APRIL

Ingredients: 1 (16-oz.) package Cajun smoked sausage, cut into 1/2-inch slices, 6 skinned and boned chicken thighs (about 2 1/4 lb.), 1 teaspoon salt, 1 large onion, chopped, 1 medium-size green bell pepper, chopped 2 celery ribs, chopped 4 garlic cloves, chopped 2 (16-oz.) cans cannellini beans, drained and rinsed 1 (14 1/2-oz.) can diced tomatoes 1 1/2 cups chicken broth 1/2 (16-oz.), package frozen sliced okra, thawed 1 1/2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning Directions: Step 1 - Preheat oven to 400°. Cook sausage in a large cast-iron Dutch oven over medium heat, stirring occasionally, 4 to 5 minutes or until browned. Remove sausage with a slotted spoon, and drain on paper towels, reserving drippings in Dutch oven. Step 2 - Sprinkle chicken with salt. Cook chicken in hot drippings over medium-high heat 2 to 3 minutes on each side or until browned. Remove from Dutch oven. Add onion and next 3

ingredients to Dutch oven, and cook, stirring often, 5 minutes or until onion is tender. Add beans, next 4 ingredients, chicken, and sausage; cover with lid. Step 3 - Bake, covered, at 400° for 40 minutes or until bubbly. If desired, sprinkle with Toasted Herbed Breadcrumb Topping.CA C’EST BON!

CAJUN CHICKEN CASSOULET - Prep Time: 35min / Cook Time: 1hr -15min

The Cajun Connection: Your Favorite Louisiana RecipesThe Cajun Connection: Your Favorite Louisiana Recipes

APRIL ANNIVERSARIES Here’s to Many More!

Boudreaux, SarahClouatre, CaylaCrawford, ReginaDavenport, Gary DDrummond, RaymondEllzey, Alice RFinch, Taylor DFranklin, James EJohnson, Mironda WLutcher Jr, Demetrius BMorris, Robert LSteptoe, CoreyStokes Iii, Jimmie MSumner, Brian RVernon, Jennifer Perez

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Smitty’s Supply Yrs.Horstman, John N. 23CAM2 Yrs.

Culpepper, AustinGill, Gregory MMoore, DavidOatis, VasanSaulsberry, KennethWebb, Jason

254124

BIG 4 TRUCKING Yrs.

Melancon, Ray 3JAXON ENERGY Yrs.

APRIL BIRTHDAYS ...and One To Grow On!

Bailey, Benita FCarr, NickCarver, JaredClegg, PaulEvans, FrankGendron, BrandonGraham, Darrel GHarper, Kevin DHarris, Henrietta MHaynes, ZelphiaHunt, Shane DKupers, JeffreyLutcher Jr, Demetrius BMaique, Roberto MMartin, MaryMcknight, Ellis AMcqueary, GaryMorris, Robert LNewkirk, AnthonyPerry, MitchellPoche, TimothyRobertson, SharonSchenk, Jeremy DSmith Iv, Edgar R

4/14/204/23/204/1/204/2/204/16/204/3/204/9/204/23/204/14/204/23/204/27/204/13/204/24/204/2/204/6/204/16/204/9/204/11/204/16/204/25/204/15/204/9/204/21/204/6/20

Smitty’s Supply DateSteptoe, IeshiaTate Jr, Brian RWalls, MichaelWarren, IshmaelWheat, JordanWilliams, SeanWoolridge, PercyZanders, Kenneth

4/23/204/25/204/26/204/19/204/8/204/24/204/2/204/15/20

Smitty’s Supply Date

Beade, AlejandroDiego, JoseShockites, Mark S.

