BayouLife Magazine December 23

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12 12 / ADVENT CALENDAR

DECEMBER 2023

Creating a homemade advent calendar focused on experiences is a wonderful way to make lasting family memories during the holiday season.

40 / CRANBERRY CHICKEN

The aromatic blend of citrus, cranberries, and herb-infused butter transforms this Cranberry Roasted Chicken into a culinary masterpiece, making it a standout centerpiece for your celebratory feasts.

52 / HOLIDAY ARRANGEMENTS

Lindsey Clark Lowe’s Christmas-themed floral arrangement features white polo garden roses, carnations, silver bruin, spray roses, eucalyptus, and cedar in a leaded mirror vase, evoking a festive ambiance with a nod to “Silver Bells.”

68 / DECKED IN DIAMONDS

Create unforgettable moments and stylish wins this season with beautiful jewelry from local retailers.

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82 / FESTIVE FARE

Embark on a culinary journey this New Year’s with an exquisite selection of dishes from our local restaurants, promising a lunch that combines celebration and delightful flavors.

152 / BAYOU PROFILE

For Jeff and Jill Mouk, three things matter most in their lives. They deeply love each other. They love their family -- their parents, their daughter and son-in-law, and their two grandchildren. And in the center of their lives is their faith.

APRIL 2018

102 / BAYOU ARTIST

Primarily created with watercolor paint, much of Loretta Owen’s work falls into the abstract and folk art categories. The images she creates are uniquely her own, showcasing the style that naturally flows from her fingertips.

126 / BAYOU FOOD

A welcoming environment where fare, sips, and dips meet a cozy atmosphere that goes by the name of Olive + Oak.

136 / HOLIDAY GLAMOUR

These holiday looks top the charts, ranging from sparkly dresses to bold ruffles, these outfits promise to illuminate any party with festive charm. Find them at area boutiques.

160 / WINDOW WONDERLAND

From cozy, casual pieces to chic night-out ensembles, these holiday looks offer great outfit options to meet all your seasonal needs. Find at local boutiques.

170 / BAYOU HOME

Clinton Downing transformes the Sanson’s home into a Christmas wonderland.

183 / GIFT GUIDE

Find the perfect holdiay gifts for loved ones in this guide filled with treasures found at local retailers.

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t’s the holidays, ya’ll! I’m not sure how we got here this fast, but I’m ready for it. As soon as we are finished with this magazine, I have plans to make my own Advent calendar, make the textured ornaments that are in this month’s issue, go grab some Frasier Fir hand soap, and get ready to decorate. We have so many things to celebrate this month, among them our first BayouLife baby in years.

Congratulations to Katelyn and Bradley McAllister on the birth of their son, Myles.

For Jeff and Jill Mouk, three things matter most in their lives. They deeply love each other. They love their family -- their parents, their daughter and son-in-law, and their two grandchildren.

And in the center of their lives is their faith. That faith has strengthened them throughout their marriage, and continues to be their rock. Because of their devotion to their family and friends, their successful careers in insurance and education, and their unselfish volunteering throughout their community, Jeff and Jill Mouk are the subject of our BayouProfile for December. Read their article on page 152.

Come Christmastime, Dr. Marshall and Jodie Sanson transform their French chateau home into a holiday wonderland. In partnership with local designer Clinton Whitney Downing, the Sanson’s adorn their West Monroe home with traditional Christmas colors and elaborate displays that suit the Sanson aesthetic and the home’s personality. See their magestic holiday home on page 170.

Nathan and I snuck away one night during production and went to Olive + Oak – the photos Kelly took were definitely a temptation, and the meal/

BayouLife 1201 Royal Avenue Monroe, LA 71201 Phone 318.855.3185

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drinks did not disappoint. The once divey bar and grill, known as Trio’s, has turned a new leaf, specifically a bright green olive leaf. Jenifer Johnson handed over the restaurant torch to her stepdaughter Muriel Elaine Woodard, who embraced the recently renovated space all while adding fresh and spiffy personal touches. The by-product of her tireless effort is a welcoming environment where fare, sips, and dips meet a cozy atmosphere. Read about Olive + Oak on page 126.

I’m pretty sure that my staff wanted to throw me off a bridge after an entire day of shooting this month’s fashion, but they did an amazing job. Special thanks to Revival Design & Consign and the Country Club for letting use their beautiful spaces. See both shoots on pages 136 and 160.

It’s so important to shop local this holiday season. There are so many people in this community that depend on November and December to carry their businesses through the spring. And, you’ll never receive the service online like you do by shopping right here. We’ve compiled a list of great holiday gifts – make sure to look on page 183.

We hope you truly enjoy reading this month’s issue of BayouLife

Cassie

PUBLISHER & OWNER Cassie Livingston cassie@bayoulifemag.com COPY EDITOR Cindy Foust GRAPHIC DESIGNER Nathan Coker nathan@bayoulifemag.com ADVERTISING SALES EXECUTIVES Katelyn McAllister katelyn@bayoulifemag.com Courtney Thomas courtney@bayoulifemag.com Lindsay Adams lindsay@bayoulifemag.com ART DIRECTOR Taylor Bennett LEAD PHOTOGRAPHER Kelly Moore Clark CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Darian Atkins Dan Chason Kenny Covington Shannon Dahlum Cindy Gist Foust Starla Gatson Kerry Heafner Paul Lipe Erin Love

Meredith McKinnie Delia Simpson Beatrice A. Tatem Vanelis Rivera Guy Miller Georgiann Potts Phil Trahan Clinton Downing Glenn Miers

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Unveiled Radiance Wade Bishop

ON THE COVER Emily Morris wears and evening gown from Blush by Sadie C’s Photograph by Kelly Moore Clark BayouLife Magazine is published and distributed by Redbird Publishing, LLC. Postal subscriptions ($30) can be ordered online at www.bayoulifemag.com. BayouLife Magazine is not responsible for unsolicited photographs, manuscripts, or other materials. Opinion columns do not represent the views of the publisher. Reproduction of contents without express written permission is prohibited.

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My Holiday Wish List Making Your Spirit Bright

BY BEATRICE A. TATEM, PH.D., LPC-S, NCC, ACS

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OR MANY CHILDREN THE ARRIVAL OF THE HOLIDAY season seems to be an eternity. On the other hand, for many adults, it seems like the older you become the quicker the holiday season comes. I was one of those children who could not wait for the holidays and all it brought… the revisiting of family traditions, the reappearance of special recipes saved for the holidays and visits from friends and family. As a child I associated the holiday season with holiday music, retail displays, commercials on television, gift exchanges, wish lists and receiving the things I wanted for the holidays. I have often wondered why the spirit of the holiday and what I now call the “holiday effect” had to end. Over time the holiday season has become symbolic of values, wishes and pleasantries I hold dear to myself, for others and particularly children.

I began writing this article after a long day at work. It was filled with all the wonderment my work as a therapist embodies. My intent is always to leave my work at the office; some days I am better at leaving “work at work” than I am on other days. However, as I drove home, I could not stop thinking about a question asked by a young client. He asked me what I wished for and if I could get what I wanted what it would be? I told him I thought it was a great question and I appreciated his interest in my thoughts. I suggested he tell me his wishes first because my wish list was long. The child said, “I don’t want much just for everybody to be happy.”

Considering his young age, the time of the year and the circumstances he is currently enduring, I anticipated him having a lot of wants. Instead, his list was short but grand. My anticipation yet mistaken assumptions about his wants came because of my view of his situation and not his perception of his situation. This child’s comment resonated with me because of the selflessness and sincerity in which he spoke. I was reminded by this child that the spirit of the holiday season is more than commercialized images of festivity and merrymaking. It is a time of reflection for many on what life has brought them through and has brought them, too.

My wish list this year stems from personal experiences as well as the experiences of others. As for my answer as to what I wished for, I shared with the youngster that like him my ultimate wish would be the gift of worldwide happiness and to help to make spirits bright. Perhaps a bit idealistic, on my list is a request for world peace, for all to be calm and bright, serenity for all, human understanding and unconditional acceptance, mental health and physical wellness. I want for every community political reconciliation and racial harmony, engagement and cohesiveness, forgiveness and justice, peaceful progress and redemption, 10 DECEMBER 2023 | WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM

healing and renewal. It is my wish for all to experience respectful and meaningful dialogue and honest conversations of good intent. May each individual possess resilience, the mental tenacity and inner strength to withstand the forces of life. I wish for all people everywhere, young, and old, ample provisions of the basic needs of food, water, safety and shelter.

It is my hope we will all experience prosperity in the form of promise, satisfaction, and fulfillment. May we all be treated with good will, respect, compassion, humility, integrity, validation, and decency. Last month I talked about philanthropy and those that give to help others. Giving is the ultimate gift of life that does not require money or special training; all of us have the power to give. I believe most can relate to the child at the holiday gathering who selects the biggest box and smiles even before they know what is inside. In time, life shows us that the worth and meaning of a gift does not come from the size of the box, the weight of the box, the paper it is wrapped in or its monetary value. The greatest gifts are not boxes filled with things, but symbolically boxes that contain so much more: love, kindness, peace, selflessness, and gratitude. Its meaning comes from how it makes you feel inside as the recipient and as the giver.

Making your spirit bright; I would be remiss to discuss my holiday wish list without acknowledging the holiday season is a challenging time of the year for many people to navigate. This year when navigating the season’s emotional challenges reflect on the gifts you have experienced as meaningful and consider the most thoughtful give you have ever given. It has been a year when admittedly there were times when joy to the world and all is calm seem to be mere versus of songs and not realistic wishes realized in one’s life.

By the time you read this article we will be in the midst of the holiday season. Whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, Junkanoo, Kwanzaa or Diwali the holidays are meaningful. Here’s wishing you and yours lots of holiday fun, purposeful connection, and meaningful interactions, as you honor the aspects of the holidays that help to make your spirit bright. From the office of Wellness Initiatives and my holiday list comes a lasting wish for all the hope, wonder and joy the season can bring. May the gifts that are too valuable to price, the gifts of love, safety, respect, peace, empathy, kindness, harmony, laughter and heart-felt soulful gifts from within be yours…be sure to make your spirit bright.

For more information about counseling services and outreach programming contact Dr. Tatem at Wellness Initiatives, LLC 2485 Tower Drive, Suite 10, Monroe, La 71201, 318-410-1555 or at btatem.bt@gmail.com

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BAYOU HOLIDAYS

ADVENT CALENDAR

Creating a homemade advent calendar focused on experiences is a wonderful way to make lasting family memories during the holiday season.

Keep it simple and use experiences that are fun for the entire family. Examples: bake gingerbread cookies, have a cozy game night, watch a Christmas movie. Tailor it to your family and make lasting memories.

Created by Libby Gifford Photography by Kelly Moore Clark

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BAYOU HOLIDAYS

CRAFTING ORNAMENTS These handmade textured Christmas ornaments can add a personal touch and a sense of warmth to your holiday décor.

ST YLING BY TAYLOR BENNET T PHOTOGR APH BY KELLY MOORE CL ARK

What you need: Ornaments Paint brushes Baking soda Acrylic paint Twine or ribbon Start by painting the ornaments with a base coat of acrylic paint and allow to dry. Next, mix baking soda in with your acrylic paint. Continue to add paint/ baking soda until you achieve the texture you like. Once fully dry, add the tops to ornaments and secure with ribbon or twine.

Wh a t yo u n e ed : Fresh cranberries 2 oz. Champagne 2 oz. Cranberry juice Fresh rosemary Clear ornaments Kitchen funnel Paper straws

BAYOU COCK TAIL

HOLIDAY CHEER

What a festive and creative idea!

Serving cranberry mimosas in Christmas ornaments can add a touch of holiday magic to your celebrations.

Styled by Taylor Bennett Photography by Kelly Moore Clark

Start by washing your ornaments thoroughly and removing the caps. Add fresh cranberries to each ornament.

Using a kitchen funnel, fill halfway with Champagne and then top with cranberry juice.

Add a fresh sprig of rosemary and a paper straw. Enjoy!

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STOCK THE BAR

Stocking your bar cart for holiday entertaining is a fantastic way to ensure you’re ready to host guests and create a festive atmosphere.

Styled by Taylor Bennett Photography by Kelly Moore Clark

This beautiful black and gold bar cart from Material Things is stocked with martini and wine glasses from Haven, a bar set and matches from Walsworth & Company, and a vintage ice bucket from Palette House and Plume.

Merry Christmas

Perfect Gifts and Specialty Items to Help Create the Perfect Holiday Dinner

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HE HOLIDAYS ARE HERE AND WE AT BEEF & BARREL want to make sure it’s merry! December is one of our favorite times of the year since we get to help find the perfect gifts and specialty items to help create the perfect holiday dinner. Let’s launch right into things with a winter classic.

For those of you who enjoy mulled wine during these cold months we have a real treat. Healthy Gourmet Kitchen has been thrilling us lately with their easy to make dinner packs, such as the awesome Tuscan Tortellini, and we’ve found their Mulling Spices are no different.

All the ingredients and directions are all in one convenient pack. One bottle of wine, honey or sugar, and the spices in the pack go in a pot for about 20 minutes and you’ve got a delicious, festive drink. If you need honey we highly recommend trying Guidry Farms Honey from Scott, Louisiana. Need a bottle of wine? Try out the Handworks Tempranillo.

This 1L bottle is bright and fruity and gives you just a little extra for an incredible value. If you’ve never tried mulled wine this is a perfect way to try a classic drink that has been around for centuries.

When I think about the holidays I often think about being at my grandmother’s and having her homemade pancakes. Who doesn’t love pancakes right!? Here at the store we recently received a shipment of fantastic Canadian Maple Syrup from Virgin Mady. We have four different flavors to choose from, but we’re going to highlight the Whiskey Barrel Smoked Maple Syrup. Upon opening these little delights you’ll get aromas of smoked bacon and a woodfire stove. The palate is beautifully complex with notes of smoked vanilla and brown sugar. This syrup has a great balance between savory and sweet that would be delicious on pancakes, waffles, and even with spicy sausage.

We invite you to come check the other flavors which include one aged in Tennessee Whiskey barrels, a coffee infused, and a pepper infused.

For wine this month we wanted to highlight one of our new wines from Lebanon. Chateau Cana “Mariage de Cana” is named after a very special event. The name comes from the wedding that took place in Cana of Galilee where Jesus turned water into wine. Mariage de Cana is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, and Cinsault. This blend is divine with notes of rich blackberry, cassis, and raspberry.

The mouthfeel is velvety and rich making it the perfect complement to holiday meals like turkey and dressing. We have a great selection from Wines of Lebanon that are awesome values and have some varietals that are only found in that country.

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Of course, we always have to talk about a little whiskey, and this month we have the Red Line Toasted Barrel Finish Series. This company takes its name from the “red line” created in a barrel stave from how far the whiskey has penetrated the wood. Each batch is hand numbered and bottled at cask strength for maximum flavor. This particular batch is from barrel #110 and bottled at 116 proof. This has rich aromas of vanilla bean, caramel, and cocoa. On the palate we have more candied vanilla, toasty french bread, and a touch of cherry. The whole line from this distillery is wonderfully made and drinks way easier than the proof point would lead you to believe.

We invite you to come and explore our walk-in beer cave with a variety of our favorite beers from around the world. For this article we wanted to highlight Great Raft Life Itself Vanilla & Peach Gose. This sour from Shreveport, Louisiana is a great beer for a southern winter.

On the nose the peach and vanilla burst from the glass. On the palate there is the classic touch of salt we expect from a gose, and we find this really compliments the sweet vanilla and peach. This is a sour beer that doesn’t ever go too far into being too sour, instead focusing on the sweetness of its core ingredients which include a bit of lactose to give the mouthfeel subtle creaminess. We absolutely love this in the fall and early winter, as it pairs great with food, and good times.

Finally we have our newest barrel pick of Maestro Dobel Anejo Tequila. This anejo was aged in a combination of Hungarian and French oak barrels and bottled at 80 proof. The result is a rich amber copper color with an inviting nose of strawberry, black pepper, and vanilla. The palate is silky smooth with flavors of fresh peppercorn, vanilla, sweet cinnamon, and caramel. The finish is long and smooth with strawberry and vanilla lingering with just a touch of iodine and green peppercorn. This drinks almost sweet in a brilliantly pleasant way.

If you haven’t come to see us at our new location at 1030 North 6th Street, please come and have a stroll through our many shelves of products. Come check out our meat market with all the same great steaks as Doe’s Eat Place of Monroe and all the Best Stop sausages and boudins. We can’t wait to help you this holiday season, and as always, thank you for letting us be your Spirits Guides here at Beef & Barrel.

Alumni Spotlight ULM Alum: Medria Buford

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N THE TAPESTRY OF LIFE, SOME THREADS FOLLOW a winding, unconventional path. Medria Taylor Buford’s journey is a testament to the beauty found in the unexpected turns of fate.

Born in Monroe, Louisiana, Medria’s early years were steeped in the warmth of family, friends, and community. A move to Connecticut at age seven opened her eyes to a world of diversity, teaching her the art of forging connections across differences, a skill that would serve her greatly in life. When the family returned to Monroe seven years later, Medria attended Carroll High School and was a majorette in the award- winning Marching Sound Machine band. The importance of entrepreneurship and service were etched into her soul by her family’s businesses; her grandmother Alma Jones beauty salon; People’s Progressive Burial Insurance Company; and Simms & Gundy Funeral Companies owned by her paternal family.

After a stint at NLU, Medria ventured to Bloomington, Illinois, where she discovered her natural talent for hairstyling at the Hairmasters Institute of Cosmetology. Her return to Monroe saw her welcoming her first son Isaiah, obtaining a Barber’s License and a Certified Nursing Assistant certification while juggling part-time hairstyling and a full-time role at St. Francis Hospital. Her journey turned back towards education when she embraced a phlebotomy certification program through a ULM-St. Francis partnership. Despite shifts in her career path, Medria’s heart longed for a return to ULM. She welcomed her second son LeTroy and while juggling motherhood, teaching, and two jobs, she returned to ULM after 6 years to pursue a bachelor’s degree in general studies through ULM Gold Online Learning.

After shifts in upper management, Medria returned to hair full time but frequently worked as a substitute teacher for Monroe City Schools. She remained disciplined in her studies, recognizing that online classes meant being her own accountability partner. Virtual learning allowed for flexibility but required personal responsibility outside the traditional classroom environment. Along the way, she found herself at JS Clark before answering a “calling” to work at the St. Francis School-Based Health Center, where she encountered a mentor, Stalanda Butcher, whose leadership style left an indelible mark. Inspired by Stalanda, Medria envisioned recreating a similar professional atmosphere in her future role.

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Prior to graduating from ULM in 2018, Medria sat down with her mentor, Education Professor Dr. Tariq Rideaux, who insisted she write down personal goals. She realized 90% of her time was spent focused on others. She always said yes to organizing fundraisers, reunions, tailgates, and family gatherings; event coordination gave her purpose, and she was good at it. She started to consider how she could combine her talents in a career that provided fulfillment. Helping guide her in this endeavor was key mentor Alberta Green who instilled the confidence Medria needed to work in an academic environment.

In July 2021 Medria landed the role of coordinator at the ULM Alumni Association. Here, she found the perfect convergence of her skills and passions. Medria loves being active on campus and her new job allows for the on-campus experience that enriches student learning. Recently promoted to Director of Alumni Affairs, Medria’s focus extends beyond on-campus engagement as her team seeks ways to connect online and non-traditional students to the vibrant campus life. Guided by a belief that every encounter is intentional, Medria weaves a tapestry of genuine connections.

After years of being invested in the community, Medria has the local connections to bring to her new role, and she works tirelessly to keep the ULM Alumni Association front and center. Her experiences in multiple professional positions, alongside the personal connections formed through her membership in Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc., and other local nonprofits have allowed for true relationship building.

Medria believes every person she meets is intentionally put in her path by God. A winding path led her to embrace this position with unwavering determination. As she guides her team, Medria prioritizes creating a professional environment where colleagues can thrive. Her love for the college experience is evident, and she is on a mission to ensure that every alumni can savor the full Warhawk experience.

Medria’s unconventional journey serves as a poignant reminder that life’s unexpected twists can open doors to unforeseen opportunities. ULM became the avenue through which she navigated and seized educational opportunities, transforming her into the confident and capable leader she is today. Her story is a testament to the notion that the winding path, though uncharted, can lead to extraordinary destinations.

Special thanks to JCPenney

Dr. Walter Sartor

Linda S. Holyfield

Marci Parker

Dr. Sartor Changing Lives Weight Loss Patients Grateful for Renewed Health

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HE ONLY WAY TO TRULY UNDERSTAND THE IMPACT OF Dr. Walter Sartor’s work is to learn about his patients.

One such patient, Kyla Branch, has maintained a 100-pound weight loss since her gastric sleeve surgery in 2012. Like his other patients, her physical and mental health have significantly improved.

She said, “Before the surgery, I was very depressed and felt awful being overweight. My overall health is great now. I have tons of energy, and that depression has long gone away. Last year, my husband and I went hiking in Arizona. It was an amazing feeling to hike all day and not be exhausted. Thank you, Dr. Sartor, for helping me lose weight through the surgery. I truly believe you gave me a new lease on life 11 years ago and extra years with my family!”

During the past 20 years, Sartor, a bariatric and general surgeon at the Surgery Clinic of Northeast Louisiana, has performed approximately 2,000 weight loss (bariatric) surgeries.

Sartor’s dedication to his patients has been evident from the beginning. After performing weight loss surgeries for a few years, Sartor had an idea: a comprehensive bariatric program.

Linda S. Holyfield, who was President and CEO of P&S Surgical Hospital at the time, remembers that idea well. “In 2006, Dr. Sartor recognized a community need and worked to address it. For several years, people were going to Mexico to have bariatric surgery. Many suffered terrible complications after they arrived home,” Holyfield said.

“Dr. Sartor committed himself to fixing the problem. He worked with the staff at P&S Surgical Hospital and St. Francis to deliver a first-class, high-quality, and affordable service right here in Northeast Louisiana.”

The new program flourished; it was recognized as a Bariatric Surgery Center of Excellence by the American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery in 2007.

Dietitian Marci Parker, who has been working alongside Sartor for 17 years, said her time with him has been “the best part of her career.”

She said, “He is always seeking the best for his patients. He educates his patients while showing them compassion, kindness, and respect. He is great to work with because he treats everyone well.”

One of Sartor’s colleagues, Dr. Bart Liles, a general surgeon at the Surgery Clinic of NELA, said that Sartor was “born” to be a surgeon. “I don’t know a better surgeon than Walter. He was born to do this. Better than that, he’s been a mentor and friend. My life has been blessed by his friendship,” Liles said. “Congratulations on 20 years of bariatric practice!”

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Liles also recognized Marci’s work in nutrition counseling. “Marci Parker is the heart and soul of the bariatric program,” he said. “The dedication and expertise that she provides has improved countless people’s lives. She deserves a congratulations, as well.”

Sartor follows his patients’ success and is proud of their accomplishments.

Jeremy Wheat, who has maintained a 205-pound weight loss, is physically active in a way that wasn’t possible before his 2020 surgery.

“I live in Colorado now. I have been hiking at high altitudes, riding my bicycle for several miles, and enjoying a much more active lifestyle,” Wheat said. “Thank you to Dr. Sartor and his staff for the lifetransforming process they walked me through. From my first visit with Dr. Sartor to the surgery and my many follow-up conversations with dietitian Marci Parker, I never felt lost or overwhelmed. Now, I’m both half the man I was and twice the man I was at the same time!”

Another patient, Thom Rogers, has maintained a 180-pound weight loss since his surgery in 2015. “Dr. Sartor didn’t just change my life; he gave me a life. Because I’ve struggled with my weight since childhood, I’ve always felt that my size defined who I was as a person. I was the ‘fat guy,’ and I’d have to play that part,” Rogers said. “Now, I am the best version of myself. I have discovered inner contentment and confidence I didn’t know I could possess. I will never be able to thank Dr. Sartor and his staff enough for the freedom they gave me.”

Lauren Cater, who has maintained a 100-pound weight loss since her surgery in 2019, is determined to help others by running marathons.

She has participated in St. Jude’s half marathon four times and plans to run the full marathon next year.

“Weight loss surgery absolutely transformed my life. I don’t hide in my house anymore. I enjoy each day with my family instead of hiding in shame, physical pain, and embarrassment,” Cater said. “Dr. Sartor, thank you for helping to give me my life back. Thank you for encouraging me and for believing in me. You have truly helped change my life, and I hope that through this surgery, I can improve other people’s lives. You’re hands down, the best doctor! Congrats to 20 years, and I wish you many more!”

The Surgery Clinic of Northeast Louisiana, home of Delta Vein Care, houses surgeons Dr. Walter Sartor, Dr. Bart Liles, Dr. Patrick Smith, and Dr. Mohamed Bakeer. Contact the clinic with questions about general surgery, vein care procedures, and weight loss surgery.

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R E M EM B ER CHRISTMAS GIFTS

generations. We have been blessed I REMEMBER, when gifts at with a measure of affluence that Christmas time were seemingly has allowed us to regularly give more important than they are gifts of love to those who are dear today. There was day when to us. So when Christmas comes, we children looked forward the gifts have lost some of their with great expectations to the glamor; they are merely “more of appearance of Christmas morn. the same.”

Our parents had to almost tie us In addition, some things in bed to prevent our enthusiasm that once may have seemed to from causing us to outrun the be appreciated have lost their sun to the first appearance of luster. I recall a day that when my light. We could hardly wait to first grandchild was celebrating learn what marvelous gifts would his third or fourth birthday, emerge from those beautifullythe initial gifts he opened were wrapped boxes under the tree. items of clothing. In frustration, In the days prior to December he exclaimed, “Where are the 25th, we used to do our best to TO RECOVER SOME OF THE EXCITEMENT OF CHRISTMAS presents?” Clothes just cannot hold discover just what our Christmas AND THE THRILL THAT COMES FROM OUR THOUGHTS a candle to toys! gift might be. We would ask for OF GIFTS, PERHAPS WE CAN BE HELPED IF WE FOCUS A To recover some of the hints or clues to give us some excitement of Christmas and the indication of what the gift’s BIT MORE ON THAT FIRST GIFT. thrill that comes from our thoughts “name” was. And we would of gifts, perhaps we can be helped if we focus a bit more to that first sometimes even pick up the gift from under the tree and give the Gift. Do you recall this Bible statement? “God so loved the world package a shake, hoping we might discover the nature of our gift. that He gave His only Son…” Notice that it was love that prompted Now, with rare exceptions, parents can have breakfast prepared and on the dining table before the children make their appearances. this Gift, and this Gift was announced by the angel who told the And often, these same children, without much protest, are willing to shepherds, “I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people! For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, eat the meal before opening the gifts. Things have changed, haven’t Who is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2:10-11) This Gift is still the most they? needed and the most valuable Gift of all!

How are we to explain this modification in our “Christmas It is likely that sometimes we evaluate a gift by what it costs. A conduct?” From the very beginning of Christmas, giving gifts has new car clearly would be superior to a pair of boots because of what been associated with this special day. For instance, on the very first the car cost in comparison to those boots. If we use this method Christmas, Magi from the East came looking for the newborn King, of gauging the worth of a gift, it should be obvious that no gift and when they found Him, they presented Him with costly gifts. ever came close to the price paid by God in the giving of His Son. This practice of exchanging gifts has been a significant part of how Doubtless the first Christmas Gift should rank above all others. So, we celebrate this very special holiday. However, recent generations this year when we open or when we give gifts prompted by love, have toned down the excitement level. Why? let us be grateful to our Lord for the matchless gift of eternal life, I believe that a major reason that Christmas gifts are less the purchased for us by His death on Calvary’s cross! producer of excitement is that they are not as rare as they were in past

ar t i c le b y PAU L L I PE o p in io n e x p re s s e d is t h a t o f t h e w r it e r

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Comprehensive Testing Center A Pioneering Service That Has Grown and Evolved ARTICLE BY DARIAN ATKINS

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OUISIANA DELTA COMMUNITY COLLEGE PROUDLY features a range of exceptional additions to its facilities. The latest being the state-of-the-art E-Sports Center and the innovative LA Delta Studio. Among the pioneering service departments at LDCC, the Testing Center is one of the earliest establishments that has grown and evolved over time. Offering comprehensive services, the Testing Center caters to LDCC students and extends its support to members of the broader community.

Below, you can find details about the various examinations administered at the Louisiana Delta Community College testing center.

1. PRAXIS SERIES FOR TEACHERS: Our center proudly administers the Praxis series, a vital assessment for aspiring educators. The Praxis tests measure the academic skills and subject-specific content knowledge needed for teaching positions.

Candidates can expect a supportive environment and professional staff dedicated to ensuring a fair and secure testing experience.

2. NATIONAL HEALTHCAREER ASSOCIATION (NHA) EXAMS: For our Allied Health students, we offer a range of NHA exams to validate their proficiency and readiness for careers in healthcare. Our testing center adheres to stringent standards to guarantee the integrity of the examination process, providing a conducive atmosphere for success.

3. TEST OF ESSENTIAL ACADEMIC SKILLS (TEAS): Catering to our Allied Health students, the TEAS exam assesses essential academic skills in reading, mathematics, science, and English language usage. Our testing center is committed to creating an environment conducive to concentration and optimal performance, ensuring a fair evaluation of each student’s capabilities.

4. ACCUPLACER FOR INCOMING STUDENTS: Welcoming new students, we administer the Accuplacer test to assess their skills in English, mathematics, and reading. This aids in determining appropriate course placements, allowing each student to embark on their academic journey.

5. ACCOMMODATIONS (ADA): The college’s testing center demonstrates inclusivity by providing accommodation testing, ensuring a level playing field for all students regardless of their unique needs or challenges. This commitment to accessibility fosters an environment where every student can showcase their true potential.

6. WORKKEYS(R) We administer the WorkKey’s(r) test at our testing center as the

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assessment broadens opportunities for students to showcase practical skills and workplace readiness. It aligns with the college’s commitment to preparing students for real-world success by assessing crucial skills valued in various industries. WorkKeys(r) testing at the center reflects a proactive approach to career development and enhances the overall educational experience. WorkKeys(r) is a mandatory assessment for our JOBS students, but others within our community are welcome to test, and many do. The WorkKey’s(r) website shares that successful completion of WorkKeys(r) core assessments can lead to earning an ACT WorkKeys(r) National Career Readiness Certificate(tm) (ACT WorkKeys NCRC(r))-a credential that verifies the skills found to be most essential across industries and occupations.

TESTING CENTER PROCEDURES: • Scheduling: • Accuplacer: Candidates can schedule their exams through our online portal. We recommend early scheduling to secure preferred dates and times.

• Accommodations: Candidates can schedule their exams through our online portal. We recommend early scheduling to secure preferred dates and times.

• Praxis: ets.org/praxis • TEAS: Candidates can schedule their exams through our online portal at the designated registration dates listed on the LDCC testing site.

• NHA exams: Candidates must speak to the teacher and will schedule the test.

• Workkeys(r): Candidates will receive info from the teachers on how to schedule exam.

CHECK-IN PROCESS: On the exam day, candidates should arrive at least 30 minutes before the scheduled time. A valid photo ID is required for check-in. Late arrivals may not be accommodated.

TEST ENVIRONMENT: Our testing center maintains a quiet and controlled environment to ensure the concentration and focus of all candidates. Personal belongings are to be stored in lockers.

PROCTORING STANDARDS: Exams are proctored by certified professionals who adhere to strict ethical standards. Our commitment is to uphold the integrity of the testing process, providing a fair and unbiased assessment for all candidates.

BAYOU HOLIDAYS

PRETTY PRESENTS

Create a visually stunning and cohesive presentation by sticking with a carefully chosen color theme for your holiday wrapping paper, turning each gift into a festive work of art.

ST YLING BY TAYLOR BENNET T PHOTOGR APH BY KELLY MOORE C L ARK

BAYOU HOLIDAYS

SWEET RETREAT

Thurman’s Food Factory crafted a delightful gingerbread house perched atop a snowy white icing cake, creating a festive and delicious centerpiece for a holiday celebration.

ST YLING BY TAYLOR BENNET T PHOTOGR APH BY KELLY MOORE C L ARK

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BAYOU HOLIDAYS

MERRY MANTEL

Taylor Bennett creates a simple, yet elegant mantel with faux evergreen garland from Walsworth & Company layered with fresh clippings. A Silent Night wall hanging from Woodstock takes center stage, while candles and candlesticks from Material Things add a golden touch. Metal trees from Walsworth & Company anchor the décor. Special thanks to Lindsey and Rich Nadler.

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DOUGH-IT YOURSELF

WHAT YOU NEED: 4 cups flour 1 cup table salt 1 1/2 cup water Mix ingredients together in a large bowl, add more flour if it’s too wet or sticky. Knead until soft. Divide into two sections and roll out between parchment paper. Next, cut the dough with cookie cutters. Preheat oven to 250 degrees F. Bake for 90 minutes to 2 hours. Let cool completely and then decorate with acrylic paint. Seal with Mod Podge if desired.

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Styled by Taylor Bennett | Photography by Kelly Moore Clark

Create hand-painted salt dough ornaments for a touch of festive charm this holiday season.

