The Old Fireplace

For many years fireplaces were the focal point of country homes, where people gathered to warm themselves, where stories were told, where children were mesmerized by the dancing flames. But when a fireplace finds that it is no longer needed...

The Old Fireplace 

The old homestead fireplace now silent and cold,
It once warmed families as favorite stories were told.

It once hosted parties where popcorn was popped,
And it brought many smiles, the joy never stopped.

Stories of Santa and how he came down it,
And left all the presents under the tree and around it.

The mantlepiece made from strong sturdy timber,

Where stockings were hung for each family member.

Now it is silent, no crackling, no hissing,
There's no family, no hearth, even the house has gone missing. 

The tall brick chimney collapses and shatters,
And the fireplace itself no longer matters.

It now stands alone, its memories fast fading,
Its bricks now crumbling, it's no longer waiting,

For its family to someday rekindle its fire,
And soak in its warmth before they retire.

The bricks it was made from were formed from pressed clay,
But it's no longer needed at the end of the day.

Quenched and abandoned and a bit forlorn,
The fireplace returns to where it was born.

Back into dust, back into clay, 

Perhaps to return again some day.

To once again warm and prove its worth,

To a brand new family on this green earth. 

Bogalusa Superhighway Tying Into Lacombe

 The long-awaited Louisiana Hwy. 3241 is nearing completion, as its southernmost section is being readied for connection into Hwy. 434 just south of the small community of "St. Tammany." This is the new four-lane highway that is already in use between Bogalusa and Sun, then Sun to Talisheek, and then Talisheek to La. 36 near the overpass. 

Those northernmost segments are all complete, and the only segment left is the 3.7 mile piece between La. 36 diagonally over to La. 434 where it merges with the existing highway on its way to the Interstate 12 intersection north of Lacombe. From there it's 2.6 miles to the intersection with I-12.

The clearing and grubbing footprint seems to indicate that the new intersection on La. 434 will be a large one, with entrance and exit ramps, and a super-wide right-of-way. 

Here are some pictures taken Wednesday of the trees being cleared off the right-of-way, the dirt work preparing a four-lane section down to the interstate, and drainage being installed. 

Click on the images to make them larger. 

Taken from La. 434, this photo shows the incoming path of the new four-lane highway from Bogalusa

Just south of the St. Tammany community, a curved cleared swath of land through the forest indicates a new entrance or exit  to La. 3241. 

The new segment shown in red runs between La. 36 and Interstate 12, shown in green.  

Earlier this year, this aerial photo taken by Airbus and featured on Google Earth clearly shows the path of the new highway and how it will merge with Hwy. 434. 

South of where the path of La. 3241 merges with La. 434, it appears that the right of way is being widened to accommodate a four lane highway down to the interstate. 

Downed trees being loaded up and hauled off 

Dirt work preparing for improved drainage

Down nearer the interstate some of the trees in the front part of the medical complex have also been removed. 

Links of Interest:

The St. Tammany Superhighway

Health Resort Town Proposed - 1902

Tamanend Develops Central St. Tammany

For some reason, the old railroad track right-of-way under the La. 36 overpass is labeled on Google Maps as "I-97." 

See this link: https://maps.app.goo.gl/hcd7rq8BDaLARia29

Kute Kids From the 1970's

 In the mid-1970's the St. Tammany News Banner newspaper ran a weekly column featuring "Kute Kids," with pictures provided by the parents (or grandparents) of the youngsters. Here are some of them.

 Click on the images to make them larger. 

Johanna Julian                             Dennis Bordelon Jr.

Jeremy John Cox                   Frank Miguel Barney

Aaron Fabre Jr.                         Tonya Ducre

Lesley Andre Schlenker                   Kristy Lynn Motichek

Stephanie Amber Moore                Dominque Yvette Hamler

John R. Davis & Alex J. Davis Jr.                       Curtis Hays II

Robert William Sharp Jr.              Kathleen JoAnn Massie

Ronnie Chauvin                     Brian Matthew Volpe

Corey Jerome McDonald                 Kraneshia L. Brumfield

Misty Marie Purvis                             Michael Jason Gilhaus

MHS Class of 1966 Reunites

 In 1976 the Mandeville High School Class of 1966 celebrated its 10th Year Reunion. Here's a photograph from that event. The caption provides the names. 

Click on the image to make it larger. 

Ovals

 Once in a while you notice that many of the photographs that you have feature ovals- from bird baths, fire pits to artesian fountains. 

Fund-raising Volunteers Extraordinaire

 St. Tammany Parish has always been at the forefront of community fund-raising efforts for worthy causes.  Helping gather contributions for the United Way agencies was a continuing special effort, as shown in this photograph from 1973, depicting just one of the many fund-raising campaigns over the years.

Click on the image to make it larger. 

Asian Antiques Offered

 A diverse collection of Asian antiques collected from throughout the Orient are being sold in Folsom, with a special showing next Saturday, September 27. They are also available for viewing through appointments. 

The "Wholesome Folsom Antique Roadshow" features very old and highly decorative furniture, and in many cases intricately carved wooden art panels. The collection was brought together by Ron Jenkins, and Frank Richerand bought a large number of items and is handling their sale. There are beds and cradles, drums and xylophones, large paintings, cabinets, jars, and shelving units, plus a few religiously oriented artifacts. Some items are believed to be over 1000 years old.

Here are some photographs of the articles now available. To view the items interested persons can call Frank Richerand at 504-512-3888 for an appointment. 

Click on the photographs to make them larger. 

Young Business People Visit Folsom

 The Children's Entrepreneur Market visited Folsom this Saturday with a number of booths set up selling the wares of young people trying their hand at producing, marketing and selling items to the public. Here are a few pictures of the venture located behind the FAR Horizons Art Gallery on Hwy. 25 in downtown Folsom. 

Click on the images to make them larger.