louisiana road trips september 2012 edition

Louisiana Road Trips – 2 – www.laroadtrips.com

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ROAD TRIPS"Celebrating country living and city happenings!"

s e p t e m b e c o n t e n t sBOOK REVIEW

4 BooCat – Living in My Lapby Barbara Sharik

10 Nothing Left to Lose by Harrison Neese

DELTA OUTDOORS5 In the Crosshairs by Sonny Harrington

Roaming the Range

11 Going Native by Larry BrockThe Coming of Fall

16 Hunting Season is Here! by Johnny Wink

18 A Life of Trial…and Error by Dennis StewartPre-Season Hunting Advice

22 My Favorite Fishing Hole by Joe JoslinRookie Wins FW Cup & $500K

FESTIVALS &ENTERTAINMENT12 The Holidays German Style!

14 Zwolle Tamale Fiesta Heats Up

14 Art Gallery Crawl

15 Teddy’s Bear Festival ‘12

17 “The Dukes of Hazzard” Family Reunion& Car Show

18 Wooden Boat Festival

HISTORICAL8 Part I: Sidney and Annie Saunders, The

Black Sheep of the Town of Monroeby Lora Peppers

10 Louisiana in the Civil War: September1862: Hommes De Couleur Libre by Terry L. Jones

HUMOR4 Monroe’s OIB Building – Still Off Limits

for Me! by Dixie Hall

11 All Things Southern by Shellie TomlinsonFishin’ or Dancing?

19 Runnin’ the Roads by Barbara SharikDoes Emailing and Texting CausePeople to Forget How to Spell?

Talkin’It Up!

If you enjoy live outdoormusic while strolling vendor boothswith a hot pretzel and icedlemonade, then this issue is forYOU.Withfestivalsandfairs alloverthestatethe next couple months, pack a bag,fill up your vehicle, and go ‘PickYour Passion’.

There’s something foreveryone within driving distancefrom just about any place inLouisiana. Outside of Livingston,for example, you can meet theremaining original cast from theDukes of Hazzard at their FamilyReunion and Car Show on Sept 29.If art crawls suit your taste, thereare plenty this fall, along withwineries, museums, and trade days.Maybe you prefer spending a dayat a shooting range or hunting tealat Megabucks. How about visitinga park or old cemetery, or taking aleisurely drive in celebration ofLouisiana’s bicentennial this year.That’s 200 years of history andmore in the making.

Me? I come alive as the tempsdrop – the lower the better! I read,type, and talk even faster,anticipating those three days ofwinter we have here. In themeantime, I’ll continue drinkingalmond flavored iced coffee,learning to play the piano, andkeeping a lookout for thoseenjoyable road trips to share withyou each month. Let’s keep intouch.

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

INSPIRATIONAL25 Living in God’s Will by Robert Lemoine

MONTHLY TIDBITS3 Talkin’ It Up!

7 Louisiana Lagniappe – Remember When

8 The Old School

13 Backtalk

16 Mer Rouge Native Leads U.S. Navy Training

19 Louisiana Lagniappe Answers

21 September Calendar

23 Reiki Healing by Mona L. Hayden

24 Sweet Travels by Donna McManusAfter School Snacks

RECIPES20 Recipes by Stacy Thornton

ROAD TRIPS6 Travel Adventure by Dianne Newcomer

Hunting Season Getaways!

7 Hit the Road – by Deborah BurstDown Under

9 Rodeos, Relics & A Safety Mansion B&B by Mona L. Hayden

13 Let’s Eat! – Sicily’s by Lee Estes

15 New Orleans Plantation Country

22 Say Cheese…and Goat Milk and Soap by Su Stella

24 Beds & Beignets by Mary WhiteSavoring Natchitoches!

26 Renaissance Hotel by Cheré Coen


PUBLISHERLRT Publications

______________________

EDITORIAL DIRECTORMona L. Hayden

[email protected](318) 547-1221

OUR GUARDIAN ANGELDebbie Hamilton Pope

June 14, 1952-August 24, 2008

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

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

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

P. O. Box 2452West Monroe, LA 71294

(318) 547-1221

www.laroadtrips.com

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

When some folks visit the OuachitaIndependent Bank Building in Monroethey’re thinking about paychecks, depositsand cute girl behind the counter. I’mthinking decapitation. Before you getnervous, hear me out. I figure everyone hasa story about going to the old J.C. Penneystore that’s now the OIB building.

Back then, everyone went to the Palacedepartment store downtown to shop for thefancy things or for the low bargains youwent to Howard Brothers. I wanted thisbetter than believable deal of half off for twobutton polo shirts in orange, blue and green,just like it said in the J.C. Penney circular.

With five boys and a girl, going clothesshopping was no small feat. The trick was toalways give “the speech” before going in,threaten within an inch of their life, andorganize children into a small marinebattalion. The command was absolute silenceand robotic behavior. Of course, I am not hereto report it always worked, just a great theory.

I had elbowed my way through thehuddle of female shoppers, having practicedwith K-Mart blue light specials. I went in forthe deal. Kids, stay out of the huddle. I cameout with every size polo shirt looking like aBoys Town employee. The battalion was stillin formation. Two by two they held hands.The last obstacle was walking the entirenarrow center aisle to the checkout where areal, smiling, ‘might drink coffee with you”checkout person was waiting for us.

I smelled success and start relaxing mypace. One major obstacle in shopping withsix children under 12 years old is meeting asenior citizen who knows yourgrandmother’s sister’s husband from ElDorado, Arkansas. I tried not to make eyecontact. Picked up the pace…steered awayfrom obstacle. Unavoidable.

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

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

This face was tight and distorted likesomething was being held back…or was it amuffled laugh. Then my eye caught it. Amanikin head was lying behind the childrenbattalion. The manikin was laying in theaisle, discombobulated from its headwearing a thick double knit suit with redtrim. She looked ghastly as if she had notworn her seat belt in a crash dummy test.Decisions, decisions…I stood the manikinup but could not attach it to the base. I amstarting to sweat profusely, feel like runningfor exit safety and throwing the shirts downon the beautiful crash dummy. Mr. muffledlaugh child got the head and placed it neatlyon the double knit jacket. I had worked tohard to pass up this bargain, manikin crashor not.

There was no need to give “thespeech.” We quickly made our way to thefriendly checkout person who made a sweetoff handed remark, “You sure do have somewell behaved children, ma’am.” (Can youimagine the checkers at Wal-Mart sayingsomething like that these days? We feelgiddy if a Wal-Mart clerk just snorts at uswhen checking us out).

I have never been inside the LouisvilleOIB branch. I only drive through. J.C.Penney’s closed soon after that incident. It ishard recovering from that kind of things. Istarted shopping elsewhere after that. Iknow it was unfounded but I just couldn’tgo back in there and be recognized. Youprobably saw us, didn’t you?

BOOK REVIEW

BooCat – Living in My LapBy Barbara Sharik

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

This book opens with the author coming home to findall her beloved pets surrounding Daisy, who lay still in theyard, dead from unnatural causes. Together, they mourn

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

Barbara Sharik is a successful author, artist andcolumnist. She lives on the edge of a corn field in a smallcommunity where she rescues animals and gives themanother chance to teach her about life. If you haven’tdiscovered the BooCat series, jump right in with this book.You can always catch up with the other two later. A greatread for any age, anywhere, anytime.


Most of myarticles have givenyou information onfirearms or what toshoot. Now I’d like totalk about “where” to

shoot. You see, each of the 64 parishes inLouisiana has a Sheriff. Except New Orleans –they have two, a criminal and a civil. EachSheriff has a bunch of deputies, all packingpistols. Each deputy has to qualify at leastonce a year, with some departments requiringmore frequency. I’ve know some that requirethe deputy to qualify at night if they work thenight shift. Makes sense. There is a particularcourse of fire for law enforcement to qualifyon. I could tell you what it is…but I’d have tokill you. What I can tell you is that it haschanged over the last 30 years I’ve beenassociated with it. I canalso tell you thatstatistically speaking, mostconfrontations involvingfirearms take place within21 feet. Bottom line, all theboys with badges are POSTcertified (Police OfficerStandards and Training) and highly qualifiedor trained to carry and serve you. If he ain’tgot the card, he’s just a bubba with a badge.All this training and shooting takes place atthe range. Just about every parish has one –public, private or law enforcement owned.

Now let’s discuss the public side. It’s asafe place to shoot with a trusty berm orbackstop, preferably facing south. I’ve shot onseveral different ones across the state, somewith a hill of dirt and nothing else; others I’dcall a ‘shooting facility’, a lot more elaboratewith marked yardage, target, target frames,benches, skeet throwers, etc.

One of thebest ranges I’veshot on is inOuachitaParish. The newand improvedversion ofranges. Now Ican rememberriding out tothe old range inthe 60s andresting a riflebarrel on the window ledge of a 1959 FordFairlane to check our sights. We’re light yearsfrom that now. Lots of rules go with it today.Important rules, too. First, get out of your carand go to the range house. Might be a good

idea to leave your firearm in your vehicle ifit’s your first time. Read all the rules, likeactions open, or case your firearm, place it inthe rack and sign in. Talk to the Range Masterand see what the others are doing. In otherwords, do a little recon. This is no place forscrew-up’s. Read the rules again. The range islocated south of I-20, take Well Road exit, turnright on New Natchitoches, go a few hundredyards and turn left. Follow signs to SheriffRichard Fewell Road. The range is operatedby current Sheriff Jay Russell. It’s the bestdeal for the price - $10 per day, $100 per year,$125 for family, veterans and commissionedlaw enforcement officers are free. If you’reolder than 65, no charge. Closed on Mondaysand Tuesdays and some holidays. Classes onConcealed Carry, Hunter Safety, Ladieshandgun classes, plus a 3-D archery range

and Five Stand Sporting Clay for theshotgunner. Busy timesare late Septemberthrough October,standing room only, it’stake a number and get inline time. The rest of theyear, it’s laid back and

very relaxing. A place where youcan safely shoot, comfortably,enjoy concentrating on yoursights, and talk toknowledgeable people aboutsimilar problems with youraccuracy and workmanship inyour firearm. Of course, if youwant to compete, there’s that,too. Rifle, pistol, shotgun, allunder the structured rules ofNRA (National Rifle Association)or the Range Master. It’s almostlike a bowling alley in that

respect. I worked the

range yearsago. Had a fellacome out toshoot his pistol one day. Icalled the firing line, “Ceasefire!” He put out his targetalong with a few otherpatrons. I called,“Commence fire!” andeveryone began shooting.Everything is rocking along

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

doing. He said, “Oh, I was staying in mylane…just checking my bullet holes.” I invitedhim to leave and considered taking upsmoking. Nature was about to clean up thegene pool but not on my shift. I don’t think hecould swim either. Guess he thought we werebowling.

The range is a place where men andwomen of any age can go, take the family,teach the kids safety in gun handlingtechniques and work on marksmanship. Dosome meditation or work on your social skills.The range can be a place where physical andmental concentrations meet in the elements toperform with a piece of craftsmanship in asemi-controlled environment. Wow. You cancompete with yourself by making smallergroups with bullets or just relax and see whocan keep it on the paper at the longestdistance. I’ve met a lot of really good people

at the rangeand somehave becomelifelongfriends.Guess I gotmore out ofthe rangethan justsighting inmy rifle.Hope you do,too. See youthere. SonnyHarrington is aHunter SafetyInstructor. He isalso an NRA(National RifleAssociation) Rifle& PistolInstructor andhas hunted fromAlaska toMexico.

Roaming the Range

If he ain’t gotthe card, he’sjust a bubba

with a badge.

