Author: Emily Gautreaux

Thousands Help Community Grocery

Burnell’s Market is a community grocery store located in New Orleans’ Lower 9th Ward; in fact it’s the 9th Ward’s only grocery store, and as told in a profile in The Louisiana Weekly, thousands have donated over $350,000 for its owner’s hardships.

The market’s owner, Burnell Colton, had told his story of his neighborhood’s struggles due to the COVID-19 pandemic on NPR, which inspired James Carder from Colorado, who had never lived in New Orleans, to set up a GoFundMe fundraiser so that he could donate to Colton. Word spread quickly among friends, communities, and media outlets such as the Washington Post, allowing hundreds of thousands of dollars to be donated to this small community grocery store.

When asked about the reason for his donation, Carder stated, “what touched me was he made this place (Burnell’s Market) a focal point for his community. I think his story touched the soul of America. We want to help in times of trouble.”

In 2014, Colton spent his life savings to open Burnell’s Market, a local community grocery store, where it’s stood as a neighborhood oasis. Colton, a U.S. Army veteran understands the struggles of his neighbordhood’s residents, many of whom have been economically struck by the national pandemic. Making it easier for his community, the owner now lets customers buy necessities on credit and even gives away food for those in need.

“Before I opened, this part of the city was a food desert. The easiest way to get fresh produce was to take three buses to the Walmart in Chalmette,” Cotlon told The Washington Post. “I’m running out of some things now because it’s getting so tight. I’m low on rice and sugar, but I hustle to fill this store. I say to my customers, ‘Tell me what you want and I’ll stock it’.”

In another interview with PBS News Hour, Colton elaborated on his outpour of love and duty for his neighborhood. He described a scene of him hugging a grandmother who was brought to tears when her credit card was declined as she was purchasing food for her grandchildren. Colton simply record her amount owed and send her on her way with the groceries, no questions asked.

“This is my community…I can’t turn them down because there’s nowhere else for them to go,” Cotlon said. “I found my purpose and my purpose is service.”

Obviously this positive, supportive message struck a chord with Americans nationwide, as over 4,000 people have donated to the cause and shared the GoFundMe page on social media. SCrolling through the page, many positive, supportive messages from donors can be found.

One suporter, Claudia Santino wrote, Mr. Burnell is a living example of how this country and world will be a better place if we just cared a little more for one another.”

Another, Jerry Wilkes wrote, “Burnell’s selfless devotion to his community, his bravery in taking on this daunting task, and his never back down attitude made me proud to be an American – something I haven’t felt very often since 2016.”

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Enjoy Gulf Shores and Orange Beach

Down along the Gulf Coast is a 32 mile stretch of white, sugary sand that attracts locals and tourists alike for fun in and out of the sun. In an article posted by Southern Living, Alabama’s Gulf Shores and Orange Beach get a long-deserved profile to highlight the sights, seafood, and sounds that the south’s best kept secret has to offer.

Once along that Alabama shoreline, there are plenty of outdoor riches to explore, such as the picturesque beachfront, bountiful bayours, winding rivers, and luxurious lakes. Interested in paddling? The new Coastal Alabama Back Bay Blueway offers at least four different trails for paddling so that you can take in the scenery at your own, measured pace.

Apart from the waters, visitors can delight in exploring the Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge, the name of which comes from the French words meaning “safe harbor,” very appropriate considering the sanctuary for native flora and fauna found within.

Travel closer inland, and visitors can take in 28 miles of paved nature trails within Gulf State Park, where there’s something for every member of the family to enjoy. The beach pavilion provides picnic tables as an escape from the beach, the nature center is a great place for the kids to learn, the swimming pool provides refreshment for guests and the Lake Shelby day use area offers kayaking and canoeing. For a change of pace while visiting check out the fishing and education pier, miles of biking on the Backcountry trail, beautiful flowers in the butterfly garden, and additional education at the  learning campus, interpretive center in the near future.

Want more exotic sights, visit the new 25 acre Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo, a non-profit zoological park that is far and away from a little community zoo; it’s home to over 199 species, 31 subspecies, and haven to 8 endangered species.

