OCT 1 2
WHiskey mye rs
SEPT 14
AA RON WATSON
OCT 26
Dylan scot t
OCT 19
thompson squa re BOSSIER, LA
•
THESTAGEBOSSIER.COM
Calling ALL
Superheroes & Princesses to help create
Super Smiles!
Photo Booth
Face ng Painti
Fun
Come Dressed As Your Favorite Superhero or Princess
@
Tickets:
Southern Trace Clubhouse Saturday,October 13 9 am to 11 am
$15 for General Admission (9:30 am - 11 am) $20 for VIP Admission (9 am - 9:30 am) See website for details
Space is Limited
Register Today @ GeauxSmile.com Ticket sales benefit the Geaux Smile Foundation. Helping children in need achieve a smile they can be proud to show! Morgan Trahant Lang, DDS | GeauxSmile.com | 318.861.0700 September-October 2018 | LOLA MAGAZINE | Page 1
Dr. Morgan Trahant Lang
HOME AND ENTERTAINING 42 Hostess with the Mostess Shares her “insiders list” for kitchen tools and tips
48 Kitchen Must Haves Our Lola Ladies list of kitchen gadgets that you must get
14 My Favorite Piece Top designers go-to items for making a big impact in any space
78 Sophie’s Choice Exquisite interior design with a feminine touch
C ON T E N T S FASHION
23 Havana Nights Fashion Hot looks for Lola Party Presents Havana Nights on September 8th 65 Show Your Colors Get game day ready in these chic styles
97 Kids Fall Crafts Fun DIYs to keep the kiddos busy this fall 72 Little Miss Shine Your Way Pageant Shining a light and building confidence for special needs children
TRAVEL
54 Hotel Bentley Celebrating 110 years of history in Alexandria’s premier Hotel Bentley
COMMUNITY
KIDDOS
37 Red River Revel Arts Festival Experience 9 Days of Fun 6 Proverbs 31:20 Ministries “She extends her hands to the poor, and she stretches out her hands to the needy.” 93 North Louisiana Arts Council Five Awake, a documentary that everyone must see 108 Must Attend Events
HEALTH AND BEAUTY 58 Integrate Your Health How to optimize vitamin D all year long and why it’s vital 102 The Other Dyslexia A different perspective on the challenges of Dyslexia 50 The Real Deal on Fillers What you need to know about facial filler 18 I Used to Be Cool Finding humor when aging is inevitable
LOUISIANA LADIES
89 Lola Legend Dr. Mable John, a true Louisiana Legend in every aspect
9 Holly Ann Stars Strength and beauty battle to beat breast cancer 84 Keeping it Real with Teri Netterville Dream Catcher, a father’s legacy 32 Women of Influence Katie Walker’s inspiring book on why women are needed now 106 The Boss of Southern Cuisine International Root Vegetable Soup 62 Is It True? How to survive the uncertainty of the post-truth era. 112 From Her Perspective Melissa Gutman
Page 2 | LOLA MAGAZINE | September-October 2018
September-October 2018 | LOLA MAGAZINE | Page 3
READLOLA.COM
Are you ready for some
I
PUBLISHER Bevin Sutton Hicks Bevin@readlola.com ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Carie Cotter Hart Carie@readlola.com ASSISTANT ADVERTISING ASSOCIATES Ashley Dillard, Shreveport/ Bossier/Natchitoches Ashley@readlola.com Shannon Lewis, Ruston Shannon@readlola.com
Football?
surely am! I must admit, I only like to watch the fourth quarter of a football game. I don’t consider myself a huge “football fan”. I would say that I am more a huge “football season” fan! Rarely do I really care who wins the game, but I do get really excited about planning a menu of too much food and having a house full of family and friends every Saturday. When I watch college football, I always think more about the players’ moms than the player. Just sending my fourth grader and two-year-old back to school this year made this momma’s heart ache just a bit. We all worry about our kids going back to school, doing well, finding friends and being happy. So, I can’t help but think about these players’ moms, watching their babies on the field, with the weight of thousands of fans sitting on their shoulders. I’ll just say, I hope my children stick with golf. Other than my slightly unreasonable concern for those mommas, I am proud to be a part of this American tradition we call Football Season. Fall brings more than just football. It brings much anticipated cooler weather, the beginning of the holiday season, and everywhere you look, a new “pumpkin spice” something is readily available. The changing of any season brings new excitement and a fresh start. This issue of Lola Magazine is packed full of fun ideas and events. Lola Party presents “Havana Nights” will be one event that you don’t want to miss! The Red River Revel is back and better than ever for 2018. We have all the scoop on interior décor trends, entertaining, and what you need to get Game Day ready. I also have the great honor to share the story of my beautiful and equally witty friend, Holly Ann Stars as she battles breast cancer with unmatched strength and faith. Talk about an inspiration! We hope that you find a cozy spot and cool breeze to enjoy this issue of Lola Magazine. It is one of our greatest blessings to bring you these stories of incredible Louisiana Ladies. Whatever team that you are pulling this football season, we wish you big victories and good times! And for the record, GO DAWGS!!!
Cheers! Bevin Page 4 | LOLA MAGAZINE | September-October 2018
DISTRIBUTION MANAGER Tommy Stow Sutton 318-560-5785 DISTRIBUTION ASSOCIATE Carl Hammock 318-607-7106 ART DIRECTION & LAYOUT Richard Creative Lola@richard-creative.com CONTENT EDITOR Kathy Spurlock EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT / CONTRIBUTING WRITER / ASSISTANT EDITOR Rosemary McMaster lolamaginfo@readlola.com CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Dr. Nicole Cotter Donesa Walker Jessica Comegys Teri Netterville Payton Denney Myron Griffing Clinton Downing Rosemary McMaster Chef Hardette Harris Allison Hammett Katie Walker Amanda Coleman Danielle Tolbird Jayna Morrow Melissa Gutman CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Brittany Strickland Misty Swilley Wallace Lee Christie Froom COVER Photographer / Christie Froom Holly Hollis Stars with Husband Mark Stars Read Holly’s story on page 9 #HollyAnnSTRONG FOR ADVERTISING INFORMATION Email Carie@readlola.com *Reproduction of contents without express written permission is prohibited. Lola Magazine is published bi-monthly by Stamper Marketing, LLC. 3811 Youree Drive, Shreveport, La 71105, Phone (318) 573-6847. Lola Magazine reserves the right to accept or reject any advertiser. Distribution of Lola Magazine does not constitute an endorsement of information, products and/or services. Lola Magazine makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of the publication’s content. Nonetheless, we do not guarantee the accuracy of all information, nor the absence of errors. No responsibility will be assumed. Visit us online at readlola.com to subscribe. Lola Magazine is owned by Stamper Marketing, LLC.
We Treat Your Eyes Like FAMILY Your Vision Is Our Focus
Shreveport Eye Specialists Russell Van Norman MD 318-703-5655
1801 Fairfield Avenue, Suite 207, Shreveport • www.ShreveportEyeSpecialists.com September-October 2018 | LOLA MAGAZINE | Page 5
She extends her hands to the poor, and she stretches out her hands to the needy.
WRITTEN BY: ALLISON HAMMETT
H
ave you ever struggled with finding your purpose in life? I did most of my adult life. I was involved in a mentally and emotionally abusive relationship that left me feeling unworthy, depressed and lonely. You see, the problem with the trials I faced over a 14-year period was I never searched for the Lord. In 2015, I was unemployed; the job I had left to pursue the job “I” wanted didn’t work out. I began to go to Christ Fit Gym every day. The more I was learning about God, the more I realized how broken and lost I really was. I was talking to a friend and asking her why can’t I find my purpose? Her response to me was, “Are you reading the Bible and seeking the Lord every day?” My response was, “No, I am not.” On that day I decided to surrender my life to Christ and really seek him. WOW, is all I can say. “Take delight in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart.” Psalm 37:4. Over the past three years, I have found abundant life, purpose, joy, love and much more. My family and I joined Cypress Baptist Church and continued to go to Christ Fit gym almost six days a Page 6 | LOLA MAGAZINE | September-October 2018
week. Back in May I was able to serve with Men of Courage, at a Block Party, and I had a friend, who is a single mom. Experiencing and listening to her reminded me of the days when I was a single mom and struggled financially and emotionally. I began to feel a tug on my heart; God was telling me to do something for women. So, I began to pray for God to reveal to me what He wanted me to do. Over the next few days he put these verses in my life, “Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works,” Hebrews 10:24, and “Perhaps this is the moment for which you have been created,” Esther 4:14. I had also taken a spiritual talents/gifts questionnaire in a Bible study and in Sunday School, and God showed me that the talents/gifts he has given me are hospitality, serving, giving and discernment. God is so good ALL the time. God told me to start Proverbs 31:20 Ministries. “She opens her arms to poor and extends her hands to the needy,” Proverbs 31:20. This ministry is a nonprofit 501 (c)3 organization that provides free services to single women/single moms. As of right now, the ministry has a construction company, plumber, HVAC, car mechanic, a doctor, a dentist, a personal trainer,
Christ Fit Gym, assistance with electric and water bills, yard work and much more. Proverbs 31:20 Ministries runs off donations, and every donation is tax deductible. If you would like to talk or give, please visit the website www.proverbs3120ministries.org or give me a call.
Simply Chic in Shreveport will be having a fundraiser to support Proverbs 31:20 Ministries on Saturday, November 3, from 10 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Please come out and see us. Don’t wait one more day to surrender your life to Christ, the time is now. It will be the BEST decision you will ever make.
MAGGIE LEE OCTOBER 29 The day we celebrate life by doing one kind deed for someone in need maggieleeforgood.org
CELEBRATION 2018: Honoring Vets & Pets 6:00 p.m. La Madeleine on Fern
We are collecting donations of socks & razors for our Veterans and cat & dog food for our local shelters
FOR GOOD September-October 2018 | LOLA MAGAZINE | Page 7
Bubbles-and-Baubles LSUS Foundation Fundraiser At the Estates of The Woods Family Operating Company October 11th • 4:30 -7PM Tickets starting at $50 Includes bar and heavy hors’doeuvres.
Enjoy a bubbly happy hour with friends and cast a vote for one of three impactful LSUS programs. The winning program receives a cash award that you helped make happen!
“True beauty in a woman is the caring she lovingly gives, and the passion she shows...”
-Audrey Hepburn
Tickets available:
https://lsusbubbles.eventbrite.com
We are doing it again for the rd year!
3
The LSUS Foundation Annual Day Trip to
Kiepersol Vineyards and ...Distillery! Tickets starting at
$130
Nov. 10 • 10AM-7PM
We cover everything including the driving! Enjoy award winning wines and outstanding food in a beautiful setting.
This year we are adding the craft distillery with Mixology classes! TICKETS AVAILABLE: https://lsuskiepersol.eventbrite.com Page 8 | LOLA MAGAZINE | September-October 2018
Holly Ann with her husband Mark
Holly Ann Stars Strength & beauty in the battle to beat breast cancer WRITTEN BY BEVIN HICKS • PHOTOGRAPHY BY NEIL TA AND CHRISTIE FROOM
September-October 2018 | LOLA MAGAZINE | Page 9
D
riving through pouring rain in Baton Rouge traffic, I white-knuckled my way to meet my dear friend from high school for dinner. Trying to be timely, I arrived five minutes late and scurried inside the fancy little restaurant. I told the hostess that I was meeting the pretty brunette. She led me into the piano bar, and there she was, my friend Holly, sitting in the corner booth with an alcohol-free, pomegranate martini and her megawatt smile. “Hey, friend,” she said as she got up to hug me. It had been years since we had seen each other, although those years were obsolete within seconds. We had so much catching up to do! My friend, Holly Ann Hollis, also known for her reign as Cedar Creek Prom Queen 2001, recently added to her name - Holly Ann “Stars.” She has always been affectionately called “Holly Ann,” although her name was not intended to be a double name. She just has such a spirit about her, too much spunk for “Holly,” so she was dubbed Holly Ann. She now carries the last name Stars, and it fits her perfectly! Holly Ann Stars honestly lights up a room like no one I have ever known. Not only is she a brilliant attorney, always dressed to the nines, she will also leave you in stitches with her uncanny way of finding humor in any situation. When I think of “magnetic,” I think of her. Holly Ann is super proud of her new last name and equally amazing husband, Mark, but this new name and husband came to her a bit quicker than planned. This past May, Holly Ann was living her life to the absolute fullest. As usual, she was working out five days a week, eating clean, and making her way up the ladder as a successful attorney in Baton Rouge, while planning her wedding to the man of her dreams. Holly Ann and Mark dated several years. Both planners and dedicated to their careers, they were taking their time planning a November wedding. Holly Ann was
confident that her life was on track and looking forward to the bright future ahead. She is the kind of girl who can roll with the punches but loves to over-organize. She was soaking up all the details of wedding planning, working hard, living the life she had always envisioned, and thriving. On May 8, 2018, all of her plans came to a screeching halt. During her annual OB appointment, Holly Ann’s doctor felt a lump in her left breast and sent her for an ultrasound and mammogram. She knew by the look on her doctor’s face there was concern, but Holly Ann wasn’t nervous. There had been no history of breast cancer in her family or any cancer for that matter. That first mammogram was followed by weeks of doctor appointments and a whirlwind of testing. After all the testing and scans, Holly Ann found herself sitting in a cold doctor’s office, her mother and fiancé by her side, with a doctor telling her the diagnosis was (metastatic) triple negative breast cancer. Because this particular cancer is so aggressive, it had spread to her lymph nodes, sternum and liver, making her diagnosis stage four. She was told that same day, statistically speaking, the odds were not in her favor to survive a diagnosis of this magnitude. Surgery was not an option, and her physicians advised that immediate, extreme, doses of chemotherapy were the only option to prolong life. At that moment, Holly Ann decided she was not going to be a statistic; stage four, triple negative breast cancer had met its match. When exiting the doctor’s office that day, her fiancé took her hand, looked her in the eyes and said, “This is not OUR story and YOU are not a statistic. We will beat this together.” After her diagnosis, Holly Ann struggled a bit coming to terms with her new normal, but on May 31, she received her first treatment of chemo, with a big smile, wearing a giant crab hat to cover up the non-glamorous “cool caps.” Cool caps are
Holly Ann being crowned Cedar Creek Prom Queen 2001 RIGHT: Holly Ann with her highschool best friends during her second chemo treatment Page 10 | LOLA MAGAZINE | September-October 2018
Holly Ann with her father on her wedding day used as a new method to prevent hair loss in chemo patients. Only Holly Ann can make these cool caps look “cool.” She handled her first chemo treatment like a champ, making her nurses laugh with her unrivaled charm and wit. Shortly after her second treatment, Holly Ann and Mark decided that they did not want to wait for a November wedding. They wanted to face this challenge together, as husband and wife. In just a week, they planned a small but immaculate wedding. With their families, closest friends, and two fabulous wedding gowns, Holly Ann and Mark exchanged vows on a Monday afternoon and celebrated with a reception
at Brennan’s Restaurant in New Orleans. It was not the big soiree of their original plans, but it was more meaningful than they ever imagined. Family and friends shared toasts full of love and inspiration. Although at some points there was not a dry eye to be found, the tears were quickly followed by laughter and overwhelming joy. Holly Ann lights up when she talks about her husband, Mark, “He is my rock, and impresses me daily with his strength, compassion and humor.” Her best friends from high school stayed in Baton Rouge after the wedding to keep her company during her third chemo treatment. They came prepared with matching “coolcap crew” t-shirts and ‘90s rap music for the ride. Holly Ann was constantly encouraging them to “get it together” and reassuring them that she is going to beat this. When you are with Holly Ann, even chemo treatments are full of laughs. Holly Ann is to receive eight cycles of chemotherapy, totaling sixteen chemo treatments, to be complete in early November. Throughout this process she has had a few, small bumps in the road. On two occasions, her white blood cell count and neutrophil levels have been too low to receive chemo, postponing treatments to the following week. This is typical in chemo patients and her treatments resumed as planned. The cancer was still visible on her latest PET scans, but they are less metabolic than her first scan, and that is great news! The tumors, although still in her body are considered stable. Holly Ann is still working every day, looking like she stepped off the front of a magazine cover. She continues to over-organize and shows up three times a week for her Orangetheory workout. Her perseverance totally crushes any excuse I could ever come up with for not working out. Other than the side effects of chemo, she stills feels well and displays a strength that is nothing short of remarkable. Holly Ann had me come by her house after our threehour dinner filled with belly laughs and fake cocktails. You would think that having dinner with your friend who had recently been diagnosed with aggressive cancer would be disheartening. Not a chance when your friend is Holly Ann. When I arrived at her spotless home that she claimed was “messy,” I was greeted by her handsome husband Mark and their cat, Geneva. Next to their dining table, I noticed a framed map of the world completely covered in push pins. This is what she had wanted to show me, her prayer map. She and Mark had pinned each place in the world that people have been praying for her. “Do you know anyone in Africa?” she asked. “I need prayers from Africa.” During this time of uncertainty, Holly Ann was able to quickly realize that she is not fighting this battle alone. Prayers have poured in from literally all over the world, and the support for her has been resounding.
