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In addition to the live entertainment that continues to be presented at the American Legion Home in Rayne, plans have been finalized for the annual New Years Eve Dance as announced by Commander David Simon.
The Legion’s New Years Eve Dance will be held on Monday, Dec. 31, between 8:30 p.m. and 12:30 a.m. at the Legion Home
High Performance will perform and a limited amount of tickets are now on sale. Tickets are $20 per ticket or $35 per couple which includes a gumbo supper, party favors and champagne to toast in the new year.
Call the Legion Home for tickets at 334-4774 or (337) 458-8322.
Regular events continuing at the Legion Home includes the monthly dinner dance and supper on the first Friday of every month. Louisiana Knights will perform between 6:30-10:30 p.m. with a $5 cover.
Additional events include Ronnie Matthews and Throwdown returning to the Legion Home on Saturday, Nov. 17, between 7-11 p.m. with a $10 cover charge.
On Wednesday, Nov. 21, free beer night will be held between 6:30-7:30 p.m., along with the monthly free supper night as Louisiana Knights will perform from 6:30 till.
NOTE: Food and beverages available for purchase with an expading menu at the Legion Home. Admission is a $10 donation. Children are allowed in the hall portion of the Legion Home only.
“Thirsty Thursday” drink specials will also be available from 7 p.m. till. All domestic beers are $1.50 a bottle.
Come by and support your local American Legion.

RAYNE - The historic downtown area of Rayne was filled with hundreds on Saturday, Nov. 3, for the third annual official Old Spanish Trail Celebration.
Co-sponsors of the annual event were the Rayne Chamber of Commerce and City of Rayne who welcomed visitors from throughout the area.
The Depot Square and the surrounding downtown areas were filled with historical events and numerous displays.
Visitors were welcomed by Chairman Eddie Palmer and OST Committee members as this year’s event has become bigger and better with the addition of more participants, historic discussions and memorabilia for all.
Fr. Christopher Cambre, associate pastor of St. Joseph Catholic Church, provided the opening prayer to begin the day, followed by an official welcome and reading of the proclamation by Mayor Charles “Chuck” Robichaux, who also serves on the OST Committee.
Robichaux also expressed his thanks and appreciation to Dr. Eddie Palmer and his wife Anne for their dedication towards the OST Day Celebration, in addition to their dedication and travels to promote Rayne and the OST, stating, “They are jewels of Rayne and we appreciate their dedicated service and work for our community.”
In addition to Robichaux, committee members recognized were Martha Royer, Tiffany Thibodeaux, Bart Wild, Ann Palmer, Cynthia Oliver, Nikki Link, Suzette Leonards, Fran Bihm, Cynthia Beslin and Michelle Autin, all acknowledged for their dedication and hard work for this year’s celebration.
“This year’s event is dedicated in memory of Mr. A.J. LeBlanc,” stated Palmer of the celebration. “Mr. LeBlanc, who was a giant in the Louisiana tourism industry, promoted recognition of the historical significance of the Old Spanish Trail and other roadways.”
In addition to all the work he completed for the OST project, LeBlanc was awarded many times for his dedicated and tireless work he completed for all corners of Acadiana, LeBlanc also served as Director of Acadian Village for 17 years.
During a special presentation, Rayne Chamber of Commerce President Nikki Link and Mayor Robichaux presented LeBlanc’s daughter, Susan Guilbeau, with a special plaque in his honor.
Focal point of the day-long celebration of the third anniversary of when Rayne was designated the first official “Old Spanish Trail City” in the entire nation was The Depot Square between the hours of 9 a.m. and 2 p.m.
On the grounds of The Depot Square were over 30 vendors providing food, refreshments, music, arts and crafts and demonstrations featuring transportation relics and frontier themes including tractors, buggies, antique machines, antique and unique bicycles, and much more.
Also enjoyed throughout the day was musical entertainment provided by Greg Mouton and The Louisiana Knights on the stage of The Depot.
