Louisiana Life September-October 2013

september/october 2013

louisianalife.com

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contents IN EVERY ISSUE 8 From the Editor

26 Home

Hauntings

Made In Louisiana

By errol laborde

This neoclassical home in Alexandria honors local craftsmanship.

10 Barometer

By bonnie warren

A compendium of what’s hot and what’s not

30 Art

by Carolyn Kolb

Gail Hood

12 Rural Life

Along the banks of the Little Tchefuncte By john r. kemp

Halloweens Past The good old days of ghouls and goblins

22

34 Traveler

By melissa bienvenu

Honoring Our Athletes

14 Biz Bits

New Sports Hall of Fame makes a statement

Business news from around the state

By paul f. stahls jr.

By kathy finn

74 Lifetimes

16 Health

Our statewide calendar of events

Medical news in Louisiana

By Judi Russell

By Paige Nulty

78 Great Louisiana Quiz

18 Great Louisiana Chefs

Restaurant Edition

Dustie Latiolais

By errol laborde

Crawfish Town USA in Henderson

20 State of the Plate

80 A Louisiana Life

Chicken at Chester’s

Jerry Strahan Putting the mustard in Lucky Dogs

Donner’s classic country restaurant

By megan hill

By Ian McNulty

30

22 Kitchen Gourmet La Patate Douce Season of the sweet potato

FEATURES

SPECIAL SECTIONS

38 Hog Wild

64 Around Louisiana

In Search of Louisiana’s Pork Trinity

Louisiana Life presents Around Louisiana, a section featuring the people and places of North Louisiana, Central Louisiana, Cajun Country, Baton Rouge and Plantation Country and Greater New Orleans.

44 Homecomings Our guide to the 2013 college season

By Fritz Esker

2 | Louisiana Life September/October 2013

PHOTOGRAPHED BY Eugenia Uhl

by stanley dry

By Kent J. Landry

34

ON THE COVER: Pulled pork sandwich topped with coleslaw.

50 Spotlight on Public Companies Business students size up five Louisiana businesses.

By kathy finn

By jeanne frois

LouisianaLife september/october 2013 Volume 34 Number 1 Editor Errol Laborde MANAGING EDITOR Sarah Ravits Art Director Tiffani Reding Amedeo Associate Editors Haley Adams, Lauren LaBorde Contributing Editor Paul F. Stahls Jr. Food Editor Stanley Dry Home Editor Bonnie Warren INTERNS Paige Nulty, Nina Takahashi sales manager Kathryn Beck Sanderson kathryn@louisianalife.com

Sales Assistant Erin Azar

Production/Web Manager Staci McCarty Production designerS Sarah George, Antoine Passelac Chief Executive Officer Todd Matherne President Alan Campell Executive Vice President Errol Laborde Executive Assistant Kristi Ferrante Newsstand manager Christian Coombs subscriptions Erin Duhe (504) 828-1380

2011 Silver Award Winner for Overall Art Direction

Renaissance Publishing 110 Veterans Blvd., Suite 123, Metairie, LA 70005 (504) 828-1380

Louisiana Life (ISSN 1042-9980) is published bimonthly by Renaissance Publishing, LLC, 110 Veterans Blvd., Suite 123, Metairie, LA 70005; (504) 828-1380. Subscription rate: One year $10; Mexico and Canada $48. Periodicals postage paid at Metairie, LA, and additional mailing entry offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Louisiana Life, 110 Veterans Blvd., Suite 123, Metairie, LA 70005. Copyright 2013 Louisiana Life. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the consent of the publisher. The trademark Louisiana Life is registered.

Louisiana Life is not responsible for unsolicited manuscripts, photos and artwork, even if accompanied by a self-addressed stamped envelope.

The opinions expressed in Louisiana Life are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the magazine or owner.

4 | Louisiana Life September/October 2013

on the web louisianalife.com Louisiana Life Photo entry Are you an amateur, professional or “just for fun” photographer with some Louisiana photos to share? We want to hear from you! We want to see some great Louisiana photos, whether they’re of people, landscapes, food, culture or even animals. Don’t miss your chance to have your photo featured in the pages of our magazine for all of our readers to see. Send in your photos by going to myneworleans.com/ Louisiana-Life/Louisiana-Life-Photo-Contest/.

Please note that the URL is case-sensitive.

Our readers’ photographs

july:

What A View: Erica Fisher of Lake Charles captured the beautiful landscape of this Louisiana swamp in January 2012.

august:

Becky: Alison Tugwell of Monroe caught a photo of her grandmother trying on an Army helmet in May 2012 at the National World War II Museum in New Orleans.

?

what are you thinking?

Send feedback about this issue to Managing Editor Sarah Ravits at Sarah@LouisianaLife.com. www.louisianalife.com Louisiana Life | 7

from the editor

Hauntings Once when I was visiting a

Louisiana’s paranormal wealth.

Louisiana plantation, someone in our

Between the plantations and the

group asked the owner/tour guide if

vintage structures of the French

the place had any ghosts. “No ghosts,”

Quarter in New Orleans, there are

the owner answered. “We have history,

many places suitable for legends.

and where there’s history you don’t

In New Orleans the storytelling has

need ghosts.”

become a big business as on any night,

His answer said a lot. Where there

even when the moon is not full, groups

are real stories to tell, there is less

of ghost tours haunt the streets. The

need to create stories. Nevertheless,

city’s Voodoo culture enhances the

Louisiana has many of such tales,

mystique.

some that are undoutedly told

Skepticism aside, there is one faded

with conviction and sincerity. (We

image that reappears throughout

contribute to that ourselves, as

Louisiana every Halloween and some

our “Around” section in the back

people, especially if they are from

of this magazine has traditionally

Mississippi, are haunted by it. LSU fans

focused on paranormal legends for

still get goosebumps when the local

our September/October issue with

television sports segments routinely

Halloween as the justification.)

rerun Billy Cannon’s classic winning

While there may or may not be

89-yard punt return touchdown against

spooky things thumping in the night,

Ole Miss. It happened in 1959 on

there are undoubtedly and certifiably

Halloween Night.

many stories, all part of a rich body of legends and folklore.

Old buildings tend to be the site

Here the forces of reality come together: Not only is the apparition real, but there is also true history, too. n

of must haunts and that may explain

—Errol Laborde

8 | Louisiana Life September/October 2013

barometer A compendium of what’s hot and what’s not in Louisiana By carolyn kolb

HOT

Marker for Metairie Ridge

their regularly assigned shifts, the Zachary Plainsman

The Jefferson Parish

News noted. Earlier opening

Historical Commission and

and later closing will

the Jefferson Historical

accommodate customers’

Society of Louisiana have

needs, and online payments

unveiled a Louisiana highway

plus a new 24-hour payment

marker on Metairie Road at

kiosk at the City Billing

Orpheum Avenue, commem-

office, will offer alternatives

orating the former town of

to in-person service.

Metairie Ridge, founded in 1927 and dissolved just 18

HOT

Rum Running

the Louisiana team at the

President Trey Litel

National High School

of the 3-year-old Louisiana

Rodeo Championships in

Spirits rum-distilling

Rock Springs, Wyo. They

company in Lacassine has

qualified at the Louisiana

announced the company’s

High School Finals Rodeo at

new Silver Bayou Rum and

McNeese State University in

Spiced Bayou Rum, both

Lake Charles. High school

created from molasses and

rodeo is very competitive

raw, unprocessed sugar

in Louisiana, but it’s rare to

sourced from Louisiana.

have three qualifiers from a

Litel described Silver

small community, noted the

as having a rounded,

Kentwood News Ledger.

rock-candy sweetness. The Spiced variety infuses the Silver with a secret blend

HOT

Living Legend Jimmy Dardeau, a

of spices including “one

retired Vermilion Parish

ingredient that we’re never

county agent, has been

going to tell anybody, and

inducted into the Order

that ingredient comes out

of Living Legends at the

of Louisiana agriculture,”

Acadian Museum in Erath.

Litel told the Lake Charles

The order is designed to

American Press.

honor individuals who have made major contributions to

HOT

Rodeo Wranglers

Cajun culture, the Lafayette

Derrick Chaisson,

Advertiser reported. The Ville

Cade Morgan and Ethan

Platte native was a pioneer

Morgan, all students at

of the double-cropping of

Kentwood’s Jewel Sumner

crawfish and rice.

High School, will join

10 | Louisiana Life September/October 2013

Bugs-A-Plenty

months later, The Advocate

NOT

reported. Historical Society

mologists have confirmed

president G. Leighton

the arrival of the kudzu

Ciravolo explained that the

bug, the bean plataspid, in

city of Metairie Ridge existed

a soybean field in Madison

only briefly, because the

Parish. The pest, a native of

Jefferson Parish government

India and China, can stress

insisted that the city was not

soybean plants by using

properly created, a point on

its piercing and sucking

which the Louisiana State

mouthparts to extract plant

Supreme Court agreed.

fluids. “We knew the insect

LSU AgCenter ento-

was in Mississippi,” LSU AgCenter area agent Sebe

HOT

Three-Day Weekends!

Brown said, “and that it would only be a matter of

Mayor David Amrhein of

time before it arrived in

Zachary has announced

Louisiana.” Chemicals used

that city office workers are

to control stinkbugs have

switching to a four-day

been shown to be effective

work week. The new hours

on the kudzu bugs as well,

of operation will be 7 a.m.

but “there’s no need to start

until 5:30 p.m., Monday

spraying until the insect

through Thursday. Zachary

numbers are high,” said

Fire and Police will continue

Brown.

n

quotable “Once the Atchafalaya River starts to fall as summer begins in late June, the fresh river water becomes less of an influence on West Cote Blanche, Weeks and Vermilion bays. With mild southeast and southwest winds, often some of the best days fishing are during the dog days of summer, when the birds start working these bays.”

“Here are Some Hot Baits for Hot Summer Fishing,” John Flores, St. Mary and Franklin Banner Tribune jamie lee photo

www.louisianalife.com Louisiana Life | 11

rural life

Halloweens Past The good old days of ghouls and goblins

By Melissa Bienvenu

A bloody, severed

perched on the side of a hill

hand. Glowing eyes in the

in Birmingham, Ala. Counting

black recesses of the closet.

our creepy unfinished

The witch on the corner.

basement and attic, our house

October is upon us, so

was four stories tall. My

that means I’m getting

bedroom, which had a large,

all misty-eyed about the

sort of Gothic balcony, looked

Halloweens of my youth. It

out into the treetops. To get

also means I’m experiencing

to our front door from the

one of my semi-annual pangs

street, one had to maneuver

of regret about where I’m

a steep flight of stairs, then

raising my children.

a slanting sidewalk, then

Most of the time, I believe

another flight of stairs to

my sons are incredibly

the porch. Long windows all

fortunate to be growing up

across the upper and lower

in the fresh air and wide

floors seemed to peer down

open spaces of our farm. I

at visitors.

realize how many parents

During the daytime, it was

would dearly love for their

one of the street’s loveliest

children to experience just

landmarks. After dark, it was

a little of the freedom and

perfect for terrifying trick-or-

privileges mine take for

treaters.

granted. I like to believe

Our whole family got in

that my boys’ memories of

on the act. Hiding on the

this place will be warm and

balcony, my sisters and I

golden enough to carry them

operated bed-sheet ghosts

for the rest of their lives.

that floated down from the

But there is just no

trees on strings while trick-

avoiding the fact that

or-treaters approached

sometimes life in the country

our darkened porch. When

is totally lame, and Oct. 31 is

they knocked on the door,

the epitome of those times.

(some never made it that

We celebrate Halloween

far), my dad would slowly

here, if you want to call it that,

crack it open, then, with a

but it isn’t the same deliciously

growl, thrust a furry, gloved

dangerous night I remember

hand around it. Ominous

growing up in the city.

sounds emanated from the

My family lived in a turnof-the-century neighborhood

Thrilling, Chilling Sounds of the Haunted House album

on the stereo. (Our favorites

bound to have high standards

were “Chinese Water

for Halloween.

Torture” and the screaming

But then, our neighbor-

guy who sounded more

hood really didn’t have to

constipated than scared.) My

work at being spooky. It was

mom dispensed candy while

awash in shifting shadows,

dressed as a witch.

with old houses looming on

One year we built a fairly

hillsides or set back in the

elaborate haunted house

trees. The demographics were

in our detached, dirt-floor

about evenly split between

garage. Blindfolded guests

young families with children

were invited to stick their

and empty-nesters, who were

hands into bowls of “eyeballs”

less likely to leave the porch

(peeled grapes) and “brains”

light on for trick-or-treaters.

(cooked spaghetti).

We dared each other to

For weeks surrounding

knock on their doors and run,

Halloween, my sisters and I

especially when we got to the

scared ourselves silly with a

witch’s house on the corner.

pair of glow-in-the-dark eyes

I can’t recall how the rumor

and a fake, severed hand. In

got started that this poor

the interest of full disclosure,

old lady was a witch, but it

I should confess that I was

probably had something to do

so fond of frightening my

with bratty kids trampling her

sisters with my lifelike

prize daylilies.

amputated hand that I gave it

That is all just a memory

a name: Gladys. Anyone who

now as I face my annual

nicknames a rubber hand is

dilemma of whether to buy jane sanders illustration

12 | Louisiana Life September/October 2013

Halloween candy, knowing that no trick-or-treaters

dozen Chevy tailgates.

Again, I admit my

hard to impress a person

Last year, I took my

who is known for having a

youngest son, who was 8,

will show up at our lonely

perception was tainted by my

fake amputated hand named

trick-or-treating in town as

farmhouse on the highway,

childhood street – where it

Gladys.

we always do. After an hour

and we will end up eating all

was easier to believe that a

of it ourselves.

ghost or even a witch might

disappoints me about my

and street-to-street, I asked

be lying in wait for hapless

children’s country trick-or-

where he wanted to go next.

are too far apart for

trick-or-treaters – but, I’m

treating experiences is that

decent trick-or-treating, so

sorry, the scariest thing about

nobody knocks on the door

matter-of-factly. “I have

everyone converges on the

a 1970s subdivision is the

and says “trick or treat,”

enough candy, and my feet

residential neighborhoods in

harvest gold bathtubs.

anymore. Instead, all the

hurt.”

Houses in the country

town. Consequently, the few

Don’t get me wrong. Some

Another thing that

or so of going house-to-house

“Let’s go home,” he replied

candy is dispensed on the

On the one hand, I was

neighborhoods that we have

of the residents go all out

front porch or in the front

proud of him for being so

are crawling with princesses

to give trick-or-treaters a

yard. Everyone waits in line.

sensible. On the other, it

and ninjas lit up like Las

good time. They dress in

The kids file past with their

made me sad.

Vegas billboards in their

costume and deck out their

bags held open. Few words

glow-in-the-dark necklaces

yards and porches in fake

are exchanged. (However,

8-year-old boys never wanted

and reflective safety

cobwebs and eerie lights

I do insist that my children

to go home after an hour of

stickers. Some families

and inflatable monsters and

say “trick or treat” as well

trick-or-treating. They didn’t

team up and pull utility

groaning, battery-operated

as “thank you.”) Totally

care if their feet hurt, and

trailers loaded with kids

zombies. I appreciate their

missing is the anticipation

they never felt like they had

through the neighborhood.

effort. I really do, and some

of knocking on the door and

enough candy.

Others just use pickups. So

of it is kind of, maybe, a little

wondering who – or what –

much for shifting shadows

spooky. Generally speaking,

will answer. There is no thrill

know how it feels to knock

– they’re only headlights –

though, it feels more like a

whatsoever. It’s all about the

on the witch’s door and then

and the only things going

haunted Hobby Lobby than

free Snickers – like a soup

run home as fast he can on

bump in the night are a

a haunted house. I guess it’s

kitchen for sugar-aholics.

Halloween night. n

Where I come from,

Just once, I wish he could

www.louisianalife.com Louisiana Life | 13

biz bits Business news from around the state By kathy finn

Continuing announceand business expansions have

New owner of Shaw will grow its footprint BATON ROUGE – The new

kept the Louisiana economy

owner of The Shaw Group Inc.

percolating in recent months,

is poised to bring hundreds

maintaining the state’s position

of new jobs to the local area

well ahead of growth rates in

in coming years. Texas-based

many other states.

CB&I, which purchased The

ments of construction projects

LaShip yard in Houma

Shaw Group for $3 billion in

the prospect of about 80

builds a new corporate head-

AT&T was among the recent

February, says it now plans

new direct and indirect jobs.

quarters facility and fabrication

Louisiana business headlines,

to consolidate some of its

The project will involve an

plant. The company, which

as the company said it is

operations around the country

upgrade of the plant’s drying

serves the oil and gas industry

looking to hire some 500

in Baton Rouge. The company

equipment as well as the

with fabrication services

workers around the state.

will base its “government

addition of a production line.

and specialized work force

Many of the jobs are related to

solutions” division in the local

The 90-year-old company

support, employs more than

a multibillion-dollar investment

office, creating 400 new jobs,

manages some 580,000 acres

1,000 people in Louisiana.

that will expand AT&T’s

possibly by the end of the

of timber and has more than

Construction of the headquar-

national wireless and wired

year. State officials believe the

1,000 employees in Louisiana.

ters will begin this year.

IP broadband networks. The

expansion could generate an

Project construction should be

company is also hiring to fill

additional 400 indirect jobs in

finished by mid-2014.

positions in its mobility retail

the area.

An announcement by

and call centers.

Here’s a look at some of the other projects that are contrib-

NASA not dead in New Orleans NEW ORLEANS – A $3 million

Chemical demand drives plant growth PLAQUEMINE – Shintech

Building on petroleum transportation PAULINA – Wolverine

Inc. plans to further expand chemical production at

Terminals LLC will build

its plants in Plaquemine

investment by Lockheed

a crude oil terminal and

and Addis through a $500

Low-profile shipbuilder launches major expansion GALLIANO – A major ship-

Martin at NASA’s Michoud

blending operation on a

million investment the

Assembly Facility will equip

15-acre Mississippi River

company announced in June.

it to manufacture tanks for

site in St. James Parish. It

Japan-based Shintech said its

building program by Edison

liquefied natural gas and

will invest $30 million in the

Plaquemine plant has been

Chouest Offshore is generating

create more than 160 new

project, which will create

running at capacity, and the

a frenzy of hiring and

jobs at the eastern New

about 40 direct and indirect

new project will increase PVC

construction. The company,

Orleans plant. The tanks,

jobs, according to Louisiana

production capacity to nearly 3

which owns four shipyards

which initially will be used

Economic Development. The

million tons per year.

and operates a fleet of 250

in propulsion systems for

project will include rail and

advanced offshore support

ocean-going vessels, are part

dock facility improvements, and

billions of dollars in plant

vessels for the worldwide oil

of Lockheed Martin’s effort to

a new storage tank that will

expansions by various

industry, plans to build more

convert defense technology

enable the delivery of crude oil

other companies along the

than 40 new vessels to meet

to commercial applications.

shipments by rail and ship, and

Mississippi River will generate

rising demand in the Gulf of

The project could produce an

blended oil products by barge

thousands of short-term

Mexico, the Arctic and Brazil.

additional 200 indirect jobs.

to domestic customers.

jobs in the region, economic

Powerhouse manufacturer poised to grow LAROSE– A $30 million

One of the latest announce-

including welders, pipefitters,

Central Louisiana stalwart deepens its roots CHOPIN – A $20 million

expansion by Danos & Curole

invest $1.5 billion in a fertilizer

ship fitters, electricians and

expansion is on tap at the

Marine Contractors could

plant and distribution center to

carpenters, at the company’s

RoyOMartin plywood mill in

produce 420 jobs over the next

be located in either Iberville or

LaShip yard in Houma.

Natchitoches Parish, bringing

several years as the company

St. John the Baptist parish. n

uting to job growth.

development officials say.

While the company normally shuns attention, it recently publicized plans to hire between 250 and 500 workers,

14 | Louisiana Life September/October 2013

Construction related to

ments came from Russia-based EuroChem, which plans to

www.louisianalife.com Louisiana Life | 15

health

By paige nulty

Ochsner receives national reaccreditations New Orleans – The American College of Surgeons (ACoS) has given two national reaccreditations to the Ochsner Health System. A three-year accreditation by the first name and identification

nontraditional patients and

vault inside the WK Proton

given to Ochsner’s Cancer

number to instantly connect

a private gym in the rehab

Therapy Center. The

Institute, and a three-year

patients with their caretaker.

department. Surgery and

cyclotron is the engine of

accreditation by the National

This nurse call system will

wound care are just two

the proton therapy system,

Accreditation Program for

eliminate the slow-moving

of the many new services

which accelerates protons

Breast Centers was given

communication chain of the

offered at the specialty

to two-thirds the speed of

to Ochsner’s Lieselotte

bedside call button. Rather

clinics, The Poche Medical

light in order to destroy

Tansey Breast Center. As

than asking the nurses’

Clinic and the Lutcher

cancer tumor cells. The

a CoC-accredited cancer

station to help with personal

Family Clinic. New tech-

cyclotron comes in two

center, Ochsner takes a

issues, patients can now

nologies at the hospital

main pieces, weighing a

multidisciplinary approach

directly ask questions to

include a digital portable

total of 220 tons. The vault

to treating cancer, meaning

the nurse who knows them

ultrasound, stress unit, and

in which the cyclotron will

that many cancer specialists

best. With the Responder 5,

EKG machine, along with

be housed contains 525

collaborate with treatment

nurses at LCMH will now

the technology that will offer

tons of reinforcing steel

and in maintaining levels

know more efficiently which

local microbiology.

and concrete walls and

of excellence in compre-

patient is calling, if rooms

hensive patient care. The

are clean, and if the patient is

Tansey Breast Center is the

at risk of other problems.

