Susan Himes, of Geismar, was struck by our Thursday story on how New York City is coping with the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy.
The story told of a steak house that lost power in the storm and was grilling its steaks on the sidewalk and selling them at a deep discount.
She recalls that after Hurricane Katrina, the restaurants of New Orleans that lost power cooked what they could — and gave it away to the people working to restore the city.
“What a different culture we live in,” Susan observes.
Former newspaper guy Roy Pitchford, of Monroe, who recently told some stories about sports reporters in New Orleans, adds this tale:
He says former Advocate executive sports editor Sam King made a special contribution to sports journalism with one of the great leads of all time:
“Sam once wrote for the Denham Springs weekly newspaper under the alias Rick O’Shea.
“Once, when Bonnabel High returned the opening kickoff for a touchdown against Denham Springs, but wound up losing by 30 points, Rick (Sam) wrote, ‘Bonnabel was more like a dinner bell Friday night, as they rang one time before the Yellow Jackets ate their lunch.’ ”
Marvin Gates, of Kenner, addresses my whining about my recent bout with gout:
“I, too, suffer with gout. My doctor said to stay away from shellfish and rich foods.”
So of course he changed doctors …
No, seriously, after five years with his doctor, with mixed results, he switched to his wife’s doctor, who prescribed allopurinol.
Now the only foods he can’t eat are sardines, anchovies, livers, gizzards, hearts and the like — delicacies I could force myself to live without …
Once more we move into Heloise territory:
Evelyn says, “We are having a problem getting rid of small black ants that have just taken over our yard, patio, porch, outside walls, storage buildings, etc.
“Have tried granulated ant poison and spraying water with dishwasher detergent.
“Do any readers have any suggestions? These ants do not bite but are very pesky.”
That’s the name of a drive by the Capital Area Corporate Recycling Council, 1400 Main St. Bring two canned goods for the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank from Monday through Dec. 20 and get $5 off your total purchase, or get recycling fees waived. Call (225) 379-3577.
That’s the name of the food drive at Remington College’s Baton Rouge campus during November.
The school offers a haircut, manicure or pedicure to anyone who brings in a can of food or other nonperishable food donation for local food banks.
Salon services will be provided by students and instructors in the cosmetology program.
To schedule an appointment call (225) 291-4660. Walk-ins are welcome. Hours are Monday through Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The free program opens with exhibits viewing at 6 p.m. A presentation by a panel of experts will be held from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Advance registration is requested. Call (225) 926-5343 or email bwilliams@stlukesbr.org.
The event includes a premium bar, hors d’ oeuvres, music and an auction.
Proceeds benefit Wounded Wear, which provides free clothing for the wounded; Special Ops Survivors, which aids spouses of the fallen; and the Baton Rouge Division of the U.S. Navy Sea Cadets.
Call Matt Reames at (225) 362-1830.
Jerry Moses joins our discussion of tote sacks and/or toad sacks:
“There’s also a ‘tow sack,’ made out of tow, which Webster’s says is the fiber of flax, hemp or jute.
“Personally, I prefer gunny sacks.”
Marvin McConnell says, “I read about the fellow going faster than greased lightning.
“There is someone who is even faster — the person who greased that lightning.
“Now that is really fast.”
Faye Hoffman Talbot, of Jackson, tells of arriving at a party and noticing that the man cooking jambalaya looked familiar:
“Are you Baby Jesus?” she asked him.
Turns out he was — she says “Mr. Bob,” who grew up in north Baton Rouge about the same time she did, “played Baby Jesus at St. Anthony over 50 years ago.
“Baby Jesus now sports a mustache.”
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.
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