706 Summer 2025 Edition

SUMMER 2025

Mary Richardson the Rick Steves of Lake Charles

One Tank Trips to take in Louisiana

Louisiana’s Outback

The cultural treasure trove of Southwest Louisiana

What’s Inside 04

Eating Good

Our Team

The barbecue wisdom of Taco Johnson

Publisher

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Three Things

Three ways to explore your surroundings this summer

Ron Prince

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Reading Nook

Editor

Local librarians and American Press staff offer their best book recommendations

Crystal Stevenson

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Gone Fishing

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The Beauty of Our Planet

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Someone You Should Know

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One Tank Trip

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Econ. 101

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Louisiana’s Outback

Charter boats may be the way to go

The explorations of Mary Richardson on display

Meet Tracie Ramey

Louisiana road trips that are only one tank away

Does money buy happiness? Dr. Matiur Rahman has a few ideas.

There is plenty to discover on the Creole Nature Trail

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14 Things to See, Do and Eat

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Geocaching in the Park

Contributors Rodrick Anderson Emily Burleigh Ashlyn Little

Marketing & Sales Stephanie Broussard Bryce Carter Kim King Dayanara Watkins

Cover Art Chad Whited

Louisiana pitstops to make this summer

Discoveries on the Orange Trail

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G ’ n ood i t a E The BBQ Wisdom of Taco Johnson Story by Rodrick Anderson Photos provided by Taco Johnson

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Long-time Lake Area resident Taco Johnson knows a thing or two about cooking outdoors.

He got his start in his early teens with encouragement from his biggest fan — his mother.

“Well, it was just me and my mama living together, and she would love barbecuing. So I was 12, 13 years old cooking outside. She loved grilled pork chops, so I would take it and soak some pork chops in pineapple, soy sauce and orange juice. I would let it sit, and I would grill it for her, and then I'd call it a pork kebab chop. And she loved it. My mama told me that, I'm going to teach you how to cook.

That way, you'll never have to depend on a woman to cook for you.’ That's exactly what she said.”

In the summers he would cook at various businesses, often following his mother.

He retired in 2008 after 30 years with the Sulphur Police Department and currently

hen summertime rolls around, backyard grills get fired up.

It can be a great way to relax, invite family and friends over, and have some fun. But you can’t go into it without a plan and a little knowledge on how to do it right, or else the party will be over real quick.

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works for Sulphur Parks and Recreation.

In the time since his formative years, he has cooked for hundreds of events, like the Louisiana High School Athletic Association state softball and baseball tournaments, company functions for Citgo requiring 300-plus ribeyes in a day, weddings and more.

Fried fish, jambalaya, gumbo, pork steaks, BBQ chicken or port — you name it, he has probably cooked it. Some of his favorite things to grill or smoke are country back ribs, pork sausage, green onion sausage and even bratwurst.

“I'm a big guy, so never trust a skinny cook,” Johnson said. “If it moves, I can cook it.”

With his decades of experience, he has a few tips on how to do it right starting with safety, especially if there will be children or pets around.

“Know your wind direction, just in case your fire does get out of hand,” Johnson said.

“Put it downwind from any structure like your house or a shed or something and basically just keep the kids away from it.

“I've always put tables around my barbecue pit or my grill. They'll get out there and they'll get excited and they'll forget where they're at. And you also got to keep an eye on it, too.

You can't just walk away from it, especially with kids around.”

“That's where you put the charcoal in the top and you light a fire at the bottom. The key to it is once you light your charcoal, let it burn its way down. A lot of people will take and as soon as the fire goes out, they put the meat on. No, you got to let the charcoal burn into itself. When you get a good grey across the top of your charcoals, that's when it's time to throw the meat on.”

Waiting till the last minute to season your meat may seem like a time-saver, but prepping the day before will give you a richer flavor. Johnson said he likes to season or marinate everything the day before and put it in the refrigerator to help the meat better absorb the seasoning.

Don’t be in a hurry. And that applies to much of the process, whether you are grilling or smoking your favorite cut of beef, chicken slathered in barbecue sauce, or some good old-fashioned burgers and hot dogs. You may be tempted to quickly throw some seasoning or marinade on and ship off your meal straight to the grill. But Johnson says preparing the meat the day before and letting it rest in the refrigerator will allow the meat to absorb more of the flavor, especially larger cuts of meat like Boston Butts.

He likes to use charcoal or lump charcoal, and shies away from anything that has lighter fluid in it. It can make starting the fire quicker but can leave a chemical taste on your food if you don’t let it burn off long enough.

“If you don't wait a long enough time, your meat will taste like (lighter fluid),” Johnson said. “So I use the old round chimney lighter.

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“I'll season it the night before. I love that Ball’s seasoning. It's a great seasoning. I'll take it just the night before, put it in the pan, season it real good, and then let it sit overnight. If you're doing a big steak like a big chuck steak, put a good rub on it. Let that rub soak in. You might want to throw in a little bit of marinating sauce. Then let that soak in there real good. Sometimes I'll take my meats and I'll throw a little bit of chicken broth on it and then pat it down. That way that seasoning will stick. If you have a dry meat, that seasoning is like a stick.”

“You can always add seasoning to your foods, but you can't take it away,” The amount of seasoning needed is hard to gauge, but if you like to spice things up a notch like Emeril Lagasse, make sure you take into account who you are cooking for.

“But if it's just add-ons, I'll put a little bit of cayenne to give it a little spice. A lot of it depends on who's eating it. Because if it's hot, a child's not going to eat it. If it's spicy, they're going to want to go to Mickey D's or something.”

