The Jambalaya News - 05/02/13, Vol. 5, No. 3

VOL. 5, NO. 3 / MAY 2, 2013

Photo: Romero & Romero Photography

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Volume 5 • Issue 3

GENERAL 715 Kirby St., Lake Charles, LA 70601 Phone: 337-436-7800 Fax: 337-990-0262 www.thejambalayanews.com PUBLISHER Phil de Albuquerque publisher@thejambalayanews.com

NEWS EXECUTIVE EDITOR Lauren de Albuquerque lauren@thejambalayanews.com

CONTRIBUTORS Nicole Shuff Arabie Rhonda Babin Leslie Berman George Cline Angie Kay Dilmore Monica Hebert Mike Louviere Mike McHugh Mary Louise Ruehr Brandon Shoumaker Karla Tullos ADVERTISING sales@thejambalayanews.com

SALES ASSOCIATES Michele Clack Faye Drake Allen Garber Monica Hebert GRAPHICS ART/PRODUCTION DIRECTOR Burn Rourk ART ASSISTANT Sarah Bercier CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER Danley Romero BUSINESS OFFICE MANAGER Kay Andrews 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, published by The Jambalaya News, LLC, 715 Kirby Street, Lake Charles Louisiana 70601. Phone (337) 436-7800. Whilst every effort was made to ensure the information in this magazine was correct at the time of going to press, the publishers cannot accept legal responsibility for any errors or omissions, nor can they accept responsibility of the standing of advertisers nor by the editorial contributions. The Jambalaya News cannot be held responsible for the return of unsolicited manuscripts, photographs or illustrations, even if they are sent to us accompanied by a selfaddressed envelope. The views expressed do not necessarily reflect those of the publisher.

Copyright 2013 The Jambalaya News all rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without prior written permission is prohibited.

contents COVER STORY 19 OBG-1 of West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital

On Cover: OBG-1 of West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital: Allison Hansen, Dr. Ben Darby, and Dr. Scott Bergstedt

May 2, 2013 • Volume 5 • Issue 3

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REGULARS 6 The Boiling Pot 7 Hospital Round-Up 8 The Dang Yankee 9 Tips from Tip 12 Soul Matters 12 Adoption Corner 24 Sports Report

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FEATURES 5 Barilleaux Shadows Chuck Kleckley 10 Bilbo Cemetery 16 The Brimstone Historical Society 32 Contraband Days 2013 Schedule ENTERTAINMENT 26 Red Hot Books 28 HeART of SWLA 30 Funbolaya 31 Family Night at the Movies 35 Society Spice 38 Jambalaya Jam 40 Local Jam 42 Eclectic Company

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26 We accept credit cards!

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A Note From Phil A Tribute to Sammy About five years ago, my phone rang. A woman had heard that we were rescuing animals and she needed help. She had two very big black and white cats that she claimed were tearing up her couch and she couldn’t keep them any longer. She said they were around seven years old and fixed. I got a good feeling about them so I told her to bring them over.

Their names were Sammy and Oskar.

She was right. They were big cats.

Too big. I brought them to the vet where they were given a clean bill of health and immediately put on diets.

We kept them in the house to get acquainted with us and the other cats and it wasn’t long before we fell in love with them. Our plan was to bring them to PetSmart and adopt them out, but by the time they had slimmed down, they’d become part of the family.

When we finally let them experience the outdoors (and oh, how they loved the outdoors!), they separated on their own. Sammy decided to hang out at Lauren’s office (next door) and Oskar decided to hang out at our home. They found new

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friends, and had a wonderful time.

We nicknamed them “Sammy from Miami” and “Oskie from Petoskey.”

Sammy became known as the “Jambalaya Cat.” He was always the “meeter and greeter” when anyone came to the door. He made our interns feel comfortable and even helped them out on their computers.

We have many parties at our “Monkey Bar” at the office. Friends would come over and always save a bar stool for their pal Sammy. If we would forget to let him in, he would give a little meow and someone would hustle over to open the door.

He would run in and the party was ready to start.

If someone had to spend a late night working, Sammy was there to keep them company. No one was ever alone at The Jambalaya News office.

Some nights, I would be there late doing paperwork. Sammy would jump on my desk and sit on whatever I was working on. I would have to stop what I was doing and pet him.

Then he’d roll over and lay on his back and hold my hand with his paws as I rubbed his belly. He would look at me with those beautiful green eyes. It’s almost like he knew I was

exhausted and I could almost hear him say “Don’t worry, Dad. I love you.” He’d give me little kisses on my hand and make me forget about any stress I was under.

Last Monday, I walked up on the porch and saw Sammy as I always did, but something wasn’t right. I could just feel it. He let out a strange sound I had never heard before. I opened the door, yelled for Lauren to call Downtown Animal Hospital and took off with my buddy.

I barely remember driving as I flew down the street. “Don’t worry, Sammy. I love you,” I said to him, but I could see he was in terrible pain.

They were waiting for me at the vet’s office. “Second room on the right!” they shouted as I ran down the hall.

Doctor Jamie quickly looked at him.

“Operating room!” she said to someone as she picked him up. They whisked him away. Minutes later he was gone. I was in shock. Lauren arrived at the office a few minutes later and I had to tell her we’d lost our boy. It seems his lungs were filled

with fluid and his heart gave out.

Some weird, unexplainable thing.

That night, his brother Oskar came to the Jam office—something he never does. He ran and leaped and meowed outside and then came to us on the porch, flicking his tail in excitement and rubbing against us. It was almost as if he was saying goodbye to Sammy.

When all is quiet and I look up at the stars, I see a special one put there by my boy. I see his pretty green eyes staring down at me, saying “Don’t worry, Dad. I love you.”

I love you too, Sammy. I’ll see you again when it’s time.

–Phil de Albuquerque TJN

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By Lisa Yates Jody Barrilleaux, a community relations specialist for Hixson Funeral Homes from Sulphur, got what she said was “the opportunity of a lifetime.”

She shadowed La. House Speaker Chuck Kleckley on the first day of the Louisiana Legislative Session on April 8.

She said it all happened as a result of a karaoke singing contest.

“I was invited to sing in a karaoke contest – a fundraiser for the Children’s Museum,” she said. “They had a silent auction and I won two of the items. The first was to have lunch with the mayor and the second was to shadow Speaker of the House Chuck Kleckley.”

She admitted to having very little understanding of politics, but she thought it was important to embrace life and explore new opportunities.

Barrilleaux said she won the opportunity back in October; however, when she called Kleckley’s office to schedule her visit, he asked her if she would like to come for the first day of the regular session on April 8, when there would be more to see.

“I thought it was really nice

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of him,” she said. “He didn’t even know me, but he was thinking of how he could make the experience more special. I really appreciated that.”

During her day at the state capitol, she had a one-on-one meeting with Kleckley where he thanked her for supporting the Children’s Museum.

“The Children’s Museum is very important to Southwest Louisiana,” he said, adding the museum was also important to him.

Kleckley, R-Lake Charles, said he wanted her to see some special things which were happening during the day.

“At noon today, two new members will be sworn in,” he said. “Then at 1 p.m., we’ll have a joint session with the House and Senate where the governor will give his State of the State Address.”

Kleckley said the chamber would be full that day as many important issues would be discussed.

“It should be an interesting session,” he said. “The governor will be pushing his tax reform. Education and the budget will also be a big part of this session.”

Jody Barrilleaux meets with La. House Speaker Chuck Kleckley in his office at the state capitol. She shadowed Kleckley, R-Lake Charles, on the first day of the Louisiana Legislative Session on April 8.

During their meeting, Kleckley presented Barrilleaux and her guest with bronze paperweights and posed for photographs. He told Barrilleaux and her guest they would be sitting in special seats reserved for them – right next to his wife, Laurie.

Barrilleaux said this was a special treat and one of the highlights of her day.

“I was just overwhelmed at seeing the ‘real-ness’ of who she is – and who he is, though her eyes,” she said. “Mrs. Kleckley was a wonderful, gracious host. She went above and beyond taking care of us.”

She attended a tea as a special guest of Mrs. Kleckley’s

and got to tour the inside of one of the apartments where some of the legislators live when they are working in Baton Rouge.

Overall, Barrilleaux found the experience to be very informative as she got to be at the capitol during a busy time for the legislators.

“I have a better understanding of how our system works,” she said. “I have no more fears about our government. Seeing their heads bowing down in prayer as the pastor spoke I could feel they were all working for a common goal: the betterment of Louisiana.”

Courtesy of “Gonzales Weekly Citizen” TJN

MAY 2, 2013

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Please submit press releases to lauren@thejambalayanews.com

CSE FEDERAL CREDIT UNION RECEIVES AWARDS CSE Federal Credit Union was honored with two prestigious Diamond Awards from the most respected competition for excellence in marketing and business development in the credit union industry. Presented by the Credit Union National Association (CUNA) Marketing & Business Development Council, these awards recognized CSE FCU’s outstanding marketing achievements on a national level. CSE FCU won awards in the Youth Marketing and Miscellaneous cat- Director of Marketing Colleen Desselle egory for their “Tune Into Teen (left) and Marketing Communications Checking,” and “FOMO: Forward Specialist Emily Porche’ (right) Moving” campaigns. For more informawith Diamond Awards. tion regarding CSE Federal Credit Union, please visit www.csefcu.org or one of our locations in Lake Charles or Sulphur.

SWLA TO HEAD ARTS ADVOCACY EFFORTS FOR STATE Erica McCreedy, executive director for the Arts Council of SWLA, was recently appointed as the chair for Arts Advocacy 2013-2015 for the Louisiana Citizens for the Arts board of directors. LCA is a statewide organization coordinating legislative advocacy efforts for the arts Erica McCreedy in Louisiana and its board is represented by arts councils and arts advocates from all regions of the state. The chair for Arts Advocacy develops the state’s efforts in advocating for arts funding and strategizes LCA’s legislative advocacy work year-round.

For information on LCA, visit www.louisianacitizensforthearts.org.

AHA AWARDS L’AUBERGE LC FOURTH CONSECUTIVE FIT-FRIENDLY DESIGNATION L’Auberge Casino Resort Kristie Evans, L’Auberge Health Educator; Keith Lake Charles, a Pinnacle W. Henson, L’Auberge Senior VP & General Entertainment Inc., property, Manager; Matthew Welsh, Regional Director of was recognized as a “Fitthe SWLA American Heart Association Friendly Worksite” for the fourth year by the SWLA American Heart Association. This prestigious designation recognizes employers who provide successful worksite wellness programs and continuously encourage healthy-living practices. As part of its commitment to providing a healthy workplace, L’Auberge Lake Charles offers healthy cooking demonstrations, exercise and weight management classes, as well as education on heart health, good nutrition, and a variety of disease management seminars. For more information, visit www.heart.org.

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CAMERON LNG DONATES TO FAMILY AND YOUTH Sempra Energy’s Cameron LNG family donated $2,500 to The Leadership Center of Family and Youth. The Leadership Center for Youth, a program of Family & Youth, provides guidance, leadership development, career exploration and civic engagement opportunities to facilitate the youth’s success and involvement in the community. Cameron LNG’s donation will enable Family & Youth to continue working with the leaders of tomorrow.

CAPITAL ONE APPONTS NEW PRESIDENT Capital One Bank announced today the appointment of Fil Bordelon as Lake Charles Area President. He is responsible for the design, development and implementation of an integrated community strategy for Capital One Bank in the Lake Charles area. Bordelon will continue to serve in his functional role as Business Banker specializing in agricultural banking in Southwest Louisiana. Bordelon has 14 years of banking experience, all with Capital One Fil Bordelon Bank in SWLA. A native of Cottonport, La., he received a bachelor’s degree in agriculture from LSU. Active in the local community, Bordelon serves on the boards of Boys Village and the Louisiana Rice PAC. He is a past recipient of the Louisiana Farm Bureau “Y F & R” Farmer of the Year award and the Goodyear Conservation Farmer of the Year award.

MANUEL JOINS HIGHLAND/PRIEN CEMETERIES AND HIXON FUNERAL HOMES Clevric "Ric" Manuel has joined the leadership team as general sales manager for Highland and Prien Cemeteries and Hixson Funeral Homes. Manuel comes most recently from AdLink, LLC, which he was instrumental in the growth of many regional businesses. He has over a decade of experience as a regional sales manager Ric Manuel and account executive for Fortune 500 companies, where he was awarded the 1999 Account Executive of the Year. He is a 2012 graduate of The Chamber of Commerce's Leadership Southwest program. He attended LSU in Baton Rouge and University of Louisiana in Lafayette where he majored in business communications.

AXIALL CORP. DONATES TO McNEESE Axiall Corp. has donated $5,000 to McNeese State University through the McNeese Foundation to be divided between the colleges of business and engineering and engineering technology. TJN

From left: Dr. Musa Essayyad, dean of the college of business; Dr. Nikos Kiritsis, dean of the college of engineering and engineering technology; Jon Manns, Axiall plant manager and Patricia Prebula, VP of the McNeese Foundation board of directors.

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BARIATRIC SEMINAR AT WCH MAY 15 Women & Children's Hospital will host a free bariatric seminar Wed., May 15, at 6 p.m. in the First Floor Classroom of the hospital, located at 4200 Nelson Rd. Board-certified general surgeon, Keith Chung, MD, will discuss the three surgical weight loss procedures offered at WCH (a designated Bariatric Surgery Center of Excellence) and will help you find out if weight loss surgery is right for you. Call 475-4760 to reserve your place. Feel free to bring a support person with you.

