Avoyelles Pages Past

By Donna Culotta

90 Years Ago

From our Nov. 14, 1936 editions

Laborde and Roy Motor Company held its formal opening ceremonies.

The police jury ordered the removal of all the slot machines from the parish.

The Catholic Daughters of America sought to enroll additional members in their national campaign, “Today’s Challenge to Catholic Women.”

Uray Robin and Louis Gagnard were selected as executive members of the Hessmer FFA Chapter; and at Dupont High, Neva Ortego was elected president of the Safety Club.

80 Years Ago

From our Nov. 16, 1946 editions

The Marksville National Guard Unit was formally approved.

W.L. Caldwell, president of the Avoyelles Trust and Saving Bank in Bunkie, was the proud possessor of a beautiful pleasure craft he bought in New Orleans.

Drainage culverts were installed on Preston Street.

Erskine Hawkins was slated to perform at the Blue Moon Club in Bunkie.

The Kansas City Bridge Company was the low bidder in building the Moncla Bridge.

The Simmesport Boy Scouts made final plans for raising funds for the Attakapas Council Drive.

70 Years Ago

From our Nov. 17, 1956 editions

Airman Roland Laborde of Marksville entered finance training.

Father Ernest Ziska was guest speaker on “Catholic Goodwill Hour” featured on KALB radio in Alexandria.

Attending the Louisiana Teachers Convention were Avoyelles teachers Fred Chatelain, Melvin Sharp, Clarence Roy and Edwin Guillory.

The Bunkie Panthers went down in defeat to the Marksville Tigers, 38-14.

The school board chose the Avoyelles Trust and Savings Bank of Bunkie, the Marksville Union Bank and the Cottonport Bank as its fiscal agents.

Mr. and Mrs. Milton Joseph Coco celebrated their golden wedding anniversary.

60 Years Ago

From our Nov. 17, 1966 editions

Eddie Rabalais was chosen as the LSUA freshman class president.

Rodney Reed, a senior and first clarinet in the Bunkie High Band, was chosen to performs in the All-State Band.

Harold Ducote of Hessmer received the Solvay Company scholarship.

The Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries bought 11,000 acres in the Spring Bayou area.

Tanya Lunn of Mansura was nominated for membership in the honor society Phi Kappa Phi at USL.

Lance Dupuy was re-elected as president of the Choctaw Riding Club.

50 Years Ago

From our Nov. 18, 1976 editions

Dr. L.J. Mayeux was elected to serve as a delegate at the American Academy of Family Physicians National Convention.

Members of St. Anthony’s girls basketball team included: Joy Pujol, Maxie Roy, Melissa Mayeux, Tracy Chenevert, Faye Jusselin, Debbie Deville, Gina Maillet, Karen Ducote, Vallery Taylor and Phyllis Ducote.

Avoyelles Parish Sheriff Deputies Ruth Wilmer, Pat Villemarette, Evonne Hayes and Barbara McNeal graduated from the Alexandria Police Academy.

Camille Sayer was elected president of the Moncla Community.

40 Years Ago

From our Nov. 20, 1986 editions

Susan Riddle of Marksville spoke at the Louisiana Association of Educators State Convention.

The Board of Directors of Les Theatres des Bon Temps honored Donald Ohlmeyer of Bunkie.

Tracy McCann was crowned Miss Lafargue. Monique Coco was elected president of the Markville High Glee Club.

Errol Ponthier was selected to play in the All-State Orchestra.

John Ab Boatner, who organized Bunkie Bank and Trust Co. in 1953, was named president and CEO.

Joyce Laborde was elected president of the Cenla AARP Chapter.

Angela Hines was elected president of the Lafargue High Young Americans for Freedom.

An argument in Baton Rouge over a nicked windshield ended in the death of Richard Bordelon of Bordelonville.

30 Years Ago

From our Nov. 14, 1996 editions

William Scott of Cottonport was chosen “Citizen of the Year” by the Cottonport Service Club.

The Marksville Tigers beat the Bolton Bears and hosted a state playoff game. This was the first time that happened since 1967.

Elizabeth Juneau was elected president of the Bunkie Elementary PTO.

Students from Lafargue Elementary buried a time capsule on the grounds of the school. The students in Sharon Hargis class will meet in 20 years, dig up the capsule and see how things have changed.

20 Years Ago

From our Nov. 16, 2006 editions

Chasity Prier, age 24, suffered from stab wounds inflicted in a Bunkie motel by her boy friend, Paul Barton, age 28, during a domestic dispute, Barton kicked in the door of the motel and attacked Prier.

The old city hall in Marksville could become the new Water Department office if a grant with a deadline of Dec. 1, could be written and acquired.

Ladies enjoying Pink October activities were: Mitzi Logan, Trish Johnson, Laurie Lonidier, Michelle Reyes, Lori Firmin, Luby Jeansonne, Lou Normand and Rella Bordelon.

Louisiana Agriculture Finance threw its support for a proposed sugar mill in Bunkie. With that approval, backers were free to pursue financing.

10 Years Ago

From our Nov. 17, 2016 editions

Marksville’s budget woes were not over. After so many cuts and layoffs, the city council still needed to trim $135,000.

Some of the veterans honored in Nov. 11 programs were: Joseph Juneau, Marc Dupuy, Charles Simon, Nancy Couvillon, Sonny Harris, Geoffrey Bordelon, Steve Osman, Raleigh Guillory, Nolen Moses and Bernard Ryder.

Christopher Catt of Bunkie, age 27, tried to steal a car while it was parked at a convenience store in Alexandria. But the car owner and his friends subdued Catt, who had pulled a gun.

Scotty Scott was elected mayor of Cottonport and Leslie Draper was chosen mayor of Simmesport.