Another way he adds more depth to the flavor is with pecan wood chips. He says he soaks them in water and then places them on the hot coals.

Maintaining a steady temperature can be difficult. Too hot and the outside of your meal will cook too fast and burn, leaving the inside raw.

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He said he likes to cook around 250-275 degrees and varies the time based on what he is cooking. He recommends keeping a spray bottle with water handy to tamp down any flare-ups. If the grill temperature drops too low, you can open the vents to let more airflow in, prop the lid open slightly, and even use a small fan to help get the heat back up to the temperature you want.

When it comes to steaks, Johnson says a good garlic butter rub is a good way to season and keep it moist. Start with high heat first to sear the outside, then lower the heat to cook it how you like it, whether it be well-done, medium or rare.

By Emily Burleigh

Three Events to look forward to 1.Red, White, Blue, & You! The annual Fourth of July celebration will be held from 6 to 10 p.m. on Friday, July 4. Hosted by the city of Lake Charles, the celebration features live music, an armed forces salute, and, of course, fireworks.

2. SC3 Chicken Fest Starting at 9 a.m. on Saturday, July 19, the SC3 Chicken Fest will bring everything chicken to the West Cal Arena & Events Center, 401 Arena Rd.

3. Marshland Festival

Three Ways to Cool off this summer 1. SPAR Waterpark SPAR Waterpark, 933 West Parish Rd., Sulphur, is open during June and July. For 20 years, it has cooled the area with the Lagoon Pool, lazy river, several slides and kid-friendly are as.

2. Millennium Park Backdropped by Lake Charles, Mill ennium Park, 900 Lakeshore Dr., feature both a larg e playground and splash pad.

3. Pinederosa Park Pinederosa Park in Westlake, 122 1 Sampson St., isn’t just a park for baseball and softball . The park’s splash pad offers a reprieve from the summer heat.

The festival that originated in Hackberry will be celebrated at the LC Event Center on July 25

and 26.

Three places to get a refreshing Treat in SWLA 1. Lulu’s Specialty Snocones and More Refuel with a slushee, shaved ice, smoothie, or snow cone at Lulu’s, 2735 Country Club Rd. Hungry too? The shop also offers snacks, nachos, and sandwiches.

2. PT’s Snowballs, Coffee and Ice Cream With two locations - 2405 Maplewood Dr. in Sulphur and 2784 Westwood Rd. in Westlake - PT’s shops are onestop shops for ice cream, snowcones, Italian soda, coffee and more.

3. Kona Ice Since 2014, Kona Ice has been offering cold treats onthe-go. The tropical shaved ice truck can be spotted at events, festivals and sporting events throughout the region.

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READING NOOK Staff and Librarian Reviews

Braiding Sweetgrass

The Spellshop

Author: Robin Wall Kimmerer

Author: Sarah Beth Durst

This collection of essays is a love letter to the Earth that serves as a reminder that every individual should develop an individual relationship with the environment around them.

Kimmerer, a botanist and a member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation, weaves scientific knowledge with Indigenous wisdom to explore natural systems and philosophical ideas.

From the life cycle of sweetgrass to the importance of gratitude, Kimmerer curated a collection of essays that remind us that the planet is a gift to be appreciated.

Read this book outdoors, and take moments to sit quietly and listen. The lessons of “Braiding Sweetgrass” extend beyond the text.

Review by Emily Burleigh

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If you’re looking for a cozy cottagecore story with a slow-burning romance, “The Spellshop” by Sarah Beth Durst is the book for you.

At the beginning of the story, we meet Kiela who is a librarian at the Great Library of Alyssium. Her only companion is a magical spider plant named Caz. The city of Alyssium is in the throes of a revolution and the freedom fighters are attacking and burning the Great Library. Kiela and Caz have no choice but to flee with as many library books as their small boat can carry. These aren’t just any books: they are spell books. The use of magic has been restricted for years and only those the emperor approves of are allowed to use it.

In order to support themselves, Kiela decides to turn the cottage into a Jam Shop. Things seem to finally be going well when a red-headed woman arrives on the island during a terrible storm. Now there is unrest and talk of illegal magic on the island. Will Kiela and Caz’s good intentions be misunderstood as malicious? Can they make Caltrey their home or must they run away again, just as they were learning to trust others?

Review by Sandy Buteau, Calcasieu Parish Library

The Games Gods Play Author: Abigail Owen Did you love “The Hunger Games” as a teen?

How about the “Percy Jackson” series? If you combine them and add adult characters, you’ve got Abigail Owen’s book “The Games Gods Play.”

Lyra Keres was cursed by Zeus, the king of the gods, at birth so she could never be loved. At 3 years old, Lyra’s parents gave her to the Order of Thieves to pay off their family debt. Now at 23, Lyra finds herself on the way to Zeus’s temple for the Crucible, a tournament held every 100 years to determine which god or goddess will rule for the next century.

On the way to the Crucible, Lyra is publicly embarrassed mainly due to Zeus’s curse. In her anger she decides to throw a rock at his temple, but instead of causing a disturbance that will likely get her smote by the gods, Lyra meets Hades: king of the underworld.

One by one, the gods name their champions and pull them from their mortal lives to head to Mount Olympus. However, this year is unlike any other year. Hades has decided to play in this year’s Crucible, and Lyra Keres is his champion. Already unlovable, now as Hades’ champion, Lyra’s life seems even more unfair. But if she manages to win and Hades is crowned king of the gods, he promises to remove Lyra’s curse. Can she trust the king of the underworld to keep his promise? Will she survive the Crucible? And are the rumors about Hades even true?

