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Talkin’ It Up! "In June, as many as a dozen species may burst their buds on a single day. No man can heed all of these anniversaries; no man can ignore all of them." - Aldo Leopold It’s a known fact that the only constant in life is change... and of course, Louisiana festivals. This month celebrates peaches, daylilies, seafood, including one festival dedicated solely to crabs, and a lot more! With those long, hot, lazy days of summer just on the horizon, dress for comfort and hit the streets for a sweltering good time with your friends and family as you enjoy toe-tapping music and festival food while browsing vendor booths and carnival rides. It’s a great way to spend a summer day. Speaking of change, sometimes there’s nothing quite as exhilarating as traveling down an unknown path in life, kind of like a road trip to an unfamiliar area. For me, it’s been my most recent passion learning to play the piano. After four months of lessons, I just had my very first recital and while it was a new experience for me, it’s one I will always cherish. Life is indeed good so open your eyes and your heart and let it in. And let’s keep in touch.
ROAD TRIPS "Celebrating country living and city happenings!"
june
contents
BUSINESS REVIEW 10
HUMOR
Building a Brighter Future by Deborah Burst
DELTA OUTDOORS 5
4
A Life of Trial…and Error by Dennis Stewart Thank You, Road Trips
7
All Things Southern by Shellie Tomlinson Odorless Excess
Going Native by Larry Brock Cycle of Nature
14
11
My Favorite Fishing Hole by Joe Joslin Big Events Return
INSPIRATIONAL
15
In the Crosshairs by Sonny Harrington Firearms – What’s it Worth
17
There’s Nothing Like a Louisiana Man by Johnny Wink
FESTIVALS & ENTERTAINMENT 3 13
Daylily Festival & Garden Show Peaches, Peaches & More Peaches!
9
3 5 7 14 16 18
Talkin’ It Up! Louisiana Lagniappe – Remember When Legal Lagniappe Backtalk June Calendar Louisiana Lagniappe Answers
Recipes by Stacy Thornton
ROAD TRIPS
Military Comedy – Absurd Remedy for Fear and Boredom! by Lee Estes
Mona
MONTHLY TIDBITS
18
Some Things Never Change by Lora Peppers
17-18
Unspoken Words by Robert Lemoine
RECIPES
HISTORICAL 8
16
Runnin’ the Roads by Barbara Sharik Men and Women – There is a Difference
Louisiana in the Civil War: June 1862: Braxton Bragg by Terry L. Jones
6 12
Hello Summer! by Su Stella
13
Beds & Beignets by Mary White A Tree Grows in Saint Martinville
Mona L. Hayden, Editor monalh@bellsouth.net (318) 547-1221
Travel Adventure by Dianne Newcomer FREE…What a Beautiful Word!
Daylily Festival & Garden Show On June 2nd from 8:30am – 3pm, the rich heritage of the daylily culture in Vermilion Parish will serve as a backdrop for the Daylily Festival and Garden Show in downtown Abbeville. All aspects of gardening are included in this celebration under the shade of century old oaks. Sale booths will include
daylilies, hibiscus, rare and unusual plants, garden supplies, tools, patio items, birdhouses, food booths and the LSU Ag Center Education Booth with area Master Gardeners. Magdalen Square is once again the setting for gardening enthusiasts to browse the 70+
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booths or listen to the educational speakers in the Abbeville Cultural and Historical Alliance Center and Art Gallery talking about various gardening topics. For more information, contact Abbeville Main Street at 337-898-4110, LSU Ag Center at 337-898-4335, or Vermilion Chamber at 337-893-2491.
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A LIFE OF TRIAL…AND ERROR
PUBLISHER LRT Publications
Thank You, Road Trips
______________________
EDITORIAL DIRECTOR
By Dennis Stewart
Last month I was invited to speak to the Winnsboro Rotary Club about my column in LRT. Preparing for the speech made me appreciate how much it has meant to me to be a part of the Road Trip family. As I told the Rotary Club audience, I discovered Louisiana Road Trips more than 5 years ago. I had recently been on a pronghorn antelope hunt in Wyoming where I nearly frozen to death in a $17 WalMart sleeping bag in a tent in two feet of Wyoming snow. I drafted the story about that hunt and emailed it to Mona for her consideration. She published it in the very next issue, then published at least one of my inane articles in every issue since then. Mona is a great editor and labors every month to make sure my articles don’t get me in (much) trouble. You see, my articles serve three purposes. First, I want to entertain you. Second, I want to challenge pre-conceived ways of thinking in north Louisiana. And my third purpose is to vent my anger and frustrations and to seek revenge on all my enemies. One of my favorite articles is about Nellie Jackson, the famed madam who ran a brothel in Natchez for generations. I visited Miss Nellie’s on a few occasions in my mis-spent youth, but all I ever bought there were a couple of beers and some Tshirts. One Sunday shortly before Miss Nellie was killed, my wife-at-the-time and I went there, and Miss Nellie personally autographed one of those T-Shirts for me. It is one of my most prized possessions. Another favorite article of mine was about how much I missed my father, who had suffered a stroke in his mid 50's, which is younger than I am now. Although he lived for another 20 years, he was a different person from who I knew before the stroke. I wrote about his time in the Navy during World War II, how he introduced me to hunting, and how much I admired his ability to cope with life’s tragedies, an ability I did not inherit. That article was titled “Unspoken Conversations” and I can’t even think about it without getting emotional. My most fun articles to write are those describing my hunts out West. During the
past 5 years, I have been fortunate enough to hunt bears, antelope, deer and turkeys in Wyoming, Idaho, and Colorado. One article featured a Wyoming bear hunt where I met a 75 year old hunter from New Jersey named Bob, who had ballooned across Africa, climbed Mount Kilimanjaro, shot two African elephants, several lions, and 17 bears. Bob had even hunted bears in Canada with nothing but a spear. He had also lived in a nudist colony. Bob is my hero. He inspires me to accomplish more, including getting in better physical shape so folks in a nudist camp would not have to look at a chubby Baptist. Every so often, I am invited to get together with several other members of the Road Trip family. At these informal dinners, my fellow contributor Johnny Wink keeps us laughing with his tales from the duck blind. At first I thought Johnny just liked to talk all the time, but then I realized that all those years of hearing shotgun blasts in the blind have rendered him almost deaf. He has to keep talking to cover up the fact he can’t hear anybody else talk. But that is a good thing, as I never get tired of hearing him tell stories. If you see him, ask him about last summer in Jamaica. Mona is more than an Editor, she has been a good friend to me. Sometimes when penning my column, I choose a topic based on current events in my life, with its share of ups and downs, and when I’m down, Mona is always there to help me weather the storm. I could probably publish a book with the draft columns I have sent her that were way too personal or too provocative to be published. As I say, Mona has her hands full keeping me out of trouble. Yes, it’s good to be a duck guide in Jones, Louisiana, and it’s even better to be a contributor to Louisiana Road Trips.
Mona L. Hayden
monalh@bellsouth.net (318) 547-1221
OUR GUARDIAN ANGEL Debbie Hamilton Pope June 14, 1952-August 24, 2008 Louisiana Road Trips magazine is published monthly to promote, inform, and entertain the residents of Louisiana. It is distributed FREE; however, home delivery is available. This magazine will reach approximately 61,000 individuals. Submission of articles and photos are always welcome but may be limited to availability of space and edited for content. Copyright 2012 with all rights reserved. Reproduction of any material appearing within this publication is prohibited without written permission of the Publishers. The opinions expressed in Louisiana Road Trips magazine are those of the authors or columnists and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, nor do they constitute an endorsement of products or services herein. “Louisiana Road Trips” magazine retains the right to refuse any advertisement.
ROAD TRIPS P. O. Box 2452 West Monroe, LA 71294 (318) 547-1221
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EDITOR’S NOTE: I’ll get to work on that book of unedited articles now, maybe title it Trial and Convictions. It’s guaranteed to be a best seller! Lol 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.
