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table des matières
In Every Issue 4 Free-lancing
by trent angers
6 Nouvelles des Villes News Briefs From Around Acadiana
by lisa leblanc-berry
10 De la Cuisine Spring Celebrations
by marcelle bienvenu
14 Les Artistes Capturing the Moment
As the official Visual Artist for Festival International, Lafayette's D.D. Manly paints dancer Tanya Evanson, exemplifying the majesty and mystery of the annual event. by will kalec
20 La Maison Compelling Designs
Current trends reflect an escape to luxury for kitchens and baths. by lisa leblanc-berry
56 Personnes d’Acadiana First Lady of Festival
40
New director Missy Paschke-Wood adjusts to life in Lafayette while leading the day-to-day operations of Acadiana's premier tourism event. by will kalec
62 À la Mode Festival Fashions
by krystral cooper christen
66 Sur le Menu Food With a View
5 places in picturesque settings by jan risher
70 Visiter The Best Things to See and Do
in Cajun Country compiled by judi russell
72 En Français, S’il Vous Plaît L'eau, C'est La Vie.
by david cheramie
Features 29 A Man & His Zoo Animal Magnetism in Broussard
by george gurtner
34 Texas Coast Beckons Spring Travelers 7 Great Vacation Spots
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april/may 2014 | www.acadianaprofile.com
by paris permenter and john bigley
40 Brave New Restaurants 4 of Acadiana's Latest Worth Trying by cheré coen
April/May 2014 Vol. 33 No. 3 Executive Editor Trent Angers Managing Editor Sarah Ravits Art Director Sarah George Associate Editors Haley Adams, Lauren LaBorde Interns Kristen Himmelberg, Erika Vaughn, Lexi Wangler Executive Vice President/Editor in Chief Errol Laborde Sales Manager Rebecca Taylor (337) 298-4424 • (337) 235-7919 ext. 230 Rebecca@acadianaprofile.co, Vice President of Sales Colleen Monaghan Sales Assistant Erin Maher Azar Distribution/Newsstand Manager Christian Coombs Director of Marketing & Events Kristi Ferrante Subscriptions Erin Duhe Production/Web Manager Staci McCarty Production Designer Antoine Passelac Chief Executive Officer Todd Matherne President Alan Campell Vice President of Sales Coleen Monaghan
Renaissance Publishing LLC 110 Veterans Blvd., Suite 123, Metairie, LA 70005 (504) 828-1380 • (877) 221-3512 315 S. College Road, Suite 160, Lafayette, LA 70503 (337) 235-7919 Acadiana Profile (ISSN 0001-4397) is published bimonthly by Renaissance Publishing LLC, 110 Veterans Blvd., Suite 123, Metairie, LA 70005 (504) 828-1380 and 315 S. College Road, Suite 160, Lafayette, LA 70503 (337) 235-7919. Subscription rate: One year $10; Foreign Subscriptions vary. Periodicals postage paid at Lafayette, LA, and additional mailing entry offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Acadiana Profile, 110 Veterans Blvd., Suite 123, Metairie, LA 70005. Copyright 2014 Renaissance Publishing LLC. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the consent of the publisher. The trademark Acadiana Profile is registered. Acadiana Profile is not responsible for unsolicited manuscripts, photos and artwork, even if accompanied by a self-addressed stamped envelope. The opinions expressed in Acadiana Profile are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the magazine or owner. www.acadianaprofile.com | april/may 2014
3
freelancing
by trent angers
Graced by the handprint of George Rodrigue Acadiana Profile lost a
tion for much of his life,
longtime friend with the
always reinventing himself,
passing of Cajun artist
coming up with different
George Rodrigue, on Dec.
approaches, from the early
14, 2013.
paintings he did in his stu-
Born in New Iberia in
dio in Lafayette to his latest
1944, George lived and
works rendered in his stu-
painted at various times
dio in New Orleans.
in Lafayette, New Orleans
I watched him with
and Carmel, Calif. He died
some amazement over the
at age 69 in a Houston
years. He created what I
hospital after a long battle
saw as four waves of art –
with cancer.
all distinctive and much of
George Rodrigue was
it characterized, at least to
internationally renowned
some degree, by a style he
and was best known for his
referred to as “naïve sur-
Blue Dog paintings. We’re
realism.” That’s the way he
proud to point out that
labeled it in an interview
his handprint graced the
in the early 1970s.
pages of Acadiana Profile
His first notable paint-
from its earliest days.
ings were of turn-of-the-
After finishing art
century Acadians. He
school in Los Angeles in
referred to them as “other
1967, George moved to
world people” because they
Lafayette and worked
were literally from a world
for Angers-Bowen & As-
away – exiled from their
sociates, an ad agency
homeland of what is now
co-founded by my father,
Nova Scotia to what was a
Bob Angers Jr., and Kenny
foreign land to them, South
Bowen, who would later
used George’s signature moss-draped oaks and included people
duction for the agency and spent some time doing ad and edito-
who seemed to be floating in their new environment, as though
rial production work for the magazine.
they didn’t quite belong here but were in the process of settling in.
George’s artwork ran on the cover of Acadiana Profile occa-
The second wave of paintings I recall was a slew of Blue Dogs,
sionally over the years: in 1975 (“Evangeline”), then in 1999 for
the first being rendered in 1984. A few of these were even used in
the magazine’s 30th anniversary edition (“Blue Dog and Jolie
national ad campaigns.
Blonde”) and most recently in 2009 with a photo of the artist and his famous dog. Though he was best known for his Blue Dog, there was more to his prolific career than the iconic canine. He was an artist in transi-
4
Louisiana. Each painting
become mayor of Lafayette. George did graphic design and pro-
april/may 2014 | www.acadianaprofile.com
Then came George’s portraits of famous people, most with the Blue Dog sitting in with the main subjects: Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush, Chef Paul Prudhomme and Louisiana governors Huey Long, Edwin Edwards and Bobby Jindal.
sur le web
If you can’t get enough Acadiana Profile, check out our website. Everything is easy to read on your smartphone or tablet. Flip through the issue archive, renew your subscription, or read the English translation of En Français, S’il Vous Plaît. You will also find content from all of Renaissance Publishing’s publications, including Louisiana Life and New Orleans Magazine. You can find it at AcadianaProfile.com.
The work of famed south Louisiana artist George Rodrigue was featured in Acadiana Profile magazine a number of times over four decades, including on two covers. The October 1975 edition (left) featured his early works. For the Fourth Quarter 1999 issue (right), Rodrigue’s Blue Dog and Jolie Blonde – a symbol of the Acadian people – dressed up to celebrate the 30th Anniversary of Acadiana Profile. The model for Jolie Blonde was Rodrigue’s wife, Wendy.
The fourth body of work, which George referred to as a “radical departure” from his previous paintings, featured traditional landscapes with his signature oaks. Only this time the oaks were rendered in bright colors as opposed to the dark, brooding tones of his earlier oaks. These were happier oaks, you might say. Now, some have criticized George’s art, particularly his Blue Dog, as crassly commercial, simplistic, same-old-same-old in every painting. I think some of these critics didn’t look closely enough and others were just plain envious of the remarkable financial success that came with that ubiquitous dog. George answered his critics on this subject in a 2009 article in
For up-to-the-minute information about Acadiana events, recipes and fun photos, make sure to like Acadiana Profile on Facebook and follow @AcadianaProfile on Twitter.
Acadiana Profile. “People think I paint the Blue Dog, and it’s the same blue dog. It’s not. But every time I look at it, every time I start, it’s a different dog. Different color, different shape, different size. The Blue Dog has been a 15-year process,” he said. Truth is, George Rodrigue left behind a wealth of memorable art that has been surpassed by no other Louisiana artist working in the same genre. Now, he’s packed his paint and brushes and has gone on to the domain of the Great Painter, the creator of all creativity. I imagine George approaching the Pearly Gates and being
Attention Festival-Planners! Help Us Promote Your Event! Go online to AcadianaProfile.com, and click on “Submit an Event to Acadiana Profile” to let us know about festivals, shows or special events coming up in your town. Remember, the sooner we get the information, the better able we are to help you.
greeted by the multitude of characters he painted – from Evangeline and the turn-of-the-century Acadians to a bevy of Blue Dogs, spinning and jumping with excitement to see the artist who brought them to life on canvas. ap questions or comments about this column can be addressed to tcangers @ cox . net .
Want to contact the Acadiana Profile staff by email? Want to see one of your events on Acadiana Profile’s Facebook page? Send feedback to Managing Editor Sarah Ravits at sarah@acadianaprofile.com.
www.acadianaprofile.com | april/may 2014
5
nouvelles des villes
J A S O N P. THERIOT'S NEW BOOK
by lisa leblanc-berry
International Summit Hosted in Arnaudville A creative place making summit brings together expertise of internationally respected scholars, artists, scientists, cultural citizens and organizations at NUNU Arts and Culture Collective in Arnaudville April 18-23. Developed with the assistance of the French Consulate in New Orleans, Semaine Francaise d’Arnaudville is a six-day cultural economy summit. Building on conversations that began last year, the 2014 Semaine Francaise furthers discourse on creative planning. Hosted by NUNU in partnership with Les Articulteurs of Redon, France, and the French Consulate, this summit serves as a platform for exchange of ideas. NUNU Arts and Culture Collective can be reached at (337) 453-3307 or nunucollective.org. Anaconda in Morgan City Technology University of Louisiana at Lafayette students and professors are developing for Swiftships a 35-foot-long special operation craft riverine known as the Anaconda that could help the military save lives. The Swiftships AN-2 Anaconda watercraft was recently test-piloted on the Atchafalaya River in Morgan City and is fitted with remote control technology. 6
The technology currently being developed will have the ability to make accurate navigational decisions using sensors to detect dangers that feed into a computer to send almost instant controls back to the boat. U.S. Rep. Charles Boustany used an iPad to control the boat through the Atchafalaya during the Anaconda’s recent trial run. New Book Released on Wetlands In this amazing, longawaited new book, American Energy, Imperiled Coast:
company records, and traces
McConaughey and Woody
the industry’s far-reaching
Harrelson). The gritty crime
environmental footprint
drama set around Erath and
in the wetlands. Through
laced with references to other
detailed research presented
nearby towns including St.
in a lively and accessible
Martinville, Abbeville and
narrative, Theriot pieces
Eunice, ended its first season
together decades of political,
March 9 with rave reviews.
economic, social and cultural
The New York Times reported
undertakings that clashed in
that President Obama asked
the 1980s and 1990s, when
HBO chief executive, Richard
engineering feats that
local citizens, scientists,
Plepler at a state dinner for
characterized industrial
politicians, environmental
France in February, for early
growth in the region and the
groups and oil and gas
episodes of True Detective and
mounting environmental
interests began fighting over
Game of Thrones. The gripping
problems that threaten south
the causes and consequences
eight-episode detective series
Louisiana’s communities,
of coastal land loss.
