Friday, November 14, 2014

78. Interview with Erin Greenwald about Company Man, Part 1.

78.  Interview with Erin Greenwald about the book she edited, Company Man, which is a book by  Marc-Antoine Caillot translated from a manuscript covering the early days of colonial New Orleans. We talk to Erin about the author's insights into life in the new colony.  "Yet with humor and insight, Caillot documents episodes major and minor-from the Natchez Massacre to New Orleans's earliest documented Carnival celebration to his own string of pranks and romantic escapades. His words speak with immediacy across the centuries, illuminating racial and ethnic politics, environmental concerns, and the birth of New Orleans's distinctive cultural mélange" (HNOC).
  1. This week in Louisiana history. Nov. 15 1730 Gov. Perier and French defeated the Natchez Indians
  2. This week in New Orleans history. The Kick Heard 'Round the World
    Saint Tom Dempsey Breaks Record.  November 8, 1970 Any New Orleanian who heard the radio broadcast of the Detroit Lions vs the Saints game on November 8, 1970 still remembers the kick.  One local sage wrote that many more people claimed to have been there that day than could possibly have fit into Tulane Stadium.  Many fans who had actually gone to the game left early, thinking that the Saints could not possibly catch up the Lions.  But in the final seconds, Tom Dempsey set a still-unbroken NFL-record 63 yard field goal to give the New Orleans Saints a 19-17 victory over the Detroit Lions at our home field.
  3. This week in Louisiana. November 16, 1972
        Southern University students killed by police
        Two black students at Southern University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana (one of the country's largest all-black colleges), were killed during a confrontation between black students and law enforcement officers. After the incident, police officials denied that their men had fired the fatal shots. Some suggested that the gunfire might have been accidental, but spokespersons for the students charged that the police had fired on purpose.
         The Louisiana state government put together a biracial committee consisting of police officers, university administrators, students, elected officials, and private citizens to investigate the shootings. Some blacks did not trust the official committee, however. They promised to assemble a group of their own to look into the incident.
  4. Battle of New Orleans  December 15, 1814NO. XXI. MARTIAL LAW
    The following spirited order gives a sufficient account of the motives which induced general Jackson to resort to the measure of proclaiming martial law. At the same time that it served to convince the emissaries, whom the enemy might have sent among us, of the inutility of their mission, it convinced also the people of Louisiana, that the man who had come to take command of the forces, was decidedly determined to save the country, and to make use of all the means in his power to obtain that desirable end.
    New Orleans, December 15, 1814.
    To The Citizens Of New Orleans,
    The major-general commanding, has, with astonishment and regret, learned that great consternation and alarm pervade your city. It is true the enemy is on our coast and threatens an invasion of our territory, but it is equally true, with union, energy, and the approbation of Heaven, we will beat him at every point his temerity may induce him to set foot upon our soil. The general, with still greater astonishment, has heard that British emissaries have been permitted to propagate seditious reports among you, that the threatened invasion is with a view of restoring the country to Spain, from a supposition that some of you would be willing to return to your ancient government. Believe not such incredible tales — your government is at peace with Spain — it is the vital enemy of your country, the common enemy of mankind, the highway robber of the world that threatens you, and has sent his hirelings amongst you with this false report, to put you off your guard, that you may fall an easy prey to him; — then look to your liberties, your property, the chastity of your wives and daughters — take a retrospect of the conduct of the British army at Hampton and other places, where it has entered our country, and every bosom which glows with patriotism and virtue, will be inspired with indignation, and pant for the arrival of the hour when we shall meet and revenge those outrages against the laws of civilization and humanity.
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Friday, November 7, 2014

