UPPER LAFAYETTE ON THE MOVE.. Letter From Executive Director: Jan Swift Writing this column on Sunday, November 4, I realize that fall is definitely here. On this breezy day, you can feel a palpable shift in the winds as Daylight Savings Time has ended, and there is a growing realization that another year has almost swept by us. Yet what a wonderful year it has been, and it is not over yet! Let’s relish each day we are given. Upcoming Events Go Further With Ford Night Event Hub City Ford 2909 N.W. Evangeline Thwy November 15, 5:30- 7:30 pm Upper Lafayette Member Social Schilling Distributing, 2901 Moss St. November 29, 2012 5:30- 7:30 pm Upper Lafayette Success Stories January 16, 2013, 11:30 am to 1:00 pm Acadian Companies Headquarters Upper Lafayette Philanthropist of the Year March 20, 2012, 11:30 a.m. Focus on Oil and Gas Industry
Executive Director, Jan Swift
November of each year affords us here at Upper Lafayette the opportunity to give thanks for our blessings. Our foundation has much to be thankful for, and we would like to extend our gratitude to each of our members and sponsors who faithfully support us with their financial contributions. As much as we all love promoting Upper Lafayette Parish as a wonderful place in which to live, work and invest, our work would not be possible without funding to cover costs associated with this newsletter, our events, the website at upperlafayette.com, our television show, “Upper Lafayette On the Move,” and administrative costs. We are keenly aware of how important each individual is to our mission of highlighting the goodness in our community, and we thank you for your allegiance.
We are excited to be hosting a members’ appreciation social on November 29, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., at Schilling Distributing, 2901 Moss Street, and will forward details of the event to all members. Special thanks to Herb Schilling and his staff for opening their doors for this fun event! We are all so grateful to supporting sponsors, Republic National Distributing and Prejean’s Restaurant for contributing wine and gumbo for the celebration. Steve Santillo of Jolie’s Louisiana Bistro and Blue Dog Cafe is also providing special treats. We want this event to be very nice for our members. Happy Thanksgiving to each of you. May this be a bountiful holiday season, and may you experience wonderful times with your family and friends.
Bo Ramsay Receives 2012 Civic Cup Honor Congratulations to Dwight “Bo” Ramsay for being honored as the 2012 Civic Cup honoree on November 1, 2012. Since 1933, Lafayette’s finest community leaders and pioneers have been honored with this highly coveted award, which recognizes greatness and passion among us. Many of Bo’s good works have been anonymous. Former Civic Cup Award winner Paul Hilliard said that is the mark of someone truly deserving. “Most people do not realize know what Bo has done,” said Hilliard. “When he sees a way to make it better, he does.”
ULEDF Board of Directors & Staff Adrian Baudoin, President Cherie Hebert, V. President Amos Batiste, Secretary Todd Citron, Treasurer
Last Year’s Civic Cup recipient, Bob Lowe, said that in Ramsay’s case, the decision was obvious. “When all the history books are put together, “ said Lowe, “we are going to find out that Bo Ramsay was one of the most significant people to ever live in this community.”
Julie Simon-Dronet Don Dupuis Ed Krampe Donna Landry
To receive this award is most humbling,” said Ramsay at the Civic Cup banquet. “I know it was a tough decision. We’re plowing new ground tonight when you invite a renegade like me to be part of the group.”
Beau Phares Dwight “Bo” Ramsay Herbert Schilling Jerry Vascocu Monty Warren David Welch
Dwight “Bo” Ramsay
Jan Swift, Director
Volume 47, Page 1
Upper Lafayette salutes Bo Ramsay for his many contributions to our community, and thanks him and Aries Marine for their unwavering support of our foundation since its inception. Here’s to Bo!
