The Jambalaya News - 02/12/15, Vol. 6, No. 22

2 February 12, 2015

Vol. 6 • No. 22

February 12, 2015 • Volume 6 • Issue 22

715 Kirby St. Lake Charles, LA 70601 Phone: 337-436-7800 Fax: 337-990-0262 www.thejambalayanews.com Publisher/Executive Editor Lauren Abate de Albuquerque lauren@thejambalayanews.com

Contributors Lisa Addison Terry Backhaus George Cline Angie Kay Dilmore Dan Ellender Braylin Jenkins Jason Machulski Mike McHugh Roger Miller Justin Morris Ron Muniz Russell Pawlowski Terri Schlichenmeyer Karla Tullos Sales sales@thejambalayanews.com Graphics Art/Production Director Burn Rourk Business Office Manager Jeanie Taggart

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 Jambalaya Media, 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 self-addressed envelope. The views expressed do not necessarily reflect those of the publisher.

Copyright 2014 The Jambalaya News all rights reserved.

Reproduction in whole or in part without prior written permission is prohibited.

Vol. 6 • No. 22

On cover: Gray Plantation

COVER STORY 30 Plan Your Perfect Wedding: Gray Plantation REGULARS 6 We Are SWLA! 8 The Dang Yankee 8 Adoption Corner 9 Tips from Tip 10 Huntin’ Tales 12 This Functional Family 14 Tales of The Bayou Pickers 15 The Pirate’s Platter

8 10

FEATURES Frying for Haiti 5 16

Floral Designer Fulfills Her Dream

19

How to Check Out Your Financial Advisor

16

20 Financial Success for Newlyweds 22 Pre-Wedding Jitters 25 Don’t be Blinded by the Bling 26 Wedding Checklist

30

28 Should You Use a Wedding Planner?

THE SPICE OF SWLA 34 La. Winter Beer Guide 36 Event Guide 38 Family Fun Night at the Movies 39 Bookworm Sez...

40 Nightlife Guide 40 A Tale of Two Gilleys 43 Lake City Beat 46 Justin Morris’s Lake Charles 48 Society Spice 51 Funbolaya

38 40 February 12, 2015 3

A Note From Lauren

Let it Snow (in Boston)

battle. He gave up and collapsed beneath his sword, or rather, his My old hometown is having one shovel. Pick that poor boy up and give him some hot chocolate! heck of a winter. It hasn’t stopped The Mass Transit Authority, snowing. The white stuff continthat garbled mess of subways and ues to fall, complicating the lives streetcars and buses that takes you of every Bay Stater, and they’re a grumpy lot to begin with. I know; I all over the city and beyond (when it wants to, of course) is always the used to be one of them. last to shut down. When they close, The amount of snow is so you know you’re in trouble. Well, incredibly ridiculous that various last week they closed the day BEfriends are posting photos of the FORE the expected storm. I don’t atrocities up north. Betsy’s car is recall that ever happening before. A buried under several feet of the sign of the Apocalypse, for sure. damn stuff. You can’t even see it, Kelly, who is a Drama Queen but she assures us it’s under there.

Betsy’s car to begin with, is loving all the If she lived in downtown Boston, she would have 24 hours to shovel mess and misfortune. I’m getting middle-of-the night phone calls out her car and make sure her “Resident Permit Parking Sticker” after she’s had a few cocktails so she can tell me about the latest winterwas visible on the back window or she’d get a hefty fine. I remem- related nightmares: No hot water for five days, the new snow blower ber those days only too well. breaking, the supermarkets out My friend Karen’s young son desperately tried to keep up with of “bread and milk,” her husband Dave shoveling that wet, heavy the shoveling in front of their mess and pulling his back out. She home, but it became a losing takes a commuter bus into the city from her home in the suburbs and what takes 45 minutes to get to work is now a few h. rt fo es go hours on bad days.

Dave And there’s a crazy woman bus driver who “doesn’t shut up and Jay gives up. keeps telling us these whacky stories that we

4 February 12, 2015

don’t want to hear.” They’re at her mercy, literally, a “captive” audience, just adding to the displeasure all around. Bostonians do not want to hear anything about you if they don’t know you. Trust me on this one. I’m sure they would mutiny (can you mutiny on a bus?) if they could, but that’s difficult to do on a dark, icy highway. But they are all thinking murderous thoughts. I can feel it all the way down here.

Meanwhile, I’m basking in 70plus degrees and sunshine and flip flops. Well, I am actually working my usual outrageous hours but it’s a pleasure to know that we’ve had a very mild winter and a lot of the days have been beautiful. I sit outside with the cats in the morning and look at the green around me and say, “I’ve earned this.” I escaped from winter and I will never have to shovel snow again. I will never have to see snow again if I don’t want to.

I don’t want to.

Lauren Abate de Albuquerque

Vol. 6 • No. 22

Good Shepherd Episcopal Church is supporting a school located deep in the mountains of Southeastern Haiti by holding a fish fry and auction on Feb. 20.

“Frying for Haiti” will be held at Good Shepherd from 6-9 p.m. on the first Friday night in Lent. Tickets are $10 each and are available at the church, located at 715 Kirkman St., or by calling the office at (337)4335244. Tickets are for the event itself, and meals will not be provided for pick-up only.

“We choose the first Friday in Lent for this fundraiser because it is a time of reflection,” said Glenda Williams, a member of Good Shepherd and the head of the “Tend My Lambs” committee that oversees the Haiti mission.

“We want to tell people about Haiti and what we can do to benefit people there who are much less fortunate than we are here in Lake Charles.”

This ministry by the people at Good Shepherd dates back more than 20 years ago when the church built the Mission St. Matthieu Eglise Episcopale d’Haiti Ecole, an Episcopalian primary and secondary school in the little village of Bégin.

When the devastating earthquake struck Haiti on Jan. 12, 2010, one of the thousands of buildings that was ruined was their school. After the earthquake, the church feared it was gone.

“We were frantic to hear news from Bégin,” said Williams. “We finally learned that no one had been killed, but that the school had been ruined and it was unsafe to enter.”

But the people didn’t give up. “The teachers kept teaching and the students kept coming,” she said.

The school put up temporary tent-like structures. Dust from the bare ground swirled around the students’ papers whenever the wind blew, and the teachers wrote their lessons with chalk on plywood walls.

Now, Good Shepherd is rebuilding the school. The walls are going up again.

Williams was one of a group of five people from Good Shepherd who travelled to Haiti to visit the school last year. “They didn’t know we were coming,” she said, “The warm welcome we received was unforgettable. What we saw was heartbreaking, but it was also inspirational. We left committed to do everything in our power to support these people.”

The group learned that the most fervent wish of both students and faculty was to have their school rebuilt. “It took us this long to be able to fulfill that wish,” Williams said.

“But now work is underway, and with the help of the Frying for Haiti fundraiser, we will be able to finish.”

Williams said that her hope is that people will come to the fish fry and learn more about the mission. “It only takes $135 to fund one child with tuition and books for an entire year,” she said.

Dr. Philip Conner from the Good Shepherd Team

Members of the congregation have also been putting together elaborate picnic baskets, which will be auctioned at the event.

Mark Judson will be the auctioneer. There will also be a raffle and a silent auction. The fish dinner will be prepared by James Simpson, owner of The Lunchbox, 1800 Broad Street. A nursery will be provided.

“Until now, our church has been providing 100 percent of the support for the school,” Williams said. “But if we had the community behind us, we could do wonders.

We could even start to provide tuition for the secondary students. And we could provide better salaries for the teachers. There is so much to do, and we need everyone’s help!”

“Frying for Haiti” 6-9 p.m. Feb. 20 at the Church of the Good Shepherd, 715 Kirkman St. Tickets are $10 each and are available at the church or by calling (337) 433-5244. No meal pick-up.

Auction items donated by Barb King

Vol. 6 • No. 22

February 12, 2015 5

Local Financial Advisor Receives Industry Honor Marty DeRouen, a Financial Advisor with Northwestern Mutual, has qualified for membership in the Million Dollar Roundtable (MDRT), an international, independent association of nearly 19,000 leading life insurance producers. DeRouen has been associated with Northwestern Mutual since 2011. As a Financial Advisor, he provides Marty DeRouen expert guidance and innovative solutions for a variety of financial needs and goals.

A native of Lake Charles, DeRouen graduated magna cum laude with a mechanical engineering degree from McNeese State University in 1987. He is a former officer in the US Army Reserve and a veteran of Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm.

IBERIABANK Names Moss Bluff Branch Manager Washington Marion HS Receives Donation IBERIABANK, the 127-year-

Wayne Dixon

old subsidiary of IBERIABANK Corporation, is pleased to announce the recent naming of Wayne Dixon as branch manager for the Moss Bluff location in Lake Charles. Dixon graduated from McNeese State University with a degree in business administration.

He is located at 284 Sam Houston Jones Parkway in Lake Charles and can be reached by phone at (337) 312-7704 or by email at Wayne.

Dixon@iberiabank.com

The Washington Marion HS Alumni, Inc. board members presented the school with benches and trash cans as part of the school’s Beautification Project. They were purchased with Tailgating Funds that were collected during Homecoming festivities.

Entergy Donates to Family & Youth The Family Foundation of Southwest Louisiana, the endowment arm of Family & Youth Counseling Agency, Inc. was presented with a $5,000 check from Entergy. The donation is in support of Family Foundation’s initiative to promote philanthropy in Southwest Louisiana. The Family Foundation serves as the endowment and philanthropic arm of Family & Youth. For more information call 337-436-9533 or log on to www.fyca.org.

Standing (L to R) Dana Simien, Kim Dellafosse, Jacqueline Shelton (principal), Lana Holland, Cameo Green, Erica Swiney, and Dr. Pearl Nelson. Seated (L to R) Tyria Guillory, Cedrick Lafleur, and Lydia Larce

CHRISTUS St. Patrick Named Consumer Choice

(L to R) Julio Galan, president/CEO of Family & Youth; Greg Guilbeau, Sr. Regional Manager of Entergy

6 February 12, 2015

For the sixth consecutive year, CHRISTUS St. Patrick Hospital has been named the region’s Most Preferred Hospital for overall quality and image by the National Research Corporation (NRC) in its Healthcare Market Guide Ticker® study. In addition, CHRISTUS St. Patrick was recognized as having the best doctors and the best nurses. The Consumer Choice Award identifies the top hospitals that healthcare consumers have chosen as having the highest quality and image in markets throughout the U.S. Winners are determined by consumer perceptions on multiple quality and image ratings collected in the company’s Market Insights survey.

Vol. 6 • No. 22

Live@the Lakefront Headliner Sponsors Announced

Golden Nugget Donates to Alliance Foundation

The Arts Council of SWLA, City of Lake Charles and Deep South Productions are proud to announce headliner sponsorships from Fusion Five, McDonald’s of SWLA, and Empire of the Seed for the upcoming season of Live @ the Lakefront, the annual free outdoor concert series at the Lakefront Promenade on three consecutive Fridays, March 13, 20, and 27. Additional support from FOX 29/the CW has also been given. The event will be held from 6-10 p.m. at the Arcade Amphitheater. The 2015 live music line-up will be announced in the coming days.

Golden Nugget Lake Charles, the Presenting Sponsor of this year’s Chamber SWLA Annual Banquet, donated $40,025 to the Alliance Foundation’s On the Move campaign, which addresses the critical issues facing our region: workforce development, business recruitment, business retention and expansion, regional marketing, and building a single voice for a true regional partnership.

The Chamber and the SWLA Alliance Foundation are part of the Southwest Louisiana Economic Development Alliance. As part of the funding for the SWLA Economic Development Alliance, Golden Nugget Lake Charles promotes economic development in Allen, Beauregard, Calcasieu, Cameron and Jefferson Davis parishes.

Moss Bluff Dynamic Dimensions Fitness Center Names Manager

Pictured from left are Arts Council President James Babin, Fusion Five Chair Ashli Waldrep, Arts Council Executive Director Erica McCreedy, Empire of the Seed owner Rick Richard, McDonald’s of SWLA CEO Doug Gehrig, and Mayor Randy Roach of Lake Charles.

Dynamic Dimensions of West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital is pleased to announce the recent promotion of Justin Kingsley to manager of the center’s Moss Bluff location. Kingsley will be responsible for managing the daily operations of the center and previously served as an exercise tech at the Sulphur location of Dynamic Dimensions. Kingsley holds a bachelor’s of science degree in health Justin Kingsley and human performance with a concentration in health promotion from McNeese State University.

A certified personal trainer by the American Council on Exercise (ACE), he has been employed by West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital for one year.

Dr. Mouton Joins Lake Area Physicians Medical Group

Country Club Vet Clinic Wins Hospital Design Award

Local Family Medicine Physician and Wound Care Specialist, Gerald Mouton, M.D. has joined Lake Area Physicians and the medical staff of Lake Area Medical Center. Dr. Mouton has practiced medicine in the SWLA area for over 28 years. He has a special interest in advanced wound care therapy, with specialized training in hyperbaric medicine. He serves as the Medical Director of LAMC’s new Wound Care Center. A graduate of McNeese State University, he earned his medical degree from LSU School of Medicine in New Orleans and completed a family medicine residency and internship at W.O. Moss Regional Hospital in Lake Charles. Dr. Mouton’s medical practice is now located at 4150 Nelson Road, Building I on the Lake Area Medical Center campus. To request an appointment, visit www.LakeAreaPhysicians. com or call (337) 475-4001.

