It's Da Thrill At Da Ville!

Fried Pork Chops, Shrimp Stew, Jambalaya.....

Steve Riley and the Mamou Playboys.....

Todd Ortego "Eternal King Entertainer".....

Good Times. Good Friends. Vermilionville on Wednesday Night, Cher!

Vermilionville authentically portrays a way of life preserved with a distinctly French accent. Situated on the banks of the Bayou Vermilion, this Cajun/Creole heritage and folklife park recreates life in the Acadiana area between 1865 and 1890.

La Maison Broussard

The beautiful grounds, which are laid out as an historic village, contain eighteen structures, including six restored original homes. In most of the structures, costumed interpreters demonstrate traditional crafts or musical styles.

"Two-Step" Back in Time With Us!

A full-service restaurant, gift shop and art gallery enhance time spent at Vermilionville. The gift shop and art gallery are filled with Cajun and Creole items (many of which are made by their craftspeople) that you are sure bring home and treasure.

The Trapper's Cabin

We invite you to learn more about historic Vermilionville by browsing the website. http://www.vermilionville.org/index.html

La Chapelle

The Gift Shop Will Be Open

For Souvenir Shopping Until 7 PM

Laissez Les Bon Temps Rouler!

"Precon" and Opening Session!

Preconference Event!
Early arrivals can roll up their sleeves for a taste of local culture and cooking, "CRAWFEST", LHC’s Poolside Hospitality, Sunday June 22nd!
Da Krewe will be waiting for You! Join us for Good Times...Good Friends!

The Opening Session!
Don’t miss the opening bell!

Southwest NAHRO will "Present the Colors", the United States flag, followed by the attending State Chapter Commissioners and Members of the Year carrying in and posting the 7 State Flags on either side of the stage. We’ll be led in the Pledge of Allegiance by the kids of the "Little Hands Learning Center", followed by our Invocation delivered by former VP for Commissioners Mel Scott of Sulfur. Next, assisted by Chris Simpson, Chair of the Awards Committee, President Donna Dunwoody will present plaques to each attending Commissioner and Member of the Year.

KBON PARTY June 22, 2008

KBON PARTY JUNE 22nd 2008 BLACKHAM COLISEUM

10:00-10:30 KYLE HUVAL & DIXIE CLUB RAMBLERS

10:45-11:30 DON FONTENOT ET LES AMIES – 45 MIN
BRIGGS BROWN

11:45-12:15 JOEL, CHARLO & THE CLASSICS

12:30- 1:00 DUSTIN RAY & SOUTHERN GROOVE

1:15 – 1:45 RODDIE ROMERO & HUB CITY ALL STARS

2:00 – 2:45 STEVE RILEY AND MAMOU PLAYBOYS

3:00 – 4:00 WARREN STORM & WILLIE T (30 MIN)
And possible cameos (added time)
TK HULIN

4:15 – 4:45 RICHARD LEBOUF AND DETOUR

5:00- 5:45 JAMIE BERGERON & KICKIN’ CAJUNS – 45 MIN

6:00- 6:30 DAMON TROY AND LA. BEAT

7:00 – 8:00 TRAVIS MATTE & KINGPINS
(with JOHNNIE ALLAN)

Texas NAHRO President challenges Region!

We got a "BIG" surprise for the Texas State Basket this year. I challange Y'all to have a bigger more unique state basket.Steve ShortsPresident, TXNAHRO

Other Comments:

Oboy!! It is time for the good times! See you all there! Barbara - De Leon, TX.

Can't wait to visit my friends in Louisiana. Most hospitable people in the world. Betty - Breckenridge, TX

I love to receive the emails. The music is a great start to my day! Already excited about the conf. Ya'll really know how to host one. See ya soon!! Nancy Roark

What a great job, counting the days until the conference. Sherry - Norman, OK

Ya'll sure know how to make a boy homesick. Wish you all the best ! Ed Hawkins

Wow, this Blog is great. I stumbled on to this site by accident. I don't know who you all are, but I think this the best I have ever seen in advertising an event. I wish I were close enough to visit you during your Fest! You people know what's HOT!
I think I'll have to visit the south and experience your style! Karen

Louisiana Lagniappe

Test your EduCajun skills and earn a chance to win that LAGNIAPPE GiveAway for a complimentary night stay at the Paragon Casino Resort.

https://www.paragoncasinoresort.com/site1.php

You must be registered for the conference by June 8th to qualify.
Sign the Lagniappe Guest Book and enter the answers to these eight questions correctly.

