Houma man arrested for kidnapping Bayou Blue woman
May 10, 2016
Local lawman remembered for being reliable, caring to all
May 10, 2016
Even when she is just wearing work-a-day clothes, struggling through research projects or preparing Arbor Day observances that involve the giving away of trees in Terrebonne Parish, it is easy to see that Laura Ann Browning walks, talks and in every way gives the appearance of a really classy dame.
A true lady, if you will.
So it should come as no surprise that this past weekend she took a friend up on the invitation of a lifetime, by traveling to Churchill Downs with a big picture hat, to watch, cheer and be a part of the spectacle that is the fabled run for the roses, the American apex of the sport of kings, the Kentucky Derby.
“The coolest thing about the Kentucky Derby, besides the hats, was the experience of standing there and hearing ‘My Old Kentucky Home’ by Stephen Foster sung by 100,000-plus people,” she said as her trip was winding down. “It was a bit different from seeing the massive scene on a television screen.”
Laura Ann has a gift for appreciating beauty, even in simple things. As chair of the Terrebonne Parish Tree Board she has overseen the giving away of who knows how many trees over the years. But don’t take her for a garden club matron – not that there’s anything wrong with garden club matrons – because her resume won’t allow such a generalization, despite her talent for raising irises on the bayouside piece of heaven she calls home in Montegut.
One of Laura Ann’s great talents is employed in behind-the-scenes types of things, like helping non-profit organizations to succeed and prosper as a consultant. She has a master’s degree in education, administration and supervision from Nicholls State University. From Montegut to New Orleans and beyond, Laura Ann has a reputation for getting things done. She is also a crack historical researcher and is involved with several projects in conjunction with local authors.
She is also fiercely proud that Louisiana is her home, and this year’s Kentucky Derby was kind of special to the Bayou State, what with two horses belonging to Saints owner Tom Benson in the race.
Laura Ann bet on one of Benson’s horses, Mo Tom, who did not win, place or show. But she also wagered on Nyquist, the dream horse who won the race, and upon whom eyes are ever more turned.
“We cheered and yelled, ‘Who Dat’ during the owner’s walk to the paddock as Mo Tom and Tom’s Ready walked past our seats on the first turn, second row of boxes,” she said. “We were as surprised as anyone in the race’s second largest crowd ever, when Saints Coach Sean Payton, dressed in New Orleans-style standard seersucker, called the ‘Riders Up!’ But we cheered a bit louder than others.”
She traveled with her friend Wanda Dishman, who is quite the classic lady herself. The pair have done “a number of slightly challenging things over the years where we have laughed until we almost cried or more. We went because it was there, no bucket list, no long-time dream.”
Oh yeah, the hats.
Laura Ann brought two. The one she wore on Derby day was a Yvonne LaFleur creation, and she didn’t buy it special for the derby. It was a gift to her in 2012, from her beloved late husband, Cleveland “Chris” Towns.
“He would have loved the whole spectacle of the weekend,” Laura said. “It was a thrill, even during the national anthem by Lady Antebelleum when a thunderstorm blew through. It made the folks sing loud enough to push the storm away from the track.”
The bluster blew away some lady’s hats. Laura Ann and Wanda took theirs off, and stowed them under the seats.
“As ladies in hats headed for shelter, we heard at least one young guy called out, ‘Honey come back, you know you are never going to wear that hat and dress again!’ She came back about a half-hour later and they settled up with a peck.”
The local ladies arrived in Houma Monday morning, with photographs and memories, including that of a Kentucky bourbon mint julep. Also something called a “Lilly” made with Grey Goose.
“Yes, they come with souvenir cups,” she said. “But they are glass. After all, it is the Kentucky Derby.” •
