Anna Soprano Foti of St. Martinville, loves her life and loves the area, she said, although it has not always been easy. Her mother and father immigrated separately crossing the Atlantic by freighter. The passengers huddled together on the ship's topside fending off the elements, while food was stored below deck to preserve it for the long voyage, Foti said.

"It took a month to come over by boat from Italy. They landed in New Orleans and Papa went to Opelousas to pick cotton," she said. "He moved to Charenton and opened up a general store and shoe repair shop." Foti, now 86, and her brothers would deliver groceries in a horsedrawn wagon all around Charenton, the area where the casino is now located.

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Source: http://www.iberianet.com/