By David Vitrano

L’Observateur

RESERVE – One of the “premier” events of this year’s celebration of the 150th anniversary of the founding of Reserve will take place Thursday as St. John Theatre hosts the first public screening of a documentary on the community.

Simply called “Reserve,” the film traces the community to its earliest roots and features many photos and first-hand accounts from some of Reserves oldest and most knowledgeable residents.

But the film, produced by local filmmaker Jeff Duhe with the assistance of Lennen Madere, is much more than just a trip down memory lane. It draws parallels between the settlement of the New World and the ensuing changes of ownership of different territories and the impact that had on St. John the Baptist Parish. It also uses the socio-economic conditions of the parish in the 1800s to help explain the present-day composition of Reserve.

So the 50-minute film, which will also air on WLAE Nov. 13 at 9 p.m., has something for everybody — history buffs, residents and students alike will all find out something new and interesting in this nostalgic portrait of Reserve.

Thursday’s “red carpet” premiere will take place at 7:30 p.m. Seating for the free screening is on a first-come, first-served basis.

The premiere is not the only event celebrating Reserve that will take place in the coming days. On Sunday, Regala Park will host the Reserve150 Fun Day. Food, entertainment, music, games, pony rides, cooking contests and many more family-oriented activities are planned.

For more information on these or any of the events planned, visit www.reserve150.org.