Copeland's Cheesecake Bistro opens

Copeland founder and owner Al Copeland and his son Al Jr. were in town for the by-invitation-only ribbon cutting and opening of Copeland’s Cheesecake Bistro, Louisiana Boardwalk, where the lights were low and a Dixieland band provided groovy sounds.

There was ribbon cutting, champagne, food galore and a cash bar, with such drinks as Sin City martinis — the choice of Susan Cox.

Headed by Bossier City Mayor Lo Walker and wife Adele Walker, it was a A-list crowd that popped in to welcome the owners.

And, to sample an array of goodies — from fork tender steak to the trademark cheesecake.

Most guests just went through the line that offered samples of everything or accepted shrimp, oysters and other goodies passed by white glove wait staff.

Helen Gibson-Nicholas, there with hubby Charles Nicholas, raved over the trout. "It was really different."

After the ribbon cutting, champagne was passed to the crowd.

State Reps. Billy Montgomery, Roy Burrell and Jane Smith worked spacious rooms.
So did Shreveport City Councilman Ron Webb and Councilwoman Joyce Bowman. Councilman Brian Wooley and wife Tika slipped in late, but found a handy booth to enjoy the food and to chat with passersby.
Bossier-Webster Dist. Judges Parker Self, Ford Stinson, Johnny Robinson and Jeff Cox were also seeing and being seen. So were their respective wives, Paula, Suzie, Beth and Susan.

LSUS Chancellor Vince Marsala and wife Carol had just jetted in from Vermont.

Shreveport Mayor Cedric Glover regretted, but Gwen Campbell was a good stand-in.

"We hope you will love it and come back and visit," said Al Copeland.

"We are thrilled they’ve opened the doors. This will be the hottest place in town," predicted Boardwalk Chief Ray Tromba.

There’s no doubt that it will be popular.

I can’t wait to return for a leisurely dinner amidt the dramatic giant columns rendered in a pattern of swirls, the stone floors and the comfy banquettes in deep earth tones.

It is as attractively decorated as the food is grand.

Royal news

Times Photo by Paul L. Schuetze

Gemini Queen XIX Sally Graff and King Dr. Tobin Grigsby and Captain Ed Hoover lift their chalices in a toast at the Krewe of Gemini Coronation and Silent Auction.

The black-tie op event was Saturday at Sam’s Town Casino & Hotel Ballroom and kicked off the 2008 season for the krewe. (August is a flurry of theme announcements and coronations.)

Dr. Bob Robinson was the master of ceremonies for the glittery event.

Other members of the court: Duke and Duchess of Arkansas, Dr. Ray Coghlan and Karen McDonald; Louisiana Jerry Talley and Martha Rennie; and Texas Greg Shaw and Patti Shaw; Princes: Walker K. Gamble, Daniel C. Stoll, Charles "Chad" Robertson Princesses: Whitney Rich and Lindsey Elizabeth Anderson.

Court notes: Whitney Rich regretted because she was in Paris. She is serving as a student ambassador in the People to People Program in Europe ... Patti Shaw once worked for the White House in Barbara Bush’s press office and is former secretary to Jackie Sherrill, head coach of the Texas A&M football team during its reign as SWC champs and numerous Cotton Bowl wins. (Remember when, Aggies?)

Wedding bells

Photo by Maggie Martin

Photo by Maggie Martin/The Times

Everyone’s wedding is special.

But former Times colleagues of Gail Denise Dickey Young were especially glad to see her so happy.

She married Eddie Haynes Jr. at Mount Olive Baptist Church of Shreveport.

The reception at Woman’s Department Club included friends, family and those who had worked with her at The Times.

They included Barbara Deane (left) and Sherry Shephard who are oohing and aahing over Young’s ring.

The elaborate cake picture above was by Cidell of Bossier City and the veritable groaning board of food was catered by Clark’s Catering.

A hot hit? Deviled eggs made by Audrey Savage.

"Reigning Cats & Dogs"

Photo by Paul L. Schuetze/The Times

It will be "Reigning Cats & Dogs" for the Krewe of Barkus & Meoux all during the 2008 season.

The theme was announced Friday at Mojo’s amid "meow" and "barking" contests that drew looks of astonishment from the bar’s regulars who had bellied up the bar downstairs.

That is animal lover Mary Hines all dolled up like a cat ... or maybe it is a leopard ... for the gathering.

Bakus captain Michelle Christian was quarterbacking the fun affair that also featured an array of hors d’oeuvres - and drinks from the bar.

Among the revelers: Derrel and Sandy Franks, Craig and Barbara Seal, Shelby Duay, Bill Hines, Don and Hedy Hebert, Mary Brownfield, Matt Meyer, Barbara Rice, Barkus Co-Captain Cheryl Rockwell, Jim Thomas, Avery Lathem.

If you missed it, you can catch the Barkus Coronation Aug. 12 at Mardi Gras Museum. (Admission: $35. Information: www.animalkrewe.org.)

Summer notes

Fresh tomatoes are absolutely one of life’s delights. In fact, they are just about my favorite food on this earth — especially divine when eaten right off the bush, like an apple, wit a sprinkling of salt.

Hubby Paul Schuetze’s tomatoes are very slowly producing various sizes and we are enjoying them.

However, thanks to Greenwood pals Mike and Mary Wark, we have a week’s supply of lush, ripe tomatoes that we enjoy daily. I ration them. And prepare them very simply for that is all that is necessary, really, for a fine, fine supper and/or lunch!

The Warks brought on Wednesday a huge sack tomatoes, green beans and cucumbers from their large garden. We have relished the fruits of their labor.

... Read in USA Today this morning that Holiday Inns across the land are getting overhauls and new ones are being construction.

