GARDEN DISTRICT G O O D W O O D • TA R A S PA N I S H T O W N C A P I TA L H E I G H T S LSU LAKES MELROSE PLACE BEAUREGARD TOWN
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W e d n e s d ay, D e c e m b e r 24, 2025
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When, where did WWI monuments go in N.O.? BY RACHEL MIPRO
Contributing writer
After fighting ended in World War I, temporary structures lined the downtown side of Canal Street in New Orleans to stir support for a last round of United States war bonds. Algiers Point resident and retired veteran Ron Hill found an intriguing picture in the Louisiana Digital Library. In the image, structures stand tall over Canal Street, complete with wreaths and plaques near the bottom that listed the names of New Orleanians who lost their lives in the war. “Being a veteran of the war in Afghanistan, I have an interest in how we remember our veterans from past wars, and am particularly interested in how we honor Gold Star mothers — those who have suffered and given up so much for our country,” Hill said. “We often focus news stories of those who died, while rarely giving much media coverage to those who are left behind when we lose a warrior, and how families of warriors sacrifice for all of us.” His question: What happened to this pair of WWI monuments that previously occupied Canal Street? Were they relocated? Clues about these mysterious structures lie in a series of newspaper filings from 1919, provided by the New Orleans City Archives, and in the state of U.S. postwar finances.
STAFF PHOTO BY JOHN BALLANCE
Top row, from left: Hummingbird Cake, Mississippi Pound Cake, Red Velvet Pound Cake. Bottom row, from left: Brown Sugar Chai Cake, Pistachio Coffee Cake and Satsuma Olive Oil Cake
BAKER’S DELIGHT
Fighting over and funds needed When the U.S. entered the fray of WWI in 1917, declaring war on Germany, the country needed a way to finance the war effort. The resulting idea was a campaign to sell war bonds, branded the Liberty Loan Plan. During the war, the U.S. had four rounds of bond selling. When Armistice Day came in November 1918, it was greeted with intense celebration — and followed by one last financial push. In 1919, with fighting over and funds still needed, the fifth and final round of U.S. war bonds were sent out, titled the “Victory Liberty Loan.” New Orleans had a Victory Loan quota of around $21 million to meet, and local Victory Liberty Loan committee Chair Henry E. Groffman was hard at work. Before the loan campaign launched the week of April 21, 1919, Groffman sent out a public call asking for the
Gift a little holiday sweetness with one of six cakes to try for the season
T
he holidays bring out the best in home kitchens — simple ingredients, big flavors and a combination of recipes passed down through generations alongside new ones taking the internet by storm. To help make the most of the season, we asked the newspaper’s features reporters to turn on their ovens and bake up their favorite cakes. Some chose family standbys. Others tried something completely new or ones that showcase local ingredients. Each cake is paired with a brief explainer from the writer who baked it, sharing where the recipe comes from and why she decided to bake it for this special cake celebration. After the photo shoot, the entire newsroom had the chance to try a slice — or all six. Each cake found fans along the way. Maybe you’ll find a new favorite among them. Maybe one will taste like home. Either way, there’s sweetness ahead. If you have a favorite cake recipe you’d like to share, please send it my way to jan.risher@theadvocate.com. — Jan Risher, Louisiana culture editor
ä See CURIOUS, page 3G
PROVIDED PHOTO FROM THE MONUMENTAL TASK COMMITTEE
ä See HOLIDAY CAKES, pages 2G, 3G
This undated photo shows restoration work being done on the 9th Ward Victory Arch.
The celebrations continue for the King of Zydeco Clifton Chenier With 2026 knocking on the door, we’re about to wrap up the Year of Chenier, the centennial birthday celebration of the King of Zydeco Clifton Chenier. Well, not quite. Accolades and achievements continue for the Grammy Hall of Fame accordionist born June 25, 1925, near Opelousas. The Herman recognition stretches into Fuselier the New Year. The King of Zydeco’s crown will not be put away with the Christmas decorations. Happy Year of Chenier — the 2026 edition. Here are some recent and upcoming
accolades.
Grammy-nominated ‘Tribute’ Few were surprised that the star-studded album, “A Tribute to the King of Zydeco” on Valcour Records in Eunice, was nominated for the Best Regional Roots Album Grammy. The album features The Rolling Stones, “Zydeco Boss” Keith Frank, Marcia Ball, Charley Crockett and other music luminaries performing Chenier classics. The release has received rave reviews from New York City to Bangkok. Album sales and donations raised $30,413 to endow a memorial scholarship at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. The album is also part of another banner
year for Louisiana in the Regional Roots category. All five nominees, which include Corey Henry, Preservation Brass, Kyle Roussel and Trombone Shorty, are from the Bayou State. Grammy winners will be announced Feb. 1.
‘At Sunset’ mural Artwork celebrating brothers Clifton and Cleveland Chenier was unveiled Dec. 12 outside The Funky Flea, an art gallery and vintage antique shop, in Sunset. The St. Landry Parish town is called the Rubboard Capital of the World. “Tee Don” Landry makes and globally ships his Key of Z Rubboards from his home in Sunset. Landry’s father Willie,
along with the Chenier brothers, designed the first metal, vest-styled rubboard in 1946.
Lifetime Achievement encore Folklife Alliance International will present a Lifetime Achievement Award in Chenier’s honor during its 38th annual conference in January in New Orleans. Chenier received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2014. In its news release, Folklife Alliance International said, “Chenier turned dancehalls into joyous celebrations, insisting, ‘If you can’t dance to zydeco, you can’t dance
ä See CHENIER, page 3G