Commission on Cancer was

ceiling up to 10 feet thick.

The remaining elements of

st. james parish hospital’s updates Lutcher – St. James

cancer-fighting technology at willis-knighton Shreveport – Though it seems almost like science

most advanced and targeted

fiction, a revolutionary

cancer treatment. Protons

lake charles memorial hospital’s new call system Lake Charles – Lake Charles

Parish Hospital has added

proton therapy to eradicate

deposit the majority of their

new spaces, services

cancer is well on its way

radiation directly within the

and technology between

to real-life application at

tumor, while sparing the

2012-2013, including a state-

Willis-Knighton Health

healthy surrounding tissue.

Memorial Hospital is giving

of-the-art medical plaza to

System. Called a cyclotron,

Final completion of the WK

patient care extra speed by

house clinics and a more

the equipment arrived from

Proton Therapy Center is

installing the Responder

advanced education room,

Houston via Belgium over

scheduled for the end of

5 nurse call system. The

a Progressive Care Unit

the summer and was set

2013, with patients being

Responder 5 uses a nurse’s

to offer advanced care to

up in a massive concrete

treated in late 2014.

only NAPBC-accredited breast cancer program in New Orleans.

16 | Louisiana Life September/October 2013

the equipment should be installed this fall. Proton therapy is considered the

n

www.louisianalife.com Louisiana Life | 17

great louisiana chefs Panko Encrusted Cypremort Point Soft-Shell Crabs with Tabasco Chipotle Aioli set atop Atchafalaya Crawfish Corn Maque Choux

Dustie Latiolais Crawfish Town USA in Henderson

Dustie Latiolais, executive chef at Crawfish Town USA, started his culinary career at the age of 14 when he went to work as a fry cook at Pat’s Fisherman’s Wharf. While working his first stint at Crawfish Town USA, owner Johnny Hebert encouraged Latiolais to attend culinary school, and he hasn’t looked back since. After working in various prestigious restaurants around the state, he returned as executive chef to Crawfish Town USA in 2011 at the age of 24.

Other competitive honors in 2008 include first place at the Baton Rouge Culinary Classic and third place in the Louisiana Alligator Soiree Competition Team, and in 2009 Latiolais garnered second place in the Baton Rouge Culinary Classic. In 2011 Latiolais took first place in the Seafood Category at the Opelousas Catholic School Tasting Event and also was a participant in the March of Dimes Fundraiser. In 2013 he was selected to participate in the Louisiana Seafood Cook-Off presented by Louisiana Seafood Marketing and Promotion Board. “Louisiana offers the most creativity opportunities in the nation,” he says.

18 | Louisiana Life September/October 2013

Atchafalaya Crawfish Corn Maque Choux 4 fresh corn cobs, husk removed and cleaned 1/2 pound fresh crawfish tails 1/2 pound tasso, diced 1/2 cup red onion, small diced 1/2 cup green bell pepper, small diced 1 tomato, small diced 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning 1/4 tablespoon cayenne pepper 2 tablespoons fresh thyme kosher salt, to taste 1/4 pound butter Cut corn off the cob, reserve cobs for next step, using the back of the knife run the back down the cob to get corn juice/milk from the cob. Place juice/milk and cut corn in a bowl and set aside.

Dice the onions, bell pepper and place in a container. Dice tomatoes and place aside in a separate container. Remove Tasso from package and dice them and place in a saucepan with butter. Heat the burner on medium high. Place saucepan with tasso and butter on burner. When butter melts add corn, onions and bell peppers. Sauté for 2-3 minutes, then add crawfish tails and tomatoes. Lower heat to medium and add Cajun seasoning, cayenne pepper, and salt to taste. When salt is to your liking, add fresh thyme and turn heat off. Keep covered for later.

Tabasco Chipotle Aioli 4 garlic cloves 1 teaspoon kosher salt 3 medium egg yolks 1 pint vegetable oil 4 tablespoons Tabasco chipotle sauce

1 teaspoon lemon juice Smash garlic cloves with side of knife and add salt.

Using the side of your knife, make a paste with garlic and salt. Crack the eggs and separate the yolks and place them into a stainless steel mixing bowl. Whisk the egg yolk and slowly add oil. Add a tablespoon at a time until using all the oil. When done and aioli is a good consistency, add garlic paste, lemon juice and Tabasco chipotle sauce. Set aside until service.

Soft-Shell Crabs 4 soft-shell crabs, cleaned (large/Whaler) 4 tablespoons Cajun seasoning Season each crab with 1 tablespoon of Cajun seasoning.

Frying Soft-Shell Crabs: 1/2 gallon vegetable oil 6-quart fry pan 1 fry basket 7 cups flour 7 cups Panko bread crumbs 6 eggs 1/2 gallon milk 2 tablespoons baking powder 1/4 cup Cajun seasoning Mix egg, milk, baking powder and Cajun seasoning together in a bowl. Set aside for later egg wash. Place oil in fry pan and place on stove on medium-high heat. Maintain as close to 350 degrees as possible. When heat is up to temperature start breading crabs: First pass crab in flour, then egg wash, then panko pressing firmly so breading stay on, then go straight to the grease. Fry until crabs are golden-brown. When done, place on pan with paper towels to soak up extra grease. n Tim Schooler photograph

www.louisianalife.com Louisiana Life | 19

state of the plate

Chicken at Chester’s Donner’s classic country restaurant

By Ian McNulty

The approach to

when you’ve been driving a

seafood – shrimp and catfish.

yellow trim. The last time I

Morgan City takes travelers

while through the woodsy

But the real specialties here

visited, the place was filled

through some of Louisiana’s

stretches of Terrebonne

hew to the hen house. The

with an assortment of folks

deepest bayou country, a

Parish. In fact, you have to

curious thing about Chester’s

who looked like they had

realm of swamps, cypress

be on the look-out to spot

is that once you’ve chosen

driven in for afternoon meals

and alligators. But for me, a

the restaurant’s sign and

the chicken you still have

with the grandparents. But

trip through this area always

roofline peeking out between

decisions to make. There’s

the immediacy of a good

brings to mind chicken –

the treetops along the old

regular or spicy, which adds

meal rivets you back to the

specifically, fried chicken

surface road that parallels

more red pepper to the batter,

present. When our chicken,

with a nice peppery crust.

Highway 90 here.

but also the option to order

shrimp and onion rings

your chicken “Frank,” which

arrived on thick cardboard

Chalk that unlikely

There’s a gravel parking

association up to Chester’s

lot out front and an old

has no batter at all. It’s still

trays, it kept our hands busy

Cypress Inn (1995 La. Hwy.

weathered bar where several

fried, but more of a stripped

and our mouths full.

20, Donner, (985) 446-6821),

generations have tilted

down version. Fried chicken

a classic country restaurant

back icy beers against the

livers and fried frog legs

of regular but limited hours

with a history dating back

Louisiana heat. A small sign

round out the key items here.

that can frustrate a spur-

to the 1930s, the look of a

above the bar reads, “If

vintage roadhouse and a

the colonel had our recipe,

a time-warp sensation at

forewarned is forearmed. The

way with fried birds that has

he’d be a general,” a jab at

Chester’s. The dining area is

restaurant opens at 5 p.m. for

inspired many detours off

Colonel Sanders and the KFC

a series of connected rooms,

dinner Thursday, Friday and

the highway.

chain that sets the stage for

with a very homey décor of

Saturday, and on Sunday it’s

what you’ll find on the menu.

old wallpaper, framed prints

open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

of farm animals and a faded

for lunch and early dinner.

Chester’s seems to appear out of nowhere, especially

Of course, there is fried

Chester’s keeps the sort

of-the-moment visitor, but

It’s easy to succumb to

n

SHREVEPORT: A Slice of Naples on the Red River

LAFAYETTE: Viva La Waffle

Pizza joints are common enough, but when a new Neapolitan pizza specialist opens – that is, one preparing pizza in the famous style of Naples, Italy – foodies tend to perk up. In Shreveport, the new place to try them out is Frank’s Pizza Napoletana (6950 Fern Ave., Shreveport, (318) 230-7130; www.frankspizzanapoletana.com), where a traditional, dome-shaped, wood-burning oven imported from Italy blazes away in the kitchen. Following Neapolitan form, the crust balances soft with chewy and is pocked with char blisters from the super-hot oven. Frank’s pizzas come in one size, and regarding toppings, less tends to be more with this style of pizza, so resist the urge to pile on. Frank’s has a full bar and serves lunch and dinner Monday through Saturday.

As the food truck scene around Lafayette continues to rev up, one of the latest additions to the fleet is taking the breakfast waffle on a wild ride. Viva La Waffle uses crisp, Brussels-style waffles as the “bread” for a menu of reconfigured classic sandwiches (like the Monte Cristo or Reuben) and some original, sometimes outlandish lunch creations. There’s a pizza waffle, for instance, with the option of adding Buffalo-style fried chicken, and another with smoked brisket, melted cheddar and fried pickles. This creative crew makes a corndog-style “waffle dog,” and naturally the fries are the waffle-cut variety. The truck has been setting up shop at sites around Lafayette. Find them on Facebook or at www.twitter.com/vivalawaffle for the latest locations.

20 | Louisiana Life September/October 2013

photo courtesy of Houston Press Blog

www.louisianalife.com Louisiana Life | 21

kitchen gourmet

Patate Douce Season of the Sweet Potato

By Stanley Dry

Few vegetables are as

paler counterpart. Packaged

versatile as the sweet potato,

sweet potato chips, which

which stars in a variety of both

are absolutely scrumptious

sweet and savory dishes that

and (unfortunately) just as

are eaten throughout the day,

addictive as regular potato

for breakfast, lunch, dinner

chips, are also becoming more

and as between-meal snacks.

widely available.

Sweet potatoes are baked,

This month’s recipes are

boiled, fried, smothered,

a sampling of the sweet

mashed, pureed, turned into

potato’s versatility. The

soups, served on their own,

bacon and sweet potato hash

combined with meats or other

with poached or fried eggs

vegetables and incorporated

combines the smoky, salty and

into a variety of baked goods.

sweet tastes that are much

They have a particular

beloved by Southerners. The

affinity with pork and pork

pork loin with sweet potatoes

products, which results in

is flavored with a small

all manner of tasty pairings.

amount of cane syrup that

On the breakfast table,

accents both of the principal

ham, bacon and sausage

ingredients. The roasted sweet

are marvelous with sweet

potato wedges are not the

potato biscuits, bread, waffles

same as french fries, but they

and pancakes. Baked sweet

are very tasty and a whole

potatoes are a popular accom-

lot healthier. And the sweet

paniment to both boudin and

potato pie is yet another

chicken and sausage gumbo.

iteration of one of the South’s

Sweet potatoes can be cooked

most iconic desserts, this one

with fresh pork in a variety of

made with a pecan crust.

preparations, while broiled or

All of the following

fried pork chops and french

recipes specify small sweet

fried sweet potatoes are a

potatoes, which are becoming

delicious combination.

increasingly difficult to find.

In fact, french fries made

Unfortunately, the industry

with sweet potatoes in place of

has become enamored of big

white potatoes have become

specimens, which are much

increasingly popular in recent

favored by growers and

years, judging by how often

canners, but the behemoths

they appear on restaurant

just don’t have the flavor of

menus. And why not? They’re

the smaller varieties. It’s worth

delicious, and one would hope,

the extra effort involved to

more nutritious than their

search for the tastier potatoes. .

eugenia uhl photograph

www.louisianalife.com Louisiana Life | 23

Bacon And Sweet Potato Hash

Sweet Potato Pie with Pecan Crust

6 slices thick-cut bacon 1 large onion, chopped 4 small sweet potatoes Coarse salt and freshly ground black pepper 4-8 eggs

Grind pecans in a food processor or use pecan meal, which is available in some grocery stores and supermarkets.

Cook bacon in large skillet until browned, but still chewy.

Drain on absorbent paper. Pour off all but 1 tablespoon of fat.

Add onions and cook, stirring occasionally, until onions are softened, about 5 minutes. Peel sweet potatoes and cut into 1/2-inch cubes. Add sweet potatoes to skillet, stir to combine, cover skillet and cook, stirring occasionally, until potatoes are tender, about 10-15 minutes. Cut bacon into small pieces, add to skillet, and stir to combine. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Poach or fry eggs. Divide hash among 4 plates and top each with 1 or 2 eggs. Makes 4 servings.

Pork Loin With Sweet Potatoes 1 1/2-2 pound pork loin filet Coarse salt and freshly ground black pepper 2 tablespoons vegetable oil 1/2 cup chicken broth or stock 2 tablespoons cane syrup 4 small sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch slices Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Dry pork loin with paper towels; season with salt and pepper. Heat oil in a large, heavy casserole and brown pork all over. Pour off fat from casserole. Add chicken broth or stock to casserole; spread cane syrup over pork loin and add sweet potatoes. Cover casserole and cook in preheated oven until pork is done, about 30-35 minutes. Thinly slice pork and serve with slices of sweet potato. Spoon pan juices over pork and potatoes. Makes 4-6 servings.

Roasted Sweet Potato Wedges 4 small sweet potatoes 2 tablespoons olive oil Coarse salt Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Scrub sweet potatoes, but do not peel. Dry with paper towels. Cut each potato lengthwise into 4 wedges. In a mixing bowl, toss wedges with olive oil to coat. Sprinkle with salt. Place potato wedges on baking sheet skin side down and roast in preheated oven until cooked through, about 12-15 minutes. Makes 4 servings.

24 | Louisiana Life September/October 2013

Pecan Crust: 3/4 cup all-purpose flour 1/2 cup ground pecans 1 tablespoon sugar 1/4 teaspoon salt 5 tablespoons cold butter 1 egg yolk 2 tablespoons ice cold water Combine flour, ground pecans, sugar and salt in mixing bowl. Cut butter into small pieces and work into flour mixture with a pastry blender or your fingertips until mixture is crumbly. Beat egg with water and add to mixture. With a fork, lightly mix just until dough begins to form. Turn out onto a lightly floured surface, dust with flour, shape into a ball and press into a disc. Wrap in plastic film and refrigerate for half an hour or longer.

Sweet Potato Filling: 2 cups cooked and mashed sweet potatoes (3-4 small potatoes) 1/2 cup light brown sugar 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg 3 eggs, separated 1/3 cup milk 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract 3 tablespoons dark rum In a large pot, cover sweet potatoes with water and boil, covered, until they are easily pierced with the tip of a knife, about 35-40 minutes. Drain and rinse under cold water.

While potatoes are cooling, turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Dust with flour and, with a floured rolling pin, roll dough into a circle whose diameter is slightly larger than the pie pan. Transfer dough to pan, trim and crimp edges as desired. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

When potatoes have cooled, peel them, slice into a bowl and mash well. Measure 2 cups of mashed potatoes. In a mixing bowl, combine mashed sweet potatoes, brown sugar, salt, nutmeg, egg yolks, milk, vanilla and rum. Beat with an electric mixer until mixture is creamy. In a separate bowl, whip egg whites until stiff.

Fold egg whites into sweet potato mixture. Turn mixture into prepared pie shell, smooth the top with a rubber spatula and bake on the lower shelf of preheated oven until set, about 35-40 minutes. Serve pie warm or room temperature. Makes 8 servings.

THIS WEEKEND

EXPLORE XPLORE THE CAJUN COAST!

LOUISIANA SHRIMP & PETROLEUM FESTIVAL AUG. 30–SEPT. 2 • LABOR DAY

WEEKEND • MORGAN CITY • This four-day extravaganza of family entertainment includes continuous live music by local and national acts, a huge arts & crafts show and sale, a Children’s Village, the Cajun Culinary Classic, the traditional Blessing of the Fleet and water parade—all with no gate fee!

HARVEST MOON FEST • OCT. 5

DOWNTOWN FRANKLIN • Welcome fall with all-day festivities on Franklin’s charming Main Street, featuring live music; a children’s carnival; teen activities; an antique, hot rod, classic car and motorcycle show, concessions and special retail promotions.

Only 90 minutes from New Orleans, Lafayette or Baton Rouge

(800) 256-2931 • www.cajuncoast.com www.louisianalife.com Louisiana Life | 25

home

Made in Louisiana This neoclassical-style home in Alexandria honors local craftsmanship.

By Bonnie Warren | Photographed by Craig Macaluso

There is a neoclassic

arched windows greets you.

that our house is a product of

to Baton Rouge architect

architectural feeling about the

To enhance the neoclassic

Louisiana design and crafts-

William R. “Bill” Powell,

stately new home Adrienne

theme, there’s a colonnade

manship that gives us the

AIA; New Orleans interior

and Dr. Michael Dole built on

portico.

most pride. Every part of this

designer Stacey Serro;

house was made in Louisiana,

decorator Deborah Tillman

Alexandria. As you approach

architecture honors the past,”

supplied by businesses and

and landscape architect

the house, an arched front

says Michael, an Alexandria

put together by people who

Jeffrey “Jeff” Carbo, FASLA,

double-door with large

physician. “Yet it is the fact

live in the state.” Credits go

both from Alexandria.

“We enjoy the fact that the

a 13-acre pastoral setting in

26 | Louisiana Life September/October 2013

.

It is easy to understand the

first glance into the core of

homeowners’ pride. There is

the house offers an additional

nothing ordinary about this

visual symphony of arches.

house. Even the inspiration for

Three sets of French doors lead

the nine-foot tall, mostly glass

to the rear loggia, and arches,

front door came from the one

not doors, provide access to

Adrienne and Stacey Serro

the adjoining rooms.

saw on a visit to Reims, France.

The interior design is

“We knew instantly it was the

inspired by French style. “We

right door for our home,” says

told Stacey that we wanted

Adrienne, a registered nurse.

a home that would elude

She says Peter Tully of Baton Rouge replicated it perfectly.

Serro adds other Louisiana

tranquility, comfort, timeless elegance, and a streamlined mix of contemporary and

talent to the list of project

antique furnishings,” Adrienne

contributors. “Julie Neill

says. Serro’s interpretation

on Magazine Street in New

of the Doles’ wishes gives

Orleans made most of the

everything a feeling of a

chandeliers, and the exterior

French grandeur, without the

lighting came from Chris

heavy brocades and velvets

Bevolo of Bevolo Lighting on

that are often seen.

Royal Street in New Orleans’ French Quarter.”

A neoclassic arch matches

If the interiors of the Dole home reminds you of a grand Paris apartment, step outside

the front door, providing an

and take in the glory of the

introduction to the grand

park-like grounds created

23-by-33-foot living room. The

by landscape architect Jeff

.

FACING PAGE: Seating in the living room in front of the fireplace was custom-designed by New Orleans-based interior designer Stacey Serro. Arches, rather than doors, provide access to adjoining rooms. TOP: The large den adjoins the kitchen, creating a large open central living space for the family. A large game room is just steps away through the arch that is opposite the fireplace.

Alexandria artist Lynn Sanders painted the custom television cabinet over the fireplace. ABOVE: Adrienne and Dr. Michael Dole

www.louisianalife.com Louisiana Life | 27

TOP: Michael is the chef in the family, and he paid special attention to everything about the design and furnishings of the kitchen. His choice was a large Wolf gas range. The custom cabinets are from Bayou Cabinets in Moreauville. Stacey Serro’s company, Paris Finds, found the rustic 19th-century chandelier in a Paris flea market and had it electrified. LEFT: The intimate master bedroom features a handsome bench that was acquired from a Paris apartment by Paris Finds; Julie Neill designed the chandelier; silk was used to cover the headboard, and linen and silk dress the bed. RIGHT: The master bathroom offers a study in grandeur with its Calcutta gold honed marble countertops and mosaic stone floors. The tub is framed in an arched window. A Julie Neill chandelier illuminates the room.

28 | Louisiana Life September/October 2013

TOP: The rear wing of the house features guest quarters and a multi-car garage. A three-acre lake, stocked with bass, brim and minnows, was created behind the swimming pool.

A half-mile walking trail rims the lake. MIDDLE: Landscape architect Jeffrey Carbo, FASLA, designed the infinity pool that was built by Robin Ewing and Associates – both are from Alexandria. Carbo came up with the idea of creating the 45-foot runnel that flows out of the hot tub, down the steps, and into the pool. BOTTOM: The dining room features a large fan-topped window draped in silk. Julie Neill designed the chandelier.

Carbo. Here the visual drama includes a 15-foot deep, three-acre lake that is stocked with bass, brim and minnows; a three-hole golf course; an 18-by-54-foot infinity pool (built by Robin Ewing of Alexandria) and a hot tub. Carbo supervised the planting of 800 trees that will someday make the grounds as picturesque as a River Road historic plantation. “Jeff came up with the idea to connect the hot tub and infinity pool with a 45-foot runnel that flows out of the hot tub, down the steps and into the pool,” Michael says.

“We enjoy every aspect of our home,” he summarizes. Adrienne especially likes their neighborhood: “We are grateful for the opportunity to build our dream house and have some land to spread out on,” she says. “Our sons – Evan, 17, and Grant, 15, love sharing their home with friends, and we have found it cozy for entertaining small gatherings yet spacious enough for a grand party.” n

www.louisianalife.com Louisiana Life | 29

art

Louisiana streams. At times, she captures moments of dappled sunlight that plays along watery banks and deep into the woods. Her luminous palette is sunlight brushed across canvas.

Mostly, her paintings are devoid of human presence, as though the artist has found solace in a patch of woods in the rapid suburbanization of the once-bucolic St. Tammany Parish landscape. No towns, no malls, no farmhouses, no boathouses nor pricey retreats along riverbanks, just Thoreau’s “natural cities.”

Or as Hood says, “Mine are pictures of nothing, just ordinary spaces that I see as being extraordinary.”

