Latest news with #Spell
The Age
13-05-2025
- The Age
The must-do highlights of Byron Bay in three days
DAY TWO Morning Begin the day with an al fresco brekky at the buzzing Bayleaf Cafe, which serves everything from poached eggs to Japanese savoury pancakes, before hitting the shops. Byron Bay's alternative and surf culture has led to an eclectic array of stores, from high-street surf shops to boho boutiques Spell, Kivari, Rowie the Label, and Arnhem Clothing. Pick up crystals, candles, pendulums, salt lamps and sun catchers at Soulife Byron Bay, tie-dye apparel from The Rainbow Shop and, of course, cookies from The Byron Bay Cookie Company, which started its life as a stall at the local markets in 1990 (the white choc macadamia nut, and tropical mango and passionfruit are still favourites). Less than 20 minutes' drive north of Byron, the laidback coastal town of Brunswick Heads is an entirely pleasant place to while away the afternoon – once you've found a parking spot, that is. Grab a burger from Old Maids, some sushi or sashimi from Trouble San or fish and chips from Starfish Takeaway, and find a spot on the grass besides Simpsons Creek that runs off the Brunswick River. There's a modern playground for kids to play, and you can hire a kayak, canoe, stand-up paddleboard or motorised boat from Brunswick Buccaneers to explore the emerald-green waterway. Wander over the bridge – where local kids can often be seen taking death-defying leaps – and go for a dip at Main Beach, or in the calm waters off Torakina Beach. Afterwards, pop into Hotel Brunswick to enjoy a cold beverage in the beer garden, or try a tropical treat from Wal from Natural Ice-Cream Australia, whose van is open Friday, Saturday and Sunday afternoons. Evening On the way back to town, stop off at The Farm, which aims to educate young and old about where food comes from. Located on a 32-hectare property at Ewingsdale, around 10 minutes' drive north of Byron Bay, The Farm is home to several micro-businesses. Watch the pigs rolling in the mud and crush some macadamia nuts in the orchard before sitting down for dinner on the verandah at the rustic, sustainably focused Three Blue Ducks restaurant. The menu changes with the seasons, but Thursday is generally mussel night, with such delights as mussels with yellow curry sauce, lemongrass and kaffir lime, while on Sundays you can indulge in a roast dinner with pepper-crusted slow-cooked beef brisket, mustard, horseradish, jus and Yorkshire pudding served alongside garlic and rosemary potatoes and vegetables dug fresh from a nearby patch. DAY THREE Morning Today is all about exploring the hinterland, starting in the historic town of Bangalow, a scenic 20-minute drive south-west of Byron Bay. Enjoy breakfast in the courtyard at WOODS café, hidden away in the arts precinct, or at Bangalow Bread Co. or Butcher Baker in the main street, which is lined with art galleries, luxury boutiques and homewares stores. Stock up on such products as locally-grown olives, goat cheese and wild-caught smoked fish at the Bangalow Farmers' Market, held every Saturday morning, or wander amidst the camphor laurel and fig trees at Bangalow Market in the nearby showground on the fourth Sunday of the month. History buffs can follow the self-guided Bangalow Heritage Walk, where plaques featuring old black and white photos reveal the past lives of the town's Federation-style buildings, including a bootmaker shop once owned by the great-grandfather of cricketing legends Steve and Mark Waugh. Afternoon Continue your journey along the winding country roads before settling in for lunch at one of the many acclaimed eateries hidden in the hills beyond Byron Bay. For a classic Aussie pub, you can't go past the beautifully restored Eltham Hotel, which was built in the former railway town in 1902. Alternatively, indulge a long lunch at Mediterranean restaurant The Hut, which is located in an old schoolhouse at Possum Creek, farm-to-table restaurant Frida's Field at Nashua, or the Japanese-inspired Doma Cafe in the sleepy village of Federal. After lunch, make your way to Cape Byron Distillery at McLeod's Shoot for its Brookie's Rainforest and Gin Tasting tour to learn about how the rundown dairy farm was transformed into a sub-tropical paradise bursting with ingredients such as native raspberry, cinnamon myrtle and Davidson plum, which are used to help create the distillery's award-winning tipples. Evening Return to Bangalow for dinner at You Beauty, which was crowned Regional Restaurant of the Year in the 2025 Good Food Guide Awards. True to its name, the venue channels the spirit of a classic Aussie pub — an ethos shared by its owners, who also helm the aforementioned Eltham Hotel and neighbouring Ciao, Mate! pizzeria. But with its timber-clad interiors, high bar stools and intimate ambience, it leans more toward a chic inner-city hotel than a country watering hole. At the helm is sustainable chef Matt Stone, who champions local farmers and producers with a rotating seasonal menu. Expect standout dishes like roo skewers, salted snapper with fried potato, and the unforgettable crocodile toast with sesame seed, all perfectly paired with natural wines.
