Shooting for Comfort,
Aiming for a Cure      

by Robby Dardeau

 

“Hey, I’ve got a story for you!  It’s about my granddaughter, and she’s really done something special.”  Those are the words of Al Laviolette, a proud grandfather, spoken to me a few months ago.  “Big Al” has led me to good stories before, so I followed up on this lead and I’m glad I did.

 Laviolette’s granddaughter is Brittany Hebert, a Vermilion Catholic graduate of 2003, daughter of Angie and Kevin Hebert and sister to Mark Hebert. She resides in Houston, TX with her NFL boyfriend, Justin Rogers and their 3 dogs, Bella, Bomber and Hunter. What’s remarkable is that she is the President and Founder of Sky High for St. Jude, Inc., an organization created to raise money for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (SJCRH) and the Ronald McDonald House of Memphis.  Sky High for St. Jude is a 100% volunteer based non-profit organization that helps provide comfort to children undergoing treatment at St. Jude.  To date, Sky High for St. Jude has donated $985,000 to St. Jude and the RMH. For those who may not know, St. Jude is a research hospital that treats up to 7,800 patients per year for 57 different catastrophic diseases - which a majority of these families are from the Gulf Coast. St. Jude is primarily an outpatient hospital, which identifies how important the Ronald McDonald House is to these families. RMH is a true “home away from home” where 51 families live while their child is undergoing treatment at St. Jude.

 Leading the way for Sky High for St. Jude is not Hebert’s job, it’s truly her passion, and vocation in life. For the past seven years, Hebert has been employed as a Business Development Manager for Universal Pegasus International and she is presently employed with Extreme Energy Services out of Houston, as the Executive Account Manager for the South Texas Division.

 How did this all get started?  While in college at UL during the summer of 2007, Hebert was tasked with a fundraiser to help a local group, Beanies for St. Jude, whose founder, Billy Menard, originally introduced Hebert to St. Jude back in 2000. Three months later, Hebert’s best friend and mentor, Christl Pitre Mahfouz, along with several other local women, joined efforts in raising $50,000 for St. Jude at the 1st Annual La. Sky High Sporting Clay Shoot. Since then, their hard work and effort in fundraising has not wavered.

 Mahfouz is Vice President of Sky High for St. Jude.  She is also President and Founder of Ace Specialties in Lafayette, married to Alex Mahfouz, Jr., and is mom to one son, Alex, III. Mahfouz is no stranger to Vermilion Parish either, being a graduate of Abbeville High School.  Her parents are Debbie and Louis Garrot of Abbeville. She is also no stranger to charity work, as she was nominated as Woman of the Year in 2009 for the local Leukemia and Lymphoma Society Chapter; and served on the Louisiana/Mississippian Leukemia and Lymphoma Society Board of Directors for two years.

If you visit Sky High for St. Jude’s website, www.skyhighshoot.org, you’ll see that Hebert knows she hasn’t done this on her own, giving credit to sponsors, donors, and volunteers.  She acknowledges the hard-working team that makes up the Sky High for St. Jude Board of Directors, too.  In addition to she and Mahfouz, they are: Marla Ratzlaff, Jill Prudhomme, Toni Guidry, Darlene Mouret, Melissa Salapack, Brittney Darbonne, Roz LeBlanc and Jenifer Tule.

 How do they raise money?  Through clay shoots, a golf and fishing tournament and live auctions in Texas and Louisiana.  This year’s Texas Sky High Sporting Clay Shoot and Live Auction had a record number of 640 shooters and raised $538,000! Sky High’s fundraising goal for 2013 is $1million, and after recent events held in Lafayette in addition to the clay shoot in Maurice, they may be very close to achieving that goal.

Hebert and Mahfouz have also built a special friendship with Eric Trump, Founder of the Eric Trump Foundation (ETF), who also supports St. Jude hospital.  Hebert says, “Together, Sky High and ETF are creating new ways to raise additional funds and awareness for St. Jude every day.” Sky High has recently announced their partnership with ETF through a $20 million dollar joint pledge to fund the new state of the art Eric Trump Foundation Surgery & ICU Center at St. Jude...and what’s Sky High’s portion? An astonishing $5 million towards the $20 million over a ten-year period.  How will they accomplish this? Along with their current sporting events, Sky High has launched their .50 Cent Challenge Program. “For just .50 cents a day, you can help save lives from the comfort of your home or office.”  Sky High is encouraging supporters to get behind the wheel and take the challenge today. You can sign up at www.skyhighshoot.org .

Sky High ends their fundraising year with the Anadarko Offshore Golf Tournament held at Glenloch Pines in Spring, TX, where Anadarko has been recognized as the backbone of Sky High since 2008 as the annual Corporate Sponsor. Anadarko has also stepped up to the plate in South Texas, announcing the 1st annual Sky High San Antonio Sporting Clay Tournament, which will be held November 16, 2013 at the National Sporting Complex.

 To top off the year, Sky High, along with 70+ volunteers host an annual carnival at the RMH in conjunction with their donation & hospital tour, where families are bussed in after treatment to enjoy Texas brisket, Mardi Gras king cakes, face painting, an arts & crafts photo booth, Thomas the Choo-Choo Train, and a “smashing wig party.” Sky High personally delivers their donation each year and leaves a memorable experience for over 250 families.

Visit Sky High’s website and you’ll see that these hard-working young women from Vermilion Parish have a big heart for the kids and families who seek treatment at St. Jude Hospital.  “Shooting for Comfort, Aiming for a Cure,” is more than their slogan.  It’s what they’re doing.

 

From the Teacher’s Desk
by Felice Mayard

Returning to the classroom for the remainder of the school year at Seventh Ward Elementary has been fun and busy! After seeing how devoted and helpful the grandparents of my students are, I asked my fifth graders to write a memory of a special time had with a grandparent. Unfortunately, all memories cannot be printed in one issue. Be sure to watch for more memories in future issues of Bonnes Nouvelles!

My Memory
by Alex Falcon
My grandfather, Papop as I call him, brought me fishing for the first time. He had bought me a lightweight net to catch bait. The problem was, I was four. I cast the net, but I cast myself, too! It is by far the funniest day of my life!

My Gift
by Brenda Leyva
One day in Mexico, my grandma gave me a box for my birthday. Inside was a bracelet with my name on it. When she gave it to me she said to never take it off. So now that she is dead, I have a bracelet, or gift, I can remember her by.

My Memories
by Maggie Mouton
The memories I have with my grandparents are fun. We go on vacations and see movies. My favorite memory is going to the ice cream shop and the beach. We even like to go to the zoo. I like when my grandma brings me to the mall.

Grandpa’s Traps
by Elizabeth Hebert
I went to my grandpa to help me make a crawfish trap. He said, “Sure I will, but we will have to go to the store.” So we went to the store and got the stuff. When we got back home we started. We did all the work and when we were done we went to the pond and put the traps out.

My Amazing Grandparent
by Gavin Meyers
I have a grandparent and people call her Nyla, but I call her Mim. We go to Petsmart and we look at the puppies and kittens and buy toys for our dogs and cats. We also go to Toys “R” Us to buy games. Mim and I go to McDonald’s to eat a lot of food. At night, we watch scary movies with sharks, gators, snakes, dragons, and aliens. My grandparent is amazing!

Special Memories about My Grandma
by Nylesha Batiste
I have lots of memories, but my favorite are about my grandma and me. My grandma and I have done lots of things, but my favorite is when we bake together. We bake cakes, cookies, casseroles, and lasagna. That is a memory about my grandma.

Memories
by Connor Garrett
One memory is when I was with my granddad at the nursing home. My grandma was not there because she died when I was two, so I don’t have any memories of her. When we were at the nursing home, my granddad and I ate boiled peanuts and visited with my relatives. We sat there for hours and talked. Then my granddad started nicknaming me, so he started calling me Gator. That was one of the best days with him. We are going to see him on spring break, so I can make more memories.

It's "UNREEL"
by Robby Dardeau

If you’re a geometry teacher and you’re struggling to keep your students’ attention, then you may want to get Allen Lemaire talking to them. Lemaire has been doing automobile paint and bodywork since 1979, and owns his own shop just outside of Abbeville, but that’s not all he does. He also thinks about geometry, more specifically the principles of the sphere, and how he can use it to make things better.



One of his latest creative applications is a 52-foot long 16-foot wide cabin cruising sport fishing boat named “UNREEL.” The boat is all aluminum, with the two catamaran hulls being made from recycled material, the halves of an 18-wheeler’s tanker after being cut into. Its engines are two 350 hp Yamaha outboards, and it goes about 27 knots, or 30 mph. In addition to that, it can sleep up to eight people and handle rough water. Lemaire says it is one smooth ride and has no problem in 8-foot seas. He also says, “It is probably one of the lightest boats of its size because of the design.” That’s where the geometry comes in. Knowing that a spherical design provides one of the strongest structures, Lemaire designed his boat with every part having a curve to it. This allowed him to have a stronger, lighter, more efficient boat. He can now fish and scuba dive with plenty of company on his vessel. Lemaire’s boat is now helping him do something he really loves, and that is being out on the water.

It took Lemaire three years to build the boat, working after hours and on weekends, with much help from family and friends. He got so much help from so many people around here, he jokes, “If I’d sell that boat now, I’d have to move out of Vermilion Parish,” knowing folks would be upset after all the help they gave him. He says the boat wouldn’t have happened without the help of others. One person Lemaire mentioned was his friend, Eddie Broussard. Broussard, a Veteran, helped with the riveting, something he was familiar with from the helicopters in Vietnam. Sadly, Broussard passed away before he could see the boat complete.
The boat made its maiden voyage in April 2012. Being built at his shop not near water, “UNREEL” had to take a trip down HWY 167 for a while on a hay wagon before it made its way to the Vermilion River where it was launched with the help of a front-end loader. A bottle of champagne was broken on its hull and lots of celebration took place. That day Lemaire was “nervous and excited,” but thankfully all went well, and she floated. While making its way down the highway, “UNREEL” got some attention, and today on the water Lemaire says the boat still turns some heads. He shares, “We had some game wardens speed up and pull up on the side of us just to look at it.” Not surprisingly, the boat gets lots of feedback from folks, as it looks like something from a James Bond movie.

This was the second boat Lemaire built. His first was a houseboat with the help of his wife, Sheila, but it got lost in Hurricane Rita.

So, where did LeMaire get the idea to round out the design for his boat? Well, LeMaire lives in a dome home, a geodesic one, made from wood that he built himself from a kit. In fact, over the years, he’s built three dome homes, so he’s got some experience with building round structures. Lemaire appreciates the strength of the spherical design and how it requires less material to build things, so naturally, he just applied that kind of thinking to his boat. Like he says, “It’s all about geometry.”

From the Teacher’s Desk

by Felice Mayard

 

In this column you will get to know the wonderful, hard-working educators in Vermilion Parish and the awesome students they are educating.

 

Introducing Kathy B. Savant and Mason James Meaux

 

Kathy B. Savant is a 4th grade social studies and language teacher who has taught at Cecil Picard Elementary at Maurice for 23 years.

My family... consists of my husband Steven Savant and my parents Mr. and Mrs. Doris Bertrand.

One thing that makes me proud of our school...is the supportive “school staff” and parents of CPE at Maurice; the faculty and staff are always willing to help a staff member in any way possible.

 I was educated at...UL-Bachelor’s Degree, McNeese-Master’s Degree, and UL-Plus Thirty.

Favorite teachers I have had... are my fourth grade teacher and my high school journalism teacher. My fourth grade teacher made our math lessons fun and in our art class every Friday she would sketch a drawing on the chalkboard and challenge the class to use their artistic ability to draw free hand as she had done...I loved the challenge and the confidence she had in all her students that they would achieve this goal. My journalism teacher would have students interview any person on school campus about different school issues, upcoming events, etc, then write an article on the interview. The article would be published in the bi-monthly/monthly school newspaper. The teacher encouraged you to use your creativity. She gave the students encouragement along the way-to never give up on any goal you wish to achieve.

The most rewarding thing about teaching is... observing the growth of knowledge from the first day of the school year to the final day of the school year.

One wish I would make for my students is...that all my students would have wonderful memories of their fourth grade school year and all their school years-I feel education is the foundation block for the rest of their lives wherever that journey may take them.

A favorite teaching memory is...watching the faces of excitement and relief when the fourth graders receive their LEAP test results.

If I had not become a teacher I would...probably have worked at a major airport like Houston or Dallas. I love the atmosphere in an airport. Planes have always fascinated my dad and me. I think working in the airport would be so fascinating and enjoyable, especially since you get to meet people from all around the world as they are going on their journeys.

When I retire I plan to...do volunteer work at a nearby hospital and church, travel more, and spend more time visiting my family and friends.

During 2013 I would like to...make every single day a “special” day-to live life to the fullest-not wait till tomorrow to enjoy the world around me.                                                                 

One thing my students would be surprised to know about me is... that my husband and I show purebred cats around the USA and sometimes abroad.

In my free time I like to...travel, garden, read, go to the movies, go to the health club daily, play word games, and visit with family and friends.

Five words that describe me are...energetic, perfectionist, faith-filled, loving, and caring.

 

Mason James Meaux is a fourth grader at Cecil Picard Elementary at Maurice. His parents are Jeremy Meaux and Danielle and Brandon Alleman.

 

My special talent is...drawing.

I like to...sing, draw, build Legos, and play soccer.

My family...likes to do things together.

My pets are...a bearded dragon named Lobo and a pit bull named Mace.

At school I like to...talk to friends and help my teacher.

My favorite subject is... math because I like to do long work problems.

The best thing about my school is...that they have really good teachers.

Things I like to do with my friends are...playing kickball.

 I look up to...my parents.  

A place I would like to visit is...Washington, D.C. because I want to visit the White House.

One way I like to help others is...doing yard work for them.

In 2013 I would like to...get taller.

Something my teachers would be surprised to know about me is...I like to sing country music.

 

Mary’s of Nunez &

The Coca-Cola Collection

by Lisa Stewart

 

How do collections begin? How does one begin to gather, seek and find, receive, and purchase articles, collectibles and reproductions of one certain thing and make it their own?  Is it on purpose?  Or just a fluke started by someone else? 

I guess each individual has their own story as to how they have come to own a collection of sorts, but I have Mary Smith’s story to tell you - about how she became a Coca-Cola insignia collector. 

Before I begin my story, let me tell you a little bit about her.  She is well known by so many, but I can’t write this story without first telling you she is the Godmother to my oldest nephew, Darius, thusly known as Nanny Mary in my family.  Mary was born to Lillie Mae Baudoin LeMaire and John Guy LeMaire in Kaplan in 1952.  She is number five of seven children and the first girl.  The family lived in Nunez until Mary was in the third grade, then they moved to Kaplan for a few years when the opportunity to buy a home for the family happened upon her parents. 

Mary tells me she started school at Rene Rost as a third grader, as the Kaplan Elementary School was in the process of being built.  She remembers attending the new school and how she had to bring her fried egg sandwich lunch to school every day for a while, as the cafeteria was not finished, but they had the children attending the newly built school anyway.  Mary returned to Rene Rost to graduate High School in 1970.  In the summer of 1969 she began to take classes at Rice City Beauty College in Crowley.  Mary did not have a car to drive back and forth, so she carpooled with other girls from Kaplan such as Katie Bell Trahan and Marsha Simon Green.  She continued to attend the Crowley school on Saturdays during her high school days, as she had to keep going for her hours to stay activated and count toward her graduation.  She also noted that she did not want me to say that she graduated in the top ten of her class at KHS, but I remembered this information, and she also reminded me that her principle was Mr. Ed Douglas and the asst. principle was Mr. Earl Comeaux.  Senior trips were not popular back then, but Mary laughs telling me she and her girlfriend, Connie Sonnier spent the weekend at Connie’s brother’s house, which was a big deal.  Mary finished beauty school and on December 8, took her state boards in Baton Rouge at the Capital House, which was a hotel that no longer exists.  She started her first job was at Jeannette’s beauty shop in Crowley.  Jeannette needed help and called the school looking for a new graduate and the school gave Mary’s name.  She worked there for three years.