Country Club Veterinary Clinic in Lake Charles received a 2015 Hospital Design Competition Merit Award in the 50th annual Veterinary Economics Hospital Design Competition. Drs. Christine Mocklin and Martha Briley own the 5,035-square-foot animal hospital at 2717 Country Club Road. Country Club Veterinary Clinic will be featured in the Hospital Design Supplement delivered with the June 2015 issue of Veterinary Economics.

Merrill Lynch’s Patricia Philmon Appointed to Vice-President Merrill Lynch announced that Patricia Philmon has been appointed to vice-president with the firm. Philmon, a resident of Lake Charles, joined Merrill Lynch in 2008. She received a bachelor’s degree in accounting from McNeese State University and has also earned her Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor Certification. She is active in the community through the Greater Lake Charles Rotary Patricia Philmon Club, Sowela Technical Community College Foundation Chair, The American Heart Association, Circle of Red, Healthy Women’s Council and Trinity Baptist Church.

Vol. 6 • No. 22

February 12, 2015 7

Mustang Yankee It’s Mardi Gras season again here in Southwest Louisiana, and the parties are in full swing. Having spent most of my life in places where Mardi Gras is about as highly celebrated as National Kazoo Day, I feel like I’ve got a lot of catching up to do. To that end, my wife and I have five balls on our calendar this year. That’s five balls with five different live bands all playing that song which defines the Mardi Gras season for me. Of course, I’m talking about “Mustang Sally.”

These days, you can’t call yourself a dance band if you don’t know “Mustang Sally.”

Crowds have come to expect to hear the number at least once during the evening. You could have Fleetwood Mac playing at a Mardi Gras ball, and if they didn’t do “Mustang Sally,” everyone would go home disappointed.

I don’t know what it is about the song that makes it so popular, even among Chevy enthusiasts. You never hear them clamoring for equal time, insisting that the band also do “Little Red Corvette.” Such a thing wouldn’t be unheard of at a gala in Washington, DC, but never at a Louisiana Mardi Gras ball.

“Mustang Sally” is just one of several worn-down anthems that are sure to draw crowds onto the dance floor like paparazzi to a Kardashian sighting. Others include “Brick House” and “Play That Funky Music, White Boy.” I have friends who swear they would rather endure a root canal without anesthesia than hear “Brick House” one more time, yet these same people find themselves unable to resist the siren call to shake a leg whenever the band strikes up the

tune.

I’m not a dancer myself, much to the relief of my wife’s podiatrist. That includes line dancing, even though it’s a simple dance form that was invented shortly after humans evolved into walking on two legs. The dance, if you call it that, involves shuffling your feet sideways a few paces, making a 90-degree turn, and then repeating the steps until you’re right back where you started.

It’s sort of like driving through a strange city without the aid of Google Maps.

It used to be that there would be only one line dance per night, and that was when the band played a number called “The Freeze.” I don’t know where the song came from, as I’d never heard it on the radio, and if it weren’t for line dances, the tune probably would have dropped into

This beautiful male Lab is Jimmy J (aka JJ). He is approximately a year old and weighs 50 pounds. He would be the perfect dog for a family with children, or with adults with an active lifestyle and would make a good jogging buddy. Jimmy is great with other dogs and children and pays no mind to cats. He is crate-trained and doing well 8 February 12, 2015

obscurity along with The Partridge Family’s entire catalog.

But then “The Electric Slide” came along, also bypassing the Top 40 on its way into the line dance hit parade. The trend continued, with more and more songs being deemed appropriate for line dancing. It’s now gotten to the point where you can go to church on Sunday and tell who’s attended a ball the night before by noticing the ones line dancing to “Amazing Grace.”

I’m anxious to see how the music and dancing at Mardi Gras balls will continue to evolve. Perhaps a song will come along that provokes guests to amble about their tables and slurp down Jello Shots. In that case, I would be ahead of the curve.

Can’t get enough of the Dang Yankee? Read more at thedangyankee.com.

with house-training and is neutered, heartworm negative and up-to-date on shots. Although he is an active dog, he is very loving and affectionate and loves to be close to his humans. If you are interested in adopting Jimmy J and giving him a forever home of his own, please call (337) 478-7294 or email lapaw@bellsouth.net. A vet check and home visit are required.

Vol. 6 • No. 22

Boat Show Coming!

According to an old saying, the happiest days of owning a boat are the day you bought it and the day you sold it. That old saw has more merit than some other old maxims. While I had my double happy ownership periods years ago, I still love boats. The annual Lake Charles Boat Show is coming fast and is a high-water mark for local water sports aficionados. February 20-22 at the Civic Center will be jam-packed with boats and boating gear and other outdoor sporting equipment. Even if you don’t want a boat, don’t need a boat, or don’t like the idea of owning a boat, this is a worthwhile event to see what new marvels have been produced. Who knows, you might just see something that pushes or pulls you into the nautical world. Remember, those two most happy days are just waiting for you. Come on, you know you want to at least look!

Bye-Bye to Old Standbys Doesn’t it make you mad when you go to the store to pick up a favorite item only to find that the Vol. 6 • No. 22

product is no longer carried by the merchant or even worse, it’s no longer manufactured?

In a “Snuffy Smith” comic strip not too long ago, Loweezy, Snuffy’s wife, asks Silas, the owner of the Gen’ral Store, why her soap that “worked good and didn’t cost much” wasn’t made anymore.

Silas replies “That’s your answer.”

It is a shame that many affordably priced items are disappearing, only to be replaced by higher priced, less efficient products. Many old standards are gone and will never be found in your home again, a sad commentary on modern living. Remember to support your favorite products by purchasing them to encourage continued production. It’s about all you can do to keep it available. A note to the manufacturer may help and could even gain you a bonus coupon.

Contraband Days: The Debate Continues The City of Lake Charles, in an attempt to bolster the declining Contraband Days Festival, has lowered the rent charged to the festival organizers for the Civic Center complex by many thousands of dollars. This annual event brings in almost a half a million dollars in sales tax revenue, which is respected by City fathers. Unfortunately, the festival has morphed over the years into a shadow of its heyday self when boat, bed and bath tub races and lots of excellent bands abounded with no need for a financing company office at the gate.

The Buccaneers of Lake Charles, a huge part of the

original event, are now a lesser focal point than in the past. There is no more parade, and other than the opening ceremonial mayor plank walking and a few appearances, they aren’t the central hub of yesteryear.

Even their compound is less visible and is moved to a new location every year. The day of families bringing the ice chest with snacks and drinks for the kids and a six-pack or so for the adults has been replaced by regulations, prohibitions and pricing that has caused many potential patrons to avoid the activities all together.

The effort to make it more “Family Friendly” has discouraged more than helped.

The importance of Contraband Days to the area is beginning to dawn on us. It’s time to reflect on what made it what it was and what it can be for us again.

Supermarket Roundup We are smack dab in the middle of the cold and flu season. It seems like every family has at least one member down with the miseries.

For our price survey this issue, we have checked on some popular items used in home treatment of the wintertime crud. I have included Campbell’s Chicken Noodle Soup on the list as I believe in the magical

curative powers of Jewish Penicillin, as it has been called all my life. The prices were gathered on Wednesday, February 4 and reflect the posted price on the shelf where the product was placed for sale. The stores we visited were: AlbertsonsCountry Club Road, Market Basket-Lake Street, KrogerMcNeese Street and Walmart-Nelson Road.

Bayer Aspirin, 325 mg tablets, 100-count bottle: Albertsons $7.99, Market Basket $6.39, Kroger $5.89, Walmart $5.88.

NyQuil Liquid Cold Medicine, 12-ounce bottle: Albertsons $9.99, Market Basket $8.19, Kroger $8.47, Walmart $7.97.

Theraflu Nighttime Severe Cold and Flu Medicine, 6-packet box: Albertsons $5.99, Market Basket $6.19, Kroger $6.79, Walmart $5.97.

Vick’s VapoRub Ointment, 3.53-ounce jar: Albertsons $6.99, Market Basket $8.49, Kroger $9.59, Walmart $7.54.

Campbell’s Chicken Noodle Soup, 10 ¾-ounce can: Albertsons $1, Market Basket $.89, Kroger $.87, Walmart $.80.

February 12, 2015 9

Jim Bel’s Revisited Retired Army Major and McNeese professor George S. Kuffel arrived at precisely 14:30 military time for our annual trek to Jim Bel’s hunting lodge. Just before Hackberry’s St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church, we turned off Hwy. 27 and followed the Chenier ridge oaks deep into the marsh. A “God’s Country” signpost just before the putting green marked our exit into Bel‘s Lodge. We parked, grabbed our gear, entered through the mudroom and stepped up into the kitchen. Kneading dough into pie plates, the ladies were preparing the crusts for our dessert: homemade pecan pie served still warm.

George and I moved down into the great room and headed for the bar, me for water, George the red wine.

Pairs of every duck and goose that winter here hung from the ceiling. It was time for me to lose to George at gin rummy for the umpteenth time. At some point between meeting all the other hunters and my losing at gin, George asked what was for supper.

Easy enough to find out and it gave me an excuse to visit with the cooks, steal recipes and inquire about dinner.

The main course was threefold; roast pork tenderloin, beef, and duck. I snuck a glance at the greens, rice, black-eyed peas, salads, et al

and returned to report my recognizance. The ever-loquacious George just smiled and said, “Gin. My deal.”

Our guide the next morning turned out to be one of Jim’s grandson’s, John Bel. John had two beat-up, deaf old codgers to somehow get to and into the blind.

Then he had to speak loudly enough so that anyone at the 25-minute-boat-ride-away lodge could have heard. Four teal snuck in right at shooting time and lit. We flushed them and the former Captain with the US Army Shooting Team, a 50-year guide, and one truly experienced youth knocked down none. Nada.

Pas un canard.

Undaunted, we quickly took out a hen and drake canvasback. Next came the scaup and three of four hit the pond. Another tried to sneak by just above the water but was shotgun blast-halted.

Single grayducks came by and they joined our bag. Later, John whistled a pintail drake in so beautifully it was almost a shame to shoot him. Almost. Add in the sprig drake.

Then came the piece d’oie.

John broke off one of four speckle belly geese, worked him so well and close that the speck was literally flipped backward when we shot. That was ten ducks and a goose four days before the end of the season, just after several

The Lodge cooks

The Lodge 10 February 12, 2015

Vol. 6 • No. 22

So, thanks John and Jim hard rains, high water and most ducks in the new feed shallows. Bel for helping me be 23 and George be 43 again in those Now, about John Bel. He is magic moments afield where the best young guide I’ve ever all is forgotten except for the hunted with, period. He can epiphany of just being there. shoot, call, and truly cares Until next year and our 43rd about his hunters. He also year, Merci tres bien. has that quality so rare at 20, humility. We discussed how lucky we both had been to grow up in families that had great hunting and fishing so readily available to them.

But the most memorable moments and tales were when John talked joyfully about his times afield with his Dad, PawPaw Jim, his brothers John Bel & George Kuffel with game and his cousins.

Vol. 6 • No. 22

John in the bateau

John and canvasback

February 12, 2015 11

The Day I Became an Adult My youngest sister is a teacher and she’s the practical one of us three sisters.

My middle sister is a nurse and she is the organized one. As the oldest sister, I’m a writer and the dreamer in the family. All three of us are mothers and women of faith and like many other busy women, we each have other roles and attributes that define us.

Something else the three of us have in common is our strength, and that’s something that helped us hold it together one evening a couple of weeks ago as we stood in a stark intensive care unit of a local hospital. Under bright lights and with the constant beeping of machines that were monitoring the vital signs of our loved one, we watched with worried looks as she was being cared for by doctors and nurses.

A hospital, especially an intensive care unit, isn’t the 12 February 12, 2015

place for young children so I wasn’t able to bring my kids to see someone they love and who dearly loves them. But I did share that she needed their prayers and they each offered up beautiful, heartfelt petitions for her.

It was the second time within a couple of months that she had bleeding in her brain and it was much worse this time. We were told that if the bleed shifted even the tiniest bit, her speech and motor skills could be affected. She could have a heart attack. She could die.

A nurse spelled it out for us. “Do you want us to take extreme measures to revive her if it comes to that? It can be rough and sometimes their bones get broken as we do chest compressions and other things as we work hard to bring them back.

Do you want that? Does she have a ‘do not resuscitate order?’ If not, you may want

to think about it.”

It was a surreal moment, and it was hard to think about the possibilities we were facing.

I have a tendency to be naive about some things and to always try and put a positive spin on situations.

I had been in denial and had the idea that our loved one would easily live well into her 90s like both of our grandmothers. After the nurse left, I said to my sisters, “I can’t believe we have to think about this or talk about this. She still looks so good and she’s always been so active and vital. ” But my practical sister said, “We need to talk about it. We have to talk about it.”

She was right. And so we went to a waiting room and talked. Before long, we had a plan. We were fortunate that we could talk to our loved one about it and she agreed with the plan. In the event the bleed wors-

ened, she did not want to be brought back if she would not be herself and be able to have the same quality of life.

