Fall is here and the park is calling! Louisiana is blessed with an abundance of natural beauty and fascinating history. You can now explore all of that for free in Evangeline Parish at Chicot State Park. All you need is your library card! You can check out a Geaux Explore backpack that contains a:

• Pass for a free, one-day entry to any Louisiana state parks or historic site
• Set of binoculars
• Compass
• Magnifying glass
• Leave No Trace outdoor ethics cards
• Louisiana Bird Guide
• Louisiana Wildlife Guide
• Louisiana Trees and Wildflower Guide

(You may also check out a PARK PASS without a Geaux Explore backpack).

Check out: With your library card you can check out a state park pass and backpack.

Visit for free: Present the pass to the park ranger. The park will retain the pass upon entrance.

Admission rules: The pass permits one vehicle and its passengers to enter the park. However, it does not provide access to cabins, campgrounds, or other programs while at the park. The pass is not valid for overnight stays.

Have fun: But remember to respect our state parks. Use the backpack’s materials to leave no trace and enjoy nature responsibly.

Check Out Louisiana State Parks is a joint project from the State Library of Louisiana, Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser, and Louisiana State Parks. Call or visit the main library or your branch for more information.

Eighteen public library systems are participating in the Check Out Louisiana State Parks pilot program:

 The main library in Ville Platte is an official polling site so we will only be open to the voters that belong to Precinct 1140 to cast their vote. Regular hours and programs will resume on Wednesday, November 6th .   

Jessie Sheehan’s lickety-split recipes, dynamic personality, and kitchen savvy advice have made her a beloved food personality on social media. In Salty, Cheesy, Herby, Crispy, she relies on the same assemble-in-minutes-with-everyday-ingredients mandate that has become her calling card, but now ventures into new flavor territory. Eschewing marshmallow creme in favor of pimiento cheese, Sheehan bakes up scrumptious, savory treats that are perfect for a snack board (“girl dinner,” anyone?), offer sustenance for game night, and can easily stand in for lunch or grace the table at brunch. Think Hot Pepper Jelly and Cream Cheese Stuffed Muffins, Smash Burger Hand Pies with Cheese, Pepperoni Pizza Galette with Ricotta, or some Butter Crackers with Melty Cheese and Sour Pickles. With classic snackable style, Sheehan also provides a few “shortcut” staples, like Magic Melted Butter Pie Dough and Quickest (yet Tastiest) Caramelized Onions. Fun, playful, and exceptionally delicious recipes, accompanied by gorgeous photographs, make this a must-have book for 2024 and beyond.

And more delicious offerings…

John Kanell is beloved for his aspirational lifestyle and food recipes that feed the eye first. As his kids get older and life gets busier, John recognizes the need that all busy families have for food that is at once practical to prepare and delicious.

Preppy Kitchen Super Easy was born of that need. He’s created a cookbook of simple dishes that feel special. With particular attention to variations for nearly every recipe, John makes it easy to prepare any dish at any time. Ran out of mayo? Use sour cream in the Ranch and Feta Dip. Need to use up those tomatoes and peppers before they go to waste? Swap ’em for the cukes in the Wild Rice Salad. In each recipe, John breaks down instructions with simple steps, streamlines ingredient lists, and gives dozens of ideas for riffs and make-aheads. John explains how easy it is to vary vessels with a single recipe: a quick bread or cake can bake in a muffin tin, a baking dish, or a cake pan; pancake batter is good for a waffle maker or a griddle. He leans into a small cache of hands-off appliances such as the Instant Pot(tm) and air fryer. And, best of all, he’s developed recipes you can make once and eat all week, along with dressings and spreads that morph from snack-time dip to salad accompaniment to just-add-a-protein main dish.