nity leader, was grand master of the Odd Fel- lows and directed the construction of the building, which housed the organization's state offices. Baranco's son, Dr. B.V. Baranco Jr., had his dental office in the building. Also lo- cated in the building were a barber shop, a movie theater and of- fices of businessmen and professionals. "The Temple and the Grand were the only places we could see a movie," said Perkins.
"The building was not designed for basketball. It was designed for dancing," Perkins said. Players had to shoot from under balconies. "If the ball went out of the window, the game had to be held up until some- one went to the street and brought it back." A souvenir program from the third annual Baton Rouge City Championship Tournament April 11 - 12, 1942, lists the competing teams as the Trojans, the Colonials, the Chicken Shack Pirates, the Golden Ea- gles, the Apex Commodores and the Cobras. The forward to the program makes a touching refer- ence to World War II, then being fought, and stresses the importance of friendly competition. "All the world's a playground and each individual in a lifetime plays many games. Many of us are inclined to forget the dangers that threaten us in this game of war and to think more seriously of the beauties of life and the things that make it worth living. We must learn to take the good breaks with the bad and to make the most of every situation. Good sportsmanship and friendliness are the first requisites of all of the games of life." History buff Isadore Tansil Sr., a member of the Ma- sonic Lodge, grew up in the neighborhood, as did Perkins. He recalled that most people who went to the Temple would stop across the street at Bernard's Chicken Loaf House to pick up a chicken loaf for $1.25. Buffington said that the business was operated by brothers Eugene, Waldo and Joe Bernard. "You had to go next door to get a chicken loaf," said Perkins, who played for the Chicken Shack Pirates in the 1942 tournament. "It was part of coming here."
B.V. Baranco Sr., : Grand Master of the Odd Fellows, 1st Worshipful Master of Blazing Star Lodge No.114
Because blacks had no gymnasium in the city, the Temple Roof Garden dou- bled as a basketball court. Several semi - professional teams, sponsored by major black businesses, compet- ed in the building. The Chicken Shack Pirates, sponsored by Thomas Delpit, father of Joe Delpit; the Colonials, sponsored by Bernard's Chicken Loaf House; the Commodores, sponsored by Macie Lamotte of the Apex Lounge; the Trojans, sponsored by Manee's Cab Company; the Catholic Youth Organization team, sponsored by St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church; and the Golden Ea- gles, a team without a sponsor, all competed in a fierce but friendly rivalry.
For the dances, various clubs sponsored the bands,
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