While the two Baton Rouge founders, L. Paul Amiss and Eugene Cazedessus were conducting their labors for the institution of a council in the state capital, similar steps were being taken a short way down the Mississippi River at Pla- quemine in Iberville Parish. Word of the organizational work going on in Baton Rouge had spread in the adjoining civil parish of Iberville, and visitors to New Orleans also brought back news of the newly established Catholic fraternal order .

Names long prominent in the business, social, civic and Catholic affairs of lberville Parish are noted among the 38 charter members. Among the candidates were Rev. Francis Badeaux, then pastor of Grosse Tete.

Just as in the state capital, Plaquemine had two enthusiastic, self sacrificing laymen who became the missionaries of Columbianism in Iberville Parish. They were Albert L. Grace and his brother Dr. W. L. Grace. They were members of a widely known Catholic family of this section.

While Albert was at St. Louis, attending college, he joined the K of C, receiving the three degrees in Council 626 on July 27, 1902 and becoming a very active Knight. When he return- ed home in 1904, he began at once a movement for a council in Plaquemine. His brother, the doctor, promptly fell in with his plan. They had heard of the work of Paul Amiss in Baton Rouge and obtained his assistance, together with several other-laymen.

Arrangements were made with Territorial Deputy George Young, and the Third Degree Team of the New Orleans Council, No.714, the first in the state, was obtained. Council No.970 was instituted on Sunday, Feb. 19, 1905, first council west of the Mississippi River in Louisiana, and third in the state. A special train brought a large delegation from New Orleans, which was reinforced by nearly all members of the new Baton Rouge Council.

The candidates and visiting Knights assembled at the hall above Wilbert's Store on Eden Street and marched in a body to St. John the Evangelist Church for Solemn High Mass. Rev. Ernest Gueymard, S.M., a native of St. Gabriel, member of a well known Catholic family was present and preached the sermon, as he had done at Baton Rouge twenty eight days previously.

Mr. Young and Charles I. Oenechaud Sr., K.S.G., together with the teams for the first, second and third degrees from New Orleans made this occasion a very memorable one. John J . " Jack" White was then captain of the third degree team. This was the team's second initiation outside of their home city. After the ceremonies of exemplification, a smoker was more than enjoyed by all, especially the new Plaquemine Knights.

CHAPLAINS OF COUNCIL 970

1905-1909 Rev. John J .Holtgreve

1909-1913 Rev. Andrew DeMaurizi

1913-1918. Rev. J. P. O'Slattery

1918-1922. Rev. Andrew DeMaurizi

1922. Rev. H. Hermanstein

1922-1925. Rev. Joseph Pierre

1925-1931. .Most Reverend Maurice Schexnayder - Bishop of Lafayette (Retired)

1931-1933 Right Reverend Monsignor H. P . Lohmann, P .A.

1933-1964 Right Reverend Monsignor Leonard Robin

1964-1968. Right Reverend Monsignor Louis E. Marionneaux

1968 Very Reverend George A. Barbier, V .F .

Charter Members

Listed below are the names of the charter members of Plaquemine Council No.970 who were admitted to the Knights of Columbus on Sunday, February 19, 1905. A glance at this list will disclose many prominent men, many of whom were well known in the community. These members laid the foundation to the state's pioneer Council west of the Mississippi River in Louisiana.

 John S. Barbay J. N. Blanchard Thomas A. Dubois
J. V. Jonaris, Jr. A. Hebert Sydney V. Landry
Charles E. Hebert H. Simon C. A. Barker, Jr.
J. Constatine Wallis Dupuy A. Fourroux
M. Elet Miremont Fred Miremont J. Ferdinand Hebert
J. A. Schlatre W. L. Bernard Thomas M. Combs
Enois G. Dupuy A. K. Grace Paul LaBauve
Ed Miremont Jos. E. Berret H. M. Delacroix
Dr. J. L. Danos Dr. W. L. Grace S. O. LaBauve
V. M. Pattureau Raymond Hebert Jos. D. Voisan
Henry Beraud Lionel Delacroix Jules Dupont, Jr.
T. E. W. Grass T. W. LaBauve J. M. Rhorer, Jr.
William Rousse Rev. F. Badeaux  

Even though his name is not on the charter, Albert L. Grace may be considered a charter member because he, more so than perhaps any other individual, helped to organize the Council and immediately transferred to Council 970.

