The Lydia Cancer Association’s 10th Annual Cajun Food Fest The Lydia Cancer Association’s grass roots is an American Cancer Society Relay for Life team, started in 1998. The team was started by James Frawley, Jr., a cancer victim who with assistance of friends, coworkers, and family, started the Morton Salt Co. Relay for Life team. From 1999-2002, the team raised more than $100,000 for the American Cancer Society. In 2002, he and members saw an urgent need for financial assistance for local cancer victims so the team became incorporated, initiated by Ronald Landry. The Lydia Cancer Association was formed in 2003 in time to host the first annual Lydia Cajun Food Fest, spearheaded by the association’s first president, Debra Savioe, and raising over $20,000 with this fundraiser. Today, the Food Fest has been recognized as one of the best Festivals in Iberia Parish. James Frawley, Jr. lost his battle with cancer on Sept.8, 2004, a few days before the 2nd annual Food Fest, but today his vision of helping those cancer victims in need is being carried on. This aid is continually provided to area cancer victims by an organization staffed by 100+ hard working volunteers. Along with the Food Fest, the association now has an annual dance, a Fais Do Do on the day prior to the festival, a cookbook with assistance from TV’s Tom Vionche, a Women’s Wellness Expo (hosted by a sponsor), and many other fundraising activities. The association provides limited financial assistance to cancer patients in Vermillion, Iberia, St. Martin and St. Mary parishes. Those outside the area are considered on an individual basis. The Lydia
Louisiana Road Trips
Cancer Association has helped over 500 clients with prescriptions, medical expenses and supplies, utilities, gas for medical appointments, travel, groceries and funeral expenses. The Cajun Food Fest at Weeks Park in Lydia, LA will be held Friday, Sept 7th from 5-11pm, with live music, food and drink booths, carnival rides. It continues Saturday at 9:30am with a Cancer Survivor Walk and bands kicking off at 10am. Enjoy a poker run, car show, craft booths and more. The HOME FOR HOPE House drawing will be at 3pm. Donation at the gate is only $5.
–2–
www.laroadtrips.com
Talkin’ It Up! Down in Morgan City, I’ll bet you can find enough shade to enjoy the 77th Shrimp & Petro Festival later this month through Labor Day weekend. You might also want to make plans now to attend the Cajun Food Fest in Lydia, Louisiana, where they’ll be raffling off that beautiful home on the cover in early September. This is an exceptional fundraiser for the Lydia Cancer Association and a guaranteed good time for anyone attending! The next couple months also boast several exciting car shows throughout the state so get ready for those, too. This issue will take you on road trips from New Orleans all the way to Fredericksburg, Texas and other parts of Louisiana as well. Before you head out, be sure to visit www.bnbfinder.com to find a great bed and breakfast to enhance or be the destination of your next road trip. Contributing writer and founder of bnbfinder.com, Mary White, features a different Louisiana BnB each month in her column, Bed & Beignets. You can take a virtual Louisiana road trip just viewing and reading about the properties on her site. A long-time advertiser and friend to LRT, Lefebvre Veterinary Medical Center in Monroe, is featuring adorable cats and dogs needing a good home in their ads each month. Please considering helping them find one. And finally, congratulations to LRT contributor Dennis Stewart on his marriage last month. We wish him the very best. Stay cool and hydrated this month and let’s keep in touch.
Mona
Mona L. Hayden, Editor monalh@bellsouth.net (318) 547-1221
ROAD TRIPS "Celebrating country living and city happenings!"
august BOOK REVIEW 11
17
I’ll Fly Away by Barbara Sharik
4
In the Crosshairs by Sonny Harrington Sounds…Good to Me
8
What August Means to a Hunter by Johnny Wink
14
Going Native by Larry Brock More Natural Gardening
23
My Favorite Fishing Hole by Joe Joslin The Rewards of Wacky Worming
FESTIVALS & ENTERTAINMENT 7 9 10 19
All Things Southern by Shellie Tomlinson Bubba in Training
MONTHLY TIDBITS
DELTA OUTDOORS
2
contents
3 8 14 17 18 20 21 22 23
Talkin’ It Up! Louisiana Lagniappe – Remember When Saving Matilda by Su Stella August Calendar A Life of Trial…and Error by Dennis Stewart A Leap of Faith and the Search is Over Legal Lagniappe Backtalk Sweet Travels by Donna McManus Louisiana Lagniappe Answers
RECIPES
The Lydia Cancer Association’s 10th Annual Cajun Food Fest Shrimp & Petro Fest
11
ROAD TRIPS 6
Louisiana: 200 Years of Statehood “Show & Shine” Car & Bike Show
Recipes by Stacy Thornton
Travel Adventure by Dianne Newcomer Best of the Med
12
Kahlua to Casa Del Rio Riverhouse by Carolyn Files
13
Year Round Fun in Fredericksburg, Texas by Mona L. Hayden
HISTORICAL
15
Hit the Road – by Deborah Burst New Orleans Buzz
19
Mail Order Homes of the 20th Century by Lee Estes
16
Beds & Beignets by Mary White A Bit o’ Southern Comfort
21
Louisiana in the Civil War: August 1862: The Battle of Baton Rouge by Terry L. Jones
20
Family Vacation by Robert Lemoine
22
The Woman Who Married Twelve Times by Lora Peppers
“The Dukes of Hazzard” Family Reunion & Car Show
HUMOR 5
Runnin’ the Roads by Barbara Sharik Betty Lou Got a New Pair of Shoes…err…a New Home
Louisiana Road Trips
–3–
www.laroadtrips.com
IN THE CR SSHAIRS
By Sonny Harrington
PUBLISHER
Sounds…Good to Me
LRT Publications
One of the most frequent questions I’ve been asked in the last few years comes from my young son. An unfamiliar noise will occur off in the distant woods and I’ll hear that familiar question, “Dad, what was that?” When you spend as much as time as we do in the woods, you might want to know what critter is making what sound and why. A lost hunter makes a noise of three shots or three whistle blasts spaced evenly apart. This works good except during bow season. Deer make, or should I say are capable of making, a host of different noises. The first is the alarm, and whueew. They must blow a 100mph wind through their nose for that one. Bucks can do a snort wheeze. I’ve only heard it a couple times in my life and I’m over 50. Two bucks sparring off for a hot doe brought that on. They can also do a tending grunt for a doe. I assume that’s deer talk for , “Do you want to party at my place?” Does can also bleat and I’ve heard fawns do this when they get separated from their mothers – typical kids. But in all, the most common thing we hear from deer is the whueew which means, ‘See ya! I’ve seen you first or smelled you coming.“ Squirrels bark. Cat squirrels sound different from fox squirrels. The cat or grey squirrels make more of a squeal than the red fox squirrel. They’ll tell you when a hawk or owl is flying over, a coyote is coming through, and they’ll bark at deer. Oh, I’ve even heard them bark at me. They also make a lot of chirping, squealing noises when they chase each other during the rut. I guess everything does that, man and beast. Crows, now they have a whole repertoire of noises they can make, each with a meaning. You’ll hear the normal ‘caw, caw’, but when you hear it feverishly and they get down on it like they’re on fire, you know they’re after an owl. You see, owls and crows are mortal enemies. Crows chase owls and give them absolute hell all day because at night…. Well, the night belong to the owl and it’s payback time. Rabbits, I’ve heard rarely a high pitched squeal immediately after mating or a
______________________
EDITORIAL DIRECTOR lonesome squeal after being caught by a predator. Imitate this if you’re a predator Mona L. Hayden hunter. About 30 monalh@bellsouth.net years ago, I was duck (318) 547-1221 hunting near Jones, LA with my buddy OUR GUARDIAN ANGEL Ken. Late that Debbie Hamilton Pope morning we observed June 14, 1952-August 24, 2008 a Wiley coyote across the rice levee. I Louisiana Road Trips magazine is published monthly to promote, inform, and entertain the instructed Ken to take residents of Louisiana. It is distributed FREE; that goose call he had however, home delivery is available. This magazine and choke it down and make it squeal. will reach approximately 61,000 individuals. Make it sound painful, I said. He did an Submission of articles and photos are always excellent job. That coyote turned and ran welcome but may be limited to availability of space and edited for content. straight toward us. Ken had turned that goose call into a dying rabbit perfectly. Copyright 2012 with all rights reserved. Reproduction of any material appearing within this publication is About 40 yards out, the coyote hooked prohibited without written permission of the Publishers. around the brush we were hiding The opinions expressed in Louisiana Road Trips in to scent the directional wind. I magazine are those of the authors or columnists and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, jumped up with my hideout 9mm nor do they constitute an endorsement of products or and double tapped him in the services herein. “Louisiana Road Trips” magazine head. It was an awesome shot, if I retains the right to refuse any advertisement. say so myself. I don’t know who was more surprised, the coyote or Ken. I didn’t hurt the population. I hear more and more coyotes as the years go by, usually in the late evenings. I don’t know if they’re chasing something or trying to find each other but two can sound like 20. It was warm today and my 10 year old partner was on the alert. I heard the groan, groan, groan out in the swamp and P. O. Box 2452 got ready for the question, “Hey Dad, West Monroe, LA 71294 what was that?” A bullfrog. I was told (318) 547-1221 years ago by an old man that the frogs tell you how deep the water is because there are a lot of frogs in LA. Some frogs say, “belly deep, belly deep”, some say, “knee deep, knee deep”. Never trust a frog. Now let’s don’t forget all the bird www.twitter.com/louisianaroadtrips www.facebook.com/louisianaroadtrips noises and ducks. I’ve had bluejays tell me where a snake was many times. They don’t call wood ducks squealers for and the boy, and I heard this subtle “toot!” nothing. Most all ducks have an alarm call, followed by this little chuckle. Then he said, feeding call, comeback call. Pintails, woodies, “Hey dad! Do you know what that was?” wedgeons are whistling ducks. Mallards, About the same time I smelled it and replied, gadwalls, and teal all quack different from “Yea. I thinking something has crawled up in each other. If you hunt, you gotta know the you and died.” We laughed. Hope you do, right call for the right duck at the right time. too. Probably the most common fault of a hunter Sonny Harrington is a Hunter Safety Instructor. He is is overcalling. My policy is if he’s coming to also an NRA (National Rifle Association) Rifle & Pistol you, don’t say anything. Instructor and has hunted from Alaska to Mexico. So we were sitting there, listening to all the sounds in the woods and the swamp, me
‘See ya! I’ve seen you first or smelled you coming.‘
Louisiana Road Trips
ROAD TRIPS www.laroadtrips.com
–4–
www.laroadtrips.com
RUNNIN’ THE ROADS
By Barbara Sharik
Betty Lou Got a New Pair of Shoes... err... a New Home Recently I had a mini-meltdown. I looked around, saw nothing but corn and cotton fields, pickup trucks and tractors. I asked myself what am I doing out here in the middle of nowhere, out in the country, so far from family. Why, I am so far out in the hinterland that there is not even a Wal-Mart on the corner, and Wal-Mart’s are everywhere. This gave me pause for thought. I had an adventurous and educational upbringing because my father was in the military. I spent my formative years living at Ft. Myer, VA, literally across one street from the Arlington National Cemetery. Just living there, wandering through the garden of stones, I was afforded a most natural education. We lived but a mile or so from Washington, D.C. and had only to drive across a bridge over the Potomac adorned with huge statues given the U.S. by France, to come face-to-face with the Lincoln Memorial. Look one way and see the Jefferson Memorial. Another, there is the Capitol. Every Christmas meant viewing the lighting of the Christmas tree on the White House lawn, eating chestnuts roasted over open fires. We sat on blankets and watched the fireworks on Independence Day lighting the skies over the National Monument. I spent hours gaping and awestruck, and gleaning a love of my country. I meandered through the Smithsonian and National Gallery of Art. There was not a famous monument I did not visit. My best friend and I ate supper at the Philippines Embassy where Miss Philippines was staying, in town for the Miss Universe Contest. And I was just a child. A fortunate child. The Pentagon was within walking distance; my father was stationed there for eight years. A ten-minute shuttle bus ride took us to the stately horses that pulled the caissons in all military and regal presidential events, and to ride them was amazing. And I was allowed to do that. We were
a stroll away from the Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers, Lee's Mansion, and the Statue of Iwa Jima. Can you imagine living surrounded by all that beauty, all that history? Next came several years residing between Baltimore and Annapolis in Glen Burnie, MD where the first covered mall east of the Mississippi was three minutes away and on the speaking agenda was then young Senator John F. Kennedy. Every time we swam in the Chesapeake Bay, I was stung by jellyfish, sunburned, and itched from chiggers, but loved it. High school found me falling in love with different scenery, the desert and mountains of El Paso, Texas. Then, Colorado Springs at the foot of Pikes Peak, three years in Germany, touring neighboring countries, then Killeen, Texas. So what, what am I doing here all alone? Then Mindy Facebooked me about a dog. I have lived in Morehouse Parish so long, served on so many boards and written so many newspaper stories and columns, although I am alone, I am no stranger. Mindy knew my penchant for adopting cats and dogs, and being particularly prone toward giving my heart to oldies-but-goodies––dogs past their prime and often past their appeal to someone looking for a family pet. Well, this is how it is. I am old. TacoBelle and Rosie are old. Even my cockatiel and dove are old. The outside dogs are no spring chickens either. In fact, BooCat is the only young chick amongst us. As the story goes, Mindy had an old dog in the process of being rescued as we exchanged emails. Apparently, a couple lifelong dog-pals came into the Ouachita shelter together, but nobody adopted Betty Lou. Betty Lou is not only old, teeth ground down, muzzle turning white, but also solid black. Seems black cats and dogs are difficult to adopt out. Maybe it is left over from my pseudo-hippy days wearing black clothes and eyeliner, but I like black animals. BooCat is solid black and Betty Lou is also. Routinely, our Morehouse Humane Society holds parking lot adoption fests at Tractor Supply in Bastrop and PetSmart in Monroe. In between, they hold Black Dog adoptions. Nothing but black dogs. For a person like me, it’s a wonderful sight and makes me want to take one of each home... which would be all of them! It all started when Mindy and several other big-hearted women saw a photo of Betty
I asked myself what am I doing out here in the middle of nowhere.