IN THE CR SSHAIRS By Sonny Harrington

Hunting Season Getaways!are a few couple-only trips, as well as somereally cool widow’s revenge getaways--available during this hunting season: Four TRIPS for $2500 or LESS forTWO:

Niagra Falls Thrill - Package includes3 nights at the Hilton Fallsview Hoteloverlooking the Canadian and AmericanFalls, connected by a glass enclosedwalkway to the Fallsview Casino. Dinner atthe Watermark Restaurant, day pass toMarineLand, admission to the Imax andSkylon Tower Observatory, plus all taxes.

Washington / Williamsburg - This 5 day,4 night package includes 2 nights inWashington DC, Old Town Trolley Tickets,dinner at Finemondo, roundtrip Amtraktravel between DC and Williamsburg, 2 nightsin Williamsburg, Colonial Williamsburg OneDay 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 PALACELos Cabos. Package includesaccommodations, all meals, drinks,entertainment, taxes, transfers, and tips, too!

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

Amalfi Coast Winter Getaway - This 8day 6 night Italian adventure is to thefamed Amalfi Coast with a stay at the HotelVilla Romana in Minori. Explore Ravello,Sorrento, Pompeii, Positano and Capriwithout the tourists on this package whichincludes air from NYC to Rome plustransfers, breakfast and dinner daily, from$1899 per person.

Culinary Treasures of Tuscany - Fivenights, 2 hour cooking lesson with dinner atthe Palazzo Leopoldo, wine tasting, olive oil

seminar, food tasting, and a prepaid FiatPunto for exploring, if you travel inSeptember or October. From $1549, plus air.

Girls Getaway - BEACHES Resort inTurks and Caicos rolls out the red carpetfor a girls BFF 4 night vacation in paradise.Kick back, relax, and enjoy Caribbean-stylefun with special activities: champagnesoirees, skincare classes, seaside yoga andmore. Dates are Oct 18-22 and Apr.25-29from $1299 per person, all inclusive.

Costa Rica - For a romantic adventure,fly from Monroe to San Jose, Costa Rica, andstay 4 nights at the 5-star SPRINGS RESORT& SPA with spectacular views of ArenalVolcano. Hike the jungles, visit wildlifepreserves, river raft, take jungle canopytours, zip line, or just soak in the hotel’s18hot spring pools. Package includes carrental. Travel Oct 3-7 for $1525 per person.

New England and Cape Cod - There isnothing like a fall foliage holiday,especially fully escorted. This 8 day tripstarts in Boston, includes Martha’sVineyard and the Newport Mansions, thentravels the back roads of Vermont. Datesare Oct. 2, 3, 5,6 -$1929 per person.Hunting Widow Single add $769

Branson, Memphis & Nashville -Experience America’s Music Cities dressedup for Christmas on this 8 day tour fromSt. Louis to Nashville. In addition to 10meals, enjoy 2 nights in Branson and 2shows, see the Titanic Museum, 2 nights atthe Opryland Resort with reserved seats tothe Grand Ole Opry, and 2 nights inMemphis for Beall Street and the ElvisMuseum. Tour ¬¬¬¬¬departs Dec. 2--$1699. Hunting Widow Single: Add $599

Hunting season is here and the dealsare out there! Call MONROE TRAVELSERVICE today. It’s time to get ready ,because, like my hunting widow said,“There’s a world of fun waiting to beenjoyed--and no hunter is required!“

TRAVEL ADVENTURE By Dianne Newcomer

“Ten years ago, Imarried a man who toldme he liked to go hunting.I said that was nice. I was acomplete deer in theheadlights,” laughed myfriend from Lake

Providence. “I had no idea what that statementmeant, but it was to become his justifications forthe many seasons, nights, weekends and days Ispent alone.”

I remember the first year, I screamed, criedand yelled. Obviously, I was doing what everynew bride would do because after talking it overwith his friends at the hunting camp, he informedme, "All the old men at the deer lease say Ishouldn't worry if you're upset now becausesomeday you'll be glad when I go hunting. Theysaid to expect a day to come when you'll evenpack my stuff for me and won't miss me.”

“For years I argued that point but a couplehunting seasons back, I watched this man whocouldn’t sit through his own daughter’s dancerecital set up an automatic feeder and camera sohe could photograph animals in their naturalsetting sit looking at nothing forever. At thatmoment, I had an epiphany. His mistress was thegreat outdoors, and he was never going to change!As the kids grew up, I accepted that I am ahunting widow. Soon, I began to relish not cookinga big dinner, getting the kids to bed early, andwatching a TV show that did not include gunfireand death to a deer!

“Remember that trip to Jamaica several yearsago with my friend, another hunting widow? Well,that did it. I discovered I could get a sitter, pack asuitcase 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 MONROETRAVEL SERVICE, I have had so many fun tripsthat now I actually look forward to huntingseasons. Why, when he said he was going toKansas to hunt whitetail, I told him it was a greatidea. That’s when I booked my Shopper’sWeekend package through you to New York Cityand saw The Radio City Christmas show. Whilehe hunted deer, I hunted deals!” she laughed, andwith a twinkle in her eye, added, “You know,dove hunting season opens in a few weeks andwere talking about our plans and the strangestthing has happened. It is truly ironic, but myhusband asked if instead of going hunting hecould go with me!”

So as I thanked my friend for coming intomy office at MONROE TRAVEL SERVICE, Ipromised to send her a few ideas on some fundestinations. Somehow, I doubted her husbandcould go “cold turkey” and since hunting seasonsin this region run from September to March, here



Hit the Road

Down UnderDeep inside a mountainside there’s a new brand ofTennessee Bluegrass By Deborah Burst

Just outside McMinnville, Tennessee, Ifollowed a crowd of baby boomers and youngadults crunching down a gravel path inside adark cave. Leaving a beautiful day, I wasn'tlooking forward to trailing 300 feet inside amountain towatch a bluegrassconcert. And thenit happened...

Past anunderground pooland smallwaterfall, I turnedthe corner andthere it was, asubterraneanconcert hall.Etched inside theCumberland Caverns the 500-seat naturalamphitheater, called the Volcano Room, hasbeen carefully chiseled by water over the last3.5 million years and touted as one of themost acoustically rich places on earth.

It’s as if Mother Nature opened her armsand invited you into her home in a soothing56 degrees with no outside noise orinterruptions. Entombed in darkness, the bodyrelaxes and the audio senses are heightened.

Pebble floors and jagged walls add to therustic welcome but in a nod to the cave’s regalsplendor, an opera style chandelier fromLowe's theater in New York hangs from thecrusted ceiling.

But that’s only thebeginning…

I grabbed mychilidog, sat down andlistened to the silence notknowing what do expect.Not a real student ofBluegrass or the bandMountain Heart, I was a bitapprehensive until theyopened the set with a tenminute Bluegrass version ofAllman Brother’s Whipping

Post. Okay, so just wrap me up and send me tothe moon because I’m done and my life’scomplete. A flood of concert memories crasheddown on me, Red Rock in Colorado, the NewOrleans Warehouse, but this reigned supreme.

Founder Todd Mayo began the BluegrassUnderground radio-concert series in 2008 andrecently partnered with PBS (PublicBroadcasting Service) bringingacoustically rich concerts to national

audiences.Mayo visited the cave on

vacation with his family and hadthe vision for what exists today. Ithad all the infrastructure,electricity, bathrooms, food

stand, but just needed a jolt ofcreativity. And Mayo is charged

with enough creative energy to keepManhattan burning for days.

“Something about the cave, a sense ofwonder, this magical place, and to be in frontof a warm crowd and very intimate setting,”Mayo says. “Everybody is together in a

beautiful space under the earth, and thefact the acoustics areso wonderful is justicing on the cake.”

Mayopartnered withEmmy award-winningproducer, ToddJarrell, and both

produce theBluegrass

Undergroundtelevision

series in what Mayo describes as anotherAustin City Limits. "It's acoustic, authenticAmericana in Tennessee, the most cavernousstate," he said holding out his arms inside thecave. "It's a magic cave, a cultural adventure."

If musicians and rowdies think it’sdifficult hauling equipment, imagine loadingit 300 feet underground. In their annual PBSfilming, the Bluegrass Undergroundproduction had just three days to recordtwelve episodes, and quite a challengecoordinating a hundred people and 24,000pounds of cables and generators. “If they givean award for technical achievement, wewould be a shoe-in,” laughed Mayo. “Weliterally produced an entire season worth ofnetwork quality television in three days.”

The PBS show reaches hundreds ofmillions of people covering more than 75% ofthe country from Juneau, Alaska to the VirginIslands. Names such as Vince Gill and JerryDouglas will be seen on the monthlytelevision shows.

Recalling some of his favorites, Mayoreflected back on August 16, 2008 when the

SteelDrivers played in the very first BluegrassUnderground Concert. Del McCoury wasmentioned along with Charlie Rueben at 84years old. “Quicksilver has played three times,pure Bluegrass, harmonies and gospel, theyjust blow people away,” Mayo recanted. “I’mone of those guys that after every show, I say,‘That’s the best show ever.’”

Many musicians now have BluegrassUnderground on their “gig bucket list” anxious toperform in the Volcano Room. The Underground’snext project is to produce CD, vinyl and digitalrecordings of live music at the cave.

It’s like a dream come true for Mayo.“Rocks and dirt, the feel of outdoors, I look upduring several shows and in awe,” he said.“Then you see a chandelier, it’s so surreal.”

A New Orleans native now living in the piney woods ofMandeville, Deb frequently visits her hometown for apo-boy fix.

ouisianaRemember When . . .

1. What state slogan replaced“Louisiana…A Dream State”?

2. What were the “ring tournaments” inLake Providence in the 1800’s?3. Where was northeast Louisiana’s

only train robbery?4. What was known as “The

Cradle of the Stars”?5. Was St. Joseph named for

a saint?6. What was Governor

Samuel McEnery’s administrationbest remembered for?

7. What Winn Parish native was governor from 1932-36?

8. When Louisiana entered the Union in1812, what number did it enter as?

9. What was Huey Long’s 1928 campaign slogan?10. What are ‘darning needles’ and ‘horse

stingers’ more commonly calledin Louisiana?Answers on next page 19

Bluegrass Underground monthly live performancesare taped for the radio show. Tickets can be purchasedeither on their websitehttp://www.bluegrassunderground.com/ or at thebox office at Cumberland Caverns the day of theshow. Bluegrass Underground airs every Saturdaynight just before the The Grand Ole Opry at 5 pm CST.Listen on-air in 39 states and parts of Canada or onlineat wsmonline.com

Part I: Sidney and Annie Saunders,

The Black Sheep of the Town of MonroeBy Lora D. Peppers

Back inMarch, 2007, Iwrote my very firstRoad Trips Article

about Sidney and Annie Saunders. I waslimiting myself to only a small article andhad to cram a lot of information into thatspace. I decided to revisit Monroe’s BlackSheep couple with a more detailed account oftheir lives, spread over several issues, so Igive you the sad tale of Sidney and AnnieLivingston Saunders.

His statue stares sternly towards theheart of downtown Monroe. Clutched inone hand is a stone scroll with the wordsof an ordinary marriage license engravedon in. Many people have asked who thisman was. Ask a long-time resident ofMonroe and you will get varying tales.“He was an arsonist.” “He made hismoney off gambling and prostitution!”“He never married his supposed wife!”“He committed suicide.” Some of thestories have a small kernel of truth whilesome have been proved false. Here arethe facts as known so far.

