Things to do in Cenla

I am sitting here at work, on a very cold day, surrounded by several space and gas heaters and what comes in the mail?  The City of Alexandria’s three month event calendar.  I was considerably cheered when I read the events which will commence from now through March.  My favorite picks (the ones I circled and plan on going to) are as follows:

January 8th – Second Saturday Market at the Museum

February 12th- Second Saturday Market at the Museum

Alexandria Museum of Art.  10am to 1pm. Local art, food, music and children’s activities.  Call 443-3458 for more information

January 30th, Sunday – Tea and Puppets

Coughlin-Saunders Performing Arts Center.  3pm.  Talented Ventriliquist/Comedian Lynn Trefzger will be there and a tea and puppet crafts will conspire in the lobby.  The admission is $5 a person, or $20 for groups.  Call 443-4718 for more information.

March 19, Saturday – Spring Artwalk in the Main Street District of Leesville

6-9pm. Features knwn and new art and artists. Live music, contemporary and traditional art on display.  Admission is free. 

March 18-19 – Friday and Saturday – Que’in on the Red

North Levee Park, Fri 5-10pm and Saturday 12-10pm,  Sponsored by the City of Alexandria.  Championship barbecue, music and a carnival.  Admission is $10.  Call 449-5225 for more information.

March 19th, Saturday, Corley’s Miniature Petting Zoo

Well, even though this is bad timing for this event, I am including it because I think it is a cool idea and that Vivian would really dig it.  TREE House and the Martin Foundation is sponsoring a petting zoo for children 1-3pm.  Cost is $4 per person, children under 2 are free.  Call Kara for more information: 619-9394.

Great things are going on in Cenla!  Hope to see you at one of these events.

Andrea

Hotel Bentley Records Discovered

I thought this was neat.  This was sent to me this morning.  Thought I would repost.  It is neat to visit the museum.  Anyone who has not visited, it would be well worth your while and best of all — it’s free!  My favorite time to go is when relatives come in.  We make a round to the Kent House and the Museum, as well as other cool things.

“The photograph you are looking at is part of the core history of the Hotel Bentley. It is the Hotel Bentley Corporation Stock book. It has surfaced  after spending almost 60 years in a box in the back of a closet,  in Houston, Texas. It records the investors in the Hotel Bentley from 1919 to 1936. The names of the local businessmen who thought enough about Alexandria to invest their hard earned money in the Bentley.

 

It paid off for them. All their names are displayed and the amount of stock they purchased and date of purchase are on display along with this book. A piece of Central Louisiana History, at the Louisiana History Museum. Come view the expanded Bentley Hotel exhibit. It’s free.”

       

Andrea              

Warren Family Vacation 2009

I’m baaaaaaaaaaaaaaack!!!!!  Whew, what a fast 7 days this past week has been!  I did not announce here on my blog that I was going on vacation due to security reasons.  You never know who is out there lurking….  All of my friends and family knew where I was though. 

We had a great time!  We camped in South Carolina, canoed in North Carolina, enjoyed the scenic beauty of the Tennessee mountains by staying outside of Gatlinburg for a night and then stopped in Arkansas last night on our way to get Taavi, the newest addition to our family.  For anyone interested, here are some photos from our week and a snippet of information on where we were and what we were doing.  I missed everyone!  I am glad I am back home!

Sunday

We left on Sunday.  On our way to Alabama for the night, we stopped in Jackson, Mississippi to eat at Keifer’s.  Keifer’s is the best doggone Greek food I have ever eaten.  It is a small business located downtown and people drive in from multiple states to eat there.  It is THAT good!  If you are ever in the area, I highly recommend this family owned, on top of its game, restaurant.  I also stopped in Birmingham to visit with a college friend, Consuela.  I haven’t seen her in six years…..good times, good times!  When we arrived at the hotel, Vivian wanted to swim.  So, even though it was 10:00 p.m., we donned our bathing suits and made a lap or two in the pool.  It never occurred to me that Vivian has not stayed in a hotel before.  Upon entering our room, she had many questions and was amazed that someone set up a little bedroom just for us!  Here she is after a full day of travel and an hour swimming.

Tired after a day full of travel and swimming

Monday-Tuesday

“Is Mississippi a road?”  Vivian asked from the back seat (I guess that is better than “Are we there yet?”).  “No, it is a state, baby” I replied.  “What state do we live in?” I asked.  “Alexandria!” was her triumphant answer.  So, did ya’ll know that Alexandria was a state?

Oconee State Park, SC - Vivian feeding the geese

The main purpose of our trip was for Vivian to meet her great grandmother and great grandfather.  On our way to see them, we stopped in downtown Greenville and visited the park. 

