Thrive August 2024

• A BEER LOVER'S GUIDE

• FALL FESTIVAL SEASON

• THE JUSTICE LEAGUE

• AGING WELL IN THIS ISSUE:

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PRICING

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In This Issue

Wining & Dining

Home & Family

& Faces

Mind & Body

Style & Beauty

Money & Career

Big Brothers Big Sisters of SWLA is committed to igniting the power and promise of youth through one-to-one mentoring relationships. By matching community members with the leaders of tomorrow, the organization believes youth can achieve their full potential, reach higher aspirations, develop greater confidence, build better relationships, avoid risk behaviors and accomplish educational success.

Brendon is excited to find a Big Brother who loves skateboarding, drawing, and delicious meals at Panda Express! Brendon’s creativity and adventurous spirit are looking for a match who can join him in his favorite activities. If you’re ready to share some awesome times, Brendon is waiting to meet you!

Big Sisters currently has over 75 littles, like these three, ready to be matched with a Big. Aiden, 8 years old • Waiting for 487 days

Aiden is eagerly searching for a Big Brother who loves adventure! Aiden’s passion for basketball, video games, and drawing keeps him busy, but he’s always ready for more fun outside. If you can keep up with his energy and share his love for active play, Aiden can’t wait to meet you!

10 years old • Waiting for 475 Days is a

Tyrell is looking for a Big Brother who enjoys fun and games as much as he does! Whether it’s playing catch, football, or a round of card games, Tyrell is all in. He dreams of becoming a football player or wrestler and needs a Big Brother who can keep it real and share his ambitions. Could that be you?

tyrell, 10 years old • Waiting for 164 Days

Louisianians are famous for connecting through food and drink, so it’s no great surprise that you don’t have to travel far to find a high-quality brew to fit your taste.

Louisiana has almost 50 breweries across the state, but with increased competition comes the need for innovation. Facility expansion, unique brews and high-quality food are necessary to bring in customers. An increasing number of breweries, including Crying Eagle Brewing, are focusing less on distribution across the market and more on creating an experience in their taprooms to bring in profits. This shift in business models benefits the Louisiana consumer who wants the communal experience Louisiana is known for. The following beer guide is chock-a-block with information for your next local outing or road trip.

Wining & Dining | HOPPY TRAILS-A BEER LOVER'S GUIDE

began around 2003 when founder Andrew Godley moved from Louisiana to Pittsburgh and discovered a thriving craft beer scene. Returning home a few years later, he recognized a lack of breweries in Louisiana and decided to create part of what is now a thriving craft brewing industry. Their inaugural beer, Canebrake, named for the surrounding sugarcane fields, was an instant hit. parishbeer.com. 229 Jared Road.

As summer lingers well into fall here in the South, the byways and backroads beckon us to explore. A great way to experience our diverse culture is to visit the many craft breweries that dot the Louisiana map. We’ve created three unique road trips, taking you on a brewery tour across the Bayou State.

Easily completed in a day, we recommend you start your South Louisiana road trip in Lafayette, then head north to Bayou Teche Brewing in Arnaudville, and complete your tour at Lake Charles’ own Crying Eagle Brewery.

New on the brewery scene, Adopted Dog Brewing offers a variety of brewed in-house craft beer, including blonds, IPAs, porters, stouts, root beer and Athletic's nonalcoholic craft beer —

they also carry a small variety of liquor and wine. Adopted Dog is the only brewery in Lafayette that serves craft beer in-house and offers food to complement their beers. Dogs are welcome in their outdoor area. Owners Ryan and Traci Pécot have two adopted dogs and wanted to create a dog-friendly space. adopteddogbrewing.com. 329 Dulles Rd.

Parish Brewing Co., south of Lafayette off Hwy 90 in Broussard, has been “at battle against boring tasteless beer” since 2008. Their story

Bayou Teche Brewing, Arnaudville, off I-10 north of Breaux Bridge, opened in 2009 when the Knott brothers decided to convert an old railroad car into a backyard craft brewery. Order a Cajun Saucer Pizza to go with your brew. Taproom offers over 20 beers on tap, plus bottled beers and tiki drinks. bayoutechebrewing.com, 1106 Bushville Hwy.

Crying Eagle Brewing Co. started as a concept in a conversation around the Avery dinner table several years ago and has since become a thriving hub of activity in Lake Charles. Their taproom and beer garden are the site of numerous community activities, fundraisers, and business-hosted events. They offer 20 beers on tap, plus their signature brews in cans. The bistro offers a wide variety of good eats. cryingeagle.com.

It may be best to tackle this road trip over a twoday weekend. Start your journey in Baton Rouge, work your way across the North Shore, then veer south into the Cresent City.

In 2010, two lifelong friends (a banker and a lawyer) decided to make beer together and opened Tin Roof Brewing in downtown Baton Rouge. They brew dozens of different beers throughout the year, and offer five beers on tap, rotating weekly. tinroofbeer.com. 1624 Wyoming St.

Rally Cap Brewing comes with a sports-vibe and a variety of been styless. Their taproom boasts 16 taps, nine televisions, and a pizza kitchen. You’ll also find trivia nights and live music. rallycapbrewing.com. 11212 Pennywood Ave., Baton Rouge.

Le Chien Brewing is a fun neighborhood hangout with picnic tables, outdoor games and a food truck named Pie Eyed that serves savory and sweet hand pies and snacks. Based on the name, it’s a good guess their outdoor area is dog friendly. lechien.beer. 101 S. Hummell St., Denham Springs.

Gnarly Barley Brewing Co. In Hammond, Zac and Cari Caramonta started home brewing in the garage and opened Gnarly Barley in 2014. They’re creative in their styles and flavors of beer, as well as can art. They offer four year-around beers, four seasonals, and some limited releases. A portion of sales from their Skater Aid brew goes to skateboarding initiatives. gnarlybeer.com. 1709 Corbin Road.

The largest brewery in Louisiana, Abita Brewery uses water for their beers from a deep artesian well. They brew a large variety of year-around and seasonal beers as well as sodas. Tours here are quite popular and tend to be crowded. Cost $5. abita. com. 166 Barbee Road, Abita Springs.

Continuing along I-12, Chafunkta Brewing Co. in Mandeville is a nanobrewery started in 2011 by husband-and-wife team Josh and Jamie Erickson. The word 'Chafunkta,' aka 'Tchefuncte,' was an early Indian settlement located in what is now Mandeville. For a small place, they offer an impressive variety of beers. They believe that passion and personal attention result in great tasting, complex craft beer. chafunkta.com. 69123 Skybrook Rd. STE E.

From there, take the causeway across Lake Pontchartrain, find lodging, and rest up for this next set of breweries in New Orleans. Shannon and Mike Cavell, recently retired and now residents of New Orleans, are self-taught Big Easy craft beer experts. These are their top four favorite NOLA craft breweries.

Courtyard Brewing Co., near the Lower Garden District, offers many beers on tap, including several of their own, mostly IPAs. As a nanobrewery, they shy away from flagship brews, which allows them to make whatever they want. Shannon describes Courtyard as low key. “The owner calls it a dive brewery and that's pretty accurate. They always have at least one $5 beer on tap.” courtyardbrewing. com. 1160 Camp St.

Brieux Carre is known for lagers – especially Czech and German styles – and eccentric beer names. They entice the locals not only with stellar beers, but also a great mug club. Tourists flock there as well, with its proximity to Frenchmen St. “Always

an interesting group of people to chat with,” says Shannon. brieuxcarre.com. 2115 Decatur St.

Parleaux Beer Lab is touted as a destination taproom and brewery located in the Bywater neighborhood. They offer a rotating choice of smallbatch beers served in an offbeat, industrial-chic bar with a great outdoor beer garden space. Shannon says they make great lagers and excellent IPAs. parleauxbeerlab.com. 634 Lesseps St.

Ride the trolley down St. Charles Ave. to Forgot Beercraft. Recently opened, this brewery is off to a great start, with five beers on tap. They also serve sourdough crust pizza. Shannon says it’s a perfect spot to watch New Orleans parades roll by. And check out the impressive New Orleans mural on the side of the building. careforgotbeer.com. 1728 St. Charles Ave.

For the ultimate designated driver experience, “hop” on the Beer Bus! nolabeerbus.com

This trip might also be best experienced over two days, simply due to the many miles covered if you start in Southwest Louisiana. First, it’s a straight shot north.

Great Raft Brewing, named for a historic log jam on the Red River in the early 1800s, is in Shreveport’s historic Fairfield District. Enjoy one or two of their 20+ brews on tap. Food available in-house from Dripp Hot Chicken. greatraftbrewing.com. 1251 Dalzell St.

Seventh Tap Brewing Project began in 2012 when three friends in a homebrew group joined forces and started brewing together. After several years of attending events and winning awards, they opened a permanent location at 2640 Linwood Ave. in Shreveport and later a second location at 525 Barksdale Blvd. in Bossier City. theseventhtap.com.

Flying Heart Brewing in Bossier City also began with a home brew group that just kept going. They started out in the Historic Fire Station Number 6 in Old Downtown Bossier in 2015 and now have two more locations in Natchitoches and West Monroe. They offer six flagship labels: Firehouse Blonde, Six of Hearts, Louisiana Amber, Milk Maid Stout, Barrel 52, and Black Heart cover the beer spectrum and are crowd favorites. flyingheartbrewing.com. 700 Barksdale Blvd.

Next, head east and discover a couple breweries in Northeast Louisiana.

Flying Tiger Brewery in downtown Monroe honors General Claire Lee Chennault and has ties to the nearby Chennault Aviation & Military Museum. Several of their beers have WWII-related names. Five flagship beers and several seasonal beers are available. It all began when a bartender became a homebrewer who became a businessman. flyingtigerbrewery.net. 506 N 2nd St.

Situated in the heart of Ruston, Utility Brewing offers cold beer and wood-fired pizzas in a friendly setting. Cheap beer, good food, warm service, live entertainment, trivia nights, and pups welcome on the patio – what’s not to love?! utilitybrewing.com. 206 N. Vienna.

Wining & Dining | HOPPY TRAILS-A BEER LOVER'S GUIDE

The craft beer industry in Louisiana is booming.

Thirty-seven breweries cover the state with more to come. The sudsy offerings are as unique as the regions they hail from, influenced by regional flavors and preferences. Sipping a cold one at a festival or tailgate party is as much a part of our culture as the distinct cuisine Louisiana is renowned for. Pairing the right beer with your favorite Creole and Cajun dishes will indulge your taste buds. We asked chef and beer aficionado Jay Ducote to lend his culinary expertise and choose his favorite Louisiana beers to complement the dishes we love to eat.

Blackened

Fish

Gnarly Barley Brewing - Jucifer

This juicy and smooth beer brewed in Hammond has tropical aromas with layers of tangerine, papaya, and grapefruit. Jucifer’s bright and juicy hops and touch of citrus produce a hazy IPA that combines well with all fish, but especially the decadent flavors of blackened seafood. Its soft mouthfeel is the perfect partner to spicy blackened seasoning.

Seafood

Boil

Urban South Brewery - Paradise Park

Paradise Park is an American lager and a New Orleans favorite. Described as light, uncomplicated, and with an almost springtime feel – it’s often found buried under the ice in coolers at a seafood boil, and for good reason. It’s perfect for the Louisiana climate. Pair it with anything that you'd drink a domestic beer with – but especially boiled crawfish, shrimp, or crabs. Fun fact: it’s named after a trailer park in the founder’s hometown.

Boudin and Cracklins

Parish Brewing - Ghost in the Machine

No trip through Broussard is complete without a stop for straight from the fryer cracklins and delicious boudin. It’s no surprise that the region also produces a double India pale ale tailor-made to sip with crispy cracklins and our famous pork and rice Cajun sausage. A nice sip of the slightly pungent and bitter Ghost in the Machine with citrusy hops washes Acadian cuisine down in the most delicious way!

Gumbo

Great Raft Brewing - Reasonably Corrupt

A bowl of gumbo and a beer just might be the most iconic of all Louisiana partnerships. Recipes and roux styles may vary by region (and family), but everyone agrees a cold brew is the go-to beverage to accompany gumbo. Reasonably Corrupt is a dark lager brewed in Shreveport. Its roasted maltiness pairs beautifully with a dark roux. The sweeter, fuller-bodied version of a premium lager has a smooth and crisp finish that balances the spiciness and complexity of a good gumbo.

Beignets

Rally Cap Brewing - Wendy Peffercorn

Is there anything more decadent than steaming hot beignets dusted with a mountain of powdered sugar? While coffee might be the first beverage that comes to mind to drink with this popular Louisiana treat, the right beer will take your taste buds to a whole new level. Wendy Peffercorn is a golden milk stout brewed in Baton Rouge. It’s conditioned over coffee, vanilla, and cacao for a roasted malt flavor and aroma. The addition of milk sugar adds a touch of sweetness, making it the perfect accompaniment to indulgent fried dough and confectioners’ sugar.

Jay Ducote is a chef, traveler, speaker, storyteller, and TV host. He has appeared on The Food Network, the Travel Channel, ESPN, and is currently writing his second book. Follow his culinary adventures @jayducote on Instagram and all other social platforms.

In Southeast Texas, you'll find not only unique fusion cuisines but also a thriving craft brewery scene. Several locally owned and operated breweries are just a short hop across the state line, so embark on an out-of-town adventure to discover these hidden gems, each with its own distinct personality and handcrafted brews.

BUCKSTIN BREWING COMPANY

Buckstin offers the most diverse selection of locally-made craft beers in the area. Their ever-rotating taps offer something for everyone, from the refreshingly light Stroberry Blonde to the award-winning Not the Momma! IPA, a hazy citrus dream. But Buckstin isn't just about the beer. They've cultivated a welcoming atmosphere perfect for families. Their mascot, a charming pug, embodies their commitment to creating a fun and inclusive space. Pair a delicious craft beer with their specialty pizzas, and you've got the recipe for a perfect afternoon (or evening) out.

Beaumont: 6280 Phelan Blvd, Beaumont, Texas

Nederland: 1211 Boston Ave, Nederland, Texas

STRUGGLE STREET BREWING

There’s no struggle when it comes to trying the unique hand-crafted beer from this brewpub. Here, taste buds can savor the sweet and sour flavors from one-of-a-kind fusions like the PBJ or It’s So Fluffy, a cotton-candy flavor. Pickle fans can try out their Big Dill beer, which lives up to the name. Struggle Street is located on the historical Calder Ave. and participates in First Thursdays with other local businesses to offer specials and once-a-month activities.

2140 Calder Ave, Beaumont, Texas

NECHES BREWING COMPANY

Neches Brewing Company, named after the Neches River, caters to every palate and has quirky shiplap decor that reflects the area's heritage and creates a warm and inviting atmosphere. They offer a rotating selection of seasonal brews, from the refreshing Orange Cream Ale, perfect for summer days, to the classic Oktoberfest that warms you up as the weather cools. Plus, their in-house kitchen serves mouthwatering craft burgers. Neches Brewing is the perfect spot to unwind and enjoy a satisfying meal alongside a locally crafted beer.

