Bayoulands

For this episode we’re celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month with Jesse Doiron’s conversation with Ricky Rodriguez, a LamarUniversity alum and founding member of Mariachi Proyecto, a group dedicated to making and sharing traditional Mariachi music.You can hear Mariachi Proyecto this Sunday, September 13th at VIVA Beaumont Hispanic Heritage Festival. The festival is free and will take place at Main Street Outdoor Plaza in downtown Beaumont from 3 to 8pm.Thanks for listening!

For this episode, we’re sharing a conversation with Ellen Buchanan, a board member with the Big Thicket Natural Heritage Trust, on behalf of the Big Thicket Coalition, a group of organizations who are committed to protecting the Big Thicket. The coalition recently released "The Neches River: Wild Heart of East Texas," a documentary film that highlights the beauty, history, and ecological importance of the Neches River while celebrating the people dedicated to enjoying, understanding, and conserving it for future generations. Stretching 416 miles through East Texas, it supports wildlife, fisheries, working lands, agriculture, and local communities while remaining one of the last largely intact river and bottomland ecosystems of its kind in the United States.Since the recording of our conversation, the film has been made available online at nechesriverfilm.com.Thanks for listening!

For this episode we’re sharing Jason Miller’s visit to St Anthony Cathedral Basilica. Volunteer docent Kay Arrington led Jason on a tour of the historic church, which first aired on the Bayoulands radio show in 2021 along with a conversation with Bishop David Toups, which you can also hear on this podcast. St. Anthony Cathedral Basilica is located at 700 JeffersonStreet in Beaumont. In 1980, the Texas Historical Commission named it a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark. Thanks for listening!

For this episode we’re sharing our visit to the Sabine Pass Lighthouse located just over the Texas-Louisiana border on the Louisiana side of the Sabine River in Cameron Parish. First lit in 1857, it was deactivated by the Coast Guard in 1952 and is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Cameron Preservation Alliance president, Andy Tingler led Shannon Harris on a rare behind the scenes tour, including abreathtaking view from the top, to see the work that is being done to restore this coastal icon. Thanks for listening! 

For this episode we’re sharing guest contributor Jordan Williams’ visit to the Morris-Booz house, better known as White Haven, a historic home located on Lakeshore Drive in Port Arthur, overlooking the Port Arthur Canal which connects to the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway. Built in 1915 for Dr. H.D. Morris, an early Port Arthur physician and British Consul during the prosperity that followed the Spindletop oil boom when Lakeshore Drive emerged as one of the city’s most prominent residential corridors. Jordan was met by Judge Carl Griffith and Lori Ryerkerk who graciously opened their doors for an insider tour of the newly restored home, which now houses the strategic support firm Griffith, Mosely and Johnson. Check out 91.3 KVLU Public Radio on Facebook and Bayoulands on Instagram to see photos of the stunning restoration.Thanks for listening!

For this episode we’re sharing a visit to the Stark Museum of Art in Orange to view the temporary exhibition The Color Orange, featuring works from the Stark’s extensive collection,celebrating the history, uses and effects of the color orange. Exhibitions Manager Ashley Thornton was our guide.The Color Orange will remain on view at the Stark Museum through October 3rd, 2026.On Thursday, August 27th from 5 - 7 p.m. the Stark Museum will host "Art After 5" featuring a slide lecture given by curator Sarah Boehme about one of the artists in the exhibition, Elizabeth Blackwell. In 1737, Blackwell published A Curious Herbal, a two-volume work identifying medicinal plants featuring 500 of her own illustrations to raise funds to free her husband from debtor's prison. Thanks for listening!

For this episode we’re sharing guest contributor Jesse Doiron’s conversation with Felicia Villarreal from the prison ministryBridges to Life from this season of Bayoulands.Thanks for listening!

For this episode we’re sharing an excerpt of Jason Miller’s outpost tour of Adam’s Bayou from the first season of Bayoulands.Shangri La Gardens tour guide Ellen Rondomanski shares about The Survivor Tree, a Pond Cypress not normally found in Texas, that has existed for over 1,200 years along the waters of Adams Bayou that flow through the middle of Orange.For information about Outpost Tours at Shangri La Gardens visit shangrilagardens.org.Don't forget to follow the show - It really helps!

For this episode we’re sharing another story from the premiere of the 10th season of Bayoulands. Contributor Victor Albaine spoke with Sandler Weinberg, one of the producers from Lucky 8 Productions about their recent documentary "Love Ya, Bum!" about the legendary football coach Bum Phillips.Thanks for listening!

For this episode we’re sharing a conversation from the premiere of the 10th season of Bayoulands. Local historian Katherine Leister shares some of the stories from the downtown Beaumont walking tours she’s leading for Beaumont Heritage Society.Upcoming Downtown Beaumont walking tours are scheduled for May 7, May 22 and May 23 and more are planned for this fall. For more information and to purchase tickets visit beaumontheritage.org.Thanks for listening!

