ACORNS

As the saying goes, “the wild hog found an acorn.” Every great once in a while, you actually get one right. Please, remember you heard it here first.

We recently acknowledged a huge benefit to our community’s safety on behalf of a Lake Charles police officer. He went above and beyond the call of duty, placing himself in harm’s way in apprehension of a dangerous guy bent on inflicting some serious damage.

Chris Baudin, a second-year officer, responded, gave chase, and, from there, let his training kick in. He was successful and arrested a person who had apparently gone over the edge. That person was on a crime spree that could only end in a bad way. He was the local public’s worst nightmare.

Chris arrested him after trailing him by car and then following him in a brisk foot chase. The public remains safe, and one more criminal will be pondering his future behind bars.

Too often, heroic actions of law enforcement that are dedicated to keeping us safe go unnoticed or are taken for granted. But Baudin’s story was right where it belongs — on the front page of the newspaper. There was a well deserved write-up and a picture of some police officers doing the job we appreciate.

As was mentioned in an earlier Lagniappe article, these guys deserve recognition for performing their duties under fire. This time it actually happened. We stand in line with the many other grateful citizens who salute Chris Baudin and the many dedicated officers just like him.

Also on the we-got-it-right-and-nobody’s-counting meter is this: Lately, local music lovers are getting an earful of what they love. Lots of local bands are producing some first-class music. The Yams rocked the Civic Center’s world recently and got the crowd buzzing. Their original “Wife of Steve Riley” rocks, with just a taste of the Cajun squeezebox and a rocking beat.

A recent search on Facebook revealed the Barbe High School Show Choir rocking out. Guess what they were playing? They covered “Wife of Steve Riley” — and with great gusto. They nailed it.

The unknown accordion player (Chris Miller) gives you just enough squeeze to make you long for more. Hats off to the Barbe Show Choir for a great performance on a great song.

Also check out the Yams’ “Soldier’s Song.” If you’ve ever served in the military or lost friends or family in combat, this song really brings it home. Written originally as a tribute to Chris Lebleu, an American Marine and Lake Charles native who served his country in the killing fields of Iraq, this heart-warming song is as first-class as the hero it’s about.

As summer sets in, local fishing is in somewhat of a lull. This is an annual occurrence, as the big sow bass transition from the spring spawn to more of a summer pattern. Feeding patterns are concentrated early and late as a means of beating the heat. Of course, lunar phases, and the advent of thunderstorm activity can affect the bite strongly.

Do yourself a favor and go fishing.  Whether you catch fish or not, fishing is guaranteed to soothe your soul and ease your worried mind. Fillets of fresh fish are lagniappe.