2. Lola TOContents
HEALTH AND WELLNESS 98 A Few of her Favorite Things Dr. Karen’s gift guide for health
LOUISIANA LADIES
110 A Blast from the Past Discovering a 1965 Sugar Bowl treasure 119 The Birch Sister Bond Local sister duo who are winning hearts around the world 90 Keeping it Real with Teri Netterville Faith, a powerful tool 83 The Gift of a Lifetime Adoption, the gift of family
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106 Dressing from the Inside Out Using challenges to drive your success
103 Body Pro A new take on fitness for a new year 70 Giving Thanks Books on gratitude
HOME AND ENTERTAINING
HOLIDAY
66 The Battle of the Best Turkey 76 Hostess with the Mostess Uptown Downtown’s Morgan Garrison Thornhill 114 Wedding Blues with Space Interiors
COMMUNITY
36 Holiday Market A holiday makers market hosted by local teens 26 The United Way Gives Back 128 Love and Light
10 Lola Wish Book Shop all the hottest gifts with just a click 40 Lou Lou Sucre’ St. Nick’s Nightcap 44 For the Griswold in Us All Light up your home this holiday season 48 Deck the Halls DIY tips for Christmas decorating like the professionals 56 Elf on the Shelf Santa’s mischievous little helpers 61 Filling a Hole in the Holidays Finding peace and gratitude when holidays change 30 The Power of Play Gifts with purpose for the little people in your life
GATHER 3. Ivan Smith Ad
visit
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website
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LIVING
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IvanSmith.com
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4. Bevin’s Letter/Contributors
READLOLA.COM
PUBLISHER Bevin Sutton Hicks Bevin@readlola.com MARKETING & ADVERTISING DIRECTOR
Let your heart be light! W
e had our Christmas lights up the week before Halloween this year. We are, in fact, “those
people.” My sweet neighbor sent a text moments after we lit them up about how she and her husband enjoy our lights each year and that they were excited to enjoy them again. My response, “I know we look like crazy people.” She eased my crazy concern with a simple, “It is 2020 Bevin, anything goes.” Isn’t that the truth! So here we are in the midst of the holidays, my favorite time of the year, even in a year like 2020. It may have been a heavy year, full of many serious issues, but now is our opportunity to celebrate all that we have overcome with peace and the lighthearted spirit of the holidays. This holiday issue of Lola Magazine brings you everything you need for holiday shopping, decorating and inspiring stories to warm your heart. The Lola Wish book is filled with perfect gifts for anyone on your list. Just scan the QR code on each page and get to shopping with all your favorite local merchants. Decorate the inside and outside of your home like the professionals with DIY tips from the experts. This holiday season may look a bit different, but may we find solace in The Promise of new beginnings and gratitude for the many blessings surrounding us. From all of us at Lola Magazine we extend our gratitude to you and wish you harmony and happiness throughout the season and New Year.
Very Warmest Wishes, Bevin
Carie Cotter Hart Carie@readlola.com
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 CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Donesa Walker Jessica Comegys Payton Denney Sabrina Newell Dr. Karen Pendleton Molly Lancaster Anna Claire Pritchard Felecia Williams Rose McMaster Danielle Richard Dr. Bruce Willson Jr. Drew Hampton Lauren Robuck Ohsodelicioso.com Teri Netterville Lynnette Martin Myron Griffing CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Brittany Strickland Jarrett Warren Henry McMcoy COVER Photography by Brittany Strickland Hostess With the Mostess September/October 2020 Contributing Photographer: Sean Sullivan FOR ADVERTISING INFORMATION Carie@readlola.com *Reproduction of contents without express written permission is prohibited. Lola Magazine is published bi-monthly by Stamper Marketing, LLC. 428 Mohican Lane, Shreveport, La 71106 (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.
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Merry Christmas 5. Van Norman Ad
to all, and to all a
Good Sight!
Shreveport Eye Specialists
Russell Van Norman MD • Rachel Meyer-Borel O.D. Call For Appointment
318-703-5655
ALWAYS ACCEPTING NEW PATIENTS
8445 LINE AVENUE • SHREVEPORT • SHREVEPORTEYESPECIALISTS.COM
6. 8445 Med Spa Ad
The Secrets To GREAT SKIN A conversation with 8445 Med Spa
Your unique experience begins immediately when popping into the receiving area of 8445 Med Spa, located on-property at Shreveport Eye Specialists. In addition to blush-colored, crushed velvet armchairs and eye-popping custom artwork, on any given day you could find an additional surprise here, like a balloon arch, full charcuterie board or a half disco ball full of fresh flowers. You know that you have not just arrived at an address, but at a destination.
Owner Susanna Cage Van Norman has enlisted the expertise of nurse practitioner and lead injector Taylor Colvin and lead medical aesthetician Mari Lou Sharp to offer high-end dermatological treatments in a lush boutique environment. And while 8445 Med Spa certainly brings high-end glam to the Shreveport spa scene, forming authentic relationships that last and helping clients be their best selves is at the heart of what they do.
8445 MEDICAL SPA 8445 Line Avenue, Suite 200 Shreveport, LA 71106 318.553.5800 • 8445medicalspa.com
prime who are looking to rejuvenate their skin and reclaim their glow. For new clients, we recommend starting with a facial. This thorough cleaning in our relaxing, two-room spa environment is something anyone can appreciate, and they’ll definitely want to come back for more.
Before & After | Botox HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR TYPICAL CLIENTELE? 8445 MS: Well, we really don’t have a typical client because everyone can benefit from our services, from basic everyday skin care to leading-edge aesthetic treatments. We see teenagers struggling with acne, younger women wanting to enhance their natural beauty and clients in their aging 6
WHAT ARE YOUR MOST POPULAR SERVICES? 8445 MS: Our most popular offerings are BOTOX® injections, fillers, facials, lash lifts and microblading – a semi-permanent way to enhance your brows by placing pigment in natural-looking hair strokes. Microblading is especially effective for more mature clients looking to fill in sparse patches on their brows. And while many spas offer fillers, you’ve got to go to professionals who know what they are doing to ensure that you get a natural-looking end result. That’s why our clients come to us.
DO HAVE ANY SPECIAL PROMOTIONS COMING UP FOR THE HOLIDAYS?
7. 8445 Med Spa Content Advertorial
8445 MS: We do! For each week leading up to Christmas, we are offering discounted services for different areas of focus – wrinkles, lips, glowing skin and brows. And for the entire month of December, if you buy a $100 or more gift certificate, you receive 10% off your next service. It’s like a gift for a someone else and for yourself. We are also offering amazing discounts on stocking stuffers and have a few giveaways you’ll want to watch for.
Before & After | Microblading CAN YOU DESCRIBE SOME OF YOUR PREMIER SERVICES AND PRODUCTS? 8445 MS: Right now we are excited about offering osmosis facial infusion, an infusion that uses nanoneedling and vitamin powders, which can be mixed into the perfect blend for your face. With this service, there’s no down time, you can wear makeup immediately and you get 30 days of collagen production. It’s kind of a gamechanger facial, and we are the only spa in Shreveport offering this. We are also seeing more clients requesting our AQUAGOLD® injectable, which creates microchannels in your skin and delivers custom solutions that promote collagen production, diminish pore size and even your skin tone. Clients also love our Environ Skin Care line of products, which is made in South Africa and uses vitamin A as a cornerstone ingredient.
Before & After | Lips
AS EXPERTS, DO YOU HAVE ANY GENERAL SKIN CARE ADVICE TO SHARE? 8445 MS: Yes, invest in your skin! It’s one of the most important aspects of who we are, and most people spend very little time taking proper care of it. The good news? It’s never too late to start. We are happy to join people wherever they are in their skin care journey and hope to form a lasting relationship as their aesthetic advisor and advocate.
Before & After | Lash Lift
Now, that sounds like a beautiful partnership. Contact 8445 Med Spa to set up an appointment, get a free consultation or just to see their gorgeous space. You can also follow them on Instagram and Facebook to see real client results and be in-theknow about their latest spa specials. 7
8. JAC Ad
shopjacclothing.com • 6 012 Line Avenue, Shreveport • (318) 606-4558
9. The Collective Ad
Alexis Walter Fine Art & Textiles • Mignon Faget Over the Moon Greek & Gift • Mallory Patterson Design • Emily Pullin Artwork
NOW OPENin DOWNTOWN RUSTON
10. WISH BOOK COVER (even start)
11. WISH BOOK COVER More than ever before, many of us will doing most (if not ALL) of our Holiday shopping online.
Let Lola Magazine make that easier than ever.
The Lola
Wish Book
Simply grab your cell phone, open up your camera and aim!
Scan the QR code to your favorite local hot spot and start shopping.
Local Holiday Shopping made Easy
12. WB: Jac • Louisiana Coin
SCAN TO SHOP
L
ocated in the heart of Historic Jefferson Texas, we offer clothing and gifts for each & every woman. Enjoy easy online shopping and quick nationwide shipping. 118 N POLK ST. JEFFERSON, TX 75657
W
e’re here to help you find the perfect gift or to create and design a custom piece. Visit us online or come by to shop our current collection.
6601 YOUREE DRIVE SHREVEPORT, LA 71105
SCAN TO SHOP
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13. WB: Vertage • The Collective
Shreveport Eye Specialists Russell Van Norman MD Rachel Meyer-Borel O.D.
F
8445 LINE AVE. SHREVEPORT, LA 71106
Wish
rom contact lenses and prescription eyeglasses to sunglasses and computer eyewear, we offer the highest quality products available in Shreveport.
SCAN TO SHOP
Book
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e offer some of the most advanced, clinically tested, nonsurgical treatments available. Visit us online to book your appointment today. Gift Certificates available.
8445 LINE AVE. SHREVEPORT, LA 71106 SCAN TO SHOP
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14. WB: Ivy and Stone • The Children's Shoppe Spoil your skin this Holiday Season
318.216.5366
SCAN TO SHOP
O
ur delicious party trays are perfect for all your Holiday gatherings. Visit us online for more information about all our catering options. 920 PIERREMONT RD. SHREVEPORT, LA 71106
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@ PENNINGTONFACIALPLASTICS
SCAN TO SHOP
T15. WB: Jans Optical • Pretense he unique inspiration to gift oneself or another is an intangible talent and experience Clarkes Jewelers has brought to you since 1931.
Wish
4847 LINE AVE. SHREVEPORT, LA 71106 SCAN TO SHOP
Book
N
ew to Pure Barre? Scan the code to learn more about Pure Barre and to purchase gift cards. 5821 LINE AVE. SUITE C SHREVEPORT, LA 71106 SCAN TO SHOP
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16. WB: Lockhart • Pennington
J
an’s Optical located in historic downtown Ruston carries over 300 designer brands of frames and 60 brands exclusive to the area. Their experienced and friendly staff will fit anyone in your family with the perfect pair of prescription eyeglasses and the hottest designer sunglasses. SCAN TO SHOP
T
he Collective has everything you need for thoughtful, one of a kind gifts. They carry a collection of regional handcrafted gifts, exclusive lines, Emily Pullin Art Work, Mallory Patterson Design stationary and much more. SCAN TO SHOP
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17. WB: 8445 Med / SES
W
Wish
ellness Cafe, Juice Bar, Boutique Nutrition Program & Custom Catering. Give the gift of health and wellness. Glow is not only one of the hottest new eateries in Shreveport, they also carry Moon Juice, HUM Nutrition, specialty teas, and Little Barn skin care. SCAN TO SHOP
Book SCAN TO SHOP
T
he Childrens Shoppe offers a vast array of must-have gifts form babies to tweens and timeless children’s fashions for girls newborn to size 16 and for boys newborn to tween. 17
J 18. WB: Sheality • The Fashion AC Clothing a women’s contemporary clothing boutique in the heart of Shreveport sets the stage for a fantastic experience. JAC carries all the hottest brands and latest trends. They make shopping online super easy and even offer gift wrapping. When looking for the perfect gifts and fashion finds, shop JAC!
SCAN TO SHOP
P
retenses Women’s Boutique is locally owned and operated in Shreveport, LA. They love to help their customers dress to impress and take pride in suburb customer service with top quality merchandise. They have prices to fit every budget and styles that are fun and timeless.
SCAN TO SHOP
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Ivy and Stone Ruston is the new onestop–shop for turning your home into a Christmas Wonderland.
19. WB: Lauren Roebuck • Uptown Downtown
Ivy and Stone has it all from HOME INTERIORS, LIGHTING, FURNITURE, RUGS, BEDDING, DECOR, GIFTS - BABY, BATH, JEWELRY, AND APPAREL
Wish SCAN TO SHOP
Book
L
ouisiana Coin is committed to offering the finest collection of jewelry, diamonds, coins, and gifts backed by a service that is friendly and prompt. Louisiana Coin makes shopping for the perfect ring a one of a kind experience with their exclusive "Bridal Bar". Louisiana Coin is also the area's exclusive Kendra Scott retailer.
SCAN TO SHOP
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B 20. WB: Giuseppe’s • Cuban outique Barr is the newest women's clothing boutique in Ruston. They offer the latest on-trend fashions. Boutique Barr is dedicated to "Raising the Barr in Fashion." They are ready to assist you in finding the perfect outfit for all of your holiday occasions and the perfect gifts for the ladies on your list.
SCAN TO SHOP
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L
auren Roebuck Designs specializes in floral design, home decor, lighting, and furniture, and also has an unsurpassed selection of unique holiday and everyday gifts. Too busy to shop in person? Lauren will personally select items for you. From teacher gifts, gifts for the guys, and one of a kind gifts for the difficult to buy for, Lauren and her staff have you covered. They offer wrapping and local delivery. Lauren Roebuck Designs goes above and beyond for all of your holiday decorating and shopping needs. SCAN TO SHOP
21. WB: Glow • Pure Barre
Wish Book
S
ugar and spice and everything nice. Uptown Downtown has all of your holiday goodies, impeccably decorated to impress your family and guests this holiday season. Along with cookies, cakes, dips and a delicious lunch menu, Uptown Downtown can help you check off your holiday shopping list. Uptown Downtown has a fantastic selection of gift items, party supplies, delicious packaged dips and jams. A local favorite is the all exclusive Christmas cookie decorating kits that will have your family ready for Santa.
UPTOWN DOWNTOWN IS ALSO COMING TO BOSSIER CITY IN NOVEMBER! 21
the gift of glam! 22. WB: FIXX MedicalGive • Clark’s
Vertage Boutique has all the latest looks from casual chic to going glam. The ladies at Vertage will help you shop for the fashionistas on your list and help you find the perfect look for all of your holiday celebrations.
