Avoyelles Pages Past

By Donna Culotta and Abi Guillot

90 Years Ago

From our March 15, 1936 editions
Mr. W.W. Voinche was elected president of the Marksville Lumber Company.
Mr. J.W. Porter, manager of the Marksville Variety Store, announced that he was leaving and returning to employment in Opelousas.
Gov. Noe appointed Albert Gremillion as Justice of the Peace in Ward-2.
Television Station KVOL from Lafayette broadcasted from the Home Economics Cottage in Bunkie.

80 Years Ago

From our March 16, 1946 editions
The J.C. Wilson Broom and Mop Company products were greeted favorably.
George Bennett Pope of Bunkie died.
Leonard Eversull, son of Mr. and Mrs. W.V. Eversull, arrived home from the Navy Center, New Orleans where he received an honorable discharge from the Naval Air Corps.
Marksville Motors announced the employment of two returning veterans, Mr. Helm Masters and Mr. Leroy Havard.
Judge Vincent Mouser was the guest speaker at the OPA meeting in Bunkie.
Judge Mouser spoke on the changes of inflation and threats to economic stability.

70 Years Ago

From our March 17, 1956 editions
Miss Rosemary Scallan was named Sweetheart of the Mansura FFA Chapter.
Marksville High junior Janelle Ducote accepted an invitation to audition for the New Orleans Philharmonic Orchestra.

“The Passion Play” by the Marksville High choral group under the direction of E J. Bozek was presented at Haas Auditorium in Bunkie.
Those who also worked on the production were: W.C. Earnest, Jr., Mrs. Paul Eakin, Mrs. James L. Knoll, Eddie Bordelon, Mrs. Ruby K., Louis Swann and Mrs. P.J. Heath.
Marion Roy of Marksville was elected vice-president of the Avoyelles Parish Vegetable Growers Association.
Edgar Coco was named to the Board of Trustees of the Public Affairs Research Council.
P.J. Laborde of Bordelonville won an all-expense paid trip to the International Livestock Exhibition in Chicago.

60 Years Ago

From our March 18, 1966 editions
W. C. Earnest, Jr. of Bunkie was elected to the Board of Directors of the La. School Board Association for the fourth time.
Delilah Ann Bordelon reigned as Heart Queen at Fifth Ward High School.
Mayor Raymond Laborde was named “Outstanding Citizen of Marksville for 1966” by The Woodmen of the World.
Ellis Laborde was presented the “Mr. Woodman” award.
Bunkie Mayor Warren Constant and Simmesport Mayor Leo Ehrhardt were among the nominees for Louisiana Mayor of the Year.
Three Bunkie housewives won $25 in prizes in the Bunkie Record “Eyes To The Future” contest.
- Mrs. Dorothy Galland Smith - $15
- Mrs. Georgia B. Gremillion - $7
- Mrs. Geneva Graham - $3

50 Years Ago

From our March 19, 1976 editions
Mark W. Dubea attained membership in the Ford Society of Professional Sales Counselors for 1975.
Raymond M. Gremillion retired from the South Central Bell Telephone Company after 27 years of service.
Timmy Guillory was named the grand champion at the Avoyelles Youth Expo.
Mrs. F.G. Ormsby's tulip garden was selected as the "Garden of the Month" by the Bunkie Garden Club.
The Avoyelles Rural Development Committee was recognized at the state banquet.
The first ever school competition was held at the Mansura tennis courts.

40 Years Ago

From our March 16, 1986 editions
The Cottonport High Drama Club staged the play “Voices from High School.”
The interior of Nick’s Superette was damaged by fire.
A groundbreaking ceremony for the new South Central Bell digital office in Marksville was scheduled.
Kelly Paulk of Lafargue High School was elected president of the Avoyelles FHA.
Physical Therapist John Singletary opened the Avoyelles Physical Therapy Clinic in Bunkie General Hospital's Physicians Building on the Evergreen Highway.
Champions Troy Spencer, Robin Rougeou and Dwayne Chatelain were recognized in the LSU Junior Livestock Show.

30 Years Ago

From our March 14, 1996 editions
Ft. DeRussy, an historic Civil War site, was sold to La Commission des Avoyelles with the intent to donate it to the city of Marksville.
Ronald Normand from the Marksville Knights of Columbus presented donations to three schools for special ed programs.
Receiving the checks were Rufus Johnson, Howard Jeansonne and Jerome St. Romain.
Our Lady of Lourdes Altar Society in Fifth Ward sponsored a Valentine Banquet for members and their spouses.
The royal court included:
- Michael and Mary Guillory - Duke and Duchess
- Harold and Doris Bordelon - Prince and Princess
- Raymond and Rella Rosa - King and Queen
Bunkie Middle School hoped a new program would help students face their problems easier, with the peer meditation program.

20 Years Ago

From our March 16, 2006 editions
Timmy Lemoine announced his candidacy for mayor of Moreauville.
Mac Normand requested the Hessmer town council explain why he was denied six times for rezoning in order to build a communication building.
Normand accused the council of being prejudice towards him.
The city of Marksville approved the police department request to hire five new officers and a detective instead of continually paying overtime.

10 Years Ago

From our March 17, 2016 editions
Red River Charter School submitted an application to the school board for the third year in a row.
The request could have gone straight to BESE but RRC wanted to show good faith by going to the APSB.
The Avoyelles Watchdogs held a “Rally for Jeremy” to ensure the murder case against Norris Greenhouse, Jr and Derrick Stafford would not be swept under a rug.
Bunkie Chief of Police Bobby Corner pled guilty to contempt of court and was given a 10-day suspended sentence by Judge Kerry Spruill.