Louisiana Road Trips September 2012 Edition

Visit our website: www.laroadtrips.com Louisiana Road Trips

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Talkin’ It Up! If you enjoy live outdoor music while strolling vendor booths with a hot pretzel and iced lemonade, then this issue is for YOU. With festivals and fairs all over the state the next couple months, pack a bag, fill up your vehicle, and go ‘Pick Your Passion’.

There’s something for everyone within driving distance from just about any place in Louisiana. Outside of Livingston, for example, you can meet the remaining original cast from the Dukes of Hazzard at their Family Reunion and Car Show on Sept 29.

If art crawls suit your taste, there are plenty this fall, along with wineries, museums, and trade days.

Maybe you prefer spending a day at a shooting range or hunting teal at Megabucks. How about visiting a park or old cemetery, or taking a leisurely drive in celebration of Louisiana’s bicentennial this year.

That’s 200 years of history and more in the making.

Me? I come alive as the temps drop – the lower the better! I read, type, and talk even faster, anticipating those three days of winter we have here. In the meantime, I’ll continue drinking almond flavored iced coffee, learning to play the piano, and keeping a lookout for those enjoyable road trips to share with you each month. Let’s keep in touch.

Mona

Mona L. Hayden, Editor monalh@bellsouth.net (318) 547-1221

ROAD TRIPS "Celebrating country living and city happenings!"

septembe BOOK REVIEW 4 10

INSPIRATIONAL

BooCat – Living in My Lap

by Barbara Sharik

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Nothing Left to Lose by Harrison Neese

3 7 8 13 16 19 21 23 24

DELTA OUTDOORS 5 11 16 18 22

In the Crosshairs by Sonny Harrington Roaming the Range Going Native by Larry Brock The Coming of Fall Hunting Season is Here! by Johnny Wink A Life of Trial…and Error by Dennis Stewart Pre-Season Hunting Advice My Favorite Fishing Hole by Joe Joslin Rookie Wins FW Cup & $500K

12 14 14 15 17

The Holidays German Style!

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Wooden Boat Festival

Talkin’ It Up! Louisiana Lagniappe – Remember When The Old School Backtalk Mer Rouge Native Leads U.S. Navy Training Louisiana Lagniappe Answers September Calendar Reiki Healing by Mona L. Hayden Sweet Travels by Donna McManus After School Snacks

RECIPES Recipes by Stacy Thornton

ROAD TRIPS

Zwolle Tamale Fiesta Heats Up Art Gallery Crawl Teddy’s Bear Festival ‘12 “The Dukes of Hazzard” Family Reunion & Car Show

HISTORICAL 10

Living in God’s Will by Robert Lemoine

MONTHLY TIDBITS

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FESTIVALS & ENTERTAINMENT

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contents

Part I: Sidney and Annie Saunders, The Black Sheep of the Town of Monroe

by Lora Peppers Louisiana in the Civil War: September 1862: Hommes De Couleur Libre

by Terry L. Jones

6

Travel Adventure by Dianne Newcomer Hunting Season Getaways!

7

Hit the Road – by Deborah Burst Down Under

9

Rodeos, Relics & A Safety Mansion B&B

by Mona L. Hayden

13 15 22

Let’s Eat! – Sicily’s by Lee Estes New Orleans Plantation Country Say Cheese…and Goat Milk and Soap

by Su Stella

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Beds & Beignets by Mary White Savoring Natchitoches!

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Renaissance Hotel by Cheré Coen

HUMOR 4

Monroe’s OIB Building – Still Off Limits for Me! by Dixie Hall

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All Things Southern by Shellie Tomlinson Fishin’ or Dancing?

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Runnin’ the Roads by Barbara Sharik Does Emailing and Texting Cause People to Forget How to Spell?

Louisiana Road Trips

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Monroe’s OIB Building – Still Off Limits for Me!

By Dixie Hall When some folks visit the Ouachita Independent Bank Building in Monroe they’re thinking about paychecks, deposits and cute girl behind the counter. I’m thinking decapitation. Before you get nervous, hear me out. I figure everyone has a story about going to the old J.C. Penney store that’s now the OIB building.

Back then, everyone went to the Palace department store downtown to shop for the fancy things or for the low bargains you went to Howard Brothers. I wanted this better than believable deal of half off for two button polo shirts in orange, blue and green, just like it said in the J.C. Penney circular.

With five boys and a girl, going clothes shopping was no small feat. The trick was to always give “the speech” before going in, threaten within an inch of their life, and organize children into a small marine battalion. The command was absolute silence and robotic behavior. Of course, I am not here to report it always worked, just a great theory.

I had elbowed my way through the huddle of female shoppers, having practiced with K-Mart blue light specials. I went in for the deal. Kids, stay out of the huddle. I came out with every size polo shirt looking like a Boys Town employee. The battalion was still in formation. Two by two they held hands.

The last obstacle was walking the entire narrow center aisle to the checkout where a real, smiling, ‘might drink coffee with you” checkout person was waiting for us.

I smelled success and start relaxing my pace. One major obstacle in shopping with six children under 12 years old is meeting a senior citizen who knows your grandmother’s sister’s husband from El Dorado, Arkansas. I tried not to make eye contact. Picked up the pace…steered away from obstacle. Unavoidable.

I managed to exchange how all my brothers, sisters and cousins were doing in

record speed. Of course the usual southern pleasantries must be fully said, “Well, you guys come see us too. Tell your mom I said hello. Write me sometimes. Well, (hug, hug, hug) so good to see you.” I looked back to see the children battalion still in formation, but something was not quiet right. All the faces were robotic and quiet, except for one.

This face was tight and distorted like something was being held back…or was it a muffled laugh. Then my eye caught it. A manikin head was lying behind the children battalion. The manikin was laying in the aisle, discombobulated from its head wearing a thick double knit suit with red trim. She looked ghastly as if she had not worn her seat belt in a crash dummy test.

Decisions, decisions…I stood the manikin up but could not attach it to the base. I am starting to sweat profusely, feel like running for exit safety and throwing the shirts down on the beautiful crash dummy. Mr. muffled laugh child got the head and placed it neatly on the double knit jacket. I had worked to hard to pass up this bargain, manikin crash or not.

There was no need to give “the speech.” We quickly made our way to the friendly checkout person who made a sweet off handed remark, “You sure do have some well behaved children, ma’am.” (Can you imagine the checkers at Wal-Mart saying something like that these days? We feel giddy if a Wal-Mart clerk just snorts at us when checking us out).

I have never been inside the Louisville OIB branch. I only drive through. J.C. Penney’s closed soon after that incident. It is hard recovering from that kind of things. I started shopping elsewhere after that. I know it was unfounded but I just couldn’t go back in there and be recognized. You probably saw us, didn’t you?

PUBLISHER LRT Publications

______________________

EDITORIAL DIRECTOR 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

www.laroadtrips.com

BOOK REVIEW

BooCat – Living in My Lap

By Barbara Sharik

BooCat (aka SuperCat) lives on, this time on the author’s lap. In the sequel to BooCat: Unleashed and BooCat: Dancing Naked in the Rain, the unruly feline still has issues with the smart alecky Chihuahua, Taco Bell, and Rosie Dog. She also overhears conversations by her human (aka owner/master/catmom) such as when she once contemplated why she tied a stringy knot with her soon to be ex-husband, and comes to her own conclusions. Yes, BooCat has selective hearing and a most interesting perspective on both humans and animals alike.

This book opens with the author coming home to find all her beloved pets surrounding Daisy, who lay still in the yard, dead from unnatural causes. Together, they mourn Louisiana Road Trips

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the loss of dear ole Daisy, confirming that animals, too, experience loss and sadness. This experience melds the unique personalities and adds to the camaraderie found at Wit’s End Comedy Club in Jones, Louisiana – the aptly named home where all the adventure takes place.

Barbara Sharik is a successful author, artist and columnist. She lives on the edge of a corn field in a small community where she rescues animals and gives them another chance to teach her about life. If you haven’t discovered the BooCat series, jump right in with this book.

You can always catch up with the other two later. A great read for any age, anywhere, anytime.

www.laroadtrips.com

IN THE CR SSHAIRS

By Sonny Harrington

Roaming the Range Most of my articles have given you information on firearms or what to shoot. Now I’d like to talk about “where” to shoot. You see, each of the 64 parishes in Louisiana has a Sheriff. Except New Orleans – they have two, a criminal and a civil. Each Sheriff has a bunch of deputies, all packing pistols. Each deputy has to qualify at least once a year, with some departments requiring more frequency. I’ve know some that require the deputy to qualify at night if they work the night shift. Makes sense. There is a particular course of fire for law enforcement to qualify on. I could tell you what it is…but I’d have to kill you. What I can tell you is that it has changed over the last 30 years I’ve been associated with it. I can also tell you that statistically speaking, most confrontations involving firearms take place within 21 feet. Bottom line, all the boys with badges are POST certified (Police Officer Standards and Training) and highly qualified or trained to carry and serve you. If he ain’t got the card, he’s just a bubba with a badge.

All this training and shooting takes place at the range. Just about every parish has one – public, private or law enforcement owned.

Now let’s discuss the public side. It’s a safe place to shoot with a trusty berm or backstop, preferably facing south. I’ve shot on several different ones across the state, some with a hill of dirt and nothing else; others I’d call a ‘shooting facility’, a lot more elaborate with marked yardage, target, target frames, benches, skeet throwers, etc.

One of the best ranges I’ve shot on is in Ouachita Parish. The new and improved version of ranges. Now I can remember riding out to the old range in the 60s and resting a rifle barrel on the window ledge of a 1959 Ford Fairlane to check our sights. We’re light years from that now. Lots of rules go with it today.

Important rules, too. First, get out of your car and go to the range house. Might be a good

idea to leave your firearm in your vehicle if it’s your first time. Read all the rules, like actions open, or case your firearm, place it in the rack and sign in. Talk to the Range Master and see what the others are doing. In other words, do a little recon. This is no place for screw-up’s. Read the rules again. The range is located south of I-20, take Well Road exit, turn right on New Natchitoches, go a few hundred yards and turn left. Follow signs to Sheriff Richard Fewell Road. The range is operated by current Sheriff Jay Russell. It’s the best deal for the price - $10 per day, $100 per year, $125 for family, veterans and commissioned law enforcement officers are free. If you’re older than 65, no charge. Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays and some holidays. Classes on Concealed Carry, Hunter Safety, Ladies handgun classes, plus a 3-D archery range and Five Stand Sporting Clay for the shotgunner. Busy times are late September through October, standing room only, it’s take a number and get in line time. The rest of the year, it’s laid back and very relaxing. A place where you can safely shoot, comfortably, enjoy concentrating on your sights, and talk to knowledgeable people about similar problems with your accuracy and workmanship in your firearm. Of course, if you want to compete, there’s that, too. Rifle, pistol, shotgun, all under the structured rules of NRA (National Rifle Association) or the Range Master. It’s almost like a bowling alley in that respect.

I worked the range years ago. Had a fella come out to shoot his pistol one day. I called the firing line, “Cease fire!” He put out his target along with a few other patrons. I called, “Commence fire!” and everyone began shooting.

Everything is rocking along fine for about five minutes. All of a sudden, this guy starts walking down the range toward his target. I yelled, “Cease fire!” about three times and ran to him and asked what in the H-E-double hockey sticks was he

If he ain’t got the card, he’s just a bubba with a badge.

Louisiana Road Trips

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doing. He said, “Oh, I was staying in my lane…just checking my bullet holes.” I invited him to leave and considered taking up smoking. Nature was about to clean up the gene pool but not on my shift. I don’t think he could swim either. Guess he thought we were bowling.

The range is a place where men and women of any age can go, take the family, teach the kids safety in gun handling techniques and work on marksmanship. Do some meditation or work on your social skills.

The range can be a place where physical and mental concentrations meet in the elements to perform with a piece of craftsmanship in a semi-controlled environment. Wow. You can compete with yourself by making smaller groups with bullets or just relax and see who can keep it on the paper at the longest distance. I’ve met a lot of really good people at the range and some have become lifelong friends.

Guess I got more out of the range than just sighting in my rifle.

Hope you do, too. See you there.

www.laroadtrips.com

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.

TRAVEL ADVENTURE

By Dianne Newcomer

Hunting Season Getaways!

“Ten years ago, I married a man who told me he liked to go hunting.

I said that was nice. I was a complete deer in the headlights,” laughed my friend from Lake Providence. “I had no idea what that statement meant, but it was to become his justifications for the many seasons, nights, weekends and days I spent alone.”

