Magazine38397

Living Well October 2013

IN

NORTH LOUISIANA

Wiggin’ Out for Cancer

Eating Clean

Learn how locals follow the plan

A dress-up party to help with the battle

Dangerous vaccines?

Moms debate the merits of shots for their tots

Losing weightBall Buddy Buddies help give all children a chance to

fulfill

their

athletic

dreams

Living Well r 0İłļįIJŀ

About the cover

212 W. Park Ave. Ruston, Louisiana 71270 (318) 255-4353

Batters up

Buddy Ball of Ruston has made a huge impact in a short time. Learn more about this opportunity to serve local children.

See pages 30-33.

Publisher

Rick Hohlt

Living Well Editor Elizabeth DeGrie

Graphic Designers Rick Hohlt Jessica Darden Will Avery II

Contributing Writers Victoria Axton Nancy Bergeron Jessica Darden Elizabeth DeGrie

For advertising information, call (318) 255-4353.

Health related articles in this publication are meant to increase reader awareness and should not be viewed as medical advice or instruction on individual health matters.

We recommend you consult your physician or health care professional for medical advice or treatment.

Reproduction of

Living Well

in whole or part is strictly prohibited without permission from the Publisher

Living Well

in North Louisiana

A division of Ruston Newspapers, Inc © 2013 All rights reserved.

6 8 26 44 46

Partying for Good Learn more about the good time that keeps on giving. Wiggin’ Out offers residents a chance to turn the cancer battle into a party.

Building Bridges Across the World The local branch of Bridges International helps connect international students with locals keen on learning more about the world.

Calling All Ducks Danny Bignar has a quacking good time with his beloved hobby — duck call making. Learn more about his inspiration.

Enjoying the Holidays without the Pounds Local experts offer up tips to help make sure that a fun holiday season doesn’t mean another weight loss resolution.

Lincoln Events Learn what’s on tap in Lincoln Parish for arts, theater, music and more.

Living Well r 0İłļįIJŀ

3

A Word From the Editor Leaves have already started to blanket the ground.

Trees have begun to shed their dressings in preparation for a long winter and a new beginning once the spring season, which seems so far away for now, begins.

When

those

first

leaves

hit

the

ground

and

the

first

cool

breath that Mother Nature lets out blows across my face, I know

it

is

finally

fall.

Fall

and

winter have a bad rep for many, but for those of us in the deep South, where they don’t mean subzero temperatures, there’s something extremely refreshing about the cooler weather.

For

many,

fall

and

winter

offer the opportunity to celebrate life and family. Some will start celebrating with a spooky Halloween extravaganza and not stop until they wake up in a brand new year.

As exciting as the holiday

season might be, it also brings the opportunity for unwanted weight gain. So, after picking up a few holiday tips — ranging from what to do with Halloween treats to a few fun facts about New Year’s celebrations — check out some tips from local fitness

and

health

experts on pages 16-17 and 43-44.

Eating right during the holidays can be tricky, but for some the focus on eating has become incredibly simple. Two local individuals share their journey into the trend of eating clean in “Paleo versus Eating Clean” on pages 34-36.

Eating right and exercising are not the only health

concerns that cooler weather inspires. As classes resume, so does the chance for various infections to invade families and communities. The state has mandated that children take vaccines to prevent some of the nastier potential infections, however, there has been a recent surge in people choosing not to vaccinate their children.

Learn local parents’ take on vaccinations as well as some of the history of the debate on pages 38-42.

Another important aspect of the holiday season is giving.

While giving gifts to loved ones is,

of

course,

the

first

item

on

most people’s agenda, many

Elizabeth DeGrie

decide to open their hearts and their purses during this time of year. Of course, sometimes, it isn’t money that will make the biggest difference in someone’s life.

Buddy Ball has taken the community by storm. A simple idea — to make baseball accessible to children with special needs — has become a communitywide effort.

Local businesses, churches, community leaders and college students have banded together to make sure that any child in Lincoln Parish who wants to play baseball can. Learn more about this amazing organization on pages 30-33.

Also tucked inside these pages are stories about an organization working to connect international students with locals and a man who makes intricate duck calls. So, turn the leaves of this edition for new ideas to live well.

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4

Living Well r 0İłļįIJŀ

Tips to get heart healthy

Eexercise regime are important to having a

ating a healthy diet and following a proper

healthy heart.

Getting

enough

exercise

can

be

difficult,

so

Ruston

Nursing

and

Rehabilitation,

in

cooperation

with

www. heartdisease.about.com,

has

provided

several

tips

for

making exercise a natural part of the day.

To sneak in a few extra steps try the following: •

Take

a

short

walk

at

lunch

time

or

after

dinner.

•

Use

the

stairs

instead

of

the

elevator.

•

Park

a

little

further

away

and

walk

to

any

destination •

Spend

time

working

in

the

garden

or

the

backyard.’

Though

it

can

be

difficult

to

fit

it

in,

even

small

amounts of exercise can work wonders for the heart.

Eating better is also crucial to helping ensure the heart keeps on ticking like it is supposed to. Eating lean meat and low-fat dairy both help to ensure that the

heart

is

healthy.

However,

healthy

does

not

have

to

mean tasteless.

Ruston

Nursing

and

Rehabilitation

Center,

along

with

www.livebetteramerica.com/recipes,

has

provided

their

Healthifier

Beef

Enchilada

Pie

to

help

residents

enjoy their healthful diets. The recipe makes use of

Healthier Beef Enchilada Pie •

1

pound

extra-lean

(at

least

93

percent)

ground

beef

•

1

medium

onion,

chopped

(1/2

cup)

•

1

can

(10

ounces)

red

enchilada

sauce

•

1/2

cup

frozen

corn,

thawed,

drained

•

1

can

(4.5

ounces)

chopped

green

chilies,

drained

•

1

teaspoon

ground

cumin

•

1

teaspoon

chili

powder

•

5

flour

tortillas

for

burritos

•

1

cup

shredded

reduced-fat

Mexican

cheese

blend

(4

oz)

•

Fat-free

sour

cream,

if

desired

Heat

oven

to

350°F.

In

12-inch

nonstick

skillet,

cook

beef

and

onion

over

medium-high

heat

5

to

7

minutes,

stirring

occasionally,

until

thoroughly

cooked;

drain.

Reserve

1/4

cup

enchilada

sauce;

set

aside.

Add

remaining

enchilada

sauce,

corn

and

chilies

to

beef

mixture.

Stir

in

cumin

and

chili

powder.

Reduce

heat

to

medium-low;

simmer

uncovered

5

minutes.

Spray

9-inch

round

(2-quart)

glass

baking

dish

with

cooking

spray.

Place

1

tortilla

in

casserole;

top

with

about

3/4

cup

of

the

beef

mixture

and

3

tablespoons

of

the

cheese.

Repeat

layers

3

times.

Top

with

remaining

tortilla,

the reserved enchilada sauce and the remaining cheese.

Bake,

uncovered,

30

to

40

minutes

or

until

hot

and

cheese

is

melted.

Cool

5

minutes.

Serve

with

sour

cream.

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5

community

Wiggin gg Outt Helping make cancer survivable

very good event starts with a great idea, and it becomes a success by caring people taking the idea and running with it. This idea involved a night of fun, pink wigs and hard work for a good cause.

Oct. 10 marked the third annual Wiggin’ Out event, and many guest speakers set the stage for the fundraiser.

Wiggin’ Out started in 2011 as a simple idea — help people who can’t afford wigs after chemotherapy get wigs.

Now, the key board members of the event, Vicki Caskey, Elizabeth Turnley, Tami Davis and Patrick Walsh, are able to help men, women and children get the help they need. Though All photos courtesy of Cialo Photography of MS Wiggin’ Out began as a way to help people with breast cancer, the board members have now opened up the cause to cover other cancer victims as well.

Vicki Caskey, of The Minute Magazine, had the idea for Wiggin’ Out after her best friend passed away from a long battle of breast cancer.

“I

lost

my

best

friend

to

inflammatory

breast

cancer

6

Living Well r 0İłļįIJŀ

seven or eight years ago,” Caskey said. “She couldn’t afford a wig, she and her husband divorced and her child was taken from her by her ex-husband because she was sick.

“She

struggled

to

survive

both

physically

and

financially

for

five

years.

She

lived

in

low-income

housing

because

she

was too sick to work.

“When you see someone close to you suffer the way she did, you have to do something.”

Caskey said that without the help of Turnley and Davis, of Northern Louisiana Medical Center, and Walsh, of the Louisiana Tech Athletics Department, there would be no Wiggin’ Out Event.

“I presented the idea to Elizabeth (Turnley) who then presented the idea to Patrick (Walsh). It was perfect timing,” Caskey said.

Caskey

said

Wiggin’

Out’s

first

year

was

a

“fantastic”

success, and they have doubled their growth from last year.

“This year is unbelievable! We are able to purchase — not only wigs — but prosthetics and gas cards,” Caskey said.

Caskey said there is a huge need for help in the community for cancer patients.

“Insurance doesn’t cover everything and the added expense is huge,” Caskey said. “It’s the best feeling in the world to give a woman a wig.”

Turnley said this event is really Caskey’s passion.

“Wiggin’ Out is really Vicki’s baby,” Turnley, director of marketing at NLMC, said.

“It’s her passion. We are here to help her — but in the

community

grand scheme of things, it is her.”

All the money raised stays local — helping those in need in this region. Also, none of the board members are paid — all of the people who coordinate and put Wiggin’ Out together are volunteers.

“We are able to help at the time of the event, but we need constant support,” Caskey said. “We’ve been able to triple the number of people over last year, but just because the event is over, doesn’t mean the need is gone.”

Every year, Wiggin’ Out has food, a silent auction, a band and its signature drink called “The Pink Wig.” The event is held at Squire Creek Country Club in Choudrant, and all of the board members said they are thankful for that support.

Squire Creek donates their building for the event, so the board members only have to pay for the food and the alcohol.