November 2012 Printed by Lafayette Economic Development Authority
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UPPER LAFAYETTE ON THE MOVE... Upper Lafayette’s Quest for Your Best 2012 Upper Lafayette enjoyed one of our best meetings ever at our third annual Quest for Your Best on October 23, 2012! Focusing on “The Driving Force of Purpose,” Holly Boffy, Dr. Pat Cooper and David Callecod wowed the crowd with their inspirational, heartfelt messages about what drives them to excel. Each speaker also selected and raffled off a special book that provides them with inspiration. The lucky winners went home with copies of “The Outliers” by Malcolm Gladwell, “The Kingdom Within,” by John Sanford, and “The Great Employee Handbook”, Making Work and Life Better, by Quint Studer. Special thanks to Manuel Valencia, Excelerant, for moderating this event. We are also grateful to Jenny Krueger and Susannah Montanden, Acadiana Symphony Orchestra and Conservatory of Music, for their compelling rendition of “Amazing Grace.” You could have heard a pin drop as they shared their musical passion and talent with the admiring crowd. Manuel Valencia, Dr. Pat Cooper, David Callecod, Holly Franks Boffy and Jan Swift
Without our sponsors, McDonald’s of Acadiana, Opelousas General Health System, and Van Eaton & Romero, this successful event would not have been possible. We are grateful for their support and encouragement of the foundation’s work. Please check out photos from the event on http://www.facebook.com/upper.lafayette. We encourage you to share our link with others who may enjoy the excitement about the opportunities and growth of Upper Lafayette Parish!
Dr. Pat Cooper, Superintendent of LPSS, and Melinda Voorhies, Northside HIgh Principal
Don Dupuis, Cherie Hebert, and Zach Landry
Quest For Your Best Luncheon
Volume 47, Page 2
Susannah Montandon and Jenny Krueger, Acadiana Symphony and Conservatory of Music
Holly Franks Boffy and Jan Swift
November 2012 Printed by Lafayette Economic Development Authority
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Upper Lafayette Hosts Fourth Annual Crawfish Boil
UPPER LAFAYETTE ON THE MOVE... Our Lady of Lourdes Continuing Focus on Community Outreach Upper Lafayette Parish is the continuing recipient of the loving outreach of the Lourdes Foundation and Our Lady of Lourdes Regional Medical Center. With a long term commitment to the health and welfare of the most impoverished in our community, Lourdes’ clinics and programs are in large part located in the area most lacking access to healthcare, 70501. St. Bernadette Community Clinic treats the poorest of the poor in our community. Although located in the 70501 zip code, their scope of patients receiving medical and dental care is far reaching. With a staff of three and a handful of volunteers, over 3600 patients are treated each year in the medical and dental programs. Northside High School Clinic is the only high school based health clinic in Lafayette parish. It was a vision and a mission of Sister Betty Lyons that Lourdes would serve the children in the high school where they had the least access to good, quality healthcare. The Lafayette Parish School Board identified NHS in 1996 as a needing recipient and Lourdes has been present there ever since, providing and supporting a staff of a Nurse Practitioner, a registered nurse and a social worker. Over 500 students and staff are treated each year, with a total number of visits exceeding 3500 annually. Lourdes also assists with health care in six local church families: Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church; St. Anthony’s Catholic Church; Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church; Progressive Baptist Church; Good Hope Baptist Church; and Covenant Methodist Church. Each year 6500 members of these congregations receive much needed health care.
Pharmacy for Lafayette Community Health Care Clinic
Sister Betty Lyons and Sister Eileen Rowe
Lafayette Community Health Care Clinic
Lafayette Community Health Care Clinic is probably the best example of a true collaboration. Our Lady of Lourdes has had a loaned executive/registered nurse in the clinic since its inception. Today, that same Lourdes employee helps to oversee the day-to-day operations at the Community Pharmacy while working at St. Bernadette full-time. Lourdes Foundation has supported the pharmacy with grant dollars since 2006. Approximately 10,000 volunteer hours and assistance resulting in a donation of prescriptions valuing over $1.3 million have been made to the clinic through the years. How does Lourdes accomplish its many desires to enrich our community through medical outreach? Lourdes Foundation, Inc. is a fully owned 501C(3) subsidiary of Our Lady of Lourdes Regional Medical Center, Inc. The Foundation was formed to promote and support the religious, health and charitable activities of Our Lady of Lourdes and with the traditions of the Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health System. See http://www.fmolhs.org/history.htm for a timeline of its history. Individuals may give to this foundation and received tax deductions for their donations. Contact Jeigh Stipe at (337)470-4610 for more information.
