BayouLife Magazine February 2015

KREWE

OF JANUS DOCTOR IN

Love is in the Air

THE HOUSE

SWEET LUCY’S +

MIL BODRON LINDA & JOE HOLYFIELD AP CHRISTOPHER

BL contents

70

FEBRUARY 2015

20 / BAYOU PAGES We’ve Got Spirit: Book Reviews For Those That Love the SEC 24 / FISHING WITH KENNY Getting Started...The Right Way 26 / P. ALLEN SMITH Dig Up Some Dirt 46 / ASK ERIN Getting Organized When Your Sweetheart Is Not 48 / BAYOU OUTDOORS It’s All About That Bass 62 / BAYOU ICONS The Town They Built: Linda and Joe Holyfield

94

70 / LOVE IS IN THE AIR Unforgettable Valentine’s Day Outfits From Local Boutiques 88 / SUPERHEROES AMONG US Krewe of Janus King Micah Goins and Queen Tiese Ardito 94 / APC The Ebb and Flow of AP Christoper 105 / BAYOU ARTIST Dallas-based Architect Mil Bodron’s Roots Lie in Monroe 110 / DOCTOR IN THE HOUSE From Richland Parish to Capitol Hill, Dr. Ralph Abraham is Sworn in as Congressman

4 FEBRUARY 2015 | W WW.B AYO UL IFE MAG .CO M

129

116 / BAYOU EATS Sweetness Reigns at Sweet Lucy’s 121 / A PLATINUM ENGAGEMENT The Love Story of Irene and Gerald McClendon 129 / NATURALLY REFINED RENOVATION The Home of Chrissy and Darrell Evans

F

BayouLife

EBRUARY IS ALWAYS A BUSY

month for me. This year, I have two birthdays to plan, Vivian will be celebrating her first birthday and Stella will turn three. I’m not going to publish my mother’s age, but she’ll be sixty-something this month as well. In the midst of birthday parties, we’ll also be celebrating Valentine’s Day and Mardi Gras.

This year the Krewe of Janus will roll through the Twin Cities on February 7th.

Our BayouLife staff will be on board throwing beads to all the parade-goers. Make sure to check out the new route on page 138 and look for the article on this year’s queen and king on page 88.

I am in love with this month’s photo shoot. I cannot say enough about our gorgeous and talented office manager, Ellie Jackson, who modeled and came up with the concept for this month’s set. We had a few challenges with our gigantic balloons we ran out of helium twice and had to come up with a creative solution for getting the balloons to stay in place. Make sure to look at our behind-the-scenes images on www.bayoulifemag.com. I’d like to thank Mrs. Patricia, Martin G Meyers and, of course, Meka Bennett for helping pull this together.

There have been many mornings that I walk into our office and smell delicious treats from our neighbor, Sweet Lucy’s.

Melanie’s favorite are her cream cheese danishes, and Scarlett loves the cinnamon rolls.

Equally as sweet as her treats, Lucy has been making these handmade bites of love for several decades. You can find Michael DeVault’s article on page 116. Beware - our pages are not edible.

I’m a sucker for a good love story. I cried watching Maroon 5’s “Sugar” video, so it’s no news that I shed a tear...or two reading Meredith McKinnie’s article on our lovebirds, Irene and Gerald McClendon.

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

WW W. B AYO UL I F EM A G . C O M It’s a true testament to patience and partnership to be married for over fifty years and on page 124, we highlight seven couples who have defied the odds. Martin G Meyers met with each couple and got their photos...and secrets on living a long life together.

I had no idea that Linda and Joe Holyfield were college sweethearts or the route they took to become the powerhouse couple they are today. I’ve known that both were successful, but more than that, I’ve known both were incredibly nice, down-to-earth and extremely generous when it comes to supporting non-profit organizations in our area. See their story on page 62.

From veterinarian to our family doctor, we’ve confidently put our lives and those of our pets in the hands of Dr. Abraham. Today, I am confident that Congressman Abraham will represent our community honestly and morally on Capitol Hill. Read his story on page 110.

February is dear to us for so many reasons: Valentine’s Day, Black History Month and Mardi Gras. And, in respect to Valentine’s Day, I must say that my heart is beyond full. I have the greatest friends, family, husband, daughter, staff, advertisers and readers around.

With all my love and thanks, we truly hope that you enjoy reading this month’s issue of BayouLife Magazine. Please like us on Facebook at BayouLife Magazine and visit our webpage at www.bayoulifemag.com.

Superheroes Among Us, page 88

~ Cassie Livingston

PUBLISHER Cassie Livingston cassie@bayoulifemag.com EDITOR Maré Brennan mare@bayoulifemag.com STAFF WRITER Michael DeVault michael@bayoulifemag.com ART DIRECTOR Melanie Moffett melanie@bayoulifemag.com ADVERTISING MANAGER Toni Navarro toni@bayoulifemag.com ADVERTISING SALES EXECUTIVE Scarlett Holland scarlett@bayoulifemag.com ADVERTISING SALES EXECUTIVE Ashley Yeldell ashley@bayoulifemag.com OFFICE MANAGER Ellie Jackson ellie@bayoulifemag.com CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Maré Brennan Dan Chason Kenny Covington Dr. David Finley Cindy Gist Foust Linda Holyfield April S. Kelley Erin Love Casey Matthews Meredith McKinnie Dr. Timothy Mickel Mary Napoli Melissa Sanderlin Delia Simpson P. Allen Smith Brenda Tarver Beatrice A. Tatem Judy Wagoner CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Brad Arender Martin G Meyers Scarlett Holland ON THE COVER Love is in the air, page 70 Cover Photography by Martin G Meyers Model: Ellie Jackson Hair and Makeup: Meka Bennett

6 FEBRUARY 2015 | W WW.B AYO UL IFE MAG .CO M

BayouLife Magazine is published and distributed by Redbird Publishing, LLC. Circulation: 12,000 copies monthly. Postal subscriptions ($20) can be ordered online at www.bayoulifemag.com.

BayouLife Magazine is not responsible for unsolicited photographs, manuscripts or other materials. Reproduction of contents without express written permission is prohibited.

WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | FEBRUARY 2015

7

For the Love of Beer Why Sam Adams Supports its Competitors

A

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

T TIMES, COMPETITION IN THE beer industry can be fierce. In a recent interview with Inc. Magazine, Jim Koch, the CEO of Boston Beer, explains another side of the business. By supporting up and coming brewers, the makers of Samuel Adams believe that they are helping to grow the ever expanding culture of craft beer.

The business, which Koch founded in 1984, had $739 million in revenue last year.

Since 2008, Boston Beer has given out more than $3 million in microloans to craft brewers and other small businesses in the food, beverage and hospitality industries. As Koch explains to Inc. editor-at-large Leigh Buchanan, supporting competitors can sometimes make sense.

“The reason I support competitors becomes obvious, if you think about the way yeast ferments beer. If enough yeast are working together, they can change the ecosystem for the mutual benefit of all. If they aren't, other organisms take over, and the yeast will fail. Craft brewing is kind of like that.

We are happy to share our innovations with the industry. We were the first brewery to age beer in used spirits barrels back in the early 1990s. So we got a lot of calls: Where do you get the barrels? How do you do it? How do you get

8 FEBRUARY 2015 | W WW.B AYO UL IFE MAG .CO M

approval for it? We shared with anybody who asked us. About a year ago, we invested $1 million to develop a beer can that allows you to get more air when you drink, so you experience the taste and smell of the beer at the same time. We licensed the design to a manufacturer on the condition that it let other craft brewers use it for free. It will help differentiate craft beers from beers the big guys have developed to compete with us.

In 2008, there was a worldwide hops shortage. A lot of craft brewers got caught short--particularly the smaller ones. We had enough, because we buy in advance and on contract. So we put out an announcement to craft brewers that we would sell them our hops at cost. We were able to help more than 200 breweries--some were faced with shutting down without a supply. We did it again in 2012, when there was a shortage of a very desirable kind of hops used in IPAs [India Pale Ales]. Some of the brewers we helped sent us a few bottles made with our hops as a ‘thank-you.’

Through our Samuel Adams Brewing the American Dream program, we've made loans to about a dozen microbrewers and provided coaching to another 30. They are a lot of fun. For me personally, and for us as a company, it connects us with our small-business roots. And if one of these companies is successful enough that they

take some market share from us, well, more power to them. I don't worry about that. I worry about how we create a beer culture that respects the art of brewing and wants beer with flavor, taste and authenticity. If we can create that environment, there will be plenty of business for all of us.

I don't want to be a Goliath. It's a lot more fun to be a little shepherd boy, as long as you have got more than one David. You read the story of David--his life kind of sucked after he became king.”

From the very beginning, Jim wanted to create a company that he would want to work for. Creating a culture that celebrated beer with a passion and depth of knowledge that can’t help but be contagious to others was the goal. People at the Boston Beer Company all share a love of great beer.

Crack open a Sam Adams soon, and the very first sip will tell you why.

For info on local events and more, like us on Facebook at facebook.com/choicebrands and follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/choicebrandsinc.

WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | FEBRUARY 2015

9

Hopkins Dermatology

M

Caudalîe Paris – Beauty Grows Here

.D. MINERALS STUDIO AND SPA has partnered with Caudalie Paris, skincare for face and body, to bring this beautiful French experience to Louisiana.

The Spa area is now open with Caudalie Treatments and Products available for the first time. The M.D. Minerals Studio and Spa now has reserved parking and a side entrance for easy “in and out” access. The entire collection including the Vinexpert Facial Firming Serum, Divine Body Oil and Beauty Elixir are just a few of the items waiting to be sampled.

Everything in the treatments and products are derived from grapes. The grapevines produce Resverstrol for firmer, denser skin. It stops the glycation, the cause of deep wrinkles, at the source. All of the Caudalie’ products use the natural grapes as the key ingredient combined with gluten free organic substances.

Therapeutic facials should be part of your routine to keep your skin healthy and glowing. If a patient has a good at home skin regimen and has no major skin issues, a oncea- month facial can maintain excellent skin quality. Problematic skin (such as acne, large pores, sun damage, etc. requires twice-amonth treatments to monitor progress and continue with quality products to achieve the best results.

Many people have dehydrated skin. Facials are like prescriptions, they must be tailored to the particular skin type.

Our Vinotherapists have been trained by the professionals at Caudalie in the European procedures and techniques.

10 FEBRUARY 2015 | WWW.B AY OU LI FE MAG . CO M

Facial Treatments Caudalie Grand Facial Approximately 55 minutes The protecting and reviving facial for environmentally-vulnerable skin. A long, sculpting facial massage relaxes the features, while Caudalie’s grape-see polphenol-rich products impart immediate, lasting radiance, improve skin texture, accelerate cell renewal and regulate moisture levels. Microplaning can be added to all facials.

“Premier Cru” Treatment for refining and anti-aging 1 hour A supreme beauty ritual for unparalleled results. This comprehensive anti-ageing treatment is the perfect combination of refinement and effectiveness. The treatment includes a warm thermal mask with a lifting effect prior to the application of our exceptional cream, Premier Cru, the quintessence of the best of Caudalie’s 3 patented natural active ingredients. Wrinkles and fine lines are visibly smoothed. Your face is left radiant with youth and vitality.

Purifying Facial for blemish prone skin 45 minutes A detoxifying and balancing facial for blemish-prone skin. Skin is deeply cleansed, thorough extractions are performed and the skin is treated to help clear the complexion and regulate excess sebum. The Purifying Mask leaves skin shine-free and matte with noticeably finer, tighter-looking pores. Note: Bluelight Therapy may be added

All a Glow A special occasion treat 50 minutes The perfect special occasion treatment that provides an instantly brighter smoother complexion that is perfect for a special occasion.This treatment is customized and includes micro-planing.

Rugged Man Facial for men of all ages 60 minutes Tailored just for men, the “Rugged Man” facial is designed to deep clean and protect.

Extractions, micro-planing, hydrating mask and massage smooth and hydrate stressed sun weary skin.

Body Treatments All massages may be paired with a scrub for the ultimate Modelage.

Caudalie massage freature essential oils and ultra-fine grape-seed oil, renowned for its nourishing and softening properties. Combined with our extraordinary massage techniques, these precious oils maintain and boost the skin’s hydration while restoring suppleness and elasticity.

Caudalie Modelage The relaxing and toning massage Each massage is customized to meet your body’s needs. Lymphatic drainage therapy along with Caudalie’s refined massage technique and essential oils provides an experience nlike any other. The Vinotherapist works slowly and gently, virtually “resculpting” the body as she releases stress and tension. The CONTINUED ON PAGE 68

The Disease to Please Others Setting Boundaries with Your Friends and Family

W

BY MELISSA SANDERLIN, LPC NCC

E LIVE IN A SOCIETY WHERE boundaries seem to be a thing of the past. With Facebook, smartphones, Twitter, texting and information only a click away, it appears that there is no way to escape others seemly endless need to communicate (and rude to attempt). How often do our friends and family get upset if we don’t immediately return calls or texts? After all, they know you have seen their messages! In a world of easy access to others’ lives, it seems we are never alone or have any privacy.

In addition to this stress of always being available, some of us have people in our lives that take full advantage of this access. Most of us have at least one friend or family member that is always in need of something, even if that need is to “help” us. These people are easy to recognize. They tend to leave us feeling used, angry, hurt and/or emotionally drained. Their love and friendship seem to be conditional and will be taken away if they do not get what they want from us. And when they hear “no,” the typical reaction is one of anger or disappointment, which are only tools to manipulate us into getting what they want.

In many cases, they use guilt and sympathy against us – another manipulation. Dealing with these draining friends and family members can result in us suffering from headaches, stomachaches, muscle tension, fatigue and often anxiety and depression.

So now that we all have people in mind 12 FEBRUARY 2015 | WWW.B AY OU LI FE MAG . CO M

to which this applies, what is the solution?

Are we supposed to disown our friends and family? Cut off all communication with very close family members or life long friends?

Not necessarily. We do need to learn to say no and set healthy limits with others. But how can we accomplish this?

Creating boundaries starts with understanding our own needs and values. Examine what your gut reactions are to these people in your life and what emotions they produce. If something or someone makes you feel angry, sad, guilty or anxious, that is a good indicator that a boundary needs to be adjusted.

Also, understand that you cannot make others change. However, changing your behavior and reactions to others almost always leads to changes in others’ behaviors. It may be necessary to limit the time spent with certain people, if only temporarily, depending on their reactions to your behavior changes.

It is important to be clear and specific.

We cannot expect others to understand what we think and feel if we are not telling them.

For example, if your car-less sister calls you daily asking for rides to run errands, make it clear that you feel used and resentful (or whatever you feel) by her constant requests.

Offer to take her one day a week, when convenient for you, if you are comfortable with this. Being assertive and clear does not mean we have to be rude or cruel to our friends and family, only that we explain how we feel and

what we are willing to do.

Sometimes it can help to use “I statements,” which can decrease the blaming and consequently the defensiveness from others.

Beginning a sentence with the word “you” instantly leads to defensiveness. I statements are simply worded as: I feel (insert your feelings/thoughts) when (insert their behaviors).

For example, when dealing with the “helper” friend or family member who always offers their advice and judgment, the boundary can be established simply by you saying: “I really appreciate your concern and interest in my issue, but I feel distracted and overwhelmed by the advice you have been offering. I would really like to try handling this issue on my own but will let you know if I need some input.” This may ruffle a few feathers but is still much more effective in maintaining a relationship than saying, “You need to stay out of my business.”

When dealing with the friends and family that drain you by constantly needing your help, advice, financial support, etc., one way of establishing boundaries and decreasing these requests is to encourage them to solve their own problems by showing support and confidence in their abilities. For the friend that is constantly calling you looking for advice on how to handle her marital problems, you can simply reply: “I am not sure how you should handle that issue, but I am extremely confident that you can find a solution to the CONTINUED ON PAGE 68

The Effects of Hearing Loss Hearing Loss Affects Loved Ones in Addition to Those Who Have it

H

EARING LOSS DOESN’T JUST affect the person who has it, their hearing loss actually has a large effect on their loved ones as well. Family members and spouses are often negatively impacted with frustrations from the communication challenges posed by the hearing loss. In fact, untreated hearing loss is an enormous contributor to tensions and displeasure among middle-aged couples today. Rather than enjoying their time together, many of these couples spend time arguing through simple conversations and isolating themselves from each other from mere exhaustion of trying to communicate.

One such example was recently shared in an online Huffington Post editorial. Senior writer, Ann Brenoff, wrote a personal column depicting her own struggles with her husband’s hearing loss. This article, titled “How My Husband’s Hearing Loss Has Affected Our Social Life” provides commentary on the barriers that have been created between her husband and her due to his hearing loss. In the article Brenoff says, “For the record, my husband and I aren't old. His hearing loss has been gradual and only recently reached the point where we know it has to be dealt with.

How big a deal is it? With the exception of a heart attack he suffered six years ago, I can't think of a bigger life-altering health issue that we've faced than his hearing loss.” She also

14 FEBRUARY 2015 | WWW.B AY OU LI FE MAG . CO M

gives this statistic, “Only 1 out of 5 people who could benefit from a hearing aid actually wears one," according to The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communications Disorders ("NIDCD"). Statistics from NIDCD also reflect an increase in the rate of hearing impairment in Americans as they age: 18 percent of 45- to 64-year-olds, 30 percent of 65- to 74-year-olds and 47 percent of 75-year-olds and older experience hearing problems.”

We encourage you to read the article by visiting our blog and clicking on the link posted in the content. And if you or a loved one is suffering from untreated hearing loss please let us know, our professional and friendly staff is eager to help. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to whisper sweet nothings to your loved one this coming Valentine’s Day.

WE CAN HELP! A simple hearing test and video otoscopy can answer a lot of questions about your hearing. We will have a consultation about options to get you on the right track to improve your speech understanding and to make listening in group situations less fatiguing and more enjoyable. We will discuss technologies and fitting options to best fit your lifestyle and budget. The sooner we can get you started with your Aural Rehab, the sooner you will start enjoying those soft sounds.

MAKING A DIFFERENCE Our mission is to bring understanding among people through hearing care by focusing on awareness, education, protection and treatment, So the World May Hear!

At Audibel The Hearing Center, we care about your well-being and the lives of the less fortunate around the world. As a proud supporter of The Starkey Hearing Foundation’s “So The World May Hear” program, we are changing lives through the gift of hearing.

Your support through the purchase of Audibel Instruments and your donation and trade in of any model hearing aids goes to the foundation’s programs to provide hearing instruments to children in the most remote and poverty stricken regions of the world.

ABOUT US Audibel The Hearing Center is Northeast Louisiana’s Audibel dispenser. Cherry Phillips “The Hearing Lady” has been serving this area for over 27 years. We offer free hearing screenings, free second opinions, extended warranties and repairs on all makes and brands of hearing aids. You can find out more by visiting our website www.AudibelMonroe.com and you can see more and like us on Facebook.com/AudibelMonroe.

WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | FEBRUARY 2015

15

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

G

LENWOOD MEDICAL GROUP recruits and employs highly qualified and skilled physicians with diverse medical specialties to support Glenwood Regional Medical Center. Working together, we are making a difference in the lives of our patients, our hospital and our community.

BRAIN & SPINE SURGERY Jorge Alvernia, MD Dr. Alvernia is an exceptionally skilled surgeon concentrating in the area of brain tumors, nerve disorders and spinal conditions.

He completed his residency at Tulane University and earned his brain tumors fellowship in Lyon, France. He is a member of multiple international neurological societies and has published numerous articles in medical peer review journals and chapters in neurosurgery textbooks.

HEART & VASCULAR SURGERY Harry Donias, MD Dr. Donias’ services include mitral valve, tricuspid valve and aortic valve repair or replacement, on and off pump coronary artery bypass, proximal aortic and arch pathology, surgical treatment of atrial fibrillation, lung and esophageal cancer, aneurysms, peripheral revascularization and carotid stenosis, as well as minimally invasive and endovascular techniques.

EAR, NOSE & THROAT Brent Metts, MD, PhD

16 FEBRUARY 2015 | WWW.B AY OU LI FE MAG . CO M

Dr. Metts is one of the few surgeons in the nation who are fellowship trained in minimally invasive and endoscopic assisted thyroid and parathyroid surgeries. His services include sinus disease, balloon sinuplasty, thyroid disease, hearing loss, voice care, sleep apnea, throat problems, tonsillitis and ear infections.

GLENWOOD FOOT & ANKLE David Gardner, DPM Dr. Gardner specializes in bunions, hammer toes, flat foot, Achilles tendonitis, toenail fungus, ingrown toenails, heel pain, neuromas, corns, calluses, warts, deformities, geriatric conditions, diabetic foot conditions and sports injuries of the lower legs and feet. He also provides wound care treatment weekly at Glenwood’s Hyperbaric and Wound Care Center.

GENERAL SURGERY Frank Sanfiel, MD Dr. Sanfiel specializes in hernia repair, breast surgery, gastrointestinal surgery, skin and soft tissue infections and other common surgical interventions.

GENERAL SURGERY & WOUND CARE Russell T. Lolley, MD Dr. Lolley is the Medical Director of Glenwood’s Hyperbaric & Wound Care Center. The Center offers transcutaneous oxygen monitoring, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, wound debridement, specialty wound dressing and skin grafts, compression therapies and diabetic foot care.

INTERNAL MEDICINE & PREVENTIVE CARDIOLOGY Alyce Adams, MD Dr. Adams has been a certified Diabetes Educator who specializes in diabetes, hypertension and preventive cardiology. She also offers EKGs, stress tests and echocardiograms.

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

NEUROLOGY Michael Boykin, MD Dr. Boykin completed his residency at the Medical College of Virginia and attended Loyola School of Medicine for Neurology. Dr. Boykin’s services include: EEG, NVC/EMG studies, Parkinson’s disease, stroke, tremors, epilepsy, sleep disorders, myasthenia gravis, ALS, multiple sclerosis and neuropathy.

PSYCHIATRY Michael B. Wright, MD Dr. Wright specializes in psychiatric evaluation, diagnosis and treatment for adolescents and adults. His services include psychopharmacology and medication management, outpatient consultations, crisis management, psychiatric emergency management and referral and consultations for psychiatric problems related to medical illness.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 68

Age-Related Macular Degeneration Haik Humble Eye Center

What is AMD? Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a degenerative eye condition that causes progressive loss of central vision and is the most common cause of vision loss among people age 50 and older. It gradually destroys the macula, the part of the eye that provides sharp, central vision needed for seeing objects clearly. The impact of developing AMD can be devastating to those who were independent and active prior to the onset of AMD.

Who is at risk?

AMD usually occurs in people who are age 50 and older. Other risk factors include: • Smoking. Research shows that smoking doubles the risk of AMD. • Race. AMD is more common among Caucasians than among African-Americans or Hispanics/Latinos.

• Family history. People with a family history of AMD are at higher risk.

What are the symptoms?

People with AMD may first notice a blurring of central vision, especially during tasks such as reading or sewing. Straight lines may appear distorted or warped. AMD gets in the way of reading, driving, identifying faces, watching television, doing fine detailed work, safely navigating stairs and performing other daily tasks.

It can make it more difficult to see contrast and can change the way color is seen.

As AMD progresses, blind spots may form within the central visual field. Peripheral vision may not be affected, and it is possible to see “out

18 FEBRUARY 2015 | WWW.B AY OU LI FE MAG . CO M

of the corner of your eye.” The extent of central vision loss varies depending on the type of AMD.

What are the forms of AMD that can cause vision loss?

There are two forms of AMD: dry and wet.

Either form can advance and cause severe vision loss.

• Dry AMD is more common and happens when the light-sensitive cells in the macula slowly break down. As dry AMD progresses, you may see a blurred spot in the center of your vision. Objects may not appear to be as bright as they used to be. You may need more light for reading and doing other tasks. Both eyes can have dry AMD or one eye can be affected first. Dry AMD can turn into wet AMD at any time.

• Wet AMD is the more advanced and severe form of AMD. It happens when abnormal blood vessels behind the retina start to grow under the macula. These new blood vessels can be fragile and leak blood and fluid. Although loss of central vision can happen quickly, eye doctors can slow down or stop the progression of wet AMD if it is detected before severe vision loss occurs.

What treatments are available for AMD? There are no medical treatments for dry AMD at this time. Eating healthy, exercising consistently and visiting your eye doctor yearly are the best ways to battle any eye condition, including AMD. Because AMD doesn’t damage pe-

ripheral vision, those who have it are usually able to continue their normal activities with the help of low-vision optical devices or other vision aids.

There are several treatment options and more are being developed for wet AMD: injections, photodynamic therapy and laser surgery.

These therapies are aimed at sealing off the leaking blood vessels and/or preventing the blood vessels from growing back. Repeated treatments are necessary, as often as once a month, but doctors are now finding that treatments can be spaced further apart and still be effective. Each eye is different, so your doctor will watch carefully how you respond and will recommend what works best for you.

With early diagnosis and proper treatment, you can delay the progression of wet AMD. The earlier it is detected, the better your chances of keeping your vision. Wet AMD typically results in severe vision loss. However, eye doctors can try different therapies to stop further vision loss.

How is AMD detected?

Those with AMD usually don’t notice it until damage has already occurred, but an eye doctor can detect early signs of AMD in an eye exam. With the eyes dilated, the doctor is able to check the retina for drusen (yellow protein deposits) or unusual growth of blood vessels.

Be sure to make your yearly eye exam appointment so your doctor can check for signs of conditions like AMD and help to prevent damage to your eyes.

WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | FEBRUARY 2015

19

Bayou Pages W E’V E GO T S P IRIT BOOK REVIEWS BY CASEY MATTHEWS

t is hard being a Louisiana girl living in Ohio. As I write this article, Ohio State (I refuse to use the pretentious “The” in front of it) won the National Championship two days ago. My beloved SEC failed to perform as they have solidly done in the past, and this week, I was left to drift in a sea of scarlet and grey. Not only did my Tigers have a disappointing season this year, but I also had to watch as my Saints came to Cleveland only to lose to the Browns. It has been a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad football season.

Like any true sports fan, “there is always next year.” Sigh.

In the meantime, I have compiled a list of SEC inspired books that will reignite my love for my conference, and of course, they would make a perfect Valentine’s Day gift for the SEC fan in your life.

I

Strong Inside: Perry Wallace and the Collision of Race and Sports in the South by Andrew Maraniss Now a law professor at American University, Perry Wallace was the first AfricanAmerican basketball player in the SEC. Vanderbilt recruited him in 1966, and this well-researched biography discusses the racial issues that arose when Wallace had to travel with the team in a segregated South, and includes his success on and off the court.

While this is clearly not a football book, it is nonetheless an important chapter in the SEC and is worth reading.

Nick Saban vs. College Football: The 20 FEBRUARY 2015 | WWW.B AY OU LI FE MAG . CO M

Case for College Football's Greatest Coach by Christopher Walsh Written by Pulitzer Prize winner Christopher Walsh, this biography covers Saban’s career from his childhood in West Virginia to his multiple winning seasons at Alabama. Love him or hate him, he has earned the respect of many in the college world of sports, and his legacy will live long after he leaves football.

My Conference Can Beat Your Conference: Why the SEC Still Rules College Football by Paul Finebaum and Gene Wojciechowski Paul Finebaum shows his unadulterated love for the SEC in this book. He chronicles the rise of the SEC and how they became the athletic and economic powerhouse in college football, sending more players to the NFL than any other conference.

And as he says, "If God made the world in seven days, He spent the eighth day in his two-car garage, sipping on a cold one, listening to Merle Haggard, and dreaming up the Southeastern Conference."

Gumbo for the Tiger Soul: It's more than just a Football Game by Ces Guerra Gumbo for the Tiger Soul is a great collection of anecdotes about what it really means to “bleed purple, live gold.” The humorous, personal stories in this collection are from former players, fans, band members, dancers and LSU staff members, who give unique insights and perspectives about what it means to be an LSU fan. And not sur-

prisingly, the word “gumbo” is not just in the title; this book also comes with many outstanding recipes.

College Football 101: Featuring Schools in the Southeastern Conference by Christopher Aleman Do you love sports but have that one person in your life who just doesn’t understand your obsession? This may be the book for them, but fair warning, if you give this to a loved one for Valentine’s Day, you might want to consider throwing a dozen roses with it. This book is a “beginner’s guide” to college football; it explains the basics of the game: the rules, penalties, and gives statistics for your favorite SEC teams.

So, while all of my Louisiana friends are now looking forward to crawfish and Mardi Gras, I get to look forward to three more months of scraping ice off of my windshield and scraping my frozen tears from my cheeks. In Dante’s Inferno, Dante describes Hell as a frozen lake, and well, by next month a large swath of Lake Erie will be frozen. Coincidence? I think not.

At least LSU baseball starts in February…

Casey Posey Matthews graduated with her Bachelor of Arts degree in English Education from University of Louisiana in Monroe and her Master of Arts degree in English from University of New Orleans and is now an English teacher at Beachwood High School in Cleveland, OH.

WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | FEBRUARY 2015

21

Love, Love, Love….Life Celebrating the Month of Love

T

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

HEY ARE WHITE”... AND... “BUT YOU ARE BLACK.” THIS was a comment made several years ago to an eager therapist.

