Looking back at 2021 through the pages of The Post-Signal

While coronavirus mitigation continued to dominate the news in 2021, other “happenings” in and around Crowley were being reported in the pages of The Crowley Post-Signal.
This review is not intended to be a comprehensive record of the past year and we’re sure readers will remember some events that are not outlined here.
We conclude our review today with the final quarter of 2020 —October through December.
OCTOBER
Oct. 1: By official proclamation signed at City Hall, Mayor Tim Monceaux has designated October as National Domestic Violence Awareness Month in Crowley.
Oct. 3: Sheriff K.P. Gibson unveiled a new mobile app that makes navigating critical information easier than ever.
Oct. 5: It was National 4-H Week and Mayor Tim Monceaux issued a proclamation recognizing such in Crowley.
Oct. 6: Taking top billing during the October meeting of the Acadia Parish School Board were two topics, the wearing of masks by students and a salary supplement for teachers.
Oct. 7: Jeff Willis, head baseball coach and athletic director at LSU Eunice, spoke to members of the Crowley Lions Club about his coaching philosophy.
Oct. 8: Using funds from the American Rescue Plan Act, the City of Crowley was planning a couple of major upgrades at the Wastewater Plant.
Oct. 10: Nearly every building along Historic North Parkerson Avenue has a story and those fortunate enough to get a ticket to the first History Alive! series were treated to many of them.
Oct. 12: It was the beginning of Rice Festival week and, true to form, forecasters were predicting a cold front to move through the area on Friday bringing ... you guessed it, Rice Festival Weather!
Oct. 13: Barbara Thibodeaux reigned over the 57th Annual Golden Age Coronation Ball as queen.
Oct. 14: Celebrating her long history of volunteer service with the Rice and Creole Cookery Contest and the Acadia Parish 4-H Program, The Crowley Post-Signal dedicated this year’s Rice and Creole Cookbook to Letha Vincent.
Oct. 15: Kindergarten and pre-K students — possibly with a little help from their parents — designed a plethora of “floats” using shoeboxes for the school’s annual parade in observance of Rice Festival.
Oct. 17: Chosen from among a total of eight contestants, Caroline Elizabeth Hardy was crowned the 84th International Rice Festival Queen. Crowned as the 2021 International Rice Festival Junior Royalty were second-grader Layne Michael Oestriecher, son of Bo and Allyson Oestriecher, of Estherwood Elementary and second-grader Audrey Lasch, daughter of Ryan and Jamie Lasch, of Mire Elementary.
Oct. 19: With one of the largest turnouts in recent memory, the 84th International Rice Festival came to a close.
Oct. 20: The third annual “Take Back the Night” march and candlelight vigil was held by Shattered But Not Broken, Inc., to bring awareness to domestic violence.
Oct. 21: Plans for a proposed nature/birding trail that have been on a back burner for four years were officially abandoned by the city council.
Oct. 22: The Acadia Parish Assessor’s Office, in partnership with its online mapping consultant, Fenstermaker, and marketing agency, Klout 9, introduced “Acadia Mobile Maps,” a new, mobile-friendly version of the Acadia Parish parcel grid and supporting information.
Oct. 24: Mayor Tim Monceaux signed a proclamation acknowledging the efforts of the “PUSH” program — “Pray Until Something Happens” — which was entering its sixth year.
Oct. 26: Crowley Lions hosted members of CAB, Citizens Against Blight, as guest speakers.
Oct. 27: A crew from Triton Construction worked on drainage along the parking lot at historic Miller Field.
Oct. 28: Gov. John Bel Edwards lifted the state’s indoor mask mandate on Tuesday, but added that face coverings will still be required in some locations.
Oct. 29: The Acadia Parish Tourist Commission sponsored a “Fall in Love with Acadia Parish” Scarecrow Competition with entries on display through Thanksgiving.
Oct. 31: The Acadia Parish Police Jury voted to contribute $3 million toward the expansion of broadband Internet using American Rescue Plan Act funds.
NOVEMBER
Nov. 2: Better weather couldn’t have been ordered for the hundreds who crowded into the parking lot at the Crowley Enterprise Center for the 17th Gumbo Cook-off, hosted by the Acadia Parish Chamber of Commerce.
Nov. 3: Veneeth Iyengar, executive director, Broadband and Connectivity, Division of Administration, was in Acadia to witness the process of boring underground to lay the fiber optics cable.
Nov. 4: Four units designated as surplus by the Acadia Parish Sheriff’s Office were donated to two local law enforcement agencies — the Church Point Police Department and the Rayne Police Department.
Nov. 5: Janie Morrison, who was appointed head of the Crowley Main Street program in May, introduced herself to the Crowley Lions Club and explained the inner workings of the Main Street program.
Nov. 7: Another attempt to have a digital billboard erected in Crowley ran headlong into the city’s Gateway Overlay ordinance and was tabled indefinitely.
Nov. 9: Demolition of the large warehouse at the corner of Mill Street and South Parkerson Avenue was a sore subject at the recent meeting of the city council’s Public Works Committee.
Nov. 10: Barely 1,000 early votes were cast in Acadia Parish in advance of the Nov. 13 election.
Nov. 11: The Crowley First United Methodist Church Youth Group was sponsoring a “Share the Warmth” winter coat drive.
Nov. 12: Veterans Day was celebrated in Crowley through programs at schools and at Levy Park.
Nov. 14: The 13th annual Taste of Crowley was termed a huge success by organizers with nearly 20 sweet and savory tastings along with art exhibits, a silent auction and music.
