Seniors 2010 - The Eunice News

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J.E. MANUEL

THE EUNICE NEWSSunday, October 31, 2010

Joseph E. Manuel, bookkeeper, partsman, postmaster. See page 2.

By Myra [email protected]

Joseph E. (Joe) Manuel, 80, once a bookkeeper, parts man, and retired postmaster, enjoys life to the fullest.

“I am always found out-side, of course, except when it is raining or cold weather. I ‘piddle-around,’ keep up with a garden, and cut grass,” said Manuel.

Manuel’s goal was to retire at age 55, and he did. He was

-nice in 1957 as a substitute carrier and retired in 1986 as postmaster. Manuel worked as a city carrier for 10 years. “I worked as a substitute car-rier, got quite a bit of hours, worked all routes in Eunice. Later I worked as a regular

then I was promoted to super-visor,” he said.

Manuel was postmaster in Welsh for one year, and later returned to the Eunice Post

until his retirement.Manuel was born on Febru-

ary 22, 1930 to the late Amel and Lena Marcantel Manuel of Mamou. There were six children born to the couple, three boys and three girls, Manuel was the second to youngest. Two of Manuel’s sisters are living; Ena Fon-tenot and Nedwyne Landry, both of Mamou.

He graduated from Mamou High School in 1947 and at-tended Spencer Technical College in Lafayette for busi-ness for one year. “Back then, technical college offered short courses. I decided to go for business.”

In 1951, Manuel was draft-ed into the Army where he served for two years in an Artillery battalion in North Korea.

He dated his wife, Olge

Fontenot of Chataignier, for a couple of years before marry-ing her in June of 1953. “We met when we were in high school. I met up with her at basketball games,” he said.

The Manuels have two children, Cindy Manuel Dar-bonne of Basile and Kirk Manuel of Baton Rouge, and two grandchildren, Jacque Darbonne and Katie Dar-bonne Maggio.

After military service,

working as a bookkeeper at LaHaye Chevrolet in Eunice. He stayed on the job for six months.

His next job was working as a partsman at L.G. Seale & Company in Eunice, where he stayed for four years.

Manuel was then hired in 1957 at the Eunice Post Of-

When asked what he liked the most about serving as postmaster, his immediate reply was, “The people. I en-joyed working right next to

great people. And my custom-ers were always good. They

name basis “Joe.” I enjoyed the personal contact.”

Manuel always strived to treat people fair and good.

send me to Charm School. It was a course on how to get along with people. When working next to 30+ people, and serving customers, this was very important.”

After retirement, Manuel and his wife did what they always wanted to do, travel. The Manuels traveled by RV throughout 48 states, west-ern Mexico and Canada. “We would stop at state and na-tional parks and camp, do sightseeing also. Our trav-els to western Mexico we did with a group of friends,” he said.

camped many years at Toledo Bend and Chicot State Park.

He said, “I don’t do so much

for sac-a-lait and hunted deer and doves. “Guess I am get-ting too old, used to enjoy

Manuel.What Manuel does still en-

joy are gardening and vol-unteering for the VFW Post and American Legion Post. His garden currently consists of lettuce, mustard greens, turnips, cucumbers, and cab-bage.

Manuel is a 50-year member of the American Legion Post 129 and 15 plus-year member of the VFW Post 8971 where he received Veteran of the Year in 2008. “I enjoy volun-teering for these two organi-zations. I enjoy cooking and barbecueing for the legions.”

The Manuels are long-time members of St. Anthony Catholic Church in Eunice.

2 Sunday, October 31, 2010 The Eunice News Senior Supplement

Joseph E. (Joe) Manuel, bookkeeper, partsman, retired Postmaster

J.E. Manuel, left, promoted to Postmaster in 1979 by Robert LeBlanc.

J. E. Manuel, U.S. Army Field Artilliary, 1952

This Holiday Season consider a Eunice News subscription.

By Rose FontenotSocial Security District Manager

The cool winds and chang-

ing leaves are tell-tale signs:

another autumn has arrived.