In the meantime, a woman’s softball league was forming and Connie told Mary that she was going to try out for the team.  Mary joined Connie in the tryouts having never played ball before and both girls were chosen for the team with Mary playing second base.  They played league ball in Crowley, and then in Abbeville at AA Comeaux Park, and that is where she met Richard Smith, aka Smitty.  I asked her what attracted her to him, and she said, “He was a good second baseman!”  Smitty is the son of Robert and Hortense LeBlanc Smith of Abbeville.  They two dated and were then married on November 3, 1972.  Mary left Jeannette’s Beauty Shop after working their 3 years, as she was now pregnant with her first child, Brady.  The young couple was living in Nunez on Hwy 14, in Mary’s grandmother’s house, Sarah LeMaire Baudoin.  Once Brady was born, Mary began to work at la Petite Salon de Beaute’ on Boudreaux Avenue in Kaplan which was owned by her cousin Diana Lormand Trahan.  Mary and Diana worked together from 1974 to 1983 when Diana retired and Mary took over the shop.

Her second son, Jeremy, was born in 1978, and Mary continued to work until she retired in 2001.  It was time to do things she wanted to do like garden, and relax, and not have to live by the clock.  She was still playing ball in tournaments such as the alumni tourney in Kaplan, telling herself she would play until she was 50 years of age.  She proudly reminds me she was 51 when she last played and that was only because they quit hosting them!

But, there was not much relaxing and resting for Mary.  Hurricane Lilly taught her how to repair a roof, and she and Smitty totally took apart his grandmother’s house to help demolish it for his mother.  Circumstances changed, and Smitty and Mary began to think she might have to go back to work as Smitty’s job was becoming unstable, and they needed to be prepared for whatever the future may bring them.  It was fall, and the two of them along with the help of Glenn Michaud of Abbeville, began to close in their garage as Mary said she didn’t mind working but wanted to do it at home.  She opened her shop, “Mary’s of Nunez” in January of 2006, thinking she would only work the hours she wanted, taking back only a few clients and even fewer new customers.  Mary needed to equip her shop, and searching for used equipment she found what she needed in Lafayette.  She purchased the washbowls, which were red in color, and three dryers and a stylist chair, all black. 

Now, remembering that her shop is in her garage, the walls are covered in gray colored vinyl siding, she saw a theme coming together.  Black red and gray worked for her!  Mary’s brother, Michael, and his wife, Cheryl, gave her an old vanity stool, thinking she could use it in the shop.  The seat needed covering, so Mary made a trip to Hancock’s fabric store in Lafayette, and searched for fabric to cover the seat.  By no certain defined decision, she chose a fabric with the Coca-Cola logo on it, only because it simply matched her color scheme that was coming together.  She covered self-adhesive shades with the same fabric and made a coverlet to hide her chest freezer in the corner.  It is because of that fabric choice that she has become the collector that she is!

Coincidently, Jeannette had given Mary a set of Coca-Cola drinking glasses back in 1970 when she began to work for her.  Mary needed a display case for her products.  Smitty used the kitchen cabinet doors from his grandmother’s house and cypress wood from it and made her the case she has today.  Smitty also revamped a computer desk that Kent Meaux had made for them years before.  It is now her sink area for hair colors and washing supplies.  There is a small petition that hides this area from the rest of the shop, and it was Smitty that used old center match and floorboards from his grandmother’s house to build this as well.  Some of the things in the shop come from Smitty as gifts.  He bought her a cast iron bench she had seen at a flea market.  Smitty’s sister covered it in Coca-Cola fabric she purchased online and Mary was quiet surprised!  There are so many objects de art in the shop it’s hard to start and end, but to mention just a few things are the puzzle pictures she has hanging on her walls.  They were created by her sister in-laws, Jackie Langlinas and Martha Nell.  Smitty had the cypress frames made by Kenneth Frederick.  Mrs. Ann Meaux finished one puzzle for her as well.  There is one ceiling fan that has been painted by Brandy Feverjean, and the other fan that looks like coke bottles for blades was a gift from Smitty.  Mary’s cousin, Agnes Baudoin Hammer, who lives in Robertsdale, Alabama has given Mary a phone, a digital clock and much more memorabilia.  Every time she sees something Coca-Cola, she gets it for Mary, including coke cans written in Japanese when she visits her son there. 

But Agnes is not the only one.  One of Mary’s first gifts is a whirligig made of coke cans.  It was a gift from Mrs. Velta Meaux who had won them as a door prize at an event she attended in Maurice.  Someone had offered her money for them but she already had Mary in mind, as she knew they would go in her shop.  Mary’s sons have given her many items including a fish made of coke caps, and Lora Touchet who shared some replica tin trays she received from her aunt’s house.  There are magnets on the fridge, plastic banks that look like replica bottles found in Alabama and Texas, lamps, and many clocks.  Mrs. Wanda Latiolais gave Mary a figurine of one the Coca-Cola ladies that she also happens to have a print of.  Pat Herpin offered an antique ice chest with the insignia on it and Mrs. Lillian Abshire also provided her with some shirts and a jacket that she proudly framed and displays on her wall.  One of the posters on the wall is from the Angola rodeo she and Smitty attended in 2010, which has Coca-Cola in the background.  There are umbrellas, caps, barstools, table and chairs, and an inflatable blimp that was given to her by Annie Vidalier when Mary and Smitty were visiting her at the Sunset Lounge she owns, as a venue for Mary’s 40th class reunion.  The Blimp was hanging over the stage area and Mary was quick to offer Annie money for it.  Annie denied it stating that she wouldn’t sell it, that Mary could have it.  Mary laughs saying, “Annie didn’t have to say it twice before she was calling Smitty over to come and take it down!”

There is a beautiful collection of tin replica serving trays that Mary displays.  They were given to her by friends, Darnell Guidry d’Augereaux, Mary Leblanc Harrington, Ruth Broussard and Brenda Hoffpauir.  Rita and David Faulk gave her a replica ad that is framed and Joann Vincent Laviolette donated the plastic polar bear canister for the collection that continues to grow in the shop.  Even my son, Micah, gave her a tin shaped like a bottle of Coke when he came across it at a flea market and thought of Mrs. Mary.  Mary and Smitty like to visit flea markets when they can.  They visit Canton Texas, Winnie and Foley.  She goes with a list of things she will be looking for like door knobs and furniture handles, but they usually always come home with something Coke related. 

I asked Mary what her favorite piece was and as she looked around for a while she told me she could not chose one because each and every one of them are special to her as they are gifts from friends and family. 

What will she do when she retires again? “Well, I’m not going to retire until Smitty does, and then I hope we can take a nice long trip up the East Coast to Cape Cod and back,” Mary was quick to say.  On her first retirement they took a road trip to California stopping to see the Grand Canyon, Las Vegas, San Francisco and Los Angeles.  “Where we go depends on who you talk to,” Mary says, “ Smitty has one idea, and I have another!”

So there you have it, the Coca-Cola lady collector did not start out to make such a collection, it was just by a coincidence of choice, and her many customers and friends who love her, that have given her a collection that reaches out on many levels and shelves and table tops and ceilings and walls and porches and anything else you can put an item on! 

I asked, “What are you going to do when you run out of space, Mary?” She replied, “Build more shelves and cabinets!”

From Abbeville to Pasadena
by Felice Mayard

“We have family in New Orleans, and we would regularly visit for Mardi Gras and the holidays when I was much younger. At that point, I realized that I liked being in a city, although it may have just been the fact that I really liked trains and my dad and aunt would take me on rides on the streetcar. I enjoyed the sense of community in Abbeville, but as I grew older, it became clear to me that I wanted to be surrounded by the bustle of urban life.” It is not surprising that Matthew Griffin is now living an urban life in Pasadena, California. He is currently a Ph.D. candidate in the chemistry program at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech).

After graduating from Abbeville High School in 2005, Matthew was preparing to start college life in August at Tulane University in New Orleans. Hurricane Katrina delayed his plan and, instead, Matthew moved to New Orleans in January of 2006. While studying at Tulane, Matthew went to the National Science Foundation in Washington, D.C. for a summer research orientation and participated in a summer research program in Strasbourg, France.

After graduating from Tulane, Matthew drove across the country to California. He had considered attending Caltech as an undergraduate but did not want to move far away from home at that time. After deciding to pursue a Ph.D. in science, Matthew knew that he wanted to attend one of the best schools in the nation. He applied to schools all over the United States before deciding on Caltech. “Caltech is not only tied as the number one school in the nation for chemistry by the U.S. News & World Report but has been ranked as the number one university in the world for the past two years by the UK Times Higher Education global ranking,” said Matthew. “Broadly, I work in the subfield of chemical biology, which aims to use techniques from chemistry to study biology. As a candidate, I conduct research in the laboratory of Professor Linda Hsieh-Wilson. We study carbohydrates known as glycosaminoglycans and their roles in regulating cellular processes involved in neurobiology. Our lab has shown that particular patterns of negative charges on the long polysaccharides affect the growth of neurons in development and after spinal cord injury, and I am working to find out whether these patterns can also affect other biological processes.”

When asked about his future plans, Matthew replied, “I would like to become a professor at a research university. This would allow me to conduct my own research program while also teaching. There are also many other possibilities for future careers, such as in national laboratories run by the National Institutes of Health or as an advisor on governmental science policy.”

Living only two blocks from the Caltech campus means that Matthew does not have the typically long Los Angeles commute. He does drive as much as he did while living in Abbeville, but he also takes advantage of public transportation and biking.

Urban life provides Matthew with many and varied activities. “It is nice living in such a large city because there is always something happening. If I ever do need time to relax, I am only a few miles from large parks with hiking trails and 45 minutes from the beach, traffic permitting.” Matthew also spends free time attending concerts and visiting museums. “There are also a lot of farmers’ markets as well, so I buy a lot of fresh produce directly from the growers. Although not as famous as Hollywood, California’s Central Valley is one of the most productive farmlands in the United States, producing over 200 different crops.”

Pasadena reminds Matthew of Abbeville because it is very family and community oriented. He lives across the street from a park with a baseball diamond where children play little league on the weekends. Like in Abbeville, the mode of transportation is driving.

When asked about the differences between Pasadena and Abbeville, Matthew said, “It can be quite amazing to see how many people actually live in the greater Los Angeles area (and how surprisingly nice and laid-back they tend to be). The city spreads out for miles in all directions. Also, when I say ‘cities’ here, they are a bit different than Abbeville. Most of the communities here have grown so large that there are not real breaks between them. You happen to cross a street, and you’re in a different city. The freeways here are also very large, and the traffic jams are even larger. The traffic jams are worth it, however, to see all of the different parts of the city. There are so many different areas, Chinatown, Silverlake, Culver City, Echo Park, Koreatown, Manhattan Beach, Hollywood, and Santa Monica, just to name a few, that each have their own personality.”

Another difference Matthew finds in California life is the weather. “I hate to say this, but California has Louisiana pretty much beat when it comes to weather.” Summers are mild, with average temperatures 75 to 85 degrees, only climbing to the triple digits for a week or two in September or October. The heat is dry, with rarely any humidity. “We rarely have rain-this year, I think I went for about five months without as much as a sprinkle. One thing I do miss is thunderstorms. I have heard thunder only once or twice since in the past two years.” Unlike Louisiana weather, Los Angeles weather is not uniform. “In Los Angeles, the mountains and valleys cause different areas of the city to have incredibly different weather. It can be 90 degrees and sunny in Pasadena, but if we take a short trip to the beach, it can be under 70 and foggy. In the winter, I can usually see snow on the mountaintops, and we are about an hour away from skiing resorts.”

The main thing Matthew misses about Abbeville is having his family nearby. “My mom’s mother was at my house nearly every other day when I was in school helping to clean and cook, and we would often have large family dinners or crawfish boils at my dad’s parents’ house on the weekend. Going from having my immediate family five minutes away to five states away made me realize how valuable my time was with all of them-and coming from a family of great cooks was not all that bad either.” Matthew’s main goal is to get his family to fly to California to visit him.

Matthew shared a memory of growing up in Abbeville. “Now that the holidays are coming around, I remember walking through Magdalen Square to look at Christmas lights and staying with my dad one cold evening there while he was helping to sell Christmas trees for (I think) the Kiwanis Club when I was younger. We would drive around town to look at Christmas decorations, and I remember the town always looking quite nice with lights strung up in the old live oaks, I had always hoped it would snow, but we would only get a few snowflakes every couple of years that would melt before they hit the ground. The best part about the holidays was always the family get-togethers. We spend Christmas Eve with my mom’s side of the family and Christmas morning with my dad’s side. It is great to see everyone together, and I am looking forward to seeing everyone again this year.”

 

It Started with a Bench

by Robby Dardeau

 

There are some nice cypress patio chairs at Thibodeaux’s Town & Country in Abbeville that I’ve been eyeing for a while now. The oversized rocker is my favorite. It’s just plain Comfortable. That’s right, I used a capital “C” right there. Go sit in that chair, and you’ll probably spell it like that, too. And, when I learned it was all handcrafted by a local Vermilion Parish man I began liking it even more.

That local man is Sidney “Bubba” DeMarcy, and when he’s not operating a crane at the Grande Isle Shipyard here in Vermilion Bay, he is doing something he loves – building quality, and functional pieces out of wood. DeMarcy claims he is not a carpenter, which makes his story even more interesting. His work experience is in heavy equipment operation, not woodwork.

His love affair with sawdust began about fourteen years ago, when his daughter brought him an old bench that was in need of repair. With just a Skill saw and a hammer, he got to work and ended up making a new bench. Since then, DeMarcy hasn’t stopped. He explains, “I’m the type of guy who always has to have something to do. So, I got more tools.” He has learned the way of woodworking by trial and error, and will tell you that he is still learning, with a wish that he would have started as a younger man. Today, he’s got a workshop filled with saws, tools, and wood patterns. It’s so much more than what he started with.

Since that first bench, DeMarcy’s created well over one hundred pieces. He’s made thirty to forty different items over the years and has done custom work, too. Chairs, benches, desks, garden tables, cabinets, swings, and glider swings are just a few of the things he’s made. He even makes prayer kneelers, and says he has made two for Governor Blanco and one for Fr. Hampton Davis.

DeMarcy describes his building style as “craft furniture – not refined.” From what this writer has seen, a DeMarcy piece is a strong piece made to last. The majority of his pieces are made with cypress, and the sweet aroma of that wood surrounding his workshop is wonderful. Someone needs to bottle up that fragrance and sell it.

The feedback he gets from his work is good, as DeMarcy explains, “I’ve got repeat customers.” What DeMarcy likes most about building things from scratch is seeing the finished product. He likes seeing customers appreciate his efforts, and that’s understandable, because just one of his rockers takes 6-8 hours to make. He puts lots of heart and sweat into his work, and it shows. There’s no cheap mass production going on in DeMarcy’s shop.

DeMarcy does have some pieces that are closer to his heart than others, and they are his Birdhouse Rockers and his glider swings. When pressed about his secret to building really comfortable swings and chairs, he proudly smiled and said, “I took some time modifying here and there to make them comfortable. An inch here and an inch there makes all the difference.” Another reason his chairs and swings are so easy to sit in with a smile is because he has different sizes to fit just about anyone. DeMarcy shared his frustration about once seeing a beautiful swing that was as uncomfortable as could be. He asks, “Who wants to sit on that?”

DeMarcy has a son, Heath, and daughter, Davelyn. He is also a proud granddad of four: Taylor, Blake, Etienne, and Elliot.

 

If you are interested in some of his work, DeMarcy can be reached at 337.319.6715. The name of his business is Bub’s Cypress Creations.

From Abbeville to Paris

By Felice Mayard

C’est difficile a croire...It’s difficult to believe! This is a phrase that Todd Meaux sometimes uses when speaking to French people, especially when he doesn’t quite understand what they are saying. It is also a phrase that can be used when speaking about Todd. His father, Richard Meaux, has often said that he never thought Todd would leave Abbeville, travel the world, and live in foreign countries because Todd was such a homebody when he was growing up in Abbeville. Todd and his wife, the former Heather Crouch, along with their three children, Lauren, Cade, and Madison, are presently living in St. Nom la Bretèche, a village located on the west side of Paris. Since moving from Abbeville, they have also lived in Houston, New Orleans, and Scotland.

Todd is Division Strategy Manager for Schlumberger. He is responsible for developing growth strategies across four major business units under one of the Schlumberger Business Segments. He identifies strategic directions the company will take in the coming five years and develops plans and choices to take in order to achieve these growth ambitions.

According to Todd and Heather, life in France actually has similarities, as well as differences, from life in Abbeville.

“Paris is very different from the small villages and suburbs,” said Heather. “Paris is like any big city; people are very busy and focused on getting to work or their next stop and things move fast. In the small villages, life is a bit slower and friendlier, just like Abbeville.”

