BayouLife December 2017 by BayouLife Magazine

Happy Holidays

FROM OUR BAYOULIFE FAMILY TO YOURS

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DECEMBER 2017

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50 / SANTA IN SOUTH Santa Has Made His Home Right Here in North Louisiana Under the Alias of Robert K. Wilson 94 / THREE SHEPHERDS How “Giving Back” Means Giving to the Community’s Least Fortunate and Most Neglected 122 / SWEET TREATS These Sweet Treats from Local Eateries Are Sure to Make Your Guests Have a Holly, Jolly Good Time 128 / K.I.S.S. THE HOLIDAYS These Tips from Kelly Moore Clark Will Help You Simplify Your Holidays

166 / ALL SPRUCED UP This Holiday Season Snuggle up in Comfortable Jeans and Cozy Sweaters from Local Boutiques 178 / BEER AND PIZZA Ruston’s Newest Eatery, The Utility Brewing Company, Opens Its Doors 222 / PAINTING THE TOWN Bayou Artist Emery Thibodeaux Has Spent the Last Few Years Placing Art in the Public Eye

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240 / WINTER WONDER Step Into a Winter Wonderland This Holiday Season with These Festive Looks from Area Boutiques

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BayouLife

T’S THE HOLIDAY SEASON

with the whoop-de-do and hickory dock! We’ve had Christmas music playing for the last week to get us in the holiday spirit. It can be tough to build ads without a little Christmas cheer, but thankfully with the help of Alexa (our Echo) and Ali’s bug for decorating our tree, we were set and ready to go midNovember. We’ve had some amazing accomplishments this year, especially with the number of changes that we’ve faced. Our team pulled together a great magazine this month – the biggest we’ve ever had – and we survived! Our staff, writers, photographers and advertisers are truly the best and we couldn’t do it without each and every person involved. I am blessed beyond measure to have two wonderful daughters and a supportive and loving husband. This holiday season, let’s let the peace of the season shine throughout our community and goodwill be done everywhere. Reach out to your neighbors, offer help to a stranger, cross the political barriers and let’s continue to focus on making this community great. Recently, Lynn Malone at First United Methodist Church gave this advice: Don’t save the poor, serve the poor. Don’t rescue people, relate to people. Never reach down, always reach out. These three things are at the top of my list this holiday season. In this issue, you will find our gorgeous models Maryanna Branch and Hudson Morris in comfortable, chic winter wear in our All Spruced Up shoot taken by Kelly Moore Clark at the home of Heather Land. Our friend Taylor Bennett styled this amazing set while we were being entertained by the Land girls. Meka Bennett worked her hair and makeup magic on all of our fashion sets this month. See it on page 166. On pages 240-247, Molly-Claire West models this season’s most stylish holiday attire. There is a lot that goes in to each and every one of our fashion shoots and this month Melanie Moffett and Katie Sloan really knocked it out of the park. It took countless hours to cut out our cardboard set. They suffered a few finger nicks and blisters, but it was definitely worth the blood, sweat and tears. Martin Graham Meyers photographed this shoot and let us blow snow all over his studio. Check it out on pages 240-247. There are so many great editorial pieces in this magazine. Vanelis Rivera got a tour of the newly opened Utility Brewing Company in Ruston (pages 178183), while Michael DeVault interviewed our trio of BayouIcons on pages 94-

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1201 Royal Avenue Monroe, LA 71201 Phone 318.855.3185 Fax 318.855.4645

WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM PUBLISHER Cassie Livingston cassie@bayoulifemag.com

99. Emery Thibodeaux has been busy transforming the landscape of Monroe and West Monroe, but April Honaker was able to catch up with our BayouArtist on pages 222-226. Read about Ann Smith and her adventures at Black Bayou (150154) and Kelly Moore Clark’s tips for simplifying your holiday on pages 128133. There are so many interesting articles in this month’s issue, we hope you are able to snuggle up by a fire and flip the pages of our December publication. And, please support your local businesses this holiday season. The people who own stores locally are those whose children go to school with yours. We are those who support local non-profit organizations; who pay local taxes. We are those who give back to our community. So, when you are making your lists this year, look through the pages of BayouLife. These businesses need your support more than Amazon or Ebay. Shop local! With all my love and thanks, we truly hope you enjoy reading this issue of BayouLife Magazine. From our family to yours, Merry Christmas and happy holidays!

Cassie THE LIVINGSTON CREW

COPY EDITOR Kelly Jones ART DIRECTOR Melanie Moffett melanie@bayoulifemag.com GRAPHIC DESIGNER Katie Sloan katie@bayoulifemag.com ADVERTISING MANAGER Ashley Hubenthal ashley@bayoulifemag.com ADVERTISING SALES EXECUTIVE Ali Beasley ali@bayoulifemag.com ADVERTISING SALES EXECUTIVE Amanda Singley amanda@bayoulifemag.com CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Stewart Bedillion Maré Brennan Dan Chason Kelly Moore Clark Kenny Covington Lou Davenport Michael DeVault Cindy Gist Foust Lori French April Clark Honaker Paul Lipe Trent Livingston

Erin Love Meredith McKinnie Dr. Timothy Mickel Guy Miller Staci Albritton Mitchell Cathi French-Roberts Delia Simpson P. Allen Smith Beatrice A. Tatem Analeise Thomas Vanelis Rivera

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Brad Arender Kelly Moore Clark Martin G. Meyers ON THE COVER Getting Cozy This Holiday Season Photo by Kelly Moore Clark

BayouLife Magazine is published and distributed by Redbird Publishing, LLC. Circulation: 13,000 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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Abita Brewing Company Coordinates to a Good Time!

BY DELIA SIMPSON, CRAFT, SPECIALTY, AND IMPORT MANAGER, CHOICE BRANDS, INC.

BITA BREWING COMPANY has been serving up some of the best beers in Louisiana since 1986. Though they now brew more than 151,000 barrels of beer and 9,100 barrels of root beer in their state-of-the-art facility 30 miles north of New Orleans, the company remains privately owned and operated by local shareholders, many of whom have been there since day one. While flagships like Abita Amber and Purple Haze are still staples, the brewery is cooking up exciting new brews all the time. Here’s just a “taste” of what’s new!

evolving lineup but one thing remains the same. Every delicious batch is brewed with the finest Louisiana produce. For the latest concoction, ripe, juicy Louisiana ruby red grapefruits are paired with the sweetness of locally-sourced honey to create a refreshing brew with a citrus aroma and clean malt taste. Brewed with pilsner and wheat malts, the bite of grapefruit is balanced by the sweet honey. Abita Grapefruit Honey will hit shelves this winter and be available for a limited time, so grab it while you can. Pair this citrusy sweet deliciousness with duck, grilled chicken dishes, or a light salad.

ABITA 30° 90°, IBU: 20, ABV: 4.5% New Orleans is located at latitude 30° north, longitude 90° west. This is the most geographically accurate location of the finest food, music, and round-the-clock good times on earth. They are literally the coordinates to a good time. Abita created 30° 90° to celebrate the vibrant lifestyle we celebrate in Louisiana. This is a crisp gold lager that is brewed with pilsner malt and hopped and dry hopped with Cascade hops. It has a light body and color with a nice citrus hop aroma and flavor. Abita 30° 90° is available year round in 6-pack cans. Pair this lager with spicy boiled crawfish, jambalaya, and (most importantly) good friends!

THE BOOT, IBU: 14, ABV: 4.8% Last year, Abita decided to create a special beer as a kind of love letter to Louisiana. Available exclusively in our state, The Boot is a hybrid beer brewed with German Kolsch yeast, pilsner malt, wheat, oats, and Hallertau Blanc hops. Crisp and refreshing, The Boot pairs well with everything from seafood dishes to burgers and fries. The Boot is available year round in 6-pack bottles and 12-pack cans.

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ABITA BOURBON STREET MAPLE PECAN, IBU: 18, ABV: 8.5% For centuries, New Orleans’ famed Bourbon Street has inspired good times and fine libations. Abita Bourbon Street Maple Pecan is a prime example. This hand crafted artisanal brew is aged for months in wooden barrels used to make small batch bourbon whiskey. During barrel aging

the brew absorbs the flavors of the barrels, intensifying the taste and aroma of the sweet roasted malt and warm smooth bourbon. This nut brown ale is enhanced by the addition of roasted Louisiana pecans and real maple syrup to produce a nutty flavor and sweet, full body. Available for a limited time in 22-ounce bottles, it is the perfect match for all of your holiday desserts. ABITA CHRISTMAS ALE (SANTA’S FAVORITE SURPRISE) Every year, Abita brews up a special dark ale just for Santa! The label is adorned with Papa Noel and his team of gators, loading up the Christmas pirogue full of goodies. The recipe for this brew changes every year, so it’s always a holiday treat. Make sure when you put out cookies for Santa this year, you leave him a nice cold bottle of Abita Christmas Ale. Available in 6-pack bottles, it will only be around for a short time, so make sure you get Santa’s treat before Christmas. Delivering all those presents is thirsty work! To find these brews near you, visit abita.com/find-abita. Be sure to like Choice Brands on Facebook and follow us on Twitter and Instagram to keep up with local happenings and new product releases. In addition, you’ll find links to beer related articles, fun recipes, and much more! Find us at facebook.com/choicebrands, twitter. com/choicebrandsinc, and instagram.com/ choicebrands.

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Merry Everything, Happy Always Experiencing the Holiday Spirit All Year BY BEATRICE TATEM, PH.D., LPC-S, NCC, ACS

HE HOLIDAY SEASON FOR MANY is a favorite time of the year. For most the spirit of the holiday is about friends reconnecting, families reuniting, relationships being rekindled, and spending quality time with loved ones, doing enjoyable activities. The holiday season is an emotionally and aesthetically beautiful time of the year that impacts the soul and uplifts the human spirit. It is considered by many to be the most loved time of the year as well as the most loving time of the year. It is when the wonderment of the holiday experience impacts every sense and every emotion. Traditionally, the holiday season is a designated time when society stops to reflect on the happenings of the year and intentionally acknowledges the special joys in life. It is a time when the expressions of merriment and happiness are exchanged, and the best in people is brought forth. “I love this time of the year. I wish every day was Christmas.” This comment was made during a recent counseling session. The client admitted they would get caught up in the frenzy of the holiday and would experience it with heaviness. Over time, their perspective of the meaning of the holiday changed, and they now experience a season in which merriment and happiness override the stress and depression they felt. The client stated,” ‘there is an overall loving energy in the air I wish the world could hold on to a little longer.“ After the holidays, people tend to revert to their preholiday selves. What makes holidays special varies with the individual. Unfortunately, when the festivities of the holidays have ended, holiday symbols have been removed, presents are opened, gift wrap is discarded, 10 DECEMBER 2017 | WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM

music of the season has stopped, candles no longer burn, and our loving “holiday nature” lessens. Whether you celebrate Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah, Rosh Hashana, Yom Kippur, Ramadan, Basanth, Diwali, Chinese New Year, Kwanzaa or New Years Day, identify what the spirit of “your “ holiday is about. Acknowledge the purpose and meaning for you and be open to sharing and receiving the goodness of the holiday throughout the year with others; actualize the spirit of “your” holiday by incorporating the values, beliefs, principles into your daily existence. Here are a few ways to experience the holiday spirit all year: During the holidays we are often kinder and more gracious. Make a daily effort to treat all with kindness and approach situations with cheer. When facing difficult situations ask yourself how would I respond if it were the holiday season? Would I give more freely, act kinder, spend more time with family? Kindness is a gift we wrap by our thoughts, actions and deeds. Kindness is always in season. Avoid the commercialized trappings of the holiday and instead reflect on the true meaning; think about the positives and consider what you would like to repeat throughout the year. Notice that special things change expectations into appreciation. Savor the experience of gifting. Give random gifts to people you love at any time of the year. Shopping for special things for special people throughout the year allows you to budget and avoid the holiday shopping frenzy while keeping loves ones on your mind. Embrace the giving spirit of the holiday, donate your time, interest, concern and money as generously as you can whenever you can. Remember there

is need all year. Know what matters. During the holidays society tends to emphasize doing what matters most. Celebrate just because … avoid waiting until designated time to spend time with significant others; nurture warm connections during the year. Make a practice of being present, and enjoy the presence of others. Focus on what you have and not on what you do not have. Replace “I wish I had, “ with “I am so thankful I have.“ Holidays were designed for fun, enjoyment, reflection, renewal and relaxation. Staying in a holiday state of mind for all 12 months of the year may seem unrealistic, yet there are some elements of the holiday we can experience throughout the year. The holiday season brings sentiments of love, well wishes and wonderment. These sentiments can be embraced all year by looking for the positive in every way, every day. It affords us the opportunity to create memories that will last us a lifetime. It reminds us to be thankful and grateful for the collective joy many experience this time of the year. Wishing all good fortune beyond measure, I hope today and every day is filled with merry and happy times. Embrace these times and allow yourself to be embraced by these times. May you have a merry everything and a happy always. For more information about counseling services and outreach programming, contact Dr. Tatem at Wellness Initiatives, LLC 1900 North 18th Street, Suite 414, Monroe, La 71201, 318410-1555 or at btatem.bt@gmail.com

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The Gardens at Georgia Tucker Local Group Plans to Restore, Renovate and Celebrate Former Elementary School

OU HAVE PROBABLY NOTICED THE CONSTRUCTION and work taking place at the former Georgia Tucker Elementary School in the heart of the Garden District of Monroe. A group of local developers and investors have been working to completely restore the building to its former grandeur and glory and open it as an assisted living facility – The Gardens at Georgia Tucker. The team is led by Joanne Caldwell, Executive Director of the facility. She has years of experience in building and managing assisted living facilities and brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the table. Originally from West Monroe, Joanne is excited to see new life brought to the historic building. “It is such a beautiful building with so much history,” says Joanne. “And that is exactly why I love what I do working with the elderly – history. We have so much to learn from older generations and it is my honor and privilege to work with them.” Joanne has a passion for working with the older generation and says there are some signs to look for when deciding if an assisted living facility is the answer for your loved one. “We are in the middle of the holiday season and people may be visiting older family members they don’t see on a regular basis,” says Joanne. “While it won’t be the same for everybody, there are some signs to watch for that can indicate a need for the type of care provided in assisted living.” Some of these signs include: • M obility issues: This is a common reason why families consider assisted living. An elderly loved one may be a bit of a fall risk or need help transferring to a wheelchair, for instance. • Trouble keeping up with personal care: Sometimes a senior parent is having trouble with personal hygiene such as showering or keeping clothing clean, or they need help coping with incontinence, dressing themselves, eating properly or other day-to-day care. • Problems with household care or finances: Household neglect can become a serious problem, whether it’s spoiled food, overflowing trash, or failure to pay utility bills. • Increasing health care needs: Plenty of family members come to realize that their parent’s care needs have moved beyond the caregiver’s physical or emotional abilities, particularly if a loved one has dementia. • Mild cognitive impairment: Cognitive decline can have serious

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ramifications, especially if your loved one can’t take medications correctly, is not able to fix a meal or doesn’t remember to eat. If a loved one exhibits confusion, poor judgment, or other signs of cognitive impairment, assisted living is often a good next step. • Loneliness or social isolation: If a senior family member is showing signs of loneliness or depression, such as giving up hobbies, withdrawing from friends, or rarely leaving the house, it may be time to consider a senior living facility. Fortunately, the Gardens at Georgia Tucker can address all of these needs and is currently taking applications for residents. The Services offered by the Gardens at Georgia Tucker include: • P rivate and relaxing comfortable suites with full shower, kitchenette area and spacious living room. Tall ceilings and plenty of windows to enjoy the outdoors. • Beauty Shop • Exercise Classes • Dining Room with monthly themed events. Residents will enjoy birthday celebrations, wine socials, musical entertainment, cooking demonstrations and more. • Church services with devotionals from local pastors • Weekly Games • Homemade meals prepared daily by a chef. All meals will be served restaurant style and enjoyed with family and friends in the beautifully decorated dining room. • Fresh coffee, baked goods, snacks and fresh fruit will be available throughout the day. • Assistance with bathing, dressing, grooming and other activities of daily living. • Weekly housekeeping and linen services, as well as personal laundry. • Small pets are welcome, with required pet deposit • Complete maintenance If you or your family member are in need of an assisted living facility, contact Joanne at the Gardens at Georgia Tucker at 318-3815188 to schedule a meeting or tour of the facility.

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Your Trusted Hearing Center Guide To Navigating The Holidays With Hearing Loss

F YOU HAVE HEARING LOSS, you know how difficult it can be to hear well in stressful, noisy or distracting situations. The holidays are filled with fun and special moments, but they can prove a bit difficult for people with hearing loss. Here are some tips to navigate holiday situations with hearing loss: HEARING AID TUNE UP Make sure to go to your audiologist for a tune up and cleaning of your hearing aids so your devices will be in perfect working order. Have extra tubes, filters, batteries, a drying device and cleaning equipment for your hearing aids on hand, especially if you’re traveling during the holidays. HOLIDAY TRAVEL If you plan to fly during the holidays, there are several things you can do to feel comfortable and prepared during the busy holiday airport season, including: • Sign up for text messages. Many airports and train stations - places that can get pretty loud - have systems in place where you receive a text message if your flight has changed. This way, you won’t miss important announcements. • If you wear hearing aids, keep them in at security checkpoints. According to the TSA, it is safe and fine to keep hearing aids or cochlear implant devices in your ears during a security screening. However, if you don’t feel comfortable walking through a metal detector or imaging machine, you can opt for a thorough pat down. • Seat yourself close to the gate so you can better hear announcements. If you’re comfortable with it, ask someone near you to keep you posted about when it’s time for 14 DECEMBER 2017 | WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM

your group to board or if there has been a change in flight status. • Make sure to bring any other devices you use, like a vibrating alarm clock or personal amplifiers. Consider taking a simple hearing aid repair kit in case you have an issue and all nearby audiologists are closed on the holiday. FAMILY GATHERINGS If you have a very large family or several small children in the family, it’s likely that your holidays can get pretty noisy. Of course you’ll miss a few things here and there, but here are some tips to help you navigate and make the most of your family gatherings: • Spend time with your family members oneon-one. If the house or gathering place is very noisy with football games on TV, laughter and back-and-forth banter, find a quiet place to talk. You can help in the kitchen or sit on the back porch - go wherever the distracting noises aren’t. • At the dinner table, make sure to sit next to someone who will fill you in if you miss a punch line. Don’t sit facing the window because the glare can be distracting and interfere with lipreading. Make sure the TV is turned off to minimize background noise, and let the host know what you need in advance. DINING OUT Many people dine out during the holidays, and restaurants can be especially busy and loud at this time of year. Here are some tips for surviving and thriving while eating out: • Try to get a spot with your back against a wall. This way, there will be no background noise coming from behind.

• Choose a restaurant - or ask the host to choose one - that is well-lit. If you depend on lip reading, it can be nearly impossible in a very dim environment. • Bring an assistive listening device - such as a personal sound amplifier - with you to dinner. These can be used in concert with hearing aids and can help in particularly noisy environments. Choose a restaurant that has round tables so you can see most of the other guests more easily, which will better facilitate lip reading. HOLIDAY SHOPPING Shopping in a mall or grocery store can be a bit challenging for people with hearing loss at all times of the year, but they are especially difficult environments during the holiday shopping rush. Here are some tips to navigate the shopping scene: • Though you can get some good deals on Black Friday, avoid this day if you can help it. Many sites offer Black Friday deals online, so consider doing your shopping from home. • If you love shopping and picking out gifts in person and don’t want to order presents online, consider shopping in smaller local businesses, rather than big box retailers or department stores, which are generally busier. • If you simply must go to the mall, you can navigate your interactions with the clerk upon check out by letting her or him know you have hearing loss. Also, look at the price on the digital sign to see how much your purchase costs, ask the clerk to write things down for you and ask him or her closed questions. Check to see if the stores you are visiting have a hearing loop - these are becoming more common.

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in the garden

CREATING A GREEN SCREEN ARTICLE BY P. ALLEN SMITH

White tulips pop against the boxwoods, which form a living wall in the garden.

hen the colors of the garden start to fade, you may find yourself longing for the days when they were abundant in the garden and green grass seemed to be at every turn. While you may not be able to enjoy that particular view until spring arrives again, evergreen shrubs and trees can provide you with a lush, verdant backdrop that’s as beautiful in November as it is in May. Aside from the vibrant color, there are a number of other reasons to plant evergreens. Large trees can create a screen to provide privacy that won’t wane with the seasons. Additionally, these trees and shrubs can create a buffer or noise barrier between your garden or home and busy streets or loud neighbors. Whatever your reasons may be for introducing evergreens to your garden, here are five of my favorite shrubs and trees to plant.

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• Boxwood – My garden would not be complete without boxwoods. I use them to create living walls, punctuate entries, and serve as focal points. The bright green foliage pops against the gray winter landscape. You’ll want to plant these workhorse shrubs in full sun to partial shade in fertile, welldrained soil. Even though they are shrubs, they can grow up to 5 feet tall and 4 feet wide, depending on variety. Trust me when I say that you will not be disappointed with the green foliage these timeless classic beauties bring to your lawn. Keep in mind some boxwoods will “brown out” in the winter, so choose a variety that retains its green color. At Moss Mountain Farm, we plant the Green Velvet boxwoods. • Arborvitae – These green beauties have a natural conical shape and are often grown as a tree or tall shrub. Planting arborvitae in a row close together is a great way to create a natural fence. The plants grow best in full sun to partial shade and need well-drained,

slightly acidic soil. I like to use arborvitae as a background so that flowers and shrubs “pop” against them. Arborvitae can withstand the weight of ice and snow. I recommend the ‘Emerald Green’ variety, which holds its color through winter. The foliage of the ‘Green Giant’ tends to bronze when the temperatures drop. • Yew – Similar in style to boxwoods, yew trees are also a staple in English gardens. They are particularly beautiful when used to create the walls of a garden room. However, you should know that all parts of the yew are poisonous. Therefore, you should not bring them in from the garden or ingest any part of them. Plant them in full to partial shade in well-drained soil. Yews prefer a drier soil rather than wet, so water carefully. • Holly – Hollies grow quickly, making them a great choice when creating screens or hedges. Most hollies require full sun and

Yew

The arborvitaes’ conical shape adds visual interest to the flower bed and can serve as the main attraction in winter.

well-drained soil with some acidity. They are low-maintenance and pest-free, for the most part. There are plenty of varieties to choose from. If you want to grow hollies for their berries, you’ll need to make sure you have some male plants around for pollination, since only the female plants produce berries. Keep in mind that those pretty berries are poisonous for dogs and humans, so be careful! I like to use cuttings from my hollies in holiday decor around the farm.

Holly

• L eyland Cypress – Perhaps one of the most popular and oftenseen plantings, the Leyland Cypress will grow quickly wherever you plant it if you continue to water. They make excellent privacy screens; however, be aware that over time they often grow 50 feet high (or taller in many cases), meaning you’ll need plenty of space in order to plant them and watch them continue to mature through the years. Plan for 5 to 7 feet between each cypress tree and assume they will be 10 to 15 feet in height after 5 years of maturation.

Photo credits: White Tulips Pop Against the Boxwoods – Photographer, Jane Colclasure, Holly – Photographer, Betty Freeze P. Allen Smith is an author, television host and conservationist with a passion for American style. His show “Garden Home” airs on LPB, KLTM, KLPA and AETN. Check your local listings for “Garden Style.” Smith uses his Arkansas home, Moss Mountain Farm, as an epicenter for promoting the local food movement, organic gardening and the preservation of heritage poultry breeds. He created his farm to serve as a place of inspiration, education and conservation and provides visitors from around the country with tours of his property, which may be booked at pallensmith.com/tours.

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Jesus the Good Shepherd Catholic School Blessed This Holiday Season

ESUS THE GOOD SHEPHERD CATHOLIC SCHOOL IS grateful this Advent and Christmas season for the countless number of volunteers, sponsors and donors who made our 3rd JGS School Annual Fund Campaign and Fall Festival Celebration an outstanding success. Through the combined efforts of all involved, this annual event will continue as a school tradition. The success of our 2017 Annual Fund Campaign was due to our generous JGS families, grandparents, friends and parishioners. Their consistent support resulted in JGS School surpassing its $80,000 fundraising goal! Due to the consistent support of our annual fund, JGS remains a leader in classroom technology with the purchase of three COW’s (computers on wheels) that give our students whole classroom access to portable laptops, as well as USB and Smart Board friendly microscopes to assist in the latest STEM education projects. We cannot put into words how thankful we are to our donors for their continued commitment to our school. The 3rd Annual JGS Fall Festival was a huge success despite the torrential rains and thunderstorms the evening of the event. Our families and friends, in true JGS style, arrived ready to have a great time full of fun and fellowship! There were rides from Duvall’s Amusements, class carnival booths, a silent auction, fantastic food from Catfish Charlie’s, Braiz’n Bar and Grill, and our awesome JGS Dad’s Club. The Country Store was, as always, a big hit during fall festival and Grandparents’ Day. This marked the first year we had our Grandparents’ Day program in the JGS Church with the book fair and country store in the gymnasium. It turned out to be a wonderful change of venue the students and grandparents enjoyed. We are very appreciative of our wonderful grandparents who came to share the day with us and their precious grandchildren. The success of these events is due to the hard work and organization of some amazing volunteers! We would like to extend a big thank you to the following committee members and volunteers who worked tirelessly to make the biggest weekend of our school year a wonderful celebration: Mallory Benedetto, Jaclyn Hall, Barbara Harrison, Valerie Daniel, Katie Dean, Sara Taylor, Michael Ann Delcambre, Olga Barkley, Tammy Sheridan, Sandy Beasinger, Krystal Medford, Meghan Foote, Courtney Wetzel, Cindy Waters, Allison Bryant, Jada Banks, Michelle Brown, Kindra Neitz, Amanda Bonney, Julie Cain, 18 DECEMBER 2017 | WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM

Christie Echols, Andree Eddleman, Perry Estis, Katherine Gilbert, Felicia Hardwick, Jennifer Harris, Stephanie Hay, Meg Hayden, Ashley Hays, Miranda Hemrick, Kelly Hill, Amy Sawyer, Susan Hopper, Lindsey Ingram, Julie Lowery, Katrina McCarthy, Tara McEnery, Sherri Mowad, Jenny Pankey, Megan Parker, Ainslee Peters, Megan Shelby, Marlo Shepard, Allison Sherman, Hillary Sirmon, Laurie Sylvestri, Dana Tarver, Amy Taylor, Sara Taylor, Caroline Brockman, Sadye Richert, Amanda Woods, Traci Wade, Rebecca Leaumont, Holly Jones, Alana Cooper, Lori Bratton, Amy Weaver, Mandy Booth, Chad Beasinger, Lori Hughes, Courtney Holyfield, Lisa Hammett, Melissa Ducote, Kym Marsala, Kelly Rutz, Kelly Graning, Heather Walters, Annie Ajlani, Katina Beverly, the JGS Dad’s Club, Duvall’s Amusements, Catfish Charlie’s, Braiz’n Bar and Grill, Kona Ice, JPS Equipment, and JGS Friends and Family who cooked and supplied items to the country store. The Fall Festival Celebration and Annual Fund would not have been possible without the collective efforts of all involved and we are so grateful and humbled by the time, talent and hard work that went into making it a successful and loving family affair! We are truly blessed at Jesus the Good Shepherd with generous, selfless and dedicated family and friends who recognize the unique benefits of a Catholic education and Christ-centered school environment. By the grace of God, we are blessed with excellent certified and experienced teachers, whose focus is to provide a loving and secure atmosphere for all students. Just as Advent helps us to prepare our hearts and minds for the Christmas season and to remember the coming of our Lord, Jesus Christ, we also remember those who have been so generous and giving throughout the year in support of our school. It only takes a glance around JGS school to see their generosity at work! Thank you for your continued support throughout the years and we wish you all a very special Advent and Christmas season! Families interested in finding out more about Jesus the Good Shepherd Catholic School are encouraged to visit our website, www. jesusgoodshepherd.org, and Facebook page or contact the school office directly at 318-325-8569. Tours are given every Tuesday at 9:00 a.m. and by appointment with our principal, Mrs. Lisa Patrick.

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Alumni Spotlight Amy Dougherty Robinson: ULM Alumna

MY ROBINSON EMBRACES CHANGE. SHE RECOGNIZED quickly after her son was born that her professional priorities had changed. She is not afraid of transition, much like the university that helped mold her. Majoring in Mass Communication, Amy attended NLU turned ULM from 1998-2003, a time of change for the institution. Everything from the name to the mascot was evolving, and Amy witnessed that transition and the effect on the students firsthand. Amy graduated from Ouachita Parish High School, and decided to attend college in her hometown, fully immersing herself in the experience. From being captain of the co-ed cheerleading squad, to a member of the Kappa Delta Council, to SGA, to a maid on the Homecoming Court, Amy learned to adapt to the changes taking place around her. As a cheerleader, Amy developed self-discipline and learned the importance of professionalism being a representative of the university. The cheerleading team was made up of people from across the state and country, and forming friendships with those individuals are among Amy’s most treasured memories. It allowed Amy to learn about diverse backgrounds. She considers that exposure a privilege and encourages students to get involved in organizations outside of class. Amy recognizes ULM as a “diverse little melting pot right in our own backyard.” Kappa Delta taught Amy to “strive for excellence.” The philanthropic and leadership aspects encouraged her to be part of a “bigger mission.” The sorority is also where Amy met many of her lifelong friends, who supported each other while “navigating the social and academic struggles of college.” She found mentors along the way who still stand out long after leaving their classrooms. In undergrad, Dr. H. P. Jones was the engaging history teacher who also taught her mother. Dr. Bette Kaufman showed her what caring for students meant after an internship position didn’t quite fit. In graduate school, while also working at ULM, Dr. Lesli Pace forced Amy to “see outside her bubble.” Dr. Turner Wilson served as Amy’s advisor while she was getting her Master’s. Her bosses Lisa Miller and Susan Duggins encouraged and supported Amy while she juggled school, career and motherhood. Working as an event planner in Recruitment and Admissions at ULM and then as the freshman orientation (PREP) coordinator, Amy learned to handle events and team-building. Lisa Miller was the boss who showed her how to be a leader and to trust her capabilities. It was with this assurance that she made the big career shift in 2011. Her son Grant was about to turn one, and Amy realized she wanted to be her

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own boss. She saw untapped potential in her then-favorite store, so she bought The Paper Market and made it her own. Now a mother of three, she admits the flexibility of being a business owner is all worth it. But at times it can be scary. She can’t just run to Lisa in a crisis and ask what to do. Amy now must make those decisions. Customers frequently tell Amy, “Your store makes me happy.” Every person who comes through those doors is celebrating something. She hires part-time workers, many of them ULM students, and she can groom them until they graduate. It’s a way she gives back to the institution that helped groom her. She also enjoys serving on committees for ULM like the L Club and helping with events like The Pursuit and The Women’s Symposium. Amy insists, “I love this university. It is a big part of my life story. It is one of the largest drivers of our local economy, and as a business owner and resident of Monroe, I am dependent on the success of ULM and will do whatever I can to support it.” Paper Market, like most businesses, wouldn’t be possible without support. Amy maintains that her manager and core group of dedicated employees are the backbone of the store. Her twin sister Ashley, also a ULM graduate, advises Amy on marketing and social media strategies. Amy’s husband Brian handles the financial side of the business while her brother Joey serves as her inventory manager, handling the day-today orders. Paper Market wouldn’t be a success without all of them. While Amy has had a lot of encouragement from people along the way, her parents’ faith in her and constant support are the main reasons she is not afraid of failure. Michelle and Pete Dougherty taught her to believe in herself. She is always encouraged to do what she wants to do by the people who matter most, and she isn’t afraid to change course. She thrives on operating a local business that gives back to her community. Amy considers it a privilege to have been raised in Monroe, to have gone to school here, and now to have built a life here for her family. The ULM Alumni Association reaches, connects and celebrates alumni and friends to build lifelong relationships, and commit to the university’s missions of academic freedom, scholarship, diversity, excellence, integrity and service. We represent alumni who honor the traditions of our university and who share a sense of achievement and pride. We create a network of professionals, establish scholarships and advocate for our University through community engagement. Members of the Alumni Association support countless initiatives, and annual memberships are just $35. To learn more or to become a member, please visit our new alumni network at ulm.edu/alumni.

Washington Wine and Spirits Holiday Wine Powerhouses

HE HOLIDAYS ARE FINALLY upon us! We hope that everyone had an amazing Thanksgiving! As we look forward to Christmas and New Year’s, we’d like to highlight some things to make your holiday shopping easier and to make your celebrations magical. No holiday get-together is complete without a great bottle of wine. We have a plethora of wines from everyday values to cult gems. We’ll start with the amazing products from Red Mare, which are made by the “First Lady of Wine,” Heidi Barrett. First, we have an incredible chardonnay that spent extended time on the lees to create a rich mouth feel that complements a palate full of pear, lemon, nougat, and vanilla. Next is a wonderful cabernet sauvignon with aromas of mocha, ripe cherries, vanilla, and baking spices that leads into flavors of ripe fruits and a core freshness finished by firm and rich tannins. Her red blend is called La Vaquera, which means cowgirl in Spanish, and the wine is rich and wild with an inky color. This is a fulfilling wine with a luscious nose full of blackberries, caramel, cassis, strong black tea, cocoa, clove, and cherries that carries through to the palate. Finally, we must mention the Alpha Mare. This is a big, broad, and rich wine made in the Bordeaux fashion with notes of blueberry, lavender, baking spices, sweet vanilla, cherries, and a hint of espresso with a velvety finish. We’ll now shift to another powerhouse winery in Spottswoode, which has been organically farming since 1985! They produce amazing wines full of power 22 DECEMBER 2017 | WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM

and elegance, described by Robert Parker as “if Chateau Margeaux were in Napa Valley, it would be Spottswoode.” This is high acclaim from a man who has written one of the premier books on the subject of Bordeaux. Their estate wine is dense and focused and full of ripe blue and red fruits accompanied by mocha and butterscotch with hints of rose petal that lead into a long, clean, and strong finish. The Lyndenhurst cabernet sauvignon is fruit-forward and illustrative and is a big red that leads along a journey through Napa with a beautifully balanced and bright palate. Don’t forget to check the amazing wines in our cove section filled with tons of incredible wines such as Au Sommet, Penfolds, Quilceda Creek, Kathryn Hall, Quintessa, Opus One, and many others. These wines can satisfy even the most insatiable fine wine drinkers. For the harder stuff we turn to some classics and some new adventures. We’ll start with a classic, The Macallan. We offer a huge expanse of The Macallan at the store from the 10 year to Classic Cut, and all the way up to the No. 6, Reflexion, and The M! Another excellent holiday whiskey is from Barrell, a company that is gaining more and more notoriety. Everything they produce is bottled at cask strength and is abundantly flavorful. Their Barrell Whiskey Batch 004 is an astounding example of what the company strives to create. A fantastic blend of 11 year old Tennessee bourbon and Indiana whiskey that have been finished in a combination of rum barrels and rye

barrels results in a stunning whiskey that is full of caramel, oak, spice, vanilla, and fruit that opens even more with an addition of a little water or ice. An incredible spirit that complements holiday food and cheer. We’d also love to help make your holiday shopping a little easier. We now offer customized gift baskets at amazing prices. Every basket is unique and made to order with the items you choose, and we also offer wooden wine boxes to take it to the next level. An incredible gift basket filled with wonderful goodies from wine to beer to spirits to cocktail kits. We also offer gift cards that are not only redeemable here at Washington Wine & Spirits, but also at Doe’s Eat Place of Monroe. We hope that everyone has an unforgettable holiday experience and we hope that we can make it a little easier with either something to drink or to eat. Don’t forget that we now offer hand-cut steaks, so that you can bring home the Doe’s Eat Place of Monroe experience. Remember to follow us on Facebook for deals, specials, events, and more!

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It’s the Little Things. It’s the Five Senses that we love to experience during this glorious season. This Christmas relish in creating magical moments in your home with stylish mementos you have collected throughout the years. Magnify this time with the “enchantments” you already treasure and love.

Cathi French Roberts & Lori French

The Holidays

Sound

ang sweet little bells on the inside of your front door. They impart lovely, peaceful sounds that warm our Christmas heart (and ears). Lou Jones hangs her strings of tiny bells every year on her door, bringing soft notes as guests come and go. These bells sound especially sweet when her grandchildren arrive on Christmas Eve.

Sight

cross used as decoration in your home can be all year round. During the holiday season, why not nestle a cross or crucifix into a lamp or into a bowl of ornaments mixed with greenery? Think about your friends and loved ones that you lost. We remember beautiful artist and Professor of Fine Arts, Phoebe Allen Mathys, as we nestle her oversized handcrafted pink parrot into a dressing room chandelier. Christmas was magical in Phoebe’s well appointed home with multiple intricate themed trees.

Taste K

Touch

live branches represent peace, hope and abundance. Why not use olive branches throughout your home? These tactile branches can add interest. Moss is the great finishing touch for your holiday arrangements. It hides and conceals, but also adds dimension and texture to any project. You can find an array of mosses at florist or hobby stores. Gorgeous green Bun Moss is our personal favorite and a quick soak can make it molded magic!

eep festive light bites in your fridge and freezer for impromptu or planned guests. Different cheeses, cheese straws, thin slices of meats, mini fruit cake bites, rice casseroles, toasted pecans, small seasonal fruit pies, mac and cheese cups, peeled boiled shrimp, focaccia bread, savory small meat pies or an array of stuffed olives make your taste buds go into overdrive.

Smell M

aybe the most recognized of all the Christmas senses, evergreen speaks to all of us. Scent is the last sense that we hold onto at the end of our lives for a reason – it evokes such memories. Kava fabric encases the holiday scented fir pine candle in a subtle and fresh way. The relaxing flame of a Christmas candle can envelop your home and is one of the easiest memories of your family.

FOR YOUR OWN FRENCH TWIST CONSULTATION, CALL CATHI AND LORI AT 318-355-3041 24 DECEMBER 2017 | WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM

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Marsala Beverage Company The King of Beers

DOLPHUS BUSCH JOURNEYED TO AMERICA from Germany in 1857, determined to make his dreams come true. Adolphus wasted no time once he landed in St. Louis and started work at a brewing supply company. Among his clients was Eberhard Anheuser (the name might sound familiar), who owned what was then known as E. Anheuser & Company. Adolphus married Eberhard’s daughter, Lilly, in 1861. Adolphus was drawn to St. Louis because of the city’s large German population. But a large German population meant a lot of beer, which in turn meant a lot of competition for Adolphus and Eberhard’s brewery. Luckily, Adolphus was a talented salesman with an eye for innovation. He wasn’t about to be discouraged by competition. Recognizing the need to expand outside of St. Louis to less-crowded beer markets, Adolphus stayed close to emerging technologies and developments that made expansion possible. One major development was pasteurization, which increased the shelf life of bottled beers by up to four months and allowed for farther shipping. In fact, Adolphus pasteurized his beer before America pasteurized milk. Refrigerated rail cars also helped Adolphus ship his beer across longer distances, but they were expensive. He took matters into his own hands and started a company to build the rail cars faster, and for less money. A network of rail-side ice houses followed shortly after, and before long, Anheuser-Busch was taking the entire country by storm. Before Budweiser was introduced, many Americans were drinking heavy, dark ales. But St. Louis summers were hot – perfect for a palatable, crisp lager. So Adolphus jumped on the opportunity to create and brew a beer that would be perfect for those hot summers. And he always knew a great beer when he tasted one. Budweiser’s smoothness and drinkability was a success. Thanks to Adolphus’s expansive shipping network, Budweiser quickly became wildly popular, not just in St. Louis but in all of America. And we’ve stayed true to the recipe ever since.

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BUDWEISER Known as “The King of Beers,” Budweiser was first introduced by Adolphus Busch in 1876 and it’s still brewed with the same high standards today. Budweiser is a medium-bodied, flavorful, crisp American-style lager that is 5% ABV. Brewed with the best barley malt and a blend of premium hop varieties, it is an icon of core American values like optimism and celebration. BUDWEISER 1933 REPEAL RESERVE Budweiser is giving beer lovers the chance to experience and taste history with the release of its limited-edition 1933 Repeal Reserve Amber Lager. The recipe behind Repeal Reserve dates back to the pre-Prohibition era when Adolphus Busch created and brewed a special Amber Lager for his friends and local community to enjoy. Due to the onset of Prohibition in 1920, the beer didn’t have a chance to be distributed widely outside the St. Louis area … until now. BUD SELECT Select from Budweiser has the full beer flavor you love, but with the calories and refreshment of a light beer. It’s the light beer for people who love beer. 99 calories, 3.1g carbs per 12 oz. SELECT 55 Select 55 is golden lager made with caramel malts and a blend of imported and domestic hops. It is brewed to complement the full flavor of Bud Select, but with only 55 calories. So you can be good, and still have a good time. 100% REFRESHING. 55 Calories, 1.8g carbs, 0.5g protein and 0.0g fat, per 12 oz.

Breast Augmentation Frequently Asked Questions

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

HE WINTER SEASON IS A GREAT time to consider breast augmentation. If privacy is an issue, you can camouflage your new fullness with thick sweaters and jackets until the weather warms up. And even if it’s not, having breast augmentation in the winter allows several months for swelling to subside and your breasts to soften, settle and look more natural in new sundresses and swimwear when summer rolls around. I started my practice in Monroe in 1990 and over the past 27 years have done well over a thousand breast augmentations. Here are some of the more frequent questions asked at the pre-operative evaluation. HOW LONG DOES THE OPERATION TAKE? The surgery takes about an hour. Of course, there is some additional time in the beginning to safely put you to sleep and some time in the end to safely wake you up and transport you to the recovery room. I will never rush through your surgery. In plastic surgery, it is not as important to be the first one finished, as it is to be the best one finished. WHY DO I HAVE TO BE PUT TO SLEEP? I prefer general anesthesia, meaning you will be put to sleep by an anesthesiologist or a nurse anesthetist. Most patients don’t want to remember anything about the operation. They simply want to wake up in the recovery room, look down at their chest and know that the operation is over. CAN YOU DO THE SURGERY IN YOUR OFFICE? 28 DECEMBER 2017 | WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM

No. I prefer to do this type of surgery in a hospital or outpatient surgery center setting. Accredited surgical facilities have strict guidelines and procedures in place to help insure sterility and patient safety - which is my highest concern. I would never compromise your safety just to shave a few dollars off of the package price for a surgical procedure.

and volume, not cup size. I will listen carefully to what you hope to achieve with surgery, evaluate your particular anatomy and then try to align your expectations with what my years of experience tell me I can realistically deliver. The goal is a fuller, more attractive breast that looks natural and fits your body – no matter what the ultimate cup size.

WHAT’S THE BEST KIND OF IMPLANT TO USE? In the vast majority of first-time breast augmentation patients I use smooth silicone implants because they are softer and look more natural than implants filled with saline (salt water). However, in women under age 22, saline implants can be a reasonable choice. In some patients, an Allergan Style 410 “gummy bear” implant is the best choice. We will discuss these options at your initial consultation.

WILL LARGE BREASTS MAKE ME LOOK FAT? No. Fat makes you look fat. Fuller breasts make you look proportional, attractive, sexy, feminine or a host of other adjectives, but not fat. This is a myth.

ARE SILICONE IMPLANTS DANGEROUS? No. Multiple studies have failed to show a definitive link between silicone implants and any medical illness. They do, however, cause very attractive breasts. And I suppose in some situations this could be dangerous. HOW LONG WILL I BE OFF WORK? I encourage patients to be up and around as soon as possible. Most patients can return to light work in 3 to 5 days. I allow patients to get back to the gym – including intense cardio or even weight lifting – in 3 - 4 weeks. HOW DO YOU KNOW WHAT SIZE IMPLANTS TO USE? Implants are sized according to width

DO MY IMPLANTS NEED TO BE CHANGED EVERY TEN YEARS? No. This is another urban myth. While it is true that a breast implant is a man-made device that won’t last forever, there is no reason to fix it if it isn’t broken. If your breasts are soft and natural, and there has been no evidence of implant rupture on routine mammograms or ultrasound examinations of the breasts, then leave well enough alone. Breast augmentation is one the most common procedures I perform, and certainly one of my favorites. If you are considering breast augmentation, there is no need to go elsewhere. I encourage you to visit www. mickelplasticsurgery.com to browse the before and after gallery and see for yourself, then call Mickel Plastic Surgery at (318) 388-2050 to set up a consultation. We will take the time to answer all of your questions and do our best to make the entire experience world class.

