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699. We talk to Billy Augustine about his novel, Four Funerals in Mamou.  His novel delivers an authentic coming-of-age story rooted in small-town Louisiana culture, following protagonist Dewey Fontenot after he flees his Cajun hometown following a stint in jail, only to be repeatedly drawn back years later by a succession of family funerals. A native of Beaumont, Texas, who spent much of his youth visiting relatives in Mamou, Augustine draws heavily on his real-life family ties across Southeast Texas and Southwest Louisiana to craft a humorous and real narrative about second chances, loud and loving families, and the places that never truly let you go. 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. Benjamine Butler. Butler's Book.    Touching his cap, he said: “General Williams’ compliments, and he bids me say to the general commanding that the mob is getting unruly, and asks for orders as to what shall be done with them.    “Give my compliments to General Williams, I answered quietly, and tell him to clear the streets at once with his artillery.”    The captain left with the message. The members of the city government all sprang to their feet, crying: “Don’t, General; Don’t give such an order as that.”    “Why this emotion, gentlemen?” I said. “The cannon are not going to shoot our way, and I have borne this noise and confusion as long as I choose to.”    “Wait a while, General, wait a while,” they said, “and we will go out and speak to the people and advise them to go away, and they will disperse.”    “Very well,” I said, “so they do disperse, I do not care as to the means; go out and try your hand at it.”    And so the mayor made them a speech from the balcony, but they jeered him to his face. Then another spoke, and they chaffed him, calling him all sorts of abusive names, and the speech-making rather increased the uproar.    I stood, a little withdrawn from the window, looking across the street, and I saw a man on the sidewalk having a piece of a United States flag in his button-hole. I inquired who he was and was answered that that was Mumford who had torn down the flag, and that it was a piece of it he wore in his button-hole. I told my orderly, who was standing near me, to take a look at the man so that he would know him if he saw him again.    Then the mob raised the cry: “Where’s old Butler? Let him show himself; let him come out here if he dare.” The cry was echoed around for a moment: “Where’s old Butler?”    I thought it my privilege to answer that call. I stepped forward on the balcony in full sight, with my cap in my hand, and looking on the crowd, as unmoved as possible, said: “Who calls me? I am here.” That answer brought a hush, and just at that time a wonderful noise directed my attention up St. Charles Street. The cause of it was in a moment apparent. The Sixth Maine battery, a finely equipped artillery company with six Napoleons, under Captain Thompson, had been encamped in Tivoli Circle. St. Charles Street, down which the battery was coming, was at that time paved with foot square granite blocks, which were in a very uneven condition. Thompson was one of the most dare-devil furious riders I ever saw, and he was leading his battery down the street as if there were nobody in it, every horse driven at the fullest speed and the bugles sounding the charge. No one who has not seen such a charge can imagine the terrible noise and clamor it makes, the cannoneers clinging to their seats, and the wheels of the guns bounding up inches as they thunder over the uneven stones. As I said, the mob was hushed. They turned their eyes on the approaching avalanche and then sought safety in flight. By the time Captain Thompson saluted as he went by, the whole street was cleared; and when he came “into battery” at the corner, with three guns to clear each street, the scene was as quiet as a children’s playground. This week in Louisiana history. October 9, 1940. McNeese Junior College lost its first football game to Southwestern Louisiana Institute 32-0.  This week in New Orleans history. October 9, 1888: Warren Easton was appointed Superintendent of Public Schools, a position he used to transform the city's education system This week in Louisiana. Zwolle Tamale Fiesta October 10'12 (most recently confirmed dates; held the second full weekend of October) Fiesta Grounds, 1100 South Main Street Zwolle, LA 71486 Website: zwolletamalefiesta.com Email: [email protected] Phone: (318) 645‑6111 The Zwolle Tamale Fiesta celebrates the town's Spanish and Native American heritage with three days of food, music, and community events centered around the region's famous hot tamales: Food Booths & Tamales: Dozens of vendors serving traditional hot tamales and regional dishes. Parades & Pageants: A fiesta parade, children's activities, and annual royalty competitions. Live Music & Crafts: Bands, dancing, artisan booths, and cultural demonstrations throughout the weekend. Postcards from Louisiana. Herlin Riley at Snug Harbor. 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.

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.

