Hallelujah! On Friday evening, July 25, an extravaganza titled “A Night at the Museum” was presented by the New Iberia Museum Foundation and Teche Federal Bank — it was indeed a night to remember. Several hundred enthusiastic New Iberians jam-packed the spacious Gouguenheim facility and participated in one of the most successful fundraisers ever held in our fair city.

Big bucks were made as the result of contributions, tickets, and a great auction. The event not only gave the upcoming museum a financial shot in the arm, but it brought people of the community into a gala get-together while providing for a stellar community improvement.

As I was chatting with Becky Schexnayder Owens, museum secretary and past president of the Museum Board, I learned the official opening is slated for the first of the year, and that the museum will be chock-full of artifacts, antiques, important historical papers, and other local memorabilia of yesteryear.

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Our sincere congratulations go out to the museum board members and the fundraising committees for dedicating so much of their time and efforts in bringing the fine museum to realization. Our thanks also go out to the fundraiser’s auction committee, area restaurants for their complimentary delicious food and drinks, and people who dressed out as olden days celebrities of our community. Yes, it was a night to remember.

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Elaine Landry, who runs Lagniappe Too restaurant with her husband, Al, is not only a good cook, but also makes delicious sandwiches. Whenever I go there, I usually order a ham and Swiss cheese on rye. One day I told her how much I enjoyed the sandwich and she said, “Morris, you know I came from Chicago — and Chicago is known for its delicious sandwiches.”

I remember years ago, on one of my business trips to Chicago, I went to a heralded stockyard restaurant where I ordered a sirloin steak. That, too, was delectable.

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Roland Stansbury, Director of the Young-Sanders Center in Franklin, informed me that well-known author, Dr. Donald Frasier, will be a speaker at the Center on Saturday, Aug. 9, beginning at 1:30 p.m. The general public is invited. He will speak on Texans who defended Louisiana during the War Between the States.

Frasier is a history professor at McMurry University in Abilene, Texas. He is an award winning author of three Civil War books: “Blood and Treasure,” “Cottonclads,” and “Fire in the Cane Field.” He also co-authored several other historical books.

The Young-Sanders Center is located at 701 Teche Drive. For further information contact Stansbury at 413-1861.

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How about this scenario: A fast developing, ferocious hurricane is headed toward our coastline. Thousands, upon thousands of people are frantic as they rush for the gas stations only to find long lines and, worse yet, the stations are running out of gas. What a frustrating, agonizing situation to be in. This could happen. But there’s a simple way to avoid such a tragedy. Keep an ample supply of gas in your car during the hurricane season — enough fuel to carry you out of harm’s way. Or, store a can of gas in a safe place. “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”

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Here’s an item which was passed on to me by a manager of the Beau Pre Memorial Gardens. This park which features a cemetery, mausoleum, and well-kept gardens, is located just west of Jeanerette. This tract of land is historic.

South Carolinian John W. Jeanerette, who came to the Teche country in the early 1800s, purchased the property in 1820, built a large home there where he eventually established a post office. The town of Jeanerette was named in his honor.

Beau Pre changed hands many times over the years and in 1984 the antebellum home was destroyed by fire. The owner, Pierre Larroque, and his family, fortunately escaped. In 1987, the ancient grounds were dedicated to Beau Pre by Mr. Larroque, who has since passed away.

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We all know by now, the precious 7-foot marble statue of Hadrian has been crated and shipped away to New York where it is to be placed on the auction block. If it could talk, I wonder what it would say. Perhaps it would be something like this:

“Well, I’ve graced Iberia Bank for almost a half-century and became quite a landmark in this lovely town; but, I guess, it was high time for me to move on. You know, I’m over 1,800 years old and am very proud to be modeled after the great Roman Emperor Publius Aelius Hadrian who ruled Rome in about 127 A.D.

“I really don’t know what the future holds for me for I’ll be auctioned off like a slave of yesteryear. I may fall into the hands of some famous museum, or set up in the lavish home of some billionaire. But you know something, I’d rather be back in New Iberia, watching the nice people who pass me by, and enjoying the gaiety of a wonderful community.”

Bye. Bye.

MORRIS RAPHAEL is a local author and a retired engineer.