Louisiana Anthology Podcast

698. Kerr and I interview Bruce Craft at the Punjabi Dhaba

Restaurant about his article about it in the new book, Get It while It's Hot.

Located off Interstate 12 inside a truck stop in Hammond, Louisiana,

Punjabi Dhaba is a renowned roadside eatery serving authentic,

home-style North Indian cuisine to truckers, locals, and travelers

alike. Celebrating classic Punjabi culinary traditions, the restaurant

offers robust, flavorful dishes like butter chicken, garlic naan, and

spicy curries, making it a beloved hidden gem of Southern highway

dining.

Get It While It’s Hot brings together scholars, food

writers, influencers, and even a CEO to discuss the phenomenon of eating

by the side of the road. This innovative collection examines an

increasingly commonplace belief across the U.S. South—that some of the

best, most enjoyable food comes from places you would not expect: a gas

station, the back of a pickup truck, or a ramshackle building made of

plywood. Bruce A. Craft

is an instructor of English at Southeastern Louisiana University in

Hammond. His research and writing focus on Southern literature, cultural

geography, and the intersections of food, identity, and narrative in

the American South.

Now available: Liberty in Louisiana: A Comedy.

The oldest play about Louisiana, author James Workman wrote it

as a celebration of the Louisiana Purchase. Now it is back in

print for the first time in 222 years. Order your copy today!

This week in the Louisiana Anthology. Another recipe from

Celestine Eustis Cooking in Old Creole Days. Hopping

John.

Take a cupful of cow peas (small black peas) that have been

soaked over night, one onion, parsley and a laurel leaf. Let

them boil in a quart and a pint of water for an hour, or until

soft. Add two cupfuls well washed raw rice. The rice must cook

about fifteen or twenty minutes. Then add a quarter of a pound

of well-fried sausages, a slice of ham and a small piece of

bacon, both cut in small pieces and fried. Put your saucepan

aside to soak, or dry. Cover closely. Be careful it does not

burn at the bottom. If the rice has to be stirred use a fork,

as it turns easily, and still can not be stirred too much, or

it becomes soggy. Those old-fashioned black pots are the best

to use. ' 'Uncle

John,' S. C.

This week in Louisiana history. October 2, 1965. Edwin

Edwards wins his run for 7th District Congressman.

This week in New Orleans history. October 2,

1935: The first Sugar Bowl classic was officially

sanctioned, beginning a long tradition of New Year's Day

college football in the city.

This week in Louisiana.

Curry Farms Pumpkin Patch & Corn Maze

October 2026 (open first weekend of October through the last

Sunday of October)

548 Robinson Dr.

Rayville, LA 71269

Website: pumpkinpatches.com

Phone: (318) 728‑6203

Email: Not listed in search results

Curry Farms is a long‑running, family‑owned Christmas tree

farm that transforms into one of Northeast Louisiana's most

popular pumpkin patches and corn mazes each October. The farm

opens the first weekend of October and runs through the last

Sunday of the month, offering a full day of fall fun for

families, school groups, and visitors from across the region.

Pumpkin Patch: Visitors can pick pumpkins

straight from the patch, with field trips and family visits

throughout October.

Corn Maze: A full walk‑through maze where

guests learn about growing corn and pumpkins before

navigating the paths.

Hayrides: Tractor‑pulled hayrides around

the farm, included with admission.

Farm Attractions: Giant climbing spider

web, bounce pillow, hay slide, tire ponies, hay barn, goat

feeding, swingy‑thingy swing, and more ' a full lineup of

kid‑friendly activities.

Family‑Owned Legacy: Curry Farms has been

in the same family since the mid‑1800s and continues to

operate as a multigenerational farm today.

Postcards from Louisiana. James Andrews at the French

Quarter Fest.

Listen on Apple Podcasts.

Listen on audible.

Listen on Spotify.

Listen on TuneIn.

Listen on iHeartRadio.

The Louisiana Anthology Home Page.

Like us on 

Facebook. 

697. This week we chat with Stephanie Soileau about her debut novel, Should the Waters Take Us. It's

a critically acclaimed 2026 debut novel.

Set in coastal Louisiana, the 336-page book explores Cajun

identity, environmental disaster from an oil spill, and an

approaching hurricane that threatens a fragile bayou community.