4/22/204/11/204/24/20

CAM2 Date

Davenport, MarioHart, AshleyPalacio, EdgarYoung Iii, Tyree

4/30/204/8/204/7/204/19/20

BIG 4 TRUCKING Date

Rogers, Jamarquis 4/20/20

BIG 3 PALLETS Date

A March to “remember”… WOW – what a month we just had. March 2020 is one none of us will soon forget. Here’s what I will remember most about last month: Our Associates and how they stepped up to ensure our customers continued to receive orders..Our Associates and their determination to produce “hand sanitizer” a much needed product for our community.Our Associates for their flexibility in moving from shift to shift, job to job and not complaining but doing it with a smile.Our Associates for being grateful for working for a company that is taking care of the community.Our Associates and their gratitude for Smitty’s staying open while other businesses in the community closed and laid off workers.Our Associates and their smiles after we announced the $1 an hour bonus for the month of April. Our Associates determination to get the job done and make our community a better place..Our Leaders and how they supported our Associates every step of the way last month. One thing we all do from time to time is take things for granted.. I’m as “guilty” as anyone for taking my health, my family, my job for granted.. Yet - as I reflect on my time at Smitty’s I am very thankful for our team! I’m thankful for the way that everyone has pulled together to get the job done during this “unprecedented” time. I commit to you all that we are on a journey to improve our operations at Smitty’s. This journey will have bumps and obstacles (just like March 2020) – yet we will win! We will improve our working conditions, our equipment and ultimately our community! Thanks and stay safe! Bryan

A LETTER FROMB R YA N B O U D R E AU X

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!There is no doubt that you have made your presence an invaluable one in our company. As you go on to commit yourself to uphold our values and vision, we won’t ever

stop appreciating you.

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!!

Cassell, Jonathan

Blackwell, Jason

4/10/20

4/2/20

LATCH OIL Date

JAXON Date

HOW-TO CLEAN YOUR TRUCK FOR CORONAVIRUS. Luckily, keeping your car clean isn’t all that complicated. The most effective weapon against COVID-19 is soap (for seats and dashboards, of course). It doesn’t need to be antibacterial. Pretty much any household soap will do. Soap interacts with viruses in a similar way it does with oils: it breaks them down. So a simple soap scrub will annihilate any viruses in your truck, and soap is unlikely to degrade your interior surfaces the way many cleaners can. Scrubbing your hands for 20 seconds applies here, too. You can’t just move some soap around and then rinse it off. Soap needs time to surround and break down the virus.

When cleaning, wear disposable gloves. And be sure to pay special attention to door handles, the steering wheel, the shifter, seat belt buckles and other surfaces you touch the most. It’s not a good idea to be splashing water all over your infotainment system or even the steering wheel, and bleach solutions are obviously not a good idea for interior fabrics and materials. This comprehensive list from the Environmental Protection Agency of cleaners that are effective against the virus includes plenty of bleach-free sprays and wipes.

As always with a truck interior, be sure to test the product in an inconspicuous area in case of unforeseen discoloration. If you have a leather interior, be aware that many cleaning products can dry out the leather. After cleaning and drying, you should make a second pass over any leather surfaces with a leather conditioner to avoid cracking.

THE TRUCK STOPS HERE!

The HOW-TOs of HEALTHduring the coronavirus outbreak

streets.3. Skip the mask - Healthy exercise requires plenty of access to oxygen, and wearing a surgical mask or N95 respirator makes it much harder to breathe.4. Use best disease prevention practices - The best way to prevent coronavirus after venturing outside is still to obey tried-and-true public health measures. With the right precautions, exercising outside is one of the best ways to feel better during a stressful time. We could all use a little relief right about now.

HOW-TO stop touching your face all the time, according to expertsThe CDC states that COVID-19 is mainly spread from person-to-person, either between close contact or through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes. If those respiratory droplets land on your hand and make contact with any open skin, or your mouth or eyes, you may be at risk. That’s why one of the steps the CDC is urging people to follow (after washing your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds) is to avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.

1. Choose a competing behavior.- When you feel the urge to touch your face, touch your arm instead, or itch your arm.The point of habit reversal, the treatment for habits, is to pick a competing behavior to do instead — preferably one that’s similar, but one that directs you away from the original behavior.

2. Don’t try to ignore the urge. - Allow yourself to be aware of the urge, but don’t mentally struggle with the urge, and when you are aware, practice your competing behavior instead. Try to practice your new habit in place of touching your face for at least 30 minutes a day if you can.

3. Keep your hands busy.- If you’re still searching for an innocuous, subconscious way to keep your hands away from your face, physically touching something else could help. Stress balls are certainly a great option to keep your hands busy. Whatever object you choose, just be sure to sanitize it often, if possible, as it most likely will play host to a whole suite of germs as well.

