BayouLife Magazine June 2015 by BayouLife Magazine

BL contents

JUNE 2015

28 / REMEMBERING BITSY My Grandmother – Tight Hugs and Unconditional Love 32 / MEREDITH’S MUSINGS Just in Time for Father’s Day 37 / WEDDING BAUBLES Local Jewelers Display Bridal Best 42 / ASK ERIN Wedding Tips From An Expert

44 / A. ALDEN’S MEMO Going to the Chapel

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56 / PAPERGLAZE CALLIGRAPHY The Modern Beauty of a Timeless Artform

86 / TRUE TO THE PAST Edgewood Plantation: Breathing New Life Into Farmerville’s Historic Baughman Home 94 / BAYOU TRAVEL Top Destinations for Honeymoons Visited by Celebrities 102 / SUGAR SHACK Social Bites of Ruston 116 / MISTER MAYO Jamie Mayo Shares Reflections on Life, Love and Family 126 / SWAN LAKE Russian National Ballet Theatre Stops at Louisiana Tech University 132 / THE FIDDLE MAKER Master Luthier Hilton Lytle Fosters a Love of Music in a New Generation 142 / GONE GLAMPING Go Camping in Style With Fabulous Looks From Area Boutiques

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BayouLife

HERE ARE FEW THINGS THAT

I love as much as weddings, and this month we pay homage to all things bridal. From the jewelry to the dress, we have have something for every bride-to-be. We even got to share in the experience when our very own Ashley Yeldell married her long-time beau Andrew Hubenthal this month. Congratulations and Happily Ever Hubenthal, y’all. I was a nervous wreck this month handling our stunning bridal shoot. I have never been in charge of so many diamonds and pearls...I think I might have liked it too much. Our friends at David’s Bridal loaned us a couple of beautiful dresses and headpieces to use while the local fine jewelry stores decked Ellie out in gorgeous gems. Our thanks to the talented Martin G Meyers and Meka Reliford for capturing our vision. Our fashion shoot turned out spectacular thanks to our über-talented art director, Melanie Moffett. Our office was transformed into a craft shop for several days while Melanie painted chairs, made pillowcases, reupholstered seat covers, glittered antlers, assembled teepees and who knows what else. Her hard worked transformed the Lincoln Parish Park into a retreat for our models: Karlee Malone, Julianne Tippen and Kayla Stites. A huge thanks goes out Randy McKinnie for loaning us his darling camper and for Meka and Martin for glamping all day with us. I’ve heard Brad Arender talk several times about Mr. Hilton Lytle, and I just fell in love with the man after reading Michael DeVault’s article on page 132. It’s not very often you meet a 93-year-old fiddle maker and especially not a 93-year-old fiddle maker, who gives away most of his fiddles to children.

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 PUBLISHER Cassie Livingston cassie@bayoulifemag.com

It’s fascinating to watch people who know how to craft things – to take a piece of wood and form a musical instrument – that’s true talent. Hilton Lytle is not only an artist, he’s a fine Southern gentleman with a rich history of love and war. If you live in North Louisiana, you know the name Jamie Mayo...but do you know Jamie Mayo. The mayor pulls back the curtain and shares reflections on life, love and family. See pages 116-120. This month I had a scary moment. I went to the dermatologist, and she found an ugly mole. I was a competitive swimmer most of my life, so sun exposure has always been a concern. Thankfully, my ugly mole came back benign. But, I did want to use this as an opportunity to remind everyone to lather up this summer and use sun protection. And if you lay in the tanning bed – STOP! There are plenty of fine establishments in this town and around that offer spray tans. I want to congratulate all the graduates out there, especially Nicholas Stroud, John T Jackson and Evans McCartt. And Happy Father’s Day to our wonderful dads and husbands. We love y’all and couldn’t do what we do without your support. We hope you enjoy reading this issue of BayouLife Magazine. Peace, love and thanks be to God,

~ Cassie Livingston

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 Hubenthal ashley@bayoulifemag.com OFFICE MANAGER Ellie Jackson ellie@bayoulifemag.com CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Maré Brennan Kenny Covington Dr. David Finley Cindy Gist Foust Juanita Gooding Linda Holyfield Kathryn Joyce Trent Livingston Erin Love Casey Matthews Dr. Brent Metts Meredith McKinnie Dr. Timothy Mickel Mary Napoli Analeise Reeves Delia Simpson P. Allen Smith Karen Snowdy Beatrice A. Tatem Desirae Gooding Trappey Judy Wagoner CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Brad Arender Martin G Meyers ON THE COVER Ellie Jackson | Photograph Martin G Meyers Hair and Makeup by Meka Reliford BayouLife Magazine is published and distributed by Redbird Publishing, LLC. Circulation: 12,000 copies monthly. Postal subscriptions ($20) can be ordered online at www.bayoulifemag.com. BayouLife Magazine is not responsible for unsolicited photographs, manuscripts or other materials. Reproduction of contents without express written permission is prohibited.

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WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | JUNE 2015

Bring On Summer Let the Sunshine In and Take Time to De-Stress

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

VER THE YEARS, SONGS HAVE EXPRESSED THE relationship of life and summer. “Summer Breeze Makes me Feel Fine.” It has been said Seals’ and Crofts‘ wrote this song to bring about feelings of contentment and harmony, to encourage the enjoyment of simple pleasures in life. “Hot Fun in the Summertime” by Sly and the Family Stones, was performed at Woodstock as a dedication to the fun and games experienced during the summer. “You Are the Sunshine of My Life” by Stevie Wonder is about a husband looking upon his wife and recalling why he loves her and always will. “Here Comes the Sun” is a song by George Harrison of the Beatles. He wrote this song during a better a time in life after experiencing a series of problems. “Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In” was sung by The Fifth Dimension. The recording was based on the astrological belief when the sun was in the constellation of Aquarius the world will be entering “the Age of Aquarius“ a time of love, light, harmony, understanding, sympathy, trust and revelation. Music captures many experiences representing our changeable minds. Music helps to create images reflecting our lives. This list of songs depicts aspects and interpretations of summer. What comes to your mind when you think of summer? How do you plan to spend your summer? What emotional impact does summer have on you? Summer is associated with fresh air and bright colors. Known as the season of growth and maturation gardens burst with flowers and vegetables in abundance. Summer has beautiful skies, the brightest, longest and warmest days. The extra hours of sunlight provide time to nurture our creative energies and the power to fully celebrate life in its bounty. Summer is also known for heat, sweat, humidity and late night summer breeze. Summertime tends to have the effect of happiness and energy. The weather this time of the year is conducive for shared outings, vacations, recreational sports, parties and barbeques. Sunshine and heat effects everyone differently and yet most people describe the sun as having positive effects on their moods. Many view summer as a feel good slower paced time of the year. Symbolically, it represents easier and freer living; a reprieve from the demands associated with the fall. Summer is an emotional vacation asso8 JUNE 2015 | WW W. B AY OU LI FE MAG . CO M

ciated with respectfully lazy days, rest and relaxation. The characteristics of summer suggests emotional warmth and romance and makes for a season of reconnections when friends and family gather at weddings, family and class reunions. In my clinical practice, young and old clients are talking about their plans for the summer. Children who have looked forward to the end of school have gotten their wish. Couples planning for summer weddings are discussing final touches. Some have mentioned the goal of completing projects set aside for the summer. Family travel that was put on hold due to work obligations are in progress with summer. Some anticipate utilizing vacation days from work to experience summertime weather daily and on weekends. Here comes the sun; summer is finally here! Get excited this summer by planning events you would like to attend and places you would like to see. Create a summer worth remembering. Illuminate your inner being by experiencing the things and people that make you feel good; enjoy social connections. Summer is deemed a time for play and relaxation, take time to “de-stress.” Rebuild the energy consumed during the fall and winter. Eat cool foods and drink plenty of water for the summer. Take advantage of the fresh fruit and vegetables of the season. Indulge in the abundance of smells, rich colors and sounds of summer. Have hot fun with the sunshine of your life. Identify the sun in your life. Soak up the benefits of the sun. Be physically active…go for walks early morning or evening when it is not too hot. Avoid feeling “stuck inside” when the weather is nice outside. Make time for outdoor activities; it will help elevate your mood. Monitor the humidity in order to sleep well. Develop a summer to-do list. Vacation from the routine of things. Take a “staycation”and enjoy yourself at home. Anticipate, participate and celebrate the offerings of summer. Discover the summer within you; bring on summer and let the sunshine in! For more information on counseling and outreach services contact Dr. Beatrice Tatem at Wellness Initiatives, LLC, 1900 North 18 th Street, Suite 414, Monroe, La 71201, 318-410-1555 or at btatem.bt@gmail.com.

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Hearing Aid Technology Audibel The Hearing Center Offers the Latest in Hearing Devices

HAT IS THE BEST VALUE FOR hearing? "Do I really need to spend thousands of dollars?" Time and time again, the topic we most commonly get asked from new and prospective patients is about the pricing of hearing aid technology. The topic of pricing is tricky to answer since there is no one recommendation for everyone. Hearing aid pricing is completely determined by each patient's unique hearing loss and their lifestyle needs. Pricing questions have become increasingly difficult over the past few years as new amplification devices, called PSAPs, have become an affordable option for people experiencing hearing loss. Personal sound amplification products, PSAPs, offer a self-service solution for gaining basic sound amplification for consumers who experience hearing loss. The greatest appeal for PSAPs is their inexpensiveness since they usually retail around a few hundred dollars per device. However, there is a lot of debate about whether these affordable PSAPs are a good value compared to the hearing aid technology provided by a hearing professional. This debate increased after the Wall Street Journal published an article last June examining these two hearing amplification options titled, "Pros and Cons of Inexpensive Hearing Aids Called PSAPs." In this article they highlight the concerns of purchasing a PSAP over seeking hearing aid devices from a licensed hearing professional and encourage caution for consumers when evaluating these device options. We understand the initial overwhelming 10 JUNE 2015 | W WW. B AYO UL IFE MAG .CO M

feeling of determining which hearing device or level of technology is the best value. However, we can help you to identify what your hearing loss needs are and the type of hearing aids that will help your daily quality of life. One of the newest models to hit the market is the A3i, allowing you to hear life to the fullest. Our breakthrough Made for iPhone® Hearing Aids and our easy-to-use TruLink™ Hearing Control app are engineered to work specifically with your iPhone, iPad®, iPod touch® and Apple Watch™. Together, A3i and TruLink are designed to stream phone calls, music and more, directly from your iPhone to your hearing aids. It is now available in two styles to fit individuals with mild to severe hearing loss. These hearing aids focus on creating a better quality of life and improving in areas where some models have lacked before. • Hear more comfortably in noise - Advanced noise reduction technology and a precise directional microphone work together to reduce noise and help make speech easier to hear in today's challenging environments. • No Buzzing or Whistling - Our industrybest feedback canceller provides feedbackfree and comfortable listening all day long. • Improved High-Frequency Audibility Patented technology replicates high-frequency sounds (like women's and children's voices) in lower frequencies where they're easier to hear and understand. • Enhanced Phone Communication - Direct streaming of phone calls from your iPhone

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to your hearing aids enables clear and comfortable conversations. Great Sounding Music and Media - You can stream any music or media played on your iPhone directly to your hearing aids for a more immersive and impressive listening experience. Personalized Hearing - The SoundSpace tool on the TruLink app lets you make minor adjustments to sound quality to suit your particular preferences. Hearing that Happens Intuitively - Geotagged memories automatically switch modes when the GPS feature in your iPhone detects you are in a tagged location. ("Home memory activates when you arrive at your home.) Reliable, Hassle-Free Hearing Aids - HydraShield®2 nano-coating repels water, while the remote functionality of your iPhone lets you control and adjust your hearing aids more easily than ever.

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

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

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

LASER HAIR REDUCTION Using a gentle beam of light, the Lumenis LightSheer® can help solve the problem of unwanted hair. The LightSheer® is more than 75% faster than the average hair reduction session, and also features the unique HIT™ and ChillTip™ technologies for pain relief. Treatment takes between 10 to 60 minutes depending on the size of the area being treated. No sedation is required for treatment and there is minimal discomfort, with no downtime after treatments. Additionally, LightSheer® is a smart economical choice, saving you money spent on temporary hair removal solutions. IPL PHOTOREJUVENATION The Lumenis® IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) 12 JUNE 2015 | W WW. B AYO UL IFE MAG .CO M

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

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

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

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We Put Our Heart Into Healing Yours Glenwood Heart and Vascular Institute

ARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE IS the leading cause of death in the United States. One in every three deaths is from heart disease and stroke, equal to 2,200 deaths per day. Because Glenwood recognizes the need for comprehensive heart care, we provide some of the most advanced cardiac care in our region. Glenwood is also the local cause sponsor of the Go Red for Women movement that works to educate women about the risks of heart disease, so they can lead healthier lives. Our non-invasive cardiology labs, cath labs, surgical suite, 64-slice CT Scanner, hybrid OR, telemetry unit, CVICU, DVT Clinic and surgeon's clinic are all conveniently located within the hospital.

DIAGNOSTIC CARDIOLOGY Many patients first come to Glenwood for diagnostic testing. Diagnostic testing performed by qualified technologists at Glenwood include: • EKG – (Echocardiogram) • Stress Tests • Heartview Scans • Holter Monitoring • Nuclear Cardiology • Cardiac Catheterization • Rhythm Disorders • Pacemakers and Defibrillators 14 JUNE 2015 | W WW. B AYO UL IFE MAG .CO M

INTERVENTIONAL CARDIOLOGY Our interventional cardiology program is dedicated to the non-surgical management of patients with cardiac and peripheral vascular disorders. Our physicians perform the following procedures: • Carotid Stenting • Coronary Angioplasty and Stenting • Coronary Angioscopy • Clot Removal for Heart and Vascular Blockages • Peripheral Arterial Angioplasty and Stenting • Renal Artery Stenting

CARDIAC - PULMONARY REHABILITATION CENTER Glenwood’s Cardiac-Pulmonary Rehabilitation Center is designed for individuals who have experienced a heart attack, bypass surgery, angioplasty/stent, chest pains, valve disease or individuals with multiple risk factors for developing heart disease. Our Cardiac-Pulmonary Rehab program uses a progressive multidisciplinary approach to assist patients in setting achievable goals for resuming a healthier lifestyle through exercise, nutrition, education and social support. With a physician’s endorsement, an exercise prescription is provided for patients that is tailored to fit individual

needs and goals by our cardiac rehab staff. ACCREDITED CYCLE IV CHEST PAIN CENTER When you’re having a heart attack, where you choose to 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. Using STEMI protocols, Glenwood’s door to balloon times for transported STEMI patients is significantly reduced to give them the best chance of survival.

ANGIOSCREEN MOBILE UNIT Glenwood’s AngioScreen Mobile Unit provides an easy-to-take, non-invasive screening that usually takes only 10 minutes. The painless screening provides participants with immediate information about their circulation, risk of heart disease, stroke and abdominal aorta.

For more information about Glenwood’s comprehensive heart and vascular services, call 877-726-WELL or visit us online at www.grmc.com.

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Culture on Tap

Abita Beer Offers Cool Brews to Refresh You This Summer

ETS FACE IT. SUMMER IN LOUISIANA CAN BE A challenge. Sure, when other states are shoveling out from under their most recent blizzard, we secretly smile at our wonderful winter weather. Fall is spectacular. Spring is glorious. But summer? In Louisiana, we need a little assistance to keep our cool during the hot and humid summer months. But luckily for us, Abita Beer has crafted a set of cool brews especially designed to refresh our palates during the thirsty summer season.

Summer means seersucker season When it comes to southern cool, what’s cooler than seersucker? The traditional cotton fabric has been keeping southern ladies and gentlemen looking classic and feeling comfortable for generations. It’s also the inspiration for Abita Seersucker® Summer Pils. Seersucker® is a traditional pilsner brew with a full-bodied malt flavor, hop bitterness and a light golden color. It is made with pilsner and carapils malts, hopped with German Tradition and Spalt hops. While nothing beats an ice- cold Seersucker in the shade, you can also try pairing Abita Seersucker® with seasonal summer favorites like grilled chicken, salmon or garden salads. It also is a refreshing choice with spicier dishes, Mexican food and most Asian cuisines. Seersucker® Summer Pils is one of Abita’s seasonal selections. Abita Seasonal brews are available for a limited time and are brewed in limited quantities. Each brew is custom created to perfectly match the time of year when it’s available to enjoy. Seersucker® is available only from June through September, so don’t miss your chance to try this cool summer brew.

You’ll wish that summer could always be here The lazy, hazy days of summer are just right for an Abita Purple Haze®. Purple Haze® is Abita’s famous lager, brewed with real rasp-

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berries added after filtration. This is not one of those artificially fruitflavored beer concoctions. Abita Purple Haze® is a great beer and the raspberries make it even better. The berries add a fruity aroma, tartly sweet taste and a subtle purple color and haze...you may even see fruit pulp swirling in the beer. It is brewed with pilsner and wheat malts and Vanguard hops. Cool and refreshing on its own, Abita Purple Haze® is also amazing served with salads or light fruit desserts, such as soufflés or chiffon cakes. Many people enjoy it with chocolate desserts. Purple Haze® pairs well with certain cheeses, such as ripened Brie or any dessert made with mascarpone. It’s also great paired with entrees prepared with fruit, especially citrus. Consider enjoying Purple Haze® at the end of your meal as dessert.

A taste of summer that’s Louisiana true A twist of citrus always refreshes on a hot summer day. That’s the cool idea behind Abita Lemon Wheat. This brew is part of the Abita Harvest Series, which incorporates the finest freshly grown Louisiana ingredients into a suite of seasonally available brews. Available from May to September, Lemon Wheat is a crisp, refreshing beer made with lemon peel for a fresh citrus taste and aroma. This unfiltered brew has a hazy, golden color and is made with lager and wheat malts, Centennial hops and Biere de Garde yeast. This brew is an excellent choice with many dishes. It pairs wonderfully with salads, if the dressing is not too sweet. Great with shrimp, lobster or any fish, even the most delicate. Abita beers have always been brewed to pair with the life we love to live in Louisiana. Wherever you find great food, good music and fun times, Abita Beer will be there too. Visit Abita.com or download the Abita app to locate where these thirst- quenching summer brews are waiting for you right now.

WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | JUNE 2015

FISHING with KENNY

To Dad With Love by KEN N Y C OV INGTO N

IT COST MY DAD FIFTY DOLLARS. I remember like it was yesterday. I often asked my dad and mom if either of them would let me have two dollars, so I could rent a boat to go fishing at the old Hudson boat dock on Cheniere Lake. After finally seeing the light, my father found a 14 foot aluminum boat at a garage sale and bought it for me. To me, it was a $50,000 bass boat, and to this day, at least in my mind, it was. He would tell me years later, it was one of the smartest things he ever did. To me, it was one of the greatest. I was twelve at the time of “my boat” purchase, and the memories that come with it are priceless to me now. My dad was smart enough to see the growing passion for the water that I had, and in his own way he was helping to nurture it. But even when there were bumps in the road, it seems he was always there to help smooth things out. Once when I was fishing with a friend of mine, I kept losing fish after fish and in frustration I burst into tears. My father was walking along the banks watching us as we fished, and I remember him standing there watching as the crocodile tears were stream18 JUNE 2015 | W WW. B AYO UL IFE MAG .CO M

ing down my face. He jumped in his truck and drove off. My friend said, “Wonder where he is going?” I replied, “He is probably mad at me cause I am crying over losing a stupid fish, so he left to keep from getting on to me. I am sure I will hear about it later on.” Not ten minutes later, I saw my dad pull up in his truck just a few yards from where we were fishing. He got out and reached in the back and pulled out one of his rod and reel combinations. Thinking he was going to just fish from the bank, I didn’t give it a second thought. Then I heard him say, “Hey, come over here real quick.” I scull paddled over to where he was standing, and once I reached the bank he handed me his rod and said, “Use this rod I have rigged up, and I don’t think you will have any more problems losing those fish. The rod you are using is too light, and you aren’t getting a good hook set. This will fix that.” As my father drove off, my tears returned but for a much different reason. I knew then that he understood. Another time after a late evening “Mamaw, would you please come take me

to the lake” phone call, my grandmother agreed to come to our house early to take me to the lake. My dad was waiting to go to work, and she started in on him, “That baby has no business out on that lake by himself.” She continued, “I can’t believe you are gonna just let him just go off by himself.” On and on she was fussing at my father. Mind you, she was still helping me load my stuff and had even brought me a couple of sausage biscuits for me to have something to eat during the day, but that was beside the point. She was relentless. “What if something was to happen to him?” she asked my father. His reply was classic, “Well, Momma, if something happens to him, at least I will know where he was when it happened.” The time I missed graduation pictures, because I skipped school to go fishing, my dad took me to the lake that morning. The time I wrecked my boat on my way to a tournament, he helped me arrange to get it fixed. When I won my first tournament when I was 16, my father told everyone the week before that I was going to win it. The Saturday before he passed away, we fished a tournament together. The stories are endless, and so are the memories. Fishing is the only thing I have ever been good at. I don’t say that in an egotistical way. It’s just the only thing that I felt that while I was doing it, I had a place where I belonged. It became my comfort zone. Looking back, knowing now all what I do about my father, I think he was the same way, so it became our connection. On the water, he was equal. The fish didn’t care if you were a police officer, an accountant or a banker. I think in some ways, we all have a sense of not fitting in, and in his case and mine as well; fishing allowed a lot of barriers to be broken down, and fishing became our common bond. Now I understand. My father has been gone now for almost sixteen years. What I wouldn’t give to have another day on the water with him is an understatement. I even have a few rod and reels I would gladly let him use. Happy Father’s Day, Dad, I love you and I miss you.

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Doe’s Eat Place

A Tradition That Gets Better with Age

APPINESS IS HAVING A RARE STEAK, A BOTTLE OF whiskey and a dog to eat the rare steak,” once said Johnny Carson, comedian and father of three. It’s clear that Carson’s children never treated him to a Father’s Day meal at Doe’s Eat Place. Doe’s steaks are the stuff of legends, but the epic selection of bourbon and whiskey also lures many through its doors and straight to the bar. Bourbon is traditionally a staple behind any Southern bar and has always been a popular choice with the gentlemen. In the South, having your first whiskey with dad is practically a rite of passage. The first lesson: All bourbon is whiskey, but not all whiskey is bourbon. When it comes to whiskey, father doesn’t always know best. The drink is an acquired taste for some, and bar manager and whiskey aficionado Chad Watson can steer you in the right direction. The knowledgeable staff behind the bar of Doe’s is happy to provide a full education for those new to the drink, and more seasoned whiskey drinkers can explore the opulent variety of highend spirits that are available. Even the most schooled palate could find their match at Doe’s. “We have some of the finest quality available,” says Watson, who has made it his mission to stock Doe’s bar with the most sought after brands made. “We have whiskeys you can’t just go to the store and get. Most of the time, you have to be on lists for these brands for years just to get your hands on a bottle, but we wanted to make them accessible here at Doe’s.” Doe’s offers a wide array of bourbons and whiskey—125 varieties to be exact. In addition to Jack, Jim, and the other usual suspects are dozens of extraordinary bottles that are rarely seen together in one place. Indulge in a Van Winkle 10 or 12 year, or entertain a Lock, Stock, and Barrel 13-year-old Rye, or a 20 JUNE 2015 | W WW. B AYO UL IFE MAG .CO M

WhistlePig Boss Hog Rye. The Woodford Reserve Masters Collection Rye is available, but not for long—this particular whiskey will never be made again. For something unique, try the Angel’s Envy Rye which is rested in a rum cask. “That gives it a bit of a rum sweetness of the back end, which is pretty interesting,” explains Watson. Another intriguing bourbon is Jefferson Ocean, which is aged on a boat for four years. Over and above any bourbon anywhere, is the most celebrated of all—A.H. Hirsch Reserve. “We have A.H. Hirsch Reserve,” Watson says. “That’s the most sought after bourbon in the world. It was put in a barrel in 1974, and there will never ever be another. Actually, every time someone opens a bottle, the others become more valuable. It’s incredible.” If you prefer your bourbon mixed, consider one of Doe’s signature cocktails. Try Doe’s mint julep, with Buffalo Trace Bourbon, house made mint simple syrup and crushed ice. The delightful Apple Cooler is made with muddled fresh apple, angostura bitters, Buffalo Trace Bourbon and fresh lime juice. Also try the Honey Jack, made with Jack Daniels, house made peach syrup and a splash of sour—it’s every bit as nectarous as you imagine. “We taste everything, and we can make a hell of a cocktail. Or, if you like it straight, we can make a great suggestion. We like to serve the good stuff,” says Watson with a grin. Fall might be the season of whiskey, but it’s certainly not too soon to learn the lay of the land. When the weather cools down, Doe’s will be stocked with even more high-end brands. So, now is the perfect time to begin to test those amber colored waters and learn where your tastes lie. Like the sweet spirit in the glass, it is likely to become a tradition that only gets better with age.

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Selling Your Home 29 Tips That Get Homes Sold Fast: Part 4

BY KATHRYN JOYCE, REALTOR

ART 4 OF OUR GUIDE THAT will give you the tools you need to maximize your profits, maintain control, and reduce the stress that comes with the homeselling process.

• TIP #13 - Remove all traces of you from your home. When you toured other people’s homes, you may have felt some discomfort. This probably occurred because you saw, heard or otherwise sensed something that made you feel as if you were intruding into someone’s life. The last thing you want others to feel in visiting your home is that same sense of discomfort. Avoid this by making your home as neutral as possible. Anything that interferes with a prospective buyers’ ability to see themselves living in your home must be eliminated. A few carefully chosen knickknacks and family portraits may add warmth and character to the home, too many are a distraction. Avoid unique or trendy color schemes— paint and carpet in neutral shades of white or beige are optimal.

• TIP #14 - The little touches can make a difference. While personal items can detract, other small touches can help make your house a home to buyers. A well-placed vase of flowers, accent pieces of sculpture, potpourri in the bathroom—all can enhance the attractive-

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ness of your home in a subtle, soft-spoken way. Try perusing any of the home magazines for tips.

• TIP #15 - Don't let a smell be your downfall. Odd smells kill deals quickly. All traces of food, pet and smoking odors must be eliminated. Even when you’re sure they’re gone, don’t encourage prospective buyers to imagine things. If they know that you’re a smoker or that you have a dog, they’ll start smelling odors and seeing stains that may not even exist. Be safe—don’t leave any clues.

• TIP #16 - Disclose everything. Smart sellers proactively go above and beyond the laws to disclose all known defects to their buyers—in writing. If the buyer knows about a problem, he can’t come back with a lawsuit later on.

• TIP #17 - The more prospects the better. By maximizing your home’s marketability, you’ll increase your chances of attracting more than one prospective buyer. Why is this better? Because several buyers compete with each other; a single buyer ends up competing with you.

• TIP #18 - Don't get emotional during negotiations. The extent of most people’s experience in the art of negotiation begins and ends at their

local auto dealership. And few of us have pleasant memories of haggling with car salesmen. But if you can just let go of the emotion you’ve invested in your home and approach negotiations in a detached, businesslike manner, you’ll find the process to be a lot less painful. In fact, you might even enjoy it—and you’ll definitely have an advantage over prospective buyers who get caught up in the emotion of the situation.

• TIP #19 - Know your buyer. In the negotiation process, your objective is to control the pace and set the duration. And the better you know your buyer, the more easily you can maintain control. As a rule, buyers want the best property they can afford for the least amount of money. But knowing specifically what motivates your buyer enables you to negotiate more effectively. Maybe your buyer needs to move quickly. Or the maximum amount he can spend is just a little below your asking price. Knowing this information puts you in a better bargaining position. Please feel free to call Perry & Associates Residential Real Estate, if you would like further explanation on any of these topics or if you have any real estate questions at all. You can reach us at (318) 807-4663. To see what home prices are like in your neighborhood, visit our website www.perryresidential.com Stay tuned for more tips next month!

WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | JUNE 2015

Hixson Has It!

