Living
K of C presents flags. Club News. B6.
The livingston parish news SUNDAY, June 24, 2012
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Tower Bridge has stood over the River Thames in London since 1894 and is one of the most recognized bridges in the world. Tower Bridge is often mistakenly referred to as London Bridge, which is the next bridge upstream. By Lisa Dowty
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The Livingston Parish News
he best advice I can give to someone traveling to a foreign country for the first time is to always expect the unexpected and always expect to need more money. As I waited to board my Delta flight at the Baton Rouge Airport, my biggest worries were missing my connecting flight and how to endure being in the sky for 13 hours. So when I reached Heathrow Airport, I thought I had it made. All I had to do was find my luggage and find my way out. That shouldn’t have been difficult, after all, the people there are used to people like me: Heathrow handles more international passengers than any other airport in the world. I had my return airline ticket, passport, and hotel booking in hand as I stood in the line waiting to cross onto United Kingdom soil, or rather, cement. My turn. I answered their questions politely and with a smile. I’m an American; I smile at strangers. I am honest, and I freely offer unsolicited information. I answered many questions politely and with a smile on my face, until I started being asked about my boyfriend, a British citizen, whom I was meeting at the airport. When and where did I meet him? How long did he stay in the U.S.? Exactly how long have I known him? Where was he employed? How long was he employed there? After flying on planes for 13 hours and being caught off guard by these questions, I started having trouble finding answers pertaining to exact dates. I stood still in confusion for a few moments after the female Border Patrol Agent told me to sit to the side for further questioning. Many questions of my own started spinning in my head as I sat there for two hours. My frustration turned into anger by the time she returned. I didn’t give her much time to speak before I made the mistake of interrupting her. “Look, I just came for a vacation to see London for the first time and visit with my boyfriend for two weeks,” I said. “I have a life back in the United States. I’m not here to start a new one! It’s not like I’m here to get married or something!” “Why can’t you find a man back in the United States?” she asked. My mouth dropped and my eyes widened. I searched my mind for the exact right thing to say, but all that came out was “Huh?” I was left sitting there for another few hours with my thoughts. I started looking around me and examining the others who were also being detained. There was a woman wearing a veil holding the hand of her small child, a man from India wearing a turban. I started to feel like a spoiled child after watching these people being questioned and giving answers with “Yes ma’am” and “No, sir.” I began to realize that I, just like them, was a foreigner. There was also a man from Pakistan who started talking to me after he saw a few tears falling down my cheeks. “Everything will be alright. This is just routine. I am sure they will let you in,” he said. “You will be fine.” It only took seven hours, questioning by three people, a photo shoot and fingerprinting, and I was allowed into the country. And there was Matt, the sweet man I met a year ago. He had just been through much the same waiting and interrogation ordeal.
“I’m only four feet inside England and I already don’t like it all that much,” I said, and we broke up laughing. After a long sleep in the Sofitel hotel on a bed with a Tempur-Pedic mattress and Egyptian cotton sheets, I was ready to explore London. Traveling by the London Underground, commonly known as the tube, was an experience in itself. This underground rapid transit system is the second largest metro system in the world in terms of route-miles and serves 270 stations. One of the first things I saw while sightseeing was Trafalgar Square, the largest square in London. It is often considered the heart of London. Ever since the Middle Ages, it has been a central meeting place. At the middle of the square stands a tall column, which was built to commemorate the victory of Admiral Horatio Lord Nelson over the French fleet at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805. It was built in 1842 and stands 170 feet high. At the base of the column are four bronze lion statues and the largest and most beautiful water fountains I had ever seen. The neo-classical National Gallery is located on the north side of Trafalgar Square. It houses a collection of more than 2,300 paintings, including works by Van Gogh, Renoir, Leonardo da Vinci and Claude Monet. Because there was such a long line of people waiting to visit the gallery, we decided to try and go on another day. There were so many things I wanted to see, but one of the first things on my mind was to see and explore a real castle. So Matt took me to the Tower of London, probably the most famous of all the Medieval English castles. The castle is actually a combination of 21 different towers covering 18 acres on the north bank of the Thames. We spent most of our time in Great Tower, built between 1078 and 1097 by the Normans to control and intimidate native Londoners. By the time Edward III came to power, it was called The White Tower due to the continuous applications of whitewash. It looks beautiful, but has an ugly history, especially the story of the royal captives called Princes in the Tower. In 1674, two skeletons were discovered in the White Tower believed to be Edward V and his younger brother Richard, Duke of York. Parliament declared the two young
Left, The Ice Bar, located on Heddon Street, is five degrees below freezing. The walls, bar, tables and drinking glasses are all made of ice.
