Louisiana Road Trips July 2012 Edition

Louisiana Road Trips – 2 – www.laroadtrips.com

The Greater MandevilleSeafood Association, Inc.By Bill Dobson, President, GMSFA

Produced by the Greater Mandeville Seafood Association, Inc, TheMandeville Seafood Festival, established in 1978, is the oldest festivalheld in St. Tammany Parish. Children ten and under are admitted freewhen accompanied by an adult.

The Seafood Association is a non-profit 501 (c) (3) corporation, witha 100% volunteer membership, including the Officers, who contributecountless hours without receiving any monetary compensation.

The festival association has donated over $1,000,000.00 to variousMandeville area charities and causes. A partial listing of beneficiaries includes:• Lake Pontchartrain Basin Foundation• Bucks for Fire Trucks• City of Mandeville• St. Tammany Fire District #4• American Heart Association St. Tammany West Chapter• LaSAR Search Dog Team• St. Tammany Sheriff's Reserve Division• The Thomas L. Young Auxiliary of Southeast Louisiana Hospital• Mandeville Trailhead Foundation• Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center• Safe Harbor

• Hope House Children's Advocacy Center• St. Tammany Association for Retarded Citizens• St. Tammany Hospital Foundation

2008 marked our move to Fontainebleau State Park. This largerarea allows us to provide more activities, vendors and provide a coolerenvironment for a summer South Louisiana Festival.

The festival will feature 20 food booths serving seafood dishes aswell as alternative dishes, Arts & Craft booths, a Children'sentertainment area, and live musical entertainment throughout thethree day event. The annual fireworks show will highlight the 4th ofJuly, and will start at approximately 8:45 pm. The fireworks arechoreographed to music and the best place to see the fireworks andhear the music is in front of the main stage on the festival grounds.Many people enjoy viewing the fireworks show from their boats onLake Pontchartrain.

The Mandeville Seafood Festival is one of the Official Festivals ofthe State of Louisiana. In 2003, the Senate recognized the GreaterMandeville Seafood Festival as a premier Louisiana cultural event.

The festival is also a member of the Louisiana Fairs and FestivalsAssociation and the West St. Tammany Chamber of Commerce.

ROAD TRIPS"Celebrating country living and city happenings!"

j u l y c o n t e n t sBOOK REVIEW

9 Louisiana Saturday Night by Alex V. Cook

14 The Story Behind the Stoneby Robert Jeanfreau

BUSINESS REVIEW20 Royal Treatment – Brennan’s Restaurant

by Deborah Burst

DELTA OUTDOORS6 A Life of Trial…and Error by Dennis Stewart

Lord, Won’t You Give Me One MoreLast Chance Bear?

9 Going Native by Larry BrockIslands of Peace and Tranquility

11 In the Crosshairs by Sonny Harrington

Chupa What?

14 My Favorite Fishing Hole by Joe Joslin

Summertime Fun on the Bend

18 Swimming Pool – Would I get girls or

ducks? by Johnny Wink

FESTIVALS &ENTERTAINMENT

2 The Greater Mandeville Seafood

Association, Inc. by Bill Dobson

5 Watermelon Festival

10 Hot August Nights!

15 Feliciana Hummingbird Celebration

HISTORICAL8 Test Your Memory…and Win a Prize

by Lee Estes

12 Murder at Lake Providence: The Killing of

Marshall Bernard McGuire

by Lora Peppers

16 Louisiana in the Civil War: July 1862: Full

Circle by Terry L. Jones

Talkin’It Up!

Whether you’re lookingthrough the windshield or in therearviewmirrorlike Iam inthisphoto,there’sjust so much to see in Louisiana –sometimes breathtaking, sometimespeculiar, always entertaining!

Even on these sweltering days,spend some time outdoors enjoyinga tall glass of iced tea, festival food,barbeque, or a juicy homegrowntomato. Maybe a good book willdistract you from the heat (there aretwo book reviews in this issue) asyou get lost in the pages. Summermonths are also great for visitingmuseums and galleries. Don’t stayhome. Instead, take a road trip toanother part of the state, have anice meal at a local restaurant, andtour the area as you seek out thatperfect venue to spend a lazysummer afternoon.

Happy the happiest of 4th’sthis month and let’s keep in touch.

MonaMona L. Hayden, [email protected](318) 547-1221

HUMOR4 Runnin’ the Roads by Barbara Sharik

Addictions Are So Pitiful

13 All Things Southern by Shellie TomlinsonThe Great Unseen Hand

INSPIRATIONAL12 The Cliff Notes of Life by Robert Lemoine

MONTHLY TIDBITS3 Talkin’ It Up!

11 Louisiana Lagniappe – Remember When

14 Backtalk

17 Legal Lagniappe

17 Louisiana Lagniappe Answers

21 July Calendar

22 Friend or Foe by Deborah Burst

RECIPES19 Recipes by Stacy Thornton

ROAD TRIPS7 Travel Adventure by Dianne Newcomer

TIME: Past vs. Future

13 Earthquakes to Lavender by Carolyn Files

17 Hello Summer! by Su Stella

23 Beds & Beignets by Mary WhiteThe Essence of New Orleans


Louisiana Road TripsMagazine

www.laroadtrips.comis seeking

CommissionedAd Sales Reps

Work your own scheduleand earn 20% commission!If you enjoy meeting people,

this is a great opportunity.Call today!Contact:

Mona L. [email protected]

(318) 547-1221

AddictionsAre So Pitiful

It's over. The2012 American Idolhas been selected. Thewinner, Phillip

Phillips, was my choice from the first time Iheard him croon––because he does croon. Hehas an old fashioned sound that is timeless;combo Peaceful, Easy Feeling and Runnin’Against the Wind. However, he puts his owntwist on everything, and now, I predict he toowill be timeless.

I have been through this before. Basically,the only TV show I watch is American Idol. Iam admittedly addicted. Watching youngtalented singers come and grow and advanceto stardom is heartwarming.

Now it's over, I am fast approaching thepoint of being a mess, to use a colloquialexpression. It's over. I wander around in adaze, lost as the proverbial Canada goosewhose compass is on the blink. What will I dowith myself? Taking a road trip probablywon't work because no matter where I travel,there is a Wednesday and Thursday night.Nothing will fill the void until I get over theshock of American Idol being finished for theseason.

Since my mind is not geared to writeon Wednesdays and Thursdays, last yearafter the show was over I had difficultyfocusing and getting back into the plots ofthe books I was writing then. Same thingthis year. By the way, let us pause for aquick commercial. Last year's books were,BooCat: Dancing Naked in the Rain and

BooCat: Living inmy Lap"––bothpublished andavailable onamazon.com orfrom me,personallyinscribed. Thisyear, I amworking onBooCat Throws aFrisbee whilesimultaneouslypenning BooCat:Letters fromJackson. Theproblem is that

my mind demands more American Idol.I feel like Christopher Walken foreverand ever declaring, "I need morecowbell."

I have always been a sucker fortalent shows. I watched the atrociousGong Show in its day and as a youngster,The Amateur Hour. Music makes mehappy, which makes American Idol ideal.It's a melding of both––music and talent.

Consequently, for months I have satglued to the TV two nights a week. Ijoined billions of fans nationwidewatching, rooting and cheering for mypreferred wannabe idol. Admittedly, Inever picked up the phone and cast avote, but I have, every season, definitefavorites and vocalize my opinion. Then,just like that, the source of my weeklyentertainment is finished. Terminated.Ended. Now what?

Okay, I realize anyone whosehighpoint of the week is a televisionshow needs to get a life. I agree.However, knowing and doing are notnecessarily equivalent. In spite of this,before you judge me too harshly, realizemy addiction is not suffered alone.Judging by the number of votes casteach week, American Idol is the highestrated most watched show of eachseason, each year, every year.

Once, daughter Theresa admittedshe is probably the only person in thefree world who doesn’t watch AmericanIdol. I was aghast. I thought I raised herbetter. Not to mention, with her singingtalent, she would win were she acontestant. Fact is I don’t understandanyone not watching American Idol.You ask me, it is un-American.Speaking of American let me pause andwish everybody a safe and cheerful 4thof July.

And so, a couple times a week Iplop down in front of the TV, only tostare at the darkened screen. The remotefeels alien in my hand. I have become anaddict without a remedy, a fix. Quitesimply, although there is nothing simpleabout it, I suffer from American Idolwithdrawal. Again.

As far as my addiction, the only solution I canthink of is to organize an A.I.A. chapter––AmericanIdol Anonymous––just to help me get through untilthe next season. Anybody wanna join? Call me.Barbara Sharik makes her home at Wit's End in Jones, Louisianawith a couple old dogs, young dogs and several stupid dogs, a cat,a talking cockatiel and a white dove. She's active in civic affairs,serves as a Justice of the Peace, a Notary Public, is the Clerk forthe Village of Bonita and a columnist for the Bastrop DailyEnterprise. She has authored several books. You can e-mailBarbara at [email protected]

RUNNIN’ THE ROADS By Barbara Sharik PUBLISHERLRT Publications

______________________

EDITORIAL DIRECTORMona L. Hayden

[email protected](318) 547-1221

OUR GUARDIAN ANGELDebbie Hamilton Pope

June 14, 1952-August 24, 2008

Louisiana Road Trips magazine is publishedmonthly to promote, inform, and entertain theresidents of Louisiana. It is distributed FREE;however, home delivery is available. This magazinewill reach approximately 61,000 individuals.

Submission of articles and photos are alwayswelcome but may be limited to availability of spaceand edited for content.

Copyright 2012 with all rights reserved. Reproductionof any material appearing within this publication isprohibited without written permission of the Publishers.The opinions expressed in Louisiana Road Tripsmagazine are those of the authors or columnists anddo not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher,nor do they constitute an endorsement of products orservices herein. “Louisiana Road Trips” magazineretains the right to refuse any advertisement.

P. O. Box 2452West Monroe, LA 71294

(318) 547-1221

www.laroadtrips.com

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Watermelon FestivalDon’t miss the 49Th Annual Watermelon Festival & Pageants on

July 26-28 in Farmerville, Louisiana. The southeast Louisiana societyrates it among the top 20 events in the United States. Beginning themorning of Thursday, July 26Th, the Watermelon Festival TreasureHunt will begin at 7am. Be sure to listen to Z107.5 for clues to ourprize packages worth $500; the clues will not be repeated. Later, at 7pmthe Local Miss Watermelon Festival Pageant will be held in theFarmerville High School Auditorium. The divisions of the Thursdaynight pageant include Baby Miss ages 0-23 months, Tiny Miss ages 2-4,Little Miss ages 5-8, and Junior Miss ages 9-12.

