The archived pages below are like a time machine with a touch of whimsy, capturing snippets of Berwick, Louisiana’s lost history while sprinkling in the colorful personalities of its surrounding cities. Uncle Nina, a character as vibrant as Mardi Gras beads, brings old Berwick to life with his dry wit in sharing his delightful "Recollections."
Many Berwick residents of the early 1900s practically leap off the page as my Uncle Nina Guzzetta spins his tales. As one of the town’s most legendary patriarchs, he vividly recounts the early days — hard, sometimes heartbreaking, but mostly hilarious. His knack for "stretching" the truth and playing fast and loose with poetic license earned him a reputation as the town’s unofficial storyteller. Whether it was a whimsical tale, an anecdote about someone long gone, or a sharp jab at the present, Uncle Nina always had something up his sleeve.
Berwick, affectionately known as "the west-bank" (of the Atchafalaya River), sits about 90 miles southwest of New Orleans and 90 miles south of Baton Rouge. Nestled on the Gulf Coast in the heart of Cajun country, this small town also boasts a tiny but lively population of first-generation Sicilians. It’s like mixing gumbo and spaghetti—somehow, it just works! Nina’s family hailed from Sicily, Italy, arriving in the early 1900s. Why Berwick? Well, the climate reminded them of home, where olive orchards and an olive oil business kept the family busy. Plus, Uncle Charlie (whoever he was) scouted the place out beforehand, proving that even back then, Sicilians were experts in reconnaissance.
Nina’s parents ran two businesses in Berwick—a dairy farm and a shoe shop. Talk about covering all the bases: milk for your cereal and shoes for the walk to get it! The humorous narratives he penned capture the essence of French culture, its history, and its quirky cast of characters, all with a generous splash of "Italian seasoning." You can dive into these tales by clicking the archived dates on the left sidebar.
With permission from the author, excerpts of these stories were lovingly taken from "The Daily Review," where Nina blended his writing talent with his sharp wit to reminisce about "the good ole days." So, grab a cup of coffee—or maybe a glass of wine—and enjoy "Recollections 1997 to 2000" by the one and only Nina Guzzetta. It’s history with a side of humor!
September 1997
January 1998
February 1998
March 1998
May 1998
June 1998
July 1998
October 1998
November 1998
December 1998
- December 4, 1998
- November 11, 1998
- November 18, 1998
- November 31, 1998
January 1999
February 1999
March 1999
- March 5, 1999
- March 12, 1999
- March 20, 1999
- March 27, 1999
April 1999
May 1999
- May 7, 1999
- March 29, 1999
June 1999
July 1999
September 1999
October 1999
November 1999
- November 5, 1999
- November 8, 1999
- November 12, 1999
- November 19, 1999
- November 26, 1999
December 1999
January 2000
February 2000
- February 4, 2000
- February 11, 2000
- February 18, 2000
- February 25, 2000
March 2000
- March 3, 2000
- March 10, 2000
- March 17, 2000
- March 24, 2000
- March 31, 2000
April 2000
- April 7, 2000
- April 14, 2000
- April 21, 2000
- April 28, 2000
May 2000
June 2000
July 2000
- July 7, 2020
- July 21, 2020