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Martha's Vineyard |
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by
Martha Pool
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Memories
on the Tchefuncte
For the past five years, the Tchefuncte River in Madisonville has been home to Le Bon Temps Roulè, a restored 1930s commuter yacht. Originally christened the Gay Jane, the mahogany and teak yacht was built in Daytona Beach by Francis Edward Mathews. At 86 feet in length and 55 tons, the vessel was recognized as one of the finest on Florida's east coast. Prior to World War II, after having had several owners, the yacht was sold to the United States Army Corps of Engineers and renamed the Kitty Hawk. She was used as a survey and inspection boat along the 2,300-square-mile coastline of North Carolina. After another series of owners, the yacht was sold to Henry Champagne of Covington, and later purchased by William Monteleone of New Orleans, who renamed the vessel Le Bon Temps Roulè. Following Monteleone's death, the boat slipped into disrepair until July 1998, when the Monteleone family donated her to FMB Investments, Inc., owned by Rusty and Cathy Burns of Mandeville. Le Bon Temps Roulè was then placed in dry dock for inspection and hull repairs, and was later moved to the Weldon Poole boathouse in Madisonville for extensive restoration that included everything from rebuilding the main engines to re-chroming the rail stanchions. Due to the tireless and dedicated efforts of Rusty and Cathy, Le Bon Temps Roulè received new life to cruise the Tchefuncte River to benefit community charities. Accommodating up to 60 people comfortably and safely, the yacht offers multiple lounging and serving areas, with a large, covered deck. As of January 2003, the yacht had been used to raise more than $500,000 in donations to benefit schools, youth programs, police departments, children's advocacy and many families in need. Rusty and Cathy are very appreciative of the community's patronage and donations over the years. They have had the honor of hosting weddings, family gatherings and historical interest cruises, as well as Mardi Gras royalty, French beauty contestants and political figures. Le Bon Temps Roulè has enjoyed an active career during her 73 years. She is now being reinforced with a fiberglass sheathing that will ensure many more years of cruising. In January, Rusty and Cathy retired the vessel from charitable cruising to enjoy her on a more personal level. One close friend described the couple's last five years as a labor of love, with endless hours of maintenance and detailed preparations involved in the hosting of hundreds of enjoyable cruises. One thing is certain. The northshore has benefited tremendously from the desire of two generous and energetic individuals to give back to the community in such a memorable way. As for their future plans, Rusty and Cathy may be heading for deeper waters. Having previously sailed the oceans for seven years, the lure of the sea may be calling once again. Oh, To Be in Pictures ... Talent expresses itself in many ways. For several northshore young ladies, fame may be waiting in front of a camera. Jessica Craig embarked on a modeling career in a roundabout way. Upon graduation from Covington High School in 2000, a friend of her mother's asked her to pose for some photographic shots for her award-winning hair salon in Metairie. At the photographer's urging, Jessica bravely left home for the first time and headed to Los Angeles, where she signed with the Champagne Trott Model Management Agency in Beverly Hills. Although she experienced some success modeling for print advertising, she returned to Covington and enrolled in Southeastern Louisiana University to pursue a teaching degree. In 2002, while perusing the December issue of Cosmopolitan, Jessica learned about the magazine's first-ever search for a cover model and decided to enter. She was among the top 25 semi-finalists chosen from among more than 5,000 entries and was featured in the April 2003 issue. Once again thinking of leaving the comforts of home to pursue her dream, Jessica now has her sights set on New York. Mandeville is home to Brenley Farris, who recently filmed a principal role in "Still Life," a Bowling Green Production that premiered in April 2003 at the New York Film Academy. Five-year-old Brenley, daughter of Denise and Jim Farris, was chosen from among more than 600 candidates. Brenley and her siblings, Jimmy and Haley, have all participated in a number of talent opportunities. In the summer of 2002, the three were seen together on the Cheerios cereal box. For two young sisters in Mandeville, a modeling opportunity presented itself in 1998 while vacationing with family at Seaside, Florida. A talent scout with Land's End spotted the photogenic girls and approached their parents, Chip and Jayne Bankston, about featuring their two daughters in the company's mail-order catalog. Both girls were published in 1998, but Stevie, now 13, quickly outgrew the specified modeling size. Eleven-year-old