Ci et Ca Avec Belle

FINALLY ….. EASTERTIME AND SPRING.....
It seems that it took a long time getting here, but now springtime is here and we are celebrating our glorious Easter time. We hope that the rain and cold will be gone for awhile so that we can enjoy this wonderful time of the year and the beautiful flowers that have begun blooming as soon as the warm sunshine began. We pray that your Easter will be a happy and fulfilling one with family, friends and wonderful worship services and music. We know that the children will be ready to search for the colorful eggs and other surprises in their Easter baskets. It is a happy time of the year.
Springtime means many activities that will be happening during this time of the year. Schools will be busy as they prepare the students for the end of school and the beginning of summer vacation. For the seniors they will participate in the programs that will mark the end of their high school years. Yes, it is an exciting time to participate and enjoy every minute of our long awaited spring.

GOOD NEWS AND LOOKING FORWARD.....
It was exciting news to learn that the City of Rayne was selected by the recent judges visit as the Cleanest City in our District! It took lots of hard work by many people and groups to achieve this goal and we agree that our city is beautiful! The Rayne Garden Club and its members, groups from the cub and girl scouts worked and cleaned up the streets, and any other things needed. The City of Rayne personnel worked long and hard,even in some rain, to ensure that everything was done to achieve this title. We were especially happy to see the young people participating. They saw first hand the terrible mess when people litter and throw things on the streets. There were more groups that participated as well as interested individuals who gave of their time and effort anywhere needed to beautify the streets, shrubs, plants and flowers on the streets. Excuse us if we didn’t include your organization, but just know that your efforts made this honor possible.
But....we can’t sit back and expect to earn the title of the State’s Cleanest City. Everything has to be continued until the judges return to evaluate the city again. We are happy that it will be soon since the flowers are so lovely with the warmth and sun which have returned. We need to get the 3rd in a row for the 2015 competition. The judges for the state competition will be here on April 7 and we are hoping that the flowers will continue to be in full bloom. It is a couple days after Easter and we need to make certain that our yards are ready for the judges.

LITTLE OF THIS AND THAT......
….............Congratulations to Andrus Fontenot on his selection to serve as Grand Marshal for the 43rd Annual Rayne Frog Festival. He is very deserving of this special honor for his years of participation in community activities through his lifetime. He also represents a very special group of men...as one of the oldest survivors in Rayne for his service in World War II. His life has been one of leadership as well as participation with community groups, City of Rayne programs and activities, and as being a successful businessman in our city. He has devoted much time and effort in two of his special “loves”, the local baseball program and the American Legion. He has also been active in his church community and the Boy Scouts. The list of his many accomplishments is too numerous to list, however, everyone who knows this capable and caring man agrees with his selection for this honor. We also agree with the Chamber with his selection and look forward to the Frog Festival parade on May 9th to see him enjoy this excitement in the grand parade.
…............The Rayne Lions Club has done it again! They held a very successful Radio Auction which has been a program that they have conducted for many years. This event represents lots of work by the members to get the items needed for the auction, and the support of the local businesses and supporters who contribute much for the sale. Of course, it takes the support of the entire community to listen in, to bid, and to purchase the great items being auctioned. The club does this each year to earn funds for the many important programs which they sponsor to help local activities and programs that assist all in our community. They provide wonderful services and we appreciate all that they do for the Auction and the other programs which they sponsor! Thanks to each of you!
….................The picture in the Tribune of the latest Confirmation Class at St. Joseph Catholic Church was a great tribute to the young people who participated in this program, and to the work of the church leaders in leading the group in the program. It was wonderful to see the faces of these young people and are proud of them for their commitment to their church and their faith. It is reassuring that these youngsters are on the right tract to be the leaders of the future. We congratulate each of them.
….................Another picture that brought tears to our eyes and pride to our heart was the beautiful picture of the youngsters making their first Holy Communion recently at the St. Joseph Catholic Church. The dear faces of those adorable little boys and girls looked like little angels and we were touched with them for accomplishing this milestone in their lives. We don’t know these dear little ones, but their innocence and love shone through each precious face and we enjoyed looking at each and every one. We wish that we could keep them free from cares, worry or pain as they grow into older childhood and adulthood! If you missed seeing that picture try to find a copy of the Tribune so that you can enjoy seeing those precious little faces.
….................It was impressive to see that with the passing of Donna Douglas (Elly Mae Clampert) she continued to help others by donating much of her belongings to be sold with the proceeds benefiting local charities in her home area. She lived just above Baton Rouge, and never forgot her roots and love for Louisiana and Baton Rouge even though she had a successful television career for years! Many items for sale were shown on one of the TV stations in Baton Rouge and there many interesting and expensive items up for sale. She never embraced the “star” status of Hollywood and after the TV series her life included coming home!
…............We have realized that we need to find a super hero cape for Al Olivier. He has been a hero to us helping with the various problems we have with our computer. He is a genius when it comes to working with these complicated machines. He is always so pleasant when we call him to help us with a problem and in just a short while has it solved and has taught us things that we need to do. However, with our old brain, we forget from one time to another what we learned and we head to the phone to call for help again. He doesn’t get upset, and has us back on course in a short time. Now we just need to remember what he teaches us, but we know that if we forget this “hero” will be standing by to help. Thanks, thanks for your help and your patience Mr. Super Hero!
…............We had a wonderful surprise in the mail recently. It was a great book on “Sicily – The Island of the Sun”. It is a beautiful journey through the pictures and narrative of this special island which is the home of Merlin and Paola Hoffpauir. We appreciated their thoughtfulness and their generosity to share this treasure with us. They are enjoying being retired in that very interesting place .. in the beauty surrounding them, exploring the many sights around them, seeing and learning much of the history of the island and able to see them added to the enjoyment. We enjoyed reading and seeing the lovely and interesting pictures and narrative and feel as though we have taken a tour of Sicily with them. We loved their letter and their comments about the Tribune and memories of past time happenings here in Rayne years ago with an unexpected airplane ride with Charlie Fremaux. You two are very special to us and we hope to have a visit “in person” sometimes when you are back here visiting family and friends. Thanks again for this very special and lovely surprise.