77. Interview with Dayne Sherman about his novel, Zion.

77. Interview with Dayne Sherman about the release of his new novel, Zion. It is "a gothic treatment of the American South: a hard-charging depiction of religion, family, friendship, deception, and evil. Zion is a mystery set in the rural South, the story of a war fought over the killing of hardwoods in Baxter Parish, Louisiana. The tale begins in 1964 and ends a decade later, but the Hardin family, faithful members of Little Zion Methodist Church, will carry the scars for life." Dayne is a professor of library science at Southeastern Louisiana University, and he lives with his wife and son. 
Dayne Sherman's online links:
Web & Social Media: http://daynesherman.com/
Talk About the South Blog: http://daynesherman.blogspot.com/
Tweet the South - Twitter: http://twitter.com/TweettheSouth/
Facebook: http://facebook.com/daynesherman
  1. This week in Louisiana history. Nov. 8 1893 First LSU v. Tulane football game (held in N.O.)
  2. This week in New Orleans history. Preservation Hall Receives the National Medal of Arts
    November 9, 2006
    The Preservation Hall Jazz Band was awarded the 2006 National Medal of Arts, the nation’s highest honor for artistic excellence. The award was presented to creative director of Preservation Hall, Benjamin Jaffe and co-founder of Preservation Hall, Sandra Jaffe, who accepted the award from President and Mrs. Laura Bush in an Oval Office ceremony on November 9, 2006. The citation reads: “With enormous talent and pride, this ageless ensemble has toured the world displaying the unbreakable spirit of New Orleans and sharing the joy of New Orleans jazz with us all". Established in 1961 with the purpose "to preserve, perpetuate, and protect traditional New Orleans Jazz", its musicians have done so for more than half a century in one of the oldest buildings in the French Quarter, and around the world.   
  3. This week in Louisiana.     Treme Creole Gumbo Festival A who's who of New Orleans brass bands, plus a large arts market, gumbo vendors, second lines, a dance contest, and a vegan gumbo contest. Admission: Free. Louis Armstrong Park, 801 N Rampart St, New Orleans, 504.558.6100.
  4. Battle of New Orleans  December 18, 1814NO. XX..
    On Sunday, the 18th December, general Jackson reviewed the militia of the cily, the battalion commanded by major Plauche, and a part of the regiment of men of colour. Being drawn up on their respective parades, the following addresses were read to them by Mr. Livingston, one of his aids:
    TO THE EMBODIED MILITIA.
    Fellow citizens and soldiers!
    The general commanding in chief would not do justice to the noble ardour that has animated you in the hour of danger, he would not do justice to his own feeling, if he suffered the example you have shown to pass without public notice. Inhabitants of an opulent and commercial town, you have, by a spontaneous effort, shaken off the habits which are created by wealth, and shown that you are resolved to deserve the blessings of fortune by bravely defending them. Long strangers to the perils of war, you have embodied yourselves to face them with the cool countenance of veterans — and with motives of disunion that might operate on weak minds, you have forgotten the difference of language and the prejudices of national pride, and united with a cordiality that does honour to your understandings as well as to your patriotism. Natives of the United States! They are the oppressors of your infant political existence, with whom you are to contend — they are the men your fathers conquered whom you are to oppose. Descendants of Frenchmen! natives of France! they are English, the hereditary, the eternal enemies of your ancient country, the invaders of that you have adopted, who are your foes. Spaniards! remember the conduct of your allies at St. Sebastians, and recently at Pensacola, and rejoice that you have an opportunity of avenging the brutal injuries inflicted by men who dishonour the human race.
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Friday, October 31, 2014

76. Interview with poet Julie Kane

76.   We interviewed poet Julie Kane as we ate by the Cane River in Natchitoches. Julie is a Professor of English at Northwestern State University and was the 2011-2013 Louisiana Poet Laureate.  She has published several books of poetry, the most recent being Paper Bullets.  Enjoy the chat, and buy her books to enjoy the rest of her poetry. 
  1. This week in Louisiana history. Nov. 1 1966 New Orleans Saints become 16th NFL football team
  2. This week in New Orleans 
  3. history. From the New Orleans Public Libary: North Claiborne at Esplanade Avenue, November 1, 1956 -- The live oak trees on the North Claiborne neutral ground were uprooted so that construction of the elevated Interstate Highway 10 could proceed. The highway project not only took away the oak trees, it also drastically changed the economic and social life of the adjacent neighborhoods. Proposals are under consideration to dismantle the Interstate and restore the surface-level Avenue to once again be the “Main Street” of black Creole New Orleans.
  4. This week in Louisiana.
    Oct. 28-Nov. 2
    Yellow Rails and Rice Festival The sixth annual festival brings together birders, farmers, and spectators for field days, workshops, information booths, and more. Jennings.
  5. Battle of New Orleans  December 5, 1814. NO. XVIIITo commodore Daniel T. Patterson, New Orleans.
    Pensacola, 5th December, 1814.
    Sir,
    I feel
    it a duty to apprize you of a very large force of the enemy off this port, and it is generally understood New Orleans is the object of attack. It amounts at present to about eighty vessels, and more than double that number are momentarily looked for, to form a junction, when an immediate commencement of their operations will take place. I am not able to learn, how, when, or where the attack will be made; but I heard that they have vessels of all descriptions, and a large body of troops. Admiral Cochrane commands, and his ship, the Tonnant, lies at this moment just outside the bar; they certainly appear to have swept the West Indies of troops, and probably no means will be left untried to obtain their object.
    — The admiral arrived only yesterday noon. 
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Friday, October 24, 2014