The therapist was planning to do an outreach to a predominantly rural “white” audience. The focus was about stress and mental health. The comment was made to the therapist who simply wanted to make a difference in the lives of individuals experiencing mental health issues. The therapist quickly admitted she was well suited to talk about stress, because in addition to her training, the academic degrees she earned, the books she read and the subjects she studied, her greatest connection to the audience was her personal experiences with stress. This therapist recognized early in her career the issues of stress and mental health are common to all. The therapist learned from her own experiences, regardless of the demographics of the audience, people want to know that you can relate to them and their issues. Life is full of stress, and everyone experiences it.

The shortest month of the year, February is a powerful and fun month. It is known as the month of love because of Valentine‘s Day. During February, the Chinese New Year is recognized, Mardi Gras is celebrated, Ash Wednesday occurs, Groundhog Day is noted, National Freedom Day is acknowledged and attention is brought to President’s Day. February has also been designated as Black History Month. For this therapist, February is special as it is the month in which she began seeing clients in her practice. Today, this same therapist who was once reminded that she was “black” and her audience was “white” is now recognized by her clients as a therapist who cares, relates, loves, identifies and serves a diverse clientele with pride. This practice includes people in search of love, acceptance, change, wellness, purpose, meaning and a good life. The people are diverse, and yet they share common goals and values.

Love is powerful, fun and invigorating. Love empowers one to seek greatness and to reach beyond what seems at times as unobtainable. Love is expressed through thoughts, feelings and actions. There are numerous interpretations of love. Love means many things to 22 FEBRUARY 2015 | WWW.B AY OU LI FE MAG . CO M

many people. Love has been described as a virtue representing human kindness, genuine acceptance, compassion, unselfish and loving concern for the good of another. It has been defined as an emotion of strong affection, fondness and personal attachment. For example, Valentine’s Day, more than any other day of the year, is set aside to bring attention to the significance of love in our lives.

Love has many benefits. Love affects our physical and mental well-being. It impacts our moods, our perceptions, our view of self, our relationship to others and our attitudes. It produces positive emotion, reduces stress, fights conflict, relieves pain and wards off disease to help us live longer and stronger. The celebration of love should be reflected daily in how we treat ourselves as well as others.

Love is meaningful and purposeful in the context of life. Life with love is a healthy life worth living.

This February, fall in love with life and with the people who make up the world. Celebrate the differences within as well as around you. Love life and all it entails. Love life, and let life love you. Identify the most important things to you in life. Give love and be open to experiencing love. Take care of your mental health and remember that receiving love and offering love enhance your quality of life. Love can improve your overall wellness. Appreciate, love and accept yourself more. Make a date with yourself. Take time to do what you love. Surround yourself with loving people. Love inside out and outside in unconditionally. Recognize your how‘s, what’s and why’s of love. Speak a language of love when interacting with others. Believe in love for yourself. Recognize everyone wants to be loved and accepted. People value being loved and accepted particularly by those that matter to them. Love, love, love….Life. Happy Valentine’s Day with love.

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

WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | FEBRUARY 2015

23

FISHING with KENNY

Getting Started...

The Right Way

by KEN N Y C OV INGTO N LIKE A BAR WOULD BE TO SOMEONE

who likes to drink and socialize, a tackle shop is such to a fisherperson. A common occurrence when frequenting sporting goods or tackle stores is the person, usually someone who isn’t familiar with fishing, trying to buy tackle or equipment for someone who is just getting into the sport. The rage now is to buy someone a gift card and let them pick out their own stuff. However, why resort to that when just a little knowledge will go a long way?

First of all, let’s talk about fishing lures.

The choices are endless, and the colors cover the spectrum like no other. When buying lures for someone who is just starting out, the last thing you want to do is overcomplicate things.

We want to purchase lures that will cover the three dynamics of the water column.

Let’s break a body of water down into three sections; shallow meaning from the surface down to about 3 feet, mid-range from 3 feet down to about 7 feet and anything below

24 FEBRUARY 2015 | WWW.B AY OU LI FE MAG . CO M

an 8 foot depth is considered deeper water.

With a few basic choices, we can catch bass on any body of water we go to.

When targeting shallow water, I generally will throw topwater lures. Over the years, I have narrowed down my choices for topwater fishing to a select few lures. To the beginning fisherperson, I would suggest three lures: a shad colored Pop R, a white ¼ Buzzbait and a bream colored Devils Horse prop bait. With these three lures I can cover most topwater situations. I use the Pop R and Devils Horse when fishing specific targets and the Buzzbait to cover water flats or fishing down bank edges. The size of lure and the manner in which it is fished is more important than the color scheme of the topwater you are throwing.

When fishing the mid-range water column I generally find crankbaits and spinnerbaits to be most effective. I like Luck E Strike’s RC 1.5 in a green minnow pattern, a 3/8 ounce double willowleaf spinnerbait in chartreuse/blue/

white color and a 200 series parrot colored Bandit. The RC 1.5 I would use in depths of 35 feet. It is a square billed crankbait that comes through and around wood cover very well.

The 200 series Bandit I would use in depths from 5-8 feet and where cover is minimal. The spinnerbait can be used in all depths of the water column, but it is especially effective when used in the 3-5 foot range. It’s not commonly thrown at this depth, so the fish don’t see it as much, making it an effective fish catcher.

When fishing water that is 8 foot or deeper, there are two tried and true techniques.

One is the Texas rigged soft plastic, and the other is a Carolina rig. There are many lures and colors that are effective when fished with both techniques, but I have found that a Zoom Baby Brush Hog, a Zoom straight tail finesse worm and a longer snake tail plastic worm to be most effective.

I can honestly say I have yet to find a body of water where the fish will not bite a watermelon/red colored Zoom Baby Brush Hog. Another great choice is a green pumpkin/blue colored Zoom 4 inch finesse worm or Trick Worm. If I had to choose just one plastic worm to use on our local waters, it would be a redshad 7 ½ inch Culprit worm. When it comes to soft plastics, I have found that shades of purple and shades of green, such as watermelon, tend to work best.

I also want to warn the beginning angler to not get caught up in the “it has to be this color” trap. I have always found it interesting after a tournament listening to people talk about their days and how often the colors used are so different. One boat might say they could only catch them on black and blue, while another boat might say it had to have orange in it. The possibilities are endless, but that doesn’t mean we have to be complicated about it. The easier your approach to fishing, the better your chances of success will be.

Hopefully the information I provided you this month will make your beginning choices easier when getting started in this great sport.

I would like to add that there is no substitute for experience and time on the water. Over time, you will develop confidence in lures, presentations and colors, but the key thing is to never stop learning.

Be careful in the woods and on the water!

Catch one for me, and I’ll see you next month!

WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | FEBRUARY 2015

25

P. Allen Smith Dig Up Some Dirt

A soil cultivator makes incorporating organic matter a snap. Work up the soil when it’s completely dry to avoid compaction.

The ABCs of Soil PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF: MARK FONVILLE AND KELLY QUINN

A bountiful garden, like most things in life, begins with a solid foundation; and, soil is the key to a garden’s foundation. I find all gardens can benefit from some tender loving care before planting.

A

Testing 1-2-3 Before getting out your garden spade and planting, you need to know the basics about soil. A good first step is a soil test. A soil test conducted by your county cooperative extension service provides information about the soil, including nutrients available in the soil as well as the pH, or acidity, of the soil. Soil can range from acidic to neutral to alkaline. Most garden plants thrive in soil that is more neutral than too acidic or too alkaline. Test results provide plant food and fertilizer needs, taking the guesswork out of what you should or shouldn’t add to the soil. If you’re going to plant in different areas of the yard, for example plants in the front and vegetables in the back, do a soil test for both areas. Soil composition can vary in different areas, so don’t assume that the front garden needs are the same as the backyard needs. Keep in mind it takes time to build healthy soil, so consider testing in the fall prior to spring planting, so you have plenty of time to get the soil in shape.

It’s also important to know the texture of the soil; is it sand, clay or silt? Knowing the texture of the soil gives you a good idea of how well the soil holds and retains nutrients. To determine texture, take a golf ball-size lump of soil—if it falls apart, it’s too sandy. If the lump holds its shape, it has too much clay. A good soil is comprised of different sized particles that allows for water and air to flow freely and create an inviting environment for microorganisms.

Soil Drainage If you notice pools of standing water in the

26 FEBRUARY 2015 | WWW.B AY OU LI FE MAG . CO M

garden, don’t blame it on the rain; rather, blame the soil. Most plants, including vegetables, thrive in well-drained soil. To check drainage, dig a hole one foot deep, fill hole with water, then let it drain. Refill the hole with water and measure the depth, then measure again 15 minutes later. Multiply that number by four to measure how much water drains in one hour.

The desirable range is one to six inches of drainage per hour.

Get Digging Once you get the soil test results and determine the texture, you’re ready to get your hands dirty and start improving the soil. I always like to take a few minutes to really feel the soil in my hands and between my fingers.

This helps me connect to the earth and prepare for my gardening task at hand. First, add organic materials. Organic matter can help a soil that is high in clay drain better, or it can help a highly sandy soil retain moisture. Compost is a great organic material for this step. You can also use a covering of grass clippings, leaves, straw or wood chips—shop your yard for materials already available to you. Make sure all vegetation, including weeds, has been cleared out first.

Next, add fertilizer and lime as determined by the soil test results. Be sure to only apply the recommended amounts and not more. We sometimes think if a little is good, more will be better; this is not the case with fertilizer. Be mindful of what you put into the soil just as you’re mindful about what you put into your body.

Be careful not to work the soil with hand tools or tillers while it’s wet. Working the soil, or even walking through it while it’s wet can lead to compaction. Use stones, bricks or other materials to create a pathway that’s both attractive and allows for digging in the garden without compacting the soil.

Adding organic matter, such as compost, will improve the fertility and composition of soil plus create a hospitable environment for microorganisms.

Maintaining the soil Don’t let your hard work go to waste— make sure you maintain the health of the soil throughout the year. Microbes digest and burn up organic matter in the soil, so you’ll want to continue adding organic matter to keep the soil healthy. If you’re planting a vegetable garden, consider planting a cover crop such as annual ryegrass, clover or winter rye. Cover crops pro-

You can buy soil amendments by the cubic yard for larger areas. One cubic yard will cover a little over 100 square feet with a 3-inch layer.

tect the bare soil after you harvest vegetables. Then, before the next planting, you can till the cover crops into the soil as another source of organic matter. Earthworms and other critters living in the soil naturally feed plant roots by pulling composted material into the ground, and mulch helps prevent weeds and facilitate moisture retention.

I find my cares really melt away, when I get some dirt under my nails. I hope these soil foundation tips get your soil in tip-top shape, so you, too, can find relaxation in your garden.

P. Allen Smith P. Allen Smith is an award-winning designer, gardening and lifestyle expert and host of two public television programs, Garden Home and Garden to Table, and the syndicated 30-minute show P. Allen Smith’s Garden Style. Smith is one of America's most recognized and respected design experts, providing ideas and inspiration through multiple media venues. He is the author of the best-selling Garden Home series of books. Allen is also very active on social media such as Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Learn more at www.pallensmith.com.

A Living Community

Healthy soil is packed with microorganisms, most of which are invisible to the naked eye. Two of the most beneficial bacteria are mycorrhizal fungi and rhizobia. Mycorrhizal fungi are tiny fungi that attach to roots and facilitate movement of water and fertilizer. They also help plants withstand environmental stress, including drought or dry winter weather.

Rhizobia form nodules on the roots of host plants supplying plants with nitrogen. Plants, in turn, supply the bacteria with essential nutrients.

Earthworms are a gift from Mother Nature and a sign of healthy, fertile soil. As they burrow their way through the soil they loosen up the soil, making way for air and moisture.

There are a few steps you can take to encourage the development of beneficial organisms: • Effective watering—these bacteria require a damp environment • Adding organic matter and organic mulch—to provide food and maintain the damp environment • Avoid excessive roto-tilling—excessive roto-tilling can destroy the bacteria • Avoid plastic sheets under rock mulch—the plastic limits water and air movement discouraging microorganism activity WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | FEBRUARY 2015

27

28 FEBRUARY 2015 | WWW.B AY OU LI FE MAG . CO M

WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | FEBRUARY 2015

29

River Oaks Excels Mustangs Competitive On and Off the Field

O

N A COLD WEDNESDAY IN December, when most students are just beginning to think about the coming freedom of Christmas break, a group of students from River Oaks School piled into buses for a trip up the road to ULM, where they competed in the first annual ULM Math Competition. The new contest was open to any student enrolled in college algebra through the state dual enrollment program that awards college credit for work completed prior to high school graduation.

Competition was fierce, but at the end of the day, one school reigned supreme. Six students from River Oaks secured six of the eight top spots, including 1st Place winner Ben Zollinger, 2nd Place finisher Cole DeWitt, and four other students. Thomas Causey finished 5th, followed by Ben Hunsucker at 6th, Shaji Ul-islam in 7th, and Grace Anne Moore at 8th.

Kyle Rugg secured an honorable mention. The performance of these students is matched only by the many other areas of excellence at River Oaks School.

From National Merit Semi-finalists to high performances on the ACT, the students at River Oaks continue to prove they have what it takes to succeed in the college classroom. Zollinger is the son of Dr. Bill and Michelle Zollinger and, as a semi-finalist for the prestigious National Merit Scholarship, is the only semifinalist in the City of Monroe. In addition, he scored a near-perfect 35 on his ACT, is captain of the Quiz Bowl team, is an

30 FEBRUARY 2015 | WWW.B AY OU LI FE MAG . CO M

Eagle Scout and is an active member of Trinity Lutheran Church. He’s also a standout on the Mustangs’ football team. Zolinger isn’t the only superstar student at River Oaks, either.

Several of Zollinger’s teammates are in the above-average category on their ACTs, with scores above 25. Seniors Cole DeWitt, Tommy Johnson and Shaji Ul-islam rank among the top performers on the field and off.

They’re blazing academic trails for junior teammates Jake Bryant, Thomas Causey and Ben Hunsucker—all of whom have also scored higher than 25 on the ACT. This is just one of dozens of reasons Niche ranks River Oaks among the top private high schools in Louisiana, placing them at 18th— ahead of other regional offerings. Niche cites student academics, culture and diversity, and parental and student opinions among its ranking factors. Niche isn’t the only group taking notice either. The Duke Talent Identification Program knows the River Oaks brand as well.

Duke’s program is dedicated to cultivating and educating talented youth and offers participants the ability to study online advanced curricula, above level testing, and educational programming. River Oaks boasts 22 students who have been invited to take part so far. Those students are: 4th and 5th graders: Aden Antley, Ally Chance, Ethan Clack, Lilly Custer, Logan Davis, Rebecca Garner, Sydney Morris, Naysa Modi, Aidan Nugent, Piper Parker, Kate Preaus, Daniel Saye, Franklin Simpson and

Andria Song 7th graders: Jada Allen, Emily Austin, Cooper DeWitt, Josh Erskine, Megan Fuller, Lexie Nugent, John David Roberson and Emily Ryland But the praise for River Oaks doesn’t stop there, as more than a dozen students have been inducted into the National Honor Society this year. Ranging from seniors down to 7th Grade, these students exemplify the academic spirit and are ambassadors for the continued successes at River Oaks. National Honor Society at River Oaks requires at least a 3.5 gpa, which is higher than most schools.

The 2014-15 inductees from River Oaks are: Seniors Inductees Kyle Rugg and Laurel Spence

Eighth Grade Inductees Krystyn Bondad and Raiham Malik

Seventh Grade Inductees Samuel Alexander, Jada Allen, Emily Austin, Sam Conti, Cooper DeWitt, Megan Fuller, Lexie Nugent, Kyle Puckett, John David Roberson, Emme Ryland, Klaci Simmons, Chandler Smith and Emma Underwood

Your child can benefit from River Oaks’ successes. It’s not too late to enroll for the Fall 2015 term. For more information, contact River Oaks School or visit us on the web.

WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | FEBRUARY 2015

31

White as Snow Gala

Project 41 hosted their 2nd Annual White as Snow Gala on Saturday, January 17 at the Ouachita Grand Plaza in downtown Monroe.

The purpose of the night was to bring awareness to the issue of sex trafficking and the sex industry, and to raise funds for the organization that is fighting against it locally.

Jill and Zach Dasher hosted the evening, while Chef Eric Johnson provided delicious food and party goers danced the night away to the sounds of the Bailey Flores Band. Smile Moore Photo Booth was a hit, and several local businesses donated great prizes for the silent auction.

Project 41 "For the One" is a local non-profit that exists to reach out to, rescue and minister to women and children that are enslaved in or have been affected by the dark world of the sex industry.

1

2

3

4

5

6

On the BayouScene

1 Rich and Lindsey Nadler 2 Mary Cox, Derek Deutsch, and Madison Smith 3 Sarah Peavy, Michelle Miller and Stephanie Nugent 4 Mary Beth Dickerson, BJ and Jenny Pankey 5 Cody and Leslie Bauman 6 Jean and Jim Wootton 7 Zach and Jill Dasher 8 Melissa Kiper, Ashley Yeldell, Heather Guillot, Jennifer Ables, Jan Mattingly, Kathryn Bagley and Jenny Pankey 9 Lauren Wilhite, Cindy Acree, Malerie Gwin, Cassie Remington and Stacy Frost 10 Stefan and Lauren Wall, Susan and Marc Saad, John Bruscato, Randa and Trevor Kitchingham, Courtney and Zeke Wetzel 11 Taryn Davison, Kelly Moore, and Brandi Howard 12 Wendy Newsom and Julie Freeman 13 Sara and Jason Strader 14 Sarah and Fritz Niswanger 15 Tiany Spillers and Jo Ellen Gilliland 16 Paul and Leigh-Ann Cascio

12

13

32 FEBRUARY 2015 | WWW.B AY OU LI FE MAG . CO M

7

8

10

14

9

11

15

16

WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | FEBRUARY 2015

33

4

Whether you’re throwing a party for the little ones, cooking his favorite meal or getting your household in a loving spirit, we’ve got the perfect gift ideas for this Valentine’s Day. Photography by Scarlett Holland.

1

5

3 6

2 11

9

7

16

10 12

8

15

13 14

18

20

16 17

19 1. Haik Humble Eye Center 2.Hollis & Co. Jewelers 3. The Muffin Tin 4. Debbie’s Hallmark 5. The Children’s Shoppe 6.Maison Couture Clothiers 7. Professional Laser Center 8. Bayou Gypsy 9. Pelican District 10.Salt & Pepper Accessory Boutique 11.K-Sera 12. M.D. Minerals 13. Rain the Salon 14. The Fashion of Ruston 15. Thurman’s Food Factory 16. Fiesta Nutrition Center 17. Material Things 18. Derma MediQ/Spa Nouvelle 19. Beau Monde 20. Duck & Dressing

34 FEBRUARY 2015 | WWW.B AY OU LI FE MAG . CO M

Neville High School

A

College Awareness Night Set for Tuesday, March 10th

LBERT EINSTEIN ONCE SAID, “I NEVER THINK OF the future. It comes soon enough.” While children may not believe that tomorrow is just around the corner, parents know that elementary school becomes college in the blink of an eye. With that in mind, Neville High School will host an evening program on March 10th at 6:00 p.m., in which concerned parents can learn beneficial information about their child’s education –– from getting the most out of the high school experience to financing the college years. Topics will include financial options for post-secondary education; admissions requirements and course offerings for selective universities, local universities, community colleges, and vocational/ technical colleges; and the Taylor Opportunity Program Scholarship (TOPS). The Neville school counselors will also be present to help parents and families make sense of all the course offerings and options available for prospective students as well as current underclassmen.

Principal Whitney Martin recognizes that today’s students face more stringent requirements as they compete against students from across the nation. “I know one of the hardest decisions regarding children is choosing their school and monitoring their educational progress,” Ms. Martin says. She and the Neville faculty strive to enhance the high school experience so that students are prepared for life after high school. In collaboration with ULM, Louisiana Delta Community College and Louisiana Technical College, Neville High School leads the area with dual enrollment options available on campus. This year, nearly twenty-five (25) dual enrollment courses allow students to earn college credit while still in high school. Officials will discuss requirements for dual enrollment eligibility, as well as the costs, challenges and rewards of enrolling in college-level coursework.

Neville students often graduate having earned enough credits to 36 FEBRUARY 2015 | WWW.B AY OU LI FE MAG . CO M

enter college as sophomores. When asked about the benefits of pursuing dual enrollment coursework, Neville High School graduate Holton Hinchliffe remarks, “Taking dual enrollment courses in high school prepared me for the commitment it takes to succeed in college. It was a great way to get a head start on course requirements.”

Accountability Specialist Clementine Lockhart says that to attract the best and brightest students in the area, the school must work to expand the academic offerings. “Our students come from families who expect us to offer them the same rigor and opportunity available at a prep school, and we exceed these expectations.” With an impressive Advanced Placement program and a roster of past and present National Merit scholars, Neville High School is certainly on the right track.

According to Ms. Martin, Neville High School will continue to expand its career and technical educational opportunities in the 2015-2016 school year in order to provide paths for students whose dreams may require industry-based certifications.

“Louisiana industries continue to need employees trained in manufacturing, welding, process technology and other high-demand, high-wage fields,” she says. Representatives will be available to discuss dual enrollment possibilities that lead to industry-based certifications during College Awareness Night, as well. “Our hope is to introduce parents to the gamut of choices and to prepare them for assisting their students in navigating the many decisions ahead whether that student is a current eighth grader or a graduating senior.”

This event is an effort to keep Monroe’s finest students and their parents well-informed and prepared in an ever-changing post-secondary environment.

WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | FEBRUARY 2015

37

MUSTS

BY ELLIE JACKSON Eat plenty of good chocolate End the night with a movie Wear the perfect “LBD” Buy classic red roses Make Valentine’s boxes with the kids If you’re single, have a date with Ben & Jerry’s Spend time with any and all loved ones Replicate a first date Share some wine or champagne Take a spontaneous trip Share candy heart messages Find fun DIY Valentine’s goodies Go for a relaxing couple’s spa day Surprise someone with a love note

38 FEBRUARY 2015 | WWW.B AY OU LI FE MAG . CO M

WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | FEBRUARY 2015

39

A Gathering of Gifts and Gardening Junior Leauge of Monroe Presents Spring Market 2015

S

PRING IS ON IT’S WAY AND WITH it comes the Junior League of Monroe’s Spring Market, sponsored by Community Trust Bank. The 17th annual Spring Market will open its doors on Friday, March 13, 2015. The Market opens that morning at 8:30 a.m. with the classic event, “Shop ‘Til You Drop!,” presented by The Mulhearn Corporation. This event features a champagne brunch catered by The Coffee Bean, entertainment by Rod Allen Payne, and extended shopping until 11:00 a.m., with tickets available for $30.

General shopping is open to the public on Friday from 11:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. Friday evening, Spring Market’s signature event, “Girls Just Want to Have Fun!,” presented by Progressive Bank, kicks off at 6:00 p.m., and includes catering by Thurman’s Food Factory, entertainment by Mike McKenzie, door prizes, preferred shopping and of course, everyone’s favorite, “Market-ritas.” Tickets for this can’t miss event are $40. On Saturday, the Market is open for general shopping at 9:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m., and Sunday from 12:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. General shopping tickets are $6 in advance, and $8 at the door.

Please note that no strollers are allowed during any Spring Market, due to space constraints and crowd control.

Last year, the Junior League of Monroe introduced a new event focused on family fun. Breakfast with the Bunnies was a huge success, and the second year looks to be even

40 FEBRUARY 2015 | WWW.B AY OU LI FE MAG . CO M

bigger and better. Presented by The Paper Market, this event features a light breakfast, a photo shoot with live bunnies by a local photographer with portrait packages available, a visit from Peter Cottontail himself, book readings, balloons, children’s activities and more!

There will be two seatings on Saturday, March 14 at 8:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m., and tickets are available for just $15 per family. The Provisional Member class of 2014-2015 is taking pride in hosting this event as part of their Spring Market project.

Each year, the League sells raffle tickets in conjunction with Spring Market, as a way to increase fundraising efforts. In years past, winners have recieved exotic vacations from all over the globe, and this year is no different. This year’s raffle is for a seven night Costa Rican Getaway OR $5,000 cash! The winner will be announced on Sunday, March 15 and can choose which prize they would like!

The Junior League of Monroe is an organization of women committed to promoting volunteerism, developing the potential of women, and improving communities through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. Since 1930, members have devoted countless volunteer hours to meet the needs of the people and organizations of our community. Spring Market serves as one of the major fundraisers for the Junior League of Monroe. The profits from Spring Market and

associated raffles will help fund and support community impacting programs such as “Kids in the Kitchen,” which serves to educate children on how to eat healthy and prevent childhood obesity. “Families Can’t Wait,” a program which provides a hospital-based primary prevention plan for at-risk mothers and has a positive impact on the health of infants, will also benefit from the funds raised.

“Tools and Literacy for Children (TLC)” is a community outreach program that addresses the overall needs of at-risk children and families and focuses on the physical, emotional and educational needs of a selected area elementary school. This is only to name a few of the outreach programs that are operated through the Junior League of Monroe, giving purpose to the purchase of a ticket to a weekend of events and shopping.

Tickets for all Spring Market activities can be purchased by contacting Terri Arthur at (318) 322-3236 or by visiting League House, located at 2811 Cameron Street in Monroe between 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday. Please join us and experience Spring Market’s Gathering of Gifts and Gardening at the Monroe Civic Center from March 13 - 15, 2015. We look forward to seeing you at the Market!

WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | FEBRUARY 2015

41

Downtown Gallery Crawl Thursday, February 5, 2015: Celebrate Love, Mardi Gras and Art! 1

4

2

I

T’S THE FIRST THURSDAY AGAIN, in an even month, and that means it’s time for ART in downtown Monroe and West Monroe. And this February 5th unites lots of reasons to celebrate, with both Valentine’s Day and Mardi Gras coming up soon.

Festivities include good food and drink, along with live music and wonderful local art, as the Downtown Arts Alliance presents another Downtown Gallery Crawl, with ten galleries participating from 5-9 p.m. Original art will be for sale tax free since the galleries are within the cultural district—another reason to celebrate!

MAD Gallery on Art Alley is a good place to start. This month’s guest artist is familiar to many as she has taught in Grambling University’s Art Department for over 20 years. Donna McGee will present recently created paintings depicting natural subjects such as dragonflies.

Gallery owners Mark Alan Dooley and Leesa Patterson are looking forward to McGee’s show, which depicts the “rhythms of nature’s energy, growth and change.” MAD Gallery is also known for its tasty refreshments and live music

by Gray Matter.

Across Art Alley, the gallery crawler will find several interesting shows featuring a variety of art. Showing in the Big Room in February, for the last time before she moves out of town, is Betsy Putnam with mixed media; Ricky Sikes with oil paintings; Christen Parker with paintings; Lacy Mitcham, Ben Bennett and Jon Aiken with sculpture and ceramic work. In addition, Amy Ouchley will show her nature-inspired jewelry.

Also in the Big Room, the Ad Club of Northeast Louisiana will hold a “People’s Choice” Award competition during the Gallery

42 FEBRUARY 2015 | WWW.B AY OU LI FE MAG . CO M

3

Crawl. Crawl participants are urged to come see the exhibition of advertising entries and vote for their favorite. The winner will receive the special People’s Choice Award at the Addy Awards on February 26, 2015.

UPSTAIRS Gallery will host the LA Tech University Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) seniors, who will display their various works, a grouping of photography, sculpture, painting, ceramics, drawing, installation and mixed media. This is a prelude to their senior thesis show on May 5, 2015, at the Moffet and Bethea galleries at Louisiana Tech.

SUGAR Gallery has something for everyone: mixed media aluminum and alcohol ink art

by Stacy Medaries; award-winning photography by Burg Ransom; Mary Thompson’s oil paintings; acrylic paintings by Leah Smith Reitzell; and watercolor and mixed media art by Melanie Douthit. Sugar Gallery will also present photographer William Holley in the loft area.

Down DeSiard Street at Luna Blue Yoga Studio and Gallery (428 DeSiard), the show is “Reclaimed”—a collaborative show by Joshua Mitchell and Victoria Smith. Pieces from Joshua Mitchell, also known as jodami, will be based on his geometric pattern layouts comprised of reclaimed wood. Pieces from Victoria Smith will be based on a metaphorical narrative whimsically illustrating a carpenter bee and his home, a complete story built from the symbolic material that jodami uses in his works--wood!

Other Monroe galleries that will be open for the February 5 Crawl are the Palace Gallery (DeSiard Street) and Arender Studio and Gallery (Art Alley).

Moving to the west side of the beautiful Ouachita River, one finds three galleries on Antique Alley—the River Gallery, Sacred Expres-

1. Sugar Gallery: Burg Ransom 2. UPSTAIRS: LA Tech Seniors 3. River Gallery: Doug Breckenridge 4. Luna Blue: Victoria Smith

sions and Hamilton House Gallery.

The River Gallery is proud to feature artist Doug Breckenridge for the month of February.