Sometimes it’s hard to believe

how quickly the seasons change

and the years pass by. What-

ever season of life you happen

to be in, it may be a good time

have through Social Security.

Each stage of life — from the

spring of youth to the summer

of middle age to the autumn of

retirement — comes with its

And in each situation, Social

Security is there to help.

Of the more than 53 million

Americans receiving Social

third are not retired workers

or their dependents. They’re

disabled workers and their

families, or the survivors of a

deceased worker. These non-

retirement Social Security ben-

-

tant to young workers because

about one-in-eight young peo-

ple will die before retirement,

and about one-in-four will be-

come disabled.

While the death of a husband,

wife, or parent is emotion-

ally devastating, it often can

well. Social Security provides

family members of a deceased

worker.

Social Security disability

protection is equally valuable.

Few workers have an employ-

er-provided, long-term disabil-

ity policy. With Social Security,

however, the average worker

has the equivalent of a disabil-

ity insurance policy that pays

and their families, based on

the workers’ lifetime earnings.

So you can rest a little easier

knowing that Social Security

provides some measure of se-

curity, if life does not turn out

as planned.

On the other hand, if you do

work and retire as planned,

Social Security serves as the

foundation for a secure retire-

ment. Social Security is the

largest source of income for

most elderly Americans today,

but Social Security was never

intended to be your only source

of income when you retire. You

also will need other savings, in-

vestments, pensions or retire-

ment accounts to make sure

you have enough money to live

comfortably when you retire.

The Social Security State-

ment that you receive in the

mail each year provides an

estimate of your retirement,

survivors, and disability insur-

try out some different scenar-

ios and see how various retire-

ment ages and future earnings

may change your retirement

picture, visit our online Re-

tirement Estimator at www.

provides an instant, personal-

ized estimate of your future

And perhaps the best news of

all is that it’s easier than ever

to apply for retirement ben-

the comfort and convenience of

www.socialsecurity.gov/apply-

15 minutes.

Whether you’re young or

old, Social Security is there

through every season. You can

-

curity.gov.

Senior Supplement The Eunice News Sunday, October 31, 2010 3

Social Security covers every season of lifeSocial Security

Rose FontenotPublic Affairs Specialist

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The strength of a person’s im-mune system is generally what determines if he or she gets sick. If two people are exposed to the same germs, the one with a weaker immune system tends to get sick.

Medical experts often agree that the elderly and the very young can experience seri-ous and adverse reactions to seemingly mundane illnesses.

into pneumonia and other life-threatening situations if left untreated. The culprit is often an underdeveloped or compro-mised immune system.

As you age, your physiology changes. Bones become less

you may experience a weaker immune system. As a result, seniors are more susceptible to illness than their younger counterparts. But boosting the immune system by changing your diet, exercising and get-ting outdoors can be a way to stay healthy.

Doctors say that it is possible to boost your immune system. The secrets lie in understand-ing how the immune system works -- and how your every-day life can offer you greater protection.

In simple terms, the im-mune system is a network of cells and organs that block unwanted visitors from wreak-ing havoc inside of the body. Should a germ get by, the body has strong defenders that can eliminate the threat. These are known as antibodies. When you get an inoculation, a small amount of an offending par-ticle is put into your body so that your immune system can develop antibodies against it. Should you be exposed to that type of invader again, you will

it.Your immune system can lose

some of its protective proper-ties if it is faced with a con-stant onslaught of diseases and must overcompensate for poor health habits. But there are ways to get your immune

1. Get plenty of sleep. Mom was right ... lack of sleep can affect the body’s ability to func-tion correctly, which includes fending off disease. Routine

-ly affect overall health.

2. Reduce stress. Stress can have a number of negative health implications. It slowly wears away at the immune

system and leaves you suscep-tible to a host of illnesses. Take measures to reduce stress as much as possible to be health-ier.


