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Talkin’ It Up! Nothing makes me smile as much as opening mail or answering phone calls from LRT readers! Your response to our new take on the BEST OF 2010 (featured in the January issue) was most gratifying. Our contributing writers put together an itinerary featuring their favorite places in their own cities and towns for you - the locals always know the best spots! Easter is very late this year (April 24th) making Mardi Gras later than usual (Fat Tuesday on March 8th). The good news is that Spring-like weather should be in the forecast for this festive season so bring family and friends out for all the fun. Be sure to check our calendar this month and the next for parade dates and other celebrations throughout the state. In the meantime, enjoy the Super Bowl, have a Happy Valentine's Day, and let's stay in touch!
Mona
Mona L. Hayden, Editor/Publisher monalh@bellsouth.net (318) 547-1221
COVER CREDIT: The poster was provided by The 3rd Annual Louisiana Swamp Stomp Festival in Thibodaux, LA.
ROAD TRIPS "Celebrating country living and city happenings!"
february ARTS & CRAFTSMEN 18
6
Pet Sitters
DELTA OUTDOORS 7 13
The Season’s End by Johnny Wink My Favorite Fishing Hole by Joe Joslin Making Memories on the Water
FESTIVALS & ENTERTAINMENT 10 11 17
MONTHLY TIDBITS 3 4
ORAG Features Don Hudnall
BUSINESS REVIEW 12
contents
6 8 11 16 16
Talkin’ It Up! Remembering Anna Marie Catoir by Deborah Burst Going Native by Larry Brock Winter Observations & Spring Prep Louisiana Lagniappe – Remember When February Calendar of Events Loving Mother Nature Back by Mae Flager Louisiana Lagniappe Answers Backtalk
RECIPES
Mardi Gras in Houma
18
Lafourche Bayou Country
ROAD TRIPS
Hit the Road – by Deborah Burst Mardi Gras Family Style
HISTORICAL 14-15 POW Camps in Louisiana by Lee Estes 16 An Early Ouachita Parish Murder
Recipes by Stacy Thornton
5
Travel Adventure by Dianne Newcomer Top Destinations for 2011
7
A Down-Home Country Feel in Town by Sherry Perkins
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The Sky is Not the Limit by Su Stella
Mystery: The Murder of Patsy Dunivant Maddox by Lora Peppers
HUMOR 8
A Life of Trial…and Error by Dennis Stewart C’Mon Man!
15
Runnin’ the Roads by Barbara Sharik Stupid Signs & Other Highway Highlights
18
All Things Southern by Shellie Tomlinson Field Mines in the Field of Love
Visit our website: http://www.la-road-trips.com/ Louisiana Road Trips
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Remembering Anna Marie Catoir
PUBLISHER LRT Publications
______________________
By Deborah Burst
She was a quiet crusader, an artist, poet, and a moving force in literary arts for the north and south shore. A board member of the Northshore Literary Society, general manager of Barnes & Noble Bookstore in Mandeville, and a devoted friend and mentor, she was a guiding light for people of all ages. And today we mourn her loss. Anna Marie Catoir, 32 years old and resident of Covington, Louisiana, passed away on Saturday evening, December 25th, gathered into the Shepherd's arms that silent night and carried home to paradise. An angel inside and out, born August 23, 1978, Anna Marie was the beloved daughter of Mary Modica Catoir and Clyde George Catoir Jr., and she shimmers on in their hearts and minds, now and forever a part of them. A graduate of Nicholls State University, she loved to write and her fantasy fiction and poetry had a crisp, musical quality that was mesmerizing. Published in Mosaic, the Nicholls State Literary Journal, the Fictional Musings online, GoblinFruit.net and Anna Marie was nominated for the 2009 Dwarf Stars Award. Then there was her visual art. Her mask making revealed a unique talent with fantastical masks spun from a magical world. The mask, Harlequin, was displayed in 2006 at the UC Davis Design Museum, and another mask, The Green, appeared at the Southern Illinois University Carbondale Mask Exhibit in 2006. Anna Marie taught classes in mask making, scrapbooking, and beginner's family tree to children and adults at St. Tammany Parish Libraries. Her masks have also been exhibited in the Mandeville Branch library each Mardi Gras season. Her life was full as she loved masked balls, comic book conventions, live theater, photography, haunting bookstores, fairs and museums. She reviewed books for several publishers and worked with local authors. The lure of books was overwhelming in all genres of literature, fiction and non-fiction, travel and everything in-between. She shared her wealth of knowledge for all in her blog at http://amcatoir.wordpress.com/. As her health began to fail she continued to post updates on her blog with her last post on December 20, the Monday before her passing.
And it said, “Happy Holidays to Everyone! Still trying to finish the many things with bookmarks stuck in them somewhere, though there has been lots of Christmas Presents wrapping and Christmas Card writing (which I thought I'd finished).” She never doted on the negative, never asked for pity, just a casual thank you now and then for the many thoughts and prayers as seen in a touching acknowledgment: “On a personal note: I like to ask all the guardian angels and the Heavenly Father to look down on us favorably this holiday season. And reach out to those in need and ease their suffering, esp. my friends and family.” Listed below are testimonials from families and friends who would like to share their last farewell. “Anna Marie was such a special spirit. She was the most unique individual I have ever known. Her ability to remain true to herself and her ability to get along with everyone she met was inspirational. She was the single most non-judgmental and accepting person, with never a negative or unkind word about anyone. Anna Marie had an amazing ability to retain everything she ever read and learned, her intelligence was astounding, she was constantly doing things, I honestly believe there wasn't anything she couldn't do if she put her mind to it. She had the ability to look at a book and know who would like it. She was easily the best person I have ever known.” Lori B. “Anna Marie was an angel on earth, the pain she endured was the fires and daggers of hell; she complained little but she was in deep pain as she was so hopeful and trusting. Now, she is free to read all the books, visit with all the authors gone before her, have time to finish her novel and many short stories left scattered. Make all the Masks & Faerie Houses she wants or Whisper book titles and hints down to all her earth bound friends. We will always be with you.” Love Mom and Dad Anna Marie Catoir http://amcatoir.wordpress.com/
Louisiana Road Trips
EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Mona L. Hayden
monalh@bellsouth.net (318) 547-1221
OUR GUARDIAN ANGEL Debbie Hamilton Pope June 14, 1952-August 24, 2008
SALES Mona L. Hayden (318) 547-1221 Sunny Meriwether (318) 547-8126 Mark Cobb, Media Specialist / Sales markecobb@gmx.com • (318) 734-4894
Website www.la-road-trips.com
www.twitter.com/louisianaroadtrips www.facebook.com/louisianaroadtrips
Louisiana Road Trips magazine is published monthly to promote, inform, and entertain the residents of Louisiana. It is distributed FREE; however, home delivery is available. This magazine will reach approximately 56,000 individuals. Submission of articles and photos are always welcome but may be limited to availability of space and edited for content. Copyright 2011 with all rights reserved. Reproduction of any material appearing within this publication is prohibited without written permission of the Publishers. The opinions expressed in Louisiana Road Trips magazine are those of the authors or columnists and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, nor do they constitute an endorsement of products or services herein. “Louisiana Road Trips” magazine retains the right to refuse any advertisement.
