![Map of De Quincy].](dequincy%20map.gif){kind=link}
,
known to her family as “Nana” and to her friends as “Annie,” departed this life
to be with the Lord on July 4, 2006. The Southwest Louisiana Historical Association's Newsletter
Imperial Calcasieu Notes
August 2006 Vol. 10 No.3 Kathie Bordelon, Editor
August Meeting | April Meeting | McNeese | Upcoming meetings | Member Mourned | Website | Mike Jones' book
The Southwest Louisiana Historical Association will hold a special meeting on Tuesday, August 15, 2006, at 10:00 a.m. in DeQuincy, LA. The purpose of the meeting is to dedicate and unveil the Newport Industries historical marker on the corner of Hwy. 27 and Hwy. 12. Barney Buxton, of the Burger King Corporation, has graciously agreed to our placing the marker on the Burger King grounds, present site of the Newport plant. [Map of De Quincy].
Harry Methvin has organized the ceremony which will include comments from Jerry Bell, mayor of DeQuincy, Barney Buxton, and Diane McCarthy, current president of the Historical Association.
Please join us for this unveiling. Rides will be provided for anyone interested. Please meet in the University Methodist Church parking lot on Patrick Street, located behind Selmart and Church’s Fried Chicken on Ryan Street, at 8:30 a.m.
Charles J. Christ, Lake Charles author, was the speaker as well as the recipient of the 2005 Dr. Donald J. Millet Historical Writing Award, presented at the April meeting of the Historical Association. Christ was recognized for his book, World War II in the Gulf of Mexico, which chronicled the depredations of German submarines during the early years of the United States’ participation in the war. In this history, Christ describes how German submarines operating in the Gulf of Mexico along known shipping lanes, were able to sink 58 American ships in four months before adequate defensive measures were developed by the United States Navy to end the threat.
Want to read more about the history of Lake Charles and Southwest Louisiana on the Internet? The McNeese Archives is in the process of making several of the most used resources available for use in just this way. We have placed The History of Lake Charles, Louisiana by Stewart Alfred Ferguson, online at: http://library.mcneese.edu/depts/archive/ferguson.htm. We will soon have The Life and Services to Public Education of John McNeese, by T. J. Ratliff, and The Political Development of the City of Lake Charles, 1890-1930 , by R. Brantley Cagle, ready to load.
Another interesting site to check out is: http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/la/calcasieu/history.htm. This is a site created and maintained by Bryant Walker called Calcasieu Parish Archives. Lots of good information and more being added all the time.
The dates and locations for upcoming meetings are: October 16 in the McNeese Library and January 22at the Carnegie Library.
Ann Mowad Vestal,
known to her family as “Nana” and to her friends as “Annie,” departed this life
to be with the Lord on July 4, 2006.
Born to John and Sarah Mowad on Nov. 2, 1909, Ann spent 92 years
living amongst a lifetime of family and friends in Lake Charles, and in 2001
moved to Sugar Land, Texas, to be near her three children and their families.
Ann was a lifelong Episcopalian and a devoted member of Church
of the Good Shepherd. She was an active member of the church choir and the Lake
Charles Historical Association, in which she served as treasurer for many years.
Ann was an involved citizen in many areas throughout her cherished community,
including working the polls during election time. Many may remember Ann as the
generous proprietor who always wore a smile and gave words of wisdom from behind
the counter of Vestal Newsstand, her store on Broad Street.
She will be greatly missed by all who knew her, but we know she is home at peace.
On a personal note, those of us who had the privilege of working with Ann remember her to be a lovely lady, always cheerful, always loving and caring.
Keep up-to-date with the news of the association at its website: swlahistory.org. Learn about our historical marker program, order note cards, postcards, or Mike Jones’ new book online, contact officers, and more!
Copyright 2006 Southwest Louisiana Historical Association
Webmaster: pthreatt@mcneese.edu