Doug says, "There exist in everyone’s life those brief moments that lift one up out of life’s daily routines and allow one to exist, for a time, on a different plane. It is these very moments that, if left undocumented, would drift ever so quickly back into the continuous stream of everyday existence. For the artist, to capture such a moment and document it through an expression of art is sheer enjoyment. To portray such a moment with a degree of skill that affords others a glimpse into an otherwise private experience is priceless."

Through artistic expression, you are invited to share these experiences and step temporally out of the stream of everyday life for only a brief moment. Doug Breckenridge originally began to paint in the mid-70s; however, marriage, children and a career as an architect required that this activity be put on hold until recently when he was able once again to take up his passion.

The non-profit group of galleries and artists known as the Downtown Arts Alliance presents the bi-monthly Downtown Gallery Crawls in order to encourage the fine arts and to develop the downtown areas of Monroe and West Monroe. They are assisted by faithful sponsors including BancorpSouth, Fiesta Nutrition Center, Creed and Creed Law Office, the News-Star, Sir Speedy, Monroe-West Monroe CVB, DeltaStyle, KEDM Public Radio, Northeast Louisiana Arts Council, Atmos Energy Corp., Heck Law Firm, Hollis & Company Jewelers, Community Trust Bank, Cross Keys Bank, Val Salomon Law Office, Rawls DeSigns, Marsala Beverage, Restaurant Cotton, Warehouse #1 Restaurant and Choice Brands.

WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | FEBRUARY 2015

43

Wig and Stache Bash Geneva Academy to Host Third Annual Event February 28th

M

ONROE HAS A RICH AND vibrant calendar of social events, but only one party will evoke the spirit of the Roaring Twenties and benefit a premier private school this February.

With all the elegance and flair of “The Great Gatsby”, the third annual "Wig and Stache Bash" will offer a smashing experience for any refined socialite or eager party-goer.

The event will be hosted in the luxurious Vantage Banquet Hall located in historic downtown Monroe on February 28th beginning at 6:30 p.m. All proceeds will benefit Geneva Academy, a pre-K through 12th grade classical Christian school located on Oliver Road in Monroe.

The night’s revelry will showcase lively music, superb food, plentiful drinks, various silent auction packages and a spirited live auction, plus multiple opportunities to win prizes. Music provided by the talented Rod Allen Payne will be sure to keep you jiving and swinging. A decadent spread will be provided by Waterfront Grille. Prohibition has ended and a full bar will be supplied by Marsala Beverage Company.

Though not required, costumes and period attire (1920’s) are highly encouraged.

Think “Downton Abbey” meets “Midnight in Paris.” Gentlemen are encouraged to sport their best moustaches (real or costume) along with dress attire or gangster getup. Ladies will captivate the room with their flapper costumes, head pieces and elegant gowns. Your

44 FEBRUARY 2015 | WWW.B AY OU LI FE MAG . CO M

best moments will be captured by the always creative Smile Moore Photo Booth which will be on site.

The keystone event of the night will be a rousing live auction. One of a kind auction items will go quickly as bidders battle for their coveted prize. There will be unique lots such as a private party featuring the Grass Fire Band, an exciting bluegrass group, along with beer and barbeque provided. A “New Orleans Culinary Experience” package will offer cooking classes, accommodations at a historic bed and breakfast plus a Jazz Brunch Cruise for two. For the distinguished gentlemen in your life, the “Gentleman’s Soiree” will treat him to a custom experience at Governors Cigar and Pipes. For the cultured crowd, award-winning artist Mark Bleakley’s stained glass art will be up for auction in addition to the wildly popular Blue Dog print, “Take Five.” These along with other unique items and experiences will have party goers excitedly bidding to bring home their desired package. All proceeds from the auctions will benefit Geneva Academy.

On top of all of these festivities are a few attractions that will sure to pique the interest of any sophisticated party goer. There will be a Cigar Bar offered by Governors Cigar and Pipes (for an additional charge). Attendees will frolic for their desserts in a spirited “Dessert Dash” that will leave the room a ruckus with excitement. A classic game of “Heads or Tails” will present the crowd a

chance to win an extravagant prize. All of this plus a few surprises will ignite the room with delight and gaiety.

Seating is general admission ($40 advanced or $50 at the door) and limited, so you and your friends will want to act quickly to be a part of this unique experience. To guarantee seating, consider purchasing a signature table for $1,000 which will seat eight and offer revelers classy space to dine. Tickets & Tables may be purchased through the school office (805-0116) or online at www.genevaclassical.org/auction.

Whether you are looking for a great party experience or wanting to benefit a premiere local school, this event is sure to be the berries! Visit the event page by searching “2015 WIG & STACHE BASH” on Facebook.

More about Geneva Academy: Geneva Academy is a distinct choice for parents and caregivers of students pre-K through 12th grade that teaches according to the time-tested classical approach of the trivium, which follows the natural stages and abilities of the students.

Geneva’s history has already produced great results and favorable remarks from parents and friends of its students. For more information about the school, please visit the website: genevaclassical.org!

WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | FEBRUARY 2015

45

ask erin

GETTING ORGANIZED WHEN YOUR SWEETHEART IS NOT

by Erin Sharplin Love

eing one-half of an organized/disorganized couple is completely normal, but it definitely comes with challenges.

Unfortunately, these “challenges” can begin small but quickly become big problems. As a professional organizer (and the more organized half of my relationship), I can completely empathize. Below are a few tips and tricks on how to develop an organizing system your entire family can use:

B

First things first! You must stop nagging. More often than not, nagging has

the exact opposite effect of what you wanted, so you’ll need to try a different approach. My next tip could help.

Ask his opinion AND follow through with it. Ask your partner what organizing

system he suggests or would like to see implemented in your household. I suggest starting

46 FEBRUARY 2015 | WWW.B AY OU LI FE MAG . CO M

with something that isn’t directly related to his disorganization. For instance, have toys begun to overrun your living room? If so, work with your partner to develop a system that will tame the toys. Always implement at least one of the suggestions he makes, so he’ll feel as though he has actually helped.

Be a good influence. Organize your spaces first. Once your partner sees how awesome being organized is, he might follow suit.

If not, at least he will have a point of reference, when it is his turn. As a professional organizer, I never suggest getting rid of your partner’s possessions without first giving him a chance to make the decision himself.

Create easy-to-use systems. The easier and more self-explanatory an organizing system, the more likely your family will follow it.

Always organize in the exact area of use – let me explain. Does your partner often lose his keys? Then set up a docking station by the

door he uses every day. I suggest a basket he can throw his keys in as he enters the house.

Does he take his clothes off in the same spot every day? Set a laundry hamper in that area to thwart his throwing them on the floor. *Tip – Use a label maker to label drawers and shelves so everyone will know exactly where an item belongs.

For instance, set aside fifteen minutes every day to put away any clutter that has found its way into your home. Ask your kids and your husband to help, even if it’s just one thing! Any help is better than no help. Another plus – new habits can form in less than thirty days, so the more your family puts items away, the more likely it will become second nature to them. An added bonus is that eventually you might not have to ASK them to help you clear the clutter.

So with that said…

Make organizing a daily occurrence.

Be patient! Getting organized can take time, effort and consistency for everyone involved.

When all else fails, continue to implement the organizing systems no matter who is still on board. The more organized you are, the less stressful your life will be, which can lead to more loving interaction between you and your sweetheart! Getting organized is a win-win.

Happy Valentine’s Day! Enjoy your partner.

It’s All About That

Bass

From the Right Rig to the Perfect Weather, These Tips Are Sure to Bring the Fish article by Dan Chason

D

uring our transition from winter to spring, there are a couple of weeks where most of us suffer cabin fever as we await the warming that is to come. This warming wakes up most activities, including fishing. However, if you can brave the cold right now, this is a great time to catch some really nice bass. My favorite local lakes during this time of year are Lake D'Arbonne and Lake Claiborne when fishing for bass. What you need to remember is that the bass are now at their prime.

They have gorged on shad and with the last full moon, started their crawfish fest which initiates the pre-spawn ritual. You won't find these big females shallow, but when you do find them, they are fat fat fat.

They are full of eggs and close to their optimum weights. What you must consider is that a fish in cold water is sluggish. Their body temperature is the same as the water.

Think about how fast you would move when you are cold. Big mistake number one is when anglers just flat out fish too fast. Secondly, these fish are very sensitive to the barometer. One of my aggravations

48 FEBRUARY 2015 | WWW.B AY OU LI FE MAG . CO M

with local TV weather casts is they give the barometric pressure, but unless you are a meteorologist, you don't know if it is rising or falling. During months of cold weather, it is imperative to fish the barometer. On a falling barometer, you can get away fishing a little faster as the fish are more active. If the barometer is rising, you best slow down a bunch. So how do you tell if you don't know? Look at the sky. Blue skies should tell you the barometer is rising or steady. A blue bird sky that duck hunters love is a curse for fisherman of any kind. The fish will hold to cover tightly and you have to bump cover to find them. Most anglers opt for a jig and pig, but let me advise you to expand your horizons and use a Carolina rig. A "rig" as we call it is nothing but a 1/2 to 1 ounce weight tied above a barrel swivel with a leader from a foot to 6 feet long with your offering tied on the end.

The fallacy of a rig is that "the longer the leader, the higher off the bottom your lure presents." That is not true. The longer the leader, the more time elapses until your offering comes into the cover you are fishing.

I like a Zoom centipede, light colored for clear water and dark colors for stained water. Look for channel breaks and points, especially if you have grass of any kind.

My favorite technique is to fish the rig in and around brush piles. These female bass will stage in these areas. My second old favorite is a Zoom pumpkin seed/chartreuse tail lizard. Bass love lizards as they simulate the salamanders they normally eat.

The secret is to fish slow, then slow down. Make that weight hit as much cover as you can. The more cover you hit, the

The secret is to fish slow, then slow down. Make that weight hit as much cover as you can. The more cover you hit, the more chances you have for a strike. more chances you have for a strike. This is critical during a rising barometer as the bite is usually very subtle. A good 7 foot rod is paramount, as long casts allow you to cover a lot of water.

The longer rod lets you get a good hook set. One misperception of a Carolina rig is the reasoning behind the length of the leader.

Most folks think that any plastic tied on the rear of the rig means that the lure is floating that distance above the bottom from the weight. Not true. This is only true if the angler uses a very light hook, small in diameter and a plastic that floats and will not sink. However, the thinking should be that fish key on the disturbance caused by the weight dragging the bottom and displacing mud and bumping into structure. They will be attracted to the disturbance and see your presentation coming along behind and strike. This length of leader is key as it is determined by water clarity and thickness of structure. The less structure and higher water clarity is the reason for a long leader. The other factor is standing vegetation. We don't have a lot of hydrilla or thick coon tail grasses in most area lakes where Carolina rigging is preferred. In East Texas lakes, long leaders are popular due to grass but in North Louisiana, keep the leader under 3 feet for best results.

The most critical thing to remember when fishing a Carolina rig is boat position. You will have better feel on the business end of your rig, if you position your boat upwind and work into the wind with your presentation. February is notorious for windy days, and if you can't feel what is happening, you will miss strikes. Some of this can be overcome with the use of braided line off of the reel and change over to a flourocarbon line on the leader. This gives the best feel, and the braid assures of good hook sets due to no stretch.

Some of my best days fishing have been with the Carolina rig. Look for breaks off of points and creeks as they are holding areas for pre-spawn bass. Simply look at your graph, find a main creek and follow it until you see a break line, point or bend and place a marker. Set your boat back within casting distance and work the area thoroughly. The results can be staggering.

The hook set should be swept sideways as a hook set overhead tends to cause a whipping action that can actually pull the hook away from the fish. My biggest advice is one very overlooked method: When tying on your hook, ALWAYS bring your line over the point of the hook, not loop it from behind into the eye. This pulls the hook into the fish and not away from them.

So grab your long johns, cover-alls and some good fishing gloves, and cash in on one of the best times of the year to bass fish. Good luck and good fishing.

WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | FEBRUARY 2015

49

Smith and Perry

egan Randal Smith and John William Perry, III exchanged marriage vows at six o’clock in the evening on Saturday, September 27, 2014 at St. Matthew Catholic Church in Monroe, Louisiana. Fr. Joseph Puthuppally officiated the ceremony.

Parents of the couple are Mr. and Mrs. Randall Smith and Mr. and Mrs. John William Perry, Jr. all of Monroe. Grandparents of the bride are Mr. and Mrs. Billy Boyd Smith, Mrs. Romeo Arthur Turgeon, Jr., and the late Mr. Romeo Arthur Turgeon, Jr. all of Springhill, Louisiana. Grandparents of the groom are Ms. Barbara Corry, Mrs. James Henry Rivers, the late Mr. James Henry Rivers, and the late Mr. and Mrs. John William Perry, Sr. all of Monroe.

Jordan Lyle Haddad and Jenna Marie White served as maids of honor. Bridesmaids were Ainsley Scott Anderson, Ellen Ed-

M

mondson Baker, Whitney Renee Barefoot, Jamie Perry Joseph and Holley Watts Perry. Chaney Frances Joseph and Emarie James Perry were flower girls.

John William Perry, Jr., father of the groom, was the best man.

Groomsmen were Joshua Blake Creel, David Cleveland Joseph, Justin Logan Nolan, Jonathan Michael Perry, William Peyton Smith, and Brandon Douglas Stewart. Samuel James Elias and Robert Eugene Kelly, III, served as ushers. Perry Allen Joseph was the ring bearer.

Escorted by her father, the bride wore candlelight, silk shantung gown by Watters. The gown featured a sweetheart neckline with a draped bodice, a full draped skirt with inverted pleats at the back and a puddle train. Her look was completed with an ivory, cathedral-length veil and diamond cluster earrings.

The reception was held at the

home of Mr. and Mrs. Randall Smith. Off duty police in uniforms manned golf carts ensured that guests were absolutely treated with care, from cars to party and back to cars. Upon arrival to the home, candles lighted the way on the clearest, crisp night of the fall season. The antique 1928 Model A Ford chariot in the driveway greeted us with a beautiful wreath of white and green flowers and ribbons on the rear wheel. As we entered the foyer, a antique blackamoor was overflowing with an exquisite floral arrangement created by the talented floral designer, Nick McKinney. Every room, mantle and niche where one could possibly want fresh flowers was done to the nines! The five tents were decorated to perfection!

Thurman and his staff need a special tribute as the food, including the “best ever” beef tenderloin, fried oysters and artichoke hearts were superb. Waiters removed

plates and drink glasses immediately so that the party continued to be fresh. Randy Smith was happiest when his precious daughter thanked him for the great reception, which was exactly the way she had envisioned. Randy said that was all he needed to hear from her, and he then told the band, The 1900 from Memphis, to play on!

And play on they did! Meg and J.W.'s first dance was, "You Are the Best Thing" by Ray LaMontagne.

Then Megan and father Randy danced to "You Are the Sunshine of My Life," made so popular by Stevie Wonder. It is a special thing when dads feel this way about their daughters.

The Perry~Smith wedding exhibited all the hallmarks of a truly extraordinary event. But the ultimate indicator of the fun that was had? Guests finally left for home in the wee hours of 3:30 a.m.

ARTICLE BY MARTHA JANE ANDERSON AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY BRAD ARENDER | ARENDER STUDIO

WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | FEBRUARY 2015

51

BAYOUKIDZ

thank you

A Simple TEACHING OUR CHILDREN THE IMPORTANCE OF A HAND-WRITTEN NOTE

article by Cindy G. Foust

n case you haven't noticed something about me and my column, let me bring it to your attention that this writer likes to do a lot of research when bringing our readers the written word every month. You know, kind of like Alexander Graham Bell of the literary world. I just think it's important to educate our readers on subjects that are current and relevant, and when it's an issue that I am clearly not an expert in, I hit the books (well, the Google button, but I bet Mr. Bell would have used a search engine if he had had access to one.) So where did my research bring me this month? Better yet, did I have a life experience in the last month that so moved me to write a column about it? Quite frankly, the answer is no. In fact, I have had what is commonly referred to as "writer's block" this month. Oh, I know there are plenty of mundane things that I could write about that are somewhat "ho-hum," but after my "Kathleen" month, I have felt compelled to write about something as page turning as her random act of kindness. And, it was her random act of kindness that got me to thinking that I sure wish, even after I wrote my column, that I had her address to write her a thank-you note.

I know many of our readers will remember the days when we wrote and received a handwritten notes in the mail, thanking us for something that we had been a party to. Before I get butchered by some of our BayouLife

I

52 FEBRUARY 2015 | WWW.B AY OU LI FE MAG . CO M

scholars, I do know there are those out there that still handwrite thank you notes. But not this writer. And if I'm not writing thank you notes, chances are my children are not thanking anyone with their pen, either.

As I probed this subject, my thoughts, which are never far from my own children, got me to thinking. Am I letting my children down, in the parenting circuit, by not teaching them this "old school" courtesy protocol? I mean, I make sure they say thank you and please, yes m’am and no m’am, and not to burp at the table, but note writing? Sadly, this hasn't been on my list of parenting priorities.

As I probed this subject further, it began to dawn on me that I might have my neck in the parenting guillotine, but maybe for the wrong reason. Of course I want my children to have good manners and not be "those kids" that cause my friends to avoid my phone call, in case I was dropping by their house and bringing my "heathens."

I just got to thinking that a lesson in "note writing," however, might not necessarily have to be just to thank someone for a sweater or gift card to the mall. This lesson might actually eclipse the importance of writing a handwritten thank you note for a gift (I know, Emily Post would grieve over that statement and send me straight to the Emily Post Institute for Thank You Note Writing), or at least be just as valuable if that note is sent to someone our children admire. Incidentally, I don't

mean Taylor Swift or Lebron James. While those are people that our children certainly want to emulate, (as long as they don't lick a wrecking ball or want to do demoralizing acts in a cemetery) I'm talking about someone who has a positive, caring or inspirational impact on our children, that they actually know.

A teacher? A coach? A grandparent? A sibling? A friend? A pastor? The list could go on and on. I think the important thing here is, number one, that the recipient of the letter be someone that is in their close circle. And number two, that the note be a handwritten letter of gratitude and thanksgiving for the influence they have had in their lives.

Do we have to be a young child or teenager to participate in this exercise (albeit it might be excruciating for some, who consider signing a check the extent of their handwritten anything.) I write frequently on role models and positive influences in our children's lives, but what if we went a step further with our kids and made the hot topic at the dinner table about someone that our children admire, rather than who we think is going to the win the Super Bowl? I personally think this lost art could make a comeback and we Southerners, who profess and are recognized for our good manners and etiquette, might could start this movement of good will through the use of nothing more than a sheet of paper (Emily Post does say we all need good stationery, just saying) and a pen.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 126

Cochon de Christmas Cold temps and a little dampness couldn't counter the promise of cold beer, good food and great music, as people made the trip down the levee for the annual Brockman barn party known affectionately as Cochon de Christmas. And with the "cochon" slow-roasted under the expert hand of Monroe's own Cory Bahr, who could blame them?

A 40-foot long makeshift flame pit provided plenty of grill space for the delicious creations of Bahr and his team of chefs, cooks and servers from Restaurant Cotton and Nonna. The foodies weren't disappointed with the homemade boudin and andouille.

There was even bacon in the desserts, sprinkled atop carrot cake and blended into the chocolate.

All the while, guests jammed to the tunes of Holy Ghost Tent Revival, a popular band from Ashville that has been exploding on the folk rock scene for the last couple of years. With food, spirits and tunes, this Cochon de Christmas was one for the memory books.

On the BayouScene

1 Julie and Adam Hansen, Marion and Tommy Zentner, Meredith and Jason Smith 2 Liz and Guy Farber, Katherine Sandifer and Sarah Raymond 3 Stuart Oliver, Christin Taylor, Paige and Travis Oliver, Justin Bishop, Parker Wilkes and Jon Fisher 4 Lori Spence, Mary Kathryn Crigler, Christi Stidham, Mimi Rutledge and Missy McNabb 5 Christiana Hayward, Katie Weinholt and Amanda Mitchell 6 Onna Gallagher, Hope Anderson and Alan Gallagher 7 Kelley West and Jennifer Lord 8 Amy Lange, Katherine and Michael Sandifer 9 Debra and Landon Wood 10 Missy and Kevin McNabb 11 Brad Emaus, Asha Rangaraj, Julia Taylor, April Dovornay, John Bruscato, Simran Emaus and Kara Sims 12 Katie Dean, Mary Kathryn Crigler, Andree Eddleman and Felicia Hardwick 13 Louis Luey, Landon Young, Brooke Morgan and Mary Beth Crow 14 Cory Bahr and Bryon Bailey 15 Dana and Justin Tarver

54 FEBRUARY 2015 | WWW.B AY OU LI FE MAG . CO M

1

2

3

4

5

8

6

7

9

10

11

13

14

12

15

WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | FEBRUARY 2015

55

Southern Hospitality Strauss Theatre Center Gets a Taste of Texas

S

TRAUSS THEATRE WILL PROUDLY PRESENT “Southern Hospitality” February 20-22 and 27-28, 2015. The play is written by Jessie Jones, Nicholas Hope and Jamie Wooten and will be directed by Michael Steele.

The Futrelle Sisters – Frankie, Twink, Honey Raye and Rhonda Lynn – are in trouble again. This time, the problem is bigger than ever: their beloved hometown, Fayro, Texas, is in danger of disappearing, and it’s up to the sisters to save it from extinction. Ever since the Super SmartMart and the rendering plant closed, folks have been leaving Fayro in droves, but Honey Raye, with a major assist from her former nemesis, Geneva Musgrave, has come up with a possible solution. It seems a salsa manufacturing factory is looking to relocate, and a company representative is headed to Fayro on a scouting mission. Honey Raye, as the president of the Chamber of Commerce, makes promises that are not to be believed in order to woo the rep to choose Fayro. In fact, Honey Raye has told them that on the very weekend of the rep’s visit, the town just happens to be having their biggest celebration of the year: “Fayro Days,” which includes a craft show, a pet costume parade, a beauty pageant and a huge Civil War battle reenactment. So now it’s up to the citizens of Fayro to quickly make her promises a reality.

The biggest hurdle to impressing the salsa representative is staging a Civil War battle reenactment with only fifteen participants.

Added to this is the dilemma of Twink being so desperate to get married that she’s practically dragging the unwilling groom, Deputy John Curtis Buntner, to the altar. But this pales next to the financial problems the preacher and his wife are having – unless you don’t consider gambling away your mobile home a problem. Frankie, however, seems to have it worst of all, what with her husband, Dub, going through a major mid-life crisis at the same time her five-yearold twins are literally tearing up the town. And unfortunately for all of them, the ‘meanest woman in twelve counties,’ Dub’s wicked, old Aunt Iney, is on her way for a visit. Iney’s arrival in Fayro is definitely cause for alarm for the sisters; but it’s nothing compared to 56 FEBRUARY 2015 | WWW.B AY OU LI FE MAG . CO M

their panic when the old girl drops dead in the Dubberly home just before the salsa rep shows up. But how the Futrelle sisters and the other citizens of Fayro, including sweet, simple, Raynerd Chisum, pull together and save their town is a testament to Southern strength and ingenuity – and a recipe for total hilarity.

For tickets, call the box office at 318-323-6681, email info@strausstheatre.com, or go online to www.strausstheatre.com Ticket prices are $29 for opening night for Adults, $10 for students Other nights Adults are $24 and $10 for students Feb. 20th Patron night, 7p.m. ;Feb. 21, 7 p.m.; Feb. 22, Matinee 2 p.m.; Feb. 27th, 7 p.m.; and Feb. 28th, 7 p.m.

Concessions will be sold on Feb. 21, 22, 27 and 28. All just a $1.

Southern Hospitality’s Cast includes: Rhonda Lynn ---Barbara Knight Honey Raye---Brenda Rowan Twink---Amy Davis Frankie-- Wendy Ryland Geneva-- Cindy Scott Gina Jo (G.J.)--Courtney Williams D. Dayva Davidson--Jean Hartzog Iney--Kathy Broadnax Dub--Troy Wold John Curtis--Kevin Branson Justin--Glenn Williams Raynerd--Dane Warner Buck--Anthony Powell

Director --Michael Steele Stage Manager -- Dixie Mitchell Assistant Stage Manager --Jae Wold

WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | FEBRUARY 2015

57

1

Dad’s Draft Day On January 15, The Children's Coalition hosted the first annual Dad's Draft Day Dinner. featuring guest speaker Carey Casey. The event was the kickoff for the What Works Conference: Parent is a Verb. Carey is known for various accomplishments such as Hall of Fame Alumnus at UNC-Chapel Hill, champion of fatherhood initiatives, acclaimed author and CEO of Kansas City-based National Center for Fathering to name a few. The event was held at the Civic Center Arena. Guests were served BBQ from Rhoda Brown's Hogwash Caboose.

2

3

4

On the BayouScene

1Richard Harrison, Larry Prather and Adrian FIsher 2 Terry Dyer, Ocie Jones and Gerald Dyer 3 Weston Mason, Cody Connely, Ross Moore and Chance Defriend 4 Bruce Peddie and Brent Alexander 5 Dan DeJarnette, Brad McGilton and Jamie Waterman 6 Bruce Johnson, Carl Davis and Michael Burton 7 Darren Gix, SenatorFrancis Thompson and Reverend Welton Gaddy 8 Bobby Simmons, Herbert Williams and Curtis Thomas 9 Gatha Green and Terry Levine 10 Chad Hendrix and Cade Reynold 11 Chris Hendrix and Pat Williams 12 Isaiah Butcher, Vincent Sr. Butcher and Vincent Jr. Butcher 13 Carey Casey and Lynn Clark 14 Derek Daniels and Jan Daniels 15 Lindsey Murry and Mary Napoli

5

7

8

9

12

10

13

11

15

14 58 FEBRUARY 2015 | WWW.B AY OU LI FE MAG . CO M

6

Go Red for Women Premiere Party The American Heart Association's Go Red for Women's Premiere Party was held on Thursday, January 15 at 6:00 p.m. The event took place upstairs at Cotton, where Cory Bahr prepared dishes for the guests in attendance. The Premiere Party was sponsored by The Woman's Clinic, Cotton and Peregrine Corporation. The focus on the evenings festivities was raising awareness of women's heart health. A Panel Discussion with a Q&A segment was lead by Alyce Adams M.D., Dellie (D.H.) Clark M.D. FACOG, Mark Napoli M.D. and Rachel Shelby APRN, FNP-C.

1

2

3

4

5

6

7 On the BayouScene

8

1 Mark Napoli, Alyce Adams, Missy Amy, DH Clark, Rachel Shelby and Sheila Hatten 2 Kimberly Hudson and Tabitha Hendon 3 Darra Jung and Evalyn Mormon 4 Sheila Hatten, Terri Hamett and Jennifer Dearman 5 Madison Styron and Krissy Shepard 6 Lisa and Mark Federick 7 DH Clark and Sheila Hatten 8 Madison Styron and Missy Amy

60 FEBRUARY 2015 | WWW.B AY OU LI FE MAG . CO M

WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | FEBRUARY 2015

61

The Town They Built

Linda and Joe Holyfield open up about the interests they share, the dream they’ve lived and their plans to continue serving the community . By Michael DeVault.

Photograph by Brad Arender.

J

oe Holyfield leaves his home on Deborah Drive early every morning. He travels up Deborah, past dozens of homes and acre after acre of neatly planted lawns. It’s a trip he’s made many times over the last three decades, and if he seems a bit familiar with the neighborhood, that’s expected. After all, his home was among the first houses in the neighborhood, and his construction company built many of the other homes around him.

Joe’s wife, Linda, takes a slightly different path to work each morning. She passes along the way a surgical hospital, doctors’ offices, and outpatient clinics—all part of a growing network of medical care providers that fall under the supervision of one of her several professional hats.

He’s known as one of the region’s premier contractors, and she’s known by most as “the CEO of P&S Surgical Hospital,” but spend a little time with Joe and Linda Holyfield, and you come away with a picture of a dynamic, vibrant duo staring down autumn together in the town they helped to build. In 41 years together—years in which they raised two children, helped to start or started outright more than a dozen businesses and nonprofit groups, and become entrenched fixtures in economic development and community service—Joe and Linda have come a long way from their roots as two kids who met at Ouachita High School.

Theirs is a story of hard word, determination, success and generosity, and that story begins—at least for Linda—in the sleepy southern California town of Tustin, in Orange County, and the day she learned her the family had been transferred to northeastern Louisiana for her step-father’s job as one of the men tasked with building a new manufacturing facility for ITT Canon. It was the late 1960s, and in spite of a decade of growth and renewal for the Twin Cities, the area was a far cry from southern California.

“It was a culture shock, to say the least,” said Linda. She entered Ouachita High School, and that’s where she met Joe. But both are quick to point out that, though they were friends, it wasn’t love at first sight. Instead, that part would have to wait.

“We really didn’t date until college,” Joe said.

Joe played fullback and linebacker for the Lions football squad. His twin brother—yes, he has a twin—Johnny also played football. When it came time to graduate, it seemed Joe’s future was spreading out before him thanks to his performance on the gridiron. The standout—in every way, as more than 40 years later he still towers above most of the room—had been given a scholarship to Louisiana Tech. He could study engineering, design or construction and play football for a squad that was drawing national attention. After all, in 1970 Terry Bradshaw was drafted in the first round. As Joe would see time and again throughout his life, things rarely go as planned.

