70 Years Ago November 26, 1953

The boys and girls committee of the Jena Kiwanis Club this week issued a call for all used, broken and otherwise discarded toys which may be cluttering up closets, garages and other storage space around homes in this area. The Kiwanis club committee will take such toys and repair, repaint and put them into usable condition for distribution to needy and underprivileged children at Christmas time. Persons wishing to contribute to the “toys for others” campaign are urged to call C.A. McCartney, E. R. McNeill, or Bill Bridges and a member of the Kiwanis Club’s Boys and Girls committee will call for the toys.

Work was begun here this week on laying the foundation for the LaSalle Parish School Board office building. The one-story brick building will be approximately 60 by 81 feet in size and will cost some $32,200 to build. An additional contract of $4800 for air conditioning the building also is provided. The building will provide for some six private offices, in addition to the school board meeting room and a large storage room for schoolbooks and other supplies. F. H. Shiel, parish superintendent of schools, pointed out that this is but one phase of a parish wide school building program approved by LaSalle parish voters who approved a special school board election earlier this year.

60 Years Ago November 28, 1963

Army National Guard Pvt. Jerry C. Newburg, 32, son of Mr. and Mrs. Albert A. Newburg of Jena is scheduled to complete eight-weeks of training as a personnel administration specialist under the Reserve Forces Act program at Fort Polk on December 20th.

Newburg was associated with Newburg’s furniture before going on active duty. He is a 1958 Graduate of Jena High School and a 1963 graduate of Northeast Louisiana State College in Monroe.

The Annual LaSalle Parish Jaycee Christmas lighting contest will be held Thursday, December 14th it has been announced today by David Bailey. Only one category will be judged, that of overall lighting.

Residents of Jena and surrounding communities are eligible to send in entry blanks. Prizes of $75, $50, and $25 gift certificates will be given by Jena merchants to first, second and third place winners. Bailey said also that a post lamp donated by Louisiana Power and Light company will be given away in a drawing of applicants. Value of the lamp is placed at $45.

Judging will begin at approximately 6:30 p.m. by three out-of-townjudges whose names will be announced later. Entry blanks will be printed in this paper next week or they may be gotten from your local merchants.

50 Years Ago November 22, 1973

Three staff members from Lasalle General Hospital have been awarded certificates for successfully completing a new and specifically designed job instructor training course held for the past six weeks at the Alexandria Trade School. They are Barbara Boyette, accredited records technician; Mary Denton, R.N, director of nursing; and Jeanette Clark, R.N. 3-11 supervisor.

Louisiana Tech’s new nitrogen laser slices through the dark during a recent demonstration of its capabilities. The laser, which can emit pulses of light up to 500,000 watts string, was constructed by Dr. Paul B. Stephenson of the university’s physics department.

Army Specialist Four Alan L. Babcock, 19, son of Mrs. Sue Mc-Connell, Olla, participated with other American and Allied Troops in Exercise Reforged V in Germany, October 10-16. The Military Airlift Command flew approximately 11,000 U.S.-based soldiers and more than 1,000 tons of equipment to three different airfields in Germany in preparation for the event. Immediately after arriving overseas, the redeployed units drew combat gear and vehicles from prepositioned storage sites in Germany and moved to the exercise area to begin the seven- day field maneuver. Pitted against the airlifted forces were Europe-based elements of NATO forces of the U.S., Germany, and Canada. The exercise, conducted by the joined chiefs of staff and NATO, focused on the procedures and techniques for receiving, equipping assembling and employing units after they arrive, rather than on rapid deployment of troops from the U.S. Spec. Babcock is regularly assigned to Company B, 1st Battalion, 64th Armor of the 3rd Infantry Division in Kitzingen, Germany.

40 Years Ago November 23, 1983

Come see the Louisiana World Exposition in New Orleans by steamboat! That was the message brought to a gala celebration on the Bienville Street Wharf by the Delta Queen Steamboat Company serving the 1984 Louisiana World Exposition. Our nation’s only overnight paddle- wheelers, the MISSISSIPPI QUEEN, and the DELTA QUEEN, will offer a variety of cruise itineraries during the New Orleans Fair between May 12 through November 11, 1984. “In tying our theme, ‘The World of Rivers: Fresh Water as a Source of Life,’ visitors will be given the opportunity to relieve the excitement of our nation’s ‘Great Steamboat Era’ “said Peter Spurney, President, and Chief Executive Officer of the Louisiana World Exposition. “What more natural way to arrive at the Fair, than by steamboat,” he continued. The fanfare was highlighted by a Mayoral Proclamation read by City Councilman, Honorable Sidney J. Barthelemy, declaring November 4 as “Delta Queen Steamboat Day” in New Orleans.

