BayouLife Magazine August 2015 by BayouLife Magazine

BL contents

AUGUST 2015 20 / DECORATIVE EDIBLES Edible Herbs That Will Add Zest To Your Dinner 32 / BAYOU PAGES Sizzling Stories For Closet Chefs 36 / MEREDITH’S MUSINGS Hope From A Holy Roller 40 / P. ALLEN SMITH DIY Water Garden In A Weekend

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44 / ASK ERIN Back-To-School...Again 49 / THE FIVE YEAR PLAN A Day In The Life Of Chef Cory Bahr

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58/ A. ALDEN’S MEMO Makeup Must-Haves 60 / FISHING WITH KENNY The Competition Has Gotten Younger...And There Are More Of Them 62 / BAYOU KIDZ Quality Family Time 66 / BAYOU OUTDOORS Embracing The Outdoors 70 / BAYOU EATS The Best Buy For Soul Food 84 / BACK-TO-SCHOOL ESSENTIALS Six Looks From Area Boutiques 94 / THE TOP DAWG The Dawg House Sports Grill In Ruston Is Burger Bliss

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111 / THE BUZZ ON JENNINGS APIARIES From Honey To Beeswax Aaron Jennings Knows His Bees 111 / COFFEE’S ON Coffee Connoisseur Byron Bailey Brews Up ‘roeLA Roasters 140 / HISTORY IS SERVED BayouIcon - Ruth Evans 160 / BAYOU DRINKS Craft Cocktails From Area Eateries

BayouLife

EING A FOODIE WAS ALWAYS

my thing. When Trent and I lived in Austin, it seemed like all we did was eat. We’d spend an entire afternoon in Whole Foods and then meet up with friends for dinner at some new this or that fusion restaurant or gastro-pub. It was indulgent, and I loved every minute. My life changed last year when I was diagnosed with Celiac disease. I would dream about Johnny’s Pizza and burgers. Slowly but surely, I am learning my way around gluten. Thankfully, so have a lot of local restaurants. Now when I crave a juicy burger, I stop in Vieux Carré Market and get one of their mouth-watering Wagyu beef burgers wrapped in collard greens, or I grab the Herb-crusted salmon at Fat Pelican. I told my staff that I was going to turn into a fat pelican if I didn’t watch out. Or, when I’m in need of something sweet, I call Charity Jones...that girl can bake a glutenfree cake. I’m still searching for a pizza that will satisfy, until then I’ll keep my fingers crossed that Mr. Johnny might jump on the gluten-free bandwagon one day. But, allergy or not, this issue is about one of my favorite things, food. From soul food to libations, we’ve got you covered. Not too long ago I was visiting with fellow Rayvillian, Friday Ellis, when he told me about an amazing burger joint that he had just visited. It turns out that it’s a spectacular restaurant that not only serves delicious burgers topped with down home sausage and a fried egg (yes, you read that right), they also are soul food saints. See page 70 for our take on Best Buy Soul Food.

2107 Honor Street, Suite E Monroe, LA 71201 Phone: 318.855.3185 Fax: 318.855.4645

WW W. B AYO UL I F EM A G . C O M You may have read a few issues back about us winning the Peachy Keen Caper (sorry, Kelly) and one of the perks was that we got a fun goodie bag. In that goodie bag was some of the best honey from a place I had never heard of. A little investigating and we discovered the joy of what is Jennings Apiaries in Ruston. Aaron Jennings and his cute honey bee, Lauren Hoffman, have us all up in their beeswax this month. See their article on page 110. Chances are that if you’ve walked into Aron’s Pharmacy, you’ve met this month’s BayouIcon. Ms. Ruth Evans has been cooking up history for more than 50 years. Since she’s been there eight presidents have come and gone, we landed a man on the moon and 18th Street is no longer the edge of town--the Aron's Grill has remained relatively unscathed by history, a consistent anchor in an ever-changing world, and Ruth has been there every step of the way. See her story on page 140. It’s hard to believe that in the middle of all of this, we are also getting ready for back-to-school. It seems like summer just got here. Well, vacation is over...it’s time for football – and education, of course. We hope you enjoy reading this issue of BayouLife Magazine.

~ Cassie Livingston

PUBLISHER Cassie Livingston cassie@bayoulifemag.com EDITOR Maré Brennan mare@bayoulifemag.com ART DIRECTOR Melanie Moffett melanie@bayoulifemag.com ADVERTISING MANAGER Toni Navarro toni@bayoulifemag.com ADVERTISING SALES EXECUTIVE Scarlett Holland scarlett@bayoulifemag.com ADVERTISING SALES EXECUTIVE Ashley Hubenthal ashley@bayoulifemag.com OFFICE MANAGER Ellie Jackson ellie@bayoulifemag.com CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Maré Brennan Dan Chason Kenny Covington Michael DeVault Samantha Evans Dr. David Finley Cindy Gist Foust Malerie Gwin Linda Holyfield Kathryn Joyce Trent Livingston Erin Love Dr. Brent Metts Meredith McKinnie Dr. Timothy Mickel Mary Napoli Analeise Reeves Delia Simpson P. Allen Smith Tabby Soignier Beatrice A. Tatem Marlen Waters CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Brad Arender Martin G Meyers ON THE COVER A mouth-watering burger from the Dawg House Sports Grill. Photography by Martin G Meyers BayouLife Magazine is published and distributed by Redbird Publishing, LLC. Circulation: 12,000 copies monthly. Postal subscriptions ($20) can be ordered online at www.bayoulifemag.com. BayouLife Magazine is not responsible for unsolicited photographs, manuscripts or other materials. Reproduction of contents without express written permission is prohibited.

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Coors Light Refreshing Rewards

Take the Pledge and Enter for a Chance to Win a Hawaiian Adventure

N 1978, COORS LIGHT WAS BORN in the breathtaking Rocky Mountains, which continue to inspire our brewing today. The spirit of these surroundings is embodied in our process, which is why Coors Light is such a refreshing and impressive cold lager. Lagering is the process of aging Coors Light. We lager it below freezing for the perfect amount of time. It’s these two key components of time and temp that give Coors Light its signature crisp taste. After that, it’s ready for cold filtering. We cold filter Coors Light. This is what contributes to its overall brilliance and clarity, which means it has a nice, bright appearance when poured. This process gives Coors Light its crisp, clean taste before going into Cold Bottling. Nothing beats an ice-cold lager. That’s why Coors Light is never heat pasteurized. Instead, it’s cold bottled while at the peak of freshness, because that’s how you like it. And you’ll know it’s cold thanks to our Cold Activated Labels. In addition to the commitment to brewing great beer, Coors Light is also passionately committed to educating and encouraging drinkers to consume responsibly. Millercoors works with law enforcement, community organizations, government agencies and our distributors and retailers to educate the public and develop initiatives to help prevent drunk driv8 AUGUST 2015 | WW W.B AY OU LI FE MAG . CO M

ing. Combined with our responsible marketing practices and our efforts to prevent underage access, our drunk driving prevention programs are giving people the tools they need to make safe, responsible choices. Millercoors is also the exclusive sponsor of 1800-TAXICAB, a national dispatch service that connects passengers to locally owned cab companies. During 2014, 543,847 calls were placed and vouchers were redeemed by 1-800-TAXICAB. To further this cause, we have introduced the Refreshing Reward Sweeptakes. One lucky winner will receive an eight day, seven night trip package for two to Oahu, Hawaii. Prize includes round-trip coach class air transportation from a major commercial airport near winner’s residence to Oahu, Hawaii for winner and one adult guest, seven nights hotel standard accommodations, a check in the amount of $400 made payable to the winner, surf lessons at Ala Moana Beach, a guided tour of Kailua Bay, an Oahu bike and hike adventure and a catamaran sailing and snorkeling adventure. So, take the pledge! “I pledge to always use a designated driver or take a cab, bus or train. I hold the keys to responsibility.” And then head on over to CoorsLightResponsibility.com to enter the sweepstakes for your chance to win this awesome prize package. Coors Light believes drunk driving is 100%

preventable and that each driver holds the key to responsibility. Take this pledge and commit to getting home safely.

The Facts: • 50 to 75 percent of convicted drunk drivers continue to drive on a suspended license. • An average drunk driver has driven drunk 80 times before first arrest. • The rate of drunk driving is highest among 21 to 25 year olds (23.4 percent) • Only time will sober a person up. Drinking strong coffee, exercising or taking a cold shower will not help. • Every two minutes, a person is injured in a drunk driving crash. • Drunk driving costs the United States $199 billion a year. • On average, two in three people will be involved in a drunk driving crash in their lifetime. • Drunk driving costs each adult in the United States almost $800 per year. • In 2012, 29.1 million people admitted to driving under the influence of alcohol – that’s more than the population of Texas.

Go to CoorsLightResponsibility.com through 11/2/15 and enter daily for more chances to win.

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Haik Humble Eye Center Introduces Medical Aesthetic Services Helping You SEE Well... LIVE Well... and Even LOOK Well

AIK HUMBLE EYE CENTER IS proud to introduce advanced cosmetic and medical aesthetic services to our practice offerings. Our services are provided in a relaxing and comfortable atmosphere utilizing the latest technology and highly qualified professionals to deliver great results. Our goal is to understand your areas of concern that need to be addressed and recommend the best leading edge treatments that fit your budget. Along with treatments such as injections of Botox and Juvederm, four non-surgical procedures are now available to help you look and feel your best.

LASER HAIR REDUCTION Using a gentle beam of light, the Lumenis LightSheer® can help solve the problem of unwanted hair. The LightSheer® is more than 75% faster than the average hair reduction session, and also features the unique HIT™ and ChillTip™ technologies for pain relief. Treatment takes between 10 to 60 minutes depending on the size of the area being treated. No sedation is required for treatment and there is minimal discomfort, with no downtime after treatments. Additionally, LightSheer® is a smart economical choice, saving you money spent on temporary hair removal solutions. IPL PHOTOREJUVENATION The Lumenis® IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) 10 AUGUST 2015 | W WW.B AYO UL IFE MAG .CO M

photorejuvenation treatment offers visible improvements on a range of skin concerns such as age and sun spots, freckles, rosacea, broken capillaries and overall skin appearance. IPL treatment works with your skin to remove skin imperfections and stimulate collagen and elastic fiber production over a sequence of treatments. A fast “lunch-time” treatment with no downtime. Typically 2 to 6 sessions with 2-4 weeks in between are needed to achieve optimal results for most skin concerns.

ResurFx™ The Lumenis® ResurFx™ fractional laser is a non-ablative skin resurfacing technology for fine lines, skin texture and overall skin appearance. ResurFx is optimally tailored to address even the early signs of aging. This laser stimulates the production of new collagen and elastic fibers in the deeper layers of the skin. Stimulating new collagen production is the key to more radiant, youthful looking skin. Experience minimal downtime in a “lunchtime” treatment and return to your busy lifestyle. Optimal results are achieved after 3 to 5 sessions in 4 to 5 weeks intervals. However, you will continue to see improvements for up to six months following the treatment. VASER® SHAPE VASER Shape is a safe and effective body shaping treatment that can smooth, firm and

shape those troublesome problem areas to give you the body you desire. A non-invasive treatment that combines ultrasound and massage, VASER Shape generally requires 3to 5 treatments with no pain and no downtime. The procedure will smooth and shape your body but it is not a weight loss solution. If you have those problem areas that are resistant to diet and exercise, and are looking for a nonsurgical solution, then ask about VASER Shape today. In addition to non-surgical procedures, Haik Humble Eye Center continues to provide a wide range of cosmetic surgical procedures such as eyelid surgery, laser skin resurfacing and neck liposuction. Whether you are considering the many cosmetic procedures we offer or interested in discussing skin care maintenance, we can assist you in developing a realistic plan to achieve your goals. Safety and your results are of utmost importance for us at Haik Humble Eye Center and we do our best to make sure you have the most experienced doctors and staff working with you every step of the way. For more information on our medical aesthetic services or to schedule an appointment, please call our main office in West Monroe at (318) 325-2610.

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Don’t Wait for Treatment Audibel the Hearing Center is Here to Help with Hearing Loss

HEN IT COMES TO HEARING loss, good things come to those who don't wait. All too often, patients go 7 to 10 years before seeking treatment for hearing loss. During this time, the condition significantly worsens and the benefits of hearing aid technology may not be as capable of restoring hearing. So what happens during these years that causes so many people to put off getting a hearing consultation, even when they are free? In this article we will look at the stages of hearing to help anyone struggling with hearing loss identify where they may be and to seek treatment earlier. Upon noticing the early signs of hearing loss, such as mishearing syllables and softer sounds, most individuals will enter the denial stage. In this stage of hearing loss, the effects are readily dismissed as not a serious issue or threat to their quality of life. While these assumptions are accurate for the short-term, the long-term ramifications are worth consideration early on. Most hearing professionals recommend that individuals, with or without hearing loss, should get a hearing test every year to stay on top of changes in their hearing abilities, just as occurs with vision and other regular checkups. As those in the denial stage continue to deal with their hearing loss difficulties, they typically worsen over time. After a year or two, the hearing loss is now having more of an everyday impact on the individual. Due to this, 12 AUGUST 2015 | W WW.B AYO UL IFE MAG .CO M

most people will enter the coping stage, where they pick up various coping mechanisms to accommodate for their hearing loss rather than seeking treatment. Examples of the coping mechanisms include turning their head to use a good ear, sitting on certain sides of people and asking others to repeat themselves in conversations. Oftentimes, there is an overlap between denial and coping stage where one may state, "Speak up! You're mumbling." After using various coping mechanisms to keep up with listening in various environments the combination of continued worsening of their hearing loss and exhaustion form trying to cope becomes too much to handle. Thus, we all too often witness people slip into the withdrawal stage. At this point, the effects of hearing loss have had a larger impact their quality of life as individuals in this stage will stop going to public gatherings and outings where the environment is too stressful for listening. Embarrassment also plays a major role in the withdrawal stage as not understanding conversations or requesting people to repeat themselves can be perceived negatively. The last stage of hearing loss is acceptance, which usually occurs after many years of struggle with the prior stages, as mentioned in the introduction. It is truly unfortunate that anyone would needlessly struggle with hearing loss when treatment options are readily available. If you or a loved one find yourself in any of these

stages, don't wait a moment longer and contact our office for a free consultation today.

MAKING A DIFFERENCE Our mission is to bring understanding among people through hearing care by focusing on awareness, education, protection and treatment, So the World May Hear! At Audibel The Hearing Center, we care about your well-being and the lives of the less fortunate around the world. As a proud supporter of The Starkey Hearing Foundation’s “So The World May Hear” program, we are changing lives through the gift of hearing. Your support through the purchase of Audibel Instruments and your donation and trade in of any model hearing aids goes to the foundation’s programs to provide hearing instruments to children in the most remote and poverty stricken regions of the world. ABOUT US Audibel The Hearing Center is Northeast Louisiana’s Audibel dispenser. Cherry Phillips “The Hearing Lady” has been serving this area for over 27 years. We offer free hearing screenings, free second opinions, extended warranties and repairs on all makes and brands of hearing aids. You can find out more by visiting our website www.AudibelMonroe.com and you can see more and like us on Facebook.com/AudibelMonroe.

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My Client, My Teacher What I Have Learned from My Clients

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

HAVE A COLLEAGUE WHO WHEN ASKED, “HOW ARE you?” he responds, “Good, I’m still learning.” I am fond of the phrase and use it frequently. It is my belief of being a student for life and forever learning. As a mental health practitioner, I find this philosophy fitting as it has been my experience to have learned something valuable from each client. Training as a counselor and psychologist has been greatly enhanced by work experiences. Clients have influenced how I engage people and encounter situations; how I facilitated therapy and has impacted my outlook on life. I credit my clients with having taught me beyond what I learned in the classroom, heard at a lecture or read in a book. As another school year begins, I dedicate this article to the numerous clients who taught me informally and unconditionally how to be relevant, meaningful and effective in my practice as a therapist. When asked, “What do I enjoy most about being a therapist and why?” instantaneously I say, “Interaction with clients.” I have been told, “I could not do what you do” and “I would get tired of hearing about problems.” My perspective is different; for years I have felt honored and privileged to work with diverse groups of individuals, from varied environments with different world views, values and ideas while confronting an array of issues in hopes of change. What I learned: Everyone has a story to tell; clients’ stories of overcoming struggles, changes and failures have been inspirational and powerful. Their stories are reminders of the importance of listening beyond hearing. Clients’ remind me time is of the essence; sometimes what is needed is simply a person who takes the time to listen. Clients have taught me regardless of their age I can learn something from them. My first adolescent client taught me to be authentic and to “keep it real.” This builds trust. This lesson came during our initial session when he stated, “You must be new at counseling.” Embarrassed by his awareness, I said, “You’re right.” He would later thank me for being honest. An articulate, well groomed young man reminded me to never judge a book by its’ cover when he informed me during his intake he had brain surgery and had to relearn to walk, talk and dress himself. When greeting a client battling with depression with what was perceived as an obligatory overly 14 AUGUST 2015 | W WW.B AYO UL IFE MAG .CO M

enthused “Good morning, how are you?” only to get a response, “Can’t you tell, it is morning, but it is not good for me?,” I learned the importance of seeing while sensing the individual. A middle age woman with months to live shared with me her philosophy of dying to live versus living to die. At each session she would remind me to take nothing or no one for granted. A client experiencing the storms of life pointed out after it rains the sun comes out, things do get better. I have learned from clients who have experienced more abuse than imaginable, survived more loss than plausible and suffered longer than anyone deem tolerable with support will regain the capacity for hope, courage, understanding, resilience and forgiveness. I learned first hand people are often more alike than different, connections are key and acceptance does matter. What I have learned from clients extends beyond the boundaries of the clinical setting and has helped me in life with my life. Clients invite us as therapists into their world. As therapists we are trusted with our clients’ most intimate secrets, feelings, thoughts and fears. Clients bring the gifts of themselves, their joys, their mistakes, their failures, their success and their truths. How could our relationship with each of them not change our outlook on ourselves as professionals, or simply as people? Clients have entered my life bringing their experiences and exposing me to their worlds, worlds at times beyond my imagination and reach. This humbles me and reminds me of why I do counseling. I believe each relationship influences who we are, how we think, and how we proceed to act with that individual. As a therapist, I strive to be ever-evolving in order to keep up with my clients who are ever-evolving. At the end of each counseling session, I am more aware, more exposed, more affected and more astute. I am constantly learning from clients, about clients in order to serve clients. I am grateful for the lessons learned from my clients, my teachers.

For more information about counseling services and outreach programming, contact Dr. Tatem at Wellness Initiatives, 1900 North 18th Street, Suite 414, Monroe, La 71201. 318-410-1555 or at btatem.bt@gmail.com.

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Exceptional Service Carwash West Sets the Bar High for Customer Service and Quality

ARWASH WEST, CASTROL Premium Lube Express and Café ExpressO provide for the community a pleasant environment to bring your car for the finest service available in the Monroe – West Monroe area. Enjoy a gourmet coffee with breakfast or have lunch in Café ExpressO, their fifties era café while your car is treated to a service with quality brands from our certified technicians. They only use premium products such as Castrol, BG Products, RainX and Mighty to name a few, all designed to pamper you and your car with the award winning service you deserve. Carwash West has received many awards, such as the Southeastern Car Wash Association’s Top 5 Car Wash Award and the Full Service Best in the Southeast Award for Outstanding Service, Quality and State-ofthe-art facilities. They have received the 2013 Angie’s List Super Service Award. And the Castrol Premium Lube Express has received the Best Waiting Area Award by National Oil and Lube News. Car Wash West has partnered with Carfax to make your life easier with a simple download on your phone. They report all service work to Carfax, so you can track your service easily on your phone. Just download the app at mycarfax.com, and you will receive updates for services. 16 AUGUST 2015 | W WW.B AYO UL IFE MAG .CO M

Since 1991, Carwash West has provided Monroe and West Monroe with the finest wash available for your automobiles. They provide a variety of options from Full Service, Exterior Express and Hand Washes. They use only the gentlest, biodegradable solutions in their soft cloth wash system, to keep your automobile looking its best. Castrol Premium Lube Express at Carwash West is one of Castrol’s select privately-owned quick lubes. They are evaluated on a regular basis to ensure that the highest standards are met. Their AOCA certified lube techs have the knowledge and expertise to keep your vehicle performing at factory recommended specifications. Café ExpressO STEP BACK IN TIME! Whether waiting on your vehicle or just meeting someone for lunch, the list of delicacies at Café ExpressO are just the treat. Café ExpressO was created for the comfort and convenience of Carwash West’s Guests. Meet friends for lunch or just enjoy a cup of gourmet coffee and a fresh baked muffin. Pick up a last minute greeting card and some Woodwick Candles or Mrs. Myers environmentaly friendly home cleaning products as a gift or get a little something for your car, all in a friendly fifties era envi-

ronment with free WIFI. The main perk that CarWash West, Castrol Premium Lube Express and Café ExpressO have to offer is their unrivaled customer service. They provide a friendly environment for you to relax and get a cup of coffee while you wait on your vehicle. The staff of the Castrol Premium Lube Express is highly trained and ready to serve. They staff of Carwash West works fast and efficiently to get you back on your way with a sparkling clean vehicle. It won’t take long before the staff knows your name and your preferences. Owners Ross and Cathi Thompson pride themselves on providing the most unique customer service in the area in a clean, cheerful and energetic environment. They invite you to stop by soon and let their outstanding staff take care of you. Carwash West is located at 3111 Cypress Street in West Monroe. Stop by between 8-5:30 Monday through Friday and on Saturday 8 to 4. After Daylight Savings time, Fall/Winter hours will be 8 to 5 Monday through Saturday. Check out their website www.carwashwestmonroe.com for more information. And don’t forget to download the Carfax app on your phone to stay upto-date on services with Carwash West!

Doe’s Eat Place The Bar

S YOU WIND YOUR WAY DOWN THE WASHINGTON Plaza side steps to that speakeasy of a restaurant, Doe’s Eat Place, the sign at the hostess stand reads, “If loving steak is wrong, I don’t want to be right.” And if Doe’s is a steak lover’s dream, then its centrally positioned bar is the perfect place to set the stage for an even more memorable meal. At the helm of Doe’s bar is manager, Chad Watson, who has been in the service industry for more than a dozen years and relocated to Monroe after honing his skills in the Shreveport scene. Says Watson, “At Doe’s I wanted to put together drinks that were far-reaching – classics for people who appreciate the spirit and develop new drinks that stay true to the Doe’s experience.” Together with his team of bartenders, Watson creates a menu of cocktails for Spring/Summer and Fall/Winter which are designed to “set the mood” for an evening of great food and friends. “We want to make sure every taste profile is able to be explored,” says Watson. The cocktail, as an aperitif, is a delicious prelude to one of Doe’s amazing steaks paired with an award winning wine or a knee of perfectly aged whiskey. When developing the cocktail menu, Watson uses original recipe books, like the pre-Prohibition Mr. Boston’s Bar Guide, and researches cocktails, learning the history behind the drink. Bartending staff members are encouraged to bring their take on classic cocktails and the team collaborates to pick what makes the cut. As popular as Doe’s is for dinner, often times patrons will have a little wait before being seated, offering the perfect time to gather barside and sample one of Doe’s cocktails. In the Fall, explains Watson, his cocktail selections will tend toward heavier, more robust flavors inspired by the bar’s extensive whiskey collection. But this Summer, Doe’s cocktail menu is filled with light concoctions inspired by classic gin, rum and vodka drinks. 18 AUGUST 2015 | W WW.B AYO UL IFE MAG .CO M

Watson’s favorite on the list right now? The classic bourbon Mint Julep, of course. “I strive to get it right. We serve our Julep over crushed ice in pewter cups and make all our syrups in house. There is just something special about the Julep, its history and Southerness.” The Mint Julep, since 1938, has been the official drink of the Kentucky Derby. With a taste of Doe’s Julep, it may become your official drink of Summer in Monroe. Another super complex summer drink is the New Orleans or Ramos Gin Fizz, which was made famous at the Sazerac Bar in New Orleans. “This one is really time-consuming but so beautiful,” explains Watson. This creamy concoction takes at least 10 minutes from start to finish to prepare and mixes such disparate ingredients as whole egg, fresh juices, simple syrup, gin, cream and orange flower water to create the ultimate cocktail. Not only is the cocktail menu a stellar part of Doe’s bar offerings, Doe’s has access to some of the most rare and hard to find whiskeys in the world. Doe’s Managing Partner Andy Eaton teases that the future for whiskey lovers in Monroe is looking even brighter with the establishment of a Doe’s Whiskey Club in Fall 2015, offering unattainable-to-the-public bourbons, scotches and whiskeys, such as 15-20-21 year old Orphan Barrel offerings and Buffalo Trace Antique Collection, Single Oak Project and Experimental Collection, as well as 18-21-25 year old rare scotches. Whether your taste runs more to a craft beer, a premium whiskey, a robust wine or a signature cocktail, the men and women behind the bar at Doe’s are at the ready to help you find that special something that will make your palate sing and set the tone for an unforgettable dining experience. Doe’s opens at 4 p.m. every day except Sunday, making it the perfect place to meet friends for drinks after work.

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will add a bit of zest to your dinner and just a touch of pop to your curb appeal.

ROSEMARY

When it comes to savory aromatics, perhaps no other herb approaches the bang-for-your-buck of rosemary. This woody perennial stays green year-round and has a tendency to spread to fill its container. That’s okay, too, because its fragrant fronds provide a pleasant perfume to the late evening, and herbal medicinists will tell you that just a few leaves, rubbed between fingers, will relieve stress, tension and even the occasional headache. Fresh rosemary is a good addition to a balsamic vinaigrette dressing, adding a touch of sweetness to the tangy salad-topper. It’s also great sprinkled on a slab of salmon just before tossing it on the grill. For a unique twist on that fresh rosemary, pair a few tablespoons with our next herbal offering in some homemade ice cream for an extra-cool blast of summer relief.

DECORATIVE EDIBLES

by MICHAEL DEVAULT

few years back, transforming a lawn into a working, miniature farm seemed to be all the rage. In neighborhoods of all stripes, houses from working class bungalows to golf-course hugging McMansions were sprouting square foot gardens, elevated planter boxes and neat, parallel rows of sunflowers and corn. Everywhere you turned, people were intent on proving just how much food one small patch of earth could produce. Sprinkled in amongst the tomato vines and

turnips, these Urban Farmers pushed the soil to the max, planting all the herbs necessary to prepare a delicious gourmet meal. These days, those urban gardens are still around, though they’re not nearly as ubiquitous as they were just a few years back. Yet, that doesn’t mean you have to give up the dream of a delicious, home cooked meal featuring the savory herbs and spices plucked from the earth on your trip to the mailbox. Growing edibles doesn’t have to mean unkempt weed patches, either. Instead, here are a few decorative, edible herbs that

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MINT

There are few herbs more southern than fresh mint. It’s fitting that, in our hectic lives, mint is luckily one of the easiest herbs to get started. Stopping the onslaught of new plants might prove a little more challenging, though, which is why planting mint in a fully-enclosed container is recommended. That is, of course, unless you don’t mind it taking over that back flower bed. Mint comes in many varieties, from traditionals such as peppermint and spearmint, to exotics like chocolate mint and apple mint. Most seed catalogues will include at least five or six varietals of this plant, so plant several areas with different selections for different pairings. Who doesn’t love snatching up a sprig of peppermint and muddling it into the bottom of a mojito? Better yet, how about garnishing that fruit tart with a nice,

natural breath freshener? Some varieties of mint are perpetual bloomers, too, and will produce beautiful flowers for as long as you keep pruning it. Just remember: keep tabs on your mint or you may come home to find out you’ve moved to a peppermint factory.

ANISE

This one’s for all of you tomato and cucumber growers out there. Nothing helps make more tomatoes than a steady stream of bees. But unless you have a hive out back, those bees need something to draw them into your yard. Enter Anise, a fragrant herb known for giving the almost licorice kick to Italian sausage. Depending on the variety, anise produces tall, thin stalks topped with colorful blossoms. While it’s not as hardy as rosemary and isn’t nearly as invasive as mint, the plant is not difficult to get started. It grows well in large planters and open beds, and like its neighbor, rosemary, anise produces a pleasing, vibrant aroma. With color and fragrance, this is a plant for close to the door.

CHAMOMILE

Nothing soothes a tempest spirit in the evenings like a good cup of chamomile tea. The two most popular varieties—Roman and German—produce pleasantly fragrant white blossoms, and they grow like weeds for good reason. Before cultivation, that’s exactly what they were. Romans for centuries dried the leaves and used them for tea. The oils from the plant also have medicinal value, and herbal medicine touts the anti-inflammatory properties of the plants. They like a lot of sunlight, grow well in Louisiana and are sure to add a bit of joy to passers by, who will be seen stopping to smell the flowers. Chamomile grows from seed, and in some parts of Louisiana, it comes back year after year without any help.

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Veggie Delight For a very special summertime birthday, Gregory Hudgins created this lighthearted floral arrangement! Okra, parsnips, leeks, green onions and native grasses are combined with the simplest of white daisies and chartreus mums to create the freshest of floral art. For the mechanics, or construction, of this arrangement, Gregory employed soaked oasis that's been shrink wrapped with perforated holes and stacked it on top of dry foam, which is normally used in standing spray arrangements with faux flowers. He taped the two blocks together with florist tape. The dry foam provides a stable place to secure the vegetables which line the perimeter of the arrangement. To secure the veggies and grasses around the edges of the foam, Gregory used greening pins. PHOTOGRAPH BY MARTIN G MEYERS

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Home Inspections 10 Questions to Ask Home Inspectors

EFORE YOU MAKE YOUR FINAL buying or selling decision, you should have the home inspected by a professional. An inspection can alert you to potential problems with a property and allow you to make an informed decision. Ask these questions to prospective home inspectors: 1. Will your inspection meet recognized standards? Ask whether the inspection and the inspection report will meet all state requirements and comply with a wellrecognized standard of practice and code of ethics, such as the one adopted by the American Society of Home Inspectors or the National Association of Home Inspectors. Customers can view each group’s standards of practice and code of ethics online at www.ashi.org or www.nahi.org. ASHI’s Web site also provides a database of state regulations. 2. Do you belong to a professional home inspector association? There are many state and national associations for home inspectors, including the two groups mentioned in No. 1. Unfortunately, some groups confer questionable credentials or certifications in return for nothing more than a fee. Insist on members of reputable, nonprofit trade organizations; request to see a membership ID. 3. How experienced are you? Ask how long inspectors have been in the profession and how many inspections they’ve completed. They should provide customer refer24 AUGUST 2015 | W WW.B AYO UL IFE MAG .CO M

rals on request. New inspectors also may be highly qualified, but they should describe their training and let you know whether they plan to work with a more experienced partner. 4. How do you keep your expertise up to date? Inspectors’ commitment to continuing education is a good measure of their professionalism and service. Advanced knowledge is especially important in cases in which a home is older or includes unique elements requiring additional or updated training. 5. Do you focus on residential inspection? Make sure the inspector has training and experience in the unique discipline of home inspection, which is very different from inspecting commercial buildings or a construction site. If your customers are buying a unique property, such as a historic home, they may want to ask whether the inspector has experience with that type of property in particular. 6. Will you offer to do repairs or improvements? Some state laws and trade associations allow the inspector to provide repair work on problems uncovered during the inspection. However, other states and associations forbid it as a conflict of interest. Contact your local ASHI chapter to learn about the rules in your state. 7. How long will the inspection take? On average, an inspector working alone inspects a typical single-family house in two to

three hours; anything significantly less may not be thorough. If your customers are purchasing an especially large property, they may want to ask whether additional inspectors will be brought in. 8. What’s the cost? Costs can vary dramatically, depending on your region, the size and age of the house and the scope of services. The national average for single-family homes is about $320, but customers with large homes can expect to pay more. Customers should be wary of deals that seem too good to be true. 9. What type of inspection report do you provide? Ask to see samples to determine whether you will understand the inspector's reporting style. Also, most inspectors provide their full report within 24 hours of the inspection. 10. Will I be able to attend the inspection? The answer should be yes. A home inspection is a valuable educational opportunity for the buyer. An inspector's refusal to let the buyer attend should raise a red flag. Working with a professional Realtor will help you navigate the home inspection process. Contact Perry & Associates Residential Real Estate for expert representation.

Source: Rob Paterkiewicz, executive director, American Society of Home Inspectors, Des Plaines, Ill., www.ashi.org.

WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | AUGUST 2015

Get Back To Life Sooner After Surgery Robotic Hysterectomy Surgery at Glenwood

CHEDULING FOR SURGERIES, LIKE A HYSTERECTOMY, is not often found on a woman’s list of favorite to-dos. Traditional hysterectomy surgeries can often result in large scars and recovery times of up to six weeks. That’s why Glenwood offers the latest medical breakthrough in robotic-assisted surgery, so that hysterectomies and certain other surgeries can be performed with shorter hospital stays, less scarring and less recovery time. When medication and other treatments are unable to relieve symptoms, a hysterectomy is often recommended to provide a more effective and long-term solution for chronic pelvic pain, endometriosis, fibroid and uterine tumors and other benign conditions. If your doctor has recommended a hysterectomy, you're not alone - one in three women in the U.S. will have a hysterectomy before the age of 60. Your doctor may recommend a robotic procedure if you have surgical scars or an anatomical irregularity that limits your options. Your doctor will prepare you for a robotic hysterectomy by making small incisions in your abdomen to insert tiny robotic instruments that are much smaller than those used for traditional open surgery. During the hysterectomy procedure, the robotic system translates your surgeon’s hand movements into precise movements that allow them to be in 100 percent control. A robotic hysterectomy surgery at Glenwood Regional Medical Center offers numerous potential benefits over traditional approaches, including: • Less post-operative pain • Minimal blood loss • Fewer complications • Shorter hospital stay • Less tissue trauma • Small incisions for minimal scarring • Quicker recovery and return to normal activities 26 AUGUST 2015 | W WW.B AYO UL IFE MAG .CO M

Glenwood’s da Vinci® Si™ Robotic surgical system gives surgeons the ability to perform hysterectomies with more control, accuracy, and precision. Its 3D high-definition vision and miniaturized wristed surgical instruments are designed to help surgeons take surgery beyond the limits of the human hand. By helping overcome the challenges of traditional open and laparoscopic surgery, robotic hysterectomies are changing the experience of women around the world. If you’ve been told you need a hysterectomy, it’s time to ask your doctor about having a robotic hysterectomy surgery at Glenwood. Glenwood’s the da Vinci® Si™ Robotic consists of two main pieces of equipment that include a computer console containing a high-resolution 3D viewing monitor and innovative EndoWrist instrumentation. Seated at a console, the surgeon views the surgical area through a tiny endoscope camera that reveals three-dimensional images magnified significantly larger than the actual size. The controls at the console allow the physician to move three arms featuring robotic “hands” with precision, eliminating the natural tremor of even the steadiest of human hands. The 4th arm includes a tiny endoscopic camera that can improve visualization beyond the human eye. At Glenwood, the da Vinci® Si™ Robotic surgical system is currently utilized for gynecologic, urologic and general surgery procedures. If you or a loved one are diagnosed with a need for surgery, you owe it to yourself to learn about all of your medical options, including the most effective, least invasive surgical treatments available. For more information about robotic hysterectomy surgeries, ask your doctor or call Glenwood’s toll-free Well Line at 877-726-WELL.

Backback? Check. Nap mat? Check. Back-to-school clothes? Check. Looking for those must-haves for school? We’ve got you covered. These fall staples can be found at area retailers just in time for fall. Photography by Scarlett Holland 2

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16 19 1. IF THE CROWN FITS 2. GIBSON’S GROCER 3. ERIN’S ATTIC 4. THE CHILDREN’S SHOPPE 5. ARON’S PHARMACY 6. THE PAPER MARKET 7. THE FASHION OF RUSTON 8. HOLLIS & CO. JEWELERS 9. HERRINGSTON’ES 10. HEMLINE MONROE 11. PAUL MICHAEL COMPANY 12. THE TOGGERY 13. MD MINERALS 14. SUE PAPERIE 15. MATERIAL THINGS 16. FIESTA NUTRITION CENTER 17. THURMAN’S FOOD FACTORY & GIFTS 18. SLEEPY HOLLOW FURNITURE 19. SALT & PEPPER ACCESSORY BOUTIQUE 28 AUGUST 2015 | W WW.B AYO UL IFE MAG .CO M

WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | AUGUST 2015

Summer Fun

MedCamps of Louisiana Provides Summer Camp to Children Living with Various Illnesses and Disabilities

OUNDED IN 1987, MEDCAMPS OF LOUISIANA BEGAN as a one week camp for 13 children with severe asthma and allergies. Since that time, “MedCamps” has grown tremendously. In the summer of 2014, MedCamps served nearly 300 children. Over the course of 28 summers, MedCamps has provided camp to over 5,000 children living with varying illnesses and disabilities. MedCamps offers 9 camping sessions each summer, each catering to the specific needs of each camper who are chronically ill or disabled. These specialized camps target children ages 6 to 16 living with: spina bifida, cerebral palsy, asthma, sickle cell anemia, autism, Down’s syndrome, epilepsy, juvenile arthritis, hearing impairments, speech impediments visual impairments and those living with intellectual disabilities. “MedCamps fills a void in our camper’s lives,” says Caleb Seney, executive director of MedCamps of Louisiana. “Far too many children living with disabilities view life as a spectacle that is to be watched and enjoyed from a distance as it passes by. Children living with special needs often resign themselves to this life on the sidelines. Not at MedCamps! At MedCamps, we modify activities to accommodate a child’s special needs, and we design them for success to promote self-confidence. Our focus is on what each camper can do. We encourage and challenge our campers to reach their full potential.” While at MedCamps, campers are introduced to traditional summer camping activities that include horseback riding, swimming, canoeing, archery and much, much more. “Not only do they get to participate in all these new and exciting activities, but they do so surrounded by other campers who have the same or similar disability,” Seney says. “At MedCamps, it is our hope that our campers lose the feeling of uniqueness and that the stigma of their 30 AUGUST 2015 | W WW.B AYO UL IFE MAG .CO M

disability is relieved. At school, they may be the ‘kid in the wheelchair,’ but at camp they are just a kid.” MedCamps of Louisiana summer camping program is held each year at Camp Alabama located just north of interstate 20 near Ruston, Louisiana. Camp Alabama is a property of the Presbytery of the Pines and provides campers with facilities that include air conditioned cottages, a beautiful lake, scenic trails and a wheelchair accessible swimming pool. “Our relationship with the Presbytery of the Pines has been foundational to our success as a summer camping program. We are grateful to the many individuals and churches that comprise the Presbytery of the Pines,” Seney added. MedCamps of Louisiana has never charged any dues or fees to attend its summer camps. The camps are funded by the generous support of individuals, organizations and corporations and by the continued success of MedCamps’ fundraising events. When asked in what ways people can support MedCamps Seney replied, “There are endless ways to support us. We ask our supporters to give us their time, their talents or their treasure. Individuals or organizations can support us by volunteering at special events, workdays at our facility and at the camp. They can also donate to the camp or participate in our fundraisers like the upcoming Fun Shoot & Auction. There really are a hundred different ways to get plugged in to our support system.” MedCamps of Louisiana is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization. To make a donation, request a camper application packet or simply learn more about this worthy cause, please visit MedCamps online at www.medcamps.org, follow them at facebook.com/MedCamps and twitter.com/MedCamps, email info@medcamps.org or call toll free 877-282-0802.

Bayou Pages NIGHTSTANDS & COFFEE TABLES SIZZLING STORIES FOR CLOSET CHEFS RE VIEWS BY MIC HAEL DEVA ULT

ince humans first discovered fire cooked food, there have been stories about cooks. In Melville’s MobyDick, Fleece is taken to task for his kitchen skills. The classic Grapes of Wrath finds Ma frequently over a pot, preparing food with love. Non-fiction books aren’t immune to the primal draw of the kitchen, either. Frances Mayes famously chronicled her burgeoning love of cooking in Under the Tuscan Sun, and Elizabeth Gilbert turned a near-breakdown into an ode to food and spiritual discovery in Eat Pray Love. Visit a bookstore, and it can seem like there are as many foodie books as there are dishes to try. Browse a few titles, and it’s hard not to notice how quickly good foods ignite strong passions. These three best-selling food memoirs each track a different aspect of the foodie culture, as told through the eyes of their authors, each of whom is an amateur when they enter in the food world and who grow to adore food and discover the passion of life along the way.

Heat: An Amateur's Adventures as Kitchen Slave, Line Cook, Pasta-Maker, and Apprentice to a Dante-Quoting Butcher in Tuscany By Bill Buford Born in Baton Rouge, raised in California, Bill Buford is a well-respected journalist and author. When he decided he wanted to learn to cook, Buford went about it the hard way—by signing on to be a “kitchen slave,” working for free prepping vegetables on the line of Babbo, the New York restaurant of the dementedly demanding Mario Batali. Recounting several years of his journey from 32 AUGUST 2015 | W WW.B AYO UL IFE MAG .CO M

green to gourmand, Buford details the hellish hours, stifling heat, and near-debilitating injuries that came with his drive to become a master chef. Working with Batali sets Buford on a path through Tuscany and France, where he spends weeks in the kitchens of the same chefs who shaped the career of one of the world’s greatest kitchen maestros. At times brusque and at others endearing, Heat provides an inside look into the lives of those special people who dedicate their lives to perfecting a good marinara. With a journalist’s eye and a storyteller’s flair, Buford captures the chef’s journey and gives readers a peek inside his journey.

Service Included: Four-Star Secrets of an Eavesdropping Waiter By Phoebe Damrosch If you’ve ever wondered what that waiter is thinking about the customer carping from that table in the corner, look no further than Phoebe Damrosch’s Service Included: Four-Star Secrets of an Eavesdropping Waiter. The story begins when Damrosch takes a job at Per Se, the post-9/11 New York creation of French Laundry’s Thomas Keller. Suddenly thrust into a world where dinner for four routinely tops $20,000, Damrosch takes readers behind the scenes as she navigates the complex politics of a service comprise establishment. “Crumbers” work for a comfortable salary, while “captains”—those individuals who speak with the customers directly—earn salaries that sometimes rival Wall Street brokers. Damrosch not only provides a look behind the curtain, she also details the quest for the “best bone marrow in New York,” which

she pairs with a series of perfect wines selected by her master-sommelier boyfriend Andre Mack. In the world where all meals are sold Service Included, Damrosch must determine how far she’s willing to go to commit to life in the three-star restaurant, where the commitment demanded by Keller and crew is topped only by her own dogged pursuit of perfection.

The Raw and the Cooked: Adventures of a Roving Gourmand By Jim Harrison Jim Harrison is not a name often associated with gourmet meals, with readers instead familiar with his long string of critically acclaimed volumes of poetry and his novellas, such as Legends of the Fall and Revenge. Yet, within just a couple of pages of The Raw and the Cooked, readers begin to understand Jim Harrison, the man, as he prepares a gourmet burger fit for royalty...and proceeds to feed it to his ailing dog. At times brutally frank (there’s an extended discussion about how men should and should not behave during intercourse) and at others tender (the dog doesn’t do so well in the end), The Raw and the Cooked provides one of the most honest, transparent and ultimately heart-felt examinations of the life of a writer. At his isolated home Livingston, MT, Harrison hosts some of the world’s preeminent literary, cultural and political minds. All the while plying them with the best wines, the best spirits and the best foods. By the end of this book, readers will know that it’s Harrison, and not his food, that’s The Raw and the Cooked.

Best in the State. Best for You. eULM Fulfills Education Goals

T’S NO SECRET THAT EVERYONE WANTS TO BE A PART of a winning program, and that sentiment applies not only in sports, but in education, too. If a college degree became an afterthought due to life's obstacles, eULM offers a way to bring it back to the forefront, and it’s the absolute best in the state at offering diverse and flexible degree programs to meet the needs of adult learners. The University of Louisiana at Monroe’s online degree program is proud to contribute to ULM's success by earning numerous national and state rankings for quality and affordability. eULM is the number 1 online school in Louisiana, voted by TheBestSchools.org. ULM is committed to offering a quality academic experience to online and on campus students. The Office of eULM was established, because we understand that the needs of on campus learners and online learners are different. We know that adult learners juggle family, work and community responsibilities, and attending classes on campus two to three days a week is often a barrier that makes earning a degree impossible. eULM removes the barriers by offering our courses in an online format. Students who learn online earn the same degree as our face-toface students from an accredited and respected institution of higher learning. eULM is also committed to providing a support system for ULM students who are learning online. We are eager to provide assistance, guidance and encouragement throughout your journey to begin your first degree, finish what you started or continue by earning a master degree. eULM’s top-ranked program offers over 30 degrees in an online format. The year-round courses are presented in four, eight, and 16-week formats, and degree options ranging from associate to doctoral levels are available. So what about the cost? eULM makes it easy to calculate your education costs, and course prices are charged per credit hour. There is no out-of-state fee for a student seeking a degree online. Financial aid is available for those who qualify. Additionally, many businesses provide tuition reimbursement programs- Check with your Human Resources Department to find out more about these opportunities. 34 AUGUST 2015 | W WW.B AYO UL IFE MAG .CO M

Started college but didn't finish? eULM accepts credits from other accredited colleges and universities, and some credits may be transferable and could count towards your degree. Our advisors are available to review your transcripts, so that you know which credits are transferable and will count toward your degree. Being number 1 is a great accomplishment, but eULM solidifies its credibility by being ranked amongst the best in several other areas: • eULM is ranked number 14 of the top 50 online schools in the nation by GraduatePrograms.com • Four programs are among the nation’s “Most Affordable” by AffordableCollegesOnline.org • Nationally ranked MBA by U.S. News and World Report • Nationally ranked School of Education by GetEducated.com Meet Our Staff The Office of eULM has a full-time staff that is committed to helping you navigate your academic career from initial interest to graduation. • Paula Thornhill is the Director of eULM. She is dedicated to offering a quality academic experience to online students and is proud to lead an office designed to support adult learners. • Katie Dawson is the Coordinator of Online Programs and works with Stephanie Hendry, Instructional Design Support Specialist, to make sure that our faculty have access to innovative resources and that the online courses are easy to navigate. • Jessica Griggs is the eULM Student Advocate and Retention Coordinator. Jessica‘s role is to support students from their first class through graduation. When students have questions, concerns or struggles she is available to assist and encourage. • Josh Ramshur is the Assistant to the Director of eULM, and he oversees and manages the eULM office. • Michelle Williams is the eULM Recruiter and will soon be an eULM graduate. She is proof that adult learners can achieve their academic goals and looks forward to sharing her ideas about how eULM can play a role in your new life plans.

Addiction

Meredith’s Musings Hope From A Holy Roller (Continued From July’s Issue) BY MEREDITH MCKINNIE

saw my sister on Sunday for the first time in three months. I was anxious to see her progress, or if there was any. I was nervous for my mother, whose mental clarity depended on a positive result, and I was resentful of having to spend my day off at rehab. And frankly, I was mad we even had to go, because I still blame her. Don't get me wrong; I wanted her to be doing well. But having decided to no longer let her decisions alter my life, cloud my judgment and warp my mind, my attitude had become distant, lackadaisical about the issue. I didn't want to feel; it hurt too much before; I was numb. I'd had a three-month break from her, and it was like a breath of fresh, untainted by drugs, air. I should have missed her, but I didn't. I had grieved my "sister" long ago. Only the addict remained. The last time I was saw her, she had been writhing on the bed, coming down, full of hatred and bitterness and consumed with addiction, ego and self-pity, and she sickened me. It was a heated exchange. She threw my phone against the wall; it still bears the mark from the chocolate paint. I resent her more every time I pick up my phone. I feel the urge

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to throw it back at her, though she's long been removed from that room. I find myself having arguments with her alone in my car; she's not there to hear, but it doesn't matter. I'm able to finish my thought, and I'm not looking into the eyes of a meth addict who doesn't care. It feels as though she's more likely to hear me, when she's not there to dismiss me. Pulling up to the house where she and thirty other addicts were staying, I was nervous. I knew I was going to feel today, one way or another, and I wasn't sure I was ready. I stayed in the car initially when Mom and Dad went inside to prolong feeling. Her two-year -old daughter arrived with her estranged husband and ran to my window, full of excitement, the mirror opposite of my emotion. "Come on, Meredith, we going to see my mama at school," she stammered. She was happy and anxious, and I was jealous and felt guilty. I should have been excited, too, but I wasn't. I would fake it for the sake of a twoyear-old, but I wasn't. But what I felt when I entered that door, holding a two-year-old's tiny hand, was stillness and peace. It's hard to explain. It just kind of washed over me, like a blanket, or a

shield, not letting my negativity enter this place of healing. I smiled when I saw her. She was heavier, and her hair was graying at the root, and she wore no glasses and no makeup, but she beamed. She radiated with the same goodness and stillness and peace I had felt moments ago at the door. It was undeniable. She was different. I didn't see an addict. For the first time in several years, I saw my sister. I didn't cry then, but I could have. My dad kept leaving the table during our chat to wipe his tears in the rays of sunshine beaming through the window; the pessimist in him didn't expect this; it's easier to avoid disappointment, when he doesn't hope. My mom, the otherwise beacon of hope, was overcome with gratitude, her smile tattooed on her face. She was that happy. The two-year-old, the only oblivious one, was radiating in her little cosmos, all the people she loved on the planet in the same place, at the same time, without animosity, or tension, just smiles and laughter. This is what her world should be every day; and we all were witnessing both the guilt of that having not been a reality before, and the hope that it may be possible again. It was a four hour visit, with the few short silences filled with the two-year-old's laughter and questions and requests for her mother's attention. She never let her mother out of her sight. She knew, like last time, before the day was over, we would leave, and her mom would be gone. And this perfect cosmos of today would be incomplete. But what she doesn't know is that for the first time, the rest of us were beginning to feel hope. The person laughing and hugging us, and so grateful for our visit, showing benevolence and being overwhelmingly polite, whose eyes sparkled, she was ours. And over the few hours, we began to adjust to that realization. After the third time she responded to me with "yes, ma'am," I looked at her funny. She chuckled and quickly apologized, claiming it was habit here. I laughed and said, "Please, I'm used to you telling me to go … myself. You can ‘yes, ma'am’ me all day." And then I immediately felt guilt at using profanity in this place. It didn't belong here. A word that usually makes me feel empowered in context or elicits a laugh was not worthy of these walls. She caught my eye and started to chuckle, and then we both realized my mistake, though the new polite girl just looked

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WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | AUGUST 2015

Harrison and Fuller aitlin Ashley Fuller and Hunter Johnson Harrison were united in Holy Matrimony on Saturday, April 25, 2015. The double ring ceremony took place at First United Methodist Church of Monroe at half past six in the evening. Reverend Jon Tellifero officiated, and the bride was given in marriage by her parents. Caitlin is the daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Jeffrey Bruce Fuller of West Monroe. She is the granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Ernest LeBrun Sr. of West Monroe and Mr. and Mrs. Billy Merle Fuller of Eros. Hunter is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Jesse William Harrison of West Monroe. He is the grandson of Mrs. Florence Johnson of Ruston and the late Victor Pete Johnson and Mrs. Grace Johnson and the late Mr. and Mrs. Jesse Lee Harrison. Escorted by her father, the

bride wore a blush Martina Liana silk bridal fit and flair gown with a sweetheart neckline and tulle skirt. Hand sewn Diamante jewels and sequins created an enchanting floral pattern on the bodice, skirt and cathedral length veil. Caitlin carried a bouquet of Silver Dollar Eucalyptus, Juliette, Free Spirit, and Amsterdam Roses accentuated with peach and pink ribbon. Attending the bride as Maids of Honor were childhood best friends Mary Catherine Newson and Jessica Marie Taylor. Bridesmaids were Alyson Guinn Aulds, Jennifer Taylor Cain, Kelsi Lindsey Green, Kristin Deanna Nieman, Mariam Angelique Saadat and Carlee Thornton Stephenson. They wore floor length Adrianna Papell beaded gowns in sorbet and carried bouquets of Silver Dollar Eucalyptus, White Wax Flower, and Juliet Roses also accentuated with peach and pink ribbon to co-

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ordinate with the bride. Kyle Anthony Derouen stood by Hunterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s side as his Best Man. Lance Ryan Beeson, Andrew Christopher Book, Jeffrey Bruce Fuller Jr., Joshua Evans Fuller, Joshua David Mitchell, and John David Trettin served as groomsmen. All of the men wore traditional black tuxedos with ivory shirts and a boutonniere of white Anemones. Long time family friends Clinton Jones Shepard and Grant Lewis Shepard served the bride and groom as ushers. Margaret Elizabeth LeBrun and Katherine Ann Trettin read verses of scripture during the ceremony, and Julia Grace and Ava Reece Trettin served as Attendants. The bride and groom were then honored with a reception at Aubrey Hall in Downtown Monroe. Upon entering the reception hall, guests felt as though they

were transported into a secret garden where beautiful arrangements adorned the tables and walls along with candle light to truly make the event romantic. The floral and table arrangements were designed by Clint Downing and dear friends of the mother of the bride. Everyone danced the night away to the sounds of Josh Madden, and guests received their fill with delectable food from none other than Thurman Dickey. Following a honeymoon to Costa Rica, the couple is at home in Meridian, Mississippi where Hunter will complete his residency in Family Medicine at EC Health Net. All of the eveningâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s beautiful memories were captured by family friend Mary Dawson of Dawson Photography.

WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | AUGUST 2015

P. Allen Smith

DIY Water Garden in a Weekend I N C O R P O R AT I N G WAT E R I N T O Y O U R G A R D E N I S E A S I E R T H A N Y O U M I G H T T H I N K PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF MARK FONVILLE

screen out debris, mostly used in pond-size water features. Solids pump will allow small amounts of debris to pass through without clogging. Axial pumps will accommodate high flow, low pressure features, because they tend to be large and require large piping. Solar pumps, which come in a variety of sizes, are a good option, when there is not a voltage power source nearby. What you choose will depend on the size and design of your water feature.

ho doesn’t love to hear the bubbling of water in their garden? A water feature provides a pleasing ambience, serves as a focal point and the promise of a cool drink is the perfect invitation for birds and other wildlife you want to welcome into your garden. When I say the word fountain, people often envision something large, permanent and laborious to install. But water features can be small and simple, too. No matter the size of your space, you can enjoy the relaxing sound of water. Water features are not difficult to create and design yourself. All you need is a water pump, tubing, a watertight vessel or space, decorative cover or rocks and a few thirsty plants.

Oh, The Possibilities! Decide what type of vessel will be the showcase for your DIY water feature. The container choices vary greatly. The easiest and least expensive containers are the ones you choose to recycle from around your home. I once made a DIY water feature from an old galvanized washtub I found in the barn. I was amazed at how it brought an element of whimsy to a neglected corner of the garden. If your home has a formal architectural design, try creating the look of classic fountains or pools in geometric shapes such as a circle, rectangle or square. For a cottage style home, look for wooden tubs, whimsical fountains, and pools with curved and sinuous shapes. For contemporary homes, choose a water feature with minimalist appeal, such as a boulder or large rock with natural indentions where water can collect. If you want a smaller water feature for an

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intimate garden space, decorative ceramic vessels are always a good choice, because they are watertight and tend not to vibrate from the pump. If there is a hole in the bottom of your vessel, simply fill it with plumber’s putty. Look for it at your local hardware store. For the best results, choose a container that’s at least 8-16 inches across in diameter. Provide a depth of at least 4-6 inches.

Pump It Up Water pumps are available in a variety of types and styles. The most common types of submersible pumps are in-line, utility, solids, axial and solar pumps. In-line pumps pull water from a remote water source, such as an inlet or creek. Utility pumps filter water to

Set Up is a Snap If you are using an electric pump, place your water feature in an area close to an outdoor outlet. You'll need this power source to operate the water pump. Surrounding plants make a good cover to conceal the power cord. Solar-powered pumps will need plenty of sunshine to work at an optimum level. Place the pump near the center of the vessel and then fill the vessel with fresh water. You will need tubing. Tubing size will depend on your feature, but the most common size is 1/2" inner diameter, 5/8" outer diameter. Cut the tubing to a length that will fit your design. Slip the tubing onto the pump spout. The water should cover the end of the tubing by at least 8 inches to reduce evaporation. And make sure the pump is fully submerged to prevent it from burning out. Turn on the pump and experiment with water patterns. Decorative stones can accentuate rippling sounds and bring more depth and beauty to your water feature. While covering the pump with rocks is not really necessary, it does make it easier to conserve room in a smaller container and helps muffle any humming noise. You may also choose to place larger rocks around the pump first and then fill with other small rocks.

Keep the Flow Going You spent time and effort creating the perfect water feature for your garden. So to keep it running beautifully, a little maintenance is required. Monitor your water level to keep the pump completely submerged at all times. Water should be added when needed. Remove any windblown clippings or dead foliage to keep water clean and pump clear. Debris like this can block the water flow through a pump, causing it to overheat. While most pumps are designed to shut off when they get too hot, it may cause your pump to malfunction. Investing this small amount of maintenance will keep your DIY water feature looking beautiful and working properly.

Water features are not difficult to create and design yourself. All you need is a water pump, tubing, a watertight vessel or space, decorative cover or rocks and a few thirsty plants.

Water-Loving Plants Water features crave plants. Not only do they create a picturesque balance of beauty, introducing plants to your water feature will help maintain the nutrient balance by absorbing carbon dioxide and minerals from the water. This process will assist in keeping algae in check and naturally help ward off the murky, green mess. When choosing plants for your garden water features, nature always has the best advice. Iris: Irises are popular and my favorite to place near a garden water feature. They range in height from 6 inches to 6 feet, and their flower colors vary from white to yellow to purple. Their spear-shaped leaves provide a nice texture contrast to floating plants. Yellow Floating Heart: Water floater with heart-shaped leaves no larger than four inches, this aquatic perennial produces a brilliant yellow bloom. Blooms usually last no more than one day, but it’s worth the tranquil beauty and effect it brings to the water garden. Also known as water fringe. Graceful Grasses® Baby Tut® Umbrella Grass: This elegant, rich green water garden grass can reach up to 24 inches. This grass can be placed in shallow water or directly in soil of the surrounding garden. P. Allen Smith P. Allen Smith is an award-winning designer, gardening and lifestyle expert and host of two public television programs, Garden Home and Garden to Table, and the syndicated 30-minute show P. Allen Smith’s Garden Style. Smith is one of America's most recognized and respected design experts, providing ideas and inspiration through multiple media venues. He is the author of the best-selling Garden Home series of books. Allen is also very active on social media such as Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Learn more at www.pallensmith.com. WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | AUGUST 2015

First South Farm Credit Financing Land, Farms and Dreams

MAGINE WAKING UP TO THE sound of a rooster crowing, the sun shining through your window left open the night before for the fresh, clean country air. Picture yourself sitting on the front porch in a rocking chair enjoying the sunset, listening to the birds singing and the crickets chirping, watching the deer wander across your yard. Consider the rush in town, the zero lot lines, the HOA rules and the noisy neighbor. Then consider your home as a refuge, as it should be, only this refuge is nestled in nature, where your neighbor may be miles away, and you have this piece of land all to yourself without the constant traffic or honking of horns or the feeling of having to rush. There’s a reason they call it God’s country. First South Farm Credit shares that dream and will help you further that vision. With core values such as placing their customers first and maintaining a culture of strong ethics and core beliefs, you can feel safe putting your dream in their hands. While priding itself on being diverse and inclusive, First South Farm Credit provides resources and opportunities for growth. Grow with them. The company’s reputation is centered on managing operations efficiently, safely and soundly and promises reliable, superior delivery of service. Exhibiting visionary leadership for the last eighty years, First 42 AUGUST 2015 | W WW.B AYO UL IFE MAG .CO M

South Farm Credit is dedicated to rural America and your dreams of making rural America home. First South Farm Credit has its roots in agriculture. For over 80 years, it has been providing financial services to farmers. With 40 locations over three states, generations of farm families have relied on First South Farm Credit. Part of the Farm Credit System, First South Farm Credit has provided loans and financial services to farmers, ranchers and rural entrepreneurs. Tap Parker, a local farmer in Northeast Louisiana and longtime customer of First South Farm Credit shared his experience with the company: “Having been with First South Farm Credit for close to 25 years, I have been able to not only maintain my business, but grow my business thanks to the company providing all the proper solutions needed to be successful.” The company provides loans for agricultural needs including timber, recreational property, pond construction and land improvement. Supporting the farm to table mentality, farmers grow the crops we eat, and First South Farm Credit supports the farmer’s business by funding the operation. But you don’t have to grow crops to take advantage of First South’s expertise in rural lending. Maybe you just want that “farm” lifestyle. Whether you’re

looking for retirement property or a place to raise your family, First South can finance your dream rural property. Bret Munson, local loan officer for First South, says he is “excited to be in this market in Monroe and surrounding areas and glad we can offer people looking for this type of financing another good option to fit their needs.” Whatever The Farm means to you, let First South Farm Credit help you get there. First South is the leading provider of financial services and land financing for agribusiness in Alabama, Louisiana and Mississippi. Providing the funds you need to start growing your business is what they do best. In addition to providing loans for a variety of agricultural needs, they provide a full range of financial services: • Equipment and vehicle leasing • Life Insurance • Multi-peril crop insurance • Loan guarantees by government agencies

To contact your local loan officer Bret Munson for financing needs, email him at bmunson@firstsouthland.com or call him at 318-366-9595. And for more information, visit the company’s website at firstsouthland.com. Take the first step in making your rural dream a reality.

Devising a Plan for the Paperwork: I suggest that you devise a plan for what you will do with the paperwork that is soon to bombard you. I love the idea of scanning coloring pages, A+ grades and other keepsake pages into a computer and then tossing the original. Another idea is to create a display area for special papers and rotate them as needed. You can also get a large plastic filing container that can be personalized with each child’s keepsake papers and then stored.

ask erin

BACK-TO-SCHOOL...AGAIN by Erin Sharplin Love t’s that time of year again – back to school! And, hitting the books again means the return of hectic schedules, alarm clocks and paper piles. If you don’t prepare now, you are guaranteed a school year that will quickly become overwhelming. Don’t worry, though, I wouldn’t let that happen to you! Below are my tips for “acing” the new school year:

Transitioning: Don’t let the school year sneak up on you and your children. Instead, begin easing them into a new bedtime routine gradually. For instance, begin waking your late sleepers earlier and earlier until the alarm clock goes off closer to the hour they will need to get ready for school. The amount of sleep your child gets can have a huge impact on his attention span, so make sure to check with your doctor regarding the proper amount of sleep your child needs.

Organizing School Clothes: Take this time to remove any clothing your child doesn’t like and that he has outgrown. Then, set aside a space in the closet specifically for school clothes. If your child does not wear uniforms, 44 AUGUST 2015 | W WW.B AYO UL IFE MAG .CO M

it may be a good idea to put together outfits a week at a time to avoid a war in the morning. *Tip: Create dividers that are labeled with each day of the week and hang them in your child’s closet with the appropriate day’s outfit. Or if you need to shop, check out the next tip.

Preparing Before You Shop: The beginning of the school year is always the biggest shopping time for stores, so it is a good idea to be prepared. Make a list of what your child needs, so you won’t wander aimlessly and then leave with nothing, or worse, leave with more clothing and supplies than you need! Don’t forget to scour the papers and Internet for coupons and codes that will garner you some savings!

Creating a Drop Zone: This could be the one tip that saves your sanity by derailing a child’s typical “drop and run” behavior. A drop zone could be in a mudroom, laundry room or simply inside the door your children use the most. I suggest hanging a coat hook for the backpack and placing a roomy basket underneath for papers and other paraphernalia. Stopping paper clutter at the door is a must for any organizing junkie!

Creating a Homework Station: Don’t clutter your dining room table with papers; instead make doing homework more fun by creating the perfect storage place for little ones. Let them help by decorating a box or bin, and then store it with papers, pencils, crayons and other school work necessities. If you don’t have room for a separate area, you can create a movable homework station by collecting the same necessities and organizing them onto a movable tray. When not in use, the tray should slide onto an unused chair or under the table. Investing in a Large Calendar: If you haven’t done so already, I suggest purchasing a large calendar that can be placed in a central location for all to use. When you begin receiving special dates from the school and/or sporting teams, put them in the calendar immediately. I can imagine that nothing would be worse than missing your daughter’s school play or your son’s first t-ball game.

Creating a Nightly Routine: I promise this will save you from becoming crazed every school morning. The more you can do the night before, the better. For instance, plan breakfast, pack lunches, choose outfits, scan backpacks for missing homework, projects or library books and make sure music and/or sports bags are packed and ready. Remember…you can never be too prepared! Happy new school year! Erin Sharplin Love, owner of Panache by Erin, is a Certified Fashion and Image Consultant, Professional Organizer, and Certified Wedding Coordinator whose specialties include outfit coordination and closet organization. Love has a knack for creating the perfect organized spaces that work with each client’s personality, for helping her fashion clients develop their own personal style, and for helping her wedding clients create the wedding of their dreams within their budget and without the stress. Panache by Erin offers the following services – outfit coordination, personal shopping, personal color analysis, home/office organization and wedding/event coordination. To learn more, please go to www.panachebyerin.com.

WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | AUGUST 2015

Glenwood Medical Group Quality Medical Providers You Expect. Compassionate Care You Deserve.

