BayouLife Magazine March 2020

BLcontents 92

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62 36 / PUBLIC WORKS This Month’s Bayou Artist, Brooke Foy Has a Passion for Public Art

MARCH 2020

62 / URBAN OASIS From Modern Paisley to Brilliant Blues, These Fashionable Looks Will Help You Transition into the Season 76 / 318 SWAMPERS This Manic Ensemble of Twelve Men Walk a Fine Line 86 / OLIVE TREE Among the Oldest Cultivated Trees, the Olive Tree Offers A Variety of Benefits 88 / GRANNY’S RECIPE Granny Shares Her Recipe For Irish Pub Nachos

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92 / THE WOMENS SYMPOSIUM The ULM Women’s Symposium Annually Highlights Women from Across Northeast Louisiana for Their Individual Achievements

154 / SIX O’CLOCK TRAFFIC This Month’s BayouBeats Collective Focus is Unwavering and Set on Creating Another Wave of Dance Music

104 / VOICE FOR THE ENVIRONMENT Stuart Hodnett, March’s BayouIcon, is a Man on a Mission

160 / ATTORNEY DIRECTORY The BayouLife Attorney Directory is Your Source for Obtaining Current Information for Attorneys Licensed to Practice in Louisiana

APRIL 2018

125 / NORTH TO SOUTH Filé Steakhouse And Oyster Bar Is Bringing The Flavorful Goodness Of South Louisiana Dishes And Serving Them With North Louisiana Attitude 142 / LOUISIANA CATAHOULA CUR DOG Jimmy Strong of Delhi, LA has Revived a Centuries Old Tradition of Hunting with Dogs, Specifically – the Catahoula Cur Dog

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’m extremely lucky to work everyday with a team of women who are incredibly talented and smart. I had two very strong grandmothers, and a mom who always pushed me to be my best. Even with this support, there are times that I doubt myself. But, I’m trying to change that. I’m learning to lean in to other women, learning to take advice and reach out for help when needed. A few years ago I was asked to speak at the Women’s Symposium and it really changed things for me. I was surrounded by intelligent women that had a passion for their families, careers and life – it was infectious and inspiring. I was flattered to be asked to join the Board of the Women’s Symposium, and in this month’s issue we highlight five of the 2020 panelists and why they were chosen as the leaders in their respective fields.

See this article on page 92.

After living a number of years in Tennessee, Stuart Hodnett felt the urge to “come home.” Although he had enjoyed living away, the need to return to his roots was compelling. A family member’s serious illness meant that he traveled to Monroe frequently over 4 years. Those visits reminded him of all that he had missed while living away.

When he decided to return to Louisiana, Hodnett believed that the move was in answer to a calling from God to help his hometown. He chose working on environmental issues – recycling, litter abatement, and beautification – and has engaged countless citizens to make a difference with him. For his outstanding

leadership in the environment, Stuart Hodnett is our March 2020 Bayou Icon.

Read his article on page 126.

Enoch’s Irish Pub & Cafe doesn’t have a dance floor, but on February 8th, a mass of bodies created their own, packing the six foot gap between the stage and picnic table benches. All night long they danced to local pop-funk band Six O’Clock Traffic who boasted their first show at the pub since coming together as a group in August 2018. The young band, consisting of students and postgrads from the University of Louisiana at Monroe (ULM), have played numerous private events, public venues, and city-sponsored fundraisers throughout North Louisiana. Known for their high energy sets and boogie patrolling, these kids-next-door show no signs of slowing down. Read about them on page 154.

This month we’ve published our first Attorney Directory, this directory is your source for obtaining current information for attorneys licensed to practice in Louisiana. From personal injury attorneys to those specializing in family law, this list is comprised of some of the best in the industry.

Early voting starts on March 21-March 28th. By increasing the number of people that vote in this election, we increase representation, more funding to our community and a better quality of life. NO VOTE. NO VOICE.

We hope you enjoy reading this issue of BayouLife Magazine. Remember to support your locally-owned business and shop NELA.

Cassie

BayouLife 1201 Royal Avenue Monroe, LA 71201 Phone 318.855.3185

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PUBLISHER & OWNER Cassie Livingston cassie@bayoulifemag.com COPY EDITOR Cindy Foust GRAPHIC DESIGNER Meagan Russell meagan@bayoulifemag.com ADVERTISING MANAGER Ashley Hubenthal ashley@bayoulifemag.com ADVERTISING SALES EXECUTIVE Amanda Singley amanda@bayoulifemag.com ADVERTISING SALES EXECUTIVE Katelyn Tolbert katelyn@bayoulifemag.com ART DIRECTOR Taylor Bennett CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Steven Atchison, MD Dan Chason Laura W. Clark Dr. Leslie Coffman Pastor Bill Cornelius Kenny Covington Shannon Dahlum Lou Davenport David D. Finley, DDS Hope Frugé Cindy Gist Foust Lori French Kerry Heafner Erica Hearn April Clark Honaker

Paul Lipe Erin Love Justin Mailhes Meredith McKinnie Dr. Timothy Mickel Guy Miller Evelyn O’Neal Georgiann Potts Kay Rector Cathi French-Roberts Delia Simpson Beatrice A. Tatem Julie and Heber Tuft Vanelis Rivera Judy Wagoner

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Brad Arender Andrew Bailey Kelly Moore Clark ON THE COVER Oysters from Filé Steakhouse and Oyster Bar photography by Kelly Moore Clark BayouLife Magazine is published and distributed by Redbird Publishing, LLC. Circulation: 13,000 copies monthly. Postal subscriptions ($30) 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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Dr. Henry Zizzi General Surgeon

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R. HENRY ZIZZI WAS BORN AND RAISED IN NATCHEZ, Mississippi, where he sparked an interest in medicine and all things science-related at a very young age. His first jobs were spent working in hospitals as an orderly or alongside respiratory therapists, and through this experience Dr. Zizzi realized he loved the environment and healing those in need. He was interested in learning the mechanics of the human body, and Dr. Zizzi transformed his interests into a successful career in the Northeast Louisiana area.

He is a graduate of Northeast Louisiana University, and continued his education at Louisiana State University School of Medicine in Shreveport, where he also completed his residency. During his time in medical school, surgery particularly caught his attention when he realized what one person can do with two hands. Surgery is an art form that requires the surgeon be adept and dexterous, and as a selfprofessed perfectionist, Dr. Zizzi knew he had a talent for operating.

He ultimately chose general surgery because it allowed him to treat conditions of a wide variety and gave him the opportunity to hone his skills, as well as helping and potentially curing his patients. Though his residency was stressful and required a tremendous amount of training, Dr. Zizzi never considered any other field of medicine.

For the last 21 years, Dr. Zizzi has been practicing General Surgery in the Monroe/West Monroe area. After completing his training, he joined the practice of Drs. William Ferguson and Tommy Lolley, who have both since retired. Dr. Zizzi believes in more than just treating his patients – he leads with his heart, as he knows many people walk into his office scared and concerned. Even minor procedures deserve a surgeon’s utmost attention to detail, and his experience enables him to perform surgeries with precision, accuracy, and trust between him and his patients. Dr. Zizzi takes a significant amount of time getting to know each individual while answering questions and alleviating concerns. He often uses diagrams or sketches to educate patients so that they know exactly what to expect before entering the operating room. Dr. Zizzi treats his patients with respect and compassion, as he understands how important the doctor-patient relationship is to one’s well-being before and after surgery.

If you ask his patients, the quality that distinguishes Dr. Zizzi is his bedside manner. He spends as much time as necessary with each patient and answers any questions they may have. Patients appreciate the consistency in his office, and they often remark that he is so thorough in his explanations that he answers their questions

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before they can even ask them. His main goal in an office visit is to keep the patient informed and comfortable, as he is well aware that the experience of undergoing a surgical procedure is hard enough.

As a general surgeon, Dr. Zizzi is trained to operate on multiple areas of the body, and the most common procedures he performs involve the gastrointestinal tract, such as the stomach, small intestine, colon and rectum, appendix, and gallbladder. Theses gastrointestinal procedures are most commonly performed with a minimally invasive laparoscopic technique. He also performs thyroid and parathyroid surgery as well as weight loss surgery. Along with these procedures, he treats benign and malignant diseases of the breast, which is a significant part of his practice.

Outside of the office, Dr. Zizzi has a variety of interests besides medicine. He married his best friend, Deborah, and he has five children whom he adores. He enjoys studying and speaking foreign languages as well as traveling to countries outside the United States to practice his skills. Dr. Zizzi is also the lead singer of Code Blue and the Flatliners, having performed with this locally popular group since its inception in 2002. He actually attended NLU on a choir scholarship, which was a very fulfilling part of his college education.

To top it off, he has a passion for cooking, especially Italian cuisine, and his family says his homemade pasta is to die for.

Dr. Zizzi has a way with people, and he treats his patients how he would want a physician to treat his own family members. While not every procedure is life or death, anxiety due to having surgery is real, and Dr. Zizzi takes the time to reassure his patients that he will take care of them to the best of his ability. With his hands, he heals the body, and with his heart, he builds long-lasting relationships with his patients.

Dr. Henry Zizzi 102 Thomas Road, Suite 203 West Monroe, Louisiana 318-387-1812

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What a Time to Celebrate Women and Wine

BY ERICA HEARN

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ARCH IS A MONTH WHEN WE TAKE TIME TO LOOK back, celebrate and honor the many admirable achievements of women through history and the vast strides made by women today. Women’s History Month grew out of a week long celebration of women’s contributions to culture, history and society organized in wine country’s very own Sonoma, California. Let’s raise our glasses and toast to our inspiring women winemakers! These ladies are paving the way for new generations while ambitiously making a name for themselves.

ERIN MILLER- TWOMEY CELLARS/SILVER OAK

Erin has an interesting story of becoming a winemaker. As she prepared to go to West Africa as a member of the Peace Corps, Erin took a detour that changed her life forever. She decided to take a harvest job in Napa Valley as a “cellar rat.” During her time spent working in Napa Valley, Erin discovered “the sheer joy of winemaking.” She pieced together her love for agriculture, the outdoors and winemaking and was determined to make a career for herself in wine. For her, winemaking is about grit and collaboration. She strives to be a mentor for the next generation due to her passion and dedication of making incredible wine. She has certainly made a name for herself!

SARAH MARQUIS- MOLLYDOOKER

Sarah has an inspiring story in wine and has helped create one of the most successful wine brands in the world of wine, Mollydooker.

Robert Parker reviewed their very first vintage for Mollydooker and rated The Boxer as the “Best Value Red Wine in the World.” She has received award after award from the moment her first wine hit the shelves to present day. Sarah has achieved remarkable success steering Mollydooker Wines toward greater heights. At Mollydooker, the extremely skilled team are passionate about their motto “We make wines that make people go WOW, through attention to detail and commitment to excellence!” The stories behind her wines are beautiful and the complexity and character that shine through her wines are even more beautiful. Look up The Mollydooker Shake before trying her wine. Trust us on this one!

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HEIDI BARRETT- LA SIRENA/PARADIGM

This legendary winemaker is full of life and her passion radiates through her love of wine. Wine critic Robert Parker has awarded her wines 100 points five times throughout her career and calls her “The First Lady of Wine.” Heidi is truly a well-recognized and highly respected master of her art. She has been a part of many well known wines such as Buehler, Screaming Eagle and Chateau Montelena.

Growing up in Napa Valley, she quickly realized that making wine would be her passion. Her experience and love for the creative nature of winemaking came together to create wine with impeccable character and silky elegance. Heidi Barrett’s wine exceeds all expectations of well made wine.

KATHRYN HALL- HALL WINES/WALT WINES

Like a pot of gold shining at the end of a rainbow full of life experiences sits Kathryn Hall, who is truly a jack of all trades. Not only does she make magnificent wine, she is also a successful business woman, community activist and attorney. Kathryn brings a mindset rich in culture, sharp wit, and shimmering spirit to the beloved Napa Valley. Her main reason for making wine is to bring joy and her wines capture it perfectly. She’s familiar with a long day of work and how fulfilling it is to finally relax with a delicious glass of wine. The Hall legacy aspires to be remembered for a business that radiates great quality and offers a sense of happiness to people all over.

Let’s celebrate and appreciate all of the incredible women in our lives not only this month, but all the time! We thank you for all your continued support for Doe’s Eat Place and Washington Wine and Spirits. We are open Monday-Thursday from 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. and Fridays and Saturdays from 10:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m.

6 oz Filet - $9.75 14 oz Bone-In Filet - $39.99 20 oz Ribeye - $21.24 1.5 lb T-Bone - $20.99 2.5 lb Porterhouse - $39.98 2-5 lb Sirloin - $9.99/lb

10 oz Filet - $16.24 1.5 lb Bone In Strip - $20.99 2 lb Bone In Ribeye - $35.98 2 lb T-Bone - $27.98 3 lb Porterhouse - $47.97 Twice Baked Potatoes - $4.99/each

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Finding Her Place Never too Late to Bloom

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

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HAVE BEEN MOTIVATED TO WRITE THIS ARTICLE BECAUSE of the many phenomenal women who have come into my life. I have been inspired by women I am intimately acquainted with, as well as, those I only know through their works and contributions. These women are mothers, sister friends, sorors, family members, friends, church members, mentors, colleagues, psychologists, social workers, politicians, community leaders, activists, advocates, educators, professional artists, photographers, lawyers, doctors, realtors, writers and entertainers.

They are kind, generous, loving, good listeners, observers, determined, strong willed, fighters, survivors, hopeful, curious, fearless, open minded, creative and focused. They are religious, spiritual, atheist, wealthy, financially strapped, Democrat, Independent and Republican.

Some are “picky eaters” and some eat any and everything. I have been inspired by those who identify as heterosexual, “fluid,” lesbian and transgender. Some are formally educated and have taught me how to navigate the intricate nuances of life often associated with being a woman. Others have limited formal education and yet, by example, have taught me lessons of life they learned outside of the classroom. I dedicate this article to women young and old, to those on their journey towards womanhood, those in search of self and those who are finding their place in life. This article also recognizes those who unconditionally love, support the upliftment and celebrate the contributions of women who have found and now “own” their place.

“Finding Her Place” acknowledges the fact throughout history women have forged a way, set the tone, carved out a place and through tenacious action and willful spirit have taken a stand solidifying their rightful place. As women we have been able to change the course of history and rewrite history to include her story. We all have a story.

Recently, a sophisticated seventyish looking woman, small in stature but big in heart and determination, shared her story of what she endured and then accomplished following a major tragedy. Despite a history of poor health she has been able to move forward with life with a sense of self she has not had in years. At the close of her telling me her story I reminded her, “It is never too late to bloom.” I am so proud of women and so proud to be a woman that admittedly, it took me by surprise when a distraught 10 year old client commented, “Some days I wish I was not a girl I don’t want to become a woman, there are no advantages to being a woman.” I acknowledged her concerns, as well as, her insight and her

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truth. We talked about the Disney movie, Frozen II and the depiction of two sisters who rule the world. We then reviewed a real life list of remarkable women of influence of all ages and backgrounds; women who have opened doors for other women and men to pass through. I informed this mature young girl that women come in all shapes, sizes, heights, weight, hues and wonderfully different packages. Women come in all forms: career driven, stay at home, retired, single, married, divorced, widowed. Women are “Boomers, Millinial and Gen Z.” I informed her women are home owners, entrepreneurs and investors.

Women are meat lovers and some are vegan. Some “eat clean” and some eat fast food. Women demonstrate skill, courage, intellect and confidence and yes, it is women who must tell others where women have been and where there is room to grow.

There is the thought that therapy allows us to change and encourages us to bloom. Therapy helps us to recognize our need for change and at the same time empowers us to implement change. As with the seventyish women and the 10-year-old girl, females are blooming everywhere. For those of you who wonder about the 10 year old; she is now an 11 year old, who embraces her inner being housed in her outwardly blossoming body. Recently, we revisited her comment made several months ago… with a grin she stated, “I don’t know what I was thinking. I cannot wait to become a woman.”

It is March, Women’s History Month, the season of spring when time changes and nature begins to bloom. It is in our nature as woman to bloom wherever we are, with whatever we have. As women we give birth figuratively and literally to the human experience. We model coming back from setbacks and in turn our setbacks become comebacks for others. As women, we show up, speak out, and get the job done.

Whether or not your name is on an “A” list of outstanding women I encourage you to take comfort in self, be proud of your accomplishments and spring forth with vigor and confidence in your womanhood. Find your place; it is never too late to bloom.

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

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St. Francis Medical Center Earns Renewal as Center of Excellence in Minimally Invasive Gynecology

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T. FRANCIS MEDICAL CENTER/ST. FRANCIS P&S SURGERY & Heart Center has renewed its accreditation as a Center of Excellence in Minimally Invasive Gynecology by Surgical Review Corporation (SRC), an internationally recognized patient safety organization. The facility is the first to achieve this accreditation in Louisiana for advancing minimally invasive gynecologic procedures and providing excellent patient care as determined by an independent, external process of evaluation.

Status as an accredited Center of Excellence means that St. Francis Medical Center/P&S Surgery & Heart Center has met nationally recognized standards. Not all hospitals and surgeons seek accreditation; not all that undergo the rigorous site inspection process are granted accreditation.

“Earning accreditation as a center of excellence for minimally invasive gynecologic surgery is another example of our commitment to providing the best surgical care for women in Northeast Louisiana,” said Kristin Wolkart, president of St. Francis Medical Center. “Using the latest advancements in minimally invasive surgical techniques, our physicians and team members focus on improving the safety and quality of care for each patient.”

Minimally invasive techniques help patients recover faster and experience less discomfort. More than 400 minimally invasive gynecologic procedures are performed annually by physicians at St. Francis Medical Center/P&S Surgery & Heart Center, some of whom are recognized by SRC as Surgeons of Excellence in Minimally Invasive Gynecology. Surgeons also utilize the daVinci robot on certain minimally invasive procedures.

“We’re proud to recognize St. Francis Medical Center/P&S Surgery & Heart Center as a Center of Excellence in Minimally Invasive Gynecology for their commitment to providing quality care for all patients,” said Gary M. Pratt, CEO of SRC. “This accreditation signals that the facility and its surgeons are among the best in the specialty and are dedicated to delivering the highest level of care possible.”

Health care organizations and surgeons seeking accreditation by SRC undergo an extensive self-assessment and site inspection. This process includes physicians, nurses, and administrators who are actively involved in the accredited program. The inspection is consultative and educational, presenting best practices to help an organization or surgeon improve its care and services.

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To learn more about SRC and the accreditation process, visit surgicalreview.org.

WHAT DOES SRC’S GOLD SEAL OF ACCREDITATION MEAN FOR PATIENTS? • SRC is independent and objective. Unlike some accreditation programs, we are not part of a medical society that uses its members to evaluate their colleagues.

• Our site inspectors are unbiased, full-time SRC employees.

• The requirements for SRC’s accreditation programs have been proven to improve outcomes and reduce the time you will spend in the hospital.

• SRC accredits facilities and medical professionals that are committed to creating and sustaining a culture of excellence.

• SRC accreditations are not a marketing gimmick. Our designees dedicate significant time and resources to achieve their accreditation.

• SRC designees must adhere to our accreditation standards.

• SRC confirms compliance of these standards through rigorous site inspections. Our inspections include evaluation of equipment used for treatment, patient education and support groups, treatment pathways and consultative services.

• Key members of the treatment team are interviewed, and detailed medical chart reviews are performed to verify the experience of each medical professional applicant to evaluate whether the care they provide is thorough and complete.

• SRC is one of the few organizations that accredits both the medical facility and specific medical professionals. Many programs only accredit the hospital, not the individuals who actually provide the care.

• SRC is also unique because we accredit specific departments/ specialties, not the entire hospital or surgery center.

ABOUT SURGICAL REVIEW CORPORATION Established in 2003, Surgical Review Corporation (SRC) is an internationally recognized, nonprofit, patient safety organization dedicated to recognizing and refining surgical care. SRC accredits the top hospitals, surgeons and health professionals worldwide that meet our proven standards. Look for our seal, expect excellence. For more information, visit www.surgicalreview.org.

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Alumni Spotlight ULM Alum: Ashley Ellis

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SHLEY ELLIS ALWAYS KNEW SHE WANTED TO BE an educator, and her little brother had been her first student. She thrives on her interaction with students, especially those in junior high and high school. She feels she can best connect with them. Though it can be an awkward age for young adults, Ashley appreciates helping them figure out who they are and what they want to be. It’s where she knows she can make a difference. And though life led her on different paths, she always found her way back to education, and she is grateful to serve her students and her community.

In college, Ashley was a member of Phi Mu Sorority, a positive experience where she learned the value of teamwork and community service. She also worked a full time job while taking classes, so it was nice to have a place to socialize and make lifelong friends. In her first psychology class, the professor had just endured a life-changing tragedy and openly shared the experience with the students. She showed them she was more than a teacher, and Ashley remembers feeling a human connection and relating to the survival story. This experience taught Ashley the value of building relationships with students, seeing connections as a means of understanding. A Multicultural Ed Foundations course opened Ashley’s eyes to the diverse backgrounds all around her.

She learned to identify socioeconomic levels and to let that knowledge inform her teaching practices. She knew she needed to learn more to best serve her students and has since strived to stay an informed educator.

Her husband Friday’s military career in the Marine Corps. took the couple to San Antonio and then California, where Ashley worked in atrisk schools. Ashley realized how important her role was as an educator in her first years of teaching 5th grade and then 2nd grade. Working in at-risk schools was a blessing for Ashley, and teaching in other states allowed her to become more developed as an educator. Ashley believes working with students experiencing tough life situations requires teachers to be their best at all times. After life brought the couple back to Monroe, Ashley taught at Riser Middle School for several years before switching gears entirely to become Prep Coordinator over new student orientation programs at ULM. The experience enriched her leadership skills, and she loved motivating young people. It was a lively time at ULM, as the campus was being modernized. Ashley felt the energy shifting, and knew the University was moving in the right direction.

Eventually, Ashley returned to public schools with a new appreciation and energy for education. In 2012, Ashley was named Riser Middle School’s Teacher of the Year. She was recognized as the Ouachita Parish Middle School Teacher of the Year and was also a finalist for 16 MARCH 2020 | WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM

Louisiana State Teacher of the Year. Ashley received her master’s degree in Educational Leadership through the graduate program online at ULM. She then was recruited as a district administrator to a school district north of Kansas City, Missouri. When Ashley and Friday returned home to take care of her ailing mom, she became an administrator at Richwood High School working to improve curriculum and instruction and educational outcomes for students. Later Ashley became a Network Coach for the Louisiana Department of Education working with districts throughout northeast Louisiana. Her experience in different administrative roles from school building level to district level leadership has given her the experience necessary to become a dynamic educational leader.

In 2017, Ashley became the Assistant Principal at Neville High School where she feels most at home with the staff, students, and community.

She looks forward to being an administrator at her childrens’ school in the near future and will always take the responsibility for so many students to heart. Ashley and Friday have three children: Friday Ellis III (13), Asher Ellis (10), and Aurie Ellis (6). In 2019, Ashley was elected to the Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) which is responsible for making informed policy decisions that will result in improved academic achievement and educational opportunities for all students. Ashley saw this as an opportunity to affect educational policy and to represent our region. She is currently the only BESE member who is still an active educator. Ashley brings that insight and insider knowledge to each meeting and knows she can make sure northeast Louisiana is not forgotten.

Ashley sees the impact of ULM in her community and recognizes how lucky we are to have a higher education institution here. With educational possibilities for rural students to the culture and arts it brings to Monroe, the University positively affects how we live. Ashley is proud to have been educated at ULM, to have worked at ULM, and now to foster future ULM students in the community. She is a testament to investing in local talent and giving back.

The ULM Alumni Association reaches, connects and celebrates alumni and friends to build lifelong relationships, and commit to the university’s missions of academic freedom, scholarship, diversity, excellence, integrity and service. We represent alumni who honor the traditions of our university and who share a sense of achievement and pride. We create a network of professionals, establish scholarships and advocate for our University through community engagement.

Members of the Alumni Association support countless initiatives, and annual memberships are just $35. To learn more or to become a member, please visit our new alumni network at ulm.edu/alumni.

CABIN FEVER TO SPRING FEVER

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arch is a month of promise for gardens and landscapes in the ArkLaMiss.

Intermittent warm spells coupled with garden centers stocking shelves with seeds, fertilizers, and all types of soil amendments and pesticides turn cabin fever into spring fever. Patience is a must, however.

Our last freeze is expected sometime between the middle and end of this month. And, throughout March, Deep South turfgrasses will begin to slowly wake up from their long winter naps. Prematurely forcing lawns out of winter dormancy by bombarding them with high nitrogen fertilizers and so-called “weed and feed” products puts them at risk for problems later. Actually, a lot of lawn questions that come up later in the growing season can be answered now by taking a look at our turfgrasses and their requirements regarding light, water, and soil. So, let’s do that.

Sunlight. In order to understand the light requirement for Louisiana lawns, we need to briefly review some basic Deep South turfgrass biology. You already know that plants generate their own food by photosynthesis, a metabolic pathway where light energy from the sun oxidizes chlorophyll, the green pigment, thereby jumpstarting a series of chemical reactions where carbon dioxide from the atmosphere is used by the plant to make carbohydrates like starch and cellulose. If you didn’t know that, you do now. What I just described is just a theme. As you might guess, there are variations on this theme.

It turns out, all our Deep South, warm season turfgrasses carry out a type of photosynthesis called C4 (pronounced seefor). Other grasses with C4 photosynthesis include corn, millet, sorghum, and sugarcane.

Sound familiar? This often-overlooked

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LSU AG CENTER

fact has tremendous implications in terms of light requirements. These grasses are adapted for life in high light environments (full sun) instead of low light environments (shade). This is precisely why our warm season turfgrasses need full sun in order to form lush, green lawns. It is true that Zoysia and St. Augustine grass do have some shade tolerance. But, “shade tolerant” should not be mistaken for “shade adapted.”

A patch of your lawn having a few hours of shade a day is very different than areas of your lawn being in deep shade all day. For example, trying to grow lush lawns under the dense and sprawling canopies of live oaks is an effort in futility. Dosing shaded areas with large amounts of fertilizers and other chemicals does not compensate for the high levels of sunlight warm season turfgrasses need. If areas of your landscape are shaded for most of the daylight hours, consider naturalizing these areas with shade adapted plants and ground covers. Notice, too, that as the number of daylight hours gradually decreases going from summer

into fall, warm season grasses go dormant and cool season grasses (or weeds) appear.

As the number of daylight hours increases in the spring, cool season grasses and weeds die away as warm season grasses come out of dormancy and resume growth. This is a survival mechanism. If we want green lawns during winter, we over-seed with cool season grasses like fescues, bluegrasses, and, more commonly, ryegrass. These are examples of grasses that use a photosynthetic pathway called C3 (pronounced see-three). They are green during our winters and die away in spring when the weather warms.

Water.

Because they use C4 photosynthesis, warm season turfgrasses use water more efficiently than C3 grasses.

In other words, they lose less water through the miniscule pores in the leaf surfaces (stomata) when absorbing carbon dioxide

ST. AUGUSTINEGRASS

“The best time to water a lawn is in the morning. As the day progresses, excess water has time to evaporate off so as to not set the scene for fungal issues.” from atmosphere than C3 grasses do. Warm season turfgrasses have a competitive advantage over cool season turfgrasses in terms of drought situations. This means, unless you’re establishing a new lawn, you very likely water your lawn too much. Seriously, some of you take watering your lawn too far. Stop it! Stop the madness!

Unless we’re experiencing frequent rains, watering your lawn once or twice a week is sufficient. I don’t know how many times I’ve driven through certain neighborhoods while it’s raining, only to see lawn sprinklers going full blast. This is insanity! Too much water can create problems, especially for St. Augustinegrass, which looks for ways to have problems. A fungal issue like a brown patch can turn green lush lawns into jaundiced patches of ground in short order. And, all this watering comes at a cost to homeowners. Outdoor water use averages thirty percent of domestic water use nationwide, needlessly.

When irrigating your lawn, irrigate to moisten the soil to a depth of four to six inches. Then, don’t water again until you see first signs of moisture stress such as greying of turf or footprints that remain after walking. Rule of thumb: water your lawns deeper and less frequently instead of shallower and more frequently. In areas that have heavy clay or compacted soils, water until first runoff is observed then shut off irrigation to give water a chance to percolate downward. I’ve seen several businesses in the community generate a lot of runoff while watering their small lawns with the ultimate results being wasted water and wet sidewalks. The best time to water a lawn is in the morning. As the day progresses, excess water has time to evaporate off so as to not set the scene for fungal issues.

Soil. Warm season turfgrasses are like any other crop. They perform best when growing in soils that best meet their requirements. Taking time to make sure both new and existing lawns have everything they need in terms of soil characteristics and nutrition will ensure a lush, healthy lawn that will outcompete just about all weeds. Soil pH is the most critical factor, and different grasses perform best when pH falls within a certain range. Bermuda and Zoysiagrasses do best when soil pH ranges from 5.8 to 7.2. St. Augustinegrass requires a pH ranging from 6.0 to 7.5, and centipedegrass needs a somewhat more acidic soil with a pH ranging from 5.0 to 6.0. Never put out lime unless a soil

test has been performed and a lime application deemed necessary. If soil pH levels are raised outside of these ranges, nutrients will not be available to your grass. Indeed, a heavy infestation of weeds in your lawn likely indicates a shift in the soil’s chemistry severe enough to give weeds the competitive edge. It’s definitely time for a soil test! Over fertilizing can be counterproductive. If a soil test reports sufficient levels of phosphorus and potassium, then all you’ll need to apply is a nitrogen fertilizer. If using a fast release nitrogen source, like ammonium nitrate (32-0-0), apply no more than one pound of actual nitrogen per 1,000 square feet, which is equivalent to three pounds of ammonium nitrate per 1,000 square feet. Slow-release nitrogen sources are recommended for all our turfgrasses. Indications for slow-release nitrogen on the bag will be “water-insoluble coated,” “controlled release,” or “slowly available.” Slow-release nitrogen fertilizers are perfect for use in sandy soils, lawns that are near surface water, or where the water table is shallow. A typical LSU AgCenter soil test result will give you three nitrogen sources to choose from. If soil sulfur is low, select ammonium sulfate (21-0-0) or if the soil pH needs to be lowered only a bit. Ammonium nitrate is recommended otherwise. Split the lab’s recommended rate of application up into three applications throughout the growing season.

For advice on how to make your garden thrive, click on the Louisiana Living link under News at www.myarklamiss.com and submit your questions. I’ll answer them every Tuesday on Louisiana Living!

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Dr. Smith

Morgan Freeland

Morgan’s Smile Returns

Patient Receives Health and Happiness at The Surgery Clinic of Northeast Louisiana

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ORGAN FREELAND, 33, EXUDES ENERGY AND positivity—her wide smile and outgoing personality are immediately apparent when meeting her. But earlier this year, she was a completely different person.

For about two months, Morgan struggled to eat, she suffered from severe abdominal pain, and she lost an unusual amount of weight. Lack of answers and an abundance of pain kept her from leaving her home, and she subsequently suffered depression. She entered the Surgery Clinic of Northeast Louisiana with a feeling of hopelessness.

“I went into my first appointment with Dr. Patrick Smith trying to stay positive, but at that point, I was not sure if he could even help me. I was so depressed because I just wanted to live a normal life,” Morgan said.

Her mood quickly changed. “My experience at his office was amazing from the first time I entered. His receptionist was so sweet, and the lab technicians were so much fun. I hate needles, and they were so gentle and made it very easy. They laughed and kept the mood light, which helped me relax so much.”

Then she met Kacie Brown, Dr. Smith’s nurse. “Kacie never rushed me. There was something in her eyes that showed me she cared and was even sad for me regarding what I had been going through. She told me that she was sorry for what I had been dealing with. She also assured me that Dr. Smith was amazing and so good at what he does.”

Morgan’s unexplained pain created a significant disturbance in her life, she said. “I missed out on so many things during this time. The extreme pain was hindering my ability to do my job, so I stepped down.

I was unable to play with my daughter. As a mother, I always try to put on a strong face and not let her see the struggle, but that was completely impossible,” Morgan said. “Not knowing what was wrong with me took a toll emotionally. I was slipping into a state of depression. When you don’t know what is going on, your mind can wander, and mine was definitely going to a bad place.”

Dr. Smith determined Morgan needed her gallbladder removed.

And, he reassured her, Morgan said. “Dr. Smith was very relaxed and confident. Thank God because I was not. His calm energy allowed me to express my emotional pain, as well as my physical pain. He was determined to make sure I got better,” she said. “We discussed my symptoms, and we even talked about some other issues I had been having. After learning about my other pain, unrelated to my gallbladder, he suspected I had endometriosis. He assured me that while removing my gallbladder, he would take a look and make sure all other things were well.”

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At 16 years old, Morgan, who grew up in Rayville, began experiencing extreme pain related to her menstrual cycle. She believed the pain was simply something she would have to accept, so when Dr. Smith told her he would thoroughly examine other areas of her abdomen, she felt a renewed hope.

Morgan said she was “very nervous” because the gallbladder removal was her first surgery, and she was unsure what to expect.

However, Dr. Smith made her feel confident about her upcoming treatment.

During the gallbladder procedure, Dr. Smith diagnosed her with endometriosis, which was likely the source of her long term pain. The endometriosis was treated simultaneously.

Morgan said, “This made me so happy because he was going the extra mile to take care of me in every way, not just to address the original reason I made the appointment. My menstrual cycles have been so miserable for as long as I could remember. It has always interfered with my life—sometimes I couldn’t leave the house. The pain would be so bad that I would run a fever and even throw up most of the time. Now, I don’t experience even a third of the pain, and it has not interfered with my personal life.”

She said she will always appreciate Dr. Smith for diagnosing her gallbladder disease and determining the cause of her longtime menstrual cycle pain.

“I have gained so much from this experience. I can eat again, and I have gained the weight back that I lost, plus some. I will forever be grateful to Dr. Smith because he went above and beyond for me. Now­­, I can function again!”

In addition to Dr. Smith, the clinic is also home to surgeons Dr. Walter Sartor and Dr. Bart Liles. Contact the clinic today at 318.398.2984 with any questions you have about gallbladder disease or other surgical needs.

ABOUT GALLBLADDER DISEASE:

Gallbladder disease involves the inflammation, infection, stones, or blockage of the gallbladder. Symptoms of chronic gallbladder disease include nausea, gas, and abdominal discomfort after meal consumption.

Some people may also experience fever and chills. A person may also feel a steady and severe pain in the upper right abdomen near the rib cage, which can radiate to the upper back. A blood test and ultrasound can determine the presence of gallbladder disease. Treatment may include laparoscopic surgery, which is what Morgan underwent.

I REMEMBER WHEN AUDIO COMMUNICATIONS WERE SENT VIA SNAIL MAIL

heartache in our world, is there any I REMEMBER how, when justification for hope? Are we being our children were still very young, foolish or unreasonable to cling to we kept in contact with my sister’s hope when circumstances appear to family by utilizing reel-to-reel audio be bleak? I suppose that depends of tapes. We would tape a message to what we see as the source of our hope. them and then would send the tape If our hope is in some blind fate, or via the U.S. Postal Service. After even in our innate ability, it has no listening to our communication, and substance. But there is someone who using the same tape, they would can give substantial validity to our record their response and, at the same hope – that person is God. time, would erase our “letter.” This With that in mind, I think we practice went back-and-forth for can learn from something that the several years. Now, given today’s Psalmist said centuries ago: “Why are technology, that must seem very you cast down, O my soul? Put your archaic, but it was not a bad way to ARE WE BEING FOOLISH OR UNREASONABLE hope in God.” (Ps. 42:5). Apparently communicate 45 years ago!

One such transmission stands TO CLING TO HOPE WHEN CIRCUMSTANCES the author of this Psalm had experienced his share of trouble – he out vividly in my mind. It happened APPEAR TO BE BLEAK? was going through things that might one very cold and snowy winter cause hopelessness in the soul. But while our relatives were living in he gave himself a “talking to”, saying Philadelphia. One of the cousins, who must have been about six years old at the time, had had all the snow he basically, “Don’t be so ‘down in the dumps.’ Look up to the Lord; He wanted. So he told us on the tape, “When I go to college, I plan to attend cares about you and He will help.” the University of Miami – it never snows down there!” When I recall Understand this: hope that rests in Him is more than merely those words and when I think about the unbelievable amount of rainfall wishing that some favorable outcome will greet us. It is different from we have experienced recently, I would not be surprised to hear someone what the golfer says when he is planning a day on the course: “I hope it vow that they were moving to the desert – it never rains there! And the doesn’t rain this afternoon.” Instead, it involves belief that God is able and willing to come to our assistance. weather does play an important role in our lives, doesn’t it?

This kind of hope is not wishful thinking – like hoping my check Most of you have probably heard the following: “Everybody complains about the weather, but nobody does anything about it.” won’t bounce even though I have been spending carelessly. This hope The truth is, there is not much we can do to change how the weather is believing that my check won’t bounce because I know that I have a works. So, how are we supposed to cope with the weather or with healthy balance. Hope in a sovereign God has even more justification other situations that are beyond our control? What is one to do when than that – we hope because our hope is in Him Who is almighty, allwise, and all-loving. Hope in such a One is reasonable. circumstances are outside his ability to manage?

As we face the uncertainties of life, let us not embrace a hope like “I

Sometimes all we can do is to just “wait things out.” For instance, this month marks the beginning of spring, so perhaps the weather will hope it doesn’t rain,” (though it very well might), but one that says “My show some significant improvement – at least, we can hope that will be hope is that God will be with me in my trials,” (and He most certainly the case. And therein lies the key to how we handle the unmanageable will be with us). So, here is my encouragement and my prayer for you – we HOPE! Without such hope, one could easily sink into depression as you cope with life’s fears: “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by or despair.

But with so much disappointment in our lives and so much the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 15:13).

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Fishing With Kenny March Madness…. From Pre-Spawn to Post-Spawn article by K E N N Y C OV I NGT ON

For bass fishing enthusiasts spring time is arguably the best time of the year to catch bass.

Arguments aside, the spring season can be, at times, one of the most confusing and difficult times to catch bass as well. In our area lakes and rivers, it’s not uncommon to have bass in all phases of the spawn; pre-spawn bass that are wanting to move up to spawn; bass that arev\ in the phase of actually spawning; and bass that have already spawned. These phases all take place in the month of March.

With so much happening at once, it can make fishing your favorite body of water quite confusing. While there is nothing better than seeing a nice sized bass slurp a floating Rogue off the top of the wate, or seeing your line take off from a bass that has grabbed a weightless Senko slowly fished around shallow spawning cover, there are just as many frustrations as there are triumphs. It’s not unusual to fish productive areas as well as techniques, and after a long day leave believing there isn’t a fish to be caught in the lake.

To help with the frustration one of the first questions to ask is, “What phase are the fish in on the body of water I am fishing?” This gives you a good starting point. The pre-spawn fish are probably the most predictable in their areas and feeding habits but can move quickly. The spawning fish will be area specific and weather sensitive while the post-spawn fish will be the most finicky and sporadic. All three phases of the springtime spawning ritual will require different mindsets to be successful. Once you figure out what the bass are doing and where they are located, things should get a bit easier.

The first phase I want to look at are the post-spawn fish. A lot of fishermen will say “Post-spawn? How can you have fish that have 24 MARCH 2020 | WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM

already spawned when our weather has been so unpredictable?” I have always believed a lot of the bigger bass on any given body of water will spawn the first chance they get. Biologists will tell you about the magic mid-60s water temperatures that bass need to actively spawn but I personally don’t believe they wait for that to happen.

Since the post-spawn fish are ones that have already spawned, the question is what is the best way to target these fish? For years it was believed these fish were hard if not impossible to catch, but I have found them to be the easiest.

Post-spawn fish are feeders and like to eat. From personal experience I have found that fishing shallow flat areas just outside of where you would find them bedding to be good starting points. If I had to choose a few lures for targeting these bass it would be a Rat L Trap type of lure, a topwater such as a Pop-R and a spinnerbait.

When it comes to the spawning phase, I have found bass on beds as early as mid-January and in water as cool as 53 degrees. Many believe the most important aspect of the spawning season is the moon phase, but I’m not sure if I believe that or not. I believe weather to be a more important factor. If there has been a warm stable weather pattern with nights with lows only in the high to mid-40s, I will direct my efforts to searching the shallows for spawning fish. Warm days help raise the water temps but it is the cold nights, with temperatures below 40 that are key. These colder nights bring the water temperatures down quickly. Remember, fish can pull up to spawn relatively overnight but they can also abandon shallow water just as quickly.

One misconception of spawning fish is they can be hard to catch. In the latter stages of the actual spawning process I have found this to

be somewhat true. However, if you catch the first wave of fish to move in, they are usually the biggest but they are also the dumbest ones.

Lack of boat pressure and the number of anglers chasing them makes them easier to catch.

Moving baits such as chatterbaits, spinnerbaits, and squarebill crankbaits are good choices because the fish will react more positively to lures they haven’t seen.

Once these spawning fish have been pressured, an angler usually has to resort to fishing slower and more methodically. This isn’t to say you can’t catch them on the aforementioned moving baits but usually your bigger fish will be caught on more vertical presentations. Heavily pressured spawning fish are more likely to be caught on a Texas rigged lizard, a wacky rigged Senko or even a shaky head. Keeping an open mind and adjusting your presentations are probably the most important aspects of fishing the spawning phase.

Fishing for pre-spawn fish is usually all about timing. As mentioned earlier, these fish tend to be nomadic. Where you caught them one day, they may be completely gone the next. Over the years I have heard more than my share of “I caught them yesterday but I have no clue where they went” stories this time of year. Oftentimes it was a weather change that affected the fish movements. A major cold front can move fish from a spawning stage back to a pre-spawn situation.

Here is a good example of what I am talking about. Several years ago I was prefishing for a tournament and I found a shallow spawning area that had both numbers of fish and quality sized ones as well. The day before the tournament a major artic front came through and dropped the water temperature almost ten degrees overnight. The next morning I went to the area I had located the fish the week before and sure enough they were gone.

Instead of panicking, I made a simple adjustment. On the outside of this spawning pocket was a small feeder creek that ran along the edge of it. Those fish had moved from a shallow 2-4 foot deep flat to a 15-foot channel drop in a matter of hours. Because I was able to find where the fish had moved I had a successful event. When dealing with pre-spawn fish it is very important to think about where they may go or where they may have gone if conditions arise.

I have always believed the better fishermen are the ones who consistently figure out the pieces of the bass fishing puzzle. In order to be successful you have to have your share of on the water failures. That is what the philosophers call experience and in bass fishing, there is no substitute for it.

It looks like we have run out of time and space for another month. I sure hope we have given you some good information that you can apply on your next trip to your favorite fishery.

Be safe out on the water and be sure to catch one for me! See you next month!

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Confidence and Satisfaction The Woman’s Clinic Offers Expanded Services For Women’s Health and Beauty

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OR DECADES THE WOMAN’S Clinic has served Northeast Louisiana and every woman who lives here represented by our name and a logo. As Northeast Louisiana continues to evolve, so must we. The Woman’s Clinic will continue to provide the best OBGYN care in the region, but we will do it with a new logo and color scheme. Everyone needs a face lift from time to time. However, while we may look different, we will continue to be the premier OBGYN clinic in the region.

We’ve also made some changes to our website to make it easier for our patients to use. Please take a minute and look around.

You may visit the website at thewomansclinic. net.

The origin of The Woman’s Clinic can be traced back to a 1961 handshake between Dr. Richard Vines and Dr. Ed Brown. Out of that handshake, grew one of the most trusted and respected organizations in Northeast Louisiana. Now the Woman’s Clinic is the premier OB/GYN clinic in the region.

In 1970, Dr. James Wolff joined and was followed soon there after by Dr. Ronald Shemwell and the clinic took off from there.

We now employ 10 board certified/board eligible physicians and three Women’s Health Nurse Practitioners across four locations in Monroe, West Monroe, and Ruston.

We get to experience the joy of seeing new babies brought into the world every day. We have the duty of making sure that every woman who comes into our clinic is well taken care of and we have the honor of getting to become part of our patient’s lives.

We see women at their highest highs, lowest lows, and everywhere in between.

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Knowing this, The Woman’s Clinic takes a compassionate, education-based approach to care. We want you to feel comfortable as well as informed. If you are going to trust us to be such an important part of your life, you deserve to be treated like an important part of ours.

As the premier Woman’s Health Clinic in Northeast Louisiana, we are structured to meet the healthcare needs women face in today’s world. Our team of ten board certified or board eligible physicians and three women’s health nurse practitioners are here to treat a variety of symptoms and provide many different services.

A few of them are listed below: • Aesthetics

• Birth Control

• Bone Density

• Cancer Screening • Colposcopy • Endometriosis

• Family Counseling

• Fibroids

• Gynecological Surgery • Gynecology

• Heavy Menstrual Bleeding

• Hormone Therapy • Infertility • Menopause

• Minimally Invasive Surgery • Obstetrics • Osteoporosis

• Ovarian Cysts

• Pap Smear & HPV Screening

• Pelvic Pain

• Preconception Counseling • Prolapse

• STD Testing & Treatment • Ultrasound

• Urinary Incontinence

• Well Woman Exam We also provide our patients with a patient portal. We know the world can be a busy place. Sometimes its tough to make the connections to get what you need. At the Woman’s Clinic, our patient portal will help you make those connections on your own time.

We have been privileged to provide care to and serve the woman of Northeast Louisiana. We are excited to continue that in the future. Please give us a call at (318)3884030 or visit our website at thewomansclinic. net. Also, follow us on Facebook and Instagram. We will post some informative and some fun content. The Woman’s Clinic is here to take care of you.

Pictured Above – Bottom Row: Dr. Erin Gullatt, Dr. Sara Klug, Dr. Dawn Pennebaker, Dr. Adrienne Williams; Top Row: Dr. Amber Shemwell, Dr. Jason Wilson, Dr. David Bryan, Dr. Terry Tugwell, Dr. Won Lee, Dr. Laura Petty

CURRENT ETIQUETTE

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by ERIN SHARPLIN LOVE | erinlove@panachebyerin.com

he importance of etiquette has been on my mind lately. I am not sure if it is because I am doing my best to rear loving, respectful, and happy children, or if it is the constant barrage of negative news and bad attitudes that we all come in contact with on an almost daily basis. Regardless, I have been a huge proponent of teaching our children manners. In order to do that though, we ourselves must have a clear understanding of good manners. So, here I am to refresh your memory of proper behavior. I want to help each of you become the best that you can be.

