Author: Emily Gautreaux

B&G Restaurateurs Donate to Nicholls State University Athletics

A sizable donation from two Morgan City restaurateurs is set to benefit over 350 student-athletes at Nicholls State University, according to a news release from the school.

Brenda and Gregory Hamer Sr, owners and operators of B&G Food Enterprises, have donated $100,000 to Nicholls State University Athletics. The Hamer family has a history within the Thibodaux and Houma region and with Nicholls State University itself, as their grandson, Garret LeBlanc, is a former Nicholls Football player.

Hillary Charpentier, director of the Colonel Athletic Association, said of the Hammers’ donation, “as the lowest funded school in the Southland Conference, donor dollars allow Nicholls Athletics to compete on the same or higher level than our peer institutions. Support like this has a direct impact on all student-athletes here at Nicholls. Our student-athletes must receive the support they need to compete and succeed at the highest level both on and off the field.”

Previously in 2021, the Hamers had donated $50,000 to the Chef John Folse Culinary Institute so that state-of-the-art kitchen and cooking equipment could be purchased and maintained for Nicholls Students. As a result, the Chef John Folse Culinary Institute’s student lounge and culinary library was named the Gregory and Brenda Hamer Family/Taco Bell Student Lounge and Research Center. Gregory Hamer Jr, the couple’s son, was in the first graduation class of the Chef John Folse Culinary Institute.

Gregory Hamer Sr. remarked to Nicholls press that he and his wife had plenty of reasons to support the university in saying, “we have one grandson who played for the football team, and we have another who plays for them now. We also have businesses in Morgan City, Thibodaux, Houma, and Matthews. It just makes sense for us to support Nicholls. We’ve been proud to support this university for years, and we’re happy to be able to help them with this incredible facility.”

As a sign of their appreciation, Nicholls Athletics has proposed that the Tight Ends Meeting Room be named after the Hamer’s grandson and former Nicholls Football player, Garret LeBlanc, and their business, B&G Enterprises, pending approval from the University of Louisiana System Board of Supervisors.

The naming within the Boucvalt Family Athletic Complex is a part of a naming campaign that began in 2020 to raise money for current and future needs within Nicholls Athletics. The campaign’s initial goal was to name all areas within the facility, and each may be named after an individual, family, or business as per the guidelines set forth by the state of Louisiana, Nicholls State University, and the Donor Gifts Agreement. Funds accumulated from the naming campaign are used as both an endowment and for upkeep and maintenance within the athletic department.

Nicholls Athletic Director, Jonathan Terrell, commented on the recent donation by saying, “every student-athlete benefits from this. For them to be able to give from the heart is incredible because of how many people it’s going to help. We have this excellent new building, and with these dollars will be able to keep it in the best shape possible.”

B&G Food Enterprises, which was initially created in 1982 by the Hamers when they opened their first Taco Bell location in Morgan City, now operates over 150 Taco Bell locations across Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas and is the largest Taco Bell franchise in Louisiana. Gregory Hamer Sr. is a Trustee of the National Restaurant Associationand the past chairman of the National Restaurant Association Education Foundation. Hamer Sr. also served as the president of the Louisiana Restaurant Association and was elected to the association’s Hall of Fame in 2002.

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Experiencing Cape Cod, Massachusetts

Massachusetts is home to one of the most picturesque landscapes on the planet, and with this informative travel guide from the experts over at Touropia, you’ll be captivated by the beauty of Cape Cod, MA in no time at all.

Cape Cod is a northeastern haven brimming with nautical charm in the form of a hook-shaped peninsula that juts out into the Atlantic Ocean. Also known as “the cape,” this area is home to several charming towns, each with its own perspective on Cape Cod’s idyllic beaches, culture-rich artistic escapes, and maritime cuisine.

Undoubtedly, the towns along Cape Cod can vary from sophisticatedly suave centers of arts and culture, such as Provincetown, to the relaxed, laid-back aesthetic and vibes associated with towns in the north like Wellfleet and Truro. No matter where you travel to, they’ll be something special to experience and enjoy.