Louisiana Road Trips
–5–
Lou, not her name at the time. You see, no one bothered to name her; they knew the old black dog was headed for the death chamber. That's all it took for the abandoned dog to move into the heart of these amazing women. Fortunately, someone noted a Facebook posting: the old black dog was scheduled to be euthanized that morning. Long story shorter, several caring souls rushed to the Monroe shelter, paid her adoption fee, grabbed her up in arms of love moments before she was laid on the table to die. They cuddled and sweet talked her; they had her vetted and that's when Mindy facebooked me: Do you want an old black dog? Thus it was, on the Fourth of July, I met Mindy at Doc White's office in Bastrop, and Betty Lou went from Mindy's front seat to mine. Betty Lou and I smiled all the way home. She has quite a beatific smile. We're still smiling. In fact, when I got ready to leave for work, she leaped into the car and sat there like a dog ready for a Louisiana Road Trip. Thus it was that last Friday turned out to be Take Your Dog to Work Day for Betty Lou and me. She behaved perfectly, as an old lady should. I expect her to want to turn Take Your Dog to Work Day into Take Your Dog to Work Week. So, you see why I stay here––out in the hinterland? Where else would someone know to call me and let me in on a most incredible adoption opportunity? And where else would I have the ways and means to provide for these cast-off pups in need? Even BooCat, a troubled kitty having passed through several households, was a rescue listed as Free Cat on Doc White's bulletin board. The Morehouse Humane Society has many dogs and cats in need of forever homes just as Betty Lou did. Although these animals are not in danger of being euthanized because the Morehouse Humane Society is a no-kill shelter, they are still living behind bars. Operated since 1984, the shelter has approximately 150 dogs and about 40 cats at all times. Located at 6878 Mer Rouge Road, it is staffed seven days a week, 365 days a year. Call 283-0288. Adopt or make a donation. Barbara Sharik makes her home at Wit's End in Jones, Louisiana with a couple old dogs, young dogs and several stupid dogs, a cat, a talking cockatiel and a white dove. She's active in civic affairs, serves as a Justice of the Peace, a Notary Public, is the Clerk for the Village of Bonita and a columnist for the Bastrop Daily Enterprise. She has authored several books. You can e-mail Barbara at barbsharikvail@hotmail.com
www.laroadtrips.com
TRAVEL ADVENTURE
By Dianne Newcomer
Best of the Med “You may not want us as clients,” warned Walker Glenn as he sat in my office at Monroe Travel Service. “When it comes to vacation, Kim and I are like oil and water. Our ideas about the perfect trip just do not mix.” Instantly, his words sent me right back to high school chemistry class. Remember that lab experiment where you dutifully dropped food coloring into a soft drink bottle filled with water, added a couple of tablespoons of cooking oil, and shook the bottle like crazy? Their chemical composition prevents them from ever joining; they simply are not attracted to each other. A longer explanation would bore you probably as much as it did me many years ago so I will just suggest the only way to successfully mix oil and water is to add an emulsion. As a travel agent, my task was this: I needed to find the right emulsion to give Walker and Kim Glenn the vacation they each wanted. Walker was all about museums and history; Kim was more of a fun in the sun girl. In the end, the trip they agreed on was a two week cruise on Princess Cruise Line called the "Best of the Mediterranean" with added days in Barcelona and Venice. “This cruise itinerary certainly lived up to its name,” beamed Walker Glenn. “Whether you wanted, history, culture, a city break with shopping, or just sun and sea, the Ruby Princess delivered it all. We both really liked starting our trip in Barcelona. Of course, we went to the Picasso Museum and marveled at Gaudi’s Sagrada Familia, but to be honest, this whole city is an amazing museum. Every corner and square has interesting statues, amazing architecture, and ornate buildings with all those irregular angles and detailed facades that just blew me away!” “You were right saying I would love Barcelona, and even Kim was surprised how much she enjoyed the extra time there. Anyone would be impressed with the museums and art galleries. Yet, I think it was probably the talent and charm we discovered on a stroll on the Las Ramblas that she liked the most. Filled with outdoor cafes, kiosks, market stalls and endless entertainers on parade, this pedestrian street is the heart of Barcelona today; it is a great place to people watch and study the culture.” Barcelona was just the first stop on the Glenn’s journey that included fascinating ports of call as Monte Carlo, Florence, Rome, Naples, Istanbul, Ephesus, Athens and Venice. I asked,
“With such a great itinerary, could you choose a favorite place?” “Ephesus was probably the biggest surprise of the trip, and even though we were there with probably 14,000 people, I would say Vatican City, in particular St. Peter’s Basilica was probably the trip highlight for me. I’m a contractor so just the immense size of St. Peter’s Basilica was staggering. The design, the skill, the imagination and genius of Michaelangelo and so many of these 16th-century builders just makes you stand there in total awe. It’s difficult to believe it was built without the technology and tools we have today. The symmetry and proportions, the orderly arrangement of columns and pilasters, and the use of arches, domes, and niches are all extremely complex. They not only put those columns there but polished and turned them into works of art, making St. Peter's such an extraordinary achievement!” exclaimed Walker. “I suppose that’s why St. Peter’s Basilica is called "the greatest creation of the Renaissance,” I interjected. To be honest, I never worried about Walker not enjoying this trip; Europe’s antiquities never fail to impress, but on the other hand, Kim had firmly stated she did not wish to spend the whole trip in museums, something I clearly appreciated. “Dare I ask what was Kim’s favorite part of the trip?” Walker confided how genuinely pleased he was with the number of museums and galleries she enjoyed with him. “She absolutely loved Monte Carlo, Mykonos, and the extra days in Venice at the end of the cruise. Everything about Venice – the food, the sights, the dining experience and golfball size martinis at Harry's Bar, and even experiencing a building shaking earthquake impressed her. She liked the shipboard life, too. This was a hard trip, very sightseeing intensive, so
Louisiana Road Trips
–6–
www.laroadtrips.com
having a balcony and a top notch spa certainly made it even better!” “Would you do anything differently?” I prodded in hopes of gleaning information for future travelers from an experienced cruiser. “I think I would take your advice next time and arrange more shore excursions on my own instead of taking the cruise ship’s tours. This allows flexibility, time to linger or move on without worrying or waiting for a busload of people. But there’s no doubt we had seen the “best of the Med.” Hmmm....I wonder if Mr. Glenn's hypothesis is correct. If anyone wants to be a guinea pig and test his conclusion that he has seen the "best of the Med," I have a few cruise deals at MONROE TRAVEL SERVICE that will send you on your way. Now, don't panic, there’s plenty of time as cruise ships remain in these beautiful waters until mid-November so let's see if any of these deals will float your boat: Big Ship Cruise Experiment: Aug. 22…12 day cruise, Barcelona to Venice, balcony cabin from $1999 Aug. 29…7 day cruise, Rome to Barcelona, balcony cabin from $1029 Sept.16…7 day cruise, Barcelona to Barcelona, balcony cabin from $999 Oct. 31…10 day cruise, Rome to Rome, balcony cabin from $999 Oct. 13…7 day cruise, Venice to Rome, balcony cabin from $1169 Small Ship Cruise Experiment: Oct 22…10 day cruise, Athens to Istanbul, balcony cabin from $4284 Oct 16…10 day cruise, Rome to Barcelona, balcony cabin from $4606
Shrimp & Petro Fest Morgan City Louisiana's oldest chartered harvest festival celebrates 77 years of tradition and family fun on Labor Day Weekend, Aug 30th - Sept 3rd, in downtown Historic District Morgan City. With FREE admission, enjoy great food, continuous live music, and events. New this year is a 50/50 Raffle, performances by The Big Fun Brass Band (a New Orleans style brass band with 9 LSU music students), and Louisiana Kids, INC (focused on the performing arts of children). At 5pm Thursday, the festival opens with a ribbon cutting on Second Street under the US Hwy 90 Bridge. Carnival rides and games run thru Monday at 9pm with the 49th Art Show & Sale thru Sept 3 from 11am-5pm at the Everett Street Gallery downtown. Indulge your appetite at the 24th annual Cajun Culinary Classic with local "home style" cooking, open 5-11pm Friday, noon to 11pm Sat-Sun, and noon to 9pm on Monday. Local organizations benefit from proceeds. The 35th Traditional Arts & Crafts Show & Sale (Friday 5pm thru Monday 9pm under US Hwy 90 Bridge) features 100+ regional artists/crafters with unique artistic merchandise. Children's Day activities start Saturday at 9am with sack races, three legged races, professional storytellers and more. Decorated bikes, wagons, strollers and four wheelers are welcome to participate in the mini street parade at 11am. The Children's Day King and Queen will officially open the J Ray McDermott/Teche Regional Medical Center/BP's Children's Village, a magical playland, from 11:30am through Monday. Added attractions include the Audubon Institute Zoo Mobile, the Wetlands Express,
and the Aqua Van from the Audubon Society. Downtown comes alive with music featuring bright upcoming artists as well as hometown legends. Other events include a Cultural & Heritage Expo (Friday through Monday 11am–5pm). A NSA Softball Tournament at Kemper Williams Park starts Friday at 6:30pm and continues Saturday morning; Doiron's Bass Tournament begins at daylight and a 5K Fun Run/Walk, LA High School Swim Relays, and Car Show begin at 8am. The Gospel Stage opens Saturday at M.D. Shannon Elementary at noon and 1pm on Sunday. Sunday starts with Mass at 8:30am under the oaks in Lawrence Park. The Historic Blessing of the Fleet begins at 10am on the Atchafalaya River, followed by the water boat parade, a Street Parade at 3pm, and Fireworks on the River at 9pm. People Haulers, INC. will provide shuttles from hotels to festival grounds Sat-Sun from 11am-11pm. The festival began in 1936 when the placid port of Morgan City and Berwick received the first boatload of jumbo shrimp from the deepest Gulf waters. It became the Louisiana Shrimp & Petroleum Festival in 1967 when the oil industry was firmly implanted into the local economy. Now one of the state's premiere festivals and voted Festival of the Year in Division III for the past nine years, LA Assoc. Fairs and Festival’s top 100 American Bus Association event, and a top 20 Southeast Tourism Society event, Time magazine (July 1991) also described the festival as "...the best, the most unusual, the most Louisiana Road Trips
down-home, the most moving and the most fun that the country has to offer." Sponsors include Cajun Coast Visitors and Convention Bureau, City of Morgan City, St. Mary Parish Government, U.S. Coast Guard, Town of Berwick, OGRS, LLC, API, Tidewater, Darnell, Sikes, Carders & Frederick, Bollinger Shipyard, Central Boat, Teche Regional Medical Center, People Haulers, INC., Major Equipment, Allen's TV Cable, Family of Oliver Bergeron, The Daily Review, New Industries, Louisiana Lottery, King Trucking, Earl King Jr., G & J Land & Marine, TK Towing, BP, and J Ray McDermott. For more information, call (985) 385-0703 or visit www.shrimp-petrofest.org. Enter the online survey until Aug 10 for prizes!
