Sheriff's Group Photo 1968

 This group photo of the deputies of the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office was published on July 5, 1968, in the Mandeville Bantam Newspaper. Click on the image to make it larger. 

Knights of Columbus Overview from 1961

 In 1961 Fred Darraugh of the Tammany Tribune newspaper wrote a lengthy account of the history of the Knights of Columbus Covington Council 3061. Here it is. Click on the article below to make it larger and more readable. 

Text from the above article:

St. Tammany Tribune June 3, 1961

Covington Knights of Columbus 3061 By Fred C. Darragh

June is the month of brides -- and also the month for the election of officers of most of the civic and fraternal organizations of this, and surrounding communities. While sorely tempted to draw a parallel between our blushing brides and the eager club leaders of both genders I shall refrain -- not because the brides would suffer -- but because the other innocents, leaping nimbly forward, have yet to experience their brief moment of glory when district brass shall install them in office via the fried chicken or cold steak route.

Seriously though, I would very much like to salute, from time to time, the various active organizations in this vicinity with a review of their past activities, particularly as they relate to community advancement and welfare, and offhand I can think of no better organization to start the ball rolling than the 130 Knights of Columbus in Covington Council 3061.

Organized in the spring of 1947 at the instigation of the Rev. Canisius Blumel, O.S.B., Assistant Pastor of St. Peter's Church, the charter class of Knights, recruited from Covington, Madisonville. Mandeville, and Abita Springs, were initiated into the order at Gretna, La., Sunday. June 1, 1947.

It is significant that the infant council's first big activity was dedicated to the welfare of the community, and that it met its first test with flying colors when, in the face of a torrential downpour on the night of December 11, St. Peter's Auditorium witnessed one of the largest crowds in its history to turn out for a benefit to raise funds to finance a non-sectarian community Christmas tree party for kiddies whom St. Nick might otherwise overlook.

This was the beginning of a decade of highly colorful and entertaining community Christmas celebrations which Mayor Emile Menetre recognized by official proclamation as the Knights paraded Santa Claus, enthroned on a variety of ingenious floats, through the streets to Covington Hi gymnasium to the gay music of the Covington High School Band, and caroling groups from St. Paul's, St. Scholastica's and St. Peter's. Two parties were held each year to introduce Santa Claus -- first at the high school for white children who packed the gymnasium to near capacity -and again at night for all Negro youngsters, at the Holy Family Mission.

In the beginning the Knights introduced Santa on the Sunday before Christmas, while the Covington Lions Club bade him God-speed on Christmas Eve at a party on the courthouse lawn. After the first few years, however, everybody, from church organizations to a variety of "well-heeled" individuals grasping at a chance for some publicity, began to get in on the act, until Santa Claus threatened to out-number the children. This, plus the ever-increasing cost, as well as other factors, decided the Knights to abandon this program in favor of donations to St. Vincent de Paul, and other charitable activities.

Going back to the early years of the organization, the Knights continued their civic activities by sponsoring an Annual Graduates' Gift Dance, at which graduates of all public and private high schools were invited (with their dates) to dance to the music of such bands as Russ Papalia, in the Covington High School gymnasium.

During this time too, Covington Council turned to the problem of salvaging the Civil Air Patrol. Sponsoring this organization the Council conducted an unprecedented publicity drive which served to spur recruitment, and further aided by sponsoring a dance to raise funds that would enable the C.A..P. to procure much needed government equipment.

With the pattern set, the Knights of Covington Council really shifted into high gear. In addition to the activities already discussed, they sponsored a boy to Pelican Boys State, sponsored a Boy Scout troop, were granted the first charter for the Columbian Squires in the State of Louisiana, raised funds to fill in the parochial school playground, and were hosts to the K.C. State Basketball Tournament, winning the State Title, and sponsored a team in the local soft ball league.

These activities were accorded state-wide recognition with the presentation of the State Deputy, Achievement Award, proclaiming Covington "The Outstanding Council in Louisiana" at the 1949 convention in Alexandria.

A full report covering the Council's activities in the nearly fifteen years of its existence would be impossible to compile here. Let it suffice that we cover a few of its more unusual activities such as sponsorship of the first three ring circus to successfully operate in Covington; The Festival of Music a musical evening with the Gregorian choir of St. Joseph's Abbey, the Covington High School Band, and soloists from St. Paul's and St. Scholastica's; a repeat sponsorship of the State Basketball Tournament, and host to the Notre Dame School of Youth Leadership in the Southeastern United States.