“I didn’t play football at Tech,” Joe said. His father had recently fallen ill, and his family needed him. So Joe kept it close to home and enrolled in classes at Northeast Louisiana University. He decided early on to major in business and marketing.

But another program caught his attention, and before long Joe was a construction major. By then, he was dating Linda, who was at the school studying education.

Joe and Linda had big plans. He would graduate in construction and go to work as a contractor while she would become a teacher. Their plans set, the young couple decided to get married. That’s when plans changed again.

“One of us was smart, and one of us could work hard,” said Joe. “So, she went to school, and I went to work.” He intended to go into business immediately, to become a contractor of custom homes. For a time, it seemed like that would be precisely what happened. He set to work building camps on Lake D’Arbonne for Monroe residents. To help make ends meet, he took a paper route for the Monroe Morning World and The News-Star.

And, he drove a school bus for his old alma mater, Ouachita High School. “We did everything,” Joe said.

“Everything” included another major shift—one that would impact both of their lives. Linda was beginning to question her future as a teacher, and she had already set her sights on a different career. She wanted to become a physical therapist and was well on her way when the university eliminated the program. “I ended up graduating in nursing,” Linda said. The change of major proved to be one of the best decisions the Holyfields have made, and it opened up to Linda a path that would, over the next thirty years, lead her to become a titan of healthcare in northeastern Louisiana. “Nursing’s been great.”

By the time the 1980s rolled around, Linda was making her way up the management ladder at St. Francis Medical Center. But Joe’s construction business had slowed, in part, because a major recession had significantly curtailed the housing industry. Looking back, Joe is more appreciative of those days. They had had children early, and both Lisa and Chris were involved in numerous activities.

Joe was able to be an incredibly involved parent, spend time with them at school, coached ball teams and capitalized on the time he had with his children. Meanwhile, though, Linda was rising quickly in management careers, she was still there on the sidelines. “Neither of us missed any kind of events with our kids,” Linda said.

It was a magical time for them as their lives, with all the twists and turns, began to congeal into something resembling the powerhouse of activity and involvement the couple is today.

Early on, Linda became the ICU/CCU supervisor at the hospital. She moved around, supervising nursing staffs at various levels until, at last, she reached the pinnacle of the St. Francis chain of command. “I’ve had probably every nursing position at St. Francis, all the way up to the vice president of nursing,”

“One of us was smart, and one of us could work hard,” said Joe. “So, she went to school, and I went to work.”

64 FEBRUARY 2015 | WWW.B AY OU LI FE MAG . CO M

she said. Hospital administrators had spotted a talent for business in their young vice president, and they sized the opportunity. Over the next two decades, Linda would tick off a laundry list of accomplishments, any one of which is enough to define a career: Original developer of the community health center Developer of the Cancer Institute Founder of the S.D. Hill Clinic Eventually, St. Francis brass decided they had the perfect place for Linda. A few years before, the hospital had purchased the Physicians and Surgeons Hospital, an outpatient clinic situated adjacent to St. Francis. The business model was sound, but it was fledgling. Administrators asked Linda to take over the organization as its CEO. Somewhere along the way, Linda had figured out a crucial service lacking in smaller medical service providers. Doctors, clinics and smaller hospitals were in desperate need of back office support—someone to manage billing and health records systems. With the promotion to CEO of P&S Surgical, Linda decided to fill the void for the smaller providers and she started her own healthcare management company. Specialty Management Services of Ouachita, or SMSO, opened for business with its first client—P&S Surgical.

T

he company has grown from its single client roots into a thriving enterprise servicing dozens of enterprises and hundreds of doctors. The company provides management, billing, and implementation services for health records. They serve small physician’s practices, outpatient surgical facilities and rural hospitals. “Our specialization is small groups that maybe can’t afford the services of the really big consultants,” said Linda. It’s a lucrative niche carved out of a growth industry. Recently, the company took possession of corporate offices in downtown Monroe, in the long-vacant former headquarters of People’s Homestead. As if to underscore the organic nature of the business, Linda notes a curious fact about SMSO’s growth. “We’ve never marketed it or advertised it. It’s all grown by word of mouth.”

Linda wasn’t the only Holyfield to find success in her chosen field. After the kids were grown, Joe focused in earnest on the construction company he founded all those years before.

Holyfield Construction was on the move. He built hundreds of homes, mostly higher end properties in neighborhoods like River Oaks. His company developed major new residential and commercial tracts, too, such as Louisianne on Forsythe Avenue and the Tower Drive business area, where Holyfield Construction’s office are. For much of his career, Joe focused on building mostly residential areas with a bit of commercial. “Now, we probably do mostly commercial with a little bit of upper-end residential,” he said. Still, though, the company continues to develop new residential tracts, most recently with the Egret Landing community near CenturyLink.

“This community has been good for us,” said Linda. “He’s grown his business out of this community, I’ve grown my business out of this community, and it’s been good to us and our children.”

Both Lisa and Chris are involved in their father’s construction business, even though Lisa divides her time between Monroe and New York. Joe and Linda enjoy spending some time with their grandchildren, too. These days, though, they remain focused on their businesses and their numerous civic involvements. And by numerous, that is to say the Holyfields are everywhere.

Joe has worked for 20 years for ARCO, which provides services to developmentally challenged individuals. "They just don't have the things you and I have, the support,” Joe said.

“Most of them have been abandoned. They have nobody that cares for them. That's what ARCO does."

ARCO hasn’t been his only activity. Joe was on the founding board of the Children’s Museum, and while he served as the chairman of the Ouachita Economic Development Corporation, he was instrumental in shepherding the city through one of its darkest periods. State Farm had closed, their employees were leaving and the community was shell shocked. “It was my proposal to ask for the State Farm building,” said Joe. “We asked for and received the State Farm building when they left town.”

The proposal paid off. Since State Farm left, the building has been used to attract numerous new employers to the region.

Lately, it’s served as offices for the state of Louisiana. Joe also served on the boards of the North Louisiana Economic Partnership, on the board of Habitat For Humanity and was a founding member of the Food Bank and the Children’s Coalition. His company renovated the first house for Rays of Sonshine. Two common threads run throughout his service activities: assisting the poor and economic development. “The people who need help are the poor, those who can't necessarily help themselves,” Joe said.

Linda’s activities have been equally diverse, though these days she tends toward healthcare efforts. “Healthcare is really fragmented right now, and I think we’ve lost sight of why we exist,” Linda said. “That’s why I like what I do, trying to connect those dots.”

She helped start the Fellowship For Healthier Communities in the late 1990s, spearheaded the Turning Point initiative in the early 2000s and continues to be active in the Louisiana Public Health Institute. And what about economic development? Both of them continue to be involved on that front. Joe is currently on the boards of OEDC, NLEP and the Monroe Chamber. Linda is past chairman of the Chamber.

It’s been an interesting life for the two kids from Ouachita High who started out their lives together with visions of marketing and teaching. They’re pretty resilient, too. Where many couples might be thinking about slowing down, they’re both firmly committed to continuing their pattern of growth and development—of both the professional and personal varieties.

"You change as life goes by,” Joe said. “You realize what's really important in life isn't what you necessarily thought.”

WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | FEBRUARY 2015

65

BAYOUBUZZWORTHY JOHN CAMERON RECEIVES AWARD University of Louisiana at Monroe alumnus, John Cameron, recently received the Society of Louisiana Certified Public Accountants’ (LCPA) 2014 Distinguished Public Service Award. Presented jointly by the LCPA and the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA), the award is the highest honor for public service leadership, impact, involvement and innovation a Louisiana CPA can earn.

141 LOFTS CELEBRATE ANNIVERSARY The newly renovated Downtown Apartments lofts celebrated their 1st Anniversary in January.

141 LOFTS, formerly known as The Burnhart building is one of Monroe’s most sought after addresses offering residents a new home. The stunning lobby of this renovated landmark enhances your experience of the history and architecture that was designed to inspire.

(RAIN)ING IN HAWAII James and Holly McCready, owners of Rain Salon, along with stylist Blake Mason, had the trip of a lifetime as they visited the big island of Hawaii for the annual Paul Mitchell Seminar. In addition to attending classes and seminars, the group got to visit the home of Paul Mitchell Awapuhi Farm in Hilo and see where the company harvests plants used in their products.

V-DAY ULM 2015 Sponsored by the ULM English Department, with contributions from ULM School of Pharmacy’s Kappa Epsilon and AphA-ASP, The Vagina Monologues will be presented on Friday, February 27 at 6 pm at Stubbs 100 at ULM and on Saturday, February 28 at 6 pm at Upstairs Gallery, 135 North 2nd Street. All proceeds from this event benefit The Wellspring Alliance

SUPER BOWL The Bayou State will be well represented at Super Bowl XLIV as there are several Louisiana natives that will take the field.

The New England Patriots have Ryan Allen, who played at LA Tech, and Stevan Ridley and Brandon LaFell, who both played at LSU. Meanwhile, the Seattle Seahawks have Keavon Milton from ULM, Tharold Simon from LSU and D’Anthony Smith from LA Tech on their roster.

66 FEBRUARY 2015 | WWW.B AY OU LI FE MAG . CO M

With granite counters and striking views of the city, not a detail was overlooked in the restoration of this eight story historic 1928 Chicago style skyscraper.

Located in the heart of Downtown Monroe, dining, shopping, and entertainment, including galleries, restaurants, Art Alley and the Riverwalk, are right at your fingertips. Live, Work and play in the thriving Downtown 141 LOFTS.

ULM CHEER SQUAD The ULM cheer squad finished 4th in the nation in D1A All-Girl at 2015 UCA Nationals competition in Orlando, Florida. This is the first year ULM has competed as an all-girl squad and brought home the trophy

WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | FEBRUARY 2015

67

Caudalîe Paris at Hopkins Dermatology Continued From Page 10

benefits you feel are both immediate and long term.

This divine massage is vital in promoting relaxation and improving skin tone.

Stone Therapy Massage The Fatigue-Relieving and Calming massage we recommend to combat tension and stress. Caudalie’s signature blend of grape-seed oil and essential oils is applied in conjunction with hot stones to melt away fatigue, relieve tension, soothe tired muscles and harmonize the body’s energies. A timeless, unique and deeply beneficial massage.

Crushed Cabernet Scrub The refining and invigorating scrub for skin seeking renewal.

Grape-seeds, honey and brown sugar are meticulously caressed ovewr the body to stimulate microcirculation and drainage of excess toxins while simultaneously nourishing and softening the skin. Application of Caudalie’s expertly-blended Contouring Concentrate and Nourishing Body Lotion restores skin’s radiance and suppleness, promoting a smoother over-all physique.

Note: These treatments detoxify the skin and reactivate circulation by eliminating water and toxins from the body.

For an appointment, please call Hopkins Dermatology at 318.325.0600.

Sanderlin Counseling Continued From Page 12

problem.” Not only would it be difficult for them to be insulted by this, but you are actually empowering them to problem solve.

A few things to remember: • If you do provide favors, support, money, etc., do not expect payback. Help because you want to, not because of what you want in return. If you expect payback, you will only be disappointed and resentful.

• Be aware that by not establishing boundaries, you are enabling others and their behaviors. Just like the mother that gives her screaming toddler candy in the store to stop screaming, you are increasing the likelihood of them repeating the negative behavior by rewarding that negative behavior.

• It will be uncomfortable at first while you are setting and enforcing boundaries with others, but you will quickly get the hang of it, and the results are well worth the discomfort.

Most of us enjoy feeling needed by others. It makes us feel important, loved and useful. And this is perfectly healthy to an extent.

But we need to recognize that we can unnecessarily stress ourselves by taking on the problems and issues of others on a regular basis.

Some of us have simply learned this behavior growing up because that is how our mothers or fathers reacted to others. However, if it causes us distress, it more than likely needs to change.

Some situations can be much more complicated than I have described above, and everyone’s lives and relationships are unique. If you are having difficulties setting boundaries in your life and would like some guidance, please contact me, and I will be happy to assist you.

If you are struggling with difficult issues, consider speaking with a licensed professional counselor. You can contact Melissa and her staff at 318.323.7575 or info@sanderlincounselingservices.com

Glenwood Medical Group

Continued From Page 16

PULMONARY Ronald Hammett, MD Dr. Hammett specializes in critical care medicine, internal medicine and pulmonology. His services include treatment of disease and infection of the respiratory tract including cystic fibrosis, pneumonia, asthma, tuberculosis, emphysema and chest infections.

CARDIOLOGY P.Thomas Causey, Jr., MD, FACC

68 FEBRUARY 2015 | WWW.B AY OU LI FE MAG . CO M

Dr. Causey is a fellow of the American Board of Cardiology and is board certified in cardiovascular disease. His services involve the evaluation and management of patients with known or suspected heart disease.

UROLOGY Edward Rutland, M.D. Dr. Edward Rutland is a board certified urology specialist & the only robotically trained urologist in Northeast Louisiana. His services

include the evaluation and treatment of bladder, kidney and prostate cancer, kidney stones, urinary incontinence, vasectomy and erectile dysfunction.

Glenwood Medical Group administrative offices are located at 503 McMillan Road, in Glenwood Regional Medical Center, West Monroe. For more information, call (318) 329-4200 or visit www.glenwoodmedicalgroup.com.

WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | FEBRUARY 2015

69

LOVE

IS IN THE AIR LOOKING FOR THE PERFECT OUTFIT FOR DATE NIGHT? SKIP THE TRADITIONAL RED DRESS AND OPT FOR CHIC OUTFITS IN BLACK AND WHITE. Photography: Martin G Meyers Hair and Makeup: Meka Bennett Model: Ellie Jackson

PEARL PUMPHREY’S This moto-inspired cropped jacket with leather detailing looks great with these stretch twill leggings featuring piping and exposed zippers. Pair it with a crisp, white top and suede booties.

BAYOU GYPSY Looking for the perfect outfit for date night? This adorable tunic is embellished with lace detailing and features a chic hemline. Pair it with a simple black legging and gray booties. Accessorize with a double-strand necklace featuring unique charms.

PELICAN DISTRICT We are in love with this edgy faux leather skirt that features a quilted pattern and simple flare silhouette.

Add a classic off-white blouse with lace detailing, black clutch and short boots for a look that will make him go ga-ga.

BEAU MONDE This Valentine’s Day, opt for this smokin’ haute jumpsuit in a bold, fun pattern like this snakeskin print.

Stylish and not too wild, choose simple accessories like these Bourbon and Bowtie bracelets and cute neutral wedges.

K-SERA BOUTIQUE A reptilian print pours over this scoop neck top from K-Sera. Add a faux leather legging and these peep toe booties with wraparound ankle strap for a look that will charm your beau this Valentine’s Day.

MAISON COUTURE CLOTHIERS Feminine and edgy, this moto jacket pays homage to a classic biker jacket with a boho flair.

Stay on trend with these leggings featuring silvery tapestry fused on custom ponte fabric.

THE FASHION OF RUSTON Fall in love this February with these sporty-inspired pants. Take the look from loungy to luxurious by adding this floral sequin pleated-back top.

Finish the look with this richly-textured cable jacquard jacket in wintery offwhite, Rebecca Minkoff purse and these Sam Edelman slip-on heels.

DUCK & DRESSING Ellie looks too haute to handle in this flattering high neck top with peplum style hem. Pair with a destroyed denim pant and metallic sleeve, drape-front blazer. Accessorize with a metal mesh clutch and these trendy black leather shoes.

SALT & PEPPER ACCESSORY BOUTIQUE Ooh-la-la, Ellie looks radiant in this little dress from Salt & Pepper Accessory Boutique. Spice up date night with this hot little metallic dress that features piping detailing and a sexy cut-out on the front. Bring subtle glamour to the outfit by accessorizing with these highheeled sandals with wide ankle straps and bold statement necklace.

Special Agents … On Your Mark, Get Set, Go! Squire Creek Presents The Peachy Keen Caper March 15

T

HE PEACHY KEEN CAPER IS BIG Brothers Big Sisters of Northeast Louisiana’s inaugural fundraising event, which is hosted by Squire Creek on Sunday, March 15 from 2-7 p.m. The event begins and ends at Squire Creek Country Club in Choudrant. The Peachy Keen Caper is a zany “Amazing Race” style event starting with the most innovative scavenger hunt you’ve ever seen! It’s not about figuring out where you’re going or retrieving an item when you get there, but instead working together to solve interactive and sometimes puzzling clues on a mad dash through Lincoln Parish! To add to the excitement, a reception with dinner and prizes will take place at Squire Creek Country Club following the hunt.

SPONSORED BY BAYOULIFE MAGAZINE

80 FEBRUARY 2015 | WWW.B AY OU LI FE MAG . CO M

Show team spirit by dressing up— Be creative! Each team of 6-8 people will be chauffeured to clue sites in a limo or vehicle stocked with snacks and libations. Team captains will receive a hint sheet, which can help increase your odds of winning, several days before the event. Get your team together, and try figuring out what the hints mean by doing a simple Internet search. You might find the piece of the puzzle that will come in handy on the day of the event. Don’t get too confident … You never really know what awaits you and your team at each clue site.

Don’t miss out on the fun! Grab up to seven people, and form a team today! You can register by calling BBBS of NELA at 318323-9034, or online at bbbsofnela.org/peachykeen.

Proceeds from this event will benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeast Louisiana (BBBS of NELA), a program of The Wellspring. BBBS of NELA is a nationally acclaimed mentoring program that provides children facing adversity with strong and enduring, professionally-supported, one-to-one relationships that have a direct and lasting impact on the lives of young people in our community. BBBS of NELA makes meaningful, monitored matches between adult volunteers (”BIGS”) and children (”LITTLES“) ages 7-18 in Ouachita, Morehouse, Franklin, Lincoln and Richland Parishes.

For more information about BBBS of NELA and its services, please visit their website at www.bbbsofnela.org or call 318-323-9034.

National Accreditation

Chest Pain Center at St. Francis Medical Center

S

T. FRANCIS MEDICAL CENTER (SFMC) recently received full three year accreditation with PCI (percutaneous coronary intervention) from the Society of Cardiovascular Patient Care (SCPC).

"We are extremely proud of achieving accreditation as a chest pain center," says Kristin Wolkart, President and CEO of SFMC. "It has been a rigorous process, and our team has been working hard to meet this elite mark of excellence. This is yet another example of how we continue to raise the bar for the health and well-being of our community."

Heart attacks are the leading cause of death in the USA, with 600,000 people dying annually of heart disease. More than

five million Americans visit hospitals yearly with chest pain. SCPC’s goal is to significantly reduce the mortality rate by teaching the public to recognize and react to the early symptoms of a possible heart attack, reduce the time that it takes to receive treatment, and increase the accuracy and effectiveness of treatment.

“Chest pain is among the top symptoms of patients who visit the Emergency Department. This designation means that any patient who comes to SFMC experiencing chest pain can be confident he or she is receiving care that meets or exceeds the highest national standards,” said Dr. Michael Langiulli, Interventional Cardiologist with St. Francis Medical Group. “Edu-

cation is critical. It is very important that people recognize early signs and symptoms of a heart attack and call 911 for help.”

The Accredited Chest Pain Center’s protocol-driven and systematic approach to patient management allows physicians to reduce time to treatment during the critical early stages of a heart attack, when treatments are most effective, and to better monitor patients when it is not clear whether or not they are having a coronary event. Such observation helps ensure that patients are neither sent home too early, nor needlessly admitted.

“People tend to wait when they think they might be having a heart attack, and that’s a mistake,” states Teresa Daniel, RNBC, CEN, SANE-A, CTTS; Chest Pain/Stroke Coordinator. “The average patient arrives in the emergency department more than two hours after the onset of symptoms, but what they don’t realize is that the sooner a heart attack is treated, the less damage to the heart and the better the outcome.”

WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | FEBRUARY 2015

81

Teeth Whitening Teeth Whitening at Bayou Dental

BY DAVID FINLEY, D.D.S

Y

BEFORE

AFTER

OUR SMILE CREATES AN IMMEDIATE, SUBCONSCIOUS, visual impact on people you meet. A brighter smile gives the impression of youth, vitality, radiant health, happiness and warmth. A bright smile is perceived as a healthy smile.

Be sure to consult with your AACD Fellow, Dr. David Finley to learn which whitening treatment is best for you. Teeth whitening remains one of the most economical ways to enhance your smile.

Smiles Are Valuable Statistics reveal that we place a high value on our smiles. According to an American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry survey: • Virtually all adults (99.7%) believe a smile is an important social asset. 96% of adults believe an attractive smile makes a person more appealing to members of the opposite sex.

• Three-quarters (74%) of adults feel an unattractive smile can hurt a person’s chance for career success.

• And when respondents were asked, “What would you like to improve most about your smile?” The most common response was: Whiter & brighter teeth. If you are not happy with your smile, teeth whitening may be a good first step.

Are you looking to impress at an important job interview? Do you want to make the best impression at an upcoming party? Do you just want to feel better about the appearance of your smile? If you’re looking for a hassle-free and safe way to whiten your smile, the whitening services at Bayou Dental may be the solution you are looking for! Our methods of professional teeth whitening are among the most successful and lauded home teeth whitening, and in-office teeth whitening services are the best. Bayou Dental provides a safe, effectual, convenient and cost-effective way to whiten your teeth and give you the flawless smile you were meant to have.

There are several benefits that come along with teeth whitening. Professional teeth whitening removes persistent stains and brightens your smile, leaving you with more self-confidence and less embarrassment about your dingy smile. You will no longer feel the need to smile with a closed mouth or shield your teeth when laughing or talking. You can show your smile off with confidence and finally feel proud of the way you look. Plus, getting your teeth whitening performed by a professional at Bayou Dental is much safer and effective than using an over-the-counter whitening product.

82 FEBRUARY 2015 | WWW.B AY OU LI FE MAG . CO M

Breast Augmentation “She was a black haired beauty with big dark eyes, and points all her own sittin’ way up high...”

– Bob Seeger, Night Moves

O

BY TIMOTHY J. MICKEL, MD, FACS, BOARD CERTIFIED PLASTIC SURGEON

VER 200,000 BREAST AUGMENTATIONS ARE performed annually by American plastic surgeons. Since I opened my practice in Monroe in 1990, I have personally done well over a thousand. It is by far the most common procedure that I perform, and it is certainly one of the most gratifying. There are very few surgical procedures that in the course of an hour can have such a profound and lasting impact on the way a woman feels about herself.

Breast augmentation is an outpatient procedure that takes about an hour. Most are done through a small incision in the fold beneath the breast or around the edge of the nipple. Either approach results in a small scar that is well hidden.

Since the FDA moratorium on silicone implants was lifted in November of 2006, roughly 95% of the breast augmentations I perform are with silicone implants. They have either a smooth or a textured surface, have either a round or a teardrop shape, and can be placed either above or below the chest wall muscle. Each of these options has its pros and cons. I use all of them when appropriate, as I try to tailor the operation to the patient’s desires and her anatomy.

At the initial consultation, considerable time is spent discussing the patient’s motivation for surgery and the result she hopes to obtain.

A series of breast and chest wall measurements are taken and the breast tissue and overlying skin are evaluated so that I have a thorough understanding of the patient’s starting point. Rib and chest wall asymmetries, differences in breast width, height, projection and shape, and differences in nipple level are all noted and discussed with the patient. The surgical significance of pre-existing breast or chest wall asymmetry is that it often leads to some degree of asymmetry (usually minor) post-operatively and the patient needs to understand this beforehand.

A large part of the initial consultation is spent discussing desired breast size. My job is to align the patient’s wishes with a result I can realistically deliver. Patients generally describe their breasts in terms of cup size. Unfortunately, while France maintains an International Bureau of Weights and Measures to ensure uniformity in meters, grams and minutes, there is no committee of jaunty and erudite Frenchmen who carry out measurement-related research to ensure uniformity of cup-size. So a “C” cup at Sears-Roebuck may be a “D” cup at Victoria’s Secret, and there is no such thing as a “D minus, minus” or a “C plus.” Moreover, breast implants don’t even come in cup sizes; they come in volume sizes and base widths.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 101 WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | FEBRUARY 2015

83

Bring on the Game of LIFE

Let the Good Times Roll…Like the Dice in a Monopoly Game

D

84 FEBRUARY 2015 | WWW.B AY OU LI FE MAG . CO M

ON’T BE SORRY YOU DIDN’T TAKE ADVANTAGE OF these cold winter nights. Your children’s memories of home and family will one day become their bridge to the past, their shelter in a storm and their wings to the future. All living creatures need rest and renewal, especially mothers. The comforting rhythm of slow winter days affords us this rest. If baby is rocking the sound wave barriers in your home with a crying spell, you may want to consider the babyshusher. The Sleep Miracle. This way, everyone can be happy.

The babyshusher, is designed to break a baby’s crying spell and engage their natural calming reflex —providing peace and tranquility for all.

No matter what the weather is like outside—crystal clear and sunny or lead gray with sleet pelting the window—inside the fire at hearthside is constant—bright, crackling and warm. Outward circumstances and the stress of hectic modern living colliding with the priorities of work and home may batter and weary us, but if there is peace and tranquility in the home, we, too, can find respite to weather the storms of life. Fond memories flow when you play the Game of Life with family and friends. The Children’s Shoppe offers a vast array of must-have gifts for babies, birthdays, special occasions or just for play.

There is an enticing selection of decorative treasures, diaper bags and custom hair bows. We place particular emphasis on toys and books that are developmental and fun….and, you guessed it, board games!

Revel in the fun of blockades and captures. Snuggle up with a great book. Create loving memories that will last a lifetime.

During this Mardi Gras season, shout out loud for someone to throw you some beads. Chewbeads! They are mommy chic and baby safe. Babies love to put everything in their mouth. Mom’s necklace is usually a favorite. Chewbeads to the rescue! Moms and babies love this collection of jewelry. It is soft, non-toxic and colorful. Chew away, baby. Life is good!

Regardless of season or reason, we hope you will stop by to shop with us in Ruston and in Monroe. We are thrilled with our new Monroe location in The Shoppes on Tower, where we are pleasantly appointed between neighbors, Blue Sky Yoga and Orange Leaf! Warm up with some hot yoga at Blue Sky or chill out with a cup of yogurt from Orange Leaf…then head our way. We’ll help you select something to make life at home much better.

PEACE. LOVE. TRANQUILITY.

“Pretty” Poison Child Alert The Dangers of Laundry Pods

L

AUNDRY PODS LOOK PRETTY BUT CAN BE DEADLY for kids. Those colorful everyday products we toss in the washing machine or dishwasher look just like candy or toys to young children. Many children are being poisoned from these products. According to the CDC, even though rates of poisoning from kids eating household products has declined, numbers for poisoning from detergent pods is going up. Pods contain ultra-concentrated detergent and can cause death if eaten by a small child.

Kids who eat the contents of pods can vomit violently and/or go into respiratory distress or cause more severe symptoms like stomach burns, seizures and coma. From 2012 to 2013, there were 17,230 reports of poisoning from pods in children under age six.

Two-thirds of the cases involved children under age two. And, 769 children were hospitalized, averaging one child each day.

In response, to the problem, some companies like Procter & Gamble have decided to redesign the packaging of its pods to help prevent poisoning. The American Association of Poison Control Center (AAPCC) stated: “New packaging alone won’t protect young children from these products. It’s also important for parents and caregivers always to keep laundry detergents locked up high and out of the reach of children, to follow the instructions on the product label and to call their local poison center immediately if they suspect a child has swallowed some of the detergent or gotten it into his or her eyes.”

Prevention is key.

Parents and caregivers should be aware that “pretty things” attract children to touch and taste them.

What can you do to prevent pod poisoning?

• put latches on cabinet doors to keep pods secure • place pods high out of children's reach • get on hands and knees at a child's level to see if pods are visible • use powder detergent until children are older

GI Associates offers a full service Pediatric Department with experienced physicians, Dr. Sara Ripple and Dr. Angela Shannon, as well as a Nurse Practitioner. We’re focused on kid’s tummy issues.

Call for an appointment today.

WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | FEBRUARY 2015

85

Vampire Facelift: The Secret is Out!

Beauty... It’s in the Blood at Professional Laser Center

S

BY JUDY WAGONER

INCE THE AGE OF THE Renaissance, physicians, scientists, poets and artists have been obsessed with beauty. Beauty was, is, and will likely always be a cultural obsession. Who wouldn’t want to look forever young, with healthy, glowing skin? That explains society's fascination today with vampires, whose trademark is "eternal youth." Recently, one company discovered a secret to creating, restoring and preserving facial beauty – one that is surprisingly related to the vampire legends of old.

It’s a beauty secret that each of us carries within our own bodies, but it took the research of a team of talented physicians and scientists to discover how to unleash it.

What’s the secret? Believe it or not, it’s found in your own blood, and they call it the

86 FEBRUARY 2015 | WWW.B AY OU LI FE MAG . CO M

"Vampire FaceLift.®" Professional Laser Center brought the Vampire FaceLift to Monroe, because it’s the bleeding edge of the science of beauty. It's a non-surgical, in-office procedure, performed

by Dr. Victor Zuckerman, Medical Director at Professional Laser Center. Blood is drawn from your arm and spun in a centrifuge. Dr. Zuckerman then extracts the result, Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP), and injects it into specific areas of your face, along with a filler, to give you a fuller, softer look. PRP and other growth factors in your blood then trigger new collagen production. The result is smoother, more youthful skin, as the process restores shape, color, texture and volume, with results lasting around 18 months. Because it's a process that uses the healing

properties of your own blood, greater results are achieved than filler alone. The procedure is less than 20% the total cost of a surgical facelift, and has virtually no down-time.