If you wish to escape to Cape Cod to enjoy the peace and quiet often associated with the idyllic vacation rentals and bed-and-breakfasts associated with New England’s maritime environment, then look no further than the town of Brewster, which is situated on the shores of Cape Cod Bay. Brewster is located in close proximity to Nickerson State Park, the Massachusetts-owned park with 2,000 acres offering over 400 campsites.

One excellent way to see a portion of the park is by riding along the Cape Cod Rail Trail, which is a popular bike path that follows a former railroad for 22 miles through the towns of Brewster, Dennis, Eastham, Harwich, Orleans, and Wellfleet. The Rail Trail is the ideal way to survey as much of the Cape Cod maritime landscape as it also accommodates walkers, runners, and horseback riders.

Inside the town itself, you’ll find that in addition to its expansive beaches, Brewster is also home to several old sea captains’ homes and fishermen’s cottages that have been converted into inns and bed-and-breakfasts, making for an ideal way to both stay on the cape and learn about the surrounding history and culture of the area. Though, another way to go this would be to visit the Cape Cod Museum of Natural History, which is also a nature education center and steward of conservation land that displays local artifacts, hosts traveling exhibits, and offers educational programs for children and adults across its 17,000 square-foot campus.

The Cape Cod Museum of Natural History also features some 400 acres of natural habitat, including 400-plus acres of natural habitat, salt marshes, Wing’s Island, and a lovely beach area that’s located between Quivett and Paine’s creeks. Simply stated, a full day could be spent touring the museum’s many offerings and extensive art collections like the whale exhibits, nature trails, wildflower garden, and nearby beaches.

Speaking of beaches, there’s no surprise that there is always an ideal beach to be explored and enjoyed “just around the corner” once you find yourself “on Cape Cod.” One of the most rewarding ways to truly experience the landscape is by heading out to the Outer Cape Peninsula and surveying the sandy expanses of the Cape Cod National Seashore. Established in 1961 by President John F. Kennedy, this stretch that is seemingly untouched by time offers its visitors a comprehensive overview of the Cape Cod area while also connecting to several hiking trails such as the Great Island Trail, which is a nearly seven-mile hike along the National Seashore in Wellfleet, MA.

Wellfleet itself is a charming reminder that Cape Cod is filled to the brim with artistry in the form of nature, cuisine, and artwork. Wellfleet contains several art galleries and restaurants that give an accurate taste of what makes Cape Cod s special, but it’s also home to a true marvel of industry in the work of Wellfleet Harbor that allows you to survey the fleets of fishing boats setting off from and returning to a dock, all set against the backdrop of the one-of-a-kind Cape Cod Bay.

Though COVID-19 restrictions are beginning to scale back, it’s always a responsible practice to check local travel advisories, city ordinances, and state mandates that may have been implemented due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Travel safely and rest assured that you’ve done your due diligence by referring to CDC travel guidelines.

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International Destinations That Won’t Break the Bank

Other than renewing or obtaining a passport, one of the biggest hindrances for Americans wanting to travel abroad is the expected cost of the hypothetical trip. For some, the assumed price tag can be so intimidating that they won’t even browse through international destinations, knowing that a domestic vacation can meet many of the same requirements, but with this guide by Travel + Leisure detailing “11 Dream International Vacations That Are Surprisingly Affordable,” you can rest easy and assured.

Though COVID-19 restrictions are beginning to scale back, it’s always a responsible practice to check local travel advisories, city ordinances, state mandates, and international travel advisories that may have been implemented due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Travel safely and rest assured that you’ve done your due diligence by referring to CDC travel guidelines.

Travel + Leisure’s Cailey Rizzo compiled the list of unexpectedly affordable international destinations with the assistance of analysts from Kayak, the American online travel agency and metasearch engine. Besides the list of the specificeleven vacation destinations, they also created some useful travel tips for those wanting to travel abroad inexpensively. One of the most rewarding tips is to travel to a country during its routine “off-season,” because despite some thinking that travelers might not get to experience the country “at its best,” many travel guides, blogs, and experts say that the opposite is true. They report that enjoying the country in question at your own pace through uncrowded tourist sites is much more optimal.