HAPPY TIMES AND MEMORIES.......
It was a happy, happy time for us recently when Laura and Ed and Bo and Deb came for the weekend to take us to a family wedding in Baton Rouge. It was great to visit with them and to head to the wedding although, as usual, the traffic was stopped and backed up from Gros Tete to across the bridge. It was great that we had left early with a plan to visit and see the changes in downtown and other sites of interest. However, it took us so long moving a few feet at a time that we were afraid everything would be over by the time we got there. We were not too late and the family was holding places for us at the reception so we got to see and enjoy everything. It was a beautiful wedding held at the Louisiana State Museum. Yes, know you wonder why there...we did also. But, it was a perfect setting for a wedding and reception with the lovely lighted state capitol in the background of the gorgeous grounds! We didn’t get to visit the museum, however, it was kept open and guests could go and see the many interesting and unusual exhibits. Downstairs on the beautiful patio area there was room for the band (a great one from New Orleans, a dance floor and tables and chairs as well as drinks and wedding cakes. Inside were tables of food, fruit everything to eat that were brought out to the tables. The bride and groom (my grand nephew) were radiant and so happy. It was a glorious occasion and we were so happy that we could attend thanks to the Laura/Ed and Bo/Deb! As the couple left, no rice was thrown, but sparklers lit the path to the vehicle which was waiting to whisk the happy couple away. It was a bike cabbie (a rick shaw)....unusual, but a perfect end to a perfect evening. If you are on Facebook, you can see some of the pictures of the wedding and of our family which are posted there. FYI...the trip back was uneventful and we made it back to Rayne in the usual time.

IT’S THAT TIME OF THE YEAR....
The end of the school year is rapidly approaching and the seniors at Rayne High School and Notre Dame High School are thinking about and preparing for their future with many planning to attend the college of their choice. It is time for them to see their school counselor to see what scholarships are available to help them defray some of the cost of their higher education.
Mrs. German at Rayne High School and Mrs. Fause at Notre Dame are receiving information regarding the things that are available for them if they are interested and if they qualify. For that reason, the seniors need to see them in order to get this information so that they can complete the applications, if needed, or submit their names for some that are gifts for certain fields of study.
We recently met with the counselors and they have received the applications for the Myrta Fair B. Craig scholarship presented by the Rayne Acadian-Tribune in honor of the long-time editor of the paper. Please urge your student to meet with the counselors and submit an application for the scholarship if interested and if they qualify. The applications from each school will be turned into their school counselor who will forward to Paul Kedinger, Rayne Acadian-Tribune editor, by April 17th .
The deadline for the Myrta Fair B. Craig Scholarship is April 17th, 2015, and should be returned to the counselor before that date. Best wishes for all seniors and those applying for this and other scholarships. The seniors should be meeting with their counselors now since there are many scholarships and grants to be given out to them. But, they need to get the information from the counselors and do what is needed to apply. Encourage your senior to do that and not miss out on the opportunity to receive some financial assistance for their planned future education.

SAD AND GOOD NEWS ITEMS.....
…............We recently saw a video posted on Facebook with something that was so very sad. It was the son of Glen Campbell, one of our favorite musicians now suffering with Alzheimer’s disease, singing the last song that his dad had written. The song, “I’m not going to miss you” was written for his wife and family members. The song was so touching and was preparing them for what was ahead for him in the future when all his memory was lost.
His son did a wonderful job singing it and know that it meant much to him and the family. This touching song was nominated for an Oscar at the recent award ceremony. It did not win the Oscar, but it won the hearts of everyone in attendance that heard it sung and ended with a standing ovation. The song is from his last album that was recorded. We were proud for him that it was nominated for this Oscar honor.
We were honored many years ago at the height of his popularity with his Good Time Hour TV show to meet and visit with his mother in rural Arkansas at her Good Time Grocery store across the street from her home. She was fun to talk to her and to take pictures with her and to hear some memories of her son growing up. She was very proud of him and with good reason.
There was a television program on the computer that we recently discovered that had scenes from his last tour where he sang his many hit songs, but had to be prompted and reminded of the lyrics by his children who were members of the band. To see him, to hear him and still with a good voice, but to know that even though he was living, he was not there in his mind and memory. What a sad loss to all who loved his talent in song writing , skill in playing the guitar and other instruments, and his lovely voice.
We pray that this wife and family will continue to stand with him during these last days of his life even though he is in another and unreachable place. God bless them and God bless Glen. We have most of his recordings and will always listen and remember him. It was a sad reminder that many of our friends and family members are coping with a loved one suffering from this terrible Alzheimers condition. Our hearts go out to them as they cope with them and watch sadly as they slip away. Someone said it is a “living death”! And it is! We keep them and their loving family in our prayers!
…............Our city and schools should be very proud of the accomplishments of the young students in our schools. There are just too many to list, but they include receiving honors in many and varied activities. The members of the Rayne High School Chapter of HOSA placed in state and now are qualified for the national competition. …... The fourth grade students at Indian Bayou Elementary took a field trip and were given the opportunity to play instruments with the Acadiana Symphony.......The Rayne High School wrestlers placed 8th in their division in the state competition......The records of the Rayne High ball teams for the Wolves and Lady Wolves in baseball, softball and boys basketball were outstanding.......The Rayne High band scored and received a superior rating at the District Band Festival.....Rayne Catholic Elementary student, Meagan Austin placed first in the Regional Science Fair.....Santonio Blassetti of Branch Elementary School was awarded a plaque for his special abilities in mechanical knowledge.....Armstrong Middle School with members of their 4-H Club worked to raise money to benefit the Muscular Dystrophy Assn to sponsor one child to camp....Alexandra Guidry, Emma Reynolds and Ryan Guidry of Armstrong Elementary school qualified for the state science fair in Baton Rouge.....The student body of Notre Dame High School conducted a rally for life with good music and speakers recently which is an annual event for the school.....
These are just a few of the many, many things going on in our schools and the honors the students have accomplished. Our congratulations to them and to the faculty and administration for the leadership and support given to these outstanding young people! We are very proud of each of you.
…............A little late, but never too late to share in the great news in a recent action when Coach Louie Cook of Notre Dame was inducted into the Louisiana High School Sports Hall of Fame. This is a very special and prestigious honor and can think of no one more deserving than Coach Cook to receive this award and honor. His coaching record of the Pioneer teams through the years is legendary, and the top spots in the state competitions made him a household name not only in Acadiana, but in the entire state. Yes, his coaching record is one of success through hard work, but, even more important is the leadership, role modeling and inspiration that he gave to the youngsters on his teams and in the school. We join in with everyone to congratulate him in this achievement... and to reinforce that this honor is more than deserved and long overdue. Proud of you Coach!
…............Happy to see that Lafayette is working to again have their Azalea Trail program which was very popular and well attended tourist attraction years ago. It was a tour that our family always enjoyed riding and seeing the beautiful colors and plants along the streets in town. They had a map so that everyone would see the azaleas and the lovely homes also. Of course, when riding in our city, we are also impressed with the number of lovely azaleas bloom in the yards here.

In closing.......
As we continue to prepare for our joyous Easter celebration, we would like to remind you to attend the some of the many services and programs that will mark the end of lent and the days leading up to the special and happy Easter day. We know that it will be a family time with treats, egg dyeing and hunts and please make it a time to continue to tell the youngsters the reason for the season. They learn about this Holy time in their churches, but not in the schools. It is important that we help to teach them in our homes also.
We would like to to send each of you special blessings and greetings at this joyful Easter time and pray that your heart will be filled with happiness and love! And this thought also...

“May all your wishes come true
And every dream be found.
May God be ever near
And joy be all around.”

Happy Easter !!! and Love and blessings!

Until next time....Adios, Au Revoir
and Auf Wiedersehen