Difficult moments; difficult decisions.

These are the kinds of moments that make or break us. These are the moments when we grow. If we did not feel like an adult before then, we certainly would afterwards.

I thought I became an adult at the age of 18 when I started working while in college and paying my own bills. I really felt like an adult when I was off on my own in my early twenties, living in an apartment and working full-time with a kitchen cabinet full of Tupperware.

But surely I had become an adult by the time I was in my thirties and life had dealt a couple of heartbreaks and a few rough patches that I was able to get through with a lot of faith. If not, Vol. 6 • No. 22

I had definitely reached adulthood in my early forties when I became a foster parent and then adopted my two beautiful children.

No. I think I truly became an adult the day I stood in an intensive care unit watching my loved one fight to stay in this world for us. “Please don’t go,” I whispered under my breath. “Don’t let her go; we aren’t ready.

We still need her and she needs us,” I prayed. There are questions that only she can answer for me; stories I want to rehash with her for the hundredth time; advice that only she can give; more recipes to share; lots more memories to make; more conversations to have with her; more holidays to spend together; and more opportunities to make her proud.

Vol. 6 • No. 22

Our prayers were answered. Miraculously, the bleed stopped and she has begun to heal, but she has a long road ahead. She may not ever be at exactly the point she was before this all happened. But she’s here and we are so incredibly blessed.

I think my sisters and I get our strength from our mother. We all work, we all have families, we are all juggling dozens of things but none of us have missed one day of spending time with her since her health crisis.

She’s working hard to recuperate and undergoes daily physical rehabilitation. On a recent beautiful day, just after she had finished rehab, I sat outside with her and we soaked up the sunshine, listened to the birds singing, marveled at a nearby tree

that looked as if its branches were reaching toward heaven, and felt grateful.

As I held her hand in mine, she turned to me and said, “You know, God just wasn’t finished with me yet, and there must be a reason that I’m still here. I look around me and see so many people who are much worse off than I am. Maybe I can

be an inspiration to others.”

She already is.

Lisa Addison wrote her first short story when she was 7 years old and hasn’t stopped writing since. She has two young children, enjoys trying new recipes, and loves going on adventures with her kids. She blogs at: http://swlamama.wordpress.com.

February 12, 2015 13

By Jason Machulski I vividly remember going to the Mardi Gras parades through the years as a child and the anticipation of getting doubloons. Doubloons were my first “sort of ” collection that was Mardi Grasrelated. The moment that shiny silver token flew from the float was my favorite part of the day, other than the parade itself. Of course, the candy, beads and other goodies were also a good take. I have collected doubloons since I was a child and now have hundreds, if not thousands. But Mardi Gras is much more than just throws and floats. There’s a whole history behind Mardi Gras in our country--a very interesting one.

On March 2, 1699,

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French-Canadian explorer Jean Baptiste Le Moyne Sieur de Bienville arrived 60 miles directly south of New Orleans, and named it Pointe du Mardi Gras .

Bienville also established Fort Louis de la Louisiane.

In 1703, the tiny settlement of Fort Louis de la Mobile celebrated America’s first Mardi Gras. Yes, the very first Mardi Gras celebration was in Alabama, not Louisiana. With that being said, Mobile holds the second largest Mardi Gras after New Orleans.

The earliest reference to Mardi Gras “Carnival” appeared in 1781. That year, the Perseverance Benevolent & Mutual Aid Association was the first of hundreds of clubs and carnival organizations formed in New Orleans. The first know parade

was in 1837 and the first float was in 1857. In 1870, Mardi Gras’ second Krewe, the Twelfth Night Revelers, was formed. That year was the first time anyone ever experienced the highly anticipated Mardi Gras throws as we know them today.

In the early years of Mardi Gras, there were more private balls and organizations rather than parades.

The traditional colors are purple, gold and green.

Purple stands for justice, gold for power and green for faith. The king of the first daytime carnival in 1872 selected those colors based on their associated meaning.

There is so much more to learn about all of the traditions, krewes, and ways

that Mardi Gras was celebrated. All in all, I will always be after those amazing doubloons. Laissez les bons temps rouler!

Jason Machulski grew up with an appreciation for antiques and vintage artifacts.

He has made a profession out of “picking” through craft shows, flea markets, trade fairs and garage sales for relics with historical value. Contact Jason on his Facebook page at www. facebook.com/pages/BayouPickers/160113244006075.

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Michael Krajicek of Botsky’s Named Restaurateur of the Year Krajicek of Botsky’s Premium Hotdogs was recently honored as Restaurateur of the Year at the Louisiana Travel Promotion Association’s annual meeting held in Many, La., at the Louey Awards tourism industry luncheon on Jan. 28.

Krajicek received the award for his dedication to Botsky’s being an experienced-driven restaurant with ties to the community, the arts, festivals and culture of Louisiana as a whole.

As a musician, Krajicek has been an avid supporter of downtown concerts, art walks, and cultural events. Krajicek has even brought Louisiana’s hometown cooking into the mix with alligator dogs and crawfish étouffée toppings.

“Louey awards are presented to tourism professionals who go to great lengths to enhance the state’s $10.8 billion tourism industry that employs one out of every ten Louisiana citizens,” said Darienne Mobley, Co-Executive Director, Louisiana Travel Promotion Association. “These are also the same industry members who have tourism’s best interest in mind and are those we can depend on to advocate on the industry’s behalf.”

“It is an absolute honor to represent the experience that Lake Charles has to offer. There are so many great things in store for downtown Lake Charles and I’m humbled to be a part of all the action,” said Michael Krajicek, owner of Botsky’s Premium Hotdogs.

The Louisiana Culinary Trails Taste-umentary YouTube video celebrates the local food scene and features Southwest Louisiana restaurants like Botsky’s. Check it out at www.visitlakecharles.org/ seafood.

Vol. 6 • No. 22

Cilantro & Lime Shrimp Kabobs Well, the sun is starting to come out and spring is in the air. It’s time to brush off the barbecue and make some kabobs. We are traveling all the way to the Middle East where it is referred to as kebab. It’s a Middle Eastern, Eastern Mediterranean, and South Asian dish that consists of pieces of meat, fish, or vegetables roasted or grilled on a skewer or spit. In American English, kebab refers to shish kebab (Turkish: şiş kebap) cooked on a skewer.

The traditional meat for kebab is lamb, but depending on local tastes and religious prohibitions, other meats may include beef, goat, chicken, pork or fish. Like other ethnic foods, the kebab has remained a part of everyday cuisine in most of the Eastern Mediterranean and South Asia.

Ingredients • 1 pound shrimp, shelled and deveined (In my opinion, the best shrimp in Lake Charles is at JT’s Seafood.) Remember, your main course is the shrimp, so don’t cheat and buy frozen.

• 2 limes, juice and zest or 1/4 cup lime juice • 1 cup oil • ¼ cup red wine vinegar • Various cubed vegetables (we like red onions, fresh jalapenos, fresh cut pineapples and various peppers) • 4 tablespoons cilantro, chopped • 1/2 jalapeno, coarsely chopped (optional) • 1 clove garlic, grated • Dash of crushed red pepper • Salt and pepper (I prefer Kosher and fresh ground pepper) • Favorite seasoning to taste (such as local favorite Cajun Red Head!)

Directions Marinate the shrimp in the mixture of the lime juice, zest, oil, cilantro, jalapeno, garlic, salt and pepper for three hours. Skewer the shrimp and vegetables and grill over medium-high heat until cooked, about 2-3 minutes per side.

Nutrition Facts: Calories: 147 per skewer with only 4g fat; served here with curried rice.

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By Lauren Abate de Albuquerque Tammie Aucoin has always loved flowers. As a little girl, she would make flower arrangements for her mother, so it was only natural she would become a floral designer.

“I love what I do--from decorating homes for Christmas to creating beautiful displays in the Lake Area’s casinos and storefronts.”

Aucoin has been designing for years, but she says the most amazing experience in her entire career is becoming a florist for the Tournament of Roses Parade in California.

I remember watching that parade throughout my childhood, and the amazing floats fascinated me. My mother and I could never decide which one was our favorite. And I couldn’t believe they are ALL made of flowers.

It is a rule of the parade that all surfaces of the float framework must be covered in natural materials (such as flowers, plants, seaweed, seeds, bark, vegetables, or nuts); furthermore, no artificial flowers or plant material are allowed, nor can the materials

16 February 12, 2015

be artificially colored. It’s the real deal.

So how did a local girl end up with such an honor so far from home?

“I have a bucket list,” Aucoin says. “And decorating a Tournament of Roses float was on it. For my birthday two years ago, my husband gave me the best gift ever! He checked the list and made his calls. The owner of the Phoenix Decorating Company in Pasadena had an opening for a floral designer and welcomed me aboard. This was something I have dreamed since I was a little girl picking flowers for my mom.”

Aucoin was like a kid in candy store when she arrived at the huge warehouse where she would be working. She says the grandeur of the warehouse was overwhelming with millions and millions of flowers as far as the eye could see. “The most beautiful flowers all over the world were right there for me to create and design with!” she says. “It was just a dream come true. And watching the tourists walk by with such amazement and

smiles was such a rewarding treat!”

Although the work entails long hours and the time to complete the floats is limited, Aucoin says she wouldn’t miss it for the world.

“This year, I am proud to say both of my floats won awards!” she exclaims. “The City of Los Angeles’ ‘What’s your LA Story’ won Best Depiction of Life in LA and Odd Fellows & Rebekah’s ‘Always Remember’ won the Best Floral Design.”

Aucoin says this is the most inspiring experience she has ever had. “I work with some of the top designers in the country. And now I am a new permanent fixture for the Phoenix Decorating Company. I fly there every year to work with them!”

So what’s next on Aucoin’s bucket list?

“Decorating my children’s weddings! My youngest will be getting married this year. I will be creating a Winter Wonderland this December at the Chateau de Calcasieu. For me, it will be the Event of the Year!”

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The Rose Parade, also known as the Tournament of Roses, is part of “America’s New Year Celebration” held in Pasadena, California each year on New Year’s Day (or on Monday, January 2 if New Year’s Day falls on a Sunday). The parade includes flower-covered floats, marching bands, and equestrians and is followed by the Rose Bowl college football game.

Originally started on January 1, 1890, the Rose Parade is watched in person by hundreds of thousands of spectators on the parade route and is broadcast on multiple television networks in the United States. It is seen by millions more on television worldwide in more than 100 international territories and countries.

The Rose Bowl is a college football game that was added in 1902 to help fund the cost of staging the parade. Since 2011, the parade has been sponsored

by Honda. Accordingly, the car company has the parade’s first float, which like all floats, follows the parade’s theme.

Rose Parade 2015 took place on, January 1 with the theme of “Inspiring Stories.” The parade featured 41 floats, 20 bands and 18 equestrian units with approximately 400 horses.

If you’ve ever wondered how many flowers it takes to decorate one float, the simple answer is: a lot. Exactly how many depends on the size of the float, but to give you an idea, it takes about 20 daisies, 30 roses or 36 marigolds to cover just one square foot. All of the floats together take approximately 18 million flowers.

The Tournament of Roses Parade was originally named “The Battle of the Flowers.”

It changed early on when the founder of the event decided he liked the ring of “Tournament” more.

When New Year’s Day falls on a Sunday, you’re going to have to wait until January 2 to see the parade. Why? Well, back when Vol. 6 • No. 22

the “floats” were really carriages festooned with flowers, officials refused to hold the parade

on Sundays because the noise spooked the horses people used to get to church. Not many peo-

ple are tethering horses outside of church these days, but it’s tradition.

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Vol. 6 • No. 22

How to Check Out Your Financial Advisor

By Terry Backhaus, CFP It seems like almost every time we turn on the TV or open up the paper, we’re hearing about the “next Bernie Madoff.” We’ve even seen where financial scammers, acting as “financial advisors” are taking advantage of people to the tune of hundreds of thousands of dollars, right here in Southwest Louisiana. How can you possibly protect yourself from someone that is out to cause you financial harm? Well, there are several steps you can take to check out your financial advisor--before you hire them. While no method/ system is foolproof, if you follow these steps, a lot of problems can be caught before they start.

First, make sure they have the appropriate licenses and registrations to be able to assist you in investing your money. The regulatory requirements for the various licenses and registrations can vary depending on the type of investments and which state they are located in. However, most financial advisors will normally have a Securities Registration with a self regulatory organization named the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA). They also may have an insurance license with the applicable state Department of Insurance if they sell certain types of investments that are regulated by the State Insurance Commissioner. BOTH of these entities have the ability for you to check out your prospective (or current) financial advisor to see if they have the appropriate licenses and registrations.

FINRA’s is the easiest to use.

Just go to www.finra.org and click on the BROKER CHECK icon on the upper right hand corner of their home page. This will allow you to check the background of an investment professional, as well as any past or pending disciplinary actions. Checking out a financial advisor through the Department of Insurance varies by state. In Louisiana, there is some basic info available through www.ldi. louisiana.gov., but you may have to call the Louisiana Department of Insurance to get information on any disciplinary actions.

