Over the years my brother Bill Shoopman of Kansas City, Mo., has decided his favorite time of year to visit the Teche Area is when sugar cane plants are belching white plumes into the sky in October.

Bill and our younger brother Keith Shoopman of Belton, Mo., formerly of Kansas City, have other reasons (such as consistently fair to good fishing and good food) to make the trip here every two years. Then there are the great people like Mike Sinitiere, Huey Olivier, Todd Semar, Gregory Bourque and others who have made them feel at home, feel special as visitors to the heart of Cajun Country.