Ronald, again how do you spell Plaucheville?

His name was given to him almost 80 years ago before the company was even a fas- food chain and had a mascot.
Still, he has heard the jokes about his name for decades. Now, it seems that Ronald McDonald of Plaucheville may be getting the last laugh.
Taco Bell began a nationwide ad campaign this weekend with commercials featuring real-life Ronald McDonalds.
One of the ads -- which started Friday on ABC, CBS and NBC -- could feature the McDonald from Plaucheville.
McDonald, who is also the Ward 8 Justice of the Peace, said he received a phone call recently from Hollywood, enquiring about persons named Ronald McDonald. He said it raised a red flag at first, but after several calls and assurances McDonald knew it was not a scam or ploy.
“I was given a time schedule, first-class plane ticket and schedules to Hollywood,” McDonald said. “Upon arrival I was greeted by a limo driver with a welcome sign ‘Welcome Ronald McDonald’ and then driven to a hotel on Sunset Boulevard.”
At 5:45 a.m. the next day he was taken to the filming location at Disneyland Studios -- along with five more Ronald McDonalds. Each McDonald was from a different part of the country and had different careers and backgrounds.
“So we loaded up, got on the very busy freeway and headed to Disneyland Studios, about an hour’s drive from the hotel,” he said.
Upon arriving at the location, they were placed on a large motor coach and taken to “wardrobe and makeup” to be outfitted, groomed and painted with makeup.
The group went to an outdoor scene and sat at a large table. “A young lady dressed as a waitress, wearing a Taco Bell uniform, welcomed us to the table and served us the new Taco Bell burrito,” McDonald continued.
“Following instructions, we held conversations on our lives and adventures while enjoying the food served to us. We didn’t have to be told, the food was good and we ate heartily.”
McDonald filmed 12 hours a day for three days. In addition to filming, there were dress changes, still photos, movies and sketches. Each Ronald had a personal interview with the director.
“Everything was moving around in a frenzy,” McDonald said. “You hurried up, then waited and did it again. It was an experience that anyone would remember for a lifetime. I wish all my family and friends could have been there.”
To McDonald, the funniest thing during the three days was the start of each scene. A young man would step in front of McDonald, place a score card under his chin with the info of “Ronald McDonald.....Scene 6087...Plaucheville, La.”
Each time he would ask McDonald how to spell Plaucheville. Near the end of the program the man said, “I think I got it now.” “I was often asked, ‘Where is Plaucheville, Louisiana, how did it get its name and what is it like living there’?” McDonald said.
He explained that the community has a French heritage, was named after a local family and had historical events such as Civil War battles. The Catholic Church is also a focal point of the community.
McDonald described Plaucheville as a town with “a town hall, post office and grocery store. We have a few stop signs, no traffic lights and a gentle lady police chief that issues welcome cards instead of traffic tickets.”
So what is his line in the commercial? “I’m Ronald McDonald and I love Taco Bell’s new burrito breakfast.” McDonald was paid for his time at the studio and will be paid each time his commercial airs.
He said he hopes he represented Plaucheville and Avoyelles Parish in a great way. One thing is for certain -- he had fun in the “City of Dreams” and the famous rhyming name that sparked all those jokes may finally give him something to smile about.