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Abita Springs News
Friday, December 6, 2019
100 Years Ago This December 6
What was going on 100 years ago this week? CLICK HERE for a link to the St. Tammany Farmer of December 6, 1919. The link is provided by the Library of Congress and its Chronicling America service.
Click on the sample images below to see larger versions.
Click on the sample images below to see larger versions.
Thursday, December 5, 2019
Autograph Party, 1981
In 1981, some thirty-eight years ago, the long-awaited history book about St. Tammany Parish was published by Pelican Publishing Company. Researched and written by Judge Frederick Stephen Ellis, the extensive work covered the history of St. Tammany in great detail and expanded upon the work of a earlier historian Adrian Schwartz.
Here are pictures from the "autograph party" that was held to celebrate the completion and publishing of the book, which was a research project for the American Bicentennial in 1976.
See also:
Here are pictures from the "autograph party" that was held to celebrate the completion and publishing of the book, which was a research project for the American Bicentennial in 1976.
Seated is Steve Ellis, signing a copy of his book, and standing from left to right is Henry Hood, Carl Fredericks, and Mrs. Walker "Bunt" Percy.
Ellis talks to a book purchaser about what he would like written in the volume.
His autograph in my copy of the book
See also:
Steve Ellis, Historian
Amazon Book Sale for "St. Tammany Parish"
Early St. Tammany History
Mullen's Scouts & Sharpshooters
Every so often a group of history re-enactors got together, dressed up in wool uniforms, and gave a demonstration of what the daily routine was like 154 years ago. They sometimes presented mock battles, portraying actual historic events that took place during the War Between the States.
Here are a few pictures taken in the early 1980's of a group of St. Tammany re-enactors who were putting on a real-life depiction of the look and activities of Mullen's Scouts and Sharpshooters, a real life company of the 9th Louisiana Cavalry Regiment in the mid-1860's. The re-enactors were giving the history demonstration at Fort Pike on the Rigolets at the east end of Lake Pontchartrain. Click on the images to make them larger.
Formed in 1865 from Orleans Parish, the original Mullen's Scouts and Sharpshooters comprised Company E of the 9th Louisiana Cavalry Regiment and was commanded by Capt. Louis S. Greenlee.They were active in Orleans and St. Tammany Parishes.
Here are a few pictures taken in the early 1980's of a group of St. Tammany re-enactors who were putting on a real-life depiction of the look and activities of Mullen's Scouts and Sharpshooters, a real life company of the 9th Louisiana Cavalry Regiment in the mid-1860's. The re-enactors were giving the history demonstration at Fort Pike on the Rigolets at the east end of Lake Pontchartrain. Click on the images to make them larger.
Formed in 1865 from Orleans Parish, the original Mullen's Scouts and Sharpshooters comprised Company E of the 9th Louisiana Cavalry Regiment and was commanded by Capt. Louis S. Greenlee.They were active in Orleans and St. Tammany Parishes.
Tuesday, December 3, 2019
Covington Heritage Foundation Gala 2019
More than 100 people gathered in the ballroom at the Southern Hotel in Covington Tuesday night to take part in the 2019 Gala for the Covington Heritage Foundation. They enjoyed visiting with residents from across the community, members interested in recognizing Covington's unique heritage and preserving that heritage through informational programs throughout the year and holiday home tours.
A trivia contest was the highlight of the evening as guests tried to answer 28 questions about the history, personalities, and events of towns across St. Tammany. Here are some pictures from the Gala. Click on the images to make them larger.
A trivia contest was the highlight of the evening as guests tried to answer 28 questions about the history, personalities, and events of towns across St. Tammany. Here are some pictures from the Gala. Click on the images to make them larger.
Covington High School Talented Music Students
See also:
Clerk of Court Good-Bye Party
This photograph was identified as the Lucy Rausch Parker "good-bye" party. Her mother Lucy Reid Rausch was Clerk of Court for St. Tammany Parish between 1976 and 1995. She is on the front row, second from the right, with Parish Archivist Bertha Neff on the right of the front row. I think the picture was taken in the early 1980's. Click on the image to make it larger.
See also:
Lucy Reid Rausch Sworn Into Office
Lucy Reid Rausch Sworn Into Office
Monday, December 2, 2019
River Forecast Center Warns of Flooding
Forty-three years ago, in 1976, the Lower Mississippi River Forecast Center was tucked away in the Slidell NASA Computer Complex on Gause Blvd. It is the federal agency that keeps track of rainfall all throughout the Mississippi River basin so it can predict the flood stage possibilities downstream.