“Cajun French is different from modern-day French and they don’t have gumbo here!” said Todd. “People tend to walk more, so there are fewer cars, and people tend to use motorized scooters to get around. Scooters are cheaper to run (gasoline is almost $9.00 per gallon!), easier to park, and faster to get around when traffic is bad.”

Todd explained that small grocery stores and specialty shops still exist in France. Although they do have big grocery chains, the small businesses have not been run out of town.

“This makes the villages feel more historic and gives character and ambiance like in the old days,” said Todd. “If you remember Abbeville before the 1980s when we still had small corner grocery stores and local butcher shops, this is what a typical French village still looks and feels like.”

“One of the many things we enjoy about France and living in a small village is the local shops,” said Heather. “We enjoy walking to the local specialty shops to buy fresh bread from the Boulangerie, or meat from the Boucherie, and on the weekend going to the open markets to buy fresh local produce and fish.”

The Meaux family finds many aspects of France similar to the culture and way of life in Abbeville.

“There are French words used in Abbeville that are the same in France, so we get to hear and use some of the words we learned as kids,” said Todd. “People in France love family, food, and having a good time. Wine, cheese and fresh bread are favorites for everyone. There are many festivals, called Fetes, throughout the year in the local villages, which are similar to the many festivals in and around South Louisiana...food, music, games, where people gather to enjoy the time together.”

In St. Nom la Bretèche there is an annual flea market, called a Brocante, in the downtown area streets. They sell many items, old and new, in small booths. There is also a yearly “La Fete du Village” where food, music, games, and fireworks are put together for the enjoyment of the local people. This is similar to the Cattle Festival and the Omelet Festival held in Abbeville.

If you asked the Meaux children “Qu’est-ce que tu fais?” they would have plenty to tell you! Lauren, Cade, and Madison attend the American School of Paris in St. Cloud. It has approximately 800 students in grades K-12. The American School of Paris was established after WWII in 1945 at the American Church of Paris. The school provides a high quality of education while exposing the students to the different cultures around the world under one roof. There are nearly 60 different nationalities at the school. The students have many opportunities to travel and see Europe. The school takes students on field trips which expose them to new languages, food, and history.

Lauren is in 12th grade and is a member of the Romaina Club. The club raises money for the orphaned children who are at the hospital in Bucharest, Romaina. The Romaina Club visits the hospital twice a year. The students get to interact with the children by teaching them some English, and hugging them, playing with them, feeding them, and giving them lots of love. The student volunteers learn a little about the Romanian culture and language. During fall break, Lauren will make her second trip to Romaina. Lauren enjoys taking the train into Paris to shop and visit with friends. Lauren’s after school activities include playing softball for the school.

Cade is in 9th grade and will be going to China during fall break in October. On this school-organized trip he will visit the local villages and schools as well as learn about their culture and language. The group will see the Great Wall of China and visit the outskirts of Beijing. To prepare for this trip, Cade has been learning Mandarin Chinese. Cade enjoys playing baseball for the school and St. Nom baseball club, as well as basketball for the school.

Madison is in sixth grade and will be going on a week- long field trip to Savoie, France. In the winter, she will be going on her second school ski trip to Switzerland. In addition to skiing, Madison will experience the Swiss culture and explore the local villages and sites. Madison’s after school activities include horse riding and piano lessons.

During sports events the Meaux children compete with schools around Europe, many of which are American schools. They not only get to play sports, they also get to travel to countries such as Holland, England, Belgium, and Germany to play.

Heather spends her time outside of their home by volunteering at the children’s school. She helps new families on orientation day and is involved with the sports booster program. This year, Heather is on the Senior Parent Committee, which will organize prom and senior treats, photos, and luncheons. Their goal is to make the students’ senior year the best it can be. Heather takes a walking tour of Paris once a month with other parents from school. She also goes out and about with friends as they explore Paris and the surrounding area.

Living in Europe has provided the Meaux family with many opportunities for travel. They have visited England, Scotland, Ireland, Spain, Turkey, Italy, Greece, Egypt, Malta, Germany, Belgium, and South Korea, as well as France.

They have many memorable experiences from living in France.

“Just seeing the Eiffel Tower almost every day,” said Heather.

“Going to museums, visiting Normandy and seeing the D-day landing site and field of white crosses honoring our brave soldiers who helped free France, and experiencing France with family who have come to visit us. And there is something to be said for the fresh bread!’” said Todd.

“And the wine!” added Heather.

The Meaux family made a memory which many visitors and residents of Paris have made. They had a lock engraved with their family name and locked it on the Pont de l’Archeveche, a bridge which crosses from Notre-Dame Cathedral to the Left Bank of the Seine. Pourquoi? Their lock symbolizes love for their family.

Family, friends, and food are what the Meaux family miss about Abbeville. When asked if they ever imagined their life would take them to France, both Todd and Heather thought they would have lived in Abbeville for the rest of their lives. They never dreamed they would live the life they live and never thought they would live in France! They both agree that they would not change a thing.

Todd would like to retire to Abbeville and enjoy a simpler live...and never get on an airplane again! Heather, on the other hand, wants to retire to Italy.

“I will more than likely have to retire where my better half is since he won’t get back on an airplane after he retires!” said Heather.

C’est difficile a croire!

 

Sole2Soul

by Robby Dardeau

There’s a new running group in Vermilion Parish and its popularity is growing. The group is called Sole2Soul and its purpose is to “strengthen bodies and souls by running with a Christian focus.”

In February of this year, Anne Sagrera planned to get 5-6 women to meet once a week that would seek to discover the parallels between enduring the sport of running and enduring one’s own walk of faith. After a Facebook post, an overwhelming response of 40 women took up Sagrera’s offer, and now there are two groups meeting twice a week. Group member, Tricia Massey, suggested the name, Sole2Soul, as it relates to how running is both a physical and spiritual activity. At each meeting, there is a time for warming up and stretching, a spiritual devotional, prayer intentions and a running workout. Information on running gear, technique, nutrition, and injury prevention is also provided. The group is open to all fitness levels. Some members have never run before, while others have completed half-marathons and marathons.

Sagrera explains, “Using the Run for God devotional by Mitchell Hollis, we trained for a 5k over a three month period. Twenty-four women, many of whom had no prior history of running, completed the Volunteers of America Run Like You Mean it Walk Like You Care 5k race on May 19. We proudly wore race shirts with the Sole2Soul logo across the front and a list of inspirational running mantras on the back.”

She continues, “Each runner experienced success in finishing their race, but the real victory was in the compassion, inspiration, encouragement, camaraderie and faith displayed during the course of the race and the training process. Through it all we celebrated, laughed, cried, moaned, groaned and experienced just about every emotion under the sun. We were driven with the knowledge that with God all things are possible. We honored Him through our efforts whether it be walking, jogging, shuffling or crawling. These qualities that make us not just better runners, but better people; the lessons learned during this process cannot help but transfer into everyday life. As one of the posts on the groups Facebook page declares, ‘Running is such an analogy for life- sometimes we are light on our feet and feel like we can go on and on. Other times it’s hard and we have to slow down, but we still keep going. In both cases we glorify God and thank Him for this gift of life!!’”

The following is an excerpt from a letter Sagrera received from one of their group supporters who also made note of this transformation:

“What I see are women, many who had the I Can’t or I Could Never attitude. They were given a safe, unintimidating place to slowly begin to realize that I Can. This quickly turns into What Else Can I Do? To some on the outside, it may just look like a 5k, but to those women, it has opened up their possibilities. No telling how many other lives will be touched through their examples. THAT is how to enact positive change. For these ladies, it is a future full of opportunities they never considered before.”

Even though the initial target race has been completed, Sole2Soul will continue to serve as a means to connect with Christian runners in Acadiana. Members continue to meet weekly at various times, and have participated in the Erath Fourth of July 5k and have future plans for The Color Run 5k in New Orleans this November. A few runners have also set their sights on longer races, including the Gulf Coast half-marathon this fall.

Sagrera shares, “New members are welcome at any time. Resources for all fitness levels are provided. Participation in the training sessions is not necessary to be a member of Sole2Soul as the workouts and devotionals can be done on one’s own time. The only requirement is that participants have an interest in running and a desire to bring God along for the journey. Running is loosely defined as walking, jogging, shuffling, or any kind of forward movement. Communication about group details and organized runs occurs mainly through email and the Facebook page.” The group’s own Facebook page was created to help keep members connected and motivated and to provide a forum to share their experiences and celebrate successes. For more information, contact abbevillerun@gmail.com or visit their Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/abbeville.run

A Vermilion TV Celebrity

by Cindy Luquette

Growing up in lower Vermilion Parish, Kristi Broussard never dreamed that one day she would be a television celebrity. Thanks to her love for the outdoors and not being afraid of hard work or 800-pound alligators, she is now a national and international celebrity.

Recently Kristi greeted fans at a local retail store. Her down home personality, unassuming nature, smile and welcoming demeanor were evident as she met fans of all ages. During the meet and greet, which ran from 10 a.m. to two p.m., a steady stream of fans walked up to say hello, take a picture of Kristi and get an autograph. Several people informed her that they have relatives in Virginia, Ohio and Texas who never miss an episode of “Swamp People.”

Kristi Broussard is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Mark Broussard. She was born and raised in Forked Island. She attended E. Broussard Elementary School for First through Eighth grades, then attended and graduated from Abbeville Senior High School. After graduating from high school, she served four years in the United States Navy as an aircraft mechanic.

Growing up in Forked Island Kristi reports she has always preferred being outdoors. “I began following my father around as soon as I was out of diapers. I was riding horseback at age five on my own helping to pin up cattle. I had no desire to stay in the house with my mom and do house work.”

Kristi achieved fame when she teamed up with Liz Cavalier Choate on the popular reality TV show. “I have been friends with Liz’s husband and Pecan Island native, Justin Choate, for years. After working with Troy Landry for a season, Liz asked if she could have her own boat. The producers agreed and she began looking for a helper. I was available because I have a flexible schedule. Alligator season runs the month of September and you have to be able to take the month of September off. My schedule is flexible and I was available. So Liz offered me the job”.

One of Kristi’s duties is to shoot and kill the massive beasts. She learned and honed this skill from an early age. “I started out with a bb gun and then a 22 rifle. I hunted ducks with my dad, too.” She utilizes her skills as she not only hits the “kill spot” on alligators that are churning in the water just a few inches away from her, but she has also hit the mark from a moving boat several yards away.

The team of Liz and Kristi are featured in the Pecan Island area. Kristi reports this past season they tagged 200 alligators in that area including a 13.5-foot gator, a record so far in the 2011 TV season. “Liz and I make a great team. We work well together and enjoy each other’s company.” This is a must as the two share the close quarters of their boat from sunrise to sunset for the month of September.

Inquiring minds asked Kristi what they eat during their long days of hunting season. She reported they eat vienna sausage, crackers and water. Also, she was asked how she and Liz get 800 and 900 pound alligators in the boat. “Well, the trick is to get the gator’s big head and jaws in the boat. Once that is accomplished, it is easy to get the body and tail into the boat.”

Kristi takes her being a celebrity in stride and reports there are other women hunting alligators professionally. She stated, “There are other women in Forked Island hunting gators, in fact there are entire families, children included who hunt gators during the season.”

Kristi Broussard is a humble, down to earth young lady. She may be famous, but she is still doing what she loves to do, raising cattle and training horses in Forked Island. The morning of the meet and greet at the local retail store, Kristi had been hard at work on the family ranch. “My family is putting up 4,000 feet of fence today. I helped this morning from about seven until nine when I had to leave to get here,” she reported.

Kristi Broussard never dreamed she would ever be starring in a TV show, but thanks to skills learned at her daddy’s side, she has become one and has put Forked Island, Louisiana on the map. (“Swamp People” is aired on the History Channel on Thursday nights.)

Award Winning Carving
by Robby Dardeau

At 6’1” tall, Micah Dronet may not look like a fourteen year old, but he is, and he has just graduated from Maltrait Memorial Catholic School in Kaplan. There he was involved in Jr Beta Club, played basketball, and was an Alter server. Micah is an excellent student and was awarded the American Legion Award, and the Father Maltrait Award, which made his parents, Lisa Stewart & Tony Dronet, very proud.

This month, Micah has the chance of winning another award, but this one has to do with a duck carving he made. I questioned him about the piece by email, and his answers are below.

Describe your carving.

The duck is a generalized version of a blue winged teal. The body is made from Louisiana Tupelo wood, and the head is carved from Texas mesquite. The wings are (antlers) from a white tail buck.

Where did you get the idea to make this?

Well, every summer I like to go to the hill country and spend some time with my Aunt Lottie and my Uncle David. That’s my mom’s older sister and her husband. They live on lake Buchannan in Burnet Texas and Uncle David is the owner of Big Lake Duck Calls, so he has this really nice wood shop where he makes his duck calls for sale. They have 8 grandchildren and each summer they get all the kids there at the same time, and would invite me to join along. They would call it Camp Mallard, and each day we did crafts and went camping and swimming in the lake and would go fishing, and wear matching t-shirts, and Uncle David would give us each a project to do in his woodshop. My first year at camp, I did a duck call, and the second year I did a walking staff, and my third year I did a wooden airplane. I knew there was a category in Jr Beta club for woodworking, so I asked him to help me make something to compete.

Last summer I was there again and I talked to Uncle David, and told him I needed to do something really special, as I saw what they were competing with in Jr Beta woodworking, and I needed something that was worthy of competition. He told me to put my thinking cap on and he would help me with whatever I decided, but that it had to be my idea. You have to understand Uncle David is an avid hunter and his shop is really awesome, it is filled with deer antlers and deer mounts and ducks and so many things you would be amazed to see it all. So I was sitting there one night and I was playing with a white tail deer rack practicing how to make rut sounds and the idea came to me - the deer antlers look like duck wings. I showed Uncle David the antlers in wings position and said, “These look like they could be wings on a duck,” and he agreed, and then we both got to thinking, why not make a wooden duck and use the antlers as the wings. Uncle David carves ducks and paints them and they’re really nice, but I wanted something more like a piece of art, and a duck in flight not sitting. What you see is the finished product. The wings set just the right way looks like it is lighting, or coming in for a landing.

Did anyone guide or show you how to carve? And how long did it take for you to create this piece?

We got started with Uncle David handing me a block of Louisiana Tupelo wood. Using a band saw, I started cutting the rough shape, then used various files in different sizes to make the rounded shape and smooth it out. There was a lot of sanding involved. A lot! I felt like that was all I did for some days. I would sand it then show it to Uncle David and he would say, “Nice, now go sand some more!” The holes were drilled using his drill press and the antlers were screwed on. I had to cover up the holes on the screws using wood glue and sawdust. I could not have done any of this without my Uncle David’s help. He has the knowledge and was very patient showing me and guiding me to do this. The more it went along the more excited I was to hurry and finish it, and he kept me slowed down so I would do it right and not mess it up.

What awards has this piece won, and what future competitions will it be in?

I brought the duck home and it was placed by the fireplace in our home. When Jr Beta competition came around this year, I told my teacher, Mrs. Ricky Parker, that I wanted to compete in the woodworking section at convention, so I showed her my duck and she agreed. I placed second at the state convention this year at the Lafayette Cajun Dome, and I will be going to Nationals to compete on June 24th this summer. I was really surprised when I found out that I had placed. We were eating lunch when Mrs. Parker told me. I called my mom as soon as I found out, and if you know my mom she was 100% excited for me!

Has anyone offered to purchase this art from you?

When I got home, naturally my mom was filled with excitement for me so she posted a picture of it on her Facebook timeline and right away men started asking her if they could buy one. I even got offered $500, which I turned down, as I have special plans for it when I return from Jr Beta National Convention in Greensboro N.C.

Do you plan to continue carving or making more pieces?

I have three orders already, so I will be busy this summer making more.

Do you have any other artistic talents?

I like to write poems and stories that are non-fiction, and I like to write about patriotism. My teacher, Mrs. Dawn Camel, encouraged my writing and making poems, and Mrs. Parker inspired me to write about patriotism.

In the fall, Micah plans on attending Vermilion Catholic High School and hopes to make the basketball team, and continue in Beta Club. Let’s hope he doesn’t give up carving.

The End of an Era

by Elizabeth Dardeau

May 5, 2012 marks an end to an era that started 13 years ago.  Back then a bunch of little kids decided to go out and try to learn how to play baseball.  Some wanted to play because older siblings played.  Some of them wanted to play to make their dads proud of them.  Again some of them had seen pictures of their fathers as young men and they wanted to be just like them.  Regardless of the reason, some of them stayed because it was the thing to do until that first ball hit them however gently it may have been.  Most of them survived the summer while learning that you were supposed to hit that little ball on the tee.  It seemed that a basketball would have been much easier to hit but they knew there were rules and they wanted to be as tough as their peers.  The summer was a long one.