1108 Port Neches Ave, Port Neches, Texas

HOP AVENUE BREWING COMPANY

Unleash your inner hophead at Hop Avenue Brewing Company, Bridge City's first and only brewery. Looking for a fun night out? Join their legendary music bingo and enjoy their delectable pizzas and specially curated beer flights under the covered patio while listening to live music at this community hub.

75 Ferry Drive, Bridge City, Texas

For more information on additional activities, visit the Beaumont Convention and Visitor Bureau at www.beaumontcvb.com.

Wining & Dining |

TRAILS-A BEER LOVER'S

How Ryan Speyrer Turned Beer Brewing into a Career

by Kerri Cooke

Brewing craft beer began as a hobby for Ryan Speyrer, head brewer at Parish Brewing Co. in Broussard, La. Speyrer describes himself as an “avid consumer” of craft beer. While attending Texas A&M, he particularly enjoyed drinking beer from St. Arnold Brewing Company, Texas’ oldest craft brewery, in Houston. When Speyrer moved back to Lafayette, he realized he couldn’t get St. Arnolds’ beer locally. He then “got the brewing bug.”

Upon graduating with a bachelor’s in biology and a minor in math from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Speyrer “didn’t have a clear goal in mind.” However, he discovered Parish Brewing Co. by chance and was hired on. He was the company’s fourth employee.

Speyrer began as a helper

doing whatever task needed to be done, from building case boxes to cleaning tanks. Later, he was given the position of brewer’s assistant, and when the head brewer left the company in 2014, Speyrer was offered the position. This month marks Speyrer’s 12th year as a Parish Brewing Co. employee and his 10th as head brewer. The brewing team alone now consists of five team members with four brewers under Speyrer, and the company has over two dozen employees.

As head brewer, Speyrer ensures brewers have “all ingredients and raw materials available for the brewing schedule,” confirms the quality of all products are up-to-

par and engages in recipe research and development.

Unsurprisingly for someone with a biology degree and love of home brewing, Speyrer says his favorite part of the job is coming up with new ideas and flavors for potential products. He can “be creative and experiment with new ingredients, such as new hops on the market, and try something unique or unusual and see what happens.”

The process is “like a scientific experiment in that you have a hypothetical idea” and execute that idea. Speyrer says, “Sometimes a test brew ends in disaster and sometimes we get pretty close to achieving our goal on the first try.”

Once a small batch of a potential

product is made, it’s all about “sensory analysis and picking apart the different flavors in the beer,” Speyrer says.

Another thing Speyrer must keep in mind is the market for a particular product. “I might think something is good but how much is it going to sell?” he says.

Canebrake, which Speyrer describes as “a classic beer with a relaxed taste,” is his favorite Parish brew to drink. But India pale ale, IPA, makes up 40% of sales in the market. “We are known for hazy IPAs with hoppy aromas.” The taste of the IPAs depends on how the hops were grown. Some hops provide a strawberry flavor while others infuse a taste of lemongrass.

Parish Brewing Co. also uses actual fruit in the production of its Sips line. One popular flavor is Pinot Noir Black Current.

Barrel-aged beer, strong 12-15% alcohol stout, is also produced in limited amounts. The mixture ages for one to three years which provides the beer with an intense, robust flavor. Another advantage to barrel-aged beer is it can be aged like wine.

Speyrer’s personal goal is to create a classic lager beer, but, he says, “there is not a big market for it unless we make prices more affordable.” To that note, Parish Brewing Co. is in the process of building a larger production facility next to the current one. They hope to have the new facility up and running by the end of 2025.

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KNOWING YOUR PILSNERS AND BLONDE ALES FROM YOUR PORTERS AND STOUTS

by Katelynn Mouton

In recent decades craft beer has seen a rise in popularity, largely because of the wide variety of brews to choose from. With hundreds of beer styles and a seemingly endless list of ingredients, options are only limited by the brewer’s imagination.

According to Ryan O’Donnell, Crying Eagle Brewing Company’s head brewer, every beer starts with four primary ingredients – malted grain, hops, water and yeast. Where the brewer takes it from there is when things get interesting.

“The malted grain used in beer production can consist of barley, rice, wheat, corn, oats, or rye, or in many cases a combination of more than one,” O’Donnell says. “Grains can also be roasted in a variety of ways to bring out different flavors and impact the color of the finished beer. Unroasted or lightly roasted grains are used to create lightcolored beers like pilsners and blonde ales, whereas darker roasts are used to create dark beers like porters and stouts.”

Hops, or the flowering plant

containing high levels of alpha and beta acids, are traditionally used to impart bitterness into beer.

“There are hundreds of hops varieties, each with different flavor and aroma properties. This gives brewers yet another method of steering the flavor of a finished beer,” O’Donnell explains.

being developed, brewers have even more ways to impact their beer.”

Yeast, used in beer fermentation, can also have a large impact on the flavor profile of a beer according to O’Donnell. “With hundreds of commercially available lager and ale yeast strains, and new strains

Believe it or not, even the water used to brew beer plays a very large role in the flavor and mouthfeel of the finished product. O’Donnell says brewers alter each beer’s water chemistry to impact things like perceived salt levels, acidity and head (foam) retention.

It is after the necessary ingredients mentioned above are assembled that the beer brewing process really gets inventive.

“In addition to the four primary ingredients, brewers everywhere are experimenting with countless other additions to beer – from fruit purees to chocolate cake, and everything in between,” explains O’Donnell.

If you are new to exploring craft beer, O’Donnell says it is most common to start at the lighter end of the beer spectrum. “Look for a pilsner lager, wheat ale or Belgian blonde ale. These styles may seem more familiar to what you have

previously experienced in drinking domestic beers, but with a much more robust flavor profile.”

O’Donnell also dispels the myth that the darker the beer, the higher the alcohol content. “Any beer style can have a varying alcohol by volume percentage. Some of the darkest beers can have very low

alcohol, while other light styles can have very high levels.”

O’Donnell encourages craft beer newcomers to let the color of the brew have too much influence on what you try. “Many people find that they prefer darker beers simply because their flavor profiles often

contain notes of chocolate, coffee, and caramel.”

For more information, or to learn more about the craft beer experience, visit Crying Eagle Brewing Company at www.cryingeagle.com.

KAYAKING VILLAGE CREEK

BEAUCYCLE RENTALS

Home & Family

FESTIVAL SEASON

Not only does fall come with the anticipation of cooler weather that SWLA appreciates more than most, it’s also prime time for some of the best festivals locally and across the state. Whether you want a weekend getaway or a local day out, there’s a festival for everyone. Food and wine festivals rank high on the list as do holiday markets and celebrations. Grab your friends and family and have some true Louisiana fun.

FESTIVALS FALL A

Natchitoches Meat Pie Festival, Sept. 13-14. The festival celebrates the famous Natchitoches meat pie with a variety of homemade pies, musical entertainment, meat pie eating contest, a river run (hosted by the Independent Motorcycle Riders of Natchitoches), kid activities, and more. www.facebook.com/ NatchitochesMeatPieFestival

Highland Jazz and Blues Festival, Shreveport, Sept. 14. Attend this free funky “party in the park” featuring local and national jazz and blues artists. Highland is a historic neighborhood just south of downtown Shreveport. www. highlandjazzandblues.org

Alligator Festival, Luling, Sept. 2629. Sponsored by the Rotary Club of St. Charles Parish, this festival raises funds for college scholarships. In addition to the usual rides, music, arts and crafts, there’s a golf tournament and an Alligator Stomp (a 5K run/walk along the Mississippi River Trace.) And of course, food, including alligator burgers, alligator sauce piquant, fried alligator, smoked alligator sausage, alligator tamales, seafood alligator gumbo. www.alligatorfestival.org

Louisiana Sugarcane Festival, New Iberia, Sept. 27-28. Celebrate the Louisiana sugar cane industry

with parades, carnival, live Cajun and Zydeco music, car show, sugar cookery, and art displays. www.facebook.com/ LouisianaSugarCaneFestival

Red River Revel Arts Festival, Shreveport, Sept. 28-Oct. 6. This festival features over 200 visual and performing artists, music of every genre, a children’s area, and food in downtown Shreveport. www. redriverrevel.com

Gretna Heritage Festival, Oct. 4-6. This music-intensive festival covers 20 city blocks and supports businesses and organizations within the city. Big name entertainers include Lynyrd Skynyrd, Kool & The Gang, Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue. Explore the Italian Village, relax at The Club Backstage, drink some German beer, and shop the arts and crafts area. www.gretnafest.com

Louisiana Cotton Festival, Ville Platte, Oct. 9-13. In Evangeline Parish, cotton dots the fields, and the community celebrates their crop with the annual festival. www.louisianacottonfestival.com

Zwolle Tamale Fiesta, Oct. 10-12. The town of Zwolle celebrates its rich Spanish and Indian heritage with a three-day fiesta. The featured festival

food – hot tamales, of course! Eat them or enter the tamale making contest. www.zwolletamalefiesta. com

Festivals Acadiens et Créoles, Lafayette, Oct. 11-13. This festival celebrates all things Cajun – the history, the music, the food, the language . . . enjoy a fais-do-do, the official cutting of the boudin, arts and crafts, and more. This free festival is held in Girard Park and includes live bands, along with two dozen food vendors in the Bayou Food Festival and artists at the Louisiana Craft Fair. www. festivalsacadiens.com.

Crowley Rice Festival, Oct. 17-20. Festival goers can participate in activities such as the classic car show, the Crowley High 5k run/walk and a fiddle and accordion contest. The Rice Festival Queen’s contest, the rice eating contest and a frog derby are always must-see events. The festival has two parades during the weekend. The Children’s Parade is featured on Friday afternoon and the Grand Parade takes the streets on Saturday afternoon. www.ricefestival.com

Boucherie & Balloon Fest, Sorrento, Oct. 18-20. Sponsored by the Sorrento Lions Club, enjoy hot air balloons, jambalaya and cracklin'

cook-offs, live music, and shopping. www.boucheriefestival.com

Andouille Festival, LaPlace, Oct. 18-20. Pass a good time and celebrate this traditional Louisiana sausage. www.andouillefestival.com

Rougarou Festival, Houma, Oct. 18-20. Only in Louisiana will you find a festival dedicated to this monstrous mythical legend. During the Krewe Ga Rou parade, you’ll see zombies, witches, ghouls, and a Rougarou Time Warp dance. Dress up in your scariest attire, join the parade, and enter the Costume Contest.” www.rougaroufest.org

Ragley Heritage and Timber Festival, Oct. 19.This heritage fest includes presentations on history, pioneers, and the formation of the town and founding families. www. festivalnet.com/36382/RagleyLouisiana/Festivals/Ragley-Heritageand-Timber-Festival

Wooden Boat Festival, Madisonville, Oct. 19-20. Hosted by The Lake Pontchartrain Basin Maritime Museum, you’ll see a wide variety of classic wooden boats. A pre-festival gala, “Maritime Mania, is held at the museum on the Friday before the festival. On festival days enjoy a boat-building contest, arts and crafts, live entertainment at the

Home & Family |

Water Street riverfront stage, and the Children’s Village at Madisonville Ball Park, 1007 Pine St., which will host demonstrations by Northshore robotics. www.woodenboatfest.org

Oak Street Po-boy Festival, New Orleans, Oct. 27. Celebrate Louisiana’s favorite sandwich at this annual Po-boy festival. There will be 40 food and beverage vendors, multiple stages with live music, an art market, and a po-boy

competition juried by celebrity judges. www.poboyfest.com

Louisiana Seafood & Caribbean Music Festival, New Orleans, Oct. 26-27. The event will feature live music and offer a variety of seafood and Caribbean dishes for attendees to enjoy.

Yellow Rails and Rice Festival, Thornwell, Oct. 30-Nov. 2. Hundreds of avid birders, nature lovers, and

photographers from all over the U.S. and some foreign countries flock to the area each year for a chance to see the elusive yellow rail, while simultaneously learning about the rice industry. www.yellowrailsandrice.com

Port Barre Cracklin Fest, Nov. 7-10. This Lion’s Club fundraiser provides all the usual festival events—pageantry, a parade, carnival rides and games, food,

FESTIVALS

Louisiana Gumbo Festival of Chackbay, Oct. 11-13. Nearly 500 gallons of gumbo is made over the course of the festival. There will also be live music, a parade and amusement park rides. http://lagumbofest.com

World Championship Gumbo Cook-Off, New Iberia, Oct. 12-13. Experience the “power of roux” at this 34th annual event hosted by the Greater Iberia Chamber of Commerce. Gumbo will be separated by categories – Tabasco Terrance, Andouille Alley, File Boulevard, Roux Row, Tasso Trail and Bell Pepper Place www.iberiachamber. org/gumbo-cookoff

music, as well as a cracklin cook-off. There are professional and amateur categories and prizes for both taste and booth presentation. www.cracklinfest.com

St. Francisville Food & Wine Festival, Nov. 8-10. The annual St. Francisville Food & Wine Festival is a weekend-long celebration of the culinary culture of Louisiana and Mississippi. Featuring acclaimed chefs, creative wine pairings,

FESTIVALS

Gallery Promenade, downtown Lake Charles, Aug. 24, 5:00 – 9:00 p.m. The Arts Council of SWLA hosts this annual showcase of galleries and museums throughout downtown.

South Coast Book Festival, Sept. 14, 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m., Lake Charles Event Center, 900 Lakeshore Dr. Formerly the Southwest Louisiana Family Book Festival, the South Coast Book Festival will present an author market space, workshops, kid’s zone, and more.

LA Food and Wine Festival, Sept. 19-22, Lake Charles. The Louisiana Food & Wine Festival is a culinary and beverage celebration, presented by Rouses Markets and hosted by Visit Lake Charles. The festival is a showcase of culinary, beverage, and musical talent that highlights Louisiana’s unique culture and heritage, celebrity guest chefs, local chefs, celebrity winemakers/ proprietors, artisans, farmers, musicians, local craft spirits and beers, along with renowned wine, spirits, and beer brands from around the world.

Cal-Cam Fair, Oct. 3-5, Sulphur, 401 Arena Road. Five days of pure festival fun. This is one of the few remaining “Old Time Country Fairs” in the state, where almost anything baked, grown, or crafted can be entered, judged, and awarded prizes. You’ll also find a livestock show, carnival rides, a beauty pageant, musical entertainment, and wildlife exhibits.

Lake Charles Film Festival, Oct. 4-5, Holiday Inn Express & Suites, 1150 W. Prien Lake Road. The Lake Charles Film Festival offers a weekend of food, music, independent film screenings, an award ceremony for top films and scripts in various categories, seminars, premieres, parties, and networking.

