August 2017
Photo By Forrest Carpenter
Bayou Living Publication
Hunting & Fishing | Beer & Boudin | Women In Business | Recipes & More
a Word From ...
Delta Dawn
August 18, 1979 - August 10, 2017
A Woman in Business As a woman in business, I struggle with many things, but I do enjoy every minute of my journey. Not only am I a businesswoman, but I’m also a small business owner and a mother who works from home. Working from home is often a bigger struggle than the conveniences it brings. Every day, I try to weigh my options: What is more important? Work? Or playing with that cute smiling baby in the walker? Sometimes, I wish for an office away from home so I don’t have to decide these small things. It may not seem like a big deal to some, but it is! Obviously, business must come first, and I MUST make things HAPPEN. I work countless hours, sometimes day and night, just to create a magazine that will bring joy and knowledge to my readers and advertisers alike. I want to put out a magazine that is cherished and read … with my own personal touch. I NEED my readers to enjoy my publication, so I drive myself to do better and better each issue. It’s all about challenging myself to bring you a magazine that you can talk about and share with your friends I take a lot of time with every issue to bring you my visions. Seriously, I dream of doing something in my sleep – and I wake up and do it! I come from a long line of entrepreneurs, so it is no surprise that I’ve struck out into the world of business ownership. It took many years to find my true calling in the publishing world. A move to Colorado woke me up after working a spell with the Montrose Style magazine. It really brought me right back to where it all began. When I was 13, I created a newsletter with my dear friend Nikki Sevigny (now Lacasse) and I thrived on it! So, why not create my business around what I love? And so, the idea was hatched on a drive back from Colorado with my sister riding shotgun in mid2014 and became a reality later that year in the form of Bayou Living Magazine. I suggest sticking to your roots and doing what you enjoy. If you can’t sleep, breathe and eat it … don’t do it! I love what I do and I know that what I’m doing with my magazine will only grow as it catches on that I really care about my readers and advertising sponsors. Y’all are my backbone that allows me to be the WOMAN IN BUSINESS! I’m so lucky I’ve finally found my calling and enjoy it so much. I’m even luckier to be able to grow consistently and feed my readers’ needs for great content by way of articles and recipes, while feeding my own creative needs. Finding my way in the business world has been a true blessing and I thank you, my readers and advertisers, for where I am today – three years into the publishing world. I guess that is just “The Woman in Me” as the Shania Twain song goes. Thanks to all of you for being Jam and Bayou fans! 4
Delta Dawn
Bayou Living Magazine, LLC
August 2017
August, 2017 …. VOLUME 9 …. ISSUE NUMBER 5
CONTENTS 630 West Prien Lake Road, STE B #301 Lake Charles, Louisiana 70601 Phone: 337-348-2958 Www.thejambalayanews.com
Publisher / Editor / Art Director Dawn Miranda Hughes-Daley jambalayanews@gmail.com
Contributing Editors Dorothy Hughes dorothyhughes1951@gmail.com Celeste W. Schlesinger
Contributing Writers Bill Elliot Dawn Miranda Hughes-Daley Dorothy Hughes Dominique Dugas George Cline Luke Eddleman Marilyn Brunt Nicole Shuff Arabie Paige Vidrine Tiffany Casey Russell Pawlowski
Contributing Photographers Dawn Miranda Hughes-Daley Dorothy Hughes Jason Carroll Marilyn Brunt Tiffany Casey
Sales fayedrake@sbcglobal.net jambalayanews@gmail.com heatherhughes808@gmail.com joshdaniel4544@gmail.com
Graphics Art/Production Director Dawn Miranda Hughes-Daley Legal Disclaimer The views expressed by The Jambalaya News Columnists are their own and do not necessarily reflect the position of The Jambalaya News, its editors or staff. The Jambalaya News is solely owned by Dawn Daley, published by Bayou Living Magazine, LLC, 630 W. Prien Lake Rd., STE B #301, Lake Charles, LA 70601. Phone 337-348 -2958. While every effort was made to ensure the information in this magazine was correct at the time of going to press, the publisher cannot accept legal responsibility for any errors or omissions, nor can they accept responsibility of the standing of advertisers nor by the editorial contributions. Copyright 2017 The Jambalaya News all rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without prior written permission is prohibited.
August 2017
Bayou Living Magazine, LLC
COVER STORIES 10 32
SWLA Sportsman, Jeff Davis Oak Crossing—The Best is Yet to Come
IN THIS ISSUE 4 A Word With— Delta Dawn 6 Contest Guide & Winners 7 Tip$ From Tip 8 All Things Football 10 SWLA Sportsman 12 Sportsman Bragging Rights Page 14 Sportsman Bragging Rights Page 16 Editor’s Choice 18 Life On My Terms 19 A True Passion to Serve in a Real Way 20 Women-In-Business with 3b&e 22 Women-In-Business with Taylor Brown 23 Women-In-Business with Caitlin Akers 24 Women-In-Business—Women Doctors 26 Roll-On 27 Women-In-Business with Healthy Image 28 Soul Matters 29 According to Bill 30 Women-In-Business with Maddie 34 Bayou Bride 38 Traveling the Back Roads 43 Cookin’ with Chef Redhead 44 Link to Our Past & Boudin Recipe 46 Frenched Cajun Chicken Recipe 48 Crawfish Bread Recipe
THE SPICE OF LOUISIANA
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Dining & Entertainment Guide Event Guide Night Life Guide 49 50 52 54 58 62 64 66 67 68 72 74 76 77 78
Spice of Louisiana Cover Sweet Success Boudin Wars Dining Guide Beers & Brews Women-In-Business—Kristi Wooldridge Events Souring Like a Dandelion in the Wind Nightlife Guide Souring Like a Dandelion … Continued Spice The Buzz Dogs of Louisiana Funbalaya Word Search & Tic-Tac-Toe The Poker Lady Understanding Poker Room Promotions
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Win Cash & Prizes … Find the Blonde Bomber’s Necklace
…….. WIN $100 in CASH …….
The Blonde Bomber is a local retired professional boxer. He can be found punching thru ads in The Jam to help you get a prize. Find the Blonde Bomber’s red boxing glove punching thru an ad & TEXT 337-348-2958 to claim your chance to win this months prize. Include your full name, page number and ad description. Drawing will be held on the last day of each month. To earn two entries each month like, follow & rate us on Facebook. Winner will receive A $50 Gift certificate to dine
at a restaurant of your choice.
The Blonde Bomber has lost his necklace. Can you help him find it? He’s been wearing this necklace since he was 16 years old, it’s a lightning bolt with the letters TCB on it. Do you know what TCB means? Taking Care of Business and the lightning bolt symbolizes: in a flash. Elvis wore a necklace just like this one. Thankfully only the lightning bolt charm is lost. It’s important that he finds it … he’s lost it somewhere within the pages of The Jam, probably in one of the ads. If you find it please TEXT 337-348-2958 with details on where he can find it (page number, ad description and where in the ad). Leave your name when texting for the reward of $100. A Drawing will be held the last day of the month and one lucky winner will be chosen. Look close it’s hard to find! Good luck! If you want us to put two entries with your name into the drawing please be sure to LIKE, FOLLOW & RATE US ON FACEBOOK for a better chance to win!
NEW!!! Find the Eye-Of-The-Tiger! If you find the eye of the tiger during LSU football season and you could win the prize of the month! If you find the eye of the tiger Text-337-348-2958 and list the page number & ad you found it within along with your name! If you want to get an extra entry please like and follow us on Facebook and rate us and tell us how you like our contest games! This month we are giving away a 500 ml bottle of Innovape Juice, flavor of your choice! Find the Blonde Bomber’s Boxing Glove …
Stella Doucet Abshire was our July winner. She won a $75 gift certificate to Strickland’s Spirits & Eats. She found the boxing glove in the Ryan’s Performance ad on page 63. You could be our next winner, find the boxing glove and TEXT 337 - 348 - 2958 with the page number, what ad you found it in, where it is located in the ad along with your Full Name. If you are correct your name will go into our monthly drawing. GOOD LUCK!! 6
Find the Blonde Bomber’s Necklace … Jo-Ann Niles was our July winner. She won $100 for finding the lightning bolt necklace charm in the Steamboat Bill’s ad on page 44. You could be our next winner, find the lightning bolt necklace charm and TEXT 337 - 348 - 2958 with the page number, what ad you found it in, where it is located in the ad along with your Full Name. If you are correct your name will go into our monthly drawing. GOOD LUCK!
Bayou Living Magazine, LLC
August 2017
Our fair state, known as the Sportsman’s Paradise is also home to many sportswomen. I recently learned that the wife of an old friend was honored as “The Huntress of the Year” by the very highly regarded Houston Safari Club for the year 2017. Carolyn and her husband are avid sports people and travel extensively in pursuit of their passions for hunting and fishing. We are honored to have such a widely recognized sportswoman in our midst here in the Sportsman’s (and Sportswoman’s) Paradise. Our sincere congratulations to Carolyn! In the previous issue, I wrote about purchasing local, supporting those businesses that are in your locale, those hiring our friends and neighbors and supporting our environs. A good friend of mine related that he had been purchasing his shoes and boots from his local outlet of a national sporting goods chain and they have discontinued handling his shoe size. My friend is a large man, not so much in circumference but well over 6 feet and well built, requiring a shoe size larger than most. Now if brick and mortar businesses want to keep customers from shopping on line with competitors, they need to service their clientele properly or they will lose a whole lot more of their base. I am in the XXL size range myself and increasingly find it hard to have much of a selection when I shop. The “Extended” sizes seem to always have much fewer available, if any, garments for purchase. Many times, there are multiple mediums and larges but few over that range. Face it, we are getting larger, people are taller and wider, just look around you next time you’re out there shopping, the population is more obese than ever, requiring larger sizes. Even though the stores charge extra for the ”Extended” sizes, they run out of them before there is much of a dent in the middle sizes. It is not a problem to go on line and find theses sizes in abundance; if merchants want to keep their brick and mortar alive and well, they need to cater to the clientele they have. I have a petite friend that informs me that finding much of a selection in her size can be a challenge as well. I guess only the middle is the marketing strategy; I think they might be missing the mark. Is it just me or do others wonder about the pace of construction in the Lake Charles environs? Trips to Beaumont and Houston always seem to be interrupted by highway construction, but those areas seem to get it done in a much shorter time span than we do. The Ham Reid/Nelson Road roundabout is taking a toll on so many. Recalling the lengthy process when they widened Hwy 378 in Moss Bluff comes to my mind, made one wonder if any of those businesses would survive that ordeal. It is obvious a similar effect that the roundabout construction is having on local establishments nearby. There must be a better solution to speeding up construction here, the present methods are infuriating and need to be greatly improved. More workers and equipment, 24-hour work schedules or something needs to be done to eliminate unnecessary delays. Bad weather is one thing but there needs to be some differences made in how we proceed. August 2017
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Call Today
LUMBER PAINTS STAINS ROOFING DOORS TOOLS WINDOWS GARDENING AND MUCH MORE. Local Family Owned serving all of southwest Louisiana over 80 years.
337-734-2244 Find Us On Facebook 511 E. Russell Ave., Welsh, Louisiana 70591
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2017 LSU Tigers Football Schedule
By Scott Holtzman Well the football season is fast approaching. And as usual, I have a lot more questions than answers. I think it’s really interesting that Lance Guidry is going to be the defensive coordinator for McNeese. How will that work out? Will he also call the defensive signals during the game? I think it will be an interesting experiment. It's the first time I've ever heard of a head coach being the defensive coordinator as well. I like their chances this year. I think they'll be playing with a chip on their shoulder, and that may be just enough to get them back into the playoffs. Good luck Pokes!! First year head coach Ed Orgeron takes over for my beloved LSU Fighting Tigers. Most pundits that I have heard are thinking LSU goes 10-2, or 9-3, with a loss at Alabama, a possible loss at Florida, and Auburn being a tossup. I think that sounds about right. Actually, I'd be happy with a 9-3 season, going to a decent bowl game, winning that and finishing 10-3 overall in Orgeron's first season. LSU will be favored in all their remaining games. As I look at their schedule, I like the fact they play a very capable team in BYU in their first game. BYU doesn't jump off the page to the average fan, and most will look at that game beforehand and declare LSU the winner. But when the Tigers study the film, I think they'll see a hard-nosed football team that plays fundamentally sound and doesn't beat themselves. As far as trap games, playing at Mississippi State and at Tennessee are the two that jump out to me. Geaux Tigers!! Well, that's all for now. Be sure to listen to Pigskin Friday on KLCL 1470 am starting at 10:00 am each Friday morning, where I will be joining Mike Soileau and Patrick Fry. We will be talking lots of High School Football throughout the season. Stay tuned...
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Date Opponent 9/2 BYU Cougars @ NRG Stadium, Houston, TX 9/9 Chattanooga Mocs @ Tiger Stadium 9/16 Mississippi State Bulldogs @ Starkville, MS 9/23 Syracuse Orange @ Tiger Stadium 9/30 Troy Trojans @ Tiger Stadium 10/7 Florida Gators @ Gainesville, FL 10/14 Auburn Tigers @ Tiger Stadium 10/21 Ole Miss Rebels @ Oxford, MS 10/28 OFF 11/4 Alabama Crimson Tide @ Tuscaloosa, AL 11/11 Arkansas Razorbacks @ Tiger Stadium 11/18 Tennessee Volunteers @ Knoxville, TN 11/25 Texas A&M Aggies @ Tiger Stadium 12/2 SEC Championship Game @ Atlanta, GA
TV/ Time 8:30 ESPN 6:30 SECN ALT. 6:00 ESPN/ESPN2 TBA TBA TBA TBA TBA TBA TBA TBA TBA 3:00
2017 LSU Tigers Football Schedule Date Opponent TV/ Time 8/31 Nicholls @ Thibodeaux, LA TBA 9/9 Florida Tech @ Cowboy Stadium 6:00 9/16 Alcorn State @ Alcorn State, MS 6:00 9/23 Houston Baptist @ Cowboy Stadium 6:00 10/7 Stephen F. Austin @ Nacogdoches, TX 6:00 10/21 Incarnate Word @ Cowboy Stadium 6:00 10/28 Central Arkansas @ Conway, AR 6:00 11/4 Southeastern Louisiana @ Cowboy Stadium 6:00 11/11 Northwestern State @ Cowboy Stadium 6:00 11/18 Lamar @ Beaumont, TX TBA
Highschool Football Jamborees start this month. August 24, 25, & 26. First official games start on August 31.
Bayou Living Magazine, LLC
August 2017
OFFICIALS WANTED
JOIN THE LAKE CHARLES AREA FOOTBALL OFFICIALS AND BECOME PART OF THE GAME GREAT EXERCISE EXTRA INCOME GIVE BACK TO THE COMMUNITY
CONTACT: Brian Myers … brianmyers1998@yahoo.com Wendell Christion … wendellchristian@yahoo.com
August 2017
Bayou Living Magazine, LLC
Carlos Ross
Daley’s Gym 337-491-9935
2017 Diamond Gloves Champion
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SWLA Sportsman & Garrett Cole of Vendetta Waterfowl The Make of a World Class Specklebelly hunting destination
Property owners Joe and Jena Stough had a dream that has come to fruition. The dream was to purchase the family farm which sits amongst some of the most desirable duck and geese hunting land in Southwest Louisiana. Add to that an expert guide, a cozy first class lodge and serve good ol' southern food. The dream, now a reality with SWLA Sportsman's Thornwell Lodge and Garrett Cole of Vendetta Waterfowl as their expert guide. Once in a while, all the stars line up and everything just seems to fall in place. Such is the case with SWLA Sportsman's Thornwell Lodge and their expert guide Garrett Cole, owner of Vendetta Waterfowl and creator of "The Bad Guy" speck call. Cole is a two-time world champion speck caller who brings with him a lifelong passion for hunting waterfowl with a special fondness for all things specklebelly. After talking with April Cox, Property Manager at SWLA Sportsman and Garrett Cole, Hunting Operations Manager, one thing is immediately clear these two share a goal to deliver top notch memorable hunting experiences. Their shared focus on knowing and handling all the details large and small with a common goal of meeting and exceeding the guests’ expectations is unmatched. The result is a hunting experience you won't soon forget. For Garrett Cole managing hunting properties in Southwest Louisiana, which is the indisputable specklebelly goose hunting capitol of the world, made perfect sense. The bonus for guests of the Thornwell Lodge is they can choose to hunt ducks or geese. All their blinds are a short ride from the lodge and they are spacious, dry and well maintained throughout the entire season. The expert placement of Deception Decoy spreads and world champion calling all come together to give their hunter's an "in your face" shot, 15 yards above your gun. If you haven't experienced speck hunting like this- You need to! Upon arrival at the Thornwell Lodge it’s the Sports Barn that captures the guests’ immediate attention. The Sports Barn was redesigned entirely with one goal in mind, entertaining the guests. Inside; a massive 132" tv, pool table, dart board, poker table, (a guest favorite) jumbo Jenga, a 10
fireplace and well-stocked bar. Outside is the newly added outdoor kitchen, stocked drink coolers, tv, SONOS music system, fire pit, mosquito system and plenty of comfortable seating to enjoy it all. If you are looking for great hunting, the opportunity to be coached by a world champion caller, or just a night to bond with friends around the fire and enjoy a little southern hospitality then you need to book your hunt with SWLA Sportsman. They are proud to share their unique slice of Southwest Louisiana with you. You can contact SWLA Sportsman by calling: 337-661-1163 also you can visit www.swlasportsman.com. They are located at: 4210 Byler Road, LAKE ARTHUR, LOUISIANA. Book your hunt and stay today!
Bayou Living Magazine, LLC
August 2017
August 2017
Bayou Living Magazine, LLC
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The Sportsman Bragging rights Page . . . Zavier Theriot & Chrissy Davis show off their game. They bagged their limit in Grand Chenier, LA.
Jackie Kelly shows off her 10pt buck that she killed in Texas hill country.
Cajun Phil, Captain Kevin and their group show off making the bag limit last season.
Jamie Beauxis & Craig Stevenson show of a hunt in the public refuge of Sabine.
Roland & Matt Fontenot, father & son show off a successful hunt. It’s a family tradition for the Fontenot’s.
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Devin Fontenot shows off his first deer. He is also a part of that Fontenot family tradition.
Riley Lejeune shows off her first racked buck. She hit her target in the Texas Hill country last season. Bayou Living Magazine, LLC
August 2017
Myers Landing & RV Park A place to come, play & stay … Relax & Enjoy
337-287-4890 1411 Shasta Street Sulphur, LA Action Arms is your locally owned and operated class 3 gun dealer with a knowledgable staff and fast friendly service. We stock a wide range of pistsals, shotguns, rifles, ammunition, accessories and even suppressors. We offer an indoor shooting range. Hurry in today to see our new items for the fall and winter seasons. Remember if we don’t hav eit we can get it!
Cabins & RV Space Rentals. Fishing Supplies, Restrooms, Boat Launch, 18-hole Mini Golf Course, Playground, Clubhouse & More! Book & Enjoy Today! Visit www.myerslanding.com for more info.
169 Myers Landing Rd, Lake Arthur, LA | 337-774-2338
Like and Follow us on Facebook
Ask about 0% Financing on Guns and other Hunting Products. Firearms Ammo Hunting supplies tactical accessories Firearm cleaning and repair
Carrying such name brands as Beretta, Mossberg, Ruger, SIG, Tikka, Smith & Wesson, Browning, Winchester and much more! Come in today and check out our new fall and winter stock!
HIT YOUR TARGETT WITH BLACKWATER GUN COMPANY!
