Newspaper Page Text
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2008
THE BANKS COUNTY NEWS
PAGE 11A
Top three reasons to visit Houma, La.
Swamp tours, folk art, family-style March' Gras
BY ANGELA GARY
A tranquil float through a swamp
in a nature-fUled paradise.. .and an up
close and personal visit with one of the
alligators that make the swamp home.
Our guide, the son of the woman who
first made a business of swamp tours
in Louisiana leading us deep into the
beautiful swamp.
Walking through one of the most
amazing examples of folk art to be
found. Listening to the intriguing story
of artist Kenny Hill and how he created
these intricate and moving pieces of
art only to desert his work and move
away.
A family style Mardi Gras that
features 12 parades over two weeks.
Second only to New Orleans, it has
all of the glitz and glamour of the
larger celebration but is safe and family
friendly.
These are just three reasons that
make Houma, La., the perfect vacation
destination. Located just one hour from
New Orleans, it makes a great destina
tion for North Georgia travelers. While
the swamp tour, art work and Mardi
Gras were the highlights of my recent
visit, there are so many more experi
ences that you shouldn’t miss.
Jimmy Bonvillian, son of Alligator
Annie, led our swamp tour. The weather
was great and he provided some won
derful commentary about the swamp
that he clearly loves. Jimmy cautioned
us that we might not see any alligators
but we got lucky when “Mean Jean”
made an appearance. Jimmie stopped
the boat and began calling, “Come on
Jean, Come on Baby.” His familiar
voice, and the chicken snack he had
for “Mean Jean” brought her out of the
water and onto the bank side.
During the swamp tour, we spotted
many birds, including hawk, egrets,
great blue heron and even an eagle.
Live oak trees, moss, pecan trees,
cypress trees and holly surrounded us
and we floated through the Mandalay
National Wildlife Refuge. We also saw
one of the rustic fishing cabins that
are so popular in the area and an oil
pipeline.
It’s $15 for a two and a half tour. For
more information on Annie Miller’s
Son’s Swamp and Marsh Tours, call
985-872-3209 or go to www.annie-
miller.com .
RECLUSIVE FOLK ARTIST
The work of Kenny Hill, a bricklayer
who worked six months a year and
worked on his art the other six months,
is found on a small lot in a residential
neighborhood in Houma. Hill worked
on the art using only a fork and spoon
as a tool. He left the lot, which he had
rented, and apparently never looked
continued on page 12A
FAMILY-STYLE
MARDIGRAS
Houma, La., has a family-style
Mardi Gras each year. At this
year's Mardi Gras, the cele
bration featured 12 parades
over two weeks. Second only
to New Orleans, the Houma
Mardi Gras has all of the glitz
and glamour of the larger cel
ebration but is safe and family
friendly.
Jimmy Bonvillian, son of Alligator Annie, called "Mean Jean” out of the swamp with "Come on
Baby, Come on Jean.” He also got her to come out by holding a piece of chicken on a long stick
as a treat for her.
FOLK ART FOUND IN HOUMA
The Chauvin Sculpture Garden features more than 100 concrete sculptures by folk artist Kenny
Hill. He formed the intricate artwork with a fork and spoon as he made the small lot he called
home a canvas as his vision came to life.
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