ROAD TRIPS P. O. Box 2452 West Monroe, LA 71294 (318) 547-1221
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TRAVEL ADVENTURE
By Dianne Newcomer
Top Destinations for 2011 The year 2010 has gone down in history as the year when the Earth fought back. 2010 had the hottest, coldest, and wettest temperatures ever recorded. Every corner of the globe was affected. Flooding in China, earthquakes in Haiti, Indonesia, and Pakistan, a volcano in Iceland, a typhoon in the Phillipiines, and extreme weather conditions from New York to Amsterdam filled our headlines-not to mention man-made disasters like BP or the Chilean miners! With all that stress going on in our world, it is certainly no wonder people needed to escape, and lucky for me, as a travel agent at Monroe Travel Service, we still had super great places to send them! Since this is the time of year when people making vacation plans, I thought it'd be nice to look back and check out destinations and tour companies that made 2010 extra special in the world of travel for our clients. After all, if you're going to keep up with the Joneses, don't you need to know how and where they've been? Walking away with top honors as the leading tour operator for area travelers to Europe and Asia in 2010 at Monroe Travel Service was the Globus family of brands-Globus, Cosmos, Monograms and Avalon Cruises. For the 11th straight year, this tour company has received worldwide recognition for delivering a better than expected sightseeing program, especially in the European marketplace, and this year is no exception. We are so excited because for 2011 Globus has just announced they will have two new programs-the “Northern Italy Highlights" and the Umbria Treasures.” With departures from May through October, these “off the beaten path tours” are especially perfect for repeat visitors to Italy so call us for a free brochure and more details! Globus was also our travel agency's surprise winner in the Asian marketplace this year, with a wide diversity in destinations in this corner of the world. For 2011, our agents are predicting that the new and exciting “Flavors of Viet Nam and Cambodia” the “Best of Thailand” and “Intriguing China and Tibet” will be extremely popular for those travelers wanting a little more intimate access to these strange and colorful lands. With these new tours, they are pushing the envelope, which probably explains why they are the most successful first class touring operator we sell for Europe and Asia. Travelers leaning toward visiting Canada or within the USA for 2011 should request a
brochure on Tauck World Discovery, the number one touring company for any North American destination that we sell! Known for having the best all-inclusive sightseeing and meal plan in the travel industry, this tour operator has built its reputation on presenting a solid deluxe travel experience for our most demanding travelers. Once you take a Tauck tour, you are hooked, and now is the time to check out their programs while space is still available. For next year, I particularly love that Tauck has teamed up with Emmy Award winning filmmaker Ken Burns. Famous for such amazing films as “Civil War," "The National Parks", and "Jazz,” Mr. Burns has worked with Tauck to create some very special deluxe tours, which will be offered on a limited basis between May and October. Designed specifically for travelers who want to go beyond the incredible landscapes and fabulous hotels and learn everything possible about a particular destination, these tours are an amazing journey! So where did the Joneses go when they took their Globus, Avalon, or Tauck tour last year? Well, once again, I studied our end-of-the-year travel reports and found the following to be the most popular destinations for 2010 at Monroe Travel Service: #1 in Europe: ITALY Long considered the best destination in Europe, Italy has it all! Rome, Florence, Venice, Tuscany and Amalfi are the familiar big boys of first time travelers but we found repeat visitors in 2010 indulged mainly in food and wine tours and opted for more regional tours that emphasized cooking classes and wine cellars. Be sure and explore this option with one of our travel consultants! #1 Destination in the Caribbean: JAMAICA Maybe it's the opportunity to bobsled Mystic Mount or the fact that starting in January, the largest cruise ships in the Caribbean will begin docking at the new pier of Falmouth, but Jamaica is always popular. So much to do, see, and experience--not to mention those fabulous beaches--so why not call us about escaping there soon? #1 Spot in the Pacific : Maui, HAWAII Maui drips with everything from romance to natural beauty. Travelers can go scuba diving, windsurfing, whalewatching, deep sea fishing, blue water sailing, golfing,
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horseback riding or do nothing but chill out and enjoy the spirit of “aloha.” FYI: There was no island that we sold last year better able to put the “honey” in honeymoon than Maui, and for 2011, we already have several couples set to marry there! It's the perfect paradise and the deals are happening now. #1 Destination in Asia : CHINA! CHINA is big, and in 2010 we were amazed at the number of area travelers who enjoyed this land. The average trip we sold to China was 10-12 days and included the big four: Beijing with all its imperial sights; Xian's terracotta warriors; Shanghai and its watertowns; Three Gorges Dam, a cruise on the Yangtze River. This is a country so large that you could have a lifetime full of journeys here! #1 Destination for Honeymooners: St. Lucia! At Monroe Travel Service, we sent honeymooners to Cancun, Cabo San Lucas, Turks and Caicos, Maui, Bermuda, Tahiti, Jamaica, and Aruba, but by far, the most popular spot for lovers seemed to be St. Lucia. With the mountains and its beaches, this island exudes romance--and that was before The Bachelor made it so popular! For 2011, some of their top resorts like the Sandals, the Jalousie Plantation, The Tides, and Windjammer Landing Villa are upgrading and renovating to make your experience even better than ever. Jade Mountain and Anse Chastanet, the stunning resorts where the official Bachelor proposal took place, needs no improvement, so, if you got a ring for Christmas, give us a ring--323 3465--and let us reserve your spot in St. Lucia for 2011! Last year was a tough year for our Earth and I'm glad it's history. It's time to have some fun. At MONROE TRAVEL SERVICE, we are serious about fun. Our world is too wonderful to miss.....so much to see, so much to do, and so little time! Call us today, as time is wasting!
www.la-road-trips.com
GOING NATIVE
By Larry Brock
Winter Observations & Spring Prep Turn! Turn! Turn! Venus, the evening star of January 2010, has become the morning star of early 2011. Orion the Hunter has returned, that famous winter constellation with the diagonal row of three stars forming his familiar belt. To the fanciful mind, this group of stars resembles a right-facing giant holding a shield with one hand and a raised club with the other as he fends off a charge from the adjoining constellation, Taurus the Bull. Don't forget to keep a garden journal this year. The celestial order contrasts sharply with weird worldly events like birds falling from the sky and dead fish washing ashore. Officials explain it's not unusual, but how reassuring can that be? And natural disasters? In 2010 the world was chaotic: quakes, floods, blizzards, heat waves, volcanoes, typhoons,
landslides and droughts. And 2011 is starting off that way too - Brisbane flooded and Atlanta froze. In Lake Providence, temperatures ranged from a daytime high of 71d in the first week of January to a nighttime low of 18d in the second week. Thank goodness we have experts to tranquilize us. Otherwise we might suspect something is amiss! Consider adding some naturally hardy native plants to your landscape. To some the winter world might seem bland - no leaves, no flowers, no green grass. But look again. Imported shrubs like sasanquas and camellia brighten the landscape; pansies and violas add splashes of color. And native plants like honeysuckle bushes are blooming too (though cardinals filch the tiny white blossoms). Look closer and spot 1. What was the steamboat landing coral honeysuckle, near Oak Ridge called in the 1800's? blanket flower and a 2. Where is the oldest known habitat of few premature man in the lower Mississippi Valley? buckeye, flowering 3. What is one of the main reasons quince and paperwhite Earl K. Long's backers thought blooms. Perk up your he was bonkers? winter landscape with 4. What did Shudder Station flowering plants. change its name to? 5. Where was northeast Louisiana's only train robbery? 6. What is the name of Monroe's sister city in France? 7. How many parishes are in Louisiana? 8. What does “K” signify on radio/television stations in North Louisiana? 9. How did Union Parish get its name? 10. How many locks (sections) are in a cotton boll?
A diversified landscape produces millions of seed to feed the birds.
ouisiana Remember When . . .