337-246-7373 M-F 9am-5:30pm www.blackwatergunco.com SAT 10am-4pm 447 N. Main Street, Jennings, LA 70546 August 2017
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Your One Stop Shop for all Your Outdoor Needs … Guns Rods Reels Ammo Decoys Game Calls Hunting Apparel Costa Sunglasses Rod & Reel Repairs www.lakecharlestackle.com 4909 Common Street | Lake Charles, LA | 337-479-2999 13
The Sportsmen Bragging rights Page . . .
Chrissy Davis & Zavier Theriot show off a grand day of alligator hunting.
Our own, Tiffany Casey, of The Kitchen Table proudly shows off her catch. She holds a redfish that is so big it’s known as a bull at this weight.
A photo captured by Tiffany Casey.
Captain Kevin shows off his massive buck.
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Clint Ward of CW Customs shows off a days catch while fishing the Lacassine Pool. Bayou Living Magazine, LLC
August 2017
SPECKLEBELLY GOOSE HUNTING
HUNTING SEASON IS RIGHT
IN THE MIDDLE OF PRIME RICE FIELDS
AROUND THE CORNER
DUCK HUNTING *
BOOK YOUR STAY
DAY HUNTS
HUNTS WITH LODGING & MEALS
AND HUNT TODAY
MINUTES FROM THE HUNTING BLINDS
CALL: 337-661-1163
POOLTABLE
4210 BYLER ROAD
* HOT TUB
132 INCH PROJECTION TV
LAKE ARTHUR, LOUISIANA
DARTS * POKER TABLE * FIREPLACE
WWW.SWLASPORTSMAN.COM
OUTDOOR KITCHEN STOCKED WITH DRINKS
FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK
August 2017
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Dennis Creech
Editors Choice of the #bayoulivingmagazineimages photo challenge. To enter our photo recognition each week hashtag any photo you’d like us to consider where ever your photo is uploaded on Facebook.
Deidra Hubson Reed William Watson
Christin Duhon
Jessica Cassel
Dan Plummer
Katrina Stephens
Freida Koskela
Life of a Business Woman
Image by Emily Martindale
It’s lunchtime on a Friday in early March 2007, Lent has begun and I’m standing at the front office of my High School getting checked out by my mom over the phone. I can hear the office attendant speaking to my mother as I wait at the window for approval to leave, “Paige is here at the office requesting to check out. That’s fine with you? Okay, the reason?” Looking at me in astonishment she continues the conversation, “To work? Please hold.” Putting the phone on hold, she walks over to the desk of her superior and starts discussing the matter. I’m sure they were trying to figure out if it was legal or simply appropriate for a student to leave school for work. Quickly checking my records, I see them regretfully accepting the fact that my astounding grades and decent attendance were signs that they had no need to worry. Hopping back on the phone, “Mrs. Kathi. Hello?” my mother had hung up. “It’s probably really busy.”, I say. Then she nods her head with a sour look on her face and approves my dismissal. I was off to work during the busiest season at our seafood restaurant here in the Lake Area. As I walk in, I’d be certain to see my older sister, standing at the expo counter delegating orders and running the show as my mom was lining people up at the door. This is life in our family. Work is what we know. Each person, with their certain skill set, finding their way in the business, learning from the woman who birthed us. The business is a fundamental element of my family structure. Don't get me wrong, that structure isn’t what you see on T.V. and it’s not something for the faint of heart. The demands business has placed on my parents wasn't typical. Holidays and sporting events were not always seasoned with their presence, but that’s business. Birthday parties were usually in the back room of the restaurant. You get used to it. My mother is an entrepreneur and a great one at that. I watched her chit chat on the phone from dusk until dawn every single day. For school events, she would come in, spend as much time as she could before the inevitable call beckoning her to put out another fire at work. I remember thinking of how exciting her life was. I would watch 18
her at work, moving fast, coaching and requesting that everyone she employed move with the same sense of urgency. That sense of urgency can drive you crazy if you let it, or it can teach you how to really accomplish things in life. The restaurant life is that way, it can send you over the edge but a moment later quiet your soul with the intense satisfaction of accomplishment. You make the choice, is it worth it? Most often it is. It’s worth the sacrifice, the emotional rollercoaster and the amazing achievement. I look back at all that I have learned from my mother, now as a woman in business myself, and I am grateful. I am thankful for the opportunity to have been taught that shaking things up, doing what you feel and never settling in life will reap you many rewards. I am thankful for chance to see what fortitude and sheer willpower can do in someone’s life. Most of all, I am happy that my first experience in business was in an industry that forces you to level up every time you walk through the doors of the establishment. All of these things together have taught me how to truly live. When I think of living life on my own terms, I am inspired by the legacy of the woman who taught me all that I know.
Jeff’s A/C & Heating Call: Jeff LaBouve 337-368-8047
Beat The Heat With Dependable & Affordable A/C Repairs This Summer! We are always looking to expand our sales team and are in need of experienced Sales representatives. Want to be on our sales team? Call Dawn today at 337-348-2958 … or E-mail resume: jambalayanews@gmail.com Come & be part of a winning team! Bayou Living Magazine, LLC
August 2017
"A Passion to Serve in a Real Way!" The West Cal Chamber of Commerce has secured Pam Babineaux as the keynote speaker for the next Empowering Women’s Luncheon. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to sponsor or get your tickets for this awesome event. Pam has such a desire to help women to see their full potential and wants to give back through her passion and encouragement. You definitely don’t want to miss out on this so get your tickets now. The deadline to sponsor or get tickets is Monday, August 21, 2017. Keynote Speaker: Pam Babineaux Pam Babineaux is married to Gary Babineaux and was blessed with three boys Jeff, Josh, and Justin. They have 3J Ranch and 3J Lodge. Pam’s middle sone was killed in December of 1999 and her life was completely changed forever. After Josh’s death, they formed a non-profit organization called “Joshua World Outreach”. This organization has helped build orphanages, a church in Romania, they have given over 800 bikes away at Christmas time, and has blessed so many other children’s lives. Pam’s sister Roxy passed away with breast cancer and she wanted to form a non-profit organization in her memory called “Girl Girl”, but didn’t feel the time was right. In 2015 Pam felt that the time was right to start something so she began having “Girl Girl” at the 3J Lodge. It started with 70 women and every month has continued to grow. Now there are a little over 300 women who attend. It has been totally amazing to see how so many women’s lives have been touched. Pam has such a desire to help women to see their full potential and what they can accomplish. What Pam has to say— “You never know what life will throw at you. Right before I started Girl Girl in 2015 a dear friend of mine lost her daughter suddenly. She asked me to do the funeral. Not knowing what to say the lord guided me through it. The year before her daughter August 2017
Bayou Living Magazine, LLC
passed she came to me stating that she was feeling in her spirit that the lord wanted her to do a women’s conference. My response was let’s pray about it. Never in a million years would we have thought through all the dreams and passion that the very first Girl Girl would have set 70 women which has continued to grow to over 300. Watching God work miracles through this is so amazing. Each month we have a keynote speaker whether it’s about losing a love one, overcoming abusive relationships, drug addictions, bulling, etc., god always knows what the ladies need that are attending the meeting so I pray and ask him to show me who my speaker will be for each month and it’s always well received. They can be someone local or someone in the entertainment world that has beat all odds. We as women can stand to empower our community and each other. My passion is to changes lives one hug, one smile, one testimony at a time.” West Cal Chamber of Commerce Empowering Women’s Luncheon Date: Thursday, August 24, 2017 Time: 12:00pm-1:00pm Location: Isle of Capri Lakeside Banquet Room 100 Westlake Avenue Westlake, La. 70669. Phone: 337-313-1121
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how small or how big the need might be”. Their services include: Social & Digital Media Marketing, Website Design, Promotional Items, Media Buys, Direct Mail, Print Collateral, Creative Design and Branding. If you need a marketing revamp, or new design for brochure, promotional logo items as give-a-ways, or a new business needing marketing material, do not hesitate in contacting them at 337-602-6378 or info@3bande.com. You can also find them on Facebook.” While 3b&e services large corporations, they remind all local and small businesses that marketing services are for everyone. They offer affordable marketing and advertising services of which they encourage each small business to take advantage of. Call them today they are a true inspiration!
Women-In-Business ... Julie Branden of Vivid Image Consulting.
Women-In-Business ... Jimmie, Becky & Kerri of 3b&e Marketing.
Julie Branden, founder of Vivid Image Consulting, is the only certified image consultant in Louisiana. Certified through the London Image Institute and the Association of Image Consultants International. As a certified MBE and DBE member, she gives image management seminars to corporations and business owners. She was the featured image consultant for Essence Festival 2012 and has a talk radio show “Image Matters” on WBOK. Julie is a phenomenal speaker and donates her services with Dress for Success and Diva Dolls NOLA. You can find Vivid Image Consulting by logging on to: www.vividimageconsulting.com or call: 337-912-7463 for more info on what she can offer you and your company. Julie Branden pictured below.
Recently, an exhilarating trio of women emerged into the marketing arena and opened their marketing company….3b&e Marketing. They started with a dream, a desire, a passion and plethora of goals they would like to achieve before RETIRING. With no funding from outside sources, these women have started from scratch and continue to work hard, stay focused while staying debt free. If you do not already know them, please meet the owners of 3b&e pictured above from left to right: Jimmie Richard, Becky Dupre and Kerri Krob. 3b&e Marketing has been doing business since November 2016. They moved into their downtown location in January 2017 and just recently celebrated their Ribbon Cutting with their clients, their supporters, their friends and their families. They have worked hard to revamp the old historic downtown Newstadt’s Shoe Store to make it their own, with their own personalities. Located at 727 Ryan Street…” if you have not visited, they invite you to drop in and check it out”. “The easiest way to explain us, we are 3 sections of a pie that come together to make a whole. Each of us has our own expertise in each of our respected fields so we feel that we can help and/or contribute to your marketing needs”. Kerri Krob explained continuing she went on to say. “We came together with one goal in mind…to create innovative concepts and ideas through down-to-earth partnerships with our clients…no matter 20
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August 2017
August 2017
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Women-In-Business … Taylor Brown Taylor Brown opened Retro West when she was only 24 years of age with a dream and a vision to bring a haute boutique with her vision of style and fashion to the lake area She’s inspiration to many young women because she followed her dreams and has made a splash in the fashion world in Lake Charles and online as well. She was recently named one of the top online shopping boutique as well. She recently relocated to 121 Eddy Street right beside Style Encore, the location is a quaint little place to shop that is filled with fashionable in style clothing for all ages. She also carries unique hand made jewelry by local a local jeweler as well as other unique jewelry that fits her style and brand. Her since of fashion and style along with her business savvy mind makes her one of the top go -to places for a fashionable piece of clothing, jewelry are home décor in the Lake Area … no mater the occasion. If you haven’t checked out Retro West at 121 Eddy Street in Lake Charles, Louisiana yet, maybe you should make it your next stop if you are in need of a unique find of the fashionable type! You can also find her on Facebook & Instagram. Or Call 337-990-5701.
THIS LOOK IS NOW AVAILABLE
121 EDDY ST., LAKE CHARLES 337-990-5701
SOUTHERN HAUTE & HOME BOUTIQUE
NEW LOCATION
121 EDDY STREET, LAKE CHARLES . 337-990-5701 22
WOMEN’S CLOTHING SHOES & BOOTS JEWELRY HOME DÉCOR & MUCH MORE. (NEXT TO STYLE ENCORE) Bayou Living Magazine, LLC
August 2017
Women-In-Business … Caitlyn Downs Akers Caitlyn Downs Akers (along with her husband) opened The Farmhouse Co. at age 21 … being from a business family it was in her blood to “Grab The Bull by the Horns” and open her own business. Her parents are Kevin and Shelley Downs, owners of Lebleu’s Landing & The Sausage Link in Sulphur, Louisiana. She is from Sulphur, Louisiana where she met her now husband, Justin Akers. She is a Sulphur High Graduate where she graduated top of her class in 2013. She then went to college and received a 4 year pre-law degree from McNeese State University. After she married Justin in 2016 and moved to Baton Rouge to continue her law degree at LSU, she realized her heart wasn’t as passionate about becoming a lawyer, as it once was. With that in mind she and Justin decided to move back to their hometown and start their own business. This brought about The Farmhouse Co. that they opened on May 1, 2017. At the farm house she followers her passion to support many small businesses from Louisiana and throughout the south by carrying their products. She makes it a mission to find unique companies and will always try to have a wide range of products and prices for every customers’ budget. Caitlyn prides herself on being very hands-on with her customers and will continue to make this an important part of her business. As she states “The Lord put the vision for this store in our hearts and we want the community to know we are a Christion company, above all else.” With these goals and values Caitlyn is sure to go on to be a big splash in the Lake Area! You can visit The Farmhouse Co. at 2801 Ryan St. STE 400, Lake Charles, LA. Or Call 337-491-8844. You can also find her on Facebook.
Women-In-Business … Sadone Buller Sadone had always been a business owner with a frugal personality and was looking for her next business opportunity when she decided on a franchise with Plato’s Closet and later she followed it along with Style Encore. Her business gives back to the community while at the same time providing a great value to her costumers. Sadone’s favorite part of her business is seeing her costumers score great deals and looking great in them! You can get much more for way less! Why pay more? You can visit Style Encore at 121 Eddy Street, Lake Charles, LA or call 337-6026124 & Plato’s Closet 2902 Ryan Street, Lake Charles, LA or call 337-419-1804. August 2017
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Women -In-Business Spotlight on Women Doctors, (and one Dude) of Executive Medical Clinic Jessica Sonnier, MD Medical Director is a boardcertified Family Physician. She attended Bowling Green State University and Defiance College for undergraduate studies. She received her medical degree from Xavier University School of Medicine in Aruba in 2008. She completed a 3-year residency in family medicine, finishing in 2011. Since that time, she has practiced as an Emergency Room Physician in Lake Charles. Dr. Sonnier has also practiced in an Urgent Care setting. She is certified in Advanced Trauma Life Support, as well as, Pediatric and Neonatal Life Support. She has gone through advanced aesthetic training for the administration of cosmetic neuromodulators.
Charles McLemore, FNPC Director of Family Practice, CFNP is a boardcertified family nurse practitioner with over 19 years of experience in family practice, emergency room, urgent care, and occupational medicine. He has over 10 years of wound care experience and 7 years of experience injecting cosmetic neuromodulators such as Botox and Dysport, as well as, fillers such as Restylane, Volbella, and Juvederm. He graduated from Barbe high school in 1989 and graduated from McNeese State University with a bachelor and a Master’s of Science in Nursing in 1994 and 1997, respectively.
Melissa LeBrun, DNP President and CEO, FNP-C
is a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner that has over 9 years of emergency medicine experience in the Baton Rouge and Lake Charles area. She first obtained a Bachelor's degree in Biological Sciences with an emphasis in Biochemistry from Louisiana State University in 2005. She then completed her Nursing degree in 2007 from Our Lady of the Lake College/Tulane Hospital in New Orleans, La. Her nursing experience includes Emergency Medicine and Oncology. In 2011, she completed her Master's degree in Nursing and became board certified as a Nurse Practitioner. In December 2016, she completed her terminal degree, Doctorate in Nursing Practice, from Chatham University in Pittsburgh, Pa.
Mary Dahlen, FNPC Director of Aesthetics has over 23 years of nursing experience. She earned her Bachelors of Science degree in Nursing at McNeese State University in 1994. As a Registered Nurse, she has had a vast amount of experience in Intensive Care, Medical & Surgical, and Cardiology nursing. In 2006, she then completed her Master of Science degree in Nursing from McNeese State University and has practiced in primary care, occupational, and emergency medicine. She also has advanced training in cosmetic neuromodulator administration. Executive Medical Clinic of Lake Charles located at 2002 W. Walnut St. STE 1A, Lake Charles, LA. | 337-210-1260.
PROADJUSTER Meagan Phillips Call Her Today! 24
Interior Decorator Office: 337-313-0444 Cell: 337-309-7588 2202 Ryan St., Lake Charles, LA
1607 Johnson Street Jennings, Louisiana 70546 Business (337) 824-5522 Fax (337) 824-5527
CLINIC
Monday - Wednesday - Thursday 8:30am-1:00pm & 2:30pm-5:30pm Tuesday 8:30am-1:00pm Closed Friday Bayou Living Magazine, LLC
August 2017
Mary Seale Churchman, D.D.S. Katie Courville Roberts, D.D.S. Melissa LeBrun
Jessica Sonnier
Charles McLemore
Mary Dahlen
General Dentistry
3632 Common St. Lake Charles, LA Phone:337-478-4022
Carl W. Churchman, Jr. D.D.S. General Dentistry 3640 Common St. Lake Charles, LA Phone: 337-478-5070
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August 2017
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Roll-on
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Photography by: Malise Gardiner Gary
We're getting to know Orthopaedic surgeon & all around Rockstar Dr. Geoffrey Collins along with his daily wellness habits. After all, everyone knows the life of an MD (surgeons in particular) is uber demanding. Brains & good looks only go so far; hydration, sleep, and pressed juices are the real secrets of success for this body mending, down-to-earth Doctor! Geoff Collins knows a thing or two about professional-level mind-body upkeep so we caught up with him to get the details on how one of Lake Charles' biggest bone heroes stays on top of his game... Favorite way to wind down: Relaxing in my hanging chair by the pool The best Roll Pressed Juice: Green Machine! Ingredient that makes everything taste better: Garlic One topic everyone should google: "The War on Insulin" Go-to Proteins: Steak...cooked on my grill Best label reading tip: If you see high fructose corn syrup, put it down. Healthy dish I rely on: Avocados on the half shell Always in the frig: Heavy cream (my coffee must-have) On my bookshelf: Whatever my wife is reading! Does "Marlin Magazine" Count??? For last minute entertaining: An assortment of amazing cheeses, high-quality steaks, and great wines are always ready to go at our house. Favorite indulgence: Dark Chocolate Current mantra: "Treat every patient how you would want to be treated. Everyone we see is somebody: somebody's Dad, Mom, Daughter, Brother, Friend....Compassion never goes out of style."
Reason you’d recommend Roll Indoor Cycling: It's a good full body workout, excellent cardio, low impact, far better than "walking in the neighborhood" and it's fun! We're super excited about our upcoming collaborations with Collins Orthopaedic & Sports Medicine this Fall including an onsite, outdoor ride at their office. You'll definitely want to be the 1st to book those bikes so be sure to follow them (and Roll Indoor Cycling & Juicery, of course) on Facebook & Instagram for all scoop and fun things up ahead.
“Unleash Your Inner Rockstar” 2801 Ryan Street, Ste 800 Lake Charles, LA 70601 337-429-5260 www.roll-indoorcycling.com Bayou Living Magazine, LLC
August 2017
L-R: Barbara VanGossen, Kristy Como Armand & Christine Fisher.