SCAN TO SHOP
F
ixx Medical Spa is a local, family-owned business that began in 2005. Since then, they have greatly expanded a repertoire of services and products; offering everything your skin needs to stay glowing and beautiful!
SCAN TO SHOP
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They carry the must-have skincare line, ZO Skin by Zein Obagi. This advanced skincare is based on a philosophy of creating healthy skin as opposed to merely treating disease and damage. FIXX Medical also carries NURAFOL a natural and clinically effective program to promote hair growth and thickness. The experienced team at FIXX Medical provides medical laser treatments, aesthetic services, and PRP Hair Restoration and more. Do something for yourself this holiday season with FIXX Medical.
from 23. Jan’s Optical
y r r e M s a m t s i r Ch
The PERFECT Fit for ANYONE on your List!
We carry over 10,000 eyeglass frames and we fill eyeglass prescriptions from any doctor. Over
300 DESIGNER Brands
Over
60 EXCLUSIVE Designers
@JansOpticalLlc @jansopitical @jansopticalllc jansoptical.com
B
24. Lockhart Ad
uying your engagement ring from Lockhart’s is so much more than just a purchase. It is being a part of our small family.
Allowing a small, locally owned business to be a part of this special moment in your life connects you to generations of love that came before you. It gives you comfort in knowing we will always be here for you.
Come see us for all your jewelry needs and let us help you tell your story.
C R E AT I N G MEMORIES •
SINCE 1960
•
6601 Youree Drive Shreveport, La 71105 318-797-5544 www.lockhartjewelers.com
25. Sheality Ad
S H EALITY She + Reality Here at SHEALITY, we love that each SHE has her own unique style, size & sass. From fashion to home decor & beyond we carry unique clothing & gifts for each & every woman. Located in the heart of the Historic City of Jefferson, our boutique is the place to start your day with a sip & shop while exploring our brick streets. SHEALITY also offers easy online shopping & quick shipping nationwide. Monday - Friday 10:30 am to 5:30 pm | Saturday 10 am to 6 pm 118 N Polk St | Jefferson, Texas • (903) 471.9674 • thesheshackgirls@gmail.com www.sheality.com
she.ality
ShopSheality
26. The United Way
United Way Continues to Support
NORTHWEST LOUISIANA Amidst the Pandemic
I
t is hard to believe that 2020 is finally coming to a close. Traditionally, each year's end is a time of giving and reflecting on our goals for the following year. This year, we anticipate that it will look a little different than we are used to. There is no question that this has been a challenging year for many. Our communities have experienced loss from a pandemic, destruction from several hurricanes, and businesses and organizations have had to create new models to stay afloat. Fundraising and corporate giving have decreased for many organizations this year. United Way is no exception, but nonprofit work has never been more necessary. Many of our longstanding supporters and corporate partners will be unable to participate in this year’s annual United Way fundraising campaign due to layoffs, furloughed employees, economic instability, and more, making it difficult for us to reach our $1.3 million fundraising goal. However, we remain optimistic that our community will come together to provide the resources needed by so many throughout Northwest Louisiana. Since the pandemic, we adapted many of our services and programs to fit our community's most prominent needs. Louisiana 211, United Way’s health and human service hotline, has become a vital resource for individuals seeking COVID-19 information. Since March, United Way has serviced more than 32,500 calls in Northwest Louisiana. In addition, we created the United for NWLA Fund, an emergency assistance fund that has provided over $50,000 to individuals and families affected financially by the pandemic. COVID-19 may be novel this year, but preexisting community issues have not disappeared and have only worsened because of the pandemic. More people are 58 26
experiencing economic strains than they have in many years, and more families are now struggling to make ends meet. These individuals often earn above the Federal Poverty Line but less than the basic cost of living. United Way refers to these people as ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed). ALICE and households in poverty make up 55 percent of Northwest Louisiana households. Over the next two years, the number of ALICE households is projected to increase due to the economic repercussions of COVID-19. ShaDerrical Linnear is just one of the many ALICE individuals in Northwest Louisiana affected financially when the virus swept across the nation in March. Prior to COVID-19, she worked at Subway inside Bossier Parish Community College to provide for herself and her two children. With businesses and schools shutting down, Ms. Linnear's employer was forced to close their doors. She was suddenly and unexpectedly left unemployed. Ms. Linnear also struggles with a lung condition, making her vulnerable amidst the pandemic. She began receiving disconnect notices and could not apply for unemployment, so her mother recommended she call 211. She was directed to the United for NWLA Fund, where she applied for emergency assistance. United Way provided her with utility assistance, so she was able to keep her electricity and water running for her family. Ms. Linnear says, "It was just so much stress off of my shoulders because I really did not know what else I was going
27. The United Way
to do!" Ms. Linnear is just one example of many people across Northwest Louisiana facing similar challenges. United Way of Northwest Louisiana is here to provide resources and emergency relief to those who are struggling, but we can’t do this without your help. While we know this giving season may look a little different than it has in years past, we ask our community to consider what you can do to give back. Families like Ms. Linnear's are often faced with challenging decisions like keeping the lights on or putting food on the table. This year many will struggle to afford the basic necessities needed survive, and some will be additionally burdened with the financial impact of COVID-19 and the effects of the recent hurricanes. If you are looking for a way to give back this giving season, please consider supporting United Way of Northwest Louisiana. In this time of crisis, our programs and services have never been more essential than now. To help Northwest Louisiana recover from this challenging year, donations may be made at unitedwaynwla.org/donate. For more information on how to get involved, contact Carly Koen at carly@unitedwaynwla.org or 318-606-6589.
We hope that you will help your community this giving season by choosing to
LIVE UNITED. WRITTEN BY
DR. BRUCE WILLSON JR., PRESIDENT & CEO
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28. Vertage Ad
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 @vertageclothing @VertageClothing
29. Building Futures Ad
Physical Therapy Speech Therapy Occupational Therapy If you have concerns about your child’s developmental skills please fill out our developmental check list at... buildingfutures.developmentchecklist.com
MONROE
1605 Stubbs Avenue | Monroe, LA (318) 388.8414
R U S TO N
1603 Goodwin Road | Ruston LA (318) 255.7550
Kids Gift Guide 30. Kids Gift Guide
The Power of Play
B
uying gifts for kids can be difficult sometimes, especially if you aren’t the parent of the child. One way I love to decide on a gift is to start with the child’s age then move to their interest or upcoming milestones. This gift guide is meant to be just that - a “guide” in assisting you to find the perfect toy for the child you are buying for this holiday season.
<24
MONTHS
T
2-4
YEARS
WRITTEN BY ANNA CLAIRE PRITCHARD, MOT, LOTR
Anna Claire is a pediatric occupational therapist at Building Futures Pediatric Therapy Center. Her love of occupational therapy began at a young age. She incorporates fun, creative facets as well as holistic approaches to better assist her clients in reaching their goals. She has experience in a variety of settings from a multidisciplinary center for children with Autism and communication disorders to home health and an outpatient clinic for children and adults with a wide variety of diagnoses such as traumatic brain injury, CVA, cerebral palsy, Sensory Processing Disorder and dysgraphia. Her diverse population of patients is one of her favorite aspects of occupational therapy. Due to her innate love for children, she chose Pediatric occupational therapy as her focus. Anna Claire cares for all of her patients on a personal and professional level.
5-7
YEARS
his age is full of growth and development. Toys should allow for exploration and refinement of skills. The dimpl is an affordable gift that will be any parent’s go-to for an easy toy to throw in the diaper bag. An activity cube or bead maze is a great gift option for those learning to sit up, allowing them to work on eye-hand coordination and visualmotor skills. They also make taller activity tables that are a great option for those learning to stand on their own. Do you have a “climber?” The Piklr Triangle is one of my favorites for gross motor development. We purchased ours from Etsy - I love that it offers a folding option for easy storage. They also offer a variety of attachments, such as a rock wall or a slide that are great add ons now or later on down the road. A personalized puzzle will be a classic gift that children and parents will love.
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8-10 YEARS
11-13 YEARS
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2-4
5-7
8-10
11-13
8-10
11-13
31. Kids Gift Guide YEARS
YEARS
YEARS
YEARS
hysical growth slows down during this time and cognitive and language growth takes the front seat. I love toys that allow for imaginative play for this age range. Play kitchens are great basics for any household. Does the child you are buying for already have a play kitchen, what about new accessories like a pizza set or shopping cart? Wobble boards are an open-ended toy great for providing movement inside or a prop for toy cars to roll down - the play options for this toy are endless. At this age children are learning social skills such as turn taking - group games with simple rules are a great way to introduce these skills at home. Zingo! is a fun and educational game - great for the whole family. An easel is another household staple that allows for hours of creativity.
<24
MONTHS
2-4
T
YEARS
5-7
YEARS
YEARS
YEARS
his is the age of growing independence and self-sufficiency. Botley is a screen-free coding system that any little engineer would love. Tap Tap play sets and craft collage sets are great options for the little artists in your life. The movie maker studio set is perfect for the hands-on creative kiddos that you know and love.
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<24
MONTHS
2-4
5-7
8-10
32. Kids Gift Guide YEARS
T
YEARS
YEARS
11-13 YEARS
oys take on a more constructive role with this age group and tend to consist mostly of games and organized play. Lego Dots are great for kids who enjoy creative play - they come in a variety of sets from slap bracelets to pencil holders. Trash Pandas and The Floor is Lava are fun and interactive games that the whole family will grow to love. Kids who love a good challenge and a game of logic are sure to love Gravity Maze.
<24
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2-4
YEARS
5-7
YEARS
ogic and deductive reasoning skills increase during these years. The Air Power Racer Kit is no easy task - great for the pre-teen in your life that loves a good challenge. The Giant Tumbling Tower and Rummikub are sure to be a hit for those who love to have fun with their friends. Go Cubes are the new and improved interactive Rubikâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s cube - it turns a beginner into a pro while keeping a log of stats. It also offers a live battle mode to play online with friends who have Go Cubes.
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8-10 YEARS
11-13 YEARS
the33. GiftKids that Gift KeepsGuide Giving
SUBSCRIPTION BOX LOVEVERY NEWBORN - 3 YEARS
KIWICO 24 MONTHS - 16+ YEARS
PRIME BOOK BOX NEWBORN-2; 3-5; 6-8; 9-12 YEARS
GUIDE DOTS LEVEL 1: LEVEL 2: 4-7 YEARS 8-10 YEARS
BRICK LOOT 6+ YEARS
LITTLE PASSPORTS 3-5; 5-8; 6-10; 7-12; 9+ YEARS
KIDSTIR COOKING KIT 4-14 YEARS
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Keep Smiling 34. Foster Ad (new)
T HIS HOLIDAY SEASON
BOSSIER CITY 4001 Viking Drive Suite A
(318) 747-7020
SHREVEPORT
318 Carroll Street (318) 865-2250
Parents are
always welcome in the back
Wishing your family a safe and healthy
HOLIDAY SEASON
Dr. Susan Chidlow • Dr. Daniel Crawford • Dr. Lauren Wallace • Dr. Shannon Backofen
35. OBGYN Ad Amanda L. Hayes WHNP-BC, MSN
Amanda Hayes is a board-certified Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner who is now a practicing provider at OB/GYN Associates of Shreveport.
Amanda completed her Bachelor of Science in Nursing
I’ve always been interested in women’s health, even from a young age, due to multiple personal things I’ve faced and have overcome. We as women are absolutely amazing individuals and require specialized care for the mind, body, and soul throughout each component of our lifetime. There is a quote by Maya Angelou that has always resonated with me and it is ‘I’m interested in women’s health because I am a woman. I’d be a darn fool not to be on my own side.’ To me that speaks volumes because as women we should be educated about our own health and our own bodies and that is my goal at OB/GYN Associates, to be your educator, your provider, and your guide for each important stage of your life.
at Northwestern State University of Louisiana in 2011. Before becoming a WHNP, Amanda worked as a Registered Nurse in labor and delivery and as a circulator in the operating room. During that time, she received her Master of Science in Nursing degree with a focus in Women's Health from Northwestern State University. She is board certified through the National Certification Corporation, and is a current member of the National Association of Nurse Practitioners in Women's Health, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and is a previous inductee into The Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing.
Amanda comes to us with previous practice experience in a high-volume obstetrics and gynecology clinic. She has extensive knowledge in acute women’s care, contraception, polycystic ovarian syndrome, high risk obstetrics, low risk obstetrics, menopause, irregular menses, postmenopausal bleeding and uterine fibroids.
Amanda is a lifelong resident of Northwest Louisiana and is married to Jared Hayes. They have two children Harper and Wyatt.
When she is not working, she enjoys spending time with her family, friends, being in the outdoors, and enjoying concerts as she is an avid music lover.
OB/GYN Associates of Shreveport
7941 Youree Drive, Shreveport, La 71105 318-797-7941 • www.shreveportobgyn.com facebook.com/ObGynAssociatesOfShreveport
36. Holiday Market WeKids Made
Lemonade WRITTEN BY PAYTON DENNEY
M
y youngest child hates word problems. Rightfully so. They are a disgusting concoction of reading comprehension and arithmetic — two of Cameron’s least favorite subjects. In fact, other than socialization, there’s isn’t much Cam likes about school. Sitting in a chair, bubbling in multiple choice answers is not his idea of fun. Cam loves cars and hunting and power tools. For fun he disassembles his toys and puts them back together the way he deems fit. Admittedly, the new version is usually better. Cam’s been mowing the lawn for years. His 9 year-old, 62-pound frame can crank the blower and the power washer. Upon taking a warm-up target
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practice with his daddy at the deer lease, Cam’s shot hit millimeters away from the bullseye. It was ½ inch closer than Pat’s shot. Pat asked him if he would like to shoot again, to which Cam replied, “What’s the point?” Despite Cameron’s many practical talents, the past few years have been a struggle. We have painfully navigated the challenges of standardized tests and mainstream educational system demands. As we have worked with teachers and health professionals to try to understand Cam’s challenges with school, I have watched my child lose tiny bits of his self-worth. At this pivotal time when Cam is supposed to be gaining confidence about who he is and what he believes about himself, we were losing
ground. Nothing has made me feel more like a failure as a parent than being unable to unlock the vault that is my child’s ability to perform well in school. And then his twin siblings came home with their most recent straight A report cards on the same day that all the toilet paper disappeared. I had ignored the news reports about the virus people had acquired from eating snakes. Surely this couldn’t be a thing, but a small break from school would be welcome in our house. We had been overrun by the demands of modern life. How long could this break possibly last? But more importantly, what were people doing with all that toilet paper? As the days and weeks of quarantine marched on, the people in our house became bored. Everyone, that is, except Cam. He and I share an innate need to create. Every afternoon we took to the yard. As I tinkered around the garden, he built things from the scrap lumber he acquired from taking things apart. While the rest of the world panicked over their mortality and their bank account balances, Cam and I picked blackberries. The bushes we planted the year before were overrun with large, delicious fruit. There was no way we could eat them all, so Cam delivered some to the neighbors. One neighbor
gave him a five-dollar bill. The next day Cam and the neighbor’s kid came to me and said, “We want to set up a farmer’s market in the front yard. You have anything we can sell?” I looked around the yard and shrugged, “Eggs? And blackberries.” Cam, “Anything else?” I looked at my newly sprouted garden, “I could make some fresh herb bunches. Will that work?” Jumping up and down, Cam said, “Yes ma’am! We’re going to go set up.” He sprinted back toward the house and began wagging items down the driveway. I posted a quick blip on social media about the boys setting up in the front yard and went back to pulling weeds. Before I knew it, there was a line of ladies sitting in SUVs waiting on Cam to work his way down to each vehicle. The boys made $65 that day selling stuff from our yard. The markets continued each weekend. Cameron sold berries and eggs until we ran out. Pat began complaining that he didn’t have any eggs to make his breakfast sandwich. Cam needed more inventory. One evening as I was cooking dinner, Cam pointed to a planter box that was sitting on my kitchen island. I had purchased it at an antique shop several years ago. Inside the box were mason jars that I filled with fresh flowers from the backyard. “You know that I could make that.” He stated matter of factly. “All I need is the wood.” Thinking, I responded, “You really need old fence panels to make them look cool.” Cam’s eyes lit up, “Mr. Jeremy down the street just took his fence down! Maybe I could use his.”