Still bland? What nature lacks in winter blooms, it makes up for in colorful berries like nandina, pyracantha and 'Nellie Stevens' holly. Look to native plants also - possumhaw, yaupon and American holly. Coralberries too. Seeds remain on annual and perennial plants left standing from fall, still on the plant or lying on the ground. For the sake of the birds, keep those herbaceous plants a few more weeks. And then there're the red oaks that hold their bronze and gold foliage through winter. Live oaks and southern magnolias provide a deep leafy contrast. And evergreen thickets of cherry laurel and eastern red cedar shelter birds during cold winter nights. Hedges and shrubs too. Remember evergreens for winter wildlife havens. And what nature lacks in eye-catching plants at this time of year it makes up for in birds. Nothing dull about our chipper winter residents such as red cardinals, blue jays, brown thrashers, tufted titmice, robins, mockingbirds, and wrens. Nor the various sparrows, juncos, warblers, pine siskins and kinglets that migrate south for the winter. Out in the yard, waves of grackles flush then settle as they forage noisily across the lawn. A diversified landscape produces millions of seed to feed the birds. Winter is a good time to observe two of our larger wading birds. The Great Blue
Answers on next page 16
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Heron is North America's largest heron, a slate-gray bird standing +4' tall with a 5-7' wingspan. Closely related and slightly smaller is the Great Egret, a large white bird standing +3' tall with yellow bill and a 5' wingspan. Solitary feeders, both can be seen in shallow roadside pools and along lake shores. Then one afternoon I spotted a small flock of migrant sandhill cranes gliding gracefully into a local farm field, landing on long spindly legs. They're mostly gray birds standing 4' tall with a 5-6' wingspan. They winter in the south before migrating back north in February to breed. Herons fly with neck doubled back against their shoulders; cranes fly with neck extended. Enjoy Louisiana road trips! Now is the time to finish prepping for spring. Complete pruning before the sap rises. As temps warm, clean out old plant growth, spread fertilizer and add soil conditioner. For season-long pest control, apply systemic products at recommended rates and times. And when the time is right - turn the page, turn over that first spade of earth, and turn under the first seeds of a new year. Happy Gardening! A life-long resident of Lake Providence, Larry Brock was inspired by his grandfather’s passion for gardening and his own desire to recover the horticultural uniqueness of this region. Larry is drawn to the relationships between plants, birds, insects and soil and can be found puttering outdoors in his yard most any time, weather permitting.
The Season's End By Johnny Wink
The 2010-2011 duck season was a very good one here at Megabucks Duck Guides even if it was a very dry year in Louisiana. The rivers and bayous were way down. So if you were lucky to pump your water in, say, a rice field, you were a step ahead of the rest of hunters that depend on rain water. Then with the help of British Petroleum paying the farmers and land owners to pump early, that helped out a lot, too. I think that made the difference in the first split. We shot more mallards in the first split than I can ever remember. This was a great year with my hunters and how they behaved, too. We had no stress; no one tore up anything. Everybody had fun and killed ducks and acted like adults. We had more young hunters this year than ever before and that's a real good sign for the future. We got to show them that there was another world out there called the outdoors. Let them see it and they will love it! I got a story I'd like to tell about one of my groups. I have a guide named Kevin who brings a group from Little Rock. He takes this group once a year to Texas on a dove hunt and once a year to Louisiana on a duck hunt. They are a great bunch of guys and one thing they like to do is to have a big fire at night. Several years ago they told me that I had the ugliest couch they had
ever seen. So they asked if they could burn it. I said, "It will cost you $200 to burn it." They paid me, took it outside and put it on the fire. Then they stood around and watched it burn. The next year they saw I had a 42-inch Plasma TV that didn't work, so they asked if they could burn it. I said, "For $300 dollars, y'all can burn the TV." They paid me and took it outside and placed it on top of the fire and watched it burn. That was cool but this year they told me to be on the lookout for a piano that would play because they wanted to burn a piano. So, I got to looking for a piano and found one. When they got here they asked me how much and I told them it was $400. So, they paid me, got it moved outside but didn't burn it the first night, waiting instead for the last night. The first night they just wanted to shoot the piano up. One of the guys known as The Judge had a pistol that shot 410 shells. Using his pistol, everyone got to shoot the piano. Sometimes when you hit it, it would make a pinging sound like someone was playing it. The night before the piano was going to get burned they had $300 worth of fireworks. They opened the top of the piano and stuffed it full of fireworks. They had a cord of wood they bought from a guy in Bonita and surrounded the piano with it. About 8 o'clock on the last night they set it on fire. It took a while before the fireworks started to go off but when they did, what a
They told me that I had the ugliest couch they had ever seen.
sight! Roman candles, bottle rockets, firecrackers and a lot of other stuff started to go off. When the piano was ablaze, it was a sight to behold. The burning piano was a big hit that night and the fire was so hot all that was left was a little metal and wire and the foot pedals. I got the pedals and hung them up on the deck so we will remember the night of the burning piano. Before they left, they said they will think on what they want to burn next year; they will tell me this summer. I hope it's not too big. Anyway, you see that what a duck camp is about is having fun with your friends and doing crazy things (as long as it's not too crazy). I try to make everyone happy. So this was a very successful year. As always, I want to thank everyone that came here to hunt. It was my honor and pleasure to hunt with all y'all! Now, on another note, I will be going again for the third year in a row looking for a trophy wife in Palm Beach -- either late February or early March. If anyone has any hints to help this old duck guide in finding the exclusive trophy wife, I would be most thankful. Until then, it's time to rest from all this hunting and try to get my lodges back in order. If you see an old duck guide riding or jet setting around, remember, he has not seen too many women in a long while so watch out. He just might say hello. Thank the Lord for letting me be a duck guide in Jones, Louisiana in Morehouse Parish. It doesn't get much better than this.
A Down-Home Country Feel in Town By Sherry Perkins
How many times have our children uttered “I'm so bored, there's nothing to do?” If you'd like to discover something new and plain ol' country, I invite you to my hometown. DeRidder is the seat of Beauregard Parish and seems like just another Mayberry since there's very little crime and in a 62-year-span only two men served as Sheriff - Paul Stark served for 24 years then Bolivar Bishop for the next 37 years, the longest serving sheriff in the state. There's no big-city excitement, not even a movie theater, yet we compensate with our history and down-home country pride, dating back to when this logging community was founded in the early 1900s. For example, take the small museum on Washington Street. Although the outside may be deceiving, a glimpse into DeRidder's colorful history awaits with newspaper clippings, articles, high-school yearbooks over 75 years old, antique street lamps, tiny photo books, oxen plows, period clothing, and many more artifacts. Another historical site that I like to show my out-of-town friends is the infamous “Hanging Jail.” Next to the Beauregard Parish Courthouse, the gothic jail sits like a gargoyle on a castle peering down at you with hideous eyes. Two Louisiana Road Trips
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men were hanged from the top scaffolding in the '20s for robbing a cab driver of a few dollars and killing him. In addition to the museum and “Hanging Jail,” one of my favorite places to visit is the RealArt Gallery. The downtown gallery opened in 2009 and exhibits paintings and charcoal or pencil drawings from local artists. Just like Mayberry, DeRidder has its annual Fair and other small town celebrations. We may not be as big or as diversified as larger cities but we have just as good a time at the “Miracle on Washington” event where vendors sell goods and buyers mingle in a family atmosphere. DeRidder also hosts a “Gem and Rock Show” where amateur and professional “rock hounds” come together to find that elusive gemstone or piece of hand-made jewelry. To add to the charm of a small country town, peddlers can be found selling from the beds of their trucks seasonal fruit, produce, or even shrimp almost daily! When you have “nothing to do” and long for a down-home country feel in town, visit DeRidder. I guarantee someone will wave and say “Good Morning” and mean it!