688. Joining us today are Johnette Downing and Scott Billington. Combining Johnette’s celebrated career as a children’s author and musician with Scott’s background producing over 100 roots, blues, and Louisiana heritage albums, this powerhouse couple celebrates regional music through their children's duo program, Swamp Romp, and their broader archival and biographical projects. 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. "Life on the Mississippi." Mark Twain. The Mississippi is well worth reading about. It is not a commonplace river, but on the contrary is in all ways remarkable. Considering the Missouri its main branch, it is the longest river in the world—four thousand three hundred miles. It seems safe to say that it is also the crookedest river in the world, since in one part of its journey it uses up one thousand three hundred miles to cover the same ground that the crow would fly over in six hundred and seventy-five. It discharges three times as much water as the St. Lawrence, twenty-five times as much as the Rhine, and three hundred and thirty-eight times as much as the Thames. No other river has so vast a drainage-basin: it draws its water supply from twenty-eight States and Territories; from Delaware, on the Atlantic seaboard, and from all the country between that and Idaho on the Pacific slope—a spread of forty-five degrees of longitude. The Mississippi receives and carries to the Gulf water from fifty-four subordinate rivers that are navigable by steamboats, and from some hundreds that are navigable by flats and keels. The area of its drainage-basin is as great as the combined areas of England, Wales, Scotland, Ireland, France, Spain, Portugal, Germany, Austria, Italy, and Turkey; and almost all this wide region is fertile; the Mississippi valley, proper, is exceptionally so. This week in Louisiana history. July 24, 1769. Alejandro "Bloody" O'Reilly reclaimed New Orleans for Spain. This week in New Orleans history. July 24, 1947: The first streetcar on the St. Charles line was fitted with air conditioning, a welcome relief during the peak of the New Orleans summer. This week in Louisiana. COOLinary New Orleans ' Month‑Long Restaurant Specials August 1'31 Citywide New Orleans, LA Website: neworleans.com/coolinary New Orleans restaurants launch their annual COOLinary promotion on August 1, offering a full month of discounted prix‑fixe menus designed to bring locals out during the summer slowdown. More than a hundred restaurants across the city participate, from fine‑dining institutions to neighborhood favorites: Two‑course lunches: $28 or less. Three‑course dinners and brunches: $58 or less. Citywide participation: Restaurants in the French Quarter, Uptown, Mid‑City, the Marigny, and beyond. COOLinary has become one of New Orleans' most beloved summer traditions, giving locals a chance to try new spots ' or revisit classics ' at special seasonal prices. Postcards from Louisiana. Molly Ringwalds play at the Italian Heritage Festival. 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.

687. Part 2 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. Sidonie de la Houssaye. “Alix de Morainville.”     But one day — God knows how it happened — a child of the village all at once entered the chamber where I was and knew me.     “Madame Alix!” he cried, took to his heels and went down the terrace pell-mell (quatre à quatre) to give the alarm. Ten minutes later Matthieu came at a full run and covered with sweat, to tell us that all the village was in commotion and that those people to whom I had always been so good were about to come and arrest me, to deliver me to the executioners. I ran to Joseph, beside myself with affright.     “Save me, Joseph! save me!”     “I will use all my efforts for that, Mme. la Viscomtesse.” At that moment Jerome appeared. He came to say that a representative of the people was at hand and that I was lost beyond a doubt.     “Not yet,” responded Joseph. “I have foreseen this and have prepared everything to save you, Mme. la Viscomtesse, if you will but let me make myself well understood.”     “Oh, all, all! Do thou understand, Joseph, I will do everything thou desirest.”     “Then,” he said, regarding me fixedly and halting at each word — “then it is necessary that you consent to take Joseph Carpentier for your spouse.”     I thought I had [been] misunderstood and drew back haughtily.     “My son!” cried mother Catharine.     “Oh, you see,” replied Joseph, “my mother herself accuses me, and you — you, madame, have no greater confidence in me. But that is nothing; I must save you at any price. We will go from here together; we will descend to the village; we will present ourselves at the mayoralty — ”     In spite of myself I made a gesture.     “Let me speak, madame,” he said. “We have not a moment to lose. Yes, we will present ourselves at the mayoralty, and there I will espouse you, not as Claudine Leroy, but as Alix de Morainville. Once my wife you have nothing to fear. Having become one of the people, the people will protect you. After the ceremony, madame, I will hand you the certificate of our marriage, and you will tear it up the moment we shall have touched the soil of England. Keep it precious till then; it is your only safeguard. Nothing prevents me from going to England to find employment, and necessarily my wife will go with me. Are you ready, madame?”     For my only response I put my hand in his; I was too deeply moved to speak. Mother Catharine threw both her arms about her son’s neck and cried, “My noble child!” and we issued from the cottage guarded by Guillaume and his three other sons, armed to the teeth.     When the mayor heard the names and surnames of the wedding pair he turned to Joseph, saying:     “You are not lowering yourself, my boy.”     At the door of the mayoralty we found ourselves face to face with an immense crowd. I trembled violently and pressed against Joseph. He, never losing his presence of mind (sans perdre la carte), turned, saying:     “Allow me, my friends, to present to you my wife. The Viscomtesse de Morainville no longer exists; hurrah for the Citoyenne Carpentier.” And the hurrahs and cries of triumph were enough to deafen one. Those who the moment before were ready to tear me into pieces now wanted to carry me in triumph. Arrived at the house, Joseph handed me our act of marriage. This week in Louisiana history. June 17, 1795. First bishop of New Orleans, Don Luis Cardenas, arrives in Louisiana. This week in New Orleans history. July 17, 1905: The last major yellow fever epidemic in the United States began in New Orleans, leading to a massive citywide campaign to eradicate mosquitoes. This week in Louisiana. Marshland Festival July 24'25 Lake Charles Event Center, 900 Lakeshore Dr. Lake Charles, LA 70601 Website: visitlakecharles.org The Marshland Festival returns to the Lake Charles Event Center for a two‑day celebration of Southwest Louisiana music, food, and culture. Founded over 30 years ago in Hackberry, the festival has grown into a major regional event featuring local artists, national touring acts, and a full indoor, air‑conditioned vendor hall: Live Music: A lineup of Southwest Louisiana performers alongside select national acts, continuing the festival's long tradition of supporting local musicians. Food Booths: Dozens of vendors serving regional favorites, from seafood dishes to festival classics. Arts & Crafts: Shopping from local artisans and makers throughout the Event Center. Indoor Venue: The entire festival takes place inside the Lake Charles Event Center, offering a comfortable, climate‑controlled experience. 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.

