Author: Emily Gautreaux

Top 5 Reasons To Visit Natchitoches

Natchitoches, pronounced “Nack-a-tish”, this city in Louisiana was established in 1714, making it one of the oldest parts of the Louisiana Settlement. The region’s culture and heritage date back 3,000 years, starting with the Caddo tribe and then slowly acquiring Spanish, French, African, and Creole settlers.

This little city has a lot of history, a robust community, and gorgeous scenery. With over 30 bed and breakfasts for travelers to pick from and elaborate french architecture from colonial times, it’s clear that there’s something special about this charming town.

Cosmos Mariners shares their top five things to do when visiting Natichoches:

  • Go on an adventure in the historic district.

This 33-block National Historic Landmark Distance in Natchitoches contains a multitude of structures, homes, and historic sites. You’ll see sites like the Fort St. Jean Baptiste Historic site located on the Cane River Lake (make sure to see the exquisite replica of a french fort!) and the Herman Taylor Home, known for its role as the home in the movie Steel Magnolia. You can even choose to stay in the pink “Shelby” room overnight, or choose one of the other rooms that is named after the characters.

If you want to see some original French architecture, check out the Roque House. Located downtown on the riverbank, the home was built by a freed slave around the 1800s. While your downtown, stroll through the oldest general store, Kaffie-Frederick General Mercantile.

  • Learn about Creole culture in Natchitoches

Start at the Melrose Plantation, constructed completely by descendants of freed slaves, served as home to the Metoyer family for generations. The matriarch of the family, Marie Theresa Coincoin, was a freed slave who built her empire by trapping and selling local game, making medicine, and growing tobacco.

Oakland Plantation and Magnolia Plantation Complex are both a part of Cane River Creole National Park and provide a unique insight into the daily lives of past residents. On Magnolia Plantation, pay close attention to the slave cabin area – this would have been the heart of the African AMerican community before the Civil War era.

  • Tour the Hall of Fame and History Museum.

The tour starts before you even enter the building – the modern architecture of the building is contributed to the area’s rich and dynamic culture. The uniquely designed building was named world’s top architectural project by Azure in 2013.

The Sports Hall of Fame caters a spot to Louisiana athletes like Shaquille O’Neal, Audrey Patterson, and Archie Manning. New Orleans Saints’ fans need to check out the commemorative football signed by all players from the 2010 Super Bowl.

At the Northwest Louisiana History Museum learn how the native and early French, Creole, Spanish, and African settlers contributed to the dynamic melting pot Louisiana is known for today.

  • Try Louisiana classics.

What’s the best way to dive deep into Louisiana culture? Food!

Fill up your plate (and your stomach) with meat pies and étouffée and explore the different options for breakfast, lunch, and dinner with these favorite restaurants:

– Maglieaux’s on the Cane

– Merci Beaucoup (try their mini crawfish pies and stuffed potatoes with etouffee!)

– Mariner’s Restaurant, (for fresh seafood fans)

– Lasyone’s Meat Pies(the name says it all!)

– French Market Express (for when you’re on the go)

  • Get festive during the Christmas season.

Natchitoches Christmas Festival of LIghts is the oldest celebration in the state. The riverbank and downtown dress up for Christmas, brightening the night sky for over 90 years. Make sure to stroll through the shops downtown and try some fresh locan gumbo or gator on a stick!

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Louisiana Granted Millions for Student and Teacher Support

On October 14, 2019, the Louisiana Department of Education announced being awarded five competitive federal grants, totaling $115 million. These grants will be utilized for student and teacher support.

Louisiana Believes states the grants will be utilized towards enhancing the literacy programming and instruction; increasing mental health services for students, including those with past trauma and those who are historically at a disadvantage; help teacher earn credentials in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (also known as S.T.E.M.); and initiate a leadership program for both current and future special education administrators.

“The U.S. Department of Education continues to recognize Louisiana as a state that generates creative ideas to solve critical problems. These five new awards will support the implementation of plans to address many of our schools’ and students’ greatest challenges. We look forward to collaborating with state agencies, school systems and community partners to implement effective solutions to these pressing concerns.” says State Superintendent John White.

The grants, varying in dollar amount and length, include:

  • Comprehensive Literacy State Development Grant for Student and Teacher Support

The largest grant, it totals $100 million over the span of five years. It will contribute to literacy support for schools that identify as having low academic performance across the state by helping purchase top-rated reading curricula and instructional materials, provide educators with access to professional development, provide support to students who struggle with reading, and provide evidence-based literary resources for families. Louisiana Department of Education’s goal is “to serve 600 high-needs schools and early childhood education providers, 2,000 local leaders, 9,600 teachers, and 240,000 disadvantaged children by the end of the five-year grant period.”