The next year when talk turned to baseball most of the braver young lads thought they would give it another try.  This summer they learned that the coach was going to “pitch” the ball to them and they were supposed to hit it.  Then what???  Did Coach say run to third first, or first, first?  There were trials and many errors, none too life-threatening unless you count all those scraped knees, which burned like heck. Crying was against the rules also.

 

If memory serves me right, the dreaded pitching machine came next.  Darn, but it seemed like those balls were coming at you 100 mph.  Easy does it - close your eyes and swing.  Sometimes you managed to hit the ball and did it ever feel good.  High fives all over the place.  The next year brought news that your opponent was going to be aiming for you or so it seemed.  That little old batter’s box seemed ever so small.

“Coach, what do you mean I have to put on all of this equipment and stoop behind that crazy kid swinging that big bat and try to catch that ball?” Aaron, you know you can do it.  OMG!!! Mark, you gonna try out as pitcher?  OMG!!! “The rest of you guys grab a base and PROTECT it.”  The trauma was not over because then it came time for you to go up to bat.  Man, why don’t they let you swing about 10 times; I bet I could hit it then.  Losses were frequent and wins were to be cherished and bragged about.

The summers began to give way to falls and the return to school.  About this time football season for the big guys was beginning and so it must follow for the little guys also. “Drafting” named their teams and the schedules were made.  PRACTICE!  Not too bad except when you had to go home then do homework or study for tests the next day.  Much rather be in bed cause of tired, achy bones.  This was the way it was until this same group of guys was suddenly in 7th then 8th grade. Here the games became a little more serious and practice a little more grueling.  There was always a “support” team in place consisting of dads, moms, etc. who always came with the ice chests of cold water and cold drinks for the “warriors.”  No road game too far, no inclement weather kept the fans at home.  Their boys were playing and they were going.

At this time the bonds began to get stronger between players (and cousins), coaches and parents.  These were the good times because even if we didn’t win this time, they would be ours next time.  Rivalries formed both during baseball and also football.  They were so anxious to play some teams (we gonna whip ‘em) and dreaded others.  Oh, but those were the sweetest victories when we were underdogs and came out on top.

Going into high school meant that you would be dressing out next to those “big” guys.  They would USE (and abuse) you at practice.  You made up your mind that you were here for the long haul.  No matter how many times you had to sit the bench or sit in the dugout, you wanted to prove that you really were (or were going to be) a Screaming Eagle at the same school that your parents and most of your family had attended.  You wanted to make them proud.  Your hard work was beginning to pay off because now even the coaches knew your names.

I, being a very proud grandparent, am referring to the too short, but great careers of the 3 Musketeers (and cousins) namely Mark LaPorte, our grandson, cousin Aaron David, and Ryan David.  These kids, now grown young men about to graduate from Vermilion Catholic High School in Abbeville, are the guys who have been together since even before kindergarten.  Certainly I would be remiss in not naming the other senior boys whom we have grown to love and will miss terribly during the sports seasons.  Baseball and/or football athletes are: Andrew Bernard, Derek Broussard, Emile Chiasson, Aaron David, Ryan David, Ryan Domingue, Stephan Guidry, Blair Landry, Mark LaPorte, Jordan Lattier, Justin Lattier, Caleb Luquette Eric Patout, Benjamin Primeaux, Christopher Stakes, Etienne Trahan, Joshua Wilson, and Caleb Zaunbrecher.  The coaches over the years are too numerous to name but you know who you are and we thank you.  I must name Coach Trev Faulk, Coach Danny McMurtry, Coach Roch Charpentier, Jared Duhon, and Howard Landry.  We must also include Coach Veazey and our 12th man.  Whether it was a game or a practice, Father Theriot was always there rooting his beloved Eagles upward and onward.  Thanks Father Theriot.  It meant a lot to us.

I began this article with a sad note as the Screaming Eagles of VC did lose to Central Catholic of Morgan City on a hot May 5, 2012.  The score is not important now.  The Eagles lost to a better team on that day.  We had beaten them before but as they say “Any great team can lose on any given day.”  It seemed that the day had come all too soon.

This indeed is the end of an era and it was very painful yesterday, but Monday, May 21, 2012, graduation day, will begin a new era.  As we older folks know nothing lasts forever and you can’t go home again.  There are many new “games” to play, new people to meet, new mountains to climb and many new challenges to overcome.  You will miss the security of a small, close-knit school, the many friends from eons ago.

The bottom line here is that each of you can be successful, as you have already proven that you can “hang” with the best of them.  You are our Champions!

James Menard

Big Boy Scout, Big Volunteer

by Shannon Neveaux

 

Mr. James Menard, a native of Kaplan, may have retired from Mobil, but he didn’t retire from life. In my opinion, he’s a model retiree. When he’s not traveling, camping or spending time with his family and grandchildren, he’s helping others. Mrs. Yvette, his wife, also remains active by volunteering her time line dancing at the local Kaplan Senior Center. I hope I have their passion and energy when I retire.

This spring Mr. James spent forty hours clearing out and cleaning up what will soon be the Primitive Group Tent site at Palmetto Island State Park. It’s much larger than the individual sites cleared in February and I think his grandson’s scout troop has every intension of using it as soon as it is ready. He also did a fantastic job putting the finishing touches on the individual primitive campsites. I think all you ‘tent’ campers will appreciate the spaces that have been created.

Friends of Palmetto Island State Park will benefit from Mr. James’ volunteer hours also through a grant from the Mobil Retiree Volunteer Program (MVP). MVP has a volunteer program for retirees, their spouses and any children ages 12-25 who volunteer their time with non-profit organizations of their choice in the community. Retirees can participate individually or as a team of five. When the retiree, spouse or child, completes 40 volunteered hours of their time in support of a non-profit organization, ExxonMobil Foundation grants $500 in their name to that charity. In 2011 ExxonMobil and Mobil retirees and surviving spouses donated more than 303,800 hours to 2,400 non-profit organizations. In recognition of these efforts, ExxonMobil Foundation contributed more than $3.6 million to the organizations where they volunteered. Companies create programs like this to: increase employee moral, encourage retiree volunteering in the community where they live, promote philanthropic programs, improve public relations, and allow the company to be seen in the community.

Pretty sweet deal! So, if you’re passionate about Palmetto Island State Park (or another non-profit charity) you might want to check with your employer and see if they have such a program. If not maybe you could make a proposal for a program such as this.

This is the second year that Palmetto Island State Park benefits from Mr. James’ volunteered time. In 2011, he volunteered 40 hours to the park. I was thinking that Mr. James’ motivation for choosing to volunteer his time at the park was probably twofold. His first motivation may be camping. He and his wife seem to enjoy spending time at the park. It’s not too far from home, but it’s just far enough. His second motivation surely may be his family. His grandson participates in a local Boy Scout troop, which makes our park exciting and important to them both.

I think the Boy Scouts and state parks go together like bread and butter. You see...Mr. James was a Boy Scout in his youth and while the organization has probably changed much since he was with them, he still holds a tremendous amount of respect for what they stand for. Scout troops can really bring lots of benefits and enhancements to a park they are passionate about. Several scouts have already completed and/or planned projects at the park, like the outdoor classroom, making wood duck boxes, benches, clearing primitive tent sites and building outdoor message centers. To their benefit they have a brand new property to do what scouts do. There are plenty of opportunities to earn all sorts of badges. It’s really a mutually beneficial relationship. If you’d like to find out how you can support the local Troop 85, contact Thomas Gaspard at 501-6734.

I can’t help but think that as the years go by, these boys grow into men. Every time I get to visit with Mr. James I recognize those ‘good ole’ Boy Scout qualities. I learned plenty about all the opportunities and experiences scouting gives these kids. I can see why Mr. James is so passionate about them. He is a testament to his time spent in scouting. The lessons he learned about community service and volunteerism back then haven’t seemed to wear off. Better yet for us all, I think they’ve grown into something special. His time has been a gift to Palmetto Island State Park and the friends’ group.

As I end this article, I struggle to find the appropriate words to express our appreciation and gratitude for what he’s done, cause to simply say “Thank You” doesn’t seem to be enough. In true James Menard fashion, he shares, “I would like to thank the park staff and camp host for helping with the group site, thank Marcelle for her support and thank Friends of Palmetto for supporting the park.” He’s still putting all of us first. What an AMAZING volunteer, Hard Worker and plain ole good Cajun man. Merci Beaucoup, Mr. James!

Through the Generations Comes
A Boy and His Paw

by Lisa Stewart

In the northern part of Vermilion Parish, on Bayou Que Tortue, within the Leleux community, sits a farm that has been there since the 1800’s. It is the Adam farm, handed down from generation to generation until present day where it continues to be a working part of the agricultural business and cattle ranching industry.

In the early 1900’s Mr. Alcide Adam bought the property, which had always been used as a working rice and cattle farm, from his father-in-law, Pierre Bertrand. Pierre had three children, Frank, Preston and Camille Adam. Grandpa Frank had 5 children: Norma, Charlotte, Harold, Edward and Charles.

Photo taken by Paulette Adam

Harold was the only child to take an interest in the farm and to keep to the ways of farm life. Harold married Rita Villejoin and together they had three children: Craig, Sandra and Marie. Harold passed away at a young age when Craig was only 13 years old. At 16, Craig was farming right along side his mother, and it was 1974 when Craig officially took over the farm.

Craig married Paulette Gaspard in 1977 and together they brought to their marriage their children, Melanie Adam and Steven Wimberley. Later on, Angela and Marla completed their family and they continued living off the agricultural land that was handed down to them. Cattle prices were depressed during this time and they eventually sold off all the cattle, but in the 1980’s, Craig was able to slowly rebuild his herd of cattle by buying and producing more and more cattle.

Of all the children, Marla was the one to take an interest in the animals and the workings of the farm. She spent lots of time with her father and learned the ropes from him. The other children worked on the farm and helped out, doing their part, but it was Marla who asked her dad to show cattle in 4-H. She was in middle school when she began showing and with the help of Craig at her side, she continued for seven years earning many awards, including the Governor’s Award for Excellence in Beef Production in Louisiana, after showing a cow straight out of Craig’s own herd. When asked what was the best part about raising his children on the farm, Craig was quick to answer, “It’s an avenue we use to keep the children active in the farm business. It gives them good work ethics, life skills, and shows them how life abounds and helps them to understand things in real life. It teaches them good stewardship of the land, and helps them understand that beef does not just appear in a plastic package on the shelf, it is produced. There is a responsibility to have all that we have, but it is a blessing, too.” Craig added, “Life is not easy or fair, and it goes the same with life on the farm, whether it’s a favorite horse or cow, sometimes they have to be put down, and this helps the children understand life and death in reality. It teaches them early how to handle such things.”

With Marla off and married, there was a lull in the show ring, and during this idle time Craig used it wisely to continue building up his herd knowing he had grandsons coming up, and, soon the second generation came of age, and it was time to do it all over again. His oldest grandson, Nathan Sistrunk, Angela’s son, asked his Paw to help him show cattle when he was old enough to do so. Nathan spends lots of time with his Paw watching, learning and helping with the workings of the farm. Vaccinating cattle, castrating calves, breeding and calving, its all part of life on the farm and Nathan is right there learning the confirmation of animals and understanding what makes a good cow to build the herd. Craig has taken him on trips to buy bulls, and brings him to events that include anything to do with cattle, instructing him to work responsibly, and confidently, knowing that these lessons in his growing maturity will build a strong character in his grandson. There are other grandchildren who are coming up in age and they are showing just as much promise of loving life on the farm, working with the horses and cattle. In fact, Nathan’s little sister, Molly Claire, is anxiously waiting her turn to show horses when she is old enough.

I asked Nathan what was it he liked so much about 4-H and showing his cows and he replied, “I like it! It’s really fun. I mean... you get to do things and fun activities and even help the earth while having fun! I joined 4-H not because my Pawpaw asked me to, I heard that 4-H was a lot of fun, and you could show your animals, and do projects and other stuff.” “I show two commercial cows,” said Nathan, “Lucy and Annabelle are their names. It’s hard for me to come up with a name for my cows. Me and Paw go ride through the herd and find what we think will be a good show cow, then we bring it into the farm yard where we work with it, groom it, and break it so it will behave in the show ring. It’s a lot of hard work, but we do it together.”

“Lucy is pregnant right now,” says Nathan “and I can’t show her any more because she aged out, I have to stop because that is how things are, but we didn’t sell her, we put her back in the herd. Paw is building up his herd; he has about 200 hundred mama cows on 1000 acres. Last year I showed a cow named Midnight, and not long ago, me and Paw were riding through the herd and he pointed her out to me. It was nice to see her again, but I don’t miss her, she never did break right and she was hard to handle.” Nathan says Lucy is a great cow. “She is easy and she listens to me in the ring. When I am about to get in the ring I get nervous and start jumping with excitement and then I get butterflies in my stomach. I talk to Lucy and she listens, I tell her, ‘Good girl Lucy, your doing great,’ and it’s like she looks at me and says, ‘Okay Nathan, I am going to listen to you,’ and we do good in the show ring.” Nathan pointed out that Annabelle is not so good. “She is still hard to work with, and me and my Paw are working hard to break her. She does not listen like Lucy does; she is more like my old cow, Midnight, a little crazy. One time she flung me like a helicopter and I flew in the show ring. All the men and my Paw had to go after her. I wasn’t hurt, she is just hard work!” He continues, “The best thing about showing my cows is that the whole family comes out to support me. We are all together, my mom and dad and my sister and my grandparents and my cousins. Everyone comes to support me and that feels good. Farm life is about family. It’s hard work at the barn everyday. You have to feed; you have to walk the cows, water them, put their halters on them, teach them patience and prepare them for the shows, no matter what the weather is, hot or cold, you have to do it. The feeding part is tough for me because Annabelle butts the feed bucket and runs off. Lucy is so hungry all the time she butts the bucket, too, and I have to put my hand out to keep her from knocking out the feed. When you walk into the barnyard, the cows come running from the pasture and I stay aware of Annabelle because she’s rowdy. But my Paw pets her on the head and she calms down. If you walk slowly she is ok and calms down. She’s one rough cow!”

I asked Nathan what was the best part about doing all this with his paw and he quickly responded with enthusiasm, “He’s the best Pawpaw I have! He does everything with me! He is there for me no matter what I need. He’s’ funny, he makes us kids laugh, and he’s nice, he’s my Pa, I love him! Sometimes he fusses at me when were working, but I know it is just to make me do things right. I get over it because I know he just loves me and wants the best for me. He fusses to make me better, he’s the best, and I plan on doing this as long as I can so I can spend the time with my paw.”

Why should kids join 4H? Nathan answers, “Well, there are other things to do besides just showing cows, horses, pigs and sheep. You can have fun and learn at the same time. But it is their decision if they want to join or not. God gave us free will, so it’s up to them to use it the way they want to.”

After being asked about his philosophy on life, he thought a bit then shared, “I live a great life, it could be better but that is up to me to make it better, no one else. I think everybody in life should be Christian, and I can only hope that people use God’s free will to be good. To go to church every Sunday and give that time to God and to help others, like if there is an old man trying to walk across the road you should want to go help him and not just pass him by. You know, help others, and the people who need.”

After hearing these inspiring words come out of his mouth I asked him how old he was and he said matter of factly, “I am 10 yrs old and a 4th grade student at Redemptorist Catholic in Crowley.”

Back to Craig, I asked him about his philosophy on the farm and he responded to me, “If you teach them good responsibility, the benefits as they grow up will be good work ethics, confident adults who make the right decisions, and hopefully will continue the cattle business I have worked hard to build. Good health and good family makes for a good life!

"I Remember When”

by Lisa Stewart

 

During Christmas of 2011, Daniel Duhon wrote a letter to his family members stating, “I remember when,” reminiscing about sixty years of togetherness with his family, and leaving them with the message, “Yes we do come from humble beginnings, but always remember your roots.”