I remember the first year, I screamed, cried and yelled. Obviously, I was doing what every new bride would do because after talking it over with his friends at the hunting camp, he informed me, "All the old men at the deer lease say I shouldn't worry if you're upset now because someday you'll be glad when I go hunting. They said to expect a day to come when you'll even pack my stuff for me and won't miss me.”

“For years I argued that point but a couple hunting seasons back, I watched this man who couldn’t sit through his own daughter’s dance recital set up an automatic feeder and camera so he could photograph animals in their natural setting sit looking at nothing forever. At that moment, I had an epiphany. His mistress was the great outdoors, and he was never going to change!

As the kids grew up, I accepted that I am a hunting widow. Soon, I began to relish not cooking a big dinner, getting the kids to bed early, and watching a TV show that did not include gunfire and death to a deer!

“Remember that trip to Jamaica several years ago with my friend, another hunting widow? Well, that did it. I discovered I could get a sitter, pack a suitcase and a swimsuit, and go enjoy myself, too, because as it turned out, those old men were right: I didn’t miss him! Thanks to you and MONROE TRAVEL SERVICE, I have had so many fun trips that now I actually look forward to hunting seasons. Why, when he said he was going to Kansas to hunt whitetail, I told him it was a great idea. That’s when I booked my Shopper’s Weekend package through you to New York City and saw The Radio City Christmas show. While he hunted deer, I hunted deals!” she laughed, and with a twinkle in her eye, added, “You know, dove hunting season opens in a few weeks and were talking about our plans and the strangest thing has happened. It is truly ironic, but my husband asked if instead of going hunting he could go with me!”

So as I thanked my friend for coming into my office at MONROE TRAVEL SERVICE, I promised to send her a few ideas on some fun destinations. Somehow, I doubted her husband could go “cold turkey” and since hunting seasons in this region run from September to March, here

are a few couple-only trips, as well as some really cool widow’s revenge getaways-available during this hunting season:

Four TRIPS for $2500 or LESS for TWO: Niagra Falls Thrill - Package includes 3 nights at the Hilton Fallsview Hotel overlooking the Canadian and American Falls, connected by a glass enclosed walkway to the Fallsview Casino. Dinner at the Watermark Restaurant, day pass to MarineLand, admission to the Imax and Skylon Tower Observatory, plus all taxes.

Washington / Williamsburg - This 5 day, 4 night package includes 2 nights in Washington DC, Old Town Trolley Tickets, dinner at Finemondo, roundtrip Amtrak travel between DC and Williamsburg, 2 nights in Williamsburg, Colonial Williamsburg One Day Plus Pass and all taxes.

Escape to Cabo – Beaches, Golfing & Fishing! Fly from Monroe to Cabo on Oct 4, stay 4 nights at the beautiful RIU PALACE Los Cabos. Package includes accommodations, all meals, drinks, entertainment, taxes, transfers, and tips, too!

Relax in Cancun - Fly from Monroe to Cancun on Oct. 4, stay 4 nights at the GRAN PORTO REAL in the Mayan Riviera in a junior suite. Package includes accommodations, all meals, drinks, entertainment, transfers, taxes, and tips, plus 50% off golf.

Amalfi Coast Winter Getaway - This 8 day 6 night Italian adventure is to the famed Amalfi Coast with a stay at the Hotel Villa Romana in Minori. Explore Ravello, Sorrento, Pompeii, Positano and Capri without the tourists on this package which includes air from NYC to Rome plus transfers, breakfast and dinner daily, from $1899 per person.

Culinary Treasures of Tuscany - Five nights, 2 hour cooking lesson with dinner at the Palazzo Leopoldo, wine tasting, olive oil

Louisiana Road Trips

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seminar, food tasting, and a prepaid Fiat Punto for exploring, if you travel in September or October. From $1549, plus air.

Girls Getaway - BEACHES Resort in Turks and Caicos rolls out the red carpet for a girls BFF 4 night vacation in paradise.

Kick back, relax, and enjoy Caribbean-style fun with special activities: champagne soirees, skincare classes, seaside yoga and more. Dates are Oct 18-22 and Apr.25-29 from $1299 per person, all inclusive.

Costa Rica - For a romantic adventure, fly from Monroe to San Jose, Costa Rica, and stay 4 nights at the 5-star SPRINGS RESORT & SPA with spectacular views of Arenal Volcano. Hike the jungles, visit wildlife preserves, river raft, take jungle canopy tours, zip line, or just soak in the hotel’s18 hot spring pools. Package includes car rental. Travel Oct 3-7 for $1525 per person.

New England and Cape Cod - There is nothing like a fall foliage holiday, especially fully escorted. This 8 day trip starts in Boston, includes Martha’s Vineyard and the Newport Mansions, then travels the back roads of Vermont. Dates are Oct. 2, 3, 5,6 -$1929 per person.

Hunting Widow Single add $769 Branson, Memphis & Nashville Experience America’s Music Cities dressed up for Christmas on this 8 day tour from St. Louis to Nashville. In addition to 10 meals, enjoy 2 nights in Branson and 2 shows, see the Titanic Museum, 2 nights at the Opryland Resort with reserved seats to the Grand Ole Opry, and 2 nights in Memphis for Beall Street and the Elvis Museum. Tour ¬¬¬¬¬departs Dec. 2-$1699. Hunting Widow Single: Add $599 Hunting season is here and the deals are out there! Call MONROE TRAVEL SERVICE today. It’s time to get ready , because, like my hunting widow said, “There’s a world of fun waiting to be enjoyed--and no hunter is required!“

Hit the Road

Down Under

Deep inside a mountainside there’s a new brand of Tennessee Bluegrass

By Deborah Burst

Pebble floors and jagged walls add to the series in what Mayo describes as another rustic welcome but in a nod to the cave’s regal Austin City Limits. "It's acoustic, authentic Americana in Tennessee, the most cavernous splendor, an opera style chandelier from state," he said holding out his arms inside the Lowe's theater in New York hangs from the cave. "It's a magic cave, a cultural adventure." crusted ceiling.

If musicians and rowdies think it’s But that’s only the difficult hauling equipment, imagine loading beginning…

I grabbed my it 300 feet underground. In their annual PBS chilidog, sat down and filming, the Bluegrass Underground listened to the silence not production had just three days to record knowing what do expect. twelve episodes, and quite a challenge Not a real student of coordinating a hundred people and 24,000 Bluegrass or the band pounds of cables and generators. “If they give Mountain Heart, I was a bit an award for technical achievement, we apprehensive until they would be a shoe-in,” laughed Mayo. “We opened the set with a ten literally produced an entire season worth of minute Bluegrass version of network quality television in three days.”

Allman Brother’s Whipping The PBS show reaches hundreds of Post. Okay, so just wrap me up and send me to millions of people covering more than 75% of the moon because I’m done and my life’s the country from Juneau, Alaska to the Virgin complete. A flood of concert memories crashed Islands. Names such as Vince Gill and Jerry Douglas will be seen on the monthly down on me, Red Rock in Colorado, the New television shows.

Orleans Warehouse, but this reigned supreme.

Founder Todd Mayo began the Bluegrass Recalling some of his favorites, Mayo Underground radio-concert series in 2008 and reflected back on August 16, 2008 when the recently partnered with PBS (Public Bluegrass Underground monthly live performances Broadcasting Service) bringing are taped for the radio show. Tickets can be purchased acoustically rich concerts to national either on their website audiences. http://www.bluegrassunderground.com/ or at the Mayo visited the cave on box office at Cumberland Caverns the day of the vacation with his family and had the vision for what exists today. It show. Bluegrass Underground airs every Saturday had all the infrastructure, night just before the The Grand Ole Opry at 5 pm CST. electricity, bathrooms, food 1. What state slogan replaced Listen on-air in 39 states and parts of Canada or online stand, but just needed a jolt of “Louisiana…A Dream State”? at wsmonline.com creativity. And Mayo is charged 2. What were the “ring tournaments” in with enough creative energy to keep SteelDrivers played in the very first Bluegrass Lake Providence in the 1800’s?

Manhattan burning for days.

Underground Concert. Del McCoury was 3. Where was northeast Louisiana’s mentioned along with Charlie Rueben at 84 “Something about the cave, a sense of only train robbery? wonder, this magical place, and to be in front years old. “Quicksilver has played three times, 4. What was known as “The of a warm crowd and very intimate setting,” pure Bluegrass, harmonies and gospel, they Cradle of the Stars”?

5. Was St. Joseph named for Mayo says. “Everybody is together in a just blow people away,” Mayo recanted. “I’m a saint? beautiful space under the earth, and the one of those guys that after every show, I say, 6. What was Governor fact the acoustics are ‘That’s the best show ever.’”

Samuel McEnery’s administration so wonderful is just Many musicians now have Bluegrass best remembered for? icing on the cake.”

Underground on their “gig bucket list” anxious to 7. What Winn Parish native was governor from 1932Mayo perform in the Volcano Room. The Underground’s 36? partnered with next project is to produce CD, vinyl and digital 8. When Louisiana entered the Union in Emmy awardrecordings of live music at the cave.

1812, what number did it enter as? winning It’s like a dream come true for Mayo.

9. What was Huey Long’s 1928 campaign slogan? producer, Todd “Rocks and dirt, the feel of outdoors, I look up 10. What are ‘darning needles’ and ‘horse Jarrell, and both during several shows and in awe,” he said. stingers’ more commonly called produce the “Then you see a chandelier, it’s so surreal.” in Louisiana?

Bluegrass Answers on next page 19 A New Orleans native now living in the piney woods of Underground Mandeville, Deb frequently visits her hometown for a po-boy fix. television

Just outside McMinnville, Tennessee, I followed a crowd of baby boomers and young adults crunching down a gravel path inside a dark cave. Leaving a beautiful day, I wasn't looking forward to trailing 300 feet inside a mountain to watch a bluegrass concert. And then it happened...

Past an underground pool and small waterfall, I turned the corner and there it was, a subterranean concert hall.

Etched inside the Cumberland Caverns the 500-seat natural amphitheater, called the Volcano Room, has been carefully chiseled by water over the last 3.5 million years and touted as one of the most acoustically rich places on earth.

It’s as if Mother Nature opened her arms and invited you into her home in a soothing 56 degrees with no outside noise or interruptions. Entombed in darkness, the body relaxes and the audio senses are heightened.

ouisiana Remember When . . .

Louisiana Road Trips

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Part I: Sidney and Annie Saunders,

The Black Sheep of the Town of Monroe

By Lora D. Peppers Back in March, 2007, I wrote my very first Road Trips Article about Sidney and Annie Saunders. I was limiting myself to only a small article and had to cram a lot of information into that space. I decided to revisit Monroe’s Black Sheep couple with a more detailed account of their lives, spread over several issues, so I give you the sad tale of Sidney and Annie Livingston Saunders.

His statue stares sternly towards the heart of downtown Monroe. Clutched in one hand is a stone scroll with the words of an ordinary marriage license engraved on in. Many people have asked who this man was. Ask a long-time resident of Monroe and you will get varying tales.

“He was an arsonist.” “He made his money off gambling and prostitution!”

“He never married his supposed wife!”

“He committed suicide.” Some of the stories have a small kernel of truth while some have been proved false. Here are the facts as known so far.

Sidney W. Saunders was born in Mississippi in 1846 to the union of James

and Sarah Saunders. When he was very young, his parents and siblings moved to Morehouse Parish Louisiana. By the 1860 census, Sidney and his six brothers and sisters were orphans.

Unfortunately, the Morehouse Parish courthouse records have been lost to fires and there is no known headstone in the area for the couple.

Sidney’s older siblings apparently raised the younger children and Sidney finished his childhood in the sleepy little town of Bastrop.

War clouds loomed on the horizon. Young men in Morehouse Parish were eager to join the army to “lick the Yankees” before the war was over. Sidney was no exception. While still a teenager, Sidney joined the Confederate Army as a Private in Company B., Third

The Old School Known as the “old school” during development, the now Historic Bastrop High Apartments are open and have been honored with 4 awards of excellence. The latest was the Louisiana Municipal Association Award presented to the city of Bastrop for Outstanding Community Improvement in Community Development for municipalities with a population of 10,001 – 25,000.

The former school, built in 1927 when Bastrop was rapidly growing with the discovery of natural gas and the growing paper industry, houses 68 apartments for seniors 55 and older. A 13 million dollar project of Bastrop Main Street and Friends of Bastrop Main Street, construction began in November 2010 after 10 years of planning and development.

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the character of the building has been maintained.