Hixson Autoplex Sees Increase in Sales and More

IXSON AUTOPLEX IN MONROE IS ONE OF THE fastest growing Ford dealerships in the Mid-South according to monthly sales reports released by Ford Motor Company. Hixson Ford sales outpace both the region and the nation with a 38% increase in 2014 versus 2013. To top it off, the dealership is up 36% again in the first four months of 2015 versus the same four months last year. Hixson Ford Certified Pre-owned sales are up 425% in 2015 as well. Ford is not the only manufacturer benefitting from the increase in business at Hixson Autoplex. BMW sales were up 30% in 2014 versus 2013 and Hixson BMW is projecting another 30% increase in 2015. David Surguine, the General Manager of the dealership, says, “People ask us all the time if our business is really that good.” The truth is Hixson Autoplex has had year over year increases in both sales and service every single month since last June (2014). It looks as if May could very well be the best month ever in the history of the dealership. This would be 12 months in a row the dealership has seen a year over year increase. This is a phenomenal accomplishment for any business in any industry. Surguine credits the employees of the dealership for this amazing run in business. “Things like this don’t just happen, and a business can’t be this lucky for this long. Behind every great accomplishment, there are great people doing great things, and I am fortunate to be a part of what is going on in this store, says Surguine.” The real exciting part of all of this is business should only continue to grow at an even faster pace when the company moves into its new facility. The Hixson Family has started constructing one of the largest Ford dealerships in the country on I-20 in Monroe just east of Sam’s Wholesale Club. This new Ford dealership will have approximately 850 parking spaces for vehicles and 57 service bays, clearly showing confidence in the future of the company. “The new dealership has been a vision of the family for years,” says Surguine. At their current location on Louisville Ave., the company has doubled their inventory and increased the number of employees working at the dealership by 60%. The new dealership on I-20 will bring even more jobs and will be a showplace the community will be proud of. As soon as the new Ford facility is completed, The Hixson’s will start construction on a new state-of-the-art BMW store at their current location. They have already remodeled and moved into a new BMW showroom on 24 JUNE 2015 | W WW. B AYO UL IFE MAG .CO M

the current property. The new temporary headquarters for BMW is very, very nice and provides customers with a unique shopping and service experience tailor made for BMW customers. On June 18th, Hixson BMW of Monroe along with manufacturer representatives from BMW will host a “Drive for the Team” event at the dealership. The guests of the event will be able to drive competitive vehicles as well as new BMW products. For each test driven mile, BMW will make a contribution to the USA Olympic Team. This sounds like a lot of fun, and the Hixson Family is inviting as many as would like to attend to come to the dealership for this event. Hixson Autoplex has served this community for 31 years and has a long list of loyal Ford and BMW customers that continue to come back year after year. With the increase in both sales and service, the company has made several adjustments to better facilitate the increase in business. For example, the company has created new positions to create faster and better communications with customers. They added a service receptionist and a full time Customer Relations Director. These new roles have virtually eliminated customers having to leave messages for dealership personnel to call them back. When one of our customer’s has a question or a concern, we want to be there for them now, says Surguine, and not two hours from now. Due to a tremendous increase in the number of incoming calls and Internet inquiries, the dealership has added more employees to their Business Development Center. This department is responsible for answering any product questions and providing fast and accurate pricing for both Ford and BMW products. In today’s business world, customer convenience is very important. Customers expect fast service, a great quality product, a good selection to choose from and, of course, a fair price. It appears that Hixson Autoplex in Monroe is doing a great job of meeting the expectations of their customers. There is an old Southern saying; “The proof is in the pudding.” In this case, the proof is certainly in the pudding! “All of the inventory and best buildings in the world will never replace long lasting relationships, built on trust, with our customers and with our employees” says Surguine. Not only has business increased at Hixson Autoplex, but even more important are the higher scores customers are giving on both Ford and BMW customer satisfaction surveys. Surguine says, “Of all of our accomplishments, this is by far the one we are most proud of.”

WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | JUNE 2015

Rhythm and Wine for Alzheimer’s Wine Pull Fundraiser at Landry Vineyards

LEASE JOIN AVALON PLACE SKILLED NURSING AND Rehabilitation Center, Centric Federal Credit Union, Delta Grande Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation Center and Glenwood Behavioral Health Center for the first Rhythm and Wine for Alzheimer’s Wine Pull that will be held at Landry Vineyards located at 5699 New Natchitoches Rd., West Monroe. This fun event will be held on June 11th from 6 to 9 p.m.Tickets are $15 ahead of time and $20 at the door. There will be a chance to win delicious wines by participating in a Wine Pull raffle, enjoy some great food by Tummy Yummy and bid on some great silent auction packages, including a trip to Napa Valley, an All-Inclusive stay in Jamaica and Casa de Campo Caribbean, Coach purse, Picnic Baskets and catering by some great restaurants, along with many other great packages. We are excited about all of our wonderful sponsors including Centric Federal Credit Union, Riverport Creative Group, Community Trust Bank and The Happy Hound Hotel. There are many more sponsors coming on board, and we will recognize them at the event and on the website. If your company wants to be a Wine Pull sponsor and spotlight your business by decorating a wine bottle, please email us by May 28th. Also, follow us on Facebook at Rhythm and Wine for Alzheimer’s. You can have fun dancing the night away to the music of The Waterboys. Please make plans to attend and have a great time by helping us raise money for the Alzheimer’s Association. All of the businesses hosting this event are excited to join efforts to raise money for a great cause. You can purchase tickets at at www.rhythmandwineforalzheimers.com or email info@rhythmandwineforalz.com or stop by the following locations to purchase tickets for $15 per ticket: Riverport Creative Group - 101 N. 2nd St., Suite 103, West Monroe, LA (open weekdays 9 to 4 p.m). Glenwood Behavioral Health Center -128 Ridgedale Drive, West Monroe, LA Contact Janice Hayes at 329-4525. Avalon Place - 4385 Old Sterlington Rd., Monroe, LA. Contact Shelby Dunn at 322-2000. Delta Grande - 3001 South Grand St. Monroe, LA. Contact Greg Futch at 322-3100. 26 JUNE 2015 | W WW. B AYO UL IFE MAG .CO M

What is Alzheimer’s? Alzheimer's is a disease that attacks the brain. It is the most common form of dementia. What is Dementia? Dementia is a general term for a decline in mental ability severe enough to interfere with daily life. Alzheimer’s is the 6th leading cause of death in the United States. 1 of 3 seniors die with Alzheimer’s or another dementia. Did you know that almost two-thirds of Americans with Alzheimer’s are women? Alzheimer’s disease is the only cause of death in the Top 10 in America, that cannot be prevented, slowed down or cured. You can learn more about Alzheimer’s Association by visiting alz.org. Also, make plans to participate or join in the Walk to End Alzheimer’s in November 2015. There will be lots of vendors, music and raffles, all to help with raising funds for support, research and more with the Alzheimer’s Association. This is a family and pet friendly event that happens every year in our area. Please know that you are not alone. There is support and outreach for Alzheimer’s in our community and the Walk to End Alzheimer’s helps to create awareness and make connections needed for the support you may need. All of the businesses hosting the Wine Pull at Landry Vineyards will be taking part in the Walk and would love to see everyone there as well. The Walk is scheduled for November 14th. Registration will begin at 9 a.m. and Walk at 10 a.m. We encourage your businesses to sign up now and start raising funds ahead of time. If you are interested in participating in the Rhythm and Wine for Alzheimer’s, please email info@rhythmandwineforalz.com or stop by Riverport Creative Group. The Rhythm and Wine for Alzheimer’s is being hosted by Avalon Place Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Centric Federal Credit Union, Delta Grande Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation Center and Glenwood Behavioral Health Center. Thank you again to our Media Sponsors - Community Trust Bank, Kilpatrick Funeral Homes, Riverport Creative Group and The Happy Hound Hotel.

WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | JUNE 2015

BAYOUKIDZ

Remembering Bitsy

My Grandmother – Tight Hugs and Unconditional Love

article by Cindy G. Foust

y heart is heavy this month, Readers, heavier than it has been in some time. Since I share many of my life's experiences with the readers of this column, this month will be no exception. And because this month's issue will feature some gardening stories, I feel it is very appropriate to let our readers know that the world lost a "master gardener" last week. No, she didn't have the notoriety of Martha Stewart or John Abercrombie (I confess, I had to look him up), but she was a master ,nonetheless. Yes, my world got considerably dimmer last Friday when my family's beloved master gardener, and my grandmother, Willie "Bitsy" Tarver Boles, passed away peacefully and lovingly surrounded by her family. I've written often of my "Mawmaw" in this column and shared some of the insights she has imparted to me through the years (okay, not her dumpling recipe, that stays in the family), but regrettably, I've never graced the pages of this column with a full tribute to her. This month, however, it seemed fitting to write this column about her, but with my adult readers in mind, rather than our BayouLife children. Why? Because I think her legacy and a few tales from the "Ollie Caples Hill" might strike a cord with our "grown-up" followers…tales I think might even make some of you "pause for the cause," the way I have this past week and perhaps, "stop to smell the roses," even if it's just a short stop. As I sat on the swing in her backyard earlier

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this week, staring at the back of her cherished home, humble in stature, but abundant in the things that matter most…tight hugs, unconditional love and loving hands…you know, the ones who make you homemade french fries, or turns your electric blanket on an hour before you go to bed, I was overwhelmed with pride. Sadness, yes, at the loss of her life, but also pride. You know, that prideful feeling you get every time you hear the “Star Spangled Banner,” or when they hand you your newborn baby for the first time? The same pride that gives you a lump in your throat so big, that you might choke when you swallow and when the tears sting the back of your eyes? Okay, we are on the same page now. We've all experienced it…and these are the moments in our lives, probably infrequent in nature, but significant in the sense that they change the way you look at life. I was surprised, I think, initially, when these feelings began to infiltrate the "feeling sorry for myself" moment I was trying to have. But as I sat there and reflected on my grandmother's life, it occurred to me, quite simply, that in this mixed-up, crazy world we live in, she at least, got it right. My grandmother lived through the Great Depression, which defines a generation with that simple label, "I lived through the Great Depression." She didn't need and more importantly, want for the material things of this world…big fancy homes, expensive cars or large trust funds. No, she didn't

travel or shop or lunch…but she lived. As those two words "she lived" rolled over my decrepit thoughts, the pride I began to feel made my chest start to swell. Why? Because "Bitsy" lived her life her way, at her pace, regardless of what was going on around her…and when you live 90 years, trust me, the entire world revolutionizes in front of you. It did not, however, change the pace that she chose to run her race. Her race, you see, was filled with the things that made her the happy…her family, particularly her grandchildren, her garden, her table (which for years was always full of wonderful, home cooked meals), her fishing, and caring for her home. Her race was also filled with encouraging words, hugs that took your breath and prayers… prayers so heartfelt and sincere for this writer, when I was so broken from my own loss, that I couldn't see to get out of bed. She lived with a sense of humor that often evoked a belly laugh that rivaled the illustrious sound of the Boston Symphony. She lived with an honest tongue, careful never to hurt anyone's feelings, but sharp and candid, even if you didn't like her answer to whether the pants you were wearing made you look fat. She lived with hard work…at 90 years old, a month before she died, she was still mowing her own yard and balancing her own checkbook (incidentally, she was also a master John Deere riding mower driver, even when we begged to buy her a golf cart, she would not hear of it.) She never stopped working hard, even in the winter of her life, whether she was gardening, canning, cooking or chopping firewood. You heard me right…a few years ago when a tree fell into her garden, my sister and brother-in-law stopped in to see her, and lo and behold, she had her chainsaw, cutting the tree into smaller pieces, so she could move them herself. Can you say Paul Bunyon? Never one to want to be a burden to anyone, she also lived with a streak of independence that frustrated her family many times but also fascinated us that she refused to sit in her "chair" and be waited on. (I tell you what, if I live to be 90, my kids better be stopping by for dominoes everyday and bringing me a hot plate lunch.) Finally, and I think this one has really resonated with me, she lived within her means. If she didn't need it, she didn't buy it. It didn't matter that she might want it, it was wasteful and unnecessary. How profound. As a matter a fact, many years ago, my grandfather came home, tired and beat down from the hours he was working and made the comment that he just wished he had the money to pay their house off, so he could slow down.

(Continued On Page 99)

WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | JUNE 2015

Larry and His Leak

Meredith’s Musings Just In Time For Father’s Day BY MEREDITH MCKINNIE

o, one of the things my parents did for us that I’ve always been grateful for was the 18 x 36 in-ground pool dug in September of 1997, my sophomore year of high school. I always referred to it as the consolation prize, having just been uprooted from Ouachita Junior High, a class of several hundred and dragged to what I deemed “the boonies” of Sterlington, with a mere graduating class of 32. I’m convinced Dad had the pool started in September, so Bonnie and I could salivate for eight months waiting until the water would be warm enough to swim. I say Bonnie and I, as if she ever had any interest in the thing. She never was out there for more than ten minutes, as she has the attention span of a goldfish. Essentially, it was/is mine and Mom’s oasis. I would literally wake up in the summer, get into my suit, walk down the stairs and dive right in. Mom would join me for the first few hours, usually with her latest book of the day, proceeding to give me a 15 minute synopsis of the ins and outs of the plot. I just didn’t have

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the heart to let her in on the extent to which I didn’t care. I would float on my raft, covered in baby oil and iodine (yep, works like a charm), feign interest in the latest crime novel and count down the minutes to Lorraine’s departure, where I could find that special corner of the pool where no one could see me through the endless windows at the back of the house and submerge myself in my own literary goodness (something of value and not a “who dun it”) all the while not having to leave the coolness of the water….such were my summers. So, back to Larry, and inevitably, his leak. 15 years later, having been through 3 liners and countless hours of battles with chemicals and pumps and chlorine, we have a leak. And this is no ordinary leak. It’s extensive. Dad has calculated that we are losing close to 500 gallons per 12 hr period, a good inch leak every night. This has been going on for a month now. Most people would simply call a guy. Not Larry. He will “save that $200; thank you very much,” though my math calculations have the

water bill running a minimum $180 after this whole debacle. He is convinced he is a pool expert, having owned one now for 17 years. He is the mastermind, and he has deemed me his protégé, meaning I do all the legwork under water, as he can no longer hold his breath for extended periods. Apparently, the youthful damage to my lungs is no match for his 45 inch waistline. Finding the Leak: Larry’s first method was plugging all the jets, and simply finding the plugs was an act of Congress, but we did. And we plugged. And it still leaked. Check, it wasn’t the jets. Next option, the pool light. After swimming under, determining the light was held in place by only one screw and the 12 others were for looks (underwater?), and explaining to Mom (the gopher) that no, the Phillips-head screwdriver is not the flat one, out came the light. Now the plug, which Dad had had to drive to West Monroe to get because the people at one pool place didn’t have it and still the other place had one that was too big to plug the hole. Fret not. Larry would just file that thing down, and we would be back in business. Except that in the act of filing, it slipped and was forever lost in the abyss that is my dad’s shop. And it only took us three sweaty “flashlight in hand/on our knees” hours to come to that conclusion. The Internet: As my Dad just came home two years ago claiming to have discovered Google, the “greatest thing ever,” you can imagine his Internet knowledge is slim. He doesn’t have a cell phone. And I’m stupid for cradling mine like a newborn baby, but when he just has to know Brittney Griner’s exact height and date of birth to impress Mom, because she has already forgotten, suddenly the smart phone is invaluable. Long story short, we order a new plug, but it won’t arrive until Tuesday. And within ten minutes, I’m back in the pool shoving a rag into the quarter inch hole with the same flat-head screwdriver Mom still refers to as the Philips-head. Fast forward to last night, having just finished three aerobics classes, imagine my luck when I pull up to Dad surrounded by (CONTINUED ON PAGE 151)

WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | JUNE 2015

Webber and May Join St. Frederick All Interested Families are Invited to Tour the School

HERE MAY WILL BE JOINING ST. FREDERICK WITH new St. Frederick Principal Dr. Robert Webber, longtime superintendent of Ouachita Parish Schools. Webber will succeed St. Frederick Principal Guy Farber who has accepted a position at a school in Florida and will be leaving at the end of the school year. May is currently the Director of High Schools for the Ouachita Parish School System. Prior to holding this position she served as principal at West Monroe High School for 12 years. In addition to her experience as a principal, May has ten years of experience as a certified counselor. “Shere May’s experience as a counselor will be a tremendous asset to St. Frederick Catholic High School,“ said Sr. Carol Shively, Diocesan Superintendent of Schools. "I'm elated to have someone like Shere May joining me at SFHS. The knowledge, expertise, and excitement that Shere brings to the school will have a positive influence on the overall school environment," Dr. Robert Webber said. “Anyone who would like to visit St. Frederick is invited to call us to be included in our Friday school tours in May and June,” Webber said. “St. Frederick offers the individual attention that students need to develop to their fullest potential – intellectually, spiritually, socially, emotionally and physically.” “We are excited about having someone with Dr. Webber’s credentials joining the St. Frederick family. His experience and leadership success will help us continue the growth and advancement of St. Frederick Catholic High School," said Shively. Shively believes that Webber and May will help advance the STREAM curriculum at St. Frederick. STREAM stands for Science, Technology, Religion, Engineering, Arts and Math. This pro-

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gram is based on the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) May earned her Bachelor’s of Arts in Social Studies and Business Education, a Master’s of Education and Counseling plus additional graduate hours in administration and supervision towards a doctorate degree, all at ULM. May is a member of the Louisiana Association of School Executives, National Association of Secondary School Principals and the Louisiana Association of Principals. She has been recognized as High School Principal of the Year and Distinguished Alumni of West Monroe High School. Prior to being named Superintendent, Webber served as Principal of Ouachita Junior High School and as Assistant Principal of Ouachita Parish High School. He also served as a teacher and coach of Ouachita Junior High and Ouachita High Schools. Webber is a graduate of Northeast Louisiana University where he earned his bachelor’s degree in Physical Education and Social Studies (1977), a master’s degree in Administration and Supervision (1983), and a Specialist Degree in Administration and Supervision (1992). He earned his Doctorate from Louisiana Tech in 1998. Webber is actively involved in service to the community. He served as Chairman of the United Way of Northeast Louisiana, Fall Roundup Chairman of Boys Scouts of America, Louisiana Purchase Council, Board of Directors of the Chennault Aviation Museum and the Board of Directors of the Glenwood Regional Medical Center, as well as many other organizations.

St. Frederick Catholic High School is located at 3300 Westminster Avenue in Monroe. 318-323-9636. www.stfrederickhigh.org

WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | JUNE 2015

RANDY SMITH JEWELERS

Ellie is wearing 4.05 carat 14kt white gold solitare stud earrings. A diamond estate ring on her right hand. On her wedding finger is a 2.10 carat round-cut diamond set in a 14kt white gold mounting with custom diamond wedding bands. 13 carat diamond tennis necklace with graduated round-cut diamonds. Assorted diamond tennis bracelets ranging from 3 to 8 carats, set in white gold.

Photography by Martin G Meyers Hair and Makeup by Meka Reliford Bridal Attire from Davidâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Bridal Model: Ellie Jackson

HOLLIS & COMPANY

Ellie channels Coco Chanel by layering 100â&#x20AC;? strands of Imperial freshwater pearls. The earrings are Arman Sarkisyan sterling silver and 22kt gold dove earrings with blue sapphire and diamonds. The look is complete with these gorgeous freshwater pearl and Swarovski crystal hairpins by Tacori.

BALDWINS ANTIQUE JEWELRY

Antique palladium 3 carat old European cut diamond ring. Antique reproduction Platinum 1.34 carat diamond & sapphire earrings. Mikimoto pearls with antique cushion cut diamond, old mine cut diamond, and pearl pendant. 15.16 carat sapphire ring in a platinum Saturn mounting with .60 carats in diamonds. 6 Antique (crystal, 8.50 carat diamond, filigree) bracelets stacked.

Hopkins Dermatology Come to the Light

OPKINS DERMATOLOGY HAS purchased the FOTONA* Laser. Dr. Janine Hopkins chose to bring the Fotona into her practice after seeing the results at the AAD meeting in New York. This dual-wavelength laser system from Fotona offers a wide range of skin resurfacing and rejuvenation treatments.

Fotona4D*: Non-Invasive Laser Face Lifting This is a series of synergistic, non-invasive laser treatments of both the exterior facial and interior oral cavity, enabling full-thickness contraction of collagen for persistent, no-downtime tightening and volumization, without injectables. With Fotona4D laser wavelengths and 4 treatment modes, anti-aging is comprehensively approached from 4 different levels, working deeper, medial and superficial connective structures of the skin as well as targeting imperfections. A full course of Fotona4D consists of four separate treatment sessions. The four “dimensions” of Fotona4D refer to four distinct modes of treatment. All of them are harnessed for aesthetic use in concert to combat facial and neck aging. This system grants the opportunity to achieve face lifting with a cumulative, synergistic effect, with little or no downtime or anesthesia.

Other exciting features of the Fotona that are available include: • Permanent Hair Reduction

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Using the hand scanner, this becomes a fast and painless procedure for back or legs and is optimal for men and women. Fotona’s Nd:YAG lasers incorporate revolutionary pulse-control technology and a proprietary three-dimensional treatment pattern to provide safe and effective hair reduction. Unlike other wavelengths, only Nd:YAG is safe to use on all skin types. Fotona’s innovative system effectively targets surface treatment areas while leaving surrounding tissues unaffected. The success of hair reduction treatments depends largely on a patients’s skin and hair type, as well as the skills and treatment insight of the practitioner.

• Post Pregnancy Stretch Marks and Tummy Tightening

• Acne and Acne Scar Revision Fotona offers a laser acne treatment protocol that provides a truly comprehensive solution to the problem of acne. The Nd: YAG Laser light safely penetrates into skin to effectively target overactive sebaceous glands and to reduce the risk of developing new acne inflammation. For improving the appearance of acne scars, Fotona offers a complementary laser treatment based on a precise and gentle skin resurfacing procedure in which the Er:YAG laser beam is absorbed by the top micro-layers of the skin to vaporize scarred tissue and stimulate the production of new collagen in the dermis.

In addition to its thermal penetration effects, the Nd:YAG acne laser treatment also accelerates the healing process and stimulates collagen remodeling, an important step in the long-term treatment of acne.

• Skin Resurfacing (a laser peel) Recent developments in laser technology are now delivering a longer lasting and scientifically proven method of restoring the natural beauty of the skin. Unlike traditional treatments, such as dermabrasion and chemical peels, the unique characteristics of laser skin resurfacing allow more accurate and precise control over the treatment process.

As a Board Certified Dermatologist and Laser Expert, Dr. Hopkins is pleased continue to address women's health issues. IntimiLase is a unique laser therapy for incisionless, noninvasive photothermal tightening of the vaginal canal. Clinical studies have shown that IntimaLase is an efficient, easy-to-perform, and safe procedure with no pain and downtime. IncontiLase is for the treatment of mild and moderate stress urinary incontinence. This laser therapy is based on non-ablative photothermal stimulation of collagen neogenesis, shrinking and tightening of vaginal mucosa tissue and collagen-rich endopelvic fascia, and subsequently greater support to the bladder. There is a NEW light in town. For an appointment, please call Hopkins Dermatology at 318.325.0600.

ask erin

WEDDING TIPS FROM AN EXPERT

by Erin Sharplin Love hether it’s your first marriage or third or if you are on a fixed income or can splurge on all of the extras, the advice from an expert wedding planner is priceless. After all, a wedding can take months to a year to plan correctly, and that’s no small feat. As a wedding planner who is involved in dozens of events a year, I recognize that your wedding is a once-ina-lifetime occurrence and that the entire process can become overwhelming. Below are a few of my expert tips for getting your wedding right!

PLAN A BUDGET – Your budget is the most important part of the planning process because the amount of money you can spend will dictate every facet of the wedding. Therefore, it goes without saying that a little extra time and effort should be devoted to devising the perfect budget. Otherwise, you could be destined for a rude awakening. First, sit down with your fiancé and discuss the wedding of your dreams – How many people will be there? Will it be a buffet or seated reception? Do you want a band or a DJ? Will alcohol be served? Will you marry in a church? Realize that the larger the wedding, the more money it will cost. Second, sit down with your fiancé and both sets of parents to discuss who will be paying for the wedding and how much each party can and will contribute.

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Finally, begin getting quotes from vendors that you know you definitely want to have as part of the wedding. From there,, you can finalize your budget.

GET ORGANIZED – To have a successful wedding, you must be ‘super-organized.” That means creating seemingly endless checklists. The first list that must be created is the guest list as the number of people attending will affect expenses and dictate the size of the venue you will need for the ceremony and reception. Keep in mind that you will have a list, your fiancé will have a list, and both sets of parents will have a list that must be combined to create the final list. Second, you should create a wedding binder. I prefer a two-inch, three-ring binder with pockets. Your binder should contain the following divided sections – Attendants, Guest List, Ceremony, Reception, Caterer, Florist, Parties, Showers, Rehearsal Dinner, Photographer, Videographer, Transportation, Stationery, Invitations and Miscellaneous. At first, you will have various papers from potential vendors. Once you’ve interviewed and contracted your wedding- day vendors, I suggest removing the other potential vendor papers and placing them in a manila file pocket, or another binder, just in case you need to refer back to them at some point.

CHOOSE THE THEME – Your “theme” includes everything from the time of the wedding, to the colors you use, to the stationery you send. The theme is one of the most important decisions you will make as it sets the tone for every decision to follow. You want each piece of your wedding puzzle to reflect your vision correctly, so making these decisions early is imperative. For instance, do you want a formal wedding or one that is more laid back? A more formal wedding should happen at 6:00 in the evening or later, while a less formal wedding should happen before 6:00. The formality of the wedding should also help dictate the formality of your wedding attire. A floor-length beaded gown with a cathedral-length train is the most formal of dresses, while a knee-length shift dress can be the least formal. When choosing the colors that will be included in your wedding, be sure to consider the time of year. For instance, a winter wedding would be perfect for shades of red, silver, or blue, and a spring wedding would be perfect for any pastel combination.

ENJOY THE WEEKEND – Finally, I recommend that you enjoy the entire weekend of the wedding. Get pampered, relax and really take in the events of the wedding as they happen. More often than not, brides will forget most of what happens during the wedding, unless a conscious effort to remember each moment is made. Consider hiring a coordinator to handle the weekends’ events or, at the very least, ask a family friend to step in. Either way, the wedding weekend should be stress-free for the bride, the groom and their families. Each of the tips above was designed to relieve a bit of the stress that goes into the wedding planning process and to help avert some of the catastrophes that I’ve run across during my career as a wedding coordinator. In the end, though, a wedding should be about what is coming afterwards…marriage. Don’t let the minute details turn it into anything else. Enjoy your engagement and the wedding planning process.

Erin Sharplin Love, owner of Panache by Erin, is a Certified Fashion and Image Consultant, Professional Organizer, and Certified Wedding Coordinator whose specialties include outfit coordination and closet organization. Love has a knack for creating the perfect organized spaces that work with each client’s personality, for helping her fashion clients develop their own personal style, and for helping her wedding clients create the wedding of their dreams within their budget and without the stress. Panache by Erin offers the following services – outfit coordination, personal shopping, personal color analysis, home/office organization and wedding/event coordination. To learn more please go to www.panachebyerin.com.

WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | JUNE 2015

G O I N G T O T H E C H A P E L

Dallas and Atlanta based sales representative for Reeves & Company, Analeise Reeves, shares the ins and outs of wedding style bliss for brides, family and guests.

he word “wedding” in our culture seems to conjure up all sorts of feelings from happiness and excitement to stress and anticipation, all of which are valid. Planning a wedding as well as feeling the pressure to measure up to perceived expectations can take a toll whether you’re a blushing bride, frantic family member or a guest who’s being pulled in 50 directions because of the seven weddings you’re to attend in the next six months. Although you may feel exhausted, anxious and uncertain about much during wedding season, your style should be one thing that gives you confidence. If you look your best, you’ll feel your best. From an over-the-top traditional wedding or a bohemian style fête, to a courthouse nuptial, I’ve got you covered!

When trying on wedding gowns, I really surprised myself. Going in, I thought I knew the exact look I wanted, so I figured I’d only try on a few dresses like my married friends before me. When the day was done I had tried on 14, all of which were extremely unique. You really never know what style is going to look best on you, no matter how many times you’ve read what BRIDES magazine has to say about it. Just because you have broad shoulders doesn’t mean you need to wear a halter style dress. I’ve put together some tips to help you look and feel your best when picking out your dress as well as things to remember to achieve YOUR perfect wedding day look: 1) KEEP AN OPEN MIND. Be willing to listen to what the salon has to say, as well as the people you’ve chosen to be with you (family, friends). Although your opinion is the most important, remember to keep theirs in mind as well. Also, try on different style veils- different dresses warrant different veils, so it’s best to try on as many options as possible. 2) STAY IN KEEPING WITH THE LOCATION/THEME. If it’s a beach wedding, wear something with lovely draping that you’ll be cool in. If you’re nuptials are in a cathedral, don’t be afraid to turn up the drama with a ball gown style skirt. It’s your one chance to feel like Princess Kate. And if you’re marrying before a judge, a tuxedo style suit or short fit-and-flare dress is perfect. 3) WEAR COMFORTABLE LINGERIE AND SHOES. You don’t want to be pulling at your bra or shuffling around the dance floor with a pain stricken expression all night. You can’t control a lot of what happens at your wedding, but you can control how you look and feel. Bodysuits and corset/bustier style bras are great, because they stay in place and a mid-height, wide-stacked heel is always the most comfortable shoe option.

