About Natchitoches Parish, LA

LSU football fans cheered the Tigers on to a win Friday afternoon in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, against the Arkansas Razorbacks. But I wasn't there to just watch the game - I was there to cheer for my daughter, April Giddens, as she was honored during the second quarter as the Louisiana 2012 Teacher of the Year - Here's her picture on the big screen at the game:

And as an added treat, April's husband, Mike, and her three children, Hannah, Timothy and Emma, get to pose with the LSU Tiger!

Well, it was a good day for LSU fans - but it was also a good day for our family!

Are you wondering about that word ....."Lagniappe"? It entered English from Louisiana French, which in turn is derived from the American Spanish phrase la ñapa (something that is added) or throwing in a little something extra. Although a old custom, it is still practiced in Louisiana!

It was that "little something extra" that made the "Louisiana Leadership Lagniappe", a gathering of branch owners, managers, and members of corporate staff of Fairway Independent Mortgage in Natchitoches, Louisiana, from around the country so very special.

Instead of meeting in a standard, stuffy convention hall at a local hotel, we chose to gather at the elegant, century old Victorian home, Sweet Cane Inn, located in the heart of the Natchitoches Landmark Historic District historic district of Natchitoches, Louisiana.

Sweet Cane Inn was built for Congressman Phanor Breazeale in the late 1800’s. You will absolutely love the 12 foot ceilings, 11 fireplaces, and a wall of stained glassed windows at the top of the stairs!

It was great having the projector and screen that Sweet Cane Inn had set up for our corporate event as we went through the session of "Five Dysfunctions of a Team"!

We were excited to have the owner of the company and our fearless leader join us at the event - and of course, here he is - "testing" the food!

For lunch, we gathered in the dining room for some Louisiana gumbo and Jambalaya - and some coconut pie! This also where we gathered for breakfast, and Rachel, our innkeeper, cooked some incredible CHEESE grits, along with fresh fruit, french toast, and much, much more gave us a good start to the day!

In between sessions, everyone is catching up on phone calls and e-mails.....

In the house....

On the porch....

In the yard.....!

Some just enjoying hanging out and visiting with each other at such a beautiful home....

Because Sweet Cane Inn is so conveniently located within walking distance of Front Street, it was easy to take a break from the meetings to walk along the century old brick lined street to visit the many shops and attractions. We needed a "shop break"!

On the last night, we walked to the restaurant "The Landing Seafood and Steakhouse" where we feasted on shrimp, crawfish etouffee, fried green tomatoes, and alligator......

and then DESSERT......................!

Sweet Cane Inn had a GREAT front porch......here's a a few of the ones who gathered for the event as we are getting ready to leave.....

So check out www.SweetCaneInn.com! And consider it not only for a great week-end get-away - but also for a corporate event. You will NOT be disappointed!

The Northwestern State University Demons kicked off their 2011 football season last Thursday night with a win against Delta State - 24 to 23.

Now I have to admit something to you. Shhhhhhh ....don't tell anyone! But ........I am not a football fan...........!

BUT I AM a HUGE fan of NSU! It is the college that the majority of our family has attended. So....why was I seated in the prestigious "President's Box" last Thursday evening for this kick-off game? Well, as you see from the pictures - there were "half-time" activities which were to honor my daughter, April Giddens!

Congratulations to NSU for their win in their first game of the season! And also to April as the Louisiana 2012 Teacher of the Year. I loved having the opportunity to attend the game and join with April's peers and others to honor her achievements. Because April is not only a graduate of NSU, but she also taught at the NSU lab school for several years, Northwestern State University is extremely proud of their former student! And so am I.

News from NSU Website: Northwestern State University honored Louisiana Teacher of the Year and alumna April Jessup Giddens during the Delta State – Northwestern State football game. Giddens, a sixth grade teacher at Natchitoches Magnet School, earned a bachelor’s degree at NSU in 1996 and a master’s in 1998. Joining in on the presentation were, from left, State. Sen. Gerald Long, State Sen. Ben Nevers of Bogalusa, chair of the Senate Education Committee; Dr. Derwood Duke, superintendent of Natchitoches Parish Schools; Dr. Vickie Gentry, dean of the College of Education and Human Development, Giddens; Northwestern President Dr. Randall J. Webb and NSU student Mariah Courville, president of Sigma Sigma Sigma sorority, Giddens’ sorority.

Natchitoches Magnet School is located in Natchitoches, Louisiana, and serves students from all around the parish. NMS has limited enrollment, with only two classes per grade, currently serving 320 students from first through eighth grade and one of the best schools in the parish.