Spotlight on Women-In-Business … Healthy Image is Thriving When the completion of construction of your new office building coincides with the milestone of your 15th anniversary, it seems like an ideal time to take a look back at how far you’ve come, and to be thankful for where you are. Fifteen years ago, Kristy Como Armand and Christine Fisher were cheering alone in a parking lot. They had just landed their first client. They didn’t have a business plan or start-up money – they barely had a name. What they did have was a shared vision, experience, a reputation for doing good work, and two computers. That was the beginning of Healthy Image marketing agency. In 2007, they were joined by a third partner, graphic designer Barbara VanGossen. The three had worked together for years on various projects. “We didn’t have a list of expectations, or a big list of goals for the business when we started,” Armand said. “We just knew we would work hard.” And they did. Since then, Healthy Image has continued to grow, moving from home offices to a first small office; then to a larger office and ex-
panding that. Today, the new, much larger office, located at 4845 Ihles Road in Lake Charles, offers ample space for the agency to serve over 120 local, regional and national clients. The team now includes 12 members and offers a full range of marketing services, including strategic planning, advertising, public relations, graphic design, corporate communication, video production, photography, social media management, website development, event planning and more – basically anything a client needs that falls under the marketing or image-management umbrella. “We’re communicators, not just advertisers. We want to tell a client’s story to the people who need to hear it, and there are many different ways to do that. It’s our job to find the most effective way,” says Fisher. Two years after starting Healthy Image in 2002, Armand and Fisher founded Thrive magazine as a small quarterly publication focused on topics for better living; with VanGossen’s help it matured to a full-color, high-quality, award-winning monthly magazine distributed throughout SWLA and Southeast Texas. In 2013, Healthy Image was nationally recognized by the United States Chamber of Commerce as one of the Top 100 Small Businesses in the country with the Blue Ribbon Award, and last fall, the U.S. Congress recognized the agency as the Small Business of the Week during National Women’s Small Business Month. Healthy Image was also named Small Business of the Year for Southwest Louisiana in 2012 by Louisiana Economic Development and in 2013, Southwest Louisiana Small Business of the Year by the SWLA Chamber Alliance. The agency has received hundreds of ADDY awards for advertising, design and copywriting and Thrive has been honored for writing, design and overall excellence multiple times by the Louisiana Press Association. While the recognition and awards are appreciated – and humbling – what matters most to the owners and their team is knowing they are helping their clients achieve their goals. “We love what we do, and we realize we are fortunate to be able to do it every day,” says VanGossen. “Our success comes from helping others be successful and that’s a great feeling.” For more information on Healthy Image’s services, call (337) 312-0972 or visit www.ehealthyimage.com.
24 Hour Access For You and Your Family’s Convenience.
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Soul Matters
True Love Is Truth In Form
By Nicole Shuff Arabie
A simple life brings happiness. Cherish the simple things in life. Put the rest in storage. What would our world look like it there was no judgment, there was only acceptance? God sees our light when all that we can see is our shadows. Do you think that love is a spiritual gift? It honors Him when we ‘wear‘ our spiritual gifts, when we treasure them, when we use them to bless others. Many of us seem to hide the gifts God has given to us away from others. Some of us are even afraid most of the time. We keep the gift of love God has given hidden away. At times even starting to take it for granted, no longer valuing love as we should be. Instead we live a life that seems to be filled up with noise and lists of things to do. Where will you find space for love, relationships, faith and God? When we continue to hold onto things, those things begin having power of us and our lives. We seem not to be walking with our light of love on. Many of us grew up with too much criticism and judgment in our lives — was that really the best way for all of us to know what was right and wrong and good and bad? These expectations of how we were to behave, what we were supposed to know, who were expected to be, and the kind of person we needed to marry were clear. Then suddenly many of us, finding ourselves on a spiritual path that feels like being dropped off to live in another world. All that we learned seem to be things that don’t fit with the “norms” of the life we once lived. We quickly learn what we can no longer share with others. The going with the motions world exists because everyone knows what to say and what not say. The moment you step out of it something shifts. Our hearts opened, our eyes began witnessing destructive consequences all around. Many of us believe love is accepting and putting up with, sacrificing, tolerating, or suffering, thinking that their commitment is truly an example of love. This is not love. I myself began asking questions about love. What about love? Why didn’t love get explained to us? Love was expressed in our lives. Why did we experience what love isn’t? The worlds perception of love is not what love truly is. We find ourselves clinging to love wanting it to last forever, but it cannot because each of us are carrying that love, and we are constantly changing. Love is either growing together or growing apart. Love is a mystery to all of us because love can grow apart, but it can also grow stronger together. Understanding, seeing, hearing, and accepting someone for who they are is love. When you prove someone wrong, it’s like believing that there is only a yes and a no in your mind, but in what’s between the yes and no-- it really does matter. What’s between is everyone else’s perception of truth. We ignore it and fight it. We only want our truth to be seen and heard. Pay attention to how it feels when others project their values onto you. It’s not whether someone is right or wrong, but whether or not their words and actions are coming from the place of fear or from the place of love for others. Fear breeds hatred which leads to very destructive consequences. Love leads to compassion. When you can get to a place of letting go of needing others to live according to your ways, you realize how others respond is simply a projection of their
own reality. You don’t have to defend or explain yourself. When you catch yourself in that place move away from it. The ability to remain patient is next to impossible in the place of fear, but shift to love and you will find all the patience you need. The truth is what we seek, but truth is in the eye of the beholder. The attachment to “I am right” that is what comes back in the form of being defensive because no one believes they are wrong. This is what I have learned that my awareness at that time of what I thought would bring happiness to my life. I thought that it was love, but I’ve learned that it was conditional love, and that Is why it felt like something was missing. I know differently now. Authentic love is experiencing a deeper love that allows each other to grow. Even the love we have for our children many times is conditional. This is where many of us need to learn to let go of criticizing and judging them and allow room to grow. I’ve learned that love is wanting others to be happy. Without it needing it to be all about you. Not being dependent on them is a good way to understand the type of love that you are giving to them. When you aren’t projecting criticism and judgment and you are allowing them to be exactly who they are that is love. The love from our family is very strong, long lasting, and nothing else even compares to it, but to truly experience unconditional love it may require you to break away from the family ties that bind you so that you can follow your heart, and your own truth. They mean well and they love you, there is no doubt about that. Remember this, that even if a relationship grows apart true love is everlasting. True love is truth in form.
337-457-7886
Offering Natural & Organic Products … Baby Clothing - Teething Products - Breastfeeding Support & Products Essential Oils & Diffusers - Maternity Apparel Cloth Diapers - Baltic Amber Products & Much More! Find us on Facebook & Instagram for special offers …
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According to bill Those Wonderful Things Called Trees
Natural Garden and Nursery Plants * Pottery * Gift Shop
By Bill Elliott
1515 Johnson Street
Hey PETA! Animals are not the only living things we should cherish. When we take time to reflect on the many ways we use trees and their products it becomes apparent that trees are a major player in our quality of life. The list is endless but a few of the most apparent gifts from trees include oxygen and rain generation, shade, mulches, nuts, fruit, housing and building materials, railroad ties and power line poles, fuel, paper, boats, furniture, tools, axes, shovels, wheelbarrows, post hole diggers, knife and tool handles and such, medical and sporting equipment, food containers, fencing, and the list goes on and on. Your Sun day paper is ought but a bit of ink on a mashed up tree. Alas, we may even receive a final send-off encased in a wooden coffin. Although we have many products such as plastics that enjoy wide scale utility, none approach the usefulness of tree products. Trees keep giving even after they are dead as they give up their discarded leaves and twigs to mulch piles and their dried, chopped, and rendered carcasses to the spectacle and pleasure of bonfires and fireplaces. Instead of burning or composting, we can throw them in the creek and return later to catch the tasty fish that have made them their new home. Trees make ready tools as we use twigs and branches to probe, prop, punch, poke, and pick. They supply shelter from the sun and are known to provide a quick escape route from the enraged bull or wild boar. They feed the human spirit in poetic and religious metaphor (the tree of life), Confucian wisdom ("Tis' a wise man that plants a tree, the shade from which he will never see"), a symbolic rally ing places (the Sam Houston Oak), folklore (Paul Bunyon never cut down a cherry tree either), and a convenient medium on which to mark a trail, announce when you were there, or carve a heart shaped pledge of eternal love.
Jennings, Louisiana 70546 (337) 824-3356
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Women-In-Business ‌ Madison Barns My passion for soap making came from two important women in my life: my aunt who taught me everything she knew, and my pastor who shared all of her supplies and equipment with me. I always considered soap making a hobby, but enjoyed the idea of owning my own bath shop one day. I graduated college and did some freelance video work for small businesses, but I found it extremely difficult to find a job in my field of study. With a hardly used degree in one hand and a hobby on the back burner, I decided to switch my focus to the thing I was most passionate about. After a good bit of prayer, patience, and overwhelming support from family and friends, on May 3, 2017 I opened Towel & Twine, a natural bath product business. At 23 years old, it is such a great feeling to be a business owner. My hope is that my products help others and that I have many more years of this to look forward to!
Follow your Heart ‌ Do what you LOVE!
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Bayou Bride
Magazine ...
Would like to thank all of our sponsors for making Bayou Bride possible! Coming this September 2017! Please follow us on Facebook for our release date and locations of availability.
The Secret Garden
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Bayou Bride Magazine
FREE BRIDAL * FASHION * BEAUTY* MAGAZINE
Acadia * Beauregard * Calcasieu * Jeff Davis Telephone Number 337-348-2958
Coming September 2017 to a location near you! If you are planning a wedding, this is the perfect magazine for you. If you just got hitched, it is the magazine for your story. If you want to win a free honeymoon you need to stay tuned for details by following us on the Bayou Bride Magazine Facebook page. If you love fashion, style and beauty, this is the magazine for you as well. For our list of distribution hotspots please follow us on Facebook. We will let you know the nearest place to pick up a copy this September.
August 2017
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100 E. HWY 90 IOWA, LA 70647 PHONE: (337) 602-8300 FAX: (337) 582-5227 iowafarmauto@yahoo.com
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Why Pay More For Advertising? We Really Care! When You Don’t Have to! Call Us Today … We Have Pricing For Your Business, Based On Your Businesses Income. Call Dawn: 337-348-2958 Or Email… www.jambalayanews@gmail.com
We Want To Earn Your Business & Help to Build Your Business!
801 N. HWY 26 Lake Arthur, LA 800-738-2280
Lake Arthur Butane & Propane Co. “We Fill All Your Propane Needs” August 2017
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2329 E. McNeese St. Lake Charles, LA 800-256-1287
Two Locations To Serve You Better
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Founded June 15, 1945 37
Written and Photographed by: Marilyn Pepper Brunt
As I sit writing in the shade of a moss-draped cypress tree on the bank of picturesque Lake Arthur in Louisiana on a balmy August afternoon, the faint sound of the song Every Breath I Take by the Police can be heard wafting across the still water. When Sting wrote this song, it was interpreted as a love song, but it is one of the most misinterpreted songs ever. In actuality, it is about an obsessive stalker. Sting wrote it after the separation from his first wife. Never mind that trivia. I love the song and my interpretation is that it reminds me of this breathtaking lake and the soul of Louisiana. When I’m not at the lake spending time with family and friends or enjoying taking photos, my favorite thing to do is explore the backroads of Louisiana. I’m sure you’ve figured out where this story is going. That’s correct, I want to tell you about a few of my recent excursions. Every year when August 16 rolls around, I’m reminded of the day that Elvis Presley, the King of Rock and Roll, died. Aaaah, the days spent listening to his hits like Don’t Be Cruel, All Shook Up, Love Me Tender, Jailhouse Rock, etc… conjure up memories of slicked-back hair, his rhinestone-studded jumpsuits, his famous sexy smile, pink Cadillacs and a simpler time in my life. You can only imagine my excitement when I drove up at the majestic, “Graceland-like” home of Chester and Anne Smith in Abbeville, LA and parked out front was a 1959 Pink Cadillac Convertible. Seated in the back seat was the “King” himself, or 38
should I say a life-sized mannequin of him in a white rhinestone -studded jumpsuit with his signature gold frame sunglasses! This classic American icon is as synonymous with Elvis as sweet tea is to the South. I enjoyed the pleasure of the Smith’s southern hospitality one summer morning after I contacted them about featuring one of their cars in my article. I was astounded by their massive collection of cars, 29 to be exact! Chester contracted “car fever” about four years ago and has been searching for the perfect car to cure his ailment! He still searches at the age of 87 years young! Long-fin Cadillacs, slanted-glass Lincoln Limousines, a fierce looking Prowler, neo-classic Zimmers, a sleek luxurious RollsRoyce Phantom and numerous others have all found a home in south Louisiana. It was quite a task to decide which car to feature, but it was the “King” himself that swayed my decision. Really, like, who wouldn’t want to travel the backroads in a pink Cadillac with Elvis?! Special thanks to my assistant photographer, Fred Brunt, for patiently withstanding the sweltering heat to capture these photos of me! You’re the best! The heat has been stifling to say the least, so I was onboard for a quick get-away and cooler temps before school started. When the opportunity arose for a road trip to our family cabin in East Texas on Lake Sam Rayburn with my daughter, Gigi, my husband, Doc, and other family members, I charged my Bayou Living Magazine, LLC
August 2017
camera battery, prayed it would be cooler and was ready to roll. All this reminiscing about Elvis and Jailhouse Rock got me to thinking about the Gothic Jail, or more commonly referred to as the “Hanging Jail” in DeRidder, LA. I’ve often thought about visiting, so that was my first destination. Traveling north on US Hwy 171 from I-10 toward DeRidder, LA is very scenic. I’m reminded of the beautiful landscape and wildlife artwork by the late Elton Louviere (1930-2014) every time I travel through the Moss Bluff, LA area. He had a way of capturing nature onto canvas that all artists aspire to do. Driving through this area is like visiting an outdoor art gallery. I came to appreciate Elton’s art through my late brother-in-law, Dan Blalock (an avid collector), and his wife, Clara (my sister). They gifted me with one of his prints, Bayou Mist, and I was smitten. The swamps of Moss Bluff were Elton’s inspiration. I visited his studio a few years ago and was amazed by his paintings of scenery that he captured by simply looking out of his back door. All of this talent was tapped when he entered a well -known “Draw Me” talent test/advertisement from Arts Instruction, Inc. He hung up his brushes in 2011 and left behind quite a legacy and an array of paintings. Continuing on our journey, we arrived in DeRidder. This quaint little town, with the railroad track running through it, is the parish seat for Beauregard Parish with a population of approximately 11,000. Mayor Ron Roberts, a fifth-generation native of Beauregard Parish, is very proud of the progression of their city. We arrived at the Gothic Jail and were greeted by our lovely tour guide, Raquel Lund, who has been employed by the Tourist Commission for 3 years. She immediately started telling us about the construction of the jail. As the tour progressed, the stories and accounts of ghosts gave us an eerie feeling. The entire building is poured concrete and very unique. The theory behind the design was that it was built as a rehabilitation facility and not just as a place of punishment. Cells were constructed with windows, not only for ventilation but also for the prisoners to view the outdoors. There were also individual bathrooms complete with showers in the majority of the cells. All of this was before most homes in DeRidder had running water! The architect firm of Steven-Nelson was from a northern state. They also designed the stately courthouse that is right next door. They incorporated a tunnel in their design that ran underground from the jail to the courthouse. Well, needless to say, you can’t really do that in the south, cause sooner or later, it will flood. Unfortunately, I did not get to tour the tunnel but, as most of you are wondering, I did take a picture of the tunnel entrance and sure enough it was flooded! The tunnel was used as a passage for prisoners from the jail to the courthouse as a means of protecting their identity and dignity. This jail certainly was not a place of comfort. Prisoners were given a blanket and slept on black steel bunks. The jailer’s quarters were much different. When you enter the jail, immediately to your left is the jailer’s sleeping quarters and past that is the parlor, rest room and kitchen. Period furnishings enhance the atmosphere of these quarters to make it appear like it was just another southern home. After walking through the laundry facilities, we were guided up August 2017
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the spiral staircase to where the prisoners were incarcerated. There are three stories in the jail with the top floor reserved for prisoners that were sentenced from 10-15 yrs. or life! All floors, except the third, are open to the public. Standing in the stairwell, one’s eye is drawn to an opening near the ceiling. My curiosity was in overload and I had to ask, “What is the opening for?”. Well, a floor was built across the top rail and a trap door was in the center where the gallows were built. Hence the name “Hanging Jail”! It was in 1928 that it earned this nickname
when two prisoners were hung for the slaying of a DeRidder taxi cab driver. They were hung in the presence of all the other prisoners, I guess as an example to further rehabilitate them. Without sounding too morbid, this was an interesting tour. There have been claims that the jail is haunted, even prompting a documentary on the Travel Channel. A photo was once taken and when it was developed it appeared to have a man sitting on the front porch smoking a pipe. I personally did not see him but that doesn’t mean he’s not there. You might want to investigate this for yourself…if you dare! They host an annual Gothic Jail After-Dark Tour during the last three weekends in October from 6-10pm and a climactic haunted tour on Halloween night from 6-11pm. More info can be found on their FB page or by contacting Lori Darbonne, Director of the Beauregard Tourist Commission. If you go, and survive, tell us about your adventure on The Jambalaya News Facebook page. I was still in search of cooler temps and the jail was not that place. We embarked farther down Hwy. 190 to a little town called Merryville about 25 miles southeast of DeRidder. It’s the birthplace of Sam Houston Jones, the 46th Governor of our great state. A place of interest in this quiet little town is the Burkes Log Cabin that was built in 1883 by Andrew Jackson Burks and Buck Burks and was home to four generations. It is located on 628 N. Railroad Avenue in downtown Merryville. The authentic log cabin is a photographer’s dream. The “mud40
daubed” logs and chimney are so interesting, along with a replica of a “wooden jail” on the grounds near the Merryville Historical Society Museum. The museum is open for tours by request (337-825-0101) or they will be happy to make arrangements for you or your group. A famous name that comes to mind when talking about Merryville is the outlaw Charles “Leather Britches” Smith (no kin to Chester). My understanding is that he was a kindly man –until he started drinking! In 1912 he carried two 45 Colt pistols and a 30-30 Winchester rifle and enjoyed demonstrating his shooting skills for the amusement and amazement of his friends. Most people were intimidated by his marksmanship, drinking and bad temper. He was an outlaw in every sense of the word and a threat to public safety. It was the Good Citizens League that ambushed him and put an end to him terrorizing the good people of Merryville. He is buried in the Merryville Cemetery with an unassuming headstone. Most believed he didn’t deserve to be recognized. We crossed over the Texas state line, so we’re almost at our destination. It’s a tad cooler in the piney woods near Jasper, TX but I’m still longing for Autumn weather and enjoying a campfire complete with S’mores. Early the next morning, Gigi and I, along with Carla and Ricky Rivet and their daughter Michelle from Morganza, LA, decided to go to the John D. Parker East Texas State Fish Hatchery. Bayou Living Magazine, LLC
August 2017