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

and SarahSaunders. Whenhe was veryyoung, hisparents andsiblings movedto MorehouseParishLouisiana. Bythe 1860 census,Sidney and hissix brothers andsisters wereorphans.Unfortunately,the MorehouseParish courthouse records have been lost tofires and there is no known headstone in thearea for the couple.

Sidney’s older siblings apparently raisedthe younger children and Sidney finished hischildhood in the sleepy little town of Bastrop.War clouds loomed on the horizon. Youngmen in Morehouse Parish were eager to jointhe army to “lick the Yankees” before the warwas over. Sidney was no exception. While stilla teenager, Sidney joined the ConfederateArmy as a Private in Company B., Third

Louisiana Infantry,known as theMorehouse Guards.During the 28th day ofthe siege of Vicksburg,Sidney was slightlywounded. AfterVicksburg fell, Sidneybecame a prisoner ofwar and was paroled togo home.

After the CivilWar ended, Sidneysettled down in thebooming town ofMonroe. He soon

became a wealthy grocer and saloonkeeper. Hewould take out large ads for his Grand StreetGrocery, selling only the best quality items and“very lowest cash prices to be found at any storein Monroe.” The local newspaper even ran a littleparagraph on its own saying, “Competent judgessay that the “Velvet” whisky kept by S.W.Saunders is about the best whisky to be found intown.”

On the night of December 30th, 1871, adevastating fire started on the second floor ofSidney’s saloon which eventually consumed mostof the town. The entire downtown businessdistrict of Monroe was in ruins. The fire wasruled an accident.

Rumors flew that Sidney also made hismoney gambling, which was sociallyunacceptable at the time. Sidney was consideredlow-classed and most of the town looked downon him. One rumor said that Sidney made someof his money in prostitution. This particularrumor may be true. In February of 1879, a firebroke out in a building occupied by EmmaClifton, a local madam. Towards the end of thearticle, in an almost, “Oh, by the way!” tone,were the following words, “The building wasowned by Mr. S.W. Saunders, insured for $1500.”

The rumor mill roared to life when Sidneycame back from a trip in 1875 with a “wife” onhis arm. Her name was Annie E. Livingston. Withthem was a little boy they claimed to be their sonWillie.

Next month, just who was Annie?

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

The Old SchoolKnown 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 wasthe Louisiana Municipal Association Award presented to the city of Bastrop forOutstanding Community Improvement in Community Development for municipalitieswith a population of 10,001 – 25,000.

The former school, built in 1927 when Bastrop was rapidly growing with thediscovery of natural gas and the growing paper industry, houses 68 apartments for seniors55 and older. A 13 million dollar project of Bastrop Main Street and Friends of Bastrop MainStreet, 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 beenmaintained.

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

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

For more information, contact Manager Chris Andrews or Shirley Johnson at 318-281-6690 or email [email protected]. Better yet, come tour the building. The HistoricBastrop High Apartments are located at 715 South Washington in Bastrop, LA.



Rodeos, Relics & A Stately Mansion B&BCheyenne, WyomingBy Mona L. Hayden

Live the Legend. That’s how Cheyenneproudly promotes this authentic Westerntown, which just may be an understatement asthe legend continues to develop here.

From the famous Frontier Days, wherethe western spirit thrives while attracting fansworldwide for a solid week of rodeoexcitement and top shelf country music eachJuly, to the F. E. Warren Air Force Base, acommand center for the U. S. IntercontinentalBallistic Missiles and a training ground for theU. S. Air Force. Cheyenne is also an activeArchaeological Dig Site for the University ofWyoming with Indian relics and pre-historicartifacts dating back 11,000 years.

More than just rodeos and relics, thisvibrant city with some 60,000 residents andabout 91,000 in the metropolitan area is hometo the Wyoming State Capitol, an array ofimpressive museums, and the worlds’ largeststeam locomotive – the Big Boy Steam Engine.

Come ride the Street Railway Trolley,visit the Cheyenne Botanic Gardens, the TerryBison Ranch with 3,000 bison, fishing,horseback rides, and a saloon, or enjoy thetheatre, symphony orchestra, and galleries.From specialty shops to Western emporiums,shoppers will delight in the selection. Take arelaxing walking tour of the historicdowntown area or play a round of golf, asCheyenne was named one of Golf Digest’s“Top Ten Golf Towns”. Bask in the greatoutdoors with hiking, fishing, and raftingreadily available at the numerous parks andrecreation sites, or simply savor the hospitalityof this sizeable western city that has the charmof a smaller town.

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

luxurious stay at theNagle WarrenMansion Bed &Breakfast. Built in1888 when Cheyennewas the richest city ofits size in the world,The Nagle WarrenMansion B&B wasconstructed for just$50,000, including allfurnishing. Thebuilding has sincebeen used as a privateresidence, a YWCA forchaperoned housingfor single women, and a social center for thetown residents before being sold in 1997 to thecurrent innkeeper, Jim Osterfoss, whosuccessfully converted it to an elegant B & B.

An imposing structure, the mansion isexquisite with period details throughout.Interior features include finely crafted oakwoodwork, an original chandelier, a carvedleather ceiling, original stained glass andcrystal windows, and two significantpaintings displayed in the parlor that werecommissioned by Mrs. Nagle when the homewas built almost 125 years ago.

The meticulously appointed home offerstwelve guest rooms with private baths. Guestscan enjoy modern comforts and conveniencessuch as central air, data port lines and wirelessDSL in each room that blend seamlessly withauthentic period wallpaper, antique furniture,and period-style artwork.

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

flowing fountains; soak in the hot tub, orrelax on the patio with a nice cup of coffeeand a good book. On Friday and Saturdayafternoons, high tea is served. Corporate

guests will appreciate the three conferencerooms accommodating up to 20 people, and afully equipped business office. Top this off withgourmet breakfasts, entertaining conversations,and an endless cookie jar and you’re guaranteeda pleasant visit.

Located within walking distance to greatshopping, restaurants, the capitol buildingcomplex and the heart of the city, the NagleWarren Mansion B&B delivers on every front,making it a stand-alone destination. TheMansion is ideally suited for weddings,receptions, private parties, or corporateevents. Plan to celebrate a birthday,anniversary, or just a tranquil weekend.

The Nagle Warren Mansion B&B islocated at 222 East 17th Street in Cheyenne,Wyoming. Call 800-811-2610, [email protected], or visitwww.naglewarrenmansion.com to inquireabout special holiday events, murder mysterydinners, wine pairing dinners and otherexperiences at the B&B.

Louisiana in the Civil WarSeptember 1862: Hommes De Couleur Libres

When the CivilWar began, NewOrleans had a largepopulation of free

men of color who were the descendants ofFrench and Spanish men and slave women.During the colonial period both French andSpanish law granted complete equality tofreed slaves. As a result, the hommes de couleurlibre were permitted to own land, businesses,and slaves; be educated; and serve in themilitary. The freemen of color createda niche forthemselves in theCrescent City’smulti-culturalsociety and workedas lower middleclass clerks, artisans,and skilled laborers. They also had a traditionof proud military service. The hommes decouleur libre had their own militia units thatserved in various Indian wars and foughtagainst the British during the RevolutionaryWar.

After the U.S. acquired Louisiana in 1803,the status of the hommes de couleur librechanged significantly. Louisiana’s constitutionof 1812 specifically restricted the right to voteand run for office to white men who ownedproperty. The free men of color could stillown property and serve in the militia, butthey were left out of politics and their socialstatus began to decline. Nonetheless, theyonce again volunteered to defend their homesduring the War of 1812 and fought bravely forAndrew Jackson at the Battle of New Orleans.

A week after civil war erupted in April1861, some of New Orleans’ free men of coloroffered to form military companies to fight theYankees. In an announcement published inthe Daily Picayune, the men declared that theywere prepared to defend their homes “againstany enemy who may come and disturb itstranquility.” Soon afterward, hundreds ofhommes de couleur libre gathered in the street toshow their support for the Confederacy, and aregiment known as the Native Guards wassoon formed. All of the line officers were ofAfrican descent, although Governor ThomasO. Moore appointed a white colonel tocommand the regiment. The Daily Crescentdeclared, “Our free colored men . . . arecertainly as much attached to the land of theirbirth as their white brethren here in Louisiana.

. . .[They] will fight the BlackRepublican with as muchdetermination and gallantry asany body of white men in theservice of the Confederate States.”

The Native Guards weremustered into the Louisianamilitia, but officials refused toenlist them into the Confederatearmy. Other Southern states’views on race were more rigid,

and to them it wasunthinkable toarm black men.Putting greyuniforms on blackmen would berecognizing that AfricanAmericans were equal towhites and that was something

the Confederates refused to do.When Union forces occupied New

Orleans in the spring of 1862, the black militiadisbanded. After the Battle of Baton Rouge inAugust, General Benjamin F. Butler, theUnion’s military governor of Louisiana,requested reinforcements to defend NewOrleans, but none were forthcoming. Indesperation Butler informed Secretary of WarEdwin Stanton that he planned to raise aregiment of free blacks. On September 27,1862, Butler mustered the 1st Regiment ofLouisiana Native Guards into Union service,making it the firstsanctioned regimentof African Americantroops in U.S. Armyhistory.

It has generallybeen assumed thatthe hommes decouleur libre whojoined Butler’sNative Guards thatSeptember were thesame ones that hadserved earlier in thestate militiaregiment by thesame name. Butler,in fact, claimed thatwas the case. As aresult, historianshave questioned thesincerity of the blackmilitiamen who

volunteered forConfederate service in1861. Their supposedchange in loyalty seems toindicate their offer to fightfor the South was madeonly to protect theireconomic and social statuswithin the community. Tonot volunteer would makewhite neighbors suspiciousand possibly lead toretaliation. Some NativeGuards said as much toButler and others.

Undoubtedly many ofthe hommes de couleur libre

had no love for the Southern cause and simplyvolunteered for the militia to protectthemselves from their white neighbors.However, military service records calls intoquestion whether that was true for themajority of them. Of the 1,035 hommes decouleur libre who served in the 1861 Louisianamilitia unit, only 108 (or about 10 percent)went on to serve in the U.S. Army’s NativeGuards. This would seem to indicate that alarge number of the men of color were sincerein their desire to fight for the South anddefend their homes against a Yankee invasion.

Dr. Terry L. Jones is a professor of history at theUniversity of Louisiana at Monroe and has publishedseveral books on the American Civil War.

Louisiana black militia during theBattle of New Orleans (U.S. ArmyCenter for Military History).

Our free colored men .. . are certainly as

much attached to theland of their birth astheir white brethren

here in Louisiana.

BOOK REVIEW

Nothing Left to LoseBy Harrison Neese

Only a native Louisianan can pen a novel that so aptly reflects theadventure and saga of two Spanish families forced to abandon life asthey know it in the Canary Islands and settle inSpanish Louisiana in 1779. Author HarrisonNeese is a 7th generation direct descendant ofthree Canary Island Isleno patriots of theAmerican Revolution who settled along BayouLafourche in 1779, making this fictional workeven more fascinating for history buffs. Thenovel emphasizes the actual prominence of theSpanish influence during 1763-1803.

Beautifully written, the story is laden withfactual pieces of history as three generations ofthe original families eventually gain citizenshipwith triumph at the Battle of New Orleans.Enjoy the mystique of the wild wetlands during this war-ravaged era,where passions collide and murder and mystery unfold. A greatfictional read for anyone interested in Louisiana history and culture.



Summer pressestoward maturity anddaylight hours areebbing. Due to a mildwinter and spring,things have seemedearly all year – leafing,

blooming, fruiting, seeding. Here along the River,corn harvest began in mid-July. But after asummer of sizzling heat and oppressive drought,plants in the natural world are weary. Tired leavesare shedding. Wind in the birches signal change.

