Richard Fossey, who teaches at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, says, “While we are on the topic of sportscasters and radio personalities, I would like to say how much I enjoy the DJs on KBON, Acadiana’s Cajun radio station.
“I was listening to KBON one day during the listeners’ request hour, and I heard the DJ beg his listeners not to request so many sad songs.
“‘When we play too many sad and depressing songs,’ the DJ warned, ‘the suicide rate goes up. And we don’ want dat!’”
No gumbo for you!
Alex “Sonny” Chapman, of Ville Platte, reminds LSU tailgaters that Ole Miss folks have dubbed LSU fans “Corndoggers” (and not in a nice way).
Since our tailgaters are noted for feeding the opposing team’s fans, he suggests you lay in a supply of corndogs for the visitors — and keep our Louisiana delicacies for yourself.
Sign of respect
Val Garon says, “After reading your ‘Call me mister’ article, I was reminded of my sister’s husband visiting my in-laws to sell them a car.
“My father-in-law’s first name was Albert, and my Cajun brother-in-law referred to the wife as ‘Mrs. Albert.’
“But that pales in comparison to people using ‘Mr.’ in front of nicknames.
“The man in charge of the Donaldsonville ferry was called ‘Mr. Bad-eye;’ a butcher who always wore a bloody apron was ‘Mr. Dirty Sam,’ and a vendor was ‘Mr. Fat Louie.’
“Such respect!”
A child’s wish
Phoebe Thompson says, “My 11-year-old grandson, Alex Thompson, of Zachary and Lilongwe, Malawi, Africa, sent his Christmas list of ‘kinda wants’ and ‘really wants.’
“Of the latter, he wishes for ‘a cure for Ebola.’
“Though he is on polar opposite of the African continent, it’s apparent he is concerned.
“I think we all need to put this on our wish list for this Christmas.”
That’s 10-4, good buddy!
Chris Rinaudo, of Baton Rouge Cargo Service, says when his company honored driver Sol Green for 30 years service he had this thought:
“When Sol started, trucking was a glorified vocation. Songs like ‘Roll On (Eighteen Wheeler)’ by Alabama topped the charts in 1984.
“Thirty years later, trucking is recognized by lawyers standing on hoods.”
SNL to BR
Former “Saturday Night Live” performer Darrell Hammond will speak at The Mental Health Association for Greater Baton Rouge’s 60th anniversary celebration on Tuesday, Nov. 4, at Pennington Biomedical Research Center.
Hammond, noted for impersonations of newsmakers from Bill Clinton to Dick Cheney, succeeds Don Pardo as the show’s announcer.
He will share his story of trauma and addiction, and his struggle for access to services and a proper diagnosis.
Tickets are $25 for general admission, and an additional $25 for those seeking an hour of continuing education credit from LSU’s School of Social Work. Visit mhagbr.com.
Special People Dept.
- Catherine Nilson celebrates her 102nd birthday Friday, Oct. 24. She is an Exxon retiree.
Robert J. “Bob” Hufft, of Metairie, celebrates his 100th birthday Monday, Oct. 27. He is a Navy veteran of World War II.
Inez Montz, of Lafayette, celebrates her 98th birthday Monday, Oct. 27. She is originally from Eunice.
Peggy Wooldridge celebrates her 95th birthday Saturday, Oct. 25, starting at 6:30 p.m. at the Hawk’s Nest.
Lena Martello celebrates her 94th birthday Sunday, Oct. 26.
Robert A. Cosgrove Sr., of New Orleans, celebrates his 93rd birthday Saturday, Oct. 25. He is a Navy veteran of World War II and retired from the U.S. Postal Service.
John T. “Tom” Sargent, of New Iberia, celebrates his 91st birthday Sunday, Oct. 26. He is a World War II veteran.
Rita LeBlanc, of Gramercy, celebrated her 91st birthday Thursday, Oct. 23.
Off on holiday
As is my custom, I’m taking a few days off for my Well-Deserved Vacation.
Lady Katherine and I will, as usual, head out to our vacation retreat: Bubba’s Exxon, Motel and Bait Shop in Back Brusly.
Bubba recently re-opened after being closed due to a little misunderstanding with the IRS, CIA, FEMA, ATF, FBI and CDC.
He says we’ll be checking in just in time to catch the International Alligator Skinning Contest and Cookoff. I especially like the event’s slogan: “Eat them before they eat you.”
I’ll return to work early in November — tanned, rested and ready to resume our adventure in participatory journalism.
In the meantime, have a happy Halloween, and take it easy with that candy corn.
Oh, I almost forgot — I’ll be back in Baton Rouge in time to serve as grand marshal at the Halloween Parade at 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 1, in downtown Baton Rouge.
The parade has a “Day of the Dead” theme … wonder if they’re trying to tell me something …?
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.