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Ci et Ca Avec Belle

Fair Craig Hash

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU
AND TO US ALL....

July 4th is an important date for all of us in America. It is the birth of our great nation that began in the hearts and minds of our early colonists who were unhappy living under the tyranny of the English that ruled America at that time. They were faced with high taxation, regarded as less than the classic British nobility and its citizens. The Americans were imprisoned and killed for any small thing that they did and the families faced torture and loss of everything if family members were arrested. There were a handful of brave men and women that were willing to fight to attempt to gain the freedom from this terrible domination. The numbers of this group were small, at first but grew, and they fought as best they could with little or no money, and old, out of date guns or anything that they could use. Their cause was to rid America from the tyranny of the British and have America a sovereign nation with their own government. The desire to fight for freedom and to give up their lives and their family possessions became stronger as the English demanded more and more taxes from the colonists.
This passion and desire soon gained more support for their efforts and after many, terrible battles which claimed many of the patriots lives, they were blessed with a desire to be free that they were able to defeat the English. It was a long and terrible time, but there was American determination! The English finally had to surrender and return to their homelands and America was free! However, it now meant that America had to form a government to rule the new nation. A Continental Congress was formed to take on this task. The first was to declare that the 13 American colonies now regarded themselves to be a new nation. They wrote the Declaration of Independence which is as important today as it was years ago. It guaranteed the rights of the citizens which is our Bill of Rights.
We are sorry at times to see that many in our country do not know anything about our great history or the people that were responsible for us becoming the “land of the free”. Our history is a living thing that should guide us in everything that we do today and we should know about it and appreciate it for it is US....Each and every person. After all, “Our nation will remain the land of the free only as long as it is the home of the brave”. Do we have enough brave to do what is needed? This we pray.
We love and appreciate our great nation. We grew up in World War II so we saw and know first hand of the work, sacrifice and love needed. And especially to know, to love and most of all appreciate our America. Everyone worked to win the war and it could have had a different result except for the great leaders, the brave men and women and the efforts of all citizens.
We feel that we need a “soap box” to stand on and preach to others about these things. But, if everyone will watch Fox news on Sunday nights at 7 P. M. you will see a great show on “Legends and Lies...The patriots”. We have the book and these shows are great .... like watching a movie with comments from historians on some parts of it. We learned much from reading and even more by watching these shows. Watch your TV guide and set your VCR and/or watch it on the scheduled night. The lies were the false teaching that we had through the years without too much research for factual information. I have learned much from these programs/books.
Hope that your 4th of July celebration was a happy one and that the spirit of this day will continue to live on everyday in our hearts and minds. God bless America!!!

