BayouLife Magazine October 2019 by BayouLife Magazine

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OCTOBER 2019

21 / ART OF A SIMPLE FALL Capture the Spirit of the Season with a Monster Mash of Friends and Family, Soups and Spices, and Dried Florals. 42 / GRANNY’S RECIPE Granny Shares Her Recipe for a Hearty Corn Chowder Soup Served in a Bread Bowl. 54 / SANTE FE STYLE From Pottery to Wall Hangings, Pillows and Tapestries, This Style is Full of Texture. 56 / ON THE PORCH The Front Porch is the First Place to Make a Statement and Personalize Your Space. 58 / PILLOW TALK Fall in Love with These Plush Pillows From Local Area Retailers.

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60 / DECK THE WALLS If Your Home is in Need of a Makeover, Hit the Refresh Button on Your Artwork.

162 / FOOD CULTURE Monroe’s Next-Best-Thing to Abuela’s Kitchen is Kahlo Tapas & Tequila.

70 / MODERN CREATIVE This Month’s Bayou Artist, Ashley Alford-Dollar, is Making a Colorful Splash in Northeast Louisiana

180 / LEGACY BUILDING This Month’s Bayou Home is the Home of Sarah and Justin Bishop.

APRIL 2018

92 / FOUR ON THE FLOOR Bayou Beats, Four on the Floor, Believes the Most Important Thing is to Serve the Music. 130 / COMMUNITY SERVANT Frank Wilcox, October’s Bayou Icon Retires From a Career of Service to His Community. 150 / MISTER OCTOBER Ken Cook Is A National Hunting Legend Whose Favorite Hunting Destination Is Right Here At Home.

196 / BEDROOM MAKEOVER The BayouLife Team, Alongside Taylor Bennett and Many Fabulous Sponsors and Donors, Create a Tranquil Yet Glamorous Space for a Breast Cancer Surivor. 220 / LEATHER AND LACE Style Opposites This Fall by Combining Two of the Season's Favorite Items – Leather and Lace. Find These Looks at Area Boutiques.

BayouLife

HIS MONTH MARKS THE

seventh anniversary of BayouLife Magazine. A friend of mine recently gifted me the book, “I’ve Been Thinking... Reflections, Prayers, and Meditations for a Meaningful Life” by Maria Shriver. I love this quote by Maria, “You never know how your story might inspire another. Share what you wish, save some just for you, and always remember to keep adding new chapters as you go along.” I’m thankful for the opportunity to get to share the stories of the amazing people that have been featured in BayouLife, to offer opinion columns, spotlight survivors and highlight our non-profits. What we’ve been able to acoomplish over the last seven years is possible because of our advertisers. People like Cherry and Larry Phillips, Dr. Mickel, Cindy Stone and Debbie Herrington, Dr. Finley, Sandy McMillan and Patricia Willis who were all in my very first issue, and can all be seen in the pages of BayouLife Magazine this month. If you walk in the door of BayouLife on any day, you will probably hear laughter through the halls...or Lizzo, depending on the mood. I get to work with an incredible team every month. We work tirelessly to bring you timely articles, beautiful photography and great content. I’m so thankful that God put these talented and spirited people in my life. In our past October issues, we’ve featured women who are living or have lived with breast cancer. It’s been a mission of mine to encourage women to advocate for their health. Push for the early mammogram or ultrasound if you feel that something is off. This month we’ve done things a little differently. Our breast cancer survivor’s name is Renee Steverson. She is a single mom who discovered her cancer at age 43. Not only did we highlight Renee’s story,

1201 Royal Avenue Monroe, LA 71201 Phone 318.855.3185

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PUBLISHER & OWNER Cassie Livingston cassie@bayoulifemag.com we also chose her for a complete bedroom makeover. For this, we partnered with the Cancer Foundation League and through the thoughtful donations of our sponsors: Mickel Plastic Surgery, Oncology Associates of Monroe and First National Bank, we were able to transform Renee’s bedroom into the sanctuary she has always deserved. Thank you to all the businesses and volunteers who stepped in to donate products, labor and time. See Renee’s story on page 196. This month is our annual fall home issue, and we were so thankful to be welcomed into Sarah and Justin Bishop’s home. When one homeowner is an artist and educator and the other is a talented residential builder, you know their renovation is going to be amazing. See it on page 180. We have some incredible stories this month. Kay Stothart Rector sits down with our Bayou Icon, Frank Wilcox, on page 130. April Honaker writes about this month’s Bayou Artist, Ashley AlfordDollar, on page 70. Vanelis meets up with Mario Mata to check out his new restaurant on page 162. There’s something to read on every page. It’s always a pleasure to hear your feedback and suggestions. We hope you enjoy reading this month’s issue of BayouLife Magazine. Thank you for keeping it local.

Cassie

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 Erin Love Maré Brennan Meredith McKinnie Brandi Chambless Dr. Timothy Mickel Dr. Stephen Chapman Dan Chason Guy Miller Laura W. Clark Evelyn O’Neal Mollie Cline, MSCC-SLP Dr. J Preston Parry Georgiann Potts Kenny Covington Kay Rector Stephen Cox, M.D. Shannon Dahlum Cathi French-Roberts Delia Simpson Thomas Estis, Ph. D. Susan Solley Cindy Gist Foust Lori French Beatrice A. Tatem Julie and Heber Tuft Kerry Heafner Vanelis Rivera April Clark Honaker Judy Wagoner Paul Lipe CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Brad Arender Andrew Bailey Kelly Moore Clark Prajal Prasai ON THE COVER Bedroom Makeover by BayouLife Team 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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8 Financial Tips For College Students

OR MANY YOUNG ADULTS, COLLEGE IS THE FIRST TIME they are in control of the majority of their finances. As freshmen across the country embark on their first semester, Century Next Bank has highlighted eight tips to help ease the transition to financial independence. “Striking the balance between spending and saving can be particularly hard when you are focused on everything else that comes with college life, but it is important to keep a close watch on your spending habits from day one,” said Bill Willson, Ouachita Parish Market President for Century Next Bank. “There’s no better time than the first year of college to establish good money habits and take control of your financial future.” Century Next Bank offers the following tips to help ease the transition to financial independence for college freshmen. 1. CREATE A BUDGET. Take some time to figure out your income and set your goals, factoring in recurring expenses that must be paid (like tuition, books, and car insurance), some of your “wants” (like concert tickets and other recreational activities), and savings for emergencies. The Century Next Bank mobile app and online banking site offer a handy budget tool that is a great place to start. 2. TRACK YOUR SPENDING. Create a spreadsheet or download an app to see where your money is going each month. Mapping out your spending habits can help you identify where you might want to make adjustments. Century Next Bank customers can quickly track spending with the CNext mobile app. 3. SAVE A LITTLE EACH MONTH. Save your spare change and deposit it into your bank account at the end of each month. Increase the amount by $5 each month or quarter. This is an easy and manageable way to establish good financial habits that “Future You” will appreciate. Opening a savings account can be hassle free at Century Next Bank. You can read about our products at cnext.bank/personal-savings. 4. OPEN AN INTEREST-BEARING ACCOUNT. Stash some of your high school graduation money in an account that earns interest for doing nothing. When you open a certificate of deposit (CD), for example, you will earn interest in exchange for agreeing to leave your money alone for a specific period of

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time. Plan it right, and you can have CDs mature right as you need them each semester to help pay for tuition and expenses. Another smart option is an interest-bearing checking account, like Century Next Bank’s Priority Checking, which goes handin-hand with a Priority Savings Account. 5. UTILIZE CAMPUS RESOURCES. Universities today offer plenty of amenities to students for little-to-no cost. Take advantage of benefits such as free access to the campus rec center and shuttles that take you to off-campus locations. 6. TAKE ADVANTAGE OF STUDENT DISCOUNTS. When you want to take a break from the campus dining halls, or feel the urge to treat yourself, try looking for places that offer student discounts. Most discounts typically range from 10 to 15 percent and will accept your campus ID as verification. 7. BUILD CREDIT WISELY. Look into applying for a student credit card that you can use for small purchases that you are able to pay off in full each month, like a music streaming subscription. If you don’t have your own source of income or are not comfortable handling the responsibility of credit alone, ask your parents to add you as an authorized user for one of their credit cards to establish a history of credit. 8. ASK QUESTIONS. Just like in the classroom, this is a learning experience. If you need help or are curious about a financial issue, ask trusted resources like your parents or your bank.

Century Next Bank has been serving customers in this region for 114 years, starting as Ruston Building & Loan in 1905. Century Next Bank has seven locations, including 2450 Tower Drive in Monroe, two locations in Ruston, and four locations in Ashley County, Arkansas. A new location at 1701 N. Seventh Street in West Monroe is anticipated to open in January, 2020. Students are invited to come in and experience Century Next Bank’s exceptional customer service and to see what products will fit your financial needs. There’s no better time to plan for your future than today with Century Next Bank.

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Let the “Spirits” Tell a Story Surround Yourself with Good Company and Better Whiskey

HAT’S THE SPIRIT! COOLER WEATHER, FOOTBALL, AND the magical, spooky night of Halloween make you want to surround yourself with good company and better whiskey. You don’t need a cocktail named after a zombie to enjoy an enticing story! These “spirits” have their own story to tell. WIDOW JANE 10 YEAR BOURBON Widow Jane is derived from the once abandoned Widow Jane Mine, originally known as the Rosendale Limestone Mine, founded in 1825. The 194-year-old cement mine has been said to feature the ghost of a young woman walking between the stone pillars. The ghost is presumed to be that of Jane Snyder, a young widow who walks the mine in her long white dress. Her husband, A.J. Snyder, the owner of the mine, was said to be a cruel boss and an even crueler husband. When the beloved Jane Snyder passed, the mine became known as the Widow Jane Mine in her honor. The limestone from these mines were used to create the greatest structures in New York such as the Brooklyn Bridge, the Statue of Liberty, Empire State Building, and many more. The natural, self-renewing source of unique, sweet water, high in mineral content and thus perfect for making and proofing great whiskey, is now a fingerprint and signature ingredient in all the Widow Jane whiskeys. This 10 year bourbon is aged to perfection! On the nose you find hints of chocolate, honey, sweet corn, vanilla, and zesty lemon peel. The first sip creates a sweet and savory mouthfeel with sparkling flavors of toasted orange peel, freshly baked cherry pie, oak, rye spice and a nice floral, yet earthy undertone on the back of the throat. The finish will remind you of sipping a delicious spiked hot chocolate while enjoying a nice fire on a cool night. UNCLE NEAREST 1884 So who is Uncle Nearest? His name was Nathan “Nearest” Green and was the first known African American master distiller. He was born into slavery and emancipated after the Civil War. Dan Call, the man Nearest worked under, was a preacher, grocer, and distiller. After slavery ended, Nearest stuck around to help tend to the whiskey still. He was a skilled distiller, specializing in a process that gave whiskey a unique smoothness, which later became known as the Lincoln County Process. At the time, a young boy named Jasper Newton came to work for Mr. Call. We know Jasper as Jack Daniel. Nearest taught Jack Daniel everything he knew. Years later, Jack bought the old distillery and made Nearest his first master distiller. Uncle Nearest 1884 is the proud legacy of the best whiskey maker the world never got to know. The year 1884 commemorates the final year he put his own whiskey into barrels before retiring from distilling. Since 2017, it’s won over 40 awards and can be found all over the world. It’s bottled at 93 proof in dedication to the proof Nearest made his whiskey. The nose of this whiskey has a surprising amount of depth and texture. There’s a prominent corn sweetness with 10 OCTOBER 2019 | WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM

layers of vanilla and toffee. The palate is sweet and creamy with notes of maple and brown sugar oatmeal, gingerbread cookies and a subtle hint of herbs and spices. A lighter bodied spirit perfect for relaxed sipping. The old distillery has been gone for generations yet his legacy is alive, strong and ready to be shared by those who enjoy exceptional whiskey and those who believe in giving credit to a man who worked in the shadows turning water into gold. BRUICHLADDICH BLACK ART 1990 EDITION 6.1 Bruichladdich Black Art Edition 6 is a 26-year old Islay scotch. This unpeated single malt with take you on a spiritual journey. It’s a mystery to all but its creator. The symbol on the front of the bottle doesn’t make it any less mysterious. The master distiller says himself “There may never be an understanding of how this whisky was created but tasting it and understanding why is more important. To compare and compartmentalize this exceptionally rare and unique dram is to miss the point of a whisky that is the essence of the distiller’s instice, passion and experience. If you must ask, you will never know.” There is a huge depth and richness on the nose. On the front, notes of lemon meringue pie, oak, and blackberry jam become known. Sea salt, cinnamon, and dark chocolate emerge soon after providing more complexity. The richness and vitality of the fruit is astounding. The sweet red apple of the spirit comes through after the whiskey begins to open, followed by a fragrant vanilla custard. In the second sip, you can really taste the dark fruits alongside rich, velvety chocolate and a floral bouquet of roses. As the whiskey twists and changes constantly, new layers of flavor and texture are unveiled. It only adds to the mystery of how this whisky was created! The flavors stay behind providing a long, lingering and extremely well balanced finish. The mouthfeel is oily with just a touch of dryness from the wood spices and the oak. It’s the reason for the season! Football season that is. Washington Wine and Spirits offers the Doe’s Eat Place uncooked steaks and twice baked potatoes to take home for your next backyard BBQ and tailgates. So come on by and get your steaks, potatoes, wine and spirits. 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 AM to 9:00 PM and Fridays and Saturdays from 10:00 AM -10:00 PM. 6 oz Filet - $9.75 10 oz Filet - $16.24 14 oz Bone-In Filet - $39.99 1.5 lb Bone In Strip - $20.99 20 oz Ribeye - $21.24 2 lb Bone In Ribeye - $35.98 1.5 lb T-Bone - $20.99 2 lb T-Bone - $27.98 2.5 lb Porterhouse - $39.98 3 lb Porterhouse - $47.97 2-5 lb Sirloin - $9.99/lb Twice Baked Potatoes - $4.99/each

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HOW ORGANIZED ARE YOU? by ERIN SHARPLIN LOVE | erinlove@panachebyerin.com

hen was the last time you took a quiz that taught you something about yourself and inspired you to make a positive change in your life? Well, that is my goal with this quiz – I want you to see how organized you are at the moment and then inspire you to get even more organized. Why? Because, as a professional, I know all of the positive aspects of being organized. It can change your life! HOW ORGANIZED ARE YOU? ▫ You keep a notebook with you at all times. It is incredibly hard to remember every task, idea, and errand that may arise, so keep a notebook handy at all times. ▫ You have a specific laundry time set aside, AND you complete the task by putting the items away. My routine is to do one load of laundry a day. That is just enough to keep items from piling up. If I happen to get off track, I make up for the days missed on Sunday. ▫ You have a daily calendar (online or paper), AND you study it daily.

▫ Your cabinets and drawers are compartmentalized---meaning that the space is separated by bins/boxes or by expandable drawer organizers and that each compartment is filled with like items. For instance, I compartmentalize a junk drawer by making sure that each item has its own spot. You can compartmentalize a cabinet by using baskets.

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it with matching sheets. Nothing is more inviting than a well-made bed.

▫ You have an inspiration board. Nothing is more important for goal planning and goal getting. ▫ You plan meals. Mondays are typically

my day to meal plan. I sometimes do it on Sunday (depends on how much laundry I have to do) but it’s easier on Monday for me. I like to peruse Pinterest for easy and fun recipes. Then I go shopping on Tuesdays.

▫ You have a “donate” basket and you have a plan to empty the basket. I have a basket in my closet as well as in my kids’ closets that collects unneeded items as they come up. When the basket is full, it gets emptied into a bag and put directly in my car for donation.

▫ You can find anything in under one minute. If I asked you where you put your 2017 tax return, for instance, could you walk straight to it? That should be your goal for everything in your home, and you will never have to waste time looking for something. ▫ You have a mail plan. In other words, you don’t have stacks of mail piled up everywhere, and each action item is filed and ready.

▫ All of your flat surfaces are clear. Flat surfaces are typically magnets for junk (dining table, kitchen counters, etc.) ▫ You prepare for tax time throughout the year. In other words, you don’t have to spend a weekend getting your tax documents together each year because you already have

an organized system that is ready come April 15th.

▫ You prepare today for tomorrow. I always choose my outfit and my children’s outfits for the next day. It has become a habit to incorporate that into our bath time routine.

▫ Expired food, makeup, medications are weeded out monthly. I suggest designating one day a month to getting rid of expired items. ▫ Your storage room/space is organized by season.

▫ You are ready for all birthdays and holidays. You are not a last minute shopper. You buy gifts and supplies throughout the year so you are prepared. ▫ Your closet is organized in color order and by like with like (white with white, jeans with jeans, etc.) You get a bonus if you also have all matching hangers. ▫ You decant and unpack bulky items such as flour and individually-wrapped snacks. Not only does this save space, it also looks pretty! ▫ You get things done! When you say you will do something, you get it done and without stressing out about it.

▫ You unpack bags right away. I will be honest on this one…I am lacking in this skill. Packing is much more fun than unpacking! ▫ You are never late on bills. How many boxes did you check off? Which boxes were not checked off? Did this quiz inspire you to add a few more habits to your routines? I hope so!

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Fall Into Yourself This Fall Find Your Center

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

ELCOME FALL! SUMMER HAS DRAWN TO A CLOSE, vacations have ended, work has resumed, the school year is well underway and despite fading warm temperatures reminiscent of the summer, fall season is officially here. Society has traded outdoor activities for indoor events in response to nature replacing longer days with shorter days and blooming flowers with crisp leaves. The kaleidoscope of fall colors, orange, yellow, red and brown are making their appearance in nature. The transformation in foliage is everywhere reminding us change is upon us which can be beautiful. Regarded as a season full of tradition, fall brings feelings of warmth, suggests togetherness and the gathering of family and friends. For some, fall is a time to focus on work, whether at an office or intentionally starting new projects around the house. For others, it is the calm before the rush of the holidays. Some experience a spiritual connection with the season while others get nostalgic over memories. There is a reason for each season and for each of us the Fall season means something different. It is time to say hello to fall and all the things we associate with the season. Fall is said to be the most perfect season life has to offer; the best season to find a new perspective, to be inspired by transformation, to be motivated to change and to become centered. A season of transition, fall represents a time for transformation both personal and environmental. Fall is said to represent in nature the balance we are to experience in life. Akin to nature and the changing and falling of leaves from trees, slowing down and hibernation, the fall season for many means settling down, retreating, focusing and turning inward. Nature is ready to rest and so are we. Fall is the perfect time to reflect, to take in and embrace change. Fall is the time of the year when the thought of being centered increases. In the fall, the focus is less on doing and more on allowing and reaping the benefits of what is planted during the spring and sown during the summer. This fall strive to find your center and recharge gracefully. Hibernate with yourself to reflect and to just be. Concentrate on being yourself with a full sense of self. If it is not a conscious priority, acknowledge what your body needs and spirit craves. Perhaps, it is more rest, relaxation, peace of mind, less stress, improved relationships, quality time spent with family and friends,

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better eating habits or more exercise that we need. There are actions we can take to respond to our needs and satisfy our cravings. The fall season can be a time to hit the reset button; to take stock of your life, to set new goals, to get organized for the upcoming winter season. Transition smoothly into fall; identify how you want to spend your time and create healthy new habits for the next several months. Our routines often shift with the seasons; be sure to design your routine with balance in mind. Fall is the time to attend to yourself and the people in your life. For many there is the desire to reconnect with ourselves and with others, to establish roles and come into balance before winter arrives. Reconnect starting with yourself and then gather with others. Consider the thought that people around us are the greatest gifts life has to offer. Take time to enjoy your relationships. Get social, fall is situated between the free-spirited outdoor activities of summer and the slower paced indoor activities of the holidays and winter season. Identify activities and hobbies of the fall; being active keep us mentally stimulated and bring us joy. Bring fall into your life; as with each season there are seasonal fruits and vegetables. Know the fruits and vegetables of the season and incorporate them into your meal planning. Detox the environment, put up summer things and pull out fall things. Allow for downtime, forego mental work, reboot and let your mind and brain rest; this will give you the energy to take on challenges of life. Take time to birth new ideas, to nurture them and later spring forward to implement them. Find your new flow and fall into this season of life. In nature, fall is the end of many things and yet can also represent the beginning. Now that fall has officially arrived take a cue from nature and use this season to help you find the balance you need. Develop a healthy mindset and become more centered. Fall back, set your clock back an hour and gain the additional hour of sleep you deserve. Fall into yourself, emotionally, mentally, physically and spiritually. 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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Fine Crafted Coffee and Tea Come Enjoy Fresh Brewed Coffee and Tea at Dreux Coffee Inside Fiesta Nutrition

EET ARON FELKINS. BARISTA AMPLIFIED. ARON IS the driving force behind Monroe’s Dreux (pronounced dro ) Coffee. This unique concept is located in a space within Fiesta Nutrition Center in busy mid-town on North 18th Street. For the past three years Aron has been able to turn an interest and passion into a profession that he is totally suited for. He describes himself as “overly obsessed to a fault” on the subject of coffee. He has spent countless hours doing research as well as traveling to search out everything there is to know about enjoying and serving coffee. One of the things that stood out after visiting countless coffee shops is that so many places offer a nice atmosphere but don’t deliver on the coffee. Prices at many were at a premium but the premium wasn’t there. Aron and his team of like-minded coffee aficionados have collaborated to come up with ways to make a coffee spot that they themselves would frequent and proud to put their name on. It was important to not only offer flavor, but offer something healthy and good for you as well. They are all well-versed and ,better yet, approachable and willing to share their knowledge. “Aron has made a name for himself in this area as a go-to for a great coffee experience. The experience is more than buying a cup of coffee. There is ceremony and sharing of descriptions of aroma and taste. It’s kindred spirits coming together to enjoy, like a fine wine or dinner. “ says one of Aron’s customers. When asked why he doesn’t leave Monroe to reach a larger and more diverse market he suggests that he stays here to make things better for this loyal community that deserves to have access to people honing their craft and contributing to quality of life. FARM TO CUP There was no doubt that the selection of purveyor of the beans used at Dreux would be from the renowned Onyx Coffee Lab. Onyx’s practice of intentionality in raw material, process, and sustainability is achieved by their practice of connecting the best growers in the world with the best roasters. METHODOLOGY Giving the roasted coffee its respect begins with brewing methods that involve specifically calculated timing, temperature, pressure, and size of grind. Aron has mastered this and has trained his staff to execute the process in a timely manner for the fast pace of a retail outlet. Not just any water will do. The time and effort to mineralize the water used is essential, a step most establishments skip in favor of tap water! Another extra step that is meaningful for a perfect

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cup is the proper texturing of the milk used. True is his attention to detail, Aron searched and found the perfect lid for the to-go cups. The design is made to offer a hint of the aromatics to go along with the first sip for a full experience. WHAT SETS DREUX APART It’s all about the fine details. Discerning customers of Fiesta Nutrition Center shop to access the best quality supplements and groceries for their health. Having uncompromised standards for ingredients and origin for our food should also apply to our coffee drinks! Dreux Coffee goes to great lengths to avoid artificial sweeteners and refined sugars by making house-made brown sugar from organic blackstrap molasses and organic brown sugar. This is used in several drinks, including the crowd favorite “Maverick.” Torched turbinado creates a rich caramel flavor to add to several specialty coffees. Where honey is called for in a recipe, local raw honey is used. The milk, cream , and non-dairy additions for coffees are organic and naturally sweetened. All of these measures used for clean coffee drinks are achieved while still offering competitive prices. FINISHED COFFEE PRODUCTS A varied menu of hot and cold espresso and lattes are available. The staff is always open to special requests and enjoy learning from their customers. A few Dreux favorites: • Queen of Canada - Maple syrup, monarch expresso with steamed milk • Cortado - Equal parts expresso and milk • Petale Sucre - Coffee with lavender and vanilla syrup BUT WAIT…THERE’S MORE Light breakfast fare is offered at Dreux starting at 7 am Monday-Friday. Scones, cookies, banana bread, brownies, and other sweets are available as well as a hot offering each day. Breakfast tacos, quiche, eggs with toast and bacon are made fresh from organic ingredients. Also in the grab-and-go case are overnight oats, fresh-pressed juices and iced coffees. The Dreux Coffee and Good Earth Juice and Salad Bar menus can be found on the Fiesta Nutrition Center website (www.fiestanutrition. com) . Following all three on Facebook and Instagram is a great way to view daily specials and events. Aron and his crew are available for catering coffee at small events. The name DREUX COFFEE originates from the patron Saint of coffee, Saint Drogo. The Dreux spelling is suited to Louisiana.

Beer and Cheer What’s New With Texas’ No. 1 Craft Brewery BY DELIA SIMPSON, CRAFT BRAND MANAGER, CHOICE BRANDS, INC.

POETZL BREWERY, LOCATED IN SHINER, TEXAS, WAS originally named The Shiner Brewing Association when it was started in 1909. The brewery was founded by German and Czech immigrants who had settled around the central Texas town of Shiner. Unable to find the type of beer they had known in their home countries, they decided to brew their own. It is the oldest independent brewery in Texas and one of the oldest independent breweries in the U.S. Shiner Bock remains the staple beer of the portfolio. Brewed with rich roasted barley malt and German specialty hops, this lightly hopped American style dark lager always goes down easy. Though it was originally a seasonal, high demand forced the brewery to make it a year round offering starting in 1973. At 4.4% ABV (Alcohol by Volume) and 13 IBU’s (International Bitterness Units), this easy drinker is available locally in six pack bottles, twelve pack cans, and on draft. Shiner Light Blonde is truly light done right. Clocking in at just 99 calories, it is the perfect option for someone who wants a beer that is on the lighter side, but is still full of flavor. It has an ABV of 4.2% and just 69 IBU’s. Shiner Light Blonde is available year round in six pack bottles. In 2018, Shiner decided to mix things up a little. Several new beers were introduced to appeal to the ever-evolving tastes of craft beer drinkers. Day Quencher is a session ale that is dry-hopped with mosaic hops for a hint of tropical aroma. It’s a not-so-everyday everyday beer. Day Quencher is available year round in six pack cans and has an ABV of 4.6% and 18 IBU’s. Wicked Juicy IPA is just as the name suggests. It’s dry hopped, unfiltered, and bursting with citra hops for a bright, juicy kick. The result is a deliciously hazy brew that is available year round in six pack cans. Wicked Juicy has an ABV of 5.7% and 60 IBU’s. Although Ruby Redbird has been available for several years, a new formula with only 95 calories and 3.1 grams of carbohydrates was introduced last year. Brewed with the citrusy punch of Ruby Red grapefruit and the kick of fresh ginger, this tart, refreshing lager is perfect any time of year. It has an ABV of 4.0% and is available year round in six pack bottles. The holidays would not be complete without Shiner Holiday Cheer. Cheer, an old-world dunkelweizen, is brewed with Texas peaches and roasted pecans. It’s the perfect beer to crack open at your

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fall/winter holiday table. This seasonal brew has an ABV of 5.4% and 22 IBU’s. It is available through the winter in six pack bottles. Try this awesome recipe for Shiner Cheer Beer Bread. Serve it at your table or give as a gift with a personal touch! SHINER CHEER BEER BREAD Ingredients • 12 ounces Shiner Holiday Cheer • 2 cups all-purpose flour • 1/2 cup spelt flour* • 1/2 cup rolled oats • 1/4 cup granulated sugar • 3 teaspoons baking powder • 1 teaspoon salt • 1/4 cup melted butter

Directions Preheat the oven to 375 and grease a 9 x 5 loaf pan. In a large bowl, mix the dry ingredients. Add the beer (yes, the whole beer; resist the urge to take a sip or two) and mix well. Scrape the batter into the prepared pan and pour the melted butter on top. Slide the pan into the oven and bake for about 45 minutes to 1 hour, or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean. Serve warm and fresh, or toast a piece the next day to enjoy with leftovers. *If you don’t have spelt flour (or don’t want to buy it just for this recipe), you can substitute another 1/2 cup of all-purpose or a 1/2 cup of whole wheat flour. 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.

Art of a Simple Fall

Capture the spirit of the season with a monster mash of friends and family, soups and spices, and drinks to die for.

styling by Taylor Bennett and photography by Kelly Moore Clark

HOST A H A LLOW EEN PA R T Y Gather all your ghouls and goblins for an epic Halloween party. Prepare a ghostly playlist and ready your favorite seasonal movie for a night with friends and family. Easy-to-prepare crescent mummy dogs, curly fries and candy corn set the mood for a freakish feast. Keep decorations simple with spider web netting and black taper candles in brass candle holders. We added a custom-designed chalkboard with a Hocus Pocus Broom Company theme and cut-out bats, along with a miniature skeleton, and an array of porcelain pumpkins for a spooktacular setting. Black serving trays and dinnerware, along with orange and black paper strays complete our Halloween-themed party preparations. 22 OCTOBER 2019 | WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM

SPOOKTACULAR PLAYLIST “ZOMBIE” THE CRANBERRIES

“SOUL CAKE” STING

“THRILLER” MICHAEL JACKSON

“HALLOWEEN” MISFITS

“MONSTER MASH” BOBBY

“SPOOKY” DUSTY SPRINGFIELD

PICKETT THE CRYPT-KICKERS

“CREEP” RADIOHEAD

“GHOSTBUSTERS” RAY PARKER, JR.

“MONSTER” LADY GAGA

“BLACK MAGIC WOMAN”

“HAPPY PHANTOM” TORI AMOS

FLEETWOOD MAC

“SOMEBODY’S WATCHING ME”

“MAGIC DANCE” DAVID BOWIE

ROCKWELL

“SHE WOLF” SHAKIRA

“BLACK WIDOW” IGGY AZALEA,

“SUPERSTITION” STEVIE WONDER

RITA ORA

“I WANT CANDY” BOW WOW WOW

“TUBULAR BELLS” HALLOWEEN

FA L L FOR THESE SPICES

CINNAMON

PUMPKIN PIE SPICE

CINNAMON - a spice obtained from the inner bark of several tree species from the genus Cinnamomum. Cinnamon is used mainly as an aromatic condiment and flavouring additive in a wide variety of cuisines.

GROUND GINGER GROUND NUTMEG

PUMPKIN PIE SPICE - make your own pumpkin pie spice by combining cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and allspice together. GROUND NUTMEG - ground nutmeg lends nutty, slightly sweet flavor and aroma to a variety of dishes. Use ground nutmeg sparingly in dishes.

WHOLE CLOVE S

GROUND CLOVE S

GROUND GINGER - this is the dried, powdered form of Zingiber officinale, a root native to Southeast Asia, India and China. Cuisines around the world use ginger as an aromatic ingredient, and the spice also has a long history as a treatment for nausea, motion sickness, gas, bloating and other digestive complaints. WHOLE CLOVES - cloves are the flower bud of the clove tree. Found in both whole and ground forms, this versatile spice can be used to season pot roasts, add flavor to hot beverages and bring spicy warmth to cookies and cakes. WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | OCTOBER 2019 23

COCKTA ILS TO DIE FOR

Add a little Halloween magic with these crafty cocktails that are sure to cast a spell on your adult party guests. From Black Magic to Ghost in the Graveyard, these drinks are scary-good.

GHOST IN THE G R AV E Y A R D INGREDIENTS: 4 ounces Titoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s vodka 4 ounces coffee liqueur 2 scoops vanilla ice cream dry ice

BL ACK M AGIC INGREDIENTS: 2 ounces Black Vodka 1 ounce lime juice 1/2 ounce simple syrup ice Mix all ingredients together. Shake and serve strained in a glass of your choice.

Place dry ice in the bottom of glass. Top with a scoop of ice cream. Combine vodka and coffee liqueur in shaker, strain and pour over ice cream. Serve with spoons.

WITCHES BREW INGREDIENTS: For Rim 1 lime Purple food coloring 1 tbsp sugar Cocktail 1/2 cup vodka 1/2 cup lime juice 2 ounces raspberry liqueur Squeeze lime juice and purple food coloring in a dish and mix well. In a second dish, add sugar. Dip rim of glass in lime juice, then sugar. In a shaker, combine cocktail ingredients and strain over ice.

HOT C AU LDRON INGREDIENTS: 1 part Fireball whiskey 1 part bourbon splash of dry vermouth dash of Peychaudâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s bitters Add all ingredients and stir. Pour over ice and enjoy.

SPICED SWEE T POTATO SOUP WITH M APLE CROUTONS Recipe Modified from Woman’s Day

INGREDIENTS: Leftover bread cut into pieces 1 tablespoon of maple syrup 3 bay leaves 2 tablespoons chicken base 1 lb. sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1 inch pieces pinch of ground nutmeg 1 tsp. ground cinnamon 2 cloves garlic, chopped 1 large onion, chopped 1 lb. carrots, cut into pieces 3 tbsp. olive oil

This soup is perfect for transitional weather. It combines fall’s favorite spices, along with healthy veggies. It’s great for a campfire or for the family after a long night of trick-or-treating. DIRECTIONS: 1) Heat olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add chopped carrots, garlic and onion and cook. Stir occasionally uintil the vegetables start to brown, around 10 minutes. Add nutmeg and cinnamon and cook for about 1 minute. 2) Add sweet potatoes and chicken base to the mixture, along with bay leaves and 6 cups of water. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer until vegetables are tender, around 10 minutes. 3) Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add bread pieces and cook until golden brown. Remove from heat and drizzle maple syrup over, tossing to coat. 4) Remove bay leaves. Use an immersion blender (or if using a standard blender, divide batches) and puree soup until smooth. Add maple croutons on top. Serve warm. Serves 4 people.

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The Christmas Conundrum: To List or Not To List BY BRANDI CHAMBLESS

T’S COMING ON CHRISTMAS. THEY’RE CUTTING DOWN trees. They’re putting up reindeer, singing songs of joy and peace. Oh, I wish I had a river I could skate away on. The sentiments of Joni Mitchell’s depressing, though unreleased, Christmas classic song “River” epitomize the typical seller’s sentiments when the winds of change are blowing during the holiday season. Change in general is hard to handle on its on merit, without the blue hues of Christmas finding the human soul in the loneliness of the Christmas rush. Come what may, life has a way of sometimes pushing families out of a once comfortable nest, irrespective of any holiday calendar. Whether due to a job change, the loss of someone or some season of life you once loved, or even moving up and out in the world, sellers inevitably find themselves in a Christmas conundrum: to list or not to list during the holidays. With all the cards on the table, there are a few choices most sellers opt to make. IGNORE THE CHANGE. Pretend the transition isn’t going to happen and do not put the house on the market until springtime. Procrastinate and think about this later. In fact, continue in such a state of denial that you not only decorate for Christmas, but you pull out ALL of the holiday decorations you have acquired in your entire lifetime. Bake heart shaped fruitcakes, eat chocolates and candy corn, make green beer, hang flags, plant mums, bake turkeys, and string twinkle lights. Live it up for your last holiday at the place you call home! IGNORE THE BUYERS. Do put the house on the market and live above the potential interchange of random strangers stepping into your personal insanity of the most intimate of seasons and all the behind the scenes chaos therein. Hope for the best and that the prospective buyers do not eat Santa’s cookies or unwrap any presents. Leave little elves out at your wrapping station with signs that say, “Don’t go here or else.” Tastefully stage holiday decor, showing the prospective buyer just how beautiful of a home this can be at Christmastime and for all holidays. IGNORE CHRISTMAS. Put the house on the market, but pretend it’s summer and pack up all the decorations for next year. Do not even light one balsam and cedar scented candle. Move on emotionally to protect yourself from shedding one tear about the doorframe in your

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child’s bedroom that marks just how tall he is now and how much he has grown. Hire a professional stager to sterilize any personal sentiments as your life is in a state of private paralysis until AFTER. After the holidays. After the move. After getting settled. After getting the kids in their new school. So, which seller would you be when faced with the monumental decision to pack everything you own into boxes and unsettle your nest while seeking the stillness of holiday nights? Some of our John Rea Realty experts weighed in on the dilemma. Aleta Eley, one of most trusted opinions in the John Rea office when it comes to making your house buyer ready, says that even with a full-time job and family life as mother to six children she opted to put her personal home on the market at Christmastime. “Due to the leaner market, my home sold in less than 36 hours. People love Christmas decor.” One advantage, says Eley is that buyers can gauge not only their furniture, but the placement of the family Christmas tree. She says it is the perfect opportunity to show them what the property has to offer. Amy Brown is a believer in going full force into decorating mode. “I advise my sellers to decorate as usual or even better than they normally would.” Brown keeps her clients at peace during what could be a tumultuous time, knowing that chances are a contract received during the holiday season would likely close after Christmas. Similar to baking cookies during summer showings, the magic of Christmas is something that agent Caroline Scott believes in when it comes to showing off a property’s homey vibe. “Christmas decorations make people feel warm and fuzzy. Plus, buyers can thus envision their family cuddled up by a fire, laughing and carrying on, rocking around the Christmas tree!” Some great advice that takes people back to real estate center is Kathy VanVeckhoven’s wise counsel to keeping a home clutter-free even if the Christmas decorations come down from the attic while the house is on the market. “I always advise clients not to put up too many decorations when the house is for sale.” Do you have further questions regarding best practices of buying and selling property during the holiday season? We can help. For a free consultation as well as a market analysis to determine the current fair market value of your home, contact one of your friendly, neighborhood John Rea professionals today. Oh, and… Merry Christmas!

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Cathi French Roberts & Lori French

MANTELS & SHELFIES

magine a lovely combination library and sitting room beautifully decorated and tranquil - a wonderful place to spend time day or night. Chosen for the far corner are a beautifully framed pair of hand colored 19th century wildlife prints against a gold painted wall. A leather covered armchair with a brightly colored throw pillow has found its perfect home. Notice the button tufted velvet cushion sofa with rolled arms. Sitting alongside the sofa is a curved back arm chair covered in light green velvet. Take note of the carpeting… simple, flat, naturally woven in texture that is both functional and neutral. A pedestal table functions flawlessly as a desk. There are fresh flowers and other accessories on top of the table and a side chair paired with it. At the end of the room is a simple drapery treatment and double doors opening to the outside patio area.

The personal part of the room is now to cultivate the mantel or a shelfie. Both of these can say everything about you and your interests and give the space warmth that only YOU can add. Everything else can be chosen for you by a professional, but this is your chance to shine. Curiosities galore… books, found objects, a large shell, small photos, candles, clocks, or mirrors can be both fun and functional. Be brave – and remember, a shelf or a mantel can be added to, subtracted from, or changed on a whim. Use books to layer and lift or buy an acrylic riser to add some height. Candlestick lamps are very effective on the mantel and can be used as a point of light in a bookshelf. Group things together, mixing textures and color. Trust your eye to tell you when it is right! Shop your home to find the things that will make you happy. Now - imagine yourself in this composed room as a great place to rest and read, take a nap, do a little paperwork, or chat with family or friends.

Note: Try a Shelfie anywhere…. a private bathroom is an excellent choice.

FOR YOUR OWN FRENCH TWIST CONSULTATION, CALL CATHI AND LORI AT 318-355-3041 30 OCTOBER 2019 | WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM

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JGS Catholic School 5th Annual Fall Festival Celebration

IT’S FALL FESTIVAL TIME AT JGS Now that fall is right around the corner, our amazing JGS PTO and volunteer parents are busy organizing the 5th Annual JGS Fall Festival set for Saturday, November 2nd at 5:30 p.m. at JGS School. This event signifies the culmination of the JGS School Annual Fund Campaign, which began August 1st. The JGS Fall Festival is a family-friendly, community event meant for all ages to enjoy. There’s something for everyone. There will be an old-fashioned country store with homemade goodies and crafts, amusement rides including Mind-Winder Swings, Pirates Revenge Ship, Gyro Extreme, Trackless Train, Bungee Jump and more, food provided by the JGS Dad’s Club, a silent auction, carnival-style booths, bingo and beverages. We hope that you can join us for our celebration of community, school and family at the JGS Fall Festival. Thank you in advance to our wonderful community for always supporting Jesus the Good Shepherd Catholic School and we look forward to seeing you at our fall celebration. CAMPAIGN SUCCESS IN YEARS PAST The JGS Annual Fund Campaign, our yearly giving campaign, is meant to produce better results than many small fundraisers combined. It has replaced our fall fundraising events of years past such as Rock-NBowl, Boo at the Barn, and magazine and cookie dough sales. We have seen tremendous success in the last several years since establishing the campaign. The JGS Annual Fund helps support the school’s operating budget and provides funds for classroom technology, teacher retention, campus improvements and security as well as other pressing needs of the school. The success of our previous Annual Fund Campaigns and Fall Festival celebrations are outstanding examples of the supportive community that JGS has been blessed to be a part of for almost 60 years. It is truly humbling the amount of love, faith and generosity Jesus the Good Shepherd Catholic School receives from our families, friends, church parishioners and surrounding community. We are blessed with faithful teachers and administration and a caring staff, who strive daily to provide a safe, productive and Christ-centered environment for all students. We pray that God will continue to bless us and provide for our school as He has always done in the past. We ask that you prayerfully consider supporting the JGS School Annual Fund campaign. It’s never too late to donate and our motto is “Every Gift Matters.” No matter the size of the donation, every gift is a vote of confidence in our school and 32 OCTOBER 2019 | WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM

in our mission. You may do this by filling out one of our annual fund pledge/donation cards, which can be picked up at the school office, online at www.jesusgoodshepherd.org or in the church gathering space or you may donate online at https://jesusgoodshepherd.weshareonline.org MANY THANKS TO OUR DONORS Many thanks to our current sponsors of the JGS School Annual Fund as of September 11, 2019: Haley and Micah Pulliam; Kyle and Erica Miller; Lisa and Rick Herlevic; Mr. and Mrs. Arvin Jake Tan; J. Hardeman Cordell; Bo and Billye Shaw; Lynn W. Barr; J. Michael Inzina; Mike and Tammie Benoit; George and Amanda Dean; Mr. and Mrs. Thomas M. Hayes III; Eddleman Crigler Dental; Gina and Brent Creel; Ed and Nancy Patrick; Saundra and Clint Shepard; Milton and Janet Moore; John G. Semmes; Mallory Benedetto; Jane Luffey; Mercer and Helen King ; Justin and Sarah Bishop (Bing Bishop Construction); Barry Delcambre; Richard and Marie Norris; Wendy Crow; The Wetzel Family; Charles J. Ledoux; The Rodriguez Family; Ms. Joy Loomis; Lazenby & Associates, Inc.; Joann R. Crone; Felicia and Mead Hardwick; Alison and Jim Sanford; Dale and Dean Soignier; The Bonney Family; Pat and Judy Riley, Sr.; B. J. and Laura Bryan; Mark and Courtney Holyfield; Patrick and Mary Francis Jones; Dr. Michael and Mrs. Vicki Zambie; Michael and Christie Echols; Progressive Bank; Patricia Blanchard; The Banks Family; Randall and Lisa Ingram; Jack and Debbie Gazzo; Halbert and Karen Siegel; Carol and Bill Kight; Richard and Rosa Lee King; Tyler and Brooks Williams; Buddy and Karen Embanato; Terri & Roy Arthur; Norma L. Sherman; Thi Thien and Lien Thi Nguyen; Mary and Jay Hardwick; Misti Hajj, Inc.; Joe and Allene Worley; Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Coon; Scott & Cindy McCormick; Michelle and Grady Brown; Ike and Connie Stokes; Donovan and Lori Morein; Robert & Monica Jones; Pat Mabray; Paul Michael and Laura Petty; Barbara Dupont Estis ; Mr. and Mrs. Jeff Turpin; Ronda and Marty Herlevic; Justin and Dana Tarver; Skent N Dent; Dr. Carson and Kelly Rutz (Monroe Endodontics); Terry and Sandra Rocconi; Jonathan and Katherine Howard Families interested in finding out more about Jesus the Good Shepherd Catholic School or the JGS School Annual Fund are encouraged to visit our website, www.jesusgoodshepherd.org, and Facebook page or contact the school office directly at 318-325-8569. Tours are given every Tuesday at 9:00 a.m. and by appointment with our principal, Mrs. Lisa Patrick. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

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Historical Impressions

I N T H E P R I VA C Y O F Y O U R H O M E

ost people enjoy the privacy they have while living in their homes. Finding privacy where you live in the military, however, is limited to non-existent. When I was a Midshipman, my first active deployment was on a frigate based in Pearl Harbor, HI. On their first deployment Navy and Marine Corps Midshipmen learn the work of enlisted sailors aboard a warship. On our ship we were assigned to an enlisted berthing (sleeping) space. It was the smallest berth on the ship but also the least desirable due to the noise when the sonar was operating. About a dozen of us slept, changed clothes, cleaned our gear and read Navy manuals or paperbacks in a room about the size of mediumsize master bedroom. The head (enlisted bathroom) on our ship was two compartments aft of our berth. There were narrow plastic curtains in front of the “sitting facilities” and showers that did not really block anyone’s view. But then again our head was better than its historical namesake. Go look at a detailed model of a old sailing ship. At the front- the “head”- of the ship to either side of the bowsprit you will see wide boards that stick out over the water. These boards are ringed on three sides with roped stanchions and have circular holes cut out of the far ends. This is where men during the wave-tossed Age of Sail went to the head. If you don’t understand what I mean, think about the context of this paragraph. Yep. Really. You might think Navy officers have it better and they do but still no privacy. Officers are usually assigned two to a stateroom except for the Captain, a visiting Admiral and maybe the Executive Officer. There are one or more shared heads for officer use. It makes sense that sailors and Marines are packed together in living spaces aboard a ship. It takes an amazing amount of money and room to allot individual living spaces to the men, and now women, on a ship and the Navy doesn’t have funding for such extravagance. Even if the Navy did, the extra “noncombat related” space would get in the way of “fighting the ship” efficiently and also make the ship more vulnerable to attack due to its increased size and possibly decreased speed. Military personnel serving on land don’t have these privacy constraints, correct? Nope. They do. At Officer Candidate School we were quartered in barracks that probably dated back to World War II. The buildings were divided into “bays;” each bay holding a platoon of about forty men or women. In my barracks a common head was shared by two platoon bays. In this head there were no doors, no curtains

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and no privacy walls. All of the “amenities” were just sort of right there side-by-side except for the communal shower area which was accessed through an wide opening in one wall. Once you graduate from OCS or enlisted basic training, privacy improve? Not really. I’ve not experienced it myself but I understand enlisted quarters on military bases have improved and are something like college dorms where a room holds several people instead of forty or so. But in my day barracks were still barracks. Ship sleeping racks now have privacy curtains but the berthing and head spaces are still shared by a few to very many depending on rank. As for officers who are based on land, on a number of temporary detachments I was assigned to a room in a Bachelor Officers Quarters. A room just for me! A BOQ room was like a small motel room except there was not complete privacy. My BOQ rooms had communal bathrooms down the hall or shared with the officer in another adjacent room. The military’s purpose is to fight, however, and fighting means going somewhere where there is no base with permanent buildings. In my time there might be camps more distant from the combat areas where men slept, ate and bathed under large communal canvas tents. Think of the old TV show M*A*S*H. Staying in these tents was a relative luxury because when you went out to fight “home” was where you made it. In combat, your “home” often required the use of your “E tool”- E for “entrenching.” We dug a hole to fight and to sleep in. And maybe the hole was also a head. A fighting hole might be shared with one or more other men who could support each other with assigned fields of rifle fire. During training, I often had my fighting hole to myself. Of course there were 39+ other Marines just a few feet to some yards from me so I was not alone. And I did share my hole with whatever mosquitoes or other critters desired my company for the night. The privacy of your home is not a concept applicable to military life. But perhaps another old saying is applicable- “home is where the heart is.” In a military composed of volunteers, most people know exactly what they are giving up in order to serve their nation and to protect its citizens and their way of life. Those who volunteer make a conscious decision of the heart and their military home, such as it is, is exactly where their heart is. Racticality in the type of clothing they wish to wear.