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I REMEMBER receiving the best gift of all a r t i cl e by PAUL L I PE

I REMEMBER how the enjoyment of Christmas changed when our

recipient. Perhaps it is not what one wanted, or maybe in was not quite children, Mary Linda and Jonathan, became old enough to perceive the quality one thought he merited. Whatever the reason, an individual something of the significance of exchanging gifts (in their case and can make very clear that the gift is not what he expected or desired. at their age, it was more a matter of “receiving” than of exchanging, That is not good, because a gift rejected or unappreciated does not but…). When they were infants, they got as much pleasure out of make the donor happy. Had our children shown a thankless attitude for playing with the boxes in which the the gifts we gave them, our zeal for gifts were wrapped as they did in giving them gifts in the future would enjoying the toys they had received have diminished. If they had not for Christmas. Given my propensity valued what we gave, we just might for thrift, I suggested to my wife have stopped giving! that, in the future, we should just Too many respond to the offer of wrap up an empty box and save the Gift of Christ with a “no-thankthe expense of the toys. Just one of you” attitude. God loved the world her disapproving looks let me know so much that He gave His only Son that my “kite” was not going to fly! as the Savior of sinners, but many As they grew older, our kids did “not receive Him.” (John 1:11) We gave us lots of gratification by all enjoy the wrappings – material their response to the presents blessings, good health, trustworthy under the tree. My wife and I friends, etc. – but some tend to ignore were very pleased to observe their THE Gift, because receiving the Gift growing maturity evidenced by the requires some adjustments in our appreciation they seemed to reflect lifestyle. To grow tired of or to be in their excitement produced by the bored by Him does not bode well for gifts they had received – someone us. had shown them love, and they We are warned by the Bible not to were grateful, expressing their “trample underfoot” (Hebrews 10:29) “... SOME TEND TO IGNORE THE thanks with laughter, hugs and the Gift of Jesus Christ. When this GIFT, BECAUSE RECEIVING THE GIFT kisses. best - of - all Gifts is not wanted, or REQUIRES SOME ADJUSTMENTS That made worthwhile is rejected, that does not stir up love the efforts we had expended in in the heart of God; instead, it may IN OUR LIFESTYLE.” searching for the right gift, and stir up a little judgment. In fact, to when the next Christmas came around, we were ready to start all over. refuse to accept the Christ, leaves one in a state of alienation with God As happy as we were that our little ones could then understand and without hope in this world (Eph. 2:12). That makes for a joyless about Christmas and giving, our joy increased even more when they Christmas. were able to comprehend the real meaning of Christmas and to know Therefore, when I wish you a “Merry Christmas,” it is with the hope Who was the real Gift of this special holiday. For them to learn that that you will experience all the blessings that come with God’s Gift of Jesus was God’s Gift to the world was more important than anything His Son – and what gift do I want for Christmas? That which will make else we ever taught them. It is God’s nature to give, and when He gives, my heart glad is to know that my children, all of my grandchildren, and it is never an empty box wrapped in pretty paper. He gives out of love each of you possess the Gift which makes Christmas the most wonderful and His gifts are always exactly what we need. He knows how to make time of the year. May the joy of His presence make this a very special every day a special Christmas to us. season for you and all your loved ones. As wonderful as Christmas is and as kind and thoughtful as are those who give us gifts, sometimes those gifts do not please the

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Historical Impressions

ON EARTH PEACE, GOODWILL TOWARD MEN

HEN I WAS IN GRADE school, a band called “The Royal Guardsmen” released a couple of very popular songs about the most famous fighter pilot of World War I - Snoopy - and his aerial dogfights with the Red Baron of Germany. “Snoopy’s Christmas” was released in 1967. The song is about Snoopy going out to fight the Red Baron on Christmas Eve. After the two combatants engage in a long dogfight, the Baron eventually ends up with Snoopy dead in the sights of his guns. Instead of shooting, however, the Baron forces Snoopy to land and offers his foe a holiday toast. Snoopy and the Red Baron then fly their separate ways, knowing they will meet again on some other day. If there is a message within “Snoopy’s Christmas,” it is embracing the Spirit of Christmas can overcome whatever discord and turmoil may otherwise be present. During the holidays more than any other time, we are encouraged to be joyful, charitable, generous, kind, and forgiving. The song also demonstrates that at the darkest time in life, as during the darkest time of the year, people psychologically look to others for warmth and comfort. All philosophical interpretation aside, to most people, “Snoopy’s Christmas’ is nothing more than a fun holiday-themed song about a famous dog. Of course, if you take the dog and the aero planes out of the picture, the essential story really did happen. As 1914 drew to a close, it was clear that the war was not going to end quickly. The exhausted soldiers on both sides had settled into the bleak routine of trench warfare in northern France. For the troops in these trenches, it seemed nothing could relieve the ugliness of war. Men (and women), however, often rise to the challenge and refuse to let dismal circumstances keep them bound in despair.

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On Christmas Eve, a British captain in the Rue du Bois heard a voice from the enemy trenches call, “Do not shoot after 12 o’clock and we will not do so either,” and then: “If you English come out and talk to us, we won’t fire.” Here and elsewhere in Belgium and France, Allied soldiers started to hear German soldiers singing “Stille Nacht, Heilige Nacht” (“Silent Night, Holy Night”) and other Christmas carols. Lanterns were raised along the German trenches and small evergreen trees were spotted. In some areas the Allied soldiers even heard brass bands accompanying the singing Germans. Eventually, men on both sides began to sing in unison, trading verses in alternating languages. At dawn on Christmas Day, some German soldiers emerged from their trenches and approached the Allied lines across No-Man’s-Land, calling out “Merry Christmas” in their enemies’ native tongues. The song about our intrepid hero Snoopy has the initiator correct as it was generally the German soldiers who called over to the British and initiated the truce. In the song, it is the Red Baron—a German WWI hero—who extends the hand of Christmas friendship to Snoopy. Seeing the Germans were unarmed, the Allies also arose from the trenches and shook hands with men who had been trying to kill them only hours before, and who they had been trying to kill. The combatants began to give each other gifts in the form of mementos, cigarettes, and foodstuffs like bully beef, wine, cognac, black bread, biscuits, ham, and even barrels of beer. Enemy troops from both sides shared pictures of their families and, in some places, used the No-Man’s-Land between the trench lines to play friendly games of soccer. This holiday ceasefire was also used as an opportunity to rescue wounded soldiers and to repair damaged trenches. Additionally, troops from both sides were

able to safely collect and bury their dead. Recovering those killed is important since fewer things are more upsetting to soldiers than knowing that the remains of fallen comrades are lying out in the open. The length of the cease-fire varied by location and was not observed everywhere along the Western Front. Where a truce did take place, it was reported to have been as brief as Christmas Day or as long as the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day. This truce and the resulting behavior of the soldiers were not unique in history. Temporary truces to afford honorable kindnesses between enemies were part of the etiquette of “chivalrous” warfare as practiced by professional soldiers during the preceding centuries. The actions of men under this Christmas 1914 truce did serve as heartening proof, however brief, that beneath the brutal clash of modern warfare, soldiers’ essential humanity can endure. The refrain of “Snoopy’s Christmas” articulates the impact of the Spirit of Christmas that all people should want from the practice of any religion or observance of any time of celebration: “Christmas bells those Christmas bells Ringing through the land Bringing peace to all the world And good will to man.” May this Spirit endure throughout the year as well. Merry Christmas, Hanukkah Sameach, Happy Holidays and a blessed New Year to all from the Board and Staff of the Chennault Aviation and Military Museum.

BY GUY MILLER Vice Chair-Chennault Aviation and Military Museum

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Guerriero and Guerriero A Family Legacy

S THE HOLIDAY SEASON RETURNS TO THE TWIN Cities, Jeff Guerriero wants to ensure that everyone in Monroe, West Monroe, and the surrounding areas has a safe and enjoyable Christmas. As a way of ensuring that the citizens of Ouachita Parish have the best Christmas possible, the Law Offices of Guerriero and Guerriero have several events throughout the month of December that everyone can partake in and enjoy! First, Guerriero and Guerriero is hosting the First Annual “Jungle Bells” event at the Louisiana Purchase Gardens and Zoo! Jungle Bells will take place Saturday, December 16 from 12 - 4 p.m. While everyone will receive free admission, a monetary donation to the zoo will be greatly appreciated. In addition to free admission, the first 200 children through the gate will receive a Christmas prize! Santa Claus will even make an appearance and be available for pictures with kids. There will also be Christmas carols, train rides, snow machines, animals, a stocking decorating station and more! In addition, food trucks will have food available for purchase. There will be a live radio remote playing music and broadcasting the events as they happen. We will also hold a drawing each hour where the winner will receive a free bicycle, as well as other prizes! Attendees who bring a new unwrapped toy to the Jungle Bells event will also receive a pass for free admission to the zoo for a later date. Jeff Guerriero has once again partnered with Rock 106/ Lagniappe Media to sponsor the 15th Annual “Christmas for Kids” toy drive. Jeff believes that all children should have something under the tree for Christmas and, with your help, this event will help see that each one does. New toys can be dropped off at any Ouachita Parish Fire station, any Go Auto Insurance location, Monroe Telco, or the law office of Jeff Guerriero, from November 18 through December 19. We ask that all donations be new unwrapped toys, which will be distributed to area families in need throughout the Christmas season to ensure that the children of Ouachita Parish have the best Christmas possible! The kids will be in for a special treat since all toys will be delivered by Jeff Guerriero and the Ouachita Parish Firefighters. As the weather gets colder, the men, women and children of our area often find themselves in desperate need of warm winter coats. To help fulfill these needs, Jeff Guerriero is sponsoring the Annual 34 DECEMBER 2017 | WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM

103.1 NOW FM/Lagniappe Media Coat Drive, where people may drop off gently used coats. These coats will be dry cleaned and given to those in need, free of charge, as well as donated to local homeless shelters and the Salvation Army. The coat drive begins on November 18 and will run through December 25. Coats can be dropped off beginning November 18 at the Guerriero and Guerriero Law Office located at 2200 Forsythe Avenue in Monroe. Guerriero and Guerriero is holding the second annual Great Bicycle Giveaway! Last year’s event was a great success and Jeff was able to give more than 35 bicycles to families in our area. We hope for an even greater turnout this year and want to make entering even easier. Jeff asks that a letter be dropped off to his law office located at 2200 Forsythe Avenue in Monroe Louisiana or sent via E-Mail at JeffGivesBikes@Gmail.com. In the letter, please list your name, contact number, address, gender of the child you are hoping to win a bicycle for, age of your child, and why you would like to receive a bicycle. Drawings will be held December 11, and winners will be contacted and must pick up their bicycles at the Jungle Bells event at the Louisiana Purchase Gardens and Zoo on December 16. For more information about any of these events or to find out how you can help, there are several ways to contact the Law Offices of Guerriero and Guerriero. We can be reached by telephone at 318325-4306, 24 hours a day. Also, feel free to come to the office located at 2200 Forsythe Avenue in Monroe. Also, you may contact us via our website at TheInjuryAttorney.com. We hope that everyone has a safe and joyful holiday season and we look forward to seeing you at all Guerriero and Guerriero sponsored events! God bless you and your family! Guerriero and Guerriero is one of the oldest Plaintiff law firms in Louisiana. The firm, which was established over 85 years ago, handles medical malpractice, personal injury, 18-wheeler and car accidents, wrongful death, nursing home neglect, drug injuries, oil field/rig accidents and mass tort class action litigation. For the past 29 years, Jeff Guerriero has continued his family’s legacy of providing exceptional legal representation to Louisiana plaintiffs.

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Meredith’s Musings

Merry Christmas, Baby Bird |

hristmas is in a few weeks, and it will be my daughter’s first one. She’s only 3 months old now, and completely oblivious to the season. She’s aware of the nip in the air, as she grips her fingers and toes tight when I take her out on a cold day. She’s wearing long sleeve onesies too, even though the temperature in the house is regulated, and she rarely leaves the premises. At night I wrap her in my grandmother’s thick quilt instead of the summer version with the wider holes. But as the days and weeks pass, the pressure mounts, the pressure of Baby’s first Christmas. I’m her mother. And it’s completely up to me. Husband and I didn’t even put up a tree last year, as we spent the holiday in Texas with Husband’s family. I hung our stockings on the wall, mostly because I just adore the one I’ve had since childhood, but no tree. Bah Humbug! Most of the gifts were ordered online and sent directly to Texas anyway where Nana wrapped most of them. Admittedly, we were lazy last year, a lazy Christmas couple. I felt guilt about it afterward, as if we didn’t revel in the season enough. But this year, well, it matters. We will be creating traditions for her, hopefully ones she’ll remember for years to come, and perhaps continue with her own family. It’s easy as new moms to put

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By Meredith McKinnie

unnecessary pressure on ourselves, the mirror of social media reminding us how we should be doing more. I’m pretty good at ignoring all that day-to-day, but there’s something about Christmastime. I want it to be perfect, maybe because some of my best memories revolve around the holiday. Mom brought home a stocking for Baby Bird the other day. It was white with red polka dots and green pom pom trim around the top. Surprisingly, I loved it. I may have even picked it out myself,. Mom knows when it comes to my daughter, I like simplicity, no big dramatic bows that swallow her head, no Disney character-coated outfits, just simple statement pieces. But having fretted over her name and loving how it looks in print, I wanted her name on the stocking. Mom said the monogramming store couldn’t do it, something about the sleeve of the instrument used to make the letters not being long enough. It bothered me. And it shouldn’t have. She won’t notice this year. I was getting caught up in this fabricated idea of holiday perfection. I know perfection is a myth, especially when it comes to parenting. Some people can make it pretty for pictures, but life isn’t storybook. Milestones don’t unfold the way we plan them to. And the most genuine

moments are spontaneous. They creep up on an average Tuesday night when our daughter smiles at us for the first time. She didn’t smile on the milestone blanket to mark her 2-month birthday, but she did in Husband’s arms. And even better, we both caught it. The best moments don’t make the picture roll. We just have to be present enough to pay attention. So I’ve decided to let her first Christmas happen. We chose a tree, not the biggest and brightest one, but a good sturdy tree with a solid base at a reasonable price. I’m hanging her stocking with no name because it’s the one her grandmother got just for her, and that makes it special enough. I’m going to bake and fill the house with smells, not for a picture, but for a moment. And most of all, I’m going to try and relax and soak in more than I create, just let the season evolve. I’d rather catch her smile at me again in the twinkle light of the sturdy tree than have a perfect family photo alongside monogrammed stockings. It’s not just Baby’s first Christmas, but our first as a family too. And it will show us what it’s meant to be.

THE A RT OF G I FT G IV IN G by Erin Sharplin Love erinlove@panachebyerin.com

he art of gift-giving is one way that we express our generosity, appreciation, thanks, and love for others while recognizing special occasions and achievements. As the saying goes, gift-giving should be “all about the sentiment,” but that doesn’t keep us from going that extra mile, hoping to find the PERFECT gift for each person on our list. Since one of the top gift-giving holidays is right upon us, I thought I would share my tips for giving and receiving without the stress. • C onsider the person receiving the gift. This first step may seem obvious, but I mean that you should truly consider for whom you are purchasing the gift. Ask yourself some of the following questions to help you narrow down the search – What are her likes and dislikes? Has he mentioned wanting to learn a new skill or visit a new place? Has she mentioned needing or wanting anything recently? I suggest that you really sit down with your list and write out options that would be a good fit for each person on your list. • Consider your budget. A gift doesn’t have to be expensive to be meaningful and loved. In fact, anything too expensive can be overwhelming and embarrassing for the recipient. Instead, set a reasonable budget and figure out ways to completely maximize that budget! For instance, check for discount codes or coupons and then use the money you saved to add on a unique “happy.” Small personalized gifts show that you put thought into the gift, and that means much more than the actual cost of an item. • Don’t wait until the last minute. Waiting until the last minute to purchase gifts may totally derail your well thought-out plans. After all, the item you wanted could be sold out. With that in mind, it is best to shop sooner rather than later to avoid any possibility of being empty-handed at the last minute. Better yet, why not keep a running gift list that starts the minute you hear a loved one mention wanting or needing something. When you see it, no matter if it is in July, don’t wait! Buy it! Who knows, you

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might complete Christmas shopping before Halloween! • Don’t forget the presentation. I know, I know! It seems like a waste. The thought is “It’s just going to be torn or shredded to pieces anyway,” but I truly feel that presentation is one of the most important parts of gift-giving. Take the time to wrap gifts neatly and thoughtfully. And yes! Gift bags are fine. • Regifting? I say avoid it at all costs. You just never know how this practice will end up, and I just bet that you don’t want to appear dishonest or inconsiderate in any way. Instead, when given something that you can’t or won’t use, donate it or sell it online (if applicable). • Don’t forget about your service providers. If you feel you have received excellent service from your daily/weekly service providers, you could thank them with a small gift of appreciation. For instance, if you keep your UPS driver busy with all of those Amazon purchases, you can thank him by baking up a batch of cookies, or a simple “thank you “ note is also a nice gesture. Here are a few other people to whom you might want to consider showing your appreciation – Mailman, Trash Collector, Door Man, Security Officer in your building, Bank Tellers, School Teachers, etc. • Thank yous. Since you are giving gifts, most likely you will also be receiving gifts. Don’t forget to show appropriate thanks by quickly sending a thank-you note. Of course, a handwritten note is best, but it is also appropriate to give thanks during face-toface contact, via text message, or email. Any thanks is better than none. Please don’t leave this step out. Now I hope you can enjoy your holidays with a little less stress. Feel free to contact me with any questions or future article ideas – erinlove@panachebyerin.com

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A Winter White Wedding Day AINSLEY ANDERSON AND VINCENT HERLEVIC WERE MARRIED IN AN UNFORGETTABLE NEW YEAR’S EVE CEREMONY

insley Anderson Herlevic and Vincent Herlevic were simply meant to be. Friends for longer than either can remember, their love story is one that would take root early in life and begin to grow slowly. Over time, it would mature, flourish, and bloom with the same naturally intense beauty as the white roses Anderson would carry down the aisle on her wedding day. Anderson and Herlevic, who are graduates of Neville and St. Frederick, respectively, forged a close friendship during high school and dated briefly. Although the relationship was fleeting, their friendship remained strong throughout college at LSU and during Herlevic’s tenure in medical school. During a 40 DECEMBER 2017 | WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM

trip home, their group of close friends planned a night out in Monroe to reconnect. Little did Anderson know, it would be the night that would change the course of their relationship forever. A few hours into the evening, Herlevic approached Anderson to reveal his feelings. Anderson recalls, “Vincent tapped me on the shoulder and said, “After all these years, I’m still in love with you, Ainsley. We need to talk.” In that moment, she was overcome with emotion and instantly knew that she was talking to her future husband. Anderson soon found herself madly in love with one of her best friends. However, Herlevic had known for quite a some time that they would eventually be together.

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“I’ve loved Ainsley since we were 16 years old. I didn’t know when it would be, but I always knew we would end up together,” he explained. Anderson and Herlevic began a romance that would blossom over the coming months. Herlevic proposed on November 17, 2015, at his childhood home in Monroe. Surprised and elated, Anderson accepted. Thirteen months later, the two would be wed in an unforgettable New Year’s Eve ceremony. Anderson had dreamed of a winter-white wedding since she was a little girl. A glamourous New Year’s Eve wedding was also the fantasy of her mother, Rosemary Anderson. The two would daydream over wedding magazines and bond over the many elegant details they both were drawn to. Sadly, Anderson would lose her beloved mother to cancer several years before she would ever become engaged, but Rosemary had already planted a seed in her daughter’s heart long before it would take root. “My mom absolutely loved Vincent,” recalls Anderson, “and she told me from the time that I was 16 years old, up until her passing that he was the one for me. Of course, I didn’t listen to her at the time, but it turns out she was right all along.” Although Rosemary Anderson’s presence was irreplaceable, the families of the couple were thrilled to celebrate the engagement and take part in planning the wedding festivities. Anderson’s father, Mark Kent Anderson, Sr., was a constant source of unconditional love and support. Like his wife, he knew that Herlevic would be the ideal match for his daughter. The bride-to-be knew that without the generosity of her loving father, the event would not be possible. Anderson’s godmother and her mother’s lifelong best friend, Nancy King, remained steadfastly by the side of the bride-to-be. The two collaborated on every detail, providing Anderson with reassurance, love, and support for which she was earnestly grateful. Herlevic’s parents, Ronda and Marty, warmly welcomed Anderson to their family with open arms. Marty Herlevic served as best man to his son, standing by his side with pride. The couple’s siblings, Mallory Herlevic Benedetto and Mark Kent Anderson, Jr., both served in the wedding party and were delighted for the couple when the special day arrived. Ainsley Scott Anderson and Vincent Charles Herlevic were united in marriage on December 31, 2016, at Jesus the Good Shepherd Catholic Church. The bride’s father walked his radiant daughter down the aisle that was gracefully draped in opulent arrangements of white roses. Father Matthew Long officiated the ceremony that was attended by many dear friends and family of the couple. The elegant bride wore a custom-made, strapless Pnina Tonai ball gown made of white duchess satin with a sweetheart neckline. The entire bodice was encrusted with brilliant Swarovski crystals. The veil was also designed by Pnina Tonai and was adorned with sparkling 42 DECEMBER 2017 | WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM

Swarovski crystals appliqués. Her stunning bridesmaids wore graphitecolored, full-length trumpeted silhouette dresses made of silk taffeta designed by Monique Lhullier. Maids of honor were distinguished by glittering crystal belts at their waists. The ladies carried exquisite bouquets of white roses with sprigs of rosemary herb in memory of Anderson’s late mother, Rosemary. The handsome groom and his attendants were formally dressed in white tie. The gentlemen looked dapper sporting their tails and white gloves, but the formal attire did not slow them down while celebrating the evening. The Bayou DeSiard Country Club was completely transformed for the enchanting New Year’s themed reception. Guests, dressed in black tie, entered the venue through an immaculate archway made completely of ethereal white roses and were transported to a luxurious locale awash in a sea of white, ivory, and gold. Sumptuous panels of white and ivory fabric draped across windows and walls to create elegant ambience as twinkle lights glistened like fallen stars. White roses, hydrangeas, and orchids draped every surface and dripped from crystal chandeliers. White roses, a significant theme throughout the wedding, were a breathtaking and sentimental choice, as they were the favorite flower of Anderson’s late mother. In loving memory of her, Anderson made sure the classic flower was featured at every turn. As the 15-piece-band, Jessie’s Girls, played familiar hits and kept the dance floor packed, guests enjoyed endless savory cuisine and an array of tempting cocktails. Upon arrival, guests were offered new potatoes topped with creme fraiche and caviar, a special touch which paid tribute to Nancy King and her love of the delicacy. As a nod to the couple’s love of Japanese food, sushi chefs hand-prepared fresh sushi rolls on-site. Ice sculptures held fresh gulf shrimp that were complemented with oyster shooters and a variety of Louisiana hot sauces, while chefs expertly sliced freshly grilled prime rib. Other delectable dishes included ahi tuna presented on wontons with wasabi sauce, spring rolls, mini crab cakes, hot duck wraps, Cajun style kabobs, international and domestic cheeses, baked brie with chipotle, grilled asparagus and smoked salmon. Guests will never forget ordering libations from the orchid infused eight-foot long ice bar, which included two luges that served both the bride’s and the groom’s favored cocktails. One luge poured the bride’s favorite drink, a dirty martini, while the second luge served Old Fashioneds, the preferred cocktail of the groom. The spectacular wedding cake towered at five tiers and was adorned with layers

sugar paste white roses, orchids, and lilies of the valley. The groom’s cake resembled the other great love of his life--his dog, Jack. The delightful cake was flavored with fresh strawberry, the groom’s favorite. The newlyweds and their guests rang in the New Year at midnight as golden confetti flew through the air. As the band played the LSU fight song in honor of Anderson’s father, the crowd was then led outside to view a magnificent fireworks display on the bayou. As the fireworks exploded and sparkling lights rained down on the water, the bride and groom beamed as the sky lit up the faces of all those they loved. It would be one of their most precious memories of the night. At the conclusion of the sparkling pageantry, guests were served traditional foods of the new year, such as cabbage greens with cornbread and hot black-eyed peas with ham hocks, as well as chicken and waffles. Guests continued to dance the night away on opulent, polished white flooring that was specially brought in for the celebration and bore the golden monogram of the bride and groom. The unforgettable affair came to a close as the newlyweds bid their families and friends farewell. The bride and groom waved goodbye to a sea of smiling faces from a classic, white Rolls Royce as the path of towering pine trees and glittering firework fountains guided them away. It was truly a glamorous celebration filled with joy and love. The Herlevics have made their home in Shreveport. Dr. Vincent Herlevic is a resident

of Internal Medicine at University Health, where he recently accepted a fellowship in Gastroenterology. Through the process of designing for her own spectacular wedding, Anderson discovered her love of event planning and was inspired to form her own company, Plush Event Decor & Design by Ainsley. Although nearly a year has passed since Anderson and Herlevic became man and wife, their memories of that magical night remain vivid. Anderson’s heart still swells with gratitude when she thinks of the unconditional love and emotional support given by her close friends and family during that special time. The couple will celebrate the first of many wedding anniversaries at the end of this month.

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hristmas gift-giving is so rewarding and fun but it can also be daunting and difficult. Sometimes the most difficult part for me is letting my friends and family know the things I’m wishing for. These are the items that are on my list this year!

A. ALDEN’S MEMO Atlanta and Dallas based fashion sales representative for Reeves & Company, Analeise Thomas, shares what’s on her wishlist this Christmas.

LILI ALESSANDRA MOZART PILLOW $180

J.W. ANDERSON MINI PIERCE BAG $1480

DIPTYQUE LIMITED EDITION FIERY ORANGE CANDLE $70

(AVAILABLE AT MATERIAL THINGS)

A. Alden’s

AMAZON ECHO $99.99

CHRISTMAS WISHLIST MINNIE ROSE FOX POM POM SLIPPERS $154

CHARLOTTE TILLBURY “THE UPTOWN GIRL” MAKEUP LOOK GIFT SET $230

(AVAILABLE AT THE TOGGERY)

BACCARAT HARCOURT 1841 TUMBLER SET $430

WHITE & WARREN CASHMERE TRAVEL WRAP $298

JOCELYN CARGO COAT WITH MINK LINER $1395

SWEET CAROLINE DESIGNS GIFT WRAP $13 44 DECEMBER 2017 | WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM

“CAPTURE YOUR STYLE” BY AIMEE SONG $15

DOWNTOWN GALLERY CRAWL

1 3

December 7th | 5 to 9 p.m.

he Downtown Gallery Crawl’s 10th Anniversary celebration will continue Thursday, December 7th! You won’t want to miss this opportunity to see wonderful art while enjoying great, local food and listening to live music throughout nine galleries in downtown Monroe and West Monroe. All ages are invited to the party, 5-9 p.m.! There will be food trucks/tents and a booth for the new Crawl Companions—the new “friends group” that will help to keep the Crawl a free event. To kick things off, the “Byway Blues” driving tour will be revealed at the Garrett House! This photo and video exhibit will spotlight several musicians/venues and their significance to Northeast Louisiana Blues. Outside, cuddle up next to the fire pits and keep warm with Castor and Chicory’s fresh beignets and hot chocolate while Twin City Roots and Joel Jordan are sure to entertain, playing live blues on the front porch. The Garrett House will also have children’s holiday craft activities, so bring the whole family! Haven’t finished your holiday shopping yet? Sugar Gallery artists will deck the walls with new works that could be perfect for a friend or loved one! December’s show will include Leah Reitzell’s new series of colorful, interpretive, Louisiana native Whitetail Deer, Melanie Douthit’s “Vintage Label” paintings and ink drawings, nature photography by Burg Ransom and Scott Stone, and Doug Breckenridge’s architectural oil paintings. Also enjoy handmade lamps by Chris D. Cox and unique buttons and jewelry by Lisa Harp with Harp Strings Jewelry. Sugar Gallery’s guest artist is high school student Arielle Douthit with her unique ink drawings. Tasty treats will be provided by Patrice Reppond from “Sweet P. Sweets.” Next door, curator of The Downtown Gallery Rick Sikes is proud to present North Louisiana artist Caroline Youngblood. Youngblood’s use of dreamy colors and loose brushwork in “Louisiana Magnolia: Southern Entitlement” is sure to hold your gaze.

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4 The Big Room will have an “Open Studio” exhibiting works in progress along with finished paintings, photography and mixed media pieces of resident artists Anna Rowan, Jenny Ellerbe, Leigh Buffington and Emily Caldwell. New resident artist Amanda Roe will exhibit her paintings and mixed media work as well. Also in The Big Room will be nature-inspired jewelry, the specialty of Amy Ouchley, and ceramic pieces by Alyssa Guidry Posey. Across the river on West Monroe’s Antique Alley, Rumo’s Gallery will feature works by local artist Rachel Barnes. Barnes’ colorful figurative paintings draw inspiration from her twin sister Rebekah Barnes’ writings. RUMO’S Gallery is curated by Austin Bantel and hosted by owners Morgan and Russell Moore. Two galleries are partnering with The Masur Museum (through its Alt-Ex program) to present two special projects this December! The first will be an installation in The Upstairs Gallery of graffiti tags and oil paintings by Allen Spurlock. The second Alt-Ex project will be an installation of images at The Outside Gallery from Julian Montague’s Secondary Occupants series. Julian Montague is a Buffalo, N.Y.based artist, graphic designer, illustrator and photographer. He employs his design, illustration and photography skills in a series of art projects that explore the peripheral features of the domestic and urban environment. He is best known for a project in which he developed a system of classification for stray shopping carts. His book, The Stray Shopping Carts of Eastern North America: A Guide to Field Identification, was published in 2006 by Abrams Books.

5 Next, crawl on over to ARENDER studio + gallery for vibrant, abstract works by Joey Slaughter in his show “Everyone is the busiest person in the world.” Slaughter explains, “I wonder how a simple conversation is absorbed between people, how they’re connected, and what the conversational wavelengths would look like. The main idea is to create abstractions from conversations if you could see sound waves from analogue and digital devices passing through and around people. I imagine it to be very chaotic, yet beautiful.” The Palace Gallery, curated by Jarod Stokes, wraps up our list with its annual makers-focused Gifts Show! This exhibit will truly celebrate artisans and makers and will be a perfect opportunity to do some Christmas shopping. The artists of the Downtown Arts Alliance, as well as their appreciative public, sincerely thank the always-generous DAA sponsors, especially Sunquest Properties, Louisiana Pain Care, Creed and Creed Law Firm, Fiesta Nutrition Center/The Good Earth Salad Bar, Cross Keys Bank, Lavalle Salomon Law office, Dr. Terry Tugwell, Bayou Roux Restaurant, Monroe-West Monroe Convention and Visitors Bureau, Masur Museum of Art, Northeast Louisiana Arts Council, Sir Speedy, The News-Star, KEDM Public Radio, DeltaStyle, Louisiana Division of the Arts, Choice Brands and Marsala Beverage. Sponsorships are still available. For information on levels of support and benefits, see the organization’s website at downtowngallerycrawl.com and their Facebook page. The next Downtown Gallery Crawl will be Thursday, February 1, 2018, when the galleries will continue to celebrate their tenth year of entertaining their neighbors.

1) DOUG BRECKENRIDGE 2) JOEY SLAUGHTER 3) MELANIE DOUTHIT 4) JULIAN MONTAGUE 5) HARP STRINGS JEWELRY

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article by Kenny Covington learn how to apply each one, the more effective your squarebill fishing will be.

WHAT SIZE AND WHEN?

FISHING

With Kenny

The How and Why of Squarebill Crankbaits

think fishermen, be it the tournament angler or just someone who likes the purity of the sport, are always looking for the perfect lure. A lure that works no matter the time of year, weather condition, color of the water or where you might be fishing. The squarebill crankbait is just such a lure and while many people will use this bait, very few of them understand how effective this bait can be, no matter when or where it’s used. My introduction to a squarebill crankbait was when Rick Clunn used a Poe’s lure to win the 1990 Classic on the James River. I remember buying those same lures thinking I would fill my boat up with the bass this lure could catch. It didn’t take long for reality to set in. I caught an occasional fish while using it but it wasn’t the “secret” to success that I thought it would be. Looking back, I had a really good lure, I just didn’t know how to fish it. I didn’t realize how important deflection was on a lure retrieve. I was afraid to throw my lure in the places where I thought I might get hung up. I wasn’t aware of line sizes and the correct rod/reel set-ups. I didn’t know much about changing out factory-installed hooks for presharpened ones. I was at the beginning of a learning process and since then, I sure have learned a lot. Looking back, you can see how much things have changed. Tackle stores are full of plastic squarebill crankbaits manufactured by numerous lure companies. The wooden hand carved versions are still the most expensive, costing as much as $25 each. The average cost of the mass-produced versions are around $6 and most all have proven they will catch fish. Squarebills come in several sizes with the smallest being just over an inch in length, while some of the bigger lures will measure close to four inches in length. All of them have a place, and the more you can 48 DECEMBER 2017 | WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM

As a general rule the 2-2 ½ inch version is the “go to” choice of most fishermen. This particular size squarebill is the most popular and is generally the best-selling version, regardless of the manufacturer. It works year round and while the choice of colors can be overwhelming it’s best to keep them simple. For stained water in the late winter or early spring stick with crawfish colors or chartreuse patterns. Shad patterns are always effective in the late summer and throughout the fall months. A good time to use the smaller squarebill is early in the fall when the bass are feeding on small baitfish. The smaller version can be extremely effective in clear water and also on heavily pressured fisheries. When using these smaller lures, keep your color choices simple by using a basic shad pattern, and in extremely clear water the “Ghost Minnow” color is always a great choice. The larger version squarebills such as the Bagley BB III, the Luck E Strike Series 4 or the Strike King 4.0 are best in warmer water situations such as late spring and early summer. Bodies of water with continually stained-to-muddy water colors are usually where these lures shine. The biggest drawback of fishing the larger version is that these lures are prone to catch a larger size fish so you will sacrifice the number of strikes for a better quality fish.

WHAT IS THE BEST ROD/REEL AND LINE?

If you ask any number of fishermen about their equipment you will get as many answers as the people you ask. There are no absolutes. I have found that rod, reel, and line play a role in the success I have when fishing squarebills. For the smaller versions a 6’6 glass rod is a good choice. It makes throwing smaller lures much easier and their placements more accurate. When choosing your reels, try to keep your gear ratios the same. This keeps the retrieves in the same rhythm regardless of the lure you are throwing. As far as line, the smaller the squarebill the lighter line you will use, but there is no reason to go below 12 lb. test. When throwing the medium size lures a seven-foot glass rod or medium heavy graphite rod usually work best. The longer rod will allow you to throw the baits farther but also give you more power on your hookset, controlling the fish once it is hooked. For this size squarebill, line size should be 17- 20 lb. test. The larger squarebills are the hardest to match equipment wise. A seven-seven and a half foot medium heavy graphite rod is the best choice. The heavier rod makes hook penetration easier because the heavier rod allows the bigger hooks on the lure to penetrate. Line size should be 20 to 25 lb. These heavier lures require heavier tackle in order to fish them effectively.

WHERE SHOULD I THROW A SQUAREBILL?

The understood rule of squarebill fishing is to throw it in the same places you would a spinnerbait. The heavier lines we referred to earlier will allow you to minimize the number of lures you lose regardless of the terrain you are fishing. Laydowns, rocks, docks, submerged grass, and cypress trees are some of the more popular targets for using this particular technique but really the fish-catching possibilities are unlimited. The only bad place to try and fish a squarebill is simply the cast you refuse to try and make. Well it looks like we have run out of space for another month. Please be careful this holiday season if you are on the water or hunting the woods. Catch one for me and I will see you next month!

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SANTA in the SOUTH AWAY FROM THE FRIGID WINTERS OF THE NORTH POLE, SANTA HAS MADE HIS HOME RIGHT HERE IN NORTH LOUISIANA UNDER THE ALIAS OF ROBERT K. WILSON. THIS YEAR, HE’S GIVEN BAYOULIFE A SNEAK PEEK INTO HIS MERRY LIFE.

anta Claus and his North Pole crew certainly have a stringent work schedule as November winds down and December emerges in a haze of colorful lights, pine trees, and holiday cookies. But before the Yuletide countdown and the bustle of the season begins, the life of the chubbycheeked man in red has long been shrouded in myth and hearsay -- until now! Away from the frigid winters of the North Pole, Santa has made a life in Monroe, Louisiana, and this year, has decided to give us a glimpse into his warm-weather home. Santa goes by many names -- Saint Nicholas, St. Nick, Kris Kringle, and Father Christmas. However, before the holiday season, during his time in Monroe, Santa goes by Robert K. Wilson, and the costume he generally wears is that of a licensed realtor at Keller Williams. Santa Wilson does not shy away from keeping the Christmas spirit year round, especially at work. It’s hard to miss the three-foot, vintage wood sled leaning in front of his desk, and the Santa figurines and holiday collectables that decorate his only shelf. Even his ringtone, a stream of hearty ho ho ho’s, is an indicator that this white-bearded,

kind-faced man, may be more than just a Christmas enthusiast -- he may be the real thing. Before settling in the South, Santa Wilson resided in Highland, Indiana, where he got into the bowling business, which he recalls as a “Midwestern-type thing” to do. At the time, he was managing a bowling center where a ladies league was prominent. As part of the appeal, the bowling center had a daycare. During the holiday season, a Santa would be expected to visit the children. Without knowing that Wilson was the real Santa, his boss thrust him into the job. It was the first time he put on a fake suit and beard. In 1996, Santa moved to Monroe and bought into local bowling centers and further immersed himself into the community by joining the Kiwanis Club, the organizers of the annual Christmas Parade. In the planning stages of that year’s parade, the former Santa, who had been doing the job for 20 years, was ready to pass the red Santa hat along. The Kiwanis Club needed a Santa who could get up and down the fire truck, a temporary replacement of Santa’s sleigh. Without hesitation, Santa Wilson was up for the task. He dismissed the team’s offer to get him a suit, exclaiming, “I got my own suit, don’t worry about it. I’ve been Santa for a while.”

A RT I C L E BY VA N E L I S R I V E R A & P H OTO G R A P H Y BY M A RT I N G M E Y E R S

“This time of year is when people come together to reconnect,” reflects Santa. “No matter what, good family, bad family and, yes, even crazy family are all important.” For 20 years now, Santa Wilson has acted as the Santa of the Christmas parade, and has no plans of passing his Santa hat down, affirming, “This is my parade!” About five years ago, a beardless Santa was approached by the Children’s Museum and asked to be their Santa. He agreed, knowing it was time to reveal his true identity, which began with his beard. “When you do up close and personal work, kids can see,” Santa Wilson told BayouLife Magazine. 52 DECEMBER 2017 | WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM

He’s had kids grab his beard, pull on his pristinely waxed moustache, and snatch his hat. Yet, his dedication to the process of transforming back into Kris Kringle remains a labor of love. “Depending on the Louisiana winters,” his beard may fluctuate in length but he is resolute in the duty of keeping the spirit of believing alive, especially in children. As he explains, “We want children to grow up so fast, but life is short. Why crush their hopes and dreams when they’re five?” As should be expected, Santa has a genuine interest in the lives of the children who visit him. Known for asking children questions about schools, their hobbies, and home lives, Santa has a steady following of parents on his Facebook page who are eager to take their kids wherever he happens to show up. In spite of being an advocate for children, Santa is also on parents’ side. He does not hesitate to say no to kids or challenge their wish lists. He’s been around long enough to notice the changing toy trends, but holds firmly that Christmas gifts should somehow ignite a child’s imagination, creativity, and possibility. He has said no to four- and eight-year-olds asking for iPhones, kindly pushing them to think of age appropriate items. Sometimes he offers his own gift ideas, based on his personal toy trend research inspired by trips to Walmart. (Insider scoop, Santa thinks Hatchimals “will make another run at it again.”) Parents, inform your kids that if they plan to ask for a four-wheeler, Santa has a message for them: four-wheelers are too expensive and hard to fit in his gift bag. It’s hard to deter Santa from his natural jollity, however, his experiences on “the chair” have at times been challenging. He’s had children sit on his lap, and, with unwavering hope, ask him to bring their “mommy” back -- the one gift he wished his Christmas magic could provide. On the other hand, parents can, at times, be a source of frustration. “I could overhear the parents standing in line complaining how long it was taking and the occasional, ‘Come on’ and naturally all the huffing and puffing, ” Santa Wilson said. He’s had to explain to parents, “I will help them get a great memory picture. I will take as many pictures as they want or need. I will talk with their children and we WILL HAVE A GOOD TIME. IT’S CHRISTMAS!” Santa is often scooped up for photo shoots, recently finishing one with Shannon Luther Photography and Albritton Photography. He’s been known to do his famous crying-Santa face if he ever sits with a crying infant, which makes for an entertaining family photo. “We always have our fair share of screamers, cryers and panic stricken children but it’s always a hoot to see all the babies. I always wonder what they are thinking? Who will they be when they grow up? Where will life take them?” Santa recollected. After many years on the job, Santa believes that “we are all in too much of a hurry to get to the next event or next stop.” He encourages us, now more than ever, “to stop along the way and enjoy the little pleasures of life. The smile or giggles of a child, the deep belly laugh of an adult or better yet, the sweet taste of a Christmas cookie.” His message to us is significant in its simplicity -- “Never stop believing. It’s about giving, not receiving. Bake cookies. Enjoy family. BE GOOD. This time of year is when people come together to reconnect,” reflects Santa. “No matter what, good family, bad family and, yes, even crazy family are all important.” The big man in the red super suit is “the possibility of all possibilities,” and if you have kids, he wants you to help them hang on to that as best you can. Take the whole family to visit our guest from the far North at Santa’s Christmas Village held at the Children’s Museum. The event is open from November 18th to December 23rd, Thursday-Sunday. Specific times are listed in the Children’s Museum Facebook page. If you would like to take family photos with Santa or are interested in reading his holiday blog, follow his Facebook page @believeinsanta.

Palmetto Addiction Recovery Center The Healing Power of EMDR and Prayer BY STEWART BEDILLION, MA, LPC – SPIRITUAL COUNSELOR

F A PERSON HAS RUN OFF THE road and is stuck in the ditch, no amount of acceleration is going to help that individual get back on the road. Putting the “pedal to the metal” is not the answer. What that person needs is a wrecker. Once the rubber is on the blacktop, traction is now possible, and at least one can move forward. This is how I view EMDR in the healing process of treatment and recovery. Addiction is typically built on pain and shame, and EMDR is a powerful tool to deal with that pain and shame. As I work with people at Palmetto to achieve spiritual, emotional, and mental healing, I have combined two dynamics to facilitate that healing: prayer and EMDR. What exactly is EMDR, and how is it applied in the healing process? EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. It is an experiential approach which incorporates bilateral stimulation, eye movements, hand tapping, or other bilateral movements to help an individual process a trauma or negative memory. It was originally developed in 1987 by Francine Shapiro, PhD, who began using eye movements with her patients in her private practice. Since that time, EMDR has evolved as many approaches do, but essentially has stayed the same in principal, and is very effective with any negative experience, no matter how small or great. EMDR is built on the premise that the brain processes trauma differently than what we consider normal everyday events. Negative beliefs may be attached to the memory, and therefore negative emotions are connected to the negative beliefs. The executive function of the brain is unable to process these beliefs

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and emotions which are contained within the historical memory, and therefore remains stuck and unprocessed. One can see the enormous opportunity for being triggered, and thus the individual seeks something or someone or both to soothe the agitation coming from the unresolved beliefs contained within the memory. Hello addiction! Bilateral stimulation seems to help unlock the stuck place, and allows the person to process this in a more normal and appropriate way. What does an EMDR session look like? I cannot answer for what other counselors’ sessions look like who use EMDR, but I will try to walk you through what I do. I mentioned earlier in the article that I use prayer and EMDR. Many of our patients are open to prayer and inviting God into the session. This is not a requirement, but the fact is, many of our patients seek a deeper connection with God. I have found that prayer makes all the difference in terms of effectiveness, length of session, and clarity of what the person receives during the session. God told the prophet Jeremiah, “Call unto Me and I will answer you and show you great and mighty things that you do not know,” Jer. 33:3. I have seen the truth of this over and over again after many hours of working with people. I allow the person to visit the disturbing memory focusing on the negative belief(s) and reporting where they feel that in their body. They are to focus on that part of their body while bilateral stimulation is applied. The client then simply reports what they are noticing after a set of eye movements or taps are applied. I simply ask them to focus on what they are noticing, which may be something physical, or an emotion

that is coming up, or a thought or another memory that comes to mind. Another set of bilateral stimulation is applied. This is the Desensitization Phase, and the goal is for the disturbing material to not be disturbing any longer. The next phase is Positive Installation. The goal of this phase is to install a more appropriate belief replacing the original negative belief held within the memory. The memory and the new belief are held together in the person’s mind, and bilateral stimulation is applied. The goal of this phase is for the new belief to feel completely true while held in the memory. I end with a Body Scan having the client hold the memory and new belief together in the mind, checking their body and reporting any tightness, tension, or unusual sensations or if they just feel calm, peaceful, positive, and relaxed. The goal is for the body to be in agreement with the new belief held within the memory. If there is disturbance at this point, bilateral stimulation is applied until the body is in agreement. This is the short version. I have seen tremendous healing at Palmetto using this approach. Sometimes I let prayer stand alone, sometimes I let EMDR stand alone, and many times I combine the two. I want to stay sensitive to where the client is and what he or she is open to. I have seen many clients pulled out of the ditch, so to speak; therefore, their treatment in group and everything else they participate in at Palmetto becomes so much more effective. I feel humbled and privileged to be just a small part of the healing process, and I give God all the credit for it. He truly is the Healer and Deliverer.

