Minute Magazine May June 2014

May / June 2014 Volume 9, Issue 3

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ummer has arrived! Get your sunscreen and swimsuits out and get ready for the heat. Don those sunglasses and turn the radio up while you drive down the road. Even if you are locked in your office at work all day you can still adopt a summer mindset. Drink some spa water or download our spotify summer playlist (find both inside this issue) and be instantly transported to a tropical isle.

You’ve known her for so long. Now, suddenly, something has changed.

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ation, for our achievements in quality… but through our 24 hour referral line to discuss treatment The Joint theMedical leading accreditor hosen byCommission, you. Minden Center needs and are devoted to helping patients get back to e nation, for our achievements in quality… but to patients and their families – safe and their optimal level of functioning. e chosen by you. Minden Medical Center providing the highestfamilies quality care possible, st toOur patients and their services include: – safe and gtoedge technology thatquality you expect at larger providing the highest care possible, • Free initial consultation • Management of secondary veniently close to home. ing edge technology that you expect at larger

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Hope is only a phone call away.

Vicki Caskey sums up our summer attitude in her article for this issue.

She says " Life is short, make changes in

your schedule where needed. Take time for yourself and those around you. Embrace the chaos of this thing we call life. We only have one shot at it."

In this issue, we focus on the importance of water. The summer heat can easily sneak up on us and leave us parched and dehydrated. We want you guys to be healthy and happy so drink plenty of H2O this summer.

We also discuss the recent outbreaks of Naegleria Fowleri, a brain-eating parasite that lives naturally in freshwater and can be dangerous if it enters the body through the nose. Check out all of these stories and all of our great columnists in this issue of The Minute.

Tiffany Byram Owner/Editor

www.MindenMedicalCenter.com #1 Medical Plaza | Minden, LA

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For a list of locations near you, or to catch up on past issues, visit www.theminutemag.com or like us on Facebook!

For article suggestions and queries email Tiffany Byram at theminutemagazine@gmail.com The Minute Magazine is distributed throughout Caddo, Bossier, Claiborne, Bienville, Ouachita, Webster, & Lincoln Parishes in Louisiana.

They are FREE for you to enjoy.

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18 22 24 31

Parched? Get Hydrated by Lucy Douglas Summer Essentials Playlist by Shelley Duran Spa Water Recipies by Tiffany Byram In The Water by Elizabeth Simpson Pickett

contributors Donna Arender Chris Broussard Tiffany Byram Vicki Caskey Lucy Douglas Shelley Duran Barbara Ellis Durbin Winnie Griggs Wesley Harris Liz Hines

Ashley Maddox Jason McReynolds Rachel Pardue Judith Roberts Chalaine Scott Elizabeth Simpson Pickett Melissa Teoulet Rosemary Thomas Darla Upton

CONTACT INFORMATION: Office Phone: 504.390.2585 Ad Sales: 318.548.2693 P.O. Box 961, Belle Chasse, LA 70037

May / June 2014 Volume 9, Issue 3

Copyright 2014. All rights reserved. No part of this magazine may be copied or reproduced without permission. The Minute Magazine cannot be responsible for unsolicited materials. The editorial content of The Minute is prepared in accordance with the highest standards of journalistic accuracy. Readers are cautioned, however, not to use any information from the magazine as a substitute for expert opinion, technical information or advice. The Minute cannot be responsible for negligent acts, errors and omissions. The opinions expressed in The Minute are those of our writers and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher. The publisher has the right to accept or reject any advertising and / or editorial submitted.

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over the likelihood of us meeting, we agreed that we should at least go for a drink since it seemed like life was putting us together. That was five dates ago.

a season of

becoming in new orleans

written by Shelley Duran

-----------------------------------

Mr. Adorable -----------------------------------

H

ere’s what I’m discovering: I’ve gotten very good at going out on dates. The art of it – the getting-to-know-youconversation dance that happens over drinks, and later, over dinner if you’ve passed the first round. I used to dread the entire process and worry about what I was getting myself into but lately I have really begun to enjoy it. Sure, most of my dates don’t turn into much, but it feels nice to be swimming with the current as opposed to against.

After five years away, I felt a pull I could no longer deny and am grateful for how easy the transition has been thus far. As much as I miss my friends in New Orleans, and miss the ever changing scene that the city provided on a daily basis, this small town girl is brimming with excitement over seeing nature and having a slightly slower paced lifestyle.

Through my new job, a very tall bearded man recently walked through my office that looked extremely familiar to me. As he headed to the meeting we were hosting, I poked my head in a co-workers office and questioned the details of Mr. Adorable.

I was told his name, but nothing clicked. Where do I know him from?!

I quickly joined the I recently moved back meeting in the conference to my college town. room. Overhearing his

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While I don’t know where things are going, I’m going to take the time to figure it out and enjoy Mr. Adorable knocking on my door.

conversation with the And if anyone asks, we man next to him gave met at work – not online. me an ah-ha moment.

I knew this man from Match.com.

-------------------------------------------Let me backtrack – after moving, I decided to give online dating a go but quit shortly after starting.

Not being a technology person, I found the last thing I wanted to do was to get on the computer after work. Turns out, Mr. Adorable and I sent a couple emails back and forth but I never responded to his last penning due to my quitting. Awkward!

Shelley is a twenty something gal twostepping in Lafayette, Louisiana.

When she's not working as a Marketing Manager for the Chamber of Commerce, she can often be found running through her neighborhood in order to enjoy Cajun cuisine on a regular basis. Her beloved dog, Olive is often by her side.

The meeting lasted for Follow her rants and some time and instead quips on Twitter @ of paying attention, I shellbellduran. mentally listed the pros and cons of fessing up and approaching. Does -------------------------------------------he recognize me too?

What if he doesn’t? By the end I figured since we both paid for an online service, this wasn’t the time to nitpick. After (thankfully) laughing

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-----------------------------------

Pinterest Picks -----------------------------------

H

ave you discovered Pinterest yet? It’s a virtual bulletin board where you “pin” anything you like such as pictures, crafts, ideas, jokes, vacation spots, recipes, etc… Pretty much whatever you can think of can be pinned.

I held out on joining as long as I could but a particularly appetizing recipe sucked me in and now I’m hooked. It’s my new favorite recipe collecting site and I’ve already tried a few recipes with fantastic results.

My latest experiment is perhaps one of the easiest things I’ve ever made. And it doesn’t hurt that it looks pretty scrumptious too.

As an added bonus, noncooks could easily make this and impress their

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cooking friends. So what could be that easy, that tasty, and that pretty?

A loaf of store bought bread! No seriously, a loaf of any store bought bakery bread, not presliced bread, doctored up with a little butter, garlic and cheese suddenly becomes a party food of very tasty proportions. I’ve made it several times already with little tweaks here and there and each time it was a hit. The second recipe that I’m going to share was another Pinterest find and was so good that my boyfriend felt compelled to state his future marriage plans with me after only one bite. Those must have been some really good roasted potatoes to get that kind of reaction.

------------------------------Party Bread I’ve found this recipe under a few different names like Bloomin’ Onion Bread and Crack Bread, but until I find one that I really like I’ll just call it Party Bread.

Ingredients: 1 unsliced loaf of Bakery Bread (I used Italian Bread) 8 oz. Cheese, your choice, finely grated ½ c. Butter, melted 5 cloves Garlic, minced ½ c. Green Onions, diced 2 tsp. Poppy Seeds Directions: Preheat Oven to 350°F. Slicing the bread is the hardest part of the whole recipe. An electric knife probably works best here, but I didn’t have one and used a serrated bread knife instead. You will however definitely need a serrated blade, this will not work with a smooth blade. Slice the bread lengthwise into strips 1-inch wide. Do not cut all the way to the bottom. Now slice the bread along the short side creating 1-inch cubes.

Remember to not cut all the way to the bottom. Once completed, your bread should look like a blooming flower, hence the name Bloomin’ Onion Bread. Line a baking sheet with foil and place your bread on

it. In a small cup, melt the butter with the minced garlic added to it. Doing it this way creates a garlicky flavored butter that on a side note makes a great garlic bread topping. Drizzle most of the butter all over the bread, making sure to get it down into the cracks. Spoon the garlic into all the cracks as well. Insert the cheese into every single nook and cranny of the bread and sprinkle with the green onions, poppy seeds, and the rest of the melted butter. Wrap in foil and bake for 15 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for 10 more minutes until the cheese is melted and the bread is golden brown. Serve on a plate whole and let your guests pull each cube of cheesy, garlicky, buttery bread off of the loaf as they like. This is the kind of finger food that people go to parties for so don’t expect much in the way of leftovers.

------------------------------Oven Roasted Potatoes with Bacon and Cheese Ingredients: 3 lbs. Red Potatoes or any kind of potato you prefer ½ lb. Bacon ¼ c.

ParmigianoReggiano Cheese, grated 4 cloves Garlic, minced 1 tbsp. Olive Oil (optional) Parsley, minced Salt and Pepper Directions Preheat oven to 425°F.

Wash potatoes and put in a pot of water. Bring to a boil and cook until the potatoes are fork tender which will be about 10-20 minutes depending on the size of the potatoes you are using. I used red potatoes because I have a fondness for them but this recipe would work equally as well with regular Idaho potatoes, Yukon Gold, or maybe even sweet potatoes. While the potatoes are boiling, cut bacon into bite-sized pieces and fry in a skillet until chewy. Do not fry it crisp because you will be putting the bacon in the oven later. Drain the bacon on paper towels but reserve the bacon grease. Because I used red potatoes I left

the skin on, but if you prefer to remove the skin, you would want to peel the potatoes before boiling them.

While your potatoes are cooling down, take this time to finish cooking the bacon, grating the cheese, mincing the garlic, and mincing the parsley. Parsley is a very common ingredient here in New Orleans.

We throw some on just about everything, but if you’re not used to using parsley I would highly recommend that you try it. Adding some to a dish really wakes it up and helps it taste fresh.

Now that your potatoes are somewhat cool, cut them into quarters and toss them in a bowl with salt, pepper, bacon grease and if needed,

the olive oil. I prefer to do this in a bowl because I find that I have trouble really coating all of the potatoes when doing this in the pan. Spread on a pan and bake for 35-40 minutes rotating them halfway through.

Lower the temperature to 375°F and toss the bacon, garlic, and cheese in with the potatoes. Put them back in the oven for another 15-20 minutes until the cheese is melted and the potatoes look amazingly delicious.

Once you take them out of the oven, toss in the parsley and serve to your appreciative audience. This will make anywhere from 4-6 servings.

------------------------------Melissa is a happygo-lucky, thirty-something from Chalmette, Louisiana. She studied culinary arts at the Chef John Folse Culinary School at Nicholls State University.

Between spending time with her family and immersing herself in books, she lives for exploring new places, bringing smiles to everyone she meets and sharing her passion for Southern cuisine with that unique Cajun twist.

-------------------------------

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Life is short, make changes in your schedule where needed. Take time for yourself and those around you. Embrace the chaos of this thing we call life. We only have one shot at it.

life's

blessings

Here is a daily prayer shared with me from a dear friends devotional.

