By MOLLY DRYMAN

Staff Reporter

VACHERIE — The Laura Plantation in Vacherie is in the process of getting back on track with the reconstruction of the main house, since the fire in August 2004 and Hurricane Katrina.

President of the Laura Plantation Company, Norman Marmillion, said the plantation is coming along quite well. He also said they are in the process of painting the house, and waiting for the new shingle roof to arrive.

&#8220We should have everything completed, except for the cosmetic work, by the end of July,” Marmillion said. &#8220We are doing well considering everything, and giving tours daily of the ground level and main level of the plantation.”

Marmillion said the plantation is doing about 22 percent of the business they normally do during this time of year, but that every month it gets better.

&#8220We have noticed every month the percentage of business we do rises,” he said. &#8220Usually in the months of April and May, business slows down a bit, but this year it went up in the months April and May.”

Marmillion said the plantation should be completely back to normal by September, as long as nothing major happens.

&#8220Since business is improving we have been able to hire around seven salary employees,” he said. &#8220These are for basic services, but we are just glad to be able to do this.”

Marmillion also said the Delta Queen Steamboat has returned, which is one of the biggest additions to getting the plantation back to normal.

He also said the tourists coming to the plantation have actually been tourists from out-of-state, which is a great sign.