“We could not put on this event without the generosity of Squire Creek and Lane Titus, the food and beverage director,” Turnley said.

Speakers for the event this year were Tabby Soignier and Henry Futch — both cancer survivors. They graced the cover of the September/ October issue of The Minute Magazine, which is dedicated to Wiggin’ Out. Soignier, 28, had an aggressive form of Hepercalcemic Ovarian Cancer, for which she received chemotherapy.

Futch, 14, is a survivor of Stage 3-4 Burkitt’s Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma.

He

began

his

fight

as

a

four-year-old

little

boy.

Walsh said Wiggin’ Out is an important initiative because the need is so high.

“This is an important event that we have created because of the incredibly high numbers of breast cancer cases compared to state and national averages,” Walsh said. “That coupled with the number of

people in poverty, makes it important to North Louisiana and shows that

there

is

a

great

need

to

be

filled.

“It’s a blessing to help those in need when we can.”

— By Victoria Axton

Sales

•

Service

•

Selection

SATISFACTION

1001 Sterlington Hwy • Farmerville, LA 318-368-3181 - Toll Free 800-556-3181 Living Well r 0İłļįIJŀ

7

Bridging the Gap

community

Group works to connect international students with locals ocal residents who want to learn about another culture don’t have to jump on a plane, train or steamboat and travel halfway around the world. Though 1 million international students and scholars are currently in the United States, approximately 80 percent never enter an American home while here.

With Louisiana Tech University’s national and international acclaim, Ruston plays host to approximately 700-800 of those international students.

While some international students group together by homeland to savor a bit of their native country, they also enjoy meeting locals to Bill Prescott, learn about Northern Bridges Local International Director Louisiana culture.

Bridges International affords the international students at Tech — and those who hope to learn about new cultures — just that opportunity.

“We do a lot with the community,” Bill Prescott, local director, said. “And, we need community volunteers.”

One of the biggest needs, Prescott said, is for individuals who love other cultures and want to connect with the students.

He said that the group — in cooperation with Tech’s

International

Student

Office

—

connects

international students with local Friendship Families.

He explained that they are not looking for host families that students can live with but for families who will interact with students at least once a month

“We want to be a resource to the students in areas like social, academic and spiritual resources.”

8

Living Well r 0İłļįIJŀ

to share cultural experiences.

“Hopefully those relationships will grow deeper and be longer,” Prescott said. “We have about 4050 families that have signed up. … The challenge is that we always need more. Many people in this community go overseas on mission trips or travel, and yet we lack when we have our international friends right here at our doorstep. We just need more people to step up and become Friendship Families.”

Because of the diverse student population, Prescott said those with an interest or love for a particular culture or country will more than likely be able to connect with a student who originates from that country.

“It’s always great if (Friendship Families) have a heart for a certain area of the world,” Elise Endel, a Bridges International staff member, said. “It’s cool that those people are right here in Ruston. They could be able to reach out to them and share that love with them. We have a lot of cultures here at Tech.”

Prescott said Tech has a large population of students from Nepal, China and India, as well as quite a few students from countries in the Middle East and South America. They have leadership team members from Cameroon, China, the U.S. and other countries.

“We have a really fun and diverse group,” Prescott said.

“It’s

always

nice

to

find

a

place

where

you

can

belong and grow.”

From salsa dancing lessons to camping trips and movie nights to church services, the organization branches out in a variety of ways to reach students of every nationality, race and creed.

“We’re

a

nonprofit

Christian-based

organization,”

Prescott said. “But, we’re very holistic. We want to be a resource to the students in areas like social, academic and spiritual resources.”

One of their main events is Bridge Friday Nights,

community

iPad

About Bridges International

which are held each week at the Bridge Church’s south campus.

Despite the similar name, Prescott said the organization is not directly


 afďŹ liated


 with


 the


 church. “We do a lot of games, cultural dances, fun, good food,� Prescott said. “And we build relationships. What’s so good about it is it brings in all the different ethnic groups.�

Each week approximately 40-80 students show up for the event, and those who become Friendship Families are invited to attend as well.

The group also travels to the National Vision Conference each year. “Last year and this year it will be in Daytona Beach, Fla.,�

Prescott said. “Our group from Tech has a reputation as being the most fun and the most diverse group. And, we won the New Year’s Eve talent show as a fun group of people.�

In addition to becoming Friendship Families, there are many ways that locals can become involved with the group. “Many help us scholarship the students to the Vision Conference,� Prescott said. “Many bring food and join us on the Bridges Friday Nights. Many are just involved in our activities with us.�

The group also participates with Henry Cardenas, who is the head of Venture Crew, which is under the umbrella of the Boy Scouts of America organization. Through this, members take various outdoor excursions and participate in different community service projects.

While the group is geared toward reaching out to international students,


 they


 are


 not


 the


 only


 ones


 who


 beneďŹ t.

Michael Aguillard, a sophomore student from Baton Rouge, is one of the student leaders for the group and feels he has had his horizons broadened by his participation in the group. “It’s so much fun interacting with international students, learning different languages,� Aguillard said. “That’s probably one of the reasons I changed my major to Spanish. I enjoy interacting with them so much.�

Aguillard said an international friend introduced him to the group. “I had a friend who was an international student, and he invited me to the Bridges Friday Night,� he said. “I heard they were doing salsa dancing, and I did ballroom dancing back home in Baton Rouge. So, I came and I got sucked into it and just loved it.�

Endel, who is a Tech graduate, enjoyed working with international students so much that she joined Bridges International as a staff member

Bridges International is a national student organization that seeks to bridge the cultural gap for the international students in the United States through service, networking and spiritual resources.

Bill Prescott, local Bridges International director, explained that Bridges International was originally formed approximately 18 years


 ago


 when


 a


 large


 inux


 of


 international


  students, primarily from China, began attending universities in the United States.

Since then, the organization has grown to include groups from Asian, Middle Eastern, South American and other cultures from around the world. “Here


 at


 Tech


 we’ve


 been


 here


 about

â€¨â€ŠďŹ ve


  years,� Prescott said. “My wife Stacy and I, we were the directors of a Campus Crusade group.

We


 lived


 in


 Argentina


 for

â€¨â€ŠďŹ ve


 years.


 So,


 when


  we came back in 2007, we wanted to start the Bridges group because we’re kind of part international now. We understand their world and how they feel.�

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Living Well r 0İłğįIJŀ

9

community after spending a few months overseas.

“My senior year I got involved working with them part time,” Endel said. “I’ve been on some trips overseas to work with orphans in China. I came back and felt that I should get involved with international students. It’s been great. I’ve learned so much more than I ever thought I would about different culture.

Endel said she feels she can relate with the students because of that experience.

“I understand how it is being away from home and being in a place where you just need a community to feel welcome. It’s a huge need. Anybody who has been overseas should have a taste of what that feels like.” of being a part in d e t s Upon returning from overseas, e r e int Residents er just show up t o t he she met several international students and was introduced to Bridges, which fun can eit h ht events or call one e h t led to her passion for working with ay Nig international students.

Br idges Fr id f or more inf or mat ion: ing She spends time dancing with some of of t he f o ll ow or Bill. the international students, learning dances 45-8418 2 t a t t o resc that are a traditional part of their cultures. s Bill P @uscm.org. c s e pr ott ott at 394-3563. r elise.

“It’s fun because they see that we care Presc 041 o about their culture,” she said. “And, we s Stacy 70-310-6 8 t a l e d n have fun learning about their culture. … We s Elise E mail.com.

-7811. g want to love on students regardless of their l@ e d 225-772 n t e a d r la cultural background.” el Aguil s Micha

VOLVED

BE IN

— By Elizabeth DeGrie

Living Well r 0İłļįIJŀ

oT Deory Lshoipspting!!

•

Gr oc Presc ott •

C all B il l dog •

Feed t he at 6 p.m.

•

Meet ing

Living Well r 0İłļįIJŀ

Just plain good

cuisine

I N G R E D I E N T S

Risotto with Pumpkin and Parmigiano-Reggiano • • • • • • • • • •

1 3-pound pumpkin 1 quart chicken or vegetable broth 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil 1 medium yellow onion, minced 10 ounces (1 1/2 cups) carnaroli or vialone nano rice 4 ounces (1/2 cup) unsalted butter, cubed 3/4 cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano Kosher salt and coarsely ground black pepper, as needed Sage leaves as needed (optional) Crumbled amaretti cookies (optional)

The arrival of cool autumn weather brings truckloads of pumpkins. Their arrival to stores, farm stands and front porches inspires the spirit of the season year after year. Those looking for different ways to utilize this tasty gourd, might consider picking up a smaller sugar pumpkin and making an orange-colored risotto.

To make risotto, use the superfino

variety

of

rice,

which

has the fattest and largest grains and absorbs more liquid than any other rice while still remaining firm.

Superfino

rice

includes

Arborio and carnaroli.

If a more soupy risotto is desired,

use

a

semifino

variety

like vialone nano. This type will release less starch. Once brand is found stick with it for consistent results.

There are many myths about stirring the rice. At the Culinary Institute of America, students are taught that not to stir the rice constantly, especially during the first

10

minutes.

Keep

the

rice

wet

at

all

times

during

the

first

stage of cooking, and gently stir every few minutes during the simmering to make sure it stays uniformly moist and doesn't stick to the bottom of the pan.

Living Well r 0İłļįIJŀ

One of the keys to a successful risotto is using a highquality broth. For the best results, it should be boiling hot when it is added to the rice in the pan.

"In Italy they say 'è' un peccato mortale' (it's a mortal sin) to use the wrong pot to cook risotto," CIA

Chef

Gianni

Scappin

said.

"You need a deep stainless steel sautoir, which is a saucepan with straight sides, a heavy bottom, and a handle. Absolutely avoid using a sauté pan or skillet, because the liquid will evaporate too quickly before the rice has a chance to absorb it."