tells the fictional account of a
Oil and Gas Development in Louisiana’s Wetlands (LSU Press; April 2014; $38 hardcover) author Jason P. Theriot explores the tension between oil and gas development and the land-loss crisis in Louisiana. His book offers an engaging analysis of both the impressive, albeit ecologically destructive
1995 murder case of the young
culture and “working” coast. As a historian and coastal
All Eyes on Erath
prostitute Dora Lange, who
President Barack Obama
was murdered; her body was
explains how pipeline
has been watching Erath. He’s
found nude near an oak tree
technology enabled the
apparently been enthralled
in a sugarcane field outside
expansion of oil and gas
with the first season of
of Erath. In reality, a young
delivery, examining previously
HBO’s latest hit series, True
woman, Anita Touchet, was
unseen photographs and
Detective (starring Matthew
stabbed, murdered and left
Louisiana native, Theriot
april/may 2014 | www.acadianaprofile.com
www.acadianaprofile.com | april/may 2014
7
nouvelles des villes
naked in a sugarcane field in Erath in 1979, and her daughter recently spoke out in the Abbeville Meridional. The case is still unsolved. Erath police chief Gerald Hebert, a 30-year-veteran in Vermilion Parish law enforcement, points out that “it is all fiction” since “there has not been a woman found murdered the way the lady was in the show.” The script was written by New Orleans native Nic Pizzolatto, a 38-year-old former academic with next to no TV experience. He is now being hailed as the hottest thing in Holllywood. Unfortunately, Season 2 of True Detective isn’t going to be filmed in Acadiana. And Harrelson and McConaughey are out, says Pizzolatto. Lake Charles Prescription Discounts A new program in Lake Charles offers savings on prescription drugs to residents without health insurance, a benefits plan, or if they have prescriptions that are not covered by insurance. The Prescription Discount Card is made available to residents in collaboration with the National league of Cities (NLC) and is made possible through the City of Lake Charles’ membership in NLC. For information, call (888) 620-1749. 8
STILL FROM T H E R E T R I E VA L
Indie Film in Lafayette Vermilionville continues their role as a screening partner for the South Arts Circuit of Independent Filmmakers April 14 with the showing of The Retrieval by filmmaker Chris Eska, whose first feature, August Evening, won the Target Filmmaker Award. $10 admission includes entry into a raffle as well as a wine tasting that will accompany the film. For information, visit vermilionville.org. Sunset Heralds Garden Enthusiasts The 18th annual Celebration of Herbs and Gardens is held May 3 in Sunset, showcasing everything for garden enthusiasts including herbal products, plants, pottery, garden art and other informative presentations, plus a children’s area with games and face painting. All food and drinks are provided by the Sunset Garden Club. For information, visit sunsetherbfestival.com
april/may 2014 | www.acadianaprofile.com
Woodstock in Church Point Check out the Cajun Woodstock in Church Point, a great family event to benefit St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, April 26-27 featuring Cajun food, live Cajun and zydeco music, silent auctions, carnival rides, arts and crafts and a poker run, in Church Point’s City Park. For information, visit cajunwoodstock.com. Once in a Blue Moon Southern Living has recognized Lafayette’s Blue Moon Saloon as among the “100 Best Bars in the South.” Also, the International Trade Development Group, the advisory board to Le Centre International de Lafayette, has bestowed Blue Moon with the International Achievement Award, which will be presented during Festival International de Louisiane, held April 23-27 in downtown Lafayette. The official concert kickoff is at the Blue Moon Saloon featuring Dick Dale; performances by
such greats as Zachary Richard and the Funky Meters are among the 100 other groups at the free festival, plus great food and crafts. For information, visit festivalinternational.com. Learn CPR in Cajundome The 12th annual Heartstarter bystander learning program, held in the Cajundome on May 3 from 8 a.m.-10 a.m. or 10:30-12:30 p.m., can help save lives by training people to respond quickly. The class teaches CPR and is an invaluable resource; there will be demonstrations on administering CPR to an infant or child, along with how an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) works in saving a victim’s life. There will be special training table areas for participants that are not able to kneel comfortably during training. Advanced registration is required by calling tollfree, (877) 242-4277. ap photo courtesy of theretrieval.com
de la cuisine
CRAWFISH PIZZA
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april/may 2014 | www.acadianaprofile.com
Spring Celebrations N e w O r l e a n s J a z z & H e r i ta g e F e s t i va l Good Memories/Good Food
By Marcelle Bienvenu Photographed by eugenia uhl
There isn’t a weekend in April and May when there isn’t some kind of festival going on in South Louisiana. When the weather cooperates, spring is glorious in Louisiana. Temperatures and humidity are still mild, and everyone wants to be outdoors enjoying good food, great music and well, just being alive. It’s party time! Being of a certain age, I own up to attending the very first New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival held in April 1970. On the Wednesday before the festival, I had minor surgery on my arm but was being kept in the hospital for “observation.” I pleaded with my doctor, who gave me a three-hour pass to attend the Friday afternoon festivities, which was then held at Congo Square. The line-up of entertainers included Mahalia Jackson and Duke Ellington, Pete Fountain, Al Hirt, Clifton Chenier, Fats Domino, The Meters, The Preservation Hall Band and the parading Olympia Brass Band and Mardi Gras Indians. I don’t remember eating much, but I know I went back to the hospital with a good buzz from too many ice-cold beers. In the following years when the festival moved to the New Orleans Fair Grounds, I joined the beer-drinking throngs and stood in long lines to get my portion of Crawfish Monica, cochon du lait poor boys, gumbo and muffulettas. When I moved from New Orleans back to my hometown, St. Martinville, I made the journey to the Jazz Fest several times, but it coincided with the Breaux Bridge Crawfish Festival and the Festival International in Lafayette so I sometimes opted to say closer to home. A few years ago, my husband suggested that we have our own festival in our big, tree-shaded yard on the banks of
Bayou Teche. It wasn’t that we were getting too old, we just decided we had just reached a point in our lives when it was more comfortable to have access to a bathroom rather than those portable outhouses. True, we don’t have live music, but we can choose what music we like and it can be heard from the speakers on our lush patio. (I checked out this year’s music line-up and I was happy to see that there are still artists I know – Eric Clapton, Bruce Springsteen, Santana, Aaron Neville and my all-time favorite, Irma Thomas. I hate to admit I have no idea who Phish, Vampire Weekend and Public Enemy are.) The food, also important to our festivities, must qualify as what I call “walking food” that is, food that can be picked up and wrapped in either foil or a napkin, or plopped in small disposable cups or plates, to carry around is set up at several “booths” or stations on our tree-shaded lawn that slopes toward the water and an attraction not featured at Jazz Fest: a periodic boat that rides up and down the Bayou Teche to enable us to gulp in some fresh air. The food offerings have varied over the years and have included tacos, crawfish pies, fried shrimp on a stick, mini chicken kabobs, red beans and rice, crab stuffed mushrooms, super-duper hot dogs, pecan pie, homemade ice cream, and andouille poor boys, all washed down with cold beer, lemonade, mint flavored ice tea and rum frappés. This is our menu for this year’s event. This is street food, no frills, just something good to munch on. You can purchase those pizza bread crusts on which to build your pizza in the bread department of many supermarkets. Some already have cheese in the dough.
www.acadianaprofile.com | april/may 2014
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de la cuisine
STRAWBERRY ROMANOFF
C RAW F IS H P IZZA M A K E S A B O U T 4 S E RV I N G S
1 large pizza bread crust 2 tablespoons olive oil 1½ cups tomato sauce or commercial pizza sauce ¼ cup chopped green onions (green part only) 1 pound peeled crawfish tails Salt and cayenne to taste ½ pound freshly grated mozarella cheese ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese 1 tablespoon dried oregano leaves Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper, or lightly oil the baking sheet. Place the pizza bread crust on the prepared pan, then spread it evenly with one tablespoon of the olive oil. Spread the tomato sauce evenly over the oil. Set aside. In a skillet over medium heat, heat the remaining tablespoon of olive oil. Add the green onions, the crawfish tails and season with salt and cayenne. Cook, stirring, for about two minutes. Remove from the heat and cool. Spread the crawfish mixture over the tomato sauce; then top with the cheeses. Sprinkle with oregano. Bake until the cheese melts and the sauce bubbles, about 20 minutes. Cut into wedges to serve.
ITALIA N B REA D WIT H O LIVES A N D C H EESE M A K E S A B O U T 8 S E RV I N G S
1 large loaf French bread, cut in half lengthwise 1 stick butter, at room temperature 1 cup mayonnaise 8 ounces freshly grated Mozzarella cheese ¼ cup chopped green onions (green part only) 1 small can chopped black olives ½ teaspoon garlic salt ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Spread the butter evenly on both halves of the bread. Then spread the mayonnaise evenly over the butter. Sprinkle with the cheese, the green onions and arrange the olives evenly. Season with the garlic salt and black pepper. Place the bread halves on a baking sheet and bake until the cheese melts, about 15 minutes. Remove and cut the bread crosswise into 1/2-inch pieces to serve. This can be made ahead of time, then reheated when ready to serve. It can be kept warm in a chafing dish.
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S P I N A C H A N D ARTI C H O K E C ASSER O LE M A K E S 1 2 S M A L L S E RV I N G S
2 (10-ounce) packages frozen chopped spinach, thawed, and well-drained 1 (6-ounce) jar marinated artichoke heats, drained 6 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature 2 tablespoons butter, at room temperature ¼ cup milk ¼ teaspoon salt ¼ teaspoon black pepper ¼ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Combine the spinach and artichokes in a large mixing bowl. In another bowl, combine the cream cheese, butter, milk, salt and pepper. Mix well, then stir into the spinach mixture. Spoon the mixture into a lightly greased casserole, sprinkle with the cheese and bake, covered, for 30 minutes. Uncover and bake for 10 minutes more. This dish can be made with just about any kind of fresh seafood. Here I’ve combined crab and shrimp, but you could also substitute crawfish for the shrimp.
SEA F O O D A U G RATI N M A K E S A B O U T 1 4 S M A L L S E RV I N G S
6 tablespoons butter ¼ cup chopped celery ½ cup chopped bell peppers 1 cup chopped yellow onions 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour 2 cups milk 2 tablespoons chopped pimientos ¼ cup chopped green onions (green part only) 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley leaves ½ teaspoon garlic powder 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce 1 teaspoon salt ¼ teaspoon white pepper ½ pound lump crabmeat, picked over for shells and cartilage ½ pound small shrimp, boiled in water, peeled and deveined 1 cup freshly grated white cheddar cheese
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. In a medium-sized skillet, heat two tablespoons of the butter over medium heat. Add the celery, bell peppers and onions, and cook, stirring, until they are soft and lightly golden, four or five minutes. Remove from the heat and set aside. In a large saucepan, heat the remaining four tablespoons butter over medium heat. Add the flour and whisk to blend, cooking for about one minute. Slowly add the milk and whisking constantly, cook until the mixture thickens. Add the pimientos, green onions, parsley, garlic powder, Worcestershire, salt and pepper. Add the vegetable mixture and stir to blend. Remove from the heat. Arrange the crabmeat and shrimp on the bottom of a lightly buttered casserole. Pour the sauce over the seasfood and sprinkle with the cheese. Bake for 30 minutes.