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A LIFE OF TRIAL…AND ERROR
By Dennis Stewart
C'Mon Man! Don't you hate it when a friend asks for your cell phone number, and you give it to him, and then he gives it to every loser in three parishes who wants free legal advice? C'Mon Man! Don't you hate it when you drive 20-30 miles to West Monroe to go to a movie and get off the Interstate at Thomas Road and have to swoop across five lanes of traffic to get to the left turn lane. Then you sit waiting for the light to turn green, and it stays green only two and a half seconds, and meanwhile the car in front of you waits until the car in front of him clears the whole intersection before he even moves? C'Mon Man! Don't you hate it when all the candidates vying for the same position in public office claim they decided to run only after discussing it with their families and engaging in deep prayer? I mean, why would the Lord tell them ALL to run? And is it just a coincidence that the particular public office that they all got a heavenly green light to run for pays really good
money? Somebody a lot smarter than me once said that religion is the last refuge of a scoundrel. I mean, it's good to have deeply held religious beliefs but don't try to tell me that God has chosen you to be my next governing official. Kind of like the true story of the Baptist seminary student who went to his girl friend's Dad (who was a Baptist preacher) and said, “The Lord has spoken to me and said that it is his will that Sue and I get married,” and the Dad replies, “Son, she is my daughter, and the Lord hasn't told me anything of the sort!” C'Mon Man! Don't you hate it when you win the radio trivia contest and drive to Monroe to the radio station to get your prize and they are having a printing problem so you are asked to please come back next week to get your gift certificate? If you ain't got the prize in hand, don't say you do when you are conducting the contest. The cost for gas to drive to Monroe twice will exceed the value of the prize. And I didn't exercise these brilliant brain cells to come up with the right answer for nothing! C'Mon Man!
Don't you hate it when. . .
Don't you hate it when you go to buy your USA Today and put three quarters in the machine and it won't open up so you drive to every other USA Today vending machine in Rayville and the same thing happens at every one so you beat on each succeeding vending machine a little bit harder than you beat on the one before and finally you read the big notice that says the price has gone up from 75 cents to a dollar and you start wondering how many security cams have caught your ignorant butt beating on a defenseless vending machine? C'Mon Man! Don't you hate it when you get so old that the primary reason you look forward to going out on a blind date is that you get to eat a good steak instead of the fact you possibly may get to have sex? C'Mon Man! Dennis Stewart grew up in northeast Louisiana, graduated from La Tech and LSU Law School. After having taught law at ULM and working as an Assistant District Attorney, Dennis is now a Hearing Officer in Rayville. He loves to hunt, fish, read, write, and shop on eBay.
Calendar of Events
February 2011
February 1-5 ___________
71st Annual Southwest District Livestock Show & Rodeo/Heritage Days Burton Coliseum, Lake Charles 337-436-9588
February 4-6 ___________
February 25-27 _________
Black Heritage Parade Farmerville – 318-368-9242
February 12-13 _________ State Junior Livestock Show & Competition & Rodeo Gonzales – 225-578-2255
February 14 ___________
February 6 ____________
February 19 ___________
February 12 ___________ Krewe of Ambrosia Mardi Gras Tableau 7pm – Harang Auditorium, Thibodaux 985-447-5911
Valentine's Day
Old Spanish Trail Ride Logansport – 318-872-1310
February 19 ___________ Krewe of Ambrosia Mardi Gras Mambo Harang Auditorium, Thibodaux 9am-1pm – 985-447-5911 Louisiana Road Trips
February 26 ___________ Bayou LaFourche Area Mardi Gras 985-537-5800
Vietnamese New Year Celebration East New Orleans 504-254-5660
Super Bowl Sunday
Battle at Hickory Creek DeRidder – 800-738-5534
Vinton Mardi Gras Parade 5 p.m. – Downtown Vinton 337-436-9588
February 28 ___________ Krewe of the Golden Years Lake Charles Civic Center 9 a.m.-2 p.m. – 337-436-9588
March 8 ______________ Mardi Gras
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Mardi Gras in Houma Feb 25 - Mar 8, 2011 Located only 57 minutes southwest of New Orleans, Houma boasts the second largest Mardi Gras celebration in the number of parades within the parish (county). In this safe, family-friendly carnival atmosphere, you'll enjoy all the festivities without the noise, traffic and high cost of larger cities. It's a great alternative for families, senior and foreign travelers. Houma has 12 parades, with as many as 30 floats and over 600 riders in each parade. The floats are designed and built by renowned Mardi Gras New Orleans designer Blaine Kern. Each year, thousands of visitors, including some residents in the New Orleans metro area, visit Houma to celebrate Mardi Gras with the locals.
2011 Mardi Gras Parade Schedule: Friday, February 25, 2011 Krewe of Hercules @ 6:00pm Saturday, February 26, 2011 Krewe of Tee Caillou in Chauvin @ 12pm Krewe of Aquarius @ 6:30pm Sunday, February 27, 2011 Krewe of Hyacinthians @ 12:30pm Krewe of Titans, following Krewe of Hyacinthians Friday, March 4, 2011 Krewe of Aphrodite @ 6:30pm Saturday, March 5, 2011 Krewe of Mardi Gras @ 6:30pm Sunday, March 6, 2011 Krewe of Terreanians @ 12:30pm Krewe of Montegut @ 2:00pm Monday, March 7, 2011 Krewe of Cleopatra @ 6:30pm Tuesday, March 8, 2011 Krewe of Houmas @ 11:00am Krewe of Kajuns following Houmas Krewe of Bonne Terre @ 4:00pm
For effective, low-cost advertising, call
Mona L. Hayden (318) 547-1221 Louisiana Road Trips
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Lafourche Bayou Country Bayou Lafourche is your link to all that is genuinely Cajun in South Louisiana. Within an hour of New Orleans or Baton Rouge, this 110-mile channel moves leisurely down Lafourche Parish to the Gulf of Mexico. Cajuns from Thibodaux to Port Fourchon call it their Main Street, “The Longest 'Main Street' in the world.” Up and down Bayou Lafourche celebrations Bayou Lafourche Area Convention fully reflect the Cajun Spirit. Festivals, fishing & Visitors Bureau rodeos, the Blessing of the Shrimp Fleet and US 90 & LA • P O Box 340 Mardi Gras offer you a chance to participate in Raceland, LA 70394 “the good life.” Enjoy Cajun delicacies…Music… Dancing…Swamp Tours… Victorian Homes… 877-537-5800 Historic Churches…Wetland Acadian Cultural www.visitlafourche.com Center…Scenic Bayou Drive…Public Beach… info@visitlafourche.com Fishing…Birding and more!
Loving Mother Nature Back By Mae Flager
February is the cruelest month for me as a gardener. Though it's just around the corner, it seems as though spring will never come as the harsh cold and bitter winds of February rage outside. I've perused all the seed catalogs, placed my orders, sketched new beds, and twiddled my thumbs a plenty. I just want to get back in the garden. As badly as I'd like to get my fingers dirty again, it is still to early to plant unless you are lucky enough to have access to a greenhouse. You can start seeds indoors for an Easter planting though. Brussels sprouts, leeks, cauliflower, broccoli, cabbage, and kohlrabi are great for an early spring harvest. Be sure your seeds trays are well drained and placed in a well lit, temperature controlled room (65-70 degrees, cooler if your plants start to look leggy). Turn the trays occasionally so the seedlings don't go lopsided looking for the sun. If you want to use soil from your garden rather than a commercial mix, I recommended baking it in your oven at 170-180 degrees for two hours. This sterilizes it, preventing the introduction of insects or disease to the tender seeds and seedlings. February is also time to finish pruning deciduous fruit trees, grapes, roses, and wisteria. Try to have all the trimming done by mid-month. An application of horticultural oil in February can prevent bug problems later. The oil kills over-wintering insects by suffocating them and disrupts the metabolism of insect eggs. Adelgids, aphids, caterpillar eggs, leafhoppers, mealybug, mites, scale, spider mites, thrips and whiteflies are all affected by horticultural oil. A word of warning: Be sure not to use horticultural oil in an area that has been treated with sulfur or sulfur containing pesticides for at least thirty days as the combination is toxic to plants. In this the month of love, may I suggest a Valentine for Mother Nature? Wouldn't it be a nice gesture if we all, as gardeners, thought about one small way we could give back to the earth for all it gives to us? Maybe a pledge to use only organic fertilizers or try a mix of organic and commercial? This would cut down on the excess nitrates and phosphate entering our water table. Or try using natural pesticides or narrow spectrum ones that don't harm our helpful pollinators the bees and butterflies. A compost pile will cut down on what goes into our landfills as well as giving you rich soil for your garden. You can start simple by dumping banana peels, eggshells, and coffee grounds around roses for brighter, more fragrant blooms. You could look into rain barrels and water capturing systems to irrigate more efficiently. There are thousands of ways to remind Mother Nature you care and even small changes can make a huge difference. Mae Flager is a native Floridian who's enjoying her new north Louisiana habitat. A writer and gardener, she enjoys digging in the dirt and seeing what grows. Please let her know if you have thoughts, suggestions, or gardening tips that just must see the light of day, maeflager@gmail.com.