The work of perfecting the organization and inaugurating activities quickly got under way. The election of officers took place the following Sunday on February 26, 1905. A group of distinguished men were placed in office. And in keeping with their solicitude they elected as their first chaplain a priest who possessed a deep spirit of charity and great devotion to his flock, Father John J. Holtgreve, pastor of St. John's and a native Louisianian. Dr. W. L. Grace was elected as grand knight where he served one term. The deputy grand knight elected was Charles E. Hebert, who later became leader of the Council on another occasion. H. Beraud was elected recorder. C. A. Barker Jr. was elected financial secretary, and T.E.W. Grass, treasurer. J. R. Hebert was the first lecturer and P. LaBauve the first warden.

Other officers were William Rousse, inner guard; H. Simon, outer guard; Ed Miremont, chancellor; and Albert Grace, advocate. The first three trustees of the council were M. E. Hebert, S. v. Landry and J. M. Rhorer Jr.

The first entry in the treasurer's book was on Feb. 19, 1905 for initiation fees 40 members at $5.00 or a total of $200.00. The first expenses entered were for the supper for the team and visitors, which Mr. Grace listed as $197.65. As the council had no money at the beginning, the spirit of Columbianism manifested itself readily in the form of loans of $10 and $15 by some of the members.

First Meeting

The first meeting after the election of officers was held in the upstairs section of the new Kearney Pharmacy, which the Council had rented for $15.00 per month. This easily facilitated their need insofar as it contained a large room, which was used for the meetings, a reading room and a bath.

Second Initiation

The second initiation of the council was held on Sunday, January 7, 1906, when some 60 candidates were initiated. More than 200 knights came up from New Orleans on a special train, and Baton Rouge also sent a large delegation. Again Father Gueymard delivered the sermon at the High Mass at St. John's Church. After the exemplification, a magnificent supper was served at St. John's School. The sum of $150 was paid to Territorial Deputy Young for the expenses of the New Orleans team. The occasion was also the 15th anniversary of Father Holtgreve, pastor and council chaplain. At this notable event, plans were laid for the institution of a council at Donaldsonville. Succeeding initiations were held on October 7, 1906, the fourth on May 16, 1907, the fifth on March 29, 1908, when the initiation fee was increased from $5.00 to $10.00 and at all of these exemplifications State Deputy George Young presided.

Sixth Initiation

The Times Democrat (presently the Times Picayune of New Orleans) gives this account of the sixth initiation which was held in Plaquemine on June 6,1909:

More than 700 Knights of Columbus were in Plaquemine attending the joint initiations of Council Nos. 969 and 970. The visiting knights included some of the most prominent citizens of Louisiana and they came from every section of the state. Each council had a very large delegation in attendance.

There were a few members from other states. The visitors arrived on all trains and were met by members of the reception committee and escorted to the magnificent clubrooms of Plaquemine Council where a well prepared lunch was awaiting them. Lunch was served all during the day on the balcony of the hall which had been properly enclosed with awnings. The visiting ladies were entertained by the wives, daughters and sisters of the local knights at the City Hall which was turned over to them for the occasion by Mayor D. L. Reville. They were served lunch during the day and were made to feel at home.

On the arrival of the special train bearing the New Orleans delegation and the famous degree team, the reception committee escorted them to the K of C Hall from which the candidates and the knights marched to St. John's Church and attended High Mass which was celebrated by Rev. Father J. J. Holtgreve. The sermon was made by Rev. Thomas Steven, S.J. , of the Jesuit College, New Orleans, who delivered a very able sermon on "True Knighthood." An excellent musical service had been arranged and the church was filled to its capacity.

After mass all knights retired to the K of C Council Chamber where the exemplification was held. The initiation ceremonies lasted throughout the afternoon, after which a lunch and smoker was indulged in by all.

