Louisiana Swamp Tours

 

Whether you grew up in Louisiana or are planning a trip to visit, there is one thing everyone has in common- we all enjoy a good swamp tour… well, most of us will! How could you not? As stated by Louisianatravel.com, “Modern-day explorers still have an intense curiosity about the beauty found in Louisiana swamps—the untouched nature and groves of gnarled cypress trees dripping with lush Spanish moss. Voyagers encounter indigenous critters such as alligators peering just above the waters and hundreds of species of birds, and hear colorful lore about pirates and other inhabitants of the vast, winding waterways.”

This article will help you get started on one of the “best ways to experience the intricate network of Louisiana’s scenic swamps by hopping on a guided tour.” There are so many options to choose from, so be sure to check out the full article to see which tour is best for you!

Louisiana Teachers to Receive Classroom Instruction Training

As stated on the Louisiana Department of Education website on April 24th, 2018, “more than 700 teachers across the state have been selected to serve as Content Leaders and provide high-quality, content-rich and curriculum-specific professional development to new and current teachers in their school systems. The selected teachers will participate in special training during the 2018-2019 school year that prepares them for this responsibility and culminates in a professional distinction, as well as career advancement opportunities.”

The training will begin in summer 2018 and continue through the 2018-2019 school year. The training will include nine in-person sessions–half of which will occur during the summer months to reduce time spent outside the classroom–and will be held in various locations across Louisiana. Participants will receive:

A deeper knowledge of English Language Arts (ELA) or math content and how to teach it;

  • The knowledge and skills they need to effectively use and help others use the ELA Guidebooks 2.0, a nationally recognized curriculumcreated for Louisiana teachers by Louisiana teachers, or a top-tier mathematics curriculum;
  • The knowledge of adult learning theory, and the skills and resources to facilitate meaningful, productive learning experiences for fellow educators; and
  • Access to 36 additional hours of turnkey training sessions outside of the program.

For more information on the training the teachers will receive, click here.

10 Modest Sandwich Shops In Louisiana That Are Downright Mouthwatering

Onlyinyourstate.com said it best when it comes to a sandwich, “ possibly the easiest thing to make, yet somehow it always tastes better when someone else makes it.”

That is exactly why they created this article that have pointed out the top 10 best sandwich shops in Louisiana you will not want to pass up. While some you may have heard of before like Chicken Salad Chick, there are also quite a few hidden gems you’ll be dying to make it back to like Blue Line Sandwich Co. or Creole Bakery. Either way, do yourself a favor and give each one a try if you ever get the chance!

Southern Style Potato Salad Recipe

Southern Living says it best in this article describing their recipe for southern style potato salad, “This classic potato salad recipe is the quintessential Southern side dish; it often makes an appearance at church potlucks, family celebrations, or game-day cookouts. Packed with onions, celery, sour cream, and bacon, this dish is sure to send your taste buds on a ride. It perfectly complements barbecue ribs, homemade hamburgers, or your favorite casserole. With hearty ingredients and delicious flavor, some would assume it would be hard to make. Don’t fret – this Southern classic is easy to whip up.”

So look no further, the universal potato salad recipe is here and we couldn’t be more excited about it.

Ingredients

  • 4 pounds potatoes
  • 3 hard-cooked eggs, grated
  • 1 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 1/4 cup celery, finely chopped
  • 2 tablespoons onion, finely chopped
  • 2 tablespoons sweet pickle relish
  • 1 tablespoon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
  • 1/2 pound bacon, cooked and crumbled
  • Garnishes: chopped fresh parsley, grape tomatoes

How To Make It

Step 1

Cook potatoes in boiling water to cover 40 minutes or until tender; drain and cool. Peel potatoes, and cut into 1-inch cubes.

Step 2

Stir together potatoes and eggs.

Step 3

Stir together mayonnaise and next 7 ingredients; gently stir into potato mixture. Cover and chill. Sprinkle with bacon just before serving. Garnish, if desired.

Benny Cenac Towing Co. Sponsors Conservation Awards

On March 17, 2018, The Houma based Benny Cenac Towing Company, partnered with the 54th Governor’s State Conservation Achievement Awards Program banquet as a sponsor for the remarkable occasion. The ceremony was held at Boudreaux’s in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. “The banquet was held to recognize and celebrate three individuals and three organizations for their outstanding achievement in natural resource and conservation and education in 2017,” according to the Louisiana Wildlife Federation, who hosted the event.

The 2017 recipients celebrated at the conservation awards ceremony included individuals, Bren Haase who received the Governor’s Award, Conservationist of the Year, Edward Jame Bodker who received Volunteer Conservationist of the Year, and Nova Clarke who received Conservation Educator of the Year. The organizations that received awards were the Red River National Wildlife Youth Conservation Corps that received the Youth Conservationists of the Year award, the Louisiana Public Square “Coastal Restoration: The Next Wave” produced by LPB awarded the Conservation Communicator of the Year, and South Wings which received Conservation Organization of the Year. The awards themselves, handsome statuettes of majestic wild animals, are unique to the program and highly coveted by all who receive them.

The Louisiana Wildlife Federation was incorporated in 1940 and was part of a movement that focused on conservation throughout the United States.  An early focus of statewide conservation advocacy groups was removing politics from fish and wildlife management decisions.  The popular concept to achieve this was to create a bipartisan citizens commission to set policy and oversee the operation of the state fish and wildlife agency. This idea was vigorously promoted by the Wildlife Management Institute and was one of the first objectives of the Federation, achieved in 1952 with the establishment of the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission (LWFC).  Today, the organization continues to work on initiating the protection and preservation of our state’s natural resources.

According to Terry L. Melancon, LWF president, “For over 40 years the federation’s annual conservation awards program has recognized those individuals, organizations, and businesses who have gone ‘above and beyond’ in their efforts to conserve fish and wildlife resources, to enhance opportunities for all of our citizens to enjoy the outdoors, to improve the quality of the environment, and to educate and advocate on behalf of our natural resources here in Louisiana.  Thanks to the participation of hundreds of Louisiana citizens who have, over the years, encouraged good conservation work by submitting nominations to the program, these awards are widely acclaimed as the most prestigious recognitions of conservation accomplishment that are presented annually in our state.”

Mr. Arlen “Benny” Cenac, CEO and owner of Cenac Marine Services, is well known as an avid outdoorsman in addition to his passion and interest in coastal restoration and conservation. He has event developed his own levee system on his personal ranch in order to preserve the land he loves. The Benny Cenac Towing Family has also contributed to coastal levee maintenance and restoration in the past. When asked about the Louisiana Wildlife Federation and his support of it, he stated that sponsoring this event wasn’t even a question. “The conservation and education of Louisiana wildlife and coastal restoration are two things that have always been significant to me. To be a part of celebrating the people who cherish the importance of these things just as much as I do is a dream come true.”

Thank you to all of those who were able to attend the event and congratulations to the very significant men and women who have conquered these achievements. We look forward to celebrating and supporting this award program in the years to come.

To learn more about Mr. Cenac’s philanthropic efforts and the causes he supports, please visit the philanthropy section of our site.

 

The South’s Best Small Towns in Every State

 

There really is nothing quite like southern charm and this article written by Southern Living has perfectly lined up the best of the best when it comes to southern charm in small towns. If you are looking for a cute, quiet, and sweet little get away in the south, be sure to check out these options as Southern Living has managed to narrow down each Southern State’s best small town. Some you may have never heard of while others are well known for their tourist attractions but no matter what the occasion you will not be let down.