Author: Emily Gautreaux

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.

Cajun Meatball Fricassée Recipe

If you’re looking for a dish that will taste like it’s from your Cajun grandma’s Sunday dinner table, then look no further. This recipe for Meatball Fricassée from Acadiana Table is a perfect, classically cajun recipe that is as delicious as it is relatively simple to master. Meatball Fricassée is a classic Roux-based recipe that is sure to please even the pickiest of eaters. The combination of dark roux, chicken stock, ground pork, short rib, and beef chuck create a delicious and hearty meal that is perfect for any night of the week. So if you’re looking for a new way to spice up your dinner routine, give this recipe a try.

While there are many ways to make a classic Roux-based recipe, this Meatball Fricassée recipe is one of the best, as it makes excellent use of dark roux. A Roux is a mixture of flour and fat (usually butter) that is used to thicken soups and sauces. This recipe uses a store-bought dark roux, but your dish will always be benefitted from making your own.

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds of ground beef chuck (80/20 fat content)
  • 2 pounds of ground pork
  • 1 pound of ground short rib
  • 6 large eggs
  • 1 cup of whole milk
  • 4 tablespoons of dark roux
  • 4 cups of chicken stock
  • 1 cup of Parmesan cheese
  • 2 green bell peppers, diced
  • 4 large yellow onions, diced
  • 1 cup of diced green onion tops
  • ¼ cup of minced garlic
  • 2 cups of diced celery
  • 2 tablespoons of chopped fresh rosemary
  • ¼ cup of chopped flat-leaf parsley
  • 1 tablespoon of dried thyme
  • 1 tablespoon of dried basil
  • 1 tablespoon of dried oregano
  • 8 cups of cooked Louisiana long-grain white rice
  • 6 slices of white sandwich bread
  • 1 cup of crumbled Ritz crackers
  • 1 tablespoon of cayenne pepper
  • 4 tablespoons of olive oil, divided
  • 2 tablespoons of Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 dashes of Tabasco hot sauce
  • 1 tablespoon of white pepper
  • 3 tablespoons of kosher salt
  • 3 tablespoons offreshly ground black pepper

Directions

  1. You’ll want to begin this delicious cajun recipe by preheating your oven to 400ºF. Then, take your white sandwich bread and remove the outer crusts, placing the crustless slices into a large mixing bowl. Pour your whole milk over the bread and crack the eggs into the mixture as well. Add in your Worcestershire sauce and the cheese. Then, with your hands, break up the bread pieces, combine it all together, and leave the mixture to soak.
  2. Take a large skillet and place it on the stove over medium-high heat. Add 2 tablespoons of olive oil and sauté the cajun cooking “holy trinity,” that is – onions, bell pepper, and celery. Only sauté the ingredients until they’re tender, and then add your garlic, parsley, and herbs. Continue to cook until your onions begin to brown (about 8 minutes). Once they begin to brown, remove the skillet from the heat and let it cool.
  3. In another large mixing bowl, add in all your meat and break them into small pieces. Mix all the meat together evenly, and then combine the meat with the egg and break the mixture. Add in your vegetables and herb mixture next, and combine it all together. Add your ritz cracker crumbs along with the spices and a few dashes of Tabasco, and then form the mixture into golf-ball sized meatballs of a uniform size.
  4. Take a large cast-iron pot with a heavy lid, and heat it over medium-high heat. Add in your remaining olive oil, and then once the oil reaches the smoking point, add the meatballs in batches, browning them on all sides.
  5. On a large sheet tray that’s lined with aluminum foil, line up all of your meatballs, and insert them into the oven, allowing them to bake for 45 minutes. Once done, remove them from the oven and keep them warm.
  6. As the meatballs are baking, you’ll make the gravy by adding your holy trinity to the pot and browning the celery, bell pepper, and onions. Brown them for 5 minutes, add your dark roux to the pot, and pour in your chicken stock. Stir all of the vegetables until the roux is completely melted into the stock, and the contents of the pot are thickened.
  7. Lower the heat of the stove burner to a simmer and add your baked meatballs to the gravy. Cover the pot, and allow it to cook for an hour.
  8. When you’re ready to serve, you’ll ladle your meatballs and gravy over a mound of white rice and garnish withgreen onion tops. Serve alongside warmed French Bread, and enjoy!