In January of 1976, the head of that agency's Slidell center gave a talk to the Mandeville Rotary Club about the importance of his work, especially to the many towns and communities along the river and its tributaries. Here is the article from the St. Tammany News Banner.
Slidell hydrologist explains
ups and downs of river business
Clarence Vicroy, hydrologist In Charge of the Lower Mississippi Forecast Center spoke to the Northlake-Mandeville Rotary Club at its recent meeting.
Vicroy, a native of Honolulu, Hawaii, and a retired Air Force Colonel, has headed up the Forecast Center, which is part of the government's National Weather Service, at its Slidell location since 1971. Vicroy, who holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Meteorology from Florida State University and a Master of Science Degree in Physics from the American University in Washington, D. C., has served with the National Weather Service for twelve years since his retirement from the U S Air Force.
Vicroy told the Rotarians his agency provides warnings and daily forecasts for all major rivers in the southern and central portions of the United States. His office is located in what is known to many people in this area as the "Slidell Computer Center" which was established by NASA for its space program .
The former NASA Computer Center was selected as a location for this office because the computer equipment housed there was easily converted to use by the National Weather Service.
Vicroy said his office can provide a 15-day advance forecast on the Mississippi River by measuring such variables as rainfall, snow, amount of icepack in the northern areas, and the percentage of moisture in the soil. When this data is added together. Vicroy said, his office can calculate and forecast the flood crest on the Mississippi, as well as smaller rivers located in the areas he serves.
The Center, Victory said, was established through the efforts of Senator Stennis of Mississippi and the late Senator Ellender of Louisiana, who were seeking to use the facilities being abandoned by NASA.
The Rotarians were told by Vicroy how many citizens of small towns throughout the United States provide information to the National Weather Service and particularly to the hydrologic forecast centers. By using a rather simple device,measurements of rainfall are taken and reported each day by these citizens who furnish the information to the weather service.
Rainfall Data Collected
This information is fed into computers In order that the forecast centers can make their predictions. In the region served by his center, there are some 600 individuals reporting rainfall to the weather service, Viceroy said. Each of these Individuals is paid the magnanimous salary of $5 per month for making their daily report.
Vicroy said without this valuable Information, it would be difficult to be as accurate in their forecasts. The economy of Middle America, Vicroy said, depends upon the accuracy of his center's forecast. If a barge line owner knows the river is in flood stage, he can load his barges to carry more freight. thereby increasing his efficiency and keeping the cost of shipping down to a minimum.
Since there is such a huge volume of river traffic in the central portions of the United States, Vicroy felt his center's forecast plays an important role in the economy of the nation. For the future, Vicroy said his office will be able to predict water quality into an estuary system such as Lake Pontchartrain This would be especially important in the area of the water pollution.
Vicroy cited examples of various types of pollution which affect the brackishness or salinity of water in the Lake Pontchartrain estuary. In the future, he felt that state wildlife and fishery departments could adjust their shrimping season based on his center's water quality forecast.
Future Is Bright
Rotarians asked questions following the talk. The possibility of encouraging young people to seek a vocation with the National Weather Service, particularly in the area of hydrology was raised. Vicroy said there is a great need for young talented minds in the area of hydrology.
He noted the National Weather Service has been successful to recent years recruiting talented and qualified personnel in areas of meteorology However, in the area of hydrology, he said, there is still room for properly trained people. He said hydrology could be a very rewarding and worthwhile field for young people to pursue as a career.
End of St. TAMMANY NEWS-BANNER Article
In January of 1976, the head of that agency's Slidell center gave a talk to the Mandeville Rotary Club about the importance of his work, especially to the many towns and communities along the river and its tributaries. Here is the article from the St. Tammany News Banner.
Slidell hydrologist explains
ups and downs of river business
Clarence Vicroy, hydrologist In Charge of the Lower Mississippi Forecast Center spoke to the Northlake-Mandeville Rotary Club at its recent meeting.
Vicroy, a native of Honolulu, Hawaii, and a retired Air Force Colonel, has headed up the Forecast Center, which is part of the government's National Weather Service, at its Slidell location since 1971. Vicroy, who holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Meteorology from Florida State University and a Master of Science Degree in Physics from the American University in Washington, D. C., has served with the National Weather Service for twelve years since his retirement from the U S Air Force.
Vicroy told the Rotarians his agency provides warnings and daily forecasts for all major rivers in the southern and central portions of the United States. His office is located in what is known to many people in this area as the "Slidell Computer Center" which was established by NASA for its space program .
