O"speak-easy"
Submitted by Maurice Duvic Sr

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The only memory I have of "speak-easy" in New Orleans was an event in
l929 probably:  My parents went to a New Year's Eve party at the
"Halfway House" on City Park Avenue and the New Basin Canal, and they
spoke of the drinking, etc.
This building became the first "Double Dip" ice cream parlor in the
city, then headquarters for an insect-control Co., I believe.

Since this building was only about 300 feet from the Tenth Precinct
Police Station this little ten-year old was more than a bit confused
about "Prohibition."

My father didn't drink very much [I think it had something to do with a
bad experience when he was initiated into the Elks Society;  B.P.O.E.-
"Best People on Earth." :-)   Benevolent Protective Order of Elks,
really.}    but we always had wine or "home-brew"  around the house.

The beer was brewed in the pantry off the kitchen , next to the "Go-Ro"
(?) water heater..  I believe the heater had something to do with the
bottles blowing up one time.  The explosions were intermittent and we
were afraid to enter the pantry to remove the remaining bottles for fear
of meeting another blow-up.  After we finished cleaning up the mess, the
"home-brewing" halted for a while!

If the "List Boss" thinks it appropriate, I'll tell you about the wine
sometime!