Yahoo
01-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Bill aims to establish Louisiana's official Christmas children's book
BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) — A bill aims to make a cherished Cajun holiday story Louisiana's official Christmas children's book. House Bill 273, introduced by Rep. Annie Spell (R-Lafayette), seeks to make 'Cajun Night Before Christmas' the official state children's Christmas book during the 2025 regular legislative session. The book, written by J.B. Kling Jr. and illustrated by James Rice, offers a Cajun take on the classic ''Twas the Night Before Christmas.' The book, first released in 1973, swaps snow and sleigh bells for moss-covered trees, skiffs powered by alligators and a Cajun Santa bringing joy to Louisiana. Spell said the holiday story is still a bestseller with more than one million copies sold. She said the story has made an impact across the U.S. and internationally as it's read in classrooms and sent as a gift to out-of-town clients by businesses. 'Many adults remember it as one of their first tales of the Cajun dialect, and their children have read it, and their grandchildren have read it. This is true for my family,' Spell said. The House Committee on Judiciary approved the bill with an amendment to clarify that the book would be the state's children's Christmas book. NORAD's Santa tracker was a Cold War morale boost. Now it attracts millions of kids Proposed Louisiana bill would require citizenship check for public benefit applicants US, Ukraine sign mineral deal Bill aims to establish Louisiana's official Christmas children's book House votes to overturn California clean truck rules – defying internal watchdog Toby Keith's dreams to come true at Kentucky Derby Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
USA Today
30-03-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Key Penn State commit shuts down his recruiting process
Key Penn State commit shuts down his recruiting process James Franklin will be happy about this latest bit of recruiting news. BREAKING: Elite 5⭐️ 2027 RB commit Kemon Spell has ALSO shut down his recruitment, he tells @PSU_Dylan & @HappyValleyUtd! 👀 He updates us on everything Penn State here. 💙🤍 #WeAre — Happy Valley United (@HappyValleyUtd) March 29, 2025 One of Penn State's top in-state recruiting targets in the Class of 2027 has announced he is shutting down his recruitment and will stay locked in on his commitment to the Nittany Lions. Class of 2027 running back Kemon Spell, from McKeesport, Pennsylvania, has said he is shutting down his recruitment process and will stand firm with his commitment to Penn State. Spell confirmed his latest decision in an interview with Happy Valley United's Dylan Dawson, via social media. The decision is a big one for James Franklin and his staff as they continue to try to keep some of the top players from the state, especially at the running back position, close to home. Securing a commitment from Spell keeps that trend going that has previously led to the commitments of players like Saquon Barkley, Miles Sanders, and Nicholas Singleton. Spell is next in line as one of the top-ranked players in Pennsylavnia and one of the top running backs nationally in the Class of 2027. Spell is ranked as the no. 2 player overall in Pennsylavnia according to the latest 247Sports composite rankings, and he is the no. 2 running back in the nation according to the same ranking structure. He is rated as a four-star player by 247Sports and On3's industry ranking. On3 ranks Spell as the top player overall in Pennsylvania and the top-ranked running back in the nation. Spell is a 5'-10", 195-pound running back and he committed to Penn State in August 2024. Since committing to Penn State, Spell ahs received offers from Notre Dame, Tennessee, and UCLA, but he has taken no additional visits of note. It is still incredibly early to be focusing on such things at this point in time, but Penn State's Class of 2027 currently has three commits on the board and is ranked no. 1 in the nation by 247Sports. Penn State's Class of 2026 currently is ranked no. 8 in the nation by 247Sports. Follow Kevin McGuire on Threads, Bluesky, Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook. Follow Nittany Lions Wire on X, Facebook, and Threads.