You can read more about the book on Penguin Random House. Stephanie Soileau

is a fiction writer originally from Southwest Louisiana whose work

deeply explores place, community, and the environmental and economic

shifts of the Gulf Coast. She is the author of the critically acclaimed short story collection Last One Out Shut Off the Lights (2020) and the novel Should the Waters Take Us (2026), a family saga spanning four centuries from rural France to coastal Louisiana.

Now available: Liberty in Louisiana: A Comedy.

The oldest play about Louisiana, author James Workman wrote it

as a celebration of the Louisiana Purchase. Now it is back in

print for the first time in 222 years. Order your copy today!

This week in the Louisiana Anthology. André Norton. Raleston

Luck.

    To the south lay the old cypress swamps,

dark glens of rotting wood and sprawling vines. A spur of this

unsavory no-man’s land ran close along the road, and looking

into it one could almost believe, fancied Val, in the legends

told by the early French explorers concerning the giant

monsters who were supposed to haunt the swamps and wild lands

at the mouth of the Mississippi. He would not have been

surprised to see a brontosaurus peeking coyly down at him from

twenty feet or so of neck. It was just the sort of place any

self-respecting brontosaurus would have wallowed in.

    But at last they won free from that place

of cold and dank odors. Passing through Chalmette, they struck

the main highway. From then on it was simple enough. St.

Bernard Highway led into St. Claude Avenue and that melted

into North Rampart street, one of the boundaries of the old

French city.

This week in Louisiana history. September 25, 1912. Grabow

Lumber Shootout murder suspect Charles Smith, shot by

Calcasieu Parish Deputy. 

This week in New Orleans history. September

25, 2006: The New Orleans Saints returned to the

Superdome for the first time after Katrina, defeating the

Falcons in a historic "reopening" game.

This week in Louisiana.

Terrance Simien & The Zydeco Experience

October 1, 2026 ' 7:30 p.m.

Acadiana Center for the Arts

101 W. Vermilion St.

Lafayette, LA 70501

Website: acadianacenterforthearts.org

Phone: Not listed in search results

Email: Not listed in search results

Sources: Two‑time Grammy Award winner Terrance Simien brings

his legendary Creole roots band, The Zydeco Experience, to the

Acadiana Center for the Arts for a night celebrating the

living traditions of Creole music. The performance, titled

'The Creole Continuum: Transcending Tradition,' pairs Terrance

with his daughter Marcella Simien, creating an

intergenerational dialogue through accordion, rubboard, and

soulful vocals.

Creole Heritage: The show explores zydeco

as a living cultural lineage ' rhythm, resistance, and

storytelling passed down through generations.

Grammy‑Winning Band: Terrance Simien

& The Zydeco Experience are known for high‑energy

performances that blend tradition with modern roots

influences.

Family Collaboration: Marcella Simien

joins her father onstage, adding a contemporary voice to the

Creole musical bloodline.

Venue: The Acadiana Center for the Arts

provides an intimate, acoustically rich setting in downtown

Lafayette.

Tickets: $45.00 (per AcA event listing).

Postcards from Louisiana. Herlin Riley at Snug Harbor. More

cowbell. 

Listen on Apple Podcasts.

Listen on audible.

Listen on Spotify.

Listen on TuneIn.

Listen on iHeartRadio.

The Louisiana Anthology Home Page.

Like us on Facebook. 

696. How did a 19th-century

merchant rebuild his life after the War of 1812 and use his fortune to

secretly transform the city of New Orleans? We're joined by author Audrey Ades to talk about her picture book biography, Judah Touro Didn’t Want to Be Famous. We

dive into Judah’s quiet legacy of stealth philanthropy, the importance

of bringing unsung Jewish historical figures to young readers, and the

timeless lesson of helping others without needing acclaim. Ades is a children’s book author with a passion for uncovering overlooked historical figures and bringing meaningful, character-driven stories to young readers. Known for her thoughtful approach to themes of community, social justice, and Jewish history, she specializes in translating complex historical legacies into accessible narratives for children.

Now available: Liberty in Louisiana: A Comedy.

The oldest play about Louisiana, author James Workman wrote it

as a celebration of the Louisiana Purchase. Now it is back in

print for the first time in 222 years. Order your copy today!