Review by Sandy Buteau, Calcasieu Parish Library

The Rom-Commers Author: Katherine Center Emma Wheeler lives a very small and structured life in her small Texas town. For the past 10 years, she has been her father’s caregiver and surrogate mother to her younger sister due to a life-altering camping accident. Earning her degree online and also teaching online, Emma makes a meager living for her family. Unknown to the world, Emma is a brilliant screenwriter, especially of romantic comedies.

Charlie Yates is a famous screenwriter living in Los Angeles. Charlie creates incredible stories covering almost every genre. Whether they're cowboys, space aliens, or criminals, Charlie Yates writes them in such a way that you really care about these characters. But his latest story, a rom-com, is so terrible that we need a new word for "terrible."

Emma soon receives a call from her manager, and ex-boyfriend, who happens to also be Charlie’s manager. He comes up with a plan for Emma to ghost write the rom com with Charlie, convincing Emma to leave her disabled father in the care of her younger sister and fly to Los Angeles to work with Charlie.

The book is a great selection for those who love a classic rom-com-movie plot. Reading Emma’s and Charlie’s interactions was like watching a Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks movie from the 90's and early 2000's. “The RomCommers” by Katherine Center is a book I will definitely be reading again. Similar titles are Emily Henry’s “Book Lovers” and Abby Jimenez’s “The Friend Zone.”

Review by Sandy Buteau, Calcasieu Parish Library

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The Abundance of Less Author: Author:Andy AndyCouturier Couturier Close your eyes and take a moment to imagine what a truly "rich" life looks like to you. Many have begun to wonder if there is more to this life than working, consuming, and staying bound to the never-ending hedonistic treadmill. “The Abundance of Less” explores the lives of 10 people who chose to live with less things despite the world bombarding us with the message that collecting more “stuff” is not only a status symbol but also the gold standard.

Couturier has written a quietly moving book that feels like a conversation with a down-to-earth friend. Readers are simultaneously encouraged to be open to the idea that giving up things is not only more sustainable, but it also allows certain freedoms to pursue creative passions and experience joy in other ways.

This is a book to savor chapter by chapter, and I recommend it to anyone who's ever wondered if there might be another way to live — one that is more in tune with nature, more sustainable, and has the potential to be vastly more abundant in many ways.

Review by Katie Pennington, Calcasieu Parish Library

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Nature’s Best Hope Author: Douglas W. Tallamy After dabbling with growing native plants and flowers and noticing an uptick in pollinators in my yard, I decided to read “Nature’s Best Hope”

by Douglas W. Tallamy. Tallamy’s approach to unraveling the connection between natives and wildlife involves turning our own spaces into thriving ecosystems, whether that is in a large yard, or on a small balcony porch.

This book explores the concept of the Homegrown National Park. Tallamy goes into detail explaining how simple changes, like growing native milkweed in pots for monarch butterflies or planting oak trees for caterpillars, can create habitats and restore biodiversity in our local neighborhoods. His ideas are firmly rooted in science but are expressed in an engaging and uncomplicated way, giving the reader a sense that they, too, can make an impact.

Whether you are a first-time homeowner, enthusiastic about sustainability, or you simply love plants and animals, this book offers an inspiring way to make a positive impact in your own space.

Let your spring garden daydreaming begin!

Review by Katie Pennington, Calcasieu Parish Library

Gone fishing Charter boats may be the way to go

Story by Rodrick Anderson Photos provided by Bradley Laningham

Louisiana offers many great opportunities to spend time outdoors, especially when it comes to fishing.

Chartered saltwater fishing trips have been growing in popularity as a great way to experience what the area has to offer and feel the thrill of reeling in a big fish.

The number of fishing charter services has grown exponentially over the last couple of decades as visitors and locals look to experienced anglers and boat captains to create memorable experiences.

Lake Charles native Bradley Laningham owns and operates CAT 5 Fishing Charters and says business is booming.

“Over here it's popular because of our estuary in Big Lake,” Laningham said. “Calcasieu Lake is phenomenal.

“You can get redfish, speckled trout, and there is sheepshead and black drum. And then you have your random species every once in a while, like mackerel or tarpon. I caught a cobia in the ship channel one day.

“You never know what you might hook up in our area. It could be a 7-pound trout, or it could be a 40-pound redfish. A lot of people all over the world come to our little area just for fishing. I get a lot from Texas. I had a guy from Alaska the other day.”

And it is not just for the seasoned angler. Laningham said he gets a lot of first-timers.

“I have actually a lot of people who've never fished with me before or never been on a boat,” Laningham said. “I have beginners all the time.

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“My charter is for beginners, too. If you're a pro, you're a pro, but I welcome everybody from all ages.

The techniques we use are very simple. By the end of the day, they're actually cast better than where they started.”

He has been a guide for five years, something he had dreamed about since he was old enough to pick up a rod and reel.

“In my third-grade yearbook it says what I wanted to do in thirty years,” Laningham said. “It was either a professional angler or a fishing guide. And here we are.”

“I used to be a Calcasieu Sheriff's deputy, and it just wasn't for me. I loved being outside more, being outdoors. I was ready just to try something different and pursue my dream job of being a fishing guide. I took a class and passed my captain's license, and it's been phenomenal since. When I first started it was kind of a grind. This is the second year I'm running it, and I'm busier than ever this year.”

Laningham treats his clients like family and wears many hats.

“I treat everybody like they're my best friend I've never seen in a long time,” he said. “We cut up, we laugh, we make memories.

