Author: Emily Gautreaux

The Best Southern Lakes to Visit in 2023

Simply put, there’s nothing quite like a day spent out on the lake. Whether you prefer fishing, boating, or simply soaking up the sun, there’s something magical about spending time on a large body of water surrounded by nature. If you’re looking to experience this magic for yourself, then look no further than the wide array of Southern Lakes, and thanks to this travel blog post from Southern Living, you’ll have all that you need to visit and enjoy some of the most beautiful and tranquil lakes in the country.

Lake Lanier, Georgia

If you’re looking for an ideal lake destination in the American South, know that you can’t go wrong with Lake Lanier. The Peach State’s Lake Lanier Islands is a resort that’s made up of over 200 guestrooms and 30 charming cottages that perch themselves above Lake Lanier. Located just north of Atlanta, Lake Lanier makes itself a convenient getaway destination for city dwellers.

But don’t let its proximity to the city fool you; the Lake Lanier Islands is a true oasis, complete with sandy beaches, crystal-clear waters, and lush vegetation. There are plenty of activities to keep you busy at the lake, including swimming, sunbathing, fishing, boating, and hiking. Then, when you’re ready to take a break from the outdoors, you can retreat to one of the islands’ many restaurants or shops. Whether you’re looking for a weekend getaway or a reliable vacation spot, Georgia’s Lake Lanier Islands is a destination that is sure to please.

Douglas Lake, Tennessee

Tennessee’s Lake Douglas or Douglas Lake is one of the best lakes in the Southern United States for a number of reasons. First, it is one of the largest lakes in the region, with over 20,000 acres of surface area. Second, it is located in a beautiful setting among the rolling hills of Tennessee. Third, it is one of the most popular and rewarding destinations for both fishing and recreation. This is because Douglas Lake is home to a variety of fish species,including bass, crappie, catfish, and trout. Lastly, Douglas Lake is surrounded by a number of parks and public access areas, making it easy to enjoy the lake whether you are camping, hiking, picnicking, or just enjoying a day out on the water. If you are looking for a great lake to visit in the Southern United States, be sure to put Tennessee’s Douglas Lake at the top of your list!

Lake Austin, Texas

Lake Austin is a wonderfully popular reservoir located on the Colorado River in Central Texas. The city of Austin owns more than 22,000 acres of land along the shores of Lake Austin, meaning that the lakeshore is also home to several public parks, including Bull Creek District Park, Emma Long Metropolitan Park, Mount Bonnell Shores Park, Red Bud Isle, West Bouldin Creek Greenbelt, and Zilker Metropolitan Park, so there’s no shortage of recreational space when you visit Lake Austin.

Lake Austin is well known for its recreational opportunities. The lake is widely considered to be one of the best places in central Texas to boat, fish, and swim. The Lower Colorado River Authority operates several public boat ramps around the lake and there are numerous private marinas as well. Fishing is popular on Lake Austin for species such as largemouth bass, catfish, and sunfish. The lake is also a popular swimming destination with several public beaches open year-round.

Lake Ouachita, Arkansas

Located near Hot Springs and within the picturesque Ouachita Mountains, Arkansas’s Lake Ouachita is not only the largest man-made lake in Arkansas, but it’s one of the best lakes in the Southern United States. The lake itself encompasses 1,000 miles of shoreline and stretches over 40 acres, making its clear waters and scenic beauty the perfect destination for swimming, fishing, boating, and much more. With its towering mountains and deep blue waters, it’s no wonder Lake Ouachita is such a popular destination.

For more travel-related news and information, click here.

Your Guide to Visiting Ohio

Filled with stunning landscapes, vibrant cities, and plenty of entertainment options, the exciting state of Ohio offers something for everyone. Whether you’re looking for a weekend getaway or a week-long adventure, there is something in Ohio that will make your trip an unforgettable one. In this travel guide, which is courtesy of the travel blog iExplore, you can peruse some of the best places to visit in Ohio and what makes them special, as this comprehensive guide will help you plan the perfect Ohio getaway in 2023.

Simply stated, there’s something to do in Ohio; from world-renowned museums and art galleries to trendy boutiquesand farmers markets. You can spend a day browsing the shops in downtown Cleveland or taking in the sights and sounds of Cincinnati’s Over-the-Rhine district. This state has plenty to offer in the way of shopping and leisure, and when it comes to finding the perfect place to relax and unwind, you’ll be spoiled for choice with the Buckeye State’s many scenic parks, outdoor recreation areas, and charming small towns.