Chef

Scappin

adds

that

there

is also strong sentiment in Italy regarding the proper way to both serve

and

eat

risotto.

Serving

it

in

a

bowl

instead

of

on

a

flat

plate

is another "peccato mortale." Eat risotto from the outside edge of the plate inward, so that the rice has time to cool slightly as it is eaten, enabling the enjoyment of the

flavor.

The

following

recipe

is from The Culinary Institute of America's Pasta cookbook (2013,

John

Wiley

&

Sons,

Inc.), available for purchase at bookstores nationwide or online.

— Courtesy of the CIA

Photo by Culinary Institute of America

D I R E C T I O N S 1.

CUT the pumpkin in half and scoop out the seeds. Peel the pumpkin and

dice

the

flesh.

Set

aside.

2. HEAT the broth over low heat; keep warm.

3.

HEAT the oil in a large pot over low heat. Add the onion and cook, stirring frequently, until tender and translucent, about 4 minutes. Add the diced pumpkin and continue to cook, stirring to coat the pumpkin with the oil, until it is hot, about two minutes. Add the rice and toast lightly, stirring frequently, about two minutes.

4. ADD

enough

of

the

broth

to

come

1/2

inch

above

the

rice,

and

cook,

stirring frequently to be sure the rice doesn't stick to the bottom. As the rice

absorbs

the

broth,

keep

adding

more,

1/2

cup

at

a

time.

5. ONCE the rice has absorbed almost all the broth, and the grains are just

tender

(al

dente),

about

20

minutes

total

cooking

time,

remove

the

pot from the heat. Add the butter and cheese and stir vigorously until the risotto is creamy. (The pumpkin will start to fall apart; this is what should happen and gives the risotto a brilliant orange color and additional creaminess.)

Season

with

salt

and

pepper

if

necessary

and

serve

immediately

on

flat

plates.

6. TOP the risotto with a few leaves of sage fried in butter and a sprinkling of crumbled amaretti cookies.

•

Makes:

4-6

servings •

Nutrition

analysis

per

4

ounce

serving:

150

calories,

3g

protein,

13g

carbohydrate,

10g

fat,

3.5g

saturated

fat,

150mg

sodium,

15mg

cholesterol,

less

than

1g

fiber.

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Our focus is exceptional long term services and short term rehabilitation stays Specializing In: Tracheostomy Care Stroke Recovery Advanced Wound Care Certified

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•

Farmerville,

LA

71241

318.368.2256

Living Well r 0İłļįIJŀ

decor

7EJIX] XMTW JSV XLI I\XVIQI

T

aking holiday decorating to extremes is fun. But accidents can happen, especially when using a lot of electronic decorations on the outside of the house.

Follow these safety precautions for outdoor decorating from CSA Group, a leader in electronic product testing and certification,

to

help

make

sure

your

house

gets noticed for the right reasons: ÿ Put your faith in the magic of the holidays but don't fall for fakes: Whether

it's

a

waving

Santa,

rocking

sleigh or light-up Rudolph, avoid counterfeit electronic decorations that haven't

been

certified

for

safe

use.

Look

for

the

mark

from

an

accredited

certification

organization

like

CSA

Group on light strings, extension cords and

animated

displays.

Make

sure

they

are

marked

for

outdoor

use

and

follow

the manufacturer's instructions. ÿ Keep old holiday traditions, not old holiday lights: Carefully inspect light strings each year. Discard any with

Living Well r 0İłļįIJŀ

frayed

cords,

cracked

lamp

holders

or

loose connections. ÿ Sparkle without the spark: Turn off the electricity to the supply outlet before

working

with

outdoor

wiring.

Unplug light strings before replacing bulbs

and

check

to

ensure

replacement

bulbs match the voltage and wattage of

the

original.

To

avoid

a

shock

from

damaged wire, use insulated fasteners rather

than

metal

nails

or

tacks

to

hold

light strings in place. ÿ Stay dry: Keep electrical connectors for outdoor lights above ground, out of water and away from metal gutters. Connect outdoor lighting into receptacles protected by weatherproof ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCI).

These can provide protection from electric

shock

by

sensing

ground

leakage

and cutting electrical power. ÿ Don't be silly with strings:

Make

decorating a family activity by planning this

year's

theme

with

the

kids,

but

don't let children or pets play with light strings. ÿ Don't overextend yourself: Use heavy duty extension cords for high wattage decorations and large electronically-animated displays and don't overload extension cords. ÿ It's more than a faux-pas to keep lights up all year: Outdoor holiday lights are made for seasonal use only; extended exposure can lead to damage.

After

the

holiday

season,

take

down

decorations and store them in their original

packaging

to

keep

the

proper

use instructions for next year.

You

can

find

more

safety

tips

at www.csaholiday.com.

—Leader News Service

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fitness

Working out in the he winter months mean holidays and warm

nights

by

the

fire.

Even

though

T that is the case for the months of October,

November

and

December,

that

doesn’t

mean

you

have

to

hang

out

your

r unning

shoes

just

yet.

Dani

Pendarvis

is

an

American

College

of

Sports

Medicine,

ASCM,

certified

personal

trainer

at

Anytime

Fitness

in

Ruston.

This

workout

is

good

for

the

winter

months

because

all

the

exercises

can

be

done

in

the

comfort

of

home

or

in

the

g ym.

“This

workout

is

what

I

like

to

call

the

Ferocious

50,”

Pendarvis

said.

“It

can

be

fun

for

the

whole

family.”

The

“Ferocious

50”

involves

body

weight

and

repetition

instead

of

weights

at

the

g ym.

Warm-up: Low intensity (Light walk or jog)

15

minutes Cardio:

10

60

yard

sprints •

50

push

ups •

50

air

(body)

squats •

50

assisted

pull

ups

or

50

straight

bar

bent

over

rows

(light

weight) •

50

planks

with

knee

to

elbow

(get

in

push

up

position

and

alternate

knee

to

elbow) •

50

kettle

bell

lateral

raises

(light

weight)

Pendarvis

gives

step-by-step

instructions

on

how

to

do

the

entire

workout.

“Go

through

exercises

one

at

your

own

pace,”

Pendarvis

said.

“Repeat

one

through

five.”

She

recommends

doing

two

sets

and

50

reps

of

each

exercise.

“To

up

the

intensity,

time

the

circuit,

perform

exercises

1-5,

and

try

to

beat

your

time

each

week.

For

safety

reasons,

Pendarvis

gives

solid

advice

on

doing

this

work

out

safely.

“This

exercise

should

only

be

performed

a

maximum

of

three

times

per

week

for

a

maximum

of

four

weeks.

“Make

sure

you

alternate

days,

do

not

do

the

circuit

back

to

back

days.”

Living Well r 0İłļįIJŀ

fitness

comfort of home

Jayne

Jenkins,

a

certified

senior

personal

trainer

at

Addlife

Fitness

in

Ruston,

had

additional

tips

to

keep

in

shape.

She

said

there

are a few things that can be done in order to keep

weight

off

and

to

stay

active

during

the

holiday

season.

Jenkin’s

provides

her

top

10

tips

for

losing

weight

and

keeping

it

off.

Plan meals and exercise time.

“Using

a

planner

to

organize

ourselves

really

helps for chores, errands, gift shopping and social

engagements,

Jenkins

said.

“So

why

not

build

in

your

meals

and

exercise

too!

Writing

it

down

will

give

you

that

accountability

and

a

great

feeling

of

achievement

when

your

check

it

off

your

list.”

When

possible,

have

two

or

three

quick

workouts

instead

of

long

hours

at

the

g ym.

“Exercising

more

frequently

will

keep

your

metabolism

burning

at

a

higher

rate

for

longer.”

Stay Happy “The

holidays

are

a

fun

time,

but

can

also

be

stressful,

too,”

Jenkins

said.

“Keep

you

stress

levels

under

control

by

taking

time

out

for yourself

and

exercising.

Exercise

releases

‘endorphins,’

the

happy

chemicals,

in

your

body

to

make

you

feel

good.

By

letting

the

stress

get

to

us,

we

are

also

more

inclined

to

overeat.”

Start your day out right “A

healthy

breakfast

is

important,”

Jenkins

said.

“Eating

first

thing

in

the

morning

will

kick-start

your

metabolism,

so

don’t

skip

it

to

save

on

calories.”

Balance the scale “If

you

know

you

have

a

big

meal

planned,

a

party

to

go

to

or

if

you

know

you

just

don’t

have

time

to

fit

in

the

exercise

one

day,

make

up

for

it

somewhere

else,”

she

said.

Make it social “We

want

to

be

around

our

family

and

friends at this time of the year, which makes

it

even

harder

to

disappear

off

to

the

g ym

or

out

for

a

walk,”

Jenkins

said.

“So

make

them

part

of

your

activity

and

maybe

do

something

different

and

fun

like

organizing a ball game or bicycling.”

Living Well r 0İłļįIJŀ

fitness

Keep it brisk “When exercising you need to feel your heart rate elevated, so that you become a little out of breath,” Jenkins said. “If you are walking your regular route just imagine that

you are running late for work and pick up your pace.”

Flush it out “Foods with high salt, sugar and fat will increase your water retention and you will gain weight,”

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fitness

Jenkins said. “Flush the bad stuff out of your system with lots of water.”

At

home

quick

fix “Perform as many of each exercise as you can in 1 minute then rest for 30

seconds before the next exercise,” Jenkins said. “Repeat the circuit twice if you have time.”

Know how to lose it “If you’ve followed the tips and limited

the damage a couple extra holiday pounds can quickly be lost again if you follow the simple math equation: calories in food less than calories burnt in activity equals weight loss,” Jenkins said. “If you want to lose weight you need to either eat less than that allowance or burn extra calories off by exercising.”

—

By

Victoria

Axton

Living Well r 0İłļįIJŀ

holidays

Using leftover Halloween Candy Hknown for the spooky alloween is certainly

decorations that adorn homes and for the creative costumes children put on to canvas the neighborhood. But for many youngsters, Halloween is all about the candy.