This revolutionary discovery is a not available everywhere. Dr. Zuckerman is the only physician certified to perform the trademarked Vampire FaceLift in North Louisiana.

Is the Vampire FaceLift right for you?

Call Professional Laser Center at 318.361.9066 to schedule a free consultation. For more information on all our services, stop by our clinic at 1401 N. 18th Street in Monroe, or visit our website www.professionallaser.com.

The secret is out…the beauty is in the blood! To harness the secret for yourself, call Professional Laser Center today.

Cutting Edge Technology...

Right Here at Home

Morehouse General Hospital Sets the Bar High for State-of-the-Art Technology and Care in Northeast Louisiana and Southeast Arkansas

M

OREHOUSE GENERAL HOSPITAL is the regional center for healthcare in northeast Louisiana and southeast Arkansas. Our experienced staff, convenient hours and state-of-the-art technology continue to give Morehouse General Hospital the cutting edge over other healthcare facilities when considering an endoscopic procedure. When looking at what sets us apart from the rest, we routinely use technology that other hospitals in the area aren't offering.

Morehouse General Hospital is one of the first hospitals in our area to use hi-definition equipment and carbon dioxide insufflation for endoscopy. Compared with conventional equipment, hi-def endoscopy provides doctors with sharper images and better contrast to more accurately diagnose diseases of the

upper and lower gastrointestinal tract. Studies have shown that the use of carbon dioxide in these procedures is absorbed by the body 150 times faster than regular air and decreases the discomfort that patients feel during and after the procedure.

At Morehouse General Hospital, we routinely use moderate sedation, rather than traditional sedation, for endocscopy which can result in considerable cost savings to the patient, improved recovery times, and decreased nausea. The majority of patients, who are otherwise healthy, will qualify for moderate sedation. At Morehouse General Hospital, moderate sedation is administered by a board certified gastroenterologist who is trained in moderate sedation; rather than a CRNA (Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist) or an

anesthesiologist, which are routinely used in most hospitals for this procedure.

As a result of these advances in technology being provided at Morehouse General Hospital, our patients can expect to see improved accuracy in diagnoses, experience shorter procedure times and incur significant cost savings.

Ask your doctor about your risk factors and if you need a colonoscopy. Call 318.283.2177 for more information.

Morehouse General Hospital accepts Medicaid, Medicare and most private insurance.

WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | FEBRUARY 2015

87

KREWE OF JANUS MARDI GRAS 2015 HE’S A HAIRDRESSER WITH MORE THAN 25 YEARS EXPERIENCE who works at one of the area’s best salons. She’s a registered nurse helping people recover from debilitating illnesses and injuries. But like Bruce Wayne and Diana Prince, those are just the public identities of Micah Goins and Tiese Ardito, cover stories for their real work as superheroes—or at least Monroe’s version of it.

Goins and Ardito are, at least for the next twelve months, King and Queen Janus XXXII, and they’ll take center stage Feb. 7, when the 32nd Annual Krewe of Janus Mardi Gras Parade rolls through the Twin Cities. If the superhero metaphor seems a bit misplaced, stay tuned, and it’ll make more sense.

Ardito is a life-long volunteer, and she frequently takes part in fundraisers for causes as diverse as the Desiard Street Shelter and the St. Vincent DePaul Pharmacy. “Volunteering is a huge part of my life, volunteering my time,” she says. “I like to help people, to do community service. It helps me to feel I’m helping those who are less fortunate than I am.”

Service is one of the aspects of Monroe’s own Krewe that first attracted Goins. “Every year, we pick charities and help raise money, volunteer for them, do whatever we can,” he says. In addition to the parade, the Krewe of Janus hosts regular poker night fundraisers. The proceeds of which go to help the charities supported by the Krewe. This year, Goins said they’ve not chosen a charity, though discussions are underway. Whoever they pick, Goins and Ardito will be there, probably in their full regalia, ready to lend a hand and raise King Micah Goins and Queen Tiese Ardito take center awareness of the needs of the stage at the 32nd Annual Krewe of Janus Mardi Gras community’s less fortunate.

It’ll be a busy year for the

BY MICHAEL DEVAULT king and queen, too. They’re PHOTOGRAPHS

BY BRAD ARENDER just now getting started after the Twelfth Night Ball, which was held this year at the home of Daniel and Lacie McCarthy. It’s at the Twelfth Night Ball that King and Queen Janus are first presented in full regalia, the traditional costumes familiar to all parade-goers as the feathered and sequined collars that tower behind them.

Following the Twelfth Night Party, the king and queen embark on a series of luncheons for their courts. The entire carnival season is steeped in tradition, and the Krewe of Janus has a few of their own. “It’s tradition that the women crash the king’s party,” says Ardito. “We do it every year.”

They showed up to the king’s party at Restaurant Cotton, “surprised” the men of the royal court, and helped celebrate the installation of the dukes of the court. That’s where those secret identities come in. “The duchesses went dressed in their superhero costumes,” says Ardito.

Goins explains. This year’s theme, he said, is superheroes. Throughout the parade, revelers will see their favorite superheroes, including Batman, Superman and Mr. Incredible—and that’s just on the dukes’ float. When it came time to crash the King’s party, Wonder Woman, Poison Ivy and the

SUPERHEROES AMONG US

88 FEBRUARY 2015 | WWW.B AY OU LI FE MAG . CO M

parade

Huntress showed up, taking the place of duchesses Denise Duplechin, Kelli Harvey and Lucy Holtzclaw.

There’s a good reason superheroes walk amongst the Krewe of Janus court this year. The theme of the parade—Superheroes— is meant in part to honor the Grand Marshalls. “We’re honoring the men and women who serve this country,” Goins says. The Grand Marshalls are six representatives from each of the nation’s armed forces branches. They range in age from their thirties to 92 and have served in wars and peacetime.

“They’ve given so much so that we can be safe and free, this is our way of saying ‘thank you,’ Goins said. The Krewe won’t be the only ones thanking their heroes. The best estimates put the crowd that gathers each year at more than 100,000 revelers—many of whom are out-of-towners. Monroe Mayor Jamie Mayo places the economic impact of the parade somewhere north of seven figures.

“The Mardi Gras parade is a big event, and it really makes Monroe a destination,” said Mayo. “It’s been around for years, and people know the area because of it.” Over the years, Mayo has met people from as far away as Tennessee and Missouri at the Krewe of Janus parade, underscoring the draw the parade has. And when they get here, that means big business.

“They stay in hotels, eat in restaurants,” Mayo said. “They’re shopping, tailgating before the parade, and that has an impact.”

That impact isn’t simply limited to travelers, though, because locals are more than happy to laissez les bon temps rouler! Just ask Robert Riddle, owner of Riddle Builders. Every year, he hosts a block party in his Louisville Avenue warehouse for friends, family, 90 FEBRUARY 2015 | WWW.B AY OU LI FE MAG . CO M

and the occasional straggler lucky enough to wander by. “Everybody comes, brings a dish, maybe a bottle of wine, and they just have a great time,” said Riddle. “We always have tons of kids and people from all walks. All ages, too.”

The tradition started six or seven years ago, Riddle’s lost exact count, but he and his wife, Lisa, will throw open the warehouse doors, set the ice chests out, and offer revelers their hospitality. Just up the street a ways, at Lea’s of Lecompte, Toby and Emy Traylor’s preparations for the parade began a month out.

Toby and the staff at Lea’s begin with a list of people who they think might like ring-side seats to the parade. With 20 parking spots to offer, Lea’s has to be selective. There are the employees, then Toby and Emy’s family. After that, Toby and Emy offer the spaces to their regulars. “We offer them to the people who come in and eat with us every day, the familiar faces, our friends from the restaurant,” Toby said. The day before, he and his staff police the parking lot, cordon it off to prevent parade squatters, and then it’s all ready. Toby has enjoyed six Mardi Gras parties at the Louisville location. Over the years, he’s seen people camp out all night for a prime spot on the corner of Fourth and Louisville. Keeping the campers out of the lot takes planning and effort. “It can be a challenge,” said Toby. “But it’s worth it.”

Once the regulars are in place, Lea’s offers the remaining spots to the people who wander by for gumbo or jambalya, which Lea’s staff sells from a tent on the corner. But when the parade tops the bridge, that’s it for sales. “As far as business goes, once the parade starts, it’s done,” Toby said. Though, he noted, there is one exception.

“I think everybody gravitates to Enoch’s,” he said.

Doyle and Yvette Jeter have a long history with the Mardi Gras parade. Enoch’s had a float in the first few parades, and in recent years Louisiana’s own Irish Pub and Café has become Party Central for the big show. “Mardi Gras has always been one of our biggest nights of the year,” said Doyle. “We consider it, like so many people in Louisiana, our New Year’s celebration.”

Beginning hours before the parade and streaming steadily until they ring in last call at 2 a.m., Mardi Gras revelers will make their way into the pub by the hundreds, looking for a pint, a break or a spot of good home cooking. Every year, they offer special food deals for the party. It’s a big day and a big deal for Enoch’s to celebrate Mardi Gras when the Krewe does, (usually a week or so before Fat Tuesday), because for the Jeters, Mardi Gras is a holiday. “We always shut down for Mardi Gras proper,” Doyle said. “We’ve never been open on Mardi Gras.”

Like Mayor Mayo, the Traylors and the Riddles, understands the importance and the impact of the hard work that the Krewe of Janus does for the parade. It’s one of the two biggest nights of the year for the pub, and it’s second only to their annual St. Patrick’s Day blast.

That kind of impact isn’t lost on the Jeters. “We always make a major point of thanking the Krewe of Janus for what they do every year,” Jeter said.

This year will be no different. When the floats go by, when the beads are flying, there on the sign will be a single message: Thank You, Krewe!

The Krewe of Janus Mardi Gras Parade will roll through the Twin Cities Feb. 7, beginning around dark. Remember, this year the route has changed slightly, and there will be new places to watch the parade in downtown Monroe. For more information, visit www.kreweofjanusonline.com and see page 138 for the new map.

WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | FEBRUARY 2015

91

Northeast Louisiana’s Premier Art Auction

Masur’s Off the Wall Fundraiser Slated for Friday, March 13th

D

O NOT MISS THE SIXTH Annual Off The Wall fundraiser at the Masur Museum of Art! The event will run from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. on Friday, March 13th. Off The Wall is Northeast Louisiana’s premier art auction, featuring an excellent selection of affordable art by artists in our community and all over the country. We are also offering an expanded bar and interesting food offerings, both of which will pair nicely with live music! This year’s Off The Wall will also have a small selection of auction items curated by Benjamin M. Hickey, our Curator of Collections & Exhibitions. These curated works will be by artists who have exhibited at the Masur Museum of Art in the past like George Rodrigue and Greely Myatt (special bidding SPONSORED BY BAYOULIFE MAGAZINE

92 FEBRUARY 2015 | WWW.B AY OU LI FE MAG . CO M

rules may apply). Start a bidding war with some of your closest friends and enemies.

This is a great opportunity to purchase beautiful and thought-provoking fine art to add to your collection.

Tickets to the event are only $50 and include one free ticket for the Bon Voyage Trip Raffle. Additional Bon Voyage tickets are available for $50 each. The winner of the Bon Voyage raffle gets a $3,000 voucher for a trip to the destination of their choice.

The George Rodrigue print is being sold via raffle, $10 a ticket or fifteen for $100.

Raffle tickets can be bought in advance, and you do not have to attend to win. If you are an artist who wants to get free tickets to an awesome event, consider donating

a work of art! Email Jenny Burnham, Curator of Education and Public Programs, at jenny.burnham@ci.monroe.la.us for a prospectus. We are currently accepting event sponsorships. As thanks for supporting a good cause, sponsors get special ticket packages and recognition in all of our media and publicity materials. Call Evelyn Stewart at 318.329.2237 for more information or email her at evelyn.stewart@ci.monroe.la.us. Come unwind and have a good time while ensuring we continue to enliven the hearts and minds of Northeast Louisiana.

Spring Staples for Your Wardrobe

Pelican District Has New Spring Styles Arriving Daily

P

ELICAN DISTRICT IS GEARING up for the spring season with fun fashion staples that would be a great addition to anyone’s closet. While it’s only February, we are already looking ahead at some trends and styles for the upcoming months. Here are some things that are making a splash on the runway and that can be found at Pelican District.

Cropped Jacket - A crossover from Fall, a boxy, cropped jacket is a great transitional piece into Spring that will work well on every body type. We have several in different prints and textures that pair easily with a dress, tailored trousers or your favorite pair of jeans.

Flats, Slides and Sneakers – Your feet will breathe a sigh of relief knowing that comfortable shoes are in for Spring! From a mini-

malistic strap sandal to a metallic, funky flat, any of these shoes will finish off your spring outfit perfectly!

Yellow – This is one of the colors for the spring season and it’s no wonder…it’s the color of sunshine! Plus, there’s a shade that works for everyone, no matter your skin tone or hair color. From mustard to marigold and sage to saffron, you can find the perfect yellow for you!

Fresh Florals – Spring is the time that flowers are popping up in the ground…and in our store! This is the perfect print for any age, whether you are fun and flirty or modern and sophisticated. Florals are the ultimate feminine print that we adore!

Shift Blouse – This is one of our favorites because it’s basically a dressy t-shirt, so it

combines fashion and function! With a sleeve that comes to the elbow and a loose silhouette, this blouse flatters a variety of body shapes. With a funky print or luxurious texture like lace or leather, this basic top makes for a fun date night!

While these spring styles focus on female fashion, we haven’t forgotten about our southern gentlemen! We have plenty of great basics for guys – from our favorite Pelican tees, to collared shirts and button ups!

One thing that is always in style, no matter the season, is affordability! At Pelican District, we take pride in providing our customers with clothes they love with prices they love even more!

WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | FEBRUARY 2015

93

APC

The Ebb and Flow of AP Christopher. From his southern roots to Los Angeles, Christopher is making waves in the fast-paced world of entertainment. By April S Kelley.

WITH ROOTS IN THE BAYOU, Anthony Pierre Christopher, commonly called ‘APC,’ has diligently perfected his craft and paved his way into the world of professional acting. From stages to television screens, he has seized every opportunity with open arms, getting himself one step closer to that almighty dream.

For the Seattle native, it all started in fourth grade with his first performance. “I can remember my first school play in the fourth grade. That’s probably the first time I can recall ever being on stage, being in front of an audience. It was a random class performance. From there, growing up, that’s what I was thinking about gearing my life towards,” Christopher said.

Christopher went on to attend The Northwest School in Seattle to fine-tune his performance skills. “I went to a Performing Arts school and learned acting and singing and dance, things of that nature,” Christopher said.

Christopher’s first professional performance was in The Nutcracker when he was a teenager. “My first true, professional gig was at The Seattle Opera House, where I was the prince in The Nutcracker. It was ballet, and I did that for two years,” Christopher said.

Even though Christopher’s heart was on the stage, his family wanted him to further his education. “Having a southern, conservative family, they were like, ‘That’s cute, but you need to go to school and you need to get a job.’ So, I went to college at Jackson State and stayed with my grandparents in Monroe,” Christopher said.

At Jackson State, Christopher majored in chemistry.

He had fallen in love with chemistry in high school and over time realized how similar it was to acting. “You kind of have to use the same creative mindset to solve a chemical problem or a chemical equation. You still have to create a world. It is a much different kind of world, but you still have to create that world. It takes a lot of creativity. Chem-

istry also requires analysis, and in theater, there is also some analysis. You have to breakdown the scene, the script, a character’s intentions. There are some similarities in both disciplines, even though they are perceived as being vastly different,” Christopher said.

While in college, Christopher still performed. He sang in the Jackson State Chorus, as well as performed at the local Opera house. Christopher recalled an experience that taught him about going the extra mile to do research for a role. “You always have to do research for a character or a part, but for this one role, I was playing the part of a deafmute. So, I had to learn sign language. I went to a School for the Deaf for three-four weeks. I didn’t just learn basic sing language either. I learned many gestures and phrases, and I had to learn also to convey emotion via sign language. I really had to research how a deaf-mute would communicate,” Christopher said.

One of the hardest roles Christopher ever played was for a play called Jumpin’ the Broom. In this play, he portrayed a man who was a step-father and husband. The stepdaughter’s biological father shows up after being gone for years to try and push his own beliefs upon her as she plans her wedding. “I played a gentleman that was twenty years my senior, and I had to research what an older man would be like. It was also very difficult because of the conflict of that relationship with the young woman, the character he had raised He had to fight for what he believed.

He was justified for having that opinion because he had raised this young woman and would essentially be giving her away. That was hard just from an emotional standpoint,” Christopher said.

Another element of the play that would become a defining moment for Christopher was a love triangle between his character, the wife and the biological father. He had to channel the emotions of a man who knew all along

Photographs by Popio Stumpf Photography and Bradley Wentzel Photography.

94 FEBRUARY 2015 | WWW.B AY OU LI FE MAG . CO M

that his wife’s heart always belonged to another man. “I will never forget it, I was in rehearsal, and there was a point when I just lost it. I completely brokedown. It was really interesting because my director, who was also my mentor, kept saying, ‘Alright, somebody’s working here!’ And I kept thinking, ‘I need a break, I’m having an emotional breakdown.’ And the woman playing the wife kept saying, ‘Stay with it.’ I thought they were crazy,” Christopher said.

It was in this moment that Christopher had an epiphany about what it really meant to act. “It was one of those moments where you have to realize that it’s not about the surface but about what’s going on beneath the surface, all that kind of extra that really affects a person and a performance. That was the hardest role I’ve ever played, because I had to repeat that every night for six shows a week, and it became emotionally draining,” Christopher said.

Being a triple-threat, i.e. an actor, singer and dancer, Christopher also performed in many musicals. The most physically demanding show in which Christopher ever performed was in Five Guys Named Moe. “You learn how to pace yourself. Some shows you might go all out. Some shows you might hold back a little bit. There was a lot of twirling and kicking and sliding, intertwined with singing at the top of our ranges, eight times a week. I lost twelve pounds by the end of the run, because it was a two hour show, and it’s constant, and you have to keep up your energy. Sometimes you have to try to eat. Other times, you have to try not to eat, not to stay slim or anything, but because you don’t want to catch a cramp when you are doing a pirouette,” Christopher said.

P

erforming is something Christopher has always loved. For him, it isn’t about fame or money. Instead, it is about telling a story.

“In theatre as well as television and film, all people that are involved in it in some way, form or fashion are telling a story--be it the director, be it the writer, be it the

AP CHRISTOPHER Taking a break from the serious role of acting, APC shows off his goofy side.

actor---and that’s what I love about it. I love being able to take people on a journey, and I know I’ve done my job when I can take people for an hour and a half or two hours and let them get away from whatever it is they want to get away from, or to entertain them for a short period of time. That’s why I enjoy it,” Christopher said.

It is at the end of the show when Christopher truly feels the effects of his work. “It’s something that I can recall as far back as that fourth grade class play that we did. There was just something about it, about being on stage. And then when I was thirteen and I did The Nutcracker, it was for a 3000 person audience.

There’s the applause and the hoping, and you’re moving a person and entertaining them. You’re touching them in some way.

Some people want the fame, some people want the money. I just like knowing that my performance touched someone,” Christopher said.

Show business is no picnic, but Christopher explained how he stays motivated in the fast-paced world of entertainment on the streets of Los Angeles.

“You have to be passionate about it. You have to know the reason why you’re in it.

You have to not worry so much about how much money you are going to make or how famous you are going to be.

What’s kept me going all these years is the adrenaline rush. You’re always auditioning. You’re always looking for your next job. It’s a rare thing. You just have to know that this is what you want to do. I know that this is what I’m meant to do.

I’m not Tom Cruise or Will Smith yet. I’m

not on that level, but you know it’s possible,” Christopher said.

Christopher went on to explain that it is not always simply about your skills when it comes to making it in show business. “It’s a combination of luck---being in the right place, at the right time---, perseverance, persistence and networking,” Christopher said.

Christopher has worked on dozens of projects throughout his career- theater, both musical and otherwise, television work and even some voice overs and short films. He wrote, produced and filmed one short film called “Rain”--- A Love Story, which also featured KTVE/KARD’s former evening anchor Rudy Williams prior to his stint at the station.

When it comes to theater and television, Christopher has a difficult time choosing which performance outlet he prefers. “I love theatre, because that’s where I started.

I will always love theatre, because it’s one fluid motion from beginning to end. Sometimes you put on a great performance.

Sometimes you have an off day. Sometimes you put on a bad performance. With televi-

sion and film, you can edit out a bad performance. However, you have to act out the same scene over and over. It’s repetitive. I like theatre, because that’s where I got my sense of character. The tenets are the same, the ebb and flow of energy. Television and film is more intimate whereas theatre is more communal. Television can also touch a lot more people than theater can,” Christopher said.

Most recently, Christopher has filmed a pilot episode for Hand of God, starring actor Ron Perlman and Dana Delaney, which has been picked up by Amazon Prime. In this drama series, Perlman plays a corrupt, vigilante judge who believes God is speaking directly to him. Dana Delaney plays Perlman’s wife. “It is a dark, thriller, mystery kind of thing. We’ve only shot the pilot so far, but the show has been picked up by Amazon Prime. My character is the mayor of the city. He is a recurring character. He’s basically trying to make sure the judge is going to keep it together for his own personal, political gain,” Christopher said.

Christopher also hopes to return to

Monroe to do a performance at Strauss Theatre. “I’d like to do a small theatre production out there in Monroe in the future,” Christopher said.

He has also written a script for a project he would like to film in Monroe. “I have written a script and want to bring the project to Monroe and utilize the uniquely diverse backdrop the city provides. I had an initial meeting with the NE Louisiana Film Commission, which was great in terms of the support offered as it relates to infrastructure and access to services. I’ve been diligently pitching to production companies and investors, which is difficult in this 'franchise' landscape that is L.A. Keeping a lid on the concept, but I will say it’s a family drama that focuses on the lives of three brothers,” Christopher said.

If you have any questions or would like to keep up with what's happening with Christopher, visit his facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/APChristopher.

“I respond to all questions and love to help aspiring entertainment professionals,” Christopher said.

WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | FEBRUARY 2015

97

St. Frederick Expansion Continues

PTO and Warrior Foundation Improvements Attractive to Potential Students

T

HE JANUARY GROUNDBREAKING of the new Strength Complex is a big step in the expansion to accommodate growth at St. Frederick.

“The doubling of the size of the strength complex is evidence of St. Frederick’s commitment to physical education and the individual development of students in all sports,” said Billy Bell, Strength Coach. Bell came to St. Frederick after a successful career at West Monroe High.

St. Frederick football coach and athletic director Jeff Tannehill said. "St. Frederick has long been known as a great academic school; now this expansion shows that we are all-in athletically as well."

St. Frederick student success in the classroom, in athletics and in extracurricular activi-

98 FEBRUARY 2015 | WWW.B AY OU LI FE MAG . CO M

ties has attracted new students and increased enrollment. Potential students and their parents will be impressed by the improvements in the library, as well as the biology, engineering, physics and computer labs.

Many of these improvements, including computer technology upgrades are the result of the successful PTO “Warrior’s Luau on Island” fundraiser last year. This year, the second annual luau event will be at the home of Catherine and Collins Coon on March 27.

Other campus improvements, like the design and construction of a state-of-the-art robotics practice arena on campus, are the direct result of the success of the State Runner-up SFHS Robotics Team. The Robotics Team helps generate more interest in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

St. Frederick clubs and teams such as Robotics, FCA, Speech & Debate, FBLA, Theatre, Equestrians, Volleyball, Cheer, Showstoppers and our successful athletic teams provide many opportunities for students to be involved in activities outside of the classroom.

“We’re excited about the increased support for St. Frederick that has come through the contributions to the PTO and Warrior Foundation. These efforts are making it possible for us to expand facilities, improve technology and raise the performance bar at St. Frederick,” said Guy Farber, St. Frederick Principal.

For enrollment information, contact Admissions Director Melissa Hall at 318-323-9636 and go to stfrederickhigh.org.

Dr. Marc Saad Cardiac Electrophysiologist in Northeast Louisiana Is Transforming Lives

D

photo courtesy of Jolinda Webb

R. MARC SAAD IS A BOARD-CERTIFIED CARDIAC electrophysiologist, who specializes in the electrical system of the heart, specifically heart rhythm disorders. These disorders can produce symptoms such as palpitations, light-headedness, shortness of breath, fatigue, dizziness and in extreme cases, collapse and sudden cardiac arrest.

“I truly enjoy cardiovascular electrophysiology because it is one of the fields in medicine where you can immediately improve a patient's quality of life and dramatically prolong their survival,” he said.

“I can often perform procedures where there is an instantaneous resolution to a patient's condition, thereby allowing them to stop medications they were using to control heart rhythm problems.”

One such patient is Barbara Strange, whose life once consisted of emergency room visits, a lot of time on her couch and “feeling bad most of the time.” Barbara, of Bastrop, said, “I really couldn’t do anything. Eventually, it got to the point, where I couldn’t even walk.”

After she was referred to Dr. Marc Saad, she says her life completely changed. One year ago, Dr. Saad performed an atrial fibrillation ablation on Barbara. Today, she no longer takes arrhythmia medication and describes herself as “100 percent better.”

“Now, I can do anything I want, whether it’s mowing the yard or playing with my grandchildren. Dr. Saad is wonderful, and he takes the time to make you understand everything. I would recommend this to anybody, because it changes your life.”

A cardiac ablation has the ability to transform a patient’s quality of life by eradicating areas in the heart that are producing abnormal electrical impulses and causing heart arrhythmia.

These ablations are performed at the Cardiac and Peripheral-Vascular Laboratories at P&S Surgical Hospital, where he uses state-of-the art imaging techniques, such as intracardiac echocardiography and three dimensional cardiac mapping, allowing him to capture a clear picture of the heart’s inner workings with minimal complications.

Nancy Patrick, of Lake Providence, also credits Dr. Saad with her improved health. Before her ablation last August, she suffered frequently. “I had palpitations, shortness of breath and weakness in my legs. The first time I broke out in a cold sweat, it really scared me.” She no longer suffers these symptoms, and she is grateful to Dr. Saad.

“I just love him. He cares for you and listens to you, and he spends a lot of time with you, making sure you are comfortable.”

Those interested in benefitting from Dr. Saad’s services can do so with a referral from their cardiologist or primary care doctor. For more information, please call (318) 361-9900.

P&S Surgical Hospital is a joint venture between St. Francis Medical Center and 50 physician specialists.

WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | FEBRUARY 2015

99

The Cinderella Project of Monroe

Local Non-Profit Organization Collects Prom Dresses Through the End of February

T

HE CINDERELLA PROJECT OF Monroe is in its fifth year and provides local junior and senior girls prom dresses, while building self-esteem, self-confidence and the importance of giving back to others. The Cinderella Project of Monroe is collecting prom dresses through the end of February for its dress giveaway in the spring. “We have collected thousands of dresses since we started and been able to serve hundreds of girls right here in our community,” said Ashley Yeldell, Director of The Cinderella Project of Monroe.

Dresses should be age appropriate and suitable for a high school student, clean and in good condition. Donations can be dropped off at Raising Cane’s on Louisville Ave., Raising Cane’s in West Monroe, Raising Cane’s in Rus-

100 FEBRUARY 2015 | W WW.B AYO UL IFE MAG .CO M

ton, Herringstone’s Boutique, Salt & Pepper, KSera, Rodeo Boutique of Ruston, any of the three D&D Cleaners locations and any Cross Keys Bank branch in Monroe, West Monroe, Sterlington, Rayville, St. Joseph, Tullulah and Waterproof, and the newest partner, Career Technical College.

After the dresses are collected, The Cinderella Project will host a Dress Giveaway on March 7, 2015 at the Monroe Civic Center. The giveaway is completely free and open to area junior and senior high school girls. Each girl is assigned a personal shopper, a Cinderella Project volunteer, to help pick out a dress and try dresses on.

This year, the Monroe chapter has added a new partner – Career Technical College, who has a campus on Louisville Avenue in Monroe.

“We are so excited about partnering with Career Technical College,“ says Yeldell. “CTC, along with Raising Cane’s and Cross Keys Bank, are essential to The Cinderella Project because of their convenient locations for drop off points. We would have not been able to grow like we have over the last 5 years if it weren’t for these key partnerships, in addition to our donors and volunteers,” says Ashley Yeldell.

The Cinderella Project of Monroe is already looking for volunteers for the Dress Giveaway on March 7th. If you would like to get involved or make a monetary donation, please contact Ashley Yeldell at Ashley.m.yeldell@gmail.com. For more information on The Cinderella Project of Monroe, please visit cinderellaprojectla.org or find them on Facebook – CP of Monroe.

Dr. Mickel Continued From Page 83

So, a 300cc implant may make one woman a “B” cup and another a “D” depending on her chest wall width, the pliability of her skin, the amount of breast tissue she starts out with and where she buys her bra!

