Avoyelles Pages Past
By Donna Culotta
90 Years Ago
From our August 29, 1936 editions
Hurley Campbell of Bunkie earned $116.30 from a half acre of tomatoes.
The state’s cotton crop for 1936 was estimated to be 678,000 bales.
The winners of the baby contest sponsored by Yvonne Coco were: Shirley Mae Mullican, Ruth Marie Cayer, Mary Helen Ducote, Dorothy Gauthier and Mary Lou Ducote.
Percy Lemoine resumed duties as Avoyelles Parish County Agent.
Miss Gertrude deNux of Marksville was honored at a garden party.
80 Years Ago
From our August 31, 1946 editions
The Bunkie Rotary Club sponsored a contest for “Miss Avoyelles” to represent the parish at the Louisiana Sugar Cane Festival.
An ordinance was adopted that would allow the town of Marksville to impose $1.50 tax on each 31 gallons of beer, porter, ale, fruit juices or wine containing more than one half of one percent of alcohol by volume sold within the corporate limits.
Bill Tebow honored the Bunkie Rotary Club with selections played on the marimba.
70 Years Ago
From our Sept. 1, 1956 editions
The Cottonport Jets baseball team was scheduled to meet the Texas Red Sox of Port Arthur.
Judy Couvillion of Simmesport won the blue ribbon in the State Cherry Pie Baking Contest in the 4-H Short Course.
The Cottonport Bank joined with other Louisiana Banks in contributing to the 4-H Foundation.
The progressive merchants of Plaucheville announced their-10-Day Bargain Sale where thousands of items were being offered at drastically reduced prices.
Bernadine Laborde of Marksville won the blue ribbon in the Home Improvement Contest at the 4-H Short Course.
60 Years Ago
From our Sept. 1, 1966 editions
Duke Rivet was appointed city engineer and Stephen Braud was elected secretary of the police jury in their respective cities at Louisiana Boys State.
Chris Roy of Marksville was elected president of the Avoyelles Bar Association; he was also elected president of the Avoyelles Chapter of the LSU Alumni Association.
The U.S. Labor Department approved a neighborhood youth corps project sponsored by the Avoyelles Progressive Action Committee.
Father Marcel Anderson, pastor of Mater Dolorosa Catholic Church in Plaucheville, lost his father.
50 Years Ago
From our Sept. 2, 1976 editions
Edwards Park, consisting of tennis courts and a baseball field, was constructed in Marksville.
Mary Beth Cecil of Bunkie along with Peter Roy of Marksville presented a gift to Trooper Buddy Walters for a presentation he gave in August.
Wilbert Barker of Marksville caught the largest bass at the Spring Bayou Bass Tournament.
Douglas Lemoine of Cottonport qualified as a member of the 1976 President’s Council of the New York Life Insurance Company.
Patrick Quebedeaux, Marie Lemoine, Marcia Dupuy, and Susan Harp attended the National 4-H Citizen Short Course.
40 Years Ago
From our Sept. 4, 1986 editions
Marie Gagnard, niece of Kathleen and Eleanor Gremillion of Marksville, was selected as an official at the U.S.Open Tennis Tournament in New York.
The site for the state prison was purchased in Cottonport.
Mayor Richard Michel of Marksville endorsed Richard Killian for Congress.
Wal-Mart opened in Bunkie Aug. 4, 1981 and the store honored five-year employees, which included Kenneth Pickett, Mildred Kojis, Kathy Armo, Loraine Dalois, Lucille Daniels and Julia Gaines.
Louisiana Company officials announced plans were underway to open a Wal-Mart store in Marksville
Darlene Quebedeaux of Hessmer won third place in the 4-H Horse Public Speaking Contest.
30 Years Ago
From our August 29, 1996 editions
The home of Catherine Fruge on South Washington Street in Marksville was damaged by fire when a limb fell and pulled the ground wire out, which caused an electrical socket to short out in the bedroom. No one was injured but some of the firemen were stung by hornets forced out of the attic by the fire.
The Marksville Chess Club was organized and the first meeting was held at Milburn’s Tunica Tavern. Charter members were Tim Masling, Billy Masling, David Foreman. Darren Foreman, Donald Landry, Ronald Bordelon and Billy Glover.
Marine Sgt. Dion M. Wright, a 1985 graduate of Bunkie High, was promoted to his present rank sustained superior job performance and proficiency in his specialty.
Robert Nuss of Moreauville attended the advanced session of Camp Discovery held at NSU in Natchitoches.
Matthew Smith of Marksville was awarded $500 by the Delta Association for rural Initiatives for his motivation and ambitions in the field of automotive technology.
20 Years Ago
From our August 31, 2006 editions
Judge Mark Jeansonne administered the oath of office to Mansura Councilwoman Lorraine Quebedeaux, who took the place of Gaon Escude who had been appointed mayor to replace Harold Quebedeaux, who died.
The Marksville Weekly News celebrated its 163rd birthday. It was founded in 1843 under the name The Villager.
Several school teachers from Bunkie were honored as AP Teachers of the Year: Pamela Deshotel, Bunkie High; Frances Townsend, Avoyelles High and Amy McMullen, Bunkie Elementary.
10 Years Ago
From our Sept. 1, 2016 editions
School Board Finance Director Mary Bonnette said Food Service made a $235K turnaround since being in the hole in 2014.
David “Davie” Dauzat of Avoyelles Parish but living in Texas was charged with the grisly murder of his wife by killing and beheading her.
Avoyelles Parish Police Jurors were miffed because some of the offices in the courthouse were being remodeled and expense was covered by the sitting official.
Chris Veade produced a short feature film, Liberty Waning, a glimpse into the court system controlled by a liberal philosophy bent on limiting the 2nd Amendment right to bear arms.
Bunkie golfers who participated in the Rotary Club Golf Tournament included: Bill Longoria, Billy Mixon, Tommy Pujol, Nick Pujol, Luke Kojis, and Josh Book.
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