Rouge et Blanc, Oct. 12, 3:00-6:00 p.m, McNeese State University, 4205 Ryan St. Rouge et Blanc is an event series and celebration of food and wine hosted annually by Banners at McNeese State University. This event is the flagship fundraiser for Banners, an arts and cultural program that serves the five-parish area in Southwest Louisiana. Many wine experts and renowned area chefs volunteer to share their expertise with attendees. www.banners.org

Chuck Fest, Lake Charles, Oct. 19, noon – 11:15 p.m. This annual event celebrates the culture of SWLA through food, drink, music, and art in downtown Lake Charles.

Flea Fest, Burton Coliseum, 7001 Gulf Hwy., Lake Charles, Nov. 9-10. This Big Happy Flea Market Event is held on nearly four covered acres at Burton Coliseum. With over 300 vendors, it’s a bargain hunter’s dream. Antiques, toys, handcrafted items, furniture, jewelry . . . you never know what you’ll find! Food vendors and a petting zoo also onsite.

Mistletoe & Moss, Nov. 15-17, Lake Charles Event Center, 900 Lakeshore Dr. The Junior League of Lake Charles hosts Mistletoe and Moss holiday market annually. It is a one-stop shop for getting your Christmas shopping done. www.jllc. net/mistletoe-moss.

Smoke & Barrel, Nov. 16, 1:00 – 5:00 p.m., Calcasieu Parish Courthouse Lawn, 1000 Ryan St. Lake Charles. The annual Smoke & Barrel celebration will have two distinct admission areas and feature live musical entertainment. The ticketed VIP area hosts a tasting with nearly 100 bourbons, scotches and whiskeys and a BBQ tasting featuring creative dishes from some of the top pit-masters in Southwest Louisiana and Southeast Texas. The general admission area offers BBQ for sale along with batched whiskey cocktails and other beverages for purchase. An amateur BBQ competition will add to the excitement of the day. www.smokeandbarrel.org

cocktail and spirit tastings, craft beer and live entertainment in one of Louisiana's most beautiful and historic small towns. Enjoy a jazz brunch at the St. Francisville Inn, a winemaker dinner at the Magnolia Café, a champagne and BBQ event in historic downtown, a dinner party at the Royal Inn, and a grand tasting at the Myrtles. www.stfrancisvillefoodandwine. com

Thibodeauxville Fall Fest, Nov. 9. The Thibodaux Chamber of Commerce sponsors this annual event. Experience arts and crafts, music, a car show, and fabulous food. Enjoy a Louisiana inspired cook-off and a duck race where hundreds of yellow rubber ducks float down Bayou Lafourche. www.facebook.com/ thibodeauxville

Beignet Fest, New Orleans, Nov. 16. Enjoy a variety of beignets including sweet and savory, classic powdered sugar, and seafood and cheese. There will

be musical performances, a beer garden, an art market and a kid’s village. Proceeds benefit nonprofits dedicated to helping children with autism. www. neworleans.com/event/beignetfest/3203

Natchitoches Christmas Festival, Nov. 23. The city hosts a day-long celebration with food, music, fireworks, and the unveiling of over 300,000 lights that adorn darling downtown Natchitoches. Lights are on display through Jan. 6. www. natchitocheschristmas.com

Louisiana Renaissance Fest, Hammond, Nov.-Dec. This medieval festival takes place every weekend in November and the first two weekends in December. A festival, theme park, theatre, holiday shopping destination, and educational experience all rolled into one great adventure. Offers 600 artisans, entertainers, and educational demonstrations. www.larf.net

Summer Color is Hot!

If the summer heat is making your landscape look a little drab, our fully-stocked retail nursery is blooming with color. Stop by to pick up trees, shrubs and bedding plants. If you need help with planning and installation, our team can help. We’ll even deliver!

The Louisiana Food & Wine Festival

is a culinary and beverage celebration presented by Rouses Markets and hosted by Visit Lake Charles. The festival highlights Louisiana’s unique culture and heritage, celebrity guest chefs, local chefs, celebrity winemakers/ proprietors, artisans, farmers, musicians, local craft spirits and beers, along with renowned wine, spirits, and beer brands from around the world.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 19

Louisiana’s Celebrity Chefs Wine Dinner, 6:00 p.m. reception, 7:00 p.m. dinner, L’Auberge Casino Resort Lake Charles.

A gourmet food and wine lover’s experience with a six-course dinner, this event features celebrated chefs inspired by Louisiana cuisine. This year’s chefs include Jernard Wells, celebrity TV host, chef and author; Paul Fehribach, executive chef and author, Big Jones, Chicago, Ill.; Huy Pham, Sushi Chef, Yakuza House, Metairie, La.; Kevin McCarthy, executive chef, L’Auberge Casino Resort Lake Charles; and Leonair Dorsey, head pastry chef, Gracious Bakery, New Orleans, La.. Each course will be paired with the perfect wine by Mollie Battenhouse, Master of Wines Jackson Family Wines,

the official festival wine partner. The reception will showcase culinary creations from the students and instructors of SOWELA Technical Community College, along with Ryan Anderson, aka “Oyster Daddy,” Little Moon Oyster Ranch, from Grand Isle, La.

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 20

Louisiana Inspired Master Classes, 10:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., SOWELA Technical Community College, presented by SOWELA, Rouses Markets and Louisiana Seafood.

• 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.: The Perfect Wine & Oyster Pairings with Mollie Battenhouse and Ryan Anderson.

• 12:00 – 1:00 p.m.: Southern Inspired Smokey Seafood Mac & Cheese with Jernard Wells. Wells presents a signature seafood dish from his newest cookbook, Southern Inspired: More than 100 Delicious Recipes from My American Table to Yours, paired with a signature cocktail.

• 1:30 – 2:30 p.m.: The Freshest of Fresh Sushi: Breaking Down a Yellowfin Tuna and Savoring Varieties of Different Cuts & Flavors with Huy Pham serving a variety of the freshest of fresh, yellowfin tuna sushi cut sampling appetizers paired with a signature cocktail.

• 3:00 – 4:00 p.m.: Créole Soirée - Put a Party in Your Mouth! with Sheri Raleigh-Yearby. Enjoy the bold flavors of traditional Southwest Louisiana Créole cuisine and don't forget the lagniappe and a special Tequila-Mezcal educational class/pairings!

Fire on the Lake, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m., Bord du Lac Park, presented by Lake Charles Regional Airport.

A quintessential Louisiana celebration of live fire cooking, the event features slow-cooked, grilled, and smoked meats, and Louisiana seafood and vegetarian creations. Enjoy unlimited tasting bites, wine, beer, and spirits with a souvenir glass. Zydeco music from Horace Trahan and the Ossun Express.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 21

Louisiana Food & Wine Festival Grand Tasting 4:00 – 7:00 p.m., Bord du Lac Park. Enjoy an afternoon of culinary and beverage tastings with live music at Bord du Lac Park. Tickets are all-inclusive for food and beverage tastings. There will be a Rouses Markets Cooking Demonstration Stage and a Taste of Louisiana Alley with samplings from some of Louisiana’s best chefs. Louisiana’s Craft Brews Alley showcases breweries from around Louisiana, with fun and lively music from the Flamethrowers.

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 22

Sunday Jazz Brunch, 11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.; 12:30–2:00 p.m., SOWELA Technical Community College.

The signature Jazz Brunch is an all-inclusive priced ticket featuring unlimited beverage tastings with a souvenir glass, live music, a brunch with carving stations, salad bars, Louisiana Seafood stations, made-to-order omelet stations, and desserts. The festival’s official beverage partners will participate with a bloody mary bar, mimosas, sparkling wines, sprits, wine, and beer.

According to a 2024 Forbes report, 66% of households in the United States own a pet with 97% of these owners considering their pet to be a part of the family. Dogs are the most popular pet and Millennials are the generations with the highest pet ownership rate. It’s hard to overstate how much our pets mean to us. From companionship to emotional support, animals help us cope with daily life. Whether you’re met at the door by a cockapoo ecstatic you’re back home or by a feline that feigns indifference, pets are an integral part of our lives. Where would we be without them?

CHOOSING THE BEST PET

THINGS TO CONSIDER BEFORE PET ADOPTION

Veterinarians, animal organizations, and pet owners agree that adoption is a serious undertaking which requires a little homework. If you’re considering adopting a pet, consider your unique needs and the commitment a pet will require.

What type of pet is best for you?

A pet’s size, exercise requirements, friendliness, assertiveness, and compatibility should all figure into your decision. Unless you live alone, pet adoption is something everyone in your household should agree upon.

How much will a pet cost?

Food, toys, and vet visits all cost money. Consider finances when making your decision. Depending on the animal’s age, once you adopt a pet, you will likely have the pet for many years. Visit the animal shelter, breeder, or vet clinic several times before making a final decision. Learn about various pets, breeds, and speak with an adoption counselor for guidance.

What is the animal’s true behavior?

A shelter is a stressful place for any animal. Cats, dogs, birds, and other creatures that might usually be quite social and docile may instead be frightened or overly passive or aggressive in this environment. Quite often, an animal’s true personality won’t shine through until it’s in your home. Consider temporarily fostering an animal before adopting an older pet.

How much time are you willing to commit to a pet?

Puppies and kittens require much more time for training and supervision than mature pets. Some dog breeds need to be more active than others. If you

lack time or patience, choose an adult pet, or a tank or caged animal (fish, turtles, lizards, hamsters, birds, etc.) that requires less time and energy on your part.

Do you want a purebred or mixed breed pet? If you want a dog, mixed breeds offer some advantages over purebreds. Combined traits of two or more breeds can offer the benefit of fewer genetic defects common in certain purebreds. If you prefer the purebred for show or breeding purposes, be aware this may result in more vet visits or health issues as they age. Purebreds, of course, also cost more to purchase.

Prepare before you bring your pet home. Once you have decided to adopt, schedule a vet visit before you bring your pet home. You want to be aware of any possible issues before the adoption is final. Also, before your pet’s homecoming, purchase anything you’ll need for your pet’s comfort—food, litter, a bed, a kennel, toys, cages, tanks, a collar and leash, and treats. Ensure your home is safe, as well—a fenced yard, uncluttered floors to prevent entanglement, and all poisonous materials out of reach.

Give your pet some breathing room. You are likely considering pet adoption for companionship. Allow the pet to form a relationship with you in its own time. Do not expect instant devotion. You are a stranger bringing them into a new environment. Some animals will feel overwhelmed and try to escape, hide, or bite. Allow the animal time to explore their new surroundings.

For additional concerns, keep the phone number of a nearby 24-hour veterinarian or animal clinic handy.

THE DOG STOP ANNOUNCES NEW LOCATION COMING TO LAKE CHARLES

The Dog Stop, the all-inclusive, award-winning dog care brand, will open soon in Lake Charles at 3507 Ryan Street. The new facility is the brand’s fifth location in Louisiana since 2015 and promises a full range of services designed to enrich every facet of a dog’s life.

To ensure the highest quality service for dogs in the community, The Dog Stop Lake Charles welcomes the talented team from Ace and Chanti’s. The local grooming salon closed their doors and joined The Dog Stop’s growing family.

The brand-new one-stop-shop for dog care will fill a niche in the market with their all-inclusive services, including holistic retail, luxury boarding accommodations, an interactive and social daycare experience, spa-like grooming, and more. With four other successful locations in Louisiana, The Dog Stop has established itself in the state and the local team is thrilled to provide Lake Charles pet parents with their highquality services.

“This is an amazing opportunity to maintain their expertise and uphold the sense of community they’ve built with loyal dog owners,” said Shawn Nunez, local owner of The Dog Stop Lake Charles. “We’re excited to serve returning furry friends and new ones and commit to upholding the high-quality care and services they have come to expect.”

Nunez, a Lake Charles local, chose to open The Dog Stop after his community was hit by a major hurricane. Like many others, he adopted a dog during the COVID-19 pandemic, only a month before the hurricane struck. Nunez and his dog, Zeus, suffered damage to their home, and had to live out of town while

it was repaired. During that time, Nunez sought to find a place that Zeus could go to while he was at work and was introduced to dog boarding and daycare. Recognizing a need for these services in his own community, he began researching options and discovered The Dog Stop. He was impressed by the brand’s streamlined model and commitment to excellent dog care services and hopes to eventually open more locations in the Southwest Louisiana and Southeast Texas communities.

“The brand’s proven business structure as an all-inclusive facility is extremely beneficial and rewarding,” said Nunez. “Having a location where relationships can be built between local dog owners and The Dog Stop team is unlike anything we have in the community, and I’m happy to bring this to Lake Charles.”

Owned and operated by dog people since 2009, The Dog Stop understands the complex process involved in dog care and knows that there is no such thing as a one size fits all approach. At The Dog Stop, expert staff at each location stay up to date on the ever-changing science that applies to dog care, behavior, grooming, and nutrition. A one-stop-shop also offering pet care products and supplies, each item on its shelves is the latest in its respective category, ensuring each dog who stops by receives the best treatment.

“Partnering with passionate franchisees is key to our mission and expansion plans,” said Jesse Coslov, CEO and co-founder of The Dog Stop. “We are thrilled to partner with Shawn and are confident he is the perfect partner to bring our fifth location to Louisiana.”

For more information on The Dog Stop or its franchise opportunities, visit thedogstop.com.

Our Services

• Live Pup Cams to watch your pup play

• Suites with Dog TV

• Over 10,000 sq.ft. of fun!

• Full Grooming Salon with Master Groomers

• Open 7 Days a Week

• ReTAIL Rewards - Earn Free Days of Daycare for buying your pups food

HAPPY, HEALTHY PETS THE IMPORTANCE

OF ROUTINE CARE

by Kristy Como Armand

Ensuring a long, healthy life for your pet involves more than just love and attention; it requires regular veterinary care. Pets, like humans, benefit significantly from health checkups and preventive measures.

“Your pet cannot tell you if something is wrong – if they are in pain or feeling unwell,” says Dr. Courtney Fontenot, veterinarian at Moss Bluff Animal Hospital. “In fact, most species instinctively hide their symptoms to avoid appearing vulnerable. That's why regular, routine exams are essential for your pet’s long-term health.”

Dr. Fontenot offers some general guidelines for routine veterinary care:

Annual Health Exams

Pets age faster than humans, making annual exams even more critical for preventing disease, injury, and pain. Establishing a baseline medical history for your pet helps your veterinarian detect any changes in your pet’s health that need attention. Older pets may need more frequent exams.

Early Detection of Health Issues

One of the primary benefits of routine veterinary visits is the early detection of health problems. Regular checkups allow veterinarians to identify subtle changes in your pet's health before they become serious problems.

Dr. Fontenot is commited to practicing the best small animal medicine for her patients.

Early detection often means more effective and less costly treatments, ultimately enhancing your pet’s quality of life.