As we prepare for the 10th season of Bayoulands, we’re reaching way back into the audio archives for a story from the very first episode of Bayoulands in 2016. Jonathan Tippett spoke with Mark Dunn from the Bridge City Citizens for Historic Preservation about the history and significance of the Cow Bayou Bridge and their efforts to save the rare swing bridge, from demolition. Thanks for listening!

For this episode, we’re sharing our visit to the historic Jefferson Theatre in Beaumont to speak with organist and organ restorer Tom Helms about the restoration of the Jefferson's original Robert Morton organ.For information about events at the Jefferson Theatre including upcoming silent film presentations, visit beaumonteventstx.com.Thanks for listening!

For this episode, we’re sharing contributor Jesse Doiron’s conversation with the honorable Judge John Stevens who presides over the Jefferson County Criminal District Court.This conversation was featured in the most recent Bayoulands radio show. You can hear an encore of the show featuring this story and much more on Sunday, March 22nd at 5pm on 91.3 FM or online at kvlu.org.Thanks for listening!

For this episode, we’re sharing a conversation between guest contributor Jessie Davis and family members of the late Kate Pate Walker, a member of the 6888 Battalion, the only all-Black, all-female Women's Army Corps unit to serve overseas in World War II.Jessie Davis is the founder of Sacred Spaces, an organization dedicated to preserving historic black cemeteries in Southeast Texas. You can find them on Facebook.An exhibit about the service of Kate Pate Walker is on view at the Museum of the Gulf Coast located at 700 Procter Street in Port Arthur. For more information visit museumofthegulfcoast.org.Thanks for listening!

For this episode, we’re sharing a sneak peek of our final radio show for this season of Bayoulands coming up on February 22nd. It’s a conversation with Kai Jai Conner and Carol Eddins about The Melody Maids Movie, a documentary about the all-girl choral group founded in Beaumont by Eloise Milam that performed for U.S. Troops around the world for 30 years. Stick around for the end of the episode to learn about upcoming opportunities to view the film.Thanks for listening!

For this episode, we’re sharing a conversation between guest contributor Andy Coughlan and LU alum and immigration scholar Daniel Chand about his grandfather’s own immigration story in which he became the first Indian-American citizen of Beaumont. The Texas Historical Marker featuring the story of PanditMehar Chand is located at 911 Crockett Street in Beaumont.Thanks for listening!

For this episode, we’re sharing our conversation with Jordan Williams and craftsmen, Steven Emery and Matthew Taft, working on the pipe organ restoration at St. Mark's Episcopal Church in Beaumont from the most recent radio show.The radio episode featuring this story, along with the pipe organ restoration at the historic Jefferson Theatre, will encore on Sunday, January 25th at 5pm on 91.3 FM and online at kvlu.org.Please remember to follow this show on Spotify or wherever you listen. It really helps!Thanks for listening!

Happy Hannukah!For this episode Back to Bayoulands BONUS episode we’re revisiting a conversation with Laura Cochrane about the history of Temple Emanuel from season 5 of Bayoulands. Laura is an Associate Professor and Coordinator of Art History and Visual Arts at Middle Tennessee State University in Murphreesboro who was awarded a fellowship with the Center for History and Culture of Southeast Texas and the Upper Gulf Coast in 2021 to research and document the art and architecture of Temple Emanuel, a place of worship for the Jewish community of southeast Texas since 1923. Thanks for listening!

For this episode we're sharing a conversation from our most recent radio show between LU music student Vivian Siau and bass vocalist and Nederland native Tim Foust about his career in music as a solo artist and member of the viral sensation, all-vocal group Home Free.Thanks for listening!

For this episode, we’re sharing about the history of the Dutch in Southeast Texas from our most recent radio show, including conversations with historian Judith Linsley and Greg Allport from the Nederland Historical Society.Thanks for listening!

Welcome to another Back to Bayoulands BONUS episode where we are re-visiting early episodes from the podcast. For this episode we are re sharing contributor Jonathan Tippet’sstory about the history and restoration of the Orange Train Depot. It includes aconversation with Carrie Wolliver, President andFounder of the Friends of the Orange Depot along with remembrances from former depot employees RobertMitchell and Juanita Timberlake.

In celebration of artist Robert Rauschenberg, who would haveturned 100 this past October 22nd, we’re sharing guest contributor Andy Coughlan’s visit to the Rauschenberg Gallery at the Museum of the Gulf Coast from the most recent radio show. Thanks for listening!

For this episode, we’re sharing contributor Jesse Doiron’s conversation with victim’s advocate Misty Craver from the mostrecent radio show. A brand new episode airs Sunday, October 26th at 5pm on 91.3 FM and online at kvlu.org.Thanks for listening!

