Community Calendar

*"Growing Food in Space" talk by Dr. Joshua Vandenbrink*
As humans prepare for deep-space missions, a major obstacle must be addressed: What will they eat?
Louisiana Tech University biology professor Dr. Joshua Vandenbrink and his colleagues are currently researching that issue for NASA, focusing on mushroom cultivation. He will discuss his research on Thursday, September 10, at 5:30 p.m. in the Union Museum of History and Art, 211 N. Main Street, Farmerville, LA. His presentation, "Growing Food in Space: Current Research and Future Perspectives," is a feature of the museum’s NASA exhibit on display from August 13 to Sept. 26.
Dr. Vandenbrink, associate professor in Louisiana Tech University’s School of Biological Sciences, received the NASA Research Initiation Award to study how edible mushrooms can be cultivated in space as part of sustainable life support systems for long-duration space missions.

Hansel Gill, director of the NASA Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans, will speak on the subject, "The Future of Space Exploration," on Tuesday, September 15, at 5:30 p.m. in the Union Museum of History and Art. He will be joined by NASA aerospace engineer Dr. LaQuieta Huey of NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama. They will share America’s vision for space exploration and highlight the many successes of NASA’s Artemis program. The program is part of the NASA exhibit currently displayed in the museum, located at 211 N. Main Street, Farmerville, LA.
Michoud, also called "America's Rocket Factory," builds the massive Space Launch Systems that propel astronauts and payloads beyond Earth's gravity. Michoud has more than 3500 employees on site, and is one of the world's largest manufacturing facilities.
Dr. Huey is a North Louisiana native, who earned her B.S. degree in physics from Grambling State University in 2000 before going on to earn higher degrees elsewhere.
The public is invited to meet these NASA luminaries who are leading the way in space exploration, using science, math, imagination, and creativity.
At Michoud, Director Gill oversees the crucial infrastructure where elements of NASA’s Space Launch System and Orion spacecraft are assembled. Director Gill earned his bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Oakwood University in 1996 and his master’s degree in industrial and systems engineering from the University of Alabama – Huntsville in 2007.
Dr. Huey is a materials engineer and physicist with more than 18 years’ experience at NASA Marshall. Her career spans aerospace engineering, materials science, and optical engineering, with a focus on advanced materials and their applications in space systems. She earned her bachelor’s degree in physics from Grambling State University, her doctorate from Alabama A & M University, and her M.B.A. from Florida A & M University.

In the vacuum of space far from Earth, how will astronauts build and repair essential structures? Louisiana Tech University professor Dr. Andrew Peters will discuss his research on this topic on Thursday, Sept. 17, at 5:30 p.m. in the Union Museum of History and Art. His “Welding in Space” talk is part of the museum’s NASA exhibit that runs from August 13 to Sept. 26.
Dr. Peters is currently working on a research project for NASA to develop a new generation of materials called vitrimers. These plastics are strong, lightweight, self-healing, and reusable. The research team is studying how to use ultrasonic welding to assemble these materials into large space structures that can be repaired or reconfigured on-site. The NASA grant will support a three-year collaboration among research teams from Louisiana State University, Louisiana Tech University, and Southern University.
Dr. Peters is associate professor of chemical engineering at Louisiana Tech University and principal investigator on the NASA research project, titled “Advancing Manufacturing of Sustainable Multi-Material Composite Structures for Space Applications Via Ultrasonic Welding.” The collaborative research began October 1, 2025. “If NASA uses our work, we become part of something much bigger and contribute to the future of space exploration,” says Dr. Peters.

Robotics teams from area schools will demonstrate their skills at the Union Museum of History and Art.

The event is in association with the museum's NASA exhibit on loan from the Marshall Space Flight Center, Huntsville, Alabama. Teams confirmed so far are from Union Parish High School, Downsville Community Charter School, and D'Arbonne Woods Charter School.

Robotics are a key element in space exploration, most notably the current Mars robot rovers: Curiosity and Perseverance. NASA is planning a permanent lunar outpost, known as Moon Base, which will rely heavily on robotic systems before astronauts arrive.

We welcome you as a participant in the Friends of Black Bayou Photo Contest 2026! Celebrate our natural wonders with your unique perspectives! This year’s contest objectives are the same as always: to encourage protection of wildlife and conservation of natural resources through photographic skills and an appreciation of natural settings on the Refuge.

As always, there are no submission fees for your photos, so get your phones and cameras out and capture nature at its best. We encourage you to select your best photos and submit them by Oct. 1, 2026.

Carrollton’s Pilgrimage and Pioneer Day Festival features live music, family fun, and historic interest.
Those attending can: tour historic churches, enjoy live music, shop arts and crafts, visit Merrill Museum, see exhibitions, games for all ages, food, history, music, and Southern tradition.

This year’s Pilgrimage will feature guided tours of three historic churches

Friday and Saturday, October 2-3, 2 PM
Pilgrimage sites also include the Masonic Lodge, Merrill Museum, J.J. Gee & Sons Mercantile, and Carrollton Town Hall (Pilgrimage Headquarters).

Hasley: Voices of the Past is a twilight tour featuring the final resting place of notable community
figures. Intriguing tales and family legacies are brought to life through storytelling by local actors and
musicians. The tour is written and directed by Kay LaFrance-Knight, and costuming and set design is
led by Gayle Frick.

Several tours will take place on Saturday, Nov. 7 at Hasley Cemetery. Tour times are: 5:30 p.m., 6
p.m., 6:30 p.m., 7 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Limited tickets are available for each tour. Ticket holders will
meet at West Monroe City Hall 15 minutes before their scheduled tour to be shuttled to Hasley
Cemetery. Some walking is involved.

Tour tickets are $25 per person and can be purchased on www.eventbrite.com. Tour information can
also be found on the City of West Monroe’s website and Facebook page. Proceeds benefit the Kiroli
Foundation.

For more information about the tour, please contact the Kiroli Foundation at (318) 396-2600 or
kirolifoundation@westmonroe.la.gov