BRAIN & SPINE SURGERY Jorge Alvernia, MD As an accomplished neurosurgeon in the area, Dr. Alvernia specializes in treating brain tumors, nerve disorders and spinal conditions. Special services include vagal nerve stimulators for epilepsy, spinal cord stimulators for pain and baclofen pump placement for spasticity. PH: 318-807-4611

CARDIOLOGY P.Thomas Causey, Jr., MD, FACC Dr. Causey, a fellow of the American Board of Cardiology and board certified in cardiovascular disease, specializes in clinical consultative cardiology, echocardiography, nuclear cardiology and preventive cardiology. He also serves as medical director of Glenwood’s Cardiac-Pulmonary Rehabilitation Center. PH: 318-338-3525

CARDIOVASCULAR SURGERY Harry Donias, MD Dr. Donias’ services include mitral valve, tricuspid valve and aortic valve repair or replacement, on and off pump coronary artery bypass, proximal aortic and arch pathology, surgical treatment of atrial fibrillation, lung and esophageal cancer, aneurysms, peripheral revascularization and carotid stenosis, as well as minimally invasive and endovascular techniques. PH: 318-329-3475 EAR, NOSE & THROAT Brent Metts, MD, PhD Dr. Metts, one of the few surgeons in the na-

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tion who is fellowship trained in minimally invasive and endoscopic assisted thyroid and parathyroid surgeries, provides treatment for sinus disease, thyroid disease, hearing loss, throat and voice problems, sleep apnea, tonsillitis and ear infections. He also performs minimally invasive balloon sinuplasty. PH: 318-329-8458

FAMILY & INTERNAL MEDICINE Roland Ponarski, MD Dr. Ponarski specializes in diabetes, hypertension and high cholesterol. In addition, he offers routine physical exams and CDL license exams. PH: 318-329-8485

FAMILY PRACTICE Daniel Trejo, MD Dr. Trejo is the primary care physician at Glenwood Stat Care. He specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol, thyroid disorders and arthritis. His procedures include well baby check-ups, Kidmed vaccinations, family planning, dermatology, superficial skin cancers, skin tags and wart removal, ingrown toenails, laceration repair, acne treatment, newborn in-office circumcisions and pap smears. PH: 318-396-3800 FOOT & ANKLE David Gardner, DPM Michael R. Kaye, DPM Drs. Gardner and Kaye specialize in bunions, hammertoes, flat foot, achilles tendonitis, toenail fungus, ingrown toenails, heel pain, neuromas, corns, calluses, warts, deformi-

ties, geriatric conditions, diabetic foot conditions and sports injuries of the lower legs and feet. PH: 318-322-5506

GENERAL SURGERY Frank Sanfiel, MD Dr. Sanfiel specializes in hernia repair, breast surgery, gastrointestinal surgery, skin and soft tissue infections and other surgical interventions, including laparoscopic and robotic surgery. PH: 318-329-8411 GENERAL SURGERY & WOUND CARE Russell T. Lolley, MD Dr. Lolley is the Medical Director of Glenwood’s Hyperbaric & Wound Care Center. He performs transcutaneous oxygen monitoring, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, wound debridement, specialty wound dressing and skin grafts, compression therapies and diabetic foot care, as well as general surgeries. PH: 318-329-8445

INTERNAL MEDICINE Alyce Adams, MD Dr. Adams is a certified Diabetes Educator who specializes in diabetes, hypertension and preventive cardiology. She also offers EKGs, stress tests and echocardiograms. PH: 318-322-0458

NEUROLOGY Michael Boykin, MD Dr. Boykin’s services include EEG, NVC/EMG studies and Botox® for migraine in jections. He provides treatment for Parkinson’s CONTINUED ON PAGE 130

Stella Artois

600 Years of Belgian Heritage HE FOLKS AT STELLA ARTOIS® are extremely proud of their Belgian roots. Their story can be seen on every bottle of Stella Artois. If you look closely, hints of their origins are proudly displayed. By 1366, roots of Stella’s brewing tradition had been established in the city of Leuven, Belgium– which is also where the original Den Hoorn brewery was founded. Den Hoorn laid the foundation for the quality taste and standard Stella Artois is known for. The symbol of the Den Hoorn Brewery is proudly displayed in Stella Artois' cartouche to this day.

Sebastian Artois Sebastian Artois was admitted to the Leuven Brewer’s Guild as a Brew Master in 1708, and only nine years later purchased the Den Hoorn brewery. In memoriam, you can find his last name on the brewery and every bottle of Stella Artois around the world.

Originally Brewed for the Holidays The Artois Brewery was so beloved internationally and locally, a special batch was created as a Christmas gift to the people of Leuven. That special batch was the first to officially include "Stella" in its name. "Stella," meaning “star” in Latin, pays homage to this original occasion, accompanied by a star on every bottle. So next time you see a bottle of Stella Artois, take note of the rich history paired with the rich flavor on and in every bottle. 48 AUGUST 2015 | W WW.B AYO UL IFE MAG .CO M

How to Pour Perfection The Stella Artois® 9 Step Pouring Ritual: Pouring the perfect Stella Artois® is key to enjoying the perfect Stella Artois®. The brand’s time-honored nine-step ritual helps ensure that consumers everywhere are served as they would be in Belgium. After hundreds of years of brewing experience, there is only one way to pour a Stella Artois®, and it is important that all those who serve Leuven’s gold standard lager pay as much attention to serving Stella Artois® as we do to brewing it.

The 9-step pouring ritual: 1. The Purification: Use clean and rinsed branded glass. 2. The Sacrifice: Open the tap in one quick action and let the first drops of beer flow away. 3. The Liquid Alchemy Begins: Hold the glass just under the tap without touching it at a 45° angle. 4. The Head: Lower the glass to allow the natural formation of the foam head. 5. The Removal: Close the tap quickly and move the glass away so beer doesn’t drip into the glass. 6. The Beheading: While the head foams up and overflows the side of the glass, smooth it gently with a head cutter. 7. The Judgment: The right amount of foam is usually about 2 fingers . 8. The Cleansing: Clean the bottom and sides of the glass.

9. The Bestowal: Present the beer on a clean beer coaster with the logo facing the consumer.

Not only has it been proven that correctly-poured Stella Artois® results in satisfied consumers and increased brand loyalty, but bartenders, too, become true brand ambassadors once they have mastered the art of serving Stella Artois®. The annual Stella Artois® World Draught Master Competition – established in 1997 - heralds the importance of this pouring ritual. Bartenders from around the world compete to demonstrate their beerserving prowess before a panel of distinguished judges who carefully scrutinize each and every step.

Say Bonjour to the Simple Life Imagine the taste of... A soft, fruity sweetness paired with a crisp, dry finish made with hand picked apples from wine-growing regions. A perfectly balanced and blended cider to awaken your senses. That is Stella Artois Cidre, my friend.

Host Beautifully Discover the art of hosting with tips from experts in the world of food, entertainment and style by visiting www.stellaartois.com.

The

Five Year

Plan By MICHAEL DEVAULT Photographs by BRAD ARENDER

Chef Cory Bahr: From Chopped Champion to hometown favorite, local Chef Cory Bahr is making waves in the culinary scene

CHEF CORY BAHRâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S "future" looks remarkably like the present of the customers who frequent his restaurant. Where many businesses and owners plan years down the road, Bahr's focus is on the plate that's in front of him and the customer at Table Seven. If that seems a bit confusing coming from one of the region's most successful restaurateurs, just spend a day with Bahr and, suddenly, it makes far more sense. trolling through the Farmer's Market, Cory Bahr takes stock of the offerings from some of the area's local produce farmers. He pauses by some of the booths, making careful selections from among the freshest produce. At several of the stalls, he visits with the merchant. If Bahr seems like he's a bit of a regular, that's because he's there almost every day. "I use the Farmer's Market for inspiration with what we're doing that day," says Bahr, who sits down with his sous chef following such visits to map out the daily specials at Restaurant Cotton and Nonna. The specials feature prominently in the establishments' menus and rank among the most popular features in the restaurants. Bahr

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hedges when he's asked what it is he's looking for on these morning jaunts to the market. "It depends on what's in season, what's available and what's really good right now," Bahr said. The Farmer's Market walkthrough is one of the keys to a successful menu. Or, as Bahr puts it, "That's where we're drawing our inspiration every day." Bahr has long been visiting farmer's markets, local food retailers and area producers of both vegetables and meats. It's a practice he began years ago, when he was the executive chef at Canard's. The practice continues today, even though his days are far busier than they used to be. With two restaurants, a half-dozen catering jobs and a plethora of non-profit organizations vying for his attention at any given moment, Bahr's time has become a precious commodity, and if there's any limit to what Bahr can accomplish, it's a lack of additional hours in the day, which can start as early as 6 a.m. or as late as 11 a.m. "It depends on when I'm needed, where I'm needed," Bahr said. Having two restaurants, you get pulled in a lot of directions." He finds himself in the car dozens of times a day, bouncing between Cotton in downtown and Nonna in the Garden District. Sometimes, those cross-town jaunts find him diverted to a meeting with suppliers or on runs to the market for that key ingredient for a lunch special. Mornings are particularly hectic, as he maps out menus, tests dishes and gets ready for lunch service--those precious three or four hours when customers pack into the restaurant for a quick mid-day bite.

Not only is he in the kitchen, ensuring food quality is up to Cotton and Nonna standards, but he's also on the floor, visiting with guests-a practice known in the industry as “touching tables.” "People have a lot of opportunity of where to spend their money, and it's up to me to thank them as much as I can, as often as I can," Bahr said. Visit either of his restaurants, and it's apparent he spends a significant portion of his time with customers. They each recognize him and can share conversational tidbits about their lives, about the progress on a house renovation or their kids' college aspirations. He's specialized in becoming a public face for his restaurants. For example, when a tornado knocked power out to a significant portion of the city's population, Bahr kicked into high gear. He and his staff spent four days feeding anyone who showed up--free of charge--from the Nonna kitchen stores. He didn't do it for the publicity or praise, but those efforts garnered both. In addition to the Nonna staff, dozens of volunteers showed up to help plate food, distribute meals and cook. Grocers, individuals and even a few charities sent over supplies to bolster the effort. In that moment, Bahr was able to see what an integral part of the community his restaurants could be. "As the community grows, so will Cotton and Nonna," Bahr said. "We're progressing in a positive fashion in our community, especially as far as food offerings are concerned." He pauses to call an order, shouting down the line for a Chicken Caesar salad, an order of duck wraps and a serving of duck fries before continuing. "A lot of that is just our natural progression. People are looking for quality and a dif-

ferent experience. I think coming out to Cotton or Nonna should be an experience, an opportunity to relax and to enjoy your life." By mid-afternoon, after lunch service has ended, Bahr's attention shifts slightly. He confers with suppliers via phone about what products they have on special, what interesting or new ingredients they're offering. These conversations are often held in conjunction with his sous chefs, who help shape the seasonal menus. "We look at what we've got and then we try to develop new and unique ways to use the products we have coming in, whether it’s pork cheeks to fish collars," Bahr said. In addition to looking at supplier availables, Bahr also discusses cooking techniques and innovations in the kitchen. Recently, Cotton built a new smoker. Constructed near the Ouachita on the rear of the building, the smoker gives off an intense heat, and peering at the river gives the impression of a mirage. Tending the smoker, Bahr is right at home. "I'm spending a lot more time at Cotton right now, really trying to add to it," Bahr said. "We're exploring some new flavors and new techniques. We're really trying to develop new thought processes in what we are doing." Bahr is not afraid to take risks and to put essentially everything-even his reputation--on the line for that next dish. These high stakes risks have paid off, too. When he gambled on an appearance on the Food Network's hit series Chopped, he walked away a champion. Entry into the Louisiana state seafood cook-off saw him crowned WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | AUGUST 2015

Prep Time: The waitstaff gathers near the kitchen to discuss the eveningâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s specials.

Louisiana Seafood King in 2011, this in spite of the fact that his restaurants are both more than 350 miles as the crow flies from the nearest beach. Yet, it's not about accolades and magazine covers. It's about something more basic. "Awards mean nothing unless we're serving great food to the customers who come inside our four walls," Bahr said. If customer response and repeat traffic is any indication, Cotton and Nonna are succeeding on this front. By mid-afternoon, the phone is ringing and the staff are busy sharing upcoming specials, taking to-go orders and booking reservations. Around 4 p.m., Bahr is back on the line at Cotton, helping prep for dinner service. By 5 p.m., the restaurant is hopping. A busy after-work bar service means a flood of appetizer orders. Some of the bar patrons convert to tables and then order dinner. Other customers come in, some with reservations, some without, and by 6:30 p.m., there is a wait for a table. A similar situation is unfolding across town at Nonna, where the patio provides additional seating and an extra bar area. It's between this busy crush and that 4 p.m. prep that Bahr does his only "long term planning" when he touches base with the hostesses at both restaurants. "We check reservations, looking at things like VIPs coming in who I may need to visit with, and then plan out dinner service," Bahr said. Once that's set, it's off to the races for the dinner rush. By the end of the evening, he's able to take a break, wander among the tables and chat with the stragglers. A Mason jar of ice water tinkles in his hand as he answers questions about the food, talks up a special catering event he has around the corner and teases the weekend's specials. In this moment, Bahr is absolutely in his element, and it's easy to see why customers flock back again and again. Moments later, when asked about what the future holds, Bahr laughs dismissively, as if to ask what future. "The future is always really â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;right nowâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; for us. It's the next guest coming in the door," Bahr said. And with that, he has to call another order to the line. That's not to say Bahr doesn't see the distant future--that five year plan most businesses operate from. Indeed, he sees his restaurants as an integral part of the community he's helping to create. He's talked previously of opening a boutique hotel, an old fashioned, gourmet provisionary with homemade sausages and specialty cheeses, and other avenues for expanding the burgeoning foodie culture in Monroe. But, he stops just short of saying what will happen when. "We do think quite far in advance, but really, it's about the here and now," Bahr said.

Dish It Up: Cory Bahr serves this mouthwatering homemade hummus with olives, radishes and a side of flatbread.

WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | AUGUST 2015

Kasasa with Centric

It’s like Big Bank Rewards with a Credit Union Heart

HERE’S NO BETTER WAY TO bank than to Kasasa! at Centric! Free Kasasa Cash checking makes it possible to earn way above the national average with 3.25% APY on balances up to $10,000. Not to mention an added plus, refunds on ATM fees, nationwide*. It’s easy to earn your awards! Kasasa Cash checking pays you to do simple transactions you’re probably already doing. Simply complete 12 debit card purchases and 1 automatic payment (ACH) or direct deposit that posts and settles to your account within the qualification period and enroll and review an e-Statement notification. You shouldn’t pay for your own money. Instead, you should be rewarded for using your account. Here at Centric, we believe in that and live it daily! Kasasa Cash checking continues to pay even if you come up short on your qualifiers. There’s no doubt you can maximize on the benefits by completing the qualifiers, but you have the opportunity to earn our base dividend rate of 0.05% APY, even if you don’t qualify. Your account is always free. Plus, you can still earn a higher rate and refunds on ATM fees the very next cycle. No shame in trying again next month. So, basically, you earn higher dividends just for Kasasa-ing! No gimmicks, no standing on one leg and raising your right hand. Simple. Free. Kasasa! To begin reaping the benefits today, visit 54 AUGUST 2015 | W WW.B AYO UL IFE MAG .CO M

www.MyCentric.org. Here, you can enroll and fund your account online the very same day! Centric has four convenient locations to serve you in Ouachita and Lincoln parishes. Our staff is trained and highly skilled to provide efficient service to you. The goal at Centric is to remain focused on our members, provide fast but friendly service and to follow-up with our members regardless of their need, all while having F-U-N, FUN! That’s why our staff feels there’s no better option than to bank at Centric. We know the choice is yours and we respect your decision. Your financial well-being matters to us and it’s our responsibility to ensure your funds are secure and available to you as needed. So what’s holding you back? Do you Kasasa?

*Qualifications vary by account. Account transactions and activities may take one or more days to post and settle to the account, and all must do so during the Monthly Qualification Cycle in order to qualify for the account’s rewards. The following activities do not count toward earning account rewards: ATM-processed transactions, transfers between accounts, debit card purchases processed by merchants and received by Centric as ATM transactions and purchases made with non-Centric issued debit cards. Monthly Qualification Cycle means a period beginning one (1) business day prior to the first day of the current statement cycle

through one (1) business day prior to the close of the current statement cycle. Rewards vary by account. Depending on what Kasasa account you open, you will receive the following rewards when you meet your account qualifications during a Monthly Qualification Cycle: - Interest on your checking balances (Kasasa Cash) Cash back on debit card purchases (Kasasa Cash Back). When your Kasasa account qualifications are not met, reward distributions are not made. Rewards will be credited to your Kasasa account on the last day of Statement Cycle. Rates and rewards are variable and may change after account is opened. Fees may reduce earnings. Account approval, conditions, qualifications, limits, timeframes, enrollments, log-ons and other requirements apply. $25 minimum deposit is required to open the account. Monthly Direct Deposit/ACH credit, enrollment in online banking, receipt of electronic statements are conditions of these accounts. Enrollment in electronic services (e.g. online banking, electronic statements) may be required to meet some of the account qualifications. Limit 1 account per social security number / individual taxpayer identification number. There are no recurring monthly service charges or fees to open or close this account. Contact a Centric service representative for additional information, details, restrictions, processing limitations and enrollment instructions. Federally insured by NCUA.

A Work of Art

There is a New Level of Precision at Hopkins Dermatology

AVE YOU EVER OBSERVED A REALLY PROFOUND piece of art (or maybe even a movie poster) and wondered why it was so compositionally pleasing? The most likely reason is that the artist intentionally (or unintentionally) employed the use of the Divine Proportion (also known as the golden ratio, the golden section, and part of the Fibonacci series. The Divine Proportion is a little-known phenomenon that suggests that there’s a mathematical equation that’s consistent with the aesthetics of good composition.

Smooth as Silk The new smooth gel formulation of Restylane Silk is now available and with the latest artistry, the Divine Proportion, by Dr. Hopkins there is a subtle enhancement, allowing for a more natural and youthful appearance for your lips. Silk is different from other products. It is a unique, silky smooth formulation of hyaluronic acid that will allow Dr. Hopkins to subtly enhance lips and treat the lines around them. Expect precise shape and definition that just have not been possible until now. If you’ve been afraid of “duckfilled” lips – no worries with Silk. It results in a natural lip without excessive volume or swelling.

When to consider Lip Enhancement: • Your lips have always been thin and disappear when you smile • As you age, your lips have become thinner and less full. • You feel self conscious about how your lips look • Having fuller lips will help balance out your face

If you are in good general health, have a positive attitude and realistic expectations, you are most likely a good candidate for Restylane Silk.

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Sculptra Aesthetic Facial aging is a continuous process throughout life. You usually begin to notice its effects in your 30s, when fine wrinkles and the texture and firmness of your skin show the signs of change. As aging progresses, more wrinkles and lines appear, and they deepen over time. Your skin continues to change in texture and color and begins to sag. This continues throughout your life. This is a result of the aging of the skin, the reduction in collagen, and the underlying structures, such as bones and the depletion of fat pads. Age doesn’t have to look the way it used to. Sculptra replaces lost collagen and corrects shallow to deep facial wrinkles and folds. The injections can be placed along the hairline for restoration and refinement as it fills and lifts. This beautiful facial injectable and the Phi technique used by Dr. Hopkins can last up to two years.

Dysport Dysport is an alternative to Botox in treating frown lines and crow’s feet. This neurotoxin has now been approved for the neckbands that appear with age. NOTE: It is ALL about the dosage and placement of the product. It is important that you see a board-certified specialist who is experienced in facial cosmetics, to avoid potential problems such as a droopy eye or a crooked smile, etc. Ask about your doctor and make sure you have a similar aesthetic and understanding of what you would like to achieve.

Join Us August 5th for a Day of Art! When combined with the expertise and artistry of Dr. Hopkins, these three products give a rested, fresh appearance. Schedule your Liquid Lift with the NEW Restylane Silk, Sculptra and Dysport and take 20% off. Make your appointment today by calling Hopkins Dermatology at 318.325.0600.

WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | AUGUST 2015

M A K E U P M U S T- H AV E S

Dallas and Atlanta based fashion sales representative for Reeves & Company, Analeise Reeves, shares her favorite products to achieve the best makeup look day or night as well as her skincare routine his month I thought it might be fun to feature some of my #1 beauty product choices. The products listed below are tried-and-true favorites for me as well as some newfound winners. I take after my mother in the fact that I LOVE trying new skincare and makeup brands, so my collection of all things cosmetic is fairly extensive. I often bounce around from month-to-month with different combinations, so I tried to scale down and list some of the products I always go back to because of the way they make my skin look and feel. I hope my list inspires you to try new products and branch out!

T SKINCARE ROUTINE

DOUBLE CLEANSE: La Mer The Cleansing Oil ($85) followed by Mario Badescu Enzyme Cleansing Gel ($24) using a Clarisonic device

DAY MAKEUP

NIGHT MAKEUP

TINTED MOISTURIZER: Revision Intellishade SPF 45 ($48) followed by Garnier Miracle Skin Perfector BB Cream ($13) BRONZER: tarte Amazonian Clay Waterproof Bronzer ($30)

FOUNDATION: Revlon ColorStay Makeup with SoftFlex ($13) BLUSH: M•A•C Cremeblend Blush $22 EYESHADOW: Chanel Multi-Effect Quadra Eyeshadow in Tissé Vénitien ($61)

TONE: Clarins Toning Lotion With Chamomile ($24) SERUM: Caudalie Polyphenol C15 Anti-Wrinkle Defense Serum ($62)

MOISTURIZE DAY: Clarins Multi-Active Day Correcting Lotion SPF15 ($59) MOISTURIZE NIGHT: La Mer Crème De La Mer ($85-$465) MASK: Avène Soothing Moisture Mask ($26) 58 AUGUST 2015 | W WW.B AYO UL IFE MAG .CO M

LIPS, CHEEKS, EYES & BODY: NARS The Multiple in Copacabana ($39) BLUSH: tarte Amazonian Clay 12Hour Blush ($28) MASCARA: L’Oréal Paris Voluminous Miss Manga Mascara ($7) BROWS: Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Kit ($65)

EYELINER: Bobbi Brown LongWear Gel Eyeliner ($25) LIPSTICK: M•A•C Matte Lipstick in Ruby Woo ($16)

WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | AUGUST 2015

FISHING with KENNY much regardless of the body of water you are fishing. In no particular order here at my top picks.

1. Zoom Brush Hog No matter if you are using the Jr or the Big Brush Hog this soft plastic creature bait flat out catches fish. You can throw it on a Texas rig, you flip and pitch it or you can even use it on a Carolina rig. I have seen people even use it weightless, fishing it over grass for spawning bass. It is effective twelve months out of the year, and water color has never seemed to be an issue. If I could only pick one color for this bait it would be Watermelon, but I would dip the tails in chartreuse dye.

The Competition Has Gotten Younger... and There Are More of Them by K EN N Y COV IN G TO N I HAVE BEEN FISHING SINCE I CAN

remember. I still have the picture of the first bass I ever caught. It weighed no more than a pound and a half and was caught on a six inch chartreuse ribbon tail worm off of my grandmother’s dock at Lake Lafourche. Needless to say, I was hooked. I started fishing tournaments when I was 13, when my father would allow me to go with him and fish. Heavy stuff for a kid who soaked in all of the information that my young mind could process. Like an addict who looks for their next fix, I was looking for the next book, magazine or fishing conversation to gather more information about a sport that I not only loved but had a deep fascination for. Fast forward 30+ years. My how things have changed. The information I so badly looked for and sought out, is now at our fingertips. I still fish a heavy load of events each year, 60 AUGUST 2015 | W WW.B AYO UL IFE MAG .CO M

but one thing I have noticed in the past few tournament seasons, the competition is getting younger. Not just younger but they are getting better. And a lot quicker. Information that took me years to learn or figure out through my own trial and error now takes a few days or even hours to get a grasp on. Techniques are no longer hush hush, because the information highway in this great sport is nonstop. With a click of a few buttons on a computer, everything you want to learn, figure out, study or research about bass fishing is available. It’s unreal! We now have high school bass fishing teams. Some colleges are awarding scholarships for kids to go to college to fish on their respective fishing teams. Right here in our own back yard, ULM won a bass fishing national championship a few years ago. One of the things we are doing right as a sport is we are getting more and more young anglers, both girl and boys, involved. The future is indeed bright. I stand around at tournament weigh-ins, and I don’t know most of the people fishing anymore. I have suddenly become one of the old guys. As a fan of the sport, I applaud the changing of the guard; as a competitor, I welcome the challenge of beating the kids. Even in fishing, just as they do in life, things come full circle. On that note... I was asked by a gentleman who just recently moved here, if I would tell him some basic lures that would work on our area lakes. While we spoke, it occurred to me that we actually have a handful of lures that work pretty

2. Bandit Crankbait The 200 series Bandit has been a popular choice in our area for many years. No matter if you are fishing on the Ouachita River or fishing the clear waters of Caney or Claiborne, a Bandit crankbait is a good choice. While the 200 series is probably the most popular, the smaller 100 series is probably the best fish catcher in the Bandit line up. If I had to pick one color for this bait, it would be the Splatterback.

3. Chug Bug Throughout the year this walking topwater lure rules supreme when working the shallow waters of our area waterways. It catches numbers of fish, but it will also catch you the fish of a lifetime. Among area tournament anglers this is easily the number one choice when searching for a topwater bite. Shad patterns are popular choices, but chrome with a blue back is probably the most popular of all.

4. Mr. Hootie Spinnerbait When it comes to throwing a spinnerbait, there has been more fish caught on a Mr. Hootie in this area than any other. A 3/8 ounce chartreuse/white gold/silver double willow leaf Mr. Hootie is a fish catcher. You can slow roll it during the colder winter months, you can burn it in the fall just under the surface or you can simply fish down your favorite bank. It works great when you just want to cover some water. That will just about do it for this month, but remember to please be extra careful on the water as the heat of the summer is now at its peak. Sunscreen and water, remember to use plenty of both. Catch one for me, and I will see you next month!

WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | AUGUST 2015

BAYOUKIDZ

Quality Family Time CAMPING WITH YOUR KIDS article by Cindy G. Foust

re any of our readers ready for this writer to lighten the mood of this column? Goodness sakes, the last two months have been a little on the nostalgic, serious side, so I’m putting a bottle rocket under my keyboard and we are blasting off to August. Readers, listen up…we are on the cusp of starting back to school, and no one at my home is ready! As my late Uncle Wayne would say (and Charlie Brown, of course), “Good grief!” I remember so clearly, when I was a child, dreading the thought of school starting, as the lazy days of summer sped by. Lazy days spent playing outside until after dark; helping my grandparents in their garden; playing softball; sleepovers with friends; and camping trips. Yes, you heard me right, camping trips. Does anyone go camping anymore, that’s a question I’d like my readers to answer? You know, true authentic camping…pitching a tent? Campfires? Sleeping bags? My family always enjoyed summers at Lake Ouachita, camping, skiing, bike trails. Camping was pure summertime bliss for this writer. Well, except for that one time, when my parents let me go

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on a camping trip to Arkansas (exact destination unknown, but just know it was somewhere near where Freddy Krueger lives on Elm Street). Yes, this camping trip turned into a horror story of its very own, minus Freddy Krueger himself (well, we never saw him, but he was thought to be lurking somewhere in those woods). I want you to think of cabins buried so far in the woods, Daniel Boone would never find you; cabins so antiquated, that the rooms didn’t have real walls (you know, with wood and stuff), they were screened in, and bathrooms were 3.2 miles (that’s what it felt like anyway) from your cabin. I’ve got to tell you, and I’ve written about the movies my VHS watching friends and I had watched at this point, but I had seen too many “Halloween” and “Friday the 13th” movies at this point, and I was convinced Michael Myers was under my bed the entire vacation (or “TERRORcation,” if you would). Yes, I had an ominous feeling after seeing these cabins and should have used the pay phone to call my mom to come get me, because the trip went downhill, literally, from there.

