Smiley Anders for Oct. 11, 2012

After a reader complained about the dead tree at the new site of Woman’s Hospital, we got an explanation from Herbert Thevenot, of Bunkie:

“That dead tree is the eagle’s perch. It’s almost always there in the early morning.”

And Dr. Bill Smith adds his eagle-sighting story:

“While waiting at the surgery waiting area, I saw a beautiful bald eagle in flight over the hospital grounds and lake.

“One of the nurses said it has been ‘hanging around’ ever since construction began.

“Maybe he thinks he’s a stork.”

A dog’s life

Anna Cochran, of Walker, has some advice for the reader who is having trouble getting her dog to stay home:

“Remodel your house to look like the great outdoors.

“Fake trees, carpet that looks like grass, a few birds flying around, a fire hydrant, etc.

“He’ll be so confused, thinking, ‘Am I in or out?’

“If that fails, maybe you should trade him in for a cat!”

(Oh yeah, cats mind so well. …)

Gumbo and moi

I was thinking that Monday had brought in gumbo weather when I heard from Julaine Schexnayder about New Iberia’s World Championship Gumbo Cook-Off on Friday through Sunday on that city’s Main Street.

Friday evening and all day Saturday are taken up with bands, shopping deals, museum tours and 40-plus food booths offering non-gumbo items.

The gumbo itself is saved for Sunday with cooking starting at 6 a.m., tasting at 11 a.m. and the winner named at 3:30 p.m.

As it happens, I’ll be there for the festivities on Saturday at Books Along the Teche from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. signing my new book, “Smiley! A Laughing Matter.”

Upper crust

Randy Wesley reports that the Pastime (along with Pastime Jr.) has once again been named one of the top 100 pizza restaurants in the U.S. by Pizza Today magazine.

The 65-year-old eatery was named No. 74 among the “Hot 100,” its highest ranking yet.

Good Samaritans

“Since my husband and I are in our mid-80s, yard work is limited,” says Bobbie LaCour, of Ventress.

“After winds from Isaac dwindled, we were discussing who to call for help in yard cleanup (we have two acres with many trees).

“Suddenly we looked out and saw a crowd in the yard. Three young adults and five teenagers were cleaning up, stacking the debris by the ditch. Wonderful neighbors!”

Speaking of Isaac

Cathy Arnett says she and her neighbors in Central are happy that “the post-Isaac debris piles were finally removed from our street. Special thanks to David Barrow, who heads the effort for our area. Also, kudos to Kathy Kelly at Metro Councilman Scott Wilson’s office for her part in making sure we weren’t forgotten.”

Looking for stuff

Jim Barry says Baton Rouge Little Theater, for its production of “Always … Patsy Cline” Nov. 2 to 18, needs to borrow a mid-1950s jukebox:

“It does not need to play music, but it should light up.”

Call [phone].

Worthy causes

On Saturday the Luke Craft Fair at Woodlawn Baptist Church, 5805 Jones Creek Road, benefits the Down Syndrome Association in Luke Strohmeyer’s name. The fair was created by Luke’s mom, Blythe, and grandmother, Ruth.

From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. it features vendor booths offering sweets, antiques, jewelry, paintings, pottery, etc.

Call Patti Wilson at [phone].

Special People Dept.

• Mildred Primm, of Central, celebrates her 92nd birthday Thursday.
• Huey and Pauline Partin Achord, of Baton Rouge, celebrate their 60th anniversary Thursday. He’s a retired Allied Chemical engineer.

A cat’s way

Dan Burkhalter, the Carencro Curmudgeon, says the photo in the People section of Lady Katherine and me at a Cat Haven benefit reminds him of a saying he got off a crossword puzzle (I always wondered where he gets his stuff …):

“A dog comes when he’s called; a cat says ‘Leave a message and I’ll get back to you.’”

Sneaky Ludwig!

Sarah Stravinska, of Chestnut, says, “Your tale about the book called ‘Exotica’ filed in the library’s ‘Adults Only’ section reminded me of my own misreading of a similar word.

“As kids we were allowed to listen to classical music only.

“I found an album with Beethoven’s Eroica, Symphony No. 3, and thought it said ‘erotica.’ Eureka! Naughty classical music.

“I listened to that piece from start to finish and never heard anything vaguely naughty. Rats!”

Deep thought

Loren Scott notes that a gent from Rabenhorst Funeral Home responded to our mention of Create a Great Funeral Day:

“Those are really fine folks at Rabenhorst. They would be the last to let you down.”

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.