A Review of
Dinner Bells, Pecan Shells, & True Tales from Home:
stories from Residents and staff of Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home & Family Ministries
Written by the Residents & Staff Edited by Julie Cupples and Marc Eichelberger Reviewed by Kelli M. Knight
Do you love a good story? If you’re like me, and you are thoroughly entertained by amazing, actual accounts of everyday people, then you will thoroughly enjoy Dinner Bells, Pecan Shells, and True Tales from Home: Stories from Residents and Staff of Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home & Family Ministries
I happened upon this jewel of a book and was drawn in by the title. The book is a collection of remembrances from the children that lived at Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home, the staff, and photos over the years. The stories are simply charming. One account from Allen C. White, who lived there from 1918-1930, is told by his daughter and she tells the story of when the home was moved from Lake Charles to Monroe. The children had to ride the train. She says according to her father it was the fastest he had ever gone and he fretted that the train might crash due to the rapid speed! So many other stories have just as much personality. During the early years, many of the children worked in cotton and sugarcane fields to help support the ministry. As they think back to those times, their memories are overtoned with goodness and appreciation, not tainted with any bitterness. They felt fortunate to be influenced by Christian values and learn life skills through education and work.
The children’s home is still a vibrant ministry that fosters many children in tough situations and is still located in Monroe.
Dinner Bells, Pecan Shells, and True Tales from Home was independently created and published. It can be found on amazon.com.
Kelli is the owner of illuminated Designs Studio, specializing in graphic design services. She received her Liberal arts degree from LSU and has lived in Baton Rouge for the majority of her life. Kelli loves great stories, so reading and writing have always been passions of hers. over the course of her career she has written for several publications throughout Southeast Lousiana. Find her on facebook: facebook.com/kellissimeauxk
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