CHRISTUS HOLDS RIBBON CUTTING AND BLESSING CHRISTUS St. Patrick Medical Group held a grand opening, ribbon cutting and blessing ceremony recently at the new medical office building located at 401 Dr. Michael DeBakey Drive. The new medical office building currently includes the Family Medical Center (478-2650), the Hematology and Oncology Clinic (491-7598), The Rheumatology Clinic (430-3035) and Rehabilitation Services (430-3270). The facility is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

DYNAMIC DIMENSIONS LAUNCHES WATERinMOTION PROGRAM Dynamic Dimensions of West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital recently debuted WATERinMOTION, a new aquatics group fitness program. The program provides a low-impact, high-energy workout for participants of all ages, skill, and fitness levels. A cardiovascular workout, the program provides the same benefits offered by land-based routines, but relieves pressure from the spine and joints – a real benefit for many populations. Dynamic Dimensions of WCCH has been serving the area for over 15 years and has locations in both Moss Bluff and Sulphur. For more information, call a membership coordinator in Sulphur at (337) 527-5459 or in Moss Bluff at (337) 855-7708.

FOUNDATION FOR FAIRPLAY DONATES TO SINGER HIGH SCHOOL The Foundation for Fairplay recently donated $902.81 in athletic equipment to Singer High School. The money went towards the purchase of two sets of catchers’ gear and 10 batting helmets for the baseball team. The softball team also received nine batting helmets. F3 was established by The Foundation at Lake Charles Memorial Hospital in order to provide a more level playing field in the areas of preventable injury needs. The fund assists schools in acquiring equipment such as quality football helmets, training room equipment needed for the rehabilitation of sports-related injuries and creating safe physical fitness surroundings. To learn more about F3 or to make a donation call (337) 4943226 or visit www.lcmh.com/f3.

MEMORIAL HOSPITAL HONORS STUDENTS OF THE ARTS The Foundation at Lake Charles Memorial Hospital recently honored local seniors for their accomplishments in the six art disciplines. The recognition took place at The Daffodil Tea event at the Lake Charles Country Club. A panel of experts in the fields of dance, theater, creative writing, instrumental music, vocal music and visual arts chose one student from each of the six disciplines to represent all of the talented seniors in their particular field of expertise. The six students chosen were Celeste Morris for creative writing, Kennari Rachal for visual arts, Sarah King, Emmie Lancon and Wesley Guidry for vocal music, Katelyn Chargois for dance, Candace Miller for theatre and Margaret Lie for instrumental music. Each student received a $500 scholarship, while those in the vocal trio were awarded $200 each. TJN

TURNER INDUSTRIES SPONSORS DRAGON BOAT RACE Turner Industries, LLC is the corporate sponsor of the 2013 Dragon Boat Race. This new event benefits the Children’s Miracle Network program at CHRISTUS St. Patrick Hospital and was held recently at the Lake Charles seawall.

Gregory P. Thibodeaux and Mary Ellen Montgomery of Turner Industries, Inc., present a $5,000 check to CHRISTUS St. Patrick Foundation representatives Kay C. Barnett and Chuck O’Connor.

HEALTHY WOMAN EVENT AT WCH MAY 11 Women & Children's Hospital will host their next Healthy Woman event: “Heels, Hats and Horses Derby Party” on Sat., May 11, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Lake Charles Country Club located at 3350 Country Club Drive. The event will feature author and cooking expert Liz Edmunds; aka The Food Nanny.

Women are encouraged to put on their best hat and heels and enjoy a fun ladies day out. Tickets are $20 ticket, per person and table sponsorships are available for $200. Purchase your tickets at www.women-childrens.com/healthywoman or call 475-4064.

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Dang Yankee The

By Mike McHugh

The Seventeen-Year Itch

Yankee Land is bracing for another invasion this summer.

This time, it’s not the French, the British, General Lee, or even the Beatles. No, this one is much worse. They’ll be coming by the millions, seemingly from out of nowhere. Not a single hamlet will escape the onslaught, the sight of their alien figures striking terror among the local populace.

No, I’m not referring to the snowbirds returning from Florida for the season. This invasion is

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much wider in scope, affecting more than just the cafeterias and bingo halls. There is only one horde capable of causing such widespread disruption to the Yankees’ way of life, and that is the periodical cicada.

Every 17 years, these creatures emerge from the earth and take to the trees to engage in their reproductive ritual. The air resounds with the clamor of their mating calls. Imagine it, if you will, being subjected all summer long to the

incessant droning of a legion of six-legged lounge lizards. It’s reported that in North Philadelphia, you can’t even hear the sounds of the gunfire over it.

The uprising lasts for several weeks, after which, their life purpose having been fulfilled, the cicadas expire. The landscape then becomes littered with their spent bodies. And while people struggle to clean up the resulting mess, the birds that inhabit Yankee Land’s Wal-Mart parking lots rejoice in the added variety to their typical diet of discarded French fries.

I was still living up there during the cicadas’ last emergence, and I remember how annoying it all seemed at the time. But now that I’m here in Louisiana, I’ve formed a much different perspective. The cicadas are nothing compared to the pestilences that we have to deal with on a yearly basis. For example, I would gladly trade them for our twice-yearly love bug swarms. Let them buy their windshield washer fluid by the 55-gallon drum, I say. See how they like having their radiator grills look like they’ve been used to filter industrial waste.

Meanwhile, I’m sure that folks here would put the cicadas to creative use. Fishermen would rejoice at the bounty of free bait; duck hunters would have new objects for target practice; still others may be apt to put on a pot of rice. On top of that, a cicada would make a much better high school mascot than a love bug, if for no other reason than the way it sounds. (“Here come the Fighting Cicadas!”) It’s enough to strike fear in the hearts of oppos-

ing schools on the football field.

But the “Love Bugs”? That name could only sound threatening in the context of synchronized flower arranging competition.

Folks here would have no problem dealing with the cacophony of the insects’ mating ritual. I admit that it might be a bit confusing at first. For some, their first reaction to hearing such noise coming out of a tree may be to throw a string of beads at it.

Still others might start jumping up and down thinking LSU had just scored a touchdown. But I’m sure people will eventually get used to it.

When you get right down to it, cicadas aren’t much of a pest at all, at least not in Louisiana terms. They don’t bite humans, and they’re no threat to pets or vegetation or the paint job on your pickup. All they do is make a bunch of noise all over town.

They are the Barney Fifes of the insect world. What’s more, they only come around once every 17 years, putting them well below in-laws visiting from out of town on the pestilence scale. Here in Louisiana, we have gravel that causes more problems.

So, cheer up, old friends in Yankee Land. You have no cause to complain. Take consolation in the fact in that you only have to tolerate a raucous orgy involving millions of intrusive creatures only once every 17 years.

Floridians have to deal with it each and every year when Spring Break rolls around.

Can’t get enough of “The Dang Yankee”? You can catch more of Mike’s wit at thedangyankee.com. TJN

Volume 5 • Issue 3

which at that time was considered the fabulously wealthy.

Today, we have the top 10 percent of the wealthiest Americans paying over 70 percent of federal tax revenue and there are those that are determined to increase the amount that is owed even though that upper income group is paying more in taxes than any time in the last three decades. It is just hard to find a politician that doesn’t covet more of your money.

LESS FOR MORE There is no end to the ways that can be used to give us less for more.

Budweiser, Anheuser-Busch’s flagship beer, is coming out with a pinched can designed to resemble their “Bow Tie” emblem. However, the can has been reduced to 11.3 ounces from the normal 12-ounce size. It won’t replace the standard can, but it’s a trendy, eyecatching container their marketing gurus put forth as supposedly appealing to young adults. It is also “easy to grip,” another great feature that is mentioned in its promotion. Give me a break. With the multiple combinations of different numbers of containers and various sizes, it is no wonder that the prices can be continuously raised without much notice.

WORK ZONE SAFETY There is currently a needed push to alert drivers to the dangers of “Work Zones” on our highways. It is certainly important to protect these workers while they are making our future driving experiences better.

There are more than 1,000 fatalities and 40,000-plus injuries in work zones each year. Part of the problem is the placement of the work zone signs for miles of highway where no work activity is actually going on. If the signs could be posted in areas where actual work is occurring, drivers would be much more cautious. This would benefit the workers as well as the flow of traffic. They need protection and drivers need to heed the warnings, which should be highly visible where they are really needed.

NOTHING TO CELEBRATE Normally when something passes the century mark, it’s a time for celebration. This year marks the 100th anniversary of the Federal Income Tax, so we just might want to hold back a little on any festivities.

When it was first enacted in 1913, the rate was merely 7 percent and the tax was levied on those that made an annual income of over $500,000, Volume 5 • Issue 3

STEEL MAGNOLIAS WEEKEND For ladies who enjoy traveling, the Natchitoches Historic Downtown Business Association is sponsoring a “Girls Getaway--Steel Magnolias Style” the weekend of June 7-9. There will be some very discounted accommodations and shopping and many other activities, such as a Friday evening viewing of the movie with heavy hors d’oeuvres, a Sunday brunch and some optional add-on events.

Registration is $15 prior to June 1, $25 thereafter. Could be a nice opportunity for you and your friends to get out of town and enjoy something a little different. For more information, go to natchitocheshdba.com or call (318) 652-7078.

SUPERMARKET ROUNDUP I was out of pocket for the last issue for the shopping survey but we are back on track. This time, we are going to the frozen food section to price some popular items. I also mention that stores carry different sizes of the same brand product, which makes giving an honest comparison difficult.

We will report only identical items unless otherwise noted. The prices listed here are the posted prices on the shelf where the product was placed for sale on Wednesday, April 24. The stores in the survey were: Albertsons, Ryan Street; Market Basket, Nelson Road; Kroger, McNeese Street and Walmart, Nelson Road.

Minute Maid Frozen Orange Juice, Original, 12-ounce container: Albertsons. $2; Market Basket, $2.39; Kroger, $2.29; Walmart, $1.83.

Blue Bell Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream, ½ gallon tub: Albertsons, $6.99; Market Basket, $5; Kroger, $4.99; Walmart, $6.28.

Green Giant Niblets Frozen Corn, 6count package: Albertsons, $3.19; Market Basket, $2.59; Kroger (only carried 4-count or 12-count package), Walmart, $2.28.

Ore-Ida Frozen Golden Crinkle Fries, 32-ounce bag: Albertsons, $3; Market Basket, $2.97; Kroger, $2.96; Walmart, $3.08.

TJN

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Cemetery from south gate

by Mike Louviere If you enter Lake Charles for 1830 when the federal governthe first time, taking the exit off ment felt they needed to protect I-10 at the foot of the bridge, you settlers from border warfare folwill likely take the curve onto lowing the Louisiana Purchase.

Lakeshore Drive and never notice The area was the subject of disone of the most historical sites in pute between the U.S. and Spanish the area. You may only see a grove governments. of trees, but nesThere was tled in that grove also the problem is the Bilbo of pirates moving Cemetery, probacontraband into bly the oldest the area. The cemetery in Lake winding river Charles. and its chain of The Bilbos lakes made for a were some of the safe and swift earliest settlers of passage inland Informational marker the Lake Area. for the illicit trafinside south gate Thomas Bilbo fic of the pirates left Mississippi and settled near and other trespassers. the site of the cemetery in 1832.

The fortification was only He moved his family into an aban- manned for two years. Named doned log building that had forafter Henry Atkinson, he commerly been the mess hall of a mili- manded forces in the Black Hawk tary post that has been called War, which pitted the U.S. Army Cantonment Atkinson, Camp against the Sauk and Fox Indians Atkinson, and Fort Atkinson at in the Midwest. various times.

That corner of the lake had also The post was established in been an Attakapa settlement. The

Attakapas had occupied most of the eastern banks of the lake, but as settlers moved in, the Attakapa moved inland.

Bilbo had a Spanish Land Grant, which gave him the area that spans Division Street to the Calcasieu River and from Hodges Street west to the lake. The old military base was in the area and the sturdy log mess hall was a suitable place for Bilbo to establish his home. He was able to convert the large building into a 15-room residence for his family.

One of his endeavors was to plant a grove of orange trees. It had a high yield of as much as 10,000 oranges a year until a strong freeze in 1884 retarded growth and production.

The Cemetery In 1840, Margaret Bilbo, the youngest of the Bilbo children, died at the age of eight. Her burial was the first in what would become Bilbo Cemetery. Sadly, the location of Margaret Bilbo’s grave is unknown. The second grave was that of John, the oldest son. The third was that of Thomas in 1846 and his wife, Ann Lawrence Bilbo in 1871. Thomas had served as an early alderman of the City of Lake Charles.

Over the years, other families would use the cemetery. One of the Bilbo daughters married John Jacob Ryan, who would Boy and girl statue near John Jacob Ryan's grave after a heavy rain become known as

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“The Father of Lake Charles.” He died December 17, 1899. His grave was for a time unmarked, but today, there is a tombstone atop the brick vault holding Ryan’s remains. At the foot of his grave is a bronze military grave marker with the name of Ryan’s son Isaac, who was named for his uncle Isaac who died at the Alamo in Texas. The younger Isaac served in the Confederate Army. His inscription reads “Killed in Action.”

Other families who have relatives buried in Bilbo Cemetery include the Cagle, Hicks, Hodges, Lowery, Molden, Pujo, Stoddard, and Williams families, but most of these graves are unmarked.

The last burial in the cemetery may have been in 1958--the most recent marked grave.

It is estimated that about 200 people are buried here. Some of the graves were unmarked. There are outlines of markers on many of the brick and concrete vaults, but they are gone, possibly destroyed by vandals or the ravages of time. Today, there are only about 20 marked graves.

There is no official “owner” of the cemetery, but it is maintained by volunteers. Most of the time, it appears neat and well kept. But the land is sinking, especially in the southwest corner, which is closest to the lake and floods often from heavy rains.

In the center of the cemetery is a 16-foot bronze statue of Christ with his arms outstretched atop an eight-foot pedestal of green Labrador granite. Known as “The Millennium Christ,” its name is officially “Jesus Christ Our

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Citizen of the Centuries.� At its feet are small statues of a boy and a girl holding a dove. Sculpted by Sulphur native Janie Stine LaCroix, a descendant of John Jacob Ryan, it is believed to be the largest bronze statue of Christ in the country.

