Louisiana

It's summertime and time for family and fun trips. I love one-day trips! Here's a place for the young at heart of all ages!

Jun 26, 2003 - Kathryn Morse

Not really an article. Advice I picked up from a friend and he said I could print it here. I thought I'd pass this along for the summer. Look for a real article in days.

Jun 1, 2003 - Kathryn Morse

Brief history of Slidell, Louisiana, by guest writer Dan Ellis.

May 24, 2003 - Kathryn Morse

Now in paperback, Midnight Bayou is an historical novel based on murder in a Louisiana plantation. If you like murder mysteries and a south Louisiana atmosphere, this may be a novel for you. I briefly discuss the plot and list what I consider the faults of this novel.

Apr 24, 2003 - Kathryn Morse

Why I don't like Mardi Gras and I wish others would reconsider their participation.

Mar 3, 2003 - Kathryn Morse

Historic preservation is an old art in New Orleans, but many small towns still need guidance. Here are some ideas about how to go about correctly remodeling your downtown building while preserving the original look and feel of your special town.

Feb 1, 2003 - Kathryn Morse

In December 2002 Mary Landrieu was re-elected to the U. S. Senate. But what were people talking about: "The President called."

Dec 31, 2002 - Kathryn Morse

Being pro-life can affect everything that you do. A story from "the left."

Nov 29, 2002 - Kathryn Morse

Fall leaves and composting in a Louisiana back yard.

Sep 8, 2002 - Kathryn Morse

For decades Louisiana has been in the bottom five states in educational achievement. Governor Foster and others are working hard to reverse that trend. Louisiana's high stakes testing programs for our children and the results we are getting are getting national recognition. But we have more to do. At the beginning of this school year I am offering this article on parental involvement in the education of older pupils to our effort to help our state's people become more successful!

Aug 1, 2002 - Kathryn Morse

Louisiana is known as a Catholic state. In this article I react to what is called a "crisis" in the church. I don't think it is the end of Catholicism, but rather a spring cleaning.

Apr 21, 2002 - Kathryn Morse

A lesson plan to help middle school students learn the places of Louisiana's Civil War battles.

Mar 7, 2002 - Kathryn Morse

Ideas to get you started teaching the Civil War battles in Louisiana to your junior high or middle schoolers. State education benchmarks are included.

Feb 7, 2002 - Kathryn Morse

This year I decided not to make a New Year's resolution. But I hope some other people do. Here are a few of my ideas for 2002 resolutions for other people.

Jan 7, 2002 - Kathryn Morse

Henry Johnson of Virginia served as governor of Louisiana and in both Houses of the United States Congress. He is described as Louisiana's first "professional politician" because for him serving in an elected office was his primary occupation, rather than a private law practice or business.

Dec 7, 2001 - Kathryn Morse

First of two articles about Louisiana's antebellum governors from Virginia, Thomas Bolling Robertson and Henry S. Johnson. Because the local population lacked the knowledge necessary for leadership in state government in these early years as a state, two men from Virginia, a state long in American history and leadership, filled a void.

Nov 30, 2001 - Kathryn Morse

Louisiana holds the U.S.A.'s record for number of state constitutions. Here are the major provisions of the first three with a few points about the controversies affecting the provisions.

Nov 23, 2001 - Kathryn Morse

John Slidell was born in New York City but as a transplant to Louisiana in 1819 dominated state politics until 1861.

Nov 16, 2001 - Kathryn Morse

Continuing the previous article about 19th century politicos who were not native Louisianians. Pierre Derbigny served as governor and Judah P. Benjamin as a U.S. Senator.

Nov 9, 2001 - Kathryn Morse

Short bios of two figures in 19th century Louisiana politics - the first governor, William C. C. Claiborne, and a United States Senator and Whig party leader, Alexander Porter. Both of these men came to Louisiana by way of Tennessee.

Nov 2, 2001 - Kathryn Morse

Interesting bits of history from everyday life in antebellum Louisiana.

Oct 27, 2001 - Kathryn Morse

St. James parish is a great place to be from and to visit. Do you like history? You'll love the St. James historic site tour.

Oct 26, 2001 - Kathryn Morse

Winnfield and Monroe, a small city in the north central and a big city in the northeast, are rated as Louisiana's top hometowns.

Oct 25, 2001 - Kathryn Morse

Maintaining a colony in the New World was a tremendous financial burden to the country of France. "Contracting out" seemed to be a solution. It was for the French government, but not for investor Antoine Crozat.

