Piece of The Historic LaGrange High School Bleachers Preserved

Lake Charles, LA [KNGT-FM] - Every once in a while, someone does something so thoughtful that it completely catches you by surprise. That's exactly what happened recently, and it all started with a conversation about the old LaGrange High School football stadium.

Like many former students, I was saddened to hear that the aging wooden bleachers were being removed as part of the school's renovation project. During a discussion on my radio show, I mentioned how special it would be to own a small piece of that history.

After all, I spent four memorable years at LaGrange High School from 1986 to 1990, and those bleachers were part of countless Friday night football games, school events, and memories that have stayed with me for decades.

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Not long after that conversation aired, a local gentleman named Danny Terro surprised me with a remarkable gift. He had saved and restored a section of the original wooden bleachers, giving me a piece of the stadium that dated back to the 1950s. The board was crafted from beautiful California redwood, one of the materials used when the stadium was originally constructed.

But the story didn't end there.

This week, Danny returned with an even more meaningful gift. He explained that when the stadium was originally built, construction crews began using redwood shipped from California. However, before the project was completed, they ran short on materials and switched to Louisiana cypress to finish the bleachers.

Wanting to preserve that unique piece of history, Danny handcrafted a special display that combined both woods. The centerpiece features the original redwood from the early sections of the stadium, while a cypress border represents the Louisiana lumber used to complete the project. Together, the two woods tell the story of how the iconic stadium came to life.

Mr. Terro also got the help from Josh with Josh's Custom Creationz to do the engraving into the wood featuring the stadium, the school mascot, and the logo.

The craftsmanship was incredible, but what truly made the gift special was what it represented.

As I held the piece, memories flooded back instantly. I could almost hear the roar of the crowd, the sounds of the marching band, and the excitement that filled the air on Friday nights under the stadium lights. I remembered gathering with friends, cheering for the Gators, and making memories that helped shape some of the best years of my life.

His gift serves as a reminder that history isn't just found in books or photographs. Sometimes it's found in the people who care enough to preserve it.

Thank you, Danny Terro and Mr Josh, for your incredible generosity, your craftsmanship, and for creating something that I will proudly display and treasure for years to come.