Louisiana Hunting Legend: The Duck Commander

Dreams provide vision and touch generations. When one follows a dream they provide hope. Dreamers are trailblazers. One such dreamer calls Louisiana home. He had a vision and made it come true through hard work and passion. That man is Phil Robertson, The Duck Commander.

"It isn't often a person can live a dream, but Phil Robertson, aka The Duck Commander, has proven it is possible with vision, hard work, helping hands, and an unshakable faith in the Almighty." (quote taken from The Duck Commander website.)

Louisiana is known as the Sportsman's Paradise for many reasons including hunting, fishing, boating, and so much more. It is an outdoor lover's dream. The state is full of rivers, bayous, lakes and sloughs. Hunting and fishing are a way of life.

North Louisiana is home to hunting legend Phil Robertson (aka The Duck Commander). Phil Robertson grew up in Vivian, Louisiana where he enjoyed hunting and fishing with his brothers. A tradition that he has passed on to his own children.

In 1972, Phil Robertson set out to make a duck call that actually sounded like a duck -- The Duck Commander call. According to The Duck Commander website, he wanted to make a call for the "duck killers". Read his entire bio here.

Visit the Official Duck Commander website for shirts, caps, DVDs, posters, and of course duck calls. There are calls for the beginner or the pro. These calls are made by hunters for people who are serious about calling ducks. They are serious calls for serious hunters.

In addition to the merchandise, the Duck Commander website offers hunting advice and information on all of The Duckmen.

There are also some GREAT recipes to try including "DUCK AND DRESSING". (Editor's note: Saw this recipe on one of the DVDs and tried it. This is the only dressing that we will have now. It is delicious!!!!)

In the off season, Phil Robertson is available for speaking engagements. He likes to discuss the orders from headquarters and the most important message about his "unshakable faith in the Almighty".

On July 4th the Outdoor Channel will show a reality show featuring The Duck Commander and The Duckmen. The trailer is great!

If you are into deer hunting, join Will Robertson and the Buckmen for Buck Commander. Buck Commander has several DVDs and merchandise.




YouTube Videos







Articles about The Duck Commander
The Duck Commandments ESPN Article

The Duck Commandments

Watch The Duck Commander on July 4th at 9:30 a.m. on The Outdoor Channel. Reality TV like you've never seen it before.

Photo Credit: courtesy of Duck Commander; photos may NOT be reproduced or distributed with out their permission. Both photos are copyright of Duck Commander.

Tradition, honesty, integrity, hard-work, determination, following a dream.

Rapides Parish offers many things to do and see in July

City of Pineville’s 9th Annual Fireworks OVER Buhlow Friday, July 3rd

Musical entertainment by Avery Michaels & Exit 209 at 6 p.m.; The Show Band Hott Ticket at 7:45 p.m.

Enjoy Independence Day with your family on the 4th and welcome in the holiday with us on Friday, July 3rd!

Gates Open at 5:00 p.m. • Music Begins at 6:00 p.m. Admission is FREE!

No ice chest or pets please, as there will be a concession stand under the stage
area. Everyone is encouraged to bring a lawn chair or blanket as the concert
grandstand by Buhlow Lake will give you a great view of the music and fireworks.
Jumpers for the kids plus the La. National Guard rock climbing wall.

www.pineville.net

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ACES TO HOLD YOUTH CLINIC
June 29th – July 1st

Alexandria, LA; June 15, 2009 – The Alexandria Aces of Continental Baseball League (CBL) announced today they will be hosting a three day clinic for those interested in learning the fundamentals of the game of baseball.

The clinic will take place over a three day period, June 29, 2009 through July 1, 2009, and is open to kids of all ages. Each day the clinic will begin at 9:00 am with instruction on how to play the game.

Monday, June 29, 2009: 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009: 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Wednesday, July 1, 2009: 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.

There will be fee of $60.00 per participant. If you have any questions, please contact the Aces office at 318-473-2237.

The CBL enters its third season of offering professional baseball and welcomes the opportunity to bring the excitement and tradition of professional baseball to communities with a long-standing love affair with the Nation’s favorite pastime. Every night, history is made in the CBL’s ballparks in Texas cities, Texas City (Bay Area-Houston), Texarkana, and Alpine (Big Bend) and Alexandria, Louisiana. Join us today for great professional baseball and a value-packed experience for fans, friends, and families!


