Thrive's August 2018 Issue

August 2018

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August 2018

Thrive Magazine for Better Living

jllc.net | www.thriveswla.com

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Rehabilitation Hospital

of Jennings

DIAgNOSeS THAT we TReAT

• Brain Injury

• Hip Fractures

• Strokes

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• Congenital Deformities

• Rheumatoid Arthritis

• Systemic Vasculidities

• Joint Replacements

Others who can benefit from inpatient rehabilitation are postoperative patients, accident victims and cancer patients.

24 Hour Nursing Care • Physical Therapy • Occupational Therapy Speech Therapy • Nutritional Counseling and Monitoring Case Management Call for a free assessment today.

One Hospital Drive, Ste. 101 • Jennings, LA 70546 • Phone: (337) 821-5353 • Fax: (337) 821-5355 or 5366 jenningsrehab@yahoo.com • www.jenningsrehab.com 2 www.thriveswla.com

Thrive Magazine for Better Living

August 2018

August 2018

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Contents In This Issue

tyle &Beauty S 6 Sercy Lane - Dressing Lake Area Kids in Classic Style 8 Stick Straight Hair without Permanent Damage 10 Add Your Personal Style to School Uniforms 12 The Hottest Homecoming Trends of 2018

25

Places &Faces

14 – 24

Special Section: 25 What’s New at Disney?

26 Louisiana’s Golf Trail oney &Career M 32 Signs and Symptoms of a Money Procrastinator 34 Former NFL Players Bolster Other Career Business Plays 36 What your Wallet Says about your Finances

Home &Family 40 – 57 Cover Story:

PARENTS’ SURVIVAL GUIDE

58 Family Game Night 60 Living the Art with LOOM Way of Life 62 Personal Putting Greens 64 Stables at LeBocage 66 Exceptional Lives

Wining &Dining 68 Brown Bag Café 70 Where is Alice P? 72 Be a Meal Prep Pro

Mind &Body

74 The Eye Clinic Announces New Retina Center 76 Operation Healing & Restoration 70 CHRISTUS St. Patrick Celebrates Heart Valve Procedure Anniversary 80 Can Your Heart Handle the Heat?

68

Regular Features

28 30 38 67 82

Who’s News First Person Business Buzz Happenings Solutions for Life

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Managing Editor

DON’T JUST LIVE, THRIVE!

Thrive is designed for people focused on living a happy, healthy life, one that is balanced, full of energy and contentment. Thrive readers want to make the most of every day and to be successful in all areas of their lives – family, health, home and career.

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Angie Kay Dilmore

Editors and Publishers Kristy Como Armand

Christine Fisher Creative Director

Barbara VanGossen

Design and Layout

Mandy Gilmore

Business Manager Katie McDaniel Stevenson Advertising Sales katie@thriveswla.com 337.310.2099 Submissions edit@thriveswla.com

Submitted articles and photos are welcome. Thrive assumes no responsibility for unsolicited materials and does not guarantee any submissions.

Thrive Magazine for Better Living

August 2018

PPG is the

1 Fan

#

of all our area teams Being part of a winning team has been our way of doing business at PPG Lake Charles for over 65 years. We’re proud to be part of PPG, a worldwide industrial leader. Our PPG Lake Charles site provides silica products to manufacturers around the world, which means we improve the performance and safety of tires, extend the life of rubber belts and hoses and give tennis shoes more flexibility. Products you use every day are made better thanks to our employees. Being number one in safety and performance is our goal too, for our employees and our community.

Best of luck to all the teams in Southwest Louisiana.

August 2018

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5

Style & Beauty

Sercy Lane Dressing Lake Area Kids in Classic Style

by Angie Kay Dilmore

One year ago, Katie Clark Sanford and Lauren Louviere Monroe opened their chic Southern children’s boutique, Sercy Lane. Both women are moms to young children and adore fashion. They felt there was a gap in the regional toddler clothing market and purchased most of their children’s clothing online.

“After our babies turned one it was hard to find anything locally with the classic style we love,” says Monroe, who also owns Mimosa Boutique on Ernest Street. “So we decided to take the risk and open Sercy Lane!”

Monroe and Sanford grew up down the street from each other and say they are more like sisters than friends and business partners. They wanted their store to have a unique name with a special meaning. The word “sercy” means “an unexpected gift” in French. Their logo depicts the two of them swinging under an oak tree as kids. “We prayed about

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the name and our vision for our store and God showed us this image of our sweet innocent kids playing under the same trees we played under as kids and Him watching over all of us. The store is really special to us!” says Monroe.

At Sercy Lane, they love the classic children’s clothing look. “We believe in dressing babies as babies!” says Monroe. “For girls, we love sweet dresses and bloomer sets with knee high socks and shoes for fall.

And don’t forget a bow for their hair!

We love to layer, as well. A Peter Pan collar shirt layered under a jumper is a perfect fall look. For boys, we love Jon Jons and short sets paired with knee high socks and saddle oxfords.

This is such a classic boy look. Think Prince George! We also love the more casual looks of cute printed shorts with a smocked t-shirt and a pair of our Chus sneakers.”

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August 2018

Sercy Lane carries a wide variety of name brands including James & Lottie, Little English, The Beaufort Bonnet Co, and Lullaby Set. They also sell shoes. Chus offers cute canvas shoes that are great for playtime.

Footmates, a classic brand since 1968, are great shoes to start walking because they have great support.”

Monroe says Sercy Lane offers traditional Southern clothing and specialty gift items up to age eight.

“We provide a personalized shopping experience and love dressing your kids for everyday life as well the most important occasions and portraits.”

Sercy Lane is located at 1301 E McNeese St Suite 105, Lake Charles. For more information, call (337) 564-6748, or find them on social media, @sercylanelakecharles.

August 2018

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7

Style

& Beauty

How to Get Stick Straight Hair

(Without Causing Permanent Damage)

by Emily Alford

After nearly a decade of beachy waves, sleek, straight, and shiny hair has made a huge comeback.

And while curls are beautiful in their own right, straight hair often gets a bad rap as “boring.”

But long or short, super straight locks are elegant and bold.

However, achieving stick straight hair can take its toll. Flat irons – hair tools that straighten hair between two incredibly hot panels – are a quick, easy way to straighten even the curliest locks, but incorrect or overuse can cause major breakage.

Here’s how to use a flat iron without damaging your hair.

Invest Buying a flat iron can be pretty costly, but investing in a tool with titanium or ceramic plates could actually save you money on hair treatments in the long run. Ceramic plates heat more evenly than cheaper, metal plates, meaning you’ll need fewer passes over your hair to get it straight. Look for pure ceramic panels, rather than aluminum coated in ceramic, since the ceramic can chip, leaving spaces where hot metal can damage hair.

Titanium flat irons are even more expensive, but because titanium is an amazing conductor of heat, you’ll end up with salon-level straight hair with no frizzy or puffy areas.

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And remember, just because your flat iron can heat to 450 degrees doesn’t mean it should.

Those temps were generally intended for salons, and if used on a day-to-day basis, could lead to long-term damage. The best temperature for daily straightening is around 300-350 degrees.

Dry Trying to straighten hair that isn’t fully dry is a recipe for a sizzling, burning disaster. If your hair sounds like eggs in a skillet when you straighten, stop!

But blow dryers can also be to blame for damaged tresses. Air drying, especially if you’re planning on heat styling, is your best bet.

If you don’t have time to air dry, rough-dry hair with a blow dryer instead of pointing heat directly at strands pulled taut with a hairbrush.

It’s less likely to cause damage.

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Prep Even if you’ve let your hair airdry, it’s still vulnerable to damage from an incredibly hot flat iron. To avoid dull, frizzy strands, it’s best to use a heat protectant before flatironing. Protecting spray containing silicones, which coat strands and conduct heat more slowly, have been proven to prevent damage, even at higher temps. But if you find that silicones dull your hair, there are plenty of great silicone-free products out there, such as salon favorite Living Proof Straight Spray.

After-Care Heat and humidity are natural enemies of straight hair. There’s nothing worse than spending 30 minutes or more creating the perfect sleek style only to step outside into hot, damp air and end up with a frizzy mess.

To weatherproof your strands, finish with a shine serum or lightweight hairspray to coat strands and help weigh them down against humidity.

A great flat iron doesn’t just mean endlessly straight strands. You can also use your flat iron to create ringlets and loose waves for when you’re ready to switch up your look.

August 2018

August 2018

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9

Style

& Beauty

Add Your

Personal Style to School Uniforms

Because school dress codes determine what students can and cannot wear to school, it may seem challenging to be yourself in a sea of navy blues, hunter greens, khakis, and whites.

However, there are ways to express individuality while still following the school guidelines.

School officials often draw the line at accessories or styles that appear “distracting” to other students. The key is to keep it simple and choose one thing that reflects your personality.

Most schools only allow collared shirts and slacks in limited color options. Stick to the school guidelines but mix it up a little.

Instead of wearing white and khaki everyday, try a green shirt with navy pants. Or try layering two shirts in the allowed colors to add variety.

Your choice of shoes provides another opportunity to distinguish yourself from the masses. Schools may not allow sandals or flip-flops, but look for comfortable, stylish shoes to make your outfit your own, whether colorful Converse or trendy boots. Socks, depending on the season and school dress code, can also make a statement.

If jewelry is allowed, find pieces that accentuate your style. A funky necklace or bracelet can look interesting without being too distracting. Also look for unique belts to stylize your outfit.

Next to clothing, few accessories can help define your style as much as a perfect-for-you purse. If you don’t want to buy a new hand bag, try attaching a fun piece of purse jewelry like a scarf or a tassel to your favorite staple.

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Thrive Magazine for Better Living

August 2018

Personalize your look with monograms. Most anything can be monogrammed these days – handbags and backpacks, day planners, jewelry, and apparel.

Create a unique hairstyle. A creative braid or the use of a curling iron, paired with a cute headband, hair tie, braid or big bow can make a style statement.

If you wear eyeglasses, choose a pair of frames that only you can pull off.

In cooler weather, a trendy jacket or sweater can distinguish you from the crowd, if your dress code allows. Or you can add a colorful scarf.

Remember, the most important way to be yourself is to focus on activities that you enjoy. Having a great time doing what you love is the best way to maintain a sense of self. When you develop your talents and passions, your individuality will shine through even the drabbest of uniforms.

2018 Keynote Speaker

Tamron Hall THURSDAY, OCTOBER 18 LAKE CHARLES CIVIC CENTER

8:00am - 4:00pm Featuring Various DIY Workshops Vendor Registration for MarketPlace Now Open!

WomensCommissionSWLA.com August 2018

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Style

& Beauty

The Hottest

HOMECOMING TRENDS of 2018 for Guys and Gals

by Emily Alford

Homecoming is probably the best part of heading back to school. Getting dressed up and having an elegant night on the town is a high school rite of passage you’ll remember for the rest of your life. And maybe you’ve already got the date and the dinner reservation all worked out, but what about the outfit? Here are 2018’s hottest trends in (semi) formalwear for girls and guys.

For gals: Vintage-inspired velvet For a look that’s soft and sweet with a bit of an edge, velvet is a gorgeous fabric that stands out from the rhinestone-clad crowd.

When it comes to velvet, color matters. If you’re looking for sultry, opt for darker shades like maroon or black. But brightly colored velvet, like fuchsia can actually be a lot of fun.

As far as accessories go, a glam choker is still the go-to look for those looking to channel their inner 90s chick, but a bold, glittery statement earring is a great way to update your outfit.

Lots of lace Lace is one of the dreamiest, loveliest fabrics out there, making it perfect for a romantic evening.

Off-the-shoulder lace dresses in midi (mid-calf ) or shorter styles are elegant, yet still fun and flirty choices. If lace sounds appealing, make sure to keep accessories simple. If you don’t want to do the whole matchy-matchy thing

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with your shoe and dress colors, choose a statement shoe in a bold color and let your footwear act as your accessory.

Peek-a-boo Depending on your school’s dress code, cutouts can be a fun option to update your homecoming look. And while some of the boldest cutouts focus on the midriff, showing tummy isn’t the only way to try this trend. Look for dresses with sheer-paneled cutouts around the neckline or even a peek-a-boo back to stay on-trend and within dress guidelines.

For guys: Floral forward When it comes to homecoming fashion, guys often get the shaft, having to wear the same old bland button-downs and slacks year after year. If you’re looking to switch it up, why not add a bold floral print to you style? In recent years, lots of male celebrities have experimented with floral suits.

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August 2018

But if you’re not quite ready to go that big, try a floral jacket with a pair of khakis or a floral shirt with a solid-color blazer. Just make sure to check in with your date so clashing colors or patterns don’t ruin the pictures!

Snazzy sneakers Another way for guys to get glam at homecoming is to focus on footwear. Some of the most fashion-forward male celebrities have recently been spotted dressing up their red carpet looks with metallic sneakers. But if silver and gold aren’t your thing, pairing a colorful shoe with your homecoming look can tie your outfit together, or, conversely, a pristine white sneaker can class up any ensemble.

Of course, one homecoming trend that never goes out of style is comfort. Remember the cardinal rule for party wear: if you can’t dance in it, don’t buy it!

August 2018

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Places & Faces

IT’S ALMOST HERE . . . GAME DAY! FOOTBALL FANS ACROSS THE STATE ARE GEARING UP FOR TAILGATING PARTIES, FOOTBALL FESTIVITIES, AND THE COUNTDOWN TO KICK-OFF. SO PULL OUT YOUR TEAM JERSEYS, DUST OFF THE GRILL, AND SHAKE OUT YOUR POM-POMS. IN OUR ANNUAL FOOTBALL GOLD SECTION, YOU’LL FIND UPDATES AND SCHEDULES ON YOUR FAVORITE LOUISIANA TEAMS.

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Thrive Magazine for Better Living

August 2018

SERVING UP FINGER-LICKING FOOD FOR THREE DECADES

& SPORTS BAR DARRELL’S TO-GO Our new to-go kitchen next door allows us to seat and serve our indoor customers much quicker!

NE

W

JOIN US FOR GAME DAY Since 1985, we’ve been satisfying the appetites of Louisiana folks with po-boys, chips and libations.

Let Darrell’s put a smile on your face and give you delicious food you’ll love.

We pride ourselves on serving enticing po-boys that include surf and turf, Darrell’s Special and BBQ. At Darrell’s, we make all of our gravy, BBQ sauce, jalapeno mayonnaise and butter sauce in-house daily because we believe in giving you the best.

119 West College Street, Lake Charles (337) 474-3651 | darrellspoboys.com Monday – Thursday: 11am–10pm Friday & Saturday: 11am-11pm Closed Sunday | Happy Hour 4–7pm

August 2018

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Places & Faces FOOTBALL GOLD

McNeese Cowboys DRIVE INTO THEIR 2018 SEASON

by Tom Hoefer The 2017 Pokes went 9-2 and missed the FCS playoffs. That seemingly unthinkable scenario played out as the Cowboys lost their only two games against other Southland Conference playoff contenders and the selection committee sent them home for Thanksgiving.

Early season defensive lapses contributed to the opening loss at Nicholls and some lessthan-cowboy-like wins against non-conference foes. But by mid-season, the Defense With Attitude (DWA) was in full control, setting conference and national records for runstopping stinginess and leading the pokes to the excellent 9-2 overall mark, with a dispiriting loss at Conference Champion Central Arkansas the only further blemish.

High-energy second-year coach Lance Guidry had assumed the Defensive Coordinator role and his aggressive style paid dividends. Guidry stays as the DC in his third season and he has several holes to patch from last year’s squad, but maintains his 2018 group will be faster than last year’s edition of DWA. Six starters return, including linebacker BJ Blount, the only Cowboy defender chosen to the SLC Pre-Season first team. The Senior from New Orleans transitioned to LB from safety mid-year in 2017 and anchors the DWA. Junior defensive end Chris Livings is expected to lead the pass rush, the Lake Charles native returning from an injury-truncated 2017. Sophomore cornerback Darion Dunn impressed enough in half a season last year to be named to the pre-season second team. Colby Burton joins Dunn as leaders of the defensive backfield that lost four seniors from the 2017 squad.

The Pokes offense had some struggles in 2017 after the breakout season of quarterback James Tabary the previous year, squeaking out wins against Abilene Christian, SLU and Lamar in low-scoring affairs.

The offensive line was inconsistent, forcing Tabary into too many difficult spots, and opening fewer holes for the rushing game.

Converted tailback Lawayne Ross emerged as a star last year, reluctantly. Guidry appealed

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to the bruising back by promising he’d see the field on almost every play and that he would only have to run over defensive backs instead of linemen and linebackers.

Tabary has been selected as the second team Pre-Season All-Conference QB. Ross and tailback David Hamm were tabbed firstteamers. Hamm and Justin Pratt will be joined

by Ryan Ross who returns after missing 2017 with an injury in a loaded tailback squad.

The line hopes for more consistency led by 2nd-team All SLC tackle Grant Burguillos. The Junior from Mandeville is joined by returners Tyrae Johnson, Kyle Zenon, and Jimmy Converse. The Pokes sought some off-season reinforcements for depth from the Junior College ranks.

The Pokes lost four senior receivers from last year’s squad. Parker Orgeron should see lots of targets while some youngsters battle for playing time at the receiver position.

McNeese is picked fourth in the conference by most of the experts. The schedule in 2018 is slightly more favorable in the conference, as likely top-tier foes Nicholls and Central Arkansas will travel to Lake Charles this year. The Cowboys do not play Sam Houston State again, which helped muddy the waters in determining the at-large playoff bids in 2017. Early non-conference trips out west to Northern Colorado and Brigham Young will be challenges.

It’s hard to believe that Lance Guidry is only the second-best Louisiana Division One coach at using the Cajun vernacular. That title belongs in Baton Rouge, for now. But no coach matches his enthusiasm, energy, and infectious personality – a tremendous motivator for the Cowboy squad and a huge bonus when recruiting the area. Guidry was sought-after by Florida State for a defensive back position on Willie Taggart’s staff during the off-season but elected to stay home, much to the relief of Cowboy nation. It would be no surprise if his third season is his best yet as Cowboy Head Coach.

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August 2018

2018 SCHEDULE

9/1 | 3:05 PM @ NORTHERN COLORADO

9/8 | 6:00 PM @ HOUSTON BAPTIST*

9/15 | 6:00 PM NICHOLLS* 9/22 | 5:00 PM @ BRIGHAM YOUNG 9/29| 6:00 PM STEPHEN F. AUSTIN* 10/6 | 6:00 PM ABILENE CHRISTIAN* 10/20 | 4:00 PM @ INCARNATE WORD* 10/27 | 6:00 PM HOMECOMING CENTRAL ARKANSAS* 11/3 | 7:00 PM @ SOUTHEASTERN LOUISIANA* 11/10 | 6:00 PM @ NORTHWESTERN STATE* 11/17 | 6:00 PM LAMAR* *Conference Game

• •

Roll Off Containers 15, 20, 30, & 40 Yard

Front End Load Containers 2, 4, 6, & 8 Yard • •

August 2018

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Compactors 96 Gallon Toters

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17

Places & Faces FOOTBALL GOLD

LSU Tigers WILL THEY RALLY? The 2018 LSU football season will likely be similar to the ones that have preceded it. As always, it boils down to the following key factors: coaching, personnel, injuries, the schedule, and, momentum (or luck, as the case may be.)