Nov. 16: Recovery from the COVID pandemic recession has stalled and Louisiana is currently ranked 50th in the country in cumulative job recovery, Dr. Gary Wagner, UL Lafayette professor and economist, told attendees at the Acadia Parish Chamber of Commerce Quarterly Luncheon.
Nov. 17: Community Foundation of Acadiana and Hancock Whitney Bank announced the 2021 Leaders in Philanthropy Award honorees for Acadia Parish — Dr. Cason and Isabella L. de la Houssaye.
Nov. 18: The holidays were rapidly approaching and the Crowley Kiwanis Club was getting ready to roll with its annual Christmas Parade.
Nov. 19: Notre Dame football coach Lewis Cook addressed members of the Crowley Lions Club on coaching and life in general.
Nov. 21: A wide assortment of tourism officials from across Louisiana took part in the Acadia Parish Tourist Commission’s recent “Familiarization Tour” — or Fam Tour.
Nov. 23: The Mermentau Boat Launch officially opened to boaters after being closed for eight months for repairs and renovations.
Nov. 24: Although it was Thanksgiving break, Acadia Parish public schools were celebrating National Family Week, which is designated as Nov. 21-27.
Nov. 25: Deputies with the Acadia Parish Sheriff’s Office took money out of their own pockets to support the elderly during this Thanksgiving season, donating nearly $1,000 to purchase 25 Thanksgiving baskets.
Nov. 26: Members of the Crowley Solitic Club gathered at the Acadia Parish Library in Crowley to assist with the erection and dedication of the library’s International Tree Exhibit.
Nov. 28: Leah Hoffpauir, president of the Crowley Art Association, brought the past, present and future of the association with her when she spoke to the Rotary Club of Crowley.
Nov. 30: The city of Crowley’s workers were already out hanging the city’s Christmas lights.
DECEMBER
Dec. 1: Winners were awarded in the Crowley Main Street’s “Deck the Streets!” competition. They included: First National Bank, first place; Crowley City Hall, second place; The Balcony, third place; and Echelon Salon, honorable mention.
Dec. 2: Crowley Christian Care Center’s Rachel Meaux was preparing for the Dec. 7 Food Drive.
Dec. 3: The Crowley City Council’s Public Safety Committee took an unusual turn when members voted to recommend that the full council deny beer and liquor license applications for four local businesses. (Three of those were ultimately approved.)
Dec. 5: Santa Claus came riding into Crowley with the annual Crowley Kiwanis Club Christmas Parade.
Dec. 7: It was a Christmas miracle when Santa Claus and the Grinch hugged out their differences during the annual Christmas in Crowley.
Dec. 8: The 26th Leadership EXCEL Graduating Class met at the Grand Opera House for a reception and graduation ceremony.
Dec. 9: Members of Crowley’s Citizens Against Blight (CAB) organization were on hand to address the Rotary Club of Crowley and tell Rotarians of the organization’s efforts to eradicate blighted housing in the city of Crowley.
Dec. 10: An addition to the Acadia Parish Police Jury’s annual holiday schedule for 2022 is the observance of Juneteenth, which was declared a federal holiday earlier this year by President Biden.
Dec. 12: By unanimous vote, the city council renamed the Crowley Recreation Department Sports Complex in honor of Crowley’s native son and former Ragin’ Cajun baseball coach. It will henceforth be known as the Tony Robichaux Sports Complex.
Dec. 14: The Crowley Lions Club, in cooperation with the Louisiana Lions Eye Foundation, conducted free CubSight screening at St. Michael Elementary School.
Dec. 15: Parker Mitchell was sworn in as Acadia Parish’s first Administrative Law Judge.
Dec. 16: LeGros Airport near Estherwood will get $110,000 from the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.
Dec. 17: Revenue from the Hotel Occupancy Tax has seen a dramatic increase in the past two years, due unfortunately to the hurricanes that impacted Louisiana, according to Nancy Loewer, APTC executive director.
Dec. 19: A historical marker in the front of the David L. and Jeanette Ross May home here was dedicated in ceremonies led by Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser.
Dec. 21: Members of Foy and Jennifer Cradeur’s extended family, many from Texas, were at Crowley City Hall to relive and realize a part of their history. Two of the antique cars at city hall — one on the mezzanine level and one on the second floor — are owned by the family of Maxi Cradeur, Foy’s father.
Dec. 22: Community Prayer Shield teamed up with Northside Christian School Elementary students recently in bringing joy to the world of local law enforcement in the Acadia Parish Sheriff’s Office and the Crowley Police Department.
Dec. 23: Ms. Helen’s Soup Kitchen closed out one of its busiest times of the year, serving “Christmas Lunch” to an overwhelming crowd.
Dec. 24: No paper was printed.
Dec. 26: In recognition of the many contributions he made to the city of Crowley during his lifetime, a scholarship fund is being established in the name of Richard “Coach Pizz” Pizzolatto.
Dec. 28: The Acadia Parish Chamber of Commerce and Supreme Rice began planning for the annual Farmers’ Appreciation Dinner in honor of the farmers who make such a large contribution to the culture and economy of Acadia Parish.
Dec. 29: More unusual spring warmth was in the forecast for Acadiana for the balance of 2021 with big changes, including a strong and energetic cold front, in store for the weekend.
Dec. 30: Sheriff K.P. Gibson reinstated COVID protocols at the Sheriff’s Office in light of the spike in Omicron variant cases.