BRIDE

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Dune Maia patent embellished block heeled sandals $162:

4) ACCESSORIES MATTER. If you’re a boho or edgy bride, then incorporate something a bit Dolce & Gabbana off-the-wall into Spring 2014: your look. Try sporadic placements of flowers in your hair instead of a tiara, or a cascading bouquet rather than a nosegay. If you’re more simplistic, remember less is always more. For instance, if your dress features a lot of lace, hold back on the jewelry. Let your engagement ring and wedding band shine brightest. 5) ADD SOMETHING SENTIMENTAL. Sew a piece of your mother's wedding gown into the inside of your dress, wear your cousin’s veil or borrow your aunt’s gorgeous diamond studs. For my wedding, the only jewelry I plan to wear are the pieces John has given me through the years (including my engagement ring) and my great-grandmother Sally’s wedding band with both our wedding dates engraved inside.

Carolina Herrera Fall 2015:

FAMILY

We all know that white, off-white and ivory are off limits for anyone but the bride on her special day, but there are also other important rules to keep in mind. Whether you’re the MOB, mother-in-law, sister, cousin or distant relative, it’s thoughtful and much appreciated to ask the bride how she envisions her family’s style that day. You don’t want to arrive 30 minutes before the ceremony in a Pucci-inspired print dress for an October wedding that the entire family has decided to wear chocolate brown to. You’re going to be pictured in the leather bound coffee table wedding album as well, so don’t stick out like a sore thumb.

Olivia Palermo curates the perfect wedding guest style for Winter, Spring, Summer and Fall:

As a guest, your only obligations are to fit in with the season and dress appropriately- black-tie, formal, cocktail, etc. (remember that you’re responsible for making sure your attending friends are dressed appropriately as well, if they’re unsure about the attire). When trying to decide between classy or sexy, always lean on the side of classy- save your sexy looks for nights out with your girlfriends. A wedding is sacred, and we as guests always need to remember that. One of my biggest wedding pet peeves is when a beautifully dressed woman arrives carrying her everyday oversized handbag. If you don’t have a cocktail bag (or don’t have one you can borrow), don’t carry anything at all.

GUEST

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Great Raft Brewing Company Real Beer, Brought to You by Marsala Beverage

REAT RAFT BREWING IS A CRAFT BREWERY IN Shreveport, Louisiana that specializes in world-class quality beers that complement the lifestyles and cultures of Louisiana. The Company was founded in 2012 by Andrew and Lindsay Nations – two Shreveport natives with a passion for beer. Great Raft Brewing’s mission is to brew what we call “Real Beer.” Real Beer is brewed with creativity, passion and authenticity. Our beer is brewed with creativity that pushes the boundaries of style, a passion for greatness, and authentic ingredients. DRINK REAL BEER. YOU DESERVE IT.

Barrel-Aged Old Mad Joy Old Mad Joy is a baltic porter with layered malt complexities of chocolate, coffee and roasted barley. This dark and rich lager shines with a boozy but restrained sweetness and builds a slight fruitiness as it warms.

Awkward Uncle™ - Belgian Strong Dark Ale This Belgian Dark Stong Ale is BIG AND BOOZY, just like the best and worst family gatherings. The rich malty sweetness of this festive ale is balanced by plentiful amounts of cherries, ginger and cinnamon. This beer contains a lot of good cheer. Enjoy Responsibly

At Arm's Length™ - India Pale Lager Throwing an absurd amount of American hops at a classic lager seemed only natural for us. Shh, don't tell the Germans. We like to keep them at arm's length.

All My Tomorrows™ - Hoppy Saison A modern interpretation of a classic farmhouse ale that celebrates American innovation. We kicked tradition to the curb, adding a generous amount of rye and American Mosaic hops to create a rustic Saison that’s earthy and fruity, with intense aromatics of juicy citrus. 46 JUNE 2015 | W WW. B AYO UL IFE MAG .CO M

Make Believer™ Make Believer, our session IPA, is a delicate but hoppy ale that clocks in at just 5% ABV and is loaded with Citra and Galaxy hops.

Creature of Habit™ - Coffee Brown A collaboration brew with Rhino Coffee to celebrate their 1 year anniversary. We added cold-brewed coffee, made from an exclusive Rhino bean blend, to our brown ale to create a this roasty and refreshing beer.

Southern Drawl™- Pale Lager A hop forward lager with complex, citrusy aromas derived from German hops and wheat phenols. We use our house German lager strain to provide a fresh backdrop for this perfect session lager. Mildly traditional...Wildly drinkable.

Commotion™ - American Pale Ale This pale ale has a slightly fruity aroma, with an upfront hop bitterness of grapefruit and citrus. This complex but balanced dry-hopped ale is faintly sweet but soft through the generous amounts of wheat.

Grace and Grit™ - Double IPA Our Double IPA has strong tropical aromas derived from massive amounts of Citra and Amarillo hops. This incredible bitterness is balanced with honey malt creating a soft and slightly sweet hop bomb.

Reasonably Corrupt™ - Schwarzbier A black lager with dark and roasty malt sweetness. Don’t let the darkness fool you – this is a sweeter, fuller-bodied version of the premium lager you know and love. It has a smooth, crisp finish, with depth of color and taste.

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Celebration 2015

Cedar Creek Celebrates with Blue Dog - Blue Grass - Blue Jeans

LUE DOG - BLUE GRASS - BLUE JEANS” WAS THE THEME for Celebration 2015, Cedar Creek School’s annual Spring fundraiser. Attendees were greeted by event co-chairs Alice and Kerry Byrnes and Melissa and BJay Durrett as they entered the Ruston Civic Center on April 10th. The Blue Dog/Blue Grass inspired decor was cheerful and relaxed, of course jeans were the attire of choice! The sold-out crowd enjoyed live "Blue Grass" music provided by the Hands Down Band throughout the evening. Cedar Creek parents, grandparents, faculty, alumni and friends enjoyed beverages from The Dukes of Dixieland Tavern and The Ice House while they visited the Some Like it Hot Cook-Off to sample appetizers prepared by our Celebration cook-off teams. The delicacies included everything from turkey necks to tacos and the competition was fierce. Congratulations to The Redneck Ring of Fire cook-off team for bringing home The Golden Bone award as the "Top Dog" at this years' competition. BJay Durrett and Kerry Byrnes event cochairs and members of opposing cook-off teams expressed their gratitude and both agreed that the cook-off was a great way to participate and that it added excitement to the event. Patrons perused the I Walk the Line silent auction that offered an array of packages donated by area merchants and supporters of the school. With over 80 packages to chose from, spanning from spa packages to cowboy boots and weekend romantic retreats to honey do packages, there was truly something for everyone. As attendees dined on a delicious meal from the Rollin On the River Banquet, Andrew Yepson, Head of School, presented an overview of The Creek Campaign, officially kicking off a multi-phase capital campaign for Cedar Creek School. His presentation included renderings and floor plans for each phase of the campaign: Phase I The Academic Center; Phase II -The Dining Center; and Phase III The Gymnasium. Phase I, the Academic Center, a twelve classroom building, is scheduled to break ground this summer. 48 JUNE 2015 | W WW. B AYO UL IFE MAG .CO M

Dinner was followed by the Luck Be A Lady live auction that included class projects, a beach vacation and hunting and fishing trips to name just a few. Auctioneer Ben Dance rallied the crowd as bidding went through the roof on a custom framed George Rodrigue Blue Dog silk screen print (We Are Marching Again) and went even higher on dinner for eight with Food & Wine's - The People's Best New Chef, Cory Bahr. Alice Byrnes and Melissa Durrett event co-chairs assisted with the live auction and were extremely pleased and grateful for the generosity of the guests. At the close of the live auction, guests had the opportunity to “Raise the Paddle" to support a campus facelift that will update the facades of existing buildings. Dance masterfully worked the crowd as they generously raised paddles in support of Cedar Creek School. Celebration 2015 concluded with a drawing for The Ice House raffle package that included a diamond and tanzanite ring along with a Yeti 65 cooler. The grand finale of the evening was a drawing for one year of Cedar Creek tuition. Andrew Yepson expressed his appreciation for the generosity of the Cedar Creek community, "It is truly overwhelming to see the support that our families and friends continue to show for this annual event. I am extremely excited about the enthusiasm that was shown for the kick off of The Creek Campaign." Funds raised through sponsorships, silent and live auctions, and donations are dedicated to The Creek Campaign. The entire Cedar Creek community appreciates the generous support of our sponsors, merchants, parents, grandparents, alumni and friends that made Blue Dog - Blue Grass - Blue Jeans an overwhelming success! Thank you! To learn more about The Creek Campaign, please visit our website www.cedarcreekschool.org or contact Cedar Creek School. 318.255.7707.

Walters and Gardner Engagement Party Lindsey Walters and Eric Gardner celebrated their engagement with a cocktail party on the evening of Saturday, February 21, 2015 at the beautiful home of Guy Campbell, on Loop Road. Lindsey is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Brian Moreau and Mr. and Mrs. Gladden S. Walters, III and Eric is the son of Mrs. Kathy Gardner, Mr. R. B. Green and the late Vance Gardner The party was hosted by Guy Campbell, Kim Hummel and a number of very close friends and family. Lindsey wore a mermaid gown by Marchesa Notte. Rose gold embellishments enhanced this elegant sleeveless scoop neckline gown and fitted mermaid shaped tulle skirt. Her look was completed with Oscar de La Renta gold crystal linear drop earrings, hair by the talented Holly McCready and Blake Mason and finally make-up by the amazing James McCready, all of Rain Salon. The evening began with a private party dedicated to the many wonderful hosts. As people entered the foyer, the home was overflowing with exquisite floral arrangements of Casablanca lilies, cherry blossoms, Oceania roses, dendrobium orchids and agapanthus created by the talented floral designer, Clinton Downing, with special assistance from Gayle Sheppard. Every room was filled with fresh flowers and candles. The large outdoor white tent was lined with beautiful white draping, large hanging chandeliers and a breathtaking floral creation inspired by European gardens. The evening continued for several more hours for the invited guests. Thurman and his staff did an amazing job once again with great food, including

On the BayouScene

beef tenderloin with raspberry sauce, grilled oysters, burgundy mushrooms, blackeye pea pork gumbo, pork steamship roast, a grits bar and the “best ever” fried catfish. For dessert, he served his delicious bread pudding with whiskey sauce. All the waiters were fabulous with special thanks going to the famous trio of Henry, Walter and Ernest for their perfect bartending skills while serving wonderful hand selected wines by Guy Campbell and other mixed drinks. The guests enjoyed music and entertainment by the Hands On Band from Monroe. The weather didn’t keep anyone from enjoying themselves beyond imagination. The couple’s toasts began with the ever charming and witty, Stacey Goff, followed by each of the couple’s parents and Eric. A very special thank you goes to the very talented and professional local photographer, Brad Arender, who was able to capture the magical evening through his amazing photography skills. Lindsey, Eric and their families couldn’t thank the very special group of hosts and hostesses for making their engagement party so magical and memorable. Also, a special thanks to all the guests for braving the storm to celebrate this special evening with the couple. Finally, words cannot begin to say how much the family and couple appreciated the great hospitality of Guy Campbell and Kim Hummel.

1 Lindsey Walters and Eric Gardner 2 Tina Laird, Florinell Laird, Lindsey Walters and Maxine Moreau 3 Lindsey Walters, Billy Laird and Maxine Moreau 4 Brian Moreau and Maxine Moreau 5 Eric Gardner, Lindsey Walters, Tallie Mabray, Wilson Mabray 6 Perry Smith, Tyler Liner, Lindsey Walters, Hanna and Matt Laird 7 Kristin Locantro, Lindsey Walters, Lindsey Bass, Lori Griﬃs 8 Jordan John, Katelin Hughes, Lindsey Walters, Katie Thomas, Lori Griﬃs 9 R.B. Green, Kathy Gardner, Adam Gardner, Larsen Gardner, Kelly Gardner, Lindsey Walters and Eric Gardner 10 Brittney Ledbetter, Mac Ledbetter, Lindsey Walters, Tyler Flemister, Martin Zentner and Chris Mickail 50 JUNE 2015 | W WW. B AYO UL IFE MAG .CO M

WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | JUNE 2015

More Than Stationery Sue Paperie Offers Unique Services for Brides

UE PAPERIE IS HOME TO ALL THINGS PAPER, BUT specializes in a variety of options for the both the modern and traditional bride. Rachel Lilly Davison, along with Candee Anderson, opened the adorable shop just a few months ago, after struggling to find a local option for her own wedding. “When I got married last year, I went to Dallas and worked with a company there,” said Davison. “They were able to help me with everything I needed, but I thought, ‘Why don’t we have something like that here?’” And Sue Paperie was born! Not only does the shop carry unique lines such as Crane, William Arthur, Vera Wang, Haute Papier, Anna Griffin, Rosanne Beck, OddBalls and Stacy Claire Boyd, Sue Paperie offers a unique service as well. “We know that a wedding is such an important day, so we don’t want brides to feel like they are making a quick decision or rushed in the middle of a busy store. We have a private space just for them,” said Rachel. The bridal loft is reserved for brides to come in and choose their products for their wedding. Brides can schedule appointments for the bridal loft which allows them time and one-on-one advice on deciding on Save the Dates, invitations and stationery. “We offer a one stop shop for everything a bride would need,” said Rachel. “From Save The Date cards, invitations, coordinating stationery, response cards and gift enclosures, we offer it all!” In addition to stationery, Sue Paperie offers monogrammed and personalized options for dinner and cocktail napkins, towels, koozies, coasters, styrofoam and frost flex cups and a variety of party favors. In addition to invitations and paper products, Sue Paperie offers items that will add a personalized touch to the entire wedding process. Brides often like to ask their bridal party to be 52 JUNE 2015 | W WW. B AYO UL IFE MAG .CO M

a part of their big day in a special way and Sue Paperie offers unique cards asking “Will you be my Maid of Honor?” or “Will you be my Bridesmaid?” Plus, you can grab a lovely gift for those wedding party attendants to say “thank you” for standing beside you. For the girls, there are coordinating sets of notebooks, cards, cups and bags from designers like Lilly Pulitzer and Kate Spade. There are gifts for guys too, like Eccolo leather journals and personalized shaving bags. Adding another personalized element to the experience, Sue Paperie often works with Paperglaze Calligraphy and helps brides find a unique look for all of their printed products. In addition, the shop has their own in-house graphic designer to help brides create their one-of-a-kind look. And if you aren’t a bride yourself, but have plenty of weddings to attend, Sue Paperie has options for the perfect gift. “We have tons of items that you could get the couple with their monogram or new last name,” said Rachel. “We have a variety of options for luggage and bags that would a great gift to send them on their honeymoon!” Another great gift idea is the “Wedding Blue Book: The Definitive Guide to Wedding Correspondence Etiquette” by Crane, which offers guidance and rules relating to traditional correspondence and guidance for implementing a more contemporary style when addressing envelopes. Since Sue Paperie’s opening in February, they have been a hit with not only their options for brides but all of their unique lines of invitations for all occasions, personalized stationery, notes, greeting cards, gifts and more. Sue Paperie is open in the heart of downtown Ruston at 112 W. Park Avenue. Their hours are Monday through Friday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

FLOWERS BY GREGORY HUDGINS PHOTOGRAPHY BY MARTIN G MEYERS

Very modern and sensuous, this bridal bouquet, created by Gregory Hudgins, is a study in texture and contrast. We imagine it paired with a stunning silk charmeuse sheath. An agapanthus globe sans blooms springs from a lamb's ear covered platter. Even the agapanthus stem is covered in soft lamb's ear leaves for a velvety touch.

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FLOWERS BY NICK MCKINNEY & PHOTOGRAPHY BY MARTIN G MEYERS

Nick McKinney creates a perfect sphere of beautiful creamy, white roses interspersed with tiny spray roses in the same luscious hue. Hand tied with satin ribbon, this sweet scented bouquet adds a modern twist on a traditional idea when the palette stays in neutral.

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Sheriff Russell Thanks Community

Community Support and Cooperation Help Us Make Ouachita Parish a Safer and Better Place to Live T A RECENT EVENT AT GRANDVIEW FARM, THE HOME of Wendy and Stewart Gentry, Sheriff Jay Russell told a crowd of supporters that he was very proud of the support and cooperation the Sheriff’s Office has received from throughout the community. Russell touched on the highlights of the last year of Sheriff’s Office’s saying that Business Watch has been an effective way to raise crime prevention awareness and reduce crime in the business community. He said OPSO has made significant gains in technology and software that help us better serve the public. He thanked the community-at-large for being so helpful to OPSO Patrol and Investigative Units in fighting crime saying that support and cooperation helps us make Ouachita Parish a safer and better place to live. Noting that the street crime operations conducted by Multi-Jurisdictional Task Force conducted in all areas of Ouachita Parish, including the municipalities of Sterlington, Monroe and West Monroe, have been very successful. The Task Force is comprised of 4th Judicial District Attorney’s Office, Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office SCAT team, Louisiana State Police, Monroe Police Department, West Monroe Police Department, Metro Narcotics, Louisiana Department of Public Safety, ULM Police Department and the Sterlington Police Department. Russell thanked the SCAT team for their extra effort during the holidays, the Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office implements the annual “Santa Claus Patrol.” The SCAT Team deputies comprise this unique team that patrols parking lots of the retail outlets and also enters stores undercover. They move about with customers, watching for suspicious activity, such as potential shoplifters, robbers and other criminal activity. Holiday season shoppers got extra security from the OPSO’s Mounted Patrol. The Mounted Patrol team is made up of both fulltime and Reserve Deputies who have their own horses. In addition to 58 JUNE 2015 | W WW. B AYO UL IFE MAG .CO M

retail holiday patrols, they work large events, such as parades and festivals, and aide in search and rescues. “I am proud of the improvements and accomplishments in every department, especially to Ouachita Correctional Center. In order to bring financial stability to OCC, we created a Women’s Work Release Program and committed those proceeds from the in-house program to OCC’s operational budget. “That program started in 2013 and now brings a $460,000 revenue stream annually with profits dedicated to the operations of the prison,” Russell said. “The Sheriff’s Office General Fund continues to maintain a strong financial position and provide financial stability.” Russell stated that our senior, business and youth programs, as well as expanded citizen training, (like firearm safety) have helped create a stronger partnership with the community in fighting crime. The youth programs include, but are not limited to: investigative techniques, crime scene techniques, sheriff’s office procedures and other related areas like Deputies Making a Change (DMAC). This youth mentoring program works to help reduce the incarceration rate among young children. This program targets those who are failing in school, at risk of being incarcerated or have problems with authority. For adults, a Citizens Academy covering law enforcement operations is offered. Other classes for adults include Ladies Self Defense Tactics, Concealed Carry Weapons Training and Certification, and various other activities. The Ouachita Parish Public Shooting Range is one of the facilities that makes it possible to offer more citizen training. The range has facilities for archery, pistols and rifles, plus a five-stand shotgun trap shoot. The range is free for veterans, law enforcement personnel and senior citizens in appreciation of their service to the community. Russell closed his remarks by saying he considers it an honor and privilege to serve the people of Ouachita Parish.

Paid for by the Jay Russell Campaign

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2 Finding the perfect gift for your bridesmaids is always a daunting task. Thanks to our area retailers, we’ve got great gifts for your bridal party. From calming bath salts to precious stationery, your bridesmaids will cherish these gifts far beyond the “I-do’s.” 1) Ring dish from Material Things 2) Wine-A-Rita from Lagniappe Embroidery and Gift Shop

3) Painted from hanger Something Borrowed

4) Custom Stamp from The Muffin Tin and The Trenton House

5) Frame from Paul Michael Company 6) Stationery from Sue Paperie 7) Pewter Fleur de Lis Cocktail Set from Thurman’s Food Factory & Gifts

8) Lollia Calm Bath Set from Woodstock Furniture Revival

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1 In the South, we are guilty of two things: having a distinctive Southern drawl and monogramming everything in sight. From hand towels to copper ice buckets, these gift ideas are initial-worthy. Find this and more at these area retailers:

1) Hand towels from Material Things

2) Coasters from The Muffin Tin and The Trenton House 3) Initial Wall Hanging from Paul Michael Company

4) Large Wood Monogram from Something Borrowed 5) Stationery from Sue Paperie

6) Tote from Woodstock Furniture Revival 7) Platter from Lagniappe Embroidery and Gift Shop 8) Moss Initial from Paul Michael Company

9) Copper ice bucket from Thurmanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Food Factory & Gifts

6 5

9 8

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KaCee’s Sugar and Spice Morgan Garrison Offers Tips for Choosing the Perfect Cake

HE DETAILS ARE ALL STARTING to make sense. You have set a date, chosen a venue, hired a photographer, met with your florist, and now comes the time to hire the baker who will make the most important cake in your life. This process can be simple and painless, if you keep a few tips in mind.

Research is Essential. Know the bakers in your area. Start researching their work and reviews on the Internet. Look them up on Facebook and Instagram. Testimonials from their previous brides are your go-to answers to whether or not this baker is going to be the right fit for you and your fiancé.

Make an Appointment. The most effective way to know that you are comfortable with your baker is to set up a consultation to talk face-to-face with him or her. This will let you get to know just what style he or she has and what services his or her bakery offers. Don’t just settle for the first person you meet. Meet with a couple of different people to be sure you are getting the cake you have always dreamed of.

What’s Your Style? Your cake should be compatible with not only your personal style, but the style of your venue, the season, your wedding gown,

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the flower arrangements, décor and the menu. I always advise my brides to have examples of cake styles that are their favorites, so I can get an idea of what the bride is going for. If you like ten different cakes, save their pictures, keep them with you and present them at your consultation. Your baker will then help you navigate through which designs are best suited for your special day.

How to Know How Much Cake to Order. Always have an approximate number of guests being invited to your wedding before meeting with your baker. This will tell him or her just how large your cake will need to be. If you are wanting a large cake, but only have 50-100 guests, ask your baker if they offer faux cake tiers. This will give you the height for creating a show stopping cake, but you will not be stuck with loads of cake at the end of your reception.

The Fun Part, TASTING! Always, always, always, ask your baker to provide samples of flavors available. These days, most wedding cakes aren’t just classic white cake with buttercream icing. Most bakers will allow you to have multiple flavors throughout the tiers of the cake, and it doesn’t stop there. You can also add in tasty fillings that compliment your choices of cake flavors.

The Cake for the Man of Your Dreams. If you are from the South, you know it is a southern tradition for the groom to have his own cake at the reception. Now for years, the groom’s cake was always a two or three tiered square chocolate cake with chocolate dipped strawberries and gobs of chocolate buttercream. Now ladies, let’s remember that there are not many details of this wedding that cater to this special guy, so why make his cake ordinary. Take the groom’s cake to the next level. Have this cake be a special a representation of this man. Think about his hobbies, interests, favorite sports teams or his favorite dessert. Let that be the answer to the design for his cake. Is your groom not a cake eater, then have your baker make his favorite dessert as a “groom’s dessert” instead of “groom’s cake.” Whether it’s his granny’s favorite pineapple upside down cake, Aunt Fannie’s carrot cake, or just plain ole OREOs, give the man what he likes. It’s his day, too!

Let Them Eat Cake You have walked down the aisle, said “I do,” and have had your first dance. Now is the time to cut the cake. One of the most common mistakes at a wedding is waiting too long to cut the cake. People are ready to dive in, so why wait? This will leave you with less cake left over and leave your guests with smiles on their faces. CONTINUED ON PAGE 151

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â&#x20AC;&#x153;No one else has your voice; no one else has your fingerprints. God made you to be completely unique. Your handwriting is the same way. It is one-of-a-kind, just as you are." Shannan Inman, Ruston resident and creative force behind Paperglaze, speaks these words to the students of her calligraphy workshop. The group has gathered in Sue Paperie, a Downtown Ruston stationery shop that is every bit as charming and delightful as Inman's calligraphy is amazingly artful. The room feels more like a technicolor tea party than a workshop, adorned with gorgeous french macarons, cake jewels, petit fours and other delicate treats from Social Bites and Crumbs Catering that are saturated in the colors of plum, pink, orange and shimmering gold. Inman's students, seated at a long, festively decorated table and poised with pen and nib in hand, hang on her every word. Her hand delicately moves and sways, as if to music, and the resulting lettering is simply perfection. She makes it look easy, and each dip of the nib into the thick, black ink is a creative adventure. Inman's popular workshops across the South are new, but her love for calligraphy

isn't. As a child in western Kentucky, Inman grew up with the family tradition of handwritten place cards at Christmas Eve dinner. Seeing the names written in such elegant script year after year was an inspiration for the little girl. "I always thought it was so beautiful, such a wonderful family tradition. It was fascinating to see each name handwritten that way. My sister would write them. There would also be a handwritten menu for that night, so a guest would be able to take home beautiful, personal calligraphy as a memory of the evening. I thought they were so beautiful; I would add them to the tree decorations. When I was old enough, I was so excited to take over the duty of writing the Christmas Eve place cards and menu. I loved it." The tradition of learning and creating calligraphy is an ancient one. Only in modern times has it been associated with weddings, special invitations or logos. Western

calligraphy is recognizable in the Latin alphabet in 600 BC. In the 2nd and 3rd centuries, monasteries began using unical script for handwriting Bibles and other religious texts. Unlike the typeface of the printing press, the irregularity in a handwritten character's size, style and color enriched its creative value. As time progressed, calligraphy and formal handwriting became an art form that served as marker of the well-educated, cultural elite. It experienced a modern revival in the 19th century, which influenced many of the modern typefaces used today. Handwriting is something of a lost art in this technology saturated era. However, contemporary calligraphy is currently experiencing a distinctly modern renaissance. "So many things in life are mass produced. Now, people are looking for things that are handmade and one-of-a-kind, " explains Inman. "Etsy (a popular website that features handmade objects) is proof of that. A personal connection is becoming impor-

article by MARY NAPOLI & photography by MARTIN G MEYERS

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tant again. People value that their purchases are made by human hands, not a machine." True, calligraphy and the art of hand lettering are being noticed by a new generation, but itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s something that has always been valued in the Deep South. Southerners value the elegance of a beautifully scripted monogram and know that a handwritten thank you note is as much an indicator of good breeding as of genuine gratitude. "In the South, we are drawn to the roots of it," says Inman. "Beautiful script shows you have taken the time and have an appreciation for such things. We love the tradition of it. From wedding invitations and birth announcements, we celebrate the milestones with calligraphy. It punctuates life's important events." Through Paperglaze, Inman offers calligraphy services for any imaginable need. She creates unique, memorable wedding invitations and addresses envelopes with a flair that is impossible to forget. The styles range from the traditional, reserved font or a flourishing

script, to a linear, modern style or block print, and capture the emotion behind the sentiment in the same way that a photograph might. "Brides are becoming more adventurous with the fonts they choose," says Inman as she runs her fingers over several example envelopes she has created. "Traditional is still the most popular, but I encourage people to express their own personal style. Every event has a different feel or theme. The calligraphy that is chosen expresses that. It complements the style of the event in a memorable way." Inman's business has expanded through her popular Etsy shop, which got its start through one bride's desire for Inman to create handcrafted gifts for each of her 22 bridesmaids (Yes, 22 bridesmaids.) â&#x20AC;&#x153;She chose a Bible verse for each of her bridesmaids and gave me the freedom to create a unique gift for each one," recalls Inman. The verses were then framed for each individual and beautifully wrapped before they were presented.

The bride gushed over the lovely, meaningful works of art, as did the bridesmaids. Their reaction prompted Inman to create Bella Scriptura, a line of hand crafted Bible verses artfully written in a variety of fonts chosen to interpret the individual emotion and meaning of each verse. Bella Scriptura is especially meaningful to Inman, because it is an opportunity to express her own strong, Christian faith. "It allows me to highlight the Word of God," she explains. "It also provides a way for people to bless others with His word by giving the verses and quotes as gifts." Inman experienced success through Etsy almost immediately. Her cyber audience purchased the intricately crafted verses and began to request her work in different forms. This broadened her reach immensely and resulted in clientele across the country. Her incredible talents are in demand throughout the region, from Monroe to Shreveport and beyond. Each envelope addressed is a personal advertisement to that location. Additionally, the popularity of Instagram, which is primarily visually driven, provides access to another segment of the population, who share her artwork with others through the site. People identify with the quotes or verses and appreciate its extraordinary presentation. Inman marvels at the way that the centuries old art form she practices is part of a modern phenomenon. "Its amazing to use calligraphy in ways that are fresh and new and appeal to a new generation. Our culture is constantly looking for new ways to communicate, and there is a component of self expression that calligraphy contains that people to respond to....the style of the lettering adds another dimension to the words," she explains. Inman's distinct talent add layers of expression to otherwise simple wording. Emotions are articulated through the shape and size of the lettering--the nature of the angles, the manner in which the letters rise and fall, the heavy or delicate strokes used, the shade of ink chosen. The methods used to intricately express a message are endless. It is no wonder that the traditional art form has lasted for centuries and continues to be the favorite form to announce a meaningful event or statement. "People are drawn to traditional customs now more than ever, because life happens so fast. We want to experience the same traditions that our family members did, and we want to capture the moments in our lives and the lives of our loved ones in the same meaningful ways. But now, we use our own individuality to make these traditions our own."