Friday’s activities around the courthouse will begin at 6pm. Therewill be watermelon rolling—eating—seed spitting contests—the bestdressed watermelon contest and much more. The kids always have agreat time riding their tricycles and bicycles at the 6:30pm races. TheFestival Street Dance begins at 8pm and will feature live entertainmentfrom the Mike Mckinzie Band. On Saturday the 28th, the parade kicks off at 9am. After the parade, besure to stop by the Courthouse Square to enjoy shopping and greatfood. The Watermelon Auction will be held at 10am where you can seeand buy some of the largest watermelons in the state of Louisiana.Later at 7pm, our 2012 Miss Watermelon Festival Pageant will be heldin the Farmerville High School Auditorium. These divisions willinclude Teen Miss ages 13-18, Outstanding Teen Miss, which includes atalent section, ages 13-18, and Miss Louisiana Watermelon ages 17-24.Tickets for both Thursday and Saturday night pageants will beavailable to purchase at the Jaycee Hall to reserve good seats.

This year’s festival is going to be filled with tons of activities andevents so bring your family and friends to Farmerville Louisiana toexperience summertime fun that everyone can enjoy. The 2012Watermelon T-shirt will go on sale in July. For more information, Callthe Jaycee Hall at (318)-368-0044 or email us [email protected]. The Jaycee Hall is located at 505 E. WaterSt. Farmerville, LA.



Lord, Won’t You Give Me OneMore Last Chance Bear?

And so it came to pass that I was able to sellmy seldom used boat and motor in May of thisyear and book a last minute Idaho bear hunt

with my favorite hunting guides, Angie and Scott Denny of TableMountain Outfitters.

I had hunted with Angie and Scott two years ago during theSpring bear hunting season. Idaho has a lot of bears and Angie andScott know where to find them. So my hopes were high that I wouldbe able to take my bear fairly early in the hunt this year.

There were four hunters in bear camp.We stayed in a log cabin near Crouch,Idaho, about 60 miles north of Boise. Wesaw quail, mule deer, and elk near the cabinevery day. The mountain tops were stillsnow covered in late May.

I had not booked the dog hunt this time where bears are huntedwith dogs with GPS collars. The best dog, usually Stormy, is chained tothe hood of the truck and the rest of the dogs are chained on top of thedog box in the back. We would drive slowly along the mountain roads,and when we came to a place where a bear had recently crossed,Stormy would go nuts. The guides would release the dogs and thechase would be on. It’s not unusual for the dogs to run the bear severalmiles treeing him. Hence the GPS collars.

Instead, I booked the afternoon baithunt where you sit in a blind overlookinga bait near the mountain top for four hourseach evening, often until 9:30pm or untilyou can’t see the crosshairs on your scope.

I love sitting over bear bait as you’reconstantly looking over your shoulder,with lots of time to meditate and think,even plan out the remainder of your life.You can muse over your regrets andcontemplate the great mysteries of life,like how can you love someone and yetbe totally miserable in a relationship withthem. You do a lot of soul searching and praying, most of it selfishpraying. At 59, I still pray I will find my soul mate one day. I havealways felt closest to God in the woods and it’s easiest for me to countmy blessings there.

I asked Adam, a guide, if any bears had ever messed with himwhile he was replenishing the baits. He replied, “Oh yeah, I could tellyou a good story but it happened on that bait you’re gonna be sittingon tonight.” Hmmm. But when day four of a five-day hunt passes andyou have not even aimed at a bear, your mental focus suddenlybecomes, “What if I go home bearless?” Larry, the Michigan sheriffwith nearly 700 deputies, got his bear the first night. Daryl from Iowagot his bear the second day. Larry from Iowa got his bear the morningof the fifth day. That left only Dennis from Louisiana without a bear.

Table Mountain Outfitters has a TV show on the Sportsmanchannel. Dustin, their cameraman, sat in my blind with me the first 3nights with the camera rolling. The trail cam pictures showed that

three bears were hitting this particular bait but they were waiting untilabout 15 minutes after the hunter left the blind at night. So oneevening Dustin and I came up with a plan, based on the logicalassumption that bears can’t count. Dustin got his camera and left theblind as soon as it became too dark to film. The plan was I would stayin the blind by myself and shoot the bears when they came to the bait15 minutes later. Alas, our bears evidently could count. They didn’tshow. They hid up in the bushes laughing at us. They ate all the bait 15minutes after I left.

On the fifth and last night, I had a different guide, Crockett.He decided to take me to the bait a different route, saying heloved replenishing this particular bait because it was most likelyto have a bear already on the bait. He had barely gotten thewords out of his mouth when he spotted a beautiful cinnamonbear chewing a corn cob on the bait, watching the trail I usually

took to the bait each afternoon. The bear had no idea Crockett and Iwere there. I rested my 338 Win mag on a shooting stick, put mycrosshairs on the center of the bear, and from only 80 yards, I pulledthe trigger. The bear went straight up in the air then ran off.

We spent an hour looking for a dead bear, hair, blood, anything.We checked for blood on the snow patches around the bait. We evenbrought up a dog who sniffed around a few minutes and then stared at

me with a disgusted look. I was disgustedand angry at myself. But Crockett wasupbeat. He assured me I was going to kill abear. We had walked all over this bait so hetook me to a different bait about 5 milesaway, and left me there alone with a walkietalkie.

By then it was 8 p.m. I went over thatshot in my mind, kicking myself for blowingmy last opportunity on the last evening ofthe hunt. Then a miracle occurred. I lookedup and a solid black bear was slowlywalking toward the fresh smoked oystersand honey on the bait (bears will eat pretty

much anything except bell peppers or broccoli stems). I aimedcarefully and pulled the trigger. The bear ran up and around the otherside of a hill, then came back down the hill and ran up another hill. Ishot again.

I called Crockett and told him I had shot at another bear. Ireloaded and went to where I last saw the bear. And there he was.Dead. A beautiful black bear. My second last chance bear. Crockettarrived and we skinned the bear, as other bears growled at us in thedark. Crockett said he was five years old and was scarred from a lot ofbear battles. Character marks, they call it.

And so God answered another of my selfish prayers. And I stillhave hopes of finding that soul mate one day.

Dennis Stewart grew up in northeast Louisiana, graduated from La Tech and LSULaw School. After having taught law at ULM and working as an Assistant DistrictAttorney, Dennis is now a Hearing Officer in Rayville. He loves to hunt, fish, read,write, and shop on eBay.

A LIFE OF TRIAL…AND ERROR By Dennis Stewart

The guides wouldrelease the dogs

and the chasewould be on.

TIME: Past vs. Futureprotected. People ended up getting about10 cents for each dollar they had in theiraccount! It was a bad time for everyonehere so I was pleased to see it looking thisgreat.

I was pleased with myself until Katieexclaimed, “Oh, wait! We studied that inschool. Wasn't it called the GreatDepression?” Vanity almost got the best ofme. I started to defend myself when Saraannounced they had to go because one ofKatie's mothers was signaling them to comeinside. “I don’t tell everyone,” confidedKatie, "but I have two mothers.” My, timeshad changed in my hometown but asexpected from a sweet little old lady, Ismiled and told her how lucky she was tohave two moms who loved her!

As I headed home, the band blastedout their rendition of the Rolling Stones“Time is on my Side” and I suddenly feltthat, like my mother, time was not on myside. I thought about all the changesdowntown, but how Mama's house – theone I left about 45 years ago – had changedvery little. Filled with new energy andideas, the town’s future certainly lookedbright but my mind drifted off to themountains of South America where theAymaras, a people with a most uniqueperspective on time, have lived forcenturies.

If you call me to help plan a trip toCuzco or Machu Picchu, Peru or maybenorthern Chili, you will surely enjoylearning about the Aymaras. This ethnictribe has lived in almost total isolation fromthe rest of the world since the 16th century.Therefore, they make perfect guinea pigsfor all sorts of scientific studies, includingan interesting linguisticstudy revealing theirmost unusual concept oftime. The Aymarasbelieve the future is"behind" them and thepast lies "ahead." Iremembered laughingwhen our guide had said,"To our way of thinking,theirs is a life walkedbackwards!"

Yet, my stroll downmemory lane made mewonder if this primitive

tribe might be more forward thinking thanour enlightened society. We all know timeis an abstract and envision it like a road wetravel. We talk about the future in termslike “next week” or “way back when” todenote the passage of time. “Behind” arethe places we have been; “ahead” are theplaces we have not arrived at. Thesepeople think exactly the opposite! To them,the past is what they see in the "front." It isthe given in their equation, for it is the onething they know for sure. Their logic is ifyou move your feet backward, there is noway of knowing what you will be steppinginto. Therefore, that unknown behind youis the future!

On this night, when I felt a whole lotlike I was sitting on a train facing thecaboose, I decided their concept of timemade a whole lot of sense to me. I can dealwith the past but like the Aymaras, it is thefuture, what is lurking "behind" us, thatconcerns me. Thus, the only answer to mydilemma is to grab the "now!"

While time is still on our side, weneed to do, enjoy, see, and experience thegiven. Whether you agree with the logic ofour society or the amazing Aymaras of theAndes, there is no denying the fact thattime is flowing in some direction, tooquickly. So, don't wait any longer! NOW isthe time to call MONROE TRAVELSERVICE at 323 3465 or email us [email protected]. Our world is fullof amazing places, ideas, and people. Let'sface it, we don't know the future.Sometimes, deadlines come way too soon.It's time to let MONROE TRAVELSERVICE plan some WOW momentsNOW!!

TRAVEL ADVENTURE By Dianne Newcomer

I saw thembounding down thesidewalk. Totally obliviousto the world, two pre-teenage girls peered intothe cute restaurants and

shops lining Main Street in my little hometown ofWinnsboro, Texas. Like me, their ultimatedestination was the outdoor restaurant where aband was playing at the top of their lungs.