A prayer we can all pray daily over our lives.

written by Vicki Caskey

--------------------------------

Embracing Chaos --------------------------------

often wonder how I keep up with everything and honestly some days things fall through the cracks.

My family, friends and co workers often tell me I am over committed. They are probably right. With that said, I prefer to think of myself as passionate about everything I do. I want to be of service wherever I can.

Being a servant and working on multiple things at once is by no means anything to be ashamed of, I certainly am not. But hen my neglecting to take care of daughter went away to yourself emotionally and college and moved out of physically is something our home, I was lost. My life one should question. I had been centered on her have done just that. Let’s and all of her activities. I just say I have forgotten to loved my life and suddenly smell the roses. it had changed and I did not know who I was or Recently I have been asked what I was supposed to by a friend to participate in several activities. Each do. and every time she made After going through a short me an offer I had to decline depression, I decided to because my schedule throw myself into anything was full. It has become and everything I could to a joke with us and I have keep from going crazy. vowed that one day I will The house was too quite. be able to tell her yes, I I could hear my thoughts am available. After the last roaring loudly looking for time she made me an offer and I had to turn it down, direction, any direction. again, I started to realize That has been almost two just how committed I have years ago. I have finally myself. Over committed settled into three projects that is. or work if you will, that keep me crazy busy. I I like to say that my life is organized chaos. I usually

W

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laugh when I say that but it is so true in my life. The problem is I have neglected to enjoy the chaos. Instead I keep myself stressed out worrying that everything will fall into place, projects will get completed and deadlines will be met.

I miss random phone conversations with friends, a spontaneous lunch with my husband, a long visit over a strong cup of coffee.

You get the picture. I have busied myself so much that I have left no room for “smelling the roses”.

While I love everything I am a part of with no plans of giving any of it up. I have vowed to leave some room in my schedule in case my friend decides to make me an offer I can’t refuse, my husband calls out of the blue to take me to lunch, my daughter wants to meet for a cup of coffee or my mom wants me to come check out her flowers. As it stands right now, sadly there is no room in my schedule for those things.

But that is about to change.

Summer is on the horizon and I am going to enjoy every second of it. This will be the summer I take back my time and make the most of every opportunity I have to spend with those I hold dear to my heart.

Prayer: Father God, help me to steward my life wisely, rejoicing in the gifts You have given me and managing them faithfully.

Amen.

Oh the lazy days of summer, I am ready for you.

-------------------------------Vicki is a Louisiana native who has lived in several towns in North Louisiana.

She spends her free time baking, cheering on the Lady Techsters (#3 is her girl) and playing with her three dogs. She is a recent empty nester currently enjoying the small town life in Arcadia with her husband Wayne.

She is not afraid of hard work and is a very driven woman. From organizing a magazine to running a non profit, she will do what it takes to succeed. If you ask her she will tell you this, the Lord blessed me with the gift of gab and I use it hoping and praying to make a difference in the world.

--------------------------------

Leslie Lakes is a member of LNHA and is rated as a 5 Star Facility

US News & World Report’s Best Nursing Home for 2014 Congratulations to Leslie Lakes Retirement Center for being named a US News & World Report’s Best Nursing Home for 2014. This is an honor that Leslie Lakes is proud of because only 15% of the nursing homes in Louisiana have achieved this prestigious status.

Leslie Lakes has also achieved a 5 star quality rating distinction from CMS for the second year in a row!

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Leslie Lakes’ 5 star staff make it their mission every day to ensure our residents are happy and feel at home. The family-like loving environment reflects our belief that resident satisfaction is most important. Our staff’s values make all the difference. We are a family and by being so can ensure that the social and emotional needs of our residents are met because our residents become part of our extended family too. Leslie Lakes provides a true home-like environment and by showing love, sharing kind words, and living our mission every day our resident’s quality of life is improved.

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and obey just as much.

So why do I continue to think this way?

--------------------------------

This Tall To Ride --------------------------------

R

emember the mark you stood on your tippy toes trying to reach? The one in the line of the roller coaster at the amusement park?

Must be this tall to ride.

I remember being little and wanting so badly to meet the mark. I remember riding the little kid coasters and waiting for the day my feet would dangle from the tracks of the big red one with the upside down loop and the giant hill. I remember waiting for the day I’d meet that mark.

But once I did, the thrill wore off; the coasters became all the same.

The excitement just wasn’t there anymore.

So, once I reached that mark, I started finding new marks to hit. A team I needed to be picked for, a game I needed to win, a position I needed to earn, a grade I needed to get, some thing I needed to have.

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There has always been a new mark to hit. But I’m afraid that by trying so earnestly to meet them, that we end up missing the true joy of the ride.

trying to reach certain accomplishments and achieve more.

I’m continually comparing my life to others and trying to meet some sort of accepted position in life. Not only is it I’m really good at trying entirely exhausting, it’s to meet marks. I want to absolutely ridiculous. be good at my job so I spend hours perfecting Constantly trying to hit my work, and then I a mark is a great way to realize I haven’t called establish unhappiness. my Nana all week. I We, I, have to realize want to lose weight so I that there is no mark rush to the gym and then to hit. That there is no realize I haven’t spent compare and contrast. enough time with my There’s just a coaster dog. I want to watch TV we’re all riding and an and then I am too tired end that we’ll all face. to read my Bible. I want God doesn’t draw to catch up on sleep so out lines or give out I skip church. I’m really measuring tapes to good at trying to meet make sure we’re up to certain marks, but I’m standard. He doesn’t even better at failing to compare our lives with meet the most important others or wish we could ones. be different. When I get to Heaven, I don’t think For some reason, I God is going to ask me continuously strive to be why I wasn’t more like like other people. They Noah. He’s going to ask have a beautiful house, why I didn’t do more they have the coolest things like Chalaine. I car, they have the best think He’s going to look job, they have the nicest at us and say, “You were clothes. I’m always totally capable, just like adding marks to my list the ones who’ve gone instead of crossing off before you, but yet you the ones I’ve already made excuses for why met. Instead of focusing you weren’t.” And I know on the ride, on the things that I can believe just as that matter and the big and love just as hard people who count, I’m and teach just as often

There’s no chart to enter Heaven or scale to measure my goodness.

Noah built an ark—I’m lucky if I can put a bookshelf together. But people aren’t looking for ark-builders or seaparters, they’re looking for people they can relate to in the joys and aches of their lives.

People who get through them by praising God and holding onto His steadfast truths. Fighting through obstacles and pressing on towards a higher goal.

There are a lot of marks I want to reach, and goals are good to have.

But when I fail, I must remember the grace that seeps through the holes that once held nails. I must remember the arms that reach out in acceptance. And I must know that I’ve met the mark, and when I fall short, God fills in the rest.

-------------------------------A copywriter, novelist, and columnist, Chalaine lives by her pen. She is always traveling and never settling, making memories wherever she roams. Living off her dog's cuddles, her brother's humor, and sweet iced tea, she is just a girl in love with the simplicities. Mostly though, she is just a mess in stilettos, living off God's grace and living to serve Him, welcoming inspiration from wherever it comes and pursuing her dreams with whatever it takes.

Follow her @Chaleezy

--------------------------------

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secret. I love you, but I still want my space to be my space.

ice cream & other things

I know this list may seem a little harsh to some but I am just trying to save lives in the work place. I realize this list is not all-inclusive but who has the time for a list that is possibly thousands of pages long?

that should be discussed written by Ashley Maddox

-----------------------------------

A Discussion on Work Etiquette -----------------------------------

I

previously worked at a community health center. I won’t divulge the name or location to protect the innocent. Today, I would like to discuss work etiquette. Here are 5 things that drive me up the wall and make me want to possibly put something sticky in your chair.

1. I am usually the first person to come into work.

I come in before everyone else because I enjoy having time to listen to some tunes and get some work done in silence. Don’t come and talk to me for 30 minutes about nothing. Does this make me sound like a grumpy jerk? Absolutely,

16

but nonetheless, I came early to have some zen time before the craziness descends upon me. All I am asking is for some respect for the early birds. We just want some time to chill.

you. However, don’t just start blabbing when my headphones are in and I am clearly in the zone.

I don’t care about your sister's wedding unless something incredibly funny happened, like the bridal 2. Do not poop at work party was attacked by every single day. I get it. We pigeons. are all human and we all have to go to the bathroom. 4. Talking on speaker I worked at a small facility. phone is one of the most There was one staff aggravating things that bathroom and one patient people do at work. If it’s bathroom. I don’t care that a personal call, take it you turned the vent on and outside. If you have a sprayed Hawaiian Breeze conference call for work I air freshener. It smells like don’t need to hear it unless Hawaiian Breeze poop in we are both involved. Stop the bathroom now. Please sharing your boring call try to rearrange your poop with everyone. We are schedule. You know who trying to listen to our head you are….. phones.

3. When I have my headphones in, respect the headphones. Sometimes I am actually working when I have my headphones on and sometimes I am just surfing the internet and enjoying music. Bottom line, headphones are for protection. They are protecting me from your jibber jabber and you from my anger. If it is important, please motion to me and I will happily take out my headphones and talk to

5. Don’t be a close talker, especially if you have bad breath. Personal space is something we should all be aware of. If people are constantly taking a step back from you, do not step forward. That person is trying to escape your closeness to them.

Nobody likes a close talker unless you are married to that person and you are telling me a secret. Then you can step back when you are done telling me a

----------------------------------Ashley is originally from North Louisiana but now resides in New Orleans, Louisiana. Her experiences growing up in the country and being transplanted to the big city give her a unique perspective into life's quirks and hilarities. She is active in the New Orleans lifestyle and she has a great group of friends from which to draw her inspiration. She is a member of the Krewe of Nyx, attends numerous Mardi Gras Balls, runs, and enjoys reading and ice cream. She is married to her loving husband Jerry (who may or may not have written this bio) and they have a dog named Turkish.

-----------------------------------

Create the Perfect Outdoor Retreat The Patio Place fills a niche’ in the outdoor living space market in Monroe and surrounding areas. This unique shopping venue is located in the heart of Monroe in the Northgate Shopping Center on Forsythe Avenue.

The resplendent showroom features a wide variety of outdoor furniture, firepits, rugs, lamps, art and accessories to complete your outdoor

Ebel, Hanamint, Meadowcraft, Jensen Leisure, Breezesta, and Ancient Mosaic. Beautiful rugs, lamps, cushions, hammocks, and umbrellas are available from Casual Living, Hatteras Hammocks, Kenroy Home Lighting, Treasure Garden and Pawley’s Island. Distinctive outdoor art pieces are available in a wide variety of themes or customizable for your individual taste.

Sunbrella and Outdura Fabrics are available to tailor your color design preferences.

kitchen, sunroom, patio, poolside or lake home. A few of our leading furniture manufacturers include:

The Design Center provides an excellent space for the designer and their clients to meet while selecting fabrics and styles.

The Patio Place also offers the services of an interior designer in the store or by appointment in your home. Our knowledgeable staff

is available to assist you in creating that perfect outdoor getaway, and we welcome your visit to allow us to share our selections with you.

Additional services offered at The Patio Place include full-spectrum water analysis for your pool and spa. We are an authorized Dealer offering chemicals for chlorine and saltwater pools. Visit our sister company, The Pool Place, located at 611 N. 7th Street in West Monroe, for all your pool and service needs.