If you can get your hands on some sweet, plump and juicy Louisiana strawberries, you can make this refreshing dessert to serve at the end of the day.
STRAW B ERRIES R O M A N O F F M A K E S 6 - 8 S M A L L S E RV I N G S
⁄3 cup sugar ⁄3 cup Grand Marnier 2 teaspoons freshly grated lemon zest 2 pints fresh strawberries, washed, hulled and patted dry 2 cups sweetened whipped cream Fresh mint sprigs for garnish
1 1
Combine the sugar, Grand Marnier and lemon zest in a large bowl and stir to dissolve the sugar. Add the strawberries and stir gently to coat evenly. Cover and chill for four or more hours. Spoon into individual cups or bowls and top with whipped cream. ap
www.acadianaprofile.com | april/may 2014
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les artistes
Capturing the Moment As the official Visual Artist for Festival International, Lafayette's D.D. Manly paints dancer Tanya Evanson, exemplifying the majesty and mystery of the annual event. BY WILL KALEC
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Above the faceless couple popped a red flag, for once a welcomed sign. D.D. Manly gripped her computer mouse, deliberately scrolling the cursor across the desktop. Her wrist shook. Her heart raced. Nervous for reasons that didn’t make any sense to her back then and still don’t today, the 40-something artist from Lafayette clicked the Facebook icon: "Tanya Evanson accepted your friendship request. Write on Tanya’s timeline."
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les artistes
“This sounds so silly,” admits Manly. “I wanted to reach out to her, but when it happened, what do you say to somebody like that? I want to express a gratitude for her being her, really. And we all want that. You’re doing what you do and you inspired me. That’s just really cool.” They met – the painter and the dancer – in two-dimension. Upon being named the Official Visual Artist of 2014 Festival International, organizers dumped a heap of photographs from years past on Manly, figuring there’s got to be some morsel of inspiration buried within the stack. Manly flipped through them – No. No. No. No … wait. This one. Manly plucked the picture, staring at it much longer than the others. Look at her hair, purely black suspended by centrifugal force. How the sleeves of her red dress dangled from extended, delicate arms. A focused, satisfied facial expression could be seen clearly on her tilted head. Manly
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april/may 2014 | www.acadianaprofile.com
was intrigued. Though she’d sift through all the other photos, none could match the jolt provided by this particular image. Manly learned the dancer was Tanya Evanson, a poet/vocalist/ spoken wordsmith/“whirling dervish,” according to her website. During Festival 2013, the accomplished performer accentuated through dance the unique sound of the band Niyaz, an IranianAmerican trio specializing in contemporary Middle Eastern music. While the picture alone provided enough content to paint a poster-worthy portrait, Manly (as is her hallmark) dug deeper, streaming Niyaz songs while dabbing her brush, reading Evanson’s writing, and of course, connecting via social media. “It’s not so much that I’m curious about the ins and outs of her life. It’s that I’m curious to find what it’s like to be in her presence,” Manly explains. “This is second-hand information, obviously, but when they perform, it’s spiritual in nature. It’s meditative, the dance, the performance. I meditate before I paint, and I believe I’m a channel when it comes to life on a canvas. It’s not of me. So I felt like they perform in the same way. This is what they do. It’s about something beyond them. And obviously it’s pretty deep, because I heard it touched so many people in the audience. And it touched me. “I get so curious,” Manly continues. “That’s part of the mystery. I very much believe in being in the energy of this inspiration and getting into the consciousness of it.” That same method of connection is easy to see in Manly’s other work, specifically her “Doorways” series, which focuses on various building entrances in both New Orleans and Europe. Each piece offers viewers the exact same vantage point – straight on, eye-level, about 10 to 15 feet away – yet differs in boldness of color and use of movement. “It’s a metaphor for life. It’s a mystery. What’s behind the next door?” Manly says. “There are so many transitions in life, and you don’t get all the answers. You see the façade, but you want to look inside. It’s that curiosity about what is next.”
portrait by Travis gauthier
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les artistes
Manly asked those same questions throughout difficult internal dialogues in both her academic and professional careers –the answers resulting in her break-up and make-up with this passion for painting. A Visual Arts major at UL, Manly switched focuses just before finishing her degree coursework, choosing to chase a Bachelor’s in Health Promotion and Wellness because it afforded a more stable future. For 15 years, Manly worked in private practice as a licensed counselor, assisting on occasion in the bariatric unit at Lafayette General Medical Center. Yet for all her success, there was no outlet – no conduit for the stress and worries of life to flow. Partially at the urging of her family, Manly reconciled with painting. Every room of the house became her studio – kitchen, garage, dining area. Even today, approximately a decade after her artist rebirth, there remain streaks of paint splatter at the base of some of those walls. “I felt like, ‘Am I fulfilling my purpose in life? Am I doing what God put me here to do?’” Manly wondered back then. “It’s that turning point where I think I have a bigger purpose. It was a spiritual crisis, that’s the best way to describe it, it was a spiritual crisis. “And as soon as my brush re-touched the canvas, I had something to say,” Manly continues. “And the only way to ‘say’ is to show. But that wasn’t easy. Because, this thing I have to say, will anyone want to hear it? How will it be judged? All that. You’re excited to have a voice, but you’re cautious and afraid as to the response to that voice.” Gallery 549 on Jefferson Street featured much of Manly’s early work. From there, her paintings were/are regulars at The Big Easel annual display in River Ranch, though Manly admits nothing yet compares to the Festival International distinction – an honor she’s been incredibly gracious of and plans to bask in until the final musical note is heard later this month. As for what comes next, Manly isn’t entirely sure, though she’d like to hone the craft of, as she puts it, “Becoming more and more of a channel – following my brush instead of my brush following me.” “That doesn’t always equate into beauty on canvas,” she says. “The transition is going from forcing an image on canvas to letting that image present itself intuitively. Back and forth. Going from the things that are recognizable and impressionistic to just complete freedom and bowing to the happy mistakes that occur on the canvas.” ap 18
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current trends reflect an escape to luxury for kitchens and baths.
hen it comes to new homes, big is back. Despite the bursting of the housing bubble, the recession and slow recovery, the appetite for larger homes has retuned, with dream kitchens and luxury baths starring as the main attractions. Toll Brothers, the nation’s premier builder of luxury homes, reported that its revenue rose 65 percent in the fourth quarter of 2013, compared to the same quarter last year, as buyers went looking for bigger homes, especially bigger kitchens and master suites. Homeowners are investing big bucks to create spa-like master baths-as-sanctuaries with larger showers for multiple shower heads, steam systems, therapeutic body sprays, benches for sitting or lying down and sound systems while adding heated floors, wireless elements from home theater systems, and such added amenities as toilets with touch-screen remotes that are programmed with personal music playlists and heated seats, drying options and foot warmers. Increasingly large kitchens with grander custom islands are outfitted with clever concealment hutches, and are often complemented by outdoor kitchens and mini “second” kitchens so that you can entertain in the main kitchen, living-room style, and hide all the work in the “little” kitchen, outdoor kitchen or in second islands and hutches. The hot new 2014 trends in kitchens and baths signal a booming market for luxury. Exactly how much bigger and more luxurious are our homes getting? According to the National Association of Home Builders, in 2012, new homes reached a new peak of 2,384 square feet, and 41 percent of them had four or more bedrooms, up from 34 percent in 2009. In July 2013, sales of homes costing more than $1 million were up 46.6 percent from the previous July, in sharp contrast from the July 2008 market, when large, expensive home sales slowed dramatically and those that sold for more than $1 million fell 31.4 percent. The homes that sell best today are those with the biggest kitchens and most expansive master suites, according to Toll Brothers analysts. “It’s a matter of how large and impressive those two features are, and how much buyers can afford,” says Tim Gehman, design director, when interviewed by the New York Times in January. Affluent buyers are increasingly drawn to new homes in part because the market for existing homes is so competitive, explains Stephen Kim, a Barclays analyst.
by lisa leblanc-berry photos sara essex bradley
So what’s hot in 2014? According to a news report released by real estate website Zillow that names the big kitchen trends this year, kitchen upgrades topped homeowners’ list of renovation projects in 2013, trailed marginally by master bath upgrades, and the trend doesn’t seem to be slowing. The annual design trends survey released in February at the 2014 Kitchen and Bath Industry Show by the National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA) in Las Vegas shows that natural materials, black countertops, open shelves and glass cabinet fronts are the top design trends. The most popular kitchen products for 2014 are induction cook tops, quartz counters, glass backsplashes, wood floors, polished chrome faucets and granite composite sinks. Some homeowners design their kitchens and baths to resemble great hotels or resorts, allowing them to feel as though on vacation while at home. Bath elements on the upswing include quartz vanity tops, wall-hung vanities, polished chrome faucets, under-mount sinks, and showers in a variety of configurations that combine a series of showerheads and body sprays, even the option for electronic controls allowing the user to pre-set temperature, music, sprays, steam and water use. Many of the bathing technologies have made their way from destination spas into the home bath. Luxury takes the lead in some of the finest new homes in Acadiana, which feature many of the newest 2014 design trends in kitchens and baths. Ashley and Jim Hutchison designed their new five-bedroom, five-bathroom house with all the bells and whistles, featuring a large open kitchen that flows into the living room; and also opens onto the outdoor kitchen with a fireplace, flanked by a pool and hot tub.