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More than a Hardware Store How Tyner Petrus Became TP Outdoors

N 1928 AUGUST PETRUS AND LEWIS TYNER HAD AN IDEA. They put their idea into motion and created a Feed and Seed store. The first Tyner Petrus store was born and what a long and healthy life it has been. And it just keeps getting better! The initial idea has gone through its share of changes. But with change comes growth and the company continues to find ways to better improve it’s standing in the local community and among local businesses. Starting in 1928 the West Monroe store was in four different locations, each move because of increased business and the need to expand. TP has been at its current location in West Monroe on Mill street since 1970 with the new building covering over 24,000 square feet of retail and warehouse space. But TP didn’t stop there. In the early ‘80s a second store was opened in Monroe on Hwy 165. In 1996 the decision was made to include outdoor products in both stores, and TP Outdoors has never looked back. Since 1996 TP Outdoors has enjoyed tremendous growth and is one of the most respected Sporting Goods Retailers in the south. And it just keeps getting better. Created as a true family business it shouldn’t be a surprise to anyone to learn that the fourth generation of Petrus employees, Patrick Petrus, B-Bob Petrus and Nick Greener, can be found at either of the store’s locations. They understand that quality customer service is the key to long-term success for any business. It is this loyalty to the customer that has been the backbone of TP Outdoors. That same loyalty can be found in their employees, some of whom have been with the company more than 30 years. So, as you can see, TP Outdoors is more than just a True Value hardware store. Besides carrying everything you need for hardware or other projects, they also have a full line of outdoor products. They carry a variety of boots and waders, including Lacrosse, Georgia Boots, Itasca, Muck Boots, and Banded waders. TP carries the best clothing for men, women and children suited for their favorite outdoor pastimes. Everything from Columbia, Browning, Bell Ranger, Yukon, Banded, Kryptec, if you are looking for it, they just may have it! Are you looking for that special deer rifle or shotgun for duck season? Or if you are a bow hunter, TP is also an official Matthews Bow dealer and has been one of the highest ranking retailers for bows

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and archery since its inception in 1996. The West Monroe location also has an indoor gun range so you can make sure your favorite firearm is in proper working condition. Let TP help you make sure you have everything taken care of on your hunting checklist. The brands are numerous, the product knowledge is unlimited and no one’s budget is too small. Before you head to the woods and water this hunting season make sure you come check out TP Outdoors. TP carries Nebo and Streamlight flashlights to help you get where you are going and a variety of range finders and binoculars to help you find your quarry once you get there. For those people who like to cook in the outdoors or around the hunting camp, TP carries Big Green Egg and a full line of accessories. Lest we forget, after hunting season is over and it’s time to store the hunting equipment away, TP carries a variety of safes from Stack On to Winchester. Oh, and did we mention they are also a Yeti dealer? The list goes on and on. And it keeps getting better! When the third generation of the Petrus family took over the company in the early ‘90s, they had ideas and passion, not unlike that of August Petrus many years ago. This dedicated family simply wanted to take their company and help it continue to grow. All decisions are made with family input with the employees and the customer in mind. No job is too small and no customer is less important. It is that dedication, and a lot of hard work, which has allowed TP Outdoors to keep its doors open for almost a century. Overachieving? Perhaps. Dedicated to their customers and their community? Without a doubt. This family owned and operated business that is TP Outdoors has been built on pride, passion, a love for family and solid steady growth year after year. And guess what? The best is yet to come! Top Left Photo: Back row - Bobby, Bill, Wayne and David Petrus; Bottom Row: B-Bob, Patrick, Jordan and Matt Petrus. Top Right Photo: Petrus Family Christmas. Photos by: Chris Porter, Riverbank Products

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Haven - Interiors and Fine Gifts Haven’s Favorite Gifts

AVEN IS A GREAT DESTINATION for gift giving or for finding just the right accessory for your home. Their customers appreciate the personalized service they receive at Haven. So the staff has provided a list of great gift ideas to inspire your shopping this Holiday Season. 1. JACK BLACK From facial cleansers and moisturizers, to their award winning beard grooming products, Jack Black is tops in men’s skin care products. And for the women, if you haven’t tried the hand lotion or chapstick, you are missing out! 2. BAR WARE Setting up your bar is a breeze this season at Haven. Cool cocktail and wine glasses, ice buckets and a cocktail pitcher are practical but fun to receive. If you need a flask for on-the-go, Haven has you covered. 3. JIMMYROCKIT Handmade in New Orleans, “JimmyRockit” rocks it out with stunning cuffs in interesting leather and metal details. 4. DEVOTIONALS Sometimes we all need encouragement to start the day right. What an amazing selection of devotionals, prayer journals and Christian gifts. Perfect to give and receive—it’s the gift of reminding us to take time to reflect on what is important in life. 5. ACRYLIC FRAMES Haven has THE acrylic frame that makes it easy to create an art gallery in your home! Whether it’s your child’s latest masterpiece, a large photograph or a favorite artist’s work on paper, all perfect in an acrylic frame. These make a beautiful grouping in a variety of sizes.

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6. PHONE CHARGERS A charged phone is important. Very important. Never have a dead battery with a spare charger. Charge and go when your battery is low. Works like a charm. 7. ORBIT Do you know someone who is always losing their keys? They need the gift of a handy locator that can track where they last put them down. 8. BLABLA This is the ultimate stuffed animal. Who wouldn’t want a darling knit bunny named Pierre or an elephant named Josephine? Blabla’s are instant friends with your child. 9. L.YOUNG STUDIO Haven has restocked all this local artist’s favorites. Whether you are just starting a Louisiana collection or adding to an existing one, these canvaes make great gifts. 10. BAREFOOT DREAMS BLANKET Those customers who own a Barefoot Dreams blanket know it’s the one everyone hopes to score when they get on the sofa. Stocked in several colors, they are always great under the tree. 11. PLANNERS 2018 is almost here, so it’s time to start planning. A beautiful planner will get you headed in the right direction. This may give you the inspiration you need to stay organized! 12. NEST CANDLES Everyone’s favorite candle line! Birchwood, Holiday and this season’s newest scent, Sugar Cookie, are flying out the door. Come by and stock up! Gift boxes with all three scents are perfect for giving and receiving!

13. COSMETIC BAGS Travel in style as you pack up your jewelry and makeup in a new Stephanie Johnson cosmetic bag. Many new styles have arrived with a great variety of pieces in each pattern. 14. PAJAMAS It’s nice to have a great pair of pajamas to slip into after a long day of shopping and cooking for the holidays. Haven has such a great variety. 15. AWESOME BOOKS Want to peruse through the newest design book over the holidays for home ideas or a new cookbook full of recipes for the new year? And for men, new ideas on what to throw on the grill or a photographic outdoors book. Books are always a great gift. 16. MEN’S TRAVEL BAGS Carry-on the plane this season with a duffle or a Herschel rolling bag. These are perfect for a holiday overnight or weekend stay. 17. VELVET PONCHO Velvet is fall’s hottest trend and Haven has a new style in several colors. Dress it up or down for the holidays. Haven has extended holiday hours each day to provide extra shopping time and will be open on Sundays in December from 1-4 p.m. leading up to Christmas. Be sure to follow them on Instagram and Facebook as they are posting gift ideas each day. Stop by for a great gift selection and complimentary gift wrapping. The gift you give from Haven will be the best one under the tree!

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BAYOUOUTDOORS

Greetings of the Season article by Dan Chason

he best thing about December is all of the outdoor activity that can be enjoyed in Northeast Louisiana. We are blessed with abundant lakes, public hunting land and we sit right in the heart of the Central Flyway for migrating ducks and geese. However, it is not a blessing when you don’t have a place to go or don’t know when or how to determine what activity to enjoy. Let me advise you on what I have found to be as to the best places to hunt and fish this month, places open to anyone. On the fishing side, December can be a bonanza for both crappie and bass. You cannot beat Lake D’Arbonne in the winter months for crappie. The second best lake if you don’t mind the crowds is Poverty Point Reservoir in Farmerville. Let’s examine D’Arbonne first if you are a crappie snatcher. Everyone loves the main channel right near the LA 2 bridge. That channel has probably produced more crappie than any lake in America. The problem is that it is prone to wind and the best days for crappie are pre-front, which bring winds. Let me give you a long-kept secret: Get out of the main channel. If you get into some of the feeder creeks like Stowe Creek, you can not only escape the wind, you can find some unpressured slabs that are holding on the creek bends and waiting to be fed. My second favorite area is Little D’Arbonne Creek just north of the State Park. This area is abundant with big crappie and the channel is very defined should you be unfamiliar with the area. The main things to concentrate on are: Pre-front conditions, stay with the basics and obey your electronics and lastly, don’t be afraid to use live bait. December is a great live bait month with shiners or with a jig, tipped with a shiner. For bass on D’Arbonne in December, drag out the pig and jig along with shad colored spinner baits and crank baits and find the drains in the channels with brush on them. You can really catch some fine fish but you have to fish slow and then slow down. The trick on any lake in December to catching crappie consistently is to identify and keep your presentation just above the thermocline. Remember that crappie feed up...always. If you aren’t getting bit, just go deep and come up shallow in 6-inch increments until you get a bite. On Poverty Point there are many places to fish but everyone concentrates on the main creek on the north side, on the south end. It is a very productive area but in December, unless the weather turns bitter cold, crappie can be found in feeder creeks here as well. If you 62 DECEMBER 2017 | WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM

like to fish in a crowd, let me help you choose the right set up. Go with a 3 jig rig, stay with two poles and find the old brush on the channel lips. Johnny Garland jigs in the Mardi Gras, Electric Chicken and Blue Thunder cannot be beat on this lake. My best advice is to enjoy the boats around you and not get aggravated. These fish bite great really early and then it can be a slow drag. But keep moving around. The most important piece of equipment I have at Poverty is my marker buoy. Once you catch one, drop it. Poverty is notorious for catching many crappie in a small space. Anchor up and stay with them. Now that fishing is covered, let’s talk hunting. The number one, all time overlooked area to deer and duck hunt is the Upper Ouachita National Refuge. I have hunted that refuge for many years and can attest to its fine duck, deer and hog hunting. The problem there is the seasons are just too short. But if you can adjust and utilize your bow, you can have a lot of area to yourself for the most part. The thing that is overlooked on this Refuge is that people think you have to go to the back of nowhere to see game. I have harvested some nice deer and hogs within sight of the check-in areas. The secret here is scouting. Look for the many persimmon trees (my favorite) and the abundant overcup acorn trees for the best areas to find hogs and deer. If I had to pick my favorite place to duck hunt on public land, it would have to be Overflow National Refuge. I have never been to any public refuge that kept that many ducks other than Bayou Meto. It is a duck mecca but requires a boat and some extensive scouting and patience. Close to the Twin Cities it is hard to beat D’Arbonne National Refuge for ducks. Day in and day out, this large piece of land can yield some mighty fine duck hunting. My favorite area is as close as I can get to the blue line. I would almost swear that the ducks there can read a pamphlet and can see the blue line. The truth is that blue line is the closest to protected waters for them to rest. Whether you hunt close or far this December, do this for me: Always were a life preserver, let a family member know where you are and please remember that Jesus is the Reason for the Season. Celebrate His birth with me and have a great month in the great outdoors. Happy Holidays and please share your adventure with a kid, a senior or a veteran.

A Natural, Green Christmas Using a large statement piece of organic cypress wood, Therese Nagem strategically placed low-maintenance airplants (or tillandsia) in bright Christmas hues of green and shades of red that fade to light pink. A light spritz of water every now and then keeps this arrangement fresh and vibrant for months and takes you from holiday terrific to the New Year with a natural, organic style. We envision this lovely piece at hearthâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s edge or as a centerpiece in an outdoor living area. Designed by Therese Nagem | Northeast Louisiana Master Gardener Photo by Martin G Meyers

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Ring in the Holidays Using a circle of 16 gauge wire in a rose gold hue as the basis for a thoroughly modern take on a Christmas wreath, the Monroe Junior Garden Club combines David Austin â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Julietâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; roses in creamy pink with jewel toned, ruby ranunculus, deep amethyst leucodendron with sprigs of evergreen boxwood. This could easily hang on an exterior door or interior wall to create a dramatic natural focal point. Designed by Sarah Nerren, Kelsey Laudenheimer, Aimee Hayward, Christie Echols | Monroe Junior Garden Club Photo by Martin G Meyers

Structured Seasons Greetings Inspired by nature and the European tradition of Yule Logs, talented Ann Breard creates an organic design utilizing birch bark and oak limbs to create a trellis for luscious, rosy-red ranunculus and snowy spires of veronica. Grey green foliage of eucalyptus and fuzzy dusty miller add to the cool undertones. Extending the life of the arrangement are bright green echeveria, the natural â&#x20AC;&#x153;starsâ&#x20AC;? of the arrangement, which will hold up well without water. Designed by Ann Breard | The Monroe Garden Study League Photo by Martin G Meyers

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Tropical Tradition An unusual color palette and exotic plant materials combine to create a stunning arrangement for a holiday foyer or dining table. Floral designer Stuart Scalia first spray painted dried natraj or fantail pussywillow and leaves and branches of Confederate jasmine an up-to-the-minute hue of metallic rose gold. White anemones with dark purple centers, deep purple globes of scabiosa and tropical protea in salmon hues with feathery purple tips enliven a carpet of green trick chrysanthemum. Designed by Stuart Scalia | Monroe Garden Club Photo by Martin G Meyers

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Bayou Pages

NIGHTSTANDS & COFFEE TABLES KIDS EDITION

s parents, we always want to encourage our children to read. The holidays present a great opportunity to foster a love of reading in your child, no matter their ages. Books make great gifts for kids because a great book can eat up a lot of downtime – and they’re the kind of gift that parents or grandparents can let the little ones open early. This year, there are thousands of great children’s books suitable for the tiniest tikes, the most precocious preteens, and the ardent adolescents. We’ve culled the lists and selected three titles that we think will keep your young readers turning the pages. Rosie Revere Engineer By Andrea Beaty; Illust. By David Roberts Rosie is your typical, quiet kid. She doesn’t play much, she doesn’t say much, and for the most part, she keeps to herself. However, at night, Rosie follows in the footsteps of her aging aunt, Rosie the Riveter, and builds wild and brilliant inventions. Her engineering efforts form the basis of Andrea Beaty’s Rosie Revere Engineer. There’s only one problem with her grandiose contraptions – they don’t seem to work. When Great-great Aunt Rosie drops in for a visit, she’s so impressed by her young niece that she shares with her an unfulfilled dream: the woman who made airplanes has never flown. Young Rosie sets out to help make her aunt’s dream come true. There’s only one problem. She’s got to make her greatest invention work. Fans of children’s picture books will

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REVIEWS BY MICHAEL DEVAULT recognize Beaty’s signature wit and storytelling style, which she’s displayed in previous outings in Rosie’s world and in Ada Twist, Scientist. As is typical of Beaty’s books, she’s partnered with David Roberts, whose fun, colorful drawings help bring the text to life. The Purloining of Prince Oleomargarine By Mark Twain and Philip C. Stead. Illus. Erin Stead It’s not often that an author more than a century dead hits the best sellers’ lists. Rarer still is when the story bearing their name is new work. Nevertheless, that’s the case of The Purloining of Prince Oleomargarine, by Mark Twain and Philip C. Stead. The book is a reconstruction of an off-the-cuff fairy tale Stead found tucked away in Twain’s diaries, and he saw something special. Johnny is a poor boy with few prospects and even fewer friends. His lone companion is a pet chicken. When a kind, yet mysterious, woman gives Johnny magic seeds, he suddenly develops the ability to speak with animals – and his life becomes enriched with newfound communication. He’s plunged into an adventure of epic proportions when he undertakes rescuing an imprisoned prince, and along the way, he learns some valuable lessons about life, happiness and friendship The New York Times likens The Purloining of Prince Oleomargarine to Lewis Carroll’s masterpiece, Alice in Wonderland. Other reviewers have placed this little book alongside other children’s masterpieces, including Grimm’s Fairy Tales. Stead’s words deftly breathe life into Twain’s story, and illustrations by his wife, Erin,

deliver the kinds of images that harken back to John Tenniel’s illustrations of Alice in what is sure to become a new children’s classic. The Book of Dust: La Belle Sauvage By Philip Pullman It’s been more than a decade since the release of the film version of Philip Pullman’s The Golden Compass, the first in the author’s award-winning and best-selling His Dark Materials series. For readers, it’s been even longer – 17 years since his last book. With The Book of Dust: La Belle Sauvage, Pullman returns to the world of dust and daemons, the first of a hotly anticipated three-book prequel to the world readers first saw through the eyes of Lyra Bellaquin. Young Malcolm Polstead is the kind of inquisitive, attentive boy who sees the world while the world doesn’t quite see him. He lives with his parents in their inn on the banks of the Thames, and at one point or another, the whole of London makes appearances. When Malcolm inadvertently intercepts a message intended for a spy, the spy enlists his help in watching the world for news of a dangerous, powerful material called Dust. While he’s watching, Malcolm can’t help but notice that everyone is talking, and the one name on their lips is Lyra. Pullman has been described as a master of young adult fiction, and for readers who love his edgy, dark worlds, it’s been a long 17 years. But he’s back in full form and ready to transport readers, once again, into the realm of His Dark Materials.

THE MAN BEHIND THE CALL M IK E B E N TO N A N D C HALLENG ER DUCK CALLS article by Trent Livingston | photography by Brad Arender

uack, Quack, Quack! You realize there are more to these words and their sounds when you sit down for a few with Mike Benton of Challenger Duck Calls. The story is two-part in a sense. Mike grew up in a generation where necessity was the Mother of Invention. You see, Mike and his forefathers found that a simple, but certain, technique could change the way duck calls sound. The technique would give the hunter, with developed and refined calling skills, a greater chance to persuade ducks into decoys than other hunters could. Thus, the cut-down call was made to increase the decibel level at which a hunter could call. The other being craftsmanship, yes, a big word, but suited for a man who started with a Yentzen call at eight years old, and who now sits atop one of the finest craft duck calls in the hunting industry, Challenger Duck Calls. Today’s duck calls range from polycarbonate, acrylic, wood, plastic, titanium and carbonate. All the bells and whistles can run you upwards to $500 with over a thousand from which to choose. For Mike, who will fine tune your Challenger if need be, it is all about the craft. The craft is handed down and given freely to those who will carry on the livelihood of cut-down calls. Originally starting in 1997, with two other partners buying in for some

injection molds and numerous trade shows, Challenger hit a period of growth but then slowed severely. Mike chose to buy out his partners and let the call business sit for a while. Being a 37-year retiree of AT&T, Mike knew a thing or two about having to adjust to schedules and demand. Resurgence in the business happened just when Mike thought the flight was over with the advent of social media. The Internet gave Challenger Duck Calls the ability to share the craft worldwide and changed business overnight. Now, Challenger Duck Calls are sold via social media and at one place locally, Louisiana Purchases on North 18th in Monroe, where he keeps about 6-10 calls on the shelves. His packaging is a photo of Mike and his dad way back hunting out of a blind on Wham Brake. The nostalgia of his duck call packaging can be instantly seen and felt. You can’t wait to get the call and start work on this one-of-a-kind, custom-crafted, cut-down call. But wait, as Mike states, “Put up all of your other calls first!” I knew what he meant. “You can’t have any easy stock shelf call on your lanyard and try to call a Challenger…. It just doesn’t work that way.” Cut-downs take a certain bit of work and tons of practice to make them sound like your winged prey. Even then, you may just have to give Mike a

call for a custom filing of your call….and no he doesn’t mind one bit. He wants you to be the most successful caller you can be. That is just how Mike Benton is and how Challenger Duck Calls have become the custom craft call of the duck hunting industry. On the afternoon we met, his long-time friend, Kevin Hudson, was there when I arrived. It was enlightening to sit and listen to them discuss how they came to the current knowledge base in the art of duck calling. You see, there are many styles, opinions, variations, modes of etiquette, in the world of duck hunting, and more importantly, the use of a duck call. The settings, the group of hunters, the type of weather and the time of year all determine their approach to calling the ducks. As Mike stated, “It kills me to know the duck didn’t know what I had to say….” Mike continued, “Some say calling loud or loudest scares the ducks away, a recurring theme for many a hunter, but I say if I can see them, I’m going to try them.” We see it every day in the hunting world. A new decoy, new type of boat motor, new type of boat, overhauled engines with more horsepower, use of layout boats to name a few. So as I listened, cut-down calls seem to be one of the first adaptations to the primary tool for duck hunting. The way in which your call can WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | DECEMBER 2017 75

give you just a little bit of an edge over the next group of guys is what we all want. Mike and Kevin added, “There is nothing better than having four to five guys using the Challenger together in unison, listening to what each other is doing, then translating that up towards the ducks.” “You just have to see these ducks, barely visible, hearing the guys using the Challenger and dropping like bricks out to the sky into our decoys!” I have to tell on myself for just a second. Mike asked me, “Trent, how did you get word or hear about Challenger Duck Calls?” I stated my wife, Cassie, texted me your number and told me to get with you for the story. Mike shrugged a bit and said, “Ok.” Well, that didn’t sit, for I knew Mike really wanted to know how we got word. So, I asked my wife…..here is the interesting part….”I bought you his call last year from Louisiana Purchases!” Needless to say, I didn’t make a hunt last year nor break out my Challenger Duck Call. So, I told Mike my funny story and promised him that this year I would take all my other calls off my lanyard and run just with my Challenger. So, I would ask that each of you check out Mike Benton via Facebook or get down to Louisiana Purchases to buy your locally made, customcrafted cut-down Challenger Duck Call. I promise you won’t regret it! May your limits be full, and your travels safe!

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B AYOUKID Z

FOOD, FUN AND FELLOWSHIP Making Holiday Gift Giving Into a Family Activity

article by Cindy G. Foust

t’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas, everywhere you go… soon the bells will start, and the thing that will make them ring is the carol that you sing, right within your heart.” Yes, readers, I have already started listening to Christmas music, and I might, just might, have already started decorating for the most wonderful time of year. I know, I know, we are still eating through the piles of Halloween candy and haven’t even carved the bird, and I’m already rushing the Christmas season. Judge if you must, but I so enjoy this time of year, all the lights, the trees and the festiveness of the season. Every year I debate this month’s column, and wonder, what can I write about that will really inspire my readers during the holidays? I spend a lot of time wondering what it is you would like to hear from me about?. Hot toy lists? Hot chocolate recipes? How to keep your tinsel from being tangled? Who to call if you get in an “altercation” over a Black Friday sale item? Never one to shy away from writing about ways to strengthen your family core, I got to thinking about that “old” song I just quoted and what it means to actually have Christmas in your heart. Wait, I really think my own heart episode might be directing my computer keys for this one. I mean, who am I, the Grinch? But think about it readers, how much of the season do we really stop and enjoy? Rather I think, most of us, myself included, never really stop and enjoy those lights, or the trees or just sitting around with your family watching a Christmas movie. A couple years ago I wrote a column about being a Secret Santa to someone less fortunate; someone not in good health, or perhaps someone who is aging. I got a lot of great feedback on that, and actually, my family participated in that very cool endeavor, as well. It was very inspirational and the entire family (and some close friends) all got in on the action. In short, it was a stark reminder that we shouldn’t take our health for granted, and that slowing everything down to do something for someone who is struggling is what the season should really be about. With some of those same thoughts in mind, I started thinking about what should be on the hot seat for this month’s column. If not a Secret Santa, how about incorporating the three “F’s,” you know, food, fun and fellowship, into a family project? Now, most of my

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readers who know me by now, know that I love my kitchen, and I love to cook for my family and friends. So, anytime I can integrate food into the adventure, I am going to do so. So here’s my suggestion for Christmas 2017, readers…sit down with your family, during dinner, or call a “family meeting,” and make a list of some of your closest family and friends. As a point of reference, and our list changes from year to year, but we usually have 10-12 family or friends on our list. Next, make a list of some different treats that will movtivate you to get in the kitchen and cook together, as a family. Now, for many of you “non-cooking” readers out there, who will lose total interest at this point and go buy 12 bottles of wine or 12 fruitcakes, hear me out before you turn the page away from my column. This doesn’t have to be about making homemade divinity that you have to make on a day when it isn’t cloudy (I’m not sure if this is an old wife’s tale, but it sounds plausible) or using a candy thermometer. Don’t over think this! Especially if you have small children who want to “help,” you certainly don’t want to be worried about getting your fudge to the hard ball stage with your little ones underfoot. There are quite a few things that can be prepared for our “project,” that will be fun, easy and delicious to share with the names on our list. Some of the recipes that we like to cook are different flavors of cupcakes, chocolate covered pretzels, sugar cookies and little pound cakes. Wait, I almost forgot my favorite, which is “trash” (you know, with pretzels, Chex cereal and anything else you want to throw in there.) A really super easy, and inexpensive way to wrap it up for your loved ones is to head to the dollar store or the local retail giant, and buy some of those little Christmas metal trays for a buck. Then my family spends time in the kitchen, in the few days before Christmas, preparing all the treats. The fun part is starting the assembly line, when we divide everything up and everyone helps put everything we made on all the trays. I have to admit, my kids aren’t as enthused as they used to be, when they were younger, but after we get the Saran wrap on the trays and tape a cool gift tag “From the Fousts” to the food care package, they really enjoy going with us to deliver them. It’s really funny now, because these same family and friends whom

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Bayou Pages

NIGHTSTANDS & COFFEE TABLES One for Him, One for Her, One for Each of You

ince as far back as there has been artificial lighting, husbands and wives have read beside one another at night. Chances are that, at some point, you’ve considered giving your significant other a book or two as gifts. Maybe it’s a great biography about someone he admires or a simple book of poems you know she’ll just love. But when you see the book, feel it, you just know it’s the one. For this Christmas, BayouLife has selected three books – a pair for him and her, and one we think you both should read – that we believe will make the perfect nighttime reading material. Best of all, when you get finished with the gift you’ve been given, it’s sure to pique the interests of the impassioned reader next to you. So once your partner’s finished with their amazingly thoughtful gifts, consider swapping so you can get lost in the worlds they’ve just spent the last hours in. Here are our choices. For Him Artemis By Andy Weir Former NASA engineer Andy Weir exploded on the scene in 2011 with his immaculately researched novel, The Martian, which chronicles the unlikely survival of a mouthy, glib and utterly infatuating astronaut, Mark Watney. With Artemis, Weir’s back. This time, the central character of the book isn’t a lippy astronaut. Instead, his latest novel follows the (mis)adventures of Jazz, a sarcastic, hyperintelligent petty criminal who lives in the titular Artemis, a city on the moon.

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REVIEWS BY MICHAEL DEVAULT When Jazz is approached by even shadier figures who propose she sabotage mining equipment, she sees the opportunity to pull off the perfect caper and cement for herself a future as one of Artemis’s wealthy citizens. As she plots to pull off the crime, her patrons’ proposals begin to unravel and soon, Jazz finds herself at the epicenter of a fight for the future of Artemis itself. Fans of The Martian will recognize shades of Watney in Jazz. They’ll also notice the intricate plot and the care Weir has taken to craft the city itself. What they won’t find is a sequel to The Martian. While Weir’s previous novel took great pains to establish a direct connection to the “real world” of today, the conceit of Artemis is wholly his brainchild, and in this effort, Weir scores – and scores big. For Her Milk and Honey By Rupi Kaur Canadian poet Rupi Kaur’s Milk and Honey isn’t a traditional book, even in the world of poetry, where experimentation reigns supreme. When she first published the book in 2014, she paid for the printing herself. No mainstream publishers found it interesting. Lucky for us, after a modest run as a self-published author, a publisher picked up the black-clad collection and, today, Milk and Honey ranks as one of the most important contemporary works of poetry in the last 20 years. The poems in Milk and Honey track some of the most difficult issues facing society today, from violence against women, questions of what love is, and the very heart of feminism itself. Any one of the poems is a case study in subtlety, as most of

the poems are five lines long or fewer. Throughout the book, Kaur’s simple, linedrawn illustrations provide added complexity and beauty and, on a whole, Milk and Honey seems to demand that readers reach within themselves to find the meaning beneath the page. For You Both Leonardo da Vinci By Walter Isaacson When CNN exec turned biographer Walter Isaacson’s biography of Benjamin Franklin hit shelves, Isaacson quickly established himself as one of the preeminent voices in biography today. He followed up that success with Einstein: A Life, and Steve Jobs – both of which led to bigbudget Hollywood treatments. Isaacson returns with Leonardo da Vinci, an epic portrait of the scientist, artist and man. As with his previous efforts, Isaacson trains his journalist’s eye on getting the details right. Readers spend significant time alongside da Vinci in the Medici family’s Italy, working in his workshop and interacting with his wealthy patrons. Where Isaacson really shines is the reconstruction of da Vinci’s relationships and how those relationships drove his work. Clocking in at a monumental 624 impeccably researched and sourced pages, Isaacson’s da Vinci leverages his voice and vision to transport readers into the world of the Renaissance Master and to, perhaps, unlock the complexities hidden inside one of history’s most diverse, talented, and enigmatic figures.

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Natural Wonder Local bon vivant and all-around great guy Will Copeland styles his Christmas mantle au natural. “My mantle is a classic with a casual elegance and natural feel to it,” he says. Copeland uses a combination of cedar, fir, magnolia, tallow berries, sugar cones and fresh pears. He adds, “I have a collection I pull from to create my holiday decorations each year and try to incorporate fresh elements. I think that holiday decorations should enhance your existing décor and stay in keeping with the feel of your home.” Copeland’s advice: Use what you have and love, whether it’s your art or family heirlooms. Tradition matters! You don’t have to redecorate your whole house for the holidays. Styled by WILL COPELAND | Photo by MARTIN G MEYERS

Modern Mantle Designer and co-owner of Fine Folks Taylor Bennett amps up the holiday spirit with this modern mantle. Using cypress and fir garland as a starting point, Bennett takes a hue cue from the large abstract painting by Meredith Pardue. Rose gold glitter encrusted Christmas trees and branches, gold acanthus leaves and center â&#x20AC;&#x153;starâ&#x20AC;? of glittered yucca leaves are woven into the garland. Five brass candlesticks of varying height with creamy tall tapers add a warm glow and sparkle. Styled by TAYLOR BENNETT Photo by MARTIN G MEYERS

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Mirror Mirror In-the-know interior designer and party planner Gregory Hudgins uses gilded antique mirrors and an exquisite oil painting sourced from Traditions, located on Antique Alley in West Monroe, as the focal point of his mantle. To add to the holiday spirit, Hudgins cut fresh magnolia which will stay green for weeks even without a water source to layer atop the frames, adding streamers of wired French velvet ribbon. Cut crystal vases, also from Traditions, are filled with a combination of ruby red roses, circus roses and fresh cranberries. To complete the mantle, Gregory layers on fresh cut magnolia branches, organic oranges and crimson pomegranates. A fiddleleaf fig echos the deep green of the magnolia leaves. Gregoryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s chairs are vintage Century and are reupholstered in a Duralee stripe which is mirrored in the colors of flowers, fruit and foliage on the mantle. Styled by Gregory Hudgins | Photo by MARTIN G MEYERS

H O L I D AY SPIRITS These crowd-pleasing cocktails are sure to put your guests in a holly jolly mood this holiday season. Photo by MARTIN G MEYERS Styling by MARÉ BRENNAN

C H O CO LATE MA R TI N I ( Tr i o ’s ) Wet martini glass rim and dip into crushed peppermint candies. Turn upright and swirl chocolate syrup on the inside of glass. In a martini shaker pour whole milk, 1 oz. of vanilla-flavored vodka, 1/2 oz. of Godiva chocolate liqueur, 1/2 oz. of creme de cacao with ice. Shake vigorously to form ice crystals on top.

O LD FASHIO NE D ( Washington Wine & Spirit s ) Mix 1 tsp. of sugar mixed with 1 tsp. of water and pour into glass. Add 2 oz. Blade and Bow Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey. Mix in 3-4 dashes of Jack Rudy Small Batch Aromatic Bitters and 1 Filthy Maraschino Cherry. Top with ice cube and garnish with orange peel.

POMEGR A N ATE CH AMPAGN E PUN C H (Ma kes Punc h Bowl Se r v i n g) Bring 1/2 cup water and sugar to boil in small saucepan, stirring until sugar dissolves. Simmer 5 minutes. Cool syrup completely. Combine 2 750-ml bottles of chilled brut Champagne, 1 1/2 cups of white rum and 1 1/4 cups pomegranate juice in punch bowl. Add enough syrup to sweeten to taste. Mix in 1 large lemon (sliced), pomegranate seeds and mint leaves. Add ice block to bowl.

H EN D R I C K ’S RO S EMA RY & LEMO N CO LLI N S Mix 1/4 cup Hendrick’s gin, 2 tbsp. simple syrup, 1 tbsp. fresh-squeezed lemon juice and ice in a shaker. Shake vigorously and strain into a glass with ice. Top with club soda and garnish with lemon wheel and rosemary sprig.

TH E TI PSY CAT ( To n o r e ’s Wi ne Cel l ar) Muddle 3 slices of cucumber and 2 fresh lemon slices in the bottom of a cocktail shaker with 3/4 oz. elderflower liqueur. Add 1 1/2 oz. Cathead Honeysuckle Vodka. Double strain mixture to a martini glass. Add a splash of club soda. Garnish with cucumber and lemon slices.

3D Mammography Peace of Mind at a Whole New Dimension

REAST CANCER IS THE SECOND LEADING CAUSE of cancer death among women. Every year in the United States, close to 260,000 women, including mothers, wives, sisters, friends and daughters are diagnosed with breast cancer. The types of cancer are as diverse and unique as the women themselves. But the good news is that when diagnosed early, the five-year survival rate is nearly 100 percent. Early detection through regular mammograms is the key to diagnosing and beating breast cancer. Glenwood Regional Medical Center’s Breast Center provides state-of-the-art digital mammography services in surroundings that offer a sense of comfort, privacy and assurance, in a spa-like atmosphere. Whether you are coming to see us for the first time with a breast problem or visiting for a routine checkup, the staff at the Glenwood Breast Center is ready to answer your questions and address your issues. All the physicians and mammography staff are certified with The American College of Radiology – ACR – and the FDA to assure the highest level of testing accuracy. Once testing is concluded, results are diagnosed and forwarded to the patient’s physician within 24 – 48 hours. Glenwood’s new 3D Mammography (breast tomosynthesis) is an advanced form of breast imaging that uses a low-dose x-ray system and computer reconstructions to create three-dimensional images of the breasts. While mammography is the best screening tool for breast cancer available today, it does not detect all breast cancers. Breast tomosynthesis overcomes some of the limitations of standard mammography especially in women with denser breast tissue. Two of the top benefits are improving the early detection of breast cancer and providing peace of mind due to greater clarity and accuracy. This increased accuracy reduces the number of callbacks, sparing women the inconvenience, anxiety and expense of coming back for further imaging. The multiple images of breast tissue slices give radiologists clearer images which makes it easier to detect breast cancer, even in dense tissue. WALK-IN MAMMOGRAMS Busy women shouldn’t neglect their health. We’ve made it easier to stay in check by offering walk-in screening mammograms to allow

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women to have their annual checkup and mammogram all in one day, or to stop by when it’s a convenient time for them. After we receive a physician’s order, our staff verifies the patient’s information before the exam. Once the screening is complete, the images are evaluated by a radiologist who reports directly to the patient’s provider within days. BREAST PATIENT NAVIGATION PROGRAM • Serving as a consistent contact person, advocate and guide for patients, their families and caregivers throughout the treatment journey. • Guiding patients through their diagnosis, treatment options and care plans • Improving access to community resources and to patient support services • Providing practical organizational assistance BREAST HEALTH CENTER SERVICES: • 2D & 3D Digital Mammography with computer-aided detection • Ultrasound • Dexascan for bone density • MRI with computer-aided detection • Breast intervention/biopsy • Dexascan for bone density • Breast Patient Navigation Program • WOW Yoga Classes The Glenwood Breast Health Center provides services at two convenient locations: The Glenwood Medical Mall, Suite 300, in West Monroe; and Glenwood Imaging, 3995 Sterlington Road, Suite B, in North Monroe. All screening mammograms and other testing requires a physician’s order. To schedule a mammogram, call 318-329-8585 or visit us online at www.GlenwoodMammo.com.

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Now Trending Holiday Gift Guide The Nude Nomad

ICKING OUT THE PERFECT present is hard enough as it is! That is why we have hand picked four trending styles to take the stress out of your holiday shopping. From lush velvets to handcrafted jewelry, you cannot go wrong with this season’s must-have styles! Here at The Nude Nomad, we have curated the perfect gift guide that is sure to impress. LUSH VELVETS Velvet is one of the hottest trends to hit the runway in 2017 and has become a staff fave at The Nude Nomad. Comfortable and effortless styles are some of the first things we pull for our customers, and we cannot get enough of the fabric’s tactile softness and gleaming finish. From lavish velvet jackets to buttery soft velvet bottoms, elevate your style to a level of sophistication that can only be achieved with this luxurious fabric. We have a variety of options that are sure to be the “IT” look at every party this holiday season. Our embroidered velvet dusters are easy to rock and add a bit of an old and refined decadent vibe to any outfit. ELOQUENT EMBROIDERY Embroidery is also on our fashion radar this holiday season, and no one does it better than Johnny Was! Johnny Was is all about clothes that cross cultures and defy trends. With a bohemian spirit and a true sense of authenticity, each piece is hand embroidered with the most exquisite designs and made from the most luxurious fabrics. The Nude Nomad carries Johnny 92 DECEMBER 2017 | WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM

Was and several other lines at a variety of price points, featuring embroidered sweaters, booties, dusters, dresses, tops, leggings, and more. Many of the velvets are accented with embroidery as well. PRECIOUS PEARLS We’re loving pearls this season! They are a timeless classic that can transform any outfit into a chic and polished look. Whether you are looking for something simple and understated or trendy and unique, The Nude Nomad has countless handmade options for your special someone. Some of this season’s trending pearl styles break away from the basic white pearl and are updated with multi colored neutrals, grey, rose, and gold tones to take an outfit from day to night. We are also seeing fresh water pearls in all shapes and sizes mixed with gold, graphite, and other metals. A few of our handcrafted favorites include vintage-inspired multi-pearl drop earrings, dainty cross necklaces, statement bracelets, geometric earrings, and the now trending “Y” necklace. If you are not familiar with the “Y” necklace, it is a stunning design that falls beautifully in a “Y” shape to create a unique neckline and add the perfect elegant touch to any holiday look. ANDREA BARNETT DESIGNS An Andrea Barnett design can be spotted from a mile away! She puts her personal touch on all of her handmade jewelry, using religious medals, authentic gemstones, freshwater pearls, and vintage

chains. Her styles are versatile enough to be worn daily and layered, but she is also known for her signature statement pieces. For that truly special person, an Andrea Barnett cross necklace will be worn and enjoyed for years to come. Andrea Barnett has collaborated with the owners of The Nude Nomad to design many styles that are exclusively available at their boutique. Regardless of whether you are looking for budget friendly gift options for stocking stuffers or want to go all out to show that special someone how much you care, The Nude Nomad should be the first stop for your holiday shopping! The friendly staff will help you pick the perfect gift or outfit. We have something for women of all ages, making The Nude Nomad a one stop shopping experience! Love it all and not sure which gift you would like to give? Gift certificates are a fail proof option that everyone loves to receive. We are open Monday - Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., at 222 Trenton St., West Monroe, LA 71291. Be the first to know about our holiday promotions and new arrivals by joining our fashion adventure on Facebook and Instagram: @thenudenomad.

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BAYOU ICON

THREE

SHEPHERDS How “giving back” means giving to the community’s least fortunate and most neglected article by Michael DeVault | photos by Martin G Meyers

ill Dye and his wife were pastoring a church in Texas and building a house when they got the call. For Michael Sammons, the call came soon after he resigned as pastor of his church, and he and his wife were packing their belongings, literally unsure of where they were going to live, much less what they’d be doing. Lynn Daniel knew she wanted to provide help to women in the community, but the type of help had been up in the air for a long time. In the cases of each of these three individuals, the word ministry is about more than just preaching a message or telling someone about Jesus. Ministry for Dye, Sammons, and Daniel is a hands-on confrontation of the problems they encounter each day, as they meet them. Along the way, these three have helped create a safety net of truly transformative community organizations that impact thousands of lives a month – and in the simplest of all ways: the ways of Jesus. And through the lives of each of these ministers of the Gospel, a common thread runs: they each took a leap of faith. “I had tendered my resignation from the church where I was at, not knowing where we were going to go, where we were going to land or how we were going to land. We just knew it was the right thing to do,” recalls Sammons of the day he told his wife they were moving to Ouachita Parish. “A friend called out of the blue and said, ‘I don’t know why, but I just feel led to call you and ask you, do you need a house?’ We hadn’t even told our family yet that we had resigned.” Dye’s story is just as compelling. He and his wife were at a church in Bridgeport, Texas. At the time, neither of the Dyes had any designs on leaving Bridgeport. They were so committed to the community that they’d were amidst building a home when the call came. North Monroe Baptist Church needed a pastor, and they were interested in Dye. “My wife was not exactly a happy camper at the time,” Dye says. “It was our first house.” Nevertheless, they visited North Monroe and both fell in love with the church, which Dye says even then exhibited a servant-hearted attitude toward the community. That was 2001. When Lynn Daniel’s

call came, the leap of faith she took didn’t require moving. Instead, she’d have to stay put, relying on faith in the face of tremendous adversity. While she wasn’t exactly a Monroe native – she was born in Minnesota and moved south with her family when she was 10 – Daniel grew up in the Twin Cities, graduating from Neville High School in 1973. She attended college with designs on becoming a graphic designer. But the call of the ministry was strong, and she worked in churches for more than 20 years, beginning when she was just 17. By 1992, Daniel could see her church ministry future was coming to a close, and she knew her next step was to take her ministry to the heart of the community, to find people in need and serve those needs. Confirmation of that mission came when the owner of the Alvis Hotel approached her. The Alvis Hotel was a 7-story Renaissance Revival building situated on the corner of 4th Street and Desiard in downtown Monroe. Built in 1928 by Monroe developer Fred Kalil, the hotel had been abandoned for more than 20 years. The current owner told Daniel she could have the hotel for whatever ministry God was calling her to, and all she had to pay was the back taxes on the seven-story building. Other area ministries and churches stepped up to provide support. But the project would never come to fruition because local leadership opposed her plans. “They decided they didn’t want that downtown,” Daniel says. “Talk about the death of a vision, it just kind of died.” If temporarily, Daniel’s hopes of a downtown ministry were blocked. Daniel moved on from that location and, relying on faith, continued to search for what her mission would become. Meanwhile, the Alvis Hotel caught fire several times, and in 1998 the hotel was demolished. The lot remains empty to this day. Daniel’s mission became apparent when she pledged to support “the biggest need in the community” – whatever that may be. She commissioned a survey and, after receiving responses from professionals, ministers, caregivers and other leaders, her mission became clear. “Over 300 responses came back from clinics to the walking public, WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | DECEMBER 2017 95

that there was a need for helping people with a drug addiction and other related problems,” Daniel says. Her course set, Daniel took the first steps, holding community meetings at the Osterland Recreation Center and forming a 501(c)3. As their local missions grew, each of these individuals – and their families, friends, and multitudes of volunteers – remained committed to ministry, and ministry in the purest sense of the word. Dye sums up the idea of Christian ministry succinctly. “One of our philosophies is, if you see a need, then meet it,” Dye says. “If you see a weed, pull it. Whatever the Lord puts before you becomes yours.” It’s a sentiment echoed by Sammons and Daniel, each of whom also minister to individuals where they are, in their moment of greatest need. For Sammons, that need is met at Ray of Hope, a food pantry in the heart of Monroe’s Southside community. For Daniel, it’s Rays of Sonshine, a sprawling network of drug treatment and residential support facilities for women. For North Monroe Baptist Church, with campuses in Monroe and Bastrop that serve thousands of members, the mission of ministry includes local community outreach at the Desiard Street Shelter, handson local and national disaster relief, adopting Swayze Elementary School, and dozens of other needs the church and its members meet by a one-on-one basis every day.