Bio-Guard Platinum

Owners Lynne and John Carter have been in the pool and spa business for twenty years. They have expanded their offerings to include everything needed to create your outdoor oasis. Joining Lynne at The Patio Place are Sharon Mouk, Manager, and Erin Foster, Interior Designer, as well as Deborah Johnson, Sales Associate. Hours of operation are 10:00am - 6:00pm, Monday-Friday, and 10:00am - 3:00pm on Saturday.

WHETHER THE PROJECT IS HOME BEAUTIFICATION OR COMMERCIAL NEEDS, THE PATIO PLACE HAS THE EXPERTISE AND RESOURCES TO HELP YOU CREATE THE PERFECT OUTDOOR RETREAT.

17

Feeling parched?

Get Hydrated Spring will soon be gone, and although our weather has been unseasonably cool, let us not be lulled into a false sense of security! It’s said that there are only 2 certainties in life-death and taxes, but I want to add a third thing to that list: the Africa-hot, 10,000% humidity known as Louisiana summer that is surely coming! With

that said, it’s not too soon to talk about the importance of adequate hydration, especially in light of the fact that most people do not drink nearly enough water. I don’t think people appreciate that water is our body's principal chemical component and makes up about 60 percent of our body weight; this percentage varies with age, gender,

Written by Lucy Douglas of New Beginnings Wellness Center & Spa 18

and fitness level. Every system in our body depends on water. For example, water flushes toxins out of vital organs, carries nutrients to our cells and provides a moist environment for ear, nose and throat tissues, which is very important living here in the land of allergies! There is no more important nutrient for our bodies than water.

Every day, we lose 2-3 quarts of water through urination, sweating, and breathing; therefore, it is important we replace our fluids regularly to compensate for this loss. People feel thirsty when they have already lost around 2-3% of their body's water. Mental performance and physical coordination start to become impaired before thirst kicks in, typically around 5% dehydration.

As with most things, the amount of water needed for each person is very individual, but if your urine isn’t mostly clear or you have problems with headaches, constipation, or hunger when you shouldn’t be hungry, you most likely aren’t getting enough water. Some suggest 8 (8 oz) glasses a day, while others suggest taking your body weight (in pounds), dividing it in half and drinking that many ounces. The America Journal of Clinical Nutrition suggests that children should drink a minimum of 5-8 cups a day. I generally suggest to my adult patients that they strive for a minimum of 100 oz. of non-sugared fluids daily. In case you need reasons why you should drink more water, here they are:

1. Increases Energy & Relieves Fatigue – Since your brain is

mostly water, drinking it improves clarity, focus, and attention span. As an added bonus, drinking water promotes an improved energy level!

2. Promotes Weight Loss – Removes by-products of fat, reduces

food intake (by filling you up if consumed prior to meals), reduces hunger (woohooo, a natural appetite suppressant!), raises your metabolism, and has zero calories!

3. Flushes Out Toxins – Gets rid of waste through sweat and urination which reduces the risk of kidney stones and UTI’s (urinary tract infections).

4. Improves the Complexion – Moisturizes your skin, keeps it fresh, glowing, and diminishes appearance of fine lines. Don’t bother spending big bucks on your skin care regimen without being intentional about your water intake. It’s the best anti-aging treatment around!

5. Maintains Regularity – Promotes effective digestion, absorption of nutrients, and prevents constipation. If you’re not having a bowel movement daily, you are constipated.

6. Boosts Immune System – A water drinker is less likely to get sick. Drinking plenty of water helps the body fight illness.

7. Natural Headache Remedy – Helps relieve and prevent headaches which are commonly caused by dehydration.

8. Prevents Cramps & Sprains - Proper hydration helps keep joints lubricated and muscles more elastic so joint pain is less likely.

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So now that I have reviewed the reasons why we all need to drink more water, let’s talk about the upcoming summer and the children who will be enjoying all the season has to offer. Children especially need to drink regularly because they have a larger surface area in comparison to their body weight than do adults, allowing for greater water losses from skin. Children are also less tolerant of high temperatures than adults making them more susceptible to dehydration! Did you know that the average 4-5 year old child consumes 17 teaspoons of added sugar a day? The majority of a child’s added sugar intake comes from sugar-loaded drinks (fruit drinks and soft drinks) — drinks that contribute to obesity risk, dental health problems and poor nutrition.

To stay healthy and energetic, your child’s body needs plenty of healthy fluids every day. Water is a perfect choice, since it hydrates without adding unnecessary sugars and calories. If you or your kids enjoy any kind of outdoor activities or sports, there is certainly a time when water alone may not be adequate. When you need to rehydrate, you often need added electrolytes.

Before you stop by the store on the way to the game for overpriced sports drinks, try making your own natural version! It is easy, just as fast, and so much better for your child. Regular sports drinks contain sugar (dehydrating), high fructose corn syrup, artificial colors, preservatives, and other scary chemicals!

The easiest sports drink that is nutritionally superior is plain coconut water or coconut water with a Tbsp. of added lime juice. Coconut water has more potassium than sports drinks, and more natural sources of sodium.

If you are looking for an inexpensive and tasty alternative, try our Homemade Sports Drink and Rehydration Drink recipes.

These easy recipes can help your kids get the proper amount of hydration, especially this summer when they’re enjoying sports and other outdoor activities. You can also experiment with berries, slices of orange or cucumber in water to pump up the flavor. Let’s not let our sweaty, red-cheeked angels see us guzzling down diet soda all day-we need to set the example for them to encourage a lifetime of healthy habits! Stay cool and enjoy some fabulous family time this summer, y’all!

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Homemade Sports Drink Recipe Ingredients:

1 quart of liquid (green tea, herbal tea, coconut water, plain water) ⅛- 1/4 tsp Himalayan Sea Salt (regular table salt will work, but doesn’t have all the trace minerals) ¼ to ½ tsp crushed calcium magnesium tablets or powder (Natural Vitality Calm) ¼ cup or more of organic juice (optional) or fresh lemon, lime juice 1-2 Tbsp. sweetener (optional)- can use honey, stevia. I suggest brewing stevia leaf into the base liquid for the most natural option.

Instructions:

Brew tea if using or slightly warm base liquid Add sea salt and calcium magnesium Add juice and mix well Cool and store in fridge until ready to use

Homemade Rehydration Drink Recipe Ingredients:

1 cup lemon juice (approx 6-8 lemons) 1/2 cup honey or pure maple syrup 1 teaspoon sea salt 1/2 teaspoon baking soda

Instructions:

Place in a pint mason jar and stir to combine (the lemon juice and baking soda will react, so stir it down), keep concentrate in the fridge. This can be added to 1 gallon of filtered water, or add 1-2 tablespoons to each 8 ounces of water.

Your Skin With Thank You!

21

MINUTE MAGAZIN

SUMMER ESSENTIALS PLAYLIS

DANCE LIKE NO ONE’S WATCHING!

22

CLASSI C S

Higher Love Steve Winwood Build Me Up Buttercup Gary Lewis & The Playboys

Only The Good Die Young Billy Joel

Wouldn't It Be Nice

E

T

The Beach Boys Surfin’ USA The Beach Boys Summer of 69 Bryan Adams Red Red Wine UB40 Hurt So Good John Mellencamp Sweet Caroline Neil Diamond Margaritaville Jimmy Buffet Don't Stop Believin' Journey

COMPILED

BY MINUTE COLUMNIST SHELLEY DURAN

N E W F AVORIT E S

DD - The Weekend Windows Are Rolled Down

Amos Lee Tighten Up The Black Keys Gust of Wind Pharrell Williams

La La La

Naughty Boy, Sam Smith

Tell Me Baby

Red Hot Chili Peppers Radiation Gavin Degraw Fine China Chris Brown

Baby, I Love Your Way Big Mountain Hey Brother Avicii

Cosmic Love

Florence + The Machine U Don't Have To Call Usher Better Weather Good Old War Magic Coldplay

Mind Over Matter

Young The Giant Chandelier Sia Wildfire John Mayer Simple Song The Shins

Changing of the Seasons Two Door Cinema Club

L I S T E N T O T H I S P L AY L I S T F O R F R E E AT S P O T I F Y. C O M

BY SEARCHING “SHELLEY DURAN” AND SELECTING “MINUTE MAGAZINE SUMMER ESSENTIALS”

23

spa

Fresh. Fruity. Fun.

water

Choose one of these recipi

create your own mix to get recommended daily water i

recipies

ORANGE GINGER FIZZ

WATERMELON-ADE

ORANGE & GREEN APPLE SPA WATER

Add fresh cut oranges to pitcher

Blend fresh watermelon in a blender with water and ice.

Add water until it is a good consistency.

Add a few fresh lemon slices

1 orange, 1 lemon, 1 apple (green), water

Add half a lime sliced Thinly slice about 1/2 an inch of fresh ginger root If you want to add bubbles you can add a dash of club soda.

Add water and ice and let sit in refrigerate for at least 2 hours.

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Slice the orange and the apple.

Spread lemon juice on the apple slices.

Put the apple slices, orange slices and juice from 1/2 a lemon in a pitcher.

Fill with water.

Refrigerate for 24 hours before serving.

.

ies or

t your intake.

GINGERED PEAR SPA WATER 5 pears 1 small lemon 6 whole cloves 2 cinnamon sticks

Core the pear and slice int wedges Squeeze 1/2 the lemon over the sliced pear to help from browning Slice the other half of the lemon in to thin slices.

Fill a pitcher of water and add in all of the ingredients from above. Let refrigerate a minimum of 2 hours to allow the flavors to gently infuse the water.

MIXED MELON & MINT 1/2 honeydew melon cubed or balled in to 1 inch pieces 1 pound seedless watermelon cubed or balled in to 1 inch pieces 1 cantaloupe, peeled, seeded, cubed or balled in to 1 inch pieces 1/2 cup fresh mint leaves

With a large melon baller, scoop from honeydew melon, cantaloupe and watermelon into a large glass pitcher. Add water. Stir to combine and refrigerate 1 hour (or up to overnight). To serve, add ice.

You may add mint sprigs or sliced fruit to the serving glasses as an added touch.

FRUIT INFUSED STRAWBERRY LEMONADE A summer pool party favorite!

Cool and refreshing yet just a touch of sweetness.

Add a few TBSP’s honey to boiling water and stir until well blended and the honey has dissolved. Squeeze in juice from half a lemon Let the water cool to room temperature.

Add sliced lemon and freshly sliced strawberries to the water and refrigerate over night. Go light on the lemons or else they will dominate the strawberry.

Add ice, a few mint sprigs and serve!

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Friday, June 27 Louisiana Peach Festival 2014 The Ruston-Lincoln Chamber of Commerce hosts the Louisiana Peach Festival in Ruston’s downtown area each year during the fourth weekend of June.

The festival, which coincides with the beginning of peach season in Ruston, celebrates Ruston’s famed produce crop and is the oldest agricultural festival in Louisiana. Festival goers can indulge in Ruston’s famous peach ice cream, peach cobbler and various other peach delicacies. Peach lovers also have opportunities to participate in the festival’s peach-eating contest or the peach cookery contest. Additionally, the Louisiana Peach Festival features live music entertainment, an extensive arts-and-crafts market, a parade, an antique car show, fishing tournaments and more. With events that people of all ages can enjoy, the festival offers a weekend full of family fun.