Her images call to mind how an earlier painter defined art: “Art does not reproduce the visible; rather it makes it visible.” In her

Gail Hood

Along the banks of the Little Tchefuncte

By John R. Kemp

paintings, we see not what a camera might record but Hood’s poetic response to the landscape shaped by the interplay of light, shadows and contrasts – those abstracts of the imagination that transcend the literal.

To most people driving by, Louisiana’s swamplands and forests stand as dark, impen-

“What would human

In a sense, Covington

landscapes along the

etrable walls where few dare

life be without forests, those

artist and former university

Little Tchefuncte River

enter. To Hood, however,

natural cities?” asks Henry

art professor Gail Hood

in St. Tammany Parish,

these watery landscapes

David Thoreau in his famous

asks the same question in

the Tickfaw in nearby

are filled with nature’s

1843 poem, “A Winter Walk.”

her paintings of wooded

Livingston Parish, and other

drama. “I am very much

30 | Louisiana Life September/October 2013

interested in the rhythms of

in art came naturally.

in Rouen, France. After

semester, I started painting

trees, the verticals against

Two uncles, her mother’s

finishing high school at St.

cows,” she says with a

the horizontals, the water,

brothers, were commercial

Scholastica, she continued

broad smile and chuckle. “A

that combination of water

artists in Chicago and an

her art studies at Carleton

professor told me that if I

and trees,” she says. “I am

aunt wrote advertising

College in Minnesota,

kept doing that, I wouldn’t

particularly interested when

copy for two New Orleans

Tulane University in New

make it. I was thinking

the trees are different. They

department stores. She took

Orleans, the Art Institute

about walking through the

become like characters to me.

art classes in high school

of Chicago, Pratt Institute

fields, but I painted Abstract

They set up a little dialogue.

at St. Scholastica Academy

in Brooklyn, and Columbia

Expressionism and they loved

It’s like a stage.”

in Covington. There she

University in New York,

it.” After graduate school,

had one semester with

where she received a master

Hood got a job at Florida

stage began early in life.

Sonia Sekula, the noted

of fine arts degree.

State University, where she

In 1938 her family moved

Swiss-born Abstraction

from Michigan to Folsom,

Expressionist painter.

encountered a faculty

with the various art “isms”

La., where her father,

Between her junior and

steeped in the Abstract

of the day. Then in 1962,

an engineer, worked in

senior years, Hood spent

Expressionist movement that

she returned to Louisiana,

the then-thriving tung

10 months studying art at

dominated the 1950s New

went to work as director of

oil industry. Her interest

the École des Beaux-Arts

York art world. “My first

occupational therapy at the

Hood’s journey to that

At Columbia, Hood

taught art and experimented

Southeast Louisiana Hospital in Mandeville and married St. Tammany realtor Henry Hood.

“With a new job and new marriage,” she says, “I did not have much time to think about painting. When I figured out I was not going to be a cutting-edge artist after all, I decided that I might as well paint as I wanted. Mostly, I painted Henry’s flower pots stacked around the yard or local roadsides, trying to keep them as gestural as the Abstraction Expressionism I admired. I got a studio and began painting fields and hedgerows along the Little

.

www.louisianalife.com Louisiana Life | 31

Tchefuncte near our home

her Pine Island series. Pine

layering of that experience

Cézanne – and for good

in Folsom.”

Island is a marshy and

of walking in the woods,

reason. While attending

wooded area along the

photographing forms and

graduate school in New

began her long career in

Tchefuncte River south of

shapes that interest me,

York, Hood copied Cézanne

teaching art, first at her

Madisonville in southwestern

and compiling those images

watercolors wherever she

alma mater, St. Scholastica

St. Tammany. With a four-

to see what works. Every

found them. Then in 2002,

in Covington and then at

by-five Graflex camera and

painting has a different

while on sabbatical in France,

Mandeville High School.

tripod in tow, Hood spent

set of puzzles to solve and

she spent a month painting

In 1978 she joined the

two years walking through

that’s interesting to me. I

Monet’s famous chalk cliffs

Southeastern Louisiana

the woods, photographing

work with what I see in the

in Étretat, Normandy, and

University art faculty in

scenes for later compositions.

photograph and what I saw

locations in Aix-en-Provence

Hammond, where she held

“It was fun coming home and

in the landscape. All of my

that had inspired Cézanne

various positions until her

taping the images together

paintings contain abstract

a century earlier. “It wasn’t

retirement in 2006.

to see if I had caught the

elements. That’s what I like

Louisiana,” she smiles, “but it

sense of what I was trying to

to create.”

was a great experience.”

In the late 1960s, Hood

“While teaching at the university, I had to produce,”

capture,” she says, recalling

A close look at Hood’s

Over the years, Hood

she recalls. “That’s when I

those long spring strolls in

paintings reveals not only

has combined all three of

turned to photography. I

the forest.

the strong influences of the

these influences to create a

Abstract Expressionists,

distinctive style, a style that

photographed big panoramic

While some artists like to

scenes, taped them together

paint en plein air (outside

with their intense colors

has gained her consider-

and painted long images of

on location), Hood prefers

and energy-charged brush-

able recognition. Hood’s

the river back in my studio.”

to work from photographs.

strokes, but to a greater

paintings can be found

In the mid-1980s, Hood

“I get very tied to the

extent, the radiant palettes of

in various corporate and

received a grant from the

photograph I’m working

Impressionist Claude Monet

private collections, including

university to help underwrite

from,” she says. “I like the

and Post-Impressionist Paul

the Historic New Orleans Collection. In 2010 the New Orleans Museum of Art featured one of her paintings in the major exhibition, Women Artists in Louisiana, 1965-2010.

Earlier in her career, however, she was reluctant to categorize her work. “I was a little embarrassed in those days when asked about my paintings,” she recalls. “I would not admit that it was essentially Impressionistic.

I called it gestural realism.

I am not embarrassed any more.” More important than Impressionism, Abstract Expressionism or even “gestural realism,” Hood has found her poetry along the Little Tchefunte.

32 | Louisiana Life September/October 2013

n

www.louisianalife.com Louisiana Life | 33

traveler

Honoring Our Athletes New Sports Hall of Fame makes a statement | by Paul F. Stahls Jr. The Louisiana

the NSU Demons’ basketball

as the “Cane River National

and of itself, be an instant

Hall of Fame was established

arena to 800 Front St., world-

Heritage Area”!

attraction. “And that,” says

by the Louisiana Sports

renowned Louisiana architect

Writers Association in 1958,

Victor “Trey” Trahan III

mayor Bobby DeBlieux (now

but it was a Hall without a

proposed an ultra-modern

deceased), who had worked

to behold as an onside

hall until Natchitoches and

work of architectural art to

tirelessly, from City Hall in the

kick, comes courtesy of a

Northwestern State University

house it, but there was some

1970s and then from Baton

consortium – the Louisiana

stepped up to the plate in

persuading to do. Doug

Rouge as State Preservation

State Museum, City of

1971 with an offer of space

Ireland (chairman of the Hall

Officer in the ’80s, to land that

Natchitoches and Louisiana

on campus. The growing

of Fame since 1991) chuckles

“Heritage Area” distinction.

Sports Writers, and it houses

collection of memorabilia

when he recalls the outcry

An avant-garde landmark

not only the Sports Hall of

was shelved, reverently if

of some townsfolk who

was precisely what was

Fame but also a museum of

somewhat inaccessibly, in

believed it would be wacky

needed, he declared at a

additional sports memorabilia,

Prather Coliseum for 40 years

if not blasphemous to place

public hearing in 2004,

a tribute to our outdoors

until the opening of a dazzling

something so startling into the

insisting that a nondescript

sports and a museum of

new Hall of Fame on June 28.

mix of 19th-century structures

new building or mere replica

Northwest Louisiana history

on that street! In that

from antebellum times would

and culture.

made to move the treasures

“National Historic District”

seem lame at best, whereas

to the heart of town, from

city! In the region designated

Trahan’s creation would, in

Sports

Once the decision was

34 | Louisiana Life September/October 2013

“Wrong,” said former

Ireland, “was that.”

The new facility, as thrilling

Just past the entrance, Hall of Fame exhibits begin with

tributes to the current year’s

itself), a good spot to take

includes contributions to

radio shows and countless

inductees and then blossom

a breather before plunging

arts and literature by “art

segments of television’s

into a wall-to-wall celebration

into the upstairs section of

colonist” Cammie Henry of

“American Sportsman”).

of 300-plus inductees from

the sports collection: historic

Melrose, 19th-century novelist

That tradition lives on in

the past, representing every

objects and images honoring

Kate Chopin of Cloutierville

sportsman/writers like Bob

imaginable sport and hailing

men, women, landmarks

and Cane River’s Clementine

Marshall of New Orleans,

from practically every parish.

and key events, with every

Hunter (with a small gallery

a winner of a Pulitzer for

First, however, invest seven

wall, case, kiosk and video

presenting samples of her

environmental reporting

minutes to see those decades

screen covered with names

nationally beloved paintings).

and many top conserva-

of plays and playmakers

you remember, or remember

summarized nicely in “Great

your dad and granddad

Artifacts like vintage guns, lures and antique

tionist awards who’s now conservation editor and

Moments,” a tapestry of

regional editor for Field &

now-legendary stars and

Stream, “South” columnist

events woven from modern

for Outdoor Life magazine,

videos and historic footage

host of Field & Stream Radio

by filmmakers Glen Pitre and

Network shows and co-host

Michelle Benoit.

of ESPN’s “The Outdoors.”

On June 28, in front of

Displays include personal memorabilia of many of

the most modern building

the greats, with details of

in Louisiana, Bob Marshall

their careers presented

was honored with the

via video clips, documen-

Distinguished Service

taries and audios, plus a

Award in Sports Journalism,

push-button database on all

80-year-old Milton Retif of

inductees with their bios,

New Orleans (athlete, coach

stats and memorable quotes

and “sports benefactor”)

(all retrievable by player,

received the Dave Dixon

sport, school or hometown).

Sports Leadership Award,

Imagine: Bob Pettit, Billy

and nine men and women,

Cannon, Pete Maravich, Karl

living and deceased, were

Malone, Terry Bradshaw, Bert

inducted into the Louisiana

Jones, Doug Williams, Willie

Sports Hall of Fame as part

Davenport, Hal Sutton … The

of the museum’s opening

list goes on.

day ceremonies conducted

by Lt. Gov. Jay Dardenne

Which ones are also listed in collegiate and professional

(ex officio guardian of the

halls of fame? Which were

structures and treasures of

Olympians? How many were

the State Museum).

The honorees, most of

multi-sport athletes? This

whom spent much of the day

place has the answers, not to mention the two floors of vintage images and sports

remembering.

As the primary State

duck and turkey calls fill

exploring the great facility,

the “Sportsman’s Paradise”

were: Shaquille O’Neal (who stole

paraphernalia in categories

Museum facility for

tribute woods-and-water

the show by renaming the

as diverse as a 1934 Louisiana

northwest Louisiana, one

sports and sportsmen,

city Shaqitoches), the LSU

Golf Association trophy

section presents artifacts

from great artist/naturalist

superstar and 1996 Olympian

in the form of a three-foot

and graphics that define

John James Audubon to

whose middle initials became

sterling State Capitol, a wildly

the region through stories

great Sports Hall of Fame

“MVP” during a 19-year NBA

modified 1956 T-bird that set

of its hilltop/river-bottom

naturalist/sportsman Grits

career; Ronald Ardoin – super-

six world speed records at the

topography, Kisatchie

Gresham of Natchitoches.

jockey from Carencro

Salt Flats, and the riding gear

National Forest, the

of jockey Eddie Delahoussaye

boomtown days of forestry

outdoors life and conser-

32,335 races; Tommy Hodson of

(winner of five Triple Crown

and oil, the Caddo Indians,

vation, Gresham set the

Mathews, four-year starting

races and two consecutive

the era of slavery, the Union

standard with his mastery of

quarterback for LSU who

Kentucky Derbies)!

Army’s Red River Campaign

every form of hunting and

still holds school records for

of 1864 and Isle Brevelle’s

fishing as well as mastery

passing yardage, completions

overlooks Cane River Lake

creoles de couleur. A special

of every medium of his

and touchdown passes; Ervin

(once part of Red River

exhibit on notable women

day (newspaper columns,

Johnson of New Orleans

A second-floor terrace

photos courtesy of Trahan Architects

As a lifelong promoter of

who won one in six of his

.

www.louisianalife.com Louisiana Life | 35

and Jonesville, an unknown

or contentious labor disputes;

till discovered by UNO (Sun

Chanda Rubin, tennis star from

Belt Player of the Year,

Lafayette who won Grand

second-team All-America

Slam doubles at the Australian

and ABA first-round pick by

Open, the Wimbledon Juniors

Seattle; James Jones of Tallulah,

crown and seven titles on the

star of three Southwestern

Women’s Tennis Association

Conference championship

Tour; and Ed “Skeets” Tuohy

teams at Grambling and six

(posthumously), legendary

All-Star appearances in his

Newman High School coach

10 years as a pro; Anna Koll

in New Orleans, whose teams

(posthumously), phenomenal

won three state titles and

all-sport athlete from New

15 district championships

Orleans in the 1930s; Kevin

in 15 years.

Mawae, star offensive lineman

The Louisiana Sports Hall

at Leesville High and LSU,

of Fame Museum (crt.state.

then 8-time Pro-Bowler before

la.us/museum) is open 10

to 5 p.m. Sunday. To assist

Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame

becoming president of the NFL

a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday

with fundraising and other

Foundation at (318) 238-4255

Players Association in an era

through Saturday and 1 p.m.

support efforts, contact the

or lasportshall.com. n

best bets Sports Tours the State: Our map is peppered honored by the giant eagle monument on City Park with sports attractions, plenty enough to keep Avenue at Canal Boulevard and an hour west via fans content between visits to the big Louisiana U.S. 90, the Patterson branch of the State Museum Sports Hall of Fame. Our college and university is filled with full-scale replicas of the recordteams alone, from Louisiana College Wildcats and breaking racers Weddell designed.

Centenary Gents to Warhawks, Jaguars, Bulldogs In Baton Rouge go see the campus home of and Tigers, offer historic stadiums, arenas and Southern Jaguars mascot Lacumba, Billy Cannon’s halls of fame, and vintage racing facilities like our Heisman trophy and Shaq’s shoes at T.J. Ribs Allen-Mace bout, 1870 four parimutuel “Downs” and old State Capital restaurant, the first Mike the Tiger at LSU’s Natural Dragway in Erwinville are also scattered about.

History Museum and another early Mike preserved Racing landmarks in New Orleans include the Fair Grounds Race at Ralph & Kacoo’s restaurant. Today’s Mike can be visited at his estate Course’s own hall of fame (plus the infield gravestones of legendary between Tiger Stadium and Pete’s Palace (with its towering statue of thoroughbreds Black Gold and Pan Zareta), the oval lanes of Metairie Shaq), not far from Pete Maravich’s old basketball/rodeo arena (the “Cow Cemetery that mark the 19th-century Metairie Racetrack, and the Palace” on Highland Road). Near the dazzling new Alex Box Stadium, site of 1910s City Park Racetrack now marked by the 1937 Art Deco the Football Ops Building on Skip Bertman Drive features a great sports stadium named for Sports Hall of Fame track coach Frank “Tad” awards display, and the films and memorabilia of the Adonie sports Gormley (site of two years of New Orleans Pelicans baseball, decades museum on Campus Lake document the university and its Tiger teams. of high school football, a 1964 Beatles concert and 1992 U.S. Burton Coliseum in Lake Charles is home not only of McNeese Olympic Track and Field Trials).

Cowboys basketball but also Louisiana’s High School Rodeo While in New Orleans don’t forget the Saints Hall of Fame and “Rebirth” Championships each June, the medieval horse-and-lance competition statue (Steve Gleason’s punt-block against Atlanta in the first home game called the Tournoi highlights Ville Platte’s annual Louisiana Cotton Festival after Hurricane Katrina) at the Superdome, the next-door home of New in October, the Eddie Robinson Memorial at Grambling presents the bust Orleans Pelicans basketball, Gretna’s statue of Sports Hall of Fame slugger and mementoes of the “winningest coach” and his pro-producing Tiger Mel Ott and, in Metairie, the home diamond of the New Orleans Zephyrs. teams, and the Sports Museum of Champions (Shreveport Convention Boxing landmarks around town include the Superdome by virtue of Center, 400 Caddo St.) tells the stories of Terry Bradshaw, Doug its Spinks-Ali match of 9-15-78 when Ali became the first three-time Williams, golfer Hal Sutton and other stars of the region. Across town, heavyweight champ; Kenner’s riverside statue of America’s first World Shreveport’s great old State Fair Stadium, for years the annual battleHeavyweight Championship (the 5-10-1870 Tom Allen/Jem Mace bout held ground of the Tech-Northwestern rivalry, is now known, of course, as a stone’s throw upriver at William Kenner’s Oakland Plantation); and the Independence Stadium in honor of the bowl game born there in 1976. still-existing façade of the Southern Athletic Club at Washington and Prytania And then there’s our out-of-state Louisiana sports landmark. Texas streets where “Gentleman” Jim Corbett trained for his 7-7-1892 bout at A&M plays in Baton Rouge this year, but if you get to College Station in the Olympic Club in the Bywater district, which ended the great John L. 2014 you’ll see the new statue of halfback John David Crow of Springhill, Sullivan’s career and introduced Queensberry rules to American boxing.

Louisiana’s “other” Heisman winner, who starred at A&M under young The Lakefront Airport (newly restored) sponsored 1930s air races Coach Bear Bryant, won his trophy in 1957, became a four-time All-Pro (setting of Faulkner’s Pylon), some won by aviator Jimmie Weddell who’s and later coached the Warhawks in Monroe.

36 | Louisiana Life September/October 2013

top photo courtesy of Mark Sindler

www.louisianalife.com Louisiana Life | 37

’S

IN

OF LOUIS H C R IAN A E S A

HOG WILD POR

K T RINIT Y

By Kent J. Landry

photographed by cheryl gerber

38 | Louisiana Life September/October 2013

I

t’s been estimated that the pig has been around humans for well over 7,000 years, making it one of our earliest domesticated animals. But it wasn’t until 1539 that pigs were introduced to the “New World.”

Explorer Hernando de Soto brought pigs with him

as he journeyed across the southeastern portion of the continent, and while he was busy searching for the fountain of youth, some pigs with him went looking for their freedom. It was these escaped pigs that became the ancestors of the wild boars we know today.

In the northern part of the continent, during the 16th and 17th centuries, the pig was an important food source for the independent French settlers who lived in Acadia, present day Nova Scotia. When the British forced these Acadians out of their homeland, many found their way to French-speaking Louisiana, and pork-eating traditions came with them.

Much like the Plains Indians who utilized virtually every part of the buffalo for either food or shelter, Cajuns did not waste any part of the hog. During the traditional Cajun boucherie, multiple families would come together to butcher a hog and share its meat. In addition to the mainstays of bacon, ham, chops and roast cuts, the Cajuns would also use the hog’s head to make a gel-like substance known as hog’s head cheese.

The pig skin would be fried up in lard to make gratons, better known to many as cracklins. Andouille sausage and Cajun smoked ham known as tasso were also made during these boucheries. Even the lining of the pig’s stomach was stuffed with pork meat and seasoned. This delicacy was called chaudin. And, of course, people in Louisiana can barbecue with the best pit masters from Texas to Tennessee, serving up our barbecue with a little Voodoo spice and Cajun ingenuity. But it is what I affectionately term the Pork Trinity – boudin, cracklins and hog’s head cheese – that truly sets Louisiana apart from other places that dine on swine.

www.louisianalife.com Louisiana Life | 39

PORK ON THE MENU Our Reporter’s Picks of Places to Try

The Joint

701 Mazant St. New Orleans www.alwayssmokin.com The Joint offers barbecue done the Louisiana way, with the finest pulled-pork sandwiches this side of the Carolinas.

NuNu’s Fresh Market

509 Lafayette St. Youngsville www.nunus.com Half the fun is traveling to this charming Cajun town on the outskirts of Lafayette, but when you get there, a wonderful array of plate lunches and pork offerings await. Check out the fantastic boudin and cracklins.

The Louisiana Pork Trinity: Boudin Boudin is a combination of pork, rice,

become available to the masses, to be enjoyed by Cajuns and non-Cajuns alike? A

green onions and various other spices

man in Lafayette thinks he has the answer.

and seasonings, mixed together and

In Lafayette, at Johnson’s Boucaniere (smoke house), near the University of

stuffed in an edible casing. There are

Louisiana at Lafayette, you can talk to a man who has been making and selling

as many variations of boudin as there

boudin and smoked sausages for more than 50 years. Wallace Johnson will regale

are to the story of what happened to

you with stories of the early years of his store and meat market, and he believes that

Gabriel and Evangeline.

his store in Eunice was the first-ever to sell boudin commercially back in 1948.

In Louisiana, each boudin maker

Boudin is so popular that there are numerous websites and books devoted to all

has their own idea of the right amount of rice, meat and seasoning that goes into those stuffed casings.

Traditionally, boudin was made by mixing the pig’s blood in with the meat and rice mixture. Known as “red boudin,” this delicacy, which has a slight liver taste, can rarely be found today, as the “white boudin” has become the boudin of choice for modern Cajuns and visitors alike.

Authentic red boudin can still be bought, however, if you look hard enough. It’s an acquired taste that still has its admirers.

Boudin and its antecedents have long been a staple of the European and Acadian diet. When, however, did this culinary creation first

Legnon’s Boucherie

410 Jefferson Terrace Blvd.

New Iberia www.boudinlink.com/Legnons This meat market is where you can find all kinds of great pork products, from chops to ribs to boudin and head cheese, as well as other smoked meats. Though not made of pork, their crawfish boudin is the best I’ve ever tasted.

