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703. Part 2 of our presentation on Madison Tensas. Download the PowerPoint here. Henry Clay Lewis (1825-1850) published Odd Leaves from the Life of a Louisiana “Swamp Doctor” under the pen name of Madison Tensas, M.D. Lewis originally published his sketches separately in The Spirit of the Times, a sporting and hunting magazine published weekly in New York. He then combined the stories into his book in 1850, which he published a few months before his death. Lewis gives us an early look at life in North Louisiana. His perspective is somewhat autobiographical, but from a humorous perspective. Lewis helped develop Southwestern humor, providing a model to later authors like Samuel Clemens. Anybody reading Lewis’ eye dialect and humorous tall tales will immediately be reminded of Clemens. Nevertheless, the book gives us much valuable information about the life of a country doctor in North Louisiana in the 1840s. 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 new recipe from the Christian Woman's Exchange: To Roast a Turkey. Wash the turkey nicely; prepare the stuffing with bread crumbs, sweet herbs, lemon peel, nutmeg, pepper, salt, and beaten yolk of egg, with sufficient butter to moisten it, and a little old ham, cut very fine. Stuff the craw of the turkey with the force meat, of which there will be enough made to form into balls for frying, to garnish the dish, dredge it with flour, and roast it before a clear, brisk fire, basting it with cold lard; towards the last, put the turkey nearer the fire and dredge it lightly with flour, and baste it with butter. The time for roasting depends on the size of the turkey. Make the gravy of the giblets cut in pieces, seasoned and stewed for one hour, in very little water; thicken it with a spoonful of brown flour, and stir into it the native gravy, after having skimmed the grease from it. This week in Louisiana history. November 6, 2014. Republican Rep. Bill Cassidy defeated Democratic Sen. Mary Landrieu denying her a fourth term as US Senator.? This week in New Orleans history. November 6, 1860: Abraham Lincoln was elected President; the news sparked immediate calls for secession among the political elite in New Orleans. This week in Louisiana. This festival has been put on hiatus. We'll let you know any updates. Trem' Creole Gumbo Festival November 8'9, 2025 Louis Armstrong Park 701 N. Rampart St. New Orleans, LA 70116 Website: jazzandheritage.org Phone: (504) 558‑6100 Email: Not listed in search results Sources: The Trem' Creole Gumbo Festival is a beloved New Orleans tradition ' a free, two‑day celebration of the music, food, and culture that define the Trem' neighborhood. Held in historic Louis Armstrong Park, the festival brings together some of the city's top brass bands and gumbo chefs for a weekend steeped in Creole flavor and community pride. Gumbo Galore: Local chefs serve up a full spectrum of gumbo styles ' dark roux, Creole, seafood, chicken and andouille, gumbo z'herbes, and even vegan versions. Brass Bands & Live Music: The lineup features New Orleans' signature sound ' R&B, funk, and brass bands performing throughout the weekend. Arts Market: Local artists and makers fill the park with handmade crafts, jewelry, and cultural goods. Historic Setting: The festival takes place in Louis Armstrong Park, the symbolic gateway to Trem' ' one of America's oldest African American neighborhoods and a cradle of jazz. Free Admission: The event is open to the public, with donations supporting the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation. 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.