Brisbane, Australia

Located in what’s come to be known as Australia’s design capital, Queensland, Brisbane is a cosmopolitan hub for culture, artistic expression, and world-class dining. The Queensland capital is particularly heavy on old and new world charm as its residents are quite aware of the stylish and relaxing environment they live in. The riverside capital is set alongside stunning natural assets and beneath clear blue skies (reportedly year-round) amid what’s been described as a “subtropical alfresco lifestyle.” Keep your travels to the dividing perimeter of the Brisbane River to stay near the city center and enjoy the city’s offerings of open-air markets, the Roma Street Parkland, and the New Farm Park.

If you’re in the mood for educational, cultural, and/or artistic enrichment, be sure to check out the world-class  Queensland Museum and Sciencentre, which is home to SparkLab, the interactive STEM space. One of the most inviting attractions of Brisbane is the

Queensland Art Gallery/ Gallery of Modern Art (QAGOMA) and the Institute of Modern Art (IMA), each of which is set to inspire you through the featuring of Asian-Pacific art. It’s suggested that you travel to Brisbane in May, as that is the cheapest month to travel with roundtrip flights from Los Angeles being available for approximately $700, according to Kayak.

Etyek, Hungary

Often overshadowed by the attractions and glamor of Budapest, Etyek, Hungary is located only a half-hour’s drive from Budapest but is seen as a richer chance to experience Hungarian culture in an authentic, rustic environment.Allow yourself to see the splendors and spoils of Europe amid what’s often been referred to as the “vineyards of Budapest.” This nickname is due to the fact that residents of Etyek have been producing grapes since the mid 18thCentury, likening the city to Champagne, France for its proclivity to produce excellently crisp white wines such as Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc.

If you’re a fan of the filmmaking industry, you’ll be happy to know that Etyek is home to Korda Studios, a film studio that has used the vineyards and the gorgeous setting of Etyek for such films and series as Blade Runner 2049, Inferno, The Martian, and The Last Kingdom. Though, one of the more inviting elements of Etyek is the opportunity to survey Hungarian life in its purest form. You can do this by exploring the character-rich village for yourself to get a taste of authentic Hungarian life amid the quaint tiled roof houses, beautiful Baroque and Roman churches, and rounded wine cellars. Consider renting a bicycle to breathe in the crisp countryside air in an expanse that is best traveled in October, as roundtrip flights are set at about $790, according to Kayak.

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2nd Annual Bayou Terrebonne Boucherie to be held in Downtown Houma

There’s simply no event like a proper South Louisiana Boucherie, and this year a local nonprofit is working hard to bring the second annual Bayou Terrebonne Boucherie to downtown Houma, according to HoumaToday.

For the uninitiated, a Boucherie, which is the french term for a butcher’s shop, is a cajun tradition that’s unique to South Louisiana in that it involves a community coming together over a day or weekend to properly prepare, butcher, and cook a large hog in as many ways as possible. What results is a raving good time of making delicious meals out of every part of the pig imaginable: the ultimate barbeque.

Luckily for those living in close proximity to downtown Houma, the Hache Grant Association, a local nonprofit, is organizing the second annual Bayou Terrebonne Boucherie to be held on March 12th from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Other than delicious food to enjoy, the event will also feature a variety of live music performances, a cook-off, the 2nd annual Pedro tournament, and a “bayou-themed competition called the ‘Cajun Cup.” General admission to the event will be free, and all pork is set to be excellently prepared by Bourgeois Meat Market, Cajun Meat Market, and Big Mike’s BBQ Smokehouse.

The “Cajun Cup,” sponsored by GATR Coolers, is an event that sees “locals compete and put their Cajun merit to the test” via a pirogue race, chicken catch, duck call competition, casting competition, 20 penny nail drive, and an axe throw. The event is also being called the Olympic trials of the event with registration fees set at $100.  Hache Grant Association President Noah Lirette said of the cajun equivalent of the Olympic games, “whether you’re participating or just spectating, it’s a lot of fun.”