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Pet Sitters Instead of relying on a friend to feed, walk, and play with your dog, you can relax while you're away if you have a good professional pet sitter. A knowledgeable sitter should be able to spot medical problems and handle emergencies. However, if your pet has medical or behavioral problems and needs close supervision, a kennel might be the best option. Ask other pet owners or your veterinarian, groomer, or pet-supply store for referrals. When you find a sitter, ask questions. Are they bonded, with commercial liability insurance? Ask for documentation. Is the sitter a member of a professional association? How long have they been in business? Do they provide references? What is the sitter's training background? How extensive is their knowledge of medical situations? Do they have a backup plan if he or she is unable to make it to your house? The best pet sitters will want to know about your animal's eating and toilet habits, grooming needs, exercise routines, medications, etc. Have the sitter meet your pet in advance and watch how they interact. Always leave a telephone number where you can be reached and the number of your veterinarian. Inform the sitter of your pet's special habits - favorite hiding places, for example, or phobias. Louisiana Road Trips
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MY FAVORITE FISHING HOLE
By Pro Angler, Joe Joslin
Making Memories on the Water Fishing is one of crawfish, Rayburn Red and chrome/blue. the best sports Berkley's 100% Fluorocarbon in 17 to 20 lb available to share with test is my top choice when working a Trap as our kids and a great this line helps detect light hits, minimal stretch way to make to get a good hook set, resists abrasions and memories. 2011 bass seldom has line failure without break-off in tournament season is out of the gate and weeks. When I get a large bass approaching full throttle. Leesville hooked on a Trap in the grass, tournament angler, Jeremy Burge, and this line provides a lot of his six year old son Riley won the confidence allowing me to Central Louisiana Division of the Fishers exert a lot of pressure on the Of Men National Tournament Trail held fish to help keep the bass's Saturday on Toledo. The father/son team head up to keep it from out-fished over 80 anglers catching a 5burying in the grass and fish limit of 24.44 pounds to win first pulling off. If I get a good place and a take-home check of $1,400. hook-set, I am just about Burge said that his young son caught certain that I am going to put two of the five fish they weighed in the fish in the boat. during the event and reported catching The spinnerbait bite also their bass on Bill Lewis Rat-L-Traps, jigs Jeremy and Riley Burge improved as water temps rose (age 6) of Leesville with and Stanley's Vibrashaft and and Carolina Rigs. a 24.44 lbs. stringer to As water temps eased upward last Vibra-Wedge in 3/8 and 1/2 win the Central Div. week, so did the bass's interest in Bill Fishers of Men National oz continue to connect with Lewis' Rat-L-Traps with red craw and fish. I am mostly using the Tournament. shad patterns having the best success. double willowleaf blades (one Anglers reported using gold/one nickle) with white/shad/chartreuse several presentations with the world famous skirts or a combination of these. The Vibralipless crankbait but most of them were slow Wedge comes packaged with the new 'long tail to moderately slow with pauses. My best Trap skirt' that have accents of flash and thicker cut success this week has been on a red-craw flat-skirt material that extends pass the normal pattern called Toledo Gold as well as white body of the skirt. You really don't need a trailer
with this new skirt and it looks different from any skirt I have seen. I have been using the Vibra-Wedge for the past 2-3 months will tell you that bass like it. I suggest at times to switch the larger standard #4 willow blade and add a #4.5 blade which, when the bass are active, can make a difference in number of bites. We also are catching bass on a Shaky Head jigheads with Berkley's Power Shaky Worms (5 inch) and Wacky Crawler in watermelon candy, watermelon and green pumpkin. I dye the tail of these worms (1/4 inch) with a Zoom or Spike IT chartreuse marker pen which keeps bottles of dye out of my boat thus off of my carpet. Carolina rigs, drop shot and jigging spoons are continuing to catch bass, especially on days when the shallow flat/grass beds do not produce and we have to go deep which can be from 20 to 45 feet. This spring looks like it will be an awesome season on my Favorite Fishing Hole and I sure hope to see you on the water. Joe Joslin is a syndicated outdoor columnist, tournament angler and pro guide on Toledo and Sam Rayburn. Contact him at 337-463-3848 joejoslinoutdoors@yahoo.com, or www.joejoslinoutdoors.com.
The Sky is Not the Limit… by Su *Stella
… it is the beginning. After delays, budget woes, and other mishaps, NASA finally launched the Hubble telescope in 1990, only to discover that the main mirror wasn't correctly ground, causing it to be incapable of being used properly. Astronauts serviced the telescope in space in 1993 and three other times before 2002. In 2009, the Hubble was serviced for the last time and if all goes well we should continue receiving images until 2014. What we are clearly seeing from the Hubble are the universes most distant objects. Visit hubblesite.org for these breathtaking photos. Sciport, Shreveport's incredible science museum, is hosting a traveling Hubble exhibit! Their IMAX Theater presents “HUBBLE” narrated by Leonardo Dicaprio with many weekly performances to sweep you into outer space. Join the astronauts during a space walk, blast off with the Atlantis STS-125 crew, and simply be amazed at the beautiful images on the oversized screen. Entering the museum you see a giant swirling Jupiter housing the 16 million pixel space dome planetarium. You can see the starry sky on the date of your birth or enjoy an astronomy show by Evans and Sutherland amazing producers. Live shows with the crew from Sciport are always educational and fun. Louisiana Road Trips
Opening on January 28th is the exhibit, “Hubble Space Telescope: New Views of the Universe Traveling Exhibition”, with images of black holes, galaxies and space visions. Sciport has activities, games and about 300 challenging mind benders and since I'm not as smart as a fifth grader, I suggest bringing a calculator, pencil and paper to figure a few things out. “The Eye of the Beholder: Art and Science Look at Deep Space” will have its opening reception on February 17th and runs through April 15. This art show by Jodie Forrest features her striking acrylic paintings in which she used Hubble images for inspiration and direction. If you haven't been to Sciport in a while, these exhibits will be worth the drive. Sciport is located along the Red River at 820 Clyde Fant Parkway in Shreveport. While you are in the area, walk across the street and stop by the Barnwell Memorial Garden and Art Center and view the Mardi Gras exhibit with three rooms of local art as well as Mardi Gras memorabilia. I'm proud to say that several of my pieces were accepted for this! The exhibit runs through March 6th. Then take a quick drive to Lilah's Bakery at 440 Olive Street and pick up a real Mardi Gras king cake before you head home. Whether you drive over for the day or a weekend, Shreveport is always great place to visit.