On the cuisine side of its summer offerings, it’s hard to imagine the Orange Beach and Gulf Shores coast without its synonymous dining establishments. Back in the 1970’s, Alabama’s Gulf Coast offered little else beyond its campgrounds and the occasional ma-and-pop motel, with its now-famous dining scene practically nonexistent. Since Hurricane Fredric struck in 1979, the coast rebuilt, developed, and accelerated, and now there’s every kind of lodging and restaurant a  family can fathom. Alternatively, the Hangout Music Festival and attractions like The Wharf are drawing a new generation down south annually.

Once hungry, it’s easy to spot the locals and follow these repeat visitors to enjoy breakfast at places like Ruby Slipper Cafe, Brick & Spoon, and Duck’s Diner. The same crowd will likely recommend lunching at decades-old Sea-N-Suds, located right on the beach, Doc’s Seafood Shack & Oyster Bar, Tacky Jacks, Mikee’s Seafood, Original Oyster House, The Gulf, or Lucy Buffett’s Lulu’s. For dinner? Don’t miss Cobalt, The Restaurant or Fisher’s at Orange Beach Marinafor stunning views of the water and you plan your return next summer.

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Louisiana Teachers Attend Virtual Leaders Summit

According to a release by the Louisiana Department of Education, thousands of teachers who are leaders in their schools, districts, and communities gathered virtually over an eight day period at the start of summer to attend, present, and collaborate at the Eighth Annual Louisiana Teacher Leaders Summit.

On May 28th, the event officially kicked off with an address from the state’s 2020 Teacher of the Year, Chris Dier. Dier is a history teacher at St. Bernard Parish’s Chalmette High School, and he was also one of four finalists for national Teacher of the Year. Virtual participants all over Louisiana were encouraged by Dier’s inspiring message that reaffirmed how critical the teacher’s role has been in the lives of their students. “When schools close their doors, teachers open their hearts,” stated Dier in his opening day address.

Throughout the eight day period, the over 6,000 virtual participants attended valuable professional development sessions tailored to the unique role each teacher leader plays back in their respective school district. The sessions provide participants and presenters with high quality resources that can be scaled and adopted to fit a variety of diversified school systems across the state.

Teachers who attended the summit were encouraged to collaborate with colleagues from across the state to share best practices, cognitive strategies, classroom management techniques, and so much more. The individual learning sessions ensured teacher collaboration by limiting the size of their audiences, thus ensuring interactivity among leaders.

Highlighting the vital importance of the 2020 Teacher Leader Summit was the Louisiana’s Acting State Superintendent Beth Scioneaux, who said “this year’s event focuses on how schools can ensure meaningful growth for every child, every day. This theme is critical now more than ever, as school systems adapt their academic and operational plans to ensure high quality learning and to adhere to the latest health and safety guidelines.”

During the event, the Department of Education’s information hub, Louisiana Believes, posted a vast library of the most popular recorded broadcasts from the week, collaboration kits, and curriculum materials free to any interested teacher, regardless of registration. This open catalog of resources encouraged teachers to take what they wanted from the Summit to best fit the individualized needs of their students.

One week following the commencement of the full event, all recorded sessions, along with teaching materials will be posted to the Department’s Teacher Leader Library.

This year marks the Eighth Annual Teacher Leader Summit, which was originally founded by a group of Louisiana teachers who believed that classroom educators deserved a louder voice in state-wide academic decision-making. So, in April 2013, 2,000 educators attended the first statewide summit of Louisiana Teacher Leaders. Today, that participation has tripled through a blend of in-person and online trainings, which are held year-round, to fit the bust schedules of authentic classroom teachers. Professional developments offered at the summit cover a variety of topics related to English Language Arts, Math, Social Studies, Science, Early Childhood, and Special Education.

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Six Savory uses of Summer Peaches

The Summer months mean trips to the beach, spending more time in the backyard, lighter, longer days, and a plethora of juicy summer peaches. Known for decades as a saving grace of dessert dishes, the bright stone fruit is notoriously celebrated when baked into cobblers, pastries, and pies, served over ice cream, or churned into sorbet, but as a Martha Stewart article suggests, peaches can be famous for their savory preparations as well.

