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FLORIDA - Steve Bogan, child of God, loving son, father, and friend, died peacefully on Monday, May 6, 2019. He was a resident of Gulf Breeze, Florida for over 63 years. He loved God, his wife, children, family and his church.
Born in Atlanta, Georgia on October 25, 1945, Steve moved to Gulf Breeze, Florida with his family in 1955 at the age of 10. He grew up on Bayshore Drive where his love of the water began. He was a competitive windsurfer, once considered #1 in the southeast, and known for windsurfing across the bay to work. He loved casting the mullet net and hosting fish frys.
He graduated from Pensacola High School in 1963 and Florida State University in 1967 where he was a member of Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity. Steve proudly served his country in the United States Marine Corps as honor man of his platoon.
Steve passionately pursued real estate as his profession and recently received his 45-year pin from the Pensacola Association of Realtors. He worked with House of Real Estate, Grover Robinson and Associates, and was the Owner/Broker for Remax for several years. He earned several national awards for his accomplishments. He then founded Steve Bogan Realty of which he was still active upon his death.
He served his community in many capacities, most notably serving in the Gulf Breeze Optimist Club where he was past president and a long-time active member. Steve was a current member of St. Ann’s Catholic Church where he sang in the choir and was a member of the Knights of Columbus. He was previously a long-time member of St. Francis of Assisi Episcopal Church, also actively participating in the choir.
He is loved by many and survived by his wife Rayne native Mary Ellen “Mimi” Chappuis Bogan, daughter of the late A.C. and Helen Chappuis of Rayne and sister of Chris Simpson, Diane Stelly, Tom Chappuis and Bill Chappuis; daughters, Kalee and Talia; sons Jason and Jeff (Tamara); grandchildren, Olivia and Jack; brother Gene; and sisters, Martha (Tom) Hardin and Berta Richardson.
A Celebration of Life Memorial Mass was held Thursday, May 9, at St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Gulf Breeze, Florida at 11 a.m., followed by a reception at the church.
Rose Lawn Funeral Home was in charge of funeral arrangements.

RAYNE - With the 47th Annual Frog Festival just a week away, festival events and programs were the main topic of conversation on Wednesday, May 1, during the monthly meeting of the Rayne Chamber of Commerce.
“We have everything on track and ready to roll,” stated Chamber President and Frog Festival Chairman Jeremy Lavergne. “We are proud to say that we exceeded our goal this year for sponsorship donations. That’s always a good thing.”
Lavergne also noted that volunteers were still needed for a couple of events, but that everything was on track.
He also gave a brief report of the inaugural Frog Festival Wine and Cheese Social held April 25 at The Green Room for the new slate of royalty, sponsors and parade grand marshal.
In other business, the financial report was presented by Tiffany Thibodeaux-Gossen, followed by a brief update by Suzette Leonards of a recent meeting held for the Leader In Me Program to begin at South Rayne Elementary.
Executive Director Fran Bihm gave a report of the events she attended during the past month. She also reported that membership was up to 98 to date. “I will meet with other membership renewals following Frog Festival,” she noted.
Other committee reports included Dr. Eddie Palmer who spoke of the upcoming OST Day Celebration slated Saturday, Nov. 2, at The Depot and surrounding downtown area.
“We are tweaking a few events but the main activities will again be held at The Depot Square which will include vendors, demonstrations, great food and live musical entertainment,” state Palmer. “We have another meeting in mid-June to finalize plans.
The Bank will again house the memorabilia displays for our museum for a day, but we are also negotiating new events at new venues in the downtown area. We’ve kinda outgrown the locations used for the past three years, so additional room is needed for new activities being planned for the fourth annual program.”
Marietta Sikat gave a report of the former Farmers Market now known as the Rayne Market Place. The next event will be held Saturday, June 8, at The Depot. The committee also decided to decrease the entry fee to $15 since live bands no longer perform.
“We also hope the entry fee will entice other vendors to participate as we try to get our numbers back up.” Sikat stated.
“We have also made a change of the Christmas event,” continued Sikat. “The Christmas Market will be held the Saturday of Black Friday, better known as Small Business Saturday. Since everyone will be shopping around that area, I think this will work well.”
Continuing with reports, Leonards gave a brief report of the Creative Placemaking Event recently held at The Grand Opera House in Crowley with over 100 people in attendance. Updates were given of the five locations throughout the parish planning projects for each city (Rayne, Crowley, Iota, Church Point, 5th Ward).
During the meeting, the master plan was given, including the Rayne project, the renovation and repurpose of the old Joy Theater at the corner of South Polk Street and East Texas Avenue. It was also noted a complete plan of the project would be published in the Rayne Acadian-Tribune the following week.
Nikki Link gave report of the annual high school scholarships awarded to Rayne High and Notre Dame graduates during local graduation ceremonies.
Discussion was held of the clean-up project of the Chamber’s frog pond, including bids to see what direction will be taken for the project.
The next Business After Hours will be held in June, with a sponsoring business needed. If interested, please contact the Chamber office.
Lavergne reminded Chamber members that no meetings will be held during the months of June, July and August, and also wished all mothers a Happy Mothers Day.
Thanks were expressed to Brian Mouton of BSM Investments who provided lunch for the meeting.