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I should point out that while there are many cases where good financial advisors may have a minor complaint in their file (you can’t please all the people, all the time), be wary of someone that has numerous disciplinary actions, or a very serious one such as fraud, theft of client funds, etc.

The next step is to check out the potential advisor thru professional boards, such as CPA (Certified Public Accountants), CFP (Certified Financial Planner), and other professional designations that are used in the financial services industry. Again, verify with the respective board that the advisor is in good standing with them and there are no disciplinary actions that you need to be concerned about. While these professional designations are not required to practice in our profession, generally, those advisors with these designations have additional expertise an investor may require.

Next, get on your computer and Google them. While these searches vary in quality and quantity of information provided, it generally gives you some insight into the background of the person in question. Also, we have an excellent Better Business Bureau here in Southwest Louisiana--give them a call to see what info they may have.

Once you have done your homework, it’s time to meet with your prospective financial advisor. Ask what areas of expertise they have, and which areas they don’t. How do they propose to invest your money and what are the good and BAD points of that investment? How are they are paid for placing that investment?

And make sure you get references.

Because of our industry’s commitment to keep our client information confidential, we can only release names of references with their permission. However, most established, reputable advisors will provide a few references for a new client to contact, upon request.

But, this is at their discretion.

The last step is probably the most important. I call this the “Smell Test.” Here’s another way

of saying it is: If it’s too good to be true, it’s something you should not fool with. As an independent financial advisor, I can tell you that our industry is very competitive. While we all want the best rates of return for our money, you also need to factor in the risk of losing your money, the liquidity of your investment ( i.e., how easy is it to cash out your investment on short notice), and other factors.

Make sure you do an “apples to apples” comparison with your advisor’s proposed investment and what you can get elsewhere.

If there is a substantial difference, you certainly should ask some additional questions.

One more thing to consider: you don’t what to make the check payable to the financial advisor or his personal company. The check should be made payable to the company that is holding your investment (i.e. Fidelity, John Hancock, Edward Jones, etc.)

In summary, there are folks out there that don’t need the services

of a financial advisor. However, for those of you that have more complex financial situations, are busy with professional or business life and are starting to accumulate a decent amount of assets, you may consider retaining one to assist you. However, check them out before you hire them, and stay engaged with them as they invest your money and provide risk management services.

Terry Backhaus, CFP, is an Investment Advisor Representative and Registered Principal with the Backhaus Financial Group LLC. He has over 25 years of experience in the financial services industry. (337) 437-9950, tbackhaus@bellsouth.net Securities offered through Questar Capital Corporation (QCC), Member FINRA/SIPC. Advisory Services offered through Questar Asset Management (QAM), A Registered Investment Advisor. Backhaus Financial Group LLC is independent of QCC and QAM.

February 12, 2015 19

Achieving Financial Success for

Newlyweds

Getting married? Tying the knot will bring about big changes for both you and your new spouse. Don’t let money problems eventually come between you. Careful planning

20 February 12, 2015

and communication can help you achieve long-term financial success together.

Discussing your dreams and assessing your financial situation can help you define your

goals as a couple. Here are some questions to consider: • Do you plan to purchase a home?

• Do you want to start a family?

• Do you have immediate debt, such as wedding expenses, school loans or other bills you want to pay off ?

Make decisions about marriage and finances together.

Along with planning for the big picture, make sure you discuss financial details that may affect you and your day-to-day budget.

Budget. Figure out your monthly incomes and expenses.

Separate and/or joint bank accounts? A joint account can mean fewer fees and simpler accounting but more negotia-

tion, while separate accounts can be easier if you are used to managing your own individual finances. Perhaps you can set up a combination of joint accounts for shared household expenses and savings goals and separate accounts for personal spending. Discuss your preferences.

Health insurance. If each of you has separate health insurance coverage, do a cost/benefit analysis for both plans to determine which is better — the family plan or two single plans.

Auto and home insurance.

See if it’s possible to combine two auto policies and save. And when purchasing a home or auto insurance policy, choose the highest deductible you can

Vol. 6 • No. 22

afford, which is the easiest way to lower your premium.

Life insurance/disability income insurance. This is important to make sure one spouse will be able to make ends meet without the other and protect your income in case of sudden illness or disability.

Employer-sponsored retirement plans/IRAs. Take advantage of as many retirement savings options as your cash flow allows. With tax-advantaged contributions and tax-deferred potential growth, the earlier you start saving for retirement, the better.

Credit cards. If one of you has poor credit, the other’s rating can be dragged down. If this is the case, you could make the poorly rated spouse an authorized user of the other’s card and pay down the poorly rated spouse’s debt as quickly as possible to boost their credit score.

Make sure to find out why their score is so low—and take steps

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so that it won’t happen again!

More to Think About Financial planning is an important first step to take in your marriage. The earlier and more often you discuss financial matters together, the more comfortable these conversations will be. Don’t hesitate to seek professional guidance to help you tackle more complex financial questions such as: • What are your financial goals and how are they prioritized?

How will you work toward these goals?

• How much should you be saving for retirement?

• Do you have a plan to review/update beneficiaries?

• Have you executed or updated your will?

• How you will handle your tax return depending on the timing of your marriage?

• How you will keep important records and documents now that you are married?

February 12, 2015 21

Pre-Wedding Jitters Pre-wedding jitters are a lot different than getting cold feet. The jitters are feelings about specific aspects of the approaching wedding that overwhelm you as you plan your special day. Are you lying in bed at night, thinking about all the things that could possibly go wrong? Worried about the future? Here are a few that may be preoccupying you—and some

ways of getting around them.

Body Image Most brides want to look their best on their big day, which can definitely trigger some panic. You want to make sure your dress fits perfectly and that your hair and makeup look wonderful in front of all of those people and for all of those photos. And let’s face it,

a lot of us are never satisfied. So if you’re feeling self-conscious about your body, do something about it.

Start exercising and cut down on unhealthy foods. Do a trial run with your stylist to make sure your hair and makeup is to your liking.

Are you satisfied with the fit of your gown? Remember to purchase the right undergarments—it will make a big difference. And if all else fails, keep in mind that your soon-to-be mate is marrying you because he loves YOU.

Money If you and your fiancé are footing the bill, are you concerned about how much all of this is going to cost? Steer clear of any cash-related concerns by setting an initial budget and sticking with it. Decide what you can and cannot live without. You don’t want any last minute, unpleasant surprises. It’s not a good way to start a new life and will certainly cast a

shadow over your wedding day.

Family Issues Let’s face it, families can be nutty. And weddings tend to bring out the worst in everyone, unfortunately. Having the families together for a weekend can cause a lot of aggravation, especially when there are divorces, stepparents, estranged relatives or one or two really difficult people. This isn’t an easy problem to handle, especially if the challenging person is a parent. What you need to do is anticipate this behavior and nip it in the bud. If you’re old enough to get married, you’re old enough to stand up to your parents.

Procrastination Don’t put off tomorrow what you can do today. Yes, planning a wedding is huge, and there are a lot of details. Even if you have a wedding planner, there are some things that only you can do. So if you’re worrying about what you’re not getting done, make sure you create a detailed schedule—and follow it.

The Wedding Day Sometimes, the wedding day itself is the cause of anxiety. You’re thinking about all of the things that can go wrong—the wedding cake falls, the band doesn’t show up, the weather won’t cooperate.

What you can do is try and ensure that everything goes smoothly to the best of your ability. To address the above-mentioned concerns, for example, make sure you choose an experienced cake person, call and confirm your entertainment more than once in the days leading up to the wedding, and have Plan B if you’re having an outdoor wedding.

Something can still go wrong, but you won’t beat yourself up if it’s out of your control. And don’t sweat the small stuff. I know a bride who was furious because the venue served the wrong salad dressing.

So what? No one else knew about it, and it tasted fine. There are some things that you need to just get over, and move on.

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Vol. 6 • No. 22

Don’t be Blinded by the Bling—Get Insurance for Your Ring There’s nothing more romantic than a marriage proposal on Valentine’s Day. But with a great engagement ring comes great responsibility. While there is no way to insure the sentimental value of such a gift, having the right insurance coverage will provide financial protection, according to the Insurance Information Institute.

“The word ‘insurance’ is not likely to be the first word on many lovers’ lips this Valentine’s Day. However, if an expensive gift of jewelry is lost or stolen it can certainly soothe the sting of losing a cherished gift,” said Jeanne M. Salvatore, the I.I.I.’s chief communications officer. “Your first step after receiving a valuable engagement ring—well, maybe your second after saying yes!—should be to call your insurance professional.”

Jewelry losses are among the most frequent of all homeowners content related insurance claims.

Fortunately, there are four steps

Vol. 6 • No. 22

to ensure adequate protection for your new ring:

sional to recommend a reputable appraiser.

Contact your insurance professional immediately.

Find out whether you will need additional insurance. Most standard homeowners and renters insurance policies include coverage for personal items such as jewelry; however, many policies limit the dollar amount on jewelry to $1,000 to $2,000. With the average engagement ring costing nearly $6,000, that is unlikely to be enough coverage for your new bauble.

To properly insure jewelry, consider purchasing a floater or an endorsement policy. In most cases, these add-ons to a homeowners or renters policy would also cover you for “mysterious disappearance.” This means that if your ring falls off your finger and is flushed down a drain, or is lost, you would be financially protected. And unlike a homeowners policy, floaters and endorsements

Add the item to your home inventory.

An up-to-date inventory of your personal possessions can help you purchase the correct amount of insurance and speed up the claims process if you have a loss, so remember to add your new ring to your inventory. And if you don’t yet have an inventory, celebrate your engagement by creating one with your fiancé.

carry no deductibles, so there is no out-of-pocket expense to replace the item.

Obtain a copy of the store receipt.

Forward a copy of the receipt to your insurer—so that your company has a record of the current retail value of the ring—and keep a copy for your own records.

It’s also a good idea to get a copy of the appraised value of the item.

If you received an heirloom piece, have it appraised.

Antique jewelry will need to be appraised for its dollar value. You can ask your insurance profes-

Renters Insurance Finally, if you don’t think you need renters insurance, think again. A 2014 Insurance Information Institute poll found that 96 percent of homeowners had homeowners insurance but only 37 percent of renters had renters insurance. If you rent your home, renters insurance can provide important financial protection in the event your belongings are stolen or destroyed.

February 12, 2015 25

Congratulations! You’re engaged! Now it’s time to plan your wedding. There’s a lot to do and it’s easy to get overwhelmed. But if you follow this timetable, you should be fine.

10–12 Months To Go Work out your budget and establish your top priorities— where to save/where to splurge.

• Get ideas! Start browsing bridal blogs and magazines to identify your wedding style and color scheme.

• Compile your preliminary guest list.

• Choose your wedding party—the special people in your lives that you want by your

side when you say “I do.”

• Find a venue for your ceremony and reception, and reserve your date.

• Now that you have a date, tell everyone to save it! Send out Save-the-Date cards or emails.

Or create your own wedding website, and let your invitees know about it.

• Start looking for your wedding gown and accessories.

Begin looking for vendors, including: • Caterer • Photographer/ Videographer • Officiant • Florist • DJ/Band • Cake Designer

• Wedding Planner?

(If you’re getting stressed, you may want to hire one!)

Make sure you attend a bridal show, if possible. You can make some good connections and get a lot of ideas.

6–9 Months To Go • Continue researching, interviewing and booking vendors. When you hire one, make sure everything is in writing.

• Decide on arrangements with your floral designer • Do a tasting and choose your wedding cake and the groom’s cake.

• Pick out bridesmaids’ gowns.

• Start thinking about your honeymoon!

• Create your gift registry.

• Go over bridal shower and bachelor/bachelorette party

details.

• Decide on your wedding invitations.

3–5 Months To Go • Book rehearsal dinner (groom’s family usually pays).

Put together rehearsal dinner guest list.

• If not part of the venue package, reserve table linens, etc.

• Pick out wedding favors, guest book, cake cutter, etc.

• Shop for and reserve men’s formalwear.

• Finalize wedding invitations.

Will the same people be doing your thank-you cards as well?

Will you have a wedding program? Place cards?

• Finalize guest list and get everyone’s snail mail addresses.

• Work on the wedding ceremony and vows.

• Work on menu, beverage, etc. details with your caterer.

• Shop for and purchase wedding rings.

• Finalize honeymoon plans and make sure your passports are up to date if you’re leaving the country.

6–8 Weeks To Go • Do a trial run for your hair and makeup.

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• Mail your invitations and make sure you have a system for recording RSVPs. • Touch base with your vendors to confirm date, details and deposits.

• Look into marriage license and name change requirements.

• Begin your dress fittings.

Buy the appropriate undergarments in advance.

• Make sure your wedding party has ordered everything they need.

• Write thank-you notes for your shower gifts.

• Finalize honeymoon and wedding night accommodations.

3–5 Weeks To Go • Send out rehearsal dinner invitations.

• Go over song list with DJ/ band for ceremony and reception.

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• Go over timeline for reception.

• Get marriage license.

• Pick up wedding rings!

• Purchase gifts for wedding party.

• Have your final dress fitting.

• Make sure you have something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue.

in clearly marked envelopes and give them to the Best Man or someone you trust to hand out at the reception.