View more of Shannan Inman's inspiring talent at paperglaze.com, and shop Bella Scriptura and other products on Etsy by searching "Paperglaze Calligraphy." Inman is located in Ruston, Louisiana and can be contacted via her website.

WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | JUNE 2015

DOWNTOWN GALLERY CRAWL Seven Galleries, Two Cities, One Night – June 4th

EATURING SEVEN GALLERIES with fine art, good music, food and drink, Downtown Monroe and West Monroe will celebrate ART on Thursday, June 4, from 5 to 9 pm. SEVEN galleries, TWO cities, ONE night! All are invited to “crawl” from one gallery to another, enjoying the architectural jewels of these two cities on the river while visiting with neighbors and having the opportunity to see (maybe even buy!) works by talented local and regional artists. Live music, tasty food and wine are always a part of the experience. This time some lucky art lovers will enjoy hearing a special group of singers from “The Barber of Seville,” a comic opera by the Louisiana Opera, as they wander through the streets and some of the galleries. The Ouachita River Art Gallery (aka The River Gallery), a cooperative gallery at 308 Trenton Street in downtown West Monroe, has about 30 active members and regularly participates in the Crawl. The June featured artist is Phoebe Allen Mathys, a native of north Louisiana and a retired Louisiana Tech School of Art and Architecture Professor Emeritus. She taught at LA Tech for 33 years, receiving many awards and exhibiting in over 100 juried and invitational exhibitions. This show, “Rome with a View,” is a series of paintings based on Mathys’ sketch books and memories of her travels to Rome. The River Gallery will serve food and wine during the Crawl, and Karen Solomon will provide live music. The gallery is also open Tuesday-Saturday, 10 am-5 pm, free of charge. Call 318-323-2380 for further information. ARENDER studio + gallery on Art Alley in Monroe will be hosting a retrospective of Hilton Lytle's work, along with an installation of his actual workbench, to share the magic of his life and legacy with the June Crawl. Hilton Lytle is nothing short of a local legend. With 600 violins built 70 JUNE 2015 | W WW. B AYO UL IFE MAG .CO M

in his 93 years on Earth, he's gifted countless artists with beautiful, hand-crafted instruments. MAD Art Gallery, also on Art Alley, has a big show with three artists on tap. Andrea May Hinton is “walking in a rainbow,” saying, “My June 4th show is a Color Explosion with bold, vibrant colors and designs.” Award-winning Hinton will show her pop art style, including all sorts of subjects such as pets and their humans, with a few Hollywood icons as well. Second, artist Lora Lee has expanded her creations from metal, gem jewelry and metal-forged art to the very light medium of paper sculptures. She says, “Each creation has a life of its own—I create what I feel and what piques my interest.” Finally, Cynthia K. Cloud will be featuring her icyndicreations Seascapes Sculptures, which are all natural and waterproof. She will be showing her work in the foyer of MAD Gallery. Across the street at Sugar Gallery, six regular artists will be featured this month, along with one young guest artist. Guest Peyton Ballow, a local high school student, will be showing his paintings, along with Leah Smith Reitzell, who will debut a new series entitled “Into Light,” featuring markmaking collage and sculptural elements fused into intricate paintings. Stacy Thomas Medaries has developed a new method of using aluminum and alcohol ink to create vivid, eye-catching art, while mixed media artist Melanie Douthit depicts nostalgic imagery with Louisiana and coastal themes through her multilayered paintings. A popular nature and wildlife photographer, Burg Ransom offers various sizes and finishes for his beautiful photos. And don’t miss graphic artist William Holley’s digital photography and unique paintings, which will be displayed on the mezzanine level above the main gallery. At The Big Room on Art Alley, Jason Byron Nelson will be signing and selling his new book,

ROBERT, which is intended for children aged nine and up. In it a robot finds a misplaced human soul before meeting and falling in love with the girl who lost it. The book is written in rhyme and is richly illustrated. Other participating artists are Rick Sikes, Leigh Buffington, Lacy Mitcham and Christen Parker. Next door, the UPSTAIRS gallery is hosting a special joint show titled "From Here and There" by both Louisiana Tech and ULM art students. Participating students from Louisiana Tech are Adrianna Speer and Bryce Williams while those from ULM are Heather Miles and Alyssa Guidry Posey. Although the two schools’ art students often show in the Gallery Crawl, seldom do they exhibit together. ULM’s Brooke Foy and Tech’s Kyle Triplett are acting as jurors for the show, which will allow the visitors to see some of the best talent in the area. The Palace Gallery is located in a beautifully restored building on DeSiard Street, the site of the former, well-known Palace Department Store. New, original art is shown there at every Crawl, with artists from all over the area as well as local artists. The Downtown Arts Alliance is delighted to welcome new Presenting Sponsor Louisiana Pain Care, which has made a major commitment to help this bimonthly event come to pass. Additional sponsors include Fiesta Nutrition Center, Creed and Creed Law Oﬃces, Bancorp South, Monroe-West Monroe Convention and Visitors’ Bureau, Sir Speedy, Northeast Louisiana Arts Council, the News-Star, KEDM Public Radio, DeltaStyle, Restaurant Cotton, Heck Law Firm, Rawls DeSigns, Cross Keys Bank, Hollis and Company Jewelers, Marsala Beverage, Lavalle Salomon Law Ofﬁces, Restaurant Sage and Warehouse No. 1. The remaining 2015 Crawls will take place on the first Thursdays of every other month: August 6, October 1 and December 3.

Woodstock Furniture Revival

Come Celebrate 4 Years of Business with Us at Woodstock BY CHELSIE AND PATRICK SUMMERVILLE

T IS HARD TO BELIEVE THAT IT HAS BEEN 4 YEARS SINCE Woodstock opened its doors. Woodstock offers a variety of different gifts to please everyone, from home décor and furniture to candles and bath lines. Campo De Fiori, Woodstock's most popular pot collection is perfect for any plant whether indoor or outdoor. Live moss that adorns the outside of these pots that grows and becomes greener the more you water them makes them unique. Our candle lines will have your house smelling amazing all year round. Rewined candles are made from soy wax and are hand poured into hand-cut recycled wine bottles. The scents mimic aromas found in your favorite wines. Voluspa candles are made of natural coconut and apricot waxes that help release the maximum fragrance and have become a household favorite. Capri Blue and Aspen Bay, sister companies made in Mississippi, are all-natural, hand-poured candles that are sure to please. Last, but certainly not least is the Lafco House and Home Collection. These natural soy candles, poured into hand-blown glass vessels have been featured as one of Oprah’s Favorite Things. Each scent is designed for a specific room of your home. We carry 37 Lafco scents to choose offering the biggest variety in town. Our bath and bodylines make great gifts as well. Our best selling bodyline is also one of Oprah’s favorite things, Lollia. We carry all seven sexy and luxurious scents they have to offer. In addition, we also offer Lollia’s sister line, Library of Flowers. It is bright and fun and offers the same quality as Lollia. Barr and Co is another favorite bodyline. This natural line is packaged in hand-crafted apothecary bottles with a great natural scents. These are just a few of our best gift lines for any day of the year. We also offer one-of-a-kind found furniture, home décor and art. Our artists include Margaret Becton Cox’s beautiful landscapes and Caroline Youngblood’s cotton and oyster collections. We have lots of other items including handmade picture frames from funky painted molding to Pom Pom at Home bedding and fully customizable Moss Studio upholstered furniture. Just come stop by 1806 North 3rd in the Garden District to find a unique one-of-a-kind gift that is sure to please anyone for any occasion. WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | JUNE 2015

The Artist’s Approach Smile Design At Its Best BY DAVID FINLEY, D.D.S.

BEFORE

AFTER

N ARTIST MUST BE ABLE TO IMAGINE AND VISUALIZE

his finished work of art in his mind as it will appear on its canvas. A dentist must also be able to do the same thing to design and create as beautiful a smile as possible for his patient. The dentist's ultimate cosmetic objective is to create a beautiful smile, not just beautiful teeth. However, creating a beautiful smile requires the evaluation and analysis of the smile, lips and gingival tissues in addition to the teeth. Successful creation of a beautiful smile requires artistic skills, as well as technical skills. Artistic skills involve training the eye to see the smile's unseen or overlooked aspects and improving them to make the smile appear even better, cosmetic dentists artistically analyze the relationships of the teeth, gums, lips and facial tones of the patient. From this analysis, they are able to create balance and symmetry between the structures that make up the smile.

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TREATMENT OPTIONS People with stained or dull teeth will benefit from professional whitening. In-office and supervised at home whitening systems are available. People with chipped, cracked or worn teeth can consider either veneers or bonding. Long-lasting veneers are ultra-thin, specially-made laminates that are bonded to the teeth. Bonding is a process in which enamel-like material is applied to a tooth's surface, sculpted to an ideal shape, hardened and then polished for an improved smile. Veneers are stronger and have a longer life than bonding. Crowns and bridges are best for correcting major functional or structural problems with individual teeth, missing teeth or general bite dysfunction. Implants are being used to successfully replace teeth for people in all age groups - with esthetic and predictable results. The latest porcelain technology allows us to replace missing teeth or crown teeth in a way so that no one can tell the replacements are not real. Whatever your individual problem, a qualified experienced dentist can select the right cosmetic treatment to enhance your smile.

Azure Pools and Spas Your Local Pool Professionals

ZURE POOLS AND SPAS HAS BEEN YOUR LOCAL pool professionals since 2006. In addition to selling liners, above ground and in ground pools, they offer a great selection of products and supplies to help take care of your pool all season long. Fully-stocked with reliable brands for your convenience, their knowledgeable staff can help answer all your pool-related questions. As a member of The Backyard Place, they provide quality products and dependable service to all of their customers. Azure’s has a reputation for excellence and continuous service to the community with high-quality pool supplies and service. There are so many products and technological advances in pool care these days, it can often be difficult to decide exactly what your pool requires. You can trust Azure Pools, to help you sort through unnecessary products and select exactly what you need. Their experienced sales staff can help you by offering sound advice and assist you in making selections from their inventory of highquality items. Azure Pools is the only exclusive Graphex Vinyl Pool Builder in Central Louisiana. Graphex Pools won’t rust, corrode, warp, dent or chip. A Graphex Pool stays strong and flexible for decades. This pool carries a lifetime-transferrable warranty. Other exclusive lines that Azure carries are Hot Springs Spas and Jacuzzi, and they are the only authorized dealer in the Ark-La-Miss region! As your Backyard Place, they carry a full line of reliable namebrand products, including Hayward, Polaris, Pentair and ProTeam, just to name a few. But it isn’t just pools and pool products that Azure specializes in. They also feature Primo Ceramic Grills, one of the most versatile outdoor cookers in the world and the only ceramic grills made in the USA. You can use it as a grill, an oven, a roaster or a smoker with a simple adjustment to the air flow and cooking configuration. In addition to offering products and service, Azure’s offers convenience with two locations! Serving north Louisiana and south Arkansas, Azure’s is located on Hwy 165 North in Monroe, as well as on Willow Glen in Ruston. Azure’s is locally-owned and operated and is your one stop shop to get your backyard ready for warmer weather ahead! WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | JUNE 2015

Flores & White mily Brooke White and Rodrigo Alejandro Flores were united in marriage at seven o’clock in the evening on March 28, 2015, at Rolling River Bistro in Natchez, Mississippi. The Christcentered ceremony was officiated by Bro. James Gardner. The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ernest White. She is the granddaughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. George White and Mr. Melvin Gilbert and the late Mrs. Gladys Gilbert. The groom is the son of Ms. Monica Fuentes. He is the grandson of the late Mr. and Mrs. Raul Flores and the late Mr. and Mrs. Jose Fuentes. Given in marriage by her parents and escorted by her father, the bride wore an ivory strapless

organza fit-and-flare gown with a chapel-length train. The bodice was covered with Alençon lace and was accented with a satin band adorned with beading and pearls. The chapel length veil of illusion was trimmed with a wide border of Alençon lace. Tucked under the hem of her dress were her father’s blue U.S. Air Force Sargeant stripes. The diamond necklace she wore was a gift from the groom. The bride carried a bouquet of roses, peonies and hydrangeas tied with satin ribbon and accented with a charm honoring her grandparents. Attending the bride as maid of honor was her sister, Maleah White. Bridesmaids were Heather Black and Wendy Meeks. Cloie Johnston served as flower girl.

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Misty Moore, Katie Allen and Mallory Wiggins read scripture and poems during the ceremony. Abigail Balsamo served as the program attendant. Cole Flores stood by his dad’s side as best man. Camden Johnston served as ring bearer. Ushers were Malloy Hawkins and Randy Balsamo. Following the ceremony, the couple arrived at the reception in a horse-drawn carriage. Crystal chandeliers and elegantly draped fabric provided a romantic atmosphere where guests enjoyed southern favorites, such as gumbo and pralines from Natchez Specialties Catering. Nelda Gregory with Moreton’s Flowerland served as event planner, designer and florist. Kyla Branch Photography and Revival House Film cap-

tured the precious moments of the day. After celebrating and dancing the night away, the couple departed through a line of sparkers held by their closest friends and family. On the eve of the wedding, a rehearsal dinner was hosted for the couple at Rolling River Bistro. This was a very special day, as it was also the 28th anniversary of the bride’s parents. In honor of this memorable occasion, the bride and her sister surprised their parents with a vow renewal ceremony. Following the joyful wedding festivities, the happy couple is at home in Brandon, MS. Photography by Kyla Branch Photography.

Create Your Own Perfect Space HGTV® Home Furniture Gallery at Sleepy Hollow Furniture

GTV® HAS BECOME A TRUSTED SOURCE FOR SMART home and garden advice and inspiration for more than 99 million U.S. households. The creative minds at HGTV HOME™ tapped into the decorating advice that you know and love from their shows to create furniture collections rooted in their philosophy: Fresh Style from the Design Experts at HGTV®. We know that decorating can be daunting, but we like to keep it simple. Everything we do is a fresh take on two timeless styles we love: Modern and Classic. With over 300 pieces and growing, we’ve got every room covered… bedroom, dining, occasional, upholstery, home entertainment and accents. We’ve done the work, so you don’t have to! Mix and match pieces from our collections to create your own perfect space. Each collection offers very different looks that mix, match and mingle. Choose from signature pieces, fashionable upholstery options and timelessly stylish bedroom, dining room, entertainment and accent selections. We’ve even added extra features that help make life at home a little easier, like hidden plugs in select pieces, so you’re never far from a power source and versatile storage items to help you stay organized. The furniture collections complement the HGTV HOME™ portfolio of products which includes paint, flooring, lighting, plants and other home products. We’ve wrapped this all up together in rooms that inspire, yet are easy to transform. The HGTV HOME™ Furniture Collection is produced under license by Bassett Furniture Industries, who has been making quality furniture for 110 years. Bassett Furniture Industries, Inc., is a leading manufacturer and marketer of high quality, mid-priced home furnishings. Bassett's retail strategy includes affordable custom-built furniture that is ready for delivery in the home within 30 days. The Bassett Home Furnishings stores also feature the latest on-trend furniture styles, more than 750 upholstery fabrics, free in-home design visits and coordinated decorating accessories. Sleepy Hollow Furniture is proud to partner with HGTV and Bassett Furniture as North Louisiana’s only HGTV Home Furniture Gallery! Create. Inspire. Refresh. Imagine. Custom. Your way to a look that reflects your own personal style! WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | JUNE 2015

Pirkey & Barron

herese Marie Barron and John Sinclair Pirkey were wed on November 8, 2014 at the Norton Building in Ruston, LA. The evening ceremony was awash with golds, neutrals and touches of blush pink as the sun set on a beautiful fall day. The couple chose to keep the ceremony small and intimate, with family and friends. Therese, a graduate of The University of Louisiana at Monroe with a B.A. in Foreign Languages with a concentration in Spanish is employed with CenturyLink and often plays with the Monroe Symphony Orchestra. She has trained as a violinist since she was three years old. John is the Director of Orchestra for East Ouachita Parish Schools, with a B.A. in Music Education and an M.A. in Music. The wedding party was comprised of maid-of-honor and sister to the bride, Addie Jane Barron of

Shreveport, long-time friend to the bride Carol Faulk of St. Louis, MO, cousin Angelica Girod of Dallas, TX and friend to the couple, Kelsea McCrary of Monroe. Serving as best man was David Caldwell, of Monroe. Family friend Jordan Warner shared her gifts by arranging bouquets filled with fall flowers and special touches such as local greenery. She also brought in soft white candles that lit up the area around the couple and provided atmosphere for the reception and dance floor. Since John and Therese are both musicians, Jordan placed musical references, such as sheet music chosen by the couple and fabric sewn by the bride’s mother, all throughout the venue. Nancy Whittenburg, close friend to the bride’s mother, provided a beautiful multi-tiered cake, complete with pearl accents and alternating blush/cream layers. L&L catering kept the party going after the cere-

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mony ended, with the couple’s favorite food as the feature item: a french fry bar, including tons of toppings. Brad Arender from ARENDER studio was there to capture every moment of Therese and Pirkey’s special day, beginning with “guy time” at Rumo’s Barbershop in Ruston, LA and continuing throughout the day with family, wedding party, ceremony and reception photographs. Brad, friend of the couple, also photographed the couple’s engagement session and Therese’s bridals. John Thomas of John Thomas Salon did makeup and hair for the bride. The element of music was wound through every aspect of the ceremony, as college friends, former professors and church family from White’s Ferry Road Church of Christ lent their talents to the string quartet, the reception trio and the ceremony chorus. Samantha Parker, Ann Sorenson, Robin

Baggarly and Mark McCleary filled the Norton Building with Bach’s “Air on the G String,” a special arrangement of “Yellow” by Coldplay, and Pachelbel’s “Canon.” The quartet also accompanied David Caldwell and Kelsea McCrary as they partnered in a duet during a special and Scriptural moment in the ceremony for the bride and groom, the washing of the feet. The worship team, which Pirkey leads and Therese sings for, blessed the couple with a special rendition of “The Lord Bless You and Keep You.” Once the reception kicked off, Dan Sumner, Jack Jones and Tanarat Chaichana provided jazz music and fun times for all. After a honeymoon in New Orleans, LA, the couple made their home in Monroe and would like to extend their warmest thanks to all who helped them celebrate their union. Photography by Arender Studio

PTO Scholarâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Luncheon The Annual River Oaks PTO Scholarsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Luncheon was held at noon on April 30 at Bayou DeSiard Country Club. Families were invited to honor these exceptional students for their achievements. To qualify for the award, students must have maintained no less than a B on his or her report card for the year. Seniors that had a 3.0 GPA and above were invited to the luncheon.

On the BayouScene

1 Andy, Kara and Michelle Bryan 2 Walter, Dr. Bill, Ben and Michelle Zollinger 3 Brent, Jack, Wendy and Samuel Alexander 4 Gary, Cooper, Chris and Cole DeWitt 5 Ashley, Lexie, Paul and Alicia Nugent 6 Brendan and Kathy MacGregor

1 3

WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | JUNE 2015

Johnson & Tumey rica Tumey and Jamie Johnson exchanged marriage vows on December 20th 2015 at 5:30pm at Aubrey Hall in Monroe. Zach Gryder, a long time friend of the bride and groom officiated the ceremony. Parents of the couple are Mr .& Mrs. Jerry Johnson of Bastrop LA, and Kathleen and Don Tumey of West Monroe, LA. Grandparents of the bride are Mrs. Glenna Tumey and the late Donald Tumey of Liberty, MS and Mrs Peggy Primm and the Late Tom Primm of Magnolia, AR. Grandparents of the groom are Mr. and Mrs. James Bishop of Bastrop. The bride is a graduate of West Ouachita High School, ULM and Louisiana State University

Health Science Center with a Bachelors of Exercise Science and her Doctorate of Physical Therapy. She is employed at St. Francis as a Physical Therapist. The groom is a graduate of West Ouachita High School and Oklahoma University with bachelors of multiple disciplinary studies. He is retired from playing baseball for six years with the Detroit Tigers Baseball. He is a partowner and general manager of D-Bat. The bride wore a dress designed by Allure. The ivory gown was embellished with lace and beading, which added an elegant sparkle. The lace straps added a dramatic effect to the open back , accented by crystals lining of the deep V, carrying it to the front of

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the dress. The bride carried a bouquet of ivory hydrangeas, calla lilies and blush peonies and spring roses. Attending the bride as matron of honor was her sister-in-law Lauren Sills Tumey followed by Jennifer Bearden. Bridesmaids were Sarah Prejean and Crystal Maxwell. The bridesmaids wore a Jenny Yoo dress in different shades of neutral: blush, grey, champagne and taupe. Each bridesmaid was able to tie the dress in a way that suited her style; they carried bouquets of ivory hydrangeas, blush spring roses and sparkled baby’s breath. Serving as the best man was Wade Gaynor; groomsmen were Justin Herrington, Dale Dickerson and Jerad Wesson. Ushers were

the bride’s brothers, Gabe, Sam and Tommy Tumey. A reception at Aubrey Hall followed the wedding. Guests were treated to a buffet catered by Creative Caterings & More with a Louisiana themed menu. The bride’s cake was done by iDream Cake, a 4 tier cake with almond, yellow and strawberry flavors. The groom’s cake was chocolate and red velvet with a baseball scene. A rehearsal dinner was hosted by the groom’s parents the Friday before the wedding at Aubrey Hall. After a honeymoon to Antigua, the couple will make their home in West Monroe. Photography by Angela Groce at Unveiled Radiance Photography.

Balloon Sinuplasty™

The New Minimally Invasive Procedure for Treating Chronic Sinusitis

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

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

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

WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | JUNE 2015

Hubenthal and Yeldell shley Morgan Yeldell and Andrew Hunter Hubenthal exchanged vows at Portico Church in Downtown Monroe, the former Palace Building, on April 25, 2015. The ceremony was officiated by Randy Impson, pastor of Portico Church. The bride is the daughter of Dayna and Ricky Yeldell of Zwolle and Brenda and Mike Anderson of Monroe. She is the granddaughter of Martile and J.W. Yeldell of Bastrop and Dorothy Ray of Hot Springs Village, Arkansas and the late Lester Ray. Ashley is a graduate of Ouachita Parish High School and holds a Bachelor’s Degree from Louisiana State University and a Master’s Degree from the University of New Orleans. She is employed as an Account Executive at

BayouLife Magazine. The groom is the son of Dessie Hubenthal of Monroe and Harry Eugene Hubenthal of West Monroe. He is the grandson of Mr. Harry Kane Hubenthal and the late Mrs. Sue Ann Hubenthal of Monroe and the late Mr. and Mrs. Cully H. Hedge of Houston, Texas. Andrew is a graduate of River Oaks High School and attended Louisiana State University and the University of Louisiana at Monroe. He is employed with JP Morgan Chase. The simple, yet elegant décor of the church was designed and executed by Libby Gifford and included ribbon and fabric draped along the ceiling and down the aisle. Guests were ushered to their seats by the bride’s brothers, Nathan Andrew Yeldell and Tan-

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ner Reed Yeldell. Friends and family enjoyed a music selection chosen by Ashley and Andrew…but mostly Ashley. Escorted by her father, the bride wore a flowing mystique white organza A-line gown with a corded Alençon lace bodice and a glittering Swarovski crystal embellished grosgrain ribbon belt. She carried a beautiful bouquet of garden roses, dusty miller, lamb’s ear, cream stock, pink roses and green thistle, designed by Stuart Scalia. Crystal Permenter Mitchell, originally from Arcadia, made it all the way from the island of Maui to stand by Ashley’s side as her matron of honor. Bridesmaids were Ashley’s BFFs and partners in crime and included her cousin, Kerri Yeldell James of Monroe, Bay Cumpton Smith of St. Joseph,

Sarah Causey Haneline of Baton Rouge, Megan Laforge Gendron of Baton Rouge and Natalie Grantham Jennings of Washington, DC. The lovely ladies wore grey dresses from J. Crew, each featuring a different style and fabric. The groom and his party wore perfectly southern Seersucker suits, custom fitted from Ron Alexander Clothiers. Each wore a boutonniere made of green thistle and solidago. The groom’s brother, Taylor Kane Hubenthal of Monroe, served as best man. Groomsmen included members of Andrew’s inner circle and included Michael Hudson Walker of Powhatan, Virginia and Brent Andrew Wilkes, Parker Andrew Wilkes, Graham Nelson Abell and William Stuart Oliver, all of Monroe.

The couple’s little cousins completed the bridal party. Wesley Ryan James served as ring bearer and carried a one-of-a-kind, hand-made crocheted pillow made by the bride’s Granny. Kayla Anne Shipley and Ellie Marie James were the adorable flower girls. Nathan Shipley and Leigh Ann Cascio spoke and read verses during the ceremony. After the couple smooched and made it official, guests headed across the street to Bella Stanza to enjoy the reception. The couple made their entrance and enjoyed their first dance as husband and wife to Brighter Than Sunshine by Aqualung. Next, Andrew and his mother danced to My Wish. Lastly, Ashley and her dad began to dance to Butterfly Kisses but surprised everyone with a breakout dance to Uptown Funk. The reception venue was transformed with props and styling from Eight & Two Vintage

Rentals. From hand drawn signage featuring the event hashtag - #happilyeverhubenthal - to vintage sofas and settees, every detail reflected the couple’s taste. Table centerpieces throughout the room included combinations of green hydrangeas, Billy Balls, wax flowers, garden roses, pink roses, yellow solidago, yellow dahlias and honeysuckle. Cast Iron Catering prepared an extensive and delicious buffet in two different styles. The “South of the Mason Dixon” menu featured the Hubenthal family recipe of steak sandwiches, as well as fried green tomatoes, fried okra, deviled eggs and pepper jelly. The “South of the Border” menu highlighted the couples’ love of Mexican food and included tacos, a salsa bar, rice, beans and Mexican cornbread. The bride’s cake was adorned with a “Best Day Ever” cake topper and featured a (gluten free!) chocolate top tier followed by strawberry and white tiers with buttercream. In addition to the cake, there were mini pecan pies, macarons, rice krispy treats, brownies, Mexican wedding cookies and pralines to satisfy everyone’s sweet tooth. To work off all those extra calories, guests danced the night away to the DJ Starr’s music, which was a combination of requests and the bride’s college years playlist. Guests were treated to a unique favor item, local honey harvested by the bride and groom from Ashley’s Papaw’s honeybees. At the end of the night, everyone “sprinkled” the couple with love, as they tossed rainbow sprinkles upon the bride and groom’s exit. The week following the wedding, the couple enjoyed a long, relaxing and much needed honeymoon along the Mexican Riviera. They will make their home in Monroe, along with their two dogs, Cash and Jessi. Photography provided by Megan Mechelle Photography.

WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | JUNE 2015

McLeod & White athryn Emily White and Mark Calvin McLeod II exchanged marriage vows on March 7, 2015, at 6:00 p.m. at Temple Baptist Church in Ruston. Dr. Reggie Bridges officiated the ceremony. Parents of the couple are Mr. and Mrs. Richard White of Ruston, Ms. Sherri N. White of Ruston, and Mr. and Mrs. Mark McLeod Sr. of Bastrop. Grandparents of the bride are Mrs. Betty White and the late Jackie White of Ruston and Mr. and Mrs. Bobby Nicholson of Pioneer. Grandparents of the groom are Mrs. Johnny Kinnaird and the late Alvin Kinnaird of Bastrop and the late Mr. and Mrs. Bobby McLeod of Bastrop. The bride is a graduate of Cedar Creek School. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from Northwestern State

University and her Doctorate of Physical Therapy from Louisiana State University Health and Sciences Center of Shreveport. The groom is a graduate of Bastrop High School and attended the University of Louisiana at Monroe. He and his father have farm operations in Mississippi, Arkansas and Louisiana. Given in marriage by her father, the bride wore an Alenҫon ivory lace fitted gown with covered buttons adorning the chapel length train. The Allure dress featured an illusion, scalloped boatneck and keyhole back detail. The bride also wore a cathedral length veil trimmed in scalloped Alenҫon ivory lace, diamond earrings given to her by her grandmother, and a gold diamond tennis bracelet of her mother’s. She carried a hand-tied bouquet of David Austin garden roses in blush and ivory, Vendella roses, white

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O’Hara roses, ivory floribunda tea roses, white hydrangea, freesia, stock and seeded eucalyptus wrapped with ivory Dupioni silk and pinned with pearls. Attending the bride as her matron of honor was her sister-inlaw, Erica White. The bridesmaids wore smoke grey crinkle chiffon floor length gowns by Love Lane. They carried hand-tied bouquets of pink piano garden roses, Vendella, white chocolate roses, peach stock, white freesia, dusty miller and seeded eucalyptus tied with ivory satin ribbon. Mauri Herrington, a cousin of the bride, served as the flower girl, wearing an ivory lace dress embellished with a satin blush ribbon and carrying a pomander ball of ivory floribunda roses. Florals were created by Carren Craft of Ruston. Serving as best man was the groom’s father, Mark McLeod Sr. The groom’s nephews, Landon

and Luke Waller, served as ring bearers, carrying the late Bobby McLeod’s Bible adorned in an ivory satin ribbon. A reception followed the wedding at the Historic Fire Station of Ruston. Guests were treated to a vast arrangement of southern cuisine prepared by L & L Catering of Jonesboro. The bride’s four layered traditional cake was filled with fresh strawberries and cream and covered in whipped buttercream icing, made by Nancy Whittenburg. The groom’s table included pies baked by his grandmother, a king cake, and a variety of double doozie cookies by Crumbs Catering. Entertainment was provided by the band, Krossfyre, of Lafayette. After a honeymoon to Aspen, Colorado, the couple will make their home in Mer Rouge. Photography by Desirae Gooding Photography.

Something Borrowed Vintage Rentals Perfect Your Day with Unique Bridal and Wedding Finds

BY JUANITA GOODING

OMETHING BORROWED VINTAGE Rentals makes finding vintage furniture and accessories for your wedding or event easy and affordable. Though we specialize in shabby chic rentals, we carry items for weddings, such as headbands for brides (and every day!), darling burlap banners, gifts for bridesmaids and groomsmen and so much more for purchase. We have gifts for everyday occasions and holidays but our main focus is everything bridal. When looking for rentals to complete your big day, look no further than Something Borrowed. From small charming touches like vintage brooches and bird cages to big ticket items like our 100 year old church pews and our wine barrels, we have a package that

will have you over-the-moon excited about inviting us to share in your event. Sit down with us, and let us come up with some unique and fun ways to make our vintage pieces work for you! We will deliver all the items you requested and style your wedding to make it the most fabulous setting that you could have ever imagined. We will even come back and pick everything up after your event, so you don’t have to worry about it! We have all the centerpiece items that your florist will need on your tabletop. We offer candleholders, cake plateaus, signs, doors, columns… the list goes on and on. And if there is something you want that we might not have, we have been known to go

search it out for our clients. Want to see if we’re the right fit for you and your event? We would be delighted to meet with you over a glass of sweet tea to discuss your big day. Together, we can come up with a plan (I love a plan) and bring YOUR vision to life. XOXO,

Juanita

Find us on Facebook to view our merchandise and rentals. Stop by and visit at 209 Trenton Street in West Monroe or call 318-547-0349 to make an appointment for a wedding consultation.

WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | JUNE 2015

Louisiana Peach Festival

Event Presented by Squire Creek Set for June 26-27

HE 65TH ANNUAL LOUISIANA PEACH FESTIVAL presented by Squire Creek will be held June 26-27. This year’s theme is “American Peach.” Beginning on Monday, June 22, the festivities will start with the popular game “Peach Stop.” Players will have a week to visit each stop to have his/her Passport validated with a stamp or sticker. Those players that complete the entire Passport will be entered into a drawing for a grand prize valued at $1,000! Partially completed Passports may be eligible for other prizes. Many new things will be included in the festival this year. A second music stage has been added and 11 bands are scheduled including: The Molly Ringwalds (80’s), JT Hodges (Country), Hydrogen Child (Pop), Monty Russell (Country), Zach O’Neil (Country), Bethany Raybourn (Indie/Alt Country), Jimmy & the 45’s (Garage Band), Fiddlin’ Tim Trio (Swamp Pop/Blues), Ricky Hendricks (American Idol), Shayliff (Alt. Rock), Judge and the Jury (Delta Blues), and Dash Rip Rock (Roots Rock/Cow Punk). Scheduled times can be found at www.louisisanapeachfestival.org, Facebook.com/louisianapeachfestival, Twitter and Instagram with #LaPeachFest. In the Railroad Park area, a BMX and skateboard show will be happening. There will be a display of skateboard deck designs by students of the LA Tech Art Department. A water slide has also been added, along with a kids’ tent that will have activities provided by SciTech’s The IDEA Place and North Central LA Arts Council, as well as photo opportunities with Captain America and Cinderella, face painting and more. The Railroad Park and Civic Center area will have food vendors with traditional festival yummies and few specialties, such as Cajun Naked Chicken Legs, fried Oreos and Twinkies, home-made root beer, fried fish and shrimp, jambalaya, peach hushpuppies, peach bread pudding and much, much more. One of the most exciting additions this year is BIG! Hampton Inn has been accepted by Guinness World Records to attempt to make the World’s Largest Peach Cobbler. There will be a cobbler eating contest and the remainder will be sold with the proceeds going to a non-profit Ruston/Lincoln Parish Organization. Louisiana Peach Festival comes with events for everyone! A full schedule of events and sponsors are available on www.louisianapeachfestival.org.

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Innovative Medical Technology P&S Surgical Hospital Offers Region’s Only Home Device to Monitor Heart Failure

&S SURGICAL HOSPITAL IS THE REGION’S FIRST TO implant a new miniaturized, wireless monitoring sensor to manage heart failure (HF). The CardioMEMS HF System is the first and only FDA-approved heart failure monitoring device that has been proven to significantly reduce hospital admissions when used by physicians to manage heart failure. The CardioMEMS HF System features a sensor that is implanted in the pulmonary artery (PA) during a non-surgical procedure to directly measure PA pressure. Increased PA pressures appear before weight and blood pressure changes, which are often used as indirect measures of worsening heart failure. The new system allows patients to transmit daily sensor readings from their homes to their healthcare providers, allowing for personalized and proactive management to reduce the likelihood of hospitalization. "Recurrent admissions for congestive heart failure is a major problem in the healthcare industry," said Dr. Gregory C. Sampognaro, a cardiologist who performs the new procedure at P&S Surgical Hospital’s Cardiac and Peripheral Vascular Lab. "This is a novel device that allows us to monitor the pressures in a patient's heart and lungs from their homes, so we that we can try to adjust medications before it's too late, and they have to be admitted to the hospital. By monitoring their pressures, we can adjust medications before they even begin having symptoms." Heart failure occurs when the heart is unable to pump enough blood to meet the body’s demands. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 5.1 million Americans have heart failure, with 670,000 new cases diagnosed each year. Patients with heart failure are frequently hospitalized, have a reduced quality of life and face a higher risk of death. Patient Wilhelmina Rembert from West Monroe recently received the new device and is thankful she did. At 89 years old, she was diagnosed with congestive heart failure several years ago, and it has worsened in the last year, she said. "Overall, I just feel better, I can walk further, and I'm so pleased." Rembert said. "I've also never had better care than when I went to P&S. They are experienced, attentive, gentle, compassionate and very patientoriented. And I have put my life in Dr. Sampognaro's hands more than once; he is fantastic." P&S Surgical Hospital cardiologists Dr. Mahmoud Khalil, Dr. Mark Napoli and Dr. Assad Mouhaffel are also certified to perform the CardioMEMS sensor, which is designed to last the lifetime of the patient and does not require batteries. Once implanted, the wireless sensor sends pressure readings to an external patient electronic system. There is no pain or sensation for the patient during the readings. The CardioMEMS HF System allows the patients to transmit critical information about their heart failure status to a clinician on a regular basis, without the need for additional clinic or hospital visits. This CONTINUED ON PAGE 125

WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | JUNE 2015

True to the Past Edgewood Plantation: Finding Love and Breathing New Life into Farmerville’s Historic Baughman Home ARTICLE BY MARÉ BRENNAN & PHOTOGRAPHY BY MARTIN G MEYERS

his love story begins over one hundred and thirteen years ago at a time when small town merchants were kings of their domain, providing their communities with the necessities to grow. It was an age of horsedrawn carriages and rivers plied by steamboats. In 1902, Farmerville’s leading merchant, Jefferson Davis Baughman, built a Victorian showplace of a home for his wife Nancy and their four daughters. Complete with a unique bell tower and dramatic wrap-around porch with stick and ball latticework, the home, locally known as a Steamboat Gothic masterpiece, originally had thirteen rooms with soaring ceilings, hardwood floors and handcrafted crown molding details. When it was completed, Edgewood was the centerpiece of a three thousand acre working stock plantation and as one can imagine a social hub of northeast Louisiana’s high society. It has been noted that Mr. Baughman, ever the savvy businessman, had gone to New York City to sell his cotton, when he happened to see an exhibition conducted by none other than Alexander Graham Bell, introducing the newest invention – telephones! Baughman promptly bought three, one for his mercantile store, one for the warehouse and one for Edgewood, making his home the first house south of the Mason-Dixon Line to have a phone. Edgewood encountered another brush with history when a young and a not-quite-famous-yet Charles Lindbergh ran out of gas while piloting his plane across the country and landed in one of Edgewood’s vast fields where he was promptly refueled and sent on his way. Fast forward to the turn of the millennium and Edgewood, with the passing of the last of the four Baughman daughters in the 1970s, had fallen into disrepair, a Sleeping Beauty castle that needed to be 88 JUNE 2015 | W WW. B AYO UL IFE MAG .CO M

reawakened. Passersby would slow to get a peek of the plantation home slowly being overtaken by the piney woods and vines. Worse, vandals and scavengers would break into the structure, stealing anything that they dared carry out, including three of the home’s four fireplace mantles which were literally pried off the walls. One of those frequent passersby was a longtime Farmerville resident, Kay Carroll, who dreamed of turning back the ravaging hands of time for Edgewood. “For years, I kept telling my husband, Pat, that it sure would make a great Bed and Breakfast,” she smiles, recalling how she laid the groundwork for what has become the couple’s passion, restoring Edgewood to its former glory and becoming the hosts with the most at this sought after venue. Pat was listening, and in 2010 Pat purchased the dilapidated property and surprised Kay with the keys. Luckily, Pat’s background in construction prepared him for the arduous restoration that lay ahead. “The third day we owned the property,” remembers Kay, “the Sheriff’s deputies, who were accustomed to looters destroying Edgewood, tried to arrest Pat for trespassing. I thought I was going to have to bail him out of jail, but they realized we were the new property owners fairly quickly and even helped with the restoration by returning architectural items which had been recovered as stolen property.” What awaited the new owners was a turret 4.5 inches out of plumb after years of water damage, a disintegrating foundation and lots of bats and critters roaming throughout the structure. After seeing the condition up close, Kay recalls she had no idea that one day this overgrown diamond in the rough would become an amazing venue for weddings and events, as well. Explains Kay, it took over six months for Pat to get the home into a stable and livable state. No modern love

THE MAGNOLIA ROOM

story with a distinctive home such as this would be complete without an Internet intervention. During a search for materials online, Pat happened upon a fortuitous Craigslist ad in Shreveport offering three Victorian-era mantles that had recently been removed from an estate during its remodel. What are the chances that he would find three mantles built during the same time period to replace the three that had been stolen from Edgewood and only an hour drive away! The Carrolls have taken painstaking care to restore the details that make Edgewood Plantation worthy of its place on the National Register of Historic Places. Layers of wallpaper were stripped and original colors of walls were discerned. Original oak floors throughout were restored to a beautiful sheen. As the couple points out, not one ceiling throughout the home is the same. In the Diamond Bay Room, which is often used for showers, teas or receptions, the exceptional molding throughout the room as well as the ceiling uses as diamond motif. Kay Carroll’s dream of a bed and breakfast is now a reality with Edgewood’s guests discovering the charm and elegance of a by-gone era with every modern convenience and Kay’s delicious breakfasts to fuel their mornings spent exploring north Louisiana or just getting away from it all. Within the main house, overnight guests can stay in either the Belle Tower Room or the Magnolia Room. The Belle Tower Room features the only fireplace mantle that was original to the home and a cozy reading nook that is nestled beneath the two-story turret. The Magnolia Room, painted its original creamy yellow and named for the large magnolia that blooms just outside the room’s windows is a favorite of guests. Brides, too, love this cheery, spacious room and often choose to get dressed with their wedding party within the room’s spacious and sunny walls. Guests love to relax in the Parlor with its

THE BELLE TOWER ROOM

THE GAME ROOM

unique doors with inset bookshelves and the Game Room with its rustic cypress board and batten walls, exotic mounts and hand-built cypress benches for ample seating. A 3-in-1 game table offers guests their choice of bumper pool, cards or a normal table. For breakfast, served in the formal dining room, Kay says she loves “to make breakfast an event,” starting with fresh fruits and catering to individual guest’s preferences. Pat says he loves her Eggs Benedict and that no one can resist her delectable breakfast casseroles or spicy cheese grits. “It’s all about the presentation,” explains Kay. “I love taking care of people and try to create something different and unexpected.” For Bed and Breakfast reservations, usually three weeks in advance is needed to book a room. What the Carrolls did not expect after the restoration of their beloved Edgewood was the number of requests to use the grounds for parties and special occasions ranging from weddings, reunions, showers, birthdays, luncheons, business meetings, bar mitzvahs, church meetings, bachelor parties and more. Weddings are usually booked at least six months in advance, and Kay assures that she does not book rooms for the Bed and Breakfast concurrent with a wedding celebration, unless the rooms are reserved for family of the wedding party. The large central staircase and over 3,000 square feet of wraparound porch creates a dramatic setting for weddings. The heartshaped garden lined with roses and delicately scented jasmine blossoms is another favorite setting that sets the tone for romantic nuptials. In addition, Pat put his master craftsman skills to work creating a wedding gazebo in the West Meadow utilizing bricks unearthed on the property and the same Victorian detailing found throughout the historic home. The Carrolls ensure that no detail is left undone to make weddings and events special. Blackjack, the Carroll’s black roan Clydesdale, can be hitched to a beautiful wedding carriage, and with Pat at the helm in a top hat and tails, can deliver the bride to her groom or whisk the newly married couple to their reception. One of the most incredibly innovative options for parties and wedding receptions is the Steamboat Pavilion, which Pat named the

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“D’Arbonne Lady K.” Using architectural creativity, Pat built it to look like a steamboat and dedicated the structure as an homage to Captain Oscar Baughman, J.D.’s brother who brought materials and furnishing up the D’Arbonne to help build Edgewood. The pavilion will accommodate 150 people, features a 16 x 16 dance floor and is centrally heated and cooled. The space is designed for catering ease, is set up with speakers and is completely furnished with chairs and tables. Edgewood Plantation and its accompanying buildings are handicap accessible. One of the Carroll’s most recent additions is the Caretaker’s Quarters which offers two guest rooms with a more rustic feel. Located near the West Meadow, the Caretaker’s Quarters is a quick walk over a hand-built bridge to the dog-trot style cabin. Each side of the duplex sleeps up to 4 guests, has a private shower and is great for sleepovers and reunions. Grooms and their groomsmen love the Caretaker’s Quarters and its laid-back atmosphere as their headquarters for getting ready for the “big day.” For this relaxed space, Pat handcrafted single beds with unique retractable dowels for hanging tuxedos or suits. A cozy fire pit is located nearby for late night s’mores and conversation. For those who love a little ghost story, it’s been said that Oscar Baughman still walks the porch on occasion. Mark you calendars now for a one-of-a-kind Halloween experience at Edgewood. Every Halloween, the Carrolls, their family and friends don their ghoulish best and offer candy to guests who pass through the plantation’s custom wrought iron gates hoping to get a glimpse of the dearly departed steamship captain. Louisiana Spirits has conducted several paranormal investigations throughout the grounds at Edgewood, including the private cemetery located across the highway from the plantation, that have led to some very interesting findings from unexplained footsteps to flashlights turning off and on by themselves. For more information about Edgewood Plantation, call Kay and Pat Carroll at 318.368.9709 or go to www.edgewoodplantationlouisiana.com.

THE D’ARBONNE LADY “K” PAVILLION

INSIDE THE PAVILLION

THE CARETAKER’S QUARTERS

Caring for Your Outdoor Cushions

The Patio Place Offers Tips and More

E UNDERSTAND THE WANT our customers have to protect the investment they make in their outdoor fabrics. Well, you’ll be happy to know that maintaining the original appearance of your outdoor cushions, pillows and umbrellas is not a laboring task that will rob you of an entire Saturday. With a little routine cleaning & by using some of the tips provided here, you will see keeping your fabrics looking their best is simple and easy. Our outdoor fabrics are 100% solution dyed acrylics which are the very best products for any outdoor application. These durable fibers are resistant to fade and mildew while still giving you some beauti-

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ful patterns for a stylish outdoor living space. By beginning with the best available outdoor fabrics, you’ve already taken one major step in the right direction. Proper maintenance, like with anything else we own, will keep these fabrics looking their best. By simply brushing off dirt before it has time to set in to the fabric or wiping up spills as soon as they happen, spots and stains will be easily avoided. For stubborn spots, stains or mildew, these fabrics can withstand bleach when appropriately diluted, but begin cleaning with a mild soap and warm water – always being sure to rinse your cushions thoroughly after cleaning. Another tip to further protect your out-

door fabrics and their appearance is to cover your furniture and cushions, when they are not getting a lot of use. The Patio Place carries a wide variety of covers and can always order for more specific pieces. Covers are an economical way to protect the investment you’ve made. The Patio Place also keeps Flitz Cleaner and Flitz Fabric Armour in store, which will help your fabrics repel and resist water and other soil. With any other questions regarding your outdoor furniture and fabrics, feel free to stop by and speak with any of our knowledgeable staff at The Patio Place. We look forward to helping you make your outdoor paradise beautiful!

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

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 who 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 | JUNE 2015

bayoutravel

Top Destinations for Honeymoons Visited by Celebrities

BY KAREN SNOWDY

elebrity weddings are covered all the time by magazines, but what is seen less is where they go for their honeymoon. If you are undecided about a honeymoon location and you want to feel like a star, you can still experience the same romantic escape…only with no paparazzi!! Below are just a few destinations celebrities have picked as their honeymoon destination: Discover this warm and exotic haven in the Republic of Seychelles: Honeymoon destination of Prince William and Kate Middleton and most recently, George Clooney and Amal Alamuddin, the Seychelles Islands have a climate that is warm and tropical, making anytime of the year a good time to visit. With its numerous beaches, it is not hard to find

your own secluded, natural source of beauty. If surfing, fishing or diving interests you, you are in luck with Seychelles’ plentiful waters. Hiking is also popular with its network of easy trails. Looking for the ultimate secluded escape: Honeymoon destination of Fergie and Josh Duhamel, The Maldives offer an abundancy of seclusion and privacy. Enjoy spectacular sunsets with a warm inviting atmosphere while embracing the crystal clean waters and blue lagoons at one of the resorts. If diving is your passion, The Maldives is a divers’ haven due to their profuse underwater resources. Majestic Views: Honeymoon destination of Keith Urban and Nicole Kidman, Bora Bora is said to be the most beautiful island in the world. Explore the panoramic views

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found by hiking alone or by guide or discover worldrenowned shopping for art, Tahitian pearls and perfumes. Bora Bora offers majestic views to overwater bungalows making it a 10 on the romance scale. The resort and island restaurants are as famous as Bora Bora itself, offering Mediterranean cuisine, seafood, pizza and Bloody Mary’s.

Two Seas, One Paradise: Honeymoon destination of Hillary Duff and Mike Comrie, as well as Leann Rimes and Eddie Cibrian, Los Cabos is located at the southern tip of Mexico’s Baja California Peninsula, in the state of Baja California Sur. Los Cabos encompasses the towns of Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo, as well as the Resort Corridor that lies between the two. From big game fishing and world class golf to rejuvenating at a spa at a luxury resort, you can truly leave the cares of everyday life behind.

In addition to its abundance of activities, honeymooners can enjoy walking along its secluded beaches, cobblestone streets and intimate restaurants and boutiques.

Aloha, Hawaii: Honeymoon destination of Megan Fox and Brian Austin Green, I personally think you cannot go wrong with Hawaii. With its six islands to choose from, Hawaii provides six different unique experiences. Enjoy a helicopter tour over one of the islands, visit a living volcano or just relax at one of the luxurious resorts. Hawaii is world-renowned for its beautiful beaches. Hawaii will leave you wanting to come back again and again and is, in my opinion, the perfect honeymoon destination.

For more information on planning your celebrity-like honeymoon, contact Karen at Bliss Travel Group, 318-805-8959 or info@blisstravelgroup.net.

WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | JUNE 2015

New Treatment Offers Relief from the Bedroom Blues

Now Available at Professional Laser Center

BY JUDY WAGONER

ALL IT THE SHOT HEARD ‘ROUND the world—only this time the revolution is on behalf of modern women. The O-Shot is a new, non-surgical intervention, that aims to address female sexual dysfunction. The O-Shot® is a revolutionary approach to restoring the sensations lost or perhaps never experienced. It is an all-natural, virtually painless, non-surgical procedure that can rejuvenate and revitalize female sexual function, improve sensitivity and significantly enhance sex drive. It's also been shown to be an alternative intervention that may improve urinary stress incontinence. First, the patient's blood is drawn and placed in a centrifuge. A specific component called Platelet Rich Plasma, or PRP, is isolated. The PRP is then injected near the clitoris and

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into the vaginal wall (after the area is thoroughly numbed). The PRP then releases growth factors that stimulate growth and repair. There is an immediate volume effect, which lasts up to a week. Then over the next few weeks the PRP stimulates the growth of cells, collagen and blood vessels. The overall effect should last about 18 months. When used for sexual dysfunction, patients report increased sexual desire and improved ability to achieve orgasm. The same method can be applied to men in the form of a "P" Shot...or "Priapus Shot." Professional Laser Center Medical Director, Dr. Victor Zuckerman, has received advanced training in the injection of Platelet Rich Plasma from Dr. Charles Runels M.D., creator of the Vampire FaceLift, as well as the O-Shot

and P-Shot. Dr. Runels says he was puzzled by the array of treatments available for men dealing with sexual problems—with everything from pills to penile implants as a remedy—and the glaring void when it came to female sexual dysfunction, even though more than 40 percent of American women are estimated to have this issue. The entire process is no more painful than a numbing shot at the dentist, takes less than 30 minutes, is conducted in our office and offers immediate results. Date night can occur later that evening. This is a great alternative intervention for women who suffer from sexual dysfunction. Call today for a free consultation...318-3619066. For one month, we are offering an introductory discount of $400 off our $1395 price.

Father’s Day Favorites and More

Loftin Oysters at The Muffin Tin and Trenton House

T MUFFIN TIN AND THE TRENTON House, we pride ourselves on being a local favorite stop for Father’s Day gifts every year. We offer a selection of unique gifts for dad, whether he is a gourmet chef or more of an outdoorsman. Our favorite gifts this year are Loftin Oysters. Loftin Oysters is an artistically crafted ceramic oyster shell stoneware and cooking accoutrément for the expert and amateur chef. The ceramic oyster shells are ideal for chargrilling and cooking oysters and other seafood, but you can also bake, broil, stuff and smoke to your heart’s desire. The ceramic shells are safe and easy to cook with because the organic clay compounds are designed specifically to withstand high oven temperatures and direct flame. Use already shucked oysters or seafood from your local market and

your favorite recipes. They clean easily with a mild detergent and are dishwasher safe. The sole purpose of the Loftin Company is to design and create high-quality culinary utensils that enhance the experience of being in any kitchen, without the extra work and clean up. Loftin Oysters is owned and operated by brothers Kyle and Mike Loftin. Both are natives of New Orleans and grew up experiencing the unique seafood bounty that only the Gulf Coast produces. But as any local knows, while delectable, oysters are some of the most labor-involved of the seafood array. In fact, the process of “shucking” oysters can be dangerous because of the type of knife needed and technique required to remove the oyster from the shell.

During the Fall of 2011, which is the most popular season oysters are consumed, Kyle pondered a way he and his wife, Ali, could enjoy chargrilled oysters at home after a busy work day, without the time-consuming process of shucking and clean up that came along with it. Months experimenting with different material combinations allowed Kyle and Mike to identify the ideal clay mixture that could withstand the heating and cooling exposure during daily use. Mike and Kyle began production in a small workshop in Kyle’s home and began taking orders at the end of the year. Stop by the Muffin Tin or The Trenton House to check out these and more great gifts. #oysterlove

WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | JUNE 2015

Unique Venue in Downtown Monroe

Available for Weddings, Receptions and Special Events

OCATED IN THE HEART OF Downtown Monroe on DeSiard Street, The Palace Building is a unique venue perfect for parties, business meetings, corporate events, concerts and wedding ceremonies and receptions. The Palace was originally built in 1924 and operated as a department store for more than 50 years. It was a significant part of life in downtown Monroe, bringing people from all over Northeast Louisiana to shop its six floors for everything from men and women's apparel to wedding gifts; shoes and jewelry to housewares. In September of 2009, The Portico Church bought the historic Palace with plans for the building to serve as a resource to the community and bring life back to

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downtown Monroe. With a desire to join with the others already working to revitalize the area, Portico Church works with the arts community, local businesses and those living downtown. Portico Church gathers for worship and teaching on Sunday nights at 6 p.m. at The Palace, as well as in small groups a few other days during the week in homes throughout Monroe and West Monroe. The Palace is host to a variety of community events, including art shows, familyfriendly events and concerts, in addition to serving as home to The Portico Church's weekly gatherings and other events. The Palace is currently host to Downtown Cinema and is a member of the Downtown Art Alliance, showing exhibits during the

Downtown Art Crawls. The Palace holds up to 200 people for a ceremony, 150 for a stand-up cocktail reception and 120 for a sit down reception. There are chairs and tables available to use, as well as audio and visual equipment. There is a small kitchen space as well. In addition to being a unique, historical venue conveniently located, The Palace is affordable! Current rental rates are $500 per day and $250 for a half day. An audiovisual technician is also available to help with sound and lights for $25 per hour. To get more information on The Palace, call 318-884-0599 or visit thepalacemonroe.com. facebook.com/ThePalaceMonroe

BayouKidz

Continued From page 28

In true "Willie" form, she pulled a Folger's coffee can from the pantry and shelled out the money he needed to pay the house off. I never tire of hearing that story. Or any story she is a part of for that matter, because for someone who lived through the revolution of this great country and witnessed everything from presidential assassinations, landing on the moon, the invention of television and radio, automobiles, airplanes, war, oppression, segregation, computers and technology and I can't leave out, Facebook (she loved to ask my sister what people were posting on Facebook), she is a vital part of the fabric of the rich, history of this country. And I am blessed, and proud, that she was my grandmother. So what can we derive from this life well lived? I think much can be gleaned from her life, perhaps not a glamorous one with diplomas lining the halls of her home, or famous in the sense of being a movie star, although, she had the face

of 1940's movie actress (and was quoted as saying that God cursed her "with good looks and being a worrier.") At the very least, stopping to smell the roses or the coffee (she loved very much to sit and enjoy a good cup, at any time of the day); making time for laughter, everyday, despite the circumstances in your life, because you still have a good life; loving your God, your family and your country, with all of your heart; cherishing your children and your grandchildren, because life can be cruel and fleeting, and these are the precious gifts that matter; and above all, cut yourself some slack if you don't make as much money as the neighbors down the street. My grandmother left this world with the same thing she came into it with, and she was the happiest person I know. She remarked often, after we were told she was sick, that she had been blessed with a peaceful, happy life. Sigh. That's what I want for my family, to be at peace and to be happy. We all have circum-

stances that seem bigger than we are sometimes, but usually, things work out, somehow, someway, and life goes on. Our race continues. And contrary to what me may think, there are people watching how we handle those circumstances, whether it be our children, a co-worker or a stranger, and it creates an opportunity to leave an impression. My grandmother left her impression on my life, on my soul, and thankfully, she was blessed with an abundance of years to do so. She also carefully guarded the impression she made on others, and felt a responsibility to show character and grace in most of the situations she faced in her life. And in doing so, she found the time to liveâ&#x20AC;Śto laughâ&#x20AC;Śto love. It's a legacy I will cherish and spend the rest of my life trying to emulate. And I hope, in some small way, it finds a way to penetrate the busy lives of our readers. Thank you for letting me share her life, her legacy and her race. It is my upmost privilege to do so.

WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | JUNE 2015

Birthday Celebration

A beautiful "special" birthday party was held in honor of Judy Marx. Hosts included friends and family of the honoree and was held at the beautiful home of Faith and DarylMarx. Invitations to the party requested that everyone dress in "Downton Abbey" themed attire. Costumes ranged from formal gowns and tuxedos, to flappers and golfers of the era. Judy and husband Don Marx arrived in a vintage Packard automobile. The evening included a lovely variety of food and champagne toasts. Piano music accompanied the guests as they entered and enjoyed the evening. A delicious cake was created in honor of the birthday girl that included lots of rhinestones and sparkles. Friends called between the hours of seven and nine and a wonderful evening was enjoyed by all. Happy Birthday, Judy!

On the BayouScene

1 Matthew Marx with Judy and Don Marx 2 Carolyn Smith and Pat Jordan 3 Faith, Daryl, Matthew and Nicholas Marx 4 Mignon and Mike Riley 5 Ron Sherman, Wendy and Jay Marx 6 Sharon and Earl HuďŹ&#x20AC;

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Be The Match Bone Marrow Drive For Braylon Streetman

HREE AND A HALF-YEAR-OLD BRAYLON STREETMAN from West Monroe is just like every other little boy, he loves playing outside, swinging, blowing bubbles and watching his favorite movie, Toy Story! “He LOVES Buzz Lightyear,” says his mommy, Brittany. Things changed for Braylon around July 2014, when he suddenly became very ill. After spending nearly nine months in three different hospitals, he was transferred to Cincinnati Children’s Hospital in April, for what they believed was an underlying genetic immune disease. After only four weeks in Cincinnati, test results came back and Braylon was diagnosed with Dyskeratosis Congenita or DKC1. “His diagnosis came as a shock,” says mom Brittany, “We weren’t prepared for it to be so severe.” The only treatment for his condition is a bone marrow transplant. “Braylon misses playing with his friends in the nursery at Christ Church. We just want to get our son on the road to recovery soon, so we can bring him home and back to the people and things he loves,” says Brittany. “We can truly say that finding a donor will save his life.” A bone marrow drive will be held Friday, May 22 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the parking lot of Christ Church, located at 208 Lincoln St. in West Monroe. BBQ chicken plates will be for sale for $5 to raise funds for the family. Plates will include chicken quarter, baked beans, potato salad and bread. Delivery will be available to organizations that purchase 10 or more plates. A second drive will be held in Braylon’s honor at Pecanland Mall in Monroe on Saturday, May 30th from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. This will be a blood drive with LifeShare Blood Centers and Be The Match marrow registry. Be the Match is the US marrow donor registry program, also known as the National Marrow Donor Program, NMDP. Seventy percent of patients who are in need of a stem cell or marrow transplant do not have a matching donor in their family; they rely on Be The Match to help them find a stranger that is willing to save their life! “Marrow donation is the type of donation people fear the most when I talk to them about being a donor, because of misinformation and misconceptions,” says Brian Allison of Be The Match and LifeShare Blood Centers. Though marrow donation is not done as often, some transplant physicians prefer it for infant or elderly patients. Marrow donation is an outpatient surgical procedure. Marrow is drawn from the donor’s hip with a simple needle and syringe. During the donation, the donor is under general anesthesia, so there is no discomfort during the procedure. Most donors are back to their normal routine within 1-2 weeks, so it does take longer to recover than stem cells. For more information about the drives or Be The Match, contact Brian Allison at 318.673.1534. WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | JUNE 2015

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SOCIAL BITES OF RUSTON ARTICLE BY MARY NAPOLI | PHOTOGRAPHY BY MARTIN G MEYERS

his is the giggly part!" says a pig-tailed, five-year-old to her mother as she licks the top of her chocolate cupcake. The sugar-induced grin reveals exactly what "the giggly part" is-icing. Social Bites is nestled in the heart of Downtown Ruston and has a well-deserved reputation for the creating confections that are as incredibly beautiful as they are delightfully delicious. Each day, dozens of locals pass through the candy-colored doors in search of sweet-tooth satisfaction. Some ponder the menu, which hangs overhead and displays the special flavors of the day. Other customers approach the counter on a mission to retrieve the mouth-watering treat they are jonesing for. No one leaves unhappy. Heather Bailey, owner of Social Bites and candy-coated genius, is as much a smile maker as she is a cake baker. Since opening the bakery in 2008, the confections that come from her kitchen are simply magical.

They can transform any full grown adult into a giggling child with one bite. Bailey is part of a generation of self-taught entrepreneurs that learned from experience, web-based research and the sheer will to succeed. She came of age during the foodie explosion, when every television was tuned to Food TV, and the average American was becoming interested in expanding their palate and culinary knowledge. These cultural trends influenced the naturally entrepreneurial Bailey, who is genuinely artistic in many ways. However, her childhood experiences in the kitchen also left a lasting impression. "Yes, I really did have an Easy Bake Oven," laugh Bailey. "I wore it out! I always wanted to experiment." Her desire to experiment with flavors and textures remains, thankfully, and presents itself in cupcake flavors like margarita, s'mores, cookie dough, salted caramel and key lime. Her menu features tried WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | JUNE 2015

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HEATHER BAILEY

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and true favorites, like vanilla, chocolate, strawberry and red velvet. However, daily specials include more adventurous selections like peanut butter, banana pudding, Italian creme, carrot, lemon blueberry and cinnamon, among others. "We bake around 500 cupcakes each day," notes Bailey. "Those cupcakes are made to fill our orders and the shelves in the storefront. We come close to selling out almost every day." Social Bites may have a stellar reputation for killer cupcakes, but Bailey and her team create much more to tempt the tastebuds. Decadent brownies, various cookies, delightful rice crispies and French macarons that are absolutely unforgettable bless the menu. There are even gluten free and paleo options for those with dietary restrictions. Taste reveals that Bailey uses quality ingredients, and presentation is just as important. Each confection is a work of art. Garnished with a sugared flower, sprinkled with the colors of the rainbow or dusted with

shimmering gold, every dessert is a feast for the eyes, as well as for the tastebuds. When it comes to cakes, the bigger, the better. They produce ten to twelve specialty cakes per week, which includes technicolor, multitiered birthday cakes in any flavor imaginable and theme. However, Bailey loves to bake for any occasion and often gets unexpected orders that bring excitement to the kitchen. "We do cakes for baby showers, graduations, communions...gender reveal cakes are becoming popular," she explains. "But we can help celebrate any occasion. I've even done a zombie themed cake. It was a fun challenge." The most challenging cake that Bailey creates is also the one that allows her to display her talents best--the wedding cake. Brides from all areas of the state call on Social Bites to bring their wedding cake dreams to reality, but most of her bridal clients are found from Monroe to Shreveport. When it comes to designing these special cakes, Bailey has a unique approach.

"I don't have a book of sample cakes like some bakeries. I want to en- huge guest list, so we had 500 slices of cake, 500 beignets, and 500 ascourage originality and let the couple incorporate their own individual- sorted desserts, like mini fruit pies and pralines, that were chosen by the ity. When I sit down to design the cake with the bride, I tell her to bring bride. It was a really impressive wedding. It was so big, the press in pictures that inspire her or to create a Pinterest board with ideas. I thought it was Beyonce's sister's wedding!" usually incorporate a pattern or the theme of the wedding or even the Although Social Bites has quite a following and an incredible future couple's new address. I like for it to express who in store, Bailey truly enjoys her Ruston location. they are as a married couple." "I do love our space here downtown. It alBailey is not only talented at designing stunlows me to make super custom creations for people, There is a really ning cakes, but she also knows how to creatively and I want them to be as satisfied as possible," says handle a crowd of any size. Social Bites has a large Bailey. "There is a really personal element to this, personal element Instagram following, and Bailey was recently conand I love helping people to celebrate with wonderto this, and I love tacted by a bride who had become a fan of her work ful treats to enjoy. If I didn't love it, I wouldn't do pictured on the web. She contracted Bailey to take it." helping people to on her wedding, which would take place near New There is no doubt that people love what BaiOrleans. When Bailey learned that the bride's family ley does, too. Even on a regular Tuesday afternoon, celebrate with was happily spending a whopping sum of $3.5 milshe is turning away customers an hour after closing wonderful treats lion on the affair, she could hardly believe it. A wedtime. ding cake to complement this event would be her "They are closed?" laments a couple who to enjoy. If largest creation to date. have driven from across town to enjoy some good"The royal couple had just been married, and ies. "I've been thinking about these cupcakes all day I didn't love it, the bride wanted a replica of Prince William and long," says the woman with a sign. I wouldn't do it." Princess Catherine's cake. This cake had 27 tiers. It "Come back tomorrow!" Bailey calls as she was a huge undertaking and a massive construction. peeks out from behind the door. Her smile seems to We had to drive a U-Haul to the wedding location ease the woman's disappointment. just to transport all of it!" Bailey recalls. "It was too risky to make that "You know I will, sweetheart!" she answers. "I can't stay away from huge of a cake completely edible, so parts of the large cake were iced this place." and decorated, but we used another cake to serve. It would have been Social Bites is located on Park Avenue in Downtown Ruston. Explore the difficult to physically slice a cake of that magnitude, so we brought ad- menu and the many magical possibilities of the bakery on their website, socialditional cakes to slice in the back and serve to the guests. There was a bitesofruston.com, or check them out on Instagram or Facebook.

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Northeast Louisiana’s Only Restaurant Delivery Service

Let Chef Taxi Deliver Your Next Meal

OU HAVE HAD A LONG DAY AT work. You haven't thought about dinner once, until you walked in the door. Wouldn't it be great if someone could feed your family without you having to go back out? You are planning the party of the century. What better way to wow your guests than with food 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 deliver eats right to your door from some of

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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? Chef Taxi delivers food from Monroe

and West Monroe areas. Fox's Pizza in Monroe and West Monroe, Monjuni's, Trio's, The Coffee Bean, Tummy Yummy Creations, Papa Joe Jr.’s, Catfish Charlie’s, El Chile Verde in Monroe and West Monroe and Dickey’s BBQ Pit 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 Chef Taxi on Facebook and like their page for great incentives and more information. Join their text club for a free delivery to try it out and also receive coupon codes and alerts for future promotions. Perhaps the best thing about Chef Taxi is that you can order online with just a few clicks at www.cheftaxi.com. Or you can call 318-855-8619 to easily order.

Scholars’ Banquet Junior League of Monroe Assists Annual Scholar’s Banquet

he 31st annual Scholars’ Banquet was held on April 20, 2015 at the Monroe Civic Center. Approximately 240 students, along with family and friends, attended the event. Each student honored maintained a 3.5 GPA for seven semesters and had a score of at least 25 on the ACT. The banquet not only recognized the honorees but also featured keynote speaker, Dr. Damion Cummins – a Ouachita Parish High School graduate. Cummins was 15-years-old when he was injured during football practice and paralyzed. In 2014, Ouachita Parish High School retired his jersey honoring his professional achievements and perseverance. The Junior League of Monroe (JLM) is a charter member of Task Force for the Scholars Banquet. JLM's committee, Educa-

Members of the Junior League of Monroe Education Task Force attends 31st Annual Scholar’s Banquet: Jenny Pankey, Jennifer Ables, Melissa Kiper, Liz Hammett, Faith Gremillion, Mandy Green and Cherry Coon

tion Task Force, holds the office of Secretary for the Task Force and attends monthly meetings held to discuss preparations for

the Scholars’ Banquet. The Education Task Force Commitee aslo furnishes the decorations and assists with the set-up and clean up the the banquet. The Junior League of Monroe is an organization of women committed to promoting voluntarism, 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. For more information on the Junior League of Monroe, visit their website at www.jlmonroe.org or call their office at (318) 322-3236

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Wild Wild West Fundraiser All that was missing was a stagecoach on May 2, when the Hamilton House Inn and historic Trenton Street turned back the clock for the Wild Wild West Event. The fundraiser was organized by the Downtown West Monroe Revitalization Group. Presented by Richland State Bank, the fundraiser was organized to benefit the revitalization groupâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s efforts to bring aesthetic improvements and increase economic development activities in the downtown West Monroe area. Over the course of the evening, patrons enjoyed beverages provided by Choice Brands while dancing to the tunes of the Jack Rabbit Slims band. All the while, they enjoyed the sights and sounds of a historic community and the beautifully restored Hamilton House Inn.

On the BayouScene

1 Shannon Dahlum, Olivia Pruett, Cassidy Eaves, Logan Cloessner, Corey Hamilton and Hannah Livingston 2 Murray Jackson, Jason Davis, Deborah and Todd Colvin and Nathan LeCloux 3 Megan Long, Ashley Janes and Lindsey Chapman 4 Hannah Livingston, Stewart Cathey, Cookie and Anne Cookston, Dawne and Senator Mike Walsworth 5 Emery Thibodeaux and Brooke Foy 6 Donna and Stewart Cathey 7 Tonya Hamilton and Karen Laben 8 Karen Marsala and Sue Boudreaux 9 Gerald and Michelle Conti 10 Dionne and Cleve Saxon 11 Olivia and Danny Pruett, Shannon and Jamie Dahlum 12 Rich Laban, Brad Borden, Jonathan Webster and Ken Vicknair 13 Leah McKane, Malena Morales and Sarah Counts 14 Crystal Murphy and Lindsey Cobb 15 Chad and Whitley Robinson 16 Betsy Stadius and Alana Babb 17 Donnie and Cindy Grubbs

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Laser Hair Removal

So Easy a Caveman Could Do It

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

The first to come out was red, And his body was like a hairy garment; So they named him Esau. Genesis 25:25

SAU GREW UP TO BE ONE OF THE best-known burly men in history. He was “a skillful hunter, a man of the open country” - beloved by his father Isaac, “who had a taste for wild game.” (Genesis 25: 27-28) But his mother Rebekah loved his twin brother Jacob – a mama’s boy, “a quiet man, staying among the tents” (Genesis 25: 28). Anyone who went to Sunday School knows that eventually, with Rebekah’s help, Jacob tricked his aged and nearly blind father Isaac into giving him Esau’s blessing – posing as his hirsute brother by covering his hands and the back of his neck with hairy goat skins! It worked. Jacob prospered and his twelve sons became the twelve tribes of Israel. If only Esau had known about laser hair removal, Jacob’s scheme would have been foiled

and Esau would have gotten the blessings he deserved. Laser hair removal has traditionally been the domain of women. Hairy armpits, unruly bikini areas and facial hair have all been targets. But while permanent hair reduction has been readily achievable, one of the major drawbacks of previous hair removal lasers was that treatments were painful. Moreover, the area treated with each pulse was small, so treating a large area took forever. Several years ago, I had my entire back done with one of the original devices, and I can attest to the fact that after 2 ½ hours and what felt like 2000 cigarette burns, I would’ve given up any classified information. If the U.S. Military had used the original hair removal lasers on terrorists at Guantanamo Bay, there would have been no need for water boarding. This discomfort apparently never bothered women, who have a “no pain, no gain” attitude toward aesthetic spa treatments that involve peeling, buffing, waxing and

plucking. Men have no such tolerance, and over the years have chosen to live with their hairy backs and shoulders - but they don’t have to anymore. The Lightsheer Duet high-speed diode laser has been a game changer and makes laser hair removal for large areas like the back or legs not only feasible, but almost pleasant. First of all, it’s fast. The treatment head is almost four times larger than the original device so the entire back can be done in about thirty minutes. Second, it doesn’t hurt. The device is “vacuum assisted,” so your skin feels the suction effect of the hand piece rather than the discomfort of the laser treatment. Third, it’s more effective. As the skin is drawn into the vacuum tip, the hair follicles are pulled closer to the energy source and the larger spot size allows deeper penetration of the laser energy. So it’s faster, better and way more comfortable. It is possible that in biblical times, body hair was a symbol of masculinity, but in modern times, it’s not something you can proudly wear to the pool or out for a jog. I would know. Like Esau, I not only like to hunt, but I too have “a body like a hairy garment.” When I swim laps at the MAC, little kids get out of the pool and cling to their mommies. If I use the Jacuzzi tub

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Fashion Fusion Once Upon a Dream, an enchanted fairytale fused with modern music, dance, fashion and a little imagination was the theme of this year’s Fashion Fusion – Where Dance Meets Design. On Saturday April 18, the Debbie Bourg Dancers teamed up with local boutiques to host Fashion Fusion 2015, benefitting the Children’s Coalition of Northeast Louisiana. Sponsored by Community Trust Bank and Salt and Pepper Accessory Boutique, the fashion show took place onstage at the West Monroe Convention Center. Dancer and choreographer Kelsey Bourg Tanner and the Debbie Bourg Dancers dazzled the crowd, while models paraded the runway showcasing what’s hot in fashion from 14 local boutiques. Runway photos courtesy of Steven Palowsky Photography, LLC.

On the BayouScene

1 Mary Kincannon, Lucy Sartor and Halley Travis 2 Kaysi Hutto, Ashlee Franks, Dewanna Hutto 3 Kelsey Adams, Tracy Frantom and Makayla Littleton 4 Julie Emory, Lindsey Murry, Maureen Gallagher and Sandy Harrington 5 Jack North and Kirsten Talley 6 Annamaria Huston, Ellie Jackson, Kemper Block, April Hooper and Kayla Edwards 7 Salt & Pepper Accessory Boutique 8 Carrie Sawyer, Maddy Mull, Courtney Avis and Stacie Lemoine 9 Leslie Petrus, Linda Porter and Terri Jo Churchwell 10 Terra Clark, Kimberly Washam, Amanda Tallaksen 11 Ava and Chantel Dickson 12 Darla Tippen and Leslie Sanders 13 Donna and Alex Howell 14 Mary Napoli and Lynn Clark 15 Savannah Kate Bridges and Wayland Morgan 16 Moody Blues Boutique 17 Hemline Monroe 18 Duck & Dressing 19 Brent and Lissy Cumpton

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Pints and Plates On May 14th, Choice Brands and Restaurant Sage joined forces to celebrate American Craft Beer Week with Pints and Plates, a craft beer pairing experience. Chef Blake Phillips created a menu to pair with some true American craft brews from Abita, Yalobusha and Sam Adams. The event included a very special cask conditioned, ginger infused version of Abita Restoration. To begin each course, Delia Simpson from Choice Brands introduced a unique pint, after which Chef Blake introduced the plate, and talked about why the two paired well together. It was a fun combination of tasty brews and delicious food.

On the BayouScene

1 Jay and Heather Yates and Ed Greenlee 2 Sharon and Michael Pohlman 3 Larry Collum, Cherry Phillips, Mary Simpson, Blake Phillips and Delia Simpson 4 BJ Trame and Moira Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Connor 5 Julie LeBell and James Earl Simpson 6 Robert Ellis and Brian McGuire

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Blend of the Bayou

The Men Who Cook, Men Brew and Men Who Mix took over the beautiful Island Drive home of Dr. Walter and Sue Sartor for the annual Blend of the Bayou celebration, which benefits the Northeast Louisiana Arts Council. More than one hundred grill masters, cooks and drink mixers donned their aprons for the event, serving up locally-brewed beers, specialty cocktails and more than a few delicious morsels. If it could go on a grill, chances are someone was grilling it. There were pork loins marinated in secret combinations of ingredients. Lamb burgers sizzled from another grill. Across the way, there were mini-muffalettas, cheesecakes and homemade ice cream. There were even vegetarian options for those who eschew meat. The Sartor family driveway became a well-curated art gallery, featuring works from area artists like Lacey Stinson and Caroline Youngblood. Local favorite Mason Granade and his band were on hand to provide entertainment for the 18th Annual Blend of the Bayou celebration.

On the BayouScene

1 Kerri and Dustin James 2 Moira Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Connor and Greg Baccarini 3 Cherry Phillips and Larry Collum 4 Tyler Flemister, Mike Lee and Tyler Harris 5 Ken Purcell and Jim Cuthbert 6 Christian Creed, Michael and Stuart Hand 7 Priscilla Wilkins, Virginia Ann Reeves and Michelle Thaxton 8 Merion Sanderson, Beth Swanner, Hannah Livingston and Stewart Cathey 9 Sarah Heatherly, Patricia and Matthew Cameron 10 Maggie and Jason Nelson 11 Anthony Perkins, Stefan and Lauren Wall 12 Hal and Miriam HinchliďŹ&#x20AC;e, Ron Alexander and Ginger Valentine 13 Andrew Hubenthal, Allyson Sager, Katherine Sandifer, Graham Abell 14 Susan Cole, Blanche Betz, Blake and Lynne LeBlanc, Anthony Perkins and Kevin Caston 15 Merion and Matt Sanderson

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ARCO Day of Appreciation

ARCO hosted a whole weekendâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s worth of events, adding a special day of appreciation this year in conjunction with their annual Doug Pederson event. The organization celebrated 60 years of service that was kicked off with a Rip-Roaring 5k Run. The day continued as the public was invited to the Ike Hamilton for a petting zoo, quarter horse event, bouncers, square dancing and more. A disc golf tournament added to the dayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s festivities, and the evening ended with a show from The Second City from Chicago.

On the BayouScene

1 Steven Boney and Jay Morris 2 Charles Williams and Mike Walsworth 3 Scarlett Holland, Matthew Garcia and Tara Holmes 4 Chevy Navarro, Jackson Grubb and Parker Skender 5 Elisabeth Grant-Gibson and Dulci Mae

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Whether you’re looking for a gift for the bride and groom – or your getting married and searching for presents for your bridal party – these items are on trend. Find this and more at our local retailers. Photography by Scarlett Holland

6 5 1

17 18

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1) The Children’s Shoppe 2) Paul Michael Company 3) Lagniappe Embroidery and Gift Shoppe 4) Lincoln Outdoor Living 5) The Muffin Tin/The Trenton House 6) Pelican District 7) Ron Alexander Clothiers 8) Sue Paperie 9) The Patio Place 10) Material Things 11) M.D. Minerals 12) The Fashion of Ruston 13) Haven/Intelligent Designs 14) Hemline Monroe 15) New Attitude Hair Design/Boutique LaCour 16) Something Borrowed 17) Thurman’s Food Factory and Gifts 18) Woodstock Furniture Revival

ER vs. Clinics

Need Quick, Convenient Care for a Minor Injury or Illness?

T IS SUNDAY AFTERNOON, YOU’RE not feeling well, and you think you may have a sinus infection. You can’t afford to miss work or make an appointment with your regular physician until their office opens on Monday. What do you do? While your first impulse might be to run to the nearest emergency room (ER), St. Francis Medical Center offers a quick, convenient option to get you the fast, timely care you need. According to a 2010 American Hospital Association survey, 50 percent of the nation’s emergency departments operate at or over their capacity rates. Patients’ needs are increasing and that causes overcrowding and often a significant waiting period. Many ER visits are not life-threatening and patients that visit the ER with problems such as sinus infections, sprained ankles or stomach viruses, are coming in for treatment, because they do

not know where else to go. In helping to address these issues locally, St. Francis provides two clinics that offer care for minor injuries or illnesses. Housed inside the St. Francis Community Health Center at 2600 Tower Drive in Monroe, the St. Francis Walk-In Clinic is a perfect option for those who would prefer to avoid a trip to the emergency room for certain symptoms, illnesses and injuries such as runny noses, sinusitis, burns, simple lacerations and fever. This urgent care clinic offers fast, efficient treatment of minor illnesses and minor emergencies for both adults and children. The St. Francis Walk-In Clinic is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. until 7:30 p.m., on Saturday from 9 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. and on Sunday from noon until 5:30 p.m. The clinic is staffed by nurse practitioners and a physician and accepts walk-in patients.

Conveniently located near St. Francis Medical Center at 1805 Jackson Street, the St. Francis Walk-In Clinic at Jackson treats both adult and pediatric patients with minor illnesses and injuries. The clinic is open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. & 1:30 p.m. – 9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday hours are 12 noon – 6 p.m. The phone number for the clinic is (318) 966-6165. No appointment is necessary. For those who do come through the ER seeking non-life threatening care, St. Francis offers Fast-Track services. By utilizing this service, those patients with minor injuries are treated more quickly by the Fast-Track staff, freeing up emergency personnel for more traumatic cases. If you need emergency care, the ERs at both St. Francis Medical Center – Downtown and St. Francis Medical Center – North are ready to serve you. However, if you or a loved one needs to be treated for a minor injury or illness, please consider one of the the St. Francis Walk-In Clinics. St. Francis is committed to improving healthcare practices as the needs of the community evolve. With these options, you are able to choose the appropriate care that fits your needs.

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MISTER

MAYO Leaving politics at the waterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s edge, three-term Monroe mayor Jamie Mayo pulls back the curtain and shares reflections on life, love, and family.

Article by MICHAEL DEVAULT & Photographs by BRAD ARENDER

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THE FIRST FAMILY

n 1981, the financial aid office at Northeast Louisiana University was a walnut-paneled suite of offices on the southern end of the Administration Building. Most of the work of financial aid was completed by hand, the campus’s first computers just coming out of packing. Students wanting to attend college using Pell grants or student loans had to present copious amounts of documentation and fill out a seemingly endless wave of forms, none of which guaranteed approval. For incoming freshmen, the process was daunting. On one fateful day during the summer of that year, though, things were going well for a young woman from Bastrop. She had a helping hand in the form of a popular, well-known student. Her brother, recently graduated, had been a star basketball player on Coach Mike Vining’s championship team. Together, he assured her, they could complete her paperwork and get her enrolled in college. During the process, though, her brother was somewhat distracted by another woman. She was waiting on a friend to get off work. He immediately recognized her as someone he “knew of, though we hadn’t actually met.” “We had our first conversation in the Financial Aid office at ULM, while she was waiting on one of her friends to get off work, and I was attempting to help my sister get financial aid to attend ULM,” recalled Monroe mayor Jamie Mayo of that fateful day almost 34 years ago. “We sat beside each other.” Jamie recalls an interesting conversation and knew immediately that he wanted to spend more time with the young woman named Angela. But her friend was getting off work, and he still had to attend to his sister’s financial aid. So Jamie asked Angela for her phone number

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Although being Mayor of Monroe keeps him busy, Jamie Mayo is a husband, father and grandfather first. Pictured: Jared, Ashley, Tyler, Jamie and Angela Mayo.

so he could call. “He was really nice,” Angela told BayouLife. “He asked me to go on a date. That’s how everything got started.” The young Jamie was fresh out of college with a degree in business, and he had secured “a good job” at the area’s largest employer, State Farm Insurance Company’s MidSouth Regional Office as a commercial underwriter. Jamie recalls it was a “great job” for someone just out of college. “I was very excited that I was able to get a good job in the community, where I had attended college, and to be able to stay here in Monroe, where I had made a lot of friends,” he said. “Plus, I was still in very close proximity to my family in Bastrop.” The good job also meant he could take Angela out on a good date. To impress her, he chose one of the nicest restaurants in town, Austin’s in downtown Monroe, as the site of their date. From the moment they sat down to dinner, their future was written. After the date, Jamie became a permanent fixture in her life. “He came by the house every day after that to visit me,” Angela said. The time at her house gave her family time to get to know Jamie, too, and Angela said they immediately took a liking to the respectful, driven young man who was showing an interest in their daughter. Angela remembers how her family liked Jamie. “Especially my grandfather. My grandfather loved him,” Angela said. Both Jamie and Angela recall a relationship taking off at a breakneck pace. “That year, we got engaged and got married the next September,” Jamie said. “In a year’s time, we met, dated, got engaged and then married.”

He laughs at the speed with which the relationship developed, but he said he knew from the moment in Financial Aid. “After being around her just a few minutes, I knew that she was who I wanted to marry. There wasn’t any question in my mind.” Some 34 years later, it would be too easy to look at how much has changed and drop into a summary. NLU is now ULM. Financial Aid is no longer a complex process and applying for funding takes about a half-hour on the computer. State Farm’s Mid-South Regional Offices are no longer in Monroe. And Jamie Mayo isn’t in the insurance business anymore. But where’s the fun in that? Instead, like the young Mayo family’s life, it’s more interesting to look at the slow road, to take time and appreciate the moments as they arrived. So much of Jamie’s life seems to be lived with the same pace with which he played the basketball that first made him a well-known figure in Monroe circles. A year-long engagement, a marriage, and he didn’t stop there. Not too long after they married, Angela revealed some pretty big news. “About three months after our wedding, she was pregnant,” said Jamie. While many young fathers-to-be express a hint of panic, Jamie had a different reaction. “I was excited.” That excitement and anticipation were rewarded in 1983 when the Mayos welcomed a son, Jared, into their house. Angela said there wasn’t a moment of profound change in her husband. Nor was there any drama or consternation. Instead, he took it all with the same stride and control that have marked an almost 40-year career. “He was very conscientious about everything,” she said. “He made sure everything was in order at home all the time.” From the start, he set out to be the leader and father he knew he could be. While Angela credits him with providing a stable household, a solid and secure financial footing, and the caring compassion of a father, Jamie said he learned as he went, and the first lesson was the most valuable. “In my case, it was good to have a supportive wife with a lot of patience,” Jamie said. And about that stable job with the good employer, Jamie had some news on that front, too. State Farm had offered him an agency in Shreveport, a town that was booming at the time. A State Farm agency there would mean longterm financial security, prosperity and the ability to become his own boss. For a young man in business, it was the opportunity of a lifetime. There was only one problem: Jamie had zero interest in leaving his hometown. “So in 1984, I left State Farm to become a sales representative for Metropolitan,” he said. Leaving behind a salaried position, Jamie took on the risk of a commissioned job with the prospect of financial reward. The only way it worked, according to Jamie, was because Angela was there. “I was out hustling, trying to sell insurance,” he said. “She was pretty much at home in her mom role, taking care of the kids, of the house, of everything. Of course, at the time, she was working, too.”