As it turns out, Mr. Jeremy is a very nice man. Cam had all the inventory he needed to start his business. Once again, we went to social media. “Cam’s making these boxes. Who wants one?” We were astounded by the response. Ladies were calling me at work to place orders. We were filling boxes as fast as he could make them. Just when we would run out of flowers, it would rain bringing all the flowers we needed to fill orders. When we ran short on jars, UPS would drop off a special delivery from a local “investor.” I would leave for work in the morning and Bath and Body Works bags full of recycled mason jars would be waiting on the front porch when we returned home. People were excited to be part of something positive. They wanted to see Cam succeed. It mended my weary mama heart. Word spread quickly throughout our little community that Cam was having successful markets. Other kids became encouraged and asked to join in on the fun. With each market another kid joined, bringing the wares they had created for sale. The fun was contagious. The customers were happy and so were the kids. As it turns out people value hard work especially when it comes from young people. Summer came to an end, and the kids re-engaged in school activities. We knew the demands of virtual school would be heavy, so we thanked our customers and closed the market. Strangely enough, our customers weren’t prepared for the close. The calls kept coming. “When is the next market? What do you mean ‘closed’?” It quickly became apparent that Cam’s market had become a source of joy for many people—a scarcity in our current world. When the evening news became too difficult to understand and our fear became greater than the answers we could supply, we sat at our kitchen table and created using what we had. In some strange way, that brought hope to a lot of people. It proved the opposite of what many feared -- we already had everything we needed to not only survive but to thrive. All we had to do was learn to pivot, and in our pivoting, we became resilient. Our customers wanted to witness more of that. And so, at the urging of many supporters, we felt that an
37. Kids Holiday Market
“As it turns out people
value hard work especially when it comes from
young people.”
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encore was in order. We began to brainstorm, and again went to social media with an idea. “Does your kid like to create? Does she paint? Build? Cook? Craft? Bake? Or Sew? If so, join us for our Fall Market…” The result was the birth of a 100 percent kiddo owned and operated makers market extravaganza. We named the business Camo Customs, the brainchild of our 4-foot-2, freckle-faced entrepreneur. On a mild September morning, my driveway was teeming with kiddo artisans and their parents showcasing a level of talent and hard work that created a lump in my throat. And while the crafts were impressive, it was the smiles of the people participating that I’ll always remember. People were walking toward our collection of tents pulling babies in wagons. Old friends were embracing as smiles were hidden behind masks. People were happily waiting in line for their turn to survey the
goods. Happiness surrounded that day. Through our creating and connecting we had finally made it to a place of normalcy in this wacky year. We were led by kids. The sun did not go down on that day without us solidifying a date for the next market. As it turns out, it would not be an encore performance. It was just the beginning. As this year comes to a close, I’m grateful. I’m grateful for a new year and a fresh start, but I’m also grateful for the experience and lessons of 2020. We’ve learned that God’s benevolence never ends. We’ve been shown that our value should never be defined by others—only by our maker. We’ve witnessed that we all have something beautiful to offer. We’ve seen that when Come Shop our we stop competing and start Holiday Market embracing each other’s talents, Saturday, November 28 joy resounds. 8 a.m.- Noon Call it what you will, a 452 Hallmark Drive pandemic, a political stunt, a Stonewall, La. hoarding frenzy… I’m calling Like Us on Facebook it a blessing, because in the year 2020, Cam Denney found his self-worth. It was as simple as slowing down long enough to make lemonade.
38. Kids Holiday Market • ½ Geico Ad (pickup)
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39. Hart Design Ad
Lighting & Iron Works 1913 Farmervile Hwy Ruston LA hart-designs.com 318.224.7069
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40. La Coin Ad St. Nick’s
NIGHTCAP
Deck the halls & get into the holiday spirit with St. Nick’s Nightcap.
T
his fun cocktail is sweet and slightly chocolatey with just a hint of peppermint and cinnamon. A dessert cocktail made with vodka, chocolate liqueur, Kahlúa, homemade cinnamon syrup, and heavy cream, all mixed together for a cocktail that is festive and delicious. Garnished with a fun crushed peppermint rim, decadent cinnamon whipped cream, and who could forget a cute chocolate Santa to finish. This Christmas cocktail will surely bring happiness to all who partake. Christmas cocktails are so much fun to make and enjoy. Usually, I steer my parties and get-togethers to lighter fare, but every once in a while I love to create a delicious dessert cocktail to end the night. I named this creation St. Nick’s Nightcap because it’s the perfect cocktail to enjoy while relaxing by the tree, sitting by the fire playing board games, or just watching a good Christmas movie. It’s also a great alternative to a heavy dessert after a much heavier meal (we all know that tends to happen during the holidays). This cocktail is so easy to make. Start with your favorite vodka. I used Yellowfin Vodka (a vodka made in Louisiana) because it is naturally sweeter, being made from Louisiana Cane Sugar. I then added some delicious Godiva Chocolate Liqueur, Kahlúa, and a small serving of homemade cinnamon syrup. (All of the syrups that I use are now available on loulousucre.com.) This cocktail gets its creaminess from a small amount of heavy cream (or use whole milk if you prefer).
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WRITTEN BY SABRINA NEWELL
LOULOU
41. Holiday Cocktails
St. Nick’s Nightcap 2 ounces vodka (I used Yellowfin) 1 ounce chocolate liqueur (I used Godiva) ½ ounce Kahlúa 1 bar spoon of cinnamon syrup 1 ounce heavy cream • Garnish with crushed peppermint for the rim of the martini glass, cinnamon whipped cream, a crushed peppermint stir stick, and a chocolate Santa candy. CINNAMON SYRUP This cinnamon syrup is great in this cocktail and also for rimming your martini glass before the crushed peppermint. 1 cup water 1 cup sugar
• Combine water and sugar in a small saucepan and bring to a boil. Allow the mixture to boil for 3-5 minutes until the syrup begins to thicken. • Turn off the heat and add the cinnamon stick. Allow the cinnamon stick to remain in the syrup until cooled. Remove the cinnamon stick and store in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. (It’s important not to allow the cinnamon stick to boil or the syrup will take on a woody characteristic.) NOTE: If you want to make a much more intense cinnamon syrup, try using a Sous Vide for 2 hours at 145°.
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42. Holiday Cocktails
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Heather Hoffee Kreamer
heatherkreamerrealtor@gmail.com 2323 Old Minden Rd. Suite 100 Bossier City, LA 71112
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44. PDP In Us All! For The GRISWOLD
If you have a little Clark Griswold in you this holiday season, check out these tips from professional Drew Hampton with Southern Magnolia Landscaping on giving your family and your home a real
“FUN, OLD-FASHIONED FAMILY CHRISTMAS.” 1
HAVE A PLAN. Measure your linear footage, evaluate hanging surfaces and locate your power sources. Begin by studying the roofline, gutters, and shingles. Christmas lights can be installed on any of these surfaces, but there are specific materials for each type of surface. It is critical to know the linear footage need before purchasing materials. Determining the type of surface you are applying lights to is also critical. It will determine the type of lights, clips, and sockets to use. Finally, the location of power sources will determine where you can plug in your timer and connect your lights and how much lighting you can install.
2
PROPER MATERIALS MAKE ALL THE DIFFERENCE. Having the appropriate tools, ladders, and materials for each job is critical in being efficient and safe. We use only commercial grade bulbs, socket line, and strands. Quality lights are going to give your home a more 44
professional look. You can find better lights searching online than in local big box stores. If you invest in quality lights, they will continue to work year after year. We purchase lighting for our customers and store them until the following year.
45. DIY Hanging Lights
Generally, you will use c9 or c7 for rooflines and ridges and 5mm mini strands for trees. Large tree wraps (outside wraps) can use c7 or c9s as well. Only use LED bulbs. You will have fewer issues and longer life span with these bulbs. Timers allow lights to come on and turn off without having to worry with plugging in or unplugging. We set our timers in “dusk until dawn mode.” They will come on at sundown and turn off at sunrise. There are many different styles of clips. Choosing the best one for each situation is important to ensure your lights remain in place for the season. 3 PRO TIPS ON WRAPPING TREES. Trees are time consuming so don’t get in a hurry. Start from the bottom and make your way up wrapping. Try to keep your bulb spacing consistent. Gaps will be noticeable. Wrapped trees can make a beautiful, bold impact when done correctly. Remember to practice safety when hanging.
4 SAFETY FIRST! Safety is the most important. Make sure you have the correct equipment, and always have a spotter when using ladders. If you aren’t comfortable getting on your roof, don’t. Call a professional.
Drew Hampton, owner of Southern Magnolia Landscaping, is licensed and insured in professional light hanging. If you want a “wow factor” this holiday season, give them a call to schedule a time for a free quote.
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46. DIY Hanging Lights
s a m t s i r Ch
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47. Drew Hampton/ Southern Magnolia
48. Lauren Roebuck Ad
Deck the Halls WRITTEN BY LAUREN ROBUCK
1. INVEST IN A HIGH-QUALITY ARTIFICIAL TREE: The look and feel of a high quality tree is everything to us as a designer, it makes it look real and it easier to work with… and it lasts way longer than less expensive trees.
2. THE HARD PART - FLUFF AND SHAPE BRANCHES: This is a very important job...If the tree is not shaped and branches pulled apart, then there are “holes” in the tree that make it harder to decorate. This is usually the first step we do, pull apart and bend the branches.
3. PICK A DESIGN THEME: We usually ask the client what design theme they want to do… match the style of their home, traditional red and green, whimsical, formal, fun colors, etc. This is strictly up to the client. Every house we do is different; every client is different, and we want our designs to reflect the client and their home.
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49. Deck The Halls
4. LIGHTS DONE RIGHT: Prelit trees are the
best!!! The higher the light count the better! And the color of the bulbs is very important, you need a “warm” white light, not a “blue” white light
5. TREE TOPPER: This is one of the things that “makes” the tree. We use several different types of “glitter branches” usually 2-3 feet tall. This really adds a nice height to the tree. We decide how big to make it according to how tall the tree is and how tall the ceilings are. We usually start this first.
6. LAYER AND STYLE RIBBONS: We start with a “glitter” or matte garland. This is usually 6 feet long and a type of eucalyptus or bay leaf in the red, lime, gold, or silver color. This fills up the tree very nice and adds so much! We tuck it in and out of the tree to give it depth. Then we add a ribbon in whatever color goes best with the ornaments. We swirl, loop, and twist the ribbon starting at the top of the tree.
7. CLUSTER DÉCOR AND ORNAMENTS IN A SOMEWHAT UNIFORM WAY: We start with the biggest ornament, one type of color, or one type of ornament. Nothing is ever in a straight line. We stagger ornaments so it doesn’t look too “fixed.”
8. TREE PICKS TO FILL IN GAPS: This gives the finished touch to any tree, the “twist” as I like to call it. Every tree needs something sticking out of it to give it life! We use a solid color branch, swirlies, balls, etc., according to what style the tree is.
9. BALANCE THE DECORATIONS: This is a HUGE thing to do. If it is not placed correctly, the tree can look off balance and too “fixed” or “decorated.”
10. THE TREE SKIRT AND WRAPPING PAPER: I like to use a simple tree skirt so it doesn’t stand out or clash with the theme of the tree. And same with the wrapping paper. If it is a very ornate tree, you need simple paper. If it is a fun, whimsical tree, you can use polka dot or fun paper.
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50. Deck The Halls 1. GARLAND AND LIGHTS: Thick prelit garland with long needles and multiple types of greenery is the best, it looks more natural. I love to use a mixed fir and eucalyptus garland. Some clients prefer some garlands with red berries in it also. Depending on how long and big the mantle is is how we determine the design. You can do it symmetrical all the way across or you can do an asymmetrical design. You can swoop it down, or go straight across.
2. We select a “glitter” or matte garland to be woven in next and sometimes a ribbon or a ball garland.
3. SECURE ORNAMENTS:
This is very important so nothing falls. We place them all throughout the garland so it will have depth.
4. HIDE THE PLUGS. 5. HANG THE STOCKINGS WITH CARE: You want your stockings to match your Christmas décor so they blend and not clash. Stockings are one of my favorite things about Christmas! I have several in my home. Some are hand made by my grandmother and are whimsical and fun, so I place those in an area that are fun and go with the décor.
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51. Deck The Halls
1. WHERE TO ADD EXTRA SPARKLE AND SHINE: One of my absolute FAVORITE things is to adorn the chandeliers! Over a dining room table looks so beautiful with garland and mixed greenery with a touch of ornaments. A large chandelier in a living room with tall ceilings looks so cool with long finial type ornaments hanging. It just adds a “twist” to the décor. It seems to finish off the room.
2. Another place is to add Christmas silk florals to the coffee table or side tables. You need something so it pulls the Christmas decorations all throughout the room.
3. Placing apothecary jars on an island filled with different things is a really cute way to display Christmas in the kitchen. I usually do one filled with a layer of peppermints and marshmallows, one with ornaments, one with ribbon, one with red and green M&Ms.