Right, pictured behind one of the famous large fountains in Trafalgar Square is London’s National Gallery.
princes illegitimate. Their uncle and supposed Protector, Richard, Duke of Gloucester, was declared King Richard III and the two little princes were never seen again. ENGLAND Page B7
Right, Nelson’s Column stands in Trafalgar Square, commemorating his 1805 victory over the French fleet, with four bronze lions at its base.
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SUNDAY, June 24, 2012
the livingston parish News
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I obituaries Barbara Book
A native of Lubbock, Texas, a resident of French Settlement, and a homemaker, Barbara “Barbie” Book died on June 16, 2012. A memorial service, conducted by Brother Robert Lawrence and Brother Bud Taylor, was held at Ascension Baptist Church in Gonzales on Friday. She is survived by her father, Jack Jones McClure; mother, Lola Jean Thomas McClure; daughter, Jillian Rene Book of Brennan, Texas; son, Jack Taylor Babin of Houston, Texas; and sister, Linda Sue Thornhill and husband David William Thornhill of Prairieville. She was preceded in death by her infant son, Daniel Book. She loved to give handmade gifts as she loved crafts. Arrangements by Church Funeral Services & Crematory, St. Amant. (225) 6449683. www.churchfuneralservices.com.
Ronald Day
A resident of Baton Rouge, Ronald Edmond Day died Thursday, June 21, 2012 at Harvest Manor Nursing Home. He was 69. Funeral arrangements are pending with Seale Funeral Home, Denham Springs. www. sealefuneral.com.
Johnny Hale
Former owner of Johnny’s Snack Bar and a resident of Walker, Johnny Bartel Hale died Tuesday, June 19, 2012, at Carpenter House, Baton Rouge. He was 70 and a native of Hornbeck. Visitation was at Christian Center Church, Denham Springs, on Friday until religious service, conducted by the Rev. Arthur Ebey Sr. and Rev. Arthur Ebey Jr. Interment was in Greenoaks Memorial Park. He is
survived by his wife, Dorothy M. Hale; daughter, Margaret Ada Hale Galligous and son-in-law Mark; stepchildren, Wanda and Richard Collins, Donna and Kevin Forbes, Barbara and Mark McKenzie and son, Gary Stonecipher; three sisters, Rebecca Hale, Lorraine Curtis and Melba and Tom Perkins; three brothers, Felton and Connie Hale, Willie and Rita Hale and Lynn and Debbie Hale; 11 grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, Johnny T. Hale; mother, Willie Virginia Airhart Hale; brother, Bennie C. Hale; and sister, Marjorie Elaine Hale. Pallbearers were Gary Stonecipher, Kevin Forbes, Miles “Buck” Kimball, Felton and Lynn Hale, Wayne Williams. Honorary pallbearers were Richard Collins and Willie Hale. Arrangements by Church Funeral Services & Crematory, St. Amant, (225) 644-9683. www. churchfuneralservices.com. Special thanks and blessings to all who make Carpenter House a wonderful end of life experience.
Bernandita Longmire
Bernandita Galgo Longmire, 62, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family at her home in Denham Springs on Wednesday, June 20, 2012. She is survived by her husband, Thomas Longmire; as well as numerous family and friends, both here and in the Philippines. No services are scheduled at this time.
James Matkin
A resident of Denham Springs, James C. Matkin passed away at 3 p.m. Mon-
day, June 18, 2012, at his home. He was 83, born on January 21, 1929, in Dry Prong. He was a retired operator at the Texaco Refinery and an Army veteran of the Korean War. Visitation was at Resthaven Funeral Home, 11817 Jefferson Hwy., on Friday until service, conducted by the Rev. Jim Winegeart. Interment was in Resthaven Gardens of Memory. He is survived by his wife, Beverly Matkin; daughter and sonin-law, Suzette and Scott Rabalais; three grandchildren, Aja Rabalais, Coty Rabalais, and Brody Rabalais; sister-in-law, Ruby Matkin; and five nephews, Roger Matkin, Randy Matkin, Rodney Matkin, Raymond Matkin, and Ronnie Matkin. He was preceded in death by his parents, Curtis Lee and Elsie Willett Matkin; and brother, Cecil Matkin. He was a member of Hebron Baptist Church. In lieu of f lowers, memorial donations can be made to St. Joseph Hospice, 10615 Jefferson Hwy., Baton Rouge, LA 70809. Visit www. resthavenbatonrouge. com to leave condolences to the family.