RAYNE - A long-time tradition continued Saturday morning of the 2019 Rayne Frog Festival as new royalty was crowned during the annual Rayne Lions Club Frog Derby, an event held since 1946.
Ava Thibodeaux was crowned the new Frog Derby Queen, and presented her crown and banner by last year’s honoree, Ali Delahoussaye.
Ava is the 16-year-old daughter of Annette and Stacey Thibodeaux and a sophomore at Rayne High School. Her frog for the contest was “Chef Jacques Weil.”
Asiah Dupont was named the new Frog Jockey Queen, and presented her crown and banner by Madeleine Deville, last year’s honoree. She was awarded her crown following a 99-inch jump by her frog entry.
Asiah is the 15-year-old daughter of Cherie Castille and John Dupont, and is a freshman at Rayne High School. Her frog for the contest was “Statue of Liber-Frog.”
The 1st Maid banner was awarded to Madison Richard, 15-year-old daughter of Ashley and Adrian Brasseaux and a freshman at Rayne High School.
Named 2nd Maid was Myra LeJeune, 15-year-old daughter of Tyler and Rachel Guidry and a freshman at Notre Dame High School of Acadia Parish in Crowley. Her frog for the contest was “Polocka.”
Jenyth Allen, 14-year-old daughter of Todd and Allyson Allen, was named 3rd Maid. She is an eighth grade student at Branch Elementary School and her frog was “Chief Green.”
Morgan Boudreaux was named Miss Congeniality as voted upon by the contestants prior to the Derby. She is the 15-year-old daughter of Jamie Molbert Bouy and Eric Boudreaux. Her frog was “Lilly Paddy the Cheerleader”.
For the “Best Costume” portion of the Derby, Kora Boullion and her frog entry “Senor Frog” was awarded.
Kora is the 14-year-old daughter of Tabatha LeBlanc and Josh Boullion and a freshman at Rayne High School.
Judging the frog costumes were past Frog Derby honorees, including Gabrielle Peltier, Natalie Alleman, Mia Guidry, Holly Richard, Victoria Richard and Amber Leger.
Making the presentations along with last year’s royalty were Lions Club Director Dommie Perez joined by Lions Linda Credeur, Roy Credeur, Donnie Miller, Mike Guidry and Tim Prevost.
Completing the list of beautiful contestants were:
Madison Claire Leger, 15-year-old daughter of Tara Richard and Brent Leger (Pete);
Kirsten Navarre, 15-year-old daughter of Gabrielle Navarre (Laila Maria); and
Hayley Young, 16-year-old daughter of Natalie Young (Gaston Oua Oua Ron).

A fun event recently resurrected, the 2019 Frog Leg Etiquette Eating Contest of the Rayne Frog Festival, was held Saturday, May 11, at 11:30 a.m. on the festival’s Stage II.
Hosting this year’s contest was again the City of Rayne, who joined forces with Noc Kev’s Speciality Meat of Rayne, who prepared delicious fried frog legs for the event.
Receiving the 2019 jeweled crown and engraved tray was State Representative John Stefanski, a last-minute substitute for the all-mayors invitation contest. He was crowned by last year’s winner, Shawn Murphy who represented Big 102.1 Radio as part of a media-only contest last year.
The four additional contestants invited and taking part in the special event were Mayor Jennifer Vidrine of Ville Platte, Mayor Glen Brasseaux of Carencro, Mayor Tim Monceaux of Crowley and Mayor Johnny Thibodeaux of Duson.
Against a formal table setting of white linens, china, silverware and crystal wine glasses, the event began with a formal toast by the five contestants.
Each was judged on the careful use of napkins, silverware, and other table graces, as well as the amount of food consumed in the 15-minute allotted time. Knife and fork were used at all times with the judges keeping an eye on all aspects of the contest.
After the contestant consumes their first two frog legs and for each frog leg requested thereafter, to receive another he or she must say aloud, “Ribbit,” a real fun time for the contestants and audience.
The event is critiqued not only by the number of fried frog legs consumed, but by the contestant’s etiquette while eating.
Serving as judges were Lisa Soileaux, 1989 contest winner; Natasha Domagalski, 2017 contest winner; Shawn Murphy, 2018 contest winner; and Martha Pierret, event committee member.
The contest was sponsored by the City of Rayne with Mayor Charles “Chuck” Robichaux serving as host.