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52. Deck The Halls
| www.laurenroebuck.com | (318) 232.2032 52
Floral Design | Home Decor | Outdoor Decor | Lighting | Holiday Decor
53. Deck The Halls • ½ Magnolia Charter School Ad
4. All the “extra” details really make a huge difference. Whether doing a simple tree and mantle or whether doing the entire house, the details matter! We can give tips on how to make it look like a designer decorated house, it’s all in what is purchased to decorate. The more the better, but not in a gaudy way, in a simple way. When clients come in… I tell them exactly how much of an item to purchase and how to put it up. I love that some people still love to decorate their own house and I am here to help them in any way! We try to make Christmas less stressful and fun! We have a full assortment of the mixed garlands in prelit and unlit, glitter garlands, tons of ornaments in all shapes, sizes and color and lots of different “sticks” to finish off the tree!
If you want the designer look, but don’t have the time to do it yourself, Lauren Roebuck Designs can help. Lauren and her team are available for custom holiday decorating. 318-512-1368 laurenroebuck.com
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54. Rachael Iris Artistry
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55. Brittany Ad
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56. Elf on The Shelf (facebook roundup)
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57. Elf on The Shelf
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58. The Children's Shoppe
Wishing you the
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59. Ivy and Stone
HOME INTERIORS • LIGHTING • FURNITURE RUGS • BEDDING • DECOR GIFTS - BABY • BATH JEWELRY • APPAREL IVY AND STONE RUSTON 2 0 0 0 N o r t h Tr e n t o n S t .
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Wishing you CLEAR
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Happy Holidays from our family to yours!
61. Healing “Hole” in the HolidaysA (odd start) HEALING “HOLE”
in the Holidays WRITTEN BY MOLLY LANCASTER
I
think it goes without saying that planning a holiday celebration is hard work. It comes pre-packaged with pressure, financial obligations, and family dynamics, all wrapped up in a shiny bow of expectation. Throw in a gift basket of guilt and self-doubt, especially when your seasonal plans may look different from years past, and you could end up with a recipe for a Mommy meltdown. Planning a holiday worth celebrating this year will present more than the usual obstacles, and 2020 has served up plenty so far. It is hard for me to even think about festivities, but the calendar suggests that it will be go time before we know it. Don’t go into the holiday feeling as if you have a hole to fill! It has been a rough trip around the sun, to put it mildly, so how can we make this a season worth celebrating? The following suggestions can be incorporated into anyone’s gaiety, but it was written with a particular subset of parents in mind -- those who share custody and may be spending time without children underfoot. But bear in mind that nuclear families, parents dealing with loss, empty nesters, and single revelers can benefit from taking a deep breath and stopping to smell the holly. Everyone celebrates in a different way, so don’t fall prey to the fallacy that there is a right way to rock around the Christmas tree, or make merry by the Menorah. Thanksgiving is the
perfect way to kick off the holiday season, as it is quite literally a holiday about gratitude. In the midst of making your green bean casserole and baking the perfect pumpkin pie, remember to hit the pause button and reflect on the things for which you can give thanks. Do you have your kids this Turkey Day? That in and of itself is a huge reason for gratitude! Particularly in a time when we are encouraged to keep get-togethers small in order to minimize exposure for everyone, gathering your own little turkeys close will make your Thanksgiving happy enough to last you until New Year’s! Encourage them to help you in the kitchen as you prepare for the big feast. Incorporate a new tradition -perhaps you can make new dishes to blend with your old favorites. Kids love consistency, so try to keep some nods to Thanksgivings past as you forge ahead to new and better ones to come. No little ones to sit at the kids’ table this year? No problem! Many people dread the last months of the year due to the expectations and pressure they feel to be extra happy and festive this time of year. If you don’t have any close kin with whom to break bread, formulate a Friends-giving. Gather up those around you that may not have a table to gather around and make it a pressure-free potluck. Give yourself a pass on re-creating the picture-perfect meal and make it your own. 61
Don’t want to cook a turkey for your pals? Have a taco bar! Not a fan of cornbread dressing? Do what my friend’s Italian grandmother always used to do on Thanksgiving and make a lasagna full of love! Surrounding yourself with people, even friends of friends with whom you may not be very well acquainted, will leave your heart as full as your belly. If you are spending a holiday event without the kids that have been the center of gatherings of yore, make sure to send the little ones off with love and encouragement. Juggling different households and traditions is hard on them, too, and they will fare much better knowing that you support the time they spend elsewhere. Is there a favorite treat your child looks forward to all year? Consider making it for them to share with the other side of their family. Is there a special book you share? Send it along! A little grace along with small concessions like these will go far to make the back-and-forth of this busy time smoother and happier for all involved. As hard as it can be to recognize, the more people that love your loved ones, the
62. Healing a “Hole” in the Holidays
better! This is particularly important if your children will be celebrating a holiday tradition that differs from the one recognized in your house. What better way to teach your babies gratitude, joy, and inclusivity than to help them observe new customs? The days between the end of November and the New Year can fly by faster than Santa’s reindeer, so make sure you carve out some time to enjoy them your own way. How do you celebrate when you don’t feel very festive? The first year that I didn’t have my children with me for Christmas was hard. I did not feel like trimming the tree or decking the halls. Seeing happy family social media posts reinforced my sense of 62
isolation, and I developed some serious resentment towards that darned elf on a shelf! I forced myself to go through the motions until the kids left for the big day, and then I actually left town. Spending Christmas morning in the place where the stockings were hung but untouched was unfathomable, so I called my parents and told them that we would converge for some post-December 25th revelry, and I took myself on a trip. Getting a stamp in your passport during Christmas in the time of Covid isn’t likely to happen, but that doesn’t prevent you from hitting the open road. Book a mountain cabin, find an Air BnB in a beach town, or head to the spa and treat yourself to a holiday away from the holidays. It may sound daunting, or even lonely, but people are even more warm and welcoming at this time of year, and you will be pleasantly surprised what a change of scenery can do for your own perspective. If you are not in a position to travel, there are plenty of opportunities to occupy yourself right in your own hometown. It may sound counter-intuitive, but doing for others will do good things for you. Many folks give back during the holidays by giving of their time. Oftentimes, the local soup kitchen or food pantry need an extra helping hand, but if that is not your bag, they always need donations! Now that some Covid restrictions have been lifted, local assistedliving homes afford the chance to share a meal or even enjoy a game of Bingo with residents who might not otherwise have visitors. Our four-legged furry friends need holiday cheer as well. Consider contacting your local animal shelter to see if they need volunteer or supplies for the pets that didn’t find a home this year. Not comfortable mingling and still looking to make a difference? Clean out your closet! A large portion of Louisiana got hit with a double whammy in the form of Hurricanes Laura and Delta and I am sure that many families would be grateful for hand-me-downs. Another no-contact way to bring some joy to those less fortunate is to adopt a kid -- or two, or three! -- from a local “angel tree.” Many professional organizations sponsor gift requests for children in your community that you could fulfill without ever leaving the comfort of your couch. What best recharges your batteries? The holiday hullaballoo can sap your mental and emotional energy under the best of circumstances. When added stressors are at play, you have to make a conscious effort to focus on yourself while you are busy focusing on everyone and everything else. Are you a runner? Take a long jog in the crisp air. Sign up for a virtual race so you can sport your swag and relish in your accomplishment! Feeling crafty? There is no better time than now to break out
63. ½whom to If you don’t haveHealing any close kin •with Pure Barrea Friends-giving. Ad 1 break bread, formulate the glue gun! Does yoga reconnect you with your inner Zen? You know what to do! If you are a reader, buy yourself a new book or download the Libby app and borrow from your local library. Find a quiet, cozy spot to catch up on your reading and relaxing. You will be grateful you did! This cannot be stressed enough, especially at this time of year: A change in your familial status does not invalidate your right to find happiness and gratitude wherever you can. Do not waste your precious time reminiscing about holidays past and viewing them through a rose-colored rearview mirror! Sometimes nostalgia makes you forget the year you burned the turkey or squabbled over assembling the bike that was going under the tree. This year, make new memories and traditions in your own way. Remember that families and holidays come in all shapes and sizes -- just like your great aunt’s fruitcake.
Turkey isn’t only for the third Thursday in November. If your kids are gone for Thanksgiving Day, welcome them home with a pancake/pajama/Christmas movie marathon celebration. Similarly, Santa’s gifts aren’t relegated to Christmas morning -- the tree can stay trimmed until everyone can gather ‘round it to open their goodies together. No matter how you choose to celebrate the upcoming holidays, do it with gratitude and confidence that the best is yet to come. Take a moment to step back, look around, and actually, keenly, REALLY observe your surroundings. Drink in all the love that surrounds you. And if you need a reminder of everything you are lucky to have in your life, make an actual list of all the good things, even it if it’s just not having to actually eat that fruitcake!
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65. Another Broken Egg
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66. The Great Turkey Cook Off (even start)
H
ere in the South, we sometimes ask ourselves, “Pluck ‘Em, Stuff ‘Em or Fry ‘Em? We have so many options on how we could or should cook our Thanksgiving Turkeys. Thanks to our friends at Oh So Delicioso, we have two unbelievably delicious recipes to share with you! Let’s Fry ‘Em and Smoke ‘Em!
The BEST Fried Turkey Life-altering, literally THE BEST fried turkey recipe you will ever eat. Step-by-step instructions, delicious rub and injection marinade recipes included! I may be dramatic sometimes, but I am NOT being dramatic when I say this fried turkey recipe is LIFE CHANGING. I can say that because it seriously changed mine. I had never in my life had a turkey so juicy, flavorful, and delicious until we fried a turkey. No worries folks, I’m going to tell you step-by-step how to make the best fried turkey IN THE WORLD and included is easy but delicious rub and injection.
The BEST Fried Turkey 1 large turkey under 18 lbs 1 injection syringe 3 gallons peanut oil •
• •
•
•
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Thaw your turkey completely, rinse and pat dry. Mix your injection marinade ingredients together and fill syringe. Poke 1 hole and move the needle into different positions as you push out marinade into the turkey. Do this in different parts of the birds, making as little holes as possible with getting the marinade in as much of the bird as possible. Mix the rub spices together and rub all over bird, in cavity and in under skin also. Wrap turkey in cling wrap so it is completely covered and refrigerate 1 hour -24 hours. The longer the better! When ready to fry fill pot with water to first fill line, cover turkey in airtight bag and submerse into water to ensure the water will not over flow when placed in the hot oil. Mark water line. You want the turkey completely submerged in oil. Dry pot and add peanut oil to marked line. Preheat oil to 275. Remove from plastic wrap and pat dry one more time. When oil reaches temp add turkey to bucket and lower using the hanger/ hook. Wear gloves to protect hands and arms from oil splattering. Insert thermometer probe and close lid. Allow oil to heat to 325. Cook until Internal temp of turkey reaches 165 degrees. Remove from oil and let rest for about 20-30 minutes before carving.
Turkey Rub 1 tbsp chili powder 1 tbsp paprika 1 tbsp garlic salt 1 tbsp onion salt 1 tbsp seasoning salt 1 tsp fresh ground pepper
Turkey Injection Marinade 1/4 cup melted butter 1/4 cup oil canola or vegetable 3 tbsp Worcestershire sauce 1/4 cup water 1/2 large lemon fresh, squeezed 1 tsp ground sage 1 tsp dried thyme 1 tsp garlic salt 1 tsp onion salt Prep Time: 1 d Resting time: 20 mins Servings: 22 Calories: 211 kcal Author: @de5arae
67. The Great Turkey Cook Off The PERFECT Smoked Turkey Breast GUYS! You need a to make this smoked turkey breast recipe. Don’t ask questions, just do it! #lifechanging I served this smoked turkey breast turkey
alongside cooked
a
another different
method and it was HANDS DOWN everyone’s favorite. Here’s how you do it, you’ll love how easy it is.
The PERFECT Smoked Turkey Breast 1 large turkey breast 1 injection syringe •
•
Thaw your turkey breast completely, rinse and pat dry. Mix your injection marinade ingredients together and fill syringe. Poke 1 hole and move the needle into different positions as you push out marinade into the turkey. Do this in different parts of the birds, making as little holes as possible with getting the marinade in as much of the bird as possible. Take the soft or melted butter and rub all over the turkey, under the turkey skin and in the cavity. Mix the rub spices together and rub all over bird, in
• •
Turkey Rub 1 tbsp chili powder 1 tbsp paprika 1 tbsp garlic salt 1 tbsp onion salt 1 tsp seasoning salt 1 tsp fresh ground pepper 1/4 cup room temp butter Servings: 12 Calories: 149 kcal Author: @de5arae
cavity and in under skin also. Wrap turkey in cling wrap so it is completely covered and refrigerate 1 hour -24 hours. The longer the better! Preheat smoker to 225 and add turkey, breast side up, to the smoker. Insert probe and close lid. Allow smoker temp to raise 350, but not over. The turkey need to come to an internal temp of 165 degrees. Once internal temp of 165 is reached remove from smoker, and let rest for 20 minutes. Carve and serve!
Turkey Injection Marinade 1/4 cup melted butter 1/4 cup oil 3 tbsp Worcestershire sauce 1/4 cup water 1/2 fresh lemon juiced 1 tsp ground sage 1 tsp dried thyme 1 tsp garlic salt 1 tso onion salt
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68. TheRecipe GreatNotes Turkey Cook Off • ½ Giuseppe’s Ad The Perfect Smoked Turkey Breast
The Best Fried Turkey To calculate how much turkey you will need, plan on 1-1.5 lb’s per person. But remember a typical turkey fryer cannot hold a turkey larger than about 18 lb’s.
Tender, juicy bursting with flavor smoked turkey breast recipe. I used applewood pellets for this smoked turkey, the flavor was great! Double the rub and injection marinade for a WHOLE turkey. Also plan on smoking a turkey about 30 minutes for every lb.
For more mouthwatering recipes please visit our website at www.ohsodelicioso.com @de5arae @kadeemorrison
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76. Ruston Hostess (even start)
Hostess With The Mostess MEETS UPTOWN DOWNTOWN’S
Morgan Garrison Thornhill HOSTESS with the MOSTESS: JESSICA COMEGYS
S
ugar and spice and everything nice... When I walked into Uptown Downtown in the heart of Ruston, LA, I was instantly transported to a simpler time. Greeted first with the aroma of butter and sugar, a bubbly, smiling blonde named Morgan Thornhill welcomed me into her cozy cafe. Uptown Downtown is adorned with beautifully decorated cupcakes, nostalgic cookies, and a delicious lunch menu available for take out or to dine in. Morgan took me into her kitchen
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where I was once again feeling that familiar bakery feeling from my pastry chef days. Everyone busily working on fancy frostings, pastry dough, and the heart-warming smell... Oh, the smell of butter and sugar, did I say that already? Yes, well, the point is: A bakery takes you back to grandma’s kitchen in a way, and Morgan has mastered the time machine. She then showed me some cookie designs that she offers for Christmas and I have to say that I was a little rusty on my decorating skills. Nevertheless, her technique and talent was smooth
and seamless, and I can see why she sells hundreds and hundreds every holiday. After my cookie tutorial, I joined Morgan for coffee and chit chat, then her mom’s signature chicken salad on a fresh croissant. She led me down the path of her journey to becoming a cafe owner, starting with learning to bake at a very young age. She and her mom attended classes and conferences led by some of the world’s most respected cake designers and culinary artists over the years, lending her a knowledge base to perfect her pastry talent.
