Avoyelles Pages Past

By Donna Culotta

90 Years Ago

From our Dec. 14, 1935 editions
Attorney A. Leonard Allen was a candidate for Eighth District Congressman
Lamar Coco was a candidate for Avoyelles tax assessor and L.P. Gremillon was a candidate for judge of the Twelfth District Court
The Avoyelles Parish Medical Society honored Dr. Jules Lemoine of Cottonport
Judge Richard W. Leche addressed voters throughout Avoyelles Parish
The police jury adopted a resolution imposing a 1% tax on all gasoline or other motor fuel sold in Avoyelles during 1936

80 Years Ago

From our Dec. 15, 1945 editions
T. T. McNabb was the principal speaker at the Bunkie Rotary Club
He told of his experiences while in the service and the many places he has visited
Olin Deville opened a radio shop on the outskirts of Marksville
Jerry Fuqua was elected president of the junior class at Cottonport High School
The Society of Christian Service at Oak Grove Methodist Church in Effie sponsored a benefit at Lafargue High School

20 Years Ago

From our Dec. 17, 1955 editions
Eugene Scallan announced his candidacy for state representative and Ellis J. Reynaud sought re-election for police juror in Ward Two
Mrs. Bennett Scallan was installed as president of The Christ the King Workers in Simmesport
David M. Perkins of Hamburg was appointed to serve on the Louisiana Livestock Sanitary Board
Bunkie Panthers chosen for All-District were: - Pat McCoy, halfback
- George Vollman, tackle
- Irby Bordelon, tackle
- William Cullen, tackle
- Terry Brown, end
- Stafford Holland, fullback
Mrs. David Friefield hosted the December meeting of the Marksville Garden Club

60 Years Ago

From our Dec. 16, 1965 editions
Russell Bordelon of Bordelonville won first place in the Avoyelles Parish FFA Public Speaking contest
The Louisiana Municipal Review included Simmesport among the many towns in need of major transportation improvements
A group of youngsters ran the government of Bunkie during the annual Kid's Day festivities
They were: - Councilman Charles Middlebrooks
- Ward Marshall Charles Milligan
- City Clerk Rickey Valentine
- Judge David Constant
- Councilman Randy Seales
- Assistant Clerk Jackie Jeansonne
- Councilwoman Ann Morse
- Court Clerk Gay Miller
- Mayor John McConnell
- Fire Chief Greg Angelle
- Councilman Greg Maillet
Mayor Warren Constant and Fire Chief Johnny Johns
Mrs. Pearl G. Bordelon, a telephone operator for Southern Bell Telephone Company in Bunkie, was honored for 30 years of service

50 Years Ago

From our Dec. 18, 1975 editions
Several St. Joseph High Sr. 4-H members contributed to the annual drive for the veterans in Alexandria by making cookies
They were:
- Melissa Scallan
- Aloysia Coco
- Tommy Jean Gauthier
- Mary Beth Cecil
- Chris Farr
- Jeff Lemoine
- Bridgette Rachal
- Allison Lemoine
The elected police jurors included the following: - Harold Brouillette
- Wade Mayeux
- Irvin P. Lemoine
- Oren Lamartiniere
Father Gustave Bergeron, pastor of St. Peter Catholic Church in Bordelonville, began his new assignment at St. John the Baptist in Moncla
Claire Schneider, a Marksville High senior, attended the National 4-H Club Congress

40 Years Ago

From our Dec. 12, 1985 editions
Miss Adaire Rabalais was crowned Miss Merry Christmas in the Cottonport Christmas Parade
Harold Hardwick announced his candidacy for the Marksville town council
Glen Ikerd of Marksville and Holly Escude of Mansura captured titles at the Avoyelles Parish Tennis Tournament
The Avoyelles Parish Black History Council sponsored a basketball tournament at the Marksville High School gym
Bunkie mayor pro-tempore Danny Melancon, had a small gathering to welcome Congressman John Breaux
Successful football coach Gene Britton was named Bunkie's Citizen of the Year for 1985

30 Years Ago

From our Dec. 14, 1995 editions
Santa Claus was pictured riding in a vintage fire truck in the Cottonport Christmas Parade
Charlotte G. St. Romain of Cottonport was awarded the 1995 Presidential Award for Excellence in Science and Math Teaching
Dawn Deshotel was crowned the new Miss St. Joseph High School
Wilbert Couvillion from the Woodmen of the World presented Theresa Thevenote with an American flag to be used at the library
General Motors Corporation donated two vehicles to Louisiana Technical College in Cottonport for educational and training purposes in approved automotive technician training programs
The Shell Wash-n-Go installed a Mark VII Aquajet Touchfree car wash

20 Years Ago

From our Dec. 15, 2005 editions
Luke Welch was named Citizen of the year in Cottonport for his outstanding contributions to the citizens of the town
School board officials voted 7-2 to give Superintendent Ronald Mayeux a one-year contract instead of two
City employees Ivory Mingo and Michael Dorsey installed one of the many Christmas flag decorations that added to the seasonal spirit in Marksville
Nineteen carpenters from Canada arrived in Louisiana to help in the rebuilding process after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita
The men donated their own time, work and money

10 Years Ago

From our Dec. 10, 2015 editions
Although there were 12 lawsuits existing against the Marksville Police Department, eight of them involved the wrongful death of Jeremy Mardis
A large crowd gathered for the annual lighting of the Avoyelles Parish Courthouse, which heralded the Christmas season in Avoyelles Parish
Manny Marcotte was selected as the grand marshal for the 50th Annual Cottonport Christmas parade, an event he helped start and worked hard to keep going