Volume 47, Page 3
November 2012 Printed by Lafayette Economic Development Authority
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UPPER LAFAYETTE ON THE MOVE... Our Lady of Lourdes Continuing Focus on Community Outreach (Continued) Grant Recipient Organizations include the Boys and Girls Clubs of Acadiana; Bridge Ministry of Acadiana; C.U.P.S.; Children’s Museum of Acadiana; Desormeaux Foundation; Down Syndrome Association of Acadiana; Faith House; FoodNet; Hearts of Hope; Holy Family Catholic School; Louisiana Emergency Medical Unit; Lafayette Breakfast Sertoma Club; Lafayette Community Health Care Clinic; Lafayette Lions Club; Miles Perret Cancer Services; Our Lady of Lourdes Burn Unit; St. Bernadette Community Clinic; Our Lady of Lourdes – Transitions of Care; SMILE Community Action Agency; St. Thomas More Catholic School; Sts. Leo-Seton Catholic School. It is easy to see how the Mission of Lourdes Foundation, “We are Catholic Missionaries inspired by the Holy Spirit to bring health and hope to our community,” is lived out day to day in our community. Lourdes Foundation has Bud Barrow, CEO of Our Lady of Lourdes, and Jan Swift enabled loving actions and commitments to fund worthUpper Lafayette On The Move TV Interview while health initiatives that change lives for the better, one at a time, multiplied by the thousands. Thank you Lourdes from all of us at Upper Lafayette for the good works you do every day. For a beautiful four minute link to a video outlining Lourdes’ many good works, please see Lourdes Foundation http://www.youtube. com/watch?v=8i5i1BSV7PQ&feature=plcp. A child’s beautiful voice narrating the prayer of St. Francis of Assisi. You will be very glad you did. “ For it is in giving that we receive.” Special thanks to Jeigh Stipe, Lourdes Founation Executive Director, Elisabeth Arnold, Director of Community Relations of Our Lady of Lourdes Regional Medical Center, and Bud Barrow, CEO of Lourdes for their contributions to this article.
ECGC Hires New Director, Heather Broussard The Enterprise Consortium of the Gulf Coast Women’s Business Center recently hired Heather Broussard as its Program Director. Heather is a native of Minden, Louisiana and moved to the Acadiana area two years ago. Her background includes serving various non-profit organizations by assisting them with community and media relations, public policy, and development/fundraising. Heather holds an Associate of Arts degree in Telecommunications from Bossier Parish Community College, a Bachelor of Arts degree in Mass Communications from Louisiana State University in Shreveport, and a Master of Science degree in Human Services Administration from Louisiana State University in Shreveport.
Heather Broussard
Volume 47, Page 4
The Enterprise Consortium of the Gulf Coast Women’s Business Center has been a member of ULEDF for serveral years and is a wonderful community resource for emerging businesses. It is a non-profit organization that empowers aspiring and existing entrepreneurs through guidance, resources and support to achieve success in establishing small businesses. Committed to serving all entrepreneurs and small businesses, through business counseling, industry-related workshops and technical assistance, the center is open to both men and women interested in starting or expanding their business. Located at 208 W. Gloria Switch Road, ECGC offers comfortable and accessible offices for entrepreneurial training. For more information, please call (337)886-7782.
November 2012 Printed by Lafayette Economic Development Authority
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UPPER LAFAYETTE ON THE MOVE... Hub City Ford Celebrates 2012 Ford Fusion Hub City Ford, 2909 N. W. Evangeline Thruway, is hosting an open house on Thursday, November 15, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., to celebrate the 2013 Ford Fusion Launch. Delicious food and drink will be provided by the Citron family and their Ford family of employees. This will be your chance to visit the lovely, recently remodeled showroom and test drive the new Ford 2013 Fusion or any new Ford vehicle! KATC TV3 will be live at the event to promote the festivities. A special highlight of the event will be the opportunity to raise much needed funding for FoodNet. A 2013 Ford Fusion is being raffled off by FoodNet for $20 per ticket. In addition, Ford will donate up to $500 or $10 for each customer who registers online at the dealership with the monies going directly to Hub City Ford’s charity of choice, FoodNet, the loving food outreach program founded by Marcelle Citron. For more details, please call Hub City Ford at (337)233-4500.
