Author: Site Staff

Regional Travel

    While much of the country is still bundled up in winter coats during March and April, in Louisiana these are some of the best months to hit the road for a beautiful weekend getaway or a full-blown spring break.…

Capitol crime — 70 years later

Sept. 8, 1935, was one of those always - remember - where - you - were - when -you-heard-about-it days, for those who were alive during that turbulent political time. Years later, Betty Carter, matriarch of an esteemed family with…

Regional Travel

Winter in the South can be a wonderful season to travel. The weather is mild. Crowds and prices are often at a minimum. Winter travelers can take advantage of some great opportunities to explore across state lines and discover some…

Statewide Carnival Calendar

Northern Louisiana Jan. 3. Twelfth Night Celebration. Bossier Civic Center, Bossier City (318) 741-8900. Jan. 9. Sobek Bal, 7 p.m. Riverview Hall, 600 Clyde Fant Parkway, Shreveport (318) 673-5100. Jan. 10. Sobek Parade, 1 p.m. Fairgrounds, 3701 Hudson Ave., Shreveport…

Letters

I was reading my latest copy of Louisiana Life, and I love it as I have for the past few years as a subscriber.I am curious, however. In the “Barometer” section by Carolyn Kolb, for “What’s Not,” y’all listed a…

The Great Lousiana Quiz

1.These lines are from a medieval French Mardi Gras song still remembered by some old-timers in Cajun County: “Capitaine, Capitaine, voyage ton flag /Allons se mettre dessus le chemin.” What is the name of the song?A. “La Chanson de Mardi…

Lifetimes

Northern LouisianaThrough May 2. “Michael Graham: Cane River Back Roads.” Old Courthouse Museum, 600 2nd St., Natchitoches (318) 357 2270. Through Jan. 25. “The Photographs of Andy Warhol.” Meadows Museum of Art, Centenary College, 2911 Centenary Blvd., Shreveport (318) 869-5169.…

The Great Louisiana Quiz

Pictured above is what was then the newly built Charity Hospital in New Orleans, which opened in 1832. This was the fifth building in the succession of Charity hospitals. The original opened in 1736 with money left in the will…

Autumn Times

Northern LouisianaThrough Sept. 30. Mummies: Secrets of the Pharaohs. Sci-Port Discovery Center, Shreveport 318-424-3466.Through Sept. 30. Grand Canyon Adventure: River at Risk. Sci-Port Discovery Center, Shreveport 318-424-3466.Sept. 16. Designing an Evening Garden. Biedenharn Museum & Gardens, Monroe (318) 387-5281, www.bmuseum.org.…

Cowboys and livestock gather in Houston

If Disney productions and the world of rodeo merged, what you might have is the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. I had been to rodeos before, mostly small-scale affairs where cowboys with Stetsons angling over their eyes and their cheeks…

Retirement in Louisiana

Louisiana is more than just a great place to visit –– it’s also a great place to retire. With its rich history and culture, charming small towns, thriving cities, moderate climate and varied topography, Louisiana can meet the needs of…

Fall Festivals

The communities where they are held include lots of things to see and do, so you can extend your visit to take in some of Louisiana’s most interesting spots.    Here’s a look at some of the festivals slated for this…

Around Louisiana: Cajun Country

LOUISIANA GROWNCitrus with a smileEach October the sight of satsumas pleasantly reminds me of a Sunday morning the autumn that I was 7. It was the first cool day after the onslaught of summer. The house was wide open to…

Real Estate Update

W  hen deciding on a new home, leave city woes behind and head out to the serenity of nature at these two new developments. Both are close enough to city conveniences while still offering open space, green vistas and a…

Louisiana Health Update

Wellness is about prevention first, and then intervention. A good wellness plan involves regular care. The state of Louisiana is constantly seeking to update the standards of care available to its citizens. With over 60 qualified hospitals and countless specialists…

Louisiana’s Best

Our readers have spoken. Our Spring and Summer issues contained self-addressed postage-paid ballots with which readers were asked to pick their Louisiana favorites in many categories. In tallying the results, we only included those places for which there was a…