–7–
www.laroadtrips.com
What August Means to a Hunter By Johnny Wink
actually enjoy getting ready for the season as much as we do the hunt August is when hunters begin working on all itself. Get them all done now so you can just hunt when it’s time and those projects, hunting magazines arrive in the not have to work. mail, hunting shows are on TV, and local sporting You may even notice that more and more doves are on the power good stores get ready for their big sales. At Simmons Sporting Goods (Bastrop, LA), lines next to the roads, especially in the mornings and afternoons their tent sale in mid-August will have new stuff on the market on sale. when they’re getting grit from the side of the road. People who spend Remember, a hunter cannot have enough new hunting equipment. It's time on or near water might get to see those fast-flying blue wing teal like a woman and her shoes (or so I've been told). In Monroe, it’s TP that we get to shoot in mid-September. Outdoors. During their big sale, they’ll This year the duck count is as high as it’s ever been. That also have a big duck-calling contest, the means all we need is a lot of snow north of us and we will have a Louisiana Style 2 Men Duck Calling banner year. On Facebook, I have a new business page – Championship, on August 18. There’s a Megabucks Duck Guides. I hope y'all will visit it and LIKE it. $30 per team entry fee and it’s double reed Here, you can see all the pictures from last year. Not only did we only. For more info, call 318-322-4474. have a great year killing ducks but we got a few nice bucks, too. Don't forget on Labor Day weekend we have statewide tax free The first Friday in August is when Louisiana Wildlife & Fisheries shopping on all hunting stuff, including four-wheelers and buggies. Be sets the duck season dates and that's when I get down to business and smart and buy then to save money. start booking my hunts. This year at Megabucks Duck Guides, with a lot All this makes you want to get out in the woods and start of updated and new features, looks like it's going to be the best year ever. working on your old deer stands and maybe look for places to put up I promise you will see a big difference: More blinds, better guides new ones. And clean your hunting camp. If so, watch out for anything (prettier, too!), etc. Thanks to Hannah for joining us, and Mack, Butch and that might have called your camp home this summer. No telling what Kevin will be here making sure I don't get too stressed out. So if you want you’ll find so be prepared. When you go to the deer stand make sure to come on a heck of a good duck hunt, just give us a call. After you’ve got some wasp stopper because there's a good chance they comparing similar hunts, you’ll realize that we are hands-down, the best. liked your deer stand, too. Getting stung in the summer heat is no fun Check us out and see for yourself. It's gearing up to be a great hunting and it's dangerous. season for everyone in Louisiana so let's enjoy it, and make sure you While driving around this month, you’ll see a lot more trucks bring a youngster, girlfriend or wife – we need all the hunters we can get. with 4-wheelers in the back and bags of corn and trailer with the On a personal note, I want to wish my good friend and fellow buggies on them. Get a jump-start on those deer feeders and be careful LRT writer, Denis Stewart, congratulations on getting married. I wish with wasps them all the best, and Dennis, sounds like you got a good hunting there, too. Oh partner. I also want to thank all the women that sent me emails and yeah, don't letters or called me on the last two forget to stories I wrote here. I was honored to spray OFF hear from each and every one of y'all. on your Thank you. 1. When Louisiana entered the Union in 1812, what number did it enter as? legs because By the time you read this, me and 2. What former Governor has a tabernacle as dry as it's my crew from Megabucks will be named after him in Jackson Parish? been, the red returning from the Louisiana Outdoor 3. What actor, born in Delhi, Louisiana, bugs are Expo in Lafayette at the Cajun dome, and given up for adoption at birth, everywhere. As where I’m sure we got a lot of people went on to star in the movies, Giant and The Sons of Katie Elder, and was hunters, we fired up about duck hunting with us. Angie Dickinson’s co-start in the always have a Thank the Lord I am a duck guide in TV series Police Woman? lot of chores to Morehouse Parish. 4. Who was a pioneer of Jazz? do. I think we 5. Who was the first southern governor to create a human relations commission? 6. What famous Deist, who also believed in reincarnation, was Franklin Parish named after? 7. Who penned the Pulitzer Prize winning novel based on the career of Huey P. Long? 8. What was Vidalia’s original name? 9. Why does Louisiana have the longest constitution? 10. What LA Governor once said, “When I took the oath of office, I didn’t take any vows of poverty”? Answers on next page 23
Getting stung in the summer heat is no fun and it's dangerous.
ouisiana Remember When . . .
Louisiana Road Trips
–8–
www.laroadtrips.com
Louisiana: 200 Years of Statehood Premiering Monday, August 13th on LPB As part of the statewide celebration of the 200th anniversary of Louisiana joining the Union (April 30, 1812), LPB will premiere its new documentary Louisiana: 200 Years of Statehood on Monday, August 13 at 7pm on LPB and Tuesday, August 14 at 9pm on WLAE-TV32 in New Orleans. Narrated by New Orleans native and Grammy/Emmywinner Harry Connick, Jr., the documentary highlights major events during the last two centuries including massive floods, devastating hurricanes, the Civil War, unique cuisine, and the creation of Jazz. Louisiana has always had a rich military history starting with the Battle of New Orleans on January 8, 1815. Other important military contributions from Louisiana included the state hosting the largest war games in American history to prepare troops for World War II and Andrew Higgins creating boats used in D-Day and other major amphibious assaults. Louisiana also has a long list of charismatic and sometimes controversial political figures like former Governors Huey and Earl Long and Edwin Edwards. From the creation of Jazz to Cajun, Zydeco, blues, New Orleans Rhythm and Blues and country music, the musical diversity in the state is reflective of a culture that has produced such music legends as Louis Armstrong and Fats Domino. Louisiana has also been fertile ground for world-renowned writers like playwrights Tennessee Williams and Robert Harling and authors like Anne Rice, Ernest Gaines, James Lee Burke, Kate Chopin and Pulitzer Prize-winner Shirley Anne Grau. The documentary was produced by LPB’s Tika Laudun and Al Godoy, who led the team that
Louisiana Road Trips
created the duPont Columbia Award-winning six-part series Louisiana: A History. Major funding for the documentary was provided by the Louisiana Bicentennial Commission, the Louisiana Office of Culture Recreation and Tourism, The Reilly Family Foundation, Entergy Louisiana and the Louisiana Propane Dealers. Additional funding was provided by ExxonMobil-Baton Rouge and the Foundation for Excellence in Louisiana Public Broadcasting, The Louisiana Bicentennial Commission, the Propane Dealers and LUBA are underwriting the 18 Louisiana Now and Then Bicentennial minutes hosted by Faith Ford and currently airing on LPB.
–9–
www.laroadtrips.com
“Show & Shine” Car & Bike Show The Vintage Car Club of Minden proudly announces its 2012 Car and Bike Show to be held Saturday, September 8th in Downtown Minden from 11am – 2pm. The event, cosponsored by Minden Main Street, features the Monroe Drag Team and has the largest trophy presentation in the Ark-La-Tex region. FREE registration is now open to all car and bike owners interested in participating. Car classes include antique, sports and muscle cars, Corvettes, Mustangs, Mopar Class, imports and domestics, trucks, jeeps, street rods, rat rods. Motorcycle classes have been expanded to include custom, full, mild, and manufactured. Participants are urged to preregister before Aug 31st deadline to go into a drawing for $100 prize. Forms are available at Harris Corner in Minden, from any Vintage Car Club member, or can be downloaded at www.vintagemindencars.com. Registration will also be held on-site the day of the show from 7-11am.
A “Swap Meet” will also be part of the show. The committee asks for new, antique and gently used items only (no junk please), especially of interest to car enthusiasts. Early setup (7-9am) is required. Contact Wayne Edwards at 318- 364-6425 or wayneedwards08@bellsouth.net with questions. There will be plenty of food, drinks, and entertainment with a portion of proceeds donated to the American Cancer Society, St. Jude, UCAP, and local youth programs. The Vintage Car Club of Minden is a family oriented, not-forprofit organization that participates in area parades and car shows. The club awards scholarships to deserving high school seniors in Minden,
Louisiana Road Trips
– 10 –
sponsors a Dixie Youth baseball team, and a Minden City League basketball team as well as provides assistance to needy families during the holiday season. For more information or to receive a registration form, contact Larry Gipson (318377-0907), Tina Douglas (318-377-3411), Cynthia Hawkins (318-371-2551), or visit www.vintagemindencars.com.
www.laroadtrips.com
RECIPES
by Stacy Thornton
August is here and this month hosts many fun filled events. Did you know that August is..... Admit You Are Happy Month (we all have so much to be happy for), Family Fun Month (the biggest summer vacation month), National Catfish Month, National Golf Month, Peach Month, National Sandwich Month, National Eye Exam Month (kids need eye exams before school starts), and National Romance Awareness Month (I celebrate 28 years with my hubby). Oh, August 3rd is National Watermelon Day. So get out and celebrate with food, family, and fun – and stay cool!
Watermelon Walnut Summer Salad Caution...this salad can become an addiction! 1 cup walnut pieces 1/4 cup sugar 1 teaspoon soy sauce 2 cups basalmic vinegar 1 cup sugar 1 sprig fresh rosemary 4 ounces fresh baby greens 2 cups sliced strawberries 4 cups seedless watermelon cubes 1 cup crumbled blue cheese 2 cups seedless grapes, halved 2 seedless oranges, peeled and sectioned Heat walnuts in a seasoned wok or heavy non-stick sauté pan over medium for a minute and stir in sugar and soy sauce. Adjust heat to prevent burning while constantly stirring until the sugar melts. Continue to stir and cook until the mixture is sticky. Spread nuts over a sheet of waxed or parchment paper and cool. Break apart into small pieces and crumble. Set aside. Heat the vinegar in a heavy non-corrosive saucepan over medium heat and stir in sugar. Continue to stir and adjust heat to bring the mixture to a simmer. Add the rosemary sprig to the pan. Simmer until reduced by 1/2 its original volume. Set aside. Divide the greens among 6 or 8 salad plates and arrange fruit on top. Drizzle syrup over the fruit and top with cheese crumbles and candied walnut pieces.