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Meredith’s Musings THE SOUNDS OF THE SEASON article by MEREDI T H MC K I NNI E

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hristmas is synonymous with lists, whether they be grocery lists, song lists, gift buying lists, etc - notably with small children, it can feel like a lot to do. With the hustle of the season, we all want to make sure everything is pristine for the biggest holiday of the year. And yet, we also want to enjoy the season and most importantly, remember it. When I heard my first holiday song this year - the day after Halloween - I started thinking about the sounds of the season. Christmas delights the senses; more is more, and while the smells instantly evoke memory, the sounds surround us constantly.

I’m not a baker, though I love cooking. But at Christmas, I’ve started baking with the girls.

We took it to the extreme last year, filling holiday tubs with millionaires, mint chocolate chip cookies, peanut butter balls, coconut truffles, and shortbread.

I still maintain that flour is messy, but when it’s lingering on Wilder’s nose or Fable’s

fingertips, I can’t help but smile.

The kitchen is my sacred space, and the girls being allowed in is a treat in itself. The typical sounds of the whirring mixer, or the cookie sheet banging the stove, or elongated moans when the first goodie is sampled, they collectively signify a break from the norm, a time to indulge, an opportunity to join Mom in the kitchen. As I believe and abide by a strict routine, the girls marvel in any deviation. Christmas allows that two-week break that reinforces the need for breaks and also necessitates a return to normalcy. Those kitchen noises resonate with me because they’re embedded with little girl chuckles, and “Oh mans,” and “please” to lick the spoon.

Any other time of year, I try to lessen the noise around me.

Though extroverted, I crave alone time. When the girls are rowdy or complaining, I plug my ears with the latest podcast or musical genre that suits my isolationhungry mood. But throughout the month of December, we are called to spaces that are overflowing

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with people, whether it be grandparents’ houses or holiday parties or even the grocery store aisles. Everyone is out and about, preparing or celebrating. I find that bustle alluring, perhaps because I’m off work and not in my normal rush. I like the milling about of strangers around me. I love the sound of my loved ones’ voices. I indulge the madness of children destroying Christmas presents for immediate gratification. Like the messy kitchen, the sounds of people and their inevitable mess-making potential is soothing in a strange way. Perhaps the season prompts me to pay closer attention, to lean into the intention of it all.

Another favorite involves the sounds I don’t hear, the silence behind wreath-adorned windows.

Husband, the girls, and I drive around frequently to enjoy the Christmas lights. We hit different neighborhoods, covering as much of the Twin Cities as possible. In the darkness, the light from the windows allows us to glimpse the families inside, the people gathered around the dinner

table mid-laughter, the couples huddled on the couch, shoulder to shoulder. In the silence, I remember that our collective moments are backdropped by thousands of private interactions - jokes we’ll never understand, family dynamics we are not privy to, embraces behind closed doors. I smile whenever I see people spending time together, thankful for my little family in my presence.

A feeling or sentiment is made more vivid in its absence.

Because Christmas is the culmination of the year, we can’t help but look back on the months prior, all while anticipating the new year to come. Sounds signify a moment, calling our attention to the present. Christmas does the same. This Christmas I hope you all soak up the sounds that add to your own holiday magic, that you lean into loved ones present and remember loved ones who’ve passed. I wish you and all your little families, wherever you find them, more moments and more memories.

BAYOU HOLIDAYS

CRANBERRY CHICKEN The aromatic blend of citrus, cranberries, and herb-infused butter transforms this Cranberry Roasted Chicken into a culinary masterpiece, making it a standout centerpiece for your celebratory feasts.

ST YLING BY TAYLOR BENNET T PHOTOGR APH BY KELLY MOORE C L ARK

What you need: Whole chicken 2 cups cranberries Fresh rosemary sprigs Large Orange Rosemary Butter: 1/4 cup butter 1 tablespoon balsamic glaze 2 teaspoons rosemary 1 teaspon sea salt 1/2 teaspoon peper Orange zest Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Lay cranberries and rosemary in roasting pan. Mix the rosemary butter ingredients and then carefully apply under the skin of the chicken (careful not to break the skin). Place chicken over the cranberries and then squeeze the juice of a quartered orange over it and nestle around the legs. Roast chicken for 45 minutes. Reduce the heat to 350 degrees F and roast another 45 minutes. Serve with cranberries spooned over the top.

bayou

PAGES

“The Lost Apothecary”

by Sarah Penner

“History doesn’t record the intricacies of women’s relationships with one another; they’re not to be uncovered.”

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he heartbeat of historical fiction palpitates in this novel reminiscent of a murder mystery dinner theater, yet served with a book spine. In 1791, Nella operates a secret apothecary hidden in plain sight on Bear Alley in London’s back streets. A craft learned from her mother who died when she was a young woman, Nella distributes her concoctions to women seeking escape from abusive men when the law wouldn’t protect them. Nella’s natural remedies delivered in toxic doses are undetectable for law enforcement officials, The underground network of women who know and protect the secret is only as viable as the community’s consistent need of escape.

When 12-year-old Eliza leaves Nella a letter asking for poison, Nella hesitates to trust the young girl. Hiding her own secrets, Nella embraces the intuitive lady’s maid who wants to learn her craft. When a wealthy woman of esteemed status threatens to expose the apothecary, Nella and Eliza must reconsider the decision to help all women at any cost.

In 2022, Caroline is alone in London on her ten-year anniversary trip, having just found out about her husband James’ infidelity. Avoiding the planned couple’s itinerary, Caroline joins a mudlarking excursion in the Thames River and discovers

a vial buried in the silt with the image of bear and part of an address. Curious and longing to get lost in history and avoid her present reality, Caroline embarks on uncovering the history behind the vial and the everyday women surviving in a much different London 200 years prior. In this story told in tandem, Sarah Penner explores betrayal, grief, and the abyss of revenge, the intricate threads that hold women together and the secrets that tear them apart. “First, there was trust. Then, there was betrayal.

You cannot have one without the other.” When reality resurfaces and complicates Caroline’s escapades into the past, she must face who she has become and the choices that remain.

Penner’s page-turner possesses all the delights of uncovering a time period from the perspective of new voices. We witness the burdened reality for women and how they adapted to limited choices and dire circumstances. The author’s passion for history and storytelling are interwoven into this articulation of vibrant, layered characters and a compelling plot. Class concerns are compounded by moral dilemmas that span the spectrum of the human experience. Penner highlights the universal struggle of women on the margins, showing that progress allows for more choices that can often be more difficult to make.

“To me, the allure of history lay in the minutiae of life long ago, the untold secrets of ordinary people.”

REVIEW BY MEREDITH MCKINNIE

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BAYOU HOLIDAYS

HOLLY JOLLY CHRISTMAS Clint Downing’s festive floral arrangement, inspired by “Holly Jolly Christmas,” incorporates cedar, hypericum berries, silver bells, eucalyptus, and green sheet moss, adorned with a felt holly ribbon for a spirited and seasonal touch.

PHOTOGR APH BY KELLY MOORE CL ARK

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Gifts for Everyone on Your List Monroe’s Premier Shopping Destination

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AVEN HAS AN AMAZING SELECTION FOR GIFT-GIVING this year. You are sure to find the perfect present for everyone on your list. Haven is open every day in December! Here are a few of Haven’s favorites: 1. JEWELRY: A statement necklace or earrings always make a great present. Create a stack of tarnish resistant and waterproof bead bracelets for a fun add for a friend.

2. DESIGN ACCESSORIES: Design books are an interesting way to decorate your home and provide design ideas for the gift recipient.

Stack several together with a design accessory and you have a perfect addition to someone’s coffee table. Decorative trays and design accessories are a welcome addition to any home.

3. RELIGIOUS GIFTS: A book or devotion to use throughout the year is a thoughtful gesture. Paired with a canvas cross or Saint Candle will provide that reminder during the year of what is important.

4. PET ACCESSORIES: Haven’s pet section is a new add! High design collars, leashes and bow ties to adorn your dog. A fun selection of dog toys round out this new area!

5. SMITHEY COOKWARE: A Garden & Gun favorite! From the grill to the oven, Heirloom quality Cast Iron cookware is made in Charleston.

6. MEN’S GIFTS: Pair a leather or plaid dopp kit with Men’s Mistral soap and you have a great gift for your guy this holiday season.

Many wonderful things to see in the men’s section include new cookbooks, Jack Black, desk accessories, frames, robes and new styles of canvas travel bags.

7. TODDLER GIFTS: This whimsical elephant towel can make bath time more fun. Jellycat stuffed animals for the little ones is a must this season! Add a book, puzzle, or matching game for a fun present to open!

8. PAJAMAS: PJ Harlow loungewear is a customer favorite at Haven.

Whether you prefer neutrals, or the stunning navy, these heavenly pajamas are comfortable and beautiful. Need a new robe? Pj Harlow’s robes are stylish and roomy in the sleeve.

9. THYMES: Hand soaps in stunning glass bottles and amazing hand lotions are available in several delightful Thymes scents. Pair it with an initial guest towel and you have a perfect hostess happy.

10. LOUNGEWEAR: Softies are a heavenly debut at Haven this year.

The softest blue short sets or green Loungewear sets are perfect for

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gift giving! These won’t last long. Barefoot Dreams also has new cardigans and short sets.

11. ART: Give a pop of color this season! Baton Rouge artist Jennifer Poe has created these small wonders for Haven. Your choice of works on canvas or paper.

12. PURSES: A stylish new line of leather purses will have you wanting one for yourself, as well as a friend.

13. BAREFOOT DREAMS: Their throws are the most sought-after gift! So many options this year in patterns and colors. Cozy, warm, and machine washable, these throws are also a practical gift.

14. BATH PRODUCTS: So many new lines with beautiful packaging and amazing scents! Lovely small batch hand soaps, lotion, and bar soaps are a delight to receive.

15. PURA & CANDLES: Give the gift of a NEST or LAFCO candle or Pura diffuser. They are always a good choice!

16. COSMETIC & JEWELRY CASES: A nice selection of cosmetic and jewelry cases in a variety of colors and sizes are showcased at Haven.

Haven is open every day in December! Haven’s holiday hours provide more shopping time! During December, our hours are Monday through Friday 10:00- 5:30, Saturday 10:00-4:00 and Sunday from 1:004:00. The week before Christmas, Haven will have extended shopping hours. Be sure to follow us on social media for those times.

If you need gift ideas or are in a hurry, just call the shop, (318) 3983298 or use their “Text To Shop” service (318) 267-7577. Their helpful staff can suggest something in your desired price range, get it wrapped and ready for you to pick up! Continue shopping local after hours on Haven’s Website ShopHavenMonroe.com. You can ship presents to friends and family with ease! Another way to make shopping easy is to visit the shop to make a wish list or text your favorites to Haven! Then the Haven staff can help your family and loved ones know which items you want under the tree.

Shop with Haven this holiday season and you will be glad you did.

Where personalized service is a staple and beautiful gift wrapping is always complimentary. They make it so simple to find the gift you need with their amazing selection.

As Monroe’s premier shopping destination, the gift you give from Haven will be the best one under the tree! Stop by today!

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BAYOU HOLIDAYS

SILVER BELLS Lindsey Clark Lowe’s Christmas-themed floral arrangement features white polo garden roses, carnations, silver bruin, spray roses, eucalyptus, and cedar in a leaded mirror vase, evoking a festive ambiance with a nod to “Silver Bells.”

PHOTOGR APH BY KELLY MOORE CL ARK

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1 2

ARTICLE BY PHIL TRAHAN Community Tennis Associations are the lifeblood of grassroots tennis, offering recreation, competition and social interaction. Enjoy reading about the activities of our NELA associations and the successes of their players at all levels!

3

4 1. Catherine Hardy (center) and Donna McGee (2nd from right) are members of the Louisiana 8.5 combo Championship team.

2. Advanced Mixed Doubles winners in the MAC Club Championships are Lee Ainsworth and Vijay Singh.

3. Tournament Director Kathryn Waters with several junior participants in the NELA Community Tennis Association Fall tournament.

4. Runnersup in Louisiana 6.5 Combo Doubles are the Ladies from Ruston. Front row: Nancy Hunt, Shelley Parker, Ellie Puckett, Sarah Davison. Back row: Bitty Butler, Celia Wood, Erica Norris, Mollie Robbins, Captain Jennifer Sexton, Jessica Phillips.

5. President Ashton Thomas (2nd from left) and members of Louisiana Tech’s USTA on Campus team at the Ruston CTA Town Hall Dinner.

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5 TIPSTER SAYS

This month’s Tipster is Mark Taylor, Director of Tennis for the City of Monroe.

Mix up your return of serve in doubles. If you hit the same old cross court return every time, your opponent’s net player may begin reading your return and poaching on it. Some other do return options are: • Short angled return crosscourt, and this shot doesn’t have to be hit with pace.

• Lob return over the opposing net player.

This works well against a player who likes to poach and forces him to switch sides of the court.

• Return down the line. This again works well against aggressive net poachers.

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Holiday Festivities in Full Swing Experience the Most Magical Time of Year in Ruston & Lincoln Parish

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HERE’S JUST SOMETHING MAGICAL ABOUT CHRISTMAS in Ruston! With beautifully decorated downtown shops, streets lined with twinkling lights, and holiday cheer in the air, Ruston elicits all those cozy feelings of being home for the holidays.

You’ll want to add a visit to sparkling Downtown Ruston to your holiday checklist, where you’re sure to find a unique holiday gift at one of our local shops. After shopping, experience the lights from a horsedrawn carriage before you grab hot cocoa from a local coffee shop.

Downtown Ruston kicks off the festivities in November with Holiday Open House, followed by six weeks of holiday happenings for residents and visitors to enjoy.

The first weekend in December is always packed with holiday cheer in Lincoln Parish. Catch Ruston Community Theatre’s annual holiday play on the Dixie Theatre stage and be sure to stop into a downtown restaurant for their holiday specials before or after the show. You’ll also find local artists and their works in downtown shops for NCLAC’s Holiday Arts Tour. Then head just a few miles north to Lincoln Parish Park for the annual Lincoln Lights Up the Pines drive-through light display. This popular holiday attraction features thousands of lights, festive displays, and decked out vintage campers all celebrating the holiday season.

In addition to the offerings in Ruston & Lincoln Parish, visitors are also encouraged to experience the Louisiana Holiday Trail of Lights, a partnership of ten festive cities celebrating the holidays in North Louisiana. The trail features events and attractions in Alexandria/ Pineville, Minden, Monroe-West Monroe, Natchitoches, Ruston, Logansport, and Shreveport-Bossier. More information about the Holiday Trail of Lights can be found at www.holidaytrailoflights.com.

The upcoming holiday season will feature several family-friendly events across Ruston and Lincoln Parish. See below for a preview of holiday events happening in the area.

DOWNTOWN RUSTON HOLIDAY EVENTS Nov. 16-Dec. 16 (Fridays & Saturdays): Downtown Carriage Rides, 7-10pm, Railroad Park Dec. 7: Downtown Holiday Sip & Stroll, 5-7pm, Downtown Ruston Dec. 7: Holiday Sing-A-Long, 6:30pm, Railroad Park Dec. 9: Cookies with Santa, 9-11am, Historic Fire Station

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LINCOLN LIGHTS UP THE PINES Nov. 30-Dec. 2, Dec. 7-9 5:30-10:00pm, Lincoln Parish Park RCT PRESENTS:THE BEST CHRISTMAS PAGEANT EVER Nov. 30-Dec. 3 Thurs - Sat at 7pm, Sun at 2pm, Dixie Center for the Arts NCLAC’S HOLIDAY ARTS TOUR Dec. 2 10am-5pm, Downtown Ruston DIXIE CENTER FOR THE ARTS HOLIDAY EVENTS Dec. 8: Home for the Holidays, 7pm, Dixie Center for the Arts Dec. 9: Travis Ledoyt’s Sun and the Stars Christmas, 7pm, Dixie Center for the Arts Dec. 22: Holiday Movie Night: A Christmas Carol, 7pm, Dixie Center for the Arts RUSTON CHRISTMAS PARADE Dec. 16 10am, Route TBD RUSTON SPORTS COMPLEX HOLIDAY EVENTS Dec. 16: Ruston Rudolph Run 5K, 8:30am, Ruston Sports Complex Dec. 16: Christmas at the Ruston Sports Complex, 9:30am, Ruston Sports Complex Select dates in December: Artificial Ice Skating To see a full list of holiday events, visit www.rustonlincoln.com/ holidays.

As you can see, there are so many magical moments to experience in Ruston and Lincoln Parish during the holidays. We hope you’ll join us this year as we celebrate the season!

IN THE GARDEN D

ecember gardening tasks may seem minimal but there’s never a shortage of tasks to accomplish outdoors. Let’s start with firewood.

First be aware of what is and what is not a full cord of firewood. A standard cord measures 128 cubic feet. This is typically measured 4 feet high by 4 feet deep by 8 feet long. Firewood is typically sold by the “face cord” or “short cord.” This measures 4 feet high by 8 feet long by 2 feet deep. The definition of a “rick” varies among states.

In our area, a “rick” is approximately one third of a standard cord.

Also, notice whether the firewood you’re buying is seasoned or green.

Seasoned firewood will weigh less than green wood because of the lower water content. Seasoned wood also produces more heat. In our region, oak and hickory are the main heat producers. Black walnut, hackberry, honey locust, mulberry, and persimmon are also good fuels.

Try to buy firewood locally so as not to transport it over parish lines.

Forest pests like ambrosia beetles and the emerald ash borer are spread by transporting firewood across parish lines.

Plant fruit trees/shrubs/vines now through January or early February. Pay special attention to variety name when making selections for the home orchard. Make variety selections for our area based on chilling requirement. Each variety needs a specific number of hours of cold below 45 F. A good winter for us is around 800 chill hours.

Anything beyond that is just icing on the cake. Last December, we got a little more than we bargained for, but the damage wasn’t nearly as extensive as we feared it would be. With the exception of planting blueberry bushes, don’t forget to lime the soil. This is a most important step that most home gardeners overlook. Because our soils are generally acidic, lime will be necessary to raise the soil pH to the optimum range of 6.0 to 6.8. Agricultural or horticultural lime is calcium carbonate.

Dolomitic lime also contains magnesium, an important nutrient in chlorophyll production. Calcitic lime lacks magnesium. Lime often takes at least two months to regulate the soil pH so hopefully this has already been done at planting sites.

This season, bring the outdoors indoors for holiday decorating! A festive holiday season is made even more so by taking advantage of our fall and winter gardens. Wander out into your landscape and gather the makings for a homemade holiday wreath. Southern magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora) will not only have glossy foliage, but will also have clusters of fruit, technically an aggregate of follicles, with the

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< Mistletoe is a parasitic plant often used for Christmas decorating.

> Magnolia fruit with seeds can be incorporated into homemade wreaths or indoor greenery.

Poinsettias are favorites for indoor Christmas décor.

Bayou DeLoutre in fall.

red seeds still attached. Eastern red cedar (Juniperus virginiana) and arbor vitae (Thuja sp.) are two conifers that have foliage perfect for Holiday decorations, and should have small, blue, berry-like female cones for added color. Loblolly pine (Pinus taeda) is very common and available in our area with its unmistakable needles and cones. Female hollies will have both glossy green foliage and red berries that you’ll have to compete with birds for. If you have an herb garden, sprigs of rosemary and sage will add to the greenery and texture of the wreath. Also add some color by finding some leaves of deciduous trees like hickory for yellow, and even Bradford pear (Pyrus calleryana) for scarlet. A touch of blue can be added if you can find some leftover bunches of our native fox grape (Vitis labrusca). Florist wire from a hobby shop can be used to attach these to a frame made from muscadine vines (Vitis rotundifolia) or pepper vine (Ampelopsis arborea). “Hairy” vines, such as poison ivy (Toxicodendron radicans), should be left alone.

Indoors, live plants add to the holiday atmosphere of any room. Poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima) should be situated in a sunny location where room temperature ranges from 60 to 70 F. Water only when soil is dry and do not fertilize while it is flowering. Bright red, leafy bracts surround small, yellow flowers. Christmas cactus (Schlumbergera bridgessii) should be kept between 70 and 80 F. Water only when soil is dry, fertilize with a low nitrogen fertilizer (less than 10 percent N), and pinch off new growth in spring for rooting.

Are you using a real Christmas tree this year? If so, chances are it’s either Fraser fir, Scotch pine, Leyland cypress, or Eastern red cedar. With its Christmassy scent, Frazer fir (Abies fraseri) is the most popular Christmas tree species used in the southern United States. Unable to tolerate the heat and humidity of Louisiana, Fraser firs are farmed in many counties of the Southern Appalachians and trucked all over the country. When the holidays are over, remember that used Christmas trees make great habitats for wildlife. If you live near a pond or lake, sink the tree cement blocks to provide structure that fish and other aquatic wildlife will use for habitat. As many of our native game fish ambush their prey, the tree will provide them a good hiding place. Next spring, when the bite is on, you’ll be glad you put your used Christmas tree to good use. If you don’t live on or near a body of water, then consider using your Christmas tree in your backyard as a way to attract birds. Treats made from suet, peanut butter, birdseed, and like material can be hidden among the branches for our feathered friends that overwinter in the area.

I snapped this picture of Bayou DeLoutre last month as I had occasion to be in the Tiger Bend area of Union Parish one day. On my way back to the Ouachita office, and for the first time in forever, my brain told me to stop, go back, and enjoy the scenery and, more importantly, the moment. I didn’t know then what in my head told me to stop, but after giving it some thought, I recalled the art lessons I took in my early teens, and realized this particular scene presents a perfect example

of perspective. In person, the location itself is certainly three dimensional, but it also appears that way in a twodimensional picture. Even on a flat screen or on paper, there’s depth and distance that seem to translate into something more than the mere optical illusion it really is. While standing at this site, I wondered what I would find if I walked downstream into the distance. What else is back there around the bend? When I look at a picture of the site, my eye is still drawn to the distance with a curiosity of what may be back there. There’s another type of perspective afforded by this scene. A mental point of view. For some reason, this scene changes my perspective of a hurried existence. Typically, I don’t stop for much of anything when I’m traveling from parish to parish. An inner voice told me that whatever was back at the office would still be there when I got there and that right now, this was more important. Slow down, enjoy the scene, and, more importantly, savor the moment. That’s exactly what I did. And it was wonderful. I not only enjoyed the scene, but I enjoyed the moment and simply being there. All the colors, the pleasant temperatures, the silence save for the breeze blowing through branches and crinkly leaves and the sound of trickling water, and the aroma of woods. It all begs the question, why don’t we do this more often? Just stop, pause, and savor the moment. Are moments like this really that infrequent or have we simply forgotten how to recognize them when they happen? To someone who is always in a hurry, it’s a hard question to answer. I remember other times when I took time to savor a moment. Sitting around a dinner table listening to a conversation about the natural history of the Macon Ridge or standing on a dock over the water of Lake Providence enjoying fall temperatures, a bright Carolina blue sky, and the breezes coming down from the north or, in what seems like a previous life, standing on the summit of Mt. Mitchell and looking off into the distance, or being up on the Blue Ridge Parkway at night at an overlook and looking down at the silent lights of little towns and home sites below, like constellations down in the woods.

As all of you spend time with family and friends this holiday season, I hope you’ll have many moments where an internal voice tells you to pause and savor them because they happen all too infrequently, and each one becomes more precious as the years pass.

Thank you for nine wonderful years of being your extension agent. All of us at the LSU AgCenter wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Tune in to Louisiana Living every Tuesday at 4:30 for In the Garden with Kerry Heafner of the LSU AgCenter.

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Exploring the Soul of Gypsy Soul Find A Gift For Everyone at This Furniture, Home and Gift Haven

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ESTLED ALONG THE QUAINT STRETCH OF 4150 OLD Sterlington Road in Monroe, Louisiana, Gypsy Soul is not just a store; it’s an embodiment of the owner’s spirit, a journey of transformation, and a haven for those seeking distinctive gifts and furniture.

Ann Ryland, the visionary behind Gypsy Soul, started this venture in 2015 under the name Vintage Veranda. However, destiny had other plans for her, leading to a life-changing experience that brought her to Monroe. Now, after seven years at the same location, Gypsy Soul stands as a testament to Ann’s passion for breathing new life into forgotten treasures.

At the heart of Gypsy Soul’s offerings is the art of upcycling furniture using Dixie Belle products, which are conveniently available for purchase in the store. Ann’s enthusiasm for her craft is palpable when she shares, “I love taking my trailer, a couple of friends and going on a good junking trip - there’s nothing like transforming other people’s junk and making it a beautiful piece.” This dedication to turning the discarded into the delightful permeates the entire store, creating an atmosphere that is both eclectic and enchanting.

Gypsy Soul doesn’t just stop at furniture; the store boasts a collection of architectural pieces, adding a touch of history and character to its offerings.

However, the true focal point of Gypsy Soul is its dedication to Louisianathemed gifts and decor. Ann tirelessly seeks out items that are unique, ensuring her customers find treasures they won’t discover anywhere else.

A significant contributor to the store’s distinctive charm is local artist Linda Durr. Durr’s creations add a personal and authentic touch to Gypsy Soul, embodying the essence of Louisiana’s rich culture and vibrant artistic community.

With the holiday season approaching, Gypsy Soul is a treasure trove for those seeking thoughtful gifts. From satin pillowcases and calming pillow sprays to unique socks and handmade jewelry, the store has something for everyone. LSU and Neville Tiger enthusiasts will find a range of gifts.

There are also a range of items for everyone on your list including: pillows, handmade ornaments, metal pelicans, and egrets, Louisiana-themed tea towels, gumbo bowls, koozies, wood lanterns, seasonal crafts and so much more. For those looking for a curated gift experience, Ann can craft beautiful gift baskets featuring a variety of local delights, from dip and meal mixes to Mississippi cheese straws and local honey.

As you explore the store, you’ll find it cleverly divided into thematic areas, each showcasing a different facet of Louisiana’s charm. Oyster decor, shrimp and pelican items, crawfish-themed delights, and even alligatorinspired treasures find their place in Gypsy Soul’s diverse collection.

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Beyond gifts and decor, Gypsy Soul caters to those seeking unique apothecary items. Wax melt warmers and melts, handmade goat’s milk soap, and hand-poured creations offer a sensory experience that goes beyond the visual. Ann’s background in horticulture also influences her vision for the future, as she dreams of expanding the store to include a garden area with live plants and garden furniture. Come spring, the store will feature plants, concrete sculptures, and metal art, creating a haven for gardening enthusiasts.

Gypsy Soul isn’t just a one-woman show; Ann has brought together a community of vendors who contribute their unique items to the store. With 12 vendors on board, Gypsy Soul becomes a collaborative space where diverse talents converge to offer an unparalleled shopping experience.

The atmosphere at Gypsy Soul is as warm and inviting as the items on display. Christian music plays softly in the background, creating a comforting backdrop to the laughter and camaraderie that fills the space.

Ann is quick to express her gratitude for the relationships that have developed over the years, emphasizing the importance of small businesses as the heart of every community.

Even in the face of challenges, such as the impact of Covid and the personal loss of her father, Ann’s resilience and the support of her friends and customers have been a source of strength. Gypsy Soul has adapted to the times, with Ann and her friends Trisha and Linda hosting live sales on Facebook Live every Tuesday night—a tradition born during the pandemic and still going strong.

Beyond the walls of the store, Gypsy Soul takes to the road, participating in events like Big Creek Trade Days in Dubach, LA, and renting a booth in Delhi at Depot Marketplace. Ann’s commitment to her craft and her community is evident in her continued efforts to connect with people beyond the store’s physical location.

Ann Ryland is not just a business owner; she is a mother and grandmother, blessed with three children and seven grandchildren. The love and dedication she pours into Gypsy Soul are a reflection of her commitment to creating a space where people can find joy, connection, and treasures that resonate with the soul.

As the holiday season approaches, Ann extends a heartfelt invitation to support Gypsy Soul and, by extension, the spirit of small businesses that form the backbone of every community. The store is not just a place to shop; it’s a haven where stories unfold, friendships are forged, and the journey of transformation continues.

THE WAR THAT ENDED IN DECEMBER BUT DIDN’T

Historical Impressions

b y G u y M i l l e r, V i c e C h a i r E m e r i t u s , C h e n n a u l t Av i a t i o n a n d M i l i t a r y M u s e u m

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nyone who has been to the Vietnam Wall or a Vietnam War exhibit knows the war officially ended in 1975. What most people don’t realize is the agreement to end the war was actually made in December 1972. It was during the Christmas season of that year that the largest bombing mission in history took place. This air campaign, Operation Linebacker II, is considered the action that ended U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War. The 2 ½ year delay between proclaiming the end of the war and the actual end of fighting came about because all parties essentially ignored the peace agreement.

By the late 1960s both the American public and Congress were tiring of the war in Vietnam. Richard Nixon was elected President in 1968 and understood the combination of domestic anti-war fervor and Congressional determination to place limits on Presidential war power meant that finding an end to the conflict was a political necessity. Nixon’s plan was to introduce a policy called “Vietnamization.” This program was designed to shift the responsibility for prosecuting the war from the United States to the South Vietnamese and thus allow the U.S. to gradually withdraw its troops from Vietnam. South Vietnamese troops would take charge of all fighting but still receive American aid and, if necessary, air and naval support.

Negotiations for peace began in 1968 but the parties were entrenched in conflicting positions. Essentially the U.S. and South Vietnam wanted to preserve an independent and non-communist south. The North Vietnamese leadership wanted to set up favorable conditions for eventually reuniting the country under their control.

Under “Vietnamization,” American troops had begun withdrawing in 1968 and all ground combat troops were gone by 1972. But the U.S. continued bombing campaigns and North Vietnam insisted those be stopped before any real negotiations could take place.

In early 1972 the North began a massive invasion of South Vietnam which threatened a take over of the northern half of the country. The U.S. responded with a concentrated overwhelming air campaign that caused the communist offensive to be halted.

As the November Presidential election neared, Sectretary of State Henry Kissinger secretly opened separate negotiations with the North Vietnamese representatives and they came to an agreement in October. When South Vietnamese President Thieu learned of the agreement he rejected the terms and demanded many changes. This caused North Vietnam to retract any concessions they had made and counter with demands of their own.

The South’s rejection caused North Vietnamese delegates to walk out on further talks. On December 14th, President Nixon ordered them to return and set a 72-hour deadline which passed with no action from the North Vietnamese. Knowing he had to force the North to come back to the table, Nixon ordered Operation

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Linebacker II- the largest heavy bomber campaign since World War II. Nicknamed the “11 Days of Christmas,” the operation consisted of successive days of sorties by Air Force B-52s with supporting aircraft from the Navy and Marines.

Beginning on December 18th, over 200 B-52s flew 729 consecutive sorties against military and industrial sites in Hanoi and Haiphong.

The only day that both sides got a reprieve was Christmas, when the American personnel were given a 36-hour break to celebrate.

During the holiday pause, Nixon ordered the North Vietnamese to return to the bargaining table. When the North Vietnamese refused Nixon had the bombings continue.

During the 11 days of Operation Linebacker II, B-52s dropped over 15,000 tons of ordinance and Navy and Marine fighter-bombers dropped an additional 5000 tons. Defense Department records show this campaign destroyed or damaged 1,600 structures, 500 rail targets, 10 airfields, numerous anti-air missile sites and 80 percent of North Vietnam’s electric-generating capacity.

By December 29th, the North had had enough and agreed to return to Paris to sign an agreement that was essentially the same as that agreed upon in October. President Thieu of South Vietnam, pressured by a combination of military aid promises and threats from Nixon, reluctantly agreed to go along. All parties had now agreed to end the war. They only needed to finalize the wording of the peace accord and affix their signatures. On January 27, 1973, the Agreement on Ending the War and Restoring Peace in Vietnam was signed by representatives of the South Vietnamese communist forces, North Vietnam, South Vietnam, and the United States.

Unfortunately none of the Vietnamese parties abided by the settlement and the war continued.

By the time the last U.S. military unit left Vietnam the communists and South Vietnamese were already engaged in the “postwar war.” Both sides claimed with some justification that the other side was continuously violating the terms of the peace agreements. Nixon continued to provide military aid to Saigon but his ability to influence events in Vietnam was being sharply curtailed by the Watergate revelations and by Congress’s prohibition of further military action in Vietnam.

Unchecked and having rebuilt their forces, North Vietnam initiated a major offensive in March 1975. The South’s government and army quickly collapsed. Congress was ready to wash its hands of a long and futile war and ignored President Ford’s plea for aid for the South. On April 30, 1975 North Vietnamese tank columns occupied Saigon without a struggle. Those Americans remaining in country escaped in a series of frantic air- and sealifts along with Vietnamese friends and coworkers. The war which should have ended in December 1972 was finally over.

BAYOU BAUBLES HOLLIS & COMPANY Explore the perfect blend of antique charm and contemporary luxury with this exquisite collection from Hollis & Company.

DECKED IN DIAMONDS Create unforgettable moments and stylish wins this season with beautiful jewelry from local retailers.

ST YLING BY TAYLOR BENNET T PHOTOGR APH BY KELLY MOORE CL ARK

BAYOU BAUBLES

DUPONT JEWELERS Elevate your holiday gifting with the timeless elegance of pearls, the enchanting allure of opals, and the sparkling brilliance of diamonds.

