As we continue with stories about the amazing women of Opelousas for National Women’s History Month, today I want to share the story of a woman who is so special to me. My grandmother, Agatha Dupre Lafleur.
People & Places
Women of Opelousas – Effie Dimmick Hollier
This week, on Thursday, March 16th the Opelousas Woman’s Club is holding a celebration for National Women’s History Month, a celebration of women’s contributions to history, culture and society. One of those who did just that in Opelousas was Effie Dimmick Hollier, the first president of the Opelousas Woman’s Club. This is her story.
Women of Opelousas – Rachel Fergerson Gradenigo
During colonial times women in Louisiana had more rights than women in other areas of the US.
Azaleas Decorate The Approach Of Opelousas Springtime
It’s been often said that Opelousas appears most well-dressed and picturesque during the beginning of spring.
Women of Opelousas – Barbara Ann Giesen Perrault
As we celebrate National Women’s History Month this year, we want to remember a special woman of Opelousas who did so much for the community and the parish.
Women of Opelousas – Manon Baldwin
March is National Women’s History Month. During this month St. Landry Now will publish tidbits of history on the amazing women of Opelousas and St. Landry Parish. Today the focus is on Manon Baldwin, an early Opelousas businesswoman who has a corner in the heart of the old village named for her.
Lifetime Washington Resident Treated To 100th Birthday Party
Although Frederick Robert Bailey had his 100th birthday recognized by a governor’s proclamation and congratulations from many Town of Washington residents, he seemingly treated the occasion with an appearance of nonchalance.
Lafleur Made The Right Decision With Glass Company
Richard Lafleur had experienced the situation before, but his solution 40 years ago required a different approach.
Ambassador James Alfred Joseph (March 12, 1935 – February 17, 2023)
Please see the obituary from the family of Opelousas native Ambassador James Alfred Joseph.
Ambassador James Joseph Has Passed Away
Please click to see the following note from the family of Opelousas native Ambassador James Joseph.
Annual OGHS Gala Event Recognizes Medical Legends
Legendary Opelousas General Hospital Health System professionals that included a family physician, two specialists, nurse and guest representative were recognized Friday night during a fifth annual gala event held at Evangeline Downs.
Guillory Announces For Lieutenant Governor
Former Senator Elbert Guillory will formally announce his candidacy for Lieutenant Governor of Louisiana on Thursday, February 9th at 3:30pm.
Religious Leaders Explain Their Faiths At Museum Event
Thursday night inside the Opelousas Museum and Interpretive Center representatives from three of the world’s monotheistic religions – Islam, Christianity and Judaism – explained the basic tenets of their faiths.
Drug Court Graduates Stories
The 12 newest graduates of the St. Landry Parish Adult Drug and Specialty Court program this week have had their criminal charges dismissed, but what happens to them now that they now are free from prosecution?
McNeese Set To Retire Jersey of John Rudd
John Rudd, a McNeese Sports Hall of Fame basketball player and one of the greatest rebounders in school and Southland Conference history, will have his No. 52 retired on Saturday prior to the Cowboys’ conference game against Houston Christian University.
Opelousas General Health System Selects Hall of Fame Inductees
Gina Bradley Tuttle, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, has announced that five individuals have been selected to be inducted into the Opelousas General Health System Hall of Fame.
New Courthouse Fire Escape Noticeably Arrives
Entrances and streets around the St. Landry Parish Courthouse were spectacularly blocked for a lengthy period of time Wednesday morning as an exterior fire escape was added to an ongoing $2 million renovation project, according to parish president Jessie Bellard.
That’s One Kool Kid
Macaroni KID would like to introduce our current Kool Kid, Landry S., who is a Kindergartener at Port Barre Elementary.
Estelle Mason Perrault – An Amazing Opelousas Woman
Opelousas resident and longtime community volunteer and activist, Estelle Mason Perrault died last Sunday, on Christmas Day. She was an amazing Opelousas woman who devoted much of her life to this community, the town of Opelousas that she truly loved.