In just a few hours, trickor-treaters can accumulate a substantial amount of assorted chocolates, confections and other sweet treats. Once everyone

has

had

their

fill

of

their favorite items, candy often gets relegated to a giant bowl on the kitchen table, where it beckons each resident who passes by.

Rather than submitting to the call

of

the

candy

and

sacrificing

your dental health as a result,

enterprising individuals can repurpose that leftover Halloween candy.

Incentives Parents can store extra candy to use as rewards for good behavior. Many parents use sweet treats as rewards for children learning to potty train.

Rewarding older children for a job well done cleaning up their rooms or as a special treat for scoring a good grade on a test also can be a way to put the candy to good use.

Goody bags Candy is a crowd-pleaser, and leftover candy can be used in goody bags doled out at birthday parties. Keep the candy well-sealed to store away until it

is needed to

fill

goodie

bags.

Add

a

few trinkets that tie in with the theme of your party, and you're all set.

On a similar note, leftover candy can be used to stuff a pinata for a party. Pinatas are available in many different themes and styles, making any occasion ripe for a pinata.

Baking Cookies, brownies and cake bars taste even better with peanut butter cups, chips and chocolate candies baked inside.

Some candy can be frozen for later use in baked goods. Baked

goods can be enjoyed by the family or used for bake sales for schools and other organizations.

Donations Hospitals,

doctors'

offices

and nursing homes may appreciate donations of candy for staff and visitors. You can visit different places to see if they would appreciate a candy donation.

There are many different ways to put Halloween candy to use so it doesn't go to waste or end up ruining teeth and waistlines.

— Leader News Service

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Living Well r 0İłļįIJŀ

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Living Well r 0İłļįIJŀ

holidays

Get greeting cards out on time M

illions of greeting cards are sent out each holiday season. Estimates suggest that 85 percent of the United States population, or roughly 250 million people, mails out greeting cards. That adds up to billions of cards going through the postal system — and all in a relatively short period of time.

Men and women who hope to send holiday greeting cards must purchase, prepare and mail the cards early enough so they are received prior to the holiday. It is never too early to begin greeting card preparation and assembly.

The majority of cards are bought in boxed packages or groupings of photo cards.

Gone are the days of handpicking individual greeting cards for every recipient. This trend toward general-theme cards has streamlined the process and can help senders start their tasks earlier than ever before. Some people like to take advantage of post-holiday sales to stock up on greeting cards for the following year at a deep discount. This means they can write the cards out at their leisure and then simply toss them into the mailbox at the appropriate time.

Much in the way people begin their holiday shopping or decorating right after the Thanksgiving turkey leftovers have been stored away, a good majority of people also begin their greeting card writing after Thanksgiving as well. Those who want their cards to arrive first

will

mail

them

within

a

few days of Thanksgiving.

When sent domestically, it is safe to assume that cards mailed out up to 2 weeks before Christmas will arrive on time.

After that point, you may be risking lateness, particularly for rural delivery addresses unless cards are sent priority. For those who need to mail cards internationally, sticking close to the end of November will ensure they arrive in a timely manner.

Living Well r 0İłļįIJŀ

People who want to make a statement and not have their greeting cards get lost in the crowd may intentionally mail them late and lean toward wishing health and prosperity for the new year, rather than sending

a

card

tied

to

a

specific

holiday. This gives extra time for mailing and will set cards apart from the many others.

Photo cards have grown in popularity, and people interested in having a professional photographer shoot their holiday card photos would be wise to make an appointment as early as possible. Popular photographers often start holiday photo shoots in October. Keep in mind that the photographs can take a while to be processed and arrive. For those who are on borrowed time, taking a photo with a personal camera and having prints made up at a pharmacy or retail store can save time. It is unlikely that professional photos taken in December can be printed and mailed and still arrive on time.

Also, be sure to heed copyright laws concerning photographs. It may be illegal to scan an image from a photographer or photo studio and have prints made without written permission.

Postage is another thing that will have to be considered when mailing out cards. While many cards fall under the weight and size

limits

of

a

regular

first

class

postage stamp, unusually shaped envelopes or heavy greeting cards may cost more. Rather than have them returned, it is a good idea to have at least one card

weighed

at

the

post

office

to ensure the right amount of postage

is

affixed.

Some

cards

will be packaged with envelopes that state "Additional postage may be required" right on the box.

Greeting cards are an important component of the holiday season. Ensuring they arrive on time requires planning and sending them out with ample time to spare.

— Leader News Service

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holidays

Keeping the magic of Santa alive He had a broad face and a little round belly that shook when he laughed like a bowl full of jelly. He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf. And I laughed when I saw him in spite of myself. — "A Visit From St. Nicholas" Christmas just wouldn't be the same without Santa Claus. Santa will forever be ingrained in the holiday season, serving as an endearing symbol of the season regardless of

your

religious

affiliation.

Parents typically go to great lengths to ensure their children enjoy the holiday season. By keeping the magic of Santa alive, parents can add a special touch to the holiday season for their youngsters. Children may become more skeptical of Santa around the time they turn 10, but there are plenty of ways to encourage this spirit to live on year after year.

T Read an uplifting story. The holidays are ripe with stories that tug at the heartstrings. Parents can take their children to the library and rent a Christmas tale or take

home a book of holiday stories, reading a different one before bed each night.

Encourage children to write their own positive stories of what the holidays mean to them and read them aloud to family and friends. The book "101 Ways to Keep the Spirit of Santa Alive: For "Kids" From 1 to 92" by John Hagerman is a great way to get everyone in the house enthusiastic about Santa.

T Keep

the

magic

flowing. Children who believe in Santa for an extra year or two often come from families that keep the magic of Santa alive. In addition to the standard traditions of leaving cookies and milk out for the jolly old man, come up with new ways to evoke the essence of Santa. Spray peppermint air freshener around the tree and other places Santa is sure to visit. Use a large boot to make a footprint in a plush rug.

Find a way to trigger noise on the roof to give kids the impression that Mr. Claus himself has arrived. Extra measures to keep Santa alive can help everyone enjoy the holiday that much

more.

T Take advantage of opportunities to

spend

time

with

Santa. Parents and children alike have many opportunities to spend time with Santa during the holiday season, including photo opportunities at the mall and personalized videos sent directly to youngsters' email accounts.

Elf dolls and breakfast with Santa at a nearby restaurant are other opportunities to spread the magic. Make the most of these opportunities over the course of the holiday season.

T Spread

some

Christmas

cheer.

Santa's job is to bring presents to the world's children. Channel the notion that giving is better than receiving and spend time giving back to others as a family.

Schedule a day when you can distribute gifts at a senior center or arrange to bring gifts to a foster child. Bake cookies and deliver cellophane-wrapped dishes to all of your neighbors. These activities put the emphasis on giving.

Keeping the tradition of Santa Claus alive can help adults and children alike enjoy a more festive holiday season.

—

Leader

News

Service

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Living Well r 0İłğįIJŀ

holidays

New Year’s Eve Fun Facts eople have been ringing in the new year for centuries, and many traditions have withstood the test of time. It is believed that celebrating the new year dates back to the ancient Babylonians, who celebrated for 11 days with festivals and other fanfare. Today, many revelers celebrate for just a few hours.

New York City, Disney World in Florida and Las Vegas are among the premier New Year's Eve destinations. New York is best known for its world-renowned Times Square celebration in the heart of Manhattan. Millions of people tune into the broadcast that

showcases the ball drop during the countdown to the new year. The tradition of the ball drop may now belong to New York City, but it originated at England's Royal Observatory at Greenwich in 1833.

Inviting good luck for the upcoming year is often a component of New Year's Eve celebrations. Some people engage in superstitious activities like eating 12 pieces of a certain food or wearing red, a color that is supposed to invoke good luck. The English look

to

the

"first-footer,"

or

the

first

person

to

step

foot

into

their house, to tell them how next year's luck will be.

St. Francis Medical Center is recognized as one of the BEST HOSPITALS IN LOUISIANA by U.S. News & World Report in 3 specialties.

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—Leader News Service

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people

Callmaking skills revealed Bignar picks up trade from family

W

hat started as a hobby for Danny Bignar is slowly turning into serious business as he continues honing his callmaking skills.

Bignar grew up in Jena, learning to hunt with his father, Leland, and other family members. More than10 years ago, Bignar’s father was making his duck calls, and Bignar decided to try his hand at the craft.

“It was really great, because it became kind of a bonding thing for me and my father, helping us make that move from a fatherson relationship to a friends kind of relationship,” Bignar said.

“It was a hobby we both loved and it helped bring us closer together.”

Bignar has become a popular supplier for duck hunters, selling his work for anywhere between $40 - $700 each “depending on how elaborate someone wants one.”

He said most are generally sold via word of mouth advertising.

“Generally, the design is what I want, but sometimes people will request something

Living Well r 0İłļįIJŀ

special and if I can do it, I will,” Bignar said.

Bignar grew up drawing and also enjoyed working with wood. When his father became unable to hunt anymore due to health concerns, he took up making duck calls and his son took notice. Soon the pair were working on their hobby together.

But when Bignar’s father passed away, so did Bignar’s love for the hobby, at least

temporarily.

“I got out of it when my father died,” Bignar said. “That was our thing — something we did together. He had two cousins — Sonny Bignar and James Yule — who are master craftsmen and make wonderful duck calls. My father learned from them and got into it and taught me the fundamentals. I learned from all three of them. I guess it’s become kind of a family tradition.”

A few years back thanks to a little nudging from his wife and cousins, Bignar said he decided to pick up the trade again — naming his calls Rafter B. “They all convinced me that for everyone’s sake, including my father’s, I had to get back into it,” Bignar said. “So I really got into it and decided I wanted to carve and checker my calls, so I worked to get better at that.

