I have written a number of books over the years. Some of them have been self-published through on-demand book production services such as Amazon. Several of them are history books telling about St. Tammany communities, but there are also a few novels that I have published over the years. If you wish to help support this blog, please consider buying one (or two) of the books shown below.
Covington - Our History
People & Places
A collection of articles, photographs and biographical anecdotes telling the story of Covington, Louisiana, and its citizenry from 1800 to 2019. Telling about the mayors, the fires, the floods, the early merchants and the remarkably historic homes and buildings. With more than 200 pictures, this 127 page book shares the insights, events, and community spirit that have made the city what it is today.
Available on Amazon: Click here for info.
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Madisonville Meanderings
A 164 page book filled with articles and photographs of the Madisonville area, telling the story of its history, shipyards, restaurants and people from throughout the years.
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Movie Memories
on the Northshore
Residents of St. Tammany Parish have many fond memories of the movies they have seen over the past several decades, as well as the many community movie theaters they frequented. Here is a detailed overview of the motion picture industry in the area north of New Orleans, Louisiana. Several landmark movie shows are spotlighted.
Available on Amazon.com. CLICK HERE
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Artists, Writers & Other
Talented People in the Tammany Family
Talented People in the Tammany Family
One of the many positive aspects of living in the Northlake area near New Orleans is the large number of very talented people who represent a considerable diversity in interests and inclinations. All in all, it is the atmosphere of individual encouragement that sets the tone. The Talent Bank column explored many avenues found locally to discover, develop and use each person's particular talent. Persons featured include Walker Percy, Frank Levy, and Daniel Posin.
Available on Amazon.com. CLICK HERE.
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The St. Tammany Trolley Motorcar
This book takes a detailed look at the triumphs, tragedies, and fun derived from the St. Tammany Trolley, a street car that ran between Covington and Mandeville, Louisiana, between 1908 and 1918. It offered a wide variety of day excursions, commuter services, real estate promotions, and bringing newly-arrived boat visitors to the health-renowned northlake area, especially the world famous Abita Springs.
Available on Amazon.com at the following link:
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Abita Springs:
Collection of Articles & Photographs
A scrapbook of memories of Abita Springs: its amazing history, its current charms, and its future possibilities. Once known internationally as a famous health resort, Abita Springs has kept its quaint appeal over the years.
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The Southern Hotel
A century of history of one of the South's most famous small town resort hotels
The Legacy of the Southern Hotel has fascinated both residents and visitors for decades, from a classic regional resort to a modern day destination boutique hotel, it has served the community in a number of ways, some of which are quite surprising.
To order a copy, CLICK HERE.
The Bridges of St. Tammany
By Ron Barthet
An overview of the historic and present-day bridges in St. Tammany Parish, Louisiana. Photos, text, and images of newspaper articles from years ago. St. Tammany has more lakes, rivers and waterways than any other parish in the state, and its bridges reflect that diversity and challenge. It shares 158 pages of photographs and descriptions.
Available on Amazon.com CLICK HERE
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The History of Sun
By Ron Barthet
The History of Sun is the story of the village of Sun, Louisiana, how it came to be, what made it grow and prosper, and the people who provided the leadership for the community. The book includes a number of photographs.
Available on Amazon CLICK HERE
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Lee Lane Legacy
The two-block long street known as “Lee Lane” in Covington, Louisiana, is an incredible story, from its early history as a major thoroughfare to its line of residential cottages, and today as a unique shopping venue. Shoppers have gravitated to its inviting shops and restaurants for decades. Andrew Jackson crossed over Lee Lane on his way to the Battle of New Orleans, the street has been a favorite of artists and writers (among them Walker Percy), and the wide range of antiques and collectibles that are available always delight and entertain visitors. Written up in Southern Living magazine and a favorite destination for Christmas shopping, Lee Lane has over the years gained a considerable following, both locally and with visitors from New Orleans.
Available on Amazon.com
Click on the following link:
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Folsom: Yesterday & Today
By Ron Barthet
An overview of the history of Folsom, its people and businesses. A hundred years ago it was the end of the line for a local railroad track, but excelled in providing lumber and other goods for decades. Today it's a center for landscape nurseries as well as horse breeding and training ranches. Known for its Christmas horse parade, the community offers a thriving commercial district for its surrounding residential areas.
This book contains many photographs, maps and charts, with an emphasis on history and the people who made Folsom what it is today.
Ron Barthet presenting a copy of the
Folsom history book to Frank Richerand
of the Giddy Up Coffee House
To buy a copy of the book CLICK ON THIS LINK
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Over the past 41 years I have been drawing cartoon pictorial maps of area towns, mainly the downtown business areas. The maps have been featured on restaurant placemats, school textbook covers, postcards, Mardi Gras cups, and even T-Shirts. Each map spotlights the history of the town, and often names the key businesses located in the community. All in all, it's the continuation of a centuries-old art style that has recorded "bird's eye views" of cities around the world. Cartoon maps shown include Abita Springs, Covington, Mandeville, Madisonville, Folsom, Slidell, and Barker's Corner. Now includes a selection of "Posters From Imaginary Festivals and Conventions."
Available on Amazon.com. CLICK HERE.
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So when is a good time to sit down with older family members and record a few family stories? Now. Do not put it off another week. With proper preparation and the right equipment you will uncover a gold mine of information, overflowing with personal recollections, some entertaining, some surprising and even some vital to know about. But it's your family, and your children and your grandchildren who will benefit the most from having a record of these things. And it's up to you to record them for posterity. You can have fun doing it and enjoy the process as well as the product: a family history account that will be rewarding and treasured for years to come.
To order a copy click on the following link:
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Fiction Selections
By Ron Barthet
This science fiction novel deals with time travel, old books, famous inventors, and home health nurses. A quick and startling look at what can go wrong when a person goes back in time only a few years.
Available on Amazon.com. CLICK HERE.
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By Ron Barthet
This is a story of a 40 year old financial wizard who has lived in New York City all of his life, when, for reasons beyond his control, he suddenly finds himself at a small boat marina on Maine's Atlantic coast. It tells about his fascination with knots, his distant past, and his unforeseeable future, all while surrounded by a group of characters ranging from crusty old fishermen to day sailors to yacht captains. That is, until one day when he gets a call from an art gallery in Los Angeles.
Available on Amazon.com. CLICK HERE.
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The Morning Mist Mystery
This murder mystery is fast-paced, with plot twists one after another. It all starts at 4 a.m. one morning when Frank Bosworth is sleeping, and suddenly his wife wakes him up, tells him to get dressed, and together they get into their car and drive off into the morning mist. Will they survive the next six hours?
On sale at Amazon.com CLICK HERE.
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This book offers a wide variety of my short stories, poems and essays. The stories range from Cajun anecdotes and science fiction oddities to personal remembrances and adventures. There's even a murder mystery thrown in for good measure.
Available on Amazon.com at the following link:
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Mind Pivot
Mind Pivot is a novel that explores various states of mind and the mysteries of each. The main character is a college student who is assigned a research project on the most boring topic of "What causes fainting?" But the tables are turned as it is revealed that fainting is just the tip of the iceberg as consciousness battles unconsciousness in defending a person from danger. Includes a special mention of hypnotized chickens.
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The story of one man's heroic efforts to pick up, haul around, and hide 200 pounds of gold he happens to come across one weekend while hunting. Keeping it all secret is impossible, however, so Cajun Bernard Dumaine faces a series of hilarious mishaps in his quest to go for the Gold... all before his wife, his neighbors, and the local news media catch on to his scheme. Written by Ron Barthet under the pen name of Cliff Madison.
Available on Amazon.com. CLICK HERE.
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The Wedding Photographer
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The Imaginary Bookstore
The Imaginary Bookstore is the story of a burned out employment counselor who wants to do her job better, so she turns to her imagination for ideas. There she repeatedly visits an imaginary bookstore and asks a variety of imaginary people for advice. Only when real world events convince her to re-assess her own life choices does she discover the answer she's been looking for. Includes a special visit to a downtown Covington bookstore.
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The Basic Concepts of Charles Davenhurst
This book was written by Charles Davenhurst for his grandchildren, just in case he isn't around when they reach 21 years of age and are finally able to appreciate his thoughts on a number of different matters. It is what he thinks is important for them to know and how they should look out for other people, both how to help them if they need help and how to avoid them if they are trying to rip them off.
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The Vision Mission
It's Kirk Winstead's first day in college, and the people he meets, the classes he takes, and the extracurricular activities he becomes involved in are presenting a whole new world to him. But is he ready for it? Or the bigger question: does he really want to be there?
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Finley's Flying Car
Road trip! Finley Duncan builds a flying car and decides to drive it across America to the patent office in Washington, D.C. Here is the story of his ups and downs, his near misses and his remarkable ability to be in just the right place at just the right time.
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The Wayward Dentist
A Plant-based Mystery
Tom Rawlings goes to see his dentist one morning, only to find out he has been murdered in his own office. What follows is a week of following up clues and coming up with possible perpetrators, while sparring with the police detective investigating the crime. Tom does have his own sources of information, however, sources that no one else has, or even suspects.
Available on Amazon, Click Here
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James Innsbrook is mayor of a small town in northern Arkansas, a quiet place with weekly checkers games and a small high school. One day, however, he and his police chief come across an abandoned underground bunker, one that houses a secret that is so mysterious that no one can imagine its implications for the future of mankind. A fun-filled romp through small town gossip and unknown possibilities.
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The Everything House
A young married couple is seeking the perfect house, and a well-known retired architect may hold the key to their search. Along the way, they learn more about what building a house really means and the lessons it can teach about patience, diligence and family togetherness.
