From the June 5, 1979 pages of The Avoyelles Journal

To submit any Avoyelles Parish history from the past, email photo, information
and contact news@avoyellestoday.com or come by the newspaper office at 208
N. Washington St. in Marksville.

This week’s History Yesterday looks back at three community moments published in The Greater Avoyelles Journal on Tuesday, June 5, 1979.

The page captured a slice of everyday life in Avoyelles Parish, from young Cub Scouts learning bicycle safety in Belledeau, to local fishermen celebrating a successful bass club tournament, to residents competing in the newspaper’s Earliest Tomato contest.
In Belledeau, Cub Scouts took part in a bicycle rodeo, where the boys
heard safety tips before participating in a rodeo of tricks. The photo showed
the scouts lined up on their bicycles, ready for the event. Another feature highlighted the Hopeful Hookers Bass Club of Marksville, which held its May tournament at Nantachie Lake. According to the original article, many small fish
were caught on worms and top water baits. First place went to Dale Lonidere, second went to Merrick Bordelon, and third place and big bass went to Kenny McGovern.
The newspaper also featured winners of its Earliest Tomato contest. Mrs. Clemen Luneau of Fifth Ward won first place and received a $15 check from the Journal for three pounds of ripe tomatoes. Robin Laborde of Marksville placed second and received a Journal T-shirt. Honorable mention went to Dorothy Gremillion of Cottonport. The original article also noted that Mrs. Penn Armand and Mrs. J.C. Baudin had brought in early ripe figs from Bordelonville.

Together, the three clippings offer a look back at the kind of local stories that filled Avoyelles newspapers in 1979, school and scout activities, fishing tournaments, garden contests and the familiar faces of parish life.