This week in the Louisiana Anthology. Benjamin Moore Norman.

Norman's New Orleans.

In 1699, eighteen years after La Salle had demonstrated the

connection of the Mississippi with the Gulf of Mexico, by

passing out at its mouth, Iberville succeeded in entering it

from the Gulf. Ascending as far as the junction of Red River,

he returned, and proceeded, by way of the Gulf, into Lake

Pontchartrain. He formed a settlement and erected a fort, at

Biloxi, which he left under the command of his brother

Bienville, while he returned to France, to induce others to

join the colony. Soon after he left, the new commander

ascended the Mississippi as far as the present site of New

Orleans. In returning, he met a British vessel of sixteen

guns, under the command of Capt. Bard, who enquired the

bearings of the great river, intimating that it was his

intention to establish a colony upon its banks. Bienville, in

reply, directed him to go farther west, and thus induced him

to turn about; from which circumstance, the place of their

meeting was called “The English Turn,” a name which it retains

to this day.

This week in Louisiana history. September 18, 1799.

Sebastian Calvo is appointed governor general of

Louisiana. 

This week in New Orleans history. September

18, 1947: A major hurricane struck the city, causing the

Mississippi River to rise to dangerous levels and flooding

parts of the West Bank.

This week in Louisiana.

Alligator Festival

September 25'28, 2026

West Bank Bridge Park, 13825 River Rd.

Luling, LA 70070

Website: lariverparishes.com

The Alligator Festival is a long‑running St. Charles Parish

tradition held each September at West Bank Bridge Park in

Luling. Hosted by the Rotary Club of St. Charles Parish, the

festival raises funds for community projects while offering

four days of food, music, rides, and family fun along the

Mississippi River.

Live Music: A full weekend lineup of

local and regional bands on the main stage.

Food Booths: Classic Louisiana festival

fare ' including fried alligator, alligator sauce piquante,

and other River Parishes specialties.

Rides & Games: A midway with carnival

rides, games, and children's activities.

Arts & Crafts: Dozens of vendors

selling handmade goods, jewelry, d'cor, and local crafts.

Community Mission: Proceeds support

Rotary scholarships, playgrounds, and local service

projects.

Postcards from Louisiana. Tycoon on Decatur St.

Listen on Apple Podcasts.

Listen on audible.

Listen on Spotify.

Listen on TuneIn.

Listen on iHeartRadio.

The Louisiana Anthology Home Page.

Like us on Facebook. 

695. On this episode, we sit down with Lafayette resident Dr. Christi Green

— a scholar of law and ethics and leader with the League of Women

Voters of Louisiana — to break down everything you need to know ahead of

the Fall 2026 elections in Louisiana. Drawing on her deep background in

voting rights advocacy, fair mapping, and civil ethics, Christy shares

her perspective on the key ballot initiatives, high-stakes races, and

shifting election laws impacting Acadiana and the state. Tune in to get

informed, get engaged, and make your voice count!

Now available: Liberty in Louisiana: A Comedy.

The oldest play about Louisiana, author James Workman wrote it

as a celebration of the Louisiana Purchase. Now it is back in

print for the first time in 222 years. Order your copy today!

This week in the Louisiana Anthology. jewel bush

"House Made of History."

   Rideau Settlement is where I evacuated in 2005

along with about 20 other relatives when Hurricane Katrina’s

wrath pushed us and so many others out of New Orleans. I spent

two weeks in this un-GPSable St. Landry Parish village, where

my cell phone didn’t work, where there were no streetlights,

where everyone woke at sunrise, where everyone identified you

by who your parents or grandparents were.

   It had been nearly eight years since I had last

visited my familial land; then due to tragedy — and now due to

tragedy.

   After the funeral services at Immaculate

Conception Catholic Church, founded in 1897 by the Josephite

Fathers and widely referred to as LeBeau church, the kinfolk

made a pilgrimage to Uncle Will’s house to pay respects beyond

the gravesite.

   In the diminutive country cemetery where so many

of my ancestors rest — Bush, Romar, Rideau — I snapped

pictures of headstones: my maternal grandfather’s grandfather,

Oscar Bertrand, to whom everyone says my mother bears a

remarkable resemblance; my paternal grandfather, Bean, who was

a World War II Veteran and school bus driver; and my uncle,

June, his son, who served in the Vietnam War. In my family,

nicknames are better known and used than given names.

