Surely, all of my FB friends are
familiar with this face. If you read Baton Rouge's THE ADVOCATE, then no doubt you've seen
his column and no doubt many of you are regular readers. If you don't know
Smiley personally, then let me introduce you. He is one of the kindest and funniest people
you'll ever meet, a pure delight to be in the company of.
Back in 2010 (or was it 2011?)
Smiley regaled the room when Peggy Sweeney-MacDonald introduced him before a
small crowd of "MEANWHILE BACK AT CAFE DU MONDE" invitees. He shared the
events that led to his meeting Katherine, whom he would later marry. His description of his meeting and subsequent marriage to “Lady Katherine’ (as
she affectionately came to be known) was heartfelt, moving and truly memorable.
This blog post offers a few samples of his column selections. These just happen to be some of my own since life might get too complicated if I “plagiarized” some of his other contributors.
SMILEY ANDERS
March 20, 2016
Budding lawyer?
Jerry Leggio, of Baton Rouge, feels his great-grandson Jace, 3, has a career as a negotiator ahead of him:
“A few weeks back Jace and I strolled down to the Webb Park kiddie playground. After about two hours Jace needed to use the restroom, so we went to the pro shop men’s room. As we headed outside, next to the exit door was an ice cream freezer.
“Jace looked in, saying, ‘I want a Popsicle.’ I said, ‘Jace, Paw Paw didn’t bring any money.’
“When he insisted. I said, ‘Next time we come I will have some money and we’ll get a Popsicle.’ To my surprise, he said ‘OK.’
“We went outside, and he said, ‘Can we sit down here? I’m tired.’ After small-talking for a few moments, he said he needed to use the restroom again, so we went back in the men’s room.
“Once again at the exit he stopped at the ice cream cooler and said, ‘I want a Popsicle.’
“I reminded him, ‘Jace, I told you when we come back again I will get you one.’
“He said, ‘We just came back again.’”
February 8, 2016
Worth the wait
Jerry Leggio says, “This past Christmas morning our 3-year-old great-grandson, Jace, opened one of his gifts (a Star Wars sword) and exclaimed, ‘Oh my God, I have wanted one of these ever since I was a little kid.’”
Two nice guys
I’m always delighted when good things happen to good people I know and enjoy being around.
Here are two examples:
Trumpet maestro John Gray has been named “Teacher of the Year” by the Baton Rouge Symphony Orchestra.
He’s band director at The Dunham School, where he has a noted jazz band.
And he can be found all over town playing with The Michael Foster Project, The JGray Jazz Trio, The Soul Jukeboxx etc.
John will be honored at dinner with BRSO music director Timothy Muffitt at Stroube’s on Thursday, May 8, then recognized at the Masterworks concert.
I remember when Jerry Leggio was the leading man in just about every theatrical production in Baton Rouge.
And more recently it’s been fun spotting him in Louisiana-made movies.
Jerry will be honored with the Anne Price Lifetime Achievement Award at the screening of the locally produced film “LA 308,” in which he stars.
The screening, part of the 2014 Louisiana International Film Festival, is at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 10, at the Cinemark Theater at Perkins Rowe.
Tickets are $10 and can be purchased on Fandango.com.
The late Anne Price wrote for The Advocate for more than half a century, and was a tireless promoter for all the arts, including theater, in south Louisiana.
SMILEY ANDERS
for May 26, 2013
Jerry Leggio says, “In the early ’90s my wife Gloria and I took the family to Pensacola, Fla., for a week of fun-in-the-sun.
“Our 5-year-old nephew Charles was also in attendance, along with our daughter-in-law Claudia.
“Claudia could not bring herself to go into the water for fear of getting stung by jellyfish, especially the heavily tentacled Portuguese man-of-war.
“Charles, taking pity on her, advised ‘Aunt Claudia, just watch out for their testicles and you’ll be OK.’ ”
for April
27, 2012
Remembering Bill
If you’ve
attended performances at Baton Rouge Little Theater or Baton Rouge Ballet
Theater, Carnival balls or the Gridiron Show, you’ve seen the work of Bill
Ernst.
For years he
was the man behind the scenes, doing set design and lighting for this city’s
performing community.
Bill died
recently, and Jerry Leggio says, “He wanted no obituary or service of any kind,
or a memorial.
“But as Rudi
Spruell so eloquently put it, he’s not here to protest.”
An informal
gathering “of those who loved and cared for him” will be held at 6:30 p.m.
Saturday at Baton Rouge Little Theater’s Second Stage.
Advocate, The (Baton
Rouge, LA) - September 8, 2011
Jerry Leggio was going to an eye doctor appointment when he encountered an
elderly couple at the elevators: "The lady said, 'You think this one is
working?' to which he said, 'How the hell should I know?' She said, 'Should we
try it?' He said, 'Hell, I don't care.' As we entered, she looked at the panel and
said, 'What floor?' He said, 'How the hell should I know? It's YOUR
appointment.' I told her that if she had an appointment with the eye doctor, he
was on the fourth floor. She said, 'Thank you, sonny.'