So choosing the appropriate implant size is a bit more complicated than simply looking at pictures on the Internet and picking a number. It requires thoughtful discussion and assessment of many variables. I try to listen carefully and provide guidance and advice on implant size so the patient can be realistic about the surgical result. In the end, I rely mostly on the patient’s measurements and my clinical judgment. It pays off. In over twenty-five years of breast implant surgery, re-operation simply to change implant size has occurred in only 1-2% of my patients.

Overall, complications from breast augmentation are few. In my experience, the infection rate and the risk of a hematoma (blood collection) around the implant are both less than 1%. The risk of a scar tissue capsule around the implant or of implant rupture is around 5%. Most patients can return to work within a week and can return to full unrestricted activity in three weeks.

If you have been considering breast augmentation, call Mickel Plastic Surgery at 388-2050 for an initial evaluation and a thorough discussion of the procedure, the recovery and the risks. I also encourage you to visit www.mickelplasticsurgery.com and browse the before and after gallery. Then decide for yourself. Just one hour of surgery can have a positive impact for years to come.

Wickstrom Named a Top-10 Fundraiser

Dr. Brian Wickstrom, athletic director (AD) at the University of Louisiana at Monroe, was named one of the top-10 fundraising ADs in college athletics by CollegeAD—a news and resource service for college athletic programs.

“Our top priority when seeking a new AD was to find an individual who would develop an effective fund raising process for ULM athletics,” said ULM President, Dr. Nick J. Bruno. “Dr. Wickstrom has achieved that goal. I congratulate him on the recognition and thank him for his efforts to advance ULM.” Wickstrom has led ULM athletics to one of its most successful periods since arriving. Wickstrom and his staff have worked tirelessly to acquire donations for various facility upgrades and new construction projects, many of which have already been completed.

WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | FEBRUARY 2015

101

Northeast Louisiana’s Only Restaurant Delivery Service

Let Chef Taxi Deliver Your Next Meal

Y

OU HAVE HAD A LONG DAY AT work. You haven't thought about dinner once, until you walked in the door. Wouldn't it be great if someone could feed your family without you having to go back out into the cold?

You are planning the Super Bowl party of the century. What better way to wow your guests than wings delivered right to your door?

You want to do something special for a big client, but you are totally swamped.

What if there was someone that could run some muffins by their office to show them how much you care?

Now there is! Chef Taxi is a new company, the only food delivery service in northeast Louisiana to be exact, that can de-

102 FEBRUARY 2015 | W WW.B AYO UL IFE MAG .CO M

liver eats right to your door from some of Monroe and West Monroe's finest establishments.

Tommy Neck, owner of Northpro Landscape and Lawn Care, has started a new business venture. He has been in lawn care since the late nineties. Northpro has received awards such as Best Lawncare in the Delta and Best Landscaper for multiple years.

Tommy saw the need for a service in our area that could deliver high quality food (not just pizza) to busy professionals and families on-the-go.

Chef Taxi that is sure to please patrons all over the area‌ A big city service right here in Monroe and West Monroe! Why go out when you can dine in without having to leave for takeout?

Starting January 31, Chef Taxi will be delivering food from Monroe and West Monroe areas. Wingstop of Monroe and West Monroe, Fox's Pizza in Monroe and West Monroe, Monjuni's, Trio's and the Coffee Bean are the restaurants that have signed on for the service, but the list is only expected to continue to grow, as more and more are added.

Find them on Facebook and like their page for great incentives and more information. Join their text club for a free delivery to try it out and also receive coupon codes and alerts for future promotions. Perhaps the best thing about Chef Taxi is that you can order online with just a few clicks at www.cheftaxi.com. Or you can call 318-855-8619 to easily order.

We Mend Broken Hearts

Delhi Hospital Recognizing Women’s Heart Health

D

ID YOU KNOW THAT HEART Disease is a leading killer of American women? In fact, according to the American Heart Association, more women die from heart disease than from all cancers combined. Most women are unaware of this fact and even fail to recognize their risk factors for heart disease. Women are busier than ever as they balance career, family and other time consuming responsibilities. Often times, a woman’s health needs fall to the bottom of her never-ending to do list. In recognition of National Heart Month, Delhi Hospital’s Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation Program wants to remind women to take time out of their busy schedule to protect their heart.

Women tend to visit emergency rooms after heart damage has already occurred, because they downplay their symptoms and do not associate them with a heart attack. When a heart attack strikes, women don’t always have the same classic symptoms as men, such as a crushing chest pain.

This symptom can certainly occur in women, but often times, vague or “silent” symptoms are experienced and over looked. Heart attack symptoms unrelated to chest pain can include: neck, jaw, shoulder, upper back or abdominal discomfort, shortness of breath, right arm pain, nausea or vomiting, sweating, lightheadedness and unusual fatigue. These symptoms can be more subtle than the apparent crushing

chest pain associated with most heart attack cases.

Anyone undergoing surgery or other treatments for a heart condition will need further care and long-term support to ensure a safe and healthy recovery. Our heart specialists will develop a unique cardiac rehabilitation plan tailored to address individual health conditions and meet the patient’s specific needs. By following through with cardiac rehabilitation, women can reduce their risk of developing future heart problems while also promoting an overall sense of well-being. Delhi Hospital’s Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation Program is dedicated to mending broken hearts by providing women with compassionate care that will support them as they make vital lifestyle changes to promote optimal heart health… because every heart deserves a second chance.

WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | FEBRUARY 2015

103

FROM ANTIQUITY TO ARTFULLY MODERN: MIL BODRON DALLAS-BASED DESIGNER MIL BODRON MAINTAINS A FLOURISHING CAREER IN TEXAS, BUT HIS ROOTS LIE IN THE NORTHSIDE OF MONROE. BY MARY NAPOLI INTERIOR PHOTOGRAPHY BY TIMOTHY KOLK

timothykolk.com

PHOTOGRAPH BY CHARLES DAVID SMITH | www.csphoto.net

B

odron’s firm, Bodron + Fruit, has been well respected and in high demand in the Dallas-Forth Worth area and beyond for quite some time and often known for their impressive work with contemporary architecture and interior design, but it was the magnificent beauty of Bayou State, the scale and proportions of antebellum homes and the work of Monroe’s modernist architects, like Saul Mintz and Milton King, that planted a seed in the designer's mind at the earliest of ages.

"My introduction to architecture was all the old plantation homes in south Louisiana," he says. "As a child, I knew all the Louisiana antebellum homes by name and most of them by floor plan. To this day, I love old, classical houses. Just the old ones, not the new ones."

As early as the age of ten, Bodron felt a distinct connection to architecture and design. A precocious child, he would flip through magazines looking for house plans, while his family relaxed on Sundays after church.

He studied local structures diligently and was able to recognize the various styles and eras instantly. It seems as though he was a born designer.

"There was a great little modern house down the street from where I grew up that was owned by a man named Milton King. He was one of the great, early modern architects in Monroe. I think that is probably my earliest exposure to modern architecture as a kid. I always loved their house. He designed many of the great modern houses here in town that have sadly been renovated beyond recognition. He also designed the Jewish Synagogue and classical buildings like Georgia Tucker School."

Houses, such as the ones designed by King, sparked an interest in Bodron that led him to investigate other styles of architecture that his hometown had to offer. As a young boy, his afternoon hours were spent

exploring the streets in search of unique designs rather than at the ball field. He spent countless hours roaming neighborhoods on his bicycle and beginning his own education in architecture.

"Growing up, our family lived on Auburn. I would ride my bike toward the levee and take a right on Third to look at all the houses. I would zig zag all through the Garden District. Then I would look at all the old houses on Riverside Drive and ride down to Park Avenue and Pargoud.

I rode all over looking at the different houses."

Although a child with no serious knowledge of architecture, he gained a respect for structures that were in sync with the design and style of the time period in which they were built. From plantation homes built in the classical style to modern design created in the mid-century, young Bodron was fascinated with the specific details and signature aspects of the different styles. There was little doubt in his mind that a career in architecture was in his future.

After studying at USL in Lafayette, now ULL, Bodron finished his degree in Architectural Design at Louisiana Tech. He moved to the Dallas area after graduation and began to build his resume by working with large firms. His professional experience expanded his knowledge and introduced him to talents he has not previously developed.

"I always had a blatant interest in interior, as well as the exterior architecture," he explains. "So eventually, after 10 years of working with architects in design and development, I decided to go to work for an interior architecture firm, as I wanted to hone my interior abilities."

This experience allowed him to broaden his perspective of interior design and cultivate his expertise. He began to do freelance work, and the projects began to come more and more frequently. Friends called his attention to the fact that his individual talents were being requested so freWWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | FEBRUARY 2015

105

Photography by Timothy Kolk | timothykolk.com

quently, he was more of a one-man firm rather than a freelance designer.

"I thought about it a while, then decided they were right. One day, I got some business cards and stationery printed. That was literally how I started my firm. It was not some great, planned effort."

One of his first large projects as an independent was in his hometown. It would prove to be a defining point in his career.

"I got a big renovation job in Monroe for the now deceased Dr. Burkett's old house on Buie Drive. I really challenged the existing house plan and changed it completely on the inside to a fairly progressive style echoing the classical style, but really pushing it to a more dynamic, new place.

It was a really big job and a turning point for me," Bodron recalls.

Part of what made this job so significant in his career is because it was the project that introduced him to his future partner in the firm, Svend Christian Fruit.

"I had hired my old firm to do some of the production work, and one of the people working on it was someone that had come after I left – Svend Fruit. He did all the architecture work on it. That is how we initially met."

Bodron's professional reputation was growing rapidly. The projects he was offered often required work to the shell of the structure, as well as the interior spaces. He began to hire Fruit on a freelance basis to assist him in accomplishing the exterior architectural needs. Eventually, the projects became so large and frequent that the two began an official partnership and formed Bodron + Fruit.

The firm's services were often acquired to renovate or add to existing structures, but also to design and build from the ground up. Fruit takes the lead as the project architect, while Bodron's expertise focused on the internal spaces, finishes and furnishings. Nearly all of the structures that the men collaborate on are residential buildings, although they have worked on progressive corporate structures, ranches and offices mostly in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. However, Bodron has unexpectedly encountered people from his hometown who are familiar with his profes106 FEBRUARY 2015 | W WW.B AYO UL IFE MAG .CO M

sional work and seek out his services for their properties in other cities, like a condo in Houston for the Mintz family most recently.

This project is especially meaningful to Bodron, because it was the extraordinary work of Monroe's resident architect, Saul Mintz, that inspired him to learn about architecture. Even at a young age, Bodron's favorite houses were those that were designed by Mintz, including the one his parents now own and reside in, which Mintz designed for his in-laws, the Strauss family.

Although he did not design the house, he was obnoxiously influential, in his characteristically cheeky way, for its acquisition into the Bodron family.

"No, I did not design or restore it, but I absolutely encouraged my parents into buying it," he says with a laugh. "I pretend I grew up in that house. It's the house my mom always wanted. It just took forty years to get it."

The Bodron home is a captivating example of modern architecture in the International Style located on Bayou DeSiard. Bodron and his family had long admired the home, and it remains one of his favorite properties in Monroe. Although the current family home is most definitely modern, the home he lived in as a child was not so easy to label stylistically.

"I grew up in a ranch style house that had the scale of a modern house, but had columns in the front and crown moulding on the inside.

All my life, I was constantly drawing plans of how to fix it!" he says candidly.

"Monroe and Louisiana have influenced me as a young person through the Southern plantation-era houses and the great scale they possessed. I always knew that there was something unusual and special about the scale and design of those houses. Modern houses always caught my eye, as well. I do love modern architecture and modern interiors. That is what my firm has become well known for. Every once in a while, someone will call on us to do a renovation or addition to a classical home. They

are hiring us, because they know we are detailed people.“ When it comes to the different styles and periods of architecture, Bodron, like many other architects, believes that the house should stay true to the style in which it was built. Part of what makes Bodron such a respected and sought-after designer is his attention to detail and structural integrity, no matter the style of architecture. However, his designs are functional and livable.

"We never renovate something to the way it was originally, because it was of a different era. Because of the price of real estate and the value of the land, we have to bring them up to snuff to function in the way we live today."

Bodron designs for many serious art collectors in the Dallas area. He often works with art enthusiasts who spend small fortunes on priceless works of art to adorn their walls. With such incredible canvases on the walls, one might imagine that the entire room would be designed around the art, but Bodron explains that it is quite to the contrary. The art often rotates yearly, and furnishings, fabrics, and fixtures are chosen for their beauty and scale, but also for their ability not to overpower the room. Bodron creates rooms that are beautifully neutral, significant and rich in their own right, but submissive enough to not obstruct the overall focus.

"I say this somewhat flippantly, but there is truth in it. One of my best clients once said to me, 'We work so well together, because we both know exactly what we both want. We are both looking for the most beautiful nothing we can find, when it comes to fabrics and rugs.’"

His firm, most often associated with modern design, has garnered national praise for many of their renovations, most recently the impressive seven-acre, Dallas area property that was designed by famed New York architect, Phillip Johnson, who also designed Lincoln Center. Bodron + Fruit accomplished an astounding restoration of the residential structure, which more so resembles a museum than a single-family home.

Their work was so exceptional that the project, which took six years to complete, was published in the New York Times.

Bodron has many notable accomplishments in his career, and there is no argument that his talent is fascinating. However, he continues to hold fond memories of and hopes for the town that first inspired his love of architecture. "My favorite part of Monroe is the enclave with Cooley House, Masur Museum and Layton Castle. All small southern towns have that little part of town that is now ‘over there.’ But most other towns have embraced it and appreciate it in a way that I would like to see Monroe do that it hasn't yet. Real estate is too expensive to ignore, plus, that's where all the history is. I would hate to see it disappear. So much of the history of Monroe is right there in those blocks – Layton Castle, St. John Street, the Cooley House and the Masur. It really is."

Bodron continues by saying “It's very important that the town raise money to get the Cooley House restored correctly. It is one of the most important structures in Monroe and in the South and a fluke that we have it. If the money can be raised I'd like to be involved in designing the restoration if they want me or if we can. It’s very much more important to people outside of Monroe than to the people in. It can and will bring important academic and cultural exposure to Monroe and Monroe needs that badly.”

When it comes to his stellar career and the direction he hopes to continue, the same things that fascinated him as a child on his bicycle are still important to him. Although his creative process is endlessly complex and his knowledge and experience vast, his goals remain as pure and clear as the passion for architecture that he first experienced as a boy.

"I like to save buildings of great design," he says with earnest. "I want people to appreciate them, learn from them and use them."

For more information regarding The Cooley House, visit www.cooleyhouse.org WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | FEBRUARY 2015

107

Lovin’ Broadway

LA Opera Presents Entertaining Music, Great Food, Wine and Fun on Valentine’s Day

he Louisiana Opera is hosting a fabulous Valentine’s Day party—Lovin’ Broadway--for the northeast Louisiana community on Saturday, February 14, at 7 pm in Kilbourne Hall of Grace Episcopal Church, 405 Glenmar Avenue (corner of Glenmar and 4th in the Monroe Garden District). The performing singers will entertain the party with familiar Broadway solos and duets.

Surrounded by elegant Valentine’s décor, the lucky attendees will enjoy heavy hors d’oeuvres as well as wine and champagne—so no need to go out to crowded restaurants. Generous, attractive gift baskets will also be raffled off for an extra treat.

Headlining the evening’s outstanding talent will be young New York City guest baritone John Brandon, who returns after his acclaimed debut with LA Opera’s Pagliacci last May. Brandon, known to many opera lovers as the “bari-hunk” by Internet reputation, will be singing the title

T

108 FEBRUARY 2015 | W WW.B AYO UL IFE MAG .CO M

role in the LA Opera production of The Barber of Seville this coming June 5 and 7 at ULM’s Recital Hall.

Also, returning to Monroe from New Orleans will be soprano Betsy Uschkrat, the former Miss Indiana, and tenor Tyler Smith, who has sung leading roles with the New Orleans Opera.

Monroe superstar soprano Claire Vangelisti, who has performed many of the LA Opera leading roles, will sing some of her favorites—as will the talented tenor/pianist/actor Julian Jones.

Richard Seiler will be the pianist for the event.

Tickets for Lovin’ Broadway are a bargain at $20 each and are available at The Coffee Bean (2501 Broadmoor), The Muffin Tin (1904 Glenmar), and Fiesta Nutrition Center (1211 North 18th). LA Opera committee members will also be happy to provide tickets.

For information or will-call reservations, call 318-3423247.

BETSY USCHKRAT

CLAIRE VANGELISTI

TYLER SMITH

Architecturally Speaking Louisiana Tech Architecture Organization, Student Honored with National Awards

ouisiana Tech University’s chapter of the American Institute of Architecture Students (AIAS) was honored recently with two of the seven national Honor Awards presented at the 2014 AIAS Forum in Nashville, Tennessee.

Samantha Raburn, who received her master’s degree in architecture from Louisiana Tech in 2014, was awarded the Chapter President of the Year award, recognizing one of over 180 chapter presidents for his or her outstanding leadership, dedication and commitment to the consistent growth and development of the AIAS at his or her school.

Louisiana Tech’s AIAS chapter also received the Freedom by Design Award, the highest award bestowed upon an

L

AIAS chapter’s Freedom by Design Program. The Freedom by Design program seeks to radically impact the lives of individuals with accessible design. The program seeks to utilize the talents of architecture students to help people in the community through modest design and construction solutions. The award was presented to Remington Bard, current AIAS chapter president at Tech and the former FBD director.

The AIAS’s annual conference is the largest gathering of architecture students in the world. Each year the AIAS honors individuals and groups for their exemplary work in areas such as leadership, collaboration, scholarship and service.

The AIAS Honor Awards were developed to publicly recognize outstanding

achievements by students, educators and practitioners who have exhibited an exemplary commitment to the education and development of architecture students.

WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | FEBRUARY 2015

109

SWEARING IN Congressman Ralph Abraham, Dianne Abraham and Speaker John Boehner

Doctor in the House

From his farmland in Richland Parish to his newly assigned offices on Capitol Hill, Dr. Ralph Abraham embarks on his new journey in the United States House of Representatives

By MICHAEL DEVAULT

“W

here I live right now isn’t too far from where we grew up,” says Dr. Ralph Abraham. The tone of his voice seems for a moment more suited to a broad porch overlooking an expanse of open farmland. But ensconced in his newly assigned offices on Capitol Hill, Abraham is far from a porch and even farther still from farmland.

By the time the freshman congressman from Louisiana’s Fifth District sits down to talk to BayouLife, he has been in Washington only a few days. He and his wife, Dianne, have made the trip up a few days before his swearing in, arriving in the nation’s capital not on a chartered plane or even commercial airline, but by car.

“We knew there would be times when we needed a car, so we brought the Jeep up,” he tells BayouLife. The innocuous detail lends a certain Everyman quality to Abraham, a country doctor from Mangham who was elected to the United States House of Representatives during the Republican Wave last November.

Almost immediately after arriving, Abraham went to work. He and Dianne joined the staff as they cleaned the offices—literally broom in hand—and began to settle in, an indication of just the kind of “hands on” Abraham intends to bring to his new job. Don’t make the mistake of thinking as Abraham as “just another guy,” though.

There’s something of an understated overachiever to his personality, and it’s a trait that is already beginning to draw a bit of healthy attention to the beleaguered 5th District.

After swearing in, the new GOP Congress set to work. “Immediately after swearing in, we started voting on bills,” says Abraham. First up: a controversial move to reelect House Speaker John Boehner. Abraham set the tone for the reelection of the speaker by casting the first vote. He acknowledges the move may not prove popular back home.

“I’m certainly not happy with everything the speaker has done in the past,” Abraham says, though he does admit that there are numerous positive attributes of Boehner’s leadership. In the end, Abraham says it came down to confidence. And he believed Boehner would be a strong advocate for the people the Congress represents.

It’s the kind of political finesse that many around Abraham knew the congressman would bring to the table.

It’s a trick he’s learned over the years, serving at the bedside of patients back home, where he grew up. Speak to him for any length of time, and it becomes clear. Home is never far from Abraham’s mind.

WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | FEBRUARY 2015

111

Congressman Ralph Abraham, Dianne and their beautiful grandchildren

112 FEBRUARY 2015 | WW W. BAY O ULI FEM AG .C OM

Family photos courtesy of Polka Dot Photography

A native of northeastern Louisiana, he worked his way through LSU with a string of jobs as diverse as the careers he would pursue later in life. “As a college student at LSU, I worked in the cafeteria, flagged traffic on a road crew and even shoed horses,” Abraham says in his official biography. “I spent my summers at home, working on the farm.”

After graduation, Abraham attended veterinary school. He also served in the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary and in the Mississippi National Guard. “I built miles of fences, drove open-cab tractors, herded cattle and broke wild horses,” Abraham says.

He worked as a veterinarian for years, but he began to long for more. So, in 1986, Abraham went back to LSU. When he left three years later, he was still Dr. Abraham, but this time, he could treat people, too.

He says there is little difference between treating a person and an animal. Both take a certain bedside manner and level of trust. Fostering that kind of trust has served him well over the years, and he expects it will continue to serve him in the Congress.

He’s not above a bit of wide-eyed reverence, either. Near his office, a colleague pointed to a spot on a bench as the place where a young Illinois congressman would sit and study the agenda of the day. That young congressman would go on to become president, and today Abraham Lincoln is remembered as one of the nation’s greatest leaders. None of that history is lost on Abraham.

“It really puts into perspective that, my goodness, this is where the greatest of the greats lived some of their lives,” he says. “You hope you’re walking in their shadows and doing good, moral, honest jobs not only for your constituents, but for yourself.”

Abraham is already demonstrating leadership skills that could prove useful to the 5th District. He was appointed to the powerful House Committee on Agriculture, a seat held by several of his predecessors.

That committee has tapped him to chair one of its more important subcommittees, the group that oversees Farm Commodities.

He also has a seat on the Veterans Affairs committee, where he was tapped to lead the subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs. He’s also helped Republican leaders pass a few key bills. One of his favorite, so far, is a bill aimed at encouraging businesses to hire veterans. “It was a win-win bill for veterans and businesses,” Abraham said. He’s confident of Senate passage and a presidential signature. “This is just a great bill.”

A veteran in his own right, a pilot, flight instructor, and an avid aviator, Abraham expects that veterans affairs will make up a big part of what he does while in Washington.

Along the way, he wants to continue operating a limited practice, though Congressional rules will dictate how much he can bill patients for his services, and he wants to continue flying for Pilots For Patients. He calls it a “privilege” to take care of people.

“If you look at any humanitarian organization and the people in those organizations, they say it’s just something they want to do,” he says. “It’s really nothing you can put your hand on. It’s more of a feeling of a need to help.”

On why he ran for Congress in the first place, Abraham points to his own family. “The straight answer is my grandchildren,” he says. He sees troubling times ahead for an economy struggling with a $17 trillion government debt, declining wages and increasingly fewer options.

“You look around and say, ‘It can’t get any worse.’ But then it gets worse.”

Instead of sitting on the sidelines and watching, Abraham says it’s about getting hands on with the work. “I wanted to be on the inside, not the outside looking in,” he says. And what

about those grandchildren, the legacy he hopes to leave behind, and what he hopes to accomplish? He has a very clear vision.

“I want it to be based strictly on character,” he says. “I want people to say, ‘He was a good, moral man that believed in religious freedom, freedom of speech…” his voice trails off, and he’s thinking about Lincoln on the bench.

And along the way, he’ll be putting that bedside manner to good use. “My goal is, every week, to sit down with 15 of our newly-elected congressmen and congress women, and certainly those who have been here before, and simply get to know them,” he says. Through these small, informal conversations, he hopes to learn their views, to gain perspective and to eventually work together to pass good legislation. That’s going to take some time, though, if only because 435 is an awfully big number.

“It’s a big body of people, so it’ll take a while to get through,” Abraham says, undeterred. “But that’s the only way we’re going to do business, to get to know the people in the house.”

WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | FEBRUARY 2015

113

The River Gallery

The River Gallery Presents February’s Artist of the Month: Doug Breckenridge

B

RECKENRIDGE SAYS, “THERE EXIST IN EVERYONE’S

life those brief moments that lift one up out of life’s daily routines and allows one to exist for a time, on a different plane. It is these very moments that if left undocumented, would drift ever so quickly back into the continuous stream of everyday existence. For the artist, to capture such a moment and document it through an expression of art is sheer enjoyment. To portray such a moment with a degree of skill that affords others a glimpse into an otherwise private experience is priceless."

114 FEBRUARY 2015 | WW W. BAY O ULI FEM AG .C OM

...a Father and Son moment, each posed against a Bierstadt landscape of canyons and waterfalls with the ghostly mist of the river rising just beyond their reach. ...a fall morning of fly fishing the Firehole with illusions of distant geysers dancing on the horizon, obscured now and then by falling snow and subtle shifts in the wind; and then - the bombastic strike of a rainbow at the end of the line! ...the last rays of sunlight casting images of afternoon subtleties along the banks of the Ouachita, revealing forms illuminated in brilliant hues of yellows and oranges, pronounced against a grey blue sky. ...those long ago Sunday afternoon strolls along a California beach, watching people watching sea lions stretched out on the warm sands – dreaming sea lion dreams.

These are the artist’s special moments and through artistic expression, you are invited to share these experiences and step temporally out of the stream of everyday life for only a brief moment.

Doug Breckenridge originally began to paint in the mid-70s; however, marriage, children and a career required that this activity be put on hold. It wasn’t until after the many years of ball park nights – clandestinely sipping frozen margaritas from ball park cups - that he was able once again to take up this passion. His paintings spring not from the aspect of pure design, but from an aspect of displaying those moments that meant so much to him, both visually and emotionally…and if he could again envision those now distant ball parks nights, he would also paint them and dream margarita dreams.

The gallery will also be open until 9 p.m. on Thursday, February 5 for the Art Gallery Crawl. Stop by and meet Doug in person.

The River Gallery is located at 308 Trenton Street in the heart of Antique Alley in West Monroe. Gallery hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 10:00-5:00. The gallery is in a tax-free art zone, so all original art work is tax-free. Come visit “the best-kept secret” in town and add some local, original art work to your collection. Phone: 318-323-2380.

Quality Care

St. Francis Medical Center is Ranked No. 1 in Louisiana for Overall Surgical Care

S

T. FRANCIS MEDICAL CENTER IS RANKED #1 IN Louisiana for Overall Surgical Care, according to the just-released 2015 quality awards from CareChex, the medical quality rating service of Comparion - one of the nation's largest privately-held health care information services company. St. Francis Medical Center is also ranked as one of the Top 100 hospitals nationwide for medical excellence in Overall Surgical Care.

"This latest announcement is another testament to the quality of care our physicians and staff provide to our patients each day," said President and CEO Kristin Wolkart. "Our team works hard to ensure excellence in every aspect of patient care, but it's nice to be recognized by unbiased third parties like CareChex on a national scale, as well. It is further proof the work we do each day is sacred and meaningful and deeply impacts the patients and families we serve. We are honored to have achieved an exceptionally high level of performance in overall surgical care.”

From their modest beginnings in July 1913 as a three-story red brick building with 75 patient beds, St. Francis Medical Center has grown to become Northeast Louisiana’s largest healthcare provider and one of the largest employers in Ouachita Parish. Today, St. Francis is licensed for 550 beds, employs nearly 2,000 team members and partners with over 300 medical staff members. The mission of extending the healing ministry of Jesus Christ to those most in need reaches out to 17 parishes in Louisiana and three counties in Arkansas, an area with a population exceeding 515,000 people.

St. Francis Medical Center is proud to have been providing healthcare services in our community for over 100 years. Learn more about St. Francis Medical Center by visiting www.stfran.com.

CareChex® is a division of Comparion® Medical Analytics – one of the nation’s largest privately-held healthcare information services companies. CareChex provides clinical, financial and patient satisfaction findings to consumers, providers and purchasers of U.S. medical care. Unlike other publicly available quality ratings, CareChex provides a composite evaluation of all components of medical quality including process of care, outcomes of care and patient experiences. For access to provider quality ratings, visit www.CareChex.com.

WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | FEBRUARY 2015

115

I LOVE LUCY Sweetness Reigns at Sweet Lucy’s. Article by Michael DeVault Photography by Martin G Meyers

O

n any given morning, a tiny little storefront on Oliver Road hosts a hive of activity. Beginning early, usually around 6 a.m., customers begin pouring in and streaming out, carrying with them tiny bags, little foam boxes and steaming cups of Community Coffee. They enter, visit with friends, place an order or two and by the time they leave, they’re a little bit happier because of their visit to one of Monroe’s best kept secrets. Customers of Sweet Lucy’s Bakery know exactly what to expect, because that’s what they get every morning from Lucy Rogers and her agile staff. “Every day, my customers come in over and over and get pretty much the same thing,” says Lucy, of the regulars who frequent her shop. “Every day, I see the same customer get the same thing.”

Served with love and a pinch of humor, Lucy’s edibles are a delectable serving of delicious gooeyness that are a throwback to days gone by, when the corner baker was always on hand with a sweet or a roll when you needed it. And, from cupcakes to kolaches, Sweet Lucy’s has them in excess.