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BAYOU BAUBLES

FLAIR MONROE’S FINE JEWELER Choose from radiant gemstones, elegant diamond bangles, and delicate necklaces to adorn your loved ones with timeless beauty this holiday season.

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Serenity Care Providers Enjoying the Holiday Season

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OSTALGIA – NOUN: A SENTIMENTAL YEARNING FOR THE happiness of a former place or time. The holidays can be associated with very different sets of feelings for each of us. Our senses relate sounds, smells, and sights with particular memories. Christmas becomes a kaleidoscope.

So much of the magic of Christmas is wrapped up in memories and nostalgia. Studies have shown that listening to Christmas music, decorating for the holidays, and looking at bright twinkling lights can reduce stress.

These activities spike dopamine and serotonin levels; the “feel good” hormones. Just one more reason to start the celebration early!

Christmas lights and decorations trim houses throughout the town.

Beautifully wrapped packages surround brilliant trees adorned with ornaments. Christmas sweaters and holiday glam are exhibited in every store front on main streets. The smells of cinnamon, cedar trees, and fresh baked cookies tickle our noses. Salvation Army bells ring at the kettle reminding us this season is about giving. And the Christmas music…well, it can do so much for the soul.

It is fair to say, however, not everyone has positive emotions regarding Christmas. This time of the year can add great amounts of stress over having to budget for gifts, fight crowds of people, and make plans to visit everyone on the same day! This is where we begin to lose our Christmas spirit! But this is where we need to remember that self-care is a priority. I tell this to clients’ families all the time. “If you don’t take care of yourself, how will you be able to care for your loved one?” You can’t give your all if you aren’t plenished. “Fill your cup” daily by doing something you enjoy.

Whether it’s reading a book, listening to music, exercising, or having quiet time, doing small things for yourself will recharge you!

In our quest to help make this holiday season more enjoyable for others, Katelann, Serenity Care Providers’ Nursing Coordinator and owner of Cherished Soles, put together a few ideas she thought would be great for our seniors or those “hard to buy for” people.

1. A Legacy Journal from Duncan & Stone is a prompted writing and picture journal that allows families to connect through the gift of storytelling and favorite memories. Not only is this a great gift, but an amazing keepsake.

2. Bird watching is a great hobby for seniors, especially with Alzheimer’s or dementia. It has been proven to combat stress and depression as well as simulate cognitive function. We love the window bird feeders. A smart camera bird feeder can also give the whole family tons of joy and laughter!

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3. P ainting with a Twist and Strauss Theatre are safe and fun for the whole family. The experience of Painting with a Twist creates laughs and memories as well as a keepsake art piece. Strauss Theatre already has four plays on their website for 2024. It is a great outing and supports our local talent!

4. W e love warming mitts for people with arthritis. The cold brings achy joints and these would help ease discomfort!

5. G rampas Weeder is a great yard tool to have for anyone, but it’s especially helpful to seniors. It is a tool that helps you pull weeds from your yard and garden without having to kneel, squat, or bend over!

6. Another great option is a raised garden bed with legs so that it is off the ground at waist height. This makes flower or vegetable gardening easier on the body when traditional gardening can no longer be safely enjoyed.

7. W e love a large digital clock for seniors that includes the day of the week, full date, time, and temperature. This is very convenient for seniors with memory loss, but it can come in handy for just about anyone!

8. Another local business that we can support around Christmas, or all year round is The Spice and Tea Exchange of West Monroe. Located in Antique Alley, they have something for anyone who likes to spend time in the kitchen. Even if you aren’t a tea drinker, they have spices, rubs, tools, and some of the cutest kitchen items!

9. S hutterfly is great for any personalized gift you can think of, but we are loving their customizable puzzles. Another great coordination and memory aid, picture puzzles can provide fun memories as well as promote cognitive function!

Although Katelann did not add this to the list, I must say a gift certificate from Cherished Soles would be a highlight for anyone! Katelann is a licensed footcare specialist and will come to you! A wonderful gift for anyone! Her number is 318.235.2875.

We at Serenity Care Providers hope you have a holiday season full of love. Let’s stop and recognize the good in our lives – past and present.

Embrace the nostalgia of the holidays and bring back the activities that bring cheer. Bake some cookies; sing some carols; and reflect on the meaning of the season. Focus on the things that you are grateful for and when those negative feelings pop up, challenge them with a positive thought. May God bless you all!

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‘Taylor’ Made Homes Create a Custom-Built Home with J. Taylor Made Construction

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OR ALY AND JOSH TAYLOR, BUILDING A HOME IS MORE than a process; it’s an experience-- And an experience they want their customers to enjoy every step of the way. “Building a home or remodeling an existing one can be overwhelming. I am with my customer as they make every decision and pick out every color. I’m there every step of the way. It’s what makes our company unique in an industry that can feel very ‘cookie cutter’ or repetitious. It’s truly a custom experience, from start to finish,” says Josh.

And that experience starts with having a firm grip on his customer’s vision for their home. “I spend a lot of time on the front end of the home building experience with my customers. I want to understand what they want the final outcome to be, so I spend a lot of time in the details and getting to know my customer. Sometimes even the smallest details can really direct the entire process. I like to say at end of the project, we will be ‘friends’ with our customers, because we have gotten to know them at the level that they trusted us with such a personal decision in choosing their homebuilder. It is just as important for us to build that relationship as it is to build their home. We value those relationships and make them a priority.”

And for over 20 years, Josh has been making these relationships a priority. A visit to J. Taylor Made’s Facebook or Instagram (@ jtaylormadeconstruction) account will find him pouring over house plans, but it will also find him sharing pictures of his beautiful children enjoying their family home. Josh built his family their very own custom home this year. “Aly and I were very intentional with every detail of our home. It’s incredibly unique and designed to our specific tastes and of course, some of my wife’s special requests! Aly loved the charm of older homes and really wanted to incorporate that charm in a new build. It was challenging and fun. We accomplished that with arches, wallpaper, special nooks and window seats, stone, traditional moulding and cabinets, paint color choices, and then Aly’s touch of decorating with cozy and beautiful pieces.”

“That’s what makes it “Taylor made” to our family. I take that same mindset into the homebuilding experience with each of my customers.

I want them to understand that no ask is too big. I don’t want my customers to be afraid to tell me what they truly want, because we will make it happen. My job is to create a space that they will cherish, and a space where they can see every idea they had in the final outcome,” says Josh.

This business approach can also be seen in Aly and Josh’s home, with details that make it so special. You see a few photos here of their

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living area, but they will share more of their beautiful home in issues to come. From wallpaper in each of their girls’ rooms, to a wall of built in desks custom made for each of their girls, to a wall of 4 built-in bunk beds, Josh and Aly desired their home to be a reflection of their family.

The homes they’ve built for themselves in the past have been more simple and streamlined for re-sale. In this home, they didn’t focus on those elements, but chose what was truly functional and special for their family. “I have that same approach with my customers and it’s part of what makes the home building experience with us unique, special and ‘Taylor’ made. I listen…and then make it happen.”

Continues Josh, “I get life from being around people, which is why I don’t have a project manager…I am the project manager. I am heavily involved from the get-go because you have to be if you want your customer to have a custom experience. Building a home can be a very stressful experience for anyone, but I want my customers to know I am here for it. I will be there every step of the way, and I want to make it enjoyable. I have interior designers who are also there for the decorating questions and decisions, but I am still involved. In fact, I will be involved until I deliver the key at the end of the finished project.”

“My wife is a two-time cancer survivor, and because of that, we have such a heightened sense of the preciousness of life. My family is more important than a job…or my work. But this sense of what’s truly important in life does include a home where memories are made, and life is cherished. I want each of my customers to walk in their home when we get to the finish line and feel that they are ‘home’ and know that we did something really special together.”

Our personal house, just like all the other custom projects we complete in a year would not happen without our team. Our cabinets were designed, made and installed by West Ouachita Cabinets. Our flooring and tile work were done by Dupuy Flooring. All of our plumbing fixtures were purchased from Coburns. All the building supplies, hardware, and light fixtures came from Tom Sanders and Sanders Lighting Co. There are certainly many others but in the pictures you see here- these are the companies that have helped them become a reality.

To see some of the beautiful work that J. Taylor Made has helped create for their customers, follow them on Facebook and Instagram. Or to schedule an appointment to discuss your dream home or remodel, give Josh a call at 318.348.6162. Let Josh and his team “Taylor” make your home building/remodeling experience for you.

Fishing With Kenny PUTTING THE PUZZLE TOGETHER article by K E N N Y COV I NGT ON

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s I have stated many times over the years while writing my BayouLife “Fishing with Kenny” articles, catching fish is easy. Anyone can catch fish if put in the proper area, using the proper lure and the fish are biting on a particular day. The hardest part of angling is figuring out how to catch the fish you are after.

I have often compared bass fishing to deer hunting. Even though one resides on land and the other in the water, the comparison between the two finds them both to be quite similar.

Both rely heavily on edges of cover, be it a wood line parallel to a cutover or a grass line found on the edge of a creek channel.

Both are most aggressive during the spawn or reproductive season (the rut). Both tend to be heavily influenced by weather and feeding patterns. Both, even when you know they are in the area, can disappear without a trace. No matter if you are hunting a trophy buck or trying to prepare for your next tournament, success depends on your preparation and how well you put the puzzle together.

So, now we are launching our boat and we are hoping for a successful day on the water. How do we find our first puzzle piece.

You can get a head start on putting the puzzle together before you ever get to the boat ramp. The body of water, the weather patterns and the time of year can give you a good idea of what the fish should be doing. For example, I always ask myself a few questions such as; what water clarity can I expect? Is this a cypress tree lake or are there several types of cover the bass can relate to? What is the lake level? Is it a deep or shallow water lake? The most important question for me, especially this time of year, does the lake have grass in it?

I will admit this seems to be a lot to digest in a short time, but really it’s not. If I am going to Caney Lake, I know the water will be clear, there is an abundance of grass, there isn’t a presence of cypress trees but there are docks, there is a deep water population of fish and the main forage will be shad. So, without even putting my boat in the water, I have given myself a starting point to my 78 DECEMBER 2023 | WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM

day, and you can do this with any body of water. Our first puzzle piece is in place.

Once I get on the water, I start considering other variables. If we have had consistent weather patterns, and the water temperatures are above 45 degrees, I will usually begin fishing shallow water.

One of the advantages of fishing in our region is no matter what weather you have had up until this point, regardless of the lake you are fishing, you can still find a good population of bass in shallow water. However, on the other side of the coin, shallow water fish are more effected by a drastic weather change, making them more difficult to catch than deep water related schools.

Now that I have established where to begin my search, I am going to pick a large area that I can cover quickly, so if I am successful, and locate some fish, I can then try to expand my search to other parts of the lake. The trick to doing this is to use search baits such as a Rat L Trap, a spinnerbait, chatterbait or even a cast and retrieve topwater such as a Spook. These lures are good at catching bass but sometimes they are even better at helping you find them.

Here is a scenario…. While throwing a Rat L Trap, you hook a fish, and the fish gets off halfway to the boat on a long cast. Instead of lamenting about a lost fish, immediately throw back into the area where you got the strike. Many times, even in shallow water, fish will gang up and a Rat L Trap will help you locate their exact location, so the less time you take getting your lure back into the water, the better your chances are of a follow up strike. As you are fishing you should begin to analyze what just happened. Where did I get the strike? What was I doing on the retrieve? Was the strike a solid hit or was the fish just there when I was reeling the lure? All these will lead you to the next piece of the puzzle.

Later, after we have had a couple of bites, now we have a general area to focus on. The first question I ask myself at this point is, “why are those fish here?” Is it a flat with scattered grass with an abundance of shad? Is it a creek channel bend meandering through a large flat? Or is it just a drop off close to deep water?

Bass always use an area for a specific reason, and this time of year it is usually to feed up for the oncoming winter.

By now, we have enough information to have a pretty good idea of why the fish are where they are, what they are doing and a few ideas on how to catch them. The puzzle has come together quite nicely and there is a good chance you will be able to duplicate what you have done on other parts of the lake. Or does it?

One key thing to remember when fishing this time of year, you must be realistic about your expectations. If you are fishing the day after a major weather event, a handful of bites may be all you should hope for. I have won many bad weather tournaments getting only five or six bites in a day. I have won three tournaments over the years just by catching a single fish. Do not let your expectations override your common sense.

Well, it looks like we have run out of space and time for another month. I hope we were able to share with you a few things that will allow you to have success on your next day on the water. Since it is hunting season and we are sharing two of Mother Nature’s playgrounds, please be respectful to her. Be safe and be sure to catch one for me! See you next month!

Olive + Oak

A Culinary Haven in Monroe’s Dining Scene

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N THE HEART OF MONROE, A CULINARY GEM HAS emerged, bringing a fresh and innovative dining experience to the area. Olive + Oak, nestled in the former Trio’s Dining location, is the brainchild of co-owner Muriel Elaine Woodard, a skilled pastry chef with a passion for creating unique and delectable dishes. Muriel, who studied baking and pastries at the prestigious New Orleans Culinary & Hospitality Institute, brings her expertise and creativity to the forefront, elevating Monroe’s dining scene to new heights.

After graduating in 2019, Muriel honed her craft through cake decorating and working as a chocolatier. In 2022, she returned to the Monroe area and joined forces with Jenifer Johnson, the former proprietor of Trio’s, to transform the space into Olive + Oak. Together, they envisioned a restaurant that would not only pay homage to Trio’s legacy but also introduce exciting new additions to the menu, showcasing Muriel’s culinary prowess.

One standout dish on Olive + Oak’s menu is the Pear + Brie Salad Skewers. This delightful creation features succulent pear slices, creamy brie, crunchy walnuts, peppery arugula, and bursts of pomegranate, all drizzled with a luscious balsamic glaze. It’s a harmonious blend of flavors and textures that exemplifies the restaurant’s commitment to culinary excellence.

For those seeking a twist on a classic, Olive + Oak offers “grownup grilled cheeses,” such as the Pear + Brie Grilled Cheese. This mouthwatering sandwich features brie, pepper jelly, arugula, and pears sandwiched between parmesan-crusted sourdough bread. It’s a sophisticated take on a childhood favorite, marrying sweet and savory notes in each delectable bite.

Another must-try is The Burrata + Steak Crostini, a savory masterpiece that showcases perfectly cooked steak served with velvety fresh burrata. This dish is a testament to Olive + Oak’s commitment to using high-quality ingredients to create a memorable dining experience.

The Fancy Burger is a carnivore’s delight, featuring a flavorsome meat patty stuffed with creamy goat cheese and topped with layers of pepper jelly, arugula, and red onions, all encased in a pillowy brioche bun. It’s a symphony of flavors that will satisfy even the most discerning palates.

For loyal fans of Trio’s, the return of the Trio’s Original pizza is a cause for celebration. Laden with pepperoni, sausage, onion, 80 DECEMBER 2023 | WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM

bell peppers, black olives, tomatoes, mushrooms, and jalapeños, this pizza is a nostalgic nod to the beloved classics that put Trio’s on the culinary map.

And let’s not forget the hummus – a staple that has made its triumphant return to the menu. The Olive + Oak hummus is a delightful medley of feta, black olives, roadside garlic, and sundried tomatoes layered over classic hummus, creating a flavorful and addictive appetizer that pairs perfectly with their diverse selection of dishes.

Some other favorites include the Hangar Steak which is served with a delectable Chimichurri sauce, Lamb Ragu Pasta, Roasted Butternut Squash Flatbread and many more exceptional menu items.

The culinary journey at Olive + Oak extends beyond the food. The drink menu, expertly curated by resident bartender Ella Nealy, is a testament to the restaurant’s commitment to providing a comprehensive dining experience. Indulge in the rich and velvety Espresso Martini, crafted with vodka, Kahlúa, simple syrup, and espresso, poured into a vintage-style champagne glass and topped with roasted coffee beans. Alternatively, refresh your palate with the Blackberry Mint Gin Martini or the invigorating Cucumber Pomegranate Margarita – each sip a testament to Olive + Oak’s dedication to innovative mixology.

As you step through the doors of Olive + Oak, you are greeted by a revitalized hangout for Northeast Louisiana. The inviting hue of green envelops the bar area, offering guests a cozy and welcoming seating arrangement. It’s not just a restaurant; it’s an experience—a place where great food, delicious drinks, and warm hospitality converge to create memories.

In Monroe’s ever-evolving culinary landscape, Olive + Oak stands out as a beacon of culinary innovation, inviting both loyal patrons and newcomers alike to savor the extraordinary flavors that define this exceptional dining destination.

Olive + Oak is located at 2219 Forsythe Avenue in Monroe, LA. Call them at 318-387-3577 or visit them on Facebook and Instagram for today’s specials.

BAYOU HOLIDAYS

FESTIVE FARE

Embark on a culinary journey this New Year’s with an exquisite selection of dishes from our local restaurants, promising a lunch that combines celebration and delightful flavors.

ST YLED BY KELLY MOORE CL ARK PHOTOGR APH BY KELLY MOORE CL ARK TOPIARY FROM PARTERRE

CHICKEN SALAD CHICK These mini croissants are filled with Deck the Holly - a perfect blend of cranberries and jalapeños.

NEWK’S EATERY This charcuterie board is layered with salami, pepperoni, ham, mozzarella, yellow cheddar, grape tomatoes, artichokes, grapes and olives.

Served with creole mustard, pesto and crackers.

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BAYOU HOLIDAYS

FESTIVE FARE

THE OKALOOSA The Maui Pokaloosa Bowl combines spiced mango, diced avocado, salted edamame, diced green onion, cilantro, sesame seed, spicy mayo and eel sauce.

RESTAURANT COTTON The Pond and the GulfMississippi catfish is a delicious serving of catfish, red shrimp, housemade delta sauce, trinity, ground andouille and delta grits.

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BAYOU HOLIDAYS

FESTIVE FARE

THURMAN’S FOOD FACTORY Thurman is the best when it comes to creating delectable desserts. This Raisin Bread Pudding can be enjoyed for breakfast of dessert.

CC’S COFFEEHOUSE Fluffy and flaky, our fresh baked butter croissant is stuffed with savory ham and smooth Swiss cheese.

BAYOU HOLIDAYS

FESTIVE FARE THE COPPER WHISK These homemade butter peas from The Copper Whisk are made with lightly cooked bacon cut in half, butter, peas and a pinch of sugar.

OLIVE + OAK These Pear + Brie Salad Skewers combine fresh pears and brie served with walnuts, arugula, pomegranate and a balsamic glaze.

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BAYOUOUTDOORS

G I V I N G B AC K ARTICLE BY DAN CHASON

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is the season for giving and there are no exceptions when it comes to December and the holidays. This point was re-emphasized by my friend Bill Petrus recently where he held a fundraiser for a young man who was involved in a construction accident. The man has a family with small children and the accident left him partially paralyzed. Bill put this even together and raised over $100,000 for the family. That is not just an isolated incident for Bill. He has put together annual handicapped, Wounded Warrior hunts and is always giving back by giving those not able to have an opportunity to do so. I recently joined Bill as he invited me and my friend Brad Charrier who has been paralyzed from the waist down since the age of 21. Brad dove off a remote bridge into a creek and broke his neck leaving him paralyzed for the last 26 years.

I have always admired how Bill gives back and how he is able to help a blind man kill two alligators and a deer in one trip this year. Amazing.

Then he stepped it up the next week by putting a parapalegic hunter on a big doe. All of this is done with no agenda. Just a great way to share the outdoors with those less fortunate.

Brad and I didn’t score on this hunt but Bill’s hunter did. Another doe made the ultimate sacrifice and built a lifelong memory for this hunter as well. So my goal was to get Brad on a deer and we started that journey with a trip to my shooting range to practice with the rifle he would use.

Before you run out and recruit a handicapped hunter, keep in mind some things that I learned in this journey. The first is to dedicate enough time to assure safe travel, adequate clothing and plenty of hydration for your hunter. The next is let it be their hunt.

Success comes with time and luckily, Brad had drawn a lottery ticket to the Floy McElroy Wildlife Management Area. This 600 acre plus area is actually located less than a mile from my house. I had never stepped foot on it and I assure you I was pleasantly surprised on the well kept roads, food plots and stands maintained by LDWF. Brad and I were met by Nick Freeland and Gabriel Carpenter, both Wildlife Techs employed by LDWF. The other hunter who had drawn a ticket could not make it so Brad and I had the whole place to ourselves. The willingness to help and the attitude to succeed was apparent immediately as we were met with open arms by Nick and Gabriel. It was not what I expected as I very much expected staff members to be unhappy they had to work on a Saturday with a handicapped hunter. That did not happen and in fact the opposite did. We were taken to a huge fiberglass ground blind and even though it was a bit chilly, we were warm and out of the wind.

The day started when we saw a big doe work her way across the lane/road and feed under a big white oak tree right at daylight.

Brad was hunting horns and it was a pretty far shot so we just let her feed. She was soon met by another deer and we watched them feed

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and leave. Right at 9:00 we saw a deer come out in almost the exact place and was joined by another deer. When I glassed the second deer, I told Brad it had horns. Not a huge deer but a buck and that was what he was after. Now remember, for any handicapped hunter there are limitations and restrictions as upper body strength is taxed and muscle cramps and spasms are common. This does not equate to a steady shot. I moved in behind Brad and told him to take the deer on the right which was the buck. I steadied him and he pulled the trigger. The deer went to the ground and both took off like greased lightning. I texted Nick and told him we had a hit although I wasn’t able to watch in my binoculars as I was holding Brad to steady him.

Shortly after, Nick and Gabriel showed up and the tracking was on. I swear Gabriel is half bloodhound as it wasn’t long Nick located where the deer was hit and about 30 yards into the woods, Gabriel found a good blood trail. Long story short, we tracked this deer for about 2 hours and the blood trail played out. I’m sure Brad was anxious as he waited patiently in the stand while we worked. I finally asked Neal if I could call a friend with a tracking dog. A phone call later and Brad Rogers showed up with Rip to assist in the search. It didn’t take 10 minutes and we heard the deer as the dog took him down. After dispatching the deer, we moved him out for the proud hunter to see. It wasn’t the buck as Brad actually shot the doe instead but the end result was a successful hunt and one happy hunter.

I cannot thank Nick, Gabriel and Brad enough. These men stuck with it and made a memory for my friend that will last a lifetime. If you want to experience the thrill of hunting, be like Bill Petrus. Share your dream, and your hunting spot with someone less fortunate. I know I can’t wait to do it again and I assure you if you participate, you will make a memory that you will never forget. We are all so blessed this holiday season. My hope is that you too will share your blessings with others. God bless you and Happy Holidays.

Benson Gets 64 Percent Vote Benson, an Independent, Carried 84 of the 87 Precincts in the Parish

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CELEBRATORY EVENT FOR CLERK OF COURT Dana Benson’s to a second term was held at the Fat Pelican on Tuesday, November 7, 2023.

“Results show that voters across all communities responded to Dana Benson’s commitment and accomplishments with a 64 percent vote to re-elect her to a second term as the Clerk of Court of Ouachita Parish. She carried the vote in 84 of the 87 precincts in Ouachita Parish, meaning that as an Independent, Benson won the most Republican, Independent, Democrat and No Party precincts in the parish,” said Dr. Gene Tarver, Market Research Analysts.

In Dana Benson’s first term as Clerk of Court, she used her 25 years of experience and training to upgrade systems making the Clerk’s Office more accessible and user friendly for the public to research, file and record documents 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

When running for Clerk of Court in 2019, Dana Benson proposed goals to make the Ouachita Parish Clerk’s Office more cost efficient and user friendly for the public including: • Saving money by utilizing one software program, Software & Services, which is much more user friendly and costs less, rather than two separate systems, thereby reducing costs with the goal of fee reduction.

• Maintaining an up-to-date, user-friendly website that gives citizens greater access to information, with a focus on converting to digital records to make information more easily accessible.

• E-filing for the Civil and Criminal Department.

• Providing more staff training, including cross training, to have more deputies certified as quickly as possible in order to provide better service to the public.

BENSON ACCOMPLISHED THESE GOALS AND MORE With the help of her team at the Clerk’s Office, Benson, has accomplished these goals and more in her first term and has done so without price increases.

It is refreshing in today’s world of politics to have an elected official who does what they say they are going to do for the people they serve.

The cost of Internet access has been lowered, and the Clerk’s Office has earned two clean audits by the CPA and legislative auditors.

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filings with 24/7 access.

The criminal department went live with electronic filing on May 22, 2023, using Software & Services.

Conveyance, Mortgage & Marriage records went live with the Software & Services program called Premier, Property Records and Marriage License Solution on July 24, 2023.

The Clerk’s office also began the process of scanning Uniform Commercial Code documents for preservation. Along with the Uniform Commercial Code documents, all scanned images are being stored in a program called ACRONIS, a cloud-based system which provides for a complete system restoration.

Costs have also been reduced by consolidating office space and acquiring space on the second floor of the west side of the courthouse which allows the Juvenile/Non-Support, Adoptions and Commitment office to move back into the courthouse, saving approximately $3,000 a month.

BENSON COMPLETES ELECTION CERTIFICATION In addition to continuing education and system training, Clerk Benson completed CERA (Certified Elections Registration Administrator) training at Auburn University in conjunction with the Election Center for elections.

NINE NEWLY CERTIFIED DEPUTY CLERKS The office has been training and cross training. There have been nine newly certified deputy clerks in the last three years.

UPGRADES MAKE STATEWIDE ACCESS POSSIBLE. Dana achieved the goals of updating the Clerk of Court’s website and systems to take online filing and recording. These upgrades also make it possible to use Clerk Connect and e-Clerk for statewide access.

FILE WHEN THE CLERK’S OFFICE IS CLOSED Now filing deadlines can be met even when the office is closed.

The new technology upgrades at the Clerk’s Office enables users to still meet their filing deadlines online even when the office is closed.

Four years ago, if you realized on a Friday afternoon that you needed to file a civil document but the Clerk’s Office closed at 4:30 pm, then you would have missed your deadline.

Today, with the upgrades of the last four years, that has changed.

Now you can file online until 11:59 pm and your document is timely filed.

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Neon Revolution

Krewe de Riviere Prepares to Roll Through the Twin Cities

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HE 2024 TWIN CITIES KREWE DE RIVIERE PARADE will roll Saturday, January 27th, at 5pm. As everyone prepares for “NEON Revolution,” the 80’s are making their way back with black lights, leotards, leg warmers and all the bright neon colors giving you a blast from the past!

This parade will be fueled by fun: floats pulled by tractors, tons of great throws and, most importantly, a King and Queen that are voted on by the community. Giving back to our community is something that is and will always be at the top of the list for this Krewe. King Chris Lewis and Queen Kristie Bardell took the crowns and are getting ready to celebrate the Mardi Gras season!

While being royalty is no easy task, the KDR King & Queen are already filling up the calendar with appearances across the area.

Visiting schools, Councils on Aging, Veterans Homes, doing radio and television interviews; it’s obvious these two are perfect for their reign, just as the community knew they would be. If you would like for the King & Queen to visit, please send an email to Amanda McMullen Lyon of Empire Media and Management, the official media agency for the Krewe. Her email is amanda@empiremediaandmgmt.com.

It’s not every day that people come together to make magic happen, but the Krewe de Riviere has done just that. With huge floats, Monster Trucks, Miss Louisiana, dance groups, local high school bands and the world famed Grambling State University Band, NEON Revolution is set to be one for the books! Before last year, it had been over 20 years since the world famed Grambling State University Band had performed at the local Mardi Gras, but the Krewe de Riviere settles for nothing but the best…and yes; they will be back again!

The Downtown River Market will be buzzing with activity on parade day. The children’s and pet parade will begin at 2pm. Along with awesome food and unique vendors, DJ Unknown will get you in the Mardi Gras spirit! Vendors and tailgating spots at the Downtown River Market are already being reserved. If you would like to be a vendor or tailgater, please contact Kimberly Patrick at kdrrivermarket@gmail.com for information.

Rain, sleet, or snow, this parade will roll, starting at West Monroe High School and ending at the Downtown River Market for the finale.

The King, Queen, Krewe and floats will be decked out waiting to see

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everyone light up the evening with the bright colors of the NEON Revolution!

If you have never had the opportunity to ride on a Mardi Gras float, this year could be your chance. Together with Choice Brands and Miller Lite, the Krewe de Riviere is giving away two spots on a float, complete with throws and refreshments for the ride (must be 21 to enter). Look for Miller Lite displays at participating retailers for your chance to win this unique Mardi Gras VIP experience.

And what would Mardi Gras be without an outrageously purple cocktail? Join in the fun with this signature cocktail from the Krewe de Riviere!

THE KREWE DE RIVIERE PURPLE PEOPLE EATER Ingredients: Purple sugar, for garnish (optional) 1 1/2 Oz Wheatley Vodka 1 Oz Bentley’s Blue Curacao 1 Oz Stirrings Sour Mix 2 Oz Cranberry-Pomegranate Juice Directions 1. P our purple sugar onto a small plate. Wet rim of a glass with simple syrup (or cranberry juice or just water) and gently dab top of glass in purple sugar, coating rim. Set glass aside.

2. C ombine vodka, blue curacao, sour mix, and cranberry-pomegranate juice in a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake until combined.

3. Fill sugar-coated glass with ice. Pour purple people eater cocktail into glass until full.

4. Laissez les bon temps rouler!

If you’d like to be involved with the Krewe or the parade message us at twincitieskdr@yahoo.com or visit our website www.krewederiviere.com. And follow us on Facebook and Instagram to stay up to date as we’re having new entries daily!!

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Holiday Deals

The Medical Spa by St. Francis Medical Group

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IS THE SEASON TO SPARKLE AND SHINE! THE MEDICAL Spa has some great deals for you this holiday season as we celebrate the 12 days of Christmas. Whether you’re looking for gift options or to treat yourself, we have plenty of choices available!

12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS December 1: P urchase a $100 gift card for only $75, limit of 4 per customer December 4: Purchase 2 Glo2Facials, receive the 3rd free!

December 5: R ejuvapen (microneedling), 3 sessions for only $675, a $900 value December 6: Dysport 15% off; schedule or pre-purchase December 7: Botox 15% off; schedule or pre-purchase December 8: Radiofrequency treatments 25% off December 11: $75 off filler, $50 off second syringe December 12: All ZO Skin Health products 25% off December 13: Purchase 2 IV drips, receive 3rd free!

December 14: P urchase ZO Glow Treatment for $75, a $100 value, receive complimentary dermaplaning December 15: P urchase 3 laser hair removal sessions, receive the 4th free!

December 18: Take advantage of ANY 12 Days of Christmas specials TREATMENT SPOTLIGHT Rejuvapen NXT Rejuvapen is an in-office microneedling treatment used to stimulate elastin and collagen production. This non-surgical, medicalgrade treatment creates micro-wounds in the skin, triggering its natural repair mechanism. The result is overall skin rejuvenation with smaller pore size, improvement in fine lines and hyperpigmentation and firmer skin. It can also improve the appearance of scars, including acne scars and stretch marks. Patients typically see results within a few days after your first treatment, with optimal results several months after a series of 3-4 treatments. During our 12 Days of Christmas, purchase 3 sessions for only $675 — a $900 value!

Dermaplaning Dermaplaning is a gentle cosmetic procedure in which the skin is manually exfoliated, targeting the outermost layer of dead skin cells

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and vellus hair, better known as “peach fuzz.” This type of exfoliation unveils your radiant skin beneath, allowing your skincare products to penetrate deeper and allows for flawless makeup application.

Dermaplaning is non-invasive, painless and requires no downtime.

This month when you purchase one of our ZO Glow Treatments, you’ll receive a complimentary dermaplaning session.

IV Hydration Supercharge your immune system with one of our IV drips this month. IV drip therapies are the perfect solution for anyone looking to improve their health and wellness. This is the optimal way to fuel your body with essentials such as electrolytes, vitamins and antioxidants.

Immunity Boost Your Immune System + Feel Better Faster Inner Beauty (Glow) Fight Acne, Wrinkles and Tired Skin from the Inside Out Hydrate and Refresh (Enhance, Boost, Hydrate) Decrease Recovery Time and Enhance Your Performance Myers’ Cocktail (The “Gold Standard”) Immunity Boosting, Improves Cold and Flu Symptoms, Reductions of Fatigue, Hangover Remedy, Headache Relief, Improves PMS Symptoms and Bloating, Improves Brain Fog Come by or call The Medical Spa this December to take advantage of the 12 Days of Christmas deals. We are in the James R. Wolff Building (also known as the P&S Building) in downtown Monroe.

Our address is 312 Grammont St., Suite 406, across from St. Francis Medical Center.

Follow The Medical Spa by St. Francis Medical Group on Facebook and Instagram to stay up to date on all current events, promotions and new services.

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Lily Mann, Realtor The Right Choice for Today’s Real Estate Market

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N THE PICTURESQUE COMMUNITY OF DARBONNE Hills, nestled in the heart of West Monroe, lies a gem of a property that captures the essence of luxury living. Realtor Lily Mann, representing Century 21 United, is proud to present her latest listing at 111 Lemont Drive—a meticulously remodeled 5-bedroom, 4-bath home that redefines modern elegance.