"At the desk, the receptionist asked him what time his appointment was for, and he said, 'Hell, I don't know, it's for HER!'
"When the sign-in process was finally completed, I stepped up to sign in myself when I heard, 'Agnes, where the hell are you?'
I'm sure he eventually found her, but I must say this little adventure completely freed me of any stress I had been having about my own appointment. And I'm still smiling at being called 'sonny.' "
"At the desk, the receptionist asked him what time his appointment was for, and he said, 'Hell, I don't know, it's for HER!'
"When the sign-in process was finally completed, I stepped up to sign in myself when I heard, 'Agnes, where the hell are you?'
I'm sure he eventually found her, but I must say this little adventure completely freed me of any stress I had been having about my own appointment. And I'm still smiling at being called 'sonny.' "
SMILEY ANDERS
Advocate, The (Baton Rouge, LA) - Friday, January 21, 2011
Star
power
After I said "The Toy," a movie shot in Baton Rouge, was one of the worst ever made, I heard from Jerry Leggio , one of our city's favorite thespians:
"For a little more positive perspective on your 'movie you were almost in,' please imagine how bad that film would have been had Jackie Gleason and Richard Pryor NOT been in it."
After I said "The Toy," a movie shot in Baton Rouge, was one of the worst ever made, I heard from Jerry Leggio , one of our city's favorite thespians:
"For a little more positive perspective on your 'movie you were almost in,' please imagine how bad that film would have been had Jackie Gleason and Richard Pryor NOT been in it."
SMILEY ANDERS
Advocate, The (Baton Rouge, LA) - Thursday, December 21, 2006
The
entertainers
Jerry Leggio recently met with old friend Dick Holler, former Baton Rougean and composer of the hit song "Abraham, Martin and John."
Says Jerry, "Back in the '50s, Dick and I were part of a WBRZ-TV entertainment show, 'Hit or Miss.'
"The show also featured later-to-be notables Rex Reed, Elizabeth Ashley (Cole back then), Donna Douglas (Dot Bourgeois) and some 10-15 other locals.
"Dick and I would like to see a 'Hit or Miss' reunion.
"If anyone has any information on any of the 'Hit or Miss' gang, e-mail me at jerleg@yahoo.com."
Jerry Leggio recently met with old friend Dick Holler, former Baton Rougean and composer of the hit song "Abraham, Martin and John."
Says Jerry, "Back in the '50s, Dick and I were part of a WBRZ-TV entertainment show, 'Hit or Miss.'
"The show also featured later-to-be notables Rex Reed, Elizabeth Ashley (Cole back then), Donna Douglas (Dot Bourgeois) and some 10-15 other locals.
"Dick and I would like to see a 'Hit or Miss' reunion.
"If anyone has any information on any of the 'Hit or Miss' gang, e-mail me at jerleg@yahoo.com."
SMILEY ANDERS
Advocate, The (Baton Rouge, LA) - Wednesday, August 16, 2006
Have
a PB&BBQ
Jerry Leggio warns us of the dangers of plastic squeeze bottles for jelly:
"The other day I took a break from repairing my fence and decided to treat myself to a peanut butter and jelly sandwich and a glass of milk.
"When I took a bite of the sandwich, I noticed that the taste was a little off.
"My son Mike asked what was wrong and I told him my sandwich tasted strange.
"He looked on the counter and asked, 'What did you use?'
"I showed him the peanut butter jar and the strawberry jelly squeeze bottle.
"He laughed and said, 'Dad, that's not strawberry jelly. It's honey barbecue sauce.'
"Next time I'll have my glasses on"
Jerry Leggio warns us of the dangers of plastic squeeze bottles for jelly:
"The other day I took a break from repairing my fence and decided to treat myself to a peanut butter and jelly sandwich and a glass of milk.
"When I took a bite of the sandwich, I noticed that the taste was a little off.
"My son Mike asked what was wrong and I told him my sandwich tasted strange.
"He looked on the counter and asked, 'What did you use?'
"I showed him the peanut butter jar and the strawberry jelly squeeze bottle.
"He laughed and said, 'Dad, that's not strawberry jelly. It's honey barbecue sauce.'
"Next time I'll have my glasses on"
SMILEY ANDERS
Advocate, The (Baton Rouge, LA) - Tuesday, April 25, 2006
An
open and shut case
Jerry Leggio offers this tale: "My son Darrell on occasion asks me to baby-sit my 7-year-old triplet grandkids, Brandon, Tyler and Allissa.
"The other day I was with them and Darrell asked me to pull my car into the driveway from the street.
"Brandon and Tyler asked it they could ride (an exciting trip of some 60 feet). Of course I said OK.
"They got in the car and Brandon began cranking the passenger window up and down, exclaiming, 'Tyler, look, an anytime window.'
"I asked him what he meant, and he said, 'You don't need the key to open the window.'"
Jerry Leggio offers this tale: "My son Darrell on occasion asks me to baby-sit my 7-year-old triplet grandkids, Brandon, Tyler and Allissa.