On street parking, downtown Greenville, SC

The downtown area was thriving and very hip.  We passed many restaurants and specialty stores on our way to Reedy Falls park, which is in the middle of downtown.  We even happened upon a conversation of young businessmen (and women) who talked about living in their loft in the downtown area and how much they enjoyed living and working there.  I thought that was very cool (All of my preservationist friends understand what I mean).  The great thing about most of the streets in Greenville was that they had storefront parking.  They never did widen the road or remove the parking spots from in front of the shops.  I think this was one of the main reasons the downtown thrives.  The other reason is the highly attractive park that has a creek/falls that runs smack through the middle of downtown.

Reedy Falls Park, Downtown Greenville SC

Greenville spiffed up one of their best assets by putting a bridge over the creek falls for people to bike over, or walk out on and admire the view.  The bridge, from what I understand from the sign, was financed through private persons and non-proft groups.  Greenville has also retained a good bit of green space in the downtown area despite development.  I call that good planning by the city administration.  Greenville also has bicycle lanes and has good walkability and bikeability (if that is a word).  You would not have to talk me in to living there.  It was beautiful.

The bridge across the falls/creek

Vivian at the park

Vivian at Reedy Falls

Vivian and Andrea at Reedy Falls

Wednesday

We got a wild hair and drove up to Rosman, North Carolina and took a four hour canoe trip.  We had a good time paddling down the quiet French Broad.  We saw a hawk catch a fish.  At the end of the day, you could clearly see the spots I missed putting sunscreen on!

On the French Broad, Rosman, NC

A bridge over the French Broad, Rosman NC

Thursday

We visited with my grandmother again and then went on to Easley, SC and visited with my grandfather and my cousins.  It rained ALL day.

Grandma Petrone and Vivian

Grandpa Petrone, Me and Steven

Friday

Our plans were to stay at the park (Oconee) and boat, fish, make a fire…you know, all the things you are supposed to do when you go camping.  The only problem was that the weather was not cooperating.  It rained Thursday, Friday and Saturday. 

Vivian, singing in the rain, Oconee State Park

Steven was determined to cook out, so he grabbed a poncho out of the car and flipped hamburgers in the rain.  Our geese friends decided to come up and check us out again. 

Resident Geese, Oconee State Park, SC

Vivian and Steven feeding the geese (wow, no mistaking paternity here)

Lazy rainy afternoon on the porch at our cabin

 

Friday night we decided to head to Tennessee.  We left the park early, we were supposed to stay until Sunday.  We went to Sevierville, TN which is right outside of Gatlinburg, and stayed the night at the Wilderness at the Smokies, a waterpark/resort.  Poor Vivian had been drug across four states and had not had any fun yet, so we decided to let her play in the water park for a day.  This place was brand new and pretty cool.  Included with your room you get free passes to their two waterparks and free tickets to the Ripley’s Believe it or Not Aquarium (which was voted the #1 aquarium in the country).  We splashed for hours, rode down the slides, sat in the hot tub, went back to our room and then came back down and did it all over again! 

The bucket of water just dumped out on them...you better move when you hear the bell ring!

Vivian and Me

Eating dippin' dots at the park

Sunday-Monday

We packed up and drove to Little Rock and stayed the night Sunday and then today, we got up early and drove to Hot Springs to pick up Taavi.

Vivian and her new puppy, Taavi

We are now back home and I do believe that Taavi is adjusting well to living here in Alexandria.

Vivian and Taavi playing in the front yard

Andrea

10 Most Endangered Tour: Hotel Bentley

As part of the 30th Annual Preservation Conference, the Historical Association of Central Louisiana organized a Louisiana Trust 10 Most Endangered List Tour yesterday.  Even though I had a part in organizing the tour, I had yet to see the inside of half of the buildings on the tour.

Yesterday, I had the pleasure of seeing, for the first time, the lobby of the now closed Hotel Bentley.  I know a lot about the Bentley, but I had not yet had the opportunity to see the inside before its doors closed in 2005.  For a complete history on the Bentley, please click here.  Everything said about the Bentley is true.  It is oppulent, beautiful, a classic example of early 20th century architecture and definitely worth saving.  Upon entering the lobby, straight ahead is a beautiful double staircase which meets at a landing and then grandly sweeps down to the floor.

Grand Staircase, Hotel Bentley, Alexandria, La

A few of the persons joining us for the tour reminisced about being present at family weddings, proms and other events held here in the “good ole days”.  Their descriptions of the events transported me back and I could almost hear feet shuffling in time with music from the band, or the crisp whoosh of a wedding dress as a beautiful bride gracefully descended the stairs.  How exciting it must have been!