Let’s see…where should I start the entertainment part of the story? When I thought I would try to impress Greg Morris with my Olympic diving ability and dove into the shallow end of the campground pool. It should have been a big ole CLUE that the pool was not very well kept when you couldn’t see the bottom, but alas, I was trying to look like a graceful swan and impress my childhood crush, but dove into the shallow end instead. I think back on that and praise God I was not more seriously hurt, because I could have been, but my pride sure was when I had to walk around in a neck brace, missing some of my hair (that had been shaved off by the concrete at the bottom of the pool). Oh, and a few eyelashes…I was missing a few of those, too. And then there was the fateful canoe trip, that had been described as the “rapids” but instead turned into the “comatoses” and I had the two “girlie-girls,” who will remain nameless, in my canoe, instead of having my childhood crush, and I had to do ALL the paddling, while they whined and cried, for the entire 32.9 miles. Oh, in a neck brace, did I mention I was in a neck brace? Yeah, except for that one time, I loved camping. This got me thinking…as we are on the eve of school starting, why not take my own children on a little camping get-away? Well, those plans were thwarted, since my son plays high school sports and can’t miss practice. But perhaps there’s another way, a way some of my readers might be interested in, and that’s having a campout in your own backyard! I can just hear the angst cries (I do realize the heat index has been 109º), and the loud thumps as you toss this month’s magazine in the garbage can! But just give me a minute… before you react in haste. Think of the memories you will make! Think how excited your children will be (well, unless you are my 17-year-old son) as they help you pitch your tent, right in the comfort of your back yard. No tent? No problem. Because I am convinced this will become an annual “backto-school” tradition (because I like for families to be rich in tradition), consider purchasing a tent at the local sporting goods store, or even better, discount shop or eBay. If you aren’t interested in a financial investment, I saw where you can construct a makeshift tent by, (and I am trying to keep a straight face when I use the word) “simply” tying a rope between two trees and hanging a large blanket or quilt over the rope. Again, “simply” secure the four corners with a brick or something heavy, and voilá…you have C O N T I N U E D O N PA G E 1 3 7

WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | AUGUST 2015

Morgan and Wyatt aomi Layne Wyatt and Jacob Dean Morgan exchanged marriage vows on Saturday, May 30 2015 at 2 p.m., at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Days Saints, Monroe, chapel. Bishop Don Hunsaker, a family friend, officiated the union between Bride and Groom. Parents of the couple are Misty and Clint Thompson of West Monroe, Jason Wyatt of Monroe, James Morgan II of New Orleans, and the late Crystal Morgan of Monroe. The couple chose a small and intimate ceremony among family, friends and fellow church members to celebrate their unification on this blessed and sacred day. The reception hall was elegantly decorated with burlap table run-

ners, featuring mason jars filled with baby’s breath, aqua-colored petals gracing the white covered tables and dashes of coral accenting this beautifully adorned venue. The enchanting threetiered cake was provided by the groom’s talented cousin, Morgan Rogillio, and was not only a captivating highlight, but a delicious indulgence for all. The bride and groom graced the dance floor for their first dance as husband and wife to John Legend’s “All Of Me” with son, Brees, joining his parents mid-song. The wedding party was comprised of the bride's younger sister, Olivia Wyatt, as maid-ofhonor and bridesmaid, Mary Lusk. Serving as best man was the groom’s best friend, Chris Fabian, with his younger brother,

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James Morgan, serving as groomsman. The couple, who met in ninth grade at West Ouachita High School in 2011 began a friendship in their early years that has since seen many moments of adventure, heartache and pure joy. Later that year, their friendship developed into a kind and loving relationship that they both cherish. They were blessed with a son, Brees in February 2014 and soon after, became engaged in March 2015. The bride finished high school at West Monroe High School in 2012 and is now employed full-time at Regional Urology, while the groom, a recent graduate of Sterlington High School’s Class of 2015, has committed to serve, defend and pro-

tect this wonderful and precious nation we are so blessed to live in by becoming a member of the Armed Services, The National Guard. As he leaves to enter the service one month after marrying his new bride, Jacob and Naomi are comforted by their belief of eternal families. The couple have made their home together in Monroe and would like to extend their gratitude to our Heavenly Father and appreciation and love to all those who have supported them throughout their lives thus far. A special thanks goes to those who helped with the planning, decoratin, and the commencement of their new life together as the Morgan Family. photography by Scarlett Holland

WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | AUGUST 2015

EMBRACING THE

OUTDOORS

article by Dan Chason y wife doesn't fish nor does she understand why I love it so much. But she tolerates it. Same way with hunting. I once talked her into getting into a box stand with me. The weather was cool but not cold. I never spent so much time prepping for a hunt. Hand warmers, heaters, a comforter, magazines and any other thing I could think of to make the hunt enjoyable. It was very enjoyable to spend some quiet time with my lady until she made this statement. "I don't mind going hunting, but you better not shoot anything. I can't handle that." Needless to say, I didn't shoot anything, and thank goodness a big buck didn't walk out. One thing I did learn early on in our relationship was that she loves the outdoors if there is a lake or beach involved. Whether it is boat riding or getting on any kind of floating device and just sunning, she is in her element. It is not exactly my cup of tea, but with every marriage, you find a neutral ground and try to build upon it. Such was the case as we decided that camping was a neutral ground. I knew that camping locally or going camping at the beach would require air

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conditioning. Neither she or I are die-hards, and a tent was out of the question. That led to a search for our new home on wheels. When looking for a RV or travel trailer, there are a couple of things I learned the hard way. I will try to disclose some of them, so you don't fall into the same situation that I did. We opted for a travel trailer. The first thing to consider is what kind of set up will you have at your choice of camping areas. Louisiana is blessed with some very modern State Parks that offer not only all the hook ups for water, electric and sewer, but also bath houses. I will get into the reason that is important later. The most important thing to consider when looking for a travel trailer is the size and what kind of towing vehicle you own. Not every travel trailer is made for a half-ton pick-up. The towing weights for a half-ton truck determine not only how easy you can pull your camper but how safely you can do so. NEVER get a camper without sway bars for your hitch. This prevents jack-knifing and swaying. What most won't tell you is that towing a camper on back

roads is much different than the Interstate. You will learn what wind drag is all about, as well as what kind of wind an 18 wheeler pushes. Without sway bars, you can lose control and a disaster is imminent. Your hitch should be level. I don't mean an eyeball level. Take it to a professional and have it leveled before taking it anywhere. I was lucky enough to find a good RV dealer at Clay's RV. Mike Clay not only showed me the ropes, he gave me some insight that saved me a lot of headaches. I purchased my travel trailer from an individual and Mike still treated me like I had bought it from him. Travel trailers operate on gas (propane) or electric (12 volt and 110 AC). What you need to remember is to keep your propane tanks full and your holding tanks empty. These modern campers have a grey water tank (shower water and sink water) as well as a sewer tank (toilet). There are TWO valves that have to be opened for both of these to drain. I learned that the hard way. If you don't drain these tanks after your trip, the added weight can cause towing issues. This is the reason I like parks with bath houses. You can bathe and use the facilities there without having to fill up your tanks or drain smelly lines from the camper. It is a big plus, especially if you bring grandkids or friends along with you. Most importantly when looking at a used travel trailer or RV, take your time. It doesn't matter how many "older couples" are chomping at the bits to buy it if you don't. Plug it up. Turn on the gas. Check hot water temperatures. Check the refrigerator to assure it freezes and cools. Check the electrical outlets. If need be, take it to a RV park and plug it up to assure you have ample power to check the air conditioner. Remember that the air conditioner is designed to drain. If the trailer is not level, it will drain inside and not outside. Most importantly, do some homework. Call the previous owner if the seller is a secondary buyer. Check the tires and jacks. Once you are assured everything works, pull up the NADA price and compare what you are buying. Then make your decision. Once you arrive at your camping area, plug up your RV first. There is no need to drain your battery with electric awnings and jacks with electricity present. Level your camper and use a level, not your eyes to determine that it is perfectly straight. An unlevel camper is a nightmare. There are levels on the tongue and rear. But the most important place to check level is at the center of the inside. Pull out any slides, awnings and jacks and get ready to kick back. Camping is a regular routine for us now, when my wife is off work. We have enjoyed Caney, Poverty Point and Lake Bruin to name a few. Poverty Point is by far the most modern but lacks good shade. Lake Bruin has the nicest lake for playing but the roads are narrow and access is difficult pulling a trailer. Caney Lake is nice but crowded on the weekends. It is crowded in the park and on the lake as well. It reminds me of the movie "Caddy Shack" with all the jet skis and ski boats, so fishing can be a challenge. Still in all, our current place on a private lot at Lake Bruin is top shelf. It is quiet, restful and a place where Mama and me can spend some private time, catch some rays and I can slip off and fish while she takes a nap in the air conditioning. So find some neutral ground. You can enjoy the great outdoors and have your own retreat for thousands less than purchasing a lake house for those weekend getaways. WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | AUGUST 2015

MEREDITH’S MUSINGS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 36

away, not quick to correct me as she used to. Like I said, she was different. She claimed she had been praying for us, individually. And though nothing generally miraculous has happened to me since she has been gone, I have had peace. I contributed this to her absence; perhaps it was her prayer. She begged us to come to the service that evening where the girls would be singing and giving their testimonies. I was anxious to get home, to leave the addict. But this new girl, my sister, asked me to stay. None of us could disappoint this girl. She was too kind and almost childlike in her newfound spirituality, and like a child, we felt the need to protect her, in this case from disappointment, so we stayed. They marched into the choir loft in unison, all wearing white shirts, a quaint symbol of the newfound purity we were witnessing. I was sitting between Mom and Dad, the two-year-old taking two-minute spells in each of our laps. Now I don't go to church as much anymore, but I was raised there. I know all the old hymns, and it does feel like "old home" to me when I do make an appearance, usually to appease my mother. But for lack of a better phrase, I felt the Spirit in this place. The tears I had been holding all day came pouring out of me. My dad, who hadn't stopped sobbing all day, finally succumbed to the tissue I offered him, no longer trying to hide his emotion. My mother was performing her cry/smile, a face I know too well. I kept peering at her through my own tears, as my sister sang "I've Been Redeemed" in perfect harmony with the other girls, and I could see Mom's gratitude, her silent prayer of appreciation. She had prayed for this; the addict had prayed through this, and now it was a prayer of thanks streaming down her face. My family deserved this moment; after years of heartache and disappointment, we earned this. We saw hope. We saw promise. We saw possibility. What had been a dark tunnel, now had a small light, and surprisingly, it was coming from the first row of that choir loft, in the last place any of us would have looked. It was coming from my sister. She was repeating that chorus, "I've been redeemed...I've been set free," and I found it so fitting, because sitting there with my family, I felt we all had been redeemed. And for the first time in a long time, we felt free. 68 AUGUST 2015 | W WW.B AYO UL IFE MAG .CO M

P&S Surgical Hospital The Region’s First to Offer MAKOplasty®

Students participate in simulated surgery at P&S; students name hospital's new robot Nealy McCoy, a 16-year-old student from Caldwell Parish, recently used robotic technology to “saw” a leg bone at P&S Surgical Hospital. The simulated partial knee surgery was “smooth,” McCoy said. “The robot guided me through it, and it was such a great experience. I have always wanted to be a surgeon, and now I know I like bone surgery.” McCoy was one of nine students who visited P&S Surgical Hospital as part of the University of Louisiana at Monroe President’s Academy, a preparatory program for high-ability junior and senior high school students. P&S Surgical Hospital, the region’s first to offer MAKOplasty® partial knee resurfacing and total hip replacement procedures, invited the students to explore the RIO® Robotic Arm Interactive Orthopedic System, which is a surgeon-controlled robotic arm system that enables accurate alignment and placement of implants. The capabilities of the robot—which result in the kind of precise surgery that is accurate within one millimeter, or the thickness of a dime—was not lost on 17-year-old Michael Forte of Monroe.“I think it’s the coolest thing we’ve done since starting the Academy,” he said. Orthopaedic Surgeon Douglas Brown, M.D., explained the robot’s power to the students."We hold the instrument in our hand and as we move, the robot guides us. Our movements have already been pre-programmed, pre-planned and pre-diagnosed with the use of a CAT scan, which has been fed into the computer to tell us exactly what size the artificial joint is supposed to be and how it is supposed to be aligned,” Brown said. “By doing this, we are more precise than ever before.” P&S Surgical Hospital CEO Linda S. Holyfield said she appreciated the chance to host the PA students. Holyfield, a ULM nursing graduate, has been inviting ULM interns to work at P&S Surgical Hospital for many years. "Hands on" education is so important, she said. "We welcome the opportunity to educate high school students about potential careers in healthcare. Our MAKO technology, which is advanced and unique to this area, is a great example of the innovation they can anticipate in

Bottom Row (Left to Right): P&S Surgical Hospital’s Laura Clark; Counselor and ULM student Sarah Green; Kira Reney, Fatima Hussain; Gabrielle Stokley; Joanna Calhoun; Counselor Spencer Roark and P&S Surgical Hospital VP of Patient Services Debbie Austin. Top Row (Left to Right): Keith Myles Jr., Brennen Murphy, Mack McElveen, Aidan Reed, Chadren Martin, and Reginold Boudreaux.

their own professions. It's so important to encourage our children and grandchildren to imagine the possibilities." ULM President Nick J. Bruno touted the program’s success since its inception in 2012. "We began the President's Academy several years ago with the hopes of inspiring high school students to envision their professional futures. Our program has accomplished just that. For example, the medical track students who visited P&S Surgical Hospital now have a real-word perspective and an intimate understanding of the opportunities in their own medical careers. That kind of experience is invaluable." This year, students were also given an additional task. Representatives from P&S Surgical Hospital asked the groups to come up with a name for their new MAKO robot. The five Xteams presented over 40 names. Ultimately, “Xteam 3” prevailed with the name, “Kneezy.” The team even came up with an accompanying tagline, “Kneezy does it!” More about P&S Surgical Hospital’s Mako Technology: Four orthopaedic surgeons are certified to operate the robot at P&S Surgical Hospital: Douglas C. Brown, M.D.; Timothy D. Spires J.R., M.D.; R. Brian Bulloch, M.D.; and Kristopher C. Sirmon, M.D. MAKO is the latest innovation in the Total Joint Program at P&S Surgical Hospital. P&S Surgical Hospital is a joint venture between St. Francis Medical Center and physician specialists.

WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | AUGUST 2015

THE BEST BUY FOR SOUL FOOD IS HERE.

article by Tabby Soigner and photography by Martin G Meyers

How many times have you heard, ‘Let’s go grab a burger at Best Buy.’ Chances are you haven’t, but the handful of Monroe residents who have are most likely met with a “Huh?” and a confused look. No, the nationwide electronic store has not moved the Geek Squad into the kitchen. The few who do know about the Best Buy Restaurant that sells burgers and soul food,

Owner Cordell Blockson has operated Best Buy Soul Food for over 27 years.

though, are in on one of the best kept secrets in town. You may have to drive slowly and look carefully for Cordell Blockson’s eatery, located on Renwick Street just down from Carroll High School off Highway 165. He’s been in business in Monroe for the past 17 years so the sign is a little faded, but the food has not lost one ounce of flare and the restaurant adds more character as the years go by. The one constant, though, is Blockson

and it all started on a feeling. Almost every decision Blockson, 65, has made in his professional life started with a feeling. When he was 18, he left Monroe and moved to Portland, Oregon. There wasn’t a lot planned. He knew he had a friend there, but he moved on an impulse and found work at a steel company. It wasn’t long before Blockson had friends over for barbeques, and he was one of only few who would still man the grill in the rain and snow. “Friends said, ‘Why don’t you build a little restaurant?’”Blockson said. “I had a good job, but I decided to open up a restaurant. Later, they (his co-workers at the steel company) told me there were a lot of bets I wouldn’t make it. All I knew how to do was steel work.” It’s too bad Blockson couldn’t collect whatever the wager was on a yearly basis. After 27 years, he may have relocated, but his business is still thriving – and not just on the premise of the money coming in. Renwick Street is also his own Memory Lane. Blockson graduated from Carroll High School, and old and new friends come in and out of his doors all day long. “I like meeting people,” Renwick said. “I like helping people.” Starting a restaurant may have started on a feeling, but keeping a restaurant open for almost three decades takes dedication and a lot of heart. He loves his restaurant, but his first loves started with his mother, cooking and giving back … and all three have become the recipe for a successful business. “When I was a kid, I got the best lesson I ever learned,”Blockson said. “We lived in a poor, poor community, and my mother and father divorced when I was 2. My mother was only making three bucks a day, so at Christmas and Thanksgiving she always baked cakes to give to people.” It was in December that a man came down the street asking for help. “He was homeless, and he had just gotten off the train,”Blockson recalls. “She fixed him a cup of coffee, and this is when I got upset. My mother had $1 and told the man she was going to give him half of it. “She gave that man 50 cents! I could have gotten me a cold drink and a honey bun, but she taught me a lesson. She said, ‘That could have been Jesus. You don’t know WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | AUGUST 2015

who it is. Never turn anyone down.’” He watched his mother, Doris, through the years, helping others and spending most of his time at her side, watching her cook around a pit. The first thing Blockson tried his hand at, though, was scrambling eggs. “We didn’t have many, so I’d put a little baking powder in there to make it rise,” Blockson said, laughing. “You can’t put too much or you’ll taste the baking powder though!” Blockson starts his day between 6 and 7 every morning. He may still cook eggs, but those are for his own breakfast. He prepares chicken, pork chops, ribs, sausage and burgers and starts the work on his sides that range anywhere from macaroni and cheese to turnip greens and candied yams. The burgers have their own spectrum. The Bulldog burger, named after the Carroll mascot, is a cheeseburger and comes with fries and a drink. It costs a customer $3, and Blockson said he hasn’t gone up on the price in more than 10 years. None of his burgers cost more than $8, and all of them come with fries and a drink. The sizes get bigger with the names – King 72 AUGUST 2015 | W WW.B AYO UL IFE MAG .CO M

Kong, Godzilla, Big Daddy – but the biggest and most impressive one of all is the C&C Burger, named after Blockson (Cordell) and his son, Courtney. “I’ve been cooking it for over 25 years,” Blockson said. “It’s a burger with lettuce, tomato and pickle, then down home sausage with a fried egg topped with cheese. “That’s the big one. You can’t eat that driving. You have to sit down, and if you cut it in half, it falls apart. Everything in there is whole. You just have to sit down and just eat it.” It takes dedication...something Blockson knows all about. After winning one football game one season, he fed the Carroll football team “Godzilla” burgers to show his never-ending support for his alma mater. Some burgers have his secret sauce added to the overall taste, but like almost everything else in his life, it is created through a feeling. “You do it by feel,” Blockson said. “You taste it so many times, you lose the taste, so you have to let somebody else taste it. It’s the same with making gravy or smothering

chicken, you don’t use a method. I don’t think you can come up too salty – it’s a soul food restaurant.” His son Courtney, who helps his father cook, can also be a taste tester. He came up with the name of the restaurant,too. Throw confusion to the wind, it was the only way to describe what Courtney believed was the best buy in town, whether it's the burgers or the soul food. “I don’t think there’s a restaurant anywhere – it might be as good as mine, but none better,” Blockson said. “And I’ve tried a lot of them.” Just recently, a woman and her daughter drove all the way from Arkansas to get some soul food. The daughter was pregnant, and the craving kicked in. “I said, ‘You drove from Arkansas?’ You’ve got to be kidding,” Blockson said. “We were closing, and I said, ‘No, we got time.’ There’s nothing we won’t do for our kids.” Blockson and his wife of 43 years have two children, Courtney and daughter Gabby, who works for the sheriff’s office.

The C&C Burger BURGER WITH LETTUCE, TOMATO, PICKLE, DOWN-HOME SAUSAGE, FRIED EGG TOPPED WITH CHEESE AND SESAME BUN

Smothered Chicken

bout 95 percent of his business comes in take-out orders, and the personalities range from the Carroll faculty and coaching staff to ULM athletes and even Ouachita Parish Sheriff Jay Russell. Russell and Blockson team up every year at Christmas time to give bikes to underprivileged children, and Blockson cooked for around 1,000 people in the community last year. He has been serving dinners for the past 13 years and delivers turkeys, honey glazed hams and chicken and dressing, but his giving doesn’t just stop after Christmas. He may only deliver door to door in December, but he doesn’t hesitate to feed the hungry who come through his restaurant door year round. “You look at them, and you see it in their eyes,” Blockson said. “What is a hamburger or a piece of chicken? I think I got that from my mama, too.” It’s carried over into his spiritual life too. The ordained deacon had a friend years ago who fed him and a large group of people. He assumed it would cost him thousands of dollars, but the chain of love and giving came back around. When asked how much he owed his friend, the response was something that Blockson carries with him every day, from the time he walks into his restaurant to prepare the meals until the last customer is served. “You owe me nothing. You have to give back,” Blockson said as he recalls his friend’s words. “Life is a game. If I throw you the ball and you hold the ball and don’t throw it back, the game is over. So you have to throw it back.” The football and baseball fields of Carroll High School and Liller Maddox Marbles Community Center may be further down Renwick Drive, but a different game of catch can be seen every day between Blockson and his customers. You may not be able to see the sign right away, but you can see the love in each delicious bite. Best Buy Restaurant is located at 2952 Renwick Street and open for lunch from 10:30am-6pm Monday through Friday. To place a To Go order, call 318-322-4887.

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Improving Your Smile

Create The Smile You’ve Always Wanted BY DAVID FINLEY, D.D.S.

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BEFORE

AFTER

O YOU EVER TRY TO HIDE YOUR TEETH WHEN YOU are talking? Advances in cosmetic dentistry can make you proud of your smile. A dazzling smile can ignite a room. It projects strength, confidence and beauty. For decades dentists have worked on ways to treat dental problems. We can now change the way your teeth look and the way you feel! Because your mouth is one of the focal points of your face, it plays a major role in how you perceive yourself and how others perceive you. And now, taking steps to improve your appearance is an investment in your long-term health and well-being. Here’s a glossary of what the most popular – and quick – treatments can do for your smile ... apart from making a lasting impression this holiday season! Whitening – Erases stains and discolorations for a brighter, whiter smile. It’s so popular, because it’s so fast, safe and effective. Veneers – Stains and chips, or overlapping and uneven teeth, may require veneers which are extremely thin but strong porcelain shells that are layered over the surfaces of natural teeth. Veneers can be designed to improve the proportions of your smile. White Fillings – White composite, porcelain, cast glass, or resin inlays and onlays replace silver-colored fillings. Patients have options to improve their smile thanks to new materials and advances in cosmetic training. Increasing numbers of adults are improving the appearance and function of their teeth. We often correct cracked, chipped or unevenly spaced teeth using bonding or with veneers. This patient chose porcelain veneers prior to her wedding. What’s so special about cosmetic veneers? Handsculpted porcelain veneers, applied to the outside surfaces of your teeth, can dramatically recontour your smile, and they’re long-lasting. Also, applying veneers doesn’t involve moving your teeth. The procedure is quick and your picture-perfect smile will look completely natural! We want your smile to radiate the health you feel. Reward yourself ... ask us about how we can help you to achieve your best smile possible: healthy, vibrant and natural! Give us a call today, and get in today! Your smile can be bright and white ... just in time for back-to-school!

HydraFacial™ Power Wash Your Skin

BY TIMOTHY J. MICKEL, MD, FACS, CERTIFIED, AMERICAN BOARD OF PLASTIC SURGERY

XFOLIATION. EVERY WOMAN KNOWS THIS IS THE removal of old dead skin cells on the skin’s surface. It makes your skin feel smooth and fresh and gives it a healthy glow. Regular exfoliation helps maintain healthy, younger looking skin. Most men (and a couple of my Lebanese aunts) exfoliate everyday with shaving cream and a razor, but the majority of women use gritty cleansers or medispa procedures like microdermabrasion to remove the dead cells. HydraFacial™ is a new way to exfoliate using water instead of crystals. Consider microdermabrasion a sand blaster and HydraFacial™ a power washer – like microderm on steroids. HydraFacial™ is a multi-step procedure that includes not only cleansing and exfoliation, but also delivery of antioxidants and other essential nutrients to the skin once the dead cells are blasted away. Exfoliation and cleansing is the first step, followed by a gentle acid peel that loosens dirt and debris from pores with minimal irritation. The next step is painless automated extractions using vortex suction to clean out pores. Finally, antioxidants and hyaluronic acid are applied to the exposed, healthy new skin to nourish, hydrate and protect it. So HydraFacial™ does way more than just exfoliate. It is a resurfacing procedure that thoroughly cares for your skin, providing cleansing, exfoliation, extraction, and hydration while infusing antioxidants, peptides, and hyaluronic acid. Ranked above IPL, the HydraFacial™ is a noninvasive, non-surgical 30 minute procedure that delivers instant results with no discomfort or downtime. The procedure is soothing, moisturizing, non-irritating and immediately effective. The HydraFacial™ is recommended for all skin types. It specifically targets common skin issues including sun damage, blackheads and whiteheads, enlarged pores, acne, brown spots, uneven skin tone and early fine lines and wrinkles. The best part is it's not just a quick-fix procedure. The HydraFacial™ actually improves the quality of your skin, helping to make it healthy for the long term – especially if it is done on a regular basis. While it can be done as often as every two weeks, we recommend every four to six weeks for most patients. It can even be alternated every other session with traditional microdermabrasion treatments, if desired. The treatments are done by my aesthetician, Natalie Green, who has over 15 years experience involving nearly every conceivable spa treatment. Natalie did my treatment, and not only did my skin feel clean and smooth, but it felt even cleaner and smoother when she showed me all the suckedout blackheads and debris that were in the suction canister. (see photo). So as the summer wears on and you sit at the ballpark feeling like you have a gallon of suncreen and half the red dirt on the infield clogging your pores, consider treating yourself to an exfoliating, hydrating, deep cleaning, soothing HydraFacial™. And get a HydraFacial™ gift certificate for someone you love. Call Mickel Plastic Surgery at 388-2050 today. Your skin will thank you for it. WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | AUGUST 2015

Fall Open House

McKinney Honda Celebrates 30 Years

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HE WEATHER MAY NOT QUITE FEEL LIKE FALL JUST yet, but the first day of hunting season is just around the corner. Every August, McKinney Honda has a Fall Open House that brings folks from near and far to take advantage of the best prices of the year. McKinney’s is known for Honda and Kawasaki four-wheelers and side-by-sides, but they are also your outdoor super store with hunting gear, guns, ammo, bows and the best brands to take you into the woods. McKinney Honda’s Fall Open House has turned into quite an event in Ruston. This year’s festivities and savings start on Monday, August 10 and go throughout the week. The week culminates on Saturday, August 15 with free food from Community Trust Bank, live music, deals and savings in every department in the store and a big four-wheeler giveaway. Customers buying fourwheelers, side-by-sides, guns or bows during McKinney’s Fall Open House have a unique opportunity to save even more money with additional sales tax savings! McKinney’s allows their customers to layaway at Open House and pick-up September 4, 5 and 6 and take advantage of the Louisiana Second Amendment Tax Holiday. “That equals to really big savings for our customers,” says Richie McKinney, owner. “If you are planning on making a purchase, this is the time to do it.” In addition to the larger items, there are also great savings on smaller items in the apparel department during the Fall Open House. If you are looking for the best in hunting gear, McKinney’s has it. Drake, Banded, Columbia, Browning, Sitka, Walls and Scentlok are just some of the brands you’ll find. McKinney’s knows that you are sure to have a great hunt when you are outfitted with the right gear and supplies. Some may say that hunting is a pastime, a hobby or just a fun thing to do, but McKinney Honda in Ruston knows it’s truly a way of life. McKinney’s invites you to visit and see why they are your outdoor super store. Stop by the Fall Open House August 15 from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Enjoy the fun, food, music and deals, and get your name in the hat for the 250 Honda Recon 4-wheeler giveaway!

SouthernInspired Dishes The Fat Pelican Grows Menu to Offer Even More Delectable Options

OR THE PAST MONTH,THE FAT PELICAN HAS OPENED to rave reviews and it just keeps getting better for this family restaurant located in the heart of Monroe. Customers have already come to depend on their fresh fish from the Gulf of Mexico, including Snapper, Black Drum and Triple Tail. While everyone has loved their lunch and dinner menu so far, The Fat Pelican is already growing their menu to offer even more options. “We have added some new appetizers like house made guacamole with mango salsa and entrees like hand made pasta and ravioli,” said Chris McKnight, chef and owner. “We are even working on rolling out our kids menu because we want this to be a family-friendly environment where everyone can feel comfortable.” The Fat Pelican’s expanded menu accentuates their new wine menu, which ranges from light Piñot Grigios to full bodied Merlots. If wine is not your thing, there are plenty of creative cocktails to choose from. With juices, syrups and mixes made fresh and in house, they are sure to give your favorite drink a fresh new twist. While Louisiana fare often gets a bad rap when it comes to health conscious eaters, McKnight wants to make it clear there is something for everyone. “We have healthy options, gluten free, vegetarian and more,” said McKnight. “And if we don’t have something that you are looking for or have a certain dietary restriction, let us know! That is what challenges us as chefs, and we want everyone to leave happy and satisfied!” Recently, the Fat Pelican kitchen staff participated the GREAT Kitchen training course, presented by Vantage Health Plan. This class thoroughly addressed each step in creating a team-based approach with industry-best practices, including each staff member and their role in providing a safe gluten-free dining experience for customers with gluten intolerance or Celiac disease. The Fat Pelican plans on continuing to grow and offer delicious choices for area diners. “We are now offering fresh hand cut steaks in house,” said McKnight. Further down the road, McKnight plans to grow a garden with herbs, spices, fruits and vegetables. “We want to embrace the farm to table concept and be able to step out our back door and get the majority of the ingredients we need to create the dishes on our menu.”

WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | AUGUST 2015

Hot Off the Press

New Garrett Road Location Opening This Month

AILY PRESS KNOWS THAT CONVENIENCE IS KEY in your busy schedule so they make it as easy as possible to grab a cup of joe or a meal on the go. Not only do they have healthy options, an expedited ordering process and quick and friendly service, they now have more locations to serve you! That’s right. Monroe’s favorite pressed po’boys and espresso drinks can now be found at three convenient locations – at the corner of Hwy 165 North and Forsythe Extension, on Louisville Avenue across the street from the Twin City Shopping Center and their latest location near Pecanland Mall on Garrett Road. Daily Press boasts a redesigned coffee shop atmosphere that’s perfect for studying, a casual catch-up with a friend or a lunch break escape from the office. Even though you’ll want to stick around and relax, sometimes you only have a few minutes to grab a meal on the go. That’s why everything Daily Press makes comes out fast and fresh, and their multiple kiosks mean you never have to wait in line. And if you are in a real pinch, they offer even easier, quicker ways to order. Customers can place their order online or via their app, making getting your Daily Press fix most convenient. By texting PRESS to 33733, you can download the app, log in and order for yourself, a group of friends or co-workers. If you need that extra pick-me-up on the way to work in the morning, stop by for a cappuccino, a latté or a sweet frozen espresso drink. The new touchscreen coffee bar makes ordering a snap! Their breakfast menu is unbeatable, and there’s always espresso by the shot for the purists. Caffeine not your craving? Bite into one of their hot pastries. They’re baked fresh every day and go perfectly with an ice-cold fruit smoothie. And of course, nothing goes better with a sunlit afternoon than a frozen yogurt mixed with fruits and nuts. Feeling hungry but don’t want to stray from that diet? Sounds like you might need a soup and salad combo. Daily Press always makes your salad exactly how you like it thanks to their unique interactive ordering screens, and they offer different wholesome soup options every day of the week: from broccoli and cheese to tomato basil. If you’re looking for something a bit more substantial, they’ve got you covered with a loaded baked potato hot from the oven. And what “loaded” means is entirely up to you. One of the Daily Press regulars always orders his spud with sautéed mushrooms, sour cream, gravy and olives on top. But Daily Press doesn’t judge. Their goal is to make it your way no matter how off-the-beaten-path “your way” is. So come check out Daily Press at any of their three locations! Daily Press: the coffee is serious, but the mood is chill. 82 AUGUST 2015 | W WW.B AYO UL IFE MAG .CO M

Get the Help You Need

Female Incontinence and Pelvic Pain

BY JOHN A. CALIFANO, MD

ILLIONS OF WOMEN SUFFER FROM INCONTINENCE, overactive bladder, pelvic organ prolapse and chronic pelvic/bladder pain. These symptoms can be caused by pregnancy and child birth, menopause, hysterectomy and the anatomy of the female urinary tract. These conditions vary from mild decreases in quality of life to being extremely debilitating for both the patient and others in her life. Too often it is assumed that all women suffer these symptoms, so many do not seek treatment. When women finally seek medical care, they are shocked at how easy the treatment is to alleviate symptoms and improve quality of life. Female incontinence, overactive bladder and pelvic organ prolapse are often grouped together. These are common symptoms seen in most women who have had children, but are seen in other women as well. The medical evaluation of these symptoms consists of answering questionnaires, physical examination and evaluation of bladder function. After the evaluation is complete, I talk with patients about the cause of their symptoms, and in most cases, am able to offer multiple treatment modalities to implement a plan prior to leaving the clinic. Both medical and surgical treatment options are available. For overactive bladder, most women start on oral medications with great results; however, some are opting for minimally invasive surgery, specifically bladder Botox, with a success rate of nearly 90%. For incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse, most women will require surgical intervention. These outpatient surgeries are minimally invasive with success rates of 90-95%. Chronic Pelvic Pain, or Interstitial Cystitis, is a chronic disease with extreme urinary urgency/frequency, chronic pelvic pain and painful intercourse. This can be an extremely complex disease that can be very frustrating to patients as treatment is complex, and many physicians are not comfortable treating it. I have treated hundreds of women with this disorder and have found that each patientâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s treatment regimen is unique to them. My treatment is based on the individual, not the diagnosis itself. Treatment options include oral medications, bladder instillations and surgical intervention to include: bladder Botox, hydrodistention or interstim. The most important aspect of care is routine follow-up, so treatment can be adjusted as needed. Female incontinence, overactive bladder, prolapse and pelvic pain are conditions too often untreated. Evaluation and treatment are simple, and in the majority of cases, significant improvement in symptoms and quality of life are seen.

WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | AUGUST 2015

BACK-TO-SCHOO L ESSENTIALS Let us help you streamline your style with these six back-to-school essentials. Amp up your look with these classroom-ready trends from area boutiques.

# 1 E S S E N T I A L TA N K

This hi lo tie dye tank from Salt & Pepper Accessory Boutique in West Monroe is a must-have for back-to-school. With frayed raw edges and an extreme hi lo style, this top is head of the class. Pair it with a skinny jean, wedge booties, fringed and beaded bracelets and a stylish backpack. MODEL: APRIL HOOPER MUAH: MEKA BENNETT RELIFORD P H O T O G R A P H Y: M A R T I N G M E Y E R S

#2 GO PLAID

This super-soft plaid button-down shirt is a fan favorite. It features a semi-relaxed fit and rolled sleeves â&#x20AC;&#x201C; perfect for summer to fall transition. Throw on these deconstructed jeans, Chan Luu necklace and super chic gold sandals and hit campus in style. This handmade duffel is the perfect stowaway for dorm room neccessities. Find it all at Hemline Monroe.

#3 BOHO CHIC

This boho top from Erinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Attic in Ruston features crotcheted insets in a breezy, lightweight fabric. Complete the look with a high-waisted, bell-bottom jean, stackable bracelets and a statement necklace. This outfits combines throwback style with a cool vintage vibe.

#4 THE JEAN

These super-soft drapey tencel flares are the perfect jean for school days. They feature a classic zip fly with button closure. We love the white boho top with tassels combined with the printed soft bralette with lace trims and v-neck. This outfit is completed with a tassel necklace with elephant charm, layered bracelets, Free People clogs and a quilted, convertible backpack. Find this and more at HerringStoneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Boutique in Monroe.

#5 WORKOUT GEAR Hit the gym between classes in style with this great yoga gear from If the Crown Fits in West Monroe. These form-fitting capris are designed to stretch and move with your body. The chic and stylish bra top features a multi criss-cross design with simple scoop neckline in the front. Add a Pink pewter headband for a cute accessory.

#5 THE BOOTIE

Fallâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s cult-favorite bootie reaches new heights with clean lines and natural materials. These western-inspired booties from The Fashion of Ruston are crafted from premium leather and finished with zipper detailing. This classic button up gets a modern update with a hand-dyed print for an artisanal ombrĂŠ effect. Pair it with a a simple black legging, Kendra Scott statement necklace and earrings and the perfect grey tote.

Northeast Louisiana’s Only Restaurant Delivery Service

Let Chef Taxi Deliver Your Next Meal

OU HAVE HAD A LONG DAY AT work. You haven't thought about dinner once, until you walked in the door. Wouldn’t it be nice if someone could deliver restaurant quality food right to your door? Now there is! Chef Taxi is a new company, the only food delivery service in northeast Louisiana to be exact, that can deliver eats right to your door from some of Monroe and West Monroe's finest establishments. Tommy Neck, owner of NorthPro Landscape and Lawn Care has started a new business venture. He has been in lawn care since the late nineties. NorthPro has received awards such as Best Lawncare in the Delta and Best Landscaper for multiple years.

