Nov 5 - The B & C Seafood Restaurant

Between the visits to Laura and Oak Alley, we stopped for lunch as the B&C Seafood Restaurant. A combination market and diner, the food was excellent and the décor something to write home about.

The plain facade hides a most energetic interior.

The ladies' room attendant.

An unfortunate diner.

Bernard joins the band.

The cousins's first taste of fried okra
rated a special edition of the Dobard crest.

The bread pudding ranked right up there as well.

Nov 5 - Laura & Oak Alley Plantations

Laura Plantation

Laura is a Creole plantation. We like to take visitors here because they learn that not all of the plantations were owned by rich white planters. The guides tell the story of the family as well as the operation of the plantation. And they offer tours in French. 

Laura is well maintained and has a wonderful
selection of books in the gift shop.

The rest of the photos in this section are Bernard's.

Since Lloyd and I have toured this
plantation, we opted to relax on the gallery.
It was a beautiful day to be outdoors.

The tour group gets acquainted with
their French-speaking guide.

Part of the formal gardens.

This Creole-style house is very different from
its neighbor, Oak Alley.

The furnishings have a simple elegance.

The kitchen garden.

Outbuildings undergoing renovation.

The kitchen was located in an outbuilding,
as was the case in most homes of the period.
Since most cooking was done over wood
fires, it was safer to keep it away from
the main house.

Oak Alley

Oak Alley is one of the most popular of the fancy plantation homes.

While waiting for the tour to begin, the cousins
met a fellow traveler from Marseilles.

Fabienne and Romain stand at the river end
of the alley of oaks for which the plantation
was named.

The rear facade of the house is nearly
as beautiful as the front.

There was some interesting old machinery
displayed on the grounds.

Replicas of slave cabins are being constructed

A small rest on the gallery before moving on.

Nov 4 - Mardi Gras Indians

Mardi Gras Indians

The rainy afternoon was brightened considerably by a presentation by the Guardians of the Flame Cultural Arts Society. Big Queen Reesie (Cherice Harrison-Nelson, Big Chief Brian Nelson, and an energetic drummer. Queen Reesie shared some of the of the Mardi Gras Indians's history and culture. The traditional songs and chants had everyone on their feet, clapping and dancing and singing along. Read about the Society here. Learn more about Queen Reesie here.

Even Uncle Hubert in his wheel chair joined in the gaiety. 

That evening Gloria Barbarin invited the cousins to hear Wanda Rouzan, the Sweetheart of New Orleans, and Leah Chase at The Columns Hotel. The great jazz was enjoyed by all.

Wanda Rouzan

Nov 4 - Picnic & Family Tree

Once the rain let up, we scurried into the church hall. Everyone brought a picnic lunch and got down to some serious catching up with one another.

The Family Tree

The known descendants of Esmiland "Millien" Daubard,
the ancestor who emigrated with his family to the
Louisiana Colony around 1750, are printed on
his scroll, which is 50 feet long. Family members
had fun looking for their own branch of the tree.
Happily, several of them updated their information.

Books

Bernard presented more of his Daubard history book to cousins.

Leanne Dobard Alvarez

Fred Dobard Jr. aka "Ricky"

Desi Dobard DeLarge

Kevin Dobard

Kristie Aimée Kaufman Rollen

Michael Dobard

Patrick Dobard

Laurie Kaufman

Kristie (wearing the blue scarf) celebrated her
birthday at the picnic with a cake provided
by sister Laurie. Being the family genealogist,
I could tell you how old she is, but (lucky for her)
I'm a nice person. :)

Nov 4 - Mass at St. Augustine

On Sunday the family gathered at Saint Augustine Catholic Church of New Orleans, the oldest African-American Catholic Parish in the United States for three special events: a mass unlike any other, a picnic to socialize and catch up with relatives, and a presentation by Mardi Gras Indians.

Mass at Saint Augustine

Information and pictures of the church can be found here. Since its dedication in 1842, St. Augustine has been a church of the free black citizens of New Orleans, welcoming both free and slave as worshipers. Today it is home to the Soulful Voices Choir, whose members ring out the joy of Christ during the non-traditional jazz mass every Sunday.

French architect J. N. B. de Pouilly's
design drawing of St. Augustine, circa
1840. De Pouilly also designed New
Orleans's St. Louis Cathedral.

The church has undergone several interior
reorganizations during its long life.

Father Ledoux was responsible for
the unique altar and lecturn. He
moved both outside the sanctuary
railing, closer to the congregation.

The Soulful Voices Choir warming up
before the jazz mass. 

Fabienne, Romain, and Father Quentin Moody.

The pews set aside for our family were
filled with Daubards and Dobards.

The Sisters of the Holy Family were founded
here in 1842. One of the founders, Henriette Delille,
is well on her way to canonization.
Click on her name to learn more about her.

The tomb of the unknown slave
at the church. Click here to learn
its history. 

After mass we were to move into the church social hall for a picnic, but the heavens let loose with an unexpected torrential rain that pretty much prevented anyone from leaving. The choir kicked into high gear and there was some joyful singing and dancing as we waited for the rain to subside.