Looking Back: Recalling events of January 2011

By News Staff on Monday, October 19, 2026
  • In the left photo, holding the bronze Maquette of Our Evangeline is Sculptor Jerry Gorum, back row, left. Also pictured next to him is Suzy Lemoine, project chair; and in front, left to right, are Mary Alice Fontenot, tourism president; and Camille Fontenot, tourism director.
    In the left photo, holding the bronze Maquette of Our Evangeline is Sculptor Jerry Gorum, back row, left. Also pictured next to him is Suzy Lemoine, project chair; and in front, left to right, are Mary Alice Fontenot, tourism president; and Camille Fontenot, tourism director.
  • In the right photo, from left, are Camille Fontenot, Mary Alice Fontenot and Gorum standing in the future location of the life-size statue on the grounds of the Evangeline Parish Courthouse. (Gazette file photos)
    In the right photo, from left, are Camille Fontenot, Mary Alice Fontenot and Gorum standing in the future location of the life-size statue on the grounds of the Evangeline Parish Courthouse. (Gazette file photos)

    By: HEATHER
    BOGARD
    Associate Editor

    Today, we take a look back 15 years ago at the events happening in Ville Platte in January and February 2011.
    •The City of Ville Platte prepared to mark the centennial celebration of Evangeline Parish’s incorporation as a parish in 1911. The parish was named after Longfellow’s famous poem “Evangeline.”
    •Evangeline Parish Tourism signed a contract with sculptor Jerry Gorum for the creation of a life-size bronze statue of Evangeline to be placed on the grounds of the Evangeline Parish Courthouse.
    •Jennifer Vidrine made history on December 29, 2010, when she was sworn in as the first Afirican American and first female mayor of Ville Platte.
    •The City of Ville Platte implemented a new water well monitoring system to help monitor for the levels for each well and tower throughout the system.
    •Rowdy Parrott (junior at Sacred Heart High School) and Ike Fontenot (senior at Mamou High School) were named to the Cinch Academic Rodeo Team.
    •Donnie Perron (superintendent of athletics for St. Landry Parish) was inducted into the Louisiana High School Hall of Fame.
    Pine Prairie native Mike Lamke penned a novel titled “The Unsanctioned,” using his life’s experiences to “weave a tale of mystery, passion and life’s personal challenges.”
    •Bonnie Fontenot was named CDA Daughter of the Year by the Catholic Daughters.
    •Bill Fontenot retired after 38 years with the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development.
    •Carina Alice Fontenot Vasseur, better known as “Taunte Sue,” retired from Fred’s Lounge after 55 years.
    •Bayou Chicot native James Dupre signed a record deal with Warner Brothers, which was the label home of one of his musical heroes, Randy Travis. He was discovered by Ellen DeGeneres when she came across his videos on You Tube.
    •Sale items at Champagne’s included: 10-pound bag of Champagne brand medium grain rice ($4.99); oranges (one bag for $4.99); six-pack can Coke products (4/$5.99); rump roast ($2.79 per pound) and Shurfine canned vegetables (2/88 cents).
    •Movies released in January and February 2011 included: “No Strings Attached,” starring Natalie Portman and Ashton Kutcher; “The Dilemma,” starring Kevin James and Winona Rider; “Just Go With It,” starring Adam Sandler and Jennifer Anniston.
    •Popular songs of January and February 2011 included: “Firework,” by Katy Perry;’ “Grenade,” by Bruno Mars; “Bad Romance,” by Lady Gaga; and “Price Tag,” by Jessie J.