“I think that's what more people look for, not just limits, just having a great time and a great experience. A teacher, a comedian, a therapist, you name it, we do it all.”

He added that it can be a great experience for families.

“I get a ton of families,” Laningham said. “During the summer months, it's mostly family trips. Most people on the water go home happy.”

He said one aspect that has helped to fuel the popularity of chartered fishing trips is the growth of fishing as a high school and college sport.

“I guess since all these high schools and college teams have fishing, now more people are seeing it as a sport and very competitive,” Laningham said.

“I'm always having people coming out, and they're always like betting on each other or having little fun little games against each other.

“Who gets the most, who gets the biggest. And just a different thing to do, other than, you know, going to the movies.”

Fishing Charter Ad 337-309-1487 www.cat5fishingchartersla.com

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Inshore • Saltwater • Light Tackle Fishing

He said trips typically last five to eight hours, and he provides rods and reels, tackle, lures and life vests.

He recommends Louisiana residents get a basic fishing license, including salt water. For nonresidents, he recommends a saltwater charter passenger license. He usually takes up to four passengers per trip on his but has at times squeezed in a fifth. He has agreements with other full-time and part-time charters to handle larger groups.

“Thirty minutes before sunrise, we're on the water,” Laningham said. “We pick up bait, then we're searching. We're either fishing reefs to the ship channel, chasing birds to the grass line, or chasing, tailing redfish. And then we come back and clean fish.”

The Beauty Of Our Planet Story By Crystal Stevenson

Mary Richardson is not just a tourist. She's an explorer who seeks to immerse herself in new environments, embracing diversity and forging genuine relationships with the locals.

"I consider Lake Charles my community — my church is here, my friends are here, half of my family is here.

But I also feel a broader connection with humanity," she said.

Giza, Egypt

Richardson, who shares her travel experiences several times a year through her writings in the American Press, said she travels not only for the beauty she finds when she arrives at the destination but also out of sheer curiosity.

Kirkenes, Norway

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"There's a sense of awe with our planet," she said. "I'm a history major and Joe (her husband) has an undergraduate degree in history and it's one thing to read about a country, it's another thing to see it. In Egypt, we were climbing up the Step Pyramid near Cairo and it's 5,000 years old! It's only been 2,000 years since the beginning of Christianity and that had already been there for 3,000 years. There's this sense of timing; you're only a piece of dust in it."

When Joe and Mary were courting, Richardson said the couple never had big plans to see the world. That came later.

"We had a Pinto with a stick shift and we would pull a boat," she said with a laugh.

"That's how we traveled. We would go camping in national parks and state parks."

He's from Kentucky, she's from Minnesota.

They met and married in Florida and shortly after moved to Nevada for his work as a civil engineer.

Panajachel, Guatemala to being part of a small community."

Eventually, Joe was awarded a Fulbright Professorship — a prestigious opportunity for American faculty members to teach abroad — and the program took their family to United Emirates, Sharjah, Namibia, Singapore, Indonesia, Holland and Dubai.

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"We started traveling when he started working in these foreign countries," she said.

"He went to Rwanda first, 10 years after the genocide, and that's when we started thinking about the world. Then he became a department head in Dubai, then he had a Fulbright to Namibia. That's how I got to see Africa. Very few of the trips have been planned, most came by circumstance where he happened to be. That's where we got a taste of being part of the world as opposed

The pair found themselves in Lake Charles in 1986.

"We were passing through back to Gainesville, Fla., where Joe was getting his Ph.D. in civil engineering and we stopped and I had the blackened catfish and I told Joe, 'I'd like to stay here.' That's the truth," she said.

Both found work at McNeese State University — he as an engineering professor and she as the director of the Banners Cultural Series. Twice a year, they would travel on school breaks — and continue to build an appreciation for life’s blessings.

"This country is a miracle. One of the miracles is our founding fathers,” she said. “At one time, they were all there together, forming our democracy, the

When Joe retired she said that's when the travel bug really hit the pair — and, as Johnny Cash sings, the Richardsons have now "been everywhere man."

They've been to five of the seven continents. They haven't been to Australia or Antartica. Joe has been to 48 states, Mary said she's still catching up.

Istanbul is top on her bucket list of sites to see.

Oslo, Norway Constitution, the Bill of Rights. Nothing like that has ever happened in Haiti. Haiti has not had good government not one day in its life."

She said travel has given her a sense of gratitude.

"It's not due to you; it's chance that you were born here and had these opportunities," she said. "In Guatemala, I developed an appreciation for gratitude. You can look at them and say, 'Oh, poor thing. You don't have enough electricity. You don't have carpets on the floors.' They don't care. They're just grateful for what they do have."

She said traveling has also deeply changed her view of the world.

"We went by a refugee camp on the border of Ethiopia. People have been there for years and they weren't going to get out. It was a hopeless situation. If I hadn't seen that I would have known about it in my mind, but not know about it in my heart. It hurts. The tragedy at the border has a face.

"Travel broadens you as a person," she continued. "I do see myself as a piece of dust in the world as opposed to a little piece of sand in Lake Charles."

"Joe has been to Istanbul but I have not," she said.

"And I've been to Morocco but Joe has not. I want to see Istanbul, that's the kind of architecture that feeds my soul. I'd also like to see Nepal."

Before retirement, the couple planned two trips a year.

Now they take about four.

"We're in a travel period of our life," she said. "I feel like time is chasing us. We're both healthy right now but he's 80 and I just turned 78. If we're going to do

Lisbon, Portugal something, we've got to do it now. Age makes you feel vulnerable to chance."