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GOING NATIVE
By Larry Brock
Cycle of Nature From April’s green bosom into May and blossom’d medallions decorate the green The cycle of foliage of rough-leaf dogwood. Though nature continues to June; spiderworts in the morning, larkspur at ramblers, these plants can be used in the rotate and modulate noon. And four o’clocks in the afternoon. But home landscape if you have space. If not, put with each turn of the grandest of all of course is the southern them in large pots layered with bark mulch seasons. Growth, magnolia, Louisiana’s state flower, with its on bottom, a blend of potting mix and soil in decay, rebirth. From huge fragrant 12” blossoms. Mayhaw fruits the middle, and mulch on top. In addition to the winter solstice in December through the and black cherry drupes ripen in May’s hot these native plants, crepe myrtles, March equinox to the summer solstice in afternoon sun. Mystery and hope, exuberance hydrangeas, mimosas, cannas, daylilies plus a June. “What is one to say about June,” Gertrude and joy! “No price is set on the lavish summer,” multitude of bedding plants grace the midJekyll wrote, “the time of perfect young summer, James Russell Lowell wrote, “June may be had summer garden with their floral eloquence. the fulfillment of the promise of the earlier months, by the poorest comer.” Watching the panicles of oak-leaf and with as yet no sign to remind one that its Flowers are more than just a colorful hydrangea in May, I was struck at how long fresh young beauty will ever abstraction. They are part of an interlocking their bloom season lasted. Other fade.” system of plants and animals that coexist in plants with long-lasting panicles The hardy glads and the local environment. Landscaping with include buckeye, fringe tree, chaste amaryllises of April gave nature as a guide produces a biologically tree and penstemon. Some plants way to the larger crinums diverse and sustainable ecosystem. And it have tiny blossoms with persistent of May. Common names begins with plants. The more varied the bracts such as flowering dogwoods. include milk-and-wine plants, the more diverse the wildlife that uses Other plants have tiny blossoms lily or twelve-apostles lily. those plants for food, shelter and homes. grouped in large clusters like They are commonly Habitat is just as important as commercial elderberry, swamp dogwood and lantana. found in cemeteries, abandoned homesites feeders and houses. Just remember to include Still others have showy rays with extended and country gardens. These Southern water. bloom seasons surrounding a dome-shaped heirlooms have been favored passalongs for Mockingbird wakes the dawn. Robin center of tiny disc flowers such as sunflowers generations, if you can dig the bulbs which stalks the sunlit lawn. As day unfolds, or asters, bidens, black-eyed-susans, blanket reach enormous proportions. They’re so blackbird, bluebird and wren look for feed flowers, coneflowers, coreopsis, cosmos, tough that one wit brags no crinum has ever while redbird, sparrow and dove hunt for purple coneflowers and tickseed. Add a few been known to die! roses and no summer day need pass without seed. Hummingbird drinks nectar, bee With summer the southern landscape its own bouquet! gathers pollen. Green anole patrols the fence, relaxes into a rich profusion of colorful saluting atop each post. Toad and frog stir in blossoms. Even with mowing, the leaf litter. Woodpecker hammers for colonies of roadside wildflowers beetles. Squirrel digs for nuts. In the flourish. Showy primrose pink, afternoon, oriole and thrasher splash in the spiderwort blue, and basin. Nesting dove and hidden cuckoo call coneflower gold. White from the wood. Swallowtail, sulphur and 1. Which LSU Professor wrote the Pulitzer Prize winning biography of skipper visit the bloom. Dragonfly hovers Huey Long? over meadow. Fox trots along an evening 2. What is Grambling State University fencerow. Owl calls from the slough. As night known for other than athletics? falls, firefly blinks under starry skies. 3. What is the highest point in American poet Henry Wadsworth Louisiana? Longfellow wrote of summer, “Filled was the air 4. What license plate motto with a dreamy and magical light; and the landscape was replaced by “World’s lay as if new created with all the freshness of Fair” in Louisiana? 5. Who was known as childhood.” So in closing I offer this the “Flying Tiger”? encouragement. Take time to reconnect 6. What is the African name for okra? with your environment. Begin by 7. Which LA Governor used the slogan, “Won’t you Going Native! please hep me?” A life-long resident of Lake Providence, 8. How many days are in an average Larry Brock was inspired by his growing season for LA? grandfather’s passion for gardening and 9. When was the Louisiana Purchase? his own desire to recover the horticultural 10. What LA Governor was given a sports uniqueness of this region. Larry is drawn to the relationships between plants, jacket with sleeves that tied in the back?
Add a few roses and no summer day need pass without its own bouquet!
ouisiana Remember When . . .
birds, insects and soil and can be found puttering outdoors in his yard most any time, weather permitting.
Answers on next page 18
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Hello Summer! By Su Stella
Is it just me or did they forget to include winter this year in Louisiana? Mind you I l moved out of Boston in the middle of January in the 1990’s because of harsh conditions. My parting memory is standing in my Dad’s driveway half frozen with a heavy shovel full of snow, looking at the mountains of frozen grey water and having no idea where to toss this shovel full! The piles were so high that you had to have someone guide you out of the driveway for safety’s sake. New England had so much snow that winter that dump trucks had to deposit truck loads into the sea because there was no where to put it. My Dad said, “You are moving south?” Yes, seriously… I guess as time goes by I have mellowed more into the middle of avoiding extremes. For example, that inferno last summer was too much and since we don’t know if we are in for a replay, I’m here to give you some cool advice: enjoy outdoor festivals (LRT reports on lots of them each month). I know that may sound a bit daft but no matter what the weather is, sitting indoors gets boring fast. It also helps grow our local economy by buying from neighbors, artists and musicians and not big box stores, as so many people go to a lot of effort to showcase regional history, cuisine and happenings. So even in the heat, with personal fans, spray bottles, and those cooling neck gizmos, you can
brave a few hours of heat. I know it’s fun to bring your dog to festivals but leave the pups at home, especially the extra furry guys. One stop should be the Shreveport Farmers Market opening June2nd at the Revel Plaza with over 100 vendors selling everything from the usual to wines, arts, salves, plants and more. The market opens at 7am and closes at noon (no pets). There will be music and food. Be ‘green’ and bring reusable totes. An ATM will be available but please bring small bills and change because it’s really hard for small vendors to break only twenties. I know this because I am and will be a vendor. A few years ago when I was working a zillion odd jobs, my friend told me I would love gardening. Then, I barely had enough time to brush my teeth, never mind babysit a bunch of plants. I smiled and thought “fat chance”. Fast forward to today as I’m chasing birds away from my nectarines; the tomatoes will all come in at once so it’s canning time. Our own dehydrated fruits, fresh pesto, wine, and homemade salsas fill our kitchen.
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I’ll be set up at the Shreveport Farmers Market selling cute artistic garden art. My garden is in the third year and I am beginning to really make it fun. I am making mosaic bird baths, wooden veggie signs, colorful stepping stones, edging, bright wooden cut outs of butterflies and so much more. I’ll be taking custom orders, too. For a sneak peek, visit SuStella.com; to place an order email SuStella@live.com.