"The foliage has been losing its freshnessthrough the month of August, and here andthere a yellow leaf shows itself like the first grayhair amidst the locks of a beauty who has seenone season too many." - Oliver Wendell Holmes

The Fall Equinox recurs on September 22nd– equal dark, equal light; not too dim, not toobright; equal hours, day and night.

As summer wanes, vine, branch and stalkare clustered with berries, fruit and seed. Here inmid-August, elderberries sag with juicy fruit.White rough-leaf dogwood drupes stare like somany huddled eyes. Buckeyes are falling.Beautyberries are purpling. Meadow grasses arelanky and crowned with seed. For one observer,droning dog-day cicadas are as good a sign as anythat summer is getting on. Empty husks cling toleaf and bark. For me, goldenrods mark thepassing of summer, the coming of fall.

Sometimes, seasons overlap for a plant.Right now, flowering dogwoods are heavy withgreen football-shaped drupes. But look closer. In

the fork of twig and leaf, buds for next year’sblooms have already formed. Ripened fruit andsealed buds will hang out together through winteruntil next spring when the buds will open as thefamiliar dogwood blossoms we love so well.

This was the year of common mullein,blooming in all the waste places. Though manyroadside plants have gone to seed, some likeelderberry, rose-mallows and trumpet creepers stillblossom. Noticeable flowering plants in my mid-August 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 andfour o’clocks.

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

What a summer for frogs! Southern leopardfrogs are everywhere, every size. Green tree frogstoo, the Louisiana state amphibian. And toads.Carolina anoles scurry along the wall, leapingthrough foliage, flashing pink dewlaps. Littlebrown skinks wriggle through the leaf litter. Five-lined skinks were plentiful at one time, the oneswith the bright blue tail, but they’re scarce now.

In yet another year stressed by scorchingdrought, the patio birdbath oasis continued toattract birds. Documented visitors includedcardinals, chickadees, bluebirds, doves, finches,jays, mockers, robins, sparrows, thrashers andwrens. Painted Buntings and Baltimore Orioles arestill mid-August regulars. After fledging, the local

bird population ballooned. Yellow-billed cuckooshave departed for the year but hummingbirdnumbers continue to climb.

Persistent drought required regular wateringof the clay soil around my house slab to preventsettling and cracking. Resulting blooms attracted aprofusion of butterflies – especially swallowtails,sulphurs and silver-spotted skippers, one of NorthAmerica’s largest and most widespread skippers.Dozens of gulf fritillary females nectar on lantanaand lay their eggs on the native passion vinewhich serves as a host plant. A closer examinationrevealed many of the ragged leaves are crawlingwith the orange, black-spined larvae. A completelife cycle right out my back door!

Seasonal gardening advice is to prune tiredperennials or pull up overgrown spring beddingplants and replant for a fresh fall show. But mynative beds are waist high with blooming annualsand perennials. They feed a beautiful array ofhummingbirds and butterflies … and insects thatsupport a thriving community of birds, frogs,lizards, spiders and mantids that feed on thoseinsects. Why destroy such an elaborate backyardhabitat by jerking out plants before they mature?Maintain nature’s diversity where you can byGoing Native!

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

The Coming of FallGOING NATIVE By Larry Brock

Hello folks! It's goodto see everyone. Pouryourselves somethingrefreshing from thesideboard and let'schat...~smile~

Everyone isalways wanting more stories on Aunt Marleta andUncle Stan. So, without further ado, here's anotherone on the Natchez relatives. Uncle Stan served inthe first Gulf War. He was working for theInternational Paper Company in Natchez,Mississippi when his guard unit was called up. He

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

One day, Uncle Stan finally agreed to take AuntMarleta fishing. After giving her a big lecture aboutbeing quiet and still they took off. Sure enough, AuntMarleta got enough fishing early on. Several timesshe tried to say something but each time Uncle Stanput his hand up in wordless reminder. About threehours into their hot little expedition, her legscramping from being in one place, Aunt Marletafinally shifted her position ever so slightly. And justlike that, Uncle Stan huffed. “For heavens sakes,Leta, I knew it was gonna be like this! Did you comeout 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 agreat time on the porch today, friends, and drop mea note when you're done. Until next time...

~Hugs, Shellie

Fishin’ or Dancing?ALL THINGS SOUTHERN By Shellie Tomlinson

was fifty-eight. Uncle Stan’s had toovercome a lot of health problemsstemming from the war, and he’s retirednow from the Paper Company, but he’snot resting on his laurels. Several yearsago he graduated from college at sixty-eight years young.

Uncle Stan got a degree inrecreational management with the ideabeing he and Aunt Marleta could travelthe country. And, if he so chose, he couldtake a job at one of the parks. This wouldalso allow him to fish the best lakes andrivers out there. Uncle Stan loves to fish.Aunt Marleta—not so much, she saysUncle Stan sucked the fun out of it forher years ago.

Back then Aunt Marleta was alwaysasking Uncle Stan to take her fishing withhim and he was always finding reasonsnot to bring her along. Uncle Stan lovedhis wife, but he was also serious about hisfishing and he knew she’d just be hot and

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

The HolidaysGerman Style! The Minden Fasching FifthSeason Festival

Unique in Louisiana is a city of German heritage, Minden, acommunity founded in 1836 by German-American Charles Hans Veederand named for the home of his ancestors, Minden Germany. In 1835, agroup of German immigrants seeking religious freedom settled in acommune just north of Minden at the Germantown Colony. The MindenFasching 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 ofMardi Gras. The Fifth Season officially begins each year in the 11thmonth, on the 11th day, at 11:11 AM, at a ceremony where the Mayorhands over city keys to the King and Queen of Karneval, serving asroyalty for Fasching, who preside over festivities for the fifth seasonwhich ends on Ash Wednesday at the beginning of Lent. Fasching isheld 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, alongwith 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 “Tourof Germantown”, a 7/14 mile and 100k bike ride, stopping to tourGermantown Colony Museum. River Dawg Racing is organizing theride (www.steelsports.net or [email protected]).

From 10am, German Music and authentic German food fill the air.Artists and artisans will line the streets selling their wares whileshoppers enjoy the 2012 Fasching Boutique with various retail booths atThe Vault downtown. Stroll through a beer garden at Orleans on Maincreated by the Homebrew Club of Shreveport/Bossier City and samplegreat, robust home-brewed beer. Participate in a homemade picklecontest, 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 withproceeds for cemetery upkeep). www.mindencemeteryblogspot.com, orview local art at Minden City Art Works.www.mindenusa.com/mainstreet. Fireworks start at 6:30 Saturdaynight! Children have the opportunity all weekend to visit withWeihnachts Mann (Santa Klaus), enjoy clowns, face painting, a pettingzoo and special events.

On Sunday, the frivolity begins at noon. The Minden FaschingFestival is produced in cooperation with Minden Main Street, Krewedes Ambassadeurs, Minden South Webster Chamber of Commerce,Shreveport Bossier Beer Club, River Dawg Racing, Friends ofGermantown, and Minden Cemetery Association. It is funded in partby a grant from the Louisiana Office of Tourism(www.LouisianaTravel.com), Webster Parish Convention and VisitorsBureau (www.visitwebter.com), Republic Industries - Allied Waste,Diamond Jacks Casino and Resort, Orleans on Main, Bayou BlastersFireworks.

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



Let's Eat! Sicily’s – A Unique Spot in South LouisianaBy Lee Estes

From time to time,I have occasion to visitLafayette and if I wantsomething to eat, I drive

a few miles south on US 90 to Broussard, LAand have lunch at Sicily's Ultimate ItalianBuffet, aplace Idiscoveredseveral yearsago on myway to NewIberia. Ofcourse,inflation hasmade theprice a bithigher thanit was whenI first visited,but it is stillone of thebest bargainsanywhere.

I hear you thinking: What in the worldcould be special about another pizza house?After all, we have Johnny's all over northLouisiana plus all the other chains.

The first time I ventured into Sicily's Iwasn't looking for pizza, just a place to havelunch. What I found was a lot more than justpizza – a full buffet featuringcrawfish bisque, a complete saladbar, an array of vegetables andmeats, spaghetti and meatballs, adessert bar with chocolate chippizza among other things, and anice cream dispenser with allkinds of toppings. Then, ofcourse, there was pizza, morethan twenty five different kinds!Another surprise was a coffee barfeaturing a variety of Communitycoffees.

How much, you ask? What's the catch?How much extra for the drinks? Salad barextra? What about take-outs? Forget thosequestions because EVERYTHING is included.That's right, salad bar, hot buffet, pizza,coffee, ice cream, and if you want, a pizzamade to your specifications. Dinner, includingtax, is $11.86; Lunch, including tax, is only$10.78. Wednesday is Seniors Day with an allday price, lunch or dinner, of $8.21.

Sicily's clientele includes all types of folks.I met and talked with oil field workers, medicalpersonnel,old folkslikemyself,and othersfrom manywalks oflife. Allvoicedadmirationfor thegreat fareoffered bySicily's at the all inclusive price. The onlycomplaint was there being much more availablethan one could possibly eat. I don't recommendsampling everything available, but dorecommend Sicily's the next time you are in theLafayette area. While there, tell manager Justin

Holmes that I sent you.

As wonderfulas seafood inSouth Louisianacan be, that is notSicily's majoroffering otherthan one or twoitems on thebuffet.Nevertheless,Sicily's offers avariety I can onlycompare withsome of the Grand Smorgasbords I haveenjoyed in Scandinavia.

Why not take a Louisiana Road Trip, aweekend perhaps, and take advantage of thegreat food available. You can reachBroussard from Monroe in time for lunch,then spend a relaxing day or so exploringplaces nearby – Breaux Bridge, St.Martinville, Abbeville, and Delcambre – allworth a visit and they have wonderful placesto satisfy any craving for Louisiana Seafood.

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

This is a first for me… never commenton much but I want to say how muchmy family enjoys your paper. Everypage has something interesting,educational or funny. I believe it’s yourlack of pretense and politicalcorrectness that appeals to me most. Ihigh commend you and your team onpublishing one of the finest reads I’ve

come across in years. – Sam N., Bossier City

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

– Leila P., Crossett, AR

Great piece on Fredericksburg, Texas [Aug 2012]. I love Louisiana andhave probably visited just about every city and town since I movedhere in 1951 but it’s nice to take an extended ‘road trip’ sometimes. Istill see a lot of the state because I take the back roads... couldn’t getme to an airport these days! – Bobby L., Donaldsonville, LA

How interesting that a drawing of the Woodland Plantation Inn is onthe label of Southern Comfort [Bed n Beignets, by Mary White, Aug2012]. I would never have known this. Your writers come up withsome of the best information about Louisiana! Love your magazineand save every copy. – K. Teague, Opelousas

BACK

TALKCoffee bar at Sicily's. A variety ofCommunity coffees are part of thebuffet.

Personnel from local health facilityenjoy lunch at Sicily's

Standard menu side ofbuffet, also included in buffetprice in addition to pizza.

Small portion of Pizza Buffet atSicily's. There are more than twentyfive varieties of Pizza available onthe buffett and none are allowed toget cold or stale. If they are on thecounter more than thirty minutes,they are replaced.


Zwolle TamaleFiesta Heats Up

The Fall season is a great time to prepare yourfavorite tamale recipe and enjoy the amazing blend ofspices. If you want to experience this treat without thefuss, travel to the Zwolle Tamale Fiesta being heldOctober 11-13 at the Zwolle, LA Festival Grounds.Enjoy the celebration of the Spanish and NativeAmerican heritage of the area.

