70 Years Ago

December 10, 1953

The LaSalle parish and district office of the Louisiana Forestry Commission at Olla was host this week to three foresters from Turkey who are on a tour of the United States. District Forester C. F. Delaney, accompanied by District Ranger Clarence Waggoner and Urania Lumber company’s Chief Forester Tannehill, conducted the foreign visitors on a tour of the area, explaining to them the methods of operation of the forestry commission’s district headquarters. The Turkish foresters were particularly impressed with forestry practices in Louisiana and based their complimentary remarks on what they had seen in eastern and other southern states so far on their nationwide tour. Forester Tannehill and the district forester also took the visitors on a tour of the Urania Lumber company operations and they expressed amazement at the management practices of the company which boasts that it has continued year-round operations, cutting timber from its own lands, without a shutdown and without planting a single tree. In Turkey, the visitors remarked, “almost 100 percent of the land is owned by the government and even the branches are utilized for fuel as each tree is cut.”

A temporary change of policy in Marine corps recruiting procedure was announced this week by Maj. C. E. Corley, Jr., USMC. According to Maj. Corley, it is now possible for a young man to enlist in the Marine Corps Reserve and not be called to active duty until after the holiday period. Maj. Corley also said that young men who enlist in the Marines under this new program can spend the holiday period with their families and then leave for active duty on any Wednesday in January or February as chosen by the man.

60 Years Ago

December 12, 1963

Temporary relief from forest fires and they “Came none too soon,” according to Ranger Clarence Waggoner. In LaSalle Parish during this month, he said 17 fires burned 39 acres of woodlands. Ranger Waggoner said this was “proving to be a record dry year all over the state.” He noted that a total of 4.70 inches of rain were recorded at the parish fire weather station at Belah Tower for November, which is about normal, but he predicted it would take “about a week of soaking rain” to make up for the yearly deficit. “We’re not out of the ‘woods’ yet,” he quipped, “but at least our parish fire crews can sleep nights now without having nervous fits!”

The Strand played “Fancy Pants,” “Natchez Trace,” “Spartacus” and “13 Frightened Girls.”

Two pounds of bacon costs 89 cents, 25 lbs. of flour costs $1.69, a lb. of found steak costs 69 cents and 4 rolls of tissue costs 36 cents at Milam’s.

50 Years Ago

December 6, 1973

Residents of the Olla- Tullos-Urania area interested in getting cable television in the area are being urged to sign-up now at the town hall in either town. Bobby Connell, Chairman of the Jaycee, sponsored cable television projects has called on the residents of the area to respond if they are interested in receiving a cable TV. A total of 600 members from the three-town area would ensure the Communication Systems Co. of Dallas, Texas, of coming to the area with cable television. When residents sign up, they are required to pay $7.00, which will be applied against their second months service, according to Connell. The first month’s service will be free. According to officials, the cable television could be in the area by sometime in January provided no delays by Federal Communication Commission. Residents may sign up at the Olla Town Hall, Urania Town Hall, Tullos Town Hall, or with any member of the United Jaycees of LaSalle parish.

The Miss University Pageant was held Thursday evening at the University of Southwestern Louisiana, 15 beauties competed for the title of Miss University and selected as USL Beauties. The beauties were: Jean Wilson of Jena, last year’s Miss University; Carolyn “Capi” Bergeron, New Roads, the new Miss University; Diane De-Jean, Port Carre, first runner-up and Miss Congeniality; Becky Gerami, Lafayette, Roxanne Richard, Gueydan; and Diane Craig, New Orleans, the three USL Beauties.

40 Years Ago

December 7, 1983

Two masked men surprised a Jena doctor as he returned home from church Sunday morning and robbed his home at gunpoint, according to a spokesman for the LaSalle Parish Sheriff’s office. Dr. I.C. Turnley, Jr., left church at about 11:10 a.m. Sunday morning to return home. He said he got home about 11:15 a.m. and was met in the house by two men wearing stocking masks and gloves. The men threatened Dr. Turnley with two shotguns and ordered him to lie face down on the floor. One of the men fired a shot over Turnley’s head. The men took an assortment of guns and an undetermined amount of jewelry from the home. Turnley was not injured and called the LaSalle Parish Sheriff’s Department at 11:30 a.m. The robbers took Turnley’s truck keys from him and loaded the stolen goods into the truck and left the house. Sheriff officers found the truck abandoned about 2 p.m. Sunday on a dirt road in a wooded area off La. 500, near Searcy Lake. Apparently, an accomplice in the robbery was waiting for the two men at that spot, officials guessed.