BY GUY MILLER Vice Chair-Chennault Aviation and Military Museum

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St. Francis Medical Center Providing Innovative, Non-Invasive Technology for Lung Cancer

T. FRANCIS MEDICAL CENTER IS THE FIRST IN NORTHEAST Louisiana to offer endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) technology for physicians to more effectively diagnose and stage lung cancer, infections and other inflammatory diseases in the bronchial tree. Traditional diagnostic procedures, such as mediastinoscopy, are considered an inpatient surgical procedure. Now, using EBUS technology, physicians can achieve the same accurate results using this minimally invasive diagnostic procedure in the outpatient setting. “We take pride in being able to offer our patients the latest technology and innovation for diagnosing cancers and other diseases of the airway and lungs,” said Kristin Wolkart, St. Francis Medical Center President. “This new technology, the first of its kind in Northeast Louisiana, allows physicians to provide patients with the recommended, nonsurgical solutions for sampling lymph nodes and lesions for faster, accurate diagnosis and staging of lung cancer without having to leave our community.” EBUS uses an ultrasound-guided bronchoscope to “see” beyond the walls of the airways and detect the precise location of lymph nodes. The lymph nodes can then be sampled using transbronchial needle aspiration (TBNA). EBUS-TBNA technology provides visualization of the target lymph node and the needle so that the physician can visually guide the needle in real-time to the intended site to obtain the sample. This technology also includes radial EBUS which enables physicians to more accurately sample lesions in parts of the lungs that are beyond the reach of a bronchoscope. Radial EBUS involves inserting a small ultrasound probe down a flexible bronchoscope. The resulting image is displayed on a monitor. When the scope is in the correct position, the probe is withdrawn and a biopsy sampling device is inserted down the scope to collect tissue samples for biopsy. EBUS-TBNA and radial EBUS are proven modalities for helping physicians diagnose and stage lung cancer and diagnose other pulmonary diseases. Both provide patients with a convenient, minimally invasive diagnostic procedure that can be performed on an outpatient basis. St. Francis Medical Center also offers a low-dose CT screening test for individuals who have a greater risk of developing lung cancer, as well as smoking cessation classes. By acquiring advanced technologies such as the Olympus EBUS Solution, St. Francis Medical Center is able to offer premier care for its patients. The addition of this new technology is part of St. Francis Forward, an $80 million, four-year capital campaign intended to revitalize the Monroe medical center and community.For more information about the new lung cancer diagnosis and staging and peripheral bronchoscopy

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capabilities, low-dose lung cancer screening or smoking cessation classes available at St. Francis Medical Center, visit stfran.com. ADDITIONAL LUNG CANCER INFORMATION Lung cancer is a disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the tissues of the lung. According to the National Cancer Institute, lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in both men and women in the United States. Common symptoms of lung cancer include: • A cough that doesn’t go away and gets worse over time • Constant chest pain • Coughing up blood • Shortness of breath, wheezing, or hoarseness • Repeated problems with pneumonia or bronchitis • Swelling of the neck and face • Loss of appetite or weight loss • Fatigue Most of these symptoms are more likely to be caused by something other than lung cancer. Still, if you have any of these problems, it’s important to see your doctor right away so the cause can be found and treated, if needed. Are you at risk for lung cancer? According to the American Lung Association, your chances of getting lung cancer increase when you are exposed to more than one risk factor. By eliminating your exposure to the following, you can reduce your risk: • Tobacco Smoke. It’s important to limit your exposure to tobacco smoke as much as possible by quitting smoking and avoiding exposure to secondhand smoke. Smoking is the number one cause of lung cancer and secondhand smoke can also increase a person’s risk. • Radon. This colorless, odorless, radioactive gas exists naturally in soil and enters buildings through gaps and cracks. You can buy a radon test kit at your local hardware store and test your own home. • Hazardous Materials. Working with hazardous substances such as asbestos, uranium, arsenic, cadmium, chromium, nickel and some petroleum products can be dangerous to your lung health. If you think you may be breathing in hazardous chemicals at your job, talk to your employer and your doctor to find out how you can protect yourself. • Family history. Genetic factors also may play a role in one’s chances of developing lung cancer. A family history of lung cancer may mean you are at a higher risk of getting the disease. If others in your family have or ever had lung cancer, it’s important to mention this to your doctor.

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

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, by visiting 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. 38 OCTOBER 2019 | WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM

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, and 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

Alumni Spotlight ULM Alum: Emily Ogden

GRADUATE OF RAYVILLE HIGH SCHOOL IN 2001, Emily Ogden knew she wanted to stay close to home for college. She followed tradition and went right out of high school, stayed in the education program for over three years before she quit and moved to Minden. She admits she felt lost, not sure if she wanted to be a teacher. After working in retail for eight years, she knew she was ready to go back to school. Now a mother and wife, she was ready to become a teacher. She continued working at Office Depot, went to class full-time, and managed to be present for her family at home. Her husband Daniel encouraged her dream, and his support was instrumental in her success. As a non-traditional student, Emily was more focused; she knew her goal and why she was at ULM. Kathy Smart teaches math at ULM. Emily struggled with concepts but would ask questions until she understood, and because of Emily’s perseverance, Kathy saw an opportunity. She encouraged Emily to teach math, insisting those who had to work hard at math concepts could most effectively teach them to others. Kathy was “teaching common core before common core existed,” frequently asking students, “Why do you think that? Explain how you got here.” Also from Richland Parish, Kathy told Emily she had a knack for justifying her answers, a benefit for student learning. The encouragement of a superior is essential to a student believing in herself. Dr. Shalanda Stanley taught Emily education classes. Her central theme was the importance of kids reading, that teachers must teach them to love it. It was on them to figure out how. She knew reading was central to learning all subjects. Stanley also encouraged high expectations for students. Educators often see up close the weight students have to carry and can be tempted to lighten their load by lessening assignments. Stanley claimed this did students an injustice, and Emily has seen the importance of high expectations in her classroom. Set the bar high, and students will rise to meet it. Experiencing college while balancing a job and a family taught Emily about balance and priorities. She started making lists, organizing items by level of importance. She still uses this tactic today in her career. Her friend called it “plate spinning,” and it’s imperative to Emily’s administrative role today. After graduation in 2013, Emily did her student teaching at Start Elementary, first in 2nd grade, then teaching 6th-8th grade math, and finally 5th and 6th grade math. Emily calls Start Elementary “the best school ever.” All the faculty and staff are like family, and the students and parents feel that. It’s a real 40 OCTOBER 2019 | WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM

“community school.” She then took a position at Rayville High School teaching math for half the day and acting as an instructional coach in the afternoons. She helped newer teachers with content, planning, and classroom management to further student outcomes. Emily thrives on helping other teachers, particularly in their first years when they’re the most vulnerable. In July of 2019, Ogden was named the 2020 Louisiana High School Teacher of the Year. She was awarded this title due to her work of mentoring young teachers, as well as holding high expectations for her students. This year, Emily began her new role as assistant principal back at her beloved Start Elementary. She’s still learning what is expected of her, but she knows how to support teachers, and that is primary. She is adjusting well to her administrative role, learning a lot she didn’t realize she didn’t know, but is most thankful to have the job she’s always wanted. Currently, she is pursuing her master’s in educational leadership at ULM. The 100% online class offerings are conducive to her family and work life. The professors are still hands-on; she knows she can reach out to them for advice or clarification or support. The skills she acquired in her previous degree are serving her well with her second. She knows how to prioritize, and most importantly, that she can. Again, her husband Daniel is supportive, encouraging his wife in her endeavors, a driving force behind her. He is there for both her and her son Brady. As she continues to spin plates, Emily is better learning her potential, that she is worthy of success, and that it is attainable. She’s thankful to ULM for providing the environment for her to grow and continue to climb higher in her career. 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.

Corn Chowd e r Ingredients: 5 slices bacon cooked crisp 1 medium onion chopped 2 cups cooked whole kernel corn (drained) 1 roll frozen cream corn (thawed) 1 cup cooked diced potatoes (drained) 1 1/2 cup half & half Salt and Pepper to taste SauteÂ´ onions in 1 tablespoon butter until gold brown. Add onions to all other ingredients except bacon. Bring to boil and simmer 10-15 min. Garnish with bacon and chopped green onions.

recipe by Evelyn Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Neal and photo by Kelly Moore Clark

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ar t i cle b y K enny C o vin g to n

FISHING

With Kenny

Fishing the Fall Turnover

very year on the lakes around the country there is a phenomenon that takes place called a lake turnover. This is caused by water temperatures being different at the surface and in the lower regions of a lake. The lighter and heavier water switch places which can make fishing a bit more difficult for a short period of time. On bigger bodies of water the actual time for a turnover is usually only a few days, so the effect on the fishery itself is actually minimal. Once the turnover begins, fishing can get tough because the fish are trying to adapt to a new sequence of events that can affect their normal feeding habits. Major rivers and lakes that have current continuously flowing through them do not have a turnover issue so their productivity is less affected. However those lakes that have a turnover can be a headache to a lot of anglers and a hard puzzle to figure out. But is it really? Studies have shown that, in reality, the difficult fishing caused by a fall turnover isn’t as bad as fishermen have led themselves to believe. Fishermen, especially bass and crappie fishermen, love to make excuses to explain their lack of success on the water. Everyone has heard the “wind out of the east, fish bite the least” saying but I have caught them just as good with the wind blowing out of the east as I have any other direction. No matter the conditions, the lake or the part of the country you are in, somewhere the fish are biting, even during a fall lake turnover. On each body of water there are three types of bass. You have the ones who stay shallow their whole lives. These fish have never seen water deeper than five foot and have no desire to go anywhere else to set up for the duration of their lives. You also have a group of fish that roam from deep to shallow and from shallow to deep. This group of fish is constantly on the move and tend to be the hardest to catch. The last group of fish are those that live in the deeper parts of any body of water, the only time they can be found shallow is during the spawning season. These fish are the ones who are mostly effected by a lake turnover. So now that we have discussed and addressed what a lake turnover actually is, what does an angler have to do to be successful during this process? First of all the correct mindset is the most valuable asset you 44 OCTOBER 2019 | WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM

can give yourself. Also, try to stick with lures and techniques you have the most confidence in. Always remember fish are biting somewhere, you just have to figure out where that is. Here are some suggestions that might help: • Since the fall turnover can affect the deeper water fish the most, let’s first put our efforts into shallow water. The first thing I want to do is seek out the best looking water I can find. If the water looks mucky with debris and grass clumps floating everywhere, I will usually bypass an area such as this because of my mentality when I see that type of water is, “there is no way a fish will bite in that nasty looking stuff.” As fishermen we have all had that thought. Instead of fishing an area you already do not have confidence in, keep looking for better water. • If you find an area where baitfish are spotted dimpling the surface in schools, this is your first indication that you may be in an area with better water quality and active bass. If you actually see active bass chasing and feeding on these schools, you definitely are in the right area. In the fall, schools of shad migrate to the backs of coves and creeks; a lake turnover will not stop this from happening. Find the baitfish, eventually you will find the bass! • From my own experience I have always treated the fall turnover similar to fishing after a major cold front. I tend to do better when I slow down and use more cover specific lures or if I use lures that can generate a reaction strike. Here are a few lures that I have found to work extremely well:

SWIM JIG

While a spinnerbait has always been a staple for fall bass fishing at times it can be overbearing and fish not react to them very well. This is where a Swim Jig can be deadly. It is subtle, allows the angler to cover water, and a simple case where less is more. A ¼ or 3/8 ounce jig is the prefect size and as long as it is white or shad patterned in color you are good to go. Trailers are usually the angler’s preference but I have found that I do better with the Strike King Menace grubs in either white or blue glimmer. Cast the lure around shallow grass, stumps, laydowns or any fish holding areas. A slow steady retrieve is usually all that is required to get bites

YELLOW MAGIC OR POP R STYLE TOPWATERS

These baits shine because it gives the angler a lure it can be effective in clear or stained water conditions. The slow cadence used with these lures make it easier for fish to locate and the appearance of a struggling baitfish gives them a reason to strike. The speed of the retrieve is critical so experiment until the fish tell you what they want. If they get too good of a look at the lure in clearer water situations they tend to flash on the bait or not take it, speed up the process. In dirtier water a slower cadence is best because it makes the lure easier for them to locate.

Rat L Trap

When it comes to getting a reaction strike for finicky bass, there is probably never a better lure made for this job than a Rat L Trap. It is the ultimate “fishing for dummies” lure. Just cast and reel and you can catch fish with a Trap. The key aspect for fishing a Trap during a turnover is the size of the lure. It seems the ¼ ounce chrome/blue version has put more fish in my boat than any other size and color. A key thing to remember about any rattle bait you throw is to make sure you change the hooks out for good EWG style trebles, this will put more fish in the boat for you. Well, it looks like we have run out of time and space again for another month. Hopefully we were able to shed some light on a topic that has been debated for years and has almost become overkill when the fall fishing funk happens. Be careful in the woods and on the water, and catch one for me!

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Audibel The Hearing Center Can I Wear Someone Else’s Hearing Aids?

T AUDIBEL THE HEARING CENTER, WE ARE THE hearing experts so we get asked a variety of questions when it comes to hearing aids and issues. One of the most common ones is - “Can I wear someone else’s hearing aids?” We hear different versions of this often. A family member has passed and someone else wants to use their hearing aids, or a friend is upgrading their hearing aids and has offered their current pair to you. It seems like a good idea, but it is not quite as simple as slipping on a pair of shoes. Let’s talk about some things to think about.

SUPPORT AND SERVICE ARE KEY TO SUCCESS If you can physically wear the hearing aids, you will still need to find a hearing professional to adjust and support them. It’s recommended that you get a full hearing and communication evaluation. Your hearing healthcare professional will then be able to determine if the hearing aids will work for you. If they can, he or she will be able to adjust the devices for your unique needs. This will typically be done for a fee. In addition, consider purchasing a service and support plan to allow long-term follow-up and care.

HEARING AIDS ARE MEDICAL DEVICES Hearing aids are medical devices that are regulated by the FDA. The FDA requires the manufacturer of hearing aids to keep records of which hearing healthcare professional the device was sold to, who the device was fit on, and every hearing aid’s warranty and repair history. This information is used to track any issues or recalls with the hearing aids. If someone else “inherits” the hearing aids, the registration — and any warranty — will be lost.

ANOTHER OPTION Finally, if the hearing aids cannot be used by you, another option is to donate them. There are several charitable organizations that will take donations of hearing aids and allow you a tax credit. Hearing aids are life-changing devices that should absolutely be squeezed of their usefulness. Just know they aren’t one-size-fits-all, so with handme-downs, “results may vary.”

HEARING LOSS IS PERSONAL Every individual’s hearing is unique to them. With hearing aids, this comes into play in a couple different ways — the physical fit of the aid and the wearer’s actual hearing needs. Custom hearing aids are uniquely molded to comfortably fit each patient’s ear — and even standard hearing aids typically feature custom ear molds. A custom molded product most likely will not fit well or comfortably in someone else’s ear. Some manufacturers may not remold a device for a different person because it is a medical device. Even if the custom component can be remolded, it may be cost prohibitive. As for your hearing, the likelihood that your hearing needs are the same as the original owner’s is very slim. This means wearing the device may not help. Hearing professionals fit and program hearing aids based on each person’s unique needs and the results of their audiograms and other hearing tests. For instance, one thing to be aware of is the amount of “gain” or how much louder the device amplifies sound. Having too much gain will make things too loud, which could be dangerous for your existing hearing. 46 OCTOBER 2019 | WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM

ABOUT US Audibel The Hearing Center is Northeast Louisiana’s Audibel dispenser. Cherry Phillips “The Hearing Lady” has been serving this area for over 31 years. We recently welcomed Jason Shevchuk to our team and he serves as a Hearing Instrument Specialist. Jason made his way to North Lousiana from Covington, LA and brings with him 11 year of experience. Jason is available in the Audibel Monroe office on Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays and the Audibel Ruston office on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. “I truly have a passion to help people hear better and I am excited to be a part of this community and help make a difference in people’s lives,” said Jason. “The Audibel team is a family and I am thrilled to join Cherry and the work she has been doing for decades.” You can call Emily, our Patient Care Coordinator, today to schedule your free hearing screenings or free second opinion. We also offer extended warranties and repairs on all makes and brands of hearing aids. You can find out more by visiting our website www. AudibelMonroe.com and you can see more and like us on Facebook. com/AudibelMonroe.

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Custom Carpets and Interiors Providing Northeast Louisiana with Quality Flooring

USTOM CARPETS AND INTERIORS PROVIDES Northeast Louisiana homes and businesses with quality products that include carpet, hardwood, laminate, vinyl and tile along with a team that will help you create a beautiful, custom space. Whether it’s new construction, a small upgrade or large remodel of your existing space, we can help bring your ideas and dreams to life all while working with your style and budget needs. SELECTING HARDWOOD Today there are more wood flooring options to choose from than ever before. At last count there were over 1,000 species of wood, cork and bamboo floors available. Wood is cozy, practical, and never goes out of style. A few things to consider when selecting Hardwood Floors: • Species: There are many species of hardwood. Each has its benefit depending on desired look, color, and durability. Not all species are equally hard. If your floor is in a high traffic area or a heavily used room then you should consider oak, maple, or ash. Traditional oak has more variations in grain and shade while maple is cleaner and more understated. • Color: Hardwood color can run from almost white to black, with browns, tan and grays in between. A medium color is cozy and rich. Dark colors are modern, chic, and expensive looking. Lighter colors create a spacious interior and a neutral design point. Species impacts color as some are naturally dark, such as cherry and walnut, or a light, less expensive flooring can be stained for any desired look. Keep in mind that it is better to create contrast between your flooring, walls, and furniture. • Width: Hardwood flooring is generally described by board width. A strip is less than 3” wide. Planks are 3” or wider. The width of individual boards has a dramatic influence on the look of your floor. Strips make a room look bigger. Planks have a more rustic feel. Keep in mind that wide widths will complement a large room but could overwhelm a small area. Hardwood Pro Tip: The lighting in your room also plays a role in how the wood will appear. Ask our experts for samples that you can take home before making your final selection. Installing a floor with the boards running across the width or on the diagonal of a narrow room will create a more spacious feel. SELECTING CARPET The right carpet gives a room more personality and makes it more comfortable. Understanding carpet construction is important for choosing the right carpet. A few things to consider when selecting carpet – room use, ease of maintenance, look 48 OCTOBER 2019 | WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM

and feel you want. • Texture: A Texture carpet is one of the most popular and well known. It is a cut pile carpet with tight crimps and alternating twists. This creates a casual and super soft feel. It is also known for hiding footprints and vacuum marks. It comes at multiple price points to fit the style and budget of anyone. Good for: high traffic. Informal look. Goes well anywhere in the home. • Saxony: Saxony carpet is dense and elegant. It looks like velvet and feels as soft. The yarn is level cut, with equal twists, and heat set for a uniform finish. This carpet has an expensive look and feel. Saxony is not recommended for high traffic areas since it will likely show footprints and vacuum marks. Good for: low traffic. Elegant spaces. Great for a master bedroom or formal living areas. • Twist/Frieze: The Twist, also known as Frieze, is a cut style with tight twists that bend away from each other and slightly curl at the end. It has a textured surface look, highly durable, and good for active areas in the home. Good for: high traffic. Contemporary look. Family and pet friendly homes. Commercial locations. • Cable: This carpet style is thick, long, and twisty. The yarn is cut at a variety of lengths. It is soft to walk on, but not good for high activity rooms, hallways, or stairs, due to its’ tendency for it to crush beneath the feet. Good for: soft feel. Bedrooms and low traffic areas. • Loop: A Loop carpet is an uncut yarn that creates a durable surface. It is easy to clean, holds up to wear and long lasting. Since seams are more likely to be visible, it may not be a good choice for stairs. Good for: active rooms. Casual look. Low maintenance. • Cut & Loop: Cut & Loop combines both cut and uncut loops to create patterns and textures. These styles can come in one color or in multiple colors. The advantages are they offer many different styles and looks, whether a contemporary and formal space is in mind. This construction of carpet can disguise stains and withstands wear. Good for: a variety of choices. Contemporary or formal areas. Hides soiling and regular wear. Carpet Pro Tip: Have you ever walked on a carpet and marveled at how soft it feels? That probably has as much to do with the quality of the pad, then the actual carpet. Good padding protects your carpet, makes it last longer and feel better. It acts as a shock absorber and protects carpet from the wear of everyday use. By determining which floor works best for your lifestyle and working with our team, your home or business will be inviting and stylish for years to come.

FLOWER ARRANGEMENT BY GREGORY HUDGINS

Purple Reigns

Designer Gregory Hudgins combines mini lavender chrysanthemums with tiny petals and petite foliage with white sunflowers, and dark purple scabiosa. Strategically placed okra pods add a fun and unexpected element to the arrangement, and well-curated vines bring the elements together in a simple, gold vase. PH OTO BY KEL LY M O O R E CL A R K

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FALL HOME ISSUE

DR IED FLOR A LS

This easy, DIY project is a great way to bring nature's bounty from outdoors to on your walls. Pick from dried herbs and fall foliage, to your favorite blooms or pressed flowers. There are no limits to the combinations of colors and textures. Let your kids get involved by letting them forage for plants and blooms to use. PHOTOGRAPHY BY KELLY MOORE CLARK

H ow to frame your florals Once you've chosen your blooms for the floral arrangement. These easy steps will turn your preserved foliage into beautiful hanging displays.

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1) Press your flowers in between pages of a book for a few weeks. This will help flatten them and dry them out before making your wall hanging.

3) Now that everything has been planned out, place foliage on clear glass frame with tweezers and use instant glass glue to secure the florals to the glass.

2) Once your florals/herbs are dried, start playing around with the composition.

4) Let the glue dry completely according to the directions before moving.

5) After the glue is completely dry, place the back glass to the frame and secure to the wall. 6) Enjoy your custom dried florals! It's super simple and fun for the whole family.

FALL HOME ISSUE

SANTA FE STYLE From pottery to wall hangings, pillows and tapestries, this southwesern-inspired dĂŠcor is available at local retailers. Photography by Kelly Moore Clark Blue pillow - Palette House, Aztec pillow - Sleepy Hollow, Blue and gold artwork - Cotton Port Antique Mall, Wall hanging - Woodstock Garden and Gifts, Vase with prayer beads Material Things, Woven bag - Three Threads, Pouf ottoman - Woodstock Garden & Gift, Capiz shell tray - Haven, Pottery - Palette House, Blue and white fabric - Fabulous Fabric

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ON TH E PORCH

FALL HOME ISSUE

More than a point of entry, the front porch is the first place to make a statement and personalize your space. Style is in the details â&#x20AC;&#x201C; a cauldron with an aged patina filled with pumpkins, planters with seasonal flowers and gorgeous planters lining the steps add a personal, meaningful design. PHOTOGRAPHY BY KELLY MOORE CLARK

1) Cast-iron cauldron with pumpkins from Cotton Port Antique Mall 2) Gold and ceramic vase and jute doormat from Haven 3) Lantern from Sleepy Hollow Furniture 4) Ring handle iron taper planter from Palette House 5) Hanging bud vases and pillow from Material Things 6) Chair and wood/metal stand from Sleepy Hollow Furniture 7) Plant in terracotta container from Woodstock Garden & Gift

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Pillow Talk

FALL HOME ISSUE

Fall in love with these plush pillows from area retailers. From marble-inspired prints to macramé, we are down for a pillow reboot. Photography by Kelly Moore Clark

Colorful pillow - Fabulous Fabric, Embroidered “C” pillow - Material Things, Long tassel pillow - Haven, Cross-stitch “X” pilllow - Woodstock Garden and Gift, Blue decorative pillow - Three Threads, Marble pillow - Sleepy Hollow, Macramé pillow - Palette House

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FALL HOME ISSUE

Deck the Walls

If your home is in need of a makeover, hit the refresh button on your artwork. Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t buy art to match your walls, buy art that speaks to you. Map out a hanging pattern by creating cardboard replicas and taping to your wall. Photography by Kelly Moore Clark

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A RT W O R K CLO CKW I S E F R O M TO P LEF T: 1) Haven - subtle abstract 2) Material Things- three small frames 3) Sleepy Hollow Furniture - framed agate slice 4) Woodstock Garden & Gift - nude painting 5) Cotton Port Antique Mall - painted wood frame 6) Three Threads - Sallie Anzelmo painting 7) Cotton Port Antique Mall - vintage photograph 8) Palette House - Robin Hamaker painting

What We Do

There is more than enough food in America to feed every man, woman and child, yet here in Northeast Louisiana, over 69,000 people struggle with hunger. The Food Bank is the largest hunger-relief organization in Northeast Louisiana, providing over 4.67 million meals to those facing hunger in 12 parishes. This impact is made possible through the generosity of our supporters, volunteers, food donors and community distribution partners. At the Food Bank of Northeast Louisiana, we believe no one should go hungry.

Our Programs

Partner Agencies The Food Bank of Northeast Louisiana distributes food to over 60 non-profit community partner agencies that operate local pantries, soup kitchens, shelters and other hunger relief programs. These agencies are located in neighborhoods throughout 12 parishes in Northeast Louisiana and serve low income people in need of food assistance. Senior Program

This program helps over 1,400 low-income senior citizens, aged 60 and older, stretch their food budgets by providing them with supplemental food each month. Seniors living on fixed incomes often have to choose between covering the cost of life-saving medications and buying the food they need to stay healthy.

BackPack Program

The BackPack Program provides children with nutritious and easy-to-prepare food to take home on weekends and school vacations when other resources are not available. We currently provide backpacks for 800 students every week at 20 Ouachita and Lincoln Parish schools.

Kid’s Cabinet

The Kid’s Cabinet School Pantry program distributes food right on school grounds—a readily accessible source of food assistance for low-income students and their families. Currently the program serves 3,000 children who attend 8 schools in Madison, East Carroll, and Union parishes.

How to Help Donate Money

For every $10 donated, we are able to provide 55 meals to those in need. Your contribution will make a real difference in the lives of hungry people living in Northeast Louisiana. Donate by mail or on our website. Donate food, organize or participate in a food drive at your school, workplace, or civic club. Visit our website for a list of most needed items and tips for planning a successful food drive.

Donate Your Time

The Food Bank could not be successful without the many wonderful volunteers that pack food for our Senior and BackPack programs, assist with office work and help at events. Call our volunteer coordinator or visit our website to learn more.

Open a Community Feeding Program If your church or non-profit agency would like to have a food pantry or a community meal program, we’d love to talk with you. We have information on our website that you can review to learn more, or please call 318-322-3567. Attend One of Our Events

We have events throughout the year to help raise awareness and funds for our mission. Visit our website or Facebook page for a list of upcoming events. FEEDING OUR COMMUNITY. FIGHTING HUNGER.

ASKING FOR HELP ISN’T A SIGN OF WEAKNESS article by Laura W. Clark

s a young professional, I found it easy to ask for help. Soon after I became the media relations director at the University of Louisiana at Monroe, I joined an email listserve for public relations professionals working in higher education. Each month, I sent hundreds of questions to colleagues all over the country. A former journalist, I had no experience in public relations, and I wanted to learn how to manage every challenging scenario. The research—in the form of invaluable advice from experienced professionals—made me more confident and better at my job. I found it easy, even instinctual, to seek help when I began my new career. However, as the years progressed, I found it increasingly difficult to admit that I needed guidance. I suddenly felt pressure (selfimposed) to be the expert in my field. I did not want to appear weak or ill-informed. Fortunately for me, I worked with a wonderful team of marketing and PR professionals who immediately volunteered when they saw me struggling. And it was easy to advocate for those staff members. I enjoyed promoting their strengths and talents because I wholeheartedly believed in their abilities. If they needed support, I tried my best to connect them with the relevant resources. But, I struggled to do that for myself. I knew I had to make a change. When dealing with a particularly tough public relations issue, I sought the advice of an articulate, accomplished, older female professional in my office. I visited her office and said, “I’m sorry to bother you, but I have a problem…” She immediately stopped me and replied, “Don’t ever apologize for taking action.” She became my mentor at that moment. She once advised me to negotiate for myself like I would for someone else. So, I developed a habit: I began asking a small group of female colleagues for their advice regarding both professional and personal situations. And a great thing happened: they began responding with their questions. My mentor would laugh and say, “No one knows what they’re doing 100 percent of their time; some are just better at faking it. We’re all learning every day.” A Harvard Business Review research report concluded that women 62 OCTOBER 2019 | WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM

believe hard work—not connections or relationships—will lead to their advancement. In reality, our professional network shapes much of our career. My mentor’s success helped me envision my own; her actions illustrated what my colleagues and I could accomplish. The below tips will guide you in finding a mentor who can positively impact your career. - Create a career roadmap. Record your professional aspirations, and update them regularly. - Study leaders—both at work and in the community—whose accomplishments you admire. Your mentor does not have to work in your field; she only has to be someone who shares your values and is accessible. Invite her to coffee, and ask her for guidance. Your relationship will grow organically. - When your mentor challenges you—and she likely will— persevere. - Serve on two community boards. Our community is always in need of fresh ideas, and participating in a non-profit allows you to network outside of your job. - Observe projects outside of your department, and volunteer for those that interest you. Not only will you learn new skills, but you will also inevitably interact with new colleagues. - Choose a few colleagues who work at your level, and don’t be afraid to seek their advice. They will likely reciprocate. - Be available to new hires, and be generous with your advice. I had the privilege of participating in ULM’s Mentorship Program in which I was paired with an energetic, ambitious, intelligent, enthusiastic, and creative young student. She reminded me of my own ambitions at her age, and she made me remember the power of optimism. Our partnership lasted two years, but the experience will stay with me for a lifetime. I am confident your mentors will enjoy similar satisfaction from working with you. Laura W. Clark, owner of Vivian’s Voice, LLC, a communications consulting company, can be reached at findyours@viviansvoice.com

THE NOTE

Meredith’s Musings

Almond Eyes |

By Meredith McKinnie

e buried my 25-year-old niece a year ago this month.. An appropriately overcast day, the sun refused to shine on our grief. I say our grief, but mine was less than others. This now-adult niece of mine, I hadn’t seen her in almost a decade. Members of the family were estranged, and as a result, so was she from us. When I think of her, I picture a ten-year-old with razor-straight brown hair and almond eyes to match her daddy, always piercing the recipient of her often cold stares, a girl smart enough to see the world for what it was and rebel against its harshness. I saw my brother’s grief camouflaged behind his welcoming smile. His skin is dark, leathered from years spent on rooftops. He radiates a warmth from piercing blue eyes that soften his sometimes direct words lathered in southern twang. He too has seen life’s harshness up close. He buried his own mother before his tenth birthday, an age when children know what death is, but shouldn’t know how it feels. His left arm ends just below his elbow, the result of a crash at 18. A passenger with two other boys, he’s the only one who now only waves with his right hand. I saw him use his half-arm to comfort his daughter’s mother, the two having reunited months before their daughter’s death. I saw my sister, who also lost her mother decades earlier, crying between deep breaths and smiling for the sake of people she hadn’t seen in awhile. I think, like me, she was feeling for her brother, for his loss. Parents shouldn’t have to bury their children. It goes against nature and the accepted order of things. People feel the loss of children so much harder because it forces them to imagine losing their own. And though the woman in the casket was in her mid-twenties, she was our brother’s little girl. And now she was gone. My brother and my niece’s mother asked me to write the eulogy. Though honored, I struggled for substance. I had to find out who she was, and then try to capture her essence in a few paragraphs. It felt right that they asked me, but disingenuous discovering the details of her life posthumously. On paper I was the right choice, but I felt my 64 OCTOBER 2019 | WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM

niece would think of me as an impostor. I somehow found the words. As people passed by the casket after the service, each stopped and hugged my brother, exchanged a few words, wiped tears. From the second row, I saw the same expression over and over, sadness for their friends and silent prayers of thanks it’s not them. The open casket served as a background to each embrace, my niece’s almond eyes forever closed. When an elderly lady stopped to hug my niece’s mother, I noticed her brightly colored nails, alternating orange and black on each finger. She would probably attend a Halloween carnival in a few days, perhaps hold her grandchildren a little tighter. At the graveside, the preacher reiterated the words from the church, of God’s healing grace and prayers of comfort. The green canopy arched over the freshly dug hole, alongside my brother and sister’s mother’s tombstone, my niece’s great-grandmother she never knew, erected 36 years ago, two months to the day after my birth. It was around Mother’s Day. I wonder if it was also overcast. I watched my niece’s two little children, a boy and a girl, five and four, squirm restlessly in laps on the front row. The stillness of the crowd, the tears in strangers’ faces must have confused them. As the people dispersed, I saw my niece’s son examining the casket held up above the dirt. He kept bending over, pointing in the hole, as if contemplating the rationality of his mother being left there. It didn’t make sense to a fiveyear-old. It didn’t make sense to me either. One day she was here, and then she was gone, and then we put her in the ground. My brother had sat in this same spot 36 years before as a little boy, burying his mother. I wondered if he had the same questions as his grandson, if he looked at the red dirt and the wooden box and wondered why. I walked back to the parking lot, listening to the crunch of rocks as car after car pulled away. My brother and niece’s mother climbed into his big white truck and disappeared behind the tinted glass. Were they glad it was over or scared of life without her beginning? I pulled away without an answer, and now a year has passed, and I’m still too scared to ask.

BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH

ctober is breast cancer awareness month. Chances are that someone you know has been either directly or indirectly affected by breast cancer. Thanks to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, the color pink is internationally recognized as the color of breast cancer awareness. So this month, let’s look at ways to memorialize those we’ve lost, honor those who endure, and celebrate those who survive by incorporating pink and pink-like hues into our landscape. There’s no better place to start than with the LSU AgCenter’s own Louisiana Super Plant selections. Let’s look at the pink annuals first, starting with the ‘Jolt’ and ‘Amazon’ series of Dianthus. Both are great cool season options for eye-catching, bright color. ‘Amazon Rose Magic,’ ‘Amazon Neon Cherry,’ and ‘Jolt Pink Magic’ are all varieties to look for in garden centers. Plant dianthus anytime between October and March spacing them 12 to 16 inches apart. Fall planting is preferred for a more spectacular early spring bloom. Like most other things, they need full sun and soil that drains well. The addition of finished compost to the soil will improve the soil’s workability and drainage. Expect these to get up to 16 inches wide, and deadheading will prolong the bloom. Don’t be surprised if ‘Jolt’ holds on into very early summer giving you more bang for your buck. Another cool-season, pink stunner is ‘Supertunia Vista Bubblegum’ petunia. Typically, petunias are used in hanging baskets or other containers. However, ‘Vista Bubblegum’ is a petunia for planting directly into a sunny bed in either early fall or early spring. Those planted in early fall will typically overwinter with light mulching and come out strong in spring with banks of bright pink, self-deadheading blooms that will leave you speechless. If using this

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LSU AG CENTER

petunia in a mass planting, give them plenty of room by planting on 18 inch centers. If used in containers, ‘Vista Bubblegum’ makes a spectacular “spiller.” ‘Supertunias’ are heavy feeders, so a two or three month controlledrelease fertilizer at planting with regular applications of a water-soluble fertilizer throughout the season will keep ‘Vista Bubblegum’ performing like gangbusters. A warm weather option for pink color is the ‘Serena Lavender Pink’ Angelonia. A more compact option is ‘Serenita Raspberry.’ Angelonias have no equal when hot weather color is the goal. Drought-tolerance is its hallmark, and a second flush of color can be expected with pruning them back in late summer. Angelonias are in full bloom when most other annuals look worse for wear due to hot temperatures and scarce rain. Plant in full sun, of course, with plants spaced 8 to 12 inches apart. Plenty of options in pink perennials are available, starting with my personal favorite, ‘Aphrodite’ althea. Also called rose-ofSharon, altheas have graced southern

landscapes for generations. ‘Aphrodite’ is a great choice because of it’s large, single blooms that are so pink you’ll need to put on sunglasses to look at them! A dark red eye in each flower’s center will attract an impressive variety of pollinating insects from spring to late summer. Use a single specimen of ‘Aphrodite’ as a focal point or space them out in a hedgerow that establishes a colorful boundary. ‘Aphrodite’ will tolerate a variety of soil types but will do best in a loamy soil with a pH between 5.5 and 7.0. Heavier flowering and a more compact growth will be achieved in full sun but light shade will be tolerated. Pruning during the dormant period is recommended because flowering occurs only on new growth. Flowers last only a single, but are quickly replaced, especially with consistent watering. ‘Aphrodite’ althea

“JOLT PINK MAGIC”

APHRODITE ALTHEA

“Let’s look at ways to memorialize those we’ve lost, honor those who endure, and celebrate those who survive.” “BELINDA’S DREAM” SERENITA RASPBERRY ANGELONIA is a can’t miss as far as this reporter is concerned. The coolest name award, without question, goes to “Flutterby Petite Tutti-Frutti Pink’ butterfly bush. ‘Tutti-Frutti,’ as I call it, is a compact version of the larger, sprawling Buddleias or “butterfly bushes” famous for attracting pollinators to our gardens. ‘TuttiFrutti’ hits peak bloom production during warm weather and, once established, is winter heady in our region. Deadheading will ensure pink blooms through fall. Soil pH should be in the 6.5 to 7.0 range, and a wide planting hole should accommodate the root ball. Space ‘TuttiFrutties’ a good 3 feet apart and count on a final height of 30 inches or less at maturity. Spires of pink blooms are produced in prodigious numbers for such compact, little shrubs. Give the ‘Pugster’ series of buddleias a look, too. For incorporating pink into shadier areas, go with ‘Penny Mac’ hydrangea. A variety of mophead hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla), is a vigorous shrub that will reach a final height of about 6 feet and a width of about 4 feet. ‘Penny Mac’ will set flower buds all through summer and may best be described as a “remontant” or everblooming variety, which is unusual in hydrangeas. Like most other hydrangeas, ‘Penny Mac’ prefers morning sun and afternoon shade. Avoid planting in south or west-facing areas for best performance. A well-draining soil is required as hydrangeas are susceptible to root rots if soils stay saturated. A healthy dose or organic matter worked into the soil will improve drainage. Bloom color is always of interest with mopheads. ‘Penny Mac’ is generally pink, but this may change if the soil’s pH creeps down (becomes more acidic). Working some lime into the soil will keep the pH high enough for consistently pink blooms. Eventually, the flowering heads will turn green and that signals the ideal time to prune them. First, cut off the faded flower head leaving as much as 6 inches of stem. These can be used in dried arrangements. Then, cut longer stems to the size desired. Do this in mid-July instead of in winter. What southern landscape is complete without roses? There are two great option for incorporating pink into your landscape. First, consider ‘Belinda’s Dream’ for pink double blooms and for durability

in our climate. One of the Earth-Kind ® roses, ‘Belinda’s Dream’ is an attractive, shrubby rose that has excellent disease resistance, fragrant blooms, and few maintenance requirements, which is always a win! Like with all roses, put ‘Belinda’s Dream’ in full sun spaced 4 feet apart, allowing enough room for a final height of about 5 feet. Work plenty of organic matter into the planting hole, and water consistently. Planting in fall or winter is always preferred. Let’s check the calendar! • October 3 - 10:00 AM, Louise Williams Branch Library, 140 Bayou Oaks Drive, Monroe, LSU AgCenter program on lawn care with a Q & A session. • October 16 - 2:00 PM, West Monroe Branch Library, 315 Cypress Street, West Monroe, program on bulbs for spring blooms with a Q & A session. • October 19, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM, West Monroe Convention Center, 901 Ridge Avenue, West Monroe, NELA Master Gardeners Association Fall Bulb and Plant Sale with St. Paschal’s Herbal Harvest & Original Arts and Crafts Festival. • October 26, 9:00 AM, Louisiana Purchase Gardens and Zoo, 1405 Bernstein Park Road, Monroe, Boo at the Zoo!

For advice on how to make your garden thrive, go to the Ag Journal page at www.myarklamiss. com and submit your questions.I’ll answer them every Tuesday on Louisiana Living!

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Bayou Pages

NIGHTSTANDS & COFFEE TABLES An American Marriage by Tayari Jones REVIEW BY MEREDITH MCKINNIE

“Six or twelve. That’s your fate as a black man. Carried by six or judged by twelve.” Tayari Jones’s novel explores being black in America. She strategically catalogues the perspectives of three African-American people with different backgrounds caught up in a friendship/ love triangle. They are each battling inner demons, all uniquely flawed and raw, but endearingly willing to live unfiltered. They love hard, they rage hard, they forgive even harder. Roy and Andre are trying to discover how to be black men in America, what it means, how best to navigate a society where some people view them as less than, on a constant quest to prove themselves. Celestial is battling being a woman in America, on a search for independence, yet confined by her culture’s common assertion that masculinity requires a woman’s submission. Both men are attracted to her independent spirit, yet challenged by her insistence on living independently. When Roy is wrongfully accused of rape a year into his marriage with Celestial, he is sent to prison for twelve years. Celestial is forced to face the vows she made, how much she actually meant them when they seemed like simple words. How much should a wife sacrifice? Must she serve her own sentence while he is incarcerated? She seeks solace in Andre who knows and cares for her husband, their mutual

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friend. How that relationship evolves and the reader’s judgment of it forces us to examine how we define love. When she visits Roy in prison, he says, “I know what true feeling looks like, but I know what obligation looks like, too. What’s in your face, that’s all duty.” Roy resents forced love, but refuses to accept that his wife’s love might be fading. This novel showcases the gritty reality of a flawed criminal justice system, particularly for people of color. It also extends those injustices to the family members, those not on trial, but forced to serve emotional sentences of a loved one’s absence. Celestial’s privileged upbringing shows both the pride and guilt of having more. When her father insists on taking his daughter to the projects, to remind her how good she has it, her mother chastises him saying, “This is how progress works. You have it better than your daddy and I have it better than mine. Don’t treat her like she stole something.” Jones’ style of writing does not rely on the reader liking her characters. In fact, she leads and ends with their flaws, asserting the weaknesses as the more interesting parts of humanity. Some might find the novel hard to relate to, but that may be a result of us too often relying on a character’s redemption. Jones does not wrap her characters or her story in pretty packaging to make us care. Instead, she forces us to face the truth of their experiences, for better or worse.

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ARTS & CRAFTED

MODERN

CREATIVE From hand-painted textiles to brightly-hued murals, Ashley Alford-Dollar is making a colorful splash in Northeast Louisiana

article by APRIL HONAKER photography by KELLY MOORE CLARK

onroe artist Ashley Alford-Dollar grew up in Baton Rouge, but at 19, she left Louisiana to pursue her dreams in New York. She had always wanted to leave home after high school but wasn’t sure where she would land until she discovered the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT). On a senior trip with a couple of friends, Ashley happened onto FIT while exploring New York, and it was truly eye opening. She had always loved fabrics and patterns and textures, but she had never imagined there was a place where she could actually study textile design. FIT was that place, and it satisfied her parents, as well. Ashley’s mom, Brenda Alford, always encouraged her daughter’s creative side and was creative herself. But at the same time, her parents wanted Ashley to have a plan. They wanted her to know what she would do for a living when she finished college. According to Ashley, textile design is a very specific field, but it offers a range of practical opportunities. “With textile design, there are a lot of things you can do that you wouldn’t normally think about,” she said. Someone designs the patterns on our bags, our clothes, our bedding, our curtains, and many more of the things we use every day. Ashley not only designs patterns for these types of things. She also paints everything from murals and canvases to curtains and pillows. “I think sometimes textiles get put in a separate category,” she said, “but they really are art, and a lot of time and effort goes into creating them.” Ashley doesn’t draw a line between textiles and fine art. “Even a canvas is a piece of textile,” she said. Although Ashley didn’t consider textile design as a career option until her senior year of high school, she had been preparing for it unknowingly for years. As a child, she loved to draw, paint, and make things. Like most kids, her mind was full of imagination, and her mom was always supportive, often joining her. The two of them would transform found objects that were given to Ashley by her school principal into works of art. When Ashley got a little older, she started to become interested in henna tattoos. “It’s quite an art form,” she said. While she was initially drawn to them for aesthetic reasons, she found herself compelled to learn everything she could about them—from the way the henna paste is mixed to the cultural significance and meaning of the designs. She learned that henna tattoos are part of an ancient Indian tradition more than 5,000 years old. Although the practice has made its way into mainstream culture, it continues to be used to mark celebratory occasions such as Indian weddings and births. The tattoos, which are temporary, can be applied almost anywhere on

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the body, but the hands and feet are the most spiritually significant. Traditional henna designs include paisley patterns, flowers, foliage, and various animals, each carrying a different meaning. When Ashley was in high school, she thought henna tattoos were “the coolest thing ever.” After educating herself and practicing them, she became skilled enough to offer the tattoos as a service to others. On weekends, she would set up booths at local and regional festivals or on beaches during vacation, and when she was in college, she supported herself by doing tattoos at corporate events and parties. She also used her knowledge and experience with henna to inspire a project she created for a competition in her rug design class in college. The theme of the project was “Eye on Indigenous,” and Ashley’s henna-inspired design performed well in the competition. Afterward, her work was kept as an example to other students. Today, Ashley rarely does henna tattoos, but they continue to inspire her work. In many ways, the rug design class and the projects she created in it were pivotal to her success as a designer. Her professor for that class became her mentor and friend and helped Ashley get started professionally. In fact, the two continue to keep in touch. After graduating from FIT, Ashley worked designing patterns for John Robshaw Textiles whose high-end linens and other items are heavily influenced by his travels in Asia, especially India. The job was a good fit for Ashley, and she gained a lot of experience before transitioning to rug design at Momeni rugs. At Momeni, Ashley was involved in every step of the process from design to manufacturing, but after 10 years in New York and 5 years commuting from Brooklyn to New Jersey for work, Ashley said, “I just got burnt out. I felt like that chapter was closing—like the glamour had worn away.” At that time, Ashley’s mom was living on the Northshore of New Orleans, and it seemed like a great fit. It was a lively, creative city, but not as busy as New York. Fortunately, Momeni allowed Ashley to work remotely, which made the move easier, but working remotely was not ideal, and the arrangement only lasted about a year before Ashley struck out on her own. She had already been doing a lot of commissions and freelance work, especially for interior designers, so the transition to being fully self-employed wasn’t hard. It also made her recent move to Monroe easier. However, according to Ashley, the one thing that is sometimes hard about this type of work is that you’re essentially creating designs for other people to put their name on. She said it’s cool to see her designs in stores, but she can’t say, “That’s my design.” At the same time, Ashley enjoys the work she does and acknowledges that this type of arrangement is common in her industry. Plus, she’s learned something from every experience. In fact, she thrives on collaboration. When she works with clients, she likes to get a sense of their space, who they are, what their needs are, and what their tastes are. For example, she recently designed

some custom wallpaper for the The Eli, which is located upstairs from Restaurant Cotton in Monroe. At the initial meeting, she learned that the owner wanted her to create something in keeping with the old, rustic feel of the building but with a refined, Victorian vibe. After meeting with him and seeing the space, she was able to combine his wishes with regional elements, such as cotton and magnolias, to achieve a look he was pleased with. Through a similar process, she designed a custom wall mural for Snaggle Dental, a pediatric dental office in West Monroe. Although these clients were very different, Ashley said, “I pride myself on being able to do a lot of different styles.” Because her experience is diverse, she’s become skilled at meeting her clients’ unique needs— no matter how different they are. For this reason, she said it’s hard to see a personal style in her work. She believes other people could probably look at her work and see similarities, but one of her goals for the future is to set herself apart more. “I want to get better at defining my personal style,” she said. “I want to lead with that more and have people be open to that.” Ashley’s custom wall murals and wallpaper are digitally printed by a manufacturer in Chicago. According to Ashley the paper is soft, thick, and durable with a bit of a vinyl feel. It’s perfect for virtually any space. But in addition to creating digital designs for homes and businesses, Ashley is also happy to design and paint by hand if her client is looking for something handmade. For example, she recently met with Pat Costanza of Monroe to create a piece of art for her new home. When Ashley walked into the space, the walls were white, literally a blank canvas, but Pat gave her some colors to work with, Ashley created a mood board, and they discussed elements of existing art pieces that Pat liked. Afterward, Ashley was able to create something that worked for Pat. The end result was a

A B O V E : Ashley loves to create bright, funky, pop-art inspired pieces. The murals at the end of Art Alley in Monroe are fun examples of her work in this bright and playful style.

of color to the Alley and enlisted the help of her husband Steven to execute her designs. It was a fun project for the two of them, and she believes the murals, which are uplifting for all ages, have infused new life and energy into the Alley. “I love seeing people enjoy them so much,” she said. Since creating them, she’s seen girls take homecoming pictures there, and women take birthday pictures there. They give locals a reason to come to Art Alley, and the possibilities to enjoy them are endless. Living nearby, Ashley said, “It’s so nice to be down here to witness things like this. I think it gives people a sense of community.” Even though Ashley takes her work at Nûby seriously and does a phenomenal job, it’s the creative work that she does for herself and her clients that truly fulfills her. “I don’t know what else I would do,” she said. “If I didn’t have to work, I would still make art. It’s something that is so ingrained in who I am.” With more than 15 years of design experience under her belt, Ashley has worked with a lot of clients, and she’s become very adept at working with trends. “I definitely let trends influence my work,” she said. “It’s essential to follow trends. They’re here whether you like it or not.” But the nice thing, according to Ashley, is that there will always be enough trends happening at any given moment that everyone can find something to suit his or her taste. Fortunately, Ashley is equipped to help clients discover where their taste and trends intersect. “I feel I’m very keen at spotting trends,” she said, “and I’m proud of it.” A B O V E : From murals to hand-painted textiles, Ashley Alford-Dollar finds joy in the work that she In the end, she synthesizes creates. These hand-painted drapes coordinate with art pieces that were meticulously created ideas from multiple places and puts a for a client in New Orleans. When the drapes were complete, Ashley had painted approximately unique spin on whatever trend she is 60 yards of fabric. responding to. “I think you’re always going to be influenced by something,” she said, “but that’s okay. It’s always large, fluid abstract piece filled with purples, taupes, and metallics going to be yours when it comes out in the end.” and finished with a coat of gloss resin. In addition to learning a lot about business and design along the Another project Ashley is especially proud of is a set of handway, Ashley has also learned a lot about herself and about life. She’s painted drapes and coordinating art pieces she made for a client’s learned to make joy a priority. “I would say that every project I have home in New Orleans. When the drapes were complete, Ashley had ever taken on is because I thought that I would enjoy it,” she said. “I painted approximately 60 yards of fabric, but the end result was, in would describe myself as a feel-good artist. If I like the sound of an her words, “show stopping.” For clients and interior designers who idea, project, or challenge, I will take it on because I love the process are looking for high-end, custom-made looks, Ashley is their person. of creating. Whether it’s canvas, textiles, wallpaper, or murals, I feel At the same time, Ashley loves to create bright, funky, popgood when I am creating, and that makes me happy.” art inspired pieces, and she would love to create more work for For Ashley, another key to being happy is enjoying the journey. children’s spaces. Being head of product development at Nûby in It’s easy to become obsessed with getting to the next big thing in Monroe, Ashley works with children in mind on a daily basis, so life—whether it’s graduation, a job, kids, or something else. But carrying that inspiration over into her creative endeavors would be Ashley said, “It’s about enjoying the process to get to those big an easy transition. The murals at the end of Art Alley in Monroe are landmarks of life and not letting those landmarks define your life.” fun examples of her work in this bright and playful style. She strives to approach life with a focus on the journey, although she When Ashley first moved to the area, she wanted to add a touch admits that doing so is sometimes easier said than done. WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | OCTOBER 2019 75

Dr. Henry Zizzi General Surgeon

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 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; he leads with his heart, as he knows many people walk into his office scared and concerned. Even minor procedures deserve a surgeonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;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 oneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;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

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he is so thorough in his explanations that he answers their questions 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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Holidays in CedarTown

Celebrating 30 Years as North Louisiana’s Premier Holiday Shopping Market!