First, coaching. Last year the Tigers got away from their identity as they were not as physical as they have been in the past and it showed on short yardage, especially in the Citrus Bowl against Notre Dame. Coach Ed Orgeron recognized this shortfall and made an offensive coordinator change. That’s what you do when you realize your coaching staff does not fit or, in other words, does not do what the head coach wants. And Matt Canada is gone. Orgeron is not afraid to make a move when things aren’t going right.

Bigger news on the coaching front is the hire of Steve Ensminger as the new offensive coordinator.

If you recall what happened during Orgeron’s interim year, LSU was wide open in their scheme while Ensminger was offensive coordinator, with a couple of high scoring games and shoot-outs with SEC teams.

LSU will get back to that, but still be able to get the crucial short yardage situations under control.

The defense is run by Dave Armanda and he is one of the

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top defensive coordinators in the country. The defense, with more depth up front, will play to LSU standards.

From everything you read, this year LSU will lean heavily on the pass to set up the run, and that makes good sense because you adapt your offense to your personnel. LSU has a large group of talented wide receivers. The offensive line will be much better; both more experienced and healthier. The only upside of last year’s injury situation is that all the freshmen who played last year now have game experience in the SEC. The running backs will be by committee. The quarterback, as of this writing, is still to be determined. From Orgeron’s statements on the talking tours, he still isn’t sure.

He is waiting for someone to step up and take charge.

On defense, all you need to know is that we have excellent players at each level – cornerback Andreaz “Greedy” Williams, linebacker Devin White, and defensive lineman Rashard Lawrence. But, more importantly, LSU has quality depth on defense that will allow for substitutions to protect the first string.

Last season, special team’s performance was average to poor.

LSU’s bad scoring percentage in the red zone was a result of

sub-par place kicking. A couple losses were attributed to that phase of the game. To remedy that problem, Orgeron brought in a highly-regarded graduate-transfer place kicker, but kicking in front of 90,000 fans, rather than 3,000, is a different ballgame, so we’ll see. For LSU to have a successful season, the kicker is a key component.

There is no way to predict or control injuries. Which brings us to the schedule. Depending upon the sports page you read, LSU will play anywhere between the toughest to the sixth-toughest schedule in college football. It’s big boy football. There is the SEC West, of course, plus this year the conference cross-over opponents are Georgia and Florida. The opening game is Miami (Florida).

Momentum and luck are greatly affected by what many call the team dynamic. Does the team play hard no matter what happens? This remains to be seen, of course, as each team is different. But if last year after the Troy game (during which LSU was embarrassed) is any indicator, the team and coaches pulled together and salvaged what looked to be a disastrous season and came out 9 – 4.

That type of record sounds about right for this year.

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August 2018

2018 SCHEDULE

9/2 | 6:30 PM MIAMI*

9/8 | 6:00 PM SOUTHEASTERN LOUISIANA

9/15 | 2:30 PM @ AUBURN

9/22 | TBA LA TECH

9/29| TBA OLE MISS

10/6 | TBA @ FLORIDA

Monday

Open Mic Night | 8-11pm

Tuesday

Trivia | 8-10pm

Wednesday

10/13 | TBA GEORGIA

10/20 | TBA MISSISSIPPI STATE

Ladies Night / Free Bingo and Karaoke

11/3 | TBA ALABAMA

11/10 | TBA @ ARKANSAS

11/17 | TBA RICE

11/24 | TBA @ TEXAS A&M

Thursday

Dollar Margaritas / Live Acoustic Music

Friday – Saturday

Regional Live Bands | 9-12midnight

Sunday Funday

Acoustic Pie | 3:30-6:30 Jay Ecker Jazz Quartet | 7-10pm

Open before and after all local games!

12/1 | 3:00 SEC CHAMPIONSHIP

3716 Ryan Street • Lake Charles | 337.602.6635 • rikenjaks.com

*Game played at a neutral location

Daily Specials | Late Night Food Menu

The region’s preferred Sports Medicine provider.

(337) 721-7236

www.centerforortho.com Official Sports Medicine Providers: 14 AREA HIGH SCHOOLS

Lake Charles • Sulphur SPORTS INJURY HOTLINE (337) 439-7220

OUR DOCTORS John Noble Jr., MD Craig Morton, MD Tyson Green, DPM Steven Hale, MD William Lowry Jr., MD August 2018

George “J.” Trappey IV, MD Andrew Foret, MD Kalieb Pourciau, DPM Jonathan Foret, MD Joseph Crookshank III, MD Thrive Magazine for Better Living

Brian Kelley, DO Sarah Clevenger, MD Alex Anderson, MD David Drez Jr., MD, Senior Advisor

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19

Places & Faces FOOTBALL GOLD

SaINTS GEARING UP FOR A STELLAR SEASON

by Tom Hoefer Rumor has it that all calendars have been banned from the New Orleans Saints training camp in Metairie to prevent Drew Brees from noticing that he is 39. The fear is he will realize he is long past his sell-by date and suddenly begin playing like it.

Brees’ continued stellar performance, along with the emergence of rookies Marshon Lattimore and Alvin Kamara in 2017, presents an opportunity for the Saints to squeeze out one more World Championship before the 19-year veteran QB inevitably acts his age.

Coach Sean Payton enters his 12th year at the helm of the Saints and unambiguously in win-now mode. GM Mickey Loomis and Payton dealt 2019’s first-round pick to move up in this year’s draft to select UTSA defensive end Marcus Davenport in an effort to immediately bolster the pass rush.

Defensive Coordinator Dennis Allen’s rejuvenated Saints defensive unit improved last year with All-Pro defensive end Cameron Jordan leading the charge on the defensive front. Lattimore led a patchwork defensive backfield that played remarkably better than recent years, one Hail Mary in January excepted. Patrick Robinson returns after winning a Super Bowl in Philadelphia and Marcus Williams, 2017’s playoff goat, figures to improve in his second season. The linebacking corps in 2017 suffered numerous injuries and performed inconsistently. The return of Alex Anzalone and free agent pickup

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Thrive Magazine for Better Living

Demario Davis join AJ Klein to bolster the 2018 defense.

On offense, the Saints will remain near the top of the league as long as Brees defies chronology.

In 2017, they finished second to New England in total yards and were fourth in the NFL in points scored. They’ll rely on Kamara even more this year as fellow running back Mark Ingram misses the first four games due to a leagueimposed suspension. Kamara’s rookie year in 2017 featured 1500 total yards and an NFC Offensive Rookie of the Year Award. Michael Thomas enters his third season as Brees’ top target. The offensive line had an outstanding 2017 opening countless holes for Ingram and Kamara and allowing the second fewest sacks in the NFL. 2017 first-round pick Ryan Ramczyk anchors the squad.

It’s a fun time to be a Saints fan. The upcoming season holds tremendous promise if the Saints can avoid a few pitfalls. On offense, the Saints need reliable production from the tight end spot, continued solid offensive line work, and to survive the Ingram suspension.

On defense, if the Saints get better QB pressure with the addition of Davenport, their biggest issue in 2017 can improve. Keeping the linebackers and defensive tackles healthy is also key.

Overall a repeat or even improvement on last season is possible. The schedule is tougher and the Division is solid. They just need to keep Brees youthful and avoid January meltdowns.

August 2018

Pre-Season:

2018-2019 SCHEDULE

8/9 | 6:00 PM @JACKSONVILLE 8/17 | 7:00 PM ARIZONA 8/25 | 7:00 PM @LA CHARGERS 8/30 | 7:00 PM LA RAMS

Regular Season: 9/9 | 12:00 PM TAMPA BAY

11/11 | 12:00 PM @CINNINNATI

9/16 | 12:00 PM CLEVELAND

11/18 | 12:00 PM PHILADELPHIA

9/23 | 12:00 PM @ATLANTA

11/22 | 7:20 PM ATLANTA

9/30 | 3:25 PM @NY GIANTS

11/29 | 7:20 PM @DALLAS

10/8 | 7:15 PM WASHINGTON

12/9 | 12:00 PM @TAMPA BAY

12/17 | 7:10 PM @CAROLINA

BYE WEEK

10/28 | 7:20 PM @MINNESOTA

12/2 | 3:20 PM PITTSBURGH

10/4 | 3:25 PM LA RAMS

12/30 | 12:00 PM CAROLINA

Turf!

Take care of your

Pre-season is CRITICAL.

And we’re not just talking about football! Having a game plan for your lawn and landscape during the fall will help protect it during the colder winter months and ensure a lush, healthy yard when spring comes. Fall is the perfect time to fertilize and aerate the lawn, freshen up mulch in the beds, remove dead annuals, and lightly prune dead and dying branches.

When the temperature begins to drop, it’s also a good time to plant certain trees and shrubs, allowing them to establish roots during the cooler season.

Unsure about what you need to do for your yard this fall?

We can help – just give us a call!

We Plan. You Plant. Landscaping made simple for your home.

August 2018

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LANDSCAPE MANAGEMENT SERVICES, INC.

5005 Cobra Road in Lake Charles (337) 478-3836 M-F: 7am – 4pm Sat: 8am – 2pm (Seasonal Hours)

landscapemanagement.org

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Places & Faces FOOTBALL GOLD

Tailgating LOUISIANA-STYLE It’s “tailgating season” in Louisiana, so invite your friends, pack the truck, and claim your spot. Tailgating isn’t only a way to kill time for an hour before kickoff. It’s an all-day ritual – a reunion of friends, a competitive cook-off, and a perfect excuse for a party all rolled into one time-honored pre-game event.

Here you will find some helpful information to make your tailgating experience the best ever, no matter which Louisiana team you root for.

McNeese State University Home: Lake Charles Mascot: Rowdy the Cowboy Colors: Royal Blue and Gold Stadium Name: The Hole Where to tailgate: Tailgating is

any and everywhere around Cowboy Stadium. Those hardcore fans begin their tailgating the Thursday night before a big game while the rest of the fans show up early Saturday afternoon.

Traditions:

Horse & Rider Since 2007, the “Horse and Rider” statue comes to life every Saturday during football season. The horse, Moondancer, and the Mystery Rider march down Common Street to Cowboy Stadium. During pre-game, Moondancer and the Mystery Rider take the field and scan the crowd intently, ensuring everyone in the stands is a Cowboy fan.

Jolie Blon In 1970, McNeese named “Jolie Blon” the official McNeese fight song. This popular Cajun waltz is often referred to as the “Cajun National Anthem.” The McNeese Band first played the song in 1951 under band director Eddie See.

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Bringing the Wood “Bringing the Wood” is a football saying that stands for big hits and big plays.

The Cowboys started the tradition of bringing out an actual piece of wood to honor a player that demonstrates the act on that particular week.

University of Louisiana at Lafayette Home: Lafayette Mascot: Cayenne Pepper Colors: White and Vermilion Red Stadium Name: Cajun Field Where to tailgate: Tailgating takes

place right outside of the stadium and wraps itself around and down to the practice football area. Since you’re in Cajun Country, you will always find someone making a jambalaya and family and friends playing games like washers.

Tradition:

Fight Song and Ragin Cajun Chants When visiting Cajun Field, be prepared to take part in several chants and the traditional fight song. At every touchdown, the fight song is played and ends with a very loud and passionate, “GO U-L!”

August 2018

Southern University Home: Baton Rouge Mascot: LaCumba Jaguar Colors: Gold, Columbia Blue Stadium Name: A.W. Mumford Stadium Where to tailgate: You will see tailgating going on all around campus at an SU football game. From cook-offs and family and friend gatherings, to fraternities making their signature frat punches, you’re sure to find something for every Jaguar fan to enjoy.

Traditions:

Family Affair Since Southern University is a HBCU (Historically Black College and University), heritage is important. Many families have a number of SU alumni who attend each football game.

Marching Jukebox One of the biggest highlights of Southern University is the band, “The Marching Jukebox.” Regardless if the game isn’t

August 2018

going well or the season isn’t the best, people still attend for the band known as “The best band in the land.”

Southern University Hymn After each game, the Southern University Band performs the “SU Hymn.” If you’re a true Southern fan, you know to stick around and watch.

Louisiana State University Home: Baton Rouge Mascot: Mike the Tiger Colors: Gold and Purple Stadium Name: Death Valley Where to tailgate: According to a 2017

USA Today report, LSU ranked number two in the nation for best college football tailgating schools, adding that every LSU tailgate is a smorgasbord of local specialties.

Die-hard fans start at Tiger Stadium and take over the entire campus, forming a temporary community that becomes the fifth largest city by population in the state.

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The stadium holds 92,400, but there are usually at least 120,000 fans tailgating.

Many begin tailgating near the stadium on Wednesday night before Saturday games and cook all the way through game time.

Traditions:

Mascot Mike the Tiger has been known to visit tailgaters before the game and enters the stadium with the cheerleaders.

The “real” Mike lives in a habitat right outside the stadium and can be seen at every home game.

Victory Hill Before each game, thousands of fans line up along the bottom of Victory Hill waiting to get a glimpse of the football team (attired in suits and ties), head coach, the Golden Girls dance line, Mike the Tiger, the cheerleaders, and the Golden Band from Tiger Land marching to the stadium. Fans and foes alike eagerly anticipate the four notes of the band’s pregame salute when it sounds on a Saturday night in Tiger Stadium.

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Places & Faces FOOTBALL GOLD Northwestern State University

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Home: Natchitoches Mascot: Vic the Demon Colors: White and purple Stadium Name: Harry Turpin Stadium Where to Tailgate: Known as Donald’s Demon Alley, the tailgating area boasts a lively experience. The Alumni and President’s Tailgating takes place around the Collins Family Pavilion.

Tradition:

Every year, the last game of the season is played against Stephen F. Austin State University, and it’s a battle for the largest football trophy in sports – Chief Caddo. There are many legends behind the origin of the Caddo story.

It is said that the Chief divided the land among his two sons. One went east (Natchitoches, La.) and one went west (Nacogdoches, Tx.) They traveled the same distance and established villages. SFA and NSU became rivals and have been playing for the 7’6, 320-pound wooden statue since 1961.

Each year the Chief stands in an end zone awaiting his fate. In the 51 years of the tradition, the Chief has spent 36 in Natchitoches. Some say it’s the meat pies and good Cajun cooking!

Located near the stadium, this campus landmark fills in with students, alumni, fans, cheerleaders and the band in the hours leading up to each game.

Tradition:

The Lion Walk Two hours before kickoff, players and coaches, joined by the Spirit of the Southland marching band, make their way to Strawberry Stadium, passing through Friendship Circle to greet tailgating fans. During the game, when the home team scores a touchdown, the announcer bellows, “That’s another Lions first down!” while fireworks explode near the end field.

Louisiana Tech Home: Ruston Mascot: Tech the Bulldog Colors: Red and Blue Stadium Name: Joe Aillet Stadium Where to Tailgate: Tailgating is a way of life for Bulldog fans at the Argent Pavilion, Tailgate Alley, and the Kids Zone.

Tradition:

(337) 474-3766

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Mascot: Roomie the Lion Colors: Green and gold Stadium Name: Strawberry Stadium Where to Tailgate: Friendship Circle.

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The Spirit of ’88 At the south end of Joe Aillet Stadium stands a bronze Bulldog statue named the Spirit of ‘88. The statue commemorates the 1988 Bulldog football team which blazed the path into Division I-A football for LA Tech.

Every Bulldog player touches the statue for good luck as he walks down the ramp before home games.

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August 2018

What’s New at

Disney?

by Stefanie Powers

Disney has been capturing the hearts and imagination of young and old for decades.

Amy Veuleman, a local agent with Holiday Travel, is a Disney Specialist who has been visiting Disney World annually for the past 11 years.

What Veuleman and her family love the most about Disney Resorts is that they are always changing. “It’s never ‘finished,’” Veuleman says.

So what’s new at Disney?

Toy Story Land, the largest expansion yet in the history of Disney’s Hollywood Studios, was officially dedicated on June 29 in a special celebration, which Veuleman and her family attended.

“Toy Story Land is an amazing new area in Hollywood Studios,” Veuleman says. “It’s a colorful land with three Toy Story-themed rides and a new quick service restaurant. The Slinky Dog ride is the new kid-friendly roller coaster, which is what most park-goers have been waiting for. Alien Saucer Spin brings back our favorite green aliens from the movie to take you on a spin in your ride vehicle. It’s a similar experience to the teacups.

Special attention to special needs.

Veuleman especially appreciates Disney for the accommodations given to the handicapped. “I love that my oldest son, who is disabled, can experience as much joy in the park as an ablebodied individual,” she says.

The parks offer disability services to make standing in lines more comfortable for guests that may have cognitive difficulty with processing wait

August 2018

times. “You have to register for the service, but you only have to do it once during your stay,” she says. “Also, many of the ride experiences don’t require you to transfer from your wheelchair. You can roll right onto the experience.

Additionally, they have designated areas for watching the parades and a significant number of family restrooms.”

Holiday magic.

The Veuleman family enjoys celebrating the holidays at Walt Disney World. “It’s truly a magical place at Christmas.

They transform the parks for all the holidays, but Christmas has always been my favorite,” she says. The holiday season starts on November 8 at Disney World. Discover joyous holiday traditions of 11 World Showcase nations during Epcot International Festival of the Holidays beginning Nov. 18.

If you’re a Disney firsttimer, Veuleman recommends staying at one of the Resort hotels. “It absolutely makes the experience more magical,” she says. “They allow you extra hours in the parks and take care of your transportation needs while visiting. There are four unique theme parks, each one deserving of a visit, so allow at least four park days in your trip.”

Holiday Travel has the distinction of being an Authorized Disney Planner.

They will host a free Disney Night to answer questions and teach you all about resort options on September 25 at the OLQH Life Center at 6:30 p.m.

For more information, contact Holiday Travel at 3020 Ryan St., Lake Charles, 337-480-1090, www.gowithholidaytravel.com.

Disneyland will never be completed. It will continue to grow as long as there is imagination left in the world. ~ Walt Disney

Harrison Veuleman in Toy Story Land

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25

Places & Faces

Louisiana’s Golf Trail

by Frank DiCesare

Louisiana’s Audubon Golf Trail is known across the country for its award-winning courses. From Shreveport to Houma, 15 beautiful courses dot the Bayou State’s lush landscape, welcoming pros and amateurs alike to tee it up and split the fairways.

In Southern Louisiana, eight of the Audubon Golf Trail’s courses can be found along the I-10 corridor between Lake Charles and New Orleans. You could say that great golf in Cajun Country is just a drive away.

South Lake Charles is home to Gray Plantation (grayplantation.com), a 7,000yard, par 72 course that will test pros and amateurs with four par 3 holes (two of which feature island greens), 94 bunkers and four highly challenging par 5 holes. Water hazards abound on many holes so accuracy is a must from the tees and along the fairways.

