This will announce the arrival of Carnival season in Covington.
St. John Fools of Misrule Feast of Fools
Parade Route
Covington, LA 70433
January 6, 2024
6pm
Click Here for More Information!
Come see the Milkshakers on the Mandeville lakefront in the Mande Kings Day Parade.
Mande Kings Day
Parade Route
Mandeville, LA
January 6, 2024
2pm
Click Here for More Information!
Every year Old Covington has its Covington Heritage Foundation’s History and Holly Tour. Old historic homes will be decorated for Christmas and open their doors for patrons to tour them. The Heritage Foundation loves to keep this tradition going because it is a spirited way to get a look inside some of Covington’s most historic homes, and admire not only their charm, but their holiday extravagance.
“It’s a great way to kick off the holiday season, and it has become a signature event in
Covington,” said Verret, who is also a council member for the city.
The Covington Heritage Foundation was founded in 2013 and created the History and Holly Tour as their biggest fundraiser. The foundation was created for Covington’s bicentennial and still is going strong today. They preserve the town’s history by hosting educational events throughout the year. These include a cemetery tour around Halloween, a mystery and history tour, a local farm-to-table dinner and historical talks.
The walking tour has four historic homes that Patrons can enjoy touring indoors and a fifth home that patrons can tour on the outside. During the tour, patrons will have areas where they can purchase drinks and socialize. The Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra and Kiwanis Club Christmas will provide carolers that will entertain along the way to the tours.
The tour will begin at the Covington Trailhead and will cover an area around S. America Street and Jahncke Avenue. The homes are decorated by their owners and the tours will be guided by the Heritage Foundation volunteers.
“We pick between three and five properties that have historical significance or where people would love to go into that home and see,” said Verret. “They are decorated for the holiday season, and homeowners welcome up to 700 guests.”
“We’re trying to make history come to life,” said Verret. “And the History and Holly Home Tour helps us do that throughout the year.”
Today’s mortgage rates are still rising and will remain high for the foreseeable future. It is harder these days to know how much to spend on housing. When there is such demand, it is easy to jump the gun which can hinder you financially. Here are some rules the professionals say to follow when it comes to buying or renting a home.
The 30% Rule
This is a popular and common rule that is followed to decide if a certain home is affordable for you. The 30% rule is easy to follow, just do not spend more than 30% of your gross income on housing. Housing expenses are more than just your rent or mortgage payment. When figuring out how much your housing expenses are, if you are a homeowner, you will need to factor in your utilities, mortgage interest rate, homeowner’s insurance, property taxes and HOA fees or if you are a renter, include renter’s insurance and other fees from your landlord.
This rule is just for homeowners only. You will be covered in two ways with this rule. Your housing expenses which include your mortgage payment, property taxes, insurance and utilities cannot be more than 28% of your gross monthly income. Your total debt which includes credit cards, student loans, and auto loans, cannot go over 36% of your gross monthly income.
Don’t get stuck with real estate regret. If you are looking for a new home either by purchasing one or renting one, you need to contact your local real estate agent. A local real estate agent can help you determine what is right for you.
Twinkle on the Tchefuncte Lighted Boat Parade & Holiday Decoration Contest is a new tradition for Madisonville.
December 23, 2023
5pm – 8pm
Madisonville Riverfront
Madisonville, LA 70447
Event is Free.
Weather can wreak havoc on a home which is a very important investment in our lives. In recent years we have seen unprecedented flooding, record-setting temperatures, and out-of-season storms. To prevent anything from happening to your home, do these five easy things to upgrade your home.
Install an Effective Home Generator
Not only will a home generator save you in a bind, but will also add value to your home’s resale price. “Standby generators are becoming more of a necessity than a luxury because of health issues that rely on powered devices, like CPAP or home dialysis machines,” says Woods. When choosing a generator, choose one that is commercial-grade for your home. Consider one with an automatic transfer switch and a corrosion-proof enclosure.
Invest in Modern Windows
Windows can help keep your environment warm in the winter and cool in the summer. If you have old single-paned windows, they can cost you as much as 30% of your heating and cooling monthly bill. Older windows do not let in the outdoor air, but will also let in water. If left leaking a while, there can be a lot of damage done to your home.
Add a Rain-Barrel System
Every house has a gutter system that runs the rainwater away from the home, but they can get backed up or not work very will during heavy rainfall. Gutter runoff can cause damage by allow water to seep into your home. Adding a rain barrel can help as backup for your gutter system. A rain barrel will collect gray water which you can use on your landscaping.
Repoint Your Chimney Mortar
If you live in the Northeast region of the country, this tip will come in handy. Fireplaces are perfect during those cold winter days, but if not maintained, they can actually backfire. Checking the structure of your chimney is very important. The brick used on your chimney will expand and shrink when there are temperature changes. This will cause some wear and tear allowing water to creep in. To ensure this does not happen, repoint your chimney so the gaps will be closed.
Go Big on Landscaping
Trees can help with shading which can help cut the cost of your energy bill during the warmer months. Their roots can also help with flooding as well and also serve as buffers to the harsh winds.
Remember to follow these tips to help keep your home ready for the harsh weather. Harsh weather can wreak havoc on your living space and your life.