You will be welcomed by brightly lighted “luminaries” as you approach the LaSalle Museum in Goodpine on the evening of December 10, during the hours of 5-8 p.m. This is the planned program in ‘celebration of Christmas’ by the members and friends of the La-Salle Museum. “Luminaries” are a type of lantern that is traditionally used in old Mexico. The luminaries are used during religious holidays such as Easter and Christmas. The homes of Mexico, especially of the poor, are made of adobe, and the roofs are flat. The luminaries are placed around the tops of the homes; made from brown paper bags with damp sand placed in the bottom, about 3 inches deep. A candle is placed in the center of the sand and lighted. There is no worry of fires, as the flame will go out as the candle melts into the sand. Refreshments will be served to all who come to see the beautiful decorations, that will be made by the children.

25 Years Ago November 25, 1998

B. Cheryl Smith, lifelong resident of LaSalle Parish, was sworn in as the first woman Chief for the Jena Band of Choctaws on Monday by Judge J. P. Mauffray, Jr. Chief Smith has worked in many capacities for the Tribe for the past 22 years. She is married to Rusty Smith and has 4 sons, Chris, Robin, Josh, and Tommy. Cheryl was elected during a recent Tribal election. Council members include Mary Jones, Christine Norris, Chief Smith, Arthur “Chip” Fisher, and Herman Jackson.

Jena Mayor Norman Welch officially cut the ribbon to open the Jena Juvenile Justice Center during a ceremony at the facility last Thursday morning. Taking part in the ribbon cutting ceremony were: Don Houston, Vice President of Operations for Wackenhut; Johnny Creed, Assistant Secretary for the La. Department of Corrections; Mayor Welch; Murphy McMillin, Coordinator for the JJJC project; Walter Dorroh Jr., President of the LaSalle Economic Development District; and Bobby Joe Ganey, Chairman of the LaSalle General Hospital Board of Directors.

Hemps Creek Art Guild will present its sixth annual Christmas Art Show December 4-30. “The Gift of Art” exhibit will be on display at Curl Up and Dye in Downtown Jena with the works of seven artists. Artists are Hedy Butler, Betty Evans, Roger Malcomb, Maxine Whatley, Clarinda Bradford, Kathryn Paul, and Dorothy Woods. An artist’s reception will be held Friday, December 4th, 6:30 p.m. at Curl Up and Dye following the 5:30 Town Christmas Lighting program to be held at the new pavilion. The public is welcome to view the art during the reception and during business hours through December 30.

10 Years Ago November 27, 2013

Dozens of participants ran or walked in the recent first annual Cancer Awareness 5K in Olla, which was hosted by the Olla Centennial Cultural Center. The top finishers were 11-yearold Ian Williams with a time of 27.08 minutes, Jill Pruett- 28.30 and Shane Lasiter- 30.05. The 5K was a fundraiser for the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life. Those who organized the 5K and would like to extend their appreciation to all those who participate as well as those who helped and those who purchased signs which lined the route.

James F. Justiss Jr. has been named this year’s Grand Marshal of the Jena Christmas Parade, which is set for Friday, December 13 at 6 p.m. in downtown Jena. Justiss is the Chairman of the Board and past President of the Justiss Oil Company. He is also a graduate of Trout-Goodpine High School and has been a valuable asset to Jena High School, LaSalle Parish and to the Oil and Gas Industry.

Jeannie Horton, Customer Service Representative for Sabine State Bank- Jena Branch, presented a check last week in the amount of $500, on behalf of the employees of the bank, to Rita Amyx, coordinator for the Food Pantry at First Baptist Church in Jena and Rev. Dominick DiCarlo, pastor of Jena FBC. “We are glad to be able to make this donation to the Food Pantry to enjoy a holiday meal,” stated Ned S. McCann, Assistant Vice-President and Market Development Manager of Sabine State Bank. Both Amyx and DiCarlo expressed thanks on behalf of the church to the bank for the donation and said it would be used wisely in purchasing food items for the pantry.