MICHAEL SAMMONS

n a busy Monday in November, Michael Sammons is at the Ray of Hope, a sprawling, 5,000 square-foot warehouse facility situated just off Winnsboro Road in southern Monroe. The building is home to a food pantry and a thrift store. Looking around the facility, Sammons can hardly believe the growth the ministry has seen in the 15 years it’s been operating. Moreover, everything the facility is, has been driven not just by meeting needs of the clients. The volunteers themselves are what keep the facility operating and growing. “We’re totally dependent on those volunteers,” Sammons says. On this particular Monday, he estimated 17 or so volunteers were in the facility, drawn from all faiths, all races, and all ages. Moreover, many of the volunteers 96 DECEMBER 2017 | WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM

have been there since the beginning. “Some of them have been with us 12, 13 years, some a decade, and some just joined us this year.” Where Ray of Hope sits today is a far cry from where it started just a few years ago. In fact, Sammons can hardly believe what’s transpired over the last 15 years. The ministry began, quite literally, as an operation out of the Sammons’ living room – in that house a friend had provided. A couple of other facilities came and went in the interim, including a much larger, 2,000 square-foot facility, before they settled into the location they have today. One of the biggest surprises for Sammons has been how the work affects the volunteers, how they quickly integrate Ray of Hope into their lives. They come multiple times a week, work hour after hour distributing food and care to those in need, and always express their appreciation for having a place to go to minister to others. “That’s one thing that caught me off guard,” Sammons says. “I knew we’d be meeting the needs of people in plight,

sharing the gospel of Christ, and the love and hope that’s available through Him. But I’d completely overlooked the need that it was going to supply for our volunteers.” That need includes giving senior citizens the motivation to get out and get involved, and more importantly, offering area Christians an outlet to be of service to one another. And because the volunteers find the work so fulfilling and enriching, they spread the word. That’s how Robert, 46, found himself working his first Thursday at the food pantry. “I had a man who goes to my Sunday School class,” says Robert. “He’d been talking about it the last couple of Sundays. I figured since he was good enough to share it with me, I should come see what it was about.” After a day of helping load bags full of groceries and carting boxes out to patrons’ cars, Robert says he will definitely be back. The sense of fulfillment he’s received is unlike anything he’s experienced before. “It was wonderful. I really felt uplifted to help people,” he says. “A lot of the people

LYNN DANIEL

really needed the things they got, and it made me feel honored.” By the time Sammons could peel himself away from the busy work of this particular Monday, around lunchtime, and spend a few minutes talking about the ministry, Ray of Hope had served more than 100 families. He expected just as many would come through before the end of business. That’s a lot of food and a lot of ministry. The food they distribute comes from a variety of sources. They’re an official agency of the Food Bank of Northeast Louisiana, from which much of their distribution comes. They also receive support from other area nonprofits, government programs, and private donations. Area corporations, too, provide contributions. One business contributor does so without credit – preserving their anonymity is a condition of their involvement. Support comes from far beyond the Twin Cities, too. Once, Sean Peyton sent an 18-wheeler full of food to Ray of Hope.

All along the way, Sammons and his volunteers feed bodies and souls at the same time. For many of the visitors who come through the doors in search of food, it’ll be their only interaction with Christians – and that provides the volunteers an opportunity to deliver ministry to their souls, as well. “They may not come into the facility looking for Christ, but we’re there to make sure they experience him in some shape or form,” Sammons says. A few minutes later, he notes Ray of Hope’s unofficial motto. “We’re not here to send people to Hell with a full belly. If all we’ve done is put food in their belly, how have we helped them where eternity is concerned?” In any given month, Ray of Hope distributes food to 1,100 families, which translates to more than 2,500 individuals. In one of the poorest regions of the country, the food and goods Ray of Hope distributes is a vital service for one of the most under-served and neglected segments of society.

ynn Daniel’s network of residential treatment and rehabilitation facilities is a far cry from where Rays of Sonshine began. Their first ministries began as a drug therapy program in a rented building on the corner of North 3rd and Arkansas Streets in Monroe. Daniel and a handful of volunteers delivered drug treatment to men using the Life Link technique, which treats and supports the whole individual in a community setting. As the operation at North 3rd grew, the opportunity arose for Daniel to purchase the building, which she did. Operations expanded to include a community kitchen. All the while, the organization remained focused on men. The ministry shifted a few years in when the Department of Health and Hospitals approached Daniel with a request. DHS liked the results they were seeing with Rays of Sonshine’s men’s treatment program. They wanted Daniel to create a similar program for women. Daniel and her team examined the problems, and before long, their path was clear. “We finally found a place to convert into a life facility for women,” Daniel says. “Eventually, we graduated the men out of the program and became a women’s residential recovery center.” Quite soon, DHS returned with a new set of problems they hoped Daniel could address. Women who were tackling substance abuse programs were one thing. It was another all together when the woman facing down addiction had a family. Few places in Louisiana provided residential addiction recovery for women with children. That meant women who had children, who were addicted to drugs, and who needed help, couldn’t get treatment without giving up their children first. This need struck Daniel to the core, and Rays of Sonshine set about transforming itself again. Or, to put it another way, they began responding to the need that had been placed before them. Daniel had two women’s treatment houses side by side, and between them sat an WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | DECEMBER 2017 97

BAYOU ICON

empty lot, which the organization owned. They knew this was the ideal spot for a residential support facility for women with children, but building a new structure was cost-prohibitive. Then, one morning, they found the answer to their prayers in the classifieds. A textile company, AmeriPride, was expanding operations at its Louisville Avenue location, and in anticipation of growth, the company had purchased two lots on Hudson Lane, behind the facility. The purchase had included two houses. Rather than demolish the houses to make room for the expansion, AmeriPride was offering the houses up to whoever wanted them – so long as the recipients moved them. “We moved the two houses to the lot that connected to the other home in Monroe,” Daniel says. Moving two houses wasn’t without challenges. “It was quite a feat to bring those two houses through downtown Monroe.” Nevertheless, they succeeded. The homes were placed on the lot and renovated. Just before Rays of Sonshine was ready to cut the ribbon on the new facilities, a fire struck one of their residences next door, damaging the new properties. A 6-month setback, some additional renovations, and the recognition of additional needs, the organization finally opened the region’s only residential addiction recovery facility that could accommodate women with children. More needs followed as the organization became more embedded in the community. Women who sought treatment came, predominately, from communities with lower levels of education than other sectors of the community. An education facility followed. Later, Daniel and Rays of Sonshine added vocational training to the mix. Within just a decade, Rays of Sonshine evolved into an addiction center that treats the whole individual, tending their needs and helping prepare them for the world. These days, Rays of Sonshine has embarked on a permanent supportive housing program, at the behest of WellSpring. They’ve renovated a three-story home on Breard into an 8-unit apartment complex. And they’re looking to the future. Current plans call for the eventual construction or acquisition of 150 housing units or more. Daniel says that, so long as there is a need, she hopes to help fill it. That includes immediate needs. “We’re needing to build 7 more houses -- three and four bedroom homes for families with more children,” Daniel says. These days, the organization is beginning to see more and more women with more than two children, which precipitates the need for larger homes. Looking ahead, she has big plans on many fronts. “We have a dream of having a farm, a place outside of Monroe where we can put people where they won’t have such a draw to leave and just walk to a place where they can get drugs.” 98 DECEMBER 2017 | WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM

One area she’s most proud of is the volunteerism aspects of Rays of Sonshine’s rehabilitation programs. The program consists of former drug convicts and addicts volunteering in the organization’s food kitchen. “When the women graduate from us, the exit survey shows that one of the most impactful things they’ve learned is that they have something of value to offer to the community,” Daniel says. Rays of Sonshine continues to flesh out new areas of ministry. When a board member passed away and left the organization a substantial sum of money, the influx of funds enabled Rays of Sonshine to build a state-of-the-art emergency shelter facility. Other ministries have developed, as well. They’ll celebrate their 20th anniversary next year.

BILL DYE

ill Dye’s ministry at North Monroe Baptist Church began with a phone call and a visit to the congregation – what is known in ministry circles as “coming in view of a call.” What first impressed him about the church were the people and their attitude. “They were a great church, great people, with a great spirit,” he says. “Even then, it was a real, servant-hearted church.” Unlike Sammons and Daniel, Dye’s ministry is centered on a single church community and the efforts that church can make to be a transformative force within the larger community it serves. As such, North Monroe Baptist Church works extensively with ministries throughout northeastern Louisiana to meet needs. As a church body, on the group ministry level, or as individuals, North Monroe members support Rays of Sonshine, Ray of Hope, Family Promise, and dozens more area providers. That includes reaching out on an individual-needs basis. Recently, the men’s group held their customary luncheon. During the course of the luncheon, one of the men brought forward the story of a Bastrop mother whose young daughter had been murdered. The mother, who worked full time as a waitress, couldn’t afford to make funeral arrangements for her daughter. The men’s group collected an

offering and, in short order, had raised more than $1,000 to help defray the cost of providing the young girl a funeral. Another gathering resulted in another outpouring of support, in this instance on a much larger scale. In early March 2016, North Monroe Baptist Church was in the middle of raising money to improve its facilities on Finks Hideaway Road. On the morning of their fundraiser, Dye says God showed them a larger need. Flood waters were rising into homes across Ouachita Parish, and the rain was showing no signs of stopping. North Monroe Baptist Church has long been the home of a disaster response ministry, which it has dispatched dozens of times, from New Orleans and Katrina to Oklahoma City and the devastating tornado there. This time, the disaster was close to home. Without missing a beat, the church changed course. That day, they pledged more than $100,000 for local flood recovery. The church also

distributed 20,000 meals over the course of the weeks following, and went into houses throughout the community to engage in the needs of the community. “We knew then,” Dye says. “We said, ‘What we do during this time will define who we are in people’s lives and memory.’ That became a real marker for us.” The church owns a mobile disaster response kitchen is capable of serving thousands of meals a day. They also dispatch recovery and support teams that specialize in helping individuals in the immediate aftermath and recovery process. During recent hurricanes and flooding in south Texas, they sent four teams to affected areas. One trip in particular speaks to the church’s “meet the need” philosophy. Entergy had dispatched teams to the affected areas, and they had restored power to many locations. However, none of the grocery stores were stocked, which meant the communities

and the people sent to help them had no ready source of food and supplies. North Monroe Baptist Church secured an 18-wheeler, went to Sam’s Club, and loaded the truck before sending it south with one of its recovery teams. For Dye and the folks at North Monroe Baptist Church, it was just another day at the office. “We can’t meet every need that’s put before us, but I don’t know many people we turn away,” Dye says. “Our core identity and our core values — it’s not just social justice. our primary mission is the Gospel, but we realize that, to bring the gospel, we can’t just care for their soul and not care for their bodies.” Dye notes the church exists on a “balanced diet” of its five core missions: worship, discipleship, evangelism, ministry and service, and fellowship. That means North Monroe Baptist Church faces outward into the community. Dye says service is “built into the DNA” of the church. “We exist for the benefit of our nonmembers,” he says. “It’s not about ‘you.’ We try to be purposeful and attentionful.”

The impacts these three individuals and the organizations they lead are as immeasurable as the lives they’ve touched. Throughout the past 15 to 20 years, each of these ministers – and dozens more like them – have become pillars of a community in need, a vital source for support for believers and nonbelievers alike. It would be incorrect to assume that Dye, Daniel, and Sammons are alone in this mission. For every Brother Bill, Rev. Sammons, and Sister Lynn, there are a dozen or more individuals equally worthy of recognition, honor, and support. Yet, the constraints of time and space limit the possibility of calling attention to each and every one. Moreover, for each organization or individual willing to talk about their ministries, there are more – like that nameless corporate supporter who serves anonymously – who eschew public mention. It is in the honor of all of these service providers, ministers of the Gospel, and those who help in a time of need that BayouLife has selected Bill, Michael, and Lynn – three servants – as BayouIcon for December. Merry Christmas.

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Ruston Holiday Arts Tour 2017 Tour Set for December 1-2

he first weekend of December is a special time for NCLAC with the 2017 Holiday Arts Tour. This is their 20th year! There will be 25 locations in downtown Ruston highlighting 38 artists, plus two private studios around town showcasing the artists who work there. The Holiday Arts Tour also known as “HAT” is NCLAC’s annual winter celebration where they feature all sorts of regional artists—writers, painters, sculptors, fiber artists, photographers, singers, percussionists, actors and more. On Friday from 4 - 9 p.m., and Saturday from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., artists will “set up shop” inside local merchants’ stores. Visitors can chat with the artists about the wonderful items they’ve created. Holiday Arts Tour is THE best place to do some Christmas shopping. Unique, handmade, one of a kind, local—what more could you want? In addition to the artists who are in the shops, they also have performing artists who will be stationed inside and outside around downtown, treating us with their talents. This year they have marimba, flute, R&B, mountain dulcimer and much more. These are scheduled for Friday evening and Saturday. Saturday morning kicks off with a live painting contest, the Holiday Art Brawl, inside the Historic Fire Station at 10 a.m. Participants will have one hour to create a work of art in front of an audience. Viewers are encouraged to vote on their favorite work of art by dropping dollars into a voting bucket. The artist with the most votes is the Art Brawl winner. Sprout Hour will be held at the Fire Station during this time, too, where three artists will provide free children’s art activities. In addition to voting on the Art Brawl winner, throughout the weekend Tour-goers can vote on their favorite HAT artist by dropping a ballot into the box inside Ruston Artisans. These ballots will determine the HAT People’s Choice Award. They’ll also have two Judge’s Choice winners, awarded by an outside judge who comes into town to view the HAT Group Exhibition at Ruston Artisans. Another component to HAT is artists’ demonstrations, and this year they will have calligraphy, wood carving, and screenprinting on Saturday afternoon. A beautiful bright pink booklet, designed by Mashall Smith, is available to guide you on the Tour. In it we’ve included each location, artist, performance and event so that you can map out your weekend. These are available at many downtown Ruston merchant locations. Check out their Facebook event for HAT so you can stay up to date with special posts about participating artists. Thanks to Fine Line Supply for their sponsorship of this event. HAT is also made possible by a grant from the Louisiana Division of the Arts, Office of Cultural Development, Department of Culture Recreation and Tourism in cooperation with the Louisiana State Arts Council and administered by the Shreveport Regional Art Council. So, enjoy Ruston’s Cultural District in historic Downtown Ruston for Holiday Arts Tour on December 1 and 2! All events are free and open to the public.

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N E W

Remember When We.. Y E A R ’ S

R E T R E AT S T O H E L P Y O U S E T T H E 2 0 1 8 W I T H S T Y L E A N D C O M F O R T

S TA G E

F O R

article by Michael DeVault

he presents are all tucked away, the tree’s down, and you’re just about done with the endless stream of friends and family. Yet, just five days after Christmas, you’re faced with another big-event holiday, New Year’s Eve, and the parties and the food and the…it can become exhausting! This year, skip all of that in lieu of a getaway with a special someone where you and your boo can ring in 2018 in the way you want to welcome it. Whether you want glitz and glam of the big city or a quiet, cozy cabin in the woods to look at the stars, there are a host of affordable, close getaways that are sure to make this New Year’s Eve the one that makes you say, “Honey, remember that New Year’s when we…” Best of all, these locations still have availability, are affordable, and won’t take a month of Sundays to get to. In fact, you won’t even have to navigate the airport for these exciting New Year’s celebrations. All you have to do is grab a bag and hop in the car. New Year’s at the Arlington Hot Springs, Arkansas The majestic Arlington Hotel is the grande dame of Bath House Row in Hot Springs, Arkansas. Situated in the heart of more than a dozen historic bathhouses, this grand hotel is perched on the side of a mountain overlooking

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downtown Hot Springs. Within walking distance of other major attractions – including some of the best dining in the south – the Arlington is one of the premier destinations for a weekend getaway. Each year, the Arlington Hotel doesn’t host a New Year’s Eve celebration. In fact, it hosts three. Each of the events carries with it a unique atmosphere and offers up something special to fit any taste. Festivities begin with the New Year’s Eve Celebration Buffet in the Venetian Dining Room. This isn’t your typical serve-yourself dinner. Yet, at just $36 per person, you’ll definitely feel transported to some place special as you meet fellow hotel guests from around the world. After dinner, you can attend the optional New Year’s Eve Festival party in the conference center. Tickets run just $45 per person and includes live music, party favors and a champagne toast at midnight. If a more refined experience is what you’re seeking, consider the Gala Dinner in the Crystal Ballroom. You and your companion will enjoy a five-course meal served in the elegant Crystal Ballroom, which has played host to stars of the silver screen and more than a few presidents. Dance the night away to the swinging sounds of Stardust Big Band, and chime in the New Year with a champagne toast. At $175 per person, it’s a little pricier than the Festival, but this black-tie-optional party is an event you won’t want to miss.

After the parties, all guests are invited to a late-night, or early morning to be more precise, black-eyed pea reception, just to make sure everyone kicks off their 2018 on the right foot. Romantic Nights at Nottaway White Castle, Louisiana If you’ve ever dreamed of passing an evening reading in an antebellum mansion, but the thought of ghosts at the Myrtles is too much for you to bear, look no further than White Castle, Louisiana, and Nottaway Plantation. This home is truly one of America’s castles, and it’s an easy drive away. At Nottaway, you can book an affordable room, enjoy a quiet dinner and relaxing afterdinner drink, then take a stroll through the gardens under the stars. Somewhere nearby, you’re sure to find a party or three if you want one, but the grounds and the facilities are spacious enough that, if solitude is what you’re seeking, you’ll find it. The next day, tour the house, visit nearby art galleries, museums and attractions, or bask in the splendor of Louisiana’s historic River Road. It’s the off season for tours, so you’ll want to plan ahead. Still, with just a little forethought, you’ll have an eventful, exciting, and utterly unforgettable few days.

B R E A K FA S T QUICHE

It is not holiday morning without this hearty quiche on Christmas morning. lb 1/2 1 1/2 1 1 4

Sausage – crumbled, cooked and drained cup seasoning blend cups shredded Colby Jack cheese small can mushrooms, drained and chopped into large pieces cup half and half or whole milk Eggs Salt and pepper to taste

Line ramekin cups (or pie plate) with pie crust. Cook sausage and seasoning blend together. Put into pie crust and top with cheese. In a separate bowl, mix eggs, milk, salt, pepper and mushrooms. Pour over sausage and cheese. Bake at 400º for 15 minutes, then lower heat to 350º for 35 minutes or until golden brown. Let stand for 5-10 minutes before serving.

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Happy HoliDaze at artspace! in Shreveport Yule Adore One-of-a-Kind Gifts Made by Northwest Louisiana Artists

DECK THE HALLS, FA LA LA, GOODY GUMDROPS and Holly Jolly! ‘Tis the Season for a holiday shopping spree and artspace at 708 Texas St., in downtown Shreveport is the place to rock around the Christmas tree. Three entire floors of one-of-a-kind gifts created by almost 30 Artists from Northwest Louisiana parishes are being featured in a wonderland setting throughout the holidays. Bring the entire family for shopping that will bring you peace on earth rather than the hustle and bustle of wandering the mall. The kids will enjoy special holiday make-andtake activities throughout the season in Santa’s Workshop. There is something new to unwrap and celebrate every week with special tablescape demonstrations, a wet felt ornament making workshop and late shopping hours (until 8 p.m.) on Thursdays. You’ll find UNexpected and UNcommon gifts of fine art by Artists selected to show and sell works in the “PRESENTS” galleries on two floors in artspace. Megan Taylor Davis’ holiday gift-giving includes her rural-life and oh-so-happy cows, owls, chickens, horses and gators painted on small canvasses and cross shoulder purses. Julie Glass will have patio/cocktail tables, small sculptures (for a dining room buffet or bookshelf), earrings and Christmas ornaments for sale. Karen La Beau’s whimsical South Louisiana flavored art is a mix of folk art and outsider art. Her bright colors will make any gift recipient smile, especially her popular blue crawfish series. Local jewelry artists will host special holiday “trunk” shows in GIFTSPACE to introduce all-new designs. And the Holidaze BAZAAR downstairs in FUNSPACE will be filled with art, holiday gifts and specialty items from local Artists. Dozens more local artists with very unique styles and genres will also be a part of HOLIDAZE including: Bruce Allen, Thomas Baird, Lisandra Di Liberto Brown, Marilyn Couch, Megan Davis Taylor, Linda Dickson, Connie Stephens-Eaton, Nancy Ferrari, Aly Fletcher, Cayla Flynn, Donna Chance Hall, Julie Glass, Dorothy Kristin Hanna, Talbot Hopkins, Hooshang Khorasani, Karen La Beau, Thomas Little, Tracy McComic, Art Nerio, Larry Sanchez, Donna Strebeck, Leland Strebeck, Sherry Tamburo, Whitney Tates, Jennifer Vasquez and Lauri Wallace. Want to create your own HOLIDAZE art with the guidance of local artists and experts? Join us for four Thursdays of TINSELED 106 DECEMBER 2017 | WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM

THURSDAY TABLESCAPES to kick off the magic and merrymaking in the Holiday Bazaar and learn how to design HOLIDAY TABLE DECORATIONS and CENTERPIECES. • On Thursday, November 30, Lewis Gifts hosts the first “Tinseled Thursday Tablescapes” and shares how to set a beautiful table with special napkin folding tips. • Wednesday, December 6, during the DOWNTOWN ART WALK and Thursday, December 7, The Enchanted Garden owner Deb Beckman Cockrell with brother Dennis Beckman--renowned for his gorgeous custom designed “arts masks”--share 37 years of the enchantment of The Enchanted Garden. • Thursday, December 14, Hands of Vision with Kirkikis Hill and Kimberly Moseley share their popular holiday decorating ideas for your mantelpiece, tree and wreath. Saturdays in December are a time to gather the elves for holiday fun for the entire family during SANTA’S WORKSHOP SATURDAYS. On Saturday, December 2, from 2 to 4 p.m., you can have your child’s caricature done with Old St. Nick by artist Hanna May Roark for just $25. On December 16, fiber artist Sherry Tamburo will conduct a workshop for wet felt ornament making for all ages from 2 to 4 p.m., at a cost of only $20. Then discover your own inner ELF at “ELF THE MUSICAL JR” by STAGE CENTER Theatre, opening Thursday November 30, and running through Sunday December 3, in The Engine Room at ARTSTATION. The holidays do make for “A Wonderful Life” with shopping, decorating and parties galore. Need a beautifully decorated place to entertain? CoolSpace in artspace is a WINTER WONDERLAND with tinsel, trees, and top-to-bottom tidings that just might fit your every holiday entertainment need—major office party for up to 20, small office gathering for as few as 16, seated dinner amidst the Art for 16 or 150 or a Wonderland Wedding—just say, “I do!” It’s a Seasonal Shopping Spree at HOLIDAZE at artspace, 708 Texas St. in downtown Shreveport, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Thursdays until 8 p.m. and Sundays 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. through December 30. Visit www.artspaceshreveport. com or call 318-673-6535.

Think Pink Tea

Glenwoodâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 9th Annual Think Pink Tea was held on Friday, October 20th. Men and women from across the region came together to celebrate life with the healing power of laughter at the fun-filled and empowering event for women. They enjoyed hot tea and refreshment, compliments of Spice & Tea Exchange, as they shopped from several vendors from around the area. After visiting and shopping, guests were welcomed by Jeremy Tinnerello, CEO. A few survivors were recognized before lunch was served and then the 3-D Mammography was introduced. Lillie D. Shockney spoke before closing the event with door prizes. Glenwood would like to thank the community for its continued support.

On the BayouScene 1 Jody Gray, Kathey Roane and Julia Boddie 2 S tephanie Dunn, Sharon McClain, Jackie Nal and Kindra Beard 3V icki Gilbert and Kindra Beard 4 Sloan Salinas and Amanda Treno 5 Penni Aulds and Kim Roberts 6G inger Leporati and Dianne Green 7 Sandy Cascio and Belinda Hooton 8 Jerin Miles and Angie Davidson 9 E laine Abbott, Cindy Duplechain and Willie B. Welsh 10 T reva Adams and Dech Brunson 11 Judy Hild and Monica Richardson 12 Barbra Smith and Alice Snuggs 13 Margie Segal and Barbie Bice 14 Pat and Becky Hall 15 Doris Roberts and Joy Etier 16 T iffany Ables, Jennifer Phillips and Bronwyn Watts

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Holidays in CedarTown On November 9, 10, and 11 vendors from around the region gathered at the Ruston Civic Center. Holidays in Cedartown, benefitting Cedar Creek School, put everyone in the Christmas spirit! On Thursday, “Holiday Brunch Blitz” featured great food from local restaurants for shoppers to snack on while getting a first look at all of the fabulous vendors items. What about the people who couldn’t shop during the day? “Holidays After Hours” was held from 6 - 8:30 p.m., so that no one had to miss out on all of the fun. On Saturday, Santa stopped by to take pictures with the children and hear what they wanted for Christmas. Did you miss Cedartown this year? Don’t worry, you can save the date for next year; November 8-10, 2018.

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On the BayouScene 1K acee Lowe and Morgan Garrison 2 Emily Pullen and Joanna Dugdale 3 Karrisa Geis and Kelly Smith 4 Lauren Roebuck and Jennifer Nixon 5 L indsey Simpson and Victoria Gates 6 Lauren Derveloy and Jessica Underwood 7 J immie Wilhite and Anne Beard 8 Samantha Kramer and Haley Perryman 9A ngela Phanner and Gina Dempsey 10 Joey and Danie Stringer 11 Aaron Garrett and Jamie Dendy 12 Laura, Bryleigh and Sam Beech 13 Kerri McBeth and Megan Walpole 14 Nanette and Mel Cohen 15 Lisa Harp and Leanne McDonald 16 Shelby Wall and Hannah Burroughs 17 Jenifer Stephenson and Pam Laird 18 Kelly Smith and Lynda Steed 19 Paige Williams and Thomas Patton 20 Shannon Inman, Rachel Davison, and Dakota Dupont

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Brew on the Bridge On October 14th, festival-goers gathered to celebrate the North Delta Food & Wine Festival benefitting the Northeast Louisiana Arts Council. Those attending sampled craft beers and were able to partake in light fare at the first Brew on the Bridge, which was held on the Endom Bridge spanning the Ouachita River. The bridge was closed for three hours, allowing patrons plenty of time to enjoy food, beer and fun. Area musicians provided a live music backdrop while participants strolled the Endom Bridge and enjoyed the one-of-a-kind view that only the beautiful Ouachita River can provide.

On the BayouScene 1 Gayla Stevens, Carol-Anne Lenard and Linda Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Neal 2M ichael, Gene, Jennifer and Dawn Manning 3 T onya Hamilton, Susan Moore, Jennifer Fogleman and Kimberly Janes 4 S usan Monterola, Chloe Ellington and Josh Munk 5 Aaron Parker and Ashton Wiggins 6 Luke Wilson and Haley Welsh 7 Bella and Maranda Bolayon 8B riley and Jordan Blazo 9 Grant, Everett and Angie Tolbird 10 Cory Brown and Carolyn Cummins 11 Courtney and Byron Boothe 12 Anthony and Ashlea Sandoval 13 Bobby Manning and Gloria Daniel 14 Chris Brown, Kevo Meredith and Sean Fox 15 Monica Williams, Teresa Hay and Amy Allen 16 Karen and Eli Trejo 17 Jennifer Zimmerman and Patti Nelson

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Ruston Fall Makers Fair On October 14th, revelers gathered at the Fall 2017 Ruston Makers Fair at the Historic Fire Station. This free, family event featured more than 70 artists, makers and crafters and exhibited everything from beard oil to original screenprinted t-shirts, handmade ornaments, original paintings and much more. Food trucks like Tacos the Guero and Tribeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Barbecure were on hand. Railway Coffee had its coffee truck set up at Park Avenue and guests were entertained by local musicians. The Makers Fair is a great time for the community to come out and see all of the local talented artists and makers. Be on the lookout for the next Makers Fair in Spring 2018

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On the BayouScene 1 Michael Garriga and Jake Dugard 2 Ashley and Graysen Allen 3 E sther Allen 4 Rachel Collins and Hannah Buxton 5 J osh and Amanda McDaniel 6 Angie Ponson and Stephanie Knight 7 Casey Johnhiton and Parker Dash 8 Alexandra and Derek Amaya 9 J ordan Vidrine and Hannah Gumbo 10 Kayla Cupples and Hagan Cupples 11 S teven and Lesa Wade 12 Kacey Richard and Michael Gilmore 13 Brandi Wheelis and Allyson Doss 14 J ustin and Summer Hammons 15 J osh, Jennifer, Zane and Spike Tradewell 16 Richard and Amanda Bowman 17 Emily Mangum, Brady Sharp, Kaitlyn Byrnside and Morgan McDonald

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WRAP

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Giving gifts is just as fun as receiving them, and the girls at BayouLife Magazine love a pretty package. Mix things up this year with custommade tags and fun pom poms. Use these tips to punch up your holiday packages. written by Melanie Moffett photography by Martin G Meyers 1

1. Oh Deer A glitter ornament can be easily repurposed to add a little glitz to your packages. Pair it with a band of sequins and a shimmering ribbon for an extra touch. 2. Mirror Mirror Crisscrossed ribbons and mercury glass ornament mark this gift as extra special this holiday season 3. Tic Tac Toe Metallic Washi tape in a simple striped pattern adds a “wow” factor on top of a solid wrapping paper. 4. Two Bits Give your gifts an old school flair with a funky yarn pom pom. A household clothespin adds a surprising touch that’s easy to achieve. 5. Biggest Fan Fold a strip of decorative paper into a fan and adorn a plain package in no time. 6. Bold is Beautiful A bold striped ribbon will be eyecatching without a doubt. Add a simple tag with beautiful calligraphy to finish off this classic look. 6

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THURMAN’S FOOD FACTORY

NEWK’S EATERY

This classic white cake is decorated for the season with a beautiful red bow, pine cones and greenery. Yummy buttercream icing and powdered sugar create the perfect snowy look.

A dozen layers of moist pumpkin spice cake topped with hand-whipped cream cheese frosting and crunchy walnuts make this treat a hit for the holidays.

THE GOOD EARTH JUCE & SALAD BAR

This Vegan Pumpkin Spice Cheesecake features a crisp, sweet crust and a thick, custardlike filling infused with pumpkin flavor. Hints of cinnamon finish off this incredible dessert.

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SMALLCAKES

Ready to spread some Christmas cheer? These sweet treats from local eateries are sure to make your guests have a holly, jolly good time at your holiday party. Photography by Martin G Meyers

From Left: Hot Cocoa Cupcake, Sweet Potato Casserole Cupcake and Peppermint Dream Cupcake; Opposite Page: Top Gingerbread Cupcake, Bottom - Peacan Pie Cupcake and Hot Cocoa Cupcake

CCâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S COFFEE HOUSE

This Peppermint stack is a decadent, refreshing, chocolate-mint delight. The rich brownie layers surround a cool and creamy mint cheesecake are piled high with mint mousse and festively decorated with pieces of peppermint.

UPTOWN DOWNTOWN

These Salted Caramel Tartes are filled with a gooey caramel center. Wrapped in a short bread crust, they are topped with chocolate fudge and garnished |with fresh sea salt.123 WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM DECEMBER 2017

Rare Culinary Collaboration

On October 13th, food and beverage enthusiasts gathered at the West Monroe Convention Center for the 3rd Annual North Delta Food and Wine Festival. Each year, the Northeast Louisiana Arts Council showcases the talents of local chefs, as well as visiting culinary artists. Proceeds from the event benefit the Arts Council and its efforts to support and promote the arts in Louisiana Cultural Region 8. The festival kicked off Friday night with the “Rare Culinary Collaboration,” a three-hour tasting extravanganza that featured foods created by more than 25 southern chefs. Later in the evening, ticketholders were invited to mingle with their favorite chefs as the party moved to SQ’s on the River. The Arts Council appreciates the tireless efforts and remarkable generosity of our community for their continued support of the arts in our region.

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On the BayouScene 1 2 3 4

Delia Simpson and Robert Brewer Stuart Scalia and Diane Miletello Clay McLaughlin and Thurman Dickey Michael and Katherine Sandifer, Simran Emaus and Michelle Thompson 5C herry and Larry Collum and Pam Rogers 6 Christy Francis, Bryan and Judy Babb 7 Lindsey Dean and Callie Harrell 8 Dana and Eddie Milford 9A licia and Keith Anderson 10 Jaime Pylant and Jason Davis 11 C ory Bahr and Whitney Wright 12 Adrienne and Matt Bridges 13 Bryan Butler and Jessica Pollard 14 Susan Chappell and Barry Stevens 15 Judy Waggoner and Dr. Victor Zuckerman 16 Misty Beavers and Ashley Norred 17 Courtney and Zeke Wetzel 18 Kenny and Lisa Robinson 19 Mary Linda McCann and Amy Beder

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JGS Fall Festival

On October 21st, supporters of Jesus the Good Shepherd Catholic School gathered in the school’s gym for the 3rd Annual JGS Fall Festival. Those in attendance didn’t let the rain slow them down. Festivities were brought inside the school gym, as parents, kids and visitors participated in carnival-style booths. Food vendors provided a delicious spread, while volunteers worked the annual country store and silent auction. Thank you to the genorosity of our parents, sponsors and school supporters for making this fall celebration such a success.

On the BayouScene

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1 Zeina and Amy Fakhre 2 Courtney Wetzel and Heather Haddad 3 Vivian, Stella and Trent Livingston 4 Mary Kathryn and Caroline Crigler, Ted Schneider 5 T herese and Ellie Nagem 6 Mead Hardwick, Albert Paxton and BJ Bryan 7 J ada Banks, Sandra Banks, Nicole Tannehill and Lauren Davis 8 Erica and Everette Thompson 9 Everly, Amelia, Christie and Michael Echols 10 J o Ann Crone and Sylvia Thompson 11 Katherine and Brian High 12 J ennifer and Caroline O’Neal 13 K elly Hill, Jott and Michael Ann Delcambre 14 Brent and Boyd Wilkes, Michael and Audrey Edwards Malloy 15 F elicia Hardwick, Sadye Richert, Lillian Paxton and Amy Taylor 16 A my Sawyer, Ryan and Rhodes Hemrick and Michael Sawyer 17 Alana, Coltan and Clark Cooper 18 Fran Turpin and Leigh Buffington 19 Valerie, Peyton and Butler Daniel

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KISS the HOLIDAYS KEEP IT SIMPLE, SWEETIE

Local entrepreneur and photographer Kelly Moore Clark and her team at Kelly Moore Bag along with stylist Taylor Bennett have some great tips to help you simplify your holidays. Home styled by Brandi Howard and photos of Kelly by Kate Tedeton. For more how-toâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s be sure and visit www.kellymoorebag.com and Kellyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s blog for printable labels.

SIMPLE GIFT GIVING Simmer pots with custom labels

Growing up, on top of our pot belly wood burning fireplace, my mom would simmer a big pot of orange slices, apples, cloves, cinnamon and just about anything else aromatic she could find. We decided this modern take on an old tradition would be the perfect gift. Gift giving can definitely be stressful as the holidays grow closer. Do you buy everyone something different? Do you make them something? Do you give them a gift card to Starbucks? This thoughtful gift is the perfect way to show someone you care, all while being able to keep things simple and affordable. The Kelly Moore Bag team has designed labels for you to download and print yourself.

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RELAX

Take time for yourself Let’s be honest, we all have a love-hate relationship with the holidays. We love the tradition, the lights, the smells and sounds… But we all end up running ourselves ragged! All the shopping, all the parties… It can be too much! This tip is about taking a little time just for yourself. Run a hot bath and whip up this fantastic recipe inspired by my friend Heather Land for essential oil soaking salts. She recently gifted me some, and I was hooked! I’ve made several batches since then and use them often. They are therapeutic for both your body and mind… The essential oils help you relax, and the salt is great for your tired muscles. So, pour yourself a glass of wine, lock the door, and it may be necessary to put in earplugs so you can’t hear your children beating on the door. Check out our recipe and make sure to go to our website to print your custom salt jar label. The peppermint is a lot, so you can either bring that amount down, take it out, or give a disclaimer that it gives a very effervescent cooling affect. The oils added can be totally customized to your liking, so just use the amounts as a guide. All my essential oils were bought at Fiesta Nutrition Center.

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ESSENTIAL OIL SOAKING SALTS Bag of Epsom salts or Bucket Dead Sea salt Use inexpensive NOW oils - range from $5 to $8 per on average ... drop amounts vary depending on bag or bucket of salt 20-30 drops peppermint oil 15-20 drops spearmint 15-20 tea tree 10-15 eucalyptus 10-15 rosemary 10 lavender

Shake in bag or bucket until it moves like wet sand. Should be a very overpowering smell when you open it.

SIMPLE GIFT WRAPPING Brown Craft Paper About six months ago, I invested in a huge roll of brown craft paper for my kitchen. Mostly I did it, because I saw Martha Stewart had some on her countertop. I thought the kids could use it for crafts. I will say, it has been so useful! We use it for art, a quick drop cloth, as a table runner, and it has become my go-to wrapping paper. I’m the person who may show up at a party with a gift in a Walmart bag, so brown craft paper is definitely an upgrade for me! During the Christmas holidays, this is one way I’m going to simplify my life. No spending money on expensive wrapping paper and bows, or running out when you only have one present left to wrap! It’s readily available, and when you dress it up with some yarn and trimmings from the yard, it almost looks like I’m prepared and put together!

SIMPLIFY PA RTY Signature cocktail

Bourbon Strawberry Preserves Juice from 1 lime Orange juice Fizzy water of choice Mix ingredients in a shaker and strain into a glass with ice, top with fizzy water

It seems like there’s always a reason to make a special drink around the holidays, but no one has time for a cocktail that consists of 15 ingredients! We want it to taste like Neiman’s and be as quick and easy as Payless! We were inspired by the Minimalist Baker for this quick and easy cocktail that uses ingredients you probably already have in your fridge. This recipe is fantastic, even if you leave out the “good stuff.”

BLACK BEAN & SWEET POTATO SOUP 1 yellow onion - diced 1 red onion - diced 1 TBS minced garlic 8 cups water 1 lb. yellow potatoes - cubed 2lb sweet potatoes - cubed 2 1/2 TBS - better than bouillon (or use chicken stock above instead of water) 2 - 15oz cans black beans 2 - 15oz cans of corn 1/2 TBS (more if you like it spicy) chili powder 2 tsp cumin 1 TBS garlic powder 1 TBS onion powder 1/2 tsp smoked paprika 1/2 tsp dried oregano 1 tsp corn starch Salt & pepper to taste (after adding the “better than bouillon,” I didn’t need salt)

In a large stock pot, sauté the diced onions and garlic until translucent. You can sauté in the oil of your choice - I just use a little water. Add water and better than bouillon OR chicken stock. Add cubed potatoes and simmer until fork tender. I like to combine all my spices in a small bowl before adding them to the pot. Add corn, beans and spices. Simmer to let the flavors meld. Top with avocado, cilantro and kamut.

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SIMPLIFY THE MENU One of the things that can easily overwhelm any well-meaning person during the holidays is trying to plan a menu for a large gathering. I think we all have expectations that we must prepare so many main dishes, all the traditional sides, not to mention the 17 pies and cakes. Nope. Can’t do it. A couple of years ago, my mother and I made the executive decision to simplify our Christmas menu. Each family brought their favorite soup, and my mother prepared a few desserts and a big batch of French bread. It was amazingly delicious, and no one went away disappointed or angry. This allowed us to spend most of our day relaxing and enjoying being together rather than slaving over a hot stove all day.

A few things... • Yes, you could skip the additional toppings, but please don’t! They really bring together the whole dish. • Kamut: I know you’re saying no way, I’ve never heard of that! Kamut is an ancient grain I have recently discovered, and I am in love! It has a dense texture and really adds heartiness to this soup. Plus, it’s so good for you! It takes just a little forethought, soaking it overnight and then simmering for an hour or 2 the next day. The past few weeks, I’ve made a big batch on Sunday that we will eat all week. I encourage you to try it!

H O L I DAY D E C O R AT I O N S DIY backyard cut wreaths As much as I love the holidays, I’ve never been one to fully commit to decorating my entire house with the Christmas season. It’s probably because I’m a little bit of a procrastinator, so by the time I’m feeling festive, it’s time for New Year’s. However, I do love a little something here and there, and I love twinkling lights. We decided to make a simple DIY “cut it out of your yard” wreath, because it’s cheap, it’s quick, and it probably looks better than anything you could buy in the store. Here are a few tips to help you forge for your foliage: • Look for evergreens like pine, cypress and cedar. They should last through the holiday season. • For the base of your wreath, you can purchase a grape vine wreath at most local stores. • Anything you see in the wild that you think would look nice, go for it! I had treasure growing right behind my house and did not even know it! Just stay away from the poison ivy! • You can use floral wire to wire in your greenery, but our wreath will be inside, so we just stuck it right into in the wreath itself.

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Stars on the Bayou On Saturday October 28, QuesTech Learning and The Radio People celebrated Stars on the Bayou with a silent auction, tasty hors Dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;oeuvres and entertainment. The featured speaker was Scotty Sanders, international leadership consultant, life catalyst and author of four books. This event also honored families of Gold and Blue Star moms and dads as well as celebrated QuesTECH Learningâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 20th Anniversary of providing educational service to families in Northeast Louisiana. All proceeds from the event benefited QuesTECH Learning for technology upgrades.

On the BayouScene 1 Christy Bolton and Christi Howard 2 Kim and Daniel Alaniz 3B obby and Sue Wilson 4 Courtney Wetzel, Donna Underwood and Lisa Hale 5 Ashley and Obie Sims and Janet Raebel 6M olly McConnell, Kari Counselman, Toni Hicks and Mary Katherine Murphy 7 Rhonda Couselman, Delora and Dr. Bruce Walker 8 Laura, Angie and Taylor McManus 9 S andra Crusseau, Stephanie Blackmon and Molly McConnell 10 A lex George, Donna Underwood and Bud Ray 11 Anne and John Frazer 12 Corrine Pace and Dena Leggett 13 Tim Cole and Scotty Sanders 14 Owen, Luke and Susan Erskine 15 Jeramiah Reed and Jeramiah Nathaniel Reed 16 S cotty Sanders and Jon-than Wilson 17 Angie Little and Stacie Yearger

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Talk of the Town

On Saturday, October 30th, Twin City Ballet Company held its season opening performance at ULMâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Brown Auditorium. This yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Talk of the Town was a mixed repertoire concert featuring high-energy, soulful dancing. Choreographers Leaia Alsup, Joe Istre and Kristy Nilsson created stirring pieces that displayed the incredible strength and artistry that Twin City Ballet is known for. Familiar music including hits from Willie Nelson and Mumford and Sons complemented the rich sound of strings from Italian composer Ezio Bosso. Twin City Ballet, under the artistic direction of Linda Lavender Ford, aims to create an exciting dance experience in the community, as well as offer an opportunity for training and stage experience to talented young dancers.

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On the BayouScene 1 Brandi Cole and Barry Stevens 2 Paula Ford and Aimee Titus 3 Denise Harrison and Kay Harrison 4 J ordan and Jamie Guillot 5M illeigh and Ginny Gabb 6 Olivia and Ruth Ann Moore 7 Linda Lou Bourland and Georgia Moffett 8 Bart Finley, Austin Ramsey and Heather FInley 9P aige Ryan, Catherine Godfrey, Erica Ryan, Julia and Amy Wood 10 B eth Swanner and Ruth Gist 11 Jeanette and Gene Bales 12 Mark and Cherie Siratt 13 Scott and Cindy Foust 14 Rachel David and Baliey Glover

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Tails at Twilight On Saturday, October 28, River Cities Humane Society hosted its 3rd annual Tails at Twilight Gala. Guests enjoyed dinner and drinks, live music and dancing as well as a raffle, silent auction and mystery boxes. Guests could also preserve memories in the fun photo booth! The main goal of the River Cities Humane Society is to raise funds that will be used to care for abused, neglected, stray and unwanted animals. Tails at Twilight Gala is an annual event to support the River Cities Humane Societies efforts to help animals in need in the Twin Cities.

On the BayouScene 1 2 3 4

Nathan and Elizabeth Eley C rystal Pantinople and Eric Wilhite J onathan and Brittney Brooks R achel Mayer, Kellye Hoogland, Jo Ellen Cranford, Darlene Cavaretta, Susan Norris and Constance Ware 5 Lauren and Jacob Brooks 6 Benjamin and Adrian Sturgeon 7 Nancy Counts and Melissa Traxler 8 J eff and Belinda Hooton 9 Lisa Spruell and Jeff Counts 10 Jerry and Cathy Mayer 11 Jon and Reagan Wages 12 Julie Pleasant and Rachel Mayer 13 Galen LeBlanc and Melanie Reed 14 Pat and Frank Saez 15 Destiny Howell and Sydney McLaughlin 16 Brandi and Jose Sadler 17 Thom Rogers and Sarah Sellers

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Tonore’s Wine Tasting On November 16, Tonore’s Wine Cellar hosted one of its famous Wine Tastings. This wine tasting in particular was to benefit the Quota International Club of Monroe! Friends from all over the area gathered at Tonore’s to taste various wine flavors and try some delicious food! Every season Tonore’s hosts a wine or whiskey tasting benefitting a different non-profit organization in the community. Quota International is a non-profit organization empowering women, children, the deaf, hard of hearing, and speech impaired in local communities around the world. More than 5,000 Quotarians - women, men, and youth - are Volunteers in Action, known for their outstanding enthusiasm and service in 260 communities in 13 countries: Aruba, Australia, Canada, Curaçao, Fiji, India, Malaysia, the Netherlands, New Zealand, the Philippines, St. Eustatius, Suriname, and the United States.

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On the BayouScene

1 Susan Cole, Julie Kicey and Beverly Hodge 2G eorgia Street, Judy Crier and Rhonda Counselman 3C ynthia and Joe Kern 4 Terri and Joe Chisholm 5 Adam McConnell and Clinton Coleman 6 Clint Durham and David Lewis 7 Charles Segars and Russell Kicey 8C ody Cupp and Emily Napper 9 Lorealle Shell and Mya Romero 10 Janet Dollar and Gwen Jackson 11 Nathaniel Loggins and Katie Firestone 12 Cole Loftin and Ray Allen 13 Katherine Wall and Janice Nelson 14 Arlene Carnaham and Kade Carter 15 Anne and Karari Hanks 16 Luwanda and Walee Shakur 17 Jonathan and Sarah Terral

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Rock the Railroad

On November 3, 2017, downtown Ruston was filled with Louisiana Tech fans of all ages! Rock the Railroad - Homecoming Edition was held in Railroad Park featuring music by the Louisiana Tech Band of Pride, and entertainment by the Louisiana Tech Cheerleaders and Regal Blues. Louisiana Tech Alumni gathered from all over, some even celebrated their 50-year reunion. Rock the Railroad is held on the Friday night before every home game in downtown Ruston. This event always features great food, fun entertainment and lots of Louisiana Tech spirit!