Mary is an adventurous eater, but Joe "not so much."

has been to the Grand Canyon remembers that sense of awe. That gasp. Some of the most beautiful sights in the world are right here in the United States."

Their fall trip this year will cover six national parks.

"I've had some really bad meals, though, especially if I can't read a menu," she said. "In Singapore, I had my first tuna pizza. I will never forget that because it was not a match made of heaven. That was not a good idea."

Also not a good idea? Shark.

“I tried the shark in Iceland, though I was warned against it," she said. "That was doubly unfortunate.

First of all, it's something you never want to put in your mouth but second of all, a friend asked us to bring some home and I put some frozen shark in my backpack but the pressure during the flight opened it up and oh boy."

During the pandemic, the couple realized they needed to see more of the United States. "We went out west and back to the Grand Canyon," she said. "Joe had been there many times and I had been only once as a child and I think everyone who

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"We're going to stay at the historic lodges that we looked at in when we were staying in tents," she said. "And just because we're staying in these historic lodges, doesn't mean we're staying in luxury."

Traveling is incredibly important for personal growth, cultural understanding and global awareness. It also broadens perspectives, fosters empathy and provides opportunities for learning, skill development and lasting memories, Richardson said.

"I don't know if you become a better person, necessarily. I don't know if you become smarter or wiser. I'm not sure about that. I don't think you can help but become more appreciative and more grateful — not to feel sorry for other people; it's a different kind of gratitude. I don't know how to define it. It's a valuable experience."

Someone You Should Know TRACIE RAMEY What is the best thing about Southwest Louisiana?

Being born and raised in North Louisiana and moving to the Lake Charles area four years ago, I instantly felt like this was home. The warmth of the community, the amazing food, the beautiful landscape, and the resilience of SWLA — no matter what situation arises, they are always there for their neighbors. I love the fact that no matter what your interests or hobbies are, it is available in the area. Museums, nightlife, great restaurants, fishing, crabbing, boating, and you can enjoy many of these things at our beautiful Sam Houston Jones State Park.

Why should we embrace The Great Outdoors?

Everything. The amount of mental and physical wellbeing that being in nature provides is immeasurable.

Physical and psychological studies have shown over and over that 30 minutes in nature can boost serotonin levels, reduce blood pressure, and greatly improve your overall health. 30 minutes is what we spend on the phone scrolling every day, so we have the time to do it. Being active parents, grandparents, and promoting that active lifestyle needs to be a primary thing in families and individuals. Start a walking team, yoga group, or find yourself a private quiet meditation area. All of these things can benefit you in other areas of life by being more grounded and less stressed.

What was your last moment of gratitude?

Hearing from visitors at Sam Houston Jones State Park that the work done by the amazing staff, whom I am so fortunate to have, that all of the hard work makes them want to keep coming back to the park. We see and talk to so many people who have been coming to our park for generations, and when you get to hear the stories of how someone met their spouse here 30 years ago, brought their kids and grandkids fishing and camping here, it makes you so grateful to be apart of making such memories for now and generations to come.

Describe the last time you were inspired.

Everyday. I am so blessed to be the overseer of this beautiful State Park. I get to start my mornings by seeing the sunrise over the cypress and magnolia trees, with the sounds of wildlife in the background. Ending the day with the sun setting on the Calcasieu River, seeing the deer, ducks, and owls starting their nightly routines.

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One Tank Trips Story by Ashlyn Little Photos provided to the American Press

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ummertime is here, and if you’re looking for somewhere to go for the day, look no further than our home state. There are cities throughout Louisiana that offer a variety of fun entertainment — for kids and adults alike.

Lafayette Louisiana is no stranger to rich cultures, and Lafayette is home to an epicenter of Acadian history.

The Village offers a step back in time to a simpler, yet more difficult, era. It’s great to learn about what led Acadia’s ancestors here, said Kristen Wilkens, LARC’s store manager “A lot of the children are shocked at the contrast between the early 1800s and now by showing them region-specific differences, it impacts them directly,” she said.

The Village is made up of different homes, with each one having its own story and history. A trip to the Acadian Village is not only educational and fun, but also all proceeds directly benefit

LARC, which assists adults with special needs through participation in community engagement and education while promoting employment opportunities.

The Acadian Village is a great place for families to enjoy a full day learning a little Acadian history. Families often bring a picnic and enjoy it at the pavilion. Independent and guided tours of the village are also available.

Guided tours are $15 per adult and $12 per student, while self-guided tours are $11 per adult, $10 per senior, and $9 for students.

The Village is located at 200 Greenleaf Drive in Lafayette and is open Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. during the summer. You can also find live music from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Mondays and Saturdays.

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Another must-see pit stop in Lafayette is the last freestanding Borden’s Ice Cream Shoppe in the country. Borden’s in Lafayette opened in 1940 and offers over 31 flavors of delicious ice cream. The two most popular items on the menu are the banana splits and a scoop of vanilla dipped in Elmer’s Gold Brick Topping that turns into a hard shell, according to Kackie Lerille, owner of Borden’s. She and her father, Red Lerille, purchased the property and the business in 2009.

“It was a cute little spot that we felt it was important to take care of.”

They proceeded to complete a year-long renovation, but kept the business open for the community.

