It’s not an optical illusion. It just looks like one.

How ‘bout some spaghetti this Saturday? Sound good? If so, head over to Community Christian Church in Slidell where a Benefit Spaghetti Dinner for Ashlee Stokes will be held.

The 15-year-old was critically injured in an automobile accident in May and is still in a coma, but showing some signs of improvement. Needless to say, the family’s medical costs are astronomical and you can give them some help by attending this fundraiser.

Tickets for the dinner are $10 and can be purchased at AAA Insurance, 1300 Gause Blvd., Slidell; Waste Management, 2685 U.S. Highway 190 West, Slidell; and Eddie D’s Restaurant, 39510 Hwy. 190 East, Slidell.

Donations are also welcomed and can be made at any Central Progressive Bank branch, or via mail care of Cindy Wilson, P.O. Box 101, Mandeville, LA 70470.

Arnold and his wife were cleaning out the attic one day when he came across a ticket from the local shoe repair shop.

The date stamped on the ticket showed that it was over 11 years old. They both laughed and tried to remember which of them might have forgotten to pick up a pair of shoes over a decade ago.

“Do you think the shoes will still be in the shop?” Arnold asked.

“Not very likely,” his wife said.

“It’s worth a try,” Arnold said, pocketing the ticket. He went downstairs, hopped into the car, and drove to the store. With a straight face, he handed the ticket to the man behind the counter.

With a face just as straight, the man said, “Just a minute. I’ll have to look for these.” He disappeared into a dark corner at the back of the shop. Two minutes later, the man called out, “Here they are!”

“No kidding?” Arnold called back. “That’s terrific! Who would have thought they’d still be here after all this time.”

The man came back to the counter, empty-handed. “They’ll be ready Thursday,” he said calmly.

Terry Maddox is publisher of St. Tammany News.