The Fiesta kicks off Thursday, October 11th at theZwolle Festival Grounds with dinner andentertainment at 6pm. Festival gates open Friday at5pm beginning with Johnson Carnival Rides,concessions, arts and crafts, and tamale eating contest.Plan on dancing to music by Don Rich and DJ BradleyByley 7:30–11:30pm. Saturday begins with the paradeat 10am; gates open at 11am. Enjoy lots of activitiesincluding the Spanish costume contest, arm wrestlingcontest, tamale judging and tamale eating contest, withthe Fiesta Mudbog at 1pm. Dance to music fromOverland Express, Foret Tradition of New Orleans, andDJ Bradley Byley 7:30–11:30pm for a great time.

For more Fiesta information and a completeschedule of events, contact the Sabine Parish TouristCommission at 1-800-358-7802 or visitwww.ToledoBendLakeCountry.com.

Art Gallery CrawlThursday, Oct. 4th, 5-9pm

The Monroe/West Monroe Downtown Arts Alliance will once again sponsor itsbi-monthly Downtown Gallery Crawl on the first Thursday of October. Produced andhosted by the nine galleries of the Alliance, the Crawl is a great time to visit, eat anddrink, 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 theCultural Districts is sales tax-free – a wonderful opportunity to buy Christmas giftsand 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 theOuachita 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 righton South Grand to visit Livaudais Gallery, which generously hosts guest artists. OnDeSiard Street, stroll down to the Palace Gallery, housedin the historic, now renovated Palace Department Store.Finally, you will hit the mother lode—UPSTAIRS, the BigRoom, Downstairs Gallery, Arender Gallery, SugarGallery, and Becton Gallery—all located on Art Alley(formerly North 2nd Street).

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

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

"Collective" by JoliLivaudais Grisham(Livaudais Gallery)

Teddy’s Bear Festival ’12The Madison Parish Tourism Commission will hold its sixth

annual, “Teddy’s Bear Festival ’12: A Historical Celebration,” festivalcommemorating President Theodore Roosevelt’s successful bear huntexpedition in Madison Parish where he actually shot and killed hisblack bear. Teddy’s Bear Festival ’12 is scheduled for October 13th from9am-10pm at the Court House Square in downtown Tallulah.Admission is free. For more information, contact Tina Johnson at 1-888-744-8410 or [email protected].

Lots of activities (children’s games and prizes, rock climbing, faceand finger painting, fire and safety prevention activities and inflatablerides) for children will be offered. Educational and informationalexhibits featuring a variety of activities as well as live animals, andinformation on wildlife, hunting, and fishing will be on display. Boothsshowcasing many arts & crafts will also be available. Lots of doorprizes and surprise raffle items. Enjoy numerous food booths and liveentertainment featuring a variety of non-stop music genres.

The festival is headlined by Easy Eddie and the Party Rockers alongwith Hadley J. Castille, world-renowned Cajun fiddler player, LouisianaHall of Famer, television and movie performer from Opelousas, WillieNaylor, Jazz trumpeter from Chicago, Illinois and rhythm and bluesartist, Vickie Baker, Vicksburg, Ms. Local talent along the I-20 corridorwill include country and western singers Jessie Larue, bluegrass, Gospel,Country, Blues, Rock 'n Roll group, Grassfire, the Angelic Voices of Praiseand 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, TensasState Bank, One Stop Smoke Shop, Madison Chamber of Commerce, DeltaBank and Cross Keys Bank. Gold Sponsors: State Representative AndyAnders, 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 OrleansPlantation Country

Part of what defines the rich history of New Orleans PlantationCountry is our food. It’s not just delicious – it’s legendary. You mightenjoy a gourmet dish at a fine-dining establishment one night, and thenhave a bowl of seafood gumbo at a festival the next day – and both willbe equallyexquisite.You’ll savorauthenticCajun andCreolecuisine, freshLouisianaseafood andso muchmore.Jambalaya,gumbo,boiledcrawfish, redbeans & rice, crawfish étouffée, po-boys – the list of amazing Louisianadishes 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 PlantationCountry, four nights and culinary delights await! VisitNOLAPlantations on Facebook or VisitNOPC.com/sweepstakes toenter and win, contest runs through December 7, 2012.



Hunting Season is Here!By Johnny Wink

Wow! Can you believe it? We can now gooutside and hunt. I’m fired up!! Just likeChristmas, hunting is worth waiting for. We’vegot 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 gamehunter, this includes deer, ducks, and geese. In the last few years hoghunting has become popular, also gator and predator hunting.

For some, it takes days and even months to get ready for thehunt. Preparing is almost as fun, too! Planting food plots has becomeso big that as much money as it costs to plant, spray, and keep thegrass out (don't forget fertilizing and liming), most hunters will agreeit’s worth the time and expense.Me? I hope those deer and turkeysand whatever else munches on whatI've planted like it, and like it a lot.

And if you don't get enoughrain on your food plot, most of it iswasted. You wonder what else cango wrong? We all become farmers ofsorts, seeing firsthand how tough itis. We do all this to try and get an edge on killing a deer. I hope theydon't come up with any more ways we have to get out in the hotweather and on a tractor for. Like my duck blinds, I have so manyelectric stuff jumping, shaking, flying and stirring up the water that Ineed enough electricity to keep a small town going.

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

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

On a different note, I never heard Jeff Foxworthy say this but it’strue: If you paid more for your lawnmower then you did for your

truck, you might be a redneck. Well, Ihave to say yes, I did. That's whywhen I go out this Saturday night, Iwill pick her up in my newGrasshopper mower and if she doesn'tlike that, well, she can walk, because Ilove my new mower. It's so pretty.

As I write this, I’m packing for myvacation to Jamaica. When I come backit will be TV dinners and sleeping withmy cat. Ah well, you can't have it alland I do like TV dinners... you know,

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

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

If you paid morefor yourlawnmower thenyou did for yourtruck, you mightbe a redneck.

Mer Rouge Native LeadsU.S. Navy Training

Captain John T. Dye of MerRouge, Louisiana was recentlypromoted to CommandingOfficer of the quarterdeck ofthe Navy at RTC (RecruitTraining Command), theNavy’s only boot camp. Hisnew responsibilities includethe training of 37,000recruits annually as well as1,100+ military personneland civilian staff.

Dye graduated fromNLU in Monroe with a B.S. inAviation and Master’s Degree. Hereceived his commission throughAviation Officer Candidate Schoolbefore being designated a NavalFlight Officer in 1990.

John’s Parents, John andDeloris Dye, recall his earlieryears. “We thought our sonwould grow up to be fisherman,hunter or trapper. He spent everymoment that he wasn’t in schoolor working in the woods or onthe river. Girls? Forget them –they were too expensive andmoney spent on them could buybait, ammo, or gas. And hewanted to fly an airplanesomeday, too. He went to college,learned to fly (got a commercialpilot license), and fell in love withPatty. She was a year behind himso he decided to stay there andget his master’s degree.”

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

the need for speed, from ridingmini-bikes around Mer Rouge to

attempting towalk histhree-wheeleron the backtires sevenmiles toCollinston. Ofcourse he gota ticket butthe officer

agreed heprobably would have met hisgoal. In college, he got so manyspeeding tickets that he almosthad his license suspended. Whenflying wasn’t enough anymore, hejoined the Navy to commandeven faster planes. He’s not flyingnow but he did just purchase aDucati motorcycle.

“My brother has the mostamazing ability to excel atwhatever he does – hunting,fishing, trapping, carpentry work,sports, school, flying,photography, mountain climbing– and does it at the highestpossible level. He’s a great man tobe in charge of our Navy’srecruits. I’m fiercely proud of himand can’t wait to see where hiscareer leads him next.”

Louisiana Road Trips salutesC. O. John Dye and sendsheartfelt appreciation for yourservice!

CO John Dye


Pre-Season Hunting AdviceAs the wisest and

most qualified huntingcontributor to LRT, I amfrequently sought outnot only by the readersbut also by fellow

contributors for advice on hunting. SonnyHarrington, for example, recently expressedan interest in more columns on huntingsquirrels and beavers. Johnny Wink has alsoasked for advice on bagging trophy wives. Iam always eager to mentor those with lessknowledge and experience than myself.

Some of my fondest memories are ofhunting squirrels on opening weekend (thefirst Saturday inOctober) way backwhen I was ateenager at ourhunting camp onthe Tensas River.My father and hishunting buddies were members of Three BuckBayou Hunting Club. I will never forget thefirst day I killed the limit of 8 squirrels. Themain reason I will never forget is because Iaccidentally killed 9 squirrels that day. I cantell this now because I am fairly certain thestatute of limitations has run.

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

aluminum boat. I eased along the bank of abayou near the river. Right after daylight, I shotat a squirrel but didn’t see it fall, and couldn’tfind him lying dead anywhere nearby, so Icontinued to hunt and eventually got my limitof 8. Only when I returned to where my Dadwas going to pick me up did I find that deadsquirrel. He put me over the limit, and into apanic. I had heard stories about what happenedto pretty boys like me in prison. So I buried thesquirrel and waited for my Dad. When heshowed up with less than the limit, I dug thesquirrel up and gave it to my Dad so he couldstick it in his hunting vest. Problem solved. Iguess the moral of that story is to remember the

State always has the burden of proof,and you can always claim ignoranceand blame the inadequacies of thepublic school system in not teachingyou how to count.

The worst part of huntingwith my Dad and his buddies was

they cooked squirrel mullegan the eveningafter the first day’s hunt. Our hunting campwas primitive and clean water was precious.Vision a huge bowl of cooked rice withsquirrel parts in it, along with lots of squirrelhair, along with squirrel heads. Yes, the brainswere considered a delicacy. I could neverbring myself to eat squirrel mullegan. Ialways brought a can of Vienna Sausage with

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

In regard to beavers, my only experiencewith hunting them came when we had a campnear Waterproof, when I was less than 12 yearsold. We had a problem with beavers dammingup the old river bottom. Some enterprisingmembers of the hunting club had access todynamite or TNT in the form of somethingcalled primer cord. The older members of theclub strung up primer cord along the beaverdam and beaver lodges and we all hid behindsome fallen logs about 50 yards away. Iremember someone touching a wire to a bigbattery. Boom! After my hearing returned a fewhours later, I learned our problem had beensolved. Years later, we found pieces of primercord along with boxes of matches stashed in apack rat nest in a raggedy sofa in our huntingcamp. I suspect the beavers.

In all honesty, I don’t know how I evergot a trophy wife. I’m not good looking andI’m not rich. So I guess there’s still hope foranyone, if you live long enough. Even duckguides in Jones, Louisiana.

Dennis Stewart grew up in northeast Louisiana,graduated from La Tech and LSU Law School. Afterhaving taught law at ULM and working as an AssistantDistrict Attorney, Dennis is now a Hearing Officer inRayville. He loves to hunt, fish, read, write, and shop oneBay.

A LIFE OF TRIAL…AND ERROR By Dennis Stewart

I had heard storiesabout what happenedto pretty boys like me

in prison.

Wooden Boat Festival On October 13 and 14, 2012 starting at

10am, the Lake Pontchartrain Basin MaritimeMuseum will present the 23rd AnnualWooden Boat Festival along the banks of thescenic Tchefuncte River in Madisonville, La.This primary fundraiser supports thewonderful programming and exhibits of theLake Pontchartrain Basin Maritime Museum.