Borden’s Ice Cream Shoppe is open Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; and Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Alexandria If your family loves animals, Alexandria is the best place to take the kids this summer. The Alexandria Zoo, 3016 Masonic Drive, Alexandria, is open seven days a week, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

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The Zoo has all sorts of animals from flamingos to the American black bear. You can even take a train ride around the zoo and if you get hungry,

eat at the Palm Cafe. The Palm Cafe is open Sunday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Saturday’s 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

If you want to see more animals, you can head on over to the “Gone Wild Safari” a couple minutes away in Pineville. Gone WIld Safari is a drive-through animal park where wildlife roam

After a day filled with playing with the animals, stop at a CenLa’s favorite, BJ’s Pizza House. This iconic pizza restaurant has been serving the Alexandria area since 1979.

With three locations in Cenla, (Pineville, Ball and Alexandria) it’s hard to pass up while visiting the area.

The restaurant has been voted “CenLa’s Best Pizza” for over 30 years, said Norma Baker.

freely and you can observe animals in their natural habitats right in the comfort of your own vehicle.

It is open 7 days a week, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., allowing visitors to drive their own car through the safari. There is an extra fee to feed the animals yourself, but on Fridays and Saturdays, you can hop on a guided bus tour between 10:15 a.m. and 3:15 p.m.

The Safari also has an interactive petting zoo, a hands-on wildlife experience that will delight kids and adults alike.

For more information on Gone Wild Safari, call 318.787.6902.

She is the store manager for the Pineville location and managing partner for BJ’s Pizza House, and has been working there for even longer.

The restaurant uses its secret seasoning blend to make its signature sauce, and chops its bell peppers and onions by hand to keep it fresh.

“We really push freshness and quality of product.”

“When people come in town, the first thing they want to do is go to BJ’s. ... They say ‘there’s no place in Dallas or no place in Nashville like BJ’s’ they want to come home and have BJ’s pizza,” she said.

BJ’s makes its own dough from scratch two to three times a day, and has used the same great recipe since 1979.

Natchitoches For a day filled with history, shopping, and walking along a beautiful riverfront look no further than Natchitoches.

The city was established in 1714 and is the original French colony in Louisiana. It is also the oldest settlement in the Louisiana Purchase. Take a stroll along the Cane River and enjoy the atmosphere.

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“I recommend taking in Front Street and having a picnic down on the riverbank,” Meshelle Morgan, operations manager at Natchitoches Convention and Visitors Bureau, said.

The historic district offers over 20 locallyowned shops and boutiques, and multiple restaurants.

Be sure to stop in at Kaffie-Frederick General Mercantile. Established in 1863, the store is the oldest business in the city and Louisiana’s oldest general store. You can find anything in the store from classic toys - like a Radio Flyer wagon - to hardware and kitchen supplies.

Upstairs is a gift shop with jewelry and Christmas items year-round.

After shopping on Front Street, if you’re feeling hungry, there are plenty of options.

One local favorite is Papa’s Bar and Grill.

While in Natchitoches, you can always opt for a Natchitoches meat pie or try one of Papa’s burgers.

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One of Morgan’s favorite places to stop in is the Cane River Candy Company on Front Street for a delicious sweet treat. The store is a local candy store offering a variety of chocolate covered treats, retro candy, popcorn and more.

If you like mini golf head over to the brand new attraction at Dark Woods Adventure Park located at 4343 University Parkway Natchitoches. It has a fun pirate-themed mini golf course for all ages to enjoy.

“Natchitoches is a safe and fun family environment,” Morgan said.

Next time you’re considering a trip to get away, but don’t really have the time or money to schedule a weeklong vacation, look in your own backyard for fun places to go and see!

ECON 101

By Dr. Matiur Rahman Professor and Interim Associate Dean McNeese College of Business

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Money Happiness

hat is money? Conceptually, money is ambiguous and mysterious. Functionally, money is well defined, serving as a medium of exchange, a unit of account, and a store of value with price stability, leaving its buying power reasonably intact. Money in circulation matters a whole lot, contributing to economic activities and job creation. It is essential in life.

It can enhance economic well-being. Money can buy the necessities of life and offer a comfortable life. However, it is not everything.

Everyone seeks to have more money and income. As the saying goes, “the more, the merrier.” What is the point of satiation? None in the presence of excess greed. Greed is a key driving force of a market economy, but an excess of it may lead to market failures. The super-rich and wealthy can hijack the markets, hurting the consumers. In a market economy, too much and too little money circling around can cause surging inflation and higher unemployment, respectively. Then, what should be the optimum quantity of money in circulation to ensure a combination of low inflation and low unemployment rates (soft landing or goldilocks economy)? No one knows.

Happiness is very complex and multifaceted. It is a matter of an inward psychological positive feeling toward life. The perception of happiness is very personal, and its extent varies from person to person. The feeling of happiness depends on mental and emotional states. There are ebbs and flows in emotions.

So, feelings of happiness have upturns and downturns. They mean that individuals sometimes feel happier and less happy or even unhappy. Why so?

The root cause is random uncertainties about financial and job security. Most prominently, fear of job and income losses causes mental distress. A strong sense of job and income security creates an upbeat emotional feeling toward life. Happiness can be felt, but cannot be objectivley quantified.

and

Happiness is not without confines. According to some studies, people below the threshold annual income of $75,000 to $100,000 feel much happier when income rises. Once they reach this threshold and move beyond, the feeling of happiness rises at a diminishing rate with rising income. Beyond the point of satiation, the additional feeling of happiness turns into zero or even negative.

Can money alone buy genuine happiness? Not so.

However, money can buy comfort and luxury in life. How much money one should have depends on individual attitudes toward life. Life is full of uncertainties. The world is imperfect with many unknowns. Perfect answers to the above questions are elusive. Excess love for money beyond decent living is just an illusion. Finally, happiness is a butterfly beyond grasp.