OLIDAYS IN CEDARTOWN WILL OPEN AGAIN THIS year with - Take a Bunch to Lunch on Thursday, November 7th from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Ruston Civic Center. Gather your friends and colleagues and join us for lunch hosted by area chefs and restaurants while enjoying exclusive early shopping. The Lunch Bunch event includes music, door prizes, beverages and savory lunch bites provided by Crumbs Catering, Devine Wines and Spirits, Ponchatoula’s, Newk’s Eatery, Rotolo’s Pizzeria, Roly Poly and Uptown Downtown. Take a Bunch to Lunch tickets are $15.00 and must be purchased in advance as there are a limited number available. This is the perfect way to begin the holiday season and get a head start on your shopping while enjoying music, friends and a delicious lunch. The bonus for Lunch Bunch guests is private shopping before Holidays in CedarTown opens to the public on Thursday, November 7th, from 1:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. Avoid the stress of that last-minute shopping with one-stop shopping that includes an abundance of unique and extraordinary merchants from across the southeast. Holidays after Hours is Thursday evening from 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. featuring complimentary appetizers from Beau Vines, Ben Christmas Catering, Copelands, Iron Cactus, Social Bites, Portico, Roma Italian Bistro, Traina’s and Devine Wine and Spirits. The evening will also include live music and door prizes. Holidays After Hours is the perfect place to check off that shopping list while enjoying an evening of entertainment and a sampling of fabulous food. Admission is $15.00, and tickets may be purchased in advance with a limited number available at the door the night of the event. Whether you are shopping for a weekend chef, your mother-inlaw, the men on your list, your child’s teacher, or neighbor you are sure to find the perfect gifts all in one place. From fashion items to home decor, personalized items to toys and books, cowboy boots to specialty foods, handcrafted jewelry to outdoor living, your choices are limitless. Holidays in CedarTown is truly North Louisiana’s premier holiday shopping market. Our goal is providing our shoppers a unique experience and exceptional shopping. You will be able to enjoy the Take a Bunch to Lunch on Thursday featuring area chefs and restaurants, join us for Holidays after Hours on Thursday evening from 6:00 p.m. 8:30 p.m. and shop all day on Friday and Saturday. There’s no shopping like Holidays in CedarTown shopping!

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Bring your little ones out Saturday for two very special children’s holiday events. Jingles and Jammies is Saturday morning from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and this year will feature The Cajun Night Before Christmas story time along with breakfast and pictures with Santa. Admission to Jingles and Jammies is $10 and may be purchased in advance with a limited number available at the door. Saturday afternoon features Holiday Crafts and Treats from 2:00 p.m. till 4:00 p.m. where each child will complete a Christmas craft and enjoy a treat. Admission is $5 and may be purchased at the door. As is the tradition at Holidays in CedarTown we are once again inviting all area educators to join us for complimentary admission Saturday, simply present your employee ID at the door when you arrive. Just our way of saying thank you for your commitment and dedication to the children in our community. We also support the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs as they celebrate Homecoming and match up against North Texas on Saturday afternoon. All Tech fans wearing their Tech spirit wear will receive free general admission Friday from noon to 5:00 p.m. and Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Visit Holidays in CedarTown and it may just be your lucky day! Make sure you purchase a ticket for the iPad and Apple Watch Raffle. Tickets are $5 each or three for $10 and the winner receives both items. Who wouldn’t be delighted to find both items under the tree? Take a Bunch to Lunch, Holiday After Hours, Jingles & Jammies, and iPad/Apple Watch raffle tickets may be purchased in advance by calling Cedar Creek School or online at cedarcreekschool.org – click on the Holidays in CedarTown logo. Contact information is listed below. Holidays in CedarTown is a project of the Cedar Creek School Parent Club. For sponsorship, merchant or ticket information contact Cedar Creek School at 2400 Cedar Creek Drive, Ruston, Louisiana 71270. 318-255-7707 ~ www.cedarcreekschool.org facebook: @holidaysincedartown Cedar Creek School practices an open non-discriminatory admission policy.

Bayou Pages

NIGHTSTANDS & COFFEE TABLES Next Year in Havana by Chanel Cleeton REVIEW BY MEREDITH MCKINNIE “Havana is like a woman who was grand once and has fallen on hard times, and yet hints of her former brilliance remain.” Cleeton’s novel is a love letter to Cuba, the island and its people. It’s an adult kind of love, one acknowledging the country’s flaws: “To be Cuban is to be proud - it is both our greatest gift and our biggest curse.” The story is told through two women’s island experiences sixty years apart. Elisa, the grandmother, is forced to flee the only home she’s ever known at 19 when Fidel Castro’s regime takes over. Marisol returns after Castro’s death to spread her grandmother’s ashes on the island, honoring Elisa’s wishes. Marisol is curious about her heritage, having been raised on tales of Cuba, its beauty and its heartbreak. She meets the characters from her grandmother’s stories, the people who knew Elisa in her youth, the ones who can answer the questions Elisa never would. The narrative unfolds as if Elisa meant for Marisol to discover Cuba all on her own, to create her own love story, to connect organically with the island as she did. Elisa Perez is one of four sisters in a wealthy family, the target of revolutionaries who wish to overthrow Batista, the country’s corrupt president. Elisa acknowledges her family’s privilege, falling in love with Pablo, a revolutionary challenging everything Elisa’s father stands for, essentially fighting for their way of life to be exiled. Elisa admits to Pablo, “Perhaps our legacy will always be that we

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have more than we ever need in a country where many do not have enough.” She is torn between being a Perez and being a Cuban, saying, “We might not have fought in the mountains, haven’t held weapons in our glove-covered hands, but there is a battle in all of us.” Marisol travels to Cuba on a quest for identity. She knows only a life of privilege in America and is intrigued by a country that so fiercely held her grandmother’s heart. She stays with her grandmother’s childhood friend, forming an attraction to the friend’s grandson Luis, a revolutionary at heart who has witnessed the slow deterioration of his country but refuses to abandon it. She views Cuba in comparison to America saying, “The US isn’t perfect; there’s injustice everywhere I turn. But there’s also a mechanism that protects its citizens - the right to question when something is wrong, to speak out, to protest, to be heard.” She appreciates the freedoms of her own country while coming to understand a Cuban’s willingness to tolerate the flaws in his. Luis tells Marisol, “We grow where we are planted. This is our home, and we will die here.” The book is saturated in Cuban history and conflict, and as the stories of Elisa and Marisol are told in tandem, readers can feel like they are reading some chapters repeatedly. The plot does take a more surprising turn, but much later in the book. Overall, Cleeton’s weaving of history and heartbreak is impressive in its scope, though more of a lighter read.

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B AYOUKID Z

Something A LITTLE UNUSUAL The Earlier the Detection, the Better article by Cindy G. Foust

t’s here…fall that is. Except, just like last month, it still feels like we are in the dead of summer. Would the atmospheric gods please shine their cooler temp wand at us? Anybody got a connection? Anybody? I’m telling you, sitting in the stands watching my daughter cheer has been excruciatingly hot, to the point that I told my friends I would have two choices to get my jeans off: they would either have to be cut off OR I could just go to sleep in them, let them dry out and maybe try to peel them off. Yeah, both of those ideas are plausible. At any rate, I’m sitting home on this hot and humid Saturday morning, enjoying a football game and working on my column. I also have big plans for later this afternoon, and by big, I mean so big that I will have all my friends in the BayouLife community being peanut butter and jealous. What are those plans? I’m headed to the fair. Now, before the fair organizers send me hate mail, please know that no one loves the fair more than this writer. It’s true, it was something my family always looked forward to when I was growing up… every September my parents and their 82 OCTOBER 2019 | WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM

friends and kids all gathered at the gate of the fair for a night of the three “F’s,” food, fun and fellowship. But now that I’m older and I don’t ride and I’m always on a diet and there’s police officers on horseback, in golf

carts and sitting every 10 feet, it’s somewhat lost its luster. I’m sure I’ll be walking around in 105-degree weather wondering how the wheels came off the track and I got so lucky to be the “chaperone.” Anyway, back to watching football and getting mammograms. Wait. Oh, who cares how I got there, readers, that’s what this month’s column is about so let’s just cut to the chase and not beat around the bush. Last weekend I had the distinct privilege of being the team captain (I am after all, very busy and important) for my work’s team at the Race for the Cure event.

Many of you know I am a breast cancer survivor and I always try to participate in and support an event that supports breast cancer research. Why? Because breast cancer research made my diagnosis and prognosis possible… and I have had a very fortunate outcome. I think there’s lots of reasons for my good outcome, and I’m going to talk about a few of those in this month’s column. So, my October column is not really geared toward the BayouKidz, but to the BayouParentZ, rather. I can do that, right? It’s my column, and early detection is a platform I feel very passionate about. I’ve written one other column about early detection in the nearly 7 years I’ve been writing for BayouLife, and that was shortly after I finished my treatment. Fast forward seven years and I think it’s time I revisited the subject, so bear with me. This nudging, I’m sure, is a result of last weekend, because it’s very compelling to be part of Race for the Cure, whether you are a supporter or a survivor. Primarily because for just a few hours, time seems to stop and suddenly we are all on one team, standing in the park

in our pink, with our family and friends, with our pets, with our neighbors, and we are one. It feels very sort of comforting to be in a tent next to a family who are there to support their mother-in-law as she faces her battle. Or taking a picture with a fellow survivor/friend. Or walking beside someone wearing a t-shirt bearing the picture of someone who lost their battle. Or standing beside someone currently going through their own battle. In a word… inspiring. My own battle started with a symptom that was something out of the ordinary, something unusual that was happening to my body. I was alarmed, of course I was, but I went to the doctor right away and two and a half weeks from the day of my first symptom I had a diagnosis. I think this was one of the reasons for my good outcome, so I am encouraging you readers, to act promptly when you have a symptom that is out of the ordinary and don’t stop until you get a diagnosis. My late doctor, Dr. Michael Schwalke, never let me forget how important it is for women to have routine mammograms. He never stopped talking about the importance of acting promptly on a symptom. He devoted his career to research and furthering efforts to save more people’s lives who were in a fight against breast cancer. I was very lucky; my cancer was caught very early and I have been very blessed by my outcome. My surgeon was brilliant and provided excellent care to me. And as rigorous and difficult as my treatment was, it was minimal compared to what many survivors have to go through or are currently going through.

But in this month of awareness, where you will be seeing a lot of “pink” on football fields, advertisements and social media campaigns, do yourself a favor if you haven’t and schedule a mammogram appointment. Get that baseline test result and keep your yearly appointment. Hey, I get it, those tests are no fun and can be compared to having your breast slammed in a refrigerator door. Wait. Can I say that in this column? It’s the truth though, but the reality is this test saves lives and should be revered rather than dreaded. Also, don’t put off going to the doctor if you are experiencing symptoms that are inconsistent with good health. The earlier the detection the better. Dr. Schwalke told me once, that the patients they couldn’t save were the ones who didn’t have their routine mammograms or ignored their symptoms. These simple words and these simple actions can save lives. Today’s column is not my normal, but it’s an opportunity to use my voice to help my friends and family in the community that I love so much. It’s a chance to be that voice in your head to make your good health a priority and use the valuable resources we have available that could potentially save your life. So, get off this page and move into action. Make your health a priority. Be an advocate, not just for a breast cancer symptom, but for any symptom. Good health is our most valuable asset and the best thing we can do is be proactive in our endeavors to stay healthy. 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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I REMEMBER as I stood in the pulpit of St. Mary’s Church in Wittenberg, Germany col u m n by PAUL L I PE

I REMEMBER that, as I stood in the pulpit of St. Mary’s Church in It was not Luther’s design to start a new church, but he was Wittenberg, Germany, I felt an overwhelming respect and appreciation seriously concerned with what he saw as theological and moral flaws for Martin Luther. St. Mary’s, constructed in about 1280, is the oldest in the Roman Catholic Church in which he was born and in which building in Wittenberg – and it was here that Luther preached most of he served. He was driven by a commitment to the authority of the his sermons. The original pulpit from which Luther proclaimed the Scriptures which held his conscience captive – this commitment would Gospel has been preserved and is on display at Luther House (located put his standing in the Church and his life in jeopardy. By exposing a short walk from the church), the largest Reformation museum in the his apprehensions relative to the condition of the Church, he drew world, and though the pulpit in which I stood was not the same one the wrath of his superiors. A Papal Bull was issued which threatened from which the great Reformer preached, still there was as awareness Luther with excommunication if he persisted in his “rebellion.” In that the history of the Western world was greatly impacted by the man defiance of the Pope, Luther burned the bull on December 10, 1520. who guided this congregation over five centuries ago. Shortly after this, his excommunication was carried out on January 3, Significant changes were taking place in the Roman Church in 1521. Then he was summoned by the Church and the Emperor to give the 1500’s, and happenings at St. Mary’s played a major role in what an answer for what he had taught and written. At his trial (the “Diet was developing. It was there that the Mass was first celebrated in of Worms”), he refused to recant his writings and was condemned by the German language – prior to that, only the court. Fortunately for Martin Luther, Latin was accepted -- and there, the first his protector, Frederick the Wise shielded Protestant worship service, led by Martin the reformer from his foes. By this time, Luther, took place on Christmas Day of the Roman Empire was but a shadow of its 1521. These and similar events justify former glory and was not able to counter calling St. Mary’s the “Mother Church of the growing independence of the German the Reformation.” princes, so, unlike John Huss, who, a little You might be wondering, “What has over 100 years prior, was condemned by stirred this pattern of thinking in the writer’s the Emperor and the Pope and was burned mind?” Well is was during this month, on at the stake, Luther escaped the fury off October 31, 1517, that something occurred his antagonists and lived to help shape the which was earth shaking. Unfortunately, early history of the Protestant Church. if you consult a calendar and check out the In addition, by his translation of the 31st, all you will likely see is “Halloween” Old Testament into German, he was – that does not stand a ghost of a chance instrumental in helping codify the (excuse the pun —you know, “Halloween” German language and in advancing the and “ghost”) of comparing with what growing nationalistic spirit that further “LUTHER WAS HERALDED AROUND took place in Wittenberg on that same date diminished the power of the Empire. A THE WORLD AS ONE OF THE MOST in 1517. History reports that, on that day, couple of years ago on the 500 hundredth INFLUENTIAL INDIVIDUALS.” Luther posted the now famous “95 Theses” anniversary of the posting of the 95 theses, on the door of the Castle Church, located Luther was heralded around the world about a fifteen minute walk from St. Mary’s. These 95 statements as one of the most influential individuals who was responsible for were concerned with critical and divisive issues facing the Church of shaping the culture of Western Civilization. So, on October 31st, I will Luther’s day and were intended to be topics of debate for students at be celebrating Reformation Day instead of Halloween. the university where Luther taught. However, due to the availability Given the climate in the world of our day, it might be appropriate of the printing press, which had been invented about a century earlier, for us to pray that God would favor us with another man like Martin this document was printed and soon spread all over Europe, causing an Luther. Sadly, since the Lord and His Word have been relegated to uproar throughout the Church and eventually leading to the Protestant a position of insignificance in the minds of many “moderns”, such a Reformation. person might well be “burned at the stake.” 84 OCTOBER 2019 | WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM

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Create Your Dream Home McLarrin Flooring and Counter Tops Offers Quality Products and Service

CLARRIN FLOORING AND COUNTERTOPS IS owned and operated by the Hughes family. Candy Hughes began working in the business in 1990, and she eventually purchased it in 2010. It is truly a family business with both Candy’s daughter and son working in the day-to-day operations. Jennifer is their interior decorator and works full-time at McLarrin’s while Clay works with a company that does geological mapping of the ocean floor. When he is stateside, he works in both the showroom and with installations. The Hughes family is very excited about welcoming the third generation to be part of their McLarrin team. Adrian, the oldest grandson at age 17, began learning office management during his summer break from high school this year. The other grandchildren soon to follow are: Landon age 14, Justice age 9, Chandler age 7, and Barrett and Tesley both age 5. They are proud to see the family business continue with the next generation. With an abundance of product knowledge, McLarrin’s offers gorgeous flooring products to fit every need and budget. If you are looking for flooring, there is no need to look any further. They have it all! Carpet, ceramic and porcelain tiles and planks, pavers, tumbled stone, hardwood, and both click-lock and glue-down vinyl tiles and planks can all be found at McLarrin’s. They have the perfect product to fit your personal style, sure to provide everything you could want for flooring in your home. Why stop at floors? They also have multiple countertop surfaces to choose from - natural stone such as granite and marble, along with man-made quartz! You are sure to find the perfect countertop material. They also have laminate to look like granite if you want the look without the pricetag. They can finish off your fabulous new countertops with a tile backsplash designed just for you! Does your bathroom need a facelift? McLarrin’s offers custom cultured marble that can be poured in fifty different colors with 50 different combinations. With 2,500 options, who could not find the perfect one?

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Looking for an upgrade? They custom design and build ceramic tile showers, tub decks and surrounds. The possibilities are endless. Zero entry? Walk-in showers with no doors? No problem! If there’s ever a time to put away the design magazines or switch from Pinterest and Houzz, it’s when you’re adding the finishing touches to your home. This is the time to inject your own personality. Renee Walker is their experienced Interior Designer. Whether you need window treatments, bedding, furniture or accessories, Renee’s your girl! She can help you pull all the design elements together that reflect your personality and fit your lifestyle. Tammie McCaa is the newest member of the McLarrin team. She is always cheerful and willing to go the extra mile to make sure your experience at McLarrin’s is the best. They invite you to stop by their showroom to help welcome Tammie to the industry. Installation is so important. Owner Candy Hughes has always said a bad installation can make the most beautiful flooring look horrid. That certainly won’t be the case if you choose McLarrin’s. Candy’s installation technicians are clean cut, personable, welltrained and experienced. Brian Eppinette and Paul Carter are the best in the business at installing all the products that are sold at Mclarrin’s. You can rest knowing that you are in good hands with these guys. The Hughes family takes great pride in their excellent customer service. They take time to listen to your wants and needs. They can begin helping you as soon as you get your blueprints. Early planning and decision making helps alleviate the stress that often accompanies building or remodeling. McLarrin’s wants you to enjoy the construction process and look forward to each day with excitement! Holidays are fast approaching. If you are thinking about a fresh new look for those special gatherings of family and friends, stop by and see the staff at McLarrin’s to reserve your place in their schedule today! They are looking forward to working with you!

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2nd Annual Bowl & Bling The Wellspring’s 2nd Annual Bowl & Bling presented by Trinity Diamonds Direct took place Saturday, August 17th from 7 – 10 p.m. at Bayou Bowl. The adult only event was to benefit The Wellspring Alliance for Families. The night was full of bowling in the black lights while listening to a variety of great music by DJ TBayB. The bowling event had some delicious food thanks to Fieldhouse Bar & Grill and drinks from Marsala Beverage. The Wellspring is Northeast Louisiana’s Accredited Sexual Assault Center and serves as the lead agency for The Family Justice Center of Ouachita Parish. They would like to thank the community for their continued support and everyone that participated in the Bowl and Bling.

On the BayouScene 1 Courtney Kinman and Rachel Niblett 2 E mma Loyless and Leslie Bauman 3 Robyn Johnson and Valerie Bowman 4R eeves Davis and Sydney Aulds 5 T eri Holifield, Jo Thomson and Teri O’Neal 6R odney and Caroline Cascio 7C arolyn McFarland, Kaitlin Arnett, Julie Salter, Hannah Boone and Mike Anderson 8 L arry Bratton, Christy Gwin and Pam Bratton 9 J ared Fields, Dusty Hampton and Jake Maxwell 10 C assy and Ryan Futch 11 T ammy Jones and Angela Martin 12 S teve and Sally Sutherland, Whitney Martin, Sandy Savage and Robert Owens 13 C hris Nadler, Anna Clair Nadler and Joseph Hinds 14 T rinity Diamonds Direct 15 T he Wellspring

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FOU How do you know a band is about to throw down some tasty tunes? Is it in a densely stacked stage, multiguitar stand with resophonic and electric guitars at the ready, band logo brandished on a kickdrum, or a lead guitarist coolly styling shades throughout his set? While all of the above is true of local Louisiana-style, blues-rock band, Four on the Floor, the unexpected signal to their musical performance comes down to four microphone stands on the floor—an emblem of a band made-up of powerhouse frontmen.

The men of Four on the Floor have ran in the same music circles for over twenty-five years. “It’s kind of a running joke in the band today. We would say: One day we’ll be in a band together,” explains Dave Reeves, the band’s drummer. Time was on their side starting in 2014 when Reeves and guitarist Danny Lee Witherington formed Blues Heals with blues harp master Dave “P’Mo” More, joined later by current bass player Kenneth Sanders. In 2017, the core of the band moved in a slightly different direction, incorporating more original music and drawing deeply into their Louisiana heritage. “Everything clicked” when current guitarist and songwriter Toby Traylor joined, finalizing what is now, literally and metaphorically, Four on the Floor. As a collective, the band

OUR came up with about twenty names for their new project, but instead of the back and forth of deciding what moniker would be a suitable fit, they left it to the fans. Twenty names got narrowed to ten, consisting of ones like Mojo Rising and The Parish Battery, but it seems that the best choice is sometimes the most obvious.

Fluent with their instruments and their individual vocals, the band acts more like a collective than a band, standing out with their use of fourpart harmonies, uncommon for most bands. “It’s challenging and it’s fun. It’s something we’re really proud of,” says Reeves, who has idolized bands like King’s X that has three members taking part in the vocal arrangements of most of their songs. “Us being able to vocalize is like having another instrument or another fifth member,” adds Traylor. Each member is known for a distinct vocal slant that ends up in the groove of the band’s hounding, swampy sound. According to Sanders, Traylor is the Marc Broussard of the band. His “Louisiana, downsouth, gritty, adjective, adjective, adjective”

ON THE FLOOR

A R T I C L E B Y VA N E L I S R I V E R A PHOTOGR A PH Y BY A NDREW BA ILEY

reminds Sanders of “old man vocals,” distinct in its deep raspiness. “He can sing really high too,” Sanders adds, revealing that when pushed Traylor can produce “golden notes” half a step from his comfort range. The band’s vocal jack-of-all-trades is Reeves, “the all around quintessential musician,” says Sanders. Though he shines when he digs into oldschool rock and roll tunes, he can do any genre and style. “He’s got that pure tone and harmony range,” explains Sanders, stating that he can go from high to mid range and at times ventures into weird thirds and fifths. Witherington is the same way, particularly with southern-rock oriented tunes, mentions Sanders: “Gosh, that guy’s been singing for a hundred plus years. How can you not be good?” Finally, Sanders brings the hard rock to the mix. He often buckles down in the back-up parts, finding what sounds “cool.” He says, “I love singing the high stuff. To me, that’s a challenge and I accept it.” Their combating tambors, the Cajun versus the rock and the rock versus the hard rock, are a wall of sound that pulses. And even when the style of a song shifts through genre, only one genre remains. “We all have the blues,” exclaims Sanders. Their musical influences follow different veins like zydeco, blues-rock, second line New Orleans style, as well as “anything steeped in the blues.” But in the end, the band members are just “Louisiana boys from the Delta,” at least according to Witherington. Even then, they try not to reside in a single genre, especially when it comes to their original material. During the songwriting process, Sanders brings the darkside in the form of punk-rock metal. Meaning, he runs an overdrive in bass sound which provides a buzzy distortion and more modern spin to traditional blues scales. On Witherington’s original “Southern Pride,” he uses some of that bass overdrive to make the song heavier to add more weight. “Mostly bass is clean, which I admire and use eighty percent of the time, but I like to flip over to the dark side and make it nasty,” emphasizes Sanders. Though the songs he writes for the band are heavy rock-based blues, he appreciates the band’s blues base because it’s what he grew up on: “It was my introduction to music. This brings me back to the initial love for music that I have.” The prevalent mutual respect the bandmates have for each other allows the writing process to be cohesive. “We just kind of write and let it happen,” says Reeves, adding, “there are no big egos or weak links within the band.” When the band first got together, they mutually agreed to focus on original material while navigating the delicate balance between working covers and originals. In 2018 they released an eleven-track LP titled Straight Outta the Delta. Not just an ode to “hard core blues,” it’s also a testament to their experiences. 94 OCTOBER 2019 | WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM

“All the songs that I draw from are from personal experience,” says Traylor, who is the main driving force on much of the band’s lyrical material. Many of the songs from their last album are ones he’d been working on for a few years. As far as personal favorites go, Traylor leans toward “Run Baby Run,” a rock ballad that he affirms speaks for itself and focuses on disagreements experienced in romantic relationships: September winds are blowing / Back here again / I know we’ll make it baby / When will this winter end? “That one, in particular, turned out really well,” he adds. Favoring punchier melodies, Sanders’ favorite on the album to play and sing is “If I Had My Way.” It’s the bluesiest song on the album: I pawned my pistol, baby / I pawned the land / I pawned that busted up tractor / With my demons in my hand. For the first time in his twenty-something years of playing, Sanders felt he wrote “a monumental bass line that every bass player in the world would be proud of” on that song. Accustomed to creating music parts from riffing, in “If I Had My Way” he constructed his bass part note by note, an out of the norm feat that delineates the overall feel of the song.

THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IS TO SERVE THE MUSIC. WE PLAY FROM THE HEART. A new album is currently in the works, and while it remains untitled, Traylor promises that it’s a divergent take on their usual. Unlike the songs from their last record, the new songs have been incorporated into their live sets which allows them to refine and adjust before recording at Space Labs, Sanders’ personal recording studio. “This time we wanted to play them live and let them come together as they will. We’re a lot more focused this time, really serving the music,” says Traylor. On the surface you might categorize the band as rock-based blues, but the new album extends further into their mindfully constructed arrangements, some of which may inspire listeners to do a double-take. “We are also doing a reggae song for the next album, but it has our feel to it, that spice that we like to put on it,” reveals Traylor. Titled “No Incident,” the song is one from Traylor’s archive. He was just “pulling things out of the bag,” but as soon as he played it, his bandmates lit up. Not only did they feel that this is the “reggae moment,” but they loved the idea of doing something unexpected. Instantly recognizable from it’s jumpy relaxed feel, the genre does justice to the song’s introspective focus on the human desire to contemplate changing the past.

“We’re like every other band,” says Reeves. They want to play “big shows” and be on the road, but in the same respect, they’re not oblivious to the realities of the music world. “At this point, we just want to do what we do. The most important thing is to serve the music,” he says. Focused more on performance than promoting, they strive to be their own “musical self,” says Witherington, also noting that they don’t concern themselves with the pop scene whether it be country or anything else: “We try to create our own style of music. We play from the heart.” Four on the Floor works hard on and off stage to make sure people have a good time, letting the music drive them. In their words, they feature a “blazing twin guitar attack over a tight, driving rhythm section.” To appreciate local music is to appreciate this “groovin’, funky Louisiana original!” Follow Four on the Floor on Facebook to keep an eye out for the release of their new album and give their music some love on Spotify and iTunes.

More Than You Imagined Southern Bath & Kitchen Can Help Prepare for the Holidays

S THE WEATHER BEGINS TO CHANGE THE HOLIDAY season begins to filter into our homes and our daily lives. People tend to start decorating for fall and as it gets colder outside they spend more time at home. October is the perfect month to renovate, redesign and restyle your home for entertaining family and friends for the holidays. Imagine everyone gathered around in your new kitchen while you cook a fantastic dinner with your new appliances. Imagine relaxing after busy weekend of holiday shopping in your new Kohler tub. Or imagine everyone gathered outside by the fire while you and your family grill in the outdoor kitchen. Southern Bath & Kitchen can help get your home to where it needs to be. GE To some the kitchen is the focal point of the home. GE Café™ Pro range is part gathering place, part centerpiece – and all you need to create culinary works of art. Café ranges take center stage in any modern kitchen with their unique finishes and customizable hardware. The chef-inspired slide-in ranges are available as gas ranges, electric ranges, and dual-fuel ranges. You’ll make restaurant-quality meals with true European convection ovens, heavy-duty burner grates, induction cooktops, LED backlit knobs, and synchronized elements to heat large pots or griddles. Select ranges include WiFi Connect to allow you to control functions from your smartphone. Get the look of professional kitchen appliances with all the features you want. At GE they make appliances that work in service of you. By understanding exactly what you need — and exactly what you don’t. With features and design born from real life. Because when they build our world-class refrigerators, dishwashers, ovens, washers and dryers — what they are really creating are good things, for life. VIKING PROFESSIONAL The Viking Professional outdoor products offer everything you’d expect to find in a kitchen – except the walls. Gas grills, charcoal smokers, and electric smokers raise the sacred art of barbecue to new heights – while outdoor warming drawers, refrigeration, and ventilation redefine “cooking out.” Of course, our heavy-duty gas grills are the pinnacle of barbecue, but you might be surprised to find products like warming drawers, under counter refrigerators, and even vent hoods in the backyard. Mother Nature likes to entertain too. 96 OCTOBER 2019 | WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM

Viking’s dedication to innovation and the development of new technologies has dramatically improved the quality, performance and functionality of our products. Viking products sold today have been reengineered to ensure the best performance, safety and durability. KOHLER A soaking, or standard, bath is designed with deep bathing wells and ergonomic contours shaped to hold the body for comfortable, deep soaking. You can enhance your soaking experience by choosing a bath that features one or more hydrotherapies and upgrade features. Kohler has led the way in technology, engineering and design in one of the most important areas of the home—the bathroom. With each innovation, Kohler has revolutionized gracious living with intuitive products and forward-thinking design solutions that inspire beauty. Kohler seeks to deliver the best in both design and experience in every product it develops, which is why people have trusted the Kohler name for more than a century. Whether you are getting ready to break ground on a new home or simply getting ready for the holidays, Southern Bath & Kitchen’s friendly team can assist and help you make your dream home a reality. With all of the products and options for you home at Southern Bath & Kitchen stop by and find what is perfect for you, your family and your home. Southern Bath & Kitchen has been in Northeast Louisiana for OVER 40 YEARS. They were one of the first plumbing supply houses in the Monroe area. Bath. Kitchen. Appliances. Outdoor. With fantastic personalized service and unparalleled industry expertise, Southern Bath & Kitchen is here to help. Give them a call at (318) 387-9184 or visit them online at southernbathandkitchen.com. Appointments are appreciated.

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First Orthodontic Visit

The Right Time for an Orthodontic Check-Up is No Later than Age Seven

VEN THOUGH MOST PEOPLE THINK OF PRE-TEENS AND teens when they think of orthodontics, there are good reasons your child should get an orthodontic evaluation much sooner. The American Association of Orthodontists recommends a check-up with an orthodontic specialist no later than age seven.

• Orthodontists can spot subtle problems with jaw growth and emerging teeth while some baby teeth are still present. • While your child’s teeth may appear to be straight, there could be a problem that only an orthodontist can detect. • The check-up may reveal that your child’s bite is fine. Or, the orthodontist may identify a developing problem but recommend monitoring the child’s growth and development, and then if indicated, begin treatment at the appropriate time for the child. In other cases, the orthodontist might find a problem that can benefit from early treatment. • Early treatment may prevent more serious problems from developing and may make treatment at a later age shorter and less complicated. • In some cases, the orthodontist will be able to achieve results that may not be possible once the face and jaws have finished growing. •Early treatment may give your orthodontist the chance to: - guide jaw growth - lower the risk of trauma to protruded front teeth - correct harmful oral habits - improve appearance - guide permanent teeth into a more favorable position - improve the way lips meet. • Through an early orthodontic evaluation, you’ll be giving your child the best opportunity for a healthy, beautiful smile. Because patients differ in both physiological development and treatment needs, the orthodontist’s goal is to provide each patient with the most appropriate treatment at the most appropriate time.

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SO WHY CHOOSE TURPIN ORTHODONTICS? Not only are both orthodontists members of the American Association of Orthodontists and graduates of LSU orthodontics 2 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. 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. Getting started with braces or clear aligners has never been easier! Come experience Turpin Orthodontics for all your orthodontic needs. Call for a complimentary consultation today! 318-699-9699.

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Caney Lake Properties

Tammy Gunter is Both a Resident and Realtor Extraordinaire When It Comes to Lake Life

OUISIANA IS KNOWN AS SPORTSMAN’S PARADISE and there is no area that fits that statement better than Caney Lake - one of the most amazing lakes for fishing and recreation. It has been a hidden gem until recently. Built in 1986, Caney Lake is located in Jackson Parish and even though small, it has continued to grow in popularity. Caney Lake continues to hold the state record for largemouth bass at 15.97lbs. and 6 of the top 10 state records in Louisiana. Jackson Parish, named “The Sunshine Parish” after former governor Jimmie H. Davis and Charles Mitchell designated “You Are My Sunshine” is one of the official state songs, has truly lived up to its name. Jimmie Davis State Park on Caney Lake offers camping, cabins, a beach and a splash pad for children. Caney Lake, being just over five thousand acres, allows the locals to recognize each other by their boats and you will receive a hand wave as a welcome on the lake. Local residents will tell you it’s a community, not a town. You will notice when exploring the lake, that it is more of a residential lake than a “camp” lake. Caney Lake offers medium size homes as well as luxury, milliondollar homes. And if you are in the market for one of those homes, Tammy Gunter with Vanguard Realty should be the first person on your list to call because she is the expert in all things Caney Lake. Tammy lives on the lake herself which allows her to assist buyers with differences in areas on the lake, the community they are considering, and helpful neighbors contacts once you get settled in. Not only does she reside at the lake, she is involved in the community. She is founder and president of Ladies of the Lake, an organization that assists with community projects throughout Jackson Parish. Just one of the many efforts they have participated in is the Jackson Parish First Responders BBQ on 9/11, Senior bags for elderly residents and raising money for the annual Fourth of July fireworks show. Tammy covers 17 parishes in Northeast Louisiana, but the Caney Lake area is her specialty for sure. “I know buying and selling a home is an emotional experience, I see it everyday,” says Tammy. “Having the right agent to help you with every step is very important. I am sure to help my clients as they start and end this journey. So whether you are looking for your primary resident or vacation home, I can help find the right home for you!” Tammy has a variety of homes listed throughout the lake area and would love to show you what the lake life has to offer. 436 HAILE ROAD This home completed a professional renovation in 2016-2017, delivering another wonderful home for lake 100 OCTOBER 2019 | WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM

living. Nestled on Smith Branch, this home is protected by a metal seawall already in place and delivers two walkout piers, a private boat launch and an enclosed boathouse with three boatlifts. After a day on the lake you can return to the wrap around porch, sit by the saltwater pool, relax in the new hot tub or just hang out in the pool house, that has a new roof and granite countertops. There are no sleeping concerns with five bedrooms, three and half baths, not including pool house. Not only has it been turnkey renovated, but comes furnished, so you just have to bring your swimsuit. This home also features two Rinnia tank less hot water heaters, new windows throughout the entire home, mosquito system, video security system, two new central AC units, a metal roof, a dream kitchen with island and crown molding. So bring a few friends or bring them all, you have the room at your new lake front home. 162 BRECKENRIDGE DRIVE This spacious four bedroom home has the most spectacular lake views. With an open floor plan, the living room and kitchen are show stoppers. Custom cabinets, ceilings, crown molding, 8-foot doors and a large yet cozy banquette are some of the stunning features you immediately notice. The layout of this home makes it ideal for entertaining. Located on the opposite side of the open fireplace is a movie/ game room the entire family and friends can enjoy. With large walk-in closets in every bedroom as well four additional large closets, this home has ample storage. The master suite boasts jaw-dropping views and a master bath that will make you feel like you are at a spa! With a luscious green yard and a 3-slip boat dock, sundeck, storage room and seawall, this home truly has it all for the optimum experience of Caney Lake Living. The kitchen features include island prep sink, ice maker, Jenair oven, 6 burners, warming drawer, full size freezer/ fridge side by side, pot filler water faucet and a walk-in pantry. Living and family rooms feature 108-inch Screen projection in family with surround sound, crank windows w/ screens, stained concrete floors, brick double sided fireplace and cypress crown molding. Other amenities include 1000 gallon propane tank, sprinkler system, separate AC/ Heating units, metal roof, 4 tankless hot water heaters, spray foam insulation, fiber high speed internet and jacuzzi tubs in all bathrooms. Whether you are a looking for a weekend getaway house or your forever relaxing home to retire in, Tammy Gunter with Vanguard Realty can help you find your house to start your lake life!

Taking the Time for Perfection Jonathan Hill Construction Creates a Colorado Lake-View Home “WE STARTED LIKE MANY PEOPLE START, WITH PICTURES of other homes and designs,” says Kathi Barnhill, recent home owner of an impressive Jonathan Hill creation. Inspired by forty acres of a country lake backdrop, Kathi and husband Terry decided to honor the beauty of their surroundings with an illustrious craftsman-style lodge distinguished by large cypress beams, smooth stone exterior, vaulted ceilings, and stained wood verandas. Only nine months into their residence, they still consider their picturesque retirement lodge brand new. “It hasn’t even had time to get dirty yet,” claims Kathi. Though the building process took ten months, the Jonathan Hill Construction team eased the Barnhills into what would become a refreshing change. A native of Colorado, Kathi naturally gravitated toward the “natural stone look,” so when her husband found a lodge-look with a high cathedral veranda, their design process steadily evolved, resulting in a rustic-chic take of the mountain-home aesthetic. Their next step was to find a contractor, and that ended up being an easier choice than anticipated. The Barnhills considered the right fit someone reputable, that could execute their vision, and that could efficiently keep communication open. Jonathan Hill Construction fit the mold. “I loved working with his crew. No question was ever off limits,” she says. “A contractor is only going to be as good as who he pulls in.” Jonathan’s outstanding work ethic, also simulated by his mindfully chosen subs, was greatly appreciated by the Barnhills. Building a house from start to finish requires ample communication, which is a tremendous job itself, but that’s Jonathan’s prowess. “He wouldn’t let me get ahead of the process,” she says. Surrendering to the building process can be a tough lesson to learn, especially when looking through blueprints the first couple of weeks. “You kind of get uptight thinking you have to have it all made upfront,” says Kathi. This is when patience and understanding also becomes part of the process. “He took the time to meet me where I was,” she explains, figuratively and literally. Jonathan would meet her to view stone and granite samples, walking her through the intricacies of construction with the intention of accurately capturing her vision. Kathi’s home-goal was to be able to walk through her front door and 102 OCTOBER 2019 | WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM

instantly be pulled to their lake-view. An open living room space and “gigantic” stained windows successfully centerpieces the lake, accomplishing her vision. “The bottomline is that he took our vision and executed it with precision in a timely, professional manner.” The complexities of the building process are staggering, but Jonathan’s team is prepared to guide you through the nooks and crannies of an ultimately worthwhile experience. The Jonathan Hill Construction assurance is three-tiered. Their “eye for design” marries the structural details of constructing a home with a passion for design. Going “the extra mile” means that they are willing to create design selections for their clients and work alongside them from preparation to completion. Staying up to date on the latest trends, current laws, and state of the art technology is their “homework” to constantly better aid their customers to make informed decisions on everything from paint colors and light fixtures to appropriately sized air conditioning system. While Jonathan Hill Construction cannot “guarantee a perfect experience or a flawless home,” they profess their desire to give their clients both. The company’s goal is clear: to exceed customer expectations in quality and customer service. Don’t assume you can’t afford Jonathan Hill. Visit the Jonathan Hill Construction website to learn about the different styles and sizes of homes that fit a widerange of budgets. The overwhelming list of testimonials on their page show a succession of accolades describing satisfaction with Jonathan’s team, appreciation of a smooth experience, and gratitude for an outstanding finished product—custom homes for custom lives. Clearly, the Barnhills’ experience with Jonathan Hill Construction is just one among many that amplify Jonathan’s ability to breathe life into your plans. To view more designs please visit their website at JHillConstruction.com. Or you can simply call 318-372-2002 for more information or to schedule a meeting and make a game plan. Jonathan Hill Construction is ready to help you get your dream home.

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Bayou Pages

NIGHTSTANDS & COFFEE TABLES Alligator Zoo-Park Magic by C.H. Hooks REVIEW BY MEREDITH MCKINNIE “The carelessness of belief in magic was much at odds with the precision of an illusion...Jeffers was making something. He built something big where nothing much was.” Hooks’ debut novel is a carnival ride of sorts through a southern town saturated in poverty and unapologetic about its willingness to settle in to its makebelieve version of reality. The characters are animated, validated by each other, uninhibited by pretense, social standards, or judgment. As in any microcosm, they are all searching for something, though seemingly unaware of their desires beyond the attainable high, greasy food fix, or confrontation. Jeffers is the often physically absent focus of the novel, told through his best friend Judd’s perspective. The opening scene is Jeffers hanging by a rope above the swamp before being willingly lowered into the congregation of alligators below, creating a feeding frenzy and presumed dead by the townspeople who have come to admire the local “magician.” The town experiences a great loss, and the second part of the book is Judd and his friends grieving someone they admired. Biblical elements littered throughout the text raise Jeffers to a Messiah of sorts, one who’s legend becomes more exalted after his sacrifice. Jeffers had also promised his friends he would return, as he did after most of his death-defying tricks, so they’re hopeful. Judd particularly struggles, seeking solace in Miriam, Jeffer’s girlfriend, for lack of a better word. The two are desperately searching for reasons to continue hoping, their world only making sense with Jeffers in it.

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For me, reading this book is like glimpsing a different world, one I’m aware exists, but a reality hand I wasn’t dealt. I imagine others might recognize family members, friends, even themselves in these characters. Judd’s description of a jaunt into town mirrors how one might feel ankle-deep in this book: “My white socks had turned green from a swamp puddle or something I’d managed to trounce through and I lost my left house shoe.” While there’s a realness to their everyday existence, the characters are just living, the only way they know how. Some semblance of wanting more is evident in their adoration of Jeffers, the one who’s smarter and more talented, and seems to be staying by choice. The humor balances out the tragic loss. Miriam has a pet alligator named Chewey, a gift from Jeffers when she had asked for a baby. Miriam’s trailer serves as a meeting place, where Jeffers would most likely turn up. The air conditioning is always broken, the people so accustomed to the insufferable heat that only a few even notice. Judd describes it: “Miriam’s place was a turd in a tuxedo. She had new siding and a roof that leaked.” The absurdities forced on these characters manifest into unexplainable, yet predictable behavior. They find beauty in the ugly: “There was something downright beautiful about a cup of coffee tasting like a cigarette.” Hooks paints a colorful moving picture of wanting, loss, and the depths of human emotion in a satirical, gritty package.

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Upcoming Events in Ruston Wine Walk, Football Festivities and More

HE FALL EVENT SEASON IS IN FULL SWING IN Downtown Ruston. Between football festivities and gearing up for crisp autumn nights, there are several exciting events for Ruston’s residents and visitors to enjoy this fall. The most anticipated event of the season is the first ever Downtown Wine Walk happening on Friday, October 11th from 6:00-9:00 p.m. This walking wine tasting event will take attendees from business-to-business in Downtown Ruston, where they will find paired snacks, entertainment, live art demonstrations, special deals, and more fun. This event makes for a perfect girls night out or a memorable date night. Tickets are $15 and will be available for purchase on-site in Railroad Park beginning at 5:30 p.m. the day of the event. A ticket includes 15 wine tastings and a keepsake wine glass. With 24 participating downtown businesses to visit, wine walkers are sure to enjoy this unique, interactive wine tasting event. More information on this event can be found at www.facebook. com/downtownrustonla. Another Friday night event you don’t want to miss is ARToberfest on Friday, October 18th from 5:00-10:00 p.m. at the Ruston Farmers Market. This beloved beer-tasting event is presented every year by the North Central Louisiana Arts Council (NCLAC) as their premiere fundraiser. Offering a great selection of craft beers, live music, and food trucks, ARToberfest is a highlight of the fall in Ruston. NCLAC is celebrating “10 Years of Beers” for the 2019 event, which is sure to include even more beertastic festivities and celebrations. For details on this event and to purchase tickets, visit www.nclac.org. A staple of the fall event season, the Ruston Makers Fair will take place on October 26th from 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. at the Historic Fire Station. Explore works from talented artists, artisans, and makers all while enjoying music, food, kid’s activities, and more. Celebrating its fourth year this fall, the Makers Fair will incorporate a Halloween theme complete with a candy walk, photobooth, spooky stories, and more tricks and treats. But as we know, it’s all about the makers (and makers of all types). This year’s event will feature an all-new pizza makers showdown. A fall favorite, this signature downtown event is one that you absolutely don’t want to miss! And of course, be sure to bring the kiddos out to Downtown Ruston’s single largest event on October 28th – the Annual Monster Mash, a community-wide trick-or treating event hosted by local downtown merchants. Kids are encouraged to dress up in their best costumes and come downtown for trick-or-treating from 4:00-6:00 p.m. Spooky tunes and activities are sure to keep your littles entertained! 106 OCTOBER 2019 | WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM

Downtown Ruston and Experience Ruston have teamed up to bring Louisiana Tech fans Loyal Blue Weekends, which take place every home-game weekend and feature family-friendly activities, pep rallies, downtown events, tailgating, and much more football fun. Loyal Blue Weekends kick off on Friday night in Downtown Ruston. An outdoor pep rally with Louisiana Tech spirit groups begins at 5:30 p.m. in Railroad Park. Lawn chairs and blankets are welcome as you cheer on the Bulldogs. Following the pep rally, stick around for special downtown events, including the Downtown Wine Walk, ARToberfest and a Downtown Movie Night. Another new event this year, the Downtown Movie Night will take place on Friday, November 8th from 6:00-9:00p.m. in Railroad Park. In celebration of homecoming, there will be a pep rally and homecoming court presentation at 5:30 p.m., followed by a free family-friendly movie in the park. We’ll end the evening with a lively Late Night Pep Rally featuring Louisiana Tech Spirit groups and the Band of Pride. This will be an ideal evening to bring the entire family out for football fun, fall weather, and a special movie viewing experience that everyone is sure to remember. Loyal Blue Weekends continue on Saturdays with shopping, dining, tailgating and more festivities. The City of Ruston will once again offer the “Tech Trolley” service for all six of the Bulldog’s home games at Joe Aillet Stadium. Using iShuttle Transportation Service, the “Tech Trolley” will run continuously from the Trolley Stop in Railroad Park on Vienna Street in Downtown Ruston to the Davison Athletics Complex. Signage showing the pickup and drop-off locations will be available on game days. The “Tech Trolley” will begin running three hours prior to kickoff and will run continuously up to one hour after the game ends, providing fans plenty of time to tailgate in Bulldog Village before kickoff. The “Tech Trolley” is a quick, easy way to avoid the hassle of game day parking and will take priority over all other traffic in route to Joe Aillet Stadium. Fans are encouraged to end their Loyal Blue Weekend experience on Sunday with Bulldog Brunch. Select local restaurants will be offering your favorite breakfast items, traditional brunch dishes, and more. For more information on Loyal Blue Weekends, visit www.experienceruston. org. Look for us in the November issue to see about all the holiday happenings taking place in Downtown Ruston this year. In the meantime, be sure to follow Downtown Ruston on Facebook and Instagram for more information on these and other downtown events.

