The Ville Platte Chamber of Commerce met Wednesday for its monthly meeting. Newly elected President, Dr. Tojo Ward, was introduced and presented with his gavel by Director, Camille Fontenot. Other officers introduced were Luke Deville as First Vice President and Peter Strawitz as Second Vice President (pictured).
The Chamber members heard from guest speaker, Floyd Soileau of Flat Town Music Company. Soileau has been in the music business for the last 60 years and has been involved with many musicians and recording artists. Floyd’s Record Shop has a long history in Ville Platte and Soileau stated they would have “tour buses of tourists come and tour the shop.” His shop contained everything from vinyl records to record players, 45 players where the record dropped, 8-track players and various other musical artifacts. Soileau said in 2012, the music industry went in another direction and people were “not buying hard copy music.” He stated he maintained the business as long as he could, but eventually had to close. He has a smaller shop now located at the U-Store It on Chataignier. Soileau reports that people can buy music online but a lot of them still want to come into a “store” to purchase music. Soileau and his wife, Ginver, are celebrating their 57th wedding anniversary.
Members also heard from Assistant District Attorney, Betsy Jackson, regarding the Flat Town Culinary Program at the Boys & Girls Club. It serves as an extension to the Families in Need of Services Program she is behind to keep children from turning to crime and juvenile delinquency. They will hold a V.P. Boys & Girls Club Banquet and Closing Ceremony on August 2nd, with doors opening at 6:00 p.m. and the first course served by the young “Chefs” that have gone through the Culinary program being served at 6:30 p.m. The program is taught by Betsy’s husband, Chef Terrill Jackson, and Betsy states “He has a love for food and is able to make it an art form.” We will have more on the program on our Facebook page at Classic Hits 92.5.
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