Lena McMorris
Lena Catherine Seeser McMorris went peacefully to be with Our Lord and Savior on Wednesday, June 20, 2012. She lived a wonderful life of 91 years and was a joyful Christian and a loving example to her family and many friends. Called Mama by her children, she graced the lives of all she knew and was first to visit and help the sick leaving a loving legacy in her family. She was born in Baton Rouge on September 20, 1920, to John Seeser and Caroline Lange Seeser and married
Elmo Lee McMorris Sr. on July 1941. He preceded her in death in February 1978. For the past two years, she was a resident of La Plantation Retirement Home in Denham Springs where she enjoyed arts and crafts, playing cards, bingo, and socializing with friends and family. Friends and family met at Rabenhorst Funeral Home, 825 Government Street, Baton Rouge, Saturday, June 23, from noon to 1 p.m., followed by a graveside service at Roselawn Cemetery at 2 p.m. Lena was preceded in death by three sisters, Helena, Caroline, and Margaret Seeser; brother, Paul Seeser; and six stepbrothers, Henry, Ewell, Rano, Kelly, Berlin, and Carl Harris. Survivors include one daughter and son-in-law, Caroline and Brian Lauria of Winter Springs, Fla.; three sons and daughtersin-law, John and Janet McMorris of Baton Rouge, Elmo Lee Jr. and Elaine McMorris of Walker, and David and Candy McMorris of Sacramento, Calif.; and nine grandchildren, John McMorris Jr., Jill McMorris O’Neal, Brannon McMorris, Jamie McMorris, Emily McMorris, Erin McMorris Geiger, Craig McMorris, Ashlyn Lauria Salisbury, and Kristin Lauria. She was also blessed with two great-grandchildren, Evan Owen and Jacob McMorris, one step-granddaughter, five step-greatgrandchildren and one step-great-greatgrandchild. The family would like to thank the wonderful staff of The Carpenter House for their loving help and support.
ingston, Melvin James Sibley Jr. died Wednesday, June 20, 2012, at Ochsner Medical Center in Baton Rouge. He was 63. Visitation was held Friday at Faith Baptist Church. Religious services were conducted by the Rev. Trey Cowell. Burial followed in Colyell Community Cemetery. He is survived by his wife, Cynthia Spiers Sibley; son, Steven Sibley; stepson, Jason Spiers and wife April; three stepdaughters, Kristi Smith, Nicole Rowell and husband Patrick and Pamela Spiers; five brothers, Darrell Sibley, James H. Sibley and wife Elsie, Bobby Sibley and wife Grace, Gerald Sibley and wife Jeanne and Ricky Sibley and wife Bobbi Ann; two sisters, Jenny Ard and husband Lynn and Rita Loupe and husband Jerry; 11 grandchildren, Christopher, Colton, Skyler, Taylor, Bailey, Shelby, Kalyn, Will, Ariel, Jacob and Cole; greatgranddaughter, Lily; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Melvin J. Sr. and Floye Stafford Sibley; son, Jimmy Sibley; two daughters, Becky Sibley and Denise Morrison; great-granddaughter, Angel Sibley; sister, Gerline Gilchrist; sister-in-law, Grace K. “Dee Dee “Sibley; and nephew, Jerry D. Sibley Jr. Pallbearers were Chad McCreary, Darren Sibley, Bailey
Spiers, Jason Ard, D. J. Strickland and Steven Sibley. Honorary pallbearers were Jason Spiers, Patrick Rowell and Shelby Smith. He loved working with wood and loved to fish and hunt. Sign the online guest book at www. sealefuneral.com.