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ALL THINGS SOUTHERN
By Shellie Tomlinson
Odorless Excess Hello folks, it's nice to see everyone back in the pages of Mona's great magazine. Have a seat and let's chat...~smile~ I'll begin with a word of caution. Y'all may want to have your pets leave the room for this little news break. That said, here's the curious news of the day. The Dutch are now selling dog food designed to produce odorless excess. Odorless. Excess. Developers claim dogs on this diet produce small scent-free pellets their owners can pick up
All Things Southern “Bringing you the charm and heritage of the South…” ph 318-559-0319 • cell 319-282-2508 tomtom@allthingssouthern.com
with a tissue. That's interesting, but here’s the line that could put the fear of God and constipation in your canines: Whereas dogs generally potty three times a day, dogs on this food only go once a week. All I did was read the article to Dixie Belle and she started moaning. Speaking of uncomfortable, if you find this topic unsettling, you’re probably not a Southern Mama, nor were you birthed by one. As I like to say, around here the subject is discussed delicately but often. Medical doctors may not fully comprehend the dangers of irregularity, but our southern mamas have long taught that “a good movement” is critical to one’s overall health. I’m not making fun. Mama’s knowledge came in handy when my kids were little. I relied heavily on her expertise in this area, even when her advice was controversial. Let the pediatricians claim teething babies don’t have diarrhea. Mama scoffed at their innocence because, “anyone with a lick of sense could see the poor thing's stools are loose!" The woman could read her grandkids’
movements like a gypsy reads tea leaves. Her entire body of work was built on color and consistency. Mama knew which foods to add or subtract to adjust said characteristics to her high standards. Which brings me back to that dog food, supposedly 90% of the food is absorbed in the dog’s body and only 10% is…discarded. Based on the formal training I received from my Southern Mama I am here to contend this can’t be good for a body, be it canine or human. Seriously, need I remind you that research always starts with the animals?! In the event you’re still not picking up what I'm putting down, allow me to clarify as delicately as possible. If we encourage this so-called progress, my friends, we might all find ourselves backing up. Y'all take care and come see me. That's allthingssouthern.com! I'll be watching for you. ~Hugs, Shellie
Legal Lagniappe Question: I recently lost my job and now want to start my own business. I have a passion for animals. Knowing I’m out of work, some neighbors have asked me to walk their dogs and I see a demand for a service like this. I have a business plan, but I need help with the legal aspects of getting started. What should I do? Answer: While I am sorry to hear of the loss of your job, I congratulate you on your resilience. Starting a new business can be an exciting, yet time consuming process. In the initial excitement, many new business owners overlook issues that will prevent larger legal problems in the future. You should first decide on the legal structure of your business. Are you considering a sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation or limited liability company? Each has advantages and disadvantages but for a small one person operation, the most likely choice is a sole proprietorship or DBA (“Doing Business As”, or fictitious business name.) As your business grows, you can always change your business structure when other issues become more relevant, such as asset protection, tax flexibility, accounting complexities, brand image, or simply credibility that “Inc.” or “LLC” in your business name might add. Your next step should be contacting the Louisiana Secretary of State (http://www.sos.la.gov). This website provides a wealth of information on how to start a business, including information on
registration, licensing, permit and tax processes. Consider the following broad areas: Choosing a Name/Registration – Choose your business name carefully as names of corporations, LLCs, and even DBAs, must be distinct. You can search name availability for free on the Secretary of State website (http://www.sos.la.gov/tabid/819/Default.as px) or at your respective parish Clerk of Court. Once you have established a name, you must register your business with the Secretary of State (forms available on their website). Even sole proprietorships must be registered with Parish Clerk of Court. Permits and Licensing – Secure the proper federal, state and local licenses and permits. Most LA businesses must obtain an operating license or permit to lawfully conduct business, but requirements vary by business type. For example, restaurant owners are required to have a local food permit. Sellers of taxable goods and services are required to get a Resale License. Home businesses usually need licenses; however, if you do not have customers in your home, a license might not be required. Louisiana has created the First Stop Shop (http://businessguidelouisiana.com/permits.h tml) providing checklists of different agencies to contact depending on business type. With few exceptions, businesses must also apply for an Employer Identification Number, provided instantly for free through the IRS website.
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Taxes and Insurance – The issues of taxation and insurance get complicated. A full discussion of these tax matters goes beyond the scope of what I can respond to here but you can take several steps on your own. Check with the LA Dept of Revenue to determine if you need to collect state sales tax and are required to have a state sales tax ID number (www.rev.state.la.us). You should do the same with your parish Sales Tax office. Finally, consider the liability and insurance implications of your new venture. Your clients will expect you to have insurance to protect themselves and their dog while in your care. To protect your own interests, evaluate policy coverage in all areas, (liability, health, etc.) and you should likely become bonded. As your business grows and you hire additional walkers, you will need to provide worker’s compensation insurance. Consult with an attorney to obtain specific advice on some of these issues, but hopefully this will get you started. Good luck with your new business! 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 their newlyestablished branch office 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.
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Some Things Never Change:
Cemetery Vandalism at the Turn of the Century
By Lora Peppers I found this article in the Saturday, January 26, 1895, Richland Beacon-News. It struck close to home, since I have seen rampant vandalism in Monroe’s Old City Cemetery. Shattered headstones and statues are a sad problem there. This article detailed vandalism in a cemetery in Jackson, MS with little boys using headstones for target practice! GRAVEYARD VANDALS. They Deface Dick Lindsey’s Monument at Jackson, Miss. The following article from the Daily Clarion-Ledger, of Jackson, Miss., of date Jan. 14, has been read by a number of friends of Dick Lindsey in this city, all of whom denounce in unmeasured terms the young vandals referred to: “It becomes the duty of the ClarionLedger to call the attention of the authorities, and the public at large, to the outrages desecration of the tombstones in the city cemetery. Probably half the small boys in Jackson have air guns and Flobert rifles, and a crowd of these young chaps get together and proceed to the cemetery and have a shooting match, using the stones as targets. Some of the handsomest monuments and
tombstones in the cemetery are blackened and spattered all over with bullet marks, the one over Richard Lindsey in particular. Very few have escaped the vandalism of the budding Buffalo Bills. The stones are chipped and battered to an outrageous degree.” Every year since Dick Lindsey, who was killed on Sept. 4, 1874, was buried, his friends in this city of Company E, the old White League, have co-operated with Mr. Lindsey’s relatives in Jackson in beutifying [sic] his grave with flowers. Each year a lovely floral tribute from this city marks the affection and esteem in which Mr. Lindsey’s memory is held. As a consequence, when Mr. Lindsey’s friends in the city read the above article, they were justly wroth. They consulted Gen. Marshall Miller, of this city, late Attorney General of Mississippi, and received from him letters to Mississippi officials, to whom they will write relative to the outrage, and ask that some steps be taken to prevent further depradations [sic] and punish those offenders captured. The cemetery at Jackson is up in the north-western edge of the city and consequently not under the close supervision of the police, hence the depredations of the youthful vandals. The friends of Mr. Lindsey in this city are anxious that steps be taken to bring the offenders to justice and prevent further defacing of the monuments. – Times-Democrat.
This is a small matter compared with the enjoyment and amusement of the young Americans. Those who object to this “innocent” amusement are styled by these young bloods as “old fogies.” An idle brain begets evil” and we have them in every community. It requires all kinds of people to make a world and some parents have to furnish material for criminals. We would have very little need for jails and penitentiaries were it not for idleness and parental indulgence. It may be that some inherit a bad disposition. This can be, to a certain extent, overcome by the proper paternal restraint, but if permitted to run on unrebuked will ultimately end in ruin. It is to be hoped that those fast boys will be punished that others may be deterred from such conduct. When I read the above article, the first thing I thought was, “Some things never change!” I found it quite funny that in modern terms, the newspaper editor basically states, “If parents would just restrain their kids, this kind of thing wouldn’t happen!” Sound familiar? 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.
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Military Comedy – Absurd Remedy for Fear and Boredom! By Lee Estes
Life in the military, depending on the outfit you are in, runs the gamut from high intensity fear and alertness to total exhaustion, to moments of complete boredom almost to the point of temporary insanity. But, in nearly all branches of service, there are times when comedy rears its head and produces moments of laughter, anger, and everything in between. Sometimes the action which produces the greatest anger brings on the loudest laugh when recalled years later. These ridiculous events may occur in the barracks, on the training field, in Prisoner of War Camps, and even under combat conditions. When gathering material for my book Fading Warriors, I listened to a variety of stories from the veterans interviewed and I can relate a few instances from my own experiences which were frustrating at the time but after more than sixty five years can only be recalled as military humor. Jingles and marching songs are part of this genre. In the mess hall we used to sing; "The Biscuits in The Army, They Say they're Mighty Fine, But One Rolled Off the Table and Killed a Friend of Mine." We had a marching song in England that went like this; "If I Die in a Combat Zone, Box Me Up and Send Me Home, Sound off! Hup, two, three, four." Another offered a more bawdy rhyme; "Had a Date With a Big Fat WAC, Oh! My GI Aching Back, Sound Off, Hup, two, three, four." There were others, but you get the idea. The best stories are those recalling actual events which took place in the course of World War II. Events never documented in the history books, but etched in the memory of the participants. My dear friend, the late Emmett "Peanut" Gibbs, recalled an inspection during his earliest time in the Marine Corps while stationed at Camp Elliot in California. Peanut and his fellow rookie Marines were prepared for Saturday inspection with everything in the barracks polished and ready, but just as the inspection party was about to enter, a match was seen on the newly scrubbed floor. Quickly, one of the rookies kicked it under a shoe and out of sight. The inspection party entered, led by a Marine Colonel who went to the shoe covering the match, lifted it, then put it back. Nothing was said and the party proceeded to the next barracks. Of course, to a bunch of rookie Marines this established the Colonel as being possessed with supernatural instincts. That night, sometime after midnight, the DI came charging into the barracks yelling "Fall Out, right now, Don't get your clothes! Fall Out just like you are!" Once assembled, some wearing undershorts, some with less, the group was marched to the supply room and issued shovels, then marched to the beach. After a halt the DI reached in his pocket, pulled out the match and ordered "Start Digging!" When a cavity in the sand reached a depth of about six feet and somewhere near that in diameter, the match was buried. Then the group was ordered