Line dancing, bingo, and other activities take place in the former gym, now the community room. Adjacent is a fitness room for residents. Solar panels, modern HVAC system and an energy efficient washer/dryer in each apartment make energy bills extremely reasonable. Even slate from former blackboards is used for cabinet tops in the office. Thirty large framed prints of Morehouse Parish history are displayed in the hallways, with frames made from reclaimed wood from the building.

The historic renovation has been an overwhelming success. With encouragement and determination by the Main Street members and the City’s Mayors (Clarence Hawkins and Betty Alford-Olive), they’ve turned a distraught pile of wood, bricks, concrete, glass and slate into a thriving community building.

For more information, contact Manager Chris Andrews or Shirley Johnson at 318-2816690 or email manager@715swash.com. Better yet, come tour the building. The Historic Bastrop High Apartments are located at 715 South Washington in Bastrop, LA. Louisiana Road Trips

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Louisiana Infantry, known as the Morehouse Guards.

During the 28th day of the siege of Vicksburg, Sidney was slightly wounded. After Vicksburg fell, Sidney became a prisoner of war and was paroled to go home.

After the Civil War ended, Sidney settled down in the booming town of Monroe. He soon became a wealthy grocer and saloonkeeper. He would take out large ads for his Grand Street Grocery, selling only the best quality items and “very lowest cash prices to be found at any store in Monroe.” The local newspaper even ran a little paragraph on its own saying, “Competent judges say that the “Velvet” whisky kept by S.W. Saunders is about the best whisky to be found in town.”

On the night of December 30th, 1871, a devastating fire started on the second floor of Sidney’s saloon which eventually consumed most of the town. The entire downtown business district of Monroe was in ruins. The fire was ruled an accident.

Rumors flew that Sidney also made his money gambling, which was socially unacceptable at the time. Sidney was considered low-classed and most of the town looked down on him. One rumor said that Sidney made some of his money in prostitution. This particular rumor may be true. In February of 1879, a fire broke out in a building occupied by Emma Clifton, a local madam. Towards the end of the article, in an almost, “Oh, by the way!” tone, were the following words, “The building was owned by Mr. S.W. Saunders, insured for $1500.”

The rumor mill roared to life when Sidney came back from a trip in 1875 with a “wife” on his arm. Her name was Annie E. Livingston. With them was a little boy they claimed to be their son Willie.

Next month, just who was Annie?

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 email at loradpeppers@hotmail.com.

www.laroadtrips.com

Rodeos, Relics & A Stately Mansion B&B Cheyenne, Wyoming

By Mona L. Hayden

Live the Legend. That’s how Cheyenne proudly promotes this authentic Western town, which just may be an understatement as the legend continues to develop here.

From the famous Frontier Days, where the western spirit thrives while attracting fans worldwide for a solid week of rodeo excitement and top shelf country music each July, to the F. E. Warren Air Force Base, a command center for the U. S. Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles and a training ground for the U. S. Air Force. Cheyenne is also an active Archaeological Dig Site for the University of Wyoming with Indian relics and pre-historic artifacts dating back 11,000 years.

More than just rodeos and relics, this vibrant city with some 60,000 residents and about 91,000 in the metropolitan area is home to the Wyoming State Capitol, an array of impressive museums, and the worlds’ largest steam locomotive – the Big Boy Steam Engine.

Come ride the Street Railway Trolley, visit the Cheyenne Botanic Gardens, the Terry Bison Ranch with 3,000 bison, fishing, horseback rides, and a saloon, or enjoy the theatre, symphony orchestra, and galleries.

From specialty shops to Western emporiums, shoppers will delight in the selection. Take a relaxing walking tour of the historic downtown area or play a round of golf, as Cheyenne was named one of Golf Digest’s “Top Ten Golf Towns”. Bask in the great outdoors with hiking, fishing, and rafting readily available at the numerous parks and recreation sites, or simply savor the hospitality of this sizeable western city that has the charm of a smaller town.

As the day comes to a close, make your way downtown to Cattle Barron Row for a

luxurious stay at the Nagle Warren Mansion Bed & Breakfast. Built in 1888 when Cheyenne was the richest city of its size in the world, The Nagle Warren Mansion B&B was constructed for just $50,000, including all furnishing. The building has since been used as a private residence, a YWCA for chaperoned housing for single women, and a social center for the town residents before being sold in 1997 to the current innkeeper, Jim Osterfoss, who successfully converted it to an elegant B & B. An imposing structure, the mansion is exquisite with period details throughout.

Interior features include finely crafted oak woodwork, an original chandelier, a carved leather ceiling, original stained glass and crystal windows, and two significant paintings displayed in the parlor that were commissioned by Mrs. Nagle when the home was built almost 125 years ago.

The meticulously appointed home offers twelve guest rooms with private baths. Guests can enjoy modern comforts and conveniences such as central air, data port lines and wireless DSL in each room that blend seamlessly with authentic period wallpaper, antique furniture, and period-style artwork.

You’re welcome to spend a lazy afternoon in the parlor, sitting room, dining room, and library; stroll the grounds with lush gardens and

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flowing fountains; soak in the hot tub, or relax on the patio with a nice cup of coffee and a good book. On Friday and Saturday afternoons, high tea is served. Corporate guests will appreciate the three conference rooms accommodating up to 20 people, and a fully equipped business office. Top this off with gourmet breakfasts, entertaining conversations, and an endless cookie jar and you’re guaranteed a pleasant visit.

Located within walking distance to great shopping, restaurants, the capitol building complex and the heart of the city, the Nagle Warren Mansion B&B delivers on every front, making it a stand-alone destination. The Mansion is ideally suited for weddings, receptions, private parties, or corporate events. Plan to celebrate a birthday, anniversary, or just a tranquil weekend.

The Nagle Warren Mansion B&B is located at 222 East 17th Street in Cheyenne, Wyoming. Call 800-811-2610, email jim@nwmbb.com, or visit www.naglewarrenmansion.com to inquire about special holiday events, murder mystery dinners, wine pairing dinners and other experiences at the B&B.

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Louisiana in the Civil War

September 1862: Hommes De Couleur Libres When the Civil War began, New Orleans had a large population of free men of color who were the descendants of French and Spanish men and slave women.

During the colonial period both French and Spanish law granted complete equality to freed slaves. As a result, the hommes de couleur libre were permitted to own land, businesses, and slaves; be educated; and serve in the military. The free men of color created a niche for themselves in the Crescent City’s multi-cultural society and worked as lower middle class clerks, artisans, and skilled laborers. They also had a tradition of proud military service. The hommes de couleur libre had their own militia units that served in various Indian wars and fought against the British during the Revolutionary War. After the U.S. acquired Louisiana in 1803, the status of the hommes de couleur libre changed significantly. Louisiana’s constitution of 1812 specifically restricted the right to vote and run for office to white men who owned property. The free men of color could still own property and serve in the militia, but they were left out of politics and their social status began to decline. Nonetheless, they once again volunteered to defend their homes during the War of 1812 and fought bravely for Andrew Jackson at the Battle of New Orleans.

A week after civil war erupted in April 1861, some of New Orleans’ free men of color offered to form military companies to fight the Yankees. In an announcement published in the Daily Picayune, the men declared that they were prepared to defend their homes “against any enemy who may come and disturb its tranquility.” Soon afterward, hundreds of hommes de couleur libre gathered in the street to show their support for the Confederacy, and a regiment known as the Native Guards was soon formed. All of the line officers were of African descent, although Governor Thomas O. Moore appointed a white colonel to command the regiment. The Daily Crescent declared, “Our free colored men . . . are certainly as much attached to the land of their birth as their white brethren here in Louisiana.

. . .[They] will fight the Black volunteered for Republican with as much Confederate service in determination and gallantry as 1861. Their supposed any body of white men in the change in loyalty seems to service of the Confederate States.” indicate their offer to fight The Native Guards were for the South was made mustered into the Louisiana only to protect their militia, but officials refused to economic and social status enlist them into the Confederate within the community. To army. Other Southern states’ not volunteer would make views on race were more rigid, white neighbors suspicious and to them it was and possibly lead to unthinkable to retaliation. Some Native arm black men.

Guards said as much to Louisiana black militia during the Putting grey Butler and others.

Battle of New Orleans (U.S. Army uniforms on black Center for Military History).

Undoubtedly many of men would be the hommes de couleur libre recognizing that African had no love for the Southern cause and simply Americans were equal to volunteered for the militia to protect whites and that was something themselves from their white neighbors. the Confederates refused to do.

However, military service records calls into When Union forces occupied New question whether that was true for the Orleans in the spring of 1862, the black militia majority of them. Of the 1,035 hommes de disbanded. After the Battle of Baton Rouge in couleur libre who served in the 1861 Louisiana August, General Benjamin F. Butler, the militia unit, only 108 (or about 10 percent) Union’s military governor of Louisiana, went on to serve in the U.S. Army’s Native requested reinforcements to defend New Guards. This would seem to indicate that a Orleans, but none were forthcoming. In large number of the men of color were sincere desperation Butler informed Secretary of War in their desire to fight for the South and Edwin Stanton that he planned to raise a defend their homes against a Yankee invasion. regiment of free blacks. On September 27, Dr. Terry L. Jones is a professor of history at the 1862, Butler mustered the 1st Regiment of University of Louisiana at Monroe and has published several books on the American Civil War. Louisiana Native Guards into Union service, making it the first sanctioned regiment of African American troops in U.S. Army history.

By Harrison Neese It has generally been assumed that Only a native Louisianan can pen a novel that so aptly reflects the the hommes de adventure and saga of two Spanish families forced to abandon life as couleur libre who they know it in the Canary Islands and settle in joined Butler’s Spanish Louisiana in 1779. Author Harrison Native Guards that Neese is a 7th generation direct descendant of three Canary Island Isleno patriots of the September were the American Revolution who settled along Bayou same ones that had Lafourche in 1779, making this fictional work served earlier in the even more fascinating for history buffs. The state militia novel emphasizes the actual prominence of the regiment by the Spanish influence during 1763-1803. same name. Butler, Beautifully written, the story is laden with in fact, claimed that factual pieces of history as three generations of was the case. As a the original families eventually gain citizenship result, historians with triumph at the Battle of New Orleans. have questioned the Enjoy the mystique of the wild wetlands during this war-ravaged era, sincerity of the black where passions collide and murder and mystery unfold. A great militiamen who fictional read for anyone interested in Louisiana history and culture.

Our free colored men . . . are certainly as much attached to the land of their birth as their white brethren here in Louisiana.

Louisiana Road Trips

BOOK REVIEW

Nothing Left to Lose

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GOING NATIVE

By Larry Brock

The Coming of Fall Summer presses toward maturity and daylight hours are ebbing. Due to a mild winter and spring, things have seemed early all year – leafing, blooming, fruiting, seeding. Here along the River, corn harvest began in mid-July. But after a summer of sizzling heat and oppressive drought, plants in the natural world are weary. Tired leaves are shedding. Wind in the birches signal change.

"The foliage has been losing its freshness through the month of August, and here and there a yellow leaf shows itself like the first gray hair amidst the locks of a beauty who has seen one season too many." - Oliver Wendell Holmes The Fall Equinox recurs on September 22nd – equal dark, equal light; not too dim, not too bright; equal hours, day and night.

As summer wanes, vine, branch and stalk are clustered with berries, fruit and seed. Here in mid-August, elderberries sag with juicy fruit.

White rough-leaf dogwood drupes stare like so many huddled eyes. Buckeyes are falling.

Beautyberries are purpling. Meadow grasses are lanky and crowned with seed. For one observer, droning dog-day cicadas are as good a sign as any that summer is getting on. Empty husks cling to leaf and bark. For me, goldenrods mark the passing of summer, the coming of fall.

Sometimes, seasons overlap for a plant.

Right now, flowering dogwoods are heavy with green football-shaped drupes. But look closer. In

the fork of twig and leaf, buds for next year’s blooms have already formed. Ripened fruit and sealed buds will hang out together through winter until next spring when the buds will open as the familiar dogwood blossoms we love so well.

This was the year of common mullein, blooming in all the waste places. Though many roadside plants have gone to seed, some like elderberry, rose-mallows and trumpet creepers still blossom. Noticeable flowering plants in my midAugust landscape include chicory, cosmos, buddleia, cannas & daylilies, black-eyed Susan, crepe myrtle, garden phlox, ironweed, lantana, sages & salvias, tall coneflower, Turk’s cap, Mexican petunias and four o’clocks.

“The breezes taste of apple peel, the air is full of smells to feel” wrote John Updike of September… lingering scents of phlox, gardenia, sweet olive, rose and ginger.

