Avoyelles Pages Past

By Donna Culotta

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90 Years Ago

From our Oct. 10, 1936 editions

Joseph Herman Rachal and Levy Paul Lemoine of Longbridge enlisted in the United States Marines.

Mr. Jules Escude opened a new Shell gas station in Marksville.

Purdie Guillot and Ivory Bringall won first place in the FFA exhibition contest.

High school elections around the parish included: Lloyd McCann, president, senior class at Lafargue; Dalton Gremillion, president, Mansura Literary Society; Hayden Bordelon, president, Simmesport FFA and Louis Borel, president, Fifth Ward Literary Society.

80 Years Ago

From our Oct. 12, 1946 editions

Iran Bordelon, Ralph DeBellevue and Mrs. Landry Gauthier were recognized for their outstanding exhibit at the parish fair

Rev. Monsignor H. Van der Putten blessed the stained glass windows at St. Joseph Church.

Nellie Mae Gun, a professional vocalist from New Orleans, presented a concert in Haas Auditorium in Bunkie.

Judge Lester Bordelon held court sessions in Evangeline Parish due to the illness of the Evangeline Parish judge.

70 Years Ago

From our Oct. 13, 1956 editions

W.L. Caldwell and George Vollman both of Bunkie withdrew as candidates from the proposed constitutional convention.

Roland Comeaux won first place in the Avoyelles Sweet Potato Grading Contest.

News from the high schools: Melanie Robin, elected president, Hessmer 4-H Club; Edward Rabalais elected president, Moreauville Junior news and Robert Botts exhibited his champion sow at the La. Livestock and Pasture Festival.

J. Numa Damiens of Marksville, sales representative of Investors Diversified Services, attended the company’s sales conference in Minneapolis.

Cadet Lt. Col. Sam Hardage, son of Mrs. Alice Shows formerly of Bunkie, was the commanding officer of the Central High School ROTC Battalion of Jackson, Miss.

60 Years Ago

From our Oct. 13, 1966 editions

Sgt. Irving Couvillion returned from Viet Nam.

Captain William Simpson, 21 year old son of Mr. and Mrs. L.B. Simpson of Bunkie, was awarded the Purple Heart for action in Viet Nam.

The police jury passed a resolution that ordered the removal of all obstacles from the Fort DeRussey Cemetery Road.

Bunkie’s Fire Department ushered in Fire Prevention Week with firefighters Mack Cathey, Joe Dufour, Cowoboy Dufour, Shorty Vanchiere, Burton Guidry, Pete Sabatini, Fred Smith, Huey Bernard and Chief Johnny Johns.

Wilfred and Michael Ducote of the Hessmer FFA Chapter won first place in sweet potato competition at the La. Livestock and Pasture Festival.

Superintendent F. J. Couvillion announced the approval of two schools in Avoyelles for adult education of veterans.

50 Years Ago

From our Oct. 14, 1976 editions

Mrs. Sterling Laborde passed the library examination issued by the state board.

The Avoyelles Parish Police Jury imposed an occupational license tax.

George French, former financial manager of the Marksville General Hospital, was appointed a member of the HFMA-Blue Cross Advisory Council for a one-year term.

Dr. Louis Hamilton of Bunkie, Doctor of Chiropractic, was awarded a certificate of honor for his outstanding contribution to the chiropractic profession for the betterment of the health of mankind.

Paul Brown of Simmesport joined the Southeastern Louisiana University Band.

40 Years Ago

From our Oct. 16, 1986 editions

Marksville native Burnell Lemoine was selected as the new Avoyelles Parish Superintendent of Education.

Lucien Laborde of Hamburg was named to the LSU Hall of Distinction.

The Bunkie Lions Club donated a television and decoder to Hessmer High for hearing impaired children.

Weill’s in the Shirley Road Shopping Center in Bunkie celebrated its 96th year. Penny Jacobs was recognized for 23 years with the business.

30 Years Ago

From our Oct. 10, 1996 editions

Burger King fast food restaurant opened for business in Marksville. By lunchtime traffic was backed up a long way down Hwy.1.

The Miss Bunkie High school pageant was held at the BHS gym. Senior contestants were: Kamilah Tompkins, Amy-Lynn Barrere, Natalie Juneau, Leah Gauthier, Charvet Valley and Eryka Williams.

Trey Laborde and Lance St. Romain were the winners in the design-a-shirt contest for the Jr. Beta Club at Lafargue Elementary.

20 Years Ago

From our Oct. 12, 2006 editions

In what was described as the biggest marijuana bust in Marksville PD history, Brandon Keith Greenhouse, 25, was arrested for possession of seven pounds of marijuana with intent to distribute.

The school board argued for over one hour in deciding what route a school bus driver should be given. In the end, no decision was made and the State Attorney General’s opinion was sought.

Piggly Wiggly of Bunkie celebrated its one-year anniversary under the new ownership of Paul and Melissa Bellow.

St. Joseph Church in Marksville sponsored a Ministry Fair that let parishioners learn about ways they can serve the church. Pictured were: Mildred Hardwick, Joyce Laborde, Clyde Neck, Michael Carmouche, Father Rusty Rabalais, Bonnie and Ron Normand.

The city of Bunkie along with Bunkie General Hospital sponsored an extensive Health Fair at Haas Auditorium. There were different health screenings available and 48 booths featuring businesses from Avoyelles and Rapides.

10 Years Ago

From our Oct. 13, 2016 editions

The five remaining Avoyelles Port Commissioners resigned ending a political battle that began over a year ago between State Rep. Robert Johnson and the port commissioners.

Avoyelles musicians Bobby Michot and Gerard Dupuy performed traditional French songs at the Conference on Louisiana French held in Natchitoches.

Church fair season was open and pictured at the Echo Church Fair as well as the St. Peter/St. Michael Fair were; Jacob Dauzat, Mark Gauthier, Lindsey Hargrave, Ariana Gonzales, Pierce Ferguson, Robert Lemoine and Ian Rico.