The best of the local and regional musicscene will perform: Sound Barrier, BottomsUp, Boot Hill and Category 6, and 4Unplugged. Visit the Children's Village,featuring inflatables, Frank Levy'sPlaymakers, interactive attractions,underwater robots, live Star Wars characters,adoptable dogs from the St. Tammany ParishHumane Society, "Cupcake Wars" to test yourdecorating skills, and more.

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

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

On Water Street, view and tour over 100classic and wooden boats on display, enjoyregional delicacies, and shop with artists' andmarine vendors. Don't forget to purchase the2012 Wooden Boat Festival collectible poster,celebrating the bicentennial of the State ofLouisiana.

Following tradition, the St. TammanyWoodworkers Guild will assist childrenbuilding small wooden boats from precutpieces while the Classic Car Cruise-In attractsabout 100 antique and classic cars from acrossthe region.

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

Soul Revival, delicious food, and an open bar.The Pirates of the Tchefuncte themed party isFriday, October 12, from 7:30-10:30pm at theMaritime Museum. General admission is$75/person or $125/couple. The highly covetedtickets can be purchased from MaritimeMuseum at (985)845-9200. Mania guests areencouraged to dress like pirates or nautical chic.

"The 23rd Annual Wooden Boat Festivalwill be a celebration of what makes maritimeLouisiana great," said Don Lynch, MuseumExecutive Director. Daily admission is $10 perperson, $5 for seniors over 65, and free forchildren under 12 and uniformed militarypersonnel, and includes access to the Museumwith FREE off-site parking and shuttle service.

Volunteer Opportunities and FestivalSponsorship opportunities are still available.For more info, call (985) 845-9200 or log ontowww.woodenboatfest.org orwww.lpbmm.org/wbf/.

Does Emailing and Texting CausePeople to Forget How to Spell?

In the vast overallof things, we reallydon't get very many

years; however, we sure do get a lot of days.With that said, I suppose we need to do ourbest with each and every one of them. Once aday is over, if it's been squandered, it's gone.For that matter, even if it's not beensquandered, it's gone, but at least it's probablyleft a smile on our faces.

Thinking aboutyears and daysreminds me that after amillion years ofevolution, man hasreached the pointwhere he is now morestupid than histelephone. I knowyou're thinking,“Speak for yourself oldgal”, but bear in mind everything ourtelephones––cell phones––can do as they outthinkand outwork our brains on a daily basis.

With the brilliant cell phone, consider thereverse learning factor. An example, in schoolwe learned to write proper sentences: "I'mgoing to the store to buy bananas." Too often,that's evolved into "I'm gonna go get me somebananas," with "get me some" being thedefinitive selection of words that drive mebonkers. Okay, I'm easily driven bonkers whenit comes to poor speakinghabits that slam the Englishlanguage unmercifully.Now, back to the cell phoneand its smartness. Nomatter how smart cells,they cannot fix improperuse of the Englishlanguage. I dislikethrowing in, "You can't fixstupid”, but I just have to.I'm compelled. Old school,I'm set in my ways, lovethe English language andit's being slaughtered.

It's not just drasticallydamaging sentence structurebut there's also spelling.Texting has introduced anew world of misspelling.That's okay, as long as thetexter remembers how to

spell correctly. On an unsettling note, I heardschools might stop teaching cursive writing (whatwe called longhand when I was a kid). Enoughabout my personal rants as there are real dangersfaced in the world of writing, speaking andspelling. I fear we've become a country of lookersand listeners instead of readers and thinkers.

Moving from cell phones to computers,there's the "spell checker." Despite itsremarkableness, while it recognizes an obvious

misspelling, it does nothing aboutincorrect word usage. So long asthat wrong word is spelledaccurately, it passes spell checkermuster. For example, spell checkerscannot distinguish betweenhomophones. Here's where old-fashioned schooling andbrainpower enters the picture.Homophones are wordspronounced the same but with

different spellings and meanings, such asloan/lone, to/too/two and there/their.Likewise, write the word dessert when youmean desert and again, different word,different meaning, but spelled correctly so itwould slip by the best spell checker.

Then there are the words everybodyconfuses: lay/lie, farther/further, fewer/less,amount/number and affect/effect,adopt/adept/adapt, alter/altar, affluent/effluent,assume/presume, compliment/ complement,

discrete/discreet,foreword/forward, cite/site,and I will stop now.

Much depends onlogic. One illogicalexpression on my

bonkers list is "one of theonly." Only means one.

One is one, only or not.Have you ever describedsomeone as "over

exaggerating?" They've already exaggerated,how can they do more? Last example alongthese lines is the expression (because I can goon all day), "I could care less," or thecorrupted version, "I couldn't care less." Bynot caring, caring less is impossible. Thinkabout it. You already don't care... how canyou care less than not caring at all? Thisreminds me of someone saying, “Everyday Icare less and less..." Well now, as I said, lessis less. Need I say more? (Nope. In fact, I'llsay less... but not less and less). We shouldstop speaking without thinking.

I cannot pen a column about grammaret al without throwing in one of the mostmispronounced words in the Englishlanguage: "Often." Very often, it’s pronouncedas it's spelled: Off-ten. In reality, and don'task me why, it’s correctly pronounced asthough spelled: Offen. Silent "T."

I lied. Here's one more. How manytimes have you written "it's" when youmeant "its"? Just remember, "It’s" is thecontraction of "it is," while "its" is thepossessive form of "it."

Texting and emailing has us misusingproper punctuation, too, such as theoverabundance usage of exclamation points.Almost everything ends in an exclamationpoint because we’re making our point.However, lest we forget, there's the simple,unobtrusive period. As a real revelation tomany in the e-world – it actually came longbefore the exclamation point to the list ofpunctuation marks.

By the way, did you know those threelittle spaced periods (...) have a name?They're called ellipsis points.

Commas indicate pauses; semicolonsusually bring the reader to an almost but notquite stop, and colons mostly introduce aquote or list. I keep my columns to aminimum of words (or is that "at aminimum"?), so I'll add a period now,although you might want to add anexclamation point just for the sheer joy thatI’m finally winding down. Nobody said itwould 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 severalstupid dogs, a cat, a talking cockatiel and a white dove.She's active in civic affairs, serves as a Justice of thePeace, a Notary Public, is the Clerk for the Village ofBonita and a columnist for the Bastrop Daily Enterprise.She has authored several books. You can e-mail Barbara [email protected]

RUNNIN’ THE ROADS By Barbara Sharik

Bear in mind every -thing our

telephones––cellphones––can do asthey outthink and

outwork our brainson a daily basis.

ouisianaAnswers …

1. “Louisiana…We’re ReallyCookin’”

2. Mounted horsemen dressed asknights and rode atbreakneck speed trying tospear a suspended ringwith a lance3. Near Spaulding in

Caldwell parish,1901

4. The Louisiana Hayride5. Actually, it was named for Jose Vidal, whose

patron saint was St. Joseph6. The 1884 Cotton Exposition7. Oscar K. Allen

8. 18th9. Every man a king

10. Dragonflies



September is known as "Back to School Month",kind of ironic since school starts in the hot monthof August in the south. September also bringsfootball season. I love tailgating – the smells ofgrills 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 beforeLabor Day; waffle week and biscuit and gravy week

the 2nd week of the month. Don’t forget National Guacamole Daycelebrating National Mexican Independence Day on Sept 16th because I lovehomemade guacamole. Enjoy cooler temperatures, take in a ball game, bakebiscuits from scratch, but most of all enjoy life and all of its many blessings.Happy September!

by Stacy ThorntonRECIPESFootball Casserole

1 1/2 lbs ground beef 1 small onion chopped2 cans Rotel tomatoes 1 can ranch style beans2 tsp chili powder 1 pkg cornbread mix1 cup grated cheddar cheese

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Brown beef with onions until tender.Drain. Add tomatoes, beans, and chili powder. Pour into 13x9 inchbaking dish. Prepare cornbread mix according to package directions.Pour over casserole and bake at 350 degrees. Top with grated cheese.

Biscuits and GravyBiscuit Ingredients:2 1/2 cups self rising flour plus extra for flouring surface2 tsp sugar (Optional) 1/2 tsp kosher salt4 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 needed1 tbsp melted butter

Gravy Ingredients:1 lb smoked pork sausge 1/4 cup finely chopped onion6 tbsp all purpose flour 4 cups milk1/2 tsp poultry seasoning 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg1/4 tsp salt 1-2 dashes Worcestershire sauce1-2 dashes hot sauce 1-2 tbsp bacon grease, optional

BISCUITS: Preheat oven to 450 F. Prepare floured work surface and anungreased baking sheet ready (lined with Silpat sheets if available).Whisk together flour, sugar and salt in a medium-sized bowl. Using afork or pastry blender, cut in the shortening and butter. Work quickly –the key to fluffy biscuits is minimal handling. Mixture should becrumbly. Make a well in the flour mixture, and pour in buttermilk. Stirwith a spoon and blend until the liquid is absorbed and dough comesaway from sides of the bowl – add 1-2 tbsp more buttermilk if thedough is dry. Do not over mix; the dough will be tacky, neither wetnor dry. With lightly floured hands, turn dough on floured surface andgently 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 a2-inch biscuit cutter, cut out biscuits pressing straight down (twistingkeeps biscuits from rising). Dip cutter in flour between cuttings tokeep dough from sticking. Place biscuits on baking sheet so they justtouch (for crunchy sides, leave space in between). Reshape scrapdough and continue cutting, trying to handle as little as possible. Bakefor 15-18 minutes or until golden brown on top. Turn baking sheetaround halfway through baking. May brush tops of biscuits withmelted butter.

SAUSAGE GRAVY: In preheated 4-quart saucepan, crumble sausageand let brown, then turn down to medium heat. Continue cooking,breaking sausage into smaller pieces, until no pink remains. Stir inonions and cook until transparent. Remove sausage with a slottedspatula 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 sprinklewith flour. Stir and cook for about 6-8 minutes,until mixture turns slightly golden brown. Stirin poultry seasoning, nutmeg, Worcestershiresauce, Tabasco sauce and salt – cook for 1minute. Slowly add milk, stirring occasionally,until thickened (about 15 minutes). Makes 10-12servings.

Simple and Delicious Guacamole2 avocados 1 small onion, finely chopped1 clove of garlic minced 1 ripe tomato, chopped1 lime, juiced 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 Dip1 lb lean ground beef 1/2 cup chopped onion, divided1/4 cup extra hot catsup 1 1/2 tsp chili powder1/2 tsp salt 8 oz red kidney beans, undrainedsmall can sliced black olives, drained1/2 cup processed American cheese, shredded

Brown meat and 1/4 cup chopped onion. Drain. Stir in catsup, chilipowder, and salt. Mash in beans (don't drain beans). Top with cheese,olives, and the remaining chopped onion in a circular pattern. Servewith tortilla chips.

Oyster Loaves2 cups yellow cornmeal 1 1/2 tsp salt1/2 tsp black pepper 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper4 dozen oysters, drained peanut oil2 loaves French bread 1/4 lb butter softened2 cloves garlic, minced 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 1/2minutes. Let oil reheat before adding more oysters. Split French breadhorizontally 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.