“You want them to be functional and sound good, but these calls with all the intricate carvings and craftwork are for show.”

Bignar said he can carve out a basic hunting call in an hour, but his more intricate ones take longer.

“I’ll have two or three going at one time, carving a little every afternoon,” he said. “And when I feel a little stuck I’ll put one down and pick up another.

Sometimes its good to just sit back and think about what I’ve done.”

Bignar said one of the hardest part is drawing the designs on the wood to be carved.

As he comes up with ideas for possible designs, Bignar sketches them in a notebook to refer to when beginning work.

“It’s

a

matter

of

finding

or

drawing

the

right image you want on the call,” Bignar said. “I get ideas that I draw freehand into the notebook, and I surf the Internet and look

through

magazines

to

find

pictures.

That notebook has all kinds of ideas in it.”

Bignar said he has made about 300 calls in

his

lifetime,

with

the

first

complete

call

being in 1997.

people

Established in 2008, Bignar is a member of the Louisiana Callmakers and Collectors Assoication.

“For the past three years at the Annual National Call Contest in St. Charles a callmaker from Louisiana has won every possible show,” he said. “I have two cousins James Yule and Albert ‘Sunny’ Bignar who have won major awards and make some really beautiful calls.”

James Yule won Best of Show in 1994 at the Annual National Call Contest and Albert “Sonny” Bignar won Best of Show in 2002.

Most of the members of the club make calls, Bignar said, but some are just collectors.

To become a member a person must be born in Louisiana or currently living in the state. Their website www.lacalls.org provides those interested with membership information. LCCA is a nonprofit

organization.

“I think we have about 75-80 members,” Bignar said. “We

started with just a couple of guys who got together a couple times a year at different people’s houses.”

Bignar said it was Howard Broussard who really began the club, but

he

passed

away

one

month

to

before

the

club

was

officially

founded.

“Howard

is

sort

of

our

unofficial

first

president,”

Bignar

said.

“Tommy Whittington, another member, just sort of took it and ran with it even though he isn’t a callmaker.”

Bignar said there are a lot of callmakers in Louisiana.

“I’m learning of new callmakers everyday,” he said. “If there are people who want to learn, we certainly have the people who would be happy to help in any way that they can.”

To Bignar the LCCA is an extra support group for the craft.

“This is our chance to preserve the art of callmaking,” he said.

“We would love to have the younger generation involved. I’ve made a lot of great friends through LCCA, and I have learned a lot about callmaking.”

Living Well r 0İłļįIJŀ

people He added that now the group gets together two or three times a year to share ideas and what they are working on.

Bignar has placed in national competitions with his duck calls, placing third in the Wild Turkey Federation Traditional Carved championships in the spring of 2007, after taking second in 2006.

— By Jessica Darden — LCCA History — The late Howard Broussard, known to many as “brother-in-law” is credited with the formation of Louisiana Callmakers and Collectors Association.

Broussard’s journey began in 2002, when he was introduced

to

the

fine

art

of callmaking. It was in that year that Howard invited a customer, Huey Smith Jr., on a hunting trip. Smith brought his father-in-law, David Mills.

Being a well-respected Louisiana callmaker, Mills brought one of his duck calls as a thank you gift for Howard. That duck call sparked an interest in Howard

that would lead to years of callmaking and collecting.

The two men developed a lasting friendship and continued to meet, where Mills shared his callmaking skills. Broussard continued to develop his skills under the direction of Doyle Breland, another respected Louisiana callmaker.

Through a shared interest in callmaking, Broussard and Albert Thibodeaux, a well-known local callmaker, became great friends. They would ride around meeting with other callmakers, sharing ideas and even wood.

In the summer of 2006,

Living Well r 0İłļįIJŀ

Broussard made a few phone calls and invited some of Louisiana’s best callmakers to an informal get-together at his home in Milton.

By June of 2008, LCCA was created.

Broussard served as the

first

president

of

the

organization, which is now officially

registered

with

the

state of Louisiana.

It is in Broussard’s memory that Louisiana callmakers and collectors join in fellowship to carry out the mission of LCCA — to promote Louisiana’s incredible callmaking talent and to encourage collecting.

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recreation

Buddies step up to the plate

By Nancy Bergeron

ntil last spring, Robbie Cardenas never played in a real sports league. He couldn’t. Robbie is autistic.

But now, the Ruston 9-year-old steps up to the plate just like all the other youngsters on his softball team.

Robbie plays Buddy Ball, a version of adaptive softball for special-needs children who are unable to participate in other leagues.

Approximately 40 youngsters, ages 4-16, are participating in Buddy

Ball

of

Ruston’s

first

fall

season. The season ends this month.

“To look at the kids and see “To look at the kids how they enjoy playing pretty and see how they enjoy much speaks for itself,” Dr. Edwin Davis, Buddy Ball of Ruston’s playing pretty much founder, said.

Davis got the idea to start a speaks for itself,” local league after watching how much his special-needs grandson Dr. Edwin Davis enjoyed playing in a similar East Buddy Ball of Ruston’s founder Texas league. Buddy Ball debuted last spring, also with about 40 players.

As its name implies, Buddy Ball relies on volunteer buddies to help the youngsters bat, get to base and

play

in

the

outfield,

as

well

as

to

coach

the

teams.

Parents

praise the program.

“I’m really excited that they have the league going because a lot of times these kids are left out,” Shelly Milligan, mother of Buddy Ball athlete Sefton Milligan, said.

Sefton,

8,

is

more

confident

because

of

Buddy

Ball,

his

mother

said.

Living Well r 0İłļįIJŀ

recreation

Living Well r 0İłļįIJŀ

recreation

Living Well r 0İłļįIJŀ

recreation “It also shows him how to be on a team,” Millgan said.

“It gave him an activity, and at the same time it gave him a goal.”

Volunteer coach Mechelle Brown, who also teaches special-needs children, said Buddy Ball helps the youngsters develop

fine-motor

skills

and

other

abilities.

Plus,

Brown

said, the nonjudgmental atmosphere of the games is good for the whole family.

Tracy Cardenas, Robbie’s mom, enjoys “seeing how happy he is.”

The Buddy Ball slogan is “Everybody plays, everybody wins.” Buddy Ball operates on donations; all of the money raised goes for the program. In December, Buddy Ball will

raffle

a

2014

Jeep

Wrangler.

Tickets

are

$100

and

are

available from Buddy Ball board members. Next spring, the

organization

will

hold

its

second

annual

benefit

golf

tournament.

Youngsters can register for Buddy Ball at any time by calling

243-3842.

A

starting

date

for

the

2014

spring

season

has not yet been set.

Davis attributes the success of the organization to community

support.

But

Ruston

attorney

Russell

Woodard,

who sponsors one of the four Buddy Ball teams, said Davis’ enthusiasm and the personal stories of the players are what have touched the community and made the league thrive.

“That

was

the

motivating

factor

for

me,”

Woodard

said.

Milligan said Buddy Ball has completely won her family’s heart.

“You’re thinking ‘my child will never be able (to play sports),’” she said. “Then this comes along.”

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trends

hen January rolls around each year, numerous people make W resolutions in the hopes of bettering their lives.

Two movements that have seemingly taken

the

fitness

community

and

healthworld by storm are the concepts of clean eating and the paleo diet.

Although both have technically been around for years, most claim their reasoning behind getting started is to be a healthier person.

Sharon St. Andre, of Ruston, said she started her paleo journey because she started having symptoms of food sensitivities.

“I noticed that gluten didn’t affect me like it did people with celiac disease, but it made my joints stiff and sore,” she said.

“There were other issues with processed foods too — headaches, joint pain, gut issues

—

all

caused

from

inflammation.

It made me stop and evaluate what I was fueling my body with and then ask myself why?”

St. Andre said she began asking herself numerous questions all fueled by her thoughts of “why.”

˛ ˝ ˝ ˝ ˛ ˛ ˛ ˛

•

Fats •

Dairy •

Whole

Grains •

Beans/

Legumes •

Fruits •

Vegetables •

Meats/Lean

Meats •

Water

Living Well r 0İłļįIJŀ

˛ ˛ ˛ ˛ ˛ ˛ ˛ ˛

“That’s when I began reading everything I could about eating clean,” she said.

St. Andre paraphrased the following from the book “Practical Paleo” by Diane Sansfilippo.

“Paleo is short for Paleolithic, but the paleo way of eating is more complex than just eating like our ancestors,” St. Andre said.

“Modern-day

food

is

very

different

from what they ate, so we have to adapt our eating habits and foods to what is available today. Basically, paleo has been defined

as:

eating

whole

foods

that

provide

optimal,

nutrient-dense

fuel

for

your

body

and

avoiding

processed,

refined,

nutrientpoor factory foods. This means avoiding grains,

legumes

(beans),

refined

sugar,

and

pasteurized dairy products.”

“Absence

of

pain

and

inflammation

—

that

was

the

major

benefit

for

me,”

St.

Andre said. “I also found myself to have more energy during the day along with sleeping through the night.”

St. Andre was able to distinguished the difference between a paleo diet and clean eating.

“The basic difference between paleo and clean eating is paleo is absent of any dairy,

clean eating includes pastured dairy — grass fed, organic, soy/corn free if you can find

it,”

she

said.

In addition to having a paleo diet, St. Andre also said she uses LIMU, which is a super food that has enabled her to get off thyroid medication as well as helped with hormone therapy.

Many see the paleo diet or clean eating as something that is self explanatory and fairly easy to follow. However, St. Andre said eating out has been a challenge for her.

“I limit that to very special occasions and then I choose baked or broiled foods with veggies,” she said. “Fajitas are my go to for out to eat, although there is a lot of sodium. I try to stay away from any grains and have learned to incorporate almond flour

and

coconut

flour

into

my

recipes.”

St. Andre said the owner of Briarhill Farms, Lorrie Faber, makes a paleo bread and because of her she can enjoy sandwiches again. In addition to shying away from grains, St. Andre has also forgone eating all sweeteners except raw honey and occasionally stevia.