A brick walkway leads to the statue from the south gate of the cemetery. Bronze markers along the walkway give a brief history of the cemetery and list persons who made contributions to the statue project.

Msgr. Irving A. DeBlanc, who served

Millennium Christ Statue

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Most recent marked grave in cemetery as Pastor of Our Lady Queen of Heaven Parish in Lake Charles for 32 years, was the driving force for the statue, a non-denominational project to honor the bimillennium of Christ. ThenGovernor Mike Foster and Lieutenant Governor Kathleen Blanco conducted the dedication of the statue.

Streets in the area of the cemetery are one way. Drive east along the I-10 frontage road.

There is a small parking area as you enter the curve. As you pass the cemetery, there is a larger parking area on the south side, and the south gate is always open.

Respectful visitors to the cemetery are welcome. Remember, it is a sacred, historic place. TJN

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by Nicole Shuff Arabie

Their Love Never Leaves Losing a child is one of the most difficult losses that we can ever experience. This type of loss breaks all the rules in our lives, placing us in a profound state of grief. I feel very blessed when I am able to help a parent make a connection to a child that has passed.

I had a very touching connection with a woman named Bobbi.

I was resting in bed looking at Facebook at the end of the day, when I read a post on Bobbi’s page, sharing her experience about losing

her baby at 37 weeks. As I read her heartfelt words, I experienced something that I can hardly explain. It was the purest form of love I have ever felt in my life. Here is our conversation: Nicole: Bobbi, I have a message for you.

“Mama, I love you! I fly with the butterflies. Look for me and you will see me smiling back at you. I will wipe your tears from your face.

Please don't cry...instead, I want you to smile back at me, Mama, as I fly

Meet Frost!

From what we can see, Frost appears to be a purebred Tonkinese. He has all of the markings and size noted in the "cat book." Around 18 months old, this boy is not only gorgeous; he is a lover boy as well. Although shy at first, he warms up quickly. His original family had older children, so he has not been tested with younger children. He would be a great addition to the home of an older or single person. This handsome man is an "inside -only" guy, who is just waiting for a new home of his own. He is HIV-negative, neutered, has had all of his shots, and is ready to go! For more information or to arrange a meeting with Frost, call (337) 478-7294 or e mail us at lawpaw@bellsouth.net.

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MAY 2, 2013

LAPAW need of additional foster homes so that more pets can be saved. We provide crates, food and bedding and you supply the love, understanding and some TLC. You will be rewarded with lots of tail wags, puppy dog eyes, purring kittens and so much more. LAPAW is a non-profit group run by volunteers who foster all animals in our homes until they find loving homes. If you would like to make a donation, go to www.lapaw.org. TJN

by. I will always be near, never too far. Just close your eyes and say, “I need to see my butterfly.” I will come to you, Mama. I'm your little butterfly. Give Daddy a kiss on the cheek for me!”

With all my love, Your little butterfly Tears are running down my face.

She is a beautiful little angel. She will always be with all of you. That voice you heard was real. I hear it all of the time.

Sending you all my love, Nicole XOXO Bobbi: Nicole, I have always thought you were such a beautiful person with a beautiful soul. I'm definitely crying with you. That was a beautiful poem. Thank you for that! God is so good and I pray to walk further with Him in my life. We are so blessed to have you as a friend. Love you always!!

XO Nicole: She was such a beautiful feeling...I've never felt that before. I'm still feeling her. I'm still crying.

Sometimes I don't know when it's going to happen. I read your letter and that's when it began.

Love you both very much!

Bobbi: Oh my goodness, Nicole.

I just realized that wasn't a poem. It was from my baby. I'm crying even harder now. I can barely see the screen. Words can't express how I feel right now. That is such a beautiful gift. Please tell her I love her if you can and tell her I'll be sleeping with Audrey bear tonight. I'm sure she knows that already though.

XXOO Nicole: I'm sorry I didn't make it clearer to you that it was a message from her to you. She can hear you.

She is with you.

Bobbi: I slept with more peace last night than I have in a while.

Nicole: I feel blessed that God chose me to give you the gift he did.

Her love touched me beyond words.

Being able to feel those kinds of emotions from Spirit is one of my rewards for doing this work. Love is concrete, and with it, all things are possible. We can never really com-

prehend the power of love, or how things happen.

The gift of communicating with our loved ones that have passed is different than communicating with someone here. Sometimes, I hear a voice. Other times, I receive an image of someone or something that flashes before my eyes. I also feel what they are feeling.

It's taken time and a lot of patience, but the more it happens, the better I understand it. When I'm communicating with Spirit, their messages will consist of information that will come through to me in several ways.

Clairaudience means “clear hearing” in French. I'm hearing with my inner ear, which is similar to what you “hear” when you’re thinking.

Clairvoyance means "clear seeing." Spirit actually shows me images-almost like looking at a photo album. I like to describe it as seeing with my "spiritual eyes."

Clairsentience means "clear feeling." These messages come through as feelings--the feeling of a spirit's personality, their sadness, happiness, love, gender, age, even how they passed. It’s always their choice on how they communicate with me.

Here on earth, we just dial a phone number or text when we need to connect with someone. But our loved ones in heaven have no problem finding me when they want to chat. Since I first shared my story in The Jambalaya News, word about my abilities has started to spread outside of a previous small circle of friends. I now receive calls and messages from people wanting to connect with their loved ones. I want to help as many people as I can.

To book a session or other services with Nicole Shuff Arabie, call (337) 540-6573 and leave a message indicating several dates/times that work for you. You will hear back by phone with available dates and times. You can also go to her Facebook page at www.facebook.com/#!/Decluttering YourSoul. Both in-person readings or phone/skype readings are available. TJN Volume 5 • Issue 3

Volume 5 • Issue 3

MAY 2, 2013

PAGE 13

By Maria Alcantara Faul Shannon Cox, a local advocate for the underprivileged and exploited, was tragically killed in 2010.

“She was passionate about helping others and truly believed it was her calling to help those who could not help themselves,” said her good friend Ginny Henning. “Shannon had such zest for life and always managed to find something positive in every situation.”

In August 2011, the Friends of Shannon Cox (Ginny Henning, Marti Lundy, Jane Baggett, Lorraine LeBlanc, Jules Maust, Joy Parker, Robert Piper, Noni Shearman, and Pam Tadlock) organized a tennis tournament to honor their dear friend. The event, held at the Lake Charles Racquet Club, was attended by over 100 individuals and raised over $20,000. The following year, the event was held at Graywood Sports Club and also raised over $20,000. Proceeds from both events benefitted The Shannon Cox Counseling Center, a program of Family & Youth.

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MAY 2, 2013

The center provides a wide range of constructive and life-changing services in the form of counseling, consultation and education to benefit individuals and families in Southwest Louisiana.

More important, recognizing a vital need in the community, the Shannon Cox Counseling Center offers grief counseling services for children who have lost a significant person in their lives. The center provides a safe place for them to express their emotions and learn that their feelings are natural.

“The Shannon Cox Counseling Center was an incredible blessing for us,” said Cassondra Guilbeau. “After the death of my husband, this was the only place that offered grief counseling for my daughter and also gave her a peer group. She joined other kids who also lost a parent, so they all really understood what each other was going through. It is such a wonderful asset that my

daughter is returning to the center as a volunteer to help other kids.”

In 2013, the Friends of Shannon Cox, joined by its newest member Tammy Andreas, presents “Derby for Dollars.” The Kentucky Derbythemed event will take place on Saturday, May 4, at the beautiful Stables at Le Bocage located at 4550 S Park Road in Lake Charles from 2-7 p.m.

The event features food from the Lake Area’s finest restaurants such as Harlequin Steaks & Seafood, Mazen’s, La Truffe Sauvage and L’Auberge Casino Resort’s Ember Grille & Wine Bar, just to name a few. Attendees will also be enjoying select wine, craft beer from Southwest Beverage, mint julep courtesy of Harlequin Steaks & Seafood, as well as tea and lemonade from Raising Canes.

The event also features live music courtesy of Andrew

Bateman, televised Derby action, an equestrian jumping exhibition, a live painting by Ronnie Collins, a silent auction and contests for the Best Ladies Derby Hat and Gent’s Best Derby Duds.

“Shannon was a wonderful friend, mother and humanitarian,” said Henning. “I miss her every day, but I have peace in knowing that through The Shannon Cox Counseling Center, her work lives on. She would be very happy that so many children and their families are getting much-needed help and that her name is attached to such a worthy cause. “ Tickets for Derby for Dollars are $75 each and are available at www.fyca.org or by calling (337) 436-9533.

Shannon Cox Counseling Center, 220 Louie Street, Lake Charles, LA (337) 436-9533, www.fyca.org. TJN

Volume 5 • Issue 3

3210 Power Centre Parkway Lake Charles

(337) 990-0112

BASKETBALL CAMPS Lake Charles Ward 3 Recreation Boys basketball camp, June 10-13 at Pryce/Miller Recreation Center. Ages 5-10 years old. Conducted

by MSU men's coaching staff. $25.00, 8am-11am.

Ward 3 Girls basketball camp Date June 24-26 at Power Centre Complex. Ages 5-10 years old. Conducted by MSU women's coaching staff. $25.00, 1pm-3pm.

TENNIS CAMPS Lake Charles Ward 3 Recreation Tennis Camp, June 17-20 at University Park. Ages 8-13. $25.00. 8am-10am.

VOLLEYBALL CAMPS Lake Charles Ward 3 Recreation volleyball camp. Date: June 3 at 11am, and June 5 at 1pm. Location: Enos Derbonne Sports Complex.

Ages 5-14 years old. $25.00.

SOCCER CAMP SOUTH Lake Charles Ward 3 Recreation Soccer Camps. Location at St. John Elementary. Date: July 29-31. Ages 5-10 years old. $25.00. 8am-10am.

SOCCER CAMP NORTH Lake Charles Ward 3 Recreation Soccer Camps. Location at Zion Tabernacle. Date: July 1-3. Ages 5-10 years old. $25.00.

8am-10am.

GOLF SUMMER CAMP Lake Charles Ward 3 Recreation Golf Camp. Location at New Moon Drive-In Range. Date: July 8-10. Ages 5-10 years old. $25.00.

8am-11:30am.

The day camp promotes a close examination of the ships artifacts and how the crew lived, worked and played aboard the ship.

This will be a summer camp that you will not want to miss.

This year’s summer day camps will offer students ages 9-16 a rare glimpse into the life of sailor aboard the 1945 Destroyer.

Summer camp days are limited to 30 participants per day. Registration will begin on June 1st.

Additional information can be found at

www.orleck.org or by calling

(337) 214-SHIP

Volume 5 • Issue 3

THE DAY CAMPS WILL INCLUDE: • Extensive ship tour exclusive only to summer camp participants • Conquer and Destroy training missions • Adventurous Scavenger Hunt • Knot tying taught by Military Veterans • State of the Art Laser Tag experience

SUMMER DAY CAMP Lake Charles Ward 3 Recreation Summer Day camp.

Full day option 7:30am-5:30pm. $70 per wk.

Half-day option 7:30am-12 noon, $50 per wk. June 3-July 27. Ages 5-10. Location at the Enos Derbonne Sports Complex, 7903 Lake St. 337-502-5214.

FREE SKATEBOARD CAMP Beginners: Age(s) 5-8 Intermediate: Age(s) 9-12 Advanced: Age(s) 12-15. Time: 8:00am-noon Location: Power Centre Skate Park June 3-4 **Limited Space**

OTHER CAMPS & EVENTS

FREE Fishing & Casting Camp Located at Riverside Park. Ages 5-16.

8am-noon, June 22

FREE Midnight Basketball Located at the Pryce/Miller Recreational Center on Albert St., June 7-July 26, 8pm to midnight. Ages 8-16.

FREE Big Baby Davis Basketball Camp Located at the Power Centre. August 9.

Time TBA.

FREE Midnight Indoor Soccer Located at the Enos Derbonne Sports Complex on Lake St., June 7-July 26, 8pm-2am. Ages 8-16; 17 and up.

FREE Nate Livings Football Camp Located at the Power Centre. July 13.

Time TBA.

MSU Women’s Team Tourney Located at the Power Center.

June 13-15. Time TBA. MAY 2, 2013

PAGE 15

Remembering the past and giving thought to the future is the essence of what the Brimstone Historical Society does. The two institutions that make up the society are the Brimstone Museum and the Henning Cultural Center and can be found on a campus in the city of Sulphur.

Sulphur’s interesting past involves the mining of brimstone.

One reason the museum opened in 1975 was to allow residents and visitors to learn about the mining of that stone, which is also known as sulfur.

“We are actively working to preserve the history of our town,” says Curator and Executive

Director Thom Trahan. “The story of Sulphur is one of American ingenuity and success amid hardships. We want to present this history to the public since these are values that are important to keep alive.”

There’s a permanent exhibit about the town’s history within the walls of the museum. Special exhibits are held throughout the year and recently included a Native American artifact display, collections and memorabilia from local veterans, and an exhibit that highlighted the Sulphur Police Department.

“Our community got to where it is through drive and determina-

By Rhonda Babin

The Brimstone Museum tion,” Trahan said proudly.

“These essential qualities will be shown through future exhibits, including the history of Maplewood, the local high school’s sports teams, and rodeo in Southwest Louisiana.”

He explained that not only is it important to teach the history of a town; it is equally important to celebrate the rich artistic and cultural diversity in the area. “We celebrate that diversity through the exhibits at the Henning Cultural Center,” he said.

The Cultural Center is housed in a turn-of-the-century home donated by the Henning family of Sulphur. If the museum looks to the past, the center looks towards the future, with a summer arts camp for children and public submission exhibits.

“Our free children’s arts camp saw increased enrollment for this year,” Trahan said. “It’s good to see our community children taking part in the second Saturday sessions in June, July, and August.” Cameron LNG provided the grant money so that children can experience different artistic mediums including ceramics, painting, sculpture, and the per-

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MAY 2, 2013

forming arts.