Meetings were held by the council on every Sunday morning after mass until November 1909, when the meeting day was changed to Wednesday at 8 p.m. and every second Sunday at 3:00 p.m. On May 21,1913 the meeting dates were changed again to every Wednesday at 9: 00 p.m. This date was kept until 1929 when the meeting date was again changed to the second Wednesday of each month at 8 p.m. and remained that way unti1 1955. Since then and up to the present the regular meetings are on the third Thursday each month at 8 p.m.

A Home For The Council

By 1911 the Council had been developed to a state of maturity, and the members then turned their attention and energies to procuring a Home for the Council. Until this year they had used the upper portion of Kearney's Pharmacy in Plaquemine. They then rented the Wilbert Hall at $400.00 per year.

In 1914 the Council formed a Corporation known as the K of C Building and Amusement Association and leased for their home the Plaquemine Club from H. J. Levy at $15.00 per month. This building is opposite from where the first built home stood unti1 1968. In 1920 the rents increased to $22.50 per month and in 1928 it was increased again to $30.00 per month. On February 19, 1923 Jules A. Carville suggested that the Council buy a new home. Each member at this meeting pledged to pay $10.00 within 15 days. $725.00 was collected toward a new home. The building committee appointed by the Grand Knight, and authorized to purchase apiece of property suitable to build a home, was composed of: J. A. Carville, Dr. Bourg, Charles E. Hebert, Lionel Delacroix, J. Ferdinand Hebert, Adolph Gueymard, Alcee E. Becnel, and Sidney Levert. At the meeting of April 19, 1923, it was reported that a piece of property on Main Street had been purchased. On April 20 a tax of $4.00 per year per member was levied to build a new home.

In 1948 bingo was started and was played on Friday nights. By the end of 1948 there was $800 in the bingo fund. From the bingo account about 300 chairs were purchased and dinnerware for a setting of 400 people and other material and minor repairs were made. Bingo continued until the early fifties when the Fathers Club of St. John School was organized and the K of C gave this program over to them and play was continued at St. John School until Archbishop Rummel stopped the use of bingo at church fairs and church related activities in the mid-fifties.

Instigated Sugar Cane Festival in Louisiana

Plaquemine Council No.970 has the unique distinction of sponsoring the first "Sugar Cane Festival" ever held in Louisiana. In 1934 it was inaugurated as an experiment and it was so successful that everyone decided to make it an annual affair .

Paul Kleinpeter was the originator of this festival and deserves great credit. One of the largest crowds ever to come to Plaquemine witnessed the Festival of 1934. Plantations throughout the Sugar Bowl were represented. At this Festival a meeting was held in the afternoon for those directly connected with the sugar cane industry. Technical and other problems were threshed out and discussed. A gigantic parade, composed of floats depicting various phases of the plantation life, overseers, new implements used in the sugar industry, etc. was held. Maids rode on each float and the parade ended with a ball presided over by Queen Sucrose I, Miss Lucille Wilbert, Plaquemine, La. The gross receipts from this Festival amounted to $627.90 for the council.

The Sugar Cane Festival was held again in 1935 with Paul E. Marionneaux as chairman with Miss Jane Talbot of Napoleonville, La. as Queen Sucrose II and again in 1936 with John M. Carville as chairman and Miss Genevieve Kearny of New Roads, La. as Queen Sucrose III. Because of the increase in size, the festival took on, and of the possibility of it being a failure due to weather conditions, the council decided that it was unable to sponsor the festival any longer. This decision was reached at a meeting on January 8, 1937. Since 1938 the Sugar Cane Festival has been held in New Iberia, Louisiana.

Above 1958, activities of the Council began to decrease, the membership began to dwindle. Up to this time it was very nice to have a home in the downtown section of a city, but things began to change. The Grand Knight appointed a cornrnittee composed of Nolan Hebert, Samuel Gerace, George Landry, Gary Hebert, A. E. Becnel Jr.,Germain Templet, Vince Ferachi, Robert Kinberger, Harry Gallagher and Leon Mire to look into the possibility of selling the home and property.

A letter was received from a real estate agent asking if the home was for sale. On March 16, 1967 a motion was made by W. P. Cameron and seconded by James Evans to se1l the home for $60,000 which was passed. In June 1967 G. K. Isidore Rills received a firm commitment from the Citizens Bank to purchase the home for that amount.