BOOK REVIEW
I'll Fly Away By Barbara Sharik
How would you like to be able to just fly away? V (as in Victorious) Jeffers, gave that prospect some thought. In her always active and forever cheerful mind, she saw an idea forming. It involved a monarch butterfly she named Meri Monarcha and a very unhappy caterpillar named Wormy Willy. It turns out Meri Monarcha used to be Wormy Willene. When Wormy Willy learned all about God, he too turned into a beautiful monarch butterfly and was given the name Michael Monarcha. I'll Fly Away, a children's Christian book, takes young readers on an adventure with Meri Monarcha and her little friend Willy. However, it also tells a beautiful story about the changes and joy that come into a person's life when they accept there is more to life than "being a worm and feeling sorry" for themselves. The author said, "Read with your heart as God speaks to your heart." Even the youngest child can understand the inspiring message within, the promise that "when our life is over here on earth and God is ready to meet us face to face, we will fly away!" Beautifully and simply written, I'll Fly Away (Psalm 90:10), was penned by a Wilmot, AR native who now makes her home in Portland, AR with her husband Carl. When God allowed her and her husband to see the migration of over 200,000 monarchs where they live, the idea for a book was born. Stephanie McDaniel, the pastor’s daughter where the Jeffers attends church, makes her debut as illustrator of I'll Fly Away. Louisiana Road Trips
Texas Peach Cobbler ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter 1 cup all purpose flour 1 Tbsp. baking powder 3 cups sliced peaches with skin
1 cup granulated sugar 1 teaspoon cinnamon ¾ cup milk (low- or non-fat is fine) ½ cup firmly packed brown sugar
Preheat oven to 350°F. Melt butter over medium-high heat until it bubbles and turns golden brown. Pour into an 8-inch baking dish. In a medium bowl, stir sugar, flour, baking powder, cinnamon and milk. Pour the batter on top of the melted butter but don’t stir. Without mixing, arrange peaches evenly on top of the batter and with sprinkle brown sugar. Bake 40 to 45 minutes, until golden brown. The batter will migrate from the bottom to partially cover the peach slices.
Baked Catfish Filets Vegetable oil cooking spray 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese or grated extra sharp Cheddar cheese 1/2 cup plain, dry breadcrumbs 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder Dash white pepper 1/3 cup fresh lemon juice 2 tablespoons olive oil ½ tsp paprika 4 U.S. Farm-Raised Catfish fillets (5 ounces each) Homemade Tartar Sauce: 1 cup light mayonnaise, 1 teaspoon Dijon style mustard, 1 tablespoon finely chopped parsley, 1 tablespoon chopped drained sweet pickle or capers (optional), 1 tablespoon chopped green olives (optional), 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice, salt and pepper to taste Position oven rack on the bottom shelf and preheat oven to 400 degrees. Spray and coat baking sheet with cooking spray. In a shallow dish, combine cheese, bread crumbs, garlic powder and pepper. In another dish, whisk together lemon juice and olive oil. Roll nuggets in lemon juice, then roll in cheese mixture. Dust with paprika and spray lightly with cooking spray and place on baking sheet. Bake 12 to 15 minutes. Reduce heat to 350 degrees and bake for another 8-10 minutes until crust is golden and fish flakes easily.
The Reuben – One of my favorite sandwiches 8 slices rye bread 1/2 tablespoon butter 4 teaspoons coarse-grain prepared mustard 1 pound corned beef, thinly sliced 8 ounces sauerkraut, drained 1/2 pound Swiss cheese, thinly sliced 1/2 cup Russian Dressing Spread a teaspoon of mustard on each of 4 slices of rye bread. Layer each bread slice with 1/4 pound corned beef, 2 ounces Swiss cheese, and 2 ounces sauerkraut. Spread two tablespoons of Russian Dressing on the remaining 4 slices and top sandwich. To toast sandwiches, melt butter in a large nonstick skillet. When butter begins to sizzle, place sandwiches in the pan and toast until golden brown, 3 to 5 minutes. Turn sandwiches over and toast other side. Serve immediately. Russian Dressing: 1 cup mayonnaise, ¼ cup chili or cocktail sauce or ketchup, 1 tbsp drained horseradish, 1 tsp minced onion. In glass bowl, combine all ingredients and chill.
Published by Wahoo Publishing LLC, more than 118,000 books are currently in print with books already with 30 foreign mission groups. Under Operation Christmas Child, the Franklin Graham Ministry (son of Billy Graham), will place books in Christmas gift-filled shoeboxes and send worldwide. Wahoo publishes books and resources promoting Christian service, discipleship, missions and evangelism. When ordered in bulk, I'll Fly Away can be purchased for $1 per book (wahoopublishing.com). Look for a coloring book next year and possibly an animated DVD.
– 11 –
www.laroadtrips.com
Kahlua to Casa Del Rio Riverhouse By Carolyn Files
The lavender fields Dana and I visited in July’s article waved goodbye in the rearview mirror as we headed on to Fredericksburg. Of course, there were stops to be made along the way. Pedernales Falls State Park provided good walking trails down to the Pedernales River with the best of both worlds – dry, sandy leading to rapids
smoothing down a rocky river bed. Dana recalled riding the
rapids here before ‘precautions’ were put in place in the name of safety (call it liability). An early stop in Johnson City gave us time for a bite to eat and a ride around town. We weren’t looking at sights, we were looking for Kahlua. We found it in a liqueur store/dry cleaning establishment. I’m sure there’s a good reason for THAT combination. On our way out of town the next morning, a chrome bull on the side of the road caught Dana’s eye. We U-turned to follow clues that led us to the Benini Sculpture Ranch and Museum. An artist friend had recommended this place and it was well worth bumping down dirt roads to get there. Benini and wife Lauraine bought 200 plus acres that had once belonged to LBJ during his White House years. A building said to have housed LBJ’s helicopter when he flew in is now a museum that houses works by
Louisiana Road Trips
Benini and other artists. Some of Benini’s early paintings hint of Georgia O’Keefe; later paintings radiate neon colors making you want to reach inside them to see what captures your attention. Driving through classic Texas Hill Country to experience wind activated sculptures or gymnasts balanced/welded on one another isn’t what I initially had in mind in planning this trip, but I liked it! We stopped for peaches at a roadside stand on the way to Fredericksburg, then at Messina Hof Winery, where we learned there are more than 30 wineries throughout the Hill Country, most offering tours. Messina Hof Winery has cottages/B&B available to fully experience the Mediterranean-like area that is so conducive to growing grapes. This winery has the most awarded Texas wines in national/international competitions. Of course, we added bottles of wine to our partially empty bottle of Kahlua. Dana assured me that Fredericksburg was Sunday friendly towards tourists; she was right. We found good German food and a Husky named Sam at The Auslander Bier Garten and Restaurant. Sam and his owner had hiked the Enchanted Rock
– 12 –
www.laroadtrips.com
area, the second largest granite outcropping in the U.S. before coming to lunch. Mid-afternoon found us pulling into Casa del Rio Riverhouse in Hunt. What a way to end a trip – a balcony overlooking the Guadalupe River as it splashed over and around roots and rocks, hummingbirds feeding nearby, and a glass of wine. Dana and I wandered down to a quiet pool, took off our shoes and cooled our toes for going into Kerrville for a Mexican meal with our hostess. Casa del Rio Riverhouse can be ‘Googled’ and arrangements made to stay there. We recommend it. From earthquakes to the Guadalupe’s hummingbirds, we had a great road trip!
Year Round Fun in Fredericksburg, Texas By Mona L. Hayden Just an hour northwest of exciting San Antonio sits the historic town of Fredericksburg, one of the most popular tourist sites in Texas and possibly in the United States. Settled by German immigrants in 1846 and at times still referred to as Fritztown, this small town of less than 11,000 residents has a vision for the future while retaining the charm of its illustrious past. But a mere century and a half hasn’t changed much as the German culture lives on in traditions, customs, and well-preserved architecture. Downtown, the historic district boasts over 700 historically significant structures, many built with native limestone, and include the infamous Sunday Houses. These small unique structures were originally constructed as the weekend/holiday homes of early farmers and ranchers who traveled to town on Saturdays to restock supplies and stayed over for church services and socializing on Sunday. With more than 350 events held each year (that averages almost one per day!), Fredericksburg is host to 1.2 million annual visitors who come for the entertainment, festivals, vineyards, galleries, restaurants and shopping, and stay for the hospitality and charm. Throw in two state parks and one national historic park, the only national military museum representing the war in the Pacific, fun car shows, flea markets and trade days, rodeos, and a wildlife management area to the mix and you’ll understand why people flock to this area year round. Just fifteen miles north of town is Enchanted Rock State Natural Area, a 1643-acre park that encompasses a geographical landmark with one of the largest granite domes on the continent. Situated in the Texas hill country, Fredericksburg presents an ideal environment for growing peaches and is recognized as the Peach Capital of Texas. This region is also ideal for cultivating grapes, making it home to nine award-winning wineries. Texas has fast become a connoisseur’s destination for vino as the market is rapidly expanding. With most wineries open daily for tours and tastings, don’t pass one up on your next road trip to the Lone Star State. You won’t go hungry either in Fredericksburg with over 70 restaurants and bakeries catering to an array of tastes with homemade German and Bavarian delicacies as well as Texas, Mexican and Italian dishes. Of course, you’ll find typical downtown treats like fudge, ice cream, and a variety of drinks (I recommend the Java Ranch for an iced coffee and a snack) but don’t fill up and miss a culinary experience at one of the many high rated restaurants in town. Several events to make travel plans around include Oktoberfest, the
Fredericksburg Food & Wine Fest, the Crawfish Festival, the Gillespie County Fair, the Pioneer Museum Complex with history demonstrations, Night In Old Fredericksburg and St. Nikolausmarkt. See the Texas Trail Riders retrace the dusty path of early German settlers, dance halls, horse racing, arts and crafts fairs, homes tours, and more. In addition, there’s excellent hunting and hiking for those that prefer a more adventurous outing. Shoppers will be elated with 150+
unique shops downtown filled with antiques, clothing and jewelry, home décor, and more. Be sure to come out to the monthly Trade Days and Peddler events, too. Options for overnight stays include historic BnBs, guesthouses, RV parks and campgrounds, and hotels/motels. To request a vacation guide or plan your next trip to Fredericksburg, call 888-997-3600 or visit www.VisitFredericksburgTX.com.
