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RAYNE - The Rayne High School graduating class of 1979 gathered on Saturday, Sept. 21, at the Union Hall to celebrate their 40-year class reunion.
Reunion committee members were chairman Jackie Prejean, Denise Thibodeaux, Priscilla Trahan Deshotel, Mary Broussard Reed and Hilda Wiltz.
A total of 109 was welcomed to the reunion, including 66 classmates and 43 guests from Rayne, Church Point, Crowley, Lafayette, Carencro, Scott, Morse, Pride, Gonzales, Franklin, New Iberia, and Texas cities including Dickinson, Missouri City, Stafford and Houston.
Classmates and guests were welcomed to the reunion setting with purple and gold decor including the reunion theme, “Cheers to 40 Years.” A purple and gold flower arrangement was noted at the sign-in table and balloons in tones of purple, gold and white. A photo booth was also provided for a fun and memorable evening.
The evening began with a welcome by class president Denise Thibodeaux and a prayer by classmates Todd Trahan and Dennis Charles.
Awards were presented to the following:
• Paula Broussard traveled farthest to attend the reunion from Stafford, Texas;
• Mona Guidry Lopez married the longest at 40 years;
• Ursula Hawkins having the most biological grandchildren;
• Jerry Leonards and Gwen Hebert Richard of having the most gray hair;
• Hilda Wiltz as least changed;
• Pam Guidry having the youngest biological child; and
• Dennis Charles having served in the military.
A special memorial table held a bouquet of yellow roses, along with white candles in memory of the 22 deceased classmates. During a special ceremony, as each classmate’s name was read aloud, a candle was lit and placed on the memorial table where they remained for the entire evening.
In addition, all attending classmates and guests were presented bookmarks of a prayer and the names of the deceased classmates, including Marcus Venable, Anthony Declouet, Donal Taylor, Linda Schultz Stelly, Terry Powers, Ricky Morgan, Debbie Melancon Stutes, Cheryle Thomas, Pamela Jones Alex, Lerone Rubin, Melvin LeBlanc, Oscar St. Julian, Marie Gilbert, Janice Scheree George, Craig Duhon, Renee Sylvia, Bill Hamilton, Junice Doucet Menard, Carl McBride, Cassandra Washington Goodwill, Shirley Freeman Mingo and Barbara Butler Rochon.
Earlier in the day, classmates attended the 4 p.m. Mass at St. Joseph Catholic Church as a group and presented special intentions during the Mass for the 22 deceased classmates they have lost since graduation.
Guests also went home with special cups and huggies of the theme, “Cheers to 40 Years.”
Entertainment for the evening was provided by DJ Troy Lavergne.
Refreshments enjoyed during the evening included jambalaya, shrimp pasta, crab and corn bisque, boudin, sandwiches, veggie tray, chips and dips, BBQ sliders, taco dip, assorted beverages, and a special class reunion cake, a double-layer white sheet cake with purple and gold trim and inscribe with the reunion theme, “Cheers to 40 Years.”
During Homecoming Week, classmates also participated in the 2019 Homecoming Parade held Thursday afternoon. In addition, they attended the annual Alumni Reception held Friday morning at Rayne High as one of the honored classes, attended a luncheon at Chef Roy’s Frog City Café, attended the Friday afternoon pep rally, and gathered as a group during the Homecoming Football Game.

ROBERTS COVE - Prior to and in conjunction with the 2019 Germanfest, the Roberts Cove Germanfest Homebrew competition was held Saturday, Sept. 21, at Fezzo’s Restaurant in Crowley.
Lawrence Cramer, event chairman, reports there were 36 entries of the German-style beers from 17 individuals.
The judging was in accordance with the rules of the Beer Judge Certificate Program (BJCP) established by the American Homebrewers Association and completed by four certified judges assisted by local home brewers who participated in previous judging events.
Each beer was judged on five areas of evaluation. The total maximum points of 50 points are split amount the following: aroma 12 points, appearance 3 points, flavor 20 points, mouth feel 5 points and overall impression 10 points.
In addition to medals for scoring, there were special medals for the top three beers in each of the seven categories; and the top beer in each category are then judged for the Best of Show (BOS).
The results of the competition are as follows:
Other Light Beers (9 entries): 1st place Charlie Milan (Redstick Brewmasters-Baton Rouge) with German Helles Exportbier “Exportable Helles”; 2nd place Chris Humble (Red Rice Brew Krewe of Jennings) with German Pils “Low Brau”; 3rd place Chris Humble (Red Rice Brew Krewe of Jennings) with German Helles Exportbier “Iron Lions”.
Festbier (7 entries): 1st place Charlie Mann (Redstick Brewmasters of Baton Rouge) with Festbier “Bayou Fest”; 2nd place Corey Kibodeaux (Red Rice Brew Krewe of Jennings) with Festbier “Fest of Strength”; 3rd place Zachary Benoit (Red Rice Brew Krewe) with Festbier “Germanfestbier”.
Dark Beers (7 entries): 1st place Jon Martin (Red Rice Brew Krewe of Jennings) with Munich Dunkel “Munich Dunkel”; 2nd place Corey Kibodeaux (Red Rice Brew Krewe of Jennings) with Schwarzbier “Lager Noir”; 3rd place Corey Kibodeaux (Red Rice Brew Krewe of Jennings) with Marzen “October-Teauxberfest”.
