November 1, 2026
To: Madeline Brown, Buffalo, NY
Dear Madeline.
I know you love two things: Halloween and New Orleans. Yesterday I was doing both!
A group of us dressed up as various versions of Freddie Mercury and cruised the bars and alleyways of the French Quarter, ending at a large dance party downtown on Canal Street.
Never feel like you’re too old to dance with abandon. Few things will make you feel better. Trust me.
Finally, at 2 a.m., we were chowing down burgers and fries before collapsing into bed.
Halloween here is like a national holiday. Everyone is all in.
Before coming to New Orleans, I was going through the old letters from Comfort and found this wonderful postcard, dated March 20, 1900, with the spooky character on it.
It’s a quick message from Mancel T. Clark to his mother.
Dear Mother,
I will write you a letter tomorrow, but we are pretty busy just at present giving New Orleans a good time.
Yours, MTC
One hundred and twenty-six years later it seems we’re still giving New Orleans a good time! Hope you have a wonderful birthday today and that you get down here again soon.
Much love,
Uncle Stephen