Louisiana’s Outback the Creole Nature Trail Puts Southwest Louisiana’s Treasures on Display Story by Emily Burleigh Photography provided by Visit Lake Charles

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outhwest Louisiana is not only a wealth of unique culture and ecological elements, but it is a destination unto itself.

The treasures of SWLA are globally recognized because the region is the home of the Creole Nature Trail, the only All-American Road fully contained within the state.

The 180-mile road was created in 1979 and was designated as a National Scenic Byway in 1979.

“Just step out there and look at it like you’ve never seen it before.”

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Anne Klenke, Vice President of Destination Development and Community Engagement

A roadway is deemed a National Scenic Byway by the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration if it meets at least one of six criteria: archeological, cultural, historical, natural, recreational and scenic.

only been granted to a handful of other roadways.

“People come here just to travel the Creole Nature Trail … This is like its own little tourist attraction,” said Anne Klenke, vice president of destination development and One step above a community National Scenic Byway is engagement. the All-American Road, which needs to have at Begin least two of the “intrinsic the Adventure qualities” and have oneof-a-kind features that She works out of Creole can’t be found elsewhere. In 2002, the Nature Trail Adventure Point, the Sulphur Creole Nature Trail satellite office of Visit received this Lake Charles. designation, which has

The outside of the building features the “Louisiana’s Outback” Creole Nature Trail logo and a small white, wooden fishing boat, which is perfect for a photo op.

opportunity for “It’s just marshes as travelers before they far as you can see, set out on the trail. Its and we don’t think halls hold several much of it because interactive hands-on that’s what we’re displays for guests to used to. But imagine learn about all things you’re from New York Southwest Louisiana. or London, and you’re out there and there’s Before sitting down From the food to the no people around. It’s with the American music to the smells to flat as far as you can Press, she showed off the ecosystem, any see and you see a the local art and well- tourist or local who thunderstorm start reserved alligator skin stops by Adventure rolling in. that decorate its walls. Point will leave with “It’s a little frightening more knowledge on for them, but it’s also “We had local artists SWLA’s local culture, amazing because it’s commissioned to do and the intrinsic something they’ve all the different art qualities of the never seen before.” and then this was regions that make the actually donated to creole nature trail so And with global us and they had had special. travelers comes a it for years and years significant economic and no longer had Such as the Chenier impact. One study any place to put it,” Plain - the coastal conducted by Visit she recalled with a landscape of SWLA Lake Charles found smile. “So, then they and Southwest Texas the trail brought allowed us to tell the that is made of 300,000 people to story.” cheniers and SWLA annually, a mudflats, shaded with number that Klenke Built 10 years ago oak trees and said has only Adventure Point is an backdropped by increased. opportunity for marshes, which are travelers to learn “Everyday, we have necessary nurseries about what they people walk in that for fish, shrimp and should look out for front door from all oysters. before traversing the over the world: The Creole Nature Trail.

The flat lands and UK, Germany, China, marshes are features Greece, Turkey. … To The photo that locals might take them, it’s just opportunities flow for granted, but out- another opportunity inside the building, of-towners find to experience a which is in reality a themselves in awe natural wonder.” free, fun and while traversing the immersive nature trail, she said. “edutainment”

The “just spectacular” Rutherford Beach, where the water is shallow enough to see redfish swimming and the shells are waiting to be collected.

“Whatever Mother Nature has on the menu for today is what you’re going to see, to experience.”

Children exploring one of the many beaches along the Creole Nature Trail alongside a colony of seagulls

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The Main Loop Most travelers take the main loop from Sulphur, south to Holly Beach, east to Creole and back north to Lake Charles. Before setting out on the trail, don’t forget to pack sunscreen, bug spray and a sense of curiosity.

Klenke said the first stop should be Brown’s Grocery Story, where explorers can stock up on all the supplies.

Along the way, there are four wildlife refuges to explore.

The first is the Sabine National Wildlife Refuge that has three recreational areas and two walking trails, like the Blue Goose Walking Trail and the Wetland Walkway, a three-quarter mile marsh boardwalk.

All the way South, travelers will find Holly and Rutherford beaches.

The trail also reaches the tiny town of Creole. North from there are the Conway Blue Memorial Bridge and the Pentel Wildlife Drive.

Klenke called the Pentel Wildlife Drive

the place to go if there is limited time.

The three-mile driving loop puts all of the trail’s unique features on display, and they can all be seen from the comfort of the passenger’s seat.

Pro-tip: On the way back north, make one last pitstop at Chesson’s Grocery and take La. 397 back up to I-10 to see the bird’s Farmer’s Rice Mill.

That is only a portion of the mail loop, and doesn’t include the handful of detours that can make the trip

even more impactful.

To see all of the exploration opportunities, visit www.visitlakecharles .org/creole-naturetrail DO NOT FEED THE ALLIGATORS

FOR YOUR SAFTEY

AND THEIRS

ALL THINGS LOUISIANA

14 THINGS TO DO, SEE & EAT

BY CRYSTAL STEVENSON

LOUISIANA STATE EXHIBIT MUSUEM Pottery, shell beads, pipes, copper ornaments and stone tools from the Caddo Nation are displayed in this Shreveport gallery — including a 30-foot Cypress canoe constructed sometime between A.D. 1005 and AD 1065.

NEW ORLEANS STREETCARS Jump aboard a streetcar for a fun way to be transported around New Orleans. Streetcar fare anywhere in the city is $1.25 per ride.