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On the BayouScene 1 Josh Tradewell, Greg Smith, Lily Smith, Seth Grigsby 2K ay King and Janet Richardson 3 J osh, Avery and Kelsey Stanley 4 Alexis Barnes and Colleen Johnson 5 Matt and Jordan Laborde 6 Amber Ball and Kaitlyn Gallegos 7 Sara Corly and Rosemary Thomas 8A dam Banks and Josh McDowell 9 The Brister Family 10 Jim and Lori King 11 Samantha Hawthorne and Nicole Shaw 12 Katie Smith and Hannah Burroughs 13 Emily Poole, Amy Keel and Codi Allen 14 Louisiana Tech Band of Pride Members 15 Madison Brewton and Hannah Taylor

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St. Paschalâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Herbal Harvest St. Paschal Catholic Church in West Monroe hosted its annual Herbal Harvest on Saturday, October 21. There were over 60 vendors selling herb plants, original artisan arts and crafts and home prepared food. Festival-goers enjoyed delicious herbed chicken salad, taco soup, grilled sausage, freshly baked breads, cakes, cookies and sweets. The weather was perfect for this annual event and a good time was had by all!

On the BayouScene

1M ara Loeb and Martha Young 2 Amber and Inez Zitzmann 3 Leah and Avery Parker, Delores King and Betty Albritton 4 Denise and Amanda McMullen 5K risty and Joel Stephan 6 Judy and Bryan Babb 7G age and Marie Clark and Keegan Vincent 8 Roberta Levac, Jenny Bendilly and Sandra Rice 9W endy and Arlyne Everitt 10 Sam, Jason and Scott Flowers 11 Harley and Dede Waterman and Savannah McNar 12 Ruta Johns and Gina Elliott 13 Rachel Chisholm and Michelle Wolleson 14 Freddie and Donna Jones with Darren Burgess 15 Cindy Ingram and Sister Julia Robertson 16 Balinda Michel and Nikki MeauxÂ 17 Katherine Jenkins, Cassidy, Luke and Alana Bearden 18 Jeremy and Anita Tinnerello 19 John and Yvette Jeter 20 Tracey Cassels, Alta and Holly Lawn

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Croswell’s Boutique Ladies Night

Croswell’s Boutique 139 would like to thank everyone who attended Ladies Night, on Thursday November 2nd. Ladies from all over Northeast Louisiana kicked-off their holiday shopping with friends and family. Croswell’s Boutique 139 hosted the event with discounts, snacks, beverages and hundreds of new styles to choose from. They call it “where fun meets fashion” and it is the perfect time of year to come see what this boutique has to offer. They would also like for everyone to be on the lookout for the next style show, coming Spring 2018!

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On the BayouScene 1 Marliegh Martin and Allie Rea Hamby 2 Macie Ogden 3B ethany and Dana Beasley 4 DeAnn and Ella Morris, and Ann Cimball 5 Kelly Coston and Caron Johnson 6B aylee and Kim Bonnett, and Brenda Key 7 Sharron Kellick and Anne Crymes 8N atalie Bronsdon, Carmen McNew, Sally Hunnicutt and Carol Bronsdons 9B ridget Carpenter, Gidget Dement and Taylor Brook Gunter 10 B rianna Jacobs and Allie Bryan 11 Amanda and Marsha McMullen 12 Anna Deblieux and Bailey Ryder 13 Baylee and Kim Bonnett 14 Skylar Artigue and Brenda Handy 15 Claudia Gebhardt and Debra Hadley 16 Carol and Glenda Nale 17 Nicole Crim and LaFaye Price 18 Sarah Daniels, Caron Johnson and Anna Beth Daniels

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Hopkins Dermatology Hopkins Dermatology and MD Minerals is the place to go when it comes to beautiful, healthy skin and they have been busy getting everyone ready for the holiday season. In October, make up artist extraordinaire, Meka Bennett, was on hand to give make up tips and tricks. On Thursday, November 16, they hosted a Caudalie and Champagne event. A Caudalie representative was on hand and spoke about this premier skincare line. Guests sipped on bubbly and bought holiday gifts for family, friendsâ&#x20AC;Śand themselves.

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On the BayouScene 1 Camille Peterson and Nikki Garante 2 Meka Bennett and Josh Sanders 3A nna Grace Livingston and Camille Yount 4 Meka Bennett, Dr. Janine Hopkins and Josh Sanders 5 Ashley Surles, Jennifer Brown and Sharon Brown 6 Teresa Reeves and Dr. Janine Hopkins 7 Julie Montgomery and Ashley Surles 8 Eva and Joan Edinger 9N ikki Garante and Dr. Janine Hopkins 10 Ellie Salsbury and Eleanor Nale 11 Chelsea Hoyle and Jennifer Brown 12 K aitlyn Winnon and Lark Walker 13 Dr. Janine Hopkins and Meka Bennett 14 Ashlie Antis and Alissa Young 15 Lark Walker and Christina Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Brien

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THE G RA FT ED ST EWA RD Ann Bloxom Smith may not be a native of northeastern Louisiana, but that hasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t stopped her from transforming this corner of the world into home.

article by MICHAEL DEVAULT photography by BRAD ARENDER

Ann Bloxom Smith recalls long walks with her grandfather, Walt. For much of her youth, Ann spent her days tramping in the woods on the family property, in the rural area just south of Shreveport. “My parents were always upset when they wanted me to go to church, because I would be out in the woods with my grandfather, tramping,” she says. Eventually, her mother and father acquiesced to their daughter’s time plying the trails that crisscrossed woods on the family’s 200-acre plot of land. Roughly half the property was virgin forest, while the other half had been sectioned off into a working pecan orchard. It was here, in this bucolic corner of Louisiana, where Ann became an avid naturalist, a life-long habit she attributes to her grandfather. “He knew the names of every plant and animal on the property – and had all of the folklore to back it up,” recalls Ann. While her grandfather tramped, he often hunted rabbits and squirrels, which her grandmother would prepare into hearty stews. Though Ann had her own gun at a young age, she was never much of a hunter, leaving Walt to do the rabbit hunting while she shot at cans or other nonliving targets. “I don’t have anything philosophically against eating or shooting animals,” she says. “I just can’t do it.” On the family’s plot, she learned valuable lessons about stewardship – the idea that Man is to tend the earth, and tend it well. It’s an idea that was not at all foreign to the land before the arrival of Christians. Native American tribes all practiced organized stewardship of some form. Along the banks of Brushy Bayou, which bisected the property, Ann hunted for arrowheads near a long-abandoned Native American encampment. Nearby, she tried to decipher markings on “signal trees” pointing ancient peoples in various directions. “I thought ‘my’ woods were magical, haunted in a good way, by those that fished and hunted there,” she says. Stewardship wasn’t just an idea her family borrowed from the former stewards of their property. For avowed Methodists like her grandparents, stewardship wasn’t just a good idea. It was an edict from God. “We sat at the dinner table discussing stewardship a lot,” Ann says. Those dinnertable discussions instilled valuable guidance she’d call on for the rest of her life. “Part of our job as human beings is to take care of the natural world and those less fortunate than us.” After graduating from high school, Ann pursued an education. She studied first at LSU, but soon transferred to school in New Orleans, when her husband entered the military. After a stint in New Orleans and points beyond, she and her husband returned 152 DECEMBER 2017 | WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM

to Baton Rouge, where she completed her education, eventually earning a Masters degree in English Literature, with a concentration in American Literature and Linguistics. Their degrees secured, and military life behind them, they could now begin building their lives together. The only question was “where?” and the answer presented itself in an offer from her husband’s family. They offered a small piece of land in the woods at Cheniere, close enough to town to be convenient, but far enough away that they were confirmed country folk. Upon arrival, Ann and her husband set about building a small house, “with our own four hands,” as she recalls. The home they build was nestled into the trees, and it followed a plan she had begun drafting while still working on in college. “Since it was a house built by English majors, we’d read on what needed to be done, and then we’d do it,” she says. “We were never more than a couple of steps ahead in knowledge of what we were doing.” With a rural base in western Ouachita Parish established, Ann’s transfer to northeastern Louisiana was well underway. Over the next Ann’s leadership, 30 years, Ann would become an integral part of the community, her enthusiasm, through her work as an educator, community volunteer, and, eventually, as a naturalist. All told, Ann spent more her drive, were all than 20 years at ULM, retiring singularly important from the Business Department as an instructor of Business to creating the public Communications in 2011. Along relations atmosphere the way, she divorced and moved from the home she built in Cheniere that got the community to a craftsman in Monroe’s historic Garden District neighborhood. For the first time in her life, Ann found herself living in a city, about every project surrounded by other people, and in desperate need of a place in the at Black Bayou. woods. Driving home one day, she found the answer to her needs on KEDM. Wildlife agent Kelby Ouchley had recently been named director of the newly formed Black Bayou National Wildlife Refuge. The fledgling refuge was in desperate need of assistance from the community, and Ouchley was recruiting the inaugural members of a friends’ group – a non-profit that could work with the refuge to improve the facilities and access to nature that the refuge offered. “I fell in love with Black Bayou the minute I went there,” Ann says. She was among the first people to join the Friends of Black Bayou organization at their first meeting. That was the summer of 1997. “I was living in town, and I needed a ‘place,’” Ann says of the earliest days of the refuge – a word that has a special meaning for her. “I needed nature and a place to take care of. I didn’t know that’s what I needed, but I did.” Over the next 20 years, Smith served on the board of directors of the organization, first as vice president, then as president for five years. Along the way, Ann was instrumental in helping secure a farmhouse as a visitor’s center for the refuge. She credits others in the organization – Bob Eisenstadt, the first president; George Mauk; and Ouchley, among others for the effort, downplaying in characteristic fashion her contribution. “I’m certainly not single-handedly responsible for it by any means,” she says. “But I do love it.” For his part, Bob concurs that teamwork played a huge role in the early days of getting Black Bayou up and running. However, he says Ann’s contributions have been immeasurable – but in a slightly different manner.

HER ENERGY,

EXCITED

“I think Ann’s leadership, her enthusiasm, her energy, her drive, were all singularly important to creating the public relations atmosphere that got the community excited about every project out there,” Bob says. He notes she leveraged considerable media savvy to drive the refuge’s message to an ever-wider audience. “She has a way of drawing people into that project and enfranchising them, empowering them to be a part of it.” hough Bob, not Ann, served as the first president of the Friends of Black Bayou, his time at the helm of the organization owes a significant part to Ann. Bob recalls that first meeting, as the group was just beginning to form. “Ann and I were arguably the founding members of the friends’ group,” Bob says. “The only reason I was the first president was she was there, poking me in the ribs because I wasn’t raising my hand at the right moment.” For five years, as Ann worked as president of the Friends of Black Bayou, she was instrumental in helping develop an educational curriculum for the facility, creating engaging community programs and activities. The impacts of those are immeasurable, and as far as Bob is concerned, the second five years under Ann were more important than the first five under his leadership, precisely because she focused so much energy on building an educational and community outreach program to draw people to the refuge.

“Those are the kinds of things that connect people to the refuge, not buildings or building projects,” Bob says. “I attribute that to Ann and her tenure as president. The things – buildings, walkways, whatever – are important, but ultimately, it’s through the programs that people feel valuable.” Bob points out Ann’s leadership skills have moved far beyond Black Bayou, which he acknowledges is her first and greatest love. Through work with the Kiwanis, the Downtown Arts Alliance, and a host of other community projects and organizations, her reach has extended far beyond the woods and waterways of Black Bayou. For several years, Ann served as the public relations director for the Downtown Gallery Crawl, a bi-monthly event that brings visitors to downtown Monroe, Art Alley, and the galleries and artists who call the area home. When the gallery crawl first started, events were sparsely attended and ill-promoted. Bob notes Ann changed all of that, through monthly columns in regional publications, appearances on television and radio, and a dogged effort to distribute posters throughout the region. By the time she stepped aside as public relations director just this past August, the gallery crawl had grown into one of the region’s premier arts events, drawing thousands of art lovers to more than a dozen downtown galleries. All the while, it’s the work of a quiet, unassuming woman who likes to spend time in the trees. “She’s quiet,” Bob says. “But she’s tenacious.” That tenacity means getting involved, working hard, and encouraging and empowering others to do the work, as well. This tenacity has served her well in one of her more recent endeavors. For the last three years, Ann has been a mentor for the national wildlife refuge system, visiting and working with friends’ groups and staffers at refuges across the country. “I loved doing it,” she says. “Each of the 600+ national wildlife refuges throughout the U.S. are very special places, and the people who work for them are amazing – so dedicated in the midst of cuts and various disasters.” Just this past August, Smith traveled to Nebraska, to visit Fort Niobrara and other several other refuges that are part of the Sandhills Prairie Complex. Previous excursions took her to the Loxahatchee Refuge in the upper everglades. On one excursion, she stood with a refuge manager amidst a herd of buffalo. On another, she took an airboat ride through the River of Grass in the Everglades. All the while, Black Bayou has never strayed far from her heart. As she scales back her efforts on the volunteer front, Ann continues to be avidly involved at Black Bayou. She kayaks the waters regularly – was in fact preparing for an excursion later in the afternoon of the day she visited with BayouLife. She hikes, brings visitors to the refuge, and enjoys the outdoors. She’s also spending more time with her family, too. Her son, Walt, whom she named for her grandfather, now occupies the house two English majors built in Cheniere, with his wife, a recent transplant herself from Cambodia. Some might look at Ann Bloxom Smith, the work she’s done in northeast Louisiana, and say she’s done quite well for a transplant. But another botanical metaphor more adequately describes her place in this region: she’s been grafted here. 154 DECEMBER 2017 | WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM

Ten Tips for a Healthy Holiday Season St. Francis Diabetes and Nutrition Services

OOD IS AN IMPORTANT PART OF MANY HOLIDAYS, celebrations, special occasions, and family and cultural traditions. Increased emotional eating can be from holiday stress or holiday joy. Anticipation of a new diet and exercise plan you’re going to start as your New Year’s resolution can also cause overeating. Regardless of the reasons, it is not necessary to avoid holiday festivities in an attempt to maintain your weight. Consider these 10 tips for fully enjoying the holiday season without gaining weight! • F ocus on weight maintenance vs. weight loss during the holidays. Maintaining your weight during the holiday season is a good goal. Don’t set yourself up for failure. • Plan on NOT dieting after the New Year. Anticipation of a food restriction diet will set you up for binge-type eating over the holidays. • Be physically active every day. Brisk walking, jogging, bicycling, roller blading, or swimming can help relieve stress, regulate appetite, and burn up extra calories from holiday eating. Go for a walk with family and friends as it is a good time to be together. • Eat a light snack before going to holiday parties. Don’t go to a party famished. You will be tempted to eat the wrong foods. Eat something light such as a piece of fruit or a cup of almond milk. • Have a plan. Think about what foods will be available and what your personal triggers are and how can you minimize them. Make a plan of action. It's much easier to deal with a difficult social-eating situation if you're prepared. • Take steps to avoid recreational eating. We tend to eat (or keep eating) beyond our body’s physical hunger simply because food is there and eating is a “social thing.” Eat slowly--enjoy and savor each bite. Eat a mint, which will alter the taste of the food. • Reduce the fat in holiday recipes or just reduce the portion of the real thing. • Choose your beverages wisely. Alcohol is high in calories. Water and diet sodas are calorie-free. If you choose to drink, select light wines and beers, and use non-caloric mixers such as water, diet drinks, or club soda. • Maintain perspective: Overeating one day won't make or break your eating plan. If you overindulge at a holiday meal, put it behind you. Return to your healthy lifestyle without guilt or despair. • Enjoy good friends and family. Although food can be a big part of the season, it doesn’t have to be the focus. Holidays are a time to reunite with friends and family, to share laughter and cheer, to celebrate and to give thanks. Remember balance and moderation. Relax and enjoy the holidays. If your goal is to eat healthier in 2018 and, you would like assistance in making a plan, contact Jen or Ulka at (318) 966-5219.

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Fiesta Nutrition Center Try Local First for a Variety of Gifts

AKING THE TIME TO BROWSE LOCAL STORES CAN BE an eye-opening experience. It’s well worth the trip up North 18th St. to discover that Fiesta Nutrition Center is much more than a great “health food store.” Since Fiesta promotes whole-body wellness by stocking the finest in natural foods and vitamin supplements, it’s fitting that you can find gift ideas for the person who has “everything” and appreciates useful items to enhance their well-being.

ACTIVE LIFESTYLE From Australia comes the silky soft bamboo fabric in ultra-comfortable styles of yoga basics and undergarments for men and women. Kavu brand bags, hot and cold beverage bottles and sports supplements are all great ideas.

GIFT BASKETS Choose from a selection of pre-made themed baskets. There are baskets for women, men, baby, wine-lover, tea-lover, healthy-snacker, and athlete. A custom basket can be made as well with items selected from the store.

GIFT CARDS A gift card is always appreciated. Gift cards can be purchased for items at Fiesta, as well as the Good Earth Juice and Salad Bar located within the store.

BABY GIFTS Fiesta is so happy to offer the best of bamboo baby clothing and accessories by the Boody Baby line. Other great ideas are amber necklaces, and eco-friendly bottles, bibs and towels. AROMATHERAPY Gifts sure to please are unique essential oils, decorative diffusers, supplies for DIY projects and beautiful reference books.

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STOCKING STUFFERS Too numerous to mention! Zum soaps and sprays, candles, cool toothbrushes, lip balms, exotic chocolates, natural bristle brushes and fresh-baked goodies.

Free gift wrapping is offered. A benefit of shopping at Fiesta is the ability and willingness of our staff to offer good advice and suggestions to make shopping so much easier. We are grateful for the support of our community who have loyally supported and trusted us for 40 plus years. Love and peace to you all.

St. Frederick Warriors “Wig Out” for a Good Cause

IGGIN’ OUT FOR THE Warriors” is St. Frederick High School Parents’ Association’s 5th Annual Auction fundraiser event to be held on Friday, February 2, 2018, at the American Legion Hall, 6:30 p.m. Fundraising Chair Sandy Dansby is encouraging lots of fun while guests “wig out” to raise money for the school’s continued pursuit of academic excellence. “We want guests to come as they are, or wear a wacky wig to this event,” said Dansby. Plain or “wigged,” guests are sure to enjoy a fun night with lots of good music by Memphis band Almost Famous and drinks provided by Marsala Beverage and Choice Brands. “We’ll have great silent auction items and fun bidding on big-ticket items,” said Parents’ Association President Kelly Hill. Each Wiggin’ Out for the Warriors sponsorship level includes signage and all printed materials.

Sponsorship levels are: • Royal Wig, the best value at $1,500. Royal Wigs receive first class treatment with a reserved table for eight, wigs for eight, and hand delivered tickets. • Warrior Wig, $1,000. Warrior Wigs receive tickets for six and a special gift with handdelivered tickets. • Short and Sassy, $500. Short and Sassy receive tickets for four. • Bob and Stache, $250. Bob and Stache receive tickets for two. This year’s “Wiggin’ Out for the Warriors” fundraiser proceeds will be used to fund continued capital improvements, classroom technological advances, and faculty and staff retention. Through its auction fundraisers, the Parents’ Association has successfully renovated two science labs, two computer labs, upgraded classrooms to make them STEM compliant, updated classroom

technology, and helped to retain excellent faculty. For sponsorship forms, guests can: • Visit the St. Frederick High School website at www.stfrederickhigh.org, or the St. Frederick High School office at 3300 Westminster Avenue, Monroe. • Submit sponsorship forms no later than January 15 to ensure that sponsor information is printed on all event materials. • Make checks payable to SFPA; mail or deliver forms to the school at 3300 Westminster Avenue, Monroe, LA 71201. In addition to sponsorship opportunities, guests can purchase individual tickets for $60 per ticket at the school, or on the night of the event. For more information about the “Wiggin’ Out with the Warriors” fundraiser auction, contact Sandy Dansby via St. Frederick High School at 318.323.9636. Who knows what February weather will bring to northeast Louisiana? One thing is for sure: the guests at Wiggin’ Out for the Warriors will be having a great time at the American Legion Hall, rocking to a great band, sampling good Louisiana cuisine, and sipping drinks in plenty supply. Don’t miss this kick off to a great time with the Warriors!

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Fabulous Fabric

“The Place” for Drapery and Upholstery Fabric of Every Kind

AVING BEEN IN BUSINESS FOR MORE THAN 20 YEARS, we’ve been established as “The Place” for home décor fabrics. We are the one-stop-shop for drapery and upholstery fabric of every kind: Linens, silks, vinyl, velvets, Sunbrella outdoor, performance fabrics. Designer Fabrics include Vern Yip collection, Jaclyn Smith Designs, Charlotte Moss, Eileen Kathryn Boyd, Tilton Fenwick. We have the largest library of fabrics and resources for fabrics in the area. Our team at Fabulous Fabrics would love to help you pick out the perfect assortment of fabrics for your home! We offer custom drapery hardware in many styles and colors as well as stocking a wood collection in designer colors. French return metal hardware comes in many custom colors. Lucite hardware is also available for custom order, for those who love the modern feel! Custom drapes add the finishing touch to your window designs. We know they are an investment for your home and can help from start to finish on completing custom drapes. Here at Fabulous Fabric we care about our customers, and want their homes to be a reflection of them! We also construct several types of Roman Shades. Custom pillows are a big “WOW” for any room. We have many pillows in stock as well being able to design and make whatever you

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would like from the thousands of yards of fabrics we have in stock. We have many sizes of pillow forms in stock and ready to go. Can’t find a Christmas tree skirt to match your décor? Look no further than Fabulous Fabric! We have many beautiful skirts in stock or we can customize one for you with special trims. Pick your fabric and trim to match your holiday style! Eclectic? Traditional? Woodlands? We have you covered! Gift Certificates would make a great gift for anyone who would like to improve their home décor in the year 2018. Stop in and pick one up for that special person this holiday season! We also have a gift set available for the holidays which includes a Sydney Hale candle, a room spray and a box of long matches, all for $50 This is perfect for a last-minute holiday gift! Fabulous Fabric 1803 Lamy Lane | Monroe, LA 318-410-8106

Southern Bath & Kitchen Building Your Best Holiday Season Yet

OU WAKE UP AND POUR yourself a cup of steaming coffee, looking out through your kitchen window. For once, the window’s foggy, steamed from the almost frosty air outside. You pull on your favorite sweater, unused for months through the sultry summer heat. Football’s in full swing, hunters adorn the woods, and you’re pulling out the old family cookbook. It’s holiday season in the South. For those of us in the Deep South, the holidays mean time with family, ceaseless entertaining and lots of cooking. So when it comes time to upgrade your bathroom or kitchen in anticipation of those holiday guests, remember Southern Bath & Kitchen. They carry all of the names you trust in for your bath: Delta Faucets, Moen & Kohler. Thinking about appliances? They carry a great selection from Viking, Whirlpool,

KitchenAid, and a whole lot more. While Southern Bath & Kitchen is known for being your go-to source for the best selection for new home construction, they’re a great stop for a remodel or weekend honey-do around the house. Maybe it’s a pesky kitchen faucet or a flailing garbage disposal. Maybe you’re looking to upgrade a showerhead in your guest bath. Maybe a child, or parent, needs that last push to get them started on a remodel. Or maybe you’re looking to completely overhaul your kitchen to impress those holiday guests (or your mother-inlaw). Whatever your goals, Southern Bath & Kitchen is here to help bring your dream kitchen & bath to life! If you’re looking to get a better feel for their exquisite designer showrooms and expansive selection of products, Southern Bath & Kitchen is pleased to announce its

recently updated website. With great shots of their top products for the kitchen and bath, you’ll also find the latest in their other lines – outdoor cooking & grilling, gas and electric appliances for your kitchen, and even hard-to-find hardware like cabinet knobs, towel bars, and soap dispensers. You can even contact a showroom directly to kick-start that design project!

With fantastic personalized service and unparalleled industry expertise, Southern Bath & Kitchen is here to help. Give them a call at (318) 387-9184 or visit them online at southernbathandkitchen.com.

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Simply Lou Gather article and illustration by Lou Davenport

fhis has been a year of loss for my family. My Aunt Red slipped peacefully away several months ago. She was the first in our family to reach 100 years. On the morning of her party, she fell and broke her hip. She wouldn’t go to the hospital until she attended her 100th birthday party either. That’s the kind of spirit she had! Not long after her funeral, my Aunt Mayvonne had a heart attack. The news sounded grim and it wasn’t believed she would make it through the week. But, she “rallied” and lived six more months. “Sassy” and plain spoken til the end. The women in my family came from tough stock. And they also did things their way and in their own time. Their deaths hit me hard. They were the last two of 8 children born to Phillip and Lily Williams. And now, they are all gone. “The End of an Era.” Those eight aunts and uncles had been a part of my world since I was born. I grieved 160 DECEMBER 2017 | WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM

for all of them when each one passed away but this time, it was even harder. After Aunt Mayvonne’s funeral, many of us were left at my cousin Judi’s house. She had cared for her mother over the last six months. Judi was exhausted and we were all sad, but, Judi summed up what our family does, good times and bad. She simply said, “We gather.” She was so right and we all know where we got that from. I will never again be so fortunate to know 8 brothers and sisters who were as close as these 8 were their entire lives. There seemed to be a “gathering” of them, somewhere, every weekend, holiday and even during the week! They just enjoyed each others company! I never knew of any “fussing or fighting” amongst them. They just stuck together through thick and thin, for better or worse, in sickness and in health. Life was not easy for these 8 brothers and sisters. Their mother, my grandmother Lily, was only 14 and from a well-to-do family, when she met Phillip, my grandfather. He was 22 and a widower! They went against tradition

and eloped. I’m sure eyebrows were raised and tongues wagged. My grandmother’s family disowned her. Even now, it’s hard for me to imagine my grandmother as a “rebel daughter!” The young couple ended up in Arkansas and settled there. But, when my Uncle Jack was born, all was forgiven. They returned to Liddieville where my grandfather became a sharecropper. He also played his fiddle at dances on Saturday nights and cleaned up the church on Sunday evenings to help feed his family. (He found a small gold ring in the church that nobody ever claimed. He gave that to my Grandmother as a wedding ring. She wore it until it had to be clipped off her finger when she was dying.) Seven more healthy children followed, all born in the tiny house they had out in the middle of a large cotton field. Times were hard. Work was even harder. As soon as those kids were old enough, they worked the fields with their father. They all survived the flood of 1927 and found safe haven in Crowville. They camped in tents on a hill until they could return home. A few years later, The Great Depression hit. They survived it, too. I know that my grandmother made all of their clothes. She also quilted and I bet she would have made some beautiful ones if she’d had the time. Instead, she made what she called, “string quilts” of all the scraps of fabric left over. She referred to them as “cover” and it was true, that old house was probably very cold during the winter months. There was no running water and she cooked on a wood stove. No wonder she was a strong woman. With God’s grace, they all survived but another tragedy would soon follow. When my father was 10 years old, his father collapsed in the fields and died two days later of an aneurysm. I can’t even imagine what my grandmother must have felt. It was left to her and those 8 children to take care of themselves. They “gathered.” My Uncle Jack and Uncle Bunk were the oldest and were now in charge of rounding up the rest of those kids to bring in the crop. Some of their stories were funny but also heartbreaking. My Father told me that some nights all they had for supper was pop corn. That made me cry. I don’t think my aunts were very enthusiastic about pickin’ that cotton, but, they did. And, they stuck together and got it done. The decision was eventually made that they would move. My Uncle Jack found a job in Bastrop and brought the family there. They shared a house and once again, every one of them found jobs. My father and youngest uncle had paper routes. They “gathered” and took care of themselves and their mother. Soon, they all began to get married and have places of their own but not too far from one another and their mother. And, “gather” they did in each others homes and “Mama’s”

and had such good times. I’ve wondered many times how my grandmother instilled such love and respect from her children. None of them ever said a negative word about her. Now that I have gotten older I think I know some of it. They watched their mother work so hard to raise them. She worked as hard as their Father did in many ways. I think when they all decided to get her out of that cotton field to give her and them a more comfortable life. Maybe it was their way of showing her how much they appreciated and loved her. They made sure she never went without a thing. She taught them to first “gather” and then survive. Stick together and love hard. Grandchildren inevitably followed, including me and a second generation of “gatherers” began. My Mom and Dad moved my grandmother in with us. I got to have a ring side seat to all the “gatherings” and went to all the other “gatherings” at the Aunts and uncles houses. I was an only child, so, naturally my cousins became my brothers and sisters. I don’t think God could have sent me any better ones if I had had brothers or sisters. When my Grandmother died, the “gathering” did not end. I do believe that my aunts and uncles, along with their spouses, truly enjoyed each others company. They not only loved each other, they liked each other.

All that is gone now since Aunt Mayvonne left us. We no longer have “an Elder.” I wonder how our “second generation” will be able to carry on such a huge legacy that those 8 left. We grew up differently than they did. We have lived in such different times. Our lives are all busy and spread out. Everybody has grandchildren. Our grown children know each other well, but, will they still “gather” when we are all gone? I know this about myself. I need to “gather” with my cousins and family. I need the laughter, I need to be loud and rowdy. Living alone has its benefits, but I love being with “my people.” Every year that gets harder to do. Right now, I don’t have any plans for Thanksgiving. I hope that will change. I would love to “gather” and laugh about how the aunts used to argue about whose dressing was best. And rave about Aunt Red’s sweet potato casserole. Life changes and we adapt to it and move on. I just don’t like it very much. I miss all my aunts and uncles. Each one of them had their own unique senses of humor and every one of them loved to laugh and have fun. They were by no means perfect, they were very human! But, each one of them had an inner strength stronger than steel. And they loved us hard. I am very thankful knowing that I, too,

came from the same stock those strong-willed people came from. Looking back over my life, I’ve survived some hard times for sure. I never gave up but there were times when just “gathering” with family kept me going. I am proud of an inner strength that I see in myself more and more. I learned it from those who “gather,” and then survive. I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving. I know I will. “Gather.” It’s good for the soul. “The older I get the longer I pray I don’t know why I guess I got more to say And the older I get the more thankful I feel For the life I’ve had and all the life I’m livin’ still.” “The Older I Get” Alan Jackson

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Levee Gallery Show

On November 2, Levee Gallery hosted an art social for the month of November. More than 18 different artists were on display with paintings, drawings, pottery, photography, sculpting and more. Artists included Ann Cline, Ann Currie, John Geldersma, Natalie Gaidry, Kit Gilbert, Dustin Greer, James Havard, Debra Heard, Shannon Landry, Ellen Langford, Bernard Mattox, B. Myrick, Joni Noble, Rusty Patterson, Gary Ratcliff, Wilma Roy, Edward Schmidt and Philip Williams.

On the BayouScene 1 Kathy Biedenharn, Shannon Landry and Teresa Groce 2 Peggy Meredith, Padg and Carolyn Bolton 3 Debra Heard and Diane Rizzo 4 Murray and Kathy Biedenharn 5 Connie, Ella and Austin Little 6 Andre Fitzgerald and Peggy Cruse 7 Taylor Barrere and Aidan Warren-Olivier

3 7

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Happy Holidays from Debbie’s Hallmark Your Ultimate Resource for Holiday Décor

ECEMBER,THE MOST wonderful time of the year, full of family traditions and gathering of friends, where everyone is getting into a festive Christmas spirit. It’s the magical season of sparkle and tinsel, of starlight and elves, of choirs and bells. Let Debbie’s Hallmark help make your season merry and bright. Make your home a standout with an over-the-top tablescape by setting a unique dinner table or arranging a side table with a mix and match of retro and new. Ceramic Christmas trees, available in varying styles, are reminiscent of those from past decades and can be coupled with light-up branches or vases and seasonal plates. Create a “red truck” theme with snack plates, light-up ceramics, dish towels, pillows or Santa in his red truck. There are glass blown ornaments that can enhance your table as well as your

Christmas tree. Add a festive wine bottle bag with a blinking bottle topper for special effect. Debbie’s Hallmark has something for everyone. For her, there is a gorgeous selection of apparel, including tops, wraps, ponchos, scarves, leggings and pants. Complete the perfect outfit with a handbag or wallet. Many styles of soft and fuzzy Christmas socks are also available. Check out the jewelry selections from DaVinci, Forever in my Heart, Gingersnaps and Clock it to ya. For the sports minded, collegiate jewelry featuring LSU, Ole Miss, Mississippi State or Arkansas would make a perfect gift. Great items for stocking stuffers include bath and body products from Thymes, Michel Design Works, Camille Beckman and Da Bomb bath fizzers, all offering luscious fragrances. For the guys, keep them warm with

gloves, hats, scarves and socks. Surprise him with a Buddy Speaker which connects to Amazon’s Alexa voice service to bring music, news, sports scores and more. With an Intelligent Car Cup Holder, he can charge up to three devices at once. Duke Cannon soaps make great stocking stuffers as well as any Star Wars product. There are gifts for children too! Wubbanub pacifiers are great for babies. Crafts and activity games from Melissa and Doug and Klutz keep kids busy. Give them a valuable keepsake with a recordable storybook featuring your voice on every page. The Elf on the Shelf and accessories are always a Christmas staple. These and many other gift ideas will help you complete your shopping list quickly. Free gift wrapping for your purchases is available. Merry Christmas!

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The Latest Technology in Eye Care Family Eye Care Provides The Best in Eye Care BY DR. ANTHONY LAMAR

ATIENTS FREQUENTLY TELL ME at the end of their eye exam that they have never had such a thorough exam before! Here at Family Eye Care we have made a commitment to stay up to date with the latest technology in order to provide you with the very best eye exam possible. We hope to provide you with the most thorough eye exam possible, while remaining efficient and noninvasive. One of the ways we accomplish this goal is through the use of Optos digital widefield retinal imaging. This technology allows us to capture a digital image of almost the entire retina (the inside back lining of the eye), even through an undilated pupil! While this technology does not fully replace a dilated eye exam, it allows us to see much more of the retina than we could previously when a patient cannot be dilated, all in a very non-invasive manner. Many practices charge a fee for this

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service; however, we enjoy this technology so much that we include it in every eye exam at no additional cost! Many patients ask us on a regular basis, with fear in their eyes: “Are you going to blow a puff of air at my eye to check my pressure?” Nobody likes to have their eye pressure checked in such an uncomfortable manner. We now use the icare handheld device, a very easy and accurate method of checking eye pressure. This device does not require any eyedrops to work effectively, and is the most non-invasive method for checking eye pressure. The entire process only takes about 15 seconds to check eye pressure and works very well on children as well! Perhaps the most difficult part of an eye exam is answering the dreaded question: “Which is better one or two?” This part of the exam is called the refraction, and we have digitized the entire process with digital

equipment. Doing a digital refraction is superior to the old manual way for several reasons. First, the process is more accurate when done in this manner, leading to better vision with a new pair of glasses. Second, the digital refraction is quicker, allowing the doctor to spend more time discussing the results with the patient. And finally, the digital refraction is easier on the patient. Here at Family Eye Care we pride ourselves on keeping up to date with the very best technology in eye care so that we can provide the best service and care to our patients. If you need an eye exam with the latest and most accurate technology in eye care, please call and schedule your appointment today at 318-807-2020! Dr. Lamar completed Optometry School at the University of Alabama in Birmingham and completed a residency in ocular disease at Ochsner Hospital in New Orleans.

St. Francis Announcement

On September 26. St. Francis Hospital announced a major development when it comes to the detection of breast cancer. The local hospital group now offers the most advanced mammography tools with the 3D Digital Breast Mammography screening unit in its Radiology Department. The Genius 3D Mammography allows patients access to a comprehensive screening and diagnostic breast imaging. Representatives from St. Francis Hospital, as well as members of the community, were on hand to celebrate this momentous announcement.

On the BayouScene

1 Stephanie Blake and Jill Woods 2 Tammy Belleau and Laura Horton 3 Aimeeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Kane, Kristin Wolkart and Cindy Rogers 4 Lila Strode and Bill Haley 5 Laura Maddox Daniel and Sarah Bordeaux 6 Tashula Shaw and Recie Doyle 7 Meredith Smith, Lisa Washington and Pam Bratton 8 Ashley McTurner, Kayleigh Mailhes and Graham Morris

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K-Sera Boutique

This velvet chenille drop shoulder sweater is perfect for chilly nights. Pair it with a pair of mid-rise, destructed skinny jeans with embroidery. A taupe westen hat with braided trim and stacked-heel, lace-up booties complete the look.

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l l A Up d e c u r p S This holiday season snuggle up in comfortable jeans and cozy sweaters from local boutiques. Set design by Taylor Bennett. Photography by Kelly Moore Clark. Hair and Makeup by Meka Bennett. Models: Maryanna Branch and Hudson Morris. Special thanks to Heather Land and her darling girls, Stella and Beverly.

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Chanticleers

Get holiday-ready in this soft velvet high-low tank. Dress it up by adding a beautiful velvet kimono that features an open front and shorter dolman sleeves. Throw on these striaght-leg distressed jeans for a relaxed Christmas party. Accessorize with an Axis deer hide wallet and Laminin jewelry.

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Ron Alexander Clothiers

This look combines a chocolate and white pinstripe shirt with an extra fine merino wool button mock with suede trim detailing pullover. For an evening out on the town, finish the look with a Michael Kors jacket and these Cole Haan classic penny loafers.

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Caraâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

Get festive with this long sleeve top with a keyhole front and twisted knot detail on the hem. A beautiful olive vest with fur trim is great for holiday parties. Add these dark denim skinny stretch jeans, taupe wool felt hat and over-the-knee boots to complete the look.

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The Fleurty Ginger

Snuggle up with a good book and cup of hot chocolate in this darling outfit featuring an oversized cable-knit sweater and lush velvet navy leggings. For chilly days, layer a plaid blanket scarf and tan knit beanie.

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Mr. Pâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Tees

Make holidays bright in this super soft premium camo hoodie with front pocket featuring a Crowned Pelican design in white. This comfy fit hoodie is great for those on the go this Christmas.

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Eleven 26

Celebrate the season in style with this deep maroon top featuring super soft velvet fabric and rolled sleeves, paired with these 4-way stretch knit jeans in a dark clean wash. Layer a luxurious long coat with faux fur and open front. A blush faux fur scarf, triple layer necklace and fashion-forward suede booties complete the outfit.

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Vanguard Realty Celebrates Open House New Business and Location, Familiar Faces You Know and Trust

ANGUARD REALTY CELEBRATED a momentous occasion on October 10th – the opening of their new real estate office on Antique Alley in West Monroe. Over 200 people showed up to support the newest realty team in Northeast Louisiana. They toured the offices and enjoyed refreshments, including cupcakes from Jamiecakes. And while the realty company is enjoying its new office and location, they aren’t new to the community. Jackie Guillot and Heather Aulds Guillot are the management team behind Vanguard and have nearly two decades combined experience between them. The mother and daughter-in-law duo leapt at the opportunity to run their own real estate agency. “It really is something that fell into place, and I believe was truly a God thing,” says Jackie. “Some doors closed, and some doors opened. This opportunity arose, and

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it was time for us to move forward and continue to grow.” They opened the doors in July and started with six agents. They now have 10 agents. “We have had so much community support and we are so humbled by the positive response we have had since opening our doors!” said Heather Guillot. “Being in the heart of Antique Alley allows us to be involved in community events, which has always been a passion of ours. Our vision for this office was to be centered around God, family and community.” One of the things that sets Heather and Jackie apart from other real estate agents is their ability to think outside the box, allowing them to market themselves and their listings in a creative way, reach a wide audience and, ultimately, help their clients purchase a new home or sell their property. Also, real estate is a full-time job for both, so they are giving it 100 percent all of the time.

They are fully committed to their clients and meeting their needs. Heather and Jackie are committed to Northeast Louisiana, making it a better place to live for their clients. From volunteering at The Home Coalition and local area schools to providing snacks and goodies for teacher appreciation, they are always looking for ways to give back. Having both been born and raised in this area, they value this community and want to make it even better. If you are looking to list your home or searching for your dream home, contact Vanguard Realty. Jackie, Heather or one of their experienced agents will be happy to help you out and welcome you into the family!

Taking Your Christmas Uptown Uptown Downtown Cakery, Bakery and Eatery

HE HOLIDAYS ARE HERE! NO MORE waiting. No more procrastinating. It is time! Time for giving. Time for loving. Time for sharing. There’s nothing better than giving back to the ones who we love so dearly. We could not be happier to be in Downtown Ruston with goodies and treats that will make your gift giving a breeze. All season long, you will find anything from cookies and candies, to spiced pecans and Christmas trash. You have choices of on-the-go gift trays or buildyourself gift boxes, where you choose just the right gift for that special person and can add in your own touches. There’s nothing better than receiving goodies that you can share with your family or just enjoy while curled up on your couch watching Christmas movies. DON’T FRET THE HOLIDAY PARTIES Make your holiday party going as fun and effortless as possible. With all the hustle

and bustle and many holiday events that come along with the Christmas season, don’t get caught up in the kitchen spending precious time baking and cooking. Let us do all the hard work. All season long, you will be able to come by and grab party dips, sandwiches, and much more for all your party going. Pick your treat, put it in your dish, and be on your way! UPTOWN HOLIDAY FAVORITES Crock Pot White Hot Chocolate 7 ½ cups Whole Milk 11 ounces White Baking Morsels 1/8 tsp. Salt 1 ½ tsp. Vanilla Extract 14 ounces Sweetened Condensed Milk Combine baking chips and salt together in crock pot. Pour in milk. Add sweetened

condensed milk and stir well. Cover and cook on high for 2 hours. Fire Crackers 1 pound Saltine Crackers 1 cup Canola Oil 1 packet Ranch Dressing Mix 2 Tbsp. Crushed Red Pepper Flakes ½ tsp. Garlic Powder Place crackers in air tight container. Combine seasonings and oil. Pour over Crackers. Place lid on container and shake. Let sit for at least 8 hours, shaking occasionally. Spicy Pecan Snack 6 cups of pecan halves 6 tbsp of melted butter ¼ cup of Worcestershire sauce 2 tbsp of Tabasco or your favorite hot sauce 1 tbsp soy sauce 1 tbsp hot cury powder 1 tbsp chili powder Preheat oven to 225 F. In a mixing bowl combine all ingredients and toss well to coat thoroughly. Spead mixture evenly on baking sheet. Bake for 30 minutes and then stir to turn toast evenly. Return to oven for 10 minutes. Serve warm or at room temperature.

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Excellent Service at Carwash West You Are in Good Hands at Carwash West

ASTROL PREMIUM LUBE EXPRESS at Carwash West is one of Castrol’s select privately owned quick lubes. Castrol evaluates its select quick lubes regularly 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. Castrol Premium Lube Express services foreign and domestic vehicles alike. You can trust their lube techs to let you know what services are due for your vehicle by mileage and from visual inspection. Their techs will alert you to which services are critical, from a nail in your tire to an extremely worn belt. They price the services so you can compare with other shops. They do not pressure sell; they just give you the information you need to make a decision. Carwash West’s services are reported to CarFax, which offers a free smart phone

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app. This app allows CarFax to notify you when services are due for each of your cars. They even will let you know when your registration is due. They are a state inspection station and also provide windshield crack repair on site. On rainy days when the carwash is closed they provide a wash raincheck for their lube customers. Carwash West offers lube packages for people on-the-go, whether you need the bare minimum or the works. Carwash West also provides a variety of wash options which includes full service, hand washes, detail services and exterior express. “We guarantee you a clean car that meets your expectations. If there is an area of your vehicle that needs special attention, let us know and we will take care of it for you,” comments Ross Thompson. Their professional and courteous car wash attendants are ready

to make your car look its best. They are here to pamper you and your vehicle with the award winning service you deserve; just relax inside at Café ExpressO. Carwash West has a VIP Rewards Club that offers a 48-hour clean car guarantee, (exterior wash in the event of rain, bird droppings, etc.), every 10th wash free, 15 percent discount when returning within 15 days, and FREE birthday wash. They can also customize a monthly or yearly plan for your vehicle. Mrs. Salina has been the greeter for Carwash for close to 20 years. She is wellknown in the community for her positive attitude and her very accurate memory. After you have driven through Carwash West once, she is likely to remember you and what your preferences are. Carwash West is unique in that where most automotive businesses can be intimidating to women, they provide a comfortable, non-threatening atmosphere, and every Wednesday is Ladies Day with substantial discounts on all wash packages. Their main objective is to spoil you. It is like a spa service for your car. Their goal is to meet your needs and give you a great place to relax while you wait. Gift Cards Available! Perfect gift for this Holiday Season! For pricing or more information, check out www.carwashwestmonroe.com.