Daniel, the youngest child and only boy was born in 1944 at the Villamez Clinic in Kaplan to Robley and Ruth Duhon. Mr. Robley was the proprietor of a CASE tractor supply company on Hwy 35 just south of Kaplan. Mrs. Ruth was a homemaker raising Daniel and his two older sisters, Jerone & Linda. Jerone lives in Phoenix Arizona and has two children, Jude and Ramone, while Linda lives in Slidell and is mother to Michelle and Michael. Daniel tells me he started school in 1950 and attended the one schoolhouse in Kaplan at the time. He remembers the school being two separate buildings, one housing grades 1-5 and the other 6-12. Kaplan High School is where he graduated in 1962. He started college right away attending USL that fall semester, residing in Richard Dormitory off campus. In the summer times he would carpool, stating the kids just always seemed to find a ride, someone always had a car that you could carpool with. Classmates and friends that joined him at USL were Stan Hardee, Richard Abshire, Carl Comeaux, Rayetta Broussard Meaux, & Patty Compete Doise. Daniel graduated in 1966 with a degree in Math and a minor in English, but he didn’t start teaching right away. Instead, he went to work with his dad at the tractor supply making a whopping $35.00 a week in income! He lived at home so he was able to save his money to buy himself a car. Daniel remembers going to Frenzel Motors in Abbeville with his dad and bought himself a brand new Olive green Plymouth Fury III, for about $4500.

Daniel worked in the implement business for about 12-13 years when his dad decided it was time to retire after forty years of service. Daniel knew he didn’t want to continue in the business his dad built, so he began making plans to teach. Sadly, Mr. Robley died of a massive heart attack in 1977, and December 20th was the last day the door was opened for business.

Daniel said it took about a year to close the shop and complete the tractor business. Once that was done, he returned to USL and received his teaching certificate in Education, still majoring in Math and English. His first years teaching were in Henry. It was during this time that Daniel began building a home of his own on some property that belonged to his father just off of Hwy 167 and Etienne Road outside of Maurice.

According to Daniel, his dad was raised on a farm and enjoyed dabbling in odd projects and doing things in a different way than usual. His dad raised pigs and sheep on this property and was one of the first few to start planting soybeans in the area. He says how his dad enjoyed experimenting with different fertilizers and such. He planted clover for feed and the neighbors always knew where Mr. Robley had placed the fertilizer because he would spell out the letters “RD” and the clover would grow higher and bigger in that shape. Mr. Robley had a catfish pond, raised corn, peas, and anything else that could tie him to his farming days when he was a child.

Daniel’s house was finished about the same time the new school, North Vermilion, was ready to be utilized, and he began teaching there its first year open as a Math & English teacher. He stayed at that school until his retirement twenty-one years later. It was also during this time that Daniel was the school tour guide bringing the children to Washington DC on annual trips. By this time Daniel has begun traveling more and becoming interested in tourism. He joined a group of people from Maurice and visited Europe. It was on a twenty-day trip to England, Scotland and Ireland when the travel bug hit him hard and began what he continues to do today - travel! Daniel joined forces with Sandy Sagrera who owned Cajun Tours south of Abbeville, and became an escort for about 12-14 years on those excursions. Daniel remembers 2001 as the year he could have probably rented out his house as he was away from it more then he was in it. It was in the fall season of that year that he, his mom, and his two sisters decided to start taking a fall trip as a family. The first adventures were Hawaii, Canada, Amish Country, Niagara Falls, and the Fall Foliage tour. It was in 2005 that he lost his mom, Ruth, but continued to travel to places such as Lake Tahoe, Cape Cod, San Francisco and Nova Scotia.

It was while traveling to Europe that Daniel became familiar with the David Winter collections of cottages. He bought his first one about 25 years ago and has been collecting every since. He owns hundreds of different pieces of the collection and is even a member of guild of these famous valuables.

Daniel still considers himself a Kaplanite, even though he lives in Maurice. He is actively involved in the Kaplan Museum, The Sam Guarino Blacksmith Shop in Abbeville, the Maurice Museum - a work in progress, and the Vermilion Parish Tourist Commission for about four to five years, holding the chairman seat for two years. He belongs to the Kaplan Arts Council and Kaplan Chamber of Commerce as well as the Retired Teachers Association and is a current member of Krewe Chic A la Pie.

Last year, Daniel had the honor of representing the Krewe as their KING GUMBO LVI, with his sister, Linda, serving as Queen Jambalaya LVII. He will be relinquishing that crown this carnival season at the annual Mardi Gras Ball in Kaplan on Feb 11th and invites all of you to come out and enjoy the festivities. He will also ride in the annual parade that rolls down Cushing Avenue in Kaplan on Mardi Gras day. About being King Gumbo, he says, “The best part was the actual crowning. I really enjoy riding the floats and throwing beads to the people on the street,” Daniel said with a twinkle in his eye. “I just want to be a part of all the fun and activities I remember experiencing as a child! I remember riding in a parade in 1951, although I don’t remember what parade it was. I was on a mini-make-shift float, and I am still doing that to this day.” He also remembers no one yelling, “Throw me something mister” like they do today. “I don’t know what we said, probably just yelled ‘HEYYYYY’ to get their attention!”

The best part of Mardi Gras? Daniel says the good family oriented fun for all ages, young and old, that can be celebrated year after year, a tradition that is steeped deep in our culture and carried on down the generations.

The best part about teaching? He says that it didn’t dawn on him how much he really enjoyed teaching until the children he taught would come back to visit him and tell him how much they enjoyed his classes and thanked him for guiding them in school.

His philosophy on life? “Think positive and never negative! I am thankful for all I have and am enjoying sharing what I have with others, my family and my friends.”

He Ain’t Heavy...He’s My Brother

by Elizabeth Dardeau

 

The title of this article is borrowed from a song you may have heard a long time ago. As this article begins to unfold you may agree that this is a very appropriate title as we begin to meet the family of Mr. Rene LeBlanc, Sr. (dec.) and his wife, the former Jeanne Vigneaux (dec.). Mr. LeBlanc and his wife were the parents of 6 children: 5 boys and 1 girl. The names of their children were Wilson, Rene Jr., Edwin, Pervis, Velma and John Ira or simply Ira, as his many friends and relatives know him. Unfortunately, the first four sons are now deceased and the sole remaining members of this family are Velma LeBlanc who married Luce Frederick in 1951, and Ira. Many residents of Vermilion Parish will recognize the name of Luce, Velma’s husband, as he was one of the founding members of the well-known Fredericks’ Brothers Barber Shop here in Abbeville. Ira was born on January 2, 1936 and will have celebrated his 76th birthday by the time this article is published.

Ira was the youngest child in a family of six. When he was born, his mother was 42 and his father 41. He was a seemingly healthy infant at birth, but his parents began to notice his developmental skills were not progressing at the expected “normal rate.”

He was slower to sit and stand in addition to all of the other motor skills that we all take for granted. It is believed that he was actually born with Cerebral Palsy although it did not become totally apparent until later. Development was slow but Ira persevered. He began to speak at 4 years of age and to walk at age six. Since Luce was courting Velma, he visited at the LeBlanc home frequently and grew fond of Ira, perhaps even viewing him as a younger brother and even taught him to ride a bike. Ira began school at Meaux Elementary at the age of 8 where he completed 6th grade. When it became apparent that his condition made “regular school” too difficult it was recommended that he attend the State School for Spastic Children in Alexandria. For a child to leave family and friends at the tender age of 14 must have been very difficult for all involved, but I have a feeling that his parents wanted Ira to have whatever options available for a better life for their son. He remained there until he was almost 20. Upon returning home for summer vacation, Ira began having great difficulty walking with frequent falls. This made going back to school in Alexandria impossible for him. Testing by physicians led them to the conclusion that Ira had contracted polio which made it necessary once again for Ira to leave his family for treatment at hospitals in Baton Rouge and then later New Orleans. Polio caused rapid deterioration of first his legs and then his arms. Having lived with Cerebral Palsy for all of those years, it seemed that God had sent another cross to Ira and his family. At this point Ira was wheelchair bound and needed complete one-on-one care. This was accomplished by his parents at home, and was not an easy task for elderly parents. In the meantime his father suffered a stroke at age 68, and also became wheelchair-bound needing complete care himself.

Considering the fact that Ira and his father both needed primary care, Mrs. LeBlanc became the sole caregiver. It was then decided that the family needed to move to Abbeville and build a home next to Velma and Luce who would be able to assist with care as needed. After the decision was made to move and construct a home, Ira decided that he wanted to draw the house plans himself. His brother, Wilson, constructed a special table for Ira that held his papers in place so he could draw and measure. That most certainly was physically difficult but a labor of love nevertheless. Upon completion, the plans were brought to Mr. Rigsby Frederick of Abbeville Lumber. When he saw Ira’s plans he knew his work was already done. No improvements were needed to the plans. All measurements and specifications were put in correctly. What an accomplishment for a 28-year-old “handicapped” individual.

The home was built and Ira and his parents were now in a new home which was accessible to both wheelchairs. He had his parents and extended family next door to help. Unfortunately tragedy struck again. Velma and Ira’s mother passed away in 1972. It is times such as these that call for “heroic measures.” The decision was quickly and unanimously made to move Ira and his father both into Velma and Luce’s home next door. Times like these bring out the true “heroes” in a family. There was no question about where these two beloved family members would be cared for.

Now imagine yourself and your family looking into the eyes of this situation realistically speaking. Velma and Luce were the parents of three young children (now grown with families of their own). At that time their ages were: Jeanne 18, Don 15 and Jude 9. A home with three young children can be a really hectic place and it would soon become much more hectic. Their entire lifestyle was going to change, with times when they would be called upon to help care for their uncle. To say that these kids stepped up to the plate would be an understatement. They learned how to perform basic care needed by their uncle, and were also living the example their parents were exposing them to; after all he was their beloved uncle. All of them adjusted very well and were happy to be of help.

As I said before, Velma was married to Luce Frederick, so there was to be no real problem with the situation because she is married to a prince of a man (which I guess makes her a princess or maybe even a queen). Neither one of them wavered in their decision to take both brother and father in. Neither one of them considered a nursing home even though it would have made their lives so much easier. Almost everything had to be turned upside-down. New living arrangements, and new routines of care for their 77-year-old father and 36-year-old brother, yet neither wavered. One year after moving in, Velma’s father passed away. Forty years have passed since then and they are still taking care of Ira.

Ira’s condition makes it necessary for him to have someone in attendance at all times. He must be turned on schedule, given many medications at certain times, and have his blood sugar checked as he is now diabetic, although he is not on insulin at present. His oxygen needs monitoring, too, and the list goes on and on. Being very hard of hearing, it is at times difficult to communicate with him but if you get his attention away from the TV, he is ready with a special smile. He has his own room equipped with everything that could possibly be needed for his care. He has a hospital bed, wheelchair, a Portalift with which to move him into and out of bed. He has his beloved TV set on, which he watches soap operas every afternoon after his lunch. He also enjoys action and sci-fi movies whenever they can find something he hasn’t already seen.

Ira has a really good sense of humor and enjoys verbally sparing with his brother-in-law, Luce, who enjoys nothing better himself. Ira is fortunate to have wonderful outside caregivers who tend to him as if he were their own. They are with him part of each day, which is a great relief for Velma and Luce as well.

To say that Luce and Velma have devoted the last 40 or more years to the care of Velma’s family, Ira in particular, would be putting it mildly. They have been an inspiration to me ever since I have known them. They have had to give up so much but have gotten so much more in return. You can see the love as they care for Ira, as they speak to him and as they plan their lives around him. What an example they have given their children. The most impressive thing about Luce and Velma is the fact that they do not realize how special they are. In their humility, they view their choice to care for Ira as the only thing to do and they do it with loving hearts.

In his own special way Ira is a very lucky individual even though some might see him otherwise. He has probably received more love than many other people. So I think I can speak for the Frederick family when saying “He ain’t heavy, he’s my brother” (and there is nothing I would not do for him).

 

 

A Bright and Shining Star 
by Cindy Luquette

How many names can you remember?  Can you put the correct name with the correct person?  When you attended school did you know the names of all of your classmates?  How about the names of all the students in your high school?

One young lady working as an office assistant at Erath High School knows the name of every member of the student body.  Her name is Heather LeBlanc and she has a great memory, which makes her a great asset to Erath High School administrators and teachers.


Heather LeBlanc is shown here working at Erath High School. Photos by Jadie Breaux & Liz Vice

Heather was voted Homecoming Queen during her senior year, 2006-2007.  “She walked with the graduates to receive her certificate of completion.  She was also awarded a perfect attendance medal during the graduation ceremony.  This award was given to her in honor of her perfect attendance record.  She did not miss a day of school from Pre - K through 12th grade,” explained her mother, Pam LeBlanc.

Principal Francis Touchet first utilized Heather’s talents while she was still attending school.  Hurricane Rita flooded the city of Erath and Erath High School.  Classrooms were set up in portable buildings and there was no intercom system to link the office and the classrooms.  With Heather in the office, an intercom system was not necessary.  “If a parent came to the office and needed to either pick their child up for any reason or had something they were bringing for their child, Heather could tell them exactly where their child was located.  If she needed to bring something to a child or needed to let the teacher know the child’s parent was waiting for them in the office, she would walk to the building where they were located and deliver the message,” Pam explained.  Heather has also memorized the teacher’s duty schedule.

“Heather has an unbelievable memory.  If there is anything I need to remember I tell Heather what I need to remember and she never fails to remind me,” reports Vice Principal, Liz Vice.  “She also has a terrific personality and is a great asset to our school.  She is always offering to help.  If anything needs to be done, she is right there offering to help.  She truly is a gift to our school.”

The office assistant position held by Heather is a volunteer position.  She works from seven a.m. to two thirty p.m. Monday through Friday during the school year.  Her duties include running errands, sorting the mail and placing it in the teacher’s mailboxes, running copies for the office staff and teachers.  She says the thing she likes the most about her job is running errands and running items for teachers from the high school to the middle school.  Heather does not drive a vehicle.  Instead, she walks to and from the two schools.  She makes the trips between the two schools several times a day.  “I like walking from the high school to the middle school because I enjoy the exercise,” Heather said.

Heather has a big smile, a positive attitude and a willingness to help in every way she can.  She truly is a gift to Erath High School.  Her mom sees her volunteer position as a gift to Heather.  “She is in a safe environment, doing something she enjoys.  She is associating with others and she keeps up with what is happening in her community,” Pam explained.

Have you ever looked up into the night sky and seen the evening star shining brightly?  Have you ever seen a beam of sunlight bursting through the clouds?  Magnify that several times over and you will have Heather’s smile.  It lights up a room and warms people’s hearts.  Getting to know her is an exercise in humility and gives one food for thought.

Thank you Heather LeBlanc for volunteering your time and shining your light on Erath High School, its staff, faculty and students.  Teachers often award students who do a good job in their classroom with a gold star.  Well, you deserve a big gold star and our admiration.  This world would be a far better place if we had more shining stars like you.

Music Man & Furniture Maker
by Robby Dardeau

If some people are more interesting than others, then Bobby Broussard of Gueydan has to be grouped with some people.  He’s a talented and accomplished musician, an antique bottle collector, and a cypress furniture maker with an eye for design and an appreciation for our Cajun culture.  He enjoys history, creativity and people, and loves his roles of husband and father.  The guy’s got range.

Many blues and zydeco fans know of Bobby’s musical talent.  He’s been playing guitar, lead and rhythm, since he was sixteen years old.  Bobby is self-taught on guitar and attributes his learning to watching Freddie Benoit, and just listening to albums over and over until he got it right.  For most of his life he’s made a living playing his six strings travelling much further than the boundaries of Vermilion Parish.

Blues Guitarist, Bobby Broussard of Gueydan, is proving he's got talent and skills in building furniture, too.

He has always had a deep passion for the old time blues music.  Some of his favorite blues artists include John Lee Hooker, Buddy Guy, Muddy Waters and Freddy King.  Bobby’s first recording was on a gospel album called “Hymn for Him” and soon after, his career expanded in different fields of music including rock, Cajun, blues and zydeco.  Bobby began playing zydeco at age 17.  He has worked with Rockin Sydney, C.J. Chenier, Chubby Carrier, Rockin Dopsie, Bobby Charles, Paul “Lil’ Buck” Sinegal, Sherman Robertson, Harry Hypolite, Andy Smith Jr., JoJo Reed, Geno Delafose and Jude Taylor just to name a few.  He’s also had his own group called Bobby B. and the Blues Coalition.  Bobby also recorded a song with Bobby Charles, Willie Nelson, Eddie Raven, and Sonny Landreth called “Wish You Were Here Right Now.”  Playing music has allowed him to travel to Hawaii, The Smithsonian, The National Mall in Washington, D.C., The 1996 Olympics in Atlanta Georgia, Belgium, Scotland, Spain, Amsterdam, the Bahamas, and Canada including Nova Scotia, Calgary and Vancouver just to name a few places.