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Grand Opening Amazing Lash Studio

MAZING LASH STUDIO, THE NATION’S LARGEST and fastest growing eyelash extension franchise beauty brand, will open a new studio at the Corner Shoppes on Tower Drive in Monroe, LA. This will be the first Amazing Lash Studio in Louisiana. To celebrate, the studio is hosting a Grand Opening and Ribbon-cutting Event on Friday, November 1st at 10:30am, welcoming neighbors and local businesses to the new studio to mingle. There will be complimentary food and refreshments, as well as giveaways. The new location at 2020 Tower Drive, Suite 101, allows customers to truly enjoy the franchise of the revolutionary eyelash extension concept. The studio is locally owned and operated by Emily Stansbury and Darrell Nordan. “After visiting an Amazing Lash Studio in Houston, TX, I knew I had to bring the studio to Monroe, LA.” shared Stansbury. Amazing Lash Studio brings their clients the highest quality and safest products on the market to provide a safe and comfortable experience with every visit. Our passion and talent for lash styling includes precision and elegance that creates long-lasting beautiful eyelashes. Stansbury is a native of Richland Parish. She serves in the United States Army Reserves as Captain. She is married to Bill Stansbury. They have two sons and a daughter-in-law. She is no stranger to the business world. Eleven years ago, she and her family opened two Anytime Fitness gyms in Richland Parish. She co-owned and operated Richland Hospice for 10 years that offered wonderful services helping patients during their last moments of life. She is a nurse practitioner in surgery at Richardson Medical Center, Rayville, LA. Darrell Nordan is the CFO for a Standard Wireless Group, LLC a Telecommunications Construction Company based in West Monroe, LA. He has been associated with the Telecom Industry for over 15 years He has 5 years where he worked in the Healthcare Sector as Vice President of Operations for an independent healthcare medical group. He currently serves as treasurer and is on the executive committee and board for the West Monroe/West Ouachita Chamber of Commerce. His passion is to grow Monroe/West Monroe local economy and to provide jobs. He is married to Terri Nordan. They have two daughters. “I am excited to be partnered with Emily on this venture, for her passion for people and ‘can do attitude.’ I am proud to bring a new business, jobs and opportunity to the area that will deepen our partnership with the people of Ouachita parish and the surrounding 108 OCTOBER 2019 | WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM

areas. With this new expansion we are committed to cultivating the specialized beauty care sector and workforce for our area,” shared Nordan. Lashes are offered at affordable price, a full set is only $89.99 and refills are only $69.99 when you join the maintenance program. They have four styles: natural, gorgeous, sexy and cute. No matter what style, it’s the same price. They also offer upgrades and the new featherweight lashes. Lastly, a volume lash would be perfect if one desires a fuller look for perhaps a special occasion. ABOUT AMAZING LASH STUDIO Founded in 2010, Amazing Lash Studios apply semipermanent eyelash extensions with a proprietary, patented process to the clients’ own lashes, replicating the curve and size of natural lashes. The brand’s highly trained stylists are licensed estheticians or cosmetologists, dedicated to ensuring customers receive the ultimate lash extension and Lash Lift treatment. This year, the brand landed No. 4 in the Franchise Times Fast & Serious, No. 71 on Entrepreneur’s Fastest-Growing Franchises ranking, Amazing Lash Studio is the nation’s leading eyelash extension beauty brand, with 230 studio locations across the U.S. Notably, the brand has a patented application process and arguably the most rigorous training program in the industry. Eyelash Extensions are a popular beauty must-have for women of all ages. Full, beautiful lashes make every woman feel gorgeous all day, plus lash extensions and our Lash Lift cut down on time in your daily beauty routine. Amazing Lash Studio is filling a gap in the industry by making the service available to the masses with its more accessible price point. For more information please call (888)404-LASH or visit AmazingLashStudio. com. “We saw a huge opportunity to open the studio in this area, and we’re excited to be first to market here in Louisiana,” shared Emily Stansbury. “It’s wonderful to be able to open a small business that offers an amazing product that makes women feel beautiful and to provide great jobs to the area.” Amazing Lash Studio is located at 2020 Tower Drive, Suite 101, Monroe, LA 71201, next to Javi P’s. The studio is open Monday through Saturday 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Be sure to follow Amazing Lash on Facebook and Instagram.

The Coolest Event - Chillfest This year, August froze over in downtown Monroe, LA. A cold snap hit on Saturday, August 24th welcoming the start of ChillFest, the coolest event in Northeast Louisiana. Families and friends got together for frozen drinks, snow flurries, and winter-themed sports. They had an awesome Freeze Tag tournament, and a curling event for teams to participate in. Attendees caught snow flurries throughout the day definitely cooling them off from the hot sun that day! The festival finished with a concert by The Cleverlys at Aubrey Hall.

On the BayouScene 1 Jim Kolinski and Tina Turek 2 J ason and Sarah Duke 3 Amy Hobbs and Dawn Fall 4 S tella, Beverly and Heather Land 5 J ulia Vanchiere and Martha Vanchiere 6C andi Rodgers 7D awn Harper and Dana Benson 8 T ravis Bookout, Oliver Bookoutt and Lauren Bookout 9P hyllis Burt and Chasity Knight 10 I antha Thomas and Tyra Thomas 11 R hea DeOliviera and Charlse DeOliviera 12 K ellie Grubbs and Ashley Grubbs 13 A manda Roe 14 C hristopher Stutts and Linda Ross 15 T ommy, JoErin, Avalyn and Caroline Perkins 16 T ia Sinclair, Adrienne LaFrance-Wells, Stuart Hodnett, Aundie Brown and Tabitha Birdwell

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Black and White Ball

On Saturday September 14th, Bayou Pointe hosted the 15th annual Black & White Ball. Attendees were treated to an elegant, fun-filled evening including complimentary beer & wine, decadent food selections, Las Vegas-style casino gaming with unique prize packages, plus live music to keep everyone dancing the night away. All proceeds went directly to benefit the Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Advocacy Center of Northeast Louisiana. It was definitely a night to remember and all for a great cause!

On the BayouScene 1 Janna Robinson and Scotty Tuma 2D avid and Mary Kathryn Crigler 3 Whitney Jackson and Malerie Gwin 4 J ennifer Graves, Tiffany Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Neal and Anna Grimmett 5D oug and Jodi Harvey, Brittnay and Quentin Durr 6C herie Donias with Julie and Heber Tuft 7 E ric and Pam Maunz 8A my Robinson and Jessica Storm 9 F riday Ellis and Bill Krutzer 10 V ickie Krutzer and Ashley Ellis 11 A my Sawyer and Jason Tiser 12 D avid Cole and Jim Cox 13 K ara Sims, Alpa Patel and Simran Emaus 14 C anandra Phillips and Anthony Garrett 15 Belinda Crymes and Pat Costanza 16 A nya Fulco and Chelsea Wyatt 17 J eff and Elizabeth Guerriero 18 M ichael and Mary Margaret Hildebrand

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Drug Awareness Week October 23rd - 31st BY THOMAS ESTIS, PH.D.

CTOBER 23RD–31ST IS DESIGNATED AS NATIONAL Red Ribbon Drug Awareness Week. Red Ribbon Week originated honoring DEA Agent Enrique Camarena who was kidnapped, tortured, and murdered while working undercover in Guadalajara, Mexico. Citizens in his home town of Calexico, California donned the ribbons to emphasize the need for increased drug awareness and prevention efforts. In 1988, Red Ribbon Week, sponsored by National Family Partnership became a national campaign. Agent Camarena made the ultimate sacrifice to prevent the expansion of the sell of drugs which kills thousands of lives annually. What if Red Ribbon Drug Awareness Week became a Personal Recovery Awareness Week? The invitation would be to extend awareness to every person and family who has a family member suffering from alcoholism or addiction. Agent Camarena was horribly tortured by his captors for 30 hours prior to his death. How many persons and families are being tortured within the incarceration of alcoholism and addiction? How long will the agony transpire? Does it stop for the family members who lose loved ones to alcoholism and addiction? If Red Ribbon Week became Personal Recovery Awareness Week, it would begin with the question, “Am I becoming the person I was created to be?” Do you recall the recall the story of Goldilocks and the three bears, three beds, and three bowls of porridge? The number three signifies absolute. Goldilocks, in her selfish imposition upon others, was endeavoring to reach absolute decisions. Everyone has an undeniable absolute choice to make: what type of person shall I become? Will I be as Goldilocks, selfish, self-seeking, self-delusional, and self-whining in self-pity due to the external comforts being less than perfect? The potential selves are: The Ideal Self – the optimum self-one can become; the Real Self–the self whose behaviors consistently reflect thoughts and feelings; the Perceived Self–the self who one sees oneself to be which may not be accurate; and the Despised Self–the one who is lost in shame and guilt. The Despised Self repeatedly fails and disappoints self by consuming alcohol and/or drugs, and destroys possibilities of ever being the Real or Ideal Self living a rewarding life. The success of life is determined by successful decision making and failures are directly related to poor decision making. Goldilocks represents the selfish-directed decision making personality. Most, if 114 OCTOBER 2019 | WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM

not all persons who become chemically dependent, can be traced to poor decision-making skills. Selfish-directed personalities tend to use emotional responses to feel “good” in the moment, without being considerate, considering the potential cost to self or others. After a number of years of poor decision-making based on emotions (and the consequent failures), a person’s sense of self-worth becomes very low and they suffer from low self-esteem, chronic shame, and feeling inferior. The selfish-directed personality who becomes chemically dependent will reach the awful awakening described on page 151 of the Alcoholics Anonymous Big Book, the hideous Four Horsemen – Terror, Bewilderment, Frustration, and Despair. It describes the experience Goldilocks had awakening to see three bears staring at her. No one desires for one’s life to be lived in resignation to grief. Recovery and the journey to discovering one’s ideal life begin with surrender. True surrender is not simply surrendering to the external life circumstances but the surrender of one’s will. Surrender encompasses surrendering for deliverance from the alcoholism/ addiction and surrendering to devotion to recovery. Once this is actually done, surrender affords the first step to a victorious life. Chapter six in the Book of Revelation describes The Four Horseman: The White Horse, the rider is carrying a bow, is the false Christ representing Conquest; The Red Horse characterizes War; the Black horse signifies famine and disease; and the Pale Horse denotes death. A life referenced by anything other than truth will result in conflict and war, famine and disease, and ultimately death. A life referenced by alcohol or other drugs results in apocalyptic judgment and condemnation. Modern ribbing-cutting ceremonies indicate new beginnings. The ceremony is reminiscent of wedding customs that symbolized the start of a marriage. Perhaps, Red Ribbon Drug Awareness could symbolize new beginnings being united with love, faith, and hope for you or a loved one. Let us help you achieve your optimal self. Aimwell Addiction Recovery Center affords individual, family, and group counseling along with medical assistance empowering one to begin that journey. Contact us at 318.816.5329, 1106 Stubbs Avenue, Monroe, Louisiana.

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Welcome to Floorworks Northeast Louisiana’s Largest Showroom and Selection

NJA AND LEW LYLES, OWNERS OF FLOORWORKS IN West Monroe, want to invite you to come visit their showroom. If you have been battling with your self about remodeling, or are about to begin building your forever home, now is the time to take action. Floorworks has the largest showroom, biggest selection and friendliest staff in Northeast Louisiana. Anja and Lew would love nothing more than to help you create a space you can be proud to call home. Not only floors, Floorworks specializes and installs custom showers, counter-tops and back splashes. They strive to make the selection process as easy as possible by having large displays in the showroom and a trained staff that can help keep you with your options and keep you organized. The team at Floorworks works hard to be up-to-date on the latest style trends and being knowledgeable on the ever changing technology in the industry. They can help you make the perfect decision when it comes to your needs and your homes needs. One of the most popular trends in flooring and home building is wood-look floors. But within the wood-look flooring world there are unfathomable options. From materials, colors, patterns and more it can be quite overwhelming. The team at Floorworks can help you narrow down exactly what what would best fit in the space, your budget and your style. Floorworks has the highest quality products to choose from. They are proud to offer the finest porcelain from Italy and Spain and wood options from all over the world. Thousands of colors, quality and texture options in carpet and many products proudly made in America. And of course Floorworks has the luxury vinyl plank everyone wants, to make the time you have at home as peaceful and carefree as possible. Whether it be kids or fur babies, you won’t have to worry about damaging your floors. These floor where designed and made to hold up to today’s busy lifestyles. Budget is always taken into consideration when choosing which flooring is best. At Floorworks they respect your budget and always offer 12 months no interest financing. As local small business owners, Anja and Lew understand budgets and they’ll do everything they can to help get your home to where you always imagined it would be.

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They offer free estimates and are committed to helping you find the perfect flooring. Floorworks handles all types of projects and are experienced with insurance claims. They are nothing but professional and are licensed and insured. Locally owned and operated, Floorworks is the oldest flooring store in West Monroe. The reason they believe they have lasted this long is not only professional and quality work but their passion to help you make your house, the home of your dreams! One of their most recent homes they have worked on is photographed above. This home was a very special project to Anja and Lew. It was a remodel for some close friends they met through Rock Steady Boxing, where they have family members participate. Rock Steady Boxing, a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization, gives people with Parkinson’s disease hope by improving their quality of life through a non-contact boxing based fitness curriculum. The Parkinson’s Disease Foundation estimates there are more than 1 million people in the United States diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, and more than 60,000 people are diagnosed each year. Rock Steady Boxing is the first gym in the country dedicated to the fight against Parkinson’s. At Rock Steady Boxing, exercises are largely adapted from boxing drills. Boxers condition for optimal agility, speed, muscular endurance, accuracy, hand-eye coordination, footwork and overall strength to defend against and overcome opponents. At RSB, Parkinson’s disease is the opponent. Exercises vary in purpose and form but share one common trait: they are rigorous and intended to extend the perceived capabilities of the participant. For more information please visit rocksteadyboxing.org

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Modelo Especial Celebrates Día de los Muertos

HE DÍA DE MUERTOS ALSO KNOWN AS THE DAY of the Dead is a Mexican holiday celebrated throughout Mexico and by people of Mexican heritage elsewhere. The multi-day holiday involves family and friends gathering to pray for and remember friends and family members who have died. In Mexican culture, death is viewed as a natural part of the human cycle. Mexicans view it not as a day of sadness but as a day of celebration because their loved ones awake and celebrate with them. This year The Day of the Dead will take place Thursday, October 31st – Saturday November 2nd. With the vigor of old traditions and modern fiesta, Modelo Especial embodies the spirit of Día De Los Muertos. In celebration of life and observance of this joyful holiday, Modelo Especial honors the roots of its rich Mexican heritage and 90-year-old tradition of craftsmanship by inviting you to toast and exalt in the presence of loved ones passed. Moedlo Especial is brewed by Constellation Brands. The Constellation Brand portfolio include: CORONA EXTRA With a refreshing, smooth taste balanced between heavier European imports and lighter domestic beer, Corona is an even-keeled cerveza with fruity-honey aromas and a touch of malt. The flavor is crisp, clean and well balanced between hops and malt, a superior taste profile from superior ingredients. CORONA LIGHT Corona Light is a pilsner-style lager with a uniquely refreshing taste—brewed for outstanding light flavor with a crisp, clean finish. Its pleasant, fruity-honey aroma and distinctive hop flavor make it a favorite of those seeking a light beer that’s full of flavor. Corona Light’s naturally easy-drinking style makes it perfect for pairing with spicy and citrus-infused dishes. CORONA PREMIER Corona Premier offers the premium low-carb, light beer experience you’ve been waiting for. Its refined, crisp taste and even-bodied feel makes it the smoothest and most drinkable Corona. With only 2.6g of carbs and 90 calories, Corona Premier is perfect for casual entertaining, sharing with guests, or rewarding yourself for a day well-lived. CORONA FAMILIAR The best beers are made to be shared. That’s why Corona Familiar embraces the bright, crisp taste Corona is known for with a slightly fuller flavor, higher ABV, and shareable 32oz packaging. With strong ties to authenticity and heritage, Corona Familiar is best served in small gatherings with close friends and family, using the tradition of sharing to create meaningful experiences. CORONA REFRESCA Corona Refresca is a premium spiked refresher that brings the taste of the tropics from Mexico to you.

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Available in Passionfruit Lime and Guava Lime, it’s a bright, flavorful malt beverage with 4.5% ABV and natural fruit flavors. Crisp, flavorful, and never too sweet, Corona Refresca doesn’t sweep you away to the tropics, it brings them to you. MODELO ESPECIAL Brewed as a model of what good beer should be, this rich, full-flavored Pilsner-style Lager delivers a crisp, refreshing taste. Well-balanced taste and light hop character with a crisp, clean finish. Modelo Especial is characterized by an orange blossom honey aroma with a hint of herb. Modeo is the #2 imported beer in the US. NEGRA MODELO Negra Modelo, better known as “the cream of the beer,” is a Munich-type beer with 5.3º of alcohol that offers a balanced flavor and a delicate aroma of dark malt, caramel and hops. Today it occupies the first place in sales among dark beers in Mexico. This beer is accompanied by a bright deep amber color, which is adorned with abundant, white and compact foam. Negra Modelo was introduced in Mexico in 1925 as the dark beer called Modelo, to begin its great tradition. In 2014, it changed its image to a more sophisticated bottle but with the same content. PACIFICO In 1900, three German brewers established Cervecería del Pacifico in the small Mexican port town of Mazatlán. Word of the exceptionally drinkable pilsner-style lager traveled fast. Soon, thirst for Pacifico spread from Sinaloa and up the rugged Baja coastline. Fast forward to the early 1970s. As the story goes, a group of California surfers ventured south in their van to explore the breaks along the coast. Eventually they found themselves in Baja, where they also discovered hidden surf spots, friendly cantinas, and a beloved local beer called Pacifico. Excited by their find, the story goes, the wandering surfers loaded up a few cases of the rich golden lager into their van and returned north, becoming the first importers of Pacifico. Back in Southern California, the Baja-born cerveza gained a passionate following among surfers who journeyed south for the breaks, and returned with a beer well worth the trip. Marsala Beverage is a local-based company that employs about 100 full-time employees, which all live and support the community of Northeast Louisiana. Each employee bases his or her success on never losing sight of delivering what is really important – quality products, timely service and a genuine concern for our customers’ needs.

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Stars on the Bayou A Regional Talent Show

UESTECH LEARNING’S ANNUAL FUNDRAISER STARS ON the Bayou is a regional talent show featuring talent in three age categories and one special bonus category. In conjunction with the Strauss Youth Academy for the Arts (SYAA) and The Radio People, Stars on the Bayou, scheduled for Saturday, November 2nd, 6-10 PM at the HUB Music Hall in downtown Monroe, is a family-friendly event. A panel of five judges will award prize money of $1000, $500, and $250 in each of the four categories: ages 6-8, ages 9-12, ages 13-18, and a bonus category for family acts with at least one performer under 18. What a wonderful, fun way to recognize local talented young people! To enter the competition, applicants should visit syaaonline.com/ talentshow. The application process will remain open through October 10th with a limit of eight acts per category. Acts will submit a video and pay a $25 entry fee if chosen to perform. Benefitting QuesTECH’s fulltime school, Stars on the Bayou will feature the talent show, silent and live auctions, and judge performances by Missy Robertson and Marty Haggard. Other judges include Clinton Downing, Cherrie Sciro, and Shellie Sylvestri. Tickets are $25 for adults and $10 for students, ages 6-17, and may be purchased online at Event Brite or at QuesTECH Learning, 2401 Oliver Road. Attire is business casual. Event sponsorships are still available. Reserved tables of eight at $500 may be purchased to honor contestants, businesses, or families. The winner of the raffle for a 2019 Honda dirt bike with matching helmet will be named at the end of Stars on the Bayou. Raffle tickets at $25 each may be purchased at the school before the November 2nd event.

WHAT IS QUESTECH? Approved by Advanc-ED and the LA Department of Education, QuesTECH Learning is an educational services center offering a fulltime, non-public school for students who, for whatever reason, cannot find success in a more traditional setting in grades 2-8. Students thrive in QTL’s nurturing environment that boasts a student/teacher ratio of 8:1 and specialized curriculum with enrichment in Matthew’s Maker Space, French, Tae Kwon Do, P.E., art, robotics, computer coding, yearbook, and yoga. Sanford Harmony Social-Emotional Learning has become an addition to QTL’s in-school mentoring program. This summer QTL teachers received training from the Svetlana Masgutova Educational Institute for neuro-sensory-motor and reflex integration. Using these sensory motor patterns daily enables teachers to help their students to develop academic skills through the appropriate 120 OCTOBER 2019 | WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM

development of the brainstem and sensorimotor integration. Believe and Achieve Therapy, located in the QTL annex, offers the full-time students as well as other clients speech/language and/ or occupational therapy. Christi Howard, M.A., CCC-SLP, Ann Tubre, LOTR, and their clinicians remain important components of the QuesTECH Learning experience. Two years ago, QuesTECH expanded its educational offerings by establishing a blended learning high school in partnership with FuelED, the worldwide leader in online curriculum and instruction. Blended learning is an arrangement which melds online or distance learning with a live on-site supportive component. QTL’s high school students’ curriculum is digitally provided via an internet-connected computer. Their Louisiana certified teacher is also accessible online. Additionally, QTL provides a live onsite mentor or facilitator to move the learning experience into the blended category. “We have several years’ worth of success stories to point to the value of this blended learning arrangement,” commented Principal Kevin Branson. Under the careful oversight of Counselor Shirley Coker and Mary Katherine Murphy, who heads the live support staff with Enaya Kouhany, students and parents are carefully guided in their high school track and course selection. Shoes with Hearts is a QTL project that students are coordinating during the current school year. Friends of QuesTECH may drop off gently-used children or adult shoes, which will be donated to a national organization to help others in nations like Haiti, Columbia, and Tanzania. In addition to its full-time school, QTL offers afterschool tutorials, speed reading, and test preparation for ACT, SAT, LEAP, GMAT, MCAT, HiSET—just to name a few. Summer programs abound. QuesTECH offers two four-hour ACT workshops in English/reading and math/ science reasoning onsite or in schools throughout Northeast Louisiana. These workshops, presented by Donna Underwood and Mary Katherine Murphy, have proved invaluable to improving ACT scores as high school student vie for TOPS funding and college scholarships. Since its inception in 1997, thanks to the Alex George Family, QuesTECH Learning has served over 8,000 families through its full-time school as well as its after school, summer and ACT programs. “QTL’s professionals often think outside the traditional education box to find a viable way to student success,” according to Director Donna Underwood. For more information about Stars on the Bayou or QuesTECH Learning, call 322-6000 or visit the school’s website questechlearning.org.

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District 5 BESE

Is the Louisiana Public Education System “For Sale?”

HE LOUISIANA BOARD OF ELEMENTARY AND Secondary Education, better known as BESE, is the governing body that sets educational policy and approves educational spending for the state of Louisiana. The last two BESE elections were controlled by outside special interest groups and educational PACs, who contributed millions of dollars to selected BESE candidates. BESE members receive “no salary,” make decisions on educational policy and approve spending totaling over 8 billion dollars a year. It is critical that voters evaluate each candidate based on qualifications, experience, endorsements and campaign contributions. For these reasons, I have made the decision to run a grassroots campaign, not to request or accept campaign contributions and to be self-funded. This will allow me to maintain my independence and make decisions that will positively affect the course of education for the state of Louisiana. I am Dr. Stephen Chapman, dentist and a Rapides Parish School Board member, and I am a candidate for the BESE 5th District seat. I am a lifelong resident of Alexandria, Louisiana, married to Martha Guidry Chapman, and we have 5 children and 10 grandchildren. I have maintained a full-time dental practice for 41 years, and dutifully served the children, parents, RPSB employees and community stakeholders of Rapides Parish for 16 years as the Rapides Parish School Board Member for District E. Martha and I graduated from Bolton High School, and both graduated from Northeast Louisiana University in Monroe, La. I graduated from LSU School of Dentistry in New Orleans in 1978. We moved back to Alexandria where I began a dental practice. Martha pursued a career in education, and together we raised our family. We have five children, who all graduated from Rapides Parish public high schools and earned college degrees from Louisiana universities. Martha and I are blessed with ten grandchildren, and all of our grandchildren have or will attend public schools. It is the responsibility and duty of parents and society to nurture, protect and teach our children, as we ensure them equal access to a quality public education. A student-centered mindset allows us to meet the unique and individual needs of each child, and a safe and supportive educational environment allows them to thrive.

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Martha and I are both “public servants.” Martha taught in the Orleans Parish school system, Lakeshore Hebrew Day School in New Orleans, Rapides Parish school system, Alexandria Country Day School and is currently the ESL/Migrant Coordinator for Rapides Parish. I served as a Captain in the Army Reserve, a dental MASH unit based out of New Orleans. Humanitarian service with the Methodist Church missions allowed me to participate in medical/ dental mission trips to Costa Rica and Belize. I served as a volunteer youth sports coach for twenty years. I served as president and board member of Alexandria Little League, Alexandria Athletic Association, and Alexandria Youth Baseball Association and was instrumental in organizing fundraisers to keep these organizations financially sound. I served as president of the Alexandria Senior High Trojan Club, and assisted in fund raising initiatives. The board of directors of Alexandria Country Day School recruited me as a board member to assist in a major fundraiser that would eliminate a half million dollar deficit. In 2002, I was recruited to seek an elected position on the Rapides Parish School Board. I accepted that challenge, was duly elected and discovered the Rapides Parish school system had an eleven million dollar deficit. A collaborative effort of the district superintendent and nine Rapides Parish board members eliminated the deficit, and produced a financially sound school district. Today, the Rapides School district has a twenty million dollar reserve fund. I will bring to the BESE, the same “no nonsense,” common sense approach to all the issues that have defined my public service on the Rapides Parish School Board. I will listen to your concerns and be your “voice.” I will thoroughly study the issues, and make intelligent, independent decisions that always put the “children first.” Psalms 127:3-5: “Children are a gift from God.”

Dr. Stephen Chapman

The Louisiana public education system is not for sale! Vote for Stephen Chapman on October 12.

BayouTrends

Autumn colors are abound. From gold pillows to orange plush pumpkins, these items from area retailers will have you falling in love.

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16 1 . ARON’S P HARM ACY 2. THE G RADUATE S H O P 3 . A M A Z I N G L A S H S T U D I O 4 . WO O D S T O C K G A R DEN AN D GIF T 5 . THE CHILDREN’S SHO PPE 6. PALETT E H O U S E 7 . P A P E R M A R K E T 8 . H A V E N 9 . F I E S T A N U T R I TION C EN T ER 10 . PETALS AND PEARLS 11. THREE T H R E A D S 1 2 . F A B U L O U S F A B R I C S 1 3 . S L E E P H O L L O W F U RN IT U RE 14 . LE G END’S CI G AR AND VAPE 15 . C O T T O N P O R T A N T I Q U E M A L L 1 6 . H E R R I N G S T O N E ’ S B O U T IQU E 17 . AVENUE SHO ES 18. LEW I S’ G I F T S 1 9 . M A T E R I A L T H I N G S 2 0 . WA S H I N G T O N WI N E A N D S PIRIT IS

Get Lost in a Good Book Reading Works Wonders for Your Brain

Candace Worsham, DO

T. FRANCIS MEDICAL CENTER VOLUNTEER GIN HEFLIN reads roughly eight books a week. She doesn’t watch television, instead preferring to let a suspenseful mystery or action-packed western come to life on the page. “I can immerse myself in a story and just get lost for an afternoon,” she says. “It’s no wonder Heflin can read novels cover-to-cover in a day— reading increases your attention span, focus and concentration,” says Dr. Candace Worsham, a primary care physician at St. Francis Primary Care Clinic. “It also improves cognitive functions, such as your memory, brain power and empathetic skills.” “When we read, it taps into a better mode of thinking,” says Dr. Worsham. “It’s engaged thinking and allows you to reflect. When we can read, think, and reflect, we can transform our behaviors.” Reading for just five to ten minutes a day can make a difference in your quality of life, she says. Reading reduces stress, which impacts your heart rate and blood pressure, and in turn minimizes risk for heart disease. Reading raises your Health Esteem because it boosts active learning and creative thinking by stimulating your imagination. “It opens up a world of ideas and takes us to places we’ve never been,” says Dr. Worsham. “If you engage in active reading, that goes a long way to increase the time we have in this life.” For Heflin, reading is a family pastime. “I remember as a young girl, my paternal grandmother read to me all the time,” she says. Now, Heflin continues the tradition by keeping a library for her grandson in her Monroe home. READ Find your local library branch at state.lib.la.us. LEARN Visit healthesteem.org for lots of fun, easy, health-inspiring tips. Gin Heflin has served with the St. Francis Auxiliary for 20 years donating over 5,000 hours of her time by assisting others in the surgery waiting room and serving on the board. Call (318) 966-4133 to find out how you can join this amazing group of men and women who share their time and talents by helping others. Dr. Candace Worsham practices medicine at St. Francis Primary Care Clinic in Sterlington, conveniently located at 8950 Highway 165 North, Suite 2. The clinic offers primary care services for patients seven days a week. For more information, call (318) 966-8800.

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Mammography is Important Important in Fight Against Breast Cancer

AMMOGRAMS CAN BE USED TO CHECK FOR breast cancer in women who have no signs or symptoms of the disease. This type of mammogram is called a screening mammogram. Screening mammograms usually involve two or more x-ray pictures, or images, of each breast. The x-ray images often make it possible to detect tumors that cannot be felt. Screening mammograms can also find microcalcifications (tiny deposits of calcium) that sometimes indicate the presence of breast cancer. Women who undergo screening with 3D mammography are 15% less likely to be called back for more testing due to a suspicious finding that turns out not to be cancer. This is called the "non-cancerous recall rate," which when lower means fewer false scares. Mammograms can also be used to check for breast cancer after a lump or other sign or symptom of the disease has been found. This type of mammogram is called a diagnostic mammogram. Besides a lump, signs of breast cancer can include breast pain, thickening of the skin of the breast, nipple discharge, or a change in breast size or shape; however, these signs may also be signs of benign conditions. A diagnostic mammogram can also be used to evaluate changes found during a screening mammogram or to view breast tissue when it is difficult to obtain a screening mammogram because of special circumstances, such as the presence of breast implants. Widespread use of screening mammograms has enabled doctors to catch more breast cancer cases before they cause any symptoms. Still, some breast cancers are not found by mammogram, either because of long periods between exams or other causes. Even under ideal conditions, mammograms do not find every breast cancer. The most common symptom of breast cancer is a new lump or mass. A painless, hard mass that has irregular edges is more likely to be cancerous, but breast cancers can be tender, soft, or rounded. They can even be painful. For this reason, it is important to have any new breast mass or lump, or breast change checked by a health care professional experienced in diagnosing breast diseases. Other possible symptoms of breast cancer include: • Swelling of all or part of a breast (even if no distinct lump is felt) • Skin irritation or dimpling • Breast or nipple pain • Nipple retraction (turning inward) • Redness, scaliness, or thickening of the nipple or breast skin • Nipple discharge (other than breast milk) Conveniently located within the St. Francis Community Health Center on 2600 Tower Drive in Monroe, the Kitty DeGree Breast Health Center offers: • 3D mammography • Digital mammography with CAD (computer-aided detection) • Breast MRI with CAE (computer-aided evaluation) • Breast ultrasound • Tomosynthesis (3D)/Stereotactic guided breast biopsy • Ultrasound-guided breast biopsy • MRI-guided breast biopsy • Lymphedema therapy • Bone density screening • All mammograms read by in-house radiologists, not by out-of-state doctors The Kitty DeGree Breast Health Center is a Breast Imaging Center of Excellence, designated by the American College of Radiology (ACR) which means our facility has voluntarily gone through a vigorous review process to ensure that we meet nationally-accepted standards of care. WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | OCTOBER 2019 127

Hidden Finds “Pop-Up Store” Open November 2 - November 3

UMMED YOU MISSED THE FIRST Pop-Up? Or can’t wait to get more hidden finds? Either way, you’re in luck! Hidden Finds is back with all new furniture and accessories. They will be open for their second Pop-Up on Saturday, November 2nd and Sunday, November 3rd. For those of you who don’t know about Monroe’s newest store, Hidden Finds is a Pop-Up furniture and accessory store located at 2318 Armand Connector, inside the old Moore Fitness building. They feature new, used and slightly blemished furniture and home decor from popular online retailers you love at deeply discounted prices. This unique shop was born from the creative minds of Ann and Chap Breard. They believe that style shouldn’t break the bank and redecorating your home should be a fun and stress-free experience. They are the owners of MOEbiz and File Depot, also located in the same location. They are proud

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to own three locally owned businesses and be a strong part of our community. Hidden Finds is only open a few times a year so they can bring you the best deals at rock bottom prices. They feature beautiful furniture, and accessories from online retailers that you know and love. Plus, you don’t have to worry about paying hefty shipping charges or putting together furniture once it comes in, like you do when you order online. What does Hidden Finds have in store for you this time? Well if you have you been thinking of doing some redecorating before the Thanksgiving holidays, you will want to check out what they have to offer the first weekend in November. When they come to visit for the upcoming holidays, your family will be impressed with the incredible deals on modern and stylish furniture at deeply discounted prices. You will find beautiful couches, platform beds, barstools, armchairs, and area rugs are just a few of the items they

have in stock. And if you want your home smelling like the seasons, you will want to check out Hidden Finds’ great selection of fall and Christmas candles. And you don’t have to wait for spring to update your outdoor living area. This upcoming pop-up will feature a HUGE selection of outdoor furniture and accessories to complete your backyard. This “truck-load” is sure to not disappoint. But remember, Hidden Finds is only open for the weekend. Be sure to like Hidden Finds on Facebook and follow them on Instagram to keep up to date on their sales and when their truck comes in. It is first come first serve, so come early and get all your “Hidden Finds!”

Upper Eyelid Blepharoplasty Just Thirty Minutes Can Take Away Years

BY TIMOTHY J. MICKEL, MD, FACS - CERTIFIED, AMERICANBOARD OF PLASTIC SURGERY

F THE EYE IS THE GATEWAY TO THE soul, then the periorbital area (lids, brows, crow’s foot area, etc.) is the landscaping around the entrance. Periorbital rejuvenation is so basic to plastic surgery that upper eyelid blepharoplasty is one of the first cosmetic surgery procedures that a plastic surgery resident learns during his training. It is simple, straightforward, involves minimal downtime, takes thirty minutes or less and can be done under local anesthesia. There are very few procedures in plastic surgery so simple and quick that have such a profound impact on your appearance. Baggy eyelids are often the first sign of facial aging, so understandably blepharoplasty is one of the most common cosmetic procedures performed today. Excessive upper eyelid skin can be present as early as the late twenties in patients with a familial predisposition, but most women notice that pesky fold of redundant

upper eyelid skin in their late thirties or early forties. Well-lighted, magnified make-up mirrors don’t lie. You can’t comb your hair down to cover it. You can’t camouflage it with cosmetics. You basically have two choices: live with it or see a plastic surgeon. Blepharoplasty is frequently performed as an isolated procedure several years before a facelift. The results are predictable and sometimes spectacular. But even though the eyes may be the first to show signs of aging, the face ages as a unit. As one patient - obviously an HGTV fan - said, “sometimes, doing the eyelids is like slip-covering a chair; it makes the rest of the room look tired.” One of the advantages of consulting with a board certified plastic surgeon before having a blepharoplasty is that they aren’t focused on one procedure or one anatomic area. They have been trained in the full spectrum of facial rejuvenation techniques – from conservative to aggressive,

from liposculpting to laser resurfacing to facelifts. While upper eyelid blepharoplasty is generally quick and straightforward, the pre surgical evaluation is much more involved. Often what a patient perceives as baggy upper eyelid skin is actually heavy brow skin, which has hooded onto the upper lid from gravitational descent of the eyebrow. Such a patient may need a brow lift instead of, or in addition to a blepharoplasty. Occasionally men (and sometimes women) have so much extra skin on their upper lids that it actually interferes with their peripheral vision. Blepharoplasty in these cases may be covered by insurance. Likewise, the lower lids may need rejuvenation with a combination of fat removal, skin removal, muscle suspension or lid tightening. Sometimes fat grafting, nanofat injections, hyaluronic acid fillers, laser skin resurfacing or judicious use of Botox in the forehead or crow’s foot area is needed to enhance the overall result. A board certified plastic surgeon is comfortable with all of these techniques and can develop a treatment plan that is tailored to you. So, the next time that fold of upper eyelid skin makes it hard to put on your mascara, or your wife says you look tired when you’ve had eight hours of sleep, call Mickel Plastic Surgery at (318) 388-2050 and come in for an evaluation for upper eyelid blepharoplasty.

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BAYOU ICON

COMMUNITY SERVANT Frank Wilcox retires from a career of service to his community. Safe, decent, affordable housing for every citizen is the main goal of MHA and the ideal to which he dedicated his career. ARTICLE BY KAY STOTHART RECTOR & PHOTOGRAPHY KELLY MOORE CLARK

A RED LIGHT GLOWS in Monroe’s nighttime skyline. The letters “FT” are illuminated atop the Frances Tower building, an art deco style high-rise in the heart of downtown. The historic building that was once the Hotel Frances is now home to the Frances Tower Retirement Community, one of seven retirement complexes operated by the Monroe Housing Authority. The availability of safe, affordable housing for elderly citizens in Ouachita Parish is just one of many things accomplished by Frank Wilcox during his career. Before retiring in August 2019, Wilcox served as Executive Director of the Monroe Housing Authority for 43 years. Wilcox grew up in Bald Knob, Arkansas, a small town north of Little Rock near the foothills of the Ozark Mountains. He attended the University of Central Arkansas in Conway where he met his wife, Marianne, in a dance class. The two were married in 1964, shortly after college graduation, and Frank went to work for the North Little Rock Urban Renewal Agency. As part of that agency, Wilcox worked on projects throughout North Little Rock to expand commercial development and revitalize the community. He began as a staff assistant and worked his way up to a supervisory role in charge of property management and relocation. While at NLRURA, Wilcox was involved in developing the site where the Verizon Arena, a multi-purpose event and entertainment venue, is now located. Wilcox had been working with North Little Rock Urban Renewal for 6 years when he was invited to Louisiana for a meeting with Mayor Jack Howard and other city officials. Monroe’s city government was taking on urban renewal projects and wanted Wilcox to work with them. At the time of that meeting, Frank and Marianne were expecting their second child and were reluctant to leave family and friends in Arkansas. Wilcox declined the offer, but stayed in touch with Monroe city leaders. The next year, he accepted Howard’s offer and the Wilcox family relocated to Monroe. “It turned out to be a really good move for us,” Wilcox says now. “It was an exciting time in Monroe,” recalls Wilcox of his early years on the job. “Jack Howard was Mayor, and there was a lot of stuff going on here.” The city purchased the land fronting the Ouachita River across from the Ouachita Parish Courthouse. The Army Corp of Engineers constructed a folding retaining wall along the riverbank on South Grand Street. “They needed me because I had expertise in relocation and federal law, which is why they recruited me,” Wilcox says. Through the newly formed Monroe Redevelopment Agency, an independent agency controlled by the city council, Wilcox oversaw the riverfront project as well as other renovations in downtown Monroe. He led the city’s infrastructure expansion efforts, including the addition of Lamy Lane and Washington Street connectors, and the construction of the Powell Street Community Center.

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In 1972, just a year after Wilcox relocated his family to work for the City of Monroe, four-term Mayor Jack Howard was defeated in his bid for re-election by Ralph Troy. “It all worked out great though,” recalls Wilcox. “Ralph Troy and I bonded and he actually helped me take my career to another level. We did a lot of traveling and I was able to get ideas and a vision of what we were able to do here.” At the end of Ralph Troy’s term as Mayor, Wilcox took on a new challenge as director of the Monroe Housing Authority. Unlike a city department, MHA is a public entity which operates independently of the cities of Monroe and West Monroe. It receives no funds from the city governments or the State of Louisiana. MHA is funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and by monies generated through rental income. “The Housing Authority was a mess when I took it over. Properties were run down and in deplorable condition. I didn’t realize how bad it was when I accepted the job. But we persevered,” says Wilcox. “I was fortunate to have really good board members, people like R.D. Farr and Henry Bonner, who were dedicated and cared about the work we were doing.” “There was no elderly housing,” recalls Wilcox. “It was so important for us to develop housing for our elderly. That was a big part of our vision.” The Frances Tower building downtown, owned at the time by the Roman Catholic Diocese, was available, and Wilcox believed it could be converted to meet their needs. “After about a year of struggling with HUD regulations and funding and with a lot of political help from Congressman Otto Passman and Senator Russell Long, we finally got the Frances Tower project funded,” Wilcox recalls. MHA bought and renovated the 11-story downtown landmark in 1978. “That was my first big project,” says Wilcox. “I’d done a lot of projects, but none of this magnitude. I was so excited about that.” isfortune struck in late 1978, just one week before the grand opening of the Frances Tower Retirement Community. “The Troy & Nichols building, which was across the street behind Central Bank, caught on fire and burned to the ground. The heat was so tremendous that when the fire trucks were spraying water, it came roaring back and got our windows,” Wilcox says. “It broke nearly all the windows on the Desiard Street side of the Frances. We were delayed another month or so. Not a good start.” Ultimately, the Frances Tower project was hugely successful. Today it contains 130 one-bedroom, one-bath apartments, with amenities that include a library, fitness center, outdoor courtyard and a beautifully appointed lobby with antique furnishings and a grand piano. “Converting Frances Tower into a retirement community is one of my great prides,” Wilcox notes. Under Wilcox’s direction, MHA continued to add housing options for senior citizens in Ouachita Parish. A second historic downtown building—the former Ouachita Parish High School at 501 South Grand Street--was repurposed for retirement living. Although listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Ouachita Grand Plaza building had badly deteriorated. To save the structure, it was donated to the City of Monroe, which in turn granted MHA a 99-year lease. MHA secured federal funding for renovations. In cooperation with the Ouachita Parish Council on Aging, another downtown landmark was successfully transformed into homes for the elderly. Bringing the Ouachita Grand Plaza project to fruition was difficult, as Wilcox recalls. “We ran into all kinds of roadblocks,” he says. “It took us three years to get it funded. It was in horrible shape, but the architect

BAYOU ICON we hired felt it could be repaired.” Wilcox credits former Mayor Bob Powell, who recognized the building’s historical significance, with helping to make that project successful. “It’s just a gorgeous building,” says Wilcox of the Ouachita Grand Plaza. It now contains 91 separate apartments with expansive views of downtown and an enclosed courtyard and gardens. In addition to the two downtown complexes, there are five other MHA-run retirement communities throughout the area: Claiborne Creek is a 140 unit complex off Highway 80 in West Monroe, with beautiful landscaping and a creek running through the property. All residents have access to amenities like the fitness center, library and computer center. Chauvin Pointe off of Highway 165 in North Monroe has 139 cottage-style homes as well as a Community Center with meeting areas, a fitness center and beauty salon. McKeen Plaza is conveniently located in midtown Monroe with 100 affordable one bedroom apartments and an atrium that serves as a library and gathering place for residents. South Pointe, located across from the Louisiana Purchase Gardens and Zoo, has 120 cottage apartments, a Community Center and fitness facility, with winding, paved walking trails, two lakes well-stocked with fish and resident ducks to feed. Passman Plaza in the Lakeshore area just off Highway 80 also has a lake for fishing, walking trails and meeting and exercise facilities. “Allowing the elderly to age with dignity is so important,” insists Wilcox. With multiple quality retirement communities, MHA affords older citizens the opportunity to spend their final years in a safe, comfortable environment. Besides elderly housing, another of Wilcox’s goals as director of MHA was to upgrade and increase the number of homes for low-income families. When he took over in the late 1970s, the family units that were available were in terrible condition. The agency was severely underfunded and often overlooked by the Department of Housing and Urban Development authorities in New Orleans, according to Wilcox. “The New Orleans HUD office had been giving priority to New Orleans, of course. They were right there in front of them and they could see what they needed. And New Orleans had all the political clout,” Wilcox says. “So I hired a photographer and we took pictures of everything and sent it out to the political delegation. They got so upset with me, but we got funded the next year.” nder Wilcox’s leadership, six family housing developments in Ouachita Parish were completely renovated and modernized. The most recently built complex is Robinson Place, with three, four and five bedroom duplex and single-family homes, a newly landscaped park, pavilion and playground facilities. Other family housing complexes managed by MHA are the Burg Jones Community, Foster Heights, Breece-Lock, Johnson Carver Terrace and Miller Square.

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Additional housing is made available to local families and individuals through the Housing Choice Voucher Program administered by MHA. Commonly known as Section 8, this rental assistance program provides subsidies to local landlords on behalf of low-income families and individuals living in privately owned housing. Eligibility for vouchers is based on federal income guidelines. Vouchers help those eligible afford safe, decent housing. Wilcox was instrumental in developing the Voucher Program in Monroe, adding more than 1,500 housing options for low-income citizens. In keeping with MHA’s mission to provide services that improve the quality of life for its residents, Wilcox and MHA board members and staff partnered with Louisiana Delta Community College to construct Family Learning Centers in its public housing communities. At the Family Learning Centers, residents have access to computers and can participate in educational programs with a goal of self-sufficiency. More recently, MHA added Early Childhood Education services to its family housing communities. Through the Literacy Plus Initiative, a collaborative effort between MHA, the Children’s Coalition for Northeast Louisiana and Monroe City Schools. The vision of this project is to increase the literacy rates of young minority children who reside in low-income housing. With his affable personality and commitment to MHA’s mission, Wilcox was able to effectively collaborate with a succession of mayors, legislators and civic leaders who served during his tenure. Wilcox was active in the Louisiana Housing Association and served as President of that organization. He was appointed by Governor Dave Treen to serve on the Louisiana Housing Finance Agency. “It was a great experience

and I picked up so much information that helped us later on,” Wilcox remembers. “The relationships that I developed with others in the community were so important.” Wilcox’s dedication to the growth and success of MHA was also recognized on the national level. The agency was awarded the prestigious “Sustainable Performance Award” by HUD, and each year from 1992 to 2018 MHA was designated as a “High Performer in Public Housing Management.” Wilcox was personally designated as a “Fellow” of the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials and was awarded the Charles L. Farris Award, the highest honor bestowed by the Southwest NAHRO chapter. In a proclamation presented to Wilcox upon his retirement, MHA board members applauded him for his “unwavering dedication” and “exceptional and compassionate contributions” to the Monroe community. In recognition of Wilcox’s commitment to MHA and its residents, the MHA Board also established an educational scholarship program in his honor. Known as the “Frank L. Wilcox Emerging Leaders’ Scholarship Program,” it will provide educational opportunities for low-income families residing in MHA housing communities. In addition to substantial upgrades and renovations to existing housing units, the number of homes provided by MHA tripled during Wilcox’s years as Executive Director. Today, MHA offers 3500 housing options for families, retirees and those with special needs. More than 6,000 individuals have homes that are made possible through MHA. Safe, decent, affordable housing for every citizen is the main goal of MHA and the ideal to which Wilcox dedicated his career. “It has been a rewarding job,” Wilcox says of his role as director of MHA. “I have been fortunate to be able to do my Christian duty every day at work. Hopefully, it made a difference.”