This state-of-the-art freshwater hatchery is managed by Reese Sparrow. It is located in Jasper County below Sam Rayburn Reservoir. Access is via County Road 218 off TX Hwy 255. Tours are offered each Tuesday at 2pm and Friday at 10am. The hatchery is a multi-million-dollar complex that produces up to 5 million fingerlings each year for stocking in the state’s public waters. It was financed in part by anglers who purchase the freshwater stamp along with their fishing licenses. It encompasses 200 acres with 64 ponds and gets its water supply from Sam Rayburn Reservoir. Our guide for the tour was Texas Park and Wildlife Agent Charlee Cramer. She gave us a very insightful look into the hatchery. One of the most interesting experiences she has had at the hatchery is collecting the fish eggs and watching them hatch. Another agent, Zack Zemanek, a biologist hailing from College Station, TX, gave us tons of info on the spawning and harvesting of the fish. One of the highlights of the tour was watching Charlee feed the catfish in one of the ponds; there were literally thousands. We said our good-byes to the agents and promised to bring Louisiana boudin next time we visit! We were off in search for a “Pick-Your-Own” Blueberry Farm. Unfortunately, the berries ripened early this year but we were excited to buy fresh-frozen, gallon bags of blueberries from Laura’s Blueberry Farm on County Road 66, and boy were they delicious. The piney woods of east Texas are abundant with old churches, log cabins and my personal favorite, old barns. I was thrilled to have so many great photo ops, especially the sunset photos that I took at Twin Dikes Park Campground. Thanks to Melissa Reeves for the great advice on where to capture the best shot! By mid-afternoon we were joined by my daughter, Lacey Bertrand, and my granddaughters, Olivia and Sadie, and we had worked up quite an appetite after all that touring. We decided to have dinner at the beautiful, lodge-inspired Sam Rayburn Country Club in Rayburn Country Resort. It is open to the public and reservations are not required. I know fish are abundant in this area of Texas with Sam Rayburn Reservoir rated as one of the top bass fishing areas in the state, but I just couldn’t bring myself to indulge in fish. I opted for their delicious Shrimp and Grits and it was a great choice. With the weekend coming to a close we traveled back towards Moss Bluff with a stopover for lunch with my sister, Clara Blalock, in Westlake. I think she is the epitome of offering true August 2017
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southern hospitality. You’re always greeted with a smile when you arrive and you never leave empty-handed. She makes all her own jams, jellies and even cans figs so I always come home with a basket full of goodies. Now that summer is coming to an end, it’s almost time to start enjoying some of the beautiful Autumn colors in our Louisiana landscape. Get out and enjoy traveling the backroads like I do; you never know what or whom (like Elvis) you’ll find! As I end this account of my journey, I want to share something with you that I think Elvis would agree with: Happiness is achieved when you stop waiting for it and make the most of the moment you are in now! 41
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August 2017
Russell Pawlowski Beer Battered Shrimp and Citrus Sauce Ingredients 3 cups Vegetable Oil ⅓ cups Sweet Red Chili Sauce, found in the Thai food selection. 1 cup Pineapple Preserves or Orange Marmalade 1 Tablespoon Chopped Cilantro 1-⅓ cups Flour 1-½ teaspoons Baking Powder 1 cup Beer, we used Sam Adams Summer Ale ¼ cup Coconut Milk 2 Tablespoons Sugar 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder 1 teaspoon Cajun Red Head Seasoning ½ teaspoon Each, Salt and Pepper 2 cups Sweetened Shredded Coconut 20 Jumbo Shrimp or Prawns Peeled and Deveined Preparation Pour oil in a medium-sized saucepan and heat on medium high until it reaches 360ºF. An oil thermometer works wonderfully here! Mix together flour, baking powder, beer, coconut milk, sugar, and spices. Pour your shredded coconut in a separate shallow bowl. Once oil reaches temperature, dredge 1 shrimp at a time into the batter, and then into the shredded coconut, pressing the coconut into the batter. Carefully, drop into the oil and fry for 3 to 4 minutes. With a metal slotted spoon, carefully remove the shrimp and place them on a plate lined with a paper towel. I did only 3 to 4 at a time so as not to overcrowd the pan and they all came out perfect. Mix together chili sauce and preserves and microwave for 30 seconds. Add the cilantro, mix. You are now ready to serve with the sweet chili and citrus sauce and enjoy! August 2017
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A Link to Our Past By Tiffany B. Casey
There Once Was a Kitchen Table
Travel down any road in Southwest Louisiana and your chances increase considerably that you will be summoned by a number of signs or billboards lining the roadways tempting you to try the HOT BOUDIN here or the BEST BOUDIN there. Its presence is everywhere; in gas stations, corner markets, grocery stores, and of course in just about every restaurant from the Gulf coast to the pine hills of our northern most region; its accessibility at times, just plain scary. I often wonder when I will find it coiled in a vending machine at the local Bass Pro ready to be dropped at my feet. As difficult as this may be to believe, many will agree that while this iconic sausage comes in as many varieties these days as one’s imagination can lend itself to, boudin will always be best in its simplest form. Serious connoisseurs stand firm in their belief that boudin is in fact the breakfast of champions particularly in the early morning hours, just before sunrise, while seated behind the wheel (while parked of course), when served alongside a grease stained, brown paper bag of piping hot gratons. Then there are those who favor that coveted afternoon snack, the one which includes a link of boudin wrapped in silver like a Christmas gift all shiny and slick, with a puddle of Steen’s syrup and perhaps a few Saltines placed carefully in the foil package for good measure. One should make note that in the wee morning hours of the work week, boudin should always be washed down with a cold drink but the weekend…the weekend deserves an ice-cold beer. Boudin is by all accounts an absolute obsession in these parts. As for the history, there is no conclusive evidence, as of yet, to pinpoint the exact origin of our favorite treat. There is plenty of speculation however, but the most accepted theory seems to be that of the French and the German immigrants who settled along the bayous, prairies, and backwoods of Louisiana. It appears that together, they played a vital role in its creation bringing with them both recipes and techniques most of which are still used today. With the onset of nouveau Cajun cuisine, gaining steam since the 1980's, gone it seems are the days of the traditional charcuterie (shahr-KOO-tuhr-ee), when sausages and boudins were so perfectly balanced with only the scraps left over from the boucherie (slaughtering of the hog) and cooked with mystical precision every time. Every piece, every part put to good use in order to sustain a family or that of a community through the winter months which must have lingered prior to refrigeration. Whether born from the need for survival, that of substance, or just out of a longing for their homeland, one of our most recognized and cherished culinary foods came to be, a permanent link to our culinary and cultural past. Boudin for me brings back fantastical memories for me, seemingly long rides down Hwy. 90 towards the dusty old roads of Thornwell to Strohe's Meat Market for everything from sweetbreads, to smoked sausage, to gratons, and of course boudin. I was well into my twenties by the time Strohe's shut their doors for the last time. I must admit, that still today I’m heartbroken over their decision to leave us. I can still see the white cardboard 44
box that would accompany many a trip home containing either their smoked sausage or their boudin. I can see it and smell it as vividly as if it were yesterday. One of the last purchases I made was a 5-lb. box of Strohe's boudin from the old farmhouse. I can remember holding the box steady in my lap during the car ride home and reading the label with the utmost attention out of boredom I suppose, almost as if it were the first time I had ever laid my eyes on it. All of its ingredients listed and it was like being hit with a ton of bricks. Things like spleen, kidney, liver, heart, and the one word that remained etched in the back of my brain for years to come - the word “pudding” jumped out at me, in black type, right off the little white label. I had never heard of boudin referred to as “pudding” before. And what did I think I was eating all those years? It goes to show you how when you grow up in such a rich culture there are things that one takes for granted; maybe just finds ordinary or mundane. It wasn’t until my much later years, after my interest in our culinary heritage had grown, that I had heard boudin referred to as “pudding” again. It is said that the word “pudding” is itself possibly an anglicized pronunciation of boudin and likely introduced after the Norman invasion. Well, who knew? Over the years I have worked hard to recreate a recipe that lives up to the flavors and texture of the boudin I grew up devouring weekly as a child. (I have even messaged family members of Strohe's via good old Facebook asking for any insight into my divine search but to no avail). This is the best that I have come up with thus far…. Bayou Living Magazine, LLC
August 2017
Boudin (Pork Pudding) By Tiffany B. Casey
There Once Was a Kitchen Table 1 Pork heart. 1 lb. Pork Liver (or 2 lobes) 2 Pork kidneys, soaked and trimmed 1 Pork spleen 3 lbs. Pork shoulder, bone-in 1 lb. Pork fat 3 large onions, chopped 1 large bell pepper, chopped 1 large bunch green onions, chopped 1 sm. Bunch flat leaf parsley, chopped Salt, cayenne, and black pepper to taste 1½ cups water 6-9 cups of cooked white rice 1 sm. package of natural hog casings *Meat grinder & stuffing attachment Cut your pork shoulder and organ meats into manageable pieces keeping them separated in a large pan. Grind each meat separate. Use a course grinding disc starting with the pork butt and finishing with the pork fat, which you have kept stored in the freezer a few hours prior to grinding. Once all your meats are ground, place the meat mixture into a large pot; brown. Add 1 cup pf water followed by your onions and bell pepper. Simmer until vegetables are translucent. Adjust seasoning and simmer a bit longer until a rich stock has formed. Once your meats are cooked through, strain; reserve stock and set aside. To a large bowl add your cooked rice and then slowly fold in your hot meat mixture a little at a time. When you have about an 80% to 20% meat to rice ratio (I happen to prefer more meat than rice), you may add a bit of your stock, if you deem necessary. Keep in mind you do want the end result to be moist not mushy. Finish by folding in a generous amount of green onions and flat leaf parsley. Adjust seasoning one last time to taste. Soak salted casings for 5 minutes before stuffing; rinse to remove any excess salt. Using a stuffer of your choice, fill the casings leaving about 3 inches at each end to allow room to tie off each link or twist to separate. Fill casings while mixture is still hot. To finish cooking the Boudin, place in a large pot or Dutch oven, cover with water and heat just under a simmer. Any hotter and the casings may burst. Heat until the Boudin is warmed through about 15 to 20 minutes. If you do not plan on serving immediately, poach first then place in a FoodSaver bag or Ziploc and cool quickly. Freeze. August 2017
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Cajun-Frenched Chicken Gumbo
By Tiffany B. Casey There Once Was A Kitchen Table 5 chicken leg quarters, thighs only (see instructions below before separating thighs) 2 8-inch boudin links ½ lb. chicken gizzards, cleaned .5 lbs. (1 link). smoked sausage (such as Rabideaux's or LeJeune's) 8 oz. dark roux 1 large Onion, chopped 1 jalapeno, chopped 2 cloves garlic, chopped 1 bay leaf Salt, Black pepper, & Cayenne to taste ½ bunch green onions, chopped Handful Italian parsley, chopped Sharp knife Saran wrap Steaming basket Step 1: Chicken and Sausage Gumbo First you make the roux. I like a dark roux in my chicken and sausage gumbo. The darker the roux, the more it takes to thicken your gumbo. With that being said - to a heavy bottom pot add your oil followed by your flour. Stirring constantly cook roux 46
over a medium-high heat until a dark chocolate color is achieved. Remember, never walk away from the pot while making your roux. Remove from heat and set aside. Next, brown off all your chicken thighs and gizzards. I season and brown my chicken first, careful not to overcrowd the pan. This allows your meat to brown very nicely. Remove them from the pot; set aside. In the same pot, brown your smoked sausage. Only the best smoked sausage will do. I use the good stuff from back home - Rabideaux's, Lejeune's, Daigle's - I favor hardwood, heavily smoked sausages. After the meat is browned and drained of excess grease, time to add your chopped onion, jalapeno, and garlic. You may use bell pepper if you'd like less spice. Fill the pot with enough water to cover your meat and vegetables completely. Add bay leaf. Turn the heat up allowing the mixture to simmer before adding your roux a little at a time. Make sure to stir it in thoroughly as not to allow it to settle on the bottom of your pot. If it settles on the bottom, it could scorch and make your gumbo burnt and bitter. Yuck! Once you get the gumbo to the consistency you prefer turn the heat to low and allow all of this to simmer until your chicken and gizzards are very tender and completely cooked through. Once your chicken has cooked fully, you can remove the thighs and allow them to cool before deboning the meat and adding it back to the pot. Adjust seasoning if needed. Add a handful of fresh chopped Italian parsley along with a generous helping of fresh chopped green onions. Bayou Living Magazine, LLC
August 2017
Serve over boudin stuffed drumstick. (see recipe below) Step 2: Frenched - Stuffed Drumsticks Place your leg quarter skin side down on a stable cutting board, one where the meat will not slide around. Run your finger under the skin that covers the thigh, keeping it in one piece. Pull gently back until the joint is revealed. Place your thumb over the joint between the thigh and the drumstick and snap it backwards; once you hear it pop, cut the joint with a sharp knife. Set the skinless thigh to the side to use in your gumbo. Repeat on remaining leg quarters To debone and French the drumstick, score around the tip of the drumstick to cut through the skin and the tendons; remove the cartilage and skin from around knuckle. Working from the joint end of the drumstick, use a sharp knife cut around the joint following along the bone to loosen the meat. Grab the joint and begin scraping the meat upwards towards the tip of the drumstick loosening the tendons and meat from the bone. Do this using the edge of your blade. Grabbing the tip of the drumstick, pull the bone upwards. Do not remove completely. When completed, your drumstick should resemble a lollipop. Make sure to keep the skin of the drumstick and thigh in one piece throughout the Frenching of the drumstick. Squeeze your Boudin from the casing and stuff inside the bottom portion of the drumstick inside as much of the meat as possible. Fold the skin of the thigh back down smoothing it around the bottom of the drumstick, in affect totally encasing the stuffing mixture. Make sure all the stuffing is surrounded by skin so as not to come out during the poaching process. Once again, you should end up with a large lollipop. Once all your drumsticks have been stuffed, wrap each one tightly in several layers of Saran Wrap leaving the bone exposed and tying the bundle tightly right above the meat. Place these in a steamer and steam for approximately 30 minutes until chicken drumsticks are cooked. The drumsticks will poach in their own juices which are retained in the Saran Wrap. Remove from steamer when fully cooked; allow to cool completely before placing in the freezer for 20-30 minutes, just long enough to set the skin around the stuffing. Lightly dust in cornstarch and then deep fry. Fry until golden brown (remember it has already been pouched and cooked through). Place one drumstick, upright in a bowl before ladling your gumbo around it. Garnish with green onion and parsley. Don’t forget to check out There Once Was A Kitchen Table on Facebook for videos and stories specifically dedicated to this recipe. See you at the kitchen table!
August 2017
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Cajun Crawfish Bread Written and Photographed by Marilyn Brunt
Recipe submitted by Nikki Brunt Hebert
In our overwhelming schedules, it’s really difficult to find the time to prepare meals for a busy family on the run, forget about even trying to prepare a gourmet meal! It’s been a hectic summer with ball games, music and dance lessons, gymnastics, and vacations. Before you know it, it’s time for going back to school. This recipe submitted by Nikki Brunt Hebert, a travel agent at Your Fairytale Vacation, a very busy mom to three children and a hard-working husband, is a super easy and fast way to prepare an appetizer or pair it with a salad and it’s a sure way to satisfy your hungry family for lunch or a quick dinner. You just mix, spread and bake until brown, bubbly and melty! Ingredients: Serves 8 1/2 cup mayonnaise 4 Tbsp. melted butter 1 cup shredded mozzarella 1/4 cup grated Parmigiano Reggiano cheese 1/4 cup sliced green onion tops 1 tsp. garlic powder 1 cup crawfish tails, finely chopped salt & ground black pepper to taste 1 (16 oz.) loaf French bread, cut in half lengthwise 48
I also think it would be fabulous with chopped, drained artichoke hearts or mushrooms mixed in. Perhaps about 1/4 cup or so. Prep Instructions: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. In a medium bowl, combine mayonnaise, melted butter, mozzarella, Parmesan, green onions and garlic powder. Fold in the chopped crawfish, and season to taste with salt and pepper (if I might add, that it wouldn’t be “Cajun” without a dash of Tabascoâ)! Spread the crawfish mixture on the French bread and bake for 18-20min. For the last two minutes, I turned the broiler on high just to get a beautiful brown, crispy edge on the bread and really toast up the cheeses in the mixture. Cut into 2-inch pieces, garnish with green onions and serve while hot and “gooey”. This can be made ahead…up until you spread the crawfish mixture on the bread and then refrigerated until you are ready to bake it.
Bon Appétit! Bayou Living Magazine, LLC
August 2017
September 9th at Heritage Square in Sulphur, LA 11am to 1pm. For more information call 337-436-9588 or go to www.visitlakecharles.org/events-festivals/events/ For Tickets: www.brimstonemuseum.org $10 Each .
Read all about our Spice of Louisiana cover story “Boudin Wars� on page 44.
DINING & ENTERTAINMENT
DINING GUIDE By Dominique Dugas
Table …
Come Have A Seat Sweet Success with A Spoonful of Sugar …
Women-In-Business … Cindy Ellender
Success is often achieved after a long and challenging journey, but when you have real passion in your heart for what you do, that can make the adventure so much easier and much more worth it. Recently I sat down with Cindy Ellender. She is the proud mother of nine and owner of the gourmet downtown bakery, A Spoonful of Sugar. Years ago, I fell in love with this shop as a regular patron. Upon my first visit, I met Mrs. Cindy and instantly fell in love with her sweet and sincere personality. The happiness that she exudes just knowing that she is living her dream is so delightful to be around. As a regular patron, we’ve spoken a few times before, so I was very excited to sit down and chat about her business. Conveniently located inside the bus transit in downtown Lake Charles, A Spoonful of Sugar has been delighting customers for around three years. They offer many delectable treats inside of their packed showcase, different kinds of cupcakes and cookies, double doozies, homemade turtles, and her mouthwatering four generation buttermilk pies, are just a few that she offers. What many people don’t know is that Spoonful
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offers egg free, dairy free, gluten free, sugar-free, nut free and vegan offerings. Ellender is so focused on setting herself apart from other bakeries, and this is a wonderful way to do so. Just another reason why you should see what is baking downtown. Once you walk in, you can smell the heavenly aroma of all the treats in the oven. Then you can have a seat and soak in the truly delightful environment. It’s, honestly, like time has stopped for a bit. The stress of your day, even for a second, seems a little distant as you focus on the lovely pleasantries around you. From the different decor to the glass bottled sodas, enjoying the surroundings of the shop is a good way to take a break from your day. They even offer complimentary coffee and berry fruit water, with fresh strawberries, black berries, lemons, and limes. Recently, Mrs. Ellender has been offering different breakfast options inside of her shop starting at 8 AM. As of right now, she offers mini quiches and fresh muffins. Blueberry, cinnamon oat, banana nut, chocolate, and coffee are some of the varieties that the store offers. A Spoonful of Sugar will eventually expand their breakfast menu, but for now, mini quiches and fresh muffins sound like the perfect way to get the day started. Ellender is so thankful for the positive response that the city has shown Spoonful of Sugar. She prides herself on the relationship with both the community and her loyal patrons. In a sense, her shop has become such an important part of many important events, holidays and family celebrations. In one instance, she has seen a young couple blossom into a beautiful family. She says that the couple came to her for an engagement cake, which led to making their wedding cake. She went on to make their baby reveal cake and the husband’s cake when he retired from the military. “We’ve already spanned four major events in their life... and that’s just one couple.” Ellender goes on to tell me about one bride who drove from Texas, just to pick up a wedding cake as made by Spoonful of Sugar and drove it all the way back home. “She said we are the only bakery she will go to.” Bayou Living Magazine, LLC
August 2017
You can also look to Spoonful of Sugar for all your upcoming holiday treat needs. Pies, cakes, and specialty treats are just a few of the things they can offer. Also, they have different versions of their holiday or treat trays, ideal for family get-togethers and office parties. The holidays are a busy time for Ellender and her staff. They are expected to sell between 200-300 pies alone! You should call as early as you can to reserve a requested baked good. People are already calling in! Ellender has some solid words of advice for those who want to follow their dream and start their own small business. First, research well. No matter what you want to do or where your passion lies, you must research so that you understand what to expect on your journey. Secondly, she prayed on it. There is so much that goes into running a business and following your dream. Third, talk with the surrounding business owners and get a feel for the area. Ellender prides herself on the healthy relationship she has with her surrounding local business owners. “They walk down just to talk about family or friends… And to fill up their coffee cup. Which is a great thing!” Lastly, and a significant piece of advice, stay true to your customer. “I believe if you stay true to your customers and you love what you do, that combination there, you can succeed at anything.” Aside from satisfying the Lake Area’s sweet tooth, she wants everyone to know that Spoonful does offer cake decorating classes. So, if you’re interested, just call for more information. You can find A Spoonful of Sugar on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Ellender knows how important social media is. She suggests you stay tuned into their social media presence because they do have random giveaways. You can also learn more about those cake decorating classes by calling (337) 488-9315. A Spoonful of Sugar is located 1155 Ryan Street inside the downtown bus transit. She is open 10 AM - 5 PM, Tuesday through Friday. Saturday, she is open from 10 AM to 2 PM. Even though she officially opens the bakery at 10 AM, she will be open for breakfast starting as early as
Try One of Cindy’s Sweet Boxes Today!
