By
Gypsy Rhapsody
It finally happened. I'm going to be on the Ellen Show.
Well, she hasn't asked me yet, but I'm expecting a call
any day now.
"Why do I know this?", you ask.
It is because of the following article that came out in the infamous
Bernice Banner, aka "The Banner".
It has been about a week since the article hit the presses...
and, alas, I'm still waiting...but very hopeful.
Jessie Boyett, The Banner editor in chief, came to our campsite while we were parked in Bernice behind the clubhouse during December. She asked a lot of questions and took several pictures...
and here you have it.
It finally happened. I'm going to be on the Ellen Show.
Well, she hasn't asked me yet, but I'm expecting a call
any day now.
"Why do I know this?", you ask.
It is because of the following article that came out in the infamous
Bernice Banner, aka "The Banner".
It has been about a week since the article hit the presses...
and, alas, I'm still waiting...but very hopeful.
Jessie Boyett, The Banner editor in chief, came to our campsite while we were parked in Bernice behind the clubhouse during December. She asked a lot of questions and took several pictures...
and here you have it.
Vanette and David Harris standing in the doorway of their 1977 vintage Airstream,
'Gypsy Rhapsody', that has become their beloved retirement home.
Jessie Boyett - Banner
News
Vanette and her husband David Harris, both have Bernice and Union Parish roots. They met first in grade school in Bernice, but David’s parents, Pearl and Caldwell Harris, moved to Farmerville, in the middle of David’s second grade year at Bernice Elementary.
It was during this period that David’s parents embarked on their post war working careers. Caldwell Harris served as the office civil deputy in the Union parish Sheriff’s office for 31 years. Mrs. Pearl Harris was employed as a bookkeeper for approximately 30 years.
Vanette’s parents, Madge and Taft Burns, were local business owners. Taft owned and operated the Esso station in Bernice, one of several full service stations during this time. Her mom worked at Martin’s General Merchantile Store up until the time Vanette started high school. She then went to work at the Bernice Garment Factory, where she remained throughout Vanette’s college days. Vanette, and her half sister Ann Heard, lost their father/step-father in March of 1964, just weeks before Vanette’s graduation from high school.
Vanette lost her sister in the early 90’s but still maintains a close relationship with her nieces Amy Pesnell and Lisa Tipton who still live in Bernice.
Burns and Harris were “reacquainted” their senior year in high school. Both, who were accomplished pianists, would participate at a school function at Farmerville High. David played “God Bless America” during the opening ceremony, and the following day, Vanette would play “Dixie”, a source of comedic conversation as the two shared this meeting. After graduation in 1964, both would attend Tech, and fate would put them together once more while attending a college dance. The two soon became inseparable. Following graduation, they began their lives together and would relocate to Lafayette, Louisiana. Although they pulled up Union Parish “roots’ some fifty years ago, they still share many happy memories from here.
The Harris duo pursued their chosen careers, hers as an elementary school teacher specializing in the gifted education department and his as an Interior Designer. Their family grew and was made complete with the birth of a son, Ashley and a daughter Emilie. Time would quickly pass, their children grew up and now have families of their own. Ashley and his wife Diane have one son, Cooper and continue to make their home in Lafayette. Emilie and her husband Roy Salvagio have two children Vincent, who is 6 and Madeline who is 3. They live in Austin, Texas. David’s mother still lives in Farmerville.
Ironically, both of the Harris’ mothers have been part of The Banner. Mrs. Madge attended Tech in 1926. At the age of 60, she started a whole new career as a housemother at LSU for 12 years. When Mama Madge was 90, she moved to Lafayette and resided with Vanette and David. While there, she took creative writing classes at the University of Lafayette. She would share accounts of her life with Vanette, who would type them for her. The two put together a journal and those delightful stories would later be shared with our Banner readers. Madge Burns lived to be nearly 102 and was always a delightful person.
When David’s dad passed away a few years ago, his mom filled her empty days, somewhat, as she took up her pen and began to write. She had attended LA Tech in 1936 and part of her studies included creative writing. She became a guest columnist for the Banner as well, and Pearl’s Wisdom is one of our well received monthly columns. Her writings are warm, simple and easy to read, as she shares about how life once was, back in the “good ol’ days”. Mrs. Pearl celebrated her 97th birthday in October and has suffered some health issues since then.
As Vanette and David approached retirement a few years ago, they both decided to downsize and not have the burden of a home and yard to maintain. The two loved New Mexico, where they had a time-share. “We wanted a simpler, less complicated lifestyle,” Vanette shared. “We wanted the freedom to be able to travel and to experience and live affordably in other parts of the country, for months at a time.”
