Doiron crosses state line for family; food

 

This third edition of Doiron Family Reunion in Starks, La., was Culinary Thrill Seeking across the state line. There was some praying, some eating and some visiting.

It’s important to remember that I was raised Catholic over here in Texas. The Starks Doirons meet at First Pentecostal Church, where many of them attend. This town has two Pentecostal Churches. A relative of my said Starks folk even has Baptists, and welcome everyone, as we’re all trying to get to the same place. This year, they welcomed my husband, who finally got to attend.

I again visited Dress Like an Angel, a shop where church ladies of any denomination will find fancy, modest attire. There’s a huge crystal chandelier and even a playpen area so mama shoppers are free to peruse racks of ruffles.

The Doirons met in the gym, across from the church. When got another load from the car,  I noticed people with signs along the road, inviting drivers to pull over and pray. I walked over, sat in folding share in the shade, and got a whirlwind of prayer from three people. They gave me a cloth with oil and spoke all at once. I felt like I could make out words like “gratitude,” “family” and “abundance” as they gave me their all. 

Door Prizes:

Back inside, women were setting up a massive door prize area. I came home with a hummingbird feeder and a garden sign. I’d left copies of cookbooks my mother had written and sundry items to make a fair trade.

What was on the tables: Potholders, scented lotions, puzzles, candles and such

What I shared: Mint plants, vintage cookbooks, nice wooden cigar boxes, Mom’s clip-on earrings for wearing or crafting and such

            I dubbed a relative “The Crafty Lady” after she told me all the lantern centerpieces were from her stash. She also collected grapes, including the décor around the main table. One bunch had an international family story connected to it. Later I asked if she’d made one of the grape salads on the table. I was told the grape salad nearly didn’t make it to the event, as it was so tempting in her kitchen. I made sure she went home with my “craft box” door prize.

Let’s Eat!

The potluck table was set with venison sausage, brisket, shrimp pasta, chicken spaghetti, dirty rice and more. I brought a corn, bean and cranberry relish concoction.

Desserts: Oreo pudding concoction, banana pudding, bread pudding (I mean I hear it was there but I didn’t catch it), peach cobbler and cupcakes. On this hot day, I was grateful for watermelon.

On the Path

We also enjoyed the cypress and waterside at Alligator Park and Niblett’s Bluff. Someday I may get an invite to cruise on one of those boats with the country music tunes streaming out in the wake.

When locals say they have to go to town to shop, they mean Vinton. The Market Basket Smokehouse is well known, and we returned to Texas with some smoked boudain.

The vigil Mass at St. Joseph Church in Vinton was the next stop. Everybody knows I love finding pennies. I found a $20 bill in the parking lot. The Spirit moved me to leave it in the collection plate. We all prayed for blessings during hurricane season.

Small World

Last year I'd told someone I was going to Starks before I went, and she happened to have lived there and told me tidbits about the area.

               After this year’s reunion, I mentioned to table full of people that I'd just been to Starks. A set of twins told me they had attended school there.  It is a small, southern world.

Darragh Doiron is a Port Arthur area foodie willing to cross borders for a good visit and good eats. Share with her via panews@panews.com