News notes

Community Garden open hour Tuesdays
The Eunice Community Garden has scheduled open hours from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Tuesdays to allow the community to learn about the opportunity to garden in a community setting.
“Jardin des Amis” is located at 2201 W. Ash St. and is behind the state Department of Motor Vehicles office.
For more information, call Call Patricia Brown, interim garden coordinator, at 337-550-1385 or on Facebook at Eunice Community Garden.

Opelousas Little Theatre “The 25th Annual Putnam Spelling Bee”
The Opelousas Little Theatre will present the witty and humorous show “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee”.
This unforgettable story covers how 6 mid-pubescents vie for the spelling championship of a lifetime.
The show features Michael Bourgeois, Angie McBride and Duncan McBride of Lawtell, James LeCompte of Arnaudville, Bradley Credeur, Taylor LaCalle and Kelly Schexnider of Lafayette, Melanie Soileau and Robert Soileau of Ville Platte and pianist, Susan Comeaux, of Crowley.
Director of the play is Angie McBride.
All performances will be held at the Opelousas Little Theatre in Opelousas South City Park on the following dates: April 21, 22, 23, 28, 29, 30, May 5, 6, 7 at 7 p.m. and April 24, May 1 at 2 p.m.
Information, tickets: can be purchased in advance at Sebastien-Dupre Fine Jewelry, 822 South Main Street, Opelousas or call Robbie at 337-948-4367, or at the door. More information, contact Duncan McBride at 337-351-3822.

JA of Eunice sponsors pageants April 23
On April 23 the Junior Auxiliary of Eunice and the Student Government Association of LSU Eunice will host the Miss Eunice and Miss LSUE Pageants.
Females ages birth-12 may register online for the Little Miss Eunice pageant: tinyurl.com/LittleMissEunice. Contestants for Miss Teen Eunice (ages 13 - 15) and Miss Eunice (ages 16- 21) must register by April 20: tinyurl.com/MissEunice. Contestants for Miss LSUE (must be a current student at LSUE) must register by Wednesday, April 20: tinyurl.com/MissLSUE.
Information: contact the Junior Auxiliary of Eunice at jrauxofeunice@gmail.com.

Trail ride to benefit St. Jude Hospital
The 13th annual St. Jude Trail Ride sponsored by the Sheriff’s Mounted Posse of Evangeline Parish is scheduled to start at 8:30 a.m. April 23 at 3375 Faubourg Road, Washington.
The trail ride costs $10 and includes lunch.
An auction will be held at lunch time. Auction items include an adult saddle donated by Evangeline Parish Sheriff Eddie Soileau and a youth saddle donated by Guillory’s Grocery in Pine Prairie. Each item is stamped with the St. Jude emblem.
Overnight stay is available at the Chauncey Pitre Barn, 1204 Chauncey Pitre Road, Ville Platte. There are no hook-ups.
Non-motorized wagons are welcome. Food and refreshments will be available. No ice chests.
For more information, call 337-207-6293, 337-789-3651 or 33-831-5474.

Saturday program at the Prairie Acadian Cultural Center
Saturday programs at the Prairie Acadian Cultural Center, 250 W. Park Ave., Eunice, are the Explore & Restore craft workshop for kids, from 10 a.m. to noon; Cajun Conversations meets 1 to 2:30 p.m. to learn and practice conversational Cajun French; Music and dancing kicks off at 2:45 p.m. and ends with the cooking demonstration and sampling at 4 p.m. Admission to the center and programs is free.
For more information, call 337-457-8499.

Eunice Symphony Orchestra spring concert is April 17
“The Greatest Show on Earth!” is the theme for this year’s spring concert by the Eunice Symphony Orchestra on April 17.
The concert will include circus music and Bohemian music, with a few surprises. There will also be a photo booth with props and a face painting booth open during the reception before the performance, and a few surprises during the concert itself.
In keeping with the fun theme, the audience is being invited to join the orchestra in dressing in a Bohemian style — wear your brightest colors and your best bangles.
The concert is scheduled at 6 p.m. at the Liberty Theater in Eunice. The reception is scheduled from 5 to 6 p.m. Admission is $5. Children 6 and under are admitted free. Tickets may be purchased at the door.
For advance ticket sales and more information, call 337-580-2493.