What a summer for frogs! Southern leopard frogs are everywhere, every size. Green tree frogs too, the Louisiana state amphibian. And toads.

Carolina anoles scurry along the wall, leaping through foliage, flashing pink dewlaps. Little brown skinks wriggle through the leaf litter. Fivelined skinks were plentiful at one time, the ones with the bright blue tail, but they’re scarce now.

In yet another year stressed by scorching drought, the patio birdbath oasis continued to attract birds. Documented visitors included cardinals, chickadees, bluebirds, doves, finches, jays, mockers, robins, sparrows, thrashers and wrens. Painted Buntings and Baltimore Orioles are still mid-August regulars. After fledging, the local

ALL THINGS SOUTHERN

bird population ballooned. Yellow-billed cuckoos have departed for the year but hummingbird numbers continue to climb.

Persistent drought required regular watering of the clay soil around my house slab to prevent settling and cracking. Resulting blooms attracted a profusion of butterflies – especially swallowtails, sulphurs and silver-spotted skippers, one of North America’s largest and most widespread skippers.

Dozens of gulf fritillary females nectar on lantana and lay their eggs on the native passion vine which serves as a host plant. A closer examination revealed many of the ragged leaves are crawling with the orange, black-spined larvae. A complete life cycle right out my back door!

Seasonal gardening advice is to prune tired perennials or pull up overgrown spring bedding plants and replant for a fresh fall show. But my native beds are waist high with blooming annuals and perennials. They feed a beautiful array of hummingbirds and butterflies … and insects that support a thriving community of birds, frogs, lizards, spiders and mantids that feed on those insects. Why destroy such an elaborate backyard habitat by jerking out plants before they mature?

Maintain nature’s diversity where you can 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.

By Shellie Tomlinson

Fishin’ or Dancing?

Hello folks! It's good to see everyone. Pour yourselves something refreshing from the sideboard and let's chat...~smile~ Everyone is always wanting more stories on Aunt Marleta and Uncle Stan. So, without further ado, here's another one on the Natchez relatives. Uncle Stan served in the first Gulf War. He was working for the International Paper Company in Natchez, Mississippi when his guard unit was called up. He

All Things Southern “Bringing you the charm and heritage of the South…” ph 318-559-0319 • cell 319-282-2508 tomtom@allthingssouthern.com

was fifty-eight. Uncle Stan’s had to overcome a lot of health problems stemming from the war, and he’s retired now from the Paper Company, but he’s not resting on his laurels. Several years ago he graduated from college at sixtyeight years young.

Uncle Stan got a degree in recreational management with the idea being he and Aunt Marleta could travel the country. And, if he so chose, he could take a job at one of the parks. This would also allow him to fish the best lakes and rivers out there. Uncle Stan loves to fish.

Aunt Marleta—not so much, she says Uncle Stan sucked the fun out of it for her years ago.

Back then Aunt Marleta was always asking Uncle Stan to take her fishing with him and he was always finding reasons not to bring her along. Uncle Stan loved his wife, but he was also serious about his fishing and he knew she’d just be hot and

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miserable. Aunt Marleta is kind of like that saying you’ve seen cross-stitched on pillows. If she ain’t happy, ain’t nobody happy. “Leta,” he’d say, “You know you don’t like to sit still, and the fish won’t bite if the boats rocking and reeling.”

One day, Uncle Stan finally agreed to take Aunt Marleta fishing. After giving her a big lecture about being quiet and still they took off. Sure enough, Aunt Marleta got enough fishing early on. Several times she tried to say something but each time Uncle Stan put his hand up in wordless reminder. About three hours into their hot little expedition, her legs cramping from being in one place, Aunt Marleta finally shifted her position ever so slightly. And just like that, Uncle Stan huffed. “For heavens sakes, Leta, I knew it was gonna be like this! Did you come out here to fish— or to dance?”

Aunt Marleta’s answer says it all. “Stanley," she said. "I came to fish, but I’m willing to fight.”

I think we can all relate, Aunt Leta. Y'all have a great time on the porch today, friends, and drop me a note when you're done. Until next time...

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~Hugs, Shellie

The Holidays German Style!

The Minden Fasching Fifth Season Festival Unique in Louisiana is a city of German heritage, Minden, a community founded in 1836 by German-American Charles Hans Veeder and named for the home of his ancestors, Minden Germany. In 1835, a group of German immigrants seeking religious freedom settled in a commune just north of Minden at the Germantown Colony. The Minden Fasching Fifth Season celebrates this heritage and “all things German” including food, music and festival on November 10th and 11th.

“Fasching” or the “Fifth Season” is the German equivalent of Mardi Gras. The Fifth Season officially begins each year in the 11th month, on the 11th day, at 11:11 AM, at a ceremony where the Mayor hands over city keys to the King and Queen of Karneval, serving as royalty for Fasching, who preside over festivities for the fifth season which ends on Ash Wednesday at the beginning of Lent. Fasching is held on the 1917 brick street of Main Street downtown.

The weekend begins Friday night with the “Grand Illumination” where thousands of Christmas lights kick off the holiday season, along with 100+ nutcrackers. Minden is a partner in the North Louisiana “Holiday Trail of Lights”. www.holidaytrailoflights.com.

Festival Day begins at 8:30am Saturday for participants in a “Tour of Germantown”, a 7/14 mile and 100k bike ride, stopping to tour Germantown Colony Museum. River Dawg Racing is organizing the ride (www.steelsports.net or riverdawgracing@gmail.com).

From 10am, German Music and authentic German food fill the air.

Artists and artisans will line the streets selling their wares while shoppers enjoy the 2012 Fasching Boutique with various retail booths at The Vault downtown. Stroll through a beer garden at Orleans on Main created by the Homebrew Club of Shreveport/Bossier City and sample great, robust home-brewed beer. Participate in a homemade pickle contest, with great prizes for the best Gurkens! www.mindenfasching.com Catch a bus downtown to tour Germantown Colony Museum (free), take a “Ghost Walk” at the old Minden Cemetery ($10 with proceeds for cemetery upkeep). www.mindencemeteryblogspot.com, or view local art at Minden City Art Works. www.mindenusa.com/mainstreet. Fireworks start at 6:30 Saturday night! Children have the opportunity all weekend to visit with Weihnachts Mann (Santa Klaus), enjoy clowns, face painting, a petting zoo and special events.

On Sunday, the frivolity begins at noon. The Minden Fasching Festival is produced in cooperation with Minden Main Street, Krewe des Ambassadeurs, Minden South Webster Chamber of Commerce, Shreveport Bossier Beer Club, River Dawg Racing, Friends of Germantown, and Minden Cemetery Association. It is funded in part by a grant from the Louisiana Office of Tourism (www.LouisianaTravel.com), Webster Parish Convention and Visitors Bureau (www.visitwebter.com), Republic Industries - Allied Waste, Diamond Jacks Casino and Resort, Orleans on Main, Bayou Blasters Fireworks.

The “Minden Fasching Fifth Season Celebration” celebrates the heritage of Minden, German customs and culture. Minden is located at exit 47 off Interstate 20, just 30 miles from Shreveport, 70 miles from Monroe, and is a short drive from Arkansas, Texas and Mississippi.

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Let's Eat!

Sicily’s – A Unique Spot in South Louisiana

By Lee Estes

From time to time, How much, you ask? What's the catch?

As wonderful I have occasion to visit How much extra for the drinks? Salad bar as seafood in Lafayette and if I want extra? What about take-outs? Forget those South Louisiana something to eat, I drive questions because EVERYTHING is included. can be, that is not a few miles south on US 90 to Broussard, LA That's right, salad bar, hot buffet, pizza, Sicily's major and have lunch at Sicily's Ultimate Italian coffee, ice cream, and if you want, a pizza offering other Buffet, a made to your specifications. Dinner, including than one or two place I tax, is $11.86; Lunch, including tax, is only items on the discovered $10.78. Wednesday is Seniors Day with an all buffet. several years day price, lunch or dinner, of $8.21.

Nevertheless, ago on my Sicily's clientele includes all types of folks. Sicily's offers a Standard menu side of way to New I met and talked with oil field workers, medical variety I can only buffet, also included in buffet price in addition to pizza.

Iberia. Of personnel, compare with course, old folks some of the Grand Smorgasbords I have inflation has like enjoyed in Scandinavia. made the myself, Why not take a Louisiana Road Trip, a price a bit and others weekend perhaps, and take advantage of the Small portion of Pizza Buffet at higher than Sicily's. There are more than twenty from many great food available. You can reach it was when five varieties of Pizza available on walks of Broussard from Monroe in time for lunch, I first visited, the buffett and none are allowed to life. All then spend a relaxing day or so exploring but it is still get cold or stale. If they are on the voiced places nearby – Breaux Bridge, St. counter more than thirty minutes, one of the admiration Martinville, Abbeville, and Delcambre – all they are replaced. best bargains for the worth a visit and they have wonderful places Personnel from local health facility anywhere. great fare to satisfy any craving for Louisiana Seafood. enjoy lunch at Sicily's I hear you thinking: What in the world offered by Lee Estes, a Kentucky native, migrated to Louisiana in could be special about another pizza house?

Sicily's at the all inclusive price. The only 1956 with his wife, Lottie. He worked in aviation then A&LM Railway. He began making photographs in After all, we have Johnny's all over north complaint was there being much more available with Europe after WWII and ranked among the leading monochrome exhibition photographers in the U.S. during Louisiana plus all the other chains. than one could possibly eat. I don't recommend the 80’s. His extensive travels included leading tours The first time I ventured into Sicily's I sampling everything available, but do across the globe. Lee has authored three photo/documentary books and is currently involved with wasn't looking for pizza, just a place to have recommend Sicily's the next time you are in the the documentation of The Dixie Overland Highway lunch. What I found was a lot more than just Lafayette area. While there, tell manager Justin (US80) in Louisiana, funded by a grant from the Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities. pizza – a full buffet featuring Holmes that I sent you. crawfish bisque, a complete salad bar, an array of vegetables and This is a first for me… never comment meats, spaghetti and meatballs, a on much but I want to say how much dessert bar with chocolate chip my family enjoys your paper. Every pizza among other things, and an page has something interesting, educational or funny. I believe it’s your ice cream dispenser with all lack of pretense and political kinds of toppings. Then, of correctness that appeals to me most. I course, there was pizza, more high commend you and your team on than twenty five different kinds! publishing one of the finest reads I’ve Another surprise was a coffee bar Coffee bar at Sicily's. A variety of come across in years.

– Sam N., Bossier City featuring a variety of Community Community coffees are part of the buffet. coffees.

I folded over the page with the LPB ad and article [August 2012] to remind me to watch Harry Connick, Jr. narrate the La Bicentennial program… just wish the picture of him was larger!

– Leila P., Crossett, AR

K C A B K TAL

Great piece on Fredericksburg, Texas [Aug 2012]. I love Louisiana and have probably visited just about every city and town since I moved here in 1951 but it’s nice to take an extended ‘road trip’ sometimes. I still see a lot of the state because I take the back roads... couldn’t get me to an airport these days! – Bobby L., Donaldsonville, LA How interesting that a drawing of the Woodland Plantation Inn is on the label of Southern Comfort [Bed n Beignets, by Mary White, Aug 2012]. I would never have known this. Your writers come up with some of the best information about Louisiana! Love your magazine and save every copy.

– K. Teague, Opelousas Louisiana Road Trips

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Zwolle Tamale Art Gallery Crawl Fiesta Heats Up Thursday, Oct. 4th, 5-9pm The Fall season is a great time to prepare your favorite tamale recipe and enjoy the amazing blend of spices. If you want to experience this treat without the fuss, travel to the Zwolle Tamale Fiesta being held October 11-13 at the Zwolle, LA Festival Grounds.

Enjoy the celebration of the Spanish and Native American heritage of the area.

The Fiesta kicks off Thursday, October 11th at the Zwolle Festival Grounds with dinner and entertainment at 6pm. Festival gates open Friday at 5pm beginning with Johnson Carnival Rides, concessions, arts and crafts, and tamale eating contest.

Plan on dancing to music by Don Rich and DJ Bradley Byley 7:30–11:30pm. Saturday begins with the parade at 10am; gates open at 11am. Enjoy lots of activities including the Spanish costume contest, arm wrestling contest, tamale judging and tamale eating contest, with the Fiesta Mudbog at 1pm. Dance to music from Overland Express, Foret Tradition of New Orleans, and DJ Bradley Byley 7:30–11:30pm for a great time.

