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Rayne Chamber meeting hears Frog Festival plans

RAYNE - A new slate of officers welcomed Chamber members to the March meeting, the first official meeting, of the Rayne Chamber of Commerce’s new year.
Incoming President Jeremy Lavergne presided over his first meeting of the new year and heard a number of reports.
Lavergne, who also serves as chairman of the Frog Festival, gave a report of the 2019 festival slated May 9-11 in Rayne. He stated the push now is sponsor partners as the committee meet its $30,000 goal in sponsorships.
Lavergne stated, “Every year when we ask what the public would like for the festival, they want better bands. The only way to get that is more sponsorships to pay for those bands. Every year, the cost of bands goes up and it takes a large portion of our $105,000 budget.”
He continued, “The final schedule of events will be completed within the next week; and be warned, they will be changes, most of which were suggestions brought forth to us from year to year. We hope the changes will benefit everyone and make the festival better.”
Marietta Sikat gave a report of the upcoming Farmers Market slated March 9 at The Depot.
“I’m hoping for more vendors to contact me so we can get our numbers up,” Sikat stated. “The March market is the first quarterly event for the new schedule to follow.”
Brian Mouton gave a report of the recently completed Mardi Gras Parade and After-Party, noting 25 entries participated in the March 2 parade.
Nikki Link stated eight teams participated in the “Gumbo Cook-Off” held at the Pavilion following the Mardi Gras Parade. A complete report will be submitted during the April meeting.
Under new business, plaques were presented to honorees of the Business Appreciation Banquet Suzette Leonards announced dates for the Frog Festival pageants planned the weekend of March 30-31 at the Rayne Civic Center.
Lavergne announced the folllowing upcoming events:
• Rayne Lions Club Radio Auction on March 11-13;
• American Legion Centennial Celebration on March 16 at the Legion Home in Rayne;
• 7th Annual Back 2 Basics Car & Truck Show on March 15-17 at the Frog Pavilion; and
• Business After Hours slated Thursday, March 28, at Holiday Day Express & Suites (new Chamber member) located on the Frontage Road in Scott, between 5-7 p.m. when the Business of the Quarter will be awarded.

Projects heard during March Rayne City Council meeting

RAYNE - Plans for a number of ongoing and future projects throughout the city of Rayne were discussed Monday evening at City Hall during the March meeting of the Rayne City Council.
“We have a number of projects going on at this point in the city,” stated Mayor Charles “Chuck” Robichaux as the meeting was called to order. “We’ve completed a few, but we also have projects we are presently working on now, in addition to a number in the near future.”
One of the projects now in the planning stages is the street repair and re-surfacing of five road projects throughout the city.
During Monday’s meeting, the Council introduced and approved a second supplemental bond ordinance to have a public hearing at next month’s Council meeting to approve plans to issue utilities revenue bonds topping at $2,600,000 for the construction and improvements of the city’s outdated water treatment system. The Council previously authorized city officials to proceed with the preparation of the documents required for the issuance of the bonds and obtain approval of the La. State Bond Commission.
The Council also voted to renew a resolution authorizing the amended and restated project support agreement between the City of Rayne and the Louisiana Energy and Power Authority (LEPA).
Under new business, the financial update, which displayed the city in a good position, was given by City Clerk Annette Cutrera, who noted that next month’s numbers will be “real-time” financials as the new computer program will be installed.
The Council considered and approved the following items as declared by the street department as surplus: Bush Hop, X-Mark Zero Turn Mower and Hach Pocket Colorimeter.
Also heard and approved was a request from Haseya’s New Beginning to host a street drive with proceeds to benefit the non-profit organization to assist in horse rescue and with adoption at the Rayne Animal Shelter.
The re-election of Louis Thomas to the Youth Recreation Board for a five-year term was tabled until next month when additional volunteers will be considered.
The Council approved the re-election of Sanders Senegal to the Municipal Employee Service Board for a five-year term April 1, 2019 until March 31, 2024.
Under permit department/demolition projects, five properties were presented for action, including:
• 401 Bailey - 30 days for owner to secure property and board openings, followed by one year period to demolish;
• 407 Bailey - 30 days to secure and action tabled until April meeting;
• 507 Bailey - demolition has begun and given 90 days to complete demo;
• 207 North Chevis Lot 15 - 90 days to demolish; and
• 413 6th Street - annual update to secure property for storage only.
City Engineer Tim Mader gave a brief update of the following items:
• Barbara Street Pump Station Project - barring wet weather delays, expected completion the first week of April;
• DOTD Street Improvement Project - received bids for the Edgewood Subdivision Street Improvement Project including base bid and desired additive alternates and awarded to Elliott Construction, LLC; and
• LPDES Application and Louisiana Municipal Water Pollution Prevention Annual Report approved for submittance to DEQ.
Before adjourning, Councilman Kenneth Guidry submitted a request he has received from a number of citizens concerning the occurrence of barbecue sales taking place throughout the city on a regular basis. He noted the item will be added to the April meeting agenda for further discussion.