By the time I arrived they were dancingwildly. When I commented on their great dancemoves, it was like a flood gate opening. Perhaps itwas the sugar from Katie’s birthday cake but thesegirls became regular little chatterboxes; nothingwas off limits. Within minutes, I learned all aboutKatie’s 13th birthday party and sleepover plansshe and her best friend Sara had for that night. Atthe mention of her name, Sara began a longwinded explanation about her journey to Walmartfor the perfect birthday gift, a Texas Aggie dogcollar for Slow Poke, the new puppy Katie gotfrom Mamaw, who lived her entire life inScroggins. Like Katie, I was bored with Sara’sWalmart encounters and was relieved when sheinterrupted to ask why I was not eating at hermothers’ restaurant next door.

I explained I was in town because my 93 yearold mom was just released from the hospital. Herhouse is only a few blocks away and the musiccaught my attention. “Downtown is so differentnow. We never had outdoor concerts when I livedhere,” I said. The girls looked at me like I wasinsane and Sara informed me they had concertsevery Saturday night nowadays.

I suppose it was the word "nowadays" thatset me off. "When I was your age, that cute trendyDay Spa used to be where everything happenedon Saturday night. You could enjoy two scoops ofice cream for a nickle there! That real estate officeon the corner was the fire station. Those bigoversized windows are where the fire truckswould roll out, and your mother's cute restaurantbuilding used to be the town's bank."

“I knew it!” proclaimed friend Sara jumpingup and down excitedly. “I bet that funny place inthe corner was where they kept all the money!"

Wishing to share a little town history, I toldthem how this building housed one of the veryfew privately owned banks in Texas. Everybodycalled the banker the man with a heart of gold--until the Sunday morning he killed himself.Unfortunately, he had loaned out more moneythan he had taken in, and the bank was bankrupt!The bank was shut down; no one's money was



Test Your Memory...and Win a Prize!By Lee Estes

Displayed onthis pages are severalimages of propertiesthat once existed inNortheast Louisiana.

Some are quite familiar, some long standing,

some with a short tenure, and some that mayhave disappeared decades ago. All of themare properties I have photographed since Icame to Louisiana.

Louisiana Road Trips is offering theopportunity for its reader's to have a little funlocating and identifying these properties. Eachimage has a caption defining what must beidentified. Some need name and locale whileothers need only location. Email your answersto [email protected]. The first person

with the correct answers will receive a signedcopy of my book Fading Textures that portraysphotographically 377 properties in NortheastLouisiana. The pictures are numbered, so putyour answers with the correct number.

Lee Estes, a Kentucky native, migrated to Louisiana in1956 with his wife, Lottie. He worked in aviation thenwith A&LM Railway. He began making photographs inEurope after WWII and ranked among the leadingmonochrome exhibition photographers in the U.S. duringthe 80’s. His extensive travels included leading toursacross the globe. Lee has authored threephoto/documentary books and is currently involved withthe documentation of The Dixie Overland Highway(US80) in Louisiana, funded by a grant from theLouisiana Endowment for the Humanities

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What a differencea year makes! Or doesit? Last year, herealong the MS River,the Great Flood of2011 was just

receding. This year, sandbars are showing.Last year we were suffering from severe heatand drought. In 2012, according to NOAA,the U.S. experienced the warmest springseason on record. And Monroe had less than¼” of rainfall in May, the driest May onrecord. As Yogi Berra observed, “It’s déjà vu allover again.”

Louisiana road tripsin May and June wereoverwhelmingly green.Highways flowedbetween walls of tallleafed trees or along widegrassy lanes. Here in the alluvial flatlands,flourishing row crops reached to the horizon– lush acres of tasseling corn stalks andsilking ears plus vibrant young soybean,cotton, rice and sweet potato fields. Wavesrippled across teeming ponds of catfish. Withnear record commodity prices, some call thisthe Golden Age of American Agriculture.Don’t miss out on it.

From Lake Providence to Forest Hill,colorful wildflowers highlighted road sides –pink showy primrose, velvety calliopsis,white and rose mallows, golden coneflowersand lemony false dandelion. Elderberrygarnished fencerows, along with trumpetcreeper vine and mimosa trees in pink pom-poms. Orange daylilies marked abandoned

house sites. Meadow margins bloomed withbee balm, blanket flower, spiderwort andpoke. Did you notice them?

Rural homesteads and villages withcolorful plants punctuated road trips –flowering trees like althea, crepe myrtle,golden rain tree, magnolia, vitex … shrubslike butterfly bush, gardenias, hydrangeas,lantana, oleander, roses … perennials likecannas, crinums, daylilies, four o’clocks, …and bedding plants such as marigold,periwinkle, petunias and zinnias. Did you seethem?

Common roadside birdsincluded crows and blackbirds,pigeons and doves, sparrows andswallows, hawks and kites, heronsand egrets, mockingbirds and bluejays, cardinals and larks, andmaybe a few circling vultures. Did

you spot them? Trees, flowers, birds – all elements of the

natural world. There’s more. Nature is so fullof life that it overflows everywhere. Just lookaround! Find time to discover it and connectwith it, even if it’s just in your backyard. Oneway to do that is natural gardening.

Natural gardening, as I define it, is theuse of native plants in a natural setting thatwill attract native wildlife to form a self-sustaining ecosystem on your property. It’s apackage deal, a beneficial relationshipbetween the land itself, the plants that growon the land, the wildlife that utilize theplants, and the people whose lives areenhanced by those interactions. It looks tonature, natural designs and plant selections.

It uses those principles as a guide to whatwill work in the garden. It restores diversity,welcomes wildlife and promotes year-roundenjoyment of the environment.

To stand beneath a towering oak on acool morning in June, looking up among thegnarled branches and leafy twigs, listening toa calling bird and vainly trying to locate hishidden perch. To watch a hummingbird orsphinx moth feeding. To sniff a cape jasmineor a magnolia. To hear a distant squirrelbarking. Or taste a dewberry, a blackberry. Toobserve a turtle laying her eggs or trace aspider weaving her web. To caress a velvetymullein leaf and feel the wind. To pick awildflower bouquet or chase a swallowtail. Towalk the shaded wood and hear an oriole call.To listen to an evening owl. Or glimpse afirefly twinkle in the darkness. “The greatestgift of the garden,” wrote Hanna Rion, “is therestoration of the five senses.”

Take a road trip to a state park or naturepreserve. Louisiana is a state that was richlyblessed with natural beauty. These islands ofpeace and tranquility remind us how muchhas been lost. With native plants and naturalgardening, we can begin to rebuild beautifulLouisiana in our own backyards. Tune intoour heritage and fall in love with Louisianaall over again by Going Native!

A life-long resident of Lake Providence, Larry Brock wasinspired by his grandfather’s passion for gardening andhis own desire to recover the horticultural uniqueness ofthis region. Larry is drawn to the relationships betweenplants, birds, insects and soil and can be found putteringoutdoors in his yard most any time, weather permitting.

Islands of Peace and TranquilityGOING NATIVE By Larry Brock

Nature is so fullof life that it

overflowseverywhere.

BOOK REVIEW

Louisiana Saturday Night (LSU Press)Looking for a good time in south Louisiana’s jukejoints, honky-tonks, and dance hallsBy Alex V. Cook

Hangdog patina. That’s how Alex Cook perfectly depicts the uniqueness andeccentricity of Louisiana, and specifically it’s musical traditions, in this mostentertaining book. Seems the author and his ‘research assistants’ hit a slew of bars,saloons, dives, and juke joints in south Louisiana and walked away with a wealthof information, and possibly a hangover. Whether you’re one to frequent theseestablishments or just wag a finger at those who do, you’ll delight in each reviewas Cook shares some history and insight as well as hilarious incidents collected inthe name of research. His vivid descriptions of these watering holes and thepeople met along the way will leave you chuckling for quite a while. A greatsummer read to keep in your vehicle, just in case you’re in the area…

Hot August Nights!Aloha! The Downtown Development District of Hammond is

proud to present our 17th annual Hot August Night event Friday,August 17th in downtown Hammond Event hours, 6 -10pm. This year,Hammond’s biggest party of the summer will be brought to you with atwist as we go Hawaiian. Grab your grass skirts, colorful shirts, andcatch the cool island breeze that will blow through the streets ofHammond for one night only.

Wristbands will be on sale to guests 21 and older for $20 at 6pmat the Downtown Development District office at #2 West ThomasStreet. These wristbands grant you access to the wine tastingssponsored by Red White & Brew and held at some of downtownHammond’s most popular spots. While you taste delicious wine,you’ll be treated to some very unique entertainment as Louisiana’slocal artists will take to the streets to display their skill and expertise ina variety of mediums and showcase the excellent artistic talent ofHammond. You’ll also enjoy a wonderful shopping experience whenlocal vendors join in the celebration with customized wares you won’tfind anywhere else.

Please contact the Downtown Development District inHammond with any questions related to the event. Visit us online athttp://www.dddhammond.com/ to stay up to date with HotAugust Night and all the exciting events happening in the city. Thefestivities kick off at 6pm and will conclude at 10pm so make sureyou’re here early to have enough time to see everything! To our 2012Hot August Night participants, we say “mahalo”, and we’ll see youdowntown!


Ever heard of aChupacabra? Youmay have seen it onthe menu at El BloHole MexicanRestaurant, where itcomes with refried

beans and rice. No, I’m talking about thecritter. Something that’s so ugly, I mean its U-glee. Coyote ugly, maybe even double coyoteugly. You know about that… When you wakeup in the morningand he/she is layingon your arm and yougnaw it off becauseyou don’t want towake ‘em up. Well,double coyote ugly isworse because after you gnaw your arm offyou leave the room and gnaw your other armoff because you know they’ll be looking for aone arm man/woman. Now we have“Chupacabra ugly”. This thing is so ugly Idon’t think its mother would nurse it. It lookslike when it was born they threw the babyaway and raised the afterbirth. All that maysound harsh but after looking at this photo,I’m sure you’ll agree.

Well, I’d heard of it on TV along withSasquatch’s, Yeti’s and aliens. Some say itcame as the pet of visiting aliens and was lefthere or got loose. The name Chupacabrameans “Goat Sucker.” I think they got thesucker part right. It’s described as a creature

about the size of a goat, grayish in color withlong fangs. Long hind legs and walks uprightwith a large tail to keep balance, with clawson the front to help climb trees and spikesleading down it’s spine toward the tail. I guessthat’s to keep you from petting it. Its hairlessbody goes around sucking the blood fromother critters. So far, I think I’m going to needa bigger gun, what about you? Supposedly,they’re migrating up from South America andMexico.