For more Fiesta information and a complete schedule of events, contact the Sabine Parish Tourist Commission at 1-800-358-7802 or visit www.ToledoBendLakeCountry.com.

The Monroe/West Monroe Downtown Arts Alliance will once again sponsor its bi-monthly Downtown Gallery Crawl on the first Thursday of October. Produced and hosted by the nine galleries of the Alliance, the Crawl is a great time to visit, eat and drink, listen to live music, and view (and buy!) beautiful, original art.

The event is free and all age appropriate. Further, any original art sold in the Cultural Districts is sales tax-free – a wonderful opportunity to buy Christmas gifts and fine art for yourself. More than 50 artists regularly participate in the Crawls.

It’s quite possible to visit all nine in an evening, starting on either side of the Ouachita River. On Antique Alley in West Monroe, you can peruse the works of 30+ artists with the Ouachita River Art Gallery. Cross the Endom Bridge and turn right on South Grand to visit Livaudais Gallery, which generously hosts guest artists. On DeSiard Street, stroll down to the Palace Gallery, housed in the historic, now renovated Palace Department Store.

Finally, you will hit the mother lode—UPSTAIRS, the Big Room, Downstairs Gallery, Arender Gallery, Sugar Gallery, and Becton Gallery—all located on Art Alley (formerly North 2nd Street).

All the galleries will present new art by resident and guest artists. Arender Gallery, for instance, will host a "Monster Show," featuring several local artists using various media.

"Collective" by Joli The Downtown Arts Alliance is composed of artists, Livaudais Grisham (Livaudais Gallery) galleries, and supporters, including sponsors. More information is available on the group’s website--www.downtowngallerycrawl.com— and also on its Facebook page (search for “Downtown Gallery Crawl”).

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Teddy’s Bear Festival ’12 The Madison Parish Tourism Commission will hold its sixth annual, “Teddy’s Bear Festival ’12: A Historical Celebration,” festival commemorating President Theodore Roosevelt’s successful bear hunt expedition in Madison Parish where he actually shot and killed his black bear. Teddy’s Bear Festival ’12 is scheduled for October 13th from 9am-10pm at the Court House Square in downtown Tallulah.

Admission is free. For more information, contact Tina Johnson at 1-888744-8410 or mptourism@att.net.

Lots of activities (children’s games and prizes, rock climbing, face and finger painting, fire and safety prevention activities and inflatable rides) for children will be offered. Educational and informational exhibits featuring a variety of activities as well as live animals, and information on wildlife, hunting, and fishing will be on display. Booths showcasing many arts & crafts will also be available. Lots of door prizes and surprise raffle items. Enjoy numerous food booths and live entertainment featuring a variety of non-stop music genres.

The festival is headlined by Easy Eddie and the Party Rockers along with Hadley J. Castille, world-renowned Cajun fiddler player, Louisiana Hall of Famer, television and movie performer from Opelousas, Willie Naylor, Jazz trumpeter from Chicago, Illinois and rhythm and blues artist, Vickie Baker, Vicksburg, Ms. Local talent along the I-20 corridor will include country and western singers Jessie Larue, bluegrass, Gospel, Country, Blues, Rock 'n Roll group, Grassfire, the Angelic Voices of Praise and the Lion of Judah gospel singers and other local artist.

Tier level sponsors for the event include: Platinum Sponsors: Louisiana Office of Tourism, Entergy, S&B Drugs, E-Z Auto Sales, Tensas State Bank, One Stop Smoke Shop, Madison Chamber of Commerce, Delta Bank and Cross Keys Bank. Gold Sponsors: State Representative Andy Anders, Diamond Jacks Casino. Silver Sponsors: Delta Home Care, Madison Parish Farm Bureau, Joseph, W. Yerger, DDS, LTD, and James E. Paxton, APLC. Bronze Sponsors: Tommy Leoty, Jr. Insurance Agency.

New Orleans Plantation Country Part of what defines the rich history of New Orleans Plantation Country is our food. It’s not just delicious – it’s legendary. You might enjoy a gourmet dish at a fine-dining establishment one night, and then have a bowl of seafood gumbo at a festival the next day – and both will be equally exquisite.

You’ll savor authentic Cajun and Creole cuisine, fresh Louisiana seafood and so much more.

Jambalaya, gumbo, boiled crawfish, red beans & rice, crawfish étouffée, po-boys – the list of amazing Louisiana dishes is almost endless. And with options to satisfy every craving, palate and budget, you’ll hardly be able to wait for your next meal!

Win a Fabulous Foodies Getaway to New Orleans and Plantation Country, four nights and culinary delights await! Visit NOLAPlantations on Facebook or VisitNOPC.com/sweepstakes to enter and win, contest runs through December 7, 2012.

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Hunting Season is Here!

By Johnny Wink

Wow! Can you believe it? We can now go outside and hunt. I’m fired up!! Just like Christmas, hunting is worth waiting for. We’ve got a lot to hunt: there's squirrel, rabbit, dove, quail and woodcock hunting. Don't forget the most mysterious and exciting of all, snipe hunting. For the big game hunter, this includes deer, ducks, and geese. In the last few years hog hunting has become popular, also gator and predator hunting.

For some, it takes days and even months to get ready for the hunt. Preparing is almost as fun, too! Planting food plots has become so big that as much money as it costs to plant, spray, and keep the grass out (don't forget fertilizing and liming), most hunters will agree it’s worth the time and expense.

Me? I hope those deer and turkeys and whatever else munches on what I've planted like it, and like it a lot.

And if you don't get enough rain on your food plot, most of it is wasted. You wonder what else can go wrong? We all become farmers of sorts, seeing firsthand how tough it is. We do all this to try and get an edge on killing a deer. I hope they don't come up with any more ways we have to get out in the hot weather and on a tractor for. Like my duck blinds, I have so many electric stuff jumping, shaking, flying and stirring up the water that I need enough electricity to keep a small town going.

Every year we run into snakes while bush-hogging or mucking out our duck blinds. And those bad-tempered red wasps that like our deer stands, too. Being out in the woods this time of year is so much fun. Getting the work out of the way now let’s us just hunt and enjoy the season when it comes. And what's not to enjoy? Everything around this sport is fun, especially going to camp on Friday afternoons. You deposit your paycheck in the bank, load up your ice chest, head to camp and if you’re lucky, someone has already beat you there and got the air conditioner on and the grills fired up.

Here in the South, hunting is a tradition, and it's all the better if you can share it with your family. To learn woodsmanship from your grandparents and parents, to be with your brothers and sisters and cousins, even neighbors, is priceless. Everyone pitches in and everyone has fun. Something special happens out here. We seem to forget what’s going on at work or in town and clear our minds. The sounds in the woods make you want to relax and take a nap. That's when those big bucks walk right past you and you never know it.

On a different note, I never heard Jeff Foxworthy say this but it’s true: If you paid more for your lawnmower then you did for your truck, you might be a redneck. Well, I have to say yes, I did. That's why when I go out this Saturday night, I will pick her up in my new Grasshopper mower and if she doesn't like that, well, she can walk, because I love my new mower. It's so pretty.

As I write this, I’m packing for my vacation to Jamaica. When I come back it will be TV dinners and sleeping with my cat. Ah well, you can't have it all and I do like TV dinners... you know,

If you paid more for your lawnmower then you did for your truck, you might be a redneck.

Louisiana Road Trips

the Hungry Man ones? And as for my cat Tom Jones, he doesn't mind if I snore real loud or if sometimes I knock him off the bed. He always comes back to me.

Before I fly off, I want to thank Mr. Jinks Pruitt from Jones, LA who showed up with a crew of men, a track hoe and bull dozer, and dug a huge hole to bury the remains from my barn fire and trees last fall. It's so nice to have neighbors that help out when they can. Thank you, Mr. Jinks and all your crew. I can't wait 'til I can lend a hand to help you. In the country that's how we do things. And we always wave at each other. Thank the Lord for letting me be a duck guide in Morehouse Parish, Jones, Louisiana.

Mer Rouge Native Leads U.S. Navy Training the need for speed, from riding Captain John T. Dye of Mer mini-bikes around Mer Rouge to Rouge, Louisiana was recently attempting to promoted to Commanding walk his Officer of the quarterdeck of three-wheeler the Navy at RTC (Recruit on the back Training Command), the tires seven Navy’s only boot camp. His miles to new responsibilities include Collinston. Of the training of 37,000 course he got recruits annually as well as a ticket but 1,100+ military personnel the officer and civilian staff.

CO John Dye agreed he Dye graduated from probably would have met his NLU in Monroe with a B.S. in Aviation and Master’s Degree. He goal. In college, he got so many speeding tickets that he almost received his commission through Aviation Officer Candidate School had his license suspended. When flying wasn’t enough anymore, he before being designated a Naval joined the Navy to command Flight Officer in 1990. even faster planes. He’s not flying John’s Parents, John and now but he did just purchase a Deloris Dye, recall his earlier Ducati motorcycle. years. “We thought our son “My brother has the most would grow up to be fisherman, amazing ability to excel at hunter or trapper. He spent every whatever he does – hunting, moment that he wasn’t in school fishing, trapping, carpentry work, or working in the woods or on sports, school, flying, the river. Girls? Forget them – photography, mountain climbing they were too expensive and – and does it at the highest money spent on them could buy possible level. He’s a great man to bait, ammo, or gas. And he be in charge of our Navy’s wanted to fly an airplane recruits. I’m fiercely proud of him someday, too. He went to college, and can’t wait to see where his learned to fly (got a commercial pilot license), and fell in love with career leads him next.”

Louisiana Road Trips salutes Patty. She was a year behind him C. O. John Dye and sends so he decided to stay there and heartfelt appreciation for your get his master’s degree.” service!

His sister, Cindy McMilleon, says, “My brother has always had

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A LIFE OF TRIAL…AND ERROR

By Dennis Stewart

Pre-Season Hunting Advice As the wisest and most qualified hunting contributor to LRT, I am frequently sought out not only by the readers but also by fellow contributors for advice on hunting. Sonny Harrington, for example, recently expressed an interest in more columns on hunting squirrels and beavers. Johnny Wink has also asked for advice on bagging trophy wives. I am always eager to mentor those with less knowledge and experience than myself.

Some of my fondest memories are of hunting squirrels on opening weekend (the first Saturday in October) way back when I was a teenager at our hunting camp on the Tensas River.

My father and his hunting buddies were members of Three Buck Bayou Hunting Club. I will never forget the first day I killed the limit of 8 squirrels. The main reason I will never forget is because I accidentally killed 9 squirrels that day. I can tell this now because I am fairly certain the statute of limitations has run.

My father had dropped me off on the bank of the Tensas before daylight, from his

aluminum boat. I eased along the bank of a bayou near the river. Right after daylight, I shot at a squirrel but didn’t see it fall, and couldn’t find him lying dead anywhere nearby, so I continued to hunt and eventually got my limit of 8. Only when I returned to where my Dad was going to pick me up did I find that dead squirrel. He put me over the limit, and into a panic. I had heard stories about what happened to pretty boys like me in prison. So I buried the squirrel and waited for my Dad. When he showed up with less than the limit, I dug the squirrel up and gave it to my Dad so he could stick it in his hunting vest. Problem solved. I guess the moral of that story is to remember the State always has the burden of proof, and you can always claim ignorance and blame the inadequacies of the public school system in not teaching you how to count.

The worst part of hunting with my Dad and his buddies was they cooked squirrel mullegan the evening after the first day’s hunt. Our hunting camp was primitive and clean water was precious.

Vision a huge bowl of cooked rice with squirrel parts in it, along with lots of squirrel hair, along with squirrel heads. Yes, the brains were considered a delicacy. I could never bring myself to eat squirrel mullegan. I always brought a can of Vienna Sausage with

I had heard stories about what happened to pretty boys like me in prison.

me and ate that for supper, even though I was fully aware of what was in Vienna Sausage. It was the lesser of two evils.

In regard to beavers, my only experience with hunting them came when we had a camp near Waterproof, when I was less than 12 years old. We had a problem with beavers damming up the old river bottom. Some enterprising members of the hunting club had access to dynamite or TNT in the form of something called primer cord. The older members of the club strung up primer cord along the beaver dam and beaver lodges and we all hid behind some fallen logs about 50 yards away. I remember someone touching a wire to a big battery. Boom! After my hearing returned a few hours later, I learned our problem had been solved. Years later, we found pieces of primer cord along with boxes of matches stashed in a pack rat nest in a raggedy sofa in our hunting camp. I suspect the beavers.

In all honesty, I don’t know how I ever got a trophy wife. I’m not good looking and I’m not rich. So I guess there’s still hope for anyone, if you live long enough. Even duck guides in Jones, Louisiana.