For more delicious recipes, click here.

Destinations to Check Out in Utah

Looking for an amazing place to visit that isn’t too crowded? Then look no further than Utah! This beautiful state is full of incredible scenery, from the red rocks of Bryce Canyon National Park to the snow-capped peaks of the Wasatch Range, and while Utah is best known for its outdoor recreation opportunities, there’s also plenty to do indoors, from exploring the state’s rich history to sampling its delicious cuisine. Thanks to this excellent travel guide for the great state of Utah from Travel + Leisure, you’ll be completely set with a place that’s perfect for hiking, skiing, or simply relaxing. Utah has something for everyone, and what follows is just a few of the best places to visit in Utah.

The “Mighty Five”, Utah

The “Mighty Five” is a nickname given to the five national parks in Utah: Arches, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef, Bryce Canyon, and Zion. These parks are some of the most popular tourist destinations in the state, and for good reason. They offer an incredible variety of landscapes and activities to enjoy. Whether you’re looking to hike, camp, rock climb, or just take in the incredible views, the Mighty Five have something to offer everyone. And if you’re lucky enough to visit during the fall or winter months, you may even get to experience a little bit of snow!

Bonneville Salt Flats

The Bonneville Salt Flats are one of the most unique places in the world. The flats are a huge, nearly-flat expanse of salt that covers more than 30,000 acres. The salt flats are so flat that they appear to be almost level with the horizon. The Bonneville Salt Flats were formed over millions of years as evaporating lakes left behind thick layers of salt. The area is now part of the Great Salt Lake Desert. While the Bonneville Salt Flats may not seem like much at first glance, they are actually a popular destination for speed lovers. The flats are the perfect place to set land speed records because of their vast size and level surface. In fact, the Bonneville Salt Flats have been used for land speed records since 1914! If you’re looking for an otherworldly experience, the Bonneville Salt Flats are definitely worth a visit.

Dinosaur National Monument, Utah

Dinosaur National Monument is one of the best places to visit in Utah for anyone who loves dinosaurs. This monument is home to over 1,500 fossils of different dinosaurs, making it one of the largest dinosaur fossil sites in the world. Aside from being a paleontologist’s dream come true, the Dinosaur National Monument is also a great place for hiking, camping, and rafting. The monument spans over 210,000 acres of land, much of which is preserved as wilderness. There are plenty of trails to explore and views to take in. And if you’re feeling adventurous, you can even go whitewater rafting down the Green River – just be sure to get a permit first.

Homestead Crater

Homestead Crater is a unique geological feature located in Midway, Utah. The crater is a 55-foot-deep, naturally formed underground cavern that is heated by a hot spring. The temperature of the spring remains a constant 96 degrees Fahrenheit, making it perfect for year-round swimming. The Homestead Crater is open to the public and offers a variety of activities, including swimming, scuba diving, and snorkeling. There are also fitness classes and massage services available.

Fifth Water Hot Springs

The Fifth Water Hot Springs is one of the best places to visit in Utah. The hot springs are located in a remote area of the state, and they offer a unique experience for visitors. The springs are known for their healing properties, and they are said to be able to relieve pain and stress. The springs are also a great place to relax and enjoy the natural beauty of Utah.

Paria Canyon-Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness

The Paria Canyon-Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness is a vast and beautiful wilderness area that is perfect for hiking, camping, and exploring. The canyon walls are towering and the views are simply stunning. There are also a variety of wildlife species that can be spotted in the wilderness, making it a great place for wildlife watching.

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

Federal Funding for Louisiana’s “Hurricane Highway” Likely on the Way

Louisiana’s “Hurricane Highway” might finally be next in line to receive federal funds to repair a collection of widespread ecological damage from the Mississippi River-Gulf Outlet (MRGO) shipping channel, according to this article from NOLA.com. The Mississippi River-Gulf Outlet shipping channel is a 76-mile channel constructed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers during the mid 20th century that provides a shorter route between ships traveling from the Gulf of Mexico to New Orleans’ inner harbor Industrial Canal via the Intracoastal Waterway, and ever since Hurricane Katrina struck the area in 2005, New Orleans residents have cursed the area, and state officials and activists have labeled it a “hurricane highway.”

