The Ville Platte Rotary Club held its annual installation of officers and banquet Tuesday night at La Veille Banque.

     Club members and their spouses and special guests were treated to a country band comprised of Chauncey Guillory and his son, Casey Guillory, Guy Pucheu, Chuck Manuel and Dustin Bailey. Chauncey is the son of the late Swamp Pop singer Clint West and Casey is Clint’s grand son.

    Outgoing president Peter Strawitz introduced the members of the board and said he enjoyed his term in office. During the past year, membership remained steady, the club worked closely with the Sacred Heart Interact Club and the club took part in preparing meals at the Grand Hoorah festival and for Rylla students at the Mountain Bayou Boy Scout camp. The club continued providing scholarships to LSU-E and Coreil Campus and to encourage 8^th grade  public school students to  stay in school through the “Choices” program.

    Rotary District Official Linwood Broussard officiated in installing the following new slate of officers: President-Wayne Vidrine, President Elect-Richard LeJeune, Vice President Nicole Wenger, Secretary-Susan Saunders, Treasurer-Vic Slaven, Outgoing President Peter Strawitz and board members: Dr. Joey Soileau, Dr. Jerry Veillon, Annette Johnson, Peggy Tate and Larry Lachney.

    President Wayne Vidrine announced that his priority will be to work for improvements at Chicot State Park. The park was first created with the assistance of the Ville Platte Rotary Club. Vidrine said he wants to make sure that the flooded out cabins at the park can be replaced so groups such as the Rylla students can use the local facilities.

    Nicole Wenger and Darwan Lazard were named as Paul Harris Fellows after making major contributions to the Rotary International Foundation. Leonard Fontenot was honored as being a major donor to Rotary International.

    Retiring club secretary Janice Helmer was named Rotarian of the Year. She served in that office for the past six years. Kim LeJeune  was honored with a plaque from Larry Lachney for her work as instructor for the Sacred Heart Interact Club. Also, Peter Strawitz received a plaque for his service as president for the past year.