Seniors: Boost your immune system for optimal health

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Photos SubmittedThe WOW Ladies Lodge 976 gave one box of Kleenex to each resident at Eunice Manor as recognition of “Make a Difference Day”. In front from left are Russell Thibodeaux, Mabel Babineaux and Houston Fontenot, residents. In far back from left are Ladies Lodge members Lyla LeBlanc, Tressella Melancon, Kathy Fruge and Evelyn Stringer. In front are Bev-erly Vidrine, Glenda Bergeron, Mae Austin, Shirley McGee and Norma Diaville.

WOW Ladies Lodge members recognized Oak Lane residents with “Make A Difference Day” by giving each resident a box of Kleenex. In front are Oak Lane residents Winnie Miller and Bessie Ledoux. In back from left are Lodge members Tressella Melancon, Evelyn Stringer,Beverly Vidrine, Shirley McGee,Lyla LeBlanc, Kathy Fruge, Mae Austin,Norma Diaville and Glenda Bergeron.

“Make A Difference Day” recognized

According to the Lupus Foundation of America, more than 1.5 million Americans and 5 million people across the globe have a form of lupus.

Though lupus can strike men and women, regardless of age, 90 percent of those diagnosed with the disease are women.

Most of whom develop lupus do so between the ages of 15 to 44.

Did you know?


M EP PAY R

Bill likes the local sports coverage. Miranda wants to hear what’s going on around town. Keri’s all about the classifieds.

They all have different interests, but they all have one thing in common:

They “sign up” to The Eunice News for news, information and fun!

... Home Delivery for just $46 a year! Call today to begin receiving your newspaper: 337-457-3061.

Email us your Senior pictures @ [email protected]

Iota Manor tenants enjoy ice cream

Photo SubmittedThe tenants of Iota Manor Apartments were treated to an ice cream party under the gazebo recently

Eunice Manor resident paints

Photo SubmittedEunice Manor resident Mabel Babineaux, right, receives a painting les-son from Louisiana State University Eunice nursing student Meghann Garacci.


We bring you LOCALnews like nobody else.

LOCAL like nobody else.Why advertise in The Eunice News?

Because this is where LOCAL people find LOCAL news.

Phone 337-457-3061 Fax 337-457-3122

LOCALSpecialist In:

Medicare, Medicaid and Most Insurances Accepted.

Dr. Brent ArdoinBoard Certified in:

Internal MedicineCritical Care

Geriatrics20 Years Experience

SeniorCoffee

with Ben Burson

a program of the MyraBordelon Burson Foundation

PROUD MEMBER OF LHC GROUP | WWW.LHCGROUP.COM

Volunteers are the Heart & Soul of our Community.Make a di!erence in the lives of the terminally ill by contributing to the services provided by our hospice program. Please call today to find out how you can enhance the comfort and quality of life for patients and their loved ones.

302 Main StreetMamou, LA 70554337.468.0364

“Do-Gooder in our Midst”Y a n c y

Fontenot is the best-kept secret in town. Or, as I like to say, Yancy F o n t e n o t is Eunice’s own Mother Theresa.

I could write for days on what a tre-mendous and kind person Mrs. Fontenot is. She has dedicated her life to helping those who are less fortunate. She is an awesome person; I have such profound respect for her love of people, and how much I admire and respect her just on a personal level.

However, in Mrs. Fontenot’s work as the Director of the

Eunice Community Health Center (ECHC), Mrs. Fontenot is at the helm of the Center as it serves it mission statement to pro-vide services to the citizens of the tri-parish area who are uninsured and under-insured by providing them with free medical assess-ment, medication, and dis-counted lab work. Thousands of local area residents have been served—some in incred-ibly dire circumstances. The ECHC literally saves and changes the lives of our fellow citizens every day they open their doors.

I am a total believer of the Eunice Community Health Center, as it serves those who fall beneath the cracks of the public health system.

So many dedicated health professionals--and just plain volunteers--work to make this Center yield the amazing results that it does.

Yet, so many elderly per-sons do not realize that they qualify for certain programs designed specifically for them. Moreover, with so many of our elderly people living on extremely tight budgets—any assistance can alter their

lives for the better. If they get assistance with these pro-grams, they can stretch their monthly dollars and reduce the amount of stress they are under.