In addition to the numerous vendors at The Depot, visitors enjoyed the annual antique and vintage car display held in a special reserved parking area on the 200 block of East Louisiana Ave. just across the railroad tracks from The Depot Square (in front of The Warehouse).
A number of special displays and presentations were enjoyed at The Bank (site of Rayne’s first bank) near the former Mervine Kahn building where special oldies -- but goodies -- were on display, the “Museum” for the day.
In addition to the numerous displays found at The Bank, speakers filled the air with historical facts and stories of the Old Spanish Trail and it’s effects not only to Rayne, but the entire southern portion of the United States.
Along with an historical slide presentation of yesteryear provided by Tony Olinger, the first presentation at The Bank began at 9:30 a.m. with William Thibodeaux and members of the “Table Francaise” (French Table) featuring sentences about the OST in French translated to English.
Historical discussions were also on the agenda for the day, along with a documentary film, exhibitions and highlights of the past.
“Vignettes and a Few Tales from the Old Spanish Trail” was presented by local historian C. Sidney Stutes at 11 a.m. at The Bank.
At the noon hour at The Bank, Dr. C. Ray Brassieur and Mike LeBlanc presented “Mapping the Old Spanish Trail” followed by the documentary film “The Mervine Kahn Legacy” by the Rayne Historical District Association.
Major funding partners were Eric and Carla Thomas for the use of The Bank, Acadia Parish Assessor James “Jimbo” Petitjean and Rayne Building and Loan.
Thanks are also expressed to the following friends who assisted with the 2018 OST Day Celebration: Bayou Silkscreening and Design, Rayne Acadian-Tribune, Stacey Ancelet, Cheryl Richard Boudreaux, Bethany Dudding, Tony Olinger, Christine Stelly, Big G’s Kans, Ray Constantin, KLFY-TV10 Meet our Neighbor/Tracey Wirtz and the many volunteers who assisted with events.
Palmer and the OST Committee has been working tirelessly and planning a 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, which stretches nearly 3,000 miles across eight states in the southern area of the country from St. Augustine, Florida, to San Diego, California.
The event was free and open to the general public.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 10, at First Baptist Church in Crowley, for Mrs. Bernadette Richardson, 49, who passed away on Tuesday, Oct. 30, 2018, at her residence in Crowley.
Interment will be in Woodlawn Cemetery in Crowley.
Bishop Aaron Wilson, pastor of Bible Way Church, will be officiating the funeral service.
Mrs. Richardson leaves to cherish her memories her husband, Gregory Dramond Richardson of Crowley; her mother, Rita Bates of Crowley; six sons, Nathaniel Bates, Joshua Green, Gregory Troy Gray Jr., Rahkee Richardson, Jordan Richardson and Kamron Richardson, all of Crowley; six daughters, Cissley Bates Eaglin (Joseph) of Church Point, Shamyra Gray of Port Arthur, Texas, Franciska Bates, Tabitha Green, Akia Richardson and Jessica Richardson, all of Crowley; two brothers, Mark Harmon and Michael Harmon, both of Crowley; six sisters, Cherise Robinson, Carlonda Miles, Jennifer Hubbard, Monique Harmon, Myioka Williams and April Senegal, all of Crowley; 19 grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.
Mrs. Richardson was preceded in death by her father, Murphy Bates Jr.; her son, Brydon Gray; paternal grandparents, Murphy Bates Sr. and Lillian Bernard Bates; and paternal aunt, Charlene Brown.
Visitation will be held on Friday, Nov. 9, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Ford and Joseph Funeral Home in Crowley. Visitation will resume on Saturday, Nov. 10, from 7 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. at First Baptist Church.
Words of condolences may be expressed at fordandjosephfh.com
Ford and Joseph Funeral Home, 577 N. Ave. C., Crowley, (337) 514-5217, is in charge of arrangements.