Bourgeois Meat Market

543 W Main St. Thibodaux www.bourgeoismeatmarket.com You can still find the traditional red “blood” boudin at this meat market down the bayou in Thibodaux, but the boudin burrito is a newer offering that is a must-try.

Cochon

930 Tchoupitoulas St. New Orleans www.cochonrestaurant.com Cochon is known for its traditional cooked and smoked pork dishes with a gourmet nouveau flair, bringing the boucherie to the 21st century.

the pork trinity

the places in South Louisiana and the neighboring regions that sell the sausage.

The Boudin Link (www.boudinlink.com), created by Dr. Bob Carriker, a history professor at University of Louisiana at Lafayette, is one of the best websites to refer to when planning your next road trip to find worthy boudin. There’s a charm to cruising the back roads of Cajun country searching for that little mom-and-pop store that still makes authentic, high-quality, stuffed-pork and rice creations.

Cracklins (Gratons) Cracklins are another delicacy that utilizes a portion of the hog not necessarily thought of as a food source – the skin. These morsels are not at all like the pork rinds you can buy in the store, which are basically fried air with a little pork skin flavor. Making the perfect batch of cracklins is a science. You have to know how to cut the skin just right, because a good, mouthwatering cracklin will have the right amount of meat, fat and skin and will be fried to a golden perfection and then seasoned with whatever seasoning your mama likes. When you chomp down on one, it should give a good pop, or crack, as you nosh down on the skin and fat and then have a nice little chewy finish from the meat.

These delectable fried pieces are not for those who are trying to watch their figure or their blood pressure, that’s for sure, but as a unique tradition in the Cajun heartland there is nothing like them. I can remember as a kid visiting my grandparents in Lafayette, and occasionally my grandfather would go to his neighborhood store and get a bag of those wonderfully fried pork cracklins, thus passing on the experience to yet another generation.

Hog's Head Cheese Hog’s head cheese is European in origin and in France is known as fromage de tête. In any language the name can be deceptive because the meat and spice

boudin, crackins and hog’s headcheese

more Places to Try

mixture is not a cheese at all but rather jellied meat. Most head cheese these days is made using pig’s feet and shoulder meat that is boiled and cooled in order to create the jelly that holds all that spicy goodness together, but in the

T-Jim’s Gro. and Market 928 Dr. H J Kaufman Ave. Cottonport www.tjims.com Traditional smoked meats and sausages as well as boudin and hog’s head cheese can be found at this family-owned and -operated meat market in the northern tip of Acadiana. Also has the best website of any on the list. Visit live or virtually for a fun treat.

The Best Stop

615 Hwy. 93 N. Scott www.beststopinscott.com You’ll want to walk out with a bit of everything, so bring a cooler that you can load up full of goodies.

Don’t miss the Cajunseasoned cracklins.

old days a real hog’s head was

backroads of Cajun county – in search of the best link of boudin you ever tasted – to

cleaned out, cut up, boiled, and

the haute cuisine of some of New Orleans’ finest establishments, the pig is in them

then poured into molds to cool.

all. Oink if you love it, my friends.

n

The resulting mixture of pork and the spices has a flavor with a unique texture, good by itself or on crackers.

Family feuds have been started over the dinner table arguing about who makes the best cracklins and boudin in South Louisiana. Every person has their own personal favorite and insists that their place is the best, or that their grandfather’s best friend’s neighbor made the best homemade cracklins, hog’s head cheese and/or boudin they ever tasted.

Today, pig-eating has gone highbrow. Boudin and cracklins can not only be found in butcher shops across South Louisiana, but also in fine dining establishments in the Big Easy. At restaurants like Cochon and Boucherie in New Orleans, restaurateurs Donald Link and Nathanial Zimet, respectively, have taken the boucherie and the tradition of smoked and cured meats and given them a contemporary flair. From the

Don’s Specialty Meats 730 I-10 S. Frontage Road (Right off Interstate 10) Scott www.donsspecialtymeats.com Once you walk in, you’ll want to sample everything. Highly recommended are the boudin balls, which are perfectly fried to a golden crisp.

Podnuh’s Bar-B-Que

Multiple locations in Shreveport, Bossier City, Baton Rouge and Monroe www.podnuhs.com Having been around for more than three decades the lead the way in developing what it calls a “Louisiana Style” barbecue.”Pork dishes, and the sides, are a specialty.

The Forest Restaurant

1909 Main St. Franklin www.bestwesternforestinn.com/ restaurant This little gem of a restaurant tucked inside a commercial hotel chain along Bayou Teche in St. Mary Parish fries bacon so good you’ll wish breakfast was served 24 hours a day, but the fried pork chop for lunch is a favorite among guests and locals.

Our Guide

to the 2013

College

season

by Fritz Esker Fall means football in Louisiana. From LSU’s yearly pursuit of a national title to the pageantry of the Bayou Classic to the Division III battles of Louisiana College, Saturdays in the fall are a dream for Louisiana college football fans. One of the highlights of any university’s season is homecoming week. Homecoming occurs between late September and early November, when the summer’s oppressive heat has gone and the weather seems tailor-made for tailgating, concerts, parades and football. All of the state’s 12 college football programs have their own unique traditions to make the event special for students and alumni.

Grambling State University

louisiana college

Homecoming: Nov. 2 vs. Mississippi Valley

Homecoming: Oct. 26 vs. Sul Ross State

Homecoming Festivities: Past homecoming

Homecoming Festivities: One of the most

weeks have included a wide variety of activities, from pajama parties to concerts to picnics to talent shows to “homegoing” ceremonies for Grambling’s homecoming opponent that year. On the day of the game, there’s a parade and a step show performed

by Grambling’s Greek organizations.

Coach: Doug Williams (Grambling alum, Super Bowl XXII MVP for the Washington Redskins and the first black quarterback to play in a Super Bowl)

anticipated events for Louisiana College students is the Homecoming Hoedown. It features games, prizes, bull riding, food, s’mores and square dancing. On the comic side of things is the Homecoming Honey competition. The event is a pageant for male students that includes a talent portion and an interview question. The Homecoming Court nominees pick the winner, dubbed “Homecoming Honey.” A people’s choice award is voted for by the student body.

Players to Look Out For: RB Cedric Skinner,

Coach: Dennis Dunn

QB D.J. Williams, WR Anthony McGhee, DB Tyree Hollins, LB David Smith

Players to Look Out For: RB Ryan Montague, WRs

Biggest Rivals: Most New Orleanians know the

Kyle Galyon and Jerome “Tank” Wright, FS Shaq Lewis, CB Ira Jewitt

answer to this one: Southern University. Every year on Thanksgiving weekend, the two historically black colleges battle in the Superdome in the Bayou Classic. It’s not just the football teams that compete, either. There’s also a two-part battle of the bands, with part one on the Friday night before the game and part two at halftime.

louisiana State University

Biggest Rivals: Their yearly matchup with East

Texas Baptist University is dubbed as the Battle of the Border Claw. Both schools share a common heritage; they were both founded by Baptist groups.

The friendly rivalry stopped for 31 years when Louisiana College halted its football program in 1968.

But once football returned to Pineville in 2000, so did the rivalry with East Texas Baptist. Since the rekindling of the rivalry, Louisiana College holds an 8-5 edge over ETBU and has won the last 5 matchups. The trophy for the event was donated by the father of former Louisiana College and Kansas City Chiefs offensive lineman Matt Miller.

Homecoming: Oct. 26 vs. Furman

Coach: Les Miles

Homecoming Festivities: On top of the traditional parade, pep rally, concert and tailgating, there’s plenty more to do. There’s a fun run called Runapalooza. For students looking to combine fun and community service, CANapalooza has students collecting canned goods in barrels, then using the cans to build a model of a campus icon (last year, it was Tiger Stadium) before donating the food items to charity. For first-year students, there’s a family weekend with special meals, programs and activities.

Players to Look Out For: QB Zach Mettenberger, RBs

Alfred Blue and Kenny Hilliard, WRs Jarvis Landry and Odell Beckham, FS Craig Loston Biggest Rivals: In the hyper-competitive SEC, every matchup feels like a blood feud. Recently, LSU’s biggest rivals have been the University of Alabama, who broke LSU fans’ hearts first when they lured Nick Saban, coach of LSU’s 2003 national championship team, to Tuscaloosa and again when they beat the Tigers in the January 2012 BCS National Championship Game.

MCNEESE STATE UNIVERSITY

LOUISIANA TECH Homecoming: Oct. 19 vs. North Texas

Homecoming: Oct. 19 vs. Sam Houston State

Homecoming Festivities: Paint the Town is an annual event where Tech students decorate windows and storefronts throughout Ruston with Tech colors and Halloween decorations. There’s also the Unity Board Talent Show and a dance contest called the Unity Step Show, in addition to the usual parade and tailgating. For alumni, there’s a barbecue and a breakfast with Champ, the team’s bulldog mascot.

Homecoming Festivities: McNeese students like to get dirty during homecoming week. One of the university’s most cherished homecoming week traditions is its oozeball tournament. What is oozeball? It’s volleyball played in a giant mud pit. There’s also a homecoming parade and pep rally the Thursday night before the game, with tailgating occupying the pre-game schedule on Saturday.

Coach: Skip Holtz

Coach: Matt Viator

Players to Look Out For: RB Kenneth Dixon, WR/

Players to Look Out For: QB Cody Stroud, WR Ernest Celestie, CB Terence Cahee, DE Chris Loveless

KR D.J. Banks, DL I.K. Enemkpali, QB Scotty Young Biggest Rivals: For many years, it was Fresno

State. Both schools are nicknamed the bulldogs and were WAC rivals. They’d annually square off in the “Battle for the Bone.” But with Louisiana Tech moving to Conference USA this year, its rivalry with Southern Miss will be rekindled. The two teams first met in 1935.

Biggest Rivals: Neighboring Northwestern State is a rival, but the biggest grudge match is with Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas. Each year, all McNeese and Lamar sports teams (football, basketball, soccer, etc.) compete in the “Battle of the Border.” With each individual win, a school is awarded two points. At the end of the year, points are tallied and the winner takes the trophy.

NICHOLLS State University Homecoming: Sept. 28 vs. Arkansas Tech

Coach: Charlie Stubbs

Homecoming Festivities: Nicholls State emphasizes service during its homecoming week. In the Paint the Town event, students put on red Nicholls State shirts and do various community service projects around town. There’s also the Nicholls Can canned food drive. For purely recreational events, students can relax and enjoy a block party where the homecoming court is introduced.

Players to Look Out For: QB Beaux Hebert (son of former

Saints QB Bobby Hebert), K Andrew Dolan, TE Nick Scelfo Biggest Rivals: Southeastern Louisiana is located a mere

94 miles away from Nicholls State. No two teams in the Southland Conference are geographically closer. The winner of their yearly game gets the River Bell Trophy. The rivalry thrived from 1972 to 1985, the year Southeastern dropped its football program. When Southeastern resurrected its program in 2005, the rivalry returned.

Northwestern State University Homecoming: Oct. 19 vs. Southeastern Louisiana University Homecoming Festivities: The fun begins Thursday night with Lip Sync, a party for students that includes skits, costumes, dancing, and (of course) lip syncing. On Friday night, there’s a homecoming parade ending with a pep rally on the Natchitoches Riverbank Stage in downtown Natchitoches. Saturday’s events include a morning fun run, tailgating and live music all afternoon.

Southern University

Homecoming: Oct. 26 vs. Alcorn

State

Coach: Jay Thomas Players to Look Out For: DT Lesley Deamer, WR Louis Hollier, RB

Daniel Taylor Biggest Rivals: NSU’s two main rivals are McNeese State and Stephen F. Austin University of Nacogdoches, Texas. Each year, Northwestern State battles Stephen F. Austin for “Chief Caddo,” the largest trophy in college football. Chief Caddo stands at a jaw-dropping 7.5 feet tall and weighs more than 330 pounds.

Homecoming Festivities: After a week of pep rallies and studentgenerated entertainment, thousands come out to see the homecoming parade featuring dozens of high school bands and dance groups on Saturday morning. The game typically draws 27,000 fans, but more than 50,000 people flock to the campus to tailgate and be part of the excitement.

Coach: Dawson Odums

Southeastern Louisiana Homecoming: Oct. 26 vs. Lamar Homecoming Festivities: Gumbo Ya-Ya Fest, an outdoor music

festival with a variety of acts, is a centerpiece of homecoming week.

Homecoming Day features tailgating and craft booths in Southeastern’s Friendship Circle. After the homecoming parade, Coach Roberts and the team do their traditional Lion Walk through the Friendship Circle to Strawberry Stadium.

Coach: Ron Roberts Players to Look Out For: OL Gaston Gabriel, DB Todd Washington,

QB Bryan Bennett, LB Kaleb Muse, LB Drew Misita Biggest Rivals: With 56 games dating back to 1935, Northwestern

State is Southeastern’s most common opponent. But their archrival is Nicholls State, located only 94 miles away. Each year, the two teams square off in the River Bell Classic.

48 | Louisiana Life September/October 2013

Players to Look Out For: QB Dray

Joseph, WR Lee Doss, DB Virgil Williams, LB Anthony Balancier, RB Lenard Tillery Biggest Rivals: Grambling State University is Southern’s opponent each year in the Bayou Classic.

While that rivalry garners a lot of attention, Southern’s match-ups against Jackson State are just as heated. Both historically black colleges have renowned bands and a sense of swagger that mirror each other. Even though the two schools’ student populations don’t add up to 20,000 people combined, more than 55,000 fans will attend the game when it’s played at Jackson State (which has a larger capacity stadium than Southern).

University of LouisianaMonroe

University of LouisianaLafayette Homecoming: Nov. 2 at New Mexico State

Homecoming: Oct. 26 vs. Georgia State

Homecoming Festivities: The Paint the Town Red competition sees local schools and businesses splash red and white decorations on their storefronts and campuses. A team of local celebrity judges pick the best displays of Ragin’ Cajun spirit. Costumes and skits are also part of the festivities.

Homecoming Festivities: Each year, the ULM

Coach: Mark Hudspeth Players to Look Out For: QB Terrance Broadway,

RB Alonzo Harris, DB Darius Barksdale, WRs Scott Austin and Ricky Johnson Biggest Rivals: Their biggest rivals are their annual

Battle of the Bayou opponents, the University of Louisiana at Monroe Warhawks. ULL has the tiniest of leads in the rivalry, sporting a 25-23 record against its biggest rival.

baseball team plays an intra-squad game called the Blood Series. The losing team donates blood. Student events include a water-ski show and the Miss(ter) USA Pageant, where brave ULM gents put on wigs and evening dresses and strut their stuff for the crowds. There’s also a block party and an alumni softball game.

This year’s homecoming game will also be the season’s Wear Pink game, with fans wearing pick to honor Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Coach: Todd Berry Players to Look Out For: QB Kolton

Browning, NT Kentarius Caldwell, WR Je’Ron Hamm, S Isaiah Newsome, OL Joseph Treadwell Biggest Rivals: ULM plays an annual rivalry

game against Louisiana-Lafayette called The Battle of the Bayou with the winner receiving a wooden boot-shaped trophy. ULM also has a long rivalry with Arkansas State. The two schools shared the “Indians” nickname until the NCAA banned the moniker. But the rivalry dating back to 1959 still lives on.

Tulane University Homecoming Game: Oct. 5 vs. North Texas

Coach: Curtis Johnson

Homecoming Festivities: On the night before the game, the WAVE ’13 party features a pep rally and concert on campus by Deacon John and the Ivories. The concert is followed by fireworks. There’s also the Helluva Hullabaloo Auction that night, the biggest fundraiser for Tulane Athletics. On the day of the game, tailgating beings at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome at 11 a.m. with more food and more music.

Players to Watch: QB Nick Montana (son of former

49ers QB and NFL Hall of Famer Joe Montana), NT Chris Davenport, WRs Ryan Grant and Xavier Rush, DB Darion Monroe Biggest Rivals: In the old days, it was LSU. For now, it’s

probably Conference USA opponent Southern Miss. But for the 2014-15 season, Tulane football will move to the Big East. It remains to be seen which team in their new home will emerge as their rival.

www.louisianalife.com Louisiana Life | 49

Spotlight on Public Companies Business Students size up five Louisiana businesses.

By Kathy Finn

A

n improving national economy and a host of industry factors are helping to buoy the fortunes of Louisiana’s public companies, according to business students at Tulane University. From oil industry businesses to financial services firms to a wholesaler of baby clothes, many area companies are worthy of investors’ consideration, the researchers say.

Tulane business students annually produce research reports on about 40 Gulf South companies whose stocks trade in the public marketplace. Their research includes both company-specific and

industry analysis, as well as site visits to meet with management of the subject companies. They compile their findings in the Burkenroad Reports, published annually by the university’s A.B. Freeman School of Business.

Stocks in the Burkenroad program also form the core of the Hancock Horizon Burkenroad Small-Cap Mutual Fund, which is managed by Hancock Bank and has about $380 million in assets.

The following are brief profiles of five Louisiana companies studied during the past year by the Burkenroad team.

Amerisafe Inc.

Cleco Corp.

DeRidder

Pineville

Industry: Property and casualty insurance Top executive: C. Allen Bradley Jr., chairman, CEO Website: www.amerisafe.com Market capitalization: $689.4 million Stock symbol/exchange: AMSF/NASDAQ Stock price: 52-week range: $22.00-38.43; July 14 close: $37.35 Dividend/yield: $0.32 / 1.0% Business: An insurance holding company that markets and underwrites workers compensation insurance for small to mid-size employers, the company specializes in products for the construction, trucking, manufacturing, agriculture, oil and gas, logging and maritime industries. The company was incorporated in 1985.

Analysis: Because it operates in a niche market, covering mainly hazardous occupations, Amerisafe is less likely to face the increased competition that is popping up in larger segments of the insurance industry, the Burkenroad student analysts said. They also noted that the company is debt-free and enjoys a strong cash position, factors that can help smooth out the bumps should the economy take a rough turn.

“The fourth quarter of 2012 was one of the company’s best ever, and management foresees the potential for sustainable growth for the next two years,” the Burkenroad analysts reported.

Amerisafe’s strong fundamentals prompted Zacks Investment Research in June to rate the company a “strong buy,” noting that its “strong underwriting capabilities as well as improved capital position and coverage ratios have been impressive.”

Industry: Electric utility Top executives: Bruce A. Williamson, CEO Website: www.cleco.com Market capitalization: $2.9 billion Stock symbol/exchange: CNL/NYSE Stock price: 52-week range: $38.46-49.52; July 14 close: $47.75 Dividend/yield: $1.45 / 3.1% Business: Engaged in the generation, transmission, distribution and sale of electricity to some 283,000 customers, primarily in Louisiana, the company owns and operates steam generating stations, gas turbines and other infrastructure that enables a generating capacity of 2,436 megawatts of electricity. Cleco was founded in 1934.

Analysis: Noting that expansion of the company’s customer base is important to revenue growth, the Burkenroad student analysts pointed to a 10-year agreement signed last year between Cleco and the Dixie Electric Membership Cooperation, which will add 100,000 customers to Cleco’s service area beginning in 2014 and increase the total power load by 20 percent.

The company enjoys “ample liquidity” and has rewarded investors with dividend growth in recent years, the analysts reported.

They added that the current business environment and Cleco’s “strong cash position” could make the company a candidate for a leveraged buyout.

The Burkenroad team projects growth in the company’s stock price, in part based on potential for new power purchase agreements in Louisiana, Mississippi and Arkansas.

Crown Crafts Inc.

MidSouth Bancorp Inc.

Gonzales

Lafayette

Industry: Baby supplies and accessories Top executive: E. Randall Chestnut, chairman, CEO Website: www.crowncrafts.com Market capitalization: $62.4 million Stock symbol/exchange: CRWS/NASDAQ Stock price: 52-week range: $4.80-6.60; July 14 close: $6.32 Dividend/yield: $0.32 / 5.2% Business: A provider of infant and toddler products for consumers, the company markets a wide array of clothing, nursery accessories and room décor to mass merchants, specialty stores, grocery and drug stores and distributors. Crown Crafts, Inc. was founded in 1957.

Analysis: Crown Crafts has managed to grow profits even as revenue declined in recent years, which the company in its year-end report attributed to a “realignment” of its costs, the redesign of products to favor lower-cost raw materials and the discontinuance of an unprofitable private label infant bedding line.

The Burkenroad team noted that the company has faced challenges in the form of a declining U.S. birth rate and difficult national economy, but as the recession ebbs, birth rates are projected to begin trending upward, they said. “This is positive news for Crown Crafts and the juvenile products industry as a whole,” according to the Burkenroad Reports.

The company is also working to increase its flexibility with regard to pricing. Almost 70 percent of Crown Crafts’ sales are to Walmart, Target and Toys “R” Us, which gives those companies “an upper hand in the relationship with Crown Crafts,” the analysts noted. But they added that Crown Crafts has begun expanding its distribution base to include dollar stores, food and drug chains and international markets.

Industry: Regional banking Top executive: C. Rusty Cloutier, CEO, president Website: www.midsouthbank.com Market capitalization: $180 million Stock symbol/exchange: MSL/NYSE Stock price: 52-week range: $12.7517.44; July 14 close: $15.97 Dividend/yield: $0.32 / 2.1% Business: Providing banking services to commercial and retail customers in Louisiana, and central and east Texas, the company’s subsidiary, MidSouth Bank, provides commercial and residential real estate loans, commercial, industrial and consumer loans. As of May, the company had 60 banking centers in Louisiana and Texas. MidSouth Bancorp was founded in 1984.