to attention and simulated firing a 21 gun salute over the grave site, followed by a march back to the barracks barely in time for reveille. Aggravating at the moment, but funny to recall. The late Ed Whatley, who taught at Northeast Louisiana University (Now ULM) prior to retirement, served as a medical corpsman with the 44th Infantry Division in Europe. This was during the extremely cold winter of 1944-45 and the infantry suffered heavy casualties. Among those casualties was Ed Whatley, although his injury was a minor shrapnel wound which he bandaged himself and continued about his business of caring for the many wounded. At this point I must remind you readers that infantrymen have opportunity to pick up souvenirs, but usually discard them because they're too much trouble to carry. Ed Whatley's Platoon Sergeant succumbed to the temptation and picked up a collapsible top hat in an abandoned house somewhere along the way, but tired of carrying it a bit later. Rather than toss it away in the snow, he gave it to Ed, who could carry it in his medical supply bag. A few days later, tired, cold, and trying his best to care for those in need, Ed is slogging along in the snow when orders come up to the front line for him to report to Battalion Aid Station immediately. His first reaction was, "What have I done now?" as he begins the journey to the rear. Contemplating the worst, he thinks, "I might as well make it interesting" and pulls out the hat, extends it, and exchanges it for his steel helmet. You can imagine the reaction when a tired and aggravated medic appears wearing a top hat. What Ed didn't know was the reason for his being called to the Aid Station was for the Regimental Commander to award him a Purple Heart. Those in the Aid Station had noticed his wound during an earlier visit and reported it. Among my experiences was a time when my regiment was responsible for a perimeter around the German submarine port at St. Nazaire, France. It isn't well known as the ports of St. Nazaire, Lorient, and La Rochelle were still in German hands when the war ended in Europe. After considering the cost to capture Brest, the Allied Command decided to bypass them and our division, the 94th Infantry was given the responsibility for containing Lorient and St. Nazaire. This was probably the quietest infantry duty in France at the time. Since we were responsible for several miles around St. Nazaire, we could not establish a normal defensive position with an outpost line and main line of resistance with only one regimental combat team, we were constantly required to patrol the area and report any German activity. The Germans were doing the same and occasionally patrols would cross paths and a firefight would ensue. Also, our artillery kept a continuous air surveillance using Piper L4's. The L4 pilots seemed to enjoy playing games with the Germans flying close to their positions and drawing fire until one day I watched a twenty mm shell hit an L4 and down it came killing
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both pilot and observer. That infuriated the artillerymen and they wanted revenge. Almost immediately, our squad was ordered on a patrol to locate the enemy weapon and destroy it. They sent an artillery officer to the platoon CP and provided us with a state of the art radio and operator along with a map showing all the reference points near the suspected German position. Off we go, me in the lead as first scouts must always be, climbing through hedgerows and traversing apple orchards until we arrive at a point where we could look across a draw and see some enemy activity. Carefully scanning the surroundings, we spot what appears to be a camouflaged gun position and radio back to the officer at platoon giving reference to its position. They respond with one round of artillery, landing not far from the intended target and we report using over, under, left and right for correction. They fire another round which isn't anywhere close. We give another correction, they fire another round further away than the one before. By now the artillery officer is getting upset and suggests we make our corrections using points of the compass to which we answered, "We don't have a compass!" He yells back, "Well, Dammit! You know north, south, east, and west don't you?" "Yes sir, we'll do that." and we try again. Did a little better, but not much. After a few more tries we get a round just right on target and report. Artillery responds with Battery, One Round meaning four guns would fire. When they landed, all were within two feet of each other, but many yards short of the target. The previous shot had been what the artillery calls a "long round". We try again without much success until we finally place several rounds in the vicinity. By now we know the Germans are aware they are being observed and might decide to do something about it and we need to get away from there. As we are returning to our position, Squad Leader Bill Blome and I are certain we are going to get the chewing out of our lives because we have wasted more than fifty rounds of a vrtillery and cannot be sure we did any harm to the German war effort. We are prepared for the worst as we approach the platoon CP when the platoon guide comes running to meet us with all kinds of congratulations for a job well done. Bill and I thought to ourselves, well, if you say so, thanked him and put a little more energy in our steps. Later on, I learned why we had so much trouble directing fire. We assumed our artillery was directly behind us but it was way off to the side completely negating our over, under, left, right corrections. 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
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Building a brighter future
The Emeril Lagasse Foundation and the Second Harvest Food Bank supports culinary and life skills programs By Deborah Burst New Orleans has become a model for cities across the nation thanks to an entrepreneurial spirit engineered by non-profits, corporations and top name chefs who have joined hands in reinventing solutions for nationwide dilemmas. Emeril Lagasse and the Emeril Lagasse Foundation is a major player in helping improve the quality of young people's lives through the culinary arts, life skills programs, and food and nutrition classes. The foundation supports and encourages programs creating developmental and educational opportunities for children within communities where Emeril’s restaurants operate. Projects include an outdoor classroom, school gardens, fresh foods cafeteria and a teaching kitchen at Edible Schoolyard New Orleans. Special needs students at St. Michael Special School learn valuable life skills inside the accessible learning kitchen. In addition the foundation helps at-risk youth get a fresh start gaining culinary skills and hospitality training at Café Reconcile, a restaurant open to the public. In 2011 the foundation dedicated the Emeril Lagasse Foundation Culinary Arts Studio, a four-year culinary arts program for high school students in a master-apprentice curriculum at New Orleans Center for the Creative Arts (NOCCA). Designed by Johnson & Wales University, the program, like New Orleans cuisine, is very layered and uniquely designed. The curriculum includes a thorough understanding of the culinary arts including
core skills, international cuisine, kitchen and house management, business and communications skills, plus much more. All is centered around a brand new 1500-sq-ft professional kitchen stocked with equipment equivalent or better than some of the high-end New Orleans restaurants. Dana D’Anzi Tuohy is the NOCCA culinary arts faculty chair. “Culinary is a unique art,” she explains adding it’s important to balance creative vision with what the customer wants. “Students must learn to take an idea from inception to plate, always with an eye towards the ability to consistently execute and teach the recipe.” She is joined by chef-in-residence Frank Brigtsen, and other New Orleans chefs who offer their expertise with on campus studies. Former James Beard Award winner and owner of Brigtsen Restaurant, Frank Brigtsen says the response to the NOCCA culinary education program has been tremendous. “This has been a long time in the making and this city and the community has been begging for this for a long, long time,” he said adding New Orleans is America’s greatest food city with its broad scope of history and heritage. “The lack of culinary education here is appalling, and this is a wonderful, wonderful first step for a brighter future.” Second Harvest Food Bank of Greater New Orleans & Acadiana is another Emeril Foundation initiative that reaches a vast audience leading the fight against hunger in south Louisiana through food distribution advocacy,
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education and disaster response. They serve approximately 263,000 people annually including nearly 82,000 children and 40,000 seniors in need. Located in the Elmwood area of Jefferson Parish near Huey P. Long Bridge, nutritious and delicious meals are prepared in a 6500-sqft commercial grade Community Kitchen. The adjacent 1,000-sq-ft teaching kitchen is used for training and educational programs such as cooking and nutrition classes as well as small meeting and promotional events. One of their tasks is reaching out to children in the classroom. “We go to head start programs with backpacks (filled with fruit) and when you see the reaction of children opening that backpack for the first time, you quickly realize how important and special our work is,” said Natalie Jayroe, President and CEO of Second Harvest Food Bank. Recently the Food Bank expanded its Mobile Pantry program to include two refrigerated trucks providing increased capacity for retail store donations across Second Harvest’s 23parish service territory. The Mobile Pantry program is a traveling food pantry that delivers food directly to individuals and families in communities without a nearby Food Bank member agency or with limited food access because they lack grocery stores. In times of emergency or disaster, the Mobile Pantry program allows Second Harvest to quickly deliver food and supplies to impacted communities. “We are so thankful to Walmart for the truck donation. The addition of the Walmart refrigerated trucks to our fleet allows us to expand our reach throughout the Louisiana Gulf Coast and also focus on rural parishes such as Terrebonne, Lafourche and Tangipahoa, among others,” said Jayroe. The Emeril Lagasse Foundation seeks to inspire, mentor and enable all young people, especially those from disadvantaged circumstances, to realize their full potential as productive and creative individuals. Second Harvest is leading the fight against hunger and a model of collaboration ready to help other groups mirror their services. A New Orleans native now living in Mandeville, Deb frequently returns to her hometown to visit family and get a gumbo and po-boy fix.
