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RAYNE - Plans were announced Tuesday evening during the August meeting of Arceneaux Post 77, American Legion, of a number of upcoming events and programs to be held at the Legion Home in the coming months.
Commander David Simon introduced Sons of the Legion 1st Vice Blake Alleman who gave plans of the fall jambalaya dinner sale. The fundraiser will be held Sunday, Sept. 24, with all proceeds to be donated to Post 77 for expenses and legion programs throughout the year. Alleman stated tickets will be available soon at the Legion Home and from legionnaires for purchase.
Commander Simon also introduced guest and veteran Michael Pastor who discussed two flag retirement ceremonies planned in Rayne.
The first flag retirement ceremony will take place on Saturday, Aug. 12, at The Depot during the monthly Farmer’s Market. The general public is invited to attend the 10 a.m. program and bring any tattered or unused U.S. flags they may have.
The second flag retirement ceremony will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 7, prior to the start of the monthly Legion meeting of Post 77 in observance of Veterans Day. Pastor will lead the program assisted by local Boys Scouts.
Finance Officer Lorraine Shelton-Gaines acknowledged Chairman Larry Guidry for his leadership and dedication for the Rayne Veterans Park as the first batch of engraved veteran bricks were installed last week, one of many aspects of the new city addition located at Gossen Memorial Park. Another order of engraved bricks will be ordered soon was announced by Gaines, who urged all wanting to order a brick to contact City Hall at 334-3121.
The annual Boys State Program was held June 25-July 1 on the campus of Northwestern State University in Natchitoches. One Rayne High student, Jordan McCrory, attended the event on behalf of Post 77. He will attend the October legion meeting and give a report of the event.
It was also mentioned the 7th District East orientation for Boys and Girls State was held Wednesday, June 14, at Arceneaux Post 77 in Rayne for boys and girls attending the summer events.
The memorial report included the death of legionnaires Horace Foreman and Ed Boudreaux. Thanks were expressed to all who attended the funeral on behalf of Post 77. John Quebodeaux was thanked by Robert Comeaux for contacting legionnaires to attend the funerals on behalf of Post 77.
Sick call included Lloyd Jeffers, Robley Moroux and Gene Comeaux.
Ray Olinger gave the membership report as 80 membership dues paid as the new collection year has begun.
Commander Simon announced that over $4,000 was raised during the 2017 spring fundraiser for the War Veterans Home in Jennings, a poker run instead of the former spring fling. Many thanks were expressed to everyone who helped with this important fundraiser.
Commander Simon reported of the recently held weekend musical entertainment held at the Legion Home including the upcoming events.
Following the maintenance report including projects and repairs recently completed at the Legion Home, Commander Simon announced the ladies of Auxiliary Unit 77 had cleaned and waxed the Legion Home floors. He also noted the office air conditioner was fixed and that Guidry Plumbing will replace the kitchen sink with a new stainless steel model at no cost as a donation to the Legion Home.
With no further business to come before the Post, the meeting was concluded and a delicious meal was served by Legion Chef John Quebodeaux and cooks.

RAYNE - The Rayne Farmers Market is moving to its new location on Saturday, Aug. 12.
The monthly event will be staged at The Depot Square — in the heart of downtown Rayne — from 8 a.m. until noon.
“In addition to all the hand-made and home-grown items being offered by our vendors, the Church Renovation Project will be selling barbecued hamburgers and the Chamber of Commerce will offer refreshments,” said Blaine Dupont, chairman.
For the event, the Chamber, in conjunction with the American Legion Post 77 in Rayne and the VFW Post 6720 in Crowley, will hold an American Flag retirement ceremony beginning at 10 a.m.
Also, Dupont said Bayou Beau and Sabine Connection, a variety band, will provide entertainment on the grounds starting at 9 a.m.
Organizers promise a variety of vendors selling everything from food to pepper jelly to arts and crafts.
For more information, call the Rayne Chamber at 334-2332.