Surfing for Festivals

JanuaryDistrict Junior Livestock ShowsLafayette, www.iberiatravel.com/dail.phpRice Capital ChampionshipGumbo CookoffCrowley, www.crowleychamber.comFebruary3rd Annual Cajun Squeezebox ShootoutJennings, www.squeezeboxshootout.com Late February/Early MarchBlack Heritage FestivalLake Charles, www.bhflc.orgLouisiana Redbud FestivalVivian, www.laredbud.com MarchUncle Earl’s Hog Dog TrialsWinnfield, www.BayedSolid.com/uncle_earls.htm Creole FestivalJeanerette, www.acadianoaks.com/events.htm World Championship CrawfishÉtouffée Cookoff ContestEunice, www.Eunice-la.comRabbit FestivalIowa,…

Louisiana Life at the 2008 Louisiana Peach Festival

Louisiana Life Magazine spent a fun weekend in Ruston meeting and greeting at the 2008 Louisiana Peach Festival.  The theme of this year's festival was Stars and Peaches Forever and while peaches may not usually be associated with patriotism the…

The Great Louisiana Quiz

The name “zydeco” evolved from a French phrase referring to which green?A. Green peasB. CabbageC. Brussels sproutsD. Snap beansWhich Louisiana university has green as its primary school color?A.  McNeeseB.  Louisiana TechC.  TulaneD.  Louisiana CollegeFor the St. Patrick’s Day celebration in…

Summer Times

Northern LouisianaJune 1-2. Beach Bash. 2909 Kilpatrick Blvd., Monroe (318) 651-4409.June 2. 20th Annual Classic Chevy Jamboree. Holiday Inn, Monroe (318) 397-1181.June 2. 22nd Annual Marengo Swamp Ride. Beouf River Wildlife Area, Hebert (318) 728-2300.June 7-9. Scrapbook Celebration. West Monroe…

Louisiana Culinary Trail Guides

In Louisiana, when two or three people gather for lunch, the conversation almost always turns to food: “What did you eat for breakfast? Where are you eating supper?” Cooking and eating are a big part of Louisiana culture, and our…

Green Space

Marie Bossard and Tony Adrian live in a “green” house in the quaint community of Prairie Laurent, near Breaux Bridge. They catch rainwater and create their own electricity. Imagine having a $0 electric bill and a $0 water bill. Here…

Regional Travel

Take a drive to Alabama for a weekend on the Gulf. Built by Aronov Realty in a spectacularly beautiful location adjacent to the 4,200-acre Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge, Martinique on the Gulf is a classic beachside community offering a…

A Louisiana Life: Maggie Mae Renfro

Don’t tell Maggie Mae Renfro the times are a-changing –– because, honey, she’s seen it all.In her lifetime she has witnessed the turning of two centuries, the rise of the United States into a world power, two world wars, the…

The Great Louisiana Quiz

Zachary Taylor, who, though born in Virginia, spent part of his adult life living in Louisiana near Baton Rouge. By what nickname was he best known?A. Old Rough and ReadyB. TippecanoeC. Old HickoryD.  ZThere has been one presidential nominating convention…

Lifetimes Spring (April 1 – June 30)

Northern LouisianaThrough April 27. The American Soldier, A Photographic Tribute. Louisiana State Exhibit Museum, Shreveport (318) 632-2020.April 3. ULM Presidential Lyceum Series: James Carville and Mary Matalin. University of Louisiana,  Monroe (318) 342-5447.April 4, 11, 18, 25. Brown Bag Concerts.…

The State of Louisiana

Dear Friends,Louisiana’s African-American Heritage Trail is our newest offering for both travelers and Louisiana citizens. It is a collection of sites around our state that showcase the contributions of African Americans to history and culture, to food and music, to…

Around Louisiana-Northern Louisiana

PROFILELocal boy makes goodStanding 6 feet, 5 inches tall and weighing in at a not-so-diminutive 245 pounds, Luke Sanders is not only an outstanding linebacker who helped bring a BCS National Championship title to his alma mater but also a…

Regional Travel

You work hard all week, even all year. Why not recharge your batteries with a long weekend in beautiful Florida, Alabama, Texas or Mississippi this season? Each of these destinations offers top-quality accommodations, attractions, dining, shopping and much more. From…

Louisiana Destinations

This year, one of the best places to include on your travel itinerary is right in the center of the state. Alexandria and Pineville sit on opposite banks of the Red River in the middle of Louisiana, offering a unique…

Autumn OCT. 1 – Dec. 31

Abbeville's Giant Omelet Celebration, Abbeville, Nov.3-4. Information, (337) 893-0013.Northern LouisianaOct. 5-6. Robeline Heritage Festival, El Camino Rio, Natchitoches, (318) 472-3405.Oct. 6. Lake Claiborne Car and Bike Show, Lake Claiborne State Park, Homer, (318) 927-2976.Oct. 6. Indian Games, Poverty Point State…

