Charles Ellis

Bayous, Booze & Bearhouses: Downtown; the People, the Places and the Faces Charles Ellis

"Bayous, Booze and Bearhouses" is a story of Personal Memoirs on the experiences, reflections and the relationships of a family, a town and many of the people that have had an influence and made an impact on our lives and our perceptions as we were living and growing up in a small town. The Author has tried to share the experiences and valves of a small town environment that enhances a support system for the people in the community. Many times in order to provide support and care for those in need a network of collective efforts are done without rehearsal or special ceremony. These are the some of the things observed and done as a means of not letting one person bear his personal burdens alone. "Somebody" was coming to see about you and check on you and your family. In one small town this was a way of life: The concern and care of each family and each child. This town is a small place but some of the people there had big ideals and big dreams. Part of those big dreams was to "Party Big*' and have a good time. Downtown Ferriday provided "Fourth Street" and the lounges, bars and "Bearhouses" to let the good times roll. Some of the major players in the this entertainment were: "Haney's Big House" "Sam Brocato's" "James Watkins Lounge, Grocery & Cleaners" "The Pool Hall" "Haney's Motel and Washateria" "Big George's Lounge" "The Gambling Shacks" "Motel Rooms" for personal entertainment. "Downtown and Fourth Street" provided a large part of the Social, Commercial and Cultural life for the people living in this area and also at "Night Time" or "Evening Hours" many uptown people found it to be a very interesting yet entertaining place to be. In many ways the "Community" was a village: The Home, The School and The Church made a network in an effort to keep young people heading in the right direction. The Spiritual, Social and Cultural growth was depended heavily on the Church and the School. The Social Bonds between the School and the community was strong and firm. The Church p