After college, Angela had secured a job with the Monroe City Schools as a special needs teacher. She was at Clara Hall Elementary at the time. They took a home not too far from her parents. “Her parents helped a lot with the kids,” he said. Note the plural—kids. By 1986, the young Mayo family had grown again, this time with the addition of daughter, Ashley. “He was really excited about having a little girl,” Angela said. Jamie adds a bit more detail, though. While he was excited, he wasn’t prepared for how different having a daughter could be versus having a son. A daughter, according to Jamie, requires more attention, more input. There is the hair, the dresses, the makeup. “I never did all that,” Jamie said. “That was Angela. But it does require more effort and energy, which put more pressure on Angela. Remember, at the time, I was in sales.” For a time, it seemed like the Mayos had it all. And it was all due to hard work, determination and personal achievement. Looking back, their son is still impressed by what went into making the family a family. “Can you imagine just being in a house with a guy like him?” Jared asked. “Somebody who really doesn’t take “no” for an answer, whether the question is about insurance sales or running for mayor. That’s what I love about him the most, that positive, will-do attitude.” Ashley, too, revealed her dad’s infectious drive in her own life. “I was majoring in nursing, something I had wanted to do since I was a little girl,” she said. But nursing school was proving difficult for the Neville graduate. The exams were grueling, the reading load enough to make her question her dream, and then she talked to her father. “He kept encouraging me to work hard, study hard, pray hard, and he reinforced that I’d be able to make it. Even when times got tough, he said that with prayer and hard work, I’d make it.” And she did. Today she’s a nurse at University Health-Conway, and she’s a mother. Tyler, her son, is now three. She believes she’s on a pretty firm ground as a mother, thanks to her parents. “They were a great example of how to be parents,” she said. “I’m just trying to go in those same footsteps, to be there for him just like they were for me.” Jared has a similar dream. Though he’s not started a family yet, Jared knows the kind of dad he wants to be. “I want to be the kind of dad who guides my daughter or son to be the kind of person they should be, they can be, to mold them and teach them,” he said. “When I have kids, I think he’s prepared me to be the kind of dad I know he wants me to be.” Aside from a touch of parental stress, the Mayos seemed to have everything they wanted. They had two healthy, beautiful children, a loving home, and the support of family and friends nearby. For more than ten years, that’s just the way things stayed, too. The kids grew, Mom and Dad worked, and they enjoyed the good life. But by the early 1990s, Jamie had begun to want more. One night over dinner, Jamie revealed his plans.

EVEN THOUGH BEING A MAYOR TAKES A LOT OF TIME AWAY FROM US, HE’S STILL GIVES US EVERY BIT OF TIME

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He would run for Charles Johnson’s seat on the Monroe City Council. “At first, I said, ‘What did you say you want to do?’” Angela recalled. She recognized her husband was concerned for the city. He wanted to make sure the community continued to enjoy a good quality of life, but he also wanted more for Monroe. For Angela, though, it was a bit of a shock. She was a relatively shy, keep-to-herself kind of woman. Jamie understood what he was asking of his family, especially of Angela, who doesn’t like the spotlight. In fact, at most political functions she attends as First Lady of Monroe, you won’t find her on the dais. She’ll be in a corner, talking to a close friend or two. “She’s not eaten up with celebrity, with being the First Lady,” Jamie said. “She’s just a humble, down-to-earth person who loves her family.” Yet, telling her husband that he couldn’t run for office never crossed her mind. As she had done previously, she supported him fully. “I was a little nervous at first, but he had always wanted to do it, and I wanted to support him. I’m a team player, and I went along with it.” Jared calls his father’s ambitions “inspirational.” “He was the person who always looked at it as it can be done, no matter what you want to do in life,” Jared said. And even as politics took hold of the Mayo household, Jamie still made time for family. He drove Ashley to school every morning, took the time to teach her brother and her about the value of family, but most importantly, about setting high goals and achieving them.

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“That’s the one thing I admire most about him,” she said. “And he strived to instill that in both me and my brother.” Today, Jamie’s circumspect about his path. With 14 years in office and at least one more run for the top spot in his blood, he’s one of Monroe’s longest serving mayors. He still rises early to head to work, but first he spends time with Angela, their grandson, Tyler, and the kids. Before he can belong to Monroe, he first belongs to his family. “Even though being a mayor takes a lot of time away from us, he still gives us every bit of time we need him to be Dad,” Ashley said. “Any time I need to talk to him about anything, he’s available. He’s open to listen to anything I have to say.” That listening spirit is what made Angela first fall in love with him. Still today, she knows he’s the one. “He makes me feel special. He listened. He listens to what I say, just like he was listening to my opinion back then.” Maybe not so much has changed after all.

Jamie Mayo became mayor of Monroe in 2001, following the death of Melvin Rambin. He is currently in the middle of his 14th year as mayor, making him the second-longest-serving mayor of the city, behind Bob Powell who served in the office for more than 16 years. That’s a record Mayo looks to beat this fall, when he stands for a historic fourth term as mayor. And yes, Angela, Jared, Ashley and Tyler will all be there at his side.

Bayou Landing Event Venue

Vista Views Await Your Event on Scenic Bayou DeSiard

HEN KIM ROMERO BEGAN the search for the perfect space for her son’s wedding, she realized something very quickly: Venue space for larger events is in short supply in Monroe. “There really aren’t many places large enough to host a wedding and a reception in the Monroe area,” she said. That’s changed though, with the introduction of Bayou Landing, an event venue nestled on the banks of scenic Bayou DeSiard, in the former home of Cypress Inn on the bayou. The entire space has been completely renovated, and visitors will be surprised at the transformation of the rustic, former restaurant space into a premier event

venue. Soft, eggshell walls and new flooring throughout provide a polished, elegant atmosphere--the perfect place to take in the panoramic views of towering cypress trees. “It really is stunning,” Romero said. “People come in, and they’re just blown away by how beautiful it is.” Through each of Bayou Landing’s copious windows, natural light streams in and provides sweeping views of the bayou and wildlife. With seating for more than 200, the event space is ideal for a wedding or a reception. Corporate events also have an ideal home for that annual banquet or company picnic. For a buffet-style reception, there is enough space for more than 300. In addition, Bayou Landing can also

provide catering for any event, making them a convenient, single stop for all of your party planning needs. Between great food and stunning visuals, Bayou Landing sets itself apart from other spaces and provides you with the perfect spot for that special, Louisiana flavor. Imagine being out on the deck, as the sun sets over the bayou. Ducks paddle along the deck rail and turtles sun on a log. Inside, awaits one of the area's most up-to-date and versatile gathering spaces for private events and functions. Bayou Landing is "The Venue with the View." 318.538.8990. BayouLanding.BIZ.

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Go Red for Women

Women’s heart health takes center stage each year, with the American Heart Association’s annual Go Red For Women series of events. To commemorate the national initiative, Glenwood Regional Medical Center hosted a Go Red For Women luncheon at the West Monroe Convention Center on May 7th. The annual event is a part of a larger education and prevention initiative of the American Heart Association, which is hoping to raise awareness of heart disease in women. This year’s featured speaker was 34year-old Mary Leah Coco, a Cardiomyopathy survivor from Baton Rouge. Catered by the West Monroe Convention Center, the luncheon banquet featured informational materials and a chance to visit with experts in the field. Area survivors modeled clothing from local boutiques in a fashion show organized by BayouLife Magazine. It was sponsored by Glenwood, Dr. Emile A. Barrow and Dr. Mark C. Napoli, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Holyfield Construction, Eat to Lose, United Home Care, Vantage Health Plan and the Women’s Clinic.

On the BayouScene

1 Kim Lowery, Cindy Gordon and Ann Hayward 2 Charlene Jackson, Dawn Landry, Sharron McClain, Vicki Gilbert, Stephanie Dunn and Jackie Neal 3 Krystal Wilson, Kristie Rushing and Bethanie Shepard 4 Dara Eppinette, Brenda Tarver, Matt Roberts, Jeremy Tinnerello, Sharron McClain and Pam Fontenot 5 Carole Kilpatrick and Laura Marchelos 6 Madison Styron and Missy Amy 7 Heather Guillot and Jan Mattingly 8 Andi, Chris, Alissa and Savannah Holyﬁeld 9 Dr. Terry and Nancy King 10 Meredith Smith and Jennifer Nickelson 11 Patty Fincher, Tim Smith and Jackie Neal 12 Vicki Gilbert, Tommy and Susan Causey 13 Fred and Margie Heller 14 Jen Hensley and Jackie Hicks 15 Mallory and Amanda Barmore 16 Miranda Moss and Ashley West

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Delhi Hospital Recognizing Men’s Health Month

Don’t Forget the Most Important Preventative Maintenance- HIS

UMMER IS A GREAT TIME TO GET TO all of those home improvement tasks that have been piling up around the house. As you are making out your honey-do list, don’t forget to put his health at the top! What does men’s health have to do with you? Plenty! Men’s health issues don’t affect only men; they have a significant impact on everyone around them. Because of its impact on wives, mothers, daughters and sisters, men’s health truly becomes a family issue. And since research shows women make approximately 80% of the health care decisions in their families, it’s up to us to encourage – as strongly as necessary! – the men in our lives to take charge of their health. Women are in a unique position to be able to help fight the obstacles men face in getting the

health care they need. Regular checkups and age-appropriate screenings CAN improve their health and extend their life. Research shows that, on average, men live about 5 years less than their female counterparts and have a higher death rate for the most leading causes of death, including cancer, heart disease and diabetes. In fact, 1 in 2 men will develop cancer in their lifetime and approximately 30,000 men in the US die each year from prostate cancer alone. By encouraging the men in your life to take control of their health and discuss even the smallest symptoms with their doctors, you will be helping them take a more active role in their own health care. The experts at Delhi Hospital recognize the importance of raising Men’s Health Awareness, and in honor of National

Men’s Health Month, are encouraging all men to seek regular medical advice and early treatment for disease and injury. Some of the checkups and screenings that should be included in a regular health maintenance schedule for men include a Physical Exam, Blood Pressure Screening, Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) Test and Colorectal Screenings. In general, men have poorer health habits and have a shorter life expectancy than women. Want to see these statistics change? Schedule him a checkup today! Do it for yourself and for those who count on him. For more information on our men’s health services, call (318) 878-5171 or visit www.delhihospital.com

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Desirae Gooding Photography Louisiana Based Wedding Photographer

BY DESIRAE GOODING TRAPPEY

NE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT ASPECTS OF YOUR wedding is the photography. There is something so special about reliving your wedding day in images that truly capture the love and excitement of the day. As a wedding photographer, nothing makes me happier than getting a message from a client saying that they teared up all over again as they were viewing their final images. I love seeing relationships grow from our initial interaction at the engagement pictures, the gorgeous bride at her portraits and then the wedding day. Then, a few years down the road, maternity and newborn photos may follow. Now a little bit about myself. I married the love of my life, Nic, in February of 2011. Even though I am officially Desirae Gooding Trappey, my company will always be Desirae Gooding Photography. Our only child is Duke, an English Bulldog, who has stolen our hearts! Take me junkinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; or sit me down on the porch with a glass of sweet tea, and I am your new best friend. I am a selftaught, natural light photographer, as well as a pediatric nurse. It

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wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t until the summer of 2009 that I stumbled upon this artistic outlet, and I am truly blessed to be able to do what I love. As a photographer, I get giddy over sunsets and tall grassy fields. My photography style is classic vintage, romantic and warm. E-mail me to see if we are the perfect fit. We can get together in person to discuss your wedding day and the services I offer. Once you have reserved your wedding day with me, together we will find the perfect time for your bridals and/or engagement portraits. I also work with you to make a timeline for the wedding day to ensure all aspects are covered. When the big day arrives, I will be there to photograph everything from the nervous bride putting on her jewelry, the first kiss as a married couple, and all the way through to the dance floor. My goal is to make your wedding planning experience more enjoyable and to turn your moments into tangible memories! Contact me at DesiraeGPhotography@live.com, and we will get started planning your happily ever after!

Innovative Medical Technology Continued From Page 85

cording to the American Heart Association, the estimated direct and indirect cost of heart failure in the U.S. for 2012 was $31 billion and that number is expected to more than double by 2030. “P&S Surgical Hospital is committed to improving patient care and investing in innovative medical technology such as the CardioMEMS HF System,” said P&S Surgical Hospital CEO Linda S. Holyfield. “Our hospital strives to create preventative measures that result in successful patient outcomes in the diagnosis or treatment of heart failure.” The CardioMEMS HF System, from global medical device manufacturer St. Jude Medical, is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for commercial use in the U.S. For more information, visit http://www.heartfailureanswers.com/ P&S Surgical Hospital is a joint venture between St. Francis Medical Center and physician specialists.

Continued From Page 109

at home, my wife thinks I’ve given the dogs a bath. Once, when I got out of the water at the beach, some kids thought my back hair was seaweed. Maybe I’m one of Esau’s descendents, although there is a long list of them in Genesis 36, and none of the names look familiar. Unlike Esau, I have decided to do something about my back and shoulders. Last month, I had my fifth laser treatment. Although my back is smooth, I must admit I haven’t noticed that my flocks have increased, nor has there been “an abundance of grain and new wine.” (Genesis 27: 28). But little kids don’t point and make faces – and for starters, that’s blessing enough. So all you other burly men out there, consider laser hair removal with the Lightsheer Duet – still the best hair removal laser there is. Call Mickel Plastic Surgery at 388-2050 for an appointment with Natalie. Get the blessings you deserve!

Photograph by Brad Arender

provides clinicians with the ability to detect worsening heart failure sooner and adjust treatment to reduce the likelihood that the patient will need to be hospitalized. Data from a clinical trial showed that the CardioMEMS technology reduces heart failure hospital admissions by up to 37 percent. The CHAMPION trial studied the effectiveness of the CardioMEMS HF System in New York Heart Association (NYHA) Functional Classification System class III heart failure patients who had been hospitalized for heart failure in the previous 12 months. Results of the trial demonstrated a statistically significant 28 percent reduction in the rate of heart failure hospitalizations at six months, and 37 percent reduction in heart failure hospitalizations during an average follow-up duration of 15 months. Roughly 1.4 million patients in the U.S. have NYHA Class III heart failure, and historically these patients account for nearly half of all heart failure hospitalizations. Ac-

Laser Hair Removal

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SWA N L A K E

The internationally-acclaimed Russian National Ballet Theatre stops at Louisiana Tech University for a sold-out performance of Swan Lake.

Article by Kelsy Kershaw and Photography by Martin G Meyers

he Howard Center for the Performing Arts on Louisiana Tech’s campus in Ruston, La. housed a sold out crowd for the Russian National Ballet Theatre’s rendition of “Swan Lake” Wednesday, April 29. This ballet performance was the last in a jam-packed talent-filled lineup brought to Tech’s campus by the Louisiana Tech Concert Association (LTCA). The lineup also included the Turtle Island Quartet, pianist Christopher O’Riley and the American Shakespeare Center’s version of “Hamlet.” Over 1,100 tickets were sold to “Swan Lake.” It’s been quite some time since Howard Auditorium has seen a crowd of this magnitude. It was no surprise though, since the Russian National Ballet Theatre is internationally-acclaimed and the story of “Swan Lake” is an age-old classic. The arts and entertainment industry is a significant component of today’s society. It employs hundreds of thousands of people each year and provides Americans with social enjoyment and social education. The arts are especially important to a rural area, like north Louisiana, where availability to both jobs and

performances is limited. With Louisiana Tech being so well-known for its engineering and sciences programs, the local artistic culture gets that much more important. The artists who live there need opportunity for growth and development of their skills, and the people need exposure to them. Why? Because arts play a very important role in education. Author Eric Jensen said arts “enhance the process of learning, because the systems they nourish, which include our integrated sensory, attentional, cognitive, emotion and motor capacities, are, in fact, the driving forces behind all other learning.” This is a concept the LTCA has grasped and strives to support wholeheartedly each year by providing a diverse lineup of entertainment open to anyone who purchases a ticket. With any form of entertainment in the arts culture, there is always a story to be told. This is what Isabela Palmieri found so moving about “Swan Lake.” Palmieri, a freshman at Tech, said the entire performance was incredibly beautiful. “I think ballet is one of the most beautiful art forms, because the dancers tell an entire story solely with their body movements,” she said. “It has always been my dream to see Swan Lake performed professionally, and I am so glad I was able to experience it.” With a talented theatre department at Tech, students and commu128 JUNE 2015 | WW W. B AY OU LI FE MAG . CO M

nity members alike have several opportunities to enjoy plays, musicals, concerts and various forms of musical and performance theatre, but not a lot of interpretive theatre. That is the beauty of “Swan Lake;” the way it tells the same story every time but could be interpreted or perceived differently by each person who sees it. “I was reminded that art isn’t just about painting,” Palmieri said. “There are so many art forms and ways of self-expression…I loved seeing how talented the Russian dancers were.” She said she thinks it is extremely important for college students to experience a performance of this magnitude at least once during their academic career. For many students, they won’t get an opportunity like this again, she said, it may also spark a passion or fascination about something they never knew they had. “I think that we easily lose our creativity and appreciation for the performing arts in a world that is full of technology and easily accessible information,” Palmieri said. “With such entities as Netflix and Amazon Prime, people stop going to the theatre, including ballet performances.” There is as much, if not more, inspiration and entertainment to be drawn from a live performance as opposed to an episode on Hulu or Netflix. There is no high quality image editing or video manipulating; it is talent in its rawest, purest and most well-defined form. It provides a new level of appreciation for performers or those involved in any sector of the arts culture. Anyone who witnesses the beautiful display of talent is touched, even if they aren’t directly involved with the execution of the talent. Katie Brumfield said that was her favorite part about “Swan Lake.” Brumfield, a junior at Tech and an usher at the performance, said she didn’t know what to expect, because she had never seen a live ballet performance before. “I was amazed the whole time at the sheer strength, precision and power the incredibly talented dancers have,” she said. “I have so much respect for the dancers; they work so hard.” As a member of the theater department at Tech, she also worked hard for this performance. Brumfield played a role in setting up the stage for the performance. She said it was an indescribable experience, because it allowed her to be part of something so much bigger than herself. “I loved getting to work with my classmates and professors to get the show ready,” she said. “It really was an honor to be there.”

pany not only had wonderful technique, but it was evident the This is just another example of the bliss of the artistic culture. dancers had a burning passion for dance, and that is what’s so apIt brings people together, people of all ages from all different walks pealing to the audience.” of life. Eleven hundred plus seats provided 1,100+ opportunities to Edinger hopes Tech students and Ruston community members impact a different mind. alike gained a greater appreciation for dance and for the arts by at“It was awesome to see the response the community had to the tending the performance. “Swan Lake” is so elegant, ballet,” Brumfield said. “Tech Theatre also puts beautiful and timeless, and it’s breathtaking. on incredible plays every quarter, so hopefully, “I think it is Edinger said she hopes it inspired those in attenTech students and the Ruston community will take note of the talent within the community and essential for someone dance in some way, shape or form.“Experiences like this do not come around often,” she said. “I think continue supporting the arts year round.” to experience the it is essential for someone to experience the moveWatching the arts, supporting the arts or movement and ment and expression of ballet; dance allows people performing the arts; each component is equally expression of ballet; to connect with one another.” important and beneficial for students and the To Edinger, dance in general, not just ballet, has community. Eva Edinger said Ruston should dance allows people a huge impact on our artistic culture and vice versa. have more performances available to its students to connect with It is constantly growing and evolving and remainand community members like “Swan Lake.” one another.” ing an integral part of society. “Dance allows one to “Ruston thrives on tradition,” said Edinger, express his or herself, inspire others and expand his a junior and Miss Tech 2015. “I think this would or her creativity,” she said. “When I am dancing, I add a new sense of culture to our community.” feel free and alive.” As a veteran dancer of 16 years, the art of performance is near The love Edinger has for dance is just one beautiful example of and dear to Edinger. She’s had the opportunity to attend many prohow the arts can influence a human soul. Artistic culture touches fessional performances across the nation growing up, and she said anyone around it, both directly and indirectly involved. each one is as much an eye-opening experience as the previous one. “Dance is engraved in my heart and soul, and no one can ever Of all the performances she has attended, this was her first time seetake that away from me,” Edinger said. “It is a beautiful art form ing “Swan Lake” live. “The whole company did a fantastic job, and that leaves the audience astounded and amazed.” the principal dancers were phenomenal,” she said. “The ballet com-

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Pink Tie Ball

On April 18th, the community donned their pink attire in support of Susan G. Komen of Northeast Louisiana at the 2nd Annual Pink Tie Ball at the Vantage Tower. Eight gentleman were recognized as this year’s Pink Tie Guys: Jason Bullock, Stephen Bullock, Franklin Parish Sheriff Kevin Cobb, Monroe Mayor Jamie Mayo, Glen Post, Ruston Mayor Ronny Walker, Senator Mike Walsworth and John Walton. This exclusive group of KoMEN are nominated by the community and selected by the Komen NELA Pink Tie Ball Committee. They are leaders in the corporate and philanthropic sector, professional athletes, doctors, elected officials and other individuals with spheres of influence that can create change and help get us closer to finding the cure for breast cancer. After the presentation of the ties donated by Ron Alexander, guests danced to music by The Josh Madden Band, enjoyed cuisine from local chefs, beverages by Marsala Beverage and a silent auction. The event was emceed by Mark Boyle and Jenna Browder and presented by BayouLife Magazine.

On the BayouScene

1 Lacy McCarthy, Diana Stokes and Shelley Owen 2 Angela Mayo, Christina Gray (Miss Pride of Monroe), Jo' Hilliard (Miss Monroe) and Mayor Jamie Mayo 3 Glen Gibson, Jennie Head, Billy and Kelli Hulsey 4 Jeremy and Deidra Adair, Laverne Turner and Matthew Garcia 5 Anu Lal and Cathy Cheek 6 Donna Payne and Sylvia Masur 7 Mac and Leah Reitzell 8 Mike and Dawne Walsworth, Hannah Livingston and Stewart Cathey Jr. 9 2015 “Pink Tie Guys” 10 2015 Pink Tie Ball Committee 11 Mitch Smith and Brad Bennett 12 Brittany Ramsey and Carol Anne Barnes 13 Heather and Mayor Ronny Walker 14 John and Shikira Walton 15 Kim and Aaron Dietrich 16 Brenathia Tenner and Jeane Franseen

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THE

F IDDL E MAKER

Master luthier Hilton Lytle reflects on life, creative partnerships and fostering a love of music in a new generation. In more than four decades of bending wood and strings to his will, Lytle has helped create just about as many musical prodigies as he has violins. Article by MICHAEL DEVAULT & Photography by BRAD ARENDER

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he first time Hilton Lytle built a violin, his father spanked him. It wasn’t part of a religious aversion to musical instruments or a father’s desire to spare his son from distractions. Instead, there was a far more practical reason for the punishment. He was nine years old, and he had seen fiddle players sawing on instruments. With a notion to becoming a fiddler himself, he set about building an instrument. His father was a cigar smoker, so Hil, as his friends call him, decided the box would make a good body. A bit of stick attached to the top of it served as a bridge. But what of strings? He didn’t have to look too far. “We had just bought a new screen door,” Lytle told BayouLife. “So I reached up, grabbed one of the new screen wires and pulled it down. It gave me a nice, long wire to use for my strings.” It wasn’t long before his father found out. Lytle said there was a debt to be paid. “It started that door unraveling, and I got a little spanking for it. That’s why I remember my first violin.” The cigar box with some screen wire may have been his first violin, but it certainly wasn’t his last, though he would take many years to get to the point of master craftsman of fine instruments. Along the way, he fashioned canjos--a banjo made onto a tin can, sometimes with a harmonica attached. He made more than a few tub basses, and mouthbows have always been a popular effort of children. He’s a favorite with parents, too, he joked, as he always sends them home with a noise maker--a tin can with a rosined rope tail. Yanking a fist down the rope produces a blood curdling screech--a sound he gleefully reproduces any time he circles back to the instrument. He met and married his life-long love, Nancy, and they started a family. For a time, violins of any variety were far from his mind. That all changed one night at a concert. At the time, he was a counselor at Neville High School. His wife had insisted they attend. Their presence was serendipitous, as Nancy had perfect pitch. Midway through a performance, she shared an observation with Hil. “She turned to me during the concert and said, ‘One of those violins is not in tune,’” he said. “When we got home, she said, ‘Let’s try to make an instrument.’” Just like that, Hil and Nancy set about the task of crafting violins. She proved to be an invaluable asset, as she had something few possess: perfect pitch. As they worked together in the shop, Hil would strike a piece of wood he was working with a small, rubber reflex hammer given to him by his doctor. Nancy, for her part, would listen closely. First, he’d tap the top--usually of a fine spruce, and then the bottom, typically of maple. “She could tell me when the tone in the bottom matched the tone in the top, so the vibrations would meld together, so that the tone produced would be a smooth, even tone instead

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of a sharp, raspy tone,” Lytle said. It was a practice that paid dividends. According to Lytle, his violins were some of the best toned instruments around. To back that up, he has walls filled with photo after photo of champion fiddle players from Louisiana, Arkansas, Texas, Mississippi and numerous other states. His instruments have appeared on the Miss Louisiana stage, in the hand of Lauren Ford--one of those state fiddle champions--and as far away as the concert halls of Nashville. Over the years, Lytle estimates he’s made more than 650 fiddles to give away and another 250 to sell. All told, that’s almost 1,000 instruments. At 93, he’s still going strong, too. Come to find out, with making musical instruments, the passion can take hold and it’s a passion hard to fight. For many years, he worked in a shop behind his Northside home. As one might imagine, making a violin is a remarkably labor-intensive practice. Building a violin from parts--China’s spruce and maple forests are a good source for unfinished soundboards and back, right now--can take as long as 40 hours. Starting with a solid block of wood and carving it down to an instrument, honing every surface to perfection with ever-increasing levels of precision, takes more than 200 hours. He’s learned a lot about wood over the years, and he thinks he may be onto a secret of producing a warm, rich tone. He holds up an instrument he made, running his fingers across the back. The wood is burled, showing deep yellow and brown tones in burled wood. The patterns are beautifully matched across each of the two hemispheres of the back, meeting perfectly in the center where the two halves have been joined. There’s only one problem, according to Lytle, and that’s the tone the instrument produces. It’s not pure, not clear. He has a solution, though, and shows the back of another instrument. On this one, the back is beautiful, but it lacks the character, the richness of tone and texture, of the burled maple. “On this one, the grain runs perfectly straight,” he said. “I think that helps produce a much better, more even tone.” As he’s gotten older, his operation has gotten a bit smaller. He moved the shop into the back porch of his house, not too far from the comfortable chair, where he watches television. The workbench is strewn with parts and, for a moment, it would be easy to dismiss this as an abandoned area. After all, there’s a pile of broken glass in the middle of it all. But there’s an explanation. The glass, Lytle reveals, is one of the tools used to scrape wood from inside an instrument one or two layers at a time. Thinning the wood allows the maker to change the tone of the instrument. Lytle prefers tuning to an F#, a task that was made difficult when he lost his wife a few years ago. He developed a workaround, though. Sitting on the desk, clipped to the workbench, is an electronic tuner. Now, he can just tap away and read the display. When the piece produces an F#, it’s time to stop whittling and sanding. This isn’t the only workaround Lytle had to develop,

either. He is an expert at stringing bows with genuine horsehair, a labor-intensive process that originally required his wife to hold one end, while he brushed the hair flat again and again along a long, wooden dowel. With no one on the other end to hold the hair, Lytle had to do something. So he took the dowel and affixed an oversized mousetrap to the other end. With the addition of a bit of padding and masking tape, the workaround was in place. He laughs again, and wonders what his wife might think. “She’d sure be upset if she knew I replaced her with a mousetrap!” he said, chuckling. Lytle worked for more than forty years, first as an infantryman in the U.S. Army during World War II, a time he recalls in vivid detail. A battlefield promotion--“I became a lieutenant, standing in a fox hole,” is how he recalls it happening--saw him become an officer in the Army, and he was recalled during the Korean War. Following the war, he worked for a time in the private sector, but eventually he found his way into the school system as a career and vocational counselor at Neville High School and then, eventually, to a similar position at Delta Vocational Technical College in western Ouachita Parish. He retired with more than 40

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â&#x20AC;&#x153;Lytle gives most of his violins away to children in need, and he knows where every single one of his violins has ended up.â&#x20AC;?

years, a state pension, and because of his time in the military and private sector, Social Security--an important detail, as the Social Security check is what feeds his violin habit. “I use my Social Security check to buy parts and supplies for my violins,” he said. “That way, if I mess up, I can say the government did it.” And just like that, he’s laughing again. It would be easy for a veteran of 93 years, who’s lost his wife, friends and family, and seen the massive changes of the 20th and 21st Centuries come and go. Yet, he’s almost always smiling, quick to crack a joke, or to share some witty observation. He’s not only become a master crafter of fine instruments, but he’s also taken an interest in repairing damaged violins and identifying others. One such endeavor found him in close proximity to some truly special instruments. A woman had a violin she wanted to identify. Lytle examined the instrument closely. Immediately, he was struck by its quality and its tone. “I looked in all of my books, my research materials to identify old violins, and I found that her violin had been made by a man named Montagnana in about 1702,” he said. “It was probably worth about $80,000. She felt good about that.” Another gentleman approached him at his cabin in Mountain View with an instrument he had purchased. He asked Lytle to “put it in first class shape.” He began working on the violin, and then something jumped out. “I looked on the inside, and the name was ‘Samuel Clemens.’ It was Mark Twain’s violin.” He speaks of Mountain View with a certain fondness. In addition to owning a cabin there, he’s also a regular musical celebrity. A frequent performer at the historic Jimmy Driftwood Music Barn in Mountain View, AR, Lytle is good on stage, too. He keeps a DVD of one such appearance, where he performed a few songs with a brother and sister. The sister, a tiny girl of eight who was almost dwarfed by the full-sized violin in her hand, played lead. The brother, all of four, accompanied them on a tub bass. He watches the video, narrating as it goes, about how she had helped make that violin and then learned to play. Holding an instrument a few minutes later, he demonstrates. “If you give this to them and say, just on this one string, play this note,” and he plays a note. “Then put a finger here, and teach them this note,” and he plays another. He repeats the process several more times, adding a string and a note, then he puts it all together. The crude tones of “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star” emerge, and it’s easy to picture the eight-year-old girl in the Driftwood barn video learning to play this song. These days, Lytle is still plugging away on violins. At least two violins were in progress on his workbench during BayouLife’s visit. He gives most of them away to children in need, and he knows where every single one of his violins has ended up. More importantly, though, he’s intent on passing down what he’s learned to a new generation of luthiers. He frequently invites the parents of children to bring their little ones by, where they’ll spend a week or so working together to make an instrument. It’s a process that Lytle said instills in them a sense of accomplishment. “When they’re done, they’re holding a violin they made,” he said. WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | JUNE 2015

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Bayou DeSiard Dragon Boat Festival With the steady beat of a drum, teams of 21 rowers powered and pushed themselves to the limits in pursuit of victory. It was all part of the annual Bayou DeSiard Dragon Boat Festival, held on the bayou near the Bayou DeSiard Country Club on Saturday, May 9th. The night before, teams were invited to a pre-race party and “Dotting of the Eye” ceremony featuring beverages by Choice Brands and food from various local food trucks. Fourteen teams from local businesses, non-profit groups and health clubs fielded teams to row the 25foot-long crafts and compete for dragon boat glory. After a bit of morning rain, the skies cleared up, and the sun shined down on the festivities. Sponsored by Progressive Bank, Choice Brands and the Radio People, this year’s races supported the Northeast Louisiana Food Bank. At the end of the day, top honors went to the Choice Brands Aquaholics. The Toggery/DB Real Estate Dragons came in a close second, while Southern Delta Landscape and Sod rounded out the third spot.

