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February 2016

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vip magazine c o n t e n t s

Editorial Specialty Publications Manager shelly Vitanza 409.838.2849

inside february

Editor beth gallaspy Fashion Editor tammy crutchfield

features 6

The Arrow that Cupid Shot

Designer therÉse shearer

Southeast Texas couples look back on how their love began and how they keep the flames of romance burning

Contributing Writers debbie bridgeman Tim Collins Stacie Jannise Jane McBride Gary Outenreath Cheryl Rose micah shanks helen sohlinger elaine wikstrom

10 social exercise

Join the toe-tapping fun and dance in 2016

14 Mickey Bound?

Proper planning to get you from mayhem to the magic of Disney

food&entertainment

16 No Beans About It

We Love Chili 19 Libation: Thai Tini

fashion&trends

22 A Round of Red

25 New York to

for Everyone

the Neches: LBD

home&garden

26 Spring into Planning 28 Musical Home Still

a Sound Structure

art&culture

32 That Bayou Beat Plays On 34 Troppy Wax Not Waning 36 Words to Sing By 38 Things We Love

people&places

40 Sisters, Bundt

43 The Next Step for

Businesswomen, Too

Beaumont’s Cajun, Vietnamese White Girl 46 Southeast Texas Gems & Their Seasonal Bling 50 Totally Social 58 Last Word: Navigating Love

Photography scott eslinger john fulbright Multi Media Coordinator Tina Breland Advertising To advertise in VIP 409.880.0700 Contact Us VIP of Southeast Texas 380 Main Street | Beaumont, TX 77701 to subscribe PLEASE call 409.838.2821 or subscribe online at www.thevipmag.com to display the magazine at your business location, please call 409.838.2821 submissions to submit an event, organization or person for consideration in an upcoming issue, submit online at www.thevipmag.com or by usps at address above.

A Division of The Beaumont Enterprise The biggest name in Southeast Texas news! Publisher MARK ADKINS JOIN US ON FACEBOOK! www.facebook.com/thevipmag

on the cover Meet the Mabrys. Lacey is a nurse who loves reality television and shopping and spending money. Mark is an engineer, who likes saving money and watching anything but reality television. Differences aside, they share a passionate love affair. Read their love story and the stories of two other red hot Southeast Texas couples, page 6. Photo by Emily Lockard Photography Photos of Julie Lee’s home in the January VIP magazine should have been credited to Scott Eslinger.

Pastor Rodney L. Graves and Lady Ava Y. Graves

vip feature

Both are from Houston. Occupation: Rodney, pastor of McCabe Roberts Avenue UMC Beaumont; Ava, chaplain of Buckner Hospice Beaumont Number of Children: Eight amazing godchildren

How long have you been married? 19 wonderful years on Feb. 8 How did you meet? Ava: Over the telephone via mutual friends. He was a referral for my supplement business. Rodney: I was living in Richmond, Virginia, and Ava lived in Houston. We talked on the phone for seven days and then committed to marriage sight unseen. This was before internet dating, Facetime, Skype, etc. When did you know he/she was the one? Ava: The first time I heard his voice on my answering machine. He left a message and after writing down his message, the Lord said that he would be my husband. This was April 15, 1996. We talked later that day. I never mentioned what God said to me. I was led to be silent and let him come to me. Rodney: As our conversation came to a close on April 15, 1996, she asked if we could close in prayer. I had never experienced anything like that nor had I ever initiated that, so it was unique and piqued my interest. During the next seven days, I shared my shame about being a “closet tobacco-smoker,” and she was very understanding about a struggle that I tried to keep hidden. The freedom to share this really made me feel safe. Over the seven days, I felt the prompting of the Holy Spirit saying, “She is the one.” It felt crazy, but it seemed so real and so right. On April 22, 1996, I shared it with her, and we committed to get married sight unseen. This date just happened to be the birthday of the person who introduced us. Ava asked what took me so long. She then said that she knew from the beginning and was led to wait on me. Extra bonus, I have been tobacco free for more than 19 years. Name three ways you are the same. Ava: We love God. We love family! We love people! Rodney: Spiritually grounded. Goal oriented. Family centered and community minded. Name three ways you are completely different? Ava: Although we both love people, I get energized and inspired being around people, and he gets energized and inspired in solitude. I am spontaneous; he is more structured. Rodney: I agree. The third way we are different is in our style. I am classic and conservative. Ava’s style is classic and trendy. Share how you work around your differences? Rodney: I attempt to sense when Ava needs for us to be around people and accommodate that need. My goal is to do so without allowing it to appear as if I am making a major sacrifice; sometimes I am not making a major sacrifice and sometimes I am. The spontaneous/structured dynamic of our relationship requires me to sometimes stretch beyond my comfort level or my desires; sometimes I can and sometimes I can’t. I believe that we recognize that some things will not always be so easily managed, but we seek to prioritize the relationship over a by shelly vitanza particular need. Dress style: she does her creative fashion style, and I often admire it and even embrace it. Sometimes I just recognize that it’s her thing, and it’s beautiful just because I love her. On my dress assion. Romantic love, physical desire and long-term attachment is what we all want in life, to find that one style, I remain classic and conservative, and sometimes she spruces it up and gives me some flair, and I appreciate her touch (I get more person who makes us feel special, alive, completed. compliments when she adds her fashion sense, so it’s worth it). Science tells us we are born to love, and our acAva: I think he summarized it well. In turn I do pay attention to his tions prove it. Consider the online dating industry. need for solitude. Last year in the U.S. more than $1.7 billion was What constitutes a perfect date? spent by approximately 54 million men and women Rodney: Great laughter, good nature scenes, good food, romantic looking for true love over the Internet. environment offering the possibility to dance and talk and sometimes No other topic is the subject of as many songs, poems, novels, with close friends. dramas and sitcoms as love, perhaps not just because it’s what we all Ava: Again my Boo nailed it. Anywhere my darling is. Being intenseek but also because it is perceived as elusive. tional about spending time with each other constitutes a perfect date But how hard is true love, passion and long-term attachment to for me. It could be watching our new favorite show Blackish, which find and keep, especially in small town U.S.A., the likes of Beauwe record so we can watch together, or it could be a night of Scrabble mont, Orange, Port Arthur and our surrounding areas? We decided to or dominos just the two of us. Of course, anytime we spend on the find out by asking the experts – some newlyweds, some high school beach always works for me. sweethearts and some lovers who met and married well into their How is marriage different than your perception prior to being married? adult life. (And, by the way, statistics say it’s easier to meet and fall Ava: A healthy marriage is hard work!!! All I remember hearing on my wedding day are the following vows: “for better, for richer, and in love in small town U.S.A. than in a big city.)

Three Couples Tell All

Passion, Romance

Lasting

Love

Lessons Learned From Those Who’ve Got What We All Want

6 February 2016 | the VIP mag.com

“dayMyofbest being

single does not compare to my hardest day of being married.” Ava

photography by emily lockard photography

in health.” Man!!! Not until we got a bit of time under our belts, (two months) did I remember committing to, “for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health. When we are having what we like to tag as “loving discussions” that don’t feel so loving, I find myself saying, “this is real married stuff.” As a new and first time bride at the age of 40, I could not fathom that my husband and I would ever argue or want to leave. The time that we invested in pre-marriage along with surrounding ourselves with healthy couples in addition to marriage counseling, we continue to learn how to fight fair. We draw on our themes of ”Lord change me” (not him) and “How is God being glorified in our relationship.” My best day of being single does not compare to my hardest day of being married. Rodney: I couldn’t anticipate the challenge of life’s transitions such as career demands and aging as well as death and sickness of loved ones. Uncontrollable or unexpected transitions have affected us at the “soul level.” The depth of these challenges make real our vows of “for better or worse” and yet, these very challenges have often knit our hearts closer to each other and our God. How is it better? Ava: I prayed for a mate that would not just love me, but like me, too. It is rewarding to journey with someone who sticks with you at your worst, builds you up at your lowest, and accepts you as you are, yet challenges you to become better. Rodney: Well said, dear. Ava: Thanks, darling. What is the best thing about being in love/married? Ava: Being able to experience unconditional love: my husband accepts all of me, the good, the bad, the ugly. I respect my husband and adore him. He is so cute and kind. He is intelligent and wise. Slow to speak quick to forgive. Rodney: Being able to experience all dimensions of love with Ava is so thoroughly fulfilling. She is so supportive and openly encouraging; no one affirms me more. Her beauty is both external and internal, which is such a wonderful thing, and I appreciate being able to absorb such beauty on a daily basis. I love that we not only love one another but also like one another. What are your shared hobbies/interests? Ava: We definitely share interest in making positive impacts on the lives that we encounter daily. My favorite quote by Dr. Maya Angelou is: “people may forget what you say, people may forget what you do, but people will not forget how you make them feel.” I believe my purpose in life is to encourage others. That is something my husband and I do intentionally and naturally. On the hobby side of things we enjoy trying new things. We recently went kayaking for the first time together. It was a challenge, but fun. When and where do you do them? Ava: I am generally the one who makes sure we incorporate fun into our relationship. My husband’s call to ministry is all consuming. Even when he is not ministering, he’s ministering. He is on call 24/7. So I make it a point to bring balance to our private and personal lives. Share some secrets you’ve discovered to keep your marriage from being monotonous and even sizzle. Ava: Flirting with my husband, singing love songs to him, honoring and respecting him publicly and privately even when we are not on the same page. Rodney: One Christian writer contends that we feel loved when we are communicated to in our love language. He believes that there are five: 1. Words of Affirmation, 2. Acts of Service, 3. Quality Time, 4. Receiving Gifts, and 5. Physical Touch. Human tendency is to communicate in one’s own love language; however, I intentionally com-

municate to Ava in her love language. This sometimes stretches me, but it brings more sizzle when I speak words of affirmation and give non-sexual touch (e.g. back rubbing/foot massage, etc.). What makes love/marriage work? Ava: We adopted two themes for our marriage before we wed - “Lord change me” and “How is God being glorified in our relationship.” We are intentional about accepting our differences. We apologize for causing pain or disrespecting each other. We focus on strengthening our marriage and not on who’s right or wrong. Also, having friendships that support and build you up as a couple without taking sides helps. Rodney: The themes that Ava mentioned have been so crucial to our continual growth. We realize that we cannot change each other, but with God’s help, we can change ourselves. Forgiveness and repentance (change of behavior) helps to bond us together. And it helps that we really meant “’til death do us part” rather than “’til I get tired or bored” or “until I think this marriage thing is too hard.” What helps most is our covenant with God: “a threefold cord is not easily broken.” >> theVIPmag.coM | February 2016 7

was my prince charming because he always treated me like a princess. Mark: I do not remember an exact time, but part of me feels like I have always known. Name three ways you are the same. (1) We have similar family backgrounds. Our grandfathers were very good friends who played golf together at the Beaumont Country Club years before we ever met. (2) Value and belief structures. We both believe in traditional family values, were both raised in the Episcopal church, and both hold traditional conservative views. (3) We have similar personalities in that we are both positive and optimistic people that enjoy being social and enjoying new experiences together. Name three ways you are completely different: (1) Although we have similar personality traits, Mark tends to be more laid-back and calm; Lacey tends to be more outgoing and excitable. Overall, we do a good job of balancing each other out. (2) Lacey enjoys reality television; Mark enjoys doing anything but watching reality television (3) Mark enjoys saving money, and Lacey enjoys shopping and spending money. Share how you work around your differences. Mark: We generally find some middle ground. Occasionally we do what I want to After we had do; more often we do what she wants to do, but the vast majority of the time we comprogone out on several mise. Honestly, this is one of the better parts about dates, I realized being married to me as it helps keep you open to new experiences that you would not have otherwise (like Star that Mark was my Wars, Lacey....Star Wars). prince charming What constitutes a perfect date? A perfect date would include dinner at one of our favorite restaurants (such as J Wilson's, the Grill, or because he always Suga's) followed by Classic Movie Night at the Jefferson. treated me like How is marriage different than your perception prior to being married? How is it better? Because we both have had good examples in both of our a princess.â&#x20AC;? parents, who have been married for many years, we generally had a Lacey pretty good idea of what to expect in marriage. Still, it did take some time getting used to making decisions together rather than alone. What is the best thing about being in love/married? You always have someone that is there for you whether times are good, bad or anyMark Adam Mabry and Lacey Truncale Mabry where in between. Both were born and raised in Beaumont. What are your shared hobbies/interests? When and where do you do them? Occupation: Mark is a project manager at M&I Electric. Lacey is a registered nurse in We both love to travel. We really enjoy going to other countries the operating room at Christus St. Elizabeth Hospital. and experiencing new cultures and seeing history. We are also both Number of Children: Does our dog count? We would like to have kids in the future, graduates of TCU and enjoy watching Horned Frog football. We also but our 1-year-old cocker spaniel, Bella, is currently our baby. She is the little princess enjoy gourmet food, fine wine, and entertaining friends and family at our house. She has a large array of toys and loves to wear her accessories, especially in our home. her pearl necklace. Share some secrets youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve discovered to keep your marriage from being monotonous and even sizzle, from hand holding to fighting purposely, etc. How long have you been married? 5 1/2 years, but the time has flown by. Just because you get married does not mean the date nights have How did you meet? to come to an end or the high heels get placed in a box at the top of Lacey: We met practicing for a pep rally in 2003 at Kelly High School. the closet. Taking time to get dressed up, look nice and continue to Mark: Lacey was a sophomore cheerleader and I was a senior mem"date" as a married couple keeps the romance alive. Also, we often ber of the K-9 crew. I asked her to go out with me to a Wildcatters surprise each other with small gifts and mementos. Mark is talented hockey game about a week later. at picking out jewelry! He always has a surprise up his sleeve! When did you know he/she was the one? What makes love/marriage work: The most important things are comLacey: After we had gone out on several dates, I realized that Mark munication, listening and experiencing life with your best friend.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;