77. Ruston Hostess
Stepmom to three children, she confessed that most nights she leaves dinner to her husband who is a great cook in his own right. The holidays are a busy time for restaurant owners, especially bakeries. Morgan juggles the long hours like all of us other working moms and dads, “sometimes dinner is pizza,” she laughs. Once over the hustle of filling everyone else’s holiday treat list, she looks forward to spending time with her family at the Christmas Candlelight Service followed by late night snacks and gumbo. Second generation cafe owner Morgan has made her mark on downtown Ruston. Her mother started KaCee’s Sugar and Spice years ago. Once Morgan became owner, she moved the bakery to downtown Ruston and changed the name to encompass all her dreams. Since taking over and turning into something with her own elegance and taste, she is opening her
second location in Bossier City this holiday, definitely something to keep a look out for. On my way back to Shreveport, I couldn’t help but shove a peanut butter chocolate cupcake in my mouth. The flavor was pure bliss. Maybe because I now spend my days eating kale and cashews, or maybe because it was just that good. I think the latter. We asked Morgan for some tips and tricks on cookie decorating, here’s what she had to say:
❉ She uses a buttercream frosting as opposed to the traditional royal icing. Then she showed me how to smooth the frosting with a Viva paper towel to get that perfect flat surface a royal icing would lend. ❉ Always keep your tip clean and only squeeze in your hand the amount of icing you can control. You don’t have to squeeze the whole bag. Practice, practice, practice! ❉ When preparing a buttercream for
decorating, you need to be sure it stays chilled or it won’t be strong enough to hold shape until it sets. ❉ Also use a clear vanilla powder or almond extract, the clear vanilla powder can be found at more craft stores with a bakery section or on Amazon. If you opt for almond, use only a little as it can overpower the flavor.
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78. Ruston Hostess
78
Tips for Decorating 79. Ruston Hostess from the Queen of Cookies!
❉ I like to use #3, #5 (both round tips) ❉ An open star tip, usually #18, ❉ A multi-opening tip (I call it my grass tip), #233 ❉ A basket weave tip #48. ❉ You will also need coupler set. Technically, you don’t have to use a coupler, but it makes it SO easy if you want to change tips while using the same piping bag with the same color frosting.
❉ Piping bags - I usually use 12-inch decorating bags and no more than 3⁄4 full so you can easily hold them in your hand. I also have some piping bag elastic ties to help keep my bags closed. ❉ An angled spatula (also called offset), which is basically my best friend for mixing frosting and filling piping bags. ❉ And don’t forget lots of sprinkles!
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80. KaCee’ RustonDillas Hostess The newest adventure for the mom and daughter due has been the recent opening of KaCee’Dillas Food Truck. KaCee Loe and her fiancé Mike Bentley serve up the most delicious, made-to-order quesadillas and fresh Dole’ Whip in seasonal flavors. Morgan laughs when she tells the story of encouraging her mom to open a quesadilla food truck, “I told her she had to do it. The name “KaCee’Dillas” was just too perfect. Not to mention she really does makes the best quesadillas ever!”.
WRITTEN BY JESSICA COMEGYS
photos at UPTOWN DOWNTOWN Taken By JARRETT WARREN
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83. Donesa Adoption Story
The Gift of a Lifetime BY DONESA WALKER, M.ED. BCCS, OWNER OF LEARNINGRX AND BRAIN TRAIN LEARNING SOLUTIONS
Taylor June
A
mazing mom Holly is no stranger to telling her story and I lived it with her through her Facebook feed for a while and recently through our interconnection at LearningRx. I first met Holly through Cosse & Silmon as she does their marketing and we cross market sometimes as well as refer to each other. Her contagious laughter and sweet smile make her an instant hit with anyone. Taylor June was the baby girl of her heart if not of her body, although you wouldn’t know there is no biology there if you see their pictures. Holly went through a trial and a half taking this little girl from the nightmare of her existence to hope to family. I cannot tell the story nearly
as well as Holly does so I will use her own words. “The way I heard ‘It’s a girl’ was different than most. Hard to believe it will soon be FOUR years since that first picture of our little Tazmanian Devil came through on my phone. She sure rocked our world - I’ve never had to work so hard at anything, but man I am so proud to be her momma. She has come so far - can’t wait to see what this girl does. It’s been one year since the worst day of my life. I was at work when I got a call that we had been expecting. We were waiting on a call to say that the parental rights of Taylor June’s last parents had officially been terminated. (This is something these people WANTED and had set things in motion for this to happen a year earlier. We spoke with them two weeks prior for over an hour and everything was good to move forward with the adoption.) I excitedly answered the phone, greeted our case worker, and asked, ‘How are you doing today?’ Immediately I noticed her voice was not excited or celebratory. ‘Well... I’ve been better Holly. Are you sitting down?’ I laughed nervously and assured her I was. ‘[They] have changed their minds. They’re flying down to get her tomorrow. We are just sick over it and are trying everything to stop it but I just needed to tell...’ “That’s all I remember. The next thing I know 10 minutes had passed and I was outside of our building physically being held up by two coworkers, and with my office manager directly in front of me holding my face in her hands. I finally remember hearing her voice saying, ‘Holly! BREATHE!! Holly! Look at me!’ I remember opening my eyes to her being right in front of 83
84. Adoption Story
me trying everything in her power to get me to stop crying and for my breathing to return to normal. “Our adoption story is CRAZY. The things Taylor June went through and the way she made her way across the country to us is UNBELIEVABLE. When we were told about her, there were no ‘what ifs.’ If we agreed to adopt her, the process would start and it would be done. The probability of it not happening against our will was never a thought. So, unlike most foster- toadopt stories, this type of outcome was never in the back of our heads. This little girl had been my daughter for six months. I had purposely assured her AT LEAST twice a day for four months in a row that she was home FOREVER. I repeatedly promised her I would NEVER let those people hurt her again. I made so many promises that I fully intended to keep and this would completely shatter all of it. I felt certain that after everything she had been through she would never recover from being taken from us and back to where she came from. This was her last chance in many ways. “The fight of our life began. Except here’s the kicker: Our hands were tied. There was nothing we could do (within legal limits) aside from letting our lawyers battle it out... except pray. We didn’t want the kids to know about any of it so I had to put on a happy face with constant tears in my eyes and a lump in my throat. I would look at her and wonder if it would be the last day I got to see her. I would daydream about us attempting to go back to our old life before her, a family of four. I would have nightmares of what she would endure when she returned to the life she lived before us. I would jump up at every car that passed and check out of the window in fear that it would be them coming to ambush us. “So, after I was able to put words into sentences, my coworkers called Lonny to come get me. He asked me what I wanted to do, and the only place I wanted to be was at church. Our pastoral staff met us there and I am forever grateful to them for comforting us and loving us in that time. I sat in the pews that Sunday before that phone call as our pastor preached on spiritual warfare. I could see the angels and demons fighting over this little girl’s life in my mind. I knew it was out of my hands, which terrified me- BUT the advantage 84
to that was that for the first time in my life I put it ALL in HIS hands. “The LORD will fight for you, you need only to be still.” Exodus 14:14 “For the Lord your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory.” Deuteronomy 20:4 “After eight days of anguish, we got the next phone call that I’ll never forget... the call where she again asked me if I was sitting down- except this time her voice was different. This time she couldn’t even wait for me to answer before she exclaimed, ’They gave up! God is so good!’ The story didn’t fully end there - we had many more hiccups and some ‘super fun’ events take place BUT - What Satan intends for harm, The Lord will use for good. He has tried to steal life from my girl numerous times and in many creative ways. I know she has a great destiny over her life, and I know the God of angel armies goes before her and fights her battles. One day she will have the faith to move mountains because she’s seen them be moved before.“ What a difference in Taylor June I see. She is overcoming her learning challenges and behavioral challenges that come from all the stuff that went before. She is becoming Moerer as we all should become More. ‘Tis the season of giving and there is no greater gift than giving of yourself. I am so honored that I know and personally have had a chance to be a small part of the huge gift that I get to share with you today. These stories will make you smile and make you cry. From a room makeover for a sweet little girl to a brain training makeover for a precious young lady, these stories will highlight the moments that these families decided to change their family forever by adoption. This decision changed the lives of these families and their new members forever and they are all richer for taking the chance to BE the difference.
Maddelyn 85. Adoption Story Russell Maddi’s story is one of long-term struggles with behavior and learning as well as with the home life she was given from birth with an incredible ongoing rainbow. My opportunity to meet Maddi was one I was not even aware would have impact upon her. A couple of her foster families brought Maddi in for testing as LearningRx many years ago and I noticed that she was dyslexic as so many undiagnosed children are. This was affecting her learning, which resulted in frustration boiling over into behavior problems. The social worker for Maddi’s case kept noticing that over and over throughout her continuous placements, Maddi was getting tested and having the same report and the repeated behaviors. Diagnosed with a recent health issue which caused her early retirement, Rhonda was feeling a tug on her heart for Maddi. She and her husband Mike were at the age of settling down to a quieter life, but she told Mike that Maddi needed a loving home and she just could not walk away without that happening. Mike said, “So what about us?” and there was the next part of our story. Rhonda and Mike brought Maddi to see me once again, but this time with the purpose of finding a change for this young teen. Maddi blossomed over the next nine months as she was formally adopted
into the Russell family and she trained her brain to conquer the dyslexia and attention issue that had been plaguing her. This year, Maddi is a senior and I have continued to be a small part of her life and watched as this family overcame the struggles of becoming a new family in all the senses of that word which includes the ups/downs that come with life. Maddi, you are the oyster that has made the world around you into a pearl by bearing through the hard times and Rhonda/ Mike, you are heroes of the best kind because in your own words, “We didn’t have a choice. The Lord put her with us in our hearts and we do the best we can.” You did have a choice and you made it. Thank you for changing your life forever and changing my life through Maddi’s journey.
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86. Adoption Story
we think. Tammy and John opened their hearts and home and stepped up to BE the difference. Annaiya came to live with them.
Annaiya Brownfield
In 2018 after some major life-changing decisions, my husband and I decided to attend a different church. This decision brought me into the interwoven story of Annaiya through a former client/friend attending this church with her family. Annaiya’s birth mother has had a lifelong struggle with drugs and alcohol that had left had her in and out of jail and rehab for addictions throughout her children’s lives from birth. In 2019, there were many changes and with the oldest child at 14 in state custody for ongoing juvenile delinquencies, she was arrested leaving her 5-year-old daughter with no one to care for her. My friend Tammy and husband John saw the need in this young child’s life and stepped up. They had been an extraordinary aunt and uncle to so many family and friends’ children, even fostered two children years earlier. But in 18 years of marriage despite years upon years of prayers for a child of their own, they had finally accepted that this was God’s plan for their lives and marriage. God’s plan is different for us than 86
Their home was not ready for an active 5-year-old. This little girl had never even had her own bedroom, not even her own bed, before coming to their home. The legal struggles to get Annaiya a safe home with the Brownfields has taken over 18 months. Tammy said, “God’s hands were open doors that were closed each step of the way.” Just a few months ago, Tammy and John received permanent guardianship. Adoption is the next step in their process. Tammy and John have wanted to give this precious angel her “dream room” but that just simply was not possible with all the legal cost of guardianship and adoption. Again, God opened doors and some people stepped up to BE the change and allowed me to be a part of this family’s lives. Their story is just beginning to merge into a full family with all the intricacies of that dance. The powerful part of this story is they stepped up when the need was there. They decided to be the difference in a child’s life and each one of the family members is growing in the journey. Just days ago, I was able to part of room transformation for Annaiya, along with gifts from LearningExpress Toys and some decorating help from my friend/colleague, Rhonda Waters, and Dalisa Hunt to give her that dream “unicorn” room.
Coleman87. Adoption Story Rounds Being the difference sometimes means they are only with you for a few hours or a few days and it takes a really special someone to do this. Jacqueline Rounds is an amazing example of the fullest heart of caring that I know. The sweet senior has sacrificed her “retirement years” for a life of fullness and joy. Every time I see her face or hear her voice, she is a shining example of going beyond your own ability into that which God blesses you to do. I first met Jacqueline when she came to bring her son to LearningRx for an assessment/consult. She knew that this sweet young man needed more help than the school was able to provide and she was willing to be the difference at a huge sacrifice to herself. That is when I first heard the story of Coleman. Coleman is a joy to be around. He is eager to learn despite his frustrations and Jacqueline shared with me that although she was in her 60s, she knew that someone had to be the difference in her community and in the lives of these little ones. She explained to me how she is a foster parent for kids both short term and long term, especially in the case of Coleman who she ended up adopting. “No child deserves to not have a family,” she told me, “and as long as God gives me breath and I am able, I will be that to whomever he sends my way.” Often when I chat with her, she has an extra child or two in her arms or in sweet cries in the background. Sometimes they are only there experiencing her love for a few hours/days but she truly does spread that love and makes the ultimate sacrifice to be the difference. She recommends that if you want to be the difference, try donating gift cards for clothing to GeauxBags so those that do foster can get the children clothes when needed in middle of night. Adoption or fostering may or may not be for you. I have known some amazing people with incredible stories to tell about them being the permanent difference for a child through adoption and some who have been a temporary foster care. The truth is that I cannot be either right now in my life so I take the opportunity to BE the difference in my life through my business by changing brains one at a time. My staff and I
love to see the light of change come into children’s eyes and even many adults when they finally read for the first time or learn something they have been working to overcome in math or in memory/focus. Brain training is life changing for so many and I am happy it is what I get to do each and every day. The challenge here is the #Bethedifference in your world. If you can foster/adopt, step up and do so. If you can give to someone in need, do so. Ask about being a home for the holidays for a child who has aged out of foster care but has no home to come home to for the holidays. Give to a charitable foundation or resource such as www.topportunities.org designating the funds for a life in your community to be changed through brain training or other resources. Give the gift of learning to a child in your family or community who doesn’t have the funds or needs some extra help. Whatever you choose. #Bethedifference this season for it is why we were created. *LearningRx has gift cards that you can purchase in advance for those in need as well as partnering with VOA to access scholarship funds for those in need such as The Children’s Brain Training Fund at the Community Foundation locally. Additionally, Transformational Opportunities at www.topportunities.org allows you to give anonymously to children/adults in your community to receive services such as LearningRx brain training and receive a tax credit for doing so.
