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Photo courtesy Lafayette Convention & Visitors Commission
The Healer's Garden highlights plants used as cures by Cajuns and Creoles.

The Healer's Garden highlights plants used as cures by Cajuns and Creoles.

Photo by Cheré Coen

Healer’s Garden, Lafayette, LA

Discover centuries-old Cajun and Creole cures in this new addition to Vermilionville

by Cheré Coen | May 13, 2012

Vermilionville is home to numerous historic buildings assembled to appear as a village and named for the original name of the city of Lafayette. The attraction shows visitors how Cajuns and Creoles lived in the 18th and 19th centuries, plus offers a dancehall, workshop space, and restaurant.

Now, Vermilionville offers a “Healer’s Garden,” where dozens of plants have been collected to show visitors what was used for healing. The garden features dozens …


The Bread Pudding Cookoff is May 18, 2012, in downtown Lafayette.

The Bread Pudding Cookoff is May 18, 2012, in downtown Lafayette.

Submitted photo

Bread Pudding Cookoff, Lafayette, LA

Delectable dessert honored at annual event

by Cheré Coen | May 10, 2012

We love our bread pudding in South Louisiana. We were raised on it.

You take stale French bread that’s only going to waste (and we don’t waste anything in South Louisiana) and turn into one of the most delicious desserts, occasionally enhanced by hot whiskey or bourbon sauce!

Today, this basic homemade dish that turned leftovers into a dessert to feed many in your average Louisiana household, has now been elevated to a …


Flitzy Wilhelm of Lafayette enjoys biking in downtown Lafayette with her dog, Maeby.

Flitzy Wilhelm of Lafayette enjoys biking in downtown Lafayette with her dog, Maeby.

Photo by Cheré Coen

Biking in Lafayette, LA

Events, organizations springing up all over town

by Cheré Coen | April 30, 2012

Lafayette has gotten kudos lately for being an innovative town. Our small southwestern Louisiana city makes waves in technology and creative culture.

But here’s a new feather to our cap. In the last few years, bikes have been sprouting up all over town, making Lafayette a biking town. Organized bike rides have been announced, the Atakapa-Ishak Trail was unveiled this spring with future expansion plans and bike organizations such as local nonprofits …


UL-Lafayette professor Toby Daspit reads from his poetry at Casa Azul in Grand Coteau.

UL-Lafayette professor Toby Daspit reads from his poetry at Casa Azul in Grand Coteau.

Submitted photo

Spoken Word, Grand Coteau, LA

Public readings, Festival of Words celebrates literacy

by Cheré Coen | April 24, 2012

They say there are blessings from Hurricane Katrina. For the Lafayette area, our blessing was Patrice Melnick. She landed in Grand Coteau, a charming historic town just north of Lafayette, and decided to stay, opening the Casa Azul boutique and Casita Azul bed and breakfast.

That would be cause enough to celebrate, but Melnick, an English professor, decided to use the vast space behind her shop for poetry readings. The …


Rose Anne St. Romain explains the many exhibits in the Louisiana 4-H Museum.

Rose Anne St. Romain explains the many exhibits in the Louisiana 4-H Museum.

Photo by Cheré Coen

Louisiana 4-H Museum, Mansura, LA

Unique museum honors century-old organization

by Cheré Coen | April 18, 2012

In the early part of the 20th century, youth were offered hybrid corn seeds in statewide corn clubs to help educate the next generation of farmers.

On Feb. 8, 1908, several members of the Avoyelles Parish corn clubs met in Moreauville to form what is now Louisiana 4-H. One person in attendance was Henry St. Romain.

“Eventually, all of these clubs became known as 4-H clubs,” said Rose Anne St. Romain, …


Erica Courtney

Erica Courtney

Submitted photo

Erica Courtney, Lafayette, LA

Jewelry designer famous among the stars

by Cheré Coen | April 10, 2012

Renowned jewelry designer Erica Courtney doesn’t live in Lafayette anymore now that she’s dancing among the stars. But Lafayette’s her hometown, and we claim her. She once told me she loves Los Angeles, where she lives and works, but “Lafayette is always home.”

And when she’s visiting family and friends, Courtney is kind enough to offer trunk shows at Kiki’s in River Ranch. She will be offering a two-day event Thursday and Friday, April …


Cheré Coen's photo

Meet the Lafayette, LA; Starkville & Tunica, MS Insider

Cheré Coen

Cheré Dastugue Coen is an award-winning journalist and author living in Lafayette. Her nonfiction books… more





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