Analysis: The company has grown in part through acquisitions of banks and branches in recent years. In late 2012, it purchased Peoples State Bank, bringing 15 new branches in central and northern Louisiana and northeastern Texas under its wing. As it builds on its geographic diversification, MidSouth plans to continue focusing on high-growth areas that are fueled by the oil and gas industry, according to Burkenroad Reports.

The student analysts noted that the bank’s most profitable loans are to small- and mid-size companies in the oil and gas industry. MidSouth’s participation in the Small Business Lending Fund is a low-cost source of capital that allows the bank to make more loans to profitable small businesses, they said.

The analysts said the outlook for MidSouth is good, in part because its loan portfolio is weighted toward oil and gas clients, where both demand and recent commodity prices have been relatively stable.

Hornbeck Offshore Services Inc. Covington Industry: Oil and gas services Top executive: Todd M. Hornbeck, chairman, CEO, president Website: www.hornbeckoffshore.com Market capitalization: $2.0 billion Stock symbol/exchange: HOS/NYSE Stock price: 52-week range: $31.9658.18; July 14 close: $56.81 Business: Providing advanced marine transportation services to the offshore oil and gas industry, Hornbeck Offshore Services operates fleets of vessels that support the deepwater production industry in the Gulf of Mexico, Latin America and the Middle East. The company also operates a fleet of ocean-going tugs and tank barges that transport petroleum products in the northeastern United States and the Gulf of Mexico. The company was founded in 1997.

Analysis: The Burkenroad team sees this growing company as wellpositioned for expansion based on continued demand from its client base and the number of new vessels scheduled for delivery. Hornbeck this year announced an expansion of its most advanced offshore supply vessel fleet, which is one of the youngest fleets among its peers in the deepwater exploration and production market.

Drilling activity in the Gulf of Mexico continues to increase, driving up demand and enabling Hornbeck to charge higher rates for the use of its equipment, the analysts said.

“Management is doing an excellent job of positioning Hornbeck to capitalize on increased demand,” the Burkenroad team reported.

In addition, Hornbeck’s customers in Mexico and Brazil are expanding their activities, which should produce higher demand in that region as well, the analysts said. n

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State of Business Louisiana’s business landscape continues to shift as companies of all sizes contribute to the region’s overall economy and growth. Leaders in the community are making waves by winning awards, expanding offerings and improving services to customers across the state. Find out the state of business in Louisiana, and check out the following businesses and initiatives that contribute to the area by improving the lives and financial stability of our communities.

Patients benefit from a full range of neurosurgical services at the Spine Center of Excellence of Thibodaux Regional, the only full-service program in the region to treat back and neck pain. The Center offers three experienced spine surgeons and a team of specialists and physicians who create a compre-

hensive, collaborative, patient-centered approach to caring for people with neck or back pain.

“The doctors and spine surgeons focus on each patient by individually reviewing every case to determine the best course of action, whether that’s surgical or non-surgical,” says Billy Naquin, MBA, PT, OCS, and Director of the Center.

“The team also provides an ongoing management program complete with a Nurse Navigator.”

The Spine Center of Excellence of Thibodaux Regional gives patients the best chance to solve back and neck pain.

Thibodaux Regional was recently named a Blue Distinction Center in Spine Surgery by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana. For more information, call the Spine Center of Excellence of Thibodaux Regional at 985-493-4501. •

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Has the summer left you feeling cooped up from hiding indoors, hovering near A/C vents and downing cold beverages? Take advantage of fall temperatures and explore the region’s offerings—from the historical quaint streets of small-town Texas to the great outdoors of the Natural State just north of Louisiana. Arkansas and Texas present vast landscapes that differ from Louisiana’s, providing their own cultural uniqueness and vacation offerings. From hot springs and festivals to shopping and museum-hopping, Louisiana’s neighbors present fallweather options for adventurers of all ages. Consider the following regional destinations when planning a trip for your friends and family.

Travel the gently rolling terrain of the Brenham-Washington County area in Texas and feel echoes of a time long past. At Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site, Stephen F. Austin’s revolutionaries drafted the declaration of independence from Mexico; this year marks the 177th anniversary of that event. While there, explore a replica of Independence Hall, a working 1850s farm, Star of the Republic Museum and a superb Visitor Center.

Independence and Chappell Hill provide terrific small-town excursions, including museum displays and walking trails. In Burton, history is alive at the 54 | Louisiana Life September/October 2013

Texas Cotton Gin Museum, the “Official Cotton Gin of Texas.” Brenham brings its history alive with a restored historic downtown, including a state-of-the-art Visitor Center in the 1925 Simon Theatre.

Shopping and dining options are the focus as visitors stroll down the streets or enjoy watching the world go by from a comfortable park bench. It’s also the home of Blue Bell Creameries, where the “best ice cream in the country” is made.

A rkansas horse back r iding along buffalo national r iver

For more info and destinations, check out VisitBrenhamTexas.com.

The Natural State is chock-full of exciting things to see and do this time of year. With golden leaves to greet you as soon as you cross the state line, Arkansas offers seasonal shopping, dining, music and more.

There are farmers markets and fall festivals stretching from the Mississippi River Delta all the way to the Ozarks. The boutiques in Hot Springs have the best in fall colors, matching the trees outside. Meanwhile, the King Biscuit Blues Festival in Helena-West Helena and MusicFest El Dorado headline a series of must-see concert events, beginning in October.

The world-class theaters and museums of Little Rock welcome seasonal shows and exhibits. The crisp autumn air is perfect for the outdoor adventures you can only find in Arkansas. Whether you’re looking for a romantic weekend or an action-packed family trip, The Natural State will make your vacation memorable this fall. Plan your visit today. For more information and to order your FREE Vacation Planning Kit, visit Arkansas.com or call 1-800-NATURAL. •

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With over two centuries under its belt, Louisiana has seen its fair share of historical moments, landscape shifts and cultural festivities. With 64 parishes each boasting its own cultural and historical significance, there is certainly no lack of events to attend, destinations to visit, food to eat and sights to see. Experience Louisiana in a new way this fall and visit an unfamiliar parish, town or city—partake in the local festivals, sample the cuisine and observe its many eccentricities. Louisiana is a vast state with so much to offer. Take advantage of one of the most beautiful seasons of the year and take an adventure you won’t soon forget.

Parishes, Cities & Towns Showcasing its history through Native American ceremonial mounds, French privateer dealings and plantation farming, the town of Jean Lafitte offers visitors a unique look at the early days of Louisiana.

Located in Jefferson Parish on Bayou Barataria, Jean Lafitte is now home to a 6,000-square-foot, $350,000 wildlife and fisheries museum that tells the 200-yearold story of this historic fishing village 20 miles southwest of New Orleans.

Featuring a multi-media theatre presentation, an animated museum exhibition and a nature study trail, the museum leads visitors on a journey through the life of pirate Jean Lafitte. It also tells the stories and folk traditions of wetland dwellers, and shows the realities of coastal erosion and natural and man-made disasters. At the end of the exhibit, visitors emerge onto a mile-and-half cypress swamp trail leading to a bayou, rookery and marsh area, filled with alligators, snakes, turtles and exotic birds.

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Museum and Wetland Trace, visit TownofJeanLafitte.com, or call 504-689-2208. Call the museum at 504-689-7009.

Experience the southern charm of North Louisiana by visiting Ruston & Lincoln Parish. Home of the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs and the Grambling State University Tigers, the area is full of football frenzy every fall. Sports fans come from across Louisiana for the variety of collegiate events at the universities, and football fever is in full swing. Meanwhile, history and art buffs flock to the quaint, beautiful historic downtown district of Ruston, offering specialty shops, delectable restaurants, art galleries, unique architectural wonders and a thriving business community.

Area destinations include the Lincoln Parish Museum, the Louisiana Military Museum, the Autrey House and the Eddie G. Robinson Museum. Those looking for adventure can ride the best mountain bike trail in the south at Lincoln Parish Park, also a place for great hikes, fishing, camping and more. The Dixie Center for the Arts begins its 2013-14 season this fall with a performance of rock ‘n’ roll dance hits by Harmon Drew Super Group on Sept. 21.

For their full season schedule, visit dixiecenter.org. For more information on Ruston & Lincoln Parish, visit experienceruston.com.

Proudly distinguished as “The Most Cajun Place on Earth,” Vermilion Parish in South Louisiana is alive with the food, music, language and scenery that define the Cajun cultural heritage. Located minutes south of Lafayette and just west of New Iberia, the towns of Delcambre, Erath, Abbeville, Kaplan, Gueydan and others all bring a little lagniappe to the enchanting region.

Enjoy music, food and more at the Louisiana Cattle Festival held Oct. 11-13 in historic downtown Abbeville. While in Abbeville, groove to Sounds on the Square, held each Thursday evening in September and October in Magdalen Square. The free concerts, held from 5:30-9 p.m. under the majestic oaks, feature a variety of music and refreshments. Don’t forget to grab a bite to eat. Seafood lovers will want to visit Shucks. From raw or grilled oysters to seafood gumbo and classic specialties, they offer a menu to please every palate.

For more destinations, events and travel ideas, visit MostCajun.com.

Fall has arrived, school is in session, and all are back into old routines. Life is good in Avoyelles Parish, where they are always ready for company to stay over for a visit.

Festivals await you with food, fun, history, culture and entertainment. The first weekend in October is always reserved for the annual “Festival of Quilts” in Cottonport, followed by the Fifth Annual Cookbook/Arts Festival in Mansura on Oct. 12th from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

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Add a museum to your trip. Whether it be the State Historic Site, the Tunica Biloxi Cultural and Educational Resource Center or the Sarto Iron Bridge/Adam Ponthieu Store & Post Office Museum in Big Bend, you’re guaranteed to leave with a history lesson.

Plan for specialty shopping at Amish Country Store and More, WesMar Goat Farm or any of several collectible shops in the area for something you just can’t live without. All are waiting for you in Avoyelles Parish. Visit TravelAvoyelles.com for more information.

Lafayette is all about festivals, food, music and fun. For many, a love of Cajun and Zydeco music is a craving that can only be satisfied by a visit to discover all that makes Lafayette special—unique establishments, delectable food, year-round festivals and family friendly attractions.

This fall, the capital city of the Cajun heartland boasts a remarkable lineup of events. Downtown Alive, celebrating its 31st year, begins Sept. 13 and brings free entertainment to downtown Lafayette every Friday. With October comes the annual Festivals Acadiens et Créoles (Oct. 11-13) located in Girard Park and a tasty Boudin Cook-Off on Oct. 19.

At the Vermilionville Living History Museum and Folklife Park, experience the cultures of South Louisiana through exhibits, artisans, music and events.

Vermilionville features weekly jam sessions and dances, along with scheduled lectures, films and more.

A new addition, the Lafayette Farmers and Artisans Market is held every Saturday morning at the Horse Farm. On the third

Saturday of each month, the Lafayette Travel Food Pavilion adds to the fun with more than a dozen food trucks, restaurants and caterers.

Visit Lafayette.travel for more destinations and events in Lafayette.

Just off I-10 and west of Lafayette lies the “Cajun Prairie,” Acadia Parish, an area known for its unique attractions, numerous year-round festivals and rich history and folklore. In Crowley, home of the International Rice Festival, tour the Rice Interpretive Center, the Historic Crowley Ford Motor Company, built in 1920, and the J.D. Miller Recording Studio. Famous for writing Kitty Wells’ “It Wasn’t God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels,” J. D. Miller struck gold with this hit in the 1980s.

Travel the Zydeco Cajun Prairie Byway and visit Kelly’s Landing Agricultural Museum to take an informative and entertaining walk through the past. See why Rayne, LA, home of the Frog Festival, is both “The Frog Capital of the World” and the “Louisiana City of Murals.” Similarly, check out the Buggy Festival at “The Buggy Capital of the World,” Church Point, home to Le Vieux Presbytere Museum with bousillage (mud walls). Roberts Cove is home to the German Heritage Museum and the popular Germanfest.

For more information, events, destinations and festival dates, visit AcadiaTourism.org or call 877-783-2109.

Surrounded by the waters of the Atchafalaya Swamp Basin, Bayou Teche, and Atchafalaya River, the Cajun Coast in St. Mary Parish is known for its natural splendor and “road less traveled” atmosphere. There’s no better way

to spend a fall day than exploring the Atchafalaya National Heritage Area or winding along the Bayou Teche Scenic Byway. Cajun Jack’s Swamp Tours take visitors through the Atchafalaya Basin Swamp, or you can experience the wilderness by paddling through the Bayou Teche National Wildlife Refuge. Golfers won’t want to miss a chance to hit the Atchafalaya at Idlewild, which was rated as one of the best golf courses in Louisiana

by Golf Digest Magazine in 2013 and by Golfweek Magazine in 2012.

This fall, the Cajun Coast is alive with festivals and events, including the 78th Shrimp & Petroleum Festival (Aug. 30-Sept.

2), Drag Boat Racing (Aug. 24-25), Tour du Teche (Oct. 4-6), Harvest Moon Fest (Oct. 5), and La Fete d’Ecologie (Oct. 19). For more information, visit cajuncoast.com.

Every day is an adventure in Grand Isle. True to the state’s “Sportsman’s Paradise,” nickname, Grand Isle provides a wealth of exciting activities. Fishing is a main attraction, as more than 280 species of fish and four seasons of fishing bring in anglers from every corner of the state. The remote island oasis also hosts thousands of migrating birds, making it an ideal location for birdwatchers. Seven miles of beaches are open to the public and perfect for a weekend road trip. One of the area’s most popular attractions, Grand Isle State Park, features wide sand beaches, a 400-ft. fishing pier, nature trails and overnight camping.

Louisiana’s only inhabited barrier island, Grand Isle was first home to the Chitimacha tribe before European settlement began in the 1780s. Plantations on the island raised sugar cane, cotton and cattle, and much like today, the locals fished off the coast, harvesting shrimp and oysters. Host to pirates such as Jean Lafitte and later to Confederate soldiers, the region has a rich history that adds to today’s experience.

For more info, including charter fishing, lodging, events and more, visit Grand-Isle.com.

For a unique adventure, let Houma be your passport to Louisiana’s Bayou Country. Less than an hour southwest of New Orleans, the Houma area offers a rich and rare blend of nature with a mix www.louisianalife.com Louisiana Life | 57

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of wildlife found nowhere else on earth.

With thrilling swamp tours, a wildlife park and alligator farm, world-class charter fishing and a wide assortment of monthly festivals and more, there’s always something fun to do.

This fall, a terrific lineup of familyfriendly events includes the Best of the Bayou Festival (Sept. 28-29) held in Historic Downtown Houma and featuring live music, Cajun food and local artists; the Southdown Marketplace Arts & Crafts Festival (Nov. 2) featuring more than 300 arts and crafts vendors, Cajun cuisine and more; and the Ninth Annual Voices of the Wetlands Festival (Oct. 11-13), which will once again celebrate southern Louisiana’s lifestyle, culture and value to all of the U.S. For more information, call 985-868-2732 or visit them online at houmatravel.com.

In Iberia Parish on Louisiana’s HOT and SWEET side...New Iberia, Avery Island, Jefferson Island, Jeanerette, Loreauville and Delcambre. Discover rich cultures with tropical gardens on tranquil islands, famous factories, museums, historic and cultural districts, stately plantation homes, world-class fishing, walking tours, festivals, renowned cuisine and contagious Cajun and Zydeco music.

Experience the heat in the midst of the Atchafalaya National Heritage Area at Avery Island’s world-famous TABASCO® Factory, Jungle Gardens, Conrad Rice Mill and KONRIKO® Company Store. Smell 100 varieties of antique roses at Antique Rose Ville Tea Room and Gardens.

Taste cane sugar and experience history at the Jeanerette Sugar Museum, Bayou Teche Museum and Shadows-on-the-Teche Plantation Home and Gardens.

Chase Dave Robicheaux along Bayou Teche and New Iberia’s national award-winning Main Street and Historic District, captured in the famed novels of New Iberia native and award-winning author James Lee Burke.

Watch a salt mine swallow a lake at Jefferson Island Rip Van Winkle

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Gardens; tour Rip’s Rookery, where roseate spoonbills nest in spring. Dine at local restaurants and savor Cajun, Creole and Asian delicacies. For more information, call 888-942-3742 or visit IberiaTravel.com.

New Roads is the place to live, play and prosper. All are invited to discover what early French explorers found in New Roads. There, you can experience the area’s unique culture, tradition and history in the picturesque setting of False River, complete with quaint Southern cottages and a historic Main Street. But don’t let its charming, yesteryear feeling fool you. New Roads enjoys a robust downtown, bolstered by a variety of local restaurants, specialty boutiques and antique treasure troves, along with a full calendar of city-sponsored events to make the most of your visit.

New Roads is home to the Harvest Festival on False River, which has been called the “State’s Best New Festival.” This year’s festivities promise even more than before. Enjoy all three days, Oct. 18-20, and revel in the live music, exciting amusement rides, popular culinary and artisan vendors, and several cultural displays and exhibits.

Visit newroads.net to learn more.

Tucked among the swamps of the Atchafalaya is Iberville Parish, a place of awe-inspiring beauty, massive live oaks and meandering bayous and waterways teeming with life. Just outside of Baton Rouge, this area prides itself on a unique

culture in which many people still live close to the land and enjoy a way of life passed through generations.

The Iberville Swamp Life Expo, held at the beautiful, shaded Iberville Parish Visitors Center (I-10 at Grosse Tete), will be the kick-off event for Experience Atchafalaya Days, a month-long celebration of the Atchafalaya Heritage Area. The expo will include net-making demonstrations, woodcarving, works from local artists and relics of the area’s long history.

The Iberville Swamp Life Expo will be held Saturday, Oct. 5 from 10 a.m.- 3 p.m., and will feature Chubby Carrier & The Bayou Swamp Band. Experience Atchafalaya Days runs throughout October.

Cultural, food and art demonstrations will be available free to the public.

For more information, go to VisitIberville.com.

Fall is festival time in the Bayou Lafourche area! Youngsters love the yearly Cut Off Youth Center Fair (Sept.

27-29) for its great Cajun food, music, dancing and a carnival mid-way. October kicks off with the Bayou Music Festival (Oct. 12) in Golden Meadow. The Cajun Heritage Festival extends the fun Oct. 12-13 at the Larose Civic Center. Carving competitions, a duck calling contest and delicious food highlight this fest, a must-see for outdoors enthusiasts.

Food lovers must check out three

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Southeast Tourism Society “Top 20 Events.” The 42nd Annual Louisiana Gumbo Festival (Oct. 11-13) in Chackbay, the “Gumbo Capitol of Louisiana,” offers the best in Cajun food, music and dancing. The 40th Annual French Food Festival in Larose (Oct. 25-27) holds more than 30 local food booths, featuring traditional Bayou classics such as White Oyster Soup, Shrimp Boulettes, Jambalaya and more. The Thibodeauxville Fall Festival (Nov. 9) offers live music, a Cajun food court, arts booths and a duck race on Bayou Lafourche.

Fall is an ideal season to experience the Cajun way of life. For more information, including special festival hotel rates, visit VisitLafourche.com or call 877-537-5800.

Next year, the oldest town in Louisiana turns 300—small town...big history. Natchitoches, established by the French in 1714, is the oldest permanent settlement in the Louisiana Purchase territory. In 2014, Natchitoches will commemorate 300 years of history with special events on the second Saturday of each month.

Visitors to historic Natchitoches are frequently heard stumbling over the city’s name (pronounced Nak-a-tish), a Caddo Indian word meaning “Chinquapin eaters.”

The Historic Landmark District is an enchanting 33 block downtown district, which features European flavor in its architecture, heritage and lifestyle.

Natchitoches is home to the Cane River National Heritage Area, one of only two in the state of Louisiana. This 35 mile long river landscape is one of the most beautiful stretches of plantation country in the South.

Discover the oldest town in Louisiana. Call 1-800-259-1714 or visit Natchitoches.net.

Step back in time at the oldest standing structure in Central Louisiana. Kent Plantation House offers tours daily through the main house, milk house, kitchen, blacksmith shop, barn and grounds. In the months from October to April, the kitchen is warmed with heat from the open hearth, where lunch is served on Wednesdays. Call ahead to make reservations.

Kent House offers several special events through the year, including several in autumn. The first Saturday in October is Fall Herb Day, the second Saturday in November is Sugar Day and the first Saturday in December is Old Fashioned Christmas.

melr ose p l a nta tion Natchitoche s

Kent House also hosts a fundraiser that brings together the old historic value of the house and grounds with a new energetic experience in Le Tour de Bayou, a cycling event held in September.

Learn more at kenthouse.org.

Travelers across South Louisiana this fall will not want to pass up West Baton Rouge Parish. Known as the “Kite Capital of Louisiana,” West Baton Rouge is conveniently located along I-10, with family friendly hotels and just minutes from scenic views of the mighty Mississippi River and downtown Baton Rouge.

Whether it is football you crave, high-speed drag racing, historic plantation homes, scenic views or a fun festival, West Baton Rouge has it all in the fall. Sept. 14th and 15th bring the Oldies But Goodies Fest and Smokin Oldies Championship BBQ contest, with live music, food, dancing, antique car show and more. Lights, lights and more lights, wagon rides, snow, ice fishing and of course Santa and his elves are just a few of the highlights at the “Reflections of the Season” light display, open Wednesday through Sunday nights from Dec. 5-24.

For more information, or to view short videos of events, destinations and even day-trip itineraries, visit WestBatonRouge.net.

Experience New Orleans’ Most Historic Neighbor. Explore the St. Bernard Sugar Museum just five miles from downtown New Orleans. A savory excursion along the historic San Bernardo National Scenic

Byway provides a delectable lesson in St. Bernard’s history.