Bock Beers (6 entries): 1st place Ed Moore co-brewer George Delana (Rock Hoppers Brew Club of Centennial, CO) with Doppelbock “Asha Dopplebock”; 2nd place Lawrence Cramer (Red Rice Brew Krewe of Jennings) with Weizenbock “Wheat Wise”; 3rd place Joe Thibodeaux (Redstick Brewmasters of Baton Rouge) with Helles Bock “This of Maibock!”.
German Wheat Beer (7 entries): 1st place Blake Pitre (Red Rice Brew Krewe of Jennings) with Berliner Weisse “Petit Tarte”; 2nd place Joe Thibodeaux (Redstick Brewmasters of Baton Rouge) with Historical Beer “Heinous Lichtenhainer”; 3rd place Joe Thibodeaux (Redstick Brewmasters of Baton Rouge) with Berliner Weisse “Peaches N. Cream BW”.
Best of Show - Beer: 1st place Ed Moore co-brewer George Delana of Red Hoopers Brew Club of Centennial, CO) with Doppelbock “Asha Dopplebock”; 2nd place Charlie Milan (Redstick Brewmasters of Baton Rouge) with German Helles Exportbier “Exportable Helles”; 3rd place Jon Martin (Red Rice Brew Lrewe of Jennings) with Munich Dunkel “Munich Dunkel”.
Heavy Medal (Brewer): 1st place Charlie Milan 3 medals - BOS Beer 2nd: 1, 1st: 2 with 8 points; 2nd place Ed Moore 2 medals - BOS Beer 1st: 1, 1st: 1 with 6 points; 3rd place Corey Kibodeaux 3 medals - 2nd: 2, 3rd: 1 with 5 points.
Heavy Medal (Club): 1st place Red Rice Brew Krewe of Jennings - 10 medals: BOS Beer 3rd: 1, 1st: 2, 2nd: 4, 3rd: 3 with 18 points; 2nd place Redstick Brew Masters of Baton Rouge - 6 medals: BOS Beer 2nd: 1, 1st: 2, 3rd: 2 with 12 points.
The summary of all medals are as follows:
Gold medals (points from 38-50) 11 medals;
Silver medals (points from 30-27) 12 medals;
Bronze medals (points from 25–29) 7 medals.
Lawrence Cramer would like the thank all the individuals who submitted beers to be judged and the certified judges and assistants who made the competition possible. Each beer submitted has a signed evaluation sheet from the judge and his assistant with notes and comments on each area evaluated. This format of competition, which is in accordance with BJCP guidelines, helps all the area home brewers become better in their hobby of brewing their beers.

RAYNE - Mark your calendars for the Old Spanish Trail Celebration as announced by the co-sponsors of the Rayne Chamber of Commerce and City of Rayne.
The historic downtown area of Rayne will be the setting the weekend of Saturday, Nov. 2, for the fourth annual official Old Spanish Trail Celebration in Rayne, the first city in the nation named an OST City.
Come “pass a good time” at The Depot Square (corner of Highways 90 and 35) and the surrounding downtown areas where history will be celebrated, events will be enjoyed and displays will be observed.
As announced by Chairman Eddie Palmer and OST Committee members, this year’s event will be bigger and better with the addition of more participants, historic discussions and memorabilia for all to enjoy.
Focal point of the free, day-long celebration of the fourth anniversary of when Rayne was designated the first official “Old Spanish Trail City” in the entire nation will be The Depot Square between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m.
On the grounds of The Depot Square will be a number of exhibits and displays depicting the history of the OST, along with food, refreshments, music and dancing.
Greg Mouton and the Louisiana Knights will provide live music following the 9 a.m. opening ceremonies.
Just east of The Depot along Polk Street will include a display of antique and unique tractors, buggies, machines, bicycles and much more. In addition to the antique and vintage vehicles, demonstrations featuring transportation relics and frontier themes will also be presented.
A short hop over the railroad tracks along the 200 block of East Louisiana Ave. will include a special area for antique and vintage cars, trucks and machines, all free for the viewing. “Drive about, cruise around and drive in” to the special reserved parking area for participants right in front of The Warehouse Event Center, the original Mervine Kahn warehouse.
Anyone interested in joining in on the fun of antique and vintage cars, trucks and machines as participants, in addition to any vendors who would like to be a part of the OST Celebration, contact Palmer at epalme@bellsouth.net or call (337)232-9320 or (337)334-2234.
Work your way one block west at The Bank Event Center of Mervine Kahn on the 100 block of East Louisiana Ave. where visitors can browse the “OST Museum For A Day” where a number of special displays and presentations will be enjoyed. Special oldies -- but goodies -- will be on display, including historic discussions are also on the agenda, along with a documentary film, exhibitions and highlights of the past.
Speakers at The Bank will include:
9:30 a.m. Table Francaise by Jane Deville Matte;
10:15 a.m. Building the Old Spanish Trail Highway through Acadia Parish by Gene Thibodeaux;
11 a.m. Lost Louisiana: The Cattle Drives of Louisiana by Stella Carline Tanoos;
11:45 a.m. Creole Cowboys: Blazing Trails Then and Now” by Dr. Elista Istre; and
12:30 p.m. Concluding Remarks: The OST and Official OST Cities by Dr. C. Eddie Palmer until 2 p.m.
Palmer and the OST Committee has been working tirelessly and planning a larger and more informative celebration that not only will be fun and entertaining for the entire family, but one that will recognize the historical and cultural significance of the Old Spanish Trail.
The OST stretches nearly 3,000 miles across eight states in the southern area of the country from St. Augustine, Florida, to San Diego, California.