September-October 2018 | LOLA MAGAZINE | Page 11
Holly Ann has been forced to take a hard look at her faith and priorities. She has learned to trust in the plan that God has for her life, and she considers that a strange but definite blessing. She refuses to believe that she will not beat this cancer, no matter how grim the statistics may look. She will quickly remind you that she is NOT a statistic. Those who know Holly Ann cannot not help but agree; cancer has indeed met its match. Holly Ann has a long road ahead, but she is fully aware and ready to fight. Admittedly she knows her battle with cancer is a far cry from “lucky,” but she is insistent that in many ways she feels “lucky” to experience this outpouring of love and support. She says, “I know that I have been dealt a bad hand with this whole ordeal, but I am lucky to have witnessed the very best that the world has to offer.” The irony of it all: Holly Ann Stars embodies “the very best that the world has to offer” and how lucky I am to call her my friend? By the way, she got her prayers from Africa! Holly Ann with her world map of prayers
#hollyannstrong Follow Holly Ann’s journey to beat breast cancer on Instagram “thestarsalign2018” and on her blog at thestarsalign2018.wordpress.com
Page 12 | LOLA MAGAZINE | September-October 2018
HOME FEDERAL BANK PROVIDING HOME LOANS SINCE 1924 Lakisha Russell-Smith
624 Market St. Shreveport (318) 222.1145
MORTGAGE L OAN OFFICER
L
9300 Mansfield Rd. Shreveport (318) 674.2630
akisha Russell-Smith is no stranger to giving her all for the better of her community. A native of Shreveport, Smith has served as a Mortgage Loan Officer for over 14 years, and is currently thriving within her third year at Home Federal Bank in Shreveport, Louisiana. Just as she is committed to the wants and needs of her clients, she is also dedicated to staying on top of guidelines, products, and programs that are available to eligible clients. “Being available to communicate with my clients whenever they need me is crucial to their experience throughout the process of buying a home, and It’s so important to me to provide them with a well-rounded education along the way. I want them to feel totally confident in making this decision, says Smith.” Although she is a busy mother to three boys, Lakisha still makes time to co-host open educational homebuyer seminars throughout the Ark-La-Tex. Every educational event is open to the public, and includes information about down payment assistant programs, credit repair, and planning out key first steps along the journey to home ownership. Her experience as a local lender, as well as her passion for enriching the community through education, is what truly makes Lakisha a valuable asset to the HFB Mortgage Lending team. Not only has she served as a past President of the Louisiana Mortgage Lenders Association, as well as a past President of the National Association of Real Estate Brokers – she also currently serves as a member of the Shreveport Implementation and Redevelopment Authority’s Board of Directors. “Watching my clients light up as they make the exciting transition from homebuyer to homeowner is what drives me to go above and beyond,” said Smith. “My biggest privilege as a Mortgage Loan Officer is being a part of this life-changing experience for so many wonderful people and their families. I look forward to continuing to serve the great people of this community for years to come.”
2555 Viking Dr. Bossier City (318) 674.2611 222 Florida St. Shreveport (318) 841.1170 6363 Youree Dr. Shreveport (318) 674.2626 5841 North Market Shreveport (318) 674.2628 7964 East Texas St. Bossier City (318) 674.2614
Call Lakisha Russell-Smith today and make your dream home a reality.
Coming in 2019 925 Pierremont Rd. Shreveport
(318) 841-5304
www.HFBLA.com
Home Federal Bank NMLS #120035
All loans subject to credit and collateral approval. September-October 2018 | LOLA MAGAZINE | Page 13
Piece My Favorite
Lauren Roebuck: Gold Details
Gold is the new black in the design world. Gold accents can add a rich and authentic look to any space. When using gold, a little can go a long way and make a huge impact on providing richness to any room.
Clint Downing: Texture
As a designer, I love the element of textures, geometric designs and abstract color tones to accent a room. Whether it is for a unique accent chair, drapery trims or accent pillows, this sublime and often muted color palette adds a bit of depth to the design without dominating the space.
Page Page 14 14 || LOLA LOLA MAGAZINE MAGAZINE || September-October September-October 2018 2018
Local Designers Share their Secrets for Making a Big Impact with Little Effort in any Space
Myron Griffing: Wallpaper
I love the graphic impact wallpaper provides! It’s a HUGE bang for your buck and provides a look simply not possible via paint!
Laurie Gautreau:
Lamps
I have a thing for lighting, so when asked what my favorite accent is I immediately thought of lamps. I always try to place a statement piece in each space of a house and they are a great way to do that. In addition to pretty fabrics and art, lamps should be just as eye catching and beautiful!
September-October September-October2018 2018| |LOLA LOLAMAGAZINE MAGAZINE| |Page Page15
Kristin Kirk: Throw Pillows
“I am a fabric and textiles junkie!” I love the way fabrics add depth and texture to a space – and one of my favorite ways to do that is with throw pillows. The perfect combination of throw pillows can elevate an entire room by providing just the right amount of luxury, whimsy, playfulness, or sophistication. With the thousands of sizes, shapes and fabric options out there, throw pillows are full of versatility. Changing pillow covers, or the entire size and shape of the pillows themselves, is an easy and relatively inexpensive way to make a major change in your space that will provide a HUGE impact! Throw pillows are a fantastic way to make a room or space uniquely your own.
MODERN DESIGN for the
CLASSIC HOME
@houzz
Page Page 16 16 || LOLA LOLA MAGAZINE MAGAZINE || September-October September-October 2018 2018
Fill your golden years with friendship and fun at Azalea Estates Assisted Living and Retirement Community. LIMITED SPACE AVAILABLE. Schedule a tour today to learn if Assisted Living is right for you or your loved ones. 1 BR, 2 BR and Studio Assisted Living Apartments available including our brand new Memory Loss and Dementia care secured wing. Housekeeping, Laundry Services, 3 meals served table side daily, enriching activities and excursions, around the clock companion care and our dedicated and compassionate staff make Azalea Estates the premier Assisted Living community in NELA.
4380 OLD STERLINGTON RD MONROE, LA 71203 318-350-6576
To schedule a personal tour, contact us at (318) 343-1626 or email at azaleaestatesniki@gmail.com www.azaleaestates.com/senior-living/la/monroe/old-sterlington-rd September-October 2018 | LOLA MAGAZINE | Page 17
I used to be
COOL
Y
esterday I found a bald spot. I had just taken a sip of my morning coffee. I rubbed my eyes in disbelief, but there it sat shiny and proud in the part of my hair. This just so happened to be the same week I visited the cardiologist in search of a diagnosis for my night sweats, which I attributed to hormones or to my a-fib. Something was most definitely happening with my body. WRITTEN BY PAYTON DENNEY After a full work up and a lengthy conversation with a cross-legged doctor, he delivered the verdict. “Your EKG is clean. I haven’t seen you in my office in two years, which means your a-fib symptoms are under control. You have a lot on your plate. I attribute these sweating episodes to nothing more than stress.” I blinked, a little confused. “Payton, you’re getting to that age,” he said with a grin. “You need to start exercising.” Y’all don’t want to know what my imaginary response was back to him. Instead I smiled, snatched my discharge papers and marched to the checkout lady. I growled at the scale as I passed by. “That age. Ridiculous,” I thought. “Seriously? Who has time to exercise? I have kids to run places, meals to prep, homework to referee. I have a business to run, volunteer meetings to attend, a husband to entertain. Like I can handle one more to-do for my list.” But the truth is that my wedding ring needs to be resized and my adult acne is out of control. More days than not, my day begins in negative territory because I’m forced to sport a pair of too tight underwear. I’m too stubborn to buy new ones with the hope that they will either magically fit once again or stretch out. The reality of my current status is that things are changing fast and that self-care has not been my priority. Page 18 | LOLA MAGAZINE | September-October 2018
Aging isn’t as glamorous as my 20-year-old, college-educated self thought it would be. As it turns out, on my way to becoming someone fantastic, I misplaced my cool and arrived as a middle-aged mom goober. I suspect that it happened gradually over time. Something like this… In my early 20s, I thought that adult life would include a fairytale marriage, an impeccable home and money — lots of money. My rear end would never square off. I’d have plenty of children when I decided the time was right. The glittery love of new marriage would endure without interruption. That’s not how this went down. The first year of marriage was 2 parts glitter, 1 part sandpaper. We had fancy new stuff, but we were dead broke. And then we over-drafted our account while on our honeymoon in Mexico. Placing that call to my mother-in-law was humbling. It wasn’t how I envisioned it, but it was still wonderful. After all, my waist was still intact. Starting a family was next on our list. It was time, we decided. It didn’t take us long to realize that life doesn’t happen just because we decide that it’s time. After 4 years, numerous doctor visits, and thousands of dollars, I became a mother. I was 29. My body was contorted, and I was terrified. Terrified? Terrified was not what I had envisioned. Motherhood was supposed to be happiness and pink and smelling of baby powder. The twins were
released from the NICU right in the middle of a swine flu outbreak. I felt a full-blown come apart looming. Then, when the twins were 8 months old, I was not feeling well. I had a strange, breathy, light-headed feeling. So, Pat wagged home a pregnancy test and laughingly tossed it to me. What a ridiculous thought — that I could be pregnant. I was the infertility queen with old eggs. There was absolutely no way that I could be PREGNANT! When I regained consciousness, the twins were crawling around on the bathroom floor playing with the EPT box. I knew instantly that my mother was going to kill me. I used to be cool. Now, 9 years later, I’m a full-scale mom goober. I’ve driven a minivan and enjoyed it. I can’t take a selfie to save my life, and I don’t know any of the celebrities featured in “People” magazine. I cry almost every Sunday in church and sometimes at parent-teacher conferences. Without shame, I went all summer without painting my toe nails. O n e morning a few weeks ago while I was getting dressed in my closet, Dylan snuck up behind me. Pointing to the drooping area of my hind quarters she asked, “Mom, Is that your bottom or your leg?” Narrowing my eyes at my child I replied, “I’m not sure. I think it’s a little of both. Now get out of my closet.” My body parts are merging, evidently. Lovely. My friend, Laura, calls the end result of the buttocks mushing,
merging process “hippo bottom.” It makes me giggle each time I think about it mainly because it’s so very accurate.
At this stage in life, I don’t have much in common with my younger self. I’m pretty sure that if she could see me now, I would look ridiculous through her eyes. But looking back at her, I think she’s silly. Because what she doesn’t know is that I have cellulite from drinking wine on the back porch with the best friends of my life. They are the same friends that I consulted about my bald spot. On that porch, we work out the heaviness that the days inevitably bring. That porch is my lifeline. At our house, we wear helmets to do dangerous things because the little heads that they protect house my entire heart. I have stretch marks because God chose me to carry three beautiful beings into this world. And I’m sorry if I offend you in my bikini. I promise that you’ll get over it. I wear mom clothes, and I say mom things. My youngest child likes to lay in bed at night and squeeze my bicep. He says that he loves it because it’s so soft and squishy. But what’s funny is that I
September-October 2018 | LOLA MAGAZINE | Page 19
remember thinking the same thing about my mother — how soft and beautiful she was and is still. To my fellow mom goobers, I’ll give you this. I see you, and I think you’re fantastic. I know what it’s like to hide from your kids in the pantry while eating a box of Ding Dongs. I recommend purchasing a pair of noise-canceling headphones to wear when a glass of wine just won’t cut it. I’ve given up wearing Spanx, too. I’m not doing it. And as far as exercise goes, I’m going to start again because I want to be around to watch my little people grow up. I recognize that taking care of myself is a non-negotiable. My life today is about less show and more experiences. It’s about deeper relationships and more fun. This mom goober gig isn’t so bad because age brings perspective and the blessing of this front-row seat to watching our kids grow is priceless. And my younger self… She couldn’t make it to the show. She couldn’t afford the ticket. Congratulations, ladies. We’ve arrived.
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Visit our Showroom today to buy or sell exquisite jewelry.
Ø Locally Owned Ø Brokers of Fine Jewelry Ø For Appointments call Michael 318-469-8833
MICHAEL TOYS ANTIQUE ESTATE Southfield Rd |2018 Shreveport, LA 71105 | 318-425-9278 Page 22AND | LOLA MAGAZINE 329 | September-October
HAVANA NIGHTS FASHION Hot Looks for Lola Party Presents Havana Nights PHOTOGRAPHY BY BRITTANY STRICKLAND
Purple Dress Men’s clothing Jumpsuit September-October Shoes Earrings 2018 | LOLA MAGAZINE Page 23 & Shoes &| accessories JAC Pretenses Pretenses Vertage John Pickens
Floral Dress JAC
Join us for the biggest celebration of the year The 2nd annual Lola Party
“Havana Nights!” September 8 7:00-11:00 Fairfield Manor
This year’s bash will feature Music from The Good News Band, delicious Cuban cuisine, cocktails, special entertainment, cigars and football viewing in the cigar lounge area, yard party games, raffles for awesome locally made goodies, and many more surprises! Tickets are limited so get them while you can at ReadLola.com
Clothing Vertage
Shoes Pretenses
Page 24 | LOLA MAGAZINE | September-October 2018
Shoes John Pickens
September-October 2018 | LOLA MAGAZINE | Page 25
Eearrings Pretenses Outfit Vertage
Page 26 | LOLA MAGAZINE | September-October 2018
Clothing Harper House Shoes Vertage
September-October 2018 | LOLA MAGAZINE | Page 27
Clothing Pretenses
Page 28 | LOLA MAGAZINE | September-October 2018
Get your fedoras, party dresses, and dancing shoes ready. See y’all Sept. 8!