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MY FAVORITE FISHING HOLE
By Pro Angler, Joe Joslin
Big Events Return Hello, Anglers. The lake level on my favorite fishing hole is excellent and it’s exciting to see major tournaments return to the lake. Lake area businesses depend on these tournaments to increase retail traffic. As I sit at my laptop pounding out this column, there are 23,000 anglers casting for thousands of dollars in Toledo's McDonald's Big Splash 2012 Tournament. My guess is events like this bring several million dollars in the local economy. About the time the Super Sized Big Mac leaves town, the B.A.S.S. Elite Tour returns to Toledo's beautiful Cypress Bend on June 7-10. Pro angler Dean Rojas won last year’s Toledo event (by one ounce) and $100,000 and his famous 'Kermit' the frog was not even a factor as the tournament was held mid-April and a very strong cold front shut down that pattern. Rojas is the
premier frog fisherman on the planet and Some of the Elite Pros said fan turnout here topwater frog patterns in early June on Toledo was the best of any stop on the regular 2011 can reap huge results. Knowing what I know Elite Tour. All of the top B.A.S.S. anglers in about early June on Toledo, keep your eyes on the country will be here including Kevin Rojas and "Kermit" as the B.A.S.S. Vandam (KVD), Elite rolls back in town. also 2012 Bass Count me in… I’ll have a ringMaster Classic side seat at the tournament as Champ, and Skeeter/Yamaha is a Chris Lane as primary sponsor for well as local B.A.S.S. I’ll be assisting anglers including with demo rides for Todd Faircloth spectators wanting to and Louisiana's experience a new Skeeter "Hack Attack" At Toledo's June 2012 B.A.S.S. Elite event, Greg Hackney. FX with Yamaha's 250 fishing fans can get a free demo ride in SHO 4-stroke as well as Thumbs up… Skeeter's 21 FX with Yamaha's SHO. the new, very affordable and loaded As a Toledo Bend Skeeter TZX 190 ($26,995). It’s exciting that guide who has already fished nearly 100 days B.A.S.S. wanted to come back to My Favorite this year, I’m feeling so very blessed and Fishing Hole two years in a row and we’re so excited. We’ve had so many amazing pleased to have them. Why did they want to experiences this year meeting new clients and return? First, the Elite pros saw first-hand the teaching novice anglers how to catch huge quality of fish that are in this lake. Even with 30 bass. Also, how awesome to see boating mph winds each day of competition last year activity return to normal and lake area they still loved this lake. Another major factor is business owners once again prosper. In the very impressive facility at Cypress Bend addition, just feeling at times you might be that many call "one of the best in the country". enhancing people’s lives as you share this It’s very "fan friendly" with a breathtaking view beautiful lake and God's outdoors with them. of the lake, plenty of Hold it – I gotta get the net! Little Alivia has parking and ample another fish on! Good fishing...God Bless. room for vendors and Joe Joslin is a syndicated outdoor columnist, weigh-in set-up. tournament angler and pro guide on Toledo and However, possibly the Sam Rayburn. Contact him at 337-463-3848, number one factor joejoslinoutdoors@yahoo.com, or was the bass fans who www.joejoslinoutdoors.com. turned out by the thousands each day.
Keep your eyes on Rojas and "Kermit" as the B.A.S.S. Elite rolls back in town.
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TRAVEL ADVENTURE
By Dianne Newcomer
FREE… What a Beautiful Word! I can’t believe no one ever told me about Mr. Clean Magic Eraser sponges! Every woman knows there’s no better way to get your house in order than to host a party. All those chores planned for another time just scream for attention. Luckily for me, as I sat scrubbing baseboards, my daughter enlightened me about this amazing product that effectively cleaned my white kitchen cabinets, drawers, baseboards, and doors – without any serious effort on my part! Now please understand, I’m not a novice to this cleaning thing. I have been married for 42 years, raised two children, and enjoyed the company of in-house dogs during that time. Furthermore, I’m a faithful reader of Hints by Heloise and even confess to purchasing her “Fantabulous Vinegar Tips and More“ pamphlet so I’m definitely no lightweight when it comes to household chores. I can scrub with the best of them but if there’s a better way to do something, I’m in. Using these wonderful little cleaning sponges made me think about how difficult it is to find the one product in a sea of similar products, all with the same claim to excellence. If my daughter had not told me, I would still be using Brand X and wishing it worked better! Let's face it – whatever the task, whether cleaning baseboards or planning a fun vacation, we all want to find the perfect solution, the fast and easy way to get the job done. I can shop grocery stores, read labels, compare price points, and appreciate all the clever advertising before gambling on making the right choice--or I can get great advice from someone I trust! In the world of travel, it seems easy to point and click and get what you want or maybe what a website like Trip Advisor recommends, but why gamble when there is a professional travel agent just around the corner? Did you know our service is FREE and unlike some travel websites, we haven’t stayed in business by fabricating reviews or touching up photos. We are travel professionals. Unfortunately, we cannot travel to every destination or know every hotel but along with unbiased resources to use as references, we have the personal feedback from local travelers who have been to there. This helps us help you! Because we represent tour operators in every corner of the world, we have the right connections to get the job done. Here’s a quick example of why it’s smart to use a professional travel. A client goes to a fishing event and signs up for an Amazon fishing trip. The only problem was his traveling companion
has neither a passport nor a Brazilian visa, and the trip was within two weeks. No problem, I thought; it had been done before. I called my contact in Houston and got the passport issued in a couple of days but, unfortunately, the Brazilian Consulate was so backlogged that they were refusing appointments except on Thursday and said to expect no less than 7 days, considered expedite handling. Logistically, that was unacceptable as my traveler’s flights to Manaus were scheduled to depart on the day the Consulate would be processing the Brazilian visa. You should know that not only are Brazilian visas expensive, they are area specific. Louisiana residents must be funneled through the Consulate in Houston and a driver‘s license copy included with the application to ascertain this procedure is followed so when I tell you we ended up sending this newly issued passport to the Brazilian Consulate in New York, getting it processed out of district, and returned with two days to spare, well, you should be impressed. A travel agent with the right connections all over the world can make a difference! What would you do if your flight is cancelled, the hotel has lost your reservation, or if the rental agency has run out of cars? Specifically, who are you going to call – the airline, hotel, or car rental company? They don't care. You're just one person. Losing you as a guest or a customer is no big deal. Basically, you're on your own. Yet, if you book through a travel agent, all you have to do is make one simple phone call and you have someone working for you with some clout. They are now dealing with someone who has the potential to send either future guests or no guests at all. From a purely business perspective, a travel agency can send them thousands of dollars (or even tens of thousands of dollars), or no dollars at all. Nobody wants to pay more than necessary but saving money is not just about price. It’s
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about value. If the hotel does not look like the photo on the website or the cruise line was not what you were expecting, or the tour moved at too fast a pace, it doesn’t matter how much you saved. At MONROE TRAVEL SERVICE, we’ll help you make the right choices and find the best value. Besides, don’t you already have a job? If you have a travel agent you can trust, you won’t need to scour the web and try piecing everything together for a vacation. Let us do the work for you. Planning your vacation is our job and since it‘s a free service to you, why aren‘t you calling us? The world of travel packages itself in a million different ways. Maybe you should visit with one of our experienced travel consultants at MONROE TRAVEL SERVICE at 1908 Glenmar Street (right next door to the Muffin Tin and Luffey‘s Medical Supply) and let us show you the world. Who knows? You might discover a good travel agent is like Mr. Clean’s Magical Erasers! We wipe away all your worries. Try us, you’ll like us….and come back again and again. At MONROE TRAVEL SERVICE, we take care of all the details and leave the fun to you!
BEDS & BEIGNETS
By Mary White
A Tree Grows in Saint Martinville During the 19th century, Saint Martinville, nicknamed “Petit Paris” because of its cultural influence, was a playground for the well-to-do looking to escape the heat and disease of New Orleans. Its location along the west bank of Bayou Teche, just 10 miles from Lafayette, also made it a vital commercial hub for the steamboat trade. Travelers who stopped there found a place to rest, recharge and revel at a large brick building that came to be known as the Castillo Hotel. Built by Jean Pierre Vasseur some time between 1835 and 1840, this magnificent structure also functioned as a restaurant, tavern and ballroom. Beginning in 1876 and under the ownership of Charles Gauthier, the Castillo Hotel began to garner attention. Delia Greig Castillo, widow of well-known steamboat captain Edmond Castillo, took over the management of the hotel and soon its hospitality gained acclaim thanks in part to Alphonse Guerin, husband to Delia’s granddaughter, Eva Bonin. Alphonse enjoyed gourmet cooking as a hobby, and his reputation grew quickly as his original creations and expertise in the kitchen were discovered.