All of this seemed pretty mythicalto me until my neighbor, Glyn, put atrail camera out behind the house. Andthere he was, easing through by thecorn feeder, 200 yards from my backdoor. Researching it didn’t help becauseinternet reports just get uglier. Some

say it’s lizard-like with scaly or leathery skin,can hop 3-4 feet and run like a kangaroo (onesaid it jumped 20 feet), has a forked tongue andhisses and screeches when disturbed. Alsoleaves behind a sulfuric stench. Descriptionsincluded “dog-like reptile” and“morphological”. Bat-like wings, climbs well.Hey, why climb if you can fly? Can hypnotizeand paralyze their prey while sucking the lifeout of them.

Anyway, now that this thing is in mybackyard, it’s got my attention. I figured someammunition manufacturer will come out witha Chupacabra bullet; after all, they have onefor Zombies. I’ve even thought ahead as towhere I’m going to put the mount on mywall. Does my taxidermist have the correctform and pose forthis creature? Willit scare my othermounts into thecloset? Well, I dida little moreresearch and askedaround. Talked tosome boys thatspend a lot moretime in the woodsthan I do –

prominent veterinarians from various states,federal trappers, boys that did good on thatACT test. They all agree – it’s a hairlesscoyote. Come to think of it, I didn’t see bat-like wings and spines in this picture. It’s just apoor old coyote with a bad case of mange.Red mange to be exact. That’s why he’shairless. I’ve seen the red-mange mite and it’sin the skin, or should I say under the skin.Looks like a cross between a tobacco wormand a tadpole. You’ll need a microscope to seehim. Makes me itch just thinking about it.

So if you see one of these Chupacabras,shoot him and put him out of his misery, causehe’s going to be suffering and that would bethe most humane thing to do. But rememberthis…if you go out into the night and have afew adult beverages, you may wake up in themorning lying there next to a leathery, splittongue, hissing, screeching creature known asthe Chupacabra. Sleep well, Amigos.

Sonny Harrington is a Hunter Safety Instructor. He isalso an NRA (National Rifle Association) Rifle & PistolInstructor and has hunted from Alaska to Mexico.

Chupa What?

This thing is sougly I don’t thinkits mother would

nurse it.

IN THE CR SSHAIRS By Sonny Harrington

ouisianaRemember When . . .

1. What determines the sex of analligator?

2. Name the former parishes inLouisiana.3. What was the nickname of

Bernice?4. Who settled the

community of Bonita?5. What does

“Chautauqua” mean?6. What did Shuder

Station change its name to?7. Name Louisiana’s three renewable resources8. What does a bale of cotton weight after it’s

ginned?9. What kind of plane was the first to

carry passengers on Delta Airlines?10. What does Shreveport and Baton Rouge

have in common?

Answers on next page 17

Boom or Bust BywayThe Boom or Bust Byway is a 130-mile route along La. Highway 2,

featuring new interpretive kiosks in Vivian, Plain Dealing, Sarepta andHomer.

To facilitate visitors’ explorations of the Boom or Bust Byway, theShreveport-Bossier Convention and Tourist Bureau is developing a self-guided video tour of the route. Travelersexploring the Boom or Bust Byway will learnabout the region’s agricultural past, the days of oiland gas “boomtowns” and recreation optionsmade possible by the lakes and bayous along theroute. Also, Byway travelers will pass throughhistoric towns such as Mooringsport, Oil City,Belcher, Gilliam, Shongaloo and Lisbon. ThisGPS-guided driving tour will be available forsmartphones as the “N LA Byways” free app orby renting a GPS Ranger® at the Shreveport-Bossier or Monroe/West Monroe Convention andTourist Bureaus.

Louisiana has 17 scenic byways. These aredesigned to attract travelers to the state’snatural beauty and open doors to local historyand culture. The National Scenic BywaysProgram was established in 1992 to recognizeroads with archaeological, cultural, historic,natural, recreational and scenic qualities.



Murder at Lake Providence:The Killing of Marshall Bernard McGuireBy Lora Peppers

When Ifound this acouple of monthsago, I thought

“Ok, this is getting creepy.” I just happenedto be looking through some rare microfilmof a Bastrop newspaper, when this caughtmy eye. I checked the Monroe newspapersand not a whisper of what was going onwas mentioned. I almost titled this article:Officer Down Part Four! Marshall McGuiremakes the fifth previously unknown lawenforcement officer I have found who hasdied in the line of duty. As a side note,Deputies Edwards and Willis (Officer DownPart II, August, 2011) were added to theNational Law Enforcement Memorial inWashington, DC this past May. Now if wecan just add Fitzgerald, Wood andMcGuire!Morehouse Clarion, January 16, 1880,Page 2, Column 3

The Lake Providence Murder.The course pursued by the citizens of

Providence toward the crew of a coal boatwhich anchored at that place is frowned uponby all good citizens everywhere. It seems that

the crew of the coal boat and a potato boat went outinto the town and, after drinking to drunkenness,some of the crew became noisy, and threatened “totake the place.” Their boisterous demonstrationsbrought to the front City Marshal McGuire, whodemanded the surrender of the drunken roust-a-bouts. Jim Brown, who was the noisiest and mostdemonstrative, and the Marshal clinched and thetwo pistol shots were heard. The Marshal waskilled. The frightened crew then ran to their boats.In a few minutes a crowd of armed men went to theriver, arrested the whole crew, captain and pilot.They were taken to the Mayor’s office, placed inline on benches, and as their names were called, thebrother of the Marshal began firing, fatallywounding three of the helpless prisoners. This wasdone after the drunken crew had surrendered to thecity and civil authorities.

We are sorry that such an impolitic step wastaken by the people of Providence. Defiance of lawimpugns its authority, and correspondinglyengenders a disrespect for those whose duty it is toadminister it.

The criminal code of Louisiana is sufficientlybroad and severe to cover all such crimes as thatcommitted upon the Marshal of Lake Providence. Fora set of exasperated men to set aside the legal

authorities and inflict summary vengeance upon asupposed criminal, is the work of heathens rather than theact of a civilized people. Such deplorable outrages reflectnot only upon the people of one community, but theyinjure the people of the whole State. No stranger will befavorably impressed with Louisiana when he hears of theLake Providence murder. Who knows but that very affairmay turn scores of emigrants from the shores of ourState? Alas! such occurrences are too often repeated.

After a bit of research, I found MarshallMcGuire buried in the Lake Providence CityCemetery. His first name was Bernard and he wasonly twenty nine when he was assassinated. Hehad emigrated from England where he was bornand was made a naturalized citizen. The shootingmade national papers where it was reported that thesuspects killed had nothing to do with McGuire’sshooting. McGurie’s death is the only known line ofduty death for the town of Lake Providence.

Lora Peppers, a Monroe native, grew up in Bastrop andgraduated from ULM. Her love of history dates back tochildhood when one of her favorite activities was visitinglocal cemeteries to examine headstones. She also loves totravel, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park being herfavorite place on Earth. Her job as a genealogist andhistorian has given her the opportunity to lead many lecturesand author several books. She can be reached by e-mail [email protected].

The Cliff Notes of LifeBy Robert Lemoine

Imagine if youwill all of theinformation you havereceived since yourearliest of memories.All of that knowledge

that has been passed down through the ages,whether it came from grandparents, friends,or strangers the street, has helped shape whoyou are and what you believe in. Now, what ifit isn’t true?

If you’re like me, you’ve been living off the“Cliff Notes” of life. You know the highlightswithout much detail, kind of like having the

punch line without the development. Well,we’re not alone. There’re a lot of people outthere that will argue with you about somethingthey have absolutely no knowledge of. Sure,they’ve heard of the subject and even have astrong opinion on it; they just don’t know whyother than, “Well, I just know!”

After many encounters with these hard-headed people, I realized that I must soundlike a complete moron to them for having thethoughts that I have. Their minds are madeup because of what they were probably toldby an authority figure when they wereyounger, not something researched or studied.

This topic has been laid upon my heart toshare with you because of what I have learnedand read lately that contradicts a good portionof what “I just know”. Now keep in mind thatI am in no way an expert on…well, anything.But I do know that what I have read recentlyin my Bible does not match up well with whatI’ve been told throughout my life. It seemsthere have been a lot of false truths told to me.

As a kid, I listened to my friends (who gottheir information from listening), from variouspeople in the community (who got theirinformation from listening) and from TV shows

and movies that just made up stuff thatsounded good. And, now, the hearsay hasworsened because people are afraid to quote theBible so they leave out the parts about God’swrath, His judgment, Jesus’ sacrifice, and mostof the rules to live by. Hellfire and brimstonehas been replaced with loving acceptance from afluffy, peaceful, all loving God.

My Bible says He destroyed citiesbecause of their unrighteousness. My Biblesays Jesus turned over tables in thesynagogues. My Bible says He will judge thewicked and reward the faithful. My Biblesays…well, you’ve got one…pick it up andyou can read first hand you’re your Bible says.

Some final thoughts as you startreading… See what My Bible, Your Bible, HISWORD says about sin, marriage,worshipping, drinking, adultery, praying,giving, gambling, and rules for living. MayGod bless you and keep you safe in all thatyou do in His name. Remember, the fastestway up is to kneel down.


Hello folks! HappyFourth of July! I hope y’allhave a big timecelebrating. We plan to!The Tomlinson’s are allabout Independence Day.As a matter of tradition,

we tend to extend the festivities for at least a goodweek. I’m preparing even now for an onslaught ofcompany. The house will fill up with in-laws,outlaws, and grandchildren. Hooray! True, thistype of prolonged reunion will require more than aton of cooking and cleaning but I’ll have plenty ofhelp. My son and daughter each married goodpeople who know how to make themselves useful,and of course, I can count on my husband and myown kids, too. This, dear ones, was not always thecase. Have a seat and let’s chat… ~smile~

stuff than it would’ve taken to pick up thetrash and dispose of it.

I began worrying about her future. Icould see my poor southern child riskingeverything to stuff. I had nightmares of herstanding before strangers and confessing,“My name is Jessica and I stuff. It all startedwhen I was a little girl afraid of myoverbearing Southern Mama and her pick-uprule. One day I stuffed and it felt good. Iknew it was wrong, but I liked stuffing. I wassorry, but only because I’d been caught. I’vetried to quit. Sometimes I can go for dayswithout stuffing and then—I stuff one littlepeppermint wrapper and I’m hooked again.”