Floral Dress Sassafras Men’s Clothing John Pickens
5821 Line Ave Suite B
|
318.210.0061
BRIDAL REGISTRIES AVAILABLE #shopchateauenmae
September-October 2018 | LOLA MAGAZINE | Page 29
BATON ROUGE
Acadian Village 3535 Perkins Road, Suite 365 (225) 761-1170
LAFAYETTE
Main Street at River Rance 201 Settlers Trace Blvd., Suite 3009 (337) 991-9980
SHREVEPORT
Shoppes at Bellemead 6535 Youree Drive, Suite 406 (318) 798-3265 Vertage Clothing @Vertage_girl @VertageClothing
Page 30 | LOLA MAGAZINE | September-October 2018
brittelizabeth.com
September-October 2018 | LOLA MAGAZINE | Page 31
318-990-1597
Influencers WOMEN ARE
And We Are Needed Right Now BY KATIE WALKER AND PHILIPA BOOYENS
Page 32 | LOLA MAGAZINE | September-October 2018
Why
did Satan give the apple to a WOMAN? It was a question I had never asked myself, but I knew the revelation of it would change my life. One needs look no further than our social feeds today to see that this world needs love. We are constantly bombarded with fear, anger, negativity, hatred and complaints. There has never been a time when women and men were more needed to rise up and be who God is calling us to be than right now. At the time when God pressed the question upon my spirit, I was heavily involved in fighting human trafficking. I was speaking around my community and had started hosting a website focused on empowering women to walk in their destiny with the word of God. I was digging in and seeking more when I heard the Lord press upon my heart that question. I knew what was coming next would be a life-changing revelation. “Because Eve was an influencer,” I felt the Lord say. “Satan knew he could get to anyone through Eve. Women are influencers. You, as women, have been given the power to affect others. How are you influencing those around you?” Immediately, I started pondering how I had acted that day. Was I kind? Was I uplifting? Was I focused on only myself and my needs? Did I influence those around me for good or bad? Then a thought passed through my head, quieting all the others, “Wait a minute. Do you really think you have that much power?” That question had a familiar ring to it. It reminded me of how Satan deceived Eve in the garden:
“But the serpent said to the woman, you shall surely not die, for God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing the difference between good and evil and blessing and calamity. And when the woman saw that the tree was good (suitable, pleasant) for food and that it was delightful to look at, and a tree to be desired in order to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate; and she gave some also to her husband, and he ate.” Genesis 3:4-6
Notice how the serpent went to Eve. She was the first woman and the first influencer. When “...she gave some also to her husband, and he ate it,” no questions were mentioned. No disputes ensued, like Eve had made with the serpent. Adam just ate it because Eve gave it to him. From the very beginning, the power we have been given to influence our world and those around us has always been clear. I believe that is why the serpent - Satan - is still very focused in his attacks against women, just as he was after this revelation, trying to convince me not to believe what I was hearing from the Lord. But the enemy could not dissuade me from believing what God had clearly pressed upon my spirit. It is time for women to rise up. Now is not a time to cower and follow the leading of the world. Now is not the time to fear or doubt your own abilities or what God can do. If God is calling you, He will equip you for the calling. That’s what He made and designed you to do. It is why you are here. Just like Esther, you were made for such a time as this (Esther 4:14). The power and purpose of your influence has never been more important. The world we are living in is filled with hate, sin and sadness. We are living in the legacy of those who influenced before us and what we do now will shape our present and the future generations. God tells us in Psalm 78 that He gave Moses His laws to be passed down from this generation to the next, even to those not born yet. By following His ways, we -- as the chosen children of God -- will break the bondage of stubborn and rebellious generations. For if we don’t recognize the power of influence we have, what we pass down will be just like the past generations whose spirits have strayed from God and who refused to love Him with all their hearts. We will essentially abandon the world to darkness, sin and the problems this has created. “Now is the time to arise.” (Song of Songs 2:10). Now is the time to change this world. Let’s grab each other by the arm and look directly in one another’s eyes and speak September-October 2018 | LOLA MAGAZINE | Page 33
to the dreams each person has to come alive. Let us recognize and use the power of influence God has designed in us to help birth and create what He has placed within those around us. The world is crying out for us, as women, to bring Heaven’s kingdom to earth. Let’s rise up and lead by calling out the gold from within each other. Your power is rooted and created out of His love for you. We have been designed and purposed to make the greatest impact on this earth for God and His kingdom. Our greatest impact can be found when we embrace the reality of what God speaks over us. He meets us where we are and calls us beautiful. He calls us radiant one, flawless one, beloved, and more than a conqueror even before we show interest in His ways. He sings over us and tells us to place our burdens and cares at His feet. He is not disappointed in you. He enjoys exactly who He made. We have a King who desires to enhance our beauty with His love and mark us with redeeming grace. You are lovely to Him. You are His companion and you stand out from all the rest. You, my friend, are His favorite. Receive and embrace the words He speaks over you and let His love transform and ignite passion in your heart. Your burning passion will take you on the grandest adventure impacting every person within your wake. The time is now. The wait is over, and the spring is here. Breakthrough of His promises are the subtle breezes that are whispering in your ear. Rise up, Woman of Influence. He is calling you to come away with Him. Let Him draw you into His heart and lead you out. The signs and purposes of your heart are the deepest longings you can hear deep down that are asking you to burst forth. Do you see signs of greatness in others? Speak that out of them. Call your sisters and friends up. It begins with a word. A word to encourage and inspire bravery in one another. Lean into the King and let Him rekindle the fire that will lift you up and out of the mundane. Call out the inner strength in those around. You are ready. Whether
Do you see signs of greatness in others? Speak that out of them.
Page 34 | LOLA MAGAZINE | September-October 2018
you feel like it or not. Trust God and take the steps needed to pursue the beauty that is found within. Women are influencers. We can change this world. We need to do so and are called to do so. This world needs you. That’s why you are here. We must truly believe the promises of God over our lives, trust Him, and move forward in faith. It’s time to discover and embrace all that you are called to be. Move in the influence you have been given so that we can make the world a better place.
Learn more about the “Woman of Influence” book and how Katie Walker and Philipa Booyens are influencing those around them at www.insightscene.com. “Woman of Influence” is available for purchase at 318 Art & Garden in Shreveport, Amazon, and Insightscene.com. Come join us for 318! Authors Night - A deep dive into “Woman of Influence,” a 30-Day Devotional co-authored by Katie Walker. Live music be provided by local singer/songwriter Marcie Ellen, and will include original songs from her new album and acoustic covers. The event will be September 20 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at 318 Art & Garden, 750 Southfield, Shreveport. Tickets will be available through eventbrite.
PRAY. PLAY. LEARN. It all begins here.
Preschool 2 through 8th Grade EPISCOPAL PRIVATE SCHOOL
www.stmarksschool.com
318-221-7454
smcs.shreveport
Saturday • November 10 8:00AM ½ mile Fun Run R E GI STE R AT 8:30AM 5K sportspectrumusa.com
September-October 2018 | LOLA MAGAZINE | Page 35
Jimmy Campbell
Are you turning 65 soon and have questions about Medicare? There are many questions surrounding this event: • What exactly does Medicare cover? • What does it cost? • Can I stay on my employer plan if I plan to continue working? • Will I get penalized if I do not enroll during a certain time period? • What about my dental insurance? I’d be happy to discuss all of the options with you so you can make an informed decision about what is best for you.
Let’s talk about it. Jimmy Campbell
jimmy@louisianapremierinsuranceservices.com (318) 618-0063 Ext. 1063 Jimmy Campbell is a 2001 graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point, and he earned his MBA from Louisiana State University in 2009. He developed his keen understanding of the needs of older adults while owning and operating a Home Instead Senior Care franchise from 2010 to 2015. In addition to mandated insurance licenses, Jimmy carries the CLTC (Certification for Long-Term Care) designation. Page 36 | LOLA MAGAZINE | September-October 2018
REASONS TO REVEL 2018 revel 43
9/29 - 10/7
ACCESS TO THE ARTS
&
The Revel offers access to the Arts in multiple formats. Food, visual art, music, hands-on, and learning activities come together at Festival Plaza for our community each fall!
AFFORDABILITY Free admission opportunities daily, revised pricing across the board, and several new activities allow families to experience and enjoy the entire festival on any budget!
Fabulous art!
ENTERTAINMENT! A plethora of free performances
All performances are included with Revel admission – we don’t charge extra for making you happy! Historically, the Revel has brought some superb concerts to Shreveport. Lineups have included Keith Urban, Black Violin, George Clinton, The Band Perry, Newsboys, Cody Jinks, The Record Company, The Revivalists, and so many more! Many Revel performers and headliners have risen to super stardom/ legend status and we are proud to have had them here for you! Be sure to seize your opportunity to witness the explosive power of rising stars and reminisce with traditional favorites at Revel 43. Full lineup available on the Revel website.
over 80 juried artists
We feature over 100 artists who specialize in oils, acrylics, sculpture, jewelry, woodwork, glass, metal and much more! Get your very own unique pieces of art and talk to the artists about their craft. Some artists will switch out mid-week, so be sure to visit the Revel regularly so you don’t miss anyone!
mouthwatering food! and community connections
3d art experience!
We have 19 local non-profit organizations operating food booths at Revel 43. They serve up everything from cheesesteak sandwiches and BBQ ribs to favorites like Natchitoches meat pies, jambalaya, sweet treats and more! Quench your thirst with a Pepsi or even an adult beverage! We’ve got something for every craving! Pepsi products are 3 coupons; food items are 1 coupon and up.
Make mind-blowing memories in this unique 3D Blacklight Experience popular at festivals across the US. You and your family are invited to share in the incredible sight and sound spectacular coming to Revel 43! (2 Coupons) www.altervision3d.com
instagram.com/altervision_3d
September-October 2018 | LOLA MAGAZINE | Page 37
E R O
M
REASONS TO REVEL
FAMILY FUN!
FREE ADMISSION!
FREE ACTIVITIES
DON’T MISS YOUR CHANCE
Artist For A Day | Junior League Shreveport-Bossier Brookshire’s Mini Grocery Store Mock Geological Dig Shreve Memorial Library Shriners Hospital For Children UH Obstacle Course Concerts & Performing Artists Street Performers
nominal fee activities • 2 Coupons & Up Pumpkin Painting | Junior League Shreveport-Bossier Altervision 3D Exhibit Duvall’s Amusement Interactives Fanci Facez Red Herring Escape Room Sand Art Zeta Bounce Houses
Saturday - 9/29 | Social Media Saturday Sunday - 9/30 | Sponsor Sunday Monday - 10/1 | ALL DAY FREE ADMISSION Tuesday - 10/2 | Two-For-Tuesday Wednesday - 10/3 | Education Appreciation Thursday - 10/4 | Throwback Thursday Friday - 10/5 | Find Out Later Friday Saturday - 10/6 | Social Media / Revel Run Saturday Sunday - 10/7 | Sponsor Sunday Want to know more? Visit RedRiverRevel.com!
Free admission for military & First responders Proudly Sponsored By
Festival Hours FRIDAY & BOTH SATURDAYS BOTH SUNDAYS MONDAY - THURSDAY
11am - 9pm 11am - 6pm 4pm - 9pm
Children’s Area hours BOTH SATURDAYS BOTH SUNDAYS MONDAY - FRIDAY
11am - 8pm 11am - 6pm 4pm - 8pm
Page 38 | LOLA MAGAZINE | September-October 2018
even MORE
REASONS TO REVEL because you needed more, right?
tradition!
The Revel has been the highlight of the fall season in the Ark-La-Tex since 1976. Over a half-million students have been served by its arts education programs. To date, over 80 non-profit organizations have raised funds at the Revel for their missions. The largest and oldest outdoor festival in the region has attracted hundreds of thousands of Revelers to the Shreveport riverfront for decades and provides a massive economic impact, directly and indirectly, to our community!
things to know so you can revel like a PRO COMMERCE ST.
REGIONS BANK PARKING GARAGE
MILAM ST. PARKING GARAGE MILAM ST.
downtown shreveport
REVEL HOLIDAY INN
FREE PARKING RESERVED PARKING NO THRU TRAFFIC STREET CLOSED
SPRING ST.
HANDICAP PARKING
MARKET ST.
FESTIVAL PLAZA
SCI-PORT
RAILYARD LOT
9-Day Reveler Pass • $10
Experience all nine Revel days for one low price! Purchase online at redriverrevel.com.
contact us:
CLYDE FANT PKWY.
CROCKETT ST.
LAKE ST.
REVEl 43 N location map
! parking! e e Fr RAILYARD LOT ON LAKE STREET Adjacent to Sci-Port. REGIONS CENTER PARKING GARAGE Entrance on Milam Street. After 5:30pm on Weekdays. FREE on Weekends.
S
METERED PARKING SPOTS FREE after 5pm Weekdays. FREE on weekends.
Food & Drink Coupons
Revel Coupons are $1 each. Visual Artists, Market Vendors, and Revel Souvenir Booths can accept cash or card. ATMs located onsite.
RRR@redriverrevel.com • 318.424.4000
for this and more info - redriverrevel.com September-October 2018 | LOLA MAGAZINE | Page 39
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September-October 2018 | LOLA MAGAZINE | Page 41
HOSTESS with the MOSTESS
THE
EXPERT TIPS ON
K I T CH EN PICK S WRITTEN BY JESSICA TYLER COMEGYS • PHOTOGRAPHY BY WALLACE LEE
H
ome chefs often make the mistake of filling their kitchens with the latest tech gadgets and “As Seen on TV” offerings. In reality, all that’s needed to make restaurant-quality food at home are a few choice, precision tools — many of which are often overlooked. Sometimes the simplest tool in the kitchen can mean the difference
1
between success and failure and edible and inedible. To find out what every home chef should have, we asked Chef Jessica Comegys which kitchen tools she can’t live without. My biggest advice is to find a few things that help make your recipes flow easier and not to clutter your drawer with one-use tools. Cooking at home
2
CUTTING BOARD A giant cutting board is a must. I have two, a wooden one for veggies and baking, and a plastic one for meats and fish. Expert tip: Put a damp towel underneath to prevent sliding.
KITC HE N SH EA RS
A sharp, heavy-duty pair of scissors can do pretty much anything from chopping delicate herbs to breaking down a whole chicken.
for your family can change your life for the better, not only because of the quality ingredients, but the positive energy and love that you put into the meals you prepare. Spending time bonding over food is an age-old tradition that breaks the lines of cultures and it is the best love we can give.
3
MA NDOLI NE
The best way to get thin, consistent slices and to easily julienne.
Page 42 | LOLA MAGAZINE | September-October 2018
4 5
KitchenAid first came on the scene in 1919, and is still the best. I’ve had mine for going on 20 years with no maintenance (knock on wood!). The 5-quart bowl version is big enough for most home recipes without taking up too much counter space, plus a tilting head to allow for easy bowl access. Optional attachments do everything from grinding meat to juicing citrus fruits.
6
C HEF ’S K N IF E
If I had to pick just one size, it would be the versatile 8-inch, equally useful forprecision dicing and heavy-duty chopping. The rounded blade gives it a rocking motion to slice and dice with precision.
8
STA ND MI XE R
MI C ROP LA NE / GRAT E R This is a great way to add citrus zest to get a flavor punch and I even use it to finely grate garlic pods and ginger. Bonus: It also makes snowlike cheese gratings! This is my No. 1 recommended tool!
BR E AD MAKIN G MA C HI NE Speaking of “sliced bread,” you’ve all heard your grandmother talk about having a bread machine but sold it in a garage sale…. you know the story. But the bread machine
7
is making a comeback as people are becoming more conscious about what they feed themselves and their families. Making bread from scratch, as any home cooking, allows you to control the ingredients. Take a look at the recipe we’ve included and note how many items are on the list. Seven good for
I NS TA NT P OT
Every bride’s dream gift (well, maybe, if you ask me!) The modern version of the pressure cooker is the best thing since sliced bread. It can make a big roast fork tender in under two hours; it can cook rice, make yogurt, sauté… the possibilities are endless.
you ingredients, plus optional nuts and seeds. Now take a look at the list on the back of the bread you purchased at the store. A lot more, right? Even some you can’t pronounce. With the “throw it all in” easy recipes for bread machines, it’s hard to make an excuse not to use it!
Bread Machine Bread 1 ¼ cups lukewarm water 2 tablespoons olive oil or vegetable oil ¼ cup honey or maple syrup 2 cups whole wheat flour 1 ½ cups all purpose flour ¼ cup sunflower, sesame or flax seeds, or a combination, optional 1 tablespoon vital wheat gluten, optional; for higher rise 1 ½ teaspoons salt 1 ½ teaspoons instant yeast Sprinkle of old fashion oats for the last rise cycle, optional • To make bread in a bread machine: Put
all of the ingredients into the bread pan in the order listed. • Program for basic white bread (or for whole wheat bread, if your machine
September-October 2018 | LOLA MAGAZINE | Page 43
has a whole wheat setting), and press start. • Remove the bread from the machine when it’s done. Either turn it out of the pan onto a rack to cool; or turn it out of the pan, place it back in the machine (atop the structure that holds the pan), crack the lid open about 1”, and let it cool right in the coolingdown machine. This helps prevent the crust from wrinkling as the loaf cools. It shouldn’t be hard adapting this loaf to your own bread machine; all you need to know is what proportion of flour/ liquid/yeast your machine functions best with. Take a look at the dough after it’s kneaded for about 10 to 12 minutes or so; it should be smooth, not sticky (too little flour) or lumpy (too little liquid), forming a nice ball. If the dough looks good at this point, you’re probably all set.
Instant Pot Korean Beef Tacos FOR THE KOREAN BEEF: 1 fresh pear (rough chopped) 1 two-inch knob of fresh ginger (peeled) 4 cloves garlic ½ cup coconut aminos (soy sauce replacement) ½ cup coconut sugar 1 tsp sesame oil 2 lbs. top sirloin (see notes)
FOR THE TACOS: chopped cilantro chopped peanuts kimchi (probiotic slaw found at gourmet grocery or slaw of some sort) sriracha mayo sprouted whole grain tortillas
Food truck fusion-style tacos, with tummy-healing probiotic superfoods, made possible by the modern bride’s new best friend: The Instant Pot. You could use chicken in this recipe also!
• Make the sauce: Pulse pear, ginger, garlic, coconut aminos, and sugar until mostly smooth. Reserve half for later use (see notes). • Cook the meat: Trim any fat off the meat and cut into a few large chunks (it will shred, but cutting the meat helps it cook faster). Place in an Instant Pot and cover with half of the sauce. Cook on high pressure (manual) for 45 minutes. • Release steam and shred the meat in the Instant Pot with two forks. • Tacos: Fill each tortilla with beef, cilantro, peanuts, kimchi, and spicy mayo. NOTES: Cuts of Meat: Chuck roast can work, but I found that even with some trimming, it still had too much fat for my liking. Top sirloin is a little more pricey, but I love it in this recipe because there is less fat to work around. Marinating: If you have time to marinate the meat, DO IT. It really enhances the flavor to of the meat to let it all kinda hang out together with the sauce for a while. If you don’t have time, no biggie. I usually don’t have time either! Prep Time: 15 mins Cook Time: 45 mins Total Time: 1 hour
EAT CLEAN - EAT PRETTY
Boutique NUTRITION FOR LIFE ON THE GO
Page 44 | LOLA MAGAZINE | September-October 2018
WHAT TO LOOK FOR WHEN BUYING BEEF TIPS FROM OUR HOSTESS with the MOSTESS
The term “grass fed” beef has become increasingly popular in the last few years with beef industry marketing. The “grass fed” label is stamped on almost every beef label in hopes to invoke mental images of cows grazing in green pastures. However, the term has become so overused with zero standards of truth, “grass fed” labeling is essentially meaningless. In contrast “grass finished” is what you should be looking for. Grass finished beef is from cows who spent their entire lives in the pasture and were given more time to mature naturally. Labels can be tricky! Make sure you pick “grass finished” for optimum taste and health benefits.