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St. Paschals Herb Festival Annual Event Will Be Held at New Location

HE NORTHEAST LOUISIANA MASTER GARDENERS Association and St. Paschal Catholic Church will be joining forces this year to bring you a single event that will be fun, educational, and something the entire family can enjoy. The Master Gardeners will hold their annual fall bulb and plant sale and St. Paschals will hold their annual Herbal Harvest Arts & Crafts Festival on Saturday, October 19th, 2019, at the West Monroe Convention Center, 901 Ridge Avenue in West Monroe. The festival and sale will be held from 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. Master Gardeners will be giving programs on herbs as well as selling herbs and bulbs for spring flowers. Fall is the perfect time to plant bulbs, perennials, and seasonal annuals. So, while supplies last, stock up on daffodils, amaryllis, crinums, and choose from a selection of carefully propagated plants to enhance your landscape with. Nothing signals spring in our region like the yellow sparkle of daffodils (narcis us sp.) Did you know there are thirteen different divisions of daffodils? All have a place in the Louisiana landscape. Daffodils grow from bulbs. Bulbs are basically stems that have a much shortened vertical axis surrounded by fleshly leaves that are modified for storage of starch, one of the main products of photosynthesis. Flowers on spring-blooming bulbs may last anywhere from a few days to a few weeks. Once the flowers are done, green, strap-like leaves are often visible until early summer. Daffodils and other bulbs can be used to accent existing areas with splashes of spring color, or to naturalize a large area with a mass planting. To be successful with daffodil and other bulbs in your landscape, follow these tips: • Select a site in a mostly sunny area • Make sure the soil is moderately fertile and has good drainage. • Plant bulbs at a depth that is equal to twice their height. • Use a bulb planting tool to ensure proper depth. • Plant daffodils in October and November. • Refrigerate tulip and hyacinth bulbs at least six weeks before planting in January. This is the 28th year for the Herbal Harvest Original Arts and Crafts Festival put on by St. Paschal Catholic Church. There will be over 50 vendor booths selling original artisan arts and crafts. Church members will be selling freshly baked breads, cakes, cookies, pies, and other home baked goods. Herbed chicken salad and taco soup, made from scratch according to the original Herbal Harvest recipes and with herbs grown by the Master Gardeners, will be available for purchase, and St. Paschal Youth and the Knights of Columbus will be grilling and selling sausage on a bun. Admission is free, so bring a hearty appetite!

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Are You Due For a Checkup? The Spirited Smile

F OUR TEAM HERE AT BAYOU DENTAL GROUP HAD OUR way, we’d see every single patient of ours at least twice a year for routine dental cleanings and exams. But unfortunately, that’s not always the case. We understand that life gets pretty hectic. With work, school, and kids, it’s sometimes hard to find the time for regular dental visits when you have so many other responsibilities competing for your attention. There are all sorts of reasons people might not make it to the dentist regularly. Maybe it’s a busy schedule, maybe it’s fear, or maybe you’re embarrassed about the state of your oral health because you’ve stayed away too long. The fact is, professional dental care can make all the difference when it comes to achieving and maintaining your healthiest smile. That’s why Dr. Finley, Dr. Henderson and our highly-trained hygienists want to make sure you know just how important it is that you visit our Monroe, LA dental office for routine checkups! WHY PROFESSIONAL DENTAL CHECKUPS MATTER Gum disease creeps in slowly to destroy your oral health, often without you even realizing it’s happening. That’s why professional dental care matters more than anything. In our Monroe dental office, you’ll find highly-trained hygienists who have the experience and professional tools to give your teeth and gums the deep cleaning necessary to remove plaque and tartar buildup that you can’t reach with your toothbrush and dental floss at home. Dr. Finley and Dr. Henderson can then thoroughly examine your mouth and catch any signs of dental problems. With technology such as digital X-rays, they are able to catch the things that threaten your oral health that you can’t see on your own. We also offer dental sealants and fluoride treatments for added protection against tooth decay and cavities. These are just some of the ways a dental professional can make the difference between a glowing, healthy smile and dull, damaged teeth and poor oral health. PREVENTION IS YOUR SMILE’S BEST DEFENSE! The best defense your mouth has against harmful bacteria is prevention. That may begin with your daily oral hygiene at home, but that’s only half of what it really takes for strong, healthy teeth and gums. You need help from professionals like you’ll find here at Bayou Dental Group. Our passion is helping patients get healthy and stay that way, but we can only help if you come to see us for regular cleanings and exams. Without vigilance and proper professional dental care, there is only so much you can do at home to maintain lasting oral health.

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Picking Pumpkins For A Cause

First United Methodist Church - West Monroe Pumpkin Patch

INCE 2002, OUR FRIENDS AND neighbors from all over the area have come out to photograph their children, run through the patch, and pick their perfect pumpkin. Each year, we have been blessed to use the proceeds from the Pumpkin Patch to fund local mission needs benefiting our community. The proceeds raised will be used for the Food Bank of NELA Backpack Program. Lenwil Elementary, along with the Food Bank of NELA, have identified just over 40 children who qualify for the Backpacks of Food Program, who without this program, would go home without enough food for the weekend. Your visit helps us get one step closer to raising the $10,000 necessary to fund the Backpacks Program for the entire school year. Not only will you have great family day out at the pumpkin patch but you can do so knowing that you’re helping a child in need in our community. The pumpkins we sell are also coming from and supporting great people. We partner with the Native Americans of the Navajo Nation

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to sell these pumpkins each year in order to generate funds for their people. Hundreds of acres of land in New Mexico grow these pumpkins each year. Residents of the Navajo Nation harvest them and load the trucks for shipping to churches just like ours. Today, the Pumpkin Patch Family of churches and other non-profit organizations is made up of over 1,300 locations, over 30 denominations in 48 states and is still growing. Every dollar spent in the patch proves to be a blessing to someone either in our community or across our nation. “Yes, I am the vine and you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5 While we are overjoyed at how God blesses us through the pumpkin patch with the presence of so many from our community, from our perspective it is simply the latest in a 150year history of ministry with the people of West Monroe. We are truly humbled that God has blessed us with such a rich history. Our hope

and prayer is that far beyond a pumpkin and a great time, each person who honors us with their presence will find the joy of God’s grace and mercy. We give thanks to God in Christ for every good work done through our Pumpkin Patch. We know that without working in Jesus’ name for the Kingdom of God, this would not be nearly as rewarding! Helping feed the children of our community and showing the love of Jesus at the same time exemplifies the spirit of the people of First United Methodist ChurchWest Monroe. If you would like to be a part of faith community who loves God and loves people, please join us for worship on Sundays @ 10:15. Grace and Peace, Rev. Lamar C. Oliver, Pastor pastor@fumcwm.org

We Believe You Must Look Your Best to Feel Your Best Louisiana Center for Women’s Health / MedicaFX

HO ARE WE? WE ARE A private full-service OB/GYN clinic, consisting of a boardcertified OB/GYN physician and two nurse practitioners. For decades, we have been using advanced laser technology and offering a variety of advanced services. In fact, we are the only local source for many of these procedures. We take pride in offering the best state-of-the-art technology at affordable pricing. We are the Louisiana Center For Women’s Health combined and co-located with MedicaFX. (If you haven’t heard of us, it’s because we haven’t advertised.) Tired of fat in areas where you can’t lose it? Check out Vaser. The Vaser is a unique liposuction method which liquifies the fat using high energy ultrasound … followed by removal of the fat via suction. Do not confuse Vaser with other non-invasive methods that use cooling or other modalities and promise results you may not get. The removed fat goes

into a canister where it can be seen. Vaser is done in the office under local anesthesia with minimal downtime. While Vaser is not a weight reduction method, it is a size reduction method for local areas of excessive fat. Aging, discolored, pigmented skin on face, neck, and hands? Are you looking less than young and healthy? Tired of the sun damage, discoloration, wrinkles, and aging changes in your face, neck and hands? Check out the world’s first hybrid fractional laser, Halo by Sciton. Two separate lasers are combined into one treatment to resurface the skin, eliminate pigment discoloration, and tighten the skin. The Halo treatment is performed in the office, with little downtime and impressive results. Hydrafacial cleanses, peels, hydrates, and protects… 30 minutes of pleasure to get the best skin glow. Your face will thank you and everyone will notice!

Hormone issues? We offer hormone testing and hormone replacement therapy, using convenient and long-lasting hormone pellets – affordably priced. Diva Dual Wavelength Vaginal Laser Many women suffer from issues of vaginal health, causing problems with self-confidence and difficult sexual relations. Many of these problems are from a condition termed Genitourinary Symptoms of Menopause, also called GSM. The Diva treatments may offer help. We have the only Diva laser in the area. Monthly Specials We know expenses are important to you, therefore we continuously offer specials on services and procedures. Schedule an appointment today for a professional evaluation by calling 318.387-3113. Louisiana Center for Women’s Health 401 McMillan Road West Monroe, LA 318.387.3113

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Getting the Coverage You Need Because Your Roof Doesn’t Cover Everything

UYING INSURANCE FOR YOUR home and possessions can be confusing. Do you truly understand what your policy does and does not cover? Our new homeowners policy offers what we believe is one of the most extensive coverages in the industry. We include a host of features not offered by most insurers. Combine that with our wide array of options, and you can create a policy that fits your needs. CONTENT REPLACEMENT COST This covers your personal property at “replacement cost.” Many policies cover your items for only a partial, or depreciated value. NOT US. We will pay to fully repair or replace your covered belongings with new items of like kind and quality in the event of a covered loss, up to policy limits selected. HOME SYSTEMS BREAKDOWN COVERAGE While other insurance carriers exclude equipment breakdown coverage from their homeowners policies, we think it’s

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important to help clients protect the home systems and equipment they rely on every day. Available through American National, this exceptional offering covers a wide range of critical systems. Ask your agent for a complete list of covered items. SERVICE LINE COVERAGE You may not realize it, but as a homeowner, you are responsible for repairs to underground pipes and wiring on your property that carry services and utilities like water, power, data and communications to your home. American National is one step ahead of the competition being one of the only insurance companies to include service line coverage as part of our base policy. It’s just another example of how we offer real coverage. In addition to home owners protection, we are pleased to offer a wide array of insurance and financial services. With American National, it is possible to receive discounts on home and auto policies with the purchase of

life insurance. As there are different benefits and advantages of life insurance premium products, choosing what type can and does evolve during your life. Many times clients wonder what type of life insurance they need. Most often, it depends on your needs and the length of time you will need coverage. Basically the two main reasons to purchase life insurance are that you owe someone and it becomes available to take care of final expenses, family debts and mortgage payments; and secondly, you love someone and want to provide income for your spouse, fund your child’s education and ease the burden for your loved ones. With the two basic types of life insurance being term and permanent, there are multiple ways to ensure you have the correct and best coverage. More than anything, life insurance can provide benefits to you at a time when you and your loved ones need it most. Please contact us today for your home, auto or life insurance needs. We are here to help you!

Franciscan Path of Peace Memorialize or Honor Your Loved Ones

VERYONE LOVES FLOWERS. THEY come in a wide variety of interesting shapes, vibrant colors and lilting fragrances. Perhaps that’s why we so often choose them to express our love, condolences, congratulations and a host of other emotions. If only they could last longer to help us illustrate those feelings for the ones we care about for years to come. Fortunately, there are ways we can honor our loved ones that are long-lasting. One such way is the Franciscan Path of Peace, a very special part of the St. Francis Community Health Center campus located at Tower Drive in Monroe. The Path of Peace is a tranquil, outdoor area with a meandering pathway that sits within a beautifully landscaped garden. This area is visited by more than 300 patients, family members and caregivers each day for walking, meditation, reading or prayer time.

This is why we’ve chosen the Path of Peace to offer community partnership opportunities through the sponsorship of engraved bricks. What a perfect opportunity to memorialize or honor someone important in your life or to feature an engraving of a company or individual name. Proceeds support the St. Francis Medical Center Foundation, which allows St. Francis to continue caring for the most critically ill through northeast Louisiana’s only Level III NICU, Level III OB/Labor and Delivery, Level II Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) and a dedicated pediatric unit. There are two sizes of bricks available to fit your needs, an 8” x 4” for $75 (4 lines of text, 18 characters per line) or an 8” x 8” for $150 (7 lines of text, 18 characters per line). If you are interested, please call the St. Francis Foundation at (318) 966-7730 or contact Janie.Milby@fmolhs.org.

OTHER WAYS TO GIVE: • Gifts: Annual and planned giving, securities, real estate and in-kind gifts • Memorials: Make a lasting tribute to remember a loved one • Honor Your Caregiver: Thank those physicians and staff who played a meaningful role in the healing of you or a loved one • Event Sponsorships: Annual golf tournament and “2 Cars 2 Winners” raffle • Third-Party Fundraisers: Host an event or program to benefit the Foundation • Volunteer: Assist with various events and fundraisers • Donated Items: Use your gifts and talents by making such things as baby blankets or goody baskets, donate toys for pediatric patients and the playroom or books for the NICU Library at St. Francis

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Social Media Safety

or parents of preteens and teenagers, navigating kids’ access to tech and social media is a critical part of adolescence. Yes, they can be important educational and networking tools. But with that comes the well-publicized and increasingly frequent dangers: Online bullying, increased anxiety and depression, and addiction that damages relationships and futures. In Louisiana, educators say incidents of anxiety, depression, bullying and social pressure are skyrocketing as preteens are given the responsibility of owning a smartphone at an ever-earlier age. Ronna Glickman taught Home and Careers for 25 years to grades 6-8. She is passionate about keeping kids safe online and teaching the importance of a clean digital footprint. A teacher, speaker and consultant, Ronna founded Social Media Safety, Inc. to educate parents, students, and teachers worldwide on how to stay safe online. Her website is socialmediasafety.education. Ronna will be the keynote at the Children’s Coaliition Ouachita Youth Summit in November 2019. Q: What is the most important thing parents and youth need to know about cellphone/ technology use?

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BY THE CHILDREN’S COALITION FOR NORTHEAST LOUISIANA

A: The most important step that parents can take when they give their kids a smartphone is to hand it over with an iron-clad contract. Set the limits immediately. Because taking a phone or game away from a teenager who is already addicted is like taking away an addictive drug. Track every single click. Parents have to be the adult. For preteens and young teenagers, there should be no expectation of privacy. Social media use can be dangerous and harmful for the victims, but a cruel tweet or inappropriate text can also ruin kids’ college or career plans. Q: What are some boundaries I can put in place to help my child? A: Do not just give your child a phone – have the child earn the phone and help pay for it. If you choose to have a cell phone contract, follow through should the child break the contract. All devices should be charged in the parent’s bedroom at night; not the child’s. Do not allow your child to have any social media accounts before the age of 13. Use software to track everything your child is doing online and on the phone. Q: Why is important for parents to talk to

their children about cellphone/technology use? What is a good way to start the conversation? A: Giving a phone to a child without teaching appropriate online behavior and caring is equivalent to giving a child car keys without teaching them to drive. Let your child know you will be monitoring every keystroke. A good way to start a conversation is to remain calm and say: “I realize you want a phone and social media as most of your friends already have this, but here are the dangers, here is why you don’t post something that will negatively impact your future and here’s why you come to me when something happens, and you are scared. Here is why I set time restrictions in order to help you have balance in your life.” Q: My child uses a cellphone/technology, what side effects or issues should I be aware of? A: Be aware of the amount of screen time your child is using and indicators of addiction. Does your child have trouble stopping use of the device? Have they lost interest in other activities or does it get in the way of face-to-face interactions? Are they increasing their screen time, and do you see signs of withdrawal when they stop? During adolescence your child’s brain is still forming. Constantly being online or gaming can affect brain development and may cause your child to be aggressive,

argumentative and combative. Q: What are some of the short and long-term outcomes of cellphone/technology use? What is the worst thing that could happen? A: Some positive short-term outcomes are that the Internet may help them with their homework. Socially, a child may connect with a group of kids with similarities. For very shy kids, this could be a way to connect with others. Positive long-term outcomes are with the proper education early on, your child will learn appropriate online behavior. They can learn that putting him/herself in a positive light can coincide with a positive future. The worst things that could happen is that they give out personal information to strangers and meet in person someone they’ve only ‘met’ online. They could get involved with hate/ drama that pushes someone to the limit or be the victim of bullying/ harassment and not tell anyone. This could lead to symptoms of anxiety and depression, if they believe the hate is aimed toward them. And of course, the absolute worst – they end their life thinking all the words are true. Q: How do I find the best balance for my child in the classroom/ at home with cellphone/technology usage? A: Find out if your child is using technology in school for class assignments. If your child daily uses technology more than human contact with a teacher, talk to the school’s administration to find out why. Do not allow your child to have a cell phone present while doing homework or take their phone to school. Don’t just scold or punish your child for too much technology use; show studies of the brain and how it changes with too much technology. Find fun ways to use technology together, say playing Words with Friends, or taking technology in the kitchen and cooking together. Most importantly, you, as a parent, need to stick with the limitations you set. Be a great role model—and make sure you are not ignoring your child because you are also on your phone!

Taking a phone or game away from a teenager who is already addicted is like taking away an addictive drug.

RESOURCES

COMMON SENSE

commonsense.org is an excellent source for free downloads of media contract templates for you and your child https://www. commonsensemedia.org/family-media-agreement. You can also find several parent guides at https://www.commonsensemedia.org/ parents-ultimate-guides to help you navigate the latest media.

Jan Daniels, Youth Development Director at the Children’s Coalition, works with middle schools in northeast Louisiana to provide the suicide prevention program Signs of Suicide (SOS) and Child Sex Trafficking prevention (#NotaNumber). Call Jan at (318) 323-8775 or go to www.childrenscoalition.org to learn more about how you can get these prevention programs at your child’s school. WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | OCTOBER 2019 143

Let the Chick Cater to You

Ten Dollars Off Your Catering Order for the Month of October

ELCOME TO CHICKEN SALAD Chick, where we offer delicious, scratch-made,Southern-style, craveable favorites served from the heart. 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 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. Are you planning on bringing your little chicks along? We have a

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great kids menu. For quick, amazing meals we even offer convenient carryout. 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. FOLLOW YOUR APPETITE & EARN REWARDS Download the Chicken Salad Chick App from the App Store or Google Play. Every time you enjoy our mouthwatering menu of fresh, scratch-made chicken salad, pimento cheese, and other favorites, you’ll earn one point for every dollar you spend. Redeem them for special discounts, free food

items, and fun Chick gear. At Chicken Salad Chick, we love to share the love. Get the App, scan your barcode, and get start earning points today! If you are planning on hosting an event, let us help cater your exciting day. Call in and order what you want from our new catering menu and we will have your food ready for you and you can enjoy your wonderful day with family and friends. Let us cater and take ten dollars off your catering order until the end of October. Rockin’ Rita is back and she is Rockin the house. She is delicious served as a dip with Fritos. It’s the perfect flavor for your tailgates and football parties. Come in and try this new flavor while it lasts. 1191 Lamy Lane, Suite 7 Monroe, Louisiana Call (318) 322-4425

Using Infrared Light to Tighten Your Skin Step into the Light BY JUDY WAGONER

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. This patented, cutting-edge, Krypton Light Technology delivers a beam of highintensity 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. Infrared light is experienced by us as heat and is the invisible part of the sun’s light spectrum. It’s the heat you feel when you get in a hot car. It’s the warmth you feel on your skin when you relax on the beach. Infrared rays are so safe that they’re used to warm babies in the NICU. Infrared light penetrates deeper into your body than any other light, all the way to the inner layers of your skin, your muscles, nerves, and bones. 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.

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Cypress State Realty Helping Families Put Down Roots

YPRESS STATE REALTY WAS CREATED TO SERVE people. Anna Earl Romero, who started her real estate career at the age of 19, knows the value of personal relationships with her clients and their families. With over 14 years of experience in the real estate industry. Anna worked with Gene Stewart for 12 years before obtaining her broker’s license and creating Cypress State Realty. Truly a family owned small business, husband and co-owner Ryan has recently started working with his wife and brings valuable knowledge of farming and recreational land to the table. They work together as a team to ensure each client has a great experience and is happy with the process. “Anna is absolutely wonderful. She is always willing to go the extra mile to make sure everything gets done. She started out as our realtor and became a close friend. We absolutely LOVE Anna, Ryan, and Cypress State Realty!” -Haley Haught Anna insists she is not a salesman. “I give people the information and tools to make the best decision for their family and themselves,” says Anna. She strives to educate her clients about the real estate process and encourages them to ask questions so they can make the best informed decisions. Never wanting her clients to regret their decision, Anna prides herself on being honest and straightforward. She is an advocate for home ownership for everyone and spends extra time with new buyers. Anna says that, “home ownership boosts morale and encourages feelings of pride and accomplishment within all of our local communities.” Buying a home is a great way to help our community and build your equity. Cypress State Realty 705 Julia Street Rayville, LA 71269 (318) 728-4043 office (318) 235-9130 mobile

Build your dream home in Start’s newest development, Comeaux! These beautiful lots are now available to purchase. Here is an opportunity to build your home in a beautiful setting with only a short commute to Monroe and great schools. There are many different sized lots to accommodate all needs, as well as the ability to purchase multiple if more acreage is desired. Contact Cypress State Realty for lot availability and more details.

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We’re In This Together Delhi Hospital 3D Mammography

E DO MANY THINGS ALONE.WE GO TO THE MALL, alone. We go to the grocery store, alone. We drive to the salon, alone. That’s because we are made to be strong. Independent. Perfect in every way. But sometimes life presents its challenges. When you or a loved one is diagnosed with breast cancer, you find yourself joining together not only with family and friends, but co-workers, church groups and even the members of the medical team around you. You don’t have to do it alone. At Delhi Hospital we offer 3D Mammography and are proud to offer such a lifesaving service in our community. While the stress of going through this process can be straining, there are certain things that you shouldn’t have to worry about. As a 2018-2019 grantee of Susan G. Komen, Project Pink at Delhi Hospital is able to help uninsured and underinsured women get the medical attention they need. Project Pink is a fundraising campaign targeting Delhi and the surrounding communities. Led by Delhi Hospital, this campaign raises funds for the 3D Mammography Program, allowing the uninsured women of our community to receive a free screening and diagnostic 3D mammograms. 100% of all profits will go directly towards providing the women in OUR COMMUNITY with free mammograms and a better mammogram experience. Our Mammography Area is quiet, comfortable and confidential. Having medical tests completed can create anxiety and make one feel very uneasy, but at Delhi Hospital, we take all of those feelings into account and help give you the best experience possible. The best part? You don’t have to do it alone. Research has revealed that cancers found during early screening exams are often smaller in size and still confined to the breast, as compared to those found at later stages. When considering both the factors of size and spread of breast cancer - the most important predictors of prognosis for women with the disease - early detection has become a strategic focus in cancer prevention and care. Gwyn Ogden, Director of Radiology at Delhi Hospital says, “The fight against breast cancer takes a huge leap forward with the availability of 3D Mammography. With fewer false positives and the ability to detect a greater number of small invasive breast cancers, Delhi Hospital and our experienced team will continue to do our part to save lives with these superior images.” You don’t have to do it alone. At Delhi Hospital you’ll find that we are here for you and your family. If you, a friend, family member or loved one needs an annual mammogram, give us a call at 318-878-6459. From scheduling, to testing, to helping you along the way, Delhi Hospital 3D Mammography is here for you. The best part of it all? You don’t have to do it alone. Call us today at 318-878-6459 to schedule your 3D mammography. We’re in this Together.

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Breathe, Grow, Live… in Yoga Half Moon Studio BY SUSAN SOLLEY

ALF MOON STUDIO INVITES YOU TO MONROE’S newest yoga “home” at 1409 Stubbs Avenue. Owners Susan Solley, Ashley Solley, and Elizabeth Griffon encourage you to discover your strength, find your rhythm, and indulge in a uniquely supportive fitness experience. Whether you are new to the mat or an experienced yogi, our instructors will inspire and energize your mind, body, and soul. Our beautiful, spacious yoga and barre studio were designed with our community in mind. Enter our front door to welcoming smiles and embrace the natural textiles, unique lighting, and open concept space. We provide individual cubbies for your personal items. We have 2 bathrooms and a dedicated dressing room. You will find mats, blocks, weights, blankets and towels…everything you need for the best yoga and barre experience. We offer the following classes: • Vinyasa: A flowing dynamic sequence of postures synchronized with breath. Every person is different and we all breathe at an individual pace. Vinyasa means connecting breath and movement. You will be able to clear your thoughts and leave your hectic day outside the studio. You will have the space and ability to go as fast or slow as your body requires. Instructor modifications given for all levels of fitness. • Begin: A gentle vinyasa class geared to guide you through proper alignment, safety, and increased strength. Find encouragement while in the company of other beginners and a knowledgeable instructor. • Barre: A fierce total body workout that incorporates ballet-inspired movement with a mindful cardio experience. Be ready to challenge your core, increase body strength, and improve stability. • Fusion: A powerful yet soulful fusion of yoga, cardio, and barre. • Wild Card: Each week our yoga community votes on what type of class you would like to participate in on Sunday. Vote on our Facebook page, Instagram, or on our studio chalkboard. The instructor will take inspiration from your ideas and post the theme on Friday evening. We have many community-inspired workshops, “pop-up” classes, and special events coming up on our calendar. Enjoy Yoga 101 Fundamentals, Sound Bath Meditation, free/donation community classes, “Bring-a-Friend” days, and much more. We are also excited to offer an exclusive teacher training in collaboration with Courtney Thibault (http://yogaandpaddle.com/half/ ) in 2020. Connect with fellow Half Moon yogis on Facebook (halfmoonstudio) and Instagram (halfmoonstudio318). Contact us on social media, our web page (www.halfmoonstudio318.com) or email us halfmoonstudio318@gmail.com. In life we move through obstacles and try to “breathe” through our ups and downs. Join our yoga family and let our teachers guide you to pace your breath, strengthen your body, and enjoy your journey.

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Don’t Be Fooled

E-cigarettes Are Not a Harmless Alternative

OBACCO PRODUCTS ARE CONTINUING TO EVOLVE and the hottest tobacco products on the market right now are e-cigarettes, electronic products that are designed to deliver nicotine, flavorings and other additives to the user via an inhaled aerosol. E-cigarettes are the most commonly used tobacco product among U.S. youth and are known by many different names, including “e-cigs,” “vape pens” and “JUULs.” The current e-cigarette use increased 78% among high school students during the past year and 1 in 5 high school students currently use e-cigarettes. E-cigarettes are NOT a harmless alternative to smoking cigarettes. As with cigarettes, e-cigarettes contain the addictive drug, nicotine. A typical JUUL cartridge, or “pod,” contains about as much nicotine as a pack of 20 regular cigarettes. Most e-cigarettes also come in kid-friendly flavors and more than 9 of 10 young adult e-cig users said they use e-cigs flavored to taste like menthol, alcohol, fruit, chocolate, or other sweets. The list of health issues related to e-cigarettes is constantly growing and we are noticing a troubling trend among our patients in the dental field. Those using e-cigarettes are experiencing significant tooth decay, enamel wear, and gum disease. Some of the ingredients used in e-cigarettes can significantly affect the oral cavity. Most of the flavoring in e-cigs have a high sugar content which will lead to rapid tooth decay and other ingredients can lead to dry mouth which can cause cavities and gum disease. Research also shows that when teeth are exposed to vaping aerosols, they carry four times more bacteria than teeth that have not been exposed. YOU CAN TAKE ACTION: E-cigarettes use has become an epidemic among our nation’s young people. Everyone can play an important role in protecting our nation’s young people from the risks of e-cigarettes. The best way to approach teens and adolescent about vaping, is by discussing, not lecturing on the subject. There are many educational resources available on the internet such as https://e-cigarettes.surgeongeneral.gov/. If you are fond of your smile and want to keep it intact, the best thing you can do is kick vaping to the curb. If you are going to vape, then your oral hygiene has to be impeccable. To help minimize your risk of developing dental issues we recommend you brush with fluoride toothpaste, floss regularly, avoid having a dry mouth, and see your dentist more frequently. 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 right next to Sterlington High School on 165 North 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 in order to improve the appearance of your teeth and make them more cosmetically pleasing. 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! WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | OCTOBER 2019 149

M I ST E R O C TOBE R

K E N COO K I S A H U N T I N G LE G E N D WH O HA S HARVE S T E D D E E R A LL ACROS S N O R T H A M E R I CA , BU T H I S FAVO R I T E H U N T I N G D E S T I N AT I O N I S R I G H T H E RE AT H OM E.

A R T I C L E BY DA N C H A SO N PH OTO G R A PH E D BY BRAD ARENDER

WHEN REGGIE JACKSON earned the name of “Mr. October” in Major League Baseball, it was because even at an advanced age, when he stepped up to the plate, he delivered. I cannot imagine the pressure to deliver at that level. The pressure to come through for the home team on a scale that large. But that parallel is true as well in the outdoors. I have hunted and fished with some legends in the hunting and fishing business since the early 1980’s. But one man that always eluded me as to his secrets was a man who much later became my friend and much relied upon expert by the name of Ken Cook. If you want a great cup of coffee in North Louisiana, Ken’s Coffee Service is no stranger. Ken’s started up in Ken’s carport in 1978 and is very active today with an established business that has great coffee, clean filtered water coolers and water systems for homes that many people in North Louisiana rely on daily. I first met Ken in a round-about way. We were in a local sporting goods store and he was measuring a giant white tail that he had harvested. I knew right away that I needed to meet this man. I found him to be unassuming, humble and downright secretive about hunting, but very personable when approached for information. I remember one of our first conversations when I asked him about his secret. He put it quite simple: “Time in the woods brother… just time in the woods; but you gotta be sure you’re hunting where a trophy buck lives.” While most hunters can be seen burning up the woods come September when the last dove falls, Ken has already scouted, located and vacated the very woods we are stomping down. Covert Black Op cameras are put out right after turkey season on active salt licks. When I sat down with the 70-year-old, I was amazed not only at his easy demeanor but his satisfaction that unknown to him, he has morphed into a hunting legend with little fanfare; no big backing from hunting sponsors; but still remaining one of the most tenacious and respected hunters in North Louisiana. “I started bow hunting at the age of 16 in the Jackson/ Bienville Wildlife Management area and never left. My buddies and I would make bets on who would kill the biggest buck by the end of the week. I bet I walked every inch of that place but I was not going to be outdone. It was a special time with no cameras, no baiting with corn, four wheelers or anything else we have now. But I will tell you this, if I had to hunt like that now without baiting, cameras and ground blinds, I’d have to stay at the camp. Over the years the whitetail buck has learned it’s not healthy to walk his scrape lines in daylight. We hung stands we made by hand and it was a miracle we are still alive. Shimmying up a tree and staying there all day in a hand-made stand is definitely taking your life in your own hands. Back in those days if I was on a fresh scrape with large rubs, killing a buck was almost a sure thing. We killed a bunch of great 152 OCTOBER 2019 | WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM

In the fork of a mature oak tree in Ken Cook’s yard, a limb was removed, and in the space where the limb met the trunk, there is a plaque. It simply reads: “This live oak was planted by Ken Cook on September 11, 2001. In memory of the 2977 lives lost that day to terrorism. Never forget.”

deer. And I appreciate that today as I can identify with the mistakes I made then and I try not to repeat them.” Today, you can find Ken hunting all across America and Canada chasing the elusive trophy buck. He made it quite clear that a trophy is in the eye of the beholder and made no qualms about who takes what deer when. But he did elude to the fact that his success has depended on some key factors and the most important one is the hardest one: Let them grow up. Most hunters cannot let a 3-year-old buck walk. If you can let that buck make it to 4 years plus, you are not only making the odds of taking a trophy increase, you are increasing the odds of everyone in your area having that opportunity. When I asked how to gauge the age of a 4-year-old buck he had a simple analogy: “A 4-year-old buck is like a 50-year-old man. Broad in the chest, gray at the face with a slightly sagging jaw and a full body with somewhat of a sagging gut.” Made sense to me. Ken rarely shoots a 3-year-old with his Raven cross bow. He is hunting “Grandpa.” With health issues over the last 10 years, he retired his compound bow and went with the cross bow as it was just too much. He also retired the elevated stands and only bow hunts from his Hub Ground Blinds. But that didn’t stop him from hunting the elusive trophy. As I looked at the mountain of racks he has compiled, I soon realized that his rattling horns from harvested bucks were bigger than any buck I have on the wall. When I saw his actual mounts, my mouth gaped open. Ken has quite a few 190” plus bucks from other states. His best buck from North LA scored 158” He feels if you kill a buck in his area that scores 145+ you’ve harvested a true trophy! What surprised me was that after hunting white tails all over the country, I asked him where was his favorite hunting destination. I envisioned Kansas, Canada, or Iowa. Without hesitation when asked his favorite place to hunt, he emphatically said: “Louisiana. If you take a trophy here, you have done something.” He further elaborated and said, “In Louisiana, I pile the corn to them. I call it ‘Power Corning.” If you bring the groceries and pick the right spot, you will have an opportunity if you are willing to spend the time in the blind.” I also asked him how hunting affected his family. We all know that if “Mama ain’t happy, ain’t nobody happy.” But Ken smiled and said something that impressed me. “My wife Ann makes this house a home. She knows my passion for hunting and has never said a thing when she saw that fire in my eyes. She knows my passion and I assure you if she had complained I would not have taken 90% of the deer I have on the wall.” Ken never had any kids of his own but to see his face when talking about grandkids Eli and “TaTa” or Ann’s kids, Christina and husband Brad, Saloom or Ryan and wife Lori Cheek, the man’s face lights up like Christmas Day. “I’d rather be with them grandbabies than sitting anywhere hunting a 200-class buck. They are our life!”

GA M E C A M E R A I M AGE S

n a side note, one thing that really caught my attention that had nothing to do with long beards or big racks was a tree in Ken’s yard. He took me outside and in his front yard was a mature oak tree. What made this tree unique was something that I did not expect. In the fork of the tree a limb was removed, and in the space where the limb met the trunk, there was of all things, a plaque. It simply read: “This live oak was planted by Ken Cook on September 11, 2001. In memory of the 2,977 lives lost that day to terrorism. Never forget.” Ken and I talked about that day and I can say one thing for certain.. it was unexpected and surreal moment. But life is good for Ken Cook. Starting his company in 1978 and

becoming the premier locally owned office coffee service was no small task. “My dad told me close to his death in 1977 to just hang in there. You got to remember that coffee prices at that time had risen from 50 cents a pound to almost $5.00 a pound. I trusted him and just put my head down and developed relationships.” Now over 40 years later, Ken has the same business relationships that he had when he started. He says the key is the same as hunting deer… keep it simple, work hard and eventually good things happen. Ken says when it comes to his business, it’s all about giving great service. I asked him to be specific when it came to what makes him successful in the woods. Being the very humble man he is, he had a simple analogy which sounded familiar to me: “Honestly, it’s just time in the woods, Dan. Get in WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | OCTOBER 2019 153

there, find a good buck and get out of the area. Feed them good. I mean pour it to them. Once you start feeding never let it run out. If you do, you are risking losing your bucks to the guys nearest to your stand. Don’t be tromping around the woods in September and October thinking you can pattern a big buck. Get some cameras in there. Invest in hunting. Buy at least a half dozen Covert Black Op cameras and just wait. If you have scouted lanes and travel corridors and see good buck signs you are in the right spot. That buck may be working a 3-mile area. I find him in late spring and commit to an area. If you do that, you are in his bedroom. You stay with him and when he becomes huntable you’ll get him. If your cams are showing that one of your shooter bucks is moving in daylight, get on him. Don’t wait. Take off work if you can.” I asked him why most hunters rarely see or harvest the kind of bucks he routinely takes every year. His answer was simple: “Most hunters give up too early or take a younger deer too quick. At our club, you have to take at least a 4-year-old and are penalized if you take a younger buck (unless he has been preapproved from cam pics as a cull by our board of directors). We required them to send a picture of their targeted buck, then we say yes or no. Not many people can do that but that’s why we have exceptional bucks. Let the young ones grow.” nderstand that Ken can do this because he manages a large tract of land. The point he is making is that years ago the management of deer was about horn size. Now, hunters are realizing the need to manage a herd by harvesting 4-yearold deer at minimum. Ken has some advice. “Put your Hub blind southeast of your corn pile. Only hunt that stand on a good wind. Rely on your cameras and I guarantee you that you will see bucks that you never knew existed.” Ken does not fall in the “wind machines” or “scent killing” tricks that all the outdoor shows and stores try to sell. He says, “I don’t care if you haven’t bathed in a month. If the wind is in your favor, you are going to see bucks. Pay close attention to the wind. I don’t care what the moon phase is in or what the barometer is doing. Get in your blind, make sure you have a large blind that you can retreat into the darkness. Have a good rest and be patient. Nobody can predict the time of day or when a big boy is gonna show. You just be there when he does.” I have to say that of all the outdoor deer hunting experts I have talked to and interviewed over the years, this interview has changed my attitude. Getting the right blind, staying put and leaving the area untarnished make total sense. I can also say with confidence that come October first, there will be a hunter hidden in his ground blind with no shortage of good coffee in his thermos, a Rage broadhead loaded waiting for the next stud to call his own. He will “camp out” there when the wind is right and let some young bucks walk, see a turkey or two and maybe a hog. But that Rage will fly and he again, will drag out another trophy from the very woods we call home.

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Holiday Happenings in Antique Alley Downtown West Monroe

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 3 Downtown After Dark Shop late on the Alley, food trucks on the Alley and store specials. Visit antiquealleyshops.org or facebook.com/ antiquealley-westmonroe/events for more info.

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 3 Annual Holiday Open House on The Alley Enjoy refreshments while you shop. Stores open 1:00-5:00 PM. Visit antiquealleyshops.org or facebook.com/ antiquealley-westmonroe/events for more info.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 25 Ouachita Live in Alley Park featuring Chase Tyler Band Party starts at 5:30 PM, Music starts at 7:00 PM. Visit OuachitaLive.com for more info.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 21 Annual Champagne Stroll on The Alley Enjoy sips of champagne while strolling the Christmas lights. Shop store specials and kick-off the holiday season. Visit antiquealleyshops.org or facebook.com/ antiquealley-westmonroe/events for more info.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 2 Wild Wild West in Alley Park Sponsored by Downtown West Monroe Revitalization Group and B1Bank. Dance the night away while enjoying wine, beer and food provided by downtown restaurants. Tickets are $30. Visit facebook.com/ downtownwmrg/events for more info.

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SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 30 Shop Small Saturday Support local businesses by shopping small. Shops open late. Visit antiquealleyshops.org or facebook.com/

antiquealley-westmonroe/events for more info. SUNDAY, DECEMBER 1 Cookies and Cocoa With Santa Sponsored by Downtown West Monroe Revitalization Group. Bring the kids to have to have their photo taken with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Enjoy craft activities and lite bites. Tickets are $30.00. Visit facebook. com/downtownwmrg/events for more info. NOVEMBER 29 – DECEMBER 31 Christmas on the River Bring the family to stroll the Christmas light displays, enjoy wagon rides, fireworks, parades, 5K race, outdoor movies and more… Shops open late Friday and Saturday evenings. Visit ChristmasOnTheRiver.org for more info.

Gearing Up for the Holiday Gatherings

Let Pearce Lumber Company’s Friendly and Knowledgeable Staff Help Update Your Home

HIS IS THE PERFECT TIME OF year to refresh your home with holiday parties and family gatherings approaching. Pearce Lumber Company in Ruston has everything to make this happen. We carry premium Benjamin Moore paint and stain for home interiors and exteriors. We can help you find the perfect paint colors and products for your project. You can transform your home with over 2000 colors to choose from. The perfect color should be enjoyed for years to come. Extraordinarily durable Benjamin Moore paint insures exactly that and we are proud to have sold this product for over 70 years. Pearce Lumber can help you choose a new front door to update your home’s entrance for a new look. We offer wood, fiberglass and metal entry doors from numerous manufacturers. We can help you with replacement windows to make your home more attractive and energy efficient.

Update your kitchen and bath cabinets with new knobs and pulls from Amerock or Emtek in a variety of finishes. If you are thinking of building or remodeling, Pearce Lumber is here to help you with your plans to choose the best products to make your dream home a reality. We are a complete lumberyard from foundation to roof and everything in between. One area that has evolved to become a mainstay of the home is the outdoor living space. Let us help you develop that space with a new deck, covering an existing patio or any outdoor remodeling project. And no outdoor space is complete without a premium grill. We offer Big Green Egg, the most recognized and highest quality kamadostyle charcoal grill. With seven sizes available and hundreds of accessories, the Big Green Egg is always a fun and entertaining cooking experience. Another premium grill we have is the Traeger Pellet Grill. Grill, smoke, bake,

roast and barbeque on this grill. No need to babysit, just set and forget it. Cook like a pro every time. Our experts can help you find which one is right for you. We also carry several lines of specialty seasonings and ready to help you with all your grilling needs. Pearce Lumber is an Ace Hardware dealer and have all Ace products available. We also have a large selection of Yeti products, Lodge Cast Iron Cookware, Wusthof Knives, and many other specialty products. Pearce Lumber has been serving North Central Louisiana for over 83 years. It is owned and operated today by the third and fourth generations. Our goal is to offer a quality product at a fair price, provide good service, and to treat everyone fairly and honestly. Come see us today – we are here for you!

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A Collaborative Approach for Each of Our Clients Targeting Family Needs at Family Solutions BY MOLLIE CLINE, MS, CCC-SLP

AMILY SOLUTIONS PROVIDES outpatient physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy through our engaging providers who focus on rehabilitative therapies in their respective areas of expertise. Our dynamic and energetic team are passionate about creating individual treatment plans that target needs to the individual patient and their family’s needs. Physical therapy attempts to address the illnesses or injuries that limit a person’s abilities to move and perform functional activities in their daily lives. Physical Therapists use an individual’s history and physical examination to arrive at a diagnosis and establish a management plan and, when necessary, incorporate the results of laboratory and imaging studies like X-rays, CT-scan, or MRI findings. When focusing on our pediatric clients, the goal is to utilize play based therapy to address deficits that may affect the child’s ability to participate in activities with their

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peers. When focusing on our adult population, many times the goal is to rehabilitate muscle groups following an accident or injury. Occupational therapy attempts to help people across their lifespan participate in the things they want and need to do through the therapeutic use of everyday activities. Common occupational therapy interventions include helping children with disabilities to participate fully in school and social situations, injury rehabilitation, and providing support for older adults experiencing physical and cognitive changes. Speech therapy provides a wide range of services, mainly on an individual basis, but also as support for individuals, families, support groups, and providing information for the general public. In speech therapy, we work to prevent, assess, diagnose, and treat speech, language, social communication, cognitive-communication, and swallowing disorders in children and adults. Speech

services begin with initial screening for communication and swallowing disorders and continue with assessment and diagnosis, consultation for the provision of advice regarding management, intervention and treatment, and providing counseling and other follow up services for these disorders. At Family Solutions our goal is to provide a collaborative approach for each of our clients. This approach has allowed our team to achieve success in treating clients across many domains and disorders. We offer phone consultations to potential clients who are seeking to find out if treatment would be right for their situation or concerns. We offer services in Monroe, West Monroe, Ruston, and Olla, Louisiana. We are very proud to be among the largest providers for pediatric and adult treatment in physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy in North Louisiana. Please call us at 318-361-7180 or visit our website at familysolutionspediatrics.com to find out more.

Flu Never Comes at a Good Time How to Protect You and Your Family from the Bug

HE FLU MIGHT STRIKE RIGHT before your big presentation at work. Your kid may come down with a case right before her holiday play...and she has a major role. The flu might even strike the entire family right before you’re about to take a welldeserved vacation. And heaven forbid it strikes the weekend of a big football game. So, how do you keep the bug at bay this flu season? A flu shot is the best way to increase your odds of not succumbing to the flu in 2019-20. First, a few things you should know about the flu. For us in Louisiana, flu season runs from October through February with late November through late January being peak times. Influenza is contagious and is passed along by coughs, sneezes and touching contaminated objects or surfaces. The flu and the common cold have similar symptoms, which can make it hard to distinguish between the two. If you feel that you are ill, special tests that usually must be done within the first few days of illness can tell if you have the flu. Sudden, excessive fatigue is

one of the earliest signs of the flu. Fatigue is also a symptom of the common cold, but it’s usually more severe with the flu. If you feel very tired, have fever and chills, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, plus headaches and body aches, you probably have the flu. You and your loved ones should get a flu vaccine before flu begins spreading in your community. It takes about two weeks after vaccination for the vaccine to take effect. The CDC recommends that people get a flu vaccine by the end of October if possible. However, if you are unable to get vaccinated in early fall, getting the flu vaccine later in the season is still beneficial. The vaccine can keep you from contracting the flu, or in many cases reduces flu illnesses, so the symptoms are much milder. In addition to children, it is very important to vaccinate high-risk persons such as pregnant women, people with chronic health conditions like asthma, diabetes or heart and lung disease, and those over 65. Even if you get a vaccine, be sure to take

everyday precautions to keep the flu away. Wash your hands frequently, cover your mouth when you cough and if someone in the family comes down with symptoms, isolate that person from other family members if possible. Additionally, see a doctor as soon as symptoms occur. The treatment window for the flu is usually within the first 48 hours of the onset of symptoms, and the only proven treatment that helps requires a doctor’s prescription, so it’s important to act fast. St. Francis Urgent Care provides flu shots, as well as walk-in care for colds and flu. We treat minor illnesses and injuries for patients age three months and up. Conditions treated include: ear, eye and infections; fever; minor cuts that may need stitches; broken bones or simple fractures; severe sore throat; sprains and strains; vomiting and diarrhea; and more. In addition to our 2020 Tower Drive, Suite 100 location in Monroe, we recently opened our new facility at 3424 Cypress St. in West Monroe both with office hours M-F 8 a.m. - 8 p.m. and Sat.-Sun. 8 a.m. - 6 p.m. Our modern, state-of-the art facilities are equipped with advanced technology including digital x-ray and an electronic medical records (EMR) systems. St. Francis Urgent Care is affiliated with St. Francis Medical Center and the Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health System. For more information, visit www.StFrancisUrgentCare.net

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A Special Collection of Local Favorites Junior League Cookbooks Continue the Tradition

UNIOR LEAGUE OF MONROE cookbooks represent a key piece of the community, heritage and tradition. Beginning with The Cotton Country Collection, published in 1972, Celebrations on the Bayou and Cooking in High Cotton complete the collection. Junior League women and the greater community have been sharing these recipes and cooking these meals for families, friends and guests for generations. We are sharing these recipes, with the hopes of continuing this tradition of sharing these cookbooks with new generations, those new to the area and those outside our region. These cookbooks are more than just the recipes that fill their pages but more importantly, they were created to directly support the community through their proceeds. Louisiana Shrimp and Corn Gumbo Cooking in High Cotton, pg. 88

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Recipe and Photography Submitted by Tara Ambrose Ingredients: • 5 Tablespoons olive oil • 5 Tablespoons flour • 2 onions, finely chopped • 1 green bell pepper, finely chopped • 4 shallots, chopped • 2 Tablespoons fresh minced parsley • Salt to taste • Black pepper to taste • 1/8 teaspoon cayenne • 1 teaspoon Cajun vegetable seasoning • 3 dashes hot pepper sauce • 3 dashes Worcestershire sauce • 1 Tablespoon basil • 1 pound can undrained tomatoes, chopped • 1 pound frozen corn • 3 cups chicken broth • 2 pounds small or medium shrimp, peeled

Directions: In a Dutch oven over medium heat, make a dark roux with olive oil and flour, stirring constantly. When brown, add onions, bell pepper, shallots, and parsley. Sauté on low for 10 minutes. Add salt, pepper, cayenne, Cajun vegetables seasoning, hot pepper sauce, Worcestershire, and basil. Simmer 5 more minutes. Add tomatoes, corn, and broth. Cover and simmer over low heat for 1-1 ½ hours, adding shrimp during the last 15-20 minutes of cooking time. Makes 2 ½ quarts. This gumbo may be prepared ahead of time and slowly warmed to serving temperature.

Who Needs In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)? Positive Steps Fertility Offers Answers BY DR. J. PRESTON PARRY

OT EVERYONE NEEDS IVF. WHEN trying to conceive (#TTC) for years without success, something is usually wrong. Despite all the stories of taking a vacation or losing weight, these don’t work for most people with true infertility. 80% of women conceive within three months, and if a woman hasn’t gotten pregnant when trying over 18 months, the odds are 10:1 against her being spontaneously successful over the next several years. Though IVF is exceptionally powerful, many people need an evaluation to identify treatable causes. Even if a cause isn’t found, many can still conceive with low cost oral medication and insemination. However, when a couple wants a child, low tech measures haven’t worked, and would prefer using their own DNA relative to child-free living or adoption, IVF often can get results. What is IVF? IVF (in vitro fertilization) is a procedure where eggs that would naturally be lost in a given month are rescued, placed

with sperm, and then from that group healthy embryos are identified for return to the uterus. It bypasses most tubal issues (tubal ligation, removed or damaged tubes, etc.) IVF also can fix severe male factors (low counts where sperm are unlikely to find an egg, such as from chemotherapy, testicular injury, etc.) Though IVF is more efficient when there are many eggs to choose from (25 eggs give a greater chance of conception than 8), it can also help overcome egg problems through identification of healthy embryos. Looking at embryos often tells the chances of pregnancy, but the gold standard is a sampling of the DNA from an embryo. Women with prolonged infertility often have more mistakes in the DNA in their eggs, where a biopsy can find a healthy embryo so they can have success, when other embryos would have failed. Why do IVF? Though IVF (and parenting) is not for everyone, many women with subfertility run 1% or less chances per month

of being pregnant. To have a technique that can change it to 50% (or cumulatively even higher from a single egg retrieval), this can go a long way in having the child they have hoped for. Can I afford IVF? Unfortunately, insurance coverage for infertility is often limited (and many find they are in an exception category for “mandates.”) Though the usual starting point is low cost, low tech approaches, if needing IVF, many are surprised to find that broad inclusive packages (not including medication) allowing for multiple embryo transfers are available for $11,000. We even are introducing for eligible patients a package for $16,000 with 100% refund if a baby is not born from an IVF cycle. (Talk with us at Positive Steps Fertility for details.) Though not cheap, this approach can get results for having a child who is ultimately priceless. As always, we wish for success for everyone wanting to be parents. From simple explanations, to high tech solutions, or simply a fresh perspective if what you’ve been doing on your own or with a doctor hasn’t worked, come see us in our Monroe (or Madison, MS) offices. Hope, understanding, and solutions are real and we see successes all the time! Please join us on Facebook every first Friday of the month for First Friday Fertility Live 12:00 p.m. CST.