Oct 5, 2001 - Kathryn Morse

France's earliest efforts to establish and maintain a colonial life in Louisiana.

Sep 28, 2001 - Kathryn Morse

September 11, 2001, is a day that all Americans and our friends overseas will remember. We will remember the horrifying television pictures, where we were, our reactions, who we were with and their reactions. This is my day and my permanent memories.

Sep 18, 2001 - Kathryn Morse

The study of United States history in the colonial era usually dwells with colonies in Virginia and Massachusetts. But southern coastlines were also being explored and colonized.

Sep 14, 2001 - Kathryn Morse

Louisiana's parishes in alphabetical order or chronological order by date of creation with parish seat, date of creation, origin of the parish name and principal industries listed.

Sep 7, 2001 - Kathryn Morse

Article inspired by a recent disagreement in my home. My daughter came home and said her teacher said that Zachary Taylor was from Louisiana. I said, "I don't think so," and followed up with a little research to settle the matter.

Aug 31, 2001 - Kathryn Morse

Children, teens, mom and dad. By your everyday choices you are helping or detracting from Louisiana's economic development. Here are some ideas for the entire family to help our state experience solid growth.

Aug 24, 2001 - Kathryn Morse

Get in touch with your French heritage by using ideas from French provinces. It is easy and economical and it's not the frilly furniture you see advertised as "French provincial."

Aug 17, 2001 - Kathryn Morse

What does a 91-year-old woman in northwest Louisiana have to say about life? Here it is.

Aug 10, 2001 - Kathryn Morse

Looking ahead to school days. The topic editor will be going back to college this fall to get a Master of Education degree at Louisiana Tech.

Aug 3, 2001 - Kathryn Morse

Water ski, fish, or picnic at a Civil War earthworks site.

Jul 27, 2001 - Kathryn Morse

The Cathedral of St. John Berchmans in Shreveport is approaching its 100th anniversary. Read about the history of this cathedral and view pictures (via links) of its impressive artworks.

Jul 23, 2001 - Kathryn Morse

History of Drake's Salt Works in north Louisiana and an invitation to the annual festival held in Goldonna on the Saturday of Labor Day weekend in September.

Jul 16, 2001 - Kathryn Morse

Journey into the past on these brick-paved blocks in downtown Natchitoches. Find art, take a tour and picnic by the river.

Jul 7, 2001 - Kathryn Morse

Natchitoches, the oldest permanent settlement in the Louisiana Purchase, is filled with historical sites and great new traditions to serve visitors (and locals.)

Jun 29, 2001 - Kathryn Morse

Stuebenville South, an event, not a place, happens in central Louisiana for one weekend each summer. Read about this Catholic youth conference that thousands attend.

Jun 22, 2001 - Kathryn Morse

Campti, a struggling community of about 1000, begins efforts to preserve its past. Visit one of Louisiana's newest community museums next door to a Civil War hospital site.

Jun 16, 2001 - Kathryn Morse

A brief bio of Jean Lafitte, the 19th century pirate who both terrorized and saved Louisiana; plus information on the park system named in his honor.

Jun 9, 2001 - Kathryn Morse

Need to get away from it all? Travel to Lake Bruin State Park and antebellum St. Joseph to relax.

Jun 1, 2001 - Kathryn Morse

This is the first in a series of articles of educational and inexpensive places to see in Louisiana. Poverty Point located in northeast Louisiana was the center of North American Indian culture several thousand years ago. The mounds and relics are impressive.

May 25, 2001 - Kathryn Morse

The side effects I experienced during treatment for Hepatitis C were difficult to live with. But I am now in remission and most of the pain is forgotten, like the way mothers focus on the joys of childbirth and not the labor.

May 18, 2001 - Kathryn Morse

May is Hepatitis Awareness Month. In April 1999 I was diagnosed with Hepatitis C. Until then I had not heard of this virus. Since then I have learned A LOT and successfully completed treatment. It is estimated that two out of every 100 people in Louisiana have this virus. Read about my experiences from a diary I kept during 1999. They may be similar to yours or your neighbor's.

May 11, 2001 - Kathryn Morse

In the beginning of the planning process you set your goals. How well did you achieve them?

May 4, 2001 - Kathryn Morse

Can Louisiana parish and city planners learn some economic development lessons from Korea, Mexico, and Israel? Let's look and see.