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Tommy saw the need for a service in our area that could deliver high quality food (not just pizza) to busy professionals and families on-the-go. Chef Taxi is sure to please patrons all over the area… A big city service right here in Monroe and West Monroe. Why go out when you can dine in without having to leave for takeout? Chef Taxi delivers food from Monroe and West Monroe areas. Fox's Pizza in Monroe and West Monroe, Monjuni's, Trio's, The Coffee Bean, Tummy Yummy Creations, Papa Joe Jr.’s, Catfish Charlie’s, El Chile Verde in Monroe and West Monroe and Dickey’s BBQ Pit, Nonna and Fat Pelican are the restaurants that have signed on for the service, but the list is only expected to con-

tinue to grow, as more and more are added. How it works: First, log in to cheftaxi.com and create an account. Next, pick from menu items of your restaurant of choice. Finally, pay a flat fee of $5.99 for delivery charge whether you order one entrée or one hundred! Sit back, relax and dinner will be served shortly. Find Chef Taxi on Facebook and like their page for great incentives and more information. Join their text club for a free delivery to try it out and also receive coupon codes and alerts for future promotions. Perhaps the best thing about Chef Taxi is that you can order online with just a few clicks at www.cheftaxi.com. Or you can call 318-855-8619 to easily order.

Vieux Carré Market

Gourmet Grocer, Deli and Wine Shop

ELCOME TO VIEUX CARRE Market – your one stop shop for wonderful wines, specialty food and cheeses in the Twin Cities. Vieux Carré Market proudly carries Wagyu beef. What is Wagyu beef? It is also known as American-Style Kobe beef, which is the result of cross breeding Japanese Wagyu cattle and Angus cattle. The name Kobe is reserved exclusively to describe cattle raised in the Kobe region of Japan. Wagyu cattle raised outside of Kobe must be identified as Wagyu or Kobe-style. The meat from these superior cattle is known worldwide for its naturally enhanced flavor, tenderness and juiciness. The meat is highly sought after because of intense marbling and high percentage of

healthy unsaturated fat. It is the highest quality beef in the United States. Wagyu takes beef to a whole other level. Vieux Carré Market purchases local products when and where available. All Wagyu beef purchased comes straight from Richland Parish, where these highly prized cattle are raised. Mitchell Family Farms in Richland Parish has partnered with Vieux Carré Market to provide fresh organic farm eggs. What are the benefits of organic eggs? Some major benefits include the fact that they're higher in omega-3 fatty acids, free of antibiotic residues and contain no arsenic, which is added to factory-farmed chicken-feed to prevent infections and spur growth. You can actually see the quality in the color of the

yolks. One taste of these eggs and you will be hooked. If you are in the mood for mouth-watering, flavor enriched beef or delicious and healthy eggs, stop by Vieux Carré Market today. Come in and try the restaurant. Lunch is served Tuesday-Friday 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Vieux Carré Market has a unique menu with all types of sandwiches, a salad bar and more. On the market side, there are great selections of craft beer, all-occasion wines, cheeses and all kinds of other delights. There are so many options! Stop by and see for yourself.

WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | AUGUST 2015

Celebrate Everything!

The Paper Market in Monroe Offers Everything You Need for the Perfect Party

N 2011, AMY AND BRIAN ROBINSON OPENED THE PAPER Market with the goal of offering products that set the standard for custom personalization, party supplies, gifts and invitations in the Monroe area. Today, The Paper Market is continuing to be the place customers go to “Celebrate Everything!” with their new selection of custom invitations and stationery gifts, in-store – and now online! From custom wedding invitations to Christmas cards and every celebration in between, The Paper Market’s experienced and friendly staff will sit down with you to customize your invitation. From picking the design, die cut shape, to paper and font selection. The Paper Market makes it easy! There’s no appointment necessary, and the turnaround time is quick. If you don’t have time to come into the store, The Paper Market will help you create a custom, innovative invitation with their new online ordering. “Our new online ordering is so simple; it allows our customers the convenience of ordering online from the comfort of their home, all while still supporting a local business,” Robinson said.

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Featuring easy-to-use invitation templates for wedding invitations, parties, baby showers, birth announcements and more, The Paper Market online marketplace allows you to design or select an invitation from hundreds of designs. Visit www. PaperMarketMonroe.com, and click on the link for invitations. In addition to offering everything you need to pull off the perfect party, The Paper Market features Ann Page® stationery gifts, perfect for the guest of honor or just a “happy” for yourself, as well as Lilly Pulitzer® and Kate Spade® gifts. The Paper Market has a great selection of notebooks, tags, calling cards, hand fans, desk calendars and more – all available for custom personalization, in a variety of colors, fonts, monogram styles, patterns and shapes. The Paper Market is your source for invitations, personalized vinyl for gift items, party supplies, catering ware and balloons. Celebrate Everything! with personalized gifts and invitations from The Paper Market. 1818 Forysthe at Northgate in Monroe. (318) 537-9721. www.PaperMarketMonroe.com

Orthopaedic After-Hours Clinic Now Available

North Louisiana Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Clinic to Offer Extended-Hours Urgent Care

AVING SERVED THE ARK-LA-MISS, region since 1951, North Louisiana Orthopaedic & Sports Medicine Clinic’s leadership, experience and expertise in the orthopaedic field is now broadening to include an extended-hours urgent care clinic beginning August 17, 2015. This extended-hours clinic will offer immediate access to board-certified orthopaedic surgeons or orthopaedic physician assistants, will be open from 5-8 p.m. (Monday-Thursday) and 8-11 a.m. (Saturday) and will be held at our 1501 Louisville Avenue location in Monroe. Since injuries such as sprains, strains and fractures often don’t happen at convenient times, you and your family now have the option of skipping the long wait at an

emergency room or at a generalized urgent care clinic (where you would be referred to an orthopaedic surgeon). Instead, patients can now immediately receive an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan for an orthopaedic-related problem. According to Dr. Daven Spires, one of our board-certified orthopaedic surgeons, “We want to provide to our patients the convenience of specialized orthopaedic care outside of normal business hours. Our goal is to save our patients significant time and expense by creating an alternative to emergency room and urgent care visits for acute orthopaedic problems.” However, because North Louisiana Orthopaedic & Sports Medicine Clinic wants to keep its care focused on or-

thopaedics, patients coming in with general cold symptoms or those needing vaccinations or physicals will be referred to a traditional urgent care clinic. By visiting our extended-hours clinic, patients will benefit from having on-site access to our state-of-the-art facility’s full spectrum of resources and support to include casting, splinting and radiology. For more information about this convenient, cost-efficient way to receive definitive orthopaedic assistance without an appointment and possibly even without a referral, please visit us at www.northlaortho.com, contact us at 318323-8451, or simply stop by our 1501 Louisville Avenue location in Monroe.

WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | AUGUST 2015

THE TOP DAWG

If youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re looking for unparalleled burger greatness, The Dawg House Sports Grill is the place to go. Whether you like yours piled high with bacon or smothered in bleu cheese, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re sure to find burger bliss in this establishment located next to the Louisiana Tech University campus. article by Samantha Evans & photography by Martin G Meyers

t’s hard to miss – the huge blue warehouse dominating a side street near Louisiana Tech University’s campus – but the truly impressive thing about The Dawg House is not their location, it’s their food. Upon first entering the double doors of The Dawg House, you are overwhelmed by the Louisiana Tech pride on display. The school colors are splashed on every wall and surrounded by the painted names of the campus fraternities, a large wooden bulldog sporting a Louisiana Tech hat and pictures documenting past Tech sports teams and their accomplishments. The Dawg House is technically not a part of the actual campus, but it has become so entwined in the lives of Louisiana Tech’s students and community that it plays a much bigger role than any other local restaurants. Eating a burger at The Dawg House is as big of a part of the Louisiana Tech University student experience as attending a football game or knowing The Legend of the Bulldog. The restaurant is full for the entire academic year, which is a bit longer than most other local schools due to Tech being on the quarter

system. Students begin their college experience by grabbing lunch from The Dawg House on freshman dorm move-in day and say tearful goodbyes to their favorite spot to get together with friends on graduation day. The Ruston community, filled with Tech pride, continues to honor and devour the delicious burgers and sides at The Dawg House. The love for the bulldogs is obvious in their décor, but it is more than just another sports bar dedicated to the nearest college – The Dawg House staff is comprised of Louisiana Tech students and fans. The Dawg House team genuinely loves the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs. The Dawg House is a one of a kind experience, and it recently opened a second location in Starkville, Mississippi, home of the Mississippi State Bulldogs. Extending the bulldog love is fantastic, but extending the burger love will be even better. “Burgers,” Mr. Louisiana Tech 2015, Daniel Addison said, “They have the best burgers in Ruston. It’s my favorite place to go eat. I’ll be in California for a week this summer and then in Orlando for a semester and when I get back to Ruston, I’m going straight

to The Dawg House. I could eat one of their burgers right now.” The burgers are incredible. After reviewing the menu, it seems that one item is a pretty popular addition to any burger: Bacon. Bacon is the perfect middle ground for all foods. It is crunchy and rich. Bacon is the perfect partner for any burger, and The Dawg House understands that. The seven specialty burgers on the menu, and the eighth plain burger, each offer something unique and tasty. While bacon is the best addition to a burger, their side items are to be desired just as much. Pair any burger with any of their side options and be pleased. There are homemade steak fries, curly Q’s, onion strings, a baked or mashed potato, smoked gouda mac and cheese, grilled or fried asparagus, or wild rice. Claude’s Burger, dressed with pepper jack cheese, bacon and jalapeños with a side of their homemade steak fries is their most popular menu item. “We are famous for our burgers. Everyone who comes in has heard of our burgers,” Amber, a waitress who’s been with the staff for almost two years explains. WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | AUGUST 2015

Melt My Heart Frodo’s Patty Melt is served on sandwich bread and loaded with bacon, onion strings and “Boom Boom” sauce

Frodo’s Patty Melt gives the burger taste with a twist. Served on thick sandwich bread and loaded with a hamburger patty, three pieces of bacon, handfuls of onion strings and their famous “Boom Boom” sauce, the patty melt gives crunch and irresistible flavor. The burger selections are varied enough so it may take a while to pick a favorite – trying them all is the best option. Another favorite is Dylan’s Anytime Burger. It comes fully dressed with a large fried egg, thick-cut bacon and American cheese. While burgers define The Dawg House they are not the only thing on the menu. Appetizers range from boneless wings to crawfish bread. The quesadillas, filled with either grilled chicken, fried chicken or beef tenderloin, showcase even more talent from the kitchen. The Spencer Quesadilla, cooked with 96 AUGUST 2015 | W WW.B AYO UL IFE MAG .CO M

fried chicken, diced tomatoes and bell peppers is a South of the Border taste on the otherwise strictly American menu. The Buffalo Chicken Quesadilla brings in another menu item – Paws Claws – and puts them into a quesadilla with their tasty buffalo sauce and serve it on either a white, wheat or jalapeño cheese flour tortilla. Paw Claws, buffalo, spicy sweet or dry chicken strips paired with curly Q’s or onion strings are the perfect quick meal for any chicken lover. The menu is filled with enough variety so that even the pickiest of eaters will find something that they love – but even then, they will probably still order a burger. The Dawg House not only operates as one of the most important and popular spots for students, but it also functions as a familyfriendly restaurant by day and becomes a bar when the sun goes down. While the feel of the

place may transition smoothly, the building itself is literally split into two areas. The warehouse, large enough to comfortably hold both a restaurant and a bar, joins the two in a harmonious matrimony that could not be managed in any other setting. “We have pool tables and dart games on the other side of the bar,” Amber points out, “around 9:30 or 10 each night, we sort of transform into a bar, rather than a restaurant. We aren’t open as late as other bars, but we still have a good crowd come in.” The bar offers ten draft beers: Great Raft, Abita Amber, Abita Andygator, Fat Tire, Shiner Bock, Newcastle Brown Ale, Blue Moon, Coors Light and Miller Lite. Pairing a cold, draft beer with any of their delicious burgers will only heighten the Dawg House experience. The shift from family-friendly food to college town bar is masterfully done in design alone. The bar side, decorated with more beer and fraternity signs than the other side, is spacious and functions as a great place to watch the game – whatever game that might be. The Dawg House has thirteen televisions, all playing sports all the time. That makes thirteen screens available for patrons to choose which games they want to watch, unless of course there is a Louisiana Tech football or basketball game on – those are required watching. Sports are a big deal at Louisiana Tech, and therefore, they are a big deal at The Dawg House. “Game days are insane here,” Amber says. “We’re located really close to all the fraternity and sorority houses, and most of the campus apartments are nearby. We tend to fill up before noon, and people just stream in and out or sometimes they just stay all day long.” The restaurant, creatively scattered with beer signs and banners, is made to host parties and dinners – or tailgating. Football tailgating on Saturdays is held with as much reverence as attending church on Sundays in the south. Football seasons can define the mood for an entire zip code. Football is the King of Saturdays but it is not the only sport celebrated at The Dawg House. Jerseys, pictures, and banners from all six men’s and eight women’s sports – cross country, basketball, soccer, volleyball, baseball, and anything else Louisiana Tech offers – line the walls and add more Tech history to the burger joint.

Don’t Be Chicken Paw Claws, buffalo, spicy sweet or dry chicken strips are paired with curly Q’s or onion strings for the perfect game-day meal

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Not that The Dawg House needs to reflect too far back on past Tech days, they have been there. Opening their doors in September 1998, The Dawg House has been a staple for the Louisiana Tech community for almost twenty years. Summer afternoons set a slower melody at The Dawg House – literally. The music rolling through the speakers is slow and reminiscent of hazier days. The tempo picks back up as the customers’ attention shifts from burgers to beer. The summer respite from bustling crowds and crazy game days is short. The staff knows that football season is just around the corner, and soon students will flood the streets of Ruston again. Not to say that The Dawg House is really taking a rest during the summer – people stream through the doors on a late Saturday afternoon, and the kitchen never stops putting out burgers. The crowds come during football season, regardless of rain or heat – especially during those times. When Hideaway Park is too hot, too wet, or too empty, the party heads to The Dawg House. Home games require a trip there for a burger and away games call for an extended stay, maybe all day. “We play the game on TV, and if we can’t do that or if it isn’t playing, then we turn the music down and play it over the speakers from the radio,” Amber explains, “Game days are crazy around here. We want to make sure everyone can see or hear what is going on.” The Dawg House opens at eleven o’clock in the morning and does not shut down until midnight. During football season, that is thirteen hours of pure madness in The Dawg House. “We definitely fill up pretty fast. Crowds come in before the game or after the game and even during the game, we’re busy,” Amber recalls of the previous football season. “We’re serving burgers all day long,” she adds. The Dawg House now sits quietly, soaking up the summer sun and patiently waiting for fall. The games will begin again, school will be back in session, and the large crowds will rattle The Dawg House like they always have and always will.

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Unique Dining Experience Meet Friends Where Friends Meet – at Trio’s Restaurant

RIO’S RESTAURANT IS A LOCAL FAVORITE LOCATED at 2219 Forsythe Avenue in Monroe. They offer a fine dining experience with top-of-the-line cuisine, gourmet specials and top-notch service. Their menu combines Mediterranean cuisine with American favorites. Owner Jenifer Johnson Walker is a local who comes from a strong Greek heritage. When she first opened Trio’s, she knew she wanted the food to have a distinct Mediterranean influence. Trio’s Restaurant has stood the test of time by reinventing and adapting, while keeping the tried-and-true staples of their establishment. The menu at Trio’s is packed with Greek favorites, such as hummus, flat bread, Greek salads, gyros, their famous crabmeat moussaka and more. They have a long list of salads that give variety to those making healthy choices. In addition to their Mediterranean selections, they offer sandwiches, burgers, pizzas, pasta and many other favorites. Their specialties include delicious gumbo, crawfish etouffee and fish tacos that are out of this world. Looking for a great brunch spot? Trio’s offers a bottomless champagne brunch with great dishes every Saturday and Sunday from 11- 3. Follow them on facebook to see their daily specials and options that you won’t find on the menu. Trio's has a full service bar with a wide selection of fine wines and hand-crafted cocktails to give you or your group a great selection. They offer regular happy hour during the week and are a great place to stop and have drinks on the weekend. The sleek, modern décor makes for a great place for a night out. So whether you are in the mood for a night out, want somewhere to catch the game, need an intimate spot for a date night or want to hang out with a few friends, Trio’s is the place to be. Follow them on Facebook for constantly changing deals and specials. Come on over and meet friends, where friends meet! 2219 Forsythe Ave in Monroe 318-387-3577. Open Monday through Saturday, 11-11 and Sunday from 11- 3

WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | AUGUST 2015

Unapologetically Christian

Suitable Not Only for Church Leaders, but for Business People, Civic Volunteers and Other Leaders

HAT’S HOW THE LOCAL HOST, Pastor Lynn Malone of First United Methodist Church (FUMC), Monroe describes The Global Leadership Summit (TGLS), a two-day live satellite conference on Thursday and Friday, August 6-7. Big names like Brian Houston, the senior pastor of Australia-based Hillsong Church; Sallie Krawcheck, the former President of Bank of America's Global Wealth & Investment Management who serves as chair of Ellevate Network; and Ed Catmull, the cofounder of Pixar Animation Studios who is president of Walt Disney Animation, will be speaking at the event. For a complete list of speakers for this year’s Summit visit the website www.willowcreek.com/summit. The Global Leadership Summit was founded over 20 years ago by Bill Hybels, the

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founder and senior pastor of Willow Creek Community Church. “We believe the local church is the hope of the world…when it is working right,” said Hybels in a statement on the event. “For churches to reach their full potential, they must be led well.” "It's unapologetically a Christian event," Malone said. But organizers say its power can inspire people who work in a variety of fields. As Hybels said in a video promoting The Summit, "Leadership matters ... whether it's a church or a business or a nonprofit organization.” While The Summit has a global flavor with speakers from Nigeria, Germany and Australia, as well as the U.S., Pastor Malone intends for this event to make a local impact in the Twin Cities and across northeast Louisiana. "We

want to unite, inspire and make a difference," said Malone. FUMC Monroe hosted the first showing of the Summit in northeast Louisiana last year, drawing close to 100 people. This year's event will take place Thursday and Friday, August 67 with live satellite broadcast at FUMC Monroe on Loop Rd. "We would love to double our attendance this year," Malone said during a recent presentation for the Community Prayer Partners. The cost of attending the two-day event is $209 for individuals. Discount rates are available for groups, students, faculty and active military personnel. To register, contact First United Methodist Church, 3900 Loop Rd., Monroe by phone 318-325-7335 or online www.fumcmonroela.org.

Balloon Sinuplasty™

The New Minimally Invasive Procedure for Treating Chronic Sinusitis

INUSITIS IS ONE OF THE MOST COMMON CHRONIC health problems in the U.S., afflicting 37 million Americans each year with symptoms like congestion, fatigue, headache and facial pain. Here in Louisiana, the number of sinus sufferers is exceptionally high due to higher year-round humidity and pollen counts. Anyone with chronic sinusitis can tell you that it’s a condition that significantly impacts his or her quality of life and productivity. Glenwood Ear, Nose and Throat offers a clinically proven, minimally invasive procedure for treating chronic sinus inflammation and pain outside of the operating room and without general anesthesia. Balloon Sinuplasty™, performed by Brent Metts, MD, PhD, delivers all the benefits of conventional sinus surgery without the bleeding, pain and prolonged recovery time. Most patients feel immediate relief following the procedure and are able to walk out of the office and work without restriction the next day. Standard endoscopic sinus surgery used to be the only surgical option available to correct chronic sinusitis, where bone and tissue are cut and removed from the nasal passages to open obstructed sinuses and promote drainage. This more traditional procedure is

usually associated with moderate pain, bleeding and a 7-10 day recovery time. Balloon Sinuplasty™ is designed to open blocked sinuses without removal of tissue or bone from the nasal passages. Dr. Metts passes a small, flexible balloon catheter through the nostril and into the blocked sinus. When the balloon is inflated, it gently expands the sinus’ natural drainage pathway to permanently restore normal sinus drainage and function.

ABOUT DR. METTS Dr. Metts is one of the few surgeons in the nation who are fellowship trained in minimally invasive and endoscopic assisted thyroid and parathyroid surgeries. He specializes in treatment of sinus disease, thyroid disease, hearing loss, voice care, sleep apnea, throat problems, tonsillitis and ear infections. For more information about Balloon Sinuplasty™ or to schedule an appointment with Dr. Metts, call 318-329-8458. Glenwood Ear Nose and Throat is located in the Glenwood Medical Mall, Suite 202 on Thomas Road in West Monroe.

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St. Frederick Doubles Complex Size

Warrior Foundation Hosts Kickoff Event on August 26

HE WARRIOR FOUNDATION will complete two important projects before the beginning of the upcoming school year, new bathrooms at the football stadium and a new strength complex. Initially, lockers were added to the existing field house to accommodate the increase in students, but that was only a short-term solution at St. Frederick Catholic High School. The new strength complex, as you can see by the aerial photo, doubles the size of the current facility and provides all of our athletic teams with a place to train and condition,” says Steven Ingram, Warrior Foundation President. The Kickoff Pep Rally and Annual Hot Dog Supper will be on Wednesday, August

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26, 2015, at St. Frederick’s Chip Luffey Field. The annual event is hosted by the Warrior Foundation and held the night before the jamboree that will be played this year at D’Arbonne Woods on Thursday, August 27th. Hot dogs, chips and bottled water will be served compliments of the Warrior Foundation beginning at 6:30 p.m. The kickoff pep rally will begin at 7:00 p.m. All junior high and high school cheerleaders, Showstoppers and football players will be introduced to the crowd as well as this year’s football coaching staff. The newly completed Warrior Strength Complex will be open for a public viewing throughout the evening. For more information on the event or

how to become a member of the Warrior Foundation, contact Steven Ingram at 318355-5160 or the school office at 323-9636. Mark you calendar for the Principal’s Reception on September 3, 2015. New Principal Bob Webber will introduce staff, teachers and new faculty members, including Shere May as Director of Admissions and Counselor and Blair David as Director of STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics integrated curriculum). Additionally, Joey Lee has been named Head Baseball Coach, and Randy Hammett is the new Girls’ Basketball Coach.

Fresh, New Seasonal Menu Now Available

Relax, Savor and Enjoy at Restaurant Sage

NDER THE DIRECTION OF CHEF Blake Phillips, Restaurant Sage is offering a new, fresh and seasonal menu to delight Monroe’s palate. Chef Blake, originally from Monroe, went to Le Cordon Bleu Culinary School in Austin, Texas. From there, he worked his way up, starting in resorts in Colorado before moving to New Orleans where he honed his craft in such fine establishments as Commander’s Palace and Mike’s on the Avenue, as well as catering for some of the biggest names in movies. Sage has always been famous for their wood grilled oysters, but now there are even more ways to enjoy these succulent treats from the Gulf. From raw to Rockefeller, and even a brand new, original twist of baked

brie and berry compote, there is definitely something for every oyster lover. Wild caught salmon and fresh Gulf fish are delivered three times a week, yielding a vast selection of seafood dishes to choose from. That level of quality carries through to the rest of the menu as well. Tomatoes and watermelon from Hamburg, Arkansas, Duroc Compart pork and Green Hill Dairy Farm cheeses are just a few examples of the fine locally and regionally sourced ingredients. With a list of over 60 wines, several local craft beers on tap and an unrivaled whiskey selection, the Red Oak Bar is the perfect place to enjoy a relaxing drink with friends. Enjoy some of the truly unique appetizer options found nowhere else in Monroe. Seafood Cheesecake, Crabcake and Fried

Green Tomato Caprese, Lobster Rolls or a Cheese Board would be the perfect accompaniment to your evening cocktail. Check out Wednesday’s happy hour with a selection of $5 wines and $5 appetizers. At lunch, in addition to the famous salad bar, you will find many affordable and delicious options. A smoked salmon B.L.T. wrap, Kinglsand Ranch burgers (arguably the best in town) and Chef Blake’s own roast beef po-boy are just the tip of the iceberg. With a relaxed atmosphere and no dress code, it’s the ideal spot to grab a quick lunch. There are also daily lunch specials for only $12. Monday: Red Beans and Rice, Tuesday: Stuffed Bell Pepper, Wednesday: Jambalaya, Thursday: BBQ Beef Brisket, and Friday: Fried Catfish.

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Doug Wood Owner, Catfish Charlie’s What’s your policy regarding expiration dates?

I’ve been known to peel expiration dates off of food, because if my wife, Kaycee, sees that something is even a day past the expiration date – she chunks it. I always smell it. If it smells bad, it probably is bad.

What meal do you cook most at home?

I love to grill – whether it’s a grilled pork loin, steaks or chicken – as long as I can get outside on the grill, I’m happy. We also sauté a lot of fresh vegetables....mushrooms, fresh beans. Our kids love it all.

Name one item in your fridge you can’t do without?

Our family loves cheese. Whether it’s the kids grabbing string cheese out of the bottom drawer or Kaycee and I sitting down at the end of the day and having a glass of wine and a piece of Jarlsberg, we always have cheese in the refrigerator.

Why did you get into the restaurant business?

The food service business is in my blood. From the time I could walk, I helped out in my family’s restaurants. My grandfather, Harry Wood, owned “Harry’s Seafood” which was across from North Monroe Hospital, and my Uncle Billy owned “Bend of the River” in Alto. I love being a part of that history and can only hope that Catfish Charlie’s will be the legend that those two restaurants were.

“We always stop in specialty stores when we are traveling. I love to pick up marinades and experiment with sauces and spices. The Allegro Game Tame marinade is one of my favorites.”

“Kaycee’s dad, Truman, makes homemade bread and butter pickles. They are a staple for everything. We also found these Bubbie’s pickles at Vieux Carré Market and are obsessed.”

“My dad, Rusty, makes great jelly. This Phanjtastic Plum jelly is our family’s favorite. The first letter is the first letter of the names of the grandkids: Pawpaw, Harrison, Avery, Nick, Jackson and Tanner.

“Fresh produce is a must-have at our house. Whether it’s grapes or peaches, corn or mushrooms, we love to graze on fruits and veggies” says Doug. There’s no shortage of Vitamin D at the Wood house.

“Biscuits have been on the menu for about the last ten months at our house...almost every day. Madeleine, our German foreign-exchange student, always requested them...along with her homemade strawberry marmalade.”

“I’ve got to have ketchup. I eat it on eggs, Mac n’ cheese, grits, bread, prime rib, everything. I can’t do without it. It has a place at every meal.”

PHOTOGRAPHY BY MARTIN G MEYERS For information on Kaycee and Doug Wood’s restaurant, Catfish Charlie’s, visit their website at catfishcharlies.biz. WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | AUGUST 2015

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Fiesta Nutrition Center

Local, Farm Fresh Food Without Leaving the City

REATE YOUR OWN FARM-TOtable meals with local items delivered to Fiesta Nutrition Center, some within mere hours from being harvested. The list of local items is expanding due to this area’s growing awareness of just how nutrient-rich and delicious fresh food can be. Those of us that have eaten at our grandparents’ houses can relate. Butterfield Farms located in Pollock, Louisiana produces grass-fed and finished beef that has become a staple at Fiesta. Gaining a big following is pork raised the natural way from local Monte Farms who also believes that an animal’s diet, welfare and grazing processes determine a quality product. Monte’s pork is a favorite of noted Louisiana chefs and can be purchased in re-

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tail packs from Fiesta. Once you’ve had eggs from pastureraised chickens, you’ll never go back to mass market chain store eggs. Fiesta has sources for eggs that come from unique varieties of chickens who produce rich-tasting eggs that are in shells of lavender, beige and deep brown colors. How appetizing! Eating local honey is so basic and such a throwback to eating from the earth. Our local beekeepers have a passion for what they do and are doing everything possible to sustain the bee population in our area. Now making milk deliveries to Fiesta is Flowing Hills Creamery based in Belmont, Louisiana. This creamy goodness is minimally processed and delivered within fortyeight hours to our store. Confirmed con-

noisseurs of milk are claiming it’s the best they’ve ever had. Fiesta offers a great produce box program all year long (from certified organic growers around the globe), but for the limited local growing season several smallscale farmers offer their produce for us to market and use in Fiesta’s Cilantro Organic Bistro. Supporting local farmers and vendors of their goods creates a solid market for these items that are a must, not just a luxury, for our diets. It’s very rewarding to put a name and face to the people that produce food that will keep us and generations to come healthy.

Diabetes and Nutrition Center

At St. Francis Community Health Center

HE ST. FRANCIS DIABETES and Nutrition Center is conveniently located on the second floor of the St Francis Community Health Center. The center is staffed by a registered nurse and a registered dietitian, who are both certified diabetes educators. Our center is certified and recognized by the American Diabetes Association as a center meeting the National Standards for Diabetes Self-Management Education. Our goal is to help patients achieve a healthier lifestyle by developing an educational plan for each patient based on their specific needs. Instruction can be provided as one-on-one or in a group setting. Nutritional counseling is available for disease states such as renal, elevated

lipids, gastroparesis and cancer, just to name a few. We also offer nutritional counseling for weight control and evaluation for nutritional status and genetic tendency. Diabetes is prevalent in our area. Diabetes is not just sugar in the blood, but is a vascular disease that affects the entire body. Elevated glucose levels left untreated will triple a person’s chances of heart disease (even without a family history) and is a leading cause of blindness and kidney failure. Lowering and maintaining a person’s glucose levels greatly affects a person’s long-term health. For patients with diabetes, we provide education as a means to help with management of the disease. Evaluation and set-up for insulin infusion pump therapy is available for those with

Shown with Larry Townsend is Diabetes Educator, Louann Hall, RN, CDE, CFCN. Not shown Jen Avis, Med, LDN, RD, CDE, Diabetes Educator.

diabetes. The center is open 8:30 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday by appointment only. A physician referral is required for our services.

“At the recommendation of my doctor, I went to St. Francis Diabetes and Nutrition Center located at the Community Health Center in Monroe. The staff provided new information on diabetes, as well as dietary and medication management. This information has enabled me to lower my blood sugars and A1C level. Kudos to Louann Hall, Jen Avis and all the staff at the St. Francis Diabetes and Nutrition Center.” – Larry Townsend

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Relevant and Successful Warehouse No. 1’s Iconic Status

T TAKES A SPECIAL RESTAURANT TO REMAIN RELEVANT and successful in a small town. But it takes a truly impressive dining establishment to reach the iconic status that the Warehouse No. 1 Restaurant has managed to achieve. It is a place where locals and visitors can repeatedly enjoy traditional favorites and try tempting new dishes under the watchful eye of a dedicated staff. With so many modern and enticing items on the extensive menu, this eatery will continue to impress diners as long as the river runs. The Warehouse No. 1 serves food that is comparable to what most would find in a larger city, and the atmosphere is surprisingly family-oriented. They are known for their award-winning steaks and fresh seafood dishes. Their vast menu also includes decadent desserts and an extensive wine selection. The building itself retains a rich history. It was restored with a “less is more” attitude, retaining as many of the original features as possible from its time storing bales of cotton that were transported by steamboat along the river. They are always happy to accommodate large parties and celebrations. Many locals who have grown up in our region have fond memories of special occasions celebrated at the Warehouse No. 1. Romantic dates with a sweetheart, birthdays, rehearsal dinners and prom night meals have all been etched into our thoughts. Poised on her throne on the bank of the majestic Ouachita River, the Warehouse No. 1 keeps watch over the rolling water with a quiet confidence that comes from years of knowledge and experience. Unlike many restaurants of her kind, she has stood the test of time not for remaining unchanged, but for constantly moving, evolving and growing. Though her memory is long, her eyes remain focused on the horizon, always anticipating and delighting in the future. It is for that reason that after an impressive the celebrated icon remains Monroe royalty. She has reigned over the river for many moons, only now she is truly at the top of her game. 108 AUGUST 2015 | W WW. BAYO UL IFEM AG. C OM

P&S Among Nation's Top 45 Patient Recommendations Surpass National Average

&S SURGICAL HOSPITAL IS ONE OF THE NATION’S TOP 45 hospitals to receive the highest proportion of patient recommendations, according to HCAHPS (Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems) survey results. The 45 hospitals—many of which are surgical hospitals—had at least 92 percent of patients report they would definitely recommend the hospital. P&S Surgical Hospital was even higher at 94 percent. Ranking above the national average in patient recommendations is emblematic of hospital staff efforts, said P&S Surgical Hospital CEO Linda S. Holyfield. “Our physicians, as well as our entire staff, take great pride in providing excellent healthcare to northeast Louisiana. Our team strives to ensure each patient feels cared for and comfortable about his or her procedure, which can be a frightening time for some,” she said. “I applaud our exceptional physicians and staff for achieving this impressive recognition.” The data is from CMS’ Hospital Compare website and was collected between July 2013 and June 2014. The national average rate of hospital recommendation is 71 percent, according to Hospital Compare.