Todd Citron, General Manager of Hub City Ford
GO FURTHER WITH FORD NIGHT EVENT 2013 Ford Fusion
November 15, 2012 5:00pm - 7:30pm In the Hub City Ford Showroom
Volume 47, Page 5
November 2012 Printed by Lafayette Economic Development Authority
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Upper Lafayette Hosts Fourth Annual Crawfish Boil
UPPER LAFAYETTE ON THE MOVE... FoodNet Celebrates First Annual “Knocking Down The Wall of Hunger” The Greater Acadiana Food Bank, or FoodNet, held its first annual “Knocking Down The Wall of Hunger” gala on September 7, 2012, commemorating its 25th anniversary. Serving as emcees were Lemel Jones (FoodNet’s executive director), Carol Wong (FoodNet’s board president) and KLFY-TV 10’s Julie Darce and Michael Dupre. Congressman Charles Boustany was the keynote speaker, with the Acadiana Symphony Jazz Trio providing the entertainment for the large crowd of supporters. “This is our first annual gala to honor those who have supported us for 25 years,” said Executive Director Lemel Jones. “When I came in, I realized that we hadn’t recognized our founder Marcelle Citron. We’d like to honor her and those who have supported us.” FoodNet founder Marcel Citron said the idea for the food bank was born out of a need that cropped up during the oil bust of the ‘80s. “I was in the Acadiana Coalition for the Homeless,” said Citron. “We knew Marcelle Citron we had lots of people to feed and house. All the geologists had to leave town and we helped the wives find homes. I was also president of the Catholic Service Center, and we started gathering food. A friend lent me a building and that’s how we started.” Since then, FoodNet has grown to where the agency is now feeding about 3,500 families per month, Citron said. “We are 25 years old, and it just shows you the response of people,” she said. “We also just celebrated our 25th Food for Families Food Drive with KLFY TV-10 and, of course, that put us on the map.” According to Lemel Jones, the goal is to continue to bring awareness to people about feeding those who are hungry. FoodNet aspires to raise $75,000 through raffle ticket sales and the silent auction held at the gala. “We are raffling off a Ford Fusion, 52 weeks of prizes valued at over $2,000 and a smart TV. The winners will be announced at the end of the Food Drive event in December on KLFY TV-10.” Tickets may be purchased by contacting FoodNet at 337-232-FOOD (3663). FoodNet is located at 217 Surrey Street in Lafayette.
Mel Jones, Carol Wong, and Mary Ellen Citron
Congressman Charles Boustany and Marcelle Citron
Volume 47, Page 6
November 2012 Printed by Lafayette Economic Development Authority
Carol Wong and Jackie Lyle
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UPPER LAFAYETTE ON THE MOVE... The Importance of Eating and Buying Local We all want to be healthy and make good choices. Yet, when we do cook, we often look for quick fixes for meals, and are dependent on affordable and easily obtained ingredients for meals that our picky eaters will eat! Maybe it’s time to slow down, just for a moment, and take care of ourselves. “Slow” food choices are abundant here in our community and ripe for the pickings! Whether you cook or dine out, there are a lot of healthy choices readily available.
Justin and Margaret Girouard, The French Press
Acadiana Food Circle’s website at http://www.acadianafoodcircle.org/ is a great resource of local farmers’ markets and grocers, farms, artisans and restaurants using local ingredients and products. Beginning with a Harvest & Produce Availability Calendar, the directory is extensive, listing where to get everything from local mushrooms to goat cheese, many of which are located in Upper Lafayette Parish.