Horticulturists and gardeners alike will appreciate a visit to Wildseed Farms (wildseedfarms.com or 800-848-0078), just 7 miles east of Fredericksburg on Hwy 290, the largest working wildflower farm in the U.S. Founded in 1983 by John R. Thomas, the 200 acre farm now welcomes over 350,000 customers each year who shop for seeds, plants, and gardening accessories. Many enjoy walking the blooming trails (March – October) or visiting the Butterfly Haus exhibit with native butterflies flitting about. Some simply come to purchase wildflower seeds suitable for any area of the country as well as roses, herbs, natives, ornamentals, trees, cacti, shrubs, and pottery. Stop in the Market Center to shop for garden themed gifts, clothing and accessories or relax and enjoy a beverage from the Brewbonnet Biergarten on the covered patio surrounded by foliage and blossoms or meander over to the trial gardens and peruse at your leisure. Wildseed Farms is open every day from 9:30am to 5pm with many scheduled activities. Visit their award-winning catalog online or request one mailed to you to select from over 90 varieties of wildflowers, grasses, herbs and exotic garden variety seeds. Both are very informative and include a selection of specialty foods, gifts and birdhouse that are sold at the Fredericksburg location. Whether you’re an experienced horticulturist or a novice gardener, you’re sure to enjoy some educational and recreational time spent here. Fredericksburg Herb Farm (Fredericksburgherbfarm.com or 830-997-8615) will also heighten your senses with formal gardens, a plant nursery, and a retail shop filled with herbal products prepared on site. Enjoy lunch or a weekend dinner at Farm Hans Bistro, the beautiful tea room located in a historic rock house at the farm where fresh produce and herbs are incorporated in every meal. Take a quiet stroll through the gardens, sit by the flowing stream, or pamper yourself with a massage and mani-pedi at Nature’s Spa next door to the restaurant. A full-service spa, services include reflexology, wraps, and facials for men and women. They’re also prepared to host groups so don’t hesitate scheduling several friends for a day of pure luxury. Fine dining, beautiful gardens, shopping, a day spa – could it get any better? Actually, it does with the Sunday Haus cottages that allow you to extend your visit for a night or longer. This unique style of bed and breakfast is a throwback to the early German settlers but with high-speed internet and all the comforts of home without leaving the property. Relish the beauty and serenity of Fredericksburg Herb Farm on your next visit to Texas.
Louisiana Road Trips
– 13 –
www.laroadtrips.com
GOING NATIVE
By Larry Brock
More Natural Gardening Once again we’ve been plagued by summer drought (in spite of the mid-July monsoon.) As our State Climatologist recently remarked, we've been drought-stricken off-n-on since probably 1999. Gosh, that’s going on thirteen years! And summer conditions have been more extreme too. Record-breaking heat waves, freak storms, wildfires, the MS River drying up. On July 2nd, the river was fiftytwo feet below the peak 2011 flood level. Without a rise, the Lake Providence Port may be silted shut at harvest! A theme of this column has been the benefit of native plants. They’ve have been around for thousands of years and have a “home court” advantage when dealing with climate conditions. I’ve also recommended native plants as a means of welcoming wildlife back to the homescape. It’s a package deal that I call Natural Gardening. I touched on that last month and I’d like to continue this month. Here are some examples of native plants having wildlife potential. Oaks and Pecans feed jays, squirrels and deer. Tulip Poplar trees are host to tiger swallowtails, their nectar nourishes hummingbirds, their seeds supply songbirds and small mammals. Black Cherry trees are host to several species of Lepidoptera including tiger swallowtails. Racemes of
spring flowers are followed by small black berries that attract a variety of songbirds. Birds eat the catkins and seeds of River Birch. It is also a host for the tiger swallowtail. Deer and other browsers graze on the twigs and foliage. Sassafras berries are consumed by many birds. Deer seek out saplings for velvet rubs and eat leaves and twigs. It’s also a host plant for the spicebush swallowtail. Holly (Ilex deciduas) berries are eaten by small mammals and songbirds. Deer also eat the fruit and forage on the leaves and twigs. Elderberry shrubs provide cover for birds and small mammals, their showy floral sprays feed flying insects, and a variety of birds dine on the drupes – cardinals, grackles, mockers, robins and thrashers, for example. In May and June, clusters of white flowers on Rough-leaf Dogwood draw numerous butterflies and bees. White fruits that mature in August and September draw scores of birds, making it one of the most valuable trees in the native landscape. A small brushy tree, it provides cover for birds and small mammals. But beware for it can spread and take over small spaces. For spring migrating Hummingbirds, Red Buckeye trees begin blooming in February and continue into April. By then, the annual reseeding Larkspur (a non-native) has blossomed and will continue into June. And by then, the annual re-seeding Red Salvia (Salvia coccinea) has begun blooming and will continue until frost. Finally, Coral Honeysuckle vines flower almost year-round. These four
Every landscape already has a foundation of assorted plant life to build on.
plants are the foundation of my hummingbird garden, supplemented with dozens of salvias, sages, perennials and annuals. In nature, Baltimore Orioles eat insects such as beetles, crickets, grasshoppers, moths, flies and caterpillars. They also eat spiders, snails and other invertebrates. In addition, they feast on fruit, berries, blossoms plus they drink nectar. Without feeders, they are attracted to my yard with a favorable habitat of large trees for nests, scores of blooming plants and berried bushes that create a habitat harboring a variety of insects plus water for their daily baths. These are but a few examples of how plant selections can influence the wildlife population in your backyard. There are countless other trees, shrubs, vines, perennials and annuals from which to choose. On the Summer Solstice, for example, there were 64 plants blooming in my yard and 31 plants with green fruit/berries. The goal is a diversity of plants and habitat that will attract a variety of wildlife. While it’s no record, I can spot 20 songbird species in my yard during an average summer week. Then there’re the various butterflies, dragonflies, amphibians, lizards, spiders and etc. in a naturalized yard. Every landscape already has a foundation of assorted plant life to build on. Do your research and fill in the gaps for the wildlife you want. Nature will do the rest. Restore Louisiana by Going Native! A life-long resident of Lake Providence, Larry Brock was inspired by his grandfather’s passion for gardening and his own desire to recover the horticultural uniqueness of this region. Larry is drawn to the relationships between plants, birds, insects and soil and can be found puttering outdoors in his yard most any time, weather permitting.
Saving Matilda
By Su Stella Three shrill cries fill the air before the falcon circles Matilda, the giant Red Oak that canopies our house with her long leafy branches, and lands high atop her limbs to feed the fluffy falcon chick. The house next to us is a rental with another old oversized oak tree that actually dwarfs ours, the only difference is that tree is completely dead. This sad skeleton is literally crumbling, with limbs dropping daily. Partial cause of its death is due to last year’s drought but the main culprit has been fungus. My Matilda looks pretty healthy but about 6 months ago she dropped a limb. I didn’t think much about it at the time but two weeks ago another limb came crashing down
on a windless calm night. That concerned me so I called “All About Trees” (318-415-0199) to come out and take a look at Matilda since they offer a free tree care consultation. The next day Bill Ledger came over to investigate. Luckily, we had cut but not discarded the broken limb so he could examine the branch. Our tree is so tall that it would be impossible for him to diagnose it from the ground. It seems our Matilda is also a victim of Hypoxylon Canker fungus. Throughout the Ark-La-Tex area many of the oaks that have fallen in the past few years have died because of this and the added stress from extreme heat and drought. Hypoxylon used to be a death sentence but due to a relatively new medicine that is injected into the trunk, large oaks like Matilda can be saved. Over the next few years
Louisiana Road Trips
– 14 –
we are going to see a majority of oaks dying unless they get treated. If you have any oaks and notice falling limbs or anything unusual, you may want to have them examined as well. I highly recommend “All About Trees” for their fast, professional service. They are also the only ISA Certified Arborist in the area and because of their expertise they do travel throughout Louisiana and into Texas on a regular basis. Also if you have any interest in trees and tree care their website at www.AboutMyTrees.com. It’s a treasure of information about care and prevention. Please share this information with others and Friend “All About Trees” on Facebook. Saving our grand old trees is just the right thing to do!
www.laroadtrips.com
Hit the Road
New Orleans Buzz
The entrepreneurial spirit is soaring with new hotels and restaurants By Deborah Burst
Seafood Gumbo and Double Chocolate Bread Pudding. Besides a festive meal, our server, Ike, was pure entertainment as we followed his acting career in Treme and upcoming movies. While sauntering down Bourbon Street, slip into Le Bayou restaurant known for its New Orleans bayou cuisine. In addition to fried seafood, the menu finds its roots in authentic, local favorites such as Shrimp & Grits Napoleon with fried green tomatoes topped with grits, shrimp and a Cajun cream sauce. If you can’t make up your mind, try their Taste of the Bayou with jambalaya, crawfish etouffee, red beans along with chicken and Andouille sausage gumbo. The Monteleone Hotel just celebrated the opening of their newly renovated Carousel Bar and their new restaurant Criollo (Spanish for Creole). In a nod to the many cultures of New Orleans, Criollo spins a menu filled with European influences accented with flavors of the Caribbean and African heritage. And for those who enjoy the spinning carousel, fear not, it’s still there. But the dungeon-like piano room and its high-back booths have been replaced with a brighter, larger room wrapped in views of Dauphine Street and filled with sofas, coffee tables, and a second The Super Bowl committee is looking for 8,000 people to join their (stationary) bar. volunteer group. For more info, http://www.neworleans-superbowl.com A small stage Hyatt French Quarter, www.frenchquarter.hyatt.com, 504-586-0800 offers local Hyatt Regency New Orleans, www.neworleans.hyatt.com 504-561-1234 entertainment Red Fish Grill, www.redfishgrill.com, 504-598-1200 including Lena Le Bayou Restaurant, www.lebayourestaurant.com, 504-525-4755 Prima, Monteleone Hotel, http://hotelmonteleone.com, 504-523-3341 daughter of Cowbells, www.cowbell-nola.com, 504-298-8689, (closed Sunday & Monday) Louis Prima. It's a whole The Astor Crowne Plaza hotel on the Corner of Canal and Bourbon is new attitude offering a summer sizzler rate of $89 per room for single or double along Poydras occupancy. Call 888-696-4806 and ask for the Summer Sizzler rate. Street and www.astorneworleans.com Loyola Avenue. In Metairie, a new Panera Bread location at 4848 Veterans Memorial A sassy row of Blvd. is working with the Second Harvest Food Bank of Greater New pub style Orleans and Acadiana in fund raising efforts. restaurants join
From hotdog and hamburger joints to refurbished high rises and historic hotels, New Orleans is moving full speed ahead in what Time Magazine has labeled, “a hub for incubating new businesses.” The city’s economic engine is reeved up with Drew Brees driving the Saints to a winning season and Super Bowl XVII riding into town. I recently spent a weekend in New Orleans and found some refreshing changes. The Hyatt French Quarter hotel on the corner of Iberville and Dauphine just finished an $18 million historic renovation. Walking distance to Bourbon, Canal, and Royal Streets, choose from balcony rooms on Bourbon or facing a quiet interior courtyard. Local artwork flows through the hallways and lobby bringing the soul of the south indoors with bayou cypress scenes. A more contemporary décor welcomes guests to posh beds and spacious rooms. Their artisan bar, the Batch, is set with warm wood tones and top-shelf rums and bourbons served from large-batch barrels. Besides the delightful ambiance, windows are positioned perfectly showcasing iron-laced balconies along Iberville. Saddle up to the bar and chat with Chuck, a veteran bartender who can sling together a Sweet Tea Spritzer or pour you the smoothest bourbon this side of Kentucky. Adjacent to the hotel is a popular Ralph Brennan restaurant. The Red Fish Grill is known for its BBQ Oysters, Alligator Sausage,
Louisiana Road Trips
– 15 –
Champions Square in a tailgating bonanza sure to fuel a Saint's winning season. Next to the newly crowned Mercedes-Benz Superdome, the Hyatt Regency has been renovated top to bottom featuring an eclectic design with John Besh's latest restaurant, Borgne, hosted by the incomparable Brian Landry of Galatoire's fame.
