Copy of text sent to P.A. Daily Herald re February activities

Fun activities for February-
MDS update from Linda Braun, Johnson Bayou, LA

As our service with the MDS Senior RV Program includes a long weekend every weekend, there is ample opportunity for travelling and taking in the local events.

Ragley, LA, has a small Bluegrass Gospel Jamboree in an old garage building once a month, and our crew and the Senior RV MDS group from Newton, Texas, arranged to meet there to enjoy the music. The main attraction for us was to hear Kathleen Sanner and the Buegrass Gospel Singers who last year sang for the MDS crew every Tuesday evening in appreciation for them restoring Kathleen's home. It was said “she had the voice of an angel”. The welcome we received was like going home. It was a wonderful musical evening, and the band was thrilled to be reunited with some of the folks who had volunteered last year. There were other talented musicians performing, as well as a comedien.

Two of our new volunteer couples for February spent one weekend making the 6 hour trip to New Orleans and were excited to share their experiences with the rest of us upon their return. They had toured the famous Oak Alley plantation from Gone With the Wind, enjoyed a swamp tour, and toured New Orleans, including a most impressive three hour “Katrina” tour.

The rest of us traveled to Louisiana’s Prairie Cajun Capital and enjoyed a Cajun concert “Rendez Vous de Cajuns” at the famous Liberty Theatre which is broadcast on live Cajun and Zydeco Music Radio and T.V. in the area. We also attended an afternoon Music Program at Jean Lafitte Prairie Acadian Culture Centre as well as a Cooking Demo. It was a wonderful way to spend a Saturday.

I was wishing our grandchildren could have been there, as they go to Vickers and are in French Immersion. They would have understood the commentary and the words of the songs, which of course were Cajun (French). The Music Program this particular Saturday involved having the Girl Guides in to learn the traditional dances and have fun with some of the traditional simple Cajun instruments, such as the spoons and triangle. It was wonderful to see the Cajun seniors interacting with the children and encouraging interest in their heritage.

That Friday, I had listened to CJWW on the internet, and heard a wonderful Cajun-type song sung by Donnie Parenteau. He would be right in his element on the Liberty Theatre stage!

Mrs. S’s Cookie Factory was in operation for several days one week. Mrs. S. is our friend, Paul’s wife, Mary Stoltzfus from Pennsylvania. Our MDS unit was excited to be the Hackberry Bluegrass Gospel Singers at the Catholic Church in Johnson Bayou on Tuesday evening instead of our Thursday evening games night. Some of our clients also attended for this musical evening. We had the pleasure of inviting Rene and Ruth from Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada, who had stopped in our campground on their way to Texas, attend to enjoy the music with us. They had no idea of who the Mennonites are, so we filled them in on our purpose and mission here.

One weekend we went on a swamp tour to McGee’s Landing. Although it was a lovely day for the drive and the tour, t was rather disappointing that there was only one alligator to be seen. We also stopped in at the small town of Breaux Bridges, which has a quaint little main street lined with antique shops.

One Sunday when we attended a church service in Port Arthur, Texas, the Pastor of the Church introduced our group of 16 to his congregation. Afterwards, a very kind, elegant lady approached us and invited us all to brunch at her exclusive private Country Club. That is another example of how kind and generous the people have been.