If you’re seeking specific events to take part in, you’re in luck as there’s always something going on in Ohio. The Cincinnati Reds Festival, or Redsfest, is one of the biggest baseball-themed events in the country. The four-day festival celebrates all things related to the Cincinnati Reds, including America’s pastime. There are interactive games, autograph signings, and plenty of family fun. Additionally, the Cleveland International Film Festival is one of the largest film festivals in North America. The festival showcases over 1000 films from more than 60 countries, making it a truly international event. The Columbus Arts Festival is a three-day celebration of the arts, featuring over 400 artists from around the world. The festival also includes live music, dance performances, and delicious food.

If you want to visit a reliable establishment in Ohio that’s sure to blow your mind, whether you’re looking for a unique gift or you just want to explore Ohio’s rich history, there are plenty of shopping and leisure options to choose from. The Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden is one of the top zoos in the country, and features over 500 animal species and3,000 plant varieties. The zoo also has a number of unique shops, cafes, and attractions, making it a great place to spend a day. The Cleveland Museum of Art is one of the most prestigious art museums in the United States, and it features an impressive collection of both modern and classical art. The museum is also home to a number of unique shops and eateries, making it a great place to spend an afternoon. Similarly, the Columbus Museum of Art is another top art museum in Ohio and features an extensive collection of American art.

When deciding the best time to visit Ohio, you should know that it depends on what you want to do while you’re here. This is due to the face that the state’s climate ranges from humid summers to cold, snowy winters. For example, if you’re interested in exploring the state’s many parks and outdoor attractions, the spring and summer months are ideal. However, if you’d prefer to experience Ohio’s cities and take advantage of its many indoor attractions, the fall and winter months are better. No matter when you come, though, you’re sure to find plenty to keep you busy.

When it comes to what city to visit, there are plenty of options to check out for different reasons. Cleveland is the state’s largest city, and is located on the shores of Lake Erie. The city is known for its museums and cultural institutions, as well as its professional sports teams. Columbus is the state capital and is the site of the Ohio State University. The city has a lively downtown area with many restaurants and bars, and is also home to a variety of museums and theaters.

The city of Cincinnati is located in southwestern Ohio, on the Ohio River. The city is known for its large collection of art museums, as well as its historic architecture. Located in northwestern Ohio, the city of Toledo is found on the shores of Lake Erie. The city has a strong manufacturing heritage, and is also home to a number of universities and colleges. Lastly, Dayton is located in southwestern Ohio, and is home to the Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. The city is known for its contributions to aviation, as well as its many music venues.

For more travel-related news and information, click here.

Entergy Louisiana Donates to Nicholls Tour Tuesday Initiative

It was recently announced that Nicholls State University’s program that strives to bring underrepresented students to campus for collegiate tours, the Tour Tuesday initiative, recently received additional funding for its longevity, according to this news release from the school. Since its inception in 2016, Nicholls’s Tour Tuesday initiative has accounted for nearly 1,000 Bayou Region high school students to tour the campus. Luckily, thanks to a $10,000 donation from Entergy Louisiana, this exciting program can continue.

Renee Hicks is the Assistant Vice President of Institutional Effectiveness, Access, and Success at Nicholls State University, and she commented on Entergy’s contribution by saying “Entergy Louisiana has been a tremendous partner to Nicholls State University in identifying students in our region who may have thought college wasn’t an option for them. When we get students here and show them all Nicholls has to offer and explain the different financial avenues they can utilize to attain a college degree, their outlook changes to one of hope.”

The Tour Tuesday initiative allows Bayou Region high school students from underrepresented groups an opportunity to see what can be offered by higher education. In order to make the most of their program, Nicholls works with high school guidance counselors from the Bayou Region in order to identify the low-income or first-generation high school students who meet the admissions standards at Nicholls.

CEO of Entergy Louisiana Phillip May commented on investing in Nicholls’ Tour Tuesday program by saying, “a community’s quality of life is directly tied to educational and workforce opportunities, which is why it’s so important that we support initiatives like Nicholls’ Tour Tuesday program. Our youth are future leaders, innovators, and lawmakers, and this tour is another way we can provide tools and resources that can help them reach aspirations right here, at home, in Louisiana.”