Jessica finally quit stuffing but only afterI resorted to the gentle reasoning I’d learnedfrom my dear Southern Mama. I threatenedto “beat her within an inch of her life.” TodayJessica Ann is one of the most fastidioushousekeepers I know. Oh, the power of awell-turned phrase.

Y'all have a great time on the porchtoday, friends, and drop me a note whenyou're done. Until next time...

~ Hugs, Shellie

The Great Unseen HandALL THINGS SOUTHERN By Shellie Tomlinson

When my two were young I tried amixture of humor and sarcasm to get them topick up after themselves. “Excuse me,” I’dsay, “Are you leaving that empty ice creambowl there? Who do you think is gonna pickit up—The Great Unseen Hand?!” Neither ofmy children seemed particularly moved bythese monologues, except for that periodwhen Jessica Ann became a stuffer.

It began, that tragic season, when Jessicawas a preteen. It lasted less than a year, butthere were times I considered sending her toreform school, A.K.A., Mama’s house. For,tired as she was of the Great Unseen Handroutine, but unwilling to pick up afterherself, Jessica succumbed to a tendency sheseemed powerless to control. At first glancethe living room would look clean but firstimpressions can be deceiving. Upon closerinspection, I’d find candy wrappers stuck inthe houseplants and dirty socks stuffedbetween the sofa cushions. I’d fuss. Jessicawould confess, repent, and promise toreform— only to repeat the offense at the firstopportunity. Soon she was spending twicethe energy and time finding new places to

All Things Southern“Bringing you the charm and heritage of the South…”ph 318-559-0319 • cell [email protected]

Earthquakes to LavenderBy Carolyn Files

My Texas trip got off to a late start due toerrands that left me a bit tired before I hit I-20heading west. The hotel in Henderson, Texaslooked great when I finally arrived. An earlysupper, a couple of phone calls, and I hit thebed. About 2:30am, I woke up and couldn'tget back to sleep so I worked on some articles.A little after 3:00am I felt like I was moving, asubtle sway. Surely I'm imagining things, Ithought, until the morning news reported a4.3 earthquake in east Texas. So much for myimagination.

A stop in La Grange, Texas to stretch mylegs found me checking out the Texas CzechHeritage and Cultural Center. They offer a

reception hall wheregroups can meet, aconference hall, theMelnar Librarywhereresearch/geneologycan be done, a largedisplay room, and awonderful gift shop.Crocheted Eastereggs, slippers,doilies, colorfullyembroidered vests,

and various types of lace are examples of theCzech-German-Austrian influence in Texas.

Gonzales, Texas found Dana Veach, aformer writer with ROAD TRIPS, and mereconnecting at the courthouse square. Sheand her sister drove over from Aransas Passfor our reunion. We toured the old jail,complete with a replica of the gallows on thesecond floor, before eating great bar-b-que atthe Gonzales Food Market. Dana and I spentthe night in New Braunfels where weexplored Gruene (pronounced green) with itsbeautiful historic district and residential area.Gruene Dance Hall, the oldest continuallyoperating dance hall in Texas, was quite livelyat Happy Hour. Supper wasenjoyed at the GristmillRestaurant, next to GrueneDance Hall. Al fresco dining hereoverlooking the GuadalupeRiver was a late afternoondelight with its extensive menuand good service.

Farm to market roads ledus through the countryside toWebberville where we enjoyedRandy Graybill's Texas LavenderFarm. Actually, Texas has several

lavender farms, andeven a festival tocelebrate the fragrantherb. TheMediterranean climateand drier, sandy soil isideal for growinglavender. Randy hadseveral types of lavender growing, some justbeginning to bloom. Prickly Pear, IndianBlanket, and other native flowers blended intooutlying foliage surrounding the lavenderfield adding a colorful border.

Next month, Dana and I will wrap upour Texas road trip.

Dennis Stewart’s article was sosweet last month. Ya’ll seem toreally like each other and workingtogether at the magazine. It showson every page, which is probablywhy I enjoy reading it so much. Ihope you don’t ever stop printing it.

~Ms. Jean, West Monroe, LA

I am still laughing about Dianne Newcomer’s article [June 2012]when she discovered Mr. Clean Magic Eraser. I had no idea howshe was going to turn that into a travel piece but she did! Not onlyis she a great travel agent, she’s a heck of a writer, too!

~Jim, via email

I haven't lived in LA for quite a few years but I check out LRT onoccasion and it almost makes me want to move back to the 'BayouState'. You've really captured the essence of what living in LA is allabout. Keep up the good work. ~Scott H., Dallas, TX

[Letter to Johnny Wink] I’m a Louisiana Woman who got a goodlaugh reading your article in Louisiana Road Trips [June 2012]… Ireally enjoy your articles. ~C. T., Bastrop, LA

BACK

TALK

VITAL SPONSORSUPPORT

Hello, outdoorlovers and anglers.July brings one ofthe biggest holidays

of the year as noted by the number ofpeople on the lake the week of July 4th. Aswe Americanscelebrate ourindependence,we rememberthat many fellowcountrymendied for us tohave suchawesome freedoms. The older I get the moreI realize how precious these freedoms areand may we never take these for granted.

Things continue getting better on 'MyFavorite Fishing Hole'. As we head into theheart of summer I am optimistic as lake usehas definitely increased with more peoplefishing, camping, boating, swimming andskiing. I also observed high numbers ofpontoons and jet skis who are making gooduse of sandy beaches all around the lake. Thishas to be good for the local economy as therehave been several occasions the past fewweeks where we have had to wait severalminutes to gas up and at the local bait andtackle stores to check out. Don’t mind a bit!Good lake levels and lower gas prices makesummer look very promising here.


Summertime Fun on the BendPro Anglers & Sponsors… I have made

most of my living since 1998 as a pro angler, achallenging but rewarding experience. Onething I realized early on was the importance ofmajor sponsors. While I do fish some area basstournaments each year and love to compete, Ihave put most of my efforts these14 years on our guide service,

outdoor writing, andpromoting of our sponsors. Ihave discovered there areways to make a living as apro angler without leavingyour family for months at atime, logging 100k miles ayear on your tow vehicle withendless nights in motels and camp

grounds. Those guys who solely tournamentfish for a living, year after year, have myhighest respect. I know several personally andthey sacrifice so much to pursue their dreams.Pro anglers who fish the BASS Elite and FLWTour spend $125,000 each year in entry feesand expenses; 90% cannot compete withoutmajor sponsors. Some make it while othershave to find another way to make a living asonly the top 20-25% of tournament anglersfinish high enough in events to pay the bills.Thankfully, major corporations are nowinvesting in competitive bass fishing. Thisincrease in sponsor dollars makes it possiblefor more pro tournament anglers to make aliving doing what they love.

Although I basically approach being a proangler from a different direction, one thing we

have in common is the importance of sponsors.They are hard to develop and these tougheconomical years have made them even moreimportant yet harder to acquire. And retaineach year. Securing sponsors involves a 4-letterword...WORK! Along with a boat sponsor, a

tow vehicle ortruck sponsorshipis the two mostdifficult to attainbecause of thecosts involved.Tow vehicles/truck sponsorshipsmay be the

toughest to land. Ittook me nine years to get a truck sponsorshipwhich finally happened in 2007 when Toyotaintroduced the full sized Tundra, an awesometow vehicle. Lake Charles Toyota (my localdealership) and owner Philip Tarver were vitalin making this happen for me. Sponsorships areall about people and relationships, working toestablish confidence in what you do and whatyou can provide in return. I am blessed as I justreceived a new 2012 Tundra Crewmax whichwill do a super job hauling my big Skeeterdown the road. Am I going to work hard tokeep this sponsorship? You can count on it!

Joe Joslin is a syndicated outdoor columnist,tournament angler and pro guide on Toledo andSam Rayburn. Contact him at 337-463-3848,[email protected], orwww.joejoslinoutdoors.com.

MY FAVORITE FISHING HOLE By Pro Angler, Joe Joslin

Many fellowcountrymen died

for us to havesuch awesome

freedoms. Joslin's tow vehicle, a 2012 Tundra Crewmax

BOOK REVIEW

The Story Behindthe Stone(Pelican Publishing Company)By Robert Jeanfreau

Stone monuments are characteristic of specific eras, reflecting theancestry of particular regions. Within the pages of The Story Behind theStone, Dr. Jeanfreau has captured the essence of more than 40 statues,busts, sculptures, and bronzes throughout NewOrleans while defining their significance.

From the familiar such as Louis Armstrong,Thomas Jefferson, and Martin Luther King to themore elusive likes of Albert Weiblen and JohnMinor Wisdom, each historical monument is areminder of the past as we forge into the future.This guidebook is filled with pertinent andentertaining information and should be keptclose at hand for reference when you’re on thestreets of New Orleans. A perfect read for anyoneinterested in Louisiana history, art and culture, aseach stone monument reveals a bit more.


FelicianaHummingbirdCelebration

The Feliciana Nature Society will hold their annual FelicianaHummingbird Celebration July 27-28 in St. Francisville to promote theunique breeding habitat found in the area. The event will include a notedspeaker and the opportunity to observe hummingbirds up close as theyare banded. Hummingbird-friendly plants will also be available for sale.

The Feliciana Hummingbird Celebration will begin with areception on Friday evening, July 27, at Rosedown Plantation StateHistoric Site at 12501Hwy. 10 in St. Francisville. Beginning at 6pm,visitors can enjoy wine and cheese while strolling the gardens ofRosedown. At 6:45pm, Mr. Carlyle Rogillio will be the featuredspeaker. Admission is $5.00.

The festival will continue on Saturday, July 28. From 7am – 3pm,hummingbird biologists Linda Beall and Nancy Newfield will captureand band birds at two beautiful gardens in the St. Francisville area.Visitors will have the opportunity to observe hummingbirds up closeas they are weighed and measured. In addition, vendors will be at bothhomes with hummingbird-attractive plants for sale. The gardensinclude those of the National WildBird Refuge at 15736 Tunica Trace(Hwy. 66) and Murrell Butler at 9485 Oak Hill Road. Admission is $5.00and children under 12 free.