Bobby has some good stories from his musical travels, but we only have room for two.  He recalls a gig at age 19, playing with Sherman Robertson in Memphis when after a set, legendary blues man, Albert King, said to him, “You play good rhythm, son.”  Humble and grateful for the compliment, Bobby says, “I could have quit right there.  That...coming from him.  That was good.”  Many years later, at a casino in Mississippi, he and the band had just finished “playing a very bad version” of a ZZ Top song when Bobby realized Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top was sitting at the bar.  According to Bobby, they spoke, and Gibbons asked Bobby to show him that last lick he had just played on the guitar, so he did.  Bobby jokes, “Again, I could have quit right there.”

Before his music career ever began, Bobby has been collecting old bottles.  He’s been doing this since he was ten, and got started because his late mother, Barbara Talley, who Bobby described as “very artistic in painting and sculpture,” would collect old bottles to cascade melted wax over, a popular trend of the 1970’s.  “Mom would take me to look for old bottles around old farmhouses, old towns, railroad tracks,” he shares.  Bobby loves the historical nature of old bottles and the stories they tell through their design, condition, and wording on the glass.  Today, he still enjoys looking for them and wondering what’s hidden in the ground to find.  He describes his collection of “3 to 4 hundred good ones” as a history lesson.  Bobby loves looking for them, and has taken his probe and shovel with him on the road when playing gigs out of state.  He says enthusiastically, “I even dug in Pennsylvania!”  His collection is impressive and occasionally he will sell one to a fellow collector.  One of his bottles dates back to 1790.

Bobby’s latest interest is growing in popularity, as he makes beautiful custom-designed cypress furniture.  Give him a 100-year-old sinker log or some boards from an old house or barn and he will turn it into a piece of art.  He mostly makes tables, benches, and cabinets, but has made many other pieces, too. 

Bobby loves cypress wood, and likes to feature the character of each piece in his work.  To him, each piece is different, with their grains, colors, and imperfections.  He doesn’t go to the lumberyard for his wood, either.  The cypress he uses can only be found on a river or in a pile of debris from a forgotten building of yesterday. 

When asked what it is he likes about woodworking, Bobby says, “The process.  Seeing it (the wood) with the mildew on it and falling apart, coming out of the mud, and seeing it come back to life.”

Bobby’s furniture is solid and strong with a style described as “sturdy, artistic-primitive, and Cajun flavored.”  Although all of his pieces have a purpose, he says it’s “more about art and less about functionality.”  As for the designs he’s come up with, he shares, “I let the pieces kind of talk to me.  I look at them long enough to where they give me an idea of what they would best be used for.”

From looking at the quality of his work, it is hard to believe that Bobby has only been doing this for nine years, but he has.  When he began, the only knowledge of woodwork he had came from his Gueydan High School Industrial Arts teacher, Ricky Hollier.  Since then, he has learned much about construction, especially on older authentic Cajun homes, and credits AJ Primeaux and Brad Phillips for this knowledge.

What got Bobby started building furniture has to do with him collecting old boards from New Orleans and aged driftwood from the Lake Arthur area.  Take a pile of fine lumber, add a request from a young lady he was dating who is now his wife, Jessica Meaux Broussard, and you have the beginning of Bobby Broussard, the furniture maker.  She just wanted a plant stand, and he just wanted to impress her. So, he built one, and hasn’t stopped building things yet.  Now, their home is filled with his work, and Jessica, an artistic and creative antique glass bead jeweler, lends a designer’s eye to many of Bobby’s pieces.

The need for a storage shed inspired the artistic structure that now stands tall in the Broussard backyard.  Bobby and Jessica call it “the cabin” or “a glorified storage shed.”  It’s made from, you guessed it, old cypress and is put together in an outdoor Cajun style.  Bobby even laid the brick pillars that it sits on.  It’s certainly unique. Bobby jokingly describes it as his most expensive work yet, saying, “Our insurance agent thinks it’s worth five grand.”

Bobby has incorporated salvaged metal into some of his pieces and is known to repurpose things. In their living room sits the iron base of an old Singer sewing machine topped with a smooth cypress board.  What he loves most is when a customer shares their ideas with him and he has to come up with something he’s never built before.  He enjoys the challenge.

There are differences and similarities in making music and making furniture.  Bobby explains, “A good furniture piece is like a good gig where everybody danced and everybody was happy, and I put my heart in it. In music, you’re only as good as your last performance.  I can always go back and fix a messed up furniture piece.  I can’t fix a bad note.”

Just like Bobby’s musical career has been professionally complemented, so has his furniture. One of his tables was sold to an antique dealer, who then sold it to the set designers for the movie Secretariat.  In the movie, after the dad dies, there is a scene with the housekeeper sitting at a table in the kitchen.  According to Bobby, that table and bench were made and finished by his own hands.  Jessica laughed saying, “We rented that movie just to see one of his pieces.”

One doesn’t have to rent that movie to see his work.  Here in Vermilion Parish, you can see and purchase a variety of his pieces at Thibodeaux’s Town & Country in Abbeville.  His work can also be seen at Good Fella’s in Crowley, and at the Lafayette Antique Market.

Bobby’s talents and skills have been passed down to the next generation.  Bruce is Bobby and Jessica’s seven-year-old son, who loves music and woodworking with his dad.  He even likes bottle collecting.  Bruce plays the keyboard, harmonica, and the guitar, but he was quick to say, “I’m not that good on the guitar...yet.”  The keyword is “yet.”  It’s probably just a matter of time before he’s “good on the guitar,” because he’s very talented on the other two instruments.  It’s understood that for Festival Acadiens, Bruce got on stage and jammed with Lil’ Buck Sinegal.  Bruce spends lots of time with his dad and is known to be pretty creative with scrap pieces of wood, too.  Last time Bobby pulled a log from the river, he let Bruce steer the boat.  That should be a memory to last a lifetime.

There should be no doubt - Bobby Broussard certainly is one interesting man keeping his culture alive through music and woodwork.

 

Bookstore Helps Students

by Robby Dardeau

Let’s say you’re a student trying to better yourself at one of Louisiana Technical College’s many campuses in our area, and your access to cash is slim or non-existent.  You have been awarded a Pell Grant or other form of Grant to cover your school expenses, but the money hasn’t come in yet to pay for your books, and classes will soon begin.  What do you do?

Sean Gayle and his son, James, with Patti’s Book Nook in Gueydan.

Many have found a solution to this problem in the small town of Gueydan.  At Patti’s Book Nook, Sean Gayle and his son, James, have found a way to provide help for students strapped for cash.  First, Gayle, with his vast knowledge of buying and selling new and used books, has found books for half the price students were paying in Lafayette Parish and online.  Secondly, and most importantly, Gayle has taken the risk of purchasing the books and giving them to the students with no money down.  This is done after a promissory note has been signed saying the student will pay for the books once his or her Grant funds come in. Gayle explains, “To my knowledge, we are the only ones allowing students to take books and pay later.  This isn’t layaway, it’s good faith policy.”

Several students, 90 to 100 so far, have taken advantage of this unique offer at Patti’s Book Nook. Most are from the Gulf Coast Area Campus in Abbeville, but since the word has gotten around, Gayle has seen students coming in from New Iberia, Crowley, and even Jennings.

Gayle believes Vermilion Parish could attract large companies to set up shop here if we had a larger and more specifically skilled workforce.  That is one of the reasons he supports the trade school system.  He also just wants to help.  Gayle shares, “I know how badly some of these kids need a hand.”

In a book market filled with large soulless retailers, it is refreshing to know there are some businesses that care about their customers and their community at a grassroots level.  Patti’s Book Nook is one of those businesses.

Patti’s Book Nook is the only bookstore between Lake Charles and Lafayette.  They sell new, used, old, and rare books with personal service you can’t find anywhere else.  A large collection of books by local authors can be found there, too. It’s extensive and many of the books are already signed by the writers, a value e-books do not have.  There is a large gallery of local artwork including original paintings, prints, pottery, photographs and other artwork on consignment.  Duck Capital Computers, run by the Gayles for fourteen years, shares the same roof as the Book Nook, and provides computer repair, networking, and just about anything else your computer could need.  And as all good bookstores should do, they serve Community coffee that has been ground fresh daily and sugar-free cappuccino in their third store under the same roof.

So, spread the word. There’s help in Gueydan when it comes to books.  Patti’s Book Nook, 410 Second Street, Gueydan, La.  (337) 536-6600.  You can check them out on Facebook, too.


Local 4-H Hall of Fame Member      
by Cindy Luquette              

Head, Heart, Hands, Health - these four words cover the bases of one beloved and distinguished organization, known simply as 4-H.  The 4-H organization in Louisiana recently recognized 12 individuals for their service.  James L. Dardeau of Abbeville, known to most as “Jimmy,” was one of those honorees and was inducted into the 4-H Hall of Fame by the LSU AgCenter.


Jimmy Dardeau and Paul Coreil

Dardeau’s first involvement in 4-H was as a youngster in his home parish of Evangeline. He was an active club member attending camps, demonstration contests, achievement days and livestock shows.  His extensive and distinguished career began in 1964 and spanned 29 years.  He served the LSU AgCenter as 4-H agent in Cameron, Natchitoches and Vermilion parishes.  He was County Agent and Parish Chairman in Vermilion Parish and District Agent for the Southwest District.
As 4-H agent, Dardeau organized a club for special needs children, implemented a beef-grazing program and started award trips for junior leaders.  As Parish Chairman, he spearheaded a successful campaign to pass a sales tax to fund a new extension office and barn.  In 1983, he helped established the Vermilion 4-H Foundation to provide financial support to members.  He worked as a hands-on administrator and during his tenure as an administrator Dardeau was a strong advocate of the advisory committee process and encouraged total staff involvement in major 4-H events and activities.

He was a visionary and implemented programs in Vermilion Parish that were later implemented by other 4-H programs throughout Louisiana.  Terril D. Faul, Professor with 4-H Youth Development, shared his appreciation as follows:  “Jimmy Dardeau was an outstanding Extension Agent with the LSU AgCenter, and excelled in all positions he served as a 4-H agent, County Agent, Parish Chair, an Southwest District Agent.  Jimmy was a visionary and developed 4-H and Extension programs on a parish and regional basis that were later developed around the state by other parishes and regions.

He believed in developing 4-H programs that impacted the entire 4-H family and created a positive youth development experience for 4-H members.  He was first in many areas, including developing the present Extension facility in Vermilion, Vermilion Parish 4-H Foundation, Annual Rice Field day, and parish 4-H scholarships.  I enjoyed working with and for Jimmy.  He was a great supervisor, fair, and always willing to help any coworker with their responsibility or any special request.
Jimmy is a true family man, very proud and supportive of his entire family.  His strong faith in God and character was always evident his entire career.  Jimmy is very deserving of being inducted in the Louisiana 4-H Hall of Fame, the highest award presented by the LSU AgCenter.”

Vermilion Parish farmer, David LaCour, adds, “His biggest accomplishment in my book was establishing the Annual Vermilion Parish Rice Field Day.  He had the foresight of the need for such an event on the parish level.  There was an annual field day held in Crowley for years, but it was on a statewide scale.  The one he established for the parish enabled the farmers in Vermilion Parish to see all of the latest technology in one place and learn how it applied to our actual farming situation.  This is very valuable to our farming operations here in Vermilion Parish and it is a legacy that continues to this day.  He has numerous accomplishments, but for me this is the greatest of his accomplishments and one I really appreciate.  Thank you Jimmy.”

Paul D. Coreil, PhD, Vice Chancellor of the LSU AgCenter and Director of Louisiana Cooperative Extension Service said, “Jimmy Dardeau was my immediate supervisor when I was a Fisheries and Wildlife County Agent in Cameron and Calcasieu Parishes in the late 1980’s and early 1990’s.  He was the most dedicated and professionally competent supervisor I ever worked for in terms of Extension Education work and transformational community education and outreach.  He knew how to organize and work with advisory committees and he was very motivational in his management style.  He demanded excellence but always urged us to take vacations with our families at least once a year and time off during the year to enjoy life.  He had a great sense of humor and always told us to keep focused on why we work so hard always remembering it is to keep a strong family life and enjoy what God has provided to all of us.

Jimmy was the first supervisor to offer me an administrative job as parish chair (office director) of Cameron Parish.  When he gave me this trust and responsibility, I felt he was recognizing my potential within Cooperative Extension and within the LSU AgCenter.  From that job experience, I went on to receive my PhD at LSU and Extension Service.  I attribute much of what I have been able to accomplish as an Extension professional to Jimmy Dardeau.

He demanded excellence and accountability and this ethic has continued to be one of the key hallmarks of my current position as Vice Chancellor and Director of LCES.  Jimmy Dardeau had a major positive influence on my personal and professional life and for that, I will always be grateful.  God Bless Jimmy Dardeau!”


Friends of Palmetto Island State Park     
by Robby Dardeau

Who are Friends of Palmetto Island State Park?
Friends of Palmetto Island State Park (FPISP) is a non-profit corporation registered with the state of Louisiana made up of local people who are committed to not only keeping Palmetto Island State Park open, but making it the best park in our state. 



The group began in February of this year with seven founding members – Shannon Neveaux, President; Sherrill Sagrera, Vice President; Jada Babcock, Secretary; Craig “Bud” LeBlanc, Bill Couvillion, and Ron & Marie Hebert.  Today, they have a total of 25 members and are welcoming more.

Their purpose is “... to enhance the use and enjoyment of the Palmetto Island State Park for the people of Vermilion Parish, the State of Louisiana and all its visitors. More specifically, to create greater visibility of community support and in hope that such support, will protect and or mitigate against unnecessary budget reductions that may result in the closing of PISP.  To fulfill this mission, FPISP shall generate and create additional resources, through gifts of time, money or in kind, all in support for and in the best interest of PISP through an unlimited variety of events and activities not inconsistent with the rights of a non-profit organization...but not necessarily limited to the following:  ...enhancement projects, fundraising activities, etc. and in general to help support, enhance and expand upon the attractiveness of the park, its programs, activities and purpose....”

The group’s President, Shannon Neveaux, explains their purpose best, “We operate independently of the Community Foundation of Acadian’s Palmetto Island State Park Fund that so many of you have heard about.  We directly communicate with the Park Manager, and have a defined and cooperative relationship with Office of State Parks.  However, we have never donated or given any money to the state.  We negotiate all purchases and donations through our Board of Directors and the Park, but always with the specific permission of Office of State Parks, to ensure that our activities are in line with the state park system.  So when you become a member, sponsor an event or project or make a donation of your time or resources, you can do so knowing that local people who know and love the park are making the choices in cooperation with the park as to how the money is spent and time and resources are utilized.  We invite members or anyone who enjoys the park to share their input, ideas and suggestions on how we can help make the park better.  I often think of it as ‘the People’s Park.’”

Why should someone become a member of Friends of Palmetto Island State Park?
Neveaux shares, “The future of Palmetto Island State Park depends on people like you.  Now, more than ever community support is a contributing factor in the decisions of a state park remaining open.  So, community support got this park open...community support will have to keep it open.  By becoming a “Friend” you can help us continue to send the message to Baton Rouge that “WE WANT TO KEEP PALMETTO ISLAND STATE PARK OPEN!”

How do I join?
E-mail friendsofpisp@yahoo.com or call (337) 652-2484 and an application for membership will be sent to you.  Membership rates for 2011 are $10 for individuals and $25 for families, but being this year is almost over and membership is renewed on January 1st, if one were to join before December 31, the cost would be $5 for individuals and $15 for families.  Membership fees will increase after January 1, 2012.
Contact them on Facebook or send them a letter at P.O. Box 33, Perry, LA  70575.

