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October 7,1945 - March 8, 2021

At the young age of 75, Yvette’s time on this earth has ended. She leaves behind her loving husband Wayne Berisford and her son Dan Berisford, her pride and joy, along with her sisters Flory Reynolds of Praireville La, Jo Mason of Navarre Florida and Tom Savoy of Broussard. Yvette is preceded in death by her parents Elliott Contine’ and Mattie Greene Contine’ along with her sister Georgie Contine’. Yvette’s contributions to this world was true kindness towards others and a genuine desire to make this world a better place. Retirement brought her and Wayne to Washington Georgia where they experienced relaxed country living.
As her baby sister, I ask all who knew her to follow in her footsteps and be kind and generous to one another!

Christopher Green II (Chris), passed away on February 24, 2021, at the age of 47 at Ochsner hospital in New Orleans at 4:30 P.M.
Chris was born on August 29, 1973 at Iberia Medical Center, in New Iberia, Louisiana.
Chris was a talented tattoo artist and is known by many people due to his body art. Chris loved to spend time with his children, he loved to do bonfires, bringing the kids fishing, and bringing them swimming in the pools and Bayou.
Chris was survived by: his wife, Sierra Cherrie; his children, Seth Leblanc, Quinton Viator and his partner Destiny Bertrand, Trevin Trahan, Christopher Green III, Hayden Green, Myrikle Green, and his stepson Lane Stelly; his grandson, Koen Viator; his brothers and sisters, Donna Leacock and partner Russel Hargreave, Mark Green and his wife Sarah Green, Timothy Green and his wife Ashley Green, Chasity Touchet, Brandon Touchet and his partner Christy.
He was proceeded in death by his mother, Vera Leblanc, from Rayville La, his father, Christopher Green Sr., from Kermit Tx, and his step sister, Rhoda Leblanc.
A Celebration of Life will be held with his friends and family in his honor along with a balloon release at a later time.

SANDY MELANCON / THE CROWLEY POST-SIGNAL
One of Acadiana’s most trusted voices throughout the COVID-19 pandemic has been that of Dr. Tina Stefanski.
As the medical director of the Louisiana Office of Public Health for Region 4 (Acadiana), she has spent the past year dashing from meetings with doctors and public officials to televised news conferences to schools to public health units to numerous public speaking engagements, always sharing the latest news and advice on COVID.
With so much contradictory information on the virus, many people were not sure whose advice they should follow. But people around here knew and trusted Dr. Stefanski. And when she spoke, they tended to listen attentively.
Most people in Crowley who watched her grow up simply call her Tina; and all around town you could hear people saying, “Tina was on TV last night and she said.....” And their tone of voice let you know that they trusted her words and were willing to follow her advice.
Although she now resides in Lafayette, Stefanski is very proud of growing up and receiving her education in Crowley. Inspired by Dr. Jack Frank and Dr. Tom Casanova, beloved local physicians known for compassionate care of their patients, she decided to become a pediatrician. So off she went to LSU and then LSU Medical School.
While working with children in community clinics during her residency, she began to realize the important role that public health plays in providing critical information and services to all Louisiana citizens.
So upon graduation, Stefanski began working with the Office of Public Health, a state organization that typically deals with infectious diseases and environmental hazards such as unsafe drinking water. But a year ago, COVID suddenly became their main focus.
In the beginning of the pandemic when little was known about the virus or its treatment and there was no cure, death was the usual outcome of a COVID infection. So as disagreeable as they may have been, she says the restrictions that were put into place were absolutely necessary to slow transmissions, buy time for scientists and doctors to figure out this new virus, and ultimately save lives.
She feels that Region 4/Acadiana handled the new protocols of lockdowns, shutdowns, mask wearing and social distancing of the past year quite well. When trying to get people to follow these new guidelines, Stefanski found that if she explained the “why,” people were more likely to do the right thing and act for the greater good.
The most enjoyable part of Stefanski’s job is being able to educate people in all walks of life on health strategies that can prolong and enrich their lives.
During the ongoing pandemic, the most satisfying part of her job has been helping set up vaccination centers that allow people to feel safe and start living again. And the most difficult part of her job has been talking to the many people who lost family members due to COVID.
Stefanski’s motto is “Treat other people as you want to be treated,” and she tries to treat all her patients as though they were members of her own family. She defines success as doing something that makes you happy while also benefiting others.
Empathetic, grateful, and practical are the three words she would use to describe herself. And if she weren’t a doctor, she would like to be a pre-K teacher.
Stefanski holds her family very close to her heart. Being able to see her grandparents almost every day is what she loved most about growing up in Crowley. Asked what makes her happy, she said her nieces and nephews always make her laugh. And her greatest inspiration has come from her parents who taught her that being a good person has nothing to do with money or possessions or fame.
Her love for her hometown is evident. She said she couldn’t have chosen a better place to grow up because Crowley is such a beautiful little town with friendly people who look out for each other.
She enjoys visiting family and returns to Crowley frequently to see her parents, Steve and Mary Ann Stefanski, and to enjoy her mom’s delicious grape leaf rolls and iced tea.
Looking back on the past year, Stefanski said that the pandemic has made her realize that perhaps we run too much, too fast and that slowing down and cutting back are not necessarily bad things. She has also learned that smaller gatherings that bring people and families closer together in meaningful ways can be much more rewarding than big, crowded events.
In conclusion, Stefanski says health care professionals are beginning to see a light at the end of this long, dark tunnel. But she warns that the pandemic is not over and urges everyone not to become complacent. She encourages all people to continue to follow the recommended protocols and advises everyone who truly wants to be part of the solution to get vaccinated.
(Spotlight on Crowley is a regular semi-monthly feature of The Crowley Post-Signal.)