Situated on 60 acres of scenic marshland, Gray Plantation was named one of the top 100 greatest pubic golf courses in America by

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Golf Digest in 2005 and in 2007. Golf Magazine ranked the course among the top three in its “50 best U.S. courses for $50 or less.”

An hour’s drive east will take golfers to the Wetlands Golf Course (wetlandsgc.org) in Lafayette. Designed by architect Frank Burandt, the course opened in April, 2006 and accommodates golfers at all levels with five tee boxes. Double greens are featured at the ninth and eighteenth holes. Bunkers and water hazards will test golfers in 11 of its 18 holes.

A 90-minute drive southeast of Lafayette will bring golfers to Patterson in the midst of the Atchafalaya Basin region where the Atchafalaya Golf Course at Idlewild (atchafalayagolf.com) awaits. Designed in part

by Robert von Hagge, the man behind such courses as Doral and TPC at the Woodlands, the Atchafalaya Golf Course is a par 72, 175acre emerald, encompassing five lakes and 10 wetland areas. Since its opening in 2006, the Atchafalaya has been recognized as one of the Bayou State’s “must play” courses.

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Travel north for an hour and you’ll arrive at the Island Golf Club and Restaurant (thelslandgolf.com). Built straight out of Plaquemine’s sugar fields, the Island Golf Club has been a sweet spot for golfers in Southeast Louisiana since its opening in 1999. The course consists of 160-acres in which the front nine plays in a clockwise manner while the back nine is played counterclockwise. The Island Golf Club also features nine man-made lakes.

An hour and half drive north will bring golfers into Baton Rouge, home the Santa Maria Golf Course (golf.brec.org), a par 72 facility featuring 150 acres of Bermuda fairways, 15 lakes, and a pair of natural waterways. Designed by the legendary Robert Trent Jones, Sr., Santa Maria has repeatedly received Golf Digest’s highest ranking for a municipal course.

August 2018

A short drive east to Springfield is where golfers will find the Carter Plantation (carterplantation.com).

Designed by PGA champion and LSU alum, David Toms, this par 72 course was named among Golf Magazine’s “Top 10 Courses You Can Play” in 2003.

Featuring live oaks and cypress wetlands, Carter Plantation demands precision off the tee and along its fairways, as water comes into play on 11 of its 18 holes.

An hour’s drive southeast will bring you to the Audubon Trail’s most celebrated course, TPC Louisiana (tpc.com/louisiana).

Home to the PGA Tour’s Zurich Classic of New Orleans, TPC Louisiana is a par 72 championship course that truly brings world-class golf to the Bayou State.

Designed by master golf course architect Pete Dye, TPC Louisiana features a series of short par 4 holes that will challenge even scratch golfers. The course also features many cypress trees and natural vegetation. The course is located just 15 minutes outside of New Orleans’s French Quarter. Across the street from the course sits the world-famous Audubon Zoo. If you’re in the Big Easy, the Golf Club at Audubon Park (audubonnatureinstitute. org/golf ) is another must play course in Southern Louisiana. Located along St. Charles Avenue, this par 62 course is the shortest of all the courses on this list. But don’t let its size fool you. Audubon Park’s 4,220-yard layout has earned it 4.5 out of 5 stars on Golf Digest’s “Best Places to Play” rankings. It is also the only golf course in the country that is accessible by streetcar, a New Orleans transportation staple. The course is also the oldest on this list, providing worldclass golf for players since 1898.

With the fall golf season approaching, tee it up at one of these green gems in the months ahead and hit those greens in regulation! Golf in Southern Louisiana is a unique and challenging experience. Our Audubon Golf Trail is home to courses that will test golfers of all skill levels in settings that can only be found in Louisiana.

August 2018

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27

Places & Faces

Movers and Shakers in Southwest Louisiana...

Who’s News? You tell us! Send press releases to edit@thriveswla.com with the subject line “Who’s News.”

Psychiatrist Said Cantu, MD Joins Memorial Medical Group

Memorial Medical Group Welcomes psychiatrist Said Cantu, MD to its staff. He serves as medical Dr. Said Cantu director of the Archer Institute, the area’s newest behavioral health hospital.

Dr. Cantu has been on staff at Lake Charles Memorial Hospital since 2008 and his office is located at 2829 4th Avenue in Lake Charles.

For more information, call (337) 4777091 or visit www.lcmmg.com.

West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital Announces Promotion

West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital is pleased to announce that Susan Sonnier has Susan Sonnier been promoted from housekeeping coordinator to environmental services director. In her new role, Sonnier is responsible for planning, directing, coordinating, and managing activities of the housekeeping and laundry departments of WCCH. She also directs and coordinates departmental activities in accordance with current Joint Commission requirements and administrative policies. Susan has been employed with WCCH for 22 years.

General Surgeon Dr. Justin Rudd Joins Imperial Health

Justin Rudd, MD, general surgeon, is the newest member of the Imperial Health Dr. Justin Rudd medical staff.

Dr. Rudd’s office will be located at the main Imperial Health building at 501 Dr. Michael DeBakey Drive in Lake Charles.

To schedule an appointment, please call (337) 312-8762.

Dr. DavisFontenot Joins Medical Staff of Dermatology Associates Dermatology Associates of Southwest Louisiana Dr. Kerri Davis-Fontenot welcomes Kerri Davis-Fontenot, MD, dermatologist, to the practice. Dr. Davis-Fontenot received her undergraduate degree in biological sciences with a minor in chemistry from McNeese State University and her medical degree from Louisiana State University Health Science Center in Shreveport where she completed her internal medicine internship. Dr. Davis-Fontenot completed her dermatology residency at LSU in New Orleans where she was chief resident. She is a member of the American Academy of Dermatology, the Society for Pediatric Dermatology, the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery and Women’s Dermatological Society.

Services provided by the Dermatology Associates include skin cancer diagnosis and treatment, as well as conditions involving skin, hair, and nails as well as cosmetic dermatology services. Specialized services include Mohs surgery and ultraviolet light therapy. Professional skin care products from SkinCeuticals and Elta MD are also available through the office.

For more information, call (337) 433-7272 or visit www.dermswla.com.

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Gillard Announces Candidacy for Marshal

Karl Gillard, chief deputy marshal in the Ward 3 City Marshal’s Office, announced he is a candidate Karl Gillard for Ward 3 City Marshal in the November 6 election.

The election will fill the marshal’s seat for the remaining two years of Marshal Joey Alcede’s term following his retirement this December.

Gillard has served with the Marshal’s Office for 14 years as the second-incommand chief deputy marshal.

He is a member of the Louisiana City Marshals and Constables Association and the National Rifle Association, and holds numerous law-enforcement and professional certifications. A lifelong resident of Lake Charles, Gillard is a graduate of LaGrange Senior High School and attended McNeese State University.

The Eye Clinic Welcomes Dr. Katherine Fontenot

Optometrist Katherine Fontenot, OD, has joined the medical staff of The Eye Clinic.

Dr. Katherine Fontenot As part of her medical training, Dr. Fontenot provided comprehensive eye care in a variety of settings, including adult primary eye care, pediatric eye care, exams in nursing homes, vision therapy, specialty contact lens fittings, and diagnostic and optical retail. Dr. Fontenot is licensed by the Louisiana State Board of Optometry and has a special interest in adult and pediatric primary eye care.

Appointments are now available with Dr. Fontenot in all of The Eye Clinic’s locations.

For more information, call 1-800-8265223or visit www.theeyeclinic.net.

August 2018

Lauren Morris joins Arts Council as New Project Coordinator

The Arts Council of SWLA is proud to announce the recent additions of Lauren Morris Lauren Morris to its staff. Morris has joined the Arts and Humanities Council as the new Project Coordinator. She served as a dance instructor for fifteen years and eventually, Assistant Director at Tammy Palmer’s Center Stage. Lauren holds an English degree and a Visual Arts degree from McNeese State University.

For more information on the Arts Council, visit www.artscouncilswla. org or call (337) 439-2787.

Veteran JD Community Banker Appointed to Manage Highway 14 Branch

Oliver Clark, a 15-year JD Bank employee Oliver Clark and Southwest Louisiana native, has been appointed to manage JD Bank’s Highway 14 branch in Lake Charles. “ Before his appointment as Assistant Vice-President/Branch Manager at the Highway 14 branch, Clark serviced as Consumer Lender/Assistant Manager at JD Bank’s Kirby Street branch.

Boy Scouts of America Honors First Federal Bank Board Member, S. Mark McMurry

a prestigious honor granted to individuals who have distinguished themselves in their life work and shared their talents with their communities on a voluntary basis.

McMurry, who is a former president of the Calcasieu Area Council, is the third recipient of this award for the local district. Former Calcasieu Parish Assistant District Attorney David Palay and KPLC’s John Bridges are two prior recipients of the honor.

To learn more about the award or Calcasieu Area Council, visit www. calcasieubsa.org or call (337) 436-3376.

For more information about First Federal Bank, visit www.ffbla.com or call (337) 433-3611.

Cody Heard receives Premier Nationwide Lending’s top honor.

Cody Heard, a Lake Charlesbased branch manager and Cody Heard loan officer with Premier Nationwide Lending, has been named to the company’s exclusive Producer’s Council. This accolade is reserved for only Premier’s top loan producers; the honor recognizes Heard’s achievements in both units and volume.

Heard was recently honored during the company’s Producer’s Council conference in Key Biscayne, Florida. The four-day event for both Producer’s Council honorees and their spouses included networking and specialized training.

To learn more about Cody Heard, NMLS #92001, visit codyheard.com or Premier Nationwide Lending, visit LoansByPremier.com.

Charles Timpa, President and CEO of First Federal Bank of Louisiana, S. Mark McMurry and Michael Beer, CEO/Scout Executive of the Boy Scouts of America Calcasieu Area Council, are proud to announce that S. Mark McMurry of the First Federal Bank Board of Directors has been awarded the National Eagle Scout Association’s Outstanding Eagle Scout Award upon nomination by Calcasieu Area Council and the Boy Scouts of America.

The Outstanding Eagle Scout Award is August 2018

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CHRISTUS Health Leadership in Southwestern Louisiana

CHRISTUS Health announced that the leadership of its ministries in Southwestern Louisiana will be restructured. Effective Aug. 20, Kevin Holland, will join the organization as CEO of CHRISTUS Southwestern Louisiana, and will oversee both CHRISTUS St. Patrick Hospital and CHRISTUS Lake Area Hospital.

This decision follows an announcement in June of last year that CHRISTUS Health and Ochsner Health System had signed a letter of intent to pursue a joint venture of CHRISTUS operations in the Lake Charles area.

Holland and his family will move to Lake Charles from Jackson County, Mississippi, where he spent almost 20 years with Singing River Health System, serving most recently as its CEO. The non-profit system includes two hospitals and Centers of Excellence in Cardiac, Orthopedics, Oncology and Bariatrics.

His 23 years of experience in health care include work in operations, strategic planning, joint venture and business development, and in health plans.

Robbin Odom, who has served as interim CEO of CHRISTUS Lake Area Hospital since last year, will become Chief Nursing Officer of CHRISTUS Southwestern Louisiana.

Donald Lloyd, who has served as president and CEO of CHRISTUS St. Patrick, will depart to pursue other opportunities.

Lloyd has served as president and CEO of CHRISTUS St. Patrick since 2012, and has worked to improve the ministry’s clinical and financial performance. He developed a strategic and operational collaboration with Imperial Health, supported the acquisition of CHRISTUS Lake Area, worked closely with the physician owners to purchase 51 percent ownership of CHRISTUS Imperial Calcasieu Surgery Center and supported the development of the new Ochsner joint venture. He also recently completed an $8 million Capital Campaign to enhance Neurosurgery, Cardiovascular, and Oncology services for CHRISTUS in the region.

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Money & Career Two months ago, Lake Charles native Dr. Kim Hunter Reed took the role of Louisiana Commissioner of Higher Education. She has a threeyear contract during which time she has big plans to improve conditions for Louisiana’s post-secondary schools and the students who attend them. The path that brought Dr. Reed to this position has been a winding road of meaningful public service in government and higher education. She worked as press secretary for Governor Edwin Edwards, state policy director for Governor Kathleen Blanco, and chaired Governorelect John Bel Edwards’ higher education transition team before moving to D.C. to serve as Deputy Under Secretary in the Obama administration at the U.S. Department of Education. From there, she

moved to Denver to lead higher education for the state of Colorado before returning to Louisiana this summer. “I think having the opportunity to work on a college campus, and at the state and federal levels in higher education sharpened my understanding of the needs of our students and the challenges and opportunities they face,” says Dr. Reed. “With both my parents, Brenda and Lawrence Hunter, serving as largerthan-life educators in Lake Charles, it’s no surprise that I came back to ‘the family business.’ Education is what we do and what we love.”

first person

by Angie Kay Dilmore

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with

Dr. Kim Hunter Reed Louisiana Commissioner of Higher Education

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August 2018

Tell us about growing up in Lake Charles.

I had an amazing childhood because of my wonderful parents, great schools, and a special community. I felt loved and supported in Lake Charles. I have fond memories of my teachers at St. Margaret’s and St. Louis, my dance recitals with Ms. Shepherd, and running track with my dad coaching and cheering us on. I’m also grateful for the amazing community leaders who believed in me and supported my growth. It felt like everyone was family.

Where did you attend college, what was your major, and what were your goals at the time?

I did my undergraduate and Master’s work at LSU and earned my Ph.D. from Southern University. I started out as a broadcast journalism major largely influenced by Mr. Methvin, my high school honors English teacher, who thought that would be a great fit for me.

He was right. I loved journalism, which eventually brought me back home to anchor the news at KPLC (1989 - 1991).

From there, I expanded my interests and educational pursuits into public policy which allowed me to work at the state and federal levels in education.

What does your new job entail and what are your goals for Louisiana higher education?

The Commissioner of Higher Education is the lead policy and advocacy champion for increased talent development in this state. We know that in this global, knowledge economy we need more residents with greater levels of education and training. Our job at the Board of Regents is to set a vision for the work and an action plan to help more people succeed. We must ensure that higher education is affordable, attainable, and equitable in this state. We have lots of work to do, but I believe in our students and the committed educators and faculty who work to support them. It’s an excellent opportunity to serve our state at a critical time.

What do you believe will be your greatest challenges in this role?

Moving the needle on educational attainment is the greatest challenge.

Louisiana ranks 49th [in the U.S.] in attainment, and we cannot have the vibrant state we want, nor the level of

August 2018

opportunity our students and families deserve, with those low outcomes. So, we must expand talent development and student success across our state — in both rural and urban communities.

We must strengthen our ties with K-12, workforce, and economic development.

When we look at the skills needed to contribute in a meaningful way to the economy, we simply must increase the education and training of Louisiana’s citizens. That means we need more partners, advocates and champions for our students and for education, as well.

Reed with her husband and daughter.

What are the most important issues in higher education today?

There are many, but I think it boils down to improving our success with the students we have and dramatically increasing success with the residents we are not yet serving. That requires innovation at scale so that more students earn credentials in high school, and those who are not engaged have a pathway to earn education and training in our technical and community colleges, universities, and through industry-based certifications and training. We must erase the opportunity gaps that exist for lowincome students and minority students.

Knowledge transfer must evolve to better serve our traditional and adult students. How to accelerate that reality is the work that must be accomplished.

How do you fill your free time?

I love spending time with my family. My daughter Bre, named after my mother Brenda, is already a high school senior so I am trying to take in every minute before she heads off to college. We love to read together, join my husband for a good movie, and since she plays volleyball year-round, we spend a lot of time in the gym at high school games or traveling with her club team across the South. For me, downtime is family time, and that is special. My father still lives in Lake Charles, so he keeps me updated on what’s happening in my hometown since I don’t get home very often.

Reed engaging with students.

Reed with her father.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

I want to say thank you to Lake Charles for believing in me and cheering me on throughout my journey.

No matter where I go or what I am called upon to do, I will always be proud to call Lake Charles home.

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8

Money & Career

Signs and Symptoms of a Money Procrastinator (and How to Stop Being One)

It’s no secret that many people avoid dealing with their finances in a responsible way. Even if your financial picture looks bright, procrastinating on money-related issues can cause you undue stress, anxiety, and unhappiness. And if you have serious money problems to contend with, avoiding them could cost you dearly someday.

Wherever you fall on the money-avoidance spectrum, financial expert and best-selling author Eric Tyson, says it’s time to face your financial fears. “Just about every person procrastinates on dealing with some aspect of their finances,” says Tyson, author of Personal Finance in Your 20s & 30s For Dummies®. “Many people have a tremendous amount of anxiety about money that contributes to this avoidance.

Either they don’t budget responsibly, or they’re not saving as much as they should, or in some cases, they’re being outright selfdestructive by not paying their bills on time, or at all. It all adds up to trouble that could be avoided.”

Money procrastination manifests in several ways. Answer these questions to identify areas of your financial life where you may be procrastinating.

32 www.thriveswla.com

Are you financially disorganized and prone to clutter?

Because avoiders dislike dealing with money and related issues, they don’t spend their free time keeping documents organized and easy to find.

Do you pay your bills and taxes late?

Money avoiders often incur late fees and interest charges on various household bills. Those who are self-employed, and thus responsible for quarterly income tax filings, are at additional risk for falling behind with tax payments, which can have huge negative financial consequences.

Do you have unopened financial account statements?

A classic symptom of money avoidance is having piles of unopened account statements, even during periods when your investments are doing fine.

Do you feel unease and shame about letting your money sit in a low-interest account?

Even those who can save money may have a tendency to allow it to accumulate in bank accounts that pay little if any interest.

While they may know that they

could and should do better with investing the money, they can’t overcome the inertia.

Do you feel enormous stress and anxiety over money issues and decisions?

Whether you were raised in a home where money was an ongoing source of unhappiness and conflicts, or you believe you lack the skills and knowledge to take control of your current finances, making financial decisions makes some people feel uncomfortable and stressed.

Do you have a low level of interest regarding money issues and decisions?

While some avoiders shun financial decisions and responsibilities due to anxiety, others are imitating behavior learned from their parents or are rebelling against a parent who was financially or emotionally overbearing.

Do you have an absence of long-term financial planning and thinking?

Many money avoiders don’t think much about their personal and financial goals for the years and decades ahead.

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Do you have marriage problems relating to money?

Money procrastinators typically have conflicts over money with their spouses, and their avoidance may stem from or be exacerbated by that.

Tyson says if any of the above scenarios sound like you, know that you can still regain control of your finances with time and patience. Here’s how: Recognize and admit that you procrastinate.

Until you recognize that you have a problem, you can’t work on a solution. Recognizing your tendency to procrastinate is the first and most important step to changing the way you handle your money management.

Determine why you avoid dealing with money (and prepare to work on those issues).

