Butte La Rose et Les Entourage

Photo by: The Teche News

Bonjour.
Say “hey” to Shelby Boudreaux from Catahoula. He is very dedicated to God, his church and his family. Ricky Skaggs song “Good People are the Salt of the Earth,” was meant for Shelby’s kind.
He rides his bike around town running errands and also to church and back no matter what the weather. He’s always willing and ready to help others. His handsome little round face is never without his smile, plus he’s got those Boudreaux blue eyes.
Shelby is very content with his life as is and does not wish for any more than what he has. He proudly shows off the “Altar Boy of the Month” plaque he earned when he was a little boy, probably before the age of 10. He’s served Mass with Father Colombo, Father Frank, and Father Breaux, and now, at age 30 he serves as an usher for Father Don Pelous. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus youth group.
People in Catahoula are very proud of him, need and love him. I go to the 7:30 Mass on Sunday mornings and I watch when Shelby walks in and loyally bows before God and makes his sign of the cross.
His much-loved and still sadly missed mom, Lee Ann, died very young, leaving him, siblings Donna, Clint, Patty, Iris and Denise, and their dad, Curlis, better known as “P-Tee.”
P-Tee and I are first cousins. He was telling me our grandfather, “Pop” Alcide, had a German shepherd dog named “Boy” that was trained to run through an area of the woods called Les Fourchè (the forks) following a path along Les Cypriére (cypress swamps) to deliver mail that they’d tie around his neck to our house in Catahoula. This was in the early 1940s. He also remembers Sidney Boudreaux would walk that path every Saturday afternoon to go play cards.
We laughed when we talked about when a bunch of us cousins tried to form a hillbilly band. I was one of the singers, P-Tee played harmonica, Homer (“T-Neg”) played guitar and sang, Shirlis (“Gros”) was on guitar, Deno played harmonica. We were all Boudreauxs with pet names living on La ‘Tite Manche (little road). Don’t know why we quit before we ever got started. While at his house last week P-Tee played his harmonica and I sang “J’ai Passé Devant Tas Porte.” You should have heard their dogs singing with us.
Sorry the Petit Paris Café is closed. One of the unexpected expenses’ from hurricane Ike for Paula Bonin was the six days without electricity, a generator and cost of gas. She said thanks to all of you who patronized her café. I’m gonna miss visiting with the customers and playing in my little corner on Sunday mornings.
The Atchafalaya Basin Festival and fund- raiser at Henry Guidry Memorial Park in Henderson will be Saturday, Nov. 22. I’ll have more info as time progresses. One of the spots selling raffle tickets is Boyer’s Pharmacy in Henderson.
Christmas will be here soon and books make great gifts. Jan Risher at Barnes and Noble in Lafayette told me Rheta Grimsley will have a book signing there Sunday, Oct. 5 at 3 p.m. for her book “Poor Man’s Provence.” The smell of dead fish in the lakes and bayous is everywhere. There’s a strong current at the Butte La Rose pontoon bridge and that is helping to flush out Henderson Lake .
Plans for the 14th annual Senior Citizen’s Day in Catahoula are set for Saturday, Oct. 25, at the school gym. There will be door prizes and a contest for the oldest couple there. There’ll be gumbo, sweets, music and dancing. Coordinator is Ida Trautman, first assistant Carla Boggs, and members Junior Blanchard, Hazel Thibodeaux, Lillian and Camille Blanchard et moi.
Don’t forget the elections Saturday, Oct. 4.
Got a message for me? Call 228-1714.
Amitié,
Cousine Hélène