Looking Back: Recalling events of March 1953

By: HEATHER BOGARD
Associate Editor

This week, we take a look back 70 years at the events of March 1953.
•The first drive-in postal service was installed in Ville Platte. “Instead of leaping up a flight of steps, all you do is pull alongside this mailbox (and) drop packages or letters without killing your motor.”
•Ward 5 residents were preparing to vote on the sale of alcoholic beverages within the ward’s boundaries on March 31. Residents would vote on “1. whether beer may be sold over the bar, 2. whether beer and whiskey can be sold across the bar, 3. whether beer and whiskey can be sold in packages only.” Residents also had a fourth option: “They can say that no alcoholic beverage of any nature or packaging can be sold at all.”
•A two-week French/English mission was planned for St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Mamou. The first week was held in English, and the second week was held in French. Both were led by Rev. George Levasseur.
•Evangeline Parish 4-H and FFA students swept the Lake Charles District Show, with nine purple ribbons. Winners included grand champion angus shown by Ronald Nicks of Basile High School, grand champion guernsey shown by Burke Guillory of Vidrine High School and grand champion red poll shown by Mack Fontenot of Ville Platte High School.
•The Ville Platte Sportsmen’s Club was formed with a membership of approximately 60 members. Officers were: Woodson Harvey, president; Clifford LaHaye, vice president; Kearney Lafleur, secretary; and Warren Reed, treasurer. The board of directors included: Z.J. Guidry, Leonard Fontenot, C.L. Soileau Jr., Yves Soileau and Dr. R.B. Thompson.
•Davis Bertrand was elected as the next mayor of Mamou.
•Mamou High School seniors pledged to raise $32 ($1 per student) toward a polio drive. The other classes also participated in the drive.
•The Mamou Rotary Club sponsored the explorer scouts unit Troop 629. The group, including 20 sophomores and three juniors, was led by advisor R.J. Reed and assistant advisor Bufford Perron.
•Mrs. Billie Brister, Cleco home economist, hosted a cooking school at Ville Platte High School on March 26. All area ladies were invited to attend and learn tips on shortcuts in meal planning, modern cooking and budgeting, as well as time and labor saving suggestions.
•Winnie Veillon, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Tanny Veillon and 11th grade student at Vidrine High School, was named “Queen of Evangeline Parish Achievement Day.”
•Evelyn Campbell, 14-year-old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. L.O. Campbell of Ville Platte, became the youngest “professional business woman” in Ville Platte when she opened her own dance studio while preparing to receive her certification as an accredited dance instructor. She had an enrollment of 50 students. The high school student was also an active participant in basketball and 4-H.
•Rozas Appliance Store featured a color-styled Philco electric range on display at the Cleco electric range fashion show held at Ville Platte High School. The range was on sale for $169.95.
•Sale items at G. Ardoin’s included: Lou-Ana shortening (three-lb carton/.75), U.S. choice t-bone steaks (.69/lb), White Goose flour (25-lb bag/$1.89); red snapper (.65/lb) and cucumbers (.23/lb).
•Movies showing locally included: “The Lawless Breed,” starring Rock Hudson and Julia Adams at the Platte Theatre; “Yellow Sky,” starring Gregory Peck and Anne Baxter at the Bailey Theatre; and “One Minute to Zero,” starring Robert Mitchum and Ann Blyth.
•Popular songs of March 1953 included: “Till I Waltz With You,” by Theresa Brewer; “The Doggie in the Window,” by Patti Page; “Don’t Let the Stars Get in Your Eyes,” by Perry Como; “Kaw-Liga,” by Hank Williams Sr.; and “That’s Amore’,” by Dean Martin.