A new Miss Rayne will be crowned this weekend as the 2017 honoree will be selected on Saturday, Aug. 12, during the 6 p.m. pageant slated at the Rayne Civic Center.
Contestants vying for the title are Blair Bergeron, 18-year-old daughter of Sarah and Eddie Bergeron; Skyler Broussard, 18-year-old daughter of Angel Miller and Anthony Broussard; Meka Cormier, 18-year-old daughter of JoAnn Cormier; Corinne Doucet, 18-year-old daughter of Patrick and Desiree Doucet; Mary-Kaitlyn Simon, 16-year-old daughter of Mike and Michelle Simon; and Kennedy Smith, 17-year-old daughter of Jason and Mica Smith.
To be eligible to compete for the title of Miss Rayne, contests must (1) be 16 years of age and not older than 22 years of age the date of the pageant; (2) be single and have never been married or had a marriage annulled; (3) not be pregnant or have never borne a child; (4) be of good moral character and never been convicted of any felony; (5) have a Rayne address or telephone number or attend a school servicing the Rayne community.
The competition will consist of the following segments; interview – (held the afternoon of the competition); typically there will be a panel of three judges that will visit with each contestant for a period of approximately five minutes; questions may be asked concerning information covered on the entry form and general items of interest about the City of Rayne; sportswear and introductions; Choreographed dance number and a maximum 30 second introduction; evening gown – on stage competition in an evening gown of choice; on-stage interview including two lighthearted questions.
Awards will be as follows: Queen - supreme crown, banner, silver tray, flowers, monetary scholarship upon successful completion which will be awarded upon verification of enrollment at an accredited educational institution of higher learning and entry to Frog Festival Queen’s Pageant and car signs for parades; First Maid – silver tray and sponsorship to compete at International Rice Festival Pageant; Second Maid - silver tray and sponsorship to compete at Miss Acadia Parish Pageant; Third Maid – silver tray; Miss Congeniality – silver tray; and People’s Choice - silver tray (people attending will be given the opportunity to vote for a “People’s Choice” (popularity vote) for $1 per vote (a photo will be needed to post at voting space)
For more information or to acquire the official application, contact Suzette Leonards at Suzette.leonards@rayne.org, by phone at 337-334-6682 or stop by City Hall (801 The Boulevard).
The new Miss Rayne who will represent the City of Rayne for the coming year will be crowned by the outgoing honoree, Catherine Castille, who completes a most successful reign.
In her outgoing letter, Catherine extends the following message:
To the citizens of Rayne,
It seems like just yesterday my dream came true and I was crowned Miss Rayne 2016. Now that my reign is ending I wanted to thank you all for the support I have received. It has been a great honor and privilege representing my beautiful home town of Rayne this past year.
To the city of Rayne, thank you for being such an amazing city to represent. I am truly blessed to have known and worked with some of you this past year. I want to thank you for always welcoming me with open arms and making every event I attended fun and memorable. Just like most of you, I have so much pride and love for this city and I enjoyed every minute of representing Rayne. I will forever cherish all the wonderful opportunities it has given me.
I could not have had a more amazing year with my director Mrs. Suzette Leonards, Ms. Nikki Link and the mayor Mr. Chuck Robichaux. Thanks for always inviting me to all the events and for everything you have done for me.
To all the incredible people I met on this great journey, thanks for your support, encouragement and love.
As your Miss Rayne Queen, I was able to participate in many events representing our lovely town. Traveling to many festivals representing our town gave me the opportunity to meet new people. These memories and friendships will last a lifetime.
While I am sad to see my reign end, I am happy to have the honor of crowning your new 2017 Miss Rayne. So please, come out and join me on Saturday August 12, 2017, at 6 p.m. Hope to see you there!!!

Always and Forever
Your 2016 Miss Rayne,
Catherine Castille

RAYNE - Memorial services were held on Saturday, Aug. 5, 2017, at a noon Mass at Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church in Mire for Alexie “Tex” Hebert, 84, who died Tuesday, Aug. 1, at his residence in Rayne.
Rev. Michael Arnold, pastor of Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church, conducted the Memorial services.
Survivors include two daughters, Lynette Hebert Reid and husband Randall of Rayne, and Debbie Hebert Hanks of Rayne; two sons, Tony Hebert of Rayne, and Craig Hebert and wife Audrey of Branch; a special son, Augusto Ordonez and wife Patty; nine grandchildren, Chalette Hanks, Amy Hebert Muse and husband Brad Smith, Benji Hebert and wife Rebecca, Chelby Reid, Alex Hebert, Carlos Ordonez, Debbie Ordonez, Marcela Ordonez and Naomie Rivera; seven great-grandchildren, Mariette Elise Credeur, Dyllan Paige Muse, Parker Troy Muse, Keagan Hebert, Olivia Hebert, Emma Hebert and Daniel Hebert; a step-daughter, Elaine Menard and husband Carroll of Rayne; and two special nephews, Gerald Stewart and Carl Hebert.
Tex was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Ella “Merella” Meche Hebert; father, William Hebert; mother, Leocadie Dogua Hebert; two brothers, Arthur Hebert and Noah Hebert; and two sisters, Alice Hebert and Vivian Hebert Stewart.
Tex was a truck driver for Mayfair Windows and Door Company for 45 years.
The family would like to give a special thanks to his caregivers, Cindy LaGrange and Sabrina Leger.
The family requested that visitation be observed at Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church on Saturday Aug. 5, from 11:30 a.m. to noon.
Friends may view the obituary and guestbook online at www.gossenfuneralhome.net.
Arrangements were entrusted to Gossen Funeral Home, Inc. of Rayne, (337) 334-3141.