Ideally, etiquette is about being comfortable and making other people around you comfortable as well. It isn’t a strict form of punishment that should be difficult to master. It is just as simple as following the “golden rule, “Do Unto Others as You Would Have Them Do Unto You.” Practicing proper etiquette shows that you respect yourself and others. I know that you want to exude confidence and teach your children to do the same, so let me help.

Do you make a good first impression? Think back on a recent first meeting you had with someone. Did they leave you feeling positive and with a smile on your face? If so, THAT is a good first impression. Now, think about what made that meeting memorable. A good first impression consists of the following: ▫ A” put-together” outward appearance ▫ Good posture ▫ A pleasant smile ▫ Eye contact ▫ A firm handshake ▫ Pleasant conversation

Do you follow each of these etiquette rules when meeting new people, or do you have the following characteristics? ▫ A disheveled, unkempt appearance (like you might have just rolled out of bed) ▫ Rounded shoulders, head down ▫ A furrowed brow and rushed demeanor ▫ Looking down at your cell phone ▫ A weak, rushed handshake ▫ Short, prompt-only answers

Showing good manners is about being PRESENT in each moment.

Put the phone down and pay attention. Think about how you can make someone else feel better about themselves and you.

Do you know how to navigate a table? Some etiquette rules should be second nature by now, but sometimes we just need to be reminded.

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When was the last time you practiced the following rules? ▫ Placed the napkin in your lap immediately upon sitting down at a restaurant. This rule applies even for paper napkins. If you are at someone’s home, you should wait for everyone to be seated, and when the host places her napkin in her lap, that is your cue to do the same. ▫ When leaving the table your napkin goes in the seat. Not back on the table. ▫ No elbows on the table, ever. ▫ Glasses are held by the stem, not the bowl, as it will leave fingerprints. ▫ Always wait for others to be served before you begin eating. ▫ Plates of food are always passed to the right. ▫ Nothing should be on the table that isn’t part of the meal. ▫ Salt and pepper are a pair and should always be passed together. ▫ Bread is buttered one bite at a time. ▫ Never double dip.

Did you know that there is gym etiquette? Etiquette isn’t relegated to the dinner table and to introductions. There are rules to follow in every situation that will make everyone feel at ease and respected.

For instance, here are some rules you should always follow: ▫ Always re-rack your equipment and put items back where you got them. ▫ Don’t spend too much time on a piece of equipment. ▫ Keep your music to yourself. ▫ Never leave sweat on the bench. Always wipe when you are finished. ▫ Do not talk on your cell phone.

The reality is that there are, and should be, etiquette rules for every social situation that you may encounter. In the end though, they are not really “rules” in my eyes. Better, they are “graces” that should be applied to show caring, love, and respect for yourself and those around you.

Good manners matter.

If you want to learn more about my etiquette classes and presentations, or if you have a simple etiquette question,please reach out to me! I am happy to help.

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Bayou Pages

NIGHTSTANDS & COFFEE TABLES The Swallows by Lisa Lutz

REVIEW BY MEREDITH MCKINNIE “You can keep telling girls to be polite, to keep a level head and it’ll all work out in the end. But don’t be surprised when they figure out that you’ve been feeding them lies. And don’t be shocked when they decide that if they can’t win a fair fight, they’ll just have to fight dirty.”

This novel is not a coming-of-age, but rather a coming-of-rage story. In an elite prep school in New England, the students make the rules. And what they’ve created is The Darkroom. When Ms. Witt comes to campus, she is introduced as the new Creative Writing teacher. She asks students to anonymously list one thing they love and one thing they hate. Her goal is to determine the author of each paper by the end of term. The anonymity allows students to speak freely, and Witt is introduced to the dark underbelly of private schools, where secrets trace back generations.

The faculty members are more aware than they let on, but are bound by their own demons, and thus the animalistic tendencies of human behavior are allowed to roam free without the threat of consequence.

What ensues is a gender battle of epic proportions, where warriors are formed from the ashes and students and faculty are forced to choose a side. Lutz writes with a sense of detachment. While she intricately conveys the story from multiple perspectives, she keeps readers a few steps back, never really able to predict the motives or capabilities of the characters. She

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weaves a story of intrigue, cynicism, and reckoning.

You find yourself rooting for actions you know are extreme, but seem appropriate to the circumstances.

It’s easy to get lost in this world, this seemingly idyllic school environment, until you realize that away from the parents and professional watchdogs, all hell can break loose, and left to their own inclinations, boys will be boys, and the girls have to save themselves.

Each chapter shifts to a new character perspective, and some events overlap, reminding readers that perception rarely lines up with reality. It raises questions of what is allowed? What shouldn’t be tolerated? Is respect only expected from a girl who respects herself? “The young may have a better excuse for cruelty, but they are no less capable of it,” Witt says. She sees the injustice of what’s happening, she recognizes the injustice of her past, but she also sees how the lines can be skewed, how public opinion often shapes the narrative, and how all-out-war is sometimes the only option. Is encouraging bad behavior the same as committing it? How complicit are we when we know of evil but do not speak of it?

Lutz’s novel is a wild ride full of twists and turns and underdeveloped characters and erratic behavior, all devices that add to the suspense of what happens next. When the Darkroom is discovered, how will the victims seek retribution without destroying themselves in the process?

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B AY O U C R A F T S

Plantable Paper Looking for a fun activity for the kids?

Make your own plantable seed paper from your children’s schoolwork or leftover newspapers and magazines.

Photo by Kelly Moore Clark.

Styling by Taylor Bennett.

directions: STEP ONE - Grab your recyclable paper and shred into small pieces. Fill your blender half-full with tiny bits of paper.

STEP TWO - Fill the blender with warm water. Turn on low speed for 15 seconds until the paper becomes a fine pulp, then turn on a higher speed for an additional 30 seconds.

STEP THREE - Fill the blender with warm water. Turn on low speed for 15 seconds until the paper becomes a fine pulp, then turn on a higher speed for an additional 30 seconds.

STEP FOUR - Next, add the seeds into the mixture and stir gently. Press the pulp through the mould and deckle (or screen) and flatten out it out on a piece of parchment paper.

STEP FIVE - Now, let the paper mixture dry and then plant or cut in shapes for fun and creative gifts.

Junior League of Monroe Spring is in the Air and Shopping is at the Market

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PRING IS IN THE AIR, WHICH means that Junior League of Monroe’s Spring Market sponsored by Origin Bank is coming soon. This annual event will be held Friday, March 20th through Sunday, March 22nd at the Monroe Civic Center.

The Market opens on Friday at 9 a.m. with a classic champagne brunch event, “Shop Til’ You Drop!,” sponsored by The Mulhearn Corporation, LLC. At this exclusive event, shoppers will enjoy strolling the Market and sipping mimosas with brunch catered by The Coffee Bean, live entertainment, and door prizes. Tickets for this special event are $30.

Afterwards, general shopping will be open to the public from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Friday night will be the signature event, “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun,” sponsored by Progressive Bank and kicks off at 6 p.m. This event includes catering by Thurman’s Food Factory, everyone’s favorite “Market-ritas” provided by Iron Cactus, door prizes, and live entertainment. Tickets are $40 for this event that is sure to be a good time.

Each year, the Junior League of Monroe features a raffle for Spring Market to increase fundraising efforts. This year, the League is excited to announce that the raffle prize will be three pieces of Louis Vuitton, including the “Horizon Soft Duffle 65” rolling luggage, “All-In GM” foldable travel bag, and “Nice BB” vanity case. These fantastic pieces have a retail value of $6,000! Raffle tickets are only $20 and can be purchased from any Junior League member or purchased at the Market.

Raffle tickets are only $20, and the drawing will be held at 5 p.m. on Sunday, March 22nd.

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The Junior League of Monroe is an organization of women committed to promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women, and improving the community through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. Since 1930, the League has been making a difference in Ouachita Parish through volunteer work by dedicated members, League-sponsored community projects, and grant programs.

• “Tools and Literacy for Children (TLC)” is a League program that assists at-risk children and families by adopting an area elementary school each year to provide assistance and programing that focuses on students’ physical, emotional, and educational needs.

• “Education Task Force” is a League committee committed to education in our community through its MiniGrant Program. This year, the Task Force awarded over $13,000 in grants to thirty-two educators to be used for their own educational projects in the classroom.

• The League awards at least one Endowment Fund Grant each year to local non-profit organizations to help with certain projects, missions, and programs for the betterment of the community. The most recent grant recipients were the Food Bank of Northeast Louisiana and the Junior League of Monroe’s Care Closets. Care Closets provide basic hygiene supplies to local middle and high school students from discreet closets or rooms at local partner schools.

• The League hosts the Cinderella Project, which provides local junior and senior high school students with prom dresses collected through donation drives and matches each student with the perfect dress, so that every girl can have a Cinderella moment!

• Community Outreach is a League committee that provides a single day of volunteer work from members to fulfill an immediate need for a local organization. Projects have included volunteer work at Food Bank of Northeast Louisiana, Monroe Symphony Orchestra, Children’s Coalition for Northeast Louisiana, and more.

These are only a few of the outreach programs operated through the Junior League of Monroe, and Spring Market is the largest fundraiser to support the League’s mission, which gives purpose to your purchase of a ticket!

General shopping will be Friday, March 20th from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday, March 21st from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday, March 22nd from noon to 5 p.m. Tickets for general shopping, special events, and the raffle can be purchased from any League member. Tickets can also be purchased at Origin Bank locations in Monroe and West Monroe and the Junior League House, 2811 Cameron Street, Monroe, LA, from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday. If you are interested in participating as a merchant for Spring Market, please contact jlmonroespringmarket@gmail. com. The Junior League of Monroe appreciates your support and looks forward to seeing you at Market!

PUBLIC BROOKE FOY, ART PROFESSOR AT THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA MONROE, HAS CERTAINLY CONTRIBUTED TO A LOT OF GROWTH IN THE ARTS COMMUNITY IN OUR AREA. FROM SPEARHEADING THE ONE MILE OF LOVE PROJECT TO THE RESTORATION OF THE OLD COCA-COLA MURALS THROUGHOUT THE TWIN CITIES, FOY HAS A PASSION FOR PUBLIC ART.

WORKS article by APRIL CLARK HONAKER and photography by KELLY MOORE CLARK

hen she was in high school, Brooke Foy never imagined she would become an artist. In fact, at the time, her limited experience with art led her to believe that all art involved drawing and painting, neither of which initially captured her interest. As a teenager, Brooke was interested in sports instead. She ran track and cross country and excelled in soccer. When she graduated from West Monroe High School, a soccer scholarship lured her to the University of Louisiana in Lafayette, where her first major was architecture.

As a young adult, Brooke had been inspired, watching her dad build things. Raymond Foy, who is now retired, was a successful contractor and was always making things with his hands. With a desire to make things too, Brooke dove into the architecture curriculum only to find herself taking art classes in areas such as drawing and design fundamentals. Unexpectedly, she found herself enjoying these classes and also developed an interest in photography while documenting her projects and other aspects of college life.

When a knee injury caused Brooke to change course and move back home, she enrolled at the University of Louisiana in Monroe as an art major. The first time she played with a band saw in one of her classes she knew she’d found her passion. “My mind was completely blown that that was even an option,” she said. Brooke describes herself as a “doer” and said the physicality of making things immediately appealed to her.

At the same time, being an art major wasn’t easy because Brooke didn’t have the same foundation that many of the other students had.

She hadn’t taken art in high school and had never had art lessons, but she loved it and was determined to stick with it. What she lacked in foundations, she made up for with enthusiasm and hard work. Brooke also feels that the physicality, multi-tasking, and competitiveness that she learned playing soccer carried over into making art and helped her become successful.

Although she started out as a photography major, she quickly discovered that sculpture was her true calling and finished her Bachelor of Fine Arts in sculpture. Soon after, she started the Master of Fine Arts Program in sculpture at the University of Memphis, which she finished in 2009. “Those were the best years of my life,” she said. In graduate school, Brooke and 15-18 other students bonded over their work and dedicated themselves to it wholeheartedly for up to 18 hours a day.

During that time, Brooke said she learned to not look to anyone else for answers. She attributes that lesson largely to her mentor, the sculptor Greely Myatt. According to Brooke, Myatt is a prolific sculptor who never makes the same thing twice. He taught her to just make things and not worry about what others would think. One of things Brooke loves most about sculpture is that “it’s never the same thing over and over.”

While in graduate school, Brooke’s goal was not necessarily to make better work than her peers but instead to make twice as much as everyone else. Still, the work she created was good. In fact, she said there was really only one phase where she felt she got off track a bit and created work she wasn’t entirely proud of. In three years, that’s an accomplishment.

Throughout her time in school, Brooke’s work evolved a lot. Her earliest sculptures tended to be inspired by the human body, dance, and movement. She was also fascinated by pregnancy and the idea of having children. Over time, she became less interested in portraying the human body literally and started using objects to represent people.

For example, she created a forest of giant crutches to represent people as part of her thesis project, and as her work grew more symbolic, it also grew to include a stronger story-telling quality.

“I make for people,” she said. Relationships and communication are important to Brooke, and she tends to create art about the people

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closest to her. Recently, she’s created work that engages with the expectations people have for her as well as the expectations she has for them. One example is a set of three large concrete spheres she created to represent her family. She then wrapped them in quilted, zippered cocoons to represent herself. Because her work is often about the people and relationships closest to her, it tends to be very personal. “I don’t expect anyone to buy it,” she said.

At the same time, Brooke’s personal work is only one facet of who she is as an artist. Around the time that she was completing her master’s thesis project in graduate school, Brooke won her first public art contract through the UrbanArt Commission of Memphis and their Percent-for-Art program. The proposed project, which cost $75,000, resulted in a giant, concrete book maze built on Vitriturf in Cordova’s Bert Ferguson Park, which is near a library, school, and community center. The books in the maze were painted bright colors and given real titles, which Brooke gathered through public opinion surveys. Brooke was responsible for every phase of the project but could not have done it without a team.

Being able to manage a team and put such a big, communitychanging project together right out of graduate school was an amazing opportunity, and sparked Brooke’s passion for public art. “I love being able to create big things and make them happen,” she said. Another passion Brooke discovered while in graduate school was her love of teaching. She started teaching a foundations course in her second semester at University of Memphis and said, “From the first day in that class, I knew it’s what I was gonna do.” But finding a position teaching at a university after graduation proved harder than she imagined.

Soon after finishing the book maze project, Brooke and her husband Casey decided to move to Austin, Texas. While in Austin, Brooke tried everything she could think of to get involved in the public art scene and to secure a job teaching at a local university, but it was discouraging. After more than two years of trying to break in, Brooke was considering giving up on her dream of teaching college students.

She and Casey had decided that the next step might be earning a teaching certification and teaching in a public school instead, but Brooke wasn’t quite ready to give up. She feared if she gave up on university teaching it would never happen.

Since she’d exhausted all her options in Austin, Brooke decided to call her alma mater, the University of Louisiana Monroe, to see if they had any openings available. As it turned out, she happened to call at just the right time. They needed an instructor, so after some deliberation, Brooke accepted the position, and she and Casey moved back to Monroe.

At the time, they had been away for several years and were a little unsure about the decision. Brooke said she wasn’t sure what the art scene would be like, but they were pleasantly surprised. Things were different from when they had left—in a good way. They found there were young, eager people making things happen and that the arts community was welcoming to new artists and ideas. “I love that I came back,” she said. “It’s been easier to create a community for myself here.”

One of the first things Brooke noticed immediately about the Monroe-West Monroe area was the scarcity of public art. She noticed some pieces by Edmund Williamson, such as the Trenton Flowers on Antique Alley, which Brooke and her dad have since restored, and the Great Blue Heron at Restoration Park in West Monroe. These examples showed the community was willing to support public art, but Brooke perceived an opportunity to add a different perspective and more beauty to her community. “I thought, ‘Maybe this is something I could do,’” she said.

The first project she sought support for was the One Mile of Love project, which showcased the artwork of 283 local children in a milelong mural along the Trenton Street Levee Wall in West Monroe. Brooke wanted to create something that involved a lot of people and something

THE FIRST PROJECT FOY SOUGHT SUPPORT FOR WAS THE ONE MILE OF LOVE PROJECT, WHICH SHOWCASED THE ARTWORK OF 283 LOCAL CHILDREN IN A MILE-LONG MURAL ALONG THE TRENTON STREET LEVEE WALL IN WEST MONROE.

“I PUT A LOT INTO THE PUBLIC ART, SO IT CAN LIVE ON. I HAVE A STRONG DESIRE TO DO ALL THE THINGS AND BE ALL THE THINGS – FOR MY GIRLS. I DON’T EVER WANT TO SEEM COMPLACENT. I HAVE VERY HIGH EXPECTATIONS FOR MYSELF, AND IT’S FUN. IT’S FUN BEING ABLE TO WORK WITH ALL THE PEOPLE AND BEING ABLE TO LOOK BACK AT WHAT WE DID.”

people would love. She first pitched the One Mile of Love project to the Downtown West Monroe Revitalization Group, and they said they wanted to help make it happen. Soon after, Brooke garnered additional support from the City of West Monroe, West MonroeWest Ouachita Chamber of Commerce, the Northeast Louisiana Arts Council, and numerous other businesses, organizations, and individuals. With a core crew of less than ten people and around 500 volunteers, Brooke’s first major public art project in our area was completed in the summer of 2015.

Since then, Brooke has spearheaded several other public art projects, including restoration of the old Coca-Cola murals throughout the Twin Cities, two street medallions on Antique Alley, and more recently, the Herons on the Bayou Project, which has begun preparation for a second round. Along with her collaborator Emery Thibodeaux, Brooke loves creating art that people can see and engage with on a daily basis. Emery has been involved in Brooke’s projects from the beginning, and Brooke said she always says ‘yes’ to every idea. Plus, she’s really skilled at planning and logistics, which is necessary to execute such large-scale projects. Together, the pair thrive on creating art that doesn’t require a special trip to a museum or gallery to be enjoyed.

“I love every aspect of creating things that live in your face,” Brooke said. Whether it’s brainstorming or hanging out on the scaffolding with Emery or pitching ideas and motivating potential funders, Brooke loves what she does. For her, the goal of public 40 MARCH 2020 | WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM

art is very different from the more personal work she creates. “I put a lot into the public art,” she said, “so it can live on.” Brooke wants to leave a visible imprint and use her “doer” spirit to be a good example for her two children as well. “I have a strong desire to do all the things and be all the things,” she said, “for my girls.” She added, “I don’t ever want to seem complacent. I have very high expectations for myself—and it’s fun. It’s fun being able to work with all the people and being able to look back at what we did.”

Brooke admitted that taking on such big projects is a lot of work, but she likes work.

Brooke strives to be an artist that doesn’t fit into a normal mold, but at the same time, she wants to make a positive, lasting impression on her community. “I like the idea that I can help change things—that maybe I can help create that beautiful impact,” she said.

The Heron project especially has shown her just how much her community is willing to support a project they believe in. More than twice the number of artists and sponsors she expected wanted to be a part of the project, which was truly eye-opening to Brooke.

In addition to making an impact we can see literally, Brooke has made impacts in more subtle ways as well. Most of the grants and projects she undertakes are about connecting people and communities. Because of her tireless efforts, Brooke has been honored with multiple awards, including most recently the B.D. Robinson Unity Award given by the City of Monroe, as well as the 2016 Rising Professional Award given by the ULM Women’s Symposium, the 2016 Edmund

Williamson Artist of the Year Award, and the Northeast Louisiana Arts Council’s Emerging Artist of the Year Award in 2018. She is also currently serving as President of the Downtown Arts Alliance. In addition to being an active contributor to the arts community and her community as a whole, Brooke also continues to teach art at the University of Louisiana Monroe as an Assistant Professor, shaping the next generation of artists. “I couldn’t live anywhere else and do this,” she said. “It had to be my place and my people, which is probably why I’ll never leave. I’m thankful that I’m here and that people love the things and that they’re happy to help me make the things and that I’m able to make a change—a visual change.”

When Brooke first moved back to Louisiana and pitched her first public art project, she had a five-year plan in mind.

Today, though the original plan is largely realized, she continues to reap the fruits of that plan. “I’m the person people call when they have an idea,” she said. One of the things Brooke was hoping to develop as the next step after her five-year plan was an arts center. She was already creating a vision for it when a representative of local architect Tim Brandon approached her to discuss plans for a building he had bought. That building has since become the Rialto Arts Center on Trenton St. in West Monroe, for which Brooke now serves as Executive Director and Emery Thibodeaux serves as Creative Director and Facilities Manager. “It’s really crazy how things just fall into place sometimes,” Brooke said.

The new Arts Center will feature artist studio spaces, classroom and workshop areas, collaboration space, a stage for performances, a retail space for local artists and artisans, a coffee shop, and more. One might wonder how one woman can accomplish so many things. According to Brooke, it has much to do with her mindset—a mindset she aims to instill in her students as well. She lives and creates by the motto 80/20, which means you have to know you can do 80 percent of whatever it takes to accomplish your goal, but you have to trust that you can figure out the other 20 percent along the way, whether it’s finding help, learning something new, or just talking your way through it.

In the last six years, Brooke has certainly contributed to a lot of growth in the arts community in our area, but she’s also witnessed a lot of growth in it. She said, “I’ve already seen the change in that community with more people coming forward and saying, ‘I’m an artist.’ I hope to continue that.

I hope our community becomes more arts focused and more arts centric. I hope that for our artist community, I hope that for our university, and I hope I get to keep doing it.”

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Adult Orthodontics

Why the Number of Adults Seeing an Orthodontist is at an All-Time High

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ARENTS NO LONGER TAKE THE BACK SEAT WHILE their kids reap the benefits of orthodontic treatment. With onein-three orthodontic patients over the age of 18, the number of adults seeing an orthodontist is at an all-time high.

Experts believe this upward trend is likely here to stay – why?

IT WORKS

Orthodontic treatment is just as effective for adults as children.

Healthy teeth can be moved at any age because it’s the same physiological process. Depending on the complexity of the case, as well as what the patient wants to achieve, a short-term touch up can take as little as several months while comprehensive treatment can take much longer. Our doctors will customize your smile according to your preferences, and they don’t require a referral from a dentist.

TREATMENT DOESN’T HAVE TO BE NOTICEABLE TO OTHERS

Advances in orthodontics have made treatment more comfortable and less noticeable than ever. Many of today’s treatment options are designed to minimize the appearance of the appliance to better fit any lifestyle. Options include clear aligners, tooth-colored braces, tiny but more traditional metal braces, and braces that go behind the teeth. Because not every appliance is suitable for every kind of orthodontic problem, our doctors will be able to determine which type is right for the best result.

IT’S MORE THAN A BEAUTIFUL SMILE

Yes, straight teeth are attractive and create confidence, but there’s more to it. Leaving misaligned teeth untreated may lead to other dental problems such as tooth decay, gum disease, abnormal wearing of tooth enamel and difficulty chewing. We are living longer than ever before, and healthy teeth are therefore more important than ever. Adults are taking note and prioritizing their dental health. Learn how teeth change as an adult and if you’re too old for orthodontic treatment (hint: you’re not) or check out the adult’s orthodontic treatment at aaoinfo.org.

TRUST AN AAO ORTHODONTIST

You can work with an American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) Orthodontist to achieve a healthy, beautiful smile at any age.

Orthodontists are experts in orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics 42 MARCH 2020 | WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM

– properly aligned teeth and jaws – and possess the skills and experience to give you your best smile.

SO WHY CHOOSE TURPIN ORTHODONTICS? Not only are both orthodontists members of the American Association of Orthodontists and graduates of LSU orthodontics two-year orthodontic residency program, but they have also over 37 years of combined practice experience.

Dr. Melannie Turpin is a 2nd generation Board Certified orthodontist by the American Board of Orthodontics and has been continuously carrying on the family business started by Dr. Hoye Grafton, since 1966. She is proud to be the first female to ever practice orthodontics in all of North Louisiana, since 2001. She has 4 children, all who attend Cedar Creek School, and treats all of her patients like they are her own family.

Dr. Corbin Turpin is a 1st generation orthodontist and also Board Certified. He has been in practice since 2000 and loves his profession, patients and their families.

We feel our team at Turpin Orthodontics is truly the friendliest and best at what they do. Feel free to go check out our awesome online reviews.

We offer the most advanced technology for treatment, including digital 3D x-rays if needed, digital “goo-free” 3D scanning of teeth for optimum patient comfort, and can utilize our in office 3D model printer and digital lab to fabricate any needed appliances or retainers directly from your digital scan. This eliminates the need for any old fashioned and sometimes uncomfortable impressions.

We offer Invisalign for both adults and teens.

Our team is efficient and on time, and if we have all of your correct insurance information, and you or your child are up to date with all dental work, then in some cases, we can start treatment the SAME DAY as your complimentary exam.

Adult’s and children’s initial exams are complimentary. Give us a call today to experience what Turpin Orthodontics has to offer.

WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | MARCH 2020 43

Four Generations of Business J&J Stone Fabrication, Honest and Quality Work

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FAMILY BUSINESS THROUGH and through, James Rogers and his family have created a name for themselves in the stone world through hard work and quality service. James is the owner of J&J Stone Fabrication, LLC and has been operating in West Monroe and Northeast Louisiana for 15 years and has no plans of stopping anytime soon. James started working with stone fabrication back in 1989 and has grown and perfected his craft ever since. J&J Stone Fabrication is a 4th generation family business and they are the standard for what a small town business should run like.

They not only look out for their employees but they treat each customer like family and it shows in their work.

Fairness and honesty are the foundation on which J&J Stone operates. The family and business take pride in the work they do and they have a mission to create beautiful work that each customer is happy with while being honest, consistent and professional. They are proud to be a local small business and work to help create a better community.

WHAT DO THEY DO? Stone fabrication means measuring the space, inspecting the slab, cutting to specifications and laying the stone to ensure the best appearance of both color and vein texture. It is a precise work that involves the stone being both polished and sealed. J&J Stone specializes in bathrooms and kitchens.

They create countertops, backsplashes, shower-walls and more. If you have an idea they can help you see it through. If you have 44 MARCH 2020 | WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM

no idea where to start, they can help you create the perfect look.

WHAT MAKES THEM DIFFERENT?

Their local showroom makes it easy to see samples and conceptualize the look you are going for. Their helpful staff can help keep you from feeling overwhelmed and can help narrow down options to best fit the room being designed. Whether building or remodeling it’s best to remember to go with what you like and what you know is your style. The professional and extremely knowledgeable staff at J&J Stone can help you choose what best fits your budget and style, and not only that, but the best options for the space.

WHAT MATERIALS DO THEY WORK WITH?

Choosing only the top quality materials, J&J Stone works with granite, marble, quartz, travertine and more. For slab and tile work, J&J stone has a wide array of options and their professionalism is what they have become know for. They work with glass, stone and ceramic tiles and, though they can do it all, they specialize in stone work. They use the best quality materials in every home they work in.

WHEN CHOOSING MATERIALS? If you are remodeling or building, it is important to know that when choosing materials to use for your bathroom or kitchen, there are three factors to consider: visual appearance, durability and cost. When

working with J&J Stone Fabrication these are all equally important and their staff can help balance and select the perfect countertop, backsplash or walls for each customer and each home. They know that building and remodeling is hard work and scary at times but they are here to help the process go smoothly.

With their hands-on approach to each job, J&J Stone has an outstanding reputation for quality work in our community and Northeast Louisiana. They strive for each and every customer to be completely satisfied with the work they do and go above and beyond for their customers.

“Was recommended by two customers to J&J Stone for countertops, so we gave them a call on Monday, and they had it done by Wednesday! Great customer service; everyone we spoke with was very informative, and easy to work with for the entire process!

Can’t go wrong by giving them a call!” -Lacey McElroy J&J Stone Fabrication, LLC 8625 Cypress St West Monroe, Louisiana (318) 396-9296 jnjstone101@yahoo.com Hours: Monday-Friday 8am-5pm

B AYOU H E A LT H

Women’s Empowerment

The most empowering thing we can do as women is to reclaim the power we have over caring for our own bodies

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ARTICLE BY SHANNON DAHLUM ccording to Wikipedia, women’s empowerment is a “movement involving respect, honor and recognition toward all women,” It also means “accepting and allowing women who are on the outside of the decision making process into it.” Empowerment is “a process that creates power in individuals over their own lives, society and in their communities.” Women have fought so hard to earn equal pay in the workplace and to have their voices heard in politics. But why is it that when it comes to taking care of our own bodies, we’re so eager to give our power away?

Women have the confidence to vote someone into political office and to raise children as single mothers while working full time jobs, yet when it comes to feeding our bodies we tend to rely on others to tell us what to do. Rather than being guided by our stomachs, we decide when to eat based on what the clock says. We ignore our hunger cues and look to our calorie tracking apps to tell us how much we need to eat. We’re told that carbs make us fat and fruit is high in sugar, so we avoid them like the plague, even if we become constipated and stop sleeping well. In fact, many of us have mistrusted what our bodies have been telling us for so long that we’ve completely lost touch with our body’s signals. We don’t even know when we’re hungry, when we aren’t, when we need more protein, or when we need more sleep. We may be overworked and undernourished, but we still drag ourselves into the gym because we’ve been told that we need to workout hard every day in order to look a certain way. Our bodies can be screaming at us to slow down, but we either don’t recognize those signals or we choose to ignore them because we place more trust in outside sources than we do in ourselves.

When it comes to our bodies, there’s no other person, app, or article that knows what we need any better than our bodies themselves. The most important thing we can do to maintain wellness, a healthy body 46 MARCH 2020 | WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM

composition and happiness inside our skin is to get back in touch with our bodies and pay attention to their needs.

In order to “hear” the signals coming from your body, you need to get out of your head and actually feel what’s going on inside. Spend some time every day in silence. Start your day by taking a few breaths with your eyes closed, and mentally scan your body. What do you feel? Take a few breaths before you eat, as well, and notice how you feel again. Eat slowly, so you can actually taste and enjoy your meal, and stop when you feel satisfied, rather than when your plate is empty or your calorie tracker says you’ve had the appropriate serving size.

Learn to “feel” what your body needs from the inside rather than looking for outside cues to guide your choices.

If you’re like most women who ignore their physical needs, you’ve probably also lost touch with your emotional needs. Your kids, your family, your friends and your to-do list all come first, leaving your own needs at the end of the line. When your emotional needs are left unmet, though, you’ll wind up tending to them in unhealthy ways.

Ignored emotional needs turn into physical cravings and can even lead to addictive behaviors. Unmet needs for connection, creativity, and love can turn into cravings for chips and chocolate which can provide temporary comfort or numb uncomfortable feelings.

Next time you feel hungry, ask yourself if you’re hungry enough for an apple. If an apple doesn’t sound appealing and the only thing that does is processed junk food, then what you’re experiencing isn’t physical hunger, but a craving. Next, explore what else you’re feeling or doing at the time. What kind of void are you trying to fill? Perhaps you’re lonely, tired, or simply bored. Explore ways to deal with your underlying emotional needs rather than temporarily distracting yourself from them with food.

Getting back in touch with your body and learning to hear and trust its signals takes practice. The longer you’ve ignored it, the longer it will most likely take to relearn this innate ability. Sometimes, the guidance of a nutrition coach or a good personal trainer can be a great tool to help get you back on track. Be wary, though, of any approach that lays out specifically what you need to do for your body. Only your body can know that. Remember, too, that your body is a living organism that constantly evolves. As your body changes, its needs will change, too. Once you figure out what your body needs, keep listening! What it needs now isn’t the same thing it’s going to need next week or next year.

I think the most empowering thing we can do as women is to reclaim the power we have over caring for our own bodies. Once we master ourselves, imagine how powerful we can be in all other areas!

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Cathi French Roberts & Lori French

CURRENT OBSESSION: LINEN. THROWS. NAPKINS. C U R TA I N S . T R I F L E S .

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oft furnishings are the essence of any room: cushions, chair covers, throws, curtains and blinds are central to a room’s charm. Style and personality are added instantly by just adding the texture of this versatile fabric in any number of ways.

Linen throws look wonderful when stylishly flung over a chair or sofa, adding an air of casualness. They are also immensely practical protecting a chair cover and adding coziness in the winter and a summer version look especially right on the sun porch.

Think of COLOR… Chartreuse green linen curtains can inject a flash of color in an all white bedroom when the bed is covered in a simple white quilt and then piled high with pillows made from soft laundered linen.

For the bath... try the large woven natural linen bath towels as an alternative to the fluffy cotton ones that we are used to, particularly after a summer bath.

For an easy DIY gift… run up small linen bags filled with dried lavender, or any other favorite mixture of herbs and tie at the top with narrow ribbons. When placed in drawers and on shelves, the natural aromas will freshen newly washed linens and naturally repel insects.

Old linen tablecloths (that have seen a better day) can be cut up and repurposed into pillow covers or a drawstring bag for holding personals.

Soft linen hand towels are my new favorite “lap-kins” and putting a monogram on the corner makes them even more personal at the table. Use them for placemats or perhaps in a contrasting color or pattern.

You cannot do much better than classic linen for upholstery fabric. It is eco-friendly: grown without fertilizers or irrigation and

resistant to pests. It feels cool to the touch and if blended with other fibers like cotton, rayon and viscose it can increase the elasticity, reducing how easily it wrinkles.

Linen is made from the fibers of the flax plant, and has been around for thousands of years (it was even used as currency in ancient Egypt). Linen drapes and wrinkles, and it softens and ages over time. It is still loved today for its beauty, feel and durability.

Perhaps it is what is called “disheveled coziness” that is LINEN love…feather weight, raw or slubbed….natural or dyed….not just for clothing….at home…fall in love with LINEN again.

NOTE: The Belgian Linen label stands for traditional crafstsmanship at the highest possible standards. Linen is one of the most durable and sustainable fibers in the world, and by buying Belgian Linen you are assured of linen that will last a lifetime.

FOR YOUR OWN FRENCH TWIST CONSULTATION, CALL CATHI AND LORI AT 318-355-3041

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For the Troops

Recently, one of our friends posted a photo requesting items to be sent to our troops overseas. It was a great reminder that our soldiers are always in need of a reminder that they are being thought of back home. Taylor Bennett visited Fiesta Nutrition Center and Material Things for a box of goodies to salute our troops. From workout related items to books, protein treats to board games, these ideas make for the perfect care package.

Photo by Kelly Moore Clark.

Styling by Taylor Bennett.

During the month of March, BayouLife Magazine will be gathering items to send to our troops overseas. You can drop the items off at our office at 1201 Royal Avenue in Monroe. We’d like to urge schools and organizations to make cards and drop them by for us to include in these care packages. Some suggested items are: toiletry items, packaged snacks, coffee, protein, workout-related gear, paperback books, games, and notes.

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Empowering Girls Ideas on How to Inspire Our Younger Generation

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HEN ANYONE LEARNED MY DAD HAD 5 GIRLS AND no sons, they inevitably expressed their sympathy. “Your poor dad!” I must’ve heard it a million times. But we knew the truth- he loved it. Like the late Kobe Bryant, he adored his girls and relished being a #girldad. We could always count on his support as our biggest fan. By virtue of having 4 sisters each, and growing up surrounded by girls, we feel like our parents really “get” girls. They understood how to raise amazing, confident women. We have drawn from their example, and here’s what we think they did right: SUPPORT EDUCATIONAL PURSUITS

My mom went to college but chose to stay home with her girls.

Naturally, we all wanted to be stay-at-home moms, but knew there was the expectation to get an education. Our parents rewarded good grades and gave us science kits and math games (despite these toys being marketed to boys). As a result, all five of us graduated in the top of our classes and went on to obtain Master’s degrees. When life happened and I found myself as a single working mom, I discovered how rewarding a career could be. It was exciting and allowed me to have a meaningful impact on my community. The Brookings Institute published a study showing girl’s wages rise an average of 5-12% for every year of schooling they obtain. Education empowers girls with confidence, knowledge to live healthier, more meaningful lives, and the ability to break the cycles of poverty and abuse.

ENCOURAGE LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

I’m pretty sure my parents thought I was nuts when I decided to run for Senior Class President. I was already cheer captain with an insane amount on my plate, but without pause they jumped on board 100%. There were lots of late nights, but they encouraged me that entire year and in the years since when I have come home to run the reunions. Until our family arrived, most class presidents were male, but one by one, my sisters and I changed that. We were given decision-making opportunities and leadership positions in church, clubs, and sports. Regardless of our gender, sports were encouraged.

One sister went on to be a Division I All-American, two others were state champs. We had the busiest home growing up, but all gained experience and confidence we carried into adulthood.

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MODEL RESPECT

My dad has to be the nicest human. He showed us how girls should be treated. If you’re a male, treat the women around you with respect. My husband sets an amazing example and I’m so glad my daughter is seeing it. She’ll know not so settle for anything less. Our boys are learning how to treat women by watching him as well. If you don’t have girls of your own you can still help raise a generation of empowered women by raising boys who treat women as their equals.

As a mother or grandmother, only allow men in your life who treat you well. Modeling self-respect may mean setting boundaries or walking away from a bad relationship. There is a glorious world out there full of decent wonderful humans, so be brave! The younger generation is watching and learning from how you allow others to treat you.

DISPEL ANTIQUATED GENDER BIASES

Growing up, we never had “boy’s jobs” or “girl’s jobs.” My husband is a champ at doing dishes and laundry, where I love renovation projects and yardwork. My mom once took a plumbing class just for fun and I remember watching her make a tutorial on how to install a toilet. When I purchased my first home I took her lead and installed sprinklers and tiled showers. Nothing in the home or having to do with child-rearing is gender specific, short of breastfeeding. Both men and women can be equally effective parents. Both can help with household chores. Both can pursue meaningful careers. Let those girls in your lives know they can do anything they set their minds to.

Love,

The Tufts Julie & Heber Tuft teach parenting classes for Parenting with Love and Logic.

Heber is a Pediatric Dentist who has dedicated his life to serving children and Julie is a former teacher, school administrator, and owner of an event planning business.

Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. Welcoming Brandon Stewart

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HILE GALLAGHER IS THE THIRD LARGEST insurance brokerage firm in the world, the company’s emphasis on hometown service for its valued clients sets Gallagher apart from its competitors. The branch in Monroe on Tower Drive hosts 30 employees, a team of local, dedicated professionals offering a tailored approach to insurance. Being part of a global company allows more leverage that smaller companies simply can’t provide. Gallagher brokers give advice, place coverage, redesign coverage; they represent a full-service operation. And while the Monroe branch specializes in agriculture, railroad, public entity, and construction insurance, Gallagher has the resources to consult and review any type of insurance program. With an “intense focus” on the company’s clients, Gallagher is committed to “providing service with integrity.” Clients get what they need when they need it, and this is a result of Gallagher’s exemplary team managers and members.

Brandon Stewart is the new Account Executive at Arthur J. Gallagher and brings his experience with sales and financial services to the company. He prides himself on his history of dealing with business owners and naturally gravitated to the commercial industry.

He calls Monroe the biggest small city with the hometown mentality.

He enjoys building lasting relationships with his clients, helping them find the correct coverage and lowest premium that works for their businesses. Personal relationships are essential to knowing a client’s concerns and how to best serve them. Many business owners are analytically driven, numbers people, and Brandon brings the personal connection necessary to solidify lasting business relationships. Area President William Jackson recruited Brandon and says, “Brandon is going to be an integral part of our Gallagher team in Monroe. His previous successes in our industry will provide a great foundation for his growth at Gallagher. He’s so diligent and is always looking to provide his clients and prospects with consultative risk management advice. Those “hard working“ attributes will serve him well and I’m excited to have Brandon on our team at Gallagher.”

The professional environment at Arthur J. Gallagher is familyoriented. Everyone is invested in each other’s success. On day one, Brandon saw his coworkers were willing to extend a hand and help him feel welcome. People help each other with accounts, as the

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atmosphere is team driven, from the local level on up the corporate chain. Brandon insists it is imperative to love what you do, and having supportive coworkers makes the job more fulfilling. As a St. Fredrick’s and ULM graduate, Brandon is happy to further his career in his hometown. He treats his business relationships with the same care and attention as he does his personal relationships. He and Stefanie, his wife of 7 years, have two children, Jaxson who is 6, and Lilly who is 4. He looks forward to quiet weekends at home, sitting on the back porch watching his kids play. The focus on family serves Brandon well in his personal life and helps him develop the long-lasting business relationships essential to his success at Arthur J. Gallagher.

Along with its local attentive team, Gallagher’s strategic advantages continue to raise client expectations in the region. The teams consist of subject matter experts, “individuals who have skills and knowledge in a specific resource tool.” Any question is followed by a competent, informed Gallagher professional with the answer.

CSO Services Support ensures your team members have a centralized support team to answer their questions to better provide clients with the best service. Gallagher delivers “world-class products and services” to local clients by local team members, establishing that hometown feel from a worldwide platform. Being a publicly traded company, Gallagher has to abide by laws and regulations ensuring Gallagher’s way of business is more likely to be free of error with potential problems having already been addressed and eliminated.

“Our clients repeatedly tell us the most important thing we can do is to protect their assets by providing a comprehensive and tailored insurance program with the most competitive terms.” The quality of the product along with the service provided by noteworthy executives like Brandon Stewart and the very capable and qualified service staff of professionals ensures a growing client base and the continued success of Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.

The Hatchell Building Opens Local Architect Restores Local Historical Building

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F YOU HAVE BEEN DOWN TRENTON STREET IN RECENT months, you may have noticed a new addition to the block. The Hatchell Building recently celebrated its opening with a ribbon cutting and is currently leasing residential space on the second floor.

The building was purchased by Tim Brandon in 2017 and since then, he has been working to preserve and restore the space located at the corner of Trenton and Natchitoches Streets.

Originally built in 1904 by Green B. Haynes, the large corner building has been home to many types of businesses throughout the years. From a general store, to West Monroe State Bank and then remodeled into the Hatchell’s Department Store in 1937, this building has been a focal point of West Monroe’s commercial district for over 100 years. “I have known the history of this building and had a vision of what it should look like now,” said Tim Brandon, of TBA Architect.

Brandon took advantage of historic tax credits to develop the project, the first of its kind in downtown West Monroe. “Our architecture firm has drawn plans for many historical projects but this is the first time we have been able to have our architect firm, our real estate investment firm and our construction company, Venture Development, work together on a historic project of our own,” he explained. “And we are already looking forward to doing more in the future.” When working with historic state tax credits, there are many guidelines one must follow to ensure the project retains historical features and aspects.

“We salvaged as much of the floor that we could but there were some parts that were rotten and unable to be saved so we were actually able to use some of the wood from our Myrtlewood Project around the corner on Wood Street,” said Brandon. “The wood matched and is from the same time period so it worked out. We always strive to salvage as much as we can and either use it at the same project or somewhere else for historical significance.” Tim says that historical restoration projects are all unique and are considered discoverable projects. “When we started working on this building, we discovered that were actually three roofs on the building,” he said. “So we had to remove those and replace with a new roof. All that to say, when you have a restoration project, you want to make sure that the team you are using are experts because you are always going to find extra things, things you didn’t know about, and they have to be able to handle that and adapt. It isn’t always black and white.”

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first floor and six apartments on the second floor. These apartments range from 650 square feet to 900 square feet. There is a one bedroom, one bathroom option and a two bedroom, two bathroom option.

Each apartment features original brick walls in addition to a full size washer and dryer, quartz countertops, stainless steel appliances and storage closets. There are also fun accents like subway tile backsplash and quaint sitting room/foyer area when you enter the apartment.

Tim really wanted to use natural light so added a skylight to the interior bedrooms, giving them extra light and opening up the space even more. The pièce de résistance when it comes to natural light is the apartment that faces Trenton Street with several windows overlooking the street, which is home to Mardi Gras parades, Christmas festival activities, art crawls, festivals and more. On the second floor, there is a community room where residents can entertain, study or hang out.

There is also a community work out room available to tenants. Rent for the apartments starts at $850 and goes up to $1200.

Tim and his team are already looking ahead at future projects that involve historic preservation and restoration. They are working with Ascent in Monroe, as they develop their new office in downtown Monroe. “The building originally served as an old freight warehouse and some of the features are still there so its really interesting,” said Brandon. He also recently purchased the Rialto building on Trenton Street in West Monroe, just a block away from the Hatchell Building.

The Rialto was formerly a movie theater and more recently housed an antique mall and Tim has big plans for it. “It will be known as the Rialto Arts Center and it will be space dedicated to the arts, unlike anything this area has seen. The center will feature a coffee shop that opens up into an artist co-op. There will be a hands on maker space for things like pottery, a kitchen space for culinary arts, a stage for performing arts, a music studio, studio space for local artists and more. Tim has brought on local artist Brooke Foy as a creative force to oversee the center, along with Emery Thibodeaux. Work on the RAC has already begun will be open in some capacity by fall of 2020.

There’s no question that Tim Brandon is a dynamic force behind the growth and success of his architecture business, TBA Studio but it is now becoming known what a driving force he is behind historic preservation and restoration. This is not only a benefit to downtown West Monroe, but the local economy and Northeast Louisiana as a whole.

Bayou Pages

NIGHTSTANDS & COFFEE TABLES The Peacock Summer by Hannah Richell REVIEW BY MEREDITH MCKINNIE “A house that first dazzles with beauty and promise can, after a while, feel quite different. Less fairy-tale castle and more gilded cage. Sometimes, it seems the promises we make to one another can start to feel less like love and more like binding chains.”

Lillian Oberon is a wealthy widow contemplating the end of her life and what it all meant. She is attached to her home, an eccentric estate full of a lifetime of her deceased husband’s collectibles, feathered birds, and secrets. Her marriage seemed the envy of everyone in the countryside, but the reality of her union left little to be desired. Her past was the catalyst for her lifetime of missed opportunities and wondering what if. When she finds true love, she doesn’t allow herself to abandon her duty and honor to pursue it.

And as a woman at the end of her life, she regrets it.