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Trusted providers. 88. Ochsner Ad Unrivaled care.
Welcome OB/GYN Specialists. At Ochsner LSU Health Shreveport – St. Mary Medical Center, we offer unrivaled women’s healthcare, including an experienced team of OB/GYN physicians and nurses providing care for women of all ages — from annual checkups to specialized pregnancy care to menopause treatment. Plus, our new state-of-the-art labor and delivery unit offers all private suites, a Level 3 NICU and in-house lactation consultants.
Featured Providers Kristy Waltman, MD Kristi Michael, MD John Haynes, MD Darrell B. Sandifer, MD Beth Geneux, MD Stephanie Sockrider, MD Aimee Smiley, DNP Latoya Gipson, DNP Holly Johnson, WHNP
We are proud to be expanding our team and welcome the OB/GYN Specialists. To schedule an appointment, call 318-800-4564. One St. Mary Place, Ste. 106 Shreveport, LA 71101
a New Year
89. New Yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Cover Renewed Hope
New Opportunities New Ways to Give and Love Positive Changes Wishing you a blessed 2021
90. Teri Netterville 2020 Recap (even start)
â&#x20AC;&#x153;
AND, YET, SOMETIMES, I GUESS IT TAKES A GLOBAL PANDEMIC TO BRING US TO OUR KNEES
TO REMIND US OF THE AMAZING
privilege and power of prayer. 90
91. Teri
Faith IS A
Powerful TOOL
• KEEPING IT REAL WITH TERI NETTERVILLE •
I
f 2020 has taught us anything, it has taught us that life is fragile; uncertainty is for certain; humans are very complex beings and ultimately, we all need each other for this sovereign world of ours to survive and thrive. It’s true that we, as a nation, have been brought to our knees and shaken to our core in ways none of us could have fathomed before this pandemic hit. But if there is one good thing that can come from being knocked to your knees. It’s the quick and unexpected reminder to use that position for prayer, our greatest privilege and most honorable duty in this world. Sometimes, we forget the importance of prayer in our lives. We forget the power of it. Prayer
connects us to God. It enriches and develops our relationship with Him. Prayer gives us courage during moments of weakness. It gives us strength and direction during times of chaos and strife. It brings us a sense of peace when the world around us seems to lack it. It warms our hearts to those around us and prayer motivates us to do what we feel is God’s will for our lives. And, yet, sometimes, I guess it takes a global pandemic to bring us to our knees to remind us of the amazing privilege and power of prayer. During this time of fear and confusion, we have all experienced a collective struggle unlike anything we have ever experienced before in our lifetime. The good news, however, is that some of life’s greatest lessons are
actually born from trials and tribulations such as this. I once heard an elderly man say something on TV that struck me like a feather. With a slight smile and calm demeanor, he gently said, “It’s a struggle from the womb to the tomb, man.” The truth of his words hung in the air until the oxygen made its way back into my lungs. What he said is so true. Life IS full of struggles. No matter what that struggle looks like, life is full of them and our job is to go through them and, more importantly, to GROW through them. Romans 5:4 tells us that
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92. Teri trials produce perseverance; Perseverance develops character; Character produces hope…and hope does not disappoint because the love of God has been poured into our hearts. In other words, there is a reason for this season of trial in our lives. As we persevere, we will not only become stronger in character, we will become more Godly as people… the people God created us to be. Some of the greatest lessons in life come from our most humbling struggles. The older I get the more I recognize that there can be little growth without struggles. For the evolution of our souls, we must succumb to our pain before moving into the purpose of it. I know that sounds strange, but if you give purpose to something that has caused pain or heartache in your life, then in a way you actually defeat the pain! You are spreading goodness from something unfortunate that happened to you and that transaction can, in itself, bring forth great healing to your own heart and soul. Many of us make the mistake of thinking that our struggles are holding us back, but in reality, it is through the struggle that we are made stronger, wiser and are being better prepared for our role as God’s great advocates for faith and perseverance. We become the respite for others to lean on and to hopefully emulate. I found an old sermon that my grandfather wrote back in the ‘50s, but the message of it has sustained me many times throughout my life, especially when I’ve gone through some of life’s most challenging parts. He wrote in his sermon: "You see, God faced the choice of making the way easy for men....or making man Great... HE CHOSE THE LATTER WAY...He isn't primarily interested in easy ways...but in GREAT men...not in your comfort...security...health or even happiness....BUT IN PRODUCING SOMETHING GREAT IN YOUR SOUL AND MINE WORTHY OF PERPETUALITY BEYOND THE GRAVE...Because, you see, God, TOO, is Faithful ......on His side." Faith is a powerful tool. It can sustain us while prayer propels us.
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Some of the
greatest lessons
in life come from our most humbling
struggles.
I think many of us have questioned why our nation has had to endure such catastrophic changes and painful discourse throughout this life-altering year of 2020. I think it is very normal to have questions, even if we might never receive the answers we are looking for. Questions are a normal and worthwhile part of life. They get our minds thinking and our hearts searching for the resolution our soul so craves. Author Mitch Albom once said something very inspiring that I hope you can draw comfort from in the same way that I did with regard to our questioning life. He said, “It’s not about having the answers in life….it’s about the search for the answers…. choosing to believe in something bigger than yourself that makes the journey of faith so challenging, yet so worthwhile. We share this world…and we can share it well…. And there is nothing quite like different people sharing common ground to fix the ‘holes’ in our lives.” Here’s to us, you guys. May the struggles of now land in the hopechest of faith. And may our hearts yearn and learn how to heal May our attitudes shift to where love resides And may we grow by…Keeping it Real. ;-)
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95. Orangetheory Content MORE
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2019 0102 Orange Theory ad.indd 1
12/19/18 4:21 PM
Written by Amy Papa
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Before joining OTF, I had been exercising at a traditional facility for Another reason I love OTF is that I get a perfect combination between way too long. I was bored and frustrated with the fact that classes I having a personal trainer and participating in group exercise fitness. I Certadesired in restrwere ictioonly ns apoffered ply. $2on 8m inimudays m vaand lueat . Acertain t partitimes. cipatinAgfriend studios am onlynot . Ormotivated angetheoto ry®work andout othalone. er OraInthrive getheooff ry®camaraderie, marks are rwhich egisteIred tr certain U l t i m a t e F i t n e s s G r o u p L L C . © C o p y r i g h t 2 0 1 8 U l t i m a t e F i t n e s s G r o u p L L C a n d i t s a f f i l i a t e s . of mine was already a member of OTF and convinced me to try it out. experience with both my fellow members and the staff. All of the front desk personnel know my name and greet me with a friendly smile. The From the very first class I was addicted! There are many reasons for my love of OTF. First, the workouts are never coaches are well educated in techniques and fitness. They are able to the same. Even though the structure of the class remains consistent with properly demonstrate all of the exercises and quickly correct me if I’m blocks on the treadmill, not using good posture or form. It amazes me how smoothly they are rower, and floor, the able to instruct the different groups, demonstrate exercises, and keep exercises and routines time all while making personal connections with members throughout are tailored to provide a the class! They are always cheering us on to accomplish our goals. They unique experience with even take and post pics on Orangetheory Fitness social media with brag every class. Some days boards when someone in the class meets a personal record or celebrates we are working toward a birthday. building strength, others for endurance or power. I definitely get a total body workout including cardio training in every single class. I consistently burn between 500 and 600 calories! We wear monitors that keep track of our heart rate, calories, and level of exertion, which are displayed on The staff is working extra hard these days with COVID-19. The studio the screens around the has implemented protocols to keep everything clean and safe before, gym. This is so unique during, and after each class which I appreciate. Not a single case has and beneficial because been traced back to the facility. I truly enjoy going to OTF and can see it allows me to have a visual of how vigorous I am working. It also how it positively influences both my mental and physical health. Just provides the coach with great information to help me and other recently my teenage daughter became a member. I am glad that she is members efficiently achieve our fitness goals. beginning to see the benefits of physical exercise and thrilled to get to I also enjoy the events and competitions offered at various times work out alongside her now as well. OTF is for all people of all fitness throughout the year. Hell week is probably the most popular event. It’s levels. Some people are trying to lose weight, some just want cardio held each October and consists of fun and unique but intense workouts. health and others are training for outside athletic events like marathons You complete a certain number of classes and are rewarded with a or obstacle courses. I highly recommend it to anyone that is seeking T-shirt at the end of the week. During the eight-week transformation more life. challenge last year, I lost 10 pounds! Occasionally they even host dress 95
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97. Pure Barre Advertorial Residential & Commercial Sanitizing, Disinfecting & Deodorizing Spray Services.
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98. Dr Karen (even start)
DR. K AREN'S
Favorite Things of
2020 WRITTEN BY DR. KAREN PENDLETON
T
he holiday shopping season is upon us, and Dr. Karen’s list of most-loved products is finally out. This year, I have carefully curated a listography of must-haves based on my lifestyle medicine practice’s 10 tenets. To appreciate why I selected these favorite things, a quick review of the 10 tenets is in order. They include Purpose, Brain Health, Healthy Relationships, Spirituality, Stress Management, Sleep Fitness, Nutrition and Gut Health, Hormonal Balance, Body Movement and Financial Health. I’m sure that my list will speak to supporting some of your purposes. So, come along with me as I guide you through my list. After travelling to Mexico for the 2nd Annual I Am That Woman Retreat, and less than a week later to a medical conference in San Antonio, Texas, I developed upper respiratory symptoms. Immediately, I started taking EZC and knocked out my fever, congestion and sore throat. During this current COVID-19 pandemic, we (family, friends, patients and me) are taking this supplement on a daily basis to support our immune systems.
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In my desire to contribute to the benefit for the brain speaks to mental prevention of heart disease, strokes and clarity. diabetes, and thereby enhancing the quality of life for every man, woman and child, Brain Health is very dear to me. Good brain health starts with “the best” hydration - Electrolyzed Reduced Water. Enagic’s water ionizer was one of the smartest investments that we made for Not all CBD oil is created equal thus, buyer beware! From the gas station CBD oil to reputable companies’ CBD oil, I have discovered in an outstanding CBD oil company, Pure Spectrum. The value of CBD oil rests in its ability to nudge the body back into homeostasis (balance). Give the body what it needs the office. No longer do we need to buy bottled water, filters and the like. To compliment this charged and alkaline Kangen water are two other Brain Health resources...Lifewave’s X39 phototherapy stem cell patches and Pure Spectrum’s CBD oil (a broad spectrum CBD oil...No THC). Backed by clinical studies, multiple and it will heal itself. Brain wise, CBD patents and 10 years of research in the has the potential to contribute to field of stem cell science, the Lifewave lowering anxiety, depression and seizure X39 patch has been demonstrated to activity. I like Pure Spectrum’s CBD provide significant health benefits. The products because they are safe, quality,
FEED YOUR BRAIN at these local eateries
accurate and effective. In addition, the company is the first-ever CBD partner of a U.S. National Governing Body in the Olympic and Paralympic movement, as well as being sanctioned for use by the USA Triathlon Association. Finally, in order to achieve Brain Health, I believe that two actions are important. You must “love your brain” and “feed your brain.” I recommend trying to learn something new every day and participating in brain training at our local LearningRx. This is how you love your brain. Feeding your brain starts with a nutritional strategy that embraces fresh, local, seasonal and nutrient-dense foods. There are several eateries that adhere to my philosophy, and I truly love and respect their contributions to our community - Glow Alchemy Kitchen, We Olive and Wine Bar, Zuzul Coastal Cuisine & El Cabo Verde and India’s Restaurant. Healthy Relationships are a vital component of health and wellness. There is compelling evidence that strong relationships, both personal and professional, contribute to a long, healthy and happy life. My professional relationships revolve around the many patients I have been so honored to guide in their health and wellness transformations over the years. And, of course, I treasure the timeless relationships with my healthcare colleagues, particularly, Dr. Jack Ward. Personal relationships have been very special over my lifetime. I certainly can count my blessings starting with my parents, Dr. Louis and Mrs. Barbara Pendleton, my brother, Dr. Scott Pendleton, and the rest of my relatives. I possess numerous gifts in the form of friendships developed over my 62 years of life. My newest “tribe” are my fellow brand partners in a unique lifestyle fashion company, focused on women of all ages, shapes, and sizes (XS - 3X). This athleisure wear company currently
is in its pre-launch mode, and we are dedicated to helping women discover a way to style the lives they truly desire one of beauty, passion, community and impact. Stress in addition to being itself, is also the cause of itself, and the result of itself. Here is the key to stress management :
99. Dr Karen
STOP • Stop...relax. • Take a breath. • Observe mind & body. • Proceed in the positive. Stress management resources include, again, Enagic (Kangen) water and Pure Spectrum CBD oil. Kangen water reduces oxidative stress (rusting), acidic stress and hydration of stress. Pure Spectrum CBD oil is antiinflammatory and; therefore, lowers systemic/cellular stress. Other stressreducing resources include infrared sauna therapy and sensory deprivation, and hypertonic float pools. Check out My Spa My Way and Float Shreveport.
Needless to say, both Pure Spectrum CBD oil and Lifewave’s X39 stem cell patch play a significant role in sleep and its quality. My most favorite wearable technology is the Oura Ring and the 99
with clean, food grade, nutrient-dense nutraceuticals. The physician-directed company that I deeply respect is Designs for Health. Remember the diet and supplement industry is a $32 billion industry as of 2019, of which the great majority of the products are mediocre at best.
who know my partner Dr. Jack Ward (4time Ironman Finisher) and me, are familiar with our love of the science of Orangetheory Fitness. The first class is complimentary! Try it...bet you’ll like it! For the 10th tenet, Financial Health, my favorite resource is Dave Ramsey‘s Financial Peace University. This product can help you learn to pay off debt, save for emergencies and build wealth.