WWW.GAUTREAUINTERIORS.COM • 318.562.6151 •
@GAUTREAUINTERIORS
September-October 2018 | LOLA MAGAZINE | Page 45
My spiralizer! I’m obsessed SARAH DOUTHIT
Old school… my really sharp butcher knife. Can’t prepare a meal without it. JONELL HART
KITCHEN
MUST HAVES W
e asked, and boy did Lola ladies answer! Now learn which kitchen products our North Louisiana friends simply cannot live without.
I love my kitchen aid stand mixer. Not just great for sweet treats. I can make multiple batches of sausage cheese balls with basically no mess. Also love my clip magnets. I clip my recipes to the fridge so I can look at it while I cook. Old school but best for me because a written down recipe doesn’t go to sleep and have to be turned back on with dirty hands. Plus I can write my modifications on it. AMY OLITA JONES
My zester and vitamix ANDREA REMEDIES Page 46 | LOLA MAGAZINE | September-October 2018
If this house catches fire, I’m throwing the pressure cooker out the window to safety first then the Dyson vac. DETTE HARRIS
Cuisinart Pressure cooker TIFFANY OLMSTEAD
Instant Pot and Vitamix MELANIE TABBERER SMITH
Fruit Slicer Peeler Set of 9: Pineapple Corer, Avocado Knife, Watermelon Slicer, Apple Corer Slicer, Banana Cantaloupe Slicer, Melon Baller, Orange Peeler Strawberry Huller, Fruit Tool Set… And of course my Instapot. DONESA WALKER
I can’t cook without a good cast iron skillet and a cutting board!
My absolute favorite is a rubber spatula. That little thing is my kitchen workhorse! I probably have 12.
JENNIFER MASON DESPAIN
LINDSEY LEWIS
Investing in a great knife is always worth it! And a Le Creuset Dutch oven is such a versatile and durable tool, too! It gets better with age! CATHERINE REED
Cuisinart rice/ veggie steamer, spiralizer, and my brownie pan - all of the pieces are corner pieces. MELISSA DAMEWORTH AIRHART
A cast iron skillet is a must have for every southern woman. Everything just tastes better when prepared in a cast iron! LINDSAY LILES BLACKWELDER
I recently Mix n Chop and mini spatulas from purchased a Le Pampered Chef! I use my mini Creuset braiser spatulas for eggs and omelettes, and it is awesome! cookies, brownies or whatever! ELVA ROMERO
AMANDA MEIER HOOPER
Pampered Chef chopper BRIDGETT NELSON BUSHNELL September-October 2018 | LOLA MAGAZINE | Page 47
All That You Need to Design Your Dream Space Including the
Inspiration!
APPLIANCES CABINETRY TILE & STONE
MARVIN WINDOWS & DOORS PHANTOM SCREENS SOLATUBE DAYLIGHTING SYSTEMS WARMLY YOURS MIELE VACUUMS HARDWARE
Pierremont Common Mon - Fri: 8:00a-5:00p
|
|
6505 Line Avenue, Ste 3
|
Shreveport, LA
Sat 10:00a-3:00p | 318.868.9696
|
kbcottage.com
Page 48 | LOLA MAGAZINE | September-October 2018
FOR THE
Activities WHOLE FAMILY EVERY SATURDAY ENJOY COMPLIMENTARY YOGA & Mimosas ON THE LAWN SEPTEMBER
Every Saturday at 10 AM Complimentary YOGA and Mimosas on the lawn 3 .............Labor Day Pool Party & Tennis Mixer 6 ............. Trivia Night, Tailgate Party on the Driving Range & Demo Day 6 & 21 .......Couples Golf 8 .............Tennis Charity Classic open to all! 10 ............Golf Charity Classic open to all! 13-16.........St. Jude Tennis Tournament 20 ............Wine Dinner 21 ............Tennis Mixer 25 ............BINGO
OCTOBER
4-7 ........... Cliffhanger Member Guest Golf Tournament 9 .............Kids Paint Your Pumpkins 11 ............High Stakes BINGO 16-17......... Southern Belle Ladies Golf Invitational 18 ............Art Show 19 ............Tennis Mixer 23 ............BINGO 24 ............Girls Night out - Wigs & Wine! 26 ............Glow Ball Golf *Every Tuesday Kids Night Out ( all year) *Every Tuesday - Thursday at 6 PM 90 Hole Golf Games! *Every Friday 10:30 Ladies Tennis League ( all year) *Every Thursday 6:00 Men’s Tennis League ( all year)
Contact us to learn more.
318.798.8300 | southern-trace.com *Southern Trace is not a licensed childcare facility and parents must remain on Club premises at all times. Membership is contingent on successful completion of the Club’s enrollment process. Other restrictions may apply. Contact the Club for details. ©ClubCorp USA, Inc. All rights reserved. 29957 1215 SMJ
September-October 2018 | LOLA MAGAZINE | Page 49
Real Deal on Fillers
The
8 Things to Know if You are Thinking about Trying Dermal Fillers! BY DR. LINDSEY PENNINGTON FACIAL PLASTIC & RECONSTRUCTIVE SURGEON
1
Results should look natural!
Highlighting certain facial features through injections goes back over 100 years. It fell out of favor after bad results from the use of things such as paraffin wax. It has certainly returned to favor this past decade due to increased regulation and great advances in technology. These days it’s almost always hyaluronic acid, regardless of the brand, being injected. Hyaluronic acid is naturally found in your existing skin and actually has been shown to stimulate the production of other naturally occurring complexes like collagen at the site of use. There are an increasing number of topical creams and serums with hyaluronic acid on the market for this effect. When injected, these complexes are able to give your face the “lift” or increased volume that you may have noticed has been depleted or is slowly sliding down off of your cheeks with age. Or maybe you are one of the people were just born with smaller lips that you would like to be able to see when smiling or have more defined cheek bones. I have some patients who do come in and request the “Kylie Jenner” look, but they are a very small minority. I would say 98 percent of my patients come to me because they want to look natural and refreshed. They are tired of being asked if they are tired.
2
More people have done it than you know, and even more will soon.
Worldwide, Botox and fillers are expected to grow between 10 and 15 percent a year for the next five years. By 2023, it is estimated people will spend over $10 billion to treat facial lines and wrinkles. Want to know the faster-growing market out of those two? It is the hyaluronic acid fillers. People are much more open about the use of these procedures these days. If you have noticed a positive change in someone around you, if you privately ask them what they have gotten done, more times than not, they will tell you. Others are much more open about it and post it all over social media. You don’t even have to ask.
Page 50 | LOLA MAGAZINE | September-October 2018
3
It is important who performs the procedure.
It is a procedure, and like all procedures, there can be a bad outcome associated with it and can be associated with risk when done poorly or unsafely. I would always choose a board-certified physician with plenty of experience. There is also an art to it as well. You will not like the work of every artist. That is why it is important to go to someone whose work you have liked on friends or family or ask to look at before and after pictures. Many of the plastic surgeons will gladly post these pictures of consenting patients on their websites or social media pages. Start there.
4
You will very quickly know whether you made the right decision.
Unlike Botox that doesn’t start working for at least 3-4 days and takes up to 2 weeks for full effect, there is a lot of instant gratification involved with fillers. You can see the result instantly. Just like with any procedure there is risk of bruising and swelling after injection but is usually minimal. Most patients are able to apply makeup and go about the rest of their day or plans looking refreshed.
5
Results are NOT permanent.
What do you do if you absolutely hate the results from your
injections? Many people come see me unhappy with a previous provider’s work and want more filler placed to fix it. That’s almost never the right answer. As mentioned earlier, hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring complex in the body and as a result there is a naturally occurring enzyme that exists to break it down. We just inject this enzyme and give it a week, although most of the effect is immediate, to return you to baseline. To recap, if you absolutely hate it, it can almost instantly be reversed with very little risk.
6
Results are NOT permanent. Unfortunately, your own natural enzymes will slowly
degrade the injected hyaluronic acid over time. Just like with Botox, maintenance is required. The good news is that the products are getting better and longer lasting. Where as 3 to 6 months was the typical lifespan of some of the earlier products, many of the ones used now can last up to 2 years. There are others in production that last even longer.
7
Different fillers have specific roles.
Although there are others, Allergan’s Juvederm line has the largest market share of any product line out there. It’s the one that I personally use as well. It comes with a great reward program called Brilliant Distinction that also includes multiple skincare products through SkinMedica. There are many reasons why I think it is currently the best. There are five main products in the Juvederm line: Juvederm ultra has been around the longest and is the “work horse” of the fillers. It can last around 6-9 months, depending on where it’s placed. This can be used in the lips. This is a middle of the ground product when discussing firmness, one that you will feel in the lips and gives more volume to the lips and gives the patient more of a pout when used. It can also be used in nasal labial folds to fill in lines. Juvederm ultra plus comes in a full syringe, also lasts around 9-12 months depending on placement. It can also be used in the lips — this is the firmest product that I will use in the lips and is for patients who are going for the “Kylie Jenner” lip look. This is a product you will be able to feel. Its also a great product for nasal labial folds in patients who have deeper lines, or to contour jaw lines. Volbella comes in 1/2 or a full syringe. It’s a great product for people who are curious about lip filler but want to take it slow and have very natural results. It gives a subtle pout and dewiness to the lips. It’s a very soft product and is good for someone who doesn’t want too much of a change to their natural lips. It can also be used for superficial injecting for fine lines around the mouth that develop with aging, referred to as “smokers’ lines,” but they can occur in non-smokers as well. This product lasts over a year. Vollure comes in a full syringe — this product is also on the softer side (when I refer to products as soft or firm, this means the thickness of the product). Soft products you can’t really feel in the lips and give a very subtle look — this is also used in the lips and gives a very natural result. It is good for someone who doesn’t want a huge difference in the lips but wants to soften and give a little bit of volume. This product I tend to use in my more mature patients who need volume added to their lips to help decrease wrinkles, but don’t want to look as though their lips are “done.” It’s a very dynamic product and can be used in the nasolabial folds and tear troughs as well. It’s one of my favorite products for the nasal labial fold area because it’s soft and moves well with your face. It can last up to 18 months. Voluma comes in a full syringe. This is a filler that is used in the cheeks, tear troughs, and temple, and along the jaw line or chin. This product is firmer than any of the other fillers and really helps get a lift when placed underneath the soft tissues. Its fantastic for helping add accent to cheek bones to help thin out a round face or help lift due to sagging from facial aging. This product can last up to 2 years.
There are many other products on the market from other companies such as Galderma that makes the Restylane line of hyaluronic acid fillers. It is important to do your research and make sure whatever you choose to use is the best fit and safest for you.
September-October 2018 | LOLA MAGAZINE | Page 51
8
Reasons not to get filler
Dr. Pennington is a Facial Plastic and Reconstructive surgeon
I strongly discourage pregnant and breast-feeding moms
in Shreveport. She offers a
from getting filler. There are no studies proving it harmful, but
full array of medical-grade
there are not going to be any studies proving it safe anytime soon
skincare products and
either. That said, I personally know a few moms who have made
procedures at her office at
that personal decision to continue with the procedure.
6030 Line Ave, Suite 110.
You should not receive fillers if you have an active sinus
She provides complimentary
infection or skin infection on your face for risk of spreading it.
consults to discuss any issues
There are some who also caution against going to the dentist or getting your teeth cleaned in the week before or following your injection. The concern is that they may inadvertently displace some of the hyaluronic acid or cause an increased risk of infection.
from skin care to injectables all the way up to surgical consults. Call the office to schedule your complimentary consult today at (318) 216-5366 and follow her on Facebook or Instagram @penningtonfacialplastics to see before and after pictures of procedures she has performed.
Probably the main reason though, is that some patients are just better candidates for a surgical correction of what bothers them, especially if that is loose skin. Fillers will not get you the results that you desire. Please see a board-certified surgeon to discuss the best option for you.
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N
estled in the heart of downtown Alexandria is a relevant structure in the architectural and historic landscape of Louisiana. The Hotel Bentley is that gem.
HOTEL
BENTLEY: Celebrating
110 years of History WRITTEN BY CLINTON DOWNING
As you look around, you can imagine the vast amount of history that has taken place within the 110 years of its existence. This Renaissance Revival-style hotel’s central marble staircase and stately geometric railing have remained intact since it was constructed. Numerous ornamental relief panels bank the walls. The stained-glass windows remain with a bold variance of hues. The coffered ceilings with majestic rotunda murals are breathtaking. Two-story marble Corinthian columns support this massive display of art as they rest on the mosaic marble and granite floors. Simply walking through the grand loggia into the lobby produces a sense of overwhelming beauty and history. The intricate detail is an endless marvel to the eyes. The visionary for this hotel was Joseph Bentley, a Pennsylvania native who became wealthy in the lumber industry of Central Louisiana. Bentley was an oddly eccentric fellow. Legend has it that the only reason he built the hotel is because he was turned down a room in the former Ice House Hotel. Rather impressed with the Capitol Hotel in Little Rock, Arkansas, Bentley asked architect George R. Mann to design him a hotel in Alexandria. Construction began in 1907. The Hotel Bentley opened its doors to the public on Aug. 10, 1908. In 1937, Bentley built a massive eight-story art deco wing fronting Third Street to his hotel, adding more than 80 rooms. This was constructed by a local firm, TudorRatcliffe. Bentley ensured the hotel could also serve as his personal residence. He carved out a large apartment on one of the top floors with its own personal elevator. During World War II, the United States military trained over half a million troops in the Alexandria area. The commanders of these troops, George S. Patton and Dwight Eisenhower, resided at the hotel for long periods of time. Often, they were joined by Henry Kissinger and Omar Bradley planning the historic Louisiana Maneuvers. These iconic American generals slept, ate, sometimes caroused and planned the liberation of European within the walls of the Hotel Bentley. It was the home of military might in the continental United States.
Page 54 | LOLA MAGAZINE | September-October 2018
The Hotel Bentley continued to flourish throughout the 1950s until the late 1960s, when the hotel would close for nearly a decade. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places on Nov. 15, 1979. By the early 1980s, a local developer, Buddy Tudor, purchased and renovated the shuttered hotel. It would reopen in 1985 to national acclaim after millions of dollars in repairs. Tudor remained as the owner for nearly 15 years. In the late 1990s, he sold it to a group out of New Orleans, and less than a year later, they sold it to Bob Dean, who eventually closed its doors once again in 2004. A local developer, Michael Jenkins, announced plans to renovate and reopen the Hotel Bentley on Aug. 1, 2012. After being shuttered for eight years, the hotel was once again getting a rebirth with luxury condos, a hotel, meeting rooms and a restaurant. On Oct. 11, 2012, the sale from Dean to Jenkins was completed. The hotel again underwent a multi-million dollar restoration. As part of this project, the seven-story tower portion of the property was transformed into 21 luxury condominiums. The original portion of the property remained a hotel with 94 rooms. John Wayne and Roy Rogers are among the various entertainers and Hollywood stars to have been registered guests in these rooms at the Hotel Bentley. Over the span of its restoration, Jenkins stringently followed the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation to receive Rehabilitation Tax Credits due to its
National Register designation and as a contributing structure within the “Original Town” historic district. The interior was fitted for changing and modern uses while retaining its historic appearance and character. The rooms and bathrooms remain within their original perimeters as part of the guidelines. The most was made of each space for guests as the expansion of size was not an option. In May 2015, the first stage reopened with the Mirror Room, a lounge on the ground floor. The Mirror Room retains its name despite the removal of the floor and ceiling mirror tiles due to damage from flooding and years of exposure to cigarette smoke. They were replaced by hand-painted black metal squares. The vibrant original stained-glass “salutation” windows are present, as well as the original marble bar, sconce wall lights and lounge scene mural. The windows were removed by Dean during its eightyear closure. They were returned and reinstalled as part of the sale of the building to Jenkins. These big, expensive windows each show a tavern patron from various European countries raising a toast. Gracing the opposite wall from the entrance are bookshelves filled with old law books. It is a place where people can come to relax and socialize and have a quiet evening. It is a first-class, relaxed atmosphere with no loud music. It is the perfect place for before dinner drinks or a nice nightcap. The Mirror Room features specialty hand-crafted cocktails. They take pride in featuring local beers as well as domestic and import. An extensive wine list is on hand as you listen to the live entertainment in the lounge.