Taking place at the event will be a white-bean cookoff, sponsored by Richard’s Kitchen Store. The cook-off will see participating teams compete to cook dishes centered around the delicious white navy bean. Interested persons wanting to participate in the white-bean cookoff need only sign up a team of up to four people by messaging theHache Grant Association’s Facebook Page or via email. Team registration can occur up until the day before the Boucherie with registration fees also set at $100.

Music performances for the Bayou Terrebonne Boucherie are set to last throughout the event: beginning at 9 a.m. and ending at 10 p.m. DJ Doug Funnie will start the event, serving as the emcee, and then MJ Dardar Music will take the stage from 10-12 p.m, No Posers from 12-2 p.m, the Dream Junkies from 2-4 p.m, Adam Pearce Music from 4-6 p.m, the Tyron Benoit Band from 6-8 p.m, and Nonc Nu & Da Wild Matous will close out the event from 8-10 p.m.

Last year’s inaugural Bayou Terrebonne Boucherie was certainly seen as a successful event for the community, and not just because of the food served or the turnout, but this is because the event also served as a fundraising event to rebuild the historic downtown Houma bandstand. As a result of the first event, the Hache Grant Association was formed with the mission and purpose of “facilitating specific, actionable and measurable revitalization initiatives to enhance Terrebonne Parish.” Association President Noah Lirette told HoumaToday that proceeds from this year’s Boucherie will also benefit such projects.

The Terrebonne Parish Council approved the Hache Grant Association’s construction of the replica bandstand in December 2021. The replica’s recreated design will be based on the appearance of the original bandstand as seen in historical photographs. Though it’s still in the building permit process, the Hache Grant Association plans to soon seek bids for the bandstand’s reconstruction this spring, with the replica being available for public use upon completion.

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LDOE Releases Guidance for Improving Special Education Outcomes

In an effort to support school systems in improving outcomes for Special Education Programs, the Louisiana Department of Education has released its second guidance document in an ongoing series, as per a Louisiana Believes news release.  The LDOE has already released its first issue of what its calling “Guidance for Leading Inclusive Special Education Programs” in January, and they’ve recently released a second set of supportive documents with five more slated to come later in 2022.

Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning, Dr. Jenna Chiasson, commented on the important need for such guidance from the Louisiana Department of Education, saying “now, more than ever, school systems are facing unprecedented challenges in meeting the emerging needs of students with disabilities. These guidance documents provide school systems with practical and timely resources to work cross-departmentally to improve outcomes for students with disabilities.”

Earlier this year in January 2022, the LDOE had released its first issue in the series: “Leveraging Data to Align Budgets and Spending to Priorities.”  The purpose of the issued guidance was to answer the question, “how do school systems create a spending plan to support the programming needs of students with disabilities?” As educators were encouraged to refer to the document, they were asked to take a self-assessment that aimed to support school system leaders wanting to identify areas to strengthen planning structures and processes when aligning budgets and spending to priorities.

Then, in February 2022, the LDOE released its second issue in the support series: “Creating Compliant Systems for Student Success.” This document and accompanying webinar set out to answer the guiding question of “How can school systems develop and maintain compliant systems that improve student outcomes?”

The guidance issued wanted to address the structures created by school systems that achieve compliance but at the cost of student outcomes, causing the individualized needs of the student with disabilities to be ignored in the name of system-wide efficiency. What was suggested what that school systems leaders rethink special education by examining these existing systems “that limit opportunities for children with disabilities; practices that put the needs of ‘the system’ over the individual needs of a child; and policies that, no matter how well-intentioned, do not have the impact of improving outcomes for students.”

These guiding documents are being issued by the Louisiana Department of Education in an ongoing effort to navigate the unique and complex challenges associated with improving the outcomes for students with disabilities. The series, which is slated to continue through at least June 2022, will support school systems in improving special education programming by leveraging best-practices cross-departmentally. By tackling systemic areas of improvement at the root of the cause, school systems and individual schools can collaborate on these improved practices across disciplines and departments for the betterment of the student with disabilities. This has already been seen with January’s Guidance for aligning both spending priorities and budgets in the effort of improving student outcomes.