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FOOD CULTURE Monroe’s next-best-thing to abuela’s kitchen is Kahlo Tapas & Tequila. Partners Mario Mata and Cesar Nunez have opened their newest venture that features distinguished Mexican flavors in the form of a tapas and tequilería establishment.

article by Vanelis Rivera photography by Andrew Bailey

or a city that spans approximately thirty-three square miles, Monroe, Louisiana has considerable options for one of America’s favorite cross-cultural fusions—Tex-Mex. There’s a lot to rave about when it comes to these heavily Tejano (Texans of Mexican heritage) style restaurants, like digging into a plate of chips and queso while waiting on cheesy chicken enchiladas to arrive. But the flavors of México are far and wide reaching. Thirty-two states make up the dominating landmass of Central America, and with it, cultural intricacies abound, many of which are expressed in the kitchens of tias (aunts) and abuelas (grandmothers). Unfortunately, not everyone has the great honor of having a Mexican abuela, but a distinguished Mexican tapas and tequilería (an establishment that serves tequila) is ready to become Monroe’s next-best-thing to abuela’s kitchen—Kahlo Tapas & Tequila. Mario Mata, owner of Kahlo, jokes about his Homeric journey to Monroe: “Nació en una penca de un maguey, criado por Xoloitzcuintles. La luna y las estrellas le mostraron el camino a Monroe, Louisiana (Raised in the stalks of an agave plant, raised by the native dogs of México . The moon and the stars revealed the path to Monroe, Louisiana).” Though Mata’s parents were established in the United States before he was born, he is the only one of his siblings born in México, a detail that characterizes the dignity and pride he has for his heritage.He was raised in Georgia and Alabama at an early age, but most of his childhood was spent in Monroe due to his parents’ involvement in the restaurant business. As a teen, he decided to return to México to complete his education and quickly discovered that his Spanish was lacking: “My Spanish was very bad, and I didn’t know until I went to México. My Spanish was a mix of other Spanishes.” It didn’t take long for him to become fluent in Mexican standards, and after establishing a family of his own, he decided to join his parents and brothers in Monroe in pursuit of a life of opportunity. The immigration process to bring his family from México to Monroe took three years, but the wait only strengthened his resolve. His restaurant staples as a Monrovian included establishing Avocado’s as well as his newest ventures Burrito Loko, located in West Monroe, and now Kahlo which he has opened alongside his partner Cesar Nunez. Celebrating what it means to be Mexican was the heart of the Kahlo project. “I like art. Anything that stands for what it means to be Mexican, art and food; I wanted to showcase it,” explains Mata. After years of his friends tasting and sharing their enthusiasm for his home cooking, Mata began visualizing a space that would do justice to authentic, from-the-kitchen, Mexican food. In his other restaurants, Mata avoided using the word “authentic” to describe his cuisine mainly because he associates the word with the

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style of dishes that would be cooked in his house, which are not often completely reflected in Tex-Mex dishes. Born in González, a municipality located in the Mexican state of Tamaulipas, Mata has been exposed to the many culinary interpretations and presentations unique to regions. As a tip-of-the-hat to the Spanish influence on his culture, Kahlo’s Mexican staples are set in a tapas-style presentation and setting. In Spanish cuisine, a tapa is an appetizer or small portion of any kind of Spanish dish. In the Kahlo menu, the first tapa listed is a Bayou Life favorite: their Elote! This Mexican-style corn on-the-cob stands alone because of its coating of chile powder, butter, lime juice, and sprinkled with queso fresco. It’s the simplest dish on the menu, but it’s packed with flavor and makes an excellent addition to any of their entrées. Another simple and flavorful tapa is the Sope, a savory corn cake that takes the form of a fried corn disk topped with beans, then your choice of meat, and stacked with lettuce, queso fresco, pico de gallo, and sour cream. A stand-out tapa with traditional Mexican flavor is their Camarones a la Diabla (Spicy Shrimp) served with a tomato based sauce, given a kick of spice, and rice. The most popular tapa, so far, is Kahlo’s Ceviche Stack. This Spanishinfluenced classic is made traditionally: cured fish and shrimp cooked with the citrus of fresh lime juice stacked in layers of avocado, cucumber, and pico de gallo. The beauty of the tapas dishes is that they can be combined to make a full meal, so get creative with your choice of eleven different tapas that may soon grow in number. On the entrée side, you’ll notice a few familiar words like tacos, enchiladas, and huevos rancheros, but the key to some of the dishes in this section of the menu is the style in which the meat of your choice is prepared. Bistec ranchero (steak in ranchero sauce) is prepared in a piquant tomato-based sauce that includes onions, green chilis, and seasoning. Pork carnitas is Mexican-style slow cooked pork, equal parts crispy and tender. Chicharron en salsa is pork belly slow cooked in salsa. Asado de puerco is pork cooked in a red chili sauce. And Barbacoa is meat steamed until tender accompanied with onions and cilantro. One particular unfamiliar dish worthy of exploration includes the Chilaquiles. Traditionally a breakfast course, this dish consists of corn tortillas cooked with sauce, chicken and cheese, then topped with a fried egg and avocado. Though the restaurant is still working on an official dessert menu, an off menu dessert item that you’ll want to ask about is their Chocoflan, a traditional dessert that is a combination of chocolate cake on the bottom with a soft and creamy flan on top. It’s been dubbed “The Impossible Chocolate Cake” as well as “Magic Mexican Chocolate Flan Cake,” but all that you really need to know is how you can lose yourself in it. Doesn’t matter what side of the menu you order from, your dish will not only be rich in taste, but also rich in color—just like the restaurant’s interior.

There is depth to culture that we won’t always get in a few drinks and food plates, but Mata’s intention is to begin the conversation, not only widening our palate, but also our appreciation and understanding for our southern neighbor, México.

After all, México is a color culture. The use of bright pigments in art and architecture represent the array of the country’s natural world. And though Mexican artists abound, only one name seems to raise eyebrows—Frida Kahlo. Mata uses the German surname of the famous artist, itself a testament to the extensive cultural diversity of the Mexican people, as well as the image of the flower crown, an iconic accessory of the artist, as a subtle ode. “I didn’t want to use Frida because it’s too obvious. I wanted people to raise the question: What does Kahlo mean?” In the restaurant, Frida shows up on throw pillows and on a mounted portrait, but the most impressive visual of her can be found in the impressively crafted mixed media mural that utilizes a wide arrange mediums, including acrylic and spray paint, designed painted by Mata. “I went all in,” he says proudly. He’s always painted as a hobby, and though he’s completed work for other restaurants, nothing quite compares to a piece of art completely designed and representing his vision. At first glance,

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the mural looks inspired by México’s Día de los Muertos holiday. A large sugar skull with two star-shaped light fixtures as eyes beams a smile, while mariachi skeletons celebrate the wedding of a skeleton bride and groom. In reality, the pain and beauty of Frida Kahlo’s emblematic paintings inspired Mata. In the mural, Frida’s portrait is joined by those of fellow contemporaries, Chavela Vargas, Costa Rican-born Mexican singer, and Maria “La Doña” Felix, Marylin Monroe of México. Other iconic images commemorating Mexican culture collage the scene, like red roses, Loteria playing cards, flower crowns, cacti, and guitars. Mata adds a quote by Vargas: “Nadie se muere de amor, ni por falta, ni por sobra (Nobody dies of love, neither from scarcity, nor abundance).” Mata affirms that “Art isn’t just a painting,” because it extends to music, food, and drink. The tavern-esque space is cozy and intimate. Cafe-style tables and chairs scatter the main dining floor, while croc patterned banquette seating, perfect for large parties, line half of a wall.

Exposed brick walls peek out from under a red painted stucco, and an elevated lounge houses three vintage style sofas at the foot of Mata’s mural. Painted antique tin-tile ceilings feature pendant lights and an antique candelabra chandelier that marks the bar area, noted by high bar shelves and a ladder that can access the literally high-shelf tequila. If you’re not a snazzy tequila drinker, your first stop may not be Kahlo’s higher-end family reserve Jose Cuervo—hand blown bottle, delivered in a custom-painted wooden box, and hand signed—though it should be aged tequila. Mata suggests patrons start with a reposado (tequila aged over a year), such as their Coralejo, a mild flavor that’s meant to be sipped and not shot (as is the custom with blanco or silver tequilas, which are characterized by their clear appearance and freshly distilled flavor). A tequila aged for about three years in oak is called an añejo, and it exhibits rich aromas with a smooth finish—the kind of tequila you want to enjoy. Most of Kahlo’s cocktails are tequila-based, namely the Paloma and Vampiro, two Mexican favorites. Paloma (dove) is México’s most beloved cocktail of carbonated grapefruit and tequila balanced with fresh-squeezed lime juice. The Vampiro (vampire), appropriate for the festivities of this month, is mixed tequila and Viuda de Sánchez (Sanchez’s widow), México’s best selling sangrita (a drink mix of lime, orange, and peppers). It’s tangy and refreshing! At Kahlo, everything has a story, so make sure to awaken your curiosity, be inquisitive, and stay open minded. “We still have a lot of plans of the story we want to tell here,” says Mata, referring to the many Spanish influences that have shaped Mexican art in all its forms. There is depth to culture that we won’t always get in a few drinks and food plates, but Mata’s intention is to begin the conversation, not only widening our palate, but also our appreciation and understanding for our southern neighbor, México. Kahlo Tapas & Tequila is located on 428 Desiard Street, Monroe, Louisiana and is open Monday through Saturday between 11 AM to 10 PM and 11 AM to 9 PM on Sundays. The bar stays open until 2 AM, Thursday through Saturday. You can call them at 318-570-4954 for information on specials and live music. Give them a follow on Instagram and Facebook.

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Carlstedt’s in Monroe

Features Plants, Flowers, Wreaths and More

ARLSTEDT’S IS LOCATED IN THE HEART OF MIDtown Monroe, just off Tower Drive, and is an importer and wholesaler of fresh cut flowers. However, Carlstedt’s sells directly to more than 20,000 customers and reaches even more with their partnerships with retail outlets like Amazon, Walmart and Wholefoods. “People don’t realize it, but we sell flowers to everyone!” owner Alice Givens explains. “If you want a beautiful work of art, then go to one of the thousands of flower shops we supply. But you can also walk right into one of our flower coolers, pick what you would like, go home and experiment and create something on your own.” And flowers aren’t all Carlstedt’s has to offer either. They also sell a wide range of plants and trees that you can use to accent the interior of your home. One of the most sought after on trend trees right now is the ficus lyrata, also known as the Fiddle Leaf Fig. If you have even glanced at a home magazine or looked at an influencer’s Instagram account, you have seen a fiddle leaf fig tree. You can place this dramatically different houseplant in a place that gets lots of indirect light and half turn the pot once a week. Carlstedt’s has them in stock so you can see them for yourself and take one home when you are ready to add it to your family. Another popular plant that is currently in season is the croton, a colorful perennial evergreen shrub with thick, leathery leaves of varying colors, shapes and sizes. These plants add a pop of color to a front porch this time of year. Potted mums are another inexpensive and colorful way to get your home ready for the fall. A trend that hasn’t slowed down is succulents. This is the perfect plant to grow in your home or garden because they come in a variety of colors and textures, can jazz up a garden or pot and forgives the forgetful gardener by soldering on without food and water. A favorite gift to give a lovely hostess or a sick friend is the phalaenopsis orchid, also known as moth orchids. These beautiful tall and delicate orchid plants look wonderful sitting on a kitchen island or even on a nightstand. When you step into the cooler at Carlstedt’s you can see all of the wonderful fall colors. From warm yellow sunflowers to rich red rover mums to orange lillies, you can pick a variety of flora to create an arrangement for your home. They also carry an extensive line of containers and baskets to complete the look. Check out their wall of wreaths including moss, berries and more. If you don’t see exactly what you are looking for - whether it be a plant, tree or flower, Carlstedt’s can always make a special order. Stop by Carlstedt’s to see everything they have to offer to help add a pop of happy to your home!

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Seamless Process

Kim’s Floor Decor Helps with Every Step

ICKING NEW FLOORING CAN BE DAUNTING TASK. There are many materials to choose from and each type has a huge variety of options to go along with it. Also, depending on the room and the flow of traffic, there are a variety of considerations to think about. The team at Kim’s Floor Decor is here to help and make choosing and installing new flooring as easy as possible. Here is a look into the most popular types of flooring. HARDWOOD For starters, let’s take a look at a traditional favorite: hardwood. Thanks to hardwood’s durability and warm, natural feel, it continues to be the flooring of choice for many homeowners. Of the hardwoods, oak remains the most popular choice, but other woods like cherry and imported exotic woods such as Brazilian cherry or Tasmanian oak are definitely worth considering. Hardwood floors come in a variety of styles such as plank, parquet and pre-finished boards. VINYL PLANK Vinyl Plank flooring comes in many different styles, textures and colors. The biggest advantage of vinyl plank flooring is the fact that it is 100% water resistant. This makes it the ideal flooring solution for spaces such as living areas, kitchens and bathrooms. It is a great option for those with children and pets that worry about accidents. Regular sweeping and weekly mopping is all you need to keep your floors looking great. TILE Porcelain is a popular choice as is terra cotta and natural stone, such as marble, granite, travertine or slate. When selecting tile on a budget, porcelain is the most cost-effective. It combines the beauty and hardness of stone, but costs considerably less and is much easier to maintain than marble, which is porous and must periodically be resealed. Glazed porcelain tile is durable enough to handle heavy traffic areas and is available in a wide range of hues, textures and finishes. Unleash your creativity and combine tiles of various sizes, colors and textures to create a one-of-a-kind floor. Apart from flooring, the team at Kim’s Floor Decor also specializes in custom backsplashes for kitchens and bathrooms, shower walls, tub decks and more. Stop by their showroom to see their impressive selection at 1309 Glenwood Dr, West Monroe or call (318) 323-0646 to schedule a private appointment. The team at Kim’s Floor Decor is here to help every step of the way. WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | OCTOBER 2019 169

Lending the Way

Assurance Financial Offers Local Expertise

OUNDED IN 2001, ASSURANCE Financial was created to service the loan industry a little differently. They support their branches and loan officers with a full-service in-house team, which offers them the flexibility they need to best serve their territories and customers. Northeast Louisiana is lucky to have Amanda Smith as a loan officer for Assurance Financial, as she is helping to lend the way and help so many people find a home. Amanda has been with Assurance Financial for three years but has over a decade of financial industry experience, particularly investment planning and wealth management. She is a graduate of the University of North Texas with a degree in Business Administration and Marketing. Her experience includes corporate relocation and commercial real estate, marketing and business development, including specific achievements in project management and

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risk assessment. Assurance Financial offers Conventional, Jumbo, FHA, VA, USDA Rural Development and Construction Loans, just to name a few. One of the things that sets Assurance Financial apart is that they are a mortgage lender, not a broker. “This is our money we are lending and it is all we do, all the time,” said Amanda. “We are the experts in lending and are passionate about helping people in our community.” Amanda says that rates are currently low and activity in the Northeast Louisiana area have been busier than they typically are this time of year. “If people are looking to purchase a home, refinance or an investment property, we pride ourselves on educating them on their options and how the entire process works,” said Amanda. “Often times, people think they have to put down twenty percent and that isn’t always the case. We even offer mortgage programs that other

people don’t have access to. Everyone has the potential to be a home owner!” Amanda lives in Monroe with her husband, Robert Smith, their sons Adam and Seythen, and their rescue dog, Buck. The Smith family enjoys the outdoors, hunting and fishing, riding bicycles and attending sporting events. Amanda has served as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) volunteer as well as a board member for the Louisiana Lions Club and Robert is a member of the Barak Shriners and the board of the Louisiana Purchase for the Boy Scouts. They are passionate about helping children and supporting the Shriner’s and Scottish Rite hospitals. Because Amanda is so involved in her community, she is passionate about serving the people of Northeast Louisiana. “While we do have digital applications and online capabilities, we are still local people serving our local community,” said Amanda. “I can send someone electronic documents, but I can also drive to their house and meet them in person. You can always call me and reach me directly, making the process go by much smoother!” Whether you are looking to purchase your first home, your forever home or want to add property to your investment portfolio, go by and see Amanda at Assurance Financial and let her lend the way to your new home.

Introducing Woodstock Garden and Gift Local Favorite Reopens with New Owner

HE WORD ON NORTH THIRD Street is Woodstock has re-opened and everyone is loving it! Located in the heart of the Garden District of Monroe, Woodstock Garden and Gift has evolved with a new owner, Claire Gordon, who officially re-opened the doors last month. “Woodstock has been around for years and when Chelsie Summerville decided to sell it, I seized the opportunity!” said Claire. “I am excited to give our community a place to shop for handmade items, organic and eco-friendly items, local art and more.” Woodstock is truly a family affair with Claire’s mom, Gayle Condrey, greeting customers as they enter the door. You can even find one of Claire’s three girls hanging out in the shop and of course, her husband Hardy, offering his support behind the scenes. Local stylist and childhood friend Brandi Howard helped Claire get the store ready for its re-opening and familiar faces Audrey and Courtney can still be found at the store, ready to help customers.

Claire’s vision for the new Woodstock is to feature regional items from some of the places she has lived and discovered local artists, gifts and more. Items can be found from Louisiana, South Carolina, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia and Texas. You can still find quite the selection of pillows, candles, lighting, baby clothes and local favorite, Mr. P’s Tees. Claire has expanded the clothing section by offering Criquet, an Austin, TX based clothing company that offers classic polo style shirts with a fresh set of eyes. She has also added an entire line of pajamas and robes from The Cat’s Pajamas, with fun and stylish prints. Everyone’s favorite - athleisure wear has also been added. The kids section has expanded with toys, gift options and little “happys.” Claire has also added Jack Rabbit Creations, a unique company creating classic wooden, tin and plush toys for kids, like a stack n’ play tugboat, classic Jack-in-the-boxes, wooden rolling toys and more. Claire has also expanded the selection of pet products and gardening items. She will even have unique

fresh flowers from Ecuador every Tuesday! While it is impossible to pick just one thing, Claire’s favorite items involve helping patrons pick out gifts for the gardener who has it all or to help a new plant lover get started with a simple plant and container. Growing up a farmer’s daughter, she is drawn to plants and growth. She also loves the Leigh Ann Barnes Gamechanger bags and reversible clutches. They are the perfect accompaniment to football games or concerts. Leigh Ann reclaims fabric scraps to make smaller accessories, repurposed and handmade by survivors of abuse. Artel glassware from Prague is another of Claire’s favorites. The designs are garden inspired and simply beautiful. Claire enjoys supporting emerging artists. Stay tuned for pop ups and seasonal classes. The scenery at Woodstock will change as artists evolve, so stop by often to be inspired and to experience a bright spot in your day.

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Trail Run and Walk At Chemin-a-Haut State Park

F YOU ENJOY THE BEAUTY OF nature, then this event is for you. We welcome church groups, scouts, families, and schools to our 3rd Annual Chemina-Haut 4 Mile Trail Run and 1 Mile Walk. Since the word is spreading about this event, we are expecting a large group. You will be in good company and have lots of fun. To add to the excitement, you are provided the option to register for a team (teams are a minimum of 5 participants). The Chemin-a-Haut 4 Mile Trail Run and 1 Mile Walk are designed with three main purposes in mind. First, to provide a great race for everyone that enjoys trail running or walking along natural trails under towering cypress, hickory, and oak forests, and along scenic lakeshore and the bayou. Second, to enjoy the unspoiled beauty that one of the oldest and most natural state parks in Louisiana has to offer as you enjoy the camaraderie of friends. You will pass by thousands of years old

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Cypress trees, and run along the “high road,” the same route used by Native Americans centuries ago in their seasonal migration. Both awards and participant medallions are handmade from cypress trees. Find us on Facebook to see photos of these unique awards that you will be proud to show off. Finally, the proceeds from this trail run and walk are re-invested in projects to benefit and raise awareness for the park and and for projects that create pride in Morehouse Parish. Registration opened on July 1st. Awards: Top Overall Male and Female and Male and Female 1st and 2nd Place for 0-15; 16-25; 26-35; 36-45; 46-55; 56 and Over. Stay after the Trail Run & Walk and enjoy a day in the park. Chemin-A-Haut State Park is situated on a high bluff overlooking Bayou Bartholomew. This 503-acre site takes its name from the French word meaning “high road,” which was the route used by the Native Americans many years ago in their seasonal

migrations. It was designed with children in mind. Two playgrounds in the day-use area are a favorite spot of the younger patrons as is the wading pool in the swimming complex. In addition to RV and tent camping, overnight guests can also relax in cabins, some located convenient to the day-use area, while moresecluded units are located on the bayou. Join the event participants that are planning to stay after the run/walk to kayak in Chemina-Haut Creek or in Big Slough Lake (kayaks are available for rental). For more information or to register for the Trail Run & Walk, please visit eventbrite. com. Please visit Chemin-a-Haut Trail Run & Walk’s Facebook page for updates, information and pictures. *You are responsible for the $3.00 Chemin-a-Haut State Park entry fee. T-shirts cannot be guaranteed for those participants that register after September 18th.

Cajun Cabinet Shop Design, Coordinate and Build

HE CAJUN CABINET SHOP IS located in Northeast Louisiana and offers state-of-the-art equipment in a 10,000 square foot facility. They will make the entire process of designing and building easy and professionally done. Once custom cabinets are designed, a detailed binder is printed with complete drawings and diagrams of the project that will remove all doubt for what is expected when the job is completed. Cajun Cabinet Shop only offers quality work and the uses the best materials in all of their projects. Their cabinet doors are built inhouse, which allows a mitered corner on even the most modest of projects and full scrutiny throughout the process. Every step of the process is professionally thought out. A variety of materials are offered, including MDF, paint grade birch, melamine, laminates and natural and exotic wood products. Their furniture-grade wood looks

amazing. Made of the highest quality lumber, their wood and finishes are the eco-friendly options you’ll want to include in your home. Cajun Cabinet Shop is willing to work with you to create a custom job and guarantee your are 100% satisfied with the final outcome of the project. The Cajun Cabinet Shop can also design a one-of-a-kind closet, complete with a Lazy Cajun spinner shelf to maximize storage. Enjoy a neat and tidy storage solution by way of our wide selection of The Lazy Cajun. Design examples can be viewed at www. cajuncabinets.com. Together with their sister company, Home Cinema & Hi-Fi, The Cajun Cabinet Shop can offer complete indoor and outdoor kitchens, including appliances and entertainment products. You deserve your dream kitchen! Learn how Cajun Cabinets approach to custom cabinetry can transform your kitchen, just in time for football season

and the upcoming holidays. Appliance brands offered include: • GE • Frigidaire • Samsung • Smeg • Forno Quality work from local people, Cajun Cabinet Shop is ready to help you get your home or business to where you have always dreamed it would be. Call 318-516-1600 or visit their website, www.cajuncabinets.com, for more information.

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Locally Owned Bank Opens New Branch Guaranty Bank & Trust has People You Know and Trust

ITH ITS ROOTS DEEP WITHIN the Northeast Louisiana community Guaranty Bank has grown to be one of the top-rated banks in the state. The company also offers insurance through its affiliate, Southern Fidelity Agency, Inc. First opening its doors in October 1966, it is only poetic that they will be opening their new full-service branch at 1220 N 18th Street in Monroe on October 1, 2019. This 53-year-old community bank based in Delhi, Louisiana provides a broad array of financial services through its offices in Delhi, Epps, Oak Grove, Rayville, Start, Sterlington, Tallulah, West Monroe and now Monroe. Being a local bank, Guaranty offers banking with people you know and trust. MEET OUR TEAM Jeremy Harrell, Senior Vice President of Commercial Banking, has 24 years of financial and management experience, including 17 years of banking experience in all areas of community banking and executive-level management. He

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is responsible for commercial banking and business development in and around Ouachita Parish. A graduate of Barret Graduate School of Banking, he is very active in the community serving on various boards and committees. “I am truly excited to be here doing what I love. This is a great company that values all the right things,” says Jeremy. With over 20 years of banking experience Amanda Taylor, Vice President/Branch Manager, has worked in all aspects of banking including consumer, commercial, and agriculture lending. Amanda previously worked for Guaranty Bank while attending college and she is excited to say that she is once again working for the bank. “It feels good to be home, as if I have come full circle,” Amanda states. As Vice President/Branch Manager, she will oversee the daily operations of their new location, as well as continuing to provide consumer and commercial lending to customers. Assistant Vice President Garrett Aymond

will also be part of the lending team at the new branch. Garrett has been with the bank for 2 years primarily working out of both the West Monroe and Sterlington offices handling both consumer and commercial lending. He is looking forward to the new opportunities that the new branch will bring. Courtney and Mark Holyfield, along with their staff will be transferring their residential mortgage operation into this new location in the heart of Monroe. Courtney and Mark have a combined experience in the mortgage industry of over 24 years. They are very excited about being in the retail banking environment and feel like this will only improve their level of service with the banking and mortgage services being in one location. Guaranty Bank opened its mortgage division in March 2017 and has had great success. Please come out to help them celebrate the opening of their new branch and meet them in person at the Open House on October 29th from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM.

FALL into Three Threads

Three Threads Owned by Local Artist Sallie Bynum Anzelmo

ALL IS FINALLY HERE AND THE studio has been buzzing in preparation for the upcoming holiday season! With the change of the season, our shop is changing too with new art work inspired by autumn evenings and cooler color palettes adorning our walls and we’re cozying up with new pillows, throws, and textiles that’ll warm up any room! You can visit the studio Monday - Friday (10:00 am to 5:00 pm) or Saturdays (10:00 am to 2:00 pm) to see what we’re working on and even customize your own set of glassware created by our artist and owner, Sallie Bynum Anzelmo. The back of the shop is always busy hand painting and shipping our glassware line that is supplied to stores across the nation. Our glassware line comes in an array of colors and designs including our Original Oyster © glass, as well as exclusive designs to our shop, which include

our evil eye, ginger jar, and bar scene series. If you’re a tailgater or enjoy watching the game from home we have hand painted glassware for the ULM, LA Tech, LSU, and New Orleans Saints football fans. Other schools and teams are available online or upon request in the shop. With the holidays and wedding season approaching, stop in and see our glassware designed specifically for Christmas or for those tying the knot. All glassware can be customized for the special couple to include names, initials, or wedding date. If you’re hosting a party or just celebrating a special occasion we can create custom colored glassware for you too. In addition to our glassware, we have a beautiful collection of original artwork for all budgets. If you are looking for that perfect piece of artwork for your home or office, we offer in studio appointments to sit down

with Sallie to discuss a truly one of a kind commissioned piece. So if you’re looking for that special gift or just starting your wish list, be sure to come see us during our regular hours or mark your calendar to attend one of our holiday events. You can experience our Winter Wonderland by joining us the evening of November 21st for downtown West Monroe’s annual Champagne Stroll. We will be featuring the work of Vintage Variations Jewelry designed locally. Or come Jingle & Mingle December 5th from 10 am to 7 pm. Sip specialty cocktails and enjoy the music as we deck the halls and decorate our tree with one of a kind ornaments available for purchase. You can shop our M Street Studio Earring Bar and customize your own pair of earrings for the perfect sparkle to wear to all of your holiday parties.

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Azalea Estates of Monroe

Compassionately Caring for North Louisiana’s Seniors

ZALEA ESTATES ASSISTED LIVING and Retirement Communities are owned and managed by the original founders, who have more than 100 years of combined experience in caring for seniors. Our company strives to set new standards each year for services, amenities, and programs designed to keep our residents as active and independent as possible. While our communities’ surroundings and home-like atmosphere are wonderful, what truly sets Azalea Estates apart is our staff and their understanding of the true meaning of service to our residents. Our goal is for you to walk into one of our Azalea Estates and say, “It feels like home.” We strive to accommodate all of our residents and make them feel at home. We have individual apartments in single bedroom or two bedroom. We also have a studio option available, as well as, our new

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secured “Legacy Wing.” The Legacy Wing provides care for residents with Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease. We want our residents to be comfortable and happy while staying at Azalea Estates. Some of the accommodations we provide are weekly housekeeping and laundry service. We also provide transportation to and from doctor appointments. There are scheduled daily group activities, weekly social outings, family dinners and special events. Table service breakfast, lunch and dinner is in the dining hall everyday. We want the transition into assisted living to be easy and carefree. Our living options include: • Retired Living • Assisted Living • Memory Care • Respite Care Few other senior living communities can compare to the lifestyle, features,

amenities, and outstanding value that Azalea Estates offers each resident. The very best way to learn about us is to come by and see our communities, have a meal with us, meet our residents and staff, and see how much fun we have and how you can make tomorrow better than today. Special offering is happening now for a limited time. Please call or stop by to see how you or your loved ones can continue living YOUR best life. Azalea Estates of Monroe 318-350-6576 4380 Old Sterlington Rd. Monroe, LA 71203

Local Entertainment Specialists Home Cinema & Hi-Fi

LOCALLY OWNED BUSINESS specializing in home entertainment, custom installation and local tech support for everything they sell and install, Home Cinema has been in business since 1999. Owned and operated by Mason Granade, Home Cinema can compete with chain-store and internet prices with concierge style service. Every project is custom tailored to the needs of the client, starting with a free in-home consultation. Mason and his highly trained staff put together the perfect system for your wants, needs and budget using top rated brands, keeping in mind ease of use and operation. Home Cinema & Hi-Fi provides services for residential, commercial and house of worship customers. Residential services include: • TV sales and installation (with brands such as Samsung, Sony, LG and outdoor TVs) • Hidden speakers • Outdoor entertainment (complete with

landscape speakers) • Music throughout the house (using your favorite apps such as Pandora, Spotify, Sirius XM) • Networking and Wi-Fi mesh systems (EERO and Google) • Motorized indoor and outdoor shade systems • Lighting design control (Vantage and Lutron) • Central vacuum systems • Home control systems using universal remote controls or by using your cell phone • Dish Network satellite • Full blown home theater experience (with latest in 8k video and Dolby Atmos and DTS-X, complete with seating and acoustical treatments) Entertainment possibilities for your home are endless. When building or remodeling your home, visit Home Cinema & Hi-Fi during the planning stage and let them guide you in choosing how to incorporate the latest

technologies into your plans. Business services include: • Corporate boardrooms with conferencing (Logitech and Clear One) • Background music systems • Intercom • Networking, Wi-Fi and cabling • Video walls House of Worship services include: • Sound systems • Video screens • Lighting system design and control

Call 318-398-7000 for more information.

US WIFI An internet alternative is here!! We offer internet for rural areas, RVs, camps and places that do not have cable or fiber, through a truly unlimited, uncapped, unthrottled 4G LTE router. Call 833-879-4344 for more information.

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Grace Episcopal School Presents 5K Donut Dash An Event You “Donut” Want to Miss

OIN US FOR OUR INAUGURAL 5K Donut Dash, aka, the Sweetest Race in Town! Grace Episcopal School is hosting this fun event on Saturday, November 9th at Forsythe Park. Starting at 8 am, Runners and Walkers can take advantage of a flat, fast course along Monroe’s Ouachita River, then enjoy fresh donuts at the finish. Our mission is not only to bring people together, and but also to have a fun, fit morning while supporting GES. A portion of the proceeds will support service-learning opportunities, highlighting our graduating 8th grade class project in Yellowstone National Park. This May, in cooperation with the Jackson Hole Wildlife Foundation, the students and their parents will coordinate with this grassroots organization aimed at making a better home for wildlife. Removing miles of obsolete fencing that compromises the wildlife migration paths, GES students will have the opportunity to be

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part of the hundreds of volunteers who have helped catalyze the long-term conservation of big game migration and maintain the eco balance in one of our most prominent parks and wildlife reserves. For these children, this 8th Grade crosscountry work opportunity is the culminating project gleaned from over 10 years of rich service-learning experiences that are integral to the ways in which GES encourages children to be stewards in their communities. From PK3 to Grade 8, GES students are actively involved in a variety of events and projects that encourage giving back to and servicing NE Louisiana. This year, our students are stocking the Grace Place pantry with peanut butter and jelly, writing thank you letters to first responders and nursing home residents, collecting books for Lending Libraries, singing at the Veteran’s Home, donating change for the Two-Penny Ministry, creating Kindness Bags to benefit the homeless, painting faces

at the Race for the Cure, planting vegetables for the Children’s Coalition neighborhood garden, cleaning cages at pet shelters, and headlining a sock drive that will provide much needed warmth to those in need as the weather turns colder. For 65 years, Grace Episcopal School has been an integrated part of Monroe’s historical Garden District; we are deeply rooted and connected to our community. Please join us Saturday, November 9th for a fun morning as we get a little exercise and fresh air, and enjoy a sweet treat by supporting our students in their efforts to continue to make the world a better place! To register, please link to the following: https://runsignup.com/Race/LA/Monroe/ GraceEpiscopalSchool5KDonutDash

Fabulous Fabric in Monroe Putting the Fabulous in Fabrication

USTOM DRAPERIES ARE AN opportunity to highlight a room’s architecture or to frame a view: a chance to celebrate natural light by filtering it through a pretty sheer or to block out light completely when needed. Draperies are very practical because they keep rooms warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer. Artistically speaking, drapes add soft layers of texture and color that will elevate any rooms décor. Choosing draperies for a window treatment is often an overlooked design decision, but it can really make or break your space. Roman shades are another wonderful treatment that can be used with draperies – You won’t pick up the latest design book or magazine without finding Roman shades throughout. Roman shades are a sleeker, more modern treatment that creates a lot of swagger and style. Whether it is a solid fabric or a print, you cannot go wrong with Roman shades. Get inspired to find the perfect draperies, window treatments, blinds or Roman shades all at

Fabulous Fabric… The options are endless! Besides the windows, another great way to elevate a room is by accent or decorative pillows. At Fabulous Fabric, we have so many options. Custom pillows can be the final piece that pulls together the whole look of the room. Whether it is on an accent chair, living room couch or bedroom shams, we can help create the perfect pillow for your space. Adding a gorgeous tape or tassel trim around the edges of a pillow really enhance the look and is a great way to tie in all the colors of the room. It does not get easier than shopping from our in-stock selection of ready-made decorative pillows or picking out fabric to let us make your own custom pillow. With so much in-stock yardage to choose from Fabulous Fabric has got you covered for any of your fabric needs. We carry many different styles, colors and textures of fabric including: vinyl, silk, linen, cut velvet, outdoor, Revolution high performance, and all types of upholstery weight fabric.

Our remnant tables are never empty! With tables stacked high full of great fabrics at $10/yd you are sure to make that project affordable. Remnants are smaller yard pieces from one yard to four yards so they are perfect for recovering chair seats, like dining room, kitchen, bar stools or benches. They are also great for small Roman shades and small top window treatments. Fabulous Fabric has some exciting news to share! We are expanding and coming back to our original location in Ruston at 1119 W. California Avenue. The store will be filled with ready made drapery panels, drapery hardware, pillow forms in all shapes and sizes, along with bedding, home accessories, decorative pillows, antiques and of course Fabulous Fabrics! We cannot wait to reconnect with all of our Ruston customers!

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Legacy Building

The Home of Sarah and Justin Bishop

HEN ONE OF THE HOMEOWNERS IS an art educator and the other is one of our region’s most sought after residential builders, you know their renovation of one of the most treasured addresses in Monroe is going to be amazing. What you didn’t factor in is the addition of Sandy McMillan of Intelligent Design and Haven to the mix for a next-level experience this family and their friends will enjoy for years to come. Justin Bishop has been in the residential and commercial construction business since 2002, graduating from LSU in Finance in December 2001 then joining his dad at Bing Bishop Construction. “My dad had an eye for detail and the aesthetics of every project he tackled,” says Justin. “He wanted me to learn everything right away, and I am honored to carry on our family business.” Justin’s wife, Sarah, is the talented (and patient) art teacher at Jesus the Good Shepherd Catholic School, imparting her love of art education on the next generation of Picassos and Frankenthalers. Sarah recalls the joyful day they closed on the 1980-built Buie Drive house back in February 2011. “It was Valentine’s Day and a day to remember because of the holiday,” she smiles. That day must have been a foreshadowing of the love the couple would soon have for their neighborhood and neighbors. When the Bishops’ family began to grow, facilitating a need to expand their home, the two couldn’t imagine leaving their peaceful nest or any of their neighboring friends. Says Sarah, “From time to time, Justin and I would have small remodel talks.” After living on Buie Drive for 6 years and with a second baby on the way, it was time for the Bishops to either find a bigger house, a lot to build upon, or add-on to the home in the neighborhood they loved. Love always wins, and for the Bishops that meant finding a

nearby rental while Justin’s company took their home down to the studs, rebuilding for whatever the future might hold. Justin knew who to call to put their remodel thoughts down onto paper. “Ricky Newcomer did a great job with our plans,” says Justin. Newcomer was able to design a floor plan which concentrated on a big, open family area, combining a comfortable living space with a generous kitchen and breakfast area. Because of the large windows that look out onto the back gardens and outdoor living space, this central interior room is filled with copious amounts of natural light. After plans were drawn, the Bishops brought interior designer Sandy McMillan into the loop to give guidance on interiors, exteriors and decor that would work for this busy family on the go. Just because the family is busy doesn’t mean they rushed through the process. “We took our time with decisions,” says Sarah. “For example, Justin had been leaning toward some chunky leather counter stools for the kitchen island seating, but Sandy saved the day when she found the airy, acrylic barstools we ultimately went with. I believe everything turned out great, because we took our time to think through the process.” Says Sandy about working with the high-end homebuilder as a client, “Justin had some materials in mind to use, like exposed beams, rich woods and natural limestone flooring, and my job was to help coordinate colors, finishes and furniture to enhance the architecture Photography: Kelly Moore Clark Article by: Maré Brennan Contractor: Justin Bishop of Bing Bishop Construction Interior design: Sandy McMillan, ASID, Intelligent Design & Haven WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | OCTOBER 2019 181

Weightless acrylic stools with gold bases add an ethereal quality to the space. The custom brass range hood adds a grounding element to the cloud-like kitchen. and the structure. It’s so nice to work with Justin. He has a great vision overall about the materials and the use of space for the homes he builds, and his own home is no exception.” Throughout the home, details matter. Many artisans and craftsmen were used to create one of a kind pieces for the Bishops’ home, like a sinuous curving hallway, a custom front door and more. In the kitchen, Justin designed a custom hood over the gas range. The meticulous fabrication was done with brass sheeting by local craftsman Shane Wallace to Justin’s specifications. In the dining room, when Justin had an idea for a dining table, he turned to his go-to-guy, Franz “Fez” Vaessler. “Fez works with me full time and specializes in challenging woodwork. I knew what I had in my head, he could build,” says Justin. “Fez also crafted our oversized, custom front door.” The home’s unique front door features four central raised panels on both the interior and exterior. The front entrance features large bluestone slabs set gracefully into the lawn leading to the front covered porch. Large stone planters and gas lanterns flank either side of the impressive entryway. Once inside, the foyer provides an oasis of calm. Sandy employs a contemporary waterfall console, a round mirror and a gleaming table lamp to set the tone for the home beyond. A modern arabesque shaped pendant illuminates from overhead, while a pair of petite ottomans in a quartz-hued fabric rest beneath the console. An archway to the left of the foyer leads to the serene, Zenlikedining room. Concentric waves of Murano glass provide a waterlike shimmer from the chandelier above the Justin-designed, Fez-built

table. Contemporary dining chairs are upholstered in a soft neutral. A grey, shagreen buffet atop a gilded metal base and an abstract painting with glints of metallic gold find a home within an arched niche, which mirrors the foyer arch. With two young boys, ages 8 and 2, under roof, Sandy knew to keep her design ideas family friendly for the Bishops. For upholstered pieces like sofas and chairs, performance fabrics make clean-ups a breeze. Says Sandy, “For the Bishops’ home, I tried to find furniture that bridges the gap between transitional and timeless with clean lines and a little bit of an edge.” Adds Sarah, “Sandy pulled an amazing selection of fabrics. She gave us a neutral palette and let accent fabrics on pillows and our art collection provide the color.” Additionally, perfectly proportioned light fixtures bring in glimmers of metallic sheen and translucent glass throughout the home. All of the couples’ newly-added heated square footage found its footprint to the left of the old structure, where the old carport had been. The new construction of the home encompasses the master suite, a laundry room, and an upstairs playroom and full bath above an enclosed garage. The entire existing home was gutted down to the studs and reconfigured for modern living. The mudroom/family entry from the garage is a new space created specifically with the family’s needs in mind. The mudroom lockers and built-in cabinetry as well as cabinets and drawers in the home feature soft close technology, which are a standard in all of Justin’s construction projects. “I could cry; it’s so pretty,” adds Sarah of the little vignette created in the mudroom corner with a painting by WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | OCTOBER 2019 183

Below: In the newly-added master suite, bedside nightstands features mother of pearl radiant drawer fronts which sets the tone for a dreamy palette for the master suite. Top right: In the en suite master bath, lush quartz covers countertops on his and hers vanity areas and surrounds an undermounted soaking tub. Bottom right: A little vignette created in the mudroom corner with a painting by Ruston artist Shelly Nealy, a tiny acrylic and geometric bronze lamp from Haven and a precious baby photo of one of her boys completes one of Sarah’s favorite spaces.

Ruston artist Shelly Nealy, a tiny acrylic and geometric bronze lamp from Haven and a precious baby photo of one of her boys. In the newly-added master suite, bedside nightstands feature mother of pearl radiant drawer fronts, which set the tone for a dreamy palette. “Throughout the process, Sandy gave us great options to choose from,” says Sarah. “We wanted to love everything instead of settling, and we took our time.” The bed, upholstered in a creamy-hued, textured fabric is dressed in an off white diamond quilted silk velvet and accented with bronze velvet lumbar pillows and a graphic white and slate grey smaller lumbar pillow, which echo the color and shapes found in the metallic bedside lamps. In the en suite master bath, lush quartzite covers countertops on his and hers vanity areas and surrounds an undermounted air jet tub. Justin chose the trompe l’oeil marble tile, which is used for the flooring for the glass-doored shower. The designer chose satin brass fixtures, sconces and drawer pulls, which feature a distinctive backplate. When asked about their favorite room, both Sarah and Justin agree that the Great Room with all its natural light is the couples’ favorite spot to enjoy with family and friends. The vaulted ceiling ascends skyward and is accented with natural wood beams that stretch across the space. A clean-lined wall wrapped in whitewashed shiplap is centered by a modernist fireplace. Above the firebox, a colorful abstract by Margaret Moses takes center stage. Neutral sofa seating and mid-century inspired chrome chairs create a cozy conversational area. Bright orange pillows play off of the vibrant colors in the Moses painting and add visual interest to the neutral scheme. A quartz side table dials up the glamour but keeps the vibe earthy. A floor to ceiling, open shelved built-in follows the roofline and provides a space for a television and collected treasures. Flooring throughout the public spaces downstairs is the perfect warm shade of oak and transitions to cool linear limestone underfoot in the kitchen and breakfast areas. 184 OCTOBER 2019 | WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM

Concentric waves of Murano glass provide a water-like shimmer from the chandelier above the Justindesigned, Franz â&#x20AC;&#x153;Fezâ&#x20AC;? Vaessler-built table. Contemporary dining chairs are upholstered in a soft neutral. A grey, shagreen buffet atop a gilded metal base and an abstract painting with glints of metallic gold find a home within an arched niche, which mirrors the foyer arch.

At Left: Luxe materials abound throughout this timeless home. The Bishops used elegant limestone flooring in the kitchen and breakfast area. The sculptural bronze table and Nakashimi-inspired chairs add to the drama of the space.

The breakfast area is delineated by a bronze pendant shade centered above a sculptural bronze table base sourced by Haven especially for the Bishops. A thick round glass tabletop allows the beauty of the table to be enjoyed from all angles. Nakashimiinspired arm chairs were sanded and stained to just the right shade by Rowdy Michaud. The kitchen features floor to ceiling cabinetry in a cool white tone, which is accented with satiny brass pulls. Penny round tile in a subtle grey with white grout plays off the elegant quartz countertops. Weightless acrylic stools with gold bases add an ethereal quality to the space. The custom brass range hood adds a grounding element to the cloud-like kitchen. According to their dad, the younger Bishop boys love their new playroom upstairs above the garage. With a soaring vaulted ceiling that follows the roofline of the space, a bird’s eye view of Bayou DeSiard, and all the built-in storage to make toy pickup a breeze, what eight-year-old wouldn’t love such a cool, private clubhouse? A full bathroom located just off the playroom means that this flexible space could one day morph into a bedroom or guest room, an office or media room. During sporting events, you’ll most likely find the Bishops with friends and family enjoying their covered outdoor living area, complete with a grilling station, large television to catch every minute of the action and a fireplace for those days when there’s a chill in the air. Teak furniture with comfy outdoor friendly fabric cushions are gathered around the fireplace. The flooring is a modern dark slate set in an irregular pattern. Lush planters of philodendron complement the gardens beyond, which were installed and maintained by Riverside Landscaping. The pros know what makes a home renovation more palatable for homeowners. The Bishops’ advice? “Call Sandy and move out during the construction!” say Sarah and Justin. Says Justin of Sandy, “She is an unbelievably talented designer and her taste fits perfectly with our style. For our project, she has a ‘less is more’ take on things, which Sarah and I gravitate to.” Sandy adds, “Less is more when you focus on these gorgeous natural materials and let the room and situation dictate the styling.” Adds the designer, “I try to pick pieces that make a statement. Then you don’t have to have something on every wall or filling every corner.”

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Haven Introduces Curbside Shopping

Local Shop Offers Home Decor, Gifts and Convenient Service

OOTBALL SEASON IS IN FULL swing! If you are attending a college game, it’s no secret you will need a clear bag. GiGi New York has some of the best bags in the industry. Trimmed in genuine leather, these clear bags are very well made, elegant, and practical. Several sizes are available in stock. Pair it with a fun colored wallet or tassel to show your team spirit. Be ready for any weather this season with their new stylish raincoats or an easy-to-wear rain cape. Both options are perfect for a game and come in colors to match any outfit. Scout has arrived at Haven and comes in so many fun prints and colors. These bags are fashionable, lightweight, and versatile. All Scout bags are water-resistant and easy to wipe clean. Check out the two sizes of insulated totes that are perfect for tailgating or keeping your snacks fresh on-the-go. The Scout grocery bags are great for grocery trips or just keeping them in the car for organization! Current Haven customers are familiar

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with the Mississippi Pottery line they carry called Etta B. Microwave and dishwasher safe - this collection is practical with a beautiful color palette in greens, blues, and neutrals. Haven’s new line of Susan Gordon Pottery offers gold edged ceramic bowls where the exquisite craftsmanship is apparent. These are perfect for serving your favorite salad or would make a wonderful wedding gift. Petite ring dishes are a staff favorite. Both lines are exclusive to Haven in Monroe. Haven has the nicest selection of classic design accessories in our area. Whether you are finishing that bookcase or need to add some life to your coffee table; design accessories can really make a difference. Haven’s accessories are available in a variety of styles and price ranges. Be sure to check out their small occasional tables, as that can complete your space as well. Don’t forget about Haven’s new service, “See You Curbside.” Let Haven’s staff know what you need, and they will bring your

wrapped gift out to your car when you pull up. It’s a quick, easy way to shop and pay when time is limited. Just text or call 318-2677577 and they will assist you. Save the date because Holiday Open House is just around the corner! The same stores are participating this year and will be posted on Haven’s social media pages in the coming weeks. November 9th will be your opportunity to visit with friends, while seeing what area stores are offering this holiday season. Haven strives to offer a beautiful shopping environment with exclusive gifts for our area in a wide variety of price ranges. With their exceptional customer service, Haven is truly Monroe’s premier shopping destination. Visit Haven today to find that ideal gift or treat yourself to something special.