For the first time in history the officers were installed in an open meeting at St. John's Gym and the Masons were invited to attend. In July 1967 the Citizens Bank purchased the K of C property and building. Two acres of land was purchased on Price Street for $17,800.

The Citizens Bank asked us to vacate the building by mid-September 1968 and we then rented the Kinberger building from Dr. Durand in October 1968. In November, bids were opened for constructing the new K of C home. V. W. McLaughlin, contractor of Plaquemine, submitted the low bid of $78,000.00. Ground-breaking ceremonies for the new home were held in January 1969. Building committee was instructed to proceed with the building of the swimming pool first. Also discussed was the financing of a home. Ten members signed a note for $65,000. In January 1969, the dues were increased from $29.00 to $41.00 a year .

On Feb. 5, we started a bingo game at St. John's Hall to be played every Wednesday night. In March we moved to the Plaquemine Youth Center. Due to the racial situation and to the loss of our use of the Plaquemine Youth Center, it was decided to discontinue the playing of bingo in August 1969 and to be resumed later on a member guest basis at the new K of C home. Bingo was resumed at the new K of C home on February 1970, where they play every Wednesday and Sunday nights.

A second and third degree initiation was held in Plaquemine on March 23, 1969 at the National Guard Armory with over 350 knights attending. This was the first of its kind to be held in Plaquemine in over ten years and it was the final one with the use of the old ritual that had been used since the foundation of K of C in 1882.

The swimming pool at the new home was opened on June 29, 1969 with Frank Spano as chairman. The first meeting in the new home was held on Sept. 18, 1969 and the K of C Family Life Center was blessed and dedicated on Sunday, May 17, 1970.

On January 24, 1970 the state officers of the K of C, meeting in Baton Rouge, were invited by Grand Knight Gary Hebert to come to Plaquemine for the Saturday evening mass at St. John the Evangelist and to be hosted at a social hour and banquet at the new K of C home of Council 970. Over 150 persons were included in the group.

On November 28, 29 and 30, during the Thanksgiving Holidays in 1969, the first Cajun Festival was held. This was started by the Grand Knight Gary Hebert. Gary Hebert worked hard and long on this project. This was the second time at bat for this council in giving birth to a festival,(Sugar Cane Festival).      It was held on the school grounds opposite the KC Hall. Grand Knight Gary Hebert and Deputy Grand Knight Gary Pruitt were co-chairmen of this event which was a financial success. In 1970 it was named the "International Acadian Festival. " In Oct. 1979 the eleventh festival was held and they have all been very successful.

On March 5, 1973, the K of C corporation accepted a bid of $9,639.00 to construct a 20' X 30' bath house. This was completed in May 1973 and was blessed in June of that year. In Sept. 1973, the balance on the swimming pool and bath house was paid and on April 15, 1977, two acres of land west of the home was purchased for $50,000 and the sale was completed on April 15, 1977 at a corporation meeting. In Dec. 1977, the debt on the home was $12,000. In 1979, $50,000 was allocated by the corporation to pave a parking lot east of the building. (CONTINUED...SCROLL DOWN)


Our Chaplain for 31 Years

Rt. Rev. Monsignor Leonard Robin
Chaplain, Council 970
1933-1964

 

Rt. Rev. Msgr. Leonard Robin was pastor of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church from 1933 to 1964 -and during that entire period he was chaplain of Plaquemine Council 970, Knights of Columbus. He died at Ollie Steele Burden Manor Nursing Home, Baton Rouge, on June 1, 1973, after having resided there since September of 1972. He was marking his 50th year as a priest.

Monsignor Robin was born in New Orleans in 1900. He attended Jesuit High School, and was ordained a priest in 1923. He served in the capacity of an assistant pastor at St. Rose de Lima, New Orleans, the Church of the Ascension, Donaldsonville, and St. Francis de Sales, Houma, before being named pastor of St. John's, Plaquemine, in 1933. He was appointed a Domestic Prelate in the Household of Pope Pius XII with the title of Right Reverend Monsignor . In 1964, facing ill health, he accepted lesser duties as pastor of St. Gabriel Catholic Church, St. Gabriel, and held that post until 1968 when he retired, and returned to live in Plaquemine, under the solicitous eye of his close associate for many, many years, the Very Rev. George A. Barbier , who was at that time named pastor of St. John's. His rapidly failing health necessitated his taking up residence at the Ollie Steele Burden Nursing Home, where he died.