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.

Wooden Boat Festival On October 13 and 14, 2012 starting at 10am, the Lake Pontchartrain Basin Maritime Museum will present the 23rd Annual Wooden Boat Festival along the banks of the scenic Tchefuncte River in Madisonville, La. This primary fundraiser supports the wonderful programming and exhibits of the Lake Pontchartrain Basin Maritime Museum.

The best of the local and regional music scene will perform: Sound Barrier, Bottoms Up, Boot Hill and Category 6, and 4 Unplugged. Visit the Children's Village, featuring inflatables, Frank Levy's Playmakers, interactive attractions, underwater robots, live Star Wars characters, adoptable dogs from the St. Tammany Parish Humane Society, "Cupcake Wars" to test your decorating skills, and more.

Witness the hilarious antics and cunning carpentry skills during the ever-popular Quick 'n' Dirty Boat-Building Contest on both days

as 20 teams blitz-build a boat, hoping to cross the finish line first. Each crew of 4-6 members will pick themes, name their boats, and dress up in costumes. At 2pm Sunday, the crews will parade from the ball field to the river, where the ultimate contest begins.

On Water Street, view and tour over 100 classic and wooden boats on display, enjoy regional delicacies, and shop with artists' and marine vendors. Don't forget to purchase the 2012 Wooden Boat Festival collectible poster, celebrating the bicentennial of the State of Louisiana.

Following tradition, the St. Tammany Woodworkers Guild will assist children building small wooden boats from precut pieces while the Classic Car Cruise-In attracts about 100 antique and classic cars from across the region.

The Wooden Boat Festival kicks off with Maritime Mania, the patron party featuring

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Soul Revival, delicious food, and an open bar.

The Pirates of the Tchefuncte themed party is Friday, October 12, from 7:30-10:30pm at the Maritime Museum. General admission is $75/person or $125/couple. The highly coveted tickets can be purchased from Maritime Museum at (985)845-9200. Mania guests are encouraged to dress like pirates or nautical chic.

"The 23rd Annual Wooden Boat Festival will be a celebration of what makes maritime Louisiana great," said Don Lynch, Museum Executive Director. Daily admission is $10 per person, $5 for seniors over 65, and free for children under 12 and uniformed military personnel, and includes access to the Museum with FREE off-site parking and shuttle service.

Volunteer Opportunities and Festival Sponsorship opportunities are still available.

For more info, call (985) 845-9200 or log onto www.woodenboatfest.org or www.lpbmm.org/wbf/.

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RUNNIN’ THE ROADS

By Barbara Sharik

Does Emailing and Texting Cause People to Forget How to Spell?

In the vast overall spell correctly. On an unsettling note, I heard schools might stop teaching cursive writing (what of things, we really we called longhand when I was a kid). Enough don't get very many about my personal rants as there are real dangers years; however, we sure do get a lot of days. faced in the world of writing, speaking and With that said, I suppose we need to do our spelling. I fear we've become a country of lookers best with each and every one of them. Once a and listeners instead of readers and thinkers. day is over, if it's been squandered, it's gone.

For that matter, even if it's not been Moving from cell phones to computers, squandered, it's gone, but at least it's probably there's the "spell checker." Despite its left a smile on our faces. remarkableness, while it recognizes an obvious Thinking about misspelling, it does nothing about years and days incorrect word usage. So long as reminds me that after a that wrong word is spelled million years of accurately, it passes spell checker evolution, man has muster. For example, spell checkers reached the point cannot distinguish between where he is now more homophones. Here's where oldstupid than his fashioned schooling and telephone. I know brainpower enters the picture. you're thinking, Homophones are words “Speak for yourself old pronounced the same but with gal”, but bear in mind everything our different spellings and meanings, such as telephones––cell phones––can do as they outthink loan/lone, to/too/two and there/their. and outwork our brains on a daily basis.

Likewise, write the word dessert when you With the brilliant cell phone, consider the mean desert and again, different word, reverse learning factor. An example, in school different meaning, but spelled correctly so it we learned to write proper sentences: "I'm would slip by the best spell checker.

Then there are the words everybody going to the store to buy bananas." Too often, confuses: lay/lie, farther/further, fewer/less, that's evolved into "I'm gonna go get me some amount/number and affect/effect, bananas," with "get me some" being the adopt/adept/adapt, alter/altar, affluent/effluent, definitive selection of words that drive me bonkers. Okay, I'm easily driven bonkers when assume/presume, compliment/ complement, discrete/discreet, it comes to poor speaking foreword/forward, cite/site, habits that slam the English and I will stop now. language unmercifully.

Much depends on Now, back to the cell phone logic.

One illogical and its smartness. No 1. “Louisiana…We’re Really expression on my matter how smart cells, Cookin’” 2. Mounted horsemen dressed as bonkers list is "one of the they cannot fix improper knights and rode at only." Only means one. use of the English breakneck speed trying to One is one, only or not. language. I dislike spear a suspended ring Have you ever described throwing in, "You can't fix with a lance someone as "over stupid”, but I just have to.

3. Near Spaulding in I'm compelled. Old school, Caldwell parish, I'm set in my ways, love 1901 the English language and 4. The Louisiana Hayride 5. Actually, it was named for Jose Vidal, whose it's being slaughtered. patron saint was St. Joseph It's not just drastically 6. The 1884 Cotton Exposition damaging sentence structure 7. Oscar K. Allen but there's also spelling.

8. 18th Texting has introduced a 9. Every man a king new world of misspelling.

10. Dragonflies That's okay, as long as the texter remembers how to

Bear in mind everything our telephones––cell phones––can do as they outthink and outwork our brains on a daily basis.

ouisiana Answers …

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exaggerating?" They've already exaggerated, how can they do more? Last example along these lines is the expression (because I can go on all day), "I could care less," or the corrupted version, "I couldn't care less." By not caring, caring less is impossible. Think about it. You already don't care... how can you care less than not caring at all? This reminds me of someone saying, “Everyday I care less and less..." Well now, as I said, less is less. Need I say more? (Nope. In fact, I'll say less... but not less and less). We should stop speaking without thinking.

I cannot pen a column about grammar et al without throwing in one of the most mispronounced words in the English language: "Often." Very often, it’s pronounced as it's spelled: Off-ten. In reality, and don't ask me why, it’s correctly pronounced as though spelled: Offen. Silent "T." I lied. Here's one more. How many times have you written "it's" when you meant "its"? Just remember, "It’s" is the contraction of "it is," while "its" is the possessive form of "it."

Texting and emailing has us misusing proper punctuation, too, such as the overabundance usage of exclamation points.

Almost everything ends in an exclamation point because we’re making our point.

However, lest we forget, there's the simple, unobtrusive period. As a real revelation to many in the e-world – it actually came long before the exclamation point to the list of punctuation marks.

By the way, did you know those three little spaced periods (...) have a name?

They're called ellipsis points.

Commas indicate pauses; semicolons usually bring the reader to an almost but not quite stop, and colons mostly introduce a quote or list. I keep my columns to a minimum of words (or is that "at a minimum"?), so I'll add a period now, although you might want to add an exclamation point just for the sheer joy that I’m finally winding down. Nobody said it would be easy, but let's keep it correct.

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

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RECIPES

by Stacy Thornton

September is known as "Back to School Month", kind of ironic since school starts in the hot month of August in the south. September also brings football season. I love tailgating – the smells of grills heating up and food being prepared for fans.

September is National: biscuit, breakfast, wine, honey, potato, rice, mushroom (to name a few) month. Oyster season begins September 1st; International Bacon Day is the Saturday before Labor Day; waffle week and biscuit and gravy week the 2nd week of the month. Don’t forget National Guacamole Day celebrating National Mexican Independence Day on Sept 16th because I love homemade guacamole. Enjoy cooler temperatures, take in a ball game, bake biscuits from scratch, but most of all enjoy life and all of its many blessings.

Happy September!

Simple and Delicious Guacamole 2 avocados 1 clove of garlic minced 1 lime, juiced

1 small onion, finely chopped 1 ripe tomato, chopped salt and pepper to taste

Peel and mash avocados in medium serving bowl. Stir in other ingredients.

Chill for half an hour to blend flavors. Serve with tortilla chips.

Sombrero Dip 1 lb lean ground beef 1/2 cup chopped onion, divided 1/4 cup extra hot catsup 1 1/2 tsp chili powder 1/2 tsp salt 8 oz red kidney beans, undrained small can sliced black olives, drained 1/2 cup processed American cheese, shredded Brown meat and 1/4 cup chopped onion. Drain. Stir in catsup, chili powder, and salt. Mash in beans (don't drain beans). Top with cheese, olives, and the remaining chopped onion in a circular pattern. Serve with tortilla chips.

Oyster Loaves 2 cups yellow cornmeal 1/2 tsp black pepper 4 dozen oysters, drained 2 loaves French bread 2 cloves garlic, minced

1 1/2 tsp salt 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper peanut oil 1/4 lb butter softened 2 tbsp minced parsley

Optional toppings: sliced tomatoes, shredded lettuce, mayonnaise, tartar sauce, catsup, hot sauce, lemon wedges, and horseradish.

Season corn meal with salt and peppers. Shake oysters in mixture.

Heat oil to 350 degrees. Quickly fry oysters in batches for about 1 1/2 minutes. Let oil reheat before adding more oysters. Split French bread horizontally and cut into thirds. Scoup out centers. Blend butter, garlic, and parsley. Spread mixture over bread and broil for 2 minutes.

Add oysters and serve with your favorite topping.

Louisiana Road Trips

Football Casserole 1 1/2 lbs ground beef 2 cans Rotel tomatoes 2 tsp chili powder 1 cup grated cheddar cheese

1 small onion chopped 1 can ranch style beans 1 pkg cornbread mix

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Brown beef with onions until tender.

Drain. Add tomatoes, beans, and chili powder. Pour into 13x9 inch baking dish. Prepare cornbread mix according to package directions.

Pour over casserole and bake at 350 degrees. Top with grated cheese.

Biscuits and Gravy Biscuit Ingredients: 2 1/2 cups self rising flour plus extra for flouring surface 2 tsp sugar (Optional) 1/2 tsp kosher salt 4 tbsp chilled butter 4 tbsp vege shortening (You can use use 8 Tbsp of shortening or butter, or any combination) 1 cup chilled butter milk plus 1-2 tbsp, if needed 1 tbsp melted butter Gravy Ingredients: 1 lb smoked pork sausge 6 tbsp all purpose flour 1/2 tsp poultry seasoning 1/4 tsp salt 1-2 dashes hot sauce

1/4 cup finely chopped onion 4 cups milk 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg 1-2 dashes Worcestershire sauce 1-2 tbsp bacon grease, optional

BISCUITS: Preheat oven to 450 F. Prepare floured work surface and an ungreased baking sheet ready (lined with Silpat sheets if available).

Whisk together flour, sugar and salt in a medium-sized bowl. Using a fork or pastry blender, cut in the shortening and butter. Work quickly – the key to fluffy biscuits is minimal handling. Mixture should be crumbly. Make a well in the flour mixture, and pour in buttermilk. Stir with a spoon and blend until the liquid is absorbed and dough comes away from sides of the bowl – add 1-2 tbsp more buttermilk if the dough is dry. Do not over mix; the dough will be tacky, neither wet nor dry. With lightly floured hands, turn dough on floured surface and gently fold it over on itself 2 or 3 times. Shape into a 3/4” thick round.

If using a rolling pin, flour it to keep the dough from sticking. Using a 2-inch biscuit cutter, cut out biscuits pressing straight down (twisting keeps biscuits from rising). Dip cutter in flour between cuttings to keep dough from sticking. Place biscuits on baking sheet so they just touch (for crunchy sides, leave space in between). Reshape scrap dough and continue cutting, trying to handle as little as possible. Bake for 15-18 minutes or until golden brown on top. Turn baking sheet around halfway through baking. May brush tops of biscuits with melted butter.

SAUSAGE GRAVY: In preheated 4-quart saucepan, crumble sausage and let brown, then turn down to medium heat. Continue cooking, breaking sausage into smaller pieces, until no pink remains. Stir in onions and cook until transparent. Remove sausage with a slotted spatula or spoon, leaving drippings in pan. Add enough butter (or bacon grease) to equal about 3 tbsp of drippings.

Add cooked sausage back to pan and sprinkle with flour. Stir and cook for about 6-8 minutes, until mixture turns slightly golden brown. Stir in poultry seasoning, nutmeg, Worcestershire sauce, Tabasco sauce and salt – cook for 1 minute. Slowly add milk, stirring occasionally, until thickened (about 15 minutes). Makes 10-12 servings.