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LAFAYETTE Ashley & Jim Hutchison
LAFAYETTE Amelie & John Storment
“To me, this is where the family centers,” Ashley says. “We were definitely looking to design a casual, large and comfortable kitchen. We committed a big part of our time on the kitchen, and also on my bathroom. We liked the idea of using natural materials in the process.” Antique pine ceiling and beams complemented with hand-riveted hanging lights from Bevelo lend a rustic, casual aura to the spacious kitchen with island seating and an additional roomy breakfast area. Among the kitchen’s more interesting features are the antique restored doors from The Bank in New Orleans, a hand-cut travertine hood from Alkusari Stone in Houston, travertine flooring, handpainted Tabarka custom tile utilized in the backsplash from Stafford Tile, and a custom island featuring a large farm house sink. “We plan on raising our family here, so it meant a lot, to get the kitchen exactly right,” Ashley notes. Ashley’s next door neighbors, Amelie and John Storment, are enjoying their new house that was completed in 2013. “I wanted to create a clean, spa-like master bath using white carrera marble,” says Amelie. The focal point of the room is a garden tub with a fantasy brown granite tub deck, a Ken Mason tile backsplash and a hand-cut carrera marble mosaic tub skirt, framed by an arched alcove. “The Kohler shower is like being in a car wash!” exclaims Amelie. “It includes a shower head, a rain shower overhead, three body sprays, and a hand-held shower head. It’s a little over the top, but I couldn’t decide what to cut out.” Amelie designed the custom vanities, and se-
lected a Lugarno polished nickel finish for the sink faucets from Restoration Hardware. The Crystorama chandelier she ordered from lightingdirect.com adds a dreamy touch to the serene master bath. “For the kitchen I wanted something light and clean,” Amelie adds. “I wanted it to be open, but also have definitive boundaries, thus the second island that leads to the living and dining areas. For parties, this works great, because everyone seems to congregate in the kitchen.” The handsome center island is topped with a calacatta gold slab from Massimo and a convenient second sink outfitted with Kohler sink faucets in a polished nickel finish from Southern Bath and Kitchen. The second island has a Brazilian fusion slab and a Flambeaux pendent light centered between the scrolls. The pair of lights above the center island from Curry and Company illuminates Amelie’s sleek kitchen. “The fusion slabs were so gorgeous, so full of movement, they looked like water and fire together. We used every square inch of those slabs, partly in the wet bar and the rest for the fireplace surround.” www.acadianaprofile.com | april/may 2014
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Situated on several acres rimmed by live oaks in Houma, the home of Nancy and Bill St. Martin serves as a gathering place for their six children and is central for many soirées throughout the year. “We have many events here,” says Nancy, “from family parties to teas, Mardi Gras events and bonfires. I wanted a very open kitchen, which is connected to a keeping room and a big family room. The entire house is all windows from the back to the front.” Among the invaluable amenities in this busy kitchen designed by architect George Hopkins are two dishwashers, a pot-filler on the six-burner stove, a double convection oven, and a large island topped with travertine. “It has shells in it that are fossils. That was our jumping off point for the whole kitchen,” Nancy says. “It was our inspiration from the beginning.” Antique long leaf pine in varying widths was chosen for the flooring. “I like the irregularity of it,” she says. The keeping room’s vaulted ceiling adds to the open feel of the contiguous rooms. A seven-foot wooden plank table with industrial Parisian café chairs and a window seat serves as a breakfast nook in Nancy’s spacious kitchen. The St. Martins’ 400-square-foot master bath is appointed with a twoperson bubble tub with an under-mount carrera marble tub surround, and a large shower with a double shower head, a rain shower and a steam shower, plus body jets. Separate his and her vanities accommodate their various needs. “The big cypress cabinet is my dressing area. I can have all of my make-up and things in there, and just close the door. It was my friend, architect Julia Bourque’s, concept.” With a resort experience in mind, a couple created a home that has outdoor entertainment areas reminiscent of tropical retreats. “Since we’re so busy, we like to vacation on weekends at home. That’s why we built this house – because we work so much,” says Monica Williams, who resides with her physician husband, Gary, in a new home designed by Allen Bacqué near Lafayette featuring seven-and-a half-baths and several outbuildings including an elaborate tiki bar. “I wanted a master bath that was big and open because I tend to spend a lot of time in the bath.” Polished travertine flooring, separate his and her vanities, a dramatic cross-vaulted ceiling, a flat-screen TV opposite a mirror near the soaking tub and a soothing stained glass work Monica commissioned to depict a Louisiana swamp scene embellishes the space. A large shower outfitted with a bench and several showerheads and sprayers is designed with tinted glass to complement the deliciously rich Benjamin Moore dark chocolate brown walls. The master bath is framed by very spacious his and her closets with islands and cedar closets.
OPELOUSAS Monica & Gary Williams 24
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HOUMA Nancy & Bill St. Martin
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In Lake Charles, the elegant home of Shirley and Thomas Henning showcases a dreamy master bath and a kitchen with an A. Hays Town feel that’s the perfect entertaining hub. “Interior designer Sheila Whitson worked with me from beginning to end on every aspect of the house. I couldn‘t have done it without her,” says Shirley. Architect Bobby McKenzie took full advantage of the site lines by incorporating a bay window into the master bath’s design. Tailored pinch pleat draperies in a hazy blue linen accentuates the tub, which overlooks the water beyond. The soft blue and rust color scheme in the master suite adds a calming element to the room. Built-in cabinetry allows for ample storage in the bath while showcasing the his and her console table sinks and Venetian mirrors. A French antique center table works perfectly in the space to display perfumes, candles and other effects in an accessible manner. The open layout of the kitchen/family/breakfast space flows into the adjacent bar, formal living and dining rooms, music room and entry hall. “The space has a wonderful flow and can accommodate a large number of guests comfortably,” Shirley says. The appliances are cleverly concealed and have the look of the kitchen’s custom cabinetry, while the pantry contains a toaster and coffee maker, and the microwave is concealed by a folding cabinet door. A 10 ½-foot island with a granite counter top contains a warming drawer, an ice maker and a sink. Marble subway tile arranged on the backsplash over the cook top adds to the visual interest. The kitchen and family room chandeliers are a lovely combination of metal and wood artistry, with wooden finials emphasizing the design’s French roots. Antique pine floors throughout the home, salvaged from the original house on the property, add to the authentic charm of this opulent residence. ap
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a man & his zoo animal magnetism in broussard By GEORGE GURTNER
“ honey, i bought a zoo today! ” Not exactly what the average wife expects to hear from her husband as an opener for a casual dinner conversation. But since that night in the George Oldenburg household in Lafayette 12 years ago, the family has grown from George and his wife, Marleen, and their three sons: Matthew, Michael and Mitchell, to include tigers, lions, giraffes, bears, wolves, peacocks, rare birds and butterflies … thousands and thousands of butterflies in a static rainbow exhibit. “It’s a new experience every day,” says George Oldenburg, the owner and director of Zoosiana (formerly called The Zoo of Acadiana) in Broussard. “We have 750 animals from 130 different species from all over the world here at Zoosiana. They live and play over 45 acres. It presents quite a challenge … but it’s a challenge I look forward to every day.”
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To be sure, just about every non-human family moment of the 57-year-old Oldenburg’s life is filled with his animals: from the minutiae of diet and health to the long-range planning to make their Zoosiana as close a home to their natural habitat as possible. So how does a kid from New Orleans who sated his love for animals with a pet dog wind up transforming a one-time run down collection of cages into a world class zoo with representation in the Zoological Association of America (ZAA)? “I was vice president of a bank in Lafayette,” he says. “I had been there 21 years, and the more I looked at where I came from to where I was and to where I wanted to be…it just didn’t satisfy me any longer. The more I thought about it the more I came back to the same conclusion and that was ‘I don’t want to be doing this for the rest of my life.’” Oldenburg recalled a long-time customer of the bank who owned a zoo in Broussard a few miles south of Lafayette. “This man I had known from my banking years, who owned the zoo was getting up in age and he had lost interest in the operation. And it was getting kind of run-down. I knew about the zoo and I just knew that was for me. I went into my office one day and turned in my resignation. I went to a different bank than the one I had worked for and applied for a loan. Until everything was finalized I was actually unemployed. “ But not for long. The loan for $1.2 million came through. Oldenburg bought his zoo and it’s been running and building and polishing and transforming the long ago sad little collection of animals into a zoological garden that “is world class for its size and makes Acadiana mighty proud,” as one frequent visitor describes it. “What is used to be is only a memory.” “He (George) puts his heart and soul into these 45 acres,” says son Matthew, 26, who runs Zoosiana’s day-to-day operations and serves on the board of directors of the ZAA as secretary. “He’s here from before dawn to after dark sets in. He figures there’s always something else to be done.” To be close to the action, George Oldenburg spends many nights in the house that sits in the middle of the zoo and is furnished in “animal motif” such as zebra striped towels, and wall covering framed photos of lions and wreaths of peacock feathers festooning the walls. Nothing is left to
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chance and if it’s on the floor or on the walls or overhead, you can bet George Oldenburg built it himself or scavenged it from a garage sale, a flea market or even from of pile of something thrown out by somebody. “A lot of times, I have to get up every two hours to bottle feed a baby animal or make sure they’re all warm enough during a cold snap,” George Oldenburg says. “It makes sense to have this house here. I couldn’t do it any other way. As far as doing it myself, I’m just thankful that I have the talents and ‘time’ to do that.” The animals are also the benefactors of Oldenburg’s creative abilities. See those habitats with pools and running water for the white nutria and the otters? Oldenburg scoffed up several discarded satellite dishes, used them as roofs and filled in the rest. The nutria and otters couldn’t be happier. That Cajun cabin sitting out in the bayou exhibit? “Somebody tore down a fence and I picked up the boards and built the cabin from them.” The intricately decorated African warrior shields that decorate the newly opened “Zootorium” educational center? “I did the decorations free hand with sheetrock mud and a cake decorating kit and wood I had bought from Home Depot,” George Oldenburg says rather nonchalantly. “In fact, all of the decorations are from garage sales or things picked out of junk piles and recycled. All the tin you see behind the shields? That comes from an old barn. It was all rusted out and they were going to throw it all away. That old plane hanging from the ceiling and flying over the savanna? That’s made out of old pieces of canvas that somebody used to paint with.” Right down to the one-time storage shed that Oldenburg found when he first bought the zoo. He has transformed that into a luxurious ‘events palace’ that is in demand for everything from wedding receptions to upscale birthday and anniversary parties to corporate meetings. One would be remiss to not call this entire ongoing project a real ‘green’ operation;’ And it all has its epiphany moments, the kind you don’t find sitting at a desk in a bank. Like every morning just as the sun is peeking over the horizon and beams of light race through the oaks.
ABOVE: George Oldenburg shares a tender moment with Gabriel the giraffe. Evangeline, Gabriel’s mate, is standing behind him. BELOW: Jolie, the white tiger rests magestically.
There are roars and squawking and squealing as the cacophonous wildlife responds to the new days. It is these awakening moments that George Oldenburg loves the most. He tools along in his nearly silent golf cart, down and around the asphalt walkways connecting exhibits and animals. He knows each animal by name and he calls out to them and wishes them a good day and has an offering to each monkey and foxes’ liking: “This guy (a spider monkey) won’t eat breakfast unless I give him a cookie first,” Oldenburg says. “This one will have a bad day unless I rub his neck first. This tiger…” And so the morning and the day and the evening go for the former banker turned zookeeper. When all is done and he finally gets home and his wife, Marleen asks, “How was your day?” George Oldenburg will give new meaning to the phrase, “It’s a zoo out there!”
“He puts his heart and soul into these 45 acres. He’s here from before dawn to after dark sets in. He figures there’s always something else to be done.”