702. Part 1 of our Madison Tensas presentation. Our PowerPoint is located here. Henry Clay Lewis (1825-1850) published Odd Leaves from the Life of a Louisiana “Swamp Doctor” under the pen name of Madison Tensas, M.D. Lewis originally published his sketches separately in The Spirit of the Times, a sporting and hunting magazine published weekly in New York. He then combined the stories into his book in 1850, which he published a few months before his death. Lewis gives us an early look at life in North Louisiana. His perspective is somewhat autobiographical, but from a humorous perspective. Lewis helped develop Southwestern humor, providing a model to later authors like Samuel Clemens. Anybody reading Lewis’ eye dialect and humorous tall tales will immediately be reminded of Clemens. Nevertheless, the book gives us much valuable information about the life of a country doctor in North Louisiana in the 1840s. 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.    New Orleans, Dec. 1, 1860. — I understand it now. Keeping journals is for those who can not, or dare not, speak out. So I shall set up a journal, being only a rather lonely young girl in a very small and hated minority. On my return here in November, after a foreign voyage and absence of many months, I found myself behind in knowledge of the political conflict, but heard the dread sounds of disunion and war muttered in threatening tones. Surely no native-born woman loves her country better than I love America. The blood of one of its revolutionary patriots flows in my veins, and it is the Union for which he pledged his "life, fortune, and sacred honor" that I love, not any divided or special section of it. If the South goes to war for slavery, slavery is doomed in this country. To say so is like opposing one drop to a roaring torrent. This is a good time to follow St. Paul's advice that women should refrain from speaking, but they are speaking more than usual and forcing others to speak against their will.    Jan. 26, 1861. — The solemn boom of cannon today announced that the convention have passed the ordinance of secession. We must take a reef in our patriotism and narrow it down to State limits. Mine still sticks out all around the borders of the State. It will be bad if New Orleans should secede from Louisiana and set up for herself. Rob opened the battle yesterday morning by saying to me in his most aggressive manner, "G., I believe these are your sentiments"; and then he read aloud an article from the "Journal des Debats" expressing in rather contemptuous terms the fact that France will follow the policy of non-intervention. When I answered: "Well, what do you expect? This is not their quarrel," he raved at me, ending by a declaration that he would willingly pay my passage to foreign parts if I would like to go This week in Louisiana history. October 30, 1938. Lake Charles police receive scores of phone calls following Orson Wells radio broadcast of War of the Worlds. This week in New Orleans history. October 30, 1974: Muhammad Ali defeated George Foreman in the "Rumble in the Jungle," an event that was watched by thousands at a massive closed-circuit screening in the Superdome. This week in Louisiana. Halloween in the French Quarter October 2026 French Quarter New Orleans, LA 70116 Website: neworleans.com Phone: (504) 566‑5011 (New Orleans Tourism Office) Email: Not listed in search results Halloween in the French Quarter is one of the most distinctive seasonal experiences in the United States ' a full month of ghost tours, haunted houses, costumed street life, and historic lore woven through the Quarter's centuries‑old streets. From family‑friendly events to late‑night revelry, the Quarter becomes a living stage for New Orleans' supernatural imagination. The Mortuary Haunted Mansion: A nationally known haunted house set inside a real former mortuary on Canal Street. Elaborate sets, professional actors, and a new theme each year make it a cornerstone of the New Orleans Halloween season. Ghost & Vampire Tours: The French Quarter's historic streets host nightly walking tours exploring haunted mansions, voodoo legends, and the city's long tradition of supernatural storytelling. French Quarter Street Costuming: Throughout October ' especially on weekends ' the Quarter fills with costumed revelers, street performers, and themed pop‑ups, creating a spontaneous, carnival‑like atmosphere. Family‑Friendly Events: Trick‑or‑treating, pumpkin patches, and daytime activities appear across the Quarter and nearby neighborhoods, offering options for all ages. Historic Cemeteries & Voodoo Culture: Guided tours of St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 and other historic sites highlight the city's unique blend of Catholic, Creole, and African spiritual traditions. Postcards from Louisiana. 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.