Vaccinations

Similar to human children, kittens and puppies need a variety of shots to protect them from potentially fatal diseases such as rabies, distemper, parvovirus and others. Starting vaccinations early and following a proper schedule recommended by your veterinarian can keep your pet healthy and help prevent outbreaks of these diseases across the community.

Spay or Neuter

In addition to preventing unwanted litters, spaying or neutering also has health benefits. These procedures may help modify behaviors that can make animals restless or aggressive, and can even help prevent some cancers and other diseases that are commonly seen in older, intact pets. A general recommendation for spaying (females) and neutering (males) dogs and cats would be around six months of age.

Disease Prevention

Heartworm disease, fleas, and ticks pose serious threats to your pet’s health. Heartworms, transmitted by mosquitoes, can be fatal if not treated promptly. Fleas and ticks are carriers of various diseases that can affect both pets and humans. A routine veterinary check-up will include a heartworm test and advise on year-round medications to prevent heartworms, fleas and ticks.

Dental Health

Dental health is often overlooked but is crucial for your pet’s overall health. Dental issues can lead to serious health problems, including heart, liver, and kidney disease. Regular dental checkups and cleanings help prevent tooth decay, gum disease, and infections. Your veterinarian will be able to make individual recommendations based on their evaluation of your pet.

For more information about pet care, call Moss Bluff Animal Hospital at (337) 855-3176 or visit MossBluffAnimalHospital.com.

Louisiana Autism Conference

Wednesday, October 30, 2024 • L’Auberge Casino Resort, Lake Charles

Whether you are a parent, caregiver, educator, therapist, law enforcement, or just the neighbor next door – there will be something for you at this conference. We will have workshops on topics ranging from feeding disorders to dealing with challenging behaviors to implementing strategies and techniques in the classroom.

Laura Schroff

Laura Schroff is a former media executive and an international No.1 New York Times Bestselling Author of An Invisible Thread, An Invisible Thread Young Readers’ Edition, An Invisible Thread Christmas Story, and Angels on Earth. Schroff encourages her audiences to look for their own invisible thread connections and highlights the importance of opening up their eyes and hearts to the opportunities where they can make a difference in the lives of others. An Invisible Thread brings to life the inspiring true story of an 11-year-old panhandler, a busy sales executive, and their unlikely meeting with destiny in 1986.

Judge Sunny Bailey is the creator of the Detention Alternative for Autistic Youth treatment court, also known as DAAY Court. This diversion program is designed for at-risk youth who have Autism. It combines the efforts of social workers, therapists, probation officers, defense attorneys and prosecutors to address psychiatric needs, behavioral modification, socialization and parent training to get to the root causes and prevent these children from entering the revolving door of the criminal justice system as adults. It is the only program focused on youth with Autism in the nation!

Dr. Fontenot and a couple of her patients

Eighth Judicial District Court, Clark County, Nevada

Keynote Speaker, Author

Places & Faces

FOOTBALL SEASON IS A SACRED TIME OF THE YEAR FOR MANY. From August to January, men and women alike sit on the edge of their seats waiting for their favorite player to score a touchdown or interception. While the country looks forward to Sunday Night Football, state and local pride still runs high with fans cheering on our local McNeese team, along with the LSU Tigers and New Orleans Saints. Don’t forget to grab some finger foods and a cold one from a local brewery or sports bar to enjoy this great American pastime.

CHEER FOR CHEMISTRY CHEER FOR CHEMISTRY

Football would not be possible without the chemicals produced by our industry. Petrochemicals and petroleum are everywhere in football, from the construction of stadiums to the protective gear worn by players. Whenever you are cheering on your favorite team this football season, remember that petrochemicals and petroleum are the real MVPs!

Protective Padding

Great tackles wouldn’t be possible without our players’ protective padding, and polyethylene, from ExxonMobil, is a crucial ingredient.

Bleachers

How could we watch the game without a place to sit? Bleachers are made of aluminum and Atlantic Alumina is the state’s main producer.

Field Paint

There couldn’t be a game without the field lines! The paint for these lines are

Football Helmet

So many chemicals go into protecting a player’s head! Polycarbonate plastic and PVC are used on the helmet’s outer shell, produced by Formosa Plastics, Shintech Louisiana, and OxyChem, and polyurethane foams, made by BASF, are used on the inside.

Jersey

How do we know which player is which? Our favorite team jerseys are made possible thanks to synthetic fibers, made by BASF, that allow moisture absorption and elasticity!

Jet Fuel and Gas

Thanks to companies like Phillips 66, CITGO, and Shell, players can go from city to city to play—and we can enjoy an exciting away game!

Artificial Turf

Polyethylene and polypropylene make up the synthetic turf for many fields. ExxonMobil produces these important chemicals.

Grass Field

A beautiful grass field can’t be maintained without fertilizers and water purification (sulfuric acid). Companies Cornerstone Chemical, Phillips 66, and Nutrien keep the fields green!

made with acrylic polymer emulsions, produced by Westlake Chemical.

Places & Faces |

PREDICTING ANOTHER MIDDLING SEASON FOR SAINTS

by Matt Dye

This is a make-or-break season for the Saints, who have been floundering since Drew Brees and Sean Payton left the team in 2020 and 2021 respectively. The Saints made the playoffs four straight seasons, but have now missed out the past three, unable to find a spark.

Head Coach Dennis Allen was promoted from the defensive coordinator position, and while the defense has maintained consistency, Allen has yet to find it on offense. Last year, the Saints brought in Derek Carr in hopes he could accelerate the passing attack, with marginal success.

This year, the Saints are doing addition by substitution. Pete Carmichael, offensive coordinator under Payton and with the team for 15 years, has been traded for the up-and-coming Klint Kubiak, quarterback coach for Brock Purdy and the 49ers last season and son of Super Bowl winning coach Gary Kubiak. If the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, this change might be what gets otherwise competent Saints playmakers to start clicking again.

While Alvin Kamara is getting up there in age, he still showed flashes of greatness last season, and the Saints still have both Jamaal Williams and Kendre Miller backing him up. That, and the Saints have finally moved on from Michael Thomas after years of waiting for him to get healthy and will allow Chris Olave to showcase his talents, alongside breakthrough wideout Rashid Shaheed. Juwan Johnson and Tayson Hill at tight end show more than enough diversity, so if Kubiak can bring together everything he’s been exposed to, it’ll all come down to how well Derek Carr can play. Last year Carr came out talking a good game, but when it came to making clutch throws, he showed why he’s only made the playoffs twice in his career.

On defense, the biggest issues are aging, with

The Saints did bring in former 2020 No. 2 draft pick Chase Young to try to help alleviate some of that burden, but it’s still unknown what kind of player Young is since tearing his ACL in 2021. Prior to that, Young was considered a franchise player.

Demario Davis and Willie Gay will head up a stout linebacking core, and the Honey Badger and Marshon Lattimore in the secondary should limit big passing plays, keeping the Saints in most games even if the offense can’t get going. Last season, the Saints were Top 10 in scoring defense.

The biggest hurdle for the Saints will be the first five games of their schedule. After opening the season against what should be a feckless Carolina team, the Saints then go to Dallas to face the good-in-the-regular-season Cowboys, followed by the Eagles at home, then on the road against the new look Falcons followed by a road game against the Super Bowl Champion Chiefs.

The Saints could easily be 1-4 and in complete disarray heading into week 6 at home against the Bucs, before facing Sean Payton and the Broncos on prime-time Thursday Night Football. After that, the Saints have perhaps the easiest schedule in football, but it may not matter if they’re too far down the hole. The upside is that the NFC South is only marginally competitive. The Saints tied the Buccaneers last season at 9-8, but lost the chance to go to the playoffs due to

SCHEDULE 2024

PRE-SEASON

Week 1 Aug. 10 @ Arizona

Week 2 Aug. 18 @ San Francisco

Week 3 Aug. 25 vs. Tennessee

REGULAR SEASON

Week 1 Sept. 8 vs. Carolina

Week 2 Sept. 15 @ Dallas

Week 3 Sept. 22 vs. Philadelphia

Week 4 Sept. 29 @ Atlanta

Week 5 Oct. 7 @ Kansas City

Week 6 Oct. 13 vs. Tampa Bay

Week 7 Oct. 17 vs. Denver

Week 8 Oct. 27 @ L.A. Chargers

Week 9 Nov. 3 @ Carolina

Week 10 Nov. 10 vs. Atlanta

Week 11 Nov. 17 vs. Cleveland

Week 12 BYE

Week 13 Dec. 1 vs. L.A. Rams

Week 14 Dec. 8 @ N.Y. Giants

Week 15 Dec. 15 vs. Washington

Week 16 Dec. 23 @ Green Bay

Week 17 Dec. 29 vs. Las Vegas

Week 18 Jan. 5 @ Tampa Bay

records against common opponents. This season should be a three-way race between those same Bucs, the Falcons now with Kirk Cousins at quarterback, and these Saints looking to re-find the glory of three seasons ago.

Predicition: 10-7, missing playoffs.

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Call today for more information or to schedule an appointment to find out if PRP is right for you.

Brett Cascio, M.D. Orthopaedic Surgeon and Sports Medicine Specialist

Photo: Parker Waters

Places & Faces |

Brian Kelly looks immeasurably more comfortable going into his 3rd season as LSU’s head coach, coming off a year where LSU was No. 1 in total offense and finished with Jayden Daniels winning the Heisman.

But things have changed. The college football playoffs have expanded from four to twelve teams and no longer require perfection for a seat at the table. The much hated (and loved) Nick Saban is no longer at the helm of the Crimson Tide, hopefully ending the lion’s grip on the heart of the SEC West. That said, the SEC West itself is no longer. With the addition of Texas and Oklahoma to the conference, the SEC is a freefor-all where the two best teams will play in the SEC Championship game.

Jayden Daniels has joined the NFL, as have star receivers Malik Nabors and Brian Thomas. Yet in this sea of change, Kelly confidently retooled and continued building.

Lake Charles born Garrett Nussmeier enters his fourth season at LSU, finally given the reins to lead the team. Projected as a top quarterback prospect out of high school, Nussmeier has sat patiently behind Myles Brennan and Daniels.

Kelly thinks he’s more than ready; “Anyone who follows a Heisman winner has to understand that it’s his course that he has to plant. He’s waited, and he understands at LSU there’s high profile on the quarterback. Garrett has had a really good understanding of that by watching over the last couple of years. I expect him to have a great year.”

While LSU has long been considered Wide Receiver U, with players such as Odell Beckham, Jr., Justin Jefferson, and JaMarr Chase going on to NFL stardom, this year’s receiver room will be more about depth than it will all-star talent. Kyren Lacy gets the opportunity to step into the No. 1 spot, with Liberty transfer CJ Daniels right at his heels. Chris Hilton and Aaron Anderson are

LSU EYEING A COMFORTABLE SEASON

by Matt Dye

two more to watch, as is transfer Zavion Thomas. Jayden Daniels also led the Tigers in rushing last year, but with Nussmeier being much less mobile, expect a committee of running backs to carry the rock, with breakout potential from Kaleb Jackson, running behind perhaps LSU’s best position set at offensive line. At tight end, Kelly thinks he’s got a future NFL star in Mason Taylor.

Despite having the No. 1 overall offense last year, LSU’s once touted defensive looked almost pitiful at times, ranking 108th, and uncharacteristically giving up over 2,000 rushing yards the last two seasons. So, Kelly pivoted and brought in Blake Baker, who had Missouri as a Top 10 defense last season.

The defense is ready to get back to stopping the run, and with a huge defensive line, that shouldn’t be a problem, led by Jacobian Guillory and Sai’Von Jones coming off the end. Fixing

the run defense should allow the pass defense to settle back in after finishing 2nd from last in the SEC last season. Transfer Jarden Gilbert will help shore that up, and freshman PJ Woodland could be an immediate contributor.

The schedule opens in Las Vegas against the USC Trojans, who are moving on from a Heisman winning quarterback. This game should easily be in the Tigers’ favor, but so far Kelly is 0-2 in opening games, both of which have also been on neutral sites.

LSU will face both Ole Miss and Alabama, two teams that beat them last year, at home this season, with their toughest road opponents being at Texas A&M and Florida. They finish with two home games, the final being against new SEC member Oklahoma.

WE’RE

AROUND YOU CENTERED

The Center for Orthopaedics provides national-level sports medicine expertise right here in Southwest Louisiana. Our team of doctors and support staff offers experienced, hands-on care to tackle the toughest musculoskeletal injuries. We’ll also help you develop a game plan to prevent future injuries.

Whether you’ve been injured on the field, at a gym or in your own back yard, trust the CFO team to give you an accurate diagnosis and get you safely back in action.

The Tigers should win 10 games, and may even flirt with being undefeated, but with twelve teams making the playoffs this year, they don’t have to be perfect. They just have to be comfortable.

SCHEDULE 2024

Week 1 Sept. 1 vs. USC (in Vegas)

Week 2 Sept. 7 vs. Nicholls

Week 3 Sept. 14 @ South Carolina

Week 4 Sept. 21 vs. UCLA

Week 5 Sept. 28 vs. South Alabama

Week 6 Oct. 5 BYE

Week 7 Oct. 12 vs. Ole Miss

Week 8 Oct. 19 @ Arkansas

Week 9 Oct. 26 @ Texas A&M

Week 10 Nov. 2 BYE

Week 11 Nov. 9 vs. Alabama

Week 12 Nov. 16 @ Florida

Week 13 Nov. 23 vs. Vanderbilt

Week 14 Nov. 30 vs. Oklahoma

Places & Faces

Looking Forward, Not Backwards

McNeese Building Clout

by Matt Dye

When Gary Goff came to McNeese nearly three years ago, the expectations were high, but the reality of what he had to work with was overlooked.

Coming off the success of a 22-3 stint at Valdosta State, many expected Goff to immediately take McNeese to new heights, but coaching turnovers in three of the previous four seasons, as well as recovering from pandemicane 2020 had put the Cowboy football program as far back as anyone could remember.

But as they say, before anything can get better, it has to get worse, and last season saw Goff and the Cowboys fight to be competitive with a team of mostly underclassmen still learning their roles in Goff’s system. “We were one of the youngest programs in the country last year,” Goff says. “And I know this. When a program goes through tough times together, it brings them tighter, and we’ve got a tight-knit team.”

Now, with one of the strongest recruiting classes in the last 20 years, the Cowboys are looking forward, not backwards and are ready to ascend to the top of the mountain and reclaim dominance, with 57 new faces on the team including 20 FBS transfers.

One of the key figures of the Cowboys is transfer quarterback Clifton McDowell, who

went undefeated in leading Montana to the FCS Championship game last year. He threw for over 2000 yards with 13 touchdowns and four interceptions, and rushed for 753 yards and nine touchdowns as he was named Big Sky Conference Newcomer of the Year. “When I heard Coach Goff talk about the team, and how he wanted to turn everything around, I really believed in it,” McDowell says. “I really liked what I saw when I came down to visit, and I’m ready to trust the process and get out there.”

