Editor’s Note: From the May 8 editions of the American Press for 2009, 1994, 1969 and 1944.

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10 years ago

Four teachers from Southwest Louisiana have been named regional finalists for the state teacher of the year awards. For elementary school, finalists are Lydia Hollie McGee of T.S. Cooley of Lake Charles and Jacqueline L. Prielipp, South Polk, Fort Polk.

Middle school finalist is Kimberly Ann Brannon, Beauregard Alternative School DeRidder. High school finalist is Staycle

Duplichan of Lacassine High, Lacassine. The State Department of Education will reveal the state’s overall teacher of the year in July.

Business Notes

Sheila Pounders has been named regional customer service manager in the Lake Charles area for Entergy Gulf States Louisiana. She replaces Shady Patton who retired after 35 years with the utility.

Wesley and Bentley Berlin of Country Club Auto recently earned the professional designation of Certified Collision Repair Manager from the Master School of Autobody Management in Santa Barbara, Calif.

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25 years ago

Cleanest City Contest

Judging in Lake Charles for the Louisiana Garden Club Federation’s Cleanest City Contest is at 9 a.m. Friday, May 13. Mayor Willie L. Mount and area garden clubs are asking all citizens in the Lake City to do their part by sprucing up their yards.

[Editor’s note: Pictured preparing for the event are local garden-club leaders Mary Scoggins, Camille Stakes and Barbara

Jones.]

Art competition 
winner

JENNINGS — Joshua Nero of Lake Charles, a student at Washington-Marion Magnet High School, has been named winner of the Seventh Congressional District High School Art Competition.

Janae Hardey of Westlake was recognized for her entry in the contest, along with those of Jovan Dixon of Lafayette, Jessica Landy Miller of Iota and Leroy Broussard III of Duson.

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50 years ago

OLQH knights’ dance

Council 4562, Our Lady Queen of Heaven Knights of Columbus will sponsor a dance featuring Cleadis Mott and the Country Tune Toppers Saturday from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. in the Knights of Columbus Hall at Ernest and West Claude streets.

Tickets are available from Adam Thibodeaux, dance chairman; B.P. Babineaux, Junius Dubois, Ryan Artigue or Grand Knight Vivian Beaudoin.

Sulphur Rotary Club

SULPHUR — Four new members were inducted into the Sulphur Rotary Club by Kenneth Bredehoeft at the meeting Wednesday in the Pelican Restaurant.

They are the Rev. Nicholas Abraham, Hubert M. Blanchard, Carl Walters and Frank Gayle. Student guests were Ricky

Reed and Robert Adams.

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75 years ago

D-Day expectation growing

WASHINGTON — The time of crisis, for the Nazis as well as for Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower’s forces — the full-scale Allied invasion of Europe — is expected in about six or eight days when the Germans have had time to assess the power and main striking positions of the Allies.

Should the Nazis believe it possible to smash the beachhead or beachheads completely, they may be expected to use all their strength to do it. The enemy reserve strength on the western coast of France is between 54 and 67 divisions, according to authoritative sources.

Father receives 
son’s medal

In ceremonies at the Lake Charles Army Air Field, Frederick A. Bird, received from Lt. Col. David A. Tate, commanding officer, the Air Medal with oak leaf cluster won by his son, Lt. Frederick J. Bird, in combat over Germany.

Lt. Bird is now a prisoner of war in Germany. Also taking part in the ceremony were Captain Harry T. Harding and Major Theodore K. Bower.

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Our Past is a daily feature compiled by Mike Jones.