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POW Camps in Louisiana
Taking our language and customs home! By Lee Estes Several years ago, The defeat of German forces in North the terms of the 1929 Geneva Convention I was leading a group Africa in the spring of 1943 created a need for governing treatment of POW's. Eventually, tour across Europe properties to house and care for large their families were advised they had been lost when I made a short numbers of captives. at sea. Imagine the surprise when they detour to visit an area where I had been The first POW's to returned home after the war. Although involved in combat during World War II. arrive at Camp much has been made in accounts of the Seeing a group seated in front of a house in Ruston were 300 U-505 capture, the British already had the small village of Nennig, I had the coach veterans of the famed the German Codes and equipment driver stop so I could ask about conditions for Afrika Corps obtained with the capture of U-110 in them during the heavy fighting which took commanded by 1941. In fact, the capture of U-505 was place there. Most of the group were unable to Erwin Rommel, but made possible using information converse with me but one fellow spoke soon the facility British intelligence gathered using their English quite well, sounding more like an housed over four decoding ability and shared with the American than thousand U.S. Navy. Just one more little known German. I asked prisoners story among many relating to the Great where he before the War. learned our end of 1943. There were several nationalities Photo of Camp showing guard language and he Camp included in Camp Ruston's prison tower in foreground. replied, “In Ruston was population - Italians, Yugoslavs, and Louisiana.” one of five hundred POW even a few What enclosures in the U.S. during World Russians coincidence! War II. Most were much smaller and conscripted by Here we were, a were considered satellites of the the Wehrmacht Model of Stadium constructed by POW's at group of more major camps. Locally, small early in the Camp Ruston. than twenty enclosures in Bastrop, Monroe, and war. There Louisianan's encountering a man with a West Monroe operated under Camp Ruston were a few southern accent. He went on to tell me he had authority. In West Monroe, the camp was on escapes, most been a prisoner of war incarcerated at Camp land now occupied by City Hall while a dirt back in the Claiborne, more than sixty years ago. road off Donaldson Street led to the property compound Most of our younger generation have no in Bastrop. In Monroe, I haven't found anyone within 24 conception of the fact Louisiana probably had who can remember the locale. hours, but one the largest Prisoner of War population during The most famous residents of Camp did not return 1943-45 than any state in the Union. The Ruston were crew members of the German until several largest compound in the State, and second Submarine U-505 which was captured by U.S. years later. largest in the U.S., was located in Lincoln Navy forces near the Cape Verde Islands on Prisoners were Parish a few miles north of Grambling, named June 4, 1944. News of U-505 being captured employed Life size statue sculpted by Camp Ruston. The property was situated on a was suppressed and crew members were kept mostly in POW's at Camp Ruston. 770 acre tract and construction by T. L. James away from other prisoners while at Camp agriculture and Co. was completed in late 1942. Its original Ruston. In addition, they were not visited by forestry all purpose was to serve as a basic training camp Red Cross personnel or allowed to write over Louisiana and paid a small wage in for the Women's Auxiliary Army Corps. home, the reason being that Allied script they could use in the Camp Canteen. (WAAC, later Women's Army Corps, WAC) A Commanders did not want the German High Mike Calloway told me his grandfather used couple of thousand women trained there Command to know German Naval Codes and them to help clear land in Ouachita Parish. before the camp was converted to a POW the Enigma Translator had been captured. John Birdsong told about some working in Enclosure. These conditions were not allowable under cotton fields where developments along 18th street in Monroe now stand. He also remembered watching them in West Monroe playing soccer on Sunday afternoons. Life in any POW camp, at least those in the U.S. and Germany, can be intense boredom for most internees unless given activities to pass time. At Camp Ruston these activities were very similar to those recounted to me by former American POW's "Sack" Marx, John Mullens, Russ Brown, and Larche Washer, all of whom were incarcerated in Germany. They organized Group of prisoners among those orchestras, produced plays, did art work, captured on German Submarine and some U-505. continued on next page > > > Louisiana Road Trips
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RUNNIN’ THE ROADS
By Barbara Sharik
Stupid Signs & Other Highway Highlights When taking road trips you're bound to notice an array of road signs. Some are necessary, some just dumb, others humorous. Stupid signs tend to stick in our minds. I call them the Duh! Signs. Friend Dennis said some particularly obtuse highways signs posted all over east Texas advise: “Obey All Warning Signs - State Law.” Well, yeah. It sorta goes without saying that warning road signs would be state law and drivers would be expected to obey them. Yet it does say it. Likewise there're signs reading “No Parking - Rules Will be Enforced.” Similar, “Private School. No Trespassing Without Permission.” Although some signs remind me of Dumb and Dumber, I gotta give Dennis credit for setting me straight recently. In Louisiana, the state provides speed limit signs, sets the speed and determines where they're posted. The highway department folks came to Bonita
one day and erected new signs. It bothered me because on one side of the road the sign advised 45 mph and directly across the street the sign advised 35 mph. I'm thinking, this is the same road, why isn't the speed limit the same on both sides of the road? I, as clerk of the town, even sent a note to the highway department about what I perceived to be an error. Graciously, the highway department folks never bothered to respond. Likely they spent the next week laughing at me. And they probably still bring it up at highway department meetings. You see, what I failed to take into consideration -- and Dennis pointed it out to me -- is that going one way, travelers are heading out of town and will reach the 55 mph limit. Going the other way they're heading into town and will be advised to slow down to 35 mph. In this case, the signs weren't part of the Duh! Factor -- I was. Logic fails me on occasion. But even in my illogical state of mind, I found the sign that read “Caution: Water On Road During Rain” obvious and therefore,
Stupid signs tend to stick in our minds.
obtuse. One sign posted on a lake bank read “No Vehicles Beyond This Point.” Others advised “Scenic View (Closed)” and “Bottomless Pit (65 feet deep).” Also “Caution: Cross Only When Cars Stop.” These signs prove commonsense isn't always standardized. I liked the couple signs geared toward cell phone users: “Hang Up and Drive” and “Don't Talk - Just Drive.” I also like “Start Early - Drive Slowly Reach Safely.” A funny one sighted on a restaurant read: “Diesel Fried Chicken.” Another read “Open 7 days a Week & Weekends.” In a hospital, a sign read “Maternity Ward. No Children Allowed.” On a church located near a highway, was “Keep using my name in vain and I'll make rush hour longer” and also, “What part of Thou Shalt Not don't you understand?” My favorite found on double doors at a convenience store had “Please use Other Door” on one door, and on the other, “This is the Other Door. Pull to Open.” In the Village of Bonita where I work are lighted “Speed Trap Ahead” signs at either end. When somebody calls and complains about receiving a
POW Camps in Louisiana continued All photos Courtesy of Louisiana Tech University Special pursued education with correspondence courses. Collections. With limited means, all of these activities required ingenuity but were accomplished nevertheless. Lee Estes, a Kentucky native, migrated to Louisiana in 1956 with Special Collections at Louisiana Tech University is his wife, Lottie. He worked in aviation then with A&LM the biggest repository of memorabilia from the camp Railway. He began making photographs in Europe after WWII and ranked among the leading monochrome with examples of art work, exhibition photographers in the U.S. photographs, letters, and much more. during the 80’s. His extensive travels Peggy Carter, curator of the included leading tours across the globe. Lee collections, is very helpful to those has authored three photo/documentary books and is currently involved with the seeking information. documentation of The Dixie Overland There is little physical evidence Highway Camp Ruston existed today. A recent (US80) in visit to the site revealed one building Pictures of Louisiana, only two still intact and remnants of another. funded by a grant from the They are not visible from LA150 and remaining barracks at Louisiana require a bit of prior knowledge to Camp Endowment Ruston as find them. If they could talk, try to for the pictured imagine what interesting and Humanities today, Jan wonderful stories they could tell. 13, 2011. The Camp housed more than 4,300 POW's in 1944.