• Put someone in charge of your gifts the day of the wedding. Someone also needs to be in charge of packing up your belongings after the reception.

• Attend the rehearsal and dinner and give out wedding

party gifts.

The Big Day • Allow plenty of time to get ready. That includes the whole wedding party.

• Make sure you thank everyone who comes to your wedding. Make the rounds to every table.

• Enjoy your special day! You deserve it! Congratulations!

1–2 Weeks To Go • Give final count to the caterer.

• Arrange seating and create seating chart, if applicable.

• Pick up your gown.

• Finalize wedding timeline with your vendors and wedding party.

• Start packing for your honeymoon.

The Day Before • Figure out tips and final payments for vendors. Put them

February 12, 2015 27

Should You Use a Wedding Planner?

Every engaged couple looks forward to their wedding day. It’s their chance to have their own magical event and proclaim their love in front of their favorite people in the world. But alas, the weeks and months before the Big Day can be very stressful. There are a million things that need to be attended to. A wedding is an event that must be coordinated with many suppliers.

There are many decisions that need to made, and many details to go over.

No stone should be left unturned. But that can easily happen without extra help.

Enter the wedding planner. Once seen as a luxury, wedding planners are now in demand. But they are not for everyone. Like anything,

28 February 12, 2015

there are advantages and disadvantages.

The most obvious advantage of a wedding planner is that she will help free you from stress. Instead of worrying about all the tiny details, the wedding planner does all that. And with his network of suppliers, you don’t have to negotiate with them individually, which is time-consuming and stressful. She may also save you a neat sum. Her contacts of suppliers probably giver her a friendly rate.

He may also save you a lot of family unpleasantness. Family members tend to act irrational at this time and there can be lot of interference. A wedding planner

will firmly keep things in order without your involvement, which can be a blessing.

If you’re confused and not sure what type of wedding you’d like, a planner can guide you in the right direction, saving you a lot of worry. They’ve been there and done that. It’s their job.

With a wedding planner, your wedding day should proceed like clockwork. Everything is done as scheduled and people perform their appointed tasks. All you have to do is walk down the aisle and say “I do!”

Of course, the services of a wedding planner come with a premium. You have to pay for them, and they may not come cheaply. And if you end up not seeing eye-to-eye with her, that can be tough. This is someone you are going to be dealing with a lot (you will be hounded for your approval on every little detail—as it should be) so make sure you “click” with this person. Take the

time to find a wedding planner that you are truly comfortable with.

Despite giving your input, you may feel that your hand may not have been in the creation of your perfect day. You may not like that.

If you’re the kind of person who wants to do things your way, you may feel as if you’ve lost control of your wedding. Can you live with that? If you’re a control freak, maybe not.

Still, the pros may far outweigh the cons. If budget is an issue, consider trimming down the services. He doesn’t have to be involved from Day One, but you can ask for help in certain parts of the preparation, or perhaps on just the wedding day itself.

Also keep in mind that some venues have event planners on staff. You choose their venue, you get a wedding planner, which is pretty cool. Their help may just be limited to what goes on at their venue, but that is huge in itself.

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Martini Masquerade Wedding Event July 12 Save the Date!

If your special someone popped the question recently and you said yes, congratulations! Now all the work begins—planning your special day. No one said it was going to be easy.

That’s why attending a bridal show is the way to go. It offers engaged couples a wide range of opportunities. You’ll meet photographers, wedding cake designers, caterers, musicians, wedding consultants, hair and makeup artists, and many other creative wedding professionals. Bridal events are fun and you can pick up a wealth of invaluable information to utilize while planning your wedding.

Mark your calendars for Sunday, July 12. Weddings with Style Magazine presents Martini Masquerade from 1- 4 p.m. at the Chateau du Calcasieu in downtown Lake Charles. The elegance and ambiance of the Chateau’s New Orleans-style ballroom filled with photographers, florists, caterers and much more, will make “Martini Masquerade” an event every bride does not want to miss! Guests will enjoy a Masked Fashion Show presentation by Vows by Victoria and Squires. All brides will receive a complimentary copy of Weddings With Style magazine and a complimentary, non-alcoholic Blue Martini.

Admission is just $5. Make sure you bring your wedding party!

Vendor opportunities available. For more information, contact Billie Menard Weddings with Style Magazine www.weddingswithstyle.net www.weddingsouthlouisianastyle.com (337) 652-4101

Vol. 6 • No. 22

February 12, 2015 29

By Angie Kay Dilmore According to statistics, ten percent of all marriage proposals occur on Valentine’s Day. Saying yes is the first step. Then comes the planning. Two of the first questions newly-engaged couples usually ask are, “Where will we get married?” and “Where will we have our reception?”

Amanda Prejean can answer both questions with one easy answer: Gray Plantation. Prejean is the sales director and events coordinator. But brides simply call her “the wedding planner.” “I try to make the bride’s life as easy as possible,” Prejean says.

A Built-In Wedding Planner Prejean coordinates approximately 30 weddings a year at Gray Plantation. She meets with each bride to get an idea of what the she has in mind. Next, Prejean deals with the details! She offers suggestions, takes care of all the rentals such as tents and table linens, confers with the chef on the menu, helps decorate for both the ceremony and reception, and contacts and coordinates with the vendors

30 February 12, 2015

to make sure everyone arrives to the wedding on time.

If a bride has questions regarding services such as florists, invitations, photographers, DJs and musicians, Prejean provides a preferred vendor list. She personally attends every wedding to ensure that the couple’s big day is a success.

“I’m here from before the bride walks down the aisle until the couple makes their grand exit and everything in between. The couples don’t have to stress about anything.

It’s all taken care of,” she says.

Emily Fuselier, of Emily Fuselier Photography, often photographs weddings at Gray Plantation. She enjoys working with Prejean. “Amanda is down-to-earth, easygoing, and makes sure everyone is taken care of and comfortable,” she says.

Cathy LeGros, owner of Cathy’s Floral Design, said Prejean is organized and very accommodating when help is needed. “Amanda tells me how many tables there will be, so I know how many arrangements to make and she always has the tables set up and ready with tablecloths so I can

Vol. 6 • No. 22

bring the flowers right in,” she says. “Everything is always set up and ready to go.”

Kevin Moreau, a DJ with Deep South Productions, has been playing music at Gray Plantation weddings for several years. He said he enjoys working there because of the flexibility and friendliness of the staff.

“Working with Amanda is one of the pluses about going to Graywood,” he says. “She always keeps us informed as to what is going on with every event held at Gray. Amanda is easy to work with and open to ideas and suggestions from vendors. She is also a good listener when it comes to what brides want on their special day, from the color of the table cloths to the most intricate detail.”

Prejean caters to groups and receptions of all sizes, from small and intimate to up to 350 guests. “If it’s a small wedding, we can make it cozy,” she explains. “Or, if it’s a grand wedding, we can open up the entire facility.”

A Perfect Location for an Outdoor Wedding Located on the grounds of a pristine championship golf course in the 2,000 acre upscale residential community of Graywood, Gray Plantation specializes in outdoor weddings with breathtaking backdrops.

Some couples opt to get married at a church or other location and have only their reception at Gray Plantation, but most of Amanda’s clients have both the ceremony and the reception onsite.

“It’s convenient for the bridal party and guests to have the ceremony and reception in one location,” she says.

There are several ceremony location options at Gray Plantation. Their brand-new Pavilion offers a covered patio and a large lawn for seated guests.

“It’s a fenced in area, really pretty and private but close to the parking lot, so it’s easy for the guests and wedding party to get to,” Prejean says. For more of a park-like atmosphere, couples may choose a shady spot by the lake. Others say their vows on the green of the eighteenth hole. In a fairytale wedding at Gray Plantation, the sunset itself could be a character.

While lovely and desirable, planning an outdoor wedding is inherently risky. No one can control or predict the weather, especially here in Southwest Louisiana. But Prejean has a plan for that, as well.

At the drop of a bridal veil, she can whisk the chairs, decorations, guests, and bridal party into the comfort and warmth of the Cypress Grill.

For their reception, most couples married at Gray Plantation host their guests in the sophisticated Evergreen Room.

“We offer versatility,” Prejean says. “The Evergreen Room works for any style wedding, whether simple and classic or unique and fun. This venue is a blank canvas upon which you can create the wedding Vol. 6 • No. 22

February 12, 2015 31

of your dreams. The room is simple and elegant by itself, but you can also dress it up and make it fancy.”

The Evergreen Room can accommodate 90 guests for a sit-down banquet or 150 people in a cocktail party setting. For larger guest lists (up to 350 people), the festivities can comfortably spill onto the spacious veranda and into the Cypress Grill. During the reception, the windows and French doors of the Evergreen Room can be opened, bringing in the views of the golf course and setting sun. In the Grill, TV screens allow guests to see what is going on in the main room.

As a photographer, Emily Fuselier said Gray Plantation is a fantastic place for a wedding because there are so many photo opportunities. “You have the golf course, the park, inside the ballroom -- you can do so much!”

Nuptial Cuisine Often, the bride and groom are too busy and excited to

32 February 12, 2015

eat much at their wedding, but they want to ensure their guests enjoy a delicious, memorable meal. The food at Gray Plantation is cooked onsite by chef Corey Leger. He has worked in high-end New Orleans restaurants and creates dishes with a distinctive Cajun flair. Cajun pork tenderloin, bacon-wrapped shrimp in a jalapeno cream sauce, catfish strips, chicken salad on croissants, spinach artichoke dip, and bread pudding are a few of his specialties.

Bridal Open House Gray Plantation offers a new service this year to couples that book their wedding at their facility. They will host an open house in the evening this March, which will provide the bride and her entourage a glimpse of what their own event might look like. Brides will see how the different ceremony locations look and feel in the evening and admire the sunset and the way it casts an elegant glow on the veranda. In addition, they’ll sample hors d’oeuvres and other

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menu items.

“I usually meet with brides during the day, so they haven’t really seen what an event here looks like,” Prejean explains. “At night, the room looks completely different when it is set up with dim lighting and candles.”

If you are contemplating where to have your wedding and reception, consider Gray Plantation, especially if you envision a lovely outdoor wedding. It includes the 18-hole golf course, pro shop, Clubhouse and the Cypress Grill restaurant. The golf complex is part of Graywood and is located on Big Lake Road in South Lake Charles. You do not have to be a member of the Graywood community to use the facilities at Gray Plantation. For more information on planning a wedding or any party at Gray Plantation, call Amanda Prejean at (337) 562-1206, extension 3; email her at amanda@ graywoodllc.com; or go to the website, http://graywoodllc.com, and click on Banquets.

ENGAGEMENT AND WEDDINGS

BY THE NUMBERS • 16 months – length of the average American engagement • 2.4 million – average number of weddings performed a year in the U.S. • 50 billion – the amount spent on the wedding industry a year • 25 years – average age for a first-time bride. For grooms, 27.5 • 175 – average number of guests invited to a wedding • 1 in 3 – number of couples who hire a wedding planner • 1 week – average length of a honeymoon • $60,000 – average yearly income of a newly married couple • 12 – average number in the wedding party • 15 percent -- percentage of weddings that include ethnic customs • 35 percent -- percentage of weddings that occur in summer.

29 percent in spring, 23 percent in fall, 13 percent in winter • $22,000 – average amount spent on a traditional American wedding

Vol. 6 • No. 22

February 12, 2015 33

Brewer’s Dinner at L’Auberge Feb. 20 On Friday, February 20 at 6 p.m., the L’Auberge Casino Resort will host an exclusive Louisiana Brewer’s Dinner featuring dishes specially prepared by L’Auberge’s chefs to be featured with four Louisiana breweries: Abita, NOLA, Bayou Teche Biere and Covington Brewhouse.

Tom Bobak, the founder and editor-in-chief of AmericanCraftBeer.com, will be on hand to deliver a talk about the growth of craft beer in the South as well as to introduce the Louisiana brewers.

Only 40 seats have been made available to the public and they are on sale now.

Go to www.lawinterbeerfest.com for more information.

LOUISIANA WINTER BEER FESTIVAL BREWERS DINNER MENU Butler Passed Hors d’Oeuvres Brie & Bacon Marmalade Crostini Gulf Oysters with Clear Bloody Mary Granite & Pickled Okra *Abita Amber Lager First Station: Crispy Red Snapper Fennel & Jicama Slaw *Abita Grapefruit India Pale Ale Second Station: Braised Beef Short Ribs Potato-Bacon Ragout *Covington Bayou Bock Lager Third Station: Mesquite Smoked Suckling Pig Side Roasted Apple & House Cured Slab Bacon *NOLA Brown Ale Fourth Station: Boudin Stuffed Venison Chops Savory Crawfish & Gouda Bread Pudding *Bayou Teche Saison D’Ecrevisses Dessert Station: Chocolate Caramel Brownie Torte Fudge Brownie, Salted Caramel, Roasted Cashews & Mascarpone Cream *Bayou Teche Loup Garou Whiskey Bar

La. Winter Beer Festival Feb. 21 Don’t Miss the Brews!

The inaugural Louisiana Winter Beer Festival will feature over 50 craft beers, ciders, and meads from Louisiana and other American craft breweries as well as local food selections, prizes, a home-brew competition, and live music. For $40, attendees will receive a commemorative tasting glass and admission to the event from 1-4 p.m. VIP tickets are sold out.