Anita Head is the 1st place winner of the Sew with Cotton Contest. The annual 4-H Sew with Cotton Contest was held Thursday, December 1. Winner Anita Head wore a white tuxedo shirt with black pinstripes and black velvet slacks both made of 100% cotton fabric. Anita will represent her club in the State Sew with Cotton Contest to be held January 8 in the Alexandria Mall.

A large crowd of about 400 were given a special insight to holiday fashion during the annual Bank of Jena Style Show held last Thursday night. The newly enlarged bank was beautifully decorated for the Christmas event which featured 21 local participating merchants showing 58 various styles to be worn during the holiday and after. Acting as Master of Ceremonies was Tom Watkins, with Violet Daily and Suzie Wagoner providing outstanding music and entertainment.

25 Years Ago

December 9, 1998

Early in November the Jena Juvenile Justice Center was given the “green light” to open and later that month a grand opening ceremony and open house was held. The first group of 48 juveniles arrived at the Jena Juvenile Justice Center last Thursday morning, according to Facility Administrator Michael Wodkins. The juveniles were admitted to the facility starting around 10 a.m. Another 48 residents are expected to arrive this Thursday and 48 per week until the facility reaches the 276-bed capacity. Pine Hill High School officially kicked off last week when the juveniles arrived, each being tested and assigned schoolwork on his level. Wodkins reported everything ran smoothly as the first residents arrived at the facility.

The agricultural department of Jena High School recently conducted a campus beautification project. All agricultural classes participated in construction of flower beds in front of the school. They tilled and disinfected existing soil, added a complete soil mix, fertilized, and planted over 70 Gold Finch Mums and 15 flats of Bingo Blotch mix pansies. This project not only improved the appearance of the school, but also enhanced the student’s pride in their campus.

The turn-out for the annual downtown lighting ceremony last Friday evening at the Jena Town Square Pavilion was great and members of the Colonial Trails Committee expressed thanks to everyone who attended and especially those who had a part om the program. Entertainment started at 5:15 p.m. and included the Jena High School Band, Sophia Shelton, Masters Men of Tullos and Christian Heritage. Santa Claus made an appearance at the vacant lot next to Rae’s Hallmark on First Street and was a prime attraction for the youngsters.

10 Years Ago

December 11, 2013

Workmen with Diamond B. Construction has been getting several streets in Jena ready for overlay as part of the town’s current capital improvement program. Diamond B. Construction was the low bidder at $439,000 for the overlay of three major streets in Jena- Sycamore Street from LA 127 to the town park, Terral Street in the town park, Austin Road from Terral to Sycamore, and East High School Drive, from LA 127 to Peyton Street. The section from Austin Road to Sycamore was not included in the original bid contract, but the Jena Town Council voted at their December meeting last week to include this short section of roadway in the project. Construction work on these projects is well underway and the contractor has 120 days to complete the job. The half million-dollar street project was included in the 2013 capital outlay budget. Several others are included in a grant application for funding next year.

LaSalle 4-H members created healthy snacks to be the next 4-H Food Star. Kim Evans, 4-H Agent, directed the Food and Fitness Club members to create a healthy snack or breakfast food using a variety of foods that were provided. The 4-H members spent over an hour working on healthy dishes that they later sampled. Aprons were given to the participants at the conclusion of the workshop. Some of those participating in the workshop were Ainslee Poole, Hadlee Welch, Faith Edwards, Madison Moore, Anna Clingan, Ramzey Mullins, Sydney Keene, Kennedy Beach, Ashlynn Baillio, Rachelle Murray, Janasic Jones and Ma’Lasia Murray