She is determined that her granddaughter Maggie’s experience not mirror her own. Lillian knows what it feels like to love and lose and refuse to take control of her own happiness.

Maggie is a young woman with a past of her own.

With an alcoholic and absent father and a mother who knowingly abandoned her as a young girl, Maggie has only known maternal love from Lillian, a woman who is not even biologically related to her. Maggie learns love and kinship are often separate, and she rebels against what is expected. Her reputation in

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town is questionable, and when she returns to care for ailing Lillian, she must either exist in isolation or restore the public’s faith in her. She struggles to maintain the massive house, as years of neglect and disrepair have left the family with mounting debt.

Lillian refuses to sell the estate, and Maggie is left to save her grandparent’s legacy and her own future.

Maggie’s past mistakes in love and the people she hurt along the way are the very ones who can help save her grandmother’s beloved home. In the process, Maggie learns who she really is, what she really wants, and how she can live the life her grandmother always wanted.

Hannah Richell’s novel is dependent on plot, as the writing is somewhat simplistic. Reading, I could often predict the following lines, though plot developments frequently shifted and relied heavily on shock value. You find yourself rooting for true love all the while knowing it probably won’t happen.

Richell allows readers to hope, but not sacrifice logic.

The novel is full of lessons of female independence and not sacrificing happiness for security. Lillian feels she has no other choice but to marry a man to protect her family, and Maggie feels she must leave a man to protect herself. The shifts in time, from Lillian as a young woman to Lillian as an elderly lady unweave a story of deception, wisdom, and the burdens women silently bear.

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URBAN OASIS This retired space in downtown Ruston was transformed as Karlee Malone kicked up the dirt to model some of spring’s finest fashions. From modern paisley to brilliant blues, these looks will help you transition into the season.

MODEL KARLEE MALONE PHOTOGRAPHY BY KELLY MOORE CLARK MUAH BY MEKA BENNETT RELIFORD SPECIAL THANKS TO CHRISTIE AND MICHAEL ECHOLS

D UST Y & COMPANY This stunning blue top is paired with medium wash, distressed jeans with frayed tulip cuffs.

Add these cute metallic wedges, snakeskin belt and monogram pearl necklace to complete the look.

PALE T TE HO USE & PLUME This satin, painted leopard print maxi dress features long sleeves and button down closure. It ’s paired with classic gold hoop earrings and a gold necklace with horizontal bar charm.

HERRINGSTONES Karlee is a showstopper in this hot pink solid v-neck ruffle sleeve jumpsuit. Add a wool felt panama hat , layered gold necklaces and these clear and nude heeled sandals.

C R O S W E L L’ S BOUTIQUE 139 The chic paisley top with tie wrists is perfectly paired with these white high-rise denim flare jeans with matching belt. Add gold hoop earrings with a star dangle detail and gold star necklace with these stylish white sandals.

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Serving the Monroe Area For Over Seventy Years

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NDOUBTEDLY, ANYONE WHO HAS TRAVELED Highway 165 in Monroe has taken note of the large, stately, red brick building with the imposing bell tower. What many do not realize is the significant history of the Christus St. Joseph’s Nursing Home and Assisted Living structure or the amount of love and care that flows through its hallways and rooms. “There is something truly special here. This facility has cared for multiple generations of the same families. To me there is no higher compliment than a family returning here as each aging generation needs our services.“ Christus St. Joseph has recently gone through some new renovations, but it is still the same loving place it has been known to be. Christus St. Joseph’s team is truly one-of-a-kind. This faithbased home strives to make every one of their residents feel like family. The cross on the outside is a perfect reflection of the love and care it provides on the inside. The care and love that they pour into their “job” each day is absolutely amazing. The staff of Christus St. Joseph makes every single person who walks through their doors feel welcomed and greeted with smile. They make sure to help anyone who needs assistance, and if one person can’t help them, they make sure to find someone who can. The friendly staff doesn’t just do their job, they go above and beyond to make sure their residents are comfortable, smiling and most importantly always making them feel like family.

While some may view nursing homes and assisted living facilities in a less than positive light, Christus St. Joseph strives to be a beacon of hope and fulfilled living for its residents and their families. While some patients sometimes do go to their facility to help them finish well, but they have so much more to offer. At Christus St. Joseph, long and short term stays along with assisted living apartment style rooms are available depending on each person’s needs.

Some of the few things that Christus St. Joseph offers is: IV care, this gets the resident out of the hospital and into a more comfortable environment. IV treatments can be administered just as well or even better at Christus St. Joseph as in the hospital. Wound therapy is another service provided. Utilizing a wound care physician-based group has many advantages in care facilities. For one, residents build a trusting relationship with their providers, who come weekly to assess and treat their wounds. They make sure their patient is in the most comfortable spot they can possibly be in.

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Christus St. Joseph makes it their goal to provide the best quality of life possible for their residents. Providing daily physical therapy classes for their residents to be the best they can be is what they strive to do each and every day. They provide an amazing outside garden that has many stops along its path with different exercises to keep the residents active, along with getting them outside and enjoying some fresh air. While they are outside, they can also enjoy a nice sitting area in the back with a beautiful view of the bayou. That soothing water view is sure to make anyone who sees it smile.

The staff and nurses do their best to make their residents feel like family. Depression and loneliness is one factor that comes into play more often than not when dealing with this stage of life. After being independent for so long, being placed in a home is a life changing chapter. After acclimating to life at Christus St. Joseph’s, most residents don’t want to leave. Their number one goal over anything else is making everyone feel special. Creating and maintaining relationships with their residents is crucial to making their stays great. One resident said, ”It doesn’t really feel like a nursing home, it’s more like a dormitory, and we are all back in college again.” The staff takes the residents on outings to keep them active and to get them out of their rooms. They recently took a trip to Calhoun to see the Christmas lights. Group outings are always fun, but sometimes the residents want to do something for themselves. The staff at Christus St. Joseph makes sure to let them do just that. Taking someone to their favorite store to buy something special for themselves is just another way that Christus St. Joseph makes their residents feel special and offers a sense of freedom.

Christus St. Joseph’s recently donated their old beds from the renovations to a group in Haiti and the Bayou DeSiard Street Homeless Shelter. They also donated their night stands, dressers and over-the-bed side tables to First West Church for someone in need to use. This faith-based home truly has a giving heart and is willing to care and provide for anyone in need. The community is welcome to join Christus St. Joseph everyday except Saturday at 4:30 PM for Mass. Please join us!

Cedar Creek School

Pk-12 Stem Curriculum Builds Future Scientists, Programmers and Engineers

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CIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING, AND Mathematics (STEM) is the future of education and the key to equipping students for a global society. According to Assistant Principal Cindy Hampton, Cedar Creek is committed to preparing students for college and beyond with engaging, project-based instruction.

“As educators, our job is to give students the learning, literacy, and life skills they will need for the future,” Hampton said. “The 21st century skills emphasized by STEM, STEAM, and the Engineering Design Process have always been important; however, they are now essential skills that our students must have. At Cedar Creek, we are focusing on these skills in all divisions of the school.”

STEM LEARNING STARTS EARLY Cedar Creek’s Pre-K program combines STEM with the visual arts (STEAM) to foster creativity through center-based learning.

“I connect a lot of STEAM activities to our themes and read-aloud stories,” said Pre-K teacher Mallory Hall. “STEAM promotes creative thinking and expression, encouraging every child to think outside the box.”

NASA, TWITTER, SCIENCE AND SPACEWALKS Cougar first graders made national news last fall when Michal Jean Storms’s class used Twitter to communicate with NASA’s first all-woman spacewalk. The class (@MrsStorms1st) tweeted the astronauts on their live history-making spacewalk and received a reply.

“Cedar Creek has always provided so many STEM resources for my classroom,” Storms said. “Technology helps us individualize instruction and gives students ways to share their learning. Follow our class on Twitter to see more ways we engage students through STEM.”

“PROJECT TOMORROW” INNOVATION NIGHT To showcase elementary students’ STEM skills, the school hosts an annual “Project Tomorrow” Innovation Night. Parents and students visit learning stations in a carnival atmosphere to try robotics, computer coding, 3D printing, engineering, visual arts, and more.

MIDDLE SCHOOL IS A ROLLER COASTER RIDE--BUT NOT IN THE WAYYOUTHINK! Angela Mitchell’s students complete STEM tasks all year (like solar ovens, geometric Christmas trees, and biome projects) but her favorite is the Roller Coaster Construction Challenge. Students work in teams to design, build, and test their own working coaster.

“Our Roller Coaster Challenge incorporates hands-on learning experiences through teamwork,” Mitchell said. “Cedar Creek’s STEM curriculum promotes group interaction and creates critical thinkers through exploration.”

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HIGH SCHOOL LABS SOLVE REAL-WORLD CHALLENGES Christy Mabou’s high school science students apply the scientific method to architectural and engineering challenges like building earthquakesafe buildings, engineering safe places to live during natural disasters, and simulating disaster responses to volcanoes and tsunamis. Hands-on labs help students explore options available to them in STEM careers.

LOUISIANA TECH INSTRUCTORS PROVIDE BRIDGE TO COLLEGE LEARNING Cedar Creek also hosts courses taught by Louisiana Tech University educators. Jeff Pike is a Senior Lecturer for Civil Engineering and Construction Engineering Technology. His “Introduction to Engineering” course at Cedar Creek teaches high schoolers about the engineering design process, developing their problem-solving skills.

“As they work together to complete these challenges, students are learning communication skills as well,” Pike said, “This is critical for their future success in any field.”

Pike leads students through design projects like the Spaghetti Marshmallow Challenge, Paper Bridge Contest, Terminal Velocity with Drag Device using Sphero Robots, West Point Bridge Design for simple truss analysis, the Hydrostatic Lift, a Primitive Turbine Competition, Sphero Robot Olympics, and more.

“MISSION ACCOMPLISHED” EVERY DAY “Through complex problem solving and teamwork, students are ‘doing’ STEM,” Hampton said. “They are learning how to work together, communicate with others, validate information, and think critically and creatively to solve a problem.”

Hampton said the school’s goal is to provide rich learning experiences that will give graduating seniors the practical knowledge and confidence to pursue any course of study.

“The Cedar Creek STEM Initiative is just another way we are living our mission,” she said.

------------ Through innovative instruction in STEM and the liberal arts, Cedar Creek is preparing the next generation of students for success in higher education. Now enrolling! Apply online at www.cedarcreekschool.org/ apply.

Cedar Creek practices an open, non-discriminatory admission policy.

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Twin City Outdoor Ribbon Cutting and Mow the Distance Sale

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ELEBRATING 53 YEARS OF SERVICE TO OUR community and their new Superstore opening, Twin City Outdoor Equipment wants to invite you to their Ribbon Cutting and Open House on April 3rd at 10am. Starting out in a tiny shop by the Ouachita River in 1967, Twin City Outdoor Equipment has officially moved to their new Superstore. They have been providing Northeast Louisiana with a variety of outdoor power equipment that is second to none and have been so blessed by their customers over the years. Twin City Outdoor wants everyone to come out and celebrate with them and enjoy food, drinks and tours of the Superstore.

This locally owned, family business carries mowers, power tools, kayaks, fryers, grills and more, you won’t believe what they have on display on the sales floor. The new Superstore is located right off the interstate in West Monroe on Glenwood Drive, you can’t miss it.

Their friendly staff is happy to help you find either the perfect outdoor power equipment or the parts you’ve been looking for. From the minute you walk through the door, meeting your needs is their top priority. Founded not only on excellent customer service, but also on the principles of hard work and a focused attitude, Twin City Outdoor Equipment has a long list of satisfied customers.

Grand is the word used to describe the new Superstore. Like nothing else in this area, Twin City Outdoor Equipment has thought of everything and continues to grow in our community. The new superstore is 45,000 square feet and has hundreds of Gravely mowers in house. Also on display one will find Hobie and Jackson kayaks, a huge display of Stihl power equipment, Smoking Brothers pellet grills, R&V Works cajun fryers and boilers, and Honda power equipment.

Basically everything you need for your outdoor adventures. Spring is here and that means it’s time to get ready to get outside.

The NEW HOBIE 360 has finally arrived! You are not going to believe what this kayak can do. With the all-new MirageDrive 360 and Kick-Up fins, one can move through the water without constraints, going exactly where you want to go. Effortlessly spin and move in every direction. Hobie’s new Kick-Up Fins which immediately retract on impact – even shallow areas are now entirely navigable. Logs, kelp, shallows, rocks? No problem. The PA 12 is packed full of features including six rod holders, the adjustable, elevated Vantage ST seat,

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extra wide hull and stain-resistant EVA padding. Come try it out yourself at Twin City Outdoor’s demo bayou onsite!

Looking to get your old mower up and running before the season starts? The service department at Twin City Outdoor is unmatched.

In building the new Superstore they have provided a service awning where trucks and trailers can unload and pickup out of the weather.

Also, going on now, they offer pickup and delivery for repairs and parts. They have an oversized parking lot for easy access for trucks and trailers. Everything to help make life a little easier.

GRAVELY MOW THE DISTANCE SALE

Gravely’s largest lawn mower sale of the year, the annual Mow the Distance Sales Event, starts on March 20, 2020, and goes through March 28, 2020. During the promotional period, all purchases of qualifying Gravely commercial equipment will be discounted 20% off their list prices.

Promotion-eligible products include all models from the COMPACT-PRO®, PRO-TURN® Z, PRO-TURN ZX, PRO-TURN, PRO-TURN 100, PRO-TURN 200, PRO-TURN MACH ONE, PROTURN 400, PRO-STANCE®, PRO-WALK® and PRO-QXT® Gravely commercial product families.

Twin City Outdoor Equipment Superstore offers 0% interest for 48 month finance for all Gravely mowers (with approved credit).

Call to reserve your commercial mower today!

West Monroe 1425 Glenwood Drive | West Monroe, LA 71291 Phone: (318) 325-0854 Monroe 7656 US-165 N | Monroe, LA 71203 Phone: (318) 807-1167

Join us for the Ribbon Cutting April 3rd at 10am!

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Beer, Art & Music to Takeover Experience the Fun of Beer Crawl, Railroad Fest and More in Downtown Ruston

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S SPRING MAKES ITS WAY TO NORTH LOUISIANA,THE season brings fun festivals and events to Downtown Ruston.

Grab your pals and make plans to enjoy this exciting lineup of events happening downtown.

We’ll be kicking off the spring festivities with a St. Patrick’s Day themed Downtown Beer Crawl on Friday, March 13th from 6-9 p.m. This walking beer-tasting event will take you from businessto-business in Downtown Ruston, where you will discover craft beer, snacks, entertainment, and special deals along the way. You’ll want to hang around downtown after the event at one of the official after-party locations, where you’ll find live entertainment and food and drink deals all night long. If you missed the sell-out Wine Walk event last fall, then you definitely want to be sure to grab your tickets for this new downtown event while you can! For more information, including ticket details, visit the Downtown Ruston Facebook page.

If you’re a music and/or art lover, you don’t want to miss the ART on 45 exhibit and auction on March 14th from 6:00-8:30 p.m. at Fine Line Supply in Downtown Ruston. At this event, visual artists of all genres submit pieces of art on or with a 45rpm record. This exhibit sees fantastic artists from all over Louisiana and several other states each year. At the auction, forty art pieces are individually sold via silent auction. To celebrate the 5th anniversary of ART ON 45, the two-week exhibit will not only showcase the new original works, but also reproductions of the 150 pieces from the four previous years.

Also, guests will be able to bid on a bundle of all five ART ON 45 books signed by all contributing artists of the last five years. For more information on this fun exhibit and auction, check out the ART on 45 Facebook page.

The year 2020 marks the 125th Anniversary of Louisiana Tech University. In celebration of this amazing milestone, Louisiana Tech Alumni Association has planned a 125th Anniversary Celebration Weekend on April 24th-26th. To help welcome alumni from all over the country back to their alma mater, Downtown Ruston will promote special deals all weekend long at local shops and restaurants.

Downtown will also provide a shuttle service for alumni to help transport them from on-campus activities to the thriving shopping, dining, and entertainment options of Downtown Ruston. For more information on the 125th Anniversary Celebration Weekend, visit latechalumni.org.

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And of course, our festival season in Ruston wouldn’t be complete without the 4th Annual Railroad Festival and Makers Fair happening on May 2nd. Downtown Ruston will be alive with good music, good art and good times. This event has quickly become a staple of the downtown event schedule, featuring an amazing music line up on the Railroad Park stage, food trucks, kids activities, and makers and artists from all over the state selling their works and items at the Makers Fair. There are some fun things in the works for the 2020 Railroad Fest that you won’t want to miss! Stay tuned and be sure to follow Railroad Festival on Facebook and Instagram for event updates.

If you really want to plan ahead, you can add the 70th Annual Louisiana Peach Festival to your calendar on June 26th-27th. By far the longest-standing festival in Ruston, the Peach Festival offers something for the entire family. From an eclectic arts & crafts show to headlining entertainment to kids activities, there is plenty of fun to be had by all. More information on this year’s event can be found at louisianapeachfestival.org.

With so many festivals and celebrations taking place over the next several months, it’s easy to see why Ruston has become known as a hub for arts and culture in North Louisiana. For more information on upcoming Downtown Ruston events, visit facebook. com/downtownrustonla.

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SWAMPERS

There’s a new Mardi Gras krewe in the Twin Cities and among their revelers is a manic ensemble of twelve men walking the fine line between dance team and the Sherwood Forest gang of Robin Hood: Men in Tights.

KREWE DE RIVIÉRE Rivière rolled out their inaugural parade on February 8th, and among the carefully embellished floats, enthusiastic riding groups, and multicolored beads galore, the all-male dance group known as the 318 Swampers were easy to spot. Flailing their bodies around from one dance groove to another, they generated boogie fever from the parade’s beginning to end. Whether you’re into washboard abs, dad bods, or beer bellies, this diverse group of men befuddle, amuse, and impress with just one swing of their hips.

ARTICLE BY VANELIS RIVERA AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY KELLY MOORE CLARK

BOYS JUST WANT TO HAVE FUN, TOO

Grown men by day, and Swampers by night, they may not always have the perfect dance moves, but they are a testament to the importance of not taking life too seriously.

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“It took a few brave men to come out and lead it up,” says Judy Parillo Babb, president of Krewe de Rivière and mastermind of the dance group. A superfan of the New Orleans phenomenon 610 Stompers, Babb longed to bring their spirit and creativity to the 318. In a league of their own, the New Orleans allmale dance squad are known for their Mardi Gras strolls but have also danced, clad in headbands, high socks, and red satin jackets, at Saints games and the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Loving to dance herself, she wanted to introduce a male dance group to Northeast Louisiana “that keeps their clothes on,” she laughs. Babb set out to find the kind of guys that could bring upbeat fun times to the collective. When she posted a casting call on Facebook, it was captioned with the question: Do you crave attention? That’s how current dance captain Joshua Colson was pulled into the group. “Everyone tagged me in it and I was like, well guess that says a lot about me. And I was encouraged to go and try it,” says Colson. Initially, only a few hopefuls showed up, but Colson’s fire was lit and he persistently recruited at Enoch’s Irish Pub & Cafe, motivating average Joe’s by offering a hard-to-resist sales pitch: “Don’t think of it as dancing, think of it as having fun. And there’s free beer.”

With interest growing, Babb sought out a dance coach that would be a good fit for a high energy ragtag brigade. “At first, I didn’t know what to expect,” says Swampers choreographer Mary Beth Crow May, who works as an inventory specialist at Central Oil & Supply, “but I quickly learned that this would be a fun and maybe sometimes crazy adventure for us all.” Lovingly referred to as 78 MARCH 2020 | WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM

“Swampa Momma” by the crew, May had her work cut out for her since none of the men had any formal dance background. But dancing for most of her life until high school and coaching for about seven years proved to be all the experiences she needed to whip the novice hoofers into shape. “I think a lot of men hear the word ‘dance’ and immediately freak out, but these dances are silly and fun.

They are meant to make the audience laugh and trust me, these guys are sure to do that,” says May. Colson chooses to call what they do “workouts.” Not only does that sound more “manly than dancing,” but some of their practices have gotten as dangerous as a grueling workout. “We tried to play leapfrog once to work into a dance, and there was a miscommunication. One went high, the other went low,” says Colson, also mentioning a member they lost because of a blown-out knee resulting from dancing too hard during their first practice. Even though they’ve had a few hiccups, the guys aren’t agonizing over their mistakes. If someone forgets a move, they’re encouraged to shrug it off, make something up, and dance on. Ultimately, nobody is taking anything too seriously.

“There’s no formula, no equation for a 318 Swamper. They just have to wanna have fun and maybe poke a little fun at themselves,” informs Babb. Though the Swamper concept of an amateur dance crew is obviously a parody, a member of the group must still be dedicated. The men are expected to attend practice regularly and be available to participate in community service events. Already, they’ve performed at Champagne & Shopping held at the West Monroe Convention Center and volunteered

at the Colonial Manor Nursing & Rehab in Rayville, Louisiana. From different walks of life, varying in race, age (between twenty to forty years old), and occupation (from bartender to engineer), they are bound by the common goal of staying involved in their community in the most entertaining way possible.

“I would say that you have to be able to hold your liquor, but you don’t even have to drink,” informs Babb, humorously referring to the requisites of being a Swamper. While some of the performers do need a bit of liquid courage, others don’t drink alcohol at all. It’s all the same to Babb, who stresses that anyone involved has to at least be able to handle the 2.9 mile parade route, which this year started at West Monroe High School and ended close to the Ouachita Parish Courthouse. For May, a Swamper is “really just somebody that wants to have fun and has a great sense of humor and likes to dance.” It’s also a great opportunity for networking. “I’ve met so many wonderful people that I probably would have never crossed paths with. I just love ‘em to bits,” says Babb. Socializing and a little beer drinking is how most practices start. Then, in between stretching and dancing, more socializing, drinking, and eating king cake often ensues. “It’s like herding cats,” laughs May. “They are such a fun group of guys and they definitely keep me on my toes.”

In spite of the team’s occasionally short attention span for learning May’s choreography, they always arrived ready to have a good time. “I wanted their choreography to not only be fun, but easy for them to remember. So basically the sillier the

better,” says May. She found that the less they tried to dance, the better they performed.

Even then, there were still a few moves that presented some challenges, namely the oldschool funky chicken. Not to be confused with the chicken dance, this classic nineties move takes some athleticism, requiring busting outstanding knee-to-chest crunches while holding one hand on your ankle and spinning in a frenzy.

Taking a page from the Stompers’ playbook, the Swampers took their time to conceptualize a memorable parade costume.

“If their dance moves don’t impress you, their ability to get crafty should. I think their costumes turned out to be a perfect reflection of them,” says May. A few ideas thrown around included Mardi Gras styled overalls or kilts before they decided to stay true to the krewe’s “roaring twenties” theme. Colson introduced the idea of suit jackets, which each member customized with glitter and neon-colored acrylic paint. The general attire included the group’s official Swamper tee in toasty orange (designed by Byron Nelson), black shorts (of varying lengths), Mardi Gras striped knee-highs, gilded sneakers, plumed hats, and custom-made wood ties—not a sight that can easily be unseen.

Their Mardi Gras parade performance was to eleven staple dance tracks, including

LOUISIANA PROUD

A Swamper is “really just somebody that wants to have fun and has a great sense of humor and likes to dance.” It’s also a great opportunity for networking.

“It’s Tricky” by Run-DMC and “Red Solo Cup” by Toby Keith. All of the dances were visually fun, some even involving props. In “Red Solo Cup” the team performed with fake giant red Solo cups and mimicked playing beer pong. It’s hard to stay animated for such a long stretch, but the Swampers played off of their dance partners and kept “marching their crazy down the streets,” as Babb puts it.

From the beginning, the goal was simply to provide the community with light-hearted and lively entertainment. “They’re just Louisiana proud,” says Babb. Grown men by day, and Swampers by night, they may not always have the perfect dance moves, but they are a testament to the importance of not taking life too seriously. Make some room, ladies, because this group of daring men is proving that, as Babb notes, “Boys just wanna have fun, too!”

The next wave of recruitment for the 318 Swampers begins in March. Follow them on Facebook for updates and scroll through their array of Mardi Gras photos. Learn more about the Krewe de Rivière and their sponsors by visiting their official website: http://krewederiviere.com.

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Benefiting Mission Work Croswell’s Boutique 139’s 2nd Annual Spring Fashion Show

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ADIES, IT’S TIME FOR A GIRL’S NIGHT OUT! YOUR favorite boutique, Croswell’s Boutique 139, is hosting their 2nd Annual Runway 139 Fashion Show Thursday, March 19th at 6:30 p.m. Guaranteed entertainment, this show will have it all. Showcasing the boutique’s all new Spring Collection of tops, pants, jeans, dresses, jumpsuits, rompers, shoes, jewelry, belts, and more.

The fun won’t stop after the show either, the evening will continue with shopping, food, drinks, and fabulous door prizes donated from a multitude of amazing local businesses in Bastrop who support The Lord’s work. A special thank you to Downs & Daughters for their contribution to this event and Sunny 98.3 for helping promote the show. The ladies at Croswell’s are truly humbled by the outpouring of support from our community. Be sure to purchase your tickets before the event through the store by calling or simply stopping by. Tickets are $5 and there will be limited tickets available at the door.

The fashion show will showcase 40 amazing spring looks. The looks within the show will be worn by 15 different women and also be available for purchase when the show is complete. The boutique has in over 300 pieces, 35 racks, from spring tops, jeans, dresses, jumpsuits, rompers and kimonos. It doesn’t stop there; booties, sandals, wedges, platforms, heels, sneakers and more are being brought in daily. Croswell’s has over 45 different styles of new shoes to choose from, too.

Don’t forget about the accessories. Belts, belts, belts! From snake skin, cowhide, cheetah and all the solid colors in-between you are sure to find the perfect one to complete your look. As for adding a little something extra, move over to their jewelry section of the store and see for yourself all the amazingly adorable earrings, necklaces and bracelets. With over 12,000 sq ft of space in Croswell’s Boutique 139, you are sure to find you something that will jazz up your look for spring.

Be sure to follow them on Facebook and Instagram for more upcoming events.

It is sure to be an amazing night, and the 2nd Annual Runway 139 Fashion Show will also be for a great cause. The proceeds will go to mission work building Christian summer camps for children

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in Saltillo, Mexico. These camps are to ensure the children of that area have a safe place to go to educate on the word of God and be introduced to the love of Jesus.

As many of my customers already know, we are extremely passionate about mission work. Getting to be a part of God’s Great Commission and involved with His kingdom work is one of my highest honors. The mission we are focusing on is building dormitories in Mexico for a kid’s camp where they can learn about God. One hundred percent of the ticket proceeds are going to this project. Will you please consider supporting this Kingdom work by purchasing a ticket or making a donation? If you would like any further information on this mission project, please contact me at 318281-4881.

Thanks in advance for your support.

In Christ,

-Caron C. Johnson

Door prize sponsors: Pearce Pharmacy, The Nail Spa, Steve’s Jewelry, Harp Salon, Commercial Capital Bank, Golden Flower and Gift Shop, The Nutrition Bend, Arnetts, Granny’s Family Restaurant, Slayden’s Bar-B-Que, D&H Sporting Goods Bastrop & Sterlington, Downs & Daughter, Bastrop Feed & Seed, Deer Creek Bath Co., Fat Boyz Eatery, and Kevin Reynolds.

Spring is in full bloom at Croswell’s Boutique 139 and with that there are many wonderful things they are working on. Just in time for Easter, the ladies are planning their 6th Annual Spring Fling event for April 4th. Be sure to mark your calendars!

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Office Technology Provider Committed to Customer Satisfaction, Community Involvement, and Their People WHO IS RJ YOUNG? RJ Young continues to grow their brand of customer-centered business solution services in Louisiana a year after moving into the market. Despite being a newcomer, the company has been in business for more than 60 years. RJ Young was founded in Nashville, Tennessee as a printing company in 1955 and has flourished as an IT services, office solutions, and technology dealership, with $127 million in sales and backed by 30 locations across nine states. RJ Young is recognized as the largest independent office technology dealer in the Southeast. The acquisition of Automated Imaging Systems, AIS, in Monroe in 2019 further expanded RJ Young’s footprint throughout the southeast, moving into the state of Louisiana for the first time. RJ Young helps modern professionals become more successful in their businesses with solutions to securely manage paper and digital information and empowers businesses with leading printing technologies. Through the decades, RJ Young remains committed to their customers by living up to their corporate tagline: “Your productivity is our mission.”

WHAT DOES RJ YOUNG PROVIDE?

RJ Young is an IT services and office solutions company that provides managed IT services, managed print services, process automation, document management, office equipment, interactive whiteboards, wide format equipment, remote monitoring, outsourced printing, promotional products, apparel, audio visual, phone systems, and more. RJ Young carries the Canon, Océ, Ricoh, Lexmark, and HP lines. RJ Young prides itself on consistently delivering award-winning service to every customer and partnering with the best brands in the industry. Last year, RJ Young acquired three businesses: Automated Imaging Systems of Monroe, Louisiana, Business Electronics of Birmingham, Alabama, and Digitec of Jackson, Mississippi. By acquiring these businesses, RJ Young was able to bring additional services such as software, production print, and managed print to these businesses to help them grow even further.

CUSTOMER SATISFACTION, COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT AND PEOPLE

The center of RJ Young’s business is customer satisfaction, community involvement, and their people. With a community-centric mindset, RJ Young proactively seeks out new opportunities to make an impact on the local economy through investments and partnerships with local charities.

As part of their core values, they are committed to investing resources back into the communities they serve. They are continuously seeking 82 MARCH 2020 | WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM

ways to invest in their community, increase community involvement, and partner with other family-owned and operated businesses.

Through all of their activities, RJ Young seeks to provide: • 100% customer satisfaction • Office solutions that exceed customers’ expectations • An environment where employees can achieve their personal and professional goals within a profitable organization •O pportunities to utilize resources as an investment in the community

Every product and service they offer is backed by their “We Make It Right™” Guarantee: “If you are not happy with our equipment, service, supplies, billing, or anything, let us know and we will make it right, right away.” With over 650 employees, RJ Young also strives to provide an environment where its employees can achieve personal and professional goals, exceed customers’ expectations, and utilize their resources as an investment in the community.

UNPARALLELED CUSTOMER SERVICE

RJ Young takes pride in offering unparalleled customer service, as well as additional opportunities with their products and services that other dealers don’t offer. For example, in-house leasing is available for all products they sell, giving financial flexibility to businesses so they are able to adjust and accommodate for future growth. RJ Young’s in-house leasing program provides customized leasing options for businesses’ specific needs, with a guarantee for the duration of the partnership. Businesses are also given the option to upgrade to newer, improved equipment at the end of each leasing term, giving them the latest technology. RJ Young is always searching for ways to optimize efficiency for a customer and deliver true solutions. RJ Young’s approach is more than just quoting and being the low-cost provider- they invest time and resources to find solutions for their customers. This philosophy extends to their service technicians and salespeople who both have the ability and authority to do the right thing.

WHAT IS ON THE HORIZON FOR RJ YOUNG IN LOUISIANA?

The company is in the midst of a very exciting time, with a focus on expanding their presence in the Louisiana market and rolling out new products and services. As RJ Young continues to grow within Louisiana, they strive to stay true to their core values. These principles will be the guiding force for any future acquisition activity.

For more information on the products and services RJ Young provides, please visit rjyoung.com, call 800-347-1955, or email info@rjyoung.com. RJ Young has offices in Monroe, and Alexandria, Louisiana.

Friday Ellis for Mayor Stepping Up to Propel Monroe Forward

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ATHER, HUSBAND, AND SMALL BUSINESS OWNER FRIDAY Ellis is rooted in Monroe, Louisiana. Committed to the development and growth of the city, Friday and his wife Ashley Ellis are inspired by the community they call home and are willing to step up to serve Monroe in a larger capacity. It takes courage to serve, and Friday believes when God calls, he must answer. Friday entered the Monroe mayoral race with a vision for Monroe that includes incentivizing local small business development, rebranding our city as a tourist attraction, and connecting the north and south sides of Monroe with ULM and the downtown area.

It involves everyone working together to grow Monroe and make it a place where people want to return home.

As a United States Marine, Friday witnessed exemplary leadership in critical times. Enlisting months after 9/11, Friday believes in the Marine Corps motto Semper Fidelis, “always faithful.” You grow where you’re planted, and Friday promises to have the backs of Monroe citizens. He is anxious to work with council members to achieve goals for our community. Over the years, he has watched family members and business owners leave for opportunities elsewhere, and he knows Monroe has the potential to bring that talent and innovation back home. Policies to incentivize small business and increase quality of life for residents is key to his campaign. A city creates the environment for business to thrive. Businesses and industry create jobs, and the city must foster that creativity and allow it room to grow.

The Ouachita River is this city’s most dynamic unused resource.

Friday plans to develop riverfront property, including camping and recreation areas with landings for walkup restaurants and bars along the levee. Instead of the river being a divide between Monroe and West Monroe, it should be the launching point for events that bring commerce and tourism to this area. A city must use its assets, and we should accentuate the river in Monroe. Arts and music are commonalities, a way of bringing people together. Friday has seen this with Governor’s, his local cigar shop. Monroe should be a college town instead of a city with a college. Connecting students with the downtown area via enhanced transportation and a lively arts scene would begin to remold Monroe as a city where people want to stay and raise families.

As a board member of Catalyst, a small business incubator and accelerator program, Friday is focused on the city’s need for workforce development. Many people have ideas, but without resources and connections, many are never manifested. One way to capture new tax dollars for Monroe is appealing to the creation of new businesses. If a

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business is willing to relocate to Monroe or start an operation in the city, Friday proposes a 30% rebate on sales tax the first year, followed by 20% the second, 10% the third, and then hopefully a successful business is flourishing and Monroe has potentially decades of tax dollars to show for the investment. It’s a way for Monroe to put skin in the game, a thank you to those willing to put their all into a small business in our community.

After all, local businesses are the ambassadors of our city. Visitors want to go where the locals go, and when you spend $1 in a local business, 60% of that is reinvested in our area. Friday has built long lasting relationships with small business owners in our community because he is one, and he knows what they need to succeed.

Friday volunteers with My Talent My Biz, a local nonprofit started by D.J. Davis of New Light Church. The organization works with inner city kids to find talent and monetize their ideas into business opportunities.

Friday served as a mentor, and he is inspired by the energy, talent, and resourcefulness of our local young people. If we teach children the market, how to turn their ideas into a viable business, we are creating the business leaders of tomorrow. And if we create a city that fosters that talent and invests in ambition, then they are more likely to stay here and continue contributing to Monroe’s growth.

As the 2019 recipient of the Free Enterprise Champion Award

by Louisiana Business and Industry, Friday has been focused on the economical development of our region at the local and state level. He was nominated by elected officials to Louisiana Leadership sponsored

by The Council for a Better Louisiana, touring major metropolitan areas to discuss challenges and solutions for each city. He has seen what works and knows he can utilize the strengths of Monroe and his connections across that state to improve our city.

Friday believes in Monroe’s potential, and he and his wife Ashley believe in investing in their community. As a lifelong educator, Ashley has worked in Title 1 schools, and giving back is in the family’s blood.

Adoption is close to their hearts, as their daughter Aurie was a blessing of the process. Ashley has spoken with First Lady Donna Edwards about helping bring the One Church One Child movement, an initiative to promote adoption in our state, to our region. When the Ellises see what needs to be done, they step up. Friday Ellis is ready to step up for the residents and business owners of Monroe, and he has the vision to propel Monroe forward.

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B AY O U G A R D E N

The Olive Tree Among the oldest cultivated trees, the olive tree offers a variety of benefits. From its delicious oils to moisturizers, the olive tree is a valuable resource. Want to extend an olive branch? Here are some tips to keep your tree healthy and producing.

Photo by Kelly Moore Clark.

Styling by Taylor Bennett.

plant CARE HOW MUCH LIGHT DOES IT NEED? Place your container grown olive trees in an area that receives at least 8 hours of sunlight each day.

W H AT T I M E O F C L I M AT E ?

Olive trees do not like extremely cold weather. Some varieties are more cold sensitive than others.

Make sure to bring containers indoors before temperatures freeze and place them inside by a sunny window.

W H AT K I N D O F C O N TA I N E R I S B E S T ?

Olive trees like well-draining soil.

Plant in a mix of potting soil and small rocks. When choosing a container, opt for one that is clay or wood. Plastic containers may retain too much water, which could kill your tree.

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Irish Pub Nachos Ingredients:

1 1/2 lbs russet potatoes, scrubbed and sliced into quarter inch coins 2 tbsp olive oil 1/2 tsp dried rosemary leaves 1/2 tsp ground thyme salt and pepper, to taste 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese 5 slices thick cut bacon, cooked crisp and crumbled sour cream, or Greek yogurt, to taste 2 green onions, thinly sliced optional 1 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro leaves Make sure you’ve washed and scrubbed your potatoes. Use a clean dish towel to dry up any of the excess moisture.

Use a sharp knife to slice them into 1/4 inch thick coins. Add the potatoes to a large mixing bowl.

Drizzle them with olive oil. Add in the seasonings--rosemary, thyme, salt, and pepper.

Use a spatula to toss them to coat, gently but until all the spices and oil are evenly covering all the potatoes.

On a large, rimmed baking sheet place the potatoes out in an even, single layer. Drizzle any remnants from the bowl evenly out over top.

Bake the potatoes at 450 degrees for 20 minutes, flip the potatoes over, and then return them to the oven to bake for a final 20 minutes.

Let the potatoes cool just enough to safely handle. Transfer them to a flat cast iron pan, with the edges slightly overlapping in a spiral pattern.

Spread the cheese and bacon out evenly over the top. Bake another 4 minutes, or until the cheese is melted. Remove the skillet from the oven and let the potatoes rest for a minute.

Serve these nachos with a scoop of sour cream with green onions sprinkled over top.

recipe by Evelyn O’Neal and photo by Kelly Moore Clark

B AYO U D É C O R PHOTOGRAPHY BY KELLY MOORE CLARK STYLED BY TAYLOR BENNETT

Let’s Get Cloche

Display your favorite finds in the season’s most refined décor – glass cloches. Originally used in the 18th century by French gardeners to protect early garden plants from bleak cold and frost, these beautiful bell jars are now used to showcase anything from dried botanicals to your favorite books. Cloches available at Material Things

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the women’s symposium The ULM Women’s Symposium annually highlights women from across Northeast Louisiana for their individual achievements, professional and personal. The panelists share their stories with ULM students and fellow community members to showcase the importance of success and failure in one’s journey. Here we highlight five of the 2020 panelists and why they were chosen as leaders in their respective fields.

ARTICLES BY LAURA W. CLARK AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY KELLY MOORE CLARK

SHAYLA SHAW

While working as a call center manager, Shayla Shaw realized her passion: starting a mental health discussion with other mothers.

“For over 10 years, I mentored, trained, and encouraged hundreds of employees. I observed their personal and professional development as they gained skills and knowledge. This experience allowed me to network with other moms facing issues similar to mine. I learned I was not the only one who struggled, and it was so fulfilling to offer support and guidance.”

It was also while working at the call center that she realized she would not reach her full potential at her current job.

“No matter how hard I worked, the experience and knowledge that I had gained and the goals that I had exceeded—it would never be enough because I didn’t fit the mold. I realized I exhausted years trying to prove I could fit in, and I lost my identity,” she said. “I overcame this challenge by re-evaluating success and restoring my self-worth. This helped me identify my purpose and gain a different perspective on how I could use my strengths to do what I enjoyed most—helping other women, specifically moms.”

Shayla, a mother of four, is a health and wellness empowerment coach who helps women with issues such as postpartum anxiety and depression. A self-described introvert, Shayla previously viewed her shyness as a weakness. Not anymore. One of her mentors empowered her to reframe those qualities as positive attributes.

MORGAN BUXTON

Another one of her mentors is her sister, a woman Shayla describes as fearless. “Her advice—which has shaped me to be strong and successful— was to stop letting anxiety control my life. She told me to stop viewing situations as mistakes and use them as lessons to move forward, push harder, or find another way. She said, ‘I wouldn’t have known I didn’t want to be a nurse if I hadn’t gone to nursing school.’”

Shayla has some advice of her own, but for her younger self, who at one point, was divorced, unemployed, homeless, and without hope. “I would tell her that her life does have a purpose, and asking for help is not a weakness. I would also tell her that her childhood scars from the trips and falls she encountered would make her beautiful; however, the wounds wouldn’t heal if she hid them in shame. I would tell her to spend more time laughing and enjoying quality time with her kids because they love her just as she is—imperfectly perfectly created to be their mom.”

Imposter syndrome, or self-doubt, is not a new concept to Morgan Buxton, vice president at Chase Bank.

Has she let it stop her? No, she forces it to fuel her.

“Recently sitting around a board room table, I could barely pay attention because my internal negative selftalk was so loud. I thought, ‘You should have earned a business degree, or you should know more about this issue,’ etc. As soon as I recognized the internal conversation, I had to call myself on it and replace it with a quick pep talk: ‘The people you admire around this table think that you have something to offer, or they wouldn’t have invited you to come. Get your head in the game!’ I am thankful for feeling like there is room to grow—it keeps me motivated,” Morgan said. “If you are the smartest person at the table, you need a new table.”

Managing self-doubt is only one of the challenges she has overcome. “During my career at Chase, I struggled to delegate effectively. I bought into the lie that I could accomplish the expected results better and faster alone.

It worked for a while, but as my responsibilities grew, I couldn’t sustain the output and quality without support.

I wasn’t mature enough to understand there are more important things than the outcomes, such as the people around me and helping them prepare for their next role while we succeed together as a team. Fortunately, I had a manager who was intuitive and pointed out my Achilles’ heel.”

Morgan, a West Monroe High School and University of Louisiana Monroe graduate, has surrounded herself with smart, strong, and successful women in every facet of her life. “They have cleared the path, marked the landmines, and, in many instances, carried me along the way,” she said. “I’m so thankful for my mom. She’s 4’11” and made of dynamite. The life she lives—not the spoken words—is the best advice I’ve ever received. I remember one morning when she ran out of the house, jumped in the car, and backed straight into our second car parked in the driveway. She popped back inside after wrecking both of our family vehicles and said, ‘I need two Tylenol, I’m running late for work!’”

Her advice for 22-year-old Morgan? It’s both simple and profound: “Lean into your strengths and genuinely celebrate the strengths that you see in others. Don’t leave your gifts unwrapped because you’re too worried about the color of the gift wrap on someone else’s present.”

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the women’s symposium KATHRYN REPPOND

Kathryn Reppond’s office experience began in elementary school when she accompanied her grandmother, a hospital administrator in Tallulah, to work.

“Stapling paperwork was my favorite,” she said with a smile.

“Watching my grandmother work really sparked my interest.”

Kathryn, now the chief operations officer at Central Oil & Supply, observed another strong female influence: her mother.

Kathryn’s mother was raising four children when she decided to attend college for the first time. She began when Kathryn was a freshman at Neville High School and eventually earned a Ph.D. from the University of Louisiana Monroe.

“I have really strong women in my life; they had a lot to do with my drive, and they impacted me with their actions. I remember my mother studying until 2 or 3 a.m. because she had been at the ballpark most of the day. She never missed any of our activities. I don’t ever remember her not being there,” Kathryn said.

The oldest of her siblings, Kathryn has four children of her own. She mirrors much of her mother’s approach to work and life balance. “I think the balance is only possible because my husband 94 MARCH 2020 | WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM

and I share responsibilities, which is what my parents did,” Kathryn said. “My goal is to be where my feet are. If I’m home, I’m at home, and if I’m at the ballpark, I’m at the ballpark. I know my kids are watching me, and I want them to see me paying attention. I don’t always succeed at that, but I course correct along the way. My husband and I hold each other accountable. If we are distracted, we will point that out to each other.”

Kathryn, who graduated from the University of Louisiana Monroe with an accounting degree, wants aspiring professionals to understand the power of learning from others. In addition to learning from her mother and grandmother, she learned a great deal at the age of 17 when she worked for a female bank CFO who trusted Kathryn to answer phones and pay bills.

“Surrounding yourself with the right people is crucial because they can greatly influence who you are as a person and as a professional. Listen and learn as much as you can from every person you encounter along the way. If you ever think you have it all figured out, you are wrong. There is always something to learn and grow from in everything you do and in every person you encounter.”

LIZ PIERRE

Liz Pierre found her voice after she had a revelation.

“I’ve had to overcome my tendency to be reserved and hesitant to give my opinion on matters. When I realized that the people I dealt with in my profession didn’t have any greater insight or innate knowledge of most subject matters than I did, and that there was value in my opinion, I realized that it was selfish of me to withhold my insight when it could add value to the discussion.”

Liz is an attorney and a senior vice president of the legal and research department at the North Louisiana Economic Partnership, and a member of the University of Louisiana System Board of Supervisors.

“My law degree has opened so many doors for me and has given me the ability to analyze situations in a unique way. My appointment to the UL System Board has allowed me to have an active role in formulating policy that is making a real-world difference in the lives of the young people who will be our future workforce and will most directly impact our future economy.”

She has served on the Area 81 Workforce Investment Board, the United Way of Northeast Louisiana, the NOVA Workforce Institute Board of Directors, and the Catholic Diocese of Shreveport Diocesan Finance Council. She is also a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. She practices law with her husband at Pierre and Pierre, LLC in Monroe.

The female mentor who inspired her the most was her mother. “She motivated me to aspire beyond the circumstances of my life. She lost most of her hearing as a young child and had to drop out of school after the eighth grade. She became a wife and mother and never really had a job outside the home. When my sisters and I were in high school, she earned her GED and excelled so much in doing so that she was chosen to give the keynote address as the Top Graduate in St. Landry Parish’s GED program that year.”

Liz would advise her younger self to believe in her potential.

“I would tell her to be bold and not to underestimate her abilities. At that time, I was so unsure of myself and what my path would be. I would tell her not to let her doubts stop her from pursuing less-traveled paths and pushing herself to be the best she could be.”

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the women’s symposium JASMYNE MCCONNELL

Jasmyne McConnell’s career began as an attorney at Monroe’s Fourth Judicial District Attorney’s Office; she became a licensed realtor that same year. A few years later, she faced a big hurdle: almost being laid off from the DA’s office due to budget cuts.