After Castillo died in 1899, the hotel was sold to the Sisters of Mercy who converted it into a high school that closed in 1986. A year later, the building was purchased by Peggy Hulin who brought back its hospitality roots as the Old Castillo Bed and Breakfast (www.BnBFinder.com/OldCastillo). Today, the seven guest rooms of the inn are furnished with period antiques and offer private baths and a balcony. The building has been listed on the National Register of Historic Homes since 1978 and is said to be the only surviving example of this type of hotel. Guests can visit the Acadian Village, the Rip Van Winkle Gardens on Jefferson Island, the Lake Martin bird rookery, the Petit Paris Museum and one celebrated tree: the Evangeline Oak. This majestic tree under which the Old Castillo Bed and Breakfast sits was immortalized by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow in his epic poem, Evangeline. It tells the tale of a betrothed couple, Evangeline and Gabriel, separated during the expulsion of the Acadians from Nova Scotia by the British. The poem was long believed to be
based on a true story; and, because so many areas of Saint Martinville were mentioned in the poem, residents claim it as their own. According to local legend, Evangeline’s search for Gabriel leads her to Saint Martinville where she reunites with his father. After learning of Gabriel’s marriage and departure from the area, she dies of a broken heart underneath the branches of the leafy oak. Inspired by the tragic love story, couples from far and wide have become engaged and even married underneath the towering tree according to Hulin. “I feel like I have one of the, if not the, most romantic B&Bs in the state because of Evangeline.” 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.
Peaches, Peaches & More Peaches! A Peach Party is scheduled in Ruston on June 22-23 when the annual Squire Creek Louisiana Peach Festival begins. The 62nd annual festival, produced by the Ruston-Lincoln Chamber of Commerce, will have all the popular events - the pet show, parade, arts and crafts, antique car show, 5K run, tennis tournament and more – and, of course, peach ice cream! The Eta Omicron Chapter of Beta Sigma Phi, the service organization that sold Louisiana Tech dairy peach ice cream at the festival until the dairy closed in 2011, has reached an agreement with Blue Bell Creameries on a special peach ice cream. The ice cream will be available both days of the festival and at Railroad Park and Civic Center venues. Country music artist and Louisiana native Sammy Kershaw is this year’s headline
entertainer. Kershaw’s concert begins at 9pm. Saturday on the Railroad Park stage with the Arkansas Brothers opening for Kershaw at 7pm. Admission is $10. Chubby Carrier and the Bayou Swamp Band play on Friday night at 7pm. Admission is $5. Festival-goers can purchase a day-time only admission for Saturday for $5, or an all-day admission for $10, which includes the Kershaw concert. Carrier, dubbed “The World’s Premier Zydeco Showman,” won a Grammy Award in 2011 for Best Zydeco or Cajun Music Album. Born in Churchpoint and a third generation Zydeco artist, Carrier and his band have toured worldwide for 21 years. Kershaw, from Kaplan, has had more than 25 singles entered Top 40 on Billboard Hot Country Songs charts including the No. 1 hit “She Don’t Know She’s Beautiful.” In 2008, Kershaw was inducted into the Louisiana
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Music Hall of Fame and in 2010 was inducted into the Louisiana Songwriters Association Hall of Fame. Festival-goers will notice more vendors in the City Hall-Civic Center and parking lot selling handmade items. Resale vendors that used to be in the Railroad Park area will be on the lawn in front of City Hall. For more information about the festival or specific events visit www.louisianapeachfestival.org. The Squire Creek Louisiana Peach Festival corporately sponsored by Squire Creek Country Club, Louisiana Office of Tourism, Century Marketing Solutions, Ruston Lincoln Convention & Visitors Bureau, Celebrity Theatres, Volvo Rents, Z-107.5, ESPN 97.7, 99.3X, The NewsStar, KALB News Channel 5, CBS 2, Louisiana Life, KTVE 10, KARD Fox 14, Lamar, 100.1-The Beat, K-104, LA 105, Star 101.9, TALK 540, Ruston Daily Leader, and Q-94.1 Radio.
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RUNNIN’ THE ROADS
By Barbara Sharik
Men and Women – There is a Difference Recently talking to a friend, he pointed out one minuscule portion of the absurdities of life (for there are many): the clothes we wear. He and his wife went on a road trip over the weekend. His packing included a couple extra pairs of underwear. Remember how grandma told us to always wear clean drawers (to use a colloquialism) in case we're in an accident? He was prepared. He over-packed his undies but his wife did not. Her solution? She simply borrowed a pair of his. His point being that society frowns upon a man wearing his wife's delicate undergarments––he would be teased unmercifully. However, nobody thinks a thing of women slipping on men's garments––underwear or otherwise. Not many years ago, a latest fad had gals donning men's boxers and tee shirts as sleeping apparel. The more inventive added lace, buttons, and bows. Nonetheless, despite the fancy decor, the fact that they were wearing men's boxer shorts still loomed. Why the big difference between men's and women's clothing? As a teen in El Paso 50 years ago, when my girlfriends and I wanted to wear blue jeans we had no choice but to wear men's jeans. The only other option was
K C A B K TAL
denim-colored slacks with elasticized waists. At our young ages, they looked like old lady pants. Men's jeans weren't made for women – low riding and not much material in the derriere department, still we were determined. Buttons. One of the great mysteries of life. Men's shirts button on one side, women's on the other. Likewise, zipper flaps on pants. Who decided that men and women couldn't button and zip uniformly? Why on opposite sides? It's been going on for a very long time; somebody in the clothing industry said men, stand over here, ladies over there––and never the twain shall dress alike. There are many great mysteries of life. The commanded differences in dress between men and women is but one. Why were females since the beginning of time relegated to wear skirts, dresses, and heaven forbid corsets and pantyhose, while men wore slacks (discounting the robes worn in Biblical times or Roman Gladiators during the Days of Yore wearing kilts and lace-up sandals, which probably had something to do with fighting lions in a large arena)? What about ties? Who invented them and why? Did they start as fancy bibs to catch soup splatters or perhaps as nose wipers? I say no outfit is complete without cat and dog hair while men believe they're not
Beautiful May cover! I grew up near Ferriday and got to see some great musicians come through… to perform. Their musical history is as rich as anywhere in the south except New Orleans. – Jimmy F., Natchez, MS
appropriately dressed without ties. Example: the "black-tie-affair." What's with black-tieaffairs in the first place? I put ties for men in the same category as pantyhose for women. Difficult to don, but a blessing to remove. By the way, a man who hated his mother invented pantyhose. No other explanation. We won't even go into whole or half slips, and I'll spare you and not speak of toecrippling high-heel shoes. High-heels for women, not men. Or makeup for women, not men. Why the insanity? What we wear is often dictated by fashion and fashion isn't necessarily comfy or practical. What we consider fashionable is learned, not born. Fashion doesn't go by the axiom "If it ain't broke, don't fix it." It's fixed annually to keep products moving. It's all about marketing. Still, it's pondersome (using another colloquialism). It started a very long time ago, but for all practical purposes, it really makes no sense. The same friend who isn't allowed to wear his wife's undergarments (not that he wants to) pointed out the difference in eyeglass frames. He bought a pair of reading glasses at the drugstore. For comfort and correct lens strength, he was forced to select frames with multicolored polka dots. Right fit? Yes. Right strength? Yes. Feminine? Also, yes. So, what's a guy going to do? My friend asked the question of the century: "What is the logic?" and summed it up by saying, "It's not fair that they (females) can wear ours (males) but we can't wear theirs without derogatory remarks being made." Beats me. I believe in individualism, but in a world requiring conformability, it isn't always easy to let go and do so. Naturally, while we’re letting go and doing so, we have to be extra careful not to wind up on the “People of Wal-Mart” website.