September-October 2018 | LOLA MAGAZINE | Page 55
The Bentley Room dining specializes in hand-crafted dishes using local ingredients. These offerings allow you to have a dish prepared to your specifications and needs. Breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner are offered in the Bentley Room. The Bentley Room’s culinary team is born, raised and trained in Louisiana under the leadership of Chef Jessica Wilkinson. The Boudin Omelet or the Pulled Pork and Blueberry Pancakes with maple glaze are highly recommended on the innovative brunch menu. Moving onto the lunch menu, you might want to allow your taste buds to experience the Seared Duck Salad with a bed of spring mix, strawberries, pecans and goat cheese with seared duck tossed in pepper jelly. Looking for something heartier, you might want to try the Alligator Po-boy on New Orleans French bread with a side of poppy-seed coleslaw. Dinner is fitting as well with a Red River Ribeye topped with crawfish, shrimp, and an artichoke cream sauce. It pairs well with a side of crawfish macaroni and cheese or stewed okra and tomato with sausage. Whatever time of day or night you chose to dine, you will not be disappointed. If you are looking to escape for the weekend without having to journey too far, the Hotel Bentley possesses the charm of New Orleans with a European flair. It is Southern hospitality at its finest. The Hotel Bentley ranks highly among the great historic landmarks and hotels in Louisiana. To stay and dine there is a great escape from the reality of life. It’s the perfect way to experience a step back into time with all of today’s modern conveniences. Once you check in, you may never want to leave.
Gifts • Bridal • Biscottis
Clinton Whitney Downing is a man of many talents. He resides in his hometown of Monroe. He is a writer, floral designer, interior decorator, historical preservationist and fashion designer. After much travel, he has returned to his southern roots and his love of Louisiana. He is devoted to his community, lending his talents to various charity organizations. Much of his enjoyment in his life comes from spending time with his two rescue puppies, Cookie and Cooper.
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Integrate Your Health
OPTIMIZING
VITAMIN D BY DR. NICOLE COTTER
W
ith the arrival of fall, there are going to be changes in our daily routine. School is back in session and we may find ourselves spending more time inside working and catching up on what didn’t get done during the energetic summer season. Winter is just a few months away; the days will get shorter, and we will naturally be indoors more to avoid the cold that will (eventually) come. More time inside means less time in the sun. Less time in the sun can mean a shift in our vitamin D status‌and vitamin D status has implications for our health. Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that is important for a number of cellular processes in our bodies. It plays a significant role in calcium balance and bone metabolism. We need vitamin D in order to absorb other nutrients from our gut. Vitamin D helps muscles work, the immune system function, cells differentiate, and it is involved in the balance of hormones such as insulin. Very few foods naturally contain vitamin D. We can get some from fatty fish, for example, or foods specifically
fortified with the vitamin. Most vitamin D is obtained from synthesis in the skin. When our skin is exposed to UVB from the sun, precursors of vitamin D are formed that enter a cascade of enzymatic reactions in the liver and kidney to become the active form of the vitamin used by the body. Because of food fortification, profound vitamin D deficiency is rare in developed countries. Subclinical vitamin D deficiency, however, is very common. Research has shown that 50 percent of the adult population in America is deficient in vitamin D. Some experts have even estimated that up to 90 percent of adults may have some degree of deficiency.People can become deficient in vitamin D for a number of reasons. Because our primary source of vitamin D comes from sun exposure, levels tend to decline in the winter months when we cover ourselves up and spend more time indoors. People with darker skin are at greater risk of vitamin D deficiency because the pigment in their skin does not absorb as many UV rays. Those who have difficulty absorbing fat (for example, in Celiac Disease, Crohn’s Disease, or pancreatic insufficiency) are more likely to have low levels of vitamin D. Being of older
Page 58 | LOLA MAGAZINE | September-October 2018
“
RESEARCH HAS SHOWN THAT 50 PERCENT OF THE ADULT POPULATION IN AMERICA IS DEFICIENT IN VITAMIN D.
age, obesity, taking certain medications, or being hospitalized are all risk factors for vitamin D deficiency. Some well-known complications of vitamin D deficiency are osteoporosis and fractures. Associations have also been made between vitamin D deficiency and cancer, infections, autoimmunity, and cardiovascular disease. Those with lower vitamin D levels may have muscle weakness and be more likely to fall. People who are deficient in vitamin D may complain of fatigue or musculoskeletal pain. Those with low vitamin D levels score lower on mini-mental status exams, a test used for
evaluation of dementia. Vitamin D status of the mother appears to affect pregnancy outcomes. It has even been hypothesized that the drop in vitamin D that occurs in the winter months may be somewhat responsible for the increase in infections, like the cold and flu, during that time of year. Vitamin D status can be easily determined by a blood test called 25-hydroxy Vitamin D. The optimal vitamin D level, however, is not known. Deficiency is typically defined as a serum level of less than 20 ng/mL and excess as greater than 100 ng/mL. A reasonable target serum level in most healthy
September-October 2018 | LOLA MAGAZINE | Page 59
”
VITAMIN D STATUS CAN BE EASILY DETERMINED BY A BLOOD TEST CALLED 25-HYDROXY VITAMIN D.
adults is 50 ng/mL. The Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) of vitamin D for adults is 600-800 IU. Fifteen minutes of daily sun exposure may be adequate for maintaining a normal vitamin D level. If your vitamin D is not optimal, supplementation is easily available overthe-counter. Testing for vitamin D is widely available and usually affordable, but if you are without insurance, have a high deductible, or find that your insurance policy does not
cover this test, many accessible commercial laboratories have reasonable cash pricing (approximately $20). As always, the answer to optimal health does not lie in one vitamin, mineral, food, or practice. Vitamin D is, however, important for the balance of health. Ask your doctor about testing vitamin D as part of your health maintenance evaluation and have the discussion about the optimal level for you and how you can reach it.
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September-October 2018 | LOLA MAGAZINE | Page 61
Is it TRUE? How to Survive the Uncertainty of the Post-Truth Era BY DONESA WALKER
H
ave you ever heard of quicksand? I have, but I have never personally experienced it although I have seen it used as a plot changer in lots of movies/TV shows, as well as in many books. Quicksand is a mire that a person gets stuck in and the more he tries to get out of it, the worse his situation gets. He must anchor to something outside the quicksand in order to pull himself free or all is lost as this muck slowly sucks him to his death even as he stays unmoving. This is the situation that our current world is in. And this is the mire that we must train to survive. Imagine my surprise when a few months back on a Sunday morning at church, the pastor of a local church I attended stated that we were in a post-truth era… What in the world is that? I had never heard of such and frankly immediately rejected the very idea…. Wait, that is exactly what it is… immediate lack of trust for what we hear/see/experience from previously respected resources…. How did we get here in this quicksand, and how do we get ourselves out? Post-truth was announced in 2016 as Oxford Dictionaries’ International Word of the Year “as it is the word more than any other that reflected this past year in language.” Post-truth is defined as “relating to or denoting circumstances in which objective facts are less influential in sharing public opinion than appeals to emotion and personal belief.” The fancy word for all the study and research around this is Agnotology, or the study of culturally induced ignorance or doubt. So, what has really happened, quicksand...
When I grew up, the ground was very steady - truth or lie… now it is truth, lie or a fact that is not completely true but is considered too benign to be a lie. So, a liar is no longer called a liar but an “ethically challenged” person. A lot of this uncertainty is caused by the lovely Internet, Facebook, socio-politics, etc. Truth is not defined as a certain moral principle anymore but rather a fact I can choose to accept or decline. Sure, many blogs, magazines, newspaper articles blame the middle-class voters for this as they elected Trump and they declare him the epitome of this era; however, I don’t want to discuss politics but rather how this era is affecting our local businesses, our children’s future and our current relationships with others. Consciousness is defined as pure awareness governed by truth. Jesus said, “I am The Truth, The Way, The Life.” The anchor that must be used to get us out of this quicksand of post-truth is just this…. Truth and yet so many are afraid to hear it as it does not agree with their agenda, wants, and beliefs that it is immediately rejected. How do you combat this to succeed? Constant steadiness of truth. Truth isn’t popular. I especially do not like it when it is against me personally… truth like “it is cancer” can be undeniable (although even that is debatable now), but how it is treated is no longer status quo or easily accepted. Doctors, teachers, business leaders and even pastors who were once respected as authorities in their fields are now questioned and second guessed and to tell the truth, this isn’t always a bad thing as it does require the brain to examine and think deeper. Challenging current mindsets of
Page Page 62 62 || LOLA LOLA MAGAZINE MAGAZINE || September-October September-October 2018 2018
individuals, groups, business models and professionals isn’t always popular nor is it bad, but neither is sticking only your hand into quicksand…. It only becomes dangerous when you immerse yourself in it without looking where you are going. So, what determines the right/wrong amount of examining and questioning? Truth… the anchor… the thing that pulls you out because it is unsteady and unwavering… upbringing …. moral character… Biblical principles…. Never before have all of these things come so heavily under fire. Navigating this post-truth era of quicksand is a challenge in all areas of life, but there are a few things anchored in truth that will hold steady whether in personal/professional relationships, business practices, or even online interactions. I love the poster using THINK as an acronym T-True? H-Helpful? I-Inspirational? N-Necessary, K-Kind… If these simple principles guided our relationships well in the past, can they not guide them well today? I like the words written thousands of years ago in Philippians 4:8 “Whatsoever things are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, and of good report, if there be any virtues or any praise, think on these things.” These are the anchors. The first in both of these is TRUTH. If the very foundation of who you are is being questioned, the truth of how you were raised, the truth of your beliefs, the truth of all that you know is shaken to the core, what do you hold to? I anchor in Jesus. Many even question who He is. But I know Him. And THAT is the key.
Relationship. Here is the basic truth that will get you out of the quicksand of this life. Get to KNOW the people, businesses, persons you trust… Everyone makes mistakes and all of us dip toes, fingers, hands, arms, and sometimes even sit on the bank of the quicksand of life, but our anchors are the people and relationships around us. As a small business owner, I want my families who interact with us to KNOW me. Because in knowing me, they will trust my heart. They will know that I truly will do all in my power to help them. You see, even the man completely drowning head under in the quicksand can be rescued with a strong anchored relationship. I especially love the scene in “The Princess Bride” where Buttercup is swallowed whole by the lightning quicksand but her love, Wesley, grabs a thick vine anchored to a huge tree and jumps in after her headfirst and pulls himself and her to safety by trusting in the vine. This again goes to scripture where Jesus says, “I am the vine and you are the branches, he that believe in me shall have life and have it abundantly.” Find your anchor. Hold on tight, especially if you decide to walk without looking where you are going. Establish close relationships around you so that when you misstep, those around you will grab hold of the vine and jump in to rescue you. Surviving the quicksand of this era is knowing the truth and not allowing yourself to be wavered. Here’s to you and your relationships built deep in trust.
September-October September-October2018 2018| |LOLA LOLAMAGAZINE MAGAZINE| |Page Page63
6 012 Line Ave. Shreveport (318) 606-4558 @jacclothingshreveport @shopjacclothing Page 64 | LOLA MAGAZINE | September-October 2018
SHOW YOUR COLORS Purple Blouse Krush
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Purple T-Shirt Simply Chic Sun, Sep 2 Sat, Sep 8 Sat, Sep 15 Sat, Sep 22 Sat, Sep 29 Sat, Oct 6 Sat, Oct 13 Sat, Oct 20 Sat, Nov 3 Sat, Nov 10 Sat, Nov 17 Sat, Nov 24
Miami (Fla.) vs. Southeastern Louisiana at Auburn vs. Louisiana Tech vs. Ole Miss at Florida vs. Georgia vs. Mississippi State vs. Alabama at Arkansas vs. Rice at Texas A&M
TIGERS
September-October 2018 | LOLA MAGAZINE | Page 65
Red Romper JAC
Striped Dress JAC
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at South Alabama vs. Southern at LSU at North Texas vs. UAB at UTSA vs. UTEP at Florida Atlantic at Mississippi State vs. Rice at Southern Miss vs. Western Kentucky
Page 66 | LOLA MAGAZINE | September-October 2018
Shorts Pretenses
Black & Gold Necklace Simply Chic
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TIGERS Sat, Sep 1 Sat, Sep 8 Sat, Sep 22 Sat, Sep 29 Sat, Oct 6 Sat, Oct 13 Sat, Oct 20 Sat, Oct 27 Sat, Nov 3 Sat, Nov 10 Sat, Nov 24
at UL Lafayette at Northwestern State vs. Alabama State Prairie View A&M (Dallas) vs. Oklahoma Panhandle State at Texas Southern at Alcorn State vs. Arkansas-Pine Bluff vs. Mississippi Valley State at Alabama A&M Southern (New Orleans)
September-October 2018 | LOLA MAGAZINE | Page 67
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Page 68 | LOLA MAGAZINE | September-October 2018
vs. Southeastern Louisiana at Southern Miss at Texas A&M vs. Troy State at Georgia State at Ole Miss at Coastal Carolina vs. Texas State vs. Georgia Southern at South Alabama at Arkansas State vs. UL Lafayette
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Thu, Aug 30 Sat, Sep 8 Sat, Sep 15 Sat, Sep 29 Sat, Oct 6 Sat, Oct 13 Sat, Oct 20 Sat, Oct 27 Sat, Nov 3 Sat, Nov 10 Thu, Nov 15
September-October 2018 | LOLA MAGAZINE | Page 69
at Texas A&M vs. Grambling at Lamar at Southeastern Louisiana vs. Nicholls State vs. Sam Houston at Central Arkansas vs. Houston Baptist at Abilene Christian vs. McNeese at Stephen F. Austin
Page 70 | LOLA MAGAZINE | September-October 2018
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September-October LOLAng MAGAZINE | Page Parents ALWAYS welcome in the back! • 2018 Early| Morni & Late Afternoo n 71 appointments available
WRITTEN BY AMANDA BELGARD
The Little Miss Shine Your Way pageant was founded in the summer of 2014. The idea stemmed from my oldest daughter, Mckenzie, in hopes of raising money for children with cancer or special needs. Page 72 | LOLA MAGAZINE | September-October 2018
M
ckenzie was born at 25 weeks and weighed only 1 lb. 11 oz. As her mom, I had to bear the heart -wrenching truth that she would always have medical setbacks due to her Cerebral Palsy. Regardless of her developmental delays and the effect of CP (primarily on the right side of her body), she was determined to live life to the fullest. She began walking at age three and never slowed down. Mckenzie has always worried about the wellbeing of others, even strangers. She shows compassion to others unknowingly and impacts people every day. When Mckenzie was four years old, I entered her into a local beauty pageant because she had a passion for being on a stage. I will never forget that day as I was in awe of how beautiful she looked in her dress. She went on stage and OWNED it. She smiled and waved as she walked, with her right leg dragging a little and each step she was on her right tiptoes. The other contestants in her age group hit the marks on stage with such precision, and my little girl was not at the age of realizing her way of walking was different. The time came for crowning and as I stood there behind her, I noticed her looking at the other girls as they were being handed awards, trophies, and crowns. My heart was broken because I knew why and I was trying to come up with the right words in my mind so I could make her smile. As we were driving home, the tears were rolling down those little cheeks, and I said to her, “Why are you crying?” Her response was that she only won a shirt (that was included in the entry fee.) This was my first opportunity
to explain how her CP would affect many things throughout her life. I know that every mom out there wants the best for her child, and parents of a child with special needs get a new perspective on life. The dreams we had set in our hearts and minds completely turn into prayers in the moment of a diagnosis, an obstacle, another procedure, another specialist added to the list, and the “big moment” when we realize this is not something we can fix but learn to accommodate their individual needs. Moms out there like myself, I know you get it, especially when you are biting your tongue as people stare or praying and crying to God for another day with your perfectly created child. Mckenzie became a big sister in 2016, and shortly after my second daughter was born, I find out she has special needs. Both of my daughters are diagnosed with CP, while the youngest, Braylyn, is more extensive with additional diagnosis. We are facing so many uncertainties. The hardest part of
September-October 2018 | LOLA MAGAZINE | Page 73
What makes
Little Miss Shine Your Way so unique? having children with special needs is “letting go” and relying on your faith that God is in control and He will not fail. Does this mean His will is what we selfishly want? Not always, but with faith and trust in Him, the peace of all that comes with this life is easier to embrace. In the summer of 2014, Mckenzie wanted to start raising money for kids with cancer or medical difficulties. I asked her if she would like to do a pageant, but not one like she had participated when she was little. She agreed and I did not have a clue on how to even begin creating this pageant, but we gave it a shot. I reached out to a few people to help me get the ideas in order and begin planning. The name “Little Miss Shine Your Way” was suggested by someone after watching the movie “The Croods.” The theme song, “Shine Your Way,” was perfect for what we would be incorporating into the event. The Little Miss Shine Your Way pageant was established to give each contestant the opportunity to SHINE on stage while showing the inner and outer beauty. Contestant registration is open to girls and boys ages 0-21, individual has cancer or had cancer, special needs (an extensive list of what falls into this category), or is medically fragile. The only required category to enter is beauty. Pageant-style attire is not required, because we want the contestants to be who they are and feel 100% confident while on stage. The optional categories are photogenic and talent. Talent has been a crowd favorite as contestants have sung, danced, played instruments, and more.