The experience changed her. “Almost losing my job changed my line of thinking; a full entrepreneur mindset began. I told myself that I would never leave my livelihood up to someone else again.”

She then launched Cajun Title Agency, a real estate transaction company in Monroe. Cajun Title faced several challenges in its first year. Jasmyne struggled to find an underwriter who would allow her to carry title insurance. “In spite of being a licensed realtor and a real estate investor for several years, insurance companies told me I lacked the experience to be a title attorney. But, I only needed one ‘yes,’ and I kept pushing until I received it. I am a problem solver, so I focus on the solution and do whatever is necessary.”

Jasmyne graduated from the University of Louisiana Monroe, just as her mother did. Her mother, who died in a 2009 car accident when Jasmyne was a senior at ULM, significantly impacted Jasmyne’s life.

“My mother was a straightforward person. When I was a psychology major, I was bored. I had a discussion with my mother

about this, and she very plainly stated that since I liked to argue, I should attend law school to be a lawyer. I changed my major that day to political science. After she passed, I attended law school to honor her.”

Jasmyne recently left the DA’s office, where she took pride in helping defendants and victims achieve justice. Today, she continues to help others accomplish their dreams. “As a closing attorney, I help families purchase their forever homes. Most families rent due to their financial situations. It’s a huge accomplishment for people to improve their credit or to pay down debt so they can afford a home,” she said.

“I also help investors start their journey in the real estate market.”

In addition to Cajun Title Agency, Jasmyne, an award-winning attorney, owns several other businesses, one of them named after her mother, Grace-Lynn, LLC.

Jasmyne is proud to be the region’s only African American female attorney to own a title company, and she prides herself on “getting in the trenches.”

“I am actively involved and vested in the outcome of every closing—I fight to ensure everyone wins at the closing table.”

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Suit Up For the Season We Have Everything You Need

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PRING IS HOPPING AND POPPING AT THE CHILDREN’S Shoppe, literally. It’s time to suit up for the season! The madcap month of March has arrived - the last of winter and the first of spring. Blustery winds and soft spring breezes alternate as we venture out for brisk walks. Can’t March make up her mind which it shall be? Let us help her!

Springtime is a busy time. Easter and St. Patrick’s Day is upon us. There is much to do…frocks and bonnets await your sweet angels. Gather your baskets and hop our way. We have everything you need to prepare for Easter festivities. In the eighth century, the poetic name Easter, meaning “new beginning,’ was incorporated into Christianity’s observance of Christ’s resurrection, thereby blending nature’s renewal with man’s spiritual rebirth. The Easter season is not only a Christian story, but a promise of renewal for all. Our family’s spirit awakens, along with the natural world, from its long winter sleep. Green is good!

Spring arrivals are plentiful but are being snapped up as quickly as a hot cross bun – so it would be wise not to dilly-dally, so hop on in! The Children’s Shoppe offers a vast array of musthave gifts for babies, birthdays, special occasions, or just for play.

There is an enticing selection of decorative treasures, diaper bags, and custom hair bows. We place particular emphasis on toys and books that are developmental and fun…all great options for Easter baskets. Regardless of the season or reason, The Children’s Shoppe is the perfect place to find timeless and fashion-forward children’s clothing, gifts, and accessories for girls newborn to size 14 and for boys newborn to size 12.

Swing by The Children’s Shoppe, we can get your little sprout geared up for St.Patricks day, too! We have green shoes, green shirts, green bows, green bags, green sippy cups, green blankets, and even an edition of the book, “Green Eggs and Ham.” Are you a mother-tobe? Not sure what you are having? Go green! Green is good!

The Children’s Shoppe has a whole new selection of spring clothing in for both boys and girls. We have matching boy and girl sets that would be perfect for any family outing or family pictures.

It’s time to stock up on spring clothes and The Children’s Shoppe has everything you need at one easy and convenient place.

If you’re needing to stuff those Easter baskets, The Children’s Shoppe has just what you need. Help inspire kids to get creative with arts and crafts toys that will spark imagination at any skill level.

Choose from deluxe watercolor sets to starter finger paints, sidewalk chalks and mess-free markers. Help kids develop fine motor skills while making beautiful things with great beading and craft projects for kids of all ages.

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Bayou Dental Group

Improve Your Appearance, Improve Your Life

BY DAVID D. FINLEY, DDS, FAACD, FAGD

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NY GOOD DENTIST IS INTERESTED IN SAVING ALL of your natural teeth. But natural teeth aren’t always attractive teeth. They can be crooked individually, out of alignment with each other, and discolored. That’s where I, as a cosmetic dentist, can help you get the smile of your dreams.

The latest technologies in cosmetic dentistry mean that you really can enjoy your life more fully and have the smile of your dreams. If your teeth are less-than-ideal and causing you pain, discomfort, or embarrassment, then now is the time to find a cosmetic dentist to help you solve your problems. We have seen patient after patient returned to a full and happy life no longer selfconscious about their smile, no longer hiding their mouth at any opportunity, no longer letting their teeth hold them back from the life they want to lead. And now, you can join them!

WHAT WE CAN DO FOR YOU

Here is what you will receive when you see a cosmetic dentist: ● Y our Dream Smile – Imagine waking up in the morning, looking in the mirror, and seeing the most beautiful smile looking right back at you! ● I mproved Self-Confidence – Flashing your gorgeous smile will make you feel incredible and more confident. ● R educed Risk of Future Problems – With a small correction to your teeth now, you could save having to deal with far more serious problems in the future.

This is the time to sort out any issues that you might have, no matter how small and seemingly insignificant they may be. I take a patient’s smile very seriously and consider myself an intricate planner. I also involve the patient in the process every step of the way. On any given smile creation case, we’ll take photographs and then create a wax model to show exactly what your smile will look like after treatment.

As an added bonus, you should know that I’ve been creating smiles for more than 30 years and have taken hundreds of hours in continuing education. I take pride in my work in the office and with the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, where I am the 61st accredited Fellow. My office has won the annual smile competition at the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry several years in a row with our restorative and cosmetic dental solutions.

TRUST A DENTIST WITH YOUR TEETH WHITENING

Many people are tempted to try do-it-yourself teeth whitening.

Professional teeth whitening will work faster and protect sensitive gums and tooth-root surfaces better than over-the-counter whitening products. Having an oral exam before you begin any whitening process is an important first step, as we want to make sure your tooth discoloration is not the result of a dental condition in need of treatment. We offer ZOOM! whitening and Professional Tray Whitening in our office.

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Cypress State Realty Don’t Sell Your Home Short

Southern Blessings Photography

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PRINGTIME IS THE RIGHT TIME FOR SELLING YOUR NEST! The dreary winter weather is finally clearing up, and the grass is turning green again. People are excited about the changing seasons and are ready to shop for homes. Anna Earl Romero, owner of Cypress State Realty, offers a few tips about getting ready to place your house on the market.

CALL THE CLUTTER POLICE Let go of what you don’t love! Your home should be filled with belongings that reflect your style and have special meaning, but buyers like to see the space clearly and imagine how their own items will fit in. Pro tip: Keep all surfaces clear! Counter spaces, tables and bookcases should be neat and free of clutter. Less really is more.

MAKE LISTS BEFORE YOU LIST While you are busy purging, make a list of items that need attention. Changing that hard to reach bulb in the hallway, repairing a leaky faucet and replacing a cracked window can be taken care of without great expense. Tending to these small items shows a buyer that the home has been well maintained.

TOUCH UP A modern paint color on the front door and shutters has a large impact without a large price tag. Bonus points for a new welcome mat. Pro tip: Be sure to keep all exterior wood painted - exposed wood will lead to deterioration and rot, something a potential buyer will notice immediately.

CENTER STAGING The art of staging can help you get top dollar for your home quickly. Many talented people offer this service in our area. There are also several things you can do yourself, such as styling bookshelves, rearranging furniture and adding plants throughout the home. Anything goes as long as it creates an inviting space for a buyer!

DON’T HIDE THE OUTSIDE First impressions are everything! A fresh cut and a few flowers make beautiful photos. Also consider having the exterior washed.. this can make your home and roof look years newer!

BE NOSEY The most common complaints I hear are about smells in homes. Neutral is key! If your home smells like food, or if you have indoor pets, consider having your carpets professionally cleaned to freshen up. On the other hand, don’t use overpowering fragrances. No smell is the best smell.

PRICE IT RIGHT The old saying, “We can always come down, but we can’t go up” is outdated. It’s important to price your home appropriately from the very beginning when you are getting all eyes on your new listing. Buyers are educating themselves on the market; if you overprice, people will keep scrolling and may not give your home a second thought. Listen to an agent or appraiser, price it right, and be confident you will sell your home for what it is worth. Pro tip: Don’t price your home way above the appraised value. Lenders will only give buyers the amount of the appraisal.

Real estate is booming in Northeast Louisiana. It’s an exciting time with for both buying and selling a home. Reach out to an agent. Most Realtors® offer a free market analysis that will give you a good idea of what the market is like in your area. Happy selling! - Anna

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Get the Facts About Diabetes

MYTH: If you are overweight or obese, you will eventually develop type 2 diabetes.

FACT: Being overweight is a risk factor for developing this disease, but other risk factors such as family history, ethnicity and age also play a role.

MYTH: Eating too much sugar causes diabetes.

FACT: The answer is not so simple. Type 1 diabetes is caused by genetics and unknown factors that trigger the onset of the disease; type 2 diabetes is caused by genetics and lifestyle factors.

Being overweight does increase your risk for developing type 2 diabetes, and a diet high in calories from any source contributes to weight gain.

MYTH: Diabetes is not that serious of a disease.

FACT: Diabetes causes more deaths a year than breast cancer and AIDS combined.

MYTH: People with diabetes should eat special diabetic foods.

FACT: A healthy meal plan for people with diabetes is low in saturated and trans fat, moderate in salt and sugar, with meals based on lean protein, non-starchy vegetables, whole grains, healthy fats and fruit.

MYTH: If you have diabetes, you should only eat small amounts of starchy foods, such as bread, potatoes and pasta.

FACT: Starchy foods can be part of a healthy meal plan, but portion size is key.

MYTH: People with diabetes can't eat sweets or chocolate.

FACT: If eaten as part of a healthy meal plan, or combined with exercise, sweets and desserts can be eaten by people with diabetes. The key to sweets is to have a very small portion and save them for special occasions so you focus your meal on more healthful foods.

MYTH: You can catch diabetes from someone else.

FACT: No, diabetes is not contagious.

MYTH: People with diabetes are more likely to get colds and other illnesses.

FACT: You are no more likely to get a cold or another illness if you have diabetes.

MYTH: If you have type 2 diabetes and your doctor says you need to start using insulin, it means you're failing to take care of your diabetes properly.

FACT: For most people, type 2 diabetes is a progressive disease. When first diagnosed, many people with type 2 diabetes can keep their blood glucose at a healthy level with oral medications. But over time, the body gradually produces less and less of its own insulin, and eventually oral medications may not be enough to keep blood glucose levels normal.

MYTH: Fruit is a healthy food. Therefore, it is ok to eat as much of it as you wish.

FACT: Fruit is a healthy food. It contains fiber and lots of vitamins and minerals. Because fruits contain carbohydrates, they do raise blood glucose (also called blood sugar) and need to be included in your meal plan.

Source: American Diabetes Association

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Wine Over Water Benefitting the Spirit of the Warhawk

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HE ULM ALUMNI ASSOCIATION AND THE OUACHITA Parish Alumni Chapter invite you to attend the 15th annual Wine Over Water on the beautiful ULM campus bridge. This is your opportunity to support scholarship funds as proceeds from the night benefit the Spirit of the Warhawk Endowed Scholarship, which is instrumental in attracting our local scholars to ULM.

The Spirit of the Warhawk Endowed Scholarship supports local students pursuing their undergraduate degree at ULM. Your ticket purchase ensures students of Northeast Louisiana can continue to strive for academic excellence and ease the financial burden.

Numerous scholarships have been awarded since the event’s inception and our goal is to increase support for our students through Wine Over Water each year.

The Ouachita Parish Alumni Chapter hosts events throughout the year to connect alumni and friends. This event is sure to be an unforgettable night. The celebration will be held on Friday, April 17th on the Northeast Drive Bridge, and will overlook beautiful Bayou DeSiard. With food from many local restaurants, wine provided by Southern Glazer’s Wine and Spirits, and beer provided

by Marsala Beverage, your taste buds will be delighted. This year we hope to create a new culinary experience for our guests featuring suggested wine/beer and food pairings that are sure to make the evening special, informative and deliciously fun! You will receive a commemorative wine glass, sunset boat rides on the bayou with B&L Marine and entertainment featuring the popular band, Flashback 5.

You do not want to miss this evening of fun, and tickets are only $60.

The evening’s attire is dressy casual.

The Tonore’s Cork Pull is back by popular demand. With over 50 bottles of wine up for grabs, you can purchase a cork for $25 and take home a mystery bottle of wine for you to enjoy. No bottles are valued at less than $25, but many are worth more. Not only do you have the chance to win spectacular wine, you are also supporting ULM.

In addition, a Patron Party will be held prior to Wine Over Water.

This event will begin at 6:00 p.m. and last until 7:30 p.m. on the seventh floor of the ULM Library. This will give you the best view of campus and allow you to begin enjoying the celebration prior to the bridge opening! Patron Party tickets include complimentary hors d’oeuvres, event wine glasses, lively entertainment provided

by Rod Allen Payne and company, and attendance to the Wine Over Water Bridge Party. These exclusive tickets are available through sponsorship packages or purchased for $125 each.

Tickets are available online at ulm.edu/wine, by calling 318-3425420, or at the Laird Weems Center located at 4400 Bon Aire Drive.

Office hours are Monday – Thursday 7:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., and Friday, 7:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Don’t wait; get your ticket today and support the Spirit of the Warhawk Endowed Scholarship.

To learn more about the ULM Alumni Association, please visit ulm.edu/alumni.

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Look and Feel Your Very Best LA Center for Women’s Health

BY DR. LESLIE COFFMAN

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HEN YOU DON’T LOOK YOUR BEST, YOU’RE NOT going to feel your best. Over a period of decades, our clinic has acquired the equipment and expertise to offer a palette of state-of-the-art procedures to maximize your appearance.

We strive to offer our cosmetic services and procedures at affordable prices, which represent real value in today’s world. These various high-tech services can be obtained at our private clinic here in the Monroe area for a fraction of the charge for the same procedure in other cities. We are aware that our patients are interested in getting the best value, and we are structured to deliver this.

HYDRAFACIAL

Everyone can benefit from the Hydrafacial procedure. It is inexpensive, gives immediately noticeable results, only takes about 30 minutes, and has no social downtime. The procedure is extremely pleasant and relaxing. We have the latest Hydrafacial equipment and a dedicated technician to perform it in a private setting. The procedure minimizes skin discoloration and brightens skin tone, instantly minimizing fine lines and wrinkles. Your skin is saturated with antioxidants and peptides to maximize skin glow. Uncover a new layer of skin with exfoliation and resurfacing.

VASER LIPOSUCTION

We are among the earliest adopters of Vaser Liposuction in the world. In fact, we have taught and demonstrated this unique procedure for doctors from as far away as Seoul, Korea.

Vaser liposuction uses a very small incision of less than 1/4 inch to emulsify and remove fat. The procedure is performed in the office under local anesthesia, saving the expense of a hospital or surgery center. The results are immediate, unlike various non-invasive treatments which may or may not work.

HORMONE PELLETS Hormone pellets have helped thousands of men and women achieve hormonal balance for restoration of their health. We offer hormone pellets and hormone testing in our clinic. The pellets look much like a grain of rice and are placed under the skin where hormones are released as they dissolve over a period of months. For most people, this is the easiest way to replace missing hormones. If you have fatigue, depression, anxiety, decreased sexual performance, muscle wasting, insomnia, or weight gain, it might be appropriate to have your hormones checked.

STATE-OF-THE-ART LASERS

Our clinic has state-of-the-art lasers for the treatment of numerous medical and cosmetic problems. Unfortunately, this involves too much information to include in this space but will be detailed in future articles.

BOTOX, FILLERS, COSMECEUTICALS

We also offer Botox, Juvederm fillers, and various cosmeceutical beauty correcting formulas, all priced competitively.

Please call if we can provide you with additional information.

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Voice for the Environment

ARTICLE BY GEORGIANN POTTS AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY KELLY MOORE CLARK

Stuart Hodnett is a man on a mission.

After living a number of years in Tennessee, Hodnett felt the urge to “come home.”

Although he had enjoyed living away, the need to return to his roots was compelling.

A family member’s serious illness meant that he traveled to Monroe frequently over 4 years. Those visits reminded him of all that he had missed while living away. When he decided to return to Louisiana, Hodnett believed that the move was in answer to a calling from God to help his hometown. He chose working on environmental issues – recycling, litter abatement, and beautification – and has engaged countless citizens to make a difference with him. For his outstanding leadership in the environment, Stuart Hodnett is our March 2020 Bayou Icon.

Stuart Hodnett is 100% certain that Ouachita Parish is his home for good. Although he was born in Monroe at St. Francis Hospital and grew up in West Monroe, he lived out of state for a number of years afterward.

Hodnett considers his birth – and that of his 2 brothers and 1 sister – nothing short of a miracle, four to be exact. “My mom had ovarian cancer and was not expected to be able to have children,” Hodnett explains.

“But a miracle happened and a new treatment spared her life. Even though the doctors said that she would never have children, here we are!”

CHILDHOOD MEMORIES Among Hodnett’s earliest childhood memories is the smell of fresh dirt that accompanies the turning over of soil to break the garden in spring. He learned about gardening and recycling as a young boy when his father taught him how to compost and preserve the environment. He loved working in the family yard and garden, and enjoyed picking up things -- items for compost as well as aluminum cans for extra money. Hodnett credits his father, Billy Joe Hodnett, with instilling in him the importance of living green and recycling. “My father grew up in Bosco, Louisiana, on the farm and often told us stories about growing gardens and hunting to survive and provide for his parents,” Hodnett explains. “He planted that seed in me.”

As a very young child, Hodnett could often be found playing alone with his Tonka trucks and bulldozers, shaping the landscape and forming levees and ponds. He loved working in the dirt. His neighbors, however, were not always appreciative of his efforts. “I can remember my neighbors just wondering what the heck I was doing in their back yards, digging holes!” Hodnett remembers with a chuckle.

Clearly, Hodnett’s parents were strong influences on him during his childhood. His father was an educator, working as a guidance counselor at Wossman High School first and then becoming a principal at Minnie Ruffin Elementary School. His mother, Janice Powell Earl, grew up in Texas until she was in high

school and her family moved to Monroe. Her battle with cancer was an example of courage and faith for the entire family.

Hodnett’s parents were active in their church – the Downsville Baptist Church -- where for 23 years his father was a music minister and his mother played the piano.

“On Sundays and Wednesdays we drove 30 minutes each way on Sundays and Wednesdays to sing as a family, lead music, and sing in the choir,” Hodnett remembers.

“We would also sing in different churches as a family during revivals.”

Hodnett grew up loving sports. He especially cherishes memories of playing football and baseball with his friends. From his father, he learned to hunt and fish – and how important both were for feeding a family. Because of those teachings, on most weekends Hodnett and his friends could be found in the woods or near the water enjoying the great outdoors and nature’s bounty.

MENTORS DURING FORMATIV E Y EA RS Hodnett is quick to say that mentors during his childhood and teen years helped him achieve success as an adult. First on his list are the older men he knew at the Downsville church who had experienced WWII in the military. These men were pillars of the community who Hodnett admired.

“They were hardened by the war and were extremely wise. They were followers of God,” Hodnett recalls.

Sports also introduced him to mentors.

His next-door neighbor, D. J. Finley, helped Hodnett become the best that he could be when Hodnett pitched in the little league baseball club that Finley coached. Through Finley’s influence, Hodnett learned the importance of being true to yourself and always keeping your word.

Hodnett went to Drew Elementary, West Monroe Junior High School, and West Monroe High School, graduating WMHS in 1986. He remembers fondly his first grade teacher, Mrs. Baines, who taught him about the weather – a subject that fascinated the young boy.

While in high school, Hodnett joined the Interact Club and participated in their

Ouachita River floodwall project. In this project, students cleaned and then painted designs on the floodwall, turning it from an eyesore to an art beautification project. He also was active in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes at WMHS where he developed the love of people and learned to serve others above himself. An attraction for belonging to both clubs for Hodnett was their concern for the environment.

LIFE CH ANGES

Not long after his family built their own home on Peach Ridge Road in West Monroe in the late 1970’s (on McGowan’s peach farm – and they had to clear peach trees to build it!) things changed. His parents decided to divorce, with his mother remaining in West Monroe and his father moving first to Luna, then to Downsville, and later to Lake D’Arbonne. Hodnett remembers that there was a lot of moving during those years. There was a lot of love, too, especially because both sets of grandparents lived nearby. Although both of his parents have now passed away, Hodnett and his siblings remain very close.

After graduating from WMHS, Hodnett worked in Arkansas on a rice farm to earn college tuition. He studied at Louisiana Tech University (LA Tech) from 1987-1992 and earned a BS in business management. During his final year at LA Tech, Hodnett was called up from the Louisiana National Guard to active duty to serve in and participate in Operation Desert Storm. He served a deployment to Iraq for 6 months. “I came back home all grown up and a combat veteran,” he remembers.

“I thank God every day for keeping me safe during that war. I appreciate life more now and am grateful for what I have every day.”

Also while at LA Tech during that final year, he met Paige Haynes from Waldron, Arkansas. They were both students at the University, and quickly discovered that they had a lot in common. They married in 1992 and had their first son Luke in 1996. Lane came in 1998, and Levi in 2004. The two have shared a life together that has been all about mutual respect and partnership. “I loved her from when I first met her, and I continue to love her to this day. We are a perfect fit,” Hodnett says.

Hodnett’s career path has been interesting. His first job – found through a Career Day at LA Tech – was with a finance company where he learned to deal with customers and money. Next he worked for Louisiana Machinery in Bossier City selling Caterpillar products. From there he moved to Memphis to work for another Caterpillar dealership. After 7 years, he moved to Nashville to continue working for Caterpillar WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | MARCH 2020 107

for 4 more years. During the Caterpillar years, Paige was a great help with the paperwork Hodnett’s job required. In return, he helped her with their children and did “house dad” duty while she worked.

THE L AND CA LLS

In 2008 Hodnett could no longer resist the urge to work in the dirt, nurturing plants. He and Paige made a major move, opening up their own landscaping company in Franklin, Tennessee. For 8 years they owned and operated the business, with their 3 sons working alongside. It was during this time that Hodnett’s mother fell ill and he began spending time in north Louisiana caring for her. hile caring for his mother, Hodnett became aware of a Ouachita Business Alliance (OBA) initiative, Ouachita Green. OBA had designated beautification as one of its primary focus areas, and had tapped members Pat Moore and Joe Holyfield to head it up. One of the early successes of Ouachita Green was to begin coordinating the litter abatement and beautification projects already occurring in the Parish, but which were being done separately. Hodnett volunteered for some of those early Ouachita Green events, and even managed to attend some of their meetings, though infrequently. Hodnett remembers attending one of the first meetings for Ouachita Green and driving from Nashville to West Monroe and back home to Nashville all in one day! Though it made for a very long day, he knew that he had to do it.

Hodnett had come a long way. He was living in Nashville, singing with celebrities and recording CD’s with 3 different choirs.

During that 16-year stint, he also acted in the ABC series “Nashville” for two years, appearing in a variety of roles over 15 episodes. These forays into the entertainment world provided him with a wonderful learning experience that he has never forgotten.

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COMING HOME

After realizing that the time felt right to bring his young family back home, Hodnett packed up and moved to Ouachita Parish.

Paige, although from Arkansas, already had strong connections with Monroe through her grandfather, the late Bill Ruple (legendary Neville High School Head Coach 1939-1974).

In May 2016, Hodnett realized a career goal – working professionally in the area he dearly loved: the environment. He became Ouachita Green’s first coordinator and began working immediately, bringing different groups together with the enthusiasm and dedication necessary to make a real difference in key environmental areas. His “day job” as coordinator was supplemented by his continued personal volunteerism for Ouachita Green projects such as the Great American Clean-up each spring and Water Sweep each fall. This past spring he added his volunteer time to the Household Hazardous Waste Collection at the University of Louisiana at Monroe.

Volunteerism and family have been major parts of Hodnett’s life since the earliest years. He cherishes both. When asked recently who he would like to have lunch with, living or dead, and what would he want to talk about, Hodnett did not hesitate. “I would have lunch with my father because he passed away 25 years ago without my having the chance to tell him goodbye,” Hodnett explains. “We would talk about the old times and what it means to be a father. I would tell him that I understand why he did what he did because now I am a father, too.”

An active volunteer in both the religious and secular spheres, Hodnett has served his fraternity at LA Tech (Pi Kappa Alpha), Brentwood Baptist Church, Thompson Station Church, the Greater Cool Springs Chamber of Commerce, Keep Louisiana Beautiful,

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“Each volunteer opportunity will lead to something else that will continually build you up in faith and character to handle the next opportunity that comes your way. I encourage others to volunteer by sharing the vision that God has given me. That vision creates hope, change, and momentum.”

– S T UA RT H O DN E T T Keep West Monroe Beautiful, and Ouachita Green. “Each volunteer opportunity will lead to something else that will continually build you up in faith and character to handle the next opportunity that comes your way,” Hodnett explains. “I encourage others to volunteer by sharing the vision that God has given me. That vision creates hope, change, and momentum.”

Hodnett believes that the biggest challenge facing us today in beautification is engaging people who understand what you are trying to do and then explain to them why it is so important. One of the first surprises that Hodnett had in his work with Ouachita Green was the sheer amount of trash and litter that accumulates just in Ouachita Parish. Just last year, 1,379 Ouachita Green volunteers collected 99,255 pounds.

The Hodnett’s live what they believe. They recycled before recycling was “cool.” All keep litterbags in their vehicles, and drink from reusable water bottles. They will only purchase plates and napkins that are made from recycled materials. Even though they

recycle their paper and print on both sides, they are making every effort to go paperless.

While in some quarters the advances in technology are not always greeted with joy, that is not the case – entirely -- with Hodnett.

“Technology has made it easier to be more connected and engaged so it is easier to spread the word,” said Hodnett. “The downside of it is that it is harder to disengage to spend time with your family and to have some time for your non-work life.”

On those rare days off, Hodnett enjoys getting in a round of golf, running, and working out. He loves working in his garden growing plants, and especially enjoys making things “look nice.” As long as he is working with his hands, he is a happy man. When asked to describe a “perfect day,” Hodnett replies without hesitation. He would begin by sleeping in, then eat a light breakfast, spend some quality hammock time, run a few miles, and then build a fire and invite friends over to roast hotdogs, make s’mores, and visit.

FUTURE GOA LS

Now promoted to the post of Ouachita Green’s first director and with four years experience under his belt, Hodnett has a plan. In the short term, he wants to continue the process of educating the community about litter abatement – especially our school children and young adults. Hodnett believes that educating the young and making them environmentally aware will go far in controlling the problem.

Hodnett sees the biggest immediate challenge to be litter abatement, and is actively inviting organizations, clubs, and church groups to create volunteer teams to address the litter problem. He is realistic, however, and knows that building a volunteer corps will take time and education. “I have learned very quickly that volunteers have their own timeframe and mindset, and that you cannot push them to do anything,” Hodnett explains. “You have to plant a seed and share your vision with them and then encourage, encourage, and then encourage even more.”

In the long term, he hopes to build on the region’s emerging recycling efforts and one day establish curbside recycling in our communities. “Recycling reduces litter on the highways and going into our landfill, it reuses materials that are readily available, it spreads environmental awareness, and it is just the right thing to do” Hodnett explains.

Because overall beautification is a key component to caring for the environment, Hodnett also wants to focus even more on beautification efforts along right of ways, sidewalks, and community entrance gateways. Planting more trees has been – and will be -- a major part of these efforts. Because walking and running are important to him, Hodnett would also like to push for more greenway designations and walking trail development throughout our area.

W H AT’S NEXT

What will the next decade bring for Hodnett? He hopes that his life will continue to be filled with joy and love for his family and this community. Both he and Paige are looking forward to enjoying some grandchildren, and to slowing down some. They want to enjoy each day at a slower pace, instead of the rushed days that are theirs today.

And one day, when the time is right, they hope to slip away to some place warm and tropical. St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands and Grand Cayman in the Cayman Islands are at the top of their future travel wish list.

And those who know Hodnett best will realize that even in an idyllic setting like those islands, Hodnett will still have one eye open looking for an offending piece of litter to collect. Some habits never die.

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NELA Telecommunications Turner Teleco & Louisiana IT Solutions

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OUNDED IN 1983 BY MR. JOEL TURNER, TURNER TELECO provides telecommunication services to Northeast Louisiana and the surrounding areas. Turner purchased the customer premise equipment base from the Ouachita Parish Police Jury to maintain in 1987, and then purchased Centurytel’s CPE base as well. Mark Redding acquired Turner Teleco in 2010 and moved the business to familyowned property in West Monroe. Mark started working for Joel Turner at Turner Teleco as an installation, repair, and maintenance technician while attending ULM. Eventually promoted to sales, Mark found his calling. During that time, Mark worked as a salesman for two other companies, Telecom Solutions and Network Telephone Company. He decided to venture away from the telecommunication industry, instead operating business development centers for three local auto dealerships.

Mr. Joel Turner mentored Mark and taught him the importance of delivering customer service that is second to none. So when Joel Turner called Mark explaining his intent to retire, everything changed for Mark.

He was incredibly honored by his former boss’s belief in his ability to carry the torch forward. Mr. Turner saw something in Mark that made him trust the business in Mark’s hands. Mr. Turner offered to sell the company to his former technician and salesman. Mark understood the value of the well-established business and did not hesitate to accept the offer. He always knew he was meant to be back in the telecommunications industry, and Mr. Turner’s vacancy and trust in Mark’s knowledge to continue what he started was all the motivation Mark needed.

In 2013, Turner Teleco purchased Telecom Solutions from Paul James, Mark’s other former employer. He also trusted Mark enough to look after a business he founded. Mr. James was a retired BellSouth technician that had a large database of customers, enabling Mark to double his technician staff, plus the addition of many valuable customers that the company still services today, with St. Francis Medical Center being a primary customer. Turner Teleco provides the following services, fiber optic cabling and installation; Cat5 and Cat6 data cabling and installation; voice and IP phone data cabling; video surveillance camera systems accessible by the web and mobile devices; access control locking; phone and internet services; new phone system installation; and existing phone system maintenance.

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Due to the ever-changing world of technology, Mark decided that a move into the IT world was necessary for the longevity of his business. In 2017, Mark partnered with Carlos Smith to create Turner Teleco’s sister company, Louisiana IT Solutions, which provides IT-managed services.

Carlos Smith was IT Director at P&S Surgery for 12 years and has owned his own IT company. Together, Carlos and Mark have a phenomenal understanding of the healthcare industry and its standards. The new company offers dedicated and affordable IT infrastructure support to accommodate the many businesses that simply do not have the budget or need for a full-time IT department. Louisiana IT Solutions’ fully managed IT services suite is designed to provide customers with peace of mind, freeing them to focus on driving their businesses forward. The company monitors systems, applies patches, protects against viruses, ensures backups are performing successfully, and much more. They’ll catch and fix the little problems before they become big problems - in many cases before owners are even aware there is an issue.

As a Managed Services Provider, Turner Teleco and Louisiana IT Solutions allows business owners to get IT projects up and running much quicker, with reduced operating costs and access to experienced and knowledgeable technical staff. The IT-Managed Services provided include, cyber security; information security compliance; remote monitoring; network administration and engineering; data backup and recovery; and performance analytics and visualization. The cloud services include, backup and disaster recovery; email hosting; web hosting; Saas-Software as a service; WaaS-Workspace as a service; and hosted phone service. Both Turner Teleco and Louisiana IT Solutions provide business-to-business support for networks. The sister companies have overcome the many technology changes and continue to provide consultation for your business needs. IT can be a headache that many businesses either can’t budget in or don’t have the expertise to manage.

That’s where Turner Teleco and Louisiana It Solutions comes in, providing the guidance so many business owners need to expand and meet the changing market. They pride themselves on giving clients the best advice and guidance when it comes to business solutions. Wherever the world of technology leads, you can trust Turner Teleco and Louisiana IT Solutions to help move your business forward.

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Miss Kay’s Sweets and Eats Catering Options and More

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PRING IS IN THE AIR AND EASTER IS JUST AROUND THE corner and at Miss Kay’s Sweets and Eats, they are ready to help you with your Easter feasts, baby showers and catering events.

They can take care of it all: breakfast, lunch and dinner.

OFF SITE CATERING

You can choose from a variety of meat, casseroles, side dishes and hors d’oeuvres. They offer off-site catering at homes, churches, meeting halls and more, taking care all of cooking and the clean up so you can enjoy your guests. “One of our most popular dishes is our homemade Mac n’ cheese, which is perfect for everything from a family Easter dinner to a large catering event,” says Alex Mancuso, owner/ operator of Miss Kay’s. “We also have our homemade rolls, which you can order ahead and pick up for Easter.” Alex is the granddaughter of Miss Kay herself so she has all of the delicious family recipes that the Robertson family has enjoyed for years. You can even order a ham and pick it up for Easter lunch.

SWEETS AND TREATS

If you have a sweet tooth, Miss Kay’s has just that - sweets! They offer a variety of cookies, brownies, pralines, cupcakes, cake pops

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and more with seasonal sweets rotating on a regular basis. You can even order entire cakes and pies for your get togethers. “This month, we will have our coconut cake and our coconut meringue pie, which are great and flavorful for this time of year!,” said Alex. They also have small batch gelato with traditional flavors like Milk and Honey, Stracciatella (chocolate flake), Strawberry Sorbet, Birthday Cake, Chocolate Banana, Nutella and more. The temperature will soon be rising outside and gelato is the perfect way to cool off.

COFFEE CHOICES

And just because the weather is warming up, doesn’t mean you have to give up great coffee. Miss Kay’s recently created a caramel lavender honey latte, which can be served hot or cold. This refreshing drink has a smooth caramel with just the right amount of sweetness paired with the light, floral flavor of the honey and lavender. Their drink menu also includes cappuccino, americano, mocha and drip coffee.

Be sure to stop by Miss Kay’s Sweets and Eats this spring to plan your next family get together or just grab a plate lunch and a cup of coffee and sit out on the patio.

Grand Millenial Style A Nod to Yesterday and a Look to Tomorrow

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HIS NOTION OF PREPPY ECLECTICISM, GRANDMA Chic, or Forward Thinking Traditonalism was brought to the forefront by an article I read in the House Beautiful September 2019 issue written by Emma Bazilian.

The movement is a response to the influx of stark minimalism and the exclusivity of use of mid century modern furnishings. This has been the mantra for a while now along with the overuse of greige and cold, stark meaningless objects in the design world.

This age group of “Grand Millennials” are ready to reprise the designs of Sister Parrish, Albert Hadley, Dorothy Draper and Billy Baldwin…just to name a few. They are longing for pleated lampshades, wallpaper, bamboo, cloth napkins, color, a little “brown” furniture, and a dash of glass and metal. They’re mixing it up with a wink and a nod to traditional as they know it.

I also have seen that there is a definite revival of hobbies like needlepoint, knitting and quilting that has helped to fuel this movement-this really is a cool thing again. Or, at the very least, having the ability to sight and source these items on Etsy, in consignment shops or at estate sales.

As the first generation to grow up with the Internet, I think they have an innate skepticism about the world and the idea of being

able to come home to an “old school” designed surrounding is so comforting to their overly stressed, screen time lives. This Generation Y of early 20’s to late 30’s is an extremely talented and exciting group to be around. It really warms the heart of this Generation X girl and makes me so happy to see what they are doing to keep classic design alive.

So, what do we really need to do? We need to embrace this and not conform to what everyone else thinks is “the” thing to do. Let’s infuse our world with nostalgic design inspired by the opulence and comfort of times gone by along with setting it on its edge with a taste of modern quirkiness.

This notion has long been my aesthetic on design. If you love it and it makes you feel comfortable, it will work. Your home needs to reflect your personality-gathered, well traveled-whether it be in actuality or just in thought, this design style will always represent a true and welcoming feeling into your world when you genuinely present it in this way… in your way.

- Joyce

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Adolescents are reported to be the fastest growing population of caffeine consumers, with 83.2% consuming caffeine regularly and 96% of teens consuming occasionally.

What is their caffeine of choice? Teens typically get their fix from energy drinks and sodas, mostly to increase alertness for the purpose of studying.

Caffeine Awareness

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BY THE CHILDREN’S COALITION FOR NORTHEAST LOUISIANA

Hope heads up Eat Fit Monroe, a non-profit t is common for teens to reach for Ochsner Health initiative that partners energy drinks before a soccer game with restaurants to make healthier menu or to turn to coffee to help them options available.

Hope pull an all-night study enjoys photography, baking session, but drinking sourdough bread and teaching too much caffeine could the world how to love beets. be bad for a teen’s health.

Her favorite thing is to simply The American Academy of Pediatrics discourages caffeine be in the presence of her hunky husband, Heath, and intake for children and young their lovely daughter, Landry. adults. Caffeine is a drug that naturally occurs in the leaves Q: What is the most important and seeds of many plants.

It’s also produced artificially thing parents and youth need to know about caffeine? and may be added to certain

A: Caffeine is widely beverages and foods. Caffeine stimulates the central nervous found in the American diet.

H O PE F R UG E Tea, soft drinks and — my system, causing increased favorite: coffee — contain caffeine, as well alertness. Many people take it because they as chocolate, energy drinks, and over-theexperience a temporary boost in energy and counter medications. Because many of a slight elevation in mood.

Hope Frugé is a Vanderbilt-trained our favorite foods and beverages contain it, caffeine is usually given little thought dietitian who inspires people to eat + move when it comes to our health. However, it + live WELL. In her private practice, Health is important to note that caffeine isn’t an with Hope, she shows clients how to balance inert substance. In fact, it is classified as a wellness with everyday life and rethink their relationship with food. Additionally, drug and central nervous system stimulant.

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Q: Why is it important for parents to talk to their children about caffeine? How does this affect their health?

A: Even in seemingly moderate doses, caffeine has the potential to cause serious health concerns. Over-caffeination can lead to arrhythmias (an irregular heartbeat), tremors, seizures, high blood pressure, issues with concentration, hyperactivity, gastrointestinal discomfort, increased blood sugar levels, anxiety, and insomnia.

Most specialty coffee drinks, sodas, and energy drinks kids reach for are also sugar-sweetened beverages, so therein lies another health concern. In fact, on average, kids consume 3 times more than the recommended amount of (no more than) 6 teaspoons of added sugars per day. Excess sugar intake from an early age is a risk factor for type 2 diabetes and heart disease — both conditions are among the leading causes of death — as well as overweight/obesity and cavities. The energy drink industry is worth over $53 billion dollars annually, and hear this: your teenager is a prime target for this segment of the beverage industry.

Energy drinks offer varying amounts of caffeine, ranging from the 5-hour Energy Decaf’s 6 milligrams (mg) up to the 10-hour Energy Shot’s 422 mg; although, Red Bull and Monster Energy drinks dominate the market and provide an average amount of 132 mg caffeine per serving. Youth often regard energy drinks as healthier alternatives to soda, but the current position of the American Academy of Pediatrics is firm and clear. It states, “stimulant-containing energy drinks have no place in the diets of children and adolescents”. If your teen is looking for more energy, point them towards getting more sleep and regular exercise; both are the two major culprits of fatigue in adolescents.

It would be difficult to persuade your kiddo to forego all caffeine consumption. After all, what childhood would be complete without chocolate milk? But it is encouraged to talk about the potential harmful effects of energy drinks with your teen(s) and ultimately share it isn’t recommended for people under the age of 18 to consume them.

Q: What are some of the short and long-term outcomes of caffeine intake?

A: Short term, caffeine can temporarily boost energy. Caffeine cannot be stored in the body, but the effects last up to 6 hours. Modest amounts of caffeine have been shown to increase alertness and improve mental and physical performance in studies with adults; however, outcomes are not as widely known in children and youth due to lack of research.

Long-term, caffeine intake can lead to dependency.

It only takes around 100 milligrams of caffeine a day to develop a dependency, and some are more sensitive to it than others. Tolerance can be built up with regular intake, so effects can vary from person to person.

“Adolescents are the fastest growing population of caffeine consumers, with 83% consuming caffeine regularly.”

Q: My child is drinking caffeine, what should I be aware of?

A: It is recommended that teenagers should limit their caffeine intake to less than 100 milligrams/day; children are recommended as little as possible. What studies do suggest is caffeine affects teenagers’ concentration and ability to sleep, which in turn may slow the maturation of their brains.

Q: What are the dangers of mixing caffeine and alcohol?

A: Studies show that about 15% of teens are mixing alcohol and energy drinks, while 9% drink energy drinks in conjunction with other drugs. Drinking energy drinks alone pose serious risks, but combining alcohol and illegal substances with them is a potentially fatal combination. As a parent, it is important to educate your teenager, talking openly about the potential risks of caffeine no matter the source, and try your best to monitor caffeine intake. The whole house will rest easier, as a result.

RESOURCES TeensHealth TeensHealth (https://kidshealth.org/ en/teens/caffeine.html) is a valuable resource for both parents and youth.

Here you can find accurate information on caffeiene and the affects that it is has on teens as well as different caffeine measurements for drinks that are popular among teens.

Mary Barrios, Healthy Living Coordinator at the Children’s Coalition, works with local agencies and experts to provide information and events that educate youth about substance abuse. Call Mary at (318) 3238775 or go to www.childrenscoalition.org to learn more about upcoming programs like Prescription Take Back Day, April 25, 2020.

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The Chick is Bursting with New Flavors this Spring Dine In, Carry Out or Let Us Cater for You

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PRINGTIME IS BURSTING WITH flavor at Chicken Salad Chick! The Chick is introducing a new flavor, Patti Thai’rific, starting March 2nd. This exciting new flavor has hints of sesame ginger flavor, carrots and cashews. If you’re wanting a sweet treat, the Blueberry Cheesecake is also back starting March 2nd - the perfect sweet treat to go with any meal!

At Chicken Salad Chick, we use fresh ingredients and time-honored traditions. We take great pride in making our flavors by hand each morning, using only premium chicken tenderloins, and our special combinations of sweet and savory ingredients.While you are here, consider yourself an honorary chick! We believe food brings people together, so we always provide service with a smile and aim for you to leave our chicken salad restaurants happy with your meal and refreshed from time well spent. We don’t believe in strangers, just friends we haven’t met yet—so come in and enjoy! You’ll find fresh, healthy fare and gracious

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hospitality at our chicken salad restaurant. We know everyone has a different idea of what makes the perfect chicken salad recipe, so we’ve created several options. If you’re a chicken salad lover, you’ll discover something here to satisfy your tastes. From simple to savory to fruity and nutty or even a little spicy, you can pick the chick that suits your mood. We have over a dozen varieties of chicken salads along with pimento cheese or egg salad, served by the scoop, sandwich, or bowl. You’ll also find delicious sides, soups, and desserts in addition to the scoops of chicken salad that started it all.

EAT IN OR PICK UP YOUR ORDER

Chicken Salad Chick is the perfect place for a meal with the whole family, or to grab a quick lunch on the go. All of our chicken salad and side salads are prepared fresh daily, and we strive to offer excellent service and a worldclass dining experience. For guests who cannot stay, all of our menu items are also available for takeout, or you can even take home one-pound

containers of your favorite Chick. We invite you to stop by and experience why everyone is talking about Chicken Salad Chick.

ENJOY HOMEMADE FLAVORS AT YOUR NEXT CATERED EVENT

Consider calling our caterers for your next big event to order custom sandwich trays and side dishes. With 15 different chicken salad flavors, our food is sure to please all of your guests’ taste buds. If you need help deciding what you need for your catering order, contact Nici Hanks and she can help you come up with the perfect catering order customized to your specific needs. We also offer delivery for your catering orders to make it easy and convenient for you. The next time you have a party planned, remember to call ahead and order from the Chick for an easy and delicious catering experience!

1191 Lamy Lane, Suite G, Monroe 318.322.4425

Give Your Beauty A Boost

Choose DermaMediQ to Help Get Your Summer Body

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R.SOWMA-FAKHRE IS PROUD to bring these procedures to Northeast Louisiana: BodyTite, FaceTite and Morpheus8 by InMode are just what you need to get ready for the summer. Dr.Marx performs the BodyTite and FaceTite procedures at DermaMediq. The summer is quickly approaching to wear tank tops, shorts, swimsuits. If you have stubborn areas that you would like to fix, DermaMediQ has you covered. Below are listed solutions to getting your body ready for tank tops and shorts for the summer and also getting rid of those stubborn unwanted hairs.

EMSCULPT

Emsculpt is intended for improvement of abdominal tone, strengthening of the abdominal muscles, development of firmer abdomen.

Strengthening, toning and firming of buttocks, thighs, and calves. Improvement of muscle tone and firmness, for strengthening muscles in

arms. The best part is there is no anesthesia or down time.

BODYTITE

BodyTite is a minimally-invasive device for body contouring delivering results previously only achieved through excisional procedures.

BodyTite is powered by directional RF resulting in three-dimensional tissue remodeling through fat coagulation and volumetric heating. The coagulation of fat using RF-induced heat results in radio-frequency assisted lipolysis.

FACETITE

In just one treatment, FaceTite can provide significant improvements to the contour of the face and neck. Using RFAL technology, FaceTite is the next best thing to a traditional facelift, without the associated large scars and downtime.

MORPHEUS8

Morpheus8 is a novel technology that lets you discover new depths. It is the first and only full-body fractional technology adjusted for subdermal tissue remodeling, dermal treatment and epidermal resurfacing. Morpheus8 is the deepest fractional technology with penetration up to 4000 microns.

KEY BENEFITS:

• It’s a solution without the large scars and minimal downtime.

• Be able to provide solutions to a younger set of patients who are not yet ready for a facelift or do not want a neck lift.

• Innovate with the leading technology in the marketplace today.

• Offer minimally invasive procedures that deliver surgical results. .

