I’ve been living here for five years, and I was wondering: Why don’t the parades here feature high school marching bands?
Some do.
Each of the nine high school marching bands in Calcasieu Parish must take part in at least two parades in the parish each
year, said Pat Deaville, the school system’s high school curriculum director. He said the bands have marched in 51 parades
over the last two years.
“Parades within the city limits of Lake
Charles with high school band participation included the Veterans Day
Parade, the
Christmas Parade, the McNeese Homecoming Parade, the Martin Luther
King Parade, the Black Heritage Parade, various high school
homecoming parades and various church parades,” Deaville wrote in a
statement forwarded to The Informer.
“In the past two years, Calcasieu bands have also participated in parades in Iowa, Vinton, Sulphur, Westlake, DeQuincy, Moss
Bluff and Starks.”
Online: www.cpsb.org.
How would someone get information on how to contact the federal agency that regulates railroads?
By reading The Informer.
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Railroad Administration regulates railroads.
The phone numbers for the agency’s regional office, which is based in Texas, are 817-862-2200 and 800-724-5995. The fax number
is 817-862-2204. The address is 4100 International Plaza, Suite 450, Fort Worth, TX 76109-4820.
Additionally, you can visit the agency’s website for information. Just scroll to the bottom of the home page and click on
“Frequently Asked Questions.”
Online: www.fra.dot.gov.
What happened to the cast of “Hee Haw”?
Because the show’s cast was so large, The Informer will deal with just a few of its best-known members.
To wit:
Roy Clark, 79, continues to perform and is scheduled to play in Broken Arrow, Okla., on Saturday.
Buck Owens died in his sleep on March 25, 2006, “hours after finishing a gig at his concert hall and restaurant, Buck Owens’ Crystal
Palace,” reads his New York Times obituary.
Minnie Pearl, a comedian famous for her price-tagged hat, died March 4, 1996, in Nashville, Tenn.
Archie Campbell, who appeared in 116 episodes of the show, died Aug. 29, 1987, at the age of 72.
Grandpa Jones, born Louis Marshall Jones, died Feb. 19, 1998 — 60 or so years after he first donned a fake mustache and began performing
under his nickname.
Lulu Roman, who landed on the show thanks to Owens’ recommendation, performs and records gospel music. She recently turned 66.
George “Goober” Lindsey, who appeared on the show from 1971 until 1993, died Sunday at the age of 83.
Online: www.imdb.com.
The Informer answers questions from readers each Sunday, Monday and Wednesday. It is researched and written by Andrew Perzo, an American Press staff writer. To ask a question, call 494-4098, press 5 and leave voice mail, or email informer@americanpress.com