Louisiana Trekker Business Spotlight: Caney Ridge Roasters

In the heart of Toledo Bend Country there is a place where the coffee bean is celebrated. It is a coffee lover's paradise. To the folks at Caney Ridge Roasters, coffee is both an art and a science. They believe that coffee tastes best when it is fresh roasted.

The love of coffee is what motivates the folks at Caney Ridge Roasters to produce a high quality, great-tasting coffee. There are medium and dark blends as well as dessert coffees. The coffee is slow roasted in small batches in order to provide the freshest product to their customers.

In addition to coffee, the shop has a great collection of Louisiana items, teas, chocolate covered expresso beans, bean mixes from "The Bean Queen", local honey, foods unique to the area and many more unique items.

Forget about those coffee shops that are thousands of miles away, give Caney Ridge Roasters a call and get your coffee from a Louisiana coffee expert! Fresh, gourmet coffee is just a click or call away. Great tasting, fresh coffee, friendly service and fast delivery, that's what you can expect from Caney Ridge Roasters.

To order visit their website at www.caneyridgeroasters.com or call 318-256-2400 or 877-645-4438. If you are going to be in the Toledo Bend area, drop by and visit the shop.


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Look here Recipes from "The Bean Queen".

2009 Barksdale Airforce Base Air Show

2009 Barksdale Air Force Base Air Show

May 9-10, 2009, Bossier City, Louisiana

Blue Angels Schedule

Photo Credit: Air Force Link

Business Spotlight: Lincoln Parish

It never ceases to amaze me the great specialty shops that are in North Louisiana. Visit http://lusianatraditions.blogspot.com/ and see the whimsical, unique products that Lusiana Traditions carries. The items that they have for children are just adorable.

Lusiana Traditions, is located in Downtown Choudrant, Louisiana, at Hwy. 80 at the caution light.

If you are looking for something to do on the weekends, why not travel Louisiana backroads and visit the shops that call North Louisiana home. Take time to sample the local cuisine and spend your money in local shops that support their communities and keep your hard-earned money close to home helping your neighbors. You are sure to make a friend or two along the way!

When you visit, please tell them that you them on Louisiana Trekker!

Buy Local Produce, Visit a Farmer's Market

Support your local farmers. Forget the bland, tasteless produce that is shipped from overseas or over thousands of miles. Local food is picked when the produce is ripe. Begin shopping seasonal vegetables. Get to know your farmers. This year spend your money in Louisiana there's a Farmer's Market near you.

Be sure to call and check ahead as hours and days are subject to change.

Caddo Parish
Shreveport Farmers' Market, 101 Crockett St., Shreveport, LA 71101, open June - August

Lincoln Parish
Ruston Farmers Market, Downtown Ruston, public parking lot east of Monroe Street, Between, Railroad & Louisania Avenue, Ruston, LA 71270, 318-251-3479, www.rustonfarmersmarket.org, open May - October, Hours: Saturday, 7:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

Natchitoches Parish
Cane River Green Market, Natchitoches Downtown Riverbank, 750 Second Street, Natchitoches, LA 71457, 318-238-7500 Open: May - July, Saturday, Hours: 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.

Ouachita Parish
Monroe Farmers Market, 1212 Washington Street, Monroe, LA 71201, 318-282-1410, Open: May - November, Monday - Saturday, Hours: 6:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

West Monroe Farmers' Market, 1700 North 7th St., West Monroe, LA 71291, Open: March - December

Union Parish
Union Parish Farmers' Market, 407 S. Main St.,Farmerville, LA 71241, Open: January - December

Vernon Parish
Vernon Parish Farmers Market, 3rd Street, Leesville, LA 71446, 337-392-1776, Open: June - November, Saturday, 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 Noon

Winn Parish
Winn Farmers Market, 31 west Main Street, Corner of Main and St.John Streets, Winnfield, LA 71483, 318-628-4438 or 628-2352, open: January - December, Hours: Tuesday and Friday, 7:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

Source: http://apps.ams.usda.gov/FarmersMarkets/
Art Credit: Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry

Grand Opening of the new Visitors Center at Kent House

The Kent Plantation House Board of Directors are pleased to announce the Grand Opening of the new Visitors Center located on the Kent House site. The ribbon cutting will take place on Thursday, February 19th at 10 a.m. The entire project from announcement to completion spanned a six year period which included three governors; Governors Mike Foster, Kathleen Blanco and Bobby Jindal.