The current exhibits at the center feature artwork and displays for a wide range of interests and ages. “Age of Dinosaurs” is on display May 9-June 27. The popular “Works of Men” can be viewed from July 4-August 8.

And, the unique, always-popular “Chaos Theory,” will hang October 31-November 21.

In addition to exhibits and art camps, both buildings are used by community groups for meetings. “Just about every festival in Sulphur is held on the grounds of the campus,” Trahan laughed.

Trahan grew up in Sulphur and remembers visiting the museum several times as a child.

A 1998 graduate of Sulphur High, he went on to earn a history degree from Louisiana College in Pineville.

“I didn’t want to be a history teacher and heard that the museum was looking for an assistant,” he said. “I applied and got the job. Several years later, the museum board of directors offered me the position I now hold.”

Creative Director Eric Manuel aids him in fulfilling the Brimstone Historical Society’s Volume 5 • Issue 3

Work in Progress: A permanent Sulphur History exhibit is being developed for the 100th anniversary of the city of Sulphur.

Here are a few preliminary designs of the future displays.

Layout of the upcoming Sulphur History exhibit

mission. “Our organization’s mission is to preserve and enrich the history and culture of Southwest Louisiana,” Manuel said. “I am honored to give artists an opportunity to show their work and to bring fresh and exciting exhibits to the community.”

Born and raised in Lake Charles, Manuel graduated from LaGrange in 1997 and attended McNeese State University where he developed his artistic skills.

Both gentlemen are committed to helping visitors find something of interest on the campus.

“Curious about the history of your town? Let Thom give you a tour and answer questions about the early industrial history of this area,” Manuel said.

Trahan said that if you’re interested in art but don’t know where to begin, Manuel can help. “He can provide tips and a one-on-one session or two where he can use his technical understanding of so many mediums,” he said.

Sulphur resident Tarra Young Satterley enjoyed her experience with the museum.

“I grew up in and around Sulphur and visited the museum as a child,” she said. “As an adult, I moved into a home that I knew had some history involving the mines, so I went to the museum.

The staff helped me learn that my house was actually part of the Volume 5 • Issue 3

bunkhouse were the workers slept.”

“It’s great to have a place in Sulphur where you can learn about your 159-year old house and have your kids create new artwork,” said her husband, Robert.

Plans for the future of the campus include opening a gift shop and adding an administrative building to the Brimstone Museum within the next year. This year will also see the arrival of a building donated by A & B Transport. Its interior will be renovated so that space can be freed up in the gallery for larger displays.

“Our goal is to complete the project by March of 2014 and have a city centennial celebration,” Trahan said. “To do this, we need the community’s help. Whether you would like to volunteer or make a contribution that will be recognized on a permanent display, contact us!”

The Brimstone Museum is located at 900 S. Huntington Street, Sulphur. The Henning Cultural Center is at 923 Ruth Street, Sulphur. Hours are Monday-Friday from 10 a.m.- 5 p.m. The Cultural Center is also open on Saturdays from 10 a.m.- 2 p.m. For a full exhibit and event schedule and a page for upcoming artist opportunities, visit www.brimstonemuseum.org. For more information, call (337) 527-0357. Admission to both venues is free. TJN

Illustrations by Eric Manuel

MAY 2, 2013

PAGE 17

Southwest Louisiana Charter Academy to be at New Location for 2014-15 School Year Board of Trustees Signs Buy-Sell Agreement for Property on East McNeese Street The Board of Trustees of the Southwest Louisiana Charter Academy and Charter Schools USA has signed a buy-sell agreement for property at the corner of E. McNeese St. and South Park Dr. This property will be the location of the new $11.7 million state-of-the-art facility for Southwest Louisiana Charter Academy, to be open in August 2014 for the 2014-15 school year.

This exciting news comes on the heels of the hiring of two of Lake Charles’ renowned educators to be co-principals for the 2013-14 school year. Southwest Louisiana Charter Academy (SWLCA) is assured of moving forward with excellence in education because of the superbly talented team of Lorette Bass and Jacqueline “Jackie” Smith.

The Board of Trustees of SWLCA

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MAY 2, 2013

committed in September 2012 to build a new state-of-the-art facility, and began a diligent search for the best location for the new school. Over the course of the following eight months, several locations were researched and discussed with the Zoning Board of the Calcasieu Parish Police Jury for the optimum site for construction.

The Board believes that the newly acquired property is the ideal location for the new facility that will house the

Southwest Louisiana Charter Academy. With the final site decided and the unmatched leadership team of Smith and Bass as co-principals, the Board will now refocus on the continuing development and strengthening of the academic programs and character development of all students.

Both Lake Charles Charter Academy and Southwest Louisiana Charter Academy are affiliated with Charter Schools USA, a network of 48 charter schools in seven states, including schools in Lake Charles, Shreveport and Baton Rouge. Charter Schools USA offers alternatives to public and private schools in the markets they serve. They have consistently proven their ability to improve scores in every facet of education on required statewide testing. TJN

Volume 5 • Issue 3

by Angie Kay Dilmore During his junior year of medical school at Louisiana State University, Dr. Ben Darby discovered that he loves to deliver babies. And that’s a good thing, because this dedicated physician has been ushering babies into the world for the past 35 years. In 1978, he opened his practice, OBG-1. In 1995, he added partner Dr. Scott Bergstedt to his staff. Five years ago, they brought nurse practitioner and certified midwife Allison Hansen on board.

Recently, this dynamic team joined forces with West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital (WCCH) in order to further meet the healthcare needs of women in Calcasieu Parish and the surrounding area and to upgrade women’s healthcare to the highest possible quality. Their group is now OBG-1 of WCCH. “The hospital is making, and has made, some significant changes in recent years,” said Dr. Darby. “They will soon be renovating and upgrading their labor and delivery unit, creating a more boutique-style atmosphere for added patient comfort during their stay.”

Karen Lambert, WCCH Director of Marketing adds, “We have demonstrated our commitment to our partnership with OBG-1, as well as to the community, through our continued investments in infrastructure and technology. We are very pleased to have these physicians as part of our team.”

The combination of facility renovations and the most up-todate equipment and technology provides patients with the best possible care in a pleasant environment. Dr. Darby compliments not only the facility at WCCH, but the hospital staff, as well.

“We have a solid base of experienced nurses here,” he said.

“There’s a low turnover rate of nurses at WCCH, which allows for more continuity of care.”

The staff at OBG-1 of WCCH recognizes that every woman is unique and each woman’s healthcare needs vary. Whether she’s a teenager blossoming into womanhood, a mother in her childbearing years, or a mature lady navigating menopause, women of all ages can be assured that they will receive experienced care with compassion and personalized attention. To meet the various needs of each patient, Dr. Darby and Dr. Bergstedt have added some unique features and programs into their practice.

Midwifery OBG-1 of WCCH patient Angela Forbes and her family moved to Sulphur in June 2011. Brand new to the area and four months pregnant at the time with her fourth child, she knew no one and had no doctor recommendations. But she knew she wanted to use a midwife to help her deliver her baby. Through a Google search, she found Hansen.

With Hansen on board, OBG-1 of WCCH offers women with low-risk pregnancies the option of having a natural childbirth experience in the presence of a midwife. She is a valuable asset to the practice. With over 20 years of nursing experience, Hansen assists Drs. Darby and Bergstedt in surgeries, sees women for routine office visits, coaches mothers through labor, and delivers babies in uncomplicated pregnancy cases.

Hansen has three children and brings her own personal experience into her midwife practice. During her first delivery, Hansen was induced, was in labor for two days, and ultimately, had a forceps delivery. Her second two deliveries were C-sections. She understands the pain and processes involved in deliveries from both perspectives.

The staff at OBG-1 of WCCH respects their patients and strives to accommodate a woman’s requests regarding her pregVolume 5 • Issue 3

nancy and delivery. Using the services of a midwife and having natural, home-like childbirth is a desirable option for some women, but it’s not a failure if a woman decides she wants an epidural or other pain medication during labor and delivery. “Not everyone wants to have a natural delivery these days,” Hansen explained. “Some want epidurals. Others want to use other pain management methods such as breathing techniques and/or alternate positions/massage.”

Forbes desired to have natural childbirth with no drugs. She had a positive experience with Hansen at the helm and highly recommends her services.

“Allison is wonderful -- so kind, compassionate,” she said.

“She took time with me during my appointments to really listen and get an idea of what I wanted to have happen during my labor. Without her, it would have been a whole lot harder to reach my goal.”

Forbes’ labor progressed uneventfully, but she did have some minor complications with her fluid levels. She praises Hansen for being “on her toes” and ensuring the baby’s safety while also making sure Forbes had the birth experience she envisioned. “She took really great care of me and the baby,” she said.

“Our goal is to ensure a woman has the birth experience she desires as safely as possible,” Dr. Darby emphasized. While midwives traditionally deliver babies in the home, Hansen and the doctors at OBG-1 of WCCH do not assist women in childbirth outside the hospital setting, but try to make the hospital experience as homelike as possible.

Wellness and Weight Loss Sometimes, a gynecologist is the only physician a woman routinely visits. For this reason, the staff at OBG-1 of WCCH understands the importance of caring for a patient’s overall health.

“One of the things we stress in all of our annual examinations is the importance of diet and exercise,” Dr. Darby said. “It’s critical for patients to make the right choices in what they are eating and in getting physical activity.

Probably 90 percent of health problems could be eradicated or minimized by making proper choices in diet and exercise. Unfortunately, we don’t see that. Women are so busy that they don’t have time to take care of themselves. We give them permission. We tell them you must do this. It’s important.”

In order to facilitate this vital aspect of healthcare, Dr. Bergstedt has developed an inoffice wellness and weight loss program.

“For weight loss, diet is first and foremost,” he said, “There are medications. But as a whole, medications are like crutches. They’ll help a patient, but she has to make the other adjustments. The important thing is getting the patient to learn to adapt her lifestyle while the medication is helping her.”

The program also stresses the need for physical activity, adequate sleep, and smoking cessation, if indicated. “We promote all-around wellness, which will ultimately help with weight loss,” Dr.

Dr. Ben Darby

Allison Hansen, Certified Midwife

Dr. Scott Bergstedt MAY 2, 2013

PAGE 19

Bergstedt said.

•Hormone Replacement Therapy for women experiencing menopausal symptoms.

•Gynecological surgery, such as hysterectomy.

•Diagnosis and treatment of sexually transmitted diseases.

•Basic infertility screening and treatment.

Other Services In addition to the services listed above, the staff at OBG-1 of WCCH provides all of the services women expect of their OB/GYN doctors, including:

Advancements Mean Better Care With a combined total of over 50 years experience, Drs. Darby and Bergstedt have witnessed numerous changes in OB/GYN practice and technology over the years. They diligently stay abreast of the latest advancements to provide the best care possible for their patients.

•Yearly routine exams.

•Yearly breast exam. If a woman has breast issues, OBG-1 of WCCH, in conjunction with surgeons from Sulphur Surgical Clinic, places her in WCCH’s Breast Health Navigator Program to ensure she receives proper testing, accurate diagnosis, and proper follow-up.

•Diagnosis of pelvic pain and menstrual disorders.

The latest ultrasound technologies and laparoscopic techniques allow for easier diagnosis and treatment, as well as shorter, less painful recovery times if surgery is required.

•Obstetric care for both normal and high-risk pregnancies.

•Contraception. Includes oral and injectable contraceptives, intrauterine devices (IUDs), tubal ligations, and counseling for natural family planning, if desired.

•Routine pap smears.

•Ultrasound technology When Dr. Darby started his practice in 1978, ultrasound was just coming into clinical use. The first ultrasound machine he ever saw had a large water bag that sat on a woman’s belly. Sound waves traveled through the water and into the uterus to visualize the baby. Now, the procedure is done in the office with a small wand-like probe and gel. Once fuzzy and grainy, images can now be seen clearly and in 3-D or 4-D. •Shorter post-partum and post-operative hospital stays “When I started practicing, it was not unusual for women to stay in the hospital three to four days after delivery, or a week after a hysterectomy or other large surgery,” Dr. Darby said. “Now, women are hospitalized only one to two nights generally.” They encour-

Dr. Ben Darby

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MAY 2, 2013

age new mothers to get up and be appropriately active soon after surgery, shortening their recovery time.

•Advances in the treatment of pelvic disorders A common cause of pelvic pain is endometriosis, which occurs when cells from the lining of the uterus grow outside of that area. Years ago, a typical treatment for endometriosis was a hysterectomy which required a large incision. Medications and laparoscopic treatments are now available as an alternative to hysterectomy; however, if a hysterectomy is required, it can now be done through a small incision..

•Increased survival of premature or highrisk newborns Through advances in treatment for premature infants and neonatal intensive care technology, preterm or highrisk newborns have a much better chance of survival than they did years ago. Dr. Darby Dr. Scott Bergstedt cites the use of

Volume 5 • Issue 3

surfactant, a chemical used in the lungs of premature babies to help them breathe. “They used to be on ventilators for weeks; now it’s often only days,” he said. For critical infants, a neonatologist (infant specialist) is available. “Babies who need intensive care can be stabilized at WCCH and quickly transferred to a neonatal ICU,” Dr. Darby adds.

•Increased rate of high-risk pregnancies Dr. Darby is concerned about this, but also recognizes it as a reality. Part of the reason for more high-risk pregnancies is the increasing age at which women are having children. Some women put off childbirth until a later age, either due to choice or careers. Another concern is an increasing risk of diabetes in pregnancy, acquired either during or before pregnancy. Dr. Darby feels this risk has escalated in our culture due to obesity and a lack of physical activity. These women must be closely monitored during pregnancy by a perinatologist (high-risk pregnancy specialist who will follow a patient along with the obstetrician).