100. Dr Karen
associated App. Your health starts with sleep. This lightweight, durable and water-resistant ring is packed with infrared LEDs, NTC temperature sensors, an accelerometer and a gyroscope, rendering the most precise and convenient place to capture body measurements, i.e., stages of sleep, heart rate, heart rate variability (HRV), temperature, steps and more. The Oura App summarizes your health data into three meaningful scores that help you harness your body’s potential every day... Sleep, Readiness and Activity. Finally, as an ophthalmologist, I understand the concept of blue light blocking glasses and their positive “life hack” to improve sleep health. Swanwick is the most scientifically proven blue light blocking glasses on the market. FYI: Blue light has a “dark side.” In short, blue light interferes with your sleep in two ways - first by disrupting your body‘s production of sleep-inducing hormones, particularly Melatonin, and second by throwing your body‘s natural circadian rhythm off balance. Moving on to nutrition and gut health, remember featured under brain health were several of our local restaurants offering healthy and delicious fare, along with the foundation of health - water. And, in my opinion going from good, better, best, Enagic‘s Kangen (electrolyzed reduced) water is superior. No matter how diligent you are in your nutritional intake, you cannot get all of your nutrients from your food. Reason - the soils have been so over farmed. The strategy is to supplement 100
As a part of the Mediterranean diet, alcohol, particularly wine, is one of the nine components. I discovered Dry Farm Wines, which is a company that curates the highest quality wines from small family farms around the world. These wines possess the follow principles: › Dry farming (no irrigation) › Naturally or Biodynamically farmed wild native yeast › Lower sulfites (<75 ppm) › Purity (no mold, no industrial additives) › Sugar-free (0 - 0.15 gm per glass) › Lower alcohol (<12.5% alcohol)
For the last 21 years, the only Hormonal Balance therapy I believe in for my patients and myself is Bio Identical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT). Boudreaux’s Specialty Compounding Pharmacy owned by Doug and Jennifer Boudreaux, along with their staff, have been very professional and supportive throughout the years.
As an exercise enthusiast, I enjoy all forms of Body Movement i.e. cardiovascular, weight-bearing/weightresistance and calming. Those of you
The Holidays, of course, aren’t all about what’s wrapped in a bow, but also, the gift of time with Family and Friends!!! Personally, I delight in Christmas Day, after Mass at The Cathedral of St. John Berchmans, a brunch buffet of everything from seasonal fruits and fresh quiche (made with Ewephoria, sheep’s milk cheese) to an oyster casserole dish with free-range eggs and, of course, a salad prepared by Chef Dr. Jack. Our gathering is mellow and fun, and exactly how I want to wind down the year, particularly, this year!!!. This holiday season, I wish you abundance in happiness and health! DISCLAIMER: All of the information found in this article is based on the opinion of the author Karen M. Pendleton, M.D. The information is meant to motivate readers to make their own health decisions after consulting with their own health care providers. All readers should consult a doctor before making a health change, especially those that are related to a specific diagnosis or health condition. No information in this article should be relied on in determining a diet, making a medical diagnosis or determining a treatment for a medical condition. The information in this article is not intended to replace a relationship with a qualified healthcare practitioner and is not intended as medical advice. No information in this article should be used to diagnose, treat, prevent or cure any disease or condition.
From our family to yours, thank you for allowing us to serve this community. Wishing you 101. all health, wealth, and timeHealth to enjoy it this holiday Elite Ad season!
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I have been involved in the fitness industry for over 20 years. My journey into fitness all started as a young child when I struggled with childhood obesity. This condition caused me to struggle a lot with low self-esteem issues. At the age of 14 I began a regular strength training program. This coupled with healthier eating habits helped me to change my physical condition in a positive way. This change had a positive effect on my self-esteem and overall outlook on life. I realized if I could make these changes to my own life, I could certainly help others improve theirs. This began my journey as a fitness professional. I graduated from college with a degree in kinesiology and quickly put my knowledge to work. I used the power of exercise and proper nutrition to make a positive impact on peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s lives. I founded BodyPro 17 years ago with a vision to help people change their physical and mental well-being in a positive way. Along this journey I met my business partner, Lynnette Martin, and I quickly realized we both share the same passion for helping others. We decided to team and form BodyProImpact. Our facility is unique to others in the fact that we invest a great deal into each of our clients helping them to achieve success in their journey to a healthier lifestyle. We take the time to truly get to know our clients and the obstacles they face and often form lifelong friendships with them. Our facility is completely dedicated to helping others make positive lifestyle changes.
- James Hertz
BODYPRO IMPACT
8039 LINE AVENUE SUITE C, SHREVEPORT, LA 71106 James: 318-465-0542 102
Group and gym memberships are available along with private oneon-one personal training.
Lynnette: 318-402-7411
103. Body Pro content
The Glass is Refillable WRITTEN BY LYNNETTE MARTIN
W
rite your story, she said. Writing has never been my forte, and I suppose being vulnerable is likely not either. Everyone’s journey to find their passion starts somewhere. Mine takes me back to sophomore year, and it is as honest a place to start as any. Spring break was fast approaching, and we were supposed to be planning who would be invited to the pool party. Music playlist, check; grocery list, check; what time it would start, check. Instead I was cradled on the floor, in the darkness, next to my best friend. The debilitating migraines that were wreaking havoc on her life had been here for a week now. The multiple doctor appointments brought no relief. The mixed emotions were overpowering me, as I felt helpless and anger toward the doctors for not being able to make her feel like herself again. Selfishly, I also felt a teen’s disappointment that we couldn’t have our celebration next week. You see, the celebration wasn’t really about Spring Break at all, it was about breaking free. This best friend wasn’t just any best friend, she was my mother. We were finally breaking free from her abusive husband. He doesn’t deserve to have his name typed here. But the thought of it stirs every negative emotion and torment I’ve endured in my life. He abused me physically, sexually, and psychologically. To cast him as the epitome of an evil stepfather would be an understatement. I survived the abuse for six long years, and we were finally free from his grips and from the suffering. We were going to celebrate being free from the nightmare that was living with him. Yet here we were…watching my best friend suffer, and seemingly no one, not even me, could do anything to ease her pain. While at her final doctor’s appointment, we got the news. The news that a young, healthy 38-yearold mother, cannot fathom: five brain tumors. Within just four days of receiving the diagnosis, she was in a coma. They ran more tests, two showing she was ultimately
brain dead. Spring Break would never be the same again. March 18th would never be the same again. Every year on that day, I remember holding her hand for the last time, kissing her forehead, and telling her how much I loved her…saying goodbye. I didn’t just lose my best friend that day, I lost my mother. I lost the only true family I had. While we only barely made our escape from her husband, I vowed to never live like we did for the past six years again. I vowed I would never make the same mistakes she made. After she passed, I lived with my aunt and uncle to finish high school. Graduation day arrived and we were literally driving home from the ceremony when my uncle informed me I must either join the army or find a way to pay for college -- either way I had to go. He said I could go live with my Dad in Shreveport, Louisiana. The decision had to be made right that moment. You see, the Social Security checks from my mother’s untimely death ran out. The only family member I was close to was another uncle, and he advised me against joining the army, as he was in the Secret Service and knew more about service than I did. I admired that uncle, so I took his word for it and ruled out the army. I was young, alone, and had no idea how to pay for college, much less live on my own, Shreveport became my graduation trip. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve gotten asked why I would leave California for Shreveport. I often kept it simple and honest, “Oh, my Mom died and my Dad lived here.” Invariably having to add, “Dad died from heart disease, but by now I’ve built up my 103
clientele in my massage therapy and personal training career so well, I just stay.” Deep down I will always have my Sacramento, Sac Town, vibe. Shreveport has become home. My friends have become family, and my passion for the work I do truly brings me the greatest joy. I have worked in many different fields, from insurance sales to the emergency room, and from a law office to hair salons. It’s been a long and winding road, from having been robbed at gunpoint at my very first job in Shreveport, to finally realizing a long dream of owning my own business, in partnership with James. And we decided to go all in, more than doubling our space capacity and employees, and then… COVID. Opening a new gym during the month COVID shut down all gyms, yeah, well that was fun. Through it all, I take solace in the fact that I maintained my focus in all the stress, the let downs, the ever-growing dilemmas, and the mistakes. Keeping that focus has brought me here. That focus has been you. It has been your spouse, your kids, your parents, friends, coworkers, your entire community. Every day my passion that drives me is how can I make a difference in my client’s lives for the better? How can I bring about an awareness of their choices and help prevent them from lying in an ICU and their families having to make the heartbreaking decision of turning a machine off, like I had to do with my mother and father? How can I help them not reach the point of a preventable disease caused by poor life choices? How can I make this one person believe in themself? I could go on and on, for this has also been my journey. I was the one far too embarrassed to step foot in a gym, the low self-esteem paralyzed me in fear.
certainly helped the goal along. Within the first month of training, I was absolutely hooked. I wanted to know everything I could about the sport and within a short time period, I lost over eighty pounds. Going from an uncomfortable size twelve, to a baggy size four was amazing, however I was not happy. I still saw the fat girl with the fun personality. I will always battle with this, but I continue to remind myself where I came from and all I have been through. I hope to use this to help others. I will always strive to put my clients first and help them reach their goals. I absolutely love what I do, and COVID or not, I’m so very proud of BodyPro Impact and look forward to whatever the future holds. We want to use our facilities for community outreach and raise money for Gingerbread House and Children's Miracle Network. My sister died when she was 4 years old. She was special needs, and when she died, my parents didn't receive one medical bill. I raise money every year for our local Children's Miracle Network through Miracle Tour cycle tour as a way to give back. James and I partner with Gingerbread House every year. This year we intend to have charity workout classes and instead of paying for class, we will be adopting several families for Christmas and clients will be asked for items off the sponsored family list. So as you can see this gym is a great tool to give back to the community and bring awareness to those around us that need our help. I feel deep in my heart that God brought me through all these things for a reason so I use my abilities to give back, lift them up, help them see their greatness within, and to see their glass is never half empty or half full, it's always refillable!
104. Body Pro Content
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I emotionally ate and drank, lacking self-discipline or awareness to make a change. I figured I had plenty of time to figure it out later, until one day my largest pair of jeans weren’t large enough any longer. Post pity party, i decided to make some changes. My coworker convinced me to start running, which I, like many, despise. Years later, for what it’s worth, I have yet to find that “runner’s high” they speak of. Instead, I found some random fad diet and started watching what I ate. I lost some weight, but after a few years I gained back about half of what I lost. I ultimately decided to find a personal trainer and set a goal to keep myself accountable. I told myself I wanted to do a triathlon, which seemed out of reach, and exactly the point. However, being a bit of a fearless adventure junkie
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THE KEY IS USING YOUR PAIN AS FUEL TO DRIVE YOUR SUCCESS. 106. Weight Know More
g n i s Drfroem the
t u O Inside WRITTEN BY FELECIA WILLIAMS | OWNER OF MY SPA MY WAY
A
million-dollar question: What is the secret to success? No longer is the answer your bank balance, job title, social status, or a mere object. Success is how one views themselves, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the valleys traveled to get to the top -- the bruises from falling every time you begin to run this race called life. Success is a priceless feeling or emotion one waits to feel at least once in a lifetime. Everyone seems to be looking and waiting for this one key ingredient to succeed. The truth is to determine your success, you
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must know what you consider success to be. Many confuse success for one as success for all. Financial means, career achievement, real estate acquisitions or even romantic love interests. But regardless of the feat, the path to get there is different for us all, and the outcome is measured in many different ways. As a young African-American woman growing up in the south in the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;70s, i knew early what a strong African-American woman looked like. and to me, success was all about how you felt, not
107. Dressing From the Inside Out
THE KEY IS NOT IN SET TING THE GOAL, BUT NOT STOPPING IF THE GOAL ISN’T ACHIEVED. what you had. My grandmother, a woman with four children in an abusive relationship, walked away to start over. Afraid and alone, she endured with a strength she didn’t know she had and never looked back. She worked numerous jobs, made sure all four children went to college and even helped raise my sister and me when both my parent’s careers become too demanding. She was what I thought a superhero looked like. She wore a cape every day of my life. Today, my mother shows me that a woman with a loud voice, strong opinions and a seat at the table does not have to settle for only being invited to the party. She can host with the best of them. Mom, I know many of your accomplishments have gone unnoticed, but you never stop achieving great things. You have taught me the respect of the position and the accomplishment outweighs the thank yous any day. You’ve shown me that it’s not about the change you make today but the changes you are able to leave for tomorrow that define the success for which so many thirst and hunger. Successful people are masters of many traits, including hard work, sacrifice, determination, and perseverance to stand
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even when they feel t hems elves sinking. Life is always going to be like quicksand. The strategy is knowing when to stand, when to move, and when to go under to prepare to remerge for the next fight. There is no magic pill or formula to success. There isn’t one key. There are many. The key is found in your grind, in your hustle. The key is found when you believe in yourself. The key is believing in yourself when no one else does. No matter how many Ted talks, self-help books and empowerment speakers we listen to, it all leads back to self. The key is sacrificing your today for a better tomorrow. The key is stepping outside of your comfort zone and pushing yourself past perceived limitations. Your success is never measured or weighted against another. The key is using your pain as fuel to drive your success. The key is not in setting the goals but not stopping if the goal isn’t achieved. Being afraid to fail is the key to not succeeding. One must realize there is no such thing as failure, just another chance to succeed. Stop allowing others to place their expectations for success on your life. Mom, dad, significant other, teachers, and preachers all have their view of you, just continue to look through your own lens. The key is in your vision and being able to see even when you can see no way out. Even today when so much is unknown, the answer to this critical question remains unchanged. Who should i vote for? Should i wear a mask or not? Who is telling me the truth - the politicians or the scientists? Should i close my business or prepare to expand? All of these are difficult questions, but that doesn’t mean the answer to the overall question should or will change. What is the key to success? Resoundingly and without doubt, I say… You are.
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108. Dressing from the Inside Out - voted #1 weight loss clinic - A+ rating BBB - Over 33 years helping the Arlatex and Arklamiss lose weight and keep it off - 2 locations to serve you in North La
WE REALLY ARE THE LAST PROGRAM YOU’LL EVER NEED. There is NO liquid diet, NO pre-packaged meals and NO contract. We supply: Grocery list • Motivational DVD • Daily Menus • Physicians on site daily • 2 locations to serve you in Louisiana
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SHREVEPORT
MONROE
1953 E. 70th St., Suite 7 Shreveport, LA 71105 (318) 798-0323
1500 Royal Ave. Monroe, LA 71201 (318) 388-3534
weightKnoWmore.com
IT’S TIME TO TAKE CARE OF YOU!
109. Brad Bennett Ad (pickup)
The new year is the absolute best time to reset and focus on the things that are truly important in life. Your health, now more than ever, should be a top priority! Exercise combats poor health, increases energy, helps manage stress, and promotes better sleep. Finding an exercise routine that you enjoy and that works in your schedule is key to sticking with it. PURE BARRE IS FOR EVERY BODY. If you can hold onto the barre, you can take a Pure Barre class! Pure Barre is for anyone who wants to become stronger and healthier in a welcoming, supportive community. WHY IS OUR TECHNIQUE SO EFFECTIVE? Pure Barre features three group class formats that deliver an effective total body workout focused on low-impact, high intensity movements that lift and tone muscles and improve strength, agility, and flexibility. Our entire team is highly trained, and we work hard to get to know you and help in your fitness journey.