1. English translation of Lagniappe.

2. First You Make A ______?

3. Home of Pork Chop.

4. Until World War II the majority of Cajuns spoke this language.

5. What Louisiana city is credited for being the first to put crawfish on a menu?

6. French Acadians were exiled from which Canadian territory in 1755?

7. Cajun French translation: Good Times...Good Friends!

8. Pick a number from 1 to 8.


The deadline for registration and guest book entries is June 8th.

'Survivor..... Louisiana Style.'

Due to the popularity of the survivor shows,
an LSU network is planning to do it's own show entitled:
'Survivor..... Louisiana Style.'
The contestants will start in New Orleans ,
then travel up to Baton Rouge
From there, they will head over to Lafayette then go
West to Lake Charles .
They will proceed up to Alexandria , then over to
Natchitoches.
Next, they'll drive north to Shreveport , east to
Monroe, then head down south through Columbia ,
Olla, Urania, and Tullos, with a quick detour
through Trout and Jena .
Heading back to Alexandria , they will then go to
Marksville, then to New Roads on their way
through Baton Rouge , Gonzales,and back
to New Orleans
Each will be driving a pink Volvo with a California license plate
and large bumper stickers that read:

'Ban the boiling of crawfish'

'Duck hunters are wussies'

'Mardi Gras is a pagan holiday'

'Outlaw river boat gambling'

'Pickup trucks are for sissies',

and , finally,

'LSU football sucks!'

The first one who makes it back to New Orleans alive, Wins.

We have some bad news!!

There will be no more Boudreaux & Thibodeaux Jokes.
Boudreaux passed away & left a will.
He wanted to be buried @ sea.
Thibodeaux drowned trying to dig his grave.

What Is A Cajun?

WHAT IS A CAJUN?
By Bob Hamm

Between the red hills of North Louisiana and the blue waters of the Gulf of Mexico, lives the Cajun. Among the marshes of the bayous, the tall oaks and whispering moss, he carries on the traditions of his hardy Nova Scotian ancestors, les Acadiens, whose fight from persecution brought them to the lush South Louisiana soil over two centuries ago.

In other parts of the world, little girls are made of sugar and spice and everything nice, while little boys are made of snips and snails and puppy dog tails.
Little Cajun children – or Acadian, if you will – are made of gumbo, boudin and sauce piquante…crawfish stew and Oreilles de Cochon.
A Cajun child is given bayous to fish in, marshes to trap in, room to grow in and churches to worship in.
A Cajun likes fiddles and accordions in his music, plenty of pepper in his courtbouillon, shrimp in his nets, speed in his horses, neighborliness in his neighbors and love in his home.
A Cajun dislikes: people who don’t laugh enough, fish enough, or enjoy enough of all the good things God has given to the Cajun Country.
He doesn’t like to be hurried when he’s resting or distracted when he’s working. He doesn’t like to see people unhappy, and he’ll do all he can or give all he has to bring a smile to a face stricken with sadness.
A Cajun likes to dance and laugh and sing when his week of hard work has ended.
And just as Saturday night at the fais-do-do replenishes his store of energy and his personal balance so he can meet the next week’s chores with vigor…Sunday at Church refreshes his spiritual and moral values and keeps strong his always-sustaining faith.
A link with a proud past, a Cajun is a man of tolerance who will let the world go its way if the world will let him go his. He is a man of great friendliness who will give you the crawfish off his table, the Sac-au-Lait off his hook or the shirt off his back.
But if you cross a Cajun, He’ll give you the back of his hand or the toe of his boot. If he likes you, he’ll give you his whole wide, wonderful world. If he doesn’t, he’ll give you a wide berth.
A Cajun is a complex person; with as many ingredients in his makeup as there are in the gumbo Mama makes for special company.
He has tolerance for those who earn it…charity for those who need it…a smile for those who will return it…and love for all who will share it.
BUT…a Cajun can be as stubborn as a mule and as ornery as an alligator. If he sets his head on something, he’ll fight a circle saw before he’ll yield to your opinions.
You’d as well argue with a fence post as try to change the mind of a Cajun.
And, as fun loving as he is, a Cajun can work as long and hard as any man. He carved out “Acadiana” by hand, from the swamps and marshes and uncultivated prairies.
But when the work is done and the argument ended, a Cajun can sweep you right into a wonderful world of Joie de vivre with an accordion chorus of “Jolie Blonde,” and a handful of happy little words…five little words to be exact:

“Laissez les bon temps rouler”
Let the good times roll!