LASER HAIR REMOVAL

Lasers are useful for removing unwanted hair from the face, leg, chin, back, arm, underarm, bikini line, and other areas. Precision Lasers can selectively target dark, coarse hairs while leaving the surrounding skin undamaged. Each pulse of the laser takes a fraction of a second and can treat many hairs at the same time. The laser can treat an area approximately the size of a quarter every second. Small areas such as the upper lip can be treated in less than a minute, and large areas, such as the back or legs, may take up to 20 minutes.

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IRA – It’s Not Too Late Argent Advisors in Monroe Explains

BY JUSTIN MAILHES

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MPORTANT IRA INFORMATION: Unlike most retirement plans 2019 contributions can be made to your IRA up to the 2019 filing date of April 15, 2020. If you do contribute for 2019 make sure your IRA custodian knows you are doing a 2019 contribution. The contribution limit for 2019 is $6,000 and if you are 50 or older you can contribute $7,000. Contributions are per person not per account meaning, if you have an IRA and Roth IRA you cannot contribute $6,000 to both but you can split the $3,000 between both accounts. The contribution limits have stayed the same for 2020.

The tax deductibility of the contribution is subject to income limits and participation in employer sponsored retirement plans. If you are not covered by an employer sponsored plan there is no income phase-out.

• For single taxpayers covered by a workplace retirement plan, the phaseout range is $64,000 to $74,000 for

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2019 and slightly increased for 2020 to $65,000 to $75,000.

• For married couples filing jointly, where the spouse making the IRA contribution is covered by a workplace retirement plan, the phase-out is $103,000 to $123,000 for 2019 and slightly increased for 2020 to $104,000 to $124,000.

• For an IRA contributor who is not covered by a workplace retirement plan and is married to someone who is covered, the deduction is phased out if the couple’s income is between $193,000 to $203,000 for 2019 and slightly increased for 2020 to $196,000 to $206,000.

Roth IRA contributions are not tax deductible but are not subject to taxes when withdrawn. This can be especially attractive to younger contributors. While retirement plan participation is not a factor, a Roth IRA contribution is still subject to income limits.

A single taxpayer phase-out range is $122,000 to $137,000 for 2019 and slightly increased for 2020 to $124,000 to $139,000. Married filing jointly phase-out range for 2019 is $193,000 to $203,000 and slightly increased for 2020 to $196,000 to $206,000.

The discussion between doing a traditional IRA or Roth IRA contribution is best discussed with your financial advisor or CPA. WHY CHOOSE ARGENT ADVISORS IN MONROE?

Our mission is to help establish, manage, and protect our clients’ financial plans, and we take that very seriously. The Argent Advisors team in Monroe has over 60 years of combined financial planning experience. No matter where one’s objectives fall, we help our clients establish a definitive goal-oriented plan for current needs and for the future. Argent Advisors in Monroe is a fee-based, Registered Investment Advisor firm. We agree on an annual management fee, and then we work for YOU. We do not make money on account activity or have proprietary products. Our independent process assures you that we are acting in your best interest, not in ours. If you have any question about your financial planning needs, please contact our office. www.irs.gov

JGS Catholic School Enrolling Now

OPEN REGISTRATION IS IN PROGRESS

Registration for the 2020-21 school year has begun at JGS School with open registration for new families beginning March 3rd and continuing through the summer. If you are interested in obtaining more information about JGS School, tours are offered every Tuesday morning at 9:00 a.m. or by appointment with our principal, Lisa Patrick. We encourage you to schedule a school tour and stop by the school office for an admission packet. Call the school office at 318-325-8569 for more information regarding tuition rates, registration deadlines and general admission information. JGS School is now serving grades PreK 2 through 6th grade.

Last August, after much prayer, planning and encouragement from our community, we successfully launched our JGS PreK 2 program.

It has been a great joy to have these precious little ones and a wonderful addition to our thriving campus. If you are interested in the PreK2 program, please contact the school office as these classes are filling quickly.

OUR CRITERIA FOR SUCCESS

Our school vision is to instill in each child a love of learning and a love of God, self and others. This vision ensures we focus on certain criteria that help us maintain a productive and efficient school environment: • Prayer and daily religion keep students focused on Christ.

• An average 12:1 student/teacher ratio in PreK and a 16:1 ratio in Kindergarten through 6th grade provides teachers and students with a manageable classroom experience.

• Current technology in all classrooms including Smartboards, Chromebooks, G Suite for Education, Freckle by Renaissance, Nearpod and STEM keeps students engaged and focused on new learning techniques.

• A structured, safe environment where students can learn and be creative.

• Professional development opportunities for our teachers and staff focusing on current teaching methods.

• Providing students with opportunities to engage in community service projects.

At JGS, by incorporating these basic strategies into the everyday functioning of our school guarantees that staff and students are given ample opportunity to succeed academically, spiritually and athletically.

TUITION AND FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

Tuition rates for the 2020-21 school year remain one of the lowest in the area due to stable enrollment, successful fundraising and budgeting strategies. We put a great deal of focus on maintaining the lowest tuition possible for our school families. JGS School offers tuition assistance each year to new and current families who are in need or come upon hard times.

We also have tuition assistance available for qualified applicants through outside resources for students who are looking for a school that better fits their personal needs and academic qualifications. Parents are encouraged to contact the JGS School office to inquire about tuition assistance and discuss the application process for the coming school year. The tuition assistance deadline for the 2020-21 school year is March 31, 2020.

Families interested in finding out more about Jesus the Good Shepherd Catholic School are encouraged to contact the school office directly at 318-325-8569 or visit our website, www.jesusgoodshepherd.org. Tours are given every Tuesday at 9:00 a.m. and by appointment with our principal, Mrs. Lisa Patrick. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

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The Sounds of Broadway Monroe Symphony Orchestra

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HE MONROE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA (MSO) PRESENTS The Sounds of Broadway Saturday, March 14, 2020 at 7p.m.

One of MSO’s most popular events, this year’s POPs Concert performance features special guest vocalists Leah Huber and Blake Oden. Both of these amazing artists were recently seen, heard and enjoyed in ULM’s Spring 2019 production of Phantom of the Opera.

They’ll perform an incredible selection of Broadway hits from Man of La Mancha, Phantom of the Opera, Singing in the Rain, Beauty and the Beast, Sweeney Todd and many others.

Stadium seat tickets are available for those who wish see the performance and tables are available for those who prefer floor seating.

Many people purchase tickets and a table and bring their own food and non-alcoholic beverages. Some who purchase tables also compete for the highly sought-after Best Pops Table award. The competition adds an element of fun and excitement to the night! Cash bar (provided by the Monroe Civic Center) available including bottles of wine for suggested donation. Only non-alcoholic beverages can be brought into the Civic Center.

Stadium and floor performance tickets ($30 each/$10 for students) and tables for 8 ($50 each) both available at https://www.eventbrite. com/e/the-sound-of-broadway-tickets-90174613697 or 318.812.6761.

Table availability is limited so don’t wait!

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Coming up next? Check out the MSO Presents series at mymso.org.

These smaller events offer classical and chamber music fans a uniquely intimate musical experience.

And get your tickets now for the 2nd Annual Juleps & Jazz fundraiser. Juleps & Jazz is now widely known as Northeast Louisiana’s premier Kentucky Derby event. Held on Saturday May 2nd, from 4 – 7p.m., at the historic King Stubbs-Horne House at 1608 N. 5th Street in Monroe, the event features live music by LA Jazz, fantastic food and drink, fun derby games and watching the 146th running of the Kentucky Derby on several big screens. So pull out your most outrageous hat, bow tie and jacket and join the fun! Tickets are $55 ($100 for two), include all the food and drinks, and are available at mymso.org/julepsandjazz.

Proceeds benefit MSO and the community outreach and educational programs it supports.

Now in its 49th year of continuous operation, MSO has provided live symphonic music of high artistic quality for the education and enjoyment of the people of Northeast Louisiana and the region. The Symphony’s goals include collaboration with local and regional arts groups and artists of national reputation; providing recognition of Louisiana artists and music education.

Interior Designers Now on Staff At Fabulous Fabric

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E HAVE ADDED TWO VERY experienced designers to our staff.

Lauree Rizzo Leath has joined the Fab Fab team after working in the New Orleans area for the past 30 years in the design business.

Lauree is ready to set up in-home or in-store appointments at your convenience. Lauree can help with all your interior design needs including custom draperies from start to finish, custom shades of all types, drapery hardware selections and custom bedding and fabric selections. Lee Edwards is another addition to the Fab Fab team. Lee has been a respected designer in Monroe for over 30 years. He can help select rugs and match fabrics for repurposing old furniture to be re-upholstered along with making cornice boards for window treatments. He is very knowledgeable in all areas of interior design. Come in and let Lee or Lauree help with all your interior design needs and selections.

Custom Draperies can sometimes feel like an overwhelming project. At Fabulous

Fabric we can come out to your home and take measurements and make suggestions on fabrics, styles, suitable linings, drapery hardware and take care of installation as well. Selecting in stock fabrics will keep your cost down and speed up the process. If we don’t have the suitable fabric for your project we are sure to find it in our extensive library of designer fabric books.

Custom Pillows are our specialty at Fab Fab. With our huge trim department that includes brush fringes, tassel trims, flat tapes and boarder trims along with cording, you can change an entire look in a space just by adding new pillows. We love mixing all our wonderful trims with our Fabulous Fabrics to make custom pillows for our clients. With the largest selection of fabrics, trims and pillow forms we can create one-of-a-kind pillows to make your home special!

Custom Bedding at Fabulous Fabric has never been so easy. We have 2 bedding lines that are our “go to” when mixing with our

fabrics. Peacock Alley is a traditional line for coverlets and shams that also includes custom embroidered sheets for that super lux bed.

Elizabeth York bedding gives us a washable velvet coverlet and shams that is absolutely beautiful. Are they affordable? Yes indeed! We love picking a coverlet & shams and then giving a custom spin on it using fabrics and trims for accent pillows, bed skirts, extra shams, throws and end of the bed scarfinos.

Custom Outdoor living spaces are a must for any well decorated home. It’s time to get all your outdoor furnishings re-upholstered so you can enjoy the spring once it is upon us.

We specialize in Sunbrella fabrics but we also have other outdoor fabric lines to choose from including a new shipment from Perrenials at big discounts. Hurry in before these are gone!

We hope to see you soon at Fabulous Fabric. We have so much to offer our customers and we love sharing our expertise, knowledge and “love of fabric” with everyone!

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Day of Service

ULM Volunteers Help Local Non-Profits

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OR A DECADE, THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA MONROE and Louisiana Delta Community College have partnered on MLK Day of Service to address a need in the Monroe area. An initiative of the Corporation for National and Community Service (nationalservice. gov), MLK National Day of Service is on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the third Monday in January.

“The two campuses come together for the benefit of the community,” said university organizer Pamela Higgins Saulsberry, Ph.D., ULM professor and Social Work Program Coordinator in the School of Behavioral and Social Sciences. “This was one of the best years for the support we had across ULM’s campus community,” said Saulsberry.

Giving their time and energy were members of the Warhawks women’s basketball team, beach volleyball and indoor volleyball teams, dental hygiene students, Greek organizations Delta Sigma Theta, Alpha Phi Alpha, Alpha Kappa Alpha, Delta Sigma Phi, Omega Psi Phi, Phi Beta Sigma and Kappa Sigma, student organizations, Circle K International, Kitty DeGree School of Nursing, Student Social Work Association, ULM NAACP, TRIO, and individual students and faculty.

ULM and LDCC volunteers assisted at Grace Place Ministries Inc., 1600 Jackson St., which operates a soup kitchen, clothes closet, and food pantry, and DeSiard Street Shelter, 807 DeSiard St., which provides free meals and services to the homeless.

Strauss Hall served as a campus and community drop-off center for items donated to Grace Place. On Monday morning, Strauss was buzzing with ULM volleyball players busy packaging and loading the donations. ULM and LDCC volunteers then delivered and unloaded the items at Grace Place. Volunteers from dental hygiene talked about oral health and gave free dental care packages to individuals at Grace Place.

Monday afternoon, 100-plus volunteers, most from the ULM community, arrived at DeSiard Street Shelter to help organize and clean a warehouse in preparation for renovations to expand the shelter’s services. “It was refreshing to see the number of students there helping.

These students walked three blocks to the warehouse. It was a festive, wonderful occasion,” Saulsberry said.

DeSiard Street director Billy Bonner was impressed by the enthusiasm of the students and the accomplishments made in just a few hours. Thanks to the volunteers, immense progress was made toward the expansion.

“It made a significant difference in the time it will take to renovate the facility. What they did Monday is going to benefit the community for years to come,” Saulsberry said. “I am very, very proud of the ULM community and their service.”

“We want to give back. We are here to serve the Monroe community and the ULM campus. We’re very fortunate in sports, and in a lot of organizations, that you have a drive to work together and help others in a team setting,” Williams said. “In a volunteer setting, you come together, work together and complete a task for others. Community service is fantastic team-building for us. Not only do we help them, they help us.”

Over the years, Saulsberry has noticed that when ULM students are aware of a community need, they are eager to help.

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FaceTite Non-Surgical Facelift Big Results, Little Recovery

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

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HAVE PERFORMED SURGICAL FACIAL rejuvenation procedures for almost 30 years, having trained in Dallas with some of the recognized giants of facelift surgery. However, for the past several years, the trend has been toward less invasive, non-surgical techniques.

Patients often say, “I don’t think I’m ready for a full facelift, so what can you do in the office that will give me a reasonably good result?” Well, there are lots of things. Botox, fillers, fat injections, chemical peels and laser treatments are all minimally invasive office based procedures that are proven and effective – especially when used in combination. But the one procedure that is the closest thing to a “non-surgical facelift” is a new and exciting technique called FaceTite, that uses bipolar radiofrequency to melt fat and tighten the skin.

I have performed surgical facial rejuvenation procedures for almost 30 years, having trained in Dallas with some of the recognized giants of facelift surgery. However,

for the past several years, the trend has been toward less invasive, non-surgical techniques.

Patients often say, “I don’t think I’m ready for a full facelift, so what can you do in the office that will give me a reasonably good result?” Well, there are lots of things. Botox, fillers, fat injections, chemical peels and laser treatments are all minimally invasive office based procedures that are proven and effective – especially when used in combination. But the one procedure that is the closest thing to a “non-surgical facelift” is a new and exciting technique called FaceTite, that uses bipolar radiofrequency to melt fat and tighten the skin.

Some of the advantages of FaceTite are that it can be done in the office under local anesthesia, does not require incisions, takes about an hour and the discomfort and downtime are minimal - usually limited to mild swelling for a few days. When combined with limited liposuction, and Morpheus – another radiofrequency skin tightening procedure - the

results in the face and neck can be significant and impressive. While there is noticeable improvement once the initial swelling subsides, the result improves over time as skin contraction continues for up to six months.

The FaceTite procedure is perfect for younger patients in the 35 to 50 year old range, who are on the early end of the aging spectrum and are bothered by the lower third of the face and the neck. They want a tighter neck with better definition of the jawline but are not ready to have a traditional facelift.

However, FaceTite is also beneficial for older patients who don’t want the expense, risk or downtime of a full facelift under general anesthesia, but still want noticeable improvement. As you might expect, the result in these patients is less dramatic than surgery, but sometimes a more discrete and more economical solution is what patients desire.

So, if you are ready for facial rejuvenation but not quite ready for surgery, call Mickel Plastic Surgery at 388-2050 and set up a consultation to see if a Non-Surgical Facelift with FaceTite is right for you! And follow us on Facebook and Instagram for more information on these exciting new options to help you look your best.

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CLAP FOR HER

Meredith’s Musings article by M E R E DI T H MCK I N N I E

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ften, I find enlightenment in the bathroom stalls at school. Yes, graffiti is tacky, but I can’t help smiling when I see the words students have chosen to immortalize on the tiled walls. Over the summer, many of the bathrooms in my hall were painted, and sure enough, within the first few weeks of school, new little messages started popping up. Some of the amusing ones were “Viva la resistance” or “You can’t stop my voice from being heard,” or “How you going to paint over us like that?” Another simply said, “I like turtles.” Gradually, the back of the door started to fill up, in various shades of black and blue and sometimes neon. I’ve noticed female students use the messages as a way to communicate with one another, often strangers randomly responding to each other’s thoughts, impulsive pen pals.

Though the range of ages among students is expanding, I imagine these writers being 18-22 years of age, fresh out of high school, searching for how they fit in this big place far from home. The recent message I like most went as follows: “Just because she’s winning doesn’t mean you’re losing... just clap for her.” Perhaps the writer saw it on Pinterest in bright white writing with hearts in the background. Perhaps she came up with it on her own. Perhaps she felt isolated from a friend due to a recent accomplishment. But something inspired those words. And I loved the message, as I too often feel pressure due to others’ successes. I have to remind myself to be happy for them.

I don’t know when the seed of competition between women is first planted, but it inevitably grows. I remember my younger sister getting a sports car after first getting her license.

I had a Hyundai Elantra, a sensible car, and felt somehow

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cheated. I don’t know what I was so jealous of? They both got us where we needed to go. In college, a friend would get best paper in a class I wasn’t even in, and I felt agitated by her success. In motherhood, the pressure just intensifies. We feel judged by the accomplishments or lack thereof of our children, but why? Comparison breeds resentment, and I have to constantly tell myself this. If another family is going to Disney World, it doesn’t mean my kids are robbed of something. If another family is able to afford lavish gifts for their children, it doesn’t mean mine aren’t loved enough. It feels silly even typing the words, as if the sentiment is obvious, but yet, I still need to keep telling myself.

As someone who champions the cause of women in my professional life, who constantly shows up for my sisters when they succeed, my goal is for those actions to transform my thoughts. I want to cheer because I’m cheering inside, not just because it’s what I should do. I want to feel happy for them. I am trying to unlearn that gut reaction of comparison, that somehow their success lessens my self-worth. We can’t all shine at the same time, and some may shine more than others.

Life is not fair in that way. But we can use other’s success as inspiration, or simply admire someone’s light from afar. Smile for them. Clap for them. And know that often their success has absolutely nothing to do with me, and my insistence on making it about me is nothing but my ego rearing its ugly head.

Raising two daughters, particularly so close in age, I want to foster an environment of inclusion, of rooting for each other, of genuine kinship. I’m trying to be careful of my language, not pitting them against one another, but cheering for both of their accomplishments, big or small. Show them that the love I have for them is infinite, that one sister can’t take love from the other. Show them that one girl’s victory is just another reason for celebration, regardless of who owns the moment. Starting now, perhaps I can shift that impulse to compete, that Wilder will know that Fable winning is a reason to cheer, and that regardless of who’s shining, we all will clap for her.

B A YO U E A T S FILÉ STE AKHOUSE AND OYSTER BAR

North to South

FILÉ STEAKHOUSE AND OYSTER BAR IS BRINGING THE FLAVORFUL GOODNESS OF SOUTH LOUISIANA DISHES AND SERVING THEM WITH NORTH LOUISIANA ATTITUDE B Y VA N E L I S R I V E R A A N D P H OTO G R A P H Y B Y K E L LY M O O R E C L A R K

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innsboro, the Stars and Stripes capital of Louisiana, is a rural American view. Though the word ‘rural’ may conjure images of unkempt backwoods land and time-honored country mannerisms, it also depicts a quiet charm, seldom found in heavily bustling metropolises. The scenic drive down US Route 425 is a trance-inducing blur of lime-green pastoral fields, claycolored dirt roads, and wood panel houses. Amid long standing buildings and the largest American flag you’ll ever see (standing at forty by seventy-five feet) is a new culinary establishment pushing the comfort zone of many of the town’s inhabitants.

Changing the food culture while striving to showcase local flavors and ingredients, Filé Steakhouse and Oyster Bar is bringing the flavorful goodness of South Louisiana dishes and serving them with North Louisiana attitude.

Brian Mabry got into the restaurant business because of his wife Jessica. Her family owns Big John’s Burgers, a Winnsboro oldie but goodie serving all-time American grill classics since 1976.

While the couple grew up with local convenience store go-tos like fried catfish and burgers, Brian wanted to introduce something different to his town. So when the building next to Big John’s became available, they bought it, remodeled, and opened Filé in December 2017. His vision for a “nicer, upscale restaurant” was initially daunting. Naysayers would comment that upscale doesn’t work in a small town. “It’s scary, ain’t no doubt!” exclaims Brian.

But the nagging feeling that it just might succeed was a lot stronger than his doubts: “If it didn’t work, it didn’t work, but we were gonna give it a shot.” Three years later, with very little advertising and relying on word of mouth, the restaurant has gathered a steady buzz of clientele. “So far so good. We’re still here,” says Brian.

More than just still being there, the restaurant stays packed every weekend.

Filé’s menu is an open book of the couple’s favorite foods, which aimed attention at the coastal dishes of New Orleans and South Louisiana. Eventually, visiting restaurants in cities like Monroe, Shreveport, and Baton Rouge became reconnaissance missions. As head cook of the restaurant, Brian would pay attention to ingredients, flavor combinations, and styles of presentation that he was excited to make his own. He may not have the professional background of a chef, but Brian sure thinks like one.

Like most country folks, he grew up observing his mother, father, grandmother, and grandfather work their way around the kitchen, learning to use whatever ingredients were available to concoct new recipes. “Living way out in the country, you couldn’t just run to town and get something to eat,” he says. Cooking outside of the box is his strong suit, a skill he’s developed by merely learning as he goes. “He’s really creative when putting things together,” beams Jessica, who is more adept in front of the house matters, while Brian flourishes in the kitchen.

Always gravitating toward fresh fish and seafood during their food expeditions, Brian and Jessica knew that would be the keystone of their menu, but it’s tough to get a variety of fresh fish in North Louisiana. Not to mention, they risked introducing saltwater fish to a potentially disinterested customer base. “Everything is fried catfish up here,” says Brian, admitting that at first people were skeptical. Brian took a few chances, fixing up scaly novelties like black drum, sheepshead, and tripletail. He’s even served shark! At first, many people wouldn’t try the seafood specials until either Brian or Jessica recommended something, but now that’s all customers ask for. “It’s almost as if they trust us a bit more,” says Jessica.

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On any given weekend, something “crazy” is bound to be one of their specials. The board often showcases a few seafood items like Chilean sea bass, scallops, mahi, and salmon, as well as different cuts of meat and some of Brian’s craftier dishes like the Redfish Courtbouillon, a recent hit. “We wanted to showcase the redfish because it’s Louisiana,” says Jessica. Brian served his courtbouillon recipe with rice, like he would gumbo. But always thinking of what he can do to improve his dishes, Brian thought of cutting the redfish in half, using one part in the courtbouillon, blackening the other half, and then placing that on top of the bed of rice with the courtbouillon gravy around it. “We sold out,” chimes Jessica.

A few of Brian’s dishes are culinary pastiches, pieced together by thoughtfully arranging some of his favorite finds. On the menu, the Riverboat Red Fish exemplifies this ingenuity. The red fish is stuffed with a crawfish cake, broiled, then served with a crawfish cream sauce, house salad, and corn maque choux. Always wanting to flaunt local flavors, the Catfish Acadiana features Haring catfish (a catfish farm located in Wisner, Louisiana), blackened and served with crawfish cream sauce, corn maque choux and red hot potatoes.

Kinloch pecan oil is also a Winnsboro item featured in their house-made pepper jelly dressing, where it is mixed with Tabasco pepper jelly. Order this sweet and sour dressing as a side item for dipping their wood fire grilled shrimp or try it in their Plantation Salad: grilled shrimp, greens, pecans, cranberries, purple onion, shredded cheese blend, and tomatoes.

A substantial learning curve for the couple concerned the oyster bar–how were they going to sell and market fresh oysters in North Louisiana? It seems pretty straight forward: find a provider

B L EN D O F T H E BAYO U

The menu features items like the Plantation Salad made with wood-fire grilled shrimp, greens, pecans, cranberries, purple onion, shredded cheese blend, and tomatoes.

Another favorite is the Riverboat Red Fish which is stuffed with a crawfish cake, broiled, then served with a crawfish cream sauce, house salad, and corn maque choux.

and get oysters delivered. But Brian took his time, meticulously going through a few providers in order to search out what would work best for the business. Even after landing a provider that delivered on a tight schedule, customers were dubious. Brian reveals that he often gets asked whether the restaurant buys a bucket of oysters and then slyly places them on shells. “I’m like ‘no.’ Who does that?” exclaims Brian, mentioning that the evidence of fresh oysters can be seen on the sidewalk near the restaurant, where the shucked shells lie scattered like pearly leaves. Before opening the restaurant, the Mabrys had their two sons shucking oysters in preparation for expediting, a daunting task that requires attention and a steady hand and which they now excel at. The menu offers raw oysters on the half shell and chargrilled oysters (woodfire grilled and topped with garlic butter and parmesan cheese). Filé gets an order of oysters twice a week, and they “go through them quick,” says Jessica. The most popular oyster night is Saturdays when they run a fifty cent raw oyster special. “There’s no money in it for me, but it gets people coming to my business,” says Brian. “And it keeps our cooler fresh,” adds Jessica. Their goal is always to sell out of oysters on Saturday, so get there early if you don’t want to miss out!

Developing their business has been a series of firsts, but none of those experiences compare to their stamp in Winnsboro history as the first restaurant in town to have a bar area installed. But still being part of a dry parish, Winnsboro does restrict the sale of alcohol to a degree. For the restaurant that means they can only sell alcohol that is six percent proof or less. Although a glass of Cabernet Sauvignon would pair excellently with their USDA Choice Buckhead Beef selections, customers have to make do with more fruity wines like Moscato. That’s great news for those with a sweet tooth, though, because the wine’s unique floral aroma perfectly accompanies the dessert selections offered: warm bread pudding with rum sauce, classic beignets, and Mardi Gras beignets (decorated with purple, green, and yellow icing).

Though ahead of their time and place in some respects, Brian’s vision for the interior of the restaurant kept to tradition. Mimicking a rustic steakhouse, the furnishing is mostly cypress wood booths.

Barrels accent the hostess table, displaying roughly cut wood slabs.

In the bar area, an old tin roof is used as the backdrop for wine bottles on display. Refurbished antique metal containers adorn the space as light fixtures, illuminating basket-weave brick pattern floors. Brian’s personal touches extended beyond the kitchen when conceiving the space. He built the table tops using metal flashing bought from MSR Steel Roofing (in Winnsboro), treated with acid, then cleaned and sealed to highlight the effect. And in a nod to the restaurant’s namesake, some of the wood tables are even made from sassafras.

For those that don’t recognize the connection, filé powder, the spicy herb used in gumbo, is made from the dried leaves of the sassafras tree.

“It’s been fun. It’s been scary,” admits Jessica. But true to her own lineage, Filé Steakhouse and Oyster Bar is a family-run business.

Their sons now expertly shuck oysters for hungry customers, and their daughter works the front of the house from time to time.

Brian is often conversing with customers, actively working toward changing the palate of North Louisiana. He’s even been known to negotiate from time to time, offering a free plate of food to anyone who doesn’t like what they tasted. He has a way of getting people over the hump, his thick southern accent compelling even those who aren’t “big” fish eaters.

Filé Steakhouse and Oyster Bar is located at 3942 Front Street, Winnsboro, Louisiana. They are open Thursday and Friday 10:30 AM to 9 PM, Saturday 4:30 to 9 PM, and Sunday 10:30 AM to 2 PM. Call them at 318-367-5190 to make a reservation and follow them on Facebook.

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Benefits of Light Therapy Step into the Light

BY JUDY WAGONER

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HILE THE FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH IS STILL A myth, we may be closer to finding it than ever before, and we’re not talking about Botox or Restylane. Infrared Light Therapy for wrinkles and loose skin, can help reduce the signs of aging and give you a youthful, healthy glow. Many people regard loose and sagging skin – as one of the “MOST DISLIKED” signs of aging. Our new Clareon Infrared Skin Tightening Laser is a non-invasive process that visibly tightens loose skin on the face, neck, arms, abdomen, knees and just about anywhere on the body.

The face isn’t the only part of the body that needs rejuvenating. Red/ Infrared light for the full body is now available at Professional Laser Center. This is a whole body treatment which reduces inflammation, swelling, and chronic joint disorders, promotes healing of wounds, deeper tissues and nerves, and treats neurological disorders and pain.

Red light therapy stimulates and regenerates collagen growth, which can reduce the appearance of stretch marks and scars, improve pore size and skin tone, reduce fine lines and wrinkles, heal blemishes and reduce acne.

This cutting-edge light therapy delivers a beam of high-intensity infrared light pulses, that deeply penetrate the skin. The light heats up the water content of your skin deep in the dermis, which stimulates the body’s own natural healing process to produce fresh, new collagen. It also causes the skin to contract and tighten immediately and continue tightening over several months. Collagen is a connective tissue that gives skin its elasticity. It’s critical for skin health. It literally holds us together, and the more you can produce naturally, the better for your skin, joints, and general appearance.

The procedure is painless and there is no downtime. Most patients report a fresher, less ‘tired’ appearance, especially noticing improvements in the upper cheeks, nasolabial folds, marionette lines, jawline, superficial wrinkles, lifted brows, and overall face contour. It’s also very effective in treating small areas of loose flabby skin on the abdomen, arms, bat wings, buttocks, and knees. For maximal results, three to five treatments are recommended, spaced three to four weeks apart. This allows for more complete formation of new collagen through the body’s natural wound healing response. Most patients return for a yearly touch-up… or as needed.

It can be performed as a stand alone procedure or immediately after Dermapen Microneedling, IPL, Shockwave treatment, or other aesthetic procedures to enhance results. Treatments take anywhere from 15-60 minutes, depending on the size of the treatment area.

If you are over 30 years old and are concerned about less supple, sagging skin on your face or body, you may be a suitable candidate for Infrared Skin Tightening. To schedule a free consultation or an appointment, call 318-361-9066. For more information, visit our website at www.professionallaser.com WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | MARCH 2020 131

Northeast Lawn Service

Making Your World a Prettier Place to Live

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ORTHEAST LAWN SERVICE IS A LOCALLY owned and operated business, specializing in complete landscape design and installation, as well as year round lawn maintenance. It is led by the husband and wife team of Shawn and Chris Brazzell, who founded Northeast Lawn Service in 1994. Chris attended Louisiana Tech University in Business and Entrepreneurship while Shawn attended in Architecture and Interior Design. Chris went on to become a licensed Landscape Contractor and Horticulturist and works hand in hand with his wife to create landscapes across Northeast Louisiana. “Our process works really well together,” explains Shawn. “I work on a custom design for a client, hand picking, colors and hardscapes, just like I would design the interiors of a home.

Then Chris implements the plan.” This process works well for clients because they get multiple skill sets with one team.

They work with local builders and contractors to complete new homes and have the landscaping ready when the families move in. “I love the dynamic of this husband and wife team!” said James Reneau, owner of Blue Heron Homes. “Watching Shawn’s designs come to life by the hard working hand of her husband, Chris, is something that is truly inspirational.” However, they don’t just focus on new homes.

Northeast Lawn Service offers several programs to ensure your

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yard shines year round. Their maintenance program is suited to the specific needs of each individual yard. They take care of mowing, trimming, edging, fertilization and all things in between. And now is the time to take advantage of their seasonal color program, designed to match your color palette as well as sun and shade requirements.

Northeast Lawn Service will prep your beds and ensure the soil is ready for color. Often times, people can pick out pretty colors at a big box store, come home and plant them, only for them to die shortly thereafter because they don’t get enough sun or get too much water.

With their seasonal color program, Northeast Lawn Service can take care of everything for you - eliminating the guesswork and even saving you money.

As spring arrives, it is important to remember your spring maintenance. In order to have a healthy spring and summer lawn, it all starts with spring maintenance. Our recent winter weather can alter lawns and ph balance, creating the perfect environment for weeds. Northeast Lawn Service takes soil samples and corrects this before those weeds start to rear their ugly heads. Now is the time to get your lawn ready for healthy grass and flowers instead of weeds.

Call Northeast Lawn to make your world a prettier place to live!

Local Business Specializes in Parties The Paper Market Has Everything You Need for Your Next Event!

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INCE 2011, THE PAPER MARKET HAS BEEN THE PLACE to go for all things party. Whether you are looking for birthday party supplies, color coordinated paper goods or a holiday happy, you can find it at the locally owned store, conveniently located in the Northgate Shopping Center at the corner of Forsythe Avenue and North 18th Street in Monroe.

Owner Amy Robinson enjoys being a one-stop shop where people can find everything they need for their event. “Our most popular items include our balloons and our wall of disposable paper ware, with 22 colors to choose from for plates, tablecloths, utensils and napkins,” said Amy. “We also have everything else you will need as well!” When it comes to birthday parties, The Paper Market always has what’s on trend.

“Currently, for girls parties, we have llamas, mermaids and unicorns, as well as specific characters like Jo Jo Siwa and LOL Dolls,” said Amy. “For boys, Mario Brothers, gaming and all superheroes are popular.”

Toddler themes include Paw Patrol, Baby Shark, jungle animals, circus and woodland creatures while Mickey and Minnie Mouse and Sesame Street are classic themes that are always popular. For each theme, you can find plates, napkins, cups, favors, decor and more at The Paper Market, making it easy to get all of your supplies in one place.

When it comes to weddings, The Paper Market has it all from engagement to I Do. There are celebratory champagne flutes,

engagement gifts, bachelorette party accessories, guest books, place cards, table numbers and gifts for flower girls and bridesmaids. They also have invitation options for engagement parties, showers and weddings. The staff at The Paper Market can work with you and handle all of the stationery needs for the entire wedding process.

With spring approaching, there are several seasonal celebrations that The Paper Market has covered. For St. Patrick’s Day and Easter, they have tableware, decor and school party supplies. If you are planning a crawfish boil, you can grab your decor, plates, napkins and disposable table rolls. And for graduation parties, The Paper Market has party accessories, decor, grab and go cups, Photo Booth backdrops and more. If you are planning a party for a big crowd, The Paper Market has an entire section for catering with disposable catering ware, trays, pans and sterno cans, as well as plates, utensils, napkins and cups in bulk.

No party is complete without balloons and The Paper Market has everything from character balloons for kids’ parties, balloons for gender reveal, balloon sculptures and arches and more. You can even get something called “hi-float,” a gel put in a latex balloon that keeps it from leaking and can keep the balloon floating for up to two weeks.

If you are planning anything from a backyard barbecue to a splendid soiree, The Paper Market has everything you need!

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Total Filter Solutions

Never Miss Another Month With Free Air and Water Filter Delivery!

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OTAL FILTER SOLUTIONS is a local Monroe business that delivers air and water filters to your home for FREE, every month. No more forgetting when to change your filters or having to deal with traveling to big box stores to buy them, Total Filter Solutions offers filter subscription plans for much cheaper than competitors.

Started by Todd Williamson and Andrew Prince, the idea was to build a unique service, from the ground up, that would offer convenience and affordability to their clients.

Todd and Andrew began this business, because it’s a service that they, themselves, wanted.

Everyone needs air filters for their homes, apartments, and businesses, and most modern refrigerators need water filters. The idea was simple: build a service that everyone needs!

Total Filter Solutions also allows customers to conveniently purchase their air and water filters online, set up a subscription plan, and never have to talk on the phone. Each month

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a package will be delivered right to your door with your product–no interacting with people, unless you want to, no traveling to the store, and no forgetting when you last changed your filter. You save money, so – it doesn’t get much easier than that!

Total Filter Solutions suggests that with pets you change your filters monthly, and without pets every other month. There are three different types of filtration options to choose from: health, allergy and dust control– with dust control being the base level filter option. Pricing for 1” filters starts at $12.97 for dust, $15.97 for allergy, and $17.97 for health. The best part is, even if you have an odd filter size, the price remains the same. On the website you can choose your dimensions, or if you need specialty sizes (greater than 1” depth) call Andrew and he will make sure that your filter is made to spec for your home or business. You’ll never have to worry if the

store is carrying your specific filter, and you don’t have to pay extra for non-local business delivery.

All of Total Filter Solutions air and water filters are American made. All air filters are quality products that work to capture particles from dust to cooking odors. Each filter is sturdy and doesn’t easily collapse during installation as competitor brands do. Some of the great benefits of regularly scheduled filter maintenance include reduced damage to HVAC units and lower energy costs.

Total Filter Solutions services Arcadia, Rayville, Union Parish, Ruston, and Monroe.

5% of all sales go to fundraising efforts for schools and St. Jude’s Children Research Hospital. Buyers can choose the charity of their choice when signing up for service, and the 5% donation is recurring as long as you are a customer. Laura Nickelson, a local customer, claims, “Total Filter Solutions takes the worry of finding filters in six different sizes away!”

Stoney Goodman, a rural customer insists, “It’s too hard to find three sizes necessary in my home, and I’m saving money on top of it all!”

Total Filter Solutions is a local business with an amazing product, lower prices, and has a charitable mission. Why buy anywhere else when you can save money and time?

Website: TotalFilterSolutions.com Facebook: Total Filter Solutions

World Oral Health Day

Dr. Bagwell and Dr. Johnston Share with Us

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ORLD ORAL HEALTH DAY IS MARCH 20TH, AND IT’S time to “Live Mouth Smart” by brushing up on your healthy mouth know-how. After all, our teeth do more than help us chew, they help us to smile, laugh, and talk—gestures we oftentimes take for granted. To celebrate “Living Mouth Smart,” here is a list provided

by The World Dental Federation of some smart choices you can make for a lifetime of dental health.

VISIT YOUR DENTIST This seems obvious, but statistics reflect that only 65.7% of adults in the U.S. go to the dentist on a regular basis. Regular trips to your dentist every six months are an important preventative measure that will save time and money down the road. Your dentist can detect early signs of disease, help you develop healthy habits, and be a vital part of your care team even if you have an overall medical condition or are pregnant.

BRUSH AND CLEAN BETWEEN YOUR TEETH DAILY Healthy habits like brushing and cleaning between your teeth go a long way in preventing cavities and keeping a healthy smile. Brush for two minutes, twice a day. Look for toothbrushes, toothpastes, and flossing tools with the ADA Seal of Acceptance. If you need help getting your kids to brush their teeth, or need help breaking bad brushing habits, ask your dentist for advice.

PROTECT YOUR SMILE Prevent damage to your pearly whites throughout the day and while you play. Sealants in children are a safe and effective coating that adheres to the chewing surface of your back teeth. They’ve been shown to reduce the risk of tooth decay by nearly 80% in back molars, the teeth you use most to chew. Mouthguards can protect your teeth during contact sports.

PRACTICE HEALTHY NUTRITION HABITS What you put in your mouth affects your general health and that of your teeth and gums. Sugar can be a cavity culprit because it gives the cavity-causing bacteria in your mouth something to feed on. Once this happens, acid is produced that can cause holes to form in your enamel. Good nutrition shows as well. Healthy foods that contain calcium can strengthen your teeth.

DRINK WATER The healthiest beverage for your teeth is water.

Studies show drinking water can help prevent tooth decay by at least 25%.

With the proper care, your teeth can last you a lifetime and good dental health is something you can enjoy at every stage of your life. No matter what your age, good oral health is vital to your general health and well-being.

Dr. Jan T. Bagwell has over 30 years of experience and has welcomed her daughter, Dr. Jessica J. Johnston into her practice. They are North Louisiana’s only mother-daughter dental team. Their office is located next to Sterlington High School on 165 N and offers patients complete general and cosmetic dental treatments. Their team is dedicated to using the newest technologies and techniques, as well as state-of-the-art equipment, to enhance your smile and make it as healthy and beautiful as possible. They offer regular hygiene checkups as well as general dentistry services like partials, dentures, extractions and root canals.

They also offer cosmetic dental treatments such as teeth whitening, veneers, porcelain crowns, and implant restorations. Dr. Jan T. Bagwell and Dr. Jessica J Johnston always work with compassion to make their patients feel as relaxed as possible and provide the best possible dental care! If you and your children are looking for a dental home, Dr Jan Bagwell and Dr. Jessica Johnston would love for you to join their family!

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Pinnacle Martial Arts Offers Classes for All Ages

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INNACLE MARTIAL ARTS IS HOME TO ONE OF THE only Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu training facilities in Northeast Louisiana. While some may confuse this sport with karate or Taekwondo, is different. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is a martial art based on grappling and ground fighting, focusing on the skill of controlling one’s opponent through techniques that force submission. Pinnacle Martial Arts opened in Sterlington in April of 2018 and owner Joseph Wells recently expanded to a new facility on Desoto St, just off Lamy Lane in Monroe. “Our facility in Sterlington was 1,200 square feet and this new one is 6,000 square feet with 2,700 square feet of mat space so we have really expanded and will be able to teach more classes and reach more students,” said Joseph.

Jiu-Jitsu is a practical form of self defense that teaches basic defensive techniques to kids of all ages, as well as adults. “We know that 95 percent of all fights end up on the ground and the techniques you learn here focus on taking opponents down to the ground and keeping them there, giving you an upper hand,” explains Joseph.

“This is an invaluable skill set, especially for women.” In addition to self defense, Jiu-Jitsu is a great workout! It involves constant drilling sessions and sparring that will change your body without even realizing it. And no matter the age or skill level, Jiu-Jitsu is constantly evolving. “There are hundreds of techniques and we discover new ones all the time that we incorporate in our skill set,” said Joseph. “So we are constantly working on improving.”

And Joseph is just the guy to share Jiu-Jitsu with the Twin Cities. He has a passion for the art and is continuously learning and training. Joseph began his pursuit of martial arts and combat sports at the age of 7. Joseph obtained a black belt as a youth in Ishin Ryu Karate. Since then, he has studied Tae Kwon Do, American Karate, Kickboxing, Western Boxing and Freestyle Wrestling. He began studying Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in 2005 and has reached the rank of brown belt through the Pedro Sauer Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Association.

“I fell in love with Jiu-Jitsu because of my small stature. I had somewhat of a disadvantage in karate and Tae Kwon Do because I was against taller or bigger people,” said Joseph. “But in JiuJitsu, you are on the ground so it makes for a much more even playing field.” Joseph has competed nationally in NAGA, Pan Ams, and AGF where he has won numerous medals. Joseph also contintues to train and learn on a regular basis. Pinnacle Martial Arts is affiliated with Grappling Fight Team, which has teams all over the world and includes professional UFC fighters. This helps with progression and continuous growth. It is also a good marker to train with world champions and see where your skill set is.

Pinnacle Martial Arts offers classes Monday through Thursday and has classes for as young as three year olds all the way to adult.

Stop by their new location on Desoto Street in the heart of Monroe or follow them on Facebook and find out how your entire family can be a part of the Pinnacle Martial Arts fitness family!

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Donate Those Duffles

Junior League of Monroe Helping Local Foster Children

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HE JUNIOR LEAGUE OF MONROE is working on an exciting initiative “Donate Those Duffles,” encouraging the public to donate duffle bags to be given to local area foster children. “Every day a child in foster care transitions into another home without proper luggage,” said Meg Sharp, 2019-2020 President of the Junior League of Monroe. “This will help break that cycle.”

Each year, the incoming provisional class is tasked with finding a project to impact the community. The provisional project is an opportunity for the provisional class to pick a part of the community that they feel passionate about and decide what they want to do to help. It is a great way to start volunteering for the league. The provisional class vote on the project, and then develop an action plan of how to accomplish their goals. In the past, one class purchased and delivered fans to lowincome elderly members of our community.

Another class helped Family Promise collect household items to stock a kitchen and home

for a homeless family that was getting a new house. Each project is unique and meaningful to a different group in our community. This year’s provisional class chose to focus on children in the foster care system in our community.

You can drop off duffle bags at one of the collection sites through March 30. The Junior League of Monroe wants to ensure that every foster child in the Monroe area has a bag to call their own because no child deserves a trash bag. “Part of our mission is to make a lasting community impact and our focus for the last several years has been women and children at risk in our community and this project goes hand in hand with that.” The collection locations include: • Junior League House, 2811 Cameron Street, Monroe • Behavioral Management and Addictive Disorders, 2910 Evangeline Street, Monroe • Department of Children and Family Services, 24 Accent Drive, Monroe

This is just one of the many initiatives

that the Junior League of Monroe has started since their inception. Since 1930, members of the Junior League of Monroe have devoted countless volunteer hours to meet the needs of the people and organizations of our community.

Community leaders have always looked to the JLM for leadership in starting new community programs. As a result, the JLM has often been the catalyst that turned an idea into a success that benefited many in our area. Recently, JLM has implemented Care Closets, a closet in local middle and high school with hygiene products available to in need students. They have also recently taken over The Cinderella Project, which provides prom dresses to local high school students.

JLM MISSION 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. Its purpose is exclusively educational and charitable.

JLM PURPOSE The purpose of The Junior League of Monroe is exclusively educational and charitable. They reach out to women of all races, religions, and national origins who demonstrate an interest in and commitment to voluntarism.

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The Season of Lent

A Season of Prayer and Repentance in Preparation for Easter BY: PASTOR BILL CORNELIUS

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ENT IS THE TIME OF YEAR DURING which Jesus suffered and died. The season of Lent includes a review of Jesus’ suffering and death.

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF LENT AND ASH WEDNESDAY The Wednesday before the first Sunday in Lent marks the beginning of this season of the Church Year. Lent is the Christian’s forty-day journey with the Lord to the cross and tomb, preparing for the joyous celebration of Christ’s Resurrection. The forty days are reminiscent of several biblical events: Moses’ stay on Mt. Sinai at the giving of the law, Elijah’s fast on his way to the mountain of God, and Jesus’ forty-day fast at the beginning of His ministry, among others.

The forty days are counted backward from Resurrection Sunday. Since all regular Sunday worship services are an observance of Christ’s resurrection, and thus occasions for reverent joy, the Sundays during this period are not counted

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in the forty days of more somber remembrance of Christ’s Passion. This also explains why this season begins on a Wednesday.

In addition, for more than nineteen centuries the Christian believer’s Lenten journey has begun with a reminder of our mortality and a call to repentance through the placing of ashes on one’s head (Genesis 18:27, Job 42:6, Jeremiah 6:26, Matthew 11:21) on Ash Wednesday. Ashes are a sign of spiritual cleansing, as in the Rite of the Red Heifer (Numbers 19:17), in which the ashes of the calf, when mixed with water, had the ceremonial effect of purifying the sinner.