Begin your adventure at the Visitor Center in the Old Arabi Historic District to pick up your Visitor’s Guide and gift. The journey takes you past historic plantations, the Domino Sugar Refinery, which has been refining in St. Bernard for 103 years, and through a breathtaking quarter-mile stretch of canopied oak trees. Visit the Chalmette Battlefield, site of the Battle of New Orleans, and stroll through an Antebellum home along the Mississippi River. Sweeten your journey at the Los Isleños Museum & Village, the last vestige of Spanish Colonial Louisiana. Enjoy lunch along the way at one of St. Bernard’s many local restaurants, offering a variety of fresh South Louisiana favorites.

Ready for delicious fun? Visit VisitStBernard.com or call 504-278-4242.

St. Martin Parish draws visitors year round with its welcoming hospitality, world-class music and famous local cuisine. Accommodations offerings include beautiful B&B’s, cabins, campgrounds, houseboats and chain hotels. Breaux Bridge offers an array of shopping, antiquing and world-renowned hot spots like the famous Zydeco Breakfast at Cafe des Amis or Cajun music and dancing nightly at Pont Breaux’s Cajun Restaurant.

The Henderson area, at the edge of the Atchafalaya Basin, offers airboat and swamp tours and great family-owned restaurants such as Robins Restaurant and Crawfish Town USA.

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On Sundays, Dancing on the Levee starts at McGee’s Landing at noon, ventures to Whiskey River for Zydeco and ends the night at Pat’s Atchafalaya Club.

St. Martinville plays host to countless festivals and quaint cafes in the beautiful downtown district. Take heritage tours at Acadian Memorial, African American Museum and Longfellow-Evangeline State Historic Site.

Highlights of year-round festivals and events include the Breaux Bridge Chamber of Commerce Jambalaya Cookoff, Pepper Festival, Breaux Bridge City Wide Garage Sale, Boucherie, Tour du Teche and the Atchafalaya Basin Festival. See “where Cajun began,” and visit CajunCountry.org.

Minden in Webster Parish is located in the beautiful piney hills of Northwest Louisiana, 30 miles east of Shreveport off Interstate 20. This fall, visit historic downtown Minden for the Vintage Car Club Show on Sept. 7. Admission is free.

In October, the City of Springhill celebrates the area’s timber heritage with the 30th Anniversary Lumberjack Festival (Oct.11-12). Drawing thousands of people to experience timber sports, this year’s event features The Great Lakes Timber Show seen on ABC’s Wide World of Sports, ESPN, Good Morning America, The Today Show and more. Admission is free.

In November, shop until you drop during the Main to Main Trade Days (Nov. 1-2) with 50+ miles of food, fun and shopping from Minden to Springhill and everywhere in between. Don’t miss Minden’s free Fasching Fifth Season Celebration (Nov. 16), highlighting Minden’s German heritage with German music, German food, and fun.

Nov. 16-Jan. 2, Minden will be illuminated by thousands of Christmas Lights and hundreds of life-size nutcrackers during the Holiday Trail of Lights. Admission is free.

For more information, call 1-8002MINDEN or visit VisitWebster.net.

Arts, Entertainment, Shopping, & Accommodations NUNU Arts and Culture Collective welcomes area residents, visitors and lovers of art, music and food to the 2013 Le Feu et l’Eau (Fire and Water) Rural Arts Celebration from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 7. From the center of Arnaudville, at the junction of bayous Teche and Fuselier, to the 5,000-square-foot NUNU Arts and Culture Collective facility on La. 93, this one-day event showcases the arts with an emphasis on the creative talent within and of Acadiana.

60 | Louisiana Life September/October 2013

Following hurricanes Katrina and Rita, Le Feu et l’Eau initially featured the work of local and displaced visual artists. Since then, the celebration has expanded to include a multitude of artistic disciplines encompassing a variety of genres such as film, culinary arts, literary readings and workshops, and hours of music and dancing. Located within a Louisiana Cultural District, all original art is sold sans sales tax. Tradition fires will be ceremoniously set ablaze at dusk.

A complete schedule of events will be posted on the Le Feu et l’Eau Web site: FireAndWaterFestival.org.

This November, visit the beautiful town of Covington and experience a winning combination of fine art and a festival atmosphere. The Covington Three Rivers Art Festival, presented by St. Tammany Homestead and now in its 16th year, brings fine art, crafts and music to the quaint and friendly downtown area, featuring an Arts Alive Tent with live demonstrations by exhibiting artists, a live music stage, an expansive food court and a Children’s Discovery Area complete with a performance stage. This high-end art and fine crafts festival takes place Nov. 9-10, from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and will feature 200 juried artists from Louisiana and 22 states. There is no charge for admission.

Every year, art lovers stroll down charming Columbia Street to view the five blocks of artist tents situated in the heart of the historic downtown area. With plenty of children’s activities and Student Art Exhibits, the kids will also feel right at home among the colorful array of arts and crafts. The festival kicks off on Saturday morning with a Three Rivers Run 5k & 1 Mile Race before the festival opens. No pets allowed. For more information, visit ThreeRiversArtFestival.com.

Enjoy Louisiana’s cool fall weather with a stroll around LSU’s historic campus, home of the LSU Foundation.

The 2,000-acre property, nestled in South Baton Rouge, is defined by an Italian Renaissance character marked by red pan tile, overhanging eaves and honey-colored stucco. Dedicated in 1926, the current campus includes 46 buildings that are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Recently named a Tree Campus USA by the Arbor Day Foundation, and one of the 20 best campuses in America in Thomas Gaines’ The Campus as a Work of Art, LSU’s enviable landscape history began in the 1930s when landscape artist Steele Burden planted many of the live oaks and magnolia trees. The roughly 1,200 towering oaks have been valued at $50 million and are supported through the LSU Foundation’s Endow an Oak program.

With myriad architectural and natural beauties, several museums and year-round theater, art and athletic events, opportunities abound to experience Louisiana’s flagship university. Visit lsufoundation. org to learn more about what the school and campus have to offer.

The captivating spirit and style of the Big Easy is alive and well at Loews New Orleans Hotel, where plush surroundings, lively flavors and extraordinary service are all within walking distance of the French Quarter, Riverfront attractions and the city’s finest shopping, restaurants, bars and entertainment. But for true New Orleans flavor, you don’t have to travel much farther than the lobby, where locals and guests alike mingle over perfectly presented signature cocktails at the famous Swizzle Stick Bar, and live music gets you in the right mood every Friday and Saturday night. Or tempt your taste buds

coushatta casino r esor t seven clans hote l

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with the playful modern Creole menu at Café Adelaide, by the Commander’s Palace Family of Restaurants and Executive Chef, Carl Schaubhut.

For more information or to book, visit LoewsNewOrleans.com or call 800-23LOEWS. Come to Coushatta Casino Resort for your gaming getaway. It’s easy to see why everyone loves this playground. Experience the all new, ultra-modern Seven Clans Hotel and Dream Pool with slides, swim-up bar and lazy river. Coushatta also offers its guests a gigantic 100,000-squarefoot gaming floor, championship golf, 2,800 hot slots, 70 fast-action table games, a live poker room, the largest non-smoking slot section in the region, separate high stakes salons, plus live bingo and off-track betting too.

Be sure to bring your appetites.

Coushatta boasts nine dining options, including the amazing Seven Clans allyou-can-eat buffet and the popular Big Sky Steakhouse. Your children will have as much fun as you when they play their favorite games in KidsQuest supervised childcare, or CyberQuest arcade for teens. Louisiana’s largest casino resort adds up to Louisiana’s Best Bet. To view upcoming concerts and casino special events visit CoushattaCasinoResort. com or call 1-800-584-7263.

At the Renaissance Baton Rouge Hotel, visitors don’t simply stay in a hotel, they experience what it is to be in a work of art. Filled with diverse works from Louisiana artists, the walls and rooms of the Renaissance Baton Rouge Hotel offer a contemporary art experience with pieces commissioned by the Ann Connoley Studios. The hotel was named a Renaissance New Property Build of 2012.

The luxurious 256-room hotel is conveniently located near the LSU campus and minutes from the Mall of Louisiana, making it ideal for business and group travelers, as well as those looking for a weekend getaway. Southern hospitality at its best, the AAA 4-diamond Renaissance offers a true Louisiana experience, including fantastic cuisine.

Tallulah Crafted Food and Wine Bar, the casual upscale restaurant housed within the Renaissance Baton Rouge Hotel, offers a captivating environment and cuisine that engages your senses and arouses curiosity.

Executive Chef Andy Papson serves notable cuisine from around Louisiana, while featuring house-crafted menu items that interpret local flavors in fresh and unique ways. Tallulah’s distinguished menu brings a world of flavor to Louisiana’s capital. Visit TallulahRestaurant.com.

Alexandria’s historic River Oaks area is home to one of Louisiana’s most beloved arts and crafts gems, River Oaks Square Arts Center, a non-profit organization devoted to promoting regional artists with a full calendar of scheduled exhibitions and workshops.

This October, River Oaks Square Arts Center will feature the work of Randy Brodnax, a life-long potter and educator from Dallas, who promises to entertain as he shares with participants his experiences in firing everything from functional dinnerware to large decorative vessels. Brodnax will conduct a three-day workshop Oct. 16-18. During the workshop, students will learn a variety of techniques, and additional areas of concentration will include Raku Kilns, Down Draft Sagger Kilns and Glow Worm Kilns. Students will work with porcelain and B-mix clay.

Brodnax’s work will also be on exhibit in River Oaks’ Bolton Davis Gallery Oct. 15-Nov. 30, with an opening reception/ ArtWalk on Friday, Oct. 18 from 4-9 p.m., sponsored by GAEDA. For more information on Brodnax and River Oaks Square Arts Center, visit their Web sites (RandyBrodnax.com and RiverOaksArtsCenter.com) and “like” them on Facebook. To enroll, call 318-473-2670.

Today, the New Orleans Museum of Art (NOMA) features nearly 40,000 objects in 46 galleries with names such as Monet, Renoir, Picasso and Pollock. Louisiana artists also have a marked presence, and the museum boasts works from cultures around the world.

This fall, NOMA welcomes Gorden Parks: Making of an Argument (Sept. 12Jan. 5), an exhibition exploring seminal photographer Gordon Parks’ first photographic essay for Life magazine in 1948, “Harlem Gang Leader.” Additionally, NOMA—>CAC presents EDWARD BURTYNSKY: WATER, which explores humanity’s increasingly stressed relationship with the world’s most vital natural resource through elegant and haunting images that hover between painting and photography (Oct. 5- Jan. 19). This show will be on view both at NOMA and the Contemporary Arts Center. The first U.S. solo exhibition by French artist Camille Henrot—awardee of the 2013 Venice Biennale Silver Lion — Camille Henrot: Cities of Ys, explores the parallels between the legendary, submerged city of Ys in Brittany, France, and the disappearing Louisiana wetlands occupied by the Houma Indians, a historically Frenchspeaking tribe.

For complete information, visit NOMA.org.

In Bossier City, located along the picturesque banks of the Red River is a shopping, dining and entertainment mecca full of store favorites, tasty dining options and family-friendly entertainment.

Host to dozens of retailers, The Outlets at Louisiana Boardwalk has brand-name stores for everyone, from the rustic outdoorsman and clothing specialties for the little ones to the teen looking for the hottest styles and brands. The Outlets at Louisiana Boardwalk brims with activity year-round. With special events, an IMAX stadium seating movie theater, arcade and carousel, kids can play while adults enjoy the decadent dining, peaceful shopping or a romantic evening stroll along the river and fountains.

This fall, stock up on all the latest fashions, gifts and gadgets. From salon and spa treatments to clothing and sporting goods, The Outlets at Louisiana Boardwalk’s numerous retailers cover every need. Nestled conveniently near Shreveport-Bossier’s vibrant downtown, The Outlets at Louisiana Boardwalk is the perfect destination for shopping and fun in North Louisiana. Visit LouisianaBoardwalk. com for more information, event listings and a store directory.

In Louisiana, we love to talk about food, and Rouses Markets has been a part of the local conversation since 1960, when Anthony J. Rouse opened his first grocery store in Houma. A commitment to buying from local farmers, fishermen and manufacturers helped Mr. Anthony expand his business, which today includes 38 stores in two states. The family-owned company continues its legacy into the second and third generations.

The best fresh, local ingredients are one reason why the chefs from Commander’s Palace, Arnaud’s, Antoine’s and your favorite neighborhood restaurants shop at Rouses for their families. Rouses’ own quality products are another reason.

Rouses’ butchers still craft small-batch Cajun specialties right in their stores.

Rouses’ cooks still use Rouses’ timehonored South Louisiana recipes. And Rouses’ bakers still make Louisiana favorites like doberge cake and tarte-ala-bouillie pie. It’s that commitment to buying and serving local that has helped Rouses grow into one of the largest independent grocers in the U.S., with 38 stores in two states.

For more information on Rouses’ quality foods and store locations, visit Rouses.com. •

www.louisianalife.com Louisiana Life | 61

around louisiana Regional Reports from across the state compiled and edited by jeanne frois

northern HALLOWEEN STORIES Spirituals in Shreveport

eras of the gangster and the

The Caddo Parish

region. During 1934,

Courthouse in Shreveport is

Hughes, along with Texas

the third building to rise on

Rangers and Louisiana State

this site; the original, in 1865,

Troopers, set up the ambush

was the center of Louisiana’s

near Acadia that killed

government during the Civil

Bonnie Parker and Clyde

War. After Richmond fell

Barrow.

oil boom of the Ark-La-Tex

Hughes was sheriff during

in 1865, the building was very briefly the Confederate

the infamous “Butterfly Man”

capital until Louisiana finally

case, something that gained

surrendered two months

national attention. Bunce

after Appomattox.

Napier, aka “the Butterfly

In 1915, Thomas Hughes,

Man” because he sold paper

the first native of Shreveport

and wooden butterflies door-

to ever hold the post of

to-door, was accused of the

sheriff of Caddo Parish, was

brutal rape and murder of a

top floor of the courthouse

murder of the young girl.

elected. Since Caddo Parish

15-year-old Shreveport girl

before his trial, an angry

The last man to be hanged in

was growing rapidly, he was

whom he lured from her

mob amassed in the square

Louisiana, the sentence was

instrumental in expanding

home with his wares. Her

below, hungry for a necktie

carried out on May 18, 1932.

the size and budget of his

body was discovered horribly

party and ready to storm

The doors to the gallows

department. Ten years

mutilated at Cross Lake, not

the castle-like structure.

were sealed not longer after.

after his first election, work

unlike the notorious rape

With deft thinking, Hughes

began on the present-day

and murder of Mary Phagan

evacuated employees and

clerks who work on the top

courthouse.

in Georgia. Napier was a

threw tear gas bombs

floor of the building, site

suspect in the murder of the

down stairwells and into

of the jail and old gallows,

current structure was used as

teenaged Phagan; sadly, in a

corridors and stymied the

refuse to stay there alone.

the parish jail, where seven

case of both circumstantial

mob’s intent long enough

They feel uncomfortable

hangings took place until the

evidence and anti-Semitic

until the National Guard

with the poltergeist activity

state updated its method of

hatred, Leo Frank was

could arrive to thwart

that manifests and the cold

death by using the traveling

wrongly convicted then

the mob’s entry into the

spots. But perhaps most

electric chair usually placed

lynched by a mob of Marietta

building. His deputies then

disconcerting to them are

on Floor 7 (another rich tale

residents in Georgia. Had it

dispersed them.

the sounds of “old Negro

for a different point in time).

not been for Hughes, Napier

Over the next 24 years,

in Shreveport nearly suffered

floors down from his holding

the calls connected to the

the same fate as Frank.

cell. He was convicted and

older cells – even when they

sentenced to hang for the

are empty.

The upper floor of the

during his tenure as sheriff, Hughes witnessed the rowdy

64 | Louisiana Life September/October 2013

Arrested and held on the

Napier was tried a few

To this day, some court

spirituals” that emanate from

n

around louisiana

central watched. Employees and patrons witnessed objects being physically moved on their own.

Davis called Louisiana Spirits Paranormal Investigations for an invesCentral Louisiana State Hospital

tigation. Cameras were positioned in the basement and upper floor. Early into

HALLOWEEN STORIES PHANTOM PATIENTS IN PINEVILLE

emanated from vacant offices

be called a tomboyish love of

the night, the case manager

and rooms. Chairs that were

hardware stores.

and another investigator were

Central Louisiana State

meeting were found turned

former hardware stores

Hospital, an operating

over and askew. An ecto-

produce such happy

touch her, an investigator

asylum, opened in the first

plasm-like mist was observed

memories or experiences.

quickly snapped a picture of

decade of the 20th century.

wafting about a staircase like

In addition to an enormous

fog on a bayou.

dairy barn, the hospital

neatly set up in a room for a

An elevator in Unit 2 travels

Unfortunately, not all

Although the quaint edifice

accosted by a swirling mist.

When Davis felt someone

her and captured a bright orb

in DeRidder is no longer an

on the side of her head where

enclave for the handy and

she felt touched.

grounds are also the site

the floors by itself all night

useful, it once was the Selig

of a cemetery containing

long, while frequently, the

and Baughman Hardware

employee who claimed

more than 2,500 graves;

unit’s halls reverberate with

Company, Inc. It has stood

to have been touched on

Fort Randolph, a Civil War

the eerie staccato cacophony

on the same spot since

his hand revealed an orb

battlement; and the Rose

of slamming doors.

1916. Mr. Selig is reputed

hovering over his hand.

to have shot himself to

While attempting to perform

death in the basement many

Electronic Voice Phenomenon

each month – and definitely

HAUNTED HARDWARE IN DERIDDER

years ago. According to the

(EVP), two investigators

each year at Halloween – the

Now that fall is here, visits

website for Louisiana Spirits

both felt someone lay a

staff and patients seem to

to hardware stores will be

Paranormal Investigations

hand across their backs.

have their hands full coping

necessary for any autumn

(www.laspirits.com), the

The EVP session yielded a

with flare-ups of paranormal

restorations or projects: soil

property was purchased by

bounty of the bizarre: Several

activity. An employee who

to plant golden and bronze

the Davis family in 2007, and

responses were recorded to

works in the administra-

mums; perhaps plant those

they began the arduous task

questions asked by the team

tion office allegedly hears

sweet pea seeds so they’ll

of transforming it into a café

while the loud crescendo of

untraceable noises of activity

bloom come March; pot red

and antiques store with an

a resounding untraceable

in empty hospital hallways.

amaryllis bulbs now so they’ll

apartment in the rear. Kathy

crash was also captured,

Then, there the two units

bloom in scarlet glory at

Davis immediately began

causing one to wonder if

numbered 7 and 2. When

Christmas. You might need

to experience eerie and

some huge phantom bucket

Unit 7 reopened in 1999,

paint or a stain to refinish an

unexplained phenomenon as

of nails had been overturned.

witnesses saw lights glowing

old table or dresser you find

though she were a target: Her

One of the ghostly voices is

under the doorways of empty

on the curb.

hair was touched, she heard

caught saying “Backman,”

Cottage, scene of the morgue.

When the moon is full

Another picture of an

rooms, and the sound of

I have had, all of my life

a disembodied male coughing

the correct pronunciation of

voices chattering likewise

since childhood, what might

and always felt she was being

“Baughman.” n www.louisianalife.com Louisiana Life | 65

around louisiana

cajun HALLOWEEN STORIES TORTS AND TERROR IN LAKE CHARLES

and reduced to pros-

and death sentence.

titution to support her

Her request for a fourth

habits. She changed her

appeal was denied.

Having celebrated its

name to “Toni Jo.”

Normally, on the

In 1939, while

day of an execution,

centennial birthday one year ago, the Calcasieu

working in a brothel,

a prison barber was

Parish Courthouse, with its

she met Claude

summoned to cut off

beautiful dome and Beaux

“Cowboy” Henry, who

the doomed prisoner’s

Arts architecture, fills Ryan

became enamored of

hair, but on the day of

Street in Lake Charles with

the beautiful girl and

Toni Jo’s execution,

graceful dignity. But the

married her.

a hairdresser was

stately, almost temple-like

recruited to do the task.

They honeymooned

In November of 1942,

building has housed some

in California, and

regular unholy terrors in the

Cowboy was able to

Toni Jo Henry became

past; one of them apparently

guide the 23-year-old

the only woman to ever

decided to stay.

Toni Jo back to sobriety.

die by the electric chair

It’s a theory tossed around

in Louisiana.

Cowboy, so gallant and

Since the date of her

in paranormal circles that

loving to his new bride,

jails and prison are usually

was also wanted for murder

the most haunted of places,

in Texas, and following the

shot him between the eyes,

regularly experienced eerie

largely because the evildoers

couple’s return to Louisiana,

dumped his body in a ditch

events.

who were once incarcerated

he was extradited back to

and took off in his stolen car.

there don’t want to step out of

the Lone Star State, where

their earthly boundaries into

he was convicted of murder

went on a drunken odyssey

in addition to the sultry,

hell where eternal damnation

and sentenced to spend half

through Texas, stopping at

throaty whisperings of an

for their wicked crimes

a century at the Texas State

watering holes where they

unseen woman.

certainly awaits. They linger

Penitentiary in Huntsville.

bragged about the murder

in prison so as not to give the devil his due.

Toni Jo desperately missed her Cowboy and lapsed back

strip and suffer torture.

Allegedly, Toni Jo callously

The murderous pair then

they had just committed.

They were arrested and

death, the courthouse has

Courthouse workers report hearing disembodied footsteps

Regular whiffs of Toni Jo’s 1940s-era perfume have been smelled. She died in

into addiction and prostitu-

returned to Lake Charles to

Louisiana’s traveling electric

explain the otherwise-unex-

tion. With an accomplice

stand trial.

chair, supposedly placed on a

plainable events that have

named Harold “Arkie”

been regularly occurring

Burks, she began hitchhiking

vivacity as a defendant

claim to hear disembodied

at the Calcasieu Parish

to Texas with the express

transformed her into a

blood-curdling feminine

Courthouse since 1942.

plan to spring Cowboy out

jailhouse darling. She was

screams accompanied by the

of the hoosegow. When they

allowed to keep a pet in

smell of burning hair.