What has the group done this year?
 ·  In May, they volunteered to help the small park staff when a large birthday party was held at the park.  They supported the staff by manning the nature center, where an Arts and Crafts project had been provided and were available to guide guests on the nature trails.  
·  They held their first fundraiser on July 24 and sold over 600 pork jambalaya plate lunches and held a homing pigeon race.
·  They meet monthly at the Park.  Join them if you can.  They are currently looking for members to take an active role in their organization through committee work.
·  In mid September they will be offering FPISP T-shirts for sale and will have some available for the Stir the Pot event.
·  As they look to the future, they see so much potential for the park.  Just some of their considerations are:  making more trails and helping to create primitive camping areas for scouting troops and other groups, make an outdoor educational playground, enhance the nature center, planning events for people to enjoy at the park, helping the park enhance their programs (like their Mardi Gras Fishing tournament) and the list goes on.
·  They do have sponsorship/donation opportunities available which will help them manifest the park’s and the community’s “wish list” of projects and events.  The next meeting is September 13, 6:30pm at the meeting room in the park.
·  They are currently supporting the 2nd annual “Stir the Pot” cook off fundraiser by organizing and recruiting volunteers for the event.   So, if you are interested in eating some good Louisiana seafood and listening to some good music while you support Palmetto Island State Park then go to www.stirthepotccokoff.com <http://www.stirthepotccokoff.com/> and download the volunteer form or call (337) 652-2484.  

An Affair of Art and the Heart   
by Cindy Luquette               
        
A true artist can look at a blank canvas, hunk of clay or large piece of wood and see the piece of art that resides within.  Vermilion Parish native, Mike Stansbury, and his wife, Andrée, have spent the past 55 years utilizing their artistic talents in photography, painting, sculpting, carving and wood burning, and that’s just naming a few of the mediums they have worked with and developed.


Mike and Andrée Stansbury

Mike Stansbury was born in Abbeville in 1930.  He attended Abbeville High School where he was a member of the football team, and like many young men growing up in Vermilion Parish he enjoyed hunting.  His artistic interests first began as he walked through the wooded areas of our parish in search of his prey.  “My interest in art began early on as I hunted in the woods.  I was intrigued by driftwood and the development of wood in growing trees.  My interest in carving wood began at that time and I enjoyed discovering the various types of wood, the various wood grains and colors.  I taught myself how to carve and had some degrees of success with it.  Also, during that same time period I began going to junkyards picking out interesting pieces of metal to be used in metal sculptures.  I tried a little painting and sketching, but the two mediums I enjoyed the most were working with wood, especially oak burls.  These are large growths found on trees.  Burls have interesting grains and colors and do not split or crack as easily as other types of wood.”

Andrée Stansbury was a New Orleans native.  She attended an all-girls school where she received an international award for an ink sketch.  She attended Newcomb College, where she studied under Jules Struppeck and was inspired by the creativity of contemporary sculptural forms.  Her family moved to Opelousas and during a visit to Lafayette she met the man who would become her artist partner and husband.  Together they have collaborated on over 100 pieces of art spanning 55 years.
Mike and Andrée were married in 1956 and following their marriage Mike decided to pursue formal art training.  “Andrée was signing up for classes at what was then S.L.I. and I decided to take classes with her.  We took classes in painting and other mediums but we enjoyed the sculpting classes the most,” recalled Stansbury.  He actually holds three degrees, one in 1954 from S.L.I. the College of Commerce, 1956 S.L.I. the College of Liberal Arts, and in 1960 he had taken enough art classes to earn a Bachelor of Science in Art.

They spent the next 55 years creating art, using items they found in nature and their environment.  The Stansburys did not create art for sale.  They created art to adorn their home and share with family and friends.

Mike and Andrée have traveled the world over and in their travels they found new insights and inspiration.  Their scuba diving experiences have served to provide them with a never-ending source of inspiration.  They became interested in photography and purchased Nikon cameras on a visit to Tokyo, Japan.  Once they returned home they joined a local camera club and this lead to the couple being introduced to international competitions through the Photographic Society of America.  Their work was featured in hundreds of international exhibitions and they won numerous first-place and best-of-show awards.

Many of their award winning photographs were taken in the marsh areas of Vermilion Parish and coastal Louisiana.  “We spent ten years photographing nature and 50 percent of those photographs were taken in Vermilion Parish.  The rest were taken along the coast from Grand Isle to Texas.  Our number one choice were birds and we spent countless hours in the marsh taking photographs of the birds in their natural habitat,” Stansbury explained.

Rarely in their 55-year history of creating art did the couple exhibit their sculpture, but on Saturday, August 13, an exhibition opened at the Acadiana Center For The Arts in Lafayette.  The exhibit entitled “ArtAffair - Mike and Andree Stansbury a 55 Year Retrospective” began with a private showing by invitation only.  There were 150 to 200 people in attendance, many of these were friends of Mike some of whom were boyhood friends from Abbeville.  Others in attendance were family of friends of the couple.  The show opened to the public from 6 to 8 p.m.  The art center staff estimates the total attendance ranged from 1400 to 1600 people.
There were various pieces of art that attracted attention.  Two of the pieces that were very interesting were entitled “Birds on a Tree” and “Flame.”  “Flame” was created in 1995 and is made of walnut burl and nutria teeth.  Yes, you read it right - nutria teeth.  “Nutria teeth are interesting looking material and have interesting shapes and color.  We have used them to make jewelry and abstract work,” Mike explained.

The other piece is “Birds on a Tree.”  It is exquisite with two birds perched on a tree made of driftwood.  The birds are life-like and so detailed and delicate with their feathers so meticulously carved.  They look natural.  Mike reports Andrée worked on this piece alone and spent 705 hours working on the piece.
“There is no greater joy than expressing ourselves through the creation of original sculpture.  From concept to completion our forms remain flexible to change as our materials offer surprises and challenges.  Carving in wood, you never know how deep a rotten part might go, but as you strip the bark away and remove the defects, the piece reveals itself.  We get a lot of help from nature, but we help it get where it wants to go,” Mike said.

ArtAffair will remain on exhibit at the Acadian Center For The Arts until October 8th, 2011.  The artists will be present on two more occasions to meet with the public as they view the exhibit.  The first is on the second Saturday in September 10, 2011 and on the second Saturday in October and the day the exhibit closes, October 8, 2011.

Mike and Andrée invite you to view the art they have spent 55 years creating.  “With ArtAffair, we want to demonstrate that you don’t have to choose between pursuing art and pursing a life full of career, travel and deep experiences.  We want to empower people interested in art to go for it, as we have, and to show that anything is possible in a creative partnership like ours,” Mike concluded.

Faces In The Window    
By Lisa Stewart
        
We Cajuns are such lucky people to live and work in our small towns, cities and communities.  Growing up we used to say that we knew everyone in our town.  Well, that was long ago.  Many people have come and gone, especially since the storms, so we have new neighbors that we did not grow up with. 



I tell my kids, “I went to school with them,” when asked who so and so was that I was chatting with at the store.  It is just easier to say that than trying to explain to him who someone is that he won’t know even after the twenty-minute explanation!  Micah tells me I know everyone, I tell him different.  I just never meet a stranger!  I try to always make it a point to smile or speak to the person I run into.  Why not churn up a conversation with someone?  You never know what they will have to say.  “Smiling to a stranger is like wearing tight underwear,” I always say, “It makes your cheeks go up!”  I love chatting up the maid service in a hotel, the people greeters at doorways, and the faces in the window.  Like Mr. Sorbet says, “If you know seven people...” And when I decided to investigate those faces in the window, I had a nice surprise.  I will admit that 99% of the time I am glad I said “Hello, how are you,” but there is that 1% that are not happy to say “Hello,” and I just finish with a quick, “Have a nice day” and go on my way.  Yes, I have been known to tell someone to smile, or ask them why are they not smiling.  I’ll ask, “Did someone take your boudin?”  I tell people to smile, it makes others wonder what you’re up to!

So hence I go forth with the idea of getting to know these faces in the window that I see almost on a weekly basis.  I started out on an adventure and it was most enjoyable.  The first smiling face I came across was Trisha Stelly at the Meaux Sneaux Shak.  There she was in the window, all smiles shining brightly, in her lime green t-shirt, greeting me as though I was her best friend.  “Such a nice person,” I thought to myself and asked her about her business.  She told me that she originally had Sylvester’s in Abbeville that served snowballs and such, sold that business, and then opened up this new place so her family members, the nieces and nephews, would have a place to work.  She works evenings to close the store while the others work the day shifts.  We were pleased with our order and told her so, as I prepared to drive off she smiled and said, “Come back soon,” and I did!  Trisha reminded me of a quote I once heard, “If you’re not using your smile, you’re like a man with a million dollars in the bank, and no checkbook!” 

Another time I drove up at Capitol One Bank in Abbeville to find Sarah Frierson smiling through the window at me.  She has such a welcoming smile.  I’ve known her “as is” for a few years now, but this day I decided to ask her about her family.  I knew she had children but didn’t know how many.  Come to find out, Sarah has three children with her husband, Kody.  They live here in Abbeville where she is from. Her parents are Billy & Willey Nelms, and when I asked her why she smiles so easily, she quickly replied, “Oh I love people!  It’s easy to smile at folks.”  Now here is my surprise, Sarah has a brother named John, who is a mailman in Kaplan, and has a dog named Socks who was the subject of my very first article with Bonnes Nouvelles seven years ago.  Small world, huh?  I can hear Mr. Sorbet saying, “If you know 7 people!”  Sarah reminds me of a quote, “The shortest distance between two people is a smile.”

Drive thru at Sonic in Abbeville any early morning and you will be greeted by the friendliest smile you will come across all day.  The lady behind that smile is Christine Mouton Vidalier.  She is married to Rethman Vidalier from Kaplan and they have two children, Lucas 13 and Lindsey 12.  They also have Rethman’s daughter, Amie, who is 20.  Christine has been working at Sonic for three years and says how much she loves her job.  She told me she smiles as she does because if she smiles at her customers, she gets a smile back and they will have a better day for it.  How gratuitous is that?  The quote, “A friendly look, a kindly smile, one good act, and life’s worthwhile” comes to mind when I think of Christine.

Another face in the window is Sherlyn Bergeron Colomb.  She will meet and greet you eagerly with the most beautiful and tender smile you will ever come across.  She works as the receptionist at Gulf Regional Occ Med in Abbeville, and lives in Erath with her husband, Karl, and their two children, Kevin and Kelsey.  She has been working for five years in her position.  I asked her why is it she continues to smile.  Her reply was simple, “I enjoy my job, I like working with the public.” “Why not smile,” she says, “it’s better than crying!”  The statement reminded me of the quote “Today, give a stranger one of your smiles; it might be the only sunshine he will see all day.”

So next time you see the face in the window, share a smile with them, and thank them for making your day, an unknown author once said, “Smiling is infectious, you can catch it like the flu, someone smiled at me today and I started smiling too!” Personally my favorite all time smiles quote comes from Dr. Seuss who once stated, “Don’t cry because it’s over...smile because it happened.”

Project First Day
by Cindy Luquette              

The people of south Louisiana are no strangers to what remains when Mother Nature’s fury is unleashed.  Perhaps having weathered many hurricanes and floods has enabled its residents to have a great deal of empathy for those who suffer her wrath.

A few months ago the residents of Joplin, Missouri had only a few moments notice before a huge tornado descended upon their city.  Many lives were lost, 5,000 buildings were destroyed, including the high school and thousands of jobs were impacted.  Naturally, the Red Cross and other relief organizations went in to offer aid.  The relief efforts focused on providing food and water and temporary shelter.  Residents made an effort to salvage whatever they could, but many found nothing but a vacant lot, where only minutes before they homes had stood.


The Cajun Sewing Friends of Vermilion Parish made dresses for children in Joplin, MO.  From left:  Norma Mayard, Catherine “Catsy” Broussard, Juliette Langlinais, Mary Lynn Saunier, Sandra Aucoin, and Yvonne Campbell. Photos taken by Cindy Luquette

Fast-forward to a couple of months later, June 2011.  What happens once the national news media turns the spot light away from a disaster?  What happens after the relief organizations offer all of the assistance they can provide?  Residents of south Louisiana know how difficult it is to pick up the pieces and start all over rebuilding homes, businesses, schools, churches and lives.

One woman in Kansas, a state that has seen its fair share of tornadoes, asked one simple question - What about the children?  She stopped and thought about how this tragedy impacted the lives of children and decided to do something that would bring a smile to their faces.

Susan Stewart thought about the children and how the first day of a new school year was rapidly approaching.  Thoughts of her childhood lead to an idea to ask ladies who sew to make dresses and tops for little girls in Joplin.  “I always had a new dress for my first day of school.  My father always took a picture of me in my new dress,” she reported.  These memories prompted her to develop Project First Day.  She asked women she shares a sewing newsletter with to join her in making new dresses or tops for girls in Joplin from preschool sizes to size 10 or 12.  She also asked the ladies to remember the plus size girls, too.

Her newsletter also included the following request:  “This is an important part of Project First Day.  Please include with each outfit a simple, personalized note written to the child who will receive it.  Something like – ‘To a very special girl/young lady.  I thought of you and prayed for you as I made this outfit for you to wear on the first day of school.  I hope you have a very good school year.  Love, Susan in Kansas.’  You can of course, write whatever you like, but I really want to have the notes included with each outfit so that a sense of ‘you are a special child’ is communicated to the kids.”

Vermilion Parish resident, Mary Lynn Saunier, is a recipient of Stewart’s newsletter and she is also a member of Cajun Sewing Friends.  Cajun Sewing Friends is an offspring of a group that formed in August of 2007.  Catherine “Catsy” Broussard explained the history of the group.  “In August of 2007 we had the idea of getting a group of ladies together who like to sew.  We knew the ‘art of sewing’ is decreasing and we wanted to keep up the art.  We called our group Sharing Sewing Secrets.  We met once a month on Saturdays.  Hurricane Ike flooded many of our homes and we had to stop to repair our homes.”

In 2009 the women decided to begin meeting again and meet together on a monthly basis.  The group consisting of six members, Mary Lynn Saunier, Sandra Aucoin, Catherine “Catsy” Broussard, Norma Mayard, Juliette Langlinais and Yvonne Campbell, took on a new name, Cajun Sewing Friends, and a new format.
“We began meeting once a month in each other’s homes from Thursday to Sunday and began calling it our sewing retreat,” Broussard explained.  “Our husbands also attend our retreats and they often prepare the meals,” explained Langlinais.

The idea for the First Day Project was introduced to the group in June of 2011 and they immediately thought the project was a great idea and agreed to use their sewing talents to contribute garments for the children.  Two area merchants heard about the project from the members of the Cajun Sewing Club and contributed bolts of fabric towards the cause.  Members of the group contributed items they had in their sewing closets.  After many hours of work, the Cajun Sewing Friends had 50 garments to contribute to the First Day Project.

The first day of school for Joplin, Missouri students is August 17th.  Stewart requested the garments be shipped to her by August 1st to allow her time to distribute the garments to the children in Joplin before the opening of the new school year.
Several members of the Cajun Sewing Friends had planned to attend Martha Pullen School of Fashion in Huntsville, Alabama near the end of July.  Susan Stewart was also attending the school, so they hand delivered 50 garments to her while they were in Huntsville.  The school staff took the opportunity to display the garments on a wall for the week.

Just think.  One lady who loved to sew and had fond memories of having a new dress on the first day of school, lead to six women in Vermilion Parish who loved to sew and also had fond memories of new dresses often made by their own mothers for the first day of school, joined together with other women from all over the nation to sew dresses, tops, skirts, tops and shirts for little girls and boys in a town hundreds or more miles away.  They attached hand written, heart felt notes offering encouragement, love and prayers for children they have never met.  Imagine the look on the faces of the children and their parents when they received the garments and the notes.  Imagine the people of Joplin, Missouri discovering they are not forgotten, even though months have passed since their tragedy and the national spotlight is gone.

Sewing may be a lost art or decreasing in popularity, but it still is one of the most intimate and best ways to express something that money cannot buy and the electronic age cannot duplicate - Two human hands and One human heart expressing - LOVE!

A Labor of Love
by Cindy Luquette              

What do you get when you combine three friends, (Janice Hulin, Reenie Esteb & Fran Nunez), some clay, a rolling pen, laughter and creativity?  Give up?  The answer is Trois Amis Pottery.

Janice Hulin began her love affair with working in clay over five years ago.  After working with clay for several years she learned the process from start to finish and decided to pass on her knowledge by offering classes, mainly during the fall of the year.  About a year ago, Reenie Esteb, a stay at home mom with a Bachelor of Arts degree from Louisiana State University, began taking classes with Hulin.  She then told Fran Nunez, a recently retired Vermilion Parish School teacher, about the class.  Nunez decided it sounded like fun and a good way to utilize some of her spare time.