A brief run-down of activities in this rapidly expiring fiscal year prove the Knights capable of shifting their programs to meet the changing times. In this past year they sponsored a soft ball team in the Covington League; furnished much needed athletic equipment to the Holy Family Mission; donated an undisclosed sum to the St. Vincent de Paul Society; won Team Award at the State K.C. Golf Tournament in Shreveport; sponsored soft ball tournament at Community Center; sponsored a bowling team locally, and basketball team in the State Tournament; sponsored Boy Scout Troop 325, and presented a 50 star flag to troop; host to State Officers Meet at the K. C. Youth Camp at St. Joseph's Abbey; sponsor active blood bank; co-sponsor of St. Peter's Horse Show, August 26-27; sponsored annual barbecue at community center, and will sponsor the State Golf Tournament at the Covington Country Club September 8-9.

Officers for this year have been Rev. Stephen Mueller, Chaplain; P.J. Swett, Grand Knight; Dan Berlin, Dep. Grand Knight; Carl Helmers, Chancellor; Eugene Cassanova, Jr., Recorder; Russell Sharp, Financial Secretary; Adam J. Seiler, Treasurer; Warren Troxclair, Lecturer; John Fielding, Advocate; Melvin Griffin, Warden; Bob Bottner and Arthur Scheck, Inside Guards; Geo. Blow, Outside Guard; Manning Henry, Hubie Gallagher, and Frank Sheuermann, Trustees.

End of article

Link Of Interest:

KC Abbey Summer Camp Fishing

Four-legged Chicken

 Every so often you come across an anomaly in farming that gets written up in the local newspaper. Here's one from 1968: a four-legged chicken.

This was apparently not picked up by the Associated Press and run nationally. 

Spotting the Sports 1968

 My very first newspaper job where I actually got paid was in 1968. It involved writing various sports stories and the "Spotting the Sports" column for the St. Tammany Farmer newspaper in Covington. 

Here are some of the articles that were part of that summer between my high school graduation and starting college at Southeastern. Bob Landry, the editor of the Farmer, usually wrote the Spotting the Sports column but he was on vacation. 

Click on the articles to make them larger and more readable.

The Covington Community Center Story

 

50th Wedding Anniversary

 In June of 1961 Mr. and Mrs. Frederick Ernst Blattner celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary. 

They lived in the house between Blossman Oil and Lee Lane. That's where my newspaper office was for a while in 1973.  Dr. M.A. Breen, the chiropractor, was in the eastern most potion of the house at that time. 

Football Teams 1974

 A full page picture layout of area high school football teams appeared in the News Banner issue of  August 18, 1974. Here they are. Click on the pictures to make them larger. 

Today's Personalities Feature Photos 1972

   Fifty-three years ago the Covington Daily News would run a small photo and personality profile on a different Covington community citizen every day. It was called "Today's Personality," and it was placed in the bottom right corner of the front page. 

Here are a few of those from October of 1972 newspapers. The people spotlighted are Mrs. Peggy Earle, Mrs. Chris Larson, John Moticheck Jr., John Howe Fuselier, Mrs. Eugene Childress, Tina Lazo, Rev. Baxter Pond, Flo Horton, and Roger Carter. Click on the images to make them larger.

Links of Interest:

More Today's Personality Showcase

More Today's Personalities From 1972

Today's Personalities Back In 1972

More Today's Personalities

Today's Personality Back Then

Abbey Concert Draws 200

 Judith Krogsgard and Dominic Braud, O.S.B., were the area's favorite singers in 1972. Here they are at a concert in the auditorium at St. Joseph's Abbey. 

Click on the images to make them larger. 

Benet Hall hosted a number of community theatrical events...

Links of interest:

Music Stores, Lessons and Teachers

Father Dominic Braud

St. Tammany Historical Society

History of St. Joseph Abbey Presented

Cub Scouts Urge Fire Prevention Efforts

 Fifty-three years ago, these guys were telling the community about the importance of fire prevention. Click on the images to make them larger. 

The People You'd Run Into in 1961 Covington

 In 1961 columnist Fred Darragh wrote in the St. Tammany Tribune a detailed description of the people and places one would visit on a typical day in downtown Covington. 