The event will be held on Feb. 21 at the Historic Calcasieu Marine National Bank building in downtown Lake Charles, a beautifully restored early 20th century building. With a list of over 50 beers and growing fast, this festival will be a destination for craft beer lovers across the South.

For ticket information, go to www.lawinterbeerfest.com.

34 February 12, 2015

Vol. 6 • No. 22

Death by Chocolate Murder Mystery Dinner Feb. 12 Sulphur’s Community Theatre, The Mines, present Death by Chocolate at the West Calcasieu Arena & Events Center in Sulphur on Feb. 12. Admission is $50 and includes dinner and the show. Starts at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are on sale now. (337) 2151301.

Calcasieu Cinema International Presents Journey From the Fall Feb. 13 Calcasieu Cinema International continues its annual film series with a showing of the 2007 award-winning film, Journey From the Fall, at 7 p.m. Fri., Feb. 13, at the Historic Central School Auditorium. This American film examines the devastating effects of the Vietnam conflict and the resulting emigration of the Vietnamese from their homeland. The film has won over a dozen awards and the showing will be followed with a group discussion guided by McNeese State University history instructor Son Mai. For more information, email cbadeaux@mcneese. edu or jkprjs@gmail.com.

Valentine’s Day Cruise Feb. 14 Cruise the river aboard the Lady of the Lake and enjoy food, fun, dancing and music by JC Melancon and the Bayou Band!

Cruise will depart from Riverside Resort (Loggerheads) and runs from 6-9 p.m. Cash bar available. Menu: (buffet style) ribeye steak, potatoes au gratin, fried okra, crab-stuffed mushrooms, shrimp cocktail, garden salad, bread roll, fruits and cheeses, hors d’oeuvres, desserts. Tickets are $100 per person. (337) 4916794, must be 21 to attend.

Zimmermann/Anthony Exhibit Reception Feb. 19 The opening reception for an exhibit featuring local artists Sue Zimmermann and Ellen Anthony will be held Thurs., Feb. 19 from 5-6:30 p.m. in the Post Office at Walnut Grove in Lake Charles.

The exhibit is part of an on-going series at Walnut Grove that spotlights local artists each quarter. The exhibit will run through May 1. The Walnut Grove Post Office is located at 2025 W. Walnut Street, Suite 1B in Lake Charles. For details, call (337) 439-2787.

Boat, Sport and RV Show Feb. 20-22 This three-day event at the Lake Charles Civic Center is touted as the region’s largest. See 43 brands of boats & 99 brands of RVs in one easy to shop location, plus campground info, scuba gear, jet skis, resort information, guides, ATVs, fishing tackle and much more! Feb. 20-22. Adults $8; children 15 and under free (with paid adult). (337) 436-4355.

Winter Beer Festival Feb. 21 The inaugural Louisiana Winter Beer Festival will be held 1-4 p.m. at the Calcasieu Marine Bank Building and will feature over 50 craft beers, ciders, and meads from Louisiana and other American Craft Breweries as well as local food selections, prizes, a home-brew competition, and live music. Regular admission is $40, VIP admission is $80. Will be held Sat., Feb. 21. Tickets available at: http://www.eventbrite.com/e/2015-louisiana-winterbeer-festival-tickets-14935005002?aff=efbevent

Poetry Out Loud Feb. 26 High school students representing schools and libraries across SWLA will come together on Thurs., Feb. 26, to compete for top

Friday, February 14: Valentine’s Day Cards Stop by the ArtSpace from 12:30-1:30 p.m. to make a Valentine’s Day card for your special someone!

Join at the Children’s Museum for the many holidays and celebrations in the month of February. There are exciting activities planned children of all ages.

Friday, February 13: Heart Painting Join us in the ArtSpace from 3:30-4:30 p.m. for heart painting using toilet paper rolls!

Saturday, February 14: Sasol’s Second Saturday Science Show Sasol continues its 5S Project with “Melting with Love” at 11:30 a.m.

Carla Morgan will show children how chocolate and crayons melt, and kids will also make a sun-catcher by melting crayons.

Monday, February 16: Mardi Gras Masks Get ready for the Mardi Gras parades by making a masks in the ArtSpace from 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

Wednesday, February 18: Japanese Cherry Blossoms Paint a beautiful Japanese cherry blossom tree! Classes begin at 11 a.m. and noon. and are limited to 12 children each, ages 5 and up.

Friday, February 20: Playdough Build something neat using Playdough in the ArtSpace from 3:30-4:30 p.m.

Friday, February 27: Watercolor Circle Art Create your own circle design using watercolors in the ArtSpace from 3:30-4:30 p.m.

The Children’s Museum is located at 327 Broad Street downtown Lake Charles. Museum hours are from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Monday through Saturday. Admission is $7.50 for children and adults. Call 337-433-9420 or visit www.swlakids.org 36 February 12, 2015

Vol. 6 • No. 22

honors at Poetry Out Loud’s annual Southwest Louisiana Regional Competition in the Benjamin W. Mount Auditorium at Central School at 6 p.m. The students who compete at the Regional level have already made it through the first round of competition at their schools or local library.For students to compete at Regionals, the schools must have registered their own Poetry Out Loud competition with the Arts Council earlier this year. For more information, visit www.artscouncilswla.org.

Disney’s Mulan Feb. 27-28, March 1 The much-anticipated Disney’s MULAN launches the Children’s Theatre Company’s 2014-2015 season. Presented by Kerry A. Onxley CTC Artistic Director; Abigail Guillory, CTC Associate Director and Joseph Boyette, Vocal Director, this family musical makes its debut on Fri., Feb. 27 at the Benjamin Mount Auditorium at the Central School of the Arts & Humanities Center (809 Kirby Street) located in downtown Lake Charles. The show will run Feb. 27-28 at 7:30 p.m. and Sun., March 1 at 3 p.m. Tickets are $15 for adults and $13 for students and may be purchased at www.childrenstheatre.cc or by calling (337) 433-7323.

Empty Bowl Fundraiser March 10 The Salvation Army will hold its seventh “Empty Bowl” dinner at L’Auberge Casino Resort from 6-9 p.m. on Tues., March 10. Guests will enjoy an array of delicious soups provided by 12 premier chefs in the area along with salad and dessert. Each guest will also receive a handmade one-of-a-kind ceramic bowl designed by local artisans as a gift and enjoy entertainment by Chris Flowers and the Louisiana Express. For information on the different sponsorship levels or to purchase individual tickets, call (337) 433-4155.

Beats & Eats March. 20 Volunteers of America will hold its Beats & Eats fundraiser on Friday, March 20 from 6-9 p.m. at Treasures of Marilyn’s in Lake Charles. The casual event will feature a dinner buffet and entertainment by Tommy Shreve & Friends. Products and services donated by area businesses will be auctioned. Additionally, there will be a raffle for a Gift Card Bundle valued at $525. Raffle tickets are being sold in advance for only $5, and you do not have to be present to win. Tickets for Beats & Eats are only $40 per person or $300 for a reserved table of 10 before March 6. Call (337) 497-0034.

SWLA Garden Conference & Expo March 27-28 Whether you have a green thumb or are just green with envy by your neighbor’s garden, the SWLA Garden Conference & EXPO has got you covered. With gardening experts on hand, exhibitors and vendors selling plants, garden products and accessories, the EXPO has everything you need to start or maintain your garden.

It is located at Burton Coliseum in Lake Charles on March 27-28 from 9 a.m.-5p.m. Admission is $3 per person, and kids 12 and under get in free. For more information, visit www.gardenfest.org or call (337) 475-8812.

Vol. 6 • No. 22

February 12, 2015 37

Black or White (Relativity Media, 2015) her mother, Elliot’s daughter, Elliot Anderson is an alcoholic lawyer. With his wife died in childbirth.

At Carole’s funeral, Eloise’s gone, he’s now responsible for his ten-year-old granddaugh- other grandmother shows up ter, Eloise. Their relationship at the wake, much to Elliot’s discomfort. He never cared has always been friendly, even if he always concentrat- much for Rowena (“WiWi”) and her family, especially ed more on his job and left her son, Reggie. Elliot sees the grand-parenting to his Reggie as responsible for his wife, Carole. daughter’s death. And he But now he has to step hasn’t seen Eloise in years. in as a sole caretaker, and That’s the setup for Black his alcoholism doesn’t help.

Eloise has a black father, Reg- or White: a modern black gie, who is a drug addict and family and a modern white

38 February 12, 2015

household, with a little girl caught in the middle. But before you start cringing over all your expectations of a made for TV drama, let me tell you this: Black or White is incredibly funny.

Director Michael Binder has managed to make every character likeable and humorous while showing us their considerable faults. Elliot is a responsible alcoholic in that he doesn’t drive drunk. WiWi, who wants Eloise to come live with her, is pleasantly pushy, even though she’s in denial about her son’s drug problems. And Reggie himself, played by Andre Holland (Selma) manages to fulfill our stereotype of a drug addict while tearing it apart.

A frequent straight man for the humor is Duvan, a young math tutor Elliot hires for Eloise. From Africa, he sports literacy in nine languages and a briefcase full of papers he has written on everything from psychology to science.

Even when the fight for Eloise moves to the courtroom, the humor persists.

WiWi employs her brother as her lawyer. His frustrated professionalism is thwarted in front of the judge as an emotional WiWi pulls the sister card during hearings.

Kevin Costner plays Elliot so well that he reminds me a lot of people I know: deeply thoughtful yet conflicted about race, and frustrated that his well-intentioned comments can turn into a “gotcha” at any moment. WiWi is played by Octavia Spencer, and if you’ve seen The Help, you know what to expect.

Spencer gives us a WiWi that is both savvy and grandmotherly. And very comical.

For all its humor and excellent acting, Black or White has a lot of awkward moments that keep it from being an Academy Award-quality movie. It feels as if the director, in his passion to show us so many social complexities, shows us more than we need to see, making the story seem a little murky. The movie is too successful at not offending anyone too much, and as a result, seems too light for a movie about racial issues.

On the other hand, maybe the director’s inspiration was Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner?, which was a classic race-relations comedy.

In any case, I predict you will laugh, very hard, as Elliot struggles with his anger and WiWi struggles for her granddaughter’s well-being.

Hey, it’s 2015, not 1960.

Race relations have come a long way. What needs to happen now is a conversation about what we have in common, not the difference in our skin color. Black or White gives us something to talk about. After we finish laughing.

Black or White is rated PG-13 for drug use, an intoxicated brawl, and some language. Enjoy!

Vol. 6 • No. 22

The Magician’s Lie Abracadabra.

Now you see it.

Now you don’t, because a good magician knows to hide his props behind his fingers, beneath her clothes, in his pockets. And yet we flock to see that sleight of hand, the illusions, the chance to be awe-struck, entertained, and fooled.

Now you see it. Now you don’t. And in the new novel The Magician’s Lie by Greer Macallister, the only thing she’s hiding is the truth.

Officer Virgil Holt figured his life was over. Just that week, he’d learned that the bullet he carried in his body could kill him at any time. Once the sheriff found out, he’d strip Virgil of his badge; he’d lose his wife, his home, everything he’d worked for. So when a dead man was found in a theatre basement, gruesomely chopped in half, Virgil almost wished he could trade places.

But then something happened that could save him: Virgil captured The Amazing Arden, illusionist, wife of the dead man. Virgil had seen her stage show. He knew she cut men in two and he had her now, triple-handcuffed to a jailhouse chair.

He wanted a confession but instead, Arden began telling Virgil a story…

Once, long ago, when she was called Vol. 6 • No. 22

Ada, her mother taught her to dance and she had big plans. Then a cousin ruined everything by throwing Ada off a beam onto a barn floor. Just before fleeing for her life, she learned of her own healing powers.

As a runaway, Ada took a job as a kitchen maid where she met a boy and fell in love; he took her to New York, then broke her heart. Shortly afterward, she found work with a magic show, the owner of which taught Ada everything about illusion, and about pleasing a crowd. Ada grew to crave applause.

When the man she loved came back into her life, Ada became Arden, famous for her daring stage shows. She was in love, and happy until everything changed, all because of a fire and a chance meeting that nearly killed her.

She was a victim. She didn’t kill her husband. She didn’t know who did. At least that’s what she said…

So, you might be a little gullible. You know when someone’s fibbing – more or less. But the one thing you’ll know for sure when you read this book is that you’ve got a winner in your hands.

Set around the turn of the last century, The Magician’s Lie proves, like

any good stage show, that our brains can easily deceive us: never mind the characters, we readers don’t truly know if Arden is spinning a fable or giving an alibi.

I’m still reeling from the possibilities myself, because author Greer Macallister’s conjured up the kind of novel that pulls readers in, shakes us up, and leaves us feeling sawed in two.

That, and the lingering sense of having just been happily duped, makes this one very satisfying novel and you know you want it. Go now, find The Magician’s Lie and watch your time disappear.

