Wayside_Wisdom Heard Along the Way
Arrested, Tried, and Convicted in Jennings, Louisiana -- December 21, 2004
It wasn’t at all what we had planned for the day! But we should have remembered that unexpected and inconvenient events often create the most cherished memories!
We were cruising across I-10, enjoying our first RV safari through Louisiana. The wind was strong from the north and our little rig really rocks and rolls in a crosswind. So we were making progress slowly when my trusty chauffeur saw a very official-looking flashing light in the rear-view mirror. With a puzzled look on his face, he dutifully pulled over. We discovered we were on the exit ramp to Jennings, Louisiana, Parish seat of Jefferson Davis Parish, in the heart of "Cajun Country."
"What’s the problem?" I asked. "I haven’t a clue," he answered. "I was doing only about 53 miles an hour, so it can’t be for speeding!"
The sheriff who appeared at his window was young, very professional and polite. She immediately introduced herself and set our minds at ease. "Hi. My name’s Angie and y’all can relax. Y’ didn’t do anything wrong."
Our bewilderment must have shown on our faces! She continued, "Every year at this season, the Optimist Club of Jennings sends us out here to the Interstate to bring in somebody from out of state. They want to treat you to dinner, if you have time."
We didn’t really have time – but we were curious! We accepted the offer, and did as Officer Angie instructed: "Follow me!" The flashing lights of her police escort led us into town, through stop signs and downtown traffic to the yellow clubhouse of the Optimist Club of Jennings, Louisiana.
There we were met by club members who informed us that we were "under arrest
for willfully neglecting the hospitality offered by our city." We were to be
"tried, convicted and sentenced" by a court of local officials especially
convened for such "crimes." And, indeed, we were!
We were seated at a special "defendant’s table" but rose to our feet out of respect for the black-robed "judge," an employee of the local District Attorney’s office. A tap of his gavel on "the bench" brought "court" to order. As the Mayor of Jennings looked on, our "defense attorney," a local lawyer, presented our "case" to the "court." We made sure that he included the fact that we had attended church in Jeff Davis Parish the previous Sunday, the Church of the Brethren in Roanoke. Except for that "extenuating circumstance" it was an open-and-shut case against us.
Reporters from two local newspapers were there to interview us and cover the story of our "arrest and conviction." We can only wonder what they reported to the community about us!
We were "found guilty" and "sentenced" to as long a spell of Cajun hospitality as our schedule would permit! By that time, we had laughed so much our bellies ached! But our "punishment" began with dinner: delicious Cajun chicken-and-sausage gumbo over rice, potato salad and a cream-filled, cinnamon pastry for dessert.
Then came the gifts. Bags and baskets dressed in beautiful Christmas paper and ribbons. From the Mayor, the key to the city and a huge basket including bottles and boxes of specialties of Cajun cuisine, a T shirt advertising Jennings, packets of flavored coffee and hot chocolate mix, a Cajun cookbook and Cajun joke book, and several coffee mugs. From the President of the Optimist Club, a plaque commemorating our "mock arrest." There were smaller baskets from several of the local businesses including similar gifts, plus a cooking mitt for grilling, a pen, a pencil and sticky-note pads, all, of course, advertising Jennings and Jeff Davis Parish.
It was overwhelming, and we didn’t want to appear ungrateful. But, by the time the second or third gift-filled shopping bag appeared, we were getting nervous! There were tubes of skin-care lotion, a candle lantern, a bright red and fuzzy stuffed catsup bottle, a small box of crayons, and a little green rubber alligator! Where were we going to put all this generosity?
Our storage-challenged motor home was already filled to capacity! We could almost hear it groan as the final gift was presented: an 8-inch dish with handle, molded out of peppermint candy and filled with candy canes! And, of course, the left-overs of gumbo, rice and potato salad and several pieces of cake. Where could we find space for it all?
We expressed our thanks in words and hugs, took a round of pictures, and then began stowing their gifts in our 29 foot home on wheels. We were still laughing with disbelief as we drove back out of town. Our refrigerator was crammed with Cajun leftovers. Two baskets and the peppermint bowl were under the bed. Two more baskets were nestled in the coat closet. Three gift bags were on the couch. The key to the city rested securely in the silverware drawer and the commemorative plaque was safely stowed in the folds of the tablecloth.
We enjoyed the lovely city park and found the local Tourist Bureau very informative. The Chateau des Cocodries (Alligator House) was fascinating and the Oil and Gas Museum very interesting. But we think that Jennings, Louisiana’s greatest claim to fame is their creative – and assertive – hospitality! We will always remember, with a grateful chuckle, the case of Cajun hospitality they offered us!
Mary Sue Rosenberger
Footnote: In December, 2004, we had not yet purchased our fifth-wheel trailer and were traveling in a 1991 Southwind motor home and towing a Ford Escort. This was an eight-week trip to help us decide whether to sell the house and live full time in an RV. Our visit to Jennings, LA, was on December 21, 2004. In the photo, left to right, are Bruce Rosenberger, Mary Sue Rosenberger, Gayle Jones (past president), and Pauline Bourne (member, Board of Directors).