Recent Achievements: • P&S Surgical Hospital was named one of America’s Best Hospitals for Orthopedics by WomenCertified, Inc. P&S was selected based on the hospital’s comprehensive orthopedics services, as well as performance on important CMS measures. • P&S Surgical Hospital is the region’s first to implant a new miniaturized, wireless monitoring sensor to manage heart failure (HF). The CardioMEMS HF System is the first and only FDA-approved heart failure monitoring device that has been proven to significantly reduce hospital admissions when used by physicians to manage heart failure. • P&S Surgical Hospital is among the nation’s top two percent of hospitals to receive both the Patient Safety Excellence™ and Outstanding Patient Experience™ Awards from Healthgrades® in 2015. • Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana has awarded P&S Surgical Hospital with a Blue Distinction® Center+ designation in the area of Bariatric Surgery for Gastric Stapling. P&S Surgical Hospital has also received a Blue Distinction® Center designation in the area of Bariatric Surgery for Gastric Banding. • The Louisiana Hospital Association Research and Education Foundation Hospital Engagement Network recognized P&S Surgical Hospital with the Champions for Quality Care award.

P&S Surgical Hospital is a joint venture between St. Francis Medical Center and physician specialists.

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THE BUZZ ON JENNINGS APIARIES BY MARY NAPOLI AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY BRAD ARENDER HE BUZZING GROWS LOUDER AS AARON JENNINGS GENTLY LIFTS THE TOP OFF THE WOODEN BOX. Thousands of yellow and black bees are revealed, each in perpetual motion. As Jennings loosens one of the four window pane like frames that stand vertically within the box, the noise level increases to a low roar. Bees are now landing on his jacket and veil, but he doesn't seem to notice. He is much more aware of what lies within the frame he holds. Its an amazing example of one of the many wonders of nature---a golden honeycomb made of perfectly symmetrical, octagonal cells filled with ambercolored sweetness. It is the life's work of the hive and the livelihood of Jennings Apiaries. Jennings is a thirty-something Ruston native who is part of a generation that values the wisdom of the past when planning the future. He is a modern homesteader that has consciously chosen a more simple lifestyle than most of society practices. Inspired by a less complicated time when people lived sustainably, he lives and works within nature. He is a treatment-free beekeeper, dedicated to chemical-free practices that now dominate his trade. With his fiancé, Lauren Hoffman, he operates Jennings Apiaries, where the couple tend to over fifty hives of bees. Their all natural practices produce pure, pesticide-free honey for consumption and beeswax that is handcrafted into amazing personal care items. The entrepreneurial young couple are genuinely friendly and admirably hardworking. Tattooed and bearded, Jennings may not appear to be what you would expect from a farmer's market vendor. However, the Ruston Farmer's Market is where he met his wife-to-be, Hoffman, who participates on the Farmer's Market board. Hoffman's smile is inviting and warm, and she possesses a contagious energy that is endearing. Jennings has a more quiet intensity, with thoughtful blue eyes and an impressively extensive knowledge of his craft. He is a self-taught, self-starter focused on his path. "I was a massage therapist for ten years," explains Jennings. "I became interested in making my own lotions to use with my clients, and learned that most called for beeswax...I started reading about the use of pesticides in bee hives, which I thought was odd. I called around to try to find a beekeeper who didn't use pesticides or antibiotics, and I couldn't find one. So I decided to get one hive that I could keep pesticide free and use the beeswax. I thought it would be a hobby, but here we are," he says looking toward the several boxes that contain hives alive with activity. Jennings approached his venture with his characteristic inquisitiveness, researching and gathering knowledge in every way he could find. He researched alternative methods that produced healthy bees without pesticides and antibiotics, a reality that is far more common than honey-lovers realize.

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"Almost all the honey you would buy today from a store has chemicals in it," Jennings explains. "In the mid-90s, a mite showed up that lives on bees that could leave them open to disease. It wiped out a lot of commercial operations and devastated honey production. People started using low level insecticides to control the mites, but the problem is that these insecticides are lipophilic and become present in the honey and wax." Although it would be more labor intensive, Jennings was dedicated to finding a way to produce honey that did not contain the byproducts of antibiotics and insecticides. "I decided to breed bees that would not need medication. Yes, we loose bees to mites, but the ones that survive are stronger bees, and therefore produce even stronger bees. In the the short term, medication would keep more bees alive, but in the long term, you aren't doing anything for yourself or the bees. The bees that I have now are more resilient and stronger than the bees I

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started with four years ago." Jennings' dedication to keeping the hives treatment-free results in honey that is high-quality and completely natural. He explains that the honey from his hives has a slightly different appearance than honey that is mass produced. "Honey in stores is really clear," says Jennings. "Naturally, honey is not very clear. Its got pollen in it, and other stuff. We put it through a filtering process, but its minimal. People often cut corners selling honey. Most of the honey you purchase at large stores is mixed with corn syrup. Our honey is premium priced, but it is premium honey." Hoffman often assists Jennings in separating the hives to begin pollinating other areas, as well as gathering the honey from the hives. Like Jennings, she enjoys learning from experience and is well informed on beekeeping. "There is a variance in the taste and color of honey, depending on what the bees have eaten," Hoffman points out. "This year, we had the opportunity to pollinate a blueberry farm. The honey was berry colored and had a distinct blueberry smell and a tartness to it. It was incredible." "Those are called varietal honeys," interjects Jennings. "Those require more skill and the right conditions, like a large area with some kind of mono-crop. This coming year, we plan on putting as many hives on a blueberry farm, and it will hopefully produce enough to sell." In addition to the all natural honey, which is available for purchase in a beautiful decorative 8 ounce glass bottle, or a 12 or 24 ounce size, Jennings Apiaries also offers a collection of all-natural personal care products that contain beeswax from their hives. "When we were creating these products, it was very important to us that they are all natural, really effective, and that they are good for sensitive skin, for kids, for people with psoriasis, eczema...I've had so many clients who have had to deal with those issues, and we wanted anyone to be able to enjoy these products," says Jennings. Jennings focuses his talents on the hives and the health and productivity of the colonies, and Hoffman puts her creative talents to use in designing the all-natural beeswax-based products. Currently, they offer a delightful, moisturizing lip balm and a variety of lotions, balms and salves.

The Beekeeper Aaron Jennings, owner of Jennings Apiaries, checks the hives in preparation for gathering honeycomb.

Lauren Hoﬀman and Aaron Jennings The Honeybee Lotion is a standout, with a soothing lavender smell and the texture of a smooth, creamy salve. This lotion can be used on the face and body and even to smooth strands of hair. The Beard Balm that Hoffman crafts has a woodsy, spruce aroma and contains organic oils that are specifically used to soothe and soften hair. She also produces an Outdoor Balm, which is a natural sunscreen that contains zinc oxide as a natural sunblock and rosemary oil and citronella to repel insects. Each product is totally natural, non-toxic, and completely safe for children. Hoffman artfully creates and packages each product by hand. "After we collect the frames of honey, we hand crush the comb and strain the honey. Once we've squeezed all the honey from the comb, what's left is the beeswax," Hoffman reveals. "We rinse it, melt and filter it until it's pure and the dirt and particles are removed. Once I'm ready to make Beard Balm or Honeybee Lotion, I melt the wax completely and then add the other ingredients, such as organic shea butter, organic coconut oil and organic sweet almond. We also use grapeseed oil upon request for those with nut allergies. Once I've mixed the wax and oils, I pour them into tins, label and package them." "The lotions you buy in a store are pump-able because of chemicals that have been added, like parabens," says Jennings. "So, our Honeybee Lotion is maybe different from what you are used to, but its got a really nice texture, and what you are putting on your skin is all natural." In addition to the honey and personal care products, Jennings Apiaries also offers comb honey seasonally. They collect the most pristine examples of the comb, which are works of art within themselves. Jennings and Hoffman can be found at the remarkably charming Ruston Farmer's Market, and their honey can be found in recipes at some on Monroe's most popular restaurants. Although their success is steadily growing, Jennings and Hoffman remain committed to operating the apiary in an all-natural way that supports the ecosystem. "For us, its all about quality over quantity," says Jennings earnestly. Hoffman nods in agreement and interjects, "We want our bees to have quality of life, also. It all filters down. When the bees are treated well, you get a more pure product that we feel good about selling to other people. The all-natural approach is not easy..It’s a conscious effort to keep them healthy, but it’s a lot more rewarding." Jennings Apiaries honey and beeswax is Certified Naturally Grown in Ruston, LA. They can be found on Facebook and Instagram. View their website for purchase information at www.jenningsapiaries.com, and learn more by watching their podcast, "Bees and Such." 114 AUGUST 2015 | W WW.B AYO UL IFE MAG .CO M

Miletello’s Sports City Grill

Serving Up Classic Dishes and Much More

VERYONE KNOWS THAT WHEN you want good food with good friends and family, Miletello’s Sports City Grill is where you go, and owners Gayle and Leon Miletello wouldn’t have it any other way. Operating the restaurant for just over three years, the couple has not only increased the success of the grill, but they have also increased their love for the community they serve. “We love seeing the same people come in to eat over and over again,” said Gayle Miletello. “They have really become our friends and family.” The Miletello’s had been involved in the community for years, particularly with the West Monroe High School sports program, and found themselves back in Northeast Louisiana in 2013 after living in Shreveport for years. With over 30 years of ex-

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perience as a hair stylist, Gayle never imagined she would be running a restaurant, but says the two jobs have similarities. “It’s all about relationships,” said Gayle. “Even though I don’t have a background in restaurants, I do have a background in building relationships and forging friendships with clients.” And Gayle doesn’t just mean the customers that pour into the restaurant to get some of the delicious food they have come to love. “We have employees and cooks that have been working there for over 10 years, and they have truly become our family,” said Gayle. While Miletello’s Sports City Grill has all of the classic dishes you would expect at a sports grill – fried pickles, chicken wings, quesadillas, seafood platters and burgers – there are also some unexpected dishes that

LEON AND GAYLE MILETELLO

are now customer favorites. For starters, try their alligator bites, duck bites and down south egg rolls with Tasso ham. One of the most popular sandwiches is the Zydeco Chicken, which features breaded or grilled chicken covered in pepper jack cheese, topped with chipotle ranch and two onion rings, all on a jalapeño bun. And who could forget about the spaghetti? This traditional angel hair pasta is made with Gayle’s house made meatballs and marinara sauce and can definitely be attributed to the grill’s success. “Everyone loves the spaghetti and meatballs; it’s a familiar comfort food for them,” said Gayle. “And that is what we want at Sports City Grill – for people to come back again and again for the familiar food that they love and crave and can enjoy with friends and family.”

Family Friendly Atmosphere

Willie’s Duck Diner Revamps Menu

NLESS YOU HAVE BEEN LIVING under a rock for the past couple of years, everyone in Northeast Louisiana is familiar with the Robertson family of West Monroe. (And just in case you have been under a rock, they are the ones with the beards.) But there’s another family that has partnered with the Robertson’s. And while they might not be on television, they are pretty familiar faces in the community – The Miletello’s. The two families have recently partnered together at Willie’s Duck Diner. While the head beard in charge has his name on the building, the Miletello’s own and operate the restaurant. After working with Willie Robertson to create and bottle a line of sauces and salsas, Gayle and Leon Miletello were brought in to partner at the West Monroe restaurant. The

couple hired long time family friend, Linda Kay Wolff as a hostess. “After seeing her potential and experience, we put her in charge of the tour groups coming in,” said Gayle. “Then, we just knew she was more valuable and made her general manager to oversee day to day operations.” And Willie’s Duck Diner has been serving customers from all over the world ever since. “It is amazing to see people from all over the country and the world who come to eat and get a glimpse of the Robertson’s,” said Linda. “They are all so friendly and want to know all about the family.” However, the Robertson clan isn’t the only thing bringing people to Willie’s Duck Diner. “We have revamped the menu and created dishes that are made from scratch,” said Gayle Miletello. “And we want our local cus-

tomers to know that we have good food in addition to our family friendly atmosphere.” From salads to sandwiches and burgers to baWillie nana pudding, Willie’s Robertson Duck Diner has it all to satwith Gayle and Leon isfy any hearty appetite. Miletello One of the unique “sammiches” is The Boss Hog, which is Willie’s personal creation of fried bologna with cheese and candied jalapeños on Texas Toast. There is plenty of Louisiana Lagniappe on the menu as well, with options like catfish, frog legs, rabbit, duck and shrimp and grits. With four certified chefs and nearly 70 employees, the Miletello’s are proud to promote the fact that Willie’s Duck Diner is locally-owned and employs local people. “I think sometimes, locally, we take for granted all that the Robertson’s have done for this community,” said Gayle. “They are bringing positive attention to our area, and we are thankful for that and glad to partner with them on this venture.”

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Maternity Wear to Active Wear

If the Crown Fits in West Monroe Has You Covered

BY MALERIE GWIN, OWNER

E ARE THRILLED TO BE adding fitness apparel at If the Crown Fits. As a long time fitness lover and now crossfit coach, I am just so thankful for the opportunity to bring fun and reliable workout pieces to our area. We are proud that we have a very attractive price point for some solid fitness apparel lines in the industry. Our most popular brand that we have in the store is Full Flex Spandex which is made for heavy sweat environments – soul sweating workouts. One thing we really like about this line is the fabrics can be worn in chlorine and salt water. We try to buy what a real woman would want to work out in.

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WHAT WE LOOK FOR IN FITNESS APPAREL: • Affordable • Adorable • Supportive • Long Lasting

And we feel we have been able to check all of these off with our current lines! Basically, our goal is to bring our customers fun, fashionable colors and prints, while the gear remains fully functional in whatever style of fitness that you practice. We are also excited to announce our loyalty program. Any fitness coach, crossfit coach, personal trainer, Zumba or yoga instructor

will receive a discount with us every time they shop! With all of the excitement of the fitness lines, we have had a few people ask if we are still going to be selling maternity... OF COURSE! We love everything we do involving maternity – we have everything from clothing for while you’re pregnant to clothing and nursing wear for after baby. We are looking forward to getting in our new Fall and Winter maternity styles. We will be adding more plus sizes to our denim lines, which has been huge for us in finding the right brands at a good price. We will also really be focusing on our shower registries for the momto-be. That way, moms can register for all of their nursing products including delivery gowns, nursing pads, bras and creams, along with nursing pajamas and even shirts. It is going to be a wonderful 2015, and we appreciate all of our wonderful customers for supporting us!

Prepare. Prolong. Protect.

Elements Brings a Revolutionary Spa System to Monroe

UMMER IS COMING TO AN END making us crave to extend it just a bit further. We jump to book those last minute vacations and family gatherings and cram in as many pool sessions as we can muster. School is around the corner followed closely by the holidays. Does it ever slow down? Not for most of us. Summer is for relaxing and recuperating from a hectic year, but often we spend much of our time and energy planning our summer relaxation. By the end of the season, we are worn out and far from ready to tackle the rest of the year. Let Elements help you in your quest for relaxation. Come and enjoy the Hydration Station! Introducing the Hydration Station â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the ultimate personal, pampering experience.

The Hydration Station is a personal spa capsule with custom settings for a soothing or energizing session. This spa capsule combines a sauna and massage all in one 30 minute treatment. While you enjoy your session, you can customize the massage to be slow, steady and relaxing or a high intensity and frequency massage to energize your mind and body. You also control the temperature of the sauna with just a touch of a button. What do all of these options lead to? Your favorite spa experience! The benefits of Hydration Station are numerous. The sauna functions to detox your skin and body of impurities while the vitamin and mineral infused steam exfoliates your skin to the max. The bed of the capsule vibrates and massages leading to increased

circulation of the vitamins and minerals from the steam into and around the body. Feeling low on energy? We can add invigorating vitamin and mineral concentrates to help. Feeling sick? How about a boost of vitamins E and C to get you back on your feet and feeling better. If you are getting a spray tan or using a tanning agent, the Hydration Station preps your skin perfectly to make sure you get a deep and natural tan that will last far longer. No more orange patches or uneven streaking due to skin roughness. Your body is prepared and ready to look its best after a session in the Hydration Station. Now this is how to relax. Personal. Perfecting. Pampering.

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The Magic Continues in West Monroe The Magic Grill in West Monroe Adds Second Location

HE MAGIC CONTINUES ALONG ARKANSAS ROAD as the owners of The Magic Grill have expanded to a second location at the corner of Arkansas and Wallace Dean Road in West Monroe. Jada and Faisal Ali have transformed the old Conn’s convenience store into the newest location of Magic Grill and JMart Too. In its heyday, this landmark building was a gas station and pharmacy, and was known for its vast array of candy. In keeping with this tradion, the Ali’s offer sweet confections with their inhouse candy shop. Favorites include old fashioned candy sticks, lollipops, gummies and a variety of candy by the pound. Of course, you’ll receive the same great service, convenience items and best-priced gas that the original JMart is known for, but the restaurant at the new location offers a magical twist – the original Ray Pierce’s famous fried chicken! Hot and crispy on the outside and moist and tender inside, it’s sure to become one of your favorite meals. In addition to the hot chicken, they offer

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sides like creamed potatoes, green beans, rice, potato salad and corn. Of course, there are those fantastic fresh cut fries and seasoned curly Q’s that are perfect for dipping in the renowned gravy. If you’re craving the world’s best roast beef po-boy with gravy and fries, steak fingers or plate lunches, travel just a couple blocks down to the corner of Forty Oaks Farm at 2500 Arkansas Road, and you’ll find it at the first location of Magic Grill and JMart. There’s plenty of seating in the diner style restaurant for your entire family. Plus, you can enjoy ice cream for dessert, just like Ray served. Whether you are craving the hot fried chicken or the fresh roast beef po-boys, just look for the bright red awnings and visit either location today! You can also call ahead to place your order at 570-5133. Magic Grill and JMart Too is open Monday through Saturday from 10:30 a.m. until 8:30 p.m.

Not Your Ordinary Paper Store

Sue Paperie Has Everything You Need to Stay Organized and Go Back-to-School in Style

ITH A NEW SCHOOL YEAR approaching, schedules start to get a little hectic going into the Fall. With classes, practices, football games and more, it is easy to forget something. Fortunately, Sue Paperie has everything you need to stay organized. The specialty stationery store has a variety of planners for a variety of tastes and personalities. “Our Emily Ley line of Simplified Planners are particularly popular,” says Rachel Davison, owner. After Ley’s son, Brady, was born, she searched high and low for a planner with heart, not just bells and whistles and extras that left her more overwhelmed than ever. Ley craved a simple, beautiful place to start fresh each and

every day. Consequently, the Simplified Planner was born. Each page features four simple, purposeful spaces: Schedule, To Do, Notes and Dinner - everything busy, intentional women need - and nothing more. “I would recommend to anybody to get a planner,” says Davison. “Find one that you love and make use of it! Reminders and appointments that are written down on paper are easier to keep up with rather than just typing it into a phone. Planners keep you on task.” In addition to buying a planner to fit your needs, Davison offers other tips to stay organized. “We offer a fabulous line from LePen,” says Davison. “You can utilize the multi-colored pens to color code your notes

or activities, making it simple to visualize and remember.” Davison also recommends using storage boxes and filing systems with tabs and labels. “No matter what stage of life you are in, there are things that you need to keep organized,” says Davison. “If you are a student, then there are papers or class notes. If you are purchasing your first home, you have papers and forms from the bank, mortgage company, title company and more. Everyone has tax and banking paperwork each year. Find an organizational system that works for you!” In addition to helping you stay organized, Sue Paperie has chic school supplies. From Kate Spade pens, erasers and pencils to Lilly Pulitzer notebooks and planners, you will be the envy of everyone on campus. Plus, Sue Paperie is currently having a sale on their Jon Hart line of items, quality custom and personalized bags, totes and other various travel goods and accessories. From backpacks to laptop cases to pencil bags, they have all the items to send you back to school with style!

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We Are Growing!

Grow with Us... Mentally and Physically

T DOES SEEM HARD TO BELIEVE, BUT IN A FEW WEEKS it will be time for another school year. We are ready! We’ve expanded to better suit your needs! New beginnings are fun! Let’s dive in together! Preparing to go back to school can be one of the most pleasurable aspects of the summer. Make the most of returning to school by helping your children celebrate the new school year from the first day forward. Be prepared! Make your list and head our way! Back-to-school supplies, such as new lunch boxes, backpacks and nap mats are here! Fall clothing is arriving daily. The Children’s Shoppe offers a vast array of must-have gifts for babies, birthdays, special occasions or just for play. There is an enticing selection of decorative treasures, diaper bags and custom hair bows. We place particular emphasis on toys and books that are developmental and fun. Get their brains in gear! Swing by today to pick up a copy of Must-Have Marvin, Can’t-Wait Willow and Whatever Wanda! These books by Shine Bright Kids will captivate and stimulate the eager little minds of soon-to-be Students of the Week! Through the adventures of lovable characters like Marvin, Willow, and Wanda - Shine Bright Kids teaches the importance of making good choices. Each story focuses on a character trait or life skill, such as waiting for the best, having a good attitude, putting people before possessions, or setting and reaching goals. The characters’ decisions can spark discussions about the kinds of choices your children face each day. Help your children shine their brightest. Author, Christy Ziglar believes you can never have too many friends! She wrote Must-Have Marvin! to remind us that it’s the people, not the things, in our lives that bring the most joy. JUST RELEASED! Book #3 in the award-winning Shine Bright Kids series, Whatever Wanda! teaches about the importance of having a positive attitude and keeping an open mind. Give them a head start! Help them grow! Prepare them mentally and physically. Books and back to school go hand in hand. Enjoy the adventures this new school year will bring! Choose right and shine bright like Marvin, Willow and Wanda!

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Ovation Women’s Wellness Focused Care for Women

N AUGUST 3, 2015 A NEW HEALTH CLINIC CALLED Ovation Women’s Wellness will open in Monroe located at 1401 N. 18th Street Ovation Women’s Wellness is a division of Southeast Urogynecology in Jackson, MS and is owned by Dr. Robert Harris and Dr. Steven Speights. They are the first physicians board certified in OB/GYN and Urogynecology in the state of Mississippi. Ovation Women’s Wellness of Monroe is the third clinic designed to meet the needs of women in outlying areas with female pelvic disorders, including bladder and bowel incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse, pelvic pain and female sexual dysfunction. The Ovation clinic will also offer women wellness exams and menopausal hormone management. This unique clinic will be staffed with our nurse practitioner Annie Jopling WHNP. She is a board certified Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner with 16 years of experience. Annie is a native of Monroe. She completed her BSN at Northwestern State University and worked 15 years in labor & delivery at both Glenwood and St. Francis Medical Centers. She completed her MSN and nurse practitioner certification at Northwestern and practiced locally for 14 years as a Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner. In 2011, Annie came to train onsite with our physicians and nurse practitioners. She has an interest in helping women improve quality of life by managing common bladder and pelvic problems that become bothersome after the reproductive years. She has spent the last 3 years in the New Orleans area working full time with two urogynecologists at Ochsner Health System. Additionally, she has completed training and certification with Dr. Gino Tutera of Sotto Pelle, Inc. in Scottsdale, Arizona to provide bio-identical hormone pellet therapy for menopausal hormone balance. This clinic will serve the needs of women in northeast Louisiana. Our nurse practitioner will provide evaluation and management of many conditions for which women often do not seek treatment. Testing to evaluate bladder function, called urodynamics, will be offered in the clinic. Surgical referrals will be made to the physicians as needed and expedited to allow minimal time away from home. We look forward to serving the women of Northeast Louisiana with excellent care! To schedule an appointment, call 1-844-OVATION or 318-599-1404. WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | AUGUST 2015

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Creative and Simplified Menu Portico Restaurant and Bar in Monroe Revamps Food and Drink Options

OR NEARLY 10 YEARS, PORTICO RESTAURANT AND Bar has been known for their delicious dishes and tasty toddys, and Stephen Walker is working to ensure that the local favorite is around for much longer. As sole proprietor of the Tower Drive location in Monroe, Stephen has been aggressively revamping the menu with new food and drink options to offer true alternatives for his customers. “Our food is consistent and delicious, but I think our customers are ready for a change and are expecting a bit more these days,” said Walker. “After doing some market research and looking into some trends, we are going in a direction that our customers are sure to embrace.” With a creative and simplified menu, Portico has introduced some items that are exclusive to the Monroe location. Under handhelds and sandwich options, there are several new creative culinary selections. The Southern Relish is made with housemade pimento cheese piled on a crisp fried green tomato and bacon, topped with sweet pickled jalapeños in between two buttery slices of warm Texas Toast. On the spicier side, there is the Fiery Fin featuring Caribbean jerk grilled mahi, fresh cilantro aioli, chunks of Serrano mango salsa on a Kaiser bun. In addition to daily lunch specials ranging from red beans and rice on Monday to chicken and dumplings on Friday, Portico also offers some off menu items for lunch and dinner specials. “We like to be able to get creative and offer special items and dishes that might be unexpected,” explains Walker. And if you don’t have time to come to the restaurant, Portico can come to you. With options of off site catering and office lunches, they can feed your staff, friends and family on the go. After a long day at the office, Portico is your happy hour headquarters everyday from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Not only are there beer, wine and craft cocktail options to wet your whistle, Portico now offers a new Nip & Nosh happy hour menu featuring small $5 portions of shrimp and crab beignets, wild mushroom flatbread, buffalo parmesan fried oysters, etc. On the weekends, Portico offers the best of both worlds with their Sunday brunch menu. Some of the unique items like the Southern Relish Brunch Burger and the Fried Chicken and Biscuits are quickly becoming customer favorites. And no Sunday brunch is complete without a little hair of the dog, so Portico offers a build your own Bloody Mary bar, as well as bottomless mimosas with freshly squeezed orange juice. Since its inception, Portico Restaurant and Bar has always been a local favorite and Stephen Walker invites you to come see why. 124 AUGUST 2015 | W WW. BAYO UL IFEM AG. C OM

Good Health Starts Inside

You Are What You Eat. An Apple a Day Keeps the Doctor Away. Eat to Live, Not Live to Eat.

E’VE HEARD THESE SAYINGS COUNTLESS TIMES and at some level believe them all to be true, but like a broken record we continue to say one thing and do another. Any given day you can find a news story or research paper regarding the inherent consequences of the Standard American Diet (SAD), which is laden with processed foods, saturated and hydrogenated fats, salt and sugar and low in quality proteins, fiber, complex carbs and countless vitamins and nutrients. And isn’t it really the perfect acronym? The proliferation of a diet so terrible in one of the richest nations in the world is indeed sad. A variation of a Maya Angelou quote goes, “When you know better, do better.” Based on all those news stories and research, we certainly know better, so why don’t we eat better? The answer is, in a word, life. Even for the most well-meaning families, unhealthy foods creep in at times when eating becomes a matter of convenience. We’re late waking up, so we grab cereal. We’re running between work and a tee ball game, so we grab a “happy” meal. Processed foods are just that quick and easy. Processed foods are also cheap, and in many families grocery tabs are one of the few places where household budgets can be trimmed back. Even dieting—when we choose to focus on just one element, such as counting calories—can cause us to eat an unbalanced diet. And as we get busier, as our dollars need to work harder and as our frustrations with our weight grow, we fall into the easy, cheap and narrow trap of the SAD. Culturally, regularly cooking “real” foods has become so novel that it has almost become a hobby. There are numerous cable channels where we watch people cook the things we ourselves should be preparing morning, noon and night; we’ve become fascinated with something that really should just be mundane. All diets are essentially about control… controlling calories, controlling certain ingredients, controlling when you eat, controlling how you eat and so forth. Here at Gibson’s, we would suggest that eating well should be a little less about control and lots more about commitment. If you believe that good health starts with what you put on your plate, then you have to be willing to commit resources to purchasing quality ingredients and time to preparing them (and cleaning up after!). In fact, the “fad” diet of late (which we don’t think is really a fad at all… just a return to how we should have been eating all along) is based on committing to the preparation and consumption of quality “clean” foods. There’s no real focus on counting calories or logging what you eat or even watching the scale. The focus of clean eating is really just about being mindful of the route food takes between its origin and your mouth. So what counts as a real food? It’s actually very simple. Clean foods would be things like grass-fed, pasture raised protein, organic veggies and fruits, whole grains and water… essentially just limiting processed foods. Remember, you are what you eat. Good health starts inside. WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | AUGUST 2015

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B Y R O N

B A I L E Y ’ S

‘roeLA roasters BY MARY NAPOLI AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY BRAD ARENDER

“I’VE GOT TO DRIVE TO NEW ORLEANS tomorrow for some chicory," says Byron Bailey of roeLA Roasters. As owner and creative force behind the company, the drive to retrieve premium chicory is as important to his career as any meeting around a long table between high powered executives. Bailey is a Monroe resident, Calhoun native and coffee aficionado who recently began supplying local java addicts with the most fresh, flavorful and incredibly delicious coffee beans available in our area. RoeLa Roasters is a dream come true for those who have strong affection for a high-quality cup of joe. From coffee connoisseurs who enjoy the fragrant beans in various preparations to those who simply want a fine brew to begin their day, the superiority of the beans that Bailey imports, expertly roasts and delivers to locals' doors are pure perfection. His extensive culinary background gave him a solid foundation on which to build his career in coffee. After graduating culinary school and a decade cooking alongside some of the most respected chefs in New Orleans' finest restaurants,

Bailey was ready to return home to the Delta and begin a new adventure. His first stop was Lake Bruin, where he made long-time love and business partner, Jill Reese Bailey, his bride. From there, the couple set up shop on the north side of Monroe and began making preparations to take roeLA Roasters to the public. "I have always enjoyed coffee, and I learned a lot about the roasting business from my friends at French Truck Roasters in New Orleans," says Bailey. "The more I learned, the more I realized how much of my culinary knowledge could be applied to roasting coffee and creating something that I know people will enjoy." When it comes to preparing a meal, Bailey knows that fresh, quality ingredients make all the difference. To ensure the best product, many chefs look to local farmers who can offer fresh food that is accessible to the region rather than importing ingredients from hundreds of miles away. When quality product is used, it requires minimal preparation to bring out the desirable, unique flavors. Bailey understands the importance of investing in a first-rate product.

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roeLA's Iced Coffee Recipe:

RECIPE- Mix 2 part concentrate with 1 part milk(almond, cashew, etc), add simple syrup to desired sweetness, add ice, shake it up and enjoy!

