Dear Julia, I have a picture of my maternal great grandfather Judge Louis Edgar Arnoult with George Riviere. Judge Arnoult and Mr. Riviere were members of two pioneering families of Jefferson Parish. The picture was taken at the Jefferson Parish Racetrack, Shrewsbury in 1910. The picture is included in two publications: Metairie: A Tongue of Land to Pasture, by Msgr. Henry C. Bezou and Legendary Locals of Metairie, by Catherine Campanella. Do you or Poydras know where this racetrack was located? Thanks, Jack Schott New Orleans Opened in 1917, the track prospered until the Great Depression, when it fell on hard times. Racing enthusiasts take note: When thoroughbred Black Gold won the 1924 Louisiana Derby, he did so at Jefferson Race Track. Later, the Oklahoma-bred colt won the 50th running of the Kentucky Derby. In the late 1940s, the 82acre Jefferson Race Track site was sold and redeveloped as the new Jefferson Park residential subdivision. Jefferson Park Avenue is the main street in the neighborhood, the streets of which are laid out in concentric ovals recalling the former racetrack. The entrance to the Jefferson Park subdivision faces Jefferson Highway, roughly opposite Riverdale High School. Dear Julia and Poydras, I have a dim childhood memory about a sweet strawberry soda called Pop Rouge. I haven’t seen it in years and I can’t honestly say I’ve missed the stuff. Do you remember it or know who made it? Felix Flynn New Orleans
The Louisiana Coca-Cola Bottling Company produced and trademarked both the carbonated strawberry soda Pop Rouge™ and its running mate, a grape-flavored soda pop called La Grape.™ The brand names, incidentally, are rendered in glorious Franglais – a mix of random English and French words. I will admit that La Grape sounds catchier than Grain de Raisin (grape). When Pop Rouge™ and La Grape™ were introduced around 1970, local shoppers could buy a six-pack of 12-ounce cans for 49 cents while extreme soda junkies could haul home a 24-can case for $1.79. If those prices sound outrageously cheap, bear in mind that the current equivalent is $3.08 per sixpack and $11.24 per case. Both Pop Rouge™ and the associated La Grape™ brand were relatively shortlived and faded into popular memory. When their trademarks expired in 1990, neither was renewed. n
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Here is a chance to eat, drink and have your curiosity satiated all at once. Send Julia a question. If we use it, you’ll be eligible for a monthly drawing for a Jazz Brunch for two at The Court of Two Sisters. To take part, send your question to: Julia Street, c/o New Orleans Magazine, 110 Veterans Blvd., Suite 123, Metairie, LA 70005 or email: Errol@MyNewOrleans. com. This month’s winners are C. Scully Sr. and Jack Schott, New Orleans. myneworleans.com MAY 2017
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