August 2017
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DINING & ENTERTAINMENT
DINING GUIDE
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PRESENTING … BOUDIN WARS & STARS AND STRIPES IN THE PARK RETURN TO SULPHUR IN SEPTEMBER! Stars and Stripes in the Park Classic Car Show and Boudin Wars are two upcoming, family-friendly events happening during one fun-filled September weekend in Sulphur, Louisiana. Held Saturday, Sept. 9th from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Heritage Square in Sulphur, La., the Stars and Stripes in the Park Classic Car Show features hundreds of classic cars, hot rods, trucks and motorcycles. Entry for show vehicles and spectators is free. Door prizes will be awarded, with food booths, music, and entertainment for the children. Culinary traditions run deep in Louisiana, and boudin is one of the unique food items that can be found in the state. It’s a blend of pork, rice, onions and parsley served in a sausage casing. The 6th annual Boudin Wars will take place at the Brimstone Museum Complex located at 900 S. Huntington St. in Sulphur, La. from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Local restaurants and stores including Market Basket, Hollier’s Cajun Kitchen, Popillion’s Boudin & Sausage, Fork in the Road food truck, and more will be allowing visitors to sample their boudin recipes, and visitors will get to taste the “Best Boudin in Southwest Louisiana.” Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at the Brimstone Museum or at www.brimstonemuseum.org. Each ticket allows the bearer to get a small sample from each boudin vendor. Boudin Wars is an event previously recognized by the Southeastern Tourism Society (STS) as an “STS Top 20 Event,” and is sponsored by the Lake Charles/Southwest Louisiana Convention and Visitor’s Bureau. For more information, contact the Lake Charles/ Southwest Louisiana Convention and Visitors Bureau at (337) 436-9588, visit www.visitlakecharles.org/eventsfestivals/events/, or call the Brimstone Historical Society at 337-527-0357. 2016 Winners Included … Traditional: 1st Place: Market Basket 2nd Place: Hollier’s Cajun Diner 3rd Place: Popillion’s Boudin Kitchen Specialty / Exotic: 1st Place: Market Basket (Smoked Boudin) 2nd Place: Hollier’s Cajun Diner (Smoked Pepperjack) 3rd Place: Boiling Point (Crawfish Boudin)
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Sept. 9, 2017 - 11am to 1pm Heritage Square, Sulphur, LA. Contact www.visitlakecharles.org/events-festivals/events/ or Call Southwest Louisiana Convention and Visitor's Bureau at 337-436-9588 . Tickets www.brimstonemuseum.org $10 Each .
Bayou Living Magazine, LLC
August 2017
Great Food * Great Service August 2017
Bayou Living Magazine, LLC
* Outdoor Dining
DINING & ENTERTAINMENT
DINING GUIDE
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DINING GUIDE
Nina P’s
1600 W. McNeese Street, Lake Charles, LA 337–474-6462 | www.ninapsafe.com At Nina P’s Café, we have great home-made southern-style plate lunches, dinners, burgers, New Orleans style po-boys, gumbo, etoufee and much much more! We’ve now added a special Saturday Brunch to our menu! Serving some of the best breakfast in town! Some of our specialty are so mouth watering you’ll have to try everything on the menu, such as our Crepe C’est Tu, Cajun Monte, Omelet C’est Tu, Nina’s Eggs Benedict to the Cajun Eggs Benedict! Not to mention drinks like The Big Crispy, which is glazed donut-flavored vodka and coffee served with a sugared rim or the Raspberry Sparkler, which is raspberry vodka and champagne & everyone's favorite Bloody Mary!
Sassy Oil & Vinegar
4310 Ryan Street, Lake Charles, LA 337-540-1408 www.sassyoilandvinegar.com Sassy Oil & Vinegar has recently opened a cafe inside The SEED Center Lobby. They have a coffee bar with a 75-cent cup of coffee for a quick cup of Joe on the Go. Their menu includes sandwiches and salads made to order. Two-egg omelets are also available with your choice of add-ons. One of the unique features of the cafe is that their menu changes weekly, with one new item included each week. It can range from healthy varieties of chicken salad and avocado chicken toast to the not-so -healthy Super Deluxe Nachos and Frito Pie. They also sell bottles of oils and vinegars with flavor cards to give you ideas on how to use them. They like to say, "It's OK to play with your food!” Look for Sassy Oil & Vinegar to go on Waitr in July.
Spoonful of Sugar 1155 Ryan Street, Lake Charles, Louisiana. 337-488-9315 Spoonful of Sugar is perfect for any occasion. If it is for a planned event are just stopping for some daily sweets they have what you are looking for. With some of the most creative tasty working coming out of their doors they aim to please their clients with everything they do. They also serve a daily lunch special each weekday. They are located downtown Lake Charles and offer a nice clean open dining area. During the holidays don’t forget to order your pie ahead of time because it is the word that they have the best homemade pies around. So head down town this summer and bring the kids for some sweet treats!
Tio Juan’s Fresh Taco’s & More
2211 B Ryan Street, Lake Charles, LA 337-602-6772 At Tio’s you’ll find friendly smiling faces ready to serve you Breakfast at 6am! Lunch starting at 11am and thru dinner at 9pm! The food is a perfect blend of authentic Mexican and tex-mex. It’s sure to satisfy your taste buds and you can also now get Margaritas and ice cold beer! Tio Juan’s Fresh Taco’s & More is a little oasis that is sure to be one of the up and coming favorite Mexican restaurants in town! They also have a convent drive thru for when you are on the run!
Raja’s Curry Kitchen & Grill
3821 Ryan Street, Lake Charles, Louisiana. 337-476-2777 www.therajasgrill.com The cuisine at Raja’s Curry Kitchen & Grill reflects the food found in modern day India with diverse Indian cuisine. They have a freshly prepared buffet each day. You can get the buffet or order off the menu. The buffet offers some of their most popular foods and is serves fresh and hot. So go on down to Raja’s Curry Kitchen & Grill ready to taste some foreign flavors that will have you come back for more very soon!
The Bad Apple
3436 Ryan Street, Lake Charles, LA 337-474-2294 The Bad Apple invites you to COME TAKE A BITE! They are serving breakfast starting at 7am and thru-out the day Monday thru Saturday. They are also rumored to have some of the best burgers in town! They have many other favorites that they serve during lunch and till closing everyday such as their catfish sandwiches, Grilled Jalapeno Cheese and much more! Also now serving steak on Tuesdays! They have service industry specials as well as 1st responders specials! The grill is open Monday thru Saturday 7am till 10pm. You can enjoy music and pool while you have a draft beer are one of their many specialty drinks. Now available on WaitR so you can enjoy at work are home by delivery! Bayou Living Magazine, LLC
August 2017
Steamboat Bills
1004 N. Lakeshore Dr., Lake Charles 337-494-1070 | www.steamboatbills.com
Listed as one of the top 10 places to eat in the US and voted #1 in the top 20 best restaurants in Southwest Louisiana. Steamboat Bill’s draws in Cajun-Creole-craving tourists and locals alike. This fast full-service restaurant offers a wide range of Louisiana flavor from fried, etouffeeloaded pistolettes and the locally favored, boiled crawfish to the rivetingly pleasing homemade gumbo crafted from their family recipe. Steamboat Bill’s not only serves highly rated, Louisiana cuisine, but is an outstanding place for fellowship with close friends and family.
Sloppy’s Downtown 329 Broad Street, Lake Charles, Louisiana 337-602-6365 Sloppy’s Down town is serving towns best street foods around. They have everything from Pizza, Burgers, Sushi, Sliders, and so much more! They also serve lots of beer on tap! Offering such specials as beer and burger, pitcher & pizza nights! Recently they added a kids night to their menu. Kids eat free! They have entertainment for the kids on Wednesdays from 4-8. Another thing they have recently started in Lake Charles was a Saturday Zydeco Brunch! So not matter what night of the week you decide to check them out they have something special for you!
Hackett’s Cajun Kitchen 5614 HWY 14, Lake Charles, Louisiana
337-474-3731 www.hackettscajunkitchen.com If you love boudin, sausage or home cooked plate lunches you’ll want to head on down to Hackett’s Cajun Kitchen. Hackett’s has so many great varieties of boudin that you’ll have to get more than one because it will be to hard to choose! Their sausage is pretty darn good as well! Plate lunch are served daily Monday thru Saturday. If you love Crawfish and Boudin you’ll have to try their special Crawfish Boudin it will take you to Cajun heaven for sure!
Otis & Henry’s Bar and Grill
The Lone Wolf Express
Tia Juanita’s Fish Camp
Otis & Henry’s Bar and Grill combines the comfort of a neighborhood bar and grill with the favorites of a steakhouse. Whet your appetite with our house specialty chicken wings or sampler platter, then pick from a list of delicious pastas, sandwiches, salads, steaks, ribs, chicken and more. Otis & Henry is great food at great prices. From watching your favorite sports games with their wide selection of beer, cocktails and appetizers or enjoying a casual dinner. Otis & Henry’s is your go-to destination for a one of the best kept secrets in Lake Charles, Louisiana. Their new Spring Menu is a must try … with to die for Chicken & Sausage Gumbo, Steak and Shrimp, and one of the best Old Fashions you’ll ever taste & Much MORE!
Come to The Lone Wolf Express any time of the day to get all of your favorite dishes. We serve everything from burgers to General TSO’s Chicken and we cannot forget to mention the ALL DAY omelets—because here at the Isle of Capri, we believe that breakfast is not determined by the time of day. We are also available on WaitR, so you can also enjoy convenience of having our food delivered to you wherever you may want it.
A vibrant atmosphere breathes life into anyone who walks through the doors of Tia Juanita’s Fish Camp! The name alone suggests a casual little vacation from the rush your day might’ve been. With terrific food, colorful décor, a great downtown location and friendly service—this place is nothing short of a delightfully unique experience. Vintage brick walls, with memorabilia from times past, offer a virtual exhibit with an undeniable ’coolness factor’! Looking through the menu for the very first time, you’ll know you want to keep coming back — trying EVERYTHING served up by this eatery of special flavors, mixing their own version of Tex-Mex laced with Cajun Flair! It doesn’t get any more special than that!
100 Westlake Ave., Lake Charles, Louisiana 337-564-3097
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100 Westlake Ave., Lake Charles, Louisiana 337-564-3106
723 Ryan Street, Lake Charles, Louisiana 337-602-6243 | www.tiajuanitasfishcamp.com
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Daigle’s
Strickland’s Spirits & Eats
415 E. Russell Street., Welsh, LA 337-734-4483 Hot-To-Trot in Welsh, Louisiana is now under new ownership! They plan on bringing you the same great daily lunch specials, boiled crawfish & Shrimp as well as adding some new items to their menu soon! So they encourage you to follow them on Facebook and stop by soon to see what’s new! I hear the rumor is that they are adding steaks and gumbo to the menu! So y’all go by and give them a try!
726 E. Russell Street, Welsh, LA 337-734-2500 Daigle’s has you covered for breakfast at 5am and for lunch and dinner until 5pm Monday thru Friday and Saturday from 5am until 12pm. They are serving homemade daily plate lunch specials every day! They are also know for their boudin and sausage for miles around. For all you hunters they also offer known for some of the best priced deer processing and any other of your needs.
203 East Nezpique St., Jennings, LA 337-246-7411 Everyone is talking about Strickland’s Spirits & Eats. They may be new to town but they are quickly becoming very popular. Everyone is boasting of their amazing burgers and chicken fried steaks, the atmosphere is good, the staff is friendly and they serve adult beverages late. It’s a place to go for a daily plate lunch are to order off the menu. It’s dubbed to be the gather place to hang with friends. If you haven’t tried it yet you may want to scurry on down and try them out. It may just be your new favorite place.
Cajun Tales Seafood Restaurant
Darrell’s Po-Boys of Jennings & The Crawfish House
Roy’s Meat Market
Richards Hot-To-Trot
501 North Adams Street, Welsh Louisiana 337-734-4772 | www.cajuntalesseafood.com
Cajun Tales is committed to satisfying their customers with great food and excellent service. They are open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. They feature a daily lunch special, crawfish pie, broiled stuffed catfish and award-winning seafood gumbo… just to name a few of their great menu selections. They offer a buffet on Friday & Saturday evening and a breakfast buffet on Sundays. They are also family friendly with a menu just for the little ones. Their menu is full of irresistible Cajun favorites as well as burgers, steaks, seafood, gumbo, red beans & rice and so much more! Your sure to find a reason to go back soon and try another dish off the menu. Conveniently located right off I-10 in Welsh.
1020 North Lake Arthur Avenue, Jennings, Louisiana 337-616-9977 | www.darrellspoboys.com Darrell’s Po-Boys of Jennings is a franchise from the one in Lake Charles, Louisiana. It is the first and only one like it. The unique thing about the Jennings Location is they also have The Crawfish House connected to it and serve crawfish and shrimp in season. They have ice cold beer bottled are on tap. They serve the same specials that are served in Lake Charles. They are a great location to go sit have a beer and watch the big game during football season. Everyday from 2-4 you get a chip for a free beer every time you purchase one, that buy one get one free! Stop in for a quick bite are stay indoors and cool off while having a cold brew, hey it’s hot outside!
401 S. Thompson Ave., Iowa, Louisiana 337-582-2220 This isn’t just your average everyday but butcher shop. They are a specialty grocery store and a restaurant as well. They have daily lunch specials each day of the week it is different serving up anything from shrimp stew, beef tips, pork jambalaya, pork chops & gravy, of course they all have great sides with all their plate lunches, and so much more. They have really great burgers, chicken etouffee, and sandwiches. They are one of the number one places to go during hunting season to get your meat processing need taken care of as well. So next time you are passing thru Iowa stop by Roy’s and the friendly staff will be happy to get you what ever you choose to try!
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Life is Too Short for Average Food ! Restaurant Hours: Mon-Thurs: 11am-9pm Fri-Sat: 11am-10pm Sunday: Noon-9pm
Buffet Hours: Mon-Sat: 11am-3pm Sunday: Noon-3pm
337-476-2777 | www.therajasgrill.com 3821 Ryan Street, Lake Charles, LA 70605
Now Serving Brunch on Saturdays 11am-2pm
Roy’s Meat Market 401 S. Thompson Ave. Iowa, Louisiana 337-582-2220
Great Food * Great Service August 2017
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* Outdoor Dining
SMOKED & SPECIALTY MEATS BOUDIN CUSTOM MADE SAUSAGE DEER & WILD GAME PROCESSING PLATE LUNCHES SPECIALTY GROCERIES NOW SERVING BURGERS ALL DAY & MUCH MORE! :)
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DINING GUIDE Culture & Louisiana Brews By Dominque Dugas
Yes, many times I've proclaimed myself a foodie. There is no denying that. However, like most of us, I can appreciate a good beer. Also, being raised in Louisiana, I’ve realized that we are known for many things. Yes, of course, we have, great food, culture, and history, but most importantly, we know how to have a uniquely good time. People travel from all over to experience just that. With the art of craft brew making gaining popularity in the past few decades, more and more breweries have been popping up all throughout the nation. I’m very confident in shining some light on some local companies that have been putting the art of craft brew making on the map. It excites me to think about the growth and development of our city in the past few years. So many different spots for food, fun, and entertainment. When I first heard about the Crying Eagle Brewery breaking ground in Lake Charles, I was beyond excited. I really do appreciate the craft behind brewing an excellent beer. The 7500-square foot, state of the art location opened in July of 2016. The name Crying Eagle is a rough translation of the name Calcasieu, which is, of course, the name of our parish. With so many different events happening, the city has really come together to enjoy this unique atmosphere. From Food Trucks invasions to live bands, Crying Eagle is not only a unique brewery with love from so many locals, but where the science of craft brew making is always taken very seriously. Currently, the brewery is serving six different beers. Year round, you can find the “Ready to Mingle” Belgian Single, the “Calcasieu Common” Common Ale, “The Chuck” Golden Ale, and the “Louisiana Lager” for some easy drinking. Seasonally you can find the “Strawberry Rye” and the “Robust Porter” Porter Ale. In the past year, this company has made a name for themselves. I can say they have taken our city by storm, but even those words don’t live up to the stellar reputation they are making for themselves. Right now, you can find their brews in stores, restaurants, and bars all throughout southern Louisiana. In Lake Charles, they are carried and sold in many stores, local restaurants, and bars. The company is slowly spreading throughout the state, and dozens of places throughout the state are proud to serve their brews. Personally, my favorite is the “Ready to Mingle.” It’s so smooth as it goes down and you can taste the passion and personality that this company exudes with every last drop. The Ready to Mingle brew has also taken home awards in Best of Craft for the Crying Eagle! I can’t wait to see
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what they have in store for us in the future! You can visit the Crying Eagle Brewery at 1165 East McNeese St in Lake Charles, La. If you follow the “Food Dude,” then you know that I often recall moments of my time in the food industry. With that being said, I remember the first time that I heard about Great Raft craft beer. A beer representative came in and suggested that the restaurant started carrying it. He told me, as a beer enthusiast himself, how fast this company is growing and more restaurants are starting to sell their line of beer. Great Raft has also taken home awards from the U.S. Open Beer Championship three consecutive years in a row starting in 2014 thru 2017 for their brew! It wasn’t until they came in that I noticed they were in cans. Well, upon a little research, I found out that the company is proud to serve their beer in cans. It not only keeps them fresh longer because the beer has never seen UV light and has less CO2 pickup during packaging. With over a dozen varieties of brew, the choices excite me! Some of my favorites are the “Southern Drawl” Pale Lager and the “Commotion” American Pale Ale, but my absolute favorite, is definitely, the “Reasonably Corrupt.” It’s a dark lager and goes down so smooth.
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It’s subtly sweet, but has a nice depth to this premium lager. You really need to consider this unique companies unique beer branding. Each can is like a work of art. That’s the first thing I noticed when I initially picked up that first “Reasonably Corrupt” and instantly fell in love. There’s a man with a mustache, a snake, weird lettering; it’s surly something you have to pick up, appreciate and definitely try at least once in your life. You can find their delicious brew in cans or on draft in cities throughout the state. You can find their headquarters in north Louisiana at 1251 Dalzell St in
Shreveport.