  • Trauma Recovery Grant for Student and Teacher Support

This $7.5 million award spans 5 years and will help provide and increase mental health services in an effort to increase academic performance and decrease absence and decrease discipline rates. “The state education department will partner with the Department of Child and Family Services (DCFS) and community agencies to pay for direct mental health services for students who have experienced trauma, with a particular focus on low-income, foster, homeless, and migrant students.”

  • Improving Pre-Engineering and Computer Science Education through Micro-credentialing Grant

Totaling $4 million over 4 years, the award will develop a pathway for teachers to earn certificates of expertise in STEM fields and encourage the expansion of STEM pathways in the school systems.

  • Mental Health Service Professional Demonstration Grant for Student and Teacher Support

Funding a partnership between Louisiana Believes and LSU School of Social Work, the $2.5 million award will encourage an effort to expand and strengthen the school-based mental health force over a 5 year time frame. The “Louisiana School Social Work Expansion Project” aims to provide mental health services to high-needs schools and improve the culture and climate to foster a healthy attitude and prepare students for employment and to lead fulfilling lives as responsible citizens,

  • Special Education Leadership Grant for Student and Teacher Support

This award, which totals $1 million and spans 5 years, is intended to establish a “Special Education Leader Fellowship”. The fellowship will span a year and be a comprehensive development program for current and future special education leaders across Louisiana.

For more education related information, click here.

 

 

Three Football Party Recipes Everyone Will Love

It’s football season! And what’s the perfect addition to watching the game? Food! These 3 football party recipes from Blue Cheese Bungalow are a must-have for every game-day that everyone will love. They’re easy to make and bite-size, so get ready to grab a plate and watch your team win!

Ham and Cheese Sliders

INGREDIENTS

  • 12 King’s Hawaiian dinner rolls
  • 2 tablespoons Mayo
  • 12 slices deli ham
  • 6 slices swiss cheese (cut in half)
  • 1/4 cup melted butter
  • 1/2 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 1/4 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder or minced onions
  • 1 teaspoon poppy seeds

INSTRUCTIONS

First, preheat the oven to 350°F and grease a 9×13″ baking dish.

Next, slice the King’s Hawaiian rolls in half horizontally. Try to keep the rolls connected to each other while cutting. Remove the top section and set aside. Place the bottom section in your baking dish. Spread mayo onto the insides of both the bottom and top sections. Place a slice of ham and cheese on each roll in the bottom section. Add the top section of the rolls to the lower half in the baking dish and evenly match up.

For the sauce, whisk together the butter, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, onion powder, and poppy seeds. Pour mixture evenly over all of the rolls. Let sit about 10 minutes for the sauce to soak in.

Cover the ham sliders with foil and bake for approximately 10-15 minutes. Uncover and cook an additional 2 minutes to brown the top of the rolls. Cut the sliders according to the slices of the rolls. Serve and enjoy!

Stuffed Buffalo Chicken Dip

INGREDIENTS FOR THIS FOOTBALL PARTY RECIPE

  • 1 large loaf French bread
  • 8 oz. softened cream cheese
  • 1/3 cup sour cream
  • 1/3 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/4 – 1/2 cup Frank’s Original Hot Sauce (the more you use, the spicier it is)
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons dry ranch dressing seasoning mix
  • 1/2 tsp EACH chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder
  • salt to taste
  • 1/4 cup Blue cheese crumbles (depending on how much you like blue cheese, you can use ½ cup)
  • 1 cup freshly grated sharp cheddar cheese, divided into ¾ cup and ¼ cup
  • 1 cup Mozzarella cheese, divided into ¾ cup and ¼ cup
  • 3 cups packed shredded chicken (about 1 1/2 pounds)

Toppings (optional)

  • 6-8 pieces cooked and crumbled bacon
  • blue cheese

 INSTRUCTIONS

First, preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

Next, slice about 2 inches deep through the top of the bread and cut a large rectangle. Make sure not to cut through the bottom of the bread. Remove the top of bread and hollow out the middle to create a rectangular bread bowl. Set aside.

Whisk together cream cheese, sour cream, mayonnaise, hot sauce, chili powder, cumin powder, smoked paprika, onion powder, and ranch seasoning. Then stir in blue cheese, ¾  cup cheddar and ¾ cup mozzarella, and chicken.

Spoon the buffalo chicken dip mixture into French bread, then top with remaining cheddar and mozzarella cheeses. Place into the oven and bake on a baking tray at 350 degrees F for 25-30 minutes or until cheese is melted and slightly golden.