The Magician’s Lie

by Greer Macallister ©2015, Sourcebooks $23.99 / $29.99 Canada, 320 pages February 12, 2015 39

Thursday, Feb. 12 Happy Hour 4 p.m.-1 a.m. @ Bourbonz 3436 Ryan St., LC

Richard LeBouef and Two Step 7 p.m. @ Mikko Live Coushatta Casino Resort 777 Coushatta Drive, Kinder

DJ Trey 9 p.m. @ Bourbonz 3436 Ryan St., LC

Live Music 6 p.m. @ Ember Grille & Wine Bar 777 Avenue L’Auberge, LC

Karaoke Night 9 p.m. @ Crystal’s 112 W. Broad St., LC

DJ San-D 11 p.m. @ Jack After Dark L’Auberge Casino Resort

By Ron Muniz Delta Downs Racetrack/Casino/Hotel commemorates the 35TH anniversary of the film Urban Cowboy, starring John Travolta and Debra Winger, with the return performance of country music star Mickey Gilley in the casino’s event center Saturday night February 14.

Released in 1980, the movie tells the story of Bud Davis who leaves his small Texas town for a better job in Houston and finds himself in a love triangle of western nightlife filled with beer, babes and mechanical bulls.

Shot in and around Gilley’s nightclub, the Pasadena, Texas venue gained notoriety from the film as “The world’s biggest honky tonk.”

Riding on the heels of Saturday Night Fever, Travolta helped the American cowboy become mainstream and Western wear hip to a new audience.

“Actually, all it was, was Country Night Fever. Boy meets girl at a nightclub in Texas, doing the Cotton-Eyed Joe and all these other kinds of dances,” Gilley says. “They had a lot of different acts on the soundtrack which introduced that style of music and that type of music to a bigger audience. They started paying attention to what we were 40 February 12, 2015

Mickey Gilley and John Travolta, 1980

doing in country music when John did that film. And I think that gave it a lot of credibility and was a boost to country music at that time.”

Having a successful career of his own during the 1970s with hits like “Room Full of Roses” and “Don’t The Girls All Look Prettier At Closing Time, it was his remake of “Stand By Me” featured in the film that brought his music to the forefront.

“That was the grudge dance between John and Debra. That’s the song that really took me out of the shadows of my cousin Jerry Lee Lewis,” Gilley says.

That’s right, not only is the Louisiana native from Ferriday kin to Lewis, but he’s also related

to the Reverend Jimmy Swaggart. The cousins all honed their extroverted skills at an early age playing music together as young boys.

Returning to Delta Downs after consecutive sold-out shows two years in a row, Gilley offers a sneak peak of what fans can expect come Saturday night.

“I’m looking forward to coming back to Delta Downs,” he continues. “I have a 7-piece band with two girl singers and we’ll do songs that were hits for us. I try to do songs as close to the recordings as I possibly can for the folks. I think that’s what is important to the fans when they come to the show. To hear music on the radio and then duplicate that sound at a live performance is when you win the audience over.”

With 17 hits under his belt, Gilley swept the 1976 Academy of Country Music awards receiving top honors with Entertainer of the Year, Album of the Year and Song of the Year among others. Gilley also has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and has performed before two presidents. But not before paying his dues like many other young musicians.

“Ya know, I worked in Lake Charles in the beginning of my Vol. 6 • No. 22

777 Ave. L’Auberge, LC

Friday, Feb. 13 Live Music 7 p.m. @ Ember Grille & Wine Bar 777 Avenue L’Auberge, LC

Dustin Landry & Travis Corbello 7 p.m. @ Loggerheads 3748 Hwy 305, LC

Honeyjar 8 p.m. @ Jack After Dark L’Auberge Casino Resort 777 Ave. L’Auberge, LC

No Idea 9 p.m. @ Mikko Live Coushatta Casino Resort 777 Coushatta Drive, Kinder

Mark Henry 9 p.m.- midnight @ Cigar Club 1700 E. Prien Lake Rd., LC

to resurrect the honky tonk that started it all. “Right now, I’m trying to get it rebuilt in Pasadena” Gilley says.

After many years in the entertainment business Gilley is still full of drive and ambition. So I had to ask, “What advice do you have for young musicians in Southwest Louisiana, playing those small, smoky clubs looking to make a name for themselves?”

The Kid Carsons 10 p.m. @ Luna Live 710 Ryan St., LC Dance Night 9 p.m.- 4 a.m. @ Crystal’s 112 W. Broad St., LC

Mr. DJ 9 p.m. @ Bourbonz 3436 Ryan St., LC

career in 1958,” he remembers. “I worked at a little club called Ray’s Lounge and the Moulin Rouge and the Golden Rocket. There were quite a few places around the Lake Charles area where I worked at one time.”

In 1990, the original Gilley’s nightclub was lost in a fire and since that time, he’s opened five other venues as well as a theater in Branson, Missouri. But there are plans

Vol. 6 • No. 22

BB & Company 9 p.m. @ Gator Lounge, Delta Downs 2717 Delta Downs Drive, Vinton

DJ San-D 11 p.m. @ Jack After Dark L’Auberge Casino Resort 777 Ave. L’Auberge, LC

His answer was simple yet profound. “My advice? Just go out there and be yourself.

And don’t try to be a copy of anybody. When I finally realized that and started doing the music the way I felt it was when things started turning around for me.”

And turned around they did.

Sorry, tickets to Mickey Gilley’s Valentine’s Day concert are SOLD OUT.

February 12, 2015 41

Saturday, Feb. 14 Joe Harmon & the Harmonics 4-30-8:30 p.m. @ Mikko Live Coushatta Casino Resort 777 Coushatta Drive, Kinder Live Music 7 p.m. @ Ember Grille & Wine Bar 777 Avenue L’Auberge, LC Flashback 7:30 p.m. @ Loggerheads 3748 Hwy 305, LC

Krewe of Concoctions Krewe Party 8 p.m. @ Luna Live 710 Ryan St., LC

Sunday, Feb. 15 Ellis Vanicor and the Lacassine Playboys

Jazz Night 6:30 @ Loggerheads 3748 Hwy 305, LC

3-7 p.m. @ Wayne & Layne’s Deli 3906 Hwy 27 S, Sulphur

Monday, Feb. 16

Bernie Alan 7 p.m. @ Mikko Live Coushatta Casino Resort 777 Coushatta Drive, Kinder

Bernie Alan 7 p.m. @ Mikko Live Coushatta Casino Resort 777 Coushatta Drive, Kinder

Two for Tuesday on Everything!

9 p.m. - 2 a.m. @ Crystal’s 112 Broad St., LC

Lundi Gras with Hazy Ray 10 p.m. @ Luna Live 710 Ryan St., LC

Fat Tuesday, Feb. 17 Guys Night @ Bourbonz 3436 Ryan St., LC

The Flamethrowers 10 p.m. @ Luna Live 710 Ryan St., Lake Charles

Wednesday, Feb. 18 Karaoke with DJ Cornbread 7 p.m. @ Bourbonz 3436 Ryan St., LC

No Idea 9 p.m. @ Mikko Live Coushatta Casino Resort 777 Coushatta Drive, Kinder BB & Company 9 p.m. @ Gator Lounge Delta Downs 2717 Delta Downs Drive, Vinton Mr. DJ 9 p.m. @ Bourbonz 3436 Ryan St., LC Wayne Dylan 9-midnight @ Cigar Club 1700 E. Prien Lake Rd., LC Special Event Night 9 p.m. – 2 a.m. @ Crystal’s 112 W. Broad St., LC DJ San-D 11 p.m. @ Jack After Dark L’Auberge Casino Resort 777 Ave. L’Auberge, LC 42 February 12, 2015

Vol. 6 • No. 22

Chris Miller & Bayou Roots 6:30 @ Loggerheads 3748 Hwy 305, Lake Charles

Talent Night 9 p.m. - 2 a.m. @ Crystal’s 112 Broad St., LC

William Christian 8 – 11 p.m. @ Cigar Club 1700 E. Prien Lake Rd., LC

Thursday, Feb. 19 Happy Hour 4 p.m.-1 a.m. @ Bourbonz

The Good Times Keep Rolling Laissez les bon temps rouler and Happy Valentine’s Day! The Mardi Gras season is in full swing and the King Cakes are plentiful. I actually did not have my first King Cake of the season until the last week of January, but since that first slice they haven’t stopped coming. This seems to be the only time of year when all of Southwest Louisiana and our neighboring parishes truly celebrate and revel collectively in the joy of the moment.

There are an overload of events, some public and some private, but nevertheless, there is great fun to be had.

Let’s begin with Valentine’s Day. If you want a simple night out on the town, my friends The After Hours, a talented trio of youthful musicians will perform at Pint House Pizzeria (329 Broad Street) from 8 – 10 p.m.

Earlier in the day, I will be attending the World Famous Cajun Extravaganza and Gumbo Cook-off at the Civic Center. The judges will begin weighing in on submissions at 11:30 a.m. and gumbo will be served after Vol. 6 • No. 22

3436 Ryan St., LC

Joe Harmon & the Harmonics 7 p.m. @ Mikko Live Coushatta Casino Resort 777 Coushatta Drive, Kinder

that until 1:30 p.m. Admission is $5 with no charge for children ages five and under. And you can enjoy great entertainment while you sample all the entries. Come early; there’s always a huge crowd!

There are many parades and familyfriendly events during the Mardi Gras season that are open to the public and most are free. Please pick up your smart phone, device, calendar or a piece of paper, and note that Sunday, February 15 is a day to leave open. So much takes place that it will be hard to decide what to take part in.

Grab your Louisiana Hot Sauce and get ready to chow down on some of the best of the best foods Louisiana has to offer. Taste de la Louisiane takes place inside the Lake Charles Civic Center from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Tickets are $7 per person. If you have little ones, the Mardi Gras Children’s Day event is scheduled from noon-3 p.m. with the Children’s Parade starting at 3:30 beginning downtown and traveling down Ryan Street to Sale Road. For my athletic friends, Lake Area Runners are holding their Mardi Gras Madness 5K inside the Civic Center. Registration begins at 1:30 p.m., and the race starts at 2:30 p.m. Later that night, the Mardi Gras Lighted Board Parade coasts by the lakefront promenade at 7 p.m.

The following night on February 16, the Royal Gala takes place at 7 p.m. at the Civic Center and is the signature event of the Mardi Gras season. Don’t miss seeing the 2015 Royal Courts in all their splendor, and make sure you grab a copy of The Jam’s special Mardi Gras issue, which will be given out that night!

The next day is Fat Tuesday! The

Karaoke Night 9 p.m. @ Crystal’s 112 W. Broad St., LC DJ Cage 11 p.m. @ Jack After Dark L’Auberge Casino Resort 777 Ave. L’Auberge, LC

Iowa Chicken Run is scheduled at the KC Hall, (503 U.S. 90) with doors opening at 8 a.m. and the parade rolling at 10. Back at base in the Lake City, the Motor Gras Parade begins at 11 a.m. Later that day, the big Krewe of Krewes Parade begins at 5 p.m., rolling through downtown and midtown. Catch some beads and have a wonderful time!

There’s still plenty to do, even though Mardi Gras is over. The Louisiana Winter Beer Festival will be held in the Calcasieu Marine Bank Building at 844 Ryan St. benefiting the Lake Charles Symphony on Saturday, February 21. For more information, visit www.lawinterbeerfest.com. Lake Charles Little Theatre presents Harvey starting February 22 and continuing every Sunday, Friday and Saturday until March 8. Visit www.thelclt.com for more details.

I’m looking forward to Poetry Out Loud on February 26 at Central School on Kirby Street and the Live at the Lakefront Series, which takes place at the Arcade Amphitheater along the lakefront March 13, 20 and 27. Performers will be announced soon. I’m also going to the Black Heritage Festival. Their special guests, scheduled for March 14, are Betty Wright and S.O.S. Band live in concert at the Lake Charles Civic Center. And if you’re interested in traveling across the lake or if you’re already there, the Sulphur Mines Festival takes place March 13-14 at the West Cal Arena & Event Center.

There is so much happening in our area with so much more to come. Be sure to explore and make the most of each moment. Make it a great one, Southwest Louisiana!