SUMMER IS MOVING ON QUICKLY.....
Yes, our summer is moving quickly with school beginning in early August. It has been hot, although we said we would never complain about the heat after the terrible cold and icy winter we had several years ago. And, we will take the heat over that terrible cold and ice that closed roads on interstate and here in town.
But, we also know that our air conditioner is running almost full time and hate to see the electric bill. However, in that past cold, we ran the heat so much and didn’t worry about the bill. We do what we must do to stay warm and or cool. No complaints! We are all blessed that we have these appliances when so many people here in our area, the homeless, or in countries with nothing for them and the children would be very thankful for all that we have.
We hope that you and your dear loved ones will have some great adventures during the weeks ahead and that your family can be together to build some wonderful memories for young and old alike. Memories that the young ones will have for the rest of their lives, and treasured remembrances of being with and watching your dear family during these special times.
Our schools will be having programs and activities that the students and parents need to do before school begins. Also, our athletic programs will begin operations and practice soon. So, then we all know for sure that our students will soon be back in the many school activities and programs available to them. These things are an important part of their education and offer opportunities for the young people to learn many additional things needed to succeed in the future.
We pray that this school year will be the best ever for the students, the administration, the faculty, the athletic coaches, the band leaders and all of the club sponsors also. All of these important things ensure a full and wonderful year for them all.
MUCH PRIDE IN OUR CITY
AND ORGANIZATIONS.....
In looking at the Tribune each week we are always amazed at the many, many things that our City, our friends and the citizens of our loved city are doing. They work very hard to have worthwhile programs for the youth, as well as for all residents. It is amazing to think of the hours of work they spend to plan and conduct these activities. We are always proud of them as they spend hours of their free time to sponsor and hold these worthwhile programs.
......We were very appreciative of the new and well deserved Police Monument of Honor for those Rayne City Police who gave their lives in the line of duty. It was a special time for the families that kept their memories alive through the years, but to have this place of honor in front of the City of Rayne Police department became a treasured memory for the entire family, especially the younger generation. These dear family members deserve to have this honor for the family, friends and for everyone in Rayne. Thanks to Capt. Tony Olinger, the Gamma Kappa Chapter of Beta Sigma Phi, as well as all who contributed time and effort and the many who worked with him to make this dream a reality. We pray that we will not have any other names to place on this monument and that our brave officers will be safe from harm! God bless them all and keep them in His care.
......Another well deserved honor was in the announcement from Mayor Chuck Robichaux that our Louisiana Highway 35 through Rayne was designated as Veterans Parkway. We appreciate Larry Guidry who spearheaded this action. Larry is a retired Air Force Veteran and active in supporting activities related to all veterans. We also appreciate the assistance of State Rep. Jack Montoucet of Crowley who made this possible through the Louisiana Legislature. Some of our local veterans joining in the program were Andrus Fontenot, Mike Bourque, Robert Comeaux and James Montgomery. The ceremony was impressive with opening programs including the singing of the National Anthem by City Clerk Annette Cutera and the leading of the Pledge of Allegiance. This naming of the highway for our veterans is an honor for each of them that served our country in protecting us and keeping our nation free. We thank them all and agree that this is a wonderful honor for them.
......We also are very proud of the various ladies groups that support the important programs in our city. The Legion auxiliary ladies of the American Legion Unit post 77, Arceneaux Post, work with the American Legion members in many programs that the veteran group sponsors. They also work and support special activities and timely programs held throughout the year. They are a very active group that participates in the state organization and have held leadership positions in that important leadership challenge. We thank them for all the work that they do during the year to make the programs successful and to help in the many that benefit our entire community. Please keep up the excellent work. You all are a very needed group with our dear veterans Legion members.
......Our great city is fortunate to have such outstanding men in the many organizations that do so much for our citizens and our community. However, the women working in conjunction with the men’s groups not only support, but sponsor many wonderful programs and events also and should be recognized and honored. Examples of them are the Sisters of the A & O 21st Century Club. who assist in the programs of the men’s group and also sponsor many programs important to the ladies and families. The Catholic Daughters of our St. Joseph Catholic Church and the Catholic Daughters of St. Leo’s Catholic Church in Roberts Cove are two of many church groups along with their Knights of Columbus organizations. They assist in any way needed, but also organize and sponsor many programs and activities as they see are important.These are just a few of many, however, there are many groups comprised of and are for women that are active and sponsor many great programs. For example, the Ebonite Civic and Social Club; the ABWA; the National Assn. of University Women, Rayne Branch, the Beta Sigma Phi sororities to name a few. There are many more that do much for our city and all the citizens here, and we are very proud of them. We just wanted to ensure that the women in these groups receive the recognition and appreciation of us all for everything that they do. You all are very important to our city. Thank you!
......A very important and special program underway through the City of Rayne is the construction of the Veterans Park. The design for the facility has been released and will be a wonderful addition to our park area. We are especially excited that our brave veterans past and present will have this beautiful area to honor them and their service for our country through the years. One of the highlights of the park will be the beautiful display of the memorial bricks inscribed with the names and dates and branches of service for the vet where they can be read and appreciated. The sale of the bricks continues and if you have not ordered your brick for your loved one, please call City Hall to purchase one. The staff at City Hall can provide all the information needed and the cost is minimal to be included in this honor display.