•Hormone Replacement Therapy Due to recent studies linking HRT and heart disease, there has been much controversy over the use of HRTs. The staff at OBG-1 of WCCH gladly works with a woman who is dealing with menopausal symptoms to find a treatment that is both safe and effective for her. Dr. Bergstedt said these issues are specific to each patient.

“There’s a whole variety of treatment modalities available,” he explained. “There are synthetic

Volume 5 • Issue 3

hormones in pills, patches, and injections. Tailor-made biodentical formulas, mimicing the hormones a woman produces naturally, are made by a compounding pharmacist. Herbal over the counter remedies such as black cohosh are also available. We have to be open to what a woman is willing to engage in and offer her all the different options.” Women should have a medical examination before taking HRT, as there are certain potential medical problems and risks involved with it.

Industries in Southwest Louisiana are on the cusp of expansion and increased business.

WCCH recognizes the potential for growth in the Sulphur community and is proactively poised to meet the area’s increasing healthcare needs. The staff at OBG-1 of WCCH is excited to be a part of this revitalization and welcomes new patients.

By focusing all their attention and dedication on OBG-1 of WCCH, Drs. Darby and Bergstedt are committed to providing excellent medical services and meeting the healthcare needs of area women. OBG-1 of WCCH is located at 1200 Stelly Lane in Sulphur. Hours are MondayFriday from 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. To schedule an appointment, call (337) 312-1000.

TJN

3-D Sonogram Imaging

MAY 2, 2013

PAGE 21

West Calcasieu is Growing

By Dianne Dronet, West Calcasieu Chamber of Commerce

West Calcasieu continues to grow! With the opening of small businesses and expansions such as Sasol, Magnolia LNG and Cheniere, it is hard to visualize the impact this will have on our area. This will certainly be a welcome economic boost.

Sulphur The second largest city in the parish soon welcome “Movies in the Square” beginning May 11. Fifteen movies are scheduled from May – December.

Sulphur Parks and Recreation continues to provide the finest facilities in the state for softball, baseball and swimming with state championship tournaments held annually. The West Cal Arena has shown considerable increases in the number of events scheduled at their facility. And the construction of the new event center is progressing well, with an opening date projected for early 2014.

Vinton Vinton is booming with yearly infrastructure projects going out for bid, such as replacing a bridge at Horridge St. as well as major improvements at Vennisat Park, the revamping of a new playground, walking trails, etc. The Port (Vinton Harbor & Terminal) is purchasing additional properties with hopes of adding additional businesses to that area as they anticipate growth as a result of the Sasol project.

Westlake With Sasol’s huge expansion, Westlake’s economic boom is about to be felt.

Repairing the Miller Avenue bridge is a huge undertaking, while the building of new homes on the National Golf Course grounds is well under way, creating a positive benefit for all of Southwest Louisiana. The recreation activities are in full swing for both boys and girls, and the Managan Center continues to be packed with Westlake citizens.

The National Day of Prayer is set for Thursday, May 2. It will be held in Vinton at City Hall beginning at 9 a.m., and at Heritage Square in Sulphur beginning at noon. TJN

5909 Hwy. 14 East Iowa, LA Ph: 337-540-0278 Fax: 337-478-5078 www.stansairboatservice.com/about-hydroseeding

5909 Hwy. 14 East, Iowa, LA 24 Hour Call: 337-802-9147 337-540-0278 www.stansairboatservice.com Stan’s Airboat & Marsh Excavator Service began as a company that provided transportation for clients whose jobs were non-accessible by terrain vehicles.

We have now grown into a full service pipeline right of way reclamation and excavation as well as oil spill recovery, clean-up and disaster recovery service.

We are fully insured, ISNETWORLD approved and have all OSHA and NCCER certifications.

“We can get to most of our commercial clients within 1-2 days,” says Liz Todd, who owns the company with her husband Tommy. “Our business is successful due to our dependable employees. And because our equipment is small as far as marsh excavation is concerned, we are in a niche business.”

Todd says that they have little downtime because they keep a local parts inventory and their operators are trained to fix most of the problems that arise.

“We also own six Mini Marsh excavators, PAGE 22

MAY 2, 2013

so we can replace one quickly if the need arises,” she added.

The Todds were already owners of AnuWorks, Inc. when their good friend who owned the marsh business were ready to sell. With help from local bankers and advisors, they were able to purchase Stan’s.

“We take a lot of pride in being a Louisiana company and a Lake Area company,” Todd said. “Even with the tough economy of the last few years, we have managed to triple our excavator and Airboat fleets and double our sales, which we feel is a testament to our can-do and will-do attitude that is company-wide.”

Todd says they have been blessed to have wonderful mentors—the previous owner as well as local business people whom they look up to.

“Building business relationships and being able to help younger people in their personal growth is a huge reward,” Todd said. TJN

In 2001, Tommy and Liz Todd bought a hydroseeding business that was meant to be a replacement for AnuWorks, Inc.’s backbreaking work of building metal structures and fences.

The metal-building business was too profitable to leave for the next five years, but the hydroseeding side continued to grow as well.

Tommy Todd personally runs the business, and there’s a good chance that he will be spraying your job.

“We specialize in erosion control and carry different grades of mulch to take care of the specific needs of your job,” said Liz Todd. “No job is too big or too small for our crew. We have serviced the State of La. DOTD with sprayed-on Erosion Control Bonded Fiber Matrix as well a vast array of contractors between

Mississippi and Houston.”

In addition, AnuWorks does residential work. “We would also be happy to help you beautify your lawn whether it be with, native common bermuda, centipede or your own choice of grass that you may have researched and wish to experiment with,” Liz said.

Their services can be used in but are not limited to the following applications: • Highway beautification and erosion control • Pipeline Right of Ways • Levee vegetation • Ditch and canal vegetation • Dust control • Embankment vegetation • Construction site vegetation • Lawn beautification Call us and ask about our free estimate! TJN Volume 5 • Issue 3

Philip Tarver, owner of Lake Charles Toyota, purchased Shetler Ford on Beglis Parkway in Sulphur three years ago. Since then, the dealership’s new and pre-owned inventory has tripled--and it has also experienced a triple-digit sales increase since it opened.

Treated Like Family The reason for that kind of success is simple: Tarver Ford treats its customers like family, and word has spread about the dealership’s way of conducting business.

“We take care of our customers like they’ve never been taken care of before in their lives,” says Tarver Ford sales manager Mike Arrington. “Philip Tarver has been in the car sales business for over 25 years and his reputation for customer service has built up over time.”

Maintaining that legendary customer service is the number one goal of Tarver Ford’s experienced management team which includes parts manager Robbie Louviere; service manager Rusty Stroderd; sales managers Mike Arrington and Jared Bertrand; general manager Todd Whittaker and finance director John Howell.

Tarver Ford’s sales staff of 14 goes out of its way to treat customers well during the sale, and Tarver’s family-oriented approach means that customers are not forgotten after they drive their new vehicle off the lot.

“Customers receive FREE oil changes for life,” says Arrington, “as well as Free State inspections.”

Tarver sales reps keep track of their customers long after the sale, making sure things are going well with their vehicles, as well as making sure they remain happy to be part of the Tarver customer family.

“That kind of commitment from the sales staff makes sense because Philip Tarver is committed to his employees,” says Arrington.

Service manager Rusty Stroderd has worked with Tarver for nearly 25 years. ““He’s very family-oriented,” says Stroderd. “He allows you to take time for your family whenever you need to. And he never expects you to do anything he’s not willing to do himself.”

Part of the Community Tarver’s generosity isn’t limited to his customers and his employees. The dealership is also undertaking a

“grass roots movement” to give back to the community according to manager Jared Bertrand.

“As an example, about a year ago, the dealership bought a huge outdoor grill and a trailer to haul it with,” says Bertrand. “We go to a football game for each high school in the area – Barbe, Sam Houston, Sulphur, you name it – at least once throughout the football season. We cook and give away barbecue, crawfish, what have you. It’s our way of being involved in the community – of giving back.”

Certified Pre-Owned Being nice guys to deal with, however, isn’t enough to build a dealership’s reputation on. You have to deliver the goods and Tarver has a huge selection of new and Certified Pre-Owned vehicles to choose from.

“You’ll find it all here,” says Arrington. “Fourwheel drives, SUVs, trucks, small fuel-efficient cars, and more.” The fact that the dealership was selected as a Ford Certified Pre-Owned dealership says a lot, according to Arrington. “There are only a few dealerships selected as Certified Pre-Owned dealers,” he says.

What does Certified Pre-Owned mean for customers? For one thing, each Ford Certified PreOwned vehicle undergoes a rigorous 172-point inspection. “Everything from brakes to windshield wiper blades,” Stroderd says. “Every pre-owned vehicle also undergoes rigorous mechanical inspections as well, and each also comes with our famous 4-month, 4,000-mile limited powertrain warranty.”

And with Ford’s Certified Pre-Owned warranty program, you can drive off in a pre-owned vehicle with complete confidence. Ford offers a 12-month, 12,000-mile Comprehensive Limited Warranty on all Certified Pre-Owned vehicles, as well as a 7-year, 100,000-mile Powertrain Limited Warranty.

Customers also receive a free vehicle report and 24hour assistance.

and to Sulphur.”

“Purchasing the property also means the dealership can expand and renovate,” says Whittaker. “And, plans for a huge expansion are in the very near future. They include adding five new sales offices, which will allow us to significantly increase our sales staff.”

Expanding the lot will make room for an increased inventory and hedges are planned to easily direct traffic into and out of the dealership. “That will make it a little less confusing for customers driving into and out of the dealership,” Arrington explains.

The parts and service department, which already goes the extra mile--even offering four diesel mechanics--will also undergo a huge expansion. “The current canopied entrance will be enclosed to create more office space for the service department and several new service bays will be constructed,” explains parts manager Robbie Louviere.

Tarver Ford is also extending their parts and service hours to include Saturday. “It’s just another way for us to extend superior customer service,” says Louviere.

Tarver Ford offers a huge selection of vehicles,TJN an

On The Grow According to general manager Todd Whittaker, Tarver Ford will be closing soon on the purchase of their current location, meaning that the dealership “is completely committed to this location

Tarver Ford is conveniently located at 930 Beglis Pkwy. in Sulphur.

Volume 5 • Issue 3

MAY 2, 2013

PAGE 23

Ask-A-Sportswriter

Welcome to Ask-ASportswriter, the portion of the program where you, the reader, gets to ask yours truly whatever and your humble sportswriter will answer to the best of his abilities.

Let’s get right to it, shall we?

Q: How will the McNeese

Cowboys do this football season?

A: Well, like most every year, McNeese is one of the best teams in the Southland Conference in terms of pure talent. Also, the Cowboys still have the reputation as one of the teams to beat.

However, it’s going to come down

to, yet again, if they can stay healthy.

If McNeese can keep more starters on the field than on the training table, something they haven’t been able to do the past few years, then I think they’ve got a shot at a conference title.

In addition, something tells me they’ve addressed the inexcusable special teams mistakes that plagued them all of last season.

If I were to speculate, McNeese will start the season 3-2 (losses to South Florida and Northern Iowa on the road) before a huge game at Central Arkansas on Oct. 5.

That game will go a long way toward determining the Cowboys’ fate. One conference loss doesn’t concern me too much, but, with Sam Houston State still left to play, I don’t think McNeese can afford a loss to the Bears.

Final prediction: 9-3, road playoff game in Statesboro, Ga. or Cheney, Wa. Q: What about LSU? A: Assuming LSU has enough players left to field a varsity football team, I would guess they’re going to be pretty good. Good enough to beat Alabama? Not hardly. Good enough to beat Johnny Football again? Doubtful.

Good enough to beat everyone else? Probably.

Final prediction: 10-2, trip to the Bloomin’ Onion, Mate! Bowl.

Q: Are you buying this College Football Playoff name as a replacement for the BCS? A: No. Couldn’t they at least sell the naming rights?

Howzabout the Kentucky Fried Chicken Taco Bell Pizza Hut College Football Playoff™?

Besides, until they expand the

15% Senior Discount All Doctors’ Prescriptions Accepted Experienced Professional Staff • Most Insurance Accepted

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MAY 2, 2013

Volume 5 • Issue 3

“playoffs” to more than just four teams, it’s not the kind of true playoff necessary to decide a legitimate national champion.

Expand it to 16 or 32 teams (or more), and then we’ll talk about “playoffs.”

Q: How about that kid from Auburn who got himself ejected from his own team’s spring game?

A: Dude. What was that guy thinking? While I applaud the hustle and all, it’s probably smart not to completely clean out one of the few weapons your pitiful offense has available. I guess he was too busy listening to his Beats

by Dre headphones when the coaches went over the new rule about hits to the head.

Q: You tell me, are the Houston Astros bad or are the Houston Astros bad?

A: Well, they’re not quite as historically bad as just about everyone predicted. Sure, they’re pretty bad; one of the American League’s worst. But mighty mite Jose Altuve is straight-up raking, Marwin Gonzalez has gotten off to a good start, and they play in the same division as the Seattle Mariners, so that’s positive.

Then again, Houston’s best starter, Lucas Harrell, has an earned run average over 4, its bullpen has given up 45 earned runs in 21 games, and the Astros just finished seven straight games at Boston and the Yankees.

Yeesh. It’s going to be a rough year, but, hey, at least they’re not the Miami Marlins.

Q: Soccer? Why would you want to watch that? In ’Murrrrca, we watch football.

A: Well, I like football, too. But I like soccer because it’s such a simple game (kick the ball into that there net), but it is played with such complexity and artistry.

American football is a brutal, violent sport that requires lots of strength and toughness to be great. You don’t see a lot of little guys on the football field week in and week out. In soccer, you don’t need to be a humongous brute to be great. Lionel Messi, the world’s best soccer player, is 5-foot-5. But soccer requires not only strength and speed, but also a variety of skills, intelligence, guile, and Volume 5 • Issue 3

imagination. So they don’t score a lot. Big deal. Some of the most exciting soccer games I’ve seen have ended in a 0-0 draw.