(Hebrews 9:13). Thus, the first New Testament believers adopted the use of ashes as a symbol of sorrow and repentance over sin. It is this ancient practice of placing ashes on the heads of the faithful that gives Ash Wednesday its name.

WHAT IS MAUNDY THURSDAY? The short answer is discipleship. The Thursday of Holy Week we remember how Christ washed

the feet of his disciples to show service to others is what being a disciple a follower of Jesus is all about. We remember how Christ instituted the Lord’s Supper to replace the Old Testament celebration of the Passover meal, because the Lamb of God, which the Passover meal pointed to, was here. The name Maundy Thursday is derived from the Gospel reading about this commandment from John 13:34 “A new commandment I give you: Love one another.”

GOOD FRIDAY, THE ORDER OF THE TENEBRAE The Tenebrae service is a traditional service of the Christian Church used during Holy Week to impress upon the minds and hearts of believers the awful consequences of sin and the magnitude of the Savior’s sacrifice. The word Tenebrae means darkness and reminds us of the darkness that covered the earth at the time of Jesus’ crucifixion. The gradual dimming of the lights symbolizes the resentment and hatred of the world over against the Savior. The loud sound of the book closing toward the end of the service foreshadows the rending of Christ’s tomb in triumph at Easter.

The removal of the Christ Candle at the end of the service symbolizes the death of Christ and the return of the Christ Candle symbolizes his resurrection. The Tenebrae Service of Darkness is not a liturgical “funeral” for Jesus, but an austere service of reflection, intercession, adoration of the Lamb, and quiet meditation.

Your Hometown Urologist Dr. Robert Marx Specializes in Vasectomies

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

When it comes to forms of permanent male birth control, a vasectomy is the ideal permanent surgical procedure available to men. The procedure carries a very low risk of complications and is available to be performed as an outpatient procedure with localized anesthesia. Dr. Marx performs a nocut technique, which is the least invasive. The patient is sedated and local anesthesia is used in order to achieve a painless procedure.

The vasectomy procedure is nearly 100% effective.

BEFORE THE VASECTOMY Prior to a vasectomy, patients may be asked to prepare by: • Washing the scrotum to prevent infection

• Not shaving the area

• Bringing a pair of tight-fitting underwear or athletic support to the surgery to support the scrotum and minimize swelling • Arranging for transportation home to prevent extraneous movement

• Avoiding anti-inflammatory drugs prior to and following the procedure, which thins the blood and can cause excessive bleeding.

AFTER THE VASECTOMY After the vasectomy is completed, patients are advised to rest for two days in order to reduce swelling and allow the vas deferens to heal. Discomfort may last for up to a week after the procedure, with patients

often being prescribed anti-inflammatory or painkillers for pain. Patients are encouraged to avoid heavy lifting, straining or squatting for 1 week. If you do any of these activities for work, you may need to take off work or arrange for light duty, and Dr. Marx can give you an excuse. Also, keep the area dry for two days and showers only for a week as well.

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

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

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Fast Pace Health Urgent Care Opens Clinic in West Monroe

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AST PACE HEALTH OPENED ITS NEW, state of the art, walk-in urgent care clinic in West Monroe on February 15, 2020, at 132 Well Road. This convenient Fast Pace location will be open seven days a week with extended weekday and weekend hours for residents of West Monroe and the surrounding communities. The local staff in the clinic will provide a comprehensive array of walk-in and urgent health care services.

With over 100 locations across Tennessee, Kentucky, Mississippi, and Louisiana, Fast Pace Health has built its name and reputation on providing reliable, affordable care to smaller, rural communities. These clinics provide an immediate solution to areas without access to a variety of healthcare options, or would face a longer drive to another facility.

“Our mission to improve the health of those we serve remains true, and we aim to bring that commitment of providing a comfortable, stressfree, and professional health care experience to this community. The staff of experienced

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clinicians will provide comprehensive health services and meet the needs of this community,� said Fast Pace Health CEO, Greg Steil.

Equipped with multiple exam rooms, onsite lab testing, x-ray capabilities, and virtual medicine services, the Fast Pace Health clinic will offer treatment for a wide range of illnesses, injuries, and common conditions. They offer a wide variety of urgent care treatment options that include health screenings and tests, minor injuries, skin conditions and diagnostics.

Fast Pace strives to keep its patients healthy by promoting health and wellness through screenings and tests, routine physicals and vaccines. And they provide more than just urgent care. You can take advantage of their broad range of employer services to help keep your business moving forward. They even assist in monitoring and management with acid reflux, asthma, diabetes, blood pressure, cholesterol and much more.

Fast Pace Health strives to create easier access to convenient and affordable health care.

They accept most major insurance providers including Aetna, BCBS, Cigna, Medicaid, Medicare, United Health Care, Vantage and more. They also understand that healthcare costs can be a substantial, unexpected and often complicated, expense. For this reason, they strive to create easier access to convenient, transparent and affordable health care to the communities they serve. Their Simple Self-Pay Program allows patients to pay an upfront office visit fee that includes all in-house testing and procedures for urgent and primary care needs.

Fast Pace Health is conveniently located at 132 Well Road in West Monroe and can be reached by calling 318-217-6521. They are open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. - 8 p.m. with weekend hours as well - Saturday and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Woodstock Garden and Gift Local Shop Has All of the Spring Essentials

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PRING HAS SPRUNG AT Woodstock! The garden and gift shop in the heart of the Garden District of Monroe has everything you need to keep your home and garden looking fresh this season. Since owner Claire Gordon took over last year, she has made sure to always have fresh flowers and plants on hand and this spring is no different. “We are so excited to be have olive trees this spring!” said Claire. “A lot of people don’t realize that olive trees actually grow well here and while it takes a few years to harvest, it is worth it.” Olive trees grow best where they get full sun all day and are tolerant of a wide variety of soils. You can always start it off in a pot so you can move it indoors during freezing temperatures. You can enjoy a piece of the Mediterranean right here in the 318.

Woodstock also has a variety of garden tools that make great gifts for the chic gardener…or yourself. They carry The Floral Society floral clippers, the essential tool to create

striking and dynamic modern floral projects that are on par with professional florists. They also have a brass mister from Modern Sprout, which provides the ideal amount of moisture needed for seed starting and sprout growth and looks good doing it. “One of our favorite items is our full bistro apron made from 100% heirloomed linen,” said Claire. “It is great for women of all ages and a classic.” If you want to add some herbs to your garden or windowsill this spring, check out the line of seed poppers available at Woodstock. These are inspired by traditional English crackers and celebrate planting with a purpose. You just simply twist, pop and plant. Each popper includes four seed balls (comprised of clay, coconut husk and nonGMO seeds), recyclable Kraft paper confetti and instructions. You can always find a variety of plants and containers at Woodstock. Claire also has fresh flowers from South America which are always full of color. Another addition is hydroponic plants, the perfect solution for

people that love houseplants but need a pet or kid friendly and low-maintenance option.

These plants can survive without potting soil, in just a vase full of water.

Spring not only brings rain showers but also baby showers and Woodstock has a variety of gifts for the little ones. With brands like Paty, Milkbarn, Emerson and Friends and Angel Dear, you can find newborn gowns, blankets, swaddles and more. And for older kids, Woodstock has an entire section dedicated to fun games, books, toys and more. You can find plenty of happies and Easter basket goodies like kid sunglasses, little piggy banks and more. Stop by Woodstock Garden and Gift this spring to find plants, supplies, flowers, gifts and more!

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BAYOUOUTDOORS ARTICLE BY DAN CHASON PHOTOGRAPHY BY BRAD ARENDER

LOUISIANA CATAHOULA CUR DOG

Jimmy Strong of Delhi, LA has revived a centuries old tradition of hunting with dogs, specifically – the Catahoula Cur dog.

There are many stories of our four legged friends but one in particular hits close to home for those of us in Louisiana. Cur dogs are as common in Louisiana as gumbo or jambalaya. For years there had been a push to have the Catahoula Cur recognized and that happened with the formation of the National Association of Louisiana Curs.

Having strict guidelines and rules, the breed was accepted both by the AKC and the UKC as part of their recognized hunting dogs. Although there are a string of politicians that take credit, the spotlight on the Louisiana Catahoula Cur took center stage in the largest part by the sitting governor at that time. In 1979 Governor Edwin Edwards named the Catahoula Cur as the State Dog of Louisiana and for good reason.

It is said that the dog originated in the 16th century and was introduced to Louisiana by explorer Hernando de Soto who reportedly bred European greyhounds with Native American Molossers who quickly were misnamed “Monsters.” This breed developed even more when the French settlers arrived with their Beauceron bred hounds which were introduced into the blood lines. Folklore also attributes the red wolf that the native Indians also bred into the line. This gave them speed, tenacity and strength in their lineage. In those days a hunting dog was not a luxury, it was a necessity. Hunters of both native tribes and explorers soon learned that hunting dogs were essential to harvesting all types of game. They were also found useful in herding animals such as pigs and hogs for table fare. In those days and for years to follow, settlers would “mark” hogs and turn them loose in the wild. They would return with the dogs to capture their marked hogs for food. The same went for cattle as there was no access to grains or hay in the swamps and bottomlands. But the woods fed them well and many of our ancestors relied on these animals for food and relied on the dogs to upkeep and manage their livestock.

As time rolled on, the method of keeping wild livestock went away with the buying of land by private owners and the practice of capturing or herding animals became less of a need. However, the dog men of those days still relied on their canine counterparts to assure success in gathering wild meat. Most of us can remember a day in our lifetime where you could tell a hunter by the types of dogs he kenneled. Rabbit hunters, deer hunters, squirrel hunters, coon hunters and hog hunters could be easily spotted with dog boxes full and friends and family joining for a day of listening to the hounds bay. There are not a lot of dog men left and this is attributed to various reasons: no open land; more deer and other game; state and federal refuges; and season/regulation changes. The biggest change has been with the attitude of hunters. Most deer hunters still hunt and have no desire to hunt deer being pursued by dogs. Hunting with dogs is centuries old and I’m happy to report, alive and well in the town of Delhi, Louisiana within the properties of a man named Jimmy Strong.

The starting point for Jimmy and the force that drove him to get into the dog business was pretty simple. With a 3,000 acre hunting property in Mississippi, he started seeing a few hogs. He and Shane Blake (his running partner) would trap hogs and without fail, see hogs running away as they retrieved the hog from the trap.

That is until he decided that if he had dogs, he could catch those that were getting away

Jimmy knew that his father-in-law, G.L. Cruise, Jr., was a dog hunting legend on hogs and wild cattle. His father-in-law was raised in the Catahoula swamps and he and his father made a living hunting over 40,000 acres with Catahoula Curs. So the desire was to find a dog that was in that same bloodline. They did their research and found

Sam Mason in Enterprise, Louisiana, who luckily still had the blood lines of the dogs that Jimmy’s father-in-law had hunted years before.

Jimmy bought 3 dogs and named them Faith, Hope and Love. Not long after, Jimmy heard about a big event in Winn Parish called Uncle Earl’s Hog Dog Trials (named after Earl Long). Jimmy showed up and says he had never met a finer group of hunters than he did that day.

On one particular hunt, he saw a dog that was just unbelievable. He was in the market for a good stud dog and if you know Jimmy, no is not a response he handles well. Rumor has it that Jimmy bought this dog for an unheard amount of $10,000 and the rest is history. That’s not bad for a dog that was not for sale. The word among the hunters was that “this boy has more money than sense.” But if you see what that one stud dog has brought into JT Strong kennels, I’d say Jimmy knew what he was doing. This same stud’s lineage is now one of the most sought after in all of the industry. These dogs drop puppies that are jumping on hogs at 2 to 3 months. That is what Jimmy breeds.

Intelligent dogs that your youngest child can play with but will take on a full grown hog and hold him until you make him let go.

I can attest to this as my first hunt with Jimmy, we turned one of his lead females, Moxie and a group of dogs loose. There is no way I can describe the look on Jimmy’s face when Moxie hits the ground.

I remember a comment to the effect of “them hogs are in trouble now.” Sure enough, she barked and off we went. Needless to say, the hog she caught was 5 times bigger than her. She would not turn that hog loose for anything and only after Shane Blake intervened was that chase over. “I can tell you one thing big boy,” Jimmy said as he grinned from ear to ear, “there ain’t nothing like a Catahoula.” His explanation soon opened my eyes to what I had never been taught.

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“You see, when Moxie barks she is looking at the hog. Most hounds just bark and you don’t know what they are doing. My dogs are trained to bark on sight. I used Garmin trackers so I know where they are and when they bark, you know that is one caught hog.” This action repeated that day and for many days to follow. Just a man with a love for his animals and trained dogs that are doing what they love.

Most hunters run into folks that just don’t understand hunting.

Hog hunting is a very brutal and violent hunt as it is dog against hog. Jimmy said when asked about his response to the anti-hunters comments was pretty simple. “My dogs eat better and have better living conditions than a lot of human beings. They are bred to hunt and it is in their very being. I had one “goober” ask me what about the hogs and how cruel that had to be for them. I just smiled and said, “Podnuh, you are more than welcome to come to Delhi and climb in this training pen with one of them hogs. You will see just how tragic it would be for anyone to face one without one of these dogs to protect you.”

Feral hogs have become one of the worst detriments to farm land and timber land in the history of the south. Hogs are breeding machines. Jimmy says for example, if you put a male and female hog on an island with no intervention, that island would have 400,000 hogs within 5 years. Hogs breed twice a year and begin at 6 months old breeding. So if a sow has 15 piglets and half are female, that 6 month old is breeding while her mother has had another litter in the meantime. Do the math. You need to harvest 80% of the hogs on your property to maintain the balance. That is impossible to do as the hog is highly intelligent and at the first sign of danger, will go almost

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entirely nocturnal which is the reasoning behind the new regulations allowing night hunting.

People have tried every method there is to control hogs. Trapping has been successful as has the use of helicopters and of course dogs.

The advantage of hog hunting is that they can be hunted year round.

Hogs in Louisiana can be hunted at night with lights and sound suppressors from February to August. Jimmy does not hunt hogs unless he is using his dogs. He has hunted all over South Arkansas, south Mississippi and all over Louisiana and he sees the same issue everywhere. We have way too many hogs and not enough land to support them. They are ferocious eaters and destroy root systems and plants whether it be agriculture forage or the root systems and trees in the woods.

One misnomer of hogs is that they are not good table fare, but Jimmy Strong will strongly disagree. “You can take a good size shoat and there is not a wrong way to cook them. Grilled, broiled, baked or fried you rarely have any function at Jimmy’s place where wild hog isn’t the main course.”

A Catahoula is highly intelligent and adaptable as well. Jimmy has sold dogs all over the country as treeing dogs for squirrel, mountain lion, hog, coon, deer or for pets. They are extremely loyal and protective and bond with children in particular. These traits are bred in them as was the case when Jimmy sold a puppy to one particular lady. The dog came into heat and was brought in for breeding. The lady decided not to keep the dog as she had bought another dog, so Jimmy bought the dog back and put her in the training pen where she performed well. The next day, he put her in the woods and she took off on her own. The Garmin tracking collar found her and there she was....locked onto a 300 pound plus hog... and her name is Moxie.

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When talking to Jimmy about his dogs, you can see the pride in his eyes. But that look is only a twinkle compared to when he talks about family. Wife Marianne heads up the other part of his partnership and their family is made up of daughters Susanne, Lynnanne and son, Jimmy T. (JT) Jr. A funny story is how JT got his name. Jimmy says Marianne wanted him to name JT and Jimmy didn’t want to. After much chiding, he finally said, “Well, I got a Susanne, Marianne and Lynnanne so why don’t we just name him Boudain”. Needless to say, his wife named him after his Daddy.

Jimmy’s stellar business career had afforded him the ability to have quite the set up for his family and his beloved dogs. Having sold the Easy Way business years ago to Aarons’ he retired and a few years later, returned to the business world and is now heavily involved in real estate. What is not known widely about Jimmy is that first he is a devout Christian. He started a gospel singing group that now plays over 150 events a year named the Sanctuary quartet. JT is returning in early March to Delhi and is starting a new church and Jimmy is anxious to be one of the charter members. Balancing faith, family and work has been the key for Jimmy Strong. I have been blessed to call him a friend for many years and have learned quite a bit from him in both woodsmanship and life. Just a short look at his properties will show how much of a conservationist Jimmy Strong is. But you have not lived until you have bow or turkey hunted with Jimmy. The man is a predator and will walk you to death. But there is one thing I know, when Jimmy leaves this earth for his reward, we will have to lay him to rest with his Garmin tracker. I know that this dog man will want to unite with his friends who have crossed the rainbow bridge over the years, and the woods of heaven will be forever filled with the song of a baying Catahoula.

Your Number One Dealer B&L Marine Serving Our Community

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S THE WEATHER BEGINS TO WARM UP, FEELINGS of summer start slipping into our minds. The sun starts creeping out from behind the clouds and warming our spirits.

Everyone is getting in the mood to get up, get outside and get on the water. One way to make this a summer to remember is finally getting yourself the boat you have been wanting for years. Whether it be a boat for water sports, fishing, or both, B&L Marine in Monroe is here to help and get you started.

For 47 years, B&L Marine has been family-owned and operated and conveniently located in the Lakeshore area of Monroe. Bill and Hazel Buckley started the dealership in 1973. In 1985, their son in law, Pat McDonald, came to the dealership and started working his way up. He purchased the dealership in 1997 from Bill and Hazel and continues to run it today with the help of his son Nick McDonald.

The family is deeply rooted in the Lakeshore and Swartz area and continues to support the community which has come to know B&L Marine as a local landmark. Bill and Hazel’s goal was to make B&L Marine the best choice and a one-stop dealership for your sales, service and on the water fun. They continue that philosophy today with great customer service, the best products and the ability to handle any boating need that you may have.

They offer a variety of marine products, and their selection of high quality boats is second to none. B&L Marine prides itself on having the friendliest and most knowledgeable staff in Northeast Louisiana. They have been here in Monroe for almost 50 years and have no plans of stopping now. It is their goal to help customers find the perfect boat to fit their lifestyle, along with the right parts and accessories to truly keep you on the water!

B&L Marine 110 Old Bastrop Rd Monroe, LA 71203 bandlmarine.com (318) 343-1250

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B AYOUKID Z

Indoor Boredom Busters Slow Those Hectic Schedules Down and Make Time for Family Time article by Cindy G. Foust

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appy March readers as I write this month’s column from the deck of my ark. What? You mean you don’t have your own ark? Then I feel for you because that’s the only sanctuary we have from all this rain. I mean, even the rain clouds have to be exhausted, right? I feel like saying rain, rain go away but honestly, do we really even want it to come again another day?

I’m beginning to think that April showers may bring May flowers but February torrential rain brings March “you are about to be a pain in my somewhere where the sun doesn’t shine.” I know it doesn’t rhyme, but how could it because my brain is so waterlogged and I can’t formulate a sentence much less make it ryhme? And quite frankly, the sun isn’t shining anywhere so the only sense that statement makes is for the love of cirrus, stratus, cumulus and nimbus would it STOP raining?

I mean, what are you parents with young children doing right now except for drinking copious amounts of a numbing agent and hiding under your bed? I don’t have really young children anymore (and do I miss those days, so don’t wish them away), but when I did, indoor weather days could get pretty boring. Oh, and tense, very tense. But who can blame our little angels, right? All that pent up energy compounded with more pent up energy and the next thing you know they are running for their lives and they are the ones hiding under a bed to escape the wrath of their “I’ve got one nerve left and you are on it” parents.

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Anybody feel me? So, as the problem solver that I like to be and the columnist who hopes to be considered a parenting resource, help is on the way, parents. Listed below are going to be some boredom busters for your young energetic, total wired and out of control because they just want to go outside little animals. If you know me at all, you know I did my research, and I even ask my kids for a few ideas.

But first, I had to poke fun at a few that were completely, shall we say, outrageous. For instance, one website suggested having “fun with balloons” by letting your kids use fly swatters to play balloon tennis. I wish I had a word that rhymed with “who in the cat hair thought this boredom buster up?” I know, it had to be “Boredom Busters for Dummies by a Dummy” because how many nanoseconds do you think it will be before your little darlings are swatting more than a balloon? In exactly

the amount of time it takes you to explain the rules, somebody, someway, somehow is going to get whacked with a fly swatter. “Oops…I meant to hit the balloon, not you upside your head…sorry!”

Yes, this one was genius. Or how about “dictionary scavenger hunt?” First, before we address this very “excellent and educational” idea, does anyone we know even own a dictionary this day and time? Next, and wait… who else besides me, except maybe Mr. Webster, would be scared my children would tell us good-bye and go live with another family if we suggested this spellbinding family game? Seriously, I had to motor on past these “Hints from Hell-uise” (the cousin to “Hints from Heloise”) and go old school to help the Bayou parents out.

First, and this one goes back to the days of Ollie Caples Road, when my mom would let us build forts in the den with 22 blankets and six barstools. Listen, we built an entire community using lamps and sleeping bags and flashlights and hotplates. Wait. That’s a lie, she wouldn’t have let us use a hotplate, but that just came to me, BAM, out of nowhere, and you could get your kids some of those Jiffy Pop stovetop popcorn baskets to use on their tent stove!

Wowzer… you might win parent of the year on this one, unless they burn the house down and then I have to provide the disclaimer that I got this idea from Pinterest, and you have no legal recourse against BayouLife.

Next, what about giving them a cardboard box, some markers, stickers, etc. and let them get to creating? Talk about a project that will consume their time and spark their imagination. You could even make it theme related to the holidays or one of their hobbies.

Just don’t offer to “judge” them unless you want tears, meltdowns and public apologies.

Then there’s always board game Utopia.

Listen, they have got some really outlandish board games out there, in fact, when I googled popular ones, “Pinky Lee and the Runaway Frankfurters” popped up. Granted, it was from 1954, and thank God for that, but who in the absolute world was in charge of product development in 1954? Oscar Meyer? I was thinking more of the oldie but goodie old school games like Life, Monopoly, Scrabble and Trouble. Classics that never go out of style!

And a good jigsaw puzzle takes hours (and patience) and makes a great project the whole family can get involved in. Plus, and here’s the best part… you won’t need a dictionary! You’re welcome!

Finally, I would be remiss if I didn’t offer this next idea, because as you know, well, I am an author, but what about having them write and illustrate their own book? Listen, even my son, who usually had to be seat-belted to the couch to make him stay indoors, enjoyed this project. We would staple paper together to

make the book, drag out the markers and pens and my children would get after it.

My son’s books usually involved sports and my daughter’s was usually a dancing princess, which was written about me, because I am, after all, a very talented dancing princess, but I have a shoebox full of cool books they’ve written. If your child gets stuck, give them a prompt. Better yet, fill a brown paper bag with different objects around the house and tell them they have to write a story using everything in the bag. It’s a great way to spend an afternoon, unless you want to make homemade finger paint (cool whip and food coloring) or homemade playdough (flour, salt, cream of tartar and food coloring).

Or, you could make finger puppets and let them put on a finger puppet performance.

Wait. Who are we? Beaver Cleaver? Nobody would probably want to do that and then you will be back to bowling with soda cans or something. So, what you say, readers? What are some things you like to do with your kids or have them do when the weather outside is frightful?

I wish this column was interactive (well, really I don’t because then you might tell me what you really think) and you could share the ways you help boredom bust at your house.

The thing is, we can all put a movie on or send our kids to their rooms to play Fortnight,

but that’s Easy Parenting 101. Check the weather early in the week and if it’s supposed to be inclement, spend a little time organizing a one day “staycation.” Make brownies or cupcakes, or everyone, parents included, get your favorite book and sit around together reading. Wait. Okay… that one may be a total stretch back to the Brady Bunch, but for families who enjoy reading, pop that Jiffy Pop and hang out together.

These are truly the days you will wish for one day… enjoy them now, before your kids are old enough to look at you like you have a unicorn head if you try to get them to build a fort. I do think my 21 year old and probably my 14 year old would put an application in for a new mom if I ask them to build a fort, hot plate and Jiffy Pop or not! Stay dry and well readers, during this month of March, and no matter if the weather is wet, snowy, blustery (I love this word) or sun shiny, slow those hectic schedules down and make time for family time.

Cindy G. Foust is a wife, mom, author and blogger.

You can find her blog at the alphabetmom.com for weekly columns about home life, parenting, small business stories and insight with a smidgen of literacy. Give her a like or follow on Facebook and Instagram.

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Diverse Property

Provides for Generations to Come

T

HE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA MONROE Foundation is pleased to announce the establishment of an endowed Professorship in Biology, with matching funds from the Louisiana Board of Regents Sponsored Program, and an endowed scholarship for biology students, both to be named in honor of Dr. Charles Allen from the sale proceeds of 105 acres in Caldwell Parish.

Through this transaction, the initial donation by Dr. Harry Hall and Mary Lou Winters of 105 acres designated for scientific and educational research is expanded to provide financial support in perpetuity to faculty and students in the ULM Biology program.

In March 2000, Dr. and Mrs. Winters donated 105 acres in the rolling Ouachita Hills Region near Columbia to the ULM Foundation in honor of Allen, a former ULM professor and accomplished botanist in Louisiana. Over the years, Winters and Allen co-authored several books on the plants of Louisiana and the Gulf South.

The property consists of diverse geological and ecological features rarely seen in Louisiana, including rugged terrain, many plants rare to the state, and native petrified wood.

ULM biology students (including members of the Nu-Gamma Chapter of Tri-Beta, the National Biology Honor Society) and faculty have organized annual BioBlitz events for more than seven years. This event, led primarily by students, highlights the outdoor classroom – the ULM Biological Station and Charles Allen Nature Preserve. During these all-day events, participants, along with content experts, hike through high ridges and bottomlands on a mission to spot and identify as many life forms as possible, birds, plants, reptiles, amphibians, mammals, butterflies and more.

“The ULM Biological Station is a gem hidden among the Ouachita Hills. The property is located along the banks of the Ouachita River, and has some of the most unique vegetation in the state along with fossils that are millions of years old. In the past several years, this has been used as an extended classroom by ULM biology faculty,” said Dr. Joydeep Bhattacharjee, professor of biology.

In December 2019, the Caldwell Parish Industrial Development Board purchased the property from the ULM Foundation with the intent to expand their tourism attractions and allow ULM to continue use of the property for educational and research purposes.

The parish is building a walking trail through the town of Columbia, including the cemetery, building the Sherman Lake in town, and believes the Charles Allen ULM Preservation adds yet another attraction for unique flora and fauna to the area with hiking trails.

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BAYOUBUZZWORTHY RUSTON RECEIVES LOUEY AWARD

^BLUE LINE BOUTIQUE RIBBON CUTTING

Blue Line Boutique hosted their exciting ribbon cutting on Thursday February 6th.

Friends and customers gathered to celebrate the new opening of this amazing boutique with food and fun. This awesome boutique has the latest and greatest trends to keep you up to date with the latest styles, so make sure to go check them out at 1015 Wall Williams Road in West Monroe.

Congratulations to Experience Ruston (Ruston Lincoln Parish Convention & Visitors Bureau.) We are proud to announce that the organization is the recipient of the Louisiana Travel Association (LTA) 2020 Louey Award winner for Outstanding Convention and Visitors Bureau of the Year. LTA introduced the CVB as one of the winners during its Annual Meeting in Charenton, LA. Ruston is doing big things and we can’t wait to see what the future holds for this awesome city.

^FAST PACE HEALTH RIBBON CUTTING

Fast Pace Health opened in West Monroe and celebrated with a ribbon cutting on February 14th. Community members enjoyed tours of the clinic, met with the local staff members, got a free t-shirt and enjoyed light refreshments.

The state-of-the-art, walk-in urgent care clinic is located on Well Road in West Monroe. It is open 7 days a week with extended weekday and weekend hours. With over 100 locations across Tennessee, Mississippi and Louisiana, Fast Pace Health has built its name and reputation on providing reliable, affordable care to smaller, rural communities.

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Simply Lou “The Case of The Electric Grandmother”

article and illustrations by LOU DAV E N P ORT

News Flash! Arcadia, La, 1943. Woman nearly dies from being struck by lightning while preparing lunch in her kitchen. The unidentified female was rushed to Arcadia Hospital where it is reported she is in fair condition.

Well, it could have been reported something like that. The truth is, my grandmother, Emma Mae Della Colvin Turner Moon, DID get struck by lightning! She was preparing lunch in the kitchen of the old family home near Simsboro, Louisiana. A thunderstorm raged outside and as she reached for the handle of the refrigerator, lightning came through and stuck her! It threw her across the room, knocked her out, and melted her slip to her body. Her shoes were blown clear off her feet, and lay in a corner of the kitchen.

I’m not sure which family members rushed her to the hospital, but thankfully, she got there.

She didn’t remember much of what happened, but she did say that slip that burned to her body, “Hurt like hell.” She recovered completely, doctors were amazed, as was everyone else who heard this... but they didn’t know my mamaw Mae. 152 MARCH 2020 | WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM

It wouldn’t be the first of my mamaw’s amazing experiences. Not by a long shot. She was born in Simsboro in 1905. Her brother, Dick, and two sisters, Bev and LaVerne, were as well. All of them were extremely smart, and her two sisters and brother migrated to New York when they were grown. She stayed behind, got her first teaching degree, and married my grandfather, Earl Turner. I never knew him, because he died of a brain tumor when he was in his early fifties.

She told great stories about him. Seems he was a very good baseball player, but was hit in the head during a game with friends. The thought was that he could have developed the tumor from that. Whatever the reason, he sounded like a great guy. He and Mamaw had five children; my mom, Carolyn, and then Virginia, Bud, Sam, and Richard.

My Mamaw “mothered” all kinds of relatives right along with her own family. Her sister-in-law, Ethyl, was handicapped, and Mamaw took care of her until Ethyl’s needs were such that she had to go live at Pinecrest School near Alexandria. I remember going to visit her with my mama and mamaw. We took her a doll; she was like a little girl, and oh so

sweet. Mamaw visited her until Ethyl passed away.

After all of her children, my mother, aunts, and uncles grew up, she moved to Ruston.

Mamaw taught 5th grade for as long as I can remember. She retired, but kept teaching at a private school in Ruston until she became ill. If that hadn’t “retired her,” I guess she would have happily died in a classroom. She loved teaching kids THAT much.

Her little house on Bernard Street was not even a block from Ruston Elementary School where she taught. If it wasn’t raining, she walked there. My cousins, Rose, Cindy, and Linda got to live with her for a while. Rose and Cindy got to have her for their 5th grade teacher, and they both remember walking back and forth to school with her.

Her house was the perfect house for her grandkids. She didn’t care how messy we were, and let us run around like a bunch of “wild Indians!” There were all kinds of books and art supplies we were welcome to put to use. Really, it was just fun to hang out with her, she was such a fun lady!

Her house had a big picture window in the living room. She had a big metal shelf in front of it where she grew African Violets, not just the plain kind either. She could grow the exotic ones, and they were so beautiful.

She’d tell us all kinds of stories, too, true ones! She told us that she was out on the porch of the old house in Simsboro shelling peas one day. The road in front of the house was gravel then, and a very expensive car drove up and stopped. Inside were a “sharp dressed” man and an elegantly dressed woman that were definitely “over dressed” for the area. The man politely asked her for directions to New Orleans. She told them that she could only get them so far, since she didn’t know all the back roads in Louisiana. The man graciously thanked her, and drove away in a cloud of dust. She said she didn’t give them much thought except that they sure were dressed up.

Not too long after, a newspaper came her way, and she found out all about the “sharp dressed” man that had asked her for directions.

It was Alvin Karpus from Chicago, one of Al Capone’s henchmen! He was arrested in New Orleans, and Mamaw then knew why he was needing to lay low on the back roads. I always wondered if Alvin had a machine gun in the trunk of that fancy car!

Speaking of cars, Mamaw was known for driving big cars. She was a “Mercury Woman,” through and through. The first time I heard Alan Jackson’s “Mercury Blues,” I thought of her, and still do. The thing was, Mamaw was the WORST driver there ever was. All of her grandkids have their own horror stories of riding with her. I like the one about her not being able to find a parking place at WalMart, and being a bit outdone about it. She saw a parking place that was full of shopping

baskets, and told Cindy and Linda Mae to “hang on” as she punched the gas in the Mercury, and had shopping baskets going every which way!

I’m sure she just got her tiny, petite self out of her big Mercury, carrying an air about her like she hadn’t done anything more than park.

Her driving got so bad that my Uncle Sam took her big, blue Mercury to his shop, and told her that the part he needed for it just hadn’t come in yet. That kept her off the roads for a while, but before too long, she got the car back, and was up to her old tricks. My cousin, David, shared with me the story that finally put the brakes on her freewheeling driving career., when she nearly killed them both by cutting in front of two 18 wheelers. She (for once) scared herself, and turned the keys over to him, and simply said, “I don’t need to drive anymore.”

From then on, my cousin, Rose, became her chauffeur and shopping companion, and bless her heart, because it was no easy task to shop with her. She’d wear you out way before she would even get started.

Mamaw may have gotten a master’s degree and 30 hours above, but she had no clue about matching colors. She would wear all kinds of prints, patterns, and colors, but none of them came close to ever “working.” She could have cared less! One of my cousins said, “Oh no, Mamaw’s got her clown clothes on again!” She just didn’t care! I think she was much more into “comfort” instead of fashion, but I think her style was just as great and awesome as Baddie Winkle.

Mamaw also loved music. She had a huge hi-fi cabinet stereo and some great vinyl. She loved Floyd Cramer and Glenn Miller, but I really liked for her to crank up Sam Butera and the Witnesses. She went to see Bobby Darin in Las Vegas and said he was good, but that Sandra Dee, his wife and movie star, was “drunk as a skunk,” (her words, not mine).

One thing Mamaw believed in was traveling and seeing as much of the world as you could. She went on a “Tech Rome” trip, and took my cousin, Rose. She’d go on any tour Louisiana Tech sponsored, and I do believe she saw most of the United States. I loved and looked forward

to when she would go places with me and my parents. We went to California, New Mexico, and New York together. Oh what a time we had!

In New York, we got to see her brother, and sisters, and all of their children. We spent an afternoon at her sister’s, visiting around their outdoor grill, under an awning that said “Murphy’s Lounge.” Aunt Bev’s husband, Uncle Nick, had gotten it from a real bar, and that was their last name. We were treated to a tour of Teddy Roosevelt’s home on Oyster Bay, New York. Mamaw’s family was truly just as fun as she was, and sadly, all of them are gone now, but thankfully all of the cousins aren’t.

Thanks to Facebook, I am able to stay in touch with my New York cousins. There’s Randy, Joanne, and Kathy down in Georgia. My Memphis cousins, Teresa and Joe, and there’s Debra, James Earl, David, Rose, Cindy, Linda Mae, Denise, and Donna that are all close by. Mamaw loved all of her grandkids, and would be overjoyed that we all try to keep in touch. I can remember her calling me to tell me everything going on with everyone, and THEIR kids! She did not miss a thing.

My three children never got to know my mother since she died before they were born, but Mamaw made sure they knew her though.

They just adored her! She came to stay with me when I had Carolyn, my first born, as I didn’t know one thing about babies. She taught me how to bathe her, burp her, and all that important stuff you need to know.

She also made her a little yellow gown, by HAND. It was so soft, and Carolyn wore it until she outgrew it. When Paige came along, she wore it too. I still have it as I sit here today. She was just so good to me and my kids, too.

I named this tribute to my grandmother “The Case of the Electric Grandmother” because she loved her Perry Mason shows.

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The Next Generation of Funk

SIX O’CLOCK TRAFFIC ARTICLE BY VANELIS RIVERA AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY ANDREW BAILEY

Enoch’s Irish Pub & Cafe doesn’t have a dance floor. But on February 8th, a mass of bodies created their own, packing the six foot gap between the stage and picnic table benches. All night long they danced to local pop-funk band Six O’Clock Traffic who boasted their first show at the pub since coming together as a group in August 2018.

The young band, consisting of students and post-grads from the University of Louisiana at Monroe (ULM), have played numerous private events, public venues, and city-sponsored fundraisers throughout North Louisiana. Known for their high energy sets and boogie patrolling, these kids-next-door show no signs of slowing down.

“Everyone knew each other from the ULM bandroom,” informs Tyler Schweinefus, the band’s bass player. Big mashup jam sessions suddenly began to incorporate a growing roster of players.

At the core was Schweinefus beating the drums, Kody Jernigan blowing trumpet, Delton Dickson on bass trombone, and Austin George noodling around on electric guitar. “It pretty much started at 1804 North McGuire Avenue,” says George, adding, “That house has a lot to do with everything that we’re doing.” A long line of musicians passed the space down to a myriad of successors, creating a clubhouse-feel of comradery and shared

says Greenwood. “Being a female in any group with no other females around, you just want to be confident that you’ll be supported and empowered. I got very lucky.” Not only does she feel recognized and heard, she feels her songwriting is taken seriously. The band’s first single release, “The Hunter,” was written by Greenwood years before she started playing with Six O’Clock Traffic. “I wrote that song in about ten minutes,” she says.

Inspired by the song “Do-Re-Mi” from The Sound of Music, she crafted lyrics based on each section: “My heart was bitter then / I crack and wonder when / You might sew me back together again. / I’ll be dead

but thanks to her vocal training at ULM, particularly under the tutelage of Dr. Claire Vangelisti, she found her niche in the band. “I think my adaptability and my ability to sing virtually almost anything I’ve tried really comes from them,” she says. Though her vocals fit the pop tunes the most, she embellishes every song, often nudging her range beyond it’s comfort zone: “I’ve completely surprised myself in notes that I’ve been able to reach in pushing myself far.”

A band made up of collegiate-level performers means every musician has a heavy hand in the music composition process. When George wrote the

“Sometimes things happen live that never happen again.You go into another state of your brain and you just kind of understand what other people are saying and you respond.”

T YLER SCHWEINEFUS, 6 O’CLOCK TRAFFIC BASS PLAYER

goals. “It’s quite like a sacred place in the sense of how much stuff went down there,” says George, referring to house parties and open jam sessions. The band began to take shape at that point, picking up a few scattered gigs, playing instrumental sets and “getting their feet wet” at Oak Grove block parties, recalls Schweinefus.

When they picked up their original singer Orlandzeo Hennings, a ULM vocal performance major at the time, he proposed a name: Five O’Clock traffic. “It came because we were all full-time students and super busy,” says Schweinefus. Constantly feeling like they were trying to get from one place to another but never really getting close, reminded Hennings of being in the dreaded after-work rush. With six members at the time, the group decided to honor the count and go with the name Six O’Clock Traffic. Soon after, the departure of Hennings prompted a few lineup changes in the group. The crew snatched up Will Ledet, who had been playing keys for the ULM Jazz band, and Noah White, percussion major and drummer for the band, invited his cousin Hannah Bryan Greenwood to take over vocals.

“At first, being the only female in the band was kind of intimidating,”

gone / You knew it all along / But you swallowed the needle and the thread.”

Ultimately it’s a sad song about a deer falling in love with a hunter, symbolizing self-destructive love. So far, she’s brought one more original song to the band (“Big Head And So Lame”), closely collaborating with Jernigan who has helped her flesh out the instrumentation to melodies and lyrics. Initially she didn’t consider the Six O’Clock sound to be her vocal forte,

progressive psychedelic instrumental song “Visions,” he wrote horn lines for the trumpet and trombone, gave White a roadmap for the percussive rhythm, and then sat down with his peers and witnessed it go from an idea to a fiveminute song. An important aspect of the collaborative process has been just riffing.

“Sometimes songs just happen,” says George. White may start a drum beat establishing tempo, George layers over that, “chunking around” on a chord, then the soloist, usually Jernigan on trumpet or Delton and Dakota Sanson on trombones, starts playing with the melody line, putting in their two cents. “We would take a little motif from one of those jam sessions and just water it and feed it and nurture it and it would grow into its own little bean,” says George.

Whoever composes the majority of a particular song usually writes the lyrics, but everyone has their own methodology.

For Schweinefus, songwriting has been about writing and rewriting. His original song “Gotta Make A Move” began with a riff. “I spent a long time with music notation software, writing up parts on that and troubleshooting,” he says. When he brought it to the band, each member WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | MARCH 2020 157

imparted their own identity into the sound, allowing the funk-heavy, groovy song to come to life. Though it does stray from the band’s pop sound, the upbeat lyrics (pulled from life experiences) are about not allowing your shortcomings to stand in your way: “Take a step / Take a step forward, baby / Hesitation will only bring you down / This feeling is way too good not to mention / Situation don’t mean a thing.” Regardless of your circumstance, when it comes to your goals “make a move,” he says. Even when the band songwriters are not pulling from their personal lives, they’re tapping into what people like to hear. “I’m in a happy relationship, but everyone loves a breakup song,” yells White to the Enoch’s crowd before Greenwood powerhouses through his song “If You’re Truly Gone.” Another original track for broken hearts is Ledet’s “Dog Park,” an in-your-face anthem: “You make me scream / You make me cry / All these things you’ve done / You’ve left me paralyzed.” Roughly ten original tracks have made their way into the band’s performance setlist with a handful on the backburner and in production.

Though some have confused them for a jazz band, some of their main musical influences are actually notables like Orgone and Alabama-based St. Paul and the Broken

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Bones. “We do the whole funky party band sort of thing,” says Schweinefus. An eightpiece group now, each player in Six O’Clock Traffic enriches the overall sound palate, ultimately combining characteristics of funk, jazz, R&B, hip hop, and soul. George adds the rock to that mix, using the different spacey effects from his pedals. On keys, Ledet plays with texture, also adding outlandish and offbeat sounds. The rhythm section, White and Schweinefus, are always in sync. “We play so much together, we share a brain,” laughs Schweinefus. Greenwood’s wideranging vocals dominate, reaching wailing heights that add an edge to an already upbeat sound. Finally tying the band’s sound and performances together are the horns. “They add a lot of flash,” says Schweinefus. “They literally do ‘cuz they’re shiny,” jokes George.

Most people associate horns with marching bands and concert bands, so experiencing that sound outside of its traditional context is exciting. The brass line can be its own island of three, with Jernigan serving the role of linemaster and hype man. “People find themselves unable to not get up and move around and dance, or at least tap their feet,” grins Greenwood.

Even with a strong female lead whose voice is its own presence, the band brings as much fun and power during their

instrumental songs and improv solos, where each musician feels the spirit of the moment and delivers spontaneous crowd-pleasing melodies. “Sometimes things happen live that never happen again,” says Schweinefus.

The frenzy is comparable to a spirited conversation. “We go to our full instinctual level of communication,” says George. “You go into another state of your brain and you just kind of understand what other people are saying and you respond.” To the crowd it may look like the band is getting down with the funk, but there’s an intuition to the calland-response that’s heralded by discipline in the craft.

“For as much raucous energy that we bring, it’s all definitely crafted with a lot of care,” says Schweinefus. The group takes their music very seriously, investing a lot of heart and time into their projects. They’re learning as they go, especially as they record their first LP in-house with the help of sound engineer Jordan Alexander. Yet their collective focus is unwavering and set on creating another wave of dance music, even if there isn’t a dance floor handy.

Follow Six O’Clock Traffic on Facebook and Instagram to keep up with their live performances and to browse through their merch. Their first single is available on Spotify and iTunes.

ULM Mock Trial Team

Advances to National Championship

F

OR THE SIXTH STRAIGHT YEAR, THE UNIVERSITY OF Louisiana Monroe finished as one the top teams at the American Mock Trial Association’s Regional Tournament hosted by the University of St. Thomas on Feb. 8-9 in Houston.

The result qualifies the Gold and Maroon squad for the Opening Round Championship Series hosted by Rhodes College in Memphis on March 20-22. This is the second straight year that two squads from ULM have simultaneously qualified for ORCS, as ULM is the only university from Louisiana to qualify for the opening round of the national championship in each of the last six years.

The Gold squad finished third overall at regionals with a 6-1-1 record, defeating Rice University, Texas A&M University, Millsaps College, and Tulane University. Emma Brunel, a witness for the Gold squad, won a best witness award. Competing for the Gold squad were Isiah Chavis, (senior, Layette), Cameron Ott (senior, West Monroe), Uchechi Owunna (sophomore, Nigeria), Nautica Jones (sophomore, St. Martinville), Aakriti Pant (sophomore, Nepal), Lydia Mills (senior, Shreveport), Lydia Mire (sophomore, Rayne), Emma Brunel (senior, France), and Halli Declouet (junior, Lafayette).

Monroe attorney Bob Noel, who founded the ULM Mock Trial team and serves as a coach along with attorney Kyle Moore, said, “Our students worked hard all year with the goal of qualifying for ORCS. In spite of some adversity, they never quit and continued to get better. This result combined with our national ranking demonstrates that ULM is one of the best teams in the nation.”

More than 900 teams competed in regional tournaments, but less than 200 advanced to ORCS.

Senior member Chavis said, “Patience and hard work pays off.

We did not dominate every tournament this year, but we hit our stride when it counts. I am honored to be the captain of a team full of talent, with a great work ethic that trusts each other. There is no doubt in my mind that we are capable of doing something really special this year at ORCs.”

The Maroon squad advanced with a 6-2 record, defeating Louisiana State University, University of Houston, and Houston Baptist University, after an opening round loss to Baylor University. Representing ULM’s Maroon squad were Olivia Myers (senior, West Monroe), Shelby Joyner (senior, West Monroe), Evan Hebert (senior, Monroe), Rebecca Pittman (junior, Vivian), Gabbriella Gill (junior, Rayville), Andrea Hernandez (senior, West Monroe), Kamron Glover (sophomore, Gonzales), and Ethan Estis (freshman, Rayville).

“This competition had its ups and downs and there were times when we did not think we would qualify; however, in the end, we never quit, we stuck to our strategy, and we won,” said senior team member Mills.

Junior Pittman added, “A common misconception regarding Mock Trial is that it is simply just another college debate team; however, it is so much more than that. ULM Mock Trial is a family. Bonds have grown between every single member of the team; there is endless love and support. Our coaches and captains balance work, family, and more just to help us reach our potential. For me, there is no such thing as an individual award. Every person on my team has sat for hours and helped me improve, adjusted hotel thermostats to help me sleep, and lastly, stood up and cheered when hard work gets rewarded.”

