-Remember
W hen-from the Teche News files
100 Years Ago April 3, 1926
The general public admired with great interest, a picture on display at Bienvenu Bros. Store’s spacious show window, an enlargement from an original photograph, A Modern Conception of Evangeline.
Painted by a noted artist, and enlarged by Mr. I A. Martin of the Martin Studio of New Iberia. Miss Mildred Dessens posed as Evangeline.
Mr. Albert Martin who has just bought a barbers outfit, is fixing and repairing the front room on the lower floor of the Woodmen building and will open his shop in a short time.
Mrs. Dan DeBlanc entertained the Bridge Club Tuesday afternoon. After the card game a nice lunch was served to the guests. The prizes were won as follows: Miss Mina Guidry, 1st prize and Miss Rose Aubry, 2nd prize.
Miss Ethel Labbe Tuesday night entertained the young ladies Five Hundred Club. The card game was played, after which a nice supper was served to the members. The first prize was won by Miss Mina Guidry, the second prize, by Mrs. Leo Bulliard.
A largely attended meeting was held at the K. C. hall in St. Martinville which was attended by interested citizens from Lalayette, St. Landry, Vermilion, Iberia and St. Martin parishes. The meeting was called to order by Mr. A. C. Gauthier who called upon Judge James D. Simon to preside, and he made an address, showing the need and the necessity of maintaining the Keystone locks and the Teche for navigation and rice irrigation. Both purposes needed the maintaining of the Teche, it was too important a stream to be abandoned.
50 Years Ago March 31, 1976
Gov. Edwin Edwards was the featured speaker at dedication ceremonies for the Atchafalaya Interchange Rest Area along Interstate 10 near Butte LaRose in St. Martin Parish.
Sheriff Charles J. Fuselier was named “Lawman of the Year” by the Parks Knights of Columbus.
Officers of the newly formed Sertoma Club in Breaux Bridge were Harris “Buddy” Pellerin, president; George Huval, vice president; Calvin Woodruff, secretary; Jake Kern, treasurer; James Breaux, sponsorship vice president; and Elmer Naquin, sergeant-at-arms.
St. Martinville Sr. High students featured in “Who’s Who Among Music Students in American High Schools” were Sharleen Orphe, Burton Bernard, Charlotte Batiste, Mark Pratt, Carroll James and Sadie Fontenette.
The St. Martinville Primary School library was the recipient of the prestigious Modisette Award from the Louisiana Library Association.
Parish students receiving first place honors in the USL District Rally were Katie Bulliard of St. Martinville, geometry: Tammy Degeyter of Cecilia; spelling, Div. II; Charlotte Champagne of Mercy, French, Div. IV; and Leah Barron of Breaux Bridge, best actress.
Gwynn Fruge and Mark Olivier both of Cecilia were chosen grand prize winners in the Region VI Science Fair held at USL.
Jacques Lasseigne of St. Martinville was elected 2nd vice president of Kappa Delta Pi education honor society at USL.
Mark Henson of SMSH took grand champion honors (at the State Livestock Show in Baton Rouge) with his entry in the Santa Gertrudes Division.
40 Years Ago April 3, 1986
Members of the 1986 Lady Tigers softball team at Breaux Bridge High School included Susan Blanchard, Sonya Louviere, Jayne Guidry, Chantelle Melancon, Amy Joiner, Monica Angelette, Natalie Robert, Rhonda LeBlanc, Michelle Champagne, Krystal Boudreaux, Michelle Bijeaux, Aimye Theriot and Michelle Taylor.
The unemployment rate in St. Martin Parish climbed to 12.5% in February, according to figures released by the State Department of Labor. The February figure reflects growing employment problems in the area, as the local jobless rate was 9.6% in December and rose to 12.1% in January.
The Teche News celebrated its 100th year, anniversary of publication. Alice Cormier of Cecilia was presented humanitarian award from the staff of the Refugee Resettlement Program of the Diocese of Lafayette.
25 Years Ago April 4, 2001
School systems across Louisiana received an extra check in the mail when almost $5 million from the Education Excellence Fund (EEF) was available to local schools for use in the classroom, with payments ranging from over $350,000 in Orleans Parish to over $28,000 in Tensas Parish. The St. Martin Parish share was $71,169. The money, distributed on a per pupil basis, wasthe first installment from a special fund set up in the state constitution allocating dollars each year from the state’s tobacco settlement payments to local school systems.
Kayli Champagne of St. Martinville, was crowned Jr. Miss St. Martin during the 2001 contest sponsored by Beta Rho chapter of Beta Sigma Phi. Runners-up were Alana Landry 1st alternate, and Courtney LeBlanc, 2nd alternate.