I always read Barbara Sharik’s articles because she’s so witty and clever. Her last article [Frog Parking Only – All Others Will Be Toad, May 2012] had me laughing all day. I even posted the link on Facebook so my friends could read it. Thanks, Road Trips, for making me happy every month. – Gerri P., Gonzales, LA
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
Great tribute to Lee Estes [May 2012]. Long overdue….thanks for recognizing exceptional talent and contributions here in Louisiana. – Brian G., Ruston, LA Mona, I want to get the Road Trip paper for a year. I sure enjoy the magazine. Thanks a lot. – Jone J., Pioneer, LA I look forward to Lora Peppers articles every month. She can dig up some of the most interesting stories. – Donna R., Alexandria Louisiana Road Trips
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IN THE CR SSHAIRS
By Sonny Harrington
Firearms – What’s it Worth It has come my attention that during these hard economic times that more people are accessing the value of things a little more closely. Appraisals if you will. Investments to others, with the big question of “what’s it worth?” reguarding firarms. Now I’ve read the Wall Street Journal and I remember an article that comes to mind a few years back about your financial portfolio. (Brother’s…. try to sell this to your wives.) The author stated that you should diversify your wealth, some realistate, stocks, CD’s , municipal funds, precious metals and fine European shotguns. WHY? They retain their value when taken care of, they have an artistic sense and they are easily transferred or sold without traces or taxes. Whoaa…. That’s awesome , huh guys? I’d also like to reiterate precious metals; I prefer lead, specifically in the form of .22 caliber, a #1 commodity if I remember the teachings of my father from living through the depression. Now I have this old 1873 Winchester, my great grandfather special ordered it with a long barrel so it would hold more shells. He needed them because around 1900 he would ride the Ouachita River from Sterlington to Monroe on a Sunday afternoon with Capt R.P.Webb, and drink whiskey on the riverboat and shoot alligators. Problem was, they stunk up the town of Monroe down stream a few days later with dead alligator carcasses. They were ask to quit, which he did and traded off his rifle for a hog. It was some 50 plus years later that a cousin called my father and said he’d found this old rifle in a closet and
asked if wanted it back since he knew it was his grandfather’s. OH Yeah! Now that’s a valuable gun. I can’t put a price on it. They even made a movie about it with Jimmie Stewart. “Winchester 73.” Now you can go to a Pawn shop or a gunshop and typically they will or should pull out a Blue Book of Gun Values. It’s kinda like putting a value on a car, what accessories do you have ? Nigh Sights? Scope? Sling? Almost like curb feelers and dice? But condition is everything. If I’m selling it’s got a patina, if your buying , it’s rust. Check the barrel, that’s the motor or the life of firearm. Has it been shot out? Got a bulge, a ring from a stuck bullet? How’s the finish? What’s the overall percentage of finish? Does the stock have scratches? Has it been re-blued? Collectors don’t like that and can spot the polish marks and color a mile away. Has it got runs in the checkering? The recoil pad dead? Screw in chokes or the barrel been sawed off? Do you have the original box? How bout a great story with it. Documentation of
Then there’s the “Rock Candy Guns”; they’re just for looking.
course. Let’s say its an old WWII Italian Carcano 6.5mm that sold for $29.95 in 1963 with a tasco scope. If it was the one that Lee Harvey Oswald used it might be worth a ton. OR the Model 8 Remington that took Bonnie and Clyde in Louisiana might be Louisiana Road Trips –
worth more than the average old deer rifle. Believe this, there is a Luger .45 in Shreveport in the “R.W. Norton Gallery” one of a kind that some say is a million dollar pistol. I highly recommend the gun room with locally engraved pieces and the gallery has a great display of western art from Remington and Russell. My favorite work of art is a life size of Jane Mansfield with her dress blowing up. But now I have digressed. Back to firearms. Look on the internet, NO don’t. All the auctions, Gunbroker, Auction Arms, etc. How many are really sold? I wonder? IT’s only worth what someone will give you and these boys are fishing. So you look at it and say “well,,, he’s askin $$$ mega bucks, but is he getting $$$ ? So you think yours is worth ump teen hundred dollars cause you saw one just like it on the internet. Good luck with that! Then there’s the “Rock Candy Guns” they’re just for looking, Kinda like one of Johnny’s “Trophy Wives”, a Commemorative model that’s got a lot of gold on it. Your not really going to use it anyway. If it’s pink or left handed, I’m still talking about guns, your re-sale might not be as good. IF you killed your first deer with it or it’s a family heirloom it has more value, at least to you. Then there are the gunshow stories,slightly used the dealer says, has a new
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Kung Fu grip, or only used by a little old lady on Sundays to shoot non-swimmers. Let’s don’t forger the need factor. IF I’m pinned down in a fire fight I’d pay a little more for it.. I’ve got a friend that trades in his guns all the time for something newer. I told him he should get on a gun rental program. He said his wife doesn’t know one gun from another but she can count to twelve. They’re happily married too. Bottom line is, if you buy a good quality firearm and take care of it, It will last you a lifetime and appreciate in value. The value’s can be sentimental to historical, artistic or engraved with embellishments. A man usually hands down his guns just like a woman hands down her jewelry or china. I view some as pieces of history others as works of art while most are tools for hunters or lawmen. In Switzerland everyone is required to own, keep up, and qualify with a firearm. Everybody is real nice and friendly in Switzerland too. Maybe you can’t put a price on firearms or you put a price on freedom. Firearms are worth only what the next man will give you. A lady saw my article and asked me if I contributed to the NRA magazine and my answer was, “Yes Mam, $35 a year. Sonny Harrington is a Hunter Safety Instructor. He is also an NRA (National Rifle Association) Rifle & Pistol Instructor and has hunted from Alaska to Mexico.
Calendar of Events
June Spice & Music Festival Opelousas – 800-424-5442
June 1-3
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June 3
Bayou Liberty Pirogue Races Slidell – 985-643-2581
Bon Mange Festival Gheens – 985-537-5800
June 8-10
Buggy Festival Church Point – 338-684-2739
The Day the War Stopped St. Francisville – 800-789-4221
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Back to the Beach Festival New Orleans – 504-836-2205
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LA Corn Festival Bunkie – 318-346-2575
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LA Cajun-Zydeco Festival New Orleans – 504-558-6100
June 15-17
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Let the Good Times Roll Shreveport – 800-551-8682
June 16
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Juneteenth Celebration Lake Charles – 800-456-7952
June 19
By Robert Lemoine
Back to the day at hand. We had completed the services and the crowd was slowly disappearing. I had the urge to get out of my vehicle and go back to the casket one last time before it was lowered beneath the ground forever more. In that split second, I realized that in all of those years of laughter, tears, and life lessons, I had never spoken certain words from my mouth. The ironic thing was that I had never heard them directly either. As I approached the casket for this final time, I reached out my hands and uttered the words, “Jeffy, I love you.” Afterwards, the officiating preacher made the comment about how much he loved me and I shared with him that I knew it even though the words were never spoken. His reply was simply that sometimes you don’t have to say it. Although we had never shared those words with one another, there was no doubt the feelings were there. He would have done anything for me and I would have returned the request without hesitation. It was just something that was understood. Thankfully, we were able to share this unspoken feeling while we had time together here on this planet. I shared this story with you because much like Jeffy’s love for me, God’s love is often unspoken, but shown in His actions. To Louisiana Road Trips
June 9-10
French Market Tomato Festival New Orleans – 504-522-2621
Unspoken Words I was recently reminded of a day that forever changed the world as I knew it. It was the day that we buried the man who had been the main male influence in my life for almost thirty years. Not to take anything from my father who is still living, this is just a reflection on things that became clearer after the loss of my step-dad. You see, during my toddler years all the way through high school, I lived primarily with my mother with regular visits at my father’s house. During these years I learned a lot from both houses. With one house being in the country and the other “downtown”, life was different enough. Not to mention that the sources of income for each house was also different. One was driven by agriculture and the other by construction.
2012
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Juneteenth Freedom Festival Donaldsonville – 225-474-5663
June 21-23
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Miss Louisiana Pageant Monroe – 800-843-1872
June 22-24
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Catfish Festival Des Allemands – 985-758-7542
June 23-24
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Crab Cookoff and Festival LaCombe – 985-867-9490 La Peach Festival Ruston – 800-392-9032
June 30-July 4
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Erath 4th of July Festival Erath – 337-937-5585 start with, He created a world for us to live in. Then He created man and breathed life into us. Even after “we” went through generations of rebellion doing everything possible to fight Him, He still sent His only begotten son to die for us. This awesome act of love cannot be mistaken for anything other than pure love that a Father has for his children. As His children, we should return actions such as obeying His commandments to show our love to Him. We are only given a short time here on this earth to do His
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will. Does He know that you love Him, too? As you go through your day, refrain from speaking in a way He would not approve and keep from visiting places you know you shouldn’t. Remember, the fastest way up is to kneel down. May God bless you and keep you safe in all that you do in His name.