Now, unless you’ve been living under a rock, you must have at least heard of the Abita Brewery located at 116 Barbee Road in Covington, LA. I am such a fan of so much that they do. I feel like the weird, local and passionate vibes that embodies the company comes across in so much of their product. From the delicious blend of brews to the unique names of the beers, to the killer art work on each bottle, I am absolutely in love with them. This company has been around much longer than the other two, so they have certainly cemented themselves as part of the Louisiana culture. 30 miles from New Orleans, in Abita Springs, Louisiana, this company has been brewing since the mid-80’s. Their first beer sold and by far, the most popular is the Abita Amber. This smooth lager has hints of caramel flavors and has been voted “Best Beer” in New Orleans by many readers polls. They offer nine beers in total that are sold year-round. Another notable year-round option is the “Purple Haze” which isn’t as bitter as most beers and is rather smooth, with beautiful hints of raspberries in every drop. This next year-round beer, is probably, my favorite beer of all time, it’s the “Andy Gator.” I love this beer. I can’t even fathom in words how delicious it is! The name says it all because this beer most certainly has a bite to it. At first, I thought it would be a darker beer, but no, it’s light and effortless to enjoy one bottle in no time! One of the coolest things that Abita has to offer is their Louisiana exclusive brew, “The Boot.” This mixture is made and sold only in the state of Louisiana and offers a refreshing blend of white wheat, oats, and barley. My friends and I wait all year long for their seasonal brews like one of the most popular, the Abita Strawberry Lager. There is nothing better than getting August 2017
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home after a long day, cracking open an ice-cold Abita Strawberry and forgetting the problems of the day. This beer has such a noticeable bite to it, with very subtle notes of that real Louisiana strawberry in the background. With almost three dozen types of brews, Abita has even started to dominate the local soda game. They offer five kinds: Root Beer, Vanilla Cream, King Cake, Pecan Pie, and Chocolate Salted Caramel. I’ve tried many of those sodas, and yes, the King Cake blend is delicious. Just try it, you’ll love it! A big thank you to these companies, they really have helped shape the culture of our state and regularly bring out the best and most unique that Louisiana has to offer. It’s a little of our culture on tap!
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“Beat The Heat Grab an Ice Cold Brew” “How Many Napkins do You Use When Eating at Darrell’s?”
Daily 2-4 free chips for every beer you purchase. 1020 North Lake Arthur Avenue, Jennings, Louisiana 70546 | 337-616-9977 | www.darrellspoboys.com
Hours: Monday Thru Friday: Restaurant: 11 am - 2 pm & 4:30 pm - 9 pm. Bar Area: 4:30 pm - ‘til. Saturday: Bar Area: 2 pm - ‘til.
“Where Good Times & Good Friends Meet”
203 East Nezpique St. Jennings, LA 70546 337-246-7411 Bayou Living Magazine, LLC
August 2017
Cajun Tales Seafood Restaurant 501 N. Adams St., Welsh LA 60591 | 337-734-4772 Visit www.cajuntalesseafood.com for our complete menu. Seafood Buffet Fridays & Saturdays 5-9pm Sunday Lunch Buffet 11am-1:30pm
Daily Lunch Specials
Hours: Monday-Closed Tuesday-Thursday 8am to 9pm Friday-8am to 10pm Saturday - 7am to 10pm Sunday - 7am to 2pm
Now Under New Ownership. Serving … Boiled Shrimp, Burgers, Fries & More. Daily Lunch Specials. Now Serving …. STEAKS & GUMBO!
Breakfast & Daily Lunch Specials. We also service all your processing needs. Best Sausage & Boudin Around! Monday-Friday 5am-5pm Saturday 5am-12pm 726 E. Russell Ave, Welsh, LA | 337-734-2500 August 2017
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Hours: Mon-Fri 10:30am to 2pm Wed-Fri 5pm-9pm Sat 5pm-9pm
WE ARE NOW SERVING ALCOHOL AGAIN! COME HAVE A COLD DRINK … YOUR FIRST BEER IS ON THE HOUSE, IF YOU MENTION THIS AD & BE SURE TO LIKE AND FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK.
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Women-In-Business ... Kristi Wooldridge Kristi Wooldridge’s story is far from the ordinary business venture. Kristi had been working as a business accountant just prior to venturing out into the world of business owners. She felt she wasn’t making enough and wanted something where she was her own boss. So, she decided to start a hotdog stand. Who knew her plan would work out so beautifully? -“Getting food to the drinkers & party goers!” as she puts it. Her first location was in from of the old Bourbonz (now The Bad Apple) on Ryan street in 2011. Then she moved to Darrell's, OB’s, Coolers, Cowboys, and Yesterdays. Her plan must have worked, because in 2016 she rented the kitchen from Chicageaux and extended her menu. Things went progressively well at this location and in April 2017 she opened her own location on 305 West College Street, where she serves over 50 items on her menu. I stopped by one day, I’d heard quite a few people
DINING GUIDE how she came up with it. One night she came home late and there wasn’t much to eat so she grabbed some left over boudin made it into a patty and put it on the grill. There was some left -over mac and cheese so she topped it with that as well. I guess the story goes that she enjoyed it and figured other should share in this experience. I felt it was one of the most unique ways I’ve ever eaten boudin and it was quite mouthwatering! The Boudin Egg Rolls are a totally different expense! I couldn’t set it down until I finished it even though I wasn’t hungry. The Boudin balls were excellent and the nacho chips she uses to crust them make them an item you’ll go back for and talk about! Be sure to visit her at: 305 West College Street, Lake Charles, LA. P: 337-513-8174.
talking about her boudin creations. I sampled 3 of her boudin items on the menu. A boudin burger (yep the patty is made up of boudin and grilled!), her fried boudin egg rolls and Fried Boudin Balls crusted with Nachos. As I tasted the Grilled Boudin burger she told me
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Thursday, August 10 Knight Shields Design your own knight shield. Classes begin at 11am, 12pm and 1pm and are limited to 15 children, ages 4 and up. Saturday, August 12 Sasol’s Second Saturday Science Show Sasol continues its 5S Project with “Dry Ice Chemistry” at 11:30am. Presenter Rebekah Cole will perform several experimetns that will be done with dry ice demonstrating temperature, pH, and the release of CO2. Friday, August 18 Please join us in the ArtSpace from 10:30am—12pm and have fun with Playdough! Saturday, August 26 Kids Choice This is a workshop to use extra projects that were leftovers from previous workshops and weekly projects. Projects will be available from 10:30am—12pm on a first-come firstserved basis. Limit one project per child. This month the museum will offer these special activities in the ArtSpace Monday-Friday from 10am to 4:30pm. Color sheets and construction paper will be available on Saturdays. August 7-11: Outer Space Stencils August 14-18: Back to School Bookmarks August 21-25: Dinosaur Rubbing Plates August 28-September 1: Paper Plate Apples
Explore—Invent—Play—Create—Share—Dream— Imagine—Learn at The Children’s Museum. Located at: 327 Broad ST., Lake Charles, LA. P: 337-433-9420.
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EVENT GUIDE August 16-20 Shrimp Festival Grounds For information: 337-685-2653 or shrimpfestival.net. Wednesday, August 16th — No Gate Fee. Opens 6:30. Street Fair: Unlimited Rides $20 Bracelet 6:30pm—10pm. 7:00pm Fais-do-do Music by DJ Homer Stelly. Thursday, August 17 — No Gate Fee. Opens 6:30pm. Street Fair Unlimited Rides $20 Bracelet 6:30pm—10pm. 7:00pm Fais-do-do Music by DJ Homer Stelly. Friday, August 18th—$10 Gate Fee (12 & under free). 6:30 Concessions & Street Fair Open. Street Fair Unlimited rides $25 Bracelet 6:30pm—11pm. 7:00pm Fais-do-do Music by Jeff Dugan, Kip Sonnier, Sal Melancon & Friends and National Recording Artist Daryle Singletary. Saturday, August 19 — Gate Fee $10 (12 & Under Free). All Day Fais-do-do begins—Music by Homer Stelly. 9:00am Shrimp Cook-off—Info: nolandry@yahoo.com 10:00am Fireman Water Fights 11:00am All Concessions Open Street Fair—Unlimited Rides $20 bracelet from 12-3pm. Street Fair—Unlimited Rides $25 bracelet from 4-11pm. All Day Fais-do-do continues with Beau Young Band, Leroy Thomas & The Zydeco Road Runners, Dustin Sonnier & The Wanted and National Recording Artist Clay Walker. Sunday, August 20—No Gate Fee. 10am Fisherman’s Mass at the Shrimp Festival Building followed by the traditional “Blessing of the Fleet”. 11am Concessions & Street Fair Open. Street Fair—Unlimited Rides with $20 bracelet 12-4pm. 12pm Fais do-do under Pavilion with T.K. Hulin & Smoke, Willie T., Warren Storm and GG Shin. 4pm all Concessions Close and this is the wrap of the 67th Annual Shrimp Fest. The Arts and Humanities Council and the SWLA Convention & Visitors Bureau will present Arts & Crabs Fest 2017 on Saturday August 19, from 58PM, at the Burton Coliseum. This will mark the festival’s 8th year as a multi-sensory experience of Southwest Louisiana cuisine, music, and art, with a tasting of local crab dishes and Louisiana craft brews at its center. Named a “Top 20 Event” five years in a row by the Southeast Tourism Society, Arts & Crabs Fest is a dynamic celebration of our delicious food and vibrant culture. Each chef prepares a unique crab or shellfish dish representative of their cuisine’s styles, and a diverse selection of Louisiana craft brews from Crying Eagle Brewing will act as complementary offerings to all dishes. Participating chefs: The Bekery – Crab Quiche, Blue Dog Café – Corn & Crab Bisque, Dat Truck Elevated Bayou Living Magazine, LLC
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Food Truck – Crabmeat Ravioli Ravigote, Hi-Licious Street Kitchen – Pork & Crab Soup Dumpling MiniBun, Kiss the Cook Catering – “Petit Doigts” (Sauteed Crab Fingers), Luna Bar & Grill – Galactic Crab Dip, On-Go-Mex – Caribbean Crab Tostada, Paul’s Rib Shack – Surf & Turf Smoked Crab Mac-N-Cheese, PJ’s Coffee – Crab & Tasso Cheesecake, Rikenjak’s – Crab Oscar Styled Donut, Roly Poly – Shrimp & Corn Bisque, The Sloppy Taco – Soft Shell Crab Quesadilla, Sloppy’s Downtown – Corn & Crab Fritter & The Velvet Pig – Crab, Spinach & Mushroom Stuffed Pastry. A culinary battle will take place with the public voting for their favorite chef, and the winner taking bragging rights for the year, along with an original mosaic piece created by local artist Natalie LeBleu, winner of this year’s “Best Crab Dish” art contest. Arts & Crabs Fest 2017 also showcases live Cajun music from Nee de Traditionne, as well as an interactive art market featuring the creative talents of many Louisiana artisans like Danny Allain (Pigment of Your Imagination), Hannah Gumbo, Tracy LeMieux (The Art Factory), K. Petty Prints, Nicole Surface Design & Illustration, Debbie Wilfer Pottery, Morgan Allain (The Inkling Girl), Bon veiller, cher, Jewels by Trish, JM Jewelry Designs, Cajun Moon Jewelry & Gifts, Richarda Mesh, Pelican Sunsets by K Ford, Daneisha Davis (Pixel & Ink Creative), Carolyn Sharp's Thread Painting, Snake and Monkey Studios, Vibrance Jewelry, Lyd Walls Art, Wehner GLASS, and The Whimsical Banana. A live auction featuring items and services donated by many area businesses and organizations, with auctioneer Phil de Albuquerque, will take place at 6:30pm. Silent auction items and a raffle of 20 art pieces will also be available. Tickets at artsandcrabsfest2017.eventbrite.com or with a credit card in the Arts Council offices at Central School, located at 809 Kirby Street, Suite 202, Lake Charles, LA. Ticket holders must be 21 years of age or older. Funds raised at Arts & Crabs Fest are reinvested back into the SWLA community through the Arts Council’s year-round services and events in support of the five-parish region. For details, visit www.artscouncilswla.org or call (337) 439-2787. Thursday, August 24 Gueydan Duck Festival Gueydan is know as the duck capital of America, and each year the town celebrates with a long weekend of activities, including carnival rides, parades, free family night with free admissions, skeet shooting, duck decoy carving and duck & goose calling contests, dog trials, pageants and outdoor cook-offs. This years line-up: August 2017
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Thursday, August 24 6:30pm—8:30pm Ethan Hunt Piano Man. 8:45pm—10:45pm TJ Gautreaux & Louisiana Soul. Friday, August 25 5:30pm—7:30pm Sideshow. 7:45pm—9:45pm Wayne Toups & Zydecajun. 10:00pm—12:00am Geno Delafose & French Rockin Boogie. Saturday, August 26 4:15pm—5:45pm Earshot Graffiti. 6:00pm—8:00 Dustin Sonnier & Wanted. 8:15pm—10:15pm Jamie Bergeron & The Kickin Cajuns. 10:30pm—12:00am Colby Latiolais and Ambush. Sunday, August 27 1:00pm—4:00pm The Envies. Monday, September 4 BooZoo Labor Day Festival With Great food, music and culture the 33rd Annual BooZoo Labor Day Festival continues to be a Southwest Louisiana favorite. Named for Zydeco legend Wilson “Boozoo” Chavis, the festival celebrates his legacy and love of Zydeco music. You’ll want to come hunger because the festival will feature all your Cajun & Creole favorites like crawfish etouffee, red beans and rice, barbecue pork sandwiches and more! The Sounds of Cajun and Zydeco masters will get you up and on your feet. Bring your friends and family out to celebrate Labor Day and our culture with lots of tasty cuisine and plenty of live music the whole family can enjoy! The festival is held at the KC Hall (503 US-90) in Iowa, LA. Doors open at 10am with music kicking off at 11am. Admission is $15 for adults and free for kids 12 and under. No Ice chest allowed. For more information, call Mason Trail at (337) 489-0140. Saturday, September 9 Boudin Wars The 6th annual Boudin Wars will take place on September 9th, at Henning Cultural Center in Sulphur. Local Restaurants and chefs will compete for a verity of titles, so get your taste buds ready and vote for your favorite boudin stop in Southwest Louisiana. Tickets are $10 which allows you to sample the boudin. Don’t forget to look at the hundreds of classic cars, hot rods, trucks, and motorcycles that will be displayed for the Stars and Stripes in the Park Classic Car Show next door at Heritage Square, 1211 Ruth Street, Sulphur, LA. Call Brimstone Museum at (337) 527-0357 or visit www.brimstonemuseum.org for more information.
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NIGHT LIFE GUIDE ~Yvette Landry ~ Soaring Like a Dandelion in the Wind
Written and Photographed by Marilyn Brunt
Someone was once quoted as saying: Like wildflowers: You must allow yourself to grow in all the places people thought you never would. This must be Yvette Landry’s mantra! Growing up in the quaint little town of Breaux Bridge, Louisiana was certainly not an adversary to her. It was here, near the Atchafalaya Basin levee, that she learned to fish, hunt, and ride horses. She grew up in a French speaking family understanding the language but not speaking it, although she sings it. She earned a Master’s Degree in education and loved teaching, although she knew in her soul that there was more she wanted to do. Her “Cajun Roots” have served her well through the years. She has toured the world spreading a little Cajun love wherever she goes. Her sweet smile is quite infectious. She has become a Grammy nominated, award-winning vocalist, multi-talented instrumentalist, songwriter, instructor and noted children’s author. She seems to excel at whatever she sets her mind to. This ‘Darling of the South’ is quite accomplished when it comes
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to just about everything in her life! Yvette grew up in a musically talented family, playing the piano from age three. During her days at Breaux Bridge High School she joined the school band and enjoyed that but stopped playing for a period of time to pursue her education and start a family. Throughout the years, she has learned how to play guitar, fiddle and the accordion. She was working as a Science high school teacher when the envie to start playing again resurfaced. She picked up her bass guitar once more and the rest of the story began. She was playing gigs with local bands around Breaux Bridge and Lafayette when she realized that the thrill of the music and performing had never left her soul. It was in 2009 that her music career escalated to another level. She had been writing and privately performing for her father who had been diagnosed with brain cancer when he encouraged her to record them. She insisted that no one would want to listen to her and said, “I don’t know what I’m doing”! It was after his death that she recorded her first album, ‘Should Have Known’, and she hasn’t turned back since. She continues to put her talent into writing songs about her French heritage and life experiences. She quit teaching full-time and became an American Sign Language instructor at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette and also a private home school instructor during the day. I assume this is her idea of “slowing down” in order to put more focus into her music! How amusing is that? She is busier in one day than most people are in a week! It was in July 2015 that I personally began to recognize Yvette’s contributions to the local music industry. I attended the Cajun French Music Awards in Rayne, Louisiana when her name was announced as the winner for ‘Female Vocalist of the Year’. It piqued my interest when a very elegant lady emerged from the audience to accept the award. Mary Alice Landry was so gracious and humbled to be accepting the award on behalf of her daughter. It was obvious to me that she was a proud Cajun momma! I knew then that I wanted to get to know this jet-setting, multi-talented young woman that was turning heads and winning awards around the country. That opportunity arose when Music/Entertainment Editor and Author, Herman Fuselier, hosted an intimate interview with her during the ‘Acadiana Roots’ segment at The Daily Advertiser office. Yvette, along with the talented pedal steel guitarist, Richard Comeaux (T-Coe), brought the house down with their combined talents. A take-your-breath -away-moment for me was when she sang Patsy Cline’s ‘I Fall to Pieces’…I nearly did! She nailed it with her sultry voice and country sass! I recently caught up with her one evening at the famous Buck and Johnny’s Restaurant in Breaux Bridge where she and T-Coe are regulars on Wednesday and Thursday Continued on page 64 … Bayou Living Magazine, LLC
August 2017
Friday, AUG 11 DJ Brett Charles 9 pm @ The Southern Pub 208 S. Adams St., Welsh Clifton Brown & The Rusty Bucket Band 10:30 pm @ Jack After Dark L’Auberge Casino Resort 777 Avenue L’Auberge, LC Cory Landry 8pm @ L-Bar L’Auberge Casino Resort 777 Avenue L’Auberge, LC Kay Miller & Aaron Sterling 5:30 pm @ EMBER L’Auberge Casino Resort 777 Avenue L’Auberge, LC The Fuse 9 pm @ Rush Lounge Golden Nugget Casino Resort 2550 Golden Nugget Blvd. LC The Mocking Birds 9 pm @ Blue Martini Golden Nugget Casino Resort 2550 Golden Nugget Blvd. LC Flo Rita 9 pm @ H2O POOL Golden Nugget Casino Resort 2550 Golden Nugget Blvd. LC Band Camp 9 pm @ Mikko Live Coushatta Casino Resort 777 Coushatta Drive, Kinder Chase Tyler Band 8 pm @ Lone Wolfe Lounge 100 Westlake Ave., LC Toe Up 7-11 PM @ Loggerhead’s 3748 Hwy. 3059, LC Robert Richard 7-10pm @ Blue Doge Café 609 Ryan St., LC Saturday, AUG 12 Rosedown Rocker 9 pm @ The Southern Pub 208 S. Adams St., Welsh BRAD BRINKLEY BAND 10:30 pm @ Jack After Dark L’Auberge Casino Resort 777 Avenue L’Auberge, LC Cory Landry 8pm @ L-Bar L’Auberge Casino Resort 777 Avenue L’Auberge, LC Kay Miller & Aaron Sterling 5:30 pm @ EMBER L’Auberge Casino Resort 777 Avenue L’Auberge, LC The Fuse 9 pm @ Rush Lounge Golden Nugget Casino Resort 2550 Golden Nugget Blvd. LC Fortag 9 pm @ Blue Martini Golden Nugget Casino Resort 2550 Golden Nugget Blvd. LC Band Camp 9 pm @ Mikko Live Coushatta Casino Resort 777 Coushatta Drive, Kinder Chace Tyler Band August 2017
8 pm @ Lone Wolfe Lounge 100 Westlake Ave., LC
L’Auberge Casino Resort 777 Avenue L’Auberge, LC
7-11 pm @ Loggerhead’s 3748 Hwy. 3059, LC
Mike Dean Band 7-11 PM @ Loggerhead’s 3748 Hwy. 3059, LC
Casey Courville 8 pm @ Rush Lounge Golden Nugget Casino Resort 2550 Golden Nugget Blvd. LC
Patrick Cooper 7-10pm @ Blue Doge Café 609 Ryan St., LC
Connie G 7-10pm @ Blue Doge Café 609 Ryan St., LA Tanya Tucker 8pm @ The Grand Event Center Golden Nugget Casino Resort 2550 Golden Nugget Blvd. LC Tickets are on sale now at www.ticketmasters.com and/or by phone through Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000. Tickets can also be purchased on performance day beginning at 2 pm at the Golden Nugget Box Office. Sunday, AUG 13 CHIP RADFORD 5:30 pm @ EMBER L’Auberge Casino Resort 777 Avenue L’Auberge, LC The Fuse 8 pm @ Rush Lounge Golden Nugget Casino Resort 2550 Golden Nugget Blvd. LC Trey Rose 7 pm @ Blue Martini Golden Nugget Casino Resort 2550 Golden Nugget Blvd. LC Bernie Alan 3pm @ Mikko Live Coushatta Casino Resort 777 Coushatta Drive, Kinder Thunderbird Rose 4-8 PM @ Loggerhead’s 3748 Hwy. 3059, LC Chris Landry 11am-2pm @ Blue Doge Café 609 Ryan St., LC Monday, AUG 14 KEVIN LAMBER 5:30 pm @ EMBER L’Auberge Casino Resort 777 Avenue L’Auberge, LC Marcus & Casey 8 pm @ Rush Lounge Golden Nugget Casino Resort 2550 Golden Nugget Blvd. LC Tuesday, AUG 15 DJ DAVID VERRETT 8 pm @ Jack After Dark L’Auberge Casino Resort 777 Avenue L’Auberge, LC Josh Taylor 8 pm @ Rush Lounge Golden Nugget Casino Resort 2550 Golden Nugget Blvd. LC BRYAN TRAHAN 5:30 pm @ EMBER L’Auberge Casino Resort 777 Avenue L’Auberge, LC Mickey Smith 6-9 pm @ Loggerhead’s 3748 Hwy. 3059, LC Wed., AUG 16 CHESTER DAIGLE 5:30 pm @ EMBER
Bayou Living Magazine, LLC
PERKI3HG 9 pm @ Blue Martini Golden Nugget Casino Resort 2550 Golden Nugget Blvd. LC CHRIS MILLER & BAYOU ROOTS 6 pm @ Loggerhead’s 3748 Hwy. 3059, LC Thursday, AUG 17 AMANDA WALKER 5:30 pm @ EMBER L’Auberge Casino Resort 777 Avenue L’Auberge, LC 3HG 9 pm @ Rush Lounge Golden Nugget Casino Resort 2550 Golden Nugget Blvd. LC Susan Hickman 9 pm @ Blue Martini Golden Nugget Casino Resort 2550 Golden Nugget Blvd. LC Warren Storm, Willie Tee & Cypress 7 pm @ Mikko Live Coushatta Casino Resort 777 Coushatta Drive, Kinder Joe Harmon & The Harmonics 7 pm @ Lone Wolfe Lounge 100 Westlake Ave., LC Sam Broussard 6-9pm @ Blue Doge Café 609 Ryan St., LC Friday, AUG 18 TBA 9 pm @ The Southern Pub 208 S. Adams St., Welsh Jack Lawless & Rebecca Mae 10:30 pm @ Jack After Dark L’Auberge Casino Resort 777 Avenue L’Auberge, LC Michael Krajicek 8pm @ L-Bar L’Auberge Casino Resort 777 Avenue L’Auberge, LC AMANDA WALKER 5:30 pm @ EMBER L’Auberge Casino Resort 777 Avenue L’Auberge, LC Trickey Dickeys 9 pm @ Rush Lounge Golden Nugget Casino Resort 2550 Golden Nugget Blvd. LC Travis Thibodeaux 9 pm @ Blue Martini Golden Nugget Casino Resort 2550 Golden Nugget Blvd. LC HANK WILLIAMS, JR. 9 pm @ H2O POOL Golden Nugget Casino Resort 2550 Golden Nugget Blvd. LC After 8 9:30 pm @ Lone Wolfe Lounge 100 Westlake Ave., LC Flashbacks
Wayne Newton 8pm @ The Grand Event Center Golden Nugget Casino Resort 2550 Golden Nugget Blvd. LC Tickets are on sale now at www.ticketmasters.com and/or by phone through Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000. Tickets can also be purchased on performance day beginning at 2 pm at the Golden Nugget Box Office.