Sit back now, relax, and enjoy the "heartbeat of the town" as described by Darragh. 

Click on the above article to make it larger. 

Here is the text from the above article:

COVINGTON BEAT With Fred C. Darragh

Walk down Boston street -- any Saturday morning -- 

AND LISTEN TO THE HEARTBEAT OF OUR TOWN!

Pick up your mail and stop at the P.P. (Parcel Post) window for a package, delivered in a flurry of good-natured insults tossed back and forth with Dick Schroeder and Russell Sharp. Stop on the post office steps to pass the time of day with Lucille Glisson, whose usual cheery greeting has been reduced to a whisper these past. few months due to a throat injury suffered in a minor car accident. Assured that the condition is a temporary one, your large legion of friends are all pulling for a speedy recover, Lucille.

Wave cheerfully to Julia Stone, whose twinkling toes seem to fly over. rather than on, the ground. as she covers the distance between office and bank. Something in her return wave seems to carry the assurance that "God's in His heaven -all's right with the world."

Stop in the middle of the block to exchange chit - chat with Frank Patecek and Randy Powell, two of Covington's leading realtors who speak of deals in the hundred thousands. but who daily settle for less -- MUCH LESS. Randy was my landlord for a number of years, and Frank has been a fellow conspirator with me in many schemes and varied, to sell projects ranging from Tung Festivals to Lions' Club Barbecues, to the general public, for community improvement and welfare.

Step into the cool cavern of Tugy's Bar, an institution in the Southern Hotel since the mid-1930s when Julius Tugendhaft assisted by the late, well loved, Barney Carey, Sr., and Tony Bacarisse, quit tending bar for Sam Haik to open what has affectionately come to be known as "The Office" by a large segment of both genders of the community.

It's a bit early for the post-prandial customers who drop by for an exchange of gossip or discussion of the various sports activities ranging from bowling, through Little League ball, to Country Club golf. It's a bit early for the usual evening routine, so what do we find?

Tugy and Jack Brown sharing a shaker of coffee from the hotel dining room, as Otis Heintz jots down his weekly order, while Jake Seiler (as much a regular as Tugy himself drops by to report progress on his new house.

Joe Ward and Shelby West lend a nautical touch to the gathering. Joe, just in from a stint in the Gulf, joins happily in the general conversation. Shelby sits, silent and withdrawn, at one of the tables, darkly pondering, not where his next meal may come from, but where and with whom it will be enjoyed. A gourmet of note. and bachelor to boot, Shelby loves nothing better than to dine with friends on a fare that he usually provides.

This is the quiet time. The place will empty and fill a number of times before eleven o'clock closing, with a variety of people seeking momentary escape from the hurley-burley of the workaday world, but if you listen real hard you will begin to hear the HEARTTHROB OF OUR CITY.

•••

At the bank corner you may bump into Art Lemane and Dan Berlin, escaping their bank cages for a few minutes "coffee break". Their conversation may range from baby care to carnival balls. but I'm willing to bet a stale cooky that it's far removed from debits and credits.

Crossing the street to Hebert's Drug Store we get a friendly wave from deputies Anna Lee Koepp and Joyce Keifer, the most decorative fixtures in St. Tammany's law enforcement structure. They may be OFFICE deputies but they do make an ARRESTING sight in their trim uniforms.

Back in the drug department pharmacist Stanley Bridges is busily counting pills for numerous prescriptions, while making occasional side remarks to Lucille Hebert or salesman John Felker who keeps all of the drug stores on the COVINGTON BEAT well supplied with panaceas for our numerous aches and pains. The only thing to make Stanley miss count is to call him "papa", a title of which he is inordinately proud.

Passing the time of day with O.J., we pause at the perfume display which John Cannon is regarding with slightly jaundiced eye. I bring him out of his reverie by asking him to find a buyer for two completely equipped tropical fish aquariums which I possess, knowing full well that if there is a buyer within 90 miles of Covington salesman John. (who is also a  minister and deputy sheriff) will find him.

St. Tammany Tribune Newspaper May 12, 1961

Links of interest:

WARB Memories

Bogue Falaya Shopping Plaza

Claiborne Hill Business Map

A Walk Around Covington in 1904

Walking Tour of Covington - 1983