Voices of the Past

St. Mary is rich with history – from its landmarks to its people.

With that in mind, St. Mary Landmarks, Techeland Arts Council and the Cajun Coast Visitors & Convention Bureau is hosting “Voices of the Past,” stories of the parish’s homes and people, Oct. 14-16 in Franklin. For the first time, Sweet Remembrances Cemetery Tour and the parish’s Tour of Homes will be teamed, along with a third offering: “No Hitchin’: What A Ride.”

Inspired by the story of Colquitt, Ga., a dying town of about 1,900 people, Techeland Arts Council chairwoman Judith Allain said she set out to tell Franklin’s tales.

Colquitt residents – those who survived the boweivel attacks and flooding – gather annually to tell stories of their town. Some are recollections of historical moments in Colquitt’s past, some are simple gems about growing up in the south. But the night of storytelling, accompanied by laughter, tears and unending respect, left an impression on Allain and her husband.

The couple returned to St. Mary intent on creating the same magic.

“Franklin is a small town, too – all of 7,800 people,” she said. “We’re not necessarily dying, but we do have so many stories to tell. After all, we are the best kept secret in West St. Mary Parish.

“We put the word out there, ‘If you have a story to tell, let us know,'” Allain said. “Some were based on fact and some are things that have happened in their lives.”

With Colquitt’s help, and author Marc Pettaway’s script – based on a series of interviews of St. Mary folks – “No Hitchin'” reaches the Teche Theater. Pettaway also wrote a song – “Dot on the Map” – that accompanies the stories of dramatic heartbreak and tenacity of these delightfully sassy people of Techeland.

The production’s name was culled directly from the inscription on the familiar lampposts that line Franklin’s main street. Embossed into the metal is a warning to the public: “Do not hitch.”

“It was my husband’s idea,” Allain said. “It’s a nod to our community’s landmarks.”

Inaugural performances are Oct. 14 and 15, at 7:30 p.m. and Oct. 16 at 5 p.m. Tickets are $15. The production will be repeated in March 2012.

“We’ve scheduled it so people can take the Tour of Homes and hear the stories about the historic houses, visit the cemeteries and hear about our colorful past and then end the evening hearing the stories of our people,” Allain said.

For information about Voices of the Past, visit www.cajuncoast.com.

“No Hitchin’: What A Ride” cast members Denise Hodges and Melvin
Coleman perform a scene. The production runs Oct. 14-16 in
conjunction with the Sweet Remembrances Cemetery Tour and Tour of
Homes.