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September September 14-15

Thru September 1

_________

Cane River Zydeco Festival Natchitoches – 800-259-1714 Cajun Crossroads Festival Mansfield – 800-453-3230

Thru September 4

_________

Shrimp and Petroleum Festival Morgan City – 985-385-0703

___________ September 7-8 Roastin with Rosie BBQ Festival Jennings – 337-821-5534

___________ September 7-9 Bayou Lafourche Antique Show Thibodaux – 985-413-1147

___________ September 8-9

_________

Natchitoches Meat Pie Festival Many – 318-256-6943 yelvertonalisa@yahoo.com

September 23-26

September 14-16

_________

____________

Northshore Literary Society 4:00pm-6:00pm June Shaw, guest speaker St. John’s Coffee House, Members Free, Guests $10.00 Covington www.northshoreliterarysocietycom

September 13-15

_________

September 26-30

_________ September 27-29

September 27-30

_________

Alligator Festival Luling – 985-785-4545

_________

La Sugar Cane Festival New Iberia – 337-369-9323

September 28-29

_________

Sabine Parish Fair and Festival Many – 318-256-3406

_________ September 19-22 Allen Parish Fair Oberlin – 337-639-2985 Tony Hebert

_________

Baker Buffalo Festival Baker – 225-778-0300

Evangeline Oil and Gas Festival Evangeline – 337-824-0335 Ronnie Fruge

September 18-24

_________

Tangiapahoa Parish Fair Amite

Golden Meadow Fishing Rodeo Galiano – 985-665-4507

September 18-19

_________

Sabine Fair & Festival Expo Many – 800-358-7802

Celebration of the Butterflies Haynesville

September 15-16

_________

Natchitoches Parish Fair 800-259-1714

____________

LA Gator Fest Covington – 985-867-9490

September 9

September 25-30

St. Theresa Bon Ton Festival Sulphur – 337-496-7811

September 15

_________

Alligator Festival Luling – 985-785-9035

Pioneer Days Greenwood – 318-938-7261

Fall Fleur-de-lis Fest Mandeville – 985-796-5853

St. Jude Fall Festival Zwolle – 318-315-0104

September 20-23 Ark-La-Miss Fair Monroe

Fall Fest Slidell 985-796-5853

____________

2012

Marthaville Good Ole Days Marthaville – 318-472-1654

Cajun Food Fest Lydia – 337-365-5577

September 8

Calendar of Events

_________

La Chicken Festival Dubach – 318-777-1964 Jim Bowie BBQ Duel Vidalia – 318-336-8223

September 28-30

_________

Pine Tree Festival Walker – 225-664-0243

September 29

____________

La Fete d’Ecologie Thibodaux – 800-259-0869

Jesse James Outlaw Roundup Festival Oak Grove – 318-428-5878

National Hunting & Fishing Day

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Louisiana Cajun Food Fest Kaplan – 337-643-2400

September 30 Cal-Ca-Chew Festival Lake Charles – 337-439-4585

MY FAVORITE FISHING HOLE

By Pro Angler, Joe Joslin

Rookie Wins FW Cup & $500K Hello Anglers and outdoor lovers.

FLW news reports that young Jacob Wheeler of Indianapolis recently won the 2012 FLW Championship held on Georgia's Chattahoochee River. The top prize was The Forrest Wood Cup and $500,000 plus more in endorsements.

Wheeler, age 21, became the youngest to win the prestigious event, beating out many seasoned world class anglers such as Jay Yelas and Luke Clausen, who both finished in the top ten. Wheeler made it to the FLW Tour in 2012 by qualifying through the BFL (Bass Fishing League) which is a tough, very competitive tournament trail for weekend anglers. Wheeler lead all four days of the event and his last day's 5-bass limit weighed 11 lbs 15 oz for a total 60 pounds, 9 lbs over the second place finisher.

"This was just an awesome event," said the 21-year-old Wheeler, who became the youngest angler to win the Forrest Wood Cup. "God just really blessed me this whole event. It was just unbelievable, and this is the best day of my life." It was a tough 4th day as Wheeler reported only getting six keeper bites all day. "Every time I sat down to run to the next spot I might have been jittery, but I

realized I had to stay focused and fish at 100 percent every day and capitalize on every single bite," Wheeler added. He targeted fish on the Chattahoochee River using a variety of baits including a Rapala X-Rap Prop, flipping a Trigger X Flippin’ Tube and a Chatterbaitstyle bait. Wow, 21 years old, a cool half million and a choice of numerous lucrative endorsements. He finished 30th in point standings on the FLW Tour this year plus he won the BFL Championship in 2011 and now the Forrest Wood Cup. It takes more than just a few lucky casts to accomplish all of that.

Toledo Bend Fishing… August 2012 was not as hot as August 2011 so just maybe September will usher in some wonderfully cool temps. Either way, Toledo will still give up some nice fish in September. It has been a great year so far with multiple bass over 10 pounds and one over 14 pounds caught in July. The lake record (15.33 pounds) was caught in July about ten years ago. We still have plenty of grass with milfoil, pepper grass and lily pads plentiful in 1 to 12 feet in many areas of south Toledo. Hydrilla also is growing in depths of 6 to 22 ft in numerous locations from the dam north to Indian Mounds. Mill Creek, Six Mile and Housen all have plenty of shallow and deep grass.

September always has a buffet of patterns with a good top water bite early morning and late afternoon and often some cloud cover

It was just unbelievable, and this is the best day of my life.

from sun-up till mid-morning extending the topwater patterns. I love to fish Stanley's double willow spinnerbait in September especially after a cool front or two. I fish mainly a 3/8 oz Stanley Vibra-Wedge this time of year with a white/chartreuse skirt.

For quality bites up-top it is hard to beat Stanley's Ribbit both in regular size and also the larger size Bull Ribbit. I rig Ribbits with Stanley's Double Take hooks and 50 lb Spider Wire. I also like to work poppers (Pro Pop(Norman), Yellow Magic and Chug Bugs on grassy points with deep water nearby.

At mid-depths of 6 to 18 feet a Texas rigged Berkley Havoc Bottom Hopper (6.25 inches) is very effective as is a wacky rigged version of the same. I like shady w.m. candy and w.m. red colors of Bottom Hoppers.

Havoc has added a new color, cherry seed, which is excellent in bright conditions and clear water. I have used it on drop shot with good results. In the deeper patterns we continue to throw DD22s in shad patterns, Stanley Bug Eye jig (1/2 and 3/4 oz), Carolina rigs and drop shot in depths of 18 to 30 feet. We are also throwing some jigging spoons in schooling and suspended bass.

Joe Joslin is a syndicated outdoor columnist, tournament angler and pro guide on Toledo and Sam Rayburn. Contact him at 337-463-3848, joejoslinoutdoors@yahoo.com, or www.joejoslinoutdoors.com.

Say Cheese…and Goat Milk and Soap

By Su Stella Marguerite Constantine had a dream of being able to eat fresh local food so instead of searching out farms, she took matters into her own hands and gave her husband, West, six goats for his birthday. At that moment, he wasn’t completely enthusiastic about his gift but over time…well they have a lot more goats!

On their farm, everything they do is based on two factors. The first is that the goats are well taken care of and not given any enhancing chemicals or drugs to boost production.

Second, they take pride in selling their products under the company name WesMar to local restaurants, businesses, and individuals. If you happen to be in Moreauville, Louisiana on a Thursday afternoon between 2 and 6pm, stop by the farm to shop and enjoy their Dairy

Market. WesMar products are also sold in Lafayette, Shreveport, Natchitoches, Alexandria, Monroe, and Ruston as well as online at wesmarfarms.com.

Nutritionally, goat milk has more vitamin A, B, iron, phosphorus and calcium than cow’s milk. It’s typically a suitable replacement for those that are lactose intolerant. Even better, WesMar Farms has turned their milk into absolutely delicious cheeses, such as the smooth Chevre and a mildly aged Feta. They even took it to the next level by creating delectable goat cheese truffles.

Goat milk makes a wonderful soap that helps hydrate dry skin; for those with eczema or other skin issues, you will feel a difference after just a short time of using these products.

Not only does WesMar Farms make naturally healthy goat milk products, they

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open their farm for groups to visit. They can accommodate groups of 10-18 but larger groups need to make special arrangements.

Remember that this is a working farm so making an appointment is always encouraged. Also, wear your outdoor shoes, bring a camera, and be ready to milk a few of the goats. Be sure to visit their gift shop where you’ll find everything from t-shirts to recipe books and of course, an array of delicious goat milk products.

The Constantine’s small working farm is located at 851 Couvillion Street in Moreauville. 318-985-2095. As our weather cools, it’s time to get out of the house and start those educational, fun, and amazing road trips again. See you throughout Louisiana!

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Reiki Healing

By Mona L. Hayden

Developed in the early 20th century, Reiki continues to be a strong complementary therapy option to promote healing of the body, mind and spirit. This Japanese relaxation technique has become more prevalent as its benefits are documented globally in hospitals, universities, and conventional medical facilities. An increasingly popular form of Energy Medicine, this form of touch therapy is based on the ‘life force’ energy that we all have.

By balancing energy, Reiki enhances the natural power of the body to heal itself by reducing stress, promoting relaxation and providing a greater sense of well-being to all involved. Reiki has fast become a complementary

therapy option that decreases anxiety and discomfort while promoting pain control as a trained practitioner places their hands on or near the body.

Balancing energy can also strengthen the ability to heal.

Reiki Master and Teacher, Janis Blanchard, says, “Reiki is a healing modality, complementary to what you’re probably already doing. It brings about relaxation and a type of healing, whether emotional, spiritual, or physical. Reiki simply opens up our natural God-given healing abilities even more.” Janis was introduced to Reiki when her husband was having uncontrollable pain in his back and she was desperate to find him some relief. After he noticed positive changes, Janis began to seriously study Reiki and its documented benefits. Soon after, her sister developed cardiomyopathy, a serious disease that weakens and enlarges the heart. As Janis applied Reiki, she and her sister could both actually feel physiological changes taking place, and her heart condition gradually improved.

Tragedy struck again when her 14 year old grandson was struck by a car in Lafayette, Louisiana in 2009 and thrown 35 feet across a road, where he suffered severe head injuries and broken bones. Janis and her daughter began using Reiki to ease his pain and assist with healing. At first, his doctor was very skeptical but after seeing improvements, she began telling residents at the hospital that “the mother and grandmother are doing Reiki and it’s making a difference.” After witnessing her family’s remarkable response to Reiki, Janis is quick to state that, “You never have to feel helpless with Reiki. Life is a personal journey and only you can find Louisiana Road Trips

For more information or to take a class and become attuned to Reiki, contact Janis Blanchard at reikisprings@gmail.com, and visit her website: www.reikispringseternal.com.

Janis teaches classes in her home in North Louisiana and throughout the state.

your answers. I have personally found strength and comfort in Reiki, and best of all, when you give Reiki, you also receive Reiki as we’re just a channel for this healing energy.”

Astonishing benefits have been consistently reported from this natural form of spiritual healing by practitioners and patients. Last year, renowned cardiologist Dr. Mehmet Oz revealed to his television audience that Reiki was his favorite alternative medicine secret and that he uses it with his family and patients. His wife, Lisa, is also a Reiki Master. Reiki is available to everyone, is easy to learn, and is simply transferred to students during an ‘attunement’ given by a Reiki Master during a class.

William Lee Rand, founder of The International Center of Reiki Training, says “Reiki is an amazing gift that combines life energy with higher consciousness… The client, practitioner, and the healing energy merge into one process and create a holistic healing experience.”

Hospital operating rooms have been using Reiki as early as the mid-90s. Currently, an increasing number of medical centers throughout the country, including facilities like Cancer Treatment Centers of America, M. D. Anderson, and other prominent medical centers, are using Reiki as a supplemental therapy in an effort to reduce patients’ time in the hospital and their need for medication, most notably pain relievers, and to promote recovery. It has been effectively used for diminishing the side effects of anesthesia, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy, thus allowing patients to relax and focus on healing.

Reiki has also been proven to strengthen the immune system

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which is vital to healing and our overall health. It is a powerful therapy that can be used for assisting with emotional or physical trauma, addressing the aging population, and those under hospice care. Reiki can also be used for lesser symptoms such as headaches, fatigue, and insomnia as well as general wellness.