There are numerous reasons you might procrastinate on money issues. Maybe you feel incompetent to wisely handle your finances after several attempts to be financially responsible. Perhaps you are

August 2018

Capital One tOwer disorganized in many areas of your life, and struggle just to deal with your work and family commitments alone. Other sources of procrastination may include marital friction, perfectionism that prevents you from ever getting started, or flat-out avoidance of difficult situations. Many people are money avoiders because they can get along sufficiently through either good fortune or by being surrounded by those who enable the avoiding behavior. Whatever the reasons for your money procrastination, take steps to address the issues head-on and start changing your behavior.

Work on one or two tasks at a time.

If you try to tackle your laundry list of financial to-dos all at once, it can be so overwhelming that you’re tempted to give up.

Focus on a few high-priority tasks to begin, and once you’ve completed those, move on to the next few. Remember, if you’ve got a long list of goals, it might take six months to a year to work through them. Pace yourself so you won’t give up.

Automate your bill payments.

Financially disorganized individuals are often late paying their bills. But late payments, particularly when it comes to paying taxes, are a problem that can lead to substantial late fees, interest, and penalties.

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August 2018

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can do to avoid those late payments is to set up automatic payment on your various bills.

Develop a regular investment program.

All money procrastinators should make their investing automatic. If you work for an employer, let them know you want to sign up for their payroll deduction savings account program. Not only will your money grow faster inside a tax-deferred account, but your employer may also offer free matching money.

If you are self-employed, you’ll need to establish your own retirement account.

Find out about the different retirement account options and choose the one that best meets your needs.

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Hire financial help.

Financial advisors are best suited for those who want to quantify how much they should be saving for specific goals and determining where to invest it.

Look for a competent and ethical advisor who has reasonable fees.

“Chances are, you’ll never love dealing with money issues and that’s okay,” concludes Tyson.

“But if you can accomplish foundational goals, you won’t suffer the ill effects of someone who completely neglects their finances. It’s not too late to change your relationship to money, and when you do, you will feel far more motivated and in control of your life.”

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Money & Career

Former NFL Players Bolster Other Pro-Athletes’ Post-Career Business Plays When New Orleans Saints Super Bowl champion Marques Colston was in the NFL, he was notorious for running routes to get open. Little did he then know that his knack for “disruption” would extend well beyond his athletic career and help not only himself, but also other pro sports retirees realize professional success outside of the game.

This Hofstra University graduate (2006 seventh round draft pick) helped the Saints capture victory in Super Bowl XLIV, during which he led the team with seven receptions for 83 yards against the favored Indianapolis Colts. Colston’s career accolades include holding the Saints’ all-time franchise record in receiving yards, yards from scrimmage, receiving touchdowns, total touchdowns and total receptions. Colston remains in the top 40 NFL Career Touchdown Receptions Leaders.

But there’s an array of new milestones bolstering Colston’s professional pedigree of late. This athlete turned entrepreneur, investor, and digital strategist is realizing tremendous success alongside his business partner and long-time mentor Lance Johnstone

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– a former NFL Raiders and Vikings linebacker who remains among the Vikings’ all-time top ten sack leaders and top 100 in NFL history. Colston and Johnstone have parlayed their on-field pedigree as elite offensive and defensive players into business ventures, which includes a portfolio of over a dozen businesses that range from innovative sports technologies and publicly traded medical companies, to their flagship business, Dynasty Digital, a full service digital marketing agency specializing in solutions for emerging companies.

Notably, Colston and Johnstone recently co-created an Executive Education program at Columbia University Business School, focused on providing current and former professional athletes with the tools

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needed to harness their competitiveness and ensure financial success after their athletic careers have completed.

The two programs, titled “Venture Investing for Professional Athletes” and “Entrepreneurship for Professional Athletes,” will incorporate in-person lectures on Columbia’s campus in New York City and interactive, live webinar content, as well as feature guest speakers from the investment world -- a hallmark of all Columbia Business School programs.

Colston is also the top consultant for the Center for Innovation for Virtua Health Systems, a non-profit healthcare system in southern New Jersey that operates a network of hospitals, surgery centers, physician practices, and fitness centers. It is also a research hub for

August 2018

emerging medical technology. Colston is also heavily involved in over a dozen other businesses and joint ventures as a partner, chairperson, or investor in the sports tech, medical canna, and franchise industries, including a start-up sports tech company called BioStadium – a sports data and analytics company designed to help individuals and teams at all levels improve athletic performance through data.

Colston’s prolific, impressive, and decidedly uncommon post-NFL business success has many parallels with his athletic careers. While playing in the league, Colston was highly adept at finding the open spots, and even today, this aptitude for forging a new path is helping his and other companies differentiate themselves from the competition, grow at a rapid pace, and outlast the competition. To illustrate, Colston points to the year the Saints team won the Super Bowl. While it may not have been the most talented team he was a part of, the squad made up

for it with the kind of unification and urgency around a common goal that maximized the level of talent that it did have. Today, Johnstone and Colston take this same approach to business, investing in companies that can best maximize the resources they have.

“After leadership has designed the vision and built the right team, the next step is to develop and maintain a business mentality of constantly being in attack mode,” Colston says. “No team has ever lost a game when they scored every time they had the ball. A business must ask itself if it’s constantly putting pressure on its competition.

If not, it’s time for a new game plan.”

Johnstone concurs with this teambased mentality, adding, “While you cannot create more time, you can better leverage it. That is what building systems and having the right talent is about. If the plan is strong and the talent personnel is right, you are better positioned to win.

In business, everyone needs to buy into the vision so they are more vested in

the outcome than the process. The best way for a team to beat its competition is to get to know the opponent’s weak spots, expose them, and eventually make their weaknesses your strengths.”

Relative to his own ongoing quest for success, Colston certainly doesn’t rest on his credentials gleaned from the football field. Rather, he’s aptly transforming from being a highly venerated team player on the field to being a top-growth power player entrepreneur helping other pro athletes achieve just the same.

X

Continued August 2018

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Money & Career

What your Wallet Says about your Finances

by Kristy Como Armand

What’s in your wallet?

Is it stuffed with crumpled currency and a wad of outdated, faded receipts? Does loose change slide around the bottom of your purse and across the floor of your car?

If you answered yes, then it may be time to reassess your financial management skills.

Financial experts agree that while you may think these types of details are insignificant, the way you manage your dayto-day finances does reflect your money personality. “The way you handle your cash – literally – is often very much in line with your beliefs about the role of money in your life,” says Phylan Poe, Branch Manager of Lakeside Bank’s Westlake location.

Interestingly, research has shown that there are many different types of money mismanagement habits that can be detected by examining the contents of a wallet. For example, Poe says many people have no idea how much money they have on hand at any given time. “They don’t know how much cash is in their wallet or in their checking account, and they aren’t worried about it because they’ll buy whatever they need with a credit card.

These are types of people who are likely to

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be unaware of the balance in their savings or even their retirement funds.” She says they may just not be diligent enough to keep up with the balances, or they may be afraid to face the stark reality of their financial situation. “This is dangerous, because you are much more likely to spend beyond your means if you don’t have at least a ballpark figure of how much money you have available. The first step toward better financial management is knowing how much money you really have. Then you can establish goals and start doing a better job of budgeting and saving.”

Are you one of those people whose wallet is always empty? If your cash seems to quickly disappear every time you get it, necessitating multiple trips to the ATM between pay checks, Poe says you should do a better job of assessing how you are spending your money. “In all likelihood, you are probably spending more than you think you are on small things that add up to big chunks of your discretionary income.” To get started on better awareness of spending patterns, Poe advises keeping a record of everything you spend for several weeks.

“You’ll be surprised at how quickly you learn exactly where your money is going.”

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If your wallet is disorganized, with crumpled bills and money in different compartments, and if you have money haphazardly scattered around your home or vehicle, you may want to take a closer look at how well organized your finances are. “If you leave money just lying around, you’re basically saying it’s not important enough to put it in a safe and protected place,” says Poe. “Someone who treats money carelessly often does not respect money or put a big enough focus on the financial aspects of their life.” Poe says the key to changing this behavior is recognizing the buying power of the money you’ve been discarding. “Add up all of the miscellaneous bills and coins you have scattered around. You’ll probably be surprised at the total and will soon start giving your spare change the respect it deserves.”

Another big wallet problem is receipts.

You pull out your wallet and can’t even get to your money without sorting through several months’ worth of receipts. “This is usually a person who knows they need to do a better job of keeping track of their spending and thinks by just hanging onto receipts they are making progress,” says Poe. “But keeping them is not enough. You have

August 2018

to take the next step to organize them – which means getting them out of your wallet and into a filing system.”

And then there’s the person who has all the bills in their wallet lined up from largest denomination to smallest, or vice versa. They always know exactly how much money they have and have a firm grasp on how much they are spending and saving, tracking every last penny.

“While this type of person thinks they have the best possible financial habits, they still face the potential for a different type of financial misstep – not allocating any money for fun,” says Poe. “As with anything else, moderation is key. If you are too rigid in managing your day-to-day money, you could also be too strict about building relaxation and fun into your long-range financial planning. It’s important to reward yourself for your discipline – take a vacation, purchase something you’ll enjoy that you’ve been saving for, or just buy something fun occasionally.”

Poe says examining your wallet for clues about your financial personality is a great – and simple – exercise in gaining insight into your personal money management. “Taking a closer look at what you do with small amounts of money in your daily life can help you refocus and become more disciplined about your big financial goals.”

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Money & Career

those expected to reach a higher noise level, via the SasolTEXT system. The company encourages community members to register to receive the messages at www.

SasolNorthAmerica.com/SasolTEXT. Archer Institute Officially Opens to the Public The Archer Institute is officially open, offering treatment for mental health and substance abuse issues with the backing of the largest regional, community-owned health system – Memorial. The first standalone mental health facility built in Louisiana in 40 years, the first phase of Archer Institute includes a 28bed adult unit and a 14-bed child/ adolescent unit, providing services for age five and older.

The Archer Institute is located in South Lake Charles at 6713 Nelson Road in Lake Charles, just north of Lake Charles Memorial Hospital for Women. The public can call 1-800480-7792, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year for help.

Psychiatrist Dr. Dale Archer, Jr, made a major donation towards the new hospital through the Foundation at Lake Charles Memorial. The facility’s official name is the Archer Institute at Lake Charles Memorial Health System to honor Dr. Archer’s legacy as a leader and mental health advocate in Southwest Louisiana.

Commissioning Activities Underway at Sasol Lake Charles Chemicals Project Commissioning activities are underway at Sasol’s US$11.13 billion Lake Charles Chemicals Project in Southwest Louisiana with several systems and machinery to be tested over the next few months in advance of startup.

Sasol will communicate relevant commissioning activities, including 38 www.thriveswla.com

Community members are encouraged to call Sasol’s Community Information Line at (337) 494.5301 with any questions about commissioning activities.

Lakeside Bank Opens Loan Production Office in DeRidder Lakeside Bank recently hosted a ribbon cutting and open house at its new Loan Production Office (LPO), located at 1509 N. Pine Street in DeRidder. The LPO is staffed by banking professionals familiar with the Beauregard Parish market, including Justin Holt, Kristen West and Tammy Johnson.

The DeRidder location is the latest expansion of Lakeside Bank, which offers two full-service banking centers in Lake Charles, one in Westlake and one in Sulphur.

For more information on the services available at the new Loan Production Office, call (337) 502-4845 or visit www.LakeSideBanking.com.

First Federal Bank of Louisiana Rated 5-Stars by Bauerfinancial Charles Timpa, President and CEO of First Federal Bank of Louisiana, is proud to announce that BauerFinancial, the nation’s premier bank rating firm, has given First Federal Bank its highest, 5-star rating for the 25th year in a row. A 5-star rating from BauerFinancial indicates First Federal Bank excels

in areas of capital adequacy, profitability, and asset quality, as well as several other factors.

First Federal Bank has also procured a “Best of Bauer Bank” designation, which is reserved for banks that have maintained Bauer’s highest rating consistently for the last 25 years.

For more information about First Federal Bank, call (337) 433-3611 or visit www.ffbla.com.

Beauregard Health System and Lake Charles Memorial Health System Announce Affiliation Beauregard Health System and Lake Charles Memorial Health System are pleased to announce the parties have entered into a clinical affiliation agreement. This agreement will create a partnership that focuses on producing high quality, coordinated care to the residents of Southwest Louisiana that will offer patients more comprehensive care. As health care dynamics continue to change in the industry, this affiliation will strategically position both health systems for continued success.

Integrated health systems that can deliver quality care more efficiently and cost-effectively, leading to better patient outcomes, will see increased stability and improved services for patients.

This clinical affiliation is not a purchase or an acquisition. Each organization’s ownership and governance structure will remain as separate local boards of trustees.

The affiliation will enhance the economies of scale for both organizations to allow for sharing of best practices and cost savings.

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SOWELA Acquires Oakdale Site SOWELA Technical Community College will acquire the Oakdale, LA site, which is currently a part of Central Louisiana Technical Community College. The move is part of a statewide realignment of the Louisiana Community and Technical College System to improve administrative efficiency and delivery of instructional and workforce training.

SOWELA is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate degrees, diplomas, and certificates. SACSCOC has approved SOWELA’s acquisition of the Oakdale Instructional Site.

SOWELA - Oakdale is currently enrolling for Fall 2018 classes and offers the following programs: Business Administration, Criminal Justice, Forest Technology, Industrial Instrumentation, Practical Nursing and Welding Technology.

For more information about enrolling in SOWELA or to register, visit www.sowela.edu/admissions or call (337) 421-6565 to speak with an enrollment specialist.

August 2018

August 2018

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Home & Family

PARENTS’ SURVIVAL GUIDE

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August 2018

Four million babies are born in the U.S. every year. That’s one every eight seconds. If you are pregnant or already have young children, obviously you are not alone, but that doesn’t make parenting any easier. It is likely the hardest job you’ll ever take on. This month’s cover story hopes to make your role a bit easier. You’ll find tips for raising children from birth to toddlerhood, what equipment to buy, finding a great daycare and dealing with separation anxiety, kids’ fashion, fun businesses to entertain your little ones, and more. Above all, no matter how busy or stressful life with kids can be, remember to enjoy the journey. They grow up so fast!

August 2018

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Home & Family

OH, BABY!

The Progress of Pregnancies, Then and Now

by Christine Fisher

There’s never been a better time to have a baby. Thanks to a better understanding of developments happening in utero, advancements in medical technology, and more knowledge of healthy living overall, pregnant women are the strongest and most confident they’ve ever been and their healthy babies are living testaments to this progress.

“It’s amazing to see the advancements made in the field of obstetrics,” says Ben Darby, MD, OB/GYN, with OBG-1 of West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital.

“In my 41 years of practice, we have much more information compared to what we had even a generation ago.

We can visualize the health of the baby in detail now and we have a better understanding of conditions that might affect the health of the mother, allowing us to treat them more effectively.”

A comparison of how things used to be with the way they are today paints a vivid picture of progress and advancement, underscoring that women today have many options available to them. All of this is to have a safe pregnancy and welcome a healthy baby at the end of it all.

Pre-Pregnancy Planning

The best time to plan for prenatal care is before getting pregnant because babies are most vulnerable before the mother knows she is pregnant. “The first

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few weeks after conception are crucial for the baby’s organ formation. If the mother has poor health habits, it can have a negative impact on her baby’s development,” explains Dr. Darby.

Because pregnancy testing has come a long way over the years, pregnancies were often two months along before the mother knew for sure. In some cases, if the mother routinely smoked cigarettes and consumed alcohol, (adverse health effects from these weren’t widely known back then), it continued into the pregnancy.

This caused babies with low birth weights and some developmental challenges.

Today, many women work toward eliminating bad habits before getting pregnant so their baby has the best possible head start. By getting in good physical shape before the pregnancy, the odds increase for a healthy pregnancy and delivery.

One of the things to focus on during pre-pregnancy planning is folic acid. “We know that folic acid is crucial for babies in the early weeks of development,” Dr. Darby says. “It helps minimize birth defects such as improper development of the brain or spinal cord. By taking a quality daily vitamin before pregnancy, as well as eating a well-rounded diet including dark, leafy green vegetables, beans, and citrus fruits, women can rev up their nutrition intake so they are in the best possible health before a baby is conceived.”

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Getting the Good News

Finding out about a pregnancy has changed dramatically in the last 50 years or so. Back then, women suspected they might be pregnant when they missed a period or two. At a visit with their doctor, urine would be taken and sent off to a lab to test for hCG, or human chorionic gonadotropin, a hormone found only in pregnant women. At the lab, a sample of the woman’s urine was injected into an immature female mouse, frog, or rabbit.

If hCG was present in the urine sample, the animal would go into heat, indicating the woman was pregnant. Astoundingly, the “rabbit test” was about 98 percent accurate, although it took days for the results to be given to the mother.

“Modern pregnancy tests continue to rely on the presence of hCG in urine.

Enzyme indicators are used on home pregnancy tests,” explains Dr. Darby.

“These tests are up to 99 percent accurate and results are ready in minutes.” These tests are available at any drugstore and can give results as quickly as a few days after one missed period.

At the first obstetrician appointment, the official confirmation is given through blood tests and the initial ultrasound, where parents can get a first look at the tiny baby.

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Seeing the First Glimpse

Ultrasound technology has made great strides over the years. While it was available for clinical use in the 1950s, it began to be used in hospitals in the 1970s and 80s, and became used in doctor’s offices in the 90s. Those early pictures were grainy but now clarity has improved greatly, giving parents treasured photos showing the baby’s development throughout the pregnancy.

Today, parents can see the baby waving, kicking, and sucking its thumb, and doctors can get a detailed look at the baby’s growth, anatomy, and overall health, as well as the health of the placenta and the mother’s uterus.

Eating for Two

In the past, a restricted diet was recommended during pregnancy.

As counterintuitive as it sounds, the logic was that it would ease labor and delivery if the baby was smaller.

Women were often advised to

gain no more than 15 pounds total during the pregnancy. Experience has taught that smaller babies don’t always equal a no-hassle delivery.

Today, a weight gain of between 25 – 35 pounds, on average, is recommended.

“Healthy babies start with healthy mothers,” Dr. Darby says. “When a mother begins the pregnancy at a good weight, with healthy habits of eating a wide variety of foods and getting regular exercise, the baby benefits.”

Nutritional quality is emphasized more today than in the past. Choosing fresh foods is encouraged and forgoing rich, sugary desserts is best.

In addition to eating quality foods, vitamins have come to the forefront.

“We know that folic acid, calcium, iron, and fiber are critical for a healthy baby and mother. In many cases, the baby’s needs come first, so he or she will take the needed nutrition from the mother. This means mom needs to consistently eat well so she has enough nutrition in reserve to supply both the baby and herself,” explains Dr. Darby.

The Delivery

Back in the day, strong anesthesia was used to virtually knock out the mother, while dad paced around a separate room to await the baby’s arrival. As a result of the amount and type of medication, babies were often born heavily sedated themselves, and some had difficulty breathing.

Today, women take a leading role in planning their labor and delivery, discussing medication options ahead of time with their doctor.