She has also started seeking out organic, farm-raised

produce

and

fruit,

looking

for

trends

non

GMO

foods

and

reading

and

re-reading

all

food

labels.

“I try to buy local when I can and to provide healthy alternatives for my family that are tasty as well,” she said. “That’s not to say that I don’t revert back to unhealthy eating from time to time though. I still love the idea of a big juicy hamburger and onion rings, followed up by a shake.

And when I give into temptations, my body pays the price. But, I just get right back on track.”

The Natchitoches native is in her 50s and has lived in Ruston for decades. She said she has learned a few important things “The most important thing I have learned is that whether you choose paleo or eating clean, you have to listen to your body,” St. Andre said. “Everyone is different, so what I do won’t necessarily work for someone else. It really helps to have a support system so you can share successes, frustrations and recipes.”

Living Well r 0İłļįIJŀ

trends

For

31-year-old

Lance

Wright

the

weight

loss

and

healthy

lifestyle

journey

began

five

or

six years ago.

“I played football for Grambling, and my playing weight was about 300 or 315 pounds,” he said. “I hadn’t played football in years, when I decided I didn’t want to be unhealthy anymore. I was in Jacksonville and a friend was telling me about the success he had on the South Beach Diet. At that point eating better wasn’t really in my vocabulary.”

Playing football for Grambling State University

between

2000

and

2004,

Wright

said the whole team would go out to Peking on Thursday nights.

“Those workers would see us coming and they just knew it was about to get bad,” he said.

“We

would

clean

out

the

whole,

entire

buffet.”

Wright

said

in

2009

he

started

trying

to

eat

better and lost between 60 and 70 pounds.

“But I gained it all back over the next two years,” he said. “That was when I realized I had a problem and wondered how I was going to change.”

Wright

said

through

the

South

Beach

Diet he learned what to do but he didn’t understand how food impacted his body.

“Then I found an alternative — the Thin and Healthy program at Anytime Fitness,” he said.

Living Well r 0İłļįIJŀ

“It teaches you why you need to eat carbs and why your body needs protein. This really is a journey and it has been a very exciting time.

I’m learning what to eat and what not to eat.

I used to eat until I just couldn’t eat anymore.

But I know not to do that now.”

The basis of the Thin and Healthy program is clean eating, where participants eat foods in their most natural state, and make healthier choices when necessary.

Wright

said

he

started

going

to

the

g ym

during a trial membership.

“While

I

was

doing

the

trial

membership,

I got to thinking that I might really need to do this,” he said. “So I signed up, because on top of a free membership promotion they had going on they also had the Thin and Healthy. It really caught my eye.”

Wright

started

working

out

at

Anytime

Fitness in May 2013.

“Since May I have lost 56 pounds,” he said.

“I feel 75 percent better now than I ever have, I’m

fitting

into

clothes

I

never

thought

I

would

fit

into

again.

I

have

lost

10

percent

of

my

body

weight. The whole clean eating, healthy journey has been life changing. I feel like who I need to be

is

finally

coming

back

to

life.”

Wright

said

when

he

began

the

Thin

and

Healthy

program

he

set

a

goal

to

lose

90

pounds

in

nine

months.

By

the

four-month

mark

he

had

lost

45

pounds

and

by

five

months

he had lost 55 pounds.

But

just

as

in

all

things,

Wright

said

he

is

human.

“You have to keep track of everything that you do,” he said. “Everything doesn’t depend on just a diet, you also have to work out and be conscious of the amount of food you eat. Food is very critical and you have to be disciplined.”

To

be

successful,

Wright

said

a

person

has

to

focus

on

the

long-term

goals

instead

of

the

short-term

goals.

Wright

and

Kelli,

his

wife,

have

two

children

—

3-year-old

Eden

and

2-month-old

Alexander.

“I want to be able to play with them and not be

tired,”

he

said.

“Kelli

really

helps

me

stay

on

track. She is just naturally more disciplined that I am.”

Wright

works

at

GSU

in

collegiate

ministry

through the Baptist Christian Ministry.

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trends

THE

SOME PARENTS TAKE VACCINATION SCHEDULE INTO THEIR OWN HANDS ome parents don’t think twice before carting their

children

to

the

doctor’s

office

for

each

suggested vaccination. However, it is becoming increasingly common for parents to delay or even forego the preventative jabs in the arm.

Despite

official

agencies

and

research

studies

saying that vaccines are safe, many parents worry about alleged connections between vaccines and issues such as autism spectrum disorder, sudden infant death syndrome, attention deficit

hypersensitivity

disorder

and

gastrointestinal

disorders.

Officially,

Louisiana

Statute

17:170

requires

that

students

entering

any

school

in

the

state

for

the

first

time

must

provide

proof of immunization records.

The

official

state

policy is that students must be vaccinated to attend school.

However, there is also a provision that says “no person seeking to enter any school or facility enumerated in Subsection

A

of

this

Section

shall

be

required

to

comply with the provisions of this Section

if

the

student

or his parents or guardian submits either a written statement from a physician stating

Living Well r 0İłļįIJŀ

that the procedure is contraindicated for medical reasons, or a written dissent from the student or his parent or guardian is presented.”

Of course, the law also says if there is an outbreak of a disease that is typically vaccinated against, children who have not received their vaccines may not be allowed to attend school until either the disease incubation period is over or the person presents evidence of the proper immunization.

Some

parents

feel

very

strongly

that

it

should

not

be

mandatory

for

children

to

receive

vaccinations.

Savannah

Dwairi, who is a strong anti-vaccination advocate, wishes she had known more when her children were younger.

“I was beating down the line to be sure my son had his vaccinations,” Dwairi said. “I was a new mom and thought that

this

meant

I

was

protecting

him.

I

had

my

second

son

11

months later, and did the same thing. I wanted nothing less than

to

assure

they

would

be

healthy.

That

was

in

2003-04.”

Dwairi’s eldest son had a delayed vaccine schedule because he was often sick as a result of being premature. Babies are not allowed to get their shots unless they are healthy at the time.

When

he

was

finally

able

to

be

vaccinated,

it

was

a

traumatic experience.

“They

couldn’t

find

his

veins

and

struggled,

they

stuck

him

in

his

arms,

his

foot

and

then

finally

after

restraining

my

3-4

month

old

with

his

arms

behind

his

back

in

a

pillow

case

they stuck him in his head,” Dwairi said. “I was traumatized and

afraid

…

Later

he

was

in

the

hospital

for

six

days,

and

the

final

day,

I

had

scheduled

an

appointment

with

a

woman

I call an angel. He had (a respiratory virus) and she didn’t even believe he was just released from the hospital, she called to

confirm,

after

she

threatened

to

call

authorities

on

me,

because he was in such bad shape.”

The family was sent directly to the NICU, where Dwairi’s son stayed for nearly a month. He is now a healthy 9 year old.

Unfortunately, his younger brother was not so lucky.

“My youngest son was born early too, and he was the

trends “Please take the option of cutest little thing ever,” Dwairi an alternate schedule if you said. “He seemed healthy at absolutely want to vaccinate,” first,

he

got

all

his

shots

on

Dwairi pleaded with parents. time, but soon we were back “Do not give such a small and forth to the hospital, which human, whose organs are still turned us away a few times and According to historyofvaccines.org, a project developing, all the vaccines said

that

he

was

fine.

…

He

of the College of Physicians of Philadelphia, the and the fatal metals in them — was put on so many different modern anti-vaccine debate began in 1998 with a give them a chance. The child formulas because he started study

published

by

British

doctor

Andrew

Wakefield,

doesn’t even have a say so to throwing everything up.” who released a study suggesting that there was whether they want or need it.”

Dwairi saw a local doctor, a connection between the Mumps, Measles and Local

mother

Nikki

who told her that her son just Rubella

vaccine

and

both

autism

and

inflammatory

Scheuermann

believes

in

had gas and a slight fever. bowel

disease.

Wakefield

alleged

that

the

vaccine

vaccines, but she believes in “He said it was no big deal, wasn’t properly tested before being released. taking things a little slower than to just give him Tylenol and doctors typically recommend. infant gas medicines,” Dwairi It was later ruled by the General Medical Council, “Both of my children are said. “I did but he was still an independent regulator for doctors in the United fully

vaccinated,”

Scheuermann

hurting and crying, so I took Kingdom,

that

Wakefield

had

a

“fatal

conflict

of

said. “We did slow vax. I did a him to the emergency room interest,” because he was being paid by a law board lot of research in peer-reviewed again. They looked at me as to

find

evidence

to

support

a

case

by

parents

who

scientific

articles,

talked

to

our

if I was just exaggerating. believed their children were harmed by the vaccine. family doctor and discussed it On

Nov.

21,

2004,

I

woke

up

with my dad, who has a Ph.D. and felt fear, because I felt Wakefield

was

banned

from

practicing

medicine

in

in zoology/biology.” rested. I didn’t wake up after the

UK.

In

2011,

information

revealed

that

Wakefield

the

last

time

I

fed

him

at

3

Scheuermann

suggests

that

had committed fraud by falsifying data hoping to a.m. I turned around and his parents become as informed gain

fi nancial

p rofit.

M any

r esearch

s tudies

h ave

t ried

hand was out of his crib, blue. as possible before they to

emulate

Wakefield’s

results

to

no

avail,

proving

no

Overwhelmed, I jumped up. consider getting their children connection between autism and MMR vaccines.

