Effie area residents have been anticipating the construction of their first local library branch for the past few years. Now the project is in the home stretch.
EFFIE LIBRARY GROUNDBREAKING
The long-awaited groundbreaking for the new Effie branch of the Avoyelles Parish Library and the new Cottonport Bank branch took place on Nov. 18. The bank donated the property adjacent to the new bank branch for the new library. Those participating in the event included, from left, (front) Library Board member Marina Gagic, Library System Director Theresa Thevenote, Library Board member Jean Lemoine, Cottonport Bank President A.J. Roy III, State Rep.-Elect Daryl Deshotel, Shane Stout of Cottonport Bank, Police Juror Marsha Wiley, Library Board President Pete Riche, and (back row) Ducote Construction representatives Grant Ducote, Craig Ducote and Adam Ducote, Parish Engineer Ron Bordelon and Police Juror Mark Borrel. {Photo courtesy of Cottonport Bank}
In the “bang for the buck” category, the Avoyelles School District ranks in the top half of the state’s public school districts.
54th ANNUAL COTTONPORT CHRISTMAS ON THE BAYOU, THURSDAY, DEC. 5-8
GROWING AT THE PORT
Avoyelles Port Commission President Barry Laiche (right) discusses plans for the use of 70 riverfront acres purchased with a $420,000 grant from the Red River Waterway Commission with (bottom to top) RRWC’s Avoyelles member Larry Sayes, State Rep.-Elect Daryl Deshotel and Port Commission Vice President Scott Williams. {Photo by Raymond L. Daye}
In the immediate sense, the Port of Avoyelles is increasing its net worth by $420,000.
One of two Acadiana Center for Youth escapees was captured by Lafayette Police officers on Thanksgiving, but the other is still at large.
CABBAGE PATCH KIDS
LaSAS students (from left) Anna Laborde, Olivia Dixon, Ava Williber, Brandon Wright and Kay Lee pose with some beautiful heads of cabbage in the school’s garden. The produce will be on sale to the public. Part of the crop will end up on the lunch trays of Avoyelles Parish School District schools’ Christmas meals on Dec. 19. {Photo courtesy of Ward Bordelon}
Area veggie lovers can have their cravings met and support the next generation of farmers at the same time -- thanks to the Bayhills gardens of the Louisiana School for the Agricultural Sciences (
For the past few years, the fate of the Acadiana Center for Youth in Bunkie was a hot topic of discussion.
A traffic hazard caused by tree limbs on Couvillion Street will be addressed, the Moreauville Village Council decided at its Nov. 11 meeting.
Obituaries
Watson D. Browning (W D) passed away December 3, 2019 at home, surrounded by family and friends. He was a resident of Central and a native of Baton Rouge.
Henry Lee Pate, a native of Pineville and resident of Lettsworth passed away Tuesday November 26, 2019 at Avoyelle Hospital at the age of 60.
Funeral Mass for Bernard Anthony Lemoine of Cottonport will begin at 11:00 AM on Saturday, December 7, 2019 at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Moreuville.
Funeral Mass will be held Saturday December 7, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. in St.
Funeral services for Donald Ray Porter will be held at Congregational First Baptist Church in Marksville on Friday, December 6, 2019 at 11:00 A.M. with Rev. Michael Gonzales, officiating.
Lifestyle
Carolyn Scallan, dressed as the “Bride of Frankenstein,” stands beside a giant inflatable black cat in a photo from a recent Halloween. She is “scaling back” this year and retiring the giant inflatables and many other decorations to a storage shed. This costume is particularly appropriate for this year as Carolyn got married for real on Oct. 20.
Generations of Avoyelles Parish children have grown up expecting to be scared, thrilled and treated at Halloween by Carolyn Scallan’s “Halloween house” in Plaucheville.
By Raymond L. Daye
Halloween events for communities in Avoyelles Parish have been scheduled as follows:
MON., OCTOBER 28-
With Halloween falling on a Thursday this year, Trick or Treaters will have a few chances to “double dip” with activities as some events have been planned for this weekend, while others will stick
AVOYELLES JOURNAL
BUNKIE RECORD
MARKSVILLE WEEKLY
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Marksville, LA 71351
(318) 253-9247