701. This week we talk to Kurt Heinlein about his play, Evangeline Drowning. Kurt Gerard Heinlein is an actor, director, playwright, and theatre professor at Missouri State University. Formulated directly from on-site interviews, Evangeline Drowning explores the human and environmental impact of Louisiana's rapidly disappearing coastal wetlands through the personal stories and voices of local youth facing the loss of their heritage, homes, and community stability. Heinlein, whose work bridges performance with environmental advocacy and earned a Louisiana Service Award for his extensive field research on this project, delivers an urgent, insightful, and emotionally resonant wake-up call to the human realities of environmental degradation. 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. Lewis & Clark Journals. Clark, October 23, 1804] 23rd of October Tuesday 1804 a cloudy morning Some Snow Set out early pass five Lodges which was Diserted, the fires yet burning we Suppose those were the Indians who robed the 2 french Trappers a fiew days ago those 2 men are now with us going up with a view to get their property from the Indians thro us. cold & Cloudy camped on The L. S. of the river. This week in Louisiana history. October 23, 1527. A sudden hurricane hit Spanish explorer Panifo de Narvaez killing and undertermined number of men near the mouth of the Mississippi River. This week in New Orleans history. October 23, 1924: Famed drummer Earl Palmer was born in the Trem' neighborhood, later becoming a pioneer of the rock and roll beat. This week in Louisiana. The 13th Gate Haunted House Open throughout October 2026 832 St. Philip St. Baton Rouge, LA 70802 Website: 13thgate.com Phone: (225) 389‑1313 Email: [email protected] The 13th Gate is Louisiana's most famous haunted attraction ' a 40,000‑square‑foot labyrinth of hyper‑realistic sets, movie‑quality effects, and more than a dozen themed realms designed to immerse visitors in a world of nightmares. Consistently ranked among the top haunted houses in the United States, it draws thrill‑seekers from across the Gulf South every October. Thirteen Themed Realms: Guests move through catacombs, swamps, crematoriums, voodoo temples, and other cinematic environments built with film‑industry precision. Extreme Realism: The attraction is known for Hollywood‑level set design, professional makeup, and practical effects that blur the line between fantasy and reality. Open All October: The 13th Gate operates on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and select Thursdays throughout the month ' including the entire week of October 23, 2026. Adjacent Escape Rooms: Midnight Production also runs 13th Gate Escape, a set of award‑winning escape rooms located next door. 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.

700. Welcome to our 700th episode. Stephen and I discuss the podcast and significant episodes you might want to listen to. Episode 88: Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz Guest & Topic: We interviewed renowned historian, author, and activist Dr. Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz. We brought her on to discuss her lifelong dedication to human rights, indigenous sovereignty, and her critical historical insights regarding social justice and Native American histories. Episode 111: Rain Prud'homme-Cranford Goméz (Part 1) Guest & Topic: We spoke with scholar, poet, and activist Rain Prud'homme-Cranford Goméz. We sat down with her to discuss her research focusing on issues concerning Louisiana Indian tribes, including the Choctaw, Houma, and Tunica, exploring indigenous literary traditions and cultural preservation. Episode 219: Joseph Dunn (Part 1) Guest & Topic: We interviewed French scholar and activist Joseph Dunn. We talked with him about his vital work keeping French alive in Louisiana, where he advocates for French, Spanish, Creole, and Native American languages as living heritage languages integral to regional culture. Episode 40: Mona Lisa Saloy (Part 1) Guest & Topic: We featured award-winning author, folklorist, educator, and scholar Mona Lisa Saloy. We brought her on to discuss contemporary Creole culture, her poetic work documenting African-American traditions in New Orleans, and the preservation of urban folklore. Episode 57: Fran Holman Guest & Topic: We sat down with biographer Fran Holman. We talked with her about her book chronicling the life of Caroline Dorman, one of Louisiana's most important naturalists and environmentalists, and discussed the reissuing of Dorman's timeless writings on regional ecology. Episode 48: Marsha Recknagel (Part 2) Guest & Topic: We interviewed professor, literary scholar, and memoirist Marsha Recknagel. We brought her on to discuss her critically acclaimed family memoir If Nights Could Talk, exploring personal narrative, creative writing pedagogy, and extended family dynamics against the backdrop of regional history. Episode 387: Mary Barile (Part 2) Guest & Topic: We spoke with writer, historian, and theatre history scholar Mary Barile. We discussed her book The Irish Rogue and her extensive academic work in playwriting and historical preservation, bringing the past to