My son was dead. It was my vaccinated. first

time

ever

seeing

a

dead

Also in the late 1990s, debate began about “I think each parent should body and it was my son, I whether thimerosal, a preservative used in a vaccines make their own decisions about called on my neighbor to help, that contains mercury, caused such side effects as vaccinations,”

Scheuermann

and he tried but my little boy autism,

a ttention

d eficit

h ypersensitivity

d isorder

a nd

said. “It’s a very personal choice was gone.” and each family should decide speech or language delays. Recent reports reject the Dwairi’s son’s death was what is right for them. While idea that thimerosal causes autism. ruled as sudden infant death we did decide to slow-vax, According to the Centers for Disease Control, a syndrome, however, she both of our children were believes vaccines were to perpetuating myth also implies that DTaP vaccines fully vaxed by the time they blame. cause sudden infant death syndrome. Some people entered Kindergarten. They got one vaccination at a time “I have since then read believe this because a moderate proportion of instead

of

the

three

to

five

about and met many mothers children who die of SIDS have recently been standard vaccinations at one who have had similar things vaccinated with DTaP. The CDC says that SIDS appointment. This meant we happen, and we all started out typically occurs during the age range when the three took a lot more trips to the with the same confusion,” shots of DTaP are given, meaning that statistically doctor, but it didn’t slam their Dwairi said. “I have not the two will appear linked. little

immune

systems

with

five

stopped looking and will not. vaccinations at once.”

But after so much digging, I According to the historyofvaccines.org, the believe the vaccines were to modern debate is really nothing new. Since vaccines Scheuermann

thoroughly

blame, but there is no way first

came

about,

people

have

had

philosophical,

believes in slowing down the for me to prove it. … I will vaccination schedule, but she political and spiritual oppositions to the preventative never forget, and will always is not a proponent of not measures. keep searching but mother’s vaccinating children. intuition says the vaccines were “While I think it’s their to blame.” decision, I also think it puts Dwairi said that parents should their children, and children with have the right and freedom to make their compromised immune systems, at a much own choice about vaccines, but it is a choice greater

risk,”

Scheuermann

said.

“The

recent

they should make with the proper information at outbreak of measles in Texas is due to parents who hand. got their sick kids near seniors and infants.”

“The problem is we are not told of the dangers of Brandi Doucet, a local mother and doula, is another proponent vaccinations,” Dwairi said. “The mercury and aluminum alone of slowed vaccination schedules and making informed decisions that are in vaccines are poisonous and have been linked to sudden about

vaccination.

Her

first

child

received

his

Hepatitis

B

vaccine

death and autism. It is not a surprise that autism is now such an in

the

hospital

where

he

was

born

against

her

consent.

Since

then,

epidemic. This was not the case before.” he

has

developed

a

neurological

disorder

called

Sensory

Processing

Disorder. He has, at this time, only received his DTaP shot. His Dwairi said she advises parents to do their own research and little sister, who is generally healthy, has not yet had any vaccines. become

informed

before

they

head

to

the

doctor’s

office.

BIRTH OF A CONTROVERSY

Living Well r 0İłļįIJŀ

trends For parents like me who were able to stay home with their children or have family taking care of them and not in daycare ... this is not an issue.

“Other reasons include the ingredients contained in vaccines and the mode of introduction of the vaccine. Most diseases are introduced into the body through the respiratory or digestive systems. The antibodies

produced

to

fight

off

the

disease

work best when they originate from these systems. Directly injecting up to 8 different viruses

into

the

bloodstream

of

a

2,

4,

6

and 8 month old with an underdeveloped immune system and limited blood/brain barrier does not make good sense to me. When the body is attacked it forms antibodies to fight

off

the

attack.

If

the body is attacked by several different viruses at once (which would never happen Nikki Scheuermann naturally) and it becomes Local Mother overloaded there is the potential for the immune system to go into overdrive and start attacking everything rotavirus (stomach bug) because they are not given after a certain age (usually a year). ... which is where we see autoimmune The

schedule

for

the

first

year

of

life

—

in

issues arising in children that were once unheard of. With the lack of the blood/ my opinion and that of many others — is brain barrier the virus and ingredients in too many too soon.” the vaccine can travel to the brain and Doucet actually researched vaccines extensively as part of a group thesis project potentially cause neurological issues.”

Doucet said she worries that proper when she was earning her Masters in Public controls and safety may not be being Health from the University of Northern utilized

and

that

profits

are

clouding

Colorado. agencies that are supposed to protect “There are several things that stuck children. with me and ultimately convinced me to “Lastly,

I

just

don’t

have

faith

in

the

delay vaccines with my future children (this pharmaceutical industry to put health and was

nearly

five

years

before

I

had

my

first

safety

above

profits,”

Doucet

said.

“Until

child),” Doucet said. “First was the lack of there are independent studies conducted research conducted on the long and short by researchers not associated with the term effects of multiple doses of vaccines given

to

infants

in

the

first

two

years

before

CDC,

NIH,

HHS

or

that

have

ties

to

the

the blood/brain barriers is fully developed. pharmaceutical industry, I will continue to be

skeptical

of

vaccine

efficacy

and

safety.

Back

in

my

day

(40

years

ago)

we

didn’t

Although

many

people

believe

there

is

usually

get

our

first

shots

until

around

a

substantial evidence that proves vaccines year old, and then we were only vaccinated are safe, in reality there are not. Most of against

four

to

five

diseases.

Backing

up

the vaccine safety studies are done as an the

schedule

to

giving

them

all

in

the

first

individual dose and not in conjunction year and adding things to it like Rotavirus with other vaccines. Each vaccine may be and Chicken Pox were based on economic harmless to an infant in a single dose but 2, reasons ... not necessarily health. The 4,

6

and

8

month

old

get

upwards

of

eight

increase of single parent and two income different vaccines at a time with no longfamilies has caused an issue for some who or short-term safety studies conducted. cannot afford to stay home with a sick If there is a reaction there is no way to child or children for one to three weeks tell

which

one

is

causing

it.

Some

of

the

with chicken pox, measles or even a three vaccine side effects (high fever, cerebral day bout of diarrhea. They run the risk of seizures, developmental regression, high losing income and potentially their jobs.

Which, Doucet said, turned out to be a good thing because they recently found out she has a dairy and egg allergy, which are both included in some vaccines.

“If we had not delayed and vaccinated on schedule she could have suffered from severe vaccine reactions and possibly been harmed,” Doucet said. “We will continue to delay with her until she is older. By delaying until at least age 2 — when the blood/ brain barrier is nearly fully developed and

able

to

better

filter

out

toxins

to

the

brain — you are decreasing the number of vaccines given to your child for things like

“I think each parent should make their own decisions about vaccinations. “It’s a very personal choice and each family should decide what is right for them.

Living Well r 0İłļįIJŀ

pitched screaming and arching of the back) may be normal vaccine reactions but they are

most

defiantly

not

normal

for

an

infant

to experience. It’s impossible for an infant to tell a parent where they are hurting whereas a 2-5 year old can report what and how they are feeling in response to the vaccine.

“It seems to me that we are trading in normal, childhood diseases (with rare long term side effects) that offer life-long immunity for chronic illnesses possibly caused by over vaccinating and a whole host of other environmental hazards. Our access

to

quality

health

care,

clean

water

and sanitation are what sets us apart from underdeveloped nations where certain diseases are still a public health issue. My problem with the billion dollar vaccine programs aimed at these populations is that they are not addressing the source of the problem (unclean water, poor sanitation and lack of health care). I believe that if the money used on vaccines were instead used to provide a healthy environment for people to live in then the rate of disease would dramatically decrease.”

Doucet said she encourages parents to do as much research as they can on both sides of the issue before they administer vaccines, and to recognize that they do have the right to refuse to vaccinate their children.

“The

‘No

Shots,

No

School’

initiative that is promoted is simply not true in the state of Louisiana,”

Doucet

said.

“It’s

sad that the state thinks it’s OK to basically lie to parents and not tell them that they do indeed have the option to delay/decline vaccines and still attend daycare and public school. This leaves parents in the dark and unable to make true and informed medical decisions concerning their child(ren). It also places

trends children in danger of severe vaccine reactions if parents try to “catch up” and give too many doses at once. We did get a notice last year when my son was in his first

few

weeks

of

kindergarten

stating

that he could not return to school until we had scheduled his vaccines. I politely sent a reply email saying that we would again submit our vaccine exemption form to the office

to

keep

on

file.

I

brought

my

son

to

school the next day and the form to the office.

That

was

the

first

and

only

issue

we

have encountered.”

Mary Cavender, a school nurse with the

Lincoln

Parish

School

Board,

said

that despite the caveat allowing parents to refuse vaccines, she hasn’t seen many children who are not vaccinated.

She

said

the school system recommends that parents strongly consider vaccines, even if they’re hesitant.

“We don’t’ want any more outbreaks of these horrible disease that

have at one time caused a lot of fatalities,” Cavender said.

She

emphasized

that

one

doesn’t

have

to look far back into history to see the devastation that diseases such as meningitis and pneumonia, which are preventable with a vaccine, have caused.

“Vaccines are very good as far as your protection,” Cavender said. “Most fall in the

90

percent

range

in

giving

protection

against disease.”

Cavender said she has heard the arguments against vaccines her entire career.

“Being a nurse, I think the risk of the disease is far worse than the vaccine,” Cavender said. “I’m old enough to remember

polio,

the

disfiguration

and

deaths from polio. That’s one of the vaccines we cover now. Who would want to risk their child to polio? Measles and mumps can cause encephalitis. ...

Who

in

Louisiana

doesn’t want to vaccinate against tetanus? I’ve seen a woman nearly die from tetanus, it’s not a pretty way to go.”

In the end, Cavender

said parents have to weigh the risks and consider whether they are more comfortable with the risk of vaccine side effects or the potential of contracting deadly disease.

“It’s always a risk, but I think in general vaccines have been so thoroughly tested before they market,” Cavender said. “The CDC takes years before they offer a vaccine.”

— By Elizabeth DeGrie

RUSTON • WEST MONROE

Providing seniors HOPE for a better tomorrow.

