January 2006 Meeting

The next meeting of the Historical Association will be on January 23, 2006, at 7:00 p.m. in the Carnegie Memorial Library meeting room. The speaker, Col. (Ret.) Donald Ladner, will present a program entitled, If Tombstones Could Talk: Tales from a Country Graveyard. We look forward to hearing Col. Ladner speak on this topic of interest to so many in the Association. Please plan to attend this meeting and bring a guest. Or two! Parking is plentiful and refreshments are provided courtesy of the ladies in the Association.

November Meeting Report

The Historical Association met on November 14, 2005, at the Carnegie Memorial Library. Cyndi and Joe Brame presented the program for the evening. Cyndi gave a very interesting talk on the Lewis and Clark Expedition, highlighted by references to a beautiful quilt she had made that depicted major points in the journey. Joe read excerpts from original documents from the expedition that also enhanced the presentation. Thank you, Cyndi and Joe, for a great program!

Election of Officers

The nominating committee has selected a slate of new officers for the term beginning April 2006 and extending to April 2008. Thank you! to all who have agreed to serve the Association as officers. When you see these people, thank them yourself for being willing to carry on the work of this organization. The Historical Association membership is not large, and it is difficult sometimes to find people willing to serve. If the nominating committee overlooked anyone who would like to help in some capacity, please let Nell Hayes know.

The officers for our next term are:

President:	Diane McCarthy
First Vice President (Program):	Pati Threatt
Second Vice President (Newsletter):	Kathie Bordelon
Secretary:	Mary Liprie
Treasurer:	George Ann Benoit

Dues

We need money! Please pay your dues at the January meeting or mail them to George Ann Benoit at 4201 Alma Lane, Lake Charles, 70605. Dues are: Individual $10, Family $15, Sustainer $25, Corporate $50, and Lifetime $100.

Website

Check out our website at swlahistory.org. Pati Threatt does a fabulous job keeping the site up-to-date and interesting. Email Pati if you would like to see something added to the website.

What's Happening at the McNeese Archives

The McNeese Library remains closed due to the damage caused by Hurricane Rita. As in many cases throughout Southwest Louisiana, the damage initially caused by the storm is not as detrimental as the long-term effects of the high humidity and high temperature in the building. The library faces mold remediation as well as asbestos abatement before it will reopen. The contractors hired for the remediation conduct air quality tests after they have areas cleaned. Whenever areas pass this air quality test, the contractors will allow us back into them. We hope that all floors, perhaps with the exception of the fourth floor where most of the damage occurred, will reopen by February 1.

The Archives Department seems to have escaped storm damage. We will know more when we actually get back in our offices. We have been able to make a few forays into our storage areas and everything looks fine. We are keeping our fingers crossed!

However, since we can't get into our offices, we are unable to do some of the things we used to do fairly easily. One of which is printing this newsletter. As you can see, it is not in its usual format. Bear with us until we are reestablished!

More Adventures in Old Calcasieu

The printing and selling of the Mike Jones book, More Adventures in Old Calcasieu, is still on hold pending the reopening of the McNeese Archives. However, we are taking orders. We expect this book to be a good fundraiser for the Association based on how well the sales of his previous titles went. We hope to have it available in the spring.