Jacques Toups
A native of Port Gibson, Miss., and a resident of Livingston, Jacques Damon Toups died on Monday, June 18, 2012, at Tulane Medical Center. He was 54 years old. Visitation was at Faithful United Methodist Church, St. Amant, on Friday until religious service with military rites. Interment was in Port Hudson National Cemetery. He is survived by his wife, Brenda Flournoy Toups; sons, Damon Anatole Toups, Dillon Ray Toups and Slade Hunter Toups; sister, Danise Scoggins; brothers, Raymond Anatole Toups and Dana Toups; and a grandchild, Paris Lynn Toups. He was preceded in death by Raymond Anatole Toups and Hilda Bird. Pallbearers were Dillon R. Toups, Slade H. Toups, and Raymond A. Toups. He was a veteran of the United States Army, and enjoyed hunting and fishing. Arrangements by Church Funeral Services & Crematory, St. Amant. 225- 6449683. www.churchfuneralservices.com.
Melvin Sibley Jr.
A resident of Liv-
A jolly visit to England From B1
In 1933, the skeletons were determined to be those of two young children, one around age 7 to 11 and the other around 11 to 13. That was then and this is now, I thought, looking out a high ancient window at the magnificent Tower Bridge. The next day we toured Piccadilly Circus, a busy square with the Shaftesbury Memorial Fountain in the center, surrounded by an eclectic mix of pubs, nightclubs, restaurants, theaters and shops. The fountain, built in 1893, commemorates Lord Shaftesbury, a philanthropist known for his support of the poor. The semi-nude statue on top of the fountain depicts the Angel of Christian Charity but was later renamed Eros after the Greek god of love and beauty. Narrow Heddon Street is now given over entirely to pedestrian traffic, restaurants, pubs and cafes with outdoor tables. Ten foot heaters shoot out flames to trump the cold and damp. Unfortunately, all these warm tables were taken and we somehow ended up in The Ice Bar, where the temperature is below freezing. No space heaters here, but everyone is issued a parka and gloves. The interior is made entirely from crystal clear Swedish ice. The walls, bar, tables and even serving glasses are ice. The frosty walls glow green, blue, purple and red. After five days I decided that we were spending too much time walking or waiting in the Under-
ground. I told Matt I’d pay for a taxi to cut down the travel time to another must-see on my list, the London Zoo. A taxi would be very expensive, he said. I considered my aching feet and thought it would be money well spent, considering we’d spend our time at the zoo walking. Besides, how much can a taxi cost, anyway? Turned out to be over 100 pounds, about $140. Foolishly, I’d left some money in my bank account back home. What was I thinking? Every tourist destination cost about twice what I’d expected. Matt doesn’t live in London, and hadn’t been to the tourist places since he was a child. I tried to forget about the money as we walked through a large greenhouse full of butterflies and a mini beach filled with penguins. The London Zoo is full of opportunities to watch exotic animals up close, because they can’t see you through the thick glass walls. So we stood right next to an enormous gorilla and a lion eating a chicken. One of England’s infamous rainstorms interrupted the zoo trip and we took refuge in Madame Tussauds, home to hundreds of waxwork celebrities, uncannily lifelike. Tourists have their pictures taken with Tom Hanks, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Johnny Depp, James Dean, Audrey Hepburn, Julia Roberts, and many more. Some visitors chose to be photographed with Mohandas Gandhi, Mother Teresa, Margaret Thatch-
er, Martin Luther King and Winston Churchill. Finally our time in London ended and we went to King’s Cross station to catch a train for Matt’s home in Peterborough. People were taking pictures of a sign on a brick wall marking the famous Platform 9¾, Harry Potter’s portal to the Hogwart’s Express. It only took a few hours to get to Matt’s home. He teased me a little by insisting he pay for the remainder of taxi rides we took, which cost about five pounds each in his cozy little town. Peterborough is a lovely Cathedral City in the county of Cambridgeshire, every bit a tourist attraction in my opinion. We spent most of the remainder of my vacation relaxing at his home, where he cooked me a few wonderful English breakfasts. Matt also took me to a local Italian restaurant and a movie theatre to see Tim Burton’s “Dark Shadows.” The days went by quickly and it was time to go back to the United States. Matt and I exchanged quite a few hugs and kisses before I had to board the plane. He watched me go through the airline gates until I was out of sight. As I sat on the plane, I wasn’t thinking about the tourist attractions I didn’t get to see, but the person I was leaving behind. As soon as his bank account recovers, he will visit me again. And as soon as my bank account recovers, I’ll go back the UK…if they let me in.
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