There is an admission fee for anyone over the age of seven. Admission is $10 Friday (includes evening concert) and $5 Saturday 8:00 a.m. through 6:00 p.m.

Tickets for the Saturdayevening music in Railroad Park are $10, or armbands that cover both Saturday admission and the evening concert are available for $10.

6:30 p.m. – Louisiana Swamp Donky, https://www.facebook.com/ swampdonkymusic 8 p.m. – The Molly Ringwalds, http://themollyringwalds.com/

Sat, June 28 7 p.m. – Chubby Carrier & the Bayou Swamp Band, http://www.chubbycarrier.com/ 9 p.m. – Dylan Scott, http://www.dylanscottcountry.com/

Peach Festival Events: 5K Run/Walk Arts & Crafts Show Antique Car Show Baby Photo Contest Bass Tournament Carnival Children's Expo & Kid’s Zone Diaper Derby Fabric Art Challenge Quilting Contest Festival Parade Golf Tournament Kids' Fishing Tournament Peach Eating Contest Peach Cookery Contest Peach Hunt Rodeo Tennis Tournament Quilting Contest

For more information visit

26

www.louisianapeachfestival.org

Friday, June 27

June 27-28

Louisiana Swamp Donky

The Molly Ringwalds

Saturday, June 28

Chubby Carrier & the Bayou Swamp Band

Dylan Scott

Carnival • Fine Arts Exhibit • Parade Arts & Crafts • Live Music • Kids’ Activities Antique Car Show • Sporting Tournaments Rodeo • Peach Eating Contest 5K and 1 Mile Fun Run/Walk Full Event Schedule at LouisianaPeachFestival.org

27

Produced by the Ruston-Lincoln Chamber of Commerce

strangers at my

coffeepot

written by Darla Upton

-----------------------------------

Crazy Pet People -----------------------------------

I

'm an innkeeper.

I know, right, super whimsical profession!

You've always thought of doing that, huh? Go ahead squeal "oh my gosh!" while I wait.

Ok, you done?

Good.

Being an innkeeper is as cool as you think, but there are also a lot of things which are uncool about it which you haven't thought about.

I'm not talking about the complaining guests, the toilet cleaning, the people who party in the rooms a little too much -- those things you've thought about.

I'm talking about the guests that sorta blindside you.

Guests with pets, for example. I could do an entire column on Crazy Pet People; not an entry, like set up a column and only write about Crazy

28

Pet People. I used to be one of those people. I understand these people and crazy always seeks out crazy so Crazy Pet People always find me.

bag. The dog had on a gold bracelet as a collar.

Its nails were painted.

I found out once she brought Precious out of the bag her nails actually matched the When I think of Crazy tutu she was wearing. I Pet People I always think am not kidding you this of a couple that showed dog was in a tutu, y'all!! up with their chihuahua.

Oh, the chihuahua! A The thing about Crazy breed which really does Pet People is they can't make their owner lose fathom that you don't their mind. I can say this think Precious is as cute because I had a Yorkie as they do. They can't once which made me get their head around a Crazy Pet Person. the type of person that Not to freak anyone out looks confused by a dog but I was such a Crazy wearing a gold bracelet Pet Person that upon as a collar and a tutu! his death I stuffed him, They are as confused by but that's another story. you as you are by them!

Let's just say I know crazy when I see it. I'm All day and evening I also in Crazy Pet Person listened to her talking Recovery because now schmoochie poochie that I'm not a pet owner I baby talk to her little look at dogs and cats as snuggie wubbie. I kept animals. Just plain and begging Hugh to take simple animals. Which a butcher knife to my pretty much kicked me pinky so I could escape out of the Crazy Pet to the emergency room.

People party.

He wouldn't do it. He doesn't love me.

So, this lady shows up with her little rat dog Of course, the other in tow. Well "in tow" guests weren't helping sounds like the precious because crazy attracts angel was on a leash crazy and the other doesn't it? Well then, guests were undoubtedly "in tow" would be the Crazy Pet People. They wrong phrase. This lady encouraged this idiotic showed up carrying her tutu business by falling diva doggie in a designer all over this animal.

It's like people with those stretched out earlobe things. I don't give them any attention. I'm not going to ask them why they have a stretched out earlobe because I don't care why. Plus me asking gives them the attention they wanted when they did it in the first place! I treat them like they are normal which really is the worst thing you can do.

So when it comes to little dogs in tutus I'd rather swallow my own tongue than to squeal "Aww, isn't she adorable!" while scratching a mongrel's ear!

It's not that I'm a pet hater. I'm not! I just think that sometimes Crazy Pet People--not you-those other people with pets who act similarly - may forget there are people who do not adore every pet they encounter and those people often own food related businesses.

Now that you know my stance on this situation you can imagine how my head spun when I came out of my kitchen the next morning into my dining area to make more coffee and found Precious in a fresh tutu sitting in her owner's lap at my breakfast table. It took all I could muster not to say, "What the Sam hill are you doing? Git that dawg away from the table!? You know better than that!" I wanted to say it but I was also afraid of sounding just like my grandmother.

She was very southern and very cantankerous.

Before I could say anything a guest which had entered the dining room at the same time

squealed,"Aww, look! through this breakfast."

We got a little baby at the table this morning!" Now, I don't want to hear what I should have done Since the only people at or what you would have the breakfast table that done because you can't particular morning were do those things in this the Crazy Pet People business. Sure, I could with the Chihuahua and have politely said, "take the lady who obviously your dog to your room, didn't mind that this please" but she was a "baby" was sitting at Crazy Pet Person and the table, I let it go. Or me saying that would rather I let it go to their have made her feel like face! In the kitchen, I I was not welcoming to was chewing Hugh's ear an important extension so hard it was about to of her--her dog! Crazy bleed! Between clinched Pet People view lodging teeth in a whisper, "Can places which say they you believe she has that are "pet friendly" to mean dog right there in her lap, they are Pet Crazy. They like inches from where think they are among the plate is about to go! like minded Crazy Pet You go out there and People who view the you tell her to take that animal as a baby. There dog back to her room! really is no way to say Is she going to let that anything to them about dog eat off her plate? their pet without making If she lets that dog eat them feel like you have off her plate I'm gonna insulted their favorite need some vodka to get son. I'm just happy she

didn't ask me to cook for Texarkana, Texas, the dog. where she met Hugh while working at the ------------------------------- Texarkana Gazette as a production assistant.

Darla lives in Jefferson, Texas, where she raises Girl meets boy, girl falls her eight year old son, in love with boy, girl Atticus Gregory with her has a baby and gets a significant other, Hugh bed and breakfast? It Lewis II. Hugh owns happened. the Alley-McKay House Bed & Breakfast. Atticus So, she was smart and Gregory is the Eloise of professional at one time the McKay House. and now she can't find Prior to being a selfemployed, stay at home mom she was a Civil Litigation Paralegal for a defense firm in North Carolina. After leaving North Carolina, she lived in Houston for a short time. She eventually returned to her hometown of

her keys, has more toys in her purse than pens, can't decide if she should color her hair again and sometimes she burns the bacon. Luckily, no matter what life hands her, she has a good sense of humor, vodka and her typewriter.

-------------------------------

29

He’s the man who walked down our bumpy country road to rescue an abandoned cat.

He’s the man who was renowned on the rivers as an expert tugboat captain.

written by Judith Roberts “I want to go home.”

“I know you want to go home. But you have to stay in the hospital until your hip heals.”

-----------------------------------

Dad -----------------------------------

“I’m in Greenville.”

“No, you’re in Oak Grove.”

“I’m in Greenville.”

“Listen, you called me from a 428 number. That’s Oak Grove.”

“I’m in Greenville.”

“Fine. You’re in Greenville.”

T

he depths of disease cannot be fathomed alone.

If it takes a village to raise a child, it takes that same village to love an adult. We were never meant to travel through trials on our own.

Whether hand in hand with Jesus or hand in hand with those you love, taking a stomach punch in the gut day after day forces you to depend on others.

30

When my dad broke his hip back in March, it was traumatic for our family.

A broken hip is bad enough. Add dementia and Parkinson’s to the mix, and you’ve got one heck of a time to get through.

It wasn’t always like this – but isn’t that how every story begins? An ordinary person lives in an ordinary world, and then, through circumstances beyond control, that person is taken into another world, an extraordinary world – and that extraordinary world is not a pleasant place.

of “change is inevitable” is true. Comfort and security for a moment does not mean it will last a lifetime.

The man who I see and talk to now isn’t like the man I grew up with. His voice is much softer. His judgment isn’t always sound. But there are a lot of things that are the same; the one that resonates most is his love.

I have never doubted my father’s love for me or for my mom. He calls my husband his son. He gives a bright, eager smile each time he sees my daughter.

He is the one who instilled in me a love for all creatures (except bugs; no one got me to love bugs). He is the one who would tightly hug me after a tennis match (win or loss, I was always a winner in his eyes). He is the one who wanted me to call every day just to hear my voice (even though at age 18, I thought I was “too mature” to call my father daily).

This is all part of Vogler’s Hero’s Journey mythic structure. Of course, the next step of the Hero’s Journey is refusal of the call. The hero doesn’t want to leave the ordinary world.

But, of course, the journey never allows the hero to stay comfortable in the ordinary world.

He’s the man who carried me on his back as we The same can be stated picked blueberries in a for each person. The cliché nearby field.

He’s the man who devoted his entire life to Christ and to being the best husband and father he could be.

He’s the man who called me his “favorite precious darling.”

He’s the man who is my dad.

“How’s Alice?”

“She’s doing well.”

“I love that little baby so much.”

“I know you do.”

“She’s a very special little girl – and you are, too. I love you.”

“I love you, too.”

----------------------------------Judith Roberts is a journalism instructor at Louisiana Tech University and a born and raised Louisianan. She is an alumna of Tech, Grambling State, and the University of Southern Mississippi.

She and her husband Kyle have one gorgeous and feisty child, Alice, and they are members of Temple Baptist Church. Judith has run three half marathons and also enjoys reading and writing -- but not arithmetic.

-----------------------------------

in the

WATER

By Elizabeth Simpson Pickett

S

unday, October 2, 2011. It’s a day etched in our family’s memory. It’s the day my husband’s aunt, Diane Pickett, went to be with Jesus. It was so sudden. One day she was feeling normal, traveling with a friend, then within just a few days, she was gone. She entered the hospital with what doctors thought was meningitis. It wasn’t until after an autopsy that we learned that Diane had passed away from Primary Amoebic Meningoencephalitis (PAM). It is caused from Naegleria Fowleri, the “brain-eating amoeba.” According to KyleCares.com, an amoeba awareness campaign, “Naegleria Fowleri is a brain-eating parasite that lives naturally in freshwater including lakes, rivers, ponds, even ditch water and hot springs. It thrives, multiplies, and feeds on bacteria and is a life-threatening risk when water temperature is warm, around 80 degrees or warmer. This amoeba is dangerous if it enters the body through the nose.”