116 FEBRUARY 2015 | WW W. BAY O ULI FEM AG .C OM

K

olaches are hands down the best seller at Sweet Lucy’s, and with good reason. Lucy’s kolaches are hand-rolled in a hearty, made-from-scratch dough with about an ounce of American cheese. Then, the kolaches are baked until golden brown and left to cool. The process allows the bread to soak up some of the flavors of the melted cheese and the two-ounce wiener inside. After they’ve cooled just a bit, but while they’re still warm, you’ll be hard pressed to eat just one or two. But that’s okay, because Sweet Lucy’s always has plenty of the treats ready to serve, and they’re happy to sell them to you by the half-dozen. Lucy knows what makes people buy so many of them. “They like them because of the bread. I make my own bread.”

In fact, Sweet Lucy’s makes everything—from breads and muffins to cake batter and icing. Nothing comes out of a box or a can.

She learned to bake while learning to cook, beginning when she was just a little girl in her mother’s kitchen. “I’ve been baking since I was seven years old,” Lucy says. “Pretty much all my life I’ve been cooking and baking.”

She went to work at a young age for East Carroll Parish Schools, where she worked as a cafeteria cook. She moved to Ouachita Parish a few years in, and for the remainder of her 32 years in education, Lucy bounced as a field manager from kitchen to kitchen throughout the Ouachita Parish Schools. It was while she was at the parish schools that she learned to make another of her customers’ favorite treats.

Sweet Lucy’s cinnamon rolls are a throwback to childhood. A six-ounce slice of dough—made from scratch—is tossed in cinnamon and other spices. Then, the slice is rolled into a loose, thick spiral. Lucy bakes the rolls, then she ices them in the cinnamon sugary icing while they’re still hot, which gives the dough a chance to absorb some of the sweetness from the icing as it drips down into the spirals. Some people cut their cinnamon roll into slices and eat it with a fork while others hold theirs delicately between two or three fingers and nibble at it like a slice of pizza. The best way to enjoy a Sweet Lucy’s cinnamon roll? Old-school style. Unroll it until it’s a long, flat strip of dough and attack it with a fork, a spoon or your bare hands.

“It reminds them of being in school, when those cinnamon rolls would be served in the cafeteria,” she says. “People just love cinnamon. I don’t know why they love cinnamon so much!”

Cinnamon rolls weren’t the only treats Lucy learned to cook as she bounced from school to school as field manager. She learned how to efficiently supervise small staffs and to oversee operations of an industrial kitchen. Eventually, she ended up at Riser, where she was assistant kitchen manager before retiring in 1999. But, she couldn’t sit still for very long.

So she started working at Bayou Bakery, on Forsythe, eventually rising to manager before buying the business. She remained there for a couple of years before retiring a second time. But Lucy isn’t one to sit around.

On this particular morning in the bakery, as customers stream in and out, Lucy’s been going since about 1 a.m. One of Lucy’s employees, Orrell White, says Lucy never stops. “She’s driven,” says Orrell, with a laugh. “If that’s what you call it.”

Lucy’s granddaughter agrees. Lucy’s already showing the girl the ropes, instructing her how to properly kneed dough and how to run the register. Though they’re a small operation, Lucy still oversees her tight-knit staff with the same diligence of a large school kitchen.

Her son, Lee, frequently spends his days off working the bakery.

Brenda Thomas is also almost always there, handling decorating the cupcakes, wedding cakes, birthday cakes and specialty cookies. And what about her partner, the man responsible for getting her out of retirement, Alex George? “He’s always around somewhere,” Lucy says.

“Whatever we need, he’s always there.”

On one visit, he’s behind the counter, working the register. On another, he’s assisting a technician with the installation of a cooler. A third visit finds him meticulously arranging a tray of still-warm baklava, his contribution to the culinary efforts at Sweet Lucy’s.

Made in the traditional Greek style, the baklava is layer upon layer of the thinnest, flakiest phyllo dough. Nutty, honey-drenched, and chewy, the baklava is the just kind of rich, off-the-wall offering that sets Sweet Lucy’s apart. Lately, another baked delight from a culture closer to home has taken over the bakery, though.

Lucy is a master creator of King Cakes. “Oh, they’re popular right now,” says Lucy. “People are coming in for them constantly.” Lucy offers a cream-cheese filled King Cake, an unfilled King Cake that’s more traditional, and she offers other fillings for those who ask. This year’s Mardi Gras season is shortened, thanks to the early Easter date in 2015, but that hasn’t stopped Sweet Lucy’s from capitalizing on the King Cake craze. Instead of stopping as soon as local Mardi Gras rolls through, Lucy figured she could take it through til the end of February by rolling the cakes into the shape of hearts and topping them with a sweet, pink and white icing—the perfect sweet treat for that special sweetheart.

The atmosphere at Sweet Lucy’s is, as you’d expect, quaint and, well, sweet. The walls are painted in corresponding shades of pale yellows, blushes and pinks. Several small bistro tables offer seating for about a dozen visitors, and there’s a piping hot pot of coffee near the door. Music is almost always playing from the small radio in the corner, and depending on who turned it on, you can expect to hear anything from talk radio to classic rock. As you enter, you’re presented with the showcase, where Lucy and crew display their wares.

Whether you’re popping in and out for a quick breakfast on the run or planning to settle in with the morning paper and a few kolaches, you’ll feel at home and welcome at Sweet Lucy’s.

It’s not all gooey sweets and morning treats, either, which isn’t surprising given that Lucy isn’t particularly a big fan of sugary foods.

“I was never a person for sweets,” she says. “But I did cater and do lunches. My favorite was always spaghetti and meatballs.”

And though she doesn’t offer her favorite dish in her bakery, Lucy nevertheless provides daily lunches in the form of sandwiches.

She offers a BLT Turkey Club, a Ham & Cheese, and for an extra special kick of flavor, try the Chicken Salad Sandwich.

Other favorites from the Sweet Lucy’s menu include a variety of fresh muffins in traditional and unique selections, brownies, turnovers and coffee cakes. Borrowing from her cinnamon roll expertise, she also bakes homemade monkey bread. Pumpkin bread is a popular seasonal favorite, with its moist, chunky texture and stickto-your-ribs comfort. And it’s not just prepared, take-out and carry baking, either.

Sweet Lucy’s is a popular stop for birthday cakes, large quantities of cupcakes and even wedding cakes. In each case, and with each order, Lucy and her staff bring the same customer service, special flair, and savory, sweet punch. And nothing is ever made from a box or a can. If you ask for lemon cream cheese icing, it’ll be Lucy Rogers’ own recipe.

She says there are very few things she won’t make for a customer who asks. “If you want it, I’ll make it and bake it,” Lucy says.

WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | FEBRUARY 2015

119

LOVE STORIES

TEN MILES NORTH OF INTERSTATE 20, IN THE QUAINT LITTLE town of Oak Ridge, right past the Methodist and Baptist Churches and shortly before the Post Office, sits the home of Gerald and Irene McLendon. In this town of only one square mile and 150 residents is a love story, and not just any love story. In October of 2014, the McLendons celebrated their seventieth wedding anniversary. Theirs is a relationship that has spanned the Depression and World War II, and they endured it all together, and still do so, every day. Mr. Gerald is 92, and Mrs. Irene is 90, and as their physician noted, “Seventy years? People just don’t do that anymore.”

Mr. Gerald was born in Atlanta, Arkansas, in Columbia County, south of Magnolia, to Elmer and Alverne McLendon. His parents were farmers, and his dad told him, “You can make more cotton on one acre of land [in Louisiana] than five in Arkansas.” And so they moved to Oak Ridge when Gerald was in the fifth grade. Irene, born in Oak Ridge, was the daughter of Abner and Carrie Wimberly.

Her father Abner was born during the Lincoln administration, a year before Lincoln’s assassination in 1865; two generations of Irene’s family spans from Lincoln to Obama, an impressive history and a sobering reminder of how young America still is.

It was in elementary school when Gerald first met Irene. Though neither can remember a specific moment, Gerald and Irene were simply thrown together in school. Mrs. Irene McLendons view their love story as claims, “I guess I went after him. He had his ordinary, but the decades show it’s timeless eye on another girl.” Mr. Gerald has no recollection of another girl, but seems to trust his wife on such matters.

Article by MEREDITH MCKINNIE During the time of The Great Depression, couples were limited on what they could do outside of Oak Ridge. Some ladies in town would decorate an old store and have a dance for the young people. Gerald said Irene was a good dancer, and she didn’t deny it.

Gerald left for Louisiana Tech in 1940, and Irene followed the next year. With Gerald in Lambda Chi Alpha and Irene in Kappa Delta, the couple would attend more dances and parties hosted by their organizations. They frequented Greasy Bill’s off campus for pork sandwiches, when they “could afford it,” and Hood’s Drive Inn restaurant for more barbecue and the specialty, frozen cokes in a bottle with a stick.

Life at Tech was quiet. On the weekends the boys would “hitchhike home, not as much crime. People knew they were Tech boys,” Irene remembers. But as World War II progressed, “It was eerie. People were very concerned, afraid all the boys from Tech would be called.” And most professors were. A month after he graduated with a Civil Engineering degree, Gerald was drafted. Irene was devastated. One semester later, Irene graduated in Business Administration and returned to Oak Ridge, alone, to teach high school. Irene would pray for Gerald, and all the boys, and specifically, for the war to end. She listened to the news on the radio every night and welcomed the voice of radio announcer, Gabriel Heatter, since he was the only voice of information on the war. “Good evening everyone – there is good news tonight…and he’d tell us what the American boys had done.” Just repeating the words made Irene smile.

A PLATINUM ENGAGEMENT The

WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | FEBRUARY 2015

121

LOVE STORIES

The couple wrote letters almost daily. Gerald remembers, “Being away from home, I was always glad to get the mail call and see what I got.” Only words, no pictures, as one couldn’t buy film during the war. Through the letters, the couple made plans for his furlough, and only three months later, on his first visit home, they were married.

Being away, there was no bended-knee, traditional proposal. Instead, Gerald wrote a letter to Irene’s mother, since her dad died when she was only twelve, and asked her permission. During wartime, clothes were hard to find, so a buyer at The Palace in downtown Monroe on DeSiard St. went to New York for market and brought back a dress for Irene. She had to borrow shoes from a friend.

Shoes were rationed, as was gas, tires, sugar, shortening, coffee, etc. Families used coupons so as not to overbuy their share. Irene had no coupons for shoes, but the borrowed ones worked just fine. With sugar being rationed, there wasn’t much choice as to what one got at the bakery, but Irene managed to have a threetier cake, as only cake and punch were served in those days.

Two days prior to the wedding, Irene waited at the depot with Gerald’s father to welcome her soon-to-be-husband home for his tenday furlough. He arrived on the Doodle Bug, the little train that ran from Collinston to Vidalia every morning, and back again in the afternoon. He hopped many trains from Virginia to Louisiana, but the little Doodle Bug was the last leg of his trip home to marry his sweetheart.

The couple traveled to Bastrop for their marriage license, only to return home empty-handed, Irene not being old enough to marry without her parent’s permission. So they returned to Bastrop with a hand-written note from her mother, and they made both trips on rationed gasoline.

October 27, 1945 was a pretty day for a wedding. Irene said, “It was something I looked forward to, and the only thing I’d ever

thought about – getting married.” Everyone in town was invited, about 200 people then. The candlelit ceremony took place at 7:30 that evening at Oak Ridge United Methodist Church, visible from where the couple lives now. Gerald remembers his bride walking down the aisle: “I was excited and afraid, nervous about the steps I was taking.”

They traveled to Shreveport for their honeymoon, attended the State Fair, but only had three days, as Irene had to return to teach school and Gerald had to return to war.

Gerald served three years in the Navy as an Aerographer, which is a weather observer and reporter. He was assigned at Naval Air Stations on the East Coast in Virginia, New Jersey; and finally Edenton, North Carolina, which were training stations for pilots set to invade Japan. Gerald commented, “Thank goodness the war was over, before we had to invade – one of the benefits of the atomic bomb.” Gerald, who was considered for advancement to officer, excelled on his exams, but a weak eye kept him from climbing the ladder, instead having his choice of school. He left the Navy as an Aerographer’s Mate 3rd class.

The early years of marriage back home after the war presented financial struggles. But as those struggles tear so many couples apart, Gerald insists it brought them closer together, though they “ate a lot of hot dogs.” Further cementing their bond, the couple didn’t have a car in the early years, but were finally able to buy a used 1935 Plymouth, which they dubbed the “Flaming Mamie,” due to the car’s red upholstery.

The couple had three children: Jerelyn in 1950, Wallace in 1953, and Ginger in 1955. And while Gerald had a demanding job with a lot of responsibility, Irene praised him as a “present father,” always helping with the children, attending school activities, baseball games and track. Irene substituted as a teacher some after the children were born, but her primary job was homemaker, to which Gerald referred to her as “perfect.” Irene stated, “When I had one child, I had two hands.

When I had two children, I had two hands. But when I had three children, I still only had two hands.” Their youngest daughter Ginger once told her mother, “Mother, you’ve got three children, and not one ever gave you five minutes of trouble.” Irene agrees with that statement and credits Gerald for his good values, and those good values being instilled in their children.

“You find love when you see value in another person.”

122 FEBRUARY 2015 | W WW.B AYO UL IFE MAG .CO M

Gerald retired as Executive Vice President of Louisiana Power & Light, now Entergy, in 1987. He became mayor of Oak Ridge soon after, thanks to some “arm-twisting” from his peers in town. He never actually ran for office. His civic work brought him to the Morehouse Chamber of Commerce and the Morehouse Economic Development Corporation. Gerald said, “I tried to be active while I was still able.” Irene was a member of the Pierian Club, a civic organization in town, of which she was president for two terms; a member of Daughters of the American Revolution (while there is no longer a local chapter, she still pays her national dues); and a member of the Colonial Dames, a historical organization promoting patriotic ventures in town. Both are still active in Oak Ridge United Methodist Church, where they were married over seventy years ago.

Irene says, “You find love when you see value in another person.” She found values, family and love with Gerald. She called him “caring, considerate and unselfish. “Four years ago, Irene broke her hip and was in rehab for six weeks. Gerald visited her every day, along with their daughter Jerelyn, who now lives with the couple.

“Jerelyn has been a lifesaver for us. She takes care of us,” Irene insisted. Jerelyn said of her parents: “They’ve been role models my entire life, probably the kindest, most loving and generous people I’ve ever met, which has definitely shaped how I look at the world.”

After twenty years battling a heart condition, with her parents there every step of the way, Jerelyn is grateful and appreciative of their time, their commitment to her wellbeing and for devoting so much in her time of need. “I’m here taking care of them, because they took care of me,” Jerelyn stated. “I’m proud of who they are. They wouldn’t have had to accomplish any one thing to be proud of who they

are, just their exemplary life. They walk in faith; you can see it, the way they treat people and speak to people. If I had had a choice to pick any parents, I wouldn’t have chosen otherwise.”

Gerald said of his wife, “She is considerate, and that one word says a lot.” The couple credits unselfish behavior; mutual respect; and the same ideas, values and interests for their longstanding union. They feel families today don’t lack time, but rather “quality” time without so many outside influences. Gerald is concerned about the “morals of the young people and what it’s going to mean for this country.” Today, seventy years after they took vows down the street, one can find the couple together, at home, watching the news or Irene’s favorite, The Price is Right. “I get so happy when those people win a car,” she again said with a smile.

Kate McLendon said of her father-in-law, “He’s a gentleman’s gentleman.” Irene seconded her sentiment, saying, “Gerald has made a wonderful husband, not one thing I could criticize him for.

No one could surpass him, might equal him, but not surpass him.

He excels in every way possible a husband could. His virtues, his mannerisms. He gave me everything possible, and as time went on, he gave me more.” With tears in his eyes at his wife’s words, Gerald softly uttered through sobs, “You’re spreading it on too thick, Irene.”

And after two grandchildren and six great grandchildren and decades together, “more than a lot of people live,” Irene summed up their feelings toward one another with the simple statement, “Though we’ve had seventy years together, it’s not long enough.

We’d like seventy more.”

WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | FEBRUARY 2015

123

LOVE STORIES

Being married for fifty years is a huge accomplishment for any couple. We’ve asked some of our favorite people to share advice to young couples on how to have a relationship that stands the test of time. Photography and articles by Martin G Meyers

ORA & JOSEPH EVANS MARRIED FOR 56 YEARS

How did you meet?

Ora - “We met in school. He was from Oak Ridge, and I was from Beekman. We were in the country and met when we got to Morehouse High School. We were in the 8th grade."

Joseph- "We started dating close to our senior year of high school."

ANNA & JOHN ARTHUR MARRIED FOR 67 YEARS

How did you meet?

Anna-" We met in the Monteleon Hotel in New Orleans. He was a bell hop, and I was an elevator operator. We dated for a little over a year. We weren't supposed to be seeing each other, since we were employees. We would sneak out on our coffee break."

Tell us about your wedding Anna- "We got married in Independence, Louisiana. We had a nice reception. It was an Italian wedding. A lot of peanuts, we were on the porch eating roasted peanuts. Everyone went for that."

Secret to longevity?

Anna-"Neither of us was jealous of one another. If we went to a dance together, the first dance he would dance with me, then he would go dance with other women, since the other husbands wouldn't dance. I didn't care.

He would have the last dance with me."

What advice would you give to newlyweds?

Anna - “Be nice to your husband. Do everything together. We were involved with a lot of church organizations together. I let him do what he wanted, he let me do what I wanted, and that was it.”

124 FEBRUARY 2015 | W WW.B AYO UL IFE MAG .CO M

What has been your favorite Valentine's Day gift?

Ora-"We used to do Valentine's Days with candy. I would send big chocolates to his office. They were large chocolates with cherries on them. Now, we have had so many of those days that we just think about it and move along. He surprises me with big things now throughout the year."

Secret to longevity?

Joseph-"You have to take a lot and give a lot. Also be sure to keep Christ in your life."

Ora-"That is it. It will be sweet and sour. You just have to be able to take a lot and give a lot. I really think the foundation is the homes where we came from. We both came from good Christian homes.

That what really what kept us going.

LINDA & JOE FORD MARRIED FOR 54 YEARS

How did you meet?

Linda-" We met in high school. It was West Monroe High School. I actually loved him from afar, before we had met. I don't think he knew I existed. The first time he called me was on my birthday, June 9th 1959. He called me at 6 o’clock to ask me to go on a date with him at 7! Of course I said, ‘Yes,’ and the rest is history."

Secret to longevity?

Linda- ''Patience. It has definitely helped our marriage. My husband has had a lot of patience with me and my career, when we were younger. He had to be mister mom, while I was at work. He was always wonderful to do it. I just know that he would have to take the help home some nights, and it would still be several hours before I came home. He never would complain. "

What advice would you give to newlyweds?

Linda- "Just always try to maintain the things that your mate really thought were wonderful about you. Whether it was being kind or understanding. Don't hold a grudge.

Just respect each other."

L VE STORIES VIVIAN & MILES LUKE

LINDA & TERRY REEVES

How did you meet?

Vivian- "We met at the Minnesota School of Business in Minneapolis. I wanted to be a math teacher, but when I got to teacher's college that calculus just threw me. So I went to business college. We sat on the same row in a business law class. I had to step over his legs to get to my seat" Miles- ''She was a raving redhead, and I wanted to meet her. I was shy, but I was able to get her attention, when she had to step over my legs to get to her seat."

How did you meet?

Linda - "We went to Neville High School together. We were high school sweethearts and have been together ever since."

MARRIED FOR 56 YEARS

MARRIED FOR 73 YEARS ON VALENTINE’S DAY

Most memorable moment of your wedding?

Vivian- "After the wedding, we were going to take the midnight train from Sparta to Chicago. When we got on the train, Miles stood out on the steps of the train and threw dimes to all of our friends who came to see us off. While Rockefeller was throwing dollar bills to everyone, Miles was throwing dimes."

What advice would you give to newlyweds?

Vivian- "Look on the good side of things."

Miles-"Keep busy and keep active."

Secret to longevity?

Vivian- "We’ve never gone to bed angry.

If we have an argument, it is always settled, and we are always smiling before bed."

What advice would you give to newlyweds?

Linda - "My granddaughter is getting married this year, and I would tell her and any other couples to learn each other's faults and look for the good and not the bad. You just have to realize that if you married them, you loved them. So don't give up on that."

Terry- "You just have to show them that you love them."

LINDA & BILL NELSON MARRIED FOR 55 YEARS

How did you meet?

Bill - “Well, I literally picked her up off a street corner. It was actually a blind date.

A friend of mine had prearranged it. Linda was a bridal consultant in a department store in Houston. I drove from where I lived to go pick her up. When I got there, the employee exit was on a street corner. There were three pretty girls there. I didn't know which one she was, I am just glad I picked the right one.”

What was your favorite Valentine's Day gift?

Bill - "We didn't need Valentine's Day to tell us when to do something. For us, it has been a continuing Valentine's Day all year long. Always try to surprise your wife as much as you can. We have always been spur-of-the-moment kind of people, so if I wanted to get her something I would.”

Secret to longevity?

Linda -"Accept that everyone has faults, you are two imperfect people who will falter at some point and make mistakes. It’s important to remember that those times are normal, but it will always be the good times - the times when you laugh and love that will pull you through."

What was your favorite Valentine’s Day gift?

Terry - “Instead of a Valentine's gift, I will give her a gift certificate for a massage.

She likes that.”

What advice would you give to newlyweds?

Linda: "Number one, pray together.

Number two, pray together. Make sure you do everything together, but especially pray together. Also, you need to listen and communicate with each other.”

WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | FEBRUARY 2015

125

L VE STORIES LINDA & DR. DAN RENEAU MARRIED FOR 54 YEARS

How did you meet?

Linda - "We met on Tech's campus. We were both undergraduate students. We met, dated and courted on the Tech campus, around the Lady of the Mist and then the old Prescott Memorial Library."

Dr. Reneau - "Oh yeah, we pretended to study there. We actually married as undergraduate students."

Secret to longevity?

Linda - "Love and respect.”

Dr. Reneau - "Yes, indeed. Mutual respect and no secrets. We have absolutely been a partnership as well. In particularly, as Presi-

BayouKidz CONTINUED FROM PAGE 52

Rather than rely on my trusty Google button, I decided, before bringing this brainchild to our readers, to try this out on my own two literary guinea pigs, ages 16 and 9 (it's always good to conduct these experiments around the dinner table, with good food serving as the distraction for this rather unsuspecting conversation.) Frankly, I wasn't surprised in the least by their "nominations" for the person or persons who has influenced them the most, but what I was surprised by, was their willingness to participate in "Project Emily Post a la Cindy Foust Style" (well, not my little girl, for you see, she would eat dog food smashed between french bread if I told her it was good.)

They did however, have questions for me…which also took me by surprise. Who would mom write to? There are many people who will be getting a note from me over the next few months, some I wish were still here for me to write to (Haynes Louis Harkey, Jr…now there's a column for the next time I get writer's block), but I certainly have plenty of influential people in my life who are still here. One such person, is my nearly 90-year-old grandmother.

My children, I think, looked a little puzzled at my first nomination (like this is the Emily Post Oscars) and were a little curious about what I would say to her…my grandmother who has lived a very quiet and unpretentious life on her "hill" for nearly 60 years. I think, kids, I would start by thanking her for creating a home that I never wanted to leave, and when I was a child, that I had to be bribed and threatened to make go home. This extended stay at her house always included homemade 126 FEBRUARY 2015 | W WW.B AYO UL IFE MAG .CO M

dent and First Lady of Louisiana Tech, that is a demanding job, 24/7 on her as well as me, but we did it together as a partnership.”

Favorite quote?

Dr. Reneau - ”Some men see things that are and wonder why, but I dream of things that never were, and ask why not?” ~ George Bernard Shaw Linda - “Dear God, help me to remember that there is not anything that I can face today without you and me together.”

Most memorable moment of your wedding?

Linda - “My father was deceased, so my brother walked me down the aisle. All of our friends were there. We got married at the First Baptist Church in Bernice.”

french fries and my heating blanket turned on prior to my getting into bed. I would thank her for being one of the most steadfast and honorable people that I have ever known, who is loyal to her family to a fault. I would thank her for living her life in the simplest of ways, but in that simple life (because readers, she has it right), she has peace and joy in her non-stressed heart everyday. I would thank her for proving that you can make a dollar stretch until George's face falls off; for proving that you shouldn't plant your tomatoes and cucumbers too close together; and that if you drink a little vinegar everyday, you will keep most illnesses at bay (Dr. Seuss, Emily Post style). Finally, I would thank her for teaching me that some study in the "good book" keeps you grounded and loving your family and friends, even when they stumble, should be one of your greatest commissions.

Okay, so my kids may have looked like they had just watched a sappy Hallmark channel movie, but the important thing is, they listened.

I know as parents, we can't always expect our children to "get" everything we expect them to or even want them to, but every now and again, if we say it loud enough or long enough, we can penetrate that adolescent layer. Maybe note writing at your house isn't a priority; before I got writer's block and went through the steps to work through it, it certainly wasn't at mine. But I have come to realize, in my 48 years on this earth, that sincere gratitude can take you a long way and letting people know how much you appreciate them will take you even further.

Most of the time, it's the simple things in life that give us the most pleasure, and I truly believe, a simple act of "note" writing will make the day of someone that is least expecting, but very deserving of a letter of gratitude and appreciation. And don't be surprised when one of those letters comes right back to you, from the appreciative heart of one of your children. You can thank me readers, by nominating me for the Emily Post scholarship award…I simply must learn to eat with the right fork.

WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | FEBRUARY 2015

127

INTERIOR DESIGN BY TISH MILLER

GENERAL CONTRACTOR: JASON OHLER

PHOTOGRAPHY BY MARTIN G MEYERS

NATURALLY REFINED RENOVATION CURATED WITH A MIX OF ART AND ARTISAN-CRAFTED FURNITURE, TISH MILLER HAS CREATED A HOME THAT EMBUES A MODERN YET EARTHY NICHE FOR CHRISSY AND DARRELL EVANS. BY MARE BRENNAN

THE HOMEOWNER’S EDICT TO DESIGNER

Tish Miller, “If someone else has it, I don’t want it.” Pushing the envelope and creating new ideas in home design were what was in store with this dream client for Miller who has carved a modern yet earthy niche that is easier felt than described. Evolving with each client, Tish manages to delight and surprise with a curated mix of art and artisan-crafted furnishings, lighting and textiles. For the Evans’ project, mutual admiration between designer and homeowners only grew stronger during the year-and-a-half-long project.

Says Darrell, “Since we made changes to the house, we never want to leave. This house is one big piece of art thanks to Tish. She comes up with the most amazing details.” In characteristic Tish fashion, she defers credit to the homeowner’s vision and the team of craftsmen and artisans who made the vision a reality. When executing the remodel homeowner Chrissy and designer Tish had envisioned, contractor Jason Ohler and his team had their work cut out for them. Venetian plaster? No problem. Feature walls sheathed in mega-tons of marble slabs? Yes. An open-hearth, 3-sided contemporary fireplace where a closet had been? Bring it on. A sculptural wall of stained white oak mosaic planks contrasted with sheets of striated basalt. Check and Check.

Tish warmed up the home with a dramatic interplay of colors and textures using the reclaimed woods, hammered metals and lush fabrics found throughout the home. At once organic and refined, a prerequisite for making the cut for the Evans’ home was first and foremost the materials must be dog and family friendly. The family’s fourth member, chocolate labrador Bella, loves it, too, as she can run and slide across the gorgeous, wide plank floors of reclaimed wood and curl up beside her owners on any sofa or chair with impunity.

The wood floors from the Pompeii Collection and all tile selections throughout the home were sourced and installed by Michael Durham and his team at Custom Carpet and Flooring. Marble and granite selections were sourced and fabricated through Twin City Granite.

First impressions are everything. It is said you only have a few seconds before you form an opinion of what lies ahead, whether it’s a person or a home. The original incarnation of the Evans’ home was

a stately Acadian that was lovingly designed by the homeowner in 1999. Explains Darrell, “When Chrissy’s mom became ill, Chrissy would go every day to be with her. During that time she drew this house to scale, working on it for over a year. We had an architect draw up her plans, built this home and moved in in 2002 when our son, Grant, was 2.” But as Chrissy and Darrell’s family grew older and their likes and needs evolved, they knew it was time for a change. Luckily, the perfect interior designer for their job had just helped Chrissy’s brother and sister-in-law create a modernist masterpiece to rave reviews. “Of course, Chrissy fell in love with Tish,” says Darrell. “And it was mutual,” interjects Tish. “It’s unreal how many times Chrissy and I were on the same page – at the same time!”

The front porch gives a nod to the past with its elegant proportions and restrained palette, but the vibe is tweaked with very modern Cor-Ten steel planters planted with split leaf philodendron (or hardy cast iron plants when wintry weather wreaks havoc) and oversized teak rocking chairs with grey webbing and a porch swing made of teak with leather strapping by Alexandria furniture maker Glen Armand. Behind the swing, Bermuda shutters made of reclaimed wood offer privacy and shade on warmer days. Painted “Anonymous Grey,” the louvered shutters and front door add a graphic punch to the porch and columns, which are painted “Shoji White.”