The former NASA Computer Center was selected as a location for this office because the computer equipment housed there was easily converted to use by the National Weather Service.
Vicroy said his office can provide a 15-day advance forecast on the Mississippi River by measuring such variables as rainfall, snow, amount of icepack in the northern areas, and the percentage of moisture in the soil. When this data is added together. Vicroy said, his office can calculate and forecast the flood crest on the Mississippi, as well as smaller rivers located in the areas he serves.
The Center, Victory said, was established through the efforts of Senator Stennis of Mississippi and the late Senator Ellender of Louisiana, who were seeking to use the facilities being abandoned by NASA.
The Rotarians were told by Vicroy how many citizens of small towns throughout the United States provide information to the National Weather Service and particularly to the hydrologic forecast centers. By using a rather simple device,measurements of rainfall are taken and reported each day by these citizens who furnish the information to the weather service.
Rainfall Data Collected
This information is fed into computers In order that the forecast centers can make their predictions. In the region served by his center, there are some 600 individuals reporting rainfall to the weather service, Viceroy said. Each of these Individuals is paid the magnanimous salary of $5 per month for making their daily report.
Vicroy said without this valuable Information, it would be difficult to be as accurate in their forecasts. The economy of Middle America, Vicroy said, depends upon the accuracy of his center's forecast. If a barge line owner knows the river is in flood stage, he can load his barges to carry more freight. thereby increasing his efficiency and keeping the cost of shipping down to a minimum.
The LMRFC Main Website Page
Since there is such a huge volume of river traffic in the central portions of the United States, Vicroy felt his center's forecast plays an important role in the economy of the nation. For the future, Vicroy said his office will be able to predict water quality into an estuary system such as Lake Pontchartrain This would be especially important in the area of the water pollution.
Vicroy cited examples of various types of pollution which affect the brackishness or salinity of water in the Lake Pontchartrain estuary. In the future, he felt that state wildlife and fishery departments could adjust their shrimping season based on his center's water quality forecast.
Each river level reporting station has its own webpage, with a graph that shows current flood stage readings, forecasted river and flood stage levels, and caution zones indicating minor, moderate and major flooding predictions.
Future Is Bright
Rotarians asked questions following the talk. The possibility of encouraging young people to seek a vocation with the National Weather Service, particularly in the area of hydrology was raised. Vicroy said there is a great need for young talented minds in the area of hydrology.
He noted the National Weather Service has been successful to recent years recruiting talented and qualified personnel in areas of meteorology However, in the area of hydrology, he said, there is still room for properly trained people. He said hydrology could be a very rewarding and worthwhile field for young people to pursue as a career.
End of St. TAMMANY NEWS-BANNER Article
In 1972, I had met with Vicroy at the Nasa Computer Complex to write my own article about the Lower Mississippi River Forecast Center for publication in a Slidell newspaper. He gave me a tour of his office, showed me all the maps and drafting tables, plus all the computers (large upright versions) that were getting data from hundreds of water level sensors along the river and crunching the numbers for updated flood forecasts.
It was a very interesting tour, seeing all that computing power being used to help farmers, contractors and especially river traffic operators know when to expect deep water as well as shallow water, and plan accordingly. This was especially important for barge traffic.
While I don't have a copy of the article I wrote, I do remember the guided tour of the facility. It was very impressive.
The National Weather Service moved its forecasting center from New Orleans to Slidell in 1972.
Sunday, December 1, 2019
Mandeville's Part in the Bicentennial
The year 1976 was a good year for historians. With the coming of the American Bicentennial Celebration, people wanted to learn more about history, not only on a national basis, but also what was happening in their local area in 1776. Local communities were digging into their histories, committees were appointed, research was being done by professional and amateur historians as well as high school history classes.
In the January 7, 1976, issue of the St. Tammany News-Banner, plans were announced for the City of Mandeville's participation in the American Bicentennial Celebration. Here is the article from the St. Tammany News-Banner about the coming event. Interesting historical tidbits were shared in preparation.
Hebert, Fitzmorris to attend ceremony
MANDEVILLE U S. Congressman F. Edward Hebert will be on hand for the program to officially proclaim Mandevlle a Bicentennial community and Lt. Governor Jimmy Fitzmorris Jr. will be bringing a new state flag from Baton Rouge for the event.
The ceremony is scheduled at 1 p m Saturday, Jan. 10, at the new Town. Hall on East Causeway Approach.
Michael Hackett, director of the Louisiana State Bicentennial Commission, will make the formal presentation of the Bicentennial Flag and certificate. The Mandeville Bicentennial Flag and Certificate Dedication Committee under the chairmanship of Mrs Michael Cosby has been working hard during and before the holiday season to present as historically accurate and patriotically significant programs as possible for the residents of the community.