Maggie has continued to model, however, appearing in Land's End and Talbot's Kids catalogs and, most recently, in American Girl. With agents in Miami and New York, Maggie has been slated for casting calls during the month of June in New York City. Real Unreal Insights from UCM's John Preble Artist John Preble is the director of the UCM Museum in Abita Springs, described as a "southern believe-it-or-not museum." Each issue, we'll feature some aspect of John's trivia stockpile of strange truths and quirky tales. If you haven't already, put UCM on your must-see list. The museum is located at 22275 Hwy. 36, Ph. (985) 892-2624. The old postcard pictured here depicts Reptile Jungle in Slidell, owned and operated in the 1950s by the famous Arthur Jones. Susie Core Willie, of Ms. Susie's Antiques in Covington, remembers the Reptile Jungle. "Me and my family would always drive by on the way to the coast. I guess that by the time we got to Slidell from Covington, we kids in the back seat were making enough racket that my father would threaten to stop at the snake farm if we didn't behave. We didn't like snakes so we would quiet down-at least for a few miles." Arthur was one of the first true "crocodile hunter" types. He often filmed his travels and expeditions for broadcast on local television stations around New Orleans. His exciting shows were very popular in the area. After opening Reptile Jungle, Jones went on to become a millionaire by inventing the Nautilus physical fitness equipment system. His ideas on physical fitness have elevated Jones to cult-like status among devotees of the history of exercise science. Don't Forget Your Sunscream! For this issue, Inside Northside contributor Erica Spindler is taking a break from her ever-popular Red Hot Reads column to promote "In Silence," her newest chilling tale of murder, betrayal and uncertain loyalties. To celebrate the June hardcover publication, and to thank her readers for their continuing support, Erica is offering a "Don't Forget Your Sunscream!" beach bag with the purchase of "In Silence." You can meet the northshore's own diva of suspense at her book signing on Saturday, June 14th from 4:00-6:00 p.m. at Barnes & Noble, 3414 Hwy. 190 in Mandeville. Earlier in the day, she will be signing books from 1:00-3:00 p.m. at Barnes & Noble, 3721 Veterans Memorial Blvd. in Metairie. Be one of the first to delve into her new spine-tingling psychological thriller that's certain to be a favorite beach read this summer. Lauded by both USA TODAY and the New York Times, Erica's best-selling novels include "Dead Run," "Bone Cold," "All Fall Down" and "Cause of Alarm." In 2002, "Bone Cold" won the prestigious Daphne du Maurier Award for excellence. To receive your beach bag, purchase "In Silence" at Erica's book signing, or be one of the first 500 readers to send her a receipt for the purchase of the hardcover edition. Allow 8-12 weeks for delivery. Send receipt to: Erica Spindler, PO Box 8556, Mandeville, LA 70470-8556. Supporting Our Troops Throughout the war on terror in Afghanistan and Iraq, the prayers and generosity of the American people have touched the lives of hundreds of thousands in the United States military. Americans continue to ask what they can do to show their support of service members, many of whom are still deployed overseas. Here are
suggestions on how to help: For Afghanis: - Kids' clothing; school supplies (pens, pencils, notebooks, paper, pencil sharpeners, crayons, coloring books, etc.); personal hygiene products (Band-Aids, toothpaste, toothbrushes, floss, towels, etc.) For American troops: - Laundry detergent; plain Quaker oatmeal; flypaper; air fresheners (non-aerosol); plastic bowls and containers; baby wipes Donated items can be dropped off at the office of Inside Northside, 1590 West Causeway Approach in Mandeville, or taken to one of the following locations for shipment: Royal
Mail & Parcel Prytania
Mail Services MORE will pay for
postage and shipping materials. • Donate a calling card to help service members stay in touch with their families at Operation Uplink at http://www.operationuplink.org/ or (800) 479-5228. • Donate to Operation USO Care Package at http://www.usometrodc.org/care1.html. Individuals can write a personal message to be delivered with a care package that contains items such as disposable cameras, sunscreen, and pre-paid international calling cards. Individuals and corporations can learn more about how to get involved by calling (866) USO-GIVE. Approved by the Department of Defense. • Send a greeting via e-mail through Operation Dear Abby at http://anyservicemember.navy.mil/ or www.OperationDearAbby.net • Sign a virtual thank-you card at the Defend America website at http://www.defendamerica.mil/nmam.html. • Donate to one of the military relief societies that provide financial, educational and other assistance to soldiers and their dependents: - Army Emergency
Relief, http://www.aerhq.org/, (703)
428-0000
Copyright 2003, M&L Publishing, all rights reserved. |
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