Dads are both coach, comforter, and often umbilical cord-cutter.

Epidurals are the most common pain relief used during delivery, while some woman choose to go through labor and delivery with no pain relief. Whatever is decided, today’s women are choosing to be mentally present so they can fully experience the wide-range of emotions.

Continued on next page

Pelvic Pain Menstrual Disorders Pregnancy • Infertility Breast Disorders Contraception Midwifery Allison Hansen WHNP, CNM

Ben Darby MD, FACOG, OB/GYN

Scott Bergstedt MD, FACOG, OB/GYN

Now Accepting New Patients

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Home & Family Bonding Time

Many years ago, once a baby was delivered, it was whisked away by a nurse to be weighed, bathed, measured, and prints were obtained of tiny fingers and toes. All of this happened while under a bright light and in a cold room – the opposite of the warm, dark, and quiet atmosphere the baby was snuggled in only moments before.

Today, skin-to-skin contact between mother and baby is encouraged. Science and human instinct has shown the first few hours after birth are precious and filled with opportunities for bonding between mother and baby.

“Skin-to-skin contact happens soon after delivery,” Dr. Darby explains. “The baby is placed directly on the mother’s chest, skin touching. Research shows this has many health and psychological benefits, including helping to stabilize the newborn’s respiration and oxygen levels, beneficially increasing the baby’s glucose level, as well as warming the infant. For both mother and baby, stress hormones are reduced, blood pressure is regulated, and bonding occurs.”

“The time after birth is unique,” says Christa O’Neal, RN, Maternal Child Educator with West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital. “We have implemented techniques in our women’s center to enhance and encourage bonding between mom, dad, and baby. These techniques are used for both natural and cesarean births. We’re seeing a strong bond between mothers and babies, breastfeeding is more successful, and both the mothers’ and baby’s health and vital signs improve overall.”

PREPPING YOUR NEST Essentials For Expectant Parents

by Angie Kay Dilmore

Thanks to increased knowledge along with advanced technology, pregnancies and deliveries today are the safest they’ve ever been. Despite the changes and progress, what continues to be consistent, no matter the decade, is the overwhelming emotion felt by mom and dad once the baby is delivered. Whether the pregnancy and delivery were smooth or difficult, all of that is forgotten, for a few moments anyway, as the parents finally meet their long-awaited baby face-to-face.

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If you are like most new parents, you want to be ready to bring your newborn home well before your due date. Shopping for the arrival of a new baby can be a fun but overwhelming process for many first-time parents. Selecting large items like a crib, car seat, and stroller can be daunting, with so many brands and styles on the market; and those are just the big-ticket items! There are even more small necessities you’ll want to have waiting for your new arrival.

One way to make prepping for a new addition a breeze is to ask family members and friends who’ve recently had babies. They can provide first-hand insight into what they like and don’t like about the products they have and can even narrow your list down as they tell you which items are must-haves and which aren’t.

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August 2018

Regina Ledet and Therese Deroche, coowners at Pink and Blue Avenue, meet a lot of expectant parents in their store and glady advise prospective parents on their what-to-buy list. “We consider your baby needs from before delivery through the baby’s first birthday and beyond,” says Ledet, who recommends the following: If you plan on nursing, you’ll need a breast pump (check with your insurance company for coverage), nursing pads, specially-fitted nursing bras, burp cloths, and other nursing accessories like a nursing pillow. If not, then plenty of bottles, nipples, and formula. Ledet and Deroche are both lactation consultants and welcome questions on feeding your baby.

A few hospital gowns for delivery and recovery.

A take-me-home outfit, layette clothing, socks and hand mitts, hats, swaddle blankets, bibs. Ledet suggests one-piece outfits with footies. No lost socks!

Diapers, wipes, wipe warmer.

Skin care products, such as lotions, diaper rash cream, and bathing products, including tub and hooded towels.

Diaper bags. Pink and Blue Avenue has a nice selection of designer bags.

Pacifiers, if you’ll be using them.

Ledet recommends the everpopular Wubbanub pacifiers.

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Teething toys and teething necklaces.

Healthcare needs such as nasal aspirators, a baby thermometer, infant probiotics, tummy remedies for gas, etc.

A baby book; to store photos and document baby’s growth and progress.

Stroller and car seat. Ledet recommends the Doona 2 in 1 stroller/carseat combination for simplicity.

Another item popular with new parents is the Dockatot Baby Lounger for easy napping.

In addition to clothing and nursing needs, Pink and Blue Avenue offers a wide variety of baby gift items – books, stuffed animals, pacifiers, bibs, blankets, and other baby accessories. Store manager Lyndi Marti is happy to help customers with merchandise selection, baby shower registry, and free gift wrap.

Pink and Blue Avenue is located at 4070 Nelson Rd. #900. For more information, call 337-477-6587, visit www.pinkandblueavenue.com, or find them on social media @pinkandblueavenue.

August 2018

A Unique Boutique for Baby & You Pink & Blue Avenue was created out of a need for new parents and breastfeeding moms to find necessities and unique items to make their lives easier. We are constantly searching for the newest and most exclusive items available for our customers. We hope you enjoy what we have to offer and when you are in our area please stop by. We are confident you will like what you see.

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BRINGING BABY HOME

by Kristy Como Armand

Bring Home Baby

with Style

For baby’s first outfit, make sure it’s styled with love. Queen of Threads offers so many adorable outfits for the baby’s debut, and their monogramming service can add that personal touch. Don’t forget blankets and bibs! We have everything beautiful for your baby.

How exciting! Your baby has arrived. Now, how will you get your new bundle of joy home safely?

Unless you plan to walk home from the hospital, you’ll need a car seat from day one, so this is definitely something you should purchase well before your due date. “Not only should you purchase it, you need to practice installing it correctly,” says Calcasieu Parish Sheriff Tony Mancuso. “This is one piece of equipment that you’ll need to be very familiar with for a long time.”

The law in all 50 states requires that children must be properly restrained in a car seat from birth to at least seven years of age. Also, most states now require children to ride in booster seats until they weigh 60 pounds or more, or are a certain age or height.

If you need more convincing, car crash injuries are the leading cause of death among children in the United States. The reason?

According to Safe Kids USA, many children aren’t properly restrained, which means that car seats could have prevented many of those deaths.

Sheriff Mancuso says all car seats currently on the market meet the U.S. government’s stringent crash- and fire-safety standards, so any car seat you buy new is technically safe.

“However, this may not be true for second-hand car seats or car seats purchased more than a few years ago. And keep in mind, even if a car seat itself meets the federal government’s standards, it may not protect your baby properly if it’s installed and used incorrectly.”

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For your baby’s first car seat, Sheriff Mancuso recommends following these guidelines:

Baby or InfantOnly Car Seats

All infants and toddlers should ride in a rear-facing seat until they are at least two years of age or, preferably, until they reach the highest weight or height allowed by their car safety seat manufacturer. These should always face the rear of the car.

They have a weight limit of between 22 and 35 pounds. When your baby reaches the weight or height limits for his rear-facing infant seat, move him or her to a rear-facing convertible car seat.

Convertible or Infant-Toddler Car Seats

These function as rear-facing seats for babies and toddlers and forward-facing seats for older children. Many newer models are designed to hold a child of up to 40 pounds rear-facing and up to 70 pounds forward-facing.

It’s safest to leave your child rear-facing as long as possible.

Guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics say to keep your child in a rear-facing car seat until the age of two, or until he reaches the seat’s maximum rearfacing height and weight limits.

“Once you purchase your infant car seat, read the instructions and practice installing it in your various family vehicles,” says Sheriff Mancuso. “Make sure anyone responsible for transporting your baby knows how to use your car seat correctly, as well.”

August 2018

Locations for Free Child Safety Seat Fitting Stations Louisiana State Police Troop D

805 Main Street Lake Charles, LA 70615 Contact: James Anderson, 337-491-2932 by appointment

Lake Charles Police Department 830 Enterprise Blvd.

Lake Charles, LA 70601 Contact: Beth Stevens, bstevens@cityoflc.us by appointment

Lake Charles Fire Department

Training Center 4649 Common Street Lake Charles, LA 70605 Contact: Delton Carter, dcarter@cityofLC.us or 337-491-1207 by appointment

SEED Center (IMCAL)

4310 Ryan Street, Suite 330 Lake Charles, LA 70605 Contact: Katelynn McCartney, katelynn@imcal.org or 337-433-1771 by appointment

Beauregard Parish Sheriff’s Office 412 Bolivar Bishop Drive Deridder, LA 70634 Contact: Mike Halter, mhalter533@aol.com or 337-460-5443 Tuesdays and Thursdays 12:30pm-2pm by appointment

Sulphur Police Department 500B N. Huntington Street Sulphur, LA 70663 Contact: Matthew Cheaney, mcheaney@sulphur.org 337-527-4550 8am-8pm by appointment

Sulphur Fire Department

602 N. Huntington Street Sulphur, LA 70663 Contact: Tammy Bellard, Tbellard07@aol.com or 337-263-0226 M-F, 8am-4pm by appointment There is no fee for this safety service provided by certified child passenger safety technicians to lower childhood deaths and injuries. To stay informed of events and education, please follow Buckle Up Louisiana on Facebook.

August 2018

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47

Home & Family

FOSTER PARENTING & ADOPTION Sharing the Gift of Love

by Britney Glaser Felder

There are currently 100,000 children in the United States living in foster care. Four thousand of those children are here in Louisiana and 140 of them are cleared for adoption.

These numbers are hard to grasp, and for some, misconceptions about children and teens in foster care keep them from ever considering growing their family through adoption.

Children enter foster care through no fault of their own. As victims of child abuse, neglect and/or abandonment, they are removed from their homes because their birth family is unable or unwilling to provide a safe environment for them. Ages range from infant to teen and virtually every race, ethnic group, and socio-economic category is represented.

More than 60 children in Southwest Louisiana are currently living in temporary foster homes, waiting for an adoptive family. The demand for certified foster homes in Southwest Louisiana is so high right now that some children have had to be moved to other regions of the state.

The adoption process requires foster care/adoption preparation classes, a home study, and background check. This process does not cost anything and a social worker

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will be assigned to your case to help walk you through the process. The certification process typically takes about three months until a child can be moved to your home.

Adoption through foster care is essentially free. Most legal fees are between $500-1,000 and reimbursable by the state. Many of the children also qualify for continued Medicaid coverage, adoption subsidies, and college tuition assistance to help financially support them as they grow older.

Yet, with all the support that exists, children continue to wait for someone to answer the call. They wait for stability.

They wait for a consistent school. They wait for their future. They wait for a mom and dad. Some children wait alone; others wait with siblings. Their needs vary, but the basic need of each is the same as any other child: love.

While they wait, work is being done to help shorten that time.

Louisiana Heart Gallery, a non-profit organization staffed by volunteers, travels around the state with a beautiful photo display of dozens of children – many from our community – awaiting adoption. This display offers a chance for people to stop and look into the eyes of a child who has

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no family support. It is difficult to step away from that without doing something.

Is adoption a challenge? Oh, yes it is. Is it worth it? Oh, yes it is.

Adoptive parents often hear the comment, “Your child is so lucky to have you.” Those who walk this road can certainly say the reverse is true: they are the lucky ones.

The Lake Charles Department of Children and Family Services offers orientation classes every month. To sign up or get more information on becoming an adoptive/ foster parent, call 337-491-2470.

To learn more about adoption through foster care or becoming a foster parent, contact Louisiana Heart Gallery-Lake Charles Region at lhg.lakecharles@ hpserve.org. You can also read profiles of some of the 500 waiting children in Louisiana at louisianaheartgallery.com.

Britney Glaser Felder and her husband Matt are the parents of Lila Rose, age three, James, whom they adopted in 2017 and is also three, and Adeline, age one. She served as a morning news anchor at KPLC TV for 10 years and now teaches television production in Calcasieu Parish, in addition to her volunteer work with Louisiana Heart Gallery.

August 2018

FOSTER CARE By the Numbers

8.9

Average age of a child in foster care.

20

Months Average length of a child’s stay in foster care.

1/184 children in the U.S. are in foster care.

August 2018

Percentages of children in foster care by race:

42% 24% 22% 13%

Caucasian

$56,364 Average household income for households with foster children.

African American Hispanic Other

184,000 Households

25%

Approximate number of former foster youth who experience homelessness within 4 years of leaving the system.

Source louisianaheartgallery.com/ statistics.html

have at least 1 foster child under age 18.

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49

Home & Family

BABY MILESTONES Between the ages of one and three, your child undergoes a whole range of physical, social, and cognitive developments and acquires new motor skills and language abilities. Find out what to expect with your child in each of these age groups, courtesy of ECBT.com.

Newborn to 1 Year • Begins to develop a social smile (3 months) • Raises head and chest when lying on stomach (3 months) • Watches faces intently (3 months) • Smiles at the sound of your voice (3 months) • Enjoys social play (7 months) • Transfers object from hand to hand (7 months) • Ability to track moving objects improves (7 months) • Responds to own name (7 months) • Finds partially hidden objects (7 months)

Around Age 1 • • • • •

Enjoys imitating people in play Reaches sitting position without assistance Bangs two objects together Responds to simple verbal requests Learns to walk

2 to 3 Years • • • • • • •

Points to object or picture when it’s named (2 years) Begins make-believe play (2 years) Demonstrates increasing independence (2 years) Climbs well (3 years) Turns book pages one at a time (3 years) Uses 4- to 5-word sentences (3 years) Sorts objects by shape and color (3 years)

50 www.thriveswla.com

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August 2018

Choosing the Right

DAYCARE

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Did it give you a good feeling orachievement negative vibes? were extremely low. Doctors predicted Gianna would never even lift her head. She showed them: she began walking at three and has grown into a woman who has run marathons.

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Check references. Narrow your list down

once again and begin checking references. You can ask the center for these or you can strike out on your own and speak to others who’ve had children there in the past. Ask if they would recommend the center to you and would they put their own child there a second time.

Finally, it is important to start your search early.

Many of the top-rated centers have a waiting list.

It’s important to get on this list early to ensure your baby has a place to stay when the time comes.

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Home & Family

SEPARATION ANXIETY Surviving the Long Goodbye

It’s hard to tell which is harder for parents: Having a kid who’s nonchalant about being left with someone else, or dealing with the cries and clutching arms of a baby that’s desperate for you to stay.

There is no doubt, however, that one is far messier than the other. Separation anxiety often leaves behind a pool of tears for both baby and parent, making it difficult for one to leave without the other. But how do you say goodbye to weepy eyes and cries? Thrive magazine offers these tips:

Introduce your child to other caregivers at an early age. It’s healthy and important for your baby to interact with people other than yourself. If you’re not comfortable leaving your four-month-old alone with a babysitter for a long period of time, try it in short doses. If your child interacts with no one else but you, it will be difficult for them to adjust to the concept of preschool when that time comes.

Instead of distracting the baby with a toy and then sneaking away, tell the sitter to have a toy on the ready just after you leave. Make your goodbye quick – stretching it out only increases the drama – and then have your sitter supply the distraction.

It’s tough to walk away with a smile when your child’s in hysterics, but it’s important that you keep a happy, confident, and relaxed demeanor. If your child sees panic, they’ll assume there’s a reason for worry. Keep a happy face.

Develop a ‘goodbye routine.’ This is especially helpful for toddlers. Make up a silly goodbye song, goodbye cuddle, or goodbye hand-clap.

The goodbye routine could include a reminder that the ‘goodbye’ is only for a short time.

Avoid the temptation to “bribe” children as you leave. Stay away from promises such as, ‘If you don’t cry at daycare, we will go to McDonald’s when I pick you up.’ Bribing will not help children learn to trust a caregiver.

Children may remain calm in order to get a reward, but not because they are comfortable and feel safe, which is the ultimate goal.

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August 2018

Tips for Successful

TOILET TRAINING (for both you and your toddler)

Toilet training is a rite of passage for every child, but that doesn’t make it easy. The secret to successfully transitioning from diapers to underpants comes down to simple patience.

While there may be the rare child who potty trains around age one, Dr. Lyle Stephenson, a pediatrician with The Pediatric Center, Lake Charles, says this process usually takes place between the ages of 18 months to three years, depending on several factors. “Each child needs to be neurophysiologically ready. The child must be able to follow some directions, be aware of the need to go to the bathroom, have dry periods for approximately two hours, have the desire to remain dry, and must have the necessary skills to sit still on the toilet and pull clothes and underwear up and down.

The biggest key for parents to look for, though, is that the child must be able to recognize that they ‘NEED to go.’”

Toilet training is all about the toddler gaining control over his or her body. Here are a few tips to help this transition flow easily.

Be prepared

Place a potty chair in the bathroom.

You may want to try a removable top that can be placed directly on the toilet. Encourage your child to sit on the potty chair.

Have regular potty breaks

If your child is interested, have him or her sit on the potty chair or toilet without a diaper for a few minutes several times a day.

August 2018

Keep a watchful eye

When you notice signs that your child might need to use the toilet, such as squirming, squatting, or holding areas below the belt, respond quickly.

Reward

Know what your child loves most and reward them for their successes.

Ditch the diapers

After several weeks of successful potty breaks your child might be ready to trade diapers for training pants. Just be careful not to move to regular underwear prematurely.

Be patient

While there are methods that can be successful quickly, most children will have accidents as they progress.

Dr. Stephenson encourages you to love and shower praise on your child when she succeeds. He recommends you have your child change his own clothes after accidents to increase ownership of success in the process.

Dr. Stephenson urges parents to remain calm and understanding with the child during the process. “They are still learning and growing, and this is stressful on everyone. Physical punishment such as spankings should never be a process of parenting, especially with potty training. Again, be patient. If a child gets to the age of five or six without daytime toilet training, they should be evaluated by their physician for medical problems that could prevent normal toilet training.”

Ultimately, remember that time is on your side. It’s a misconception that toilet training needs to be accomplished at a very young age. The process varies among toddlers. Follow your child’s lead.

For more information contact The Pediatric Center at 337-477-0935.

Know when to call it quits

If your child resists using the potty chair or toilet or is not getting the hang of it within a few weeks, take a break and try again in a few months.

Dr. Stephenson says a child who is not ready won’t be ready regardless of a parent’s eagerness. “The consequences are frustration, anger, and tears, both on the part of the parent and the child.”

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53

Home & Family

DRESSING OUR BABIES

by Isabel Jones

In an age where kids grow up seemingly overnight, it’s important to cherish the days when they’re little and care free.

Taking advantage of the days you can dress them up and hold them close is crucial in such a fast-paced world. This idea is what motivates the owners of children’s boutiques in Southwest Louisiana. They are inspired by moments that make up the precious memories you create with your children . . . from the first day you bring them home to their first day of school.

These retailers are here to make each occassion special from head to toe.

The Proper Peony, The Beaufort Bonnet Co, Little English, and Bella Bliss. In addition to clothing, they sell shoes, bows, and hats to accessorize their outfits. Sercy Lane believes in “dressing your babies like babies” and offers staples like collared dresses for girls and Jon Jons for boys.