The Gift of Health and Beauty

Gift Ideas from Hopkins Dermatology and MD Minerals Studio GIFTS FOR HER • M D Minerals Products: Who doesn’t love a new shade of lipgloss, or a shimmering new eyeshadow? MD Minerals cosmetics would make a great stocking stuffer too! • Skin Care: Glowing skin is always in! We have various products for every skin type! Don’t know what to get your Mom? What about a new moisturizer from Caudalie? Or a Needle Free Serum from Hopkins own brand? • Hydrafacial Elite MD: What about the best friend who has everything? The Hydrafacial Elite MD is the perfect facial for everyone! This Hydrafacial deep cleans using water and nutrients to cleanse, exfoliate, and rejuvenate! Give your skin an instant glow before your holiday parties! • Caudalie Facials: This ultimate luxury facial is perfect for anyone! Using the worldrenowned Caudalie products, this facial is

hydrating, rejuvenating and relaxing all in one! Customized for each patient, your loved ones will love you forever for this sweet treat! • Fotona Laser: Laser treatments are perfect for those who aren’t ready for injectibles and fillers. Laser treatments range from face treatments, which even out skin tone, rejuvenate, tighten and minimize pores. Also to body treatments that sculpt and tighten! The best part? Little to no downtime! • Botox/filler: Don’t let the stress of the Holidays create lines on the face! Botox and Fillers are always customized per patient, and Dr. Hopkins has her own technique for less bruising and swelling! • Gift Cards: What if your loved ones would want all of this (We know we would!)? then a gift card is perfect for them! 10% off gift cards for select products and procedures! Hopkins Dermatology isn’t just for the women in your life, it’s for the men as well!

They may not say it often, but men love to be pampered a little too! FOR HIM • K ybella: Does your guy have the double chin blues? Kybella is an injectable to destroy fat in stubborn areas! That’s right, DESTROY the fat! • SculpSure: What about those pesky few inches you or your guy have been dying to lose? SculpSure is perfect for those trouble areas we all have! • Skin Care products: Because men need great skin care too! We have everything the men in your life need to make their skin flawless! • HD Products: Body lotion with retinol to help tighten, a scrub to help brighten, and a SPF body lotion to protect! This trio is sure to make anyone’s Christmas list! Follow us on Instagram and Facebook to stay up to date on specials and events! Follow along for the Twelve Days of Christmas Deals starting December 7! You don’t want to miss out on these festive savings! Start your New Years resolutions early; Be Healthy, Be Beautiful.. Hopkins Dermatology.

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BE E R AN D PIZZA Dean Norton, Karl Puljak and Cassidy Keim teamed up to open Rustonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s newest eatery, The Utility Brewing Company. Article by Vanelis Rivera Photography by Martin G Meyers

uddled next to the Dixie Center for the Arts in downtown Ruston is an ingenious little locale brewing up hoppiness on tap. The Utility Brewing Company offers three items to cure whatever ales you: beer, pizza, and… enough awful beer puns to go around. The story of this new and trendy pub begins like a ‘walks into a bar’ joke,-- Two architects and one businessman walk into a bar and hop into a business deal. Owners Karl Puljak and Cassidy Keim are the men behind the brew, while owner Dean Norton focuses on business planning for the brewery. Hailing from St. Louis, Missouri, Karl long ago adopted Ruston as his second home. He married a local girl, taught at Louisiana Tech University for 23 years, and is currently the Director of The School of Design. Cassidy grew up in Shreveport and is a former student of Karl’s. He graduated from Louisiana Tech in 2008 with a Master’s of Architecture. He owns a firm in Ruston and acts as an Adjunct Graduate Professor, also at The School of Design. Though he has worked for national architecture firms in Los Angeles,

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California, and Phoenix, he says that Ruston has always felt like the place he needed to be. “There is a lot of opportunity here,” Cassidy said in an interview. Dean has brought his local business experience to project Utility. It is from him that the team gains advice, focus, and organization to what is already a well-oiled undertaking. He has owned a couple of restaurants in town including Trenton Street Cafe, so Dean understands what constitutes the fundamental challenge of any business. In his words: “How am I going to sell that and make it look easy?” Thus far, these craftsmen have succeeded. The idea for the brewery fermented between Karl and Cassidy during their participation at Ruston’s Artoberfest, an annual fundraising event that benefits the North Central Louisiana Art Council. After witnessing an impressive brew-loving population, they were inspired to take their passion to the next level, explained Cassidy. They strove to conserve the atmosphere of sharing and talking about beer while “serving directly to people,” a vibe they certainly achieved at Utility.

The final initiative to advance their beersness idea occured while attending a brewery and business immersion course hosted by Colorado Boy in Ridgway, Colorado. There, the owner of the course confirmed the potential of their undertaking by letting Karl and Cassidy know, “If you guys don’t do it… I think I might do it.” The interior of Utility is its own tribute to the downtown district. Even though it has been gutted and remodeled, the historical character of the space has been maintained, particularly the ceiling and the brick walls. It was a complicated feat - overhauling an existing building and transforming it into a restaurant - but Cassidy explained that “One of the things we love is that this is a quaint, small pub atmosphere.” He was also drawn to the possibility of developing an outdoor space, remarking that downtown dining could use more spaces with outdoor options. Karl appropriately compares the long narrow indoor space (which can seat about 40 people) to a ship in a bottle. The moment you come in, there’s an open space flanked by a bar and kitchen on opposite sides of the room. Six towering “gigantic tanks” holding

about 220 gallons are hooked to the tap, while six more can be seen toward the back of the building. To get to the beer-garden styled courtyard, all you need to do is walk around the brewing area. “You can see our whole process and that product from start to finish,” said Cassidy, beaming. he industrially designed space evokes a warehouse feel, which correlates to the simplicity of their aesthetic ambitions. “Everything is raw and handmade,” Cassidy explained. He built the legs to the tables and, alongside his partners, fashioned the countertops of the bar. A handpainted mural of their logo serves as a centerpiece between two black boards. Creative signatures to the bar area include a custom-made utility tap featuring vintage tools as levers, two locally crocheted beer and pizza key chains, and a Crowler machine--beer canner-that is ready to can and seal any freshly poured beer you desire to take home. Also in the bar area, a self-explanatory “BUY A FRIEND A BEER” board, promotes fellowship. Free beers are currently listed for firefighters, policemen, anyone in a dinosaur costume, and Pope Francis (should he happen to turn up in Ruston). Leave your mark and make someone’s day by hopping it forward. Just as it seems that the architects have thought of it all, look in the bathrooms wall nooks have been thoughtfully constructed for customer’s drinks. The beer menu is thoughtful and balanced. Popular with customers is the Irish-inspired red ale. It’s “malty, sweet and full of caramelized sugar and dried fruit flavors” with “a small addition of roasted barley.” For folks just entering the world of craft beer the “bready malt notes, caramel sweetness and mild hops” of the pub ale makes an ideal starter. Karl recommends their honey saison, which uses 30 pounds of local honey from Jennings Apiaries. This Belgian-esque ale has a hint of black pepper, an addition that serves to complement the simple grain recipe. A customer raved that after trying the season they never looked back.

assidy’s brew choice is their American kosch, an “easy drinking beer” that has a honey-like malt sweetness preceding “a crisp finish with a touch of citrus flavor from the addition of orange peel and coriander.” Included in the beer menu is a hearty stout, moderately hopped IPA, and their small-batch cask beers. “Naturally carbonated in traditional stainless steel kirkings,” their cask beers are served American style from their English-style bar-top “beer engine.” Showcasing a simple food menu of pizza and salad, the team gets as much as they can from the local farmer’s market. They proudly make their own pizza dough, mozzarella, and salad dressings. Made from scratch “using 100 percent Italian Caputo flour, water, yeast, and sea salt” the dough is aged for two days in order to allow the natural sugars to develop in the fermenting process. A homemade gluten-free crust is also available. The pizzas are cooked in their 700 degree wood fired brick oven. There is no questioning that you can taste the extra care put into the making of their pizzas. The beer-pizza pairings seem innumerable, especially when considering the pizza choices listed in the menu. Classics with a twist include, the Margherita, Tri Cheese, Classic Pepperoni and Pineapple Pie. The more inventive pies include, the Lincoln, with mushroom, cajun sausage, and goat cheese; the Downtown, conservatively smeared with garlic olive oil and topped with mozzarella, bacon, cajun sausage, gorgonzola cheese, and tomatoes; and the Ruston Home Pie, with mozzarella cheese, prosciutto, roasted red bell peppers, a farm egg, asiago cheese, and arugula. You’ll want to try more than three pies at a time, but make room for their dessert pizza: a creamy Nutella center sprinkled with powdered sugar and creme fraiche, which one guest proclaimed made their experience “unforgettable!” In only five days of opening, the brewery has received a whopping 32 five-star reviews. Not only are customers enthusiastically reviewing the brews, but they are pairing their favorite pizzas with recommended brews. For instance, the Silver Fox pizza (tomato sauce, mozzarella, salami, red pepper flakes, kalamata olives, and arugula) has been partnered with the IPA. Meanwhile the Spicy Artichoke pizza (a great vegetarian option of italian tomato sauce, mozzarella, artichoke, gorgonzola, roasted garlic, hot garlic oil, and basil) is encouraged alongside the American kolsch. Wine enthusiasts need not feel out of place, as they can make their own pizza-wine pairing with a distinguished and versatile wine menu of red and white favorites ranging from cabernet sauvignons to chardonnays. The immersion of the rough-edged downtown vibe with the big city flowing energy has customers commenting on the acumen and courage they recognize in this, quote, “first-rate place that will cater to and attract young and old professionals alike.”

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Karl told BayouLife Magazine, “There’s a lot of bigger cities [in which] you don’t have the opportunity to make as much of an impact in the community or participate as much.” To Cassidy, Ruston is a blank canvas that he sees as steadily coming to life with fresh color. Karl expects the area to become an artistic nerve center, charged with “the kind of activities and the kind of people that we would like to work with and have become patrons.” The brewery is trend setting. Cassidy hopes to create a unique place in Ruston. A place where, in his words, “they don’t have televisions sets and they don’t intend to.” Utility is a space where you can, in Cassidy’s words, “have a beer and a conversation. Talk to people. Get to know people. Bring your kids.” The owners credit the Ruston community and particularly the mayor with how smoothly the business has eased into the area. The support has made the process an enjoyable one.

“UTILITY BEGAN WITH A PASSION TO CREATE A GATHERING PLACE FOR THE COMMUNITY. THE TRIO HAS CREATED A FAMILY-ORIENTED SPACE THAT MAINTAINS ITS PUB ATMOSPHERE.”

he passion from the beginning was to create a gathering place for the community. They want a family-oriented space that maintains its pub atmosphere. What’s made inhouse is for the sake of the in-house experience. There are no plans right now to package or sell their beer at grocery stores or restaurants. The liberty of not having to make the same thing twice is a creative freedom they plan to keep exploring. The Utility Brewery Company has a ‘no problem, no sweat’ approach. Heck, it’s written in all caps at the front of the establishment: BEER AND PIZZA. This place is exactly what it says on the tin. Tap into the brewtivities and find out what’s been hoppening at the shnazzy joint that’s becoming a Ruston must-eat-and-drink. The Utility Brewery Company is located at 206 North Vienna Street, Ruston Louisiana. It is open Tuesday-Friday 4-10 PM; Saturday 11AM10PM; Sunday 11AM-9PM. Follow them on Facebook and Instagram to keep up with current brews.

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Petals and Pearls Two Years in the Making BY DENISE HARDY

WAS LITERALLY RAISED AROUND CHURCH, EVENTS and flowers all of my life. I was trained by some of the best design florists in town doing every occasion you can think of and doing it well. They were my mother, aunts and other family members who came together to make other families’ days better with flowers. We know family and we know flowers. Petals and Pearls will be your go-to place for all of your flower needs starting with your first order. We carry these valued traditions in every piece of work that leaves the store. We strive to make each piece more personalized for the customer. God has blessed me with the talent of organizational skills and the love of weddings and flowers. After retiring in 2015, I decided to take the “leap of faith” and open a flower and gift shop. WOW!! What a busy 2 years it has been! Besides getting to participate in my youngest son’s wedding this past spring, the last two years we have helped organize and implement flowers for over 20 weddings. So, you can truly say my love for planning weddings has been a dream come true. At Petals and Pearls, we offer event and wedding planning and we are a full-service florist and gift shop. We keep seasonal gift items, gift baskets and plants, and we do custom vinyl on products.

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My staff consists of 3 part-time workers, in cluding Kaitlyn, my right-hand gal, who has been with me from day one. Ms. June, whom retired from banking after 32 years, and another licensed florist who recently joined our team, Shawna. Of course, I must say we can’t do this without numerous friends and family members that help us out, especially when we have two weddings in one weekend. Just in time for The Holidays, our full-service shop is open, taking orders and reservations. Just look for the little quaint shop with the pink doors on 165 North just past Finks Hideaway Road. Stop in to see our gifts, jewelry and much more. Talk to us about your next special event. We offer a wide range of services for parties and rentals. The journey continues to be hard work, but exciting, with loads of fun while creating many special memories. Thank you to all the loyal customers and brides from the past 2 years. We plan to be around for quite a while, meeting the needs of our community, and when you need that something special, remember, “Just Let Us Do It.” We love what we do and are sure you will be pleased when you have us make your special moments more memorable. Blessings, Denise Hardy

More Than Just Hair This Holiday Season Aveda at Arlette Offers Organic Body, Skin and Hair Products

HE HOLIDAYS ARE HERE AND Arlette has plenty of products for everyone on your list! They are an exclusive carrier of Aveda products, whose mission is to care for the world that we live in, from the products they make to the ways in which they give back to society. Aveda strives to set an example for environmental leadership and responsibility, not just in the world of beauty, but around the world. At Aveda, The Art and Science of Pure Flower and Plant Essences, they believe that Nature is the best beauty artist of all. This is why they continually strive to increase their naturally derived ingredients whenever possible. Their commitment to deliver high performance, botanically-based products that are kinder to the planet – which is good for all of us -- goes much deeper than just their use of naturally derived ingredients. Many people know Arlette as a hair

salon, but they are much more than that. Arlette is a wholistic and organic approach to not just your hair, but your skin and makeup as well. They offer men, women and children haircuts, coloring, make up design, special occasion hair, facials and skin care. In addition to services, they have the complete line of Aveda products. With the holiday season, there are plenty of holiday gift sets to choose from. For hair care, there are several varieties of shampoo, conditioner, dry shampoo, leave in treatments, hair oil, masques and aromas. When it comes to styling, there are tonics, crèmes, powder, wax, mousse, gel, hair spray and brushes. But Aveda doesn’t stop at just hair. They have a complete body line that has cleansers, scrubs, soaking salts, lotions, oils and bath items. Their make up line has beautiful colors for the lips, eyes,

face and cheeks. Pure-fume is a top gift item this year and a staff favorite. The hair mist is great for everyday and especially those no wash days. Inspired by Brazil’s magical coastline, it infuses softness and shine and uses certified organic neroli, lemon and ylang ylang and other pure flower and plant essences. There is also a body mist that nourishes the skin, while calming and providing a moment of peace. And for the person on your list who has everything, a gift certificate to Arlette is the answer. They can use it to redeem products or services and get just what they want. Stop by Arlette in the Murray Place Shopping Center to meet their talented staff, see their extensive line of Aveda products and find something for everyone on your list…and for yourself!

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Smallcakes Cupcakery and Creamery Your Holiday Sweet Headquarters!

MALLCAKES MONROE RECENTLY celebrated its one year anniversary with a big birthday bash. Customers filled the shop to snag a delicious dessert, as well as register for prizes. Since their opening, customers have flocked to them for scrumptious cupcakes, cookies, ice cream and shakes. The cupcakery carries 14 core flavors like pink vanilla, chocoholic, cookies and cream, peanut butter cup, birthday cake and more. They also have rotating seasonal cupcakes, depending on the time of the year, like s’mores, king cake and cookie butter. Smallcakes is a one-stop bakery for all things “sweet” and this upcoming holiday season is no exception. This month, Smallcakes will offer holiday inspired cupcakes and ice cream including pumpkin pie, pumpkin salted caramel, apple crisp, pecan pie, gingerbread, hot cocoa and

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peppermint, just to name a few. In addition to delicious and unique cupcakes, Smallcakes has cookies, ice cream and shakes. There are traditional ice cream flavors as well as wedding cake, unicorn and cookie butter. They even combine the cupcake and ice cream into a unique treat – a smash – where you can pick two scoops of your favorite ice cream and smash it between your favorite cupcake. If you need something for a kiddo’s class party, be sure to grab a box of Christmas-themed cupcakes that include Santa Claus, snowmen, snowflakes, wreaths, reindeer and Christmas trees. You can call ahead and place an order and won’t have to worry about fretting over some Pinterest fail at midnight the night before. For the best of both worlds, check out the Smallcakes cake cookies. You can choose from a variety of flavors including chocolate

chip, red velvet, Heath, pumpkin or sugar cookie. Smallcakes is excited to announce their newest treat - signature cupcakes shots. These fun treats will be a hit at any holiday party. If you are looking for a unique gift or happy, our gift cards make the perfect present and can be used all year long! Be sure to follow their Facebook page to see what sweet treats they will be offering each day or stop by to find out how they can make your holiday season even sweeter! Smallcakes is located in the Murray Place Shopping Center on N. 18th and looks forward to seeing you this holiday season!

Trinity Cheer Athletics Family. Focus. Fun.

HEER - GO! FIGHT! WIN! If your child is a cheerleader or has cheer dreams and goals, we will push and guide them to reach their full potential. DOES YOUR ATHLETE WANT TO MAKE CHEER? It’s that time of year: tryouts! December is here, and our local athletes are focusing on one thing: tryouts! Be sure that you join the prep bandwagon & start your training early with our Trinity Cheer Athletics Family. TRYOUT PREP CLASS! Tumbling is not the only vital part of a cheer tryout. Your athlete also needs to practice motions, voice inflection, spirit, sharpness, dance, cheer, and much more!

Sign up with us now so we can prepare your athlete for all areas of his or her cheer tryout! With a coaching staff that consists of the coaches from Grace, Neville, Sterlington High School and Middle School, River Oaks, Good Hope, St. Freds Junior High and High School, and experience with all schools in our area, we know what the schools expect. Our coaches are fully prepared to train your athlete and get them ready for their upcoming tryout. Our best advice is get started early! This helps your child master the skills ahead of time and, in return, calms a lot of nerves! Sign up for a tumbling class! At Trinity, we know that tryouts can be scary, but starting early and being fully prepared is sure to help ease those nerves. Bring your athlete by today to enroll in

one of our tryout prep classes, check out our tryout clinics, or maybe set up private lessons. We offer something for everyone on every level. Don’t wait until the last minute. Get ahead of the game! Your cheerleader is sure to be as prepared as possible when those tryouts roll around! Tryout prep class is vital for an athlete to be physically and mentally prepared. This group training atmosphere conditions bodies while exhausting any public performance fear that may be present. Do not miss out on the chance to train with our UCA and college cheerleader instructors who know exactly how to prepare your future cheerleader! 7595 Highway 165 N, Monroe, LA, 318-338-7947, www.trinitycheerathletics.com

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Magic Grill West Monroe and Magic Grill Chicken Hope Your Holidays Are Magical!

HE HOLIDAYS ARE HERE AND there are some things that will always be holiday traditions, and it looks like Magic Grill in West Monroe is quickly becoming one of them. Everyone is enjoying the po-boys, burgers, hot dogs, chicken strips, fish and French fries. The holiday season at Magic Grill West Monroe has been filled with out-of-town guests. The parking lot has even been a meeting place for families as they come into town. “We have said we should keep the tables pushed together during the holidays for our out-of-town guests,” said Jada Ali, who owns Magic Grill along with her husband, Faisal. “It is exciting being a part of this magic.” Being a pit stop for people for local flavor and the tradition of po-boys and gravy is something that Mr. Ray Pierce started over 50 years ago. At the Magic Grill on Arkansas Road, they have even started a tradition of their own. The restaurant features a map,

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where visitors can pin where they came from to enjoy the delicious food. To add a bit more magic to the holiday season, Magic Grill West Monroe has a magic mailbox. During the month of December, kids can come and write their letters to Santa and Magic Grill West Monroe will send them off to the North Pole. They even supply the paper and pencils and a free ice cream while kids write their letters. If you are missing that magical chicken, no worries. The new location of Magic Grill Chicken is at 3095 Arkansas Road, inside Jmart Express. You can still get that famous fried chicken and gravy! And you don’t have to just enjoy the goodness from the restaurant. You can take it home with you as Magic Grill West Monroe can cater your Christmas parties, holiday parties and get togethers. A favorite is the famous delicious rolls. Call ahead to 570-5133 to place your to go order! Gift certificates are available and make great stocking stuffers or teacher’s gifts! As an

added Christmas gift, they will give a free lifetime ice cream card with the purchase of a gift certificate. Faisal and Jada Ali along with the staff of Magic Grill West Monroe would like to wish everyone a magical Merry Christmas. “We are so thankful to be a part of this community,” said Jada. “We try to do so much throughout the year between our back-to-school drive for school supplies, fundraisers for Med Camps and collecting toys for Stuff-A-Bus, we couldn’t do it without the support of this wonderful community! Thanks to everyone and we look forward to seeing you in 2018!”

Merry Christmas,

The Lil Grill with a Big Heart

P&S Surgical Hospital A Special Thank You

BY LINDA S. HOLYFIELD, CEO AND PRESIDENT

HE HOLIDAY SEASON OFFERS us a gift: the chance to appreciate our blessings. All of us at P&S Surgical Hospital extend our sincere gratitude to our patients and their families for trusting us with their health and the opportunity to improve the quality of their lives. We are also thankful to our dedicated referring doctors, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants who depend on us to provide their patients with excellent medical care. We sincerely appreciate the support of our extended community of healthcare recipients and healthcare providers, and we will continue to strive to provide them with the best care. We are also thankful for the highlyskilled physicians and medical staff members who choose to work at P&S Surgical Hospital. The quality medical staff as well as the dedication of our employees has enabled our hospital to

care. This award is a testament to their hard work and dedication. Excellent healthcare is closely tied to patient safety. P&S Surgical Hospital reports an infection rate of only 0.17 percent. The national average is approximately .24 percent, as reported by Physician Hospitals of America. Another measure of the hospital’s success can be found in HCAPHS (Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems), which is a national, standardized receive truly impressive national recognition survey instrument and data collection for outstanding clinical outcomes. The staff methodology for measuring patients’ who work in our seven operating rooms and perspectives on hospital care. HCAPHS data two cardiac catheterization labs provide stateis used to determine recipients of the Guardian of-the-art, personalized, high quality care. of Excellence Award. P&S Surgical Hospital has received several According to HCAPHS data, 93 percent national awards: the 2018 Outstanding Patient of patients treated at P&S Surgical Hospital Experience Award, a five-star rating for total reported “yes” when asked if they would knee replacements, and a five-star rating for recommend the hospital, compared to the total hip replacements from Healthgrades. state average of 77 percent and the national P&S Surgical Hospital also received the average of 72 percent. Consumers can learn 2017 Press Ganey Guardian of Excellence about this information and compare hospitals Award, which honors healthcare facilities by visiting medicare.gov/hospitalcompare/ that consistently achieve the 95th percentile in Press Ganey partners with more than patient experience. 26,000 healthcare facilities to measure and Press Ganey has recognized P&S improve the patient experience. Surgical Hospital for outstanding in-patient P&S Surgical Hospital is a joint venture satisfaction every quarter for the past 12 years. between St. Francis Medical Center and physician Our physicians, along with our entire staff, are specialists. committed to providing outstanding patient

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SLOW DOWN

MATT SHEPARDâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S PATH FROM BAND LEADER TO SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS OWNER article by MICHAEL DEVAULT | photos by BRAD ARENDER

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sign on a door in Matt’s Music reads, “Slow Down.” It’s the kind of warning one might see hanging in a high school to discourage students from running in the hallways between classes. The symbolism of the sign, intentional or not, becomes all too apparent when one begins to unpack owner Matt Shepard’s journey from college musician to owner of the region’s best sources for quality musical instruments, equipment, and installation. When Matt graduated from ULM, then NLU, in the early 1980s, he had every intention that his degree in marketing would take him far away from Monroe. “I did the regular job thing for a while,” Matt tells BayouLife. “I worked in Baton Rouge for a bank, and then I went to Dallas, where I worked for Motorola for a few years.” But corporate life wasn’t quite what he expected. By the late 1980s, he was ready for a change. On a trip home, he heard that the owner of Specialty Sound was thinking about selling the business. Matt had come to know the company, and its owner, while playing guitar in college. Matt recognized the opportunity to move home, and he discussed it with his father. “I was a guitar player, but I’d never done the music thing,” he says.” I’d been around music my whole life, but I saw this more as a business opportunity. I convinced my dad to help me get the store.” In mid-1991, Matt’s Music was born. Twenty-six years later, 192 DECEMBER 2017 | WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM

Matt has transformed the small shop where people could buy guitars and drums into one of the region’s premier providers of sound systems, mixing equipment, and professional-quality musical instruments. The company also provides professional services to churches, schools, and corporations, and it serves as a hub for the region’s hundreds of musicians, professional, amateur or aspiring. To help transform the business into what it would eventually become, Matt relied on his own experiences as a musician. Earlier, Matt had formed a band with his brother, Luke, and local drummer Steve Quinan. The Fields played an audience-pleasing assortment of jangle pop, the genre of rock made popular in the late 80s and early 90s by bands such as Pearl Jam, R.E.M., and Louisiana favorites Better Than Ezra and Cowboy Mouth. Over the course of the Fields’ run, the band play a host of local nightspots, including Enoch’s and the Depot, and toured extensively throughout the region, opening for bands such as Better Than Ezra and Cowboy Mouth while also headlining smaller venues in Baton Rouge, Shreveport, New Orleans and beyond. The Fields were a local hit, according to Terry Tugwell. Tugwell is a live music aficionado who remembers the Fields – and Matt himself -- quite well. “A lot of people today may not know that he was one of Monroe’s most popular musicians 20 years ago,” Terry says. “The Fields played at every club, the biggest parties. They were a great band, and people loved to hear them. And they loved Matt.” Local music impresario Doyle Jeter remembers Matt and the Fields, as well. Jeter owns Enoch’s Irish Pub, a live music venue that has hosted musicians of regional, national, and international importance for more than 30 years. Both Tugwell and Jeter believe Matt’s experience playing and touring have helped inform the growth of Matt’s Music. “That’s probably why he’s been so successful,” Jeter says. “He’s a musician at heart, he treats all musicians who walk through the door like family, and that’s probably the most important factor of why he’s been so successful. He relates to musicians on that level.” Jeter also notes Matt has something many musicians lack. “It’s rare for a musician to be that business savvy,” Jeter says. “That’s helped a great deal.”

Like Matt and the company he runs, Enoch’s, too, has evolved over the years, moving between venues and following audience trends. By the early 1990s, the bar had become a signature nightspot for seeing bands. When it came time to set up a permanent, house sound system, Jeter called Matt. He’d rely on Matt’s expertise again in 1995, the day internationally renowned Leon Russell was set to perform. At the time, Enoch’s occupied a location on 6th Street near Louisville Avenue. The venue was large, but the sound system wasn’t what Russell would need. Jeter credits Matt with helping get the venue ready for Russell’s performance – and many more instances too numerous to count, according to Jeter. “Without Matt’s support with sound equipment and other things, Enoch’s wouldn’t be what it is today,” Jeter says. “The Leon Russell performance is just one example. We called Matt and he was there in 30 minutes to help us set up, to treat Russell right.” Matt’s involvement goes beyond area live music venues. Through Matt’s Music, he’s a supporter of the Northeast Louisiana Celtic Festival, the Northeastern Louisiana Music Awards, the Louisiana Food and Music Festival, and a dozen more area events. Matt’s Music also continues to support area nonprofits. WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | DECEMBER 2017 193

hen Tipitina Foundation announced plans to open a facility in Monroe, Matt’s Music provided them with studio equipment, instruments, and other items at a discount. He sees organizations like Tipitina’s as part of the new music scene in Monroe. A lot has changed over the last 26 years, both for live music in Monroe and for Matt’s Music. While Matt sees the potential live music has in Monroe, he notes that it’s not quite as hopping of a scene as it was in the mid-1990s. One reason: closing time. “Back then, the bars closed at 12, and that made it a lot easier for people to get out and have a good time,” he says. “That helped the music scene because people could come out and not feel like they had stayed out all night. Nowadays, bands don’t start playing until 11 or midnight. That kind of limits what your audience can be.” Nevertheless, on any given Friday night, you can find Matt at the back of the room at any number of area bars or venues, listening to the band. And he’s still a big supporter of Enoch’s. “Hands down, they were so supportive of live music, it just made it the place to play,” Matt says. “They still are.” The company has grown to employ more than a dozen employees, and it’s expanded its offerings to include diverse installations in churches and at schools. In fact, the company has an entire division devoted exclusively to contracting and large-scale installations. Over the years, Matt’s dad continued to be supportive. “When I was five years into this and wanted to expand, to become bigger and better, he was more than willing to help me,” Matt says. “I knew I had to pay him back, and I did. But my dad was a big part of our success.” Matt’s father lived to 93 and only recently passed, which means he got to see the business his son has built. That’s something Matt is thankful for, quipping almost playfully, “He was really proud when I quit asking him for money.”

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He’s still focused on growing Matt’s Music, always looking to expand lines and add cutting-edge equipment. He attributes his business’s success to the support he receives from the community. For both Jeter and Tugwell, Matt is a force who’s brought tremendous enrichment to the community – and if they have their way, one day Matt will have enough time to do another set in the spotlight at Enoch’s. Until then, Matt and the business he’s built will remain the way he enters the music world. And there’s something special to be said about that, according to Tugwell. “For the last 30 years, he’s helped make the dreams of many young musicians come true,” Tugwell says. “He helps provide them with their very first guitars, first drum sets, first keyboards, and he gives young musicians the encouragement they need to persevere.”

The Family of Lewis Gifts Celebrating Over 75 Years

HE LEWIS FAMILY OF LEWIS GIFTS HAS BEEN A PART of Shreveport, Louisiana’s retail community for over 75 years. The small shop that began as a pharmacy back in the 1920s and was transformed into a gift shop in 1985. It grew so much that the family ultimately found a new home and a new 12,000 foot showroom at 5807 Youree Drive in 2008. Today, Catherine Lewis Hobbs is the fourth generation to own Lewis Gifts, along with her brother Mike Lewis who runs the adjoining café, Biscotti’s. The staff has a combined 259 years of retail experience and most of them have been with the company for years. That family atmosphere coupled with impeccable personal service is one of the hallmarks of Lewis Gifts. Another signature hallmark is the breathtaking selection. Walking into Lewis Gifts transports guests into a world of new options, from the perfect gift that pampers, to graceful home décor. Lewis Gifts carries the brands you love such as Jon Hart, Niven Morgan, Vietri, Juliska, Skyros, Tyler Boe and Bella Notte Bedding in the latest trends, as well as classics you’ll love forever. The bustling store showcases everything from artisan bath products to baby gifts and clothing. They also carry fabulous women’s clothing, accessories and jewelry. Lewis Gifts is the perfect place to take your home into every season. The staff can show you some simple additions in china, flatware and linens for an easy update to your tabletop design. They can help you coordinate throw pillows and matching lamps, as well as home accents for inside or outdoor entertaining. Their candles, scented soaps and gourmet packaged foods will add a welcoming note to your guestroom. Lewis Gifts is known throughout the South as a bridal registry destination with full service and attention to detail. Each bride receives personal service customized just for her. Lewis’ offers almost everything the newlyweds need to start a new home together. The bridal consultants and staff make it their priority to ensure a timely follow-through and personal experience. As you enjoy your shopping, plan to stay for lunch! Biscotti’s is located inside Lewis Gifts and offers a delectable menu with something to delight every taste. Catering and Meals-to-Go is also available offering sandwich trays, casseroles, sides, salads, dessert trays, soups, pies and cakes. Biscotti’s can handle catering for small families and larger parties. So whether you’re looking for something to spruce up your home for the winter, or for the perfect gift to delight and pamper, the staff at Lewis Gifts is ready to help. Their convenient location and unique blend of personal service and luxury products will enhance your style and your life!

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Timeless and Extraordinary Gifts Vintage & Vogue in Downtown Ruston

OOKING FOR THE PERFECT GIFT for that hard-to-buy-for person? Vintage & Vogue, a downtown Ruston gem, is the place to shop for unique gifts this holiday season. They have an eye for finding unusual and eclectic gifts for their customers. The result is a store full of one-of-a-kind items that you won’t find anywhere else. Fine jewelry made from vintage and antique pocket watches is a trademark of Vintage & Vogue, and Timeless Treasures Originals. Artist and owner Michele Millette McGehee specializes in creating custom jewelry from these mechanical watches. No two pieces are identical and each one is truly a treasured keepsake. If you’ve visited the beautifully restored building in Historic Downtown Ruston, you have seen the delightful blend of original antique pieces and brand new gifts. The

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local artists and curated vendors help take the work out of shopping, so that you can enjoy the final product. From assistance with gift selection, to complimentary gift-wrap, you can walk in with an idea and step out with a gift your loved one will cherish! Their popular handmade chocolates from Sweet Shop USA are available for tasting daily and make a wonderful holiday gift. You’ll also find original art from Joy Works Paintings by Linda Dwyer, and custom wooden and acrylic duck calls by DOCS and K-Calls. Two Mississippi potters with fantastic works, Swamp Things by Bruce Small and Mississippi Millie by Lesley Sutherland, are also located within the shop. There is also an unusual line of wallets from Narwhal Company made from recycled polyester neckties. The newest line for the shop is REIGN Beard Care by Parker Dash

of Monroe, LA – a line of sophisticated personal care products for the men in your life. From hand-poured candles and gourmet chocolates to estate crystal and silver, you will find outstanding gifts to surprise those special people on your list this Christmas. Make sure you venture out this month to Vintage & Vogue and discover what you have been missing! December hours will be Monday - Saturday from 10:30 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Introducing 3D Dental Imaging

Most Advanced Technology Available in Dental Radiology

R. PATRICK MCGEE IS PROUD TO introduce the most advanced imaging system available in dentistry today: the i-CAT® CBCT 3-dimensional x-ray system. What is CBCT 3D imaging? CBCT stands for cone beam computed tomography. It is the most recent advancement in dental imaging sciences. Unlike conventional 2-D dental imaging, 3-D imaging gives a more precise and accurate representation of anatomical structures. This precision has multiple benefits to the dentist as well as to the patient. One of those benefits is much more accurate diagnostic information that can be obtained from a 3-dimensional image set compared to a single 2-dimensional image. With 3-D imaging, pathology can be readily identified in both its location and severity. Often times a patient will present to my practice with

symptoms that are not easily replicated. In such a case, a standard 2-D radiograph shows very little information. Using the i-CAT® CBCT, a 3-D image will show virtually any pathology that is present. This means that the patient’s problem can be treated efficiently and accurately. Another state-of-the-art feature of the i-CAT® is the ability to perform guided implant surgeries. Guided dental implant surgery allows for patients to have a much quicker procedure with much less postoperative discomfort. How does guided implant surgery work exactly? When a patient is first interested in dental implants, a CBCT 3-D image is acquired. Next, the implant position and angulation is planned digitally in a treatment-planning software. Finally, a surgical guide is fabricated to place in the patient’s mouth at the time of the procedure. With this guide, the implant

procedure is completed much quicker with 100 percent accuracy, avoiding vital anatomic structures which allow for safer procedures with less complications. I would like to invite you to see for yourself what 3-D imaging has to offer. We offer free consultations for implants, which include an i-CAT® CBCT image. We have very flexible hours and offer financing options to allow you to get the smile you want. Visit our website or Facebook page for an in-depth look at our practice and what sets us apart. Our goal is to offer each patient unsurpassed, comprehensive dental treatment. We hope to see you soon!

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The Cancer Foundation League Annual Gala for Local Non-Profit Approaching

T IS ALMOST TIME FOR THE CANCER Foundation League’s annual gala so we sat down with Amanda McMullen, the marketing and public relation chair, to find out more information.

research for cancer throughout Northeast Louisiana through the use of health screenings, seminars and educational programs. Local volunteers raise money through events like our annual gala.”

What is Cancer Foundation League? “The Cancer Foundation League’s mission is to provide services to area cancer patients and also to support the Louisiana Cancer Foundation.”

When is the annual gala? “This year’s gala is Saturday, January 27, 2018, at 7 p.m.”

How did the CFL get started? “It was founded in 1999 by the Northeast Louisiana Cancer Institute and obtained a 501(c)(3) status in 2000. We received a donation of $25,000 from local philanthropist Kitty DeGree.” What is the purpose of CFL? “Our purpose is to increase public awareness, early detection, treatment and

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What are the details of this year’s gala? “We are excited about our theme this year – An Evening of Southern Elegance. It will be held at the Bayou DeSiard Country Club. There will be drinks and delicious hors d’oeuvres with entertainment from Almost Famous.” Where does money raised from the gala go? “These funds will help area cancer patients with non-medical bills, such as transportation to treatment, nutritional

supplements, medications, lodging during treatment and some household bills. Since our inception, we have spent almost $1,800,000 assisting over 4,700 cancer patients in Northeast Louisiana.” Do you have any other events planned for this year? “We are currently delivering Christmas baskets to cancer patients throughout Northeast Louisiana. In 2018, we have several events planned. We do screenings throughout the year – breast and cervical in January, colorectal in March, skin in May and prostate in September. We will also host a Mardi Gras event at Hixon BMW on February 3, our annual Theresa Marsala Memorial Golf Tournament on May 11 and our Cancer Survivors Celebration in June of 2018.” Where can someone find more information on the Cancer Foundation League? “If someone has someone who needs assistance from the CFL, they can complete a referral form on our website – cancerfoundationleague.com – and the patient services committee will evaluate it. If you would like to volunteer or like more information, you can call (318)966-1953.”

The Perfect Gift for Any Woman Bath Bombs, Foaming Sugar Scrubs and Bath Salts

FTER RESEARCHING MANY other bath bomb products out there and seeing harsh ingredients used in them, the owners of Deer Creek Bath Co., wanted to master the perfect bath creation; one they would use themselves. They spent many, many hours failing while trying to create the perfect handmade bath bomb but it finally happened and Deer Creek Bath Co. was born. When they decided to expand their product line they researched and found that sugar scrubs complemented bath bombs. They bought from other companies and found them to be gritty and rough, so once again they tested formulas over and over until they came up with something unique. The result was a buttery foaming sugar scrub that’s creamy, luxurious and as best as we can describe it, fluffy like frosting. Their scrub cleanses, moisturizes, and exfoliates.

All of their products are handmade right here in Bonita, LA, using only the highest quality ingredients. • The Bath Bombs are handmade circular fizzy’s that you drop in a warm bath, infused with skin nourishing oils such as sweet almond oil and grapeseed oil. The bath bombs release a wonderful fragrance and have Epsom salt for therapeutic healing. • The Foaming Body Sugar Scrubs exfoliate and lather up like soap without the oily mess of traditional scrubs. The scrubs are in a fluffy, frosting like-soap base containing a drizzle of olive oil to cleanse, exfoliate, and hydrate the entire body. The scrubs can be used both in the bath and shower and feel like butter to the skin. • The Bath Salts are everything you need to detoxify, relax, renew and totally

pamper yourself! They use the highest quality, USP grade Epsom salt available with magnesium sulfate, known for its exceptional therapeutic value and purity. Most of their products include Epsom salt which relieves stress and relaxes tired, achy muscles and is enhanced by their extra fragrant aromas. The bath bombs are mixed with luxurious ingredients like Epsom Salt, Citric Acid, Sweet Almond Oil, and Grape Seed Oil that literally “explodes” like a little bomb in your tub to relax, soothe and make your skin ultra-soft to the touch. The goal at Deer Creek Bath Co., is to make fun, fabulous, hand-crafted products, from only the finest ingredients that are affordable to everyone. Each product is made fresh to order and created to be different from those of competitors with bold, unique fragrances and bright, saturated colors to make them fun to look at and even more fun to use! With the quality of their products and pricing, they have experienced overwhelming popularity. They sincerely hope their products bring you incredible relaxation that makes you feel and smell fabulous! Deer Creek Bath Co. wishes everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

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Albritton Photography Baby and Children Portrait Programs BY STACI ALBRITTON MITCHELL

ELLO EVERYONE. I WANT TO TELL YOU A LITTLE about Albritton Photography’s baby and children portrait programs. Most people know we do classic, timeless portrait photography. You may not realize Albritton Photography has the longest standing children portrait programs in the area. Once Upon a Lifetime and Footsteps started in 1993 and are still going strong. Our Four Seasons Program began about 3 years ago. I started photographing children in the early ‘90s and it is still one of my favorite parts of my job. Rhyan Taylor joined us several years ago and is a fantastic newborn and baby photographer. We strive to create and provide the best professional portrait photography that our clients will cherish forever. Our studio is big and set up for babies, children and families. We are constantly gathering props, chairs, posers and other fun items for our baby and children clients. Once Upon a Lifetime is a one-year program for the baby’s first year. Portraits are done at 3 months, 6 months, 9 months and 1 year. The membership fee covers all the sessions, plus the client receives a framed portrait panel (10x20) with an image you choose from each of the 4 sessions. Footsteps is an album program that starts at any age and goes through age 12. Most babies start at newborn then do 3 months, 6 months, 9 months, 1 year, 18 months, and then on their birthdays until age 12. I do have clients who do a second album and go until high school and/or college graduation. Footsteps is nice because it keeps all your images together chronologically. It is a great keepsake. Four Seasons is our newest program. It offers 4 sessions during a one-year period. When you purchase the one is package, you receive a custom album with 5 images from each session. It is also a super nice album and keepsake. Some children do Easter, Summer, Pumpkins, and then Christmas portraits. Some throw a birthday session in. It’s up to the client. They just do 4 sessions in one year. A nice benefit to be a children’s program member at Albritton Photography is that you do receive a savings on your portrait orders, you get early notice of our specials, and Footsteps members receive a FREE outdoor family portrait session. Baby and Children program memberships start as low as $165. They make great gifts – baby shower, birthday or Christmas. Who doesn’t want portraits of their children and grandchildren. Think about what means the most to you, and give the gift of portraits. Feel free to call 324-9118 or stop by and visit our studio in West Monroe.

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Matt’s Music

In Tune with Musicians and Professionals Alike

ERVING HOBBYISTS, PROFESSIONAL MUSICIANS, and school band players, Matt’s Music has been the go-to place for the finest selection of music equipment for over 25 years. Owner Matt Shepard and the staff are proud to offer sought-after name brands including Fender, Taylor, Gretsch, Peavey, Jackson Guitars, Yamaha, Ibanez, Marshall, and many others throughout the store’s displays. Even better, Matt’s not only has the brands, but has the knowledgeable staff who are happy to assist gift shoppers. The people at Matt’s Music can help you determine the best choices for beginners, intermediate expertise level players, as well as recommendations for the more skilled musicians on your gift-giving list. With such a variety, everyone can find a fit. In addition to selling all kinds of musical instruments, Matt’s is your source for pro audio and video equipment. They also rent instruments for schools bands and orchestras, and offer music lessons to boost your natural abilities to the next level. It’s the hands-on experience and technical expertise that separates the service at Matt’s from ordering something untouched and sight unseen online. The prices at Matt’s Music are competitive with online sources, but without shipping costs. If you don’t see what you’re seeking in the store, ask about Matt’s quick-order service. Finding just what you need is what Matt’s is all about, and no one should hesitate to ask questions. You’ll also see Matt’s Music supporting community and school events throughout the year, and they are proud to be a dependable source of students’ band instruments and accessories. Matt Shepard is pleased to be the stage sponsor at popular events such as Northeast Louisiana Celtic Festival, DeltaStyle “Best of the Delta” Awards, Louisiana Food and Music Festival at Downtown RiverMarket, and other community gatherings. From guitars, drums, keyboards and band instruments, to sound, lights and set-up, Matt’s continues to be your versatile place for all things musical. With professional help in selecting the right instrument at the right price, it’s no wonder that many customers make Matt’s a Christmas gift-giving tradition! Matt’s Music is centrally located off Highway 165 at 3235 Breard Street in Monroe, open Monday through Saturday all year long, or you can visit online at MattsMusic4U.com. As always, Merry Christmas from Matt’s!

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Claiborne Christian Developing Leaders Josiah Weber Named National Merit Semifinalist

LAIBORNE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL IN WEST MONROE is proud to honor and celebrate our National Merit Semifinalist, senior, Josiah Weber. The National Merit Scholarship Corporation exists to honor and reward our nation’s scholastic champions and encourage them to continue to pursue academic excellence. Josiah has now completed all necessary steps to continue in the competition for some 7,500 National Merit Scholarships worth more than $32 million to be awarded this spring. We would also like to congratulate Josiah’s parents, Toby and Janis Weber, of Sterlington. We at CCS see education as a partnership among the school, family, and church. Josiah and the Webers exemplify our core belief that it is when all three of these links are strong that a student is able to reach his fullest educational potential. The Claiborne Christian classroom serves as a unique atmosphere for students to develop much more than their academic skills. In addition to preparing students for their next level of education, we also seek to help them to develop the gifts and pursue the passions that God has given each of them, to become lovers of knowledge and seekers of truth. Students are challenged not to settle, but to discipline themselves to work with all their might and to develop a growth mindset which removes the limits of what they can achieve

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in all areas of life. We believe that all students have the potential to become Christian leaders who will impact the world in their spheres of influence. Josiah Weber is a model of this ideal we set forth for our graduates; he is so much more than his GPA and ACT score. Josiah seeks knowledge, not only giving his best in what’s required of him in the classroom, but taking initiative and pushing himself to learn more. While Josiah is certainly deserving of the highest academic accolades, he exudes only humility and selflessness, always willing to help others. He is known on campus, by students and faculty alike, as one of the kindest students you’ll meet. We celebrate Josiah’s achievements, but, more importantly, we celebrate the man that he is becoming. When he exits the graduation stage in May, Josiah will be leaving a legacy as a remarkable CCS Crusader. We can’t wait to see what mark he and the rest of our seniors will make on the world as they continue to allow God to use their gifts and abilities.