8 February 2016 | the VIP mag.com

Meg Baertl Brown and Jarrod Brown

Meg is from Pennsylvania and Jarrod’s from here in Texas. They live in Orangefield. Occupation: Meg is a registered nurse and Jarrod is a yardmaster for KCS Railroad. Number of Children: 1 How long have you been married? Meg: We’ve been married a little over two months. We were married on Oct. 31, my favorite day of the year! How did you meet? Meg: We met on Facebook. I saw Jarrod’s FB profile on the People You May Know list. I saw that we had about 20-30 runner friends in common. Even though I hadn’t seen him at the local running group, Golden Triangle Strutters, I decided to add him as a friend since I was sure I’d probably meet someday at one of the runs or at a local race. We eventually had our first date at Rao’s three weeks later. When did you know he/she was the one? Meg: After commenting on the same posts of our mutual friends, he decided to email me via FB. We mailed each other for about two weeks. His emails were sweet and sincere, and I knew I fell in love with even though we had never actually met. Jarrod: As soon as she sent me the friend request, I knew that I had to make her mine. I stared at her picture for weeks before we finally met in person. Name three ways you are the same? Meg: We love our families; we’re both are runners and triathletes; we both like to be silly. Name three ways you are completely different. Jarrod: This is a hard one since we seem to have so much in common. The only thing that I can think of is she is a very social person, and I’m a home body. Share how you work around your differences. Jarrod: We spend time going out and staying home. She has taught me to get out of my comfort zone and meet new people. What constitutes a perfect date? Meg: As long as we’re together, it’s a perfect date. I really and truly love being around him. He’s just so darn funny and charming. How is marriage different than your perception prior to being married? How is it better? Meg: I think in the back of my mind I secretly wanted to get married, but I really never thought that I would get married. So I didn’t let myself have a perception of marriage. So far it’s the best thing that I ever said yes to! What is the best thing about being in love/married? Meg: I get to hang out with my best friend all the time! Jarrod: I have someone to share my time and memories with. What are your shared hobbies/interests? When and where do you do them? Meg: We both like to run, swim and bike during the weekdays and on weekends. We run and ride bikes here in Orangefield and in Beaumont. We’re huge fans of the theatre and the arts. We try to support local events every chance we get within Southeast Texas. We also like to travel. We went to New Orleans for our honeymoon, and we’re planning a trip to Peru. Share some secrets you’ve discovered to keep your marriage from being monotonous and even sizzle, from hand holding to fighting purposely, etc. Jarrod: I try to tell her everyday how much I love her, and I try to find

different ways to show her. Sometimes it is with a card or flowers on a random day; sometimes when we are out and public and we can’t talk, I will take my finger and draw a heart on her so that she knows that she is what is on my mind. We constantly call or text each other when we are apart. There is not a day that goes by that she is not the first and last person that I talk to, and I always make sure that the last words are I love you! What makes love/marriage work? Meg: Definitely communication! Between the two us, that’s not my strong point. I’ve felt that I can solve problems on my own. However, Jarrod has taught me the importance of opening up and letting him in. He may not have all the answers, but it sure feels good to get things out in the open. Jarrod: I agree communication is definitely the key. No matter how small something is it is best to talk about it so that it does not grow into something bigger.

is “notThere a day that

goes by that she is not the first and last person that I talk to, and I always make sure that the last words are I love you! ” Jarrod

theVIPmag.coM | February 2016 9

photography by john fulbright

vip feature

gotta Dance!

by CHERYL ROSE

Whether you two-step or cha-cha-cha, dance offers a social fitness opportunity Salsa and Latin Once a month, you’ll find Gordon Williams and his co-instructor and girlfriend, Summer Sanderson, sliding expertly around the improvised dance floor at D’Vine Wine in Beaumont. Williams loves to share his joy in salsa dancing, a skill he learned in his mid-20s after attending a free lesson in Houston. “Salsa dancing is a creative outlet for me,” he said. “I’m thankful that it is an interest I’m able to share with a significant other, so we can go out and leave the cares of the world for a few hours. Salsa dancing creates happiness with the upbeat music and infectious rhythms. It’s hard to hear the music and not move a bit.” Williams has been leading salsa social dances and lessons at D’Vine Wine for six years on a Friday night every month. The evenings open with lessons for beginners from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m., then the social dance runs from 8 p.m. to midnight. There is a $5 fee. “We usually get 50 or more people a night,” Williams said. “The atmosphere is very welcoming, and you don’t need to have a partner. During lessons, we rotate partners, and we try to minimize the intimidation factor. When I was learning, my instructor told us that as long as your heart is in the right place, we’ll get your feet in the right place. That’s our approach, knowing that if you’re having a good time, you’ll work on the steps. Enjoyment is what keeps people coming out.” In addition to salsa, Williams teaches several Latin dances including the cha-cha-cha, merengue, cumbia and bachata. In 2014,

10 February 2016 | the VIP mag.com

Williams and Sanderson were invited to perform a bachata and salsa dance as part of “Dance Unleashed,” a production of Lamar University’s Department of Theatre and Dance. “I had my first dance recital at 38 years old,” Williams joked about the experience. In addition to the monthly socials and lessons at D’Vine Wine, Williams noted that City Dance Center in Beaumont teaches salsa lessons. There are occasional pop-up opportunities for salsa dancing locally, but Houston has a number of Latin dance clubs. “At our events, people can also come to watch and enjoy the music,” Williams said. “We eventually try to ease them out on the dance floor, but some people say they like to come just to watch the show. We have some excellent dancers in the area.”

Country-Western Evelyn Fontenot and Ronnie Johnson both worked at HardinJefferson High School when Johnson developed a passion for countrywestern dancing. Johnson and his wife took a dance class, and he became so enthusiastic, he soon became an instructor. His excitement was contagious, so soon Fontenot and her husband were also dancing. Fontenot loved it. A day came when Johnson needed a partner and coinstructor. The two have been teaching dance for 20 years now. “Dancing is a fun activity,” Fontenot said. “You’re getting a lot of exercise and don’t even notice it. Exercise is a big part of my life. I go to the gym, but I feel like I’m having fun when I’m dancing.” The pair teach a six-week course in the spring and fall in addition to private lessons at Ronnie Johnson’s Barn/Dance Hall in Sour Lake. They introduce students to the two-step, country polka, the waltz, Cajun and even some East Coast Swing. Fontenot’s personal favorites are the polka and Cajun dancing. “We get a lot of beginners that have never danced before,” she said. “We have couples and singles. A lot are nervous about dancing. They don’t want to make a fool of themselves on the dance floor. They want to look good. Dancing is just like anything else, it comes more naturally to some than others. It does my heart good when people are successful with the classes and feel proud about it. Most of our students stick with it and end up loving dancing.” A widow now for 11 years, dance offers a social outlet for Fontenot, too. She will go to the Pine Tree Lodge for Zydeco on Sundays

Put on a few holiday pounds? Dancing is a fun, healthy way to

get down!

Salsa Country-Western Ballroom slow Ballroom fast

405-480 calories burned per hour 290-420 calories burned per hour 150-220 calories burned per hour 250-320 calories burned per hour

Calories burned per hour are on average. This is affected by variables such as weight and tempo.

or over to MacKenzie’s Pub some times. “Country-western dancing is the thing to do around here, so there are a lot of options of places to dance,” she said. “I enjoy the social part. You meet a lot of different people and make new friends.” >>

theVIPmag.coM | February 2016 11

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12 February 2016 | the VIP mag.com

Ballroom and beyond Rebecca Woodland’s motto is why sit on the sidelines of a party when you could be dancing? Woodland has loved dance since she attended ballet lessons as a child at Miss Julia Sproule’s atelier in Beaumont. Woodland became a dance instructor while she was in college, a passion she has kept up through the years, moonlighting from her day job with the Beaumont Convention and Visitors Bureau. Woodland offers several three-week courses throughout the year in various ballroom dance styles, including foxtrot, waltz and tango. Classes are held at the Christus Health and Wellness Center in Beaumont. Classes are open for registration with different pricing for members versus nonmembers. Couples are encouraged, though a couple can be any combination of interested dancers – a parent and teen child, two friends, dates, spouses. Woodland concentrates on getting beginners moving and using proper technique. Learning the basics translates to many dance options, she maintains. “The country two-step is based on the foxtrot, for example,” she said. “The basic techniques are the same, so if you are doing it properly for the foxtrot, you’re doing it OK for country-western. You would be surprised at how many ways you can use ballroom dancing. What I’m teaching is the correct steps and techniques, but you can use them for a variety of music. You can cha-cha to rock or hip-hop, rhumba to country-western.”

I love dance and teaching dance is my passion. Dance is fun, social and great exercise.” Rebecca Woodland

Quality and Style

Ballroom dance skills aren’t obsolete in the modern day, but are on the rise as interest surges due to reality television programs. “Locally, you can use your ballroom steps at all the area galas and functions, for example,” Woodland said. “A lot of my students dance at Larry’s French Market in Groves or Jerry Nelson’s Hill Country in Beaumont, but go early when the serious dancers have the floor.” Woodland also has a practice party about once a month at the Wellness Center for her students. Several of her students come back every time for more lessons. “If you come repeatedly, it gives you a repertoire, so that no matter what music is playing, you have some steps you can do,” she said. “I love dance and teaching dance is my passion. Dance is fun, social and great exercise. When we dance, it burns a lot of calories and is perfect on joints.” Woodland’s next class will be the American foxtrot beginning in March.