Reclaimed wood covers the porch ceiling, adding a rustic, earthy material to the mix. Chrissy, who loves more modernist plantings, added equisetum, or horsetail, at the foot of porch stairs.

The foyer absolutely sets the tone for the entire home. But the real question is, “How can so much ‘WOW!’ be packed into one entry? Step through the sidelit front door and into a world that is at once fantasy and the most beautiful of realities. At right is a twostory wall of Roma Imperiale marble which took six men to painstakingly install. Says Tish, “This marble has so much personality. It is truly Mother Nature in all her glory.” Grazing lights are positioned at ceiling level to bathe the wall in a wash of light. Patinated brass flooring from Ann Sacks grounds the space with an additional element of luxuriousness, as if the silky, luminescence of walls treated with Venetian plaster wasn’t enough. The staircase, completely redesigned, features treads of cumara, or Brazillian teak, with wenge

WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | FEBRUARY 2015

129

risers and is backlit with ambient light against the wall. Triple A Glass helped design and install the contemporary glass stair rails capped with white oak handrails and anchored with sleek metal hardware. At the first landing of the stairs, a commissioned canvas by Susan Roberts is joined by organic metal sculpture by Joe Walters.

Nowhere in the Evans’ home is the interaction of textural elements more evident than in the home’s living room. Even in winter, the room’s walls, painted Benjamin Moore’s “Cathedral Grey,” are bathed in light from the oversized panes of the French doors that lead to the outdoor living area. On either side of the French doors are a pair of Polly Spence canvases in muted neutrals. Just beyond the archway that leads from the foyer, Tish custom-designed an étagère of metal and reclaimed wood that holds objets d’art, leather bound books, family photos and found objects. A feature wall of striated, carved basalt panels is juxtaposed with an organically composed mosaic of white oak panels, which the contractor pieced together like an intricate puzzle. “Graham Smith helped us source all the beautiful woods that we used throughout the home,” says Tish, pointing out the large reclaimed beams used as a mantle above the fireplace as well as the white oak strips in the mosaic. In the fireplace, “Off The Loop,” a sculpture of interconnected loops of iron, is animated by fire throughout its structural composition. Lit or unlit, this significant piece of art by London artist Cathy Azria creates a relaxing focal point. Above the rugged mantle, an ethereal abstract oil and graphite on canvas by Steven Seinberg softens the space. A comfortable seating area is anchored by an unbleached 130 FEBRUARY 2015 | W WW.B AYO UL IFE MAG .CO M

Moroccan Berber Shag carpet from NOLA Rugs, which provides the perfect tactile foil for the gorgeous, natural sycamore cocktail table by New York-based artist André Joyau. Known for her resourcefulness, Tish discovered twin side tables made of petrified wood with resin in Chicago and concrete bowls from Houston. Above the sofa is a mixed media canvas by Bernard Mattox, known for putting cheeky “odds and ends” in his works. The room is illuminated by a pair of exceptional pendant light fixtures which hang on either side of the sofa and another which hangs above the Joyau table, all of which are by Chicago-based artist Lucy Slavinski, who works with salvaged scrap metal to create one-of-a-kind fixtures. Two pairs of swiveling club chairs, custom designed from Inside Indigo, provide favorite seating for the homeowners and their guests. A modern take on a classic wingback chair with an accompanying ottoman makes a statement in a persimmon velvet with nailhead trim and adds a pop of unexpected color.

Just beyond the living room is the heart of the Evans’ home, the restructured kitchen. Rustic reclaimed beams run the width of the expansive gathering place. Pendant lights of hammered silver and brass provide task lighting above the multi-level island, which is sheathed in corrugated tin with a hickory wood countertop. A farm sink in white bronze is nestled in the lower portion of the island which is topped with black and cream Negresco granite with a backsplash of crushed glass mosaic tiles. Stainless counter stools were recovered in cowhide.

On the kitchen wall with the stainless oven, stacked quartz reaches to the ceiling, past the custom hood faux finished by Teresa Clark. Coun-

tertops of honed Light Emperador marble are contrasted with the darker stain of the cabinets. Tish and the homeowners commissioned a pendant light of recycled materials by Slavinski to fit between two glass front display cabinets. The backdrop for the light fixture is “Vicenza,” a Walker Zanger tile in an arabesque pattern.

In one of those glass front cabinets with large bronze pulls from Rocky Mountain Hardware, an inconspicuous scrap of reclaimed wood has taken on a special meaning for the project. Just before the end of the remodel, Tish had all of the workmen and women sign their names as a reminder of each person’s contributions to this incredible project.

Through a cased opening near the kitchen’s wall painted Sherwin Williams’ “Peppery,” the understated but elegantly appointed dining room reveals itself slowly and deliberately. The “Drizzle” chandelier by Ochre with concentric circles of black crystal drops immediately pulls the eye upward to the metallic grass cloth ceiling, applied by wallpaper expert, Cyndi Green. A dark, nearly black, shade of grey, “Black Fox,” was applied to three walls, while the fourth wall of book-matched Titanium granite in a leather finish adds an element of surprise when touched. Hand-forged window hardware from Dallas holds voluminous panels of drapery edged with cayenne detailing sewn by master seamstress Suzannne Blackwelder. To accommodate large family and friend gatherings with up to 14 guests, Tish instructed the Austin artisans at Reworks to build a U-shaped table with steel legs and a live, sculptural edge wooden tabletop, reminiscent of a timeless Nakashima piece.

Chairs backs are upholstered with a lush crocodile pattern, while seats are an easy to care for vinyl. On either side of the doorway are large, bold canvases by Sue Sartor and Cheryl Troxel.

Continuing the emphasis on texture, the master bedroom is a treat for all the senses. Structurally, Tish enlarged the room by eliminating a closet and replacing it with an open, three-sided fireplace, featuring “Loop de Loop,” another gas fireplace sculpture by Cathy Azria. Arkansas Stone was integral in designing such a complicated and contemporary fireplace. Says Tish, “This was a major undertaking, and I appreciate Chrissy and Darrell so much for sticking with it when the going got tough.” To hide an existing electrical panel, Tish found a large carved Indian wood panel that provided camouflage as well as an architectural element. A Tibetan wool and silk rug from NOLA Rugs offers softness under foot, while a custom Nathan Anthony bed upholstered in a salt and pepper cowhide is dressed in Bella Notte washable silk velvet quilted bedding and pillows as well as oversized pillows by Leitner in a grey woven fabric. A sculptural Julian Chichester charcoal vellum bedside table a Chichester “Felix” media cabinet offer extra storage and a place for the couple’s television. Above the armoire is a series of mixed media works by Dana Ruth Harvey. The bedroom gets fringe benefits from the dual rows of dark brass iron beads which gently drape from the chandelier’s oval frame offering soft, filtered light. Channeling mid-century icon George Nakashima, the organic console is from the Phillips Collection and balances a figurative sculpture, an abstract canvas by Stephen Seinberg and a pair of exotic, African gemsbok mounts. Luxe panels of hand-stamped vintage velvet cocoon the space in softness.

WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | FEBRUARY 2015

133

J

ust beyond the open fireplace feature wall lies the couple’s home office. Lamps from Louisiana Purchases and a Bernard Mattox work on canvas create a charming vignette atop a custom desk handcrafted of tigerwood with a live edge by Sandy Sartor and her Key Millwork team of craftspeople, who were responsible for the incredible cabinetry throughout the home. A mid-century modern chair found at Woodstock Furniture Revival was reupholstered in a soft grey wool. A contemporary sofa upholstered in two-toned lizard and ostrich wipeable fabric is surrounded by a commissioned doggie portrait, “Bella on Steel” by French Quarter artist Adrian Fulton and a mixed media canvas by James Beaman. A Mongolian lamb-covered stool adds glamorous punctuation to a palomino cowhide rug.

Totally immersing themselves in the renovation of their home, no stone was left unturned in creating a master bath that would stand the test of time with all the modern amenities you can imagine. Radiant floor heat is transferred through Sepulveda Rectangle Field tiles in a textured pattern by Ann Sacks. Inset motorized blinds, custom made by Jim Aulds at Smith Blind and Awning, provide privacy at the touch of a button.

Chrissy and Tish designed a curving brick wall inset with a large polished fossil fragment just beyond the bathroom window to further enhance privacy. Darrell jokingly describes his wife’s beloved and stylish Japanese soaking tub from Diamond Spa as her “crawfish pot.” The stainless steel bath is elevated on a river rock platform and features a dramatic Kohler standing tub filler. A fringed, chainmail chandelier by Gabby from Inside Indigo adds a touch of femininity above the tub. Glass “High/Low” tiles in a grey and brown mix reflect light into the space. Inside the glassdoored oversized shower with built-in seating, a mix of shagreen-embossed tiles, river rocks and mosaic mother-of-pearl tiles create a serene retreat. Custom hand limed oak cabinetry achieves an eye-catching patina that is matched by stunning door pulls by French artist and sculptor, Xavier Lebee. Contractor Ohler’s team handcrafted a custom tub caddy

for the soaking tub, in addition to the dual mirrors framed in brushed metal above the vanity which is topped with vein-cut silver travertine countertops. Tish points to a darling lucite and cowhide stool to demonstrate how ‘in sync’ she and Chrissy were during the redo, “We needed a little vanity stool, so we were both looking. We literally picked out the exact same stool out of all the stools in the world! Can you believe it?”

Paintings by Doug Kennedy and Robin Hamaker complement the zenlike space.

The Evans’ son’s room was enlarged during the remodel, combining two rooms into one. An eighth-grader at St. Frederick, Grant is the subject of series of four commissioned portraits by Caroline Youngblood which are featured on his wall beneath a prized baseball bat. Grant’s headboard and side tables were created using wood from The Green Project, which recycles and reclaims wood from structures torn down after Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans. Tish assembled pillows from Coco’s and Louisiana Purchases to accent the bedding. The room’s seating area is anchored by an Indian Ikat rug from NOLA Rugs. A custom lumbar pillow of woodgrain fabric finds a place on the hide-patterned microsuede Nathan Anthony Bumper Sofa. Says Tish, “A sure way to please guys is to include lots of soft, plush fabrics.” A glove-leather and steel drum chair and ottoman with storage paired with a cocktail table of reclaimed wood and steel kick up the cool factor. A masculine cowhide sling chair by Jan Barboglio offers extra seating to pull up when friends come over. Because generations of Evans’ men have bonded over their love of hunting, Darrell designed a piece of taxidermy art for his son’s room, using a stringer of ducks in dead duck mount and his grandfather’s shotgun. Once again, Sandy Sartor and Key Millworks designed, built and installed a unique closet solution using sliding barn doors with inset pulls to hide closet space and built-in cabinetry to house electronics efficiently. An alligator painting on wood and framed in steel is by South Louisiana artist Tami Curtis. The linen drum pendant is from Low Country Designs.

Grant’s bathroom is a study in rugged textures, with a stacked pebble wall, honed cement vessel sink, copper and earthy-hued tiles, Mystique granite with veins of coral on a sea of grey and brown and a collection of fixtures by Sonoma Forge that is at once industrial, vintage

and orient-inspired. Canvas by Polly Spence.

An open antique door, acquired at Ricca’s Architectural in New Orleans, affords a glimpse down the hallway leading from the kitchen toward Grant’s bedroom and reveals three works on paper by Meredith Pardue, artfully framed by Lenece Laseter between plexiglass panels which are offset from the walls and a large diptych from Karen LaBorde’s “Taxi” series.

An intriguing painting by Hasmig Vartanian, which was acquired from Cole Pratt Gallery in New Orleans and a diptych by Robin Hamaker, can be found in the back hallway that leads to the staircase at the rear of the home. A bench seat, custom-made from reclaimed beams and fastened with steel straps, is positioned beneath a large window which overlooks the pool, back gardens and patio. Taking a page out of Tony Duquette’s playbook, antique doors from New Orleans and faux painted cabinetry with Lelee bespoke door pulls open to reveal the lustrous walls of the downstairs’ half bath, adorned with Blue Louise Marble and smokey antique glass. An existing vanity and large circular mirror were repurposed and clad in copper sheeting with two different patinas and covered with resin. Verdigris mosaic tiles encased in gilded glass creates an interesting vessel sink. A modern mercury glass fishscale pendant cluster enlivens the space.

The back stairway was redesigned with Bolivian rosewood treads and new banister.

Sconces by Reworks and a contemporary work in mixed media by Linda Dautreuil are found at the stairs’ first landing. At the top of the stairs Tish created a vignette using a work on paper by Margaret Moses above a chest of drawers which holds a Brazilian beehive from Reworks.

In the upstairs guest suite, a mini kitchen keeps guests refreshed. Vein-cut travertine tops dark stained custom cabinetry. Art abounds throughout the space with photography by Leslie Addison, a large canvas by Bernard Mattox and French Quarter artist’s painting on wood beside the bed. The Baci bed’s low profile and sleek hide upholstery makes for a understated addition to this ultra-contemporary, multi-use space. The sectional sofa was reupholstered in a nubby textured neutral fabric and is piled high with pillows made from neutral patterned fabrics and Mongolian lamb. A feature wall is embellished cork tiles in a gunmetal metallic. The media console and coffee table are made from reclaimed steel and wood. Two ceiling pendants take green to a new level as they are constructed from reclaimed metal bed springs.

The upstairs guest bath layers on the organic luxury with metallic flooring tile, tortoise glass tile and river rock accents. A carved stone basin and interior shutters on Bermuda mounts add to the rustic feel.

A walk-in attic became repurposed during the remodel as the family’s music and workout room. The contractor created an “art installation,” which flows across the room’s walls and ceiling by using the leftover reclaimed wood, corrugated tin, and other materials that were beautiful, yet unused and destined for the landfill.

The Evans’ renovation could not be complete without bringing their unique aesthetic to the home’s outdoor living space. Originally designed in a more traditional manner, the pool and gardens were given a modern makeover by Chrissy and Tish with the help of Carey Anderson with Green Horizons. Explains Tish, “We added Cor-Ten planters against the brick wall along the pool and kept the plantings to palms, succulents and horsetail, using Chrissy’s favorite plant palette. We also wanted to bring elements of the interior design outside, repeating the mosaic stacked wood in teak on the new firepits which are set on Cor-Ten bases and edged in Old St. Louis brick.” The two firepits, which encourage outdoor activities during cooler weather, have custom covers with antler handles created by metal artisan Robert Lender. The pool’s fountain wall was refaced in charcoal slate tile. Billy and Chad Sanders were enlisted to resurface the newly-extended patio walls with a decorative concrete overlay. Teak club chairs, ottomans and chaise lounges from Restoration Hardware provide seating.

A new gate of reclaimed wood and steel with custom 360 Degree Hardware was added to the wall and leads to the new outdoor kitchen, which features a stacked stone island topped with a honed bronzite countertop and stainless steel appliances. Wood and steel swiveling counterstools from Arteriors create a gathering spot for friends and family, and swiveling, upholstered club chairs, new finds from The Patio Place, offer even more options for comfortable seating outside.

While the Evans literally lived through the experience, the result of their vision, patience and hard work is one to be remembered for a lifetime. Says Chrissy, “During the remodel, Tish went above and beyond to make us comfortable in every way she possibly could. Most people that live in/through this type of ordeal say they would never do it again, but we feel just the opposite! We had so much fun during the whole process. Tish started out as my decorator and ended up as a wonderful dear friend.

WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | FEBRUARY 2015

137

A Monroe tradition will return to its roots after more than a decade February 7, when the 32nd Annual Krewe of Janus Mardi Gras Parade rolls through the Twin Cities. In only the second time since its inception, the parade will alter its route and, with the change, hopefully bring in a wider audience and more Mardi Gras memories.

The parade originates where it always has, along Natchitoches Street in West Monroe. After proceeding through downtown West Monroe, the parade turns and crosses the Louisville Bridge before making an immediate right turn onto Walnut Street. From there, it proceeds to DeSiard, where it will turn left and travel two blocks before turning onto 4th Street. A couple of twists later, the parade returns to Louisville Avenue at 2nd Street.

Get ready to Laissez Les Bons Temps Rouler...through downtown Monroe. For more information, visit the Krewe of Janus website at www.kreweofjanusonline.com

Calendar of Events For a full list of event happenings in Northeast Louisiana, see our website at www.bayoulifemag.com February 2 - February 5 Beginning Stained Glass Workshop for Adults Time: 5:30pm-7:30pm This workshop will teach the student how to build a small stained glass panel using the Louis Comfort Tiffany method. Students will learn a brief history of stained glass, pick out a pattern, learn to cut glass, put together a panel using copper foil and solder their panel. The class will be (4) two-hour sessions, February 2-5 from 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm. Registration includes stained glass and basic supplies. Space is limited, and reservations are required. No prior experience is necessary.

Venue: Masur Museum of Art Address: 1400 South Grand, Monroe Admission Cost: $160 for museum members/ $170 for non-member Phone: 318-329-2237 Web: www.masurmuseum.org February 5 Downtown Gallery Crawl Time: 5-9 pm Presented by the Downtown Arts Alliance, eleven art galleries in downtown Monroe and West Monroe are open all evening for the public to enjoy great art, food, drink and music. Original art is for sale, tax free.

Admission is free.

Venue: Downtown Monroe and West Monroe Address: DeSiard and Trenton St. Monroe and West Monroe Admission Cost: free Phone: 318-503-5125 February 6 - February 7 Heart to Home Women’s Conference The Women of Duck Commander and Christian author Dr.

Joneal Kirby are teaming up for inaugural Heart to Home Conference.

Conference guests will be entertained and enlightened by a number of guest speakers, such as Jana Jackson, John Rosemond and Tammy Daughtry.

Venue: Monroe Civic Center Address: 401 Lea Joyner Memorial Expressway, Monroe Admission Cost: Ticket Prices Vary Phone: 318-329-2225 www.hearttohomeconference.com February 7 Mardi Gras at the Market Time: 10am-4pm The Downtown RiverMarket will hold its 7th annual "Mardi Gras at the Market" at the river walk in downtown Monroe. The pet pageant begins at 11:00 am. Nathan and the Zydeco Cha Cha's will be playing from 11:30 am-2:00 pm. The Little Miss/ Little Mister Mardi Gras Pageant will take place at 1:00pm. Following the pageant, there will be a kids parade at 2:00pm and a mask contest at 3:00pm. End the evening rocking out at the Dowtown River Jam at 5:00pm.

Venue: Downtown RiverMarket Address: 316 South Grand Monroe LA, 71203 Admission Cost: FREE Phone: 318-807-1735 Web: downtownrivermarket.com Children’s Mardi Gras Parade Time: Registration-9:30 am; Parade10:30 am It's that time of year! Laissez les bon temps roulez! The Children's Mardi Gras Parade will be held Saturday, February 7th at Pecanland Mall Center Court. Registration begins at 9:30 am and the parade will start at 10:30 am. Children up to age 10 are

140 FEBRUARY 2015 | W WW.B AYO UL IFE MAG .CO M

invited to walk, roll or ride with the Krewe of Janus. Trophies will be awarded in 3 divisions. Individuals ages 0-4, Individuals ages 4-10 and Group. A grand prize trophy will be awarded for the best entry. For more info call 732-7229. We hope to see all of you there! This is a FREE event!

Venue: Pecanland Mall Address: 4700 Millhaven Road, Suite 2000, Monroe Admission Cost: Free Phone: 318-732-7229 Web: www.pecanlandmall.com PAWS of NE Louisiana presents: 9th Annual Krewe of Paws Pet Parade 2015 Time: 11:00 am See a twist on the traditional Mardi Gras festivities with pets of all sorts in costumes and floats, and of course plenty of beads!

Venue: Antique Alley Address: 100 Trenton Street West Monroe LA, 71292 Admission Cost: $20 per registrant and $5 additional per pet.

Web: www.pawsnela.org Downtown River Jam Time: 5-9PM Enjoy a musical performance from Danny Lee and Dave, food and spirits in Bry Park in Downtown Monroe along the parade route.

Venue: Bry Park Address: 110 DeSiard Street Monroe LA, 71291 Admission: FREE Phone: 318-329-3254 2015 Krewe of Janus Mardi Gras Parade Time: 6:00 pm It's that time of year when king cakes are enjoyed, beads are thrown and the music is loud, it's Mardi Gras 2015! Join the Krewe of Janus in the parade. Families will marvel at the spectacular floats and colorful creations!

Venue: Monroe-West Monroe Address: Louisville Avenue and Trenton Street Monroe-West Monroe LA, 71201 Admission Cost: Free Phone: 318-323-0230 February 8 Music To Our Eyes: Blockbuster Film Scores Time: 3:00 pm-5:00 pm Travel with the Monroe Sym-

phony Orchestra to experience the sounds of the past 75 years if great motion picture scores. From uplifting Rocky and epic Lawrence of Arabia to the adventurous and fantastical Pirates of the Caribbean, Braveheart, Back to the Future, as well as the great Westerns like The Magnificent Seven, How the West Was Won, Silverado, and Dances With Wolves, relive music of the big screen from legendary composers Henry Mancini, Maurice Jarre, John Barry, Elmer Bernstein, James Homer and more.

Venue: Monroe Civic Center Address: 401 Lea Joyner Memorial Expressway Monroe, LA 71201 Admission Cost: $20 per adult; $5 per student Phone: Web: www.monroesymphonyorchestra.com/seasonconcerts.html February 13 Louisiana Delta Ballet presents Dancing with The LA Stars Time: VIP party and seating 6:00 pm; Show at 7:00 pm Now in its seventh season, Dancing With The Louisiana Stars is the party of the year! Cheer on your local celebrities as they compete for the 2015 championship in a fun-filled evening raising funds for the Louisiana Delta Ballet!

Venue: Monroe Civic Center Address: 401 Lea Joyner Memorial Expressway, Monroe Admission Cost: Ticket and table prices vary.

Phone: 318-345-1155 http://www.ci.monroe.la.us/monroe-civic-center.php and http://www.louisianadeltaballet.co m February 14 Warhawk Basketball: ULM v. Appalachian State Time: Women's Game: tba; Men's Game: 4:00pm Show your school pride and come to the ULM Fant-Ewing Coliseum to watch your Warhawks play against the Mountaineers.

Venue: ULM Fant-Ewing Coliseum Address: 4099 Northeast Dr Monroe LA, 71209 Admission Cost: Ticket prices vary; Students get in free with I.D. Phone: 318- 342-1000 Web: www.ulmwarhawks.com

The Lovestruck Affair Time: 8:00pm The Lovestruck Affair featuring Le’Jit will be live at the Monroe Civic Center for a Valentine’s Day special event.

Venue: Monroe Civic Center Address: 401 Lea Joyner Memorial Expressway, Monroe Admission Cost: Ticket prices vary Phone: 318-329-2225 February 20 - February 22 Strauss Theatre Center Presents Southern Hospitality Time: Friday and Saturday 7:00pm; Sunday 2:00pm The Futrelle Sisters are in trouble again. This time, the problem is bigger than ever: Their beloved hometown, Fayro, Texas, is in danger of disappearing, and it's up to the sisters to save it from extinction.

Ever since the Super SmartMart and the rendering plan closed, folks have been leaving Faryo, in droves, but Honey Raye, with a major assist from her former nemesis, Geneva Musgrave, has come up with a possible solution. It seems a salsa manufacturing factory is looking to relocate, and a company representative is headed to Fayro on a scouting mission. Promises are made that are not to be believed in order to woo the rep to choose Faryo. But how the Futrelle sisters and the other citizens of Fayro, pull together and save their town is a testament to Southern strength and ingenuityand a recipe for total hilarity.

Venue: Strauss Theatre Address: 1300 Lamy Ln, Monroe Admission Cost: Ticket prices vary www.strausstheatrecenter.com February 21 - February 22 NELA Homebuilders’ Expo Time: Saturday 9:00am to 5:00pm; Sunday 11:00am to 5:00pm Don't miss out on the NELA Homebuilders Expo at the Civic Center. Shop a wide variety of Indoor & Outdoor Furniture & Accessories, Appliances, Decor, Insulation, Roofing, Lawn & Garden Equipment & Supplies, Lawn Fencing, Animal Control Fencing, and Much More!

Venue: Monroe Civic Center Address: 401 Lee Joyner Memorial Expressway, Monroe Phone: 318-329-2225 Web: hbanela.com/annual-homeexpo

February 22 19th Annual Bridal Beginnings Time: 12:30pm-3:30pm As you plan the most important life event, discover new ideas and trends to make your day complete.

Here you will find the best local resources for food, fashion, flowers, invitations, photography, videography, entertainment and much more.

Get a head start on making your special day fabulous!

Venue: West Monroe Convention Center Address: 901 Ridge Avenue West Monroe Phone: 318-396-5000 www.westmonroe.com/departments/convention-center February 27 - February 28 Strauss Theatre Center Presents Southern Hospitality Time: Friday and Saturday 7:00pm; Sunday 2:00pm The Futrelle Sisters are in trouble again. This time, the problem is bigger than ever: Their beloved hometown, Fayro, Texas, is in danger of disappearing, and it's up to the sisters to save it from extinction.

Ever since the Super SmartMart and the rendering plan closed, folks have been leaving Faryo, in droves, but Honey Raye, with a major assist from her former nemesis, Geneva Musgrave, has come up with a possible solution. It seems a salsa manufacturing factory is looking to relocate, and a company representative is headed to Fayro on a scouting mission. Promises are made that are not to be believed in order to woo the rep to choose Faryo. But how the Futrelle sisters and the other citizens of Fayro, pull together and save their town is a testament to Southern strength and ingenuityand a recipe for total hilarity.

Venue: Strauss Theatre Address: 1300 Lamy Ln., Monroe Admission Cost: Ticket prices vary Phone: (318) 323-6681 www.strausstheatrecenter.com February 27 - June 14 51st Annual Juried Competition The Masur Museum of Art’s Annual Juried Competition showcases contemporary artists throughout the United States of America working in any medium.

Venue: Masur Museum Address: 1400 South Grand WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | FEBRUARY 2015

141

WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | FEBRUARY 2015

143

144 FEBRUARY 2015 | W WW.B AYO UL IFE MAG .CO M

WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | FEBRUARY 2015

145

Glenwood Emergency Services Fast•ER, Bett•ER Emergency Care

A

T SOME POINT DURING YOUR life, it is very likely that you will be faced with a medical emergency, such as an injury, life threatening illness, potential heart attack or stroke.

Whether it’s a broken bone, a deep cut that needs stitching or something more serious, we’re prepared to take care of your medical needs 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Our board-certified emergency room doctors and nurses are always here to handle a medical crisis with timely, high-quality treatment.

We know that all medical emergencies are stressful. Our staff is committed to easing your fears and concerns by providing frequent progress reports about your diagnosis, condition and treatment.

Our state-of-the-art, 16-bed Emergency Department includes: • Only fully accredited Cycle IV Chest Pain Center in Northern Louisiana • Private patient triage area • Comfortable treatment rooms • Bedside registration • Fast-track for minor illnesses and injuries • InQuicker online minor emergency registration service • Advanced patient monitoring equipment • STEMI heart protocols “Seeing patients quickly is vital to providing optimal patient care,” said Ron

146 FEBRUARY 2015 | W WW.B AYO UL IFE MAG .CO M

Elder, GRMC CEO. “We are striving to provide a high level of care, while addressing the growing problem of long emergency room waits. At Glenwood Regional Medical Center, your emergency is our emergency.”

INQUICKER® InQuicker® is an innovative online service that allows patients to virtually hold their place in line at the emergency room without having to be present. Patients arrive at Glenwood’s ER at their projected treatment time and are seen as quickly as possible. InQuicker estimates treatment times based on the facility conditions. The InQuicker online portal allows patients to be assessed by evaluating their medical symptoms online to see if immediate care is necessary. Those who indicate a life or limb threatening medical condition are prompted to dial 911 or go immediately to the ER. It’s another way that Glenwood is taking busy lives into account and making access for minor medical emergencies faster and more efficient. To schedule an appointment using InQuicker, visit GRMC.com.

FULLY ACCREDITED CYCLE IV CHEST PAIN CENTER When you’re having a heart attack, where you go for treatment could be one of the most critical decisions of your life. Cycle

IV accreditation is the highest rating a Chest Pain Care facility can earn. Glenwood earned it by demonstrating expertise and commitment to quality patient care by meeting or exceeding a wide set of stringent criteria. Glenwood is the only fully accredited Cycle IV Chest Pain Center in Northern Louisiana.

ER STEMI PROTOCOLS A STEMI is the most severe type of heart attack, in which a clot blocks the coronary artery and as a result, the heart muscle being supplied by the affected artery starts to die. Rapid percutaneous intervention (PCI), commonly referred to as angioplasty, is crucial to the survivability of a heart attack. Experts say the sooner that a patient is treated to relieve the blockage causing the STEMI, the better the outcome.

The Glenwood ER’s STEMI protocols ensures that patients with chest pain who need advanced care in a cardiac catheterization lab are taken care of as safely and quickly as possible. The STEMI service, along with Glenwood’s state-of-the-art cardiac catheterization labs and Hybrid OR, is designed to save lives.

For more information about Glenwood’s emergency services, visit www.grmc.com or call 877-726-WELL (9355).