There’s Nothing Like a Louisiana Man
By Johnny Wink
Why can't I find a rich woman? You know, one that has a job and goes to work everyday. You know, the one that owns her own house and car. The one that doesn't have a boat-load of kids that are adults now but still need mom's support. The one that isn't looking for someone to help with her parents––and don't forget her grandmaw and grandpa and maybe someone down the road she thinks you should help out, too. Why does a woman without a job want to spend your money on herself and her family? Where are the corporate women, the CEO’s of a big company that don't have husbands? You know they get lonely too. All the TV shows now being made in Louisiana should bring attention to females all over the USA to real Louisiana men. Maybe, just maybe, these shows will make rich women want to have one for themselves. They watch the shows all alone, listen to us talk and see how we handle themselves in the wild and after the day is over, still know how to say the blessing at supper time. That's a real man. Maybe these shows will have them thinking, "I got to have me a Louisiana man." Remember the California Girls song from the Beach Boys and Van Halen? With all the attention, why not a Louisiana man? We are the men that time forgot. We might not be hip with all the new things going on in this world, but we still have values and know God.
To be able to confidently go in the woods and bring out something good to eat, then know how to prepare it for the table; to have a garden and feel and smell freshly disked dirt to grow fine vegetables––it doesn't get much better than that. A Louisiana man doesn't have to have much to make him happy. City folks only see the concrete jungles where a Louisiana man sees all the woods, lakes, bayous and swamps we’re blessed with, teaming with animals and fish. We’re busy running trot lines and gill nets and finding those bream holes, not to mention all that hunting and trapping. Some might think there's nothing to do out here in the country, sadly, 'cause they don't know what's out here. Likely, it's a little intimidating for your average subdivision man. He might get bitten by something or even worse, get muddy. My hope is that when all the rich professional women see what we’re really like, they’re just going to have to have one; maybe show us off to her girlfriends. It will make her the envy of Wall Street, knowing she got herself a real Louisiana man. I believe when they find us, this will not be just a fad; they will want us forever. I bet after they have a little touch of this Southern charm they won't ever want to let go. And if they do, all we have to do is bend them over and give them a good spanking. Just like they used to do in the old days, right? Hmmm… So, all you professionals and CEOs, or even movie stars or singers, if you’re looking for the next hot thing, you got to have a Louisiana man. Think how good you’ll look walking down the red carpet or to your next corporate meeting, showing the world you have the finest. So women, come on before all the good ones are gone – me first!! Let me make you feel like a woman of your means should. And let this eye-candy be by your side for the rest of your life, making you feel like the million bucks that you already have. My name is Johnny Wink. I am a Louisiana man. See if you can find me. I will be waiting.
I bet after they have a little touch of this Southern charm they won't ever want to let go.
Louisianas In The Civil War June 1862: Braxton Bragg By Terry Jones
The Civil War had its share of controversial figures, but few matched Louisiana’s adopted son Braxton Bragg in sheer orneriness. A North Carolinian by birth, Bragg graduated from West Point in 1833 and served in the artillery during the Mexican War. He fought bravely but also displayed a caustic personality that led to clashes with officers and men alike; one soldier even tried to assassinate him by exploding a 12-pound shell under his cot. Bragg went on to serve at several frontier outposts and continued his argumentative ways. One popular story, perhaps apocryphal, told of the time when he served as both the company commander and quartermaster. As commander, Bragg submitted an invoice to himself (as quartermaster) requesting supplies. Quartermaster Bragg refused to endorse the request, but commander Bragg resubmitted it with additional information. When quartermaster Bragg still refused to
endorse the request, commander Bragg finally sent all of the correspondence to his superior to decide on a course of action. Looking at the pile of paperwork, the officer threw up his hands in disbelief and cried out, “My God, Mr. Bragg, you have quarreled with every officer in the army, and now you are quarreling with yourself!” After resigning his captain’s commission in 1856, Bragg settled down on a sugar plantation near his wife’s hometown of Thibodaux, Louisiana. Because of his military experience, he was appointed a colonel in the state militia and was instrumental in hiring his old army comrade William T. Sherman as superintendent of the Louisiana Seminary of Learning (the forerunner of LSU). Bragg was put in command of the Louisiana militia after the state seceded in January 1861 but was soon made a general in the Confederate army. In June 1862, President Jefferson Davis appointed him commander of the Army of Tennessee, the Confederacy’s
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main fighting force in the west. Bragg quickly demonstrated a talent for discipline and organization and whipped the army into shape. Braxton Bragg Discipline, in particular, was (Library of Congress) one of his strong points, but many soldiers turned against him because he seemed eager to execute deserters. One private claimed, “None of General Bragg’s soldiers ever loved him. . . .He was looked upon as a merciless tyrant. . .” Unlike Robert E. Lee, there was nothing in Bragg’s personal appearance to inspire confidence in his men. A Southern girl said
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RECIPES
by Stacy Thornton Summer may not be the best time to cook, but it’s certainly among the best times to eat. A salad can become a wonderful meal when you add ingredients that compliment your taste buds. Toss fresh fruits such as watermelon, peaches, blueberries, grapes with some ingredients you already have and you can produce a salad that’s delicious, unusual, fast, and perfectly seasonal. We can't forget those fresh tomatoes and cucumbers. I love 'em! The big plus is you don't have to heat up your kitchen so start tossing your favorite ingredients and indulge in the flavors of summer. Enjoy!
5 to 6 cups broccoli florets 1/4 cup honey or sugar 1/2 cup pecans/almonds, chopped/slivered 1/2 cup cooked bacon, crumbled 1/4 cup red onion chopped 1/2 cup Craisins or fresh grapes 1 cup mayonnaise 2 tbsp red wine vinegar Toss broccoli, onion, nuts, bacon, and Craisins or grapes together. Stir mayonnaise, honey, and vinegar together and mix well. Toss dressing in with broccoli mixture. Refrigerate and chill before serving.
Greek Salad
Fresh Tomato, Onion, and Avocado Salad 1/2 red onion, sliced thinly 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley 2 tsp oregano extra virgin olive oil
Slice tomatoes and place on a large serving platter. Arrange onions and avocados over tomatoes. Sprinkle with parsley. Drizzle red wine vinegar and olive oil over platter. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
Grilled Chicken and Fruit Salad 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breast halves 1/3 cup red wine vinegar 1/2 cup white sugar or honey 1 cup vegetable oil 1/2 cup finely chopped onion 1 tsp ground mustard 1 tsp salt 1/4 tsp white pepper 1 cup fresh strawberries 1/2 cup pecans 2 heads Bibb lettuce or your favorite salad greens
6 tbsp olive oil 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice 1/2 tsp fresh chopped garlic 1 tsp red wine vinegar 1/2 tsp oregano 1/2 tsp dill weed salt and pepper to taste 1/2 red onion, chopped 3 large tomates, peeled, seeded, chopped 1 cucumber, peeled seeded, chopped 1 bell pepper, seeded, chopped 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese 1/2 cup pitted black olives, chopped Whisk olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, vinegar, oregano, and dill weed together and blend well. Season with salt and pepper. Combine tomatoes, cucumber, onion, bell pepper, and olives in a bowl. Toss in dressing. Sprinkle with feta cheese and serve.
Answers …
Toss all ingredients together and serve immediately or chill before serving. 3 to 4 fresh large tomatoes 2 avocados, peeled and chopped 1 clove of garlic, minced red wine vinegar salt and pepper to taste
Broccoli Salad
ouisiana
Cucumber Salad 1 to 2 large cucumbers, peeled and chopped 1 to 2 tbsp fresh dill or basil chopped 2 to 3 tbsp rice vinegar salt and pepper to taste
Heat grill and lightly oil grate. Grill chicken for about 8 minutes on each side or until juices run clear. Cool and slice. Blend red wine vinegar, sugar, oil, onion, mustard, salt and pepper in blender until smooth. Arrange lettuce on serving plates. Top with grilled chicken slices, strawberries, and pecans. Drizzle with dressing and serve.
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that he looked “like an old porcupine,” and one of Bragg’s own officers described him as a “tall, slim, rough looking man, with a little round head 1. T. Harry Williams 2. Their band covered with gray frizzly hair. He has a wild, abstracted look, and pays 3. Driskell Mountain but little attention to what is passing round him.” at 535 feet above sea Bragg commanded the Army of Tennessee longer than any other level in Bienville general, but he compiled a checkered record. His only great victory was at Parish Chickamauga, Georgia, in September 1863, but two months 4. “Sportsmen’s later he was badly defeated at Chattanooga, Tennessee. Paradise” Humiliated, Bragg asked to be relieved of command, but 5. General Chennault Davis then brought him to Richmond where he served ably as 6. Gombo (hence file gumbo) the president’s military adviser and general-in-chief. 7. John J. McKeithen 8. About 250 days Dr. Terry L. Jones is a professor of history at the University of Louisiana 9. 1803 at Monroe and has published six books on the American Civil War. 10. Earl K. Long
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