Author: Confetti Park

Storytime: Childhood in 1920s Cajun country

Storytime: Childhood in 1920s Cajun Country
Vignettes from Annie Hardy Calais

Annie Hardy Calais of Cecilia, La.

“My name is Annie Hardy Calais. I was born on July 26, 1927… The year of the great flood, the same day as St. Ann, that is the day of her feast.”

So begins this lovely memoir of Annie Hardy Calais, who shares many true stories of her childhood growing up in Cajun Country in Louisiana.

Annie, who lives in Cecilia today, was the youngest of 12 children of French descent. Deeply devoted Catholics, the family was large and loving, and the family remains close today. They extend throughout Acadiana.

Annie shares memories of her beloved mother, her tante (Cajun term for aunt) who lived with them, and the adventures of her brothers and sisters growing up in rural Louisiana in the 1920s and 1930s. One memory brings a chuckle:

“After our old house was flooded in 1927, the floorboards constricted. The planks were left with big cracks between each. When we looked down at this floor, we could see the chickens, the dogs, and the cats walk past. Mama gave each child a can of corn kernels, to drop the corn through the cracks and feed the chicks. The grandchildren loved it.”

Annie has a remarkable memory, and clearly has always had a gift for recognizing the beauty in the mundane—even as a small child. Her childhood memories of life in rural Louisiana are endearing and enrich our own understanding of this unique place.

Thank you, Annie, for sharing your wonderful stories on Confetti Park.
Music Medley: Counting Things

1, 2, 3, 4, 5….10! Counting things!

Confetti Park is a community radio program out of New Orleans. We feature local storytellers and songs that kids love, songs created for kids, or created by kids, right here in Louisiana.  This medley of kids music shows the diversity of Louisiana musicians. Songs featured in this episode, in order:

Kick Rocks – Wardell Quezergue
Twenty Bees – Johnette Downing
Ten Green Bottles – Jeremy Lyons
Frere Jacques – Swing Setters
Hey Little Girl – Jason & Layla
Walking in the Woods with my Parrain – Cajun Ron Black Guidry
Storytime: Kiko & Kevin by Debbie Hardy LaGrange

Kiko and Kevin, illustrated by Marguerite S. Hardy

Debbie Hardy LaGrange of Arnaudville, La., narrates this original trilogy about the adventures of a Louisiana dog named Kiko.

Told in playful rhyme, this is a story that delivers the tough message that life isn’t always a perfect picnic. But, with a little help from our friends, we can abide! The messengers are Kiko, a black lab, and her friend Kevin, a precocious eight-year-old who is obsessed with costume changes.

Kiko in the Country
Kiko in the City
Kiko Gets Her Cake

Debbie Hardy LaGrange is a native of Arnaudville, and says she writes for the pure joy of it! These stories are based on the real life adventures of her friend Kevin, an artist who lives in New Orleans today.

Kiko sees a streetcar, illustrated by Marguerite S. Hardy
Interview: Rich Collins of The Imagination Movers

In this episode of Confetti Park, Katy Ray interviews Rich Collins of the Imagination Movers. The Imagination Movers are one of the most famous kids’ music bands in the world, and they hail from New Orleans!

From their website: “In 2003, four New Orleans friends – Rich Collins, Scott Durbin, Dave Poche and Scott “Smitty” Smith – had an idea. They thought kids wanted and deserved music that spoke to them, not down to them. So, they started gathering after their kids’ bedtimes to write songs and brainstorm ideas about a children’s television show. Two years later, they had become the latest sensation of their musical city, attracting parents and children alike with an eclectic pop sensibility and lyrical turns about healthy snacks and playing catch and conquering childhood fears of bedtime. Lines to the Movers’ shows stretched for blocks.”

Today, the Imagination Movers are ranked as the No. 1 rated major touring act for families, according to Ticketmaster. They’ve embarked on several world tours, have recorded nine albums, partnered with Disney on an Emmy-winning show, and now, they have another animated show in the works!

Rich is the drummer (and the Scribble Sticks master!) in the television show. In real life, he is a super multi-instrumentalist and a great songwriter. Rich has a recording studio in his house where lots of the group’s brainstorming happens.

Rich is a father of five children, and tells Katy about how the songs he and fellow Movers write are evolving as their kids are growing up. In their newest album just released this year, called Licensed to Move, the songs address such sophisticated topics as line cutters, messy rooms, and fingers coated in snack powder.

Rich points out that this album is also very high energy!

“It is a rowdy record,” he says. “We’ve made probably 190 songs over the last eleven years and I don’t think any collection of music has been this energetic!”

Rich also discusses the animated television show “Super Movers” currently in development with Toronto-based 9 Story Media Group. The series is tentatively scheduled for a 2016 debut.

Listen to the full interview, full of musical treats, on this free podcast.
Music Medley: Stars & Stripes & Crabs
Confetti Park is a community radio program out of New Orleans. We feature local storytellers and songs that kids love, songs created for kids, or created by kids, right here in Louisiana. This medley of kids music shows the diversity of Louisiana musicians. Songs featured in this episode, in order:
- Yankee Doodle – The Swing Setters
- Clickety Clackety Crab – Louisiana Pollywogs
- Mary Don’t You Weep – Renzi Center Kids
- Shopping Song – Schatzy
- Jumpin’ Ollies – Phillip Melancon
- Somewhere Over the Rainbow – Kermit Ruffins feat. Kaylin Orleans Ruffins
- Renzi House Rhythm –Renzi Center Kids
Storytime: Footprints by Melinda Taliancich Falgoust

Far across the great wide world, where the sun melts into liquid gold, great Buddhas smile in their fancy temples and towering skyscrapers brush the clouds. And in a tiny house in a tiny town lives a tiny girl who dreams of doing something BIG!