It’s expected that Congress will soon approve legislation that will indicate that the federal government is responsible for financing a plan to restore wetlands eroded by the Mississippi River-Gulf outlet, or “Mr. Go,” as it’s often referred to. Despite the fact that the money would still need to be appropriated, the fact is that this years-long dispute over determining who should pay to restore the wetlands will finally come to a close. This note of legislative closure will be seen as a major victory for Louisiana officials, once passed.

U.S. Rep. Garret Graves, R-Baton Rouge, who has worked closely on the issue in Congress, commented on this issue by saying, “overall in terms of ecological productivity and buffer, this is an important project that needs to happen, and it is mitigating the adverse impacts of the federal project that was the MRGO.” Rep. Graves was formerly the state’s point man on coastal restoration.

The provision of funds is only a part of broader legislation that will authorize water-related projects nationwide, and Nola.com provided a list of the other Louisiana levee and flood protection projects that would be included in that authorization. The U.S. House of Representatives approved the legislation recently, and the Senate is expected to do the same in the coming days.

The shipping channel, which is 76-miles, was originally built as a shortcut from the Gulf of Mexico to the “doorstep” of New Orleans.  It has since been labeled a “hurricane highway” by Louisiana officials due to the fact that many storm surges were funneled through the MRGO during Hurricane Katrina, contributing to the devastating levee failure that allowed for the city to be inundated. While the Army Corps of Engineers has since reportedly downplayed the channel’s role during Katrina, MRGO’s long-term effects are still considered to run much deeper.

Since the channel fully opened in 1968, it has helped erode vast areas of marsh and wetlands in the passing decades. This has resulted in the damaging of the New Orleans area’s natural storm buffer and the alteration of the ecosystem at large. Additionally, saltwater intrusion through the MRGO, which was originally not used as heavily as was originally intended by the shipping industry, has aided in the destruction of cypress and tupelo swamp that once bordered the city of New Orleans.

Whenever the channel was closed in 2009 with the construction of a rock dam at Bayou La Loutre, it was disputed who should pay for the damage the channel left behind in its wake and where the funds should have originated from, making this recent indication of a nearby victory all-the-more encouraging.

Amanda Moore, the director of the National Wildlife Federation’s Gulf Program, is also the coordinator of the MRGO Must Go Coalition. She spoke about the issue by saying that this new legislation “marks a crucial milestone for addressing the disastrous legacy of the MRGO. More than 17 years after Hurricane Katrina, Congress has clarified its original intent – to fully and federally fund implementation of the MRGO ecosystem restoration plan.”

For more Louisiana-related articles, click here.

Keep Nicholls Beautiful Awarded Grant for New Campus Water Bottle Refilling Stations

It was recently announced that the Keep Nicholls Beautiful (KNB) organization has been selected as a recipient of Keep Louisiana Beautiful’s University Affiliate Grant. According to this news release from Nicholls State University, the coveted University Affiliate Grant will allow KNB to install two new water bottle refilling stations on campus as well as host a water bottle giveaway. The water bottle giveaway will also serve as an opportunity for students receiving a new bottle to sign a pledge to stop single-use plastic water bottles and also sign up to volunteer at the next KNB event.

Keep Louisiana Beautiful, an affiliate of Keep America Beautiful, is the state’s premier anti-litter and community improvement organization, and their University Affiliate Grant that’s been awarded to Nicholls is in the amount of $4,354.15. The University Affiliate Grant program was originally developed as part of a $500,000 five-year EPA Gulf of Mexico Trash Free Waters Grant that was secured by the University of Louisiana at Lafayette in 2021.

As part of that five-year Grant, Keep Louisiana Beautiful was established as a sub-recipient, and the funding has allowed for the University Affiliates Program to be launched, a litter assessment app to be developed, educational training videos or campus communities to be created, and grant opportunities for University Affiliates to be created. The program itself is operated in response to a growing interest in sustainability, waste reduction, and litter prevention that is able to occur at the university level.

Speaking on being selected as a recipient of the Keep Louisiana Beautiful University Affiliate Grant, Dr. Mitzi Jackson,the Keep Nicholls Beautiful Task Force Chair, said, “Keep Nicholls Beautiful is grateful to receive this grant from Keep Louisiana Beautiful. Nicholls students desire more water bottle refilling stations on campus, and with this grant, we will install two new stations in academic buildings. The water bottle giveaway aims to reduce the utilization of single-use plastic water bottles and will help to educate our campus on the harmful environmental effects of single-use plastics.”

