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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Bienville Parish: Bonnie and Clyde Trade Days

Searching for something different? Enjoy browsing and shopping for unique, one-of-a-kind items? Then make plans to attend Bonnie and Clyde Trade Days in Arcadia, Louisiana. There's something for everyone at Bonnie and Clyde Trade Days. According to the Bonnie and Clyde Trade Days website, "Bonnie and Clyde Trade Days is Louisiana's ultimate outdoors bargain shopping experience."

For more information and directions, visit www.bonnieandclydetradedays.com.

Trade Days dates for 2009
February 13, 14, 15
March 13, 14, 15
April 17, 18, 19
May 15, 16, 17
June 12, 13, 14
July 17, 18, 19
August 14, 15, 16
September 18, 19, 20
October 16, 17 18
November 13, 14, 15
December 18, 19, 20

Mark your calendars and get ready for great fun!

Natchitoches Mardi Gras Magic

Mardi Gras makes its appearance in Natchitoches on Saturday, February 21 with lots of great FREE things to do.

On festival day, the streets of Natchitoches will be swarming with purple, green and gold. The Krewe of Wag-uns Parade, featuring both children and pets, will kick-off activities at 2 pm.

Throughout the day, fun for the whole family can be found. Special entertainment includes Jelly the Clown with LAFF-CO (Louisiana Association of Family Fun – Clown Organization) who will entertain children with balloon art and magic shows. The Natchitoches Parish Library will be downtown with their bookmobile providing Mardi Gras masks for children to decorate and give away free beads. A children’s area will be provided behind Exchange Bank with inflatable jumpers, a rock wall and bungee jumps. The Northwestern Theatre Out on a Limb Improv Troupe will provide entertainment for children and adults with interactive skits and performances.

Musical entertainment will be provided by Hardrick Rivers and Rivers Revue. Attendees are also encouraged to participate in tailgating on the downtown riverbank.

Participants may bring throws and candy, but they are not required. Pets should be on a leash and owners must be present at all times. No ATVs are permitted. Golf carts are permissible if drive by an adult. Children can ride scooters, bicycles, wagon, etc, and must be accompanied by an adult.

Anyone interested in participating in the Krewe of Wag-uns parade should meet at the Bank of Montgomery parking lot, located at 814 Washington Street, at 1 pm. Awards will be given for the best pet costume and best decorated children’s entry.

The Krewe of Dionysos, one of the local Mardi Gras Krewes, will host their Mardi Gras Parade on February 21. The parade will begin on the east side of Natchitoches at 5:30 p.m. and continue to downtown Natchitoches.

The parade consists of approximately 50 units with 9 super floats. The floats will carry costumed riders who will throw trinkets, beads and candy.

Downtown businesses will be open for meals and shopping. So stop, shop, and say hello to all the shop owners and staff.

For more information about Mardi Gras events or other upcoming events, contact the Natchitoches Area Convention and Visitors Bureau at 800-259-1714 or log on our website at www.natchitoches.net.

Source: Latisha McDaniel, Natchitoches Area Convention & Visitors Bureau
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Union Parish Events

Saturday, February 14, 1:00 p.m., Union Parish Heritage Parade, for more information call 318-368-1441 or 318-368-9242.

Saturday, February 21, 6:00 p.m., Mardi Gras Parade, for more information call Farmerville Jaycees, 318-368-0044.

THIS EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELLED. Saturday, February 28, 8:00 a.m., Lake D’Arbonne Big Bass Splash, this is an hourly pay out based on 200 entries. Merchant sponsorship available. For more information call 318-801-9424.

Saturday, March 21, All Day -- Bass fishing tournament, sponsored by Fishers of Men on Lake D'Arbonne. Launch & weigh-in at Ludwig Marine. For information, call 318-548-4196 or 318-368-8922. Friday night meeting and dinner at Antioch Baptist Church.

Saturday, April 4, 10:00 AM -- Corney Creek Pageant – will be held in the Bernice Civic Center. The pageant for ages 1-8 will begin at 10:00 a.m. ages 9-18 at 6:00 p.m. For more information call 318-285-9743 or 318-368-5300.

Friday & Saturday, April 17th & 18th, The Corney Creek Great Outdoor Festival in Bernice, 318-368-5300.

Source: Union Parish Chamber of Commerce
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