Editor’s Note: From the Feb., 28 editions of the American Press for 2011, 1996, 1971 and 1946

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10 years ago

The Southwest Louisiana Economic Alliance has made Dolby Elementary School the first school in the area to implement a workforce development program based on self-help author Stephen R. Covey’s “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.”

“I’ve always felt that we’ve had a very strong family environment and positive school culture here at Dolby,” said Dolby Principal Pam Quebodeaux. (Editor’s note: Pictured are Dolby kindergartners Caden

Vinson, Elly Hebert, Garrett Limberis and Kymani Millage, reciting the “7 Habits of High Effective People.”)

Cowgirls beat Southern

McNeese State defeated Southern 12-1 Sunday in the final game of the Cowgirl Classic softball tournament.

Meagan Bond picked up her third win in relief of starter Kelsey McClain. McNeese pounded out 12 hits with Claire Terracina, Molly Guidry, Dani Price, and MyKeisha Young collecting two apiece.

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25 years ago

Local history recounted

SULPHUR — McNeese professor Dr. Joe Cash spoke on the history of Southwest Louisiana at the Sulphur Rotary Club meeting recently.

He said Martin LeBleu and his wife Dela Marion of France were the first permanent settlers of European descent in the area, followed by Lewis Reon on the west bank of the Calcasieu River.

Cash said Charles Sallier was the first non-Indian man to build a house within what are now the city limits of Lake Charles. He married Catherine LeBleu in 1802, and they had the first non-Indian child born in Southwest Louisiana.

Little Theatre’s ‘Picnic’

The Lake Charles Little Theatre and director Jo Ann Rigney succeed with “Picnic,” the Pulitzer Prize-winner by William Inge.

The cast includes Rob Marciano in the role of Hal; Shawn Michael Morris as Alan; Judi Guzzy as Madge; Waverlyn Bayard as Madge’s mother; Anne Drake as Rosemary; Georgeanna LeJeune as Mrs. Potts; and Jodi Barras as Madge’s little sister.

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50 years ago

McNeese LaBelle

Cindi Dyer, an auburn haired, green-eyed beauty from Maplewood, was crowned LaBelle, McNeese State University’s most beautiful coed, at the annual LaBelle Ball.

Named to the LaBelle Court are Norma Guillory, C.J. Murrell and Judith Ann Thomas, all of Lake Charles, Marilyn Marshall, and Theresa Walker, both of Sulphur, Lana K. Brunet of Oakdale, Gloria Ann LaFleur of Oberlin, and Rita Tucker of Minden.

Historic house

The designer of the interesting modified-Gothic home at 1018 Pujo St., I.C. Carter spared no expenses where leaded glass was concerned; it was used in every window of the structure.

The home, on land homesteaded by Victor Touchy in 1866, was constructed in 1914 for Edgar Miller, a lumberman associated with the Miller-Ramsey lumber firm. The current occupants, Mr. and Mrs. Jack Teal are the second owners.

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75 years ago

Club entertained

A program by pupils of the Sue Farrior dancing school of Lake Charles was the feature of a meeting of the Propeller Club of a meeting of the Port of Sabine held Saturday night at the Majestic hotel.

Dancers included Sharon Daniels, Frankie Bruno, May Frances Guidry, Leah Corbello, Dorothy Barnes, Barbara Dumensnil, Jean Reagan, Joyce Robinson, Betty Hoefling, Ruth Marie Rhodes, and Layne Stone.

Wildcat City mayor

Lake Charles’ new “administration” on Wildcat City day, Friday, will be led by Jerry Edelstein, elected “mayor” in the Wednesday election by the Lake Charles high school student body.

Other “officials” who will take over for the day are Ellsworth Kingery, commissioner of streets and parks; Jo Ann Cline, commissioner of finance; Billy Boyer, city judge; and Woody Watson, city marshal.