"The other day I was with them and Darrell asked me to pull my car into the driveway from the street.
"Brandon and Tyler asked it they could ride (an exciting trip of some 60 feet). Of course I said OK.
"They got in the car and Brandon began cranking the passenger window up and down, exclaiming, 'Tyler, look, an anytime window.'
"I asked him what he meant, and he said, 'You don't need the key to open the window.'"
SMILEY ANDERS
Advocate, The (Baton Rouge, LA) - Monday, January 24, 2005
That's
show biz
Jerry Leggio says former Baton Rouge actor Louis Herthum is producing and starring in an independent film, "Red Ridge," currently in post-production.
Based on true events, it's about women kidnapped on the Texas-Mexico border and forced into slavery.
Louis says a portion of the proceeds from the film will be donated to organizations trying to locate and rescue the women.
His Web site is http://www.redridgethemovie.com.
Jerry Leggio says former Baton Rouge actor Louis Herthum is producing and starring in an independent film, "Red Ridge," currently in post-production.
Based on true events, it's about women kidnapped on the Texas-Mexico border and forced into slavery.
Louis says a portion of the proceeds from the film will be donated to organizations trying to locate and rescue the women.
His Web site is http://www.redridgethemovie.com.
SMILEY ANDERS
The Advocate (Baton Rouge, La.) - Saturday, August 17, 2002
Turning
point: Dear Smiley: I agree with Charlotte Hornstein - that additional left
turn lane on College onto Perkins (which used to be straight only) needs to
have an additional left turn arrow painted on it farther back.
When cars are stopped at the light, they are covering the left turn arrow.
When the cars begin to move, drivers then see (often too late) that they are in a LEFT TURN ONLY lane.
Heck, if Public Works won't paint an arrow, I might just do it myself early one morning.
Jerry Leggio
When cars are stopped at the light, they are covering the left turn arrow.
When the cars begin to move, drivers then see (often too late) that they are in a LEFT TURN ONLY lane.
Heck, if Public Works won't paint an arrow, I might just do it myself early one morning.
Jerry Leggio
SMILEY ANDERS
The Advocate (Baton Rouge, La.) - Thursday, April 4, 2002
Initial
reaction: Jerry Leggio wonders what brilliant bureaucrat came
up with the name "Federal Air Transport Airport Security Services,"
which will no doubt become better known by its initials
SMILEY ANDERS
The Advocate (Baton Rouge, La.) - Tuesday, January 11, 2000
You
sure that wasn't a high-five?
Jerry Leggio says grandson John Michael, 3, was disciplined by his day care
teacher.
It seems he and his friend David, also 3, had been rough-housing too much.
Says Jerry, "The teacher asked that they both say they were sorry. They did. She asked that they both hug. They did. Then she asked that they shake hands.
"They looked at each other, shrugged, then lifted their four little hands over their heads and proceeded to shake them."...
It seems he and his friend David, also 3, had been rough-housing too much.
Says Jerry, "The teacher asked that they both say they were sorry. They did. She asked that they both hug. They did. Then she asked that they shake hands.
"They looked at each other, shrugged, then lifted their four little hands over their heads and proceeded to shake them."...
SMILEY ANDERS
The Advocate (Baton Rouge, La.) - Saturday, July 11, 1998
Remembering
Harold: Dear Smiley: I knew Harold Herthum nearly 20 years.
Back in 1989 I was in Winnfield working on the film "Blaze". For my first two or three days up there I had not seen Harold, who I later discovered was working as an extra.
I was on "stand-by" and not required to be on the set. When I was finally called to work, I went to the set to my air-conditioned dressing room. I noticed someone's street clothes hanging in there.
I strolled toward the wardrobe area and heard someone call my name. It was Harold (some expletives deleted):
"Hey Jerry! Hope you don't mind my using your dressing room. They told me I had to change in that @#$% stake-body truck over there with the @#$% tarp on it. I asked if they wanted a sweaty fat guy in that scene. They said 'no,' so I figured you wouldn't mind my using your room."
Naturally I was glad to share it. We're going to really miss you, buddy!
Jerry Leggio
Back to HOME page and TABLE OF CONTENTS
Back in 1989 I was in Winnfield working on the film "Blaze". For my first two or three days up there I had not seen Harold, who I later discovered was working as an extra.
I was on "stand-by" and not required to be on the set. When I was finally called to work, I went to the set to my air-conditioned dressing room. I noticed someone's street clothes hanging in there.
I strolled toward the wardrobe area and heard someone call my name. It was Harold (some expletives deleted):
"Hey Jerry! Hope you don't mind my using your dressing room. They told me I had to change in that @#$% stake-body truck over there with the @#$% tarp on it. I asked if they wanted a sweaty fat guy in that scene. They said 'no,' so I figured you wouldn't mind my using your room."
Naturally I was glad to share it. We're going to really miss you, buddy!
Jerry Leggio
Back to HOME page and TABLE OF CONTENTS
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