Thursday, August 27, 2009

Don't Miss The 2009 Season Finale! "Night For The Museum With Mr. Lonnie Simpson"

Don’t miss the season finale for Dorcheat Historical Association’s “Night For The Museum”--- The History of Cotton Valley with Mr. Lonnie Simpson
The Dorcheat Historical Association Museum, Inc. announces the 10th and final “Night for the Museum” of 2009. The monthly events have been a huge success with very interesting speakers. The events draw in between 150-200 people every month and have become the place to be in Minden to learn a little history as well as socialize with friends, neighbors and many visitors from out of town.
Monday, October 12th, 2009, the tenth and final speaker of the 2009 series will be Mr. Lonnie Simpson. Simpson will tell the history of his hometown--- Cotton Valley, Louisiana. Simpson was born in 1937 and grew up in Cotton Valley. Graduating in 1956, he later went on to earn a B.S. from Northwestern University in 1960. He then began his career in the Webster Parish Education system by teaching 6th grade at Stewart Elementary for 6 ½ years. He later became principal at Richardson Elementary followed by becoming principal at Sibley High for a year. Simpson returned to Stewart as principal remaining at this school until his retirement. Married to wife Hannah, the couple has one daughter, Stacey, who lives in Calhoun, Louisiana, and one granddaughter Hannah, who resides in Alexandria, Louisiana. The Simpson’s hobbies include riding horses, reading, and working with daylilies.
Each previous event has been recorded and made into a DVD. These DVDs are a part of the fundraising efforts of the always expanding and progressing new museum. If you have not been able to make it to these events you can purchase each yearly collection series for $75.00. With each complete set you will receive a special $20 Minden 1950s DVD as a gift to you. Speaker DVDs are also sold separately for $10 each.
The museum already has an exciting list of speakers lined up for its history filled 2010 schedule with a few changes in store to benefit the Dorcheat Historical Association Museum.
The October event will be held at Christopher’s, located at 615 Main Street in Minden. Doors open around 5:30; refreshments are served at 6:00 p.m.; speakers begin at 6:30. No admission is charged for this event but donations to the museum are welcomed. If you would like to help with refreshments by bringing cake, cookies, or sandwiches please do so. It is recommended that you bring a lawn chair due to the large crowds. Seating goes quickly. For more information on the museum you can visit the web site at http://www.museuminminden.blogspot.com/ or call Schelley Brown at 318-423-0192.

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

Prothro’s “Telling Tales Out Of School” Draws A Packed House


The Dorcheat Historical Association Museum, Inc., 8th “Night for the Museum” of 2009 was a huge success. Monday, August 10th, Carleton Prothro was the eighth guest speaker for the 2009 season. Prothro known by many as “The Colonel” told of his many comical experiences at Minden High School. From the introduction by Dr. Richard Cambell and Thad Andress, the mood for the evening was already set.
Non stop laughter was in store for the 200 plus that attended the monthly museum event. The many pranks that have been played, memorable excuses from class, and tales of caught skippers were told by one of Minden’s most beloved educators. “Prothro’s ways of telling a tale were better than any professional comedian” said many that attended the evening. Always a smile on his face and a joke on his lips is what most people think of, when they think of this Minden icon. His humor sometimes questionable brought many a smile and much laughter for many former students, faculty members and longtime friends.
These monthly events have been a huge success with very interesting speakers talking on a wide variety of subjects. Each event has been recorded and made into a DVD. These DVDs are a part of the fundraising efforts of the always expanding and progressing new museum. If you missed this event be sure to go by the museum and pick up your copy today for only $10! Get the complete 2008 set for $75.
The museum has two more speakers lined up for its history filled 2009 schedule. The September speaker will be Beverly Smith Claiborne Parish historian with Lonnie Simpson to follow in October with the history of Cotton Valley. The events will be held at Christopher’s located at 615 Main Street in Minden, on the 2nd Monday of the month. Doors open around 5:30 refreshments are served at 6:00 p.m. with speakers to begin at 6:30. No admission is charged for the events but donations to the museum are welcomed. If you would like to help with refreshments by bringing cake, cookies, or sandwiches please do so. It is recommended that you bring a lawn chair due to the large crowds. Seating goes quickly. For more information on the museum you can visit the web site at http://www.museuminminden.blogspot.com/ or call Schelley Brown at 318-423-0192.