Q: You said sportswriting was one of the most fun things you do, but I just read where reporter was the worst job in America.

Care to comment?

A: Of course, just as I finish writing a column about how great sportswriting is, the Poynter Institute links to a Careercast.com article listing “newspaper reporter” as the worst job in America.

Here is the link, if you’re so inclined: www.poynter.org/latestnews/mediawire/211353/newspaper-reporter-is-worst-job-in2013-study-says/ But, yeah, according to Careercast.com, being a newspaper reporter is worse than being a lumberjack, an enlisted military person, an actor, or an oil rig worker. I don’t think so. I mean, I’ve heard horror stories about working for Gannett, but is it really worse than having to dodge IEDs in a third-world wasteland?

No. It’s not.

In fact, despite the borderline poverty-level wages, social lifekilling hours, and daily deadline stress compounded by the fact that your publisher is spending every waking moment trying to figure out a way to pink-slip you in order to save enough money to buy himself a new Mercedes, I’d say it’s actually a pretty fun job once you get down to the writing part.

Q: Anybody ever tell you how handsome you are?

A: All the time, man. All the time.

Brandon Shoumaker is a graduate of McNeese State University and has covered sports for more than a decade for various publications.

Brandon Shoumaker Coaches or parents with story tips or comments may contact Brandon at bshoumaker@yahoo.com or send him a message on Twitter (@bshoumaker).

TJN

MAY 2, 2013

PAGE 25

Moms Tell their Own Stories With Mother’s Day coming up, I found three memoirs written by real moms.

Nia Vardalos calls herself an Instant Mom in her memoir about adopting her daughter. You may remember Vardalos as the lead actress in the hilarious movie My Big Fat Greek Wedding, which she

PAGE 26

MAY 2, 2013

wrote, based loosely on her own life.

Coming from a large family, Vardalos was especially anxious to have children, but it just wasn’t happening. She seemed to try everything: acupuncture, fertility drugs, surrogacy -- all failed. She had 13 IVF treatments and many miscarriages. It was agonizing.

Finally, she and her husband looked into adoption -- first infants and then older children.

The moment they met one almost-3-year-old girl, Vardalos thought, “Now I know who I have been waiting for. I know exactly why the other processes didn’t work. I know I was supposed to wait for this little girl.” Heart-melting time.

But even after they got their daughter, there was a period of adjustment as the child tested her new parents and her boundaries. The toddler bit Nia’s finger, stuck a crayon in the dog’s eye, and threw objects at the walls. “We’re keenly aware that our daughter chose us as her parents.

Even if she’s sometimes trying to kill us now,” writes Vardalos.

The author has become an advocate for adoption of children older than infants. This was a revelation to me: “There are 129,000 kids who are legally emancipated and living in foster care, waiting to be matched with parents to adopt them.” There’s even a big bonus: “Adopting via foster care is free. The children’s medical and dental expenses are covered until adulthood.”

Vardalos is delightful. She is candid and very funny, and she speaks directly to the reader as she pretty much bares all, with a bit about Hollywood, a bit about being Greek, and a lot about love.

Laced within her recollections of fertility futility, the likeable Vardalos shares inside show-biz anecdotes about her experiences in comedy and moviemaking. She’s also added a helpful “How-to-Adopt

Appendix.” I recommend this for anyone who’s even thinking about adoption.

Bloom: Finding Beauty in the Unexpected is Kelle Hampton’s memoir of the birth of her daughter, who has Down syndrome. The book, which is packed with color photos, is now available in paperback.

Hampton was excited to be having a second daughter. But “I knew the minute I saw her that she had Down syndrome,” she writes. “I begged every power in the world that this wasn’t happening, that she was normal.”

Totally unprepared, she went through several layers of shock, grief and disappointment. First, she tells us, “I remember feeling ... NOTHING. As if I literally left my body for a bit.” Then, “I just kept envisioning this other baby -- the one I felt had died the moment I realized she wasn’t what I expected.” She writes, “I was falling, sliding, tunneling into a black hole.”

Then along came the people who Volume 5 • Issue 3

would change her attitude: She tells us the baby’s big sister “taught me how to love. She showed me what unconditional love looks like.” Hampton’s own sister arrived and “she excitedly and passionately told me how lucky I was. … that it would be the most special thing in the world.”

Her friends and family helped her chase away “the sadness demons.”

Her doctor told her, “She’s a normal baby. She just has this thing called Down syndrome like some babies have asthma or some kids have other things. She’s a normal, perfect, beautiful baby.”

Hampton wrote on her blog about the birth and her evolution as the mom of a Down syndrome child, and her experience has been an inspiration for countless other parents.

Speaking of inspirations, here’s one that will bring tears to your eyes: Until I Say Good-Bye by Susan SpencerWendel with Bret Witter.

When Spencer-Wendel's muscle weakness was diagnosed as ALS, or Lou Gehrig’s disease, she knew her days were numbered. In what she figured would be her last good year, she wanted to travel. So she did, planning special trips with her best friend, her husband, her sister, and each of her three kids.

She was a journalist, and, forced by her disease to leave the newspaper job she loved, she decided to write “a book not about illness and despair, but a record of my final wonderful year.”

“If you were dying, what would you do?

What would you see?

Who would you spend your last year with?” she asks. She decided to go to the Yukon to see the Northern Lights, to cruise in the Bahamas, to watch her autistic son Volume 5 • Issue 3

swim with dolphins.

In a really heart-breaking moment, she went to a New York City store to watch her 14year-old daughter try on wedding dresses, imagining how the girl would look on the wedding day her mother would not live to see.

SpencerWendel writes, “Your mother is the person who loves you. Who has always loved you. Who is proud of you, even if she keeps those feelings locked away in a drawer.” Nicely said.

One last little gem I found is a gift book that pairs the gorgeous black and white landscape photographer Dorothy Kerper Monnelly with the poems of her mother, the late Dorothy Darling Kerper.

For My Daughters is published by Hudson Hills Press.

Forget that you’ve never heard of this poet; her words are simply lovely: “Let’s hang our souls like prisms in the window.

For yonder in the east a sun is rising.

A sun whose name is called experience.

Your soul is limpid, mine is cut by many lines.

And yours, my little dear is gossamer.

What rainbows we shall have As that long light shines through!”

This beautiful, elegant book would look splendid in any home.

Happy Mother's Day! © 2013 Mary Louise Ruehr

TJN

MAY 2, 2013

PAGE 27

and knew I had to let it go and just make art, and hope I could make it,” she said. It turns out that decision has served her well, for her

by Monica Hebert work is selling. She has representation in Baton Rouge, New Orleans and here in Lake Charles. The Frame House Gallery shows a few pieces, as does the Associates Gallery in Year award was bestowed on Barker last Central School. week in Baton Rouge. Seven artists from She’s surprised around the state were nominated, but two and grateful for her people from Lake Charles nominated our growth as an artist own native daughter. It seems the judges in the past year. were impressed with that.

Barker uses a difOver coffee at Pujo Street Cafe, Barker ferent combination and I chatted about being a full-time proof paint mediums to fessional artist in SWLA and her seemingly achieve her unique overnight success.

"Blue" by Erin Barker presentation of her “Last year, I was working a regular job, subjects, which are

Where’s the Angst?

We’re all familiar with the angst that artists are supposed to suffer: the agony of creating beautiful works of art with little or no remuneration, and little, if any, public appreciation. That tends to be the standard for professional artists.

Not so for Erin Barker and Susan Hebert. These two ladies glow with a vibrancy that reflects the success they are enjoying in their chosen careers.

The prestigious Louisiana Artist of the

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MAY 2, 2013

Volume 5 • Issue 3

mostly animals. She starts with a base of acrylic paints (usually a couple of layers) then sands it down. She then completes the work with several layers of oil paints, sanded and painted several times.

Her work has a thick, sturdy appeal, which serves her animal subjects well.

Just like the depth of her paintings, there is more to Erin than meets the eye. She has that special something--a gift for working with children with unique needs, such as the children at Harbour House, a safe home for area at-risk youth, and with autistic children.

Erin says she has to be creative when teaching art, as supplies can get very expensive very fast. “I am a huge advocate for recycling,” she explained. “I save water bottles, paper towel rolls, yogurt cups, etc. All of my lessons are generally two-thirds recycled goods. I love showing kids just how many things a cardboard box can be.”

She also has a rather creative way of handling a child who is disrupting the class. “I make them sit down and I very sternly draw their portrait,” she said.

“At first, it confuses them, but they eventually calm down and start posing. It's funny, but I think it lets them see that I can see them. And it gives me a chance to talk to them while they quietly watch me draw. It is hard for them to get outside of themselves and understand they are not the only person in the room. This makes them more aware of their being while simultaneously turning them into a work of art.”

Barker enjoys it when her Harbour House students give her the "I can't draw, I'm not an artist" line, then watches their entire demeanor turn light and positive as they create something they didn't know previously. “It's like watching their self esteem actually grow,” she Volume 5 • Issue 3

Engineers are usually linear thinkers, meaning they tend to see the world in straight lines and angles. This shows clearly in her watercolors; so much so that many think of Susan as an illustrator.

I have always wondered how "Song Winred" by Susan Hebert she is able to get perfect straight said. “They can't stop smiling, lines with paint, and now I they sit up straighter, and just know. But long before she look so proud. For that became an engineer/artist, she moment, all that matters is that learned drawing in Sunday they are awesome. They inspire school. “I learned to use figure themselves and ask for more eights to draw chickens,” she paper. This really opens them said. Those basic skills support up and releases any kind of her work that allows her to crestress they may be under.” ate sumptuous, detailed waterWorking with kids with color illustrations of a variety of autism is tough, but it’s also a subjects. blessing to Barker. “Many times Last Christmas, Hebert was communication, as far as congiven the honor of creating note versation, is obsolete,” she said.

“They just don't have the words that I can identify with.

Drawing and painting pictures gives them a way to give you a ‘thousands words’ at once. Art can also be another way for them to learn math, history, English, science. Integrating art in core subjects adds a visual/hands-on component, giving them a way to see and hold an abstract concept like math. Teaching art is a way for me to share the way I see the world, hope, faith, and God.” Susan Hebert is another local artist who has attained success with little struggle. “Each day I pray and ask God to favor my work,” she said. After her prayer, she begins to create, always starting with a sketch. It is the beginning stage where her training as an engineer comes into play.

“I have a degree in chemical engineering from MSU, so I often use my engineering tools to create my sketch,” she said.

Interesting. A chemical engineer turns into a fine artist.

cards for the Duck Dynasty staff and crew for their special use. “When I tried to thank them, they told me, ‘No, you are the blessing to us,’” she said.

In addition to her work for the Duck Dynasty program, Susan has an agreement with MSU to produce work with their logos.

Much of her work can been seen at the Harrington Gallery in Sulphur.

Susan and the Harrington Gallery paired up to offer a percentage of her sales to the Hobo Hotel, a home for stray cats (one of her many passions).

And in Lake Charles, as an "Art for the Soul" artist, her "Feminine Series" is on display at Lake Charles Memorial Hospital.

Thankfully there is no angst for these two successful SWLA artist. There is only the question of “ What’s next?” on their minds, as they continue their journey of exploring life with their art. TJN

MAY 2, 2013

PAGE 29

MOTHER’S DAY! - WORD SEARCH

The Dot Game Players take turns connecting two dots. When you make a square, put your initials in the

. . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . .

box and take another turn. When all dots are connected, the player with the most boxes wins.

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MAY 2, 2013

Volume 5 • Issue 3

42: The True Story of an American Legend (Warner Bros. 2013) Why are baseball movies always family movies? Sure, you can think of exceptions, but they’re few and far between. There must be an unwritten rule about it. For all I know, baseball movies have to have the approval of the Commissioner of Baseball himself.

In any case, from 1880 to 1947 there was another unwritten rule about baseball: No black players were allowed in the major leagues.

As a result, there was a “negro league” available for talented black athletes to compete in. Against themselves.

The movie 42 is about how all that changed. The general manager of the Brooklyn Dodgers, Branch Rickey, decided it was time for baseball to catch up to the rest of the world. Black Americans had fought beside white Americans during World War II. Now it was baseball’s turn. Rickey found one player and started with him. That player was Jackie Robinson.

The movie begins in an office with a gruff voice speaking to a young assistant. I thought for sure I was hearing John Goodman (see Trouble with the Curve) but when the camera swept around, there was Harrison Ford as Rickey, telling his assistant they were going to sign a black player.

And it would be Jackie Robinson.

Part of his reasoning went this way: “He’s a Methodist. I’m a Methodist.

God’s a Methodist.” This was Rickey, and in this movie he’s almost as amazing off the field as Robinson is on it.

What follows is a fairly faithful, perhaps overly reverent homage to a great baseball player and his boss.

Considering that Jackie Robinson (Chadwick Boseman) went through court-martial proceedings for refusing to move to the back of a military bus, you might think that Rickey would have second thoughts. No way. Right from the beginning, we are told that his boss had faith in Jackie in the thickest of controversy. And controversy there was, even with Rickey’s own staff.

Jackie starts on Brooklyn’s minor team, the Montreal Royals.

The white players and even the manager have a long way to go in accepting him. But everything begins working out. Robinson gets married at the beginning of his career and his family is put up with another black family in Daytona Beach, where spring training is going on. He gets a lot of help from a sports journalist named Wendell Smith (Andre Holland) who gives him tips on handling press interviews and other interactions with the public.

Through it all, Jackie manages to hold back his temper and indignation. A key point in the movie for me is during a game when the opposing team’s manager heckles Jackie from the sidelines. “Look in the mirror, n*****. Baseball is a white man’s game!” What would you do in the face of such blatant insulting and ignorant racism?

This is one reason I recommend you see the movie, to see how Jackie handled it.