Yahoo
29-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
2027 four-star RB and Penn State commit Kemon Spell shuts down recruitment
Kemon Spell Class of 2027 four-star running back and Penn State commit Kemon Spell is shutting his recruitment down. He believes PSU is the best program for his future and he will not be considering any other schools moving forward. Advertisement Spell, out McKeesport Area High School, is a top-75 prospect nationally, checking in at No. 74 in the Rivals250. He also ranks as the No. 1 recruit in the state of Pennsylvania and the No. 5 running back in the 2027 cycle. While back in Happy Valley for a visit with Penn State on Saturday, Spell sat down with head coach James Franklin, offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki, running backs coach Stan Drayton, assistant running backs coach Charles Walker and other Penn State staff members. Following those conversations, Spell came to the conclusion that he is locked in with the Nittany Lions. "My talk with Coach Franklin was awesome," Spell told "He sat down with me and my parents and talked about the love he has for me and my family, and how I will be treated just like his (own) kids." Perhaps the biggest threat to the Nittany Lions in Spell's recruitment was Notre Dame. The Fighting Irish recently offered Spell on "Pot of Gold Day" on March 17, but his relationship with recently-hired Notre Dame associate head coach/running backs coach Ja'Juan Seider made that pursuit something to keep an eye on. Advertisement Seider was the assistant head coach/co-offensive coordinator/running backs coach for the Nittany Lions when Spell committed to Penn State back in August of 2024. Spell shares a special bond with Seider. However, Spell remains committed to Penn State and plans to keep that pledge all the way until it is time for the 2027 prospect to sign with the school. In addition to his strong connection with Franklin, one big reason why he is deciding to shut down his recruitment this early in the process is because of his growing relationship with Drayton. "Me and Coach Drayton's relationship has gotten stronger and stronger the more we talk, the more we go over things," Spell said. "I saw something special in (Coach Drayton) in my eyes. I want him coaching me." Advertisement Spell's tight bond with Walker is also a big reason why Spell is eager to become a Nittany Lion in the near future. "Coach Charles Walker, I love him," Spell said. "He shows so much affection toward me and my family. This is really the best group (of coaches) in the country." During the visit, Spell spent quality time with many of the coaches and was reminded why he chose the Nittany Lions in the first place — Penn State is home to him. "On my visit today, (I felt like) it is something like home," Spell explained. "That's where I'm meant to be and where I was born to play. The coaches, they all love me. I got to sit down and have a few conversations with the offensive coordinator (Andy Kotelnicki). I love his energy, and he loves me and wants to get to know me more." Advertisement Spell is not the only Penn State running back commit to announce on Saturday that he is shutting his recruitment down. Class of 2026 four-star running back Messiah Mickens also announced that he is locked in with the Nittany Lions and is no longer entertaining other programs. On a big Saturday for the Nittany Lions, Penn State also landed a commitment from in-state, four-star linebacker and Rivals250 prospect Khalil Taylor. PSU now has three total commits in the 2027 class with Spell, Taylor and four-star offensive tackle Layton von Brandt. SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS WITH PENN STATE FANS AT