Monday, AUG 21 KAY MILLER 5:30 pm @ EMBER L’Auberge Casino Resort 777 Avenue L’Auberge, LC
Shelby Lee Lowe 10:30 pm @ Jack After Dark L’Auberge Casino Resort 777 Avenue L’Auberge, LC
Rachael & ian 8 pm @ Rush Lounge Golden Nugget Casino Resort 2550 Golden Nugget Blvd. LC
Josh Taylor 8pm @ L-Bar L’Auberge Casino Resort 777 Avenue L’Auberge, LC
Tuesday, AUG 22 DJ DAVID VERRETT 10:30 pm @ Jack After Dark L’Auberge Casino Resort 777 Avenue L’Auberge, LC
Julie Williams 5:30 pm @ EMBER L’Auberge Casino Resort 777 Avenue L’Auberge, LC
CHIP RADFORD 5:30 pm @ EMBER L’Auberge Casino Resort 777 Avenue L’Auberge, LC
Perkins Road 9 pm @ Rush Lounge Golden Nugget Casino Resort 2550 Golden Nugget Blvd. LC The Slags 9 pm @ Blue Martini Golden Nugget Casino Resort 2550 Golden Nugget Blvd. LC
Saturday, AUG 19 TBA 9 pm @ The Southern Pub 208 S. Adams St., Welsh
Two for the Road 8 pm @ Rush Lounge Golden Nugget Casino Resort 2550 Golden Nugget Blvd. LC
Cooper Wade 10:30 pm @ Jack After Dark L’Auberge Casino Resort 777 Avenue L’Auberge, LC
CLINT FAULK 6-9pm @ Loggerhead’s 3748 Hwy. 3059, LC
LEE BRICE 9 pm @ H2O POOL Golden Nugget Casino Resort 2550 Golden Nugget Blvd. LC
Michael Krajicek 8pm @ L-Bar L’Auberge Casino Resort 777 Avenue L’Auberge, LC
Wed., AUG 23 CHESTER DAIGLE 5:30 pm @ EMBER L’Auberge Casino Resort 777 Avenue L’Auberge, LC
Flame Throwers 9 pm @ Mikko Live Coushatta Casino Resort 777 Coushatta Drive, Kinder
AMANDA WALKER 5:30 pm @ EMBER L’Auberge Casino Resort 777 Avenue L’Auberge, LC
Gyth Rigdon 8 pm @ Rush Lounge Golden Nugget Casino Resort 2550 Golden Nugget Blvd. LC
Trickey Dickeys 9 pm @ Rush Lounge Golden Nugget Casino Resort 2550 Golden Nugget Blvd. LC
Got Groove 9pm @ Blue Martini Golden Nugget Casino Resort 2550 Golden Nugget Blvd. LC
Trickey Dickeys 9 pm @ Blue Martini Golden Nugget Casino Resort 2550 Golden Nugget Blvd. LC
CHRIS MILLER & BAYOU ROOTS 6:30-9:30pm @ Loggerhead’s 3748 Hwy. 3059, LC
After 8 8 pm @ Lone Wolfe Lounge 100 Westlake Ave., LC
Thursday, AUG 24 Julie Williams 5:30 pm @ EMBER L’Auberge Casino Resort 777 Avenue L’Auberge, LC
Juz-B-Cuz 7-11 pm @ Loggerhead’s 3748 Hwy. 3059, LC Connie G 7-10pm @ Blue Doge Café 609 Ryan St., LC Sunday, AUG 20 STACY BEARDEN 5:30 pm @ EMBER L’Auberge Casino Resort 777 Avenue L’Auberge, LC Trickey Dickeys 8 pm @ Rush Lounge Golden Nugget Casino Resort 2550 Golden Nugget Blvd. LC Justin Martindale 7 pm @ Blue Martini Golden Nugget Casino Resort 2550 Golden Nugget Blvd. LC Celt Talbot 4-8pm @ Loggerhead’s 3748 Hwy. 3059, LC Patrick Cooper & Sam Broussard 11am-2pm @ Blue Doge Café 609 Ryan ST., LC
Perkins Road 8 pm @ Rush Lounge Golden Nugget Casino Resort 2550 Golden Nugget Blvd. LC Shane Barnhill 9 pm @ Blue Martini Golden Nugget Casino Resort 2550 Golden Nugget Blvd. LC Back Yard Boys 7 pm @ Mikko Live Coushatta Casino Resort 777 Coushatta Drive, Kinder Ian & The Websters 7 pm @ Lone Wolfe Lounge 100 Westlake Ave., LC Ronnie Fruge 6-9pm @ Loggerhead’s 3748 Hwy. 3059, LC Robert Richard 6-9pm @ Blue Doge Café 609 Ryan St., LC Friday, AUG 25 Leroy Thomas 9 pm @ The Southern Pub 208 S. Adams St., Welsh
The Chee Weez 9:30 pm @ Lone Wolfe Lounge 100 Westlake Ave., LC Louisiana Red 8-11pm @ Loggerhead’s 3748 Hwy. 3059, LC Leah Robinson 7-10pm @ Blue Doge Café 609 Ryan St., LC Clint Black 8pm @ The Grand Event Center Golden Nugget Casino Resort 2550 Golden Nugget Blvd. LC Tickets are on sale now at www.ticketmasters.com and/or by phone through Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000. Tickets can also be purchased on performance day beginning at 2 pm at the Golden Nugget Box Office. Saturday, AUG 26 Kevin Newman & Randy Boudreaux 9 pm @ The Southern Pub 208 S. Adams St., Welsh Cody Canada & The Departed 10:30 pm @ Jack After Dark L’Auberge Casino Resort 777 Avenue L’Auberge, LC Josh Taylor 8pm @ L-Bar L’Auberge Casino Resort 777 Avenue L’Auberge, LC Julie Williams 5:30 pm @ EMBER L’Auberge Casino Resort 777 Avenue L’Auberge, LC Perkins Road 9 pm @ Rush Lounge Golden Nugget Casino Resort 2550 Golden Nugget Blvd. LC
DINING & ENTERTAINMENT
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NIGHT LIFE GUIDE Continued from page 62. evenings. They are a perfect duo and their music had everyone toe-tappin’ and dancing the night away. And of course, sitting front row and center was her family, including her mother, Mary Alice, and her biggest fan, her son Trevor, who, by the way, is a third-generation drummer and often accompanies his mom onstage. Yvette is just as comfortable walking the Red Carpet in Los Angeles, on a stage in Nashville, at New Orleans Jazzfest, or on a bar stool at ‘Jammin at Hippie Jacks’ as she is in a classroom. She sings from her heart and that is why she is so successful at what she does. As if she isn’t busy enough performing around the world, writing songs, and teaching, she finds time to write childrens’ books! I told you she was multi-talented! Her literary peers and children of all ages ecstatically embraced ‘The Ghost Tree’, which is her first book. Her most recent book, ‘Madame Grand Doigt’, with illustrations by Cullen Bernard, is based on Cajun traditions she recalls her grandmother telling her as a child. It was most recently nominated as one of the five titles published by the University of Louisiana at Lafayette Press that were finalists in the 19th annual Foreward Reviews Book of the Year Awards. Also included in that list is my dear friend, Herman Fuselier, along with famed photographer, Philip Gould, for their book ‘Ghost of Good Times: South Louisiana Dance Halls Past and Present’. The winners in each genre, along with Editor’s Choice winners and Foreword’s INDIE Publisher of the Year, will be announced during the American Library Association annual conference in Chicago. Best of luck to all on winning this prestigious award! Yvette’s innate generosity of giving back to her community continually impresses me. Another chance meeting with her was during a press conference for the release of Jo-El Sonnier’s ‘Healing Song’. The song is about unity and hope, and Yvette emanates that. All the proceeds from the sale of this record goes to the Community Foundation of Acadiana. Yvette was one of the featured artists that included an allstar ensemble of some of the biggest names in Cajun and Zydeco music that volunteered their time and talent to this worthy cause. As Jo-El said, “There’s pain everywhere, but if we can bring a little love and compassion, we’ve done out part.” Yvette does that through her music. While observing and photographing Yvette during her Sign Language class at UL, I noticed how intently her students look up to her. She is their connection to reaching out and teaching others to communicate in a world they cannot hear. She revealed to me in an intimate conversation that it was a fifth-grade student who challenged her and inspired her to learn sign language so she could communicate with him. She did just that by taking classes at the Deaf Action Center and she fell in love with the language and wanted to learn more about the hearing-impaired culture. She
incorporates her love for music by having her UL students perform a song in sign language as part of their final exam. She thinks it’s a great way for them to learn to express themselves, just as she does through her music. When I asked her what the future holds, she was uncertain. She said that when this journey began, nothing was planned. All she recalls thinking was that if she would ever play at Mulates Restaurant in Breaux Bridge, then she’s accomplished what she aspired to do. Great aspirations for a little Cajun girl from Breaux Bridge! Well, I would say that she’s accomplished a heckuva lot more than that. I’m reminded of a perky, resilient little Dandelion wildflower when I think of her and how she has scattered seeds of wisdom, inspiration and joy through her teachings and her melodious music and has not let any adversaries hinder her. This quote, shared with me by Sandy Woods of Schweinfurt Germany, exemplifies Yvette’s personality and her achievements: “The flower that blooms in adversity is the rarest and most beautiful of all” For Yvette Landry, there are no adversities, only opportunities! Like she says, “If nothing else happens from this day forward, it’s been perfect!”