Even with all the rough edges,

42 may have a little too much sweetness. The poverty and poor conditions of blacks in 1940s America hardly make it to the screen. Never for a moment do we forget that it is Jackie’s destiny to break the race barrier in baseball.

Even so, the movie delivers strongly, both on and off the baseball diamond. Jackie Robinson was an inspiration for kids growing up in the 1940’s and 42 is an inspiration to us today.

42 is rated PG-13 for language.

TJN

Kathleen Reeves Brand Partner in the Lake Charles/Moss Bluff Area

Phone: (337) 936-9191 E-mail: kreeves.nerium.realresults@gmail.com Volume 5 • Issue 3

MAY 2, 2013

PAGE 31

Itʼs back—for its 56th year!

Concerts and events are free with $5 gate admission.

Todd Armstrong Carnival rides are an additional cost.

THURSDAY, MAY 2 • Family Day – National Day of Prayer (Alcohol-Free Evening ) 4 PM: Festival Gates Open • Galley Alley Food Booths • Galley Alley Dining Area - Pirate Marketplace • Todd Armstrong Carnival Rides 5-9:30 PM: Kid’s World Stage Lake Charles Civic Center 6:30 PM: Audio Adrenaline "Kings & Queens Tour". Bands performing include Audio Adrenaline, Seventh Day Slumber, Group 1 Crew, and Manic Drive

FRIDAY, MAY 3 4 PM: Festival Gates Open • Galley Alley Food Booths • Galley Alley Dining Area • Pirate Marketplace • Todd Armstrong Carnival Rides Activities 3 PM: Shock H2O HT Redfish Tour weigh-ins LCCC Grounds

Ken Savant Jean Lafitte 2013

5 PM: Lake Charles Cannon Firing to Protect the City - Seawall 6 PM: Aussie Kingdom - LCCC Grounds 6 PM: Buccaneers begin shore landing - Seawall

7 PM: Jean Lafitte and Buccaneers Force City Mayors to "Walk the Plank" - Seawall 7:30 PM: Contraband Days / Banners Series presents ventriloquist Lynn Trefzger - Rosa Hart Theatre (Separate ticket required. Visit the Banners website at www.banners.org/for details.

Outdoor Stage 7 PM: Rude 9 PM: Midnight Star

SATURDAY, MAY 4 10 AM: Festival Gates Open • Galley Alley Food Booths • Galley Alley Dining Area • Pirate Marketplace Noon Todd Armstrong Carnival Rides Open • McDonald’s presents Aussie Kingdom LCCC Grounds. Show Times 1, 5 and 8 PM Activities 6 AM: "Tour Lafitte 2013" Registration and Packet Pick Up, LCCC Grounds 7:30 AM: "Tour Lafitte 2013" Start - LCCC Grounds 8:30 AM: Spike and Splash Volleyball Player Check-in 9 AM: Jet Ski Motos Begin 9 AM: Spike and Splash Volleyball – Professional Play Begins 9 AM: Noon Registration and Weigh-ins for the 25th Annual Contraband Days Armwrestling Tournament 1 PM: 25th Annual Contraband Days Armwrestling Tournament 2 PM: Spike and Splash – Freestyle Watercross 3 PM: Spike and Splash - Pro Volleyball Semifinals 4 PM: Spike and Splash - Amateur Team Finals 6 PM: Spike and Splash - Amateur Awards Event Outdoor Stage 3 PM: Matt McElveen with Nights & Nights 5 PM: Mark Reeves & Twisted X 7 PM: Shailee Cole 9 PM: Larry Tillery

SUNDAY, MAY 5 Noon: Festival Gates Open • Galley Alley Food Booths PAGE 32

MAY 2, 2013

• Galley Alley Dining Area • Pirate Marketplace • Todd Armstrong Carnival Rides • McDonald’s presents Aussie Kingdom – LCCC Grounds. Show Times 1, 4 and 6 PM Activities 10 AM: Contraband Days Pirogue Building Contest - Pirogue Build & Launch Begins 10 AM: Spike and Splash Volleyball Coed Amateur Team Contest 11 AM: Spike and Splash Pro Beach Volleyball Finals 11 AM: Spike and Splash Pro Watercross Racing Championships 3 PM: Awards Ceremony for Watercross and Volleyball 3 PM: Bed Races Start 4:30 PM: Pirogue Race Start - Seawall 5:30 PM: Show me Your Dinghy Contest and Parade - Seawall Outdoor Stage 4 PM: Rusty Metoyer & Zydeco Krush 5 PM: Chris Ardoin

THURSDAY, MAY 9 4 PM: Festival Gates Open • Galley Alley Food Booths • Galley Alley Dining Area Pirate Marketplace • Todd Armstrong Carnival Rides • McDonald’s presents Aussie Kingdom LCCC Grounds. Show Times 6, 7, and 8 PM Activities 7 PM: Rock the Dock Finals

FRIDAY, MAY 10 4 PM: Festival Gates Open • Galley Alley Food Booths • Galley Alley Dining Area • Pirate Marketplace • Todd Armstrong Carnival Rides Activities 5:30 PM: Scott Firefighter Combat Challenge • McDonald’s presents Aussie Kingdom LCCC Grounds. Show Times 6, 7, and 8 PM Outdoor Stage 6 PM: Jo-El Sonnier 6:45 PM: T Graham Brown 8:15 PM: Charlie Worsham 10 PM: Kentucky Headhunters Volume 5 • Issue 3

SATURDAY, MAY 11 10 AM: Festival Gates Open • Galley Alley Food Booths • Galley Alley Dining Area Pirate Marketplace • Todd Armstrong Carnival Rides • McDonald’s presents Aussie Kingdom. LCCC Grounds.

Show Times 1, 5 and 8 PM Activities 8 AM: Contraband Days 5-Miler by the Lake Area Runners - Capital One Building, downtown Lake Charles 10 AM: 15th Annual Contraband Days Car Show 2-5 PM: Strut Your Stuff Power Boat Exhibition 5:30 PM: Contraband Days Boat Parade 9 PM: 56th Annual Fireworks Party (Invitation Required) - LCCC Buccaneer Room & 3rd Floor balcony

10:15 PM: Contraband Days Annual FIREWORKS SPECTACULAR! Ninth Annual Bar-B-Que Cookoff 7 AM: Check-in 9 AM: Chief Cook Meeting 11 AM: Judging of Seafood

Volume 5 • Issue 3

Noon: Judging of Chicken 1 PM: Judging of Ribs 2 PM: Judging of Boston Butt 4 PM: Award Presentation Kid’s World Stage 10 AM: Registration for Children's Pirate Costume Contest 11 AM: The Buccaneer's Pirate Costume Contest for Children Outdoor Stage 1:30 PM: Ganey Arsement & the Lakeside Gamblers 3 PM: Ivy Dugas & the Cajun Cousins 4:30 PM: Jamie Bergeron & the Kickin' Cajuns 6 PM: High Performance 7:30 PM: Damon Troy 9 PM: Jo-El Sonnier Budweiser Stage 3 – 10 PM: Renn Loren & the Tiki Town Castaways Dani Hoy, Matt Hoggatt, David McKenney, and John & Kim

SUNDAY, MAY 12 Noon- 8 PM Todd Armstrong Carnival Rides (Mother’s Day Specials TBA) TJN

MAY 2, 2013

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MAY 2, 2013

Volume 5 • Issue 3

CYPHACON Numerous characters crowded the hallways and storybooks came to life as comic book heroes and villains invaded the Lake Charles Civic Center. The weekend convention focused on various science fiction and gaming characters, fan clubs, programs and more. Featured guest was Lake Charles native and voice actor Kyle Hebert. The event was a great success.

Lexy Fleetwood, Chastyne Hoffpauir and Joyce Bosman

Steve Gonsoulin and Aaron Lamb

Marissa Melton, Kristin Lay and Sunshine Bergeron

Colin, Zach, Zoey and Brittany Cormier

Shelby Capper with Ivy Epsilon

Eva Mortimer and Alexis Schuller

Leigh Ward and Chris Sturm-Bane

Isabel Pate, Terri Strahan and Taylor Mesh

FLEA FEST Crowds of bargain hunters came out to the Flea Fest at Burton Coliseum Livestock Exhibit Building and few left empty-handed! It turned out to be one of the largest flea markets held under one roof in SWLA. If you wanted it, chances are they had it! Looking forward to the next one!

Katelyn Vincent with Heather and Tim Clark Volume 5 • Issue 3

Paige DeBarge and Rachel Miles

Ron and Melissa Semb MAY 2, 2013

PAGE 35

Terri Louviere and Kathy Heddins

Desie Brauchhaus, Lynda Roberie and Laura Midgett

Angelica Fontenot, Mellisa Mitchell and Rachel Parker

TUTEN PARK ARBOR DAY EVENT The City of Lake Charles and friends sponsored the second annual Arbor Day event at Tuten Park recently. Along with games, entertainment and educational projects for kids, the City of Lake Charles TREE LC Project gave away 400 trees as part of the Apache Foundation Tree Grant Program. A fun and green event for the entire family!!

Ralph Picard and Brenda Hardee

Chantal and Mason Castille

Macie , Laikyn and Melissa Fontenot with Madelyn Derouen

Camille Stakes, Nan Himel, Belle Thomas and Diane LaFlarque PAGE 36

MAY 2, 2013

Ace Martin, Erin Percevault, Eric Thomas, Elizabeth Boudreaux and Wes Gentry

Zoey and Zane Oglesvee and Mathew Scharff

Macey LaFleur and Katherine Billings

Chase Croker, Allison Watson and Caden Singley

Beverly Fontent and Jan Hebert Volume 4 • Issue 25

DRAGON BOAT RACES Everyone came out on the lakefront and joined forces to support the Dragon Boat Races, a wonderful new Children’s Miracle Network Program through the CHRISTUS St. Patrick Foundation. Fourteen teams paddled 41-foot vessels as the crowd cheered them on.

Congrats to Team CITGO—the 2013 Grand Champs!

Kevin Reed, Chris Ray and Lydia Aboagye

Trish Garber, Jenny Robayo, Buffy Petry and Susan Sutton

Volume 5 • Issue 3

Dean Henagan and Kenny Nichols

Lindsey Sheffield, Penny Istre and Cara Tassin

Mandy Michalko and Rebecca Ardoin

MAY 2, 2013

PAGE 37

LARKS MAY DAY HELI-FLY MAY 2-4 The Lake Area Radio Kontrol Society (LARKS) is hosting its 34th annual May Day Helicopter Fly, Thurs.-Sat., May 2-4, at Hinch Field in Carlyss, two miles west of Southland Aviation. Flying starts each day at dawn and concludes at 10 p.m. Families are invited to see the best flyers in the world fly their radio controlled model helicopters for three days free of charge. Bring your own chair.

Refreshments will be on site. There will also be face painting for children at 11 a.m. on Saturday. Parking is free for all three days.

For patrons who are disabled, call (337) 515-1158 upon arrival to the site, and someone will provide transportation to the shaded canopy area. For more information, call (337) 540-0726.

SENIOR CITIZENS’ FISHING DERBY MAY 3 The Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office will host the Annual Senior Citizen’s Fishing Derby on Fri., May 3 from 7 – 11 a.m. at the CPSO Farm Pond behind the Calcasieu Correctional Center at 5400 E. Broad Street in Lake Charles. Participants are asked to bring their own fishing gear (only one per person, please). The CPSO will provide help in baiting the lines, removing fish from the hook, if requested, and bait shrimp for catching catfish. Refreshments will be furnished. All senior citizens in the parish are invited at no charge. For more information, please call 263-4563.

DERBY FOR DOLLARS MAY 4 You won’t want to miss this fabulous event at The Stables of Le Bocage benefiting The Shannon Cox Counseling Center. Enjoy an afternoon with food from the Lake Area's finest restaurants, spirits, a cochon de lait, live music, televised derby action, equestrian jumping exhibition, and contests for the best ladies hats/ gent's best derby duds. Music by Andrew Bateman. Only 100 tickets available, so don’t miss out!

Tickets are $75 per person and can be purchased by calling Family & Youth (436-9533) or online at www.fyca.org.

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MAY 2, 2013

THE HOBBIT MAY 3-5 The Children’s Theatre Company and Artistic Director Kerry A. Onxley present an enchanting adaptation of J. R. R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit.

Audiences are invited to share their days with a band of daring dwarves, a wacky wizard, and a humble hobbit on their quest to recover ancient treasure. The Hobbit is a magical journey of discovery that is recommended for all ages. Performances are set for May 3-5. Tickets are $15 for adults and $12 for students. Group rates are also available. Performances are held at Central School Theatre located in the Central School of the Arts & Humanities Center (809 Kirby Street) in downtown Lake Charles. To purchase tickets, call (337) 433-7323 or visit www.childrenstheatre.cc .

ACTS PRESENTS SEUSSICAL THE MUSICAL MAY 10-12, 17-19 Artists Civic Theatre and Studio, Lake Charles, announces tickets are now available for Seussical the Musical, which will take the stage May 10-12 and 17-19. Reserved seating tickets are $25 for adults and $10 for youth under 18 and students with school-issued identification. They will be available at Lakeshore Medic Pharmacy, Moss Bluff Florist and Gift, Lake Charles Civic Center, or by calling (337) 433-ACTS. For additional information, visit www.actstheatre.com.

THESE MUSIC BENEFIT CONCERT MAY 10 THESE Music is a non-profit organization working to provide instruments and music resources to underprivileged children. There will be a benefit concert on Fri., May 10 at 7 p.m. at Water's Edge Gathering. Doors open at 6:30 pm. Tickets are $10 at the door and there will be door prize drawings, along with announcing the winner of the raffle for a Squier Fender Stratocaster electric guitar. Featured artists are Masson LeMieux and Yiseul Kim, Barbe Show Choir, and Allen Joseph & Friends. For more information, call (337) 309-1645.

