Castor, 99 years & Holding; Bienville, Louisiana
Source: The Bienville Democrat/Ringgold Record
From Across The Tracks by Mary K. Hamner
Submitted with Permission of Mary K. Hamner,
by Lynelle Cowan Stevenson, and Martha Stevenson Owen.


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                  Castor, 99 Years and Holding

          ****Questions you may have wanted to ask and didn't:****

1. Who makes up the Centennial Committee:  Sally Gray, Director;
Mike Driggers, Assistant Director; Robin Hollowell, Secretary; Mary
Hamner, Treasurer; and Faye Bamburg, Member at Large.

2. What is the goal of the committee?  The goal of the committee is
to commemorate Castor's 100 year anniversary and preserve some of
the local history.

3.  How will you do that?  Plans are underway for a Horse and Buggy
Days Festival to be held on March 18th, 2000.  Additionally the
committee has a collection of old photos they plan to print on
calendars and in a booklet about the local history of the area.
There will be a special cancellation at the post office to
commemorate the date.

4. Is the Festival a fund-raiser and if so how will the committee
use any funds left over after expenses?  The Festival is not planned
as a fundraiser but simply a celebration of our area history.  If we
should have funds left over, they will be directed toward a project
for the benefit of the town.

5.  Is this just about Castor or do you expect the entire area to
participate?  Castor is not just the incorporated limits and
population of 250.  Without the surrounding area which supports the
town, there would be no town.  Yes, definitely, the entire area is
wanted and included.

(Castor is not just the current incorporated limits, but is a town
glued together by small communities and settlements.  Before it
acquired the name of Castor, apparently in 1900, it was called Salt
Springs. Historical markers in the town commemorate the pre-1900
age.  It is made up of Punkin Center, Ebenezer, Ramah, and at one
time, Mulberry, Ridge, Old Castor, and Alberta. )

6.  What protections are in place to control any funds collected for
the Centennial event?  The Committee has a charter signed off on by
all members governing use of funds and checks required two
signatures specified by the Committee.

                  ****Questions we are asked most frequently:****

1.  Will there be a place made available for display of old photos
and memorabilia?  We hope so.  Since we are still in the planning
stages, nothing is firm yet, but there __________________ (next line
not on copy)

2.  Why are you having the Festival on March 18th instead of March
20th the actual date of the Centennial?  March 18th is on Saturday
and we thought the attendance would be better.

                        ****Questions we never get asked:****

1.  What can I do to help?  Join in.  Call for the next meeting
date. We need help and ideas.

2.  Could you use a donation to help with expenses?  Absolutely.
Make a check payable to Castor Centennial Committee and mail it to
P. O. Box 397, Castor, LA.  71016