70 Years Ago December 11, 1952
Beautiful Christmas lighting at Natchitoches reflected in the waters of Cane River Lake which runs along Front Street, were turned on December 6. Thousands of visitors from all over Central Louisiana visit Natchitoches each December to see the lighting.
“Miss America of 1953” is trimming her tree this year with U.S. Defense Bonds – “The present with a future.” Pretty Neva Jane Langley knows that Defense Bond gifts are practical gifts, which will help protect the security of her country.
More than 40 countries, other than the United States, now have or have had Christmas seals or stamps that are sold to aid the fight against tuberculosis.
Louisiana has been selected as one of six pilot states to conduct an experimental program in improving techniques of international school music exchange.
Two of Jena High Schools cagemen, Luther Ray Doughty and Raymond Manchester, were named to the All-Tournament Quinlet following the Jena- Georgetown clash in the final at Georgetown’s tournament last Saturday night.
A Christmas concert presented by the Goodpine High School Acapella Choir will be held Sunday night, December 21.
60 Years Ago December 13, 1962
The Jena Junior High School sixth grade class of Mr. Kelly Crews will have a cake sale Saturday, December 15 in downtown Jena starting at 9 a.m. These cakes will be homemade. Proceeds from the sale will go for a trip at the end of the year.
A sharp shooting Monterey boys basketball squad led in all quarters to defeat Jena Tuesday night 65-59 in a game played at Monterey. The Giants trailed 9-18 at the end of the first stanza, 2938 at the half and 4051 at the end of three periods of play.
Santa Claus will be in Jena Saturday and the following week to greet Jena shoppers, Lavon Coon, Jaycee Christmas Program Chairman, said today. From his headquarters Santa will greet children in the area and hear their wishes for Christmas.
32,000 empty cans collected from 41 miles of Louisiana highways. The average was 780 cans to each mile of highway. These cans cause great damage to automobile tires and moving machines.
The Nebo Junior 4-H Club met November 13 in the Nebo gym. The meeting was called to order by Vice President, Johnny Long.
50 Years Ago
December 14, 1972
Robert L. Crawford, Operation Manager-Transportation Division, announced effective December 1, 1972, Russell Winkelman will be Plant Manager of Belden’s new plant, which is currently under construction here in Jena.
Mrs. E.E. Sims, Safety chairman of the LaSalle Parish Home Demonstration Council shows Mrs. Hardy Maxwell, Safety Chairman of Olla Home Demonstration Club, a certificate of award presented by the National Extension Homemakers Council to LaSalle Parish for outstanding efforts toward promoting Child Safety in LaSalle Parish.
Among youngsters helping pick up pecans on the Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home Campus in Monroe are Gary Smithwick, Roger Cole and John Hobbs.
The Hackett Family singers of Portland, Arkansas will present a program of gospel music at the Cross Roads Baptist Church, Highway 84-5 miles West of Tullos. The program will be Saturday night, December 16, 1972 beginning at 7 p.m.
40 Years Ago December 15, 1982
The sweet aroma of Christmas spices filled the air to add a special flavor to the “old-fashioned Christmas” exhibit Sunday afternoon at the La-Salle Parish museum- several members of the organization dressed in costumes of early times and craftsmen were on hand to demonstrate colonial items especially popular during the holidays.
Dr. Alan Keith-Lucas, distinguished professor of social work emeritus of University of North Carolina, led an in-service training program for the staff of the Louisiana Baptist Children’s home in Rucker-Austin Center in Monroe recently. He has conducted several training programs during the last several years.
Colonel and Mrs. Robert Cooke Buckner of Dallas, Texas, during a recent visit to Monroe, enjoyed seeing his picture which appears along with all former superintendents of the Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home in the Mamie Ellis Hawsey historical and Archives Center in Rucker Austin Center on the campus. Colonel Buckner was superintendent of the Home from 19341936.
25 Years Ago December 17, 1997
LaSalle Parish residents woke up Sunday morning to a very pleasant surprise – the trees, bushes and ground were covered with a light dusting of snow. According to officials, the snow started falling in the area around 4 a.m., and continued until about 8 a.m., with a noticeable amount collected on roofs, car tops, trees, etc.
Three Tribal officials with The Jena Band of Choctaws were guests at a “Government to Government” luncheon with United States senator Edward Kennedy recently. Shown in a picture with the Massachusetts Senator are Cheryl Smith, Christine Norris, and Mary Jones.
Brownie Troop #159 is shown on a field trip that they took on December 4th to the Pentecost Tree Farm. The group learned all about the different types of trees they have, how they plant and take care of the trees and how the trees can be flocked to make them white. Shown in a picture are Emilee Cupples, Heather Tradewell, Brittany Burlew, Jessica Kilgore, Kristin Ewing, Krissie Weaver, Marlee Phillips, Courtney Wilkinson, Kelly Ewing, Heather Jones, Meg McGuffee and Keeley Carter.
Outstanding employees of the year at Jena based LADD Center were honored during the annual Christmas party held last Friday. The honorees are Johnnie Swire outstanding employee of the year; David Banks, outstanding mobile crew; and Charles Carter, outstanding Mobile Crew II member.
10 Years Ago December 12, 2012
Oleva Jones, Secretary at Jena Junior High School, was named “LaSalle Parish School System Employee of the month” for November. Johnny Rosier with Taylor and Sons Insurance and Financial Services, sponsor of the award, made the announcement at the December meeting of the school board and presented to the honoree with a plaque and gifts.
The winners of the most beautiful pageant at Jena High School, sponsored by the JHS Chapter of Future Business Leaders of America, are fourth runner up LeAndra Brown, first runner up Darian Thacker, winner Carly Valentine, second runner up Somer Cooper and third runner up Caitlyn Gallaspy.
Caitlin Connor has established a name for herself in the world of competitive shotgun shooting. A member of the USA shooting National Team, Connor is gunning for a spot on the 2016 U.S. Olympic team. On the practice field at the United States Olympic training center in Colorado Springs, CO, where she trains in pursuit of her dreams.
Jena High School senior and cheerleader captain Somer Cooper performed at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City along with 349 other cheerleaders from across the Nation.