Congratulations to the winners of President’s Arts Awards for 2009. They are:

• Lifetime Achievement – Darlene Haik

• Visual Artist of the Year – John Hodge • Culinary Artist of the Year – Sal Impastato

• Patron of the Year – Louisiana Medical Center & Heart Hospital

• Performing Artist of the Year – Ray Perer

• Literary Artist of the Year – Erica Spindler

• President’s Award – St. Tammany Parish School Board Talented Arts Program

• Musical Artist of the Year – Don Vappie

All will be honored January 9 during a special ceremony from 6-8 p.m. at the Louisiana Medical Center & Heart Hospital in Lacombe.

The awards are presented by St. Tammany Parish President Kevin Davis and the St. Tammany Parish Commission on Cultural Affairs.

Morris and his wife Esther went to the state fair every year. And every year Morris would say, “Esther, I’d like to ride in that helicopter.”

Esther always replied, “I know, Morris, but that helicopter ride is $50, and $50 is $50.

One year Esther and Morris went to the fair, and Morris said, “Esther, I’m 85 years old. If I don’t ride that helicopter, I might never get another chance.”

To this, Esther replied, “Morris, that helicopter ride is $50, and $50 is $50.”

The pilot overheard the couple and said, “Folks, I’ll make you a deal. I’ll take the both of you for a ride. If you can stay quiet for the entire ride and don’t say a word, I won’t charge you a penny!”

Morris and Esther agreed and up they went.

The pilot did all kinds of fancy maneuvers, but not a word was heard. He did his daredevil tricks over and over again, but still not a word.

When they landed, the pilot turned to Morris and said, “By golly, I did everything I could to get you to yell out, but you didn’t. I’m impressed.

Morris replied, “Well, to tell you the truth, I almost said something when Esther fell out, but you know, $50 is $50!”

Terry Maddox is publisher of St. Tammany News.