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So what kind of nuts and bolts tightening does it take to keep more than 150,000 visitors coming to (and coming back) to Zoosiana each year? “We have 25 employees here at the zoo and every one of them is dedicated to our mission and to the animals,” says George Oldenburg. “I certainly couldn’t do it without them or with any less a commitment from any of them. It’s very important that we maintain high standards for Zoosiana; standards that are acceptable to school boards to where a trip to the zoo is considered an educational benefit. That’s why I bought the zoo to begin with 12 years ago. I love this community and I could not see it without a zoo.” Zoosiana boasts a mile-long “Antelope Express” train ride, a Louisiana swamp exhibit, the “Zootorium” offering five animal shows daily, Jungle Lodge Playground, gift shop, and the “Critter Café” concession stand. And hardly a week goes by without a “special event” from the annual “Zoolebrate Gala”, “Eggstravaganza” and “Safari of Lights” to “Boo at the Zoo” and camp outs complete with animal shows for the kids. Oldenburg says it ranges from $100,000 to $125,000 a month to run the zoo and to keep everything in top shape. “Funding comes from a variety of sources,” Oldenburg says. “Admissions, concessions, train rides, rentals of buildings for corporate events, special events such as “Boo at the Zoo,” family member-
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ships. All of that makes the zoo profitable; however, I put all the money back into the zoo. I’d rather put in some nice walkways in the zoo or buy a giraffe. Something that will benefit the animals and the visitors to the zoo. There’s nothing I need or want personally that’s more important than that.” Like the array of “stars” that perform at the “Zootorium” for five shows each day: “Hoover” the ant eater, “Vincent van Go”, the boa constrictor, “Douglas”, the big-eyed owl who makes several fly overs during each show, and “Persia” the serval cat, and second fastest animal in the world…That title is still held by the lightning fast cheetah. Then there is the newly opened butterfly and moth static exhibit, a gift to the zoo from an elderly man in New York who wanted a permanent home for his beloved collection following his death. “We always have to start with and come back to the animals themselves,” says Matt Oldenburg. “They’re what it’s all about. And we make our selections very carefully and all with a purpose.. For example, we had ‘Gabriel’ the giraffe and a little over a year ago, we purchased “Evangeline” as a mate for him. We held a wedding ceremony for them and it was a big, big event. We’re hoping there’s a little giraffe in the future.” “We also have two Bengal tigers,” says George Oldenburg. “But instead of the black stripes, our tigers have honey golden stripes. There are only 90 such tigers in the world and we are so very fortunate to have two of them. We’ve named them ‘Gumbo’ and ‘Filé.’” Donna Schneider of Lafayette is walking handin-hand with her young granddaughter, Lily who is visiting from Houston. Lily walks over to the exhibit and stares at the pair of tigers. George Oldenburg is quick to call for a bottle of milk. “Would you like to feed them, honey?” Within seconds, the child is feeding the young tiger, milk is flying all over and there are squeals and smiles all around. “See what I mean,” George Oldenburg says. “That’s what it’s all about. That’s why I love doing this every day. It’s why I love coming to work.” ap
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b e ckons sp ring travelers
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earby Rockport is a top birding destination with more than 500 feathered species on record. Every fall, Rockport and neighboring Fulton draw thousands of bird buffs for the Hummer/ Bird Celebration, spotlighting the annual migration of hummingbirds, but spring visitors will also see
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By Paris Permenter & John Bigley these fast-moving birds returning through the area on their way north to their summer homes. Near Rockport, the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge is a birding hot spot, known as the prime wintering ground for the endangered whooping crane, and home year-around to hundreds of other bird species.
Galveston, Texas
upp er coast Grab a towel and head for Galveston Island. The city itself, located on the island’s eastern end, is home to The Strand, a 36-block business district that in the late 19th century earned the nickname the “Wall Street of the Southwest.” Today, trolleys clang along the historic streets, passing specialty shops and restaurants housed in one of the nation’s largest collections of Victorian commercial architecture. The district is also home to the Elissa, a restored 1877 tall ship berthed at the Texas Seaport Museum. The museum showcases the history of this port called the “little Ellis Island,” second only to the New York site as an immigration station. The energy level at beaches on the island varies from quiet “pocket parks” on the west end to bustling East Beach, nicknamed
the Party Beach. Families often head to Stewart Beach where it’s not uncommon to see sandbuilding competitions underway. Along with the island’s beaches, schedule a day for a visit to Moody Gardens, one of the coast’s largest attractions with a resort hotel, spa, restaurants, and plenty of activities. Take your choice between an aquarium housed in a pyramid; IMAX 3-D, 4-D,and Ridefilm theaters; a golf course; the fun-filled science Discovery Museum; and, on Palm Beach, blue water, waterfalls and some of the island’s whitest sand. One of the biggest draws here is Moody Gardens’ Rain Forest Pyramid where you will see 1,000 species of exotic plants and animals from the rainforests of the world.
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coastal blend Heading south along the coast, the Coastal Bend is another top getaway destination, spanning a stretch that includes Corpus Christi as well as small beach communities such as Rockport/ Fulton and Port Aransas. Corpus Christi was charted in 1519 by Spanish explorer Alonzo Alvarez de Pineda, and for several years the coastal area was of interest mainly to pirates who used its bay and islands as hideouts. With that rich maritime history, it’s natural that the city should be home to the Ships of Columbus at the Corpus Christi Museum of Science and History. These life-sized recreations of the Columbus fleet were built by the Spanish government to commemorate the 500th anniversary of the explorer’s voyage. You can board several of the vessels, and tour museum exhibits that explain more about the Spanish voyages. Also downtown, visit the free Texas Surf Museum to view displays and watch film clips on hanging ten, especially along the Coastal Bend. Across the Harbor Bridge, the U.S.S. Lexington Museum on the Bay can’t be missed. Self-guided tours of the most decorated aircraft carrier in U.S. naval history explore many of the ship’s levels. Nearby, the Texas State Aquarium showcases the sea life of the Gulf with many hands-on exhibits and spectacular displays
like Dolphin Bay, a protective habitat for dolphins that cannot be released into the wild. Corpus Christi is also the gateway to Padre Island National Seashore, named for the priest who managed a ranch on the island in the early 19th century. The beach is known for its seaside fun as well as four-wheeling. Of the island’s nearly 66 miles of beach, 55 are accessible only by four-wheel drive. Although much of Padre Island is undeveloped, you’ll find many commercial establishments on neighboring Mustang Island. One of the best stops is Mustang Island State Park, where showers, restrooms and camping are available. Nearby lies Port Aransas, a laid-back community with a resort atmosphere. Drive along the beach (you’ll need to purchase a permit to park), romp in the waves, rent a condo and dine on fresh seafood. If you’re traveling with your dog, Port Aransas is also one of the most dog-friendly coastal destinations with fido-friendly condos, and many al fresco restaurants that welcome your four-legged family member. One resort, A Laughing Horse Lodge, especially appeals to travelers and their canines with special features like self-service dog washes after a sandy day on the beach.
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South Padre Island, Texas
south padre island All too often, this southern island is mistaken for her sister, Padre Island. Originally, the two were one single island. In 1964 South Padre Island became a separate entity with the completion of the Port Mansfield Gulf Channel. Today South Padre is the capital of tourism in this tropical tip of Texas. South Padre stretches for 34 miles, hugging the Texas coastline as a protective barrier against Gulf storms. At its widest point, the island is only a half-mile across, providing every one of the 5,000 hotel rooms with an unbeatable view. For some visitors, the chance to enjoy miles of pristine beach is reason enough to journey to South Padre. Miles of toasted sand invite travelers to enjoy some wave hopping in the surf. Your entrance to South Padre will be through the community of Port Isabel. Since 1853, the Port Isabel Lighthouse has overlooked the Gulf of Mexico, South Padre Island, and the surrounding region. To-
day the lighthouse, the only historic lighthouse in Texas open to the public, invites you to visit. The lighthouse is part of the Museums of Port Isabel, which also include the Treasures of the Gulf Museum and the Port Isabel Historical Museum, focusing on three Spanish shipwrecks and artifacts from the U.S. - Mexican War. From Port Isabel, it’s a quick hop over the causeway to South Padre Island. Hotels are connected by a trolley system so you can park your car and explore attractions like Schlitterbahn Beach Waterpark on South Padre Island, filled with hundreds of palm trees and rides that range from slides to bodyboarding. On South Padre, your activity level can be as busy as you choose. Romantics can book a sunset cruise; families can schedule an educational or dolphin watching excursion or take sandcastle-building lessons on the beach; and anglers can try their luck with a deep sea fishing cruise. For adventurous souls, South Padre has excellent windsurfing and parasailing opportunities. After a full day of fun, everyone can enjoy watching spectacular sunsets over the bay. ap
for more information: Aransas Pass Chamber of Commerce (800) 633-3028 | aransaspass.org Corpus Christi Convention & Visitors Bureau (800) 766-BEACH | visitcorpuschristitx.org Galveston Convention & Visitors Bureau (888) 425-4753 | galveston.com
Port Isabel Chamber of Commerce (800) 527-6102 | portisabelchamber.com Rockport-Fulton Area Chamber of Commerce (800) 242-0071 | rockport-fulton.org South Padre Island Convention & Visitors Bureau (800) SO-PADRE | sopadre.com
Port Aransas Chamber of Commerce & Tourist Bureau (800) 45-COAST | portaransas.org
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D BREAKFAST STYLE USAGE SERVE SAGE SA
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ND MATO A CADO, TO O V A H T I W KOBE BEEF P h otogr a p h y
R o m ero & R o m ero
P h otogr a p h s
B y C h er é C oen
4 OF ACADIANA’S LATEST WORTH TRYING
FETA
South Louisiana is a culinary mecca, and no one realizes that more than its residents, who cherish a good meal inside the home and at the many outstanding restaurants. This may be why so many jump into the restaurant business with little or no business experience. Take Jacob Marcell for instance. The Morgan City oilfield veteran tried to retire last year when he opened Parrie’s Louisiana Grill in a former auto parts store on Brashear Avenue. As part owner in the restaurant – with Mayor Frank Grizzaffi and Steve Sweetster – Marcell thought Parrie’s would be the perfect retirement investment. For the first three months he worked nonstop at the eatery and today the challenges remain.
AT OUBR N BAY W O S ’ Y K NG BOTS DIXIE DOG FEATURI
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“I’m not a restaurant guy; I’m an oilfield guy,” Marcell explains. “But I’m an eater. One thing I’ve learned about restaurants is there’s no playbook. For a restaurant to gel, it takes a year to where it becomes second nature.” Alex Andrade of Lafayette hails from a restaurant family but his partner John Bienvenu’s heritage veered more toward department stores. When Bienvenu graduated in finance he thought about opening a gourmet food truck in Lafayette and then spotted the perfect location for his Rusted Rooster café. With their lopsided experience, they opened within months. “We kinda jumped into it with both feet,” Bienvenu says. For Mike Krajicek, it was more about coming home to Lake Charles, being part of the city’s exciting renaissance and serving up something new and different. The singer-songwriter didn’t have restaurant experience either, but always wanted his own business and loved the idea of serving hot dogs in new and innovative ways.