Shop Sercy Lane at their store or through social media.

OMA’S CLASSIC CHILDREN’S CLOTHING

TRÈS JOLIE BOUTIQUE

www.omasclassics.com 3830 Nelson Rd., Suite 100, Lake Charles, LA

At Très Jolie, they believe that clothing builds confidence and it’s never too early to learn what you love. This contemporary boutique offers bright colors and fun patterns so kids of all ages can feel their best in whatever they wear. Sizes range from baby to tween for boys and girls with brands like Livie & Luca, Mustard Pie, Aden + Anais, Sun San Sandals, Jessica Simpson, Michael Kors, and more. They also have accessories from swaddles to handbags.

Oma’s is a classic-style children’s clothing store that offers a wide range of sizes and accessories. Girls’ sizes range from infant to 14 and boys’ from infant to eight. They also offer sets for siblings; perfect for family photos! Oma’s carries brands like Feltman Brothers, The Bailey Boys, Serendipity, and Sun-Sans along with many others. Their clothing is described as classic with some fashion-forward lines, “but all are classic in that they allow children to continue to dress as children in a world where they are pressured to grow up so quickly.”

Tresjolieboutiquela.myshopify.com 2508 Ryan St., Lake Charles, LA

Shop Très Jolie in their store, online, and through social media.

SERCY LANE

Find Sercy Lane on Facebook and Instagram 1301 E. McNeese St., Suite 105, Lake Charles, LA This newer children’s boutique features classic and traditional southern apparel for toddlers. Sizes typically range from 12m to 6 and they offer brands like James & Lottie,

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Shop Oma’s at their store or online.

PINK & BLUE AVENUE www.pinkandblueavenue.com 4070 Nelson Rd., Suite 900, Lake Charles, LA

Pink & Blue specializes in newborn, infant, and pregnancy goods. Owned by two board-certified lactation consultants, their minds are with mom and baby essentials.

For the kids, they offer items from

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newborn needs to baby books with a few toddler sizes from their top brands. A few favorites have been mermaid and unicorn patterns for the girls and forest animals for the boys. For moms, they offer the first milk bank depot in Lake Charles, where approved donors can donate their breast milk. They also carry nursing equipment and accessories in their shop so you can find what you need with the guidance of professionals.

Shop Pink & Blue at their store and they’ll ship on request.

QUEEN OF THREADS MONOGRAMMING www.monogramminglakecharles.com 4031 Nelson Rd., Lake Charles, LA

Queen of Threads takes their classic children’s clothing and makes it personal.

They offer brands like Mint Sweet Little Things, Monday’s Child, Vive la Fete, Paty, and Sweet Dreams. Sizes range from newborn to 2T for boys and girls with accessories for both kids and adults.

A few favorites are their basic shorts, tops, gowns, and coming-home outfits for infants along with their full stock of seersucker accessories like backpacks and duffle bags. Queen of Threads also offers monogramming so each piece can become a unique gift to cherish!

Shop Queen of Threads in their store, online, and through Instagram.

ETIE’S, A CHILDREN’S SHOPPE Find Etie’s on Facebook 206 S. Huntington St., Sulphur, LA

With Etie’s comes a long history of family.

It originally opened in 1917 as a millinery store selling women’s hats, and later as a women’s and children’s store. Earlier this year, it was reopened in the original building by the granddaughter of the women who started it all. Now, Etie’s carries boys and girls clothes from preemie to 12 in classic styles from Feltman Brothers, Bella Bliss, and Lullaby Set, and more contemporary designs from Tea Collection, Joules, and Fore Axel and Hudson. They also have gifts, accessories, and toys. There is a book room where children can sit and read and a playroom with toys where they can play while parents shop. Etie’s will also host the occasional story time!

Shop Etie’s in their store or through Facebook and Instagram.

August 2018

BALANCING a Busy Life with Kids

by Bailey Castille The earth spins on its axis at a speed of over 1,000 miles per hour. While we may not be consciously aware of this rotation, some of us may feel like our own worlds move at light speed, propelled by loaded schedules. With all the movement of life, how does one balance family with a busy lifestyle?

Relieving stress starts in the evening, not the morning. Pack any bags or backpacks needed for the next day. Make a to-do list, with the most important items listed first, and review this list with your family. Decide what to make for breakfast, and maybe prepare lunches at this time, too.

To help eliminate some of the chaos of busy schedules, hang a calendar in a central area of your home so all may have access to it. This allows you, your partner, and your children to be on the same page when it comes to the activities you each have coming up. Assign a color for each family member or for certain events like practices, games, concerts, or other obligations.

August 2018

It’s easy to become overwhelmed by all of the activities; so can your children. Sports, clubs, and other extracurricular activities are great for development physically, socially, mentally, and even spiritually. However, overloading your child and yourself with events can diminish the pleasure experienced through these activities. Also, studies have shown that children involved in too many activities are prone to anxiety and depression. Only you and your family can decide how much is too much.

One-on-one time is essential to your family’s health and wellbeing. You should schedule one-onone time with your partner, your family, and yourself.

This should be a top priority.

Your family’s happiness, or lack thereof, will spill over into every other aspect of each of your lives: work, school, friendships, and so on. Even if it is just eating together, playing a board game, or going for a walk in the evening, take this time to relax and relish the moment.

What’s the point of a busy life if you can’t enjoy it?

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Home & Family

Local Businesses that Focus on

FUN FOR KIDS

by Andrea Mongler

This time of year, most families are gearing up for that first day back to school. But summer isn’t over just yet! There may still be a week or two to enjoy the break from school, and of course, even after school is in session, there are still the weekends. It’s easy to find something fun to do in Southwest Louisiana!

Altitude Trampoline Park

Creole Nature Trail/ Adventure Point

It’s not much of an exaggeration to describe Altitude Trampoline Park as wall-to-wall trampolines. In fact, children can keep themselves busy jumping around the 14,000-square-foot space for quite a while!

The indoor park also features a foam pit, dodgeball courts, and basketball hoops. Buy a one-, two- or three-hour pass before you go or when you get there. Family packs are available for purchase on site too, and you can also book a party. All ages are welcome, but toddler time — from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on weekdays — is a good time to bring the littlest jumpers. Teen night takes place from 8:00 – 11:00 p.m. on Saturdays.

Regardless of whether you plan to take a drive down the 180-mile scenic byway known as the Creole Nature Trail All-American Road, you should check out Adventure Point — one of the trail’s starting points. Well worth a visit with the kids, Adventure Point has handson displays that give visitors a chance to try their hand at Cajun/Zydeco music, smell the aromas of Cajun/Creole cooking, learn about the local landscape and wildlife, and practice crabbing —all for free!

3009 Gerstner Memorial Hwy., Lake Charles

Club Tabby

1427 W. Prien Lake Rd., Lake Charles It’s hard to describe Club Tabby in a paragraph. It simply doesn’t fit into just one category. It’s a boutique offering styles — for girls and boys — not seen elsewhere in Lake Charles. It’s a party venue, with themes including “Glitz & Gals,” “Enchanted Princess” and “Spa-Tacular.” It’s a hair salon for kids (and their caregivers!) It offers makeover kits including “Movie Star” and “Rainbow Rocker.”

And young visitors can stuff and adopt their very own “pets.”

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2740 Ruth St., Sulphur

Local Parks The Lake Charles area is full of fun parks.

Millennium Park downtown features a huge pirate ship structure for kids to climb and play in, a splash pad, and an area designed for the toddler crowd. Nearby are Lock Park — also known as “fire truck park” because of the old fire truck on site that kids can play in — and Drew Park, which parents enjoy because there’s plenty of shade. Moss Bluff’s new River Bluff Park features playground equipment and a splash pad, as do Prien Lake Park and Pinederosa Park in Westlake.

Check out Tuten Park to see a variety of local plant and animal life, and for hiking, biking, camping and picnicking, head to Sam Houston Jones State Park, which offers more than 1,000 acres for visitors to enjoy and explore.

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Sensory Slime Time

1405 W. Prien Lake Rd., Suite A, Lake Charles What kid doesn’t want to play with slime? At Sensory Slime Time, they can do more than just play with it; they can make their own!

And it’s not just any slime either. Kids can choose a color and a scent and then add in items like glitter, sequins, and beads. The best part for parents? The mess they make isn’t at your house! Start by purchasing a “classic slime kit,” and then buy whichever add-ins you’d like. According to Sensory Slime Time, the ideal age for slime-making is eight and up, but younger kids are welcome to make their own slime with a parent’s or guardian’s help. Pre-made slime is available for purchase too, and Sensory Slime Time offers on- and off-site birthday parties.

Sulphur Parks & Recreation Waterpark 933 W. Parish Rd., Sulphur

A day at the water park doesn’t have to mean a long drive. At SPAR Waterpark in Sulphur, you’ll find something for the whole family.

Kids who are 48 inches or taller can try out a variety of tube slides and body slides, and small children can play on the splash pad.

The park also features a lazy river, a “raging river” and a lagoon pool. Children age two and younger are free. Private parties can be booked on certain days. The park’s season roughly coincides with summer break; Aug. 12 is the last day of this year’s season.

August 2018

inspire.

The Little Gym

inspiring our children to become leaders

1301 E. McNeese St., Suite 201, Lake Charles At The Little Gym of Lake Charles, kids not only engage in active play that helps develop strength, balance, and coordination but also gain confidence and other valuable skills, like decision-making, teamwork, and leadership.

The Little Gym offers a variety of classes and camps for infants, toddlers, and children up to age 12. You can also book a birthday party for your little one at The Little Gym.

ignite.

igniting a passion for learning

The Children’s Museum 327 Broad St., Lake Charles

If your kids think museums are boring, then they’ve never been to the Children’s Museum!

It’s filled with fun, interactive exhibits on a wide range of topics. Kids can play with water at the water table, race balls down fast tracks, pretend to grocery-shop in a child-sized market, and work on their crabbing skills in the wetlands exhibit. And those are just a few of the many offerings! There is also an ArtSpace, with a different project available each week on weekdays. Family memberships and nonmember daily admission are available for purchase. Members and nonmembers can book birthday parties at the museum, too.

We Rock the Spectrum

develop.

developing innovative problem solvers

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Great Reasons to join our

family

803 North Division Street Lake Charles, LA 70601 337-433-5246 episcopaldayschool.org

Vibrant Fine Arts Academic Excellence Program Safe, Nurturing Successful, Confident Environment Graduates Competitive Athletics Individual Attention Global Citizenship Spiritual Growth Outstanding Leadership Technology Program

3714 Common St., Suite E, Lake Charles

At We Rock the Spectrum, you’ll find specialized equipment that benefits children with autism spectrum disorder or sensory processing issues. But it also bills itself as a “gym for all kids” and is committed to providing a safe and fun environment for children of all abilities to learn, explore, interact, move, and play. For infants through 13-year-olds, We Rock the Spectrum offers daily open play, including full use of the gym plus an arts and crafts area.

Birthday parties, memberships, and specialized classes are also offered.

Our P hilosophy of

THREE DIMENSIONAL LEARNING Get Moving

Developing flexibility, strength, balance and coordination through varied physical activities.

Brain Boost

Nurturing listening skills, concentration and decision-making that benefits your child well beyond the gym.

Citizen Kid

Promoting sharing, teamwork, cooperation and leadership through spending time with your kids friends and peers.

1301 East McNeese St. | Lake Charles

(337) 419-1903 | tlglakecharlesla.com August 2018

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Home & Family

Gamenight

family

by Lauren Atterbery Cesar

It’s Saturday night, and you can’t possibly watch Ant-Man one more time. You need to shake things up enough to engage the seven-year-old and simultaneously make the fifteen-year-old put down her phone for just a few hours. Family game night is a perfect way to bring your loved ones together for an evening of entertainment and bonding that will create the kinds of memories your family will cherish and look back on years down the road. Dig into your board game closet or try a few ideas below to create those “remember-when” moments.

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August 2018

Spoons

All you need is a deck of cards and one less spoon than you have family members. Sit in a circle and place the spoons between the players. Each player begins with four cards in their hand. Pass a deck of cards around the circle one card at a time from one person to the next. The goal is to get four cards of the same rank, so if you get a card you need, discretely pass a different card to the next player. Once a player gets four cards of the same rank, they want to quietly grab a spoon.

Once any other player notices, they also want to grab a spoon quickly, so they aren’t left without one.

Minute-to-Win-It

There are tons of fun Minute-to-Win-It ideas to discover and play during a family game night; just do a Google search, but below are a few family favorites.

Beans in the Bowl

What you need are straws, a timer, paper bowls, and beans that are bigger than the end of the straws. Each player gets two bowls; one with beans, the other empty. The object is, when someone calls for a start, players try to move beans from the full bowl to the empty bowl using only the straw. The player who has moved the most beans from the full bowl to the empty one in sixty seconds wins! For a tastier time, use M&M’s.

GAMES AROUND TOWN Lake Area Adventures

If you’re looking for an exciting way to spend time with your family outdoors doing things like obstacle course racing, paint ball games, or guided kayak tours, look no further than Lake Area Adventures. www. lakeareaadventures.com

Putt-Putt Fun Center

Whether you want to see who in your family can get a hole-in-one first, or swing away in the batting cages, Putt-Putt Fun Center is a great way to spend a night out.

Petro Bowl

During your spare evenings, spend a few hours enjoying a competitive bowling tournament with your family – with or without bumpers.

Face the Cookie

This game is great for all ages and will garner heaps of laughs. Each player gets the same sized cookie. The person in charge of the game has each player stand and lean his or her head back. A cookie is placed on their foreheads.

When the person in charge says start, the player to eat their cookie first without using their hands is the winner. This is best done on a tile or wood floor to avoid a big mess.

The Leaning Tower of Cups

This is a simple game, but harder than it sounds. All you need is a timer and plastic cups. When the timer begins, the player to stack the tallest tower of plastic cups without them crashing to the floor is the champion!

Family game night doesn’t necessarily mean an evening at home. Here are a few local family-friendly places to have a great time with your brood; and no prep or clean-up – bonus!

August 2018

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Home & Family

Living the Art with LOOM Way of Life

Live the Art with

by Haley Armand Tarasiewicz

Each summer, the Imperial Calcasieu Museum hosts its “Branch Out Summer Art Camp” for grades kindergarten—8th grade. The week-long sessions take place over six weeks throughout June and July, where children work on a variety of projects with mediums consisting of drawing, painting, printmaking, sculpture and more. This year’s themes included: Arts in Space and Flora & Fauna.

A unique partnership this year featured sandals provided by Loom Way of Life, a footwear business based in Sulphur, Louisiana and owned by Mark McCormick and Charley Brown. They make lightweight, comfortable, slip-on shoes. The company donates 10 percent of their profits to the Maasia Beaded Project in Kenya, created through the charitable arm of Custom Safaris. Through the program, women are given the supplies and business education needed to create bracelets and necklaces to sell at local markets.

“When we heard about the camp, we knew we wanted to participate given our business motto of ‘people over profits,’ and we wanted a way to help the children understand the connection with artisans in Kenya through the Maasia Beaded Project,” said McCormick.

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August 2018

Each week, children would pick their shoes and use various materials and mediums to create a design that was uniquely their own within their week’s theme. The outcomes were individualistic in style! Five winners from each session were chosen to return at the end of the last session on Friday, July 27, for the Loom Way of Life Art Exhibit featuring their finished pieces.

Learn more about LOOM Way of Life’s fascinating story and incredibly comfortable footwear on their website: www.LOOMWayofLife.com.

The Imperial Calcasieu Museum is a nonprofit cultural organization located in Lake Charles, Louisiana, and has served the communities of Allen, Beauregard, Calcasieu, Cameron, and Jeff Davis parishes for 54 years. The mission of the Museum is to: 1) support visual arts and artists, 2) maintain a strong arts education program by offering opportunities for all ages, and 3) preserve the unique culture and history of the region. Visit the Imperial Calcasieu Museum at 204 W. Sallier St., Lake Charles, La 70601, Tuesday-Friday 10 a.m.-5 p.m., and Saturday 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

Dr. Erin Moore

has joined Dr. Randall Perry’s practice, Family Dental Dr. Moore is from Westlake and is a graduate of St. Louis Catholic High School and McNeese State University. She earned her Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from Louisiana State University School of Dentistry in New Orleans. Dr. Moore is a member of the American Dental Association, the Louisiana Dental Association, and the Academy of General Dentistry.

Dr. Moore is excited to be back home, and she looks forward to providing comprehensive oral healthcare in Southwest Louisiana.

Call 337-474-0212 to schedule an appointment.

Dr. Moore has Friday appointments available

1430 W. McNeese Street, Lake Charles, LA 70605 Office: Mon-Fri 8-5 • Fri 8-12 @FamilyDentalLC

August 2018

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Home & Family

h it W g in w S lf o G r u o Y e c ti c P ra

Your Own Putting Green

by Haley Armand Tarasiewicz

Imagine being able to walk outside and practice your chipping and putting any day of the week.

It doesn’t have to be a dream – it’s easier than you think to make a putting green part of your home’s landscape.

People tend to think of landscaping as purely aesthetics with ornamental trees, perennial plants and shrubs, but with the right planning and design, a putting green can be a unique added feature to your yard’s landscape. They are practical and provide at-home recreation for any golf enthusiast.

“If there was ever a perfect place for synthetic turf, a backyard putting green is it,” says Richie Everage, Design Consultant with Landscape Management. “Once installed, artificial greens are nearly maintenance free. Surfaces are now almost indistinguishable from real grass at any distance, and balls react almost identically to synthetic turf as they do to the real thing. That’s why most professional golfers choose to install synthetic greens to practice on at their own homes.”

Backyard putting greens are not only a handy way to practice, Everage says. They also make attractive landscape features that will withstand hot and cold temperatures, wet conditions and drain easily. “The synthetic turf also adds manicured beauty to any yard,” he says. “It accentuates the existing landscape,

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leaving a breathtaking outdoor space and your own, private facility on which to hone your golfing skills.

Plus, since your goal is to be a scratch golfer and not a groundskeeper, you’ll appreciate that putting greens require no watering, no mowing, no fertilizing and no aerating; only the occasionally leaf blowing of debris.”

While the size of your lawn will play a role in the dimensions of your putting green, Everage says you can make the best of the space you have and create the type of green you want – the size of your putting green is completely up to you. “If your short game is what you need to work on, a small compact area will serve your needs nicely. If you have the area and want to create a putting paradise, we can design the green to accommodate a wide variety of shots, from short and long putts to traps and uniquely shaped greens with different obstacles. We can create a miniature golf playground if that’s what you want.”

For more information about home putting greens, call Landscape Management at (337) 478-3836 or visit www.landscapemanagement.org.

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Home & Family

Le Bocage Lake Area Charity Horse Show & Fun Fest 64 www.thriveswla.com

The Stables at Le Bocage and SWLA Economic Development Alliance have teamed up to bring a unique and exciting experience to Lake Charles, Louisiana. Le Bocage Lake Area Charity Horse Show and Fun Fest will offer two days of athletic competition! The horse show will feature some of the nation’s top athletes competing in the sport of show jumping and hunter horse jumping over natural obstacles. There will also be a Fun Fest with games and attractions for the whole family.