Summer camp at Prairie Acadian Cultural Center
Summer Cultural Camp for the Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve’s Prairie Acadian Cultural Center in Eunice is scheduled from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. July 11 to 15.
The camp is for ages 9 to 12. The registration fee, cash or check is $50.
The center is located at at 250 West Park Ave., Eunice.
For more information, call 337-457-8499, or email Angelle Bellard at angelle_bellard@nps.gov.

Sixth year anniversary at St. Luke Baptist
The Saint Luke Baptist Church in Vidrine will celebrate its pastor’s the Rev. Lloyd Antoine sixth-year anniversary Friday at 7 p.m. and Sunday at 1 p.m.
Friday evening’s guest speaker will be Dr. A.B. Lartigue of Unity Baptist Church of Lake Charles and Sunday’s speaker will be the Rev. Jeramaine Tezeno of Greater True Light Baptist Church in Eunice.
Information: 337-363-2549, 331-2370 or 337-459-1574.

WC Read Fire Dept. BBQ dinner April 17
The W.C. Read Fire department will have a BBQ pork dinners fundraiser Sunday from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m.
Donations of $8 will be accepted for the lunch plate.
Pick up at the fire station at intersection of Hwy. 13 S. & 374.
Information, details, call: DC Auto & Truck at 580-2491 or McGee at 884-0063.

EHS tennis tourney set for April 29-May 1
The second annual Eunice High School Tennis Tournament is scheduled for April 29-May 1.
Entry fee: $60 per team, must be 18 years and older. There will be ladies doubles, mens doubles, and mixed doubles offered.
Registration deadline is set for April 25.
For entry forms, fees, and more information, details: call Jacques Joubert at EHS at 457-3011 or ijmj.joubert@gmail.com or visit facebook event.

Pre-k registrations for all -set May 2
All Eunice schools will hold Pre-k registrations on May 2 from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. for the 2016-2017 school year.
A child must be 4 years old on or before Sept. 30, 2016 to register.
The following documents must be required to register on registration day for pre-k: child and parent’s social security card, child’s birth certificate, child’s immunization current record, proof of residency (utility bill with parent’s name and address); proof of income-bring one of the following (two consecutive check stubs, SNAP verification letter).
Visit your child’s zoned school to sign up for a testing date.

OLLI at LSU Eunice host April 28 event
The OLLI at LSU Eunice will have a carpool to Point Blue to visit the old bouseage (spelling- mud and moss filled house) home which belongs to Mr. J. D. Soileau.
The group will meet at 9 a.m. at the Continuing Ed Building, Room 117 and carpool to the home and have lunch and dine at a nearby restaurant.
The event is free. Have money for your lunch.

St. Thomas More KC Blood Drive May 1
St. Thomas More KC’s will have a Blood Drive Sunday, May 1 from 8:30 a.m. until 12:45 p.m. in the social hall.
Sign up online at www.bloodhero.com (sponsor code: stmkc
Donate blood May 1-7 and you are entered to win a pair of three day passes to Bayou Country Superfest. Winner pulled May 16.
All donor will receive a “Share the Beat” T-shirt while supplies last.

St. Joseph/St. Jules Fun Day set May 1
St. Joseph/St. Jules Family Fun Day in Evangeline will be held Sunday, May 1.
Following the morning Mass at St. Jules Catholic Church at 9 a.m. there will be Bingo, country dinners available on sale beginning at 11 a.m. and at 1 p.m. there will be a live auction. A sweet shop and country store will also be on the church grounds.
Tickets, information, call: Rita Hewett at 523-3523.

VFW bingo held Thursdays, Sundays
The VFW Post 8971 holds bingo for the public at 7 p.m. every Thursday and Sunday at the VFW Hall located on U.S. 190 East. All proceeds from Bingo games goes back to the community.