McDowell will join returning 1st Team PreSeason All-American linebacker Micah Davey, who led all of the FCS in tackles last year with 153, and who Coach Goff believes has only gotten better in the off-season. “I’m excited about redemption— proving everybody wrong. Being able to right the ship and returning McNeese back to its former glory,” Davey says.

The coaching staff also sees some new faces in co-defensive coordinator Josh Brown coming over from UTEP as well as Mike Smith, wide receivers coach, who comes with a pedigree of Power 5 expertise.

The question is going to be, with so many

new faces and talent, how soon can Coach Goff and his team get everyone fully acclimated, which is why McNeese is predicted to finish 6th in the conference. Even so, the Cowboys could find themselves in the hunt if this team meshes quickly. That said, the competition will be steep, with the Southland Conference up for grabs between past years champions Nicholls and Incarnate Word, as well as with past champions returning to the conference, such as Stephen F. Austin.

The Cowboys open the season on the road against Tarleton State before hosting Southern on August 31st for their home opener. Then it’s off to Texas A&M. The Cowboys then head back home to start conference play against Stephen F. Austin. While nothing is given, the Cowboys hardest stretch will be at the end of September and October when they have four road games in five weeks, including Incarnate Word and Nicholls back-to-back. But this level of competition is exactly what the Southland Conference is looking for. “I want to see two, three teams back in the playoffs,” SLC Commissioner Chris Grant says. The Cowboys look to be one of those teams.

McNeese season tickets are available now, and nearly all McNeese games will be aired on one of the ESPN family of channels.

SCHEDULE 2024

Week 0 Aug. 24 @ Tarleton State

Week 1 Aug. 31 vs. Southern (Military Appreciation)

Week 2 Sept. 7 @ Texas A&M

Week 3 Sept. 14 vs. Stephen F. Austin (Breast Cancer Awareness/Teacher Appreciation)

Week 4 Sept. 21 vs. Alcorn State (Hall of Fame/Family Weekend)

Week 5 Sept. 28 @ Weber State

Week 6 Oct. 5 @ Houston Christian

Week 7 Oct. 12 BYE

Week 8 Oct. 19 @ Incarnate Word

Week 9 Oct. 26 @ Nicholls

Week 10 Nov. 2 vs. Texas A&M-Commerce (Homecoming)

Week 11 Nov. 9 BYE

Week 12 Nov. 16 @ Northwestern State

Week 13 Nov. 23 vs. Lamar (Senior Day/Battle of the Border)

Join McNeese Athletic Foundation $150 per person

Access to Special Events Buy McNeese BASKETBALL TICKETS Buy McNeese FOOTBALL TICKETS Attend the Men’s Basketball Tip-Off Celebration McNeese Cowboy Club 5K Gallop

Attend the 2024 Cowboy Block Parties

8/30 - Three Thirty Seven 9/13 - Bag of Donuts

9/20 - Wayne Toups 11/22 - The Party Hounds 11/1 - Rusty Metoyer

COWBOY STADIUM! Attend the 2024 Home Football Games Cowboy Stadium at 7pm 8/31 • 9/14 • 9/21 • 11/2 • 11/23

GET READY FOR THE 51st ANNUAL BAYOU CLASSIC

The excitement is building for the highly anticipated 51st Annual Bayou Classic. Presented by Procter & Gamble, this year's Bayou Classic is scheduled to take place on November 29-30, at the iconic Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana.

As one of the nation's premier HBCU Classics, the Bayou Classic brings together fans from across the country to witness the thrilling gridiron matchup between the Grambling State University Tigers and the Southern University Jaguars.

“The Bayou Classic represents the very best of tradition, competition, and community spirit,” said Dottie Belletto, President and CEO of NOCCI (New Orleans Convention Company, Inc.), the event management firm for the 51st Annual Bayou Classic.

On game day, the Southern University Jaguars will be the home team mainly sitting on the West Side near sections 129-156 of the Caesars Superdome and the Grambling University Tigers will be the visiting team mainly sitting on the East Side near Sections 101-128. “The New Orleans hospitality industry is once again rolling out the red carpet to welcome Bayou Classic fans,” added Belletto.

The Bayou Classic continues to uphold its legacy as a symbol of excellence and camaraderie within the HBCU community. Year after year, fans gather in New Orleans over Thanksgiving weekend to witness the thrilling football matchup between Southern University and Grambling State University, accompanied by the electrifying Battle of the Bands

& Greek Show and the highly anticipated halftime show featuring two of the greatest marching bands in the nation.

For more information about Bayou Classic, tickets and hotels, fans can visit mybayouclassic.com.

Official Credit Union of McNeese Athletics

Just Imagine SWLA UPDATES AND FUTURE PLANS FOR WATERFRONT DEVELOPMENT

The Just Imagine SWLA 50-Year Resilience Master Plan for Calcasieu and Cameron Parishes continues to shape the future of our region, focusing on enhancing our communities and making Southwest Louisiana an even better place to live, work and play.

In this month's piece, we delve into the exciting updates and future plans for waterfront development in Lake Charles. We spoke with Mayor Nic Hunter to discuss the progress, impact and vision for these projects.

You had the vision for creating Port Wonder. What inspired you to make this a hallmark of your administration?

We’ve talked about lakefront development for so long, and we needed a catalyst. There were significant funds set aside from the BP Oil Spill Settlement for a “Lake Charles Science and Education Center.” Also, the Children’s Museum was looking for a new home. It made sense to get these two together, and Port Wonder

was born. The lakefront is our welcome sign to the rest of the world. This truly is a generational moment for Lake Charles.

Waterfront Development is one of eleven catalytic projects in the Just Imagine SWLA 50-Year Resilience Master Plan. Which recommendations do you expect the City of Lake Charles to tackle next?

In addition to wrapping up construction on Port

Wonder, the City is working on phase two of repairs and restoration of the boardwalk along the lake’s north shore. The City will re-establish pedestrian accessibility, so citizens can walk from Millennium Park to I-10 North Beach. The City is looking to add public art elements to the lakefront and will receive bids on bathrooms for North Beach. We are close to attaining a private sponsor to upgrade the Alligator Pond. The LC REBOUND bond proposal which passed in November 2023, included a brand new lakefront amphitheater.

When creating the Just Imagine SWLA master plan, natural and cultural resources, as well as economic development, were top priorities. How do you envision the Waterfront Development catalytic project impacting these priorities in Lake Charles?

More than 80,000 vehicles pass the lakefront each day. Waterfront development will draw people off the interstate to check out Port Wonder, Crying Eagle Lakefront and Lake Area Adventures. People from around the region will plan trips to Lake Charles. Additionally, these developments provide a new opportunity for residents to shop and support local. The projects

Meet the Newest MeM of our PhysiciaN tea

Dr. Taylor Nipp, Cardiologist

Imperial Health is proud to welcome cardiologist Taylor Nipp, MD, to our medical staff.

Originally from Raleigh, North Carolina, Dr. Nipp earned a Bachelor of Science Biological Science from the University of North Carolina, and his Medical Degree from the University of North Carolina Medical School, both in Chapel Hill. He completed a residency in Internal Medicine at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas. He then completed general and interventional cardiology fellowships with Wake Forest University School of Medicine at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

Dr. Nipp will be joining Drs. LeBeau, Sugathan, LaVigne, Mulhearn, Goodwin, Turner and Foster in the Cardiology Department of Imperial Health.

To schedule an appointment with Dr.Nipp, call (337) 312-8281. Accepts all major insurances and Medicare.

happening now mean quality of life, but also new revenue into the City.

Another component of Just Imagine SWLA is the Strong Downtowns catalytic project. What measures are being taken to ensure that the two projects, together, support local businesses and create jobs for residents?

Downtown Lake Charles has transformed over several years and is a vibrant scene for dining and entertainment. Annual festivals such as ChuckFest, Downtown at Sundown, Smoke and Barrel are a large draw for locals and visitors. The Lake Charles Event Center grounds are active with events each weekend as well. Earlier this year we saw the first sold out concert in many years at Sudduth Coliseum. Parker McCollum not only brought people to the event center, but also brought people downtown for dinner prior to the show. There is no doubt that a higher volume of activity on the lakefront is a boost to downtown. The City is looking for ways to better connect pedestrians from the lakefront to the heart of downtown. We want to improve walkability by making it safe, convenient, and pleasant for visitors to traverse between the two areas.

Movers and Shakers in Southwest Louisiana...

Dr. Kedrick Nicholas Named Senior Vice President of Student Affairs at McNeese

Dr. Kedrick Nicholas’ appointment was approved at the June meeting of the University of Louisiana System (ULS) Board of Supervisors.

"Dr. Nicholas is a vital part of the McNeese community and his experience and innovative thinking are catalysts for momentum on our executive leadership team,” said Dr. Wade Rousse, president of McNeese. “I am confident that his leadership skills and student affairs acumen will help us achieve our university goal of stabilizing enrollment.”

Nicholas received his bachelor's and master's from McNeese and his doctorate in educational leadership at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. He has been a McNeese employee for 18 years.

“The path forward for McNeese requires innovative leaders who understand how to adapt to the changing dynamics of higher education. It is my pleasure to join Dr. Rousse as we strive to make McNeese a hallmark of higher education,” Nicholas said.

As senior vice president of student affairs, Nicholas will be overseeing and providing vision for all aspects of the student affairs at McNeese.

“The initial goals are to establish cohesion, to increase resource allocation efficiency and to effectively meet the student body's holistic needs,” he said.

As the senior vice president, Nicholas will work closely with Rousse on broad conceptual efforts on campus, university-wide budget management, partnerships with external entities and relationships with governing authorities on the system and state levels.

At McNeese, Nicholas has served as the dean of student affairs, dean of students, associate dean of students, director of campus life, engagement and student retention, assistant dean of student services, coordinator of student activities and a verification officer in the financial aid office. During the 2023-2024 academic year, he guided an institutional transition at the University of New Orleans as a special assignment from ULS.

Nicholas was recently awarded the Dan Seymour Award for Outstanding Commitment to Student Affairs by the Louisiana Association of College and University Student Personnel Administrators (LACUSPA). Nicholas is a past recipient of the LACUSPA Mid-Manager of the Year Award.

He also received the ULS James Caillier Innovation and Inclusion Award

for spearheading the ULS Black Male Summit, an event that fosters community building and networking to exchange strategies focused on success and opportunities for Black male faculty, staff and students. The fourth annual Black Male Summit took place in New Orleans last month.

“I do not take this opportunity lightly. My goal is to make an impact and leave a legacy that positively affects generations to come," he said.

CHRISTUS Ochsner Southwestern Louisiana Welcomes New Vice President of Strategy

CHRISTUS Ochsner Southwestern Louisiana welcomes new vice president of strategy and business development, Joban Singh. In his new role, Singh will develop and implement strategic initiatives to drive growth and enhance the organization's overall performance.

Singh has 10 years of experience in health care business development and is excited to bring his practices to the CHRISTUS southwestern Louisiana family.

“What really stood out to me is CHRISTUS’ core values of dignity, integrity, excellence, compassion and stewardship,” said Singh. “These values aren’t something we just display on a PowerPoint; our associates truly live this out with our patients and community.”

Singh said he admired how many associates he has met who have dedicated their careers to CHRISTUS.

"It seems like each associate I come across has been with the CHRISTUS family for 10 plus years and some as long as 40 years,” Singh said. “To me, this speaks volumes about the organization's commitment to its people."

Singh said he’s committed to growing with associates and leadership and becoming heavily involved within the southwestern Louisiana community.

“I knew quickly after meeting the team at CHRISTUS, this is where I wanted to be,” said Singh. “I am excited to be part of a team that values its associates, treats them like family and dedicates themselves to serving the southwestern Louisiana community.”

Dr. Kedrick Nicholas

Joban Singh

Oak Crossing Foundation Donates to Methodist Children’s Home of Southwest Louisiana

The Oak Crossing Foundation has extended its support for children in need in Louisiana with a $76,000 donation to the Methodist Children’s Home of Southwest Louisiana (MCHSWLA). The donation will support the construction of an outdoor swing gazebo on the grounds of the Children’s Home. This space will provide a scenic, shaded area for youth to engage in fellowship, family and group therapy.

The Methodist Children’s Home of Southwest Louisiana, located in Sulphur, La., provides comprehensive, intensive care for children with severe emotional and behavioral needs. LUMCFS delivers crucial services to Louisiana’s children by providing hope and healing through its residential care, therapeutic foster care, and community-based services throughout our state.

LUMCFS Vice President of Behavioral Health, Dr. Steven Franks adds, “This space is a blessing and one more example of how people can make a difference in the lives of youth and families.”

Oak Crossing Foundation founder, William “Dub” Henning, Jr., and his family are longtime supporters of the Methodist Children’s Home of Southwest Louisiana. They continue to be active supporters of LUMCFS’s mission, funding critical projects both for MCHSWLA and other LUMCFS programs around the state.

The Oak Crossing Foundation was founded to promote the culture and quality of life in our community. It has a strong commitment and support of arts through presentation and education. The foundation believes in the families of SWLA and tries to assist in endeavors that benefit and enhance children and their activities. For information about the Methodist Children’s Home of Southwest Louisiana, visit lumcfs.org.

Allen Parish Community Healthcare Awarded LHATF Funds For Safety Grant

Allen Parish Community Healthcare is one of 13 Louisiana healthcare facilities to receive the 2024 Funds for Safety grant sponsored by LHA Trust Funds. The annual grant program helps healthcare organizations fund their unique patient safety improvement initiatives. Allen Parish Community Healthcare’s Funds For Safety project will develop a comprehensive digital rounding system — using technology to conduct ordered routine check-ins with patients, assess their well-being, and address any concerns every 15 minutes — tailored specifically to behavioral health settings. The goal is to leverage digital technologies to streamline processes, improve accuracy, and ensure timely interventions, revolutionizing how safety checks are conducted within behavioral health units.

LHA Trust Funds created the Funds for Safety grant program in 2012 to help fund its members’ initiatives to improve patient safety. Since its creation, the grant program has awarded over $3.6 million to fund more than 100 unique projects for facilities in Louisiana. Learn more about the Funds for Safety grant program at https://bit.ly/funds-for-safety.

Allen Parish Community Healthcare Introduces New Patient Engagement Technology

APCH Rural Health Clinic in Kinder, La., announced the debut of a new patient engagement ecosystem that will power more effective doctorpatient interactions throughout its 16 exam rooms, patient waiting room and employee break room. The new technology from PatientPoint®, the patient engagement solution for every point of care, will deliver patient education and customized content throughout waiting rooms, exam

rooms and clinical areas.

“Our new PatientPoint technology helps APCH Rural Health Clinic fulfill our commitment to offering a high-tech, high-touch patient experience at no additional cost,” said Kimberly Caldarera, marketing director. “By offering this exciting new way to educate, inform and communicate with our patients and employees, we can facilitate enhanced patient-provider conversations that can lead to better health.”