75. Interview with author Tim Parrish

75.  We interview writer Tim Parrish, author of  Fear and What Follows (a memoir of bigotry and bullying in Baton Rouge),  The Jumper (a coming of age novel), and Red Stick Men (a book of short stories set in blue-collar Baton Rouge). 
  1. This week in Louisiana history. October 25, 1769. "Bloody" O'Reilly executes rebels who ousted Ulloa to hang but no hangman, they were shot instead.  The Martyr Patriots by T. Wharton Collens is about this incident.
  2. This week in New Orleans history. October 25, 1924.  Earl Cyril Palmer  born in New Orleans and raised in the Tremé (October 25, 1924 – September 19, 2008) was an American rock & roll and rhythm and blues drummer, and member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Palmer played on many recording sessions, including Little Richard's first several albums and Tom Waits' 1978 album Blue Valentine. playing on New Orleans recording sessions, including Fats Domino's "The Fat Man", "I'm Walkin" (and all the rest of Domino's hits), "Tipitina" by Professor Longhair, "Tutti Frutti" by Little Richard (and most of Richard's hits), "Lawdy Miss Clawdy" by Lloyd Price, and "I Hear You Knockin'" by Smiley Lewis.
  3. This week in Louisiana. 
    Brudley's Wild Game Cookoff
    October 25th, 2014
    SugArena @ Acadiana Fairgrounds
    713 NW Bypass (Hwy. 3212), New Iberia, LA 70560
    337-365-7539 | 337-365-4795
    http://www.sugarena.com/

  4. Battle of New Orleans  September 15, 1814NO. XIV. Address from the committee of public defence, to their fellow citizens.
    Fellow Citizens,
    Named
    by a numerous assembly of the citizens of New Orleans, to aid the constituted authorities in devising the most certain means of guarding against the dangers which threatened you, our first duty is to apprize you of the extent of those dangers — your open enemy is preparing to attack you from without, and by means of his vile agents dispersed through the country, endeavours to excite to insurrection a more cruel and dangerous one in the midst of you. Fellow citizens! the most perfect union is necessary among all the individuals which compose our community; all have an equal interest in yielding a free and full obedience to their magistrates and officers, and in forwarding their views for the public good — all have not only their property, but their very existence at stake; you have, through your representatives in the convention, contracted the solemn obligation of becoming an integral part of the United States of America; by this measure you secured your own sovereignty and acquired the invaluable blessing of independence. God forbid that we should believe there are any among us disposed to fail in the sacred duties required by fidelity and honour. 
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Friday, October 17, 2014

74. Interview with Lamar White, Jr., about Louisiana and Texas politics

74.  We interview Lamar White, Jr., writer and editor of the CenLamar Blog. We check back in with Lamar because of his role in a Texas political conflict he was involved in this week.  Lamar has been interested in local politics and history for many years, and his blog has a wide following.  He is currently attending the Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law, but he continues to report and comment on Louisiana politics on his blog.

  1. This week in Louisiana history. October 19, 1803. Louisiana Purchase Treaty ratified by senate by a vote of 24 to 7.
  2. This week in New Orleans history. October 18, 1939.  Lee Harvey Oswald was born in the French Hospital at 1821 Orleans Avenue in New Orleans on October 18, 1939 to Robert Edward Lee Oswald, Sr. and Marguerite Frances Claverie. Robert, Sr. died of a heart attack two months prior to Lee's birth. Oswald had two older siblings—brother Robert Edward Lee Oswald, Jr. and half-brother John Edward Pic.  In 1944, Oswald's mother moved the family from New Orleans to Dallas. Oswald entered the 1st grade in 1945 and over the next half-dozen years attended several different schools in the Dallas and Fort Worth areas through the 6th grade. As a child, Oswald was described by several people who knew him as withdrawn and temperamental. In August 1952, when Oswald was 12, his mother took him to New York City where they lived for a short time with Oswald's half-brother, John Pic. Oswald and his mother were later asked to leave after an argument in which Oswald allegedly struck his mother and threatened Pic's wife with a pocket knife.  Oswald attended the 7th grade in the Bronx, New York but was often truant, which led to a psychiatric assessment at a juvenile reformatory. The reformatory psychiatrist, Dr. Renatus Hartogs, described Oswald as immersed in a "vivid fantasy life, turning around the topics of omnipotence and power, through which [Oswald] tries to compensate for his present shortcomings and frustrations." Dr. Hartogs detected a "personality pattern disturbance with schizoid features and passive-aggressive tendencies" and recommended continued treatment.
  3. This week in Louisiana. 
    State Fair of Louisiana
    October 23rd, 2014 - November 9th, 2014
    State Fair of Louisiana
    3701 Hudson Ave., Shreveport, LA 71109
    318-635-1361 | 318-631-4909
    http://www.statefairoflouisiana.com/

