Written By Ken Hulsey This weekend brought some wonderful fall showers to Central Louisiana, along with much-welcomed cooler temperatures. For the first time in a long while, I was able to enjoy some quality time outside. I’m a sentimental person who loves rain; I enjoy watching it fall, and when it’s not thundering, I like to take long walks in the rain. There’s something magical about experiencing the soothing calmness of a gentle or steady rain shower. The sounds change, the air feels different, and the overall vibe transforms. Rain also provides an opportunity for solitude—a chance to think, reflect, and connect with God.
Written By: Ken Hulsey The classic movie monster Creature from the Black Lagoon, developed by Universal Pictures, was the last in a long line of iconic horror characters. By the 1950s, most studios had shifted their focus from horror to science fiction films. Universal followed this trend, with Creature from the Black Lagoon arriving soon after the popular It Came from Outer Space, both starring Richard Carlson in his signature role as the heroic scientist. This was a departure from the typical portrayal of scientists as villainous or misguided. It was a logical move for Universal to blend their established horror brand with the emerging science fiction genre, resulting in the creation of Creature from the Black Lagoon.
Story and Photos by Ken Hulsey Last month, while driving from Beaumont, Texas to Lafayette, I stopped at the Explore Louisiana Welcome Center – a familiar pit stop where I had previously stretched my legs and used the facilities. However, this time, a co-worker's recommendation of a nearby nature trail piqued my interest. Though I had been to the center before, I had never ventured out to explore the spectacular swamp trail winding around the adjacent lake.
Today, I want to share the story of the first railroad built in central Louisiana. Known as the Red River Railroad , or sometimes the Ralph Smith Smith Railroad , this was the very first railroad constructed west of the Mississippi River. It was a simple and roughly built line that transported cotton and other goods that were brought in by barges on Bayou Boeuf . The place where this railroad began is called Smith’s Landing , and the remaining building in the town of Lecompte is recognized as the first train station built west of the Mississippi. The tracks ran from Lecompte to the banks of the Red River in Alexandria , but much of this route has been lost to time. During the Civil War , Union soldiers tore up the tracks to create a levee, and because of that, we don’t know exactly where the railroad used to go. Interestingly, when crews were constructing the old Jefferson Highway that runs between Lecompte and Alexandria, they found some remnants of the Red River Railroad, whi...
The story opens with Linus and Lucy venturing into a nearby pumpkin patch in search of the perfect pumpkin. After Linus rejects a few smaller options, Lucy spots the largest pumpkin in the patch. Linus then clumsily rolls the massive pumpkin back home. Once there, Lucy grabs a large knife and starts slicing into the pumpkin, gutting it. At this point, a horrified Linus cries out, "Ohhhh, you didn't tell me you were going to kill it!" and begins wailing.
Written by Ken Kulsey. Godzilla Minus One is arguably the best monster movie ever! Heck, it is honestly one of the best movies that I have seen in years. This is nothing like the campy Godzilla films you know. The human drama will make you cry, and the monster action is filled with 'OH MY GOD!" moments. Great script, great acting, and visuals that will blow your mind. Even if you are not a monster movie fan, this is a must-see movie event!
If you grew up in Albuquerque, New Mexico , during the 60s, 70s, or 80s, you likely have fond memories of Toys By Roy. The store was easily recognizable thanks to the large rocking horse logo on its front. In 1961, Roy Ater opened his first Toys By Roy in the brand-new Winrock Center Mall, which was marketed as ‘the largest in the Southwest.’ Ater’s toy store quickly became one of the mall's first and most successful retailers. Over the following years, Toys By Roy expanded into a successful franchise with 34 locations across 9 states.
I, like many others, first became fascinated with the infamous "Fouke Monster" in the 1970s when the film "The Legend of Boggy Creek" was released in theaters and drive-ins across the country. Although I didn't see the movie until it aired as a Saturday afternoon feature on a local TV station in the 1980s, the original trailer had a lasting impact on my young and impressionable mind—it scared the crap out of me. A big, hairy creature reaching through windows to grab young girls (the Fouke Monster doesn't hold a candle to King Kong), girls screaming, guns firing, people chasing the monster, the monster chasing people-all set in what looked like the creepiest place on Earth: Boggy Creek. I hid under my bed until I was ten!
Story and Photos By Ken Hulsey. This is an only in Louisiana type of feature because only in this state would you find a perfectly managed wetland complete with bullfrogs, 50-pound snapping turtles, yellow- and red-bellied turtles, soft-shell turtles, garfish, bass, carp and bream, along with an abundance of birds, cypress trees and, of course, alligators.
For this installment of Retro Cartoon Rewind, I decided to feature a selection of my favorite cartoon shorts featuring Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck. If you’re like me, you probably grew up watching these cartoons, and they undoubtedly influenced your childhood. I consider myself to be an equal blend of the Wascally Wabbit and the Screwball Duck, both mentally and emotionally, which probably explains a lot of things—just ask my friends and relatives! Aside from the psychiatrist bills, these wonderful cartoons still make me laugh out loud and bring back so many fond memories.
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