PatientPoint offerings in the APCH Rural Health Clinic include the patient engagement leader’s Waiting Room device featuring educational and custom messages that the APCH Rural Health Clinic locations can leverage to inform patients of key services, support programs, patient portal access, events and more. The APCH RHC locations will also feature PatientPoint’s Exam Room device featuring videos, 3D anatomicals and other multimedia learning tools to empower physicians to simplify complex health topics for their patients. In the back office, PatientPoint’s Practice Engagement device will help the APCH RHC highlight key practice initiatives and keep providers and employees up-to-date on the latest industry news.

PatientPoint’s tech-enabled engagement solutions are proven to drive improved care outcomes. In test studies, PatientPoint solutions have led to a 20% increase in colon cancer screenings, a 28% increase in flu vaccinations and a 45% increase in mammograms.

“PatientPoint is proud to offer the APCH RHC tech-enabled engagement solutions designed to help create more effective doctor-patient interactions and deliver a more personalized, relevant patient experience,” said PatientPoint Chief Provider Officer Chris Martini. “We look forward to partnering with the APCH RHC to make a positive impact across the entire patient care journey.”

From the Desk of the McNeese Prez

It’s a brand new day at McNeese State University!

Our first goal is to stabilize enrollment. How are we going to do that? We start by keeping the students we already have. We will strive for continuous improvement in our students' educational experiences and offer academic support and a vibrant campus life.

We will welcome all students from the five-parish area with an admissions process that is as frictionless as possible. Students who want to come home to McNeese are welcome. Transfer students will find an easier transition to joining our McNeese family.

Other plans include critically analyzing our academic programs. We will work with community and industry partners to ensure that our students graduate with the skills they need to be gainfully employed and to have the curiosity to be innovative in their fields. Our McNeese will thrive when we create unprecedented community involvement and opportunities for our students, faculty, staff and fans.

A college degree is worth it! Data still suggests that on average a college degree has positive return-oninvestment over a high school diploma. A recent study out of Georgetown finds that the median life-time income of a college graduate is about $1.2 million higher than that of a high school graduate.

At McNeese, the possibilities are limitless! I am excited about the future at McNeese and students and families in the five-parish area should be, too.

Join our McNeese family, visit our website at mcneese.edu.

Dr. Wade Rousse McNeese State University President

Dr. Kedrick Nicholas Named Senior Vice President of Student Affairs

Dr. Kedrick Nicholas is now the senior vice president of student affairs at McNeese. His appointment was approved at the June meeting of the University of Louisiana System Board of Supervisors. "Dr. Nicholas is a vital part of the McNeese community and his experience and innovative thinking are catalysts for momentum on our executive leadership team,” said Dr. Wade Rousse, president of McNeese. “I am confident that his leadership skills and student affairs acumen will help us achieve our university goal of stabilizing enrollment.”

Nicholas received his bachelor's and master's degrees from McNeese and his doctorate in educational leadership at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. He has been a member of the McNeese employee community for 18 years.

As his career progressed, he witnessed the university grow and evolve and experienced the good times and the challenges.

“The path forward for McNeese requires innovative leaders who understand how to adapt to the changing dynamics of higher education. It is my pleasure to join Dr. Rousse as we strive to make McNeese a hallmark of higher education,” Nicholas said.

McNeese Students Create Interactive Trail for Riverside Park

McNeese graduate students worked with the city of Lake Charles to create an interactive element for the walking trail at Riverside Park.

The project started during a graduate-level creative writing class where associate English professor Dr. Wendy Whelan-Stewart and English professor Dr. Keagan LeJeune challenged the students to reconnect with the local ecosystem in Southwest Louisiana.

“We wanted to immerse our students in Southwest Louisiana habitat so that they

Radiologic Sciences Student Publication

McNeese State University radiologic sciences spring graduate, McKenzie Mitchell, made history by becoming the first McNeese radiologic sciences student to be published before graduation with her article, “Imaging Evidence of Eating Disorder.” She is also the first student nationwide to

could value it, speak for it and connect with its non-human inhabitants,” Whelan-Stewart said. “The students loved the class and affectionately called it the ‘plant class.’”

The students wanted to continue their work beyond the classroom, and Whelan-Stewart suggested Riverside Park. Along the trail in Riverside Park, visitors can use their smart devices to connect with a collection of meditative poetry, short pieces of fiction and brief bits of prose written by the students.

“We want everyone in Southwest Louisiana and beyond to know about this park and appreciate her grandeur, and through our enhanced programming, more people are visiting Riverside than ever before,” said Lake Charles Mayor Nic Hunter. “We thank Dr. LeJeune, Dr. Whelan-Stewart and all of their students for their dedication to improving quality of life in the city of Lake Charles.”

be published in the journal with a single-author article before a national certification is awarded. The article was included in the January 2024 issue of Radiologic Technology, the journal of the American Society of Radiologic Technologists.

Mitchell, of DeRidder, found her passion in radiology at McNeese. She said she wanted a degree that provided job security, earning potential and opportunities to grow.

“Through the classes, I realized that radiology is something that I truly enjoy,” Mitchell said. She originally wrote the article as a class assignment, not considering publication. It focuses on eating disorders and how advancements in medical imaging

McNeese Athletics Sign $2.5 Million Partnership with LCMHS

McNeese Director of Athletics Heath Schroyer has announced a strategic corporate partnership with Lake Charles Memorial Health System worth $2.5 million over three years, one of the largest partnerships in the McNeese Athletic Department's history.

have changed the way they are treated.

McNeese offers a Bachelor of Science degree in radiological sciences and one of only 50 accredited radiologic sciences bachelor’s degrees in the country. McNeese's radiologic sciences degree program boasts a 98% first-time pass rate on the national certification exam.

Mitchell has accepted a position at Lake Charles Memorial Health System as a computed tomography technologist.

“I’m excited to apply my education and skills while helping patients,” Mitchell said. “I’m very proud and grateful for all of the help and encouragement I received from professors at McNeese.”

Learn more about Cheniere: cheniere.com

Showcase your McNEESE Workforce McNEESE WORKS HERE

Join with other businesses and organizations across Southwest Louisiana to help energize the McNeese State University brand with a highly visible show of support. We are bringing back the popular McNeese WORKS Here campaign and are hoping even more businesses and organizations across SWLA — and beyond — will participate this fall.

Campaign Goals

• Demonstrate business support of McNeese.

• Communicate that McNeese graduates are a critical part of the local workforce.

• Show that great jobs are available for McNeese graduates in SWLA.

Multiple Ways to Participate

Media elements featuring employees who attended and/or graduated from McNeese included in your:

• Digital billboard rotation

• Social media content - static and video

• Online ads

• Print ads

• Internal communication

• Yard signs

As an added benefit, McNeese will include your McNeese Works Here designs in their social media.

Campaign Timeframe: August—December.

Help us flood local media with this campaign to show strong support for our local university.

Get Started

We’re making it easy to participate by providing a template design. It is critical for branding that the campaign elements be used consistently the same way across all organizations and media. Designs are approved and in compliance with the university branding guidelines.

Options for Designs

• If you have someone who can customize for you, Healthy Image Marketing Agency can provide the template design assets.

• Healthy Image has agreed to help any organization who needs a photo taken of the MSU graduates and/or their design setup at a discounted price.

• If you are not running any billboards but would like to, Healthy Image can assist with that pricing/placement. Several are offering discounts for this campaign.

• Thrive magazine is also offering a 20% discount for McNeese Works Here ad placment.

• If you’d like to see an example and get any help with a video segment, just email the contact below.

KEEPING KIDS HEALTHY

from infancy through adolescence

How often should I take my child for a well child visit?

*Well child checkups are recommended at these ages:

BEFORE ENTERING SCHOOL

• the first week (3-5 days)

• 1 month

• 2 months

• 4 months

• 6 months

• 9 months

• 1 year old (12 months)

• 15 months

• 18 months

• 2 years old (24 months)

• 2 1/2 years old (30 months)

• 3 years old

• 4 years old

• 5 years old

BEFORE RETURNING TO SCHOOL

• 6 years old

• 7 years old

• 8 years old

• 9 years old

• 10 years old

• 11 years old

• 12 years old

• 13 years old

• 14 years old

• 15 years old

• 16 years old

• 17 years old

• 18 years old

• 19 years old

• 20 years old

• 21 years old

*healthychildren.org

If you need a Family Medicine provider for you and your children, please visit lcmh.com/doctor or contact us at one of our convenient locations below.

Some Same Day / Next Day Appointments Available.

AGING well

Aging gracefully it’s what we all desire.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the number of global citizens who will be over the age of 60 will double by 2050. This is because people are living longer due to increased beneficial resources. But there are proactive steps you must take to ensure you stay healthier for longer. And if you or a loved one needs a little extra help, there are services to help. In the following section, Thrive provides insight into a few of the issues seniors face today.

MAKING Medicare SIMPLER

Johnson Funeral Home Begins Consultations

by Kristy Como Armand

After nearly 50 years of helping families make important decisions for themselves and their loved ones, Johnson Funeral Home has added Medicare consulting to the services they provide to the community.

“Over the years of being a funeral director, I routinely meet with people who have questions about not just funerals and end-of-life decisions, but also healthcare coverage and costs, including Medicare, which impact their planning process, says Andy Hankins, CEO of Johnson Funeral Homes. “In recent years, we noticed that the degree of concern in these questions was increasing, and we didn’t have the answers, so two years ago, we began the federal certification process so we could provide the guidance and answers people were asking for.”

Hankins says the goal of their Medicare consulting services is to ease the burden on families by assisting them in navigating the complexities of Medicare. “Many families are unaware of the benefits available to them through Medicare or find the system too complicated to navigate without help. By integrating Medicare consulting into our service offerings, we at Johnson Funeral Home hope to bridge this gap, providing valuable support when it is needed most.”

The Medicare consulting service at Johnson Funeral Home is free, and provides a comprehensive review by licensed, certified professionals. They offer personalized consultations to help families understand their options, determine eligibility, and maximize their benefits. This includes assistance with enrollment, plan selection, and understanding coverage details. This team is qualified to discuss original Medicare, Medicare supplements, prescription drug plans and all-in-one Medicare Advantage options.

“When it comes to Medicare coverage, most people want to think about it when they turn 65 or when they are getting close to that age. That’s when most people will get Medicare,” says Hankins. “But there are many people who work past 65. There are people who have just moved into the area, or who may be getting assistance from the state to help pay for some of their costs. Adult children who are just starting to take over healthcare decisions for their older parents may be unfamiliar with the options and requirements. These are all situations when someone would want to review to make sure they are getting the best policy for them.”

Open enrollment for Medicare each year is typically October through December, but Hankins says there is also a new rule this year for Medicare supplement plans. In Louisiana the rule is called “The Birthday Rule.” This means anyone can review their rates on their birthday every year no matter their age. Hankins advises using your birthday as a reminder to review your Medicare coverage and talking to a specialist for help navigating the complexities of all the options.

“Our goal is to provide peace of mind to our community in every aspect of their lives,” says Hankins. “By offering Medicare consulting, we are extending our care beyond traditional funeral services to support families in a more holistic manner.”

For more information about the Johnson’s Medicare consulting service, or to schedule a consultation, call Johnson Funeral Home at (337) 478-8687 or visit www.johnsonfuneralhome.net.

Wellness

‘It’s Not a Job but a Way of Life’ HOME INSTEAD’S ELMER JOHNSON WINS CAREGIVER OF THE YEAR

by Kerri Cooke

Elmer Johnson never expected to win the National Caregiver of the Year Award at the national Home Instead Convention in Nebraska last year. It still brings tears to her eyes after a bittersweet 2023.

Johnson was diagnosed with breast cancer last summer but says her treatments never kept her from her job. She is now cancer-free and says winning the award at the end of last year helped end 2023 on a positive note.

Johnson says her work is “not a job but a way of life.” She explains how she “loves talking to older people. As the world revolves, it changes. I can go back to simpler times.” When Johnson was 12 years old her grandparents moved in with her and her parents. She was tasked with looking after her grandparents before and after school, cooking meals and giving them their medications.

A native of Kinder, La., Johnson worked as a certified nursing assistant at Allen Parish Hospital until she moved to Lake Charles in the early ‘90s. She began working for Home

Instead after a 5-year stint at a local casino. Johnson says, “One day right before the holidays I was at work and prayed, ‘God, there has to be something better than this.’” She decided to bring her resume to Home Instead on her next day off. She was hired on the spot and began working for the business in 2012.

The advice Johnson offers is “don’t go into a profession just for the money. If you don’t have the compassion for a job, you will be going to work and not enjoying what you do. You can be a good worker, but some jobs are not meant for everybody.”

The mission of Home Instead is to keep seniors in their place of residence instead of sending them to a nursing home. Johnson says the business name is perfect because clients are “staying home instead of going somewhere strange.” The benefits of home care are especially poignant for dementia patients. Home care helps clients remain in a familiar environment during a time when their memory is declining. Johnson says she

watches game shows with dementia clients and encourages them to play along to keep their brain as sharp and stimulated as possible.

While Johnson was only supposed to be a part-time employee, she says she has never worked part-time. She loves her work and does as much as she can. Day to day, Johnson helps her current client by getting her out of bed, dressed, and making breakfast. She even takes her client on shopping trips. A similar routine is followed at night.

Johnson says during down time, she watches movies with clients. But she isn’t one to just sit around when something needs to be done, even if she is just providing company to the client. She scans the room and considers, “what can I do to help? What is the point of sitting when there are dishes that need to be washed?” For Johnson, the most rewarding feeling is “knowing that I’ve made a difference at the end of my shift.”

Meet the Newest Member of our Clinical Team

CHRISTINE HOFFPAUIR, Nurse

Practitioner

Imperial Health is pleased to welcome Christine Hoffpauir, APRN, FNP-C to our DeRidder Primary Care Clinic.

This clinic offers experienced, convenient healthcare services in DeRidder, backed by the resources of the region’s largest multi-specialty medical group – Imperial Health.

• Routine care

• Treatment for illness & injury

• Management of chronic conditions for patients

• Youth sports physicals

• Vaccinations & flu shots

• Lab draw services

• Other non-emergency medical concerns

Call today to schedule your appointment, (337) 202-7850.

Your hips are at the center of your life. Not only are they located in the middle of your body, but you also count on them to hold you steady and give you the range of motion you need to keep up with the demands of a busy, active lifestyle.

The hip is the largest weight-bearing joint in the body, supporting three times the body’s weight with each step. According to orthopaedic surgeon Michael Garitty, MD, with the Center for Orthopaedics, hip pain is becoming more common as active baby boomers get older and their hips start to show signs of

The care you need, where you need it – in DeRidder!