This multi-purpose building was built with Capital Outlay funds through the Louisiana State Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism - Office of State Parks. The nearly two million dollar building was built by local construction company Westerchil Construction.

The new Visitor’s Center is approximately 4,000 square feet and provides ample space for greeting visitors, as well as providing educational, administrative, conference, instructional, and storage needs. The Center also includes rental spaces and special rates will be implemented as part of the Grand Opening event.

“This building is absolutely beautiful and functional at the same time,” explained Alice Scarborough, Executive Director of the Kent House. "It will allow for additional space for our education programs and exhibits as well as serve as a perfect backdrop for weddings, receptions and meetings.”

“The Kent Plantation House is an educational, cultural and historical landmark for the central Louisiana area and we are thrilled with the new Visitor’s Center,” said Amy Robertson, President of the Kent House Board of Directors. “We invite everyone in the community to attend the grand opening and take a tour.”

For more information about the new Kent House Visitor’s Center and the upcoming Grand Opening contact the Kent House office at (318) 487-5998.

By: Alice Scarborough, Executive Director, Kent Plantation House

Louisiana North wins Tourism Promotion Award

The Louisiana Travel Promotion Association (LTPA) presented its annual Tourism Campaign/Promoter Award at the annual industry summit held January 20 – 22 in Marksville, Louisiana.

Louisiana North is a marketing coalition that comprises the twenty-nine uppermost Parishes and includes over 80 cities. Their mission is to promote the unique cultural and historical heritage of the entire region while promoting economic development as it relates to tourism.

Iris Harper, Executive Director with the Natchitoches Convention & Visitor Bureau states, “Our partnership with this organization is vital in our continued efforts to promote this region to visitors. We are able to stretch our marketing dollars to reach a larger audience.”

According to their President, Kelly Wells, "North Louisiana has over 17,500 hotel rooms that have a combined billion dollar economic impact for the State."

Lt. Governor, Mitch Landrieu recently said of Louisiana North, "The unified voice of north and central Louisiana makes it much more exciting to all aspects of the travel industry."

In 2008, the Louisiana North partnership coordinated and attended over 13 consumer shows, hosted 12 travel writers, produced a 32 page visitor guide and launched a new website.

In addition to consumer shows in 2009, Louisiana North along with ESPN is hosting the Bass Master Classic Media Luncheon & Expo will be held in Shreveport on February 20-22.

To find out more, please visit ExploreLouisianaNorth.org or 318-393-3274 or 318-352-8072.

By: Latisha McDaniel, Media/Public Relations, Natchitoches Area Convention & Visitors Bureau

Publisher's Note: This is a great website full of information on the 29 parishes that make up North Louisiana. There is detailed information on events and places of interest as well as some great photos. You may also order a travel guide and other publications at this website. It is great to see that others are taking an interest in all that North Louisiana has to offer. Louisiana Trekker would like to congratulate Louisiana North for a job well done!
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Fun for the entire family at the Agricultural Expo

Come see for yourself why agriculture is the No. 1 industry in Natchitoches Parish at the Third Annual Natchitoches Agricultural Day on Saturday, February 28, 2009.

The Natchitoches Agricultural Day, sponsored in part by Farm Bureau of Natchitoches Parish and the LSU Ag Center, will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Natchitoches Events Center, located at 750 Second Street in the heart of the Natchitoches Historic District. Admission is $2 per person and free for children 12 and under.

The day-long expo will feature fun for the entire family. Special guest include Dr. Mike Strain, Louisiana Commissioner of Agriculture and Mr. Ronnie Anderson, Farm Bureau President. An exhibitor area will showcase commercial and educational exhibits as well as educational seminars on topics such as Louisiana livestock, row crops and forestry. In addition, a large sampling of antique tractors will be showcased in front of the Events Center.

Sponsors for the show include Howell Equipment of Natchitoches and Louisiana Land Bank. Other exhibitors included the Louisiana Department of Agriculture, Louisiana Egg Commission, Louisiana Pecans/Little Eva Plantation and Landry Vineyards. These exhibitors will offer an assortment of products and services at the show including the latest agricultural and civilian farm equipment ranging from tractors, lawn mowers and ATV’s. The show will also feature many activities for children.

Booth spaces are still available for those businesses who would like to exhibit at the Agricultural Expo. For more information about the show or to become a vendor, please call Chris Post, Marketing/Sales Coordinator at the Events Center, at 238-7503.

By: Chris Post, Marketing/Sales Coordinator at the Natchitoches Events Center
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