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theVIPmag.coM | February 2016 13

vip feature

Where Dreams Come True Planning a trip to Disney If you're ready to experience the magic of Disney, put on your seatbelt and get ready for a ride, literally. Planning a trip to the magical kingdom can be the most wonderful vacation... and the most overwhelming, if you let it. Once you mention to friends and family that you're even thinking about it, you will be overcome with suggestions and everyoneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s opinions. Dining plans, FastPasses, Magical Hours, Park Hoppers... the list goes on. First step, decide when you'd like to go. The more time in advance that you can make reservations, the better. You can also get on a payment plan so it's not one big chunk at once. Who is going? For a second honeymoon, it's best to go when school is in session. Taking the kids for a family vacation? Holidays and summer are your options, so be prepared; they're almost everyone else's option as well. Michelle Brewer loves Disney and goes quite often. "I'm a diligent follower of Disney blogs. I always book our trips through disney. go.com, the official website of Disney," Brewer said. "However, visitor

by Debbie Bridgeman

blogs are great for learning tips and tricks that help vacationers that Disney itself may not publicize." Through Facebook, visit Mousesavers, Walt Life, Disney Fanatic and Disney Questions. Websites like allears. net, tripadvisor.com, disneydining.com and Google are great as well. Once you decide when you will go and with whom, you'll need to consider how long you will visit, if you want to stay on or off property, and if you're renting a car or using the Disney transportation. For deals, check out disney.go.com and the above Facebook sites. For example, if you book your stay at the Polynesian hotel in November, your dining plan is free! Using a travel agent is also a great option. Jana Stelly, an agent at Airport Travel Agency, has gone through years of study, conferences, on-site training, continued education on new additions and changes associated with Disney, and trial and error in learning how to make the most of a Disney vacation. "When we provide vacation planning services to our clients, we are compensated financially for our extensive work .... not by our clients, but by the Left: Captain Jack Sparrow Below: Aerosmith's Rockin' Rollercoaster

14 February 2016 | the VIP mag.com

Planning a trip to the magical kingdom can be the most wonderful vacation... and the most overwhelming, if you let it.” Above: Michelle and Charles Brewer Left: Debbie and Chase Bridgeman visiting with Mickey

Destination Disney Fun Facts provider of the services that we include (such as Disney)," Stelly said. "And to be eligible for this compensation, we must meet the strict requirements that title us as an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner." Next step, book your restaurants and rides within Disney with available dining plans and FastPasses. There is A LOT to do at Disney, and it can be overwhelming to narrow it down. "Get involved with sites created and updated by Disney lovers and learn all you can before you get there," Brewer said. "Know before you go." And that's the key … RESEARCH. You can spend a week at Disney and not see it all. There is something for every age at Disney, but you don't want to waste a day trying to read a map. The MyDisneyExperience app is a great tool. Once you enter your specific information, it will have your itinerary, reservations, maps, wait times for the rides and more. There's also the Magic Band, which you wear throughout your visit. It will contain your dining reservations, FastPasses, hotel room key (if staying on a Disney property) and credit card information. Christina Baylor is also a frequent visitor of Disney. "I choose to do one character dinner and one big show per day," Baylor said. "I also think one park per day is enough." While the Magic Bands help with what you need to carry in the parks, you still will need a couple of items like sunscreen and rain ponchos, which can be purchased at the dollar store before your trip. For the kids, get them an autograph book and a large Sharpie, which is easier for the characters to use, and keep them in a ziplock bag, along with your camera. "When we would order the kids meal at the restaurants, we would save the prepacked snack for later in the day," Baylor said. Planning a Disney experience can be overwhelming, but in the end, it is a dream vacation for any age. Personally, with the help of Brewer, Baylor and Stelly, my family experienced the magic of Disney in 2014. Some Bridgeman tips include making reservations for a character meal. Finding Mickey or Minnie in the parks can be tricky, and there are often long lines for photos and autographs. With a character meal, you are pretty much guaranteed that you'll get a few moments with a Disney favorite. If you can eat at the Sci-Fi Diner in Hollywood Studios, it's a blast to the past! Pick up a few Disney gift cards before the trip for the kids. If they know what they have to spend on souvenirs in advance, it'll save you a headache during your vacation. Ride enthusiasts should not skip Aerosmith's Rockin' Rollercoaster. And... keep your eyes open for Johnny Depp; Captain Jack Sparrow from Pirates of the Caribbean is known to make surprise appearances!

What the Well-Dressed Mouse Will Be Wearing... depends entirely on the occasion. Mickey Mouse himself has more than 136 different sets of duds, ranging from a scuba suit to a tuxedo. Minnie Mouse’s wardrobe contains more than 100 outfits, including everything from a cheerleader ensemble to evening gowns. Suds ‘R Us... If you were to wash and dry one load of laundry every day for 52 years, you’d clean as much as the folks at Walt Disney World Laundry do in a single day. The cast members there launder an average of 285,000 pounds each day. In addition, between 30,000 and 32,000 garments are dry-cleaned daily. Smile!... With millions of visitors annually, it’s no wonder the Disney parks are among the most photographed places in the United States. On any given day, Disney’s PhotoPass photographers take between 100,000 and 200,000 photos of guests at Walt Disney World Resort. Who’s Still Thirsty?... More than 75 million Cokes are consumed each year at Walt Disney World Resort along with 13 million bottles of water. Ears to You... When laid end to end, there are enough of the famous “Mouse Ear” hats sold each year to stretch 175 miles or cover the head of every man, woman and child in Orange County, Fla. There are also enough Disney character T-shirts sold to put Mickey Mouse’s smiling face on the chest of every resident of Montana. Sign Here... If you stacked the number of standard autograph books sold annually, it would match the height of 200 Cinderella Castles. Add the Princess-style autograph books and, end to end, the books would reach 88 miles into space. Gone But Not Forgotten... Walt Disney World Lost and Found is one busy place. Every day an average of 210 pairs of sunglasses are turned in and, since 1971, an estimated 1.65 million pairs of glasses have found their way into the “lost” bin. On an annual basis, Lost and Found collects more than 6,000 cell phones, 3,500 digital cameras, 18,000 hats and 7,500 autograph books. As for curious claims, according to longtime Lost and Found staffers, the most unusual items turned in have been a glass eye, a prosthetic leg and a potty trainer. Each, incidentally, was claimed (but not by the same person). Finger Food... More than 1.8 million pounds of turkey drumsticks are consumed every year in four Disney theme parks — Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Mow Miles Per Year... 450,000 mowing miles, to be exact — that’s what it takes to maintain 2,000 acres of turf. For the record, those mower miles are the equivalent of 18 trips around Earth at the equator. theVIPmag.coM | February 2016 15

vip food entertainment

The

Stir Down

on a Good Bowl of

Addicts Share Secrets {not all} on Making Great Chili by jane mcbride

Chili

is not so much a food but a state of mind, and nowhere are the finer points more hotly debated than the Lone Star State. In 1977, chili was proclaimed the official state food of Texas because, as we Texans know, the only real â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;bowl of redâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; is that prepared by Texans.

16 February 2016

| the VIP mag.com

It can only truly be Texas red if it walks the thin line just this side of indigestibility: Damning the mouth that eats it and defying the stomach to digest it, the ingredients are hardly willing to lie in the same pot together.” John Thorne, food writer Drive across Texas and you’ll find cafes, barbecue joints, and mom and pop ventures where a hot bowl of chili always is on the menu. The color ranges from reddish brown to mahogany, and the heat speeds from a pleasant tingle to a glimpse of hell. Addictions to chili are formed early in life, said Malcolm Williams, and the victims never recover. He should know; his chili addiction has taken him across the state both as a participant and a judge in chili cook-offs. “I won a lot – and I lost a lot,” he laughs. Although he never placed in Terlingua (“I drank a lot of beer”) perhaps the most well-known chili cookoff in Texas, his daughter, Kathryn, came in 10th out of 400 contestants. The spice mixture is more than important for a good bowl of red, Williams said. It’s everything. He long ago developed his secret spice mixture, and no, he won’t share it. But if you want the clos-

est thing to one of his bowls of chili, you’ll find it the first Thursday of each November at St. Mark’s famous Chili Supper and Bazaar. He and his wife, Joyce, have been running the show for 25 and 48 years, respectively. This year marks the 75th anniversary of St. Mark’s huge charity event that provides grants to 15 non-profits. In the early days, women would cook in large roasters holding 25 pounds of meat each. They prepared their chili at home. When the health department rules changed, they began meeting at the church one day a week until they reach their goal. Once the chili is cooked, it’s cooled, then packed into pints and quarts, then frozen. Hungry chili heads can eat in or pick up some to take home. No matter who cooks the chili, he said, the recipe is followed exactly. The spice packets are measured so that the first bowl of chili served tastes the same as the last. >>

Five criteria for

judging chili in cook-offs

1 2

Taste

afterbite also known as biteback

color red or brown- NEVER green!

4 5

St. Mark’s Chili Supper by the numbers

3,750 pounds beef 750 pounds onion 600 cans tomato paste 150 pounds Quick-Fix Chili Mix (secret spice mix) 10 weeks of cooking every Tuesday from August-November

aroma

consistency

photography by scott eslinger

thickness- a spoon should stand up on its own Malcolm, aka Mr. Chili, won’t tell you what’s in his proprietary chili spice blend, but if you want to take it up a notch, here are some of his top tips for making a memorable bowl of red. • Try adding venison. • Float a jalapeño pepper in the pot while cooking. • Drop in a whole pork chop when cooking. • Add a dash of Worcestershire. • Add some brown sugar. • Use cumin, paprika or oregano. • Add some beef bouillon. • Add a little lime juice. • Try some catsup or Cajun seasoning.

Malcom and Joyce Williams

Experiment, he suggests, but always remember this: If you want beans, eat beans. If you want rice, eat rice. Neither belongs in a bowl of chili. theVIPmag.coM | February 2016 17

Big Rich’s

Super Chili 2 pounds ground chuck (80/20 or better) 2 pounds Jimmy Dean’s breakfast sausage with sage 2-4 ears of corn, fire-roasted and cut from cob 2 large sweet onions, finely chopped 4 bell peppers (One each: red, green, yellow and orange) finely chopped and fire-roasted 1-2 whole fresh garlic bulbs smashed (or minced garlic)

3-4 stalks celery, finely chopped 3-4 ripe tomatoes (fire-roasted- can be done on stove or use canned)

Rich Courville

It’s no surprise to those who know Rich Courville, Beaumont’s beloved chef and caterer, that his chili is an over-the-top version that calls for tradition to take a back seat to taste. “Many years ago two buddies of mine and I entered a wild game chili cook off In West Texas. I was very new at all of this and needless to say, I learned a lot that Saturday. I made what I thought was a great pot of chili, as did several people that tasted it. I didn't even make the first go-round. I used white-tailed deer and wild turkey, and it was so good,” Courville said. “I later found out from one of the many judges that it wasn't spicy enough. And what really killed me was they said it was too chunky; the onions, peppers and so on weren’t diced fine enough, and I didn’t put beans in it. But he said in the next breath that the taste was great.” Big Rich, whose chili is as vibrant as his personality, said it’s “like an amusement park coming at you with all the rides going at the same time.” His chili “must haves” are beef, venison, pork or poultry in any or all combos, as well as tomatoes, bell peppers, onion, garlic and beans - all kinds of beans, he notes - and corn. Yes, corn. If you make his chili, know this: you should be a cook who knows his or her way around the kitchen. Things aren’t exact, and you should know what “cook down” means.

chili chatter “Chili powder makes you crazy.” Joe DeFrates, the only man ever to win both the National and the World Chili Championships

“The chief ingredients of all chili are fiery envy, scalding jealousy, scorching contempt and sizzling scorn.” H. Allen Smith, competed with Texas chili champ Wick Fowler in the first chili cook-off in 1967 in Terlingua; it was a tie

“Chili concocted outside of Texas is usually a weak, apologetic imitation of the real thing.” Former President Lyndon B. Johnson, who preferred venison in his Pedernales River chili

“Wish I had time for just one more bowl of chili.” Said to be the dying words of frontiersman Kit Carson 18 February 2016 | the VIP mag.com

2 tablespoons sugar 3-5 tablespoons cumin, to taste 3-5 tablespoons chili powder, to taste 2 tablespoons smoked paprika Salt to taste Red pepper to taste 1 cup strong espresso 1 can Budweiser beer 1 quart of HEB beef stock 1 quart of HEB chicken stock 2-3 cups Clamato or Beefamato 1 can (20-28 ounce) black beans, drained and rinsed 1 can kidney beans (same) 4 small cans tomato paste (might not use all)

1 large can whole stewed tomatoes 2 small jars pearl onions, drained Garnishing: 2 cups shredded Havarti cheese 2 cups shredded Gouda 2 cups finely diced green onion 1 container sour cream Finely diced seeded jalapeno peppers Chopped fresh onions Frito scoops Saltine crackers Jasmine rice (3 pounds raw rice) cooked Brown meat in large Dutch oven (at least 10 quart) or stock pot, adding spices while browning. Remove meat from pot and set aside. Add chopped fresh vegetables to drippings in the hot pot. Sauté until tender. Remove cooked veggies and drain fat. Return pot to stove. Add meat and veggies back. Add tomatoes, beans, pearl onions, garlic, half of chicken stock and half of beef stock, half of Clamato, beer and 2 cans tomato paste. Bring to boil, stirring frequently and scraping bottom of pot. Taste. If needed, add salt and red pepper to taste. Lower heat to medium and cook down, adding remainder of liquids as needed without filling pot too full to avoid spillover. Taste. If needed, add more tomato paste. Garnish as desired. Rich likes Fritos in the bottom of bowl, then rice, then chili, then topped with chopped jalapeños and diced green onion. (makes enough for 20-25 people)

vip food entertainment

li•ba•tion \lī-’bā-shən\

Noun: a drink poured out as an offering to a deity

Tom Yum

martini

by Jane McBride Three years ago, Caitlin Lydic began working at Chaba’s Thai Cuisine as a hostess before convincing her boss to let her switching to bartending. “I basically badgered him until he showed me how to mix drinks,” she laughed. It was a good fit. She loves the mixology of bartending and sharing her skills with the public. “It’s the whole personal experience,” she said. “Guests talk about their work or their dog; they just want to start a conversation. I can talk to a brick wall, so it’s always nice to have someone to talk to. It’s all about

making personal connections.” All Chaba’s drinks, including their mojitos, are made from freshly muddled ingredients. Caitlin uses a heavy hand with the mint, which adds brightness. As the perfect complement to the restaurant’s Thai food, she often recommends the Tom Yum martini to gin lovers. The addition of Thai peppers to a ginger/ lemongrass infusion creates an intensely flavorful cocktail. “The juniper in the gin mixes so well with lemongrass and the sweetness cuts through the chili so it’s not overpowering.”

3 oz. Tanqueray gin 1 oz. sweet/sour ½ oz. ginger/lemongrass syrup infusion (recipe follows) 1 small Thai chili (sliced down center to expose seeds and pulp) 1 slice fresh lemongrass stalk Add all ingredients to cocktail shaker with ice. Shake well to allow ice to bruise botanicals and release flavors. Strain into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with mint. Serve with a straw; oils from the chili can burn sensitive lips.

Ginger Lemongrass Syrup

Make simple syrup (one to one equal parts water and sugar) over low heat until sugar dissolves. Add ¼ cup peeled and julienned fresh ginger stalk. Add 2 lemongrass stalks, thinly sliced. Simmer for 15-20 minutes until flavors are released. Cool. Refrigerate unused syrup.

Love is a gift from heart to heart Celebrate the greatest gift by giving the gift of life

Visit our website hope-clinic.com to make a donation 409.898.4005

3740 Laurel Ave., Beaumont theVIPmag.coM | February 2016 19

Enjoy small-town charm and world-class culture along with the best in art, history, nature and theater... View one of the most significant collections of American Western art

Stunning land

Dramatic people

Step Back in Time Tour a Historic Landmark Experience the beauty and charm of this 1894 Queen Anne-style home.

Diverse wildlife

Tuesday – Saturday, 9am – 5pm 712 Green Ave., Orange, TX 77630 409.886.2787 / starkmuseum.org

Tuesday – Saturday, 9am – 5pm; last tour at 4pm

Julian Onderdonk (1882 – 1922), Late Afternoon in the Bluebonnets (detail), 1915, oil on canvas, 12 x 16 in., 31.19.11; N.C. Wyeth (1882-1945), I’ve Seen Him Ride Broncs That Had Piled the Best of Them, and as for Roping Even the Mexican Vaqueros Have Had to Hand It to Him More Than Once (detail), 1925, oil on canvas, 29.5 x 51.9375 in., 31.2.3; Alexander Phimister Proctor (1860-1950), Panther 1913, Gorham Manufacturing Company, foundry, modeled 1891-92, cast c. 1913, bronze, 9.75 x 38 x 6.5 in., 21.11.1.

Entrance is through the adjacent Carriage House at 610 W. Main Ave., Orange, TX 77630 409.883.0871 / whstarkhouse.org

20 February 2016 | the VIP mag.com

in Orange, Texas at Relax in the Gardens & Explore Nature’s Wild Side

Imagine a place where you can escape the routine and stroll along garden paths surrounded by fragrant flowers. Bird watch for hours or take a guided excursion along Adams Bayou to see the wonders of nature. Visit the Children’s Garden that delights the young and young-at-heart and enjoy nature classes throughout the year. Experience a Southeast Texas treasure, an oasis in Orange, Texas.

theVIPmag.coM | February 2016 21

vip fashion trends

color of love

when in doubt, wear red by Tammy Crutchfield

Valentine’s Day

Pairing this red top with a black pencil skirt and booties illustrates how chic and timeless black and red look together. From Ya Ya Club Clothing Company.

Add a fun pop of red to any outfit with a clutch or wristlet. From Patricia Nash.

is upon us, which means the color red is everywhere. Red is a complex color that has many faces. The color often represents love, power, happiness and good luck. In contrast, it can also represent peril, rage and aggravation. Red has been known as the universal color of lovers as well as the symbol for life and death. There is truly no other color that has so many variations on our emotions. I think that Taylor Swift sums it up the best with this comment: “Red is such an interesting color to correlate with emotion because it's on both ends of the spectrum. On one end you have happiness, falling in love, infatuation with someone, passion, all that. On the other end, you've got obsession, jealousy, danger, fear, anger and frustration.” The color red has an interesting past and continues to play a huge role in the fashion industry today. According to history in textiles, wearing the color red was a sign of prosperity and wealth in the 17th century when it was primarily associated with royalty. The dye used to make the color red was a very expensive commodity, so of course, only the most well-off could afford to wear the hue. However, once synthetic dyes were invented, the color red became available to the working class, who had a lot of fun wearing this previously out-of-reach color. Unsurprisingly, the reputation of the color red has seen a myriad of ups and downs over the years, but it continues to make a powerful statement in current fashion trends. Most of us associate the red-carpet and red-soled Christian Louboutin shoes with pure glamour, so don’t be afraid to step out in it! One thing is for sure, red is never inadvertent; if you choose to wear it, wear it with pride and confidence because you are sure to get noticed! So, if you are going to be out and about on this Feb. 14, don’t be afraid to wear your heart on your sleeve—literally!

what's been said about “When in doubt, wear red.”

RED... Bill Blass

“Don't save bold lashes and red lips for nighttime - do it in the day!” Tyra Banks “Bright reds - scarlet, pillar-box red, crimson or cherry - are very cheerful and youthful. There is certainly a red for everyone.” Christian Dior 22 February 2016 | the VIP mag.com

It has been said that the boldness of red has never been more black and white, and that statement is especially true here! You are sure to be a red-“haute” hotty when you step out in this fabulous dress. From Bella Bella Boutique.

Going full on red with this long jacket can add some spice to your denim look! If you want to break up the look just a little, throw on a patterned scarf and balance it with a black fedora hat and boots for an all around stylish ensemble. From Ya Ya Club Clothing Company.

Nobody does red better than Johnny Was, as seen in this beautiful embroidered silk top. Pair with skinny jeans for a casual look or throw on some black tights and heels to add a little lagniappe. From Jackie's.

A red sequin dress is the perfect holiday party dress, but our goal is not to limit our pieces to just one look! So, how can you possibly dress down a little red sequin number? Your best bet is to pair it with some black booties and a fringe necklace and you have a brand new look for a festive but more laid-back night on the town! From The Pink Chandelier Boutique.

Even though some claim that Valentine’s Day is just another Hallmark holiday, I think we all deserve to add a little more red in our lives. There’s no better time than now to don your favorite red attire and hit the town! The looks featured here can carry you from a romantic date night to a casual evening on the town with friends. There is a shade of red for one and all. It truly looks good on every skin tone and with every hair color. Whether you choose a shade of cherry, ruby, scarlet or crimson, it will surely make you glow. Go ahead and get your red on and step out in style! theVIPmag.coM | February 2016 23

24 February 2016 | the VIP mag.com

vip fashion trends

THAT Little Black Dress! It’s been said that Coco Chanel may have introduced the little black dress, but it is Audrey Hepburn in the film Breakfast at Tiffany’s that made it famous! Here at New York to the Neches we agree. With Feb. 14 quickly approaching and the need for a “go to” outfit in the closet and ready for anything, we want you to take a look at the little black dress, an outfit so popular that it has its own abbreviation: “LBD.” It’s as if this little number, an article of clothing, takes its place among the elite—J-Lo, J-Law and Bey! The LBD even has its own entry in Wikipedia. In February’s edition of New York to the Neches, I couldn’t resist showcasing a red head, and no one rocks “red” better than Sheila Busceme! Sheila is wearing a super simple, and only slightly fitted, cotton-blend dress with tiny cap sleeves and a peek-a-boo back that both zips and buttons at the neck. Notice that the neckline is not overly sexy (we call that versatility in a staple piece). The length is appropriate for a 52-year-old, 5-foot 1½-inch mom of four. The suede, pointy-toed shoes by Impo, worn with the tinted hose, just finish the look. The Wiki definition explains that the dress should be a timeless addition to the wardrobe, meant to be worn for many years, not too trendy, gaudy or statement-making, to be dressed up or down as the occasion calls for. We took many photos of this simple knee-length dress, with and without jackets, with varying shoes and handbags, and in the end, I decided on a clear and clean look. This ensemble would be perfect for an evening out with the mister because the shape and cut of the dress is very fitting for dinner, or dinner and dancing. I want everyone to think about what we’ve done here with the LBD, a closet musthave. Get ready, girls! Valentine’s Day is coming, and whether or not there’s a significant other in your sights, we suggest you take your bestie and try on a few of these little dresses!

photo by tim collins

by Tim collins

Model is Sheila Busceme, local artist and wife of Greg Busceme. Dress by Merona (bought resale, of course.) Shoes by Impo theVIPmag.coM | February 2016 25

vip home garden

H. Noelle is Beaumont’s premier bridal boutique, offering brides a luxe shopping experience with a personalized touch.

A time of reflection on last year and

Preparation for Spring by Gary Outenreath

his is a time to evaluate the past and look forward to the upcoming growing season. Look at your landscape and make note of what was successful and what was not. Establish your objectives for the upcoming spring and beyond. Weather-wise, February can have a wide range of temperatures, including freezes. Be prepared to take appropriate measures to protect tender vegetation. The average for the last frost dates is Feb. 21–29. Here are some items that may be done in February: Beds – Weed, add soil mix in low spots and remulch. This is a good time to divide and transplant

7680 Eastex Frwy, Beaumont 409.899.9570 www.hnoellebridal.com

26 February 2016 | the VIP mag.com

Beaumont Botanical Gardens

perennials and ferns. Summer flowering perennials may be planted near the end of the month. Roses – New roses may be planted and existing rose plantings pruned around Valentine’s Day. Old mulch should be raked up and sent to the compost pile. Re-mulch with pine straw, which will help to reduce black spot problems. Azaleas – Watch for petal blight as the flower buds start to swell and show color. A fungicide may be required. Check with your nursery for the best product. Infected flowers will have a greasy, semitranslucent appearance. Camellias – Later flowering varieties may show signs of camellia petal blight. Keep old flowers picked up to reduce this problem. Re-mulching with pine straw is appropriate at this time. Crape Myrtles – Prune old flower clusters, dead, dying, cross branching, and stems that rub against each other. Small, twiggy interior growth may be removed. Do not cut any branches larger than a pencil in diameter unless they are in one or more of the categories mentioned above. Miscellaneous – Azaleas and camellias may be pruned and fertilized after blooming. If the weather has been warm, some pests may start showing up. These would include scale, aphids, mealy bugs and white flies. Thrips can be a problem for rose flowers and foliage. If needed, treat with an appropriate product. Near the end of the month, you may want to visit a few nurseries to look over new inventory and products. For more specific information, contact the county Agrilife Extension Service at 409.835.8461 or Beaumont Botanical Gardens at 409.842.8129. Another good source of information is local nurseries. Check the phone books for contact information. Finally, the Internet is a vast library for anything from basic information to detailed scientific studies.

theVIPmag.coM | February 2016 27

photography by scott eslinger

vip home garden

Rock Roll Redux

Johnny and Edgar Winter’s Home Today by Micah Shanks

Living in the previous home of rock and roll legends can certainly have its perks. Just ask Lisa Braneff. She and husband, David, are the current owners of the childhood home of local natives and rock legends Johnny and Edgar Winter.