ROELA ROASTER PRODUCTS

BLENDS

TallaBena- our classic: all day drinkability a little bit of Latin America mixed with East African floral notes Oxbow Espresso:complexity and clarity

COLD BREW

New Orleans Classic: 4 bean blend with chicory from the USA Two Guns: 2 origin medium roast, roasters choice, without chicory

SINGLE ORIGIN

Guatemala, San Pedro La Laguna, fully washed and sun-dried: balanced, toffee and chocolate with lemon acidity Kenya AA: sweet and tangy with chocolaty grapefruit notes Costa Rico, Trinidad, washed: sweet clover honey, soft finish

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"The same applies to coffee beans. I've researched and traveled to find high-quality beans by the best growers in the world. These beans have been sourced and stored properly, which is extremely important to the quality of the beans. Coffee purchased in a store comes from a blend of who knows how many different kinds of beans and is roasted who knows when. I can trace the exact origin of all the beans I offer, and I purchase them at the peak of freshness. They aren't roasted until they are ordered by the customer, and I deliver that day, or the next morning. It doesn't get any more fresh than that." The heavenly fragrance of freshly roasted beans is enough to fill a room with its dreamy aroma. RoeLa offers single origin beans from Guatemala, Kenya and Costa Rica, as well as a well-balanced breakfast blend (the Tallabena Blend) and a richly complex espresso blend (Oxbow Espresso). In addition, roeLa offers a New Orleans cold brewed concentrate that makes preparing a cafe style iced coffee effortless. By steeping the blend of dark roast beans and chicory in room temperature water for 20 hours, Bailey is able to extract the unique flavors of the beans before filtering the brew. Mix with milk to desired strength, add the sweetener of your choice, and throw in some ice for the perfect hot weather pick me up. It's a summertime luxury that instantly becomes a ne-

cessity after that first sip. Bailey expertly roasts the beans he purchases in a massive, shiny contraption that traveled halfway across the world before landing in Monroe. "That's an Ambex 5000 from Turkey," he says motioning to the giant, gleaming machine made of bright red polished steel and chrome. "Its the Corvette of roasters," he says as the motor growls and comes to life. The Ambex is no Easy Bake Oven, to be sure. Roasting the coffee is not simply a matter of throwing in the beans until a timer alerts that the job is done. Bailey's extensive knowledge of the process shows in his work. "The roaster measures heat and temperature to bring out certain flavors in the specific profile of the beans. When the process goes from exothermic to endothermic heat, I control it manually to accentuate exact flavors. I take a very hands-on approach to have control over each individual roast, so that I can precisely dictate how the coffee will taste. In the culinary world, one of the most complex flavors of any savory item is the vanilla bean, which has twenty to twenty-five flavor profiles. In comparison, a coffee bean has up to 250 flavor profiles, so itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a big world." Like wine, coffee beans grown in a specific equatorial region have certain profile flavors. Similar to growing grapes, the en-

vironmental conditions where the coffee beans are grown make all the difference. The soil and water determine the unique flavors of the crop, as well as the farming methods. For example, the Mexican Single Origin that roeLA offers contains a profile with citric, chocolate, lemon-lime and nutty flavors. When roasting the beans, Bailey encourages each individual type to develop certain flavors from the profile they possess. From there, he blends different types of beans together to create a unique roast with balanced flavor and enhanced depth. This takes serious skill, a discerning palate and genuine knowledge. Bailey's expertise allows him to create his own delectable blends, but he also offers to work with clients to design their own unique blends, based on their individual tastes. This service is available for individuals, companies or as gifts for the holiday season. Recently, Monroe superstar Chef Cory Bahr sought Bailey's services to create a signature blend that is only available at Restaurant Cotton. "We worked on it together to create a South American blend that included the flavors he felt would best compliment the cuisine offered at the restaurant. That specific roast is unique, and they use it in different preparations. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s offered as a table-side French press for two to four people and in various espresso drinks. During Sunday brunch, they offer a fantastic cold brewed cocktail." Bahr understands and often promotes the value in eating locally and patronizing area businesses. RoeLa Roasters not only offers the delivery of an undeniably fine product, but one that is crafted locally with pride. "I enjoy coffee and preparing roasts that I know are of an exceptional quality and taste. Good coffee comes from good beans. Mine is made with a lot of care and a little love. I just got in 900 pounds of fresh beans that I can't wait to get into and share with everyone." Catch your next caffeine buzz by placing an order on roeLA's website, www.roelaroasters.com, or find them on Facebook. Brew local! WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | AUGUST 2015

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Glenwood Medical Group C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 4 6

disease, stroke, tremors, epilepsy, sleep disorders, myasthenia gravis, ALS, multiple sclerosis, and neuropathy. PH: 318-807-4611

PSYCHIATRY Michael B. Wright, MD Dr. Wright specializes in psychiatric evaluation, diagnosis and treatment for adolescents and adults. His services include psychopharmacology and medication management, outpatient consultations, crisis management, acute psychiatric emergency management and referral, and consultations for psychiatric problems related to medical illness. PH: 318-329-4419 PULMONARY MEDICINE Ronald Hammett, MD Dr. Hammett specializes in critical care medicine, internal medicine and pulmonology. His services include treatment of disease and infection of the respiratory tract, including cystic

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fibrosis, pneumonia, asthma, tuberculosis, emphysema and chest infections. PH: 318-329-8479

UROLOGY Edward Rutland, MD Dr. Edward Rutland is a board certified urology specialist and the only robotically trained urologist in Northeast Louisiana. His services include the evaluation and treatment of bladder, kidney and prostate cancer, kidney stones, male and female urinary incontinence, enlarged prostate, vasectomy and erectile dysfunction. PH: 318-329-8517 PRIMARY CARE CLINICS

GLENWOOD FAMILY CARE CLINIC Rita Zuber, NP Ellen Gentile, NP Pediatric, adult and geriatric care including minor illness and emergencies, sports physicals, vaccinations, specialist referrals, medication

management and DOT/CDL physicals. PH: 318-644-2573

GLENWOOD MEDICINE CLINIC Ann Gray, FNP Janet Morvant, FNP Christene Wooden, ANP Chronic disease management, diabetes and minor illness as well as medical testing for CDL license exams, in-house labs and EKG. PH: 318-388-1400

GLENWOOD STAT CARE Daniel Trejo, MD Lynne Talley, NP Slade Dykes, NP Pediatric, adult and geriatric care for minor illness and emergency including in-office medical testing and diagnosis, physicals and wellness exams and skin condition treatments. PH: 318-396-3800 Glenwood Medical Group administrative offices are located at 503 McMillan Road, in Glenwood Regional Medical Center, West Monroe. For more information, call (318) 329-4200 or visit www.glenwoodmedicalgroup.com.

Helping Hands Open House

Helping Hands Pediatric Day Health Center held its open house on Thursday, June 25 at their new location in Downtown Monroe on Washington Street. Owned by Barbie Flemister, Helping Hands provides medical day health services to infants, toddlers and children from birth to age 21 whoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s medical conditions require technology based and/or skilled nursing intervention. In conjunction with their open house, Helping Hands had a fundraiser that included a silent auction for one of their patients, Braylon Streetman, to help with medical bills. Over $3,000 was raised through the silent auction, as well as Helping Hands donating $5 for every person that attended the open house.

On the BayouScene 1 2 3 4 5 6

Misti and Ben Hajj John Flemister, Vernon and Barbara Flemister and Laine Shemwell Misty McDade and Amanda Ellis Magen Keys and Deâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ervin Jackson Maureen Gallagher, Barbie Flemister and Jessica Pollard Monica Hicks and Montia Tillery

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Linda Lavender School of Dance

Bringing the Joy of Dance to Dancers of All Ages

T LINDA LAVENDER SCHOOL of Dance, the joy of dance can be seen in the faces of young dancers through their jubilant smiles and excited squeals. No matter the age of the dancer, it is important to the staff at LLSD for each student to find dance to be a joyful experience. “The staff at LLSD is passionate about filling our dancer’s hearts with the love of dance. We feel so blessed to be able to share our passion with young dancers everyday,” says Linda Lou Bourland, who has been teaching dance for over 30 years. For over fifty years, the staff at LLSD has nurtured this passion and worked tirelessly to instill the love of dance in the

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lives of each of our students. Dance provides a life enhancing experience and is a wonderful outlet that not only utilizes creativity and talent, but also teaches discipline. At Linda Lavender School of Dance, we are committed to providing a positive and productive learning environment, and most importantly, creating an atmosphere that provides a joyful experience. LLSD is proud to provide an environment of professional dance training for all students, from beginner to advanced, child to adult. Our classes include tumbling, ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop and pointe and start at age 3 and up. If you have a new student interested

in becoming a member of the LLSD family, registration will be held Monday, August 10th and Tuesday, August 11th from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at both studio locations. The Monroe studio is located at 2907 DeSoto and the West Monroe studio is located at 651 Commercial Parkway. Former students will get their information by mail. For more information, give us a call at 318.361.0391 (Monroe) or 318.325.7179 (West Monroe), or check us out online at www.lindalavenderschoolofdance.com and www. facebook.com/LindaLavenderSchoolOfDance. Dance is for everyone and everyone is welcome! Our staff is ready for you!

Relax in Our Tempur-Pedic Sleep Experience Center

Fall in Love with Your Mattress at Sleepy Hollow Furniture

MAGINE RELAXING ON THE MOST highly recommended bed in America, a Tempur-Pedic mattress, in an undisturbed, tranquil setting. You will fall in love once you try out our Tempur-Pedic Sleep Experience Center®. This 6-minute interactive “tour” allows you to truly relax and experience the benefits of a Tempur-Pedic mattress in a unique bedroom environment Sleepy Hollow Furniture has the area's only Tempur-Pedic™ Sleep Experience Center. North Louisiana’s largest and most experienced, pessure-relieving Swedish mattress showroom! Shop pressure-free six days a week! Sleepy Hollow Furniture is located in the heart of Monroe and offers every model of Tempur-Pedic and has the largest selec-

tion and stock of Tempur-Pedic mattresses on display in the area! We are the area's prestigious elite retailer for Tempur-Pedic products! Our experienced and knowledgeable staff is ready for you "to come take a nap" and allow you to explore all of the options available with Tempur-Pedic. You will fall in love once you try out our Tempur-Pedic Sleep Experience Center®. TEMPUR® pressure-relieving material is a breakthrough in sleep technology that has forever changed the way millions sleep. The story of this revolutionary material, the heart and soul of all Tempur-Pedic products, begins with NASA’s research to develop a material to relieve the tremendous g-forces experienced by astronauts. Tempur-Pedic’s Swedish scientists, realizing the

enormous potential of the material, spent nearly a decade and millions of research dollars perfecting TEMPUR material as the ultimate sleep surface. Now Tempur-Pedic has REINVENTED THE MATTRESS. AGAIN. Adaptive bupport. Pressure relief. Reduced motion transfer. Cool comfort. 360˙ easy refresh cover. Tempur-Pedic never stops innovating. Their scientists and designers are always looking for ways to improve the most highly recommended bed in America™. Tempur-Pedic won’t rest until you get the best sleep of your life. At Sleepy Hollow Furniture, our passion is your sleep. For nearly 35 years, we have carried the best brands, at the best prices, with the best sleep shopping experience! We know it can be confusing to buy a new mattress, that’s why our staff goes through rigorous training to make your selection pleasant and stress-free! Come see for yourself why we are the prestigious Tempur-Pedic Elite retailers!

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The North Delta Ramble

Join the Fun at the Brockman Family Barn on August 22nd

T’S TIME TO THROW A PARTY, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN! Saturday, August 22nd let’s get ready for an end of summer blowout for the next North Delta Ramble at the Brockman family barn. This “Louisiana Saturday night done right” will feature music from New Orleans based funk jam rockers Honey Island Swamp Band, art by Clarksdale, Mississippi-based folk artist Stan Street, and Chef Cory Bahr is welcoming to Monroe Jackson Mississippi’s best culinary artist Chef Derek Emerson to cook up a BBQ and fish fry to accommodate all. The event will air on Louisiana Public Broadcasting, so bring a crowd and come join the fun. Tickets are $60 and include food, music, spirits from Marsala Beverage, Choice Brands and Cathead Vodka, and transportation from the Monroe Athletic Club via chauffeured bus ride from the levee to the barn. They’ve got every fan and water cooler tower rented in the Ark-La-Miss via Dansby’s Taylor Rental, so put on your dancin’ shoes and get ready for a good time. Party is from 7-11p.m., and tickets are available at Sunquest Properties, #3 Bancroft Circle, Monroe, LA 71201. Call 318-325-3735

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for more information, or visit the Facebook page for North Delta Ramble. Honey Island Swamp Band‘s music has been described as “Bayou Americana” with timeless songs, searing guitar, sure-handed mandolin and 4-part vocal harmonies. Derek Emerson is executive chef and owner of Walker’s DriveIn, Local 463, and CAET in Jackson, Mississippi. Under his keen eye, Walker’s Drive-In has become a regional favorite written up locally and in national publications, such as Southern Living. Derek has also been a James Beard Award semi-finalist as Best Chef in the South. Stan Street is originally from Rochester, NY but the Delta beckoned, and he has since established his art in Clarksdale, Mississippi as the owner of Hambone Art Gallery. Stan has created artwork for over 50 music festivals worldwide and created album covers for numerous bands and musicians, with Morgan Freeman and Robert Plant owning some of his pieces.

Delhi Hospital Cardiac Rehab Program

A Healthy Heart is Always in Style

HEN IT COMES TO TRENDS, we see so many come and go- but a healthy heart never goes out of style. The American Heart Association states that Cardiovascular Disease is the No. 1 cause of death in the United States, with stroke ranking as No. 5. The professionals at the Delhi Hospital Cardiac Rehab Program are working diligently to reduce those rates in Northeast Louisiana. Most experts will agree that the following four steps are critical to achieving a healthier lifestyle and a healthier heart: 1. Quit smoking: If you are planning to quit smoking or have already quit, stick to it. Smoking is one of the worst habits and if you want a healthy heart, then live smoke-free. 2. Eat Healthy: Eat a healthy-heart diet containing lots of fruits, vegetables, nuts, vita-

mins and minerals. A healthy diet is one of the best weapons you have to fight cardiovascular disease. 3. Maintain a healthy weight: Check your BMI and make sure itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s below the mark. A healthy weight ensures that your heart isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t stressed too much and hence can take the load of your daily stress levels. 4. Exercise regularly: Be physically active every day. Strive to exercise for at least for 30 minutes five or more days a week. Try a brisk walk, yoga, aerobics or weight training. Combine these exercises to yield even better results.

What is Cardiac Rehabilitation? Cardiopulmonary rehabilitation (cardiac rehab) is a professionally supervised program to help people recover from heart attacks, heart sur-

gery and procedures, such as stenting and angioplasty. Cardiac rehab programs provide education and counseling services to help heart patients increase physical fitness, reduce cardiac symptoms, improve health and reduce the risk of future heart problems, including heart attack. Most recently, the CMS has announced that cardiac rehabilitation programs are an effective, and therefore covered, treatment for congestive heart failure. Our heart specialists will develop a unique cardiac rehabilitation plan for each patient and support them as they make vital lifestyle changes to promote optimal heart health. For a healthy heart that is forever in style, contact the experts at Delhi Hospital Cardiac Rehab at (318) 878-6254. Learn more at www.DelhiHospital.com.

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A Taste of Louisiana

Trapp’s Offers Something for Everyone

OEY TRAPPEY HAS BEEN KNOWN IN the community for the past decade with his ties to the University of Louisiana at Monroe’s football program and opening Fieldhouse Bar and Grill, but the Trappey name has been a staple in the state of Louisiana for much longer than that. In 1898, Bernard Trappey created a hot sauce recipe he knew would be a hit. So, he, along with his 9 sons, embarked on an exciting new business venture. In 1913, Bernard somewhat reluctantly agreed to let a cigar salesman peddle the sacred Trappey’s hot sauce, bringing their business to a new level. The company has grown since the turn of the century and is now distributed nationwide, as well as throughout Europe, Japan, South America and Mexico.

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After graduating from ULM in 2005, Joey felt strong ties to the community and saw the need for a restaurant like The Fieldhouse, a family friendly place with a laidback atmosphere, that has been a success since its opening in 2009. “I wasn’t looking to open another restaurant,” said Joey Trappey. “But the opportunity presented itself, and I knew if I could surround myself with the right people and form a team, it would work and be a success, too.” Enter Colby Mardis. The two had mutual friends, and Joey knew that Colby had a passion for Creole and Cajun food. Combined with his culinary degree from Texas Culinary Academy and experience in the restaurant industry, Joey knew he was a perfect fit. And Trapp’s opened on March 16 of this year and

has been appeasing customers since day one. One of the crowd pleasing are the Mom Bourque’s Seafood Nachos, which is fresh, made-to-order chips piled high, topped with fresh onions, tomatoes, jalapeños, fried Crawfish tails, grilled shrimp and drizzled with the best white queso on this side of both the Ouachita and Mississippi River! Fresh crab cakes, boudin bites and Creole seafood pies round out the list of delicious appetizer options. Of course, there are po-boys, bowls of gumbo and jambalaya and plentiful seafood platters that would make any Cajun proud. And if the food isn’t enough to entice you, the view from the balcony will definitely reel you in. With views of the Ouachita River and downtown Monroe, Trapp’s offers a gorgeous backdrop while you enjoy any one of the fresh menu items. “This restaurant really reflects my heritage,” said Trappey. “From the music to the food to the service, it makes me think of home.”

BayouKidZ Quality Family Time

Continued From Page 62

your tent (this is clearly for the cheapskates out there.) Next, you have to have a campfire, you know, for preparing the campfire food and singing the campfire songs. There’s a couple of ways to do it, if you have a small Weber grill or if you have a portable outdoor firepit, you are already ahead of this brilliant game. But, if like me, you have to start from scratch, I read where you can use an empty toilet paper roll stuffed with dryer lint as a good catalyst for starting your fire. I do, however, think this should come with some warning label, so you don’t end up like me in a neck brace and singed hair and no eyelashes. Next, of course, is the campfire meal…a very important component of the “Backyard Bonanza.” You can go really easy and conventional and just roast some wieners. Blah…that’s kind of boring, and a lackluster “Backyard Bonanza”

we cannot have. Therefore, why not prepare some taco meat prior to the campout, buy the individual size bags of chips, cut the top or the side off, and fill your chip bag with taco filling. Bon appetít as they say at all campfires in France. Of course, no campout would be complete without s’mores, so get those coat hangers ready! Next, in my book, for this to be an authentic “Backyard Bonanza,” everyone, and that includes dad, who will likely combust (like the toilet paper roll with dryer lint), because he doesn’t have ESPN and air conditioning, but everyone MUST sleep in their sleeping bag all night. Listen, if I survived the camping trip from Elm Street, it’s highly unlikely that Freddy Kruger is thought to be lurking in your backyard. Mosquitoes the size of mini-vans perhaps, but no Freddy. Prepare for your campout by looking for

campfire songs and games. I can hardly wait to read the expression on my son’s face when he’s sitting around the fire singing “99 Bottles of Beer on the Wall” with his family. But…he’s making memories. And hey, isn’t what this family life we are trying to build is about? You don’t have to take expensive trips and cruises to make memories. Here’s an idea for one in the comfort of your backyard (I know nothing in a sleeping bag is comfortable, but you can do this for one night for crying out loud), minimal expense (unless you buy the exclusive, custom campfire tent, and then I say, hats off to you), but loads of fun… and laughter. Let your children in on the planning, and the gathering of flashlights and sleeping bags. I read somewhere that “your next adventure lies right outside your tent,” even if your tent is right behind your house. Who knows, backyard camping may lead to more adventurous trips! But remember the cardinal rule, what happens around the campfire stays at the campfire! And if you do decide to enhance your camping experience, I know a resort, somewhere in the mountains of Arkansas, with screened in porches and bugs for bed partners, and I am sure they will leave the light on for ya!

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DOWNTOWN GALLERY CRAWL Seven Galleries, Two Cities, One Night – Thursday, August 6th

TER THE HEAT OF A NORTHEAST Louisiana summer, folks are ready to spice up their lives, to get out of the house and go downtown for the Downtown Gallery Crawl, produced by the artists of seven Downtown Arts Alliance galleries. With six galleries in downtown Monroe and one in downtown West Monroe, there’s lots of variety in art and other offerings—and variety is the spice of life for the whole family, Thursday, August 6, 5-9 pm. The Downtown Gallery Crawl happens on the first Thursday of every other month, when northeast Louisiana has a great opportunity to see and buy high-quality visual art. Further, many of the galleries provide refreshments and live music, along with artists’ talks. South Grand Street, just south of the River Market, is the location of Monroe’s newest gallery—The Garrett House at 520 South Grand. Curated by ULM art professor Brooke Foy, this beautiful, historic building will host photographer Danita Bright. She is a Katrina survivor, and she will be showing photography for the ten-year Katrina anniversary. She does not claim to be a professional artist, but she has a passion for expression and a desire to share her story in a way that captures more than just information.. The River Gallery (Ouachita River Art Gallery at 308 Trenton Street in West Monroe) will end its month of celebrating 25 years of operation as Louisiana’s oldest artist co-op. The 26 artistmembers will feature a memorabilia wall with photos and news stories from the past 25 years. Each artist will show a painting created just for the occasion using "silver" or "25" as the theme of the artwork. There will be special food and live music from local favorite, John Farmer. Then for the rest of the month of August, Joyce Beauvais’ work will be featured. She has been a member of the River Gallery co-op since 2012. Arender Studio on Art Alley in Monroe

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(North 2nd Street just off DeSiard Street), along with several other art galleries in that cluster, will be presenting a variety of original art. The show at Arender this month features Dallas artist Gabe Cardinale, who graduated with an MFA in film production from ULM more than ten years ago. He creates print, paint and mixed media artworks, often blurring the lines between digital and traditional execution. Cardinale’s latest series, MAYA, uses layers of iridescent pigments to redirect both light and the viewer’s attention in a playful game, concealing breathtaking photography of rural waterways and remote woodland scenes. His artist talk will be at 6:30 pm. The Palace Gallery will present ULM’s own Gary Ratcliff. Ratcliff's work could be described as "surfaces and lines" in his attempt to portray the natural unity found all around us. Gary creates objects reflecting the qualities found in nature. The show will be comprised primarily of ceramic forms with a few "paintings"--fractured images. Resident artists at Sugar Gallery (Art Alley) will be welcoming eleventh grader Erin Kemper, featuring her colorful, one-of-a-kind acrylic works. Resident Leah Reitzell will present a new "Waterbirds" series featuring mixed media renderings of Louisiana's native egrets. She will also have post-Impressionist mixed media pieces featuring the Ouachita River titled "Along the Ouachita." Stacy Medaries will exhibit works sculpted from aluminum and colored with alcohol ink. Her images vary in theme from works inspired by the medieval period and art history to fun, funky, colorful faces. Melanie Douthit will show various pieces from her New Orleans and coastal series in acrylic, mixed media and watercolor. Mary Thompson (oils), William Holley (photography) and Burg Ransom (nature photography) will round out the group of exhibitors. The Big Room Gallery on Art Alley will be

hosting a two-person show called “Form and Freedom,” with crowd favorites Lacy Mitcham and Christen Parker in a going-away presentation. Amy Ouchley will join them to exhibit her nature-inspired jewelry. At the UPSTAIRS Gallery, next door, the "featured artist" is actually a trio presenting a show titled “the out-of-towners,” curated by now-local artist Anna Schriefer. Jennifer Dove Cooper is the creator of Dovetail Purses. Each hard-bodied, papier maché purse is made of recycled materials such as plastic milk jugs, linen clothing scraps, wire and sticks—but none of the materials is recognizable for its original purpose. The purses’ themes are sometimes dark, sometimes playful, and their beauty will be highlighted in this show when, at 7 p.m., they will be modeled by young, local models (led by Tyra George, owner of EyeIVStyle—“where fashion, ART and confidence collide”) wearing similarly repurposed clothing. The second of the trio, Jaimie Heiges, received her BFA in photography from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. Photography is the foundation of her art used first as a reference to a painting or drawing. Finally, Rajko Radovanovic, born in Valjevo, Yugoslavia, and now living and working in New Orleans, has had over 150 exhibitions in Europe and the USA. Having studied art in Zagreb, Croatia, and Brighton, UK, where he earned a BA in Fine Art, he will present an exhibit called “Angry American Artist (a Study towards Great Anger).”

Sponsors, led by presenter Louisiana Pain Care, are Creed and Creed Law Oﬃces, Bancorp South, Monroe-West Monroe Convention and Visitors Bureau, Northeast Louisiana Arts Council, Sir Speedy, The News-Star, KEDM Public Radio, DeltaStyle, Louisiana Division of the Arts, Restaurant Cotton, Rawls DeSigns, Cross Keys Bank, Lavalle Salomon Law Oﬃce, Warehouse Restaurant, Restaurant Sage, and Marsala Beverage.

Appreciation Dinner Our House, Inc. Celebrates 25 Years of Service

ur House, Inc held an Appreciation Dinner at the Bayou DeSiard Country Club in Monroe with a full house. Ella Nimmers, director for Our House prepared a film and timeline on the history of the shelter and how far they have gone in the 25 years of service to the area. Several board members and staff gave impromptu testimonials of their time with the organization. Nimmers made a surprise announcement that Our House Shelter would be renamed Christopher Youth Center in honor of the founder Dr. Carol Christopher. Christopher is responsible for the dream and commitment to make Our House, a safe place for teens shelter a reality and also for expanding to transitional living and community crisis counseling. Christopher also authored and got passed

the 72 hour safe harbour law for Louisiana. Dr. Christopher was to attend but was in the hospital where she passed away days later. Dr. C.as she was fondly called, will be missed, but her legacy will live on for many teens. Christopher saw a need and made it happen. As many said in their testimonies, she never took "no" for an answer; she would keep on to make it become a 'yes.'

On the BayouScene

1 Willie Haynes, Janet Durden and Johnny Haynes 2 Linda and Nick Bruno 3 Ella Nimmers 4 Chlorica and Bill Arrington

photos and article by Cindy Ingram

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HISTORY is SERVED

From her perch near the register of Aron's Pharmacy Grill, she has witnessed history. But Ruth is intentionally oblivious to the winds of change that occasional blow through, paying little attention to who's mayor or the governor sitting at the booth. Instead, everyone who comes in are equals, and they are all her friends. For more than 50 years of dedicated service provided with kindness, a smile and a warm meal, Ruth Evans is Bayou Icon for August. ARTICLE BY MICHAEL DEVAULT AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY BRAD ARENDER n January of 1965, Lyndon Johnson had just been sworn in for his own term as President of the United States, securing for himself another four years in the White House. In England, Sir Winston Churchill died. Somewhere on the coast of Florida, an unmanned Gemini rocket blasted into space before plummeting back into the ocean. And a young woman donned an apron and stepped behind the soda counter at a druggist in the up-and-coming 18th Street Corridor on the eastern edge of Monroe. Almost 53 years later, Ruth Evans is still there, still wearing that white apron, and still greeting customers with a smile. While the world around her changed--eight presidents have come and gone, we landed man on the moon and 18th Street is no longer the edge of town--the Aron's Grill has remained relatively unscathed by history, a consistent anchor in an ever-changing world. Ruth never set out to make working a shift at Aron's her life's work, but she doesn't complain about the life she's lived, either. "I’ve had a good time living there, working there,” Ruth told BayouLife. "All in all, it’s been a good thing for me.” It's a good thing she's shared with the community around her, too. Over the years, customers have developed deep bonds with Ruth. She's gotten to know original customers from that first day in 1965, then she served their kids. Now a burger for lunch at Aron's has become a family tradition for hundreds of Monroe families. “We're now on third- and fourth-generation families," said owner Carl Aron, who inherited the pharmacy and its popular grill from his father in 1972. "Families came in with children, and now the children are coming in with their children." Certainly, his father never expected it to become what it is. "It started out just as a draw to bring customers into the store," said Carl, who adds that's not the case anymore. "It's turned out to be profitable." Carl credits Ruth for helping to turn the grill into the community fixture it has become.

The Burger Aronâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Pharmacyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s old-fashioned drug store counter is home to mouth-watering burgers and the friendliest smile in town. Ruth Evans brings both to the table at this iconic establishment.

"Anybody who walks in, you can ask her if she remembers someone," Carl said of Ruth's personable and approachable personality. "She'll tell you, 'Oh yeah. That's my best friend!' no matter who it is." Ruth's demeanor at the soda fountain has been an asset as the grill's customer base has grown over the years to include people from all walks of life. There are lawyers, doctors, dentists, housewives, maids, and--is that a state senator? On any given day, you'll never know who you might see noshing on onion rings at Aron's Grill. This diverse cross section of the community is part of what has made it an institution. Carl says Ruth's ability to treat everyone with equal attention and kindness." "She's just been there," said Carl. "They come in, everybody knows her and they're comfortable. She doesn't get involved in the conversations. But she's the one, when they come to the table, who knows what everybody wants." Consequently, more than a few legal settlements, real estate transactions, business arrangements and political deals have been cemented over a milkshake at Aron's. Former State Rep. Kay Kellogg Katz is one of the people who've had more than a few lunches at

Aron's. She and her husband, the late Ben Katz, were regulars, squeezing in a sandwich and chips or a cup of coffee between busy meetings. “Ben ate lunch at Aron’s many times, and particularly in the last 20 years, because he would be here in Monroe and I’d be in Baton Rouge on legislative business," Katz said. "Ruth and the entire staff were always welcoming to all of us that came into the drug store and the café.” Katz is quick to point out Aron's is more than a grill, and it's more than a political watering hole, too. Instead, she says the diversity of people that the grill brings in has helped to create something even more powerful, more vital to the customers. "It’s a community hub where discussions across the tables range from health to politics to education to individual family issues," Katz said. "It’s just an old fashioned drug store counter." There's a certain emphasis on old fashioned that Carl and Ruth both take pride in. Almost an anachronism, Aron's Grill is a throwback to a simpler time, when customers could pop into their neighborhood soda shop for a malt and a hotdog. Carl says that's part of the appeal of Aron's today. "There's not many of us left, with soda fountains, food service and all," he said. At the heart of that service, the longevity and the tradition is Ruth. For the most part, she's aware of the tradition and her place in it. "I have customers who come from everywhere to eat and to see me," she said. "I have customers who've been eating here for 30, 40 years." Katz is one of those customers. For Katz, Aron's is about the opportunity to slow down, take a step back and enjoy a tradition. Ruth's place in that tradition is pretty clear, to hear Katz tell it. "She is an icon," Katz said. "The pleasantries that are exchanged while you are having lunch, it's a slow- down from everybody's busy life." Lest customers think, "It's all about Miss Ruthie," Ruth is quick to point out visiting is just one of the two things that makes Aron's popular year after year. The other component of that enduring popularity is the food. Delicious, savory hamburgers and perfectly-fried crinkle-cut potatoes, a Coke from

the fountain, and maybe a vanilla malt to wash it all down. Ruth has just one measure when it comes to the food that comes off her line. "I don't fix anything for anybody there that I wouldn't eat myself," she said. That means the ingredients are all fresh. Burger patties are purchased every morning from the butcher at Brookshire's. Produce is sliced fresh, too. At the end of the line, there is Ruth and her eagle eye for quality. “If I fix a hamburger bun and it goes through the toaster and comes out too brown, I toss it in the trash and start another.” Still, time is marching on. As Ruth herself points out, she's "lost so many friends," an outcome that's bound to happen any time an individual spends five decades in service. She's not sad, though. Instead, she draws a certain measure of joy from the work she continues to do three or four days a week. And then, then are the stories. She tells one story of the counter days, about a regular customer she called "Preacher Man," an African-American pastor who ate breakfast regularly in the café. Each day, Ruth said, Preacher Man came for breakfast--eggs, sausage, toast and coffee. Carl's father was still in charge back then, and the price of the meal was about $2 with tip. In those days, she was known to her customers as Ol' Miss. Every morning, Preacher Man visited, ate his meal and chatted with Ruth. His sister was principal of Ester Toombs Elementary in Delhi, where Ruth was from, so she and Preacher Man had much to discuss. After their morning chats, he would leave two ones on the counter and go on about his day. On the day in question, though, something was different. "He didn't pay," Ruth said. "I knew he'd be back in the next morning, so I wasn't worried about it." If Ruth was unconcerned about the open ticket, Preacher Man more than made up for it. He had only been gone a few minutes, when he returned. "He rushed up to me, and he said, 'Ol’ Miss, I forgot to pay you,' he told me. Then he walked back outside and died on the corner," she said. Preacher Man made it to the barbershop on the corner before a heart attack. Mr. Aron stopped her at the door when she went to investigate the commotion. To this day, she's thankful he did. "I’ve lost so many of my good friends. We were all just like family.” In fact, one of her fondest memories of the grill centers around Carl's children. Every year, her birthday party at the store coincided WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | AUGUST 2015

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with the annual Christmas parade, which passed by. “Carl’s children were little, with all the other people who came in there, and they had the Christmas Parade,” she said. “The parade would come down the street, and it was a good spot for the people to come and bring their children.” With a store full of children, cake and ice cream were a necessity. It was a happy time, and one she says she'll never forget. Then there are the good memories. She recalls how Shady Wall would come in with "Mrs. Wall" for burgers. When Lilage fell ill, Shady continued to come in, sometimes taking lunch to-go so he could visit his ailing wife. To this day, she can recall the way each of her regulars took their burgers. Long-time mayor Jack Howard was a regular, too. “Jack Howard, he was my sweetheart,” Ruth said. “All the political people, when they would have different things going on, he would always be there.” Throughout the years, other mayors would come as well. Bob Powell ate there many times, as has current mayor Jamie Mayo. With each new face, Ruth makes a new friend. But she admits she's not around as much as she used to be. “With Carl’s dad, you didn’t leave a minute early,” she said with a laugh. “He was very firm, he had the same rules applied to everyone who worked there, and if you did your job you didn’t have one bit of problem out of it. He was a very good person to work for.” Carl, though, has given Ruth much more leeway. As she's grown older, she has approached him several times about cutting back her hours. Carl is always eager to accommodate his icon, and he's understanding, too. It's a small concession for the woman he credits with making the grill a success. "She has been the grill ever since I owned the store," Carl said. "She is the grill." Her reputation as a genial hostess has travelled far. When visitors come home for the holidays, they make Aron's a stop they won't miss. When he travels, Carl frequently bumps into people who know him and, more importantly, Ruth. "Anytime I run into anybody outside of town whose eaten at the grill, they ask about Ruth, if she's still there, still working. I always say yes, she's still there." Ruth acknowledges there will come a day when she doesn't go into the grill regularly. She's almost 83 years old and has been coming in just three days a week of late. That's likely to change, too, as she looks ahead. Carl doesn't envision a time where she won't be a part of the grill. "I told her that, if she just wants to come and sit and visit with the customers, that's fine with me." For now, she's still there, still working, and still checking every plate that goes out while she's there. If there's a secret to longevity, Ruth is playing it close. “I take pride in what I do," Ruth said. "If I’m home, or doing my church work, or whatever, I take pride in what I do. I don’t care what I’m doing, I always do the best I can do.”