The Home: A Haven of Luxury Situated on a sprawling 0.657 acres encompassing two lots, this 4,836 square feet residence stands tall, commanding attention. The property falls within the coveted Kiroli Elementary, Good Hope Middle School, and West Monroe High School school zone, making it an ideal home for families seeking top-notch education for their children.

The open floor plan immediately captivates visitors, featuring a grand, elegant round stairway and soaring 20-foot ceilings. The arched entryway seamlessly connects the living and dining areas, creating a harmonious flow throughout the space. Every detail has been carefully considered to provide a sense of opulence and comfort.

Modern Amenities and Stylish Design The kitchen is a culinary enthusiast’s dream, boasting stainless steel appliances and an oversized center island that serves as the focal point of the room. The entire home has undergone a complete remodel, ensuring that every aspect meets the highest standards of contemporary living. New flooring, electrical systems, plumbing, central heating, and air conditioning are just a few of the updates that contribute to the property’s allure.

The residence features not one, but two fireplaces—the first in the family room, creating a cozy gathering space, and the second in the formal living room, adding a touch of sophistication. Lily Mann’s commitment to excellence is evident in the attention to detail, with both fireplaces serving as focal points within their respective spaces.

outstanding pool and gazebo offer the perfect setting for entertaining guests or enjoying the tranquility of a Louisiana evening.

A two-car garage adds practicality to the property, ensuring that both convenience and functionality are seamlessly integrated into this luxurious home.

Lily Mann: A Realtor with a Passion for Excellence Lily Mann, a seasoned real estate professional, commenced her journey in the industry in 1982 in the Panhandle of Florida before relocating to Northeast Louisiana. Originally hailing from Argentina, Lily brings a unique perspective and a rich cultural background to her real estate endeavors.

As a testament to her commitment to staying ahead of industry trends, Lily constantly seeks knowledge through local and national classes. “The real estate market is very rewarding. As an agent, I am always learning by taking classes locally and nationally to make sure I bring my customers the best possible trends of the business so they can invest wisely,” says Lily, reflecting her dedication to providing clients with the most informed and strategic advice.

Lily is not only a residential real estate expert but also delves into commercial real estate. Her bilingual proficiency adds an extra layer of accessibility, allowing her to cater to a diverse clientele with ease.

Beyond her professional pursuits, Lily is deeply engaged in her local church, exemplifying her commitment to community and connection. She is also an esteemed member of the Home Builders of North Louisiana, showcasing her versatility as a realtor, builder, and remodeler.

In the dynamic world of real estate, Lily Mann stands out as a beacon of professionalism, expertise, and unwavering dedication to her clients. The property at 111 Lemont Drive is not just a house; it is a testament to Lily’s commitment to excellence in every detail. For those seeking a blend of luxury, modernity, and a touch of Southern charm, this listing is a must-see—a culmination of Lily Mann’s Tranquil Retreats: She-Shed and Poolside Bliss passion for turning dreams into reality in the thriving communities Stepping into the backyard reveals a serene oasis—a she-shed of Northeast Louisiana . providing a tranquil escape for quiet moments of reflection. The 98 DECEMBER 2023 | WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM

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Marsala Beverage Company Holiday Cheers Begin With Budweiser

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UDWEISER, ONE OF THE MOST ICONIC BEER BRANDS globally, has successfully etched itself into the cultural fabric of the holiday season through its heartwarming and timeless marketing campaigns featuring the Budweiser Clydesdales. The majestic Clydesdales, known for their strength and elegance, have become synonymous with the festive spirit, captivating audiences for decades. This article delves into the origins of this unique holiday tradition, exploring how Budweiser’s association with the Clydesdales during the holidays began and the reasons behind its enduring success.

THE BEGINNINGS The Budweiser Clydesdales’ connection to the holiday season traces back to the 1930s. August A. Busch, Jr., the son of the founder of Anheuser-Busch, embarked on a mission to create a symbol of grandeur and excellence for the brewery. The choice fell upon the Clydesdales, a breed of horses known for their impressive stature, gentle temperament, and distinctive feathering around their hooves.

The first appearance of the Budweiser Clydesdales during the holidays was in 1933, marking the end of Prohibition in the United States.

During the holiday season of 1933, the Clydesdales pulled a red beer wagon down Pennsylvania Avenue, delivering the first case of post-Prohibition beer to then-President Franklin D. Roosevelt at the White House. This historic event not only celebrated the end of a 13-year dry spell but also introduced the Clydesdales as symbols of strength, freedom, and the enduring American spirit.

SYMBOLISM AND TRADITION The choice of the Clydesdales as ambassadors for Budweiser during the holidays was deliberate. These horses, with their noble appearance and impressive stature, embody a sense of tradition and nostalgia. The Clydesdales evoke images of a bygone era when horsedrawn wagons delivered beer to local communities, emphasizing the brand’s commitment to quality and craftsmanship.

Moreover, the Clydesdales serve as a symbol of unity and celebration during the holiday season. Their festive appearances in commercials and live events create a connection with audiences,

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instilling a sense of warmth and joy. The Clydesdales become more than mere marketing tools; they represent the shared values of family, togetherness, and the joy of coming together during the holidays.

EVOLUTION OF THE CAMPAIGN Over the years, the Budweiser Clydesdales’ holiday campaign has evolved, adapting to changing tastes and technological advancements. While the essence of the Clydesdales as symbols of the holidays has remained constant, Budweiser has embraced various mediums to bring these majestic horses to a broader audience.

Live appearances at events across the country have become a hallmark of Budweiser’s holiday marketing strategy. The Clydesdales make appearances in parades, festivals, and other festive gatherings, allowing audiences to experience the magic of these majestic horses up close. This personal interaction adds a tangible and memorable element to the holiday campaign, further ingraining the Clydesdales in the collective consciousness of the season.

BUDWEISER Known as “The King of Beers,” Budweiser was first introduced

by Adolphus Busch in 1876 and it’s still brewed with the same high standards today. Budweiser is a medium-bodied, flavorful, crisp American-style lager that is 5% ABV. Brewed with the best barley malt and a blend of premium hop varieties, it is an icon of core American values like optimism and celebration.

Marsala Beverage is a locally-based company that employs about 100 full -time employees, which all live and support the community of Northeast Louisiana. Each employee bases his or her success on never losing sight of delivering what is really important – quality products, timely service and a genuine concern for our customers’ needs.

Please find us at www.marsalabeverage.com or follow us on social media: Facebook: Marsala Beverage Twitter: @marsalabeverage1 Instagram: @marsalabeverage

BAYOU ARTIST

Loretta Owens

Primarily created with watercolor paint, much of Loretta Owen’s work falls into the abstract and folk art categories. The images she creates are uniquely her own, showcasing the style that naturally flows from her fingertips.

ARTICLE BY STARLA GATSON AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY KELLY MOORE CLARK

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IT’S MY HOPE THAT WHEN SOMEONE ENCOUNTERS MY WORK, THEY WILL FEEL JOY.”

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oretta Owens heard life begins at 40. She wondered if the saying was true, but taking someone else’s word for it wasn’t good enough. Instead, she wanted to find out for herself. That’s how she ended up in M. Douglas Walton’s art class as a 40-year-old wife and mother — well, that and the fact that she respected his philosophy, she says, explaining, “I realized he had a rare ability to believe in someone until they could believe in themselves, and I was interested in that.”

Owens met Walton in 1989 at a Ruston-Lincoln Chamber of Commerce event. Walton was the speaker, and Owens was fascinated by his words and artwork hanging on the walls. As luck would have it, Walton, who was a Louisiana Tech painting and architecture professor at the time, was seated next to Owens and her husband, presenting Owens with the perfect opportunity to strike up a conversation. She told him that she’d seen a show of his before, then candidly admitted she didn’t like the way she drew. That’s when Walton invited her to attend one of his classes.

“It was a figure drawing class,” she says, “and I thought he told me he could teach me to draw in an hour. But what he said was, ‘I’ll have you 104 DECEMBER 2023 | WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM

BAYOU ARTIST

drawing in an hour.’ We were in the middle of the Tech library — at the time, the fifth floor was a gallery space — and it was empty except for the chairs and the space where the models would sit.”

That day, Walton had his students sketching on full-size pieces of watercolor paper with markers, no erasing allowed. If that wasn’t enough pressure, Owens recalls, the students only had 30 minutes to draw.

“I knew I was doing something that wasn’t right,” she says. So, she started over. Then, she adds with a laugh, “It was exactly the same! I drew for about 15 of the 30 minutes, and I didn’t know what else to do. So, I just quit. I started watching the people on the sides of me.”

When time was up, and the rest of her peers were finished drawing, Walton had his class lay their drawings side-by-side on the floor for critiques. Just as she suspected, Owens’s work didn’t look like anyone else’s.

“Mine were so different,” she says.

By the end of the class — it was a two-week summer session, as taking a full quarter’s worth of classes wasn’t feasible for the mother of four — Owens learned that her drawing differently wasn’t a bad thing. The belief that a person’s difference is their significance was one Walton shared with his students often. And by the end of the two-week class, Owens believed it, too.

Fast forward to now, more than three decades after Owens’s first class with Walton and well into her life as a full-time artist.

“Different” remains an effective description of her work, and still, it’s not a bad thing. Primarily created with watercolor paint, much of the Ruston native’s work falls into the abstract and folk art categories. The images she creates are uniquely her own, showcasing the style that naturally flows from her fingertips.

“I just kind of [do] my own thing,” she says.

Whether you view it in person or online at her website, www. shadowartstudio.com, you’ll find that Owens’s work spans a variety

of subjects. Events, both personal and universal, tend to inspire her to create, and she’s also inspired by things she has seen and statements she wants to make.

Take her Ruston Legends series, for instance. This is a collection of work Owens has been adding to for years, and it contains depictions of people in the Lincoln parish town that she has deemed legendary. There’s also her pandemic collection. This body of work, including paintings of toilet paper and political figures, documents the happenings of 2020 through her eyes.

Whether a part of a series or a standalone, all of Owens’s paintings are different and reflect her self-proclaimed “unusual style.” Rather than trying to put it in her own words, Owens uses a comment she once received from a Dallas-based artist to explain her artistic style, “She told me that both children and sophisticated art lovers would enjoy my art. The people in-between may not understand it, but don’t listen to them.”

Choosing to ignore the naysayers and own her individuality seems to have paid off for Owens, as she’s found a great deal of success as an artist. She’s shown her work in multiple venues, the first being Ruston’s Townsend House gift shop in 2001. A “kind of wacky” piece called Disco Mother-in-Law marked Owens’s first sale, and in the years since, there have been many more. A painting of hers was published in a teaching book produced by her former teacher, Walton, and in 2021, her art went viral on TikTok when her friend and business partner Amy Bernard posted a video to advertise Owens’s website.

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regularly setting out to add her original pieces to their collections. “[Walton] told us the paintings ended up like your children,” she explains. “I didn’t know if I could sell them or not. But finally, I decided to allow my children to go and live somewhere else. It’s my hope that, when somebody encounters my work, they will feel joy. I consider it a compliment when somebody enjoys it enough [to buy it.]”

Owens is honored when she makes a sale, but that isn’t what it’s all about for her. She simply loves the process of creating and declares that she is blessed to be able to express herself through art. Sold or not, each piece Owens paints holds a place in her heart.

“Once you draw something, it becomes a part of you in a strange kind of way,” she says. “And when somebody wants a painting of themselves or their family, it feels like a way of me being a part of their family.”

It isn’t surprising that the 74-year-old is so passionate about creating. No, she didn’t take her first figure drawing class until she was 40, and her professional career didn’t kick off until later. But she was no stranger to making art before those events.

As a child, Owens remembers drawing pictures on the kitchen chalkboard with her sister and completing art lessons while attending A.E. Phillips. In high school, she was president of the art club, and in adulthood, gained a reputation for assembling top-notch flower arrangements, mastering calligraphy, and creating commercial stitch art. She shares that painting was something she always planned to do — though, she admits, not exactly the kind she does now.

“I always said when I got old, I was going to paint china,” Owens says. “I don’t know if you know anything about china painting, but you paint the same thing and fire it. Then, you repaint it, fire it again, and [repeat the process.] I wouldn’t like to do that.”

Instead, life brought her the gift of watercolor painting, a “freeing and fun” medium that gives her space to let her own unique style shine through. Now, years after it ended, the key takeaway from Owens’s first class session with Walton continues to be true: one’s difference is their significance. Owens’s success with her delightfully different artwork is proof.

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Professional Laser Center

Take Advantage of Huge Holiday Savings For PLC’s 20th Anniversary “PROFESSIONAL LASER CENTER OPENED ITS DOORS December 3rd, 2003. Since that day, it’s been quite a wild ride over the last 20 years. I can’t think of a better time of year to express my gratitude for the thousands of clients who’ve walked through my doors during those years and for your incredible loyalty. It’s been an honor to help so many of you bring about the best version of yourself. I ask for your continuing loyalty as we head into the next 20 years. We will keep you looking fabulous and begin 2024 feeling healthy, confident, and sassy,” says founder Judy Wagoner As the festive season approaches, Wagoner suggests a unique gift idea – a gift certificate from Professional Laser Center. These certificates, available at a discounted rate until Christmas, offer the promise of reversing aging and restoring wellness, providing recipients with a truly meaningful present that goes beyond traditional offerings. With savings up to $800, this is an incredible discount just in time for holiday giving.

Professional Laser Center presents a diverse range of nonsurgical aesthetic services, perfect for holiday gifting. Among the most sought-after are Botox and Hyaluronic Acid Fillers, including Restylane, Versa, and Juvederm. Botox targets fine lines and wrinkles, while fillers enhance lips, cheeks, and address nasolabial folds (smile lines) and marionette lines (puppet lines).

For those dealing with sagging skin due to aging or weight loss, the PDO Thread Lift emerges as an ideal choice. This safe and dissolvable procedure uses barbed threads to give an immediate lift to the skin on the face, neck, or body, with minimal downtime and results lasting 18-24 months.

Sun damage concerns find resolution through Intense Pulsed Light treatments, erasing pigment, brown spots, facial spider veins, and Rosacea in under three weeks. Laser Hair Removal provides a permanent solution to unwanted hair in as little as eight months, while Dermapen Microneedling, enhanced with new technology, stimulates collagen production for a tighter and fuller skin appearance.

Bioidentical Hormone Replacement stands out as one of the center’s most popular services, transforming lives and relationships by restoring natural hormones. This is achieved through pellets inserted under the skin or via creams, gels, troches, shots, and more, allowing individuals to age with a focus on quality of life.

Professional Laser Center’s commitment to comprehensive skincare extends to its AnteAGE MD skincare line, promising improved skin health in just two steps. The AnteAGE MD Holiday Box, an ideal gift, includes $100 worth of free skincare products, available in limited quantities.

For those seeking to make this Christmas magical, Wagoner encourages considering a unique gift or gift certificate from Professional Laser Center. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 318-361-9066. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all from Professional Laser Center, where the celebration of beauty and gratitude continues.

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Create Anything Anytime At The Makery

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ATHERINE ASHLEY, THE OWNER OF The Makery was born and raised in West Monroe, Louisiana. The Makery was born three years ago, and it opened it’s first brick and mortar in June of 2023. It’s a vibrant little gift-shop with a space dedicated to all things creative. The Makery is full of fun, and even loves highlighting other small business in the shop as well. The Makery also has a space where you can walk in and create anything, anytime.

They also host a variety of different workshops from calligraphy to cake decorating.

The new location of the shop is also an exciting update for The Makery.

Katherine says, “I was beyond excited when I saw a shop for rent on Antique Alley.

It has been an absolute dream come true to be in the heart of downtown WM. The arts community is amazing and always growing on the Alley. My philosophy is “The act of creating is far more important than the outcome.” I truly believe that giving people a space to get creative can bring so much joy and light into the world!

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Having a workshop space where people can come create new things, get messy and just let go is an absolute dream.” Katherine goes on to say, “My target market is ‘all people creative.’

We want to give everyone a space to be creative and shop locally sourced goods.”

Some of those included are, The Basket Room, Piecework Puzzles, Jubilant Soapsetions, Bug + Ben, Dyermakerco, and HB Letteringco.

The Makery also has so many amazing gift ideas for your Christmas list! Pillows stickers, calligraphy kits, clothing, jewelry, or you can always give the gift of creativity.

You can give someone a gift card for walkin workshops, or sign them up for a private workshop! The Makery’s holiday hours are Tuesday-Thursday 10:00am-5:00pm and FridaySaturday 10:00-6:00pm.

December workshops for The Makery are as follows: Dec 2nd: Tie-dye Christmas T-Shirt at 6pm Dec 9th: Christmas cookie decorating all day Dec 16th: Christmas cake decorating at 5pm

The owner of The Makery says, “Our workshops are my favorite part about this business. They are super versatile and laidback.

This is a time for you to get creative and try something new. We host a variety of workshops you can sign up for each month and you can also book us for your own private workshops!

Workshops make great birthdays, gals night or work party.”

Some of the workshops The Makery offers are; tote bag painting, makeup bag painting, resin floral tray making, cookie decorating, cake decorating, doormat painting, brush lettering, calligraphy Denim painting, and record painting.

You can walk in anytime for the walk in workshops, as well. Walk-in workshops include painting records, earrings, magnets, birdhouses, tote bags, etc. They also offer the resin tray making and jewelry stamping as walk-ins!

Your Hometown Urologist Dr. Robert Marx Specializes in Vasectomies

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S PEOPLE FIND THEMSELVES AT home for the holidays, this is the perfect opportunity to schedule your vasectomy.

With minimal downtime, you can be back at home the same day and simply resting for two days. Don’t miss the opportunity to take advantage of met deductibles, and “Shelf Your Elf” this holiday season.

A vasectomy is a medical procedure in which two tubes (the vas deferens) that carry sperm from the testicles to the urinary tract are tied and sealed. This prevents sperm from passing into the seminal stream and fertilizing a woman’s egg. Although it is permanent, it is surgically reversible in most cases.

Reversibility is dependent upon time elapsed since the vasectomy. When it comes to forms of permanent male birth control, a vasectomy is the ideal permanent surgical procedure available to men. The procedure carries a very low risk of complications and is available to be performed as an outpatient procedure with localized anesthesia. Dr. Marx performs a no-

cut technique, which is the least invasive. The patient is sedated and local anesthesia is used in order to achieve a painless procedure.

THE VASECTOMY PROCEDURE IS NEARLY 100% EFFECTIVE Prior to a vasectomy, patients may be asked to prepare by: • Washing the scrotum to prevent infection • Not shaving the area • Bringing a pair of tight-fitting underwear or athletic support to the surgery to support the scrotum and minimize swelling • Arranging for transportation home to prevent extraneous movement • Avoiding anti-inflammatory drugs prior to and following the procedure, which thins the blood and can cause excessive bleeding AFTER THE VASECTOMY After the vasectomy is completed, patients are advised to rest for two days in order to reduce swelling and allow the vas deferens

to heal. Discomfort may last for up to a week after the procedure, with patients often being prescribed anti-inflammatory or painkillers for pain. Patients are encouraged to avoid heavy lifting, straining or squatting for 1 week. If you do any of these activities for work, you may need to take off work or arrange for light duty.

Dr. Marx can give you an excuse. Also, keep the area dry for a week as well.

If you are considering a vasectomy, call today to discuss your options with Dr. Marx.

Robert D. Marx, M.D. is this community’s hometown urologist. He was born and raised right here in Monroe, Louisiana. He graduated from NLU, now ULM, and graduated from medical school and completed his residency at LSU Shreveport. Dr. Marx has traveled extensively working with the leaders of the field in order to keep up with the latest and most successful techniques in incontinence. He has been in practice for over thirty years and conveniently operates at Glenwood, Monroe Surgical and P&S.

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Sonny Panzico’s Garden Mart

Your Holiday Headquarters for Great Gifts to Spruce Up Your Home

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ONNY PANZICO’S GARDEN MART has been the premier destination for Northeast Louisiana’s gardening needs for over 47 years. With two locations to serve their loyal customers this family-owned business has become your local outdoor headquarters. From outdoor furniture to kitchens, bird baths to ceramic pots, and plants of any kind, Sonny’s has something for everyone on your Christmas list.

One of the standout features of Sonny Panzico’s Garden Mart is creating a festive atmosphere. From live wreaths and garland to their impressive selection of grills and cooking accessories, they have it all. Among the favorites are the Bull Grills, Lodge Cookware, and Kamado Joe. They also carry Milwaukee Garden tools, as well as Roma gardening boots. They even have a variety of beautiful Corinthian Bell wind chimes to choose from. All of these are perfect for the gardening enthusiast in your life. With such

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a wide range of gifts you are sure to find the perfect gift for everyone on your list.

While you’re there don’t forget about the amaryllis and poinsettias, the famous Christmas cactus, and their beautiful cyclamens. They have every holiday decoration you need to make your home warm and inviting this holiday season.

Sonny’s is not just about gifts and holiday decorations, though. They also offer a wide range of outdoor furniture carried all year round. Their wide range of outdoor furniture will help your outdoor space feel warm and inviting, and will create the perfect space to gather around with family and friends.

Whether you are looking for a cozy outdoor sofa, or an outdoor dining set - they have everything that will meet your needs. And for those chilly evenings their gas fire pits are sure to provide a warm outdoor gathering.

These popular fire pits come alive with flames that move to the music. It is sure to be

the most impressive fire show ever seen by enabling your fire to respond to music or any audio with bluetooth. These fire pits will be on everyone’s Christmas list this year, and can be enjoyed by all.

Sonny Panzico’s Garden Mart has truly become a one-stop-shop for all of your outdoor and gardening needs. With their extensive selection of items there’s no need to go anywhere else. With their friendly and knowledgeable staff, you can trust that you’ll receive the best service and advice every time you visit.

So head on over to Sony Panzico’s Garden Mart and start sprucing up your outdoor space today. Find them at 7540 Hwy 165 North in Monroe, or at 1630 Arkansas Road in West Monroe.

Pure Sculpt: Redefining Body Contouring When You Look in the Mirror, Do You Like What’s Looking Back?

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N THE REALM OF NON-INVASIVE body sculpting, the convergence of science and innovation has birthed Pure Sculpt—a cutting-edge procedure that transcends traditional methods. This revolutionary treatment stands at the forefront of aesthetic advancements, seamlessly combining radio frequency heating with the HIFEM procedure to redefine body contouring, simultaneously melting away fat and building muscle.

UNDERSTANDING THE TECHNOLOGY At the core of Pure Sculpt lies a sophisticated synergy between two powerful modalities—radio frequency heating and HIFEM technology. The procedure integrates these elements to address two pivotal aspects of body transformation: fat reduction and muscle toning.

The process begins with the application of controlled radio frequency (RF) energy to targeted areas of the body. This specialized

RF technology penetrates the skin’s layers, precisely targeting adipose tissue (body fat) while gently heating the underlying layers.

This controlled heating stimulates collagen production, tightening the skin and creating a more sculpted appearance.

Simultaneously, the HIFEM procedure is employed to engage and stimulate muscles.

HIFEM technology induces high-intensity electrical muscle contractions, far exceeding what is achievable through voluntary muscle contractions during exercise. These intense contractions engage deep muscle fibers, causing rapid muscle contractions that contribute to muscle growth and toning.

THE SYNERGISTIC BENEFITS • One 30-Minute treatment with this unique device is equal to 20,000 Sit-Ups • Ergonomic applicators with two types (flat and curved), which can be used individually or simultaneously on either

the abdomen or limbs. There is a seat applicator that is used to improve our pelvic floor muscles.

• 2 or 4 applicators can work at the same time, suits the simultaneous treatment of different clients and different target areas.

• Separated interface pattern for males and females, which offers practitioners an intuitive and smart operation.

The brilliance of Pure Sculpt lies in its ability to address both fat reduction and muscle enhancement in a single, noninvasive session. The concurrent application of RF heating and HIFEM technology allows for a comprehensive treatment experience, offering patients a multi-faceted approach to body contouring.

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Holiday Classes at Clay & Canvas Making Art and Memories For the Entire Family

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TEP INTO THE ENCHANTING world of art at Clay & Canvas, a brand new art studio nestled in the heart of downtown West Monroe. Owned and operated by Monroe artist, Ginny Montgomery, this studio is sure to provide a creative outlet for you to explore your artistic side!

At Clay & Canvas Art Studio, we offer a diverse range of classes, catering to both kids and adults. Join us as we explore a variety of techniques used in painting, drawing, pottery, sculpting, and printmaking. You are sure to find something to satisfy your artistic inclinations, whatever they may be. We hold weekly classes for homeschoolers during school-day hours, as well as after school classes for students. Additionally, adult classes are available during both daytime and evening hours. Ginny also hosts monthly workshops, and special events, such as birthday parties, pottery wheel date nights, and ladies’ night out paint parties, just to name a few. Hopefully having many different scheduling options will

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enable individuals from all walks of life to indulge their creative aspirations.

The holiday spirit is definitely in the air in our charming, beautiful sunlit space that Three Threads provides for our studio. Bring your children in to make wonderful keepsakes, like custom ceramic handprint ornaments! Or take a walk down memory lane while glazing a light-up Christmas tree just like the one your grandmother had when you were a child.

Check out our December calendar of events listed on this page or visit our website.

Even if you aren’t quite ready to venture into our art world, you can still find something great at our studio...we’ve got the perfect gift for your art-loving friends and family. Give your loved one a creative experience that they will remember forever! Gift cards to Clay & Canvas do not expire, and can be used towards all class offerings at our studio.

DECEMBER 4TH - 15TH WEEKLY CLASSES • Mondays – Open Studio for Pottery Wheels

4:00pm-6:00pm • Tuesdays – After School Art Class for Kids – 3:45pm-5:15pm • Wednesdays – Open Painting Studio for Adults 10:00am-12:00pm • Wednesdays – After School Art Class for Kids – 3:45pm-5:15pm • Thursdays – Homeschoolers Studio Art Class – 10:00am-11:30am • Beginner Pottery Wheel Class for Teens and Adults – 5:30pm-7:30pm

DECEMBER EVENTS • Saturday, December 2nd – Paint Your Own Pottery *Christmas Edition - 10:00am11:30am • Sunday, December 3rd - Embossed Metal Ornaments – 2:00pm-3:30pm • Saturday, December 16th – Oyster Shell Ornaments - 10:00am-11:30am • Thursday, December 21st – Nutcracker Creations – 10:00am-11:30am For more information on parties, weekly classes & special events, please visit hisawyer. com / providers / clay - canvas, or you can contact Ginny at (318) 953-1288, or email her at ginny.clayandcanvas@gmail.com.

Clay & Canvas Art Studio is located in the Three Threads building at 115 Cotton Street, West Monroe, LA 71291.

Strickland Interiors Interior Decorator Services

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AN HALES STRICKLAND IS IN HER 12th year as an interior decorator and she’s just getting started. “This business is my passion…I eat, sleep and breathe it.

I love working with clients to help create beautiful and functional interiors. In some cases I simply do a room refresh; sometimes I work with a client though a remodel; and then there are times I make every selection for a new build, including the color of the doorbell! There is truly no job too big or too small.”

Jan’s love affair with interior decorating began at a very young age when she was fortunate enough to travel abroad including when her parents would rent a home in the countryside of England every summer. This travel helped foster the inspiration for her passion, as did visiting local museums and homes. By the time she was in high school, Jan knew she wanted to be a designer/decorator.

She even began her career during this time working on beach condos and homes.

For college Jan received a Bachelor of Science degree in Interior Design from the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa. The program is CIDA Accredited. Jan was an active student member or the American Society of Interior Designers. She also served on the advisory counsel for CIDA accreditation for the Interior Design program at the University of Alabama. Jan has been an active Allied member of the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) since 2010.

Jan has enjoyed building her interior decorating and consulting clientele, while at the same time she’s been able to give back to her community. In her 7th year as the lead designer for the St. Jude Dream Home, Jan is also passionate about this cause. The 2024 St. Jude Dream Home is already underway on a beautiful lot in the new Desiard Trace subdivision in Sterlington, so stay tuned!

Jan has received numerous awards. She received the University of Alabama HES Jack

Davis Professional Achievement Award in Interior Design, Bayou Buzz Finalist 2020, Bayou Buzz Finalist 2021, Bayou Buzz Finalist 2022, Bayou Buzz Finalist 2023, Top 20 under 40 Nominee for Monroe, LA, Marquis’s Who’s Who, and the Kichler Lighting Award.

Jan has had her own business since 2010 and is located in North Louisiana. And Jan now has an Interiors coffee table book, ‘Interiors for Living’ that is sold locally and online.

Jan’s work has been featured in Bayou Life Magazine, Style Me Pretty Living, Cottage Journal (French Cottage), Build.com, HGTV, and numerous others. You also may have seen appearances of Jan on her very own TV segment on your local channels discussing Fall Decorating and tips for your home.

When not focused on her clients or her St. Jude work, Jan enjoys spending time with her husband Josh, son Jey, daughter Evy, and dogs Belle and Bingo. “I’m in a busy season of my life, and getting to spend time with clients, getting to know them and their home brings me such joy. I believe your home can have a great impact on your mental and physical well-being, and I like being a small part of helping my clients create a calm and inspiring environment.

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B AYOUKID Z

Memorable Moments Times Spent with Those You Love article by Cindy G. Foust

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elp, here we all are on the cusp of the Christmas holidays, and in the spirit of transparency, as I write this column mid-November, I already have my decorations out. Don’t judge readers! It doesn’t hurt anything for me to have my house decorated a few weeks early, as there’s no “decorations police” that will issue a ticket for your Christmas tree being out in early instead of late November. Plus, it’s definitely a mood lifter, something I have been intentional about improving over the last few weeks. So, now that we have that out of the way, and I have outed myself, I hope this month’s column finds each of healthy, happy and ramping up for the holidays.

As I sit in front of my tree, sipping my coffee writing this column, I keep thinking that the holidays seem to come faster and faster every year. Does anyone else feel that way? Like, we just put the trees in the attic and took the tinsel down and here we are dragging it all out again. When I was growing up in Butcher’s Hollow (I know, I know, that was Loretta Lynn, but it sounds so country and I did, in fact, grow up in the country), it felt like it took forever to get from one holiday season to the next. Me and my sisters, Angel and Shelley, would literally start counting the days until Christmas after the arrival of the Sears Christmas Book or the JC Penny Gift Guide.

As soon as either one of those magazines landed in the mailbox, we would dogear the pages of all the things we “wished” for. It’s funny to think about how our tastes and styles evolved from everything Barbie dreamhouse to hot rollers (I’m sorry to report that some of my daughter’s friends had never heard of hot rollers so I promptly texted their mothers and told them they had let their girls down!) to 114 DECEMBER 2023 | WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM

elf boots (don’t ask…but I was very stylish and chic at one point).

As I sit in the quiet of my home this morning, I am all in my feels about the nostalgia of the season and thinking about my own children and longing for the days when my daughter begged for a dog (she was subsequently granted the wish and we now have Annie Lou Foust, smartest Maltiepoo of all time) or when my son asked for a bow or a trampoline. Except he was never gifted that one because when I was a grown adult and I thought it would be fun to jump on a trampoline (no alcohol involved, just lack of common sense), and the dang thing was dry rotted and I jumped high in the sky and the next thing you know, I split that thing like a melon and was sitting flat on my (rhymes with nut). Yeah, so I have PTSD over that and never got my kids one.

Okay, where was I? Oh yes, memory lane and my feelings. All those years we spent at the end of Ollie Caples, a dead-end road that served as my childhood sanctuary, I never remember a Christmas that wasn’t filled with lots of family, great food, fireworks (thanks to Uncle Bobby, the greatest firework buyer of all times still to this day) and plenty of laughter. At the center of those times was Big Daddy, the one who loved playing Santa better than anyone, and who thought the tree going up the first of November was always a great idea. Sometimes I wish I could transport back to just one of those Christmas Eves, just one, sitting in my grandparents’ living room, because so many of those I have loved so much that are now in Heaven, would be there.

When I close my eyes, I can smell the oranges and the fireplace and hear the laughter coming from Bitsy’s kitchen like it was yesterday.

How many times did I stand in front of the space heater at her humble but beautiful and warm home and listen to her talk about the Christmas traditions she wanted to make sure she passed on to us. Like making sure we served those candied orange slices and mixed nuts on Christmas Eve…my sister still makes sure we have those every year. After we ate our Christmas Eve meal, for what is now the 56th year (it started when I was one years old), Uncle Bobby loads all the kids up and heads to the firework stand. He had them all sign a confidentiality agreement years ago that precludes them from telling how much he spends, (he likely had it drawn up at the lawyer’s office because they take it as literal as the security at the White House) and then they traipse back with enough fireworks to rival the ones they do shoot at the White House.

Except one year we shot them into the woods across from my parents house and they had to call the fire department and yeah, that was kind of memorable. Smoky the Bear would likely have made a commercial about us, burning down Christmas and all, but the fireman put the flames out after a few hours and Christmas was saved.

This season, in the absence of the gentle

giant who has always reigned supremely at Christmas, with a different Santa hat on each year as he read the Christmas story from God’s word, we find ourselves rethinking these wonderful traditions. Do we all still gather at Piccadilly (the tab always picked up by Big Daddy)? Do we do fireworks?