This $10,000 donation wasn’t the only gift that Entergy Louisiana had given to Nicholls in 2023, as this news came just after it was announced that the company had donated $160,000 to the Nicholls State University Coastal Center.The donation was intended to support the Coastal Center Coast, Climate, and Culture Literacy Program, which is designed to bring organized presentations, publications, group tours, exhibits, and an additional web page to the program.

Nicholls’ Coastal Center, which is scheduled to begin construction in 2023, will be an institution that works directly with the Bayou Region Incubator in order to help small businesses and create jobs that are specific to the Bayou community and the Nicholls Farm to help test the real-world application of the center’s coastal research. Additionally, the Coastal Center will also serve as an educational resource that’s accessible to the public.

Entergy’s Phillip May commented on the company’s commitment to this program by saying, “this program is dedicated to preserving the Louisiana coastline. In partnership with Nicholls State University, Entergy is committed to enhancing coastal education and outreach initiatives that are impactful today and in the future. Coastal restoration and protection are not only important to us but directly benefit the communities we serve.”

Entergy Louisiana, LLC brings its service to approximately 1.1 million electric customers in 58 Louisiana parishes. In Baton Rouge, Entergy Louisiana is also able to provide natural gas service to approximately 96,000 customers. Additionally, Entergy companies employ approximately 4,5000 people in the state of Louisiana, and about 2,200 Entergy retirees reside within the state. Thanks to Entergy Louisiana’s two donations to Nicholls, future generations will be able to enjoy more of what the University’s campus and Louisiana’s coastline will have to offer.

For more education-related information, click here.

A Winter Soup Recipe Perfect for Any Day

Looking for a comforting, hearty winter soup recipe? Look no further than this delicious Creamy Chicken and Wild Rice Soup from Epicurious. This classic comfort food is sure to warm you up on those shockingly cold winter days and leave everyone in the house satisfied. Read on for the full recipe and learn how to make it for yourself.

When it’s chilly outside and you’re in need of some comfort food, this creamy chicken and wild rice soup recipe is the perfect meal. It’s warm, hearty, and filling – everything you want in a winter soup. Plus, it’s easy to make and can be on the table in under an hour.

This soup starts with a simple base of chicken broth, onions, and celery. Then, you add in some shredded chicken breast for protein and diced carrots for sweetness and color. The wild rice gives the soup a nice earthy flavor and chewiness, while the milk and cream make it rich and creamy. Finally, we season it with salt, pepper, thyme, and parsley for flavor. One bite of this hearty soup and you’ll be hooked, as it’s the perfect way to warm up on a cold winter day.

Ingredients

  • 1 whole 3 ½ – 4 pound chicken
  • 4 cups of wild rice
  • 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter
  • 5 cups of heavy cream
  • 2 medium-sized leeks, roughly chopped
  • 1 fennel bulb and fronds, roughly chopped
  • 5 stalks of celery, roughly chopped
  • 3 medium yellow onions, roughly chopped
  • 1 large carrot, peeled and finely diced
  • 10 cloves of garlic, peeled and smashed
  • 5 sprigs of parsley, plus ¼ cup chopped
  • 2 sprigs of thyme
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 4 quarts of water
  • 2 tablespoons of fine sea salt
  • 1 teaspoon of freshly ground black pepper

Directions for Winter Soup

  1. You’ll want to begin this hearty soup recipe by making your own homemade chicken stock, allowing for the final product to be much richer than it would be if using store-bought chicken stock. Begin by grabbing a stock potand combining your whole chicken, water, 1 leek, ½ of a fennel bulb, 2 stalks of celery, 2 medium onions, 6 crushed garlic cloves, 2 sprigs of thyme, 5 sprigs of parsley, and 2 bay leaves in the pot. Cover, and bring your stock pot of ingredients over high heat. Once it’s boiling, you’ll uncover the pot, reduce the heat to a gentle simmer, and cook for 1 ½ hours.
  2. Remove your chicken stock from the heat and then remove the chicken from the pot, setting it aside. You’ll strain the liquid of the stock pot into another pot and discard your solids. Wait until the chicken is cool enough to handle and then shred the meat from the bones by using your hands. Receive this meat for the soup. Discard the skin and bones when finished.
  3. Begin the soup by taking a large soup pot and heating your butter over medium-high heat. Add your remaining fennel, celery, leek, onion, carrot, and garlic to the pot. You’ll then allow these vegetables to “sweat” until they’re soft and translucent, which should take about 3 to 4 minutes.
  4. Add your homemade chicken stock to the soup pot, and bring the contents to a boil. Once the pot is boiling, you’ll add your wild rice and salt, stirring to combine. Bring the soup to a simmer, cover the pot, and cook until the rice pods have opened. This should take about 25 to 30 minutes.
  5. After the wild rice pods have opened, you’ll add in your cream, chicken pieces, and black pepper. Bring the soup back up to a boil in order to combine flavors. Once it’s tasting to your liking, you’ll remove the pot from the heat and prepare to serve it.
  6. Divide the soup among bowls, garnish with parsley, and enjoy.