Thank you to Melinda Taliancich Falgoust of New Orleans, La. for your wonderful narration of this very powerful story, Footprints, for Confetti Park!

Footprints is an environmental picture book that crosses cultural boundaries and invites readers to follow in young Aiko’s footprints as she journeys through the Japanese countryside and discovers the universal concept that the biggest difference can be made by the smallest hands…or feet! Readers who love Shelley Meyer’s “Where the Buttercups Grow’ and “The Lorax” by Dr. Seuss will delight in making “Footprints” part of their personal library.

BUY FOOTPRINTS

Listen to Melinda read another story, Lousy Liver!
Interview: ‘WEEN DREAM founder Kelsey Meeks

‘WEEN DREAM is an all-volunteer 501(c)(3) nonprofit that gives free Halloween costumes to children in need. Simple mission—so simple, it’s brilliant!

In this episode of Confetti Park, ‘WEEN DREAM founder and CEO Kelsey Meeks talks to Katy Ray about the spooktacular mission of the New Orleans-based nonprofit that, in just one year, has seen new chapters form in four states.

Kelsey L. Meeks, Founder/CEO of ‘Ween Dream

In 2014 (its first year), the organization gave costumes to 580 kids in need in seven states. This year, they will easily double that number.

Kelsey shares how the idea came about. “I noticed kids in my neighborhood were trick or treating without costumes, and I knew my friends’ children had closets overflowing with costumes, and were outgrowing them every year,” says Kelsey. “So, I thought, certainly there is a way we can share the wealth, and get some of those formerly loved costumes to some kids who would really treasure them.”

For children who need costumes, applications are being accepted through August 21, 2015. Says Kelsey, “We expect to receive over 1,000 applications this year, so apply early!”

For people/organizations who would like to donate costumes to children in need, the ‘WEEN DREAM website has lots of information, including guidelines for donating gently used costumes and more ways to support this terrific organization.
Music Memory from Ted Lindsay

Ted Lindsay is a musician from Moorinsgport, Louisiana. A veteran, gold-record winning songwriter who spent several years in Nashville, Ted is a go-to bass player in north Louisiana today. He regularly performs with blues musicians Buddy Flett and Jerry Beach, and he has been a member of the core band at the legendary Monday Night Blues Jam in Shreveport for over 20 years. Ted is also a longtime member of the Friends of Lead Belly, a group of musicians dedicated to promoting the legacy of Huddie Ledbetter. And he is a teacher at the Renzi Education & Art Center in Shreveport.

Ted shares a music memory with Confetti Park about hearing the Beatles for the first time.
The Little Red Hen sung by Millie Calais Darby

The Little Red Hen, illustrated by Florence White Williams.

Millie Calais Darby, of Cecilia, La., sings for Confetti Park Storytime!

She shares with us her beautiful rendition of The Little Red Hen, an old folk tale known by children of countless generations. It’s a sweet moral tale about what happens when you don’t step up to hard work and help your friends in need.

When the little red hen finds a grain of wheat, she gives her barnyard friends many opportunities to help her plant, thresh, mill, and bake it into bread. But they won’t help her. Of course, they want to eat the delicious bread when it’s all baked up into warm goodness!

What do you think will happen?
Music Medley: Pelican’s Bill
Confetti Park is a community radio program out of New Orleans. We feature local storytellers and songs that kids love, songs created for kids, or created by kids, right here in Louisiana.

This medley of kids music shows the diversity of Louisiana musicians. Songs featured in this episode, in order:
- Swamp Stompin’ – Luther Kent (Wardell Quezergue)
- Mardi Gras Mambo – Renzi Center kids
- Pontchy Pelican – Angela Mannino
- Zydeco Extravaganza – Terrance Simien
- Poem by Hrilina Ramrakhiani
- Polly Wolly Wee – Huddie Ledbetter
- Polly Wolly Wee – Katy Ray and the Confetti Park Players
- Feliciana LeRoux – Johnette Downing
- St. Anne Reel – Renaissance Cadienne
The Confetti Park podcast, hosted by Katy Hobgood Ray, features music and stories spun in Louisiana. It showcases songs that kids love, songs created for kids, and songs created by kids. Sparkling interviews, in-studio performances, delightful music medleys, jokes, local author storytime, and a little surprise lagniappe make for an entertaining show!
Storytime: Kyser the Singing Schnauzer by Tommie Townsley

Meet Kyser, a dog who loves to sing! Author Tommie Townsley of Lake Charles, La., narrates this fun tale written in rhyme, inspired by her own dear pet. Apparently, the real-life Kyser really can sing!

The picture book is available through Tommie’s company, Kid’s Kajun Tales and Ally-Gator Book Bites. Written for 3-6 year olds, it is written in rhyme and rhythm.

Kyser says, “Sing along with me, and you will see, it is so much fun, and when you are done—YOU CAN READ!”
Music Memory from Charles Hudson

Charles Hudson on trumpet. Photo by Sally Asher

Charles Hudson is a trumpet player who plays mostly zydeco music(!). He is associated with the “royal family” of zydeco, as a regular band member of Rockin’ Dopsie, Jr. and The Zydeco Twisters. Being part of this act, Hudson not only has terrific musical chops, but high energy and dancing skills, too. (Rockin’ Dopsie is often compared to James Brown.)

Charles shares an early memory of how he got his start playing the horn as a kid. “I marched in every parade with the Stardusters Drum and Bugle Corps out of St. Bernard Parish,” says Charles.

Learn all about this storied drum and bugle corps that was based out of Arabi at http://www.louisianadrumcorps.org/stardusters/.