Left to right: Russell Williams, Lisa Braneff, Johnny Winter and Bill Johnson

28 February 2016 | the VIP mag.com

“One day after the kids had just gotten home from school, I looked out the window to see two black Suburbans pull up,” said Lisa. “People were out taking pictures and walking around my yard, so I went out to

see what was going on. They turned out to be Johnny Winter’s entourage. Johnny was sitting inside one of the vehicles. We were able to get him out of the car for a couple of pictures, but he didn’t want to come into the house. He just wanted to remember it the way it was when he lived there.” “The way it was” has certainly changed over time. From the original one-story clapboard house that was built around 1933 to the two-story beauty it is today, the house has undergone several renovations, which include multiple additions and a swimming pool. David and Lisa, along with their son, Bailey, and daughter, Blayne, purchased the Caldwood home in 2009. “We weren’t looking for another home, but it came along, and we fell in love with it right away!” said Lisa. An original brick path leads to the spacious front porch complete with porch swing and lots of shade from a nearby oak tree. Upon entering the home, you are struck by all the natural light coming in through original sash windows with wavy glass. Lisa has decorated every inch of the home with great care. Her personal taste has created a home that speaks cozy, lived-in elegance. Mismatched furniture comes together throughout the house. The inviting overstuffed sofas and chairs are well loved. Antique distressed tables and accent pieces round out the combination of fabric and leather furniture. Lisa is a big fan of mantles, which appear in several rooms. >>

Johnny Winters in what used to be the music room but has now been converted into a game and trophy room.

Then

now

theVIPmag.coM | February 2016 29

“The one in the master bedroom actually came from the old Beaumont Art Museum,” she said. “The bed in the master suite was bought at auction and came from London.” Soft neutral colors on the walls help create a feeling of warmth. Several numbered Americana and botanical prints, along with fleur de lis accent pieces, adorn the walls. Most of the house is still original from the hardwood floors to the black-and-white sub-

way tile in the bathrooms. Lisa has scattered oriental rugs throughout. A dark pine farmhouse table fills the dining room. This leads into the bright cheery kitchen that boasts original cabinets and beadboard over shiplap walls. A mudroom off the kitchen is the perfect place for the kids to drop boots and book bags. What is now a game room/trophy room for the kids was once the upstairs music room for the Winter brothers. Pictures show

them practicing in that space with their band Johnny and the Jammers. Rumor has it that Janis Joplin stopped by occasionally to join in. Outside, landscaping installed by Edwina Winter still exists. She was an avid gardener. Palms, bougainvillea, shrubs and several kinds of fruit trees are testament to her love of nature and round out the beauty of one of Beaumont’s fine old homes, complete with rock and roll history.

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theVIPmag.coM | February 2016 31

vip art culture

Hot Cajun Music

is Still Cool Right: Wayne Toups Below: Krissy and Dana Melancon

Love for this regional passion is passed from generation to generation by CHERYL ROSE

photo by john fulbright

mid the mass media and mobile population, it’s not easy to keep regional flair alive and unique. Cajun culture, specifically represented by Cajun music, is a success story of a tradition nearly lost that is having a strong comeback as it finds a broader audience and new listeners. “When I was raised, learning the Cajun dialect was discouraged,” said Dana Melancon, host of the local “Cajun Express” radio program and a meteorologist with KFDM and KBTV television. “My parents could speak Cajun French, but I didn’t learn. At that time, we weren’t taught to enjoy our heritage. Now that I’m into it, I understand how you can make it your own. Fortunately, there are people passionate enough to keep the tradition going.” “Cajun Express” has been broadcast locally for about 50 years (also called the “Cajun Jamboree”), but Melancon took over the host role from John “Tee Bruce” Broussard about 15 years ago. The show is the only Cajun music program broadcasting in Texas. Listening to the music and responding to 32 February 2016 | the VIP mag.com

callers, Melancon discovered how deeply entrenched Cajun music is in the Golden Triangle. “Cajun is one of the few types of music that brings an entire culture into the mix,” he said. Grammy-award winning artist Wayne Toups revolutionized traditional Cajun music in the early 1980s by creating a new hybrid that mixed rock, R&B and folk into a new sound, while remaining authentic to his Cajun roots. The Crowley, Louisiana native has recorded multiple albums, performed in more than 25 countries, and continues to travel to about 100 shows a year. He has received numerous honors and awards, including being inducted into the Gulf Coast Music Hall of Fame. Toups sees the music evolving and expanding over the last 25 years. “Cajun music didn’t have the recognition it deserved for a long time,” he said. “We’ve never been able to get major radio play. Corporate radio wanted to pigeonhole it as only popular in Louisiana. But Cajun music keeps growing. When I learned to play accordion, there were only five instrument makers. Now there are 40. I see a lot of younger artists interested in maintaining a very strong cultural presence and learning the Cajun instruments. I wish there were more French-speaking artists, but there are fewer French speakers in the audiences now, too.” Language isn’t a barrier to enjoying Cajun music, Toups and Melancon agree. “It’s something you don’t have to understand that just makes you feel good,” Melancon said. “For most of the Cajun songs, I have no clue what they are saying. These songs are likable and easy to dance to, regardless of the lyrics.” Whether in French or in English, the music translates across cultures, too. “At the radio show, we get requests from all over the United States and even from places such as Guam and South America,” Melancon said. Though there may be fewer listeners able to follow the Cajun French, the joy in the music is kept alive as a new generation of fans and artists emerge. “People are turning on kids to my music every day,” Toups said. “I’ll hear from a fan that her 3-year-old is dancing to a Wayne Toups CD or his 13-year-old is listening to Wayne Toups on Pandora. But it’s not people like me that keep this tradition alive. It’s the hundreds of bands around that play the music for fun and not for a living that keep it exciting and available.” Melancon’s radio show listeners often dedicate songs to their grandchildren. “They are teaching them an appreciation for the music,” he said. “When I go to a live Cajun show or concert, there are always a lot of kids there. There are also young artists touring who play all the old classics – ‘The Back Door,’ ‘Kaplan Waltz’ – but they are writing new music, too.” Toups is also writing music, planning to release a new album soon. Local fans can count on hearing their favorites – “Johnnie Can’t Dance,” “Take My Hand,” “Tupelo Honey” – when Toups returns to the area for the Port Arthur Mardi Gras festivities, but he’ll also be expanding the genre with new tunes. “The Golden Triangle is always an exciting show,” he said. “We bring a lot of energy. After 35 years of hard work, there is still a magical thing happening nowadays with our music and fans.”

Exhibit on view Dec. 5, 2015 – Mar. 5, 2016 Discover a classic love story when you visit The W.H. Stark House this winter. You’ll see rarely exhibited objects from the 1881 wedding of Miriam Lutcher and W.H. Stark, including the stunning lace Wedding Dress. Follow their love story through historic photographs, letters and documents.

Allons-y!

Catch the Cajun spirit by tuning in or attending a concert this Mardi Gras season.

The Cajun Express Sundays, 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. FREE FM 105.3

Wayne Toups and Zydecajun concert Mardi Gras of Southeast Texas February 7 at 6:30 p.m. Procter Street, Port Arthur

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February 2016 33

vip art culture

photography by scott eslinger

darrell troppy a layered

artist

by Beth Gallaspy

Darrell Troppy glides across the concrete floors of his Old Town Beaumont art studio on a black hoverboard - yes, the popular toy that’s made news for injuries and explosions - moving to the rhythms of Adele’s new album blasting through a custom sound system designed to rival a New York dance floor. He loves Adele and relates to her emotional openness and honesty. “I wear my heart on my shoulder,” Troppy says. “People know where I stand all the time.” Where he stands on this January afternoon is a pensive, reflective place. A working artist in Beaumont for more than 30 years, Troppy is looking back over his body of work and forward to what he still wants to accomplish. One section of his studio floor is covered in finished drawings and paintings he’s in the process of cataloging. He’s been flipping through years of old journals as he prepares to write a book. In some ways Troppy, 54, wishes he were a vampire - a creature of the night (when he thrives creatively), immortal. But after surviving a bout with colon cancer a little over a year ago and more recently facing the loss of a dear friend, a favorite aunt and his beloved pug, Plum, all within a few days of each other, he can hear the clock ticking. He can feel a shift coming. He’s experimenting with new signatures for his art. “The date means something, too, but the signature means more because it might have started a new way of thinking. It’s a good marker, like a mile marker,” Troppy says. “I’m purging and renewing and letting go and choosing to be positive - because we live in a negative world, and it can be so negative. I want to be positive and think positive.” 34 February 2016 | the VIP mag.com

Troppy’s positive outlook, his desire to choose happiness and add beauty to the world, shines through in his work. Hearts, flowers and figures are frequent themes emerging in the glossy encaustic pieces he has become known for. He credits master gardening classes with his friend Marty Craig several years ago with inspiring him to develop his unique encaustic process. “I just saw the beeswax, and a light went off in my head,” he says. For well over a decade, he has experimented with his own version of the ancient artistic technique, topping his drawings, paintings and photographs with multiple layers of resin and wax melted with a pair of blowtorches, the perfect tool for an artist who admits to a fascination with fire. “It’s become a process that I learn from. I learn from something every time.” Troppy continues to explore encaustic, but his underlying images are increasingly abstract. He often works on a lazy susan, turning each piece as he paints to create an engaging, absorbing visual from any direction. His next big goal for sharing his work is his first New York show, which he is in the process of planning with a New Yorkbased friend. He hopes to present his New York pop-up show later this year or in early 2017, offering a preview of the work to Southeast Texas supporters before he goes. Although he worked with galleries early in his career, Troppy much prefers to “wear my own top hat.” He refuses to give galleries half or more of the sales price of a piece or to raise his prices enough to cover that type of commission. He wants people who love his work to be able to buy it. Anything else would disappoint his parents, who nurtured his dreams and his art from an early age, when he was sketching images inspired by children’s books he read on the family’s farm in Lasara, Texas, in the Rio Grande Valley. “Everybody’s given a gift. It’s just how they choose to use it, if they ever choose to use it. They’re given a gift. I learned mine very early on,” Troppy says. He knew he was an artist at age 12 or so, he says, right after he moved on from plans to become a magician. He still loves magic, spectacle, illusion and tries to include those elements in his shows. When magical moments arise, he wants to capture them, sometimes visually in his art, sometimes in words. A black 88-foot wall on the west side of his studio is covered with words and phrases sketched in silver as they’ve come to him over the past four months - “Push the buttons - all of them.” “Hiding my tears in the rain.” “People say pack lightly. I say pack the kitchen sink. You might just stay.” And perhaps most fittingly - “Be careful with that wish; it might come true.” Troppy considers himself “very, very fortunate” to have been able to pursue his art and continually improve at his craft for so many years. A love of travel, he says, keeps him from growing stagnant, whether it’s painting in the Louvre in Paris a few years ago by invitation, connecting with a friend in Toronto, exploring the streets

“Everybody’s given a gift. It’s just how they choose to use it, if they ever choose to use it. They’re given a gift. I learned mine very early on.” Darrell Troppy

of Prague after midnight or discovering Asheville, North Carolina recently. Or as he did for the first time in 2015, dancing down Fifth Avenue for New York Pride. It was a magical moment for the artist who doesn’t believe in goodbyes, preferring, “See you on the dance floor.” Troppy might be pensive as he begins to consider what he wants his legacy to be and the fate of the objects he’s created, but in everything he looks for the positive. He mentions the layers of water-tight resin on his work and what might happen if floodwaters came. “I think they would just float away. That’s good. Maybe you’d find them upriver or down the coast in Louisiana.” That would just leave more room for whatever comes next.

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vip art culture

Dick LeMasters, left and Douglas Greer

Hooked on Songwriting M. Jason Greene

Local Lyricists Talk of Their Journey to Be Heard by Elaine Wikstrom Songwriters will tell you they get ideas for their music everywhere. Their goals are pretty much the same, too. They want someone to hear their songs. Here’s how that happened for some local songwriters. Red dirt and blues Smaller venues, sometimes referred to as “listening rooms,” are the best ones for area singers/songwriters Douglas Greer and Dick LeMasters, a duo whose musical interests converged one night about three years ago at the LogOn Café. Greer describes his genre as red dirt Americana, although he played in electric roots-rock bands at first. LeMasters leans more to the blues side, although his band, Longneck Road, plays rock and has opened for both nationally and locally known names. Music was part of their lives early on. Greer, a 1983 Stephen F. Austin High graduate whose mom taught guitar and dad favored bluegrass, says if you were driving around his Port Acres neighborhood on a Saturday afternoon, “you’d hear somebody jammin’ in their garage.” LeMasters, 53, grew up in a Beaumont neighborhood where the legendary Winter brothers also had lived and played the piano and baritone sax before taking up guitar in ninth grade.

36 February 2016

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Early musical influences were compounded by living in what Greer calls “a musical corridor from Austin in the west to New Orleans in the east.” Smack in the middle is Southeast Texas, where a diverse group of people came looking for work and brought their own musical styles, he says. For these two, song ideas just come when they come, LeMasters says, with Greer adding that the “hook,” the phrase that will catch an audience’s attention, comes first. And while the lawyers perform together most of the time, songwriting is an individual thing. LeMasters’ example of an idea was a newspaper story years ago about a man being hit and killed by lightning on an otherwise beautiful day. Rather than tracking that story, “Lightning from a Clear Blue Sky” became a love song. Greer told a story about trying to slap a bug and setting off an unexpected chain reaction – his response resulted in “Kill Me Again,” which turned into a country beer-joint song. That one is on his CD, “Just A Man,” to be followed soon by a second, “Baja Louisiana,” he says. Some ideas tantalize, but LeMasters says he never truly abandons one. As proof, he says he has one that he’s been “messing with” for 15 or 20 years. Now, “I can’t not write songs,” says LeMasters, who has the CDs “One Bird, Two Stones” and “Gasoline and Fire” to his credit. And songwriting isn’t just setting poetry to music. “There’s an art to writing lyrics to a song as opposed to a poem,” Greer says. “It’s a different breed of cat.” What the men really want out of all this isn’t money, but to get the music out there. Greer calls the Internet a double-edged sword. Being able to Facebook a lot of people at once about new music or an upcoming gig is a big improvement over a mailing list and postcards. Podcasts are a good outlet. On the other hand, the fan who might once have bought an album at the local record store now can stream the music at considerably less cost – and less income for the musicians. They could have chosen a more commercial route, but say that probably would have meant playing a different kind of music. Instead, they do it for the joy of it, including last year’s eight appearances in six days in six cities in the Netherlands – what Greer described as a “logistical feat.” It was Greer’s third radio tour there and LeMasters’ first. “They want to listen to what your song is about,” Greer said of those audiences. His 2006 album hit No. 1 on the Euro Americana chart, as well as No. 13 on Freeform American Roots. For now, you might catch them playing around Southeast Texas, or in Galveston or Austin. But they're also planning a return to the Netherlands, and maybe Belgium, this year to see the other network of friends with whom they share the common language of music. “That’s a huge benefit to me,” Greer said.

lent of a college degree writing with these guys. You can’t help but learn from them.” Greene said if something you’re doing isn’t up to par, “You figure that out real quick.” Sessions with Nashville professionals could produce 30 songs in a day. On tour, mostly with Walker but also with Chris Cagle, songs got written on the road. When Greene was home, he says he worked on ideas to have “something to bring to the table” when he met with other writers again. The goal of co-writing, which Greene says is a great thing to do, is for both writers to walk out of those sessions thinking, “Man, that’s awesome. I couldn’t have done that by myself.” Not all his songs work out on the first try, and “I have songs I’ve spent a year on.” “I have tons of partials,” Greene says. He goes back and revisits them, and sometimes rewrites the ones he’s already finished. He estimates he might have written as many as 1,000 songs, some of which are on the soundtrack of the locally produced 2008 film, “Noble Things.” Greene was the film’s music supervisor. “The biggest song I’ve had out, I wrote in 30 minutes.” That was 1997’s “Rumor Has It,” co-written and sung by Walker. It reached No. 1 on the Radio & Records and Billboard charts and was the No. 6 most-played song in the country genre that year, Greene says. The ideas come from movies, television, “things people say,” maybe even a rainstorm in Mexico, Greene says. Many go in his leather journal, AKA the “hook book,” where he jots titles or concepts. The list of those that became album tracks number almost 50, allowing for the occasional song that went on more than one album. According to his list of songwriting credits, the people who sang them include Moe Bandy, Carrie Underwood, Tracy Byrd, Zona Jones and Mark Chesnutt. He continues to write songs, although he’s added commercial jingles to his repertoire. “It’s almost like an encapsulated chorus of 30 seconds,” he says, but like his songs, they still have to have that hook.

Learn by doing The usual teen angst of a breakup. That’s what 18-year-old M. Jason Greene of Lumberton was getting rid of when he bought his first guitar and decided he was going to write songs. Of course, he had to learn to play, too. He put together some material, and since he says he wasn’t – and still isn’t – much of a vocalist, he had a friend sing on a cassette and sent it to local performers. That brought Clay Walker to the DQ where Greene had his first job. In the ensuing conversation, Greene said Walker told him the singer was good, the songs not so much. But they continued to talk, Walker asking Greene if he was serious about music. Assured that Greene was, Walker, who then was playing at the Palace on U.S. 69 and the Neon Armadillo on MLK, offered some advice. For one, songs need specific structure, Greene says. Walker showed him a lot of things that helped; Greene rewrote existing songs and learned. His early goal was writing a song that could be performed in a local club and accepted unquestioningly by the audience. “I didn’t get there for a long time,” he says. When Walker started his own publishing company, he signed Greene as a writer – about eight years after the teen took up songwriting. “I was very green,” the now 46-year-old says. “I got the equivatheVIPmag.coM | February 2016 37

vip art culture

things we love 1. pinball wizards

The new Shrek pinball machine donated to Baptist Hospitals of Southeast Texas’ Foundation for the hospital’s Teen Room in the Pediatric Unit. The game was the 16th machine Project Pinball has placed since its founding in August 2013. Daniel Spolar, Project Pinball Charity’s Founder and Senior Director said, “These pinball machines allow the patients the opportunity to focus on something other than hospital life.”

1 2. Belles of the Ball

The Symphony League of Beaumont will host the Symphony Ball, “Springtime in Shanghai,” Saturday, Feb. 13 at 6:30 p.m. at the Beaumont Civic Center, honoring 47 beautiful Belles, eighth grade girls. The girls will be presented by their fathers and escorted by 20 handsome Junior Escorts, seventh and eighth grade boys. The evening of dining and dancing is a fundraising event that provides support for the Symphony of Southeast Texas.

3. Voodoo

It’s a King Cake aptly named at Rao’s Bakery because eating it is a spiritual experience. Although Rao’s offers a variety of “regular” King Cakes - cinnamon, strawberry, blueberry, raspberry-filled with or without cream cheese - the homegrown bakery also makes, creates and ships nationwide overnight the Voodoo King Cake. This most decadent ring of divine deliciousness is filled with chocolate and cream cheese and topped with chocolate icing and coconut. If that specialty option doesn’t excite you, check out the praline King Cake, filled and topped with pecans and caramel. Remember calories don’t count ’til Ash Wednesday. Eat up!

4. Liquid Nutrition

Vitamins, minerals, protein made from whole foods is all that’s on the menu at La Vie Pure (The Pure Life), Beaumont’s new juice, smoothie, coffee and tea bar. Select from 57 different juices and smoothies. Try a signature smoothie like the Shades of Blue - banana, cherries, blueberries, blackberries and apple juice – or drink your veggies and sample the Dance of Kale – kale, spinach, cilantro, apple, carrot, ginger and lime. Add a shot of protein powder, wheat grass or spirulina. It’s real juice from real food and real good for ya.

5. Cupid’s Pleasure Plan

If Cupid could plan a date night for Valentine’s Day, this would be it…a full body sugar scrub that totally exfoliates the body followed by hot shower and medium pressure massage, for two! This red hot, relaxation package for lovers exists at the Getaway Day Spa at the MCM Elegante Hotel, and this month, it’s one of their Valentine’s Day specials. Sweet! 38 February 2016 | the VIP mag.com

ALL DAY MONDAY- THURSDAY

MARGARITAS ONLY $3.49

Tuesday Special Fajitas for 2 for $20.99 All beer for $2.99

Flavored $3.99

4414 Dowlen, Beaumont, texas 77706 across from Parkdale mall theVIPmag.coM | February 2016 39

photography by john fulbright

vip people places

Cake. Charity. Community.

Trinh Pham, left, and Nhi Pham

nothing

bundt

Love by Holli Petersen

40 February 2016

| the VIP mag.com

That is the premise behind Nothing Bundt Cake, a unique bakery with nearly 200 nationwide locations, specializing in fresh and flavorful bundt cakes. Simply sampling the melt-in-your-mouth morsels of heaven illuminates the fundamental secret behind this bakery’s steady rise to the top. Las Vegas-based founders Dena Tripp and Debbie Shwetz envisioned a bakery with home-kitchen roots and products that did not compromise on quality ingredients. Their commitment to superior standards set the precedence for such swoon-worthy moist and decadent desserts. Locally, there is more than sugar and cream cheese in the mix of Nothing Bundt Cakes’ flourishing success. After a little more than one year of business, the bakery has quickly become a staple in countless Southeast Texas homes. “We believe in giving back to the community as much and as often as we can,” said co-owner, Nhi Pham. “We understand that without the community’s support, we would not be able to provide these special products for these special occasions, and we want to continue to give moving forward.” Clearly, love is the key ingredient. This love of community comes naturally to Nhi and her sister, Trinh Pham, who are Southeast Texas natives and Lamar University alumnae. With a personal understanding about the needs of their neighbors, the two have valiantly involved their business in causes that contribute to the well-being of the region. Aligning with local schools and charitable organizations, like the Julie Rogers “Gift of Life” Program, the sisters have built community partnerships that represent their mission to give back to those in need. In return, the region has readily accepted the business that has already embraced them. This ingenious cause-marketing platform has paid great dividends in the bakery’s sterling reputation. Wise business strategies must come naturally to these devoted sisters who always dreamed of building a business together. Entre-

love n i l l e “We f e brand th with ew n k e and w d be l it wou for our t perfec nity.” u comm Pham Nhi

preneurship and dogged ambition were practically hereditary in the Pham household. The sisters were often motivated by the example of their courageous mother, Marie, who fled Vietnam with nothing but a dream for a better life for herself and her family. Her perseverance drove the success of her own venture, Marie’s Seafood, which has been in business in Port Arthur for more than 30 years. Though the Pham sisters grew up dreaming of owning a clothing line or boutique, they both knew that any business endeavor would require diligent hard work. Little did they know, their “American Dream” would come in the form of a buttercream-laden bundt cake. But, when it did, they recognized they had found a brand that they could stand behind. “We fell in love with the brand and we knew it would be perfect for our community,” Nhi said. “With the opportunity to bring this business and this product to the area, we jumped at the opportunity to open our own Nothing Bundt Cakes. Seeing the reactions of our guests and hearing their comments after their first bite lets us know that we made the right decision.” Though many sisters might find it difficult to go into business together, the Phams insist their strengths and weaknesses complement each other. “Honestly, we feel that we balance each other out perfectly,” Nhi said. “We both try to learn all the various aspects of our business and ensure that all the details are taken care of. We couldn’t imagine going through this venture without one another!” The Phams readily encourage other potential entrepreneurs to make a similar leap of faith. The two have found the Southeast Texas market to be warm and welcoming. This hospitable reception makes it easy for the bakery to pay it forward in the community, not just through their scrumptious sweets, but with a sincere desire to make a difference. “We are the only place that specializes in bundt cakes, however we feel that our ability to ‘wow’ our guests is why our guests choose