This week in Louisiana history. September 11, 1722. First

recorded Hurricane in La. destroyed New Orleans "During a

hurricane...a large number of unidentified ships were sunk at

and near New Orleans." 

This week in New Orleans history. September

11, 1965: Hurricane Betsy made landfall, causing

catastrophic flooding and leading to the creation of the

modern New Orleans levee system.

This week in Louisiana.

Natchitoches Meat Pie Festival

September 19'20

Downtown Riverbank, 100 Rue Beauport

Natchitoches, LA 71457

Website: meatpiefestival.com

Phone: (800) 259‑1714

The Natchitoches Meat Pie Festival celebrates the city's

signature dish with two days of food, music, and

family‑friendly events along the Cane River Lake riverbank:

Meat Pies & Local Food: Dozens of vendors serving

classic Natchitoches meat pies and regional specialties.

Live Music & Entertainment: Cajun, Zydeco, country,

and rock performances throughout the weekend.

Contests & Activities: A meat pie eating contest, car

show, kids' zone, hot‑air balloons, and fireworks.

Postcards from Louisiana. The Rock Block Band at Felix's

Restaurant and Oyster Bar.

Listen on Apple Podcasts.

Listen on audible.

Listen on Spotify.

Listen on TuneIn.

Listen on iHeartRadio.

The Louisiana Anthology Home Page.

Like us on Facebook. 

694. Shreveport in the 1980s and 1990s. In the heart of the Deep South, silence was deadly — until a small group of ordinary people decided to fight back. Join us for a conversation with David Hylan, the award-winning filmmaker and author who just released the book, Small Town Rage: Fighting Back in the Deep South. His 2016 documentary of the same name first brought national attention to ACT UP Shreveport, one of the smallest yet fiercest AIDS activist chapters in America. Now, with his powerful new book, Hylan expands that story, drawing on decades of interviews, archival research, and personal accounts to reveal the courage, grief, humor, and resilience of the activists who confronted hospitals that turned patients away, churches that preached judgment, and politicians who refused to listen. Far from the media spotlight of New York and San Francisco, these men and women forced northwest Louisiana to face the AIDS crisis head-on—and helped change the national conversation about compassion, healthcare, and equality in the process. This is the story of rage, resistance, and the power of ordinary people who refused to disappear.

Now available: Liberty in Louisiana: A Comedy.

The oldest play about Louisiana, author James Workman wrote it

as a celebration of the Louisiana Purchase. Now it is back in

print for the first time in 222 years. Order your copy today!

This week in the Louisiana Anthology. The Picayune

Creole Cook Book is the definitive cook book for New

Orleans Creole cooking. We have the 1910 edition on our

website -- all 400 pages, 2006 recipes, 300,000 words, it's a

monument to Creole cooking of 110 years ago. We'll start with

a Good

Cup of Creole Coffee.

Is there anything in the whole range of food substances to be

compared with it? And is there any city in the world where

coffee is so delightfully concocted as in New Orleans?

Travelers the world over unite in praise of Creole Coffee, or

'Caf' ' la Cr'ole,' as they are fond of putting it.

The Creole cuisinieres succeeded far beyond even the

famous chefs of France in discovering the secret of good

coffee-making, and they have never yielded the palm of

victory. There is no place in the world in which the use of

coffee is more general than in the old Creole city of New

Orleans, where, from the famous French Market, with its

world-renowned coffee stands, to the olden homes on the Bayou

St. John, from Lake Pontchartrain to the verge of Southport,

the cup of 'Caf' Noir,' or 'Caf' au Lait,'

at morning, at noon and at night, has become a necessary and

delightful part of the life of the people, and the wonder and

the joy of visitors.

This week in Louisiana history. September 4, 1766. A huge

hurricane struck Galveston and sinking ships as far east as

Calcasieu Pass.

This week in New Orleans history. September

4, 1888: The first Labor Day parade was held in New

Orleans, with thousands of workers marching through the French

Quarter for better working conditions.

This week in Louisiana.

Haynesville Celebration of Butterflies

September 14, 2026

Claiborne Parish Fair Complex, 1563 Fairgrounds Dr.