Accepting New Patients

Board certified Family Nurse

Practitioner with over 25 years of clinical experience

Bachelor’s degree in nursing, McNeese State University, Lake Charles

Master’s degree in nursing - family nurse practitioner, Herzing University, Wisconsin

Extensive experience in family medicine, obstetrics, surgery, and inpatient hospital care

Most insurance plans are accepted, including Medicare.

Christine Hoffpauir, APRN, FNP-C

the

shelf

This month’s column is dedicated to Jane Yolen, who proves age is just a number as she continues her prolific output as a writer, even at age 85.

Jane Yolen is the author of more than 400 books for both children and adults. Her background is in editorial work for various magazines and publishers in New York City, and she has won numerous awards, including the Jewish Book Award, two Nebula awards and two Golden Kite awards. Yolen’s latest work is garnering rave reviews.

Inspired by a quote from the late, great children's book author Margaret Wise Brown, Quiet As Mud honors and celebrates the beauty of being your authentic self. This poem, with its soothing rhymes and soft illustrations, conveys the peace of being alone with your thoughts. Beautifully illustrated in gentle, yet grounding colors, Quiet As Mud is a sweet introduction to the concept of being an introvert in a big, loud world.

For adults, Yolen recently released The Black Dog Poems written in partnership with Peter Tacy with whom she reconnected professionally and romantically during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Yolen says, “The Black Dog Poems is for David Stemple and Barbara Buchtel Tacy, now lost, but not yet gone; and for three wonderful black dogs: Mandy, Tilly and Gracie. They did what dogs can uniquely do; helping us cope and reminding us to celebrate even the saddest moments in our lucky lives. Three pets; two marriages, full of living and

love; and one late in life reunion of old friends who first met through poetry, sixty-three years ago, and are doing so all over again in a marriage of hearts, poetry, and minds.”

As an author with national acclaim, you can find Yolen’s books wherever books are sold.

The Bryce River Foundation presents inaugural Ride Towards Tomorrow

SUPPORT SUICIDE PREVENTION

Cycling Event • Mental Health Expo • Pop-Up Market

On August 24, the Bryce River Foundation kicks off Suicide Prevention Month (September) with its inaugural cycling fundraiser Ride Towards Tomorrow. Hosted by Crying Eagle Brewing Company from 7:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., the event invites cyclists and advocates to join in a significant initiative to foster community support and promote improved mental health and well-being. The foundation, named in memory of Bryce River Waldrop, supports mental health professionals and organizations who work to educate the community, train leaders to identify atrisk individuals and offer mental health counseling.

Through Ride Towards Tomorrow, the foundation raises awareness to eliminate the stigma surrounding mental health challenges. By combining the power of physical activity with advocacy, the event provides a platform for open dialogue and support for those affected by mental health issues.

Event participants choose from three different cycling routes:

• Family Ride (6 miles): Perfect for families and beginners, this ride provides a leisurely experience for riders of all ages. Participants will enjoy a rest stop at The Stables at Le Bocage where they can stretch their legs and admire the ponies before returning to Crying Eagle.

• Advanced Ride (50 miles): Geared towards experienced cyclists, this route ventures into the heart of Louisiana's countryside, presenting a demanding yet rewarding journey for those seeking a more rigorous challenge.

suicide prevention training. A pop-up market will feature products for sale from local retailers, craftspeople and artists.

Ride Towards Tomorrow will also feature a memorial garden to remember those who have died by suicide and show support for the families and loved ones who have been affected by it. “Cycling was one of River’s coping mechanisms for his depression, so launching the foundation that bears his name in conjunction with a cycling event felt like the right thing to do,” said Scott Waldrop, CEO of the Bryce River Foundation. “Our goal is to create a supportive community that isn’t hesitant, nor resistant to having difficult conversations about mental health and suicide.”

• Intermediate Ride (27 miles): Designed for cyclists seeking a moderate challenge, this route explores the picturesque landscapes surrounding Southeast Calcasieu, offering a mix of farm and pastureland on quiet rural roads.

For non-cyclists, there are other opportunities to support the initiative. Crying Eagle’s parking lot will serve as a mental health expo where visitors can access practical and educational resources, counseling services and information about

Suicide prevention is a critical concern that impacts millions of lives each year. Louisiana experiences 700 deaths by suicide annually. It is the third leading cause of death for individuals aged 10-34 in the state. Suicide affects people of all races, religions and economic classes. Every suicide death is preventable, and we mustn't ignore it or remain passive.

All proceeds from Ride Towards Tomorrow will benefit the Bryce River Foundation. For more information, event pricing and registration, visit bryceriverfoundation.org/what-we-do or email bryceriverfoundation@gmail.com. Follow us on facebook.com/bryceriverfoundation for updates and announcements.

Style & Beauty

A

Boutique with a Side of Nostalgia

by Kerri Cooke

Would you like to step back in time while shopping for modern, size-inclusive fashion?

You might have passed by Ashli Waldrep’s Wardrobe Mobile Boutique at local events such as Mistletoe and Moss, Chuck Fest, Downtown at Sundown and Flea Fest. Waldrop also partners with businesses to offer pop-up events.

The distinctiveness of Wardrobe Mobile Boutique is the inventory is housed in a 1957 Bellwood camper. Known as a “canned ham” or “tin can” camper, Waldrep says her quaint boutique “reminds people of when they used to camp in one of these as children and how much they enjoyed it. It’s a really fun way to connect with people.”

Since Waldrep’s boutique is mobile, she offers “stylish clothing and accessories to a diverse clientele. I have the ability to meet customers all over the region.” With a focus on quality clothing at affordable prices, shopping at Wardrobe Mobile Boutique is an interactive experience. The camper offers an intimate space to do some personal shopping but also emanates a vibe that will make you want to pull up a chair and reminisce. Waldrep also keeps some of her boutique stock at Mullers Vintage Market for more exposure to potential customers and as an opportunity for returning customers to find merchandise in between her pop-up events. In addition to local events, she plans on attending more events outside of SWLA in the future.

Rompers and jumpsuits are a necessary staple in any woman’s closet. Whether you’re getting ready to picnic under some live oaks, attending a fall festival or going on a date, rompers and jumpsuits take the stress out of deciding what to wear. These all-in-one pieces are ready to slip on at a moment's notice. Just add some jewelry, sandals and a statement hat.

Hallie Guillory with local online boutique Parish Line & Co. says, “I think jumpsuits and rompers are popular because they offer an effortless, stylish look with minimal effort. They combine the ease of a dress with the comfort of pants, making them perfect for any occasion. Plus, they come in so many styles, there's a perfect one for every body type and personal taste!”

A romper is cooler on humid days and lets you develop your tan. Look for pieces made of cotton and linen to stay cool in the Louisiana heat. A loose and breathable fit works well with a cool breeze and helps prevent heat rashes. You can find a basic romper in every color and with pockets to lounge in comfort.

Heading to the Caribbean? There are plenty of jumpsuits with floral and tropical patterns. Dressing for your destination lets you enjoy your vacation even more. A v-neckline and palazzo pants make an edgy but sophisticated fit.

Denim never goes out of style. The market is flooded with light, medium and dark wash rompers and jumpsuits for a casual day out. Add a statement belt to define your waistline or a belt bag to hold your essentials.

Tennis is trending, but you no longer have to save your attire for the court. Rompers made to look like tennis dresses are popular this season. The tennis romper is the perfect balance between chic, sporty and comfortable. Just add some statement tennis shoes to complete the look.

Jumpsuits combine utility with versatility. Add a white or black tee underneath, throw your keys in one of the cargo pockets, and you’re ready to rock and roll. Jumpsuits with spaghetti

straps also lend themselves well to layering.

For a dressy occasion, opt for a jumpsuit in a sleek fabric. Chiffon and high-quality polyester are popular options, and details such as pleating elevate a silhouette. Black jumpsuits will look good on everyone and can be accessorized in any way. But olive green and beige make a beautiful canvas as well.

Jumpsuits are the perfect medium between a dress and a coordinating jeans and tee look. The outfit is comfortable while also being adaptable to circumstances. Jumpsuits can be worn in colder weather and can go from work to play with just a shoe change.

While rompers are strictly a warm weather garment, they don’t skimp on style. Don’t forget to grab a one-shoulder, strapless or tank top version for your next visit to a local festival featured in Thrive’s festival guide.

Judge Lynn Toler

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17

LAKE CHARLES EVENT CENTER 8:00am - 4:00pm

Style & Beauty

Having long, manicured, or painted nails instantly draws the eye to the delicacy of the hands. And many women say they don’t feel complete if they don’t have their nails manicured. 2024’s nail trends invite everyone to be as maximalist as ever.

Nail embellishments are seen everywhere on social media. Alex Mai of Prestigious nails says, “nail embellishments are ways to enhance and give each nail variety, though they are not practical to everyday usage.” Designer Marc Jacobs continues to sport what can only be described as bejeweled talons. Other influencers can be seen sporting 3-D hamburgers on their acrylics or rings threaded through a pierced nail. As the world copes with Bridgerton fever, feminine embellishments like bows, pearls and rhinestones remain popular.

With the resurgence of jelly sandals, it should come as no surprise that jelly nails are also a trend. Jelly nails involve using a color with a degree of opacity so the nail still shines through. Opt for blues, red and greens to get a candy-like effect. The look can easily be achieved at home even without sheer polishes. Just add a few drops of clear nail polish to your color of choice.

Chrome and metallic nails continue to grow in popularity after glazed donut fever last year.

by Kerri Cooke

Mai says these finishes “give nails a visual effect from farther distances.”

Whether you want a chrome finish for a shiny nude effect or desire a striking silver manicure, metallics catch the light for simple yet glamourous nails. You can also experiment by getting a French manicure but applying a liquid gold to the tips instead of white.

Cat eye nails evoke the drama of that unmistakable streak of light in the feline orb. Nails are painted with a special magnetic polish. A nail magnet is then used to move the metal particles around to create a noticeable streak. Any color can be used for cat eye nails, but the trend lends itself best to dark and deep colors.

Aura nails signal the comeback of ombre. The color blending technique was at the high of popularity around 2010 before it faded, pun intended, into obscurity. To put the aura nail into perspective, imagine a circular dash of color in the top, middle or bottom of the nail. The color radiates from the central point before stopping and letting your base nail color show through. Aura nails look as if you’ve applied a dash of watercolor paint

There is always a market for sleek and minimalist nails. They’re easy, match everything and lend an air of sophistication to the wearer. Opt for soft nudes and pinks or a standard French manicure for soft, feminine energy. And you can always invest in a nourishing topcoat for natural nails to give you that subtle manicured look.

Money & Career the JUSTICE LOCAL LAW FIRMS LEAGUE

The practice of law and order is the foundation of civilization.

A city, state or country cannot run efficiently and effectively without some form of oversight. Lawyers are trained to ensure rules are being followed and if there’s a breach in integrity, to help bring about justice. The American Bar Association estimated that in 2022 the United States had 1.3 million lawyers. Whether it’s for family law, criminal defense or personal injury, most people will need the assistance of a lawyer at some point in their lives. With advice on everything from hurricane claims to divorce settlements, seeking the right expert for a specific problem is vital to seeing it resolved successfully. Thrive’s legal guide educates the local community on the ins and outs of modern problems and how to find effective solutions.

The Golden Age For Student-Athletes Selecting an agent for NIL Deals

The world of amateur sports is ever-changing and in the new age of name, image, and likeness (“NIL”), today’s student-athlete has much more to consider when making decisions concerning their future. NIL is the process by which an athlete is paid to promote themselves, national brands, and local small businesses. For many years, the primary governing body of amateur sports, the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), prohibited athletes competing in college sports from receiving anything of value besides a scholarship or stipend from the university in exchange for their services. Many athletes were disciplined and schools were stripped of wins and championships for violation of these rules. Thankfully, this restriction has been eliminated by court rulings across the country, and the NCAA is now taking a hands-off approach to regulating anything related to NIL. Regulation is largely left

to individual states and schools. Louisiana, like most southern states, allows athletes to earn compensation for their NIL, but does not allow for these payments to be made in exchange for playing time or skill. High school athletes are also allowed to receive compensation for their NIL through their governing body, the Louisiana High School Athletic Association (LHSAA).

Not only is NIL now legal, but it is also openly discussed in recruiting and is highly encouraged where it is attainable. The NCAA is also facing continuing litigation related to retroactive payment to former athletes, as well as employment classification of student-athletes and potential unionization and collective bargaining. In addition, we are witnessing an unprecedented era of conference realignment, which brings consistent changes and revisions to other NCAA rules such as the transfer portal.

It is an amazing and opportune time to be a student-athlete. Athletes and their families should consider engaging the services of several professionals while discussing the strategy to build and monetize their personal brands. Among the professionals to engage is an agent or contract adviser. Some agents and advisers are professionally educated through law or business schools, and most are regulated by a licensing board or association. Agents can be a very valuable resource to their client and often have cutting edge industry insight, which can help their client make better decisions and ultimately better deals related to their NIL.

The process of selecting an agent or adviser is a very personal one to each athlete, and clients should consider not only an agent’s education or experience, but also how the agent connects and understands their individual needs and goals.

STEPS TO CHOOSING A lAWYER 3

Someone once said lawyers are like root canals: no one wants to think about them until they need one. Once you need a lawyer, though, picking the right one can feel like hunting for a needle in a haystack. There is a wide variation in the knowledge and experience levels of lawyers, and it can be hard at first glance to tell who knows what they’re talking about and who doesn’t. In addition, lawyers who have a general practice are becoming dinosaurs. The “one size fits all” lawyer has all but vanished.

So, what’s a person to do when he or she needs legal assistance? Here’s a checklist of things to consider to help you identify the best lawyer for your needs.

Step One: Identify your problem. Start by understanding that different legal problems require lawyers with different skillsets. If you’ve been in a car accident, you want a lawyer who handles those kinds of cases. If a member of your family has died, look for a lawyer who knows the law of successions, donations, and perhaps

trusts, as well as gift and estate taxation. The car accident lawyer may not know jack about probating a will, and the successions lawyer probably handles very little litigation. Lawyers are like tools – it’s important to pick the right one for the job.

Step Two: Check for qualifications and experience. Any lawyer can advertise his or her services and pretend to have all kinds of qualifications. That’s as easy as paying for a billboard. What’s hard is developing a solid word-of-mouth reputation, which is why it remains the most reliable source of information about the quality of a lawyer’s services. Indeed, you should only trust what others say about a lawyer—not what they say about themselves. So, feel free to ask around about any lawyer you are considering. What is their track record? What is their experience level? The more information you gather, the more reliable your decision will be.

Ask about the lawyer’s education. Did he or she attend an accredited law school? Did they do well in law school? Once you know that, dig into their track record on cases similar to yours. If you can, find out how the lawyer is regarded

by judges and other lawyers. Has the lawyer been recognized for his or her accomplishments and contributions to the profession? Is he or she invited to lecture to other lawyers? Does he or she publish articles in the legal literature? These are all markers of particularly outstanding lawyers.