CAFE´ DU MONDE Café Du Monde is the oldest coffee shop in New Orleans, opening as a coffee stand in 1862. Its menu has changed little since then — particularly their beignets, which are served with a thick coating of powdered sugar and sold in orders of three.

RIP VAN WINKLE GARDENS Looking for a peaceful summer retreat? Take a stroll through these 15 acres of semi-tropical gardens nestled among 350-year-old oak trees in New Iberia.

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THE NATIONAL WWII MUSEUM The National WWII Museum in New Orleans tells the story of the American experience in the war that changed the world.

BIEDENHARN MUSEUM Hear the tale of Coca-Cola's bottling beginnings, then refresh with a 5 cent Coke and the nostalgia of early Coca-Cola memorabilia at this Monroe pitstop.

AMERICAN ROSE CENTER The spectacular Gardens of the American Rose Center are located on a 118-acre wooded tract near Shreveport — and they’re a sight to behold at Christmas time.

NANNY’S CANDY COMPANY Enjoy the sweeter things in life — particularly pecan pralines — at this family-owned Carencro shop.

OAK ALLEY PLANTATION Nestled among 28 oak trees, this historic site in Vacherie is dedicated to preserving and interpreting each chapter of this plantation’s memory.

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GLOBAL WILDLIFE CENTER Located in Folsom, this 900-acre free-roaming wildlife preserve features 2,000 animals — among them the Red Kangaroo, zebras, giraffes, American Bison, llamas and the Bactrian Camel.

AUDUBON ZOO This New Orleans must-see features exotic and endangered animals from around the globe — and visitors can take can also spend time floating in the lazy river as it winds through the flamingo exhibit.

AVERY ISLAND There’s a lot packed into this trip — Jungle Gardens as well as s tour of the Tabasco museum and factory.

PREHISTORIC PARK Explore towering, life-sized dinosaurs — from predators to gentle herbivores — that bring this Lafaytte dinosaur park to life.

STEEL MAGNOLIAS HOUSE Where many scenes of the 1989 movie "Steel Magnolias" were filmed, this home has been turned into a bed and breakfast in Natchitoches.

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Geocaching in Sam Houston Jones State Park

Discoveries Found Along the Orange Trail Story and Photography by Emily Burleigh

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t the beginning of June, my best friend of 14 years, Wesley Jackson, and I embarked on a new adventure: geocaching.

In a time where digital worlds dominate the day-to-day, geocaching offers a real-world adventure that uses the technology that keeps us indoors. A modern-day treasure hunt, geocaching invites people of all ages to get outside, engage with the environment and find hidden containers (geocaches) anywhere and everywhere.

Geocaching was created in 2000 by Dave Ulmer after the United States Government fixed a GPS error called GPS signal degradation, making GPS devices significantly more accurate.

It was originally called “Great American GPS Stash Hunt,” and after a few passionate hobbyists with pencils, paper and a whole lot of creativity picked up the game, it spread like wildfire.

The process is much simpler in 2025. You download the app - Geocaching - to your GPS-enabled mobile device, create an account and look for the caches. On June 6, I did just that before picking up Wesley and making our way to Sam Houston Jones State Park.

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The 1.9-mile trail usually takes us Wesley and I left the trail sweaty about 30 minutes to traverse, but and scratched up, but filled with a this time around, we were there deep sense of community that for an hour and a half. That is we’ve been longing for. There is a because there are 12 geocaches on the Orange Trail. I did the math - we averaged about nine minutes per geocache. Then I did more math - we only found 66 percent There are geocaches to be found in 191 countries, and all of the nine geoaches we seven continents. attempted.

Fun Facts

6/6/2025 17:54

Wes and I’s first geocache: “White Perch” Taking a hike in Sam Houston Jones State Park is one of our favorite Friday activities, so we were familiar with the trails. And a quick glance at the app showed us that there are dozens of geocaches throughout the park, especially on our favorite trail: the Orange Trail.

The Orange Trail runs alongside the Calcasieu River. You’ll often encounter animals - squirrels, rabbits, snakes - and boaters blasting Top 100 Hits as they ride the water. Friday was no exception, except instead of just walking the trail, Wesley and I were on the hunt.

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Our favorite cache - “Black Willow”

While these stats might be a bit embarrassing, it’s certainly because we were not prepared.

Geocacheing HQ launched the enivronmental initiative Cache In Trash Out® (CITO) to promote enviromental preservation.

We quickly learned a few lessons.

One: Bring. Bug. Spray. And if you can, wear pants. As park regulars, we were not expecting the trees to fight back, but we walked out of that trail with some battle scars.

Two: Bring trinkets! I’ve never met someone who geocaches, but what we discovered is that the hobby has a thriving (and fun) community. All of the caches we 6/6/2025 18:09 did manage to find had papers with dozens of names of Wes failing to find the cache geocachers who have found called “Honey Bee” them within just the past few months. Alongside them were message board for each cache chotskies left behind. After stalking called “past logs” where you can a few forums, I learned that this is see messages from fellow a common practice. Leave a geocachers who found (or didn’t doohickey. Take a doohickey. find) the loot like, “Found! Too Three: Geocaching is a skill. The difficulty ranges from “hidden behind a piece of bark on the ground,” or difficulty one, to “I don’t think this geocache actually exists,” difficulty five.

They also range in size, typically from “micro” to “large.” We mostly found the micros, and never encountered anything bigger than “small.”

scared to touch at first” and “Thanks for my first find! My 6 year old loved it!”

In the end, the both of us found solace knowing that we would be back on their trail soon to find the caches that evaded us, excited to share our successes with our newfound treasure-hunting friends.

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