Gentilly Woods

[neworleansme]

I was looking up WCC Claiborne and was surprised someone else was to. I noticed someone said it changed it's name however the new one isnt open anymore either I know because I passed. I also lived on St Ferdinand (those were the days ) I went ther about 25 years ago and I lost my year book in Katrina does anyone have one?

[ladauphine]

Test

[ladauphine]

I went to W C C Claiborne in 1955-56 for fifth and sixth grade. I had Mr. Villasano (6th grade), who kind of looked like Icabod Crane. Then, I went to St. James Major for 7th and 8th grade, because St. Gabriel didn't have 7th and 8th grades yet. They were adding on a year every year. Fr. Marquette was there (with his migraine headaches). And I just talked to someone who lives there and just came back after they fled Katrina (they lived with their daughter in Colorado in a trailer these last 4 years). Now their house is back in order, and she told me that Fr. Marquette is still there!!! Wow. That's longevity.
I used to be an usher sometimes at Sunday Mass at St. Gabriel. My dad made me ride my bike (very dangerous) on Chef Menteur Highway to Franklin and Gentilly to St. James Major. For college, I went to UNO, where I supported my self for a while by working at the Holiday Inn on Chef Menteur. Then came back from the Army and finished at LSU using the G.I. bill and working lucratively in radio and TV announding. Later went to San Francisco where AT&T paid for my Master's degree. Saw all the West for 22 years, and moved back to New Orleans, living near the Claiborne Mansion (where the guy himself lived, and which Sandra Bullock was living at and almost bought-- she told us she was our neighbor, but they just recently bought uptown somewhere. Met Lindy Boggs who is a descendent of Claiborne as well (far as I understand).

[ladauphine]

I'll have to drive out there sometime and see if this
magnet school, Parkview (the old WCC Claiborne someone said) is still standing and reopened.
I doubt it.
I used to live at 4785 Pauline Drive-- right of Congress.
I remember we went on our bikes and listenedd to Irma Thomas playing (that was when i was a young teen) at some lounge. Was it called the Starlight Lounge? And even Guy Mitchell played there-- his big hit was "Singing the Blues"-- great song. This was when further out on the Chef, was Orbit Bowling Lanes-- and on Dowman Road was Whitey's Pool Hall!! :-) LOL