In Diane’s case, the culprit was using tap water in a neti-pot, which is used to irrigate the sinuses. Two years after her death, the amoeba was found in our water system. I wish I could say that I had never heard of Naegleria Fowleri. I wish I could say that there was a mad dash to Google to research this diagnosis….but I can’t. She isn’t the first person I know that has passed away from this. In August of 2010, a handsome blue-eyed 14 year-old boy with curly locks named Will Mathews also passed away after it is suspected that he came in contact with the amoeba at an area lake. After a weekend of fun skiing the summer before his freshman year of high school, Will developed a terrible headache along with other symptoms.

His parents, Tyree and Mark, rushed him to the hospital where, like Diane, he was thought to have meningitis. Will was full of life – a healthy, active teenager. His laugh, his athleticism, and his heart for others is so very much missed by his parents and his brothers Luke, Reed, and Beau. His death, like Diane’s, has left a huge void in this world. Our family, along with Will’s family and countless other families who have experienced the pain this amoeba brings, are dedicated to educating others about the dangers.

Will and Diane are not alone. There have been other cases of deaths due to the amoeba in Louisiana. One was due to a neti-pot and the other was a result of a child playing on a slipand-slide. There have been hundreds of cases worldwide. It is considered a “rare” occurrence, but we believe that it is grossly under-reported. Many people are assumed to have had meningitis. Technology is advancing, and I suspect we will see an increase in the number of documented cases as a result.

This amoeba is almost always fatal; however, there are some ways to reduce and even eliminate the threat. As the tempera-

tures become warmer and summer approaches, it is important to take precautions. The best way to protect yourself and your family is to keep your nose above water. If using a neti-pot, use distilled or previously boiled water. If you must participate in water sports such as swimming, diving, jumping, skiing, wakeboarding, and splashing around, use a nose clip.

Although properly chlorinated pools are safe, kiddie pools, slip-andslides, inflatable slides, and other non-chlorinated water activities are a risk. My children no longer play in freshwater like lakes or anything that requires tap water, and because this amoeba has been found in our water supply, bath time is no longer considered play time. Not only has the amoeba been found in our water supply, but it has also been found in the water system in St. Bernard parish where the slip-andslide death occurred.

It is important to note that water containing the amoeba is safe to drink. It must travel through the nose to be of danger. Right now, the CDC will test a municipal water supply for the presence of the amoeba ONLY if a death has occurred. However, State of Louisiana health officials and legislators like State Representative Richard Burford are working hard to create standards for water systems to help reduce the risk. Officials are working on getting certification to test for the amoeba instead of having to rely on the CDC. I am proud of the work they are doing and the many people who are advocating on the behalf of our loved ones.

For more information on the amoeba and more ways to reduce your risk, please visit www.KyleCares.com.

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headlines &

hemlines

written by Rachel Pardue

-----------------------------------

It's Not All Swamps: Louisiana Has Style -----------------------------------

L

ouisiana - Home of the rednecks, duck freaks, and alligator fanatics. Here in the bayou state, we only eat crawfish, and occasionally we’ll find our way out of the swampland to paint-up for a saint’s game where, naturally, we can enjoy chanting our state’s anthem, “Who Dat” as loud as our southern drawls will allow.

Louisiana may be slightly misunderstood in the eyes of the rest of the nation, but to those who have truly experienced the culture, Louisiana is a beautifully unique state that is capable of much more than swamp-tours and camouflage stores.

Although Louisiana is famous for being the sportsman’s paradise,

32

this southern state has a drastically different side that is hidden somewhere just beneath the piles of Mardi Gras beads; Louisiana has style.

There is no better event to showcase the newly chic Louisiana than Fashion Fusion, which was held this April in West Monroe. The models and dancers captivated the audience and conveyed a message of southern charm through the universal medians of fashion, music, and dance. Fashion Fusion is a benefit for The Children’s Coalition for Northeast Louisiana, and this year, the show was a manifestation of the evolution of life in the south.

The looks on the catwalk ranged from 70’s flowerchild skirts and headbands to today’s edgy dropwaist dresses. Although some outfits were more vintage inspired than others, they all embraced the past while adding original touches to create an entirely new style.

In comparison to the fashion shows in New York or even Paris, Fashion Fusion was all over the place and lacked one theme or focus. Most shows pick a single trend, idea, or look and create an entire show around that one focal point, but not Fashion Fusion. It is fitting that Fashion Fusion did not follow conventional rules or fit perfectly in one category.

Louisiana never does.

Just like our state, the show was exciting, charming, and a little random, but that’s what makes us interesting.

The Catwalk resembled a jazz-filled night in New Orleans when models in flapper-like dresses soulfully made their way down the catwalk with glittering saxophones pressed to their lips.

Like any good party, the number ended with the raining of Mardi Gras beads over the crowd.

Fashion Fusion included looks from the local boutiques of Duck & Dressing, K Sera, Hemline, Rodeo, and Herringstones to name a few. The showcase

of style proved that our local boutiques are worthy of admiration and more than ready for customers. The people of Louisiana no longer have to go to malls and big-named department stores to buy fashionable clothing.

These boutiques are taking Louisiana by storm, and they offer original southerninfused looks that are perfect for summer.

As if raising money for the Children’s Coalition and promoting local businesses was not enough, Fashion Fusion gave the many beautiful models and talented dancers of Louisiana a chance to perform in front of a huge crowd with all of the lights, music, and choreography of a big city production. April Hooper, a student at Ruston High School and a model for K Sera, said that “the practices were very long, but it all paid off.” This kind of event is helping many young models like April gain valuable experience in the fashion industry and is furthering their resumes for future jobs.

Many aspiring models are moving to Dallas and other large cities in pursuit of gaining runway experience, but with the help of events like Fashion Fusion, models and dancers will soon be coming to Louisiana as we continue to broaden our support of the arts.

A new Louisiana is here, and a better one is coming. Without losing sight of the traditions that have given the state its character, Louisiana is

broadening its horizons and welcoming new opportunities. Louisiana today is exactly like Fashion Fusion, it is diverse, unconventional, and a little hard to figure out, but nevertheless, it is wonderful in an entirely original way.

Photographs: (Top Right) April Hooper and Models (Bottom Left) Models Posing on the Catwalk (Bottom Right) Rachel Robertson, Owner of Duck & Dressing Pictured with Rachel Pardue

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the Lady Cougar varsity basketball team.

Rachel is a member of the All-American Dance team and preformed in the London New Year’s Day Parade in England this year. In her free time, Rachel loves horseback riding and jumping her thoroughbred Pete.

This summer she will be attending The National Student Leadership Conference at Yale University and will be competing with the Emerald Entertainers at the National Dance Association summer camp this June.

As for college and her future, Rachel is keeping an open mind and figuring it out along the way, but she is excited to see what God has planned.

Rachel Pardue is a student at Cedar Creek where she is the junior class president, co-captain of the Cedar Creek dance line, the Emerald ------------------------------Entertainers, and she is a proud member of

33

written by Rosemary Thomas

-----------------------------------

Let's Go Camping!

-----------------------------------

L

et’s Go Camping!

This is a phrase that is heard pretty often in our house this time of year.

My better half and I love to go backpacking, but our knees and backs are a little less enthusiastic about those adventures than they used to be.

Even though we don’t go backpacking very often, there is nothing holding us back from “car camping” as we call it. We are tent campers, which is apparently becoming a dying breed. There doesn’t seem to be many of us left… many times we have had the only tent in a sea of campers.

Sometimes we feel like the underdressed 2nd

34

cousin at a fancy-pants formal social event.

Our favorite spots are not in designated campgrounds, but in wilderness areas – Primitive Camping – so we can take the dogs (who LOVE camping more than peanut butter).

We are also able to avoid the subtle glances of pity from the pseudo campers because we don’t have a 250 foot 5th wheel camper with the built in giant TV screen and surround sound system – I mean – Really? One day we may get a little camper, but for now we are still able to pitch a tent, set up our Coleman Stove, and relax! All of our worries and stresses just evaporate like a heavy dew on a bright clear morning!

What is it about camping? Normally the thought of cold showers, mosquitoes and knats, being too hot or too cold, and being caught in the rain would be less than attractive. But somehow,

none of that bothers you much when you go camping. My better half is a fool for camping equipment and I think we probably own at least one of every item found in the camping department of Bass Pro Shop. If you have children, you MUST take them camping! You don’t really need all that much equipment

a banana, but don’t peel it. Cut it in half lengthwise while leaving the ends and the bottom peel intact (so it sort of opens like a hot dog bun).

Now, stuff that banana with marshmallows, chocolate chips, peanuts – or whatever candy or treat you adore, and put it all back together and wrap it up in foil.

Put it in your coals until the banana is soft and the marshmallows and chocolate are melted.

You have yourself a banana split. OK, you don’t have ice cream, but there is nothing holding you back from packing a can of whip cream stuff in your ice chest, now is there?

Hobo packets are a delicious and easy camp food that can be made to suit any taste!

These are great for kids because they can make their own packet!

Wrap whatever you want in several layers of heavy duty foil, put it in the coals of your campfire, and enjoy!

You can use hamburger patties or sausage links or even fish and add any vegetable you like – potatoes, onions, carrots, squash, and then season to your liking. That is all you need to do!

One of the best things about camping is the food!

EVERYTHING tastes better when you are camping. Not just food you cooked over a campfire, but an Oreo cookie (which is something we always have to take on camping trips – I don’t know why) tastes amazing when you eat it outside. There is a lot more to camp food than the popular S’Mores (chocolate and toasted marshmallows in between graham We love to make baked crackers). Think outside apples for dessert – Core an apple (don’t go all the of the marshmallow. way thru) and fill with a How about a roasted mixture of brown sugar, banana split treat? Take raisins, nuts, cinnamon.

Wrap it in foil and put it in the coals and you will have a wonderful treat.

Breakfast is especially good when you camp.

Something about bacon and eggs at a picnic table is amazing.

Delicious!

If you don’t have a Coleman Stove and want to do all your cooking over the fire – try an Orange Cinnamon Roll! Cut a slice off the top of an orange and hollow it out. (eat the orange!) Stuff a canned Cinnamon Roll inside the orange, put the top back on, wrap it in foil and put it in the coals!

The roll will cook and the the orange protects it from burning but gives it a subtle orange flavor.

Rosemary Thomas is an avid cook and gardener who enjoys the challenge of owning a restaurant and working with her daughter. She is an RN and continues to work several days a week in Shreveport where she lives with her husband, three dogs, two cats and 80 chickens.

So, grab the kiddos, a friend, a dog, a friend’s dog, a friend’s kiddo --and go camping!

NOW PLAYING

-------------------------------

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Films subject to change. Call (318) 424-8660 for showtimes.

www.sciport.org | 318.424.3466 On the Downtown Shreveport Riverfront

Dr. Kishore Malireddy General Surgery

MINDEN MEDICAL CENTER IS PLEASED TO WELCOME OUR NEWEST PHYSICIAN

Dr. Kishore Malireddy –“Dr. Reddy”– has his priorities in order and that includes his patients’ needs first and foremost. Due to his compassionate nature, he wants every patient to leave his office with no unanswered questions, a clear understanding of what–if anything – is wrong and next steps of care. Dr. Malireddy chose to become part of Minden Medical Center because of the “warm and welcoming staff, setting and community.”