Each contestant entered will receive a sash, tiara, trophy, certificate with title won, and gift bag filled with themed prizes, pageant shirt, and more. The contestants who wish to participate in talent will receive a trophy. Photogenic awards are given to the judges’ top three picks. Sponsor trophy is awarded to the contestant who sold the most tickets (these are included in registration packets and each sponsor ticket is $5). The judges decide on an overall Princess (ages 0-7) and Queen (8-21). The overalls receive a crown, certificate, sash, and trophy. The titles chosen for contestants are titles that represent their individuality. Examples of titles include Miss Adorable, Miss Vivacious, Miss Irresistible, Miss Inspirational, and Miss Lovable. The selection of overall Princess and Queen are not based on the contestants’ attire, willingness to engage with judges/audience, or their stage appearance. Judges select the overall by the impact the contestant had on the audience as well as themselves. Some of the contestants are in wheelchairs, use walkers, are blind, deaf, or have extreme sensory issues that make them fear crowds, noises, or anything out of their element. The judges are not aware of each contestant’s special needs/medical condition so they are experiencing firsthand seeing the child in another light as he/she SHINES! Every year, I select a family/families who has a child with special needs or terminal medical condition and are in
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immediate need of medical/adaptive equipment, medicine not covered by insurance, transportation cost to travel to a hospital or doctor out of town or any other specific need that would benefit the child. I ask for nominations and narrow selections down to the most urgent one. The child is then selected as the poster child for the current year. There is a cookout prior to the pageant to help contribute directly to the selected family. A raffle drawing is held at the pageant each year and I ask for merchandise, gift cards, or anything that would appeal to someone to purchase a ticket. I recently have struggled with the production of our pageant shirts that is also part of the fundraiser. There is a lot of hard work and planning going into this event each year and in the past I have worked full time and juggled the pageant planning as well as being a mom. I have cried many times while preparing for the pageant because there has been a decline in number of individuals/businesses
willing to help every year. The worries and tears quickly vanish on pageant day when I witness the contestants take stage and SHINE. I have witnessed contestants who would not hold their head up, go on stage and OWN it. I get the pleasure of observing the audience as their eyes are teary and faces are gleaming with heart-felt joy. The best reward of all is at the end and Mckenzie and I are able to do again what she wished for in the summer of 2014. I love the sincere and thankful hugs from the chosen poster child family at the end of the pageant. The pageant is held during July or September each year. I used to question “Why God?” “Why my daughters?” I know now it’s not a question but rather a thankfulness response in prayer. I thank God for my daughters, and I thank God that He created them so fearfully and wonderfully made. He created them with purpose and reason and the love they have of others is his works.
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Sophie’s Choice
WRITTEN BY MYRON GRIFFING WITH SPACE INTERIORS
Space: interiors
was recently hired to work in a perfectly lovely home built in the mid 1980’s in Spring Lake. It had been, unfortunately, bathed in a “blah of beige and darker earthier tones of the 1990s, which certainly did NOT represent this youngish couple, their sweet lil daughter and A-dorable new addition to the family, a mini Schnauzer named Sophie.
W
e were tasked with freshening up this space to better fit the family and I gotta tell ya, I love EVERYTHING about their new style!
We were given very little direction other than “we just want an entirely different look.” Their new palette of blush/white/sky-blue/grey was pulled from an existing abstract painting hung in the formal dining room. It was entirely too large for the space and too cool to be in the least-used room in the home. It was going to be moved into the living area. The living room was the primary focus of new purchases but, we also dolled up the adjacent den, foyer, breakfast area and dining room. I like to reuse as many items as possible but sometimes, things just haveta go! The living room originally held a large brown leather sectional and ottoman, which looked clumsy in a more formal space but fit nicely into the adjacent den. These items were replaced with a sleek lucite-legged
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sofa in blush velvet and gilded steel and marble coffee table. Two modern chairs with faux ostrich leather anchor one side of the room. I love these chairs because they add a contemporary punch to the otherwise transitional space and the “architecture” of the chairs is finished in antique brass, which is carried throughout the home. It is imperative to have unifying elements in your design. These lil designer “tricks” are: color, shape, repeating pattern or textures. Your eye may not immediately pick up on these elements but will recognize the overall space as unified with continuity. A swivel chair (Sophie’s new favorite spot) now sits angled next to the freshly painted fireplace. The wallpapered backs of the shelves make for a great backdrop and add a cool modern pop! A modern abstract by Jennifer Psalmonds now hangs over the mantel-free fireplace and continues our color palette. The wallpapered back of the shelves makes for a great backdrop and adds a cool modern pop! New art and console sit across the room with lamps flanking an abstract with glitter mixed into the paint. A plush, deep, shag rug (Sophie’s 2nd favorite spot) nestles underfoot and beautifully grounds the space.
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We swapped clear for ‘”rain” glass on the double doors entering the den. This maintains natural light for the living area but separates the two and keeps the big brown sectional tucked outta sight when closed...Ha! The den is officially the “testosteroom.” We had all the walls/doors/molding/cabinets painted in Debonair Blue and added a graphic wallpaper on the ceiling to compliment the sectional (Sophie’s 3rd favorite spot). New carpeting, area rug and chair finish off this space.
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Before
After New lighting throughout is highlighted by a balloon chandelier in the dining room. The foyer now is covered in a delicate blush wallpaper of intertwining circles and crowned with a gorgeous gold chandelier, which throws an amazing shadow play when on. As you can see, you don’t need a brand-new home to have a brand-new look! All it takes is a designer’s eye to teach your old dog a few new tricks!
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Dream Catcher Keeping it Real with Teri Netterville
M
any people might wonder why we chose “Dream Catcher” for the title of our father’s book. Well, in answering that question, allow me to take you back to a life-changing day 11 years ago when our father had only a week of life left on this earth. None of us knew that at the time, of course. We knew things were bad. Dad’s health was deteriorating by the day. He was half the weight he was when he received the devastating diagnosis three months prior and sadly, he was in constant pain. But as ever, he was determined to take care of whatever business was at hand. So, my sister, Kimberly, Dad’s right hand in the business world, (a world where Dad’s magazine, “Millionaire Blueprints,” was quickly becoming the fastest growing entrepreneurial magazine in the country), was taking notes for him since there was a deadline fast approaching for a business book he needed to get to the publisher. To get Dad relaxed and in the right frame of mind, Kimberly decided to just ask him a few simple life questions. Talking was a bit of a struggle for Dad at this point due to his lack of strength to gather a full breath. His throat was dry and his voice very weak and raspy, but his strong will and determined spirit was as it had always been… strong and sure. Kimberly’s goal in that moment was to get whatever information she could get from him during their time together, then ultimately piece together the forward herself.
BY TERI NETTERVILLE
Dreams are contagious, Baby, and it’s important to have many dreams in our lifetime… And it’s even more important to go for each and every one of them.
Her first question for Dad was asking him if he had always dreamed of playing in the NFL. His response surprised and moved her to tears. He took an extra second to gather his breath, then smiled answering in his weak, raspy voice, “No, that was Terry’s dream… I just caught it.” Pausing to gather some more air in his lungs, he finished with words that altered her life forever. He turned his head to look her in her eyes and smiled, “Dreams are contagious, Baby, and it’s important to have many dreams in our lifetime… And it’s even more important to go for each and every one of them.” In that moment, we learned that our father was a dream catcher. But more importantly, we discovered the beauty in us being dream catchers, too. NOW, you know that part of the story. As radio personality Paul Harvey used to say, “Now… the REST of the story.” Usually, when my morning alarm goes off, I hit the snooze button for nine more glorious minutes of sleep. But this particular Sunday morning, my alarm went off and I didn’t snooze it. Instead, I just turned it off and laid my head back down on my pillow and stared at the ceiling while my husband never budged beside me. There I was wide awake, but I didn’t want to get out of bed. After a minute or two, I reached for my cell phone on the nightstand and looked at it to see if I had any messages. I did. Just one. It was from my sister, Kimberly.
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Her text read, “Teri, call me as soon as you get this. Mom found something in the back of Dad’s closet. You are going to die! Call me!” Our father had passed away two years before, so I just couldn’t imagine what in the world our mom had found in the back of his closet that she hadn’t noticed before now. I was beyond curious. I quietly snuck out of my bed to go call my sister right away. She answered after the first ring. “You ready to die?!” She said with that excited tone we all have when we are about to share some big news with someone. “Yes! What is it? What did Mom find? I can’t even imagine!” “Oh Teri, you would never guess this in a million years.” “Kimberly! What is it? You are killing me!” She started slowly, “OK, ready?” “Kimberly! Stop! Tell me!!” She laughed, “OK, OK. Mom called me early this morning and asked me to walk across the street to her house because she had something to show me. “When I walked in, Mom was smiling, and I noticed that she was holding a folder in her hands.” I asked her about the folder and she just smiled and handed it to me. “Well, what was it?” I asked impatiently. “Teri, it was a whole folder of Dad’s writings.” “His what?” “Writings. Dad had been writing little stories and memories about his life.” I was stunned silent. “Teri? You still there?” “Yes. I’m sorry. I just… wow… I don’t know what to say. I feel like I want to cry, but I don’t know why. What are these stories about?” “Well,” she began, “they are mostly about his high school and college years at Woodlawn and Tech. And most are about him and Terry. Some of these stories we’ve heard our whole lives, but some I am just now learning about for the first time. Teri, they are priceless stories! I have laughed so hard at some, and then I’ve also cried like a baby reading others.” “How many stories are there?” I inquired. “Quite a few. And some of them aren’t finished all the way, but you still get the gist of the story.” A few weeks later, I was finally able to get my hands on these writings. I sat on my parent’s couch enveloped in each and every memory of his. To give you an idea of what it felt like for me to read those old stories, I felt like I had transcended back in time into a world that was a cross between “The Wonder Years” and “Sandlot,” if you are familiar with either one of those. I found myself laughing out loud, while sometimes feeling my heart sink in the raw intensity of the dreams of my father’s that took shape and the ones that fell apart. Some of these dreams I knew of, and some I did not. I discovered how one true friendship in my father’s life, forged over the game of football, mirrored lifelong values of commitment, loyalty, hard work and a model of September-October September-October2018 2018| |LOLA LOLAMAGAZINE MAGAZINE| |Page Page8585
friendship built to go the distance. After reading these sweet and timeless stories, my sisters and I thought it would be such a perfect Christmas gift to give each of our children. When we finally pieced it together, we realized that we had something special, but it needed better flow. And we needed our mom and our Aunt Betty (Dad’s sister) to fill in the spots where Dad had left off. We also asked Melinda Folse, our dad’s top writer, to help us turn it into a book. Being a published author herself, we felt she would be able to help us every step of the way. And she did. What we could not have known or been prepared for was how hungry people were for a feel-good story like this one. In a time when hurtful words are being hurled from one side of the political aisle to the other on our nightly TV screen and venom is being spewed across social media on a daily basis, people are craving timeless and true stories that offer hope, peace and genuine love among a community. We want to believe that true friendship can withstand the rigors of time, the trials of competition, and even separation. We want stories that reveal the heart of the kind of connection to another that can last a lifetime. And when we can do that… we are Keeping it Real. ;-) The official launch of Dream Catcher is September 8th. Books will be available on Amazon and Kindle. To purchase, please go to www.dreamcatcherbook.com
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Lola LEGEND Dr. Mable
JOHN
From Morehouse Parish to Motown and Ministry
WRITTEN BY CLINTON DOWNING
W
hat does a lady from Bastrop, Louisiana, do to let the world know she is alive? Especially when this young lady had a famous brother and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, William “Little Willie” John. Well, if your name is Mable John, you must do what comes naturally and be yourself. That essence of John is personable, affable and universally loved and respected. With a career spanning four decades as a professional singer, she has seen the dramatic shift in music. She herself has stayed closed to her roots of blues, soul, and gospel. When I placed a call to contact Mable’s public relations, I was stunned. The voice on the other end of the line was Dr. Mable John herself. All the qualities and attributes of her character were evident in the first five minutes of our call. Her voice was warm, her laugh was infectious, and her spirit was spry. As a legend in her right, this down-to-earth demeanor resonated her humble beginnings as eldest of 10 children in a highly musical family. Mable John was born on Nov. 3, 1930,
Singer, songwriter, arranger, producer, author, educator, actress, leader, minister and friend. in Bastrop, Louisiana, to Mertis and Lillian John. Her father worked for the paper mill. “My dad would roll those logs with his feet in the pond to the mill. He was a hard-working man. That pond isn’t there anymore. A road covers it now,” said John. “We did not live in Bastrop long after my birth. Though I was christened in a small church there. That church is now gone. The current owner of it was going to tear it down. I have convinced her to redevelop it as a bakery or restaurant or something great for the community. She needs to give it a new life. It is part of my legacy. It was part of my family.” She and her family moved to Cullendale, Arkansas, when Mable was 3 months old. In 1942, she moved to Detroit, Michigan, when she was 12 after her father moved north to scout out better employment. “He found that in Detroit he could work at the automobile factory,” John said. “So, he came to Detroit, and
then sent for his family later. He took a job working for Dodge.” Mable John began singing with her siblings as a child. They put on programs and sang traditional gospel hymns while her mother, Lillian played the guitar. “She wanted us to sing, so we did. After a few years of being there, my mother was already coaching us how to sing. She taught us dramas, dialogs, poems and all sorts of stuff. She did it at home as a hobby. She never did it professionally,” she continued. These harmonious youngsters formed a gospel group. “We sang in churches and all kinds of musical programs,” said John. “We sang material by the Blind Boys, the Soul Stirrers, the Hummingbirds -everybody that was singing at that time. When my brother Willie was performing, he would sneak me into The Paradise in Detroit at night. I would often sing with him. I was even in the amateur night with Louis Stubbs of the Four Tops.”