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The BayouLife Attorney Directory is your source for obtaining current information for attorneys licensed to practice in Louisiana. From personal injury attorneys to those specializing in family law, this list is comprised of some of the best in the industry.

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Hayes Har key Title, LLC 1500 North 19th Street, Suite 701, Monroe 318.387.2422

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1881 Hudson Circle, Monroe 318.322.9700

Anzelmo & Cr eighton 1900 North 18th Street, Suite 105, Monroe 318.855.3735

Bayou DeSiar d Title Company 417 North 3rd Street, Monroe 318.325.8800

Gr egory L aw Fir m 3006 Armand Street 318.281.6364

M ather ne & Davis, APLC 3006 Armand Street, Monroe 318.807.9030

Phillip M. Lester

2503 Ferrand Street, Monroe 318.322.7373

320 South Franklin Street, Bastrop 318.283.3242

Paul Loy Hur d L aw Office

Cody W. R ials, APLC

2483 Tower Drive, Suite 1, Monroe 318.323.3838

4404 Old Sterlington Road, Suite 105, Monroe 318.737.7059

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ince 1995, Christian and Catherine Creed have provided outstanding legal representation to their clients in northeast Louisiana. As members of the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum, which recognizes prestigious trial lawyers in the United States, Creed & Creed focuses on personal injury litigation, including automobile accidents, 18-wheeler accidents, offshore accidents, wrongful death and social security disability claims. Also as members of the American Academy of Trial Attorneys, representing the top one percent of trial attorneys, the firm believes those who have suffered personal injuries due to negligence, through no fault of their own, should be fairly and adequately compensated. They believe in dedicated and personal service. Christian and Catherine meet personally with their clients to better understand the needs of their clients and the details of their case. They know how insurance companies operate, and they fight to protect the rights of their clients. In fact, the firm was recently recognized as one of the nation’s top personal injury law firms by the National Association of Distinguished Counsel, and is the proud recipient of The American Institute of Personal Injury Attorneys’ Client Satisfaction Award.

Christian Creed is an experienced trial attorney and persuasive negotiator. A graduate of LSU and Loyola University College of Law, Christian is also a licensed investigator, making him uniquely qualified to fight on their clients’ behalf. Moreover, Christian previously worked as a claims adjuster for several national insurance companies, so he knows how insurance adjusters operate and the strategies they employ. He has been representing clients throughout northeast Louisiana for the past 25 years, and his experience ensures their clients the favorable outcome they deserve.

Catherine Creed is a lifelong resident of our community with 25 years of legal experience. A graduate of LSU and Loyola University College of Law, she is a former real estate attorney, who now devotes her entire practice to personal injury law. Catherine is a member of the Louisiana Association of Justice and Louisiana Land and Title Association. She is also a sustaining member of the Monroe Junior League and a United Way and Prevent Child Abuse Louisiana volunteer.

Christian and Catherine take pride in their Louisiana roots and are actively involved in their community.

Creed & Creed is a past recipient of the Good Neighbor Award presented by the Better Business Bureau and the Bart Award, which 1805 Tower Drive, Monroe recognizes the creedlaw.com | 318. 387. 580 0 contributions by the business to the LOCAL arts in northeast Louisiana by the PERSONAL INJURY AT TOR NEYS Downtown Arts Alliance.

Also, Christian was previously recognized as the James M. Shipp Jr. Memorial Young Business Leader of the Year by the Monroe Chamber of Commerce and received the first Community Spirit Award presented by NELA United Way. The Creeds have made a solid commitment to our community and their personal injury practice so they can ensure their clients the best possible legal representation and outcome for their case.

Creed & Creed

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aniel Cummins and Jessi Fitts of Cummins and Fitts, LLC set up shop in Downtown Monroe, LA in December of 2018 to focus their practice on family law handling divorces, child custody, child support, spousal support, and community property division. Dan, Jessi, and their staff have been committed to serving the people of Ouachita Parish and surrounding areas with focused and personal representation during their family’s most difficult times. The small firm can handle any family law issue, while being accessible 401 Walnut Street, Monroe and putting clients’ minds at ease. The cummins-f itts.com | 318.60 0.4640 attorneys at Cummins & Fitts have families FA MILY LAW of their own and can directly relate with the concerns and issues their clients are experiencing on a personal level.

Cummins and Fitts appreciates all the support and encouragement we have received over the past year. We are excited to announce that we are growing with a new associate attorney and, with that, expanding into another area of family law: adoptions.

Sophie Barksdale is the newest addition to Cummins and Fitts. Sophie is a native of Monroe and a graduate of Neville High School. After graduation, she attended

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the University of Louisiana at Monroe, receiving her bachelor’s degree of Arts in History in May 2012. At ULM, Sophie was a leader in numerous organizations including Kappa Delta Sorority, Student Government Association, and 31 Ambassadors. Sophie attended Mississippi College School of Law, where she earned her Juris Doctorate and Certificates in Civil Studies and Pro Bono Work in May 2015.

After returning to Monroe, Sophie clerked for the Fourth Judicial District Court working predominantly on adoptions filed in Ouachita and Morehouse Parishes. She has extensive knowledge and experience working with Agency, Intrafamily, Private, and Foreign Adoptions.

Cummins and Fitts is eager and excited to take on a new endeavor in adoptions and about growing the firm by adding associate attorney Sophie Barksdale to the team. We hope that you consider us if your friends, family, or clients need assistance with an adoption, divorce, custody, child support, spousal support, or community property partition.

Daniel, Jessi, Sophie, and their staff are committed to serving the people of Ouachita Parish and surrounding areas with focused and personal representation in all areas of family law. They will minimize litigation when possible, encouraging amicable agreements in which clients feel confident.

Guerriero & Guerriero 220 0 Forsythe Avenue, Monroe theinjuryattorney.com | 318. 325.4306 PERSONAL INJURY

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eff Guerriero is proud to be a part of the legal profession and to carry on a family tradition. The law firm of Guerriero and Guerriero is one of the oldest and most prestigious law firms in North Louisiana. Jeff’s grandfather, Joseph S. Guerriero, established the firm more than 85 years ago. Then, Jeff’s father, Joe D. Guerriero, followed in his father’s footsteps. Now with over 3 decades of litigation experience, Jeff continues this legacy of aggressive and effective legal representation to help get his clients the results they deserve. The firm handles medical malpractice, personal injury, 18-wheeler and car accidents, wrongful death, nursing home neglect, drug injuries, oil field/rig accidents and mass tort class action litigation.

Jeff attended ULM from 1980 to 1985 where he received both his Bachelor and Master of Arts Degrees. He received his Juris Doctorate from Tulane University School of Law in 1988. Jeff served on the House of Delegates, the Board of

Governors, and the Legislative Committee for the Louisiana State Bar Association for several years. Additionally, he served as the chairman of the Ethics Committee for the Fourth Judicial District Bar Association for over 10 years. Jeff is also a certified NFL agent and currently represents numerous active NFL football players, as well as other extremely talented athletes, through his sports agency ProSource Sports Management, LLC.

Jeff continuously strives to give back to the community. Each year Guerriero & Guerriero partners with Lagniappe Broadcasting to hold annual coat and toy drives to provide local families in need with warm coats during the cold winter months.

Jeff personally rides with the local fire department each Christmas Eve to deliver toys to local families. In 2017, Jeff started “Jungle Bells” at the Louisiana Purchase Gardens and Zoo, where he provides free zoo admission for and entertainment for thousands of Louisiana residents to enjoy the weekend before Christmas. Also, Jeff

devotes a considerable amount of time to Pro Bono work and helping veterans and the elderly who cannot afford effective legal representation.

Elizabeth is the second Guerriero of “Guerriero & Guerriero” Law Firm.

She is Jeff’s wife of 36 years and is an accomplished attorney in her own right. She graduated with Jeff from Tulane School of Law and taught Business Law at ULM for 25 years. She is also a certified NFL agent who specializes in contract law and negotiation.

The firm also includes associate attorney, Bryan Creekmore, a litigation lawyer and a graduate of Southern University Law School where he graduated with honors and was an associate editor for the Journal of Race, Gender, and Poverty.

Bryan is also a certified NFL agent with ProSource Sports and assists with contract negotiations as well as ProSource client’s marketing opportunities along with helping the athletes plan and execute their charitable endeavors.

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Hayes Harkey Title, LLC

John B. Saye

150 0 North 19th St., Suite 701, Monroe hhsclaw.com | 318. 387.2422 TI TLE SERVICES

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ohn B. Saye is focused on making his clients’ home dreams a reality. For many, the purchase of a home is the single largest purchase made in a lifetime so attention to detail and superior customer service should be expected. Partnering with someone who truly makes the effort and pays attention to detail to save unnecessary stress is essential.

Their experienced and trusted team provides competitive costs and a streamlined process for all of their clients, which makes Hayes Harkey Title the best choice to facilitate the closing of your new home or commercial property. #hhsclaw #YouHaveASaye John founded Hayes Harkey Title, LLC in 2013, rooted in the tradition of service to the client. With seasoned Closing Processor Elizabeth Williams, the process is designed

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for customer satisfaction. ALTA Best Practices Certified, Hayes Harkey Title emphasizes that the selection of the title company is a secure choice. The purchase of a home, regardless of the purchase price, should be a pleasant experience, conducted in a professional but relaxed manner.

Hayes Harkey Title’s specific attention to detail and focus on their customers makes this a reality for each client. It is always the buyers’ choice in who handles your real estate closing. A subsidiary of Hayes, Harkey, Smith and Cascio Law Firm, Hayes, Harkey Title offers more personal service because of its smaller size, and that’s their focus at every closing. Their attorneys work directly with buyers, sellers, lenders and realtors. At the time of closing, they discuss each document with the client, making sure the process

is understood and that the clients are comfortable. Their whole team is service and client-oriented.

John knows he is part of something significant for his clients, calling the opportunity a gift. And his mother always taught him that a gift is returned with a gift. So after each closing, he hands the new homeowners a brand new smoke detector, a way to protect their investment and themselves. The gift not only compliments their choice, but it reminds the clients that Hayes Harkey Title values their investment in their home and their friendship.

Hayes Harkey Title makes sure the goal with each closing is to make its clients happy. It is the buyer’s choice, and it is their hope that you choose Hayes Harkey Title.

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udson, Potts & Bernstein is a landmark law firm in the state of Louisiana due to its extensive history and successful representation of so many companies and individuals in this state. Established in 1875, we are a full-service law firm with a team of attorneys who are highly skilled and experienced in a wide variety of practice areas.

We develop lasting relationships with our clients and have the ability and resources to handle almost any legal issue. In everything we do, we remember the history behind our firm and the commitment of our attorneys who set the standard of excellence for Hudson, Potts & Bernstein.

We also recognize that the legal profession is constantly evolving and moving forward, so we seek out innovative ways to increase efficiency in our legal representation through technological improvements and other methods of reducing the costs of our clients. We regularly handle cases in Louisiana, Mississippi and Arkansas. From personal injury cases to complex business disputes, the courtroom is our battleground.

Hudson, Potts & Bernstein represents individuals, businesses, governmental entities, corporations, banks and insurance companies. We can assist individuals and small and large companies with their legal needs including commercial transactions, commercial litigation, personal injury, insurance law, family law, creditors’ rights and bankruptcy, financial transactions, corporations, contracts, employment claims, medical malpractice, health care law, workers’ compensation, transportation law, real estate transactions, wills, estates and probate law. Our strong knowledge of Louisiana

law and specific areas of Federal law, and our entrusted client relationships, are hallmarks of our Firm. We have the breadth and depth of knowledge, experience and resources to provide you with the excellent legal representation you deserve in an ethical, timely, and efficient manner.

The firm is the oldest and largest law firm in Northeast Louisiana. Our attorneys include Gordon James, Robert Baldwin, Charles Herold, Jay Adams, Jan Christiansen, Brian Bowes, Stephen North, Donald Zeigler, G. Adam Cossey, Margaret Pruitt, Sara Griffin White, and Casey Auttonberry.

We employ the latest technology to meet our clients’ everchanging needs 180 0 Hudson Lane, Suite 30 0, Monroe and the demands hpblaw.com | 318. 388.4 40 0 of today’s legal environment.

We are mindful of our AT TOR NEYS AT LAW history and the hard work and excellence that have paved the way for our firm’s success.

Headquartered in Monroe, Louisiana, our North Louisiana ties are strong and our roots run deep. Our attorneys are very involved in our community by volunteering and contributing to numerous local causes including the Monroe and West Monroe Chambers of Commerce, Northeast Louisiana Arts Council, Food Bank, Chennault Aviation and Military Museum, Monroe Symphony, and many other worthy local organizations.

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Monroe native, Mark Neal graduated from St. Frederick High School, ULM and LSU Law. He is a civil trial attorney who zealously advocates for justice and to help people enforce their rights. Mark primarily represents people involved in disputes. After handling over 125 civil trials early on in his career, he developed a reputation for being up to the challenge of any worthy courtroom battle. Practicing primarily in Monroe, Mark Neal’s areas of practice include most all types of civil litigation, business litigation, and dispute resolution.

Having spent the majority of his 23 year career as a partner in a larger firm, for the last 9 years, Mark has thrived in the smaller firm 2485 Tower Drive, Suite 7, Monroe environment where he can focus more on his clients. neallawf irm.net | 318.807.0929 He enjoys the David v.

Goliath cases.

Perhaps CIVIL A ND BUSINESS LI TIGATION the most rewarding case of his career involved the successful defense of the son of an ailing father who gifted Mark’s client a 355 acre Iowa farm that had been in the family for generations. The plaintiffs unsuccessfully asked a federal jury to void the father to son donation, claiming the father lacked the mental capacity to transfer

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Mark J. Neal

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ownership. Mark’s own father had just passed away before the trial so helping another father and son fulfill a final wish was at once professionally rewarding and personally fulfilling. Although pleased with his body of work, Mark believes that one’s defining moment always lies ahead so he has yet to accomplish what he set out to do when he decided to pursue a legal career.

To be sure, making a difference in the lives of everyday people matters most to Mark.

While lawyers are hired for results, Mark believes that, if a lawyer does what’s right, every now and again he will find himself in the position to make a positive impact on the greater good.

Mark’s father was Jackie Neal, former department head of Monroe Parks & Recreation. Mark grew up around sports and has enjoyed coaching his two boys, Noah and Nathan, in baseball and basketball. Mark met his wife Rhonda Wray during their freshman year at NLU (1989) at Caldwell Hall in English 101. A graphic artist, Rhonda and the family enjoy traveling. The Neals have caught baseball games at 24 of the 30 Major League Baseball parks and have found their way to most of the Presidential Libraries. His son Noah (16) is a sophomore at St. Frederick High School and son Nathan (12) attends 6th grade at Sallie Humble. Mark is a proud alumnus of both schools.

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he attorneys of Parker Alexander fight for the rights of seriously injured victims and have over 75 years of experience for their clients to rely on. Areas of focus include car accidents, brain injuries, medical malpractice, product liability, truck accidents and wrongful death. Parker Alexander is intent on pursuing justice for injured victims with compassion and tenacity.

The attorney team is made up of Dan Parker, Kevin Alexander, and Chad Carter. These Monroe personal injury attorneys provide professional support to injured victims throughout the state. Parker Alexander proudly offers individualized assistance, hard-hitting representation, and the zealous advocacy required to maximize recovery. The attorneys at Parker Alexander hold themselves to the highest standard of excellence and integrity and are confident in their ability to successfully defend serious cases.

Dan Parker is a Monroe native and an LSU Tiger alum. He’s been a pillar of the Ouachita Parish legal community for decades and has a track record that is replete with obtaining justice for his clients and is noted for his excellence as a trial lawyer. He is a passionate advocate for those wrongfully injured by the negligence of others. Dan’s clients receive personal attention and the experienced legal guidance necessary for a successful outcome.

He lives in Monroe with his wife, Angie.

Kevin Alexander hails from Jonesboro and

is a graduate of the University of Louisiana at Monroe. He has practiced law in Monroe since 1997 and is a veteran of many years of trial work. He is passionate about standing up for those who are unable to stand up for themselves, due to injury or misfortune. Kevin resides in Monroe with his wife, Maria. Their daughter, Allie, attends Neville High School.

Speaking of veterans, Colonel Chad Carter is originally from Texas, but made the move to Louisiana as quickly as possible. He attended Texas Christian University and was later a law school classmate of Kevin’s. Chad served over 20 years in the U.S. Air Force JAG Corps and retired with the rank of colonel.

He has devoted his entire career to clients in need, regardless of whether those clients are military members 2503 Ferrand St, Monroe and their families or parkeralexander.com | 318. 322.7373 individuals who have been injured by the wrongdoing of others. AT TOR NEYS AT LAW He lives in Monroe with his wife, Holly.

Their kids, Raegan and Carson, attend St. Frederick Catholic High School and Junior High.

If you are ready to move forward with your accident claim, contact Parker Alexander.

They offer free case evaluations.

Parker Alexander

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Paul Loy Hurd Law Office Paul Loy Hurd Morgan Livingston

2483 Tower Drive, Suite 1 | Monroe 318. 323. 3838 REAL ESTATE

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he Law Office of Paul Loy Hurd is a full service civil practice law firm that focuses on real estate transactions, refinancing and other civil matters including successions, donations and business litigation. With 40+ years of legal experience, Attorney Paul Loy Hurd has an extensive business knowledge and legal insight into a wide variety of property transactions.

The Hurd Law Firm assists its clients in structuring all types of property and business transactions. Many of the client transactions utilize the Law Firm’s affiliated “Home Title Guaranty Company” for loan closings and issuance of title insurance. Our business and real estate experience benefits our clients by utilizing our knowledge of the local real estate market, including our local lenders, realtors and appraisers.

All of these relationships assure our clients of a smooth transaction whether buyer, seller or lender.

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Paul Hurd is a graduate of Tulane University, at which he received his bachelor’s degree in 1976 and Tulane University School of Law, at which he received his Juris Doctor degree in 1978. Paul Hurd was also a graduate of Leadership Ouachita, when it was first formed. After acting as bank compliance officer and general counselor for a major bank, Paul Hurd founded the Law Offices of Paul Loy Hurd. Paul Hurd has amassed forty years of law practice.

Paul handles more of the litigation for the Law Firm. In 2001, Paul was named one of the 20 Most Influential Leaders in Louisiana by Louisiana Life Magazine.

He was admitted to the Bar in 1978, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeal in 1993, and the U.S. Supreme Court in 1994.

Paul has had three cases reported by the U.S. Supreme Court, all in which he was lead counsel, a noteworthy achievement in law practice. He and his wife Cathy Vines Hurd, a lifelong resident of Monroe, have been married

for 43 years and have three children; Dr. Paul Hurd II, Coach Anderson “Bam” Hurd and Dr. David Hurd.

Morgan Livingston was raised in Monroe and graduated from Ouachita Christian School, ULM, and Mississippi College School of Law. Morgan focuses his legal practice on real estate, contracts, business and successions. He loves practicing law, particularly in his hometown, and appreciates being able to serve the people of this community.

In law school, Morgan excelled in his civil law curriculum, receiving his Civil Law Certificate. Morgan is also a graduate of Leadership Ouachita, sponsored by the Monroe Chamber of Commerce. Morgan is married to Ashleigh Goodman Livingston and the couple recently had their first daughter, Josie Marie Livingston.

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onald Kip Gates has practiced law in Ouachita Parish for over 30 years with immense experience in collections of all types of consumer debt.

Kip Gates is one of the leading collection attorneys in Northeast Louisiana. His firm also handles numerous matters regarding Personal Injury, Estate Planning, Family Law, Corporate Law, as well as an extensive general field of practice matters.

Kip is a lifelong resident of Monroe, Louisiana. He knew he wanted to be an attorney since he first sat on his grandfather’s knee. He graduated from Ridgedale Academy, ULM, then NLU, and Southern University. After working with a few firms locally, Kip started his own practice in 1993. Kip loves practicing law, and particularly interacting with people.

His profession allows him to “bring grace to controversy,” and helping people is one of the most rewarding parts of his job. Kip is an active member in good standing with the Louisiana Bar Association, American Bar Association, and the Fourth Judicial District Bar Association. He has also been nominated for Who’s Who among Professionals as well as Small Businessman of the Year.

In his practice of collection law, Kip works with credit unions, banks, contractors, and finance companies all over Northeast Louisiana to collect accounts. He stresses the importance of estate law, as wills and

powers of attorney must be planned ahead of time. With so many blended families now, it’s imperative that people have their affairs in order; otherwise, the law handles decisions that should be made by people we trust. Kip handles basic divorce cases and community property. In these situations, he stresses the importance of communication between parties, as most issues can be solved without litigation. In general law, Kip works with contract problems, reciprocal agreements, and civil transitions 1905 Royal Avenue, Monroe between buyers and sellers. He represents kipgateslaw.com | 318. 322.7397 realtors and landlords to protect their assets and COLLECTION LAW collect rents, late fees, and damages. Kip waves the consultation fee in most cases and if he can’t help a client, he will point the client toward someone who can.

Kip believes that the establishment of trust between the attorney and client should be first and foremost. He knows the law gives us limitations and restrictions, and he encourages compromise whenever possible.

He attains to the highest standards of professional ethics and believes that a client’s interests should be protected above all.

Kip Gates Law

Ronald “Kip” Gates

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atson, McMillin & Street, LLP was established in Monroe, Louisiana in 2000 by a team of highly experienced Louisiana attorneys who shared a vision of broad-based, yet intensely focused legal representation. With over 89 years of combined experience in areas such as Personal Injury, Employment Law, Banking Law, Estate Planning, Business Planning, Real Estate Law and Tax Law, the attorneys have the necessary skills to provide you with the correct legal 1881 Hudson Circle, Monroe advice. The diversity of the practice allows them wmhllp.com | 318. 322. 970 0 to serve clients across a wide spectrum of legal AT TOR NEYS AT LAW concerns, while their detail-oriented approach ensures deeply committed and personalized representation. The firm’s mission is to bring your legal issue to resolution in a timely fashion and at a fair price. The attorneys have a long list of satisfied clients that continue to rely on WMS to represent them and manage their legal needs. Their clients depend on their guidance in specific areas of law and value the attorneys who can deliver specialized legal service.

A graduate of LSU, Tulane, and Boston University, William Brooks Watson has been practicing law since 1986. He is a Board Certified Tax Law Specialist and

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a Board Certified Estate Planning and Administrative Specialist. His practice areas include Banking Law, Corporate Law and Business Transactions, Estate Planning, Estate Administration, Taxation Law, and Real Estate Law. An attorney since 1988, David C. McMillin is a graduate of LSU and Mississippi State University. His practice areas include Personal Injury, Foreclosure and Mortgage Banking, General Civil and Trial Practice, and Bankruptcy and Account Collections. A graduate of LSU and Centenary College, Mike Street has been practicing law since 1996. His practice areas include Employment Law, Medical Malpractice, Real Estate and General Civil Litigation. Watson, McMillin & Street has also been recognized as a 2018 Honoree for the LSU One Hundred Fastest Growing Tiger Businesses.

The attorneys share a commitment to excellence in legal representation, which their colleagues at law have affirmed. They consider their consistent level of excellence across a variety of practice areas to be an asset. To better serve clients, the firm formed Marathon Title Company in 2012. This inhouse subsidiary eliminates the need for outside assistance in title searches and other technical aspects of real estate transactions.

This is yet another example of how their diverse services allow them to focus sharply on client service. Marathon’s continued growth reflects the firm as being one of the premier loan closing and title companies in the area.

T Anzelmo & Creighton Partners Title

190 0 N. 18th Street, Suite 105, Monroe AnzelmoCreighton.com | 318.855. 3735 WOR KERS’ COMPENSATION DEFENSE, PERSONAL INJURY & GENER AL LI TIGATION, REAL ESTATE TI TLE & CLOSING SERVICES

he 2019 BayouBuzz Award winner, Anzelmo & Creighton Attorneys at Law, is a full-service law firm providing responsive, effective and efficient legal services to its clients throughout Louisiana.

Attorneys Donald Anzelmo, Michael Creighton and Charles Anzelmo offer legal services focusing on both litigation and transactional law in practice areas including workers’ compensation and insurance defense, personal injury and general litigation. Our attorneys also regularly handle collections and eviction matters and serve as the attorney chairs on medical review panels in medical malpractice claims. The Anzelmo & Creighton firm strives to represent our clients with honesty and integrity, while working diligently to achieve a favorable result.

Anzelmo & Creighton also offer in-house real estate services through our affiliate title company Partners Title, offering a full range of title insurance and closing services.

Partners Title prides itself on providing a friendly atmosphere, defined by personal attention and timely, knowledgeable service, at an affordable cost.

We look forward to serving our clients and community for years to come!

Bayou Desiard Title Company 417 North 3rd Street, Monroe bayoudesiardtitle.com | 318. 325.880 0 REAL ESTATE

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or the last 20 years, Bayou Desiard Title Company has provided services for all types of real estate transactions.

It handles transactions involving residential and commercial properties including sales, mortgages, refinances, donations, servitudes and lease/purchases.

The company provides escrow services and writes title insurance for national title insurers. Bayou Desiard Title is approved to handle matters on behalf of almost every banker, mortgage broker and realtor office in Northeast Louisiana. Attorney Gene Hastings founded the company in 1997.

His son Cooper Hastings joined the firm as a practicing attorney in 2018, followed by

Larry Mullens last year. The team prides itself on being experienced, professional, and friendly.

Bayou Desiard Title Company’s slogan is “closing loans at the lowest possible cost to you.” They are determined to provide professional title services while maintaining a personal relationship with their clients.

The company was recently awarded the Thomas H. Scott Award of Excellence by The Chamber of Commerce in 2019 for its noteworthy contribution to the economy of Ouachita Parish.

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Gregory Law Firm

Lynette Gregory Eldridge 30 06 Armand Street | Monroe thegregoryf irm.com | 318.281.6364 AU TOMOBILE ACCIDEN T A ND PERSONA L I NJURY SPECIA LIST; CHILD CUSTODY; DIVORCE; CIVIL LI TIGATION; W ILLS A ND SUCCESSIONS

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he Gregory Law Firm is a locally owned private law firm with a team of dedicated professionals rendering legal services in and around Northeast Louisiana. It is the firm’s goal to provide its clients with a peaceful, calm and nurturing environment where people can come in, often in one of their greatest hours of need, and feel hope, restoration and certainty they will not be taken advantage of.

Lynette Gregory, the owner of the firm, was born and raised in Bastrop, Louisiana, and is now a resident of West Monroe.

Lynette received her B.A from ULM in 2011,

where she was a member of Homecoming Court and founded Pre-law Association. She then graduated from Southern University Law Center with her Juris Doctorate in 2014, where she was involved in Phi Alpha Delta and Louisiana Association for Justice.

Her practice areas include Plaintiff Personal Injury; Automobile Accidents and Injuries; Family Law; Child Custody; Divorce; Civil Litigation; and Wills and Successions. She and husband, Tyler Eldridge, are expecting their first daughter MaKenna Maye this summer.

Matherne & Davis, aplc Lauren Pickett Davis

30 06 Armand Street, Monroe lauren@mathernedavislaw.com | 318.807. 9030 ESTATE PLA NNING

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auren Pickett Davis is a native of Delhi and high school graduate of Riverfield Academy. She graduated from ULM with a Bachelor of Arts in Government/History in 2001 and received her Juris Doctorate in Civil Law from Loyola University School of Law in New Orleans in 2007. After graduation, Lauren clerked for the Honorable James Boddie, Jr., of the Fourth Judicial District Court.

Upon completion of her clerkship, Lauren practiced in Shreveport until 2012 when she and her family returned to Monroe. In 2013, she opened Matherne & Davis, APLC with Valerie Van Matherne. Lauren’s primary practice of Estate Planning includes

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Last Will & Testaments, Trusts, Powers of Attorney, Living Wills, Successions, Tutorships, Interdictions, and Medicaid Planning.

Lauren is currently an Advisory Board Member of Commercial Capital Bank and also serves on the Board of the Northeast Louisiana Arts Council.

Lauren is married to Heath Davis and they have two girls, Lily (10) and Paige (8).

She is an active member of the Krewe of Iris, the oldest and largest female Carnival Krewe in New Orleans. Lauren enjoys watching her girls in their extra-curricular activities, attending New Orleans Saints games and watching college football.

Matherne & Davis, aplc Valerie Van Matherne

30 06 Armand Street, Monroe Valerie@mathernedavislaw.com | 318.807. 9030 ESTATE PLA NNING

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alerie Van Matherne has been practicing law in her native town of Monroe for 24 years.

After graduating from ULM in Accounting she attended Mississippi College School of Law on full scholarship.

While attending law school she passed the CPA exam and maintains her CPA status as “inactive.” She began her practice as a sole practitioner specializing in corporate law, successions, wills, trusts and tax planning.

She also spent several years working in the banking industry as a trust officer. In 2005, Valerie received her Certified Financial Planner ™ Certification and has been a BoardCertified Estate Planning and Administration Specialist with the Louisiana Board of Legal

Specialization since 2007. In 2013, Valerie combined resources with Lauren Davis to form Matherne & Davis, APLC. Valerie’s accounting and financial background are invaluable to her in assisting her clients in the estate planning field as she works closely with many of her client’s tax advisors and financial planners to ensure that her clients benefit from a comprehensive approach.

Valerie is married to Kenny Brinson and has three children, Matthew, Van David, and Ally. Valerie enjoys all her kids’ sporting activities and is always up for a new adventure traveling with her husband. The family attends North Monroe Baptist Church and lives on a mini farm with dogs, cats, horses, cows, chickens, and a pet pig.

Phillip M. Lester 320 S Franklin St, Bastrop 318.283. 3242 AT TOR NEY AT LAW

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hillip Lester was born and raised in Bastrop, Louisiana. From the beginning of his college career, Phillip has always been drawn to helping people which led him to gravitate toward law.

Phillip continued his education after high school by attending ULM, where he received his undergrad in business management from 1984-1988. He then obtained his law degree at LSU in 1991.

He has been practicing law in Bastrop for the past 29 years and says that he progressively enjoys his job more as time goes on. He knew that law was just something he wanted to do. His areas of specialty include: Divorce, Accidents/ Personal Injury, Wills, Sucessions, Tutorship,

Interdictions, Residential & Commercial Loan Closings, Estate Planning & Elderly Law, Donations, Title Insurance, Escrow Services, Limited Liability Companies, Corporations, Partnerships, General & Business Litigations, 1031 Exchanges, and General & Medical Power of Attorney. For the past 12 years, Phillip has also been serving as Bastrop City Judge.

Phillip and his wife, April, both live and both work in Bastrop. Together they have a 14-year-old son, Caden, who currently attends OCS. A true Louisiana man, Phillip enjoys hunting, fishing and playing golf.

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Cody W. Rials, APLCÂ Cody Rials

4 404 Old Sterlington Road, Suite 105 rialslaw.com | 318.737.7059 GENER AL CIVIL LAW A ND REAL ESTATE PR ACTICE

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ttorney Cody Rials is a native of Monroe, Louisiana. In 2001, he graduated from ULM with honors, obtaining a Bachelor of Science Degree in Construction Management. He graduated in the top 20% of his law school class from LSU in 2004, obtaining a degree of Juris Doctor and a Bachelor of Civil Law. While in law school, Rials clerked for the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries and several of the largest law firms in the State of Louisiana.

In July of 2016, after 12 years of practicing law, Rials launched his own practice. The firm is experienced in the following areas of Construction Law, Personal Injury, Domestic, Business Formation, and Real Estate.

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Cody Rials is an experienced litigator, having tried bench and jury trials in various parishes, participated in numerous arbitrations and mediations, and handled various appellate cases to Judgment.

Cody is the Past President of Families Helping Families of Northeast Louisiana, a member of the Northeast Louisiana Homebuilders Association, and a member of the ULM School of Construction Industry Advisory Council among other various organizations. He and his family are lifelong residents of Ouachita Parish and enjoy being involved with and giving back to the community.

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4th Annual Empty Bowls

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On Saturday, January 25th, the 4rd Annual Empty Bowls lunch event was held at ULM’s Bayou Pointe Event Center in Monroe to benefit the Food Bank of Northeast Louisiana. A sampling of signature dishes from mulitple area chefs were served, accompanied by live music, activities for kids and adults and a silent auction. 19 food vendors participated this year, and there was also face painting, a pottery demo, art, and a photobooth. The food vendors included: Parish Restaurant, Taste of India, The Good Earth Juice & Salad Bar, Health with Hope, The Fat Pelican, For His Temple Foods, Char 19, Thurman’s Food Factory, JAC’s Tailgaters, Dreux Coffee, The Spice & Tea Exchange, Grown & Grazed, Copeland’s of New Orleans, Newk’s Eatery, CC’s Coffee House, Braiz’n American Bar & Grill, Wing Stop, Little India, and Bayou Brew House. Guests left the event with their choice of a beautiful, hand-crafted bowl by a local artist as a reminder of all of the empty bowls in our community.

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On the BayouScene

1 Dana Taylor and Jean Toth 2 Babs Oakley 3 Jenna Rachall, Mandi Hutto and Shelia Floyd 4 Sarah Hoffman, Jessica Bostic and Rose Dupree 5 Mac and Leah Reitzell 6 Lindsey Shepherd and Jennifer Callender 7 Doug and Jodi Harvey 8 April Hanks, Amy Roth, Jennifer Fogleman and Kimberly Janes 9 Arely Castillo Vargas and Sarah Hoffman 10 Heath, Hope and Landry Frugé 11 Christina and Harrison Lilly 12 E lysabeth Peoples and Nick Downs 13 Z ayden Florentine and Chance Wood with King Tony Adams, Krewe of Janus 14 Samantha Jester and Robert Holtzclaw 15 Chris & Mandi McKnight 16 Kelsey, Lydia and Alex Bohl 17 Friday Ellis and Troy Lizenby 18 Gary & Sharon Ratcliff 19 Food Bank of NELA crew

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Dr. Mickel Hosts FaceTite EmbraceRF Event

On Thursday, February 13th, Dr. Timothy Mickel and his staff hosted a FaceTite | EmbraceRF event at their office in Monroe. Guests enjoyed listening to Joy Dethrone about the FaceTite procedure, won door prizes and one guest walked away with a grand prize of 6 Forma treatments, a $2,700 value. Dr. Mickel has been in practice for nearly 3 decades and is a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgeons.

On the BayouScene

1 Hope McLemore and Clay Brown 2 LesleyBush, Missy Oubre and Ashley Haynes 3 Dr. Timothy Mickel and Cindy Strickler 4 Amy Grassi and Natalie Todd 5 Joy Dethrone and Rachel Spires 6 Brandy Springer and Krystal Smith

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Friday Ellis for Mayor Campaign Kickoff Fundraiser On Friday, January 31, 2020 from 7 PM – 10 PM candidate Friday Ellis hosted his Friday Ellis for Mayor Campaign Kickoff Fundraiser in downtown Monroe at The HUB. With an overwhelming attendance of over 900 community members that came out to show their support for the campaign, the event was a huge success. Leon Thomas III was the Master of Ceremonies for the night and guests enjoyed live music from The Main Event. Food trucks Bahr Food, Delta Roux & Que, and Caster and Chicory were in attendance serving the crowd as well. Ellis spoke of the transformation of our city for a better Monroe for all.

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On the BayouScene

1 Theresa and Jason Thomas 2 Susan and John Jones 3 Logan Eagen and Natalie Lebas 4 Louis Tolliver Jr., Friday Ellis, K.D. Grayson and Quinton Jackson 5M ichael Stamper, Billie Jean Stamper, JoAnn Duckett and Pamela Barton 6 N ancy and Jeb Andrews 7K aren Brewton and Karen Gibbons 8 J ulie Tonore and Becky Flemister 9 Dakota Sims, Jack Branch, Cade Hunter and John Ratcliffe 10 Jodi Williams and Heather Copleand 11 M issy Amy and Emily Craig 12 April and Josh Mitchell and Quinton Durr 13 Donny Williams and Phillip WIlliams 14 Deanna and Davis Shivley 15 Acquanette and Patrick Mitchell 16 Lori Bratton and Shane Bridges 17 Ashley and Friday Ellis

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Hopkins Dermatology Hosts Educational Event

Dr. Janine Hopkins of Hopkins Dermatology hosted an evening of education on Thursday, February 13th at the Bayou Desiard Country Club. She explained skin cancer, skin care awareness, and Mohs surgery. She also explained IG-SRT, the innovative nonsurgical cure for basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma now available as an alternative to surgery at Hopkins Dermatology. Dr. Hopkins is a board certified dermatologist and has a heightened awareness for skin cancer detection, prevention and treatment.

On the BayouScene

1 Wayne Meece and Nancy Meece 2 Walter Trush and Belinda Wong-Trush 3 Sharon Brown & Camille Dennis 4 Edwina Welch & Forrest O’Neal 5 Irma Ragsdale,Cyndi Tatum,Deanie Baker,Becky Benbrook,Elizabeth Oswalt

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Donuts and Coffee at Croswell’s Just in time to grab a Valentine’s Day outfit, Croswell’s Boutique 139 hosted a Donuts and Coffee breakfast and shopping event the morning of February 1st. Guests enjoyed coffee, donuts, shopping, and door prizes. The boutique was decorated for Valentine’s Day. Heart shaped donuts with sprinkles, regular donuts, donut holes, chocolates, waters and coffee were served. Door prizes included small handbags and were given out throughout the event.

Croswell’s Boutique 139 is located just 15 minutes north of Sterlington and ladies came from Sterlington, Bastrop, Monroe, Rayville and West Monroe.

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On the BayouScene

1 Laken Blakely and Lois Jordan 2 Marleigh Martin and Sarah Daniels 3 McKenzie and Kim Burtrman 4 Abby Kilcrease and Liz White 5 Reba Nolan, Susan Savage and Phyllis Temple 6 Caron Johnson and Debbie Cook 7 Payton Boatright, Georgia White and Ainsley Boatright 8 Nancy and Robin Holiday 9 Debbie Cook and Deena White 10 Jordan Kidd and Leslie Scott 11 Jennifer Johnson, Danielle Ainsworth and Denise Blades 12 C laudia Gebhardt and Lorna Evans 13 Mallory Williams, Denise Blades, Georgia DeVille and April Johnson 14 Caron Johnson, Sarah Daniels, Anna Beth Bray and Mallory Williams

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GO CARE Community Health Center’s Ribbon Cutting

GO CARE Community Health Center held it’s ribbon-cutting ceremony and Open House on Thursday, January 23, 2020 to celebrate the organization’s expansion into providing primary healthcare, behavioral health, and support services to the people of Northeast Louisiana. The Monroe-West Monroe Chamber of Commerce, Mayor Mitchell, and Mark Windham spoke on the expansion of not only the organization but the growth and positive addition to the community. Windham also spoke of the future plans for GO CARE Community Health Center. Guests were invited to tour the facility and the event was catered by Chef Pat Nolan. Sponsors of GO CARE Community Health Center include: Haik Insurance Holdings, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Quest Diagnostics and Reliant Healthcare.

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On the BayouScene

1 Cindy Barnes and Chad Giovingo-Moore 2 Amanda Norris, Christy McPherson and Ray Robertson 3 Morgan Buxton and Larenzo Herny 4 Eddie Bynog and Deedee Toney 5 Vicki Hilbun and Sunni Chavallier 6 Jessica Bass and Vickie Remillard 7 Morgan Buxton, Lila Strode, Kevin Marcantel, Mayor Staci Mitchell and Mark Windham 8 Sawyer and Jason Rogers 9 Rashad Bristo and Jemekia Gayden 10 Nancy Head and Tiffany Johnson 11 Lola Wheeler, Gail Blackmon, Dorothy Coursey 12 M ayor Staci Mitchell and Lila Strode 13 Judy and Dr. Welton Gaddy 14 Kris Kelly, Kerrella Pimpleton and Stephanie Sikes 15 Rusty Chambless, Laurie Hamilton, Gwen Guillory, David Culp and Ray Roberson 16 GoCare Staff

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Krewe de Riviere Roaring 20s Ball

After parading through the streets of Monroe and West Monroe for their inaugural parade, the Krewe de Riviere celebrated with a ball at the Monroe Civic Center on Saturday, February 8th. The theme was the roaring 20’s and guests were decked out in flapper gowns, pinstripe suits and feather headpieces. Mardi Gras Indians marched into the ball and got all of the guests up and dancing. The fun continued with Joe Lastie and the New Orleans Sound taking the stage, followed by a special performance by Robert Finley, the Grand Marshall of the parade. This year’s King Tommy Simms and Queen Ginger Padgett held court at the ball as well. Krewe de Riviere is the brainchild of Judy Babb who has worked tirelessly over the last year to see the parade to fruition. We can’t wait to see what they have in store for next year!

On the BayouScene

1 Joshua Colson and Hollie King 2 Friday and Ashley Ellis 3 Bill and Marion Willson 4 Judy Babb, Gretchen Kelly and Marybeth Leonard 5 Ginger and Cole Padgett 6 Cali Winkler and Abraham Lincoln 7 Shelly and John Holloway 8 Margaret and Jess Barr 9 Lakita Haulcy, Robert Finley, Christy Johnson and Laquindrelyn McMahon 10 Leeia Rispoli, Cristy Halley and Bonnie Gustinger 11 Queen Ginger Padgett and King Tommy Simms 12 M arybeth Leonard and Gretchen Kelly 13 Jason Parillo and Brittney Bass 14 Stefanie Franks, Molly and Tim McCullar 15 Lauren and Bryan Creekmore 16 David Williams, Tammy Williams, Dusty Teer and Jake Defee 17 Adrienne Lafrance-Wells, Vernon Wells and Courtney Wetzel 18 Buffy Walker, Madison Guerriero, Elizabeth Guerriero and Jodi Lyle

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St Fred’s Totally Warriors

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The St. Frederick High School Parents’ Association totally rocked their annual fundraiser on Saturday, February 1st at the Bayou Desiard Country Club. Rockstars, prepsters, work-out queens and all around big hair and fanny packs dominated the night.

Party goers got chances to bid on auction items like exotic travel packages, decadent local dining choices, hunting trips, local art and more. The music of the Chee-Weez kept the crowd dancing all night long.

Funds raised from the event will go toward many current and on-going projects and improvements at St. Frederick High School.

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On the BayouScene

1 Bradley and Maureen Gallagher 2 Amy Taylor and Lisa Miller 3 Susan and Kevin Hopper 4 Megan and John Harkey 5 Scott Lehy, Sean and Melanie Christian, Evelyn Johnson 6 Sarah Perry and Chase Morris 7 Hebert and Julie Tuft 8 Julie Tuft and Cherie Donias 9 Audrey Malloy, Shanna Marlowe and Rebecca Leaumont 10 Mary Amanda, Michael and Mary Beth Dickerson 11 Kathryn Barham and Aime Smith 12 L auren and Heath Davis 13 Dana Tarver and Kym Marsala 14 James and Sara Butler 15 Mike Brodtman, Amanda and Joey Brodtman 16 Gretchen Tiser, Larry and Pam Pickett and Jason Tiser 17 Sammy and Therese Nagem 18 Alise and Mac Oliver, Ellen Danna 19 Leigh Buffington, Bridgette Tannehill and Allison Sherman

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Matherne & Davis Ribbon Cutting and Open House The Law Office of Matherne & Davis hosted their Ribbon Cutting and Open House on February 4th from 4:30-6:30pm. The event was to celebrate the opening of their recently built office on Armand Street. The law office relocated in December where they were previously located on Avenue of America.

Family, friends and neighbors of Valerie Matherne and Lauren Davis came out to tour the space and celebrate the growth of our community. The beautiful office was designed and built by Blue Heron Homes, while the interior design was left to Terri Trichel. The building consists of two conference rooms, kitchen space and seven offices. Food and drinks were served as guests were invited to visit and walk through the office.

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On the BayouScene

1 Victoria Rainbolt and Ally Matherne 2 Sherri Holladay and Johnna Van 3 Johnna Nelson and Jennifer Elias 4 Kathy Gardner and Serita Daniel 5 David Sorrell, James Reneau, Brad Boyd and Jeremy Smith 6 Valerie Matherne and Lauren Davis 7 Karyn Brooks, Tee Sims and Faye McMichael 8 Lauren Davis, Pam and Larry Pickett 9 Valerie Matherne, Lauren Davis and TC Trichel 10 Karyn and Jerome Brooks 11 Kenny Brinson and Pastor Warren Eckhardt 12 A nna Robertson and Alex McMorris 13 Nat Smith and Terri Trussell 14 Ashley West and Kathy Williamson 15 Heath, Lily, Paige and Lauren Davis 16 Daniel Cummins, Jessie Fitts and Mayor Jamie Mayo 17 Matherne & Davis Ribbon Cutting

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River Oaks Celebrates

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River Oaks held their 50th year celebration with an auction and fundraiser on Friday, February 7th at Bayou Pointe. The event was catered by Catfish Charlie’s and parents, alumni and supporters got to bid on fun auction items and raffle prizes. Everyone danced the night away to the sounds of The Dirty Word Band, featuring Monroe native John Scalia, a semi-finalist on season 6 of the The Voice. River Oaks is a private preparatory Pre-k through high school located in Monroe that strives for excellence in academics, the arts and athletics.

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On the BayouScene

1 Alpa and Jeet Patel 2 Stewart Hannah and Robert Hannah 3 Fearron Najberg and Deidra Adair 4 Jennifer Dossett and Paige Shively 5 Paul and Kristin Lensing and Jennifer and Ryan Norris 6 Dara Harvey and Alexa Chance 7 Stan Bernard and Gary Poynter 8 Michelle Hakim and Danielle Miller 9 Karen Traxler and Wendy Alexander 10 Joey and Nicole Morris and Hill and Candice Pohlman 11 Murray and Donna Jackson, Mac and Alise Oliver, Karen and Dean Maihles 12 Joe and Melinda Tannehill 13 Allyse Cash and Annemarie Cash 14 Robin Causey and KaraLe Causey 15 Shane Dossett and Britton Leggett 16 Scott and Amy Latham 17 Joe and Melinda Tannehill 18 Scott and Donna Ashbrook 19 Ann Fugler, Deirdra Simmons and Rochelle Scioneaux 20 M arilee and Arthur Ross and Stephanie and Greg Wilson

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Historical Impressions

I N C R E D I B L E , I M P R O B A B L E WA S P ’s b y G u y M i l l e r, V i c e C h a i r E m e r i t u s , C h e n n a u l t Av i a t i o n a n d M i l i t a r y M u s e u m

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went to Officers Candidate School in the summer of 1976. Our class was notable as the first time that female Marine Officer Candidates were sent through the same course as the men.