Do we gather at mom’s or my house or Shelley’s? Do we make pecan pie because that was his favorite, or will it make us too sad? In last month’s column I bragged that I was working through my grief and trying to help my family navigate through theirs, and for all the days that I do pretty good, there are just some where I don’t. Anybody want to guess what holds me up during those when the going is a little tougher. My memories…my steadfast, ironclad, rich in tradition memories. No one can take those from us, readers, they are the glue that makes up the corner of our minds (I really should consider song writing as a second, or third, career). I’ve written for years, and by years, I mean almost 11 (and, still no watch, but who’s feelings are hurt? I could in fact be comforted with a little Botox.) about the importance of making memories with our children, with our families and friends.

I’ve written columns devoted to ideas on

things to do, places to go, traditions to start, because at the end of the day, when we have to try and muddle through a difficult season, I know full well the value of those memories. They are in fact what sustains us, what gives us the strength to push through and lean into the years we spent making them. Instead of writing this month on ideas for new Christmas traditions, I thought rather that I would write about leaning into the old. Shelley and I laugh all the time at how cemented our kids are in our family traditions…they don’t want to change a thing! When I think about the value of those rich traditions, even one as simple as eating at Piccadilly every Christmas Eve since they were born, I can’t help but think that Daddy would simply say, “Of course, you will carry on.” So, readers, that’s what we will do… press on through the holiday, as we carry all the years that seem so far behind us, but really in fact, are still right here with us. And for that, I’m grateful. I wish you the safest, most joyous Christmas season that will be rich in what matters the most…memorable times spent with those you love.

Cindy G. Foust is a wife, mom, author and blogger. You can find her blog at the alphabetmom.com.

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Get Peachy This Season Ruston’s Newest Tween Boutique

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UCKED AWAY ON TRENTON STREET, PEACH Lemonade is the latest addition to Ruston’s vibrant shopping scene. This boutique is a haven for tweens, offering a delightful array of trendy clothing, accessories, and unique gifts.

With the holiday season just around the corner, Peach Lemonade is the perfect destination for all your festive shopping needs. It has quickly become a hub of excitement, offering an array of cute and trendy clothing options tailored to the needs of 13 and 14-year-olds who have outgrown the offerings at The Children’s Shoppe and find themselves in a fashion limbo between childhood and adolescence.

One of the standout features of Peach Lemonade is its carefully curated selection of brands. From the glamorous Queen of Sparkle to the effortlessly cool Vintage Havana, Lola and the Boys to Kaveah, this boutique carries a range of fashionable labels that are sure to appeal to discerning tweens. Whether your young fashionista is looking for a stylish dress for a special occasion or a cozy sweater for everyday wear, Peach Lemonade has got you covered.

When it comes to stocking stuffers, Peach Lemonade truly excels. The boutique offers an impressive assortment of small, thoughtful gifts that are perfect for filling those holiday stockings.

From colorful Wet brushes that make hair detangling a breeze to luxurious bath bombs that turn bath time into a spa-like experience, there’s something for every tween. Headbands, jewelry, craft kits, and more are also available, ensuring that you’ll find the ideal little surprises to delight your loved ones this holiday season.

One of the standout features of Peach Lemonade is its commitment to embracing diversity and inclusivity. The boutique firmly believes that every tween deserves to feel confident and stylish, irrespective of their body shape or size. As such, Peach Lemonade provides an assortment of sizes that cater to a wide spectrum of body types, ensuring that no girl is left behind. This dedication to inclusivity not only sets the boutique apart but also fosters a positive and welcoming environment that resonates with both the young shoppers and their parents.

In addition to its stellar collection, Peach Lemonade offers a personalized shopping experience that goes beyond just purchasing clothes. The attentive and knowledgeable staff are always on hand to assist the tweens in navigating the latest trends, finding the perfect fit, and putting together ensembles that reflect their unique personalities. This interactive approach not only enhances the shopping experience but also encourages the girls to explore their creativity and develop a deeper understanding of fashion.

As the holiday season approaches, make Peach Lemonade your go-to destination for all your tween shopping needs. With its stylish clothing, unique gifts, and friendly atmosphere, this boutique is a true gem in Ruston’s retail landscape. Whether you’re searching for the perfect holiday outfit or looking to surprise your loved ones with thoughtful stocking stuffers, Peach Lemonade is sure to exceed your expectations. So, head on over to Trenton Street and discover the joy of shopping at Ruston’s newest boutique for tweens.

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Celebrate the Season DermaMediQ’s Special Christmas Offer

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S THE HOLIDAY SEASON UNFOLDS, THE TEAM AT DermaMediQ is filled with joy and gratitude, extending warm wishes for a Merry Christmas to all. At the heart of this thriving practice is Dr. Saidi Sowma-Fakhre, a stalwart in the field of Aesthetic Medicine with over 16 years of dedicated service. Board certified and passionate about delivering quality skincare, Dr. Sowma-Fakhre has been the guiding force behind DermaMediQ’s commitment to excellence.

To express their gratitude for the unwavering support received throughout the years, DermaMediQ is delighted to present a special Christmas offer to its cherished patrons. This December, seize the opportunity to indulge in a medically supervised beauty regimen at DermaMediQ and enjoy a $50 discount on any service.

Simply present this ad at the time of your visit, or mention it when making your appointment, to take advantage of this exclusive offer. It’s DermaMediQ’s way of saying thank you and spreading some festive cheer.

DermaMediQ boasts a comprehensive array of services designed to cater to the diverse skincare needs of both men and women of all ages. From rejuvenating facial treatments to advanced medical procedures, there is something for everyone seeking to enhance their natural beauty. Among the services offered are Dysport, Xeomin, Juvederm, Radiesse, Kybella, Bellafill, Restylane, Fractora, Morpheus 8, BodyTite, FaceTite, Forma Face and Body, Lumecca, Diolaze, acne treatment, Sclerotherapy (for spider veins on legs), Votiva, laser hair removal, threading, and Diamond Glow facials, to name a few.

For those eager to explore the full spectrum of services available at DermaMediQ and to take advantage of the Christmas discount, a quick call to their office at (318) 807-1060 will provide you with all the information you need. The dedicated staff is ready to guide you through the options and help you choose the treatments that best suit your skincare goals.

As technology continues to evolve, DermaMediQ remains at the forefront of innovation, ensuring that clients receive the latest and most effective treatments. To supplement your decisionmaking process, before-and-after images can be found on their website at dermamediq.com. This visual representation allows you to witness the transformative power of DermaMediQ’s services and provides a glimpse into the possibilities awaiting you.

This holiday season, give the gift of radiant skin to yourself or a loved one. DermaMediQ invites you to embrace the spirit of the season and indulge in a luxurious and rejuvenating experience.

Book your appointment today to secure your spot and unwrap the gift of timeless beauty. Make sure to follow us them Facebook and Instagram, and stop by their location at 1705 Lamy Lane in Monroe, LA. Merry Christmas from DermaMediQ!

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made sourdough bread, warm from the oven? This is a perfect hostess gift to bring to your next holiday dinner party. Don’t worry, you don’t have to spend more than a few minutes preparing it. All you have to do is head to Scratch Bakehouse’s website (scratchbakehousela.com) and place an order for the current week’s offerings on Sunday.

You can then pick up your order Tuesday through Thursday at for His temple family foods in West Monroe.

Christina Poole is the sourdough baker behind this local enterprise, and she

B AY O U H E A L T H

MEANINGFUL GIFTS THAT WON’T BREAK THE BANK

BY S HAN N O N DAH LU M

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he holiday season is all about the spirit of giving, but figuring out what to give can be a challenge. Especially when it comes to hostess gifts, teacher gifts, and small but special somethings you want to give to all the people who are important in your life, it can be hard to come up with something creative and useful that won’t break the bank. If you also value health and wellness (which you likely do, since you’re reading the wellness column in Bayou Life Magazine) it’s probably important to you that the gifts you choose aren’t harmful to the receiver’s health or that of the planet.

To help you out, I’ve gathered some ideas that are all things I love to use in my own home that would make great gifts for your wellness- minded friends.

Along with twinkle lights and greenery, it’s the scents of the season that make home feel so alive with the holiday spirit. Scented candles are a crowd favorite, but it’s not easy to find options that aren’t made with harmful chemicals that pollute indoor air. Synthetic fragrances are often made with fixatives and other chemicals (like phthalates and parabens) that can have a harmful impact on the body’s hormonal balance, so I recommend avoiding these for yourself and as gifts.

Clean Slate Botanicals, a company based in Shreveport, makes natural aromatherapy products for the home that are free of synthetic chemicals. Their Palo Santo wood wick candle is my favorite. I typically find that chemical free candles don’t impart much off a scent throughout the house, but that’s not the case with this one! This candle does a great job of smelling up the whole lower level of my home with its warm, woodsy scent.

Clean Slate also makes a winter collection with four different holiday scents, which would be great for gift giving. I purchased mine at the Ruston Farmer’s market, which is open on Saturdays from 9am -1pm. Some of their candles have also been spotted at Creative Exchange, an art store in Ruston.

Clean Slate Botanicals also has a holiday pop up store at the Uptown Shopping Plaza in Shreveport. Find more information about their products at cleanslatebotanicals.com.

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For the participants in yoga classes I teach, the frankincense and lavender Zum Mist is an absolute favorite.

At the end of class, attendees rest with a cloth over their eyes that has been sprayed with this mist. It’s such a calming scent, and who couldn’t use a bit of calm in the midst of the holiday rush?

Along with the bottle in my yoga bag, I also keep one in my bedroom that I use to spray the covers with every morning after making my bed. These sprays are made with essential oils and are great anywhere in the house (or car) when you want to freshen up the scent but don’t necessarily want to burn a candle.

Zum makes many scents, including winter pine, which is perfect to spray on an artificial Christmas tree to give it that real tree smell.

Check out Fiesta on Eighteenth in Monroe, or Gibson’s Grocer in Ruston for their products.

Along with woodsy scents in the house, warm, spicy drinks are another tradition that boosts my holiday spirit. I always have chai tea and mulling spices in the pantry throughout the winter. I like to brew my chai with milk and add a bit of raw honey for a night time drink to enjoy before bed. Mulling spices can be added to apple cider or red wine to make a festive treat. These spices alone are nice, affordable, gifts for all the teachers and neighbors. A bottle of wine or cider along with some mulling spices can be a creative gift for a hostess or the office’s Secret Santa gift swap. Packaging chai tea in a vintage tea cup from a shop in Antique Alley can make a special gift, too. You can purchase chai tea and mulling spices already made and packaged for gift giving at the Spice and Tea Exchange in West Monroe, or you can purchase the ingredients there to make your own.

Who doesn’t love fresh, traditionally

mentions that her dinner rolls and cinnamon buns freeze beautifully, and can be heated in the oven for 10 minutes before serving to make them as good as fresh. Follow her on Instagram (@scratch_bakehouse) for all the details about what she’s cooking each week.

A quick browse in for his Temple family foods will inspire several other gift ideas for the healthy home cook. A good bottle of olive oil, a jar of local raw honey, or a bottle of pure maple syrup would be greatly appreciated by anyone who values high quality ingredients.

Fiesta on Eighteenth has a variety of kitchen and bath items to support anyone building a healthy home. They also carry beautiful houseplants, and in my opinion, you can’t ever go wrong with a great house plant as a gift.

If you’ve grown tired of giving mugs and hot cocoa mix, you now have a handful of useful gifts the people in your life will truly appreciate! If you’re tired of being on the receiving end of endless mugs and hot cocoa mix, feel free to send this article to all your friends, or post it near the water cooler at work as a hint.

Five Ways to Eat Healthy While Still Enjoying Holiday Dishes

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S JOYOUS AS THE HOLIDAY SEASON CAN BE, IT ALSO brings a variety of stressors and anxieties. If you are trying to watch what you eat, the get-togethers, office parties and all those desserts could set you back on your goals.

There are ways to enjoy yourself without feeling like you’ve fully negated any improvements you’ve made in 2023. Use our tips to do the holidays right and still give yourself a little grace.

1. Don’t Skip Breakfast Sure, there may be a big lunch or even bigger dinner on the schedule, but you shouldn’t avoid breakfast — or lunch — to make room for what’s to come. Don’t try to restrict your eating to save calories for the holiday meal. That can lead to binging and taking in more calories than you normally would.

2. Commit to Cooking at Home Often Whether you’re having family over for holiday dinners or going to someone’s home for a big gathering, resist the urge to order takeout or pick up fast food for your other meals — the in-between meals.

Even if you already have plans to use your kitchen throughout the holidays, keep that momentum going on the “off” days, too. You can control the ingredients (like butter and salt) and add lots of healthy, fresh vegetables and fruits that may not appear on a typical holiday spread.

3. Enjoy Your Meal Rejoice! You can still eat your favorite holiday foods. Just aim for smaller portions. Maybe limit yourself to three or four dishes you don’t normally eat any other time. Balance out those favorites with the healthiest choices at the gathering.

Another way to truly enjoy the meal? Mindful eating.

It’s really just about slowing down and savoring the experience.

Start off with a smaller portion and focus on how the food tastes and smells. After you’ve finished your plate, take a few minutes to sit back and talk with others at the table rather than jumping up for more.

It usually takes your body about 10 minutes after eating to register that it’s full. You can always go back for seconds, but you may not need to or may find that just a small taste is enough.

4. Stay Hydrated Drinking water before a meal (usually around two cups) can help avoid overeating. It’s also a powerful tool to keep you from getting dehydrated. Stay hydrated throughout the day to combat all that food and celebratory drink. Try to drink at least half your weight in ounces of water per day.

5. Stay Active Take a walk or participate in some sort of activity before or after your holiday meal. If the weather allows, get outside as often as you can and encourage family members and friends to join you. Even exercise in smaller increments throughout the day can be beneficial.

Plus, it will help you get a head start on your New Year’s resolutions to be more active.

Need help making a plan to improve your healthy eating habits throughout the year? Connect with a St. Francis Health primary care provider at stfran.com.

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Celebrating the Season

A Heartfelt Thank You to Our Customers

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S THE YEAR DRAWS TO A CLOSE AND THE FESTIVE lights begin to twinkle, we find ourselves reflecting on the moments that have defined the past twelve months. It has been a year filled with challenges, triumphs, and above all, the unwavering support of our cherished customers. This holiday season, we take a moment to express our deepest gratitude and extend warm wishes for a joyful and peaceful holiday season.

In the spirit of gratitude, we want to acknowledge the incredible resilience and loyalty of our customers throughout the year. Your unwavering support has been the driving force behind our continued success, and for that, we are truly thankful. From the friendly faces that greet us every day to the new connections made, each interaction has enriched our community and strengthened the bonds that make our local store a special place.

As we embrace the holiday spirit, we invite you to join us in reflecting on the blessings of the year and the joy that comes from giving. Our shelves are adorned with carefully curated gifts that capture the essence of the holidays – thoughtful, meaningful, and sure to bring a smile to the faces of your loved ones. This holiday season, find the perfect gifts for friends and family at our store, where every item tells a story and every purchase supports our local community. From unique handmade crafts to personalized treasures, our selection has been curated with care to ensure there’s something special for everyone on your list.

Celebrate the season with gifts that capture the essence of joy!

Our waxed amaryllis bulb is a magical present—easy to care for; it blooms into stunning colors, a beautiful symbol of festive cheer.

It requires no water or care so it is simply a wonderful gift that your loved one can enjoy! Pair it with the Illume Balsam and Cedar Candle, an aromatic masterpiece that brings the enchanting scents of the holidays to any space. Let the warm, woodsy fragrance create an ambiance of comfort and celebration. We have this candle available in a variety of vessels and prices. These handpicked treasures embody the spirit of giving and are perfect for spreading joy or adorning your home with seasonal charm.

To make your shopping experience even more delightful, we are offering exclusive holiday discounts and promotions throughout December. Whether you’re searching for a cozy winter sweater, a heartfelt ornament, or a gourmet treat to share, we have something for every taste and budget.

As we express our gratitude for the past year, we eagerly anticipate the opportunities and adventures that the coming year will bring. From our family to yours, we extend heartfelt wishes for a joyous holiday season filled with laughter, love, and cherished moments. Thank you for being an integral part of our journey, and we can’t wait to continue serving you in the year ahead.

Happy holidays and warm wishes for a wonderful New Year!

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The Clinic at Gardens of Somerset Healthy Habits for the New Year

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S THE NEW YEAR APPROACHES it’s the perfect time to reflect on our health and set goals for a healthier lifestyle. The Clinic of Gardens of Somerset, a primary care clinic located in Sterlington, Louisiana, is dedicated to promoting the importance of walking and setting healthy habits, particularly for the elderly. With their focus on providing comprehensive healthcare services, they understand the vital role that physical activity plays in maintaining overall well-being, especially for the aging population THE BENEFITS OF WALKING FOR THE ELDERLY: Walking is a simple yet effective form of exercise that can have numerous benefits for individuals of all ages, including the elderly.

For seniors, regular walking can help improve cardiovascular health, strengthen muscles and bones, enhance balance and coordination, and boost overall mood and mental well-being.

The Clinic of Gardens of Somerset recognizes

these advantages and encourages their elderly patients to incorporate walking into their daily routines.

SETTING HEALTHY HABITS FOR THE NEW YEAR: The new year often brings a renewed sense of motivation to adopt healthier habits.

The Clinic of Gardens of Somerset emphasizes the importance of setting realistic and achievable goals for seniors looking to improve their health. By focusing on small, manageable changes, such as incorporating regular walks into their daily schedules, elderly individuals can make significant strides towards better overall health and well-being.

CREATING A WALKING ROUTINE: To help their elderly patients establish a walking routine, The Clinic of Gardens of Somerset provides guidance and support.

They recommend starting with shorter walks and gradually increasing the duration and intensity over time. Additionally, they

encourage seniors to find a walking buddy or join community walking groups to make the activity more enjoyable and social.

SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS: The Clinic of Gardens of Somerset understands that safety is paramount, especially for elderly individuals. They advise their patients to wear comfortable and supportive footwear, dress appropriately for the weather, and choose well-lit and safe walking routes. They also stress the importance of consulting with a healthcare professional before starting any new exercise program, especially for those with underlying health conditions.

The Clinic at Gardens of Somerset offers a personalized approach and comfortable environment to local primary care. Their staff is here to assist in everything from helping seniors to set healthy habits to minor illnesses and injuries to vaccination, and more for residents of Northeast Louisiana. Call now to schedule your appointment.

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Historic Holiday Shopping Wonderland Downtown West Monroe

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ISIT OUR HISTORIC HOLIDAY shopping wonderland! From walkthrough lighted displays and wagon rides to fireworks and a parade, experience the magic of the season with the merchants of Antique Alley.

Mark your calendar now for these celebrations so our Downtown Christmas story can be a part of your own.

December 2 – Christmas on the River Festival Day - The day includes the Kiwanis Christmas Parade, live music in Alley Park, a 5K to benefit downtown projects, and fireworks over the river. The 2023 parade theme is “ugly Christmas sweater.” Merchants will be dressed in themed Ugly Sweaters.

December 7 – Art Crawl and Downtown After Dark – Shop the Downtown Gallery Crawl and participating downtown merchants for late night shopping. The wagon rides will run between West Monroe and Monroe for free that evening.

December 8 – Children’s Lighted Bike Parade - Children will gather in Alley Park to

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participate in a lighted bike parade through the downtown Christmas lights. Bikes, wagons, and battery-powered cars welcome. Stay tuned to the Downtown West Monroe Facebook page for additional event details.

December 15 – Holiday Outdoor Movie, presented by Centric Federal Credit Union, Alley Park 5:30 p.m. This is a free, family-friendly event. Make sure to bring a chair.

December 16 – Christmas Market – Alley Park 10-3 p.m. Artisans and makers will be setup in Alley Park for this holiday-themed market.

December 17 – Cookies and Cocoa with Santa – Enjoy cookies and cocoa with Santa, make a holiday Christmas ornament and reindeer food. Take a ride on the Christmas wagon with Santa and Mrs. Claus! Two seatings for this ticketed event – see our Downtown West Monroe Facebook page for details.

Monroe and Monroe. Rides pickup in Alley Park and are set to begin the week of Thanksgiving.

Pick-up every 30 minutes, Friday and Saturday, 5:30-8:00 PM; $10 for adults, $5 for 12 & Under.

Proceeds benefit Downtown projects. Sponsored

by Vanguard Realty.

Interested parties can reserve the wagon for group rides. Check our Facebook page for more details.

Extended hours shopping takes place every Friday and Saturday from Thanksgiving until Christmas. Various merchants will also be open on Sunday for the holidays.

Visit the Land of Lights display on Cotton Street. This free walkthrough lights display is great for families and people of all ages to stroll downtown.

To see the participating merchants, visit AntiqueAlleyShops.org.

Other important dates and details: Christmas Wagon Rides will tour the Christmas lights in both Downtown West

Follow us on Facebook: facebook.com/downtownwmrg facebook.com/AntiqueAlley

Lactation Counseling

Now Available at The Woman’s Clinic

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HE WOMAN’S CLINIC IS PLEASED to announce the addition of our new lactation counseling service.

Breastfeeding can be one of the most rewarding bonding experiences a mother has with her baby; however, it is not always an easy task. Every woman’s breastfeeding journey is unique even if she has breastfed a child before. While each pregnancy is unique, so is each breastfeeding experience.

What worked for your first child may not work for your second. From a baby with latching issues to the mother’s milk supply, there are several different things that could be a concern. Our goal in developing this service is to have a lactation counselor able to work with mothers and their babies to achieve their breastfeeding goals. Whether this goal to breastfeed is for a few days, weeks, or beyond a year, every single situation is important and deserves that support. Our new Lactation Counselor has

many years of professional experience in the OBGYN world as a registered nurse and has recently obtained her Certified Lactation Counselor (CLC) designation. We are happy to support the professional goals of our staff while simultaneously increasing services available for our patients.

There are many reasons to schedule a lactation counseling appointment. A few of which can include the following: pain during breastfeeding, baby is not gaining weight, insufficient supply or oversupply of milk, mastitis, engorgement, yeast, clogged ducts, difficulty latching baby or staying latched, or a history of breast enhancements, surgeries, or abnormalities. Any concern a mother has about her breastfeeding journey can be supported through a lactation counseling appointment. Even if you find yourself preparing for the arrival of your baby in the third trimester and would like to have an appointment to address preparing for

lactation, our CLC can provide that support for you. We are here to offer a safe space to ask questions, receive reassurance, and gain valuable knowledge about breastfeeding techniques and proper positioning.

Scheduling a lactation counseling appointment can be a transformative experience for new or expectant mothers.

With the guidance and support of our professionals, you can navigate the intricacies of breastfeeding with confidence and ease. Contact us today to schedule an appointment with our Lactation Counselor at 318-388-4030. We look forward to working with you to support you in your breastfeeding journey and help you achieve your breastfeeding goals.

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Key Millwork and Supply Co. Home for the Holidays

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ITH THE HOLIDAY SEASON just around the corner, it’s the perfect time to transform your home and create a space that is both functional and beautiful. And when it comes to finding the perfect products to enhance your home, Key Millwork & Supply Co. is the name you can trust.

For over 50 years, Key Millwork & Supply Co. has been a staple in Northeast Louisiana, providing exceptional craftsmanship and quality products to homeowners and contractors alike. While they are renowned for their custom cabinetry, their offerings go far beyond that. They also specialize in Alfresco Grills, Andersen Windows & Doors, and Wolf Coffee Systems, making them a one-stop shop for all your home improvement needs.

When it comes to custom cabinetry, Key Millwork & Supply Co. is second to none.

Their team of skilled craftsmen takes pride

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in creating exquisite pieces that are tailored to your specific needs and style. Whether you’re looking for a modern, sleek design or a more traditional and timeless look, they have the expertise to bring your vision to life. With a wide range of wood species, finishes, and hardware options to choose from, you can be sure that your cabinets will be as unique as your home.

But Key Millwork & Supply Co. doesn’t stop at cabinetry. They also offer a range of other products to elevate your home. Alfresco Grills, for example, are the perfect addition to any outdoor living space. With their high-performance burners and durable construction, these grills are designed to withstand the elements and deliver exceptional cooking results every time. Whether you’re hosting a backyard barbecue or enjoying a quiet evening with your family, an Alfresco Grill will take your outdoor cooking experience to the next level.

Andersen Windows & Doors are another specialty of Key Millwork & Supply Co. These high-quality, energy-efficient windows and doors not only enhance the aesthetics of your home but also help to reduce energy costs. With a wide range of styles and finishes to choose from, you can find the perfect windows and doors to complement your home’s architecture and improve its overall efficiency.

Key Millwork & Supply Co. also offers Wolf Coffee Systems, ensuring that you can enjoy the perfect cup of coffee right in the comfort of your own home. With their advanced brewing technology and sleek design, these coffee systems are a musthave for any coffee lover. Whether you prefer a simple cup of black coffee or a frothy cappuccino, Wolf Coffee Systems will deliver a café-quality experience every time.

So, this holiday season, why not give your home the upgrade it deserves? With Key Millwork & Supply Co., you can trust that you’re getting the highest quality products and exceptional service. From custom cabinetry to outdoor grills, windows, and coffee systems, they have everything you need to create a home that is both functional and beautiful. Visit their showroom today and let their team of experts help you bring your vision to life.

Pamper Yourself This Holiday Season At Spa Nouvelle

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OCATED IN MONROE, LOUISIANA, Spa Nouvelle is a haven for those seeking relaxation, rejuvenation, and a touch of luxury. With a team of passionate partners, including Mary Beth Dickerson, Ana Lopez Hale, Drew Farr, and Wendy Newsom, this spa is dedicated to providing top-notch health and beauty services to its clients.

As the holiday season approaches, stress levels tend to rise. However, Spa Nouvelle offers a wide range of services to help you ward off the stress and find inner peace. Whether you’re in need of a soothing massage, a revitalizing facial, or a pampering waxing session, this spa has got you covered.

Their team of skilled professionals is trained to deliver exceptional service, ensuring that you leave feeling refreshed and renewed.

For those looking to enhance their skin’s radiance, Spa Nouvelle offers specialized treatments such as microdermabrasion,

dermaplaning, Oxygen Hydro facials, and chemical peels. These treatments are designed to exfoliate, hydrate, and rejuvenate your skin, leaving you with a youthful and glowing complexion. Additionally, Spa Nouvelle proudly offers SkinCeutical products, known for their high-quality ingredients and effective results.

If you’re struggling to find the perfect gift for that hard-to-buy-for person on your list, look no further. A gift certificate from Spa Nouvelle is the ideal present. Whether it’s a massage to relieve muscle tension, a facial to pamper the skin, or any other service of their choice, your loved one will surely appreciate the opportunity to indulge in some self-care.

Upon entering Spa Nouvelle, you’ll be greeted by pleasant aromas and a warm, inviting atmosphere. The facility boasts state-of-the-art equipment and amenities, ensuring that your experience is nothing short of exceptional. From the moment you

step through the door, you’ll be transported to a world of tranquility and relaxation.

The team at Spa Nouvelle understands that each client is unique, and they strive to provide personalized experiences tailored to individual needs. Whether you’re a regular visitor or a first-time guest, you can expect to receive the highest level of care and attention from their friendly and knowledgeable staff.

Spa Nouvelle is the ultimate destination for those seeking a luxurious spa experience.

With a wide range of services, expert staff, and a state-of-the-art facility, this spa is undoubtedly the best in North Louisiana.

So, why not treat yourself or a loved one to a day of pampering and self-care? Visit Spa Nouvelle and indulge in the ultimate relaxation experience. For more information, call Spa Nouvelle at (318) 816-4949 or for a complete list of services visit their website at spanouvelle.com

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ARTICLE BY VANELIS RIVERA // PHOTOGRAPHY BY KELLY MOORE CLARK

FARE, SIPS +DIPS IN JULY OF LAST YEAR, one of Monroe’s culinary cornerstones decided to close its doors after twenty-eight years of committed and unfailing service. Proprietor Jenifer Johnson of Trio’s Dining released a heartfelt statement to her Monroe customers, many of whom flooded the post with heartfelt replies and a final nod to some of their favorite Trio’s dishes and memories. Even then, what felt like an ending was really a transformation. The once divey bar and grill has turned a new leaf, specifically a bright green olive leaf.

Jenifer handed over the restaurant torch to her stepdaughter Muriel Elaine Woodard, who embraced the recently renovated space all while adding fresh and spiffy personal touches. The by-product of her tireless effort is a welcoming environment where fare, sips, and dips meet a cozy atmosphere that goes by the name of Olive + Oak. “I have always enjoyed cooking and baking,” says Muriel who started her early kitchen endeavors alongside her grandmother.

“You know, one of those southern, cook with your grandmother things.” Though she initially pursued fashion design in college, she quickly realized the program didn’t quite fit her. That’s how she ended up studying baking and pastries at the New Orleans Culinary & Hospitality Institute (NOCHI). “It was really fun. I enjoyed it a lot,” she informs with enthusiasm. After graduating in 2019, she began cake decorating at a few bakeries and worked as a chocolatier at the local favorite Sucré, which specializes in macarons and high-end pastries. Last summer, she moved back to the Monroe area by way of Choudrant where a casual hangout with Johnson turned into the mapping out of a new restaurant concept.

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he planning process began with the word tapas, a traditional Spanish appetizer or snack that can be combined to make a full meal.

Muriel sat with her partner Christian and listed all of her favorite foods, many of which fell into one of her favorite food genres— snacks with drinks, most popularly known as “girl dinner,” at least according to TikTok. “We tried to make all of the shareables,” she says, referring to menu items that can be expedited quickly and, most importantly, shared among diners. These initial stages lead to a simple and straightforward restaurant concept that culminates in the perfect night out, one that can begin with light or prodigious snacking, varied and comfortable seating, and an array of drinks to further enhance the good times.

One of the first ingredients Muriel experimented with was cheese.

“Cheese was big,” she laughs, adding “I like to put things that you wouldn’t immediately think go together.” One such dish is the Pear + Brie Salad Skewers served with walnuts, arugula, pomegranate, and balsamic glaze. “People are a big fan of that one,” she says. Another playful menu item arrived on the menu straight from her home kitchen. “We call them grown-up grilled cheeses in our house.” On the menu, you will find two. The Pear + Brie Grilled Cheese (brie, pepper jelly, arugula, and pears on parmesan-crusted sourdough bread) and Steak + Gruyère Grilled Cheese (sliced steak, Gruyère and mozzarella, and arugula on parmesan crusted sourdough bread).

From the restaurant’s grand opening on October 11th, its reputation has steadily spread. It didn’t take long for diners to pinpoint their favorite food items and come back for more. The Burrata + Steak Crostini (steak cooked to your temperature served with fresh burrata) has been a top selection for many diners, as well as the Fancy Burger, a flavorsome meat patty stuffed with goat cheese, layered with pepper jelly, arugula, and red onions, all between a brioche bun.

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Muriel also included Trio’s staples on the menu, which many have been happy to come back to. Hummus is back! Choose from the Lamb Ragu Hummus or the Loaded Hummus, which is a medley of feta, black olives, roasted garlic, and sundried tomatoes over classic hummus. Additionally, fans of Trio’s pizzas will be happy to see the Trio’s Original (pepperoni, sausage, onion, bell peppers, black olives, tomatoes, mushrooms, and jalapeños), as well as an option to “build your own.” Of course, they didn’t forget to include the Mediterranean Quesadilla (only on their lunch menu)—Trio’s cheese blend, spinach, olives, roasted eggplant, sun-dried tomatoes, and fresh basil.

Reconceptualizing the menu also meant revamping a few restaurant features, which came easily to Muriel thanks to her design background. She began with the vibe, which she describes as “moody but cozy.” She had a lot to work with, as the remodeled space already held a chic, tavernesque aesthetic inspired by funky, upscale lounges.

To complement the new restaurant’s name, an accent wall was painted olive and a few dark wood panels were added to an adjacent wall. Flushed with ambient light and whimsical wall accents, Muriel has created an intimate and stylish eatery.

Attention to detail has been crucial to Muriel’s process, even regarding dinnerware. For plating, slate slabs steal the show, and will eventually be used for charcuterie menu items. Salads, pasta dishes, and hummus sit on timeless, slate grey, low bowls. More subtle accents can be spied in the bar area where mismatched, colored glasses stand out from the low-lit shelves. Each was painstakingly handpicked from different thrift stores in New Orleans. Always a fan of glass dishware aisles, particularly in second-hand stores, shopping proved a difficult feat. Narrowing down selections took the form of imagining the kind of drink selections she had listed on her menu, the type of drink as well as its presentation. The result is an eclectic collection of plates and glassware that further adds texture to the artful space.

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ith this said, you absolutely don’t want to skim over the cocktail menu, which currently features nine items. Ask the impeccable Ella Nealy, resident bartender, to make you an Espresso Martini, made with vodka, Kahlua, simple syrup, and espresso, then poured into a vintage-style champagne glass and topped with roasted coffee beans. For more fruity notes, order a Cucumber Pomegranate Margarita, a sharp mix of tequila, cucumber, triple sec, pomegranate, and sour mix.