Frog Derby events begin enroute to new royalty

The annual Frog Derby competition, sponsored every year by the Rayne Lions Club since the 1940s, is seeking contestants for the 2019 crown.
Young ladies who are freshman-seniors in high school, have an Acadia Parish address or phone number or who attend an Acadia Parish school are eligible to compete for the title of 2019 Frog Derby/Frog Jockey Queen.
Orientation for any young lady competing will be held on Monday, March 25, beginning at 5 p.m. at the Rayne Lions Club Hut on Frog Festival Drive near the Civic Center.
Interview competition will be held Saturday, May 4, at 10 a.m. at the Green Room behind the Civic Center.
The best dressed frog, frog jumping, and official crowning of the new royalty will take place on Saturday, May 11, at 10 a.m. on Stage II during the 2019 Annual Rayne Frog Festival.
Frog Jockeys also take part in the International Rice Festival in Crowley in a non-competitive “exhibit” of “frog jumping technique.”
For more info, contact Dommie Perez at 337-458-9830, Linda Credeur at 337-347-0186, or email rlcfrogdirector@yahoo.com for entry forms.

Bernice Fontenot Guidry

RAYNE - A Liturgy of the Word Service was celebrated for Bernice Fontenot Guidry, 93, on Wednesday, March 13, 2019, at 1:30 p.m. in the Duhon Funeral Home - Rayne Chapel, with Deacon Denis LaCroix as celebrant.
Visitation in the funeral home chapel was held Wednesday, March 13, at 8:30 a.m. until service time. A Recitation of the Holy Rosary was held at 1 p.m. in the Chapel prior to the service. Interment followed the chapel service and was in St Joseph Catholic Cemetery #2 in Rayne.
Mrs. Guidry passed away on Sunday, March 10, 2019, in Rayne.
Mrs. Guidry is survived by her children, Robert “Buddy and Bob” Guidry and his wife Anna of Lafayette, Mike Guidry and his wife Karen of Rayne, and Sue Faul and her husband Randy “Boze” of Sunset; 10 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; and two sisters, Joyce Fontenot and Anna Rhuland, both of Jennings.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Julian “Bubby and Bob” Guidry; parents, Henri Fontenot and Henriette Credeur Fontenot; five sisters, Ella Henry, Delia Fontenot, Grace Clement, Jean Valenti and Nita Schwartz; and five brothers, Clyde Fontenot, Pierre Fontenot, Andrus Fontenot, Abie Fontenot and Dalton Fontenot.
Pallbearers were Julian “Jude” Guidry, Randy “Boze” Faul, Chris Guidry, Mike Guidry, Kacey Labbe and Derek Dautreuil. Honorary pallbearers were Liam Guidry and Joe Valenti.
Mrs. Guidry’s family would like to express special thanks to Hope Guidry, Robin Guidry, Adrienne Dautreuil, Bernice’s new “best friend”, Chesley Citizen, as well as the staff and doctors of Hospice of Acadiana.
Visitors may view the obituary, sign the guest registry and express condolences to Mrs. Guidry’s family at www.duhonfuneralhome.com.
Duhon Funeral Home-Rayne, (337) 334-3600, 900 East Texas Ave., Rayne, LA 70578 was in charge of all funeral arrangements and services.

Wallace Lawrence Lejeune

Richard - Private graveside services were held on Tuesday, March 12, 2019, at a 8:30 a.m. at St. Edward Cemetery in Richard, for Wallace Lawrence Lejeune, 86, who died Monday, March 11, at his residence in Richard.
Interment was in the St. Edward Cemetery in Richard.
Rev. Wayne Duet, Pastor of St. Edward Catholic Church, conducted the graveside service.
Survivors include four daughters, Brenda L. Horaist and spouse Joseph of Church Point, Charlene L. Richard and spouse Leldon of Branch, Cheryl L. McGee and spouse Richard of Branch and Marcella Lejeune of Rayne; 15 grandchildren; four step-grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren; three step-great-grandchildren; five sisters, Louise Prevost and spouse Harold, Bertha Lavergne, Barbara Primeaux and spouse Charles, Helen Brasseaux and Lita Lejeune; and three brothers, Eldridge Lejeune and spouse Ethel, Callan Lejeune and spouse Susie, and Austin Lejeune.
He was preceded in death by his father, Cyphor Lejeune; mother, Annie Babineaux Lejeune; grandson, Ian Brody Richard; son-in-law, Timothy Richard; brother, Nelson Lejeune; sister, Mary “Thelma” Lejeune Smith; and the mother of his children, Frances Thibodeaux Lejeune.
Friends may view the obituary and guestbook online at www.gossenfuneralhome.net.
Arrangements were entrusted to Gossen Funeral Home, Inc. of Rayne, LA, (337) 334-3141.

Catch Notre Dame's 'Willy Wonka' this weekend

THE POST-SIGNAL / Saja Hoffpauir
Joseph Borde as Grandpa Joe and Seth Leonards as Charlie Bucket, from left, meet the eccentric Willy Wonka, played by Madison Carlson, as they rehearse for this weekend’s production of “Willy Wonka.” The musical is being presented by the Notre Dame High School Drama Dept. and will run Friday evening through Sunday afternoon at the Grand Opera House in Crowley. Friday's and Saturday's showings will begin at 7 p.m., with the Sunday afternoon matinee beginning at 4 p.m. Tickets are $12 for adults and $10 for students and may be purchased at www.thegrandoperahouse.org or by calling 785-0440. They will also be available at the door.

Taylor to perform at open mic event

On Wednesday, March 27, at 7 p.m. the Festival of Words will host a special solo performance with Curley Taylor. The ...

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