Natchitoches Magnet School is the school that three of my grandchildren attend. This is also the school where my daughter, April Giddens, teaches 6th grade. April was just named "Louisiana 2012 Teacher of the Year" and Natchitoches Magnet School is extremely proud of her!

Here's the 2011-2012 Basketball Schedule for Natchitoches Magnet School, Natchitoches, Louisiana, is below:

2010 - 2011 Basketball

Girl's Head Coach: Fay Jones

Boy's Head Coach: Donald Rachal, Jr.

schedule | roster | photos

2010 - 2011 BASKETBALL SCHEDULE | back to top

DATE	GAME TIME	OPPONENT	HOME / AWAY
10-14-10	4:30	Many Jr. High	Home
10-18-10	3:30	Marthaville	Home
10-19-10	5:00	St. Mary's	Home
11-01-10	3:30	Fairview Alpha	Away
11-04-10	3:30	Vaughn	Home
11-08-10	5:00	Red River	Away
11-11-10	3:30	Cloutierville	Away
11-15-10	3:30	Provencal	Away
11-18-10	5:00	Red River	Home
11-29-10	3:30	NSU Middle Lab	Away
12-06-10	3:30	Parks	Away
12-07-10	4:30	Many Jr. High	Away
12-09-10	3:30	East	Away
12-13-10	3:30	Goldonna	Home

2010 - 2011 BOY'S 7th GRADE BASKETBALL ROSTER | back to top

#	NAME	GRADE
	Malik Claiborne	6
	Scott Coffey	7
	Ja'len Hall	7
	Joseph Henry	7
	Chenaniah Hymes	7
	Myles Nolley	6
	Kenneth Penrod	7
	Donald Rachal, III	6
	Ethan Starks	7
	Laurence Wynder	7

2010 - 2011 BOY'S 8th GRADE BASKETBALL ROSTER | back to top

#	NAME	GRADE
	CaDarius Burton	8
	Kolby Carter	8
	Danny Cohen	8
	Billy Clemons	8
	Mark Coffey	7
	Chris Gistarb	7
	JaWarren Hunter	8
	Holden Murphy	8
	Cameron Ratliff	8
	Matt Robinson	8

2010 - 2011GIRL'S 7th GRADE BASKETBALL ROSTER | back to top

#	NAME	GRADE
	Janieya Bobb	6
	Anna Coffey	7
	Hannah Giddens	6
	Serena Harris	7
	Kayla Jackson	6
	Adria Stampley	7
	Adriana Walker	6

2010 - 2011 GIRL'S 8th GRADE BASKETBALL ROSTER | back to top

#	NAME	GRADE
	Olya Grigor	8
	Jaida Jefferson	8
	Serenity Legardy	7
	Claire Methvin	8
	Hanna Pardee	7
	Shandrekia Roberson	8
	Cayln Scott	8
	Destinie Stovall	8
	Deja Vercher	8

Natchitoches Parish has kicked off another school year!

Here is your 2011-2012 School Calendar for Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana

Natchitoches Parish School Board 2011-2012 School Calendar	Parish Professional Development
Tuesday, August 9	School Level Professional Development (9 Month Support Staff Begin Work on this Day)
Wednesday, August 10	First Full Day of School
Monday, September 5	Labor Day
Thursday, October 20	Parent/Teacher Conference (3:30 - 6:30pm)
Friday, October 21	Parent/Teacher Conference (8:00 - 12:00pm)
November 21-25	Thanksgiving Holidays
Friday, December 2	Professional Development (8:00 – 12:00 noon) Students Remain Home
Thursday, December 22	Begin Christmas Holidays
Friday, January 6	Professional Development (School Level)
Monday, January 9	Students Return to School
Thursday, January 12	Parent/Teacher Conference (3:30 - 6:30pm)
Friday, January 13	Parent/Teacher Conference (8:00 - 12:00pm)
Monday, January 16	Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday
Monday, February 20	Presidents' Day
Tuesday, February 21	Mardi Gras Holiday
Louisiana TEST DATES: Tuesday, March 20	PHASE I – STATE TESTING (LEAP/GEE Writing)
Friday, April 6	GOOD FRIDAY (Easter)
Louisiana TEST DATES: April 12, 13, 16, 17	PHASE II – LOUISIANA STATE TESTING
April 23 – April 27	SPRING BREAK
Tuesday, May 22	Last Day for Students
Wednesday, May 23	Teacher Work Day
Thursday, May 24	Report Cards (Teacher Half Day)
End of each 9 week grading period:	1st Nine Weeks – October 12 2nd Nine Weeks – December 21 Second Semester Begins January 9 3rd Nine Weeks – March 14