# There’s hope for the Big Easy

PARRY SOUND - As the arduous process of pumping floodwater out of New Orleans continues, Parry Sound business owner Mike Reeves said he would like to go back to the vibrant city as early as this spring. “I think it might even be better because it arose from this,” said Mr.Reeves, predicting the city’s survival after being hit by the hurricane on August 29. Since 1982, Mr. Reeves – who owns Wellington’s Pub & Grill–has visited New Orleans twice a year. He speaks fondly of the symphony that is always sold out, the numerous and distinctive restaurants, and the different areas of the city that all have an “old south attitude.” “They are constantly in a festival mode,” said Mr. Reeves. He described Mardi Gras, when bleachers are set up on the second floors of buildings for spectators to watch upwards of six parades a day go by. But, he said, it’s not just Mardi Gras. “During the year, they celebrate St. Patrick’s day, they celebrate St. Joseph’s day, they celebrate anything,” he said. “It is a very artistic community, that encompasses all forms of the arts, especially music,” Mr. Reeves continued. Mr. Reeves would like to again stay in the French Quarter, where he has several friends whom he has been unable to contact by phone since Katrina hit. Despite not being able to contact them, he is sure they are safe and sound. “There were two things, one the line was out of service and the other was it just rang,” he said. Despite the amount of flooding, Mr. Reeves says the historic hub of the city, the French Quarter, which has buildings from the 18th and 19th centuries, has been spared much damage. “The French Quarter will survive and the downtown will survive. The suburbs will probably have to be flattened. It might be another form of urban renewal,” he said. As foreign aid flows into the devastated coastal regions, Mr. Reeves emphasizes that it isn’t just New Orleans that was affected, but also regions of Mississippi and Alabama as well. He cites the help that the United States has given to others in need in the past. “I think people are sensitive to the U.S.,” he said. “Over the years the U.S. has always been the first to help others.”

# There’s hope for the Big Easy

PARRY SOUND - As the arduous process of pumping floodwater out of New Orleans continues, Parry Sound business owner Mike Reeves said he would like to go back to the vibrant city as early as this spring. “I think it might even be better because it arose from this,” said Mr.Reeves, predicting the city’s survival after being hit by the hurricane on August 29. Since 1982, Mr. Reeves – who owns Wellington’s Pub & Grill–has visited New Orleans twice a year. He speaks fondly of the symphony that is always sold out, the numerous and distinctive restaurants, and the different areas of the city that all have an “old south attitude.” “They are constantly in a festival mode,” said Mr. Reeves. He described Mardi Gras, when bleachers are set up on the second floors of buildings for spectators to watch upwards of six parades a day go by. But, he said, it’s not just Mardi Gras. “During the year, they celebrate St. Patrick’s day, they celebrate St. Joseph’s day, they celebrate anything,” he said. “It is a very artistic community, that encompasses all forms of the arts, especially music,” Mr. Reeves continued. Mr. Reeves would like to again stay in the French Quarter, where he has several friends whom he has been unable to contact by phone since Katrina hit. Despite not being able to contact them, he is sure they are safe and sound. “There were two things, one the line was out of service and the other was it just rang,” he said. Despite the amount of flooding, Mr. Reeves says the historic hub of the city, the French Quarter, which has buildings from the 18th and 19th centuries, has been spared much damage. “The French Quarter will survive and the downtown will survive. The suburbs will probably have to be flattened. It might be another form of urban renewal,” he said. As foreign aid flows into the devastated coastal regions, Mr. Reeves emphasizes that it isn’t just New Orleans that was affected, but also regions of Mississippi and Alabama as well. He cites the help that the United States has given to others in need in the past. “I think people are sensitive to the U.S.,” he said. “Over the years the U.S. has always been the first to help others.”

# There’s hope for the Big Easy

PARRY SOUND - As the arduous process of pumping floodwater out of New Orleans continues, Parry Sound business owner Mike Reeves said he would like to go back to the vibrant city as early as this spring. “I think it might even be better because it arose from this,” said Mr.Reeves, predicting the city’s survival after being hit by the hurricane on August 29. Since 1982, Mr. Reeves – who owns Wellington’s Pub & Grill–has visited New Orleans twice a year. He speaks fondly of the symphony that is always sold out, the numerous and distinctive restaurants, and the different areas of the city that all have an “old south attitude.” “They are constantly in a festival mode,” said Mr. Reeves. He described Mardi Gras, when bleachers are set up on the second floors of buildings for spectators to watch upwards of six parades a day go by. But, he said, it’s not just Mardi Gras. “During the year, they celebrate St. Patrick’s day, they celebrate St. Joseph’s day, they celebrate anything,” he said. “It is a very artistic community, that encompasses all forms of the arts, especially music,” Mr. Reeves continued. Mr. Reeves would like to again stay in the French Quarter, where he has several friends whom he has been unable to contact by phone since Katrina hit. Despite not being able to contact them, he is sure they are safe and sound. “There were two things, one the line was out of service and the other was it just rang,” he said. Despite the amount of flooding, Mr. Reeves says the historic hub of the city, the French Quarter, which has buildings from the 18th and 19th centuries, has been spared much damage. “The French Quarter will survive and the downtown will survive. The suburbs will probably have to be flattened. It might be another form of urban renewal,” he said. As foreign aid flows into the devastated coastal regions, Mr. Reeves emphasizes that it isn’t just New Orleans that was affected, but also regions of Mississippi and Alabama as well. He cites the help that the United States has given to others in need in the past. “I think people are sensitive to the U.S.,” he said. “Over the years the U.S. has always been the first to help others.”