Smiley Anders for Feb. 9, 2012

The ultimate excuse for speeding

Glenn Everett says, “Your recent stories about speeders and the last word brought to mind hearing a gentleman explaining to the judge that he was driving over 90 mph because he was low on gas and was trying to reach a gas station before he ran out.”

Florida fun

Before we wrap up our seminar on Florida Boulevard memories, a few more:

• James A. Culotta recalls White’s Café’s curb service:

“I convinced the car hop I was 18 by showing him my graduation ring so I could buy ‘root beer.’ ”

• Mike Romano, of St. Francisville, remembers the Calvaruso Shell station:

“It was owned by Vernon, his dad and his uncle.

“No credit cards on the gas pumps — they would put gas in your car, wash the windshield, and check tire pressure and oil level.”

• Charlotte Prouty has memories of the Burger Chef near Bon Marché Mall:

“It was here even before we had McDonald’s and Burger King. Mama would take us there for hamburgers.

“I can’t remember the price, but they were very cheap.”

• Jerry Robert says he was a teen when Florida Drive-in Theater was in business:

“I can remember bringing my wife-to-be there more than once. Had great movies(?).”

• Buddy Knox (Baton Rouge High ’55) tells of the time he and his BRHS band buddies were driving on Florida heading to Hopper’s, in the almost-new Ford convertible of friend Jason’s stepfather.

They got into a race with a carload of Catholic High guys.

Jason lost control, and they ran into the back of truck parked in front of Jack & Al’s restaurant, slamming it halfway into the building and surprising a guy playing the pinball machine.

Says Buddy, “Somehow, no one was injured — but I think Jason may disagree because of the repercussions when he told his stepfather what had happened to his beautiful car… ”

Father Coach

John Musemeche says the death of Father Jerome Dugas in Plaquemine reminds him of the time he met the priest — as coach of the Catholic High of Pointe Coupee football team:

“I was covering high school football for The Advocate, and went to New Roads to write about Catholic High’s team.

“There was the guy in shorts coaching the team, and he turned out to also be the priest.”

John says Father Jerome later served at Sacred Heart here and St. John the Evangelist in Plaquemine — as a priest only.

(And no, I didn’t ask John if Coach Jerome’s favorite play was the Hail Mary pass …)

Parade alert

I’ve singled out a couple of special parades this weekend:

• On Saturday “We Honor Our Own” is the theme of Feliciana Family and Friends Mardi Gras Parade in Clinton at 11 a.m.

Co-grand marshals are Annie Chapman, 100, and World War II veterans Clifford Babin, Jackie Brown Tandy and honorary grand marshal Louis C. “Skeeter” McKnight Sr.

Veterans, current members of the military, and folks 80 or older are being honored.

• A t 11 a.m. Sunday, the 50th annual Addis Fireman’s Parade rolls down Main Street in Addis. (I’ll be a float judge for this one, so you know it’s a class event.)

The celebration continues at Addis Railroad Historic Park.

Sweet gesture

Lynn Galtier thanks “the lady in the waiting room at The Digestive Health Center who came to my rescue.

“As I was waiting on my relative having a procedure, I had a drop in my blood sugar. She gave me a Rice Krispies bar that helped me get my sugar back on track.”

Walk this way

Ellyn Couvillion, of The Advocate’s People section, says a roundup of all health-related fund-raising walks coming up this spring will be run in People in early March.

Groups planning walks can send info to [e-mail] before Feb. 24.

My Furry Valentine

That’s the name of Sunday’s “Adopt-A-Thon” at Cat Haven Adoption Center, 11130 N. Harrell’s Ferry Road, 1 to 4 p.m.

It features “cats and kittens for adoption, refreshments, door prizes and kitty gifts.”

Visit http://www.cathaven.org.

Special People Dept.

• Marguerite Smith, of Jackson, celebrates her 92nd birthday Thursday.
• Ed and Pat Ryan celebrate 60 years of marriage Thursday.

And a fifth of juice

Marvin Borgmeyer says, “I was at the grocery store with my 20-year-old son.

“I needed milk, so I asked him to pick a bottle while I was getting eggs.

“He proudly comes back to the cart with a bottle and tells me he picked one with the latest ‘born on’ date.

“Apparently he has been buying bottled products other than milk.”

Puppy love

Harriet St.Amant gives Stan Kegel the credit (or blame) for this story:

“Whenever my family leaves the house, our Shetland sheepdog’s instincts start to kick in.

“He runs circles around us and nips at our heels to keep us all together.

“Watching this display, my friend couldn’t resist: ‘You always herd the ones you love.’ ”

Write Smiley at [e-mail]. He can also be reached by fax at [phone] or mail at P.O. Box 588, Baton Rouge, LA 70821.