Author: Cheré Coen

The Krewe of Highland

  Mardi Gras weather can turn on a dime, one reason my mother used to create costumes that could easily be worn as is or slipped over long sleeves and long johns. That was the case in Shreveport last year…

Louisiana Winter Beer Festival

  More than 40 breweries will be on tap at the Louisiana Winter Beer Festival from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, March 9, in the 1000 block of Ryan Street overlooking the Calcasieu Parish Courthouse and 1911 Historic City…

No Man’s Land

  When the United State purchased Louisiana from France, practically doubling the size of the country, their next-door neighbor had a few issues with the deal. Spain, which owned the territory that’s now Texas, disputed the boundary lines on its…

New Llano Colony

Chalk this under who knew, Louisiana? Labor lawyer and socialist Job Harriman was popular with the voters at the turn of the 20th century, but never enough to get elected. He ran for U.S. vice president with Eugene Debs in…

Cinema on the Bayou

  I used to beg festival organizers to place one in January, something festive to enjoy inside away from the wet, chilly weather. Then came Cinema on the Bayou Film Festival in Lafayette, a multi-day event that showcases numerous independent,…

Chasing Eagles

  Years ago, on a visit to Toledo Bend I spotted a bald eagle’s nest in a remote spot of South Toledo Bend State Park. When January rolled around this year and I was in bad need of a nature…

Cypress Bayou Casino Hotel Celebrates 25th Anniversary

  Like many Louisiana organizations, the Chitimacha Tribe of Louisiana looked to raise money and started small, opening the Chitimacha Bayouland Bingo. In December 1993, the tribe took things up a notch, transforming the bingo establishment into Cypress Bayou Casino,…

Hangin' in the Hub

Two hours from Hattiesburg, Mississippi, takes you to Jackson, New Orleans and the Coast, which is why it’s known as the Hub City. Shopping, craft breweries and art galleries dot the historic downtown and at the city’s heart lies the…

King Cakes

Twin’s Burgers & Sweet’s boudin king cake consists of a savory dough and boudin marriage, drizzled with Steen’s syrup on top and cracklin’ bits Carnival’s Gateau des Rois may have its beginnings in France but today’s Louisiana king cakes have…

Bienvenue, Papa Noel

While most of the United States anxiously awaits the arrival of Santa Claus on Christmas Eve, in Louisiana children look for Papa Noel. To help the French Santa find their stockings hanging by the chimney with care, we light bonfires…

If Our Ancestors Decorated For The Holidays

  I’m a history nerd, so I must admit that part of me balks at the sight of holiday lights and laughing Santa Claus decorating a historic village. But only for a millisecond. As quickly as that idea floats through…

Breakaway largest ship to sail from New Orleans

This past week Norwegian Cruise Line brought its Norwegian Breakaway ship to the New Orleans port and now offers five- to 11-days cruises to the Caribbean. The Breakaway, named Best Cruise Ship for Families by USA Today, is now the…

2018 Louisiana Book Festival

It’s been 15 years since the inauguration of the Louisiana Book Festival and I have attended all but two events and can honestly say I’ve loved every minute. The annual fall festival gathers together dozens and dozens of authors celebrating…

This Time Of Year Is A Grave Affair

  “You should celebrate the end of a love affair as they celebrate death in New Orleans, with songs, laughter, dancing and a lot of wine.” —Francoise Sagan   Death may be a solemn affair in other parts of the…

Spirits of Louisiana

  There’s so much to love about the Old State Capitol in Baton Rouge despite that Mark Twain once called it “pathetic." The castle-like structure sits on a hill facing the Mississippi River in the heart of downtown Baton Rouge,…

October in Alexandria

  October is an illuminating, artistic affair in downtown Alexandria. First up, the annual Fall Arts Council of Central Louisiana ArtWalk will be from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, Oct. 19, with music, dance, visual artists and more than…

Lifting The Veil

Through the month of October, St. Landry Catholic Church Cemetery bring former residents to life

Rockin’ Ruston

  It’s “Loyal Blue Weekend” in Ruston, three days of football fun with Louisiana Tech, and this weekend the Bulldogs take on the University of Alabama at Birmingham. There will be a Rock the Railroad rally Friday night with live…

Get Lost In A Corn Maze

Fall comes slowly to Louisiana, with temperatures taking their sweet time to drop and trees turning colors closer to Thanksgiving than Halloween. If you’re eager for something that smells and tastes like autumn, besides the pumpkin spice lattes at Starbucks,…

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