Numerous organizations In the community will be cooperating to make the program an outstanding beginning for Mandeville's Bicentennial calendar of events, Mrs. Cosby said.
Members of the St. Tammany Art Association,. the St. Tammany Historical Society, the 4-H Club of Mandeville Middle School, a representative group of boys and girls from each Mandeville Elementary School grade, Boy Scouts, Girls Scouts, Sandy Shores Garden Club, Tri-Theta Fraternity, the Mandeville Saddle Club, the VFW, the police and fire departments as well as numerous individuals are cooperating and will participate in the programs, she said.
The Mixed Choir of Mandeville High School under the direction of Mrs. Judy Baker will sing a trilogy of American music; the play production class of Mandeville High School will present a re-enactment of the capitulation and treaty signing as accurately as the manuscripts will permit. Directors of the Drama Department are Miss Marilee Dukes and Mrs. Sue Elkins.
To further enhance the significance of this program, also on display will be a collection of excerpts from journals, letters and copies of maps telling of the early history of Mandeville and vicinity. In and around the waterways and highways of St Tammany Parish, such names as Chinchuba. Lewisburg, Mandeville, Marigny, Tchefuncte and Bogalusa were not just dreamed up by modern day land developer They are a part of the early history.
An 1898 copy of a map of Mandeville. courtesy of Dennis Bechac, or the March, 1834, copy of a map of Lewisburg, courtesy of Elmo Smith; Or the copy of Miss-Ann Maylie's Section Map of Mandeville. also 1834, very possibly shows the square on which the reader's home now is constructed.
The other early maps of the Mandeville area, courtesy of Dr. and Mrs. S. Harvey Colvin Jr., take the reader further back into the history and help to make it very personal and alive.
Copies and translations of letters of Naval officers reporting on attempting to stem the activities of the British Navy on Lake Pontchartrain in 1778, the battle between America's Capt. William Pickles and the West Florida; Capt. Paine in 1779; a list of wounded in another lake battle include names not uncommon to Mandeville.
Quotations from a letter concerning attempts by the British to influence inhabitants and Indians of Natchez to take up arms in their behalf, and, of course, a copy of the capitulation of the inhabitants of the settlements on the North Shore of Lake Pontchartrain and those men signing in 1779, are among the historic documentation of early Mandeville.
The copies of these original records displayed on the posters were obtained and translated by Judge Frederick S. Ellis from the Archives of the Indies in Seville, Spain.
Mandeville Bicentennial Chairman Dr. John Healy feels the Flag and Certificate Dedications Committee has developed a program and display which have great merit and which the community should take personally as a step in preserving their history and protecting their birthrights. He hopes much of the material will become part of a permanent display with the long-range possibility of a Mandeville Museum with more donated relics of early local history.
The Dedication Committee assisting Mrs Cosby are Mr Tommy Aldridge, Mrs. Robert Bsh, Dr. and Mrs. S. Harvey Colvin Jr., Mrs, Ruby Diaz. Miss Laura Gregory and Dr Gerald Keller. They will be glad to try to answer any questions, in addition to Commission Chairman Dr John Healy., concerning Mandeville Bicentennial activities.
MANDEVILLE BICENTENNIAL - A few members of the Mandeville Bicentennial Committee and Mayor Paul D. Cordes of Mandeville look over a copy of the telegram recognizing the town as an official Bicentennial community. From left are chairman John Healy, Cores, Ella Paine, and Mae Ruby Diaz. (News-Banner November 9, 1975)
In the January 7, 1976, issue of the St. Tammany News-Banner, plans were announced for the City of Mandeville's participation in the American Bicentennial Celebration. Here is the article from the St. Tammany News-Banner about the coming event. Interesting historical tidbits were shared in preparation.
Hebert, Fitzmorris to attend ceremony
MANDEVILLE U S. Congressman F. Edward Hebert will be on hand for the program to officially proclaim Mandevlle a Bicentennial community and Lt. Governor Jimmy Fitzmorris Jr. will be bringing a new state flag from Baton Rouge for the event.
The ceremony is scheduled at 1 p m Saturday, Jan. 10, at the new Town. Hall on East Causeway Approach.
Michael Hackett, director of the Louisiana State Bicentennial Commission, will make the formal presentation of the Bicentennial Flag and certificate. The Mandeville Bicentennial Flag and Certificate Dedication Committee under the chairmanship of Mrs Michael Cosby has been working hard during and before the holiday season to present as historically accurate and patriotically significant programs as possible for the residents of the community.