SeptemberCalendar of Events

Louisiana Cajun Food Fest

Kaplan – 337-643-2400

September 30Cal-Ca-Chew Festival

Lake Charles – 337-439-4585

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___________

Cajun Food Fest

Lydia – 337-365-5577

Fall Fleur-de-lis Fest

Mandeville – 985-796-5853

September 8____________

St. Jude Fall Festival

Zwolle – 318-315-0104

September 9____________

Northshore Literary Society

4:00pm-6:00pmJune Shaw, guest speakerSt. John’s Coffee House, MembersFree, Guests $10.00Covingtonwww.northshoreliterarysocietycom

September 13-15_________

Jesse James Outlaw Roundup Festival

Oak Grove – 318-428-5878

September 14-15_________

Marthaville Good Ole Days

Marthaville – 318-472-1654

Natchitoches Meat Pie Festival

Many – [email protected]

Pioneer Days

Greenwood – 318-938-7261

September 14-16_________

St. Theresa Bon Ton Festival

Sulphur – 337-496-7811

September 15____________

Celebration of the Butterflies

Haynesville

September 15-16_________

Golden Meadow Fishing Rodeo

Galiano – 985-665-4507

Fall Fest Slidell

985-796-5853

LA Gator Fest

Covington – 985-867-9490

September 18-19_________

Evangeline Oil and Gas Festival

Evangeline – 337-824-0335Ronnie Fruge

September 18-24_________

Sabine Parish Fair and Festival

Many – 318-256-3406

September 19-22_________

Allen Parish Fair

Oberlin – 337-639-2985Tony Hebert

2012September 20-23

_________

Ark-La-Miss Fair

Monroe

September 23-26_________

Alligator Festival

Luling – 985-785-9035

September 25-30_________

Natchitoches Parish Fair

800-259-1714

Sabine Fair & Festival Expo

Many – 800-358-7802

September 26-30_________

Tangiapahoa Parish FairAmite

September 27-29_________

Baker Buffalo Festival

Baker – 225-778-0300

September 27-30_________

Alligator Festival

Luling – 985-785-4545

La Sugar Cane Festival

New Iberia – 337-369-9323

September 28-29_________

La Chicken Festival

Dubach – 318-777-1964

Jim Bowie BBQ Duel

Vidalia – 318-336-8223

September 28-30_________

Pine Tree FestivalWalker – 225-664-0243

September 29____________

La Fete d’Ecologie

Thibodaux – 800-259-0869

National Hunting & Fishing Day


Hello Anglersand outdoor lovers.FLW news reportsthat young JacobWheeler ofIndianapolis recently

won the 2012 FLW Championship held onGeorgia's Chattahoochee River. The top prizewas The Forrest Wood Cup and $500,000plus more in endorsements.Wheeler, age 21, became theyoungest to win theprestigious event, beatingout many seasoned worldclass anglers such as JayYelas and Luke Clausen,who both finished in thetop ten. Wheeler made it tothe FLW Tour in 2012 by qualifying throughthe BFL (Bass Fishing League) which is atough, very competitive tournament trail forweekend anglers. Wheeler lead all four daysof the event and his last day's 5-bass limitweighed 11 lbs 15 oz for a total 60 pounds, 9lbs over the second place finisher.

"This was just an awesome event," saidthe 21-year-old Wheeler, who became theyoungest angler to win the Forrest WoodCup. "God just really blessed me this wholeevent. It was just unbelievable, and this is thebest day of my life." It was a tough 4th dayas Wheeler reported only getting six keeperbites all day. "Every time I sat down to run tothe next spot I might have been jittery, but I

Rookie Wins FW Cup & $500K realized I had to stay focused and fish at 100percent every day and capitalize on everysingle bite," Wheeler added. He targeted fishon the Chattahoochee River using a variety ofbaits including a Rapala X-Rap Prop, flippinga Trigger X Flippin’ Tube and a Chatterbait-style bait. Wow, 21 years old, a cool halfmillion and a choice of numerous lucrativeendorsements. He finished 30th in point

standings on the FLW Tour this yearplus he won the BFL Championshipin 2011 and now the Forrest WoodCup. It takes more than just a fewlucky casts to accomplish all of that.

Toledo Bend Fishing… August2012 was not as hot as August 2011 sojust maybe September will usher insome wonderfully cool temps. Either

way, Toledo will still give up some nice fish inSeptember. It has been a great year so far withmultiple bass over 10 pounds and one over 14pounds caught in July. The lake record (15.33pounds) was caught in July about ten yearsago. We still have plenty of grass with milfoil,pepper grass and lily pads plentiful in 1 to 12feet in many areas of south Toledo. Hydrillaalso is growing in depths of 6 to 22 ft innumerous locations from the dam north toIndian Mounds. Mill Creek, Six Mile andHousen all have plenty of shallow and deepgrass.

September always has a buffet of patternswith a good top water bite early morning andlate afternoon and often some cloud cover

from sun-up till mid-morning extending thetopwater patterns. I love to fish Stanley'sdouble willow spinnerbait in Septemberespecially after a cool front or two. I fishmainly a 3/8 oz Stanley Vibra-Wedge thistime of year with a white/chartreuse skirt.For quality bites up-top it is hard to beatStanley's Ribbit both in regular size and alsothe larger size Bull Ribbit. I rig Ribbits withStanley's Double Take hooks and 50 lb SpiderWire. I also like to work poppers (ProPop(Norman), Yellow Magic and Chug Bugson grassy points with deep water nearby.

At mid-depths of 6 to 18 feet a Texasrigged Berkley Havoc Bottom Hopper (6.25inches) is very effective as is a wacky riggedversion of the same. I like shady w.m. candyand w.m. red colors of Bottom Hoppers.Havoc has added a new color, cherry seed,which is excellent in bright conditions andclear water. I have used it on drop shot withgood results. In the deeper patterns wecontinue 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 to30 feet. We are also throwing some jiggingspoons in schooling and suspended bass.

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

MY FAVORITE FISHING HOLE By Pro Angler, Joe Joslin

It was justunbelievable,

and this is thebest day of

my life.

Say Cheese…and Goat Milk and SoapBy Su Stella

MargueriteConstantine had a dream ofbeing able to eat fresh localfood so instead of searchingout 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 giftbut over time…well they have a lot more goats!

On their farm, everything they do is basedon two factors. The first is that the goats arewell taken care of and not given any enhancingchemicals or drugs to boost production.Second, they take pride in selling their productsunder the company name WesMar to localrestaurants, businesses, and individuals. If youhappen to be in Moreauville, Louisiana on aThursday afternoon between 2 and 6pm, stopby the farm to shop and enjoy their Dairy

Market. WesMar products are also sold inLafayette, Shreveport, Natchitoches,Alexandria, Monroe, and Ruston as well asonline at wesmarfarms.com.

Nutritionally, goat milk has more vitaminA, B, iron, phosphorus and calcium than cow’smilk. It’s typically a suitable replacement forthose that are lactose intolerant. Even better,WesMar Farms has turned their milk intoabsolutely delicious cheeses, such as thesmooth Chevre and a mildly aged Feta. Theyeven took it to the next level by creatingdelectable goat cheese truffles.

Goat milk makes a wonderful soap thathelps hydrate dry skin; for those with eczemaor other skin issues, you will feel a differenceafter just a short time of using these products.

Not only does WesMar Farms makenaturally healthy goat milk products, they

open their farm for groups to visit. They canaccommodate groups of 10-18 but largergroups need to make special arrangements.Remember that this is a working farm somaking an appointment is alwaysencouraged. Also, wear your outdoor shoes,bring a camera, and be ready to milk a few ofthe goats. Be sure to visit their gift shop whereyou’ll find everything from t-shirts to recipebooks and of course, an array of deliciousgoat milk products.

The Constantine’s small working farm islocated at 851 Couvillion Street inMoreauville. 318-985-2095. As our weathercools, it’s time to get out of the house andstart those educational, fun, and amazing roadtrips again. See you throughout Louisiana!


Reiki HealingBy Mona L. Hayden

Developed in the early 20thcentury, Reiki continues to be astrong complementary therapyoption to promote healing of thebody, mind and spirit. ThisJapanese relaxation technique hasbecome more prevalent as itsbenefits are documented globallyin hospitals, universities, andconventional medical facilities. Anincreasingly popular form ofEnergy Medicine, this form oftouch therapy is based on the ‘lifeforce’ energythat we all have.By balancingenergy, Reikienhances thenatural power ofthe body to healitself byreducing stress,promotingrelaxation andproviding agreater sense ofwell-being to all involved. Reikihas fast become a complementary

therapy option that decreasesanxiety and discomfort whilepromoting pain control as atrained practitioner places theirhands on or near the body.Balancing energy can alsostrengthen the ability to heal.

Reiki Master and Teacher,Janis Blanchard, says, “Reiki is ahealing modality, complementaryto what you’re probably alreadydoing. It brings about relaxationand a type of healing, whether

emotional, spiritual, orphysical. Reiki simplyopens up our naturalGod-given healingabilities even more.” Janiswas introduced to Reikiwhen her husband washaving uncontrollablepain in his back and shewas desperate to find himsome relief. After henoticed positive changes,Janis began to seriously

study Reiki and its documentedbenefits. Soon after, her sisterdeveloped cardiomyopathy, aserious disease that weakens andenlarges the heart. As Janisapplied Reiki, she and her sistercould both actually feelphysiological changes takingplace, and her heart conditiongradually improved.

Tragedy struck again whenher 14 year old grandson wasstruck by a car in Lafayette,Louisiana in 2009 and thrown 35feet across a road, where hesuffered severe head injuries andbroken bones. Janis and herdaughter began using Reiki toease his pain and assist withhealing. At first, his doctor wasvery skeptical but after seeingimprovements, she began tellingresidents at the hospital that “themother and grandmother aredoing Reiki and it’s making adifference.” After witnessing herfamily’s remarkable response toReiki, Janis is quick to state that,“You never have to feel helplesswith Reiki. Life is a personaljourney and only you can find

your answers. I havepersonally foundstrength and comfortin Reiki, and best ofall, when you giveReiki, you alsoreceive Reiki as we’rejust a channel for thishealing energy.”

Astonishingbenefits have beenconsistently reported from thisnatural form of spiritual healingby practitioners and patients. Lastyear, renowned cardiologist Dr.Mehmet Oz revealed to histelevision audience that Reiki washis favorite alternative medicinesecret and that he uses it with hisfamily and patients. His wife, Lisa,is also a Reiki Master. Reiki isavailable to everyone, is easy tolearn, and is simply transferred tostudents during an ‘attunement’given by a Reiki Master during aclass.

William Lee Rand, founderof The International Center ofReiki Training, says “Reiki is anamazing gift that combines lifeenergy with higherconsciousness… The client,practitioner, and the healingenergy merge into one processand create a holistic healingexperience.”

Hospital operating roomshave been using Reiki as early asthe mid-90s. Currently, anincreasing number of medicalcenters throughout the country,including facilities like CancerTreatment Centers of America, M.D. Anderson, and other prominentmedical centers, are using Reiki as asupplemental therapy in an effort toreduce patients’ time in the hospitaland their need for medication, mostnotably pain relievers, and topromote recovery. It has beeneffectively used for diminishing theside effects of anesthesia, radiationtherapy, and chemotherapy, thusallowing patients to relax and focuson healing.

Reiki has also been proven tostrengthen the immune system

which is vital to healing and ouroverall health. It is a powerfultherapy that can be used forassisting with emotional orphysical trauma, addressing theaging population, and those underhospice care. Reiki can also beused for lesser symptoms such asheadaches, fatigue, and insomniaas well as general wellness.

Research studies (somefunded by the National Instituteof Health) on Reiki have beenpublished in peer reviewedjournals and are nowcommonplace in the medicalfield. Developed by Dr. MikaoUsui in Japan in the early 20thcentury, the effects of this energywork have been evaluated foreffectiveness with cardio, cancer,and AIDS patients as well asthose with joint disorders andwound healing. It is important tounderstand that Reiki is not asubstitute for medical and otherhealth care treatment but is a veryeffective complementary therapy.