Photo from the Past – Unidentified Opelousas Home
Undientified Opelousas home from the early 1900s. Anyone know what home this is?
Photo from the Past – Family of Dr. Armand Lafleur c. 1905
Photo from the Past is the family of Dr. Armand Lafleur (December 19, 1871 – July 11, 1939) and Mary Evelyn (Mamie) Fontenot Lafleur (June 20, 1879 – December 16, 1868). (Photograph courtesy of Tommy Lafleur)
$200,000 IN HEALTH GRANTS FOR RURAL COMMUNITIES NOW AVAILABLE
Addressing Systemic Inequities to Reduce Tobacco (ASIRT), a program of Louisiana Public Health Institute (LPHI) is seeking to engage local community leaders, organizations, and residents in Black, rural communities (Ferriday, Jonesville, Lake Providence, Tallulah, Bastrop, Delhi, Opelousas, Kentwood, St. Joseph, and Newellton) to work towards addressing systemic inequities that drive high rates of tobacco use.
Veterans Day Salute: Highly Decorated Opelousas Veteran Flew 50 Missions in World War II
Editor’s note: The following story about the World War II experiences of U.S. Army Air Corps Capt. and longtime Opelousas resident Wilfred L. Smith is being told through his own wartime photographs, several newspaper articles from 1943 and personal letters discovered about 12 years ago just before his military remembrances packed into garbage bags on an Opelousas street corner, were destined for the parish landfill.
Photo from the Past – 1917 Church Point Catholic School 1st Graduates
The first graduates from Our Lady of Sacred Heart School in Church Point, LA pictured on their graduation day, June 20, 1917
Photo From The Past – Downtown Washington Early 1900s
Driving through downtown Washington, LA a century ago.
Steve Duhon Day Is Celebrated Without The Boudin
If Steve Duhon could have made a wish, everyone in St. Landry Parish would have had a chance to eat unlimited helpings of free boudin.
Bienvenu Siblings Enjoy Fall Vacation In Popular Recreation Area
About this vacation, Dale Bienvenu wrote, “This place is truly incredible. On some of our trips, we’ve seen at least three eagles, some of them coming down for fish.”
Dale’s Getaway
Photos of Lake Ouachita taken by former Opelousas resident Dale Bienvenu
Le Vieux Village Tour
Students from Bolton High School in Alexandria enjoy the cool fall morning while touring the sites at Le Vieux Village Tuesday morning.
Early Coffee at Ole Opelousas Market House
Since the beginning of the Opelousas town market in early 1800s, there was always a meat market operated from there, as well as other businesses such as Gil’s Coffee Shop, established during the latter part of that century.
Current PSC Commissioner Says He Supports Reasonable Amounts of Solar Power Generation
Mike Francis isn’t opposed to solar energy, as long as power from the sun is generated in what he feels are reasonable amounts.
2022 Historic District Preservation Awards Presented
Each year the City of Opelousas honors property owners for special contributions and efforts in preserving historic architecture in the city.
St. Landry Cemetery Tour Continues Next Weekend October 15-16, 2022
The St. Landry Catholic Church Cemetery Tour will continue next week-end, Saturday and Sunday, October 15-16, 2022.
Louisiana Author Ruth Laney’s New Book Set to Be Released
The book Cherie Quarters: The Place and the People That Inspired Ernest J. Gaines by Louisiana author Ruth Laney is set to be released on October 19, 2022
St. Landry Parish Government committee meetings
St. Landry Parish Government committee meeting held Wednesday at the Old City Market.
Who was L. A. “Pete” Andrepont?
No history of the printing and newspaper industry in Opelousas would be complete without knowing more about L. A. “Pete” Andrepont and the impact he had on that industry in the town, the parish and in Louisiana
Expert Care, Locally Owned: Richard Medical Clinic Reopens in Familiar Location
Richard Medical Clinic, at 507 N. Market St. In Opelousas will have its ribbon-cutting ceremony on Tuesday October 4, 2022, at 12:00 pm to commemorate it’s reopening to the community.