    The official State Fair of the State of Louisiana. The largest livestock show of the year, a carnival known for thrilling rides and great games on the midway along with great food, competitive exhibits, the PRCA championship rodeo, college football and much more!
    The official State Fair of the State of Louisiana. The largest livestock show of the year, a carnival known for thrilling rides and great games on the midway along with great food, competitive exhibits, the PRCA championship rodeo, college football and much more!
  4. Battle of New Orleans  August 6th, 1814. NO. VIII
    Militia general orders, head-quarters,
    New Orleans, August 6th, 1814.
    In
    a letter from the honourable the secretary at war, under date of the 4th ultimo, the governor of Louisiana has received the orders of the president of the United States, to organize and hold in readiness for immediate service, a corps of a thousand militia infantry, being the quota assigned to this state, of a requisition for ninety-three thousand five hundred men, made on the executives of the several states, under the laws of the 28th February 1795, and 18th of April 1814, the governor and commander-in-chief in consequence directs, that one complete regiment, a thousand strong, to be composed of two battalions 1st and 2nd be organized and equipped for service, with the least possible delay. The first division of militia will furnish four full companies, each company to consist of one captain, one first lieutenant, two second lieutenant, four serjeants, four corporals, one drummer, one fifer, and ninety privates — the whole to be apportioned among the several brigades or regiments attached to the first division by the major-general commanding the same, and under his orders to be organized on or before the 4th of September next, and due returns made to the adjutant-general.
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Saturday, October 11, 2014

73. Interview with Musician Stephen Billeaud

73.  We interview Stephen Billeaud.  Writer and musician. Formerly of Royal Teeth. Resides in Lafayette, Louisiana, cher.
  1. This week in Louisiana history. October 14, 1813. U.S. dragoons attacked pirate Jean Lafitte in marshes near N.O.
  2. This week in New Orleans history. October 11, 1937.  In 10 parishes, 5,335 people were employed, in this "white collar" program, who sorted 59,224 case reports at Charity Hospital, thousands of volumes for the New Orleans Public Library, the archives of the Cabildo and City Hall, 15,000 veterans' grave records, and 12,923 service records. The data from 800,000 observations of atmospheric balloon flights were recorded, currents and tides were indexed.  New Orleans traffic problems were surveyed.  Workers modernized the city tax office by processing 183,687 pages of tax record books.  A toy lending center was established where workers repaired 1528 toys and created 8,825 more.  Other workers reconditioned 1,574 pieces of furniture for distribution to underprivileged homes and made clothing for persons on relief rolls at 10 different locations.  Alma S. Hammond was the state director of this Professional and Service Division.
  3. This week in Louisiana.
    79th International Rice Festival
    October 15th, 2014 - October 18th, 2014
    Downtown
    Parkerson Avenue, Crowley, LA 70526
    337-783-3067
    http://www.ricefestival.com/

  4. Battle of New Orleans  September 15 Resolutions by the citizens of New Orleans in Tremoulet's coffee-house.  NO. XIII
    At a very numerous and respectable meeting of the citizens of New Orleans and its vicinity, assembled pursuant to public notice at Tremoulet's coffee-house, on the 15th day of September, 1814, to consider of the propriety of naming a committee to co-operate with the constituted authorities of the state and general government, in suggesting measures of defence, and calling out the force of the country in the present emergency,
    Edward Livingston, Esq. was called to the chair, and Richard Relf, Esq. appointed secretary of the meeting.
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Tuesday, October 7, 2014

Poetry reading by David Middleton at Saline Library, October 16, 10:00-11:00 a.m.



SALINE BRANCH LIBRARY
Invites you to join us for a Poetry Reading by

DR. DAVID MIDDLETON
Thursday, October 16, 2014
10:00-11:00 a.m.
As a child in the 1950s and 1960s, Dr. Middleton spent many summers, weekends, and holidays in Saline visiting his maternal grandparents, Henderson Edward and Mary Emma Sudduth.  Mr. Sudduth was mayor of Saline and president of the Bank of Saline.  The old bank building has been remodeled and now serves as the Saline Branch in the Bienville Parish Library System.

For more information, please contact the library at 318.576.8990.