Beatrice McQuiston, a

were outside Lake Charles,

her prison cell and enjoyed

stunning dark-haired beauty

the unsuspecting and

special privileges. Convicted

located in one of the offices

from Shreveport who grew up

trusting Joseph P. Calloway,

of murder, she was sentenced

suddenly turns off for no

in a rough home environment.

in a Ford V8 coupe, picked

to death in 1940. In less than

reason; employees checking

Consequently, by the time

This hypothesis might

Her real name was Annie

But Toni Jo’s beauty and

stair landing from which some

A rotating file system

up the pair. Near Jennings,

two years, she was granted

the switch find it turned to the

she was 16, McQuiston was

Toni Jo and Arkie forced

three new trials, all of which

“off” position – when no one

addicted to alcohol and drugs,

Calloway to exit the road,

resulted in the same verdict

visible has been near it. n

66 | Louisiana Life September/October 2013

around louisiana

baton rouge/ plantation country seeking solace at Mount

glasses shifting positions.

Hope Plantation on Highland

Strange, unaccounted-for

Road? During the Civil War,

noises have been heard.

the beautiful plantation was a

Pool balls roll about

home to Confederate troops.

seemingly on their own

Perhaps the poor soldier was

volition. Something unseen

looking for the dark-haired

and only felt repeatedly

lady who now reportedly

brushes up against some of

haunts Mount Hope. I

the bartenders.

wonder, when our cheers

Dez Crawford and her

erupt from Tiger Stadium on

husband own the old

those crystal autumn nights,

building that houses The

are they all listening to us?

Spanish Moon. She reports

Also located on the

incidences of seeing the little

HALLOWEEN STORIES GRAY GHOSTS AND HIGHLAND ROAD HAUNTS IN BATON ROUGE

autumnal cycle, and the

haunted corridor that is

girl and flying glassware. In

slant of sunlight becomes

Highland Road is a popular

addition to four other people,

a softer shade of amber by

bar known for live music

she has seen the ghost of

day while at night the moon

called The Spanish Moon.

a young man, described as

September and October are

scuttles across a windy

This place is actually on the

wearing a white undershirt

magical months in Baton

indigo sky, visitors from the

National Registry of Haunted

and khaki pants, his hair

Rouge, when the flowers of the

past cross a portal to visit

Places. The red brick building

styled in the ducktail from

Southeastern Conference take

Highland Road. Several

that resembles an old

the ’50s peeking out from

to emerald fields in air as crisp

witnesses have reported

warehouse looks and feels

behind a post. Previous

and intoxicating as a glass of

seeing the apparition of a

haunted. Built early in the

owners have stated they saw

green-gold Gewürztraminer.

troop of ragged and bloodied

20th century, it was originally

beer taps turn on and off;

Admittedly, that crisp air

Confederate soldiers eerily

reputed to be a feed store

ashtrays were hurled from

happens mostly in October,

tramping near the intersec-

with livestock housed on

the bar and securely attached

but nevertheless, it’s time for

tion of Lee Drive.

the premises. Legend has

artwork was wrenched from

it that a little girl who was

the wall by unseen hands.

local police were besieged

trampled to death haunts the

Sightings of shadow figures

many years ago, or visiting

by several calls from citizens

bar today. Not long after her

abound. One vendor, who

a cousin who was enrolled

who shared a common

tragic death, it was used as a

only entered the building

there, we always took a

denominator: All reported

morgue to house the victims

when it was empty, heard

shortcut to the campus down

witnessing a “filthy and

of Catfish Town flooding.

voices speaking to him and

beautiful, rolling Highland

bloodied” young man

The area got its name

the sound of rattling chains

Road. It always mesmerized

dressed in a Confederate

because the residents caught

during another visit. He also

me. From many accounts

uniform lurch and stagger

catfish from their doorways

heard whispers.

over several years, the LSU

across the very busy inter-

during the annual spring

Tigers aren’t the only ones

section. Police immediately

flooding of the Mississippi

8151 Highland Road, Baton

actively appearing near

searching the area found

River before a viable levee

Rouge, (225) 761-7000; The

Highland Road during late

no one answering that

system was built.

Spanish Moon, 109 Highland

September and October.

description. Could the

Tiger football.

Driving to LSU games

As the earth reaches its

Early in October 1999,

staggering soldier still be

Some of the bar’s employees have witnessed

Mount Hope Plantation,

Road, Baton Rouge, (225) 383-6666.

n

www.louisianalife.com Louisiana Life | 67

around louisiana

Greater New Orleans HALLOWEEN STORIES BEWITCHED ON A BAYOU

night Adler had a dream of

Katrina. Like many

walking down a strange,

native New Orleanians,

Moss Street, wrapping loving

dark and atmospheric street

arms around both banks of

filled with trees and old

Bayou St. John near City

buildings. Accompanied

mysticism. Adler, like

Park and its neighborhood

by the presence of a

myself, found the last

of old, charming mansions

woman she could not

issue of the Times-

and cottages, has always

see, a voice in the dream

held deep enchantment for

told her, “You would be a

me, as though the heart and

more interesting writer if you

soul of all New Orleans from

moved to New Orleans.”

a child, her parents had her

its beginning were palpably

Adler quickly points out the

encased day and night in a

headline “Katrina Takes Aim”

encapsulated there. One

voice told her she would

metal body cage to punish

both upset and haunted her

transplanted Easterner also

be more interesting, not a

her for slouching.

as a kind of post-traumatic

felt its glow.

great writer. She opted for

Adler blends her Catholic faith with

Picayune delivered the Sunday before Katrina hit weeks after she was finally

Reading Adler’s story

able to return home. The

reminder of the tragedy.

interesting as the better

you’ll feel she has earned the

if you find you are in a

choice and visited New

rich, laid-back and creative

of someone who is uniquely

more mellow mood and are

Orleans for the first time and

life she’s found by the banks

her own woman having one

seeking enchantment rather

fell under its spell. One day

of magical Bayou St. John.

hell of an enriching time in

than a case of the creeps, a

she took a walk in the French

good place to settle would

Quarter and found the exact

frank, beautiful words, she

be in your easy chair with a

street she had dreamed of

underscores the elemental,

some of her gardening

copy of Constance Adler’s

without having ever been

almost-mystical quality of the

techniques unusual, her

there before.

bayou and its community.

work weaves a spell that

The book is filled with a

encompasses the syrupy

This Halloween season,

memoir, My Bayou: New

Through her vivid,

Adler’s memoir is the voice

her adopted home.

Although you might find

Orleans Through the Eyes

Back in Manhattan, she

of a Lover. I recently spent

found she hated the constant

lively narrative of her life on

summer sun on crape myrtle

one of the best summer

noise of the city, could not

Bayou St. John: Accounts

trees near Bayou St. John

vacations ever by staying at

identify with the status-

of dog near-drownings;

and the enchantment of its

home, hurrying nowhere,

driven esprit de corps of

the vivid description of

tradition of Voodoo where

with a stockpile of books

the populace, and found her

the St. John’s Eve Voodoo

Marie Laveau once danced on

for company. I spent the

writing assignments for a

ceremony held each year on

its banks. After reading it, I

major magazine dismal.

Magnolia Bridge (also the

felt that I had vacationed in my

site of her wedding) that

own hometown. Not only is it

bright summer mornings and silvery rainy afternoons

She moved to a cottage in

comfortably sprawled out,

St. John’s Court on Bayou

spans the bayou and her own

a love letter to New Orleans,

devouring several books. One

St. John and embraced the

brief possible possession

it’s a fascinating chronicle of

of the most enjoyable books

water spirits that dance

during the ritual; the disin-

one woman’s unpretentious

of the lot was this memoir.

throughout New Orleans.

tegration of her marriage;

spiritual growth.

her discussions with

A successful journalist

A native New Orleanian

once based in Manhattan,

who loves the Big Easy will

Voudou priestess Sallie Ann

Through the Eyes of a Lover,

where she was very happy

recognize that the city is

Glassman; the devastation

The University of Michigan

to live at the time, one

Adler’s spiritual home. As

and recovery from Hurricane

Press.

68 | Louisiana Life September/October 2013

My Bayou: New Orleans

n

www.louisianalife.com Louisiana Life | 69

H texas travel Plano Balloon Festival

Autumn In Texas

Exploring Festivals and State Fairs

Texas summers are

cowboy who greets arriving

annual football grudge match

notoriously long and brutally

visitors with a warm “Howdy”

between the University of

the State Fair Auto Show

hot, so when autumn begins

and a friendly wave. Sadly,

Texas Longhorns and the

and the Truck Zone with

to ease the thermometer back

this oversized symbol of

University of Oklahoma

two exhibit halls dedicated

down, the Lone Star State

Texas hospitality was nearly

Sooners. This year’s contest,

to showcasing new car

starts to party. Fall months

destroyed by fire during

now known as the AT&T Red

and truck models about

are packed with festival fun

the 2012 fair. Immediately

River Rivalry®, takes place

to be introduced. Outside,

including flower displays,

after the mishap, a fund was

Oct. 12.

the Classic Corral displays

culinary celebrations and Old

established for his restoration

West shootouts.

and has attracted thousands

only game in town. The

ranging from Corvettes to

The biggest fall event in

of donations from the public.

Fair’s extensive Midway

Cadillacs. Visitors can even

the state is the Texas State

The State Fair of Texas orga-

presents myriad games of

test drive new Chevrolet

Fair (www.bigtex.com). Held

nization expects to have Big

chance and skill as well as

models at the Chevrolet

in Dallas’ Fair Park, the fair,

Tex back and better than ever

the opportunity to ride the

Test Track.

which began in 1886 as an

for this year’s event.

enormous the 212-foot-tall

Like Big Tex, the rest of the

agricultural exposition, has

But football is not the

Car buffs will appreciate

collections of nostalgic cars

Creative attendees will

Texas Star® Ferris wheel or

want to check out the various

drawn multitudes of visitors

State Fair is larger than life

take an elevated gondola

competitions. Promising

ever since and is now both

with a multitude of exhibits,

which soars above the

Picassos, Ansel Adams

the nation’s largest state fair

entertainment, food and

Midway. Young riders will

and Emeril Lagasses put

and longest running fair. This

drink, shopping and sporting

thrill to ride the 66 carved

their skills to the test in the

year’s event extends from

events to wow visitors, all

wooden horses on the

art, photography and food

Sept. 27 through Oct. 20.

taking place among the

Dentzel Carousel that has

categories.

Art-Deco buildings of Fair

been a State Fair fixture since

The original fair was

visual centerpiece of the

Park. The centerpiece of Fair

1914. The Midway offers over

based on agriculture and

State Fair has been Big Tex,

Park is the famous Cotton

70 rides and amusements to

the tradition continues with

the 52-foot-tall mechanized

Bowl stadium, site of the

please all ages.

several exhibits including

For half a century, the

70 | Louisiana Life September/October 2013

the State Fair Fall Garden

includes Blondie, Asleep at

festivals that tempt travelers

with a two-day tribute to

Exhibition showcasing

the Wheel, Cory Morrow and

to the Lone Star State. Below

the Texas way of life. For

landscape design, the

David Lee Garza.

you’ll find a list of some of

a rootin’ tootin’ good time,

the most popular autumn

mosey on over to watch

Livestock Breed Display with

Whatever events you

different breeds of cattle,

enjoy, you won’t go hungry

events to help you put a skip

the gunfights or, if culinary

swine, sheep and goats on

at the State Fair. A multitude

in your step as you celebrate

competitions are your cup

display as well as a livestock

of venues offer sustenance of

cool weather with festival fun

of tea, check out cooking

auction. Little cowpokes will

all kinds: from sipping Texas

across Texas:

demonstrations presented by

appreciate the Barnyard area

vintages in the shady State

local chefs – and don’t miss

with pigs, sheep and goats

Fair Of Texas Wine Garden

Sept. 20-22. Plano Balloon Festival, Plano. It’s up, up,

to feed, the piglet races and

and watching celebrity chefs

and away as travelers’ eyes

Championship. Release your

the Pee Wee Stampede, a

demonstrate their craft in

turn to the sky over the “Hot

inner urban cowboy while

the World Tamale Eating

line-dancing and enjoy two

Pet Fest

days of Texas tunes. Visit www.lewisvillewesterndays. com.

Sept. 27-29. Galveston Island Wild Texas Shrimp Festival, Galveston. Get ready for a crustacean-themed sensation as Galveston’s annual ode to its oceanic gifts serves up a virtual gumbo of entertainment for the entire family. Held in the Entertainment District, this three day salute to shrimp features a shrimp gumbo cook-off, gumbo tasting, a 5K race, the children’s Lil’ Shrimp Parade, a free boat and RV show, live music and more. Visit www.yagaspresents.com/shrimpfestival. stick-horse rodeo where little

the Celebrity Kitchen exhibit

Air Balloon Capital of Texas”

ones lasso bales of hay with

to queuing up for fried

during the largest balloon

Oct. 2-6. Texas Rice Festival, Winnie. Winnie may

their lariats.

delicacies for which the fair

festival in the Lone Star state.

be a small town, but for the

is famous – so much so that

The wild blue yonder will be

past 44 years the population

parade makes everyone feel

the fair is also known as

dotted with kaleidoscopic

of the Chambers County

like a kid again. Providing

the Fried Food Capital of

color during five balloon

community expands like

magical moments for the

Texas. Since the days when

launches, and the rainbow-

grains of cooking rice for

entire family, a procession

Fletcher’s Corny Dogs were

hued envelopes will light

a few days each fall during

of festooned floats and

introduced, the fair has been

up like fireflies in the dark

a salute to a favorite side

marching bands promenade

synonymous with fried treats

during early morning and

dish and to the farmers who

through the street nightly

that, through the years, have

evening balloon glows. Hot

harvest the crop. Nightly

during the Starlight Parades,

included everything from

air balloon buffs will be on

street dances, both barbecue

led each night by the USMC

fried Coke to deep-fried

cloud nine when they board

and rice cook-offs, two

Drum and Bugle Corps.

butter to fried bubblegum.

a basket for a ride, booked

parades, and lots of live

Chefs vie for the annual

before the festival. Visit

music make this a Texas

from which to choose, ticket

Most Creative and Best Taste

www.planoballoonfest.org.

favorite. Visit www.texasrice-

holders can tap their feet to

awards, but fairgoers vote

festival.org.

the beat of the headlining

for their own favorites with

Sept. 27-28. Western Days Festival, Lewisville.

country, pop and Tejano acts

long lines at the top stalls.

Dallas-area travelers can

Oct. 11-13. Cajun Catfish Festival, Conroe. Musicians

take a step back in time to

from Texas and Louisiana

Lewisville’s 1800s origins

entertain at this family-

Regardless of age, a

With tons of entertainment

that take the mic on the Main Stage. This year’s lineup

But the State Fair of Texas is just one of many great fall

www.louisianalife.com Louisiana Life | 71

Texas Renaissance Festival

I-10, this tiny burg becomes a happening hotspot on the fourth full weekend in October thanks to this popular chili festival. Its origins are some of the most interesting of any state festival: Flatonia needed a doctor and held a fundraiser to send a local student to medical school. Today the proceeds continue to assist local students and the community. Activities include a jalapeño-eating contest, chili and barbecue cook-offs, an egg toss, a mechanical bull, live music, a pageant, a carnival, a petting zoo, a car and truck show, arts and crafts and a washer pitching

friendly party now in its 24th

and all the carnival goodies

Parade through downtown

tournament. Visit www.flato-

year. The festival highlights

that you can eat from funnel

Tyler and an arts and craft

niachamber.com.

Cajun food, a Go Texan wine

cake to roasted corn. Visit

fair. Visit www.texasrosefes-

and food area, a catfishing

www.riceharvestfestival.org.

tival.net.

Nov. 1-10. Wurstfest, New Braunfels. This annual 10-day

(catfish-catching) contest, a

Oct. 19-20. Pet Fest, Old Town Spring. Near Houston,

salute to sausage, suds and

zydeco, blues and Texas

Oct. 12-Dec. 1 (weekends only). Texas Renaissance Festival, Plantersville. This

the community of Old Town

revelers to this community

country music. Visit www.

festival – one of the largest

Spring invites you to bring

north of San Antonio since

conroecajuncatfishfestival.

of its kind in the nation –

Fido (or Fluffy) and take

1961. Designed to celebrate

com.

offers you and your family

part in the PetFest Costume

the German heritage of

Oct. 11-19. Brazoria County Fair, Angleton. Nicknamed

to time travel back to the

Contest. This year’s theme is

New Braunfels, Wurstfest is

days of back to the days

“The Wizard of Paws” – so

consistently named one of

“The Largest County Fair

of King Henry VIII. Don’t

look for plenty of Totos at

the top festivals in the nation,

in Texas,” this fair south of

be shy about coming in

this popular event. You’ll also

drawing over 100,000 visitors

Houston welcomes families to

costume yourself to enjoy

have the chance to do some

that come to polka to the

a carnival, livestock exhibits

Renaissance-era music, food,

shopping, enjoy live music

sounds of accordion tunes

and a rodeo competition,

rides, dancing, demonstra-

and pet demonstrations, take

and to sample the sausage

live music, arts and crafts,

tions, and games. Visit www.

part in a Blessing of the Pets,

for which this event is

and competitions that range

texrenfest.com.

and even consult with a pet

known. Visit www.wurstfest.

from a Clown Face Contest

psychic. Visit www.petfes-

com.

to a Scarecrow Contest. Visit

October 17–20, Texas Rose Festival, Tyler. This

www.brazoriacountyfair.com.

East Texas city calls itself

Oct. 12-13. Katy Rice Harvest Festival, Katy. Just

“The Rose Capital of the

Oct. 25-27. Czhilispiel, Flatonia. Between Houston

World” and this annual

and San Antonio just off

west of Houston, celebrate

event has been held since

Katy’s agricultural contri-

1933 to showcase the city’s

butions to the area at this

famous blooms. Each year,

popular festival always

thousands of flower fans

held the second weekend

flock to this three-day event.

of October. Family-friendly

The festival starts with regal

fun held in the historic

pomp and circumstance at

downtown includes a parade,

the coronation of the Rose

rice cooking contest, two

Queen and her court and

stages of live entertainment,

continues with art shows,

a carnival, arts and crafts,

flower displays, the Rose

kid zone and plenty of Cajun,

72 | Louisiana Life September/October 2013

song has been drawing

n

toldtownspring.com.

– By Paris Permenter and John Bigley

Before you head off to one of the many festivals in the Lone Star State, be sure to order the free Texas Travel Guide and a state map at www.traveltex.com, the official Texas tourism site.

About the Authors: Paris Permenter and John Bigley are a husband-wife team of travel writers based in the Texas Hill Country. The authors of numerous guidebooks to the Lone Star State, their next book is DogTipper’s Texas with Dogs (Open Road Guides), to be published in November.

photo courtesy of Robert Francois/AFP/Getty Images

www.louisianalife.com Louisiana Life | 73

lifetimes a guide to events around the state september/october Compiled by Judi Russell

NORTH LOUISIANA Sept. 6-12. 5th Annual North Louisiana Gay & Lesbian Film Festival. 617 Texas St., Shreveport. (318) 393-8644.

Sept. 7. Vintage Car Club Show & Shine.

Angola Prison Rodeo

520 Broadway, Minden. (318) 347-9558.

Sept. 7. River Cities Corvette Club Festival. 101 Crockett St., Shreveport.

Petroleum Festival. 715 Second St., Morgan

Sept. 27-28. Jim Bowie BBQ Festival.

City. (985) 385-0703.

Sept. 2. Boozoo Labor Day Festival. 900

Mississippi Riverfront, Vidalia.

(318) 836-8223.

Lakeshore Drive, Lake Charles.

(337) 438-3482.

Sept. 28. Bogalusa Blues & Heritage Festival. Cassidy Park, Bogalusa.

Sept. 6-7. St. Martinville Kiwanis Pepper Festival. Corner N. Market St. & E. Madison

(985) 205-1075.

Sept. 28-29. Best of the Bayou. Downtown

Sept. 20. Jesse James Outlaw Roundup Festival. Main Street, Oak Grove.

St., St. Martinville. (337) 394-7408.

Houma. (985) 876-5600.

(318) 488-4448.

Sept. 6-7. Mamou Cajun Music Festival.

Oct. 1-5. Beaureguard Parish Fair.

98 Main St., Mamou. (337) 789-0646.

Sept. 21-22. B.H.P.A. City Championship Horseshoe Pitching Tournament. Kemper

Sept. 6-8. Bayou Lafourche Antiques Show. Warren J. Harang Jr. Municipal

Beaureguard Parish Fairgrounds, DeRidder.

(337) 462-3135.

(318) 673-5100.

Sept. 14. Dragonboat Festival. 601 Clyde Fant Parkway, Shreveport. (318) 459-3000.

Sept. 20. Movies & Moonbeams: “The Lorax.” 547 E. 79th St., Shreveport.

(318) 673-5336.

Oct. 4-5. Opelousas Spice & Music Festival. South City Park, Opelousas.

Williams Park, Patterson. (985) 385-3858.

Auditorium, Thibodaux. (985) 413-1147.

Sept. 27-28. Louisiana Chicken Festival.

Sept. 7. Stars & Stripes in the park Classic Car Show. Heritage Square,

(337) 948-5227.

Sulphur. (337) 436-9588.

Roberts Cove, Rayne. info@robertscovegermanfest.com.

7833 Annie Lee St, Dubach.

(318) 777-1964.