Cake Sizes 8” Cakes

Cake Flavors Chocolate Turtle Red Velvet Chocolate Chocolate Chip Lemon Marble Pecan Praline Carrot White White Chocolate Cinnamon Swirl White Chocolate Raspberry

serving 8-10

10” Cakes

serving 18-20

Tiered Cakes

serving 26-30

Bundtlets

single serving

Bundtlet Towers serving 1, 2 or 3

Bundtinis

bite-sized by the dozen

Food Allergen Note: Our cakes may contain wheat, dairy, eggs, soy, tree nuts and peanuts. Gluten-free products are offered at select bakeries.

to come back,” Nhi concluded. “We enjoy being a part of the everyday lives of our guests, and we are glad we can give back.” In true Southeast Texas fashion, the sisters treat their customers like family and extend an invitation for everyone to come “gather round” in their bakery to share a story or sample their delicious flavors. It is easy to predict a bright outlook for this little bakery that shares such abundant amounts of love. Whether it is the warmth of its environment or simply that creamy, luxurious frosting, there is something about Nothing Bundt Cakes that keeps us all coming back for more. theVIPmag.coM

February 2016 41

42 February 2016 | the VIP mag.com

vip people places

Cobb Starts Fresh Monica Cobb Opens Restaurant in Beaumont’s West End Beaumont chef Monica Cobb developed her passion for farmto-table food right here in Southeast Texas and honed it during a career that took her from Sunset Boulevard to Hawaii to an Egyptian riverboat. Cobb was born in 1975 in Kirbyville. Every winter her large extended family would have a boucherie, or hog-killing and butchering, on her grandfather’s farm. “I remember the cold mornings and black coffee,” she said. “They would shoot the hog, then dip it in hot water and butcher it, and we would make sausage and boudain all day.” Each phase of her career has enhanced her love for fresh ingredients. This month, her career moves forward when she opens Monica’s Restaurant at 6385 Calder Ave. The sign will bear her credo: Chef Driven, Farm Fresh. “I’ve always been known for using an extreme amount of local produce,” she said. “My cooking is a cross between Asian cuisine and the southern cuisine I’ve grown up with.” Growing up, Cobb didn’t know what she wanted to be. While attending Lamar University, she met her future husband, portrait artist and musician John Cobb. “We had so many artist friends, and I wanted to be an artist, too,” Cobb said. She was waitressing and tending bar at Cody’s restaurant when a friend and coworker said, “Why not become a chef? That’s an artist.” In 1997, Cobb moved to Hollywood, where she stayed with a friend and looked for a cooking job. But restaurants weren’t interested in a greenhorn, and she couldn’t afford culinary school. She finally decided to go to a bar and look for an off-duty female chef to work under. At the Red Rock Bar on Sunset Boulevard, across from Wolfgang Puck’s renowned Spago restaurant, she saw a likely prospect. “I asked her, ‘Are those chef’s pants?’” Cobb said. “She said, ‘No, I just wear them because they make my ass look so good.’” Cobb had found her mentor. By the end of the evening, she had formed a bond with Gina DeCew, chef de cuisine at Spago,. “If you’re really passionate about cooking, come to Spago and work on the line,” DeCew told her. Cobb went to Spago and instantly felt at home. While she worked, she asked a line cook how to get a job there and was advised to attend culinary school before applying. But when the shift was over, DeCew not only offered Cobb a job, but also the use of her guest house at Venice Beach for a modest rent. While at Spago, Cobb received a scholarship to Westlake Culinary Institute, where she studied under chef Cecilia De Castro. >>

photography by scott eslinger

by Helen Sohlinger

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February Special Sue Meagher • 409-673-8244 Cindy Woodland • 409-651-1849

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44 February 2016 | the VIP mag.com

“We’re still friends,” Cobb said. “She and Gina are great mentors, and it was the Wolfgang Puck style of cooking I was learning.” After Spago, Cobb worked at two French restaurants but found it hard to make a living. “A musician friend asked me to be his date to a party for Matt Groening, creator of ‘The Simpsons’ television show,” Cobb said. She said no, but asked if she could cook for the party and try for a job as his private chef. She did and was soon cooking at private parties for celebrities. Next, she cooked at the Inn of the Seventh Ray in chic Topanga Canyon. “It was all vegan, all organic, all farm-to-table, all macrobiotic food,” Cobb said. “Hippie food. That’s where I learned macrobiotic cooking.” After Sept. 11, 2001, she wanted to see what was going on in the Middle East. She took on the job of opening L’Astique, an Asian fusion restaurant on Le Pacha 1901, a docked riverboat in Cairo. When she left Egypt a year later, she traveled through Europe cooking, visiting family and learning cultures until she ran out of money. She worked in Beverly Hills and Hawaii as a private chef to one of the creators of “American Idol” before deciding it was time to return home to Southeast Texas. She soon reconnected with John Cobb and within six months they were engaged. They married in 2004 and now live in west Beaumont with their two children. Her entry into the local culinary scene was unorthodox. “I put my ear to the ground to find out what Southeast Texas wanted,” Cobb said. “What I found was that we had a lot of farmers, hunters and fishermen.” That led to monthly “renegade dinners” featuring local food that was wild-caught, shot or foraged. The dinners were in offbeat locations not revealed to ticket holders until that day. They became wildly popular. The first dinner, in an old gas station, served 30 people. The last, a year later, served 100. “It was so much fun because we were forming a community,” she said. The first dinners were prepared outdoors on crawfish burners until she got a food truck. But they had to stop when the USDA said she couldn’t sell wild-caught fish and game that hadn’t been inspected and certified. Her next venture was Banh Mon, serving salads and sandwiches from her food truck. Her signature dish, and the namesake for her truck, was her take on the Banh Mi sandwich: a warm baguette with a choice of protein, Asian herbs and condiments, and plenty of fresh vegetables. Her loyal clientele followed her to several locations in west Beaumont, but her dream was to open her own restaurant. Monica’s, which seats 40, will serve lunches, Tues.-Fri., 11a.m.3p.m. She’ll also serve farm-to-table dinners the first Sat. of the month, selling tickets in advance and making each dinner a culinary event with craft beers and wine. “Our goal is to stay inspired,” she said. But how does she fulfill a passion for organic, farm-to-table food in Southeast Texas? More easily than one would think. With the popularity of Beaumont Farmers Market and the growth of Slow Food Beaumont, there are plenty of sources for organic, high-quality food. She buys grass-fed longhorn beef from Gentz Cattle Co. near Winnie; turkey, chicken and produce from Donna’s Farm in Fannett; produce from Crenshaw’s farm on Brooks Road; chicken and ducks from local Buddhist farmers; and grass-fed beef and produce from Wild Earth farm in Fannett. “My cooking partner is a farmer, chemist and botanist, Jaynen Cockrell. She has bees, chickens and eggs, and is getting a milk cow. We make our own cheeses,” Cobb said. The diverse culture in Southeast Texas, with its Cajun and Vietnamese influence, fits her style of cooking, and she plans to include a few Cajun – “not Creole” – dishes on her menu. “I’m coming into my own now; I’ve turned 40, and I know who I am,” Cobb said with a laugh. “I’m a Cajun, Vietnamese white girl.” For more information or dinner tickets, call 409.554.0730 or email chefmonicacobb@gmail.com.

ESTATE MICHELE COBB, D.C. CobbSALE Family Chiropractic As a college freshman, Michele Cobb knew she wanted to work QUESTIONS in health care, but was uncertain what aspect would suit her. She

Call Mimi shadowed Hollierseveral medical professionals, but found her calling at a

@ Sentimentalchiropractic Journey office in Sugarland. She joined the staff and worked Estate Sales for the answers there throughout college and for a time after she graduated from Texas Chiropractic College in Pasadena. Cobb took over a practice in • Experienced • Beaumont Reliable a year and half ago. “As a student, I had the stereotypical image of chiropractors pop• Professional ping bones, but that has nothing to do with chiropractic care at all,”

she said. “What drew me to the profession was the patients’ stories and seeing their improvement. I saw how reducing and eliminating pain plays a huge role in emotional and mental health, too.” Check website oftenCobb uses a variety of techniques with some asIn her practice, for upcoming sistance from sales, mechanical or computerized equipment. “I do several consignment furniture on the needs of the patient,” she said. “I do techniques depending & more. mostly manual manipulation, but will use the activator if manual is contraindicated or their pain is too high for manual.” www.estatesalesbymimi.com She also performs X-rays on site if no images have been taken yet Also available for appraisals. or for new traumas. “There are only two places in the body fully encased in bone – the brain and spine,” Cobb said. “X-rays help verify if chiropractic is the right and appropriate treatment.” Cobb emphasizes family in her practice, welcoming clients to bring children along for visits. She is currently working on a specialized certification from the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association. “I love adjusting kids as they are growing and making those changes now so they don’t have injuries 20 years later,” she said. “I’ve seen infants right after delivery. Checking babies and toddlers as they reach different milestones, such as learning to crawl and learning to walk, is a good idea. With older kids, especially those who play sports such as baseball or football where they use a dominant hand, there is contortion on the spine.” Her clientele range from pediatrics to geriatrics, she said. However, most patients begin visits because of pain, headaches, numbness or tingling. Many haven’t experienced a single trauma, but a lifetime of small traumas lead up to a moment when they go to grab a shoe and can’t straighten up or reach for something and then can’t turn their necks.

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Your CallFeature Allison Adamson at Listings in the Next VIP! Call Hannah Claiborn 409-838-2892 409.838.2827 theVIPmag.coM | February 2016 45

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Dana Hancock

by Stacie Jannise lthough their journeys have been different, several Southeast Texas artisans have followed their passion and found the path to success in the glittering, golden world of jewelry.

46 February 2016 | the VIP mag.com

Dana Hancock’s voice fills with life and passion as she begins to talk about her business. At only 13 years old, she discovered her love for designing and creating in a Bridge City Junior High classroom. Blessed with a teacher who allowed her to make jewelry, she began by learning to melt silver and cut opals. She continued to learn and perfect her skills throughout high school, creating and selling pieces that helped fund her college career. After working for O.G. Wilson, she opened her own retail store, Dana’s Jewelry, in 1987. Her store offers a complete line of jewelry services including her own designs, branded pieces, and jewelry repair. One of the unique things her store offers is a TV screen monitor that allows customers to never lose sight of their jewelry and see up close loose prongs, chipped stones, or any other elements that need to be repaired, often preventing costlier future repairs. Throughout the years, Hancock has designed many memorable pieces, including a necklace for Reba McEntire, a hat pin for Tracy Byrd using his cattle brand and a piece for Marty Stuart, as well as for several other musicians. Her ability to incorporate individual needs and loves into a piece is a rare talent, but one she excels in. One custom order involved taking a grandmother’s antique watch and dividing and transforming it into two keepsake necklace pendants for her granddaughters. Keith Landry of Keith’s Custom Jewelry found his way into the jewelry business from a different path and a little later in life. After years working at a local refinery and facing a layoff, he decided to turn his hobby into a

Keith Landry

full-time business. Landry’s down-to-earth style and attention to customer service has distinguished him in the area as a highly respected jeweler. His reputation for integrity and knowledge of his craft often bring both insurance and police personnel to his store to aid in identification processes and recovery. His store offers repairs and custom pieces, and he particularly enjoys creating unique pieces that become family heirlooms. His clientele not only includes many locals, but encompasses customers from as far away as Canada, Germany and Australia. One particular family comes to the United States every few years to visit family, and they do not consider their visit complete until they have dropped into his shop and had a special piece created. One of the unique services he offers is the ability to melt down and refine gold on site. This enables a customer to bring in pieces and have them recycled into sparkling new creations. A young couple might want to incorporate gold from an older family piece into their wedding set, combining both the new trend toward smaller but more glittering stones with gold from the past. Robert Cantu has been in business since 1982 and doesn’t remember a time when he was not passionate about designing jewelry. Cantu Jewelry is a full-service jewelry store offering traditional jewelry, his creations, custom designs and jewelry repair. He enjoys working with platinum, gold, silver and, of course, diamonds. When visiting his store, customers find a wide assortment of unique creations guaranteed to cater to a variety of tastes and styles. In true artist fashion, he finds it difficult to choose a particular piece that stands out as a favorite. >>

Robert Cantu

Clint Heartfield

“Follow your passion and success will follow you.”