For more information visit www.audubonbirdfest.com or call1-800-488-6502.

Louisiana in the Civil WarJuly 1862: Full CircleBy Terry Jones

In late June 1862,Confederate GeneralRobert E. Lee attacked

the Union army threatening Richmond,Virginia, and drove it back to Malvern Hill.There on July 1, the Yankees took up a nearlyimpregnable position, but Lee decided togamble on one more attack.

Colonel Eugene Waggaman’s 10thLouisiana participated in the dramatic charge.Waggaman told his men to fix bayonets andthen took up a position in the center of theline. “Men,” he yelled, “we are ordered tocharge the cannon in our front and takethem... Remember Butler and the women ofNew Orleans. Forward, charge!”

The regiment ran through a murderousfire and slammed into the famous IrishBrigade, a Union unit made up of recent Irishimmigrants. Waggaman and a handful of hismen managed to fight their way into theenemy’s line and engage the Irishmen in abloody hand-to-hand fight. The colonelcarried his family’s 150-year-old sword andused it to slash at the Yankees that now hadhim surrounded. Within minutes, however,the Irish Brigade overwhelmed and capturedWaggaman and his men, but not beforeWaggaman threw away his sword to preventit from falling into enemy hands.

After the battle, while the Irish Brigadewas licking its wounds, some of the men putin a request for new muskets to replace theones destroyed during the melee with theLouisiana Tigers. General Edwin Sumner, thebrigade’s corps commander, at first refused toissue the weapons because he thought thesoldiers had simply thrown away theirmuskets during the week-long retreat fromRichmond. He changed his mind, however,

when he was shown what was described as a“pile of muskets with cracked and splinteredstocks, bent barrels and twisted bayonets”—evidence of the fierce clash with theLouisianians. One soldier told the general,“The boys got in a scrimmage with the Tigers,and when the bloody villains took to theirknives, the boys mostly forgot their bayonets,and went to work in the style they were usedto, and licked them well, sir.”

Colonel Waggaman and the other Tigerscaptured on Malvern Hill were releasedseveral weeks later as part of a prisonerexchange. At that time, the colonel reclaimedhis lost sword. A Union soldier had picked itup on the battlefield, and General WinfieldScott Hancock ordered it returned toWaggaman.

When the Civil War ended, all of the IrishBrigade regiments were disbanded except forthe 69th New York. It was designated aNational Guard unit and gained more fame as“The Fighting 69th” while serving in bothworld wars. In Louisiana, National Guardunits were also formed in the post-war periodthat tracedtheir ancestryback to theLouisianaTigers. As itturned out, thetwo states’troops weredestined tomeet on thebattlefield onemore time.

In 2004,Louisiana’s256th Infantry

Brigade wasfederalizedfor the warin Iraq but itneededadditionalmanpower tobring it up tofull strength.As a result,the 69thNew Yorkwas orderedto Fort Hood, Texas, to join the Louisianiansfor advanced training. The last time the states’soldiers stood face to face was when theybayoneted and clubbed one another atopMalvern Hill on July 1, 1862.

Reflecting on the turn of events, the256th’s Lt. Col. Mark Kerry declared, “We’vemet before. And we have quite a historybetween us, and now we’re going to war withthem. I couldn’t be happier. I guess we can filethis away under the heading ‘The Civil War isReally Over.’”

“It’s like making gumbo. You put in alot of different things and spice it up, andit tastes pretty good. All we’ve done isadd a little more to the gumbo.”

The New Yorkers apparently agreed.Staff Sgt. Timothy P. O’Brian told areporter, “It’s been kind of neat talkingabout the Civil War, and it’s been funlearning about the other side.”

After the unit arrived in Iraq, aHumvee carrying both Louisiana and NewYork troops was destroyed by an IED. Sixmembers of the modern Louisiana TigerBrigade and one from the 69th New Yorkwere killed. Those gallant soldiersrepresented two states that fought oneanother in a vicious civil war nearly 150years earlier. On January 2, 2005, however,they died together as brothers in arms.

Dr. Terry L. Jones is a professor of history at theUniversity of Louisiana at Monroe and haspublished six books on the American Civil War. Dr.Jones books include: Lee's Tigers: The LouisianaInfantry in the Army of Northern Virginia andCampbell Brown's Civil War: With Ewell and theArmy of Northern Virginia (LSU Press); HistoricalDictionary of the Civil War (2 vols. at ScarecrowPress); The Louisiana Journey (Gibbs Smith,Publishers); The American Civil War (McGraw-Hill Higher Education); and Cemetery Hill: TheStruggle for the High Ground (Da Capo Press).

Colonel Eugene Waggaman

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Shreveport’s Albasha Restaurant By Su Stella

“Let food be yourmedicine.” This famousquote was stated byHippocrates, born on theGreek isle of Kos in 460

BC, who was known as the Father ofmedicine. That being said, the healthy food atthe Albasha Restaurants is absolutelydelicious, always fresh and beautifullypresented. Albasha serves both Greek andLebanese cuisine.

I have to say this the only place we eatout anymore. The food is so good that mysweetie and I have set strict rules about ourdoggie bags – no pilfering. It is notuncommon for a midnight snack straight outof the box and any remaining for breakfast.

You may be familiar with Gyros, aMediterranean skewered meat cooked on avertical rotisserie and cut into portions whenordered and put in pita bread or on a plate.Equally delicious and similarly made is theirChicken Shawarma. The combo plate with

hummus, rice and salad was all I ate for awhile until I saw an order of the Shrimp ShishKabob so now I have a dilemma! Forvegetarians, there’s spinach pie, Mousaka,Baba Ghanouj, and other mouthwateringdishes. They even offer a nice selection ofGreek and Lebanese beer.

People living all over the state ofLouisiana may have visited an AlbashaRestaurant. The original one opened in 1992in Baton Rouge. Over the years, familymembers opened their own restaurants.During this time one of their loyal customersnamed Eddie loved the food so much that heconvinced them to allow him to open his ownrestaurant in Shreveport. Eddie uses both thefamily and his own recipes. His Grecian sauceand salad dressing are addicting, and hisfriends insisted that he add his homemadechicken and potatoes dinner to the menu.

On Saturday nights from 6 to 7pm, a bellydancer shimmies throughout the Shreveportlocation. They also have a small patio to

partake on a hookah pipe with a sweet blendof flavored tobacco. This is a fun social ritualbut know that it takes over an hour to enjoy sothe last seating of this is 1 ½ hours beforeclosing. Check the website for hours.

It’s also a good idea to ‘friend’ Albasha onFacebook to find any specials only announcedhere. Be sure to mention it to your server whenordering. Did I forget to mention that theirservice is as good as their food? (We personallyseek out Ashley and Smiley for all the specialattention they provide on our visits.)

This location is big enough for largeparties. They have a fully stocked bar and giftcertificates. Visitwww.AlbashaShreveport.com for the 8905Mansfield Road info. For those that live acrossthe state, visit http://www.albashabr.com forother locations. So in this day and age ofprocessed foods and medications, come onover and feed your body and soul at Albasha.Bon appetite!

Legal LagniappeQuestion: We run a small gift store

downtown and have 3 part-time employees.A recent customer in a wheelchair haddifficulty reaching the counter to check outand suggested that she might file a complaintagainst me for not being handicappedaccessible! Am I doomed?

Answer: No! She is referring to theaccessibility requirements that stem from theAmericans With Disabilities Act (ADA). Amisconception is that if an employee has less

than 15 employees, the ADA does not apply.This is true, but this aspect of the ADA merelyrelates to employment discrimination. Title IIIof the ADA relates to all privately ownedplaces of public accommodation, even smallmom/pop operations like yours regardless ofhow few employees are involved. A place ofpublic accommodation is required to removebarriers when it is "readily achievable to do so"to prevent impeding access by individualswith disabilities. In 2009, the ADAAmendment Act expanded the definition ofwho qualifies as an "individual with adisability" so that many more conditions nowqualify for such classification. This meanscompliance efforts must increase, but the term"readily achievable" means "easilyaccomplishable and able to be carried outwithout much difficulty or expense." In somecases, the U.S. Dept. of Justice allows simple

barrier removal efforts such asplacing signs at the sales counter atwheelchair height notifyingcustomers of the availability of clipboards to check out. For a small

business such as yours, this ensuresthat an equivalent level ofconvenient service is provided toindividuals with disabilities as isprovided to nondisabled

customers. The important thing

for you to remember is that your specific"small business" circumstances do matter inthe analysis. Therefore, the best option is to beproactive in ADA compliance. ADA Update: APrimer for Small Businesses is an easy to read21-page online publication published by theUnited States Department of Justice atwww.ada.gov. This site also has otherinformation related to the 2010 ADAAccessibility Regulations mandatory as ofMarch 2012. If an ADA complaint is filedagainst you with the U.S. Dept. of Justice, youwill usually be offered an opportunity formediation. At that point, depending on thenature of the complaint and your comfort levelwith the situation, you may want to employ anattorney in resolving the complaint to preventlitigation. If you successfully resolve thematter, the U.S. Dept. of Justice will send you aletter formally closing the investigation.

DISCLAIMER: This article is intended foreducational use only. It does not constitute legaladvice. If you have specific questions or concernsabout any of the issues discussed herein, pleaseseek the advice of legal counsel.

Wesley Eby Johnson is the managing associate with thelaw firm of Escamilla, Poneck & Cruz (EPC), in theirnewly-established branch office in Monroe, Louisiana. Agraduate of the University of Texas School of Law,Wesley handles legal compliance for EPC's businessclients as well as school districts and other governmentalentities. She can be reached at (318) 807-0924.

ouisianaAnswers …

1. Temperature of eggincubation determines thesex

2. Feliciana Parish,Warren Parish, CarrollParish, PascagoulaParish, Biloxi Parish3. “The Big Woods”4. H. A. Watt5. “Place where one was lost”6. Choudrant7. Forestry, Agriculture, Fisheries8. About 500 pounds9. A single-engine Travelaire flying

90mph10. They were both the State

Capitol at one time



Swimming Pool Would I get girls or ducks?By Johnny Wink

I live in Jones, the mallard duck capital ofLouisiana, just a couple miles from the LA/ARstate line. The Mississippi Flyway is at its

narrowest point here and 70% of the ducks and geese that winter inLA will come through. Therefore, this is a wonderful place to have aduck guide service as ducks live here inthe winter. And so do I. In fact, I live hereyear 'round.