Notes:

  • If you’re making your chicken stock ahead, you can refrigerate it for up to 4 days ahead of time or you can freeze it for up to 6 months.
  • Be sure that you take your time to simmer your soup gently so that the flavors have time to develop and meld together.
  • For a heartier soup, add some chopped potatoes. For a more veggie-packed soup, add in some frozen peas or corn. Not a fan of chicken? Swap it out for diced ham or cooked ground beef. Don’t have wild rice on hand? Use brown rice, white rice, or even quinoa.

For more delicious recipes, click here.

Louisiana Travel’s Feed Your Soul Wins Showmanship Award at 2023 Rose Parade

Earlier this month, the spirit of New Orleans and the rest of Louisiana was alive and on display in Pasadena, California at the 2023 Rose Parade, especially with Louisiana’s Feed Your Soul parade float, presented by Louisiana Travel. According to this article from The Houma Times, the float was designed to showcase Louisiana in both a classic and reimagined light, and it turned out to be a great success.

Louisiana’s Feed Your Soul float, presented by Louisiana Travel, was designed as a way to honor what representatives call “the best of what Louisiana has to offer.” The float itself featured 21 Louisiana fair and festival queens from across the state and a former patient of Shreveport’s Shriners Hospital. Aesthetically, the float depicted an undisputed icon of Louisiana culture and history– the riverboat, which is also known as the paddlewheel steamboat. This riverboat was decorated extensively with live flowers, leaves, and seeds to recreate the foliage and aesthetic nature of the Louisiana wetlands.

Before the float took to the streets of Pasadena, California, Louisiana Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser was asked about Louisiana’s participation in the parade, to which he said, “we’re excited to return to the Rose Parade to showcase all the ways you can Feed Your Soul in Louisiana. All of our riders are an excellent representation of the celebratory spirit of Louisiana. We love a parade in Louisiana and we will be kicking off carnival season a few days early [in] January when our float rolls through the streets of Pasadena.”

Louisiana’s Feed Your Soul float, presented by Louisiana Travel, also served as an opportunity to represent convention bureaus, visitors bureaus, and tourism boards from across the state in the form of five premier sponsors. Those sponsors included the Lafayette Convention and Visitors Commission, Natchitoches Convention & Visitors Bureau, Shreveport-Bossier Convention and Tourist Bureau, Tangipahoa Convention and Visitors Bureau, and Visit Baton Rouge.

The theme of the 134th annual Rose Parade was titled, “Turning the corner,” which asked premier sponsors to share how their area of the state had turned a corner into a brighter future. This float proved to be a great success, as it won the 2023 Rose Parade’s Showmanship award for the most outstanding display of both showmanship and entertainment. According to The Orange County Register, the float was among 23 award-winning floats at this year’s Rose Parade.

Lt. Governor Nungesser commented on how Louisiana fits this theme by saying, “t is thrilling to be joined this year by our sponsors and to host these 20 Louisiana queens aboard the Louisiana float. All our efforts in the travel and tourism industry in Louisiana are focused on working with our local partners to drive visitation to every corner of the state. As I always say, if you can eat it, shoot it, catch it, or dance to it, we name a festival after it in Louisiana. This year’s riders are wonderful stewards of our festivals and culture, but also outstanding members of their community that demonstrate the welcoming and neighborly nature of Louisianans.”