The lobby says it all, like a scene from Hollywood, the marble floors and grand staircase set the mood for some serious TLC. Everything here is grand, even the coffee, you could get lost getting a Latte at Starbucks in its hefty 2,000 square foot space. And in January, just in time for the Super Bowl, a new streetcar line will roll past the Hyatt on Loyola Avenue from the Union Passenger Terminal to Canal Street. Plans are already in motion for new businesses along the rails. On your way out, stop at Cowbell where Oak Street meets River Road. In what used to be an old gas station, Cowbell herds in foodies with a passion for honest food. Wait for your table outside sipping your favorite beverage, adult or otherwise, among picnic tables and Christmas lights. It’s a small place, but worth the wait for their Shrimp Quesadilla, and their famous hamburgers topped with the usual and not so usual. Live life vicariously and top that all-beef burger with apple wood smoked bacon and farm egg. Get out the hankie and start second lining the streets of New Orleans gearing up for a new season of good times. And keep those fingers crossed that our home team will have home field advantage for the big dance. A New Orleans native now living in the piney woods of Mandeville, Deb frequently visits her hometown for a po-boy fix.
www.laroadtrips.com
BEDS & BEIGNETS
By Mary White
A Bit o’ Southern Comfort If you’ve ever been up close to a vintage bottle of New Orleans-born Southern Comfort (for a look or taste), you may have noticed a quaint, antebellum home on the label. Yes, it’s an illustration but no, it’s not a fictional place. The home pictured on the bottle is Woodland Plantation Inn (www.BnBFinder.com/WoodlandPlantation) located in West Pointe a la Hache on the west bank of the Mississippi River. It had a starring role on the label for 75 years (the spirit brand changed the label two years ago), but the inn’s history goes even further back. William Johnson, one of first chief river pilots in the U.S., and his partner, George Bradish, were sea captains and pirates who made their way to the region from Nova Scotia in the late 1700s. In 1793, they built Magnolia Plantation, a magnificent home four miles to the south of where Woodland Plantation Inn sits today. Their respective families both resided at Magnolia for more than 40 years before Johnson sold off his shares and began construction of Woodland, which also happened to be the site of several two-story brick slave quarters. Johnson had been partnering with Jean Lafitte, a well-known pirate at the time, on the slave trade along the mighty Mississippi and housed the slaves there. Woodland would eventually fall into the hands of Johnson’s third son, Bradish. After his death in 1897, it was purchased by the Wilkinson family who owned it until 1997. Already in deep disrepair, Woodland ended up on the public auction block where the Creppels—Jacques, Claire and Foster—came upon the historic home. They purchased it and, over the next year, oversaw a complete renovation. In 1998, the Creppels moved a former Catholic church named Spirits Hall from a neighboring town to the area at Woodland where the former slave quarters stood to be the dining and reception room. According to the Creppels, the church had a “healing effect” on the property. “There were horrendous things that took place in those slave quarters,” said Foster. “We took a church that was built for healing and redemption and placed it on that spot.” Woodland Plantation Inn and Spirits Hall officially opened to the public in 1999. Situated on 50 acres of woodland and natural beauty, Woodland Plantation’s Big House offers nine rooms with private baths and antique furnishings while Little House and Magnolia Store each have three rooms. Guests can take a leisurely stroll along the river levee before relaxing with a good book on the wide veranda. Breakfast is served up every morning in Spirits Hall as are Creole- and Cajun-style lunch and dinners. Mary White is the author of “Running a Bed & Breakfast For Dummies” and an avid B&B goer. She has stayed at bed and breakfasts all over the world and particularly loves the inns of Louisiana. In 1998, Mary founded BnBFinder.com, a top on-line bed and breakfast directory that lists thousands of B&Bs, inns, and boutique hotels worldwide.
Louisiana Road Trips
– 16 –
www.laroadtrips.com
Calendar of Events
August
August 4
_______________
White Linen Night New Orleans – 504-210-0224
August 3-4
_____________
_____________
Deep South Rodeo Winnsboro – 318-435-3781
August 2-5
Krewe of Oak’s Mid-Summer Mardi Gras Parade New Orleans – 504-866-9359
Empire South Pass Tarpon Rodeo Empire – 504-657-5116
August 11
Cajun Music Festival Mamou – 337-468-3272
August 2-4
August 25
August 9-11
______________
Dirty Linen Night New Orleans – 504-309-1423
Hot Air Balloon Championship Baton Rouge – 225-933-2027 Satchmo SummerFest New Orleans – 504-522-5730
Reggae Festival Carencro – 800-346-9158
August 31 – Sept 1
August 15-18 Shrimp Festival and Blessing of the Fleet Delcambre – 337-685-6105
_____________
2012
Cane River Zydeco Festival Natchitoches – 800-259-1714
August 16-17
Cajun Crossroads Festival Mansfield – 800-453-3230
“Le Cajun” CFMA Festival & Awards Lafayette – 337-344-2494
August 31-Sept 2
August 23-26
Shrimp and Petroleum Festival Morgan City – 985-385-0703
Duck Festival Gueydon – 337-898-6600
ALL THINGS SOUTHERN
By Shellie Tomlinson
Bubba in Training Hello folks! The summer is flying by. I hope you’re enjoying it on your end. I sure am. By the way, it’s good to see you taking a break with Louisiana Road Trips. Smart move if you ask me. Smarts, not everyone has ‘em, a fact that’s becoming increasingly obvious. Have a seat, and let's chat...~smile~ Y’all really should see Bubba. The boy’s in training. He goes around wearing those tight compression shorts and drinking orange Gatorade by the gallon. Bubba warned me ‘bout poking fun of his new sport over the air ‘cause there are some passionate players out there. I don’t want to make fun of the game, but I’m not making any promises about a particular contestant. It all started in Las Vegas. Bubba had made a run out there in his eighteen-wheeler when he
All Things Southern “Bringing you the charm and heritage of the South…” ph 318-559-0319 • cell 319-282-2508 tomtom@allthingssouthern.com
stumbled across the annual Rock Paper Scissors Tournament. I didn’t realize the game we played to settle disputes as kids had become an adult sport, but Bubba says it’s big time and ESPN was there filming. Bubba found the tournament accidentally. Someone at the gas station invited him to a throw down, and well, y’all know Bubba, he thought he was gonna see a good brawl. Bubba was disappointed at first, but he got into it. I, however, had to laugh when he told me about the heavy favorite wearing a red silk boxing gown, a la Rocky Balboa. Bubba said referees counted down the throws and paramedics stood nearby in case of “wrist or shoulder dislocations.” I’m picturing their managers: “Throw the paper, boy. He can’t handle your paper!” The kicker for Bubba came when a male nurse from Texas won it all and pulled in $50,000 bo-dollars. Bubba’s been throwing down ever since, with anyone and everyone. Back during the school year the elementary school principal had to ban
Louisiana Road Trips
– 17 –
him from the schoolyard. The big cheater was over there paddin’ his stats. Unfazed, he attempted to sell the Lumber Yard on sponsoring him, said he’d wear their t-shirt with a logo, “For all your rock, paper, and scissors needs.” They’re still in negotiations but Bubba’s moving forward. He’s formed the Redneck Rock, Paper, Scissors League and he asked me to invite y’all to join him at the boat-landing twice a week to practice your throws. That’s RPS lingo and Bubba’s all in it, so if you go, be prepared—the boy’s in the zone. Your best bet is to double dog dare him to open with a rock. Y'all have a great time on the porch today, friends, and drop me a note when you're done. Until next time... ~Hugs, Shellie
www.laroadtrips.com
A LIFE OF TRIAL…AND ERROR
By Dennis Stewart
A Leap of Faith and the Search is Over Nearly two decades ago, a shy, beautiful young woman worked for me in my law office for a brief period of time. I thought she was wonderful, but I knew she was unattainable. You see, I had been divorced a couple or more times, and I was a lot older than her. But, I could still dream. Over the next twenty years, I focused on my legal career. I shifted my law practice to areas that I enjoyed, including preparing real estate abstracts for other attorneys, and writing appeal briefs. The part of practicing law that I hated most was returning phone calls, so I tried to avoid the necessity of doing that altogether. I did some criminal defense, including taking cases very few attorneys wanted, such as death penalty cases. I found that kind of work strangely rewarding. I viewed myself as something of an Atticus Finch, from the movie “To Kill a Mockingbird”, defending those who had very little hope, and almost no access to telephones. I also focused on my twin passions, hunting and writing (mostly writing about hunting). I went after bears, pronghorn antelope, mule deer, whitetail deer, wild turkeys, and prairie dogs in Wyoming, Idaho, and Colorado. I scraped up enough money to buy a small parcel of woods in Richland Parish where I could hunt whitetails and wood ducks before work every day if I wanted. I was happy but it was kind of an empty, artificial happiness. The kind you get from taking Zoloft. I gave up all hope of ever finding my soul mate. I came to believe I just wasn’t meant to be married. I came to believe that no woman that I loved would want to take a chance on me, with my divorce record. A lot of my hopelessness probably came from my job, working as a Hearing Officer, dealing with unhappy, angry, divorcing couples, every day of the work week. It’s kind of easy to let yourself become cynical, when you see the miserable consequences of love on a daily basis. However, that shy, beautiful young woman stayed in my mind. We had a mutual friend who would keep me posted from time to time about her life. Still, she was unattainable.
We both got older and we both changed. Then a miracle happened. She very recently came back into my life, thanks to Facebook. I worked up the courage to ask her out. At the end of that first date, I knew I was going to ask her to marry me. She has definitely changed; she is no longer quiet and shy, that’s for sure. She loves to talk, and I love the sound of her voice, for I could listen to her read the telephone book for hours. But she is even more beautiful than I remembered, and she is the kindest person I have ever known. I knew when I asked her to marry me that I was asking her to take a big
every now and then”. Maybe it’s simply, “There is a God and he loves you.” All I know for sure is I am happier than I’ve ever been. Dennis Stewart grew up in northeast Louisiana, graduated from La Tech and LSU Law School. After having taught law at ULM and working as an Assistant District Attorney, Dennis is now a Hearing Officer in Rayville. He loves to hunt, fish, read, write, and shop on eBay.
I came to believe I just wasn’t meant to be married.
chance. While I’ve learned a lot about relationships and what it takes to have a good marriage over the two decades since my last divorce, I am still a huge risk. I needn’t have worried. She was willing to make a leap of faith, said yes, and we were married on July 6. I’m still not sure what the moral of this story is. Maybe it’s, “Good things come to those who wait”. Or maybe, “Even a blind boar finds an acorn
Louisiana Road Trips
– 18 –
www.laroadtrips.com
Mail Order Homes of the 20th Century By Lee Estes
Several years ago while visiting in the Washington D. C. area, I found myself in the small town of Hopewell, VA where a local citizen brought my attention to the fact that Hopewell probably had the largest collection of homes ordered from Sears, Roebuck and Co. anywhere in the United States. Further exploration revealed some entire residential blocks filled with Sears houses. A little research reveals that Sears was the largest provider of homes for the American public from 1908 until 1940. They offered more than 400 different home designs over the years ranging in size from three rooms up to ten. This is a picture of a house in Monroeʼs Garden District which has And the features of a Sears house. prices, by today's standards, were ridiculously low. A prospective home owner would browse the catalog, make a selection, and place their order. Shortly after, and with great anticipation, the buyer would go to the nearest rail station when his house would arrive completely pre-cut with every piece included. Then all he had to do was follow instructions and erect his new house. Cost of these mail order homes ranged from $199 to around six or seven thousand, and everything was included, even paint and finishing material. There was nothing else to buy. Sears supplied their homes in three grades with the Honor-Bilt line being the finest featuring, all clear grade lumber. Sears had a Louisiana connection with their own sawmill at Mansfield.