I can tell you that the ECHC has it down to a science-- the science of helping the most vulnerable in our community.

However, it is now our turn to help the ECHC. They are currently a finalist for a $50,000 grant with the Mid-South “Do-Gooders”; this organization has launched an online campaign to encour-age the public to nominate individuals and nonprofits making a difference in their communities.

With the ECHC as final-ist, they have a real shot at receiving these badly needed

funds. Let’s face it, times are tough. So many people have lost their insurance. So many people are relying on organi-zations like the ECHC to help them during this very dif-ficult time. You, the reader, can help them help our com-munities just by casting your online vote.

It will take you less time to vote that it will to check your bank balance. And, we can allow the ECHC to con-tinue it incredibly important and badly needed work in our community.

As I understand voting ended Friday. I hope you did cast your vote for something that can help the lives of someone less fortunate than yourself.

Life expectancy refers to the projected amount of years the general population will live. In the 16th through 18th centuries, individuals were expected to live until the age of 40.

Even as early as the begin-ning of the 20th century, an age of 45 was thought to be a long life, considering individ-uals from classical Rome and Greece an average only lived until about age 28. Thanks to

modern medicine and better disease prevention in most developed areas of the world, the current world average is 67.2 years.

In much of North America, the average is 77.5 to 80. Women tend to have a lower mortality rate than men. Geographic location, climate, availability of medical care, and diet play a large role in life expectancy.

Black or African popula-

tions tend to have lower life expectancy rates due to war, starvation and disease in countries of origin. Residents of the People’s Republic of China boast the world’s high-est life expectancy at 84.4 years.

Life Expectancy Stats

Ben Burson


The emergence of new medical treatments and technologies has made

home health care a viable option for more patients. With home care,

you’re treated at home for conditions that used to require a hospital stay.

That includes strokes, cancer, even diabetes.

At Eunice Community Home Health our main goal is to provide our

patients with peace of mind. While under our care, you may receive

Philips Lifeline® personal response service o!ered at no charge to all

patients who qualify. The one-touch button on a pendant or wristband

connects you to a certified professional who can provide assistance 24

hours, seven days a week.

Putting the patient first has helped us become a leading resource for

those needing home care. Our committed and highly experienced sta!

provides compassionate and quality care to each patient entrusted to our

care. At Eunice Community Home Health our philosophy is simple... It’s All About Helping People.®

3581 Highway 190 | Eunice, LA 70535 | 337.550.0002Proud Members of LHC Group | www.lhcgroup.com

I t ’s Al l About Helping People.®

Goodhope tenants create pumpkin crafts

Submitted PhotoTenants at Goodhope Place Apartments show off their Halloween Pump-kin crafts.

Classified Ad deadline for

garage sales is Tuesday before

12 noon.

Iota Manor tenants enjoy birthday party

Photo SubmittedCharlie Leger, a tenant at Iota Manor, celebrated his birthday with friends in the community room at Iota Manor Apartments. Tenants were treated to a Bingo and birthday party honoring birthdays for the month.

Getting you home and functionally independent isour goal.

There are times when a patient’s complex medical needs require a scope of

care that falls outside the boundaries of a traditional hospital. For those

patients, our long-term acute care program provides the individualized

attention they need for a healthy and successful recovery.

Our program delivers a careful balance of highly specialized medical care

and compassionate, personalized attention. It’s specifically designed for

those individuals who are medically stable, but have conditions that will

require more than 25 days of care. So call today. You’ll see that we go to

great lengths to get you back home and independent.

3879 H ighway 190 | Eunice, L A 70535 | 337.546.0024Proud M ember of LHC Group | w w w.lhcgroup.com


Call The Eunice News for all

your laminating needs.

Pumpkins and Jack-O-Lanterns at Oak Lane Wellness

Photos SubmittedOak Lane resident Mable Rougeau, preparing to carve a Jack-O-lantern for Halloween decorations.

Oak Lane resident Eltria Guillory carves a Jack-O-Lantern for Halloween decorations.

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Seniors 2010 - The Eunice News