Sept. 28. Germantown Bluegrass Festival.

Oct. 5-6. Roberts Cove Germanfest.

Sept. 7. Boudin Wars. Heritage Square, Sulphur. (337) 436-9588.

Oct. 8-13. Cotton Festival. Ville Platte

Sept. 8. Acadiana Barrel Race Association. 713 NW Bypass (Hwy. 3212),

Cotton Festival Fairgrounds, Ville Platte.

(337) 563-6367.

New Iberia. (337) 365-7539.

Oct. 9-12. Jefferson Davis Parish Fair.

Shreveport. (318) 424-4000.

Sept. 14-16. Living History & Civil War Re-enactment. Springfield. (225) 294-3150.

Jefferson Davis Parish Fairgrounds, Jennings. (337) 581-3135.

Oct. 11-12. Lumberjack Festival. 301 Church St., Shreveport. (318) 465-3989.

Sept. 20-22. St. Theresa Bon Ton Festival. St. Theresa Catholic Church.

Oct. 10-12. Atchafalaya Catfish Festival.

Oct. 24-Nov. 10. State Fair of Louisiana.

Carlyss. (337) 583-4880.

3701 Hudson Ave., Shreveport.

(318) 226-8555.

Sept. 21-22. Golden Meadow Family Fishing Rodeo. Hwy. 3235, Galliano.

Oct. 31. Witch-Way-To-Main. Columbia.

(985) 665-4507.

(318) 649-2138.

Sept. 21-22. Midnight Fantasies Annual Lakefront Tour-Car, Truck & Boat Show.

Oct. 11-13. Louisiana Cattle Festival.

900 Lakeshore Drive, Lake Charles.

Oct. 11-13. Louisiana Gumbo Festival of Chackbay. Fairgrounds, 326 LA 304,

121 Museum Road, Minden. (318) 426-4691.

Oct. 5-12. Red River Revel Arts Festival.

Festival Plaza, Shreveport. (318) 424-4000.

Oct. 5-12. BREW. 101 Crockett St.,

Cajun Country Through Sept. 2. Louisiana Shrimp &

74 | Louisiana Life September/October 2013

Sept. 25-29. Louisiana Sugar Cane Festival. New Iberia. (337) 369-9323

Melville Civic Center, Melville.

(337) 623-4226.

Oct. 11-13. Festival Acadiens et Creoles.

Girard Park, Lafayette. info@festivalsacadiens.com Downtown Abbeville. (337) 652-0646.

Chackbay. (985) 633-2828.

Oct. 11-13. World Championship Gumbo Cook-off. Bouligny Plaza, New Iberia.

(337) 364-1836.

Oct. 17-19. Rice Festival. Downtown Crowley. (337) 783-3067.

CENTRAL

Road, Baker. (225) 778-0300.

Sept. 7. Fall Arts & Crafts Festival. Hwy.

Sept. 27-29. Louisiana Hot Air Balloon Championship Festival. 9039 Landry Road,

28E, Pineville. (318) 443-1785.

Sept. 20-21. Natchitoches Meat Pie Festival. 781 Front St., Natchitoches.

Gonzales. (225) 621-1700.

Sept. 28-29. Harvest Days. Rural Life

Oct. 17. 10th Annual Taste of Southern Louisiana Festival. Houma-Terrebonne Civic Center, Houma. (985) 851-1020.

(318) 352-8072.

Museum, Baton Rouge. (225) 765-2437.

Sept. 29. Big Cajun Triathlon. 108 E. Main

Oct. 19. Ragley Heritage & Timber Festival. 6715 LA 12, Ragley.

Sept. 21. Marthaville Good Ole Days Festival. Various locations, Marthaville.

(318) 472-1654.

Oct. 5-13. Livingston Parish Fair.

Sept. 27-28. Jim Bowie BBQ Throwdown.

Livingston Parish Fairgrounds, 13325 Florida Blvd., Livingston. (225) 686-1333.

(337) 661-3657.

Oct. 19. Tailgating Cook-off & Fais Do Do.

100 River View Parkway, Vidalia.

(318) 336-8226.

Loreauville Park, Loreauville.

(337) 577-3852.

Oct. 2-6. West LA Forestry Festival.

Oct. 25-26. Black Pot Festival. Acadian Village, Lafayette. (800) 346-1958.

Oct. 26. Sweet Dough Pie Festival. St. Charles Borromeo Church, Grand Couteau.

(337) 662-3058.

Oct. 26. 14th Annual Franklin Merchants Association Harvest Moon Festival. Main Street, Franklin. (337) 828-3706.

Oct. 26. New Iberia Beneath the Balconies. 317 E. Main St. to 102 W. Main St., New Iberia. (337) 364-1603.

Oct. 26-27. Cajun Village Fall Festival.

Cajun Village, Sorrento. (225) 675-5572.

Oct. 26-27. Yellow Leaf Arts Festival.

Parker Park, St. Francisville.

(225) 635-3873.

Oct. 26-27. Fall Arts & Crafts Festival. Oak

Vernon Parish Fairgrounds, Leesville. (337) 238-0647.

Oct. 5. Classic Car Show. Downtown Riverbank, Natchitoches. (318) 352-1993.

Arena, Baton Rouge. (225) 930-0901.

Oct. 9-13. Rapides Parish Fair. Rapides

Oct. 15. Denham Springs Fall Festival.

Parish Coliseum Fairgrounds, Alexandria.

(318) 767-3968.

Mattie Street, Denham Springs.

(225) 665-4666.

Oct. 12-14. Fall Pilgrimage/Tour of Homes. Landmark Historic District & Cane

Oct. 18-19. Southern Garden Symposium.

River Area, Natchitoches. (800) 259-1714.

Oct. 26. Haunted History Tour.

Natchitoches-American Cemetery, Natchitoches. (800) 259-1714.

BATON ROUGE/PLANTATION North Boulevard Town Square, Baton Rouge. (225) 389-5520.

Sept. 7. Muddy Mayhem LA. 33203 Hwy. 1019, Denham Springs. (225) 938-2325.

Various locations, St. Francisville.

(225) 635-3738.

Oct. 18-20. Andouille Festival. St. John Civic Center, LaPlace. (985) 652-9569.

Oct. 24-Nov. 3. Greater Baton Rouge State Fair. Baton Rouge Fairgrounds, Baton Rouge. (225) 755-3247.

Oct. 27. Feast on the Levee. St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Brusley.

(225) 749-2189.

Oct. 27. Haints, Haunts & Halloween.

Rural Life Museum, Baton Rouge.

(225) 765-2437.

Sept. 14-15. Oldies But Goodies Festival.

2750 N. Westport Drive, Port Allen.

(225) 344-2920.

Sept. 14-15. Repticon Baton Rouge.

9039 S. St. Landry Ave., Gonzales.

(225) 647-4515.

Sept. 21. Cajun French Music Festival.

City Park, New Iberia. (337) 364-7975.

Sept. 24. Civil War Sesquicentennial Commemoration Speaker Series, “The 1863 Battle of Stirling’s Plantation at Bayou Fordoche.” 500 W. Main St., New Natchitoches Meat Pie Festival

Louisiana State Penitentiary, Angola. (225) 655-2030.

Robeline. (318) 332-4969.

Oct. 26-28. Louisiana Yambilee Festival.

Historic Downtown Abbeville’s Magdalen Square, Abbeville.www.giantomelette.org.

Oct. 6, 13, 20, 27. Angola Prison Rodeo.

Oct. 5-6. Robeline Heritage Festival.

Sept. 6, 13, 20, 27. Live After Five.

Nov. 2-3. Giant Omelette Celebration.

Oct. 6. Sugar Festival. West Baton Rouge Museum, Port Allen. (225) 336-2422.

Oct. 13. International Heritage Celebration. Baton Rouge RiverCenter

Alley Plantation, Vacherie. (225) 265-2157.

Yambille Fairgrounds, Opelousas.

(337) 948-8848.

St., New Roads. (225) 448-2878.

GREATER NEW ORLEANS Through Sept. 22. Louisiana Contemporary Presented by Regions Bank.

Ogden Museum of Southern Art, New Orleans. (504) 539-9613.

Aug. 28-Sept. 2. Southern Decadence Festival. 801 Bourbon St., New Orleans. www.southerndecadence.net.

Aug. 31-Sept. 2. 51st Original Red Fish Rodeo. Bridge Side Marina, Grand Isle.

Roads. (225) 638-6575.

(985) 787-2997.

Sept. 26. Boogie’n the Bayou. Nottoway

Sept. 13-15. Shrimp Festival. 2501

Plantation, White Castle. (866) 527-6884.

Archbishop Hannan Blvd., Meraux.

(504) 278-4242

Sept. 26. Buffalo Festival. 3325 Groom

www.louisianalife.com Louisiana Life | 75

Sept. 19. Art & Wine Walk. 409 Aycock

Oct. 5. New Orleans Baby & Child Festival.

St., Arabi. (504) 355-4442.

Pontchartrain Center, Kenner.

(504) 298-8234.

Sept. 19-21. Burlesque Festival. Harrah’s New Orleans Casino, House of Blues, New Orleans. (504) 975-7425.

Oct. 5. Ponchatoula Appraisal Fair & Art Stroll. Downtown Ponchatoula.

Sept. 20. Scales & Ales. Audubon Aquarium of the Americas, New Orleans.

(504) 861-5107.

(800) 616-4502.

Sept. 21. Antique Auto Club of St. Bernard Cruise Night. 8751 W. Judge Perez Drive,

Oct. 12-13. Madisonville Wooden Boat Festival. Lake Pontchartrain Basin Maritime Museum and banks of the Tchefuncte River, Madisonville. (985) 845-9200.

Oct. 12-13. Slidell Sell-A-Bration Arts & Crafts Show. Northshore Harbor Center,

Oct. 5-6. Fall Garden Festival. New Orleans

Slidell. (985) 641-2021.

Botanical Garden, City Park, New Orleans.

(504) 483-9386.

Oct. 12-13. Cajun Heritage Festival.

Oct. 10-17. New Orleans Film Festival.

Larose Civic Center, Larose.

(985) 532-8008.

Oct. 13. Celebracion Latina. Audubon Zoo,

Sept. 26-28. Cutting Edge Music Conference. Various locations, New Orleans.

Various cinemas in New Orleans.

(504) 309-6633.

Oct. 11-13. Bridge City Gumbo Festival.

Oct. 16-19. Washington Parish Free Fair.

(504) 945-1800.

Holy Guardian Angels Church, Belle Chasse.

Franklinton. (985) 839-5922.

Chalmette. (504) 874-0458.

Boo at the Zoo

New Orleans. (504) 581-4629.

Oct. 18-20. Crescent City Blues & BBQ Festival. Lafayette Square, New Orleans.

(504) 558-6100.

Oct. 18-20. St. Matthew the Apostle Fall Family Festival. St. Matthew the Apostle Church, River Ridge. (504) 737-4604.

Oct. 18-20. Treme Culture Festival.

Various locations including Lemann Park, Armstrong Park and St. Augustine Church.

(504) 523-5652.

Oct. 18-26. Boo at the Zoo. Audubon Zoo, New Orleans. (504) 581-4629.

Oct. 19. Fall for Art. Historic Downtown Covington. (985) 892-8650.

Sept. 27-28. Our Lady of Perpetual Help Fair. Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church,

(504) 329-4279.

Oct. 19. 5th Annual French Market Boo Carre Halloween & Harvest Festival. French

Oct. 11-13. Louisiana Seafood Festival.

Market, New Orleans. (504) 522-2621.

Belle Chasse. (504) 394-0314.

Woldenberg Park, New Orleans.

(504) 214-1886.

Oct. 19. Monster Mash presented by Capital One Bank. Bogue Falaya Park,

Oct. 11. St. Mary Magdalen Seafood Festival. St. Mary Magdalen School, Metairie.

Covington. (985) 898-4425.

Sept. 28. Million MILF March. Begins at Ernst’s Café, South Peters Street, New Orleans.

Oct. 19. Party in the Pits BBQ Cook-off.

Sept. 28. St. Augustine High School Edwin Hampton Music Festival. St. Augustine High

(504) 733-0922.

School, New Orleans. (504) 940-5980.

Oct. 11-26. Deutsches Haus Oktoberfest.

Oct. 2-6. St. Tammany Parish Fair. Covington

Historic Rivertown, Kenner. (504) 522-8014.

Fairgrounds, Covington. (985) 892-8421.

Oct. 12. Japan Festival. New Orleans Museum of Art & Besthoff Sculpture Garden, City Park, New Orleans. (504) 658-4100.

Loranger Road, Loranger. (985) 878-2360.

Oct. 12. Que Pasa Fest. Lafreniere Park, Metairie. (504) 905-6925.

Town Slidell. (985) 641-6316. n

Oct. 2-6. Tangipahoa Parish Fair.

Tangipahoa Fairgrounds, Amite.

(985) 748-7156.

Oct. 3-5. Ponderosa Stomp. Various

Memorial “Strawberry Fields” Park, Ponchatoula. (985) 386-2536.

Oct. 19-20. Old Farmers Day & Horsepulling Contest. Brunett Farms, 56136 Oct. 26-27. Olde Town Slidell Fall Antique Street Fair. 1st, 2nd and Erlanger Streets, Olde

locations, including d.b.a., The Wyndham Riverfront, Rock ’n’ Bowl, New Orleans.

Oct. 4-6. Gentilly Festival. Pontchartrain

ATTENTION FESTIVAL-PLANNERS & CARNIVAL PARADE-PLANNERS

Playground, New Orleans. (504) 813-4164.

HELP US PROMOTE YOUR EVENT!

Oct. 4-6. Gretna Heritage Festival.

n

Downtown Gretna. (504) 361-7748.

n

Oct. 5. Capital One Art for Art’s Sake.

Warehouse Arts District and Uptown New Orleans.

76 | Louisiana Life September/October 2013

Go online to provide information for our calendar section and webpage.

Go to MyNewOrleans.com/Louisiana-Life/Submit-an-Event to let us know about festivals, shows or special events coming up in your areas!

n Go to MyNewOrleans.com/Louisiana-Life/Submit-a-Parade-to-Louisiana-Life to keep us posted on your Carnival plans!

Remember, the sooner we get the information, the better able we are to help you.

www.louisianalife.com Louisiana Life | 77

great louisiana quiz

Restaurant Edition

1 Pictured here is a serving of pulled pork at The Joint, a restaurant in New Orleans.

What part of the pig is usually used in preparing pulled pork?

A. Shoulder B. Back C. Breast D. Loin

This seafood restaurant began along False River and now has locations in Baton Rouge, Bossier City and New Orleans. What is it?

A. Oxbow River Seafood B. Le Roi C. Ralph and Kacoo’s D. Huey’s 2

3 This is the oldest restaurant in Louisiana.

A. Antoine’s (New Orleans) B. Juban’s (Baton Rouge) C. Arnaud’s (New Orleans)

D. Tujague’s (New Orleans) 4 Your friend has created a dessert consisting of bananas sliced, cooked with rum and spices and then flamed before being served with ice cream. You need to tell him that that dish already exists and was the house specialty of Brennan’s restaurant in New Orleans. What is it called?

A. Bananas Flambé B. Baked Alaska C. Barbecued ice cream D. Bananas Foster 5

Lee’s has long been known for its ham sandwiches and pies. Where is it located?

A. Gonzales B. Port Allen C. LeCompte D. Bordelonville

6 This former Opelousas restaurant was famous for its baked duck dishes. What was it?

A. Fred’s B. Didee’s C. Boudreaux’s D. Canard’s 7 Your friend has an idea to start a chain of restaurants serving buffalo wings; only he has not been able to find where there are buffalos with wings. You suggest instead that he seeks employment with a Louisiana-based chain that serves chicken fingers.

What is the chain’s name?

A. McNugget’s B. Golden Chicken House C. Snappin’ Fingers D. Raising Cane’s

8 Restaurant Cotton, which has won many accolades, describes its food as “North Delta Cuisine.” What town is it in?

A. Ferriday B. Monroe C. West Monroe D. Columbia 9 Lasyone’s in Natchitoches is famous for this dish: A. Boudin Balls B. Cracklins C. Cochon de Lait D. Meat Pies

10 Which one of these

famous Louisiana chefs is a native of Massachusetts?

A. Paul Prudhomme B. John Folse C. Emeril Lagasse D. John Besh cheryl gerber photograph

78 | Louisiana Life September/October 2013

Answer this BONUS QUESTION and be eligible to win an overnight stay for two at the luxurious PARAGON CASINO RESORT: In what Louisiana towns, and their parishes, are there festivals dedicated to the food items: cochon de lait, strawberry, tamale, poke salad, gumbo, andouille, crab, shrimp?

Send in your answer on a postcard addressed to: Louisiana Life Bonus Question 110 Veterans Blvd., Suite 123 Metairie, LA 70005 Two winners will be drawn from among the correct answers. Each will receive an overnight stay for two at the recently expanded and remodeled Paragon Casino Resort in Marksville.

Winners’ names will be announced in the January/February 2013 issue.

For our MAY/JUNE issue, the question was: What parishes are divided by the Mississippi River and what is the parish seat of each?

The correct answer was: Iberville Parish – Plaquemine; Ascension Parish –Donaldsonville; St. James Parish – Convent; St. John the Baptist Parish – Edgard; St. Charles Parish – Hahnville; Jefferson Parish – Gretna; Orleans Parish – New Orleans; Plaquemines Parish – Belle Chasse; St. Bernard Parish – Pointe-à-la-Hache.

Winners were: Jerry Folse, Gonzales Lisa Haydel, Metairie (Note: One other person qualified for the drawing but did not include his/ her name and address.)

ANSWERS TO THE QUESTIONS: 1.A 2.C 3.A 4.D 5.C 6.B 7.D 8.B 9.D 10.C SCORING Score 10 points for each correct answer: 0-20 Consult your nearest library.

30-60 Begin by buying a good road map.

70-90 You should run for office.

100 You’re a candidate for a Ph.D. in Louisianaology. n www.louisianalife.com Louisiana Life | 79

a louisiana life

Jerry Strahan Putting the mustard in Lucky Dogs

By Megan Hill

Jerry Strahan says

“It was every kid’s dream

his main task as a manager at

come true and every parent’s

Lucky Dogs is “herding cats.”

nightmare,” he says. “They

Lucky Dogs are identified

weren’t overly happy, but

by those ubiquitous hot

they trusted me.”

Strahan’s gig at Orange

dog-shaped carts seen in the vicinity of New Orleans’

Julius continued through his

French Quarter. They were

undergraduate years at the

also immortalized in John

University of New Orleans.

Jackson Higgins and the

submits them to the Catholic

Kennedy Toole’s novel,

Having grown to trust

Boats That Won World War

girls’ school skirt test; if it

Confederacy of Dunces in

Strahan after his Orange

II. As an undergraduate, he

touches the floor when they

which the lead character,

Julius years, Talbot asked him

wrote a paper on Higgins for

kneel, they’re free to go out

Ignatius Reilly, had a brief

to help train a new manager

Steven Ambrose’s modern

and work), of being a father

career as a vendor for

at Lucky Dogs. That new

military history class. He

figure or therapist to his

something called “Paradise

manager didn’t work out, and

found out the hard way

vendors, of carts that go out

Dogs.” Strahan has managed

soon Strahan found himself

nothing had been written

and never come back.

the hot dog company’s French

with a new job.

about Higgins yet, so he

“A couple of weeks turned

Quarter vendors since 1976,

“This is a very politically

pored through newspaper

incorrect place. And it’s good

and he knows this business

into a couple of months,

articles and tracked down

that it is. We have straight

inside and out. He’s even

which turned into a couple

some of the company’s

people, we have gay people,

written a book about the

of decades,” says Strahan.

original employees.

we have whites, we have

characters he encounters on

“It doesn’t seem like it’s been

a daily basis, called Managing

about 36, 37 years now but it

that he convinced Strahan

that don’t know what they are.

Ignatius: The Lunacy of Lucky

has been. We’ve lasted longer

to go for a master’s degree.

But they all fit in together,”

Dogs and Life in New Orleans.

than most people’s marriages.”

The two became friends, and

Strahan says. “It’s kind of like

Ambrose later suggested

a foxhole mentality. They’re

of Lucky Dogs owner Doug

to be a history professor, but

– about 15 years later –

accepting of one another.

Talbot, whom he started

he burned out in graduate

Strahan turn that paper into

They’re all working on

working for as a teenager. In

school after receiving his

a book. Strahan volunteers

Bourbon Street, they all have

1968, Strahan, then in high

master’s degree. “I happened

regularly at the National

the same frustrations, they

school, began working for

to see one day the salaries

World War II Museum.

all have the same weather

Talbot at an Orange Julius

that liberal arts professors

But Lucky Dogs remains

problems. They understand

stand in the newly built

make and I realized, ‘You

his day job, and there’s rarely

one another’s predicaments,

Lakeside Mall. Talbot then

know, it’s a great life, but

a dull moment.

and so they all bond together

bought the Orange Julius on

maybe economically I can do

Bourbon Street.

better elsewhere.’”

Strahan originally wanted

Strahan is a longtime friend

It so impressed Ambrose

“It’s not your father’s

blacks, we have some people

and it doesn’t matter what you

corporation. It’s a little

were in the past, where you

different, but it’s never dull,”

came from in the past, it’s just

dismay, Strahan transferred

side hobby for Strahan, who

Strahan says. He’s full of

kind of in a sense one large

to the Bourbon Street location

has also written a book on

stories of men showing up

family. Some of these people

as a senior in high school.

Andrew Higgins: Andrew

to work in drag (Strahan

have no other family.” n

History continues to be a

Much to his parents’

80 | Louisiana Life September/October 2013

cheryl gerber photograph