YOU CAN FIT IT IN. You will not have trouble finding a class that works in your schedule. We have 37 classes every week, 7 days a week. Weekday classes start as early as 5:30 a.m. and as late as 6:45 p.m. with a minimum of 6 classes on the weekends. Classes are less than an hour, and they start and end on time. You can do this! WE WILL KEEP YOU COMING BACK. Our studio is FUN! We have ongoing fitness challenges, local pop-up classes and special themed events to keep you motivated and keep you coming back for more.
We hope to see you at the barre! Leigh Bowman & Ginger Lukacs Co-Owners, Pure Barre Shreveport GET STARTED! Our free Foundations class is the perfect introduction for beginners to Pure Barre and our barre technique.
Call the studio or visit our website to get started:
(318) 588-6903 • purebarre.com
The110. 1959 Sugar Bowl McCarys Content •
T
Blast from the Past •
he date is New Year’s Day, 1959. The place is New Orleans, at what was then Tulane Stadium. Football fans from all over are gathering for the 25th Annual Sugar Bowl Classic Game to watch a showdown between two teams: the LSU Tigers and the North Carolina Clemson Tigers. At the time, LSU was the top-ranked college football team in the nation, with Clemson coming up as the 12th ranked. Still, Clemson was determined to try knocking LSU down off their pedestal. The game was a truly thrilling one as the LSU Tigers came in for the win with a score in the third quarter and secured the title as winners of the 1959 Sugar Bowl. To make the game more memorable and to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Sugar Bowl, it was decided that a traditional court would be held. The court consisted of a maid to represent all of the football teams that had ever played in past Sugar Bowls. Before the start of the LSU versus Clemson game, all of the maids toured around the stadium in convertibles to wave to the gathering crowds. They then assembled on the field as the President of the
New Orleans Mid-Winter Sports Association crowned the queen. Of course, 1959 might feel like a lifetime ago to some people. Indeed, it was a different time period where events such as the Sugar Bowl were not as well documented as in this age with technology. That is why it is not hard for one to imagine Brenda Pettit’s surprise upon walking into McCary’s Jewelers one day to see a blast from her past. McCary’s Jewelers, now located on Fern Loop, have been a staple in Shreveport for over 75 years since their opening in the 1940s. Having been around for so long, the shop is a favorite of long-time Shreveport resident Brenda Pettit. So upon heading into McCary’s for some casual perusal and glancing at their latest display window, Brenda was shocked to see an original 25th Annual Sugar Bowl program
Brenda Pettit’s chance encounter with a treasured memory at McCary’s Jewelry
showcased there. After asking to take a closer look at the program, Brenda discovered that it included her own picture from back in 1959, as she had served as a maid on that very court. “I was so excited when I saw that program, I hadn’t seen it in maybe 60 years,” she commented, not knowing where her own program had gone to after all that time had passed. “And of course that wasn’t the day where you had a phone with a camera on it, so there are no pictures of all that went on.” Originally from New Orleans, Brenda had been going to Sugar Bowl games with her father since childhood. Although Brenda attended LSU for college – where she majored in chemistry, physics, and microbiology – she was well acquainted with some of the students at Texas A&M. Being that
WRITTEN BY ROSE MCMASTER • PHOTOGRAPHY BY BRITTANY STRICKLAND
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111. McCarys Content
Texas A&M had won the 1940s Sugar Bowl and needed a stand-in for the court at that 25th Anniversary, Brenda was chosen to represent the school as a maid to the crowned queen. The vivid memory of driving past Tulane Stadium and hearing the cheers of the fans still remains fresh in her mind. “I remember riding around in the convertible and having people yell ‘Hey Brenda!’ so I thought they all knew me. When, no, they had just read my name off the car,” she recounted, laughing. After graduating from LSU, Brenda married and relocated to Shreveport. She now spends her days surrounded by her children, seven grandchildren, and one great grandchild with two more soon to come! To no one’s surprise, Brenda and her family remain big fans of the LSU Tigers football team. The school holds a special place in her heart not only because it is where she attended and graduated from, but because both of her sisters and three of her four children attended it as well. She still watches each LSU football game to this day and has stuck with the team for every high and low. It is rare to find such documentation from events in that time, and it is certainly not every day that you stumble across a little piece of your own history like Brenda did when walking into McCary’s that fateful day. Although Brenda was given a pendant for the 25th Sugar Bowl, she does not have any other mementos to remember the fun-filled period, so seeing her picture again was a delight indeed. Being brought back to that crisp New Year’s Day with the excitement of the game, the cheering of the crowd, and the celebration of the sport she loves is something Brenda is sure to treasure for years to come. 111
112. McCarys ad
113. Boutique HapBarr py Ad
s y a d i l o H
120 West Park Ave. Ruston â&#x20AC;¢ 318-224-9016
114. Artist Feature Myron (even start)
WEDDING
T
ucked away on a quiet street, in an unassuming home in Spring Lake, Josh and Concetta Chevalier were running around like folks possessed! Both work full time, he as a lawyer, she as a Realtor. They had just purchased a new home, made much-needed updates and were wanting our help with furniture, art, and accessories for their newly renovated space. Oh, they were also planning a wedding during a pandemic! Needless to say, life was a bit hectic. Entering the home, we were introduced to a newly
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installed black-and-white marble floor with concentric squares. This was a bold (and very tasteful) choice so I immediately knew we could get a little funky with their place. Concetta wanted an â&#x20AC;&#x153;adultâ&#x20AC;? but, youthful environment. Their color palette of navy and white had already been painted, so we basically had a blank canvas in which to work. We like to spend some alone time in each home to get a better feel of how the rooms should be laid out. The spacious living room gave us ample room for two
115. Artist Feature Myron
BLUES
WRITTEN BY MYRON GRIFFING
dueling sofas capped with flanking chairs. We used some of their existing items such as side tables and accessories to finish off the space. It’s always better to start any home interior project by finding the larger pieces, then building the rest of the room around those. We found a gorgeous, striated navy velvet fabric for our sofas and the rest of the items just fell into place. Our secondary color for the room was varying shades of Chartreuse. Oddly, this super vivid color works perfectly with Navy. One of the most important aspects of my job is
finding pieces which fit individual tastes. Items have to be curated and tailored to each client’s style and fortunately, the Chevaliers were not afraid of a little “funky.” Nowhere is this more obvious than a set of goldleafed “scarab” and “stag” beetles in a scrollwork print. I saw them at a store in Tyler, Texas, and immediately knew we HAD to have them! We paired them with two organic, brain-like lamps sitting atop a 6-foot polished brass console and I absolutely love it! A monolithic brass cube coffee table centers the space nicely. We also
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116. Artist Feature Myron
added a gorgeous Asian-inspired wallpaper to the foyer. It has just the right amount to navy to carry the palette but also has black, white and gold to work with the new floor. I love mixing older and newer pieces. This blending gives your room a collected and not just purchased look. It is also timeless due to the differing decades the items originated. We were able to get all of our items placed within a week of the wedding and we all breathed a sigh of relief. Congratulations to the newlyweds as they start their new lives together in a home which truly has, something old, something new, something borrowed and something (navy) blue!
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117. Myron 4th page
Myron Griffing and Elizabeth Bowen with Space:Interiors
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UPCOMING EVENTS 118. C and C
VISIT US AT OUR NEW DOWNTOWN LOCATION!
1110 Texas Ave. Shreveport, LA 71101
Monday-Friday 10-5 Saturday 10-2
318.424.4406
ccmercantileshreveport.com
10 am - 2 pm every Saturday.
Local artists and craftsmen, 1 local food vendor each Saturday, & holiday shopping
119. Sisters Youtube (odd start)
The Birch Sister Bond
T
he dynamic sister duo, Victoria and Alexandra Birch, both charming and colorful, may be different in many ways but their roots are firmly founded in the same garden. Victoria and Alexandra were born and raised in Ruston but have extended a reach far beyond their small town. This magnetic pair is one that will immediately steal your heart as it has hundreds of thousands of adoring followers around the world.
Sisters are different flowers from the same garden ~ unknown Victoria, the older sister by four years, shares her time between Virginia and Louisiana. Her husband, Ben, serves in the Navy and is stationed at Fort Polk. When Ben is off to sea, Victoria is off to Louisiana! She flies back home to work on filming and to be with Alexandra. Splitting time between Louisiana and Virginia has been a bit trying but being with both her husband and her
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120. Sisters Youtube
family in Louisiana makes the travel worth wild. Victoria began filming videos in veterinary school when her mom, Kim, noticed Victoria was a natural behind the camera. Kim suggested doing a video to raise awareness for Williams Syndrome. The video quickly went viral. Victoria gained a sizeable following with her quick witted, fun personality and impeccable style. When her sister, Alexandra, appeared with her first cameo in Victoria’s videos the duo became an immediate hit.
Alexandra, the little sister, was diagnoses with Williams Syndrome at the age of one. The Birch family began noticing Alexandra had different characteristics at birth. Although initially taken back, the diagnoses did not come as a huge surprise. Williams syndrome (WS) is a genetic condition that is present at birth and can affect anyone. It is characterized by medical problems, including cardiovascular disease, developmental delays, and learning challenges. These often occur side by side with striking verbal abilities, highly social personalities, and an affinity for music. In other words, Williams Syndrome is a condition that can cause medical complications, but also
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makes you friendly and fantastic! Her charisma and love for life is beyond contagious. Victoria says, “Alexandra is not great at keeping a secret”. Alexandra says that she simply, “tells it like it is”. Alexandra is abundantly honest, loves a big hug, and radiates pure goodness. Both Victoria and Alexandra have faced their fair share of challenges. The Birch family decided to homeschool when Alexandra was in elementary school. It was difficult for her to establish friendships as a child. Lucky for Alexandra, she had a built-in best friend at home with Victoria. The family decided years ago to focus on the positive aspects of Williams Syndrome and embrace the many daily blessings it was sure to bring. Some families may find a rare diagnosis such as Williams Syndrome difficult to talk about, but The Birch family have always been open and honest. They are about as close knit as can be and the definition of “what you see is what you get”. Victoria has suffered from anxiety & depression and Alexandra has always been her
biggest support. You will rarely find one without the other.
Syndrome Association (WSA). The WSA provides support
Victoria says “It’s kind of hard to be down when you have
and awareness of Williams Syndrome to families like The
such a loving soul around you all the time. I love her innocent
Birch family. Alexandra has thrived in building relationships
and positive outlook on life. She’s definitely my emotional
with others like herself through the WSA. Proceeds from Birch
121. Sisters Youtube • ½ Ryder’s Carpet Cleaning ad
support human”. The
Merch have been a way
Birch family takes in
for the family to give
all in stride. They find
back.
something to be happy
If ever in need of a
about every day, then
good dose of human
wrap it up with true
happiness, do yourself a
sincerity and a whole lot
favor and check out their
of laughter.
youtube channel. These
Victoria
and
Alexandra’s
videos
two keep their giggling with
The
sister-
like” interactions and
have gained so much attention,
“normal
win hearts with their
Birch
Family name has become a brand of it’s own. Birch Merch
unbreakable bond. Currently Victoria and Alexandra have
is a collection of t-shirts, magnets, stickers, and hoodies
social reach following of over 300k.Together they encourage
with a fun boho style. You can get your own Birch Merch at
their followers to embrace what makes them different and
birchfamilyllc.com. A portion of sales benefit the William’s
always reminding them to stay weird! PHOTOGRAPHY BY HENRY MCCOY
Welcome your loved ones into a
CLEAN and HEALTHY home this
Holiday Season
Call Patrick Young (318) 532.0534 • COMMERCIAL / RESIDENTIAL • FLOOD RESTORATION • PET DAMAGE REPAIR • CARPET REPAIR • CERAMIC TILE CLEANING • UPHOLSTERY CLEANING • SMOKE/PET/OZONE ODOR TREATMENT
Truck Mount Cleaning - Professional Service 121
122. Loyola Ad
Sponsored by the Loyola Parents Association A special thank you to our Chairmen: Aimee Ballard, Joanna Kelly and Laura Gooszen 122
68th Annual Loyola Style 123. Loyola Content DATE Show Presents Wednesday Viva Las Vegas The style show is sponsored by the Loyola Parents Association, and will honor 92 graduating seniors who will model clothing provided by local vendors including, but not limited to: M Boutique, LE and Chalk, Paper Tulip, Pattons, Vertage’, John Pickens and Jac.
February 10, 2021
LOCATION Bossier Civic Center
620 Benton Road Bossier City, LA 71111
TIME Doors Open at 10:30 am
Show Begins at 11:30 am
TICKETS General admission go on sale January 4, 2020
(per COVID mandate capacity limits at time of event-TBA)
COST
Advance: $45 via
lcpstyleshow2020.eventbrite.com
Day of Show: $50 at the door
Shaver’s Catering will serve a delicious meal included in the ticket price. COVID mandate criteria will be followed to keep all involved and present safe.
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124. Cuban
125. Cedar Town
North Louisiana’s
MUST-ATTEND EVENTS
126. Events (add McCary’s event)
126
Come Shop our
Holiday Market Saturday, November 28 8 a.m.- Noon 452 Hallmark Drive Stonewall, La. Like Us on Facebook
10 am - 2 pm every Saturday. Local artists and craftsmen, 1 local food vendor each Saturday, & holiday shopping
127. Infertility ad
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128. Love and Light Small acts, when multiplied by millions of people, can transform the world. - Howard Zinn
D
o you remember the last time you received an unexpected compliment? How did it make you feel? Did it make an impression on you? When I consider the different types of impressions we make on people, there are none more powerful than when you do something unexpected to show people kindness. When you take the time to surprise people with compassion and love, you make them feel noticed and appreciated. You will also benefit because there is joy in unselfish acts when you give yourself or your resources. In 2020, Lola Magazine wants to challenge you to be better, be kinder and develop habits that may enhance the daily lives of others. Try implementing these eight ideas over the next couple months and let us know how it makes you feel. We know times have changed recently and we are unable to extend a hug or a high five. We encourage you to take this time to really soak in your family and dig deep to find the things in your life that are really important. From all of us at Lola Magazine: We wish you and your family Love, Peace and a Holiday filled with gratitude, Joy and new beginnings. 128
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Think about how many Holiday Seasons you have experienced. Everyday is a gift! Be happy youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re alive! Notice the changing o f seasons. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a time of transition and growth. Learn to embrace change.
PRAY
4
Eat foods that make your soul feel good and feel shameless about it!
Offer blessings before meals.
Buy a stranger a random gift.
6 8
Bake cookies for your neighbor.
LOVE YOURSELF!