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.  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.

685. Today author Adam J. Smith joins us to talk about his writing. Based in Covington, Adam uses his adopted home state of Louisiana as the backdrop for his fiction. Through his books, readers are introduced to Callier, Louisiana, a seemingly quiet town where deep secrets and unexpected dangers hide just beneath the surface. From the chilling pursuit of a small town killer in The Callier Cutter to the battle against institutional corruption in Your Honor, Smith captures the tension of local mystery. He also writes youth fiction using Callier as a starting point for a fantasy portal to Adventure Land. Smith weaves the unique spirit and pacing of Louisiana life into unforgettable tales of suspense, community, and adventure. 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. C'lestine Eustis and James Herndon. Cooking in Old Creole Days. Gumbo Filé. (First English recipe). "Put into a casserole (saucepan) a spoonful of pure lard and one of flour, stir it well until it is of a light brown. Chop an onion into small pieces and throw them in. Cut up a fat capon or chicken into small pieces and put these in the casserole with the flour and lard. Stir it all the while until the chicken is nearly done. When the whole is well browned, add a slice of ham, cut up small. Throw in two or three pods of red pepper, and salt to your taste. Now add a quart of boiling water, and leave it on the fire for two hours and a half. A quarter of an hour before dinner is served add three dozen oysters with their liquor. Just before taking the soup off the fire, put in a tablespoonful of filet, stirring it all the while. Let it boil one minute and then serve. Do not put in too much filet; the spoon should not be full. Indeed, half a tablespoonful is enough." Louise Livingston Hunt, New Orleans. This week in Louisiana history. July 3, 1870. The riverboat Robert E. Lee defeated the Natchez in a race on the Mississippi.  This week in New Orleans history. July 3, 1964: Following the passage of the Civil Rights Act, major New Orleans hotels and restaurants began the official process of desegregation. This week in Louisiana. GalaxyCon New Orleans  Opening Weekend July 10'12, 2026 New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, 900 Convention Center Blvd New Orleans, LA 70130 Website: galaxycon.com GalaxyCon opens its three‑day pop‑culture festival on July 10, bringing celebrity guests, cosplay, comics, gaming, and fan meet‑ups to the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. The weekend features panels, autograph sessions, photo ops, and a massive exhibitor hall: Friday, July 10: 2 p.m. - 1 a.m. Saturday, July 11: 10 a.m. - 1 a.m. Sunday, July 12: 10 a.m. - 8 p.m. GalaxyCon is billed as a '3‑Day Festival of Fandom,' with appearances from actors, voice actors, creators, cosplayers, and fan groups across sci‑fi, fantasy, anime, comics, and gaming. Tickets range from $50.00 to $350. 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.