100 Years Ago May 15, 1926
Cottonwood Camp No. 134 of the Woodmen of the World of St. Martinville, La., announces that it has leased the Dance Hall of Mr. Wm. Talley at Lake Catahoula, and will, beginning Sunday May 16th, and on every Sunday thereafter, give dances throughout the day. Music for these dances will be furnished by Landry’s Symphony Orchestra.
The May Day program took place at the high school grounds here, and a very nice program was rendered, every one who took part in the varied program did well. Miss Bernadette Beyt was crowned the Queen of May. The maids were Misses Mattie Livingston, Aurelia Dugas, Elsie May Freeman, Genevieve Dessens, Leona Gary and Bernice Tally. Flower girls were Dorothy Beyt, Patricia Fleming and Juanita Bienvenu.
The State Board of Education bas approved the Parochial School of Breaux Bridge conducted by the Sisters Perpetual Adoration, as an approved high school.
Tuesday 265 children made their first Communion here, and the church had very beautiful decorations for this pretty and brilliant ceremony.
We are informed that Mr. L. P. Guirard is going into the ground Coffee business here, he is expecting all the necessary machinery soon. Mr. Guirard will not retail, but will sell to the trade only.
One young cow, with white head, no horn, black body, came on A. Suard’s place since about 2 month has mark on right ear, if branded cannot make out brand, Owner can come and see the cow, prove his property and pay cost.
G. Wade Burdin wishes to announce the opening of his garage, on north Main street, with a complete stock of tires and tubes, gas and oil, parts and accessories, new and used automobiles, car washing, etc.
50 Years Ago May 12, 1976
Honor graduates at St. Martin Academy were Lana Boudreaux, valedictorian, and Arlene Fuselier, salutatorian.
Cadet Thomas H. Lillie of Breaux Bridge was awarded the Military Order of World Wars Medal for third year AFROTC Cadets at USL.
Ivan Baker of Breaux Bridge was named outstanding alumni at the USL College of Agriculture.
SMSH football players honored at the annual athletic banquet were Horace Cole, best offensive linesman; Paul Etienne, most improved player; Vance Lopez, All-District; Ernie Filer, best defensive back; Patrick Batiste, outstanding pass receiver; Pete Delcambre, senior leadership award; Errol Laviolette, best offensive back; Frank Randazzo, All-Sports Award; and Andrew Bulliard, best defensive lineman. Track awards were presented to: Thaddeus Nelson, most improved; Freddie Babers, outstanding; and Pat Prescott, most valuable. Basketball awards were presented to Mike Francis, most improved; Raymond Mallery, best defensive player; and Glenn Etienne, most dedicated.
40 Years Ago May 14, 1986
Of the 66 public school systems, St. Martin Parish ranked 43rd in expenditures per student during the 1984-85 school year, according to the State Department of Education’s 136th Annual Report.
Martinville students serving in the USL Senate were Julie Fournet and Ellen Greig.
St. Martin Parish educators received the Acadiana Reading Council Membership Cup.
Named as Outstanding COE students from Breaux Bridge High School were Michele Peltier, employed by Farmers Merchants Bank and Kim Dever, employed at Cedars & Gauthier Law Office.
The April Mr. and Miss Bulldog selected at Cecilia High School were Perry Stewart and Charee LeBlanc, both juniors. Stewart is an all-district member of the basketball team and Miss LeBlanc is the Speech Club secretary.
25 Years Ago May 16, 2001
Unofficially, the Breaux Bridge Crawfish Festival Association reported Parc Hardy’s paid attendance for the festival at 25,230, up from 2000’s “off year” of 24,146, with both years lower than 1999’s record of 27,865. Across town at the National Guard Armory Hall grounds on the west side, the Afro-American Crawfish Festival, in its third year, reported 9,827 paid patrons, compared to 11,442 in 2000.
Varsity athletes at St. Martinville Sr. High School honored at the school’s annual All-Sports banquet were Early Doucet, male athlete of the year; Shawonna Johnson, female athlete of the year; Cramin Wiltz, Jr., male athlete academic award; Tiffany Charles, female athlete academic award; and David Willis, male athlete of the year.