Let bread sit approximately 10 minutes to set and slightly cool, then slice into bite-size pieces. Enjoy!

Bacon Mac and Cheese Bites

INGREDIENTS

  • 12 slices precooked bacon (or turkey bacon)
  • 2 1/2 cups of prepared macaroni and cheese
  • 1/4 cup Italian Panko breadcrumbs

INSTRUCTIONS FOR THIS FOOTBALL PARTY RECIPE

First, preheat over to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Then grease muffin pan and place uncooked bacon strips into muffin cups (one slice per cup).

Divide the prepared macaroni and cheese between the cups in the muffin pan, stuffing into the bacon strips lining the muffin cups. Sprinkle with breadcrumbs and cook in the oven for about 15 minutes or until the breadcrumbs look golden and bacon is thoroughly cooked.

Allow the bacon mac and cheese cups to set for 51-10 minutes and cool before removing them. Enjoy!

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8 Must Do Things in New York City this Fall

New York City is notorious for its bright lights and big-city buzz, but it’s also a beautiful spot to visit during the fall. The crisp air and colorful autumn trees bring a coolness to the city you can only experience during fall.

Whether it’s your first time visiting the Big Apple or your twentieth, these eight fall must-dos are for everyone to check out.

Forget Central Park – the Botanic Center is where it’s at. Filled with green-turned-red and orange maple, sumac, dogwoods, and oak trees, you can check out the fall foliage at the Japanese Garden and smell the roses in the Rose Garden. You can also experience a true fall festival in the heart of the city with their Harvest Homecoming Festival, complete with hayrides and apple cider.

This winter activity actually begins in October in this city! The Rink in Rockefeller opens around the middle of October to make sure visitors and locals can get the most out of the seasons. Rent your ice skates directly from the center, and once you’re done grab a hot cocoa or hot apple cider for the ultimate fall experience.

  • Explore NYC’s Haunted History On A Ghost Tour

Is it really fall if you don’t go on a ghost tour? You may not initially think of New York City as haunted, but rumor has it you can find a ghost or two once the sun goes down. St. Paul’s Chapel is said to have a headless ghost in residence, the Hotel Chelsea is the perfect place for a spooky story, and even the Empire State Building is said to have the ghosts of past suicide jumpers roaming the building. To experience a professional ghost tour, click here.

From a special theme to a Grand Marshall, this parade is everything Halloween. Come in your best-themed costume to join in on the parade and have fun with the band, dancers, puppets, and more! Then afterward join in with the after-party and have a scary good time with friends new and old.

  • Watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade

Watching the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is an American tradition, so why not make it a tradition to see it in person? Held in Manhattan and lasting about three hours long, this annual parade is filled with huge balloons, elaborate floats, marching bands from all over the country, guest artists, and last but not least, Santa in his sleigh.

One of the Tri-State area’s most epic fall festival, this event is held in Hudson Valley and filled to the brim with – you guessed it – Jack O’Lanterns. Make your way through thousands of elaborately detailed pumpkins, and make sure to check out the Pumpkin Carousel twirl and the Pumpkin Windmill whirl and step inside the Pumpkin Planetarium for a star show like you’ve never seen. It’s a unique way to experience part of New York City you may not have before.

This festival is one of the oldest and largest street festivals in Brooklyn, New York. Atlantic Avenue is filled with food carts, art and crafts booths, performances, and live music as community members from all over come and enjoy themselves and explore other cultures.

  • Bike Across The Brooklyn Bridge from New York City

Grab a bike rental from one of the cities many shops and get pedaling! This activity is fun andaccomplishing, and lets you get a view of the city that the locals do. Biking in fall means the weather is almost always perfect (so maybe you won’t even break a sweat!) Make sure to explore Brooklyn before heading back!

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NSU Nursing Program Recognized

The nursing program at Nicholls State University has been recognized for the quality and affordability of the program by several online resources. Registered Nursing, a nursing advocacy organization of registered nurses that bridges the gap between resources and future nurses, ranked the Nicholls online bachelors in nursing number seven in the country and best in Louisiana.

Best Health Degrees, a website dedicated to spreading awareness of healthcare education, named Nicholls nursing program the number four most affordable accredited program in the country.

Dr. Sue Westbrook, provost and vice president for academic and student affairs, is delighted about the program recognition. The former dean of the College of Nursing says “It’s satisfying to know that our program offers high quality at an affordable price.”

The Nicholls nursing program is the most popular on campus, and also remains one of the most successful program in the South with their graduates regularly passing the RN licensure exam at rates that are higher than both state and national averages.