Sears had competitors, mainly Aladdin Homes in Bay City, Michigan who claimed to be the original manufacturer of kit supplied homes in their literature. However, I know this was not the case and offer an example of a Louisiana home built from a kit a century earlier. Myrtle Grove, near Waterproof, LA was a pre-cut home manufactured in Louisville, KY and shipped down the Sears homes in Hopewell, VA Ohio and Mississippi Rivers to Waterproof in 1810. For anyone interested, there is ample material for research on the internet. Just do a search on Sears Homes and it will give you a list of sources. Those from Sears Archives seem to provide the best with illustrations and floor plans and history. Also, I have reason to believe there may be several examples in Louisiana you readers may know about. If so, I would like to hear about them. You can email me at cleestes@comcast.net. Lee Estes, a Kentucky native, migrated to Louisiana in 1956 with his wife, Lottie. He worked in aviation then with A&LM Railway. He began making photographs in Europe after WWII and ranked among the leading monochrome exhibition photographers in the U.S. during the 80’s. His extensive travels included leading tours across the globe. Lee has authored three photo/documentary books and is currently involved with the documentation of The Dixie Overland Highway (US80) in Louisiana, funded by a grant from the Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities
‘‘The Dukes of Hazzard’’ Family Reunion & Car Show The Louisiana version of the “The Dukes of Hazzard” family reunion will take place Saturday, September 29, 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. at Henderson Auctions on Hwy 190 west of Livingston. Scott Innes, the voice of cartoon characters Scooby Doo & Shaggy and former top-rated Baton Rouge radio show host, along with singer-songwriter Jim Hogg of the Jim Hogg Advertising Group, and attorney Sherman Mack will bring this fun-filled exciting day to LA. Stars on hand for the reunion include John Schneider (Bo Duke), Catherine Bach (Daisy Duke), James Best (Sheriff Roscoe P. Coltrane), Sonny Shroyer (Deputy Enos Strate), Ben Jones (Cooter Davenport), Rick Hurst (Deputy Cletus Hogg), and Roscoe’s famous Bassett hound “Flash”. The Dukes of Hazzard TV show still runs in hot rotation on CMT-TV. Similar events titled “Dukes Fest” and
Louisiana Road Trips
– 19 –
“Hazzard Homecoming” in Nashville generate crowds of around 100,000 Duke fans each year. “We feel it is high time to bring such a fun event to Louisiana!” said Hogg (who says you can just call him “Boss” Hogg.) The day’s events are free to the public and include a “Daisy Dukes” shorts contest, over 60 vendor booths, live bands, a jambalaya cook-off and a huge car show. A number of 1969 Dodge Chargers decked out like the world famous “General Lee” will be on hand for fans to take pictures with. All makes and models of cars and motorcycles are welcome at the car show. Contact Homer Thornton at Hommyt@gmail.com or 225-7733370 for car show details. Fans from all over the country are already planning a road trip to Livingston Parish see their TV heroes. The Facebook fan site is growing every day and is a great place for up-to-the-minute information. (“Like” them at Dukes of Hazzard Family Reunion & Car Show in Livingston Parish.) This is a rain-or-shine event. For more info, contact Scott Innes at scottinnes1015@hotmail.com or Jim Hogg at jimhogggroup@cox.net.
www.laroadtrips.com
Family Vacation By Robert Lemoine
There we were, just sitting around days before our vacation would actually start, with no set plans. We decided to Google vacation ideas and there it was – Houston, Texas. My wife found City Passes that allow you to select five area attractions for one low price, at 50% off the standard prices, so it only cost $40 per adult and $30 per child. Add that to a few nights in a hotel, packed lunches, and about fifty gallons of gas and you’ve got a very affordable vacation. We chose to visit the Houston Zoo, the Museum of Natural Science (FREE admission on Tuesdays), The Children’s Museum, The Downtown Aquarium, and NASA. We also wanted to see the Health Museum.
The zoo was awesome with a dinosaur exhibit featuring life-size animated replicas complete with movement, roars, and even a spray mist for fighting off threats. We saw elephants, birds, reptiles, and got to feed the giraffes. The zoo itself was worth the eight hour trip. We spent five or six hours there and still didn’t see everything. The next day we went to the Museum of Natural Science and the Downtown Aquarium. The museum was featuring dinosaurs, even a piece of dinosaur skin to touch. We also saw a room showcasing a variety of royal jewelry gifted to kings and queens in centuries past. There was a Western exhibit dedicated to Indians, gem collections, a real mummy from Egypt, and other fantastic displays. Here’s a tip: If you don’t know Houston, get a map! We circled the Aquarium on the interstate and highways and side streets before we finally reached it, by the mercy of God. The kids loved petting sharks and rays and really enjoyed the free water area outside. On our final day, we started at the Children’s Museum, a kid’s dream come true. Everything was hands on from pulleys to water projects to a kid-sized town operated by children. There was even an obstacle course spanning no less than three stories. From there, we drove thirty or forty minutes to NASA. We
started with the tram ride into restricted areas where we were all photographed and sent through a metal detector before we got on the trolley to where the astronauts train. Back in the museum area was a space shuttle complete with space suits. There were demonstrations to test your fear level (I failed most of them). We experienced being inside the space station in the rock museum and actually got to touch some moon rocks. This was definitely one of our best vacations. We left on faith that we would be safe and have a nice vacation. Thank God for His angels because we seemed to meet them along the way. We had an amazing time and believe it or not, this was one of the cheapest and most exciting trips we could have taken. Just goes to show you that you don’t have to spend a lot of money to have fun. May God bless you in all that you do in His name. Remember, the fastest way up is to kneel down. A lifelong resident of Union Parish, Robert Lemoine is a Christian small business owner. He and his wife, Summer, oversee www.foreverandalwaysonline.com and also sell Christian merchandise at flea markets and fesitvals in north Louisiana and surrounding states. Robert's writings are most inspirational, Christian, and patriotic with occasional reflections on lessons learned. He can be reached at writing@foreverandalwaysonline.com.
Legal Lagniappe Question: I own several rental houses but am a pretty new landlord. My last tenant left the keys in my mailbox at the end of the lease. The house was a disaster with pet hair everywhere (despite a no-pet clause in the lease), cigarette burns on the carpet, and a distinct smell of pet urine. The carpet is ruined and walls stained by cigarette smoke. I still have his security deposit. What are my legal rights? Answer: It’s good that you formed a written lease and retained a security deposit. However, no matter how frustrated you are, you must comply with state law regarding this. These laws are found in R. S. 9:3251 online at http://www.legis.state.la.us/lss/toc.htm; however, the online version may not always be the most updated one. You have 30 days from the end of the lease to assess and quantify damages from misuse and send to your tenant a list of damages deducted as well as unreasonable wear, along with the net balance of the
deposit. Charges for normal wear and tear cannot be deducted. Hopefully, you conducted a Property Inspection Report with a walk through showing the premises are not in the same condition he found it. Without a no-smoking clause in the lease, the wall stains would likely be considered normal wear and tear. Interior paint has limited longevity so it would not be unreasonable to repaint or wash the walls with each new tenant. You can certainly deduct for the cigarette burns in the carpet, but not for the expense of new wall-to-wall Berber if you previously had polyester shag. A common calculation method is to determine the life of carpet and charge for the useful life that has been eliminated. For example, let’s say two years ago you installed carpet with a reasonable useful life of ten years for $800. The tenant’s damage would have reduced the carpet’s useful life by 8 years, or $640 (8 X $80). Your tenant is also responsible for
Louisiana Road Trips
– 20 –
covering any damages caused by the pet. Deduct fairly, but completely, from the security deposit including extra cleaning charges (including air ducts) and/or treatment for fleas. Place this detailed information in a letter to the client within 30 days along with a check for the remaining balance of the security deposit, if any. If the entire security deposit does not cover the entire cost of damages, the difference will not likely be an amount worth pursuing in court, although that is a possibility depending on the language in the lease. DISCLAIMER: This article is intended for educational use only. It does not constitute legal advice. If you have specific questions or concerns about any of the issues discussed herein, please seek the advice of legal counsel. Amy Johnson Sumner is an associate with the law firm of Escamilla, Poneck & Cruz (EPC) in Monroe. A graduate of Tulane Law School, Amy also teaches for the Tulane Freeman School of Business, training future business leaders to conduct business both legally and ethically.
www.laroadtrips.com
Louisiana in the Civil War
August 1862: The Battle of Baton Rouge By Terry L. Jones While New Orleans suffered under the rule of “Beast” Butler in August 1862, Baton Rouge experienced the full fury of war. The U.S. Navy captured the city a few days after New Orleans was occupied, and the state government fled to Opelousas. When Confederate guerrillas hid in some buildings and fired on Union sailors rowing ashore to get their laundry done, fleet commander David Farragut bombarded Baton Rouge. General Thomas Williams then landed 2,600 Union soldiers and occupied the city. Sarah Morgan, a young Baton Rouge resident, joined other civilians in fleeing town when the shells began to fall. Afterward, she described the mass exodus in her diary. “It was a heartrending scene. Women searching for their babies along the road, where they had been lost, others sitting in the dust crying and wringing their hands, for by this time, we had not an idea but what Baton Rouge was either in ashes, or being plundered, and we had saved nothing.” One person was killed in Farragut’s bombardment and several others wounded. Many buildings were destroyed, and the State Capitol and St. Joseph’s Catholic Church were among those that were damaged. In August 1862, the Confederates tried to recapture Baton Rouge. General John C. Breckinridge (a former U.S. vice-president and the 1860 Southern Democratic presidential nominee) took a small Confederate army from Camp Moore to attack the city from the east. At the same time, the Confederate gunboat Arkansas was to steam down the Mississippi
River and attack the Union ships in the river. If day US 190 highway bridge at Baton Rouge. Sarah Morgan witnessed the burning of all went well, the Yankees would be trapped the Arkansas and wrote in her diary, “I had no and crushed. words or tears; I The Confederates attacked could only look on the foggy morning of August 5 at our sole hope and began pushing the enemy burning, going, back toward the river. But the and pray Arkansas never arrived because its silently. O it was engines malfunctioned on the way so sad! Think it to the battle. The Union soldiers was our sole finally made a defensive stand dependence! close to the And we five modern-day girls looked at Capitol building, her as the and, with the help The Battle of Baton Rouge (Harperʼs Weekly) smoke rolled of three gunboats in the river, forced Breckinridge over her, watched the flames burst from her decks, and the shells as they exploded one by to retreat. The Battle of Baton Rouge was one beneath the water, coming up in jets of steam. And we watched until down the road small by Civil War standards, we saw crowds of men toiling along towards but it was a victory for the Union. The Confederates lost 467 men killed, wounded, or us. Then we knew they were those who had escaped [the Arkansas], and the girls sent up a captured, while the Yankees suffered 382 shriek of pity. On they came, dirty, half casualties. Among the latter was General dressed, some with only their guns, a few with Williams, who was killed in the fighting. Two bundles and knapsacks on their backs, grimy of the first Confederates to fall were Lt. A. H. and tired, but still laughing.” Todd and Brig. Gen. Benjamin Hardin Helm, Approximately one-third of Baton Rouge Mrs. Abraham Lincoln’s half-brother and was destroyed in the battle because the brother-in-law, respectively. As the Yankees burned or knocked down nearly all Confederates approached Baton Rouge before the houses and buildings close to the river to daylight two units mistakenly fired on one give their gunboats a clear field of fire. But the another. Todd, who served as General Helm’s city’s troubles were not over. On August 21, aide, was shot and killed, and Helm suffered a the Union soldiers left the city but not before crushed leg when his horse reared and fell on going on a looting and burning spree that him. destroyed more of the town. The Yankees When the Arkansas’ crew was unable to returned in December, burned down the restart the ship’s engines, they decided to destroy the vessel rather than allow the enemy Capitol building, and remained in the area for the rest of the war. to capture it. The men set the ship afire, left it adrift in the river, and scrambled ashore. When Dr. Terry L. Jones is a professor of history at the the fire reached the powder magazine, the University of Louisiana at Monroe and has published six ironclad exploded and sank near the modernbooks on the American Civil War.