life on stage and in literature. Episode 321: Linda Duff Niemeir (Part 1) Guest & Topic: We interviewed Linda Duff Niemeir, co-author of Sharecropping in North Louisiana: A Family's Struggle Through the Great Depression. We brought her on to discuss family oral history, the preservation of personal narratives, and the harsh realities of rural economic struggle during the 1930s. Episode 301: Christine Koch Harris (Part 1) Guest & Topic: We sat down with regional historian Christine Koch Harris. We talked with her to uncover overlooked chapters of local North Louisiana history, examining archival records and regional development. Episode 285: Dr. Michael Martin Guest & Topic: We interviewed historian Dr. Michael Martin. We brought him on to discuss his research into Louisiana's agricultural history, focusing on the economic and cultural impact of the sugar and cotton industries in the nineteenth century. Episode 260: Dr. Annette Tuitasi Guest & Topic: We spoke with cultural anthropologist Dr. Annette Tuitasi. We talked with her about immigrant communities in the Gulf Coast region, examining how diverse cultural groups integrate while maintaining distinct heritage practices. Episode 240: Dr. Lawrence Powell Guest & Topic: We welcomed renowned historian Dr. Lawrence Powell to discuss his extensive work on the political history of Louisiana, focusing on the Reconstruction era, populist movements, and the evolution of the state's unique political landscape. Episode 225: Dr. Susan Tucker Guest & Topic: We interviewed author and archivist Dr. Susan Tucker. We brought her on to discuss women's history in the American South, women's autobiographical writings, and the importance of preserving women's papers in institutional archives. Episode 205: Dr. Carl Brasseaux Guest & Topic: We sat down with premier Cajun historian Dr. Carl Brasseaux. We talked with him about his landmark research on Acadian migration, settlement patterns in south Louisiana, and the historical forces that shaped Cajun identity. Episode 190: Dr. Alecia Long Guest & Topic: We interviewed historian Dr. Alecia Long. We brought her on to discuss her work on the social and cultural history of New Orleans, particularly focusing on marginalized communities, tourism, and the hidden histories of the French Quarter. Episode 175: Dr. Thomas Ruys Smith Guest & Topic: We spoke with cultural historian Dr. Thomas Ruys Smith. We discussed his research on nineteenth-century literature of the American South, examining how popular writers mythologized the Mississippi River and the delta landscape. Episode 160: Dr. Mark Cave Guest & Topic: We interviewed oral historian Dr. Mark Cave. We talked with him about methodologies of oral history collection in post-disaster communities, focusing on firsthand narratives gathered after major Gulf Coast hurricanes. Episode 145: Dr. Clint Bruce Guest & Topic: We welcomed scholar Dr. Clint Bruce to discuss francophone literature in nineteenth-century Louisiana, exploring transnational connections between New Orleans, the Caribbean, and France among exiled writers. Episode 130: Dr. Patricia Brady Guest & Topic: We interviewed historian and biographer Dr. Patricia Brady. We brought her on to discuss her definitive work on historical figures like Caroline Dormon and early New Orleans society, unpacking the realities of life in the antebellum port city. Episode 115: Dr. Theodore Schwartze Guest & Topic: We sat down with researcher Dr. Theodore Schwartze to discuss regional architecture and historic preservation laws, examining how local municipalities fight to protect landmark structures from urban decay and modern overdevelopment. Episode 670: Sophie White Guest & Topic: We spoke with historian Sophie White about her groundbreaking book, Voices of the Enslaved: Love, Labor, and Longing in French Louisiana, exploring Atlantic World history, the archives of French colonial law, and her companion digital humanities project. 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. William Bonny Glover, History of the Caddo Indians.    In 1805 Dr. John Sibley, Indian agent at Natchitoches, in a report to Thomas Jefferson relative to the Indian tribes in his territory said:    There is now remaining of the Natchitoches but twelve men and nineteen women, who live in a village about twenty five miles by land above the town which bears their name near the lake, called by the French Lac de Muire. Their original language is the same as the Yattassee, but speak Caddo, and most of them French.    The French inhabitants have great respect for this nation, and a number of very decent families have a mixture of their blood in them. They claim but a small tract of land, on which they live, and I am informed, have the same rights to it from Government, that other inhabitants in their neighborhood have. They are gradually wasting away; the small pox has been their great destroyer. They still preserve their Indian dress and habits; raise corn and those vegetables common in their neighborhood. This week in Louisiana history. October 16, 1779. 18 American settlers along Lake Pontchartrain, in the presence of C

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.