Daily specials are always being created, and some of their most recent mixes include the Cranberry Bourbon Smash, Blackberry Mint Gin Martini, and Gingerbread Espresso Martini.

In many ways, Olive + Oak is still that same neighborhood place that Jenifer carefully curated.

And with Muriel’s skill and talent, it promises to extend the same warmth it held for twenty-eight years. After all, Jenifer has always considered Trio’s to be a family-run restaurant, and now that lineage has become a fresh new name and space tucked on the corner of Forsythe Avenue and Oliver Road.

Olive + Oak is open Monday through Saturday between 11 Am to 10 PM. The dinner menu begins after 3 PM. For more information visit them on Facebook, Instagram, or their website https://oliveoakmonroe.com.

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Holiday Open Houses On Thursday, November 9th local businesses in Monroe held their Holiday Open House. The Open House was an all-day event with light refreshments and signature spirits. Every participating shop donated a gift certificate or item to create one large door prize for attendees to win. Shopping local this holiday season is the best way to support businesses that are there for you all year long.

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On the BayouScene

1 Sherri Mowad and Missy McKenzie 2 Christi Howard, Courtney Riley and Kerri Phillips 3 J ansen Harvey, Margaret Moses, Sophie Heath and Heather Rogers 4 Melissa Saye and Leighann Goff 5 Norris and Claire Shepard 6 Rebekah Lawerence and Ronnie Walker 7 Rhonda Neal and Stacey Davidson 8 Sandy McMillan, Analise Kelly, Tristen Kraemer, Caroline Olson, Sydney Meek, Maddy Griep, Jade Parker and Sofia Amador 9 Virginia Eddleman, Pat Etheridge, Emily Rash, Margaret Ann King and Jan Clay

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A Hidden Gem for Fashion Enthusiasts Rustico in Monroe

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N THE BUSTLING CITY OF MONROE, Louisiana, a hidden gem for fashion enthusiasts has been thriving for the past three years – Rustico. Owned by the dynamic and passionate Macy Kennedy, Rustico is more than just a women’s boutique; it’s a haven for those seeking to elevate their wardrobe with unique capsule pieces that effortlessly blend with their personality and lifestyle.

Originally hailing from Rayville, Macy Kennedy took the reins of Rustico three years ago, injecting her own flair and vision into the boutique. Situated at 607 North 5th Street in Monroe, Rustico has become a go-to destination for women of all sizes and ages, offering a diverse range of styles that cater to the individual tastes of its clientele.

“Rustico was built on inspiring women to elevate their wardrobe with capsule pieces, creating a closet that complements both their personality and lifestyle, with ease,” says Macy, encapsulating the essence of her boutique’s mission. Rustico stands as a

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testament to the belief that fashion is not just about clothing but a form of self-expression that evolves with each unique individual.

The boutique boasts an impressive array of popular brands, including Shu Shop, Beach

by Matisse, Risen Jeans, and ISEA sunglasses.

Rustico’s carefully curated selection ensures that every visit to the store is a delightful journey through the latest trends and timeless classics.

As December unfolds, Rustico is adorned with holiday cheer. From woven clutches to chic headbands, sunglasses that make a statement, stylish hats, and more, the boutique is a treasure trove of festive finds. With a keen eye for detail, Rustico provides an abundance of great stocking stuffers, making holiday shopping a joyous experience.

Jewelry enthusiasts will find themselves in paradise at Rustico, where an extensive collection of accessories awaits discovery.

From delicate pieces that add a touch of elegance to bold statements that demand

attention, the boutique caters to every taste and occasion.

To celebrate Rustico’s three successful years, an exciting 3rd Anniversary Holiday Open House is set to take place on Saturday, December 9th, from 10 am to 5 pm. This special event promises an immersive shopping experience, filled with exclusive offerings and festive ambiance.

For those who can’t make it to the anniversary celebration, Rustico’s regular business hours are Monday-Friday from 10 am to 5 pm. However, during the holiday season, the boutique extends its hours to accommodate the bustling festivities. In December, Rustico welcomes shoppers Monday - Friday from 10 am to 5:30 pm, Saturdays from 10 am to 5 pm, and Sundays from 12 pm to 4 pm.

As Rustico marks its third anniversary, it continues to be a beacon of style and individuality in Monroe, LA, inviting fashion enthusiasts to explore, embrace, and celebrate the art of dressing well.

Bayou Buzzworthy William W. Lovett, Jr. was inducted into the Sertoma Hall of Fame as part of the inaugural class during the International Conference in Charlotte, NC. This prestigious recognition honors a lifetime of Service to Mankind and tireless work in the areas of leadership, membership, stewardship, and mission.

In 1960s Louisiana, future “Duck Dynasty” star Phil Robertson falls in love and starts a family, but his demons soon threaten to tear everyone apart.

As he seeks to conquer the shame of his past, he ultimately finds redemption in an unlikely place. The Blind, the Robertson family’s story and how the dynasty all started, is out in theaters now!

Chick-fil-A has donated $100,000 to the nonprofit, Grace Place Ministries of Monroe to honor their efforts to reduce food insecurity in the Ouachita community.

Grace Place has been a partner of the Chick-fil-A shared table program for over eight years. Over 47,652 meals have been donated in the Monroe and West Monroe community.

The Monroe Symphony Orchestra’s highly anticipated first concert of the season, “A Hungarian Rhapsody,” Oct. 14th, at Christ Redeemer Church, West Monroe, proved to be a resounding success with nearly 300 in attendance.

The MSO introduced its 52nd season with Meet the Maestro Happy Hour before the concert.

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Harrison Paint Co

Spruce Up Your Home This Holiday Season

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ET READY TO FRESHEN UP YOUR home for the holiday season with a fresh coat of paint from Harrison Paint.

Serving the Shreveport-Bossier City, West Monroe-Monroe, and Tri-State areas since 1950, Harrison Paint is your trusted partner for all your painting needs.

The holiday season is the perfect time to give your home a makeover, and what better way to do that than with a fresh coat of paint?

Harrison Paint offers a wide range of highquality paints and coatings that will breathe new life into your space and create a warm and inviting atmosphere for your holiday gatherings.

With their partnership with Benjamin Moore, Harrison Paint provides an extensive selection of colors and finishes to suit any style or preference. Whether you’re looking for a classic, traditional look or a bold, modern statement, you’ll find the perfect paint at Harrison Paint. Their knowledgeable staff can assist you in choosing the right colors and

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finishes that will complement your existing decor and create a cohesive and festive ambiance.

Not only does a fresh coat of paint transform the look of your home, but it also offers practical benefits. Paint can help protect your walls from wear and tear, making them easier to clean and maintain. It can also cover up any imperfections or blemishes, giving your walls a smooth and flawless appearance.

With Harrison Paint’s high-quality products, you can trust that your paint job will stand the test of time and keep your home looking beautiful for years to come.

In addition to their wide range of paints, Harrison Paint also offers a variety of other products and services to complete your holiday home refresh. From coatings and sealants to sundries and wallpaper, they have everything you need to tackle any painting project. Their team of experts is always available to provide guidance and advice, ensuring that you have all the tools and knowledge necessary to

achieve professional-looking results.

When you choose Harrison Paint, you’re not just getting top-notch products, but also excellent customer service. Their friendly and experienced staff is dedicated to helping you every step of the way, from color selection to application techniques. They understand that painting can be a daunting task, especially during the busy holiday season, and they are committed to making the process as smooth and enjoyable as possible.

So, this holiday season, give your home the gift of a fresh new look with a coat of paint from Harrison Paint. Whether you’re sprucing up your living room, revamping your kitchen, or adding a touch of color to your front door, Harrison Paint has the products and expertise to bring your vision to life. Visit their store today and get ready to transform your home into a festive and welcoming space for the holiday season.

Revival Design and Consign Revival for the Holidays

BY CLINTON DOWNING

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HRISTMAS HAS ALWAYS BEEN one of my most favorite times of the year. I can remember going to Downtown Monroe and West Monroe and shopping as a child. It was always the window designs that brought a twinkle to my eye. I could gaze at them for hours. The Palace was one of my favorites by far as well as my great grandmother Karline’s, Ready to Wear.

Some years later I would end up designing window displays for my late friends Morris & Rita Blumenthal at Field’s. It was a job I cherished, and it helped me explore my creativity before moving to New Orleans, New York City, and Dallas. It also allowed me to explore my talents. It also skilled me for jobs in those big cities working on a much larger scale.

During that time in New York, I was in awe of the most extraordinary, well-planned and perfectly executed window designs at Bergdorf’s, Barney’s, Saks 5th Ave., and Macy’s.

They were truly a Christmas miracle. It would

later become an inspiration for creating holiday window displays for more than 20 stores when I returned home to Monroe. It also allowed me to create holiday magic in more than 450 homes over the course of 20 years.

In recent years my focus has shifted solely to Revival which happens to have celebrated its 4th Anniversary on November 1st. My creative goal to bring to life over-the-top window displays like the ones in New York. Each year we up the ante to make them more whimsical, glamorous and a spark of joy to all who pass by. When the pandemic hit us only 6 months into business, our windows became our voice.

They also created social distancing magic for everyone to enjoy from their vehicles as well as on social media. This year’s windows exceeded last year’s designs.

Our showroom has also elevated with the addition of OA Woods with Kyle Snellenberger’s amazing craftsmanship in his new location here at Revival. We have also added an extensive

selection of gift lines for him, her, or the home.

We have added a gourmet food bar, several new candle lines, and a holiday décor section.

We are in the process of adding a ribbon bar of amazing holiday ribbons for Christmas 2024.

Our courtyard is in the process of a refurbishment as we begin hosting pop-up art markets and farmer’s and baker’s markets in the future. It will be an exciting addition to our Downtown Monroe Community as a hotel is on the way and more residential spaces are coming. Come be a part of the Revival and enjoy a showroom filled with pure imagination.

Follow us on social media for more event updates and happenings.

We are truly grateful for the most amazing four years we’ve had growing this locally owned business in Historic Downtown Monroe that my Endom forefathers helped establish.

Happy Holidays from Clinton, Cookie, Cooper, Luna, and the Revival team.

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RUSTICO BOUTIQUE Dazzle at holiday parties in this rose gold dress, adorned with a belted waist that adds a touch of sparkle to your festive ensemble. Accessorize with gold earrings and strappy gold metallic heels.

HOLIDAY GLAMOUR These holiday looks top the charts, ranging from sparkly dresses to bold ruffles, these outfits promise to illuminate any party with festive charm. Find them at area boutiques.

MODEL KELLI NEAL HAIR AND MAKEUP BY MEKA BENNETT PHOTOGRAPHY BY KELLY MOORE CLARK SPECIAL THANKS TO THE BDCC

CHANTICLEERS BOUTIQUE Elevate your holiday style with a metallic top paired effortlessly with sleek black Italian satin joggers for a chic and holiday look. Accessorize with a festive feather jacket and metallic gold heels.

THE NUDE NOMAD Experience timeless sophistication in this jacquard woven midi dress. Crafted from luxurious jacquard fabric, the piece is designed with a round neckline, long open sleeve, pleated skirt and slit at back bodice for a hint of edge.

Accessorize with a Mary Frances wine bottle purse, silver shimmer heels and a statement necklace.

HEMLINE MONROE This gown is beautiful for any occasion- featuring a tiered plissé lurex maxi dress in emerald green, sheer plissé pleat fabrication with blue and green lurex threads throughout. Accessorize with a black fur jacket, leather heels, feather evening clutch and emerald earrings.

BLUSH BY SADIE C’S Turn heads at holiday parties in an elegant sleeveless, emerald tiered dress with pleats. Accessories with beautiful hoop earrings and the perfect black heel.

HERRINGSTONES Kelli is red haute in this gorgeous one shoulder dress that features a cut out waist and pleated detailing. For chilly nights add a cropped tweed blazer and accessorize with satin slingback pumps with bow detailing.

PALETTE HOUSE AND PLUME This dress just called and requested you take her out dancing all night. The accordion pleating makes this dress a unique stand out piece while getting spun around the dance floor. Perfect for holiday party or date night.

Accessorize with rhinestone studded hoop earrings.

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Mulhearn Memorial Park Introducing the Garden of Grace

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HE MULHEARN FAMILY, DEDICATED to serving families in North Louisiana since 1929, has made an important investment in their Memorial Park to honor the wishes of those they serve. They have introduced a beautiful addition called The Garden of Grace. This new cremation garden offers a peaceful and tranquil place for families to remember and reflect on their loved ones.

The Garden of Grace lies between the chapel mausoleum and the openair mausoleum, creating a serene and contemplative atmosphere. It features four columbarium niche banks where urns can be placed, providing a dedicated space for families to memorialize their loved ones. The columbarium is adorned with a beautiful fountain and comfortable benches, allowing family members to sit, visit, meditate, or pray in a peaceful setting.

This garden serves as a perfect spot for quiet reflection, whether your loved ones

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are interred in the columbarium within The Garden of Grace or in the cemetery grounds.

The tranquil environment allows family members to cherish memories and find solace in the beauty of their surroundings.

The Mulhearn Family has earned the trust of countless families over the years through their legacy of compassion and dedication to the community. The introduction of The Garden of Grace is a testament to their ongoing commitment to providing families with a peaceful and beautiful place to remember and pay tribute to their loved ones.

They understand the challenges families face when making arrangements during times of grief. The addition of this beautiful garden not only provides a serene final resting place for loved ones, but also eases the burden of making these decisions during a difficult time.

For those interested in learning more about The Garden of Grace or exploring other options in the cemetery, the Mulhearn Family

invites you to inquire or visit their office.

Their professional staff is dedicated to helping you choose the right property based on your family’s specific wishes and requirements.

They understand that each family is unique and are committed to assisting you in making the right choice to honor your loved one’s memory.

Their investment in this addition to the cemetery aligns with their mission of being there for families in their time of need. It offers a place where cherished memories can be honored and the healing process can begin.

Whether it is a visit to The Garden of Grace or a discussion with their professional staff, the Mulhearn Family is ready to assist families with their personal needs and preferences as they remember and honor their loved ones.

Mulhearn Memorial Park is located at 623 Highway 80 E in Monroe, Louisiana. The office staff can be reached at (318) 343-1511, and they will be pleased to assist with any inquiries.

From the Bayous to the Beaches With Cheryl and Jeff Jones

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F YOU’RE LOOKING FOR HELP IN the real estate market, a good place to start would be with the Jones family.

Cheryl Jones, and her son Jeff have become a “dynamic duo” covering territory from Northeast Louisiana all the way to Orange Beach, AL. Cheryl is a graduate of Mississippi College in Clinton, MS with a bachelor’s degree in education. She later earned a master’s degree from NLU in Monroe and taught school for 35 years. After retiring from Richland Parish public schools, she spent a couple of years at Riverfield Academy in Rayville, and then finished her career at Grace Episcopal School in Monroe.

After retirement, she decided to study for the real estate exam. She says, “My husband tricked me!” Her husband, Mike Jones, was a realtor in the 90’s.. Cheryl says, “It’s been a wonderful journey, a journey I made because no one said it was a crazy idea to

start a new career at 70 years of age!” Cheryl also credits her success in the real estate world to Keller Williams, particularly Shane Wooten and his team. Cheryl goes on to say “It makes me happy to help someone sell their home so they can embark upon the next chapter of life. Thirty plus years later Cheryl is still reaping rewards from her teaching career, and her real estate career is no different. Cheryl says, “I have been able to meet lifelong friends and develop lasting relationships.. There’s no greater reward!”

Jeff is a graduate of Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, with a bachelor’s degree in hospitality, management and tourism. He did an internship with the Marriott Hotels in Dallas, and after that retail and restaurant management.

He was employed with Hilton properties in Lafayette for several years and in 2016, he followed his dream of beach living and relocated to Orange Beach, AL. There he

works for Bella Beach Properties where they specialize in property management and sales. Once his mother became a realtor, she encouraged him to do the same, and that is exactly what he did! He received his license soon after and now rents, leases, buys and sells. Jeff says, “The best thing I ever did was follow my heart and move to Orange Beach.”

Jeff and his mom have always had a close relationship and this time in their lives is no different. They love coordinating deals with clients, giving one another advice, and comparing daily activities.

If you need a home here, call Cheryl. If you want to rent, lease, or buy a condo, Jeff is your guy. Maybe you’d even like a home in north Louisiana and a condo at the beach!

No worries! The Joneses say, “Just call us!

We’ve got you covered!”

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Brunch on the Bayou On Saturday, November 4th, Brunch on the Bayou was held at Bayou Pointe on a perfect Saturday morning. Hosted by the First Lady of Athletics, Heather Hartwell and sponsored by The Woman’s Clinic - MediSpa attendees enjoyed brunch and mimosas overlooking the bayou. Door prizes and mystery boxes were given along with a silent auction.

Dr. Shemwell gave a presentation of services and amenities provided by MediSpa and an enjoyable brunch was had by all.

On the BayouScene

1 Carmen Wright, Amber Shemwell, Madison Hartwell, Heather Hartwell, Jessica Duncan, and Shelley Hamilton 2 Kathy Fry, Cindy Foust, Chrissie Autin and Shelley Hamilton 3 Cathy Myrick and Cindy Stone 4 Anne Lockhart, Cindy Foust, Chrissie Autin, Kathy Fry 5 Leigh Hersey, Carmen Wright and Amber Shemwell 6 Meghan Olinger, Heather Hartwell and Leslie Hobgood 7 Kathy Fry, Cindy Foust, Chrissie Autin 8 Madison Hartwell, Heather Hartwell, Lauren Hartwell, and Ginger Seale

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Tech Honors Alumnus

George A. Baldwin, Jr. Recieves Medallion

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EORGE A. BALDWIN, JR., A PRIVILEGED DIRECTOR of the Louisiana Tech University Foundation and the 2015 Alumnus of the Year, will become the University’s newest Tower Medallion recipient and be inducted by the Alumni Association into Tech’s Hall of Distinguished Alumni during Fall Commencement Saturday, November 18 at 10 a.m. in the Thomas Assembly Center.

The Tower Medallion Award signifies membership in the Hall and is awarded to Tech alumni who have distinguished themselves by exceptional achievement, community service, and humanitarian activities.

Baldwin and wife Jean began dating at Tech and supported each other through their studies and everything that was “college at Tech” then, including Wesley Foundation, ballgames, intramurals, Regal Blues, Pisa Pizza, and returning soda bottles for enough deposits to score a late-night snack from Griff’s.

Since graduation, the pair has never stopped supporting either each other or their University.

“Jean and I are astonished and humbled by this high honor from our beloved alma mater and sincerely grateful for everything Louisiana Tech has done for us,” said Baldwin, who earned his BS in Petroleum Engineering from Tech in 1978. “We left Ruston well prepared for a wonderful life together and delight in returning often to remember, celebrate, and give back. It’s our hope that this recognition inspires others to do the same.

“Sometimes I go back to March of 1978 and my last class, my last final, moving out of old Neilson Dorm, then graduation,” he said.

All too soon, it was over. I was happy, and sad, but so very proud … proud that for the rest of my life, I would be a graduate of Louisiana Tech University.”

A Registered Professional Petroleum Engineer and business executive, Baldwin is a principal of Baldwin Madden Energy, LLC, and President and Chief Executive Officer of three EnSight Energy oil and gas partnerships.

A native of Shreveport, Baldwin began his professional career with Arkla Exploration Company in 1978. In 1994, he and principals of Brammer Engineering and Keystone Exploration formed BrammerKeystone Energy, which evolved into the EnSight franchise of oil and gas investment partnerships. Baldwin has guided this enterprise as President since 1997, has successfully concluded three EnSight programs, and still presides over three that remain active, principally in the Haynesville Shale. He has been directly involved in scores of oil and gas acquisition, divestiture, and financing transactions with an aggregate value well over $1 billion.

Baldwin has served on various corporate and non-profit advisory boards and is a member of the Society of Petroleum Engineers, the National Society of Professional Engineers, the Louisiana Engineering Society, and Tau Beta Pi Engineering Honor Society.

“Each of our (Tech) stories is different, and yet they’re all the same,” Baldwin said. “And all of them together become one great story … a story of youth, of energy, of aspirations and unlimited potential, of determination, of achievement and success — and of hope.”

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Get the Sleep You Deserve This Holiday Season American Mattress Outlet Offers Customers a “Whole Sleep Experience”

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T’S THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME of the year, and it’s also one of the most stressful seasons for many. At American Mattress Outlet, we realize that while Christmas is filled with holiday cheer and genuine joy, it is also a time where many are stretched thin with lists to be completed, presents to be be wrapped and holiday festivities. Getting a good night’s sleep should not be one of the things put on the back burner this holiday season.

American Mattress Outlet carries several lines of mattresses including: Signature by Southerland, Thermo Balance, Scandinavian Sleep, American Sleep, American Bedding, MD Mattress, and Butterfly by Elements. With a range of mattresses in all feels and sizes and several styles of adjustable bases, there is something for everyone at American Mattress Outlet. Stepping into the store offers customers a “whole sleep experience.” Not only will owner Robby Compton and his team fit you

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for the perfect mattress, they will help you make the best choices to improve your sleep experience. Compton says, “We see people that have horrible sleep experiences and by guiding them to a better pillow, a mattress that fits their sleep positioning, we can improve someone’s life, and that is what makes me so passionate about this business. Our tag line is ‘We are American Mattress Outlet, where you don’t have to go into debt to get a great night’s sleep’ and I mean that. The difference is we can find the perfect mattress for your needs and budget without sacrificing quality for price.”

Whether your in-laws are coming in for the holidays, or you need to spruce up the deer camp, this holiday season is the perfect time to update worn-out mattress sets. Here’s what one of their customers said about their experience with American Mattress Outlet: “The staff, and of course Robby himself, were so helpful. It also made the process very laid back due to them being such fun and light-

hearted people. They knew we were looking for something for our camp and steered us quickly in the right direction. The prices were on-point, and all of the guys were so easy to work with. We have recommended and will recommend them again to anyone that’s in the market for a new mattress.” ~ Elizabeth Rials Don’t be a scrooge this holiday season, get the sleep you deserve. Visit American Mattress Outlet at their two locations: 2200 North 7th Street, Suite A in West Monroe and 208 West Alabama Avenue in Ruston.

Call them at 318.366.5565 (West Monroe) or 318.202.3554 (Ruston). Visit their website at americanmattressoutletwm.com. You can also find them on Facebook.

Caples & Robinson Orthodontics A Legacy of Excellence in Northeast Louisiana

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APLES & ROBINSON ORTHODONTICS is a name synonymous with exceptional orthodontic care in Northeast Louisiana.

With a combined experience of 58 years, Doctors Ricky Caples, Chris Robinson, and Cammie Laird bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise to their practice. Born and raised in this community, they are proud to serve their fellow residents and provide them with the highest quality orthodontic services.

One of the distinguishing factors of Caples and Robinson Orthodontics is their commitment to staying at the forefront of the field. The practice offers an expanded range of orthodontic services, ensuring that patients have access to the latest and most innovative treatment options. From traditional braces to Damon Ultima braces, Spark clear aligners, and more, they have the expertise to tailor treatment plans to meet the unique needs of each patient.

The team at Caples and Robinson

Orthodontics is known for their warm and compassionate approach to patient care. They understand that orthodontic treatment can be a significant journey for their patients, and they strive to create a comfortable and supportive environment throughout the process. From the initial consultation to the final result, patients can expect to be treated with kindness, respect, and personalized attention.

Caples and Robinson Orthodontics is deeply rooted in the Northeast Louisiana community, and they take pride in giving back to the area that has supported them throughout the years. They actively participate in local events, sponsor community initiatives, and support charitable organizations. Their commitment to their patients goes beyond the walls of their practice, extending to the betterment of the community as a whole.

For those seeking orthodontic care in Northeast Louisiana, Caples and Robinson Orthodontics is the go-to practice. With their

extensive experience, innovative treatment options, and dedication to patient well-being, they are the trusted choice for achieving a healthy and beautiful smile. Whether you require traditional braces, clear aligners, or any other orthodontic treatment, you can trust that you are in capable hands with Doctors Ricky Caples, Chris Robinson, and Cammie Laird.

To experience the excellence of Caples and Robinson Orthodontics firsthand, schedule a consultation today. Discover the difference that their expertise, compassion, and commitment to the community can make in your orthodontic journey. Let them help you achieve the smile you’ve always dreamed of, and join the countless satisfied patients who have benefited from their exceptional care. To get started on your healthier, more beautiful smile, contact their office at 318.325.9655. They welcome new patients of all ages and strive to accommodate all.

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Simmons’ Sporting Goods A Delta Destination

BY GLENN MIERS

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ART OF OUR COMMUNITY FABRIC is to trade stories of adventure in the Sportsman’s Paradise. One right-ofpassage these tellers of folklore have in common is they all know their way to Simmons’ Sporting Goods. For 40 years, Simmons has been anchored right on the edge of industry and farm country in Bastrop, LA. The mantra boasted on many of the advertisements peppered throughout the tri-state area contends they are The South’s Largest Sporting Goods Outfitter.

Although that label may be hard to quantify, there’s little doubt it would be difficult to argue once you gazed over what seems to be acres of product.

Honestly, family traditions in our part of the world often include the inherent joy we find in the outdoors. Whether it’s chasing game, sitting at a campfire or tearing up the countryside on an ATV, a visit to Simmons is a must to do it right. Their newest tag line

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is “Where Your Hunt Begins,” and that may be true, but there’s something for everyone, even if they are not a hunter.

The casual clothing for the men is unlike anything shoppers will find throughout the Twin Cities. And the Duck Duck Goose Lady’s Boutique has incredible seasonal fashion. The awe-inspiring view truly has to be experienced in person. People come in to grab something and literally hang out for hours. It’s tough to leave, if you love the natural comforts of the outdoors.

But, if you can’t make it in for an in-person visit, there’s always simmonssportinggoods. com, which depicts over 36,000 products, events and store information. Of course, a site is only as good as its content. Site surfers can learn all about the hunting and product tips. Some may enjoy watching product and activity videos or keeping up with the latest trophy photos and leaderboard changes on the Big Buck Contest. Potential consumers

will enjoy elevating their game by reading through informative blog posts on product uses and effective field tactics.

Simmons Sporting Goods is a real hunter’s haven, but it’s so much more than that. It’s a warm comfortable meeting place for those great stories. Although it may be difficult to form a gem from fleece, firearms, deer stands and camouflage, Simmons has at least figured out how to turn it into a destination point. Join the crowds and enter the full eight-foot doors featuring authentic elk racks and be blown away by what you can find in this massive small town store.

You will want to kick back, share a tale of your own and stay awhile. You can even have lunch in The Blind Restaurant on the mezzanine. It’s worth the trip.

Positive Steps Fertility Hoping for a Christmas Miracle

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OR A JOYFUL SEASON, IT CAN often be hard to celebrate others while still waiting for your own bundle of joy. Scrolling through social media you will see others highlight reels, and you are left wondering why it hasn’t been as easy for you? The truth is, we know our own behind the scenes, but when we only see others’ highlight reels we don’t often realize that it is more complex than they may reveal. The reality is 1 in 6 people want to conceive but can’t, which shows that fertility is harder than most realize. For many people, having a successful pregnancy takes a bit of science, a lot of love, and the right team. At Positive Steps Fertility we have all three, and we are here to help you navigate the fertility journey! It can take a village to raise a child and sometimes to conceive one. Let us figure out how to leverage medicine in your favor with often a single affordable test for both the man (semen analysis) and the

woman (“Parryscope testing”), so that you can have facts rather than guessing for your true fertility potential.

As the cards announcing “Babies First Christmas” roll in with pictures of happy families, I find myself reflecting on the many things for which I am thankful this year. I am thankful for all the individuals and couples who have trusted us to help build their families, I am thankful to be part of the team at Positive Steps Fertility who go above and beyond every day to make prayers and dreams come true, and I am thankful for the strides in medicine and science that make pregnancy a reality for so many. We hope that even in the hard times, you take a moment to reflect on all of the things you have to be thankful for this holiday season.

If starting or expanding your family is one of your goals for the upcoming year, Positive Steps Fertility can offer a compassionate and understanding approach

to your care. Interested in seeing what we are all about? Take the first step to building your family and give us a call or check out the Positive Steps Fertility FB/IG/YouTube/ TikTok pages, or website, or support group (online 6p, 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of the month). We look forward to providing you with the necessary support, guidance, and community to help you navigate your fertility journey with hope and positivity.

Best wishes and Happy Holidays! The Positive Steps Family

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BayouProfile

BEACONS OF SERVICE AND LOVE

For Jeff and Jill Mouk, three things matter most in their lives. They deeply love each other. They love their family -- their parents, their daughter and son-in-law, and their two grandchildren. And in the center of their lives is their faith. That faith has strengthened them throughout their marriage, and continues to be their rock. Because of their devotion to their family and friends, their successful careers in insurance and education, and their unselfish volunteering throughout their community, Jeff and Jill Mouk are the subject of our BayouProfile for December.

ARTICLE BY GEORGIANN POTTS PHOTOGRAPHY BY KELLY MOORE CLARK

eff Mouk’s father, Harold “Luke” Mouk, was born in Chicago, but he counted Monroe as “home.” He lived in Monroe most of his life and graduated from Neville High School. When WWII began, he was attending Louisiana Tech University. He left his college days behind and enlisted in the Army Air Corp. Jeff’s mother, Marn Winters, was born in Dayton, Ohio, and grew up on an Ohio farm nearby. She graduated Medway High School. Jeff’s paternal grandparents lived nearby, and while Luke was visiting, he met Marn. They fell in love, married, and WWII ended.

They lived in Ohio and Virginia for about 12 years. During that time they had four children -- two sons and two daughters -- all born in Ohio. Jeff’s sister Dana was their firstborn. Next came a second sister, Kathy. Then Jeff’s brother Andy was born, and finally, Jeff arrived.

When Jeff was two, the family moved to Louisiana and Luke joined the family business.

Jill’s father Otis Johnson “Jerry” Baldwin, Jr. was born in Bossier City and grew up in Riverton, Louisiana. He graduated from Columbia High School and Louisiana Tech University, earning a bachelor’s in biology and a master’s in chemistry. From 1943 to 1946 he served in the U.S. Navy. Jill’s mother, Mary Jo, was born in Cordele, Georgia, but grew up in Monroe. She graduated from Ouachita High School in 1944 and began working as a laboratory technician at Charity Hospital. The two met at a Ouachita High School football game. They married in 1948 and began their family. Over time, they had five children – three boys and two girls. Kathy was the firstborn, and then Phil came 2 years later.

After ten years, John, Paul, and Jill were born. Like Jeff, Jill was the youngest.

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Both Jeff and Jill were blessed with hardworking parents who instilled in them the importance of working hard to achieve goals. Jeff’s father was co-owner of McKenzie and Mouk, Inc. insurance agency. The agency was founded in 1892 by Jeff’s grandfather, Harold Mouk, and Charles McKenzie, Sr. Jeff’s father joined in 1958. His partner was Charles McKenzie, Jr. Jeff’s paternal grandmother and Charles’ mother were sisters.

When Jill was growing up, she remembered how hard her father worked. “When I was a child, he would teach school all day and then our family would have an early dinner together so that he could go to work at the St. Francis lab at 5:00 in the evenings.

He was often on call during the night for the lab as well,” Jill says.

Her father taught high school chemistry at Ouachita High until he retired from teaching and began working fulltime at the lab at St. Francis Medical Center.

Jill’s oldest brother Phil and older sister Kathy took chemistry in high school from their dad. Before Jill got to high school, her dad retired. She regrets not ever having him as a teacher (although he taught her many things outside of his chemistry classroom). “When my father died in 2005, former students came to the visitation to tell us how much they had loved having him as a teacher,” Jill recalls. “They spoke about what a difference he made in their early lives.”

Although Jill missed out on that experience, later when she was in college, she worked in the St. Francis Medical Center lab with her father. “I saw a side of him that I would have never been able to see if I hadn’t had that experience,” Jill says. “Dad was so kind to the patients who came through the lab for blood work and also with the employees in the lab.”

Both Jeff’s and Jill’s mothers were primarily stay-at-home moms. As such, both were significant influences on their children’s lives. Jeff’s mom never worked outside of the home, but she did her share of community volunteering in spite of dealing with multiple sclerosis throughout most of her adult life – an example that wasn’t lost on Jeff. When the time came that the Baldwins had three children in college at the same time, Jill’s mother resumed her work as a lab technician, going back to work part time for Drs. Hammonds and O’Boyle.

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BayouProfile: Jill and Jeff Mouk

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ach remembers their parents with love and gratitude. “My parents were down-to-earth, practical people who grew up during the Depression. Eating out and going to the movie were luxuries,” Jill says. “I didn’t grow up in a wealthy environment but above all my parents loved all of us so much and wanted us to finish college, have successful jobs, and to be happy.”

“My mother taught me the importance of being rooted in a strong home with stability, discipline, and love,” Jeff says. “My father taught me the insurance business in which I have been employed for 46 years. But he also served as an example to have other interests as well – he was the master of many trades.”

Growing Up in Monroe Both Jeff and Jill had delightful childhoods filled with happy memories. Both knew that they were loved, and that time spent with their families was the most important thing of all.