The couple put their house on the market and in the mean time, they had located and purchased a vintage 1977 Airstream. The camper had been used as a camp and had a few issues which would require the expertise of a friend. The plumbing was redone, interior seating reupholstered, new countertops, flooring, new convection oven and refrigerator installed, and along with a few other cosmetics, and in September of 2011, it would serve as home. The couple, who had never owned any type of RV had much to learn, but would quickly become Airstreamers, as they joined the Wally Byam Caravan Club International, the Acadiana Unit. “We were taken under the wings of this fun-loving Cajun group and were brought up to speed on all aspects of full-time RV living.” Their home on wheels, Gypsy Rhapsody meets all their needs.
According to sources, Airstreamers are a group of RVers who share a community spirit because of their mutual love of the trailers. In the early 1950s, Airstream company founder Wally Byam began leading groups of owners on travels to many portions of the world, where the towed trailers were quite remarkable. Photos taken of the trailers in front of many famous tourist sites were common. This promoted a mystique which surrounded Airstreams and persists to this day.
The Wally Byam Caravan Club was formed during the 1955 rally in Kentville, Nova Scotia, Canada. Later, the word "International" was added to the club name, resulting in the acronym "WBCCI". On August 17, 2005, a commemorative plaque was dedicated on the site. Club members join together for one large International Rally each summer (which by club rules always includes the dates of July 1 and July 4), and hundreds of smaller local rallies are held coast-to-coast by "units" (chapters). Airstreams are still popular, and restoration of older models is a passion shared by many.
Vanette and David spend much of their time at Questa, NM. During the summer they both have part-time jobs at the Caribel Condominium, located 10 miles up the mountain in the resort town of Red River. They share a passion for hiking and touring art galleries. In the winter months there, they put on their snowshoes and continue their hikes. They have visited most of the western states and will be heading to Florida soon.
Being on the road so much, they needed a ‘basecamp”. They are members of North Texas Airstream Community which serves as their home base. It is a 50 acre “gated community” that is open all year with spacious lots, custom built villas and houses. Their modern Terraport has free Wi-Fi, concrete parking pads and 3-point 30/50 amp. hookups. The facility can accommodate overnight parking, rallies and caravans. The large Clubhouse includes a commercial kitchen, laundry and library. They have a full time Office Manager and mail forwarding service is available.
The NTAC is within an hour or so from the Harris’ daughter and some other family and friends. They spend approximately six weeks in Austin, so they spoil their grandchildren, and another six weeks is put aside for Lafayette so they can make more memories with their son and his sweet family.
To record and share their journeys along the way, Vanette has a facebook page with a link to her blog, “the journey of gypsy rhapsody” which, is written in the voice of “Gypsy”.
When the time comes to end their travels, they will still have their Airstream and no regrets about following their dream.
Photos by Jessie Boyett
The Cajun themed entry door was painted and created by Vanette, who says it is a great conversation starter at local Airstream rallies.
The Harris couple made tasteful upgrades to the interior of their Airstream to make it more comfortable and functional. Both have an eye for color and design.
The metal art work of a lady dancing, was created by Lafayette artist, Pat Juneau, and is inscribed with the words, “Dance like you don’t need the money.”
Vanette and her husband David Harris, both have Bernice and Union Parish roots. They met first in grade school in Bernice, but David’s parents, Pearl and Caldwell Harris, moved to Farmerville, in the middle of David’s second grade year at Bernice Elementary.
It was during this period that David’s parents embarked on their post war working careers. Caldwell Harris served as the office civil deputy in the Union parish Sheriff’s office for 31 years. Mrs. Pearl Harris was employed as a bookkeeper for approximately 30 years.
Vanette’s parents, Madge and Taft Burns, were local business owners. Taft owned and operated the Esso station in Bernice, one of several full service stations during this time. Her mom worked at Martin’s General Merchantile Store up until the time Vanette started high school. She then went to work at the Bernice Garment Factory, where she remained throughout Vanette’s college days. Vanette, and her half sister Ann Heard, lost their father/step-father in March of 1964, just weeks before Vanette’s graduation from high school.
Vanette lost her sister in the early 90’s but still maintains a close relationship with her nieces Amy Pesnell and Lisa Tipton who still live in Bernice.
Burns and Harris were “reacquainted” their senior year in high school. Both, who were accomplished pianists, would participate at a school function at Farmerville High. David played “God Bless America” during the opening ceremony, and the following day, Vanette would play “Dixie”, a source of comedic conversation as the two shared this meeting. After graduation in 1964, both would attend Tech, and fate would put them together once more while attending a college dance. The two soon became inseparable. Following graduation, they began their lives together and would relocate to Lafayette, Louisiana. Although they pulled up Union Parish “roots’ some fifty years ago, they still share many happy memories from here.
The Harris duo pursued their chosen careers, hers as an elementary school teacher specializing in the gifted education department and his as an Interior Designer. Their family grew and was made complete with the birth of a son, Ashley and a daughter Emilie. Time would quickly pass, their children grew up and now have families of their own. Ashley and his wife Diane have one son, Cooper and continue to make their home in Lafayette. Emilie and her husband Roy Salvagio have two children Vincent, who is 6 and Madeline who is 3. They live in Austin, Texas. David’s mother still lives in Farmerville.