“Now the music is more fun,” Krajicek says of playing music on the side while he operates Botsky’s on West Pujo. “But the music and restaurant business go hand in hand – it’s all about creativity.” One thing the following new Acadiana restaurants have in common is family recipes and dishes tested on locals and in competition to achieve perfection, from Rusted Rooster’s Bootsie’s biscuits to Chef Dean Terrebonne’s grilled redfish. Where owners may lack in restaurant operation experience, they make up in fabulous cuisine. And residents have noticed. All four new restaurants are drawing in the crowds. “The restaurant industry is a tough business to be in, especially if it’s Acadiana where there is good food on every corner,” says Bon Temps Chef Cupich, who hails from Albuquerque, N.M. “People are super nice, festivals are great and the food is fantastic.” Maybe one of the reasons why our culinary scene is so outstanding is the number of passionate restaurateurs who aren’t afraid of challenges.
104 West Pujo St., Lake Charles | (337) 491-1155 | botskys.com Mike Krajicek left his hometown of Lake Charles to pursue a music career, but two things kept sticking in his mind. Every town he lived in – Los Angeles, Nashville, Chicago – had gourmet hot dog establishments, and every time he visited his home state – even sans gourmet hot dogs – it was harder to leave. Krajicek moved back to Lake Charles and started creating a Louisiana version of the gourmet dog, selling his unique creations like alligator dogs and crawfish étouffée toppings to outdoor festivals and special events. On June 14, 2013, he opened Botsky’s on Pujo, in the heart of Lake Charles’ downtown renaissance. “Every city has their gourmet place, and I was super interested in them, so naturally when I came back this was what I wanted to do,” Krajicek says.
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Botsky’s serves up “suggestions” such as the Intercontinental, a Kobe beef frank with avocado slices, Asian cole slaw, feta cheese and a housemade chipotle mayonnaise or the Chili Mac Daddy with mac and cheese, chili, onions and bacon. The menu, however, is pretty simple: Pick a meat served up in homemade casings, ingredients that range from Kobe beef to alligator, rabbit and venison, then add a topping or two, from traditional chili (made in-house) and relish to fried eggs, guacamole and Cajun slaw that’s been spiced and grilled. “It’s a specialty niche restaurant,” Krajicek says. “You have suggestions or you can take it or leave them. It’s more or less build your own. Krajicek is as much a philosopher as he is a hot dog connoisseur.
“It’s just something different, street foot taken to the highest level,” he explains. “We’re not trying to reinvent the wheel but make it fun, give it a new perspective. It’s all about the reinvention of the more common ideals.” Next up for the entrepreneur is expanding his 1,200-square-foot space to include a prep kitchen for creating all his own product; he currently sells a “hybrid” of sausages, meats both purchased and made in-house. “What I’m really trying to do with the prep room is having a full-time sausage facility,” he says, adding that creating all his own relishes would be part of the plan. “At least expand on what we’re doing now.”
Botsky’s owner Mike Krajicek
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owners patrick & steve o’brYan & chef alexis cupich
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1312 Verot School Road, LafayetTE | (337) 706-8850 | bontempsgrill.com
STE VE
N’P AT’ S
HE TS OF
S
A AST BP CRA LL CIAL SPE
Like many Louisiana natives, Patrick O’Bryan and his brother, Steve, left the state only to realize the value of Louisiana’s culture and return years later. Together, they had an idea for “swamp edge cuisine” and decided to open a restaurant in the heart of Lafayette’s Southside. They experimented with dishes. including the “Pick Any Fish, Sauce and Choice of Two Sides” which marries fresh fish with sauces such as mango and satsuma Creole meuniere and toppers like crabmeat, crawfish and shrimp. “It was kind of a whirlwind of a taste and decision process,” Chef Alexis Cupich says of developing the menu. “Everything was tested out in Steve’s kitchen in Youngsville.”
Whatever the brothers worked out in those early days came together well, for there’s always a crowd at Steve n Pat’s Bon Temps Grill. Much of the menu cooked up by Cupich with help from “Miss Gloria” Parker veers from Louisiana comfort food to more sophisticated fare. There’s the crawfish pot pie, for instance, a large homemade pastry filled with Parker’s crawfish étouffée, and the apple and tasso-stuffed pork chops served with the restaurant’s signature fried sage sweet potato mash. Bon Temps offers daily specials for lunch and dinner and changes out the sausage and boudin board biweekly, Cupich says. All desserts are made in-house, including Miss Gloria’s bananas
Foster bread pudding with fresh bananas mixed with Myers Dark Rum and topped with ice cream and the house’s bananas Foster sauce. Once or twice a week Cajun Food Tours stops at Bon Temps to teach participants about fried gator, serving up the appetizer anonymously to avoid prejudice, then explaining to the tourists what they have just enjoyed. The small bar becomes lively at night with a happy hour, Monday through Saturday. And on Tuesdays, bottles of wine are half-price.
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parrie’s chef Dean Terrebonne
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ers Oyst ette with Lemon Cream Sau en Broch ce
615 Brashear Ave., Morgan City | (985) 330-3003 | facebook.com/ParriesLouisianaGrill Morgan City is an expandable town, with a steady population of 12,000 that rises to about 20,000 on any weekday when oil industry workers visit. In fact, hotels have been springing up throughout the city and remain full Mondays through Fridays, says Mayor Frank “Boo” Grizzaffi. Those workers make up the backbone for Grizzaffi’s latest business, Parrie’s Louisiana Grill on Brashear Avenue, serving up Louisiana specialties in a large, comfortable atmosphere. Grizzaffi opened the restaurant in early 2013 with Jacob Marcell and Steve Sweetser to give Morgan City another food option, one the partners felt was desperately needed. “I didn’t do it to get rich,” Marcell says. “It was more to put it here because the city needed it.” Because it’s locally owned and operated, the restaurant was a major learning experience, Marcell says. In February, the owners hired veteran Chef
Dean Terrebonne, who worked throughout the country and overseas and taught culinary arts at Chef John Folse Culinary Institute at Nicholls State University, to take over the kitchen and bring the menu up a notch. They still serve the poor boys, gumbo and fried and grilled seafood they’ve been known for, but are adding daily and nightly specials so that every trip to Parrie’s will be something new for customers, Marcell explains. For example, Terrebonne brings a delicate redfish dish with shiitake mushrooms sautéed in clarified butter and topped with lump crabmeat that will be an occasional nightly special. Other menu items that have become signature dishes include the crab cake dinner, two oversized crab cakes filled with lump crabmeat and lightly fried to a nice outside crisp, then topped with a spicy mayonnaise and more lump crabmeat. It’s a great dish to share, with a cup of gumbo to start.
The restaurant is located in a former Advanced Auto Parts store, with an expansive main dining room, a equally spacious bar area with televisions and an event space in back that seats 48 people; the owners utilize it for special occasions and catering. On the walls are photographs of the early Morgan City seafood industry, gleaned from the city archives. The owners are toying with the idea of a martini menu, live music and a “Lunch and Learn” series, during which companies sponsor a lunch and offer PowerPoint presentations on their businesses. With Terrebonne on board, they hope to beef up their catering business as well. It’s all to get the word out to the local populace. “We’ve attracted the out-of-towners,” Grizzaffi says. “We need to convert that to the locals.”
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owners John Bienvenu and Alexander Andrade 105 St. Landry, Lafayette | (337) 534-4135 | facebook.com/RustedRoosterLafayette 48
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Ciabatt a Bel For John Bienvenu and Alex Andrade, opening the Rusted Rooster in Lafayette has been a family affair, dating back three generations. Andrade’s mother, Denise Landry, owns two Landry’s Cafés on Pinhook and Cameron, and his grandmother Bootsie developed mixes that she sold nationwide. Bienvenu’s grandparents Zerben and Gertrude Bienvenu owned Bienvenu Brothers in St. Martinville. Diners can spot these family members in photos throughout the restaurant. Their legacy is also visible in the 1973 Land Cruiser in the parking lot with giant forks and a marketing sign once belonging to Bienvenu’s father. It was part of the plan to make Rusted Rooster, which serves only breakfast and lunch, feel like a corner cafe, Bienvenu says.
“We wanted people to feel welcomed, to have a homey feeling, and I think we’ve accomplished that,” he explains. “We wanted to be different from your average breakfast and lunch restaurant.” Breakfast includes biscuits culled from Bootsie’s recipe, sometimes enjoyed with the café’s popular fried chicken or topped by their “Coullion” sauce, a homemade pecan-praline glaze. The Cow Island biscuit serves the biscuit open-faced topped with over-easy eggs and crawfish étouffée. For lunch, one of the most popular items is The Zerben, named for Bienvenu’s grandfather; it’s a Louisiana take on a Reuben. The fried chicken brings them in as well, fresh chicken that’s hand-battered and served a variety of ways.
Space is at a premium here – there are seats for about 30 inside and 20 outside – and the kitchen only holds one oven and one stove. Breakfast begins at 7 a.m. and lunch changes over promptly at 10:30 a.m. Service ends at 2 p.m., and there are no weekend hours, allowing both owners to spend time with their families. So far, the response has been positive for two Lafayette natives with longstanding Acadiana ties. “Alex and I complement each other so well,” says Bienvenu. “This is where we want to be.” ap
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ADVERTISING SECTION PIECES OF EIGHT
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Parc Lafayette (337) 534-8753 Handcrafted in America THE FRAME SHOP
Gallery 912 912 Coolidge Blvd. (337) 235-2915 Framing and Fine Art Since 1973 54
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ADVERTISING SECTION
PA U L ’ S J E W E L R Y
325 Oil Center Drive | (337) 233-6975 600 Silverstone Road | (337) 981-7600
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906 Harding St. (337) 706-8763 For the best in running shoes and accessories.