Board certified in GENERAL SURGERY with additional fellowship in Advanced Laparoscopic & Minimally Invasive Techniques, Dr. Malireddy’s ultimate goal is to provide comprehensive general surgical care by using recent advances in surgery. He has given multiple presentations during his training and extensively contributed to medical literature. Most recently, he received the 2013 Fellow Award for outstanding patient care, compassionate work, excellence in surgery and overall exemplary dedication.

Dr. Malireddy is accepting new patients at Surgery & Endo Associates located at 102 Monroe Street, Suite B in Minden. Appointments may be made by calling (318) 377-4534.

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIP American College of Surgeons Associate Fellow, Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons, Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, Indian Medical Council

EDUCATION GENERAL SURGERY RESIDENCY The University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio ADVANCED LAPAROSCOPIC & MINIMALLY INVASIVE SURGERY FELLOWSHIP Carolinas Medical Center Charlotte, NC

PERSONAL Dr. Malireddy enjoys spending quality time outdoors with his wife, Kavitha, and daughter Vennela, running and cooking Indian cuisine in his spare time.

www.mindenmedicalcenter.com

#1 Medical Plaza | Minden, LA 71055 | (318) 377-2321

35

rants of an

old hen

written by Chris Broussard

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The Woodcarver -----------------------------------

W

hen I was owner of The Children’s Center, our summer outings usually included a field trip to my house. The twenty minute ride to my underground home in the middle of forty wooded acres usually included a conversation about litter and the importance of keeping our good Earth clean. The ride down Germantown Road also included taking in the bright green road sides and if we were in luck some of the black eyed Susan’s, one of my favorite flowers, were in full bloom.

Part of the outing included advance preparation.

Those in attendance were instructed to bring a change of clothes and a pair of shoes they didn’t mind getting muddy. We would also start the adventure off

36

with making sure the kids were ‘vaccinated’ with bug spray. Dressed out in their play clothes and their kick around shoes, we set off to travel the shallow creek that runs in front of our house.

thought would enhance their earthly halo.

Once we made it back to the house, I usually had to wash a few clothes and shoes and the kids would put on one of Rick’s big tee shirts. They loved sitting around in the den and admiring all the artwork.

And that usually gave me an opportunity to share a true story with them about a particular piece of art in our living room.

A natural spring at the top of our hill feeds the winding creek that runs the length of our property and beyond. Cutting through huge stands of pine trees and winding around massive beech trees, it’s a sight I have never gotten Teaching kids to love and tired of in my more than admire art was one of thirty years here. my passions. I couldn’t understand sometimes I would take the kids down why some of the kids didn’t the creek to a hilly area want to paint or draw or where some of the bluffs learn about this wonderful that line the creek made the world of creativity. I would perfect slide. I remember often hear “do I have to?”

Daniel Lee having the time And “why do you want us of his life sliding down to do this?” In my effort those bluffs to the shallow to expose the children creek below. He couldn’t to as many art forms as I get enough of it. And then could would result in them there was Paula Brown asking why they had to do who didn’t like getting dirty this on many occasions. but accidentally fell in the They just didn’t understand creek. why I thought it was so important. I had always While we were taking our hoped that this field trip little hike through never- to my house would help never land, I would always them understand me and engage the girls in finding understand why I thought young grape vines and the arts were so important. wrapping them into fairy wreaths for their heads. One of the most impressive We would add some pieces of art in our home is flowers or whatever they a seven foot wood carving

of an old Indian woman.

Carved out of a huge walnut tree, the crippled Indian woman carrying a bundle of wood commands attention. The kids would want to know who she was, what she was made of and who made her? Charles Widmer of Mountain View, Arkansas carved the massive piece around 1990. How we acquired the piece is another story.

I started this ‘show and tell’ time with who the artist was and then I would tell them about his childhood…. a story that Charles Widmer shared with us. As the story goes; Charles ran away from home when he was only 13 years old.

He joined a motorcycle gang and for more than twenty five years he would spend his youth traveling the country side trying to survive his chosen hand to mouth existence. His time as a member of "Hell’s Angels” was not a proud time for him according to Charles. He was hesitant at first to share his early adolescence with us. As Charles would tell it, he was a troubled child and didn’t do well in school.

In fact he was illiterate.

But at some point in his young life he was given a rare opportunity to work side by side with an older gentleman who carved wood. He taught the young Charles to whittle.

At the age of 30 Charles made his way back home to his hometown of Mountain View, Arkansas and moved back in with his father.

Without knowing how to read or write and having no skills at all, he struggled with employment. His dad had mentioned to him that when he was young he seemed to have a talent for whittling and suggested that maybe he could make a living as a craftsmen.

And if you know anything

about Mountain View, Arkansas, then you know it is the Mecca of folk art and mountain music.

Charles signed up for one of the wood carving workshops offered at the Ozark Folk Center. And this is where I explain to the kids that his early exposure to wood carving sparked something in his brain and without knowing it; he was exposed to the one thing that would make him the man he would become. And it would later become his passion and his purpose.

Wood carving was the one thing that he was good at. And not just good, he was great. As most artists in Mountain View, tourist season would offer opportunities for the locals to sell their art or craft.

Charles began to create and sell original carved creations. President Jimmy Carter came to visit and happened upon the shop where Charles was selling his work. President Carter was so taken with the artist and his carving abilities that he commissioned him

to carve a life-sized Eagle for the Carter Library.

The wood carver from Mountain View, Arkansas who couldn’t read or write was now getting national attention.

The Indian carving in our living room called “The Burden” was carved from a story Charles’ father told him as a child. The story was about an old Indian woman Charles’s father saw as a young man. The old Indian woman with one crippled leg would walk miles into the Texas

dessert to collect fire wood and strap it to her back.

She managed to eke out a living selling her wood…. and now Charles was doing the same.

The window of opportunity for some of our children is small. We don’t know what triggers the brain to accept a certain experience or skill. But for Charles, that early exposure to wood carving hibernated in his brain and was awakened in time to bring him fame and riches. Of course, his riches were modest but enough to sustain he and his wife.

In sharing this story with the kids that would visit my home, it was my hope that they would come to understand how important it would be in their life, to open their minds and open their hearts to opportunities for greater learning. "Be open to experience new things and learn new ways," I would tell them.

"Reading, writing and arithmetic are important but it’s passion that will help define your lives and give you purpose. And there is great passion in the arts for those who are willing to open their minds to it."

----------------------------------Chris Broussard, cofounder and chairman of the board of Cultural Crossroads is an artist, an entrepreneur and currently the art enrichment teacher for Glenbrook. She started writing down her personal accounts of whimsical and heartfelt experiences in a blog called "Rants of an old hen." And will now share her favorites with Minute readers.

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37

I don’t.” Wrong.

written by Liz Hines down that they made those choices to protect me. (Teenage me would NEVER -------------------------------- have admitted that!)

You Decide --------------------------------

M

y parents didn’t drop me off at the skating rink when I was younger on Friday nights. They also didn’t let me have friends in the car with me when I first got my license. They also made early (in my then opinion) curfews for me when I was younger.

While I had a lightening-hot temper when I was younger, I wouldn’t say I was much of a ‘rebelious’ child. While I broke their rules and yelled about it, I knew deep 38

Now I live in New York City, where parenting is just a whole other ball game. There are different cultures, religions, and a million other factors that play a part in parents decisions here.

I work with families from literally all over the world every day.

Every time I walk into a patients room, I met a different dynamic.

Sometimes I can completely relate to it, other times…. I feel like I myself am in a different world.

Thus, one thing I have learned about this city is that everyone gets to make their own parenting choices, and as a healthcare worker, I cannot judge them for those choices.

One of the things my

supervisor told me in my internship was “Do what you can, when you can, how you can. You can’t help everyone.” That has stuck with me through many, many situations since moving here.

I can relate it back to my job, and of course to a train ride home. I can certainly relate it back to a rather controversial topic that as a late 20-something, is coming up more and more in my circle of friends.

To vaccinate or not to vaccinate?

This has absolutely NOTHING to do with my opinion on if you should or should not vaccinate your child; but EVERYTHING to do with what my experiences have been working in an emergency department and with so many different families.

I prepped a 4-year old child for an IV start last week. She sneezed on me. Heyit happens. I’m fine with that. These types of occurrences have given me the immune system of Hercules.

She had a rash, fever, had been itchy, raspberry tongue.

When I was walking out of the room, 3 people in near Hazmat suits were walking in.

I didn’t so much as have gloves on. That's one of the risks of working as a Child Life Specialist: you usually don’t know what your patients diagnosis is before your shift ends.

However, I could probably also lick the subway doors and not get so much as a runny nose by now.

And the subway is disgusting.

“Oh great, she works in the medical field of COURSE she thinks we should vaccinate, and she thinks I’m some hippie-plant-baseddieter-no-chemicalsg o v e r n m e n t p r o t e s t i n g - So, I’m sure you’re all overprotective-mom if wondering now: Did

she have measles?!

Nope.

She had another virus that can be deadly and have some serious long-term affects if not caught early and treated. But living in the city that’s experiencing the “measles outbreak”I have seen my fair share of them.

Yes, it’s scary. Yes, I’m vaccinated, so I don’t worry about myself. I do, however, worry about my pregnant co-workers, or co-workers with children at home that are too young to get vaccinated.

You know why medical staff are so pro-vaccination?

Because we see what happens. We see these diseases.

We see the long term affects. We watch the deaths.

BUT- we also see the adverse reactions.

We see these (very) rare instances where children and adults come in because they did what they were told, and now they are worse off than before.

We don’t ask you to vaccinate because we are judging you, we ask you to because we got into this profession to help people. Doctors and nurses want to prevent illness, treat illness, and send you on your way happy and healthy. If that means vaccinating you and your children, that’s how they do it.

If it means supporting your decision not to vaccinate because of the risks, that’s how they do it.

ask me. I may not on the big city. After know the answer, but taking the scenic route I’ll help you find some. through college she packed everything up The point is you’re the and decided to try out parent. You decide life as a New Yorker. if your child goes to Her dog, Charmin, the skating rink, stays is adjusting well and out late, gets to drive, meeting lots of city or gets vaccinated. dogs in Central Park.

No one has the right Liz is living her dream to scrutinize your and is bringing a little parental choices. But southern charm up to you don’t have the the Big Apple. right to do it to anyone ---------------------------else, either.

----------------------------

Liz is a typical southern So why don’t we just sit girl that decided to take back and cut out these anti-vaccinate, provaccinate hate post on Facebook, Twitter, and Blogging sites? If you take a minute and think about it, we all have the exact same goal- to protect and keep our children safe.

Right? Isn’t that your goal as a parent? And your pediatricians?

And the CDC’s?

The pro-vaccinators don’t want you to get preventable diseases, and the anti-vaccinators don’t want you to have the adverse affects. Both outcomes: healthy.

So choose one.

Both instances are Choose what is best absolutely heart for you and your family. breaking.

Do your research. Ask your physicians. Heck, 39

-----------------------------------

Honesty -----------------------------------

H

ave you seen that movie Pacific Rim? On a reality scale of 1-10 it was a -23K. But it was an 80’s boy’s dream.