Arthur Buddhold

Randy Flatau

Cathy Cook theVIPmag.coM | February 2016 47

His original designs are inspired by daily experiences, nature and works of art around him. His custom pieces designed for individuals are a reflection of the personality of the customer as well as his artistic interpretation. The beauty is in the ability to transform the often illusive idea in a customer’s mind into a reality that reflects their heart’s desire. With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, Cantu is working on a special diamond necklace to commemorate the day. Seeing his pieces become tied to a cherished memory or occasion is a rewarding part of the business. As his pieces continue to gain in popularity, Cantu hopes to realize his dream of one day seeing his designs sold nationwide. Heartfield’s has long been synonymous with unique, quality jewelry. At one time, a large percentage of Heartfield’s business consisted of custom-designed pieces. But with the latest technological advancements in the field of jewelry, more and more customers are able to find exactly what they are looking for without the full expense of a custom-designed piece. Clint Heartfield says that with computerized jewelry design programs, customers can bring in their stones or purchase new ones and then actually see what they will look like as a finished piece. With the popularity of sites such as Pinterest and other social media sites, customers can even email pictures of the types of things they like, and Heartfield’s can find the setting and stones to make a customer’s dream a reality. The ability to show the customer how the finished product will look prior to ordering ensures the finished product will be as the customer envisioned. Heartfield sees a trend toward the “old is new again” looks of the 1920s, 30s and 40s, as well as a return to classic and traditional pieces. White gold and platinum continue to be at the forefront as they tend to enhance the sparkle of the stones. At 12 years old, Randy Flatau wandered into a jewelry store and asked for a job sweeping floors. The owner told him he would not hire him to sweep floors, but he would teach him to repair watches, and so began his journey to what would eventually become Randy’s Fine Jewelry. He learned the fine art of watch repair and eventually progressed into jewelry designing. After retiring from Aaron Rose, he decided to open his own store. Although he is still a skilled watch repairman, there is little demand for that these days. However, his custom designs, jewelry repair and resetting and remounting stones have all earned the respect of area customers. Flatau enjoys working in all the precious metals including yellow gold, white gold and platinum, as well as with diamonds and other precious stones. He has taken a traditional approach to design, preferring to stay true to timeless, classic designs that never go out of style and tend to be passed from generation to generation. Having worked in various aspects of the jewelry business, he understands the importance of great customer service, quality work and timeless designs. Whether it’s repairing a treasured heirloom or designing a piece that is sure to become a family treasure, Flatau’s love and passion for jewelry is evident in all that he does. Cathy Cook’s love affair with jewelry could be seen as early as her third-grade school photo where she proudly wore a necklace she had created. She also had an insatiable desire for rock hunting that continued to evolve into a passion for a variety of gemstones. After taking a jewelry making class, she began uncovering her natural knack for coordinating colors of stones and creating unique jewelry designs. Today, some of her favorite stones include not only diamonds, but sapphires and the often underrated spinel. She makes annual trips to Antwerp, Belgium, seeking the finest diamonds, and has also visited sapphire mines on the Cambodian border, gem vaults in Bangkok and found pearls in Hong Kong. Cook delights in bringing her global treasures and inspirations back to Southeast Texas where she creates world-class designs for local customers. But out of all the beautiful pieces she has created, a piece she crafted for her mom more than 15 years ago still remains her favorite. Through the years, it has become a best-selling classic. She sometimes makes changes or additions to it, but always keeps the original idea as the focal point of the piece. With two locations, a case of pieces designed by her, and her abounding enthusiasm for what she does, it is easy to see why Cook has become a well-respected and loved local designer. Although each of these artisans’ works are characterized by their individual flair, personality and experiences, they all share a common bond. They each have a true passion for jewelry and success has followed as each one has pursued that love. 48 February 2016 | the VIP mag.com

theVIPmag.coM | February 2016 49

totally social

Downtown Beaumont Junk Days 1

1. Left to right: Charity Greenhouse, Dianna Davis, Linda Wall and Olivia Wall 2. Leonard, left, and LaShane Martin 3. Left to right: Dawn Mayes, Fran Odom and Julian Lightfoot 4. Left to right: Taylor, Denise and Jack Pryor

photography by scott eslinger

50 February 2016 | the VIP mag.com

Straight teeth - healthy liveS Over the last 20 years, clinical research established the connection between certain increasingly common childhood health issues and a single likely root cause – Sleep Disordered Breathing (SDB). Nine out of ten children suffer from SDB symptoms.

Does your child exhibit any of these symptoms? • ADD/ADHD • Bed Wetting • Chronic Allergies • Difficulty in School • Mouth Breathing • Snoring • Restless Sleep • Stunted Growth • Nightmares • Crowded/Crooked Teeth • Dark Circles Under the Eyes • Swollen Adenoids/ Tonsils •8 Aggressive Behavior • Overbite Underdeveloped Lower Jaw • Daytime Drowsiness Healthy Start is a non-invasive, all natural and non-pharmaceutical procedure that combines health issues and straightening teeth in one treatment. It provides beautiful smiles, straight teeth and a lifetime of healthy breathing. Call for a consultation.

• Sleep Disordered Breathing is a condition that can develop as a consequence of mouth breathing. Children are often cranky due to a lack of sleep. Of course the children don’t know they 9 aren’t sleeping properly nor do the parents. Children are consequently misdiagnosed as ADD and are put on prescription drugs or subjected to psychological therapy. • A telltale sign that your child may be suffering from SDB is crooked or crowded teeth, bedwetting, snoring. Of course, crankiness, sleepiness during the day, lack of focus are signs as well.

“I want other mom’s to know that there is a better solution out there and it’s Healthy Start. Not only will you have a healthy child they will have beautiful teeth. My son had perfect teeth at age 10! It is affordable, simple, and natural and the best thing you can do for your child. These are permanent changes, it’s not a Band-Aid, it’s a cure.”

Dr. a. DON ShaW, DDS FaMily & COSMetiC DeNtiStry

3875 Laurel Ave., Beaumont, TX • 409.833.0760 • www.drshawdds.com www.thehealthystart.com theVIPmag.coM | February 2016 51

2016 Economic Outlook Forum 1. Left to right: Jade Black, Sherell Gillispie, Myrna Harris, Pamela Wise and Jewel Black 2. Ranoda Lee, left, and Amy Babineaux 3. Left to right: Athena Ferrell, David Mulcahy and Jacquetta Walker 4. Left to right: Tom Schwaab, Shawn Hanley and E.J. Sherlock 5. Kari Fenner, left, and Rick Danna 6. Pat Anderson, left, and Robert Blackwell 7. Ray Beck, left, and Eddie Arnold

52 February 2016 | the VIP mag.com

photography by scott eslinger

theVIPmag.coM | February 2016 53

Jerry McMillan's 2nd Annual NYE Broadway Soiree at Beaumont Community Players 1. Left to right: Seth Crone, Marcia Crone, Sarah Sampson and Carol Batty 2. Mark Wilson, left, and John Edwards 3. Left to right: Lou Arringtpn, Becky Nichols, Lane Nichols, Mattie Bergeron and Christy Frugia 4. Taylor Morrison,

left, and Olivia Hatton 5. Albert, left, and Betty Broussard 6. Kline Cadien, left, and Bethany Burroughs

photography by scott eslinger

54 February 2016 | the VIP mag.com

theVIPmag.coM | February 2016 55

Spindletop Anniversary Celebration at the Spindletop Gladys City / Boomtown Museum

1. Left to right: Travis Rollins, Abigail Rollins and Austin Rollins 2. Left to right: David and Marilyn Neel, Judy, Kevin and John Murphy 3. Left to right: Garrison Spencer, Tanner Skatrud and Shannon Turner 4. Left to right: Asher, Patty, Ben, Ethan and Ella Williamson 5. Left to right: Mike, Cheri and Joe McGreevy and Don Smart

photography by scott eslinger

6830 Phelan Blvd., Beaumont, Texas 77706

409.860.9600

56 February 2016 | the VIP mag.com

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Love…

Then

I feel really lucky in love. My husband and I have only been married nine years. While I was living in Austin and Eric was living in San Diego, we met at a backyard wedding right here in Beaumont. We were both 36, and neither of us had ever been married. We dated for about a year, became engaged and married here in Beaumont in a “Beaumont Special” wedding in November of 2006. (Church wedding followed by Beaumont Country Club reception.) Neither of us had ever been married. In fact, Eric was my first boyfriend. Because our romance was long distance, we got to know each other extremely well through long late-night phone conversations and rambling emails. For a quiet guy like Eric and an inexperienced gal like me, that unique way of getting know to each other was the perfect recipe for romance. Back then, our long-distance romance was like something out of a movie. Phrases like “I can’t wait to hold you in my arms again,” passionate hellos and goodbyes at the airport, make-out sessions that left me dizzy, and the actual physical ache of missing someone so much that you were sure others could actually see it. And of course for me there was all that prep before each weekend rendezvous. New outfits, blow-outs and skin shaved, buffed and polished so that I glowed outwardly the same way I felt inward. Boy have times changed. Our first four years together in San Diego were a sort of romantic middle-ground. Don’t get me wrong, there was still constant making out and all that implies, but there were also lazy “no shower” weekends doing nothing but watching TV, as well as our first experiences with real-life issues like sickness, several miscarriages and the loss of my Dad in January of 2010. The romance may have dimmed, but the intimacy, trust and dependence grew exponentially. I look back at this phase and can’t help but think it was all by design. A daddy’s girl who lived away from her family in order to fully develop her marriage and partnership, so that when my

58 February 2016 | the VIP mag.com

Now

by Stephanie Glass Flatten

Dad died, I was fully tethered to a wonderful man who would help me navigate this tremendous loss. Towards the end of that year, Eric retired from the Navy, and we were expecting our son, Charles Shephard, so we moved to Beaumont and into my Dad’s house temporarily to have the baby near our families. That was five years ago. Since that time we have undergone a major renovation with a newborn, numerous failed attempts to have more children, the difficulty of transitioning from a career in the service, and the challenges of being older (tired!) parents with a very active strong-willed toddler. We fight. We disappoint one another. And together we navigate changing priorities. I can’t remember the last time we made out in public, and I am pretty sure that at our age it would not only be offensive, but just plain gross. Sure, we have flashes of great romance, but the catalyst now is usually thoughtfulness not a freshly shaved cheek (him) or leg (me). Our now mature marriage is a partnership, built on the foundation of faith and family. Many of our friends have been married more than 20 years, and Eric’s parents just celebrated their 50th. We are still newbies to the institution comparatively, but no less committed, and we both know the future will hold that inevitable combination of good and bad times that comprise the gift of life. Love changes. It reflects the individuals as they change and grow and as their understanding of the commitment does the same. I am learning that each phase has value and that shared experiences, though experienced differently, form the foundation. Through it all, I feel blessed to have strong, solid, smart, sweet and loving Eric by my side. I feel lucky because the height of romance for me was only nine years ago, and I still remember the airport like it was yesterday.

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Providing radiation and chemotherapy services right at home, from doctors you know and trust. We believe true caring encompasses more than just cancer treatment. It is important that our compassion and commitment to individualized care are evident in every interaction with our patients and their families. Our physicians are a team of board-certified cancer specialists with more than 90 years combined experience, including many years at MD Anderson Cancer Center. We focus on expanding our knowledge and capabilities in order to offer the most current and appropriate care for our patients. At the Cancer Center of Southeast Texas we keep hope alive by providing high quality care within our community. We offer personalized healing and comprehensive support for patients and their families.

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Everything it takes to

help you live well.

Your health means everything to you. And to us too. That’s why we continue to grow and transform. Bringing you the highest level of care possible. With more locations, facilities and clinics. And more experienced healthcare professionals committed to your complete well being, through every stage of life. We’re CHRISTUS Southeast Texas Health System. And we’re here to help you live well.

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