Another chaplain of Plaquemine Council 970, the Most Rev. Maurice Schexnayder, retired bishop of Lafayette, said of Msgr. Robin, upon his death: "He was a man of God, he knew he was a priest and never lost sight of his state in life."



Past Homes of Council No. 970

The upper portion of the Kearney Pharmacy Building (below left) was rented as the home of Plaquemine Council 970 from 1905 to 1911 when the Knights moved into the second floor of the Wilbert Building (below right) at the corner of Plaquemine and Eden streets. The Knights remained at this location for their meetings and special functions until 1914.

      

Plaquemine Council 970 rented the upstairs of The Plaquemine Club(below left), from H.J. Levy from 1914 to 1931 and used the facility for meetings and special functions. Above right is the Main St. home of the Knights of Columbus which was dedicated Nov. 11, 1931, and used for all Council activities until October of 1968 when it was sold to Citizens Bank. The top floor of the old Kinberger Grocery Store (below middle), was used as a temporary home of Council 970 until the present, impressive Price St. family life center was dedicated in September of 1969.

    
                                                                                                                                                                       Present Hall on Price Street


The paving of the parking lot west of the council home was completed in 1979 and was a welcome addition to the KC complex. During most of 1979 and into the next decade, most of the attention and efforts of the council was directed toward the celebration of the Diamond Jubilee. Celebration activities culminated with a civic reception at the KC Home on Saturday, February 23, 1980 and the celebration of Solemn High Mass at St. John the Evangelist the next day with the Most Reverend Joseph V. Sullivan, Bishop of Baton Rouge, serving as Celebrant and Homilist. The Diamond Jubilee Social and Banquet followed at the Iberville Parish Civic Center. The highlights of the program were remarks by the Most Reverend Charles P. Greco, Supreme and State KC Chaplain and State Deputy Robert J. "Bob" Gremillion and the featured speaker, country music star Jerry Clower, who entertained the attendees with jokes and stories of his religious experiences. The two day event was attended by nearly two hundred members, their spouses and other guests.

At the 1980 Installation and Awards Banquet, the Henry U. Grass, Jr. family was recognized as the first KC Family of the Year, a program initiated by Grand Knight Norman J. Comeaux, Jr.

It was not until the late 1970's that Council 970 adopted the Catholic Youth Leadership Award program which had been inaugurated by the State Council in 1960. With the cooperation of St. John High School and Plaquemine High School, the council selected a Catholic boy and girl for being outstanding leaders in their church parish, school and community. Each boy and girl received a plaque and a $100.00 cash award.

The importance of a Blood Bank for council members and their families came to light shortly after the death of Mrs. Helen Legendre, wife and mother of three brother knights. The family was faced with the problem of obtaining 200 pints of blood, to replace blood derivatives that were used during her lengthy illness. The council initiated a blood donor program to assist the family in replacing the blood. A blood drive held in Addis, Louisiana, home of the Legendre family, at the Volunteer Fire Department was very successful and the blood that was needed was all donated in one day. Brother David Legendre, son of Mrs. Legendre, realized the value of such a program and to show his appreciation to his brother knights, initiated the creation of the KC Council 970 Blood Bank. Working with our Lady of the Lake Hospital in Baton Rouge, he was able to get the program started over a period of time. By 1981, there were 103 members of the council blood bank. Since it's inception well over 1,000 pints of blood have been collected and used for the needs of brother knights and their families.

In April, 1983, because of the tremendous successes of the International Acadian Festival, the council made a $5,000.00 contribution to the State KC Council Youth Expansion Program.

