may/june VOLUME 39 NUMBER 4
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From The Editor
‘Lake Charles,’ The song 12 calendar
Peachy Keen: The peach festival in Ruston will satisfy your craving
46 roadside dining
Serious Shrimp: Whether it’s stuffed or busted, shrimp in Shreveport is borders on sport 48 great louisiana chef
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Comfortably Yum: Kraig Dixon puts a twist on New Orleans comfort classics at plant-based restaurant Seed
along the way
Paradise Lost: Breton Island, home of Theodore Roosevelt’s only visit to a National Wildlife Refuge, and the rest of the Chandeleur Islands, could be lost in10 years according to experts
50 kitchen gourmet
Critical Conservation: The Mississippi River
Heavenly Match: 4 shrimp and veggie recipes for a tasty transition into summer
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16 photo contest
state of louisiana
traveler
Pelican Briefs: Noteworthy news and happenings around the state
Home of the Hayride: Today’s performers bring new life to a stage made sacred by pioneers of Country, Western Blues and Rock
20 health
Catch of the Day: Louisiana residents argue about a lot, but one thing most agree on is we love our seafood
62 farther flung
Big Fun in Little Rock: History, culture, nature and good times abound in Arkansas’ capital
22 Literary Louisiana
For the Birds: An exposé of the world of birding in Louisiana 24 Made In Louisiana
Carving a Niche: Former Baker coach and teacher Lin Babb went from molding minds to shaping locallysourced wood into handcrafted cutting boards, bowls and serving pieces
38 Jefferson Highway Louisiana’s version of Route 66 has history, a group dedicated to its preservation and makes for a great road trip By Cheré coen illustrations by amber day
64 a louisiana life
Fashionable Philanthropy: Shreveport native Latasha Henderson uses fashion design to give back
28 artist
The View From Above: Photographer Ben Depp focuses on Louisiana’s vanishing coastal wetlands 32 home
Naturally Chic: Contemporary home in Sunset is designed for efficiency and sustainability
on the cover
By the time you are reading this, it’ll be prime road trip season. You’ve no doubt heard about — or have driven on — Route 66, but did you know that Louisiana has its own version? The Jefferson Highway — named after Thomas Jefferson for brokering the Louisiana Purchase — stretches from Winnigpeg, Canada all the way down to New Orleans and has a storied history and its own preservation group. There are a lot of charming cities and towns, fun attractions and good eats on the portion that runs through the Pelican State, which we cover in our cover story. Writer Cheré Coen offers up a host of places to go, stay and dine, as well as things to do if you decide to make the trip. She advices to bring a camera (or keep that camera phone charged), because the route features some of the most photogenic roads in Louisiana. Load up the car and hit the road for an adventure — without even leaving the state.
