of our menu items. We create ‘sweetheart boxes’ for our brides and grooms, and give complementary champagne to our bridal parties. Couples who book their reception with us are given the opportunity to use our beautiful grounds for their portrait setting at no extra charge. We can accommodate anything from very casual to formal and elegant. Our food is the very freshest, we buy from local merchants and make sure that it is prepared according to the highest standards." Come and experience gracious Southern hospitality for your one of a kind event. Bennett House 21059 Plank Road (just north of the Zachary Crossroads) 654-0550.

    Ryan and Kelli (Davis) Hill are proud to announce the birth of their daughter, Lola Kay. Lola was born April 18, 2011, at 1:04pm at Woman's Hospital. She weighed 7 pounds and 3 ounces and was 20 1/4 inches long. Proud grandparents are Steve and Karen Hill and Mark and Donna Davis, both of Central.

    Kasey Smith of Central and Ryan Welch of Zachary will marry August 6, 2011 at Hemingbough in St. Francisville.

    Bride-elect is the daughter of Steve & Gloria Smith, Central.  She is the granddaughter of Barbara and the late Bob Smith, Central and the late John & Georgianna Everett, Walker.  Kasey is a 2004 graduate of Central High School and a 2010 graduate of Our Lady of the Lake College.  She is employed as a registered nurse with Lane Regional Medical Center, Zachary.

    Her fiance’ is the son of Ken And Jeana Welch, Zachary.  He is the grandson of James & Betty Goldman, AZ and Jerry & Joyce Schram, Slaughter and the late Shirley Schram.  Ryan is a 2002 graduate of Hancock High School, MS.  He is employed with Albemarle, Baton Rouge.

    Brandon and Jessica Walock (D'Antoni) are proud to announce the birth of their daughter Lillian Rae Walock. Lillian was born June 3, 2011 at 9:01pm at Woman's Hospital. She weighed 7pounds 15.9 ounces and was 20 3/4 inches long. Proud grandparents are Lonnie and Theresa D'Antoni of Denham Springs, Kay Walock of Denham Springs, and Monty Walock of Watson.

    Heath and Julia (Mott) Starns of Central are proud to announce the birth of their son, Grady James Starns. Grady was born May 17, 2011, at 11:20 am at Woman's Hospital. He weighed 7 pounds and two ounces, and was 21 inches long. Proud grandparents are Gary and Gigi Starns of Central and the late James Mott and Sandra Mott of Central.  Proud great-grandparents are George and Willa Perry of Central and Joe and Nettie Starns of Holden.

    Russell Williams and Whitney Capps announce the birth of their second child, Audrey Juliette Williams. Born at 10:29am on March 13,2011 at Lane Regional Medical Center in Zachary,La., weighing 6lbs.. 11oz. 19 7.5 inches long. Proud grandparents are Randall and Theresa Williams of Baton Rouge, Karl Ardoin and the late Deborah Capps Ardoin, of Slidell, and Glenn Savoy of Youngsville,La. Great-grandparents are Joseph and Julia Ardoin of Slidell, William Capps and the late Helen Capps of Kissimmee, Fl. Big brother Samuel welcomed her home.

    Jessica Chauntelle Starns and Brian Chad Debetaz, both of Central, will marry in a 6:30 p.m. ceremony September 10, 2011 at Houmas House Plantation and Gardens in Darrow, La.
    The bride-elect is the daughter of Russell and Jennifer Starns of Central.  She is the granddaughter of Levy and Patricia Harrison of Central and Joseph and Nettie Starns of Holden.
    The bride-elect is a graduate of Central High School, Tulane University and Chapman University School of Law in Orange, CA.  She is employed as an attorney with the State of Louisiana.
    Her fiance' is the son of Tommy and Becky Debetaz of Central.  He is the grandson of J.B. and Rita Perkins of Baton Rouge and the late A.R. "Dooney"  and Ruby Debetaz of Baker.
    He is a graduate of Central High School and attended William Carey College.  He is a firefighter with the Baton Rouge Fire Department.

    Ryan and Brandie (Nijoka) McNabb are proud to announce the birth of their second daughter Anniston Louise.  She was welcomed home by big sister Ainslie.  Anniston was born on January 7, 2011 at Woman’s Hospital.  She weighed 5lbs 13 oz. and 18 ¾ inches long.  Proud grandparents are Garry and Debbie Nijoka of Central & George and Janice McNabb of Gillsburg, Mississippi.  Special thanks to Dr. Mullins Jr. and staff of Woman’s Hospital for her safe delivery.  Special thanks to EMS, the ER , and PICU staff at Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Hospital.  Your dedication and knowledge saved our precious angel.  The family would like to thank everyone who prayed for Anniston’s recovery. To our friends, family, and those of you we’ve never met…We are very thankful for all of you!   

    Trent and Janee (Wilson) Allen are proud to announce the birth of their precious baby boy, Jude Morrison. He was welcomed home by proud big sister Parker Ann.

    Jude was born at Woman's Hospital on June 13, 2011 at 9:53 pm. He weighed 7 pounds, 11.4 ounces and was 20.5 inches long.

    Proud grandparents are Janice Morrison Allen of Central and Ellison Allen of Prairieville and Chuck and Jean Wilson of Central.

Raymond J. Morgan (R.J.) went to be with the Lord on June 27, 2011, at his residence in Central. The loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather was a resident of Central for 56 years and a native of Koscuisko, Mississippi. He was employed by Harry Cash until opening his own business, Ace Plumbing and Repair Parts, in 1972. After retiring at age 80, he devoted all his time to his family. He was an avid fisherman and spent countless hours watching his grandchildren and great-grandchildren play sports. He is survived by his loving wife of 62 years, Jean Moore Morgan; four daughters, Brenda Landry and husband Jerry, Vickie Tunnard and husband Johnny, Sandra Price, and Stacie Birch and husband Brian; two sisters, Gloria Cryer and Joy Aaron; brother, Jason “Mugsy” Morgan; 10 grandchildren, Michelle Landry Durr and husband Jeffrey, Todd Landry, Brandon Landry, Rodney A. Whittington Jr., Allyson Tunnard Harris and husband Bryan, Brandi Tunnard, Sandi Tunnard, Kevin “Bubba” Dunn, Kaitlyn Birch, and Madilyn Birch; 11 great-grandchildren, Morgan Durr, Madison Durr, Alexa Landry, Skylar Landry, Carter Landry, Blacyn Harris, Braylie Harris, Dylan Joseph, Brancyn Tunnard Benoit, and Brycen Tunnard; and many friends from Chapelwood Church of God, including Bobby Durr and Henry Ouzts. He is preceded in death by his daughter, Madalyn Ann Morgan; parents Jason H. and Kathrine Morgan; sister, Bobbie Rae Morgan; and brother, Larry Morgan. The family would like to thank Dr. Freddy Abi Samra, Gilda Domingue, Jesse Walton, Dr. David Sledge, and St. Joseph Hospice for the excellent care given to Mr. Morgan. Also, special thanks to Resthaven Funeral Home for their wonderful care and services during this difficult time. His memory will be carried in the hearts of those who loved him.