Members of Trois Amis Pottery - from left:  Reenie Esteb, Janice Hulin, and Fran Nunez. Photo Taken by Cindy Luquette

The three women quickly became friends and the classes became more than “just a class.”  “We have a great time together, laughing and talking.  Working with clay is therapeutic and we often say the time we spend together is like a therapy session because we can talk about whatever is bothering us.  We also say, ‘What’s said in pottery, stays in pottery,’” Hulin said with a smile.  “We meet together on Tuesdays and Thursdays for two or three hours.  Sometimes we have breakfast first and then we start working on our pieces,” she explained.

Fashioning a piece of pottery out of clay is a lengthy process.  The clay comes in a block, which is sliced with a tool consisting of a thin wire with handles on each end.  The slice of clay is run through a machine called a slab roller.  This process serves to flatten the clay and stretch it.  After the slab roller does its work, the piece of clay is transferred to the worktable where the artist then takes a rolling pen to the piece of clay.  Hulin explained, “The type of piece we are making determines how thin, long and wide the clay must become.  Next the clay is worked with a tool called a rib.  This tool is used to make certain all of the air bubbles are removed.  Once the clay is the depth and size desired, the artist then fashions the vessel they have in mind.

When the clay is shaped into the desired form, it has to sit and dry.  The next week the piece is cleaned using a tool with a metal blade to scrape odd excess clay and smooth out the edges.  The piece is then dunked into a bucket filled with a glaze.  The glaze helps to coat the pieces and determines the color or colors of the piece.  Next the item is bisque fired in a kiln for 24 hours.

“We spend two or three hours twice a week creating our pottery pieces.  It takes about three weeks to complete the process which produces one piece of pottery,” Hulin said.

“Sometimes we make a free form piece and other times we use something to serve as the mold.  It all depends on where our creative thoughts take us,” Esteb explained.

“My mother, Anna Hebert, searches yard sales looking for old pieces and interesting or unusual pieces we can use.  She has a good eye and always finds something special we can use,” Hulin said.  Old pieces of lace and tatting contributed by Hulin’s Aunt Rena as well as an old alligator skin have been used by the women to make unique designs on their pottery.  “Many of our pieces have alligator, crawfish, shrimp or fleur de lis designs which give our pottery a Cajun twist,” Nunez explained.

Janice Hulin’s son, Gavin, Esteb’s daughter, Izzy, and Nunez’s daughter, Mya Joy, have inherited their mother’s love for working with clay.  Each one of them are utilizing their creativity and designing one of kind pieces of their own.

The trio recently decided to sell some of their pottery to the general public.  Hulin, Esteb, and Nunez explained, “It takes a few months for us to make enough pieces to sell.  We currently have pieces for sale at Thibodeaux Town & Country in Abbeville.  Making pottery is our hobby.  We do it for enjoyment, to relax.  Although we are selling some of our pieces, we do not wish for this to turn into a ‘job.’  None of us want it to become something that is stressful.  We want it to continue to be a ‘labor of love.’”

She’s A Powder Keg
by Lisa Stewart

Bob Hope once said, “If you haven’t any charity in your heart, you have the worst kind of heart trouble!”  Those words ring true for me as well as my friend, Angela Adam Sistrunk.  She is the daughter of a very good friend of mine whom I respect dearly.  Having grown into a beautiful adult, I see her mother’s qualities shine in her so much so that I had to ask her “Why do you do all of this for others?”  Her reply was as quick as her wit, “Why not?”

Angela was born to Paulette and Craig Adam in October of 1978.  Now to some of us that is very young, but I guarantee you she has an old soul.  She graduated from Kaplan High School as an active member of 4-H, the dance team and band.  Angela married Anthony Sistrunk, son of Cecil and Sharon Sistrunk of Kaplan, and they have two children, Nathan and Molly Claire.   Angie, as we affectionately call her, is the office manager of the Acadiana Women’s Health Group in Crowley and her children attend Redemptorist Catholic School there as well.


Paulette Adam hugging her daughter, Angela Adam Sistrunk, after the Avon Breast Cancer Walk for a Cure Marathon in Houston, Texas. Photo taken by Lisa Stewart

Back in 2005, September 24th, the day Hurricane Rita hit Vermilion Parish, Angie’s mom, Paulette, was due to have a lumpectomy to remove the tumor she was diagnosed with as breast cancer.  Angie remembers the day well, she said, “Mom and Dad came into our house and handed me the positive results of the test.”  Angie’s response to this was, “Okay, we’ll take care of this,” and immediately started making phone calls.  An unsuccessful result was not a choice for either Paulette or Angie.  So, Angie jumped on that bandwagon of support and continues to drive it to this day. 

Although Paulette was teaching in Kaplan at the time, she never missed a day of work due to her chemotherapy.  Angie made sure a nurse showed up at the house to give specified injections on certain days and prepared meals, cleaned house, did laundry and whatever else it takes to make a house run smoothly.  This was done above and beyond her own duties as a mom, wife, sister, daughter-in-law and friend. “Life goes on,” she told me,  “and you just do what you got to do to get it done!”  Her positive attitude is magnified by her love of God and belief in service.  Angie explains, “I’ve always been a giving person; I learned that from mom.  God has blessed me with a wonderful husband and friend, two fantastic children and great parents.  I am blessed!  I get great joy in giving, and since I am blessed that I can give, it’s what I do!”

After her mom was diagnosed with breast cancer, Angie got busy raising money and awareness of this disease so that others would not have to go through what her mother did.  She formed teams for the Susan B Komen Walk for Life in Acadia and   Vermilion Parishes, she and her husband organized a volleyball tournament to raise money for the Kaplan Food Bank, she has worked with the Acadiana Games for the Miles Perret Center in Lafayette, she joined and walked the Camille Crossing Walkathon, and most recently walked the Avon Breast Cancer Walk For a Cure Marathon in Houston, Texas, paving 40 miles in two days. 

I joined Angie and her mom that weekend in Houston.  Angela raised $1800 for the walk.  That Saturday we anxiously awaited her arrival at the end of the first half-day walk, but she was nowhere to be found.  To our surprise, Angela decided to continue walking and put in 26 miles on the first day.  She walked a complete marathon in one day in April, with no distress.  Well, nurse nanny here was ready to take care of her when she returned to the hotel.  Blisters, sore muscles, sunburn, and other ailments I prepared myself for, and when we eventually saw her come in, she was smiling and walking faster than me needing no medical attention at all.  We shopped that evening and enjoyed a nice dinner before heading to bed.  The next morning I awoke to no Angie in the room!  I asked Paulette as to her whereabouts and she handed me a note that said, “I am going back to walk the last half again!”  She had left the room at 5 in the morning to join her friends and others who walked for a cure.  It was amazing to me what she accomplished in two days.

On our way home I spoke to Angie about her thoughts on raising money for a cancer cure and her enthusiasm for helping others.  She is driven with charity and service and tells me she receives such great joy in giving.  She is adamant about teaching her children the same ways.  Nathan is in 4-H showing cattle, and Molly is a Daisy Scout, learning already the rewards of giving.  Angela was the first to join me in sewing for my NICU babies in Breaux Bridge; she joined me crocheting baby hats for newborns, and then got me on board to help with her school’s bazaar making fun picture frames and other odds and ends.  This woman is filled with energy and according to her mom, she’s a “Powder Keg” when it comes to getting a task done.  She is presently selling t -shirts to raise money for her cancer walk again in Houston next year.  She and Anthony recently organized a softball tournament with friends to raise more money and Paulette fondly remembers how she sold so many candles in the early days to raise money for other cancer walks.  At the same time she is sewing pillowcase dresses for “Dress a girl around the world” where missionaries bring pretty dresses to little girls who don’t have any.

100% recovery was the only option for Angela when it came to her mother’s battle against breast cancer and she will accept nothing else.  This year marked Paulette’s sixth year cancer free.  Angie works feverishly to raise money for research and does not tire in working, volunteering and giving of herself for others.  It is in her heart to teach her children to give from themselves and learn the joy of giving through service.  She told me that at Christmas time her kids get only three gifts just like Jesus did.  They also foster a family from the Miles Perret Center and make sure they have a good spirit-filled Christmas as well.
I asked Paulette to sum up her daughter, and this was her reply, “Angela has a positive outlook and is such a blessing to everyone who knows her, nothing is candy coated with her, she takes the bull by the horn and she will give you the shirt off her back, she is two feet ahead of making it happen and she’s going to save the world.”

Cooyon!           

by Robby Dardeau

Published in Bonnes Nouvelles of Vermilion Parish, July 2011

 

 

I’ve seen his YouTube video with the remote controlled rat.  It’s funny.  He catches people off guard and scares the graton out of them when his electronic rodent comes out from nowhere.  So, while I visit with Cooyon Duhon, I’m ready, and I’ve got an eye out for his rat.

Cooyon Duhon is the creation of Kaplan’s own Keith Duhon.  “Cooyon Duhon,” as Keith describes him, “is a clean, lighthearted, crazy, happy-go-lucky, Cajun guy.”  For those of you who don’t know what he looks like, Cooyon’s got a straw hat, cover-alls, missing teeth, eyeglasses thicker than a Coke bottle made in 1977, and talks like he slept through every class in school.  He won’t be winning a beauty contest any time soon, but there’s something about that ugly face of his that can make you smile.

This Cooyon madness all started because Keith designs t-shirts and sells them online at his website, cafepress.com/justthelook.  Keith’s brother, Craig “Popeye” Duhon, was the one who talked him into putting Cooyon online to draw more attention to his site, without paying the high cost of internet ads.  Since then, Cooyon has gotten some attention and Keith has sold some shirts, only now he’s selling more Cooyon shirts than any other.

Cooyon’s debut on the Internet began with him singing famous songs but with lyrics from Duhon’s own imagination.  So far, some of the songs he’s torn up are:  “Friends in Low Places,”  “Staying Alive,” “Beat It,” “I Will Survive,” and several others.  The most viewed online is “I Can’t Survive.”  It went viral around the time DJ’s, Walton & Johnson, described it as “the video that won’t go away.”  It’s Duhon’s message to President Obama all wrapped up to the tune of Gloria Gaynor’s “I Will Survive.”

Keith isn’t limited to just songs.  He writes, directs, acts, produces, and edits his own comedy skits and music videos.  The filming is done with a digital camera that costs somewhere around a hundred bucks, and Keith is learning film technique as he goes.  Check out “Cooyon Duhon Versus The Cajun Predator.”  It probably won’t win an Oscar, but it is remarkable.  Keith says he came up with the idea for Cajun Predator while driving home from his seven-day hitch offshore.  That’s right, Keith has been working offshore for twenty years, and is now a lead operator for Apache Corporation.  Who knew there was so much artistic creativity in the oil industry?  Take away his hat, blacked-out teeth, and goofy glasses, and Keith looks like someone who would really enjoy being in a fistfight, so thank God he prefers making us laugh.

Many already know that Keith is a talented artist.  He creates logos and illustrations, and he’s had his cartoons printed in national publications like The Globe, National Enquirer, Sun, Woman’s World, National Examiner, and more.  He’s been doing “Bou & Thib” for this publication for many years now, too.  Keith is self-taught when it comes to drawing, having no formal instructions, and is currently doing artwork for a greeting card company.  Regarding his drawing ability, Keith says the late Earl Comeaux influenced him.  The two of them got together on the book, “You Know You’re In Cajun Country If...”  It was published in 1998 with Comeaux responsible for the text and Duhon doing all artwork.

Whether it’s drawing cartoons or playing a character, Keith enjoys making people laugh.  “It makes me feel good to know I’ve made people laugh.  Laura likes to laugh, that’s why we’ve been together so long,” Keith shares.  Keith and Laura have been married for 33 years, and one would think that by now she would be immune to his humor, but she’s not.  Keith can still crack her up.  Laura was quick to share that this Cooyon Duhon character isn’t something that was just invented.  Instead, it’s something Keith’s family has been living with for a long time.  Cooyon is just new to the Internet world, but his antics, sayings, and silliness have been alive since Keith was a young boy growing up in Abbeville.  Keith and Laura have three grown children and six grandchildren (two of them call him “Pawpaw Cooyon”).  Laura is the owner and stylist of Just the Look in Kaplan.  The two also own Cajun Storks and More, a yard sign rental company that helps announce the arrival of a new baby in the family, a party, and other fun events.  Keith handles the creative side of this, too.

His uncle, Jimmy Duhon, was the one to first call him Cooyon.  Keith admits, “I was always doing something...something to make them laugh.”  As a kid, Keith took some cardboard and tried to fly off the roof of his home.  He didn’t succeed, but he got some laughs.  Keith and cardboard...He’s got another story that involves a bicycle, some cardboard, and his dad getting really mad, but he’ll share that one some time in the future.  According to Keith, one word his childhood friends and family would describe him as was “crazy.”

Practical jokes and school seldom mix and Keith was a clown.  Keith attended Abbeville High School and was always the kidder.  He remembers once walking back in from P.E. class in front of his two coaches who had their hands full carrying softball bats.  Keith, wanting to scare them, turned around, looked past them, faked a flinch, put his hands over his head, and ducked.  This startled the two so much that they dropped the bats and covered their heads, too.  As Keith remembers it, everyone got a big laugh, except for one of the coaches who called Keith some pretty bad words.  Maybe somebody from the class of 1978 will remember that and get a laugh all over again.

After high school, Keith was in the Louisiana National Guard from 1978 to 1984.  We’re uncertain whether his silliness was appreciated there or not.

Cooyon on YouTube isn’t the first time Keith goes public with a humorous performance.  In 1983, at 52nd Street in Lafayette, Keith gave his first try at stand-up comedy and won the crowd over. 

Keith’s wife, Laura, fighting back laughter says, “All the material he’s used, he’s used all of our lives.  We live with that.”  Many are familiar with the little backward skip Cooyon does in some of his videos.  Well, according to Laura, Keith and his brothers were known to line up on the dance floor of the Star Mist Lounge in Abbeville over thirty years ago and perform that same backward skip for all to enjoy.

Some of Cooyon’s videos end with a conversation between him and an old Cajun lady.  Well, if you didn’t know, that’s no lady.  Keith can do some voices.  Trust me, I have fallen for too many of them when I contact him by phone.  The old Cajun lady voice is supposed to be Cooyon’s mama, and always concludes by telling Cooyon, “Oh, you so stupid, you.”  Keith didn’t just pull that idea from the sky.  The voice, tone, and that well-known line were taken from his own late grandma. 

There are those who think it is wrong to make Cajuns look dumb and play up the “Cooyon” stereotype.  To that idea, Keith says, “Cajun people are known for their humor and are the only group of people I’ve seen that can actually laugh at themselves.”  Keith loves people, especially Cajun people.  With a grin across his face he shares, “You know, my dad was like Troy Landry from Swamp People.”

All the publicity with Cooyon has been an experience for Keith.  “We go into a parking lot and people holler ‘Cooyon’ – people I don’t even know.”  For the Chic-a-la-pie Parade last Mardi Gras in Kaplan, they needed a police escort where there were no barricades because so many people were stopping the float to get a picture with Cooyon.  “People were jumping in front of the float,” Keith says.

Keith’s parade experience was enlightening.  He shares, “I realized how much children were watching me.”  He saw how excited several kids were when he took the time and gave them just a little attention.  It made him remember what it was like when he was a kid watching the Cattle Festival Parade in Abbeville and Polycarp (a fictional character played by John Plauche who hosted a local children’s show on KATC from the mid-60’s to the 70’s) was in it.  Keith describes Polycarp’s celebrity and fame saying, “He was like Michael Jackson to us.”  He continues, “So, if we were at a parade and I knew he was there, then that’s all I cared to see, and if he waved at me it was like I couldn’t believe it.  ‘Polycarp was looking at me!’  I didn’t care for Santa Claus, but Polycarp was it!”  Recalling this made Keith realize that he’s got a big responsibility being kids are watching him.  That realization has purposed Keith to keep the Cooyon act clean.

Of all his videos, Keith’s favorites are “I Can’t Survive,” “Cajun Predator,” and “Prayer in School.”  My own personal favorites are each and every commercial he did for Larry’s Super Foods in Kaplan.  To be fair, I must warn you.  If you are a really sophisticated person, and don’t laugh much to begin with, then Cooyon Duhon may not be for you.  Also, if you’re ever at a crawfish boil with Cooyon and there is only one crawfish left, it would be wise to just let him have it.  His latest video on YouTube explains it all.

At the end of my visit with Keith and Laura, I was starting to relax because at no time did a remote controlled rat roll out and scare me like I was anticipating.  Then all of a sudden, Keith points behind me and shouts, “Rat!” 

Thanks, Cooyon.  It’s been a while since I jumped that high. 

For more pictures, read our online publication here.