I still vividly remember assembling for our first company formation. A female Sergeant Instructor noticed our side glances, glared at us testosterone types and bellowed “Get your eyeballs off of my women!”

Since 1976 woman have gradually been afforded the opportunities to serve in almost all combat roles that were previously restricted to men. It’s a rare day on Facebook that I don’t see a post recognizing the honor and valor of our fighting women; up to and including making the ultimate sacrifice for our Nation. Those women of 1976, and all who followed, owe much to the women who served in World War II;

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especially the Women Airforce Service Pilots, or “WASPs.”

In the early 1940s it was difficult for an adult to imagine their barely-out-of-high school sons and brothers flying incredibly powerful military aircraft. It was beyond comprehension that their daughters, sisters or young wives were capable of doing so.

Regardless of what was conceivable or not, when America was thrust into the war after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, our military leaders knew they faced a challenge. This was a global war, a multi-front war that demanded men and material in quantities previously never contemplated. One aspect of this challenge was a severe shortage of pilots.

Two well known female pilots, Jacqueline Cochran and Nancy Love individually proposed the same solution

to the pilot shortage - train women to fly in non-combat roles. By recruiting women, they argued, the U.S. Army Air Forces could maintain delivery of aircraft, ferry supplies, and other non-combative functions while freeing men for overseas combat duty.

Cochran and Love were up against considerable resistance to the involvement of women in military efforts. Although he was not yet the major player he would become, and later admitted he had made a mistake in judgment, General Dwight D. Eisenhower was “violently against” the idea.

Additionally many military men were not convinced women would even be physically capable of handling massive four-engine bombers or other high performance aircraft.

When the proposed use of women as pilots for the American military was denied,

Cochran recruited a group of women pilots to serve in the British Air Transport Auxiliary. Love continued to press her idea and with the backing of First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt she finally convinced the Army to form the Women’s Auxiliary Ferrying Squadron (WAFS) on September 10, 1942. Soon, the Air Transport Command began using the WAFS to ferry planes from factories to airfields.

Upon returning to the United States Cochran was angry when she found out Love’s proposal had been accepted while her own had been ignored. Cochran confronted USAAF General Hap Arnold about her earlier proposal and discovered the WAFS had been formed while General Arnold was out on prolonged medical leave. On September 13th, Arnold designated Cochran as the director of the Women’s Flying Training Detachment (WFTD). In addition to ferrying, testing and delivering planes for repair, the WFTD also performed check flights, put flying time on new engines, towed targets for anti-aircraft gunnery practice, flew searchlight tracking missions, and instructed male pilot cadets. Less than a year later, the WAFS and the WFTD were merged into a single organization: the WASP. Cochran served as the director of the WASP and its training division, while Love was director of the ferrying division.

Roughly 25,000 women applied for service in the WASP and 1,879 candidates were accepted. Only 1,074 candidates successfully completed the grueling seven-month program but this was a better “wash-out” rate than 50 percent failure rate for male pilot cadets. The WASPS were taught every aspect of military flying except for gunnery duty and formation flying. Their training also included intensive classwork and physical fitness training. The Walt Disney company designed a mascot for the WASPs - a tiny winged sprite named Miss Fifinella. Miss Fifinella adorned jumpsuit patches and artwork on the noses of planes.

As for how these women compared to men, the Air Forces reported that the women were faster on instruments while the men “had better memory for details.” In virtually every way that counted, however, there was no practical difference in ability or capability for success. During the time they were in existence, WASPs flew over 60 million miles; transported every type of military aircraft; towed targets for live anti-aircraft gun practice; simulated strafing missions and transported cargo. Thirty-eight WASP members lost their lives and one disappeared while on a ferry mission, her fate still unknown.

Although WASPs risked their lives, and even lost them, they were not perceived as equals. WASPs were designated as civilians so they were denied military honors and compensation. As the war wound down, men returning from combat were available to take the jobs performed by WASPs. The U.S. Army Air Forces finally decided to disband the WASP on December 20, 1944.

It would be a long time before the women of the WASP would finally get their due. In 1977, more than three decades after they disbanded, a Congressional bill was passed with unanimous consent to recognize WASP service as active duty service in the armed forces and entitle the women pilots to veterans’ benefits. President Carter signed the bill into law, Nov. 23, 1977.

Cut It Out These scissors from Woodstock are ideal for trimming flowers, pruning plants or cutting herbs and vegetables from the garden this spring!

Let’s Go Fishin’ Looks, fishability, storage, comfort, and most importantly - performance are just a few words to describe Xpress Boat X-19 series. Find it at B&L Marine, your local boat dealer.

Spring Into the Season with These Must-Haves

Flower Power This book from the design team of Greg Campbell and Erick New is just one of the great coffee table books at Material Things.

Time to Shine Pucker up with smooth, kissable lips drenched in moisture and irresistibly playful color. The creamy formula glides on and stays on. Treat your lips to luscious lip gloss shades that soothe, hydrate and nourish your lips for a fresh, pretty look. Find theses and many more shades at DermaMediQ today!

Styling for the Season This fun and colorful dress from Herringstone’s is perfect for women of all ages. It is a great way to add a pop of color to your wardrobe.

Buckle Up This super cute Louis Vuitton upcycled belt buckle adds a designer touch to any outfit. Paired with a gold and cream cowhide belt you really can’t go wrong. Find this and more at Croswell’s Boutique 139.

Suited Up for the Season Spring is in the air at The Children’s Shoppe. They have all things spring including the perfect Easter and St. Patricks Day outfits for boys and girls

Sipping Pretty A fine, fresh, fruity wine perfect for the cool spring weather, found at Washington Wine and Spirits

Revive Your Hair This line of Nutriplenish from Aveda is available at Arlette. It hydrates and replenishes with omega-5 rich organic pomegranate oil for lush, visibly healthy, manageable hair, perfect for reviving those luscious locks after the winter months.

Under Pressure When you need a power washer that delivers top performance and can stand up to daily use, choose the STIHL RB 400 DIRT BOSS® pressure washer at Twin City Outdoor Equipment Superstore.

Smoke ‘Em if You Got ‘Em La Aurora Barrel Aged by Karl Malone cigar is available at Legends Cigar & Vape in Ruston. Malone’s signature cigar utilizes tobacco that has undergone barrel aging and has bold notes of wood, cinnamon, dried fruit and cream.

Spring Essentials

Mow the Distance Gravely® introduces the completely re-designed ZT HD, a new zero-turn lawn mower built for the prosumer and large-acreage cutter markets. Find hundreds of mowers in stock at the new Twin City Outdoor Equipment Superstore.

Personalize Your Style These fun, funky Foozy socks are available for both men and women. They come in many different patterns to fit any personality, found at Dusty and

Rose All Day The palest of rosés, this crisp, bright and fruity wine is full of tight acidity, freshly picked raspberries great for a perfect Spring day. Find at Washington Wine and Spirits.

Write This Down These Taylor Elliott pens from The Paper Market are a great way to add some fun colors to your notes this spring!

Jump for Joy This spring, you will jump for joy when you see the pieces from Plume, a new curated collection of clothes, open now in The Palette House.

Knot A Problem You will have no problem being stylish this spring with these Kendra Scott earrings.

This open and airy pair can be found at Herringstone’s.

Sandal Season Croswell’s Boutique 139 has these stylish sandals that feature a unique silhouette, a micro-wedge heel, inside zipper, and accent ankle straps.

Cute with jeans or a dress.

Brought to You by a Legend This super-premium rum, with an extremely limited production, property of La Aurora, S.A. and produced by Ron Barceló can be found at Legends 32 Cigar and Vape.

Grillin’ and Chillin’ Azure in Monroe and Ruston carries Primo Grills, a line of ceramic grills that can be assembled in minutes and ready to cook. Its the perfect addition to your backyard for spring!

Marsala Beverage Introducing Corona Seltzer

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PRING IS HERE AND SO IS THIS one of the spring’s most sought-after drink that embraces the healthy lifestyle and a balanced life. Corona Seltzer brings the simplicity that is seltzer water, along with a spike of alcohol and a hint of natural fruit flavor, to create a refreshing low-calorie, gluten-free seltzer drinks with no artificial ingredients.

Constellation Brands (owner of the Corona portfolio) has launched several brand extensions that cater to the appetite for lighter drinks, including the low-carb Corona Premier and the flavored malt beverage Corona Refresca, which comes in coconut lime, guava lime and passionfruit lime. It also launched canned Modelo Especial Cheladas, which pair beer with tomato juice and lime among other flavors. “Hard seltzer has been a major disruptor to the alcoholic beverage market as health-focused consumers opt for lower-calorie, lower-sugar drinks with varied flavors. Brands like White Claw, Bud Light Seltzer, Natty Seltzer and Bon & Viv are all major players in the seltzer segment.

We believe with the Corona name, the Corona Seltzer brands will be a major player in this segment as well.” – Tyler Flemister of Marsala Beverage.

Crafted with simple and pure sparkling water, it’s a brand-new kind of alcoholic refreshment that is more relevant than ever given today’s healthier lifestyles and choices.

Corona Seltzer makes it possible for healthconscious drinkers to enjoy a convenient and refreshing alcoholic beverage they can feel good about. Each refreshing flavor of Corona Seltzer is naturally sweetened with a touch of pure cane sugar and free of artificial

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ingredients, high fructose corn syrup, or crystalline fructose.

So Why Corona Seltzer? Corona carries unbelievable strong brand equity as a brand among both Hispanic and total beer drinkers in the 21-60 age category. For this reason, Constellation Brands has made the decision to brand its seltzer under the Corona umbrella. In addition, Constellation sees a strong parallel in the “refreshment DNA” of both seltzers and the Corona Brand.

Who exactly are Corona Seltzer drinkers?

What’s driving this shift in consumer behavior? They are both men and women.

Some of them drink wine, spirits and light beer. Some are “lapsed” drinkers, meaning they had stopped drinking altogether. But the common thread, according to research, is that they’re “healthy lifestyle” consumers.

Marketed as a “better for you” option for active, healthy types, most of the top hard seltzers are relatively low in calories — about the same as light beer — low in carbohydrates and gluten-free. Most, including Corona Seltzer, are even sold in skinny cans.

Corona Seltzer fits into the “work hard, play hard” mentality of many young professionals, there weren’t any good options for a light and refreshing gluten-free drink that wasn’t either too sweet or too alcoholic.

The Corona Hard Seltzer line will come in four flavors: Tropical Lime, Mango, Cherry, and Blackberry Lime. It will check in at 90 calories, 4.5% ABV and zero grams of carbs and sugar. None of the biggest players in the seltzer category can boast zero carbs and zero sugars.

▪T ropical Lime – Similar to the crispness of a vodka + soda, natural lime delivers

the ultimate refreshment to quench your thirst on a hot summer day without the hassle of mixing your own drink.

▪B lackberry Lime – Just as black cherries thrive in sunlight, the pre-mixed seltzer with all natural blackberry lime flavors comes in a convenient can that can be cracked open wherever the outdoors may take you.

▪C herry – The tart and tangy natural flavors packs a punch of antioxidants making Cherry a refreshing post-Yoga sip.

▪M ango - This hard seltzer is the perfect blend of seltzer water, their Brew Pure alcohol, and a splash of natural mango fruit concentrate. We hope you enjoy the mango flavor

Locally, Marsala Beverage employs about 100 full-time employees. Marsala Beverage, LP is the largest malt beverage, wine/spirits and non-alcoholic distributor in Northeast Louisiana. Their success is based on the fact that they never lose sight of delivering what is really important – quality products, timely service and a genuine concern for our customers’ needs. Annually, they deliver over 2.4 million cases of beverages to over 700 retail accounts.

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

G A L L E R Y of H O M E S 521 Scales Road, Rayville

289 South Ridge Road, Rayville

301 Cassie Drive, Sterlington

Louisiana living at it’s finest! Here is an opportunity to own one of Richland Parish’s most unique properties. This Acadian style home is situated on 1.45 acres overlooking a private lake, convenient for fishing and kayaking. Property features 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, 2 fireplaces and a sprawling front porch. Contact your agent to schedule a private showing. MLS# 192040 Anna Earl Romero, Cypress State Realty, 318-235-9130

This custom built home in South Ridge subdivision sits on a 5-acre lot. It has 4 bedrooms and 3 1/2 bathrooms – all on the lower level, and the upper level has an unfinished attic. A beautiful coffered ceiling accents the open floor plan in the living and kitchen area. An outdoor kitchen looks onto a massive backyard and landscaping around the home. Serious inquiries only. Call 318.303.6111 to schedule a showing. For Sale by Owner.

Welcome home to this 4BR/3BA in Sterlington School zone! The split floorplan offer lots of space for everyone. Large back deck overlooking the fenced backyard is perfect for entertaining.

Master suite features tray ceilings, his/her vanities, slate walk-in shower. Top of the line kitchen open to the living room and dining! $264,900 MLS#189936 Mark Sisk, RE/MAX Premier Realty, 318-8014344

303 Zachary Way, Sterlington

2420 Park Avenue, Monroe

412 Dogwood Drive, Oak Ridge

This beautiful custom home is located on Bayou DeSiard in Sterlington. 4BR/2.5BA + office! Large island kitchen w/ breakfast area, formal dining room, office, and a patio to enjoy your view!

The architectural detail is sure to please. Barrel ceiling in foyer, cathedral ceiling in living room, wood floors. Large master suite w/ breath-taking vaulted ceilings. Double vanity, oversized tub, custom tile shower. $375,000 MLS#191337 Mark Sisk, Re/Max Premier Realty, 318-801-4344

This classic ranch style home is updated and centrally located in one of the most coveted areas in North Monroe. With three bedrooms and two bathrooms, it’s spacious open floor plan is cozy and comfortable. Updates include 6 month old roof and 2 year old HVAC. Yard has mature landscaping and is low maintenance. Did not flood!! Make an appointment to see this charming house before it’s too late! MLS#191923 Dustin James, Keller Williams Parishwide, 282-6000

Cozy 3 bedroom, 2 bath located on a quiet street in the heart of Oak Ridge! This gem has 2 spacious living areas, metal roof and a shady backyard featuring a giant magnolia tree. Don’t let this one slip by; call an agent to schedule a showing. MLS# 190888 Anna Earl Romero, Cypress State Realty, 318-235-9130

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Experience Counts

1800+ Mako Robotic Total/ Partial Knee Replacements and Counting

BY STEVEN ATCHISON, MD

I

N 2010, MY PARTNERS AND I AT SPECIALISTS HOSPITAL Shreveport invested in a new robotic technology: MAKOplasty- a robotic, arm assisted system for partial knee replacement and I would be the first surgeon in Louisiana to perform a MAKOplasty, partial knee replacement in July, 2010. In 2013, Stryker Orthopedics acquired MAKOplasty and combined Stryker’s market-leading implants (US) with Mako’s proprietary robotic arm technology and began a partnership with orthopedic surgeons from around the world (including myself) to create the surgical application of Mako Total knee replacement. Having performed hundreds of Mako robotic partial knee replacements, I was excited and intrigued by the MAKO Total Robotic Knee application and worked closely with Stryker Orthopedics to grow the application. In December of 2016, I was again, Louisiana’s first surgeon to perform the Mako Robotic Total Knee at Specialists Hospital Shreveport. Today, my partners and I- THE MAKO 6 -are completely committed to this technology and utilize it daily in our practice.

I truly believe that one of the greatest achievements in total joint replacement is the Mako robotic total knee replacement. Robotic technology has been utilized for years in orthopedics, primarily focusing on partial knee replacement and hip replacement and we now have the technology to perform robotic -arm assisted knee replacement.

As an orthopedic surgeon, precision and accuracy are key factors in a successful surgical outcome. Using the Mako Robotic arm assisted technology, the surgeon can better execute getting the implant in the pre-surgical plan position determined through an individualized CT (computed tomography) scan. Ideally, the more exact the implant is positioned, the better the function of the knee and the greater potential for the longevity of the implant… meaning the implant has the potential to last over a longer period of time. We have used numerous tools and instruments to insure implant placement before, but none are as precise and clear as the technology offered with the Mako robotic arm assisted robot. Mako robotic total knee replacement offers my patients a customized approach to their total knee replacement and provides the technology to insure proper implant alignment and placement intraoperatively with real-time feedback. Do keep in mind… the robot does not perform the surgery, rather it is a trained surgeon’s tool to insure accuracy and precision.

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Any patient with osteoarthritis of the knee, that is significant enough to affect their daily activity level and function to warrant a knee replacement would be a candidate for Mako robotic total knee replacement. When a patient does come to see me and we’ve determined through x-ray and an evaluation that they are a candidate for knee replacement, and they assure me that they are ready for total knee replacement surgery, the next step is getting them scheduled.

We will order labs and some preadmissions testing that need to be completed about three weeks prior to their surgery. One of those tests will be a CT (computed tomography) scan that allows us to make an individualized surgical plan that is customized to each patient. Once we obtain the CT scan, we can feed information through the robot, as to indicate the size and location of the patient’s bone, determine the size of the implant to be utilized and exactly where on the patient’s bone we will place the implant.

Typically, patients will spend one to two nights in the hospital following their Mako Robotic total knee replacement and be up walking just a couple of hours after surgery. While in the hospital, the patient will work with a physical therapist to learn exercises that promote a strong recovery at home. Patients go home with walker and generally progress to a cane and then walking on their own with full regain of function within six to eight weeks following their surgery. Keep in mind, every patient’s recovery is their own… you get out what you put in to this surgery. Mako Robotic total knee allows for surgical excellence… you’ve got a great new knee, but you have stay focused and dedicate time to your recovery to have your very best outcome.

Steven Atchison, MD is one of the Nation’s leaders in Stryker Mako Robotic Partial and Total Knee Replacement and has performed over 1500 Mako robotic knee procedures since 2010. Dr. Atchison practices at Orthopedic Specialists of Louisiana in Shreveport and Bossier City. To schedule an evaluation with Dr. Atchison, please visit: orthopedicspecialistsla.com or call: 866.759.9679.

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Dare - Risk - Dream Rogue Brewery, Dedicated to Curiosity

BY DELIA SIMPSON, CRAFT BRAND MANAGER, CHOICE BRANDS, INC.

R

OGUE ALES WAS FOUNDED IN ASHLAND, OREGON IN 1988 by three friends and Nike executives, Jack Joyce, Rob Strasser, and Bob Woodell. Over the last 32 years, the brewery has relocated to Newport, Oregon and expanded multiple times while gaining distribution all over the country. Rogue has been awarded 31 medals at the prestigious Great American Beer Festival. It has also opened satellite pubs along the west coast in Portland, Astoria, Issaquah, and Independence.

Last year, Dharma Tamm took over as President when Brett Joyce, the son of late founder Jack Joyce, decided to step down and hand over the reigns. In Brett’s own words, “There was no pressure; there was no have to deadline. It was just really me kind of knowing that I am ready to move on and that Dharma was ready to assume the role.” Dharma definitely seems to be in the right mindset for the company. When asked if the company’s branding would remain the same under his leadership, his answer was simple. “Dare, Risk, Dream is so much more than just branding. It’s really the ethos of the company. It’s what we stand for.”

Dare, Risk, Dream is Rogue’s mantra and they encourage their team to live it both at work and in their personal lives. To foster creativity and nurture the makers and shakers at the company, they launched Rogue Venture Capital, which is a fund dedicated to employee side quests.

They’ve awarded 10 employees with capital for 2020. From pirate radio stations to banjo lessons, these valued Rogue team members will get to live out their wildest and most secret ambitions.

It is this adventurous spirit that translates into some truly unique brews. At their farm in Independence, Oregon, they have 22 acres of new hops sprouting along with pumpkins, marionberries, and a garden full of unorthodox ingredients. Here’s a look at some of the wild and wonderful beers coming our way this spring.

DEAD GUY ALE - 6.8% ABV, 40 IBU, 16 SRM*

Dead Guy Ale has been a staple in the Rogue lineup for years. It has won multiple awards and will be available year round in six pack twelve ounce cans. Dead Guy is a maibock style ale brewed with proprietary Pacman yeast. Deep honey in color, it has a malty aroma and rich, hearty flavor.

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BATSQUATCH HAZY IPA - 6.7% ABV, 54 IBU, 12 SRM*

For years, rumors have circled that deep in the woods on Mount St. Helens lives the fabled Batsquatch. While there are many tales of Batsquatch, they are all a bit hazy on the details, which makes the truth such a juicy mystery. So what better way to honor the elusive legend than with a hazy IPA? Perfect for camping and potentially making a new friend. This juicy, cloudy IPA features intense tropical flavors and aromas. Batsquatch will be available year round in six pack twelve ounce cans.

NEWPORT DAZE HAZY PALE ALE - 5.5% ABV, 35 IBU, 12.2 SRM*

Newport Daze is a new seasonal offering that gives off aromas of pineapple and stone fruit. It features tangerine and peach flavors and finishes off slightly sweet and very smooth. Available through the summer, this hazy pale ale with be available in six pack twelve ounce cans.

RHUBARB SCHMUBARB FRUIT ALE - 5.9% ABV, 8 IBU, 8.7 SRM* This is where some of those farm ingredients come into play.

Inspired by the seedlings grown in the Rogue Farms Revolution Garden, strawberries and rhubarb play nicely together in this sweet and sour fruit ale. This perfectly tart treat will be available for a limited time in four pack sixteen ounce cans.

SHAVASANA IMPERIAL, GRANOLA BLONDE ALE - 8% IBU, 13 IBU, 7.5 SRM*

This imperial blonde ale features delicious, subtle spice flavors along with granola, coconut, and sweet oats making it the perfect cool down beer. It will be available in limited quantities in twenty two ounce single bottles. Whether you’re with your favorite yogi or just your favorite drinking buddy, it’s the perfect bottle to share. Namaste.

*ABV = Alcohol by Volume | *IBU = International Bitterness Units | *SRM = Standard Reference Method (indicates color)

Be sure to like Choice Brands on Facebook and follow us on Twitter and Instagram to keep up with local happenings and new product releases. In addition, you’ll find links to beer related articles, fun recipes, and much more!

Find us at facebook.com/choicebrands, twitter.com/choicebrandsinc, and instagram.com/choicebrands.

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Calendar of Events For a full list of event happenings in Northeast Louisiana, see our website at www.bayoulifemag.com February 3 – March 28 Showcase: M Douglas Walton - The Art of the Heart

That outlook of seeing something unseen comes to life in M. Douglas Walton's newest series The Art of the Heart. From expansive scale and bold colors expressing a hard to describe energy that quickly elicits reaction from the viewer, without the public always having pre-knowledge or expectations. In The Art of the Heart, M Douglas Walton explores the beauty beyond that of the physical world - both romantic and emotion stirring, come and experience this fantastic new showcase! On view at the Schepis Museum in Columbia from February 3rd to March 28th.

Venue: The Schepis Museum 106 Main Street, Columbia Hours: M-Sat 10-4 Cost: Free Phone: 318-649-9931 February 28 – March 1 ULM Baseball vs Illinois State

Join in on the fun and watch the ULM Baseball team take on Illinois State.

Venue: ULM Warhawk Field Warhawk Way, Monroe Hours: Friday: 4:00 PM Saturday: 2:00 PM, Sunday: 1:00 PM Phone: 318-342-1000 March 1 Junie B. Jones Jr.: The Musical

Catch the last performance of the Ruston Community Theatre’s production of Junie B. Jones Jr.: The Musical. This comedic performance is sure to bring a laugh to all audience members with its' hysterically relatable interpretation of the struggles of a first grader.

Venue: Dixie Center for the Arts 212 N Vienna St, Ruston, LA Hours: 2:00 PM Phone: 318-595-0872 March 2 Yoga with the Lincoln Parish Library

Start your Monday off right with Yoga for Beginners in the Lincoln Parish Library Events Center. For the first Monday of each month, the library is partnering with yoga

instructor Alexandra Ziepke for a free, community yoga class. Be sure to wear comfortable clothing, bring your own mat, and a water bottle. Venue: 910 North Trenton St, Ruston, LA 71270 Hours: 6:00 PM Cost: Free Phone: 318-251-5030

March 3 ULM Baseball vs Jackson State

Join in on the fun and watch the ULM Baseball team take on Jackson State.

Venue: ULM Warhawk Field Warhawk Way, Monroe Hours: 6:00 PM Phone: 318-342-1000 March 5 Movie Night at the Dixie: Mossville

NCLAC presents this independent film about Mossville, LA existing in a shadow of its former self – A community rich in natural resources and history, founded by formerly enslaved people and free people of color--where neighbors lived in harmony, insulated from the horrors of Jim Crow. Stay after the film for Q&A and the opportunity to meet filmmakers.

Venue: Dixie Center for the Arts, 212 N Vienna St, Ruston, LA Hours: 6:30PM Cost: $5/$3 for students Phone: 318-255-1450 March 6 Dancing with the Louisiana Stars

Cha Cha your way in the Monroe Civic Center’s Arena and watch your favorite local celebrities and personalities compete for the 2020 Championship Title.

Venue: Monroe Civic Center 401 Lea Joyner Memorial Expressway, Monroe Hours: 7:00 PM Phone: 318-329-2225 March 6-7 Monster X Tour

West Monroe will be motorsport entertainment’s epicenter with the nation’s most competitive MONSTER TRUCKS, as the Monster X Tour invades the IKE Hamilton Expo Center on March 6th and 7th. See these

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incredible 10,000-pound, car crushing giants compete in racing, wheelie contests, and then rock the house with amazing freestyle action during the Monster X Tour. Plus, you can meet the drivers and see the trucks up close at the pre-event Autograph Pit Party!

Venue: Ike Hamilton Expo Center Arena 501 Mane Street, West Monroe Phone: 318-325-9160

The Word Alive Tour by Lifeway Women

Experience The Word Alive with Lysa. This is an immersive, hands-on journey into God's word. Experience scripture with elements that will help you see, taste, hear, and touch the Holy Land without ever leaving the country. Worship with Ellie Holcomb, develop a genuine passion to study and apply the Bible to your current circumstances, connect more deeply to God as you read His Word with more understanding, and sense the Lord speaking personally to you.

Venue: First West 500 Pine Street, West Monroe Hours: Starts at 7:00 PM Friday and 12:30 PM Saturday Cost: $89 Phone: 318-322-5104 March 7 Morning Hike

A ranger-led hike showcasing the mounds, earthworks, and nature found in the park. Participants will meet in the museum at 10 a.m. for an introductory video; the hike can take up to two hours to complete, depending on the pace of the group.

Weather permitting. For more information call 888.926.5492 toll free or 318.926.5492 locally.

Venue: Poverty Point World Heritage Site 6859 Highway 577, Pioneer Hours: 10:00 AM Cost: $4 Phone: 888-926-5492 Woofstock

It's all about Peace, Love, and Paws. This fun day will be filled with unique shopping, great food, fun contests, groovy activities and refreshments for your pup as well as

the whole family. Local rescues, vets, pet stores, and shelters will be joining the RiverMarket and their vendors to share their low-cost pet services, pet products, hosting pet activities, and education on various topics. They encourage you and your pet pals to dress up in the most funky, hip and groovy costumes to join in the fun.

Handmade and healthy shopping, delicious food and entertaining activities will be available for both the canines and their families, all in support of raising money for local organizations.

Venue: Downtown Riverwalk 316 South Grand, Monroe Hours: 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM Cost: Free Phone: 318-812-0450

ZRP Downtown Block Party

Join 2Dudes Brew & Que on March 7th from 11:00 AM - 7:00 PM for the Zoey Renee Project Downtown Block Party. Enjoy food, family fun, live music, face painting, pet adoption, a chicken wing cook off, and more.

Venue: 2Dudes Brew & Que 436 Desiard St, Monroe Hours: 11:00 AM - 7:00 PM Phone: 318-855-5808 JLM Twin City Scavenger Hunt

The Junior League of Monroe is hosting its first Twin City Scavenger Hunt on March 7, 2020. This is an exciting new fundraiser to support their projects and programs in the community for the benefit of women and children at risk. Teams of 4-6 people will compete to see who can find/complete as many items off the list from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. with CASH PRIZES for the Top 3 winners and Best Costumes.

Venue: Junior League of Monroe 2811 Cameron Street, Monroe Hours: 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM Phone: 318-322-3236 Avalon: Live at Temple Baptist Church

Prepared to be moved in the body and spirit with Avalon when they come through Ruston on their "Called Tour."

Venue: Temple Baptist Church

1515 S Service Rd W, Ruston Hours: 6PM – 9PM Cost: $18.50-$75 Phone: 318-255-3745

March 10 The Power of Pollinators

Join P. Allen Smith for a presentation on the power of pollinators. Tickets available at Paper Market in Monroe and Walsworth & Co. in West Monroe Venue: Bayou Pointe Student Event Center 100 Warhawk Way, Monroe Hours: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM Phone: 318-342-5216 Masters of Silent Comedy & Peacherine Ragtime Orchestra

Hop aboard a musical time machine and experience the movies as you’ve never seen them before at the Dixie Center for the Arts located in the heart of the historic downtown district. The Peacherine Ragtime Society Orchestra, hailed as “the premier American ragtime ensemble”, will bring tears of laughter to your eyes as you laugh out loud to the Masters of Silent Comedy: Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton, and Laurel & Hardy, in their classic comedy films, all accompanied live with their original historic orchestral scores.

Venue: Dixie Center for the Arts 212 N Vienna St, Ruston Hours: 7PM – 9PM Phone: 318-255-1450 Volk: Live at Sundown Tavern

Official SXSW 2020 featured artist VOLK from Nashville, TN makes their Ruston debut at Sundown Tavern.

Venue: Sundown Tavern, 111 E Park Ave, Ruston, LA Hours: 8:00 PM Phone: 318-255-8028 March 10-11 ULM Baseball vs Ole Miss

Join in on the fun and watch the ULM Baseball team take on Ole Miss.

Venue: ULM Warhawk Field Warhawk Way, Monroe Hours: Tuesday: 6:00 PM Wednesday: 4:00 PM Phone: 318-342-1000 March 12 Beer & Bards

Beer & Bards takes place on the 2nd Thursday of every month at Enoch’s Irish Cafe and Pub. It begins at roughly 7:00pm and lasts anywhere from an hour to an hour and a half.

They ask for readers from all walks of life whether they be students, teachers, published authors, or just the casual connoisseur of short fiction and/or poetry from within the community, the state, or anywhere in the world. Anyone with questions or who wishes to read can reach Jack Heflin, ULM English Professor and Beer & Bards Host, by either sending a message on the Beer & Bards Facebook page or contacting him directly at heflin@ulm.edu.

Venue: Enoch's Irish Pub 507 Louisville Ave, Monroe Hours: 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM Phone: 318-388-3662

March 13 – 15 ULM Baseball vs Arkansas State

Join in on the fun and watch the ULM Baseball team take on Arkansas State.

Venue: ULM Warhawk Field Warhawk Way, Monroe Hours: Friday: 6:00 PM, Saturday: 2:00 PM, Sunday: 1:00 PM Phone: 318-342-1000 Big Creek Trade Days

Big Creek Trade Days are held monthly on the weekend before the second Monday with over 100 indoor and outdoor vendors, food trucks, and fun for all ages. Load up the family and head on out.

Venue: 327 California Plant Rd, Dubach Hours: 9AM-5PM Friday; 11AM-9PM Saturday; 10AM-4PM Sunday Cost: $5 per vehicle Phone: 318-680-1304 March 14 Children's Funday at the Biedenharn Join the Biedenharn Museum

and Gardens once a month from 10am-12pm for their Children's Fundays at the Biedenharn. They will have crafts and fun for ages 3-16, so bring the kids and enjoy the gardens! Tickets can be purchased in the Museum Store on the morning of the event! Cost is $5 per child; Accompanying adults enter free. *All children MUST be accompanied by an adult* Venue: Biedenharn Museum and Gardens 2006 Riverside Drive Hours: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM Cost: $5/child Phone: 318-387-5281 8th Annual St. Patrick's Day Bicycle Parade & Festival

Enjoy a fun day at Kiroli Park!

Fun for the whole family - games, live music, arts and crafts, prizes, give-aways, bike parade, and so much more.

Presented by: Centric Federal Credit Union Venue: Kiroli Park 820 Kiroli Road, West Monroe Hours: 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM Phone: 318-396-4016

The Sound of Broadway The MSO honors the "Sounds of

Broadway" with a concert filled with melodies from some of the greatest stage shows. Joining the MSO are special guests Leah Huber and Blake Oden (both featured in ULM's Spring 2019 production of Phantom of the Opera). Experience live renditions from selections from Into the Woods, Man of La Mancha, Cabaret, South Pacific, Sweeney Todd, Little Shop of Horrors, and more.

Venue: Monroe Civic Center 401 Lea Joyner Memorial Expressway Hours: 7:00 PM Cost: $10-$30 Phone: 318-329-2225 March 14-15 Kartamania 2020 This is the second annual

American Super Mario Kart Championship. Players will be arriving from all over the world to compete in Time Trials, Match Race, Grand Prix, and Battle Mode in order to see who the overall champion is. The event will be held at Hooligans bar in Monroe on Louisville. Please bring any SNES consoles or SMK cartridges you may have and you will receive a discount.

Venue: Hooligans 209 Louisville Avenue, Monroe Hours: 10:00 AM Cost: $20 March 17 ULM Baseball vs Stephen F. Austin

Join in on the fun and watch the ULM Baseball team take on Stephen F. Austin.

Venue: ULM Warhawk Field Warhawk Way, Monroe Hours: 6:00 PM Phone: 318-342-1000 March 18 Lee & Sheila: Live at Sundown Tavern

Enjoy an evening of cold drinks, good food, and live entertainment with the Sundown crew. Lee and Sheila Acoustic are back in action and ready to bring a quality performance to the Sundown stage.

Venue: Sundown Tavern

111 E Park Ave, Ruston Hours: 6PM – 9PM Phone: 318-255-8028

March 18-21 Munchkin Market Spring 2020- Kids Consignment Event

This sale is the perfect way to purchase clothing, toys & gear for your growing kids. They offer you an easy way to make money by selling your children’s gently loved boutique, name-brand & high-end department store clothing.

Venue: Munchkin Market 100 North 18th Street, Monroe March 19 Adam & Eve Exhibit Opening

Join The Biedenharn Museum and Gardens on Thursday, March 19 from 5-7pm for the opening of their new Adam & Eve Exhibit in the Bible Museum. Admission is free.

Venue: Biedenharn Museum and Gardens 2006 Riverside Drive, Monroe Hours: 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM Cost: Free Phone: 318-387-5281 March 19-22 Jekyll and Hyde

Don't miss out on a showing of Jekyll and Hyde by the ULM VAPA Program. The epic struggle between good and evil comes to life on stage in the musical phenomenon, Jekyll & Hyde. Based on the classic story by Robert Louis Stevenson and featuring a thrilling score of pop rock hits from multi-Grammy- and Tony-nominated Frank Wildhorn and double-Oscarand Grammy winning Leslie Bricusse, Jekyll & Hyde has mesmerized audiences the world over.

Venue: ULM Brown Theatre 4001 DeSiard Street, Monroe Hours: 7:30 PM, Sunday: 2:00 PM Phone: 318-342-3811 March 20 One for Israel Monroe Benefit Dinner

One for Israel Benefit Dinner will be held at The Hub on March 20th.

Hear from speakers Joel C Rosenberg and Dr. Eitan Bar. One for Israel believe that there are many ways to bless Israel, but are convinced that the best way to bless Israel is with Yeshua the Messiah (Jesus Christ). Learn more about One for Israel March 20th.

Registration deadline is March 15th.

Venue: The Hub 201 Washington St., Monroe Hours: 6:00 PM

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March 20-22 Spring Market

The Junior League of Monroe’s annual Spring Market will open to the public on Friday, March 20th through Sunday, March 22nd. Spring Market will feature a collection of over 90 widely diverse merchants from across the United States to fill the Monroe Civic Center Arena. Many merchant categories will be represented, providing anything from children’s apparel to handmade home décor and much more. There will be many of your favorite merchants returning and also new merchants to shop from.

Venue: Monroe Civic Center 401 Lea Joyner Memorial Expressway, Monroe Phone: 318-329-2225 March 21 Super Saturday

Super Saturday occurs every third Saturday of each month. Super Saturday features garden-based activities for children and adults, early childhood activities in the outdoor learning center, healthy cooking demonstrations using fresh produce grown locally, community resources, and volunteer opportunities. This event is part of the revitalization effort in downtown Monroe. Super Saturdays include: • Garden-based activities for children and adults • Early Childhood activities in the outdoor learning center • Community health fair in the parking lot • Seminars for parents of children 0-18 in main hall • Volunteer opportunities in the garden and in the community.

Venue: Children's Coalition for Northeast Louisiana 117 Hall Street, Monroe Hours: 9 AM - 12 PM Cost: Free Phone: 318-323-8775 Downtown Spring Art Festival 2020 A one-day celebration of artists

and makers in beautiful Downtown West Monroe. Enjoy over 75 booths with one of a kind items, free live music, kids' crafts and activities, delicious food, and more.

Venue: Antique Alley 100-400 blocks of Trenton Street, West Monroe Hours: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM Cost: Free Tiptoe through the Tulips

Visit the Biedenharn Museum and Gardens March 21st for Tiptoe through the Tulips from 10AM - 4PM. See the beautiful tulips around the garden.

Venue: Biedenharn Museum and Gardens 2006 Riverside Drive, Monroe Hours: 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM Cost: Free Phone: 318-387-5281

March 25 Lunch and Learn: Rediscovering History's Great Women Artists

Enjoy a Lunch and Learn on March 25th by Bette Kauffman. Bette Kauffman's presentation arose out of her doctoral dissertation research. Her presentation will introduce women artists in history that we might not-but should--know about, and she will discuss how social identity might--and might not--influence the art women and men produce. $10 to attend free to Arts Council Members.

Venue: West Monroe-West Ouachita Chamber of Commerce 112 Professional Dr, West Monroe Hours: 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM Cost: $10 for non members, Free for members Women's Symposium 2020

The University of Louisiana at Monroe will host a Women's Symposium from 12:00 to 6:30 PM on Wednesday, March 25, 2020, in the ULM Bayou Pointe Student Event Center. As part of ULM's celebration of Woman's History Month, the Women's Symposium will feature discussions about issues women face everyday in a panelist/moderator format. Three main discussion tracks, covering nine essential women's issues, are on the agenda: Personal Growth, Professional Development, and Cultural Awareness. The Symposium will begin with a luncheon and Keynote Address.

The Women's Symposium will also present the Women's Symposium Awards honoring several women from northeast Louisiana. Registration Fee for the Women's Symposium is free for ULM Students with active CWIDS, $20 for faculty and staff with CWIDS and $35 for Community, which includes lunch. Seating is limited and the registration fee is non-refundable.

Registration: 11:00 AM Symposium 12:00 PM - 5:30 PM. Networking Social: 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM. Venue: Bayou Pointe Student Event Center 100 Warhawk Way, Monroe Hours: 12:00 PM - 6:30 PM Cost: ULM Students: Free, ULM Faculty and Staff: $25, Community: $35 Phone: 318-342-5216

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March 26 Faith, Addiction and Trauma: Healing our Communities

Come experience the hope, healing, and transformation at Faith, Addiction and Trauma: Healing Our Communities. This event will feature well-known national keynote speakers sharing powerful messages about hope, community, and building a robust support system within the region. This FREE event will include a continental breakfast and lunch.

Venue: West Monroe Convention Center 901 Ridge Avenue, West Monroe Hours: 9 AM - 4 PM Cost: Free Phone: 318-362-4272 Rendezvous at the Zoo

The Louisiana Purchase Zoological Society and The Louisiana Restaurant Association presents an evening in the zoo. Train rides, boat rides, local restaurants sampling their culinary delights, music by Flashback 5 and a bar. 21+.

Venue: Louisiana Purchase Zoo 1405 Bernstein Park Road, Monroe Hours: 6:00 PM - 8:30 PM Cost: $25 Phone: 318-329-2400 Celebrity Lip Sync Battle of NELA

The Celebrity Lip Sync Battle of NELA is back for round 2 on March 26th. Join Downtown Monroe for a night of fun that also benefits the community at the Monroe Civic Center. General Admission tickets are on sale now for $25 on Eventbrite and for purchase at the door for $35 (if available). Door open at 6 PM with showtime starting at 7PM. The mic may be off, but the battle is ON. Venue: Monroe Civic Center 401 Lea Joyner Memorial Expressway, Monroe Hours: 7:00 PM Cost: $25 Phone: 318-329-4947 March 26-29 Ruston Community Theatre Presents “Wait Until Dark”

Three con men are about to meet their match while trying to deceive an unsuspecting, blind housewife when she waits until dark to give her the upper hand.

Venue: Dixie Center for the Arts 212 N Vienna St, Ruston Hours: 7PM Thursday- Saturday, 2PM Sunday Cost: $14/$7 for students and children Phone: 318-255-1450

Art at Home: A Collectors Tour

Tour collectors' homes to view unique collections of art, dine on locally sourced hors d'oeuvres prepared and served by regional chefs, and listen to music performed by local musicians. "Art at Home" will showcase a different side of the art world — the collector.

Venue: Ruston, LA Hours: 4PM – 8PM Cost: $40 Phone: 601-613-1954 March 28 Spring Into Health Fair 2020

Join the ULM School of Pharmacy for their 2nd annual health fair at the zoo. They will have family friendly booths set up to educate on various health related topics. Free health screenings and snacks will be provided.

Venue: Louisiana Purchase Zoo 1405 Bernstein Park Road, Monroe Hours: 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM Phone: 318-329-2400 Love & Laughter

Don't miss out on Love & Laughter at the Northeast Louisiana Delta African American Heritage Museum on March 28th. This event will feature National Renowned Violinist Luna Muni and is hosted by Comedian Ben Jackson.

Venue: Northeast Louisiana Delta African American Heritage Museum 1051 Chennault Park Drive, Monroe Hours: 7:00 PM Phone: 318-342-8889 Night Hike at Poverty Point World Heritage Site

Enjoy a nature-based night hike which includes identifying the various animal furs in the museum, followed by an owl prowl. The program will end with spider sniffing and animal related stories. Registration is limited to 50 participants; guests are encouraged register early with number in party.

Participants are encouraged to bring their own flashlights as park supply is limited. Appropriate clothing and comfortable shoes should be worn. For more information call 888.926.5492 toll free or 318.926.5492 locally.

Venue: Poverty Point World Heritage Site 6859 Highway 577, Pioneer Hours: 7:30 PM Cost: $4 Phone: 888-926-5492 March 28-29 West Monroe Gun & Knife Show `The West Monroe Gun & Knife Show

will be held March 28th and 29th at the West Monroe Convention Center. Bring your gun and trade for the gun you always wanted. See the hundreds of displays of new and old guns, ammo, gun parts, books, knives, jewelry, camouflage, militaria, and related items at discount prices.

Venue: West Monroe Convention Center 901 Ridge Avenue, West Monroe Cost: Adults: $8.00, Children 6-11: $2.00, under 18 admitted with parent only Phone: 318-396-5000

March 29 Chonda Pierce Live in Concert

See Chonda Pierce live at North Monroe Baptist Church on March 29th. Emmy®-nominated and best-selling comedian Chonda Pierce, or “the country comic” as Billboard Magazine dubbed her, has been making audiences laugh for more than three decades with her winning combination of fierce wit and southern charm. As the RIAA’s number one selling female comedian of all time, her hilarious take on life is easily relatable as she publicly opens up to her listeners about times of darkness and depression in her own life, drawing humor and good from every situation.

Venue: North Monroe Baptist Church 210 Finks Hideaway Rd, Monroe Hours: 7:00 PM Phone: 318-343-4730 March 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 Monday Movie Night

Join in a Lincoln Parish Library tradition of family movie night.

Venue: 910 North Trenton St, Ruston Hours: 6PM – 8PM Cost: Free Phone: 318-251-5030 March 6, 13, 20, 27 Friday Night Magic at Alvar & Hurrik's

Join in on the fun of Friday Night Magic Pioneer style at Alvar & Hurrik's.

All players will get their choosing of a pack or store credit per win. The top 8 players are in store for an exclusive Friday Night Magic promo.

Venue: 113 W Mississippi Ave, Ruston Hours: 7PM Cost: $5 per player Phone: 318-232-4774

fruits and vegetables, meats, eggs, honey, jams, salsa, and other locally produced goods.

Venue: 220 E Mississippi Ave, Ruston Hours: 9AM – 1PM Cost: Free to attend Phone: 318-957-1305

March 7-8, 13-14 Monroe Symphony League Book Sale Two buildings full of hardbacks,

paperbacks, magazines, records, sheet music, CDs and much more.

New to the sale is the Corner Store which features many gently used home decorating, seasonal, and entertainment items. Many books, puzzles, and magazines priced 25-50 cents. The buildings are organized by type including children’s, biographies, suspense, classics, cookbooks, humor, large print, reference, religion, romance, sports, travel, crafts. The proceeds from the book sales are used to support the projects of the Monroe Symphony League.

Venue: Monroe Symphony League Book Room 320 North 4th Street Hours: Saturday, March 7 9:00 - 5:00; Sunday, March 8 1:00-5:00 Cost: Free except first day admission is $2/adult Phone: 318-537-5171 March 19-22, 26-28 How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying

A romantic comedy musical directed by Gayle Hoover Frick is set in the 1960’s NYC, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, the Pulitzer Prize and Tony Awardwinning musical, is a story about the triumph of the common man amid the buffoonery of big business. Don't miss out on this comedy at the Strauss Theatre Center.

Venue: Strauss Theatre Center 1300 Lamy Lane, Monroe Hours: 7pm (Sunday matinee at 2pm) Cost: $30 adults/$15 students Phone: 318-323-6681

March 7, 14, 21, 28 Ruston Farmers Market

Shop, eat, and support locals at the Ruston Farmers Market. Choose from a wide selection of seasonal WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | MARCH 2020 201