John Chauvin Press Box at Southeastern

— Everybody who visits the Red Stick Farmers Market knows Francis Chauvin.  She’s the friendly lady from Hammond who bakes the best pies.  She’s also bright-eyed and eager to tell the latest news from Hammond, Ponchatoula, and the Florida Parishes.

But not many who visit the farmers’ market know that Francis Chauvin is much more than the “pie lady.”  She’s also an experienced broadcaster with decades of experience in radio.  She and her husband John owned and operated WFPR and WHMD in Hammond for many years before selling their stations and retiring

May 17 will be a big day for Francis Chauvin and Hammond, because Robin Roberts of Good Morning America is coming to Hammond to give the commencement address to SLU’s graduating seniors.  What’s so special about that?  Beautiful, big-time TV personality coming to Hammond.  Oh, but it’s so much more than that!

Roberts, who just signed a contract with ABC for an estimated $14 million, used to play music for John and Francis Chauvin on their radio stations, while she was working her way through SLU and studying broadcasting.  Robin made $4 an hour working for the Chauvins, but she’s grateful that they gave her her big break in broadcasting.

Francis Chauvin will be on the stage with Robin.  Seems Robin is donating, well, a lot of money to pay for the new “John Chauvin Press Box” at Strawberry Stadium!

It’ll be a pretty big day for the pie lady!  So get your pie this Saturday.