Numerous organizations In the community will be cooperating to make the program an outstanding beginning for Mandeville's Bicentennial calendar of events, Mrs. Cosby said.
Members of the St. Tammany Art Association,. the St. Tammany Historical Society, the 4-H Club of Mandeville Middle School, a representative group of boys and girls from each Mandeville Elementary School grade, Boy Scouts, Girls Scouts, Sandy Shores Garden Club, Tri-Theta Fraternity, the Mandeville Saddle Club, the VFW, the police and fire departments as well as numerous individuals are cooperating and will participate in the programs, she said.
The Mixed Choir of Mandeville High School under the direction of Mrs. Judy Baker will sing a trilogy of American music; the play production class of Mandeville High School will present a re-enactment of the capitulation and treaty signing as accurately as the manuscripts will permit. Directors of the Drama Department are Miss Marilee Dukes and Mrs. Sue Elkins.
Of special importance will be a display of the eight flags which flew over Louisiana between 1491 and 1862. From 1492 - 1717, the Spanish Banner of Castile and Leon was flown; then the French Fleur de Lis of the Bourbons from 1717-1763 ; the English Crosses of St. Andrew and St George (1763 - 1779), the Spanish Bars of Aragon (1779-1810), and, briefly, the Republic of West Florida's Lone Star Flag (Sept 10 - Dec 7, 1810) , the United States Fifteen Stars including Maine-Vermont (1810 - 1861); the Battle Flag of the Confederate States of America from 11361- 1862. and in 1862, the United States Flag representing 35 states.
The flags which will be hanging are borrowed from the St. Tammany Historical Society and are true copies of the original flags They were handmade by the efforts of Mrs. F S Ellis, Mrs Florence Chesnut and Mrs. Amos Neff.
The printed program for the festivities
To further enhance the significance of this program, also on display will be a collection of excerpts from journals, letters and copies of maps telling of the early history of Mandeville and vicinity. In and around the waterways and highways of St Tammany Parish, such names as Chinchuba. Lewisburg, Mandeville, Marigny, Tchefuncte and Bogalusa were not just dreamed up by modern day land developer They are a part of the early history.
An 1898 copy of a map of Mandeville. courtesy of Dennis Bechac, or the March, 1834, copy of a map of Lewisburg, courtesy of Elmo Smith; Or the copy of Miss-Ann Maylie's Section Map of Mandeville. also 1834, very possibly shows the square on which the reader's home now is constructed.
The other early maps of the Mandeville area, courtesy of Dr. and Mrs. S. Harvey Colvin Jr., take the reader further back into the history and help to make it very personal and alive.
Copies and translations of letters of Naval officers reporting on attempting to stem the activities of the British Navy on Lake Pontchartrain in 1778, the battle between America's Capt. William Pickles and the West Florida; Capt. Paine in 1779; a list of wounded in another lake battle include names not uncommon to Mandeville.
Quotations from a letter concerning attempts by the British to influence inhabitants and Indians of Natchez to take up arms in their behalf, and, of course, a copy of the capitulation of the inhabitants of the settlements on the North Shore of Lake Pontchartrain and those men signing in 1779, are among the historic documentation of early Mandeville.
The copies of these original records displayed on the posters were obtained and translated by Judge Frederick S. Ellis from the Archives of the Indies in Seville, Spain.
Mandeville Bicentennial Chairman Dr. John Healy feels the Flag and Certificate Dedications Committee has developed a program and display which have great merit and which the community should take personally as a step in preserving their history and protecting their birthrights. He hopes much of the material will become part of a permanent display with the long-range possibility of a Mandeville Museum with more donated relics of early local history.
The Dedication Committee assisting Mrs Cosby are Mr Tommy Aldridge, Mrs. Robert Bsh, Dr. and Mrs. S. Harvey Colvin Jr., Mrs, Ruby Diaz. Miss Laura Gregory and Dr Gerald Keller. They will be glad to try to answer any questions, in addition to Commission Chairman Dr John Healy., concerning Mandeville Bicentennial activities.
MANDEVILLE BICENTENNIAL - A few members of the Mandeville Bicentennial Committee and Mayor Paul D. Cordes of Mandeville look over a copy of the telegram recognizing the town as an official Bicentennial community. From left are chairman John Healy, Cores, Ella Paine, and Mae Ruby Diaz. (News-Banner November 9, 1975)
See also:
National Bicentennial Celebration 1976
St. Tammany's Part In The Revolutionary War
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