Relax, Release and Restore at Spa Bella Local Spa Announces Exciting Changes

PA BELLA, LOCATED IN THE HEART of downtown West Monroe, has some exciting news. Just last month, Kristan Berry took over as the new owner! While you can still expect the same great service when it comes to the spa area, Spa Bella is excited to be expanding and offering some new things as well. “This opportunity presented itself and I jumped on it!” said Kristan. “I am excited to be a local business owner, especially in the heart of downtown West Monroe in the midst of its growing development and revitalization.” Kristan plans on adding and expanding the staff and offering even more services like spray tanning. She is also excited to announce that Spa Bella is now carrying the entire line of products from Bathhouse Soapery, a handmade soap, bath and beauty company that makes fresh cosmetics in Hot Springs, Arkansas. They offer soaps, soaking salts, bath bombs and scrubs, body butter, deodorant, shaving accessories, room and linen sprays and more. The scents include Lavender, Milk

Sugar, Oatmeal Creme, Bathhouse Couture and everyone’s favorite - Cloud, a billowy mix of heavy pink peony enriched with white musk, soft powder and lined with spiced sandalwood and vanilla. Spa Bella offers pre-made gift packages and baskets or you can have the staff put together a custom package. Spa Bella will continue to offer the massage options they are known for - swedish, therapeutic, deep tissue, medical and soothing stone. Dawn Miller, a West Monroe native, is the licensed massage therapist on staff and enjoys helping others on their journey to wellness. Spa Bella will also offer a variety of body treatments that incorporate their new products from Bathhouse Soapery. “I use the mud scrub and the charcoal really helps with acne and outbreaks,” said Dawn Miller. “No matter what your issue is, we can create a custom treatment to target your needs.” Spa Bella offers several options when it comes to facials. The Opti Resurfacing Treatment is a luxurious treatment that infuses

oxygen, peptides and minerals that leave your skin lightened and brightened and is just one of the options they offer. Spa Bella offers all things when it comes to nails from manicures, pedicures, acrylic nails, gel polish and more. Mitzi Waterman is a licensed nail technician that loves providing quality nail services in a private setting with a safe and tranquil environment, where her clients feel comfortable and relaxed. Not only does Mitzi offer a relaxing enviroment, she also has some of the newest nail technology like their 100% soak-off soft gel extension system. These are a healthier version of acrylic nails that won’t damage your nails and they feel more natural. Stop by and visit with the staff at Spa Bella and see the entire line of Bath Soapery products. You can call ahead to book your appointment and follow them on Facebook and Instagram to find out what they have planned for the future!

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Make Crowns Not Frowns

Dr. McGee Offers Primescan Technology for Crowns

NE OF THE MOST DREADED things a patient can hear from their dentist is “You need a crown.” Often times when teeth are fractured, decayed, or a restoration is no longer serviceable, a crown is usually the best treatment option. Essentially, a crown is nothing more than a ceramic or metal (or both) prosthesis that fits over a prepared tooth surface. Crowns have always had a bad reputation as multiple appointments or having a temporary that “won’t stay on,” not to mention that horrible tasting impression material that patients have to suffer through. Thankfully, at the office of Dr. McGee, there is a newer, better way to have crowns completed. Dr. McGee was the first dentist in the state of Louisiana to offer Dentsply Sirona’s newest CAD/CAM technology in designing and milling crowns, Primescan. With Primescan technology, Dr. McGee can prepare a tooth, scan with an intraoral

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camera, design and mill a porcelain crown in about the same time it takes to do a few simple fillings. Patients absolutely love this new way of getting their crowns made. With the Primescan software, multiple visits, poor tasting impression material, and lost temporary crowns are a thing of the past. This same technology is applied to restoring implant crown restorations as well. When an implant is placed in Dr. McGee’s office, the patient returns in three months to have his/her mouth scanned with the intraoral scanner and within 30 minutes, the permanent crown restoration is ready to be delivered to the implant. This process revolutionized the way Dr. McGee can replace missing teeth with implants. Not only can the implant be placed with minimal invasiveness with the X-Nav Dynamic 3-D Navigation, the crown can be fabricated in-office in less than an hour following the appropriate healing time period.

If you are interested in learning more about this exciting new technology or are new to town and looking to establish yourself with a technologically advanced dental practice, please call us to day and join our practice. ABOUT DR. MCGEE AND HIS DENTAL PRACTICE Dr. McGee takes pride in delivering outstanding patient care for a variety of oral and dental conditions. His modern, state-ofthe-art facility can accommodate you for most dental treatments that you or your family may need. Dr. McGee provides most general dental procedures for adults, children, and geriatric patients, which include: filings, crowns/ veneers, and root canals. He also provides more complex care and treatment which includes dental implant surgery, extractions and bone grafting, complete dentures, and implant-retained dentures.

Grin & Bear It 5K, 10K and Kids Fun Run One of the Area’s Most Scenic Races at Poverty Point Lake in Delhi, LA

HE GRIN & BEAR IT RACE IS BACK for 2019! Join us for the annual Grin & Bear It 5K & 10K Run and Kids Fun Run on Saturday, October 26th, 2019 in Delhi, Louisiana. We have a fantastic race day planned, complete with amazing views of Poverty Point Lake. Delhi Hospital is proud to partner with Cajun Timing of Lafayette, offering the most professional timing and latest scoring technology for running. All proceeds will benefit the Delhi Hospital Community Wellness Program & our efforts to provide preventative health screenings throughout the Northeast Louisiana Region. Registration is now open! Enjoy a scenic run on a flat course around Poverty Point Lake & afterwards, cool-down at our postrace party & awards ceremony. All preregistered runners will receive a Grin & Bear It t-shirt, race day packet & entry for prize giveaways.

RACE DAY: 6:30 AM - R ace Day Registration & Packet Pickup 7:45 AM - ½ Mile Kid’s Fun Run 8:00 AM - 5/10K Run AWARDS: Overall Male & Female top finishers in the 5 & 10K races will each receive a $100 gift card, as well as awards for overall male & female age group finishers. Age groups: 12 and under, 13-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65 +. REGISTRATION: $15 through October 9th $20 through October 25th $25 Race Day (All kids 10 & under run free)

a big “Thank You” to our 2018 Sponsors for their support and contribution to making last year’s race such a success: Lamb Weston, Delhi HomeCare, Crossroads Hospice, Champion’s Bistro, Richland Parish Sheriff’s Office, Cajun Timing, Anytime Fitness of Delhi, Brookshire’s of Delhi, Commercial Capital Bank, Deerfield Nursing and Rehab Center, First South Farm Credit, Hydro, and Vantage. To register for this family fun event, visit www.DelhiHospital.com. We look forward to another successful race & to see participants “Grin and Bear It” as they cross the finish line! For questions or more information, visit us online or contact us at 318-878-6459. See you on Race Day!

As we secure sponsors for our 9th Annual Race, we would like to again send

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Palette House in Monroe

Owner Margaret Moses Lends Artistic Ability and Expertise

OCAL SHOP, PALETTE HOUSE, offers a variety of furniture, home decor, gifts and art, but it also offers something unique - the expertise of owner Margaret Moses. While the store is celebrating its third year in business, Margaret has 21 years of interior design and retail experience. A local artist in her own right, Margaret has an eye for detail and her shop reflects her own aesthetic - modern, uncluttered and elegant. Whether you are redesigning a room or building a new home from the ground up, Margaret can help. “I can help with finishes, paint colors, selecting tile, lighting and mirrors,” said Margaret. Sometimes, it can be hard for people to see the entire vision and they get overwhelmed so I am there to help.” Margaret also has a keen eye for textiles and can help select rugs, bedding and fabric for draperies. And it doesn’t have to be a completely new build. Often times, people want to restyle their living room,

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create a new seating area before holiday guests arrive or style a bookshelf area. With the upcoming holidays, Margaret is planning just that. “Now is the time to revamp before guests arrive and there is still time to order custom upholstered pieces of furniture before Christmas!” explains Margaret. Since Margaret is an expert in all things interior design, she knows what is on trend. “Right now, rich, deep fall colors like nutmeg, tobacco and rust are a big trend when it comes to color for fabrics and pillows,” says Margaret. Palette House also has seasonal wreaths and tabletop and mantle decor that are perfect for transitioning your home into fall. And if you don’t see what you are looking for, just ask! “I have plenty of options available for special order when it comes to furniture, lighting, mirrors and more,” Margaret says. “I have a plethora of catalogs and companies that I can share with a customer when they come in for a consultation.”

Palette House also features quite the selection of candles, soaps, jewelry and gifts. A customer favorite is the Signature Laundry Detergent from The Laundress, with the ultimate “clean laundry smell.” The store also exclusively offers a line of unique, genderfree fragrances from British scent specialists Laboratory Perfumes. These are scientifically formulated to react to the wearer and evolve throughout the day. Stop by Palette House throughout the entire month of October and get 20% off special order lighting and up to 50% in stock lighting. Now is the perfect time to get your home ready for the holidays and let your guests mix and mingle in style!

Join The Smart Home Movement Copeland Electrical Contractors

ECHNOLOGY IS GROWING AT AN unbelievable rate. With the advancement of smart phones, tablets and apps, the last ten years have changed tremendously. This is true even in the home industry. Copeland Electrical Contractors is dedicated to staying on top of the latest and newest developments in the tech world. Home automation is all the rage. Everything from your yard to the inside of your home can be controlled through an app these days. From safety and security to features that can make you and your guests more comfortable, the Copeland Electrical Contractors team can install these features and help you maintain a tech savvy home. Have you ever been away from home and wondered if you left a light on? Would you like your home to always appear as if someone is there, deterring any would be thieves? Would you like pre-programed lighting sequences that are tailored to your

daily lifestyle to occur automatically? If you answered yes to any of these questions, that technology is available to you now. For a fraction of the cost of some home automated systems, smart switching can be added to the existing wiring of your home or business in any areas that you desire. Once switches are installed by a licensed electrician you simply download the app and go through an easy programming process on you smart device. Copeland technicians will be happy to assist with this task. After the setup you can see the status of connected lighting from any location. With a tap on the screen you can control your homes lighting whether at home or at a remote location. Home Automation offers the opportunity for you to control your destiny. The industry is growing by leaps and bounds, and imagine getting in right on the cusp of it. So many things can be controlled with smart phones and tablets, therefore these devices and

apps are are changing the market at mindboggling rate. With the help from Copeland Electrical Contractors you could be the envy of the neighborhood. Who wouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want to have the most tech savvy home on the block? Get smart and call Copeland today. Thank you to the Marsalaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s for being a trusted customer and letting us photograph your beautiful home. Copeland Electrical Contractors 186 Venable Lane Monroe, LA 318-322-9865

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Treat Your Windows

New Blind and Awning Options for Your Home

MITH BLIND & AWNING HAS BEEN in existence since 1946, however it was purchased by Jim Aulds & Malcolm Bass in 1997. We kept the name because of the quality reputation of its products & service; however we have added several products to our line since the acquisition. Our premier product, Phantom Motorized Screens, has become one of our best known solutions for outdoor living. It is used in areas that you want enclosed, such as outdoor kitchens, decks, or patios, but you desire the versatility of having it open at various events; a simple push of a “button” & it disappears. Another great feature is the flexibility of using a denser screen that facilitates it’s usage year round. This allows the area enclosed to be heated or cooled depending on the season of the year at a reasonable cost. Another usage is in areas where mosquitoes are in abundance & you want

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them “out, not in.” Of course, it is provided in a number of colors to coordinate with your decor. If this doesn’t suit your needs, we still have our old standby, accomplished with the usage of permanent screens & patio covers, either insulated or uninsulated, of all aluminum material. Another outdoor product which has increased in demand, is our seamless rain gutters. We are the only provider of halfround gutters in our area & it’s surprising how much more attractive they are than the traditional rain gutters, which we also provide. Many home owners have had bad experiences with gutters due to old outdated leaf guards; however, we now supply coverings which solve the leaf problem & even prevents the intrusion of “roof grit” and pine needles into the gutters. Lest you mistakenly think that we provide only outdoor products, let us assure

you that a large portion of our sales are window coverings. We are the area Showcase dealer for all Hunter Douglas products & we are blessed to have our in-house expert, Maggie White, who can answer any & all questions concerning window coverings. This line includes not only blinds, but Plantation shutters, as well as many “sort” products that will provoke that “wow” expression we all like to hear when someone enters our home. We are about to update our showroom, but regardless of appearance, you can be assured that the products & service are the best to be found in our area. Our intention is to treat everyone as we want to be treated. We are located on the corner of 5th street and Hudson Lane in Monroe. Come in & see us today!

Cancer Survivor Finds Peace

Diane Began “Looking Forward” To Her Visits To the Clinic

IANE BARNETT’S HOUSEKEEPING business filled her days. Her strong work ethic fueled her, and she rarely reserved time for herself. While her business was successful, it cost her something invaluable: her health. Earlier this year, Diane booked a mammogram, something she “hadn’t done in years.” After she made her appointment, she performed a self-examination and felt a lump in her right breast. After her mammogram revealed suspicious results, Dr. Patrick Smith, a surgeon with the Surgery Clinic of Northeast Louisiana, performed a biopsy and diagnosed Diane with stage three breast cancer. He performed Diane’s mastectomy (surgically removed her breast) in May. She is now in remission. Women should undergo yearly mammograms beginning at age 40, according to the American College of Surgeons. Diane, 70, said, “I didn’t want to take a break from my work. If I had listened to my gynecologist, I

most likely wouldn’t be in this shape.” While her recent journey has been difficult—she has suffered nausea, exhaustion, and bone pain due to chemotherapy—she has also experienced serenity. “Dr. Smith always gave me such peace because he explained every little thing to me. If I had a question, all I had to do was ask, and he was always there for me. He was a true blessing,” she said. “My three kids accompanied me to my appointments, and they quickly grew to love him. He makes you feel important and safe, which makes a huge difference.” Diane, of West Monroe, began eagerly anticipating her appointments. “The nurses and receptionists at the clinic are wonderful. Honestly, you start looking forward to your visits because everyone is so warm and caring. I always walked out of their clinic feeling good,” she said. Her adult daughters observed their mother’s resilience and positive attitude. “My youngest daughter said, ‘Mama, I would be in

pieces.’ I told her I wasn’t scared. My faith in God and the excellent medical care I received told me everything was going to be ok. And it has been rough—I lost all of my hair. But now I wear beautiful headscarves.” While breast cancer is sometimes hereditary, Diane is the first of her family to be diagnosed with the disease. “I harp on my daughters to stay on top of their health and not repeat my mistake. I don’t want them or anyone else to go through what I did. In a way, this experience has been a blessing because it has taught me how important it is to listen to your instincts, keep your appointments, and take care of yourself.” Diane is not the only person to delay her medical appointments while caring for others. According to a 2015 survey by HealthyWomen and Working Mother Magazine, 78 percent of women said they often avoid their appointments because they are focused on the health of family members: elder relatives, children, and spouses. Early breast cancer detection—through mammograms, clinical examinations, and selfexaminations—can significantly increase one’s survival rate. The clinic offers surgical options for breast cancer such as mastectomy with or without reconstruction, and lumpectomy with radiation. Contact the clinic at (318) 398-2984 with questions about breast cancer or other surgical needs.

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BREAST CANCER SURVIVOR SPOTLIGHT

enee Battaglia Steverson is a breast cancer survivor and advocate for early detection. Diagnosed at only 43 with no family history, Renee was caught completely off guard. She faced an uphill battle, one difficult to truly understand until you’ve been through it. Being a single mother, Renee recognized she was a caretaker of everyone else but herself. Cancer forced Renee to focus on her health, her treatment, and come to love herself, as no one could battle this illness for her. A graduate of Downsville High School, Renee was shy and quiet, the opposite of her son, Griffin. She loved growing up in the small town, the quaint school where she knew everyone, and a graduating class of only 13 students. She enjoyed pitching for the school softball team and played in a summer church league. Faith and community were paramount in her life growing up. She attended paralegal school at ULM, working first at Chase, then at Dean Morris in Monroe. She became a kindergarten teacher’s assistant at Northeast Baptist School where Griffin attended, and now works in accounts payable at CenturyLink. This is her 7th year. She was just living her life, and then cancer struck. Renee detected the lump lying down. A rather larger mass, she wondered, “What is that?” She went to see her longtime nurse practitioner, Wayne Rutledge. A mammogram confirmed the doctor’s suspicions and set off a chain of events that resulted in surgery within just a month. The pace of the treatment paired with the fear of the unknown was hard to bear. Everything in her world stopped. She was diagnosed Stage 2B, meaning the cancer was in

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her lymph nodes, but not in her organs. Her oncologist surgeon, Dr. Kevin Marler and cosmetic surgeon Dr. Henry Davis performed the mastectomy and reconstruction. She faced chemo and radiation after surgery. Dr. Barron at Oncology Associates walked Renee through the process, her local support for the procedures and aftermath. Barron looked for a source of the cancer, but when Renee tested negative for the BRCA gene, the cause remained a mystery. Renee admits she can’t imagine battling this disease without a grounded support system. Her mom, Sherry Battaglia, and her son Griffin helped immensely. Her faith played a significant part, as well. Renee became a better Christian. Cancer is isolating; she couldn’t work due to sickness from the treatment. She endured 9months of chemo and 6 weeks of radiation after the surgery that removed her left breast and 17 lymph nodes. She remembers crying when she first removed the bandage. Her breasts didn’t match, and while it may sound trivial, a woman wants to feel like a woman. The scars are a visible reminder of the horrors of the disease, but also a testament to her getting through it. During chemo, Renee was homebound, too afraid of getting sick. She read a lot of books, but again felt isolated from the outside world. Everyone else was living, and she was just trying to stay alive. She battled depression and credits her mother, son, and co-workers for keeping her focused on the positive. Sherry and Renee read, prayed, and watched movies together, and Renee was put on several prayer lists. People would text her prayers and motivational videos. It helped ease the loneliness; she felt like someone cared. Griffin and his friends helped around the house, cooking and doing chores. He didn’t care she didn’t have any hair, she just kept reminding her she was going to be fine. She was surprised by her 15-year-old son’s reaction and how he became a beacon of hope. Cancer and treatment mean a “lot of ups and downs, but a lot more downs,” says Renee. Having always been a giver and a doer, she had to stop and just get through it. She also attended a community support group. It helped to talk to other people going through the same battle. Losing her hair was one of the hardest parts to accept. She relied on baseball caps and wigs, eventually ditching the wigs due to the heat. She had to come out of her shell, break away from her shy nature, and just accept it. She kept telling herself, “I have it. This is me. And I’m going to survive it.” Her mom is a hairdresser and shaved Renee’s head. She cried the whole time. It’s not something most women experience, and while it’s just hair, it’s visible to everyone. Renee endured the stares and awkward glances and emotional turmoil of it all at the same time. She finished radiation in April of 2018, and tests showed she had “no evidence of the disease.” She must take an estrogen-blocker for ten years, as her type of cancer is estrogenfed. Every three months, she went to see Dr. Barron for blood work; she just graduated to every six months, a milestone in recovery. Cancer taught Renee to pay attention to her own health. She cautions others to get tested, look for early signs of the disease. Early detection makes all the difference in living or dying. She learned to love herself, and in the process, care more deeply about others. Four other women in her community were diagnosed around the same time. She makes suggestions when they need advice and comfort when they’re down, what she knows patients need. She truly listens to people. We always say “fine” when asked how we’re doing. She asks patients twice, because she knows it’s never fine. Even now, Renee says she still hurts all over. The emotional weight, the physical toll, and the isolating result of cancer is unimaginable to most. Having lived it, Renee encourages others to be there for those suffering, and taking care of yourself is most important.

article by Meredith McKinnie and photography by Kelly Moore Clark

In honor of breast cancer awareness month, BayouLife Magazine partnered with The Cancer Foundation League and sponsors: Oncology Associates of Monroe, Mickel Plastic Surgery and First National Bank to makeover a breast cancer survivor/patient’s bedroom.

RENEE’S NOM I NATION: We would like to nominate Renee Battaglia Steverson who works with my husband at CenturyLink. After asking our friend Taylor Bennett, about the competition and telling him about Renee, he strongly encouraged us to submit her story. As a single mother of a recent high school graduate battling the side effects of aggressive cancer treatment, Renee puts her own needs last and greets each day with a positive attitude. We feel that your surroundings have a definite impact on your mental state and would LOVE to see this beautiful, deserving woman receive a room makeover that gives her the fortitude to keep going. Having a special place to refresh and relax would be such a blessing for her. Approximately two years ago, Renee discovered a large, hard lump before going in for a mammogram. During the ultrasound, another lump was discovered. Biopsy revealed that it was indeed cancer somewhere between stage 2 and stage 3. Renee had a mastectomy surgery and over 17 lymph nodes removed. After recovering as much as possible from surgery, she began taking “red devil chemo” which is the strongest chemo used. During her rounds of chemo and radiation, she overcame shingles, cellulitis, pneumonia, E Coli, sepsis, and multiple surgeries including reconstruction. Despite feeling overwhelmed physically, emotionally, and financially, she persisted and entered remission in April, 2018. She had quite a scare in July 2019 when her mammogram came back as abnormal. Thankfully, biopsy revealed that it was scar tissue. She still has constant pain and swelling as a result of treatment and medications. While I have told you about Renee the cancer patient, I would now like to tell you about Renee the person. When I asked some of her coworkers for help in writing this nomination, they were all too eager to sing her praises. She is so much more than a cancer survivor. She is a mom. A friend. A coworker. An encourager. Thank you for considering her as a candidate. I lost my aunt (more like second mom) after three rounds of battling breast cancer, so this cause is near and dear to my heart. I cannot thank you enough for doing this in honor of breast cancer awareness month. ~ Sarah Romero

BEDROOM BEFORE

BEDROOM MAKEOVER

he dramatic makeover of Renee’s room was a combination of trial-and-error, patience, skill and a lot of luck with talented volunteers. Designer Taylor Bennett conceptualized the color palette in hues of gray, blue, gold and white. The focus wall was painted Hale Navy by Benjamin Moore with the remaining walls painted Weathered White by Behr. All of the paints used in the room were donated by Superior Paint & Drywall. Taylor said, “I wanted Renee to have a beautiful space to come home to. This room evokes tranquility, but the elements used in the room give it a glamorous feel.” Originally, the flooring wasn’t in the scope of the renovation, but it quickly became a necessity. Thanks to designer Tish Miller and Brent Harrod, new flooring was donated and installed. There was a team of volunteers who offered their time and skills to accomplishing the room makeover. From scraping ceilings to hanging artwork, moving furniture to painting hardware these individuals offered to help reimagine this space: Sarah and Jacob Romero, Penny Lawrence, Jack Green, Max Clark, Page Jones, Caleb

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Mott, Katelyn Tolbert, Ashley Hubenthal and Trent Livingston. The centerpiece for the room is a gorgeous gilded framed bed donated by Material Things. Beautiful bedding by Pine Cone Hill was provided by Haven, and a navy faux fur pillow from local interior designer Robin Hamaker completes the look. On the opposite wall, a weathered white dresser with gold ring pulls was donated by Sleepy Hollow Furniture. A custom painted canvas was generously donated and painted by Sue Sartor, as well as a floral tunic (seen in Renee’s portrait) from Sue’s kaftan and tunic line of clothing. Candles from Woodstock Garden & Gifts illuminate the room. A reading nook was created by adding an upholstered chair with nailheads and a large abstract piece painted by Robin Hamaker. Florals and greenery from Carlstedt’s was thoughtfully placed throughout the room in vases and planters from Palette House. Custom silk drapes in dark navy and curtain rods were donated by Fabulous Fabric. Hand-lettered wall hangings sentimental to Renee were created by Meagan Russell of Nib & Flow.

“A thank you seems to be nothing compared to what each person/business did for me. You gave me the gift of kindess and love that I will forever treasure. Coming home to my bedroom is a beautiful retreat. I will always be grateful. Thank you for eveything.” ~ RENEE STEVERSON

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These quotes were found written inside the door frame. Renee later told us that she read them everyday to give her strength through her cancer journal. BayouLife designer, Meagan Russell, preserved them in hand-lettered calligraphy which was hung on the wall.

Designer Shawn Brazzell and Taylor Bennett with Page Jones and Caleb Mott Local interior designer Tish Miller, along with carpenter Brent Harrod provided and installed new flooring. Tish couldn’t stop there – she also trimmed Renee’s azaleas, along with Jack Green and Caleb Mott.

From Cassie Livingston (publisher BayouLife): I want to thank everyone who was involved in this project. Thank you to Sarah and Jacob for nominating Renee. Thank you Peggy Lawrence for helping in huge ways. Thank you to our incredible sponsors for donating money for us to do this bedroom makeover, and our partner the Cancer Foundation League. Thank you Taylor Bennett for your incredible vision. Thank you Page and Caleb for coming and lending a hand... or four. Thank you Robin Hamaker for your gorgeous painting and pillow, and running around all day for us. Thank you Tish and Brent for coming to the flooring rescue and for installing it ... yourselves (and for trimming the azaleas). Thank you dad for helping me move furniture and loading up trash. Thank you Shawn Brazzell for all the installation help. Sue Sartor - I can’t believe you pulled together a custom painting for us so quickly thank you! To my incredible staff - Katelyn, Ashley and Meagan, thank you for spending your day off with ALL the manual labor. Lastly, thank you to our generous businesses for donating items that pulled this room together: Material Things, Carlstedt’s, Haven, Palette House, Woodstock Garden & Gift, Fabulous Fabric, Superior Paint & Drywall and Sleepy Hollow Furniture.

T H A N K YOU TO OU R SP ONS OR S:

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The Paper Market

Featuring Items for Football, Fall and Festive Decor

ALL IS IN THE AIR AND WITH IT brings football, fall festivals, pumpkins and more! The Paper Market, located at the corner of Forsythe Avenue and North 18th Street in Monroe, has everything you need to get ready for the season. Whether you are cheering for your favorite local high school, your college alma mater or the state’s beloved NFL team, the staff at The Paper Market has everything you need. From tablecloths that mimic astroturf to a stadium setup to fill up with snacks, these items will complete your tailgate or get together at home! For the last 8 years, The paper Market has been the goto place for all things party related and have become known for their wall of solid color tablecloths, cups, plates and napkins that you can combine to create the perfect team colors. They also carry their grab and go Styrofoam cups for ULM, LA Tech and LSU games. They also carry some for local high schools including Neville, OCS, Sterlington and St. Fred’s. If they don’t have your favorite team or

school, you can always place a special order in the store. There are also local school notepads that make the perfect happy or teacher gift. The Paper Market carries the cutest autumn plates, napkins and tableware that are perfect for church meetings, garden club get togethers and other seasonal events. October is filled with fall festivals and trunk-or-treats leading up to Halloween. The Paper Market has everything you need to put the treat in trick-or-treat, from pumpkin treat bags and cellophane bags shaped like a skeleton hand. If your home is halloween headquarters, you will want to grab some festive tablecloths, the cutest cocktail napkins and bowls perfect for chili and gumbo. You can even create a photo booth set up, complete with decorative props and decor, making your halloween party even more memorable. This month is also Breast Cancer Awareness month and The Paper Market carries a wide selection of pink decor and pink ribbon items like beads, paper lanterns,

tablecloths, balloons and more. The Paper Market is constantly adding new items and staying up to date to what’s on trend to ensure their customers have everything they want and need for their next party! They recently added an entire line of plaid and buffalo check pattern tablecloths that are perfect for tailgate parties, showers, outdoor dining and more. They are quickly becoming a customer favorite. The Paper Market has also expanded their options for balloons and extended their balloon wall area, making it easier to see their wide selection. Balloon sculptures are becoming more popular and The Paper Market can do it all from centerpieces, garlands and arches, all of which add quite an impact to your event or party. No matter the fall festivity you are planning, The Paper Market has everything you need to make your party a hit. Stop by their convenient location and let their friendly staff help you for all your party needs!

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Senior Year, One to Remember

Graduate Sales Has Been Helping Graduates For Over 50 Years

OW IS THE TIME OF YEAR WE are in the schools taking orders for rings, graduation invitations, senior supplies or souvenirs and most importantly, caps and gowns. Packages will be distributed during a presentation at school and we will follow up with an order day at their school. Be looking for your students graduation information to come home soon. Our family has been a part of Graduate Sales since 1965. We have served and lived in this community for over 50 years, providing students of Northeast Louisiana traditional class rings. Not only do we service 43 high schools in the Northeast Louisiana area, we also work with University of Louisiana at Monroe and many elementary and middle schools. Although Graduate Sales has represented different manufacturers over the years, we are now representing the Balfour brand and couldn’t be more excited to bring these quality products to our area.

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One of the most exciting times in a young students life, senior year is an adventure and it’s our job to help these students hold on to those memories forever. Graduating high school is a tradition that goes back centuries and should be honored by each and every student. Some of our traditional pieces include: traditional class rings, custom school graduation announcements, letter jackets and graduation regalia. But with tradition there must be room for growth and change. Balfour has taken traditional class rings and given them a new, more stylish design. More than that, they have created new class jewelry including necklaces and bracelets that truly caters to everyone’s personal style. Custom school graduation announcements with a personal photo printed inside are also coming soon to the inventory. All of Balfour’s products are customizable to fit your personality. Apart from class rings, we can provide

customized graduation announcements, letter jackets, championship rings, honor awards, class apparel and yearbooks. Located in the heart of Northeast Louisiana in West Monroe, our family would love nothing more than to help you plan the perfect senior year and graduation. Go to Balfour.com to see what they have in store for 2020 or stop by our store on Cypress Street and let us help. We look forward to working with you and serving this community for another 50 years! -Kevin & Becky Miller

An Exciting Place to Shop Something For Everyone

OR SOMETHING NEW OR something old Cotton Port Antique Mall has it all. Located on Antique Alley in historic downtown West Monroe, Cotton Port Antique Mall is home to 15 vendors offering gifts, home décor, sports memorabilia, vintage LP’s, antiques, and collectibles . The inventory changes weekly as our vendors add new items to enhance your shopping experience. You are invited to shop Tuesday through Saturday from 10a to 5p. Cotton Port Antique Mall provides the opportunity for shoppers to browse through a wide range of items. Various booths are devoted to specialty items such as hard to find glass and crystal pieces, depression era kitchen items, carnival and cut glass pieces produced in a bygone time when craftsmanship was considered an art. Vintage framed art, vinyl albums, Louisiana items, coins, costume jewelry and one of a kind home décor items can also be found while

browsing through over 4,400 square feet of antiques and collectibles. Vintage Pyrex, soda bottles, farmhouse collectibles, holiday tablecloths and other seasonal items offer shoppers the opportunity to own something that was cherished by generations past. One of the reasons why so many people enjoy antiquing at an antique mall is the wide range of selections. Unlike a single antique store, where the type and number of available items is usually more limited, Cotton Port Antique mall caters to collectors of both the usual and the unusual. Even for people who are looking for a particular item, browsing through the store will provide hours of enjoyment. While many may think an antique mall would be an expensive place to shop, the fact is many items carried at Cotton Port Antique Mall are very affordable. Some of the items are not restored making them attractive bargains. There is always a large array of old books, comics, Bibles and religious memorabilia

that tend to be affordable and make a perfect gift or remind us of our childhood. Cotton Port Antique Mall also stocks one of this areas largest selections of advertising signs, countertop pieces and vinyl records making them attractive to yet another niche market of customers. Suzie and Ben Cooper, the owners of Cotton Port Antique Mall, are considered by many to be collectible experts and will help you find exactly what you want at a price that won’t “break the bank.” Ben spends countless hours searching for requested items and locating many hard to find pieces that cannot be found at other antique stores or malls. With over 30 years of experience in the antique and collectible market, Suzie and Ben have acquired the ability find treasures not found anywhere else. The Cooper’s knowledge, patience, attention to detail and superior customer service make Cotton Port Antique Mall an ideal shopping venue. Visit Cotton Port Antique Mall, Tuesday through Saturday or view our weekly highlighted items on Facebook and Instagram. Holiday Open House is scheduled for November 3rd. For something new or something old Cotton Port Antique Mall has it all.

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Rebel Runway: Rebels Rise Up 2019 Show a Huge Success for WMHS Cheer Booster Club

OCAL HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL IS IN FULL EFFECT FOR this season, but the West Monroe Rebel Football team is not the only school group that’s been practicing maneuvers all summer! Rebel Runway was presented by the West Monroe High School Cheerleader Booster Club, and Platinum sponsors Homeland Bank and Outdoor Design, LLC at the West Monroe Convention Center on September 24th. The annual Fashion Show is the biggest fundraiser of the year for the girls and proceeds help support the cheer team throughout the year. Fall and Winter fashions for 2019 were provided by 25 area boutiques under the direction of Edward Morales from Nashville, TN. Nearly 700 people attended this sell-out event and there was standing-room only! This year’s theme, Rebels Rise Up, highlighted Louisiana’s ability to come together in times of need and to overcome challenges we all face on a day-to-day basis. Featured area boutiques included Cara’s, Rodéo, Emerald Oak, River Belles, The Nude Nomad, Sadie C’s, Buckle, Eleven 26, Dusty & Co., Blue Line Boutique, Heirloom by HerringStone’s and more! The football players didn’t mind shedding the protective gear for some light-hearted fun strutting their stuff in fashions from stores like Mr’ P’s Tees, J&H Boots and Jeans and Patton’s Western Wear, just to name a few. Young men and women alike are now ready for the hunting season having seen the latest in outdoorwear from River Outfitters, The Honey Hole, Simmons Sporting Goods, Duck Duck Goose, and Patton’s Downtown. Homecoming is on every student’s mind and it’s just around the corner. HerringStone’s, Cara’s, Eleven 26, Anitra’s, Men’s Warehouse and Squires presented the latest in formal wear for all the 2019 season’s special events. The cheerleaders and the West Monroe Cheerleader Booster club would like to thank the following sponsors for making Rebel Runway another great success: Platinum Sponsors: Homeland Bank, Outdoor Designs LLC Gold Sponsors: HerringStone’s, Eleven 26 Boutique, Cara’s Boutique, J&H Boots and Jeans, Dusty & Co., Totally Tumbling, American National Insurance-Johnnye Ford, Morehouse Community Medical Center, Faye and Garland Meredith, Bart and Heather Finley, Law Office of Ronnie Cook, Transmission Specialists, Graduate Sales, WillSource, Zoso-Hyde, Creed and Creed Attorneys at Law, Glenwood Regional Medical Center, Chef Taxi, Shad Green, Laminim, Trinity Cheer, Bannister Energy Solutions, Dr. John Snuggs, Vantage Health Plan, Century Next Bank, Ductwork Inc., Dr. Larry Danna, Ouachita Valley Federal Credit Union and Burger Grind. Silver Sponsors: Silmon Candy, Macaroni Tubing Ltd, Tyneka Hill, Ashley Spillers, CC Ferguson, Susan Norris, Erin Nance, Charlie Simpson, Tom and Cathy Morris, Diane Day, Susie Darlton/Eagle Bank Mortgage, P3 Promotions, WillSource, Chenault Aviation and Military Museum, Gastroenterology Clinic and Mike Walsworth. In-Kind sponsors: Above and Beyond Designs, Reflections, Linda Lavender School of Dance and Sunny 98.3. We remembered those that were loved and lost that have supported WMHS Cheer through the years and reminded each other that together we “Rise Up” to the challenges of life. We ask students from all over the Parish to turn to one another in times of any need – Rise Up Together.

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Stepping Out in Style Gearing Up for the Fall Season

OR NEARLY TWO DECADES, THE CHILDREN’S SHOPPE has served as North Louisiana’s premier boutique for infant and children’s clothing, gifts and toys. The Children’s Shoppe provides timeless children’s fashions for girls – premie to size 16, and boys – premie to size 12. The Children’s Shoppe also carries a vast selection of must-have gifts for newborns, special events, birthdays, or just for play. The Children’s Shoppe has a whole new selection of fall 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 fall clothes and The Children’s Shoppe has everything you need at one easy and convenient place. 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 messfree markers. Help kids develop fine motor skills while making beautiful things with great beading and craft projects for kids of all ages. Have a tiny tyke who loves dinosaurs? The Children’s Shoppe has realistic dinosaurs in every size and color, as well as party play set with nine collectible miniature dinosaurs in a case. From dinos to tractors, The Children’s Shoppe also stocks John Deere tractors, construction site vehicles, train sets, Thomas & Friends toys, everything little boys dream of. Boys and girls will jump with joy over a PlasmaCar – no batteries, gears or pedals… kid powered and kid approved for hours of endless fun. Purchasing great quality toys and investing in your children’s toys are great for their brain development. Toys get children engaged in physical activity, by exercising their fine and gross motor skills. Whether they are coloring or dressing and undressing a doll, for example, children are using their sense of touch and sight (fine motor skills) while walkers, tricycles or toy cars boost their gross motor skills and strengthen their arms and legs. Toys also help them discover balance and coordination and by being physically active, children avoid obesity and adopt a healthy life style. Ever since they are born, toys motivate babies to use their feet and hands in order to discover forms, colors and sounds. Once babies know how to sit and crawl, toys incite them to be on the move. If their favorite toy is out of reach, the baby will use its muscles to try and grab it. Like us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram (@childrensshoppela) to be in the know about our new arrivals and specials. We are conveniently located at 109 N. Trenton in Ruston’s beautiful, historic downtown district and at 1926 Forsythe Avenue, Monroe.

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Bald on the Bayou

The St. Baldrick’s Foudation Fundraiser

HE ST. BALDRICK’S FOUNDATION RETURNS TO THE Northeast Louisiana area for the sixth consecutive year on October 5th, with Bald on the Bayou 2019 set to take place in West Monroe. Partnered with the NELA Celtic Fest for the fourth consecutive year, Bald on the Bayou 2019 is a community event that also serves as the culmination of a year-long fundraising campaign. All of the money raised through the event goes to the St. Baldrick’s Foundation, which pools local funds with those raised from other events nationwide and then provides monetary grants to researchers and facilities nationwide who are performing the most promising research into pediatric cancer. “We are excitedly anticipating Bald on the Bayou 2019,” said Justin McLeod, event coordinator. “Every year, we make some unforgettable memories through our event and bring together people from all walks of life, who all have one goal: Helping children who are fighting cancer. This year promises to be yet another memorable event!” St. Baldrick’s Foundation is a nationwide organization that exists solely to provide funding for research into all types of pediatric cancer. The Foundation is the largest private funder of childhood cancer research in the United States; it funds research that will lead to better treatments and to cures for pediatric cancer. A particularly

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transparent organization, $0.72 of every dollar donated is devoted strictly to funding research grants. Bald on the Bayou was founded locally in 2014, and to date has raised more than $75,000 for childhood cancer research. More than 250 people have participated in the organization’s flagship fundraising endeavor, where volunteers (known as “shavees”) sign up to have their heads shaved as an incentive to receive donations from friends, family, coworkers, and others. More than forty people are expected to participate as “shavees” in 2019, while other event highlights will include a silent auction; Piein-the-Face booth; various carnival games; and special guests that will include both local celebrities and cancer survivors. Donations can be made online by visiting www.stbaldricks. org/events/baldonthebayou2019. Anyone who wishes to sign up to participate as a shavee or to fundraise as a volunteer can sign up by following the same link and selecting the “Join Us” button to get started. Bald on the Bayou 2019 will take place in conjunction with the NELA Celtic Fest in Kiroli Park, West Monroe, on October 5th. Bald on the Bayou 2019 will begin at 11 am in the big field inside Kiroli Park, and is expected to end at 1 pm, or when all heads are shaved.

Petals & Pearls Open House

On Thursday September 19th, Petals & Pearls hosted their big ribbon cutting and open house with the community. Friends, family and loyal customers all gathered to celebrate this wonderful memory by enjoying an elaborately displayed charcuterie board, dips, drinks and sandwiches along with great shopping and even better company. The Monroe Chamber of Commerce family along with Mayor Jamie Mayo showed their appreciation and support with the official ribbon cutting. Denise Hardy, Petals and Pearlâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s owner, has worked hard to get her new location to look absolutely perfect, and all of her hard work is definitely paying off. Stop by and check out their new location at 3181 Sterlington Road.

On the BayouScene

1 Sammie Vining, Eva Colvin, Linda Walker and Kathy Duke 2 J ulie Edge and Anne Minninger 3 Sarita Daniel and James Miles 4 S avannah Collazo and Nicole Morgan 5B rian Mercer and Mayor Jamie Mayo 6R eRe Crockett and Vanessa Balsamo 7 J annette Hearn and Shawna Johnson

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B A Y O U H E A LT H

SWEET TOOTH

Prevent Sugar Cravings From Haunting You This Halloween by SHANNON DAHLUM

f you struggle with sweet cravings, battling those sugar demons may be the scariest thing you have to face when Halloween rolls around. Knowing that October is just the beginning of a three month long holiday season filled with treats to avoid makes matters even worse. Why is it that no matter how hard you try to prevent it from happening, you always find yourself in a cycle of swearing off sweets, binging on desserts, then feeling guilty? The problem is that you may be trying to rely on willpower to fight your body’s biological instincts, and your biology will always win. Understanding the things that could be causing your cravings may be the key to helping you prevent them from happening. 1. Keep blood sugar levels stable with healthy carbs at the right time of day You’re probably already aware that keeping your blood sugar levels stable is one important factor in preventing cravings from striking. This doesn’t always mean you need to avoid carbs completely and follow a strict ketogenic diet, though. While keto

can be a great tool for some, it’s not the best solution for everyone. If trying to avoid carbs entirely makes those cravings even harder for you to fight, stop avoiding them! Try adding in some nutrient dense fruits and starches at lunch. Often, when the fear of fruit and potatoes is removed, so are the insatiable cravings for junk. Nutrient dense carbs from whole foods are absolutely a much better solution than avoiding them and then finding yourself elbow deep in the candy bowl. It often works best, though, to avoid carbohydrates at breakfast and wait until lunch to include them. Starting your day with only protein and healthy fats will give you a steady supply of energy and keep your appetite in check until lunch. But including some nutrient dense carbs in the middle of the day can help power your brain and body right through the usual afternoon slump and head off those late day munchies. 2. Increase your protein intake Protein is made of amino acids, which your body requires for producing neurotransmitters, like serotonin and dopamine. These neurotransmitters are the chemical messengers that make you feel

good. When you aren’t producing adequate amounts of these “feel good” neurotransmitters, you may experience anxiety, depression, irritability, low self-esteem, fear, worry, or dread. Serotonin levels naturally fall in the afternoon, and they are also lowest in women during the two weeks before her period, when estrogen falls. If these are the times you experience most of your carb cravings, it could be a clue that already low levels of serotonin are the culprit. Sweet treats and other refined carbs will temporarily give you a boost in these neurotransmitters. This is why they’re so addictive. When neurotransmitters are low, your brain will send out the signal that sugar is needed immediately to give them a boost. The sugar makes you feel great, but of course, this boost is only temporary. Once those neurotransmitter levels fall again, the cravings will return. The key to preventing the cravings caused by low levels of neurotransmitters is to increase your protein intake. This provides more of those amino acids that your body needs for creating adequate levels of neurotransmitters. Be sure to eat three meals every day, and include a serving of protein at each meal. Since different amino acids are present in different sources of protein, be sure to vary your protein sources. You can also try including various amino acid supplements to help boost specific neurotransmitters. For more information about this, check out the book “The Craving Cure,” by Julia Ross. 3. Add in a mineral supplement Minerals are also required by your body to assist with the production of neurotransmitters, as well as hundreds of other functions, including maintaining blood sugar balance, hydration, and carbohydrate metabolism. Imbalances in any of these areas can

lead to sugar cravings. Unfortunately, even if you’re eating a diet rich in whole, nutrient dense foods, you may still be lacking adequate minerals. This is because a lot of the foods we eat are now deficient in minerals, as a result of modern farming practices. Yes, you do still need to eat a wide variety of plants, but it may also be necessary to include a mineral supplement to keep your mineral status healthy. 4. Don’t skimp on sleep Your internal clock plays a significant role in regulating all of your hormones, including ghrelin and leptin, which control feelings of hunger and satiety. In a study that compared people who had a good quality night of sleep to those who didn’t, those with poor sleep increased their junk food intake by around 600 calories the following day. In addition to altered hunger signals, just one night of poor sleep (5 hours or less) has been shown to decrease insulin sensitivity as severely as those diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. This leads to poor blood sugar control, increased fat storage, and increased cravings. To prevent the internal havoc related to a lack of sleep, be sure to allow at least 7 hours per night for sleep. For healthy hormone signaling, it’s best to be in bed by 10:30pm at the latest, and avoid eating anything within three hours of bedtime. This fall, get a handle on your sugar cravings before Halloween arrives! Prioritizing your sleep, mineral and protein intake, and high quality carbohydrate consumption will help you maintain a state of balance within your body and control over those sugar demons. You can certainly enjoy some occasional treats when you want to, but you no longer have to be controlled by them.

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The Pursuit Kicksoff Football Season

The Pursuit was held on Monday, August 19 th at the Bayou Pointe Event Center. This event is the University’s premier kickoff event for the football season as well as the 2019-20 academic year and is sponsored by BancorpSouth. Food and drinks were provided by Waterfront Grill, Fieldhouse Bar & Grill, Catfish Cabin, Marsala Beverages and Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits. Guests enjoyed listening to the featured guest, Joe Profit. Joe is a former ULM All-American who became the first 1,000-yard rusher in the school’s history in 1969 and served as the keynote speaker. ULM President Nick J. Bruno and Athletics Director Scott McDonald spoke as well as head football coach Matt Viator. Proceeds from the event benefit the Warhawk Club.

On the BayouScene 1 Debbie Luffey and Ashley West 2K atie Taylor and Kennedy Woods 3 Allie Kemp, Holland Ponthieux, Kayla Gallant and Ace the Warhawk 4M ayor Stacie Mitchell and Mike Sawyer 5A nna Denny, Schantel Viator and Stephanie Collins 6 T yler Williams, Scott McDonald and Brooks Williams 7 Coach Matt Viator, Jonathan Perry and Michael Jordan 8 L ouis Luffey and Frederick West 9 J ay and Emily Morris 10 S tewart Cathey, Barry Smith and Hannah Livingston 11 B ill and Marion Willson and Ted Hopkins 12 U riah Holt, Benji Buffington and Laura Dooley 13 T odd Burgess and Babbette Adcock 14 R eagan Martin, Charles Herald and Michael Echols 15 D r. Nick and Linda Bruno 16 A ndrew Beasley, Matthew Humphries and Ty Barnes

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50 GOLDEN YEARS OF DANCE

a rt icle by ge orgi a nn p ot t s photo gr a ph y by P r aj a l pr a s a i

ifty years ago, many interesting things were happening. The first automatic teller machine in the United States was installed, the Beatles released their last recorded album “Abbey Road,” actresses Catherine Zeta-Jones and Jennifer Aniston were born, and Vietnamese leader Ho Chi Minh and former American President Dwight Eisenhower died. Astronaut Neil Armstrong became the first man to set foot on the moon, and 15 minutes later, Buzz Aldrin joined him. Category 5 Hurricane Camille hit the Gulf Coast, killing 256 and costing $1.42 billion in damage. The very first Woodstock festival was held, and the first episode of Sesame Street was aired. Something else happened in 1969. Several teenaged women, members of Neville High School’s Tigerette spirit group, decided to find a way to address a need at Neville. They were successful beyond their dreams, and this year the 50th line of the Neville Bengal Belles proudly carries on that tradition. To mark the anniversary, over 200 former Bengal Belles recently “came home” to Neville for a celebration and reunion. Bengals from Alabama, Arkansas, California, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Mississippi, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas brought with them both their lifelong pride in being a part of this very special group and countless memories of the time they spent together as part of “the line.” Former Bengals spanning five decades came to honor the original Bengal Belle line of 1969-70: Linda Armstrong, Captain; Patsy Hammonds, Co-Captain; Kathy Whatley, Co-Captain; and Monica Scalia, Patti Hartman, Carol Adams, Cindy Cannon, Fran McCall, Jennifer Aycock, Mary Albright, Janie Horton, Becky Huenefeld, Rhelda Scharf, Jeannie Frazier, Bethia Brown, Mandy Giffen, Patsy Kelly, Karen Brown, Brenda Bell, Debbie Hamilton, and Merrijane Yerger. Their courage and commitment set the standard for the Bengal Belle tradition that continues at Neville today.

The Backbone of NHS . . .