Haynesville, LA

Website: haynesvillela.org

The Haynesville Celebration of Butterflies is a long‑running

North Louisiana festival dedicated to monarch butterfly

conservation, education, and small‑town community spirit. Now

in its 26th year, the festival fills the Claiborne Parish Fair

Complex with family activities, vendors, and hands‑on learning

experiences.

Run for the Butterflies: The Nan McMullen

5K kicks off the morning at 8:00 a.m.

Butterfly Parade: A community parade at

10:00 a.m. featuring local groups, decorated floats, and

children in butterfly wings.

Educational Exhibits: Seminars on monarch

conservation, pollinator gardening, and habitat protection.

Butterfly Conservatory: A walk‑through

enclosure where visitors can see live butterflies up close.

Vendors & Activities: Craft booths,

food vendors, children's activities, art contests, and plant

sales throughout the day.

Postcards from Louisiana. The Dwayne Dopsie and the Zydeco

Hellraisers at the French Quarter Fest.

Listen on Apple Podcasts.

Listen on audible.

Listen on Spotify.

Listen on TuneIn.

Listen on iHeartRadio.

The Louisiana Anthology Home Page.

Like us on Facebook. 

693. Part 2 of our conversation with Patricia

Knight Meyer about her adoption. In her gripping memoir, Wonderland:

Memoir of a Black Market Adoption, Patricia unravels the complex and

harrowing story of her origins within a illegal adoption ring, exploring

the deep psychological ripple effects of a childhood built on hidden

truths. Raised under the shadow of secrecy, Meyer masterfully weaves

personal memory, investigative persistence, and raw emotional

vulnerability to illuminate how illicit adoptions break identity apart

and how truth can ultimately piece it back together. Her voice brings

vital light to the silenced histories of black market adoptees, offering

listeners a compelling exploration of belonging, family ties, and the

relentless search for self-discovery.

Now available: Liberty in Louisiana: A Comedy.

The oldest play about Louisiana, author James Workman wrote it

as a celebration of the Louisiana Purchase. Now it is back in

print for the first time in 222 years. Order your copy today!

This week in the Louisiana Anthology. A Scribe Called Quess?

“Education.”

    As recently as October of 2009, a group of

teachers imported from the Philippines

pressed charges for being treated like… and paid no more than…

indentured servants. My only question… what the hell were they

doing here in the first place? I’m here… more than apt and

completely capable of teaching children that look just like I

did 20 years ago… and now walk a similar path

    But in the game of political ponzi that is

Post-Katrina, New Orleans… it’s bigger than books and study

baby… EDUCATION IS BIG BUSINESS! Unions are shut down

wholesale… veteran teachers fired before they can cash in on

their pensions — God forbid healthcare… Teachers are

outsourced… bussed in — flown in — hell! Prison beds are

forecasted based on the amount of children at grade level!

Does it get more insidious than that…?

This week in Louisiana history. August 28, 1956. Lake

Ponchartrain Causeway opened.

This week in New Orleans history. August 28,

2005: Mayor Ray Nagin issued the first-ever mandatory

evacuation order for New Orleans as Hurricane Katrina

approached the Gulf Coast.

This week in Louisiana.

Vermilionville Living History Museum & Folklife Park

Year‑Round Attraction

300 Fisher Rd.

Lafayette, LA 70508

Website: bayouvermiliondistrict.org

Vermilionville is a 23‑acre living‑history village along Bayou

Vermilion, interpreting Acadian, Creole, and Native American

cultures from 1765 to 1890. The site features restored and

recreated historic homes, costumed artisans, live music, and

hands‑on demonstrations that bring early Louisiana to life.

Historic Structures: Original and replica

buildings including Acadian homes, Creole houses, a chapel,

a schoolhouse, and craft workshops ' all documented in the

village's architectural listings.

Costumed Interpreters: Artisans

demonstrate traditional crafts, domestic skills, and

cultural practices from the 18th and 19th centuries.

Live Music & Cultural Events: Regular

Cajun jams, dances, and French‑language gatherings appear on

the Vermilionville calendar.

Hours: Open Tuesday'Sunday, 10 a.m.'4

p.m.; last admission at 3 p.m. because the full tour takes

60'90 minutes.