Quirky Texas

You know Texas for the Alamo, the theme parks, the Texas-sized malls and the miles of beaches. But even for long-time travelers to the Lone Star State there are plenty of attractions that you just might’ve missed. Have you examined…

Feeling the pulse

Call it a side effect of the Baby Boomers going gray. Or blame it on financial pressures squeezing adults of all ages. Whatever the reason, more and more people in the U.S. are worrying about health care. They fret about…

Summer – JULY1-SEPT.30

Northern LouisianaJuly 1. 6th Annual Monroe Jacee/Ryan Chevrolet Water Front Festival & Fire Works Show, Forsythe Park Boat Launch, Monroe, (318) 325-9018.July 1-8. American Junior Brahman Association Show, Ike Hamilton Expo Center, West Monroe, (318) 325-9160.July 4. 4th of July…

Cruising from Louisiana

“So be my guest, you’ve got nothin’ to loseWon’t you let me take you on a sea cruise?”Frankie Ford, “Sea Cruise,” 1959DONN YOUNG PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY PORT OF NEW ORLEANSIf Frankie Ford is willing to foot the bill for a cruise…

Louisiana Destinations – Special Advertising Sections

The best thing about living in Louisiana is the variety of destinations for easy summer travel. From the picturesque wetlands to the vibrant urban areas to the epitome of small town America, Louisiana has it all. This summer, with gas…

An Artist and his Mansions

Located on Bayou Teche near Jeanerette in St. Mary Parish, Albania was built between 1837 and 1842. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.Imagine owning two Louisiana historic plantation mansions and an 1873 upstate New York mansion…

Texas Travel: Top 12 Travel Destinations

It’s no wonder that the largest of the contiguous states has a long list of vacation options including both big city cultural attractions and charming small town getaways. However, you just might be surprised by the huge variety of travel…

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION: Louisiana Destinations

Now is the time to start making travel plans for spring and summer, and fortunately, if you live in Louisiana, you do not need to travel far. Louisiana offers some of the most tempting travel destinations in the country. From…

Waders, Warblers and those who Watch

Snowy EgretShhh,” she says suddenly. It’s early March and wildlife photographer Nancy Camel is at Lake Martin, surrounded by the woods and waters of Cypress Island Preserve in St. Martin Parish. That’s not news; she’s there most any time, with…

Someone’s in the Kitchen

Composing a menu can be either a dreaded chore or a rewarding challenge. The latter is much more fun of course, and it prolongs the enjoyment of the evening. Diners, whether family or guests, enjoy the food but the cook…

LOUISIANA DESTINATIONS

One of the best things about living in the Southeast is the fact that you do not have to travel far to get away from it all. In Louisiana, history, culture, and festivals are usually just a short drive from…

LIFE times WINTER Jan.1 – March. 31

NORTHERN LOUISIANAJan. 4-7, 12-14, 19-21 Almost, Maine, Shreveport Little Theatre, Shreveport, (318) 424-4439.Jan. 6 Twelfth Night Party, Bossier Civic Center, Bossier City, (318) 746-0008.Jan. 12 “The People’s Concert,” Riverview Theatre, Shreveport, (318) 227-8863. Jan. 19 Man of La Mancha, The…

STATEWIDE CARNIVAL CALENDAR

Photo: Terri FenselALEXANDRIA (318) 442-9546Jan. 5 Epiphany, St. Rita School, England Airpark. 5:30 p.m.Jan. 5 AMGA Carnivale de Mardi Gras Party, Community Center, England Airpark. 7:30 p.m.Feb. 14 LSUA Mardi Gras Parade, LSUA Campus. Noon.Feb. 16 Taste of Mardi Gras,…

News Notes from Around the State

The Colvin family circa 1885 in Dubach. Dogtrot Capital Receives a New FindThe community of Dubach is adding to its collection of 19th century dogtrot cabins by restoring an 1883 house, which will be used as a welcome and information…

Around Louisiana: Regional Reports From Across the State

NORTHERN LOUISIANA CAUSE TO CELEBRATE The wearing of the green Celtic culture influenced the Old World and the New. When the Celts crossed the Rhine around 600 B.C., this fierce and brave race began settling across Europe and ventured as…

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