Heather Benoit, a former Nicholls Alumni and public-school teacher fills a need as the Executive Director at the Wallace Community Center in Raceland. In the article written by Houma Today, it is said that, “When Benoit came to the center it was really just getting started. She began with the after-school program, Beyond the Bell, where students from the nearby Raceland Elementary and middle schools could come to get help with homework and participate in enrichment programs.”
Heather saw a need in the community for programs like, Beyond the Bell, and worked to make sure those needs came to fruition. “When kids get out of school, they’re often home alone. But by providing a safe environment for them to study not only for school, but also for life, they can grow up to become successful members in the community,” she said.
Benoit grew up in Thibodeaux, Louisiana and later received her bachelor’s degree in education from Nicholls State University followed her master’s in curriculum and instruction with a specialty in reading. She began working at Bayou Christian Academy and then Thibodaux Elementary. The article talks about how Heather began working at the Wallace Center by stating, “when work started to become more of a chore than a passion, Benoit left the school system in search of something new. After interviewing for the executive director position at the Wallace Center, she knew that is where she was meant to be.”
This Nicholls Alumni’s passion for teaching and making a difference in the lives of others is second to none. She is thrilled to be surrounded by those who share that passion with her. Heather says, “There are so many people doing great things in the community. It’s humbling to be around them.”
For more information on the changes that Heather Benoit is making for the greater good of the community, click here.
Looking for a hidden gem in the mid-west? Kansas City is the place for you. It’s not always the first place you think of when deciding where to travel to next, but when you go there, you leave wondering why you haven’t been sooner. The New York Times recently wrote an article about the best way to explore modern Kansas City, and believe it or not, it’s by Streetcar. As stated in the article, “Yes: Kansas City has a trolley. And not one of those old-timey trolleys that doesn’t go much of anywhere and goes there slowly. The one in Kansas City is sleek. Modern. Has air-conditioning and Wi-Fi.It runs a real route — 2.2 miles from end to end, then back again — through the heart of downtown.” So not only can this streetcar take you through all of downtown Kansas City, but it’s also free!
For more information on travel tips and exciting things to do in Kansas City, click here.
Nola.com recently released an article announcing, “A new smartphone app offers a digital version of the Louisiana driver’s license, allowing motorists and others an option aside from carrying a physical license”.
This is great news for those of you who happen to be in a position where you misplace your wallet, and/or ID, and possibly get pulled over, or need it for any other reason. The article states, “The digital license will be accepted by state police, but official acceptance at restaurants, bars and by the Transportation Security Administration is pending approval, according to the online portal for LA Wallet. The portal did not indicate whether local police agencies, such as the NOPD, would accept the digital licenses.”
Have you been looking for a delicious meal, that feeds the whole family, is easy to make, and everyone will love? Look no further. This Salisbury steak was featured on TheFoodNetwork.com as one of the most searched for recipes of the year. The best part about it is that it is ready in just over 30 minutes. To watch the video on how this meal is prepared, click here.
1 whole onion, halved and thinly sliced (or diced if you prefer)
2 cups beef broth, more if needed for thinning
1 tablespoon ketchup
1 teaspoon seasoning sauce, such as Kitchen Bouquet, optional
4 dashes Worcestershire
1 teaspoon cornstarch, optional
Salt and pepper
Directions
For the meat mixture: Combine the ground beef, breadcrumbs, ketchup, dry mustard, Worcestershire sauce, bouillon and some salt and pepper. Knead until all combined. Form into 4 to 6 oval patties, and then make lines across the patties to give them a “steak” appearance.
Fry the patties in a skillet with the butter and oil over medium-high heat on both sides until no longer pink in the middle. Remove from the skillet and pour off any excess grease.
For the gravy: Reduce the heat to medium and add in the sliced onions. Stir and cook until golden brown and somewhat soft, for several minutes. Add the beef stock, ketchup, seasoning sauce, if using, and the Worcestershire. Then combine the cornstarch with a little beef broth and add to the sauce if using. Stir and cook to reduce.
Add a sprinkle of salt and pepper and more broth if needed for thinning. Then return the patties to the gravy. Spoon the gravy over the top and let them simmer and heat back up for a couple of minutes.
