Smiley Anders for Oct. 26, 2012
I try to avoid controversial subjects whenever possible, but I feel obligated to report on what could be the start of The Great Boudin War between towns in Avoyelles, Evangeline and Lafayette parishes.
As you may know, the community of Scott in Lafayette Parish claims the modest title of “Boudin Capital of the World.”
But at a recent boudin contest in downtown Lafayette, reports Mike Gauthier, T-Boy’s, a store in Mamou (Evangeline Parish), won first place in both the traditional and specialty categories, plus the coveted People’s Choice award.
And T-Jim’s store, in Cottonport (Avoyelles), won first place in the unlinked category.
Mike says this has led many Avoyelles folks to claim that their parish is really the home of the best boudin in the world.
This could get serious — major bragging rights are in play here.
The other Van Buren
Gary Cross, of Prairieville, says LSU should honor an outstanding athlete, war hero and citizen — his brother-in-law Ebert Van Buren.
Ebert is the younger brother of LSU Athletic Hall of Fame member Steve Van Buren, who died Aug. 23.
Ebert, an 87-year-old psychologist in Monroe, has quite a story.
He was born in British Honduras (now Belize), and his family moved to New Orleans in the 1940s. Ebert was not yet an American citizen when he enlisted in the Army in World War II.
He spent four years fighting in the Pacific, and Gary terms him “probably the most honored hero to enter LSU as a freshman in the history of LSU sports.”
Ebert never played high school football, but after the war he was recruited off a New Orleans playground to join the LSU football team. He lettered at halfback in 1948-50 and was on the 1949 “Cinderella Team” that played Oklahoma in the Sugar Bowl. He was captain of the 1950 LSU team.
He played three years with the Philadelphia Eagles and was named to the Pro Bowl in 1951.
Gary says Ebert deserves to join his brother Steve in the LSU Athletic Hall of Fame.
Good Samaritans
Karen Wilkes thanks District Chief Phil Ruffin of Fire Station No. 10 in Kenilworth:
“My brother was recently having a difficult time with an illness, and ran into Mr. Ruffin, who went out of his way to help him.
“Not only did he follow my brother to make sure he got home safely, he also put air in one of his tires and fixed a tail light on his truck.
“I went by the fire station, and one of the guys I ran into said he is not surprised — that Mr. Ruffin is always doing for others.
“I will not forget this, and I intend to pass this kindness on to others.”
Science is super
Anne Taylor says “Super Science Saturday” is a hands-on chemistry program for children and their parents.
It happens at LSU’s Pete Maravich Assembly Center, 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., and is sponsored by the Baton Rouge Section of the American Chemical Society, the LSU Chemistry Department and the LSU Athletic Department.
Participants are asked to bring a nonperishable item for the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank.
Contact Anne at akt1208@bellsouth.net or (225) 767-3565.
Worthy causes
A Fall Festival from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday in the Mike Zito Multi Purpose Center in Plaquemine benefits cancer patient Cathy Dupont.
There’ll be music by Kenny Fife and Audio 4, a gumbo cook-off, spaghetti dinners, car show and more.
Call Rhonda Harrell at (225) 385-9575 or go to http://www. wearethedifference.org.
Special People Dept.
- Former Baton Rougean Kathleen Fall, now in Brandon, Miss., celebrates her 92nd birthday Saturday.
- Connie and A.J. ”Junior” Taillon, of Gonzales, celebrate 61 years of marriage Saturday.
Save up your nickels
“Tom Toddy” writes in our Nostalgia Corner:
“I wonder if any of your readers will admit to being old enough to remember this soft drink jingle: ‘Pepsi-Cola hits the spot, 12 full ounces, that’s a lot. Twice as much for a nickel too, Pepsi-Cola is the drink for you!’
“And speaking of the buying power of a nickel in my youth, there was one movie theater in my north Louisiana town that showed a double feature for a five-cent admission fee.
“I haven’t been to a movie theater in years, but I imagine the fees have increased a bit.”
Tooth and consequences
Marsha Reichle tells how her morning coffee-and-paper session went:
“I puzzle out the tee-ninecy printing of The Advocate’s TV schedule: ‘Remington Steele: Laura goes to a dental comedian.’
“I drink my coffee and consider the possibilities of where this plot might lead.
“I go back and read it again. This time it says ‘Remington Steele: Laura goes to a dental convention.’
“Failing eyesight has ratcheted up the entertainment value of The Advocate another notch.”
Write Smiley at Smiley@theadvocate.com. He can also be reached by fax at (225) 388-0351 or mail at P.O. Box 588, Baton Rouge, LA 70821.