Original frieze pattern in dome

Gazing up at the inside of the dome, you will see a painted mural.  This is not original to the structure.  Originally a frieze type pattern decorated the inside of the dome and in the 1930’s-40’s, it was “modernized” by painting white over it with a black edge.  After renovating the Bentley in the 1980’s, the Tudor Construction company hired an artisan to paint this mural. (This information comes from the book “An Illustrated History: Rapides Parish” published by local author Sue Eakin).

Lobby Ceiling: Hotel Bentley

 Alas, not all of the Bentley is a beautiful sight.  Signs of peeling paint, wear and tear and rot are already being seen due to the hotel being defunct for four years.  Below is just a small glimpse of the wood damage outside the hotel. 

However, now that I am Central Louisianan….I will cling to the faith that other Central Louisianans have that this once glorious building will be returned to commerce and that it will lift its head proudly in our downtown once again. 

The other buildings we toured were Mt. Olivet chapel, Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church, Conerly House, the Thompson-Hargis mansion and the Cotton Bros. Bakery Building.  Bennettville Plantation house and store were listed on the Louisiana Trust’s 10 Most Endangered list, however it was not open for tour.  The Town Talk did a wonderful story on the tour and you can view that by clicking here. Don’t forget to look at the photo gallery to see more pictures of the tour.  Thank you RT Morgan for a wonderful story.

I would also like to thank TW Thompson for the wondeful picture of my daughter and I walking in the Hotel Bentley lobby.  I took a walk with Vivian because she was restless and also because I thought she was about to give the caretaker of the Bentley a heart attack.  The lady was very nervous and did not want Vivian injuring herself…which I completely understand.  So, when Vivian and I took a walk down the beautiful entryway, in between the columns, Mr. Thompson snapped a picture of us walking hand in hand and it is just beautiful!!!!  When he sends me the digital print, I will post it.   Thanks again, sir.

The Hotel Bentley 1907-08

Andrea

Community Event Downtown: Worship on the River

 

Worship On The River

 

If you are looking for something to do on this beautiful Sunday afternoon, then please join us this evening,  April 26 at 5:00 pm in downtown Alexandria at the Riverfront Amphitheater as the Central Louisiana community comes together in praise and worship!

Dinner on the Bricks – Historic Downtown Alexandria, Louisiana

Renovation giving building new life for local Red Cross

Reposted from the Town Talk’s website. 

Renovation work continues on the Cotton Brothers Building — soon to be the new location of the Central Louisiana Chapter of the American Red Cross. 

The organization began renovations earlier this year to the building located at 425 Bolton Ave. in Alexandria. But just recently workers with Petron tore down an add-on to the original building, said Leann Murphy, CEO of the local Red Cross chapter.

Murphy said removal of the addition from the original art-deco structure helped open up the whole block of Bolton.

Workers now are constructing load-bearing walls inside the 75-year-old structure to allow for roof repairs.

Once the renovations are finished, the building will serve as office space and provide the Red Cross with a warehouse and designated training area. The second floor of the building will be left vacant initially. Read the rest of the story here:

 

Inside Cotton Brothers/Trailways Building -- soon to be American Red Cross Headquarters

 

Old Empty Building To Become Useful Again

Nothing warms my heart more than to see an old historic building being renovated and turned into useful real estate.  Unfortunately, we have many old buildings languishing here in Cenla.  The American Red Cross purchased a building just a couple blocks from my house and will start construction next month to return this building to its former glory.  This is historic preservation in Cenla at its finest moment in many years.  In my book, I think that the opening of the Bentley would be the only thing that could trump this event.  I am excited because it should start breathing life into Bolton Avenue and subsequently the surrounding neighborhoods.  I am here to stay!

Click here to read KALB’s recent story

I received an invitation to the “Wall Breaking” ceremony for this building that will be held on January 13th at 1:30 p.m.  The address of the building is 425 Bolton Avenue.  Persons wishing to attend this historic event are welcome.

Andrea

Proposed Art District

Awesome!  Click here to read: Town Talk-Proposed Art District.

I think this would be very beneficial for the downtown area, the artists and for the citizens of Alexandria.

Regarding the bus depot, I wonder if they are talking about the one they propose to build across the street from me fronting Bolton and backing Florence Avenue.  I know they own one piece of property between the grocery store and the cleaners and bought a second adjoining piece.  The city was also looking into acquiring the old Rush dry cleaners and King’s Mart.  I guess I will have to wait until the minutes get published before I can satisfy my curiosity!  I would be happier with a bus transfer station than the run down buildings we are looking at right now.

Andrea

Some of my favorite places in Alexandria