After three innings, the Abbeville Wildcats were only down 4-3 against the Gueydan Bears. But then the bottom fell out for the Wildcats in the top of the fourth frame.
The Bears exploded for seven runs in the top of the fourth frame and cruised to a 17-3 win.
This year’s Bears improved to 7-2 on the year and are now ranked No. 3 in the latest Class A power rankings.
The Bears are under the new leadership of coach Jonathan Causey, who is originally from north Louisiana. Before arriving at Gueydan, he was coaching at Lakeside High, located in north Louisiana.
He married a lady from Eunice and moved to Eunice last year. He needed a teaching job and landed one at Gueydan.
When the season began, he did not know what to expect.
“I had zero expectations,” said Causey. “I did not know what I was working with. The guys who I needed to lead this team are leading. Everyone has bought into it.”
Well, the Bears’ baseball team is on their way to having a historic season. With a 7-2 record, it could be the best start the Gueydan baseball program has had in years.
With the playoffs berth just about locked up, Causey did a little research to see if the Bears have ever won a first-round playoff game. He researched the last 20 years and discovered no Bears’ baseball team won a first round playoff game.
He challenged his team to make it happen.

No one panicked

Against Abbeville, the Bears scored first, but then the Wildcats followed with three runs in the bottom of the first inning.
Abbeville’s Evan Caillouet grounded out with the bases loaded, but it scored a run that put Abbeville ahead 2-1. With the bases still loaded, Karan Patel had a sacrifice that scored another run and the game 3-1.
Causey saw enough, and he made a pitching change in the first inning. Landon Mouton started on the hill for Gueydan but could not finish the first inning. He was replaced by Gueydan’s ace pitcher, Landon Champagne.
The Bears could not afford to lose to Abbeville due to the power points they would get if they won.
Champagne pitched the next six innings that did not allow Abbeville to score another run.
The Bears put the game away in the top of the fourth frame with the help of two errors and a host of walks by Abbeville’s pitchers.
The Wildcats loaded the bases in the bottom of the fourth frame but did not score a run.