The Louisiana Office of Tourism had invested $350,000 to produce their entry in the 134th annual Rose parade, but according to Assistant Tourism Secretary Doug Bourgeois, the “faux steamboat is meant to lure onlookers from around the globe to visit the Bayou State” as it is a “is a promotional bargain for the state.” Outside of the Rose Parade, this was the second time in two months that a Louisiana-themed parade float had been present on a national stage, due to the $1.4 million alligator float that took to the streets of New York City in November’s Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. With these multiple Louisiana-themed parade floats being showcased nationally, soon more and more will come to Louisiana to be enriched by the deep-seated culture that the state has to offer.

For more Louisiana-related articles, click here.

Nicholls’ Chauvin Sculpture Garden Received Grant to Be Restored

It was recently announced via this new release from Nicholls State University that the Nicholls Foundation was a recipient of $75,000 from Ruth Arts and the Ruth DeYoung Kohler Legacy Fund in order to repair the Chauvin Sculpture Garden.

The Chauvin Sculpture Garden is one of Nicholls State University’s most timeless landmarks, but in August 2021, it sustained damages from Hurricane Ida’s 150 miles per hour winds. And thanks to the RDK Legacy Fund, the Chauvin Sculpture Garden will soon be repaired and back to its original glory.

Dr. Gary LaFleur is the Director of the Center for Bayou Studies and an R.E. Miller Endowed Professor of Honors Studies, and when speaking about the support from Ruth Arts, he said: “We are delighted to receive support from Ruth Arts with their generous and substantial donation. We plan to use the funds in ongoing efforts to repair and restore the garden to its original state before it suffered damage due to Hurricane Ida. The funds will also be used for our continuous commitment to keep the garden open for visitors with alternating exhibits on display every weekend and of course our annual Chauvin Folk Art Festival in April.”

This past fall, the Nicholls Studio Gallery at the Chauvin Sculpture Garden had featured an exhibit of Nicholls State University Spring 2021 Graduates. The Show was hosted by the Friends of the Chauvin Sculpture Garden, and it served as a shining example of how the space lends itself to commemoration, academic showcase, and communal gatherings at Nicholls.  Located on Bayou Petit Caillou in South Louisiana, the Chauvin Sculpture Garden is a “world-class art environment created by outsider artist Kenny Hill.” The garden is “always free and open to the public: daily from 8 am to 5 pm.

When speaking about how the Chauvin Sculpture Garden aims to preserve the legacy of Kenny Hill, Dr. LaFleur said, “This generous donation is a fervent reminder that Nicholls has an international reputation for helping rescue, restore, and maintain the world-renown visionary art of Kenny Hill that can be viewed at the Chauvin Sculpture Garden. The Chauvin Sculpture Garden has helped to put Nicholls on the map within Louisiana, across the nation, and across the globe as a university that is committed to conservation and interpretation of visionary folk art.”

In its earliest form, the Chauvin Sculpture Garden was originally owned by Kenny Hill when he began to transform the bayou environment of his home into a garden that housed over 100 concrete sculptures. The most prominent piece among these was a 45-foot-tall lighthouse sculpture that was composed of 7,000 bricks in total. Prolific as he was, Hill never publicized his work, and he eventually abandoned it in the early 2000s, before the site was gifted to Nicholls. Beginning in 2002, the Chauvin Sculpture Garden has been owned by Nicholls State University, open to the public, and home to the Nicholls State University Art Studio, which was gifted by the Kohler Foundation.

As per Nicholls State University, “The mission of the Chauvin Sculpture Garden and Nicholls Art Studio is to educate the public on the value of Folk Art and its importance in the world of visual arts. The studio and site preserve and protect the creative works of Kenny Hill and display the work of contemporary artists in the 1,000 square foot exhibition space.”

The grant given to the Nicholls Foundation comes from Ruth Arts, a “new grantmaker based in the Midwest dedicated to meeting the evolving needs and lived experiences of artists, communities and arts organizations whose work is anchored by visual arts, performing arts and arts education.” Ruth Arts had announced the Ruth DeYoung Kohler Legacy fund, a grant that was designed to mirror the support that Ruth DeYoung Kohler (1941-2020) had made to arts institutions throughout her lifetime.

Karen Patterson, the Executive Director of Ruth Arts, commented on the fund by saying, “these programs are at once forward-facing and anchored in Ruth DeYoung Kohler II’s inimitable legacy. “We’re proud to honor Ruth’s lifelong commitment to the arts by continuing to fund the organizations she personally supported and to develop new programs in her spirit of experimentation and community-building.”

For more education-related information, click here.