Apr 27, 2001 - Kathryn Morse

What local officials should include in a good written plan for economic development. This article based on a paper for developing third world countries is very applicable to the situation in many Louisiana rural parishes. Try substituting the word parish for country in each instance the word country appears.

Apr 20, 2001 - Kathryn Morse

This series of articles is based on a term paper I did in graduate school for an class about development in third world countries. Because much of Louisiana is still grappling with the same basic development issues as many third world countries, I took this class to get information to help my own state often referred to as the U.S.'s "Banana Republic." While the state legislature and state government economic development staff work on programs to improve Louisiana's economic climate, this series of four articles will serve as a "toolkit" for local officials and planners working to leave an important historical legacy in their localitites. While the main goal of this topic is history, I believe that the study of history is about more than just studying the past, but is also about making a better future!

Apr 13, 2001 - Kathryn Morse

The Jena Choctaw Indians, formerly a landless tribe in Louisiana, receive a donation for a new home.

Apr 6, 2001 - Kathryn Morse

Each March, several thousand hog hunters, their families and just plain curious folk gather at the Winn Parish Fairgrounds for the Uncle Earl's Hog Dog Trials.

Mar 30, 2001 - Kathryn Morse

Information about former Governor Edwin Edwards is dominated by his recent conviction and sentencing. This article looks at the history of his first three administrations as governor of Louisiana.

Mar 23, 2001 - Kathryn Morse

The U.S. Forest Service's efforts to save an endangered species in the Kisatchie National Forest in northwestern Louisiana.

Mar 16, 2001 - Kathryn Morse

The rural parish faces the Civil War, Reconstruction and a new century with brave expansion.

Mar 9, 2001 - Kathryn Morse

This year the Church of the Nativity of the Blesed Virgin Mary at Campti celebrates its 170th anniversary. That's quite an accomplishment for a small group of Catholics in a small Red River town. Part 1 of a two-part history of this rural northwest Louisiana Catholic community.

Mar 2, 2001 - Kathryn Morse

A general history of this small North Louisiana town from the French and Spanish colonial days to the late twentieth century.

Feb 23, 2001 - Kathryn Morse

Short description of the features of New Orleans at the beginning of the 20th century - the good and the bad. Links for more reading.

Feb 16, 2001 - Kathryn Morse

Desegregation in Louisiana's public schools began in Orleans Parish. It was not peaceful as the state governor took extreme measures to avoid federal court orders. During the term of Governor John McKeithen the tide turned and the state schools integrated.

Feb 9, 2001 - Kathryn Morse

Short essay on the election of reform candidate, Robert Kennon, and the accomplishments of his 1952-56 term as governor of Louisiana.

Feb 2, 2001 - Kathryn Morse

My day at jury duty with details of the qualifications and exemptions for Louisiana jurors.

Jan 26, 2001 - Kathryn Morse

Louisiana reacts to national government policies dealing with the advancement of the economic and political status of blacks in the middle of the 20th century. Particularly, desegration comes to New Orleans, the state tries to avoid school desegration, purges blacks from voter lists, and the race issue ends the political career of an angry Earl Long.

Jan 19, 2001 - Kathryn Morse

During these years, Louisiana state government went back and forth between control by the "Longites" and reformers.

Jan 12, 2001 - Kathryn Morse

How a seventh grader and his family have coped with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. Learn more about ADHD and get some ideas from this family.

Jan 2, 2001 - Kathryn Morse

Rain, Midnight Mass and a Christmas menu including Cochon du Lait.

Dec 26, 2000 - Kathryn Morse

After Reconstruction there was practically no Republican Party activity in Louisiana. What happened in the 70's and since to change that.

Dec 19, 2000 - Kathryn Morse

A cookbook review and interview with the author, Patsy Davis Woodcock.

Dec 12, 2000 - Kathryn Morse

During this period four governors from poor parishes in North Louisiana made great contributions to improving education for all Louisianians. The famous WPA also made wonderful contributions to education in Louisiana.

Dec 5, 2000 - Kathryn Morse

Visit the Louisiana Political History Museum for more than politics - gifts, local history and seasonal displays can be found there.

Nov 28, 2000 - Kathryn Morse

This review of this movie made in Natchitoches coincides with the beginning of the 2000 Christmas Festival. Join me in remembering this story of southern women and in beginning the holiday season.