Tomato, Peach, Buffalo Mozzarella, and Bresaola Tartine

Combine the sweetness of peaches with juicy tomatoes, creamy mozzarella, and salty bresaola beef in an open sandwich-meets-caprese-salad summer treat. Serve this dish stop crusty bread lightly drizzled with olive oil as a decedent lunch or hearty summer appetizer at home or outdoors.

 Pickled-Peach and Mozzarella Salad with Fried Chicken Cutlets

Put a new spin on the classic chicken cutlet recipe by pickling peaches and accompanying them with basil leaves and tiny mozzarella balls. In this recipe, the peaches are pickled with sugar, bay leaves, cloves, cinnamon, and peppercorns, which combine for a truly savory and unparallelled sour, spiced flavor that compliments the sweetness of the summer-time fruit.

 Grilled Pork Chops with Peach Relish and Herb Rice

Try this twist on the classic pork chop when you’re in need of a dinner that is succulent and easy to prepare. Families will enjoy this grilled pork dish topped with a summer’s peach relish The relish is made with peaches, sugar, lemon juice, and red pepper flakes, which all combine to compliment the savory, browned pork chops.

 Peach Panzanella

This traditionally italian summer salad features cubes of day-old rustic bread and tomatoes, tossed alongside basil leaves and a simple vinaigrette, but reimagine the tradition by incorporating summer peaches in place of or alongside the tomatoes to bring a different, welcome sweetness to the mix. This riff on the classic Italian bread-and-tomato salad will be sure to turn heads.

Grilled-Peach Pizzas with Prosciutto

Replace your pizza’s standard, tired marinara with caramelized peaches, oozing mozzarella, salty prosciutto, and fragrant basil in this seasonal, summertime dish. Truly elevate your pizza preparation by substituting seasonal, grilled peaches for classic toppings and be amazed.

 Peach and Crab Salad with Mesclun and Herbs

This dynamic duo is a celebrated dish of the summer cookout, whether you find yourself and your family dining seaside or in a cozy backyard. With this dish, toss jumbo lump, preferably fresh, crabmeat with sliced peaches, a Thai chile pepper, shallots, and mint in an orange- coriander syrup. Serve this dynamic spread over mesclun leaves and fresh herbs to truly bring out savory, aromatic essences. In this dish, the peaches compliment and bring out the subtle sweetness of the crab while the drizzle of orange-coriander syrup and thinly sliced chile add spice.

This summer, branch out from your tired summer dishes, grab a basket of peaches, and experiment by roasting, grilling, pickling, and generally incorporating them into your salads, sandwiches, and much more with these savory, celebrated recipes.

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Hop on a Culinary Trail and Explore Louisiana

Known for its vast scenery and savory cuisine, Louisiana is home to several Culinary Trails to be explored this summer, according to an article by the State’s Tourism Department.

Local residents are invited to forge new summer traditions by traveling across the state in search of the best homegrown vegetables, sweet desserts, fresh fish, and more that this expansive state has to offer on its culinary food trails.

Visit a Farmer’s Market

It’s no secret that Louisiana is home to expert farmers, so access the state’s vast catalog of local Farmers Markets and stock up while the getting is still good. While many markets are seasonal, there are a handful that are year-round and regularly stocked to supply you with fresh fruits, vegetables, and more in your search for authentic homegrown excellence. There’s still time to attend the Opelousas Farmer’s Market on the Prairie Home Cooking trail, which is open year-round. While you’re out, be sure to stop by a roadside stand, like the ones that line both parameters of Bayou Lafourche along the Bayou Bounty Trail. Wether your looking for something sweet or one of Louisiana’s seafood staples, there is a culinary trail for everyone.

Treat Yourself to a Progressive Dinner

When you find the kitchen to be too swelteringly hot, step into a history with a meal at a locally-owned restaurant thats a part of Natchitoches’s Red River Trail, where locals are invited to dine in the Historic District. Partake in Louisiana History as you sample the blackened alligator appetizer at the Landing Restaurant and Bar.

Fish for your own Supper

Take agency in your meal preparation by indulging in Louisiana’s Sportsman’s Paradise. Our state houses a wealth of fishing spots, home to redfish, catfish, bluegill, bass, and much more. Northern Louisianaians are invited to cast off in Sabine Parish’s Toledo Bend or learn from a professional fisherman and guide like Homer Humphreys, who can show you the finest catches of Red River and Lake Bistineau. South Louisiana fisherman are invited to catch redfish on the Seafood Sensation trail, located in Lake Charles. Wether you’re in the gulf or within the boot, nothing tastes quite like the pride that accompanies a fish that you catch and prepare yourself, so catch your limit and cook it up this summer.

