Archives
Meeting of November 28, 2007
Parish President Don Menard, fresh off his recent election victory, visited with the club to update the members on his
plans for his new term. He stressed that the number one priority was the road situation, which he implied was the 800
pound gorilla sitting in the meeting room. If these needs are not addressed, we will have signifcant problems as the parish
continues to grow. He also stressed that he has been working with Joey Durel, Lafyatee Parish President, to promote
the region and its growth. Finally, he provided the basis for the salary history of the parish president and the request
that has been presented to the council to increase the president's pay, along with the pay of the council members.
Meeting of November 7, 2007
Dr. Alan Sonslky, a new gastereonterologist affiliated with Doctor's Hospital, addressed the group concerning the risks of colon cancer. The
number one risk factor is genetic. Dr. Sonsky recommended a colonoscopy for everyone at 50 years old, with earlier test for people
with family history of colon cancer. By removing polyps, this is one cancer that has a tremendous survival rate if caught in the early stages.
We thank Dr. Sonsky for the delicate handling of the risks during our lunch visit and wish him good luck here in Opelousas.
Meeting of October 31, 2007
Hadley Castille and Sarah Jayde Williams, Cajun musicians
No, it wasn't some scary figure entertaining our members on Halloween, but St. Landry Cajun muscian Hadley Castille and his
grandaughter Sarah Jayde Williams. Mr. Castille gave us a short history of cajun music. He explained that the Acadians did not bring
fiddle music with them to South Louisiana, but did carry songs from their past. The accordian, now an integral part of the cajun music,
was not introduced until around 1890. The first song was sort of an introduction in to the cajun sound and the need for a rhymethic
sound that would encourage dancing. Sarah Jayde then played a song that showcased the Creole influence in the music, a sort of
bluesy melody that is mostly lost in today's Cajun music. The next feature was a song called "Going to Port Arthur", a sort of swing
type song influenced by Louisianians working and returning from Texas that included Sarah Jayde's vocal talents. The final song
was a 150 year old song called "The Mardi Gras" that once again featured Sarah Jayde''s and Hadley's singing talent, in addition
to the fine fiddle playing.
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