W hen-from the Teche News files
100 Years Ago
December 12, 1925
It was announced that beginning Dec. 21, the Sedgwick Players would open an eight week’s engagement in St. Martinville, playing under auspices American Legion. The Company travelled in their own private car, and presented the best and strongest plays ever carried by a Repertoire Co. The opening play was “The Awakening of John Slater,” one of the strongest plays ever written for the stage.
The sweet potato market was now down to the last limit, selling at one dollar per barrel. Some potatoes remaining too long in wet ground, were more or less damaged.
Mr. George Knight left for Washington, D. C, as a delegate appointed by Gov. Fuqua, to the rivers and harbors convention. Mr. Knight being a member of the Atchafalaya Levee Board, was well posted on the needs of this section, and well qualified to represent this section at the meeting.
That annual, easily forgettable need, next year’s auto license, is upon the motorists of St. Martin. For weeks officials have been calling public attention to this important matter.
The owners of the New Iberia Moss Company, have learned that they had made a mistake in locating their Moss Factory in New Iberia, as the moss supply they were getting nearly all came from St. Martinville and the surrounding country, and recognizing their error, were here this week, bought a lot near the railroad depot or the bayou bank, and will soon dismantle their plant in New Iberia and bring it here.
The St. John refinery stopped operation Monday, to allow the farmers to windrow their cane for the mill as the first freezes had affected the cane quite seriously, and the last one, being much heavier, made it necessary to windrow the cane.
50 Years Ago
December 10, 1975
St. Martinville Jaycee president Dallas Sonnier announced the appointment of Nathan Cormier as chairman for the 1976 Cajun Boucherie.
Steel erectors were nearing the end of their portion of the construction of the new Evangeline Village Shopping Center being built on the south end of St. Martinville. The new shopping facility contained 42,000 sq. ft. of leasable space and a parking area for 250 automobiles The developers hoped to open the shopping center by February 1976.
A number of Cub Scouts in Park 397, Breaux Bridge received their Bobcat medals from Cubmaster Bobby LeBlanc. The new bobcats were Eddie Latiolais, Daniel Green, Jonathan Gregory, Byron Roy, Kerry Latiolais, Mike Comeaux, Greg Beazley, Gregory Barrilleaux, Kevin Baker and Richard Theriot.
Named to the 5-AAA All-District football first team defensive squad were St. Martinville players Patrick Batiste, Vance Lopez, Ernie Filer and Tim Trahan.
40 Years Ago
December 13, 1985
Lisa Robicheaux of St. Martinville was crowned St. Martin Parish’s Cattlemen’s Queen.
Breaux Bridge Jr. High Beta Club officers were Archie Hebert, president; Tiffany Latiolais, vice president; Jan Allemond, secretary; and Ashley Begnaud, treasurer.
Mark Savoy of Breaux Bridge was among eight USL students nominated for the Outstanding Graduating Senior Award.
The St. Martin Parish Assessor’s office had its own dedicated tax millage to draw from for its operations. Under the new law, the local assessor received the proceeds from a 3.19 mills tax dedicated solely to his office.
25 Years Ago
December 13, 2000
Several thousand spectators lined St. Martinville’s Main Street for the annual Christmas parade sponsored by the Knights of Columbus. The parade featured 23 floats and marching units.
Cicely Ozen of Breaux Bridge was named Most Valuable Player in Div. III, District 3 and was selected to the State All-Tournament Volleyball team.
St. Martinville Sr. High principal Valerie Haaga presented the Principal’s Leadership Award to senior Cramin Wiltz.