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The Blood Whisperer
Brian Haskins has a problem. He's a financial counselor in Dallas, and he thinks he's being stalked. But it may not be as bad as it seems, since his "stalker" has an advanced degree in quantum biology and just wants to study his blood brain barrier. When all the secrets are revealed, however, then the kidnapping and laboratory experimentation begins.
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(Novels listed in boldface)
July 9, 2026, The Blood Whisperer
June 13, 2026, The Everything House
March 25, 2026 The Secret Below
November 18, 2025 The Wayward Dentist
October 29, 2025 Covington - Our History, People & Places
July 31, 2025 - Finley's Flying Car
July 31, 2025 - Finley's Flying Car
June 27, 2025 - The Vision Mission
June 5, 2025 - The Basic Concepts of Charles Davenport
September 21, 2024 - Mind Pivot - Kindle Version
September 13, 2024 -- The Imaginary Bookstore Kindle Version
August 26, 2024-- The Imaginary Bookstore
April 21, 2024 --The Wedding Photographer Kindle Version
April 11, 2024 --The Wedding Photographer
February 1, 2024-- Mind Pivot
January 26, 2024 --Poems by Ron Barthet
January 10, 2024 -- Sharing Family Memories: A Guide
December 26, 2023 --Cajun Gold
December 25, 2023 --Cajun Gold - Kindle Version
December 9, 2023 --Madisonville Meanderings
November 18, 2023 --The St. Tammany Trolley (Expanded Edition)
October 6, 2023 --The Morning Mist Mystery
August 11, 2023 -- Movie Memories on the Northshore
July 27, 2023 -- Going Knots -Kindle Version
July 12, 2023 -- The History of the Village of Sun
June 9, 2023 -- Artists, Writers and Other Talented People
May 10, 2023 -- Smatterings - Kindle Version
April 17, 2023 -- The Pictorial Maps of Ron Barthet
March 2, 2023 -- Smatterings - Paperback
January 14, 2023 -- The Time When - Kindle Version
November 16, 2022 -- Lee Lane Legacy (Updated)
August 29, 2022 -- The History of the Southern Hotel
July 11, 2022 -- Going Knots - Paperback
May 5, 2022 -- The Bridges of St. Tammany
May 3, 2022 -- Folsom Louisiana: Yesterday and Today
April 28, 2022 -- Abita Springs Collection
April 26, 2022 -- Madisonville's Vantage Point Upon History
April 2, 2022 -- The Time When
December 23, 2018 -- History of St. Tammany From Time of Colonization
March, 1998 -- The Gafferty Momentum
February 5, 1997 -- The Gafferty Perspective
Notes:
Tibert's Swamp Stories was incorporated into Smatterings
Poems By Ron Barthet was incorporated into Smatterings
Posters from Imaginary Festivals was incorporated into Pictorial Maps
Madisonville Vantage Point was incorporated into Madisonville Meanderings
The Gafferty Perspective is in the process of being updated.
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There's a bookstore in downtown Covington, filled with a variety my books, plus works of art by local artists and gift items. It's not one of those huge franchise outfits, but a small locally-owned book emporium with an impressive collection of classics, specialty books, and books by local authors.
The Dane Books and Gifts shop is at 322 Courthouse Alley, right behind the Mattina Bella restaurant which is on Gibson St. This is a premiere location, between the old courthouse building on Boston and Brooks Bicycle Shop.
The bookstore entrance
There are comfy chairs to sit in, tea and snacks are available for visiting readers, and there is even a children's corner. Out back there is a small patio with umbrellas for those who like to read outdoors.
Shelves of interesting books
Covington has had bookstores in the past, and this one carries on that tradition, a comfortable retreat filled with locally-oriented books and artwork.
The business has gathered a loyal group of local book-lovers. There is a growing number of book discoverers, also, people who are finding out about authors they were unfamiliar with, as well as local artists and gift makers.
The location may seem out-of-the-way, but at one time courthouse alley was bustling with offices and activity. While Boston Street is the main street for most traffic today, Gibson street to the north was once packed with hotels, restaurants and barrooms, because that is where the train track was. Trains brought hundreds of people into town every week (and more on the weekends.)
The front door of the bookstore looks out upon the back of the TAVI restaurant, and the old courthouse structure. Within a block is the Southern Hotel, Columbia Street, and the Covington Trailhead Visitors Center and stage. Tammany Trace is a few steps away.
The goals of the shop include helping more people get into reading and make possible more connections in the community for those who like to read.
The children's corner with its own tree and hidden back patio.
See also:
“Stories of a Rivertown:
Covington, La at 200 Years”
Covington, La at 200 Years”
By C. Howard Nichols.
Books can be mailed anywhere in the US for $40,including shipping. Check or money orders to: C. Howard Nichols, 406 General Pershing, Hammond, LA 70401.
There may be copies available as well at HJ Smiths Sons General Merchandise, Covington
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"St.
Tammany Parish:
L'Autre Cote Du Lac"
L'Autre Cote Du Lac"
by Steve Ellis
