Episode 119: The Need for Beads

Louisiana is the only state where beads are known to dangle from oak trees. That phenomenon is especially common in New Orleans where the trees along certain avenues are nurtured by Carnival floats passing beneath their limbs late each winter. Doug MacCash, a staff writer for the Times-Picayune/New Orleans Advocate, has written a book titled “Mardi Gras Beads” (LSU PRESS). He joins Louisiana Life Executive Editor Errol Laborde, along with podcast producer Kelly Massicot to tell share low down on and explore the history of the bead business.

We will also hear why New Orleans paradegoers were once so adept at spelling “Czechoslovakia."