Equestrian-type events are somewhat of a novelty in Southwest Louisiana. They attract big audiences in countries and parts of the United States where the sport is well known.

“We have always wanted to stage a major horse show at The Stables at Le Bocage,” said John Henning, founder and owner of The Stables at Le Bocage, along with his wife, Ginny.

“We also knew we would need to

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do something different to build an audience for the sport here.”

The idea took shape when the Hennings consulted a top horse show producer, Queenie Productions.

Together they conceived the idea to create a family festival and a VIP viewing area under the Oaks. “Our vision included creating a charity horse show that has longevity and meaning in our community,” said Henning. “We wanted to create more than a festival and horse show. We wanted to create something that helps the kids in our community. We found that through a partnership with the SWLA Economic Development Alliance.”

The event kicks off on the evening of Friday, October 26, 2018, with a pre-party for sponsors and riders. This event gives the sponsors a chance to meet and mingle with the riders competing over the next two days.

August 2018

Welcome To

Saturday, Oct. 27 begins with the Family Fun Fest featuring games and attractions for the whole family.

Food trucks will be on site and the Lake Charles Memorial Hospital Foundation Exhibitor Village will sell unique items and showcase a variety of vendors.

The show jumping competition kicks off with the USHJA Derby, hosted by Stine Lumber. Meanwhile, the Tavern under the Oaks hosts a casual afternoon for sponsors and VIP guests. Patrons will observe the event ringside under the shade of the Oaks with martinis, wine, beer and a sampling of hors d’oeuvres from some of the finest restaurants in the Lake Area. The Andreas Global Asset Management Group Welcome Classic starts the high stakes competition following the USHJA Derby.

Sunday, Oct. 28 begins as the Fun Fest gates open with a contemporary Christian service on the facility grounds. Jazz on the Green opens with the International Hunter Derby, where horses and riders compete for the premier Derby event. VIPs have a ringside seat at a reserved table, while enjoying mimosas, milk punch, and Bloody Marys, along with cuisine from local first-class restaurants.

Afterwards, the field will be prepared for the final and most exciting event of the weekend – the American Press Grand Prix, a show jumping event featuring the fastest, highest-jumping horses for the largest prize money of the show.

Le Bocage Lake Area Charity

Horse Show & Fun Fest October 27th & 28th, 2018

The Stables at Le Bocage is located at 4550 S. Park Road in Lake Charles.

For more information about the Le Bocage Area Horse Show call (337) 905-5687 or email joyce.richard@ lebocagestables.com.

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Home & Family

Exceptional Lives A Valuable Web Resource for Disabled Persons and their Families

by Julie McIsaac

How can persons with disabilities and their families know they are receiving all the resources they are eligible for? How can employers be certain they adequately accommodate the needs of their employees? Each day, persons with special needs face unique issues related to their school life, job, relationships, and activities of daily living.

For individuals with disabilities, wondering about the unknown can be scary. Research and advocacy creates possibilities to give those with special needs their best options in life. Knowing others are in their corner and being equipped with knowledge helps the disabled to feel less isolated and more optimistic.

Exceptional Lives is a non-profit organization that provides free, easy to use resources for individuals with disabilities, their caregivers, and the professionals who work with them. Born

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from the experiences of its founders and contributors, Exceptional Lives Louisiana seeks to close the information gap and empower parents and individuals. The staff at Exceptional Lives does this work to make the lives of those who need it a bit easier. They research, make calls, and help the disabled and their families connect to resources in their communities.

Their website offers Exceptional Lives Guides to walk users through each process and give them personalized information.

The Guides are written in plain language, using wording that is easy to read and understand. They use plenty of graphics and additional resources to ensure users receive the information they need. Users get a personalized checklist of action items based on answers to questions asked at the beginning of each Guide. The Guides also save progress, so a user can come back and update their information or finish the Guide at any time

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on any web-connected device. Searching on the Exceptional Lives free online Resource Directory for services in Louisiana will also provide printable resource lists and visual maps to display options.

As technology evolves, families have more opportunities to connect with each other, their community, and available services and supports. Exceptional Lives will continue to build relationships and gather knowledge. Together, they are better prepared to help each other push the limits of what is possible.

For more information, see their website, la.exceptionallives.org.

Julie McIsaac is a child development specialist with an interest in joining children and their parents to problem solve and connect through play. Julie has gained new insight into the experience of navigating life and services as a parent of a child with special needs and shares her experiences as a guest parent blogger for Exceptional Lives.

August 2018

HAPPENINGS MARK YOUR CALENDAR!

Fit For Life Class Announced Explore the City’s Diverse Workforce in the “Faces of Our Community” Program The Carnegie Memorial Library, located at 411 Pujo St. in downtown Lake Charles, is hosting a lunchtime “Faces of Our Community” program on August 27 from 11:30am-2pm in which attendees will be able to check out a “human book” for approximately 10-20 minutes and listen to the participant’s account of the topic that they are sharing.

In celebration of Labor Day, citizens will have opportunity to visit and ask questions with those in our eclectic workforce and learn about how they deal with barriers/ acceptance in the workplace, how they achieved employment, what their jobs entail, and how they broke the glass ceiling.

A wide variety of community members, ranging from senior citizens in the workforce, to those

August 2018

bullied for their ethnicity, to a retired Union member, and more have volunteered to share their unique perspectives, one-on-one, and give attendees a chance to learn from their work experiences.

The program, co-hosted by the City of Lake Charles’ Leadership Team for Community Diversity & Inclusion and the Calcasieu Parish Public Library, is intended to tear down prejudices by giving people the opportunity to talk with those they might not normally have the chance to interact with.

The event is free and open to the public. A light lunch provided by the Friends of the Library, Calcasieu will be served.

For more information or to RSVP, contact Megan Thomas at (337) 721-7121.

Arts & Craft Fair Scheduled In order to fund their yearly projects, St. Raphael’s Catholic Daughter Court #1377 will sponsor their first Arts and Craft Fair on September 7-8.

Show hours are Friday, 9am-5pm and Saturday, 9am-3pm. Vendors seeking spaces are asked to visit Facebook @Fall Fest Arts & Craft Fair or contact (337) 660-1404.

The Greater Beauregard Chamber of Commerce to Host 2nd Annual Great Gatsby Gala The Greater Beauregard Chamber of Commerce will host the 2nd Annual Great Gatsby Gala & Auction on Friday, September 7 at the Beauregard Parish Expo Fair Hall.

Gulf Coast Bird Club Announces Beginner Birding Workshop The Gulf Coast Bird Club announces a free Beginner Birding Workshop to be held at Tuten Park in Lake Charles. In this workshop, participants will explore the fascinating, fun hobby of Birding.

A Part 1, three hour seminar will be held from 9am-12noon at Tuten Park on August 11. A Part 2 field trip will be held at Sam Houston Jones Park on August 18 from 8-9am. All are welcome and school-aged children are welcome with an adult participant.

This is a family-friendly activity.

Bring your binoculars and a bird field guide if you have them.

For more information, contact David Booth at (337) 526-0837.

Tickets are $25 per person or $40 a couple.

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit beauchamber.org.

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Wining & Dining

Brown Bag Café Live, Laugh, Love, and Eat Well in Moss Bluff

by Angie Kay Dilmore

Local culinary connoisseurs might not expect to find a Michelin Star-rated chef leading the kitchen staff of an unassuming eatery in Moss Bluff, La., but that is exactly where Chris Wise currently shares his gastronomic expertise. He and partner Bonnie Richard opened Brown Bag Café early May and have made a remarkable first impression.

Together, they make a great team; he manages the kitchen and she works the front house, ensuring each customer leaves satisfied and eager to return.

Richard is a Moss Bluff native. She moved to Savannah, Georgia in 1993.

Wise hails from Brooklyn, N.Y. The two met on Tybee Island in 2016. Last December, Richard wanted to return to Moss Bluff and Wise came with her. Their initial plan was to open a food truck and travel cross-country, but when they found the property on Hwy 378 available,

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they changed course. “So far, the idea has worked,” said Wise. From the first day they opened in early March, the venture has been a resounding success. “We have a great staff and things are good,” said Richard. “We just need a bigger building.”

Wise, a military veteran, has worked as a chef in cities all over the country, including places like The Greenbriar in West Virginia and Fontainebleu in Miami.

Though his background lies in French cuisine, he brings his own unique style to the food he offers on their surprisingly extensive menu, which changes quarterly.

“I’m a chef who believes in cooking seasonally,” says Wise. They debuted their summer menu last month, adding 20 new items to the mix. They’ve added lox and bagels to the breakfast menu, shrimp and grits to the dinner menu, and strawberry rhubarb pie to the homemade desserts line-up. Popular sandwiches

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August 2018

include the Miami Cubano, the B&O Railroad Club, and a unique sandwich called the Elvis (peanut butter, bacon, and honey-caramelized bananas.)

When Wise first began cooking professionally, he worked in high-end French restaurants in New York, but over the years, he’s evolved and has learned most every style of cooking possible. “I try to bring competing elements into everything,” he says.

For example, Wise takes a basic pastrami on rye and adds pickled green tomatoes and applewood bacon for a New York/Southern fusion sandwich – a new item on their summer menu.

“I blend a lot of things together that people may recognize but I put my own twist on it. For example, most people know what a wedge salad is, but I add pickled okra, pickled green tomatoes, pickled green beans and pickled habaneros, topped with a nice parmesan peppercorn dressing. I love beets and put a roasted beet salad with mandarin orange, gorgonzola cheese, and red onion on the menu.”

Wise makes even the simplest dish unique and special. In his Big Sam Breakfast (boneless pork chop, two eggs, hash browns) he marinates the pork loin for 48 hours in a peach basil marinade. Steaks might be marinated in a sun-dried tomato basil marinade. For brunch, in addition to eggs benedict, he creates smoked salmon benedict, and asparagus and crab benedict.

He also caters to people on special diets. A popular breakfast item is the Keto Bowl (your choice of two meats, one cheese, roasted curried veggies, and scrambled eggs with a dash of smoked Hungarian paprika on top.)

Richard and Wise say they feel greatly blessed and they strive to give back to the community in various ways. They have an on-going food drive and donate to a different food pantry each week. Patrons who contribute a non-perishable food item receive 10% off their order. Veterans, first responders, Calcasieu Parish school teachers (including those retired) and senior citizens also get a 10% discount.

Through their faith-based restaurant, Wise and Richard sell the wares of other area business owners, for example cookies and candles. “What good is making money if you don’t make everything around you a little bit better,” says Wise.

After only a few short months in operation, Wise and Richard are already in negotiations to open another restaurant across the street from their current location. Be on the watch for that development. In the meantime, discover Brown Bag Café at 2251 Sam Houston Jones Pkwy, on social media @ TheBrownBagCafe, or call 337-244-1686.

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Wining & Dining

Where is Alice P?

by John O’Donnell

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August 2018

F

or months now the question on the tongue of every sweet toothed resident in Southwest Louisiana has been, “Where is Alice P?” But for the uninitiated, the question might also be, “What is Alice P?” Based in Lake Charles but distributed throughout the region, Where is Alice P? specializes in unique and decadent cakes, cookies, desserts and custom confections for birthdays, weddings, anniversaries or anytime you need a good sugar fix. These delicacies can be custom-ordered or found on the shelves and check-out counters of several local restaurants and stores.

Enola Henderson is the talent and drive behind Where is Alice P?, which begs another question . . . Who is Alice P? “Alice P was my mom,” Ms. Henderson said, with a laugh. “She passed away in 2014. She was the baker of the family.

The person who brought everyone together and was a home away from home for family, friends, and strangers.”

Where is Alice P? pays homage to the happiness and familial bond that the real Alice P brought to Henderson’s

family. “She lives on through my love for baking and the joy it brings to those who experience the unique desserts that I offer. She always told me that if I can’t do anything with love and passion then there’s no reason to do it at all. People can always tell when you do things without love, especially when you are baking.”

Henderson started translating that passion into cakes but soon began putting her unique take on different desserts like cinnamon rolls, brownies, cookies, cheesecakes, and pecan pralines. “I wanted to bring something to my customers that was unique and different, but when they tasted the final product the flavors would pair perfectly together. Like my pistachio raspberry lemon cookie that I will be adding to our menu soon.”

And those flavors aren’t necessarily things you would immediately consider pairing together. For example, many of her cookies combine unique ingredients like fruity pebbles, cinnamon toast crunch, and other popular breakfast cereals atop a variety of delicious, gooey baked goodness. You can eat them cold, but

Henderson recommends warming many of them for a “beautiful experience.”

All of this mouthwatering innovation brings us back to the original question, “Where is Alice P?” You can make special orders by calling Henderson, or by contacting her through her Facebook page or website. You can also find ready-to-eat cookies, cakes, brownies, and treats at a number of local businesses such as Buffi’s PoBoys, Quick Stop on Gerstner Memorial Drive, Shorty’s, Cottens Downtown, Peggy’s Superette, Weenie Dogs Hot Dog Joint, Jimbo’s 5-Star in Moss Bluff, and The Brown Bag Café.

In an emergency, where to go is one less thing to worry about.

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August 2018

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Wining & Dining

Be A Meal Prep Pro

by Angie Kay Dilmore | photos by Erica Hartley

“What do I make for dinner?” Who doesn’t ask that question several times a week, if not daily? Meal prep is a buzz phrase in healthy eating circles lately, and you may want to get on board. But do you know what meal prep is, how to do it, and why it is important?

Some people think of meal prep as merely batch-cooking casseroles on the weekend.

However, according to Meghan Abraham, Lake Charles native and owner of FreshFuel, LLC, meal prep is so much more than a weekly time saver. She says meal prep is the best way to guarantee healthy eating and achieve weight loss, if that is your goal. It also saves money because there are fewer restaurant meals, fast-food drive-thru trips, and less waste from unused food from the grocery store.

Abraham understands the importance of meal prep firsthand. With her husband, Ross, she created FreshFuel in early 2017 as a result of her personal struggles with health and wellness due to Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis (an auto-immune disorder where one’s body attacks the thyroid.) Since then, she has helped over 540 mostly local “challengers,” as she calls her clients. As a wellness coach and holistic nutritionist, Abraham cares about her clients’ overall health. “I believe a person’s spiritual, emotional, and physical health all matter when you are working towards optimum health. We 72 www.thriveswla.com

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wanted people to learn how to properly fuel their body with nutritious, whole food, their minds with positive thoughts, and their lives with fresh perspective and ideas,” she says.

FreshFuel28 is Abraham’s twenty-eight-day program focused on supporting a healthy lifestyle through weekly meal preparation of fresh, whole food paired with nutritional knowledge and accountability. With three levels of programs, Abraham provides meal prep instructions, recipes, shopping lists, daily attainable goals, and encouraging, informative videos on healthy eating. The higher levels add more meal plans, exercise instructions, motivation, and tips on healthy restaurant choices (and they’re not all salads!) So far, she has partnered with Main Squeeze Juice Co., Maximum Kinetics Sports Performance and life coach Scott Riviere to bring even more value and expertise to her programs.

Abraham’s goal is to help people understand the “truth about food.” She believes we make food and eating too complicated.

“People do not realize how simple it is to be healthy. We are taught to look at calories and nutrition facts, but the most important thing is eating whole food, the way God created it to really fuel our bodies.”

Anyone can benefit from the practice of meal prep. Abraham’s client list includes men, August 2018

Follow these meal prep basics to help get you started: Check your calendar Assuming you are meal prepping on the weekend for the upcoming week, determine the number of meals you will prepare for. Know how many breakfasts, lunches, and dinners you’ll be eating at home or packing that week. Eliminate meals at social gatherings, business meetings, and travel days to save time and avoid food waste.

Inventory your Pantry If you have ingredients in the pantry or fridge you need or want to use, plan your meals with these items in mind to cut down on food waste and keep your storage spaces tidy.

Create menus Make sure your meals are nutritionally balanced by including healthy proteins (chicken, fish, beef, eggs, Greek yogurt), high

young singles, retirees, and especially mothers of young children who often find themselves too busy to cook healthy food for their families. “I recently became a mom and have had the same problems,” she says. “I wanted to make the program streamlined and effortless for moms, so they can spend less time stressing and more time enjoying their family.”

For more information on FreshFuel, LLC, find Meghan on her website, thefreshfuel.com or on social media @thefreshfuel.

quality fats (olive oil, avocado, nuts), complex carbohydrates (brown rice, quinoa, whole-grain pasta or bread) and plenty of fresh vegetables and fruit.

Mix up your menus You don’t want to get bored with your food so be creative. Meats can be chunked for stews, cut in thin strips for stir-fries, or grilled in portion-sized pieces. Vegetables can be eaten raw with dips, tossed into salads or added to stir-fries.

Make a grocery list and head to the store Shopping with a list ensures you don’t forget anything you need and decreases the urge to impulse-buy. A basic list includes olive oil, lemons, honey or maple syrup, garlic and onions, sea salt and pepper, favorite proteins, leafy greens and other favorite vegetables and fruits, and favorite grains.

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Green Heart Meals

Convinced you have no time to meal prep? Then consider Green Heart Meals on Nelson Rd. They offer affordable, healthy, grab-n-go meals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. With over 40 pre-made entrees to choose from, each meal has less than 500 calories and costs $7. On Thursdays and Saturdays, meals are $5. Patrons can also pre-order custom meals by choosing one protein and two sides per meal.

3830 Nelson Rd. Lake Charles. www.ghmeals. com or on social media, @greenheartmeals.

August 2018

Locally owned and operated for over 30 years

600 W McNeese Street, Lake Charles | (337) 474-9913 asiofficesystems.com

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Mind & Body

The Eye Clinic Announces Opening of New

Retina Center

by Taylor Trahan Henry

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August 2018

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or over 50 years, The Eye Clinic has prided itself on being the leading provider of comprehensive eyecare in Southwest Louisiana.

In keeping with that standard of excellence, the group is thrilled to announce the opening of the Retina Center at The Eye Clinic and to welcome retina specialist, Dr. Jonathan Perkins to their practice.

The Retina Center will focus on providing specialized care for patients with macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, retinal tears, retinal detachment, eye trauma and infections, as well as various other conditions of the retina, macula, and vitreous.

“We are excited to be able to provide this specialized care here in Southwest Louisiana,” said Michael Betzen, Practice Administrator for The Eye Clinic. “As this region and its needs have grown, we’ve expanded our practice and services accordingly. The Retina Center represents the next phase of that growth.”

Dr. Perkins is a Southwest Louisiana native, originally from DeRidder. His interest in the field of ophthalmology began when he worked as an ophthalmic tech at The Eye Clinic in Lake Charles while earning a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biological Sciences from McNeese State University. He earned his

Doctor of Medicine Degree from Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Dr. Perkins completed an internship in Internal Medicine at the University of Oklahoma in Oklahoma City, and a Residency in Ophthalmology at the Dean McGee Eye Institute, also at the University of Oklahoma.