We were happy that we could get one for each of our two brothers who served in World War II. It will be a treasure for each family through the generations and a source of pride and memory for the role of their loved ones in the war of all wars. Please don’t put it off. Call and make arrangements now so that they can be included and honored through the years...It is the least we can do for them that did so much for us!
......Excited to see that the Rayne Boxing Club had a winner in a regional competition and moved forward to the Junior Olympic National competition in Dallas. Alyzhe Master is coached by Tiger Touchet and we will look forward to hearing more of this young man. Rayne has long been active with the Boxing club through the years and Rayne High School many years ago had teams there and competed with teams from other schools. It was a popular sport and we remember the boxing team at L.S.U. since one of our brothers’ former roommates competed on the team. We wish Alyzhe a successful meet. We would like to ask that anyone desiring to donate funds to this great club would be welcome and appreciated. It takes money to have a successful program that provides the activities that many of our people enjoy and could build skills in the sport. Hope that you will help this group.
......Put on your calendar the date of August 20th when the Branch Volunteer Fire Department will hold their Family Fun Day and Rice and Gravy cook-off. It will be held at the Rayne Frog Festival Pavilion and will be a fun time from 10 am to 6 pm with activities for the young and all ages. These firemen are heroes who risk their lives with every call and are a very special group that deserves our assistance. Thanks, hope to see you all there.
......Don’t forget to attend the Chamber of Commerce Farmer’s market on Saturday, July 9th at the Frog Festival Pavilion As always there will be lots of good homemade treats, handmade articles and beautiful woodworking pieces. Also, there is great food with Gabe’s bar-b-que hamburgers and other special treats. It’s a great place also to meet and visit with friends and sit for a cool drink and great dessert. It is open from 8 am to 2 pm, so plan to be there and be part of the fun as well as pick up some great items at super prices. Hope to see you there!
......What a super time! The opening of Paco’s restaurant was so much fun. When we opened the door and walked in we were overcome with happy memories of fun times, good food, good friends and just an excitement to be there. We loved his delicious biscuits and we were happy to serve as one of the judges for the biscuit contest for the most like we remember were Paco’s...It was a great adventure and it was difficult to leave since we kept waiting for our Paco to walk in from the back with his white apron across his stomach and a pan of the hot, best smelling and tasting biscuits in one hand and a French Drip Coffee pot in the other. We thank Tony Olinger and the Lost Rayne group for working so hard to sponsor and do all necessary for its success. Just talk to anyone there and they were all feeling the same emotions. Such a lost part of our history of Rayne...and the dream of it coming back. But, just thankful that we had the morning to remember!
......Congratulations to Nason Leger for receiving the Banking Service Award for his over 50 years of serving the banking community. Proud of you and this honor is much deserved.
......We were very proud to read and see the pictures of the many, many students from our school receive outstanding awards for grades, and other things. There were so many, that we cannot use the names, however, all the pictures were in the Tribune and can be seen there. In addition to our students, we were very proud of see of the awards of those participating in sports, music, student council, Agriculture, art, rally, and many more. Also, congratulations to our coaches, our band director, and those teachers sponsoring clubs and other organization. Our city is filled with wonderful young people and great leaders to guide them. Each of you should be very proud of these honors also.
......We enjoyed a visit recently with Gerald and Jeanne Faulk of California who had been with the family for a memorial for his dear brother. They reside in California, however, his heart and fond memories are always here in Rayne. We have communicated with him in the past, and he sent an article that he had written. He has a talent, along with many other things, for writing and we have been encouraging him to continue this talent. Their visit was great and he shared many things of interest to us. He and Jeanne are a perfect match and enjoy much together. They recently shared some adventures they had on their way back to California that we had recommended in New Mexico. Their visit was most enjoyed and most appreciated. Hope to see ya’ll again in the future.
......We know that you all enjoy the wonderful articles each week in the paper written by Sidney Stutes. This past week brought back many memories for us during the football season for the Rayne High team. The stories about the problems of travel were so true and the out of town trips were a challenge for all. Our mom drove our car to the games and the car was filled with 2 to 3 players deep sitting in the back seat, and 5 including Mom in the front seat. The players equipment was in the trunk. Remember that the speed limit was 35 MPH and each trip was from early in the morning to get to the field, which none had lights, so the games were played in the afternoon. Then the return trip was a repeat of the first, except the players were tired and yet excited. We remember that the riders in the back always wanted us to sit on their lap since we didn’t weigh much...better than one of the players sitting on them. What memories of those years...and the team that seemed like brothers to us also. Thanks for the memory Sidney.

In Closing......
We have so much for which to be proud of our dear city, however, just recently, we were heartbroken to see where vandals damaged some of the wonderful frog statues that add much to our unique city. The businesses that have the frogs pay for them and to paint and decorate them becomes a labor of love for them. We were sad to see the pictures of the frogs and know how sad the store owners were. We understand this was not the first time this happened and we pray that it will be the last time. These vandals are probably young people looking for things to do late at night and these were easy targets for them. The question is... why aren’t they home????? No answer, just questions.
Our nation seems to be so badly divided at this time. A time when we should be concerned and to do something in an attempt to close the wounds and problems of our citizens.This quote is something we should see and know it will be the truth that can happen in our dear country.
“Then join hand in hand, brave Americans all! By uniting we stand, by dividing we fall!” ... John Dickinson

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

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