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ticket, Police Clerk Tammi asks: “Didn't you see the sign?” Maybe we need to add a sign saying: “Drive slow - see our Village. Drive fast - see our Judge. Speed limits strictly enforced.” Finally, Dennis said he read an article written by a UK reporter about our road system and why America has more traffic accidents than the UK. He hypothesized we're so busy trying to follow sign instructions we lose sight of controlling our cars. On your next Road Trip, laugh at the fun signs, adhere to the significant signs and always Drive Gently. Barbara Sharik makes her home at Wit's End in Jones, Louisiana with a couple old dogs, young dogs and several stupid dogs, a cat, a talking cockatiel and a white dove. She's active in civic affairs, serves as a Justice of the Peace, a Notary Public, is the Clerk for the Village of Bonita and a columnist for the Bastrop Daily Enterprise. She has authored several books. You can e-mail Barbara at barbsharikvail@hotmail.com.
An Early Ouachita Parish Murder Mystery: The Murder of Patsy Dunivant Maddox By Lora D. Peppers
While reading through the old Ouachita Parish newspapers a few years back, I found an article written by John T. Faulk about a bloody murder that happened around 1818. The article appeared in the Ouachita Telegraph, November 12, 1870. Stephen Wood Maddox, who eventually bought the land that became the town of Indian Village, came to Ouachita Parish from Virginia sometime before 1814. According to Mr. Faulk's article, he was married to Miss Milly Baker. For some reason, their marriage was not legal and when they found out, they amicably separated. Stephen then married Patsy Dunivant on July 26, 1817. The couple settled one mile away from Stephen's former wife Milly. In 1818, Stephen was called back to Virginia on business. It would be the last time he would ever see his wife. The two women seemed to get along. On Patsy's last day on earth, she was visiting Milly. The two women were spending the day carding and spinning cotton into thread to make cloth for clothing. It was a rainy, dreary day. Patsy's mother's slave named Joe came to the door and addressed her. "Miss Patsy, you had better go home, for you know it rained to-day, and your house leaks badly, and your things are wet. Sure you ought to go home and take care of them." Patsy replied: "I will go when I see fit." Three times he asked her to come home, and three times she refused. Finally, after
supper, Patsy and Joe went home, using a burning pine torch to light the way. The next day, neighbors came to visit her at her home but found her missing. One began to walk the trail between Patsy and Milly's homes. Half-way down the road, a large pool of blood was found with signs of a struggle all around the area. A few yards away, the upper half of Patsy's body was found. The rest was found one hundred yards away. Apparently she had been pregnant, because an infant was found nearby, covered with Patsy's apron. News of the murder spread like wildfire through Ouachita parish. The first person under suspicion was Milly. She was arrested by the Sheriff and taken to jail. She was nearly lynched. Everyone thought she was guilty. A prosecutor was sent from New Orleans to try the case. Twelve men were selected for the jury. According to Mr. Faulk, eight were Frenchmen, one was English and three were Americans. Mr. Faulk stated he was one of the twelve. Mr. Faulk stated that both sides made strong cases for and against. He wrote, “Since that effort of forensic strength I have heard nothing to equal the efforts made on both sides.” At noon on the third day of the trial, the case was given over to the Jury for deliberation. A Mr. Breard, probably Alexander Breard,
A few yards away, the upper half of Patsy's body was found.
K C A B K TAL
I really enjoyed your writers telling me about their favorite places. It's like having a personal tour guide to show me around. I'll let you know if they were telling the truth about all these great places! Ha Jim P., Ruston
Black Bayou is one of my favorite stops when I'm traveling through northeast Louisiana. Great article and photogrpahs of the site. I've never seen it covered in snow. Charles T., Pineville The article by Angie at Fiesta Nutrition (Monroe, LA) was a nice surprise. I've been shopping there for years and am glad to see her contributing to my favorite magazine. Kelly R. Monroe I was sad to read about Johnny Wink losing his father, especially so close to Christmas. I don't know Johnny except through his articles but he seems like such a nice person and a good son. Connie W., El Dorado Louisiana Road Trips
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was appointed foreman. He put the all important question to the jury. "Well, fellow-jurors, I expect you are all tired enough; I know I am. What is your opinion in this matter? I wish to know." One replied: "Mr. Breard, you are the foreman, and I think we are entitled to your opinion, and I ask it of you." "And so do I," and "So do I," others said; and thus the request went round for the foreman's opinion. "Well, gentlemen, I must say I can do nothing else but find Milly Baker guilty, as charged in the indictment." So, I think, all proclaimed to believe but one. He answered: "Gentlemen, maybe I am wrong to differ from you, but I differ from you, if it is your opinion that Milly Baker murdered Patsy Donivan." "Whom, then, do you think did that act?" asked a juror. "Gentlemen, that is another matter. It is not my privilege to say who did it." The fourth day came and the jury stood eight to four in favor of conviction. There was a great feeling against the four holdouts and tempers were beginning to flare. On the sixth day, the verdict of “not guilty” came. Most believed Milly got away with murder. It is not known what eventually happened to her. Forty years later, Joe lay on his deathbed. As he lay dying, he confessed that he was the one that brutally murdered Patsy. The last line of Mr. Faulk's article states, “To whom did he confess it? To Judge Lewis F. Lamy.”
Lora Peppers, a Monroe native, grew up in Bastrop and graduated from ULM. Her love of history dates back to childhood when one of her favorite activities was visiting local cemeteries to examine headstones. She also loves to travel, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park being her favorite place on Earth. Her job as a genealogist and historian has given her the 1. Point Jefferson opportunity to lead many 2. Poverty Point lectures and author several 3. Because he was speaking books. She can be reached publicly on behalf of by e-mail at voting rights for blacks loradpeppers@hotmail.com. 4. Choudrant
ouisiana Answers …
5. Near Spaulding in Caldwell Parish in 1901 6. Avignon 7. Sixty four 8. That the station is located west of the Mississippi 9. From a Daniel Webster speech, “Liberty and Union, now and forever, one and inseparable.” 10. Either 4 or 5
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Hit the Road
Mardi Gras Family Style The real meaning of Carnival By Deborah Burst
The carnival season follows the Christian religious calendar beginning January 6 on Twelfth Night when the three kings visited the baby Jesus, and ends on Mardi Gras day (Fat Tuesday), the day before Ash Wednesday. This year Mardi Gras falls on March 8, one of the latest dates ever. Families can enjoy the full thrill of festivities with a three to five day stay on Mardi Gras weekend. True there are some saucy revelers in the French Quarter, but the real Mardi Gras takes place in family size tailgating along the Uptown parade route neutral grounds (wide grassy area dividing roadways). The sweet smell of barbeque swirls through miles of sixfoot ladders topped with homemade seats. Inside, little tykes feverishly wave their arms screaming for trinkets and the prized stuffed animal. Mom or dad stand guard on the ladder a little teary eyed hearing the shrill of their children's eager voices. My children grew up watching the parades on St. Charles Avenue and in later years we moved to Napoleon Avenue near Magazine Street with almost double the space. After 30 years of family parading, the Sunday before Mardi Gras gets my vote for the “best show” in a day long extravaganza of spectacular parades and throws. Catch four parades along the Napoleon and St. Charles route with the Krewe of Isis, a smaller female organization but very enthusiastic. Next Mid-City, known for their spectacular lineup of marching bands, then Thoth, a very
large and generous group of men who love to throw stuffed animals and special beads. And one of the most prestigious parades in New Orleans, Bacchus rolls after dark with super floats and premier bands from Louisiana and across the country. On Napoleon Avenue, St. Stephens Church and school sell hot dogs, nachos, beverages, and with a fee, the use of rest rooms. Port-a-potties are provided by the city along the parade routes. Since you're in the neighborhood, grab a sandwich at Casamento's Restaurant on Magazine Street, known the world over for their oysters, raw and cooked. They serve all types of seafood, gumbo, along with chicken tenders or spaghetti and meatballs. Double check on the opening times as they vary during Mardi Gras. The next day, the Monday before Carnival, known as Lundi Gras, grab the kids for another fun-filled day packed with education. Head downtown near the river and start with the Audubon Insectarium on Canal Street, then a block away, the Audubon Aquarium of the Americas. Just steps away at the Riverfront, it's the Lundi Gras Festival welcoming the King of Rex and Zulu along with a full schedule of events including food, fireworks, live music and a children's stage. On Mardi Gras day, things start very early with Zulu hitting the streets at 8 a.m., then Rex, and hours of what locals call truck parades. Families join Carnival Krewes and build their own floats on 18-wheeler beds pulled by tractors. Each truck has a theme and its own unique costumes, a colorful sight with entire families from grandparents to little ones throwing beads and trinkets to the throngs of people. Grab those costumes and spend several days discovering not only the carnival culture but the family side of New Orleans. And don't be shy, make
friends with your neutral ground neighbors and get tips from those veteran parade going families. Before you go… Visit the New Orleans Marketing group's website for a complete schedule, parade routes and checklist for those planning a New Orleans Mardi Gras family trip. www.neworleansonline.com/ neworleans/mardigras/mgfamilies.html Remember to get to the parade site early or send a couple of people from your group to stake a piece of real estate. Car pooling is a must as parking is a premium on side streets. Pack up the wagon, rolling ice chest, camp chairs, blankets, extra clothes, and plenty of bags for the beads and trinkets. Barkus (pooch) Parade, Sunday, February 27 Two weekends before Mardi Gras the Krewe of Barkus invites families and their dogs to line the parade route along French Quarter Streets. Costumed dogs walk or ride in decorated wagons and grocery carts while their handlers throw beads and follow the jazzy beat of five brass bands. The pre-parade pawty held at Armstrong Park is open free to the public and filled with a woof-fest of pooches from bossy bulldogs to prissy poodles. www.barkus.org/store/ Mardi Gras Museums - Blaine Kern's Mardi Gras World, 1380 Port of New Orleans Pl., New Orleans, (504) 361-7821, www.mardigrasworld.com. In Jackson Square check out two floors of Mardi Gras history at the Louisiana State Museum inside the Presbytere. 751 Chartres St., Jackson Square, New Orleans, (504) 568-6968, www.lsm.crt.state.la.us Deborah Burst, freelance writer and photographer, lives and writes in the piney woods of Mandeville. After a 30-year stint in banking, she graduated from Tulane in 2003. Her work has appeared in regional, national, and international publications. A personal translator blessed with an emotional art form, Deb discovers the food, culture, and people along the backroads each month in Louisiana Road Trips.