Copyright Bob Hamm 1972

Louisiana's Advanced Communications Network!

After having dug to a depth of 10 feet last year, New York scientists found traces of copper wire dating back 100 years and came to the conclusion that their ancestors already had a telephone network more than 100 years ago.Not to be outdone by the New Yorkers, in the weeks that followed, California scientists dug to a depth of 20 feet, and shortly after, headlines in the LA Times newspaper read: 'California archaeologists have found traces of 200 year old copper wire and have concluded that their ancestors already had an advanced high-tech communications network a hundred years earlier than the New Yorkers.'One week later, 'The Daily Advertiser', a local newspaper in Lafayette reported the following:'After digging as deep as 30 feet in rice fields near Forked Island , Boudreaux, a self-taught archaeologist, reported that he found absolutely nothing. Boudreaux has therefore concluded that 300 years ago, Louisiana had already gone wireless.'

About Lafayette!

Lafayette is a metropolis which displays an extraordinary mixture of tradition and progressiveness. Having a rich French heritage blended with Spanish, American, Indian and African influences, the city represents a colorful combination of lifestyles.
Lafayette lies 15 miles west of the Atchafalaya Basin and 35 miles north of the Gulf of Mexico and exhibits the subtropical climate typical of South Louisiana. The city is situated in a geographical area of forests and prairies interlaced with bayous, swamps and marshes.
The first known inhabitants, the Attakapas Indians, were known to have populated the Lafayette area in the 1700s. The tribe was very powerful and feared by other Indians. The Attakapas dominated until three opposing tribes, the Opelousas, Alabamons and Choctaws, united in battle and conquered their opponent. Legend reports that the Attakapas Indians supposedly ate their prisoners of war.
The exact date when the first European settlers reached the Lafayette area is not known. Early historians report that a few trappers, traders and ranchers were present in the region prior to the Spanish occupation of 1766. A census conducted in 1769 by Spanish Governor O'Reilly indicated a population of 409 for the area.
The historical event of the 18th century which had the greatest cultural impact on Lafayette was the migration of the Acadians from French Canada. Approximately 18,000 French-speaking Catholic inhabitants settled Acadie (now Nova Scotia) in 1605 and lived there under French rule until 1713 when the region went into English hands.
Faced with the refusal of the Acadians to pledge allegiance to the British crown and Anglican Church, English Governor Charles Lawrence took action. Acting on his own and not under orders from the crown as he professed, he gave the orders that led to the expulsion of the Acadians in 1755, also known as "Le Grand Derangement."
Families were separated and as the Acadians went to sea under dreadful conditions, more than half lost their lives. The exiles ended up in many locations and in 1784, the King of Spain consented to allow them to settle in South Louisiana. The Acadians then joined a scattering of their people who had arrived as early as 1765 from the Caribbean and the East Coast.
Some exiles settled at various locations along the Eastern Seaboard of the United States, but most followed the path which led to New Orleans. There they received a hostile greeting from the French aristocracy so they headed west into unsettled territory. They settled along the bayous of south central and south western Louisiana where they could live according to their own beliefs and customs.
The first settlement, known as Petit Manchac, was established by the English who used it during the Revolutionary War as an outpost. It constituted a small trading post on the banks of the Vermilion River where the Old Spanish Trail crossed the bayou (about where today's Pinhook Bridge is located). The village also came to be known as Pin Hook, a name about which many stories of origin exist.
The years of 1765-1785 marked the great immigration period of the Acadians and many land grants were given by the French and Spanish governments. As a result of the Treaty of Fountainebleau in 1762, Louisiana went from French to Spanish rule. The Spanish actually took possession in 1766. The French Revolution of 1789 had its effect on Lafayette as many French Loyalists fled to Louisiana to settle. With the Louisiana Purchase of 1803, Louisiana then became possession of the United States.
More specifically for Lafayette, in 1821, Jean Mouton (an Acadian) donated land for the construction of a Catholic church. On May 15, 1822 Bishop Duborg created the church parish of St. John the Evangelist of Vermilion which encompassed the area from Mouton's plantation south to the Gulf of Mexico and west to the Sabine River.
A settlement grew around the church and on January 17, 1823, the Louisiana Legislature created Lafayette Parish from the western portion of what was St. Martin Parish. Mouton made a second land donation to the new community, this time for a courthouse. The town of Vermilionville became the new parish's seat. The settlement grew and the town of Vermilionville was renamed Lafayette in 1884 in honor of the French Marquis de Lafayette.
Information courtesy of the Lafayette Convention and Visitors Commission. To learn more, visit the Lafayette Convention and Visitors Commission's web site as well as the website of the Greater Lafayette Chamber of Commerce.

