686. Part 1 of our interview with Joel Sharpton. Joel talks to us about Louisiana politics in 2026. Joel is a Ruston-based audio
professional and progressive grassroots organizer who seamlessly blends
media production with political advocacy. As the founder of Pro
Podcasting Services and an expert in mobile workflows, Sharpton brings
over a decade of podcasting experience to his community-focused media
projects. He utilizes this production expertise to host and produce "We
Are Louisiana Indivisible," a political podcast dedicated to amplifying
the voices of regional activists and interviewing progressive candidates
for state and local office. Working alongside organizations like
Indivisible North Louisiana, Sharpton is actively engaged in grassroots
organizing, voter mobilization, and hosting local civic rallies to push
for democratic change across the state.
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 Elephant and the Whale." Alcee Fortier.
Compair Lapin went to get a very long and
strong rope, then he got his drum and hid it in the grass. He
took one end of the rope, and went to the elephant: “Mister,
you who are so good and so strong. I wish you would render me
a service; you would relieve me of a great trouble and prevent
me from losing my money.”
The elephant was glad to hear such a fine
compliment, and he said: “Compair, I shall do for you
everything you want. I am always ready to help my friends.”
“Well,” said Lapin, “I have a cow which is
stuck in the mud on the coast; you know that I am not strong
enough to pull her out; I come for you to help me. Take this
rope in your trunk. I shall tie it to the cow, and when you
hear me beat the drum, pull hard on the rope. I tell you that
because the cow is stuck deep in the mud.”
“That is all right,” said the elephant. “I
guarantee you I shall pull the cow out, or the rope will
break.”
Compair Lapin took the other end of the
rope and ran towards the sea. He paid a pretty compliment to
the whale, and asked her to render him the same service about
the cow, which was stuck in a bayou in the woods. Compair
Lapin’s mouth was so honeyed that no one could refuse him
anything. The whale took hold of the rope and said: “When I
shall hear the drum beat I shall pull.”
“Yes,” said Lapin, “begin pulling gently,
and then more and more.”
“You need not be afraid,” said the whale;
“I shall pull out the cow, even if djabe
were holding her.”
“That is good,” said Lapin; “we are going
to laugh.” And he beat his drum.
The elephant began to pull so hard that the
rope was like a bar of iron. The whale, on her side, was
pulling and pulling, and yet she was coming nearer to the
land, as she was not so well situated to pull as the elephant.
When she saw that she was mounting on land, she beat her tail
furiously and plunged headlong into the sea. The shock was so
great that the elephant was dragged to the sea. “What, said
he, what is the matter? that cow must be wonderfully strong to
drag me so. Let me kneel with my front feet in the mud.” Then
he twisted the rope round his trunk in such a manner that he
pulled the whale again to the shore. He was very much
astonished to see his friend the whale. “What is the matter,”
said he. “I thought it was Compair Lapin’s cow I was pulling.”
“Lapin told me the same thing. I believe he
is making fun of us.”
“He must pay for that,” said the elephant.
“I forbid him to eat a blade of grass on land because he
laughed at us.”
“And I will not allow him to drink a drop
of water in the sea. We must watch for him, and the first one
that sees him must not miss him.”
Compair Lapin said to Bouki: “It is growing
hot for us; it is time to leave.”
“You see,” said Bouki, “you are always
bringing us into trouble.”
This week in Louisiana history. July 10, 1941. Legendary jazz pianist and composer Jelly Roll Morton (born in New
Orleans) died in Los Angeles. His musical innovations
accelerated the development of jazz.
This week in New Orleans history. July 10, 1927: Tom Benson, the future owner of the Saints and Pelicans, was born in New Orleans, later becoming
one of the city's most prominent philanthropists
This week in Louisiana.
very Island ' Jungle Gardens & TABASCO' Factory Tour
Daily Tours (year‑round)
Avery Island, LA 70513
Websites: tabasco.com, junglegardens.org
Avery Island offers two of Louisiana's most iconic
attractions: the TABASCO' Brand Factory Tour, where McIlhenny
Company has made its world‑famous pepper sauce for over 150
years, and Jungle Gardens, a 170‑acre botanical preserve
filled with ancient oaks, wildlife, and historic structures. A
single ticket grants access to both experiences:
TABASCO Factory Tour: A self‑guided walk through the museum, pepper greenhouse, barrel warehouse,
salt‑mine diorama, and the bottling line, with admission
priced at $15.50 for adults, $12.50
for children, and 10% off for
seniors/veterans.
Jungle Gardens: A scenic drive‑through and walk‑through garden featuring live oaks, bamboo groves,
wildlife viewing, and the historic Buddha statue. Joint
admission with the TABASCO' tour is $15.50 for
adults and $12.50 for children.
Visitor Experience: The combined ticket includes access to the museum, greenhouse, conservation
exhibits, Country Store, Restaurant 1868, and the full
170‑acre garden system.
Postcards from Louisiana. Doreen.
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