We are pleased that Sen. Beth Mizell has taken the initiative to brand our parishes watermelons as our own. Washington Parish is already known for its melons, but perhaps with a distinct brand and icon, Washington Parish will be as synonymous with the fruit as Parma is with the cheese.

All kidding aside, however, this will be good for the parish, whether you’re a melon grower or a restaurant owner. The greater demand for our melons, the more money that will come back to our parish, and it doesn’t take a financial degree to see how that’s good news.

In a broader sense, this could help the parish’s image. In case there are still a few people out there unaware of our parish’s reputation for melon excellence, a distinctive branding campaign can do nothing but burnish our reputation.

Such favorable public relations can help attract people to the fair and to the blues and heritage festival.

Given all the tough decisions and generally dismal financial news that’s been coming out of Baton Rouge lately, we’re gladdened to see that time was made to find such a creative way to help the folks back home.

Speaking of helping the folks at home, we’d like to remind everyone that tickets are now on sale for the Christmas in the Park.

Ticket sales are the primary fundraiser for this annual Christmas tradition and though they’re $100 each, the winner of the raffle will win $5,000 and every ticket holder will get two entrance tickets for the December event and some satisfaction from knowing they’ve helped their hometown host a festive favorite.

Raffle tickets may be purchased from Christmas in the Park Committee members or by calling Shirley Thompson at 985-735-7565, Col. Bobby Miller at 985-750-8134 or through Kay Kay Varnado at the mayor’s office at Bogalusa City Hall. That number is 985-732-6200 ext. 313.