Zydeco Breakfast At Cafe Des Amis

It's Saturday morning in Breaux Bridge, Louisiana (pop. 7,902). My bloody mary sports a dilly bean, my eggs share a plate with crawfish étouffée and my flatware is bouncing around like a Mexican jumping bean. This is the zydeco breakfast at Café Des Amis, a 20-table eatery in a former general store that dates to the 1920s and still wears its original moldings, pine floors and stamped-tin ceilings. Those who aren't standing on the sidewalk waiting to get in are dancing to Lil' Nathan & the Zydeco Big Timers; the floorboards bounce to the beat. This is Cajun country, where traditions trump all—even in the face of natural disaster.

Take a tour of Cafe Des Amis. You will find a link on the left -->
or type www.cafedesamis.com/ in your browser window.

Check out this link from Smithsonian Magazine and join us on Saturday Morning, June 21, 2008!

http://www.smithsonianmagazine.com/issues/2007/may/destamer-cajun.php

Boo & Thib at the Unemployment Office

Boudreaux and Thibodeaux worked together and both were
laid off, so they went to the unemployment office. When asked his
occupation, Boudreaux answered, "Panty Stitcher. I sew da elastic
onto ladies' cotton panties."

The clerk looked up Panty Stitcher. Finding it
classified as unskilled labor, she gave him $300 a week unemployment pay.

Thibodeaux was asked his occupation. "Diesel Fitter,"
he replied.

Since diesel fitter was a skilled job, the clerk gave
Thibodeaux $600 a week. When Boudreaux found out he was furious. He
stormed back into the office to find out why his friend and
co-worker was collecting double his pay.

The clerk explained, "Panty stitchers are unskilled
and diesel fitters are skilled labor."

"What skill?" yelled Boudreaux. "I sew the elastic on
da panties, Thibodeaux puts dem over his head and says:
"Yah, diesel fitter."

Makes Sense to Me!

A 2007 LSU study found that the average Cajun

walks about 900 miles a year.Another LSU study found that Cajuns drink an

average of 22 gallons of beer a year.

That conclusively means, on average,

Coon Asses

get about 41 miles per gallon!

Overflow Hotel & other Hotels near the Hilton

The Lafayette Hilton, headquarters for our 68th Annual Conference, is"Sold Out" for the conference dates. Early action by a big crowdplanning to come has booked up every available room, our block plus!Do not abandon hope! Mary Lynn has arranged for a first round of"Overflow"rooms at the nearby HOTEL ACADIANA, 1801 West Pinhook, 2 blocks West ofthe Hilton, (337)233-8120, Group # 106729, $99 + tax S/D, currently"blocked"until May 26,

Don't hesitate! Don't wait!

Hotel Acadiana
Lafayette, LA
Distance: 0.46 mi / 0.74 km
• Located in Lafayette’s Oil Center, this hotel is a mile from Vermillionville, Girard Park, and Lafayette Regional Airport. . 1-800-551-2409

Fairfield Inn & Suites Lafayette South
Lafayette, LA
Distance: 0.18 mi / 0.29 km
• This hotel, located in Lafayette’s business district, is within 2 miles of Louisiana State University at Lafayette. 1-800-551-2409

Courtyard by Marriott Lafayette
Lafayette, LA
Distance: 0.46 mi / 0.74 km
The hotel designed by business travelers, Courtyard surrounds you with all the comforts that make business and pleasure travel easy. 1-800-551-2409

Americas Best Inns Lafayette
Lafayette, LA Distance: 0.54 mi / 0.87 km
Lafayette Americas Best Suites Is Located In The Heart Of The Business District-It Is Situated 3 Miles From Lafayette Regional Airport- ...
1-800-551-2409

Ramada Inn Lafayette
Lafayette, LA
Distance: 0.55 mi / 0.89 km
• This hotel is three miles south of downtown Lafayette and two miles from Lafayette Regional Airport. 1-800-551-2409

•La Quinta Inn and Suites Lafayette
Lafayette, LA
Distance: 0.61 mi / 0.98 km
• Located in downtown Lafayette, this hotel is one mile from the Acadian Mall, four miles from the Cajundome, and 20 miles from Avery Island.
More lodging info
Same great rates plus expert advice. 1-800-551-2409

Golf Tournament - June 23rd!