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1116 Coolidge Blvd. Oil Center Gardens (337) 268-9499 (sizes 2 thru 1x)
A rmentor J ewelers
Parc Lafayette | New Iberia| Abbeville (337) 534-8529 The Best Built Performance Sport Watch...period. www.acadianaprofile.com | april/may 2014
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personnes d’acadiana
M I S S Y PA S C H K E - W O O D
First Lady of Festival New Director Missy Paschke-Wood adjusts to life in Lafayette while leading the day-to-day operations of Acadiana’s premier tourism event. by will kalec
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It’s 8:51 a.m. on Pick Up Day, and though visitors aren’t supposed to stop in for another nine minutes, a new but soon-to-be familiar face is already poking his head inside the office door, the one occupied appropriately enough by the lady with a hefty surplus of pick-me-up. “Hello!” says an enthusiastic Missy PaschkeWood, the new executive director of Festival International, greeting the first Amis du Festival (a donor group) with vigor not often found after 12 cups of coffee, let alone before one. She hands the man, a former president of Festival International, a T-shirt as a thank-you for his financial support, small talks for a bit, then directs him to a tray of doughnuts. Before, donation gifts were simply mailed, but Paschke-Wood wanted to add the face-to-face personal touch, a slight but important change in procedure. “We have a very busy morning in the office today,” she says. “So we’re all just running around, excited.” So is this pretty much what it’s going to be like every day from now until April 23? “From what I understand, yes,” she says with a laugh. Hired on Oct. 21, 2013, to replace longtime director Dana Baker, Paschke-Wood’s abbreviated run-up in overseeing her first festival has been a whirlwind of meetings and greetings all while finding her footing in this new job, new home and new life, really. Well-versed in nonprofit management from her time spent with the Humane Society and a community theater company in Arizona, Paschke-Wood’s fingerprints probably won’t be noticeable this year as she leans heavily on her experienced staff – particularly Diane Harris and Lisa Stafford – to ensure this massive event that attracts close to half-a-million people to downtown Lafayette runs smoothly. “It’s not a one person show,” she says. “So I can bring some new ideas in nonprofit from other parts of the country. But in terms of running the festival, the festival is solid.”
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personnes d’acadiana
Considering she’s in charge of arguably the premier tourism weekend in all of Acadiana, it’s somewhat incredible to think that this time a year ago Paschke-Wood wasn’t even living here. Last summer, her husband, Jeremiah, applied for jobs across the country, hoping to land a university gig to suit his recently completed master’s degree in Library Sciences. UL responded, flying Jeremiah in for its open assistant professor position at Dupre Library. “He called after the 10-hour, all-day interview process and said, ‘You will love it here. We should hope they give us an offer,’” Paschke-Wood recalls. “So then, of course, I became excited and did more research about Lafayette and other parts of the city – the Cajun heritage and how people hang onto it, but in a positive and inclusive way. And we found that to be true from the moment we arrived, even before we arrived.” Within minutes of posting their intentions to move to Lafayette on social media, Paschke-Wood’s inbox was flooded – places to live, places to see and especially places to eat. Some of her more ambitious friends took it a step further, not only spouting off restaurant recommendations but also their favorite items on those particular menus. The hospitality amplified once Missy and Jeremiah arrived. In fact, it was one of Jeremiah’s co-workers who clipped out a newspaper blurb about the executive director vacancy at Festival International. Considering Paschke-Wood’s professional background, the coworker figured it’d be a natural fit. “I feel so lucky,” Paschke-Wood says. “Because I wouldn’t have known about the opening if not for that article. So it just shows how people were thinking, ‘These people have joined our community, and here’s an opportunity for them. So I really feel embraced. When people ask us, ‘How are you adjusting? Are you settled? How are you liking it?’ My answer is, ‘Lafayette has rolled out the red carpet for us.’” While settling into her new position, familiarizing herself with the staff and volunteers, Paschke-Wood also found it imperative to try and understand the essence of Festival International. After watching clips of performances from years past, Paschke-Wood decided to organize a quasiField Trip and spent a November day walking the entire downtown imprint of Festival International. “It was something like one of those animated movies, where your imagination is making things pop up,” she says. “Here’s the stage. Here are the
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vendors. You see the people, see the shuttles. That experience, for me, is the thing that brought it home. You can’t understand how massive this festival is and how much hard work goes in from our volunteers to make this happen until you actually walk the thumbprint…Thankfully, I had on good shoes that day.” When she starts up her office computer each morning, Paschke-Wood is greeted by a ticking countdown clock smack-dab in the upper right corner of the Festival’s homepage – a digital reminder that spurs more excitement than anxiety. Though there’s much to do, Paschke-Wood’s trust in her support staff tempers any new-kid jitters that might arise in these final weeks and days. In fact, Paschke-Wood intends to spend a portion of her first Festival just like the 400,000 friends surrounding her – as a spectator bobbing her head along to the music of the world. “I love it when people stop me in the streets and say, ‘You’re the new festival lady!’” she says. “I like hearing their stories. After hearing dozens, if not hundreds of them, you can’t help but realize the impact this festival has on making Lafayette ‘Lafayette.’” ap
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Festival Fashions by krystral cooper christen Here in Acadiana, we love to kick up our heels, dance to local bands and experience our many wonderful festivals, whether they’re centered around a holiday, food, music, heritage or all of the above. Here are some of our latest picks for stylish outfits that’ll help you stand out in the crowd. 1. Dancing will be a blast in these flirty cowgirl boots. Whether you like ornate designs, bright colors, or both, there are a variety of styles to choose from that will add spunk to your outfit. Cotten’s Western Wear, 2601 Ryan St., Lake Charles, (337) 656-3933, cottenswesternwear.com 2. Boiled seafood and festivals go hand-and-hand. Little ones will look adorable as they stay cool in these lightweight fashions adorned with decorative fabric crabs. Lolli & Bop, 2207 Kaliste Saloom Road, Suite F, Lafayette, (337) 534-4224, lolliandbop.com 3. These turquoise bangles and stunning ring will add sparkle and style to any bohemian ensemble. JuJu’s Boutique, 7808 W. Main St., Houma, (985) 876-3766 4. This breezy, knee-length dress will keep you feeling cool and comfortable as the weather warms up. JuJu’s Boutique, 101 Settlers Trace Blvd., Lafayette, Suite 1008, (337) 406-9300 5. These accessories were made to be scenestealers. This trendy hat from Ranch Outlet will add an element of playfulness, while keeping the sun out of your eyes. The cross necklace by Virgins, Saints and Angels from Coco Eros can be worn long or in multi-layers. Ranch Outlet, 3324 N.E. Evangeline Thwy., (337) 465-4316, ranchoutlet.com | Coco Eros, 340 Kaliste Saloom G1, Lafayette, (337) 233-3768. ap
p hotogra p hs : ro m ero & ro m ero p hotogra p h y m ode l : Margot
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L A T I L’ S L A N D I N G
sur le menu beauty and change of pace. “The grounds of Houmas House plantation are just gorgeous,” Hebert says. “You feel as a guest of the plantation owner. It’s not so much the view from the restaurant, but the stroll to and from the restaurant. If you’d never been to Houmas House, it’s a real treat to experience the beautiful gardens.”
Regatta Seafood and Steakhouse 508 Hawkeye Ave., Lake Arthur (337) 774-1504
Food With a View by jan risher Good food is one thing. Good food in a beautiful setting with a lovely view takes life to a whole different level. Even though the vistas of Acadiana are plenty and beautiful, finding the perfect restaurant with a lovely view can be tricky. We’ve uncovered some treasures here. Some will be old favorites and some will quickly become new favorites.
Latil’s Landing in Houmas House 40136 Louisiana 942, Darrow (225) 473-9380 Latil’s Landing in Houmas House Plantation and Gardens is the perfect combination of elegance, beauty and Louisiana charm. If you’re looking for a
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nice day out and about, take a drive to Darrow and walk through the beautifully landscaped grounds of Houmas House. Lunch or dinner at Latil’s Landing is a treat. If you’re looking for a Louisiana favorite, try the duck and andouille gumbo. The service is just right, too – helpful but not overbearing. Lafayette resident Cherie Hebert enjoys her trips to Houmas House and appreciates the
Almost three years, Craig Guilbeaux and Greg Trahan decided to build Regatta “from the water up,” according to Guilbeaux. They appreciated they beauty the tiny town of Lake Arthur had to offer and wanted to create a place people from all over could come and enjoy. So they did. And the people have come – on foot, by car, by boat and even by plane. Room for 30 boats to dock at the restaurant just wasn’t enough. “We get a lot of the scientists who are trying to introduce the whooping crane into White Lake who like to come,” Guilbeaux says. And how do they get there? By seaplane, of course. They pull right up to the restaurant, hop out and enjoy. Guilbeaux is the general manager of Regatta and is committed to doing what he can to share the charm of Lake Arthur, population 3,000, with others. Regatta’s most popular dish is twice cooked crispy duck. It’s a very savory halfduck, glazed with Steen’s cane syrup glaze. Regatta’s has live music on Friday and Saturday during the summer and warmer months and on Saturday only off-season. Many guests enjoy lunch at Regatta and take a stroll around the nearby town and park. “It’s a great day outing,” Guilbeaux says. “Lots of birding goes on around here. People from all over the world head here for the wildlife.” Tori Guidry, a Regatta fan from Lafayette, appreciates the food and the view. “Looking out from the restaurant the lake is Louisiana beautiful with cypress trees, but unexpectedly open and inviting,
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sur le menu
in that ‘I wish I were boating on the lake,’ sort of way,” she says.
Café Jefferson 5505 Rip Van Winkle Road New Iberia (337) 359-8525 Café Jefferson in the Rip Van Winkle Gardens is off the beaten path, but making the effort to get there is worth it. The food is good – a mix of traditional Cajun and seafood dishes, with fresh baked bread and butter
CAFÉ JEFFERSON
on the table. There are also less traditional but wonderful dishes, such as their chili dog.
Louisiana. Owned by Kevin Robin and
Ruffino’s on the River
The portions are generous and the wait
Sanjay Maharaj, the restaurant offers an
921 Camellia Blvd., Lafayette
staff is attentive.
eclectic array of culinary treats. Kevin is
(337) 706-7333
Overall, most people find the
a native of Arnaudville who came home
experience of dining at Café Jefferson akin
after spending 20 years in New York. His
to a mini vacation.
family owns Russell’s Food Center near
“The view is both breathtaking and
the restaurant. Maharaj is a native of
humbling. The gardens are magnificently
Trinidad and uses his experienced hand
manicured,” says Debbie Arceneaux
as a manager in managing the restaurant
of Lafayette, who finds her way to Café
and staff. The response to the restaurant is
Jefferson as often as possible. “It is a
overwhelmingly positive.
welcomed get-away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.” The indoor restaurant has a glassed in
Julie Cochran Bourque of Lafayette says not only is the food delicious, but the wonderful atmosphere, especially on the
patio that allows patrons to enjoy the view
back deck looking over the bayou “feels
of Lake Peigneur and the gardens even on
like you’re getting away when you’re really
extreme weather days.
not too far from home.”
But for Arceneaux and many other guests, the best place to sit to enjoy the view is outside.
Guest Marietta Guilbeau Zeringue agrees. “I like everything about Little Big Cup truly – the way that it’s decorated, the
“There you can view live peacocks,
heartiness of the food and the smiles and
birds, and God’s handiwork at its finest.
warmth of the servers. It’s very homey and
A lovely spot for restoring the soul,” says
you can feel the love that’s put into all of
Arceneaux.
it,” Zeringue says. Sunset resident Susan Keller Bush also
Little Big Cup
enjoys dining at Little Big Cup.