I can ride 4-wheelers from my lodgesto most of the duck blinds and that's allgreat for the 60 day season each year.However, the other 305 days for a single man is not so good. After 5o'clock or on weekends, I have to drive 45 minutes to get a loaf ofbread. And forget about buying a steak. You soon learn to fill up yourtruck when you leave the city coming home. Likewise, make sure youhave some full gas cans at the lodge. Because I’m not rich I only haveone place to live. Admittedly, I always wanted to live at a duck campso here I am. But after duck season, there's not many people uphere––especially women.

I guess I understand why a woman wouldn’t want to live here.It's too far to get her hair and nails done. To go clothes shopping, sheshould just as well get a room somewhere and stay the night. Yep, it’sthe middle of nowhere. That's why there are so many ducks and geesehere and not many people, just rice growing now.

A friend said, "Johnny, you need an apartment in town, too. I betyou would have women banging on your door. They’re just not firedup on coming all the way to Jones... nothing personal, but it's a longway."

So I got to thinking and figured out a better way. I'd make myhome/lodge homier. And that's what I did. I spent a bunch of moneygetting a new roof, new siding, and energy-efficient windows. I wassure that would get the women fired up. No bites. I don't get it. Ithought women liked that kind of stuff. Now I've got a finer housewith energy-saving stuff but no women.

So, I started thinking again. What will bring women up hereduring the off season to see me? Maybe I’ll start lifting weights and joga few miles everyday. Makes me tired just thinking about it andbesides, I want the company of a woman now, not a year from now,which is how long it would take me to get into shape from liftingweights and jogging.

What about teaching a disco dance class every Wednesday night?For free? Nope. I can't find any good albums to dance to––you know,like KC and the Sunshine Band.

Then I remembered back in theearly eighties when I bought a candyapple red Corvette right before Princecame out with the song, "Little RedCorvette." I even had personalizedplates: WINK. As soon as I got that carI became "Johnnyfine" instead ofJohnny Wink and within 6 months, Iwas dating the first runner-up in theMiss Louisiana competition.

I was on top of the world in mylittle red Corvette with my gold duck

necklace and my gold nugget ring. I was truly Johnnyfine. Some of myfriends said those women just wanted to go out with me because ofmy car and I said what's wrong with that. Ok, I never found Mrs.Wink and after a long time I got rid of my pretty car. It was a sad dayfor sure.

Then it dawned on me, if it worked so well back then, why notnow? So I recently sat in a new Corvette but something changed.They make them a lot smaller and narrower now. I know becauseI could hardy fit into the seat and I needed help getting out of it.It's way too much work for an old man, especial one that's hadtoo many extra-value meals. While I was sweating getting in and out of that car, I realized I

needed a different plan. That's when it hit me – an in-groundswimming pool. What hadn't I thought of that before? One with adiving board and a slide. I bet that would bring women in bikinis bythe boatload. Some people might say they're just coming over for thepool and I would say who cares? I got them where I want them...closeto me.

I guess a pool is like a Corvette for older guys. Same result, but apool would be easier to get in and out of. Another thing about havinga pool up here is I 'd have another place to hunt ducks, and with adiving board, I can hunt Diver ducks, too! When I found out howmuch that in-ground pool would cost, I almost croaked. I did gasp acouple times before I got my breath.

Of course, that Corvette wasn't cheap either. So what does asingle man do? What else do women want up here to make themhappy? Maybe a jet with a landing strip to get the heck out of here? Soladies, help me out. Do I need to have a pool installed up here or do Ibring Jones a little closer to Monroe? By the way, I'm still waiting onmy CEO woman looking for some eye candy.

If you want to see more of me and a lot of pictures, please go toMegabucks Duck Guides on Facebook and LIKE us. A few weeks ago Ilaunched a big ad campaign that's bringing a lot of attention to me andmy business so to all the women out there: Right now you can get mecheap. Later, I can be had but I won't be easy. Check Megabucks DuckGuides at Google Earth and you'll see me in the yard waving at youright about where the swimming pool might be. I thank the Lord forletting me be a duck guide in Jones, Louisiana. See ya soon!

I want thecompany of a

woman now, not ayear from now.

The month of July offers so much – IndependenceDay, family gatherings, fireworks, watermelon,backyard barbecues, swimming, hot summer days,fresh fruits and vegetables, and my mother'sbirthday. The Fourth of July is a major focus forsome of my favorite things - family, fireworks andgood food. Grilling allows us time outdoors and outof the kitchen. Happy 4th of July to you all andGod Bless America!

by Stacy ThorntonRECIPESTomato Relish

10 lbs tomatoes 2 large sweet onions, finely chopped2 sweet red peppers, chopped finely2 medium green peppers, chopped finely2 tsp mustard seed 1 tsp celery seed4 1/2 cups white vinegar 2 1/2 cups brown sugar3 tbsp canning salt 2 tsp ground ginger2 tsp ground cinnamon 1 tsp ground allspice1 tsp ground cloves 1 tsp ground nutmeg

In a large saucepan, bring 8 cups water to a boil. Add tomatoes, a fewat a time; boil for 30 seconds. Drain and immediately place tomatoesin ice water. Drain and pat dry; peel and finely chop. Place in astockpot. Add onions and peppers. Place mustard and celery seed on adouble thickness of cheesecloth; bring up corners of cloth and tie withstring to form a bag. Add spice bag and the remaining ingredients tothe pot. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 60-70minutes or until slightly thickened. Discard spice bag. Carefully ladlerelish into hot 1-pint jars, leaving 1/2-inch at top. Remove air bubbles;wipe rims and adjust lids. Process in boiling-water canner for 20minutes. Makes 10 pints

Hot Dog Slawshredded cabbage mayonnaise to tastesalt and pepper to taste 1/2 cup dill pickle juice

Mix all ingredients together and serve on grilled hot dog.

Grilled Hot DogsHot dogs (I like Nathans hot dogs) Buns

Heat grill to a medium high heat. Place hot dogs on grill. Turn hotdogs every few minutes and cook for about 5 to 6 minutes or untildesired texture is reached. Remove from grill or off of direct heat andkeep warm while buns heat over grill. Serve hot dogs in buns andprepare to create your favorite hot dog.

Hot Dog Condiments: grilled onions and peppers, mustard, mayo,ketchup, cheese, chili, peppers, pickles, slaw

Homemade Pickle Relish1 1/2 cups cider vinegar 1 teaspoon mustard seeds1 teaspoon coriander seeds 2 tablespoons sugar8 large sour dill pickles, finely diced1 small red pepper, grilled, peeled, seeded, and finely diced1 small yellow pepper, grilled, peeled, seeded, and finely diced1 small white onion, finely diced 2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill

Bring vinegar, mustard seeds, and coriander seeds to a boil in amedium non-reactive saucepan on the grates of the grill; cook untilreduced by half and slightly syrupy. Remove from the heat, add theremaining ingredients, and gently toss to coat. Season with salt andpepper, to taste. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour beforeserving.

Macaroni Salad1 c. uncooked elbow macaroni 4 slices bacon, cooked andcrumbled1/2 c. chopped celery 1/4 c. chopped green pepper3/4 c. chopped dill pickle 1/4 c. chopped onion2 tbsp. chili sauce 1/2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce1 tsp. salt 1/8 tsp. pepper1 tsp. sugar 1/4 c. mayonnaise

Cook macaroni according to package directions; drain. Combinemacaroni, bacon, celery, green pepper, pickle and onion; set aside.Combine remaining ingredients; pour over macaroni mixture and tossgently. To serve hot, place over low heat; chill overnight to serve cold.


Royal TreatmentBrennan’s restaurant, the epitome of New Orleans fine diningBy Deborah Burst

New Orleansinvites the mostdiscriminating diners to

indulge their fantasies in an endless stream ofnew chefs and restaurants. And although I doenjoy sampling my way through the innovativescore of menus, there’s something to be said forthe time-honored legends, and Brennan’s is stillmy favorite.

In the heart of the French Quarter on RoyalStreet, Brennan’s serves generations of patronsfrom around the world since 1946. A food writerfor ten years, whether dining for pleasure orbusiness, I notice every minute detail, andBrennan’s deliversperfection.Consistency is the key,their dedicatedkitchen and wait staffhave worked at therestaurant for decades.

Both servers,Mario Alvardo andLee Thomas,anticipate your everywant and desire.Mario, a native ofEcuador, has been serving Brennan’s customersfor 37 years and I feel like a princess each timehe asks, “Madame would you like another glassof champagne?” Lee, a most amiable gent, putson quite a show with his tableside Banana’sFoster preparation. He’ll direct you on the exactmoment to click the camera or if shooting avideo, will add a history lesson on thisinternational favorite.

A 20-year veteran, maitre d’ Jorge Blancogreets guests with a vivacious charm. He escortsme to the table, pulls the chair, and with hissignature snap of the napkin, the magic begins.Next to my table a wall of windows and atropical courtyard filled with towering palms,magnolias and banana trees. Soon I’m sipping afrothy Brandy Milk Punch savoring French breadoozing with melted butter, sugar and cinnamon.

I have dined with literary greats, spiedwedding proposals, joined Mardi Gras kingstoasting their krewe, and always graced with avisit from the master himself, Executive ChefLazone Randolph.

Working in the kitchen for 47 years, ChefRandolph is well versed in the Brennan culture.A towering man with dark skin groomed in astarched white jacket, he’s reserved but not shy,direct but not rude, and confident but notegotistical. With an intriguing smile andstraight-forward honesty, he confesses a deep-seated passion for his work.

But more than a job, it’s a life – a Brennanlife – which began straight out of Carver High

School in New Orleans. A young 18 year-oldwho knew little about cooking. “I found anatmosphere I liked, it was friendly and peopleenjoyed working here,” he said. He learnedfrom the best surrounded by German,Austrian and French chefs. Promoted tosous-chef he continued polishing his craftarmed with a library of books, gifts fromworldwide travels by owners Ted andJimmy Brennan. After four decades ofstudying and preparing world famouscuisine, in July 2005, Chef Lazone Randolphearned the title of Executive Chef.

“When I wasn’t a chef, I still had thesame desire to be a part ofthis restaurant,” he said.“I’m not seeking the glory. Iworked my way to the top,made an investment, andthere’s never been a time Icouldn’t talk to a Brennan.We’re good friends.”