Experience: Visitors can explore the

grounds independently or book guided tours (24‑hour notice

recommended).

Postcards from Louisiana. The Rock Block Band at Felix's

Restaurant and Oyster Bar.

Listen on Apple Podcasts.

Listen on audible.

Listen on Spotify.

Listen on TuneIn.

Listen on iHeartRadio.

The Louisiana Anthology Home Page.

Like us on Facebook. 

692. Part 1 of our conversation with Patricia Knight Meyer about her adoption.

In her gripping memoir, Wonderland: Memoir of a Black Market Adoption, Patricia unravels the complex and harrowing story of her origins within a illegal adoption ring, exploring the deep psychological ripple effects of a childhood built on hidden truths. Raised under the shadow of secrecy, Meyer masterfully weaves personal memory, investigative persistence, and raw emotional vulnerability to illuminate how illicit adoptions break identity apart and how truth can ultimately piece it back together. Her voice brings vital light to the silenced histories of black market adoptees, offering listeners a compelling exploration of belonging, family ties, and the relentless search for self-discovery.

Now available: Liberty in Louisiana: A Comedy.

The oldest play about Louisiana, author James Workman wrote it

as a celebration of the Louisiana Purchase. Now it is back in

print for the first time in 222 years. Order your copy today!

This week in the Louisiana Anthology. Frank Gee Patchin. Pony

Riders in Louisiana.

   Tad and Ned were each equipped with a bush-knife,

with a horn to each party. Lilly considered that the boys

needed no further advice from him, the lads having had

experience with bear before this and all being good shots and

well-tried hunters at big game.

   “Look out that you dont get lost if you get on a

chase,” he warned. “One is likely in the excitement of a chase

to forget to blaze his trail. It isn’t any use to get game if

you can’t get back to camp with it.”

This week in Louisiana history. August 21, 1769. Gov.

O'Reilly arrests leaders of revolution that ousted Gov.

Ulloa. 

This week in New Orleans history. August 21,

1853: During the peak of the Great Yellow Fever

Epidemic, the city reported a record 269 deaths in a single

24-hour period.

This week in Louisiana.

Alexandria Zoological Park

Year‑Round Attraction

3016 Masonic Dr.

Alexandria, LA 71301

Website: thealexandriazoo.com

The Alexandria Zoo is one of Central Louisiana's most beloved

attractions, home to more than 500 animals representing 160

species from around the world. Open since 1922 and accredited

by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums, the zoo features

immersive habitats, a narrated train ride, and family‑friendly

amenities throughout its landscaped grounds.

Themed Habitats: Explore the Land of

the Jaguar, Louisiana Habitat, African

Experience, and Australian Walkabout, each

designed to showcase wildlife in naturalistic settings.

Animals: Tigers, jaguars, lions,

crocodiles, monkeys, bears, otters, and more than 500

animals in total.

Amenities: Train ride, playground, gift

shop, concessions, picnic areas, stroller rentals, and free

parking.

Hours:  9 a.m.-5 p.m. (seasonal

variations possible).

Admission Prices: Attractively priced

from free to $8.95.

Postcards from Louisiana. Original Hurricane Brass Band at

the French Quarter Fest. 

Listen on Apple Podcasts.

Listen on audible.

Listen on Spotify.

Listen on TuneIn.

Listen on iHeartRadio.

The Louisiana Anthology Home Page.

Like us on Facebook. 

692. Part 2 of Derby Gisclair's presentation

on dueling in old New Orleans. Derby is a New Orleans historian,

author, and researcher specializing in 19th-century Gulf Coast culture,

social customs, and affairs of honor. Known for his deep archival work,

Gisclair unpacks how rituals like dueling under the Dueling Oaks defined

Southern gentlemanly culture, local politics, and public life in early

New Orleans.

Now available: Liberty in Louisiana: A Comedy.

The oldest play about Louisiana, author James Workman wrote it

as a celebration of the Louisiana Purchase. Now it is back in

print for the first time in 222 years. Order your copy today!

This week in the Louisiana Anthology. Huey Long. My

First Days in the White House.

    Today extreme inequalities in the

distribution of wealth have closed the doors of opportunity to

millions of our children.