Ironically, both of the Harris’ mothers have been part of The Banner. Mrs. Madge attended Tech in 1926. At the age of 60, she started a whole new career as a housemother at LSU for 12 years. When Mama Madge was 90, she moved to Lafayette and resided with Vanette and David. While there, she took creative writing classes at the University of Lafayette. She would share accounts of her life with Vanette, who would type them for her. The two put together a journal and those delightful stories would later be shared with our Banner readers. Madge Burns lived to be nearly 102 and was always a delightful person.
When David’s dad passed away a few years ago, his mom filled her empty days, somewhat, as she took up her pen and began to write. She had attended LA Tech in 1936 and part of her studies included creative writing. She became a guest columnist for the Banner as well, and Pearl’s Wisdom is one of our well received monthly columns. Her writings are warm, simple and easy to read, as she shares about how life once was, back in the “good ol’ days”. Mrs. Pearl celebrated her 97th birthday in October and has suffered some health issues since then.
As Vanette and David approached retirement a few years ago, they both decided to downsize and not have the burden of a home and yard to maintain. The two loved New Mexico, where they had a time-share. “We wanted a simpler, less complicated lifestyle,” Vanette shared. “We wanted the freedom to be able to travel and to experience and live affordably in other parts of the country, for months at a time.”
The couple put their house on the market and in the mean time, they had located and purchased a vintage 1977 Airstream. The camper had been used as a camp and had a few issues which would require the expertise of a friend. The plumbing was redone, interior seating reupholstered, new countertops, flooring, new convection oven and refrigerator installed, and along with a few other cosmetics, and in September of 2011, it would serve as home. The couple, who had never owned any type of RV had much to learn, but would quickly become Airstreamers, as they joined the Wally Byam Caravan Club International, the Acadiana Unit. “We were taken under the wings of this fun-loving Cajun group and were brought up to speed on all aspects of full-time RV living.” Their home on wheels, Gypsy Rhapsody meets all their needs.
According to sources, Airstreamers are a group of RVers who share a community spirit because of their mutual love of the trailers. In the early 1950s, Airstream company founder Wally Byam began leading groups of owners on travels to many portions of the world, where the towed trailers were quite remarkable. Photos taken of the trailers in front of many famous tourist sites were common. This promoted a mystique which surrounded Airstreams and persists to this day.
The Wally Byam Caravan Club was formed during the 1955 rally in Kentville, Nova Scotia, Canada. Later, the word "International" was added to the club name, resulting in the acronym "WBCCI". On August 17, 2005, a commemorative plaque was dedicated on the site. Club members join together for one large International Rally each summer (which by club rules always includes the dates of July 1 and July 4), and hundreds of smaller local rallies are held coast-to-coast by "units" (chapters). Airstreams are still popular, and restoration of older models is a passion shared by many.
Vanette and David spend much of their time at Questa, NM. During the summer they both have part-time jobs at the Caribel Condominium, located 10 miles up the mountain in the resort town of Red River. They share a passion for hiking and touring art galleries. In the winter months there, they put on their snowshoes and continue their hikes. They have visited most of the western states and will be heading to Florida soon.
Being on the road so much, they needed a ‘basecamp”. They are members of North Texas Airstream Community which serves as their home base. It is a 50 acre “gated community” that is open all year with spacious lots, custom built villas and houses. Their modern Terraport has free Wi-Fi, concrete parking pads and 3-point 30/50 amp. hookups. The facility can accommodate overnight parking, rallies and caravans. The large Clubhouse includes a commercial kitchen, laundry and library. They have a full time Office Manager and mail forwarding service is available.
The NTAC is within an hour or so from the Harris’ daughter and some other family and friends. They spend approximately six weeks in Austin, so they spoil their grandchildren, and another six weeks is put aside for Lafayette so they can make more memories with their son and his sweet family.
To record and share their journeys along the way, Vanette has a facebook page with a link to her blog, “the journey of gypsy rhapsody” which, is written in the voice of “Gypsy”.
When the time comes to end their travels, they will still have their Airstream and no regrets about following their dream.
Photos by Jessie Boyett
The Cajun themed entry door was painted and created by Vanette, who says it is a great conversation starter at local Airstream rallies.
The Harris couple made tasteful upgrades to the interior of their Airstream to make it more comfortable and functional. Both have an eye for color and design.
The metal art work of a lady dancing, was created by Lafayette artist, Pat Juneau, and is inscribed with the words, “Dance like you don’t need the money.”
Vanette and David Harris stand in the door of their “home on wheels”, a 1977 vintage Airstream, which they call “Gypsy Rhapsody”. This modern day “Gypsy” family both were required to learn to play Gypsy Rhapsody during their days of piano lessons and decided this would be the perfect name for their Airstream.
I'm telling you one thing...
I'm feelin' pretty darn special.
I'll let you know when Ellen calls.