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August 2017
COMPULSIVE OR PROBLEM GAMBLING? CALL 1-877-770-STOP(7867). August 2017
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DINING & ENTERTAINMENT
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DINING & ENTERTAINMENT 70 70
NIGHT LIFE GUIDE The Slags 9 pm @ Blue Martini Golden Nugget Casino Resort 2550 Golden Nugget Blvd. LC Flame Throwers 9pm @ Mikko Live Coushatta Casino Resort 777 Coushatta Drive, Kinder The Kaddilacs 9:30 pm @ Lone Wolfe Lounge 100 Westlake Ave., LC Frayed Soul 7-11 pm @ Loggerhead’s 3748 Hwy. 3059, LC Connie G 7-10pm @ Blue Doge Café 609 Ryan St., LC Keith Sweat 8pm @ The Grand Event Center Golden Nugget Casino Resort 2550 Golden Nugget Blvd. LC Tickets are on sale now at www.ticketmasters.com and/or by phone through Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000. Tickets can also be purchased on performance day beginning at 2 pm at the Golden Nugget Box Office. Sunday, AUG 27 Kevin Lambert 5:30 pm @ EMBER L’Auberge Casino Resort 777 Avenue L’Auberge, LC Chinatown 8 pm @ Rush Lounge Golden Nugget Casino Resort 2550 Golden Nugget Blvd. LC Dead or Alive 7 pm @ Blue Martini Golden Nugget Casino Resort 2550 Golden Nugget Blvd. LC REED PLANCHARD 4-8pm @ Loggerhead’s 3748 Hwy. 3059, LC Connie G 11am-2pm @ Blue Doge Café 609 Ryan St., LC Monday, AUG 28 BRYAN TRAHAN 5:30 pm @ EMBER L’Auberge Casino Resort 777 Avenue L’Auberge, LC BLAKE STICKER 8 pm @ Rush Lounge Golden Nugget Casino Resort 2550 Golden Nugget Blvd. LC Tuesday, AUG 29 DJ DAVID VERRETT 10:30 pm @ Jack After Dark L’Auberge Casino Resort 777 Avenue L’Auberge, LC STACY BEARDEN 5:30 pm @ EMBER L’Auberge Casino Resort 777 Avenue L’Auberge, LC Black Sticker 8 pm @ Rush Lounge Golden Nugget Casino Resort 2550 Golden Nugget Blvd. LC
CLINT FAULK 6-9 pm @ Loggerhead’s 3748 Hwy. 3059, LC Wed., AUG 30 CHESTER DAIGLE 5:30 pm @ EMBER L’Auberge Casino Resort 777 Avenue L’Auberge, LC Charlston & Derek 8 pm @ Rush Lounge Golden Nugget Casino Resort 2550 Golden Nugget Blvd. LC Time Machine 9 pm @ Blue Martini Golden Nugget Casino Resort 2550 Golden Nugget Blvd. LC CHRIS MILLER & BAYOU ROOTS 6:30-9:30 pm @ Loggerhead’s 3748 Hwy. 3059, LC Thursday, AUG 31 Chester Daigle & Grace Smitherman 5:30 pm @ EMBER L’Auberge Casino Resort 777 Avenue L’Auberge, LC Time Machine 9 pm @ Rush Lounge Golden Nugget Casino Resort 2550 Golden Nugget Blvd. LC TBA 9 pm @ Blue Martini Golden Nugget Casino Resort 2550 Golden Nugget Blvd. LC Joe Harmon & The Harmonics 7 pm @ Mikko Live Coushatta Casino Resort 777 Coushatta Drive, Kinder Dikki Du & The Zydeco Krewe 7 pm @ Lone Wolfe Lounge 100 Westlake Ave., LC Cory Landry 6-9pm @ Blue Doge Café 609 Ryan St., LC Friday, SEPT 1 Chris Brandy 10:30 pm @ Jack After Dark L’Auberge Casino Resort 777 Avenue L’Auberge, LC Marcus Oubre 8pm @ L-Bar L’Auberge Casino Resort 777 Avenue L’Auberge, LC AMANDA WALKER 5:30 pm @ EMBER L’Auberge Casino Resort 777 Avenue L’Auberge, Troy Laz Band 9 pm @ Mikko Live Coushatta Casino Resort 777 Coushatta Drive, Kinder January Noise 9 pm @ Lone Wolfe Lounge 100 Westlake Ave., LC Blue’s Tonic 7-11pm @ Loggerhead’s 3748 Hwy. 3059, LC Patrick Cooper 7-10pm @ Blue Doge Café 609 Ryan St., LC
Saturday, SEPT 2 Hunter Hutchinson 10:30 pm @ Jack After Dark L’Auberge Casino Resort 777 Avenue L’Auberge, LC Michael Krajicek 8pm @ L-Bar L’Auberge Casino Resort 777 Avenue L’Auberge, LC AMANDA WALKER 5:30 pm @ EMBER L’Auberge Casino Resort 777 Avenue L’Auberge, Troy Laz Band 9 pm @ Mikko Live Coushatta Casino Resort 777 Coushatta Drive, Kinder January Noise 9 pm @ Lone Wolfe Lounge 100 Westlake Ave., LC Frayed Soul 7-11pm @ Loggerhead’s 3748 Hwy. 3059, LC Tom Brandow 7-10pm @ Blue Doge Café 609 Ryan St., LC Sunday, SEPT 3 Kay Miller 5:30 pm @ EMBER L’Auberge Casino Resort 777 Avenue L’Auberge, Darren Adams 4-8pm @ Loggerhead’s 3748 Hwy. 3059, LC Bluesiana Red 11am-2pm @ Blue Doge Café 609 Ryan St., LC Monday, SEPT 4 Chip Radford 5:30 pm @ EMBER L’Auberge Casino Resort 777 Avenue L’Auberge, Tuesday, SEPT 5 DJ David Verrett 8pm @ Jack After Dark L’Auberge Casino Resort 777 Avenue L’Auberge, LC Kevin Lambert 5:30 pm @ EMBER L’Auberge Casino Resort 777 Avenue L’Auberge, Clint Faulk 6-9pm @ Loggerhead’s 3748 Hwy. 3059, LC Wednesday, SEPT 6 Chester Daigle 5:30 pm @ EMBER L’Auberge Casino Resort 777 Avenue L’Auberge, Chris Miller & Bayou Roots 6-9pm @ Loggerhead’s 3748 Hwy. 3059, LC Thursday, SEPT 7 Chris Roberts 5:30 pm @ EMBER L’Auberge Casino Resort 777 Avenue L’Auberge, Tommy McLain & Louisiana Express 7 pm @ Mikko Live Coushatta Casino Resort
777 Coushatta Drive, Kinder Herbie Stutes & The Grand Shin 9 pm @ Lone Wolfe Lounge 100 Westlake Ave., LC Ronnie Fruge 6-9pm @ Loggerhead’s 3748 Hwy. 3059, LC TBA 6-9pm @ Blue Doge Café 609 Ryan St., LC Friday, SEPT 8 Bubba Plauche 10:30 pm @ Jack After Dark L’Auberge Casino Resort 777 Avenue L’Auberge, LC Cory Landry 8pm @ L-Bar L’Auberge Casino Resort 777 Avenue L’Auberge, LC Chris Roberts 5:30 pm @ EMBER L’Auberge Casino Resort 777 Avenue L’Auberge, Trigger Proof 9 pm @ Mikko Live Coushatta Casino Resort 777 Coushatta Drive, Kinder
L’Auberge Casino Resort 777 Avenue L’Auberge, Warren Storm, Willie Tee And Cypress 3 pm @ Mikko Live Coushatta Casino Resort 777 Coushatta Drive, Kinder January Noise 9 pm @ Lone Wolfe Lounge 100 Westlake Ave., LC The Big Jimmy Band 4-8pm @ Loggerhead’s 3748 Hwy. 3059, LC Sam Broussard & Patrick Cooper 11am-2pm @ Blue Doge Café 609 Ryan St., LC Monday, SEPT 11 Stacy Bearden 5:30 pm @ EMBER L’Auberge Casino Resort 777 Avenue L’Auberge, LC Tuesday, SEPT 12 Kay Miller 5:30 pm @ EMBER L’Auberge Casino Resort 777 Avenue L’Auberge, LC
Band Camp 9 pm @ Lone Wolfe Lounge 100 Westlake Ave., LC Brad Brinkly 7-11pm @ Loggerhead’s 3748 Hwy. 3059, LC Michael Bryant 7-10pm @ Blue Doge Café 609 Ryan St., LC
August 25th @ 9:00 pm
Saturday, SEPT 9 Aaron Copeland 10:30 pm @ Jack After Dark L’Auberge Casino Resort 777 Avenue L’Auberge, LC Cory Landry 8pm @ L-Bar L’Auberge Casino Resort 777 Avenue L’Auberge, LC Chris Roberts 5:30 pm @ EMBER L’Auberge Casino Resort 777 Avenue L’Auberge, LC Trigger Proof 9 pm @ Mikko Live Coushatta Casino Resort 777 Coushatta Drive, Kinder Rock & Roll Over KISS Tribute 9 pm @ Lone Wolfe Lounge 100 Westlake Ave., LC City Heat on LADY OF THE LAKE 6-9pm @ Loggerhead’s 3748 Hwy. 3059, LC
LEROY THOMAS
LA’s Bad Habit 7-9pm @ Loggerhead’s 3748 Hwy. 3059, LC Marty Christian 7-10pm @ Blue Doge Café 609 Ryan St., LC Sunday, SEPT 10 Bryan Trahan 5:30 pm @ EMBER
208 South Adams Street Welsh, LA 70591 337 -734-0077
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August 2017
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SOCIETY SPICE Marshland Festival
Jamie Bergeron on the accordion …
Written and Photographed by:
‘The Spice Girl’…Marilyn “Pepper” Brunt
SOCIETY SPICE
WHAT: Marshland Festival WHEN: July 28-29. 2017 WHERE: Lake Charles Civic Center
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Lake Charles Civic Center was the place to be when the Marshland Festival hosted its annual gathering. Twenty-seven years ago, a group of parents, teachers and administrators were concerned for the youth of Hackberry, Louisiana. These various groups of this northwestern town in Cameron Parish were trying to provide a way to fund various school, church and community organizations. Through their efforts, the Marshland Festival was formed. Their key objectives for the non-profit Festival are to: Continue our Louisiana heritage of Cajun music and cuisine Help promote the tourist industry of Southwest Louisiana Support the surrounding business community through the goods and materials required to produce the Festival. Chairman Gregory Gray and Co-Chairman Marvin Simon, along with a few thousand friends, were enjoying the fruits of their labor on Saturday evening when this ‘Spice Girl’ arrived. Geno Delafosse was on stage with his signature white hat and charismatic smile and he had the crowd dancing in the aisles. He was followed by the energetic group Waters Edge that kept the crowd pumped-up. Jamie Bergeron got everyone going by shooting t-shirts into the crowd, then he kicked-it-up! The crowd doubled in size by 10:30pm when Frank Foster took the stage! His followers were lined-up around the side of the Civic Center waiting to get a glimpse of him and listen to his music. They were not disappointed and said he was worth waiting for! The Friday line-up of entertainers consisted of Tommy Shreve, Greg Blanchard, Keith Frank and the all-around favorite Wayne Toups closed out the night! Joe Simon & Louisiana Cajun Aces, Whiskey South, and LA Express/Johnny Allan kicked off the festivities on Saturday afternoon. The festival was enjoyed by thousands in part to the dedication of Gregory Gray & his committee and Marvin Simon and his employees with Deep South Productions. Cameron LNG, Cheniere, Targa, Cameron Communications and numerous other sponsors were instrumental in making the Festival a huge success. Were you there? You shoulda’ been! It was AWESOME! Until next time, remember… You Can Never Have Too Much Spice in Your Life! Bayou Living Magazine, LLC
August 2017
SOCIETY SPICE Marshland festival Chairman Gregory Gray & Co-Chairman Marvin Simon...
SOCIETY SPICE
Miss Starks Mayhaw Queen, Jaylin Martinez representing title… Cameron LNG Represent ivies L-R— Fara Cloud, Kevin Simmons, Shane Herbert, Steven Trahan, Kannan Palanisemy…
Youngster on stage with his guitar…
L-R—Alexis Shepard, Clara Pepper Blalock & Lauren Abshire… August 2017
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Geno keeping the crowd on the dance floor… 73
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THE BUZZ
THE BUZZ
Memorial Medical Group welcomes Syed Saad, MD, an internal medicine physician to its staff. Dr. Saad will serve as a hospitalist, treating and caring for patients admitted to Lake Charles Memorial Hospital. Dr. Saad received his medical degree from Dow Medical College in Karachi, Pakistan. He completed his three-year internal medicine residency at University Hospitals and Clinics and served as Chief Resident as part of the Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center. Memorial Medical Group welcomes Kenneth Leger, MD, an internal medicine and pediatric specialist to its staff. He sees patients of all ages at the Lake Charles Memorial medical office building at 4345 Nelson Road, Suite 201. Dr. Leger is originally from Welsh and graduated Magna Cum Laude from McNeese State University with a degree in biology. He went on to receive his medical degree from Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center in Shreveport and recently completed a residency in internal medicine and pediatrics, also in Shreveport. Dr. Leger is a member of the American College of Physicians, American Academy of Pediatrics, American Medical Association and the Christian Medical Dental Association. For more information or to schedule an appointment with Dr. Leger, call 337.480.7900 or go to www.lcmmg.com.
their digital media presence and grow their brand on a national level. She is a Dillard University graduate with a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing and was selected by the VA Medical Center as the Registered Nurse of the Year. “As a respected nurse, manager, and community organizer, Kimberly will use her problem-solving abilities, creativity and business acumen to help bring the Mayor’s Office to the next level,” said Mayor Hunter. Hardy is a Lake Charles native and has spent nearly twenty years working for various education systems in Lake Charles, including the Calcasieu Parish School Board, the Diocese of Lake Charles, and the Lake Charles Charter School. Most recently she was employed as the Safety Administration Official for Burrow Global at Phillips 66. She is a graduate of Southern University Baton Rouge A&M and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in early childhood education, a Bachelor of General Studies from McNeese State University, and two master’s degrees from McNeese State University in educational technology and instructional technology. Hardy is involved in many community organizations such as Kiwanis North, Top Ladies of Distinction, Inc. and the McNeese Alumni Association. For twenty-two years, she has served the Tournament of the Stars as a board member and coordinator of events. “Karen has been working in the Mayor’s Office for a little more than ten days now, and I’m pleased to say that her willingness to assist the public and her attention to detail make me proud to have her as a part of my administration,” said Mayor Hunter. Several other employees will continue to serve in the Office of the Mayor. City Administrator John Cardone, Public Information Officer Matt Young, Director of Cultural Affairs Denise Fasske, Project Specialist Katie Harrington, Network Specialist Julie Pippin, Administrative Assistant Dee LaBorde, and File Clerk Virgie Derouen.
Mayor Nic Hunter Announces New Staff Lake Charles, LA—On Mon., Aug. 8, Mayor Nic Hunter held a news conference to announce the newest members of his staff. Kimberly Dellafosse will serve as Assistant City Administrator, while Karen Hardy will serve as Administrative Assistant. Dellafosse has more than twenty years’ experience in management, healthcare and public relations. She most recently was employed by Christus St. Patrick’s Hospital as the School-Based Health Center Registered Nurse. In the past five years, she has launched three new pediatric health promotion programs and served as the designated trainer for registered nurses hired through the School Based Health Center. Above Photo (Pictured from Left to Right): Julie Pippin, Katie HarringBefore that, she served as president of Crimson Media Enterprises and worked with several companies to increase ton, City Administrator John Cardone, Mayor Nic Hunter, Karen Hardy, Kimberly Dellafosse, Dee LaBorde, Denise Fasske and Matt Young
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THE BUZZ The Jambalaya News now dedicates the rest of this page to Elvis Presley! If you are an Elvis Presley fan, then you can give thanks, in part, to the Louisiana Hayride. The Louisiana Hayride helped to launch Elvis’ early career. Fact being that the Louisiana Hayride, a regional radio show (later becoming a television show) was know as “The Cradle of the Stars” because it helped launch many country music artists besides Elvis. Names including Hank Williams, Jim Reeves, Faron Young, Johnny Cash, Kitty Wells and George Jones, just to name a few. Thank goodness for the Hayride and Louisiana and for “The King of Rock ‘n’ Roll”.
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THE BUZZ
McNeese State University to pay tribute to Elvis. Dr. Jeff Lemke, in back, and Dr. Ray Miles (pictured above) host McNeese State University’s weekly radio show – the School of Rock on KBYS 88.3 FM. The show will be paying tribute to Elvis Presley on the 40th anniversary of his death on August 16. August 16th marks the 40th anniversary of the death of Elvis Presley, the legendary “King of Rock ‘n’ Roll,” and McNeese State University’s weekly radio show – the School of Rock on KBYS 88.3 – will pay tribute to the King. The show, hosted by McNeese’s Dr. Ray Miles, history professor and director of the Dore School of Graduate Studies, and Dr. Jeff Lemke, professor of music, will air “The King Is Gone But He’s Not Forgotten!” at its regular time at 11 am on Saturday August 12th, as well as a special time at noon on Wednesday, August 16th. The show will feature many of Presley’s greatest hits and a couple of surprises. “So be sure to join us for the special edition of School of Rock as we commemorate the 40 years since Elvis ‘left the building’,” says Miles. Fans can also go to www.kbys.fm for this broadcast and other scheduled KBYS programming.
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By Luke Eddleman
All of us dread the thought of having to leave our beloved pets at home, for any reason! Imagine going on vacation and leaving your pup behind, to find out only minutes after your arrival that yours has gone missing! That's the story with Debbie Thompson and her six-yearold Morkie, Sookie. Debbie and her family got the news that Sookie had gone missing, only moments after their arrival to Florida. Being the extreme dog lover that she is, Debbie headed back to Lake Charles to begin what she hoped would be an easy process of finding her pup, but sadly that wasn't the case. Debbie says that she searched daily for Sookie, visiting Vet offices, groomers, the local shelter, and even went as far as to offer a $1000 reward for Sookies safe return, no questions asked. Even after exhausting all this effort, she was having no luck. Debbie received several calls and hopeful leads on Sookie’s whereabouts, but it all ended the same, no Sookie. That is until she received word from Mrs. Kerry Ribbeck.
Sookie
Debbie & Sookie
Ten days and four and a half miles away from home, Sookie found herself in the back yard of the Ribbeck family. Kerry tried in vain to get scared little Sookie to come to her calls, Sookie was just too afraid, but all hope was not lost, Kerry’s husband on a whim, went out onto their porch with his guitar and began to play, as farfetched as it may sound, it actually triggered something inside Sookie and she ran to the porch! Debbie and Sookie were reunited and I can only imagine after meeting these two, that it was an immensely emotional time for them both! Debbie is ever so grateful to each and every one who reached out to her with help, prayers, love, and wishful thoughts! The Lake area community really is a dog loving community, Sookie’s amazing story is proof of that!
This is Manny, 8-month-old, eightpound Yorkie mix looking for a new home. He is great with other dogs and loves playing outside. This sweet and affectionate boy also loves children, even little ones. He is neutered, current on all vaccinations and heart worm prevention; he is ready to move on to his new forever! For more info, call or email: 337-478-7294; lapaw@bellsouth.net. Home visit and vet check required prior to all adoptions. 76
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Tic-Tac-Toe
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G
ame ...
Take A Seat
Understanding how to Take Advantage of Promotions Whether you are an avid poker player or just a novice, it’s important to learn your favorite poker room’s promotions before you decide when you want to play. The best way to do this is to download the app BRAVO. It will list all the poker rooms within so many miles of your location. Choose your poker room choice and you will see that month’s promotions and bad beat jackpot. If you are planning to play poker two or three times that month, be sure you choose a day with a good promotion, I love it when they have aces cracked for $150 or more. Let’s face it, if you lost with aces but won $150 for losing, you won’t be so upset! Being aware of what promotion is in effect when you do decide to sit at a table will always maximize profits. Let me tell you a story about what happened when I was unaware of the promotions that were offered in my poker room of choice one day. On a whim, I decided to stop by The Isle of Capri one day while I was trying to kill a little time. I sat at a table and proceeded to play. I was very enthusiastic about getting pocket kings not long after I had taken my seat. I was happy to see no aces hit the board and I figured I had the best hand. No one was betting too crazy, so I had to have it! As it turned out, when I raised on the final check (being last to act) the only guy left in the hand with me raised me an additional $50. Well, I called. I felt he was trying to bluff me out to take my raise. He turns over two crazy pairs: J-2. I turned over my kings just to show that I did have a decent hand and of course I was proud of those pocket kings! The dealer tells me that I won $150! What? I’m slightly confused at his words. He went on to explain that I was playing during a promotion called “kings cracked” and if you get beat with pocket kings, you win $150. That was good news for me! To be honest, it could have been better news if I’d been aware of this promotion, as I started out with pocket kings. It’s a whole other ball game when playing with a hand that is up for a cracked promotion. Let me explain my theory on how you should play a pocket pair differently when a cracked promotion is involved. First, in most cases, you’ll make more money getting this pocket pair cracked rather than winning with them. So, the difference in playing them is right from the start. Normally, when you get a strong pocket pair, you will want to raise to show position and stay strong throughout the game. You want people to know you started strong pre-flop and you’ll continue to show strength as long as you know no one has a higher pair than you because your pocket pair is higher than the board. (In this case, some people will continue to play strong even if a higher card
hits the board to maintain strength.) Now if you are playing the promotion, you’ll not want to raise preflop anywhere during that game since the probability of losing if you don’t hit a set is very likely if one pair won’t stand up. Someone else will have two pair and so on. If you play it right, enough people will play starting at a regular blind and have a good chance of beating you, so you can get the payout for getting your hand cracked. Every promotion is different, so always be sure you understand this before you play at a table. In the case of getting my kings cracked without understanding the promotion, yes, I got the money I had bet back. But if I had known about the promotion I wouldn’t have raised the last guy’s check. I’d have checked with him and I would have lost. Yet I would have won more than if I had even won that pot! So, losing was a good choice in this case (if you’re just playing for fun and not at a big money table). It goes to show that being aware is always more profitable than just doing something without understanding it fully. To be honest, it still took me months before I really got the hang of the promotions as well as when and how to play them. Don’t ever be afraid to ask your dealer if there are any promotions going and to have him explain them so you’ll know how to play to hit them. Also, I have no problem getting advice from the regular poker players on how they handle the promotions. It never hurts to learn other people’s opinions. Also, always be aware of the bad beat promotion. Most poker rooms have a bad beat jackpot. Trust me, this is the mother lode that you WANT to hit and you’ll also probably want to be the loser! This is how it normally goes, although all poker rooms have different bad beat criteria. First off, you’ll have to get beat with quad 5’s or better to be a part of that jackpot. So straight flush over quads, straight flush over straight flush, quads over quads and so on. The loser gets 50 percent of the bad beat jackpot, the winner gets 25 percent. and of course, the remaining 25 percent is split between the other players dealt into that hand. So, who wouldn’t want to be the loser in this case? I know I’d love to be the loser in a bad beat that will qualify for the jackpot. Remember two things when you are involved in a bad beat: You can be disqualified if there is anything on the table such as a napkin or a cell phone (nothing bigger than a card), so only card protectors are allowed on the table. Also, tip your dealer well; they have been waiting to hit that bad beat for you so they can make a good payday too! If you have a bad beat story, I’d like to hear from you! Please email me at jambalayanews@gmail.com and put Poker in subject line! Thanks, and I hope each of you will get the chance to be involved in a bad beat one day. Until next time …
The Poker Lady 78
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I-10 Exit 27, Lake Charles, LA 1-800-THE-ISLE (8434753) www.isleofcapricasino s.com
Copyright 2017 Isle of Capri Casinos, Inc. Isle of Capri and FanPlay are registered trademarks of Isle of Capri Casinos, Inc. Must be 21 years of age. Isle of Capri employees and the immediate family of executives and marketing team are not eligible to participate. Disregard if prohibited from visiting Louisiana casinos. All promotions and events are subject to change / cancellation without notice. Rules and promotions may vary. Complete rules and eligibility for promotions are available upon request.
COMPULSIVE OR PROBLEM GAMBLING? CALL 1-877-770-STOP(7867). August 2017
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Best Prices in Town
Open 24 Hours a Day 7 Days a Week
Low Prices On — Beer & Wine Alcohol Cigarettes Tobacco Icee Gasoline & Diesel 99 Cent Fountain Drinks w/ Crushed Ice Bagged Crushed Ice $1.29 for 8 lbs. Hunts Brothers Pizza & Chicken Wings
Evan’s Jennings Location — 1207 S. Lake Arthur Ave., Jennings
Fishing Supplies & Bait—Live shiners, worms & frozen bait. Iced Single Beers Alexis’ Diner offers—Video Poker, Fried Chicken, Hamburgers & also available on Waitr App. Store is open 6am—10pm
Evan’s Corner Store Opening Soon on 5th Ave For Your Convenience — 4252 5th Ave, Lake Charles, LA Iced Single Beers, Beer, Wine, & Liquor. Cigarettes & tobacco products. Gasoline & Diesel. Krispy Krunchy Fried Chicken, Hamburgers, Boudin, Jambalaya, Red Beans and Rice and More!
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