Jeff grew up on Valencia Street, which he remembers as a “. . . wonderful place to be a kid in the 1960’s”. His was a neighborhood with lots of children who loved playing together. Jill also grew up playing outdoors with other children -- often until dark riding bikes.

Her mother had specific streets that they weren’t allowed to cross, but other than those they were allowed to just roam free and play. “We had a big yard so I spent most of my childhood playing freeze tag and hopscotch with my brothers and neighborhood friends. We walked to the bus stop together and rode the bus to school,” Jill says.

A highlight of Jill’s childhood was going to the farm in Riverton with her two youngest siblings. There they enjoyed their paternal grandmother Myrtle Duke’s impressive garden. “I remember shelling peas and butterbeans, and picking vegetables. My brothers and I would pick up pecans in the fall,” Jill says with a smile. There were also family vacations to the beach and one trip to El Paso, Texas, and Carlsbad Caverns National Park. Another blessing was that Jill’s maternal grandmother Eura Boyt lived close by. Jill and her youngest brothers would spend Friday nights with her. Occasionally her grandmother would take Jill and her younger siblings to downtown Monroe for to shop. “She would take us on the city bus to the Palace or to the Twin City Mall to shop for special occasions,” Jill says.

Many of Jeff’s favorite childhood memories are associated with Thanksgiving and Christmas – the largest family gatherings for the Mouks. These were often large extended family celebrations.

Christmas Eve found many relatives celebrating together, but Christmas Day was reserved for just Jeff’s “nuclear family.” “I loved Christmas the most – the mystery of Santa Claus, the magic of the lights and the tree, and the presents. Though wonderful at the time, our Christmas was almost entirely secular and lacked a sacred identity,” Jeff says with regret.

Much of Jill’s social life growing up centered around the Southside United Methodist Church where the late Rev. Lea Joyner was minister. Rev. Joyner was a major influence. “My social life was centered around the activities at the church,” Jill explains. “We had dances, campouts, trips to Six Flags, skating every Friday night, youth

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Jeff and Jill not only love each other, they admire and respect each other. Both see giving back through volunteering as essential for both the community and the individual volunteer. activities every Sunday evening, and youth choir every Wednesday night. The church counselors and Sunday school teachers had a huge impact on my life.”

For Jeff -- although he had good teachers all through school – it was his time at Lexington Elementary that he considers the most important. He says that every teacher he had there instilled in him a love of learning, reading, and writing. In his early years, Jeff wanted to be a journalist because he loved to write and thought that it would be great to know what was “really” going on in the world. Later, the “family business” became his obvious career path. Jeff had worked in the family insurance business throughout his summers at Neville, working in the mail room, doing property insurance “appraisals” (taking pictures and measuring square footage), and various clerical tasks. He graduated the University of Louisiana at Monroe (then Northeast Louisiana University), majoring in economics. There was not an insurance major offered at the time. His favorite classes were history, government, and archaeology.

For Jill, the answer to “What will I be when I grow up?” was answered when she was young. She had a chalkboard in her

bedroom and would teach her friends (sometimes a row of dolls) by writing on that board and using word cards. “Playing school was my favorite pastime,” Jill admits. When she graduated from high school, she enrolled in ULM planning to major in nursing. She was accepted into the School of Nursing, but something didn’t feel right. “I wanted to serve people and help others, but I wasn’t sure exactly how,” she explains. ‘The next year I changed my major to education and never looked back!” She earned a degree in Elementary Education.

Finding a Career and Partner for Life Jeff worked mowing yards for neighbors until he began working summers in the family business. From 1977 on, Jeff worked there watching it grow. From 1977 to 1995 it was McKenzie & Mouk, Inc. It sold in 1995, becoming Troy & Montgomery Insurance. The business would sell again in 2005, becoming Community Financial Insurance.

“Working for the family business was the most rewarding and taught me to work hard and give my employer my best effort at all times,” Jeff explains. “Community Financial has been the most challenging as it is the largest of the three and is more complex to help manage.”

The three biggest challenges that Jeff has addressed during his career reflect the changes in the insurance industry. Automation – moving from time-intensive paper records to more efficient computer records – certainly was a challenge, but a worthwhile one. McKenzie and Mouk became one of the first independent insurance agencies to install an in-house computer system. Jeff managed that project. Seeing small insurance agencies being “squeezed” out through consolidation was another challenge. The third was the change in work ethic that transformed the industry from a collegial relationship between the company and the agents. Even with these changes, Jeff is optimistic about the future of small business in Monroe -- albeit with a shift in emphasis. Today Jeff would encourage a young person to pursue

an accounting career. “It is a service that every business needs, it helps you manage household finances, and it is a good source of volunteerism with non-profits,” says Jeff.

While Jeff’s career kept him in Monroe, Jill’s moved her to Fort Worth, Texas. She began teaching in the Ouachita Parish School System in 1986. In 1990 she moved to Fort Worth to take a position teaching in an inner-city school where she taught until 1992. “Here I taught children who came from homes where drugs and drive-by shootings were common,” Jill explains. “It was the first time I realized why some children have such a difficult time in school. It isn’t because they can’t learn. It is because when a child is worried about their safety or where they will get their next meal, it’s difficult to think about reading a book or even realizing why that would be important.”

With this invaluable experience, Jill returned to Monroe and taught second grade and middle school math from 1992-1997. In 1997 she accepted a position at Lakeshore Elementary where she remained until becoming Director of Education for St. Paul’s United Methodist Church in 2001, a position she holds today. “Although I am no longer in a classroom setting, I still consider myself a teacher. I love ‘my’ children at St. Paul’s,” Jill says. “Teaching them and loving them is my absolute joy. Today my focus is teaching children about kindness and forgiveness, and above all to love God and love their neighbor.”

While both were busy building their careers, how could they possibly find time for love? An introduction planned by Jill’s brother to take place at the Monroe Brookshire’s parking lot in December 1993 answered that question. Jill’s brother Paul and Jeff were both in the Kiwanis Club of Monroe. The club was collecting canned goods for the Kiwanis Christmas food drive in the parking lot and Paul took his sister there to help. Jeff was supposed to work but had other plans.

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positioned closely and talked the whole time,” says Jill. “A few days later Jeff called and asked me out. Paul later told me that he wanted to introduce me to Jeff at the perfect time because he hoped we would ‘hit it off’!”

And they certainly did “hit it off!” They had their first date in January 1994, became engaged on Christmas Day 1994, and married in April 1995. Their daughter, Emily, was born in 1997 and has since graduated from Louisiana Tech in accounting. She and her husband, Beau Hughes, have presented Jeff and Jill with two grandchildren – Joey Marie (20 months) and Joseph Benaiah (1 month).

Dreams for the Future Jeff and Jill share dreams for their future. Both hope to retire (Jeff, within 5 years; Jill, within 10), to have good health, to spend time with their grandchildren, to do some traveling (an Alaskan cruise is at the top of their bucket list), to do volunteer work, and to just loaf. For Jeff, that “loafing” may very well include his favorite hobbies – baking bread and working in the yard. For Jill, it will include running with friends, quilting, and needlepoint.

These two not only love each other, they admire and respect each other. Both see giving back through volunteering as essential for both the community and the individual volunteer. Jill explains, “Through volunteering we are able to know things we would otherwise not know, and to help people who may otherwise not get the help they need. There is great need in our community. Volunteering requires our time, but there is so much to be gained when we help others.”

Jeff doesn’t hesitate to credit Jill with having shaped his life more than any other person or activity. Through her, Jeff learned the joy that comes from church work. “Volunteering has greatly shaped who I am,” Jeff explains, “but volunteering for the church has, too. Teaching Sunday school and other Bible studies have enriched my life.”

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NELA Master Gardeners Low Maintenance Gardening

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N THE HEART OF THE PICTURESQUE WEST MONROE, the Northeast Louisiana Master Gardeners are gearing up for their much-anticipated 13th Annual Spring Gardening Seminar on Saturday, January 13th. Garden enthusiasts and green thumbs alike will converge at the West Monroe Convention Center located at 901 Ridge Avenue for a day filled with inspiration, knowledge, and camaraderie.

This year’s seminar promises to be a horticultural extravaganza, focusing on the theme of “Low Maintenance Gardening.” With our busy lives, it’s a challenge to maintain lush and vibrant gardens. The seminar aims to unravel the secrets of cultivating stunning gardens that require less effort, yet yield spectacular results.

Keynote speakers for the event include Paige Mizell, the Vice President of Mizell’s Camellia Hill Nursery. With a wealth of experience in the horticultural industry, Mizell is set to share her insights into creating low maintenance gardens that are as beautiful as they are practical. Participants can look forward to gaining valuable tips and tricks from a seasoned professional who understands the art of balancing beauty and simplicity in gardening.

Adding to the lineup of distinguished speakers is GD. Paul Jackson, Ph.D., from the School of Agricultural Sciences and Forestry at Louisiana Tech University. Dr. Jackson brings a wealth of academic knowledge to the seminar, offering a scientific perspective on low maintenance gardening. His research and expertise will provide attendees with a deeper understanding of the principles behind cultivating resilient and sustainable gardens.

Dr. Allen Owins, a horticulturist at Bracy’s and Cleggs Nursery and former horticulturist at the LSU Ag Center, will also take the stage to share his wealth of knowledge. Dr. Owins’ practical insights and hands-on experience will offer attendees actionable strategies for creating and maintaining beautiful gardens with minimal effort.

The West Monroe Convention Center, with its spacious and welcoming atmosphere, serves as the ideal backdrop for this enlightening event. Participants can expect an immersive experience, complete with engaging presentations, interactive sessions, and opportunities to connect with fellow gardening enthusiasts.

For those eager to join this enlightening gardening seminar, contact the LSU AgCenter at 318.323.2251 for more information.

Don’t miss the chance to kickstart your gardening journey for the year ahead and transform your outdoor spaces into havens of natural beauty with the guidance of seasoned experts. The 13th Annual Spring Gardening Seminar promises to be a celebration of greenery, knowledge, and the joy of cultivating a garden that thrives with minimal maintenance.

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ULM HERO Program

Trains Over 600 First Responders in First Year

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HE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA MONROE COLLEGE of Pharmacy is proud to announce that the HERO program successfully trained over 600 first responders in its first year. The ULM HERO program is funded by a $2 million, four-year grant from the US Department of Health and Human Services’ Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, which was received in summer 2022. HERO stands for Harm Reduction Education and Referral Opioid Overdose Reversal. The ULM HERO project focuses on providing harm reduction education to first responders in the state of Louisiana.

The HERO program is a free, 3-hour program with interactive and discussion-based activities. Participants in the HERO program learn how to administer opioid reversal medications like naloxone and how to refer people who use opioids to treatment and recovery centers. Dr. Horace and her team’s next step with the program is to link traditional first responders to treatment and recovery centers.

Heading this program is Dr. Alexis Horace, associate professor of clinical practice for the College of Pharmacy in New Orleans, alongside Drs. Stephen Hill, Jameshia Below, Stephanie Anderson and Oscar Garza.

After one year of the ULM HERO program, Dr. Horace and her team’s goal was to train 500 individuals in harm reduction education and they exceeded their goal with 688 individuals, including traditional first responders (336), non-traditional community members (287) and first responders in training (65).

“We plan to host more community activities and provide education to community partners across the state through our partnerships with student pharmacists and osteopathic organizations,” Dr. Horace said.

“We expect with the expansion of our service areas, we’ll be able to spread our harm reduction education to rural, underserved communities.”

The HERO program served underrepresented communities in and around the New Orleans metropolitan area including Jefferson, Orleans, Plaquemines, St. Bernard, St. Tammany, St. Charles, and St. John the Baptist parishes, along with Ouachita Parish. Starting this November, Dr. Horace and her team will spread their outreach to additional parishes like Union, Morehouse, Richland, Caldwell, Jackson, Lincoln, Livingston, Ascension, and LaFourche.

“We’d like to increase awareness about treatment/recovery centers services and increase access for people living with a substance use disorder,” Dr. Horace said. “We fully intend to ramp up our efforts to have a larger impact and ultimately help save lives.”

For year two of the HERO program, Dr. Horace and her team’s goal is to reach 750 individuals and by 2026, provide education to 4,000 first responders. Along with this goal for education expansion, they hope to increase the program’s collaborations with local treatment and recovery centers by 80 percent.

None of the program’s accomplishments would be possible without Dr. Horace and her team, program coordinators Mrs. Samaria Lowe and Mr. Aaron Brown, program analyst Mrs. Winnie AtawodiAlhassan, and partnerships with BlueCross BlueShield of Louisiana, the National Association of Drug Diversion Investigators, the Louisiana Department of Health, New Orleans Department Health, CrescentCare– New Orleans Syringe Access Program and the Northeast Delta Human Services Authority.

“If you are a first responder or leader of a first responder organization, we are eager to work with you!” Dr. Horace said. “I’m excited for the ULM HERO program and our success this year. We’re motivated and ready to make positive changes for our next year!”

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VENCE & CO. This black leather pencil skirt is paired with a red knitted crop sweater for a red haute holiday look, elegantly finished with black pointed toe heels adorned with a bow embellishment.

WINDOW WONDERLAND From cozy, casual pieces to chic night-out ensembles, these holiday looks offer great outfit options to meet all your seasonal needs. Find at local boutiques.

MODELS NATASHA REGARD AND TYLER AULDS HAIR AND MAKEUP BY MEKA BENNETT PHOTOGRAPHY BY KELLY MOORE CLARK SPECIAL THANKS TO REVIVAL DESIGN & CONSIGN

RON ALEXANDER CLOTHIERS Tyler exudes sophistication in a burgundy patterned buttondown dress shirt layered beneath a classic red cable knit sweater paired with dark blue jeans. For chilly winter nights, complement the outfit with a dark taupe pea coat.

DUSTY & COMPANY This black velvet dress showcases a sheer checkered sleeve, making it perfect for holiday parties. Accessorize with black heels and a beaded necklace, complemented by coordinating earrings.

WOODSTOCK MONROE Whether your grabbing a quick lunch or attending special occasions throughout the season, this green velvet smocked dress delivers timeless elegance. The dress features beautiful flutter sleeves and luxuriously soft velvet that’s sure to make your everyday style stand out from the crowd.

MAX PORTER PROVISIONS This plaid shirt has a vintage look and feel and can serve as both an everyday flannel shirt or midweight jacket. It’s worn with a fleece vest and dark denim jeans.

SIMMONS’ SPORTING GOODS Natasha is cozy cute in a plaid button down worn under a Sherpa fleece jacket and with distressed jeans. Tyler is wearing a stretch flannel shirt under a shacket with curved bottom hem and paired with twill chino pants.

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THE MAKERY This fun and flirty dress is perfect for holiday parties.

With a little shimmer, this dress features a tiered ruffle skirt and sweetheart neckline.

Wear with a charm necklace and gold earrings.

United Way NELA Launches Holiday Gift Drive Help Bring Joy to Local Foster Children

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NITED WAY OF NORTHEAST Louisiana (United Way NELA) is teaming up with Louisiana Foster Care Support Services and Royal Family Kids for Northeast Louisiana to spread holiday cheer to local foster children through “To Our Children, With Love.” Through this heartwarming partnership, the community is invited to participate in a gift drive aimed at providing these children with essential items and cherished gifts during the holiday season.

Royal Family Kids for Northeast Louisiana, a non-profit organization dedicated to serving children in foster care across 11 parishes under the Department of Children & Family Services for Northeast Louisiana, is at the heart of this initiative.

United Way NELA is calling on generous sponsors to help orchestrate a magical

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Christmas for these deserving foster children.

Contributions, including toys and essential supplies, can be made seamlessly through United Way NELA’s online giving platform at unitedwaynela.org/holidayproject. Once received, all purchases will be processed, gift wrapped, and personally delivered by a dedicated team of Louisiana Foster Care and United Way NELA volunteers, ensuring these gifts reach the children in time for the holidays. All donations are fully tax deductible.

To further amplify the impact of this initiative, United Way NELA welcomes community members to join in the task of sorting and wrapping the gifts. Multiple time slots are available, and those interested in lending a helping hand can sign up at unitedwaynela.org/to-our-children-2023.

The volunteer event will take place at

Victory Baptist Church located at 740 Finks Hideaway Road in Monroe.

United Way NELA invites the community to join in making this holiday season truly special for local foster children.

For more information, dial 211 or text your Zip Code to 898-211 (available Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.).

United Way of Northeast Louisiana works with volunteers, donors, and other organizations locally to create lasting community change in the areas of Education, Income, and Health — the building blocks for a good quality of life. For more information about United Way of Northeast Louisiana, visit unitedwaynela.org, dial 211 on any landline or mobile phone, a free call 24/7, or text your zip code to 898-211 (available M-F, 8am-5pm).

Your Hometown Shopping Destination Chanticleers Boutique For Christmas

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HANTICLEERS IS NOT JUST A boutique, but a reflection of the vibrant community and amazing people in Northeast Louisiana. The owners, Katie Jackson and Mallory Cater, have deep roots in their hometown of Rayville and a passion for providing a unique shopping experience for their customers.

Before venturing into the world of fashion, both Katie and Mallory were dedicated kindergarten teachers at a local school. However, fate had other plans for them when Katie’s father-in-law passed away earlier this year. It was during this difficult time that Eva Horne, the previous owner of Chanticleers, paid a visit to Katie’s house with a strawberry pie. Little did they know that this encounter would spark a lifechanging conversation, leading them to take over the boutique.

Having spent years in the education field, the sisters were ready for a new adventure. They

cherished their time at the school, but the prospect of owning a boutique together ignited their excitement. Chanticleers became their canvas for creativity, allowing them to curate a collection of clothing and accessories that cater to every budget.

Chanticleers Boutique is thrilled to announce its partnership with the renowned brand, Queen of Sparkles. From dazzling sequin tops to bowadorned sweaters, Queen of Sparkle brings a touch of glamour to your holiday gathering.

In addition to clothing, Chanticleers also offers a range of gift items to make your holiday shopping easy. From Baldiz bags to Krewe sunglasses, Capri Blue candles to Mary Square pajamas, Hyde woven totes to Wooden Ships sweater, there’s something for everyone. Need ideas for stocking stuffers? Chanticeleers has tons of items in-stock, including: The Original MakeUp Eraser gift sets - 2-in-1 Puff Erasers, 2-in-

1 Dermaplaner, and the MakeUp sponge. They also have Spongelles, Tweezerman gift sets, Laura Park tumbles and many more great stocking stuffers.

Outside of the boutique, both Katie and Mallory have their own families. Katie is married to Austin Jackson, and they have a son named Jude. Mallory is married to Corbin Cater, and they have two daughters named Georgia and Kathleen. Their commitment to their families and their community shines through in their dedication to Chanticleers.

Chanticleers is more than just a store; it’s a testament to the power of passion and community.

Katie and Mallory have transformed their love for fashion into a thriving business that not only caters to the style needs of their customers but also adds a touch of warmth and charm to the town of Rayville.

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CHRISTMAS DISPLAY

COME CHRISTMASTIME, DR. MARSHALL AND JODIE SANSON TRANSFORM THEIR FRENCH CHATEAU HOME INTO A HOLIDAY WONDERLAND WITH THE HELP OF CLINTON DOWNING. ARTICLE BY MEREDITH MCKINNIE PHOTOGRAPHY BY KELLY MOORE CLARK WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | DECEMBER 2023 171

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ome Christmastime, Dr. Sanson and Jodie Sanson transform their French chateau home into a holiday wonderland. In partnership with local designer Clinton Whitney Downing, the Sansons adorn their West Monroe home with traditional Christmas colors and elaborate displays that suit the Sanson aesthetic and the home’s personality. The holiday season for the Sansons means time with family and friends, particularly the extended family that hails from all across the globe. Hosting exchange students for the last seven years has broadened the couple’s perspective and outreach; sharing the Christian holiday with exchange students is simply a bonus, and an experience those same students return to the Sansons for year after year. Decorating the home is the quintessential start of the holiday season, as the couple hosts parties, family gatherings, and cookie-decorating extravaganzas to celebrate with loved ones. Indulging the Christmas spirit is Jodie’s nod to her mother Tommie Sue Smith who passed away in 2002 and loved making Christmas special. Jodie says, “When it’s your Mom’s favorite holiday of the year, it becomes your favorite holiday too.” The Sansons open-door policy honors Tommie’s memory, as she always took everyone in. This time of year reminds us all what all we have to be thankful for, and the Sansons are thankful for the people in their lives, both at home and abroad.

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Driving up to the Sanson home is akin to entering a pastoral paradise, as the home is flanked with ponds and rolling hills. Set on 200 acres, the house stands like an ornate table centerpiece surrounded by trees. After acquiring the property and clearing the land in 2014, Dr. Marshall, who goes by Shon, and Jodie discussed aesthetics, noting they both desired an eye-catching exterior, the “wow factor,” as Shon described it. When construction was complete, Jodie and Shon moved in with little furniture or decor as they wanted to get a feel for the space before committing to a design aesthetic.

When faced with a multitude of decor options, Jodie turned to her new friend Clinton for help. The design duo started selecting furniture for the home in 2015, acquiring art tapestries from estate sales and furniture pieces from Century, Theodore Alexander, and Maitland Smith. For Christmas, Clinton and Jodie lean into traditional Christmas colors, varying hues of red, green, and gold to evoke the classic holiday aesthetic. The grand exterior features a holiday wreath centered on each of the 8 front-facing windows. The front door is flanked by two trees decorated with silk hunter green ribbons, berried pine sprays, pheasant feathers, glittered orbs, and beaded roping. The subtle holiday exterior accents reserve the home’s towering presence.

Walking inside the front door, one first notices the grand, winding staircase. The railing features fern, cedar, and beaded swags, crystallized holly and mistletoe balls, velvet poinsettias, magnolia leaves, and bell garlands. The dramatic effect of the decor drags the eyes up the curved railing, accentuating the

height of the space and the sheer magnitude of the home. Tucked in the curve of the staircase sits a Yamaha Grand piano. Off the right side of the entryway is the formal dining room; the back wall is entirely covered in a mural patterned after the lavender fields in southern France, a favorite scene from Shon’s time in Europe.

The mural was painted by Matthew Yerby, also a filmmaker and producer, whose movie The Dirty South just premiered on Netflix.

The formal dining table with seating for 10 is framed by two crystal chandeliers that give the illusion of movement in the recreated lavender fields. For this holiday season, the table is set with mother of pearl balls, mercury glass ornaments, gold filigree Christmas trees, silver deer with an 18-carat gold braided ribbon, and oyster shells, which underscore the lavender tones in the space.

As one walks into the great room, again the eyes are drawn upward to the stacked windows that allow for open views of the outdoor space. More than any other room featured in this Christmas home shoot, the great room showcases the passions of Shon and Jodie Sanson, who met when Shon and Jodie’s sister Dr. Melissa Traxler attended medical school together at LSUS. After marrying

in 2011, the Sansons focused on building Shon’s practice, now the Sanson Family Medicine Walk-In Clinic on Arkansas Road in West Monroe. Now married 12 years, Jodie describes her husband as “eclectic,” evidenced by the portrait on the right wall of the great room. Shon plays the bagpipes, hunts large game all over the world, and is a State Championship shooter. He travels to Scotland for bagpipe competitions and recently returned from Canada on a hunting expedition. An avid lover of art and music, Shon played the trombone in multiple symphonies growing up and adores classical music. Dr. Sanson is also the newly-elected Ouachita Parish coroner, the first change of the position in 23 years. On a wall over the island that divides the great room and the kitchen, one can see the extent of Shon’s hunting expeditions, as various animal heads are mounted on the wall. The more formal accents in the room highlight Jodie’s taste. The elaborate mantle is made of Italian marble that took 8 months to arrive by boat.

The great room is Jodie’s favorite, as she loves to sit and soak up the beautiful space.

“Sometimes I’ll dim or turn off the lights, lie back, and just stare at the Christmas tree. Clinton is a mastermind.” The 16-foot traditional green tree, another personal favorite, sits to the right of the mantle and is adorned with bobbles, mercury and handblown glass ornaments, orbs, and unique shapes that create depth from the blend of different finishes. The mantle is draped with a combination of oversized velvet poinsettias, sugared fruit clusters, pine cones, peacock feathers, and cedar swags.

Buttressing the mantle sit several oversized, self-standing silk and velvet stockings, hand-stitched in white and gold. Clinton stuffed the stockings with berries and Christmas hats. Throughout the great room and in the kitchen and breakfast area, one can find Mark Roberts fairies perched at odd angles, sometimes hanging on a lamp, nestled in an elaborate spray, or clinging to a chandelier. Many of the famed Mark Roberts fairies have been retired, thus increasing their value, and come certified with serial numbers as collectibles.

In keeping with the lavender fields in the dining room, Matthew Yerby painted another mural above the breakfast nook, an impressive imitation of Michelangelo’s Creation of Adam.

Shon had trouble deciding between the Michelangelo recreation and a traditional sunset, so Matthew incorporated elements of both. The breakfast table features more Mark Roberts fairies, whimsical gilded golden trees, and cranberry Christmas trees.

The kitchen island centerpiece is an elk’s head compote, bursting with velvet poinsettias, crystallized berry and pearl sprays, cedar branches, gilded eucalyptus, and various ornaments, again in the traditional Christmas colors of red, green, and gold. The decorations throughout the home are situated by Clinton and his team of Neville seniors: Maxwell Butler, Keegan Carlson, Charlie Edwards, Bruin Hendricks, Jack Loftin, and Caleb Tugwell. Simply prepping to decorate the home means all hands on deck, as the accumulated WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | DECEMBER 2023 173

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holiday stock pile expands each year as the Sanson’s tastes evolve.

The great room, kitchen, and breakfast area are the heartbeat of the Sanson home, as much of their entertaining dominates this space. Just as their living spaces are expansive, so is their familial outreach, opening their home to teenagers from all over the world. The exchange students welcomed by the Sansons include Javier Tellez from Malaga, Spain; Chiara Burroni from La Spezia, Italy; Ines Hillenbrand from Heidelberg, Germany; Shaskya Villarruel from Quito, Ecuador; and most recently, Shahem Soub from Amman, Jordan. As the students typically stay with the Sansons for an entire school year, experiencing a Sanson Christmas is the pinnacle of the experience. As Jodie and Shon stay in contact with the students, many return to visit, gathering with friends made from their time in our region. This Christmas, the Sansons are welcoming back Ines and Chiara, and the family and guests are traveling to Disney World to celebrate the season. When Jodie and Shon married, Jodie’s daughter Sarah Rogers was a freshman in high school, so soon the Sansons became empty nesters. They knew they weren’t done having children around, and the exchange program allows them to share their home and expand their family. Jodie says the teenagers have taught her to see the world through different eyes and to appreciate everyone’s culture. “We live in such a small place, and yet the world is so big. I’ve learned we’re all the same.” The Sansons insist the exchange program has ushered in some of the best experiences of their lives.

The Sansons greatly anticipate their holiday visitors, making memories and sharing the meaning of Christmas in a space specifically designed for that purpose. The Sanson home is grand in physical stature but also in its welcoming potential. Christmas is a season of joy and sharing that joy with others, and the Sansons look forward to many more holiday seasons with their ever-growing, extended family.

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S o u t h e r n H o s p i t a l i ty

by ERIN SHARPLIN LOVE | erinlove@panachebyerin.com

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hat do the words “southern hospitality” mean to you? Images of fresh-brewed tea, fresh flowers, pewter serving pieces, and the scents of homemade bread and chocolate chip cookies pop into my mind when I hear these words.

Every region has its own version of hospitality, but the South is special. We are known for our graciousness and willingness to host parties and overnight guests. There is also something special about a true southern home that is warm, inviting, and stocked for any occasion. Aside from those special traits, there are several things that make a southern home, truly “southern.”

The Exterior – Not all southern homes are as grand as plantation homes, but many will have a porch, maybe some columns, and steps. Each is a smile that leads guests to a “happy you are here” kind of welcome.

The Porch – Porches can be as simple or grand. They are designed to shade the inside of the home from the sun and to allow for the opening of windows, even during rain. The front porch is often the first thing your guest will notice, so it is like the first course of a five-course meal. It sets the stage for what comes next. Porches are often one of the most used areas for hosting. There is something so southern about sitting on a back porch sipping a drink and chatting with friends. Not to mention, back porches are perfect for taking naps!

The Entrance – During a formal southern event, just inside the entrance a butler (or the host) will welcome guests with a glass of wine or some other refreshment. The entrance is the connection leading to all other areas of the house and, therefore, it sets the atmosphere for the rest of the home.

The Living Room – This room is also called the “gathering room” or “great room.” The living room is where your guests will sit and stay a while, so it should appear as though you have put a lot of thought into creating a comfortable atmosphere. Living rooms are often surrounded by natural light, which is more welcoming than canned light, making your guests feel more at ease. Oh, and always have a bowl of snacks to offer your guests.

The Dining Room – A true southern home has a formal dining room complete with candles, flowers, silver and crystal serving pieces with offerings of scrumptious food and drinks. Often these pieces will have been passed down through generations and will be useful as conversation starters among guests. It is said that silver is a symbol of welcome, relaxation, and joy. Many southern homes use the formal dining room every day and not just on special occasions.

The Powder Room – In the “old” days, a powder room was only for “powdering one’s nose” as there was not the luxury of running water. Today, however, a powder room is one of the most decorated and elegant spaces in a home. Beautiful appointments can be put into this small space to show guests a true welcome.

One thing that all southern powder rooms should have is a pure linen towel.

The Guest Room – In the Old South, people traveled long distances to visit family and friends, and that is often still true today. As such, a guest room should be decorated beautifully with all the extras that one might need while away from home. Think freshly laundered sheets, candles, soft blankets, fresh flowers and things that one may have forgotten, like a toothbrush and a hair dryer. A carafe of water on the nightstand is also a nice touch.

The Kitchen – The heart of the home where cornbread is cooked in an iron-skillet, and memories are made over jam and cream cheese. The kitchen serves as a gathering place for the host and her guests where they can share stories and memories while serving food cooked with love.

All in all, if you want to show true southern hospitality this season, just make sure the gatherings happen in a way that your guests will not forget. We all don’t have the elegant appointments of the Old South or a butler, but we still have the most important elements of southern hospitality—the ability to make our guests feel welcome, comfortable in our presence, and appreciated. Pay attention to the small courtesies, and you will be demonstrating true southern hospitality no matter the size of the home or the age of your serving pieces.

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Life Choices Night of Impact On Tuesday, October 17th Life Choices Night of Impact Reach Her First event was held at the Monroe Civic Center Conference Hall. Dorothea Wilson was the emcee for the evening and a three course dinner was prepared by Blaney Sauces and servers were the West Monroe High School Prostar Culinary class guided by Trish Thompson. The conference hall was taken over with beautiful decorations created by Annie Hobson and the Branch and Co. and Kelly Taylor. Speakers of the night were Pastor, Scott Cheatwood of Covenant Presbyterian Church alongside Susan Stagg and Emily Kemp. Along with powerful testimonies, Life Choices also launched the Reach Her First short film created by Plugged In-Creative to end the evening. To learn and watch the short film visit reachherfirstfilm.com.

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1 Charles and Tinker VanZille 2 Danny Acree, Krista Richardson, Connie and Johnny Drake 3 Dorothea Wilson and Jarett Carr 4 Emily Morris and Emily Abraham 5 Emma Herrock and Keith Ford 6 Greg and Emily Kemp, Becky Thompson, Spencer Morris and Lane Thompson 7 Jamie and Jonathan Halley 8 Jarred Hardee and Sophie Barksdale 9 Jim Mouk, Dawn Smith and Captain Casey 10 Katy Bolls, Bettye Lenoir, Caronda Williams and Sage Bell 11 Katie Dukes and Kaysi Masters 12 Kimberly Williams and Janice Butler 13 Laurie Payne and Ken Ford 14 Monica and Nick Butler 15 Meghan O’Boyle, Dr. Meade O’Boyle and Ann O’Boyle Parker 16 Patsy Carlson, Margie Mixon and Elicia Nugent 17 Susan and Rick Stagg

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Holidays in CedarTown Holidays in CedarTown provided guests with three days of unique holiday shopping along with an opportunity to enjoy several special events. In its 34th year, the market opened with the Opening Night Preview Party Holiday After Hours. The private shopping event featured appetizers, beverages, music, door prizes and early shopping. Santa’s Cookie Crew on Saturday morning treated the little ones to a visit and breakfast with Santa along with storytime with Mrs. Claus, cookies and personal letters to Santa. Special thanks to all the sponsors and vendors that make Holidays in CedarTown such a wonderful holiday event.

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1A pril Picou 2 Kasey Stringer, Hope Merchant and Rachel McGehee 3 E mily Pullin and Lynda Steed 4 Glenn and Rene Smithwick 5 Faye Kavanaugh and Leah Hall 6M adison Roman, Mandie Ell and Kinsley Ell, and Jennifer Roman 7 Anna Richardson and Emma Istre 8 Sarah Katherine Semon 9 Katie Bonnette & Katie McGowan 10 Lisa Barr and Sara Kate Warren 11 Leslie Allen and Meg Johnson 12 Lillie Frasier, Connie Eagles, Ellison Gleason 13 Katie and Kennedy Hall 14 John and Marisa Gleason 15 Shea Earley and Catherine Kyle 16 Angela Pfanner 17 Stephanie Novakovich and Robyn Brewer 18 Jenny Gauthier and Anna Dickson 19 Salien Liles and Rachette Perdue 20 Megan and Helen Harkey

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Benson’s Win Celebrated A celebratory event for Clerk of Court Dana Benson’s election to a second term was held at the Fat Pelican on Tuesday, November 7, 2023.