149 Fuselier Road, Arnaudville (337) 754-7147
very fresh. The portions are perfectly sized
Tucked away in Arnaudville on the
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“The food is tasty – a little eclectic and – not crazy big,” Bush says. “I’m getting hungry just thinking about it. Oh, and you
banks of Bayou Teche, Little Big Cup
must know – the desserts are pretty and
is one of the newest gems of rural
yummy.”
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When Cochon’s closed its beautiful restaurant on the banks of the Vermilion near the Camellia Bridge in Lafayette, few could have imagined that another establishment could fit the stylish structure so well. Think again. Ruffino’s on the River is not only the hot place for drinks, but the food is delicious and, of course, the view is still one of the best in Lafayette – especially on the patio tables, when the weather is nice. Soup, pasta, pizza and steaks are solid choices at Ruffino’s on the River. “The food at Ruffino’s was excellent, but the service is what I would go back for,” says patron Nikki Riojas of Scott. “I’m extremely impressed with how they train their staff and how they treat their patrons.” Layla Taghehchian of New Orleans also appreciates Ruffino’s food, view and the diversity of its clientele. “It’s nice to see people of all ages dinning together at one of the nicer restaurants in town,” Taghehchian says. “The view and drinks made our special dinner something to remember. However, all of the above would mean nothing if the food and service weren’t top-notch, as well.” ap
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visiter
Around Acadiana: Gatherings, carnivals and activities around Acadiana. Compiled by judi russell
25-27 & 29-30
“Final Passage.” Teche Theatre for the Performing Arts, Franklin. (337) 907-6412.
26 Grillin’ in the Park. 300 Parkview Drive, New Iberia. (337) 365-5651. 26-27
12th Cajun Woodstock (benefit for St. Jude’s Hospital). 100 E. Darbonne
St., Church Point. (337) 280-8710. 27 Blessing of the Fleet & Boat Parade. Our Lady of Prompt Succor Church, Golden Meadow. (985) 475-5428. 27 Laurel Valley Spring Festival. 595 Hwy. 38, Thibodaux. (985) 446-7456. 29 to Contraband Days Louisiana Pirate Festival. Lake Charles Civic Center May 11 Grounds, Lake Charles. (337) 491-1256. 30 Annual World Championship Crawfish Etouffee Cook-Off. Northwest Community Center Pavilion, Eunice. (337) 457-6573. MAY 1 Loyalty Day. 102 W. Main St., New Iberia. (337) 344-9397. 1-4. Thibodaux’s Firemen’s Fair & Parade. Thibodaux Firemen’s Fairgrounds,
APRIL
3-5
Paddle Bayou Lafourche. Thibodaux. (985) 447-0868.
2-3 Relay for Life of New Iberia. 1301 E. Admiral Doyle Drive, New Iberia.
4 Scott Boudin Festival. 125 Lions Club St., Scott.
4-6 23rd Annual Cypress Sawmill Festival. Kemper Williams Park, Patterson.
2-4 Breaux Bridge Crawfish Festival. Parc Hardy, Breaux Bridge.
(985) 395-3720.
(337) 519-1978. (337) 332-6655.
4-6 Bayou Cajun Fest. Larose Regional Park & Civic Center, Thibodaux.
3 18th Annual Celebration of Herbs & Gardens. Marie St., Sunset.
(985) 446-1896.
5 Swing into Spring. Cash & Carry Building, Lake Charles. (337) 562-2344. 5 Acadiana Dragon Boat Festival. 102 W. Main St., New Iberia.
(337) 352-2100.
5 Boilin on da Bayou. Cut Off Youth Center, Cut Off. (985) 632-7616. 7 An Evening with Hal Linden. Schreier Theatre, Morgan City.
(985) 385-2307.
7-11
Cajun Classique Wooden Boat Cruise. Breaux Bridge to Bayou Teche
Wooden Boat Show, Franklin. www.cajunclassique.com
11-13
Cajun Hot Sauce Festival. 713 NW Bypass, New Iberia. (337) 365-7539.
11-13
11th Annual Bayou Teche Black Bear Festival. Downtown Franklin.
(337) 940-1156.
12 Bateau de Bois Festival. 202 Main St., Lockport. (985) 532-5106. 12-13
McNeese Theatre Musical Review. SFAA Performing Arts Center,
McNeese State University, Lake Charles. (337) 475-5000. 17-20
15th Annual Washington Crawfish Festival. 143 Verans Memorial
Highway, Washington. (337) 826-3627.
70
Tiger Drive. (985) 446-3247.
18-20
Laotian New Year Celebration. 7913 Champa Ave., Broussard.
(337) 364-3403.
23-27
Festival International de Louisiane. 444 Jefferson St., Lafayette.
(337) 232-8086.
25-27
29th Annual Etouffee Festival. 370 Main St., Arnaudville. (337) 754-5912.
25-27
The Italian Festival Inc. 14450 Hwy. 422W, Tickfaw. (800) 542-7520.
25-27
Lockport Food Festival. Church Street, Downtown Lockport.
(985) 532-5909.
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(337) 662-3542.
3 South Central Louisiana Technical College Bass Tournament. Doiron’s Landing, Stephensville. (985) 380-2957. 6-7 Southern Regional Mine Rescue Competition. 713 NW Bypass
(Hwy. 3212), New Iberia. (337) 365-7539.
10 Q-ing on the Bayou Boat Poker Run. 411 S. Richard St., Delcambre.
(337) 298-4510.
10 5th Wheelin & Peelin (Car Show/Crawfish Cook Off). 206 Frog Festival Dr., Rayne. (337) 344-2332. 15-17
Cruisin Cajun Country Cruise In. 102 W. Main St., New Iberia.
(337) 567-1631.
18 Armed Forces Day Ceremony. 102 W. Main St., New Iberia.
(337) 344-9397.
23-24
Creole Zydeco & Okra Festival. 203 New Market St., St. Martinville
(337) 394-2230.
23-25
3rd Annual Krotz Spring Sportsmen’s Heritage Festival. Nail Park,
Krotz Spring. (337) 566-3527.
24 Splash Bash. 300 Parkview Dr., New Iberia. (337) 369-2337. 25
27th Annual Zydeco Extravaganza. Evangeline Downs Event Center,
Opelousas. (337) 594-3137. 26 Memorial Day Ceremony. 102 W. Main St., New Iberia. (337) 344-9397. ap
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en français, s’il vous plaît
L’année prochaine, on va commémorer les cent cinquante ans de la fin de la Guerre de Sécession, ou la Guerre des Confédérés comme on dit en français louisianais. Entre 1865 et 1870, après la terrible mortalité associée avec la guerre américaine la plus meurtrière de l’histoire, l’espérance de vie aux États-Unis était environ 45 ans. Selon une étude récente du bureau du recensement, l’espérance de vie en moyenne en 2015 sera de presque 79 ans. Cela représente une progression fulgurante de 75%. Cent cinquante ans peuvent sembler une éternité, mais pour mettre les choses en perspective, j’avais un arrière-grand-oncle qui est mort en 1990 à l’âge de 103. Il est né donc en 1887. De l’autre côté de la famille, mon grand-père maternel est né en 1892. Je les ai bien connus tous les deux, ainsi d’autres individus de leur génération. Ils étaient adolescents avant la Première guerre mondiale, la Grande Guerre, qui a commencé en Europe il y a cent ans cette année. Si à ce moment ils connaissaient des gens dans la soixantaine ou plus, et je suis sûr qu’il y en avait, ils connaissaient des survivants de notre guerre civile. Tout ça pour dire que j’ai connu des gens qui ont côtoyé une génération qui a vécu dans un monde bien différent du nôtre, la période dite antebellum. Depuis ce temps, on a fait d’énormes progrès pour améliorer notre niveau de vie. Parmi les plus grandes et les plus importantes des différences est le presque redoublement du nombre d’années qu’une personne peut espérer vivre. Sans trop réfléchir, on peut penser à de nombreuses raisons pour cette augmentation impressionnante. Certes, le progrès technologique, industriel et médical y joue un rôle important. Les nouveaux médicaments, les antibiotiques, les appareils pour 72
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faire un diagnostic rapide et juste ont contribué largement. Mais le facteur numéro un qui a prolongé la vie humaine d’une façon aussi remarquable vient de quelque chose que nous prenons comme acquis de nos jours et qui, si on ne se rend pas compte de
réductions de la mortalité dans les grandes villes, les trois-quarts des réductions de la mortalité des nourrissons et presque les deux-tiers des réductions de la mortalité des enfants. » Autrement dit, l’espérance de vie était si basse autrefois parce que beaucoup d’enfants n’arrivaient pas à l’âge adulte. Ils n’avaient pas à l’âge adulte parce qu’ils ne pouvaient pas ouvrir le robinet et s’attendre à ce que l’eau potable en sorte en grande quantité. De nos jours en Louisiane, on est arrivé à un point critique dans notre histoire. À beaucoup par david cheramie d’égard, notre état existe à cause de l’eau. On est littéralement défini par l’eau : le Mississipi, le Sabine, le Perle et le Golfe du Mexique forment nos frontières. Combinés avec les innombrables bayous, criques, coulées, marécages et estuaires, ils fournissent non seulement les moyens pour gagner notre vie, mais notre vie tout court. D’autres états ont des phases de sécheresses régulières, voire chroniques. En Louisiane, on a le problème opposé. Cette surabondance de richesse aqueuse nous oblige d’agir en économe reconnaissant de nos ressources. Nous avons une autre ressource importante qui fait vivre la population. L’industrie pétrolière tient une place essentielle dans l’économie de l’état, cela va de soi. On l’accuse aussi d’avoir fait beaucoup de tort à notre écosystème, de l’invasion de l’eau salée par les canaux qu’elle a creusés jusqu’aux produits chimiques qui se trouvent dans notre eau potable. On sa fragilité, pourrait redevenir une rareté dit que l’eau et l’huile ne se mélangent pas. comme au temps de la Louisiane des États C’est peut-être vrai, mais il faut qu’on déConfédérés. Bon nombre de scientifiques, couvre la manière de les faire vivre ensemnotamment David Cutler de Harvard et ble, pour garder la qualité et la quantité de la Grant Miller de Stanford, attribuent une vie au niveau qu’on connaît grâce largement grande partie de ces progrès à quelque chose aux progrès qu’on a faits en santé publique d’aussi simple que l’accès à l’eau propre. et innovation industrielle depuis la Guerre « Nous avons trouvé que l’eau propre était des Confédérés. On n’a pas le choix. Notre responsable pour presque la moitié des vie en Louisiane en dépend. ap
L’eau, c’est la vie
for an english translation , visit www . acadianaprofile . com . illustration by sarah george