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John wanted an after-school job. She crossed paths with a matriarch of the Gordy family while working for her Friendship Mutual Insurance Co. Bertha Gordy was the insurance company owner and was a writer of insurance. She asked her for a job after graduating Pershing High School. “She had some things, some nuggets that she dropped also into my heart that I’ll never forget. She said, ‘If you learn to just sell, people will buy anything you’re offering. Don’t try to just sell them insurance, you can sell chewing gum, you can sell anything, and you can sell a song.’ “She began working there as a secretary in 1956 as result of their friendship. Mable later left the company and spent two years at Lewis Business College. Once again, she ran into Mrs. Gordy. Bertha also happened to be the mother of Motown music founder Berry Gordy. Yet it wasn’t Mrs. Gordy who introduced Mable to her ambitious son, Berry. “By the time I got around to meeting Berry, someone else had made the introduction,” John said. “I had to go over to Berry’s house so we could rehearse. Berry and I were coming out of the house as Mrs. Berry was coming in. He said, ‘Hi mom!’ And I said, ‘Hi, Mrs. Gordy!’ She said, ‘Do you know my son?’ I said, ‘Is this your son?’ And he said, ‘Do you know her?’ I said, ‘Yes!’ It was kind of ironic. So, I became a member of the family.” Once Mable and Berry joined musical forces, the two of them hit it off beautifully. Gordy took a very personal interest in molding and sharpening John’s act. This process began in 1956 with Berry’s motto: to make you an act and not a gimmick. He wanted her to be an artist and not just someone that had to have a record to be recognized or perform to get a job. “He was so good with me until I became crippled. I absolutely could not perform unless Berry was on the stage playing piano for me, until one night with Billie Holiday. He decided not to show up for the first show. And I had to go on without him being at the piano. And from then on, he never played piano for me again. He said that if I could only sing with him playing, that means I that was not meant for the business.” That shared 1957 bill with Billie Holiday at the Flame Show Bar was a turning point for John. It was Holiday’s last show in Detroit just weeks before her death. Holiday’s husband liked a pictured captured of the Billie and Mable so much that he had a floor-to-ceiling, wall-to-wall blowup made that now hangs in the studios of Paramount Pictures in Hollywood. “I was the opening act for the first two weeks,” she said. “It was really a lesson for me. I adored her so much, and her singing. She taught me so much. She was able to instill some good things in me in two weeks, in 60 years nobody has been able to take out. I rely on those things she taught me in 10 days
today.” In 1958, John became the first female artist on Gordy’s new label, Tamla at Motown. Her first single, “Who Wouldn’t Love a Man Like That” did not make the pop charts but did establish her as a popular live performer. She sold out her shows at the legendary Apollo theatre in Harlem in 1960 with her legendary brother, Willie, and the Howard Theatre in Washington, D.C. Though a success on the stage, John was out of her element with the blues market as acts like The Supremes, the Miracles, and Martha and the Vandellas were seeing pop chart success. In 1966, John made a painful decision to depart Motown to switch labels. She called Gordy in Chicago and asked to be released from her contract with his label. She was a blues singer and didn’t quite fit in with the pop format that the label had her under. She knew if she continued with his label that she would get lost in the shuffle. She needed a label where she could shine in her craft as a blues singer. She would sign with Stax Records. This deal was set up by WVON deejay Lucky Cordell, who was moonlighting as her manager. She signed the deal with Al Bell not even going into the offices in Memphis to sit at the desk, looking to see where the money was coming from. John’s first song on Stax, “Your Good This (Is About to End)” soared to number six on the rhythm and blues charts in the summer of 1966. The same year she released the single, “Same Place, Same Time.” In 1968, John’s brother, “Little Willie,” died from unknown causes, which subsequently sent John into a deep depression. John left Stax Records at that same year. In 1969, John received a phone call she never dreamed of receiving. On the other end of the line was none other than music legend Ray Charles. “He called me, told me he was looking for a lead singer for the Raelettes, and asked me if I could help him find somebody,” she said. “I said, ’Oh, I don’t know anyone that could fit that bill.’ And he followed me down for six months. And finally, I told him, ‘I can’t find anybody. I don’t want to recommend someone, and they flop, and then you blame me.’ He said, No I won’t.’” He asked Mable if she was interested in the job. She had never sung with a group. She was not sure this world work. Contrary to her belief, it worked like a hand fitting into a glove. Mable John with Ray Charles
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documentary “20 Feet from Stardom.” It would go on to win Best
In her personal life, Mable is the mother of a daughter and four sons, three of which have passed in recent years. Her surviving son and daughter are still part of her business life. Recently, John has made plans to give back to her community. She wants to start a music and educational center for youth in Bastrop, while preserving her hometown's history. During our lovely conversation she enlightened me on her upcoming mission. “Though I only lived in Bastrop a small part of my life, it is where I was born. I want to give back from my legacy that God has given me. Bastrop was good to my parents and where my life began,” she said. “I want to make an impact on this small town for the better. I plan on celebrating my 88th birthday on November 3rd there in Bastrop. I will be there days prior to seek out option for this center. It’s going to be amazing. I hope to have it up and running in the next year. We are planning a big concert in the area in the spring. This will be my first trip back to the Bastrop and Monroe area in thirty years. The last time I was there I performed with Bobby ‘Blue’ Bland.” As our conversation continued I was asked to come on board as part of her entourage visiting with public officials, an amazing volunteer committee at KEDM radio and scouting sites. I informed her that my call was not related. I had known of her as a blues pioneer from northeast Louisiana. I had called to get her permission to write a piece on her. She quickly responded with, “It was God. I have been praying for someone to join this mission with me like you.” I agree it was a God thing. I never Mable John performing with Aretha Franklin expected to get her at the end of the line. As the weeks approach, I am excited for our formal visit in person. She is as down to earth as the soulful soil from which she came. Mable has special plans for her 88th birthday. A celebration will be held in her honor at the Bastrop Convention and Visitors Center Nov. 3. It is an event open to the public to celebrate as a Louisiana Legend comes back home. Dr. Mable John is not only one of northeast Louisiana’s profound blues musicians, but she is also an advocate for growth within her community where she now resides in Los Angeles as well as Bastrop where she was born. She is a singer, songwriter, arranger, producer, author, educator, actress, leader, minister and
Music Film at the Grammy Awards.
friend.
Many a talented vocalist would pass through the Raelettes. None of them had the staying power of John. She stuck with it for a dozen years and took lead honors on two of his hits, “I Want To (Do Everything for You)” and “Bad Water” in 1970. Ray Charles carried her to another level. On the Mable John performing with Ray Charles and The Raylettes
“Johnny Cash Show,” she and her fellow Raelettes backed
Charles on a steamy rendition of the Man in Black’s “Ring of Fire.” John also co-wrote 50 of his songs during her time with him. As the ‘70s were drawing to a close, a new message beckoned. John left secular music. She heard her calling to the ministry. “I heard that call on stage in Birmingham, Alabama, onstage with Ray Charles,” said John. “I heard this voice telling me to go home, that He had something else for me to do. And I just of turned and said, ‘I heard a voice telling me to go home!’ That was the ending of our show for that year.” It was December and she went home. John started studying and went into the ministry. She graduated from the school of ministry. She started studying Hebrew and Greek, went to Israel to study the Bible in its original form in Hebrew and Greek. She received a doctorate degree in divinity in 1993 from the Crenshaw Christian Center. Today, Dr. Mable John heads her own ministry in Los Angeles. Her Joy Community Outreach to End Homelessness program was launched in 1986 to feed and clothe the poor. She is also a published author. She has penned three fictional books with celebrated author David Ritz, “Stay Out of the Kitchen,” “Sanctified Blues,” and “Love Tornado,” about a former R&B divaturned-pastor. She’s made moving gospel recordings that reflect that part of her life. After leaving the spotlight, she has never abandoned her blues roots. In 1994 she received a Pioneer Award from the Rhythm and Blues Foundation. She also joined the 1998 Chicago Blues Festival for a reunion with Ray Charles and his legendary band. In 2007, Mable made it to the silver screen. She starred alongside Danny Glover in the 1950s-set “Honey Dripper.” It was her first acting role of her career and naturally as a blues singer. In 2016, she would star as herself in the Academy Award-winning
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Northeast Louisiana Arts Council presents
FIVE AWAKE One woman Awake Awakens another, The second awakes the next-door neighbor And three awake can rouse a town, And turn the whole place upside down And many awake can rise such a fuss That it finally awakens the rest of us. One woman up with dawn in her eyes
“She’s dead. He murdered her. He went in and shot the family. Pixie knew he was going to do this.”
I
inhaled sharply. It almost felt as if Charmaine were talking directly to me through the screen. With tears in her eyes, Charmaine Caccioppi opens the film Five Awake by retelling the murder of her friend Pixie Gouaux, who was killed in a domestic violence attack by her daughter’s ex-husband. The attacker also shot five others, killing his ex-employer and his current wife, before taking his own life. I was watching the film at the Flying Tiger Brewery as part of the Northeast Louisiana Summer Film Series hosted by the Arts Council of Northeast Louisiana, where I work. When my team was selecting films to show at Monroe’s first film series, we selected stories reflective of Louisiana. We didn’t just want stories promoting bons temps, but also honest stories of real people who live in this state. But when we narrowed the selection to include Five Awake due to its tie to Louisiana and because it was directed by a Louisiana woman, I have to admit I was hesitant at first.
Multiplies Would we attract an audience with such a depressing subject like domestic violence? Would it be appropriate to drink a beer while listening to stories of female homicides? Would we get pushback from our members because the film discussed gun laws? Would we – an arts nonprofit – be making a political statement? It was my supervisor, Barry C. Stevens, who insisted we screen this film. “It is important that people see this,” I remember him saying. “Domestic violence affects all of us.” Unfortunately, his words ring true. Gouaux was one of the 47 women murdered in Louisiana in 2013. According to the Louisiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence, there was at least one domestic homicide in every parish between 1997-2009. Not only that, but Louisiana has the third highest rate of female homicide in the nation, and 73 percent of the victims were wives, ex-wives or girlfriends of their assailant. The statistics may be just numbers, but there are real lives and deaths behind those numbers. The year following Gouaux’s murder, Caccioppi, chief operating officer of United Way of Southeast Louisiana, took her grief and channeled it into justice. She and a cohort of four other women affected by domestic violence are the subjects of the Louisiana-made film Five Awake.
September-October 2018 | LOLA MAGAZINE | Page 93
YOU’RE NOT ALONE.
Call (888) 411-1333 to speak to an advocate from The Wellspring. Advocates are available 365 days a year, 24/7. Rachel Niblett The documentary short follows the determined efforts of Caccioppi; Kim Sport, attorney and public policy chair for United Way of Southeast Louisiana; Mary Claire Landry, director of New Orleans Family Justice Center; Beth Meeks, former executive director of Louisiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence; and Helena Moreno, former Louisiana state representative and current New Orleans City Council vice president. The women pushed a historic package of antidomestic violence bills through the 2014 Louisiana legislative session. The legislation, which passed unanimously by both the House and the Senate, does the following: • • • •
Grants immediate divorce to victims of domestic abuse. Mandates abusers to provide spousal compensation. Classifies a second violation of domestic abuse as a felony. Allows arrests of violators of protective orders, and while under protective order, violators may not possess firearms.
Sport, whose family member was trying to get a divorce from her abuser, realized Louisiana’s divorce laws were outdated and unsafe for women. Before the 2014 legislative session, victims of domestic violence wanting divorce had to wait 180 days as a time of potential reconciliation, whereas there was no waiting period in cases of adultery. “It takes about seven attempts for a victim to finally break out of an abusive relationship. The reality is that many victims love their abusers and think the abuse is their own fault. Abusers constantly tell their victims it will never happen again, and victims want to believe them or think they can change them,” Sport said. “The time of separation is the most dangerous for a victim because the abuser knows he/she is actually losing control and power over the victim… Now that the waiting period has been removed, victims can avoid an escalation of abuse.” Valerie Bowman, director of The Wellspring’s domestic violence program and Family Justice Center of Ouachita Parish, has seen firsthand how these new laws have positively affected survivors of domestic abuse. “Immediate divorce and punitive damages have allowed the women we’ve worked with to get a divorce quicker and allowed them to get into a safe environment,” she explained. “The finances help them maintain
and reestablish their life. Spousal support is so important because it allows these women to develop skills that will help them get a job and support their families.” Due to work by The Wellspring and the Family Justice Center of Ouachita Parish – and because of the new laws – Ouachita Parish has seen a significant decrease in female homicide rates. In the first five years of Family Justice Center of Ouachita Parish operations (2005 to 2010), the domestic violence murder rate was 5.5 per 100,000. By the end of 2015, the rate had fallen by more than half, to 2.5 per 100,000. In 2017, the rate continued to fall to 2.2 per 100,000. That impact is being acknowledged statewide, according to Mariah Wineski, executive director of the Louisiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence. “This reduction is directly correlated with the ongoing efforts of the FJC. The coordinated community response that this program leads has yielded results unseen in any other region of Louisiana,” Wineski said when The Wellspring received the Coalition’s Program of the Year Award. Louisiana native and film director Donna Dees did not originally plan to create Five Awake. She was intending to create a film documenting the works of female activists. She found that because many women don’t like to take credit for things they accomplish, other female activists must recreate the wheel. Dees should know – she was the founder of the Million Mom March, which before the March for our Lives, was the largest protest against gun violence in American history. She began interviewing an array of activists but stopped once she stumbled upon these stories of the Five Awake women. “To quote former Congresswoman Carolyn McCarthy, who is in the film, women know how to set their egos aside to get things done. We also know the importance of sharing credit and ownership of successful endeavors,” Dees said. “The downside to that quality is that often the recipes for success get lost or forgotten. This is why I wanted to do the film: to provide a roadmap for other women.” Sport emphasized the women’s collaboration as the key to getting the bills passed. The Five Awake women found that a woman had been murdered in a domestic abuse attack in every Louisiana legislative district. They collected the stories in a bound book, putting faces to the statistics. Then, they met with each legislator and shared the books with them. “We also talked to every organization who had a stake in the legislation judges, DAs, sheriffs, clerks of court, defense attorneys, and gun rights groups. We shared all of our information with the press who ran editorials in favor of the legislation. We were at the Capitol nearly every day,” Sport said. “But the most important thing is that we had legislative champions, like Sen. J.P. Morrell and Rep. Helena Moreno, who were willing to lead the fight for this legislation. And, we had the support of many other
Page 94 | LOLA MAGAZINE | September-October 2018
organizations who became our collaborative partners. We also learned how to compromise and wisely followed the advice of those who really wanted to see us succeed.” Five Awake ends with promise and hope. The five women walk out of the Louisiana Capitol chambers as champions, winning a battle in the war that is domestic violence. The package of bills was named the “Pixie Bill,” in memory of Caccioppi’s friend. The women have continued to work in legislative matters away from the lights and microphones of the documentary crew. In the past five years, the women have pushed nearly 100 additional provisions of law dealing with domestic violence through the Louisiana legislature. “This past year we managed to create a process for transferring firearms from domestic abusers and to make it a serious crime for an abuser to attempt to purchase a firearm. We were able to make domestic violence a factor to be considered in all child custody cases and to make it a felony to commit domestic abuse against a pregnant woman or in the presence of a child,” Sport said. I wanted guests to walk away from the screening determined to pick up the torch and continue the fight. Rachel Niblett, The Wellspring’s marketing and communications coordinator, and I planned a panel after the screening to discuss the filmmaking process, services The Wellspring offers, and most importantly, what every day people like you and me can do about domestic violence. Panelists Dees, Bowman and Caroline Cascio, President/ CEO of The Wellspring, all echoed one another. Even though Five Awake showed great progress, there is still work to be done. “To solve the domestic violence crisis in our communities, sometimes the little things, like holding a church bake sale for a domestic violence shelter, might be the action that saves a woman’s life,” Dees said. “It’s important to advocate and speak out, because not everyone has a voice or knows how to use it,” Bowman said. Sport says you can use that voice by talking to your legislator. “Anyone can get involved by just making a phone call to a legislator about a problem you think needs to be addressed or to ask them to vote a certain way on a bill. I think most people would be amazed at how receptive their own legislators would be to work with them on so many issues. They want to hear from their constituents,” she said.
I BELIEVE YOU.
Contact a domestic violence shelter and speak to a professional who can help develop a safety plan. Proceed with extreme caution and, if possible, gather financial information account numbers, access codes, insurance documents, and mortgage paperwork. Kim Sport
“Each and every legislator in this state deserves our gratitude for passing some of the strongest laws in the nation over the past five years to protect victims of domestic violence and to appropriately treat and punish those who abuse them. We need to continue working together to educate all elected and public officials about these laws and, most important, we need to enforce the laws. I am hopeful that we will see a decline in Louisiana’s domestic homicide rate over time. I know it will not happen immediately, but the foundation is there.” If your women’s group wants to screen Five Awake, email donnadeesthomases@gmail.com for details. I’d personally like to thank all the people involved in the Northeast Louisiana Summer Film Series that made this possible, including our sponsors the Monroe-West Monroe Convention & Visitors Bureau and Flying Tiger Brewery. The Arts Council of Northeast Louisiana is already searching for Louisiana films for the 2019 Northeast Louisiana Summer Film Series. If you or someone you know would like details on how to participate, email region8cdc@gmail.com.
September-October 2018 | LOLA MAGAZINE | Page 95
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Page 96 | LOLA MAGAZINE | September-October 2018
FALL KIDS CRAFTS BY ROSEMARY MCMASTER
Candy Corn Banner This craft is an easy one that even the youngest of children can make, and it’s a great piece to hang up on the fireplace to bring those fall colors to the room!
1. Paint a yellow ring on the outside of Another fun alternative to this craft YOU’LL NEED: the paper plate about an inch and a white paper plates is to paint the pieces so they look half thick to serve as the bottom of the yellow and orange paint candy corn. some string like pumpkin pie. You can even cut pair of kids’ crafting scissors 2. After the yellow paint has dried, paint out stripes of paper and glue them an orange ring inside the yellow. Make sure to leave a white circle in the middle on top to look like pie lattice or glue of the plate. a cotton ball in the middle of a piece to serve as 3. Once the paint is all dry, cut in into triangles to whipped cream. make candy corn. Cut the plate in half and then half again to make the pieces even in size. 4. Attach the candy corn pieces onto a piece of twine or ribbon and hang it up!