If you grew up with Godzilla and Transformers (or robot cartoons in general) this was the movie for you!

But what I love even more than the movie is the “Honest Trailer” on Youtube about it. Honest Trailers put everything in reality because they are just that… honest.

They reveal all the plot holes and destroy the movie for all of its factual discrepancies. In fact, if I had watched the honest trailer before I saw the movie I never would have paid $10 to go! Yea, I would have, it’s awesome!

But don't you wish there was more stuff like that in life that would keep you from wasting your time? Don’t you wish

40

there was more honesty in the world? Don’t you wish people could take constructive criticism in the way that it was meant – to help us for the long term even if it hurts in the short term?

But what does honesty really entail? It is more than just not lying. It is telling the whole truth. It is keeping your promises. All of them.

Every single one.

If you can’t do something then don’t make the promise.

Jesus said that your word should be good enough for people to believe you because you have proven you are trustworthy in that way.

Have we kept our word enough for people to believe us or do we say things (lie) and think we are fooling them? We’re not.

Perhaps even more importantly for our culture, it is lovingly speaking truthfully to someone when their behavior or sin puts them in the wrong.

We want to be honest but our world has us so reactive. It is hard for people to be honest & it is hard for people to take the honesty of others. We are scared of confrontation.

But when we are not honest with each

someone's feelings.

They are honest. They are a great example of how to be honest. We have a rule in our house that I think everyone should use, especially those in true church families - deal with the issue at hand. Do not, in any way, attempt to cast blame for another issue in order to cut someone down.

Accept the criticism, evaluate the criticism for its fairness, and then change your behavior to be more like Christ. In our family we want to be emotionally other we are actually honest, not brutally deceiving, lying, and honest. hating the other person in our heart.

When Now, all this being said, we withhold honesty I think we all understand towards another person that honesty isn't easy we are damaging the but it is so necessary relationship for the long to have healthy friends, term because eventually family, coworkers, and it will come out and it churches. When there will not be pretty. Then is an issue that comes that person will see that up it should be dealt with through you've deceived and immediately lied to them for however love and discussion and long and the trust that listening and prayer. they thought was there When we are presented is destroyed. And when with such honesty we trust is destroyed the need to fight the hateful response, relationship is rarely reactive ourselves, the same and very well humble could be destroyed and listen. When this as well. This is the #1 occurs and becomes a reason people leave a habit the people in your relationship and the #1 relationship will have no reason people leave a problem being verbally local church - because honest with each other. they don't know how to be honest and they don't Now I don't want to beat know how to confront or a dead horse by microdeal with confrontation. focusing on the problem but there are several Think about it personally. ways that we mess this When have you been up: hurt the most? It is usually when someone 1. We confront someone has been dishonest or because of an annoying untrustworthy for a long personality trait and not period of time and you a sin. There is a careful found out about it after balance between loving the fact. It feels like someone and railing Godly betrayal because it is on someone. honesty comes out betrayal. of a Christ-centered You don't see people in heart. You could very the bible dancing around easily use this for your dishonesty because own ill gain simply someone's they are scared to hurt because

personality is different from yours. That would be faux honesty from a selfish heart disguised as a help. That is also deceiving.

don't get sucked into the sin as well. If you get to close to the flame you will get burned. Bring them to your world. Do not get into theirs.

2. We try to restore 3. Carry their burdens so someone in sin the load isn't so heavy forcefully. on them. Show them Jesus by helping to carry 3. We do not walk with their cross. This one them in the battle of this takes time. sin.

Not being honest in What does the bible the short term makes say to do? Galatians tensions & animosity chapter 6 verses 1 & 2 worse in the long run. tell us exactly: Family & true church involves giving & 1. Restore them gently. receiving real honesty This is a process. It but it will fracture & split takes time, talking, those relationships when crying, etc. it is not given & tension is allowed to build.

2. Watch yourself so you

However, when we are honest with each other, trust is actually built like a brick wall. You know that person cares for you enough to either not let you continue on in sinful ways or, at the very least, cares for you enough to share what they are thinking and to discuss it with you.

They love you and it is hard to run from love.

-------------------------Jason McReynolds is the pastor of New Orleans Community Church. He and his wife, Liev, have two boys and one little girl.

Jason enjoys hanging out with his family and friends, watching and/ or playing any kind of sports, and taking his wife out on dates. To learn more about him, or NOCC, visit: www. neworleans community church.com

Don't you wish there was more honesty like that in life? And wouldn't that keep you from wasting your time? Be emotionally honest with each other and walk together to fulfill God's -------------------------plan of restoration in our lives.

41

--------------------------------

Birthdays Past & Present --------------------------------

A

s I'm writing this we're in the middle of spring with summer lurking just around the corner. The change of seasons always brings back fond memories of my childhood. I enjoyed the spring when I could finally get outside and play after being indoors for way too long during the winter months. I loved picking bouquets of daffodils and making mud pies after a spring-time shower. My mud pies were usually “birthday cakes” decorated with sprinkles of tiny rocks and little twigs that served as candles.

After the excitement of spring gave way, the sights of summer followed closely on its heels. The

42

sound of lawnmowers and the smell of freshly cut grass filled the air. I traded pickin’ bouquets of flowers for pickin’ buckets of blackberries. And the great outdoors was my new “play room” from daylight till dark. The days were long and hot with breezes that brought short cool relief as we played outside for hours on end.

I was born in mid-July and summertime also meant getting to celebrate my birthday.

Birthday parties certainly were a lot different back then; one of my favorites was in July of 1969. I got a child-size folding table and chair set for my birthday… so I’d have somewhere to sit when “eating” those delicious mud pies and cakes. I remember my mom asking what kind of cake I wanted, and I said “green.” My mom baked a cake and tinted the icing with food coloring. It was a pretty pastel green with hard-sugar pink flower decorations.

Remember the kind that you had to carefully peel off of the paper trying not to break them? She spelled “Happy

Birthday” in the center of the cake, and I got to eat some of the left-over decorations as momma said… “Don’t eat too many, you’ll make yourself sick.”

Today’s birthday celebrations are usually “themed” parties that look like the cover of a Food Network Magazine.

Designer cakes cost more than a day’s worth of minimum wages and don’t taste near as good a home-made cake fresh out of mom’s kitchen. In our modern world, everything has to be bigger and better, and we set a standard that makes our children unappreciative for simple things, and a longing for more and more. We continually try to “out-do” the pattern we set by spending more money on material things and give our children less of our time! Our children end up with more toys in one year than we probably had during most of our childhood. We constantly have to “toss the toys” to make room for the new ones, and then repeat the process year after year.

This year my youngest grandson, Levi, will be 4 in July. He’s been going around holding up 4 little fingers asking, “Am I this many, yet?” I keep telling him that he will be “that many” in just a few more months. As I think about that summer back in July of 1969 when I turned 4 years old… I think of how proud I was of my little table and chairs, and how excited I was with my home-made green birthday cake. I’m pretty sure I probably got to lick the beaters after mom mixed the cake batter. (And I didn’t die from the raw eggs that were in it!) My “party” was attended by immediate family and my cousin & brother were the only kids there, besides me. The celebrations may have been smaller compared to today’s version of a birthday party, but they can’t “hold a candle” to the LOVE that was given and received back then.

Love is a gift of the quality time spent together, not “bought” with the materials things in this world.

This year, I already know what I’m giving my Little Levi for his birthday; the gift of “time.” I plan on a special day for him to help make his own birthday cake. He can hold the mixer and watch it twirl the cake batter round and around. He can lick the beaters and scrape the bowl. When I ask him what kind of cake he wants, he’ll say “nilla” in that sweet little voice of his. I’ll let him help spread the frosting even though he’ll get more on him than he does the

cake, and he’ll decorate it with sprinkles, even though there’ll be more on the floor than stuck on the icing. We’ll light the candles and sing Happy Birthday, then he’ll make a wish. Oh! And for my birthday that comes just 2 days before his… spending time with my grandchildren and teaching them the gift of love… my wish has already come true. “…. Be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them fade from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them.” Deuteronomy 4:9

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Donna Arender has been repurposing furniture that she picked off the roadside since way before it became popular!

Donna and her husband enjoy spending time with their children & 2 grandsons.

Her family "currently" includes 3 rescued cats and adopted 2 puppies.

But more grandchildren & other pets are always welcomed additions to keep her family growing.

She also has a passion to write & dreams of one day writing a book that tells her "trash-totreasure" story; how God repurposed her!

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Friday, May 16th 7 a.m. until 10 a.m.

Bienville Wellness Center

1300 Pine Street, Arcadia, LA Free Health Seminars Breakfast Served During Event

For more info call 318-263-7970

S P O N S O R E D B Y: Magnolia Home Health The Minute Magazine The Bienville Parish Chamber of Commerce Bienville Family C l i n i c / We l l n e s s C e n t e r

A C O M M U N I T Y H E A LT H FA I R !

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itself as the strawberry capital of the world.

Should you chance a visit there in April you might find most folks busy about its annual strawberry festival. So prepare to eat your fill of this sweet fruit.

a collage of southern stories and recipes:

seasoned moments written by Barbara Ellis Durbin

-----------------------------

Fresh Strawberries -----------------------------

A

s I place the finishing touches of coconut and strawberries on a cake I just made, a scripture from Isaiah, chapter one leaps into my mind: “though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be white as snow.

Not exactly sure at the moment why that specific verse should come to mind, I conclude my cake decorating.

I wander to my laptop and follow my thoughts as to when strawberry farming began in the United States and how it found its way to my

44

home state of Louisiana.

As I research, I find that the early American settlers arrived and began farming, but would soon move to greener pastures once the nutrients were depleted from the soil.

These cleared farmlands provided the perfect environment for wild “Scarlet” berries to grow.

I also found that although there is no clear reason why the scarlet berry eventually was named a strawberry; there appear to be many theories. It is quite possible it was so named simply because of the straw colored seeds which dotted its exterior.

Another possibility was the fact the berries are scattered or “stewn” among the leaves of the plant; the name could very well have evolved from strewnberry to the word strawberry.

Journals from early Americans settlers indicated that these berries were frequently transplanted and

Oh, getting back to that verse in Isaiah, the next one, verse nineteen, indicates a promise for us. “If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land.” Ah… strawberries…eating of the good of the land.

cultivated in their gardens.

They used straw as mulch to keep the berries clean and off the ground. Therefore, berries in the straw may have over time been -------------------------------shortened to strawberry.

Strawberry Eventually a South Cheesecake Cake American strain of the strawberry was 1 box strawberry propagated with the cake mix scarlet berry of native 12 oz. whipped cream northeast America and cheese became the ancestor of 1½ c. powdered sugar today’s sweet luscious 16 oz Cool Whip fruit. whipped topping 1½ c.

Smuckers Here at home in Strawberry Jam Louisiana, I found that 1 c. coconut the southern forests 5-6 fresh strawberries were clear cut in the early timber industry. Bake cake as directed These cut over fields on the package using made perfect land two-8 inch square pans. for the production of Allow cake to cool strawberries. Soon the then split each layer diligence of hardworking horizontally; making immigrants paid off four layers.

