Lifestyle

FESTIVAL DEDICATION - July 4, 1996 - A special ceremony was held at noon Saturday to officially open the 1996 Smoked Meat Festival. An honor guard stood at attention while Korean War Veterans were honored (inset). A flag and wreath were laid out by members of the Vietnam Veterans of America in memory of all POW/MIAs. Miss USA Ali Landry, above right, welcomed all visitors and was presented a key to the city by Ville Platte Mayor Bennett Baquet, above left. (Gazette photos by Roland Manuel)

FESTIVAL DEDICATION - July 4, 1996 - A special ceremony was held at noon Saturday to officially open the 1996 Smoked Meat Festival. An honor guard stood at attention while Korean War Veterans were honored (inset). A flag and wreath were laid out by members of the Vietnam Veterans of America in memory of all POW/MIAs. Miss USA Ali Landry, above right, welcomed all visitors and was presented a key to the city by Ville Platte Mayor Bennett Baquet, above left. (Gazette photos by Roland Manuel)

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Looking back to July 1996

News Staff
Thursday, July 2, 2026
By: HEATHER BOGARD Associate Editor TONY MARKS Editor Today, we take a look back at the events happening in Ville Platte in July 1996. •Miss USA Ali Landry (Miss Louisiana from Breaux Bridge) helped to kick off the Smoked Meat Festival by welcoming everyone to the event.
PASSING THE GAVEL - Outgoing president Beau Wilson (left) handed off the president’s meeting gavel to newly-installed president Dr. Kirk Soileau (right). (Gazette photos by Heather Bogard)

PASSING THE GAVEL - Outgoing president Beau Wilson (left) handed off the president’s meeting gavel to newly-installed president Dr. Kirk Soileau (right). (Gazette photos by Heather Bogard)

Exclusive Subscriber Content

VP Rotary: Soileau to lead group for new club year

News Staff
Tuesday, June 30, 2026
By: HEATHER BOGARD Associate Editor The Ville Platte Rotary Club welcomed its new slate of officers for the club’s 2026-2027 club year during the annual installation banquet held Tuesday evening, June 23, at Sip and Savor.
Local Headline

Local Headline

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Minister’s Corner: God will work out the details

News Staff
Monday, June 22, 2026
By: DR. BRIAN DORE’ Member of the Ville Platte Ministerial Alliance It is not always easy to understand why we go through some of the situations that come our way in life, especially when we are trying our best to live the way we feel God wants us to live.
Local Headline

Local Headline

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Heritage Manor News: Happy Father’s Day

News Staff
Monday, June 22, 2026
(Editor’s Note: The following article was submitted by Patricia Duplechin, resident activity director at Heritage Manor Nursing Home in Ville Platte. This column runs every Sunday in The Gazette.) Happy Father’s Day to all from all of us at Heritage Manor.
Pictured from left are Rotary President Beau Wilson, Southwest Louisiana Credit Union Business Services Director Shelly Mancuso, and Rotarian Lainey Ardoin. (Gazette photo by Tony Marks)

Pictured from left are Rotary President Beau Wilson, Southwest Louisiana Credit Union Business Services Director Shelly Mancuso, and Rotarian Lainey Ardoin. (Gazette photo by Tony Marks)

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Rotary gets credited

News Staff
Monday, June 22, 2026
By: TONY MARKS Editor VILLE PLATTE - Shelly Mancuso, business services director of Southwest Louisiana Credit Union, provided insights on business grant opportunities during the Rotary Club of Ville Platte meeting held Tuesday, June 16.
Local Headline

Local Headline

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Who’s getting married:

News Staff
Monday, June 15, 2026
(Editor’s Note: The following information was obtained from the Evangeline Parish Clerk of Court’s Office in Ville Platte. This information is printed once a month in The Gazette.) Nineteen couples obtained marriage licenses during the month of May from the Evangeline Parish Clerk of Court’s Office.
Local Headline

Local Headline

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Minister’s Corner: The object of our faith

News Staff
Monday, June 15, 2026
By: DR. BRIAN DORE’ Member of the Ville Platte Ministerial Alliance I once heard someone say it doesn’t matter what you believe in as long as you believe in something. Well, as a Christian, I can tell you what you believe in, what you put your faith in, is all important.
Local Headline

Local Headline

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Heritage Manor News: Gardening for seniors

News Staff
Monday, June 15, 2026
(Editor’s Note: The following article was submitted by Patricia Duplechin, resident activity director at Heritage Manor Nursing Home in Ville Platte. This column runs every Sunday in The Gazette.
ROTARIANS LEARN ABOUT NATIVE PLANTS - Dr. Phyllis Griffard with the Acadiana Native Plant Project (center) shared an update on the organization’s work in promoting native plants. She is shown with Rotary President Beau Wilson (left) and Rotarian Nicole Wenger (right). (Gazette photo by Heather Bogard)

ROTARIANS LEARN ABOUT NATIVE PLANTS - Dr. Phyllis Griffard with the Acadiana Native Plant Project (center) shared an update on the organization’s work in promoting native plants. She is shown with Rotary President Beau Wilson (left) and Rotarian Nicole Wenger (right). (Gazette photo by Heather Bogard)

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Ville Platte Rotary:

News Staff
Thursday, June 11, 2026
By: HEATHER BOGARD Associate Editor Dr. Phyllis Griffard with the Acadiana Native Plant Project (ANPP) was the special guest of Rotarian Nicole Wenger at the June 2, meeting of the Ville Platte Rotary Club. Dr.
FROM THE ARCHIVES - Walter Lee (right) was sworn in for his first term as Evangeline Parish Clerk of Court on June 1, 1956, by his predecessor Richard Reed. Lee would go on to serve in the role for 56 years. (Gazette file photo)

FROM THE ARCHIVES - Walter Lee (right) was sworn in for his first term as Evangeline Parish Clerk of Court on June 1, 1956, by his predecessor Richard Reed. Lee would go on to serve in the role for 56 years. (Gazette file photo)

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Looking Back: Recalling events of June 1956

News Staff
Thursday, June 11, 2026
By: HEATHER BOGARD Associate Editor Today, we take a look back at the events happening in Ville Platte in June 1956. •Walter Lee was elected as Clerk of Court and was sworn in for his first term in office on June 1, 1956, by Richard Reed, Lee’s predecessor.
Subscribe to