We had not an idea but what Baton Rouge was either in ashes, or being plundered, and we had saved nothing.
Recently, we were featured in the July Issue of Louisiana Road Trips in an article called Essence of New Orleans by Mary White, founder and President of BnBFinder.com, an online directory with thousands of top-line bed and breakfasts from all over the world. A big thank you to Mary White and her team who picked our business for a spotlight in this great magazine. If you are a fan of Louisiana food, music and culture … LRT is a great source of information for your next trip to Cajun Country…Some real insiders tips! ~ John Crew, Marigny Manor House B&B, New Orleans
K C BA K TAL
I wanted you to know that your wonderful article [contributor Deb Burst, July 2012] from Louisiana Road Trips has been posted on Louisiana Road Trips
Brennan's website: www.brennansneworleans.com. Thanks again for the wonderful article with the nice photograph of you and Chef Lazone. You have always been a good friend of Brennan's. We are grateful for you continued coverage. ~ Bonnie W., New Orleans Gonzales Food Market is so proud they were mentioned in your article… much appreciated [Earthquakes to Lavender, by Carolyn Files, July 2012]. ~ Barbara H., Gonzales, TX I agree…. about the lovely publication of Louisiana Road Trips. If you are not getting a copy, you are missing out on a real treat. You can only appreciate this fine paper if you get one and see what the journalists have to write about. It's great…it’s about our wonderful state. Find an issue [or read it online at www.laroadtrips.com] and see what you have been missing. ~ Pat B., Fort Necessity
– 21 –
www.laroadtrips.com
Mrs. Caroline Frost McDonald Walters Bronson Chevalier Burgess Gardner White Luigi Hatfield Willis Paschal McManus:
The Woman Who Married Twelve Times
By Lora Peppers An article appeared in the November 7, 1931 Niagara Falls Gazette with the headline Woman Eleven Times Married Gives Advice to Young Girls Contemplating Matrimony. The article was an interview with Mrs. Caroline Paschal of LaSalle Parish who had recently divorced her eleventh husband. Mrs. Paschal had an interesting view on men: “I have been married 11 times – but three of these husbands were worthy of the name man, and that is about the average you will find of all males – three out of 11. Why, one of my husbands was worth a whole cowpen full of the others!” Caroline was born January 1, 1873 in Jackson Parish to James William, Sr. and Caroline Mott Frost. Her first marriage was at the age of fourteen to Duff McDonald. They moved to Tullos, LA and raised a large family of nine children. Fourteen years after their marriage he died. Caroline said of him, “He was a good man and a hard worker.”
A few years after Duff’s death, Caroline married Lee Walters. Caroline claimed he was from New York but was a whisky drinker. He got in trouble and disappeared. Charley Bronson from Connecticut was her next husband. He was a road master for the Railroad. They bought 240 acres of land to build a farm. They had 10 years together before Charley was killed coupling cars. Caroline said of Charley, “My heart was broken, and home has never been the same since – nor will it ever be.” Jack Burgess was a blacksmith at the local sawmill. He had a stroke and was very ill. By this time, Caroline had paid off the mortgage on the farm and was an independent woman. Caroline bought him a ticket to see his family in Canada and he never returned. Her next four husbands were divorced in quick order. Pomp Chevallier was number five. He “took French Leave” a few weeks after they were married. John Gardner was a soldier of fortune. She divorced him due to infidelity. Charley White was also divorce due to infidelity. George Luigi, a “gypsy Serbian” was next in
Sweet Travels “American as Apple Pie” August is American Adventures Month, a great opportunity to pack up your car and take a road trip! Apple pie is a delicious dessert that is ingrained in our American culture. “American as apple pie” is a phrase intended to give us that feel-good, wholesome sentiment. A good way to cut back on extraneous costs when traveling is to make and take your own food for the road. Instead of a pie, make Apple Pie Cookies, perfect bite-sized snacks that are delicious & great for traveling. Complements of The Sugared Violet. ~Enjoy~
Apple Pie Cookies Makes: 4 dozen 1 cup sugar 1 teaspoon vanilla 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour ½ teaspoon baking powder ¼ teaspoon nutmeg 2 ½ cups dried apples 1 ½ cups pecan pieces, toasted
In a medium microwave-safe bowl, place apple pieces and raisins. Douse with amaretto & whiskey, cover and microwave for 30-60 seconds until most of the liquid has been absorbed. Stir into batter along with toasted pecans. Shape into tablespoon-sized balls and flatten slightly on a cookie sheet. Bake for 10-14 minutes until very lightly brown at the edges.
Sweet Travels TIP: Pack your Apple Pie Cookies in a WRAP-NMAT, a unique re-usable food container that opens flat and also serves as a placemat. They are easy to open with a hook/loop tab, are available in many prints and sizes and are MADE IN THE USA! Check them out at www.wrap-n-mat.com From the kitchen of ……..sending good wishes your way in all your travels!
Preheat oven to 350°F. In a food processor, chop apples into small pieces. Cream together butter and sugars in a large bowl. Add vanilla and eggs. In a medium bowl, mix together flour, oatmeal, baking Louisiana Road Trips
Lora Peppers, a Monroe native, grew up in Bastrop and graduated from ULM. Her love of history dates back to childhood when one of her favorite activities was visiting local cemeteries to examine headstones. She also loves to travel, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park being her favorite place on Earth. Her job as a genealogist and historian has given her the opportunity to lead many lectures and author several books. She can be reached by e-mail at loradpeppers@hotmail.com.
powder, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt, add to wet ingredients. Stir well.
By Donna McManus
2 sticks unsalted butter, room temp 1 cup packed brown sugar 2 eggs 3 cups oatmeal ¾ teaspoon cinnamon ¾ teaspoon salt 1 cups golden raisins ¼ cup amaretto or whiskey
line. After their marriage, he became lazy and loved the bright lights of the city. She divorced him too. H. Hatfield was the next man in her life. “Mighty Nice Man” Caroline said of him. He was also a hard worker. Mr. Hatfield passed away. J.W. Willis of Texas was next in line. He was a nice dresser, but was after her money. Divorced. Mr. Lewis C. Paschal, “Must have been born tired for he never worked.” Another Soldier of Fortune. Divorced. Even after eleven husbands, Caroline was still optimistic about love. I still have confidence in man and if one comes along whom I can trust and is willing to tote his end of the load, I will venture the dozenth time. Three out of 11 or nearly one in four is about the average of worth-while men.” She did find her “dozenth” man, named McManus. She died peacefully February 27, 1937 at the age of 63 and is buried in the New Union Cemetery, Tullos, LA under the McManus name.
View all the epicurean delights The Sugared Violet has to offer for any occasion on Facebook. Call to place an order @ 318-768-2216 Email: tsv71227@gmail.com
– 22 –
www.laroadtrips.com
MY FAVORITE FISHING HOLE
By Pro Angler, Joe Joslin
The Rewards of Wacky Worming WACKY a durable line. It costs three times I like to fish a wacky around WORMING, a as much as regular mono but my submerged grass. I cast my wacky rig beginning anglers experience is that it last two or usually in depths from 6-16' and let it dream pattern and a three times as long, making it settle to the bottom. It’s very common tournament angler's difficult to go back to for the bass to hit the bait 'on the fall' friend. In my monofilament line. so be careful when taking up slack. opinion, there is no more productive My most recent double digit To fish a wacky, you need to be a line technique for any bass was caught on 10 lb watcher. If you feel a slight tap, lift angler. My records test Berkley Trilene 100% the rod carefully and watch your line. show that we Fluorocarbon spooled on A lot of the time you will see the line catch hundreds of an Abu Garcia Revo STX moving, while other times it will just bass on wacky reel with 6.4 :1 ratio and a feel tight with a slight movement. rigs each year and 6' 10" medium heavy When working the worm, I once registered action Abu Garcia Veritas Alicia Lange, 10 year lift the rod slightly to keep the old, with a 10.5 lb over 2,000. rod. For all anglers, a worm close to the grass or other Toledo Bend bass I used this method to introduce my wife proper knot is vital! I mostly use a caught on a wacky rig structure. If you get a bite but this spring. to bass angling and she has become an avid Palomar knot and always with slowly lower you rod, take up slack angler. My largest bass ever (a Toledo 11 wacky worming. It’s easy to tie and has the and set your hook with a "pull" instead of a pounds 8 oz) came with a wacky worm on best strength. Send me (my address is on my hard jerk. Since your hook is exposed, the light tackle and this method also produces a website) a self addressed, STAMPED envelope hook set is much easier than a TX and C.R. lot of action from all sizes of bass. It is not and I’ll send you a Berkley knot card with an Get as much slack out of your line as possible uncommon in the spring and fall to catch 30easy-to-follow diagram of how to tie a beforehand. 40 bass a day with wacky rigs. Palomar. Sometimes when wacky worming, a In my fishing career I have been An improper knot will lose some nice bass will get the hook down deep in the fortunate to catch nine bass over 10 pounds fish. The way I rig a wacky is to take a 2/0 or throat. I developed a technique where I turn and five were caught on a wacky worm. 3/0 Daiichi Round Bend worm hook and tie a the bass on its back in my left hand/arm and There is no doubt I am sold on it, any time of palomar knot. My favorite wacky plastics take the trigger finger on my right hand, find the year. include Berkley Gulp! Sinking Minnow, the bend of the hook and push in the hook As far as line, for the past 18 months I Berkley Havoc Bottom Hopper, Berkley Wacky firmly with trigger finger while at the same have used 8-10 lb test Berkley Fluorocarbon Crawler , 5 inch Senko and a Trick Worm. time use thumb to push in the bottom (tie when wacky rigging with great success, I hook the worm near or in the egg sack area). Most of the time, it will pop out. Use especially this spring. It’s basically (middle of the worm) and leave the hook needle nose pliers ONLY as a last resort. Also, transparent in the water, a huge plus since I completely exposed. I use no weight in the when you unhook a bass, ease it back in the fish the southern portions of Toledo Bend Sinking Minnow or Senko but insert a 1 inch water instead of tossing it. We can all do a and Sam Rayburn most of the time. Other paneling nail into the nose of the other better job in taking care of our fishery. awesome characteristics are its sensitivity to plastics. I have also started to use a clever, new Hopefully, this will interest you if you have detect light weight for wacky and other weightless worms never tried Wacky. For a 'hands on' trip (with strikes, called a Hookangel. Check it out at water) give me a shout. Until then, God Bless low Hookangel.com. Also, since fluorocarbon sinks and spend lots of time with friends and stretch it helps the worm to sink and makes a huge family.....some of it on the water! 1. 18th to difference. Using spinning tackle wacky Joe Joslin is a syndicated outdoor columnist, 2. Jimmie Davis help rigging gives my arms a break and also throws tournament angler and pro guide on Toledo and 3. Earl Holliman, born in Delhi, Sept. 11, 1928 with the bait easier. However, since the smooth Sam Rayburn. Contact him at 337-463-3848, 4. Louis Armstrong joejoslinoutdoors@yahoo.com, or hookthrowing Abu Garcia Revos have come on the 5. John J. McKeithen www.joejoslinoutdoors.com. sets plus scene, I now find myself using one for wacky 6. Benjamin fishing a lot more often. Franklin 7. Robert Penn Warren 8. Post of Concordia 9. Because it includes tax rates, public official salaries, a map of paved highways, etc. and must be amended as these details ecome dated. 10. Richard W. Leche
It is not uncommon in the spring and fall to catch 30-40 bass a day with wacky rigs.
ouisiana Answers …
Louisiana Road Trips
– 23 –
www.laroadtrips.com