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ALL THINGS SOUTHERN
By Shellie Tomlinson
"Field Mines in the Field of Love" Hello new friends and old buddies! Welcome to Coon Creek. I've been looking forward to our visit. Y'all make yourselves comfortable and we'll chat... ~smile~ With Valentine's Day approaching, I thought we'd look at a potential romance buster that may help someone avoid another land mine in the field of love. My kids have both been happily married for several years now, but all four of these young married people will admit that there was a learning curve in communication. I remember the day shortly into her marriage when my daughter, Jessica Ann, called home with her lip run out. Her
All Things Southern “Bringing you the charm and heritage of the South…” ph 318-559-0319 • cell 319-282-2508 tomtom@allthingssouthern.com
sweet husband had come home from work raving about some brownies his female coworker had brought to the office. Being the observant male that he is, Patrick missed the sudden temperature drop in his home. Nor did he realize it was falling by degrees in direct proportion to the extravagant compliments he was heaping on this other girl's brownies. Ice was forming on the dog bowl before he finally clued in and asked his bride what was wrong. Being female, Jessica needed to be sure he really wanted to know, which is why on the eighty-seventh time he asked she thawed enough to answer. “What'd you say?” I asked. “Exactly what you think,” Jessica replied. “I told him throwing another woman's brownies in my face was like cheating on me!” My son had a similar conversation with his wife, Carey, around that time. It was as puzzling to Phillip as it was to Patrick. Neither of them knew where they had gone wrong.
ORAG Features Don Hudnall
RECIPES
by Stacy Thornton
Quick and Delicious King Cake
The featured artist for February at Ouachita River Art Gallery is potter/sculptor Don Hudnall of West Monroe. In this show, "Techniques: From Mugs to Moai", you will be treated to a smorgasbord of pieces he has built using different methods. Don describes these as: Coils - Stringing clay and rolling it into spirals to create individual pieces; Petrified Forest Several handmade stone posts that when put together create a forest of pieces that have been "paddled"; Chattered bowls - Wheel thrown bowls made using the chattering technique; Modern Moai - These are hanging pieces formed using a plaster mold then altered, inspired by the Easter Island Moai; Saggar - Wheel thrown then Saggar fired in a raku kiln; Functional Mugs - Wheel thrown with handles and sprigs added, microwave and dishwasher safe; Totem - Hand built with individual pieces assembled on rebar; Noobs Extruded and altered to create characters. Don grew up in West Monroe, graduating from ULM with a B.S. in Toxicology, but always found himself returning to art by taking classes in stained glass, sculpture, metal casting and, of course, pottery, which he found by accident. While doing some grinding on a metal sculpture, he accidentally threw sparks on some bisque ware. The sparks permanently marked the pottery and caused quite an uproar. Luckily, the pieces came out looking fantastic as the sparks produced iron oxide "meteor streaks" on them. After taking some classes, Don continued with pottery at the Lockheed Martin Recreational Area Pottery Studio (www.lmrapotterystudio.com) where he served as newsletter editor, publicity chair, and two years as President of the studio. He was also a member of the Texas Pottery and Sculpture Guild (www.tpsg.biz). After 20 years in the DFW metroplex area, he returned home where he continues to "get dirty". The Ouachita River Art Gallery, 308 Trenton Street, West Monroe, invites you to this special show of Don's work during February. The gallery is open Tuesday through Saturday 10am to 5pm with free admission. Call 322-2380 for more information.
Louisiana Road Trips
This is where clear communication is necessary. Guys, y'all need to understand that getting to a man's heart through his stomach is more than a saying to Southern women; it's the gospel we cut our teeth on. If we aren't feeding our man, we're gonna be suspicious of anyone who is. It's in our DNA.* Most of us have seen our mamas scan our daddies' plates at many a church potluck and note with only a hint of accusation, “So, you didn't get any of my potato casserole?!” Granted, we belles may be a tad sensitive here, but this charming quirk can also partially explain the popularity of Paula Deen, that queen of Southern cooking. We see in the delightful Mrs. Deen a healthy married woman who loves her sons. That adorable little Rachael Ray and that curvy little Italian chick--- well, they can't carry her cookbooks. Just telling it like I see it... Y'all take care and drop by the porch for a visit sometime. That's allthingssouthern.com and I'll be watching for you! ~Hugs, Shellie
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2 to 4 cans crescent rolls Filling: 2 cups powdered sugar 16 oz cream cheese softened 2 tsp cinnamon 1 apple, peeled and chopped finely chopped pecans Icing: 3 cups powdered sugar 3 tbsp milk 3 tbsp lemon juice 1 tsp vanilla food coloring - red, blue, green and yellow Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Unroll crescent rolls (saving some to patch with) and place them overlapping on a baking sheet in a circle pattern with large side to the outside of pan and point towards the center. Beat cream cheese gradually adding powdered sugar and cinnamon until smooth. Spread cream cheese mixture in the center of crescent roll circle. Sprinkle with pecans and chopped apples. Starting at the outside of ring, bring ends towards the center. Then pull the inside of dough to the center. Use any leftover crescent rolls to fill in gaps if needed. Bake in preheated 350 degree oven for 35 minutes or until lightly browned. For icing, mix powdered sugar with milk and lemon juice. May have to adjust for desired consistency. Add vanilla and mix well. Divide icing into 3 bowls. Mix each with food color (red and blue make purple). Ice king cake alternating yellow, green, and purple icing. www.la-road-trips.com
Louisiana Road Trips
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www.la-road-trips.com