LDOE adapted content for “Guidance for Leading Inclusive Special Education Programs” from a comprehensive developmental program aimed at novice special education leaders called SPED Fellow Academy as well as a partnership with a diverse group of special education leaders from across Louisiana, who serve as advisors.

Dr. Shayla Guidry Hilaire, Chief Student and School Support Officer for New Orleans Public Schools commented on being a part of the advising leaders in saying “it is an honor to be a part of a project that starts with equity as the foundation for the work that we do as special education leaders. The LDOE listened to the needs of special education leaders and created ongoing support that addresses those needs in an authentic way. Our special education community has experienced many challenges during the pandemic and these guidance materials and webinars provide hope during a time when educators are in need of ongoing support to improve outcomes for our most vulnerable learners.”

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Pralines – The South’s Best Treat

One of the most delicious ways to literally treat yourself in the American South is to enjoy a homemade pecan praline, and with this authentic, heartfelt recipe from House of Nash Eats, it’s never been easier to enjoy the melt-in-your-mouth candy in the comfort of your own home!

Though pecan pralines are found in countless corner stores, gas stations, and kitchen counters across the Southern United States, the tradition of cooking (and enjoying) pecan pralines originated from France in the 17th century and came to the United States by way of French chefs in Louisiana, specifically being associated with New Orleans.

Despite their origins, the southern pecan praline is a sweet candy mixture that is often described as being somewhere between a candy confection and a cookie that’s loaded with a delicious brown sugar flavor amid texture-rich pecans. One of the keys to the praline’s hyper-specific, languid texture is the use of heavy cream or milk in its creation. As with any true southern recipe, the list of ingredients varies, and when it comes to the dairy element of pralines, they can be made with milk, creme, half-and-half, heavy whipping cream,evaporated milk, or buttermilk.

Ingredients

  • 1 cup of granulated sugar
  • 1 cup of brown sugar
  • ½ cup of evaporated milk, heavy whipping cream, or buttermilk
  • 4 tablespoons of unsalted butter, set at room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
  • 2 cups of chopped pecans and halves
  • ⅛ teaspoon of salt

Directions

  1. You’ll begin this recipe by lining a baking sheet tray with parchment paper and setting it aside. In a heavy pot, combine your granulated sugar, salt, evaporated milk, and butter over medium heat. Cook this mixture and stir it with a wooden spoon until both the sugars dissolve and the mixture comes to a boil.
  2. Continue to cook until the temperature reaches a key temperature between 235°F and 240°F. Most southern praline makers quote 236°F as the literal “sweet spot.” The best cooking instrument to use for this task would be a candy thermometer. As soon as your mixture is within that temperature range, you’ll want to remove the pot from the heat and allow your praline mixture to cool for about 5 minutes.
  3. At this point, once the contents of the pot have cooled, you will stir in your vanilla extract and (fresh if possible) pecans.  Beat the mixture vigorously by hand with a wooden spoon just until the candy begins to lose its glossiness and starts to thicken slightly, which should take just about 2 minutes. If you beat the candy longer than that, the candy pieces will start to seize and crumble. However, if you don’t beat the mixture long enough, then the pralines won’t set properly and will remain soft and sticky. It’s a delicate process, so be sure to only beat the candy by hand until it thickens ever slightly and not longer than two minutes.
  4. After your two minutes, work quickly and efficiently to drop medium to large-sized heaping teaspoons of pecan praline mixture onto your parchment-paper-lined baking sheet. Consider using a cookie dough scoop for easier distribution. If the mixture begins to harden before you have a chance to scoop all of the pralines from the pot, simply add in a teaspoon of hot water at a time to be able to scoop again.
  5. Once the pralines are set on the parchment paper-lined baking sheet, allow them to cool completely until they are set and firm. You can then store them in an airtight container, where they’ll last up to two weeks, or freeze them for up to 2 months.

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