4. Use household items to your advantage. - Start with nail polish products that makes use of foul-smelling and ill-tasting varnish to keep you from sticking your fingers into your mouth. The same can be said for fragrant soap that smells strongly, which can trigger your nose and awaken your subconscious to remind yourself to put your hands down. Bandages or creams like Vaseline can also prevent you from touching your face. If you simply must touch your face, pick up a clean tissue only after you’ve washed your hands, Dr. Wassef says. Using a wadded tissue as a barrier between your hand and your face might help you get a pesky itch, smooth out your eyebrows, or wipe away a smudge that you can’t ignore.

HOW-TO Safely Exercise Outside A few days into being stuck inside, you start to crave the fresh air and wide open spaces right outside your door. It might even feel like you’ll never be allowed to go outside again—such a shame during this time of year. But social distancing doesn’t have to mean being cooped up inside all day.1. Go ahead and venture outside - Physical activity is also proven to boost the immune system. One 2018 meta-analysis found moderate exercise can “enhance immune defense activity and metabolic health,” making you healthier overall.2. Keep six feet away from others - So if you go outside, keeping your distance is a great first line of defense. Choose areas you know won’t be too heavily populated, including parks, trails and even empty neighborhood

GET FUELED with Exciting News!GET FUELED with Exciting News!

RACING CORNERRACING CORNERTHETHE

IndyCar to follow NASCAR into virtual racing amid coronavirus shutdown. IndyCar is following NASCAR’s lead by transitioning to virtual racing as the coronavirus pandemic shuts down sporting events across the nation. IndyCar’s first iRacing event is scheduled for Saturday and will be streamed live on indycar.com, according to a press release from the organization. Twenty-five cars will race on a track being decided by fans through a voting bracket, The Associated Press reported. The virtual races will occur every Saturday through May 2 at 4 p.m. Eastern, and a live interview on Instagram with the winner will follow. A virtual autograph session with participants will occur 45 minutes before the race. The racing body canceled all of its races through May 9, but the well-known Indianapolis 500, which gathers a crowd of about 300,000, is still scheduled for May 24. NASCAR, IMSA and Formula One have all also moved online. IndyCar shut down its races before its opening in St. Petersburg, Fla., on March 15. Originally, the racing body banned spectators at the instruction of the mayor before the event was canceled altogether, according to the AP. NASCAR started its first event on Sunday, airing on Fox Sports One, with the most viewers of an esports event in U.S. history, reaching 903,000 viewers.

We’re all doing the best we can. And for many of us, that means regularly wiping down our high-touch surfaces, but probably without Lysol wipes. Good luck finding those anywhere across the region. And unless you enjoy being slapped across the face with one “out of stock” note after another, there’s no use looking online, either.

Ingredients:1. SeaWash® Citrus Cleaner (Quart or Gallon)2. Water for dilution3. Roll of high-quality paper towels (shop towels preferred), reusable cloth rag,or old T-shirt you don’t care about4. Rubber kitchen gloves5. Bucket or container, to mix solution6. Large cylindrical Tupperware container (if using paper towels)7. Essential oil, optional (to diffuse smell after cleaning)

Directions: Step 1: Determine your Citrus Cleaner-to-Water ratio. We recommend a ratio of 1/3 cup of SeaWash® Citrus Cleaner to one gallon of water or four teaspoons of cleaner to one quart of water. Step 2: Make your solution. Put on your rubber gloves. In a large plastic or glass container, mix water with citrus cleaner, using a spoon to stir. Step 3: Submerge the wipes. While wearing rubber gloves, submerge your cloth in the solution. If using paper towels*, grab your cylindrical Tupperware container. Measure the height of your paper towels against the container, and cut your roll of paper towels to fit. Use a serrated knife to do this, and then place the paper towels in the container. Pour the solution on top.

*If you opt for standard paper towels, be prepared for the sheets to stick together when submerged in the solution. To use, peel off multiple layers at a time, give them a gentle squeeze to ring out excess solution.

Product Spotlight Product Spotlight MAKE YOUR OWN CITRUS CLEANER WIPES