The Golf Tounament will be held on June23rd at the Farm Golf Club.

http://www.thefarmlinks.com/playindex.html

The registration form is included to the left

in Southwest Fest Links.

Cajuns in Heaven!

Gabriel came to the Lord and said, "I have to talk to you; I have some Cajuns up here in heaven who are causing some problems.
They are swinging on the pearly gates. My horn is missing. Barbecue sauce is all over their robes. Hamhock, spareribs, and crawfish shells are all over the streets of gold. Some folks are walking around with one wing. They have been late taking their turn in keeping the stairway to heaven clean.
There are watermelon seeds all over the clouds. They have eaten almost every animal up here! Some of them aren't even wearing their halos, saying it is messing up their hair."
The Lord said, "I made them special, as I did you, my angel. Heaven is home to all my children. If you really want to know about problems, let's call the Devil and see how he is dealing with them."
The Devil answered the phone, "Hello? Dang, hold on." The Devil returned to the phone and said, "Hello, God, what can I do for you?"
God replied, "Tell me what kind of problems you are having down there with the Cajuns you have there."
The Devil said, "Wait one minute," and puts the Lord on hold. After 5 minutes he returned to the phone, and said, "Okay, I'm back. What was the question?"
God asked again, "What kind of problems are you having down there?"
The Devil said, "Man, I don't believe this . . . . Hold on, God." This time the Devil was gone for 15 minutes. The Devil returned and said, "I'm sorry, God, I can't talk right now. These coonasses have done put the fire out and are holding a benefit crawfish and shrimp boil to install air conditioning."

Look Out "Skeeters"

It's about that time folks-- so thought I'd send out this reminder!!!!

Prepare to be repelled!!!!!

Use Bounce Fabric Softener Sheets...Best thing ever used in Louisiana..just wipe on & go...Great for Babies

Bob, a fisherman, takes one vitamin B-1 tablet a day April through October .

He said it works. He was right.Hasn't had a mosquito bite in 33 years. Try it.Every one he has talked into trying it works on them.Vitimin B-1

( Thiamine Hydrochloride 100 mg.)

If you eat bananas,the mosquitos like you,

- something about the banana oil as your body processes it.

Stop eating bananas for the summer and

the mosquitos will be much less interested.

This is going to floor you, but one of the bestinsect repellents someone found (who is in the woods every day), is Vick's Vaporub.

Plant marigolds around the yard, the flowers give off a smell that bugs do not like,so plant some in that garden also to help wardoff bugs without using insecticides.

"Tough guy" Marines who spend a great deal of time"camping out" say that the very best mosquito repellant you can use is

Avon Skin-So-Soft bath oil mixed about half and half with alcohol.

One of the best natural insect repellants that I've discovered is made from the clear real vanilla. This is the pure Vanilla that is sold in Mexico. It works great for mosquitoes and ticks,don't know about other insects.

When all else fails--get a frog !!!

Boudreaux and Mabel

Boudreaux done got old and his childen dun put him in the old folks home near Breaux Bridge, Louisiana where he dun met a lovely lady dat were from Waco, Texas. Now Boudreaux being a fine upstanding Catholic, he didn't want to do nutin dat were aganst his religion, no. So he dun propose marriage. Now both Boudreaux and Mable were in their 80s.

Mable went and told everyone at the Senior Citizens home the good news. Irene, Mable's best friend, told her that since she was very wealthy and the person she was about to wed was, well to say the least, not worth much, she should insist on a Prenuptial Agreement.

Mable was sitting on the porch swing with Boudreaux and she told him she would marry him providing he would sign a prenuptial agreement.
Boudreaux dun told Mable a'll sign agreement, you bet, cause I luv you so much.
Mable got out her pen and paper and started:

She said: I want to keep my house down in Texas with all the oil wells.
He said: That's fine with me. I'll keep my shak on the bayou.
She said: I want to keep my Cadillac, BMW and Lexus.
He said: That's fine with me. I'll keep my pick em up truck.
She said: I want to keep my yacht that that is moored near my summer home
in Padre Island.
He said: That's fine with me. I'll keep my pirogue.
She said: I want to keep all my jewelry.
He said: That's fine with me too.
She said: I want to have sex 6 times a week.
He said: That's fine with me. Put me down for Fridays.