In the spring of 1969, several members of Neville’s Tigerettes began thinking about how they might address a growing problem. Leslie Faucett (Creel), president, and Vee Marshall (Hollis), vice president, were seeing participation in the Tigerettes dwindle as

students moved into the upper grades. The coaches, according to Marshall, considered the Tigerettes to be “the backbone of NHS” and they shared the girls’ concern. Faucett and Marshall talked with Jennifer Aycock (Sweeney) about the need for an additional pep group to help boost the cheers and momentum of athletics. According to Aycock, “. . . lots of people did lots of work to get that first year going.” She worked in the Neville office with assistant principal John Turner (who she says was quietly nicknamed “Grouchy” but who was actually pretty much a cream puff.) Summoning her courage, Aycock spelled out to Turner that a dance team was exactly what Neville needed and why. Other schools had dance teams starting up, but Neville did not. “He took notes, and we talked back and forth,” Aycock remembers. “I’m convinced that he got the ball rolling. He never received any credit, but he certainly should have.” Who would be on this new group? How would it be unique? How could it complement the spirit efforts already in place? After much discussion, it was decided that to be on this new team, a girl would have to be a Tigerette her freshman and sophomore years to qualify to tryout for the new group. Those first tryouts would be judged by a group of teachers, though later on people with dance training would become part of the selection committee.

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pairs of white boots!” she recalls. “Then everybody went by and picked theirs up when they came in. It was so exciting! Mr. Butch never got credit for helping, but he did.” The first sponsor for the group was Mrs. Rita Blanchard, a speech teacher at Neville. Working with her as choreographer was Sandra Smith from Northeast Louisiana State College (now ULM). For that first year, the Bengals entered the auditorium stage through the side doors to perform at just a few pep rallies, performed at football games, and didn’t attend any camps. Blanchard, Smith, and that first line were in many ways literally inventing the Bengals as they went along.

Practices and Performances . . .

Decisions for the First Line . . .

Once the administration was on board and that very first line was selected (21 in all -- 14 seniors and 7 juniors), there were countless details to be addressed. Not the least of these were what would the group be named and what were the girls going to wear? After lengthy discussions (and some amusing, though not practical suggestions), the name “Bengal Belles” was selected – a perfect choice for a dance line honoring the Bengal tiger mascot that Neville cherished. Developing a uniform took more time. Aycock, a talented artist even then, began drawing possible designs for the first uniform. One controlling principle: it must be classic in design. She made a number of trips to Famous Fabrics to meet with Mr. Leibovitz. She showed him her ideas, and he made several important suggestions before the final version was ready. “He was the first person ever to tell me what gabardine fabric was,” Aycock remembers. “He never received any credit, and yet even today that classic black and white uniform is still being used.” Once the design was established and the material selected, there remained a problem: Who would make them? “The precious lady who created 21 self-lined, tediously sewn dance outfits from a drawing on a square of paper in one summer is the one who was most helpful, and to whom we owed the most thanks,” Aycock says. “Mrs. Dean Yates cut the patterns from my drawings and did amazing work. The uniforms looked – and still look – amazing because of her.” Marshall remembers that the Tigerette uniform was also classic, featuring a drop waist with pleated skirt that showed up well on the field and in the stands. In the beginning, the Tigerette uniform and the Bengal Belle uniform shared an oval-shaped “N” patch on the front white panel. Another detail to be addressed was what would these new Bengal Belles wear on their feet? Tall, white patent leather, heeled Go-Go boots were chosen by Mrs. Blanchard (some years later replaced by tennis shoes and white knee socks because of concerns about shin splints), and Aycock remembers the process. “We met with Mr. Butch in ladies shoes at Selber Brothers to order what seemed like 1,200

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Nothing happens without hard work, and certainly those early Bengal Belles began the tradition of working hard. They had to learn drill and dance routines and then execute them flawlessly in front of fans, parade-goers, and in later years, competition judges. They also had to master the high kick. To do this, they practiced in ankle weights until they could kick their faces (shin touching cheekbone). Some wearing red lipstick for performance would have red streaks on their white knee socks afterward. All of the music that the earliest lines danced to was played by the Neville High School Band under the direction of Joe Caskey. Not only did the band play for the performances, they also developed the now iconic drum cadence (“The Bengal March Cadence”) for the line to march down the auditorium aisle for pep rallies. Cheryl Anderson (Pedigo) remembers that Lonnie Wilson and David Steinquest were part of the student drummer group that developed the march that is still used today. For later lines, learning that march became a rite of passage for the newest dancers. After weeks of daily practices and summer camp, the line finally earned the right to learn how to march up the auditorium aisles for pep rallies. This was the signal that they were now truly Bengal Belles. One of the most frequent comments made by former Bengals concerning the band music was that it was always challenging because it was always just a little faster than they would have liked. The band members’ support for the Bengals more than made up for the rapid beat, however. The Bengals were invited to dance pre-game with the Rangerettes in the Cotton Bowl because they had won third place at the Kilgore Rangerette Camp. As they were about to leave at 3:00am, the Neville band arrived to send them off --- playing “Tiger Rag.” On rare occasions, the Bengals had to march without their beloved band. One of the earliest lines (’71-’72) was invited to march in the Twin Cities Christmas Parade. Captain Paula Potts (Stockton) remembers that the Bengals were assigned to march directly in front of the Grambling Band. There were no familiar drums for them to march to, so Potts told her line to “. . . just hang on, do what I do, and have fun!” They did! Practices were very early in the mornings, and again in the afternoons except for Fridays. To be a precision dance line with sharp head snaps at every turn, practice was imperative. The girls practiced daily for hours because some had never taken any type of formal dance lessons.

After lengthy discussions (and some amusing, though not practical suggestions), the name “Bengal Belles” was selected – a perfect choice for a dance line honoring the Bengal tiger mascot that Neville cherished.

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50 GOLDEN YEARS OF DANCE Laughter and Tears Along the Way . . .

The earliest routines were military in style with an emphasis on high kicks – but also used props. The very first line (’69-’70) even performed (in those boots!) using folding metal chairs as props that they stood on while kicking. Mandy Giffen (Fritzer) remembers how challenging it was to do a routine with a chair. Adding to the experience was that the first line was required to wear wigs (pixie style and short). Giffen recalls, “I remember losing mine on the 50-yard line during halftime when we were doing a ‘high kick’ routine on those chairs. I could not let go of the other girls next to me in line, so OFF it went onto the field. I left it there and marched off the field in utter embarrassment, only to return after the performance and gather it up off the field before the second half began. After all, I had to wear it the next week. From then on, I practically glued it to my head so as to not have a repeat performance!” Though the wigs quickly disappeared, it soon became obvious that conditioning was going to be as important a key to success as remembering the routine. To address this and build endurance, the third line (’71-’72) captain Potts and her co-captains, Beverly Doles (Graham) and Judith Morgan (Manfre), created “The Torture Dance.” It was choreographed to The Supremes classic “You Keep Me Hanging On” and was a real workout! It was a particularly appropriate choice because the girls were often quite literally “hanging on” to each other’s shoulders toward the end of the dance as they did those 117 high kicks. Today’s Bengals still dance to “Torture” and it continues to build their stamina so that they can give the best performance possible. They also continue to sing their own special chant – also created by several on the third line. The story is that it was “written” on one of their long bus trips. It was so popular that it has been handed down to all future lines. Throughout the years, there have been innumerable

moments of suppressed laughter when something happened either during a performance, during practice, or at camp. Once the captain was running late for practice (which would mean 10 high kicks per minute late) and realized that her cat was hanging on to the roof of her car. She had to take the cat back home before finally getting to practice. Many remember tripping or stumbling, and several actually fell backwards during performances and nearly pulled down the entire line with them! Leigh Grace (Grainger) was trying out for a spot on the UDA All Star team and in the middle of her tryout, forgot her routine. “I blanked out on the solo routine I’d carefully choreographed. I was on stage during summer camp in 1993 at the University of Arkansas and I couldn’t remember. So I improvised and did the best trick I’d mastered so far – a toe touch split – about 8 times in a row to fill up my music time that was left!” she laughingly recalls. Cheryl Huff (Montgomery) will never forget her “special moment” while performing. The Bengals were dancing at a Northeast Louisiana University basketball game, and during the dance, another Bengal accidentally stepped on the back of Huff’s white tennis shoe. “I held onto the shoe as long as I could while doing high kicks,” Huff recalls. “But there were a few more kicks than I had strength. I told the girls next to me that it was about to fly! Sure enough, the next kick it flew up and hit the center scoreboard hanging down from the ceiling and ricocheted off, hitting the poor man selling cokes in the stands. We all giggled, but kept going – never missing a step!” Huff’s story didn’t end there, however. The next day when she was home from school, the Orkin man came to her house and recognized that she was the girl that lost her shoe at halftime!

Lessons Learned . . .

What has been learned during the five decades that the Bengal Belles have been dancing? As it turns out, many things. Most of the former Bengals recently cited learning teamwork as the most valuable lesson. Also mentioned were learning personal discipline and to take risks and not give up, understanding the rewards of hard work, appreciating the significance of being dependable, developing patience, and always --always --- being aware of each Bengal’s responsibility to maintain the precedent set by the teams that had come before. Julie Huff (Lamker) ’84-’86 / Captain ’85-86 recently said of the Bengals, “I think that being a Bengal Belle is not for the faint at heart. It takes hard work, determination, and grit. There are many dance lines, but only the ones with the extra tenacity will become great. The Bengal Belles throughout the generations have shared that tenacity, and have taken normal high school girls and turned them into young women willing to give their best, not for themselves, but for the greater good of their team.” 216 OCTOBER 2019 | WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM

Lauretta Tidwell (Robinson) ’70-’72 came to Neville from Catholic schools during a time of real transition and change for everyone. As one of the first African Americans to make the line, Tidwell remembers that it was the learning to work together as a team that really helped make all of that experience a little easier. The adjustment was not easy, but learning to work together for each other’s success as well as the team’s meant that differences had to be forgotten. Fifty years take a toll and memory fades. As Aycock recently put it, “Nobody knew at the time that we were the beginning of a fifty-year journey, so none of us took notes. I just wish that we could thank all of the people who helped us march out on that field that first September, looking like pros!” Frances McCall (Boyce) ’70-’71 still has a letter from then Neville head football coach Bill Ruple had handwritten on a Roland Carter business note pad and had delivered to the Bengal Belles on November 20, 1970. It read: “We are about to the end of our season. It has been a great one. We have done the best that we can. Whether we win or whether we lose, we want you to know how much we love you and what you have meant to our athletic program. You have been great. You have paid the price. You have been a great group. We appreciate what you have done very much. Keep your organization on the high keel that it has been. You are the greatest. Sincerely, Bill Ruple” They have, Coach. They certainly have.

“Nobody knew at the time that we were the beginning of a fifty-year journey, so none of us took notes. I just wish that we could thank all of the people who helped us march out on that field that first September, looking like pros!” ~ Jennifer Aycock

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3rd Annual Prayer Breakfast The Food Bank of Northeast Louisiana held their 3rd Annual Prayer Breakfast to commemorate Hunger Action Day in September. Food Bank Board President Ken Dorsey and local faith leaders Pastor Don Banks, Pastor Tom Lowe, and Rev. Claire Helton spoke about supporting the Food Bank’s mission, and led prayers for those who are facing hunger, as well as those who are working to alleviate hunger. The event was generously sponsored by: CFM Enterprises LLC, The Kirksey Agency Inc., Hopkins Dermatology, Family Dental Care Center, Fire Tech Systems, Inc., and Sparks Nissan Kia.

On the BayouScene

1 Jeff Terell and John Rea 2 Rev. Christie Flemming and Rev. Maple Jones 3 Jim Fanning and Raymond Taylor 4D elle Tyler and Carol-Ann Lenard 5 S haron Slack, Ruby French, Natalie Manning 6 J udy Cooper, Jim Fanning and Dwight Cooper 7A rely Castillo, Jessica Bostic and Dana Taylor 8 Judy Cooper, Randy Stone and Dwight Cooper 9K eith Roberts, Ken Dorsey and Tom Lowe

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PETALS & PEARLS This mint green floral lace pencil skirt features a high waist and fitted silhouette. It is paired with a simple white tee with pearl embellishments on the arm. Accessorize with a long beaded necklace and green marble beaded bracelet.

leather and lace

Style opposites this fall by combining two of the season's favorite items â&#x20AC;&#x201C; leather and lace. Find these looks at area boutiques. MODEL KAYLA EDWARDS MUAH MEKA BENNETT PHOTOGRAPHY KELLY MOORE CLARK

HERRINGSTONES This leather moto jacket is perfectly paired with a feminine top that features a smocked neckline, long sleeves with ruffled shoulder detailing and smocked cuffs. Add a tulip hem suede skirt, statement earrings and leopard print boots to complete the look.

HERRINGSTONES This vegan leather pant features a flare-leg and clean silhouette. Wear it with this elegant mock neck top with embroidered detailing. Finish the look with these stunning gold flaked earrings.

PETALS & PEARLS This teal lace sleeveless cardigan is paired with this multi-colored patterned top. Add stylish and comfortable black jeggings with these chocolate-colored ankle boots with deep side cutouts.

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Top 20 Under 40

On Tuesday August 27th, The Monroe Chamber of Commerce, Northeast Louisiana Young Professionals, BayouLife Magazine, Origin Bank, and JPMorgan Chase recognized 54 of Northeast Louisianaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s top young professionals at the Top 20 Under 40 Celebration.The event was held at the Monroe Civic Center in Monroe. The top 20 individuals were selected from a highly talented group of 54 nominees. These individuals are advancing their careers, active in the community and dedicated to making Northeast Louisiana a better place to live and work.Â Just a few of the sponsors were Origin Bank ,Thomas and Farr Agency, Heard, Mcelroy and Vestal, Certified Public Accountants, NAI Faulk and Foster, KTVE, Lagniappe Media, Patty Stewart Photography, P&S Surgical Hospital, Steel Fabricators, the City of Monroe, The News-Star and The Radio People.

5 7

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On the BayouScene 1 Sydney, Ashanti and Sophie Jones 2B illy Haddad and Justin Underwood 3 Lacy Miletello and Ben Jones 4K rista and Gary Harrison 5R ebekah Barnes and Kelsey Bohl 6A ndrew Hubenthal and Dessie Hubenthal 7 Kathy Gardner, Sarita Daniel and Sue Nicholson 8 J an and Josh Strickland 9M ayor Jamie Mayo and King Dawson 10 J ames and Holly McReady 11 J essica Hale, Cheryl Bourgeois and Neely Cathey 12 C ody Bauman and James Moore III 13 B ill and Marion Willson and Bill Hogan 14 M ichael and Holly Reichardt and Kristy and Chris Rizzo 15 W endi Garnett and Taylor Dickens 16 A shley and Friday Ellis 17 A ndree and Lane Eddleman, and Mary Kathryn Crigler 18 T aylor Bennett, Christie Echols and Lindsey Lowe

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BAYOU BU Z Z WO RT H Y MISSION COMPLETE v On August 29th, local pilot and Pilots for Patients volunteer, Glenn Northcott, completed his mission of flying to all 69 airports in Louisiana within 24 hours. Glenn’s hope is to raise awareness of Pilots for Patients and to recruit more pilots throughout the state. Pilots for Patients is a 501(c) 3 non-profit volunteer pilot organization based in Monroe, LA. Their mission is to provide free air transportation to those patients needing diagnosis and treatments at medical facilities not available FEET ‘N THE STREET ^ to them locally. They provide these services to Monroe Symphony Orchestra presented patients in Louisiana and surrounding areas. its first ever Feet ‘n the Street fundraising event Congratulations Glenn on this incredible on Saturday, September 21, from 3:30-6:30pm. accomplishment! Guests were invited to enjoy the hottest new venue in Northeast Louisiana: Alley Park, situated on Natchitoches Street, just off Antique Alley in downtown West Monroe! Two regional favorites, Lisa Spann & Company, along with the Mike McKenzie Band, delivered tunes of country, pop, rock, and other crowd-pleasing favorites! Attendees enjoyed food trucks, beer, wine, soda, and water. Fun for all ages, this event was a fantastic way to enjoy the best of Northeast Louisiana musicians AND to support your local orchestra!

DOWNTOWN WEST MONROE PARK(ING) DAY ^

PARK(ing) Day is an international pop-up event organized to help spur ideas on ways to make our public spaces more creative and green. Downtown West Monroe’s first PARK(ing) Day event was located in new Alley Park (located on Trenton and Natchitoches St.) and they temporarily transformed alley park into mini parks and creative spaces for the day. Attendees enjoyed interactive creative spaces and helped the city dream about the future of downtown.

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Wobbling, Instead of Walking? Are You a Candidate for Ankle Replacement or Ankle Fusion? BY STEPHEN COX, MD

OUR FEET AND ANKLES BEAR THE BRUNT OF YOUR entire body weight… they allow you to walk and dance and they are amazing option to get you from one place to another. Over time, osteoarthritis (wear and tear arthritis that results with age), post traumatic arthritis ( arthritis from past injury of the joint) and/or rheumatoid arthritis ( a system-wide arthritis that affects your joints) can cause pain, inflammation and stiffness that can make walking difficult. Your mind may be saying let’s get up and go, but your joints are saying something completely different. Most of my patients initially come to see me because foot and ankle pain has begun to interrupt their daily activities. After an evaluation, we begin to talk about options. If the patient has mild to moderate arthritis, it is best to initially consider nonsurgical options: • Special shoe and foot inserts • Pain and anti-inflammatory medications • Physical therapy • Corticosteroid injections If pain persists after conservative treatments, it may be time to consider surgical options. If the arthritis has not progressed severely, arthroscopic debridement may be a choice. If the arthritis is severe, endstage, then it may be time to consider ankle fusion or ankle replacement. All the choices have risks and benefits. Before considering any of these options, it’s important that I have an honest conversation with my patient about their expectations following surgery, while considering their lifestyle, age, health and current activity level. So, let’s talk about ankle replacement versus ankle fusion. ANKLE REPLACEMENT Ankle replacement (ankle arthroplasty) surgery is the replacement of the ankle joint with an artificial implant that is made of metal and a high performing plastic. Th ankle joint (tibiotalar joint) is where your shinbone (tibia) rests on top of the foot, the talus. As arthritis progresses, the smooth cartilage on the surface of your bones can wear away. You may be told you are “bone on bone.” Ankle replacement requires the bone to grow into the artificial joint, so that the new joint can work properly. If this does not take place, complications could incur that include ankle weakness, stiffness and instability. Following ankle replacement, patients typically will regain a greater range of motion and

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are able to return their active lifestyles quickly. On average, the patient will wear a cast and be non-weight bearing for three to six weeks to be followed by physical therapy. Recent studies show that the artificial ankle prothesis has a lifespan of 10+ years. The recovery period for ankle replacement is typically shorter than it is for ankle fusion. Ankle replacement is most often considered when patients want to continue their active lifestyles and are typically over age 50 and in overall good health without compromising comorbidities. ANKLE FUSION Ankle fusion (arthrodesis) is more common than ankle replacement. Ankle fusion involves cleaning out the worn-out ankle joint and fusing bones together with screws, plates and bone grafts. During the healing process, the bones fuse into one combined bone. Ankle fusion is successful with relieving ankle pain due to arthritis, but it does reduce the ankle joint’s ability to move causing other joints to compensate to allow for movement. The stress on the other joints can eventually result in arthritis in those joints. Following an ankle fusion, patients spend 10-12 weeks in a cast, but because the ankle joint is “locked” into place, physical therapy is rarely part of the recovery process. Ankle fusion is most often considered when patients want to be done with their ankle pain or for those in which total ankle replacement is not an option: those who are overweight, have a condition that has resulted in nerve damage, paralysis, a history of infection, diabetes or avascular necrosis. Some patients who have ankle fusion may be candidates for ankle replacement surgery to restore motion and function. When determining what option is best for you, it is best to weigh the pros and cons with your orthopedic foot and ankle surgeon. Not every procedure is best suited for every patient. After a careful review of your overall health, age and activity level, you can make a joint decision on whether ankle replacement or ankle fusion is the best and healthiest choice for you. Stephen Cox. MD is a fellowship trained orthopedic surgeon specializing in disorders of the foot and ankle. Dr. Cox has clinics in Shreveport and Bossier City. To schedule an evaluation with Dr. Cox, please call or visit Orthopedic Specialists of Louisiana: 866.759.9679 or orthopedicspecialists.la.

G A L L E R Y of H O M E S 218 Little Happy Trails, Jonesboro

281 Joe White Road, Monroe

387 Haile Road, Chatham

4 BR/3.5 BA | 3,543 SF Nestled on 2.47 acres with water frontage. Property is protected with an aluminum bulkhead. Custom millwork in the den and formal dining, along with 10’-12’ ceilings. The master suite has a study, walk-in closet and shower. On the lot there is also a 20x30 workshop, spray foam insulated, and a bathroom. Plus a place for RV, with full hookups and covered. Boathouse with 2 boat slips. MLS# 182410 Tammy Gunter, Vanguard Realty, 318-805-6124

Experience true Southern Charm in this 4BR/2.5 BA home, circa 1877. This home has been completely renovated. This home now boasts updated kitchen, large bedrooms, new roof, modern amenities, and an open sunroom/hallway overlooking the beautiful courtyard. In addition, the separate guest quarters and office provide additional living space. Situated on 1.38 acres with a private boat ramp in beautiful Bayou Desiard. MLS#188803 Mark Sisk, RE/MAX Premier Realty, 318-801-4344

3 BR/3 BA | 2,300 SF This home is large with an open floor plan and shaded backyard. Plenty of porches for rocking chairs for everyone to visit. There is a neighborhood boat launch across the street. Maybe dad needs a work place or mom is looking for a she shed? This property has that with air conditioning. There is an optional furniture package separate from purchase. Fiber Internet available. MLS#186899 Tammy Gunter, Vanguard Realty, 318-805-6124

3315 Deborah Drive, Monroe

29 Bradley Drive, Rayville

2114 Valencia Avenue, Monroe

The search is over! The home of your dreams is right here! This 4 bedroom, 3.5BA home has been completely updated throughout! Granite counter tops, beautiful wood floors, walk-in closets, recessed lighting, large covered front porch and back porch are just a few of the amenities of this stately home. Shown by appointment only. Call today! MLS#188644 Mark Sisk, Re/Max Premier Realty, 318-801-4344

Absolutely beautiful 4 bedroom, 3 bathroom home sits on a 5 acre lot in one of Start’s most popular areas. This custom built home boasts a lovely open floor plan, state-of-the-art kitchen, and large master suite. Property also includes a bonus room upstairs, as well as a 26 x 40 shop. Sale is pending on this home. MLS#189810 Anna Earl Romero, Cypress State Realty, 318-235-9130

3 bedroom, brick home on slab with fenced backyard in Plantation Park! This home features a spacious living room with fireplace, large utility room with walk-in closet and storage cabinets, big backyard. 2114 Valencia is located in the Monroe City School District. It is also close to daycares, private schools, churches, the synagogue, parks, grocery stores, gas stations, shopping centers, the CBD & much more. This home would make an excellent flip home. MLS#190123 Caroline Scott, John Rea Realty, 318-366-1429

2325 Bienville Drive, Monroe

4203 Loop Road, Monroe

GALLERY of H O M E S This home is amazing - sparkling from front to back. New wood look floors in living room and dining room. The living room also has a wonderful fireplace. Pass through from kitchen to den, this home has space for family and friends with three bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. A screened porch looks over the backyard and the home also comes with a closed in garage. Wonderful backyard. MLS#189954 Nancy Inabnett, John Rea Realty, 318-537-2698

Dreaming of a North Monroe Bayou DeSiard property with an unbelievable price? LOOK NO FURTHER! Featuring 4 bedrooms and 3 baths, this home also offers water views from most rooms, a dock, a 3 car garage, 2 fireplaces, a circular driveway, an office, a bonus room, a large covered patio and a fountain area. Make your offer today so you can enjoy the rest of the year fishing, boating and tubing on the bayou! MLS#189652 John Rea Realty, Kathy VanVeckhoven, 318-537-3701 and Nancy Inabnett, 318-537-2698

is a listing of local real estate properties by local realtors. To advertise in BayouLife Magazine’s Gallery of Homes, please contact us at 318.855.3185

Calendar of Events For a full list of event happenings in Northeast Louisiana, see our website at www.bayoulifemag.com October 3 Hope in the Light of Day Hope in the Light of Day is the annual commemorative ceremony for Domestic Violence Awareness Month in October. Join the Ouachita Parish SAFE Task Force in celebrating survivors of domestic violence and those who work to end it. Venue: Ouachita Grand Plaza 501 South Grand Avenue, Monroe Hours: 10 AM Cost: Free Phone: 318-998-6030 The Fleetwood Mac Experience The Amdocs Downtown River Jam brings the Fleetwood Mac Experience to Monroe Oct. 3rd! Located in Downtown Desiard by Evil Visions, 2 Dudes, and Brass Monkey, this event will bring together people from across the Twin Cities. This event is free to the public, with reserved tables for $300. Sponsored by Progressive Bank, Doe's Eat Place, Matt's Music, Azalea Estates, Skent N Dent, Choice Brands, Century Marketing Solutions, and Amdocs! Venue: Downtown River Jam 515 N 3rd St, Monroe Cost: Free for public, reserved tables for $300 Downtown Gallery Crawl – October The Downtown Arts Alliance is a non-profit comprised of a working board of volunteers. The board is dedicated to ensuring that the Crawls stay free and open to the public, while keeping exposure to and education about fine art at the heart of the event. The arts are a uniting force. Their galleries provide a free and fun environment for the community and surrounding areas to interact with, observe, and learn about fine art. Venue: Art Alley Downtown, Monroe Hours: 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM October 4 North Delta Food & Wine Grand Tasting Presented by b1BANK: Northeast Louisiana's premiere

food event, the North Delta Food & Wine Festival's Grand Tasting will feature small bites from dozens of renowned chefs, perfectly paired with delectable wines. The North Delta Food & Wine Festival benefits the Arts Council of Northeast Louisiana, which seeks to nurture a vibrant regional arts culture through support, promotion and education. At the Grand Tasting on October 4th, enjoy bites of sensory indulgence carefully paired with complementary wines to bring out the flavor, spice and personality of the region's best chefs. Listen to live music while you sip and dine over Bayou Desiard at the beautiful Bayou Pointe event center. Venue: Bayou Pointe Student Event Center 100 Warhawk Way, Monroe Hours: 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM Phone: 318-342-5216 October 4-5 Stockmanship and Stewardship: West Monroe, Louisiana Join the National Cattlemen's Beef Association at this regional event at the Ike Hamilton Expo., to hear from some of the beef industry’s top-most experts from around the country on how implementing sound Stockmanship and Stewardship practices on your operation will add value to your bottom line. With live cattle handling demonstrations, hands-on training, and exposure to the industry’s newest information, you are sure to find value by attending this Stockmanship and Stewardship event. Venue: Ike Hamilton Expo Center 501 Mane Street, West Monroe Hours: 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM Phone: 318-325-9160 October 5 Northeast Louisiana Celtic Festival The NELA Celtic Festival seeks to promote and preserve the rich heritage of Northeast Louisiana, with a Celtic focus and a diverse approach. They also welcome back St Baldrick's for their Bald on the Bayou event and Ouachita Green will show the movie BRAVE at dusk following the festival.

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Venue: Kiroli Park 820 Kiroli Road, West Monroe Hours: 10:00 AM - 9:00 PM Phone: 318-396-4016 Bald on the Bayou 2019 Join Northeast Louisiana St. Baldrick's for the 6th annual Bald on the Bayou event in Northeast Louisiana as they continue in the fight against pediatric cancer. As always, they will honor several local families and kids that have fought and are fighting childhood cancer. They even have some other special guests that will also be in attendance, and maybe even a surprise celebrity appearance or two! Venue: Kiroli Park 820 Kiroli Road, West Monroe Hours: 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM Phone: 318-396-4016 Zumba at the Food Bank Join INFIT Gym at the Food Bank of NELA for an awesome Zumba class to fight hunger. No experience is needed, just wear some comfy clothes and tennis shoes and come dance. Your $10 Suggested donation will help the Food Bank provide meals to our neighbors in need. Venue: Food Bank of Northeast Louisiana 4600 Central Ave, Monroe Hours: 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM Phone: 318-322-3567 Landry Vineyards Music Concert Flashback 5 Flashback 5 play top 40 cover, country, classic rock and dance music. Jambalaya, cheese trays, 4 types of boudin, wine bellini's and drinks will be offered for purchase. Don't forget to bring your lawn chairs and blankets to relax on the lawn or call to reserve a table. Food and cold drinks are welcomed but please do not bring pets or outside alcohol. The tasting room will open at 11:00 AM and will carry through to the end of the concert. Venue: Landry Vineyards 5699 New Natchitoches Road, West Monroe Hours: 4:00 PM - 7:30 PM Cost: $10.00 adults young adults

13-18 years $5.00 children 12 and under are free. Phone: 318-557-9051 ULM vs Memphis Join in on the fun and watch ULM take on Memphis! Venue: ULM Malone Stadium 514 Warhawk Way, Monroe Hours: 6:00 PM Cost: $15-35 Phone: 318-342-1000 Big Smo at the Hub Don't miss out on Big Smo in concert on October 5th! Venue: The Hub 201 Washington St., Monroe Hours: 7:00 PM - 11:00 PM BIW presents - Pressure Rising Enjoy BIW - Pressure Rising at the West Monroe Convention Center on October 5th. Every single match is a toss up and one mistake could cost you the win. This will be one of the most talented line ups they have ever produced. The Top 10 rankings could be flipped upside down after this show. Cassidy Riley will defend his Southern Title, Steve Anthony returns, Barrett Brown will make his 4th title defense and so many more stars will be in attendance. Venue: West Monroe Convention Center 901 Ridge Avenue, West Monroe Hours: 7:30 PM Cost: $10 in advance, $15 at door Phone: 318-396-5000 October 6 Halloween Cookie Class Halloween cookies and wine with friends? Yes please! Come be as serious as you want to be while decorating cookies. Wine and snacks are provided along with juice for kids. 1:00 PM Kid Friendly Class 3:00 PM Adult Only Class 5:00 PM Adult Only Class. Venue: Hamilton House 318 Trenton Street, West Monroe Hours: 1:00 PM - 6:30 PM Cost: $25/child $35/adult Phone: 318-366-2412

Refresh: Night of Worship with Shane & Shane Contemporary Christian Worship Artist Shane & Shane are coming to the First West - West Monroe Campus on October 6, 2019 at 6:00 p.m. The event is free but tickets are required. You can book your tickets on their website, firstwest.cc/refreshnow. Venue: First West 500 Pine Street, West Monroe Hours: 6:00 PM Cost: Free Phone: 318-322-5104 October 10 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 October 11 Whiskey Myers with Kolby Cooper: Live at The Revelry of Ruston Come out to The Revelry of Ruston for a live performance from Whiskey Myers featuring Kolby Cooper! Venue: The Revelry of Ruston 2647 S Service Rd W, Ruston Hours: 7 p.m. Cost: $15 early bird tickets, $20 in advance, $25 at the door Phone: 318-255-1008 Downtown Wine Walk Stroll Ruston’s scenic downtown historic district visiting participating locations for a specialty wine tasting. Event features live entertainment, giveaways, and more! Venue: Downtown Ruston Hours: 6-9 p.m. Cost: $15 Phone: 318-255-2031

October 11-13 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. Handicap accessible with scooter rentals available on-site. Load up the family and head on out! Venue: Big Creek Trade Days 327 California Plant Rd, Dubach Hours: 9 AM-5 PM. Friday, 11 AM -9 PM Saturday, 10 AM-4 PM Sunday Cost: $5 per vehicle Phone: 318-680-1304 October 12 FoBB Fall Celebration Family activities, environmental education, canoeing/kayaking, photo contest, food & drink, music, face painting, arts & crafts, guided nature walks, children's art competition, BB shooting gallery, archery, backyard bass game, and more! Venue: Black Bayou Lake National Wildlife Refuge 480 Richland Pl Drive, Monroe Hours: 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM Cost: Free Phone: 318-387-1114 Touch a Truck & Trick or Treat Event As a Fall event, The Radio People present the opportunity for children of all ages to “Touch-A-Truck.” This unique event will allow climbing, vehicle touching and noise making around construction, emergency, farm equipment, military and commercial vehicles. Children will be encouraged to dress in Halloween costumes as candy will be handed out to kids as they visit each vehicle. Venue: Ike Hamilton Expo Center 501 Mane Street, West Monroe Hours: 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM Cost: $5 per person, children 2 and under free Phone: 318-325-9160 64th Annual Louisiana Art and Folk Festival Back for its 64th year the Louisiana Art and Folk Festival welcomes everyone to experience regional art, folklife demonstrations, great live music, amazing food, and so much more! Live music provided by Sam and Smoke, the Caldwell Community Choir, Steve Cagle and the Smackwater Band, Brian Martin, the best of Elvis by Todd Martin,

and more. Car show sponsored by Caldwell Bank. The Festival invites all regional artists to showcase their wares – interested artists and vendors are encouraged to submit their applications quickly as space is limited. More information can be found online at artandfolkfestival.org or facebook: https://www.facebook. com/LouisianaArtandFolkFestival Venue: The Schepis Museum 106 Main Street, Columbia Hours: 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM Cost: $5 Tickets at the Gate Phone: 318-649-9931 Brew on the Bridge Craft beer, food trucks and artisans bring out all the stops on Endom Bridge spanning the Ouachita River for a festival unlike any other. Celebrate the unity of the Twin Cities. Venue: Endom Bridge 110 DeSiard Street, Monroe Hours: 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM Dia de la Familia - Union Parish Through the Children's Coalition for Northeast Louisiana partnership, they promote healthy living and physical fitness as well as the resources available to families in our community. They are inviting all members of our community with a focus on the growing number of Hispanic families in Ouachita Parish. This event will provide interactive activities for children and parents to participate in while educating them and will include the flavor of our Hispanic community through food and music. Venue: Lake D'Arbonne State Park 3628 Evergreen Road, Farmerville Hours: 2:00 PM - 6:00 PM Cost: Free Phone: 318-323-8775 October 16 Wind Down and Wine Wednesdays Join Double BB Farms for Wind Down and Wine Wednesday Goat Yoga at the farm! Goat yoga is for people of all ability or no ability at all! Enjoy bottomless glasses of red or white wine. This event will be outside so dress appropriately. Please bring your yoga mat if you have one. Class will be taught by Yogi, Elizabeth Griffon and will cost $25 per person. **Disclaimer: Class could be interrupted at any moment by baby goats wanting a cuddle! Venue: Double BB Farms 1816 Stubbs Vinson Road, Monroe

Hours: 7:00 PM Cost: $25 Phone: 318-355-1824 October 17 DoMo Piano Bar The exclusive dueling piano event returns on October 17th, hosted by the Amdocs Downtown River Jam concert series. Come sing along, grab a drink, and show us your dance moves at the Skent N Dent Stage! This event is free to the public and located in Bry Park. Sponsored by Doe's Eat Place, Progressive Bank, Gene Cox, Matt's Music,Azalea Estates, Skent N Dent, Choice Brands, Century Marketing Solutions, and Amdocs! The Downtown River Jam is a project of the Downtown Monroe Alliance. Venue: Downtown River Jam 515 N 3rd St, Monroe Hours: 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM Cost: Free to Public October 18 ARToberfest ARToberfest is celebrating 10 Years of Beers! This beer tasting event celebrates tasty home-brewed and commercial beers and features local musicians and food trucks as well. Grab the crew for a night of drinks, food, and fun while supporting the North Central Louisiana Arts Council. Venue: Ruston Farmers Market Hours: 5-10 p.m. Contact: 318-255-1450 October 19 Cross Country - Louisiana State Games Don't miss a day full of running at the Louisiana State Games for Cross Country on October 19th! Venue: Ouachita Parish High School 681 Highway 594, Monroe Phone: 318-343-2769 St. Paschal Church Herbal Harvest Original Arts & Crafts Festival 28th year for this FREE event! More than 50 vendor booths selling Original Artisan Arts and Crafts. Church members will be selling their home baked goods. St. Paschal Youth and the Knights of Columbus will be grilling and selling sausage on a bun. Northeast LA Master Gardeners will sell herb plants, shrubs & bulbs and present free demonstrations. Venue: West Monroe Convention Center 901 Ridge Avenue West Monroe

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Hours: 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM Cost: FREE to public Phone: 318-366-5171 Super Saturday – October Join Children's Coalition for Northeast Louisiana for Super Saturday! They will be celebrating their youth volunteers with opportunities for service-learning hours as well as hosting activities for children. They will have playground cleanup, garden maintenance and more. As always, this event is free and open to the public! Venue: Children's Coalition for Northeast Louisiana 117 Hall Street, Monroe Hours: 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM Cost: Free Phone: (318) 323-8775 Bloody Mary Festival No matter how you dress it, the Bloody Mary is a classic drink that should be celebrated. For this annual event, local bars and restaurants will come to the Origin Bank RiverMarket to see who can mix it, shake it, and dress it the best! Vendors will be set up for shopping with no attendance cost. Tickets will be sold to those wishing to sample Bloody Mary's. It's a competition-- the bars and restaurants are looking to win a variety of prizes awarded by judges as well as the public. Come and join in the fun! Venue: Downtown Riverwalk 316 South Grand, Monroe Hours: 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM Cost: Free to attend, $25 for tastings, $35 at the door Phone: 318-807-1735 Children's Fundays at the Biedenharn Join the Biedenharn Museum and Gardens the 2nd Saturday of the Month from 10am-12pm for their Children's Fundays at the Biedenharn. They'll have crafts and fun for ages 3-16, so bring the kids and come enjoy the gardens. 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, Monroe Hours: 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM Cost: $5 Phone: 318-387-5281

Pumpkin Bash: A Children's Book Festival The 41st annual Pumpkin Bash: A Children's Book Festival is back from 10 AM- 2PM October 19 at the Ouachita Parish Public Library's Main Branch. Children can mix and mingle with authors, play games, munch on snacks, compete in a costume contest, and even win a free book (while supplies last). Featured author Mary Manhein will be discussing and selling her new children's book, Claire Carter, Bone Detective: The Mystery of the Bones in the Drainpipe. Like all Ouachita Parish Public Library programs, this community event is free to the public to attend. For questions regarding Pumpkin Bash, please call 318.327.1490. Venue: Ouachita Parish Public Library, Main Branch 1800 Stubbs Avenue, Monroe Hours: 10 AM - 2 PM Cost: Free Phone: 318-327-1490 Landry Vineyards Music Concert Lisa Spann & Co. Lisa Spann & Co. play classic rock, country, oldies and dance music. Jambalaya, cheese trays, 4 types of boudin, wine bellini's and drinks will be offered for purchase. Don't forget to bring your lawn chairs and blankets to relax on the lawn or call to reserve a table. Food and cold drinks are welcomed but please do not bring pets or outside alcohol. The tasting room will open at 11:00 AM and will carry through to the end of the concert. Come celebrate an afternoon of fun with your family and community! Venue: Landry Vineyards 5699 New Natchitoches Road, West Monroe Hours: 4:00 PM - 7:30 PM Cost: $10.00 adults young adults 13-18 years $5.00 children 12 and under are free. Phone: 318-557-9051 The Chennault Gala East Meets West at this first annual event. The evening will feature live local entertainment as well as entertainment from China. Your ticket includes complimentary beer, wine, and a specialty cocktail as well as heavy hors d'oeuvers. Enjoy fresh Louisiana seafood prepared by Thurman's Food Factory. Doors open at 6:00 PM for the VIP Reception. Doors open at 6:30 PM for general admission. Music kicks off at 7:00 PM.

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All proceeds of The Chennault Gala benefit Chennault Aviation & Military Museum and their efforts to preserve the rich aviation and military history in Northeast Louisiana and honor our local veterans. Venue: The Hub 201 Washington St., Monroe Hours: 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM Cost: $75 October 22 3rd Annual Spooky Science Event Join Louisiana Delta Community College for a night of spooky science experiments and Halloween fun. They have something for all ages, and it is fun for the whole family. This event is free and open to the public. Venue: Louisiana Delta Community College 7500 Millhaven Road, Monroe Hours: 5:00 PM - 7:30 PM Cost: Free Phone: 318-345-9000 October 24 NAWAS at The Hub Don't miss out on NAWAS at the Hub on October 24th. From track to track, NAWAS instill the EP with an infectious energy that reveals the raw, unrestrained instincts at the core of the band. Venue: The Hub 201 Washington St., Monroe Raise the Woof 2019 Don't miss out on this fun fundraiser for SOS Pets of Ouachita. It’s Halloween themed, and dogs and their humans will both be in costumes! Ashton Gill of American Idol fame will be performing! Venue: Flying Tiger Brewery 506 North 2nd Street, Monroe Hours: 6:00 PM - 10:00 PM Phone: 318-547-1738 pARTy 318 Put the ART in pARTy! This series of free events for young professionals is sponsored by Marsala Beverage. This year join Masur Museum of Art for a spook-tacular party featuring live music, local food trucks, beer, wine, door prizes, and more. Costumes are encouraged. The event is open to the public and is not to be missed! Venue: Masur Museum of Art 1400 South Grand, Monroe Hours: 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM Cost: Free Phone: 318-239-2237

Twin City Lip Sync Battle Join Twin City Ballet Company for a night of syncin' lips and shakin' hips on October 24th as they present the TWIN CITY LIP SYNC BATTLE. Watch your favorite local celebrities go head-to-head as they sing and shake it to the songs everyone knows and loves! Stay tuned for the exciting announcement of who will be competing for bragging rights as the Lip Sync Champion. All proceeds benefit Twin City Ballet Company. Venue: West Monroe Convention Center 901 Ridge Avenue, West Monroe Hours: Doors 6:15, Show 7 PM Cost: $30 general admission, $35 at the door Phone: 318-388-3011 October 26 Run/Sup Challenge The ULM Wesley Foundation RUN/SUP Challenge will consist of a 2-mile run followed by a 1 mile stand up paddle board (SUP) or kayak. They will also have a “fun run” option that consists of a 1 mile run and .5mile paddle. The race will be held at the ULM Wesley Foundation at 112 Bayou Drive on the ULM Campus in Monroe. Ages 12 and up. Personal flotation devices (PFD’s) must be worn while on the water. Prizes will be awarded for the fastest total time for these categories: - 2 mile run/1 mile paddle open class (you provide your own paddle board) - 2 mile run/1 mile paddle standard class (you use a board provided by H2 GO) - 2 mile run/1 mile kayak open class (you provide your own kayak) - 2 mile run/1 mile kayak standard class (you use a kayak provided by H2 GO/ULM Wesley Foundation). Venue: University of Louisiana at Monroe 700 University Avenue Hours: 7:00 AM - 10:00 AM Cost: $25-$40 Phone: 318-342-1000 A Whole ZOO World - Boo at the Zoo Enjoy a day at the zoo! Food, games, entertainment, and more! Venue: Louisiana Purchase Zoo 1405 Bernstein Park Road, Monroe Hours: 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM Phone: 318-329-2400 Geeks Along the River It's the only geek fair in town and it's back for the fourth year! This free, family-friendly event features something for everyone. Fans of

comic books, movies, video games, tabletop gaming, fantasy, and more flock to the RiverMarket each year to let their geek flag fly. Venue: RiverMarket 316 South Grand, Monroe Hours: 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM Phone: 318-807-9985

and creators offering woodworks, original art, pottery, sketches, and more! Venue: Historic Fire Station, Downtown Ruston Time: 10 AM-5 PM Cost: Free Contact: 318-255-2031

Fall Extravaganza 2019 Join Easterseals Louisiana and the Barak Shrine Temple of Monroe, Louisiana for their 2nd Annual Fall Extravaganza! Come out to the Barak Shrine Temple on October 26, 2019 from 11 am-2 pm for carnival games, food, music, crafts and so much more! This event is open to the community and is accessible for those of all ages and abilities. Admission is just $2 per person and includes food and games - so bring your friends and family out for a day of fun! *Ticket admission will be available at the door of the event. Venue: Barak Shrine Temple 6620 Frontage Road, Monroe Hours: 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM Cost: $2 per person Phone: 318-345-2511

October 29 PAW Patrol Live All paws on deck! Nickelodeon and VStar Entertainment Group present PAW Patrol Live! “The Great Pirate Adventure,” an action-packed, music-filled production, presented by Pedigree. The heroic pups from the top-rated animated preschool series PAW Patrol, produced by Spin Master Entertainment, embark on a pirate-themed adventure to uncover hidden treasure during the hit live stage show, playing at the Jack Howard Theater, October 29 & 30. Venue: Monroe Civic Center 401 Lea Joyner Memorial Expressway, Monroe Phone: 318-329-2225

Animals of Halloween Nature Walk for Kid 10 and under Join Black Bayou on the Nature Trail to learn more about some of the spooky animals of Halloween. This is for kids 10 and under and their parents. Costumes are encouraged and there will be some treats given out as well. Venue: Black Bayou Lake National Wildlife Refuge 480 Richland Pl Drive, Monroe Hours: 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM Cost: Free Phone: 318-387-1114 Tails at Twilight Tails at Twilight is a Halloween Costume Gala fundraising event for the River Cities Humane Society for Cats. The event features food, drinks, photo booth, DJ and dancing, as well as a silent auction. All profits go directly to the shelter. Venue: The Hub 201 Washington St., Monroe Hours: 7:00 PM - 11:00 PM Cost: $75 Ruston Makers Fair Ruston Makers Fair is back for the fall! Over 100 talented artists and artisans will fill downtown Ruston. Browse booths from local makers

October 30 I AM KING (Michael Jackson Experience) Don't miss out on this Michael Jackson Experience on October 30th at the Hub! Having performed to millions of Michael Jackson fans worldwide, Michael Firestone has been hailed by fans and critics alike as the heir apparent to Michael Jackson in looks, performance and authenticity. When it comes to Michael Jackson tribute artists, there are none quite like Michael Firestone. His ability to sing live while mastering the intense dancing that Michael Jackson was so famous for has made him the most sought after MJ tribute artist in the world. Venue: The Hub 201 Washington St., Monroe Hours: 7:00 PM - 11:00 PM Halloween Wind Down and Wine Wednesdays Join Double BB Farms for Wind Down and Wine Wednesday Goat Yoga at the farm! Goat yoga is for people of all ability or no ability at all! Enjoy bottomless glasses of red or white wine. This event will be outside so dress appropriately. Wear your costume, the goats will be wearing theirs! Class includes tour of farm. Please bring your yoga mat if you have one. Class will be taught by

Yogi, Elizabeth Griffon and will cost $25 per person. **Disclaimer: Class could be interrupted at any moment by baby goats wanting a cuddle! Venue: Double BB Farms 1816 Stubbs Vinson Road, Monroe Hours: 7:00 PM Cost: $25 Phone: 318-355-1824 October 31 Kane Hodder Meet & Greet Evil Visions Haunted House brings you Kane Hodder! The legendary horror actor behind Jason Voorhees, Victor Crowley & more. For 2 nights only, come meet the man behind the mask, with meet & greet, photo ops & autographs available! Venue: Evil Visions Haunted House 501 DeSiard St., Monroe Hours: 7:00 PM October 1, 5, 8, 12, 15, 19, 22, 26, 29 Ruston Farmers Market Shop, eat, and support locals at the Ruston Farmers Market! Choose from a wide selection of seasonal fruits and vegetables, meats, eggs, honey, jams, salsa, and other locally produced goods. Venue: Ruston Farmers Market, 220 E Mississippi Avenue, Ruston, LA Hours: Tuesdays 4-7 PM, Saturdays 9AM - 1 PM Admission: Free to attend Phone: 318-957-1305

October 6, 20 Goat Yoga at the Farm Come join Double BB Farms for Goat Yoga at the farm! Goat yoga is for people of all ability or no ability at all. This event will be outside so dress appropriately. Class includes tour of farm. Please bring your yoga mat if you have one. Class will be taught by Yogi, Elizabeth Griffon. **Disclaimer: Class could be interrupted at any moment by baby goats wanting a cuddle! Venue: Double BB Farms 1816 Stubbs Vinson Road, Monroe Hours: 4:00 PM Cost: $20 Phone: 318-355-1824 October 11-13, 18-20 Loyal Blue Weekend Celebrate Louisiana Tech home football games with this weekend experience! Friday night will be JAM Brass band and a food truck showdown in downtown Ruston. Catch the Tech Trolley to the stadium for tailgating and the game. And on Sunday, enjoy Bulldog Brunch from select local restaurants. Venue: Downtown Ruston Hours: Times for events vary Cost: Free to attend; game ticket prices vary Phone: 318-255-2031 or www. experienceruston.com

October 5-6, 11 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 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 N 4th Street, Monroe Hours: Saturday, October 5 9:00 5:00; Sunday, October 6 1:00-5:00, October 11 9:00 - 5:00 Cost: Free except first day admission is $2/adult Phone: 318-537-5171 WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | OCTOBER 2019 233