Yearly, the Calcasieu Historical Preservation Society delivers many educational and enjoyable activities to Southwest Louisiana.

The following is a recap of the review as presented by CHPS President, Donna Richard:

• January—The 2009 annual meeting held at historic Cash Grocery & Sales building. Jeff Kudla and Rick Richard discussed the renovation process. Adley Cormier discussed the process of getting a structure on the National Register of Historic Places. A.C. Bourdier presented the Landmark Awards.
• 35^th Annual Palm Sunday Home Tour..”Enterprise on Parade”
• Spring Quarterly meeting was the “The Fire Walk” commemorating the 100^th anniversary of the Great Fire of 1910. Working with the City’s program, the walk began at 1911 City Hall Plaza, with “talking” stations along Ryan St.,  Pujo St., Bilbo St., Kirby St. and ending at the Courthouse.  Adley Cormier wrote the scripts, Frank Granger, A.C. Bourdier, Virginia Webb, Diane McCarthy, and Patrick Webb, were docents.  Melinda Antoon Cormier provided refreshments from CHPS.
• At the request of concerned Margaret Place residents, CHPS provided input about the law which states that buildings in historic districts cannot be demolished unless published for 6 months.  The residents’ outcry about rumors of the demolition of the 1930’s Paret home on Shell Beach Drive, lead to numerous meetings and education about the importance of Margaret Place. CHPS played a small supportive role in that issue. The home is now being lovingly restored/renovated.
• In June, the historic Cash Grocery & Sales building received notice that it had been approved by the  National Register of Historic Places.  (CHPS first identified this an endangered site many years before!)
• In September, we released the 2010 Endangered List at our meeting as well as in a half-page ad in the American Press.
• Fall Quarterly meeting held at the Masonic Temple. R.B. Smith gave a very informative talk and tour of the historic Beaux-Arts building. Melinda Cormier provided “Greek theme” refreshments for CHPS.
• Winter Quarterly meeting held at Stellar Beans in historic downtown. Nola Mae Ross spoke of Lake Charles as she remembers it when growing up in the 1920’s and on.
• RESTORED (preserved):  Pecorino Building; Khoury home relocated from Lakeshore Drive to Pujo Street
• DEMOLISHED (gone forever): Miller’s Café; Ball’s Auditorium