In late 1983, after a great deal of informal discussion, the council agreed to move forward on an expansion to the existing facilities. Plans called for a new larger kitchen, meeting room, restrooms, member's lounge, office space and a covered patio. M. Durand Noel was appointed Building Committee Chairman. In 1984, the completed plans were purchased for $5,580.00. After a detailed review of the plans and a lengthy bidding process, a contract with River Valley Construction Company of Plaquemine was signed on May 28, 1985. The final amount of the contract, after all change orders were incorporated amounted to $272,231.00. In addition, furniture for the lounge, patio and meeting room was purchased from D' Albor's Furniture in the amount of $12,070.00. The project was completed in the fall of 1986 and dedicated in November. As part of those ceremonies, a time capsule was placed in the Knighthead which had been moved from the KC Home on Main Street and erected at the site of the new home the previous year. The capsule is to be opened at the 100th anniversary celebration of the council in 2005.

In the spring of 1985, longtime Chaplain, the Rt. Reverend Msgr. George A. Barbier announced his retirement. Council 970, co-hosted with Court St. John 1214, a reception in his honor. The Rev. Jerome A. Dugas, Pastor of St. Clement of Rome was appointed to the office of Chaplain. In September of 1985, the council decided to form a 1st Degree Exemplification Team to serve the needs of the council in initiating new members in a timely fashion. The team also performed degree work for councils in the surrounding areas.

Bingo which started in February 1969, continued to be the financial lifeblood of the council into the 1980's and beyond. Although the International Acadian Festival
contributed greatly to the financial health of the council for special community and council activities, bingo provided the funds for the regular expenses incurred by the council. In 1986 a Super Bingo game was started and held once a year at the Iberville Parish Civic Center in conjunction with the festival. This activity continued for 10 years and raised approximately $60,000.00 over that period.

Council 970 entered the computer age at the November 21, 1991 meeting when the council authorized the purchase of a computer system for council financial and
membership records at a cost of approximately $5,500.00. Dalbert Vamell, Jr. and Buddy Navarre developed the entire system over a period of nearly two years.

At the June 18, 1992 meeting the membership voted to fill in the Price Street canal in front of the KC property. The council purchased culverts to complete part of the project and the Dow Chemical Company donated the rest. The Iberville Parish Police Jury installed the culverts. Two months later, the winds of Hurricane Danny caused significant damage to the roof of the main building and water damage to the member's lounge. All of the damage was repaired with insurance proceeds and a small cash expenditure by the council.

On October 21, 1993, the council voted to have the corporation retire the outstanding debt on the KC Home by utilizing the proceeds of soon to mature Certificates of Deposits which had been purchased over the years from the profits made by bingo and the festival. In March 1994, all debt on the KC Home, including the 1985-86 building expansion project was retired. The council celebrated this event with a quarterly communion, mortgage burning ceremony and brunch at the KC Home on March 20,1994.

In March, 1996, at the suggestion of Ralph J. Comeaux, Jr., the council approved an expenditure of $2,500.00 for the purchase of fireworks to be re-sold at a fireworks stand operated by the council. The fireworks are sold during the Christmas holidays and for July 4th celebrations. A permanent stand and storage facilities were placed on the KC property adjacent to the home in 2000. This venture, continually chaired by Brother Comeaux since its inception has become another major source of revenue for the council. As of December 31, 2004, the net proceeds from the sale of fireworks has exceeded $50,000.00. In addition, the council has donated fireworks, and under the direction of Brother Comeaux, conducted firework displays for local school and civic groups.

The annual Cub Scout Soapbox races celebrated 50 years of continuous operation in 1996. These races originated mainly through the efforts of PGK A. E. Becnel, Jr., are very successful. The races have always been sponsored by Council 970 which donates the championship trophy and other necessities including sponsorship of the cub packs.

In late 1996, the council voted to add a scholarship feature to it's CYLA award program. The scholarship is valued at $2,000.00 for those CYLA winners who go on to attend college at a rate of $250.00 per semester. Students must maintain a cumulative yearly GPA of 3.0 and be full time students to maintain the scholarship. G. Lloyd Bouchereau, Jr. is the council Scholarship Administrator. Through September 30,2003, the council had funded a total of $20,500.00 in scholarship payments, all from the net proceeds of the International Acadian Festival activities.