Last year, BayouLife published an article honoring the men and women who take customer service to the next level in Northeast Louisiana. These are the giants, literally and figuratively, of the service industry. These local celebrities in their own right are known regionwide to their customers and friends by their surnames, like Cher, Madonna and Drake, and have built just as loyal a following as bonafide rockstars in their field.

ARTICLE BY MEREDITH MCKINNIE AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY MARTIN G MEYERS

Henry Manning

In the words of Henry Manning, service is essential. With 46 years experience as a server in Monroe, Louisiana, he knows how to serve. Beginning in the home of Tommy Godfrey decades ago, Henry learned the art of service from Tommy’s parents and became fascinated with the elegance of the process. Serve from the left; pick up from the right. Place bread to the right of the lady and wine down to the right of the gentleman. His acute attention to detail and humble, easy manner make him the quintessential waiter for anyone dining at Restaurant Sage in Monroe. Henry began back in 1969 at Mohawk where he served for 18 years. He gives all the credit to Richard Norman, his mentor at Mohawk, who changed his life. Henry is grateful to serve, where he treats everyone, regardless of color or station with respect. He considers himself a “professional server,” in an industry of temporaries. His code of conduct: “Good service can make up for bad food, but nothing makes up for bad service,” keeps him focused on the weight of his role in both the restaurant’s success and the overall satisfaction of his patrons, or as Henry calls them, “clients.” Henry prides himself on the many facets of his business, knowing his menu, extensive wine knowledge, the setting of the table, and the unspoken rule of keeping conversation to a minimum. He is a server by choice, and inevitably brings an old school class and sophistication, an art all of us appreciate when blessed with the opportunity to dine with Henry.

Ms. Pinky

With a warm smile and unhurried manner, Ms. Pinky’s welcoming presence at Taco Bandido has been a staple for Monroe locals for the last 32 years. Her willingness to please and make others smile is infectious. Her duties include “anything they let me be,” but she is primarily found behind the counter where she can “meet people and make them feel special.” She always treats everyone with respect, a rule her mother, Gracie Cowden, instilled in her long ago, to treat everyone as you would wish to be treated. Ms. Pinky’s job gives her a feeling of accomplishment, like she has done something good for someone else, and at the end of day, we all want that. It’s what it’s all about. She says, “Lots of people come in having a bad day, and I try to meet and exceed their expectations, asking questions to make sure their orders are just right.” People appreciate the extra care and attention that are unfortunately no longer as commonplace as they used to be. She cares, and it shows on her face and in her attitude. Married for the last 39 years, Ms. Pinky enjoys reading and antique shopping in her free time, but it’s behind the counter where she really feels like she shines.

Esther T. Griﬃn

For the last thirty years, nestled behind the cash register atop a clear case of baked goods, one can find Ms. Esther during the week at Thurman’s Food Factory. Though she describes herself as an “ordinary Plain Jane,” she is the recognized face when regulars frequent Thurman’s doors. Ms. Esther enjoys interacting with people, seeing some of the same faces every day, and acknowledges the pleasant atmosphere that comes along with having positive, friendly employees around her. And her bosses, father/son team, Thurman Dickey and Ken Dickey, make for a family-like setting. A widow for the last 35 years, her co-workers at Thurman’s are part of her family. Carrying on a conversation, getting to know her customers while still maintaining efficiency is paramount to Esther’s success. She says she loves waiting on people, making them smile and knowing she has pleased them. In her words, Esther has a “loose jaw and I jaw with them…makes them feel comfortable.” She acknowledges her son, Rodney Griffin as the “light of my life,” and spends her evenings and weekends reading, working in the yard and tending to her flowers. Even at home, she caters to her flowers as she caters to us, watching them bloom and making us smile.

Bubba Marshall and Lee Carter

For the last thirty years, William Kirk Marshall, or as Mohawk patrons know him, Bubba, has been serving customers the restaurant’s savory, coveted dishes. Alongside Bubba for the last 21 years, Lee Carter also has made Mohawk his career home, where both gentlemen feel blessed to serve. Rapport is essential for the backbone of this wait-staff, recognizing faces, seeing kids return after they’ve grown who still remember their names. The men pride themselves on being part of the overall experience of Mohawk that brings people back generation after generation. The family atmosphere often found in successful establishments exists in Mohawk, no doubt fostered by Bubba and Lee. When you treat people like family, they become family. Five years into Lee’s employment, Mr. John Green told him, “You might as well stay here.” Joan Norman mentored Bubba, and he recalls her fondly “like a

mother to me.” Over the years, they’ve mastered their people skills, offering a shoulder, providing comfort, whatever their patrons need. Family helps family, and that’s how Bubba and Lee embrace every person dining at their tables. Both have built lifelong relationships with patrons, often greeting them with a hug, a smile or a handshake. Bubba feels blessed to be able to interact daily with people he wouldn’t necessarily meet and claims he “wouldn’t give up his job for the world.” Lee likes the feeling of accomplishment and control, being able to manage a room well. They both take pride in their positions. Angela and Marie, also Mohawk employees for the last 30 years, put a lot of love in their cooking back in the kitchen, Lee and Bubba put a lot of love into their service, and the combination keeps people coming back. In the words of Bubba, “Keep love in what you do, and you’ll be successful.”

Youth Safety Miss Louisiana Pageant Event Vantage, along with the Miss Louisiana Organization, hosted a Youth Safety event on Monday, June 22 at 3 p.m. The purpose of this community event was to provide helmets to youth in our area while encouraging safety and physical activity to children. It also included a short discussion of general safety tips, including bike safety, sunscreen use and proper hydration. Representatives from the City of Monroe, Vantage Health Plan and the Miss Louisiana organization were on hand, as well as all 35 Miss Louisiana contestants.

On the BayouScene

1 Tori Thompson with Henry Todd and Leslie Baughman 2 Dewanna Little and Chelsey Hymel 3 Jo Hillard, Carol Anne Barnes and Baylee Howell

The Miss Louisiana Organization held the 52nd annual Miss Louisiana pageant in Monroe at the Jack Howard Theater on June 25 – 27, 2015. This year’s show featured Miss Louisiana 2014 Lacey Sanchez, as well as the Miss Louisiana band, former Miss Louisiana’s Amanda Joseph May (2007), Blair Abene McCurdy (2008), Kelsi Crain (2010) and Jaden Leach (2013), as well as the 35 contestants and over 60 Fleur De Lis princesses. Emcees for the pagent were Ed Walsh and Melissa Clark Whitworth, Miss Louisiana 2003. Corporate sponsors for the Miss Louisiana pageant include The City of Monroe, Monroe-West Monroe Convention and Visitors Bureau, the University of Louisiana at Monroe, Propane Dealers of Louisiana, Vantage Health Plan, JPS Executive Transportation, the Louisiana Campaign for Tobacco Free Living, Louisiana Tech University, Big Whit 77 Foundation, TownePlace Suites by Marriott and Laundry by Shelli Segal. On the 1 final night of the pageant, Miss Crescent City New Orleans, April Nelson of Mandeville, was crowned Miss Louisiana 2015.

On the BayouScene

1 Audrey Thames and Lacey Sanchez 2 Sarah Green and Katelyn Clark 3 Natalie Tannehill, Maddy Lodgen and Mamie Hendriks 4 Macie McCoy and Sawyer Passman 5 Corie Keller and Anna Claire Butler 6 Laryssa and Bryton Bonacquisti 7 Sheryl and Alana Lewis

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Louisiana Peach Festival

The 65th annual Peach Festival took place June 26-27th this year, and it was one for the books. Special guest, Philip Robertson from Guinness World Records was there to judge if Ruston, La could represent the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s largest fruit cobbler. Not only were they able to break the record making them the new titleholder, but also everyone watching was able to enjoy delicious peach cobbler. Festival goers enjoyed everything from an antique car show to a peach-eating contest! Musical entertainment included: Dash Rip Rock, JT Hodges, and of course, the world famous Molly Ringwalds among others. Along with music, activities included an Art Exhibit, Peach hunt, BMX and Skateboard Show, Baby photo contest, arts and crafts show and tons of vendors to shop from! The Louisiana Peach Festival celebrates peachy goodness and highlights the explosive popularity of Ruston peaches, which have been a staple of life in Lincoln Parish since the late 1930s. For more information, visit louisianapeachfestival.org.

On the BayouScene

1 Alex and Susan Hermes 2 Eryn, Tracy and Arden Bagwell 3 Ashley Johnson and Emma Jones 4 April Howard, Jordan Duckworth and Claudia Concelli 5 Denisha Johnson, Amber Lathen and Minisha Johnson 6 Sarah McElroy and Kim McElroy 7 Nicholas Miller and Bethanee Hebert 8 Trey, Lilli, Kelli and Layla Blake Green 9 Amber Johnfroe and Hannah Lemke 10 Isaac and Sarah Miller 11 Jessica Bradford and Lexi Navarro 12 TySharra Thomas, DeAjaney Hill and Delyncia Horsley 13 Elizabeth Anne and Alford Nora 14 Karen, Charlotte, Lindsi and Rowan Hanchey, Anderson and Meg Moore and Jude Hanchey 15 Blake Thomas and Kalyn Red 16 Laila al-Agha, Rachel Davison and Cameron Adams

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Some Enchanted Eventing

On July 10, Strauss Theatre Center, the Northeast Louisiana Arts Council and Monroe Symphony Orchestra presented “Some Enchanted Evening” in Brown Auditorium. The collaboration was a concert production of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s South Pacific. Produced by the Northeast Louisiana Arts Council, the semi-staged performance directed by Dr. Corey Trahan featured special guest artists along with outstanding local talent, accompanied by members of the Monroe Symphony Orchestra conducted by Dr. Jason Rinehart. Honored posthumously for his and his family’s work for the Strauss Theatre and MSO was Dr. Palmer Jarrell. The Some Enchanted Evening Gala began at 6:15 before the performance. A post-performance cocktail party with the cast was held at Strauss Theatre Center, where guests were able to mingle with the talented performers.

1 4

On the BayouScene

1 Bill Levinson and Tami Madison 2 Evan Bursey and Terri Bursey 3 Danielle Miles and Diane Anderson 4 Camille Peterson and Margaret Ann Zentner 5 Jeﬀ Gary and Greg Handel 6 Lanell and Dr. Ray Armstrong 7 Susan Cochran, Tommy Usrey and Margaret Ann Zentner 8 Guy Miller, Evelyn Johnson and Nancy Miller 9 Ann Breard, Dr. Kevin and Kathryn Williams and Beverly Jarrell 10 Margaret Barr, Deborah Colvin, Regina Wood, Dr. Uma Rangaraj and Babs Oakley 11 Nancy Miller, Dr. Cory Trahan and Dr. Jason Rhineart 12 Jerry Holmes and Mary Anita Breen 13 Carrick and Nancy Inabnett 14 Bill and Georgia Street with Jennifer Haneline 15 Dr. Uma Rangaraj, Babs Oakley, Sue Nawas and Arely Castillo

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VIP Birthday

Saturday, July 11th, official Enochers gathered in droves to celebrate Molly Jeter McCullar’s 40th birthday. Judy Babb put together a truly glamorous soirée, complete with red carpet and backdrop for photos. In the back room, there was a special roped off area with a beautiful cake and champagne, of course; true VIP style. Molly and her husband, Tim McCullar, arrived to the snapshots of awaiting paparazzi as they made their way along the carpet. The birthday girl looked stunning in her backless off white dress, acquired on a recent trip to Los Angeles. How fitting! Guests enjoyed the fun Enoch’s atmosphere, which was spruced up with white tablecloths and centerpieces to transform the usually casual pub into “Mollywood” for the evening. Blues legend Doug Duffey was on hand along with songstress Robin Beach Black, keeping everyone dancing and singing along into the wee hours. Photos by Jeremy Thornhill.

On the BayouScene

1 John Jeter and Yvette Jeter 2 Tim and Molly McCullar 3 Michelle Bagur and Kelly Stewart 4 Molly McCullar and Lil Jeter 5 Molly's best girlfriends came together for the celebration 6 Mark and Jodi Stephens 7 Judy and Bryan Babb 8 Mark and Karen O'Keefe 9 Jim and Jackie Plank 10 Logan Murray, Anna Marie Beagley, Molly McCullar and Justin Lacombe 11 Joshua "The Jerk" Coleman 12 Nichole Amman and Frank Elkins 13 Tim and Molly McCullar 14 Robin Beach Black and Doug Duﬀey 15 Molly McCullar and Harold Barmore

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32nd Annual Painter’s Palette Student Show The students of Painter’s Palette participated in the 32nd annual art exhibit Sunday, May 17th at Grace Episcopal’s Sager Life Center. The exhibit featured 23 adult artists showing 138 pieces of art and 35 youth showing 264 pieces. The show included, pen and ink, mixed media, acrylic, oil, pastel, watercolor, colored pencil, clay sculpture and tempera. Linda Thomas Snider Ward judged the three youth divisions, while Emery Thibodeaux judged the two adult divisions.

Adult Division I- Advanced/Professional Best of Show: Carol Smith; Creativity Award: Marilou Hildenbrand; First Place, Brent Evans; Second Place, Jeff Sharplin; Third Place, Bunny Hewitt

Adult Division II- Beginner/Intermediate Best of Show: Laurie Daniel; Creativity Award: Lucky Lures; First Place, Laurie Daniel ; Second Place, Vicki Robinson; Third Place, Betty Kennedy

Youth Division I (Age 6-8) Best of Show: Reese Hamby; Creativity Award: Ellen Brockman; Design- Creative Original, First Place: Savannah Walker; Sculpting- First Place: Garrett Davis; Graphics- Pen and Ink, Charcoal, Colored Pencil, Pencil, First Place:

Lily Greenwood; Painting, First Place: Reese Hamby; Cartoons, First Place: Savannah Walker

Youth Division II (Age 9-12) Best of Show: Alice Rutledge; Creativity Award: Pippa Morstead; Design- Creative Original, First Place- Hannah Smith; Graphics- Pen and Ink, Charcoal, Colored Pencil, Pencil, First Place: Serenity Lee; Painting, First Place: Alice Rutledge; Cartoons, First Place: Hannah Smith

Youth Division III (Age 13-17) Best of Show: Anabel Strange; Creativity Award: Anabel Strange; Design- Creative Original, First Place: Annabel Strange; Graphics- Pen and Ink, Charcoal, Colored Pencil, Pencil, First Place: Jonah Mulhearn; Painting, First Place: Anabel Strange; Cartoons, First Place: Judith Anders

People’s Choice Awards Adult Division I: Jeff Sharplin; Adult Division II: Betty Kennedy; Youth Division I: Anna Kate Brockman; Youth Division II: Tie- Hannah Smith and Analise Thibodeaux; Youth Division III: Annabel Strange

On the BayouScene

1 Melanie King and Carol Smith 2 Alice Rutledge, Mimi Rutledge, Hanlon Parker, Missy Parker and Katie Birch 3 Kaylee Williams, Ma’Kayla Williams, Bevyn Lee, Katie Ayan and Kirsten Lagrange

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Summer Beer Tasting

On July 16 the staff from Marsala Beverage held their 8th Annual Summer Beer Tasting Event benefitting KEDM Public Radio and presented by Friends of 90.3 KEDM. Marsala Beverage offered a huge selection of beers to sample at their Event Pavillion, featuring Louisiana-brewed ales as well as beers from around the world. Featured brewers included New Belgium, Stella Artois, Tin Roof, Saint Arnold, Lazy Magnolia and Shock Top. Many of the brewers were on-hand to answer questions about how the idea for each beer was conceived, and to talk about the brewing process. Guests enjoyed a performance by musical guests Alan Brockman and Jesse Grinter, as well as award-winning bar-b-que, from Rhoda Brown and fresh burgers from the Central Station Slider Rider.

On the BayouScene

1 Allison Bowman and Kristin Wyble 2 Larry Davenport and Nick Wade 3 Lila Strode and Donna Buoy 4 Tyler Flemister, Mike Flemister, Lance and Laura Nickelson 5 Sarah Maimon and Melissa Saye 6 John Navarro and Tyler Harris 7 Angela and James Brown 8 Jay Curtis, Dr. Eric Pani, Dr. Anne Case Hanks and Denise Pani 9 Emily Potts, Kristy Hall and Tammie White 10 Sean Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Pry, Angie Blades and Taylor Kemp 11 Steve and Linda Antley with Kay Rector 12 Sookham Dhaliwal and Simran Emaus 13 Tabby Soignier and Cassie Wade 14 Jane and John Burson 15 Will Doss and Courtney Fry 16 Daniel Walters and Morgan Lewis

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Artist’s Gala Arrow Public Art hosted their Artist’s Gala for families and friends of the One Mile of Love Mural Project on June 26th from 4:00-7:00 p.m. This grand family friendly afternoon was hosted at Kiroli Park Lodge. Attendees enjoyed; hotdogs, snow cones and other treats while socializing and enjoying the beautiful day at the park. Original artwork submissions for the wall were set up exhibit style for all to view. Outside, there were tons of activities, from arts and crafts, face painting, Jumpers and booths from The Children’s Museum. Rhea Lana’s of Monroe hosted a photo booth and also Macaroni Kids was there with a kid friendly craft. All food and jumpers were donated and the Monroe Symphony joined with musical entertainment.

On the BayouScene

1 Austin Bantel and Kelsea McCrary 2 Mason, Megan and Tiffany Olmstead 3 Cameron and Dianne Adams, Terry Walker and Cooper Adams 4 Jacob Loflin, Beverly Dobbs, Debra, Vance and Joseline Payne 5 Chloe, Renee, Grace and Jeffery Streeter 6 Carisa, Amaris, Stephen, Arzelia and Arzelia Kendall III 7 Clay, Audrey and Cara Parker 8 Darwann Ross, Hayden Ross and Tameka Gray 9 Kaitlyn, Breanna and Jamie Bowie 10 Melissa Spillers Black and Holton Spillers 11 Sharron and Autumn Witten 12 Shanese Hicks and Ynes Brown 13 Brooklyn and Sharlene Alexander 14 Coplen, Kayla and John David Johnson 15 Skylar Hunter, Baylor, Sydney and Summer Allen 16 Milana May, Anna McDonald, Emilee Turner, Jessica McDonald, Brooke and Caitlyn Phillips 17 Brooke Foy and Emery Thibodeaux

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Red, White and Brew Pub Crawl Downtown Monroe was the place to celebrate Americaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s birthday as pub crawlers strolled through downtown for the Red, White and Brew Pub Crawl, presented by Monroe Renaissance and sponsored by BayouLife Magazine, Lamar Outdoor and The Radio People. Throughout the evening, crawlers visit various restaurants and bars including River & Rail Cantina, Shananigans, Enochâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, NEAT and Restaurant Cotton. At each stop, visitors had their pub passport stamped, and at the end of the night ended at Restaurant Cotton just in time for the CenturyLink Star Spangled Spectacular Fireworks Show. Marsala Beverage and Choice Brands were both on hand with backyard games and prizes for the winners of the pub crawl. Each stop along the crawl provided a touch of respite, a signature drink, and just a little touch of Independence celebration. Downtown Renaissance holds pub crawls every two months throughout the year.

On the BayouScene

1 Jessica Crye and Jessica Coleman 2 Kyle and Mara Brown 3 Debbie Elliott and Rebecca George 4 Aaron Head, Brent Reeves and Cody Sayers 5 Tommy Gardner, Tammy and Scott Sims, Gretchen Kelly 6 Ashton Masters and Jennifer Lollar 7 Adam and Charity Jones 8 Shellie Sylvestri and Taylor Hubenthal 9 Aaron and Morgan Aitken 10 Aaron and Rachel McDaniel 11 Lauren and Bryan Creekmore

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BAYOUDRINKS

Emerging from local trends, these creative cocktails have classic appeal. These six restaurants are serving up inventive drinks to cocktail-savvy clientele. PH OTOG RA PH Y BY MA RTIN G ME Y E RS

HEMINGWAY DAQUIRI m from Doe’s Eat Place

1 1/2 oz Light rum 1/4 oz Luxardo Il Maraschino liqueur Fresh lime juice Simple syrup Splash of grapefruit juice This drink from bartender Chad Watson at Doe’s Eat Place is a great, light cocktail for summer. Combine ingredients with ice, shake and strain. Garnish with a lime peel.

n JEN’S PIMMS CUP from Trio’s

2 1 3 4 1/2 1/2 1/2 3-4

oz Pimms liqueur oz Gum syrup Dashes of Peychaud’s Bitters Mint leaves oz Orange juice oz Fresh lime juice oz Fresh lemon juice Thin cucumber slices Splash of soda

This drink from Trio’s is a twist on the classic Pimms Cup. In a shaker (no ice) add ingredients (Pimms, gum syrup, mint leaves, cucumber slice, orange, lemon and lime juice). Muddle together. Add ice and shake. Serve in a Collins glass and top with a splash of soda. Garnish with cucumbers and a strawberry.

The Ole Smokey m

from Cotton Restaurant 2 oz Evan Williams bourbon Housemade gum syrup Orange Aromatic bitters Bourbon-soaked cherry Torched orange peel Bartender Ella Bailey has perfected this delicious craft-cocktail at Cotton Restaurant in Monroe. Pour bourbon and add a large ice cube. Drip orange and aromatic bitters over the cube. Smoked under a glass globe with hickory chips, this drink is left to sit a couple of seconds after the smoke is introduced. Garnish with a bourbon-soaked cherry and torched orange peel.

n STRAWBERRY BOURBON MARTINI from Sage Restaurant

1 1/2 1 1/2 3 1 3 1

oz Fresh strawberries oz Woodford Reserve Bourbon oz Rosemary syrup oz Lemonade Rosemary leaves Lemon wedge

Place your strawberries into a cocktail shaker and muddle using a muddler (available at most retailers). Add your Woodford Reserve bourbon, rosemary syrup, lemonade and rosemary leaves. Squeeze the juice from one lemon wedge into your shaker. Add ice generously and lid your shaker. Shake vigorously for 15 seconds until condensation has formed on the exterior. Using a strainer to remove the larger items like ice and the rosemary sprigs, pour into a martini glass. Garnish with fresh strawberry, lemon slice and a sprig of rosemary and enjoy.

ROSEMARY SYRUP

1 1/2 1/2 1

cup water cup Light brown sugar cup Granulated sugar Rosemary sprig

Combine all ingredients into a sauce pan and bring to a boil. Continue boiling for 15 minutes while stirring to dissolve the sugar. Remove from the heat and allow to cool for 30 minutes. Once cool strain and pour into an air-tight container. The syrup will keep in your refrigerator for a week

HONEYSUCKLE ROSE m

from Portico Restaurant & Bar 1/4 1 1 1/2 2 1/2

Juice of one orange oz Cane simple syrup Whole long sprig of fresh rosemary oz of Cathead Honeysuckle Vodka oz of Prosecco

Bartender Amy Horstkamp has perfected this exceptional cocktail. To make this delicious drink, muddle juice, syrup and bottom half of rosemary sprig. Add vodka and ice and shake vigorously. Double strain into a chilled coupe glass top with Prosecco (Italian Champagne) and garnish with a thin orange wheel laying on surface and remaining top half of rosemary sprig. Top with an orange slice.

n BLOODY MARK

from Daq’s Wings & Grill

2 4 2 1

oz Makers Mark oz Zing Zang Dashes worcestershire sauce Dash of hot sauce Squeeze of lemon juice Squeeze of lime juice 1 Dash of Olive juice (optional) Pepper It’s Bloody Mary’s infamous cousin, Bloody Mark that is hitting all the right notes at Daq’s Wings & Grill. This savory drink is made by combining all the ingredients into a shaker and ice. Shake vigorously before pouring into a Tony Chachere’s-rimmed glass. Garnish with bacon, celery, olives, lemon and lime.

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Calendar of Events Through October 15 Emily Caldwell, Naturally Time: Tuesday-Friday 9:00 am-5:00 pm; Saturday noon to 5:00 pm Emily Caldwell is a pillar of the arts community in Monroe. She is a skilled draftswoman and a patient assembler of collages. Positing humans as unseen observers and stewards, her drawings and collages speak to the interconnectedness of various species and the roles they play in the delicate balancing act required to have a healthy ecosystem. Taking this into account, Caldwell focuses on the habitats within Northeast Louisiana, using them as speciﬁc examples to discuss broader conservation issues throughout the world. All told, her work is like the artist herself: an improbable mixture of joie de vivre and seriousness that coalesces into beautiful, thought provoking activism. Venue: Masur Museum of Art Admission Cost: Free Phone: 318-329-2237 Web: www.masurmuseum.org Maker's Marks at the Masur Museum Time: Tuesday-Friday 9:00 am-5:00 pm; Saturday noon to 5:00 pm Makers’ Marks is an exhibition featuring work by Todd Cloe, Frank Hamrick and Cliﬀ Tresner. These artists’ studio practices revolve around making objects constructed largely by hand, as well as using visual forms to express parables. These artists work in representational and abstract modes in media as diverse as tintypes, books, drawings and sculptures. Tintypes individually rendered, with their distorted edges and glossy surfaces; hand hewn wood weathered by the very hands that shaped it; aggressively welded metal; and precisely bound, deckle-edged rag paper all speak to this.

For a full list of event happenings in Northeast Louisiana, see our website at www.bayoulifemag.com

Venue: Masur Museum of Art Admission Cost: Free Phone: 318-329-2237 Web: www.masurmuseum.org

Masur Museum's Recent Acquisitions & Favorites Time: Tuesday-Friday 9:00 am-5:00 pm; Saturday noon to 5:00 pm Recent Acquisitions & Favorites will feature work by Ron Adams, Robin Bernat, John James Audubon, Richard Buswell, Mary Cassatt, Joshua Chambers, Clyde Connell, Samuel Corso, Salvador Dali, Bruce Davidson, Alexander Drysdale, Jenny Ellerbe, Michael Elliot-Smith, Frank Hamrick, Albino Hinojosa, Jim Isermann, Peter Jones, Ida Kohlmeyer, Eugene Martin, Robert Motherwell, Greely Myatt, Ed Pinkston, Alberto Rey, George Rodrigue, Vitus Shell, Ann Shields, Julian Stanczak, Bill Viola, Bob Ward, Douglas Weathersby and others. Venue: Masur Museum of Art Admission Cost: Free Phone: 318-329-2237 Web: www.masurmuseum.org August 1 Fight the Invaders! Time: 10:00 am - noon We need some volunteers to help us ﬁght the invasive plants at the refuge. This is a training for people to learn about what plants are invasives and also techniques to kill them so they can help us out here. Venue: Black Bayou National Wildlife Refuge Admission Cost: free Phone: 318-387-1114 www.fws.gov/northlouisiana/blackbayoulake Zoobilation 2015 Time: 10:00 am-5:00 pm Don't miss the return of this exciting event with a burger cookoﬀ, fun run & 5k, music, food, vendors and fun for all ages. Proceeds bene-

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ﬁt the Louisiana Purchase Zoological Society. Venue: Louisiana Purchase Zoo Admission: $7 for ages 2 and up. Phone: 318-329-2400 Web: www.monroezoo.org My Mini Masur Drop In Activity Time: 2:00 pm-5:00 pm Bring your kids and let the creativity ﬂow at the Masur Museum as they create an art project. This event is free of charge and children will leave with a unique art project. Venue: Masur Museum of Art Admission Cost: Free Phone: 318-329-2237 Web: www.masurmuseum.org

advance & $15 at the door. Children 10 & Under are free. Email: roecityrollers@gmail.com Phone: (817) 657-1537 Web: www.roecityrollerderby.com Blanc Du Bois Stomp Fest with Mason Granade Time: 4:30 pm-8:00 pm Celebrate the harvest at Landry Vineyards with live entertainment from Mason Granade and a Lucy Look-A-Like Contest. Contestants will be judged on their creativity to capture Lucy during the grape stomping episode of "I Love Lucy." Food and wine are available for purchase, but you can pack your own picnic as well! Bring lawn chairs or blankets and enjoy the wine, music and fun on the hillside. Venue: Landry's Vineyard Admission Cost: $5-$8; Children 12 & under: Free Phone: 318-557-9051 Web: www.landryvineyards.com

Spirit of '45 Celebration Time: 2:00 pm-4:00 pm Join the growing community of organizations and individuals that are planning events and activities this year to commemorate the 70th Anniversary of "the Greatest Generation's Greatest Day" - August 14, 1945 - the day World War II ended and America began laying the foundations to ensure a better future for their children and their children's children. The Chennault Aviation and Military Museum will be hosting an event to honor the 70th anniversary at the NELA War Veterans Home. Venue: Northeast Louisiana Veterans Home Admission Cost: Free Phone: 318-362-5540 Web: www.chennaultmuseum.org

August 6 Downtown Gallery Crawl Time: 5 pm -9 pm Presented by the Downtown Arts Alliance, eleven art galleries in downtown Monroe and West Monroe are open all evening for the public to enjoy great art, food, drink and music. Original art is for sale, tax free. Admission is free. Venue: Downtown Monroe and West Monroe Admission Cost: free Phone: 318-503-5125

Roller Derby Double Header Time: Doors open at 4:00 pm; Action begins at 5:00 pm Come see two spectacular events for the price of one, as the Roe City Rollers battle the Twin City Knockers and Cenla Derby Dames take on the Capital Defenders. Venue: Monroe Civic Center Admission Cost: Tickets are $10 in

August 6-9 Rhea Lana's Back to School Sale Time: Thursday 9 am-7 pm; Friday 9 am-4 pm; Saturday & Sunday 9 am5pm Shop quality name brands for Back to School clothes for a fraction of the price. Clothing sizes available are newborn through teen sizes. Many items will be half oﬀ on Satur-

day and Sunday. Venue: Monroe Convention Center Email: rebecca@rhealana.com Phone: 318.732.6453 Web: www.monroe.rhealana.com August 8 5th Annual Driven Desires Car, Truck, and Bike Show Time: 10:00 am-4:00 pm Driven Desires is a Car, Truck, and Bike show based in Monroe, La to benefit The Muscular Dystrophy Association with prizes, food and fun for all ages! Venue: Monroe Civic Center Email: drivendesires@yahoo.com Phone: 318-791-4585 Web: www.ci.monroe.la.us/monroecivic-center.php Twin Cities Rotary 5th Annual River and Road Poker Run Time: 10:00 am End of run/Dealing event at TRAPPS Cajun and Creole Restaurant with Celebrity Dealers Jeromy Pruitt and David LaDart of SWAMP PEOPLE. Proceeds will benefit the U.S.S.F. Venue: Trapp's Admission Cost: $25.00 Donation/Registration per hand Phone: 318-381-6219 August 15 2015 Battle of the Badges Monroe Time: 6:00 pm-10:30 pm Catch all the boxing action as the Policemen take on the Firemen in this non-stop action event. Proceeds will benefit Med Camps of Louisiana. Venue: ULM Fant-Ewing Coliseum Admission Cost: Ticket prices vary. Email: info@battleofthebadgesmonroe.com Phone: 318-342-5417 Web: www.battleofthebadgesmonroe.com 15th Annual Bayou Black Open Rodeo Time: Rodeo begins at 7:00 pm Catch all the rodeo action with Bareback Bronc Riding, Bull Riding, Calf Roping, Barrel Racing and more. Enjoy a full day of events with a parade and tailgating before the rodeo begins. Venue: Monroe Civic Center Phone: 318-329-2225 Web: www.ci.monroe.la.us/monroecivic-center.php

August 22 Funroe Fest Time: Noon-10:00 pm Funroe Fest at the Monroe Civic Center will focus on art, culture and music! This fun event will feature live bands, dancing, food trucks, retail vendors and more! Venue: Monroe Civic Center Phone: 318-855-8541 Web: www.funroefest.com Bottles and Brushes Painting Class Time: 1:00 pm-4:00 pm The Masur Museum of Art is proud to announce the return of Bottles and Brushes Painting Class with teacher René Hatten! Students are welcome to bring a bottle of wine or other preferred beverage. You must be 18 or older to attend the class, and 21 or older to drink alcoholic beverages. The cost to cover the canvas and all supplies included for painting is $30. Reserve your seat! A new painting will be oﬀered every month, and no prior painting knowledge is needed. Venue: Masur Museum of Art Admission Cost: $30 Phone: 318-329-2237 Web: www.masurmuseum.org Red Grape Stomp Fest with Easy Eddie & The Party Rockers Time: 4:30-8:00 pm Landry Vineyards winery outdoor concert featuring Easy Eddie & The Party Rockers! A mix classic rock and R&B music will have you, family and friends dancing all night. Make sure you pack your lawn chair, blanket and picnic dinner and enjoy the outdoor show. Venue: Landry's Vineyard Admission Cost: Per Person: $5-$8; Children 12 & under: Free Phone: 318-557-9051 Web: www.landryvineyards.com

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