Give Your Smile a Gift This Season From NELA Dental

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IS THE SEASON FOR GIVING! THIS year, consider giving your smile a little something. At NELA Dental, we strive to make smiles stronger and healthier, as well as boost our patients’ confidence. We have many options for cosmetic dentistry such as dental implants and a variety of convenient orthodontics options. Strength and Stability-Dental Implants A dental implant is an artificial tooth root that is placed into your jaw to hold a replacement tooth or a bridge. A proper dental implant coupled with a replacement tooth or bridge will look, feel, and function like a natural tooth. For those with missing or decaying teeth, dental implants can improve your smile not only cosmetically but structurally as well. Implants provide a stable and durable base for restoration so you can start to enjoy all of your favorite foods

again. Even denture wearers find that their dentures can be held in place with dental implants for added comfort and stability. Straight Up Confidence -Adult Braces Modern treatments like Six Month Smiles braces and Clear Correct® systems offered at NELA Dental have completely changed the way we address the problem of misaligned teeth. Both are efficient and safe solutions for transforming your smile and boosting your self-confidence. Clear Correct® aligners can alleviate problems with crowding, spacing, and uneven teeth. Treatment with Clear Correct® involves a series of clear, custom-made aligners that are virtually invisible. You will receive a series of aligner trays that you will change at two-week intervals to gently reposition your teeth into correct alignment. Treatment times vary by individual, but

results are typically achieved in about 12 months for adults. Treatment with Six Month Smiles braces is similar to that of conventional adult orthodontics, but they have one major difference. Six Month Smiles braces have significantly shorter treatment times because the goal is not to alter the patient’s bite, only straighten the visible teeth. Six Month Smiles treatment focuses only on the teeth that show when you smile. The braces do not interfere with your appearance or day-to-day life. The clear brackets and tooth colored wires will gently reposition your teeth without affecting appearance. Six Month Smiles braces are generally more affordable than traditional braces or veneers. Desired results are usually achieved in about four to nine months, with an average treatment time of six months. Affordability-Financing Options Our dentists have helped many patients achieve their goal of a strong, perfectly aligned, dream smile. We provide personalized care and make it easy to obtain the treatment you need with stress-free financing options. Contact one of our three locations in Farmerville, Monroe, or Oak Grove for your FREE consultation and Start Smiling Today!

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Petals and Pearls On November 7th and 11th Petals and Pearls Boutique was full of great food, fabulous items, and a fun photo booth! ‘Perfectly Posh with Petals and Pearls’ was at the Petals and Pearls location on Sterlington Road in Monroe. Denise Hardy’s shop was filled with Christmas décor and friends to kick off this holiday season! Guests were able to take snap shots in the photo booth, snack on fabulous food and get a head start on their Christmas shopping after hours.

On the BayouScene 1 Denise Hardy and June Edge 2 Megan Hardy and Ashley White 3 Mary Ann Vanveckhoven and Katie Kennedy 4 Patricia Tollar, Rachel Hearn and Janet Hearn 5 Linda Walker and Carol McDonald 6 Rachel Morris and Kate Morris 7 Andrea Brown and Christy Gwin 8 Tracy Armstrong and Denise Hardy

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AUDIBEL THE HEARIING CENTER

LEWIS’ GIFTS On October 25th, Lewis’ Gifts welcomed Vietri founder and creative director, Susan Gravely, for an Italian celebration. Susan was on-hand personalizing Vietri purchases with Italian phrases while sharing stories behind the beautiful collections. Co-owner of Lewis’ Gifts, Catherine Lewis Hobbs with Susan Gravely.

On Friday, November 3, Audibel the Hearing Center celebrated its grand reopening of the new location on Justice Street in Monroe with a customer appreciation party. The Chamber of Commerce was on hand to cut the ribbon and guests enjoyed delicious refreshments, put their names in the hat for prizes and bid on silent auction items to benefit the Starkey Hearing Foundation. Husband and wife team Larry Collum and Cherry Phillips lead the staff at Audibel, serving the hearing needs of our community with pride, purpose and passion.

STAKE YOUR SIGN

Christy and Russell White of West Monroe have recently opened their newest businees venture, Stake Your Sign. Stake Your Sign is Ouachita Parish’s newest special occasion sign service. With cute signs for birthdays, new babies, graduations, open houses and other special events, they can help you celebrate! The next time you need to celebrate an occasion, don’t forget to say it with signs. Check them out online at facebook.com/StakeYourSign.

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A Different Kind of Bubbly Give the gift of relaxation this Christmas. This Jacuzzi tub from Azure Pool and Spas will be enjoyed year round. Even better, it can be delivered and installed in your backyard, ready and waiting after all of the holiday hustle and bustle.

Yard Man 3B Outdoor is the place to go for any guy on your list. They have recently added a line of cordless equipment, like this leaf blower that move leaves across the yard, without burning gas. Comfy Christmas These different textured black ALO yoga pants are great for any girl of any age. They will look great while working out or lying around the house. You can find them and other active wear at Chanticleers in Rayville, LA.

Crown and Camo Mr. P’s Tees just released new designs and we love this super soft premium camo hoodie with a front pocket featuring their Crowned Pelican design. This is perfect for any North Louisiana girl on your list!

Kindness Matters Give a gift that gives back! The Fair doll from Louisiana Purchases is a soft, huggable doll that comes with tokens for children to give as a random act of kindness. One for one: for each doll sold a doll is donated to a child less fortunate.

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Penny for Your Thoughts Dot Dot’s Boutique in Monroe carries this unique line of animal print bags. Available in different patterns, this coin purse is the perfect little Secret Santa gift.

Regal Woman On a string of cultured pearls is this solid gold vintage cross with detailed beading. Find this and more vintage or custom pieces at Dupont Jewelers at Forsythe’s Shopping Center in Monroe!

Fabulous Fragrance A little vitamin C for the soul! These hand made candles from Virginia feature a premium soy wax blend, have a double cotton wick and include the matches and room spray! Stop in and grab yours at Fabulous Fabric!

An Ageless Gift Ageless Skin Laser Center can help plump, smooth, and firm your skin. H.A.I. delivers long lasting hydration to visibly improve skin’s texture. Ideal for all skin types. Free microdermabrasion with purchase!

All Lit Up This Portable LED Lantern from Coburn’s has a sturdy rectangular design with Satin Etched Cased Opal Glass! Its modern technology allows you to bring light and music to any space. Indoor/Outdoor Use Bluetooth wireless with maximum volume and 100% light.

Namaste in Style Get your ZEN on with this vibrant colorful embroidered yoga mat bag from Duck and Dressing Boutique! This stylish mat bag is made with canvas fabric, lined and has a carry strap for shoulder or cross body style.

Heirloom Holidays Material Things carries a full line of Harp String Jewelry, like this stunning necklace. This locally made jewelry line rethinks forgotten antique and vintage buttons and turns them into pieces of art!

Making Spirits Bright Our favorite Christmas colors this year are red and white! The Duckhorn 3 Palms Merlot and Pahlmeyer Chardonnay were both made Wine Spectator’s top 10 wines of 2017! Grab yours today at Washington Wine and Spirits!

Cuts Like a Knife This Xikar Xi3 Spalted Tamarind Cutter is crafted from exotic wood from Southeast Asia, the Xi3 exhibits spectacular colors and black grain patterns that are truly unique. The Xi3 features a polished stainless steel body, high quality 440 stainless steel blades and is equipped with Xikar’s lifetime warranty. Found at Governor’s Cigar and Pipe in Monore.

Are you Fur Real A statement piece you can’t pass up. This vest from Kim’s Younique Boutique is constructed from 100% authentic rabbit fur and lined with a crushed gold velvet. The best part? The vest can be turned inside out for a completely different look.

Manly Man This new line of soap products is available at Hemline Monroe and designed to meet the high standards of hard working men who want to get clean, without smelling like a girl. Inspired by the soap issued during the Vietnam War, the company gives a portion of its proceeds to veteran causes. Cheetah Girl The Fleurty Ginger Boutique loves a good cheetah print and these earrings are no exception. Made with leather they are sure to make a statement with any outfit. These and other cheetah prints can be found in West Monroe. WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | DECEMBER 2017 207

Rest and Relaxation The gift of R&R is priceless but you can buy this stylish recliner from Sleepy Hollow Furniture. He will love it and it will add style and sophistication to your home!

A Pearl of a Girl This Mikimoto 18kt yellow gold chain necklace with Akoya cultured pearl 18” stations is a classic gift for the special lady in your life. You can find them at Hollis & Company Jewelers in Monroe.

Don’t Wine About It Small Batch Customs allows you to personalize any cup, including their new wine tumblers. She will love a stylish cup that stays cold…whatever may be in it!

Step into Style Pump up your workout with these rose gold mesh Qupid sneakers. If the Crown Fits on Antique Alley in West Monroe now carries only the cutest of sneakers. Stop by for the perfect gift for any of the fashionably fit girls in your life.

It’s in the Bag Eleven 26 Boutique in West Monroe on Antique Alley carries these herringbone tweed cosmetic bags with leather trimming. They have medium to small sizes and are perfect for any girl for Christmas.

Serve It Up Thurman’s Food Factory and Gifts has quite the selection of platters, serving pieces and trays. These make great gifts for the hostess with the mostest! Light It Up Niven Morgan’s Frosted Pine candle is an exhilarating blend of crisp pine needles, fresh cut spruce and cedar. This particular gift set is available at The Fashion of Ruston and includes travel matches! Perfect for a quick gift! 208 DECEMBER 2017 | WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM

Cozy and Comfortable This oh so soft sweater with a hoodie is available at Cara’s in West Monroe. The soft feeling and laid back style make it a perfect gift for all ages!

A Festive Fragrance This much celebrated signature scent from Oribe is now available in a roller ball at Rain The Salon and Day Spa. She will love this luxurious scent and will be able to enjoy it on the go! Sweet and Salty Need a quick gift? Stop by Uptown Downtown in Ruston to grab these delicious Sea Salt Caramel Cookie Straws! Perfect for the person with a sweet tooth in your life! Nailed It Get ready to gift with this fail-safe duo from Kendra Scott, the timeless Sophia earrings and a metallic Nail Lacquer to match. Available at HerringStone’s in Monroe, this box set is perfect if she’s obsessed with Kendra Scott… and who isn’t?

Chic Cooler This SOVARO cooler has serious style, making entertaining in style both elegant and easy. This cooler available at Material Things features cork insulation, easy mobility and a variety of chic accessories.

Scents of the Season Nest candles are wonderful gifts for anyone! Walsworth & Company carries the Holiday scent, as well as many others. Fill your home with the joys, and smells, of Christmas cheer this holiday season.

Egg-cellent Gift Want to make the perfect turkey for Christmas? T.P. Outdoor has you covered! This is the perfect gift for the cook in your family. Good for men or women and easy find in Monroe or West Monroe.

Floral Fun A Christmas floral is always fun. This floral velvet burnout tunic with a keyhole neck is perfect for any body type and will look great at a Christmas party. You can find it at The Fleurty Ginger Boutique in West Monroe! In-Vest in Him Ron Alexander Clothiers is your go to shop for any guy on your list, and this St. Croix vest is just one example of the many items they have to add to his style!

Basket of Bottles Not sure what to get your friends who have everything? Look no further than Tonore’s Wine Cellar for your out-of-thebox gifts! Custom gift baskets are available for any budget!

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Rockin’ around the Christmas Tree Perfect for the fashionista in your life! This black sweater is such a great twist on a classic style! Its light weight material makes it perfect for the ever changing Louisiana weather, compliments of Duck and Dressing Boutique.

Santa, Deer Juan Antonio is making hide handbags customized for the southern woman. This is a unique axis deer bag, and Chanticleers in Rayville has them and other cute, oneof-a-kind accessories. Ear-idescent The Nude Nomad of West Monroe has a beautiful collection of jewelry and accessories. This pair of gold chain earrings paired with iridescent beads and would make a great stocking stuffer for any girl.

Grillin’ and Chillin ‘ This is a must-have accessory pack for all master grillers. Made with Napoleon high quality integrity, these five tools will survive the vigors of extreme grilling, from an oversized spatula to the heavy chef knife and multi-tool that includes a cook screw. Purchase yours at Coburn’s!

Memories Forever This year surprise your loved ones with a photo album filled with memories! Albritton Photography offers these fabulous photo albums to fill up with those closest to you. What a memorable Christmas gift! Get Lit Have someone on your list obsessed with the smells of the season? They will love this Illume candle from Woodstock. Notes of balsam and oak moss mingle with cedar wood, cinnamon and eucalyptus, igniting the ultimate yuletide moment!

‘Tis the Season to Relax This year, give the gift of sanity and relaxation with a gift certificate from Spa Nouvelle for a Spa Day Escape. Four hours of uninterrupted relaxation designed to help him or her escape from all stress. It includes a light lunch, Nouvelle Facial, Nouvelle Relaxation Massage and a Spa Pedicure. 210 DECEMBER 2017 | WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM

Fringe Benefits This super soft and cute fringe sweater can be found at K-Sera in West Monroe. These sweaters are great for inside and outside and would look good on any figure. Stop by and see what else K-Sera has to offer this holiday season.

In Charge Haven Interiors, Fine Paper and Gifts has a line of wallets, clutches and purses that charge your phone, perfect for the gal on the go who is always looking for an outlet!

Sunnies From Santa These Krewe sunglasses from Hemline Monroe are architectural in design and inspired by the iconc cast-iron balconies found in the French Quarter, great for the girl who likes shades that make a statement. Sup Dawg Your kid will be too cool for school in this Cool Dawg Raglan shirt from Mr. P’s Tees. Whether they are a LA Tech fan or just want to look cool, they will love this cute shirt!

Secret Serum Available at Hopkins Dermatology, this needle free serum is clinically proven to deliver equivalent results to one injection of collagen filler in just two weeks! This is a great gift for your best friend who always wants to put her best face forward!

Bird is the Word Our state bird is featured on these adorable pillows from The Patio Place. This outdoor pillow, as well as other designs, are perfect for the person that loves to keep their outdoor furniture stylish and seasonal!

Of Gorse This simple but stately line of perfume and candles is available at The Palette House in Monroe. With a fresh, crisp fragrance that captures the essence of summer in the French countryside, these are great for your girlfriends dreaming of a getaway! The Golden Rule These extraordinary earrings were handmade by Michele Millette McGehee from an antique pocket watch. They can be purchased at Vintage & Vogue in Downtown Ruston.

For the Love of Entertaining Need a quick hostess gift? Stop in at The Muffin Tin and create a one-of-a-kind basket filled with your friend’s favorite things. Anything from cooking utensils, holiday treats, hand towels and more!

Warm and Cozy Easy, quick and delicious soup mixes from Petals and Pearls Boutique! No matter what your flavor preference is – sweet, savory or spicy – they’ve got something for you! Be sure to try the award winning Cheese Enchilada Soup.

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Turn It Up Any tech savvy guy on your list will love this voice controlled speaker from Debbie’s Hallmark. It can stream all of his favorite music and more, making it the gift he will love throughout the entire year!

It’s In The Bag This bag from Dot Dot’s Boutique in Monroe is perfect for any fashionista on your list. It is big enough to carry everything she needs and the unique pattern will make her stand out in the crowd.

Box it Up This unique Kendra Scott box, available at Louisiana Purchases, features an architecture inspired metal base. Topped with a turquoise lid and quartz handle, this unique piece is a perfect gift!

Statement Piece Walsworth & Company on Antique Alley is carrying Stella Valle jewelry. This jewelry line is made to inspire and build confidence in whoever wears it and is custom made with birthstones embedded. Globetrotting Gal For the globetrotters on your holiday gift list, turn to this curated collection of travel-friendly Oribe favorites in a luxe zip bag. Available at Rain The Salon and Day Spa, any girl on the go will love this! The Outdoorsman Do you have an outdoorsman in your life? Check out this Brett Smith ceramic platter from The Muffin Tin! None of Brett Smith’s paintings are alike, which makes this gift even more special! Hang it on your wall, display on a shelf, use as a catchall or use it as a serving piece!

I Believe Kee Kee Tees are super cute and comfy and would make a great stocking stuffer. They have long sleeve shirts and a style to fit anyone. A terrific gift for anyone in the family. You can find them at K-Sera in West Monroe.

Throwing Shade Blue reflective RayBans are modern and classic at the same time. You are sure to turn heads in these beautiful sunglasses. You can find these and other designer shades at Family Eye Care in Monroe.

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Locked and Loaded Store your cigars in this handsome humidor from Savoy by Ashton. Black Calabash woods pronounce a bright variation of color with fine grain patterns. This humidor enlists the patented technology of Boveda Humidification Systems that maintain perfect conditions within your humidor. Find manly gifts like this one at Governor’s Cigar and Pipe.

Smokin’Hot Gift This Primo grill from Azure Pool and Spas is great for any man on your list. This is the only ceramic grill made in the USA. Your grillmaster can grill, bake, roast or smoke any food on it, making it something the whole family can enjoy!

Sparkle and Shine You can find this June Long Necklace from Kendra Scott at HerringStone’s in Monroe. With a mix of stones in varying shapes and crystal accents for extra sparkle, it will make a perfect addition to her already dynamic look.

Rockin’ Out Do you have a music enthusiast on your list this year? This Artcore, hollowbody guitar is available at Matt’s Music! This Artcore Guitar comes in various colors, but check out this mint blue!

Hooray for Vooray This floral print cinch bag would be perfect for the gym, work or school. Vooray bags can be found on Antique Alley at If the Crown Fits and would be great for any occasion. Swaddle Me Up Give the gift of ultimate luxury with a Boody Baby baby-clothing item from Fiesta Nutrition Center. Boody Baby is spun from bamboo yarn. Their baby essentials feature ultra-soft, cooling fabrics derived from bamboo viscose.

Shine Bright Available at Spa Nouvelle, Triple Lipid Restore 2:4:2 is an anti aging cream formulated with a maximized concentration of lipids! This unique lipid correction cream helps restore skin’s external barrier and support natural self-repair, while potently nourishing aging skin for improvement in the visible appearance of skin smoothness, laxity, pores, and overall radiance. Watch Me! If you have a runner on your list, this Garmin watch from Fleet Feet is a must get! They will love the sleek style combined with the up-todate technology to keep up their running game.

The Mixologist This Blade & Bow Old Fashioned Gift Basket is the perfect gift for the home mix-ologist! This unique gift basket is available at Washington Wine and Spirits in Monroe! This kit includes everything you need to make any drink one of a kind! WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | DECEMBER 2017 213

Winter Wonder Hollis & Company Jewelers in Monroe is the perfect place to find a gift for any woman. Like these 18kt white gold snowflake burst earrings with 1.85cttw diamonds every woman would be happy to receive.

Can’t Hide Style This genuine high quality leather bag from Kim’s Younique Boutique can be worn over the shoulder, or hands free across the body! The genuine cow hide details make the bag super unique! Swaddle in Style Your baby will be the trendiest on the block with these Little Unicorn swaddles, blankets and quilts from Woodstock. They have a full line of girl, boy and unisex, perfect for the new mom and baby this holiday season!

Picture This! Want to share a snapshot but don’t want to put it in a boring frame? Get a picture printed on wood and turn it into a piece of art, perfect for the mom or grandmother who loves to display family photos. Available at The Patio Place in Monroe.

Hunt the Perfect Gift Know what’s happening on your hunting property while you’re spending time with family this Christmas with this Stealth Cam. T.P. Outdoors has all of your outdoor needs with locations in Monroe and West Monroe.

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Splish Splash Style These adorable rain boots from Cara’s are both fashionable and functional. Any girl on the go will love these for a rainy day!

So Sweet Need a gift that will go for a teacher, friend and even mom? Deer Creek Bath Co.’s gift baskets are perfect for anyone. With different scents in each one, you are sure to find the one that fits her best!

Serenity Now One of the latest products from Aveda, available at Arlette in Monroe, provides calming bliss when sprayed, while nourishing skin and providing a refreshing aroma.

Neck the Halls A beaded ladder necklace is just what every girl wants this Christmas! The Nude Nomad on Antique Alley in West Monroe has all the statement accessories a girl could want.

Glitter and Gold If her stylish wardrobe overflows into the style of her home, she will love this chic pillow from Sleepy Hollow Furniture. They have many styles and sizes that will make a great addition to a bed, couch or chair!

Just Swell These oh-so-cute traveler bottles from S’well are available at Haven Interiors, Fine Paper and Gifts in Monroe. These just came out in time for the holidays and would make a great gift for the trendy guy or girl on your list.

Walk this Way K-Sera in West Monroe has a great selection of shoes this season. Like these textured leather booties that would jazz up any outfit. Great for mom, daughter or best friend!

Emerald City An assortment of three emerald green clutches (small, medium, and large) that can double as organizational pouches for both travel and everyday life! Drop by The Fashion of Ruston to grab yours!

On Dangle and Dasher These handmade tassel earrings from Bent Oak Boutique are a great statement piece for any woman! They are lightweight, and fabulous, the best of both worlds!

Give the Gift of Art This unique line of wood work items from Rusty Patterson is available at Levee Art Gallery. You can pick up this, and several other gift options, at this locally owned art gallery in Monroe!

Cozy on Up Super soft and comfy grey pajama shorts would be a great gift for sister, friends or even yourself this Christmas. Treat yourself to this gift and others at Eleven 26 Boutique on Antique Alley.

Pop a Top Just about any guy could use a new wallet. If his is falling apart, or held together by rubberbands or duct tape, pick up this leather wallet from McKinney’s in Ruston. It’s stylish and the money clip doubles as a bottle opener! WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | DECEMBER 2017 215

Holiday Open House

On Tuesday, November 7, Derma MediQ and Spa Nouvelle hosted their Holiday Open House! Guests mingled and nibbled on delicious food while finding great offers for the holidays. Representatives from Allergan, V-Revive and Obagi were present to answer any questions patients might have. Special discounts on products and services, door prizes every hour, and specials on Fillers/Botox were just a few of the fabulous gifts the women of Derma MediQ and Spa Nouvelle were offering.

On the BayouScene 1 Wendy Newsom and Meryl Farr 2 Mary Beth Dickerson, Wendy Newsom, Drew Farr and Ana Hale 3 Giselle Fakhre and Dr. Saidi Sowma Fakhre 4 Murray and Kathy Biedenharn 5 Ashley Clampit and Susie Cumpton 6 Cynthia Grimmett and Sharon Henry 7 Brenda McMahan and Sheila Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Leary 8 Kim Cernigliaro, Stephanie Powell, Reba Custer, Dr. Sowma Fakhre and Kisha Davis 9 Sharon Rogers and Meagan Forry

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FOOD, FUN AND FELLOWSHIP Continued From Page 78 we have been gifting with these trays for years, not only enjoy them but have come to expect them. I know it sounds major hokey and cheesy, but it’s a lot of fun to get in the car, turn up the Christmas music and head out to see some of your closest “tribe.” When we receive gifts like these, I always think about the time it took to organize, prepare and then deliver our gifts. Time, that’s the most important variable in this equation because most people would rather pull out their checkbook and give money than give up their time. It’s what makes a gift that was a labor of love, more meaningful, and especially when your family takes their time together to deliver the trays. So there you have it, readers, another Cindy Cuggestion (yes, I know suggestion starts with an “S” but I like to periodically make up words and that looks cuter with a “C”) for the holidays. Take it and run with it, involve your family, engage your “tribe” and make some memories. Listen, you don’t have to be Martha Stewart or Rachel Ray to make this happen in your kitchen. Don’t be afraid; get on Pinterest and find some super easy recipes, make your list and then set aside a night for your family to help with the cooking. Trust me, the only problem you will have is that your family and friends will come to expect it every year, and I can assure you, there are a lot worse traditions you can start in your home. Merry Christmas, readers, and Happy New Year! I pray your holiday season will be filled with enough joy, happiness and love to make you sing carols that you will fill right inside your heart.

LA Tech School of Design Faculty Show: Beautiful! The Louisiana Tech University School of Design has announced the opening of its 2017-18 Faculty Show. This exhibit consists of collaborative works and individual research projects of faculty and staff in the areas of Studio Art, Graphic Design, Interior Design and Architecture. The exhibition can be viewed through January 16, 2018, with an Opening Reception on December 5 from 5-7 p.m. Reception food will be generously provided by Ponchatoulas Restaurant. All events are free and open to the public. SOD Director Karl Puljak will play the cello at the opening reception. The following faculty and staff members are represented in this year’s exhibit: Jerry Berg, Robert Brooks, Nick Bustamante, Damon Caldwell, Todd Cloe, Whitney Causey, Brad Deal, Nicole Duet, Jake Dugard, Tom Futrell, Walter Green, Frank Hamrick, Liane Hancock, Raluca Iancu, Todd Maggio, Trenton Mays, Joey Slaughter, Kyle Triplett, Marla St. John, Michael Williams and Saul Zalesch. SOD has two gallery spaces available to artists working in all media, including the following: painting, drawing, video, printmaking, installation, sculpture, photography, ceramics, fiber, and digital works. The Bethea and Moffett Galleries are located in the Taylor Visual Arts Center, and are open to the public Monday through Friday, 9 - 4 p.m. Extended viewing hours may occur for artist lectures as announced. The galleries will be closed during quarter breaks and University holidays.

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Trinity Lutheran Church Trinity Proudly Introduces New Pastor BY BILL CORNELIUS, PASTOR

GREW UP ON OUR FAMILY’S FARM/RANCH IN southwest Nebraska. We grew corn, wheat, soybeans and alfalfa and raised cattle. I attended elementary and high school at Wheatland Public School graduating in 1981. After high school I enrolled at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Agriculture with an Animal Science major graduating in 1985. Upon graduation from college, I returned to the family operation to farm with my parents. After being involved with the family operation for about a year, I hired on to work for the Chambers Ranches north of Burwell, NE. My responsibilities included managing a 300-cow, 4000-acre ranch in north central Nebraska. In the meantime, I married my college sweetheart Debra Scholz. Deb grew up on a dairy farm in northeastern Nebraska by the small community of Howells. Her parents’ farm consisted of 40 Guernsey milk cows, 300 sows and 800 laying hens. The first real vacation Debra went on was our honeymoon to Yellowstone National Park. When we were married Debra was employed as an agricultural loan officer for Farmers Home Administration, a division of the United States Department of Agriculture.

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Now after 17 moves across 7 different states we find ourselves here in Louisiana. I have been blessed to be serving as a Lutheran pastor for the past 15 years. When my family and I look back over our lives we are in awe of the many blessings the Lord has given us. My wife and I have been married 31 years and our kids have been a constant source of blessings. Our oldest, Benjamin, is 30 and a Staff Sergeant in the National Guard, working as a tank mechanic at Fort Riley by Manhattan, KS. He has a wonderful little girl, our first grandchild, Brooklyn Paige. Our daughter Katie, who is 25, is in the Army serving as a helicopter air traffic controller also at Fort Riley, KS. Our 21-year-old daughter Hanna is a senior at Kansas State College majoring in Nutrition. And Matthew, our youngest at 18 years old, is a freshman at the University of North Dakota majoring in commercial aviation. I am also in awe over the opportunity we have to proclaim the greatest blessing that the Lord has bestowed on us all, forgiveness of sins through Jesus Christ. My prayer for all of us is that the Lord continues to bless the family of believers as we all work together to proclaim the name of our Savior Jesus Christ in word and deed to all people.

Makers of Handmade Fine Jewelry Let DuPont Jewelers Create a One-of-a-Kind Piece for You

ORKING WITH A COUPLE TO to make their Engagement and Wedding Ring is one of my favorite and most rewarding pleasures. When a couple enters our store, usually the purpose of their visit is obvious. This experience has changed over the years but one thing seems to never change, their hope, excitement, and apprehension of shopping for the perfect ring. We usually start off the conversation by talking about their likes and dislikes in style, color of metal, style of cut for the center stone, and style of the mounting. Do you like a simple solitaire or maybe a very popular halo setting? What about a vintage look or perhaps an infinity style, or a single or double row of diamonds on the side, your choice of precious metal. This is where the conversation changes from the past. My question is always, have you seen a style you like? That is usually when the phone comes out, and I am shown a

picture of the dream ring for the bride to be. Now usually that’s when a sales person will start searching their store for a “somewhat” look-alike ring, or they offer to order a ring for them. I smile because I know I have an opportunity to make a ring that will be exactly what she wants and unlike any other ring. It will be made perfectly and uniquely for her. We discuss the process of how to get started, how long it takes – usually six to eight weeks. Do they own stones they want to use in the design or will they be selecting a stone from our beautiful loose Diamonds. At some point, I have a private conversation with the groom-to-be, where we talk about budget and a date he is planning to pop the question. Then I usually put on my counseling hat. I remind him that this is where the pressure really comes in, make it special! She will remember this event the rest of her life and

all her friends will be asking, “How did your fiancé propose?” Don’t make yourself look bad in front of her friends. LOL. One thing I started doing a few years ago is sending pictures to the groom-to-be, as we reach significant points in the process of making her ring. We shape the ring, assemble it, drill the holes for the placement of the stones, engrave the ring, set the diamonds, and hand polish the ring to a glowing finish. He texts or emails, enabling him to see the design being created in real time. We stamp the ring with the very prestigious stamp “handmade.” Only jewelry made without any mechanized process can have this stamp. Then we do something most jewelers don’t do, we stamp our name in the ring, a reminder of our commitment to you and your bride. Come in and visit. Let’s make a beautiful ring and memory that will last a lifetime.

– James DuPont wwww.DupontJewelers.com facebook/dupontjewelers Trade - Restore - Redesign - Sell Dupont Jewelers on Forsythe in Monroe Makers of Handmade Fine Jewelry Christmas Sale up to 50% Off

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Investment Advice

From Argent Advisors in Monroe QUESTION: Who should I look to for investment advice?

Merrill Lynch, Wells Fargo, LPL Financial, and many others.

ANSWER: Well before that question can be answered it’s important to know WHO can give investment advice.

RIA: ADVISORS A RIA or Registered Investment Advisor is a firm which provides estate, retirement, and financial planning, money management and other services. They are registered with either the SEC or their state regulatory authority, or both. There are about 12,000 RIAs and they average about 15-20 employees, although many are much larger. Rather than commissions, RIAs generally charge fees on a percentage of assets under management. As relationship advisors, by law they must act in a higher fiduciary capacity, meaning they must always act in a client’s overall best interest.

BROKERS: REGISTERED REPRESENTATIVES A broker is an individual who works with a broker dealer firm and is in the business of selling stocks, bonds, annuities, mutual funds and other investment products. As a registered representative of their broker dealer, they can make commissions on sales made in a clients account. A commission is a sales charge, which can be taken at the time of the sale or during some of the holding period of the security. There are over 600,000 registered representatives working for over 3800 broker dealers. Some well known broker dealers include Edward Jones, Raymond James,

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OTHER STRUCTURES Bank trust departments may also offer financial advice. They operate much like RIAs since they are fee based and not commission

based. You will also find some retail bankers; Insurance agents, or even CPAs offering advice, but if that advice involves financial investments then they must be doing it through a broker-dealer or RIA model. Knowing who to work with can be a challenge, which in large part involves trust. Knowing who your advisors work for and how they are compensated is a good place to start.

WHY CHOOSE ARGENT ADVISORS IN MONROE? Our mission is to help establish, manage, and protect our clients’ financial plans, and we take that very seriously. The Argent Advisors team in Monroe has over 60 years of combined financial planning experience. No matter where your objectives fall, we help our clients establish a definitive goal-oriented plan for current needs and for the future. Argent Advisors in Monroe are fee-based Registered Investment Advisors (RIAs). We agree on an annual management fee, and then we work for YOU. We make no money on account activity or the strategies selected. We have no proprietary products. Our independent process assures you that we are acting in your best interest, not in ours! If you have any question about your financial planning needs, please contact our office. Sources: statista.com and finra.org

Your Christmas Wish List From Botox to TattOff, PLC Has You Covered BY JUDY WAGONER

NWRAP YOUR NATURAL BEAUTY this Christmas. Professional Laser Center makes it easy for those who want to send a message to their loved ones, or for those who are undecided about what to give that special person in their life. With a list of our most popular procedures and products, you can choose the ones that fit your needs. Let’s start with our most popular procedure, Botox! Botox paralyses the muscles around the eyes, between the eyebrows and on the forehead, giving a beautiful, smooth appearance to the skin, and prevents future wrinkling in those areas. Dermal fillers, such as Restylane, are typically used below the eye area to fill deep wrinkles and areas that have lost fat and collagen. It lifts the skin off the bone, making it an instant facelift. The Vampire FaceLift is the secret “Blood Method” to revive youth and restore beauty. It’s a non-surgical, no downtime form of facial

rejuvenation that uses the patient’s own blood (PRP) and dermal fillers to lift and restore the healthy glow to the skin of the face. The Vampire Facial is similar, with the exception of dermal fillers. No filler is used in this procedure. The PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma) is stamped into the skin with microneedling, improving dullness, lack of color, sagging and wrinkles. Dr. Victor Zuckerman is the only physician in north Louisiana certified to perform the Vampire procedures, which also include the O-Shot and P-Shot for sexual rejuvenation. If freckles, age spots, rosacea or facial spider veins are a problem, Intense Pulsed Light is the solution. IPL is a non-invasive light system that destroys damaged cells that cause brown spots and is the number one treatment for those who suffer from Rosacea and spider veins. Dermapen Microneedling induces new collagen production through the delivery of tiny

needles into the epidermis and dermis. These micro injuries tell the body to repair the skin. Dermapen helps with many skin conditions including wrinkles, acne scars, stretch marks, skin tightening and rejuvenation. Our newest procedure is the Dermapen TattOff. Similar to microneedling, the tattoo is treated with tiny needles and lactic acid. After treatment, the tattoo will form a scab. The scab, along with the tattoo ink, will shed in about three weeks, leaving the area free of pigment. It’s the safe way to remove a tattoo. Human Hormone Replacement Therapy is another popular service offered at Professional Laser Center. We are now offering Testosterone Pellet Therapy to men and women who suffer from low libido, weight gain, fatigue and bone loss. Pellets are 100 percent optimum. Other services include Laser Hair Removal, which removes hair permanently. The PinPinte Foot Laser is very popular in the Ark-La-Miss. Some of our older but still popular services include Endermologie, Microdermabrasion and the Ideal Protein Weight Loss Method. Now that we’ve taken some of the guesswork out of your shopping experience, give us a call or come by our office in the beautiful Premier Plaza, and purchase one of our gift certificates. We look forward to seeing you. Merry Christmas to all!

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PAINTING THE TOWN

EMERY THIBODEAUX HAS SPENT THE LAST FEW YEARS PLACING ART IN THE PUBLIC EYE. FROM HER JOINT PROJECT WITH ONE MILE OF LOVE TO POSTCARD MURALS IN WEST MONROE AND MONROE, EMERY IS HELPING CULTIVATE AN APPRECIATION OF ART IN OUR COMMUNITY. article by APRIL CLARK HONAKER & photography by KELLY MOORE CLARK

rayons are an expected part of every kindergartener’s supply list, and most kindergarteners are happy to trace their hand for a Thanksgiving turkey or color a picture of Santa at Christmas time. But Emery Thibodeaux was bored by these activities. As soon as she was old enough to manipulate paint and other creative media, her mom let her use them. When Emery was little, her mom did a lot of artistic things, and to keep Emery’s tiny hands out of her own projects, she made sure Emery had separate projects to keep her busy. “Bless my mom for letting me do those things and make messes,” she said. Because of Emery’s early exposure to a variety of artistic media and the freedom to explore them, she said that when she got to kindergarten, the standard box of eight Crayola crayons simply wasn’t enough. Although Emery wasn’t thrilled by the art projects given at school, they failed to diminish the love of art that had been sparked at home. Even during a phase when she dreamed of being a marine biologist, Emery said art was always part of her back-up plan. She just liked the idea of living near the beach, and if all else failed, she would have air-brushed t-shirts for beach goers. Emery never realized her dream of living near a beach, but art has remained a constant in her life, and it’s led her to invest heavily in the arts and culture of Monroe-West Monroe.

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efore Emery made the choice to stay and invest in the area, she earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts in communication design from Louisiana Tech University. “I wanted to get a degree that was more useful,” she said, “but in retrospect, I wish I had done a studio focus.” After earning her degree, Emery spent six years applying her graphic design skills at a local sign company. Then, after doing some freelance work for Melanie Massey, she was recruited as the fulltime marketing and branding coordinator for Melanie Massey Physical Therapy and MoJoy Studio, where she worked for two years before striking out on her own. Emery has now been self-employed as an artist and designer for three years and has been happy to find it a sustainable choice. One of the most exciting and impactful things Emery has done with her time is join forces with ARROW Public Art’s founder Brooke Foy. Together the two have taken on a mission “to provide community revitalization, encourage collaboration among citizens and organizations, and become an extension of local events, all while promoting a sense of pride for our area.” In achieving this mission, ARROW uses art as the lightning rod through which much of its energy is channeled. Since its inception, ARROW has been responsible for several murals in downtown West Monroe, as well as the One Mile of Love Trenton Levee Revitalization Project that has translated local children’s art into largescale images of hope, love, community, faith, friendships and leadership along the levee. Because of her roots in graphic design and her practical nature, Emery likes assignments and prefers to work with direction. She said, “That’s why I work so well with Brooke. We’re a great team! She has these big ideas, and I’m the on-the-ground, details person. Sometimes I’m also the behind-the-scenes person.” But Emery is okay with being behind the scenes. “I don’t necessarily want to be on stage,” she said, “but I want to make the people on stage look really good.” Despite their best efforts, Emery and Brooke have faced some resistance to their mission, but Emery has done her best to take it in stride. “I’ve learned that no matter what, somebody’s not gonna like it,” she said. “You can’t please everybody, and for me, sometimes it’s hard to get past that. I did well in school because I liked the approval.” When they were starting the One Mile of Love project, she and Brooke were super excited, but there was criticism. She said some people were resistant to the idea of publicly displaying children’s art. They made nasty comments and expressed concern about their property values and about what the mural would look like years from now. Most of this

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negativity was spewed on social media. In the beginning, it hurt. “Less than one out of 10 people felt this way, but it was tough,” Emery said. She felt compelled to respond to many of the comments because she wanted people to understand the purpose of love behind the project. She wanted to let them know that the artists behind it were committed to maintaining it, even if that meant painting over graffiti. More importantly, she wanted them to know that she, Brooke, and all the volunteers were invested in this community. She said, “I want people to know that I live here, and I care about my community.” But when it comes to criticism, “You’ve got to let it go, she said. “You’ve got to look past it.” To cope with the criticism, Emery has chosen to focus on the mission, and said, “I love feeling like I’m making a difference in our community, even in a small way. I know I’m not curing cancer, but if a mural makes

one person smile, that makes me happy.” Given the fact that more than 250 Ouachita parish children’s artworks were selected for inclusion in One Mile of Love, those smiles are virtually guaranteed, and Emery’s heart overflows with joy, knowing their lives and many others have been touched by the project. One of the most important goals for any ARROW project is inclusion. “We really try hard to include people that may not normally be able to experience art,” she said. Maybe it’s because they can’t afford it, maybe they’re not allowed to make messes, or maybe it’s simply not part of their lifestyle. Placing art in the public eye makes it accessible to these people, and placing children’s art in particular in the public eye is empowering, not only for them but also for the community as a whole. “I want people to get excited,” she said, “especially kids.” She wants them

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Placing art in the public eye makes it ACCESSIBLE TO PEOPLE that may not normally be able to experience art. And, placing children’s art in particular in the public eye is EMPOWERING, not only for them but also for the community as a whole.

to know that they can be creative, that their creativity has value, that they can have a creative career, and that they can do it here. Another set of ARROW projects that have garnered a lot of local attention are the two postcard murals that celebrate West Monroe and Monroe. Each of the murals extends a warm welcome, inviting viewers to be part of the community. Each also celebrates icons of local culture. For example, the West Monroe mural references Kiroli Park and West Monroe High School football, and the Monroe mural references Coca Cola and the University of LouisianaMonroe. “I think this type of art gives people a sense of pride and hope about what they can contribute to the community,” Emery said. “We try to focus on unity. On the surface, our community seems to suffer from a lack of artistic expression, so you have to ease people into it sometimes.” Fortunately, many of the murals have been designed to show people what they have in common, which brings them together and makes it easier for them to relate. Although Emery loves working with Brooke and ARROW, she also loves creating art independently and working with clients.

One of her favorite independent projects is a group of paintings on canvas commissioned by Affinity Health Group for a clinic on Oliver Road in Monroe. The kids love the large, brightly colored images of insects and animals. “That makes me feel good,” Emery said. “I was very proud to do them.” One of the images, an alligator, is representative of Louisiana and its culture. For Emery, images like these not only make her proud; they also inspire others to be proud of Louisiana, and she said, “I like to create things that make people feel good about where they’re from.” In terms of subject matter, Emery likes to paint things that are beautiful, and much of her work, like the work she did for Affinity, is inspired by nature. She also prefers bright, vibrant colors like turquoise, red, lime green, pure green and yellow. She calls these colors “the Emery color palette.” According to Emery, her work is very easy to understand and relate to. “I’m a straightforward person,” she said. “I like to think my work is colorful, friendly, and accessible. I try to do things that are fun and that many people can interact with, but sometimes I’m honest to a fault, so my art is WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | DECEMBER 2017 225

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blunt. It’s not very subtle. What you see is what you get, and I’m not trying to work in secret meanings or passive hints. Some people might say it’s not true art, that it’s production art, but I think it’s all in the eye of the beholder.” In addition to painting, Emery enjoys working with jewelry as well. She finds gratification in bringing small bits of material—metal, leather, stones and beads—together in a way that highlights their natural beauty. As part of the process, she often hammers the metal by hand, uses a blow torch to fire colorful enamel, or chemically etches her own designs. Her pieces range in style and size from large, statement pieces to daintier, subtle pieces, but the result is always something unique, beautiful and durable that can be worn and appreciated for years. Like her paintings, Emery said, “A lot of my jewelry is fun because I think we have enough to worry about. I just hope it makes people smile—that it can bring joy to dreary day.”

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hether painting or creating jewelry, Emery is most comfortable making straightforward, literal pieces, but she also enjoys challenging herself. As a result, one of the next things on her agenda is to try new subject matter. Although she is comfortable exploring new materials and techniques and finds the process inspiring, she is less comfortable exploring her feelings in her art. “Emotional stuff is not for me,” she said. “I’m not a feelings person. I’m a thinking person. I can paint a 15-foot corrugated wall, but if you give me a tiny canvas and ask me to paint my feelings, I’m going to have trouble.” At the same time, the fact that she would have trouble tells Emery she should lean into that struggle and broaden her horizons. “The next step,” she said, “is to venture into more self-reflection and higher concept pieces.” Regardless of the subject matter or medium of her art, Emery is determined to use it and her other skills to give back to the community. “My goal is to be involved and grow the arts and culture here,” she said. Her involvement in ARROW and her role as treasurer for the Downtown Arts Alliance have given her platforms to meet this goal, but it was an experience at The Downtown Gallery Crawl that first inspired her. About eight years ago at the first art crawl she attended, Emery stood in ARENDER studio + gallery amidst the work of Kathleen Tumey when it hit her. “The show just touched me,” she said. “I actually teared up. My husband was like, ‘What’s wrong with you?’ But I said, ‘This feels important to me, and I want to get involved.’” According to Emery, the Crawl made art approachable. She said, “I was like, ‘I can do this. I could just step in and be part of this community.” Emery bought a piece of art that night to commemorate the moment, and she’s been actively involved in the arts and culture of our community ever since. Her plan now is to keep showing up and keep doing her part with the hope that she can inspire someone else.

ULM Students Bring Early Christmas to Local Senior Citizens On Friday, Nov. 3, a group of students from the University of Louisiana Monroe participated in a community service project with the Ouachita Council on Aging, a local non-profit organization serving senior citizens in Ouachita Parish since 1967. The mission of the OCA is to act on behalf of older people to secure needed services and benefits. For 50 years, the OCA has provided meals, appropriate healthcare, transportation, outreach, recreation, an emergency response system, and many other services. Since 2008, each ULM freshman class has played an integral role in OCA’s outreach. They have contributed to fundraising efforts by supporting the annual quilt fundraiser, provided care packages for senior participants in the Meals on Wheels program, corresponded with the participants and donated to the OCA food bank. This year, members of the ULM freshman class raised $612 in donations, replenished the OCA food bank with more than 1,300 cans of food, and furnished 76 large care baskets containing items for homebound seniors

served by the OCA. “This is Christmas for the seniors,” said Dawn Hodges, the OCA’s home delivered meals coordinator. “They get these baskets and they dig through them like a kid on Christmas morning. It’s amazing! I love it.” Hodges said many seniors can’t afford or don’t have any family to buy them gifts such as those provided by the ULM students. The ULM freshmen who participated in this year’s Meals on Wheels are part of a required freshman seminar (“University

Seminar 1001”) that integrates academics and group activities, including community service. Student peer leaders, who are selected through a competitive application and interview process, serve as role models and leaders for their freshman peers. Hodge said the ULM’s food donation through the Meals on Wheels program puts around 80,000 meals on tables annually. However, the heart-touching, hand-written letters to the seniors by ULM students produce the biggest impact. “As I was reading a letter to a lady, she started tearing up and said, ‘they [the students] don’t even know me and they write me a letter and I have family who don’t even write me a letter,’” said Hodges. The OCA operates in 10 satellite sites throughout the parish. To learn more about the OCA or how to get involved as a volunteer, contact Director Lynda McGhee at 387-0535.