He went on to complete a Vitreoretinal Surgery Fellowship at Retina and Vitreous of Texas in Houston. He is a member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology and the American Society of Retina Specialists.

The Eye Clinic’s new Retina Center is located at 2800 1st Ave Suite C, in Lake Charles, adjacent to The Eye Clinic’s full-service office.

The Eye Clinic is one of the largest eye care practices in the state, with six locations in Southwest Louisiana. With the addition of Dr. Perkins, the group has 15 doctors on staff and offers comprehensive eye health and vision care services for patients of all ages.

To schedule an appointment with Dr. Perkins, call (337) 310-0762 or visit www.theeyeclinic.net.

Dr. Jonathan Perkins, Retina Specialist

IMAGEmatters.

Make yours a Healthy one. advertising public relations graphic design media relations social media copywriting photography strategic planning video production website development event planning corporate communication

4845 Ihles Road, Lake Charles (337) 312-0972 | ehealthyimage.com

U. S. CHAMBER TOP 100 SMALL BUSINESS • SWLA CHAMBER SMALL BUSINESS OF THE YEAR • LA DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT REGIONAL SMALL BUSINESS OF THE YEAR

August 2018

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Mind

& Body

Operation Healing & Restoration Remote Area Medical to Provide Free Medical Care in Lake Charles The City of Lake Charles, in partnership with Remote Area Medical (RAM), a free mobile medical clinic, will host “RAM: Operation Healing and Restoration,” a historic and much-needed opportunity for thousands of residents in the community to receive free dental, vision, and medical care in Lake Charles on September 15 and 16, 2018 at the Lake Charles Civic Center. This is the first ever event of its kind in the state of Louisiana.

“Access to quality healthcare is essential if we are to truly battle the root causes of poverty within a community,” said Lake Charles Mayor Nic Hunter. “We believe that this event will have lasting effects throughout our community. It truly is a Herculean effort to put this event on. We hope Operation Healing and Restoration may connect our residents in need to health services and care that may be available to them year-round.”

Financial and physical support is being provided by CHRISTUS St. Patrick Hospital, CHRISTUS Lake Area Hospital, Lake Charles Memorial Hospital, West Calcasieu-Cameron Hospital, Calcasieu Parish Police Jury, Calcasieu Medical Reserve Corps, United Way of Southwest Louisiana, Southwest Louisiana Center for Health Services (SWLA), KPLC 7 News, National Bio-Care, Louisiana

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Healthcare Connections, and Healthy Blue. “We need more partnerships like this between government, nonprofit, and private institutions to address needs in the community,” said Hunter.

RAM is the largest non-governmental provider of medical clinics delivering free high-quality dental, vision, and medical care to underserved and underinsured individuals, children, and families. Those needing care do not need proof of insurance, residency, or income. The clinic will run all day Saturday and Sunday, with both days beginning at 6:00 a.m.

Founded in 1985, RAM originally was created to serve as a safety net provider of free medical care in remote areas of developing countries, such as Guyana, Mexico, and Haiti. Almost immediately after beginning operations, the organization began receiving requests to operate medical clinics in the United States.

It could serve thousands depending on the turnout of volunteers according to Emily Ashworth, RN, BSN, the city’s wellness nurse coordinator. She encourages people to volunteer so the clinic can reach as many people as possible. Ashworth said a RAM clinic in Houston served over 600 in one weekend but could have served over a 1,000 if more medical providers and residents had volunteered.

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“The clinic’s goal is meeting the immediate needs of residents while connecting them with affordable, long-term care options. Many people in Southwest Louisiana struggle to pay for medical treatment on top of other expenses,” said Ashworth.

Healthcare professionals in the areas of Women’s Health, Dental, Vision, and resident volunteers (for setup, breakdown, and general support during the clinic on Saturday and Sunday) are needed for this event’s success. Those wishing to volunteer may register at www.ramusa.org. Those in need of step-by-step instructions can go to www.cityoflakecharles.com to download and print instructions. You can also access the RAM link from this site.

For more information, please call 337 491-1378 or email emily.ashworth@cityoflc.us.

August 2018

INTRODUCING THE MOST

comfortable MAMMOGRAM

West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital offers Smart Curve, a revolutionary mammography design. Hologic 3D Smart Curve Technology is designed to provide a more comfortable mammogram screening without compromising image quality for an exceptional patient experience. The curved, unique design mirrors the shape of a woman’s breast to reduce pinching and apply uniform compression.

To schedule an appointment, please call (337) 527-4256.

Rhonda Ryker, WCCH Breast Health Navigator

701 Cypress Street, Sulphur

wcch.com

August 2018

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CHRISTUS St. Patrick

Celebrates One Year of Life-Saving Heart Valve Procedure

by Kristy Como Armand

J

ust a little over six months ago ago, Bonnie Faulk couldn’t walk from her office to her car without feeling out of breath.

Ronald Ormsby was told he had only a couple of years to live.

But today, thanks to an innovative new heart valve replacement procedure performed by The Heart Team at the The John and Sylvia Stelly Regional Heart Center at CHRISTUS St. Patrick Hospital, both Faulk, Ornsby and more than 50 other patients are living with healthier hearts.

The procedure they had is the minimally invasive Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR). According

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to Dr. Corey Foster, Interventional Cardiologist with CHRISTUS St. Patrick Health System and Cardiovascular Specialists, who was the first in Southwest Louisiana to perform the TAVR procedure a year ago, this technique offers a life-saving option for patients who have symptomatic, severe aortic stenosis but are not candidates for traditional open heart valve replacement surgery due to their overall health.

The TAVR procedure enables the placement of a balloon-expandable or self-expanding valve into the heart via a catheter-based approach. It gives new hope to adult patients who suffer from severe aortic valve stenosis and are

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not candidates for conventional aortic valve surgery. Aortic stenosis– the most common structural heart problem – is a type of valve disease caused by calcium deposits that eventually narrow and stiffen the valve. As it becomes more difficult to pump blood throughout the body, the heart weakens – potentially causing congestive heart failure.

Approximately 1.5 million people in the U.S. suffer from aortic stenosis, with 500,000 within this group suffering from severe aortic stenosis. Onset of the condition is gradual, however, once a patient begins to experience symptoms, such as difficulty breathing, chest pains and heart failure, they have an average

August 2018

of just four more years to live, and a 50-percent chance of dying in the first two years if left untreated.

TAVR is performed in a cardiac catheterization lab under general anesthesia or conscious sedation. A stent-based tissue aortic heart valve is placed via a catheter which is inserted through the groin or alternative access site, and threaded up to the heart through the arteries. Dr. Foster explains that by combining minimally invasive techniques with the latest catheter technologies, TAVR is a non-surgical option that is less invasive than conventional surgery and is done while the heart remains pumping, eliminating the need for the heart-lung machine.

Mrs. Faulk said she would recommend TAVR to anyone. “My breathing was better right away, and my recovery was amazing. Today I do anything I want to do. It not only saved my life, but it’s changed the quality of my life dramatically.”

Although Mr. Ormsby didn’t originally have any limiting symptoms, doctors detected his valve problem during a routine exam. It continued to be monitored and he was told he needed the replacement. He was happy to have the option of a less-invasive procedure than open heart surgery.

“My tests showed the improvements the doctors wanted to see right after the procedure. It was a very smooth experience and I feel much more confident in my heart health now.”

Recently, Dr. Foster says they have expanded the TAVR indications to treat previously placed surgical valves that are failing. “In some patients, over time, a replacement valve can begin to fail.

In the past, a repeat open heart surgery to replace this valve was the only option, but some patients may not be candidates for this type of invasive surgery. Now, in patients with favorable anatomy, we can use the TAVR procedure to place a new valve without having to remove the old one.

This minimizes their risk and offers an option for improvement they would not have had previously.”

Dr. Foster says they began offering this valve-invalve replacement option several months ago and have been very pleased with the results.

“Being the first to bring TAVR and its expanded applications to patients in our community allows us to be confident in our results,” says Dr. Foster.

“Our group has physicians who are fellowshiptrained in valvular and structural heart disease as well as peripheral intervention. We have a great deal of experience in treating patients with complex conditions, like those who need TAVR. Our outcomes with this procedure matches that of much larger centers and our results have greatly exceeded our expectation. One year later, we feel like we are just tapping the potential of what this technology can offer.”

August 2018

Take control of your pain and improve your life with

AcuPlus.

Five Ways

Chronic Pain Can Affect Your Life:

1. Takes enjoyment out of life 2. Leads to depression 3. Affects concentration 4. Impacts ability to work 5. Poor sleep

If you’ve tried different pain creams, ointments and medications with little success, AcuPlus offers real relief for muscle and joint pain.

Developed locally, AcuPlus delivers cool, soothing, targeted pain relief. Its fast-acting formula also reduces swelling and inflammation.

AcuPlus is made from proven, all-natural ingredients. Its high quality, proprietary blend is FDA-registered. Just apply to the skin and it will penetrate deeply to promote healing and recovery.

Learn more about AcuPlus at AcuPlus.com. You can order there, or Amazon.com. It’s also available at Center for Orthopaedics, 1747 Imperial Blvd., Lake Charles.

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Can your Heart Handle the Heat?

Heat is hard on the heart; take precautions and stay healthy Summer’s not over yet, and soaring temperatures can cause dehydration, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke, which can affect your heart.

These risks increase when the humidity is above 70 percent and the temperature is above 70 degrees F. Heat and humidity interfere with the body’s natural cooling process.

Physical activity outside in hot and humid conditions can be hard on your heart.

The problem is made worse because the heart tries to deliver blood and oxygen to your working muscles while your body tries to cool off by sweating. If you sweat too much, you lose fluid.

This decreases your total blood volume. That means

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your heart has to pump even harder to get the smaller volume of blood to your working muscles, skin, and the other body parts. When you lose too much fluid, your body temperature rises and your nervous system doesn’t work properly.

Extreme fluid loss can lead to brain and heart damage.

A good way to monitor your body fluid level is to weigh every morning after using the bathroom. If you weigh two pounds less than normal in the morning, you’re probably dehydrated and need to drink more water before doing any vigorous physical activity.

(You may have lost weight as water but not as fat.)

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August 2018

What precautions should be taken?

• Dress for the heat. Wear lightweight, light-colored clothing in breathable fabrics such as cotton, or a newer fabric that repels sweat. Add a hat and/or sunglasses.

• Choose the early morning or late evening to be outdoors.

• Before you begin, apply a water-resistant sunscreen with at least SPF 30, and reapply it every two hours.

• Drink up. Stay hydrated by drinking a few cups of water before, during, and after your exercise.

Drink even if you don’t feel thirsty. Avoid caffeinated or alcoholic beverages.

• Take regular breaks. Find shade or a cool place, stop for a few minutes, hydrate, and start again.

• If you are thirsty, you may already be dehydrated. Stop and hydrate immediately.

• Take breaks as needed and get out of the sun if possible.

• Certain heart medications like beta blockers, ace receptor blockers, ace inhibitors, calcium channel blockers, and diuretics (which deplete the body of sodium) can exaggerate the body’s response to heat.

Always check with your healthcare professional.

Know the symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke.

If any symptoms appear, stop exercising and cool down immediately by dousing yourself with cold water. You may need to get medical attention. Heat exhaustion can progress quickly to heat stroke, which can kill you.

What are the symptoms of heat exhaustion?

• • • • • • •

heavy sweating cold, clammy skin dizziness or fainting a weak and rapid pulse muscle cramps fast, shallow breathing nausea, vomiting or both

What are the symptoms of heat stroke?

• warm, dry skin with no sweating • strong and rapid pulse • confusion and/or unconsciousness • high fever • throbbing headaches • nausea, vomiting or both If you experience these symptoms, seek medical attention immediately.

By taking precautions, everyone can get through the heat in good shape.

For more information, visit www.heart.org.

Courtesy of the American Heart Association

Meet the Newest Member of our Physician Team,

Justin Rudd, MD General Surgeon

Imperial Health is proud to welcome Dr. Justin Rudd, general surgeon, to our medical staff.

Dr. Rudd is originally from Moss Bluff. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Physics from McNeese State University and received his Medical Degree from Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center in Shreveport, Louisiana, where he also completed his internship and surgical residency. He is a member of the American College of Surgeons.

Dr. Rudd’s office will be located in the main Imperial Health building at 501 Dr. Michael DeBakey Drive in Lake Charles.

To schedule an appointment, call (337) 312-8762.

www.imperialhealth.com

501 Dr. Michael DeBakey Dr. | Lake Charles August 2018

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!

Solutions for Life

from Solutions Counseling & EAP

by Keri Forbess-McCorquodale, MS, LPC, LMFT, CEAP

Facing a Tough Topic The time has come. Today I’m going to address a topic many people are uncomfortable with. I generally try to keep this article easy to read and light – just your friendly neighborhood therapist offering some gentle, helpful advice. I’ve thought about writing on this topic before, and decided against it – too heavy, not sure anyone really wants to read about it. Today is the day I will find out, I guess.

It’s time to talk about suicide. The act of ending one’s own life is a topic that is not for sissies. I think what is driving this for me is Anthony Bourdain’s suicide. I was truly devastated when I heard he had taken his life. I’ve watched the celebrity chef turned writer turned explorer and commentator on the world for many years. He was a fascinating person to me, and I watched his battles with addiction and depression as they played out on his TV shows (I can’t help it – I pick up on stuff). I haven’t watched him in the past couple of years, but I knew he had gotten married, had a child, gotten divorced, and was in a relationship with someone new. I breathed a sigh of relief when he had that child, thinking that the existence of this child might help him get healthy and stay that way. Apparently not.

I deal with suicide a lot in my practice.

It’s a question I ask all my new clients – “Have you thought about hurting or killing yourself recently?” Some are shocked by the question, and

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others are clearly relieved to be able to tell someone. Below are some of the things I’ve learned about suicide:

feeling overwhelmed; do you ever feel like just giving up?” “Are you thinking about hurting yourself?”

We’ve all thought about it. We have all faced a time in our lives when we thought that not being here any longer might be the answer. When things are going so wrong, or we have one difficult event after another, or we are hurting so much, or nothing we do seems to turn out right – at some point, it is natural to think about exit strategies. So, you are normal.

No one really wants to die. They just want the pain to stop. And they don’t want to feel so alone. Unequivocally, when people who attempt suicide survive, they say as soon as they took the action they were hoping would kill them, they regretted it.

But when people don’t see a way out of the pain, and they feel as though no one cares, suicide becomes more and more attractive. This is why expressing concern and asking the direct questions is so helpful.

Thinking and planning are two very different things. Vague thoughts are one thing. Deciding how you would carry the act out increases the likelihood of you following through with it. When someone has a specific plan, and has access to that plan, it is very serious and I am going to take action. I always tell my clients who are suicidal, “I can’t help you if you are dead, so keeping you alive is our first order of business.”

You can’t make someone do it. Many people are afraid of broaching the topic of suicide, not wanting to push that person over the edge. You don’t have to worry – you don’t have that kind of power. Of course, I am assuming you are coming from a place of care and concern. So, ask the question.

“Are you OK?” “You seem down, what’s going on?” “I know you’ve had a lot going on; how are you coping with things?” “It sounds like you are

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What if it’s me? If you’re the one considering suicide, please reach out.

Friends, family, pastors, therapists all care and want to help. If those are not available to you, call 1-800-SUICIDE or 1-800-273-TALK. There is a reason you have not acted on these thoughts yet. There is a part of you that wants to live – listen to that part, no matter how small. I truly believe we are all here for a reason, and our very existence is valuable (no matter how bad things are going sometimes).

I heard this many years ago and have always found it to be true: Suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem. Nothing, no matter what it is, lasts forever. There are always solutions. There are always ways to ease the pain. There are always ways to remember you are not alone.

August 2018

McNeese Fall Registration Underway Registration for the 2018 regular fall semester at McNeese State University is currently underway through August 13.

The fall class schedule is available online at www.mcneese.edu/schedule and all students should see an adviser, if required, to get their alternate PINS prior to registration.

Classes begin August 20 and students can go online to www.mcneese.edu and click on the “Student Central” icon and then click the Banner Self-Service button to begin the registration process.

For more information about fall registration, contact the McNeese Registrar’s Office at (337) 475-5065 or 1-800-622-3352, ext. 5065.

McNeese to Hold Fall Veterans Orientation and Information Session An orientation and information session for new and enrolled student veterans attending McNeese State University this fall will be held from 10am-12noon on August 13 in the La Jeunesse Room in the Holbrook Student Union.

At the session, representatives will be on hand to cover such topics as the veterans education benefits process, what veterans or military benefits might be available and what academic and campus resources are offered that can support student success. This includes everything from registration and financial aid to tutoring and getting involved in student life. A light lunch will be served.

For more information, contact Robin Semien, McNeese assistant registrar, at (337) 475-5156 or at rsemien@mcneese.edu.

August 2018

McNeese Names Interim College of Business Dean Dr. Cynthia Rodriguez Cano, assistant professor of marketing at McNeese State University, has been named Dr. Cynthia Rodriguez Cano interim dean of the College of Business, according to Dr. Mitchell Adrian, provost and vice president for academic affairs and enrollment management at McNeese. Her appointment is effective August 1. Cano replaces Dr. Lonnie Phelps, who has been serving as interim dean since August 2017.

At McNeese since 2017, Cano teaches at both the graduate and undergraduate level, including marketing core courses and electives. Before coming to McNeese, Cano taught for 16 years at universities and colleges in Georgia and Florida, including as associate professor of marketing at Georgia College and State University, assistant professor of marketing at Augusta State University and visiting scholar in residence at the University of South Florida.

She has published two books, authored numerous articles and made several presentations at professional conferences.

She is a member of the Marketing Management Association and the PhD Project in Marketing. Cano is the presidentelect of the Society for Marketing Advance, where she previously served as treasurer and member of the Board of Governors.

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Ogea Named Interim Burton College of Education Dean Dr. Angelique M. Ogea, associate professor of education professions, has been named interim dean of the Dr. Angelique M. Ogea Burton College of Education at McNeese State University, according to Dr. Mitchell Adrian, provost and vice president for academic affairs and enrollment management at McNeese. Her appointment is effective July 1 following the announcement of the retirement of Dr. Wayne Fetter.

Ogea received her doctorate in educational leadership from Lamar University, her Master of Education degree plus 30 hours in educational leadership from the University of New Orleans and both her Master of Education degree in early childhood education and her Bachelor of Arts degree in elementary education at McNeese.

Ogea is assistant chair of the department of education professions. She has also served as the college’s assistant coordinator for the recent Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation process for all teacher education programs that recently earned reaccreditation and as co-assessment coordinator for the college. She teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in reading methods, classroom management and educational leadership.

Ogea is a member of several university committees and professional organizations, has published several articles and made numerous presentations. She is a Pinnacle Excellence Award winner as well as the recipient of the Hale Endowed Professorship in Education. She has also received more than $300,000 in grants funded by the Louisiana Department of Education.

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August 2018