Enjoy this delicious salisbury steak with mashed potatoes, green beans, or any of your favorite side dishes.
Onlyinyourstate.com recently featured an article written about Louisiana’s 9 stunning beaches that have the look and the feel of a Florida or Alabama beach!
Without the traffic or long drive, you could have your toes in the sand within minutes. Whether it’s Cypermort State Park, Grand Isle, or one of these other seven amazing places you won’t want to miss out. By clicking the link above you’ll have access to each location! Start planning now.
Benny Cenac, Houma philanthropist and owner of Cenac Marine Services, has always been a big supporter of the Bayou Community Foundation (BCF). Rightfully so, as it has invested more than $1 million in grants for critical community needs since 2013. Cenac had a large part in the creation of the foundation as he secured the initial funding given from The Gheens Foundationtotaling upwards of $250,000 which was used to jumpstart it. The Gheens Foundation, Inc. was established in 1957 by C. Edwin and Mary Jo Gheens to continue their lifelong interests in education, religious programs and human services. Mr. Gheens, a Louisville native whose father and uncle were successful in the wholesale grocery business, was the owner of a large, successful candy manufacturing company in Louisville. The family also owned a working plantation in Lafourche Parish, Louisiana which was rich in mineral resources.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Gheens were leaders in their church and active in other philanthropic, educational, and cultural endeavors in Louisville. After Mr. Gheens’ death in 1961, Mrs. Gheens selected several friends to serve as Foundation Trustees. The trustees continued to oversee the work of the Foundation after her death in 1982. At that time, foundation assets were valued at approximately $23,000,000.
The Gheens Foundation is one of the largest private foundations in Kentucky. The Trustees oversee approximately $6.5 million in grants annually. Most of the grants are made in the Louisville area and support a wide variety of endeavors, including public education, economic development, medicine, the arts and social/health services. The Gheens Foundation has distributed over $118,000,000 in charitable grants since its inception and today is valued at approximately $147,000,000.
Their mission? Much like Arlen “Benny” Cenac, Jr.’s mission for his community: “To improve the quality of life for all citizens and institutions of Metropolitan Louisville and Lafourche and Terrebonne Parishes in Louisiana by creative grant-making and philanthropic leadership to meet the present and emerging needs of our communities.”
Since the initial securement of funds by Cenac from The Gheens Foundation, Mr. Benny Cenac, Houma businessman and philanthropist, has donated $10,000 yearly to help ensure the program has what it needs to continue serving the community. As an avid community enthusiast, Mr. Cenac was thrilled when the BCF announced “grants totaling $230,000 to 29 non-profit organizationsworking in Lafourche, Terrebonne, and Grand Isle as part of the foundation’s largest grant program to date.”
“Today is an awesome day of celebration for BCF as we award grants for nonprofits that are changing people’s lives for the better and making our entire Bayou Region an even better place to live and work. We always say that Lafourche, Terrebonne and Grand Isle are special communities, and these 29 grant awards demonstrate the care and compassion we have for our fellow residents and our commitment to strengthening this unique place we call home,” said BCF Chairman Dr. James Leonard.
Benny Cenac, Houma entrepreneur has had a passion for supporting services, education, workforce development and coastal preservation for years. He is known for donating resources to these causes both personally and professionally. Therefore, the Bayou Community Foundation holds a very high level of importance to the Houma, LA based entrepreneur. Since the birth of BCF in 2012, the foundation has been focused on building and sustaining our Lafourche, Terrebonne and Grand Isle communities by supporting local nonprofits that help our neighbors in need, provide educational opportunities to residents, and work to preserve our valuable coast. This year’s grants will fund innovative programs that fill critical needs in our community by providing mental health care and addiction recovery programs, food and medicine for the poor and elderly, advocates for children in foster care, and tutoring and mentoring programs for at-risk youth, just to name a few.
Gifts from the Gheens Foundation, local family foundations, and other generous local donors support BCF’s grant-making program, focused on addressing the region’s most critical needs. Since 2013, BCF has awarded $1,012,270 in competitive grants to local nonprofits working in human services, education, workforce development, and coastal preservation. The organization also conducts workshops for nonprofit organizations, coordinates the “Give Bayou” online giving effort, and conducts other programs designed to sustain and strengthen local nonprofits and our precious coastal community.