In recognition of Indigenous Peoples Month, we’re sharing Jason Miller’s interview with Tim Seiter from Season 6 of the radio show. A 2022 Fellow with the Center for History and Culture of Southeast Texas and the Upper Gulf Coast, Tim speaks about his research to uncover the hidden history of the Karankawa people along the Texas Gulf Coast.This interview is Part 1 of a larger exploration into the Karankawa. You can learn more about this fascinating history and how the legacy of the Karankawa continues today from our conversation with Karankawa descendent Alexander “Strong Wind” Perez located in the Bayoulands podcast feed. Thanks for listening!

In anticipation of the Lutcher Theater's upcoming season, we're sharing Jason Miller’s interview with Jim Clark who served as director for the Lutcher Theater for the Performing Arts for 28 years before retiring in 2017. This conversation was featured in the debut season of Bayoulands in 2016.The Lutcher Theater will launch its 46th season on Thursday October 23rd with the hit Broadway musical, "The Addams Family". For tickets and information visit lutcher.org.Thanks for listening!

For this episode, we’re sharing a feature from the most recent radio show about Aimed Dance, an organization focused on fostering awareness of and value for dance in Southeast Texas which includes conversations with Dance instructor and Aimed Dance alum Jesus Acosta and Aimed Dance founder Amy Elizabeth.Thanks for listening!

For this Back to Bayoulands BONUS episode we are re-sharing Jason Miller’s conversation with historian Charlotte Chiasson about the history of the iconic Rainbow Bridge which has been a fixture in SETX for 87 years, celebrating its birthday on September 8th. Earlier this year, the bridge was shut down as the Texas Department of Transportation embarked on a months-long improvement project. So, we are opening this episode with a quick update from TXDot's Tanya Avila .Thanks for listening!

In anticipation of local Hispanic heritage celebrations in Southeast Texas, we’re sharing a conversation with Tony Ramirez from the Mexican Heritage Society of Port Arthur from season 7 of Bayoulands. The 57th annual FIESTA hosted by the Mexican Heritage Society will be held Saturday, September 13th from 9am to 11pm at the Bob Bowers Civic Center in Port Arthur. The City of Beaumont will host their own celebration VIVA Beaumont! Hispanic Heritage Festival on Sunday, September 14th from 3 to 8PM on Main Street in Downtown Beaumont.Thanks for listening!

For this episode we’re sharing a conversation from the most recent radio show, between guest contributor Dennis Kiel and Cathy Spence, a fine art photographer living and working in Beaumont, Texas. An exhibition of Cathy Spence's most recent work titled "Liminal" will be on view at the Redbud Arts Center September 6-27, 2025. An Opening Reception will be held Saturday, September 6th from 6 to 9pm. The Redbud Arts Center is located at 303 E. 11th St. in the historic Heights neighborhood of Houston.Thanks for listening!

For this Back to Bayoulands BONUS episode, we are sharing a conversation between guest contributor Will Stark and the late artist and visionary architect Charlie Stagg. Best known for his 'Glass Bottle House' in Vidor, Texas, a domed cathedral built from repurposed bottles, cans, andcement, Stagg was also a drawer, painter, and sculptor who's spiraling DNA-Helix-like works have been displayed in museums and art installations all over the world. This interview was conducted in 2009 prior to Charlie Stagg’sdeath in 2012 and aired for the first time, anywhere, on the Bayoulands radio show in 2016. Following the interview with Charlie Stagg, is a short discussion between Jason Miller and Lynn Castle, former director of the Art Museum of Southeast Texas, aboutStagg’s work and significance.Thanks for listening!

In honor of the recent passing of the legendary singer-songwriter and accordionist Flaco Jiménez, we’re sharing a story from 2022 about The Big Squeeze, an annual competition that focuses on nurturing young talent in the various forms of traditional Texas accordion music.Thanks for listening!

Prompted by the recent death of artist and sculptor David Cargill, whose work can be seen across Southeast Texas and far beyond, including the campus of Lamar University, we’re sharing Jason Miller’s conversation from 2021 with Kim Steinhagen, a Major Gifts Officer at Lamar University who also oversees LU’s public art collection. Thanks for listening!

In recognition of the anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing on July 20th, we’re re-visiting a conversation with Sandra Tetley, the historic preservation officer for Johnson Space Center and members of her team about the restoration of Mission Control. At the time, Sandra, along with David Buchec and Adam Graves and an entire team of preservationists were working diligently to finish the restoration in time for 50th anniversary celebrations in 2019.Thanks for listening!

For this episode, guest contributor Jesse Doiron talks hometown journalism with managing editor forThe Examiner, Jennifer Johnson, from the most recent radio show. Thanks for listening!