Upper Lafayette is proud to recognize our own member, Jolie’s Louisiana Bistro and owner Steve Santillo, as a successful example of local culinary excellence which draws upon home grown produce. As explained at http://www.jolieslouisianabistro.com, Jolie’s “embraces simplicity, seasonal changes and a farm to table approach, setting it apart from other Lafayette restaurants by purchasing as many ingredients as possible directly from local farmers.” Upper Lafayette’s foundation has also relied heavily on The French Press for catering our events, because of the delicious and simple food prepared by chef Justin Girouard which relies heavily on locally grown produce. For Justin’s website, please visit http://www.thefrenchpresslafayette.com/ Freetown Farmers Market on Convent Street is one of our community’s newest offerings. The market sells everything from pesticide-free produce to seedlings, heritage chickens, beeswax candles, soap and finished products like breads and jams. Stop by on Wednesdays from 2-6 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Visit http://www.facebook.com/pages/Freetown-FarmersMarket/241256179227411 for more information. Gothreaux Family Farms in Scott (http://www.gofamilyfarms.com/), and Mark and Mary Hernandez’s City Farm Produce on Gloria Switch Road (http://cityfarmjournal.blogspot.com/), are also prime Upper Lafayette Parish resources of home grown staples. Please check them out and bon appétit!
Jolie’s Louisiana Bistro
Volume 47, Page 7
French Press Meal
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UPPER LAFAYETTE ON THE MOVE... Upper Lafayette Economic Development Foundation Mission Statement
“Upper Lafayette Economic Development Foundation is an association of proactive individuals and business leaders joined together to be a catalyst for change. The Foundation’s mission is to enhance and direct the positive, planned growth of Upper Lafayette, focusing on quality of life, while participating in the overall development of the Greater Lafayette Metropolitan Area.” Special Thanks to Upper Lafayette Economic Development Foundation Members Upper Lafayette on the Move! 2nd and 4th Thursday of each month, 7:30 p.m. LUS 4 or Cox 16
PLATINUM
Acadian Ambulance Service, Inc. Acadiana Computer Systems, Inc. Aries Marine Corporation ASH/Badger Oil Company Couret Farms Cox Communications Home Furniture Hub City Ford IberiaBank Lafayette General Medical Center McDonald’s of Acadiana MidSouth Bank Our Lady of Lourdes Republic National Distributing Company Schilling Distributing Company Whitney National Bank GOLD Acadiana Rubber & Gasket Atmos Energy Beau Box Commercial Real Estate Home Bank Honda of Lafayette Omni Energy Services Opelousas General Health System Prejean’s Restaurant Stone Energy Corporation
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SILVER Ace Plumbing, Inc. Allstates Building Systems BBR Creative Edward Jones/Bob Crist Guidry’s Uniforms Master Builders & Specialists, Inc. Oakbourne Country Club Rader Solutions Shelf Energy, LLC The Southwest Group Stirling Properties Walters Funeral Home BRONZE Acadiana Symphony Orchestra Advancial Federal Credit Union Aspen Clinic Associated Travel Jean C. Breaux, Jr. & Associates Bridge Ministry of Acadiana, Inc. Community Foundation of Acadiana Crawdaddy’s On-Site Catering Derek Development Corp., LLC Don’s Country Mart/Don Menard Joey Durel ECGC Women’s Business Center Lynn Guidry, Architect John Paul The Great Academy Jolie’s Louisiana Bistro Lafayette Convention & Visitors Commission Lafayette Community Health Care Clinic LeBlanc’s Auto Wholesale/Richard Leblanc
November 2012 Printed by Lafayette Economic Development Authority
BRONZE CONT’D
Lee Verret/State Farm Insurance Agency Lowry’s Printing and Copying Flo Meadows, Coldwell Banker Melancon I-49 Storage Center Petroleum Club Rayne State Bank/Buddy Webb Ron J. Gaubert Realtors W. W. Rucks, III Second Harvest Food Bank Ken Simeral, Coldwell Banker SLEMCO Sylvan Learning Center Terry J. Rogers WorldPay SPONSORS Charley G’s City of Carencro City of Scott IberiaBank Lafayette Airport Commission McDonald’s of Acadiana Opelousas General Health System Schilling Distributing Company Scott Police Department Stone Energy Tobacco Free Living Van Eaton & Romero For membership information or sponsorship opportunities, please contact Jan Swift at jan@upperlafayette. com or 337-278-0408
www.upperlafayette.com