Although not religious, Reikiis a spiritual practice. Dr. Usuirecommends that we also practicecertain ethical ideals to promotepeace and harmony to realize thathealing the spirit by consciouslydeciding to improve oneself is anecessary part of the Reikihealing experience. The ideals areguidelines for living a graciouslife and virtues worthy of practicefor their inherent value.

Just for today, do not anger. Donot worry and be filled withgratitude. Devote yourself to yourwork. Be kind to people. Everymorning and evening, join yourhands in prayer.

For more information or to take a classand become attuned to Reiki, contactJanis Blanchard [email protected], and visit herwebsite: www.reikispringseternal.com.Janis teaches classes in her home inNorth Louisiana and throughout thestate.


Savoring Natchitoches!“Get your hotta meat pies right here!”

Does that cry sound familiar? For those whohail from the town of Natchitoches located innorthern Louisiana, it would probably feel a bitlike coming home. Street vendors in the early20th century made a living selling tasty meat

pies—a mix of ground beef and pork, onions and bell peppers wrapped ina crescent-shaped crust and deep fried—to locals, calling out when a freshbatch was ready. Over the years, meat pies gained in popularity and beganbeing sold at festival booths and in commercial kitchens. It’s now one ofLouisiana’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 annualNatchitoches Meat Pie Festival and River Run taking place on September 14thand 15th in the downtown historic district along Cane River Lake. Beforeany of the tasting gets underway, however, Miss Meat Pie Festival and hercourt must be chosen. On September 8th, the contestants will competeduring the annual Natchitoches Meat Pie Festival Beauty Pageant. The luckyrecipient of the Miss Meat Pie Festival crown will earn a scholarship and atrip to compete for the Louisiana Association of Fairs and Festivals Queenof Queens title.

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

While events such as the MeatPie Festival and the holidayextravaganza Festival of Lights inDecember draw large crowds, filmssuch as Steel Magnolias (it was shotthere) and its collection of quaint bed and breakfasts also have helped putNatchitoches 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 forJoseph “J.D.” Rusca, his wife, Pearl, and their four children. J.D. was part of asecond generation of Ruscas born and raised in Natchitoches; and, when hedecided to build the Rusca House, he situated it near the home where he grewup. After J.D.’s passing in 1968, Pearl moved to New Orleans to be closer to herdaughters leaving the home vacant for a few years. It was eventuallypurchased by the LeVasseurs in the 1970s and then by current owners, Payneand 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 Jacuzzitubs. Guests can enjoy a full-course gourmet breakfast in the elegant lady bugred dining room before relaxing in front of the Creole-style mantle in the formalliving 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 avidB&B goer. She has stayed at bed and breakfasts all over the world and particularly lovesthe inns of Louisiana. In 1998, Mary founded BnBFinder.com, a top on-line bed andbreakfast directory that lists thousands of B&Bs, inns, and boutique hotels worldwide.

BEDS & BEIGNETS By Mary White

Sweet TravelsBy Donna McManus

“After School Snacks”After a long day at school, most kids head

straight to the kitchen for a snack to get themthrough homework and activities until dinner isserved. 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 layflour tortilla in the pan and top with grated cheddar. Add thinly slicedapple on one side, fold the tortilla in half and cook until golden on bothsides. Cut into wedges.

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

Zucchini Brownies - Prepare your favorite brownie batter, add 1 cupshredded zucchini (squeezed dry); divide among greased mini-muffincups and bake 15 to 18 minutes at 350° F.

Yummy Oatmeal Cookies - Prepare a 17.5-ounce package oatmealcookie mix but substitute 1/2 cup applesauce for the butter or oil. Add 1/4cup wheat germ and 1 cup each chopped mixed nuts, dried fruit andshredded coconut to the batter. Bake as directed.

Almond Berry Squares½ cup sliced almonds 8 cups cornflakes cereal2 cups dried cranberries ½ cup butter2/3 cup golden corn syrup ½ cup brown sugar, packed¼ cup vanilla extractToast almonds in a pan on medium heat 3 to 5 minutes, stirring untilgolden. Remove from heat and place almonds in a bowl to cool. Add the

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 forabout 2 minutes, stirring constantly. Remove from the heat, add vanillaextract and stir well. Pour over cereal mixture, stirring until coated. Pressfirmly in a pan, cool, and cut into squares.

Peanut Butter Banana Muffins¾ cup all purpose flour ¾ cup whole-wheat flour¾ cup quick cooking oats 2 teaspoons baking powder½ teaspoon salt 2 large eggs, beaten2 ripe bananas, mashed ¾ cup 1% low-fat milk½ cup brown sugar 1/3 cup creamy peanut butter2 tablespoons canola oil 1 teaspoon vanilla extract¼ cup mini semi-sweet chocolate chips¼ cup roasted peanuts, coarsely chopped Preheat oven to 350F. Lightly oil or coat 12 muffin cups with nonstickcooking spray and set aside. Wisk all flour, oats, baking powder, and saltin a large bowl. In a separate bowl, whisk the eggs, banana, milk, brownsugar, peanut butter, oil, and vanilla until well blended. Pour liquidingredients over dry ingredients and stir until moistened. Stir in chocolatechips and peanuts. Spoon batter into muffin cups and bake about 20minutes or until an inserted toothpick comes out clean. Transfer the pan toa wire rack and cool for 5 minutes. Remove muffins and cool an additional5 minutes before serving.

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

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

View all the epicurean delights The Sugared Violet has to offer for anyoccasion on Facebook.

Call to place an order @ 318-768-2216Email: [email protected]


Living in God’s WillBy Robert Lemoine

To those of youwho think that weworship in vain andto those who have notyet been exposed tothe love of Jesus

Christ, this story is for you. We have seen HisGlory shine on those obeying Hiscommandments. And we have seen Hisblessings poured out on our lives as well.

A family we know was in the market fora house not too long ago. After patientlysearching for what God had for them, theyfinally found a beautiful house in a greatlocation with more than they had hoped for inamenities. However, the rent greatly exceededtheir budget.

Knowing it was out of their price range,they didn’t focus anymore on it other than totell someone how great the house was.However, curiosity got the better of theirfriend. They were now on their way to look atthe house again. A neighbor there recognizedthe friend and asked if they were about to rentit. Hearing it was out of their price range, theneighbor insisted they talk to the owners.When approaching the owners, the familyknew them as well. They were former Churchmembers together. A deal was made and allthey 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 acustomer. As the customer was leaving, hestopped and turned back to the family manand laid down the exact amount needed forthe deposit. The man looked at our friend andsaid, “I don’t know why I’m doing this butthe Lord said to give you this money. And Idon’t argue with what He says.”

Pretty awesome story if you think aboutthe logistics of strangers being friends andother strangers being saving messengers. Notmany people know of stories like that but thefamily this reward was given to servesselflessly to the Lord’s will.

Another friend of mine was asked to be adeacon at his Church in a fairly large city. Hehad been living right and upholding theLord’s will. Now he stands before men as anexample of how to live. Not only has he beenblessed with a great house but also with aloving wife and beautiful children. And hehas a job that he loves. God’s grace is good.His will is rewarding. And His love iseverlasting.

Just yesterday, we encountered a womanwho is now a writer by profession. Thoughthat is not what she wanted to be. She said theLord came to her in a dream and told herwhat to write about and she argued with Him.But she lost the argument and gave into Hiswill. She is now one of Louisiana’s best-sellingauthors and lives solely on her writings.Now, to finalize these tales of divineintervention I will share my experience. Forover a year, I have felt led to enter theministry.But IresistedbecausemyBiblical

knowledge is not what I would like. I finallysurrendered by re-entering school seeking adegree in Christian Ministry.

The awesome part about this is that theschool I chose came with extra benefits I wasunaware of when enrolling. I was concernedabout the financial responsibilities that myfamily would incur. Then a gentleman calledto tell me that because I had served our nationthat my books were paid for, all fees waived,and I would receive reduced tuition. Nowinstead of $6,000 a year, my part is about $400!And that same day we received a catalog inthe mail for Pastor’s Resources Fall 2012. Iwonder where we go from here…God is good.

These stories are to demonstrate the loveGod has for us and the rewards He willbestow on obedience. If you have not done solately, kneel down and ask for His guidance.He will tell you what He has in store for youeven if it sounds crazy. When you surrenderyour all, He will give you His all.

As you go throughout your day, beobedient in even the smallest of tasks. Whenyou walk out in faith, faith will walk withyou. May God bless you and keep you safe inall that you do in His name. Remember, thefastest way up is to kneel down.

A lifelong resident of Union Parish, Robert Lemoine isa Christian small business owner. He and his wife,Summer, oversee www.foreverandalwaysonline.com andalso sell Christian merchandise at flea markets andfesitvals in north Louisiana and surrounding states.Robert's writings are most inspirational, Christian,and patriotic with occasional reflections on lessonslearned. He can be reached [email protected].

Visit our website: www.laroadtrips.com

Renaissance HotelBy Cheré Coen

Great things are happening inBaton Rouge and one of the mostanticipated newcomers to the citywas the Renaissance Hotel onBluebonnet, which opened last year.

The luxury hotel is locatedacross from the Mall of Louisiana,and only a short drive to PerkinsRowe, both of which offer

restaurants, shops and entertainment. Visitors can enjoy the 256guestrooms or 63 hotel suites complete with king or double queenbeds, flat screen televisions, iPod docking stations and Avedaproducts in expansive bathrooms. The trendy décor features anarray of local artwork, a fireside sitting area in the lobby complete

with Louisiana books to read and interesting touches suchas the walls of plants and the French definitions gracingbathroom walls. The Concierge level offers 28 guest roomswith views of Baton Rouge and access to the hotel’s privateconcierge lounge. Additional amenities include roomservice, valet and on-site parking, high-speed Internetaccess in all guest rooms, fitness center, outdoor pool and abusiness center.

Make sure to visit the hotel’s Tallulah Crafted Foodand Wine Bar, where diners may enjoy a variety of winesby the glass with fascinating appetizers, or a full meal. Therestaurant is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner withspecials offered throughout the week.

Recently, the Renaissance earned the AAA Four DiamondAward, an honor given by AAA to upscale establishments offeringamenities combined with a high degree of hospitality, service andattention to detail.

Because of its proximity to two of Baton Rouge’s mostcoveted shopping areas, the Renaissance makes a greatstaging hotel for a weekend getaway, a shopping excursion ora longer visit to the Baton Rouge area. It’s convenientlylocated off Interstate 10 at Bluebonnet, just a few miles east ofdowntown and LSU and about an hour from New Orleans.

The Mall of Louisiana offers both an indoor and outdoorshopping arena, plus several restaurants within the mall andin stand-alone buildings surrounding the property. There arealso strip shopping malls with big box stores nearby that linethe interstate.

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

Both the Mall of Louisiana and Perkins Rowe containmovie theaters, and more exist on Citicorp Drive off of the I-10 College Drive exit. The Manship Theatre at the ShawCenter 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 aroundthe corner on Perkins Road. Connelly chose the pieces for the


Renaissance with an effort toshowcase the diversity ofLouisiana artists.

Cheré Coen is a travel writer living inLafayette and the author of “ExploringCajun Country: A Historic Guide toAcadiana” and co-author of “Magic’s inthe Bag: Creating Spellbinding Gris GrisBags and Sachets.”

louisiana road trips september 2012 edition

Documents

thoseenjoyable road

s e p t e

fall16 hunting season

cher coenlouisiana road

dennis stewartpreseason

thedukes of hazzard

old cemetery

art crawls