    Education is a function which the states

can handle adequately only if helped by the federal

government, and the government ought to see that such benefits

of education are extended to all classes of citizens; but here

in our beloved America we find inequalities in the benefits of

the public schools. Some children are given excellent

educational facilities in great, sanitary buildings with ample

equipment, with well-fed, well-trained teachers. Other

children have poor educational facilities, unsanitary

buildings, meager equipment,untrained, poorly-paid teachers.

The bitter fruits of these inequalities of opportunity, which

endure for generations, must and shall be corrected.

This week in Louisiana history. August 14, 1903. Albert

Batson hanged in Calcasieu Parish Jail for murder of six

members of Welsh family.

This week in New Orleans history. August 14,

1812: The first Louisiana State Legislature convened in

New Orleans following the state's admission to the Union

earlier that year.

This week in Louisiana.

Northeast Louisiana Children's Museum

Year‑Round Attraction

323 Walnut Street

Monroe, LA 71201

Website: nelcm.org

The Northeast Louisiana Children's Museum is a hands‑on

learning space on the Ouachita River in downtown Monroe,

offering interactive exhibits for children of all ages. The

museum features creative play environments, science‑based

activities, and rotating traveling exhibits, making it a

favorite destination for families across North Louisiana.

Interactive Exhibits: Permanent

installations include the Firehouse with a sliding pole,

Health Hall where kids can play paramedic, Toddlertown for

ages 4 and under, Kids' Cafe, Bubbleworks, and The Big Mouth -- a walk‑inside anatomy exhibit.

Special Events: Seasonal programming

includes traveling exhibits and the annual transformation

into Santa's Christmas Village with ice

skating, crafts, and storytime.

Hours:
Tuesday-Friday: 9 a.m.-4

p.m.
Saturday: 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Sunday: 1 p.m.-5 p.m.

Admission: $7 per person (ages 2+); group

rate $5 for groups of 15 or more.

Location: The museum sits on the Ouachita

River in downtown Monroe -- look for the purple building.

Postcards from Louisiana. The Rock Block Band at Felix's

Restaurant and Oyster Bar.

Listen on Apple Podcasts.

Listen on audible.

Listen on Spotify.

Listen on TuneIn.

Listen on iHeartRadio.

The Louisiana Anthology Home Page.

Like us on Facebook. 

Part 1 of Derby Gisclair's presentation on dueling in old New Orleans. Derby is a New Orleans historian, author, and researcher specializing in 19th-century Gulf Coast culture, social customs, and affairs of honor. Known for his deep archival work, Gisclair unpacks how rituals like dueling under the Dueling Oaks defined Southern gentlemanly culture, local politics, and public life in early New Orleans.

Now available: Liberty in Louisiana: A Comedy.

The oldest play about Louisiana, author James Workman wrote it

as a celebration of the Louisiana Purchase. Now it is back in

print for the first time in 222 years. Order your copy today!

This week in the Louisiana Anthology. Christian Woman's

Exchange. Creole Cookery Book. It's a fund raiser for

a Christian charity. They still own the Hermann-Grima House,

which is now a museum. And they still cook these old recipes

there.

Epicurean

Oysters.

Take 3 tablespoonfuls of butter, one of strong, dry mustard;

put them in a chopping dish; add pepper and salt; when they

commence boiling put in one-half pint of oysters without the

liquor; have a hot dish in readiness. Take out the oysters

with a fork when cooked, and continue to replace them until

all are done.

This week in Louisiana history. August 7 1927 Gov. Edwin

Edwards born in Marksville, La., son of a sharecropper and a

local midwife, a Cajun.

This week in New Orleans history. August 7,

1956: The Lake Pontchartrain Causeway officially opened,

becoming the longest continuous bridge over water in the

world.

This week in Louisiana.

Visit Louisiana's Old State Capitol

Year‑Round Attraction

100 North Blvd.

Baton Rouge, LA 70801

Website: louisianaoldstatecapitol.org

Louisiana's Old State Capitol is a National Historic Landmark

overlooking the Mississippi River, known for its dramatic

Gothic Revival architecture and its role in the state's

political history. Built between 1847 and 1852, the structure

resembles a medieval castle from the outside, while the

interior features marble, rich woodwork, and a soaring

stained‑glass dome. Today, it houses the Museum of Political

History, offering exhibits on Louisiana's governors, the

democratic process, and pivotal moments such as the state's

1861 secession and the impeachment proceedings of Gov. Huey P.