Research studies (some funded by the National Institute of Health) on Reiki have been published in peer reviewed journals and are now commonplace in the medical field. Developed by Dr. Mikao Usui in Japan in the early 20th century, the effects of this energy work have been evaluated for effectiveness with cardio, cancer, and AIDS patients as well as those with joint disorders and wound healing. It is important to understand that Reiki is not a substitute for medical and other health care treatment but is a very effective complementary therapy.

Although not religious, Reiki is a spiritual practice. Dr. Usui recommends that we also practice certain ethical ideals to promote peace and harmony to realize that healing the spirit by consciously deciding to improve oneself is a necessary part of the Reiki healing experience. The ideals are guidelines for living a gracious life and virtues worthy of practice for their inherent value.

Just for today, do not anger. Do not worry and be filled with gratitude. Devote yourself to your work. Be kind to people. Every morning and evening, join your hands in prayer.

BEDS & BEIGNETS

By Mary White

Savoring Natchitoches!

“Get your hotta meat pies right here!”

Does that cry sound familiar? For those who hail from the town of Natchitoches located in northern Louisiana, it would probably feel a bit like coming home. Street vendors in the early 20th century made a living selling tasty meat pies—a mix of ground beef and pork, onions and bell peppers wrapped in a crescent-shaped crust and deep fried—to locals, calling out when a fresh batch was ready. Over the years, meat pies gained in popularity and began being sold at festival booths and in commercial kitchens. It’s now one of Louisiana’s official state foods.

While some may not have heard the street vendors’ cries in person, they can savor a few tastes of the famed meat pies at the 10th annual Natchitoches Meat Pie Festival and River Run taking place on September 14th and 15th in the downtown historic district along Cane River Lake. Before any of the tasting gets underway, however, Miss Meat Pie Festival and her court must be chosen. On September 8th, the contestants will compete during the annual Natchitoches Meat Pie Festival Beauty Pageant. The lucky recipient of the Miss Meat Pie Festival crown will earn a scholarship and a trip to compete for the Louisiana Association of Fairs and Festivals Queen of Queens title.

Over the festival weekend, a motorcycle river run sponsored by the Independent Riders of Natchitoches will be held to benefit local non-profit organizations. Revelers will get to soak in the sounds of live jazz, blues, rock, Cajun and Creole music along with arts and crafts, kids’ activities and food booths offering top local cuisine and meat pies, of course. An estimated 5,000 people are expected to attend the festival this year.

Sweet Travels

By Donna McManus

“After School Snacks” After a long day at school, most kids head straight to the kitchen for a snack to get them through homework and activities until dinner is served. Here are a few great snack ideas to prepare while your kids are in school for when they get home.

Complements of The Sugared Violet. ~Enjoy~ Apple Quesadillas - Melt ½ tablespoon butter in a skillet, then lay flour tortilla in the pan and top with grated cheddar. Add thinly sliced apple on one side, fold the tortilla in half and cook until golden on both sides. Cut into wedges.

Cinnamon-Sugar Sticks - Beat 1/2 cup softened cream cheese with 1 tablespoon cinnamon sugar until smooth and spread onto strips of refrigerated breadstick dough. Twist and stretch dough to make 12-inch sticks, then brush with melted butter and bake as directed.

Zucchini Brownies - Prepare your favorite brownie batter, add 1 cup shredded zucchini (squeezed dry); divide among greased mini-muffin cups and bake 15 to 18 minutes at 350° F. Yummy Oatmeal Cookies - Prepare a 17.5-ounce package oatmeal cookie mix but substitute 1/2 cup applesauce for the butter or oil. Add 1/4 cup wheat germ and 1 cup each chopped mixed nuts, dried fruit and shredded coconut to the batter. Bake as directed.

Almond Berry Squares ½ cup sliced almonds 8 cups cornflakes cereal 2 cups dried cranberries ½ cup butter 2/3 cup golden corn syrup ½ cup brown sugar, packed ¼ cup vanilla extract Toast almonds in a pan on medium heat 3 to 5 minutes, stirring until golden. Remove from heat and place almonds in a bowl to cool. Add the

Louisiana Road Trips

While events such as the Meat Pie Festival and the holiday extravaganza Festival of Lights in December draw large crowds, films such as Steel Magnolias (it was shot there) and its collection of quaint bed and breakfasts also have helped put Natchitoches on the map. One such B&B is the Rusca House (www.BnBFinder.com/RuscaHouse) located in the Historic Landmark District.

Built in 1920, the restored bungalow-style inn was the private residence for Joseph “J.D.” Rusca, his wife, Pearl, and their four children. J.D. was part of a second generation of Ruscas born and raised in Natchitoches; and, when he decided to build the Rusca House, he situated it near the home where he grew up. After J.D.’s passing in 1968, Pearl moved to New Orleans to be closer to her daughters leaving the home vacant for a few years. It was eventually purchased by the LeVasseurs in the 1970s and then by current owners, Payne and Bridget Williams, in 1999.

Rusca House offers four individually appointed guest rooms—Stella, Delmonico, Pearl, and St. Elmo—named after a member of the Rusca family.

Dressed out in period furnishings, they each feature private baths and Jacuzzi tubs. Guests can enjoy a full-course gourmet breakfast in the elegant lady bug red dining room before relaxing in front of the Creole-style mantle in the formal living room or taking a stroll along the brick walkways of the inn’s lush gardens.

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.

cereal and cranberries, stir and set aside. Grease pan with cooking spray.

On medium heat melt butter. Stir in corn syrup and brown sugar; cook for about 2 minutes, stirring constantly. Remove from the heat, add vanilla extract and stir well. Pour over cereal mixture, stirring until coated. Press firmly in a pan, cool, and cut into squares.

Peanut Butter Banana Muffins ¾ cup all purpose flour ¾ cup whole-wheat flour ¾ cup quick cooking oats 2 teaspoons baking powder ½ teaspoon salt 2 large eggs, beaten 2 ripe bananas, mashed ¾ cup 1% low-fat milk ½ cup brown sugar 1/3 cup creamy peanut butter 2 tablespoons canola oil 1 teaspoon vanilla extract ¼ cup mini semi-sweet chocolate chips ¼ cup roasted peanuts, coarsely chopped Preheat oven to 350F. Lightly oil or coat 12 muffin cups with nonstick cooking spray and set aside. Wisk all flour, oats, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl. In a separate bowl, whisk the eggs, banana, milk, brown sugar, peanut butter, oil, and vanilla until well blended. Pour liquid ingredients over dry ingredients and stir until moistened. Stir in chocolate chips and peanuts. Spoon batter into muffin cups and bake about 20 minutes or until an inserted toothpick comes out clean. Transfer the pan to a wire rack and cool for 5 minutes. Remove muffins and cool an additional 5 minutes before serving.

Sweet Travels Tip: Have snacks for the kids visible in the fridge or on the table for easy access. Make sure they know what they are permitted to eat as a snack.

From the kitchen of The Sugared Violet……..sending good wishes your way in all your travels!

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

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Living in God’s Will

By Robert Lemoine

To those of you who think that we worship in vain and to those who have not yet been exposed to the love of Jesus Christ, this story is for you. We have seen His Glory shine on those obeying His commandments. And we have seen His blessings poured out on our lives as well.

A family we know was in the market for a house not too long ago. After patiently searching for what God had for them, they finally found a beautiful house in a great location with more than they had hoped for in amenities. However, the rent greatly exceeded their budget.

Knowing it was out of their price range, they didn’t focus anymore on it other than to tell someone how great the house was.

However, curiosity got the better of their friend. They were now on their way to look at the house again. A neighbor there recognized the friend and asked if they were about to rent it. Hearing it was out of their price range, the neighbor insisted they talk to the owners.

When approaching the owners, the family knew them as well. They were former Church members together. A deal was made and all they needed was a deposit the next week,

which they didn’t have.

This is where a complete stranger comes in. The man was at work and had helped a customer. As the customer was leaving, he stopped and turned back to the family man and laid down the exact amount needed for the deposit. The man looked at our friend and said, “I don’t know why I’m doing this but the Lord said to give you this money. And I don’t argue with what He says.”

Pretty awesome story if you think about the logistics of strangers being friends and other strangers being saving messengers. Not many people know of stories like that but the family this reward was given to serves selflessly to the Lord’s will.

Another friend of mine was asked to be a deacon at his Church in a fairly large city. He had been living right and upholding the Lord’s will. Now he stands before men as an example of how to live. Not only has he been blessed with a great house but also with a loving wife and beautiful children. And he has a job that he loves. God’s grace is good.

His will is rewarding. And His love is everlasting.

Just yesterday, we encountered a woman who is now a writer by profession. Though that is not what she wanted to be. She said the Lord came to her in a dream and told her what to write about and she argued with Him. But she lost the argument and gave into His will. She is now one of Louisiana’s best-selling authors and lives solely on her writings.

Now, to finalize these tales of divine intervention I will share my experience. For over a year, I have felt led to enter the ministry.

But I resisted because my Biblical

knowledge is not what I would like. I finally surrendered by re-entering school seeking a degree in Christian Ministry.

The awesome part about this is that the school I chose came with extra benefits I was unaware of when enrolling. I was concerned about the financial responsibilities that my family would incur. Then a gentleman called to tell me that because I had served our nation that my books were paid for, all fees waived, and I would receive reduced tuition. Now instead of $6,000 a year, my part is about $400!

And that same day we received a catalog in the mail for Pastor’s Resources Fall 2012. I wonder where we go from here…God is good.

These stories are to demonstrate the love God has for us and the rewards He will bestow on obedience. If you have not done so lately, kneel down and ask for His guidance.

He will tell you what He has in store for you even if it sounds crazy. When you surrender your all, He will give you His all.

As you go throughout your day, be obedient in even the smallest of tasks. When you walk out in faith, faith will walk with you. May God bless you and keep you safe 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.

Visit our website: www.laroadtrips.com Louisiana Road Trips

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Renaissance Hotel

By Cheré Coen Great things are happening in Baton Rouge and one of the most anticipated newcomers to the city was the Renaissance Hotel on Bluebonnet, which opened last year.

The luxury hotel is located across from the Mall of Louisiana, and only a short drive to Perkins Rowe, both of which offer

restaurants, shops and entertainment. Visitors can enjoy the 256 guestrooms or 63 hotel suites complete with king or double queen beds, flat screen televisions, iPod docking stations and Aveda products in expansive bathrooms. The trendy décor features an array of local artwork, a fireside sitting area in the lobby complete with Louisiana books to read and interesting touches such as the walls of plants and the French definitions gracing bathroom walls. The Concierge level offers 28 guest rooms with views of Baton Rouge and access to the hotel’s private concierge lounge. Additional amenities include room service, valet and on-site parking, high-speed Internet access in all guest rooms, fitness center, outdoor pool and a business center.

Make sure to visit the hotel’s Tallulah Crafted Food and Wine Bar, where diners may enjoy a variety of wines by the glass with fascinating appetizers, or a full meal. The restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner with specials offered throughout the week.

Recently, the Renaissance earned the AAA Four Diamond Award, an honor given by AAA to upscale establishments offering amenities combined with a high degree of hospitality, service and attention to detail.

Because of its proximity to two of Baton Rouge’s most coveted shopping areas, the Renaissance makes a great staging hotel for a weekend getaway, a shopping excursion or a longer visit to the Baton Rouge area. It’s conveniently located off Interstate 10 at Bluebonnet, just a few miles east of downtown and LSU and about an hour from New Orleans.

The Mall of Louisiana offers both an indoor and outdoor shopping arena, plus several restaurants within the mall and in stand-alone buildings surrounding the property. There are also strip shopping malls with big box stores nearby that line the interstate.

Perkins Rowe, located further south on Bluebonnet, features upscale retail such as Anthropologie and Urban Outfitters, restaurants such as Texas de Brazil and California Pizza Kitchen, the Fresh Market and anchor stores Barnes & Noble and Orvis.

Both the Mall of Louisiana and Perkins Rowe contain movie theaters, and more exist on Citicorp Drive off of the I10 College Drive exit. The Manship Theatre at the Shaw Center downtown features theatrical offerings of all kinds.

If you love the Louisiana-inspired artwork in the hotel, be sure and visit Ann Connelly Fine Art Gallery, just around the corner on Perkins Road. Connelly chose the pieces for the

Louisiana Road Trips

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Renaissance with an effort to showcase the diversity of Louisiana artists.

Cheré Coen is a travel writer living in Lafayette and the author of “Exploring Cajun Country: A Historic Guide to Acadiana” and co-author of “Magic’s in the Bag: Creating Spellbinding Gris Gris Bags and Sachets.”

Louisiana Road Trips

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