For this episode, we’re sharing Jason Miller’s conversation with Lamar University history professor and fellow with LU’s Center for History and Culture, Cassandra Broussard, about her ongoing research into the history of the LGBTQ+community in Southeast Texas from the most recent radio show. Thanks for listening!

June is Great Outdoors Month, so for this Back to Bayoulands BONUS episode we're revisiting our nature hike at Cattail Marsh in Beaumont led by Chris Draths from the Magnolia Garden Club.For more information about Cattail Marsh visit beaumontcvb.com.Thanks for listening!

For this episode, we’re sharing a conversation with Katherine Leister about the history of the woodwork in the W.H. Stark House in Orange. This is just one of the featured stories in the next radio episode which airs Sunday, June 22nd at 5pm.Fore more information about the Stark House and the other venues of the Stark Foundation visit starkculturalvenues.org.Thanks for listening! 

For this episode, we’re sharing a conversation between guestcontributor Jesse Doiron and poet R.S. Gwynn from the season 9 premiere of Bayoulands.An encore of the radio episode featuring this conversation and much more will air Sunday, May 25th at 5pm.Thanks for listening!

In recognition of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, we're revisiting our conversation with author Oanh Ngo Usadi from 2021 for this Back to Bayoulands BONUS episode.We spoke by zoom from her home in Singapore about her memoir "Of Monkey Bridges and Banh Mi Sandwiches: from Saigon to Texas," which details her experience as a Vietnamese refugee and immigrant in Southeast Texas.Thanks for listening!

For this episode we’re sharing my conversation with Byron Balentine about his remembrances of the late KVLU show host Tanner Hunt, better known to KVLU listeners as Corndodger Snopes, host of the long-running program "Saturday Night with the Folks," who passed away on April 6th of this year. Thanks for listening!

For this episode we’re sharing a story from early in the Bayoulands series. Jason Miller and JonathanTippet visited Claiborne Park in Vidor to learn about Rainbow Trout stocking and fishing.Thanks for listening!

For this Back to Bayoulands BONUS episode we're revisiting our conversation with author Roger Wood about the legendary Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown plus a special introduction with KVLU music director Joe Elwell.Thanks for listening!

For this episode, we're digging deep into the Bayoulands series with a story from the first season. Back in 2017, we visited the apiary at Pinehurst Gardens in Orange County to learn about beekeeping from Brian Muldrow of Muldrow Bee Farm in Beaumont. For more info visit muldrowbeefarm.com.Thanks for listening!

For this episode we’re sharing a conversation between guest contributor Willie Carriere and longtime Southeast Texas news videographer L.D. Ray from earlier this season.Thanks for listening!

In honor of Texas Independence and Texas History Month, we are re-sharing a tour of the Sam Houston Regional Library in Liberty, Texas for this Back to Bayoulands BONUS episode.Alana Inman leads Shannon Harris through the exhibits at the Library that tell the story of this region of Texas from pre-history to the present. Thanks for listening!

For this episode we’re sharing a conversation between guestcontributor Jesse Doiron and architect and art caretaker Rob Clark from the latest episode of the Bayoulands radio show. Rob is a contributor of public art in Southeast Texas where he and his partner Jerry Thacker have been instrumental in growing Lamar University’s public art program through gifts of artwork by nationally acclaimed artists. The two will be honored for their contributions to the arts at this year’s Le Grand Bal hosted by the Lamar College of Fine Arts on March 22nd. Thanks for listening!

For this episode we're sharing our conversation with Lareatha Clay, a direct descendent from the Shankleville Freedom Colony located in Newton County, one of more than 500 freedmen’s towns in Texas founded by formerly enslaved people who were emancipated after the Civil War. This conversation appeared on the most recent episode of the Bayoulands radio show.News and information from the Shankleville HistoricalSociety is available on their website at shankleville.org and on Facebook. For more information about Freedom Colonies in Texas visit thetexasfreedomcoloniesproject.com.Thanks for listening!

For this Back to Bayoulands BONUS episode, we're sharing Micah Leigh's conversation with Janis Joplin biographer Holly George-Warren, including a special introductory conversation with Tom Neal, director of the Museum of the Gulf Coast in Port Arthur, Texas.Back to Bayoulands episodes will drop every 3rd Friday this year.Thanks for listening!

For this episode we’re sharing a conversation from the latest episode of the Bayoulands radio show… between Chair of the Department of Art and Design at Lamar University Stephanie Chadwick and acclaimed artist and native Southeast Texan Evita Tezeno whose exhibition titled Piece of My Heart is on view at the Dishman Art Museum through March 8th of 2025.You can hear the full most recent episode on Sunday, February 23rd at 5pm CST on 91.3 FM and kvlu.org.

For this episode we’re sharing Jesse Doiron’s conversation with Southeast Texas author and memoirist Gary Brice from the most recent episode of the Bayoulands radio show. Thanks for listening.