Long.

Architecture: A Gothic Revival 'castle on

the river,' complete with towers, battlements, and a

cast‑iron spiral staircase.

Stained‑Glass Dome: One of the most

photographed interiors in Louisiana ' a kaleidoscope of

color rising above the central rotunda.

Political History Museum: Exhibits on

voting, citizenship, past governors, and major legislative

events that shaped the state.

Free Admission: The museum offers free

entry, with guided group tours available Tuesday through

Friday and audio tours in four languages.

Postcards from Louisiana. The Brass-A-Holics at The French Quarter Fest.

689. We talk to Amanda Skenadore about her novel on the Carville Leprosy Colony, The Second Life of Mirielle West. Amanda Skenandore is a registered

nurse turned historical fiction author whose medical background deeply

shapes her storytelling. In her novel The Second Life of Mirielle West,

she takes listeners into 1920s America to follow a Hollywood socialite

whose life is upended when a diagnosis of leprosy forces her into exile

at Carville, Louisiana — the nation's only leprosarium at the time.

Blending rigorous medical history with emotional depth, the story

explores one woman's fight against systemic isolation and social stigma

as she seeks purpose, belonging, and redemption in the most unexpected

place. 

Now available: Liberty in Louisiana: A Comedy.

The oldest play about Louisiana, author James Workman wrote it

as a celebration of the Louisiana Purchase. Now it is back in

print for the first time in 222 years. Order your copy today!

This week in the Louisiana Anthology. Gaspar Cusachs.

"Lafitte: The Louisiana Pirate and Patriot."

Here in Barataria, amid the innumerable branches of bayous,

passes, and inextricable cypress swamps, persons may lie

concealed from the strictest scrutiny. In 1811, Lafitte

fortified the eastern and western points of this island, and

established a regular depot. Here the prizes were brought and

sold to the inhabitants of the adjoining districts, who

resorted to these places for the purpose of obtaining bargains

in matters of trade and without being at all solicitous to

conceal the object of their journey. No effective measures

having been taken to expel the pirates they continued their

depredations upon the Spanish commerce and sometimes ventured

to attack vessels of other nations. They were generally

regarded as pirates, but it is probable that most, if not all

of them, were commissioned by the Carthagenian government.

This week in Louisiana history. July 31 1976. U.S. Rep. F.E.

Hebert of N.O. completes longest term in office, 35 yrs, 6 m,

and 28 days.

This week in New Orleans history. July 31,

1919: Iconic jazz saxophonist Earl Bostic was born,

later influencing the New Orleans R&B sound with his

unique technical style.

This week in Louisiana.

Satchmo SummerFest

August 1'2

New Orleans Jazz Museum at the Old U.S. Mint, 400 Esplanade

Avenue

New Orleans, LA 70116

Website: frenchquarterfest.org

Satchmo SummerFest is New Orleans' annual celebration of Louis

'Satchmo' Armstrong, held each year on the first weekend of

August to honor his August 4 birthday. The festival is free,

thanks to support from New Orleans & Company, and takes

place on the grounds of the New Orleans Jazz Museum at the Old

U.S. Mint. The weekend features live music, lectures, food

vendors, and a Sunday second‑line salute:

Live Music: Outdoor stages featuring

traditional jazz, brass bands, swing, and local legends, all

presented by French Quarter Festivals, Inc.

Satchmo Legacy Stage: Indoor talks and

presentations exploring Armstrong's life, recordings, and

cultural impact, led by scholars and musicians.

Food Vendors: New Orleans cuisine served

on‑site, curated by the same team behind French Quarter

Fest.

Jazz Mass & Second‑Line: A Sunday

morning tradition honoring Armstrong with a church service

followed by a second‑line parade to the festival grounds.

Postcards from Louisiana. The Rock Block Band at Felix's

Restaurant and Oyster Bar.

Listen on Apple Podcasts.

Listen on audible.

Listen on Spotify.

Listen on TuneIn.

Listen on iHeartRadio.

The Louisiana Anthology Home Page.

Like us on Facebook.