More than justbreakfast, lunch anddinner offers escargots,OysterRockefeller,

or a juicy steak. And don’tforget their turtle soup votedthe best in the state. “Notmany chefs do what we do,we have our own style, nottrying to imitate Europe,”Randolph said noting theirsignature creamy peppercornsauce and Brennan’s RedWine and Mushroom Sauce.“We use local products andseafood. People don’t comehere for Foie Gras, we serve a12 inch plate of food.”

Bananas Foster is themost requested item on themenu and created byBrennan’s chef Paul Blangé in1951 to honor New Orleans asa major port for bananas.Diners anxiously await thedrama of a tablesidepreparation in a theatricalcountdown folding thebananas, butter, and brownsugar in a flambé pan heatedby a butane flame. With armheld high, the waiter slowlyadds a small decanter of rumto the pan, and then a spark offlame ignites the alcoholsetting a collective cheer andflash of cameras.

Randolph has performed this act formany high-brow diplomats but admits hisbread pudding is even more enticing. Besidesthe cream, pecans, and stale French bread, theymarinate the raisins in Jim Beam, then topped

in whiskey sauce. How fitting Brennan’s found its home on

Royal Street as the lavish address has hostednoble patrons for centuries. Romance,impeccable service and the humming chatter ofa good time, all embraced by a fairy-talesetting. Brennan’s is the epitome of NewOrleans fine dining.

A New Orleans native now living in Mandeville,Deb frequently returns to her hometown to visitfamily and get a gumbo and po-boy fix.

Brennan’s Restaurant417 Royal St, New Orleans, LA 70130

504.525.9711www.brennansneworleans.com

Enjoy the breakfast Three Course Prix Fixe menuwith appetizer, entrée and dessert for $36


JulyCalendar of Events

June 30-July 4__________

Erath 4th of July Festival

Erath – 337-937-5585

Christmas on the Cane

Natchitoches – 318-352-6894

July 3-8_______________

Greater Mandeville Seafood Festival

Mandeville – 985-624-9762

July 5-7_______________

Pecan Ridge Bluegrass

Jackson – 225-629-5852

July 6-8_______________

Essence Music Festival

New Orleans – www.Essence.com

July 7________________

Lebeau Zydeco Festival

Lebeau – 337-623-0303

July 13-15_____________

Running of the Bulls

San Fermin in Nueva OrleansNew Orleans – 504-247-3714

July 14________________

Watermelon Festival

Saline – 318-263-9897

July 14-15_____________

San Fermin in Neuva Orleans

Christmas in July

Kenner – 985-796-5853


2012July 20-21

_____________

NSU Folklife Festival

Natchitoches – 318-357-4332

July 21________________

Summer Fun Kids Day

Houma – 985-850-4657

July 21-22_____________

Cajun French Music & Food Festival

Lake Charles – 800-456-7952

Swamp Pop Music Festival

Gonzales – 877-753-9990

July 26-28_____________

Grand Isle Tarpon Rodeo

985-787-2997

July 26-29_____________

Watermelon Festival

Farmerville – 318-368-0044

July 27-28_____________

Feliciana Hummingbird Celebration

St. Francisville – 225-635-6502

Marshland Festival

Lake Charles – 800-456-7952=

We put it all togetherto bring you great color printing

2830 Breard St.Monroe, LA 71201318.387.1725

107 Commission Blvd.Lafayette, LA 70508337.839.9761

www.tristargraphics.com


Friend or FoeSpikey’s macho image is tested By Deborah Burst

While Hurricane Isidore wobbled along the Louisiana coastline,our skies grew black and the winds howled through the pines. I put onmy rain coat and grabbed the leash, Spikey and I would take one lastwalk before the heavyrains. As the rain beganpelting down Spikey hadcaught a scent and chargeda briar bush. Suddenly Iheard a faint cry andyelled, “Spikey com’on, wegotta get inside!”

Had no idea whatkind of animal it was, but Iknew it was calling for help and wouldn’t last through the storm. I ranupstairs screaming to my son, “Jared, hurry get a shoe box and someheavy gloves.” As we got close to the bush, the little darling began tocry even louder. We parted the thorny bushes, and laying there soakedto the bones, was a frail kitten. The poor baby was so weak he barelyput up a fight. We named him Izzy, short for Isidore. Blue eyed, whitebody with taupe ears, paws and tail, he quickly became part of thefamily. We gradually introduced the smell to Spikey, and soon theywere best friends.

Jared began teaching Izzy tricks like the “block the punt” move.He would throw a Mardi Gras size football into the air and say, “Blockthe punt.” Izzy would run, jump in the air and bat the ball with hisfront paws. Sometimes he would get creative and hide under the bedand do a “sneak block punt.” He also fetched small balls and came oncommand.

Oh yeah, Izzy loved those sneak attacks. I remember one morningworking on my computer, Izzy sleeping and Spikey snoring, andthinking this is all I need in life. Until Izzy snuck up on the sleepinggiant and swatted him on the nose, then ran like a bat out of hell. Itwas almost a daily routine; Izzy would snuggle against Spikey’s thickfur and bam, another swat.

Yep, Izzy thought he was a dog and always joined Spikey and I onour daily walks. He would jog double time to keep up with us, startpanting like a dog and making this miserable crying sound. Defeated,Izzy would lay down in the shade but being a cat, he had the lastlaugh.

Turning around at the end of the road, Spikey and I would makeour way back with no sign of Izzy. Suddenly Izzy would dart out of thebushes and dive bomb Spikey. I swear you could see that cat grinning,jumping in the air like he was celebrating or something, then he wouldcalm down and prance next to Spikey like nothing happened. He nevermissed a walk and never failed to scare the living heck out of us.

Izzy refused to be cloistered inside the house and at night loved toroam the woods, which unfortunately would be his demise. For fouryears, every morning, I would hear the squeaky sounds of Izzy’s pawsrubbing the front door skylight begging for his breakfast, but onChristmas Eve morning 2006, there was silence.

With Spikey by our side, Jared and I scoured the woods lookingfor Izzy. Just steps from the front porch I found a clump of mattedwhite fur. It looked like a struggle. A neighbor told me she spotted acoyote in the early morning hours and soon the entire neighborhoodwas void of cats, both domestic and feral. We learned the coyotes had

been misplaced by Hurricane Katrina and were attacking domestic catsand small dogs.

It was a hard pill to swallow and Spikey, like all of us, mournedour Izzy. Years later a coyote ventured onto the property in plain view.Spikey chased it deep into the woods and the coyote never came back.I’m sure Spikey is up there with Izzy bragging on how he took care ofthat coyote, and I can see Izzy nuzzling against his fur, and then withno warning, giving him a good swat on the nose!

An award winning writer and photographer, Deb began her freelance writing careerafter earning a media degree at Tulane University. A New Orleans native, she nowlives in the piney woods of Mandeville, Louisiana and shares her stories on a local,regional and national level. Writing is her therapy and she has dedicated her column tothe adventures of Spikey, her canine confident. Visit www.debswriting.com for photosand features and www.facebook.com/burstmediacommunications for social mediaservices.

Music and NewOrleans go hand-in-hand like ice cream anda cone. It’s widely

recognized as the birthplace of jazz, whilegenres such as rhythm and blues, Creole andCajun music and funk also have roots here. So,it should come as no surprise that musicfestivals have a constantpresence on the calendarof the Crescent City. TheESSENCE Music Festival,taking place July 5th –8th, is part of animpressive list of musicand cultural eventspeppered throughout theyear. Now in its 18thyear, the festival hasblossomed into a highly-anticipated gatheringof entertainers across multiple genres as well asauthors, speakers, innovators and educators.

The “Queen of Soul” Aretha Franklin,taking the ESSENCE Music Festival stage for thefirst time since 2005, will join Grammy Awardwinner Mary J. Blige and a host of other musicaltalent on the Superdome Main Stage throughoutthe four day event. Over at the ESSENCEEmpowerment Experience taking place in theErnest N. Morial Convention Center,discussions on issues ranging from politics andeducation to health & wellness and spiritualitywill take place with personalities such as theReverend Al Sharpton, U.S. RepresentativeMaxine Waters and CNN anchor SoledadO’Brien.

The popularity of NOLA music and culturalfestivals isn’t lost on John Crew. He and hispartner, Gil Rome, are the proprietors of MarignyManor House Bed and Breakfast(www.BnBFinder.com/MarignyManor) located onNorth Rampart Street in Faubourg Marigny nearthe French Quarter. They regularly host out-of-towners attending the festivals who book with

them several months inadvance and sometimes, in thecase of the world-renownedJazz Festival, a year ahead ofthe event. That’s a pretty goodresult for a couple who hadnever stayed at a bed andbreakfast nor ever consideredowning one until 2001 whenthey laid eyes on the buildingthat would become MarignyManor House. “Gil and I were

actually looking to purchase a condo for ourretirement,” said Crew. “Then, our real estateagent showed us this building and we instantlyfell in love with it.” So, how does one go fromlooking for a retirement condo to opening a B&B?“The former owner’s son had considered turningit into a B&B which is what sparked the idea,” hesaid. “We really stumbled into being innkeepers,but it’s a whole lot of fun.”

Originally built as a private residence in1848 by Daniel Talboett for his new wife, theGreek Revival boasts four spacious rooms—Red,Green, Balcony and Courtyard—with originaldetailing including ornate plaster molding andhardwood floors and additional features such asfireplaces, chandeliers, four-poster beds andantique furnishings. A traditional Southern

breakfast made from localingredients is served eachmorning. Guest can sip theirmorning coffee on the large frontporch or in the privacy of theinn’s lush courtyard.

For Crew, no detail isinsignificant when servicingtheir guests. “We want them toleave really feeling great abouttheir stay here,” he said. “It’simportant to do the little thingsto exceed their expectations.”Mary White is the author of “Runninga Bed & Breakfast For Dummies” andan avid B&B goer. She has stayed atbed and breakfasts all over the worldand particularly loves the inns ofLouisiana. In 1998, Mary foundedBnBFinder.com, a top on-line bed andbreakfast directory that lists thousandsof B&Bs, inns, and boutique hotelsworldwide.

The ESSENCE ofNew Orleans

BEDS & BEIGNETS By Mary White


Louisiana Road Trips July 2012 Edition

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