Ronnie Virgets facts for kids
Ronald Edward Virgets (born April 4, 1942 – died May 20, 2019) was an American writer and journalist. He was also a commentator, which means he shared his opinions on different topics. Ronnie was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, and lived there for most of his life.
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Ronnie's Early Life and Career
Ronnie Virgets went to Sacred Heart Elementary School and St. Aloysius High School. He then graduated from Loyola University New Orleans in 1965.
After college, Ronnie served in the Army in Vietnam from 1965 to 1968. When he returned, he started writing. In the mid-1970s, he began writing sports stories for the New Orleans newspaper, The Times-Picayune.
Ronnie also worked in television news. He joined WDSU TV NewsChannel 6 in 2000. Before that, he was a special reporter for WWL-TV.
Writing and Awards
Ronnie wrote for many publications in New Orleans. These included The Times-Picayune, Gambit, and New Orleans Magazine. He also published several books.
He often appeared on local radio and TV shows. He would talk about the unique culture of New Orleans. In 2002, he received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Press Club of New Orleans.
Ronnie was very proud of winning a regional Emmy Award in 1992. This award was for a story he did about the city of New Orleans. He also hosted a radio show called Crescent City on WWNO, a local radio station. His personal writings are kept at Loyola University New Orleans.
Ronnie's Personal Life
Ronnie Virgets had three children. In 1996, he was chosen as the King of Krewe du Vieux for New Orleans Mardi Gras.
He enjoyed fishing and watching horse races. He even owned greyhound racing dogs at one time. Ronnie and his family appeared on the TV show Family Feud in 2006.
Ronnie Virgets passed away on May 20, 2019, at the age of 77.
Hurricane Katrina Experience
In August 2005, Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans. Ronnie stayed in his home in the Navarre neighborhood during the storm. This area flooded badly when the levees broke. A few days later, he was rescued by boat.
Ronnie wrote an essay about his experiences during the hurricane. He described how the storm affected New Orleans, the Gulf Coast, its people, and himself. This essay, called Diary of a Displaced Person: the First 72 Hours, was read by Ronnie for National Public Radio. It is also a chapter in his book, Lost Bread.
Books by Ronnie Virgets