Cool off with a Sweet Treat on this Culinary Trail

Traditionally, the chosen dessert of the summer months is ice cream, but true Louisiana residents never overlook the essentialness of the icebox pie. Across the state, dessert shops and restaurants tote that they have the perfect sweet dish to help you beat the heat. Clancy’s in New Orleans serves a specialty lemon icebox pie from notorious pastry chef and author David Guas. In Shreveport, locals know to head to Strawn’s for a whipped-cream crowned slice of strawberry, chocolate, or coconut. The Creaola Cafe in Grand Coteau, serves its patrons a chocolatey, creamy Yum Yum pie that has rave reviews. Though, this suggested list would be amiss without mentioning the Pie Capitol of Louisiana,  Lecompte. Stop by Lea’s Lunchroom for a delicate slice of coconut, lemon, chocolate, banana, and much more when cooling off this summer.

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Utah and It’s Mighty 5 National Parks

Thanks to Dangerous Business for reminding us just how beautiful Utah is!  If you’re looking at national parks, the U.S. definitely has plenty.  But Utah!  It’s just really hard to argue that, with its snowy mountains to arid desert landscape, doesn’t offer some of the most unique and breathtaking opportunities for relishing in the natural beauty the U.S. has to offer. Utah is home to not one, not two, but five – YES, five – different national parks.  They are known as “The Mighty 5”, and include Zion, Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef, Canyonlands, and Arches.

If considering a road trip this summer, these are some great stops to check out once they are open again. Below we’ve given highlights on each of the sites, but make sure to check out the full article for full information on The Mighty 5:

  1. Zion National Park 

Just up from Las Vegas as you trek into Utah, you’ll find Zion National Park. Many people cite this national park (around since 1919) as their favorite.  We suggest you drive the Mount Carmel Highway east from Zion to where it joins with US 89 and take in the sights.  To see the rest, there’s a free shuttle service from March to October. You can park at the visitor’s center or in the nearby town of Springdale and use the shuttle to get to various trailheads and lookouts.

  1. Bryce Canyon National Park

Continuing down US 80 from Zion, the next park is Bryce Canyon. Despite being filled with sandstone like Zion, the rock formations are distinctly different.  During the summer, there is a free shuttle for visitors to access all of Bryce’s viewpoints, but it’s optional here unlike in Zion. You can self-drive through Bryce, which allows you to stop off at all the viewpoints.  We suggest you go this route, but watch out for possible snow/ice since Bryce is at a much higher elevation.

  1. Capitol Reef National Park

Probably overlooked the most, Capitol Reef is off the beaten path some.  In fact, you’ll drive through a portion starting in the town of Torrey, Utah and people may miss it.  Driving yourself is the only way to get around. On your trek, you’ll be able to take in the park’s famous rock formations (for free) driving along UT-24.  If you’re looking for more, there is also a beautiful scenic drive within Capitol Reef’s fee area.  There, you’ll see cliffs, canyons, ancient petroglyphs, rippled rock, and so much more.

  1. Canyonlands National Park

Canyonlands National Park is near the town of Moab in southeastern Utah.  Canyonlands is vast with sections, including: Island in the Sky, The Needles, and The Maze.  Sporting two visitor centers (Island in the Sky; The Needles), Canyonlands is a beautiful place to get lost.  We suggest driving this one.  Pack lunch and stay hydrated, you’re going to want to pull over and potentially hike along the way.

  1. Arches National Park

Last but not least, Arches, which is close to Moab, is very different from the other four parks.  This is one that’s also possibly the most accessible since it’s only about 15 minutes from Moab and is filled with short, easy walks to take in the sights. There aren’t shuttles, so we suggest packing up the car or truck to embark on the 18-mile-long scenic road through the park.

PRO-TIP:  Definitely get a National Parks Pass – they’re $80 and are good for one year.  They’re available online or at the first National Park site you visit.  This will save you lots of money as you delve into all that Utah has to offer.

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