February 12, 2015 43

Friday, Feb. 20 Live Music 7 p.m. @ Ember Grille & Wine Bar L’Auberge Casino Resort 777 Avenue L’Auberge, LC Judd Bares 7 p.m. @ Loggerheads 3748 Hwy 305, Lake Charles Red Republiq 8 p.m. @ Jack After Dark L’Auberge Casino Resort 777 Ave. L’Auberge, LC

LeRoy Thomas & Zydeco Roadrunners 9 p.m. @ Gator Lounge Delta Downs 2717 Delta Downs Drive, Vinton

44 February 12, 2015

Mr. DJ 9 p.m. @ Bourbonz 3436 Ryan St., LC Karaoke with Avid Sounds 9 p.m. @ Coolers 3622 1/2 Ryan St. LC No Idea 9 p.m. @ Mikko Live Coushatta Casino Resort 777 Coushatta Drive, Kinder Jessie Taylor 9 p.m.- midnight @ Cigar Club 1700 E. Prien Lake Rd., LC Dance Night 9 p.m. – 4 a.m. @ Crystal’s 112 W. Broad St., LC

Oh, Rhien 10 p.m. @ Luna Live 710 Ryan St., LC

DJ Cage 11 p.m. @ Jack After Dark L’Auberge Casino Resort 777 Ave. L’Auberge, LC

Saturday, Feb. 21 Live Music 7 p.m. @ Ember Grille & Wine Bar L’Auberge Casino Resort 777 Avenue L’Auberge, LC

Kory Fontenot 7 p.m. @ Loggerheads 3748 Hwy 305, LC

Vol. 6 • No. 22

Mr. DJ 9 p.m. @ Bourbonz 3436 Ryan St., LC

Special Event Night 9 p.m. – 2 a.m. @ Crystal’s 112 W. Broad St., LC

Neal Smith 9 p.m.- midnight @ Cigar Club 1700 E. Prien Lake Rd., LC

No Idea 9 p.m. @ Mikko Live Coushatta Casino Resort 777 Coushatta Drive, Kinder

LeRoy Thomas & Zydeco Roadrunners

DJ Cage 11 p.m. @ Jack After Dark L’Auberge Casino Resort 777 Ave. L’Auberge, LC

9 p.m. @ Gator Lounge, Delta Downs 2717 Delta Downs Drive, Vinton

Live @ the Lakefront 2015 Lineup Announced The electric lineup of live music performances for Live @ the Lakefront 2015 has been announced by the event’s presenting sponsors – the Arts Council of SWLA, City of Lake Charles, and Deep South Productions. The annual live music series will celebrate its fourth season on three consecutive Fridays on March 13, 20, and 27 from 6-10 p.m. at the Lakefront Promenade’s Arcade Amphitheatre.

Gal Holiday & the Honky Tonk Revue will kick off the 2015 season as the headlining performance on March 13.

Hailing from New Orleans, Gal Holiday & the Honky Tonk Revue revives dancehall culture with their spirited original Americana/country compositions mixed fluidly with powerful tributes to honky tonk icons such as Hank Williams and Connie Smith. Opening for Gal Holiday & the Honky Tonk Revue will be local country band, The Yams, which recently released Sincerely, The Yams, in 2014. The evening is sponsored by Fusion Five, SWLA’s premiere young professionals organization.

Acadiana-born Cajun band, Feufollet, will headline the concert on March 20.

Often dubbed the future of Cajun music, Feufollet sits at the center of the genre’s neo-traditionalist movement. The band’s most recent album, En Couleurs, married Acadiana’s traditional Cajun music with progressive melodies and was nominated for a GRAMMY award in Vol. 6 • No. 22

2011. Local Americana band, Sinners, will open for Feufollet. The evening is sponsored by McDonald’s of SWLA. Closing out the season will be returning favorite The Flamethrowers on March 27. Made up of a group of 20-somethings from Louisiana, The Flamethrowers have sold out venues across the Gulf Coast since 2005. The popular party rock band performs high-energy cover songs from across the decades. The band’s signature stage presence makes them a favorite act in the Lake Area. Young Band Nation, a creative collective of student musicians, will open the evening, which is sponsored

by Empire of the Seed.

Live @ the Lakefront will also include an extensive local art market each Friday as well as food trucks and booths from several locally-owned restaurants. Bring chairs and a blanket. Since the Arts Council will benefit from all beverage sales, no outside ice chests are allowed.

February 12, 2015 45

Sunday, Feb. 22

Tuesday, Feb. 24

Wednesday, Feb. 25

Ellis Vanicor and the Lacassine Playboys 3-7 p.m. @ Wayne & Layne’s Deli 3906 Hwy 27 S, Sulphur

Guys Night @ Bourbonz 3436 Ryan St., LC

Karaoke with DJ Cornbread 7 p.m. @ Bourbonz 3436 Ryan St., LC

Jazz Night 6:30 p.m. @ Loggerheads 3748 Hwy 305, LC

Monday, Feb. 23 Open Mic Night 9 p.m. @ Luna Live 710 Ryan St., LC

Dancing 9 p.m. - 2 a.m. @ Crystal’s 112 Broad St., LC

WE HAVE A WINNER!!!

And the GRAMMY for the 2015 Regional Roots Music Album goes to-- Jo-El Sonnier!

It’s been almost 60 years since a certain 6-year-old Rayne boy hit the airwaves for the first time. Inspired by the music of Iry LeJune, Aldus Roger, Lawrence Walker and the other Cajun music greats of the day, the young boy began his musical life immersed in a culture and music that he not only embraced but one that he eventually would become a legendary and historical part of.

That musical foundation put him on a path that took him to Los Angeles, Nashville, around the world and to the Top 10 of the Billboard Country Chart. It took him to stages and studios where he found himself with legends of his own musical background as well as the likes of Bob Dylan, Chuck Berry, Steve Winwood, Buddy Guy, Charlie Daniels, Ronnie Milsap, The Band’s Garth Hudson and countless more. It’s also led him to a seat with his name on it at The GRAMMY Awards four times over the years. Each was a rewarding and exciting experience, but sadly fruitless in terms of bringing home that coveted golden phonograph.

For a few years of my childhood, I found myself living in Irving, Texas and it was there that I first heard Jo-El Sonnier. As the video for “Tear-Stained Letter” played on CMT, my father asked me if I knew who that was. He told me 46 February 12, 2015

Chris Miller & Bayou Roots 6:30 p.m. @ Loggerheads 3748 Hwy 305, LC Joe Ecker 8-11 p.m. @ Cigar Club 1700 E. Prien Lake Rd., LC

his name and that he was from back home in SWLA. Knowing that someone from my humble little corner of my home state could accomplish such things gave this young aspiring musician the hopes that maybe…just maybe, one day he might be able do the same. From that day forward, I looked up to Jo-El and have continued to count him a true personal and musical inspiration.

I was lucky enough to meet him and his lovely wife Bobbye by chance about five years ago and was even more fortunate to work with them, get to know them and then to count them as cherished and dear friends. I remember the excitement in Jo-El’s voice when he started telling me about “the new French album” and how passionate he always gets when he starts talking about the vital importance of keeping the Cajun French musical traditions alive. Even then, I’m sure he didn’t imagine just how exciting things would get by the end of the day.

The album was titled The Legacy and was released by Takau Records on December 10, 2013. It was the first fully Cajun French album that Jo-El had put out in some 13 years. The 13 tracks came from over 10 years of songwriting and even hearkened back to his first penned and recorded tune from when he was 11 years old, nodding to “Tes Yeux Bleu” with the newly penned piece “Mes Yeux Bleu.”

Despite the fact that it would never see the hits or commercial success that he saw in the country music world with “Come On Joe,” I knew even then that it was unquestionably his proudest and most cherished work in his five Vol. 6 • No. 22

Karaoke with Avid Sounds 9 p.m. @ Coolers 3622 1/2 Ryan St. LC Talent Night 9 p.m. - 2 a.m. @ Crystal’s 112 Broad St., LC

Thursday, Feb. 26 Happy Hour 4 p.m.-1 a.m. @ Bourbonz 3436 Ryan St., LC

Live Music 6 p.m. @ Ember Grille & Wine Bar L’Auberge Casino Resort 777 Avenue L’Auberge, LC

DJ Crush 11 p.m. @ Jack After Dark L’Auberge Casino Resort 777 Ave. L’Auberge, LC

David Joel 7 p.m. @ Mikko Live Coushatta Casino Resort 777 Coushatta Drive, Kinder

Friday, Feb. 27

Karaoke Night 9 p.m @ Crystal’s 112 W. Broad St., LC

decades of making music. It was his opus to those who came before and to his own life and career and what it all truly meant to him. It was as Jo-El as Jo-El gets. Personal, honest, real and unquestionably Cajun.

Even with his enthusiasm and pride in this new work, I don’t think that even he thought that this next step in his musical journey would take him quite where it has. I don’t think he believed it when he received the letter from the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences telling him that once again, for the fifth time, he had that seat in Hollywood with his name on it. I’m sure he was in complete disbelief when he heard fellow Loui-

Vol. 6 • No. 22

Happy Hour 4 p.m.-1 a.m. @ Bourbonz 3436 Ryan St., LC Live Music 7 p.m. @ Ember Grille & Wine Bar

sianan Hunter Hayes say that this time, the GRAMMY Award was coming home with him.

So, Southwest Louisiana’s beloved musical son is a GRAMMY winner. Much deserved and long overdue, yes; but I’m sure even Jo-El would tell you that if there is any album that he would have wanted this to happen on, it would no doubt be The Legacy. It’s Jo-El’s legacy and the legacy of the Cajun music that he loves so dearly and it’s more important than any award. He wants to share it with all of you and everyone else who will hear love and remember those old (and not-so-old) Cajun songs. Maybe, if we’re all lucky, there’s another 7 or 8 year old out there who might now hear the King of Cajun singing and playing “Ya Juste Toi” or “Cher’ Tit Coeur” and think to himself “Maybe. Just, maybe…”

Congratulations, my brother. You deserve it and a thousand more just like it.

You make us all proud to call Southwest Louisiana our home.

L’Auberge Casino Resort 777 Avenue L’Auberge, LC Dance Night 9 p.m. – 4 a.m. @ Crystal’s 112 W. Broad St., LC

Saturday, Feb. 28 Live Music 7 p.m. @ Ember Grille & Wine Bar L’Auberge Casino Resort 777 Avenue L’Auberge, LC

SOMETHING’S HAPPENING HERE...

February 13 Pookie Marceaux Band @Isle of Capri’s Caribbean Cove Lake Arthur native turned resident Texan (that’s okay, Pook. We don’t hold it against ya, brother!) brings a talented lineup playing a great mix of your favorite ol’ swamp pop, classic rock and country songs. If an evening of dancing and all the old favorites is what you’re looking for, you’ll find it with the Pookie Marceaux Band in the Cove. GO SEE THEM! (Tell Pook I sent ya!)

February 14 - Wayne Dylan @ Cigar Club If you’re looking for something a bit lower key than a casino event for Valentine’s night, check out Wayne Dylan. He is easily one of the most talented artists I’ve had the pleasure of working with. The diversity of what he can do with just his voice and a piano continues to amaze me.

I urge any of you who might want to hear some romantic piano-driven hits of yesterday and today, delivered by a devastatingly good voice to GO SEE HIM! Before I go, I do want to give a shout out to another local turned GRAMMY Gold this past weekend. Gill Landry and the guys with Old Crow Medicine Show (of pre-Darius Rucker “Wagon Wheel” fame) took Folk Album of The Year for their album Remedy. One of my favorites!

Congrats!

Also, there is an email address for the column here should you find use for it.

Hit me up at JMLC@justinmorrisentertainment.com with questions comments. and the like. Until then, I’ll see you at the show!

February 12, 2015 47

STELLAR BEANS PATRONS’ SHOW The third annual Patron’s Art Show was held recently at Stellar Beans Coffee House and Edibles.

Area artists who have never exhibited were able to showcase their work to the public.

Supporters came out to enjoy good art, food and fellowship and mingle with the artists.

Lots of talent in the Lake Area!

Jenga Garcia and Jenny Lynn

Amy Ellender and Luca Loukas

Karen Smith and Cary Harmon

Bailey Smith with Madelyn and Julia Pourciaux

Dooley Patin, Melinda Richard and Ryan Patin

SULPHUR MARDI GRAS PARADE It’s been years since the streets of Sulphur were paved with a sea of gold, green and purple beads, frills and feathers! But those days are over as crowds gathered to support the all-new Sulphur Mardi Gras parade, which was brought back for the 2015 season!

Krewes, merchants and organizations took part in the joyful celebration. Throw me somethin’, Mister!

Abby and Blanche Vidrine with Laney Lindsey

Makenna Guillory and Ashleigh McRight 48 February 12, 2015

Cody Myers and Justin Johnson

David Geauthreaux, Phil Darby and Tim Leger

Tiffany Matt, Angel Parker and Hunter Parker Vol. 6 • No. 22

SOUTHWEST DISTRICT LIVESTOCK SHOW AND RODEO It was rodeo time again at the Burton Coliseum Complex! The Southwest District Livestock Show and Rodeo came to town and dazzled the crowds with four fabulous performances in addition to the Western Heritage Trail Rides, Rodeo Parade, Market Lamb Show, Stick Horse Rodeo, Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and much more!

Yee Ha! Ride ‘em, cowboys (and girls)!

Jacye Trahan and Claire Istre

Boyd Walker and Olivia Shepherd

Vol. 6 • No. 22

Bryley Murray, Aubrey Portie and Kyle Sonnier

Dalton Guillory with Joshua and Jacob Vincent

Ruth Ann McDaniel, Virginia and Hunter Benoit with Brandie McDaniel

February 12, 2015 49

VINTON MARDI GRAS Downtown Vinton let the good times roll as crowds lined the streets on a beautiful spring-like day to catch beads, candy and trinkets. Following the parade, everyone gathered in the parking lot of City Hall for food treats and fun as The Knights of Columbus hosted a fabulous gumbo cook-off.

Mmmm good!

Monica Stinson, Rene Broussard and Diane Conner

Robert Caffey, Darrell Miller, Magen Caffey and William Caffey

50 February 12, 2015

Craig Burg and Mike Granger

Journi and Shawna Guillory

Jo Jo Monfils, Mae Moleski and Rose Young

Vol. 6 • No. 22

Vol. 6 • No. 22

February 12, 2015 51