SWLA HEART BALL MAY 10 The 2013 SWLA Heart Ball will be held Fri., May 10 at L’Auberge Casino Resort. Cocktails and silent auction begin at 6:30 p.m., followed by dinner at 8 p.m. There will be a live auction and entertainment by The Kadillacs.

Individual tickets are $100 each, and a table for eight with wine included is $1,500. For more information, go to www.heart.org/swlaheartball.

Volume 5 • Issue 3

MAC BURNS/WCCH FOUNDATION GOLF TOURNAMENT MAY 11 The 2013 Mac Burns/West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital Foundation Golf Tournament will be held on Sat., May 11, at Frasch Golf Course in Sulphur. The tournament will follow a 4-man scramble format with a double shotgun start at 8 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. This year's entry fee is $400 per team and covers food, drinks, shirts, range balls and mulligans.

Various levels of sponsorships are available. For more information or to participate, call (337) 527-4241.

A BLACK TIE AFFAIR MAY 11 Tickets are now on sale for the annual fundraiser of the Calcasieu Medical Society Foundation fundraiser. A Black Tie Affair will be held Saturday, May 11, at L’Auberge Casino Resort. The event will kick off at 6 p.m. and the Motown-themed event will feature a silent auction and a dinner performance by local vocalist Lauren David Dunn. The evening’s entertainment headliner, The Tip Tops will take the stage after dinner. Proceeds benefit the Calcasieu Community Clinic, which provides hundreds of thousands of dollars in medical services and pharmaceuticals to underinsured citizens in the Lake Area. For more information, call (337) 478-3780 or visit www.ablacktieaffair.org. Tickets can be purchased online.

dium) or $60 (floor) by calling Ticketmaster at (800) 488-525 or online at www.ticketmaster.com .

Tickets are also available at the L'Auberge Business Center and Legends at L'Auberge. All major credit cards are accepted. Guests must be 21 years of age and present a valid photo ID. For more information, log on to www.llakecharles.com/entertainment. TJN

‘A BREWER’S PLATE’ MAY 18 There’s a good time brewing at “A Brewer’s Plate” on Sat., May 18 at 6 p.m. at the historic Cash & Carry building in downtown Lake Charles. This is the marquee fundraising event of St. Nicholas Center for Children, a local non-profit dedicated to providing services to children with autism and developmental delays. The 5th annual event features a six-course meal and premium beer pairing with an auction and live music by community favorites, the Flamethrowers.

The attire is dressy casual and the vibe is lively! Tables of 10 are $1,000 and sponsorships are available. For ticket information, sponsorships, or to donate an auction item, call 491-0800.

STARKS MAYHAW FESTIVAL MAY 17-18 Mayhaw jelly, mayhaw butter, mayhaw berries and more—the Starks Mayhaw Festival has it all! Try your hand at jelly making or catch a glimpse of the Mayhaw Queen and her court. With carnival rides, live music, delicious Southern food and enough berries and jelly to go around, the whole family will have something to celebrate! The festival kicks off Friday afternoon at the corners of Highways 109 and 12. Saturday morning, early birds will be able to start their day off right with hot biscuits, homemade Mayhaw jelly and freshly churned butter.

And making the festival even sweeter is the free admission! Hours are Friday from 4-10 p.m. and Sat. 8:30 a.m.-10 p.m. For more information, call (337) 743-6297.

LCCB SPRING PERFORMANCE MAY 19 The Lake Charles Civic Ballet is proud to present its Spring Performance, where students of Lady Leah Lafargue School of the Dance showcase their brilliance in ballet, tap, and jazz. Among the featured pieces will be “L'Academie du Monsieur Dubriovsky”, a Civic Ballet classic about a girls finishing school; “New York in June” is an exciting, fast-paced production set to a medley of Gershwin music; and the charming ballet, “Monkeyshines”, an adorable piece about a male monkey who, finding a golden weasel attractive, makes the female monkeys jealous. Performances will be held at the Rosa Hart Theatre on Sun., May 19 at 3 p.m. Admission is free.

LARRY THE CABLE GUY MAY 24 Larry the Cable Guy will bring his award-winning comedy act to the L'Auberge Event Center for two shows on Fri., May 24, at 7 and 10 p.m.; doors open one hour before each show. Show tickets can be purchased for $45 (sta-

Volume 5 • Issue 3

MAY 2, 2013

PAGE 39

Sponsored by

To list your event e-mail: lauren@thejambalayanews.com

The

THURSDAY, MAY 2 • Audio Adrenaline @ Contraband Days, Lake Charles Civic Center, 7 p.m.

• Les Emotifs Anonymes @ Ralph Squires Auditorium, McNeese State University, 7 p.m.

• Cypress @ Mikko, Coushatta Casino, Kinder, 7 p.m.

• I’m Famous @ Dharma, 8 p.m.

• TBA @ Jack Daniels Bar & Grill, L’Auberge Casino, 11 p.m.

FRIDAY, MAY 3 • KB Unplugged @ Otis & Henry’s, Isle of Capri Casino, Westlake, 6 p.m.

• Rude/Midnight Star @ Contraband Days, Lake Charles Civic Center, 7 p.m.

• Street Side Jazz Band @ Luna Bar & Grill, 7 p.m.

• Twangsters Union @ Mary’s Lounge, 7 p.m.

• David Joel @ Cecil’s Cajun Kitchen, DeRidder, 7 p.m.

• BroadBand @ Mikko, Coushatta Casino, Kinder, 7 p.m.

• Lynn Trefzger @ Rosa Hart Theatre, Lake Charles Civic Center, 7:30 p.m.

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MAY 2, 2013

• Reluctant Saints @ Gator Lounge, Delta Downs, Vinton, 9 p.m.

• Molly Ringwalds @ Yesterday’s, 10 p.m.

• Robert Frith @ Jack Daniels Bar & Grill, L’Auberge Casino, 11 p.m.

SATURDAY, MAY 4 • Matt McElveen & The Kids/Mark Reeves & Twisted X/Shailee Cole/Larry Tillery @ Contraband Days, Lake Charles Civic Center, 3 p.m.

• BroadBand @ Mikko, Coushatta Casino, Kinder, 7 p.m.

• McNeese Jazz Festival @ Bulber Auditorium, McNeese State University, 7:30 p.m.

• Spoonfed Tribe @ Luna Live, 9 p.m.

• Reluctant Saints @ Gator Lounge, Delta Downs, Vinton, 9 p.m.

• Wayne Dylan @ Cigar Club, 9:30 p.m.

• Todd O’Neill Band @ Yesterday’s, 10 p.m.

• DJ Sno @ Jack Daniels Bar & Grill, L’Auberge Casino, 11 p.m.

SUNDAY, MAY 5 • Rusty Metoyer & Zydeco Krush/Chris Ardoin @ Contraband Days, Lake Charles Civic Center, 4 p.m.

• Ken Marvel Band/Jivin Gene @ Yesterday’s, 5 p.m.

• PALEFACE @ Luna Live, 8 p.m.

MONDAY, MAY 6 • DJ David Verret @ Jack Daniels Bar & Grill, L’Auberge Casino, 11 p.m.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 8 • TBA @ OB’s Bar & Grill, 7 p.m.

THURSDAY, MAY 9 • Renn Loren & Tiki Town Castaways @ Cooler’s Ice House, 6 p.m.

• Rock The Dock Finals @ Contraband Days, Lake Charles Civic Center, 7 p.m.

• Leroy Thomas & Zydeco Roadrunners @ Mikko, Coushatta Casino, Kinder, 7 p.m.

• Gabriel’s Last Breath @ Luna Live, 9 p.m.

• DJ Jose Mata @ Jack Daniels Bar & Grill, L’Auberge Casino, 11 p.m.

Volume 5 • Issue 3

FRIDAY, MAY 10 • Jo-El Sonnier/T-Graham Brown/Charlie Worsham/The Kentucky Headhunters @ Contraband Days, Lake Charles Civic Center, 6 p.m.

• Street Side Jazz Band @ Luna Bar & Grill, 7 p.m.

• No Idea @ Mikko, Coushatta Casino, Kinder, 7 p.m.

• Herban Cat @ Dharma, 8 p.m.

• BB & Company @ Gator Lounge, Delta Downs, Vinton, 9 p.m.

• Leroy Thomas & Zydeco Roadrunners @ Yesterday’s, 10 p.m.

SATURDAY, MAY 11 • Ganey Arsement & Lakeside Gamblers/Ivy Dugas & Cajun Cousins/Jamie Bergeron & Kickin Cajuns/High Performance/Damon Troy/Jo-El Sonnier @ Contraband Days, Lake Charles Civic Center, 1:30 p.m.

• No Idea @ Mikko, Coushatta Casino, Kinder, 7 p.m.

• Duelo @ The Pavilion, Coushatta Casino, Kinder, 8 p.m.

• BB & Company @ Gator

Volume 5 • Issue 3

Lounge, Delta Downs, Vinton, 9 p.m.

• Joel Martin Project @ Yesterday’s, 10 p.m.

• Granger Smith @ L’Auberge Casino, 11 p.m.

SUNDAY, MAY 12 • Warren Storm/Willie Tee & Cypress @ Yesterday’s, 5 p.m.

• Joe Harmon & The Harmonics @ Mikko, Coushatta Casino, Kinder, 7 p.m.

MONDAY, MAY 13 • DJ David Verret @ Jack Daniels Bar & Grill, L’Auberge Casino, 11 p.m.

THURSDAY, MAY 16 • Avery Michaels @ Mikko, Coushatta Casino, Kinder, 7 p.m.

• I’m Famous @ Dharma, 8 p.m.

• DJ Cage @ Jack Daniels Bar & Grill, L’Auberge Casino, 11 p.m.

FRIDAY, MAY 17 • Street Side Jazz Band @ Luna Bar & Grill, 7 p.m.

• Tassie Burnette & Hundred Dollar Habit @ Stellar Beans, 7 p.m.

• Stellar @ Mikko, Coushatta Casino, Kinder, 7 p.m.

• Cody Cooke & Bayou Outlaws @ Texas Longhorn Club, Vinton, 8 p.m.

• Acronycal @ Linda’s Lounge, 9 p.m.

• Frank Gomez @ Gator Lounge, Delta Downs, Vinton, 9 p.m.

• Geno Delafosse & French Rockin’ Boogie @ Yesterday’s, 10 p.m.

• Chase Tyler @ L’Auberge Casino, 11 p.m.

• Tony James Tha Voice @ Dharma, 8 p.m.

• Frank Gomez @ Gator Lounge, Delta Downs, Vinton, 9 p.m.

• Steve Riley & Mamou Playboys @ Yesterday’s, 10 p.m. TJN

THURSDAY, MAY 18 • Stellar @ Mikko, Coushatta Casino, Kinder, 7 p.m.

MAY 2, 2013

PAGE 41

Leslie B e four dec rman’s career in ades, an music folksing er, mus d includes stin spans ic teach ts as a booker, e c tival dir oncert promote r, coffeehouse r e notes w ctor, music jou , publicist, fesr r nalist, a it e r, a organiz ation pr rtist manager lbum , trade esident, attorney ent ,a Museum nd president o ertainment f She pre of Southwest the Music fers all Louisian eclectic , and things music a. ally GRAM votes M Recordin Ys as a mem on the g Aca ber o reached at leslie@ demy. She c f the an leslieber man.co be m.

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MAY 2, 2013

Volume 5 • Issue 3

“There’re so many segments to this music. You have the people really crazy about old time, Celtic music, Canadian music, so this festival has always been the melting pot for all kinds of folk music, as much as we can afford.”

She said it’s not possible to get audiences involved the way people got involved with folk music in the ‘60s. “Today, you need a connector, someone who gets you to come along because you trust their taste,” Andy said. “For the kids who come

back, or the new kids who come along each year to be in the Great Groove Band, Old Songs is the connector. They come for the Festival. And they meet their old friends, their old teachers, their old songs. I can see this going on for a long, long time.”

Old Songs Festival: Music With Roots, June 28–30, 2013, www.oldsongs.org. Philadelphia Folk Festival, August 15-18, 2013, www.pfs.org.

TJN

Don’t forget toVote!

Phone: 337-474-1864 • Email: info@lwv-lc.org Website: www.lwv-lc.org

Killin’ Time Crossword ACROSS

DOWN

1. Censorship-fighting org.

5. Small batteries 8. Gray wolf 12. OPEC member 13. Numbered hwy.

14. Tennis great Lendl 15. Censure 17. Carson's successor 18. Where to ride the Giant Dipper in Mission Bay 20. Suffix with ball or bass 21. "That hurts!"

22. Relative of a gator 25. Black gold 26. Rock blaster 29. Polio vaccine developer's research facility in La Jolla 33. Danson of "Damages" 34. Paltry amount 35. Radius neighbor 36. Castle defense 38. Camera type, briefly 40. Wild coastal State Reserve near Del Mar 44. "___ Lisa" 45. Likeness 47. Yeats or Keats 48. Rap sheet letters 49. Cornerstone abbr.

50. Hebrides isle 51. Susan of "L.A. Law" 52. Salon supplies

1. Feel awful 2. Zodiac Cancer symbol 3. Like some excuses 4. Clear 5. Match play?

6. Memo abbr.

7. Make sure 8. Flowering shrub 9. Examine and repair 10. Mass of cloud 11. Lennon's Yoko 16. I love: Lat. 19. Hungarian sheepdog 22. One hour ahead of Mountain Time Zone 23. Sally Field's "Norma ___" 24. Inherited wealth 25. Columbus sch.

27. Map abbr.

28. Shade of green 30. Munich's river 31. Stenographer's stationery 32. Flush 37. Speak from a soapbox 38. Aerosol 39. Set alight 40. Captured 41. Bind 42. "Piece of cake!"

43. Webmaster's creation 44. AWOL chasers 46. 6-pointers

Volume 5 • Issue 3

© Lovatts Publications Pty Ltd MAY 2, 2013

PAGE 43