Keep Nicholls Beautiful was formed during the fall of 2021 when Nicholls State University became part of the first cohort of the Keep Louisiana Beautiful University Affiliate Program. This year, the impacts of KNB were seen as over 1,200 students moved into residence halls for the Fall 2022 semester, and KNB members collected their cardboard boxes. The boxes were then donated to the LaFourche Arc as a part of their prominent cardboard recycling program.

In the forthcoming Spring Semester, Keep Nicholls Beautiful is planning to stay busy, which will include educating the campus community on proper recycling techniques and other sustainable practices that they can implement. KNB has taken the steps to arrange for two courses to partner together on a collaborative education outreach campaign. One of Dr. Juliann Allen’s marketing courses will collaborate with one of Ms. Trisha Rabalais’ graphic design courses for the planned service lending project.

At the end of the Spring 2023 semester, KNB plans to partner with the Colonel Closet to collect any unwanted items, nonperishable food items, and hygiene products from students moving out of the residence halls on campus. The nonperishable foods and hygiene products will then be donated to Mom’s Pantry and other local food banks in the area, which other items considered necessary for making a residence hall room more comfortable, such as kitchen supplies, decor and wall art, and storage containers, will be used for a Trash to Treasure sale at the start of the Fall 2023 Semester. The Task Force in charge of Keep Nicholls Beautiful consists of members from each college, various key departments on campus, SGA, and the GREEN Club.

For more education-related information, click here.

A Guide for Consistently Crispy Waffles

While it’s no secret that a stack of waffles is one of the most celebrated breakfast dishes at the Sunday morning table, it’s also known that creating a uniform stack of waffles with a consistent crispy texture is a feat in and of itself. That’s why this guide from Epicurious for how to make crispy waffles, every time is essential for anyone wanting to improve their waffle recipe to be more reliable.

Not just appropriate for breakfast, waffles are a delicious, versatile food dish that is perfect for any time of the day. They’re rich and fluffy, and they can be topped with anything from Nutella to fresh fruit, but one thing that can make or break your waffle experience is how crispy the outside turns out. The following tips and suggestions will provide you with the tools needed to cook your waffles so that they come out consistently crispy each and every time!

There are a few key things that make a good waffle recipe, but one of the first and foremost is ensuring that you’re starting your recipe with a good batter. This means using high-quality flour, like all-purpose or bread flour, and whisking it together with milk and melted butter until it’s smooth. An excellent waffle batter is benefitted from using butter that’s completely melted, slightly hearing your milk or buttermilk, and refraining from whipping your egg whites.

Next, you need to ensure that you are going to be cooking your waffle batter atop a high-heat platform, whether that’s a waffle iron or griddle. Simply stated, if you’re looking for crispy waffles, you’ll want to cook them on high heat. This will help to create a crisp outer shell while still keeping the inside soft and fluffy. Be sure to keep an eye on your waffles as they cook, as they can quickly go from crispy to burnt.

Any waffle lover knows that the key to making perfect waffles is getting the batter just right. Too little and your waffles will be dry and crumbly, too much and they’ll be soggy and undercooked. So how do you know how much batter your waffle maker can take? Here’s a quick guide:

For Belgian-style waffle makers:

– ½ cup batter for a 4-inch round waffle

– ¾ cup batter for a 6-inch round waffle

– 1 cup batter for a 7-inch round or square waffle

For standard waffle makers:

– ½ to ⅔ cup batter for a 4-inch round or square waffle

– ¾ to 1 cup batter for a 6-inch round or square waffle

If you’ve ever had a waffle that’s been overcooked and rubbery, you know the importance of flipping them at just the right time. So how do you know when to flip your waffle? There are a few telltale signs that it’s time to give your waffle a flip. First, take a peek inside the waffle maker. If the batter has spread evenly and is beginning to bubble, it’s ready to be flipped. Another way to tell if your waffle is ready to be flipped is by gently pressing down on the top with a spatula. If the batter springs back up, it needs more time to cook. If it stays indented, it’s time to give it a flip. Once you’ve mastered the art of flipping your waffles at just the right time, you’ll be able to enjoy perfectly crispy waffles every time!

Additional Notes:

For more delicious recipes, click here.