September-October 2018 | LOLA MAGAZINE | Page 97
Yarn Pumpkins YOU’LL NEED: orange yarn white school glue balloons pipe cleaners
1. Cut the yarn into several pieces, anywhere from one to two feet long. 2. Blow up a balloon about halfway to where it’s nice and round but not all the way filled with air. 3. Fill a bowl with the glue and dip each piece of yarn into it; wipe excess glue gently off so yarn is saturated but not dripping heavily.Wrap each piece of yarn sporadically around balloon, making sure pieces overlap.
Have your little ones help create some fall décor with these cute yarn pumpkins! These little pumpkins are as easy to make as they are fun.
Be warned, this craft can get messy; make sure to lay down some newspaper or parchment paper on your children’s work surface for easy cleanup. If you would like your pumpkins to be sturdier, feel free to switch out the school glue with Mod Podge.
4. Continue to cover balloon in yarn pieces but make sure to leave open spaces to see the balloon underneath. 5. Once satisfied with coverage, leave the pumpkin to dry.When completely dry, pop the balloon inside and pull it carefully out from the yarn. 6. Twist up a brown pipe cleaner and attach it to the top of the pumpkin to serve as the stem, and add some curly green pipe cleaners around it to act as the vines!
Page 98 | LOLA MAGAZINE | September-October 2018
Pumpkin Pie Playdough YOU’LL NEED: flour salt water oil cream of tartar pumpkin pie spice vanilla extract red & yellow food coloring
Playdough has been a favorite of children for years, but now your kids can make their own playdough and even theme it for the fall season. This playdough is completely edible (although not very tasty), smells delicious, and is safe for your little ones! This recipe requires a stovetop, so make sure to keep your kiddos safe if they help with this craft!
1. Mix one cup of flour, one half cup of salt, two tablespoons of cream of tartar and two tablespoons of the pumpkin spice in a saucepan. 2. Once the dry ingredients are mixed, add in one cup of water, two tablespoons of oil, and one teaspoon of vanilla extract. 3. Add a few drops of yellow and red food coloring to make the mixture orange like a pumpkin pie!
4. Heat the mixture over medium heat and stir consistently until it turns into a playdough consistency – stiff enough to hold shape but still soft enough to mold. 5. Allow the dough to cool completely for up to 20 minutes before letting your children play with it.
Not only will these crafts let your kids unleash their creativity, but they can also add that touch of fall to your home. So, let your kids have some fun this fall and make the most of this season.
HAPPY CRAFTING!
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230 Carroll Street • Suite 4 Shreveport, LA 71105 • (318)865-3311 September-October 2018 | LOLA MAGAZINE | Page 99
2018 Weekend Planner Pocket Schedule Sat Sep 1 Sun Sep 2 Sat Sep 8 Sat Sep 8 Sun Sep 9 Sat Sep 15 Sun Sep 16
6:00 Te c h 6:30 L S U 6:00 Te c h 6:00 L S U Noon S a i n t s 2:30 L S U Noon S a i n t s
Sat Sep 22 TBA Sun Sep 23 Sat Sep 29 Sat Sep 29 Sun Sep 30 Sat Oct 6 Sat Oct 6 Mon Oct 8 Sat Oct 13 Sat Oct 13 Sat Oct 20 Sat Oct 20 Sun Oct 21 Fri Oct 26 Sun Oct 28 Sat Nov 3 Sat Nov 3 Sun Nov 4 Sat Nov 10 Sat Nov 10 Sun Nov 11 Sat Nov 17 Sat Nov 17 Sun Nov 18 Thu Nov 22 Sat Nov 24 Sat Nov 24
Noon TBA 6:30 3:25 6:00 TBA 7:15 6:00 TBA 2:30 TBA 3:05 5:30 7:20 TBA TBA 3:25 6:00 TBA Noon 2:30 TBA Noon 7:20 11:00 TBA
at South Alabama Miami (Fla.) vs. Southern vs. Southeastern La. vs. Tampa Bay at Auburn vs. Cleveland
Te c h at L S U
Saints LSU Te c h Saints Te c h LSU Saints Te c h LSU Te c h LSU Saints Te c h Saints Te c h LSU Saints Te c h LSU Saints Te c h LSU Saints Saints Te c h LSU
at Atlanta vs. Ole Miss at North Texas at New York Giants vs. UAB at Florida vs. Washington at UTSA vs. Georgia vs. UTEP vs. Mississippi State at Baltimore at Florida Atlantic at Minnesota Vikings at Mississippi State vs. Alabama vs. Los Angeles Rams vs. Rice at Arkansas at Cincinnati at Southern Miss vs. Rice vs. Philadelphia vs. Atlanta vs. Western Kentucky at Texas A&M
Thu Nov 29 7:20 S a i n t s at Dallas Sun Dec 9 Noon S a i n t s at Tampa Bay
Mobile, AL Arlington, TX Ruston, LA Baton Rouge, LA New Orleans, LA Auburn, AL New Orleans, LA
The 15th edition of this handy reference
Baton Rouge, LA
we were already mailing out our
Atlanta, GA Baton Rouge, LA Denton, TX East Rutherford, NJ Ruston, LA Gainesville, FL New Orleans, LA San Antonio, TX Baton Rouge, LA Ruston, LA Baton Rouge, LA Baltimore, MD Boca Raton, FL Minneapolis, MN Starkville, MS Baton Rouge, LA New Orleans, LA Ruston, LA Fayetteville, AR Cincinnati, OH Hattiesburg, MS Baton Rouge, LA New Orleans, LA New Orleans, LA Ruston, LA College Station, TX
“Weekend Planner Pocket Schedule.”
Arlington, TX
Planner is still going strong!
Tampa, FL
Mon Dec 17 7:15 S a i n t s at Carolina
Charlotte, NC
Sun Dec 23 3:25 S a i n t s vs. Pittsburgh
New Orleans, LA
Sun Dec 30 Noon S a i n t s vs. Carolina
New Orleans, LA
tool will be hitting mailboxes soon. Luckily, Lola readers can start planning their Fall weekends right away! Even before there was Richard Creative,
It all began when James and Danielle were recent graduates and Louisiana transplants living in Dallas. We wanted to maximize the number of weekend trips back home we could pack into a single football season. We needed to combine all three of our favorite football teams’ schedules in one place, grouped by weekend, to find the ideal weekends for travel. In particular, we were looking for the best weekends to spend Saturday night in Death Valley followed by Sunday afternoon in the Dome. (Check out the first weekend in November this year!)
Fifteen years later, we’re happy to be Louisianians again, but the Weekend
Hooray Football!
Not on the mailing list? Go to richard-creative.com and enter your mailing address. We’d be glad to send a couple of pocket-sized schedules your way. Page 100 | LOLA MAGAZINE | September-October 2018
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September-October 2018 | LOLA MAGAZINE | Page 101
The Other Dyslexia E
ven as a public school educator with 13 years’ experience, I had only ever heard of one kind of dyslexia -- phonological dyslexia. Those are the kids that write letters backwards, right? Sadly, that’s the general perception most people have when it comes to recognizing this learning struggle. Over the past two years, I’ve come to realize there are many forms of dyslexia and it looks different with every child. Let me tell you about my daughter’s journey with visual (surface) dyslexia.
Jayna, right, with daughter, Ella
WRITTEN BY JAYNA MORROW - TEACHER, WRITER, AND MOTHER
� Don’t wait for failing grades...
Understood.org explained that children with visual dyslexia find it difficult to remember what the word looks like in their minds. This manifests over time in subtle ways. For students with average to above average IQs, like my daughter, the symptoms may take longer to start affecting them academically. The first red flag, for me, didn’t appear until her 4th-grade year, when her reading level didn’t advance satisfactorily, her everyday spelling was atrocious, and she clung to lower-level fiction books with an aversion to nonfiction. Still, she brought home all A’s and B’s, so we cruised on. Little did I know that she’d developed a strong set of coping skills that served her well. That is, until 5th grade.
� The year of tears...
That was the year Ella could no longer use her high-order language skills to compensate for her deficits in visual processing. The year of I hate school and Homeschool me, please. The year she felt stupid. It sounds strange, and even after all the research I’ve done, I still have trouble comprehending how visual dyslexia affects my daughter. So you’re telling me she can read and comprehend fiction books, but nonfiction gives her trouble? Here’s the lowdown on fiction vs. nonfiction. They are not the same, so much so that students can have two completely different reading levels: one for fiction and one for nonfiction. Fiction is primarily made up of only around one thousand words commonly used in the English language, while nonfiction is rich in less common vocabulary. This vocabulary is often built from the building blocks of root words and affixes, which make words look very much alike. If you’re a student with visual processing difficulties, this is a reading nightmare. Pages filled with unknown words that all look alike.
� Pay close attention to your child’s written expression...
Her reading level barely budged that year, but the biggest problems occurred in science. Textbooks are cesspools of advanced vocabulary, polluted with root words and affixes. Her background knowledge of science topics was limited (due to an aversion for reading nonfiction), the text was written above her reading level, and her visual processing issue made it even more difficult to read and comprehend. Nonfiction is difficult so you avoid it, then it becomes even more difficult because you avoided it. Are you seeing the vicious cycle here? I tried teaching her at home. After all, I am a certified teacher. How hard could it be? I signed her up for K12 Online and we worked through the science modules. I felt that she learned the concepts without issue, but her learning wasn’t being reflected in her grades at school. It just wasn’t translating. What it boiled down to was reading comprehension. Page 102 | LOLA MAGAZINE | September-October 2018
� Her reading skills appeared normal…
As far as her actual reading class, everything appeared normal. But some pieces of the puzzle were distorted. They seemed to fit, but upon close inspection, they had been squeezed into place. I worked with her on a reading program at home, and I noticed that she skipped a lot of little words, she substituted longer words with visually similar ones, and sometimes read words out of order. Most of the time, these errors were made without selfcorrection, which means she didn’t catch her own errors. This is critical when it comes to tracking comprehension during independent reading. Her writing skills were below grade level as well. Slow, tedious, riddled with spelling errors (even when copying), and poor directionality that headed downhill. She wrote as little as possible and often produced sentences that didn’t make sense. Once I saw a list of common spelling errors for kids with dyslexia, and I was shocked. They were the same errors that my daughter was making. While she was able to memorize a list of words for the “Friday spelling test,” it was her everyday spelling that concerned me. What was really eye-opening was the fact that she would misspell high frequency words that she’d seen and read thousands of times. It didn’t make sense to me that she wasn’t able to internalize these words and use them appropriately.
There were other signs as well... • Dependency on context and visual clues • Lower test scores than daily grades • Frequent “careless” mistakes • Poor memory, even after daily study sessions • Compensation skills • Struggling grades, but not necessarily failing grades
Then I found Learning Rx... Ella’s diagnosis came too late to affect her grades in 5th grade, but her 6th-grade year has been amazing. Over the past six months, she’s learned to visually discriminate words and train her brain to process them for improved comprehension overall. She’s also made tremendous gains with short-term and long-term memory, root words and affixes, and inductive and deductive reasoning. Homework and studying are a snap, taking significantly less time and effort. I only wish I would have taken her in sooner.
The year of cheers... The year Ella trained her brain for success. The year of loving school, of reaching her potential, of A’s and B’s on her report cards. The year she discovered her brilliance. My advice to parents in a similar situation is to understand that you are your child’s first advocate. Nobody will fight harder or care more for your son or daughter, but the people at Learning Rx come in a close second. This is evident in the way they celebrate every victory right along with you. Know that there are other options out there besides the standard program for “traditional” dyslexia, so don’t give up hope. Their specialized training will give your child the skills he or she needs to not only survive, but thrive in school. I’ve watched my daughter go through this academic process that got easier and easier every six weeks, as she applied problem-solving and higher order thinking skills to make connections in her core classes.
Our brains are elastic... One of the first home assignments we had was to read a book about how brains are elastic. They can strengthen and stretch. This got me thinking about rubber bands. Yes, they stretch, but not on their own. In fact, a rubber band will lie there and do nothing until someone picks it up and puts it to use. When I taught kindergarten many years ago, we used rubber bands on peg boards to make shapes. But when I first passed out the peg boards and handfuls of rubber bands, my students had no idea what to do with them. Well, a few knew how to send them flying across the room. Over time, they learned how to make geometric shapes on the boards without popping each other or their own fingers. They learned. Learning is a beautiful process, but it looks a little different for each child. One thing that’s the same for all children is they need a teacher to show them how to stretch a rubber band into something amazing. Our brains are elastic...and they are amazing!
September-October 2018 | LOLA MAGAZINE | Page 103
Page 104 | LOLA MAGAZINE | September-October 2018
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THE BOSS OF SOUTHERN CUISINE WRITTEN BY CHEF H.D. HARRIS, PRIVATE CHEF SERVICES
We’re headed towards fall and this soup should get you there. It’s not too heavy but just right. Enjoy with cornbread or French bread. International Root Vegetable Soup 3 Tbsp. olive oil 2 cups onion chopped 5 cloves garlic crushed 2 cups sweet potatoes medium dice 2 cups parsnips medium dice ½ cup celery chopped ½ cup carrots medium dice 1 tsp turmeric 1 ½ tsp garam marsala 1 tsp. ground coriander ¼ tsp. thyme 1 tsp. salt 1 tsp pepper 1 ½ cups black beans cooked 4 cups chicken broth
Page 106 | LOLA July-August MAGAZINE 2018 | LOLA | September-October MAGAZINE | 2018 Page 97
• Saute onions, garlic,sweet potatoes, parsnips, celery and carrots in olive oil for about 8 min. • Add spices, black beans and broth. • Let simmer for about 20 minutes until flavors come together and vegetables are soft. • Adjust seasonings.
Shaping Shreveport’s Cultural Landscape
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Wine Mixer November 17, 2018
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MAGGIE MAGGIE LEE LEE
Calling ALL
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September-October 2018 | LOLA MAGAZINE | Page 111
FROM HER PERSPECTIVE
And then there
Melissa Gutman
were five...
Until then, we were your average family. Married right out of college, moved to New Braunfels, Texas, both starting new jobs, bought a house, and then said, “Now what?” Actually, the “now what?” started a year later when we moved back home to be near family. “How about kids?” sounded like a plan, and within a few short years we were Mom and Dad to two boys.
W
e learned quickly that having two boys can keep you busy and leave little time for boredom. In the blink of an eye, Brennan was soon to be starting kindergarten and John-Luke was climbing from tables to cabinets to leaping off the couches when we learned that not one more, but THREE more, would be added to the Gutman family. My immediate reaction was fear, shock, and absolute hysteria until our oldest child showed me another way to look at it. He overheard my mom and me discussing the situation and asked, “What are you talking about?” Without caring at the moment how he would respond, I just blurted out “I have three babies in my tummy!” He got the biggest smile,
happiest day of my life! I always wanted a big family!” Needless to say, it was through “the mouth of babes” that caused me to accept everything would be fine. God was in control and wasn’t surprised at all. It wasn’t normal for me to have a “one day at a time” attitude, but it has definitely become the mantra to live by. It would be impossible to describe what it’s like having five boys other than point out it takes a whole lot of diapers, milk and stain stick. There are more teeth to brush and it takes longer to get buckled up, lots and lots of toys, and Legos… the tiny Legos. Fortunately, I’m not exactly a neat freak or ever been accused of OCD, but I think that works to my advantage in this deal. If you are ever interested in a visit, be prepared to watch where you
them to the park for a fun outing” and even our 3-year-old at the time replied, “Oh no, we can’t do that. Our babies would run away.” At times it can be pretty chaotic, crazy, and messy, but Mike and I truly would not change a thing. One thing that continues to amaze us is that each one of them is so very different and unique. Five completely different personalities and individual traits, but a brotherhood that is undeniable. We’ve gotten fairly used to peoples’ looks and comments such as, “Don’t you know how that happens? Are those all yours? No girls! That’s a basketball team! And I’m just hoping for a lawn service.” Whatever they decide to do, Mike and I know that we’ve been truly blessed and will do all we can to bring them up in the
Five completely different personalities and individual traits, but a brotherhood that is undeniable.
took off running a full circle around the outside of the house and finally slowed down to respond in words, “This is the
step and look before you sit down. Oh, and as for getting out… You can forget about taking them on a quick errand or two… There’s really not enough space here to describe the types of disasters that could occur. Someone once suggested I just “take
nurture and admonition of the Lord and hope they learn to love and serve God in whatever they choose to do. Oh, and by the way, the fun isn’t looking to end anytime soon as baby boy number SIX is on the way, with the expected arrival in December 2018.
Page 112 | LOLA MAGAZINE | September-October 2018
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