Nov 21, 2000 - Kathryn Morse

After Reconstruction, Louisiana no longer relied on cotton and sugar cane plantations to support the economy. These sources remained, but the timber, oil, natural gas, salt and sulfur industries developed.

Nov 14, 2000 - Kathryn Morse

Davis' obituary, a brief biography, filmography, links and the words to his famous song, "You Are My Sunshine."

Nov 7, 2000 - Kathryn Morse

Because so many resources were put into the Civil War effort, all Louisiana institutions had to play catch up for the next several decades. The education system suffered immensely, but some improvements were made by 1935.

Oct 31, 2000 - Kathryn Morse

Mini biography of Huey Long, perhaps Louisiana's most legendary governor.

Oct 24, 2000 - Kathryn Morse

Sharecroppers, plantation owners, low-paid laborers, British Syndicates, Populists and more contributed to Louisiana agriculture during these years.

Oct 17, 2000 - Kathryn Morse

Near the end of the 19th century, some black Americans were advancing out of the practical slavery of sharecropping. More blacks were learning to read and write and were learning trades that made it possible for them to become skilled and valuable laborers able to market their skills. Sharecropping was failing as a system to keep blacks as a whole in what was regarded as their proper place by some whites. Where the agricultural economy was failing some whites determined to use the law to prevent the advancement of their black neighbors.

Oct 10, 2000 - Kathryn Morse

During Reconstruction, as in all difficult times, a few "creative" persons came up with a way to make a great deal of money. With millions of dollars came influence which was used for only private gain rather than for any public or philanthropic interests.

Oct 9, 2000 - Kathryn Morse

A white family's story of relations with persons "of color" from Reconstruction to the present.

Oct 3, 2000 - Kathryn Morse

Did the lives of black Louisianians change after the Civil War? For a few, yes. For most, no. Read why there was not widespread improvement in living conditions for blacks.

Sep 19, 2000 - Kathryn Morse

Louisiana "reconstruction" lasted until 1876. It was a time of unrest and change.

Sep 12, 2000 - Kathryn Morse

This movie tells the story of a Louisiana woman, Virginia Tregan, during the Civil War. I liked her better than the much more famous, Scarlett O'Hara. Virginia never whines, saves her plantation more than once, and gets the man she wants. It is a triumph for southern women.

Sep 5, 2000 - Kathryn Morse

Over 4000 soldiers died at the Battle of Mansfield, April 8, 1864. The site has been preserved and hosts re-enactments. Everyday features include monuments, a museum and picnic areas.

Aug 29, 2000 - Kathryn Morse

Louisiana was dominated by the North during most of the Civil War. What were the major events leading to the virtual loss of much of Louisiana to the Confederacy?

Aug 22, 2000 - Kathryn Morse

First in a series of articles about Louisiana history beginning in 1860. This article covers the principle ideas and events surrounding the Louisiana secession from the Union in 1861.

Aug 15, 2000 - Kathryn Morse

Hurricane Andrew was one of the costliest storms in US history. Ravaging almost all of the southeast during its 11-day history, the Louisiana coast was one of the hardest hit area. This article has three parts: a story based on facts, some personal memories and links.

Aug 8, 2000 - Kathryn Morse

Keavin Lee Terrell, from Baton Rouge, was a 19 year-old serving in the US Navy. Lost in the waters of North Vietnam in 1969, three days before his 20th birthday, his body was never recovered. He probably perished at the time, but there has not been enough government effort to recover and account for missing service personnel.

Aug 1, 2000 - Kathryn Morse

Lawn care, flower and vegetable gardens, and farming. Stories from three generations of a family that "plays in the dirt."

Jul 25, 2000 - Kathryn Morse

What is it? Where did the tradition come from? Is it voodoo? How does it work?

Jul 18, 2000 - Kathryn Morse

Timothea Beckerman is a New Orleans singer/songwriter. Read about her life and her Hepatitis C public awareness campaign.

Jul 11, 2000 - Kathryn Morse

Suzanna ponders the source of the intense Louisiana heat. Falling asleep, she discovers its sources.

Jul 4, 2000 - Kathryn Morse

A few comments about fishing in Louisiana with great resources for planning a fishing trip in the Sportsman's Paradise. Look for fish art, too.

Jun 27, 2000 - Kathryn Morse

A native of Winnfield, Louisiana, birthplace of Huey and Earl Long and their friend, O. K. Allen, reflects on the town's sense of history and its effect on her life.

Jun 18, 2000 - Kathryn Morse