On the BayouScene

1 Rene McMilleon, Rebecca Weems, Ashley McMilleon 2 Crystal Watts and Mason Watts with Ben Fox 3 Laura Gasca, Carlos Gasca and Deborah Bennett 4 Jada Matlock, James Matlock, Kyle Smith, Ryan Hammock, Jeﬀ Johnson, Tara Jordan, Lorrie Mixon and PJ Bryant 5 John, Janice and Jordin Garrison 6 Madeline Jones and Delia Simpson 7 Sunne Pace, Colby Spillers, Hudson Spillers, Alex Holmes, Tyler Carter, Seth Spillers and Andy Bryant 8 Choice Brands Aquaholics 9 Kirsten Lagrange, Katie Pogue and Ken Dorsey 10 Cayla Dampier, Kylie Berry, Brianna Mull and Madelyn Mull 11 Jada and James Matlock with Jeﬀ Lenard 12 Patrick Horstkamp, Ray Allen, Wendy and Jamie Freeman 13 Mickey and Laurie Traweek, Sharon Claxton and Heather Thibodeaux 14 Brian and Catherine Varner 15 Evan Falcon and Jennifer Thompson 16 Patti and Chris Thurmon

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Brew de Mayo

While revelers around the world celebrated Cinco de Mayo, the traditional Mexican holiday, pub-goers in Monroe were treated to celebrations with a Louisiana twist. Monroe Renaissance, BayouLife Magazine, Lamar Outdoor and the Radio People sponsored Bayou de Mayo, a pub crawl to five of downtownâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hottest nightspots. Throughout the evening, crawlers strolled and trollied from Restaurant Cotton to River & Rail, Shananigans, Enochs and NEAT. At each stop, visitors had their pub passport stamped and at the end of the night had a chance to win a kayak provided by Choice Brands and Shock Top. Each stop along the crawl provided a touch of respite, a signature drink and just a little touch of the Bayou de Mayo spirit. Downtown Renaissance holds pub crawls every two months throughout the year.

On the BayouScene

1 DJ Fortenberry, Addison McDougale and Tim Kelley 2 Aaron Head, Shelby Wright and Whitney Wright 3 Jordyn Murry and Corey Reece 4 Joe Chisholm, Van Edwards and Lee Edwards 5 Monica Winkel and Ana Burjaili 6 Micheal Black and Jessica Evans 7 Beau Webb and Ella Bailey

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Warriors Wear It Well For the eleventh year in a row, the graduating class of St. Frederick High School presented their “Warriors Wear It Well” style show and luncheon tradition. Special thanks to this year’s event sponsors and this year’s event chair and coordinator, Evelyn Johnson. The event, held at the Monroe Civic Center on Friday, April 17, featured clothes from local boutiques including River Outfitters, K-Sera, King of Hearts, HerringStone’s, Rustic Rose, Hemline, Ron Alexander, Camouflage Shoppe, J&H Boots and Jeans, FitRight Active, Bayou Gypsy, Bayou Beaux, Pelican District, The Toggery, Rustico, Jos A. Banks and Salt & Pepper. Food was provided by Fox’s Pizza and Miletello Sport City Grill.

On the BayouScene

1 Charlie Dickey, Rachel Genusa Dickey and Clesi Dickey 2 Rosemary Ewing, Jefferson Manning and Randy Ewing 3 Amy Kincannon, Mattie Kincannon and Jennifer Clark 4 Dane Mellino, Danielle Hall, Jashon Ricks and Brenda Carso 5 Anja Elias and Denise Smith 6 Shelia and Lauren Thomas 7 Abigail and Evelyn Johnson 8 Merion Sanderson, Karen Stinson, Annie Stinson and Katherine Wilson 9 Danny, Daniel and Amy Ellender 10 Mitchell Webb, Daniel Ellender, Jefferson Manning and Michael Long 11 Alexus Scalia and Suzie Binion 12 Sherry Mahaffey, Lexie and Holly Richard 13 Bianca and Olga Trejo 14 Virginia Johnson and Drew Johnson 15 Sarah Dansby, Taylor Sullivan, and Natalie Myers

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Boilin’ for Braylon

The community turned out big at Boilin’ for Braylon to support one of its own on Antique Alley, where they enjoyed some of the best crawfish of the season. The mudbugs were made all the better, because they were being boiled for a good cause – to support Braylon Streetman, the three-year-old son of Brittany and Justin Streetman of West Monroe. In May, Braylon was diagnosed with Dyskeratosis Congenita, an autoimmune disorder. Money raised at Boilin’ for Braylon will help the Streetman family with the expenses associated with Braylon’s care and a bone marrow transplant. Paramount Healthcare Consultants, State Senator Mike Walsworth, Walsworth and Co. and the Gingerbread House Boutique sponsored the event, which featured a silent auction and live music by The Waterboys.

On the BayouScene

1 Lisa Lawrence, Lawrence and Debbie Bourg, Paisley and Kelsey Tanner and Paul Crew 2 Katrina and Kaitlyn Parker with Chris and Sophia Lewis 3 Senator Mike Walsworth, Debbie Bourg and Paul Crew 4 Greg Futch and Craig Morris 5 Terri Wilson and Sherrie Roberts 6 Ginger Morris and Chasey Morris 7 Dawne Walsworth and Jennifer Lord

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P H OTO G R A P H Y B Y M A RT I N G M E Y E R S | H A I R & M A K E U P B Y M E K A R E L I F O R D M O D E L S : J U L I A N N E T I P P E N , K A R L E E M A L O N E & K AY L A S T I T E S S P E C I A L T H A N K S TO L I N C O L N PA R I S H PA R K & R A N DY M C K I N N I E

N EW ATTITU D E H AIR D ESIGN / BOU TIQU E L AC OU R

Kayla looks darling in this floral-print maxi dress with ruffled neckline. Add a large brimmed hat and drop earrings for a perfect summer look. Karlee is tutu cute in this red pleated midi-skirt paired with a graphic tee â&#x20AC;&#x153;Red Soles and Red Wine,â&#x20AC;? denim jacket and lots of pearls. Julianne is haute in this Boutique Lacour label linen jacket and pant with a sequined Chan Luu bralette, Simon Sebbag bangles and rhinestone necklace.

PELICAN DISTRICT

Kayla is comfy chic in this cute grey swing dress accessorized with a beaded tassel necklace. Karleeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s flowy tank with embroidered detail is perfect for summer days. Pair it with these precious shorts with lace detailing, wide headband and adorable cork wedges. Julianne looks perfect in this yellow and white polka-dot tank with blue piping and hemline. Add these pants in a haute hue, stacked bracelets and studded heel to finish the look.

T H E FA S H I O N O F R U S TO N

Julianne looks darling in this bohemian romper with long sleeves and a signature floating stitch paired with an ivory poncho-stye cardigan, Sam Edelman shoes and Kendra Scott hand bracelet. Karlee is adorable in this supersoft colorblock dress with handkerchief hemline paired with a summer scarf. Kayla is casually chic in these Hudson slim-fitting jeans with a linen tee and Michael Stars long sleeve zip up anorak.

H E M L I N E M O N RO E

Julianne looks gorgeous in this crisscross Bloominâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Gypsy Chloe wrap top and matching bottoms by L Space. Accessorized with a printed coverup and floppy hat, this look is completed with wrap sandals by Free People. Kayla looks like a ray of sunshine in this high neck trapeze dress with adjustable rope straps. Her look is accessorized with suede fringe sandals. Karlee is casual done right in this crochet knit crop top, AG denim shorts, kimono with fringe detailing and beaded sandal with fringe.

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Grace Gala Grace Episcopal School celebrated 60 years of excellence at the annual Grace Gala on Friday, April 17. Dr. Beth Ricks, Head of School, began the memorable evening by welcoming the crowd, and Father Richard Norman, Rector of Grace Church, blessed the event and asked for God's continued blessings on the students and staff of the school and church. The families and friends of Grace enjoyed delicious food by Portico and refreshments by Marsala Beverage. Many Grace fans sipped on Gator-tinis before they cut loose on the dance floor. The music of Flashback Five, featuring Jennifer Parker on tambourine, kept the crowd on their feet. The festive event, orchestrated by dedicated parents and the incredible staff at Grace, drew a large crowd of school families, alumni, and community supporters. With auction items ranging from a week long ski vacation at the Waldorf Astoria Park City to the chance to be a Congressman for the day in Washington, DC, the bidding was lively. Grace students also contributed many of the items for auction. Guided by fine arts teacher Ginny Montgomery, each grade created impressive art projects that were on display for parents to admire and purchase. Grace families and friends enjoyed the fun and fellowship long into the night, but partied with a purpose--to support the school they believe in.

On the BayouScene

1 Brad and Amie Smith 2 Julie and Marshall Cain and Claire Gordon 3 Amanda Wooten, Kerri James and Anya Fulco 4 Courtney and Zeke Wetzel 5 Ginny Montgomery, Julie and Joe King Montgomery 6 Megan Broussard and Ginger Knight 7 Jason Smith, Roderick Jenkins, Anna Brooke and Chris Harris, Shane Wooten 8 Chris Robinson, Clint Wood, Scott Wolleson and Scott Rogers 9 Erica and Mike Ryan, Jerri Gayle Ginn, Shane Wooten 10 Grace Gala Ramblers 11 Hill and Amie Hinkle 12 TiďŹ&#x20AC;any and Ty HuďŹ&#x20AC;er 13 Shelley and Rick Green 14 Ashley Burkett, Breanna Young and Meredith Smith

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Cigars and Suds

On Monday, May 11, Marsala Beverage was happy to team up with Governors Cigar and Pipe to host “Cigars & Suds.” The event was a first, and Friday Ellis did an excellent job pairing everyone’s favorite beer with the perfect cigar. The event was held in direct correlation with the annual celebration American Craft Beer week. Over 35 beers were sampled by the crowd as Governor’s Cigar and Pipe gave away a humidor to one lucky winner.

On the BayouScene

1 Jacob Creed, Nikki Carr and Josh Creed 2 Roy Arthur, Charles Marsala and Tyler Flemister 3 Van Edwards, Lee Edwards and Joe Chisholm 4 Cody Swillie, Russell Kicey and Trey Green 5 Scott Bonner, Cameron Myers, Jack and Luke Brewer 6 Waylon Starr and Davey McGaugh 7 Hunter Sharp and Anthony Malta 8 Chad Hendrix and Cade Reynolds 9 Larry Davenport, Greg Ramsey and Jeremy Booth 10 Friday Ellis, Todd Begeron, Robert Knight and Tyler Arnold 11 George Belton, Dale Russell, Adam Williams, Piyush Trambadia and James Hirsh 12 Whitney and Jon Miller 13 Patrick and Jim Summerville 14 Jennifer and Heath Lord 15 Shelley Hendrix and Claire Shepard 16 Friday and Ashley Ellis

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Meredith’s Musings KaCee’s Sugar & Spice

Continued From Page 32

a tree he’s decided to cut for next year’s firewood. I could barely see his head on his 5’4” frame peeking out amidst the branches and logs. Four wheelbarrow loads later, he says he is almost finished with me. He just needs me to get on my suit and bring the Saran Wrap out to the pool. One does not question Larry. One just follows orders. After countless trips to the bottom of the ten foot pool, my lungs showing their weakness, and Dad questioning how exactly the Saran Wrap acts against the drain, and then explaining to Larry that no, my smart phone will not video underwater so he can get a clearer view, we determine it’s probably not the drain leaking. But probably is never good enough, as I found out this morning. Dad has a new plan. He needs me to go pick up red food coloring and locate Mom’s cake icing decorator. The words, “Don’t worry, Meredith. I saw this on Youtube,” did not put me at ease. I’m worried for his sanity. As I will not be returning until later this evening, I fear I will walk up on Dad in full scuba gear at the bottom of the pool (pause to picture that…ain’t it grand?) with Saran Wrap and red food coloring, which Mom will inevitably mistake for blood and have the paramedics hauling a water-logged Larry to the surface before he has finished the job. I’m serious, folks. I bet right this very minute he is hounding some poor Wal-Mart worker, and believe me he will look until he finds one, for the Equate brand of food coloring, because it can’t possibly be this much to make a red velvet cake red. Fingers crossed, we find the leak by Father’s Day. It would be the best gift ever and much more valuable than the Gallagher tickets he’s getting, because nothing is funnier to Dad than flying watermelons.

Continued From Page 64

The Frozen Anniversary. Tradition says that the couple is supposed to celebrate their one-year anniversary by indulging in the top tier of their wedding cake, saved for the special day. If packaging and planning are done correctly, this can be very fun and not near as dreaded as it seems. Alert your caterer ahead of time to make them aware that you are saving your top tier. They can package it in a box for you to take home and store in your freezer for 365 days. Just remember to wrap the box with plastic wrap and foil, and it will seem freshly baked on your one year anniversary. KaCee’s Sugar and Spice – Designer Cakes and Catering is located in Ruston, Louisiana. Give them a call at 318.255.6771 or email kaceesruston@hotmail.com.

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IT’S IN THE DETAILS... Extraordinary Ideas for the Most Memorable of Days

etween the time you say, “Let’s do this” until the day you say, “I do,” there are a myriad of decisions that will determine the look and feel to your wedding day. Setting the tone for your day to remember usually starts with an open mind and a good idea of who you are as a couple. And it never hurts to keep a Pinterest board or a file of magazine clippings that illustrate your favorite ideas, whether it’s for wedding attire, the décor, rings, flower arrangements, cakes or favors for guests. Here are a but a few memorable moments experienced over the past few decades:

rock your theme.

Restraint and themes go hand in hand when it comes to weddings. One of my favorites was Hannah Herrington Lavergne’s incredible Winter Wonderland wedding several years ago. Kelly Taylor created a shimmering and elegant playground for the newlyweds and their guests, and the fashionista bride rocked a white fur capelet that melted everyone’s hearts.

sweet beginnings.

Other than the happy couple, let’s face it, the cakes are the centerpiece of the reception, and who doesn’t love cake? Why not step out of the cakebox and let your imagination be your guide. One of my favorite reinterpretations of a bride’s cake was Cassie Livingston’s pyramid of colorful cupcakes, each with a different and vibrantly hued and expertly crafted icing dahlia, rose, violet, or daisy on top. For this groom’s cake (circa 1992), this topiaried confection was overthe-top gorgeous. German Chocolate on the inside (the groom’s favorite) but iced to look like a clipped gardenia, this groom’s cake was a study in epicurean mechanics. The top halves of the globes were cake, as was the “pot” that anchored this ace of cakes.

amazing décor.

Reinventing spaces is the stuff of wedding dreams. When faced with a challenge like where to put the dance floor when a pool covers a large portion of the backyard, wedding planner Nick McKinney and bride Jodee Bruyninckx Niswanger rose to the challenge. For this extraordinary wedding reception, an acrylic, seethrough dance floor was installed for a ethereal, walking on water effect that is still the talk of the town. When your venue is well-loved and often used, how do you create a look that is all your own? Under the sartorial eye of designer Gregory Hudgins, Colby Weaver Walkers’ wedding reception gloriously reimagined Bayou DeSiard Country Club by generously tenting the entire club to create voluminous spaces with atmospheric fabrics.

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favorful favors.

When the reception comes to an end, guests are often treated to a memento from the happy couple as a thank you for sharing their wedding. Kristin and Harris Brown wanted to send their friends home with a lasting reminder of their love for each other and all things natural. Recalls Kristin, “The week of our wedding, Harris took a trailer down to Clyde Holloway’s Forest Hill nursery and brought back Bald Cypress (Louisiana’s state tree) saplings and Bridal Wreath Spirea, which we potted and offered to our guests as favors.” At Ashley Yeldell Hubenthal’s recent wedding, she looked to her grandparents’ aviary for inspiration for her wedding favors. Guests were treated to honey produced locally by her beekeeping granddaddy’s bees! How sweet is that!

DOING GOOD

Delta Beta Sigma Raises Funds for Ronald McDonald House

he Members of DBS, a National High School Sorority, hosted the first Little Miss DBS Etiquette & Tea for Mothers and Daughters, ages 4-12, on Saturday, May 2nd from 10:00 until 12:00 noon at Bayou DeSiard Country Club. Special guest for the event was the beautiful and charming Miss Louisiana 2014, Lacey Sanchez. Miss Louisiana gave an entertaining and interactive speech on Etiquette as well as taught the “Little Misses” the infamous runway walk. “This year, the proceeds will go to the local Ronald McDonald House, and we were able to raise around $1,300 dollars. The Country Club was the perfect setting to host the event, and Miss Louisiana 2014, Lacey Sanchez, did an outstanding job teaching the little girls about

manners,” explained Mary Elizabeth Barnes, Charity Chairman. There were about 75 in attendance with 28 being “Little Misses” eager to meet Miss Louisiana. Each Little Miss was presented a pretty yellow rose and given an opportunity to take a picture with Miss Louisiana. Georgia Street, Executive Director and Pam Kearney, House Manager of Ronald McDonald House were present to express gratitude for the event and represent the House. Said Street, “The Ronald McDonald House of Northeast Louisiana is delighted to have been selected by Delta Beta Sigma as their local charity. Working with Charity Committee Chairperson, Mary Elizabeth Barnes, was refreshing. As we publicized the event together at radio

and television stations, I was impressed by her commitment to DBS and their Etiquette & Tea with Miss Louisiana fundraiser. Having the officers of DBS make a presentation to the RMH Board, showcased their fine qualities of leadership and community involvement. The Ronald McDonald House is truly The House That Love Built!” Delta Beta Sigma would like to thank everyone for the coming to the event, as well as the staff at Bayou DeSiard Country Club for their impeccable service. It was such a lovely event. Many thanks to the mothers who brought their children and supported such a delightful fundraiser. And of course, a huge “thank you” to Chapter Mother, Marcia Donald, for the beautiful table arrangements.

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A Touch of Vintage for Your Special Event

Event Styling and Coordination by Eight and Two Vintage Rentals

RIDES OFTEN WANT THE LATEST and trendiest styles when it comes to weddings but don’t want to break the bank attempting to recreate boards from Pinterest. Eight & Two is a local company based in Monroe that offers unique and one-of-a-kind props to style weddings, parties and special events. Not only do they offer vintage props such as jars, cameras, linens, typewriters and furniture, Eight & Two features full event styling services, hand lettering signs and event planning and coordination. Eight & Two looks at some of the most popular and trending wedding design options, and you can incorporate their rental items into your special event. Specialty Furniture and Seating - A collection of wooden chairs can be the just the right touch to an outdoor wedding or an in-

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door venue to give it a rustic feel. In addition to chairs, Eight & Two has a wide selection of wooden chairs, as well as upholstered pieces including sofas and settees. Vintage Books – Stacks of books can be incorporated onto tables with flowers to give centerpieces some height, while adding character to the table. For an added personal touch, the couple can pick out books that mean something to them. Suitcases and Crates - Eight & Two has a variety of suitcases, crates and containers that can be stacked on the floor or on top of a table. It is the perfect vintage option to hold programs, favors or even on the gift table to drop cards in. Mismatched China – This is a great way to add character to an event and add some-

thing special, as opposed to plain white dinner plates. It can also add a touch of nostalgia as brides can incorporate china patterns that were there mother’s or grandmother’s. Eight and Two has a variety of mismatched glassware and serving pieces, in addition to dinner, salad and tea plates and saucers. Chalkboards – Signage can make a difference and really pull an event together when it comes to detail and design. Eight & Two has a variety of chalkboard signs and frames that can feature the couple’s name, a meaningful verse or the hashtag of the evening! While Eight & Two has an extensive inventory, they are always adding to it. If you are looking for something specific that they don’t have, they can scout and scavenge flea markets to find it for you!

Calendar of Events

For a full list of event happenings in Northeast Louisiana, see our website at www.bayoulifemag.com Through June 14 51st Annual Juried Competition The Masur Museum of Artâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Annual Juried Competition showcases contemporary artists throughout the United States of America working in any medium. Venue: Masur Museum Address: 1400 South Grand, Monroe Admission Cost: Free Phone: 318-329-2237 Web: www.masurmuseum.org June 1-5 British Soccer Camp Time: 8:30am -11:30am & 5:30pm8:30pm British coaches will develop your player for the week. Register for Challenger Sports' British Soccer Camp and join over 150000 players who learn the Challenger Way this year. Each camp will feature the 1000 Touches Curriculum, packed with drills and practices designed to improve individual ball control, foot skills, fakes, moves, juggling and core techniques! Address: 8475 Millhaven Road, Monroe Admission Cost: $108-$164 Phone: 318-376-3681 June 4 Downtown Gallery Crawl Time: 5-9pm 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, 156 JUNE 2015 | WW W. B AY OU LI FE MAG . CO M

drink and music. Original art is for sale, tax free. Address: DeSiard and Trenton Streets, Monroe and West Monroe Admission Cost: Free Phone: 318-503-5125 June 5 & 7 Barber of Seville Time: 7:30pm Enjoy Comic opera by Rossini in Italian with an English projected translation performed by professional talent, fully staged and costumed at ULM Recital Hall. Call 342-3247 for tickets and ticket reservations Venue: ULM Recital Hall Address: 700 University Ave. Monroe LA, 71209 Admission Cost: General admission: $25; ULM students/staďŹ&#x20AC;: $10 Phone: 318-342-1568 June 6, 13, 20, & 27 Yoga in the Garden Time: 8:00 am The Biedenharn Museum & Gardens will host a morning yoga session in their beautiful gardens. Stretch and enjoy the beautiful, serenity of their lovely gardens. Address: 2006 Riverside Drive, Monroe Admission Cost: $10 per session Phone: (318) 387-5281 Web: www.bmuseum.org June 6 My Mini Masur Drop In Activity Time: 2:00pm-5:00pm Bring your kids and let the cre-

ativity flow at the Masur Museum ,as they create an art project. This event is free of charge, and children will leave with a unique art project. Venue: Masur Museum of Art Address: 1400 South Grand, Admission Cost: Free Email: info@masurmuseum.org Phone: 318-329-2237 Web:www.masurmuseum.org June 6 DoMo BrewFest Time: 6:00pm-9:00pm The Downtown Monroe Alliance and Monroe Main Street are excited to announce the first annual DoMo Brewfest will be held at the Downtown Riverwalk on Saturday, June 6th, 2015! Brewfest will feature a variety of brews, both local home brews and distributors including Marsala Beverage, Choice Brands, Glazer’s Distributors and International Wine & Spirits. Venue: Downtown Riverwalk Admission Cost: $20 general admission; $35 VIP tickets Phone: 318-807-1737 June 13 Salsa For CASA of NELA Time: Thursday-Friday-8:00 pm; Saturday-7:30 pm Zumbathon Charity Event, featuring Zumba Instructors from around the ArkLaMiss! Refreshments, Door Prizes, Limbo Contest, Advocare Booth and more! Wear Your Hawaiian best! Venue: Parkview Baptist Church Family Life Center, 1001 Forsythe Avenue, Monroe Admission Cost: $10 donation Phone: Stacy at 318-614-2722 June 24-28 Splish Splash Camping Bash Time: Check-in Wednesday, 8:00am-9:00am It’s time for some fun in the sun. Get your swimsuit, suncreen and shades ready for some poolside adventures. Swimming, fishing, archery, crafts, black light pupetry and a Hawaiian luau dance party are only a taste of what you

have to look forward to. Venue: Camp Wawbansee Address: 610 Girl Scout Rd., Simsboro, LA Admission Cost: Camper - $90, Program Aide - $45 Late Registration Fee: $25 June 25-27 Miss Louisiana Pageant Time: 10:00am-1:00pm Come support your favorite contestants at the 52nd Miss Louisiana Pageant. The contestants will dazzle you while they compete in; interview, talent, swimsuit and evening gown. A special variety show on Friday night will light up the audience and is the perfect lead into the crowning on Saturday. Venue: Monroe Civic Center’s W.L. Jack Howard Theatre Address: 401 Lea Joyner Memorial Expressway, Monroe Admission Cost: Ticket prices vary Phone: 318-329-2225 June 27 Downtown Cinema presents: Hook Time: Begins at dark-7:30 pm Join the fun in Downtown at the showing of "Hook" presented by Downtown Cinema. Downtown Cinema is a free outdoor movie event that showcases family friendly movies once a month during the spring and summer. Admission to the movie is free and Downtown Cinema also provides free popcorn and water. Guests only need to bring their own seating! Venue: Palace Park Address: 220 DeSiard Street, Monroe Admission Cost: Free For the most up-to-date listing of events and happenings in Ouachita Parish, visit www.monroewestmonroe.org.

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