Looking Back: Highlights of January 2002

This week, we take a look back at the events from 20 years ago in January 2002.
•According to parish authorities, the new year rang in quietly with no serious occurrences.
•Emmanuel Dean Trea Murphy, born on January 2, 2002, at Savoy Medical Center in Mamou to Sylvester and Ursula Murphy of Mamou; and Riane Elizabeth Motty, born on January 3, 2002, at Ville Platte Medical Center to Ryan and Stephanie Motty of Bayou Chicot, were the first babies born in the parish in the new year.
•Brownie Troop 155 bake-off winners were Robyn Doucet (first place), Mikayla Nelson (second place), and Anasia Thomas (third place). Mona Nelson was the troop’s leader.
•Courtney Jude Tate, an Evangeline Parish student and native of Mamou, was one of 10 graduates of LSU to earn the LSU University Medal. He received a degree in finance.
•Eunice “Babe” Vidrine, at 89 years of age, completed her millennium quilt. The project took nearly one year to complete and featured 2,000 gingham squares of fabric.
•Senator Don Hines received the Friends of Education Award from the Louisiana Federation of Teachers during the group’s 37th annual convention held in Baton Rouge.
•Bob Manuel was re-elected as president of the Evangeline Parish Police Jury for the ninth time.
•Colleen Toussaint, daughter of Patrick and Pauline Toussaint of Ville Platte and eighth-grade student at Ville Platte High School, was nominated for the Louisiana Young Heroes Award.
•As part of National Catholic Schools Week, Sacred Heart School’s principal, teachers and supporters were recognized as Outstanding Catholic School Achievers. Keith Menard was named Sacred Heart High School Teacher of the Year; and Janet Landreneau was named Sacred Heart Elementary Teacher of the Year. Principal Paula Landreneau was honored as Outstanding Diocesan High School Administrator of the Year. Cabot also was recognized as Outstanding Catholic School Supporter for its support of Sacred Heart School.
•On Tuesday, January 22, juveniles vandalized approximately 112 graves in the Mt. Carmel Cemetery in Chataignier.
•Sale items available at Champagne’s included: sirloin pork chops (.99 cents per pound), 12-pack of Coke products ($2.79 each), 20-pound bag of Watermaid rice ($4.99 each), three-pound bag of russet potatoes ($1), and cantaloupe (.99 cents each).
•Movies released in January 2002 included: “The Lord of the Rings,” starring Elijah Wood, Ian McKellen and Orlando Bloom, “Ocean’s 11,” starring George Clooney, Julia Roberts and Brad Pitt; and “Joe Somebody,” starring Tim Allen, Julie Bowen and Jim Belushi.
•Popular television shows included: “Everybody Loves Raymond,” starring Ray Romano, Brad Garrett and Patricia Heaton, “NYPD Blue,” starring Dennis Franz, David Caruso and Jimmy Smits; and “The West Wing,” starring Martin Sheen, Allison Janney and Bradley Whitford.
•Popular songs of January 2002 included: “Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning” by Alan Jackson, “A Moment Like This” by Kelly Clarkson, and “Don’t Know Why” by Norah Jones.