In the late 1990's activities of the council were slowed because of poor attendance at the International Acadian Festival and a downturn in bingo. However, some improvements continued to be made to the KC Home with such items of construction as replacement of windows with walls, installation of a new cooling system and painting of various parts of the facility. In the Spring of 2001, the Council established a world presence when Paul Bouy, Jr. began work on a web site that continues to expand.

In the fall of 2001, Parish President J. Mitchell Ourso and Parish Council Chairman Eugene Stevens told the council membership of plans to build a parish multi-purpose facility west of Plaquemine off of Belleview Drive which could be used as the future site of the International Acadian Festival. President Ourso requested that the council appoint two representatives to serve on the committee to plan and develop the facility. G. Lloyd Bouchereau, Jr. and Gary K. Pruitt were appointed to serve on that committee. Thru the efforts of C. M. "Mike" Zito, Parish Councilman, the project was planned, developed and funded by the Iberville Parish Government and the State of Louisiana. On December 16, 2003, a contract was let to Tullier's Services, Inc. in an amount of$1,210,400.00 to construct the facility. It was to be completed mid-September, 2004 and the International Acadian Festival is anticipating a move to that location from the old Iberville Free Fairgrounds for the 2005 festival.

In the spring of 2002, at the request of Chaplain Dean J. Martin, the council pledged $30,000.00 to the St. John the Evangelist Giving in Faith Together (GIFT) Campaign. All funds raised are to be used for renovations and major repairs to St. John Church and St. John School. The council donated $15,000.00 in cash and pledged $250.00 per month for 5 years which has been paid on a timely basis.

In June 2002, Council 970 membership overwhelmingly agreed to assist Brother Jason Palermo while he pursued studies for the priesthood at Notre Dame Seminary in New Orleans, Louisiana by providing him with a $300.00 per month stipend to help defray his expenses. The membership was elated to have an opportunity to help a local man and member of the council who had a vocation to the priesthood. The last Plaquemine native to be ordained was the Very Reverend John Carville, V. G. S. T. D. on December 18, 1963. Rev. Carville is the son of John M. Carville, PGK.

During several weeks of 2003, Kim Poise donated her time and talent to paint a biblical mural on the wall of the council meeting room.

In January 2004, after gathering much information, including a formal presentation on the subject, the council voted to organize and sponsor a Squires Circle. Although the formation of a Squires Circle had been discussed for years, no action was ever taken. Paul W. Bouy, Jr. and Wade Tircuit volunteered to head the project.

Near this same time the council gave it's approval to the Anniversary Committee's request to refurbish the KC Home in anticipation of the 100th Anniversary celebration. All of the exterior of the home was painted and trimmed as well as the bathhouse and the fireworks storage container. The parking lot was cleaned, repaired and re-stripped. This work was done under contract with Comeaux Bros. Construction at a cost of $20,000.00 which was borrowed from First Financial Bank and Trust Company utilizing council savings as collateral.

Other refurbishments to the KC Home included replacing flooring in the kitchen and the member lounge, reframing pictures, replacement of ceiling tile, plumbing repairs, tree trimming and removal, painting various parts of the main hall, kitchen and member's lounge and general clean-up. This work was accomplished by Brother Knights.

At the Evangeline Tea held at the KC Home on August 28, 2004, Ms. Kayla Barker, granddaughter of Brother William E. Barker, m, was selected as the 2004 Evangeline. She became the first second generation Evangeline. Her mother, Dr. Debbie Schaffer Barker, was Evangeline VII, queen of the 1974 International Acadian Festival.

Planning of events to celebrate the 100th Anniversary of the Council continued into 2005 and culminated with a reception and open house at the Council home on Saturday, February 19th and a Holy Mass and banquet on Sunday, February 20th. Nearly 600 people attended the weekend events. Attending the banquet were State Deputy, Donald Cubbage and six Past State Deputies, as well as the State Chaplain and the Vicar General of the Baton Rouge Diocese, Rev. John Carville, a native son. The principal speaker was Congressman Charlie Melancon of Napoleonville, Louisiana and entertainment was provided by Murray Conque, a Cajun humorist from Carencro, Louisiana. The banquet was a huge success and enjoyed by all.