Five years ago I volunteered to write a few guest columns about the olden days for the Teche News. At the suggestion of Ken Grissom, the Les Vieux Temps became weekly articles. It has been over 250 enjoyable weeks since the first one appeared. The phone calls and emails I have received have been great.

I am still receiving emails about stories written years ago. Within the last few months I have had requests from California, Texas, and Colorado about the Huron “Stephanie” Plantation. Readers from several states as far as New Jersey have asked for copies of “Orphan Train Riders of St. Martin Parish.”

Without suggestions and input from the readers, many stories would not have been possible.

During the last few years I have also contributed to several feature stories to the Teche News which included “The Hanging of Elus Leblanc,” the “History of Community Schools of St. Martin Parish,” “The Widows Ghost,” and “The Duel at the Old West Saloon”.

The time for a transition from the weekly columns has come. I have decided to discontinue the Les Vieux Temps column and concentrate more on periodic stories such as the ones listed above. This will allow me to devote more research time for stories of interest, spend more time with my family, renew some of my hobbies, and travel.

In time I may compile some of the stories in book form for those of you who have requested one in the past.

Many thanks to the dedicated staff of the Teche News and TecheToday for the assistance they have provided.

I will always welcome your input on stories of interest. My email will remain yknott123@aol.com and phone number (337) 754-9980.