The section cover story reminded us how much we like Holiday Inn Express, Salina, Kan., where we overnight to and from Colorado each summer.

The service is perfect.

It is the breakfast that brings rave reviews. It is serve yourself, but the selection is large: several kinds of cereal and selections of milk; multiple juices to choose from; boiled eggs; omelets; a variety of breads; yougart; fruit; coffee; and their famous cinnamon rolls.
If you are headed that way, I highly recommended this HI Express.

... While doing research for a story on the Caddo Parish School System Talented Arts Program at Barnwell Garden and Art Center, I ran across a familiar name. Our cousin, Sydney Sloan’s scratch board "Table Decor" is among those in the show. Way to go Sydney. (She is the daughter of Shreveporter Jemma Sloan and the late Martin Sloan of Dixie. Her paternal grandparents are Pam Sloan Street of Colorado Springs, Colo., and the late Jimmy Lee Sloan of Dixie.)

Rocky mountain high

Vacations refresh the spirit and the body!

And, two weeks in Colorado is absolutely wonderful, amazing. (And cool.)

But, we’re back! And back to posting with this "vacation album!"

With parties, July 4 festivities and a wedding, an auction, the first week in Beaver Creek was a whirlwind of activities.
The next week in a cabin in the Rockies near Breckenridge was quieter and slower. It included walks, a concert and a trip to two mining towns over the Hoosier Pass.

Shreveport Pal Don Bryant joined us for a few days in Beaver Creek. We caught up with
Shreveporters and Natchitoches residents for a round of events during the two weeks.

We take you there.

Vacation album

Paul L. Schuetze/The Times

Paul L. Schuetze/The Times

Paul L. Schuetze/The Times

1. While staying in Breckenridge, we skimmed over the Hoosier Pass to Alma, which builds itself as the highest town in the USA, and then on toe Fairhope, both darling mining towns, with cute shops that offered wonderful things to buy (Check out Calamity Jane, for instance, in Fairhope, and good places to eat. (Front Street Cafe has great chicken salad sandwiches.) They are picturesque and I really enjoyed them more than the more glittery resort towns.

Fun note: Fairplay celebrates the workhouse burrow with "Burro Days" that includes a Pack Burro Race.

2. The Winter Park contingent dashed over the winding mountain passes and roads to our Beaver Creek Place for a July 3 supper that included sandwiches, wedges of watermelon and Eskimo pies and mini-ice cream sandwiches. They are: Coley and Sharon Gahagan of Natchitoches, Shreveporter Dr. Ray Turner, Washington, D.C., resident, Chevron attorney Laura Hudson, Turner’s wife, Jeannie Turner, and Natchitoches resident Tommy Whitehead.

3. Pal Don Bryant and I waiting for guests to arrive for supper

High flyin' flag

Paul L. Schuetze/The Times

Paul L. Schuetze/The Times

Paul L. Schuetze/The Times

Debbie Hall, sons Christian Hall and Alexander Hall with hubby/dear ole dad Bill Hall smile for the camera on the deck at Vail, Colo., hot spot Pepi’s during the Vail July 4 parade — a funky and fun event.

Everyone wants to watch at Pepi’s because that is where President Gerald R. Ford and his family held court for years when they were in residence at their nearby Beaver Creek home. Because the president was there, all the units stopped to toot horns, sing or, in the case of the lawn chair brigade, act out their routine.

It is very difficult to get a spot at Pepi’s, but this year, Dr. Larry and Lori Allen snagged one for us and the Halls.

Later in the day, we attended the Vail Valley Foundation Patriotic Concert at the Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater, Vail featuring The Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra’s, "A Salute to Freedom!"

It was dedicated to the memory of Ford.

It started off with flags waving and voices of people from across America joining in to sing "A Star Spangled Banner."

You had to stand in line to buy tickets for the covered section. We did, stand in line. We arrived at 10 a.m. for the 11 a.m. opening of the box office. But, we missed out by about 10 people. Next year, I suppose, we’ll arrive at 9 a.m. and believe you me, it would be worth it. It got so hot on the lawn that we left at intermission.

So, we show a photo of those in the shade and those outside to give you some idea of the scope of this very special event

...and the winner is!

Maggie Martin/The Times

Going...Going...Gone!

Sold to bidder 656 — Paul L. Schuetze!

Yep, that’s hubby Paul showing off a wood sculpture of two birds he bought at the President and Mrs. Gerald Ford Charity Auction, Beaver Creek, Colo. ( He also got three Henry Mancini Records for $10. I picked up several things in the "Small Treasures Tag Sale" at the end of the day when they allowed you to make an offer they couldn’t refuse because they needed to move things. That was fun!)

We read about the auction while vacationing for two weeks in Colorado. (Cool Colorado. It was 60 degrees when we drove out of the Rockies near Breckenridge early Friday morning.)

The fund raiser was held at the Beaver Creek Village Hall. Proceeds went to three charities in the area selected by Betty Ford.

When we arrived, we ran into Shreveporter Melissa Simon, who was also a successful bidder on a metal bird sculpture.

All of us bid on an assortment of other items, but others from around the country outbid us.

It was amazing what went for under $100 and what soared in price.

A sampling: Limited Edition Lithograph, "Chicken in a Basket," signed and numbered, $60. (One thing we wanted but arrived too late to bid on it.); Limoges breakfast set, $100; Chippendale style camel back sofa, $100; sterling silver vase, $550; Russian lacquerware tray, $500; antique music stand, $2,500; pair of walnut nightstands, $150; pair of antique glass decanters, $90; antique double handled copper pot, $320; and antique iron doll’s sled, $150.