Nicholls nursing program offers a traditional BSN, LPN to BSN Articulation Program, RN to BSN Articulation Program, and a Master of Science in Nursing. The MSN program is offered in affiliation with the Intercollegiate Consortium for a Master of Science in Nursing (ICMSN) and is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). In the MSN program, you can choose from three specialty concentrations: Family Nurse Practitioner, Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, and Nursing Education.

With a mission to prepare students to contribute to a global society and a diverse workforce as productive, responsible, and engaged citizens and as well-educated nurses to meet the healthcare needs of the Bayou region and beyond, it’s estimated that eighty percent of the Bayou’s Region’s nurses are Nicholls alumni. Students will receive hands-on education from experienced and award-winning faculty, and 100 percent of Nicholls recent nursing grads are either employed or in nursing school.

Anna Busalacchi, a graduate from Nicholls with her Bachelors of Science in nursing, states “It’s cool to be prideful of my alma mater. I had so much on my resume because I attended Nicholls and it helped me get a job so much easier.”

Nicholls’ College of Nursing aims to send off their graduates embracing these core values:

  • Civic responsibility
  • Diversity
  • Excellence
  • Integrity
  • Leadership
  • Respectfulness
  • Responsibility
  • Caring
  • Professionalism
  • Safety

Registered Nursing determines its school rankings using a variety of higher education statistics, while also factoring in school accreditation, graduation rates, cost of tuition, the ratio of instructional faculty to tenured faculty, and student acceptance rate.

Best Health Degrees determines its school rankings based on accreditation from either the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education or the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing and by the cost of tuition.

Best Health Degrees helps prospective students learn what skills and training they need for their ideal career field, the salary they can expect to earn, and advice on how to land their dream job, as well as information they may need about the college or university of their choice.

For more information about Nicholls nursing program visit nicholls.edu/nursing.

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The Best U.S. Cities to Visit This Fall

With fall comes cooler weather, beautiful scenery, and tons of things to do. October seems to be a fan favorite for traveling since the heat of the summer has worn off and everyone is eager for bonfires and sweater weather. Plus, with fall comes charming earth-toned colors that place a beautiful blanket of leaves on everything. Many people choose to travel during the fall so they can find fun festivals and events that introduce them to new places and keep their schedule busy. Whatever your reason for choosing to travel this fall, here are some of the best U.S. cities to add to your road map, according to Travel and Leisure.

The quaint southern town is the epitome of southern charm. Sprinkled with cobblestone streets, historic architecture, and yummy true southern dishes, get ready to fall in love and never want to leave.

Halloween is a special time in Charleston, with extra spooky ghost stories and haunted cemetery tours for locals and visitors alike. Book a tour with Bulldog Tours and explore the Spirit of Magnolia Cemetery, or check out The Haunted Arsenal, U.S.S. Yorktown, or Haunted Jail tours – which also include expertly told, spine chilling ghost stories.

Although Sonoma is beautiful at all times of the year, fall must put something in the air. With gold and orange tint to surrounding trees and vines, a cool breeze, and a beaming sun creates the ultimate vacation atmosphere.

Make sure to check out the 45th Annual Harvest Fair in Santa Rosa or the MacArthur Place Hotel and Spa for ultimate scenery and relaxation. If you’re a Peanuts comic strip fan, check out the Charles M. Schulz Museum and have the opportunity to meet cartoonists, participate in crafts, and check out the gift shop.

Also known as The Music City, Nashville has the perfect mix of southern charm and rock n’ roll. Fill your schedule with music festivals like the Breakaway Music Festival or the Free Day of Music Festival.

Love Dolly Parton? The Grand Ole Opry is hosting a tribute to the country music icon in early October and those Elton John lovers can head to the Bridgestone Arena for Sir Elton John’s Farewell Yellowbrick Road Tour.

When you get hungry, head downtown for some southern barbeque or hot chicken and then head to the Bobby Hotel to catch up with some old friends.

Calling all foodies! Chicago is the place to go for the ultimate deep-dish pizza, hot dogs, or Italian beef sandwiches. Want something a little more classy? Make sure to check out some of the cities upscale dining spots, like Oriole or Alinea.

More into films than food? The 55th Chicago International Film Festival occurs in October and has more than 150 short and full-length festivals from around 50 countries.

Prefer to take in the sites and keep it casual? Taking a river cruise is a perfect way to see this U.S. city (take one at sunset – you won’t regret it), or take a walk on the Chicago Riverwalk and check out the Community Market and public art.

For more travel related news and information, click here.