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Creating Custom Gifts This Holiday Season Small Batch Customs

MALL BATCH CUSTOMS OPENED their doors last year and has become the place to get custom YETI cups. This local business is owned and operated by Steven and Adrienne Mahon. They feature powder coated YETI cups, as well as other brands, and can etch a logo, monogram, design and directly onto the cup. There are no stickers, which ensures that there is no chipping or peeling. Whether it’s for yourself, a gift or a corporate custom job, when it comes to designs, there is no limit. “We have cups in every color in stock and can customize your cup while you wait,” said Adrienne. “That is the great thing, you can come in and pick a cup out and take it home immediately.” If you are looking for something out of the ordinary like ombre colors, matte or even glitter, you can place your order and pick it up within days. Some of their more popular designs include military logos, monograms,

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Louisiana themed designs and more. The cups also make great corporate and incentives gifts since a business’ logo can be etched on the cup, making for a unique gift. Small Batch Customs doesn’t stop at the ever popular cups, though. They have recently introduced apparel. You can customize hats, t-shirts and long sleeve shirts. They also have the ability to etch a custom design on stem and stemless wine glasses, whiskey glasses, cheese boards and cutting boards. These make great gifts, not only for Christmas, but for bridesmaid’s gifts, groomsmen’s gifts and wedding presents. You can include the couple’s new monogram, their wedding date and more. The wooden cutting boards have become quite popular and are available in walnut, maple and cherry. They are a great, affordable gift, starting at $19.95. Another new addition is their customizable sports balls. You can put your child’s name or jersey number

on a football, basketball, volleyball and more, making it a great gift for the sports enthusiast. And you can do all of these from the comfort of your home. With their new website, you can order and customize items at smallbatchcustoms.com and have it shipped directly to you! If you don’t know exactly what that special someone on your list wants, you can always go with a gift card from Small Batch Customs so they can pick out exactly what they want. For more information or pictures of their work, check out Small Batch Customs on Facebook or Instagram. They are constantly updating their page with new pictures of designs on a daily basis. You can also give them a call at 599-YETI or check out their website – www.smallbatchcustoms.com.

Stocking the Perfect Holiday Bar

Tonore’s Wine Cellar

ECEMBER HAS ARRIVED AND WE all know what that means, holiday party time. The next 31 days and nights will be filled with a frenzy of family and friends stopping by to visit and enjoy this special time of year. Living in the south means so many things to us, but the one thing that stands out the most is southern hospitality. Here at Tonore’s we love helping all of you host and hostesses stock the perfect holiday bar for your home. We know figuring out what to stock your bar with can be confusing, but having these essentials on hand will make all the difference this time of year. Below are a few tried and true items to help with all your entertainment needs planned or unplanned. Let’s start with the basics: BOURBON Buffalo Trace or Bulleit are two you will be proud to put out.

VODKA Grey Goose and Kettle One are always good, or you could try something “Local” like Magnolia Vodka. GIN Bombay Sapphire and Hendrick’s are some favorites, but staying with the “Local” theme, give Cathead Distilling Bristow a try. SCOTCH It’s the season of giving, so let’s skip the blended stuff. A good 12-year-old single malt scotch will do nicely. Balvenie or The Macallan will be a hit for sure. CANADIAN WHISKEY Crown Royal is THE standard, but consider a single barrel Canadian like Caribou Crossing. Now beyond the basics:

We can add rye whiskey for the Old Fashioned cocktail. Two labels we love are Russell’s Reserve and High West Double Rye. A good sipping rum is Plantation 20th Anniversary or Zaya. Irish Whiskey, such as Jameson is a sure go-to, but another favorite of ours is Redbreast 12 Year. And for the after-dinner cigar you will need a fine cognac. Might we suggest a VSOP like Kelt or Hennessy. Add the mixers: Soda and tonic are a must. We recommend Fever-Tree. Bitters such as Peychaud’s Aromatic Cocktail Bitters and Angostura Orange Bitters will put your cocktails over the top. For the martini drinkers, an olive brine is essential. Pick up a bottle of Filthy Filtered Olive Brine, a fabulous new find from the folks at Tonore’s. To make an impeccable Old Fashioned, you may substitute Cocktail & Sons Spiced Demerara for your simple syrup for that extra kick and don’t forget the cherry, a Luxardo cherry of course. We would be remiss not to mention the Bloody Mary. For the overnight guest, a breakfast bloody mary made with Ol’ Major Bacon Bloody Mary Mix or Nina’s Naturals Bloody Mary Mix will help them ease into the next day.

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Fleet Feet Sports Monroe

Everything You Need for the Runner in Your Life

ERE AT FLEET FEET MONROE, we’ve got you covered on all your gift giving needs for this upcoming holiday season. From your favorite brands like Brooks, Nike, Adidas, Tasc Performance, New Balance and many more, we are sure you’ll find the perfect gift here. Ranging from shoes, to socks, to winter apparel, down to the little things like headphones, sunglasses, lights/reflectors, and so much more. Of course we are known for having a great selection of shoes from brands like Brooks, New Balance, Nike, Saucony, Asics, Hoka, ON, Adidas, Mizuno, and Altra. We take great pride in going the extra mile in making sure that the shoes we put you in are the best possible fit, and starting in December we are going even further in guaranteeing that. We will be partnering with New Balance on what we are calling

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the “Width Program.” We will be carrying wide sizes in all New Balance 880’s and 860’s for the entire month of December and January; that way we save you the hassle of having to order a wider size. Until December 24th, we will also have an incredible deal with Garmin. On ALL watches, except for the Fenix 5 Series, we will be taking $100 off on the ticketed price. Not only do we love Garmin as a company, but we love their amazing products. So if you have someone you know who is looking for a great fitness watch, come check out our Garmin watches and don’t pass up on this great deal. As always we’d love for y’all to stop by and see what we carry or to just come get a cup of coffee and ask us any questions you may have! Our hours for the Holiday season are: MWTF: 10-6, Tuesdays: 10-7, Saturdays: 10-5 and Sundays: 1-5. Also, don’t forget to

join us for our Monthly Fun Runs, which are usually held on the third Tuesday of every month. It’s always a great event with people from all over the community coming together to get in a good workout in, enjoy some good food and win some great raffle prizes. We’ve loved being a part of this great community since opening our doors in March and we can’t say thank y’all enough to those who choose to shop locally, especially during this upcoming holiday season. From Mike and everyone with of Fleet Feet Monroe, thank you to this awesome community. As always, we’d love for y’all to stop by and stay up to date on all things happening at Fleet Feet Monroe. Like us on Facebook at Fleet Feet Monroe or follow us on Instagram and Twitter @ fleetfeetmonroe. Our website is www. fleetfeetmonroe.com.

Trenton Dental Center A Family Practice

OING TO THE DENTIST doesn’t have to be scary. At Trenton Dental Center, you will have a great experience and enjoy your appointments. With the gorgeous décor, calming atmosphere, smiling and accommodating staff, and Dr. Paige Volentine’s excellence in her field, your fear and anxiety will leave the second you walk through the doors. Trenton Dental Center is a family practice that provides services from the age of three into the senior years. We welcome individuals and families alike. As a service to our patients, we file insurance claims with most carriers and work diligently to make sure all claims are processed and paid to the maximum benefit allowed. We also, accept CareCredit with a 12-month, no interest incentive for larger cases, and of course we accept all major credit cards. Our facility is designed to perform multiple

types of services at one time so our patients can be seen in a timely and efficient manner. Trenton Dental Center values your time and we strive to stay on schedule and accommodate each and every patient with the upmost importance. As the holidays approach, we want you to have your BEST smile. We provide cosmetic procedures, implant placement and final restorations, removable prosthetics, and routine dental care that can improve you smile. Trenton Dental Center offers several options to make your experiences as relaxed and enjoyable as possible; Nitrous Oxide, conscious sedation as well as IV sedation. Our sedation suite is the most up to date as well as our sedation team, and you will be able to rest peacefully through the procedure and wake up with a fresh new smile. In our hygiene division we have three amazing hygienists with more than

30 years of experience and knowledge to help maintain your beautiful healthy smile and educate you on how to take care of it between appointments. From scheduling your appointment to your completion of treatment, we aim to provide a friendly and courteous experience. Dr. Volentine is a hometown girl from Ruston and attended Louisiana Tech and LSU School of Dentistry and is an avid sports fan. Trenton Dental Center is currently recognized as the “Official Louisiana Tech Dentist” and provides their athletes with custom fit mouth guards to protect their smiles. From the football and soccer field to the basketball court, we strongly advise in wearing an athletic mouth guard and we can customize yours with your team logo and your name. For our patients with extensive dental restorations we suggest an occlusal guard to be worn at night; this is also great for those who grind their teeth at night. Being proactive can aid in eliminating costly treatment. For new patients, mention this article and get a free exam and set of x-rays and let us propose a treatment plan that will accommodate your specific needs.

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Give the Gift of Mobility This Holiday Season ‘Tis the Season To Save on ALL Powerchairs, Scooters and Lift Chairs

IDSOUTH MEDICAL HAS BEEN SERVING northeast Louisiana since 2001. We are a locally owned and operated company based out of West Monroe, LA. MidSouth was established with the idea of helping people stay mobile for as long as they possibly can. We want this experience to be a great one, so we carry a wide variety of colors and styles to make the equipment as fun as it can be. MidSouth Medical also carries the area’s largest supply of medical apparel. We provide a huge selection of scrubs in many different styles and sizes, even maternity and skirts. For the month of December, MidSouth Medical is offering a 20 percent off sale on power chairs, scooters and lift chairs. Just in time for the Holidays, you can give back this year with a gift of mobility to your mother, father or grandparents. MidSouth Medical’s friendly staff is highly trained to help you make the perfect selection for your loved ones and can also deliver straight to their home. Here are a few of the brands carried at MidSouth Medical: • P ride® Mobility Scooters and power chairs are engineered and factory tested to provide you with consistent high-performance operation you can count on. Our high-quality construction and proven durability means you can depend on your scooter and

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power chair for many years to come. • G olden takes all the worry out of purchasing a scooter or power chair. Our skilled designers blend the most technically advanced components with superior designs to provide you with the utmost in quality, comfort, style and performance. We confidently stand behind all our products and provide you with the best warranties in the industry. • Patient lifts, bedside commodes, canes/walkers, oxygen, wheelchairs, electric beds, respiratory therapy and many other options are all found in store. MidSouth Medical provides inhouse repairs, and will also come out to your home to make repairs on scooters and/or power chairs. We are located at 107 Bridge Street right at the foot of the bridge in West Monroe. Our professional staff will meet with you and assist your every need. Call 1-318-855-0411 or stop by our store any time from 8 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. on Monday-Friday and now Saturdays from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. We hope to see you here! Happy Holidays from your local household medical suppliers, MidSouth Medical!

The Place to See Local Artists Levee Art Gallery

INCE ITS INCEPTION THIS PAST July, the Levee Art Gallery has been the place to go to see local artists and their work. Located in the Murray Shopping Center on North 18th Street, Levee Gallery is owned by Kathy Biedenharn. “I named it to pay homage to a dear friend, Pam Baker, who owned a gallery in the ‘90s with the same name. Pam was instrumental in exposing many Monroe residents to art, myself included. She was a great asset to artists and I want this gallery to support and share their artistic endeavors with the community.” In the past few months, Levee Gallery has had several shows that feature a mixture of local and regional artists, including Ann Currie, L A Jones, Bunny Hewitt, Robin Hamaker, Dusty Reed and Dustin Greer. And it isn’t just paintings. There has been pottery, contemporary

abstract art, photography and more. If you are looking to give a unique piece of art to someone on your Christmas list, you should check out the beautiful turned wooden bowls, wine stoppers and other pieces from Rusty Patterson. The Levee Gallery has recently added pieces by Mitch Evans, an artist from Baton Rouge. His pieces feature wood inlayed in resin and depict trees in their natural form. Mitch finds wonder and amazement in the pure and simple beauty of wood, Plain and simple, he is a wood geek and his work reflects his passion. Levee Gallery currently has two incredible large wall pieces on display. He is just one of the unique and talented artists who the Levee Gallery is excited to feature and bring to Monroe. “I am excited to be able to offer opportunities to artists to show their work and to residents to view art,” said Kathy.

“This is a fun thing for me and I want to keep it fun.” During the month of December, Levee Gallery will feature a variety of artists including Ann Cline, John Geldersma, Natalie Gaidry, Kit Gilbert, James Havard, Debra Heard, Shannon Landry, Ellen Langford, B Myrick, Joni Noble, Gary Ratcliff, Wilma Roy and Edward Schmidt. To stay up to date with what is going on at the Levee Gallery, follow them on Facebook to know about new and upcoming exhibitions. You can check out their website – leveegallery.com – or just stop by. You can sign up for the mailing list and receive the occasional postcard with the latest information. You can also check out all of the art on display while you are there, and even pick out something for the person on your Christmas list that has everything. Art makes the perfect gift!

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Get Ready for the Holidays Ageless Skin Laser Center

HE HOLIDAYS ARE A TIME FOR gathering with friends and family. This is a time of good feelings so wouldn’t you want to look your very best? Ageless Skin Laser Center is happy to help. They are a medical facility that provides preventative and corrective procedures for anti aging. Their focus is on education and they want to educate their patients on how to correct and prevent damage to the body and skin from the inside out. Botox is a neuromodulator that has been around for longer than 20 years. Botox is a safe and effective way to remove unwanted wrinkles in the face. How does it work? Once injected, Botox targets one of the underlying causes of frown lines and crows feet- the repeated muscle contractions from frowning and squinting through the years. Your specialist at Ageless Skin Laser Center will inject these muscles with Botox Cosmetic to temporarily reduce muscle activity. You

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will begin to notice a visible smoothing of these trouble areas, just in time for those holiday parties! Micropeels are an important adjunct to skin care. These peels maximize and expedite the results that can be achieved through your everyday skin care. Micropeels are the lightest of all chemical peels. Our peels will smooth and soften your skin, brighten your complexion, minimize pores, and reduce discoloration. Each peel is customized for each patient’s needs, and make the perfect gift for that person who has everything! The Hydrofacial treatment is the newest advance in non-laser skin resurfacing. HydroFacial is the only hydradermabrasion procedure that combines cleansing, exfoliations, extraction, hydration and antioxidant protection simultanelously. This treatment is suitable for most skin types including thin or aging skin, dry skin, or oily

skin! Start your skin’s maintenance program now with HydroFacial to slow your skin’s aging process and delay the need for invasive procedures. Give your skin an instant boost this holiday season! Laser body contouring is also available. This uses wavelengths of light to melt away fat cells and is an easy way to slim the figure for all of the holiday photos. It is a noninvasive way to dissolve fat and tighten the skin. One can also find gifts for any woman in your life. Ageless Skin Laser Center has you covered for stocking stuffers as well. Bath bombs, candles and skin care products. Come in and one of their friendly staff will be happy to help you find the perfect gift for mom, wife, daughter or best friend. Free Consultations! Merry Christmas!

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Delta Waterfowl Banquet

On November 9th, the Monroe Civic Center was packed in anticipation of the 2017 Delta Waterfowl Banquet. With more than 50 tables sponsored, more than 10 VIP sponsors and more than 30 donors, Delta Waterfowl is the premier outdoor banquet for NELA. Everyone left a winner with abundant silent auction items, numerous gun items, more than 20 raffle items â&#x20AC;&#x201C; not to mention the best live auction of outdoor related items. Mike Ackel of Mike Ackel Associates & Auctioneers, LLC, kept the live auction popping like a volley of experienced hunters looking for a solid limit. One thing you see flying more than bids for auction items are the smiles of all attendees. Delta Waterfowl Banquet has continued to grow year after year, providing the best duck season kick-off banquet on he bayou. Thank you to the continued support of all of our sponsors.

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On the BayouScene 1M att Dickerson and Matthew Harvey 2 Rusty Benton, Richard Benton and Mike Benton 3 Chad Daigle and Mark Sutton 4 Ben Peters and Ross Horton 5 J osh Fuselier and Lee Hale 6 Mike Correro and Brad Arender 7M ike Zambie and Gene Bales 8 Logan Nolan, Josh Creel and Robby Kelly 9D ustin James and Jeff Foote 10 Randy Gilmore and Dustan Ballance 11 Lee Michael Estes, Donald Johnson, Chris Holtzclaw, Morgan Livingston, TJ Scarborough and Jordan Smith 12 Jonathan Perry and Daniel Raymond 13 Senator Mike Walsworth with Corbin, Kyle and Paul Coburn 14 Hardy Gordon, Justin Tarver and Mead Hardwick 15 J K Montgomery, Daniel Raymond and Jeremy Pender 16 Reagan Cobb and James Stephens 17 Steve Brennan and Don Sims 18 Mike Venable and Kevin Hudson 19 Dion Young and Ethan Hunt 20 Thomas and Lane Eddleman 16

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Bastrop’s Holiday Open House On Sunday, November 12th holiday shoppers strolled the streets of Bastrop for their Holiday Open House event. Pearce Pharmacy, Downs & Daughters Events, The Market, The Flower Tree, Steve’s Jewelry, Bayou Boutique, Arnett’s, Antiques & Accents and Whit’s Pharmacy all opened their doors to the public to kick off Christmas shopping. Each vendor showcased their latest merchandise and provided food and drinks to all attending. The City of Bastrop would like to thank everyone who participated and wishes everyone Happy Holidays!

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On the BayouScene 1 Jamie Coley, Alissa, Mallory and Madigan Steves 2A ddison Murry, Lindsey Murry, Cindy Franklin, Aydan Murry and Terri Jo Churchwell 3 S herri and Victoria Stephens 4 Mendy Strong and Shelia Huntsman 5 Heather Ganey, Andrea Hayes and Jasemine Wallace 6B renda Atkins and Philis Rhodes 7 Janice McGowen and Candy Young 8M arla McIntyre and Lori Wallace 9P auline Kinnaird and Jennifer Stephenson 10 D iana, Wendi, Abbott and Averyal Marus 11 Marsha Bohannian, Wilma, Teresa and Steve Pearce 12 Debrah Davis and Emma Ford-Brandon 13 S abrina Simmons, Brookie Ogden and Kacey Tubbs 14 Wanda Watson and Donna Townsend 15 Claudia Gebhardt and Debra Hadley 16 Traci Stevens, Amy Herrington and Caron Walker 17 Belinda Oden and Linda Davis 18 Makayla Moore and Paige Rushing

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W INT ER WO ND ER Step into a winter wonderland this holiday season with these festive looks from area boutiques. Photography by Martin G Meyers

HEMLINE MONROE

A flirty flounced hem puts a modern spin on this sultry red slip dress. For cool nights, add this plush faux fur vest with shawl collar. These black strappy heels are a closet staple this season. Accessorize the look with a gunmetal metallic purse, multi-strand necklace and cocktail ring.

MUAH by Meka Bennett | Model: Molly-Claire West | Set Design by Melanie Moffett and Katie Sloan | Special Thanks to Page Jones and Jenna Brakefield

DUCK & DRESSING

Molly sparkles in this glamorous jersey knit midi dress with deep V-neck and a twisted bodice with knot detail. Layer the look with this belted glitter lounge robe with piping for a modern approach. Accessorize with an adjustable necklace with silver hoop and metallic double-knit booties.

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IF THE CROWN FITS

Power through your day with this activewear featuring a cosmic sapphire print. The top has a v-shaped neckline and thin straps for an edgy look, and the leggings were created with a high waist and figure-flattering stretch material.

THE FASHION OF RUSTON

Rich velvet teamed with a deep teal hue makes this flared floral top perfect for party season. A dramatic bow tie at the back draws attention in all the right ways. For a sophisticated look, add these wide-leg velvet trousers, Kendra Scott jewelry, and the Game Changer Mini by Kelly Wynne bag.

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HERRINGSTONES

Sparkle and shine in this effortless metallic sweater pieced with statement bell sleeves in a luxe velvet. Layer it over a high-waist suede legging. Dress it up for an evening out with these metallic heels featuring a double buckle ankle strap and pointed toe, and dynamic statement jewelry from Kendra Scott.

THE NUDE NOMAD

Flaunt your fun and flirty style in this party dress featuring a dreamy velvet fabric and deep v-neckline with adjustable tie at the waist. Layer on Andrea Barnett necklaces and metallic circle earrings. These silver metallic and rhinestone heels add a perfect amount of sparkle.

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KIMâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S YOU NIQUE BOUTIQUE

A sleeveless sheath dress with cascading ruffle on the right shoulder is the perfect little party dress this holiday season. These black suede heels are a must-have for every occasion. Accessorize with a silver cuff and earrings.

DOT DOTâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S BOUTIQUE

Embroidered white stars add a delicate touch to this teal-hued dress with chiffon-like overlay in a fit-and-flare silhouette and open back with ruffle detailing. A gold layered pendant chain and black wedge booties complete the look.

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Grace Episcopal Playground Dedication On Tuesday, October 24, Grace Episcopal School held a ribbon cutting at the school in Monroe to unveil its new playground equipment. The day also celebrated the school joining the Monroe Chamber of Commerce. All of the school children, staff and faculty were on hand to celebrate, as well as representatives from the Chamber and the City of Monroe.

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Meg Wood and Wendy Colvin Ellie and Wesley James D r. Mike Vining and Dr. Beth Ricks A manda Wooten, Erica Ryan and Liz Hartman M ike Ryan, Greg Wilson and Clay Shemwell Stephanie Ryan, Ginny Montgomery and Kerri James Alexa Hickey, Lila Strode and Meg Keene James Butler and James Moore T anu Mirji and Claudia Quayle

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A Christmas Table

Recollections of a Holiday Tradition Lost, and Speculations on a Tradition Found article by Michael DeVault

ven today, between running to this event or that meeting, my family and I sit down to a formal meal at the dining table every Sunday. We use my grandmother’s crystal and silver, the serving pieces and platters, and the nice linens. Most Sundays, we use the Lenox china she left me when she passed, unless we’re entertaining special guests, at which point we break out “my” china, the masculine cobalt-and-goldrimmed Noritake set she collected and filled out just for me. It’s fitting that my memories and mementos of Little Mama, as I called my grandmother, revolve around the dinner table – and how to set it. A refined table, crisp napkin, and jovial atmosphere were a shared passion she and I curated over many a trip to antique stores, garage sales and bargain racks. While polishing the endless mountains of silverware, she would frequently complain, then laugh and quote her favorite line from her favorite movie, The Jerk. “I don’t care about the money,” she’d say, doing her best Bernadette Peters impression, puckering her lips out as far as she could. “I just care about the stuuuuuff.” For the first time in my life, as I’m facing a holiday without Little Mama, the stuuuuuff is the lone connection I have to our traditional flurry of holiday phone calls, messages sent through third parties over Facebook or text with pictures of my table or her tree, and a near-endless series of questions about cooking. “Now, since Kraft doesn’t make the garlic loaf anymore, what is it I can use?” she would ask every year while making Spinach Madelaine. I’d go through the steps and ingredients the Junior League of Baton Rouge had posted on its website the year after Kraft discontinued manufacturing the key ingredient, which – as far as either of us could tell – was only ever available at Brookshires on 18th Street. “When I’m putting out dessert forks and spoons, does the fork face to the left or the right? And which goes on top of which? The spoon’s at the top, right?” I’d query, while putting out the flatware, the

phone tucked between my ear and my shoulder. Setting the table had become over the years my chore and, by the time I entered college and took a job running the front-of-house of a restaurant, my skill (and the carefully marked dowel I used to check and measure table settings) had earned me the title “Table Nazi.” We would endlessly debate the merits of the bread plate, that gauche EnglishAmerican creation which most people didn’t use. It clutters the table, and ends up getting filled with desserts or salad or some other course by someone less knowledgeable. “Why can’t we just put the bread on the table, like they do everywhere else in the civilized world? The table cloth is clean,” I’d say. She never got around to watching all of Downton Abbey, though we had discussed the show on occasion and she had seen enough episodes to be able to converse about the concepts. Had she seen more of the show, I have no doubt my aversion to a bread plate would have elicited a cold, Lady-Maryesque, “You’ll soon get used to the way we do things around here – properly.” The last time Little Mama and I were together, she was in a rehab center, complaining about her hair. I arranged for a stylist to come and give her a cut and style, and while we were waiting on him,

I showed her pictures of my apartment, of life around Nashville, and the kids – her grandchildren. When I scrolled past a photo of a recent dinner table setting, she asked me to go back, then to zoom in, and then back out. “You always did know how to set a beautiful table,” she said. Then she launched into instructions about this serving piece and the pattern of that crystal – vital information, she assured me, because the crystal was pretty, but fragile. “You’ll forever be replacing glasses with chipped rims, so watch for them on sale at Dillards.” In a few weeks, I’ll have the kids over. A few neighbors will join us around the table for Christmas dinner – this year, I’m foregoing a second turkey-and-dressing in favor of a Dickensian Christmas goose. We’ll share stories and a meal, and at some point in the dinner, someone will mention the china or the silver or the crystal, and I’ll smile and talk about the origin of this serving piece or the pattern of that crystal. And I’ll laugh and tell the story of my grandmother, and then I’ll pucker my lips, do my best Bernadette Peters impression, and remind them it’s not about the money. It’s about the stuuuuuff! Merry Christmas!

Second Annual PumpkinFest

DBK Dance and Performing Arts and the Downtown West Monroe Revitalization Group hosted the second annual PumpkinFest on Saturday, October 21st with the help of 88.7 The Cross and Power 92.7 in downtown West Monroe. The streets of Antique Alley were filled with vendors, food, crafts and more. Costume constests for kids and pets were held, along with a pet parade, with judging by volunteers from Richland State Bank. Sponsors Harrison Lilly/Keller Williams and Hayes Harkey Title proudly presented entertainment by the students of DBK Dance and Performing Arts, as well. Community members of all ages were on hand to enjoy this special event!

On the BayouScene 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

I ngria Hall and Darryl Hall E li, Paisley, Kelsey and Jason Tanner Danielle Clack and Sandy Clark Shannan Tarver and Amanda Mitchell F oster and Lisa Wilhite Lyndsey Trenka, Melissa Ring, Kayla Hale and Shea Crew Annabelle Cardin, Madison Turner, and Bella Banks C atherine Chance and Beverly Bennett Brittany Streetman and Monica Turner

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Delhi Open House The Merchants of Delhi hosted their 4th Annual Christmas Open House Sunday, November 12th from 1-5p.m. It was a fun-filled day of shopping and sampling delicious sweets and savory treats. Door prizes and special incentives were also given to those who attended. Vendors that participated included The Gospel Shop, The Mad Hatters Flower Shop, E.W. Thomson Drug, The Mansion at Red Hill, Philips Family Pharmacy, Delhi HealthMart, Champions Bistro and Black Bear Lodge and Trippâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Workwear Outlet. The merchants would like to thank everyone for coming out and hope to see you next year!

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On the BayouScene 1 Analiese Thomas, Kim Stanley and Ana Thomas 2 S tella Gibson, Kimberly Brock, Shelia Carroll, Tiffany Johnson and Dora Heath 3V alerie Clark and Tiwanna Stubblefield 4 Adrienne Perry, Teresa Scurria and Peggy Johnson 5 Dawn Hall and Debbie Dulaney 6 L inda Brock and Victoria Truelove 7 Emy Lou Anderson and Dorla Parker 8 E llise Walley and Rita Watson 9P hilip Cash, Sandra Neathery, Glenda Cash, Tess Uchman, Amy Hutchenson and Lauren Blakney 10 B ailey Killingsworth, Heather McKenney and Karsyn Killingsworth 11 Becky Nielson and Margueritte Barrow 12 Julie Stuwart and Lynanne Pennebaker 13 A manda and Rhonda Parker 14 Heather Jammal, Vicki Cingolani and Kate Schultz 15 Thuy An and Thomas McKinsley 16 Susanne Bembenick and Shari McEacharn

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Calendar of Events For a full list of event happenings in Northeast Louisiana, see our website at www.bayoulifemag.com Through December 31 Freedom Trees Start off the season with the tree lighting ceremony of the Chennault Aviation and Military Museum Freedom Trees honoring veterans with a patch, ribbon, medal, or photo from their military service. Venue: Chennault Aviation and Military Museum Hours: 5:00 pm nightly Cost: Free Phone: (318) 362-5540 Through December 23 Santa’s Christmas Village Bring the family to make holiday memories at The Children’ Museum! Decorate a Christmas cookie, play in our “snow,” write a letter to Santa, ride Mount Sneaux, make/take an ornament, play in the museum and visit with Santa. Ice skate (extra fee) and enjoy the Tree Jay’s musical show outside, too. On December 23, Santa’s Christmas Village will be closing at 6 p.m. to give Santa time to get back to the North Pole. Venue: Northeast Louisiana Children’s Museum Hours: Thursdays and Fridays from 5-8 p.m., Saturdays 10-8 p.m., Sundays 1-6 p.m. Cost: $7 per person ages 1 and up, skating $5 per person Phone: 318-361-9611 Through January 1 Candy Cane Lane Candy Cane Lane is a drivethrough Christmas light display located in Calhoun featuring over one million lights on a milelong wooded road. Venue: Candy Cane Lane: 170 Highway 151 North, Calhoun Hours: 6:00 to 10:00 p.m. Cost: Family vehicle- $20; Commercial vehicle (vans) - $40; no trailers Phone: 318-801-0670 Through December 31

Christmas at the Biedenharn Enjoy the beautiful Christmas decorations throughout the Biedenharn Home and ELsong Gardens thanks to the Monroe Garden Study League. Be sure to come by during regular museum hours to take your family Christmas snapshots. Venue: Biedenharn Museum and Gardens Hours: Tues-Sat 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Cost: Adults $6; Students under 12 $4 Phone: 318-387-5281 Through December 30 Ice Skating Rink Celebrate the Christmas spirit by coming out to Downtown Ruston and ice-skating with friends and family! The rink is open every weekend in December. Time: Fridays: 3 p.m. - 10 p.m., Saturdays: 10 a.m. - 10 p.m., Sundays: 4 p.m. - 10 p.m. Location: Downtown Ruston Admission: $10 Contact: (318) 251-8621 Bank of Ruston Holiday Art Exhibit Stop by Bank of Ruston’s downtown location for “Mapping Out a Future for the Arts.” Exhibit features original works of art that incorporate topographical maps found in the City of Ruston’s historic Federal Building, soon to be turned into an arts center and home for the North Central Louisiana Arts Council. Time: Monday-Friday 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Location: 505 North Vienna Street in Ruston Admission: Free Contact: (318) 255-3733 December 1 Garden District Block Party Don’t miss this celebration of food, music, and more in Downtown Monroe. Venue: Ouachita Candy Company

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Warehouse Hours: 6:30 p.m. – 10:30 p.m. Cost: $15 Kickoff to Christmas Enjoy holiday activities for the whole family, music, shopping and the magical downtown lighting ceremony! Time: 6 p.m. Location: Downtown Ruston Admission: Free Contact: (318) 251-8621 December 1-2 Lincoln Lights Up The Pines The entire family will enjoy twinkling lights, lively holiday scenes, and Christmas decorations while driving through beautiful Lincoln Parish Park. Don’t miss this fun holiday attraction to be experienced from the comfort (and warmth) of your vehicle! Time: 5:30 p.m. Location: Lincoln Parish Park Admission: $5 per vehicle/$10 for buses Contact: (318) 255-2031 A Christmas Carol Watch as Ruston Community Theatre brings to life the timeless tale of “A Christmas Carol.” Ebenezer Scrooge is a prosperous curmudgeon who believes that personal wealth is far more valuable than the happiness and comfort of others. With an infuriated “Bah! Humbug!” Scrooge summates his feelings of Christmas tidings and charitable giving, but he’s forced to face his selfish ways when three ghosts on Christmas Eve lead him through his Past, Present and Future. Time: 7 p.m. Location: Dixie Center for the Arts Admission: $12/$6 for students Contact: (318) 255-1450 Holiday Arts Tour Celebrate the arts in North Louisiana with live music, demonstrations, and shopping for

unique, handmade items from local and regional artists. Time: Friday 5-9 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Location: Downtown Ruston Admission: Free Contact: (318) 255-1450 December 2 Bah Humbug 5k Run Come run the streets of Antique Alley to benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of Louisiana. Venue: Antique Alley Hours: 9:00 a.m. Cost: Registration fees apply.

Holly Jolly Breakfast and Matinee Performance of Rudolph Enjoy breakfast with Rudolph and friends, make reindeer food, crafts and more. Professional pictures with Santa to be taken by Samuel Bourland. Twin City Ballet is excited to be offering a matinee performance of Rudolph in conjuction with Holly Jolly Breakfast this year, as well. Venue: Monroe Civic Center Theatre Lobby Hours: 9:00 - 11:00 a.m., Come at your leisure; 11:00 matinee Cost: $15 per person, 2 and under free Phone: 318-388-3011 www.twincityballet.org Christmas in DoMo Come hear the joyful noise of Christmas carols sung by local choir groups. Prepare for battle with your decorated ugly sweater for the Ugly Sweater Contest. Be jolly as you enjoy holiday drinks such as cider, eggnog, hot chocolate and much

more provided by the Monore Civic Center Bar. Donate a toy for a child in need this Christmas. Take part in our combination kids and pet parade. Take a picture with Santa and as always, there will be Fireworks and a Christmas Parade to end the day. Venue: RiverMarket Hours: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Cost: Free Admission Phone: 318-807-1735 Champagne and Shopping Grab the girls for a glass or 2 of complimentary champagne and nibbles and browse various local vendors booths to do some Christmas shopping at the West Monroe Convention Center. There will be several vendors like Ma Mere’ Potpourri, Chisholm Creative Solutions, Double BB Farms, The Monogram Addict, Chelle’s Closet, Creations by Carmen, local artists, and many more. They will also be giving out door prizes throughout the day. Venue: West Monroe Convention Center Hours: 10:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. Cost: $2 Phone: 318-396-5000 Awesome Carolers West Monroe High School Choral students will provide professional-level caroling in Antique Alley. Let the holiday music get you in the Christmas spirit. Venue: Antique Alley Hours: Noon - 2:00 p.m. Cost: Free Phone: 800-843-1872

Kiwanis Club of West Monroe Christmas Parade sponsored by Origin Bank Travel through time with this “Throwback Christmas” parade through downtown West Monroe and Monroe with floats, bands, and dancers. Venue: Downtown Monroe and

West Monroe Hours: 3:30 p.m. Cost: Free to attend Monroe Renaissance Fireworks Extravaganza sponsored by Origin Bank Enjoy this beautiful firework display along the banks of the Ouachita River. Fireworks will be shot from the Endom bridge. Venue: Downtown Monroe and West Monroe Hours: 7:00 p.m. Cost: Free Festival of Trees You won’t want to miss Twin City Ballet Company’s annual Festival of Trees, featuring Christmas trees that have been decorated by local designers. Enjoy pre-performance refreshments while bidding on full-size and tabletop trees, along with a chance to purchase one a Mystery Box. This magical evening is sure to make holiday shopping feel like a walk through the Sugar Plum Forest! Venue: Monroe Civic Center Theatre Lobby Hours: 5:00 - 7:30 p.m., auction at 6:00 p.m. Cost: Admission is free Phone: 318-388-3011 www.twincityballet.org Twin City Ballet Gala performance of Rudolph and ACT II of The Nutcracker Everyone’s favorite classic! Yes, Rudolph is back......with all the heart-filled adventure the story brings, brought to life onstage under the direction of the incredible Joe Istre and performed by Twin City Ballet’s amazing array of dancers. Following intermission, Act II of The Nutcracker will be performed to round off a spectacular night of music and dance. Venue: Monroe Civic Center Hours: 7:30 p.m. Cost: $25 for adults and $20 for seniors and 18 years and under Phone: 318-388-3011 www.twincityballet.org December 2-3 Journey to Bethlehem Experience the sights and sounds of the world of the first

Christmas through a 20 minute walk-through Christmas drama. The journey features over 100 characters in costume, live animals, first century shops, and a live nativity. Venue: Pecanland Mall Hours: 2:00 - 5:00 p.m. Cost: Free Phone: 318-322-4635 December 3 Candy Cane Hunt 2017 Find THOUSANDS of candy canes during the Candy Cane Hunt and Scavenger Hunt, prizes, free photos with Santa, free kids activities, bounce house, shop for the holidays with local vendors, food, holiday music, hot cocoa and much more. Venue: Kiroli Park Hours: 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. Cost: $1 park admission Phone: 318-396-4016 December 7 Downtown Gallery Crawl Presented by the Downtown Arts Alliance, ten 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 Hours: 5:00 - 9:00 p.m. Cost: free Phone: 318-503-5125 Downtown River Jam DoMo Piano Bar This is an interactive show with Queen Anne’s Revenge Dueling Pianos on the Skent N Dent stage in the historic Coca-Cola building in Downtown Monroe. While you’re there, enjoy food and a cash bar provided by Restaurant Cotton as well as complimentary beer samples by Choice Brands. Venue: Downtown Monroe Hours: 5:00 pm- 9:00 pm Cost: $20 December 7-8, 10, 14-15 Miracle on 34th Street, Radio Version A heartwarming holiday classic

retold in the tradition of a live 1940’s era radio broadcast. When a department store Santa claims he’s the real Kris Kringle, his case gets taken all the way to the Supreme Court. Watch the miracle unfold when the belief of a little girl makes all the difference in this iconic story. Adapted from the 1947 Lux Radio Hour Broadcast and staged with live Foley effects and a score of holiday carols, Miracle on 34th Street is a beloved musical that will melt even the most cynical of hearts. Venue: Strauss Theatre Center Hours: 7:00 p.m. Cost: $30 plus tax for Adult/$10 for Student Phone: 3183236681

December 7-9 Christmas Evenings at the Biedenharn Enjoy the beautiful Christmas decorations throughout the Biedenharn Home and Elsong Gardens thanks to the Monroe Garden Study League along with visits with Santa Claus. Venue: Biedenharn Museum and Gardens Hours: 5:00 - 8:00 p.m. Cost: Free Admission Phone: 318-387-5281 December 9 Awesome Carolers West Monroe High School Choral students will provide professional-level caroling in Antique Alley. Let the holiday music get you in the Christmas spirit. Venue: Antique Alley Hours: Noon - 2:00 p.m. Cost: Free Phone: 800-843-1872 Kids Alley sponsored by Richland State Bank A day of everything fun for kids: buggy rides, games, Masur Museum crafts, Zoo animals, bounce house, visits with Santa and

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more. Venue: Antique Alley Hours: 2:00 - 5:00 p.m. Cost: Free Phone: 318-388-3930 Ruston Christmas Parade and Chili Cookoff Bring the family out to experience “A Magical Christmas” parade in Downtown Ruston. will roll through downtown Enjoy one of Ruston’s many Christmas festivities, the Christmas Parade! After the parade, stick around for the chili cookoff. Time: 4:00 p.m. Location: Downtown Ruston Admission: $5 for three samples, $10 for unlimited samples Contact: (318) 255-2031

Holiday Outdoor Movie Come enjoy the second holiday movie night under the stars and massive Christmas lighting in Antique Alley. Hot chocolate and popcorn will be available for purchase. (*Rain Date: December 16, same time) Venue: Antique Alley Hours: 5:30 p.m. Cost: Free Phone: 800-843-1872 Children’s Lighted Parade A night-time parade featuring children in costume on decorated bikes, floats and wagons! The parade is open to all pre-school and elementary school age children. Parents must be present. Prizes for best decorated float, bike and costume! Venue: Antique Alley Hours: 7:00 p.m. Cost: Float, bike or wagon entries are $5.00 each. Phone: 800-843-1872 A Magical Bike Parade sponsored by The Bike Source Be part of the glitter. Decorate your bicycles and pedal through

both our cities. Everyone 12 years and older is welcome to participate. So light up your bikes, put on your costumes and join us for a night ride through the lights. Parade begins at Commerce and Wood Streets in Antique Alley. (*Rain Date: December 16, same time) Venue: Antique Alley Hours: 7:00 p.m. Cost: Free Phone: 800-843-1872 December 14 “A Tuna Christmas” The Ruston Cultural District presents “A Tuna Christmas,” a hilarious sequel to “Greater Tuna” and it’s Christmas in the third smallest town in Texas. Radio station OKKK news personalities Thurston Wheelis and Arles Struvie report on various Yuletide activities, like the annual lawn display contest, plus other news, such as unpaid electric bills. Time: 7:00 p.m. Location: The Norton Building Admission: $10 Contact: (318) 255-1450 December 15 A Very Merry Oz Christmas Join Dorothy, as she is swept away to the North Pole on Christmas Eve and re-discovers her fear friends in the Land of OZ! Dorothy soon realizes there really is no place like home for Christmas! Venue: W.L. “Jack” Howard Theatre at the Monroe Civic Center Hours: Patron Party at 6:30 p.m.; Theater Doors open at 7:00 p.m. Cost: Ticket prices vary. Phone: 318-329-2225 Christmas at the Dixie Lawrence Gibbs and the Russ-Town Band will be jingle-bell rocking the DCA stage with all the holiday classics! T Time: 7:30 p.m. Location: Dixie Center for the Arts Admission: Free Contact: 318-255-1450 December 15-16 Louisiana State Games: Middle School Basketball Championships Join in on the fun at the Louisiana State Games Middle School Basketball Championships.

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Venue: ULM Activity Center Phone: 318-342-5305 December 16 Driven Desires Toy Drive and Car Show This car show features all makes and models of cars and a Top 10 People’s Choice Award. To enter, just bring one unopened toy for the toy drive. Last year, they were able to completely fill the bed of a F150 with donations. Venue: Glenwood Medical Mall Hours: 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Cost: Free for spectators Phone: 318-801-4394 Jingle Bell Run Half Marathon and 5K The 13.1 Half Marathon will begin near the River Market on the beautiful Ouachita River in Monroe. It will wind through historical Downtown Monroe and the Garden District. The 5K will also start near the River Market and course will take you through historic Downtown Monroe. Venue: RiverMarket Hours: 8:00 a.m. Half Marathon and 8:30 a.m. 5K Run/Walk Cost: $75 Half Marathon Until 11/25, $85 11/26-12/15 $95 Race Day; $25 5K Until 11/25 $30 11/26-12/15 $35 Race Day Phone: 318-325-4634 December 18 Christmas Tree Decorating Contest Celebrity Judging The Monroe Regional Airport’s Christmas Tree Decorating contest will be judged by some familiar faces in Monroe-West Monroe. Mayor Jamie Mayo, Councilwoman Juanita Woods, Miss LA 2017 Laryssa Bonacquisti, Miss LA 2011 Hope Anderson, Chennault Aviation and Military Museum Director Adrienne Wells and Masur Museum Director Evelyn Stewart will all be in attendance to decide the winning tree. The night will also include a ballroom demonstration, art displays, and light refreshments. Venue: Monroe Regional Airport Hours: 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. Cost: Free Phone: 318-381-5684 December 20 Coca-Cola Christmas Truck at the

Biedenharn Museum and Gardens Don’t miss this special Coke moment as Coca-Cola truck is on display at the museum. After viewing the truck, be sure to enjoy the beautiful Christmas decorations throughout the Biedenharn Home and Elsong Gardens thanks to the Monroe Garden Study League. The truck will be parked on Riverside in front of the museum. Venue: Biedenharn Museum and Gardens Hours: 5:30 - 8:00 p.m. Cost: Free Admission Phone: 318-387-5281 December 21 Dead by Dawn, Rella, The Arbitrary (NOLA), The Bearded Ladies at Live Oaks The Arbitrary return to Monroe to rock Live Oaks stage for the first time! Rella will be making the trip from Shreveport for shred support. They’ll be joined by Monroe locals Dead by Dawn and The Bearded Ladies. Venue: Live Oaks Bar and Ballroom Hours: 8:00 p.m. Cost: $7 Phone: 318-548-4562 Enjoy your stay in MonroeWest Monroe! We at the Monroe-West Monroe Convention and Visitor’s Bureau hope you have a great stay here! Please feel free to call us at 800-843-1872 if you have any questions. You may also stop by our offices at 601 Constitution Drive, West Monroe for brochures, coupons and additional information. Visit www.monroe-westmonroe. org for information about events in Ouachita Parish and visit www.rustonlincoln.com for events in Lincoln Parish.

WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | DECEMBER 2017 257

258 DECEMBER 2017 | WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM

260 DECEMBER 2017 | WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM