Ci et Ca Avec Belle

LOOKING BACK....
Yes, the month of May has passed, however, we wanted to mention some important things that have taken place in the past weeks. For the graduating seniors in the high schools this has been an exciting time for them. So many things happening in their lives. The mixed emotions of leaving high school and familiar places, people and things. Yet, with their eye on their future and the unknown, the excitement of the new direction in their lives they face it with confidence and happiness. The support of their parents and friends is an important part of this time and we are sure that they are filled with pride and anxious to do what is needed to help their child as they proceed through this new phase in their lives.
We watched as the parents and families gathered for the important Class Day and graduation ceremonies at Rayne High School, which was being held also at every high school. It was packed with loved ones coming to share this special time with their dear graduates. It was a reminder for us of those times when our own dear ones also were graduates years ago. The feelings of pride, love, happiness tinged with sadness that they were entering a phase in their lives representing the fact that as a parent our lives would be different also. We send our love and congratulations to the graduates in the schools and pray that God will be with them, keep them safe and bless them.
.....Post 77 of the American Legion celebrated May 30th, Memorial Day, with their annual and inspiring program. Commander David Simon and members of the post held the memorial day program on May 29, at the Legion Home. The general public was invited and encouraged to attend. The special guests included family member of veterans who have passed away during the past year. Also invited were the Gold Star mothers and families that lost a loved one during the war. This was always a very touching and yet sad day after World War II when the mothers were still alive and mourning the loss of their loved one and the public knew and remember the young one that was lost. Today the program is still very important and never be forgotten and the families should also be reminded that we support them and appreciate them also. The memorial program was always so well attended since homage was and still is so important to member! We thank the legion for this program and the other activities they conduct that day. We appreciate the members also since they all served in the military in order to be a Legion member. They do much to help the community and we should always support them in any of their fund raising or program activities. They need and deserve our help.
.....Here is an update on the progress of the Veterans Park being built near Gossen Park. It has been delayed by the rains and the heavy equipment needed cannot get to the site and do the work needed for the planned park facility. When better weather permits, then the construction of the foundation will begin. The park will be a wonderful thing to honor and remember our veterans, and we join with everyone to look forward to its completion. We hope that you have purchased the brick for your loved one who served our country. This will be a permanent honor in the memory for them and something for which the entire family can be proud. If you have not ordered your brick yet, all you need to do is call City Hall for all the information and how to order it. Please do this for your loved one. We were happy to order two bricks, one for each one of my brothers that served in the Navy and Army. Don’t let this opportunity to honor your loved one pass you by. Bye and Buy a brick.
.....The dedication of the Fallen Police Officers Memorial was held last week. The monument is located in front of the Rayne Police Department and is a tribute to the officers who lost their lives in the line of duty while serving the City of Rayne. Those honored are Americus Vespucius Lyons, Albert P. Guidry, and Donnie L. Ousse. The families of those heroes were invited to attend the ceremony. This is a long overdue tribute to our brave police who were taken doing their duty for our city. Thanks to all that planned and made donations to make this dream a reality.
.....We had a wonderful surprise visit recently. A knock on our door in early evening and we saw someone we knew, but just not certain since it has been many years since we had a visit from her. It was a very special friend, Corrine Batiste, from California. She and her husband John came to attend a funeral of a loved family member and were leaving the next morning to go to Houston to fly back to California. Corrine is family to us, since we had known her since our Laura was a baby. Corrine was in school, but came after school and whenever needed to help us with Laura and to play with her, take her out in the yard, sandboxes, buggy rides, and other things that gave us a little rest and fun adventures for our Laura. Through the years, even though she was in California, we visited by phone, cards or letters in order to keep up with each others families. It was a great visit, only too short. We will look forward to another visit before too long so that she can stay longer and we can continue our visiting and family news updates. Love you Corrine and thanks for the visit.
.....Another recent and appreciated visit was with our long time friend and classmate, Julia Bull Schomaker from Metairie. She reports that her dear twin brother, Julian, is residing in Texas, but is doing well. Julia has a home here in Rayne that she and her late husband had after Hurricane Katrina destroyed much of their home and property in Metairie. She said that she is trying to sell the home here since being alone she is unable to travel or do the things she did for many years. It is a beautiful home here in a great location, so if anyone is interested, she has a realtor here or one can call her. We miss our visits with Julia. She was a leader in our class at Rayne High School and after moving to New Orleans to get her nursing degree, she always enjoyed coming back to Rayne and included a visit with us. Julia, it was great to visit with you and wish we could sit down and visit in person, however, it was a time of memories as we visited. Take care and know that your many friends here in Rayne miss you also. God bless you and stay strong.
.....More wonderful news was that of the marriage of Will (Chappius) Rambeaux and his beautiful bride, Sherrie Austin, after a 23 year engagement. The pictures of the wedding were lovely and they were a beautiful couple. Will continues his music career in Nashville, with his writing of great songs and his playing with musical groups. In fact, Will wrote a song after he first met Sherrie, “How Was I To Know” and it was part of the wedding ceremony as the happy couple had the first dance to the song which was recorded by Reba McIntyre. Will grew up here in Rayne and has family and many friends here. His sister, Chris, is a prominent member of the Rayne Community and has a family with a long history of their time here in our great city....We wish them lots of happiness and great times together and hope to hear more of his music in the future. Congratulations to this loving couple and God bless them as they go through the happy years ahead.
.....There were two important dates in the last week of this month. Armed Forces Day was celebrated with the nation sending messages of support for all of the brave men and women serving in every branch of the military. They are the heroes that protect us day and night and stand ready to do whatever is needed to keep our nation free and all of us safe. There are just not enough words to express our appreciation to them except to say “thank you”...to to shake their hands and say thanks whenever we see one of the military throughout the year, not just on one day. Love and appreciation to you all ... and God keep you in His care.
.....Kudos to the Rayne Chamber of Commerce and the City of Rayne for another successful Frog Festival. The weather cooperated permitting the crowds to attend and take part in all of the fun. There were many activities for all ages and there were plenty that were there and did take part. We understand that the bands were great and the crowds attending enjoyed the dancing and/or listening to them. All and all, it was a great festival! Everyone left tired, but happy, with the wonderful memories of their time in Rayne and the fun at the festival. Now it is time to think about next year!
.....Our congratulations to Melvin Meche for being one of the five lucky winners of the recent drawing for the five new Lexus automobiles. The monies from the raffle fund the expansion of the Children’s Hospital at Our Lady of Lake Hospital in Baton Rouge. It was exciting to hear the name from RAYNE...Melvin is a double winner! His tickets helped to provide funds for the OLOL children hospital, a much needed facility to provide care for our youngsters, and add to that a beautiful new red Lexus automobile. We don’t know which car he selected since each of the five was a different model, but any one of them would be a great treat. We always got a ticket each year, but this year, without our WAFB-TV station, we missed the deadline date for getting our annual ticket. But, very happy that Rayne had a winner!

LOOKING FORWARD.......
The first month of summer is filled with many, many fun and exciting things ahead! And this is just the beginning! As you and the family go through the days to come, we hope that you will read the following and plan to attend and support as many as you can. Those planned by the City and the many great organizations that do much for everyone and need our support. These are just a few of the many planned.
.....The Rayne Chamber of Commerce and the City of Rayne will hold their great Farmers Market on Saturday, June 11th at the Frog Festival pavilion. There is much happening there and wonderful things available to purchase. Lots of delicious home made cakes, cookies, jams, hot pepper jellies, sweet dough pies as well as many handmade articles that are both beautiful and useful. Fresh vegetables and other local items are on sale there also. Add to that the delicious BBQ burgers by Gabes and cold drinks, and the visiting with friends and fellow shoppers and exhibitors and it is a great time. The market is open from 8 am to 2 pm. So don’t miss this opportunity to have fun, do some shopping, do some visiting and support our local talented exhibitors. Hope to see you there!
.....Don’t forget the fun and yet important Summer Reading Program at our local library branch of the Acadia Parish Public Library. The program is on-going until August 6th with children Pre-K through 4th grades living in our town and area are invited to attend and participate. In Rayne, the program will be held at 10:30 every Thursday morning beginning June 9th with Bonnie Sarver conducting the fun times. Also, Movie Matinees will be at 1:00 pm on Tuesdays at 1:30 beginning June 7th. Upon registration each child will receive things that will help them and recognition will be given to those reading 10 books. Youngsters do not have to attend each meeting, but more information can be given to the parents by our own local librarian, Trudy Ronkartz. There is no charge to participate in the program, however, everyone must have a valid Acadia Parish Library card. Ms. Ronkartz will help you and give one to the youngsters, free of charge. The years finale will be the Harvey Rabbit and Friends Show at 10:00 am on Tuesday, July 19th. This is a wonderful program that the youngsters enjoy and to get to read and participate is a great way to improve reading skills at the same time. For more information, please call our Rayne Library at 334-3188.
.....We are happy that Steve Bandy was named Managing Editor of the Tribune and will now be covering and working in Rayne. He replaces the talented Paul Kedinger who recently retired from the paper. We remember Steve’s previous time here when our Mom was at the paper, so he is no stranger to our city. We look forward to working with Steve in anyway needed and am sure that he will be a wonderful addition to our talented and super staff at the Tribune. Watch for him and know he is willing and ready to help our city, it’s organizations, and the many activities happening daily here. Looking forward are the right words to use for his return to Rayne.
.....It appears that we can look forward in the future to a transit pilot program which will provide transportation from Crowley to Lafayette including stops in Rayne and Duson. Return trips from Lafayette to Crowley will be scheduled also. The Acadiana Planning Commission is setting the goal of a 2017 opening. This could become a reality at this time. We are hoping that this dream will be a reality since it would be beneficial to many of our citizens needing dependable transportation.
.....Get your dancing shoes on! Head down to the American Legion home on Saturday, June 4th for a great time with the music of La. Express and special guest artist, Johnny Allen. This dance is one of a series of dances held as a fund raiser for the group and to provide wonderful entertainment here at home. The monies raised go to fund the expenses of the post...and to help out the membership in their many programs that they provide for the public. Remember, these members are all military veterans that gave so much in order to preserve our freedom. As been said before, “We owe them a debt that can never be repaid” ! This is an opportunity to give back to them and to have a great time with family and friends as they visit and dance with the outstanding music by this great and loved group of musicians. Wish that the reports of the attendance will be some of the best ever. Enjoy and have a ball.
Also, on Saturday, June 18, another dance is scheduled at the Legion Hall with Tommy G and Stormy Weather. Hope you can attend both dances. Great bands to play and entertain you all. Keep this date on your calendar also.

A Special time to honor dad.....
June is the time for a special celebration. One that honors some very special people in our families....our dads. June 19th is Father’s Day, who most times is the unsung hero to his family since most times we take for granted all that they do. So, this day is dedicated to the loving dads for all their hard work for their children. We pray that everyone will show their love and respect for their dad. After all, who needs a superhero when one has a dad. Remember also that grandfathers serve many times as a second father, so honor them also.....”Know that God took the strength of a mountains, the majesty of a tree. The warmth of summer sun, the calm of a quiet sea. The generous of nature, the comforting arm of night, the wisdom of the ages, the power of the eagles flight. The joy of a morning spring, the faith of a mustard seed, the patience of eternity, the depth of a family need. Then God combined these qualities and when there was nothing more to add, He knew His masterpiece was complete, so He called it...Dad.”(Author unknown) Happy Father’s Day! Relax and enjoy your special day... Love and blessings to each of you!

In closing.....
This month holds many interesting and fun things for old and young alike. We also know that many of you will be taking well deserved vacations and hope that it will be a fun and great time for you and the family. The summer time always seems to pass too quickly and before long, in early August, it will be time for the children to head back to school. So please have an exciting time for you all and be ready to get back into the hectic time of the many, many school and Fall activities. Oh, and yes, get lots of rest and relaxation! Happy Summer time !

“The happiest moments of my life have been in the flow of affection among my family and friends!” Author unknown

I have been blessed with both family and friends. And I thank you all! May God bless you all.

Until next time, Adios, au revoir,
auf wiedersehen, until we meet again.