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Louisiana Soul Food Picnic
Saturday, June 27th

Come sample some good ole Louisiana Soul Food at Central Louisiana's Soul Food Picnic
Saturday, June 27 in Downtown Alexandria (DeSoto and Third Street) at 6:00 p.m. Hosted by Magnolia State Peace Officers and sponsored by the City of Alexandria. Free and open to the public. Cash bar.

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Southern Forest Heritage Museum to host Liberty Fest

The Southern Forest Heritage Museum will host Liberty Fest on Saturday, July 4 from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. This event promises to be a day of good old fashioned fun!!! Come explore and enjoy this 40 acre historic sawmill complex as we celebrate American pride on the Nation's birthday.

Historic World War II items will be displayed in a special exhibit which will be centered around our connection to the manufacture of Higginsboats. Memorabilia will be on loan from both The National World War II Museum in New Orleans and the Louisiana Maneuvers and Military Museum on Camp Beauregard in Pineville. A model Higgins boat will be on display, as well.

There will be a special guest appearance by an original"Rosie-the-Riveter," Ethel Kelley who has been honored by the Smithsonian. She will be on hand with her costume and some memorabilia.

Historic World War II films will be shown in our theatre. This mini film festival will run throughout the day.

A parade is being planned. We will have water slides, and angel train rides for the children and rail motorcar rides for everyone. There will be hamburgers, hot dogs and drinks sold on site. No ice chests are allowed. Admission is $5 per person. Children under 3 years old are free.

SFHM is in Rapides Parish between Forest Hill and Glenmora on Highway 497. For more information contact 318-748-8404 or visit www.forestheritagemuseum.org.

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Kent Plantation House, 3601 Bayou Rapides Road, Alexandria, Louisiana 71303 is accepting applications for the following summer camps:

JANE IN JUNE, June 22nd - 26th, 2009, 9:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Jane in June is a summer camp that revolves around women's activities and pastimes for young ladies ages 10 - 15. Tuition: $150.00 for the week.

Campers will:

• Sew a Quilt
• Make a Dream Sachet
• Learn to Crochet
• Attend and Host Authentic Tea Parties
• Learn Games of the Era
• Tour the House and Grounds

On the last day of the camp, the young ladies will host a Parents' Tea in the new Visitor's Center to show off their completed projects. Lunch, snacks and all supplies will be provided. Registration is limited. Please call 318-487-5998 for additional information

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CAMP KENT HOUSE, July 10th, 17th, 24th and 31st, 9:00 - 5:00. Open to children ages 7 - 12. Tuition: $20.00 per day. Campers may attend one or all camps. Bring a sack lunch. Snacks, drinks and craft supplies will be provided.

• July 10th: BEES AND BUGS, Learn about good and bad bees and bugs. Do a bug craft and construct a bee mask.
• July 17th: Mary, Mary Quite Contrary, How Does Your Garden Grow? Learn what would have been grown on the plantation in the early 19th century. Pot your own seeds and plants to take home.
• July 24th: Tasks and Chores of the Good Old Days: Corn grinding, butter making, baking cornbread, making candles, soap, corn husks dolls and more.
• July 31st: Visit a Farm: A trip to a working farm. Get close and personal with the animals. That afternoon, make and enjoy home-made ice cream at Kent House.

Please call 318-487-5998 for additional information.

Source: Alexandria/Pineville Area Convention and Visitors Bureau

Celebration on the Cane set for July 4th

Free event to feature children’s activities, music, fireworks and more

Enjoy an old fashioned country fair family day at Celebration on the Cane, Natchitoches’ Fourth of July celebration.

The day kicks off at 9 a.m. with the Cane River Green Market, Natchitoches’ only local farmers market. Besides fresh produce, customers can choose from a selection of “value-added products” including farm fresh eggs, breads, jams, honey and much more. Craft vendors will have handmade items such as woodwork, jewelry and art.

A children’s patriotic parade will begin at 10 a.m. at the Natchitoches Events Center parking lot, located at 750 Second St. The parade will take place throughout the Historic District, ending at Bank of Montgomery. There is no fee to enter the parade and prizes will be awarded for best costume and best decorated.

Children’s activities will take place throughout the day including water activities, arts and crafts, fair games, a karaoke contest, dunking booth and cake walk. Other activities include a BBQ contest, Blue-Ribbon Bakeoff and hot dog and pie eating contests.