1401 Ezell Street Ruston, LA 71270

Let our professional staff assist you today: Ruston 318.255.8085 or 251.5311 WMonroe 318.503.0801 or 329.2174 Living Well r 0İłļįIJŀ

Nursing and Rehabilitation Center “Loving Excellence in Senior Care” • State of the art facility • 120 bed, Medicare, Medicaid & VA certified • Semi-private rooms & suites • Private rooms • 20-bed Dementia Unit • Large activity room • In-facility beauty shop • Large chapel • Pharmacy services

• All rooms have private bathroom • Caring licensed nurses & certified nursing assistants staffed around the clock • Company owned Rehabilitation Services - Physical, Speech & Occupational Therapy • Now offering outpatient therapy services

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Prescription Shoppe Pharmacy 104 West Line Avenue ~ Ruston, LA 71270 (318) 255-7363 Josh Miller, Pharm D Owner / Pharmacist

Customer Service is the Heart of Our Business There are benefits in using a local, independently owned pharmacy.

We place a strong emphasis on getting to know our customers and their healthcare needs. It’s this personal, courteous service that keeps our customers coming back!

Our Pharmacy Provides Competitive Pricing Convenient Drive-Up Window Personal Consultation Prescription Delivery Wide Range of Over-the-Counter Medications After-hours message service for prescription orders Medicare / Medicaid Accepted All Insurance Plans Welcome Now Accepting Health Savings Cards At Prescription Shoppe Pharmacy, we also offer a variety of Durable Medical Supplies such as diabetic supplies, canes, walkers, nebulizers, blood pressure machines, adult diapers, CPAP supplies, etc. If we don’t have what you need in stock we can order it and usually have most supplies the next day.

Come on in and expect service with a smile from a hometown pharmacy you can trust!

Living Well r 0İłļįIJŀ

wellness

Staying on track during the holidays

Experts give advice to avoid winter weight gain

I

t’s the most wonderful time of the year for food lovers. Halloween is in October. Thanksgiving is in November. Christmas is in December.

Those three months lend themselves to overeating and bringing on high calorie snacks.

Eating

right

at

any

time

of

the

year

is

difficult

to

do, especially if there are some good, home-cooked treats at home during the holidays. Though it may be difficult,

it

can

be

done

with

the

help

of

tips

from

a

few experts in health and nutrition.

Susan Hughes, professional in residence and director of the undergraduate nutrition and dietetics SUSAN HUGHES program at Louisiana Tech University, and Dr. Janice Louisiana Tech University Nutrition and Dietetics Director Ford, of Northern Louisiana Medical Center, gave a few tips for keeping weight off and maintaining one’s health during the holiday season.

At any time of year, there are some basic rules that one needs to follow if they want to ward off extra pounds.

“The cardinal rules for good nutrition are variety, balance and moderation,” Hughes said. “While these seem

so

basic

and

simple,

they

are

sometimes

difficult

to achieve.”

With all the holiday foods that are going to become increasingly available as the months wear on, staying on target with either losing weight or maintaining weight can be a daunting task. The cardinal rule, variety, is not as

difficult

as

moderation.

Hughes gave a few tips to staying on target with weight during the holiday season: •

Plan

ahead •

Drink

a

large

glass

of

water •

Do

not

stand

near

the

buffet •

Avoid

heaping

plates •

Choose

healthy

options •

Select

only

a

couple

of

favorite

high

calorie

foods •

Avoid

drinking

calories

The cardinal rules for good nutrition are variety, balance and moderation.

44 Living Well r 0İłļįIJŀ

wellness Ford said the holiday foods that are available during this time of year can be tempting, but she has a few strategies to help residents eat healthy, lose weight or just maintain the weight.

Eat regularly “Holidays are busy, which can disrupt our healthy eating plan,” Ford said. “Grabbing meals on the run while shopping only encourages you to eat unhealthy or more than usual.

“If you must skip a meal or eat at an abnormal time, keep healthy snacks nearby.”

Get sleep “A lack of sleep contributes to weight gain and stress. Aim for at least seven hours of shut eye in order to keep your stress and hormone levels in check,” Ford said.

Prep yourself before the party “Don’t skip a meal or arrive at a party hungry,” Ford said. “Always eat a light, healthy snack, preferably with high

fiber,

before

leaving

your

house.”

Remain active “Regular physical activity is even more important during the holiday season,” Ford said.

Ford added that it takes an extra 500 calories each day to gain a pound, so if residents want to indulge during the holidays, they must increase their physical activity.

“It’s

difficult

to

avoid

overeating

during the holidays,” Ford said. “If you do slip up, don’t be too hard on yourself. By taking a few precautions, you can enjoy the holidays without overdoing it and gaining extra pounds.”

— By Victoria Axton

Meet Lucy.

Part wellness coach, part nutritional counselor, part cheerleader, Lucy Douglas is known for her warm, personal demeanor and commitment to extraordinary results and client satisfaction. Establishing a personal relationship that allows her to understand her patient’s concerns and desires is a key part of her success.

Lucy’s educational background includes receiving her BA and MA in English from Louisiana Tech University, BSN from Northwestern State University, and MSN and Post-Master’s

Certification

as

a

family

Nurse

Practitioner

form

Grambling

State

University. Lucy is also a diabetes educator and is passionate about wellness and prevention of disease. “If you recognize you’re a mess and don’t know where to start, this is the place,” she says of New Beginnings Wellness Center and Spa.

1809 Northpointe Lane, Ste 202 - Ruston, LA 318-255-1155 | Like us on Facebook!

Monday-Thursday 8-5 | Friday 8-3 Memberships available for individuals and families.

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Living Well r 0İłļįIJŀ 45

LINCOLN EVENTS CALENDAR MUSIC AMERICAN WEST EXPERIENCE — BOBBY BRIDGER AND JOHN INMON PRESENT “LAKOTA” — A distant relative of premiere 19th-century American mountain man, Jim Bridger, Bobby Bridger began work on his epic trilogy A Ballad of the West over four decades ago.

Since 1974 Bridger has traveled the globe performing this historical epic as a one-man show to audiences in America, Canada, Europe, Australia and Russia.

7 p.m. Oct. 24; Dixie Center for the Arts; $20 or one season ticket; Box office 255-1450 GRASSFIRE — Blues and bluegrass music to be performed acoustically.

7 p.m. Nov. 16; Dixie Center for the Arts; $20 or one season ticket; Box office 255-1450 RUSS-TOWN BAND’S “A CHRISTMAS GATHERING” — This annual concert will help everyone get into the holiday spirit with holiday tunes and inspire the spirit of giving with a charitable drive.

7:30 - 8:45 p.m. Dec. 13; Dixie Center for the Arts; Free; Box office 255-1450

46 Living Well r 0İłļįIJŀ

THEATER ‘DOUBT’ — In 2005, Doubt as awarded both the Tony Award for Best Play and the Pulitzer Prize for Drama. Set at St. Nicholas Church School in 1960s Bronx, N.Y. Doubt tells the story of Sister Aloysius, a nun who suspects St. Nicholas’s priest of misconduct in his meetings with Donald Muller, the school’s first African American student.

Can Sister Aloysius discover the truth and eliminate the doubt in her own life?

7:30 p.m. Oct. 23-26 and Oct. 30-Nov. 2; Stone Theatre Louisiana Tech University; $20 adults, $15 youth and senior citizen, $10 group, $7 students; Tech Box Office 257-3942 from 1:30 p.m.-4:30 p.m.

‘HOW I LEARNED TO DRIVE’ — The story follows the strained relationship between Li’l Bit and her Uncle Peck,

from her adolescence through her teenage years into college and beyond. Using the metaphor of driving and the issues of pedophilia, incest and misogyny, the play explores the ideas of control and manipulation.

7 p.m. Nov. 12-15 and 9 p.m. Nov. 15, July 18-20 and 2 p.m. July 14 and 21; Floyd L. Sandle Theatre; $3 students, $5 general admission; Box ofďŹ ce 274-2787 â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;CHRISTMAS BELLESâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Set in Fayro, Texas, Christmas Belles centers on the three Futrelle sisters â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Frankie, Twink and Honey Rae â&#x20AC;&#x201D; and an annual church Christmas program that spins hilariously out of control.

7 p.m. Dec. 5-7 and 2 p.m. Dec. 8; Dixie Center for the Arts; $12 for adults, $6 for students; Box ofďŹ ce 255-1450

FINE ARTS ART & ARCHITECTURE PROFESSORS EMERITUS EXHIBITION â&#x20AC;&#x201D;Art and architecture professors emeritus will present their work during an exhibition.

6 - 8 p.m. Oct. 25 - Nov. 15 Rawle Enterprise Center; Free; Hannah Bustamante at 257-5281 HOLIDAY ARTS TOUR â&#x20AC;&#x201D; CREATE! â&#x20AC;&#x201D; The 2013 Holiday Arts Tour showcases artwork and handmade goods at various locations in Downtown Ruston. The tour begins Thursday night with viewings of the participating artistsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; work and open house sales downtown. This yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s tour will incorporate more children-friendly setups.

Various times Nov. 21 - 24; Downtown Ruston; Free; North Central Louisiana Arts Council at 255-1450 PATRICK MILLER & TODD MAGGIO EXHIBITION â&#x20AC;&#x201D;An interactive show incorporating multiple principles of art and design as well as technology.

6 p.m. - 8 p.m. Dec. 13 - Jan. 17; Rawle Enterprise Center; Free; Hannah Bustamante at 257-5281

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For Quality You have a choice when it comes to caring for your health. Make it a smart one, and choose the area hospital that was named one of the nation’s top performers on key quality measures two years in a row.

We’re proud to be recognized by The Joint Commission, the leading accreditor of healthcare organizations in the nation, for our achievements in quality… but we’re even more proud to be chosen by you. Minden Medical Center understands what matters most to patients and their families – safe and effective care. We are committed to providing the highest quality care possible, along with the expertise and leading edge technology that you expect at larger hospitals, all conveniently close to home.

Whatever your healthcare need, choose Minden Medical Center. www.mindenmedicalcenter.com

48 Living Well r 0İłļįIJŀ