In winning 64 percent of the vote, Dana carried 84 of the 87 precincts in Ouachita Parish.

She won the most Republican, Democrat, Independent, and No Party precincts.

Supporters enjoyed Chef Chris McKnight’s cheeses, meats, fried mushrooms, boudin balls, shrimp, and quiche. Debbie Wedgeworth, Brandy Taylor, Tara Ambrose and Becky Neal helped decorate for the event.

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1D ana Benson, Esra Mae and Brittnie Cervanttes 2 Becky Neal, Dana Benson, Danny Neal and Kip Gates 3R andy and Tracy Armstrong, Tony Bruscato and Tammy Martin 4 Chef Chris McKnight, Dana Benson and Mandi McKnight 5 Dana Benson and Dino Taylor 6 Sage Morris, Meachelle Thomas and Hope Kennedy 7 Dana Benson, Shana Gardner and Jim Mann 8 Kimberly Collins, Shelby Smith, Gail Ford and Gwen Stansell 9 Michelle Smith and Garret Palmer 10 Tommy Zentner and Dana Benson 11 Tina Lenard and Debra Wood 12 Gene Tarver, Tony Bruscato and William Manos 13 Melanie Christian and Stephanie Smith 14 Kay Bishop, Sherry Mahaffey and Judge Jeff Joyce 15 Nick Anderson and Dana Benson 16 Rose and Payton Dea, Dana Benson and Scarlett Allen 17 Patti Nelson and Dana Benson 18 Jim and Sarah Allbritton 19 Danny and Carolyn Hunt and Dana Benson 20 Brandy Taylor, Madison Bernice, Debbie Wedgeworth and Michael Meggs 21 Tara Ambrose and Brandy Taylor 22 Shane Smiley, Chap Breard, Leslie Caillouet and Judge Jeff Joyce Photo credit: Wade Bishop

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It’s Money Max Porter Provisions has a large selections of leather wallets to choose from in an assortment of colors. From billfords to trifolds, and event front pocket wallets - they have it all.

Stay Lit Each Patria Illumination flameless candle includes a built-in timer that can be easily activated with a switch, but the real magic begins when paired with the optional remote control, which can be synced with multiple candles. Purchase this from Carlstedt’s today.

It’s In The Bag The new Luna bag is the perfect combination of unique and elegant! With its stunning curved body, gold top clasp, and gold shoulder strap. Made from quality vegan leather. Be sure to stand out this season with your Luna found at Hemline Monroe.

A Merry Addition This decorative leaf bowl serves as an elegant centerpiece or perfect for a dining table, adding a touch of charm to any space can be found at Haven.

Holiday Inspiration Embark on a transformative journey of faith with this 100 days of scripture gift.

This thoughtful gift offers divine wisdom, guidance and moments of reflection this holiday season. This special gift can be found at Lewis Gifts.

For A Queen The world’s most prestigious candles of the highest quality with hand blown glass and pure vegetable wax.

Crafted with care and a unique savoir-faire, the colorful glasses – green for Gabriel – are adorned with gold leaf on the inside can be found at Material Things.

Snuggle Up This Season Barefoot Dreams is known for being uber cozy and comfortable and this blanket is no different.

Anyone will love to wrap up in this holiday season. Available at Walsworth & Company.

Blend On The Bayou This Wolf Gourmet Blender is sure to be the perfect gift item for the kitchen appliance lover in your life. It’s the perfect addition to any kitchen, and it can be purchased at Key Millwork & Supply.

Chill In Style.

Slide in a cold beverage of your choice to keep your drinks cold for up to 7 Hours- No Ice Kanga Kase Mate and The Pouch. Find this and more at Muffin Tin and The Trenton House.

Made For A Chef This Nest homeware set from Southern Creations in Rayville is the perfect gift for any cook on your list. Grab them before they are gone, and gift them to your someone special early so they can be used for Christmas dinner!

Not Your Basic Basket Thurman’s Food Factory has a variety of gift baskets full of specialty themed items. You can choose from an Italian theme with past and spaghetti sauce or Louisiana with Cajun seasonings. You can even have them customize a basket for anyone on your list.

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In A Clutch Make a statement this holiday season at all of your parties with one of these bow detailed satin purses. You can grab this bow detailed clutch at Herringstones in Monroe.

Bucking Bronco Saddle up and head on over to Banner Ford and wrangle you in a new Bronco for the perfect Christmas ride.

Pop Off The Holidays Delightful salted caramel popcorn with crunchy pretzels and cashew nuts drizzled with rich Belgian dark chocolate are sure to be the talk at your holiday party. The Louis Sherry’s Caramel Cashew Popcorn Jubilee can be found at Material Things.

Gift Of Beauty Restore your skin’s ability to heal itself with AnteAGE MD regenerating serum and accelerator. This elegant product quickly absorbs into your skin, utilizing nanotechnology to deliver a powerhouse of physiologically balanced Stem Cytokines™, Potent Peptides, and Protective Antioxidants. Find this at Professional Laser Center.

Check Me Out These night shirts in a bag and many others with quirky sayings are available at The Nude Nomad.

They are sure to apply to every girlfriend in your friend group.

Make A Statement Southern Creations in Rayville has some gorgeous accessories like these gold earrings, that are sure to turn heads this holiday season.

Sock It To Him Monroe’s men’s clothing store, Ron Alexander Clothiers, carries a great selection of men’s apparel and accessories.

These St. Croix socks are a great gift for any guy on your list.

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Heart Stopper This dainty gold necklace is sure to reflect your love this holiday season. Grab this piece at Hollis and Company to put under the tree for you special someone.

Dazzling Hoops Just when you thought classic hoops couldn’t get any better. These classic textured hoops are signature front facing hoops sporting an art deco Austrian Crystal hanging at the bottom. This set along with other hand forged pieces can be found at Palette House & Plume.

Terrific Tumblers This Mario Luca Giusti set of 6 are a mixture between baroque and pop art! There are very versatile and are a perfect match for both interiors or exteriors; by the pool or for decorating the bar cart.

Their practicality makes elegance accessible, less austere and therefore allows classic objects and shapes to become more frivolous and fun. Available at Parterre.

Deer For Your Dear Grab this gold and acrylic deer horn decorative item at Revival Design and Consign. From holiday mantels to everyday decor, these make the perfect item for any home.

Wine Down Unwind this holiday season with this delightful bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon.

This wine leaves a lasting impression, and is crafted to perfection just the way you like it. Stop by Beef and Barrel today for this exquisite vintage wine that is sure to make your holiday brighter.

Warm Meet Woof Step into comfort with these adorable dog themed slippers! These cozy companions will keep your feet warm all winter long. These fun Comfy’s can be found at Dusty and Company.

Zum Zum Zum This goat milk based soap is all natural and smells like a dream. Find this and more gift items at Blush by Sadie C’s on Antique Alley.

Wax On Fill up your gathering room with the encapsulating aroma of a Saint candle that is sure to have your family and guests feeling the warmth of Christmas in the air. Find this at Walsworth & Company.

Fountain Of Youth Give the gift of skincare this season with the SkinCeuticals Anti-Aging system kit that improves the appearance of damaged, aging skin available at Center for Women’s Health in West Monroe.

Joyful Jewels These diamond hoop earrings found at Dupont Jewelers are here for the party! This pair can be dressed up or down and add a pop of sparkle to any look.

Steel Magnolias Each thread in these southern Cotton Mill magnolia pillows tells a story of Southern charm. This pillow makes the perfect gift and gives a warm touch to any home. This pillow and more can be found at Gypsy Soul.

Spin Me Around This colorful Spinfinity garden art is perfect for outdoor décor and can be enjoyed by any age. These and more are found at Sonny Panzico’s Garden Mart.

Show Your Skin Zo Skin Health, Inc. offers innovative skincare solutions that optimize skin health based on the latest advances in skin therapy technologies, unique delivery systems, bioengineered complexes and exclusive formulations. This set can be found at The Medical Spa by St. Francis Medical Group.

Let Mom Sleep In Looking for the perfect pajamas this holiday season or anytime of the year? These luxurious pajamas from Haven are not only cozy and comfortable, but the red silk adds a rich touch. The lady on your list will love to add this to her collection.

Arm Candy This cross bracelet found at The Nude Nomad is under thirty dollars and is tailored to suit various wrist sizes, making it an ideal accessory for all.

Pillow Talk This groovy pillow is such a vibe, and the perfect gift for any groovy girl on your list. This pillow and many more gift items can be found at The Makery on Antique Alley.

Best Face Forward Visit Spa Nouvelle to unveil a radiant and renewed you this year with this Hydrinity Age Renewal kit.So treat yourself this holiday season and embrace a youthful glow because age is just a number, and with Hydrinity, beauty knows no bounds.

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Jammin’ In Jammies Get your friend, mom or daughter the coziest set of pajamas for those cold winter nights. All girls love to snuggle and this way they can be stylish while they do it. Find this set at Chanticleers in Rayville.

Cup Of Cheer CC’s Coffeehouse not only has a menu full of hot and iced coffee, they have plenty of travel mugs like this Swig cup that any java Joe on your list will love.

Blinging Beauty These earring sets are a must have around the holiday season. These sets are at Blush by Sadie C’s and will make great pieces for those holiday parties.

Holiday Spirits Indulge this holiday season with the rich flavors of RY3. This exceptional blend is perfect for the whiskey guy in your Christmas list. You can purchase this craftsmanship from Beef and Barrel.

Skin ZO Soft Give the gift of skincare this season with any of the Zo skin products, available at The Woman’s Clinic. This product improves the appearance of fine lines and uneven tone and texture, perfect for the women on your list this year.

Shine On This adorable rhinestone bag, designed especially for your little fashionista! This charming bag from Peach Lemonade, sparkles with playful rhinestones, adding a touch of magic to your child’s outfit.

Built Ford Tought For the guy on your list that has everything, getting him this 2024 F150 from Banner Ford is perfect. He will be rolling into the new year in style.

In The Hoodie Whether it is football on Friday night or relaxing by a fire in duck camp, this Thacha lightweight hoodie is the perfect gift for the outdoorsman in your life.

At Simmons’ Sporting Goods in Bastrop.

The Golden Child This elegant gold bracelet is the perfect gift for someone who loves timeless, simple, and classic pieces. Find this piece and more at Hollis and Company.

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Picture Perfect A collection of rooms by Jan Strickland. ‘Interiors for Living’ showcases Jan’s portfolio. The book is meant to inspire those who love the beauty and function of homes that are designed and decorated for everyday living. Can be found at eight locations or stricklandinteriors.com.

Light Up My Life These Candle Carousel’s are a timeless classic to add to your box of decorations.

Embellish your favorite candles with this beautiful moving ornament carousel from Woodstock Monroe.

Boots Made For Walking These sleek and sophisticated, pointed-toe silhouette, Alana suede boots from Vence & Co. will make her winter wardrobe complete. Grab a pair for the stylish gal on your list and she will be the talk of the town.

Cold Shoulder Give the gift of the cold shoulder this holiday season. With this carbon cool shoulder cut pillow, you will get a cool night’s sleep. Find this great gift at American Mattress Outlet.

Craft Cocktails The Smoked Cocktail Set is designed specifically for cocktails, so you can achieve ideal smoke infusion without alot of bulky products. Find this and other great gifts that he’ll love at Max Porter Provisions in West Monroe.

A True Showstopper This bracelet features all the magic and majesty of the multi-pave setting. Highlighting VAHAN’s unparalleled craftsmanship, the various-sized diamonds are meticulously set by hand to create an effect that is exquisitely ornate and exceptionally impactful. This bracelet and many more styles can be found at Flair Monroe’s Fine Jeweler.

Baby, It’s Cold Outside From season to season, the robust collection from Jocelyn can be found at Hemline Monroe. These favored fingerless mittens are for the trendy lady on your list that will love to slip these on her hands this holiday season.

Wrap Up In Style Wrap mom in comfort and luxury with this elegant robe - the perfect addition for morning or night and available in three colors. Find this and other great gift ideas at Palette House and Plume.

Here Comes Santa Claus This Heartfully Yours ornament by Christopher Radko will capture the spirit of the season; a perfect gift that embodies the magic of Christmas.

Find this and other ornaments and gift items at Muffin Tin and The Trenton House Arm Candy Turn heads with this elegant Julie Voss piece that would go with any outfit for any occasion. Find this piece at Herringstones along with many other Julie Voss items that make great gifts for your special someone!

Tote-Ally Stylish These trendy woven bags come in all different styles and are perfect for all of your essentials.

These trendsetting and stylish bags can be found at Rustico.

Diamonds Are A Girl’s Best Friend Visit Dupont Jewelers and add this white gold tennis bracelet under the tree for your someone special this year.

Culinary Magic Start whipping up amazing home-style southern meals with this incredible bundle that includes both The Copper Whisk Cookbook and The Copper Whisk Binder. Can be purchased at thecopperwhisk.com.

Go Fish These ceramic fish vases are perfect for your home giving it a touch of aquatic charm to your home decor. These vases can be caught at Flower General by Carlstedt’s in Monroe.

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St. Francis Medical Center

Elevating Healthcare Standards in Northeast Louisiana

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T. FRANCIS MEDICAL CENTER continues to set new standards in healthcare, solidifying its position as the premier healthcare provider in Northeast Louisiana. With a relentless commitment to clinical excellence, St. Francis Medical Center is proud to announce a series of prestigious accolades that highlight its unwavering dedication to patient-centered care.

“At St. Francis Medical Center, we are dedicated to delivering the highest quality care for trauma, stroke and cardiovascular patients in our community,” said Thomas Gullatt, MD, President of St. Francis Health. “These recent accolades, including our designation as a Level III Trauma Center, accreditation as a Primary Stroke Center, and reaccreditation as a Certified Chest Pain Center with PCI, highlight our commitment to cardiac, stroke, and trauma care excellence.

We are proud of our dedicated team and their relentless efforts to provide outstanding care to our patients.”

Level III Trauma Center Verification St. Francis Medical Center has been verified

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as a Level III adult trauma center by the American College of Surgeons. This verification recognizes the center’s dedication to providing optimal care for injured patients, marking a pivotal achievement in maintaining the highest level of patient care, particularly during emergencies.

“Becoming a verified Level III trauma center is a testament to our unwavering commitment to patient care. We’ve invested in resources, training and technology to ensure that we can respond effectively to the needs of our community during critical moments,” said John Bruchhaus, MD, Chief Medical Officer at St. Francis Health.

“This achievement underscores our dedication to clinical excellence and our ongoing pursuit of the highest standards in trauma care.”

Dual Accolades in Cardiovascular and Stroke Care St. Francis Medical Center has achieved dual accolades in cardiovascular and stroke care, showcasing its exceptional expertise in these critical areas. The medical center has secured a new accreditation as a Joint Commission approved Primary Stroke Center. This

designation underscores the center’s relentless pursuit of excellence in comprehensive stroke care. The highly trained and specialized team of healthcare professionals remains dedicated to delivering timely, evidence-based interventions for stroke patients, ensuring that residents in Northeast Louisiana have access to top-tier stroke care when they need it most.

In addition, St. Francis Medical Center has been reaccredited as an Accredited Chest Pain Center with Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI), reinforcing its commitment to delivering rapid, efficient, and effective care to cardiac patients.

The medical center has also received the Platinum Performance Award from the American College of Cardiology, an accolade granted to healthcare facilities consistently adhering to the highest standards of heart attack care. This recognition reflects St. Francis Medical Center’s exceptional performance in heart attack care, including swift diagnosis, timely interventions, and ongoing improvements.

Commitment to Clinical Excellence As St. Francis Medical Center continues to deliver exceptional healthcare services and serve as a trusted healthcare provider for the community for over 110 years, these achievements mark pivotal milestones, solidifying the medical center’s commitment to maintaining the highest level of patient care, particularly during emergencies.

OSL Holiday Food Favorites Nothing Like Homemade for the Holidays

BY DANELLE WARE

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HERE’S NO PLACE LIKE HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS AND there’s nothing quite as good as homemade! As I got a little giddy with the Christmas Spirit, I decided I would ask all the physicians at Orthopedic Specialists of Louisiana what their very favorite thing about Christmas was. The resounding answer was spending time with family. Dr. Val Irion put it beautifully when he said, “I love spending time with family and relaxing at home with them whether it’s watching football, building fires, or watching movies. I love seeing all the joy, all the holiday cheer around at the clinic and all around our community… and, of course the feasting.”

Yes indeed -the feasting! When I asked Dr. Irion what his favorite holiday feasting included, he replied, “Pumpkin Crunch is my all-time favorite.” Dr. David Googe chimed in and really got the conversation going saying, “I can’t imagine Christmas without broccoli and cheese casserole- you know-like the not so healthy one, but the one with Velvetta and cream of mushroom soup.” Dr. Googe’s team agreed with him on the homemade broccoli and cheese casserole and added buttermilk pie. As we continued down the halls of the clinic, we had other top picks including spiral ham, green bean casserole, pecan pie and sweet potato casserole… some with a praline pecan topping and others with a marshmallow top. Dr. Neal Cooper said, “Nothing beats tenderloin and au gratin potatoes.” The front office added cornbread dressing (most saying it had to be their mom’s recipe) pound cake and deviled eggs and Dr. Andrew Patton quickly professed, “Kentucky Derby Pie.” After I took down some favorite holiday dishes of the docs and staff on paper, I headed across the street to my office and decided as a deep-rooted southerner with a love of good food and great believer that there is always a reason to gather… made better when Christmas, food, family and friends are involved simultaneously. I decided that instead of asking one of the docs to write an article for the December issue of BayouLife on the musculoskeletal system, I would send a companywide email asking the entire staff to reply by answering the question: What is your favorite Christmas dish and/or sweet? I shared my favorite Christmas treat in my email…. The Eggnog Daiquiri from Tony’s Liquor in Shreveport, Louisiana. This is quite literally Christmas spirit in a foam cup… that spirit being more specifically rum. I was glad to have a few of my colleagues agree! In addition to this delightful beverage, the list grew and included: Cajun fried turkey, apple dumplings,

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homemade macaroni & cheese, chocolate buttermilk pie, corn casserole, Swiss bean casserole, pecan pie bread pudding, New York Cheesecake, Zwolle Tamales, pumpkin loaf, sufganiyot (jelly donuts), collard greens, candied yams, sweet potato pie with Cool Whip, peanut brittle, cornbread dressing with chicken, not turkey, pumpkin cupcakes, chocolate éclair cake and lemon icebox pie. I’m sure if I had not had a deadline for this article, the list would be longer. It was so fun to see the OSL family get excited about the upcoming holiday season, and I think this year, we might just have the best potluck ever. We’re going to leave you with a fun recipe to sweeten up your holidays!

SALTINE TOFFEE BARK (CHRISTMAS CRACK) Ingredients: • Saltine crackers (about 48 pieces) • ½ Butter (use unsalted) • 1 Cup Dark Brown Sugar • Chocolate Chips (use semi-sweet) • Pecans (or use your favorite nuts) Instructions: • Preheat oven to 400 degrees • Line a regular-size cookie sheet with saltine crackers in single layer.

• Place the sugar and the butter in a saucepan. Using medium heat, bring the mixture to a boil. Once it begins to boil set a timer and let boil for 3 minutes. Do not do anything at this point – do not stir and leave the toffee sauce to cook on its own.

• Once the timer is done, immediately pour the toffee sauce over the saltines and spread it all over to cover the crackers completely.

• Bake in the pre-heated oven for 5 minutes. Remove from oven and add chocolate chips to the tops of saltines and spread evenly- you can add additional candies and sprinkles, if desired.

All of us at Orthopedic Specialists of Louisiana want to wish you the happiest holiday season filled with family, friends, and good food!

Orthopedic Specialists of Louisiana is home to (10) fellowship trained orthopedic surgeons and a host of excellent holiday cooks and connoisseurs.

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Calendar of Events For a full list of event happenings in Northeast Louisiana, see our website at www.bayoulifemag.com December 1-2, 8-9, 15-16, 22-23, 29-30 Holiday Wagon Rides Take a wonderful wagon ride through the festive twinkling Christmas lights in downtown West Monroe!

Time: 5:30 PM to 8:00 PM Cost: Adults- $10.00. Kids 12 & Under-$5.00.

Address: Alley Park 250 Trenton St, West Monroe Phone: (318) 396-2600 December 1-3, 8-10, 14-17, 21-25 Christmas at Kiroli Drive through a wonderland of Christmas lights at Kiroli Park!

Time: 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM Cost: $10.00- Per Vehicle. $20.00- Per Commercial Bus or Large Van. Address: Kiroli Park 820 Kiroli Road, West Monroe Phone: (318) 396-4016 November 25-December 31 Land of Lights Check out all the light displays in Downtown Monroe & West Monroe beginning at 5:30 p.m. each night!

Time: 5:30 PM to 10:00 PM Cost: Free Address: Downtown Monroe & West Monroe orner of Cotton and Pine Street November 30-December 30 Christmas at the Biedenharn Christmas at the Biedenharn is truly magical! Witness the beautifully decorated home and gardens, see the model Christmas train, or attend one of the many holiday event they host.

Time: Museum Hours are TuesdaySaturday from 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.

Cost: Adults- $10.00. Military/Senior$8.00. Students- $5.00. Garden/Bible Museum Only- $5.00.

Address: Biedenharn Museum and Gardens 2006 Riverside Drive, Monroe Phone: (318) 387-5281 November 30-December 2 Christmas Open House at the Biedenharn Join the Biedenharn Museum & Gardens for the annual Christmas Open House. This event features the wonderfully decorated Biedenharn home and gardens, live music, a

model Christmas train and more!

Time: 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM Cost: Free Address: Biedenharn Museum and Gardens 2006 Riverside Drive, Monroe Phone: (318) 387-5281 December 1-3, 7-10, 14-17, 21-23 Santa's Christmas Village Don't miss out on Santa's Christmas Village at the Northeast Louisiana Children's Museum! Holiday cheer will follow you throughout the museum with lots of activities to enjoy!

Address: Northeast Louisiana Children's Museum 323 Walnut Street, Monroe Phone: (318) 361-9611 December 1, 2, 7, 8, 9 Lincoln Lights up the Pines Enjoy a drive-thru display of Christmas Lights at Lincoln Parish Park!

Time: 5:30 PM to 10:00 PM Address: 211 Parish Park Rd, Ruston, LA 71270 Phone: (318) 251-5156 December 1, 2, 8, 9, 15, 16 Downtown Carriage Rides Sit back and enjoy a carriage ride and see all the Christmas lights and decorated store windows.

Address: Downtown Ruston Phone: (318) 251-8647 December 1-3 The Best Christmas Pageant Ever A Ruston Community Theatre production of this classic, filled with mayhem and fun.

Time: Friday and Saturday at 7 PM, Sunday at 2 PM Address: Dixie Center for the Arts, 212 N Vienna St, Ruston, LA 71270 Phone: (318) 255-1450 December 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 Ruston Farmers Market You will find locally grown food, handmade items, baked goods, and so much more!

Time: 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM Address: 220 E Mississippi Ave, Ruston, LA 71270 Phone: (318) 957-1305 December 2 Christmas on the River Festival Day

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This day is full of Christmas festivities!

There will be delicious food trucks, a 5K Walk/Run at 9:30 AM, live music with the Cypress Knees from 3:00-6:00 PM, all-day shopping, and holiday lights galore. The fireworks show will end the night with a bang at 6:00 PM. Time: Festival Events All Day; 5K at 9:30 AM; Fireworks at 6:00 PM Cost: Festival & Fireworks- Free; 5K$35.00.

Address: Alley Park | 250 Trenton St, West Monroe Phone: (318) 397-6735 December 2 Sterlington's Christian Christmas Parade & Market Shop from arts and crafts vendors, enjoy food vendors, and music from 9:00 AM-6:30 PM in the parking lot of Sterlington Holiness Tabernacle. The parade starts at 6:30 PM. Time: Arts & Food Vendors from 9:00 AM to 6:30 PM. Parade at 6:30 PM. Cost: Free Address: Sterlington Holiness Tabernacle | 504 LA-2, Sterlington Phone: (318) 557-5551 December 2 Twin City Ballet Nutcracker Tea & Gala Don’t miss the Holy Jolly Breakfast featuring holiday arts and crafts, delicious goodies, and photos with Santa and ballet characters. Don’t miss the Nutcracker gala performance that will be truly magical!

Time: Tea is 9:30 AM to 12:00 PM. Gala is 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM. Cost: Tea- $15.00 Per Ticket; Gala$25.00.

Address: Monroe Civic Center 401 Lea Joyner Memorial Expressway, Monroe Phone: (318) 388-3011 December 2 Bawcomville Redneck Christmas Parade Celebrate Christmas Redneck Style!

You'll enjoy floats with fun-loving redneck themes and throws that range from beads to toys to other surprises!

Time: 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM Cost: Free Address: Smith Street, Bawcomville Phone: (318) 388-5858

December 2 Christmas on the Farm Enjoy pony rides, a petting zoo, a bouncy house, crafts, face painting, and much MORE! Time: 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM Address: 1301 Hwy 563, Dubach, LA 71235 Phone: (318) 777-3460 December 2 Christmas Sip & Shop This festive indoor/outdoor market features live music and local vendors for all your Christmas shopping needs.

Try holiday favorites like hot mulled wine, cider, hot chocolate, and Thirsty Farmer wines.

Time: 12:00 PM to 7:00 PM Cost: Free Address: Thirsty Farmer Winery & Vineyard 531 State Highway 144, Calhoun Phone: (318) 599-0076 December 2 Holiday Arts Tour This event features the holiday maker's market, music performances, and refreshments for everyone to enjoy.

Address: Ruston, LA Phone: (318) 397-6717 December 2 Kiwanis Club of Greater Ouachita Christmas Parade Come enjoy the holiday floats, bands, dancers, and more at the annual Christmas parade! You might even get to see Santa himself! This year's theme is Ugly Christmas Sweaters.

Time: 3:30 PM to 4:30 PM Address: Downtown Monroe and West Monroe December 7 Downtown Art Gallery Crawl The Downtown Art Gallery Crawl is an evening of art, food, music, and fun with friends.

Time: 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM Address: Downtown Monroe and West Monroe Phone: (318) 512-2131 December 7 Holiday Sip and Stroll Sip and shop your way downtown,

stores will be offering holiday specials and extended hours!

Address: Downtown Ruston, LA Phone: (318) 251-8647 December 2-3 Journey to Bethlehem Journey to Bethlehem for a First Century walk-through marketplace, but nothing is for sale!

Time: 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM Cost: Free Address: Cedar Crest Baptist Church 3245 Arkansas Road, West Monroe Phone: (318) 497-1687 December 8-10 & 16-17 SYAA Christmas Revue: Home for the Holidays Get into the Christmas spirit with Strauss Youth Academy for the Arts this holiday season! The Christmas Revue will bring joy to your hearts with special songs from the holidays.

Cost: Adults- $18.00. Students and Kids- $12.00.

Address: Strauss Youth Academy for the Arts 1300 Lamy Lane, Monroe Phone: (318) 812-7922 December 8 Children's Lighted Bike Parade Light up your bikes, trikes, wagons and battery-powered cars for a parade under the Christmas lights in Downtown West Monroe!

Time: 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM Cost: Free Address: Alley Park 250 Trenton Street, West Monroe December 9 Pet Photos with Santa Let your furry friend meet Santa!

Brush that fur, trim those claws, and make your way to the Biedenharn Gardens to get your pets' photo taken with Santa Claus!

Time: 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM Cost: $15.00 Per Pet Biedenharn Museum and Gardens 2006 Riverside Drive, Monroe Phone: (318) 387-5281 December 9 Cookies with Santa Have a jolly time meeting Santa Claus and snacking on delicious Christmas cookies!

Time: 9:00 AM to 11:30 AM Address: Historic Fire Station, 200 E Mississippi Ave, Ruston, LA 71270 Phone: (318) 251-8621 December 9 Breakfast with Santa Have you heard? Santa is coming to

the Northeast Louisiana Children's Museum on December 9th! Enjoy a delicious breakfast with the holly jolly man himself.

Time: 10:00 AM to 11:45 AM Address: Northeast Louisiana Children's Museum Phone: (318) 361-9611 December 9 2023 Calhoun Christmas Parade The Calhoun Christmas Parade is back on December 9th! This year's theme is "Christmas Around The World".

Celebrate the season with friends and family while enjoying this magical parade!

Time: 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM Cost: Free Address: Highway 80 W, Calhoun December 9 Travis Ledoyt’s Sun and the Stars Christmas Travis LeDoyt, heralded by many as "The World's Best" Young Elvis.

Time: 7:00 PM Address: Dixie Center for the Arts, 212 N Vienna St, Ruston, LA 71270 Phone: (318) 255-1450 December 10 Santa in the Park Enjoy a cheerful afternoon celebrating Christmas and all that entails! Santa in the Park will have live entertainment and food trucks, with appearances by Santa and his friends.

Time: 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM Cost: $1.00 Per Person Address: Kiroli Park 820 Kiroli Road, West Monroe Phone: (318) 396-4016 December 15 Holiday Outdoor Movie What could be better than watching one of your favorite Christmas movies under the magical Christmas Lights in Downtown West Monroe? Enjoy a holiday outdoor movie in Alley Park!

Time: 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM Cost: Free Address: Alley Park 250 Trenton Street, West Monroe December 15-17 Northeast Louisiana Christmas Celebration The sounds of the season are back again at the First West-West Monroe Campus. Bring your family and friends this year to celebrate what Christmas is all about, and experience a little holiday magic!

Time: 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM Cost: $5.00

Address: First West-West Monroe Campus 311 Mill Street, West Monroe Phone: (318) 322-5104 December 15 A Very Merry Oz Christmas Late Christmas Eve night Dorothy is again swept up into adventure, when a tornado carries her back to the magical Land of Oz. Don’t miss the chance to celebrate Christmas in Oz! Time: 7:30 PM to 9:00 PM Cost: Ticket Prices Vary Address: Jack Howard Theater 401 Lea Joyner Expressway, Monroe Phone: (318) 345-1155 December 16 Monroe Jingle Bell Run Jingle your way through Forsythe Park at the annual Monroe Jingle Bell Run! There will be both a half-marathon and a 5K taking place, raising funds to support local Scouts in Northeast & Central Louisiana.

Time: 8:00 AM to 11:00 AM Cost: Half Marathon-$60.00. 5K$30.00.

Address: Forsythe Park 2300 Sycamore Street, Monroe December 16 Christmas at Ruston Sports Complex This event is full of holiday activities such as a Christmas concert, cookies, Santa, and food trucks!

Time: 9:30 AM to 1:00 PM Address: 2001 Champions Way, Ruston, LA 71270 Phone: (318) 255-5800 December 16 Christmas Market on the Alley Downtown West Monroe presents Christmas Market on the Alley! Don’t miss out on an artisan market with live music and food trucks in Alley Park.

Time: 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM Cost: Free Address: Alley Park | 250 Trenton Street, West Monroe December 16 Christmas Parade Enjoy the holiday season by watching all the decorated floats and trucks in the Ruston parade.

Time: 10:00 AM Address: Downtown Ruston, LA 71270 Phone: (318) 251-8647

Address: Dixie Center for the Arts, 212 N Vienna St, Ruston, LA 71270 Phone: (318) 255-1450 December 17 Cookies and Cocoa with Santa Enjoy delicious cookies, festive snacks and rich hot cocoa while making a Christmas ornament and reindeer food.

Time: Session 1 is 1:00-2:00 PM. Session 2 is 3:00-4:00 PM. Cost: Child- $30.00. Additional Child$15.00. Adult- $10.00.

Address: Hamilton House Inn 318 Trenton Street, West Monroe Phone: (318) 396-2600 December 19 Heart of the Holiday Warm your hearts with Monroe Symphony Orchestra's beloved annual tradition with a feast for the senses and holiday favorites. Celebrated voices, lively dancers, and community collaborators join forces for an unforgettable family celebration sure to delight all ages.

Time: 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM Cost: $50.00 Address: North Monroe Baptist Church Phone: (318) 812-6761 December 20 Coca-Cola Christmas Truck Night The 18-wheel Coca-Cola Truck will be decked out in lights and playing Christmas tunes. The Coke Polar Bear and the Grinch will both make special appearances while you enjoy meals from local food trucks.

Time: 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM Cost: Free Address: Biedenharn Museum and Gardens Phone: (318) 387-5281 December 22 Christmas Movie Night Dixie Center for the Arts is showing A Christmas Carol, it’s the perfect event to enjoy with family and friends!

Time: 7:00 PM Address: Dixie Center for the Arts, 212 N Vienna St, Ruston, LA 71270 Phone: (318) 255-1450

December 16 John Ford Coley Live in Concert John is a Grammy nominated artist, classically trained on piano and an avid guitarist.

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