Food vendors will be selling fair type foods throughout the day and picnic blankets will be provided for families to enjoy lunch on the downtown riverbank. Green Market vendors will have hot dogs, pies, tamales, watermelons and beverages.

Beauregard’s Courtesy will provide live musical entertainment from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the downtown riverbank followed by the Detention Center Choir from 1 to 3 p.m. Later that day, Kim Brasso and LA Boogie will perform on the Fleur de Lis from 6 to 9 p.m.

The evening will culminate with a fireworks show over Cane River Lake that will take place at approximately 9 p.m.

For more information, please visit www.natchitoches.net or call the Natchitoches Main Street Office at 866-941-6246 or the Natchitoches Parish Convention and Visitors Bureau at 800-259-1714.

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The Melrose Arts & Crafts Festival will celebrate its 34th annual event on June 13 and 14, 2009 at historic Melrose Plantation.

More than 100 craftsmen from at least eight states will be on hand displaying and selling wooden sculptures, ironwork, handcrafted jewelry, unique yard art and handmade candles. Returning to the Festival this year will be okra-pod artist, Kathy Tate Davis, who specializes in carving roosters, Santas, witches and many other figures from dried okra pods.

Children’s book author Kathy Whitehead will make an appearance at the Festival this year. Whitehead’s picture book, Art From the Heart, was inspired by a trip to Melrose Plantation and examines the life and art of African-American artist Clementine Hunter who lived on the plantation.

And of course there will be famous Natchitoches meat pies and other regional foods. There is a $5 admission fee for adults, $2 for children age’s six to 12, and under age six is free. Tours of the main house and the African House will be available for $5.

The Melrose Arts & Crafts Festival is sponsored by the Association for the Preservation of Historic Natchitoches. Visit their site at www.preservenatchitoches.org.

Melrose Plantation is located 18 miles south of Natchitoches at 3533 Hwy. 119. For vendor information, contact 318-352-5640.

For information about Natchitoches, accommodations or more upcoming events, visit www.natchitoches.net or call 800-259-1714.

Photo Credit: Natchitoches Area Convention & Visitors Bureau

Support U.S. Farm-Raised Catfish

Louisiana is home to many catfish farms. Locals love to eat catfish. According to The Catfish Institute U.S. Farm-Raised Catfish is in season year round. That's right, you can purchase U.S. Farm-Raised Catfish anytime.

Recently there has been a great deal of imported catfish (BASA) and other seafood from foreign countries. Because Louisiana is a coastal state and there is a rich tradition of seafood, it is important to support local fishermen and aqua farmers. Pay attention when purchasing seafood to the Country of Origin. Look for seafood or fish that is caught or raised in the U.S. When dining out, ask the owner where the seafood comes from. You will be surprised at the answer. Make sure you patronize local restaurants that sell locally caught or raised seafood or fish.

Listing of Official U.S. Farm-Raised Catfish Processors

Ten Reasons To Choose U.S. Farm-Raised Catfish from The Catfish Institute
1. Great taste.
2. Versatile.
3. Safe.
4. Eco-friendly.
5. 100% All-American.
6. Fresh as it comes.
7. Easy to cook.
8. Nutritional powerhouse.
9. Available all year-round.
10. You’re gonna love it!

THE CATFISH INSTITUTE
P.O. Box 1669, Madison, MS 39130
601-977-9559
www.catfishinstitute.com

Links to Recipes using Catfish

Paper Sack Catfish
From Chef Martha Foose’s
Screen Doors and Sweet Tea

Catfish Ceviche
From Chef Martha Foose’s Screen Doors and Sweet Tea

Fried Catfish and Hush Puppies
From Chef Martha Foose’s
Screen Doors and Sweet Tea

Pecan-Smoked Catfish
From Chef Martha Foose’s
Screen Doors and Sweet Tea

Catfish Po-Boy
Note: * Products available thru www.galenacanning.com
Recipe by Chef Ivo W. Puidak, Galena Canning Company

Catfish Recipes from The Catfish Institute

Delicious Any Way You Cook It! (leaflet from the Catfish Institute)

Catfish Institute Recipe Book

Information about Catfish

Odom supports catfish labels
BR Advocate article

An Agricultural Law Research Project from the National Agriculture Law Center

Mississippi restaurants to label foreign catfish

FDA Detains Imports of Farm-Raised Chinese Seafood