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As Ronald Lane peddled his handmade wirecraft jewelry during a sultry August day on the streets of New Orleans' French Quarter, his panicking mother called to warn him of Hurricane Katrina's imminent arrival.

"Have you seen the news? A Category 5 storm is coming," said Lane, 60, recalling his mother's words. "You need to get out of the city."

Like thousands of other New Orleans residents, Lane -- who now lives in Pittsburgh's Beltzhoover neighborhood -- fled north from the Big Easy with little more than an extra shirt and pair of pants. In the storm that destroyed his home, much of his jewelry and other creations were lost. Now, thanks to the help from some people in Pittsburgh, Lane said he hopes he is in Western Pennsylvania to stay.

"When I first came here, people didn't know who I was and they treated me so beautifully," he said. "The people here treat me good, and I've got to give back.

"How do I give back? You'd be surprised," said the animated Lane with his ever-present grin.

Lane, who is divorced and has a grown daughter, is starting to piece his life together, much like the way he uses tools such as wire cutters and pliers to construct jewelry from brass, gold, silver and copper wires, and gemstones. He says he refuses to think negative thoughts.

"In life, you're either in a problem, or you just left one, or you're heading towards one," said Lane, who likes to be called "Professor." "You're going to hit some potholes in life ... but you're going to have a sunny day."

Through the efforts of Western Pennsylvania chapter of Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now -- which is known as ACORN, and is based in New Orleans, but has an East Liberty office -- a church and a landlord, Lane has free rent for a year in a furnished apartment. Meanwhile, he has sold some of his goods at regional events, and has donated some of his proceeds to Katrina relief. He often works out of the ACORN office.

Maryellen Hayden, head organizer of the Allegheny County chapter of ACORN, said that Lane's enthusiasm is inspiring.

"I think he's coping with it very well," Hayden said. "Ronald exemplifies the spirit of New Orleans; the spirit of New Orleans is in him. Its culture, its art and its music has a spirit about it that we just cannot afford to lose as a nation."

Lane, who talks like an effervescent motivational speaker, said he looks for ways to help people here, as Pittsburghers have helped him. He said he gave his new heating units to neighbors who were unable to pay their gas bills, for instance.

"I owe this to my Lord; I owe this to humanity; I owe this to Pittsburgh," said Lane, a devout Christian. "I'm supposed to be right here.

"I know God's always taken care of me. He put us here to love each other. Anywhere there's love, you're going to find your home."

After fleeing New Orleans, Lane traveled through Tennessee and then Ohio, where he met Kristin and Albion Minzey of Point Breeze at the Bay Village Renaissance Festival during Labor Day weekend. Lane was making and selling some jewelry at the festival, where the Minzeys were performing children's entertainment with their company, Dreamweaver Productions.

The Minzeys, who already had placed their names on the Internet as willing evacuee hosts, invited Lane to stay with them as long as he needed to. Lane stayed for about two months before moving into his apartment.

"He's amazing," said Kristin Minzey, 50. "He's really been a blessing to us in our lives."

Minzey said that Lane even tries to give her money from his scarce supply.

"Ronald has this magic; he goes around and he brightens people up," she said. "He's not used to being helped; the only way he can accept our help is if he helps us in return."

Lane, who has been a working artist for about 35 years, makes many pieces of jewelry and sculptures that have Mardi Gras themes, in true New Orleans style, along with ancient Egypt and Africa themes. The prices of his creations range from $25 to more than $400, and he often puts them together while the customers watch. Back at home, he called his business "Right Hemisphere," and he sold at French Quarter flea markets and events rather than from a store. He said that in Pittsburgh, he hopes to build the same kind of mobile business.

For now, Lane said he hopes just to rebuild his life and bring the spirit of New Orleans to Pittsburgh with his art and heart. Eventually, though, if things go very well, Lane said he hopes to have his own television show where he shows viewers how to make jewelry.

"You're going to fall in life, so make sure you fall on your back so you can look up," Lane said. "If you can look up, you can get up."

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