Cream and these delicious red together the sugar, berries were provided jam, cream cheese, a wide open market as and one-half cup of the railroads came to town. whipped topping for cake filling. Blend well, These days we find reserving one cup of this that Louisiana’s city of mixture for the frosting.

Ponchatoula boasts Spread remaining filling between layers of the

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Find us on Facebook or at: www.southerningenuityinc.com cake. Before frosting and to prevent cake layers from sliding; secure the layers with wooden skewers.

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Before serving, place fresh strawberries in the mound of coconut.

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teaser. The fix for this, again, is to strengthen your story’s opening.

There are only two good reasons to include a prologue:

a novel

1. To provide a thumbnail sketch of massive amounts of history that is relevant to your story - think of the scrolling text opening of the original Star Wars movie or the voiceover narration of the first Lord Of The Rings movie.

approach written by Winnie Griggs

-------------------------------- to ’set the stage’ for their

To Prologue Or Not To Prologue --------------------------------

A

prologue is a passage of work at the opening of a book, that’s disconnected from the main story by either time or viewpoint, and that’s used to provide a key bit of information the writer wants the reader to know before diving into the story proper.

So now that the WHAT is out of the way, let’s talk about whether prologues bring any value to a story.

A lot of folks out there, including many agents, editors and readers, will tell you absolutely not.

And, while I don’t agree that prologues are NEVER of any value, I understand why this sentiment exists.

Prologues, when done poorly, can do much more harm than good for a story.

There are two types of issues with Prologues.

1. Prologues are often poorly constructed.

• It’s an Information Dump: Many inexperienced writers try to cram an inordinate amount of backstory and/or world building into the prologue

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story. But an info dump is an info dump, no matter where it appears. Even though you have spent countless hours working to develop a rich, highly detailed backstory, it’s a mistake to force feed it to your reader, especially at the opening when you’re trying to convince said reader that your book is worth diving in to. Face it, if the first page doesn’t intrigue the reader enough to make her want to continue, it doesn’t matter how fabulous the rest of the story is, you’ve already lost.

• It’s misleading: This can happen because it either doesn’t reflect the tone of the rest of the book or the action and/ or characters seem totally disconnected from the rest of the book. No matter how well written, if the reader is jarred when they move from the prologue to chapter one, they may give up on the story.

• To hook the reader: This may seem counterintuitive because of course you want to hook the reader. But if you’re writing the prologue because you fear your Chapter One isn’t strong enough and a prologue will wow your reader - ditch it.

Instead, revamp Chapter One. Because even with a prologue, your Chapter One needs a strong opening hook of its own.

• To set the stage.

Unless it’s absolutely essential that the reader know this information in order to understand your story before it begins, don’t use a prologue.

The problem with this is the reader hasn’t entered your world yet, so has no reason to care about its history. He wants the story, not the set-up for the story. If this information can be woven in another way without hindering the reader experience, then that is a better choice.

• To provide a ‘taste of things to come’.

This is my least favorite type of prologue.

The writer takes a highly charged passage from later in the book and puts it in a prologue as a teaser, hoping it will make the reader eager to see how things got to this point.

This is another sign that the story’s opening lacks a 2. Prologues are often strong hook, so the writer written for the wrong hopes the reader will stick with him based on this reason.

•It fails to engage: If the writer fails to capture the reader’s interest or fails to give her something to care about from the get-go, he again risks having the reader abandon the book.

You’ve got to provide something of substance, something that makes a reader eager to turn the page.

2.

To provide this information to your reader at the very outset in order to significantly up the story tension.

Okay, so if you decide after reading all of the above, that you do indeed need a prologue, here are some tips to help it sing.

•Pare your information down to the essentials.

•Make it vivid and involving.

•Have it raise questions that propel the reader forward to find answers.

• I can’t stress this enough - you’ll need to develop two very strong opening hooks.

And if you’d like to see an example of the prologue that was included in one of my older books, check it out at http://winniegriggs. com/SM-prologue.html --------------------------------------------

Winnie Griggs grew up in south Louisiana in an undeveloped area her friends thought of as the back of beyond. She and her siblings spent many an hour exploring the overgrown land around her home, cutting jungle trails, building forts and frontier camps, and looking for pirate ships on the nearby bayou. Once she ‘grew up’ she began capturing those wonderful adventures in the pages of her notebooks.

Now a multi-published, award winning author, Winnie feels blessed to be able to share her stories with readers through her published books. You can learn more about Winnie at www.winniegriggs. com or connect with her at www.facebook.com/ WinnieGriggs.Author --------------------------------------------

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bringing back

the past -----------------------------------

Ruston's Female Invasion -----------------------------------

Women who stepped up were measured as citizens of the nation, not as women…this was a people’s war, and everyone was in it.

Colonel Oveta Culp Hobby, Women’s Army Corps

T

he recent efforts to integrate women into America’s combat units signify a far different attitude than the enormous resistance they faced during World War II. Female participation in the U.S. Armed Forces during the global conflict was a major turning point in the military’s relationship with women.

Facing a worldwide, two-front war, the United

Stow’s Bar and now occupied by retailers The Fashion and The Chartreuse Pear. All recruits were housed at the POW camp just west of Grambling.

In April 1943, the first 500 recruits arrived at Camp Ruston to form the 42nd WAAC Regiment.

In greeting the young women, the regimental commander reminded them, “Now you’re a soldier,” and went on to explain the rules of written by Wesley Harris army life and discipline.

He encouraged them to dedicate themselves to States followed the example of Great Britain President Franklin their training and “take it and supplemented its Roosevelt set a goal like a soldier.” all-male fighting force of enlisting 25,000 women came with women in numerous WAACs by June 30, The noncombatant roles. 1943. WAAC recruiting from big cities and tiny Women served in the exceeded the objective villages, some with Army and Navy Nurse by November 1942 and previous job experience Corps, Women's Army the sole training center while others were fresh Corps (WAC), and in the at Fort Des Moines, Iowa from school. Some had Navy (WAVES), Coast reached its capacity. worked as secretaries, Guard, and Marine New training centers others as store clerks or Corps. Although not opened at Fort Devens, on the family farm. officially members of the Massachusetts; Fort armed forces, Women Oglethorpe, Georgia; An enthusiastic welcome marked the arrival of Airforce Service Pilots and Camp Ruston. the WAAC recruits. The (WASPs) provided critical support for the In March 1943, the introduction of more than war effort by ferrying new internment facility 2,000 young women into airplanes. Other women of Camp Ruston was the community was the worked with the military activated as Branch “A” most momentous event through organizations of the 5th Women's Army since the Pearl Harbor such as the American Auxiliary Corps Training attack. The WAACs Red Cross, the USO, Center. The Provost were treated to picnics, and the Civil Air Patrol.

Marshal provided dances, and outings. the camp under the Over a thousand citizens At the beginning of World condition that group attended an open house War II, the United States toilets and showers and at the camp followed had no facilities, staff, or other “masculine-type by a parade through regulations in place to plumbing" would not be Ruston. A USO center handle enemy prisoners. modified and that the in downtown Ruston Hastily constructed WAACs "would move served the WAACs and POW camps popped out on a 30 days’ notice camp guards as well up across America, if German and Italian as servicemen passing Civic mostly in the South and prisoners should need through town. clubs set up day rooms Midwest. One of the the place." around the camp and largest was near Ruston but its first inhabitants The 5th WAAC local churches furnished were not enemy POWs headquarters moved the chapel. The owner but some of the first into the recently vacated of a Ruston beauty American women high school building in parlor opened a shop at affiliated with the U.S. downtown Ruston, with the camp.

Army. Due to the initial additional but smaller slow influx of captured training facilities at other Ruston’s cafes and soldiers, the facility Army bases in the region. three movie theaters first served as a basic Female members of the fared well with the influx training base for the headquarters unit took of military personnel.

Women's Army Auxiliary over Hotel Ruston, a Like many small towns Corps. building later housing in the Bible Belt, Ruston compelled movie

49

theaters and other forms of entertainment to close on Sundays. With the arrival of the WAACs, a temporary waiver was granted by the city for Sunday shows.

Curiosity about the soon-to-be POW camp and the WAACs led to the opening of the facilities to the locals from 5:30 to 7:30 each evening. Visitors could spend time with the young women or tour some of the buildings.

Ruston citizens were encouraged to go to the camp and invite WAACs into their homes or entertain them for the evening. The camp bus into Ruston each hour could not possibly accommodate all the women seeking diversions elsewhere.

News articles about the WAACs often dominated the front page of the Ruston Daily Leader with sometimes as many as four separate stories per issue.

WAAC public affairs officers wrote articles profiling various staff members and recruits.

Every social event was chronicled, from huge dances chaperoned by Ruston society women to picnic outings on bicycles provided by local Boy Scouts.

When a convoy of army

50

engineers returning from flood duty in Arkansas bivouacked in Ruston’s Woodland Park, the USO hastily arranged a dance. A strong contingent of chaperones escorted the 700 soldiers to Camp Ruston where they were among the few troops to ever see WAACs drilling on a parade ground. While the 1,200 soldiers and WAACs danced and enjoyed ice cream and Coca-Colas, the camp command staff entertained the engineer officers at the Officers’ Club. By 11:00 p.m., the soldiers were back in their tents.

In many respects, WAAC training was patterned after that received by combat soldiers. The basic training course included infantry drill, physical training, military customs and courtesies, and WAAC regulations. A detailed schedule of drills, calisthenics, and classes filled each day.

Recruits participated in numerous simulated chemical attack drills, complete with inert gas bombs and decontamination exercises.

Optional classes in Spanish and German occupied the evening hours.

At the conclusion of basic training, some recruits remained for specialized courses.

About 160 WAACs completed a cooks’ and bakers’ school.

Others received training in motor transport to become drivers of jeeps and trucks and make minor repairs to military vehicles.

Although the training operation was large, it was short-lived. The last class at Camp Ruston graduated on June 18, 1943, and the 5th WAAC Training Center was officially closed and the camp returned to the Provost Marshal.

Enough facilities had been constructed at the first four WAAC training centers to eliminate the need for a fifth. In three and a half months, 2,277 WAAC recruits received training at Camp Ruston before transfer to duty stations around the world.

The close of the training program at Ruston coincided with the redesignation of the WAAC as the Women’s Army Corps (WAC), and for the first time, females other than nurses served in the ranks of the United States Army.

Each of the 150,000 American women who

filled a support position as a cook, clerk, or truck driver freed a male soldier for fighting.

Pictured: (Left)New WAAC recruits arrive at Camp Ruston, 1943.

(U.S. Army photo) (Right) WAACS walking from their barracks at Camp Ruston.

This compound would later house thousands of German prisoners. Today, it serves as pasture land for Louisiana Tech’s animal science program. (U.S. Army photo)

----------------------------Wesley Harris is a native of Ruston. Among his books are FISH OUT OF WATER: Nazi Submariners as POWs in North Louisiana during World War II and GREETINGS FROM RUSTON: A Post Card History of Ruston, Louisiana, available from amazon. com. Check out his Louisiana history blog at http://diggingthepast. blogspot.com.

He can be contacted at campruston@gmail. com.

------------------------------

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For Quality

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