Louisiana Travels for Aug. 19

Lily Orchid Days in full flower; N.O. fundraiser benefits Haughery statue rehab

Sunday, Aug. 19, is the final day of Lily Orchid Days at Allen Acres near Fort Polk.

Allen Acres is a nature-oriented farm in the west central part of the state with chickens and guineas, nature trails, and gardens with butterflies, hummingbirds, herbs and country art.

“It will be hot but this is the time of the year that Carolina Lily (Lilium michauxii) and Yellow Fringed Orchid (Platanthera ciliaris) are in flower and perhaps yellow fringeless orchid (Platanthera integra) and crested yellow orchid (Platanthera cristata),” Dr. Charles M. Allen said via email. “We will have located good spots for these plus other notable plants for viewing and photographing.”

The caravan to Carolina Lily and Yellow Fringed Orchid spots plus other plants will leave from Allen Acres at 8 a.m.

The tour is free.

To get to Allen Acres, take La. 10 going west out of Oakdale and follow La. 10 through Elizabeth and Pitkin. Six miles past Pitkin, drivers will enter Cravens. In Cravens, turn south (left) onto La 399. Follow La. 399 south for 1.8-1.9 miles and in a sharp curve to the left, turn right into the Allen Acres’ driveway. For more information, contact Dr. Charles Allen or Susan Allen, [phone] or email [e-mail]. Allen Acres also has a bed and breakfast.

äON THE INTERNET:

http://www.allenacresbandb.com

In New Orleans

The statue of a woman and child sitting in a small park where Camp and Prytania streets meet is identified by only one word — Margaret.

The monument, in the Coliseum Square neighborhood, pays tribute to the late Irish immigrant and philanthropist Margaret Haughery. Haughery was orphaned at age 9, and dedicated her life to helping orphaned children and needy women. Known as the Bread Woman of New Orleans and the Mother of Orphans, she used profits from her bakery business to build orphanages in the city. Upon her death, she left her fortune to the needy.

The monument to Haughery is now in disrepair, and a fundraising event is planned for 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 19, at Margaret Gardens Inn, 1133 Margaret Place. Local restaurateurs will provide food and cocktails will be courtesy of Bacardi Rum.

Tickets at the door are $40, and all funds raised will go toward restoration of the statue by the Monumental Task Force, Inc., a non-profit which repairs and preserves pieces of local New Orleans history.

äON THE INTERNET:

http://margaretmtc.eventbrite.com

Travel + Leisure Magazine has named The Roosevelt New Orleans one of the top large city hotels in the U.S.

The Waldorf Astoria hotel ranks 28 in the magazine’s annual World’s Best Awards.

The magazine also named New Orleans the fifth favorite American or Canadian city.

The hotel features 504 rooms, 135 of which are luxury suites; the legendary Blue Room, the Sazerac Bar and Restaurant, John Besh’s Domenica Restaurant and Teddy’s Cafe.

The Blue Room plans a special, two-night engagement of the one-man play The Kingfish Thursday and Friday, Aug. 30 and 31. The play, performed by actor John “Spud” McConnell, depicts the life and times of La. Gov. Huey Long. Long called the Roosevelt his “home in New Orleans.”

Showtimes are 6:30 p.m. each night. General admission tickets are $65, and VIP seating is $80.

For more information or reservations, call [phone].

äON THE INTERNET:

http://www.therooseveltneworleans.com

Turning 200

Covington will kick off its bicentennial year with Celebrate Covington 2013 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 30, at the Covington Trailhead.

The free event will offer music by Kermit Ruffins and the BBQ Swingers, and there will be a battle of the bands between Covington High and St. Paul’s School.

Proceeds from food and drink sales will benefit the Covington Bicentennial Committee.

äON THE INTERNET:

http://www.covla.com

In Houma

Houma Downtown Development/Main Street Program will host Downtown Live After 5 from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Friday, Aug. 31, outside the Courthouse downtown.

The band Overtime will perform from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Visitors are asked to bring lawn chairs.

For more information, call [phone].

äON THE INTERNET:

http://www.houmamainstreet.org

Louisiana Travels is a biweekly column about travel destinations and events in Louisiana. Email items for Louisiana Travels to [e-mail] or [e-mail] or fax to [phone].