Step Three: Meet the lawyer. Once you have identified a lawyer you believe may be helpful to you, make an appointment with them. Don’t go into the appointment committed to hiring that lawyer. Ask questions. Get a feel for how he or she will be to work with.

Does the lawyer have a professional and qualified staff? Associate lawyers, secretaries and paralegals are a vital part of providing quality legal services for clients. Get a feel for them as well.

Remember, your legal problem may feel urgent, but it’s better to take a little extra time and hire the right lawyer than to rush in and find out later you made the wrong choice.

By following these three easy steps, you are much more likely to secure qualified and effective counsel to assist you in navigating legal problems.

by Madelaine Brauner Landry

It’s hard to reason with hurricane season, a six-month period of nailbiting anticipation that annually floods SWLA with memories of storms past, present, and yet to come. Insurance claim woes place high on the frustration list for homeowners who have experienced the wrath of past storms like Laura and Delta in 2020. The claims process moves at a glacial speed, while residents live for months, even years, in homes with blue-tarped roofs in need of repair. Some are even forced to live elsewhere until the claim is resolved. With the recent actions in the Louisiana Legislature, more frustration looms large on the horizon. New legislation promises to further delay payments and filings for bad faith lawsuits.

According to Mike Williamson with SWLA Injury Attorneys in Lake Charles, the changes that went into effect on July 1 do not bode well for Louisiana homeowners:

“Unfortunately, the Louisiana Legislature in the 2024 session conceded to pressure from insurance lobbyists to reform the Louisiana’s bad faith statutes in La. R.S. §22:1892 and 22:1973 in Senate Bill 323, enacted May 7, 2024. This [latest] amendment is now in full force and effect for the 2024 hurricane season.”

Louisiana previously had two statutes that dealt with bad faith in claims handling. Act No. 3 repeals one of these statutes,

doing away with a 200% penalty provision. However, it also adds a duty of good faith on the part of the insured, expressly stating that the insured, claimant, or their representative, have a duty of good faith and fair dealing when making a claim for insurance coverage.

A knowing commission of the following constitutes a breach:

• Failure to comply with affirmative duties under the policy, which include providing all the information requested by the insurer.

• Misrepresentation of pertinent facts or insurance policy provisions relating to any coverages at issue.

• Submission of an estimate or claim for damages that lacks a basis for coverage under the terms of the policy or lacks a good faith evidentiary basis.

Here is a “good faith” attempt to explain the recent changes, which are written in confusing legalese for the average insured person, residential or commercial. The Louisiana Department of Insurance says this new law “establishes a simple, clear timeline for the claims process that makes it easier for policyholders and insurers to understand what their responsibilities are during the claim.”

There was a previously imposed duty for insurers to pay claims promptly within thirty days after receipt of satisfactory proof of loss. Breach of this duty allowed recovery of consequential damages resulting from this breach, plus penalties, which were “not to exceed two times the [consequential] damages sustained or five thousand dollars, whichever is greater.”

“While the amendment to 22:1892 [still] allows for an award of consequential damages, the insured is not entitled to a penalty of twice their consequential damages,” explains Williamson. “Additionally, the amendments have created a complex cure period. Before an insured can file a lawsuit for bad faith, the insured, or their representative, must provide

sixty days’ written notice of the bad faith to the insurance company (the Cure Notice Period). If the insurance company pays the full amount of the demand within sixty days, plus expenses and attorney fees (not to exceed 20%), there can be no bad faith lawsuit for the amounts in the demand. If the insurance company issues a timely partial payment, any penalty on the amount paid is reduced by half.”

“Louisiana homeowners can expect insurance companies to use these amendments to further delay payment,” Williamson notes.

Property owners can find additional information from the Louisiana Legislature website, www.legis. la.gov. Research SB 323 or download Document 1372369.pdf

FAMILY WORKS: SANCHEZ BURKE, LLC. Reaching Resolutions and Mitigating Conflicts

THE IMPORTANCE OF FAMILY LAW

by Katelynn Mouton

All lawsuits are important to those involved. The practice of family law, however, takes on a personal nature of an entirely different level. It’s an area of law critical to the community.

“The practice of family law is focused on helping people resolve the most important problems they face concerning their relationships, their children, and their property,” says Walt Sanchez, partner at Sanchez Burke, LLC.

“Family law directly addresses the most personal and impactful aspects of individuals’ lives,” explains Clare Sanchez Burke, associate at Sanchez Burke. “Divorce, custody issues and property partitions are often emotionally charged and complex issues, affecting not only the involved parties, but also their extended families and social networks.”

By providing legal guidance and resolution, family law practitioners ensure

matters are handled fairly and with sensitivity, protecting the rights and wellbeing of all parties, especially children. The practice promotes stability and clarity during turbulent times, enabling individuals to rebuild their lives and foster healthy family dynamics. Given the sensitive, deeply personal, and often very complex nature of family law, attorneys in this sector are routinely called to work through challenging circumstances. Helping clients navigate the justice system provides them with the motivation needed to keep going.

“There is tremendous personal satisfaction in helping people, most of whom have never spoken to a lawyer before, understand the legal system, consider their options, and make important decisions for themselves and their children,” says Jennifer Jones, associate at Sanchez Burke.

This sentiment is echoed by Joseph Burke, partner at Sanchez Burke. “It’s incredibly rewarding to help a parent protect themselves and their children from an abusive and impaired spouse. It’s also rewarding to help the abuser

or impaired parent understand the full gravity of their conduct and get them into recovery or treatment, breaking the cycle.”

One misconception, according to Clare Burke, is the portrayal of family law practice as a battlefield. “This approach to family law amplifies chaos from the outset. Unlike other types of litigation, there are no outright winners and losers in family law. In a divorce or custody proceeding, there’s already been a tremendous loss. Our job as attorneys is to mitigate the conflict and help our clients reach a resolution in the best interest of their family and the children involved.”

Being a family-owned law practice uniquely positions the attorneys at Sanchez Burke to understand the needs of Southwest Louisiana families.

For more information on family law and Sanchez Burke, LLC, visit www.sanchezburke.com.

Saving One Life at a Time

by Tori Hebert

In Calcasieu Parish nearly 100 people die of an overdose each year. Most of these deaths are related to the synthetic opioid fentanyl. Local authorities, including Calcasieu Parish District Attorney Stephen Dwight, are working harder than ever to fight the fentanyl epidemic.

“Fentanyl overdose is no longer limited to regular drug users,” Dwight says. “The powdered version of fentanyl can be made to look exactly like prescription pills such as Percocet, Xanax, Adderall, or even over the counter medication like Tylenol.”

Local resident Tonya Doucette’s 21-yearold son Trey passed away due to a fentanyl overdose. After 15 months of sobriety, she says Trey was excited to live a new life and start a new job. But the night before his first day, Trey was nervous and decided to seek medication. He was unaware that the pill he took had fentanyl in it.

Just 2 milligrams of fentanyl, the equivalent of 10 to 15 grains of table salt, is a lethal dose and is almost impossible to detect. Because fentanyl is easy to make, criminal drug networks are mass producing fake pills but marking them as legitimate prescriptions and often sell them online.

“Anyone with a smart phone has access to medication that has been mixed with a deadly

Calcasieu District Attorney Working to End Fentanyl Epidemic

dose of fentanyl,” says Dwight. “ So how do we address this problem? The most effective strategy with illegal drug trade, including fentanyl, is to go after the dealers.”

Dwight says his office is working with local law enforcement to hold dealers accountable and anyone who distributes fentanyl or fentanyl-laced drugs to someone who overdoses will be charged with murder. “In my opinion, when someone suffers an overdose because they were unaware that something they were given had fentanyl in it, that is murder,” says Doucette. “I am excited to have a district attorney that cares about the community and our families.”

In 2021, Doucette created a nonprofit, Project Trey, in memory of her son. The district attorney’s office and Project Trey recently hosted a Fentanyl Awareness event where Dwight provided legislative updates on fentanyl statutes and discussed the new One Life at a Time program.

“I believe there is a lack of education and awareness surrounding fentanyl, which is why we have seen overdose deaths from nonaddicts,” Dwight explains “Our goal with this new program is to reach parents, youth, young adults and community members at large who would like to expand their knowledge on what

“ The powdered version of fentanyl can be made to look exactly like prescription pills such as Percocet, Xanax, Adderall, or even over the counter medication like Tylenol.”

fentanyl is, the consequences dealers can face, what to do if you are with someone with is overdosing, and the importance of only taking medication that is prescribed to you.”

To learn more about fentanyl and prevention, visit www.CalcasieuDA.com. To schedule a training or presentation, call Bethany Bryant at 337-437-3276.

Project Trey Recovery Café HELPING THE COMMUNITY OVERCOME ADDICTION

When Tonya Doucette lost her 21-year-old son Trey to an accidental overdose after he took a fentanyl-laced pill he thought would help him sleep in 2020, she was devastated. Doucette established Project Trey a year later to raise awareness about drug addiction and provide support to community members. Project Trey Recovery Café opened January 1, 2024. Here Doucette explains the mission behind Project Try Recovery Café:

Our mission statement is “Turning sorrow and despair into a caring and compassionate community one life at a time.” We are not the type of café that sells sandwiches or lattes. We’re an oasis that brings joy and strength through unity. Our overall goal is to transform lives. Everyone is worthy of love and deserves opportunities to fulfill their potential regardless of past trauma, addictive disorders, behavioral health challenges, or mistakes made. We recognize that everyone is in recovery from something.

Project Trey Recovery Café offers peer-to-peer recovery circles, educational and art classes, yoga, a platform for guest speakers, and activities like game and movie nights, karaoke, bingo, and live music. We have seen positive impacts in

our members as they engage in the communal environment. One member said he had never talked to anyone about losing his family. With tears in his eyes, he explained he felt safe to talk about it for the first time. This impact makes our dedication worth it. Personally, turning my pain into purpose is what keeps me going after losing my son.

Project Trey Recovery Café is the first recovery

café not only in our community but in Louisiana. Membership at our café is free and requires accountability to three commitments: to be drugand alcohol-free to enter the space, to participate in a weekly peer-to-peer circle and to contribute to the community.

You can visit Project Trey Recovery Café at 3902 Common St. Membership and activities are free of charge.

OUR MISSION STATEMENT:

“Turning sorrow and despair into a caring and compassionate community one life at a time.”

EVERY CASE IS PERSONAL

Richard Law Firm was founded by attorney Ron Richard with one goal – to be an aggressive advocate for victims. For over 25 years, his firm has done just that, earning not only a reputation for success, but justice and better lives for their clients.

The Richard Law Firm focuses on helping victims of:

Lauren Heinen knew she had to do her part when Jefferson Davis Parish lost an important man, District Attorney Kevin Millican, who passed away just six months after taking office.

Born and raised in Hathaway, La., on a family farm, Heinen was comfortable with responsibility from a young age. Her father was a 3rd generation farmer, growing rice and raising crawfish and cattle, and her mom was in education. There were plenty of late nights and early mornings for Heinen, both to take care of animals on the farm and to spend time with her father.

Heinen always knew she wanted to go to law school, but her mother encouraged her to get her bachelor’s degree in a different line of study as a backup. So, Heinen received her undergraduate degree from LSU in agricultural business with a concentration in management. She continued her education at the Paul M. Hebert Law Center at LSU and graduated with a Juris Doctorate in comparative law.

While clerking at Shows, Cali & Walsh in Baton Rouge, Heinen realized that working at a law firm in a big city was not necessarily where she wanted to practice law. A family member suggested Heinen return home, and she secured a position at notable Jennings law firm Marcantel, Marcantel, Wall, & Pfeifer.

Heinen noticed that small town practices had great relationships with clients, integrity and a level of professionalism not always seen in a large city. She felt honored to be a part of such a reputable law firm but decided to open her own law firm, Heinen & Guinn, with partner Alexander Guinn in 2018 with the goal of implementing time- and cost-saving technology into the local law process. Heinen & Guinn’s primary focus is on real estate, succession and family law.

by Kerri Cooke

LAUREN HEINEN

As a member of the Welsh Rotary Club, a volunteer attorney with Lawyers in Libraries through Louisiana State Bar Associations Access to Justice program, and counsel for Jefferson Davis Parish Sheriff’s Office, Heinen gained experience and stayed active in the local community.

Then, in 2022, after gaining 58% of the vote, Lauren Heinen was sworn in as the first female DA of Jefferson Davis Parish.

Thrive spoke with Heinen on her decision to run for office and breaking barriers along the way:

What prompted you to decide to run for DA?

I’ve always been interested in politics and how local policies affect the local economy. At the time, the entire parish was in mourning. We lost a wonderful person who had served the community his whole career. Everyone had a lot of hope when he took office. The loss forced people to step up and say, “what can I do?” It was not an easy decision because I like my corner of the world. I had to step out of my comfort zone, but the very core of who I am is a public servant. I felt I could do the job and do it very well and in a way no one else could at that time. If I had the ability to step up, then why not? I considered it a duty. After praying about it and coming to the decision to run, I spoke to my family and business partner. I didn’t want to go through it alone. The help, guidance and love they showed was a humbling experience.

How did it feel to become the first female DA of Jefferson Davis Parish?

I really didn’t think about being the first female DA, which says a lot for the female attorneys who paved way for people like me. They are the unsung heroes of the parish. They forged a path that allowed me to not consider I was going to be the first. It was just a matter of me knowing I was qualified and capable and had all of the tools in the toolbox I needed to do the job. I put together a team with the same values and vision to work together for the community. But being the first female DA is a huge deal, and I’m certainly very proud and humbled to be in this position and pave the way for other bright, intelligent females to come.

What were your priorities as the incoming DA and what changes have you implemented?

The DA has an impact on the infrastructure of the parish and the parish has struggled with economic growth. I was able to come home and have a career, and I want the next generations to have the same opportunity in the future. Fiscal responsibility is a large part of growth and I believe that the government should operate like a private business—in the black, not the red. We needed to have a budget to steward taxpayer dollars well and keep assessing things to make sure we’re taking care of business.

We also changed the structure of court dates to accommodate efficiency. We now have traffic court dates, pre-trial dates for non-incarcerated people and pre-trial dates for incarcerated people. We had cases that had been sitting for quite a while and needed to get them taken care of. People who are victims or survivors of crimes need the process to be final so they can start the process of closure.

Caring for our victims is essential. It helps them to understand the process and have someone to help them work through the various emotions involved. I hired a victim coordinator, and that is her job. We help victims and their families understand that this is manmade justice and it’s difficult

to navigate. We are dealing with a human being and all the different emotions that manifest—grief, anger, fear.

The challenge is the justice system is just that—a system. Everyday it’s a priority to make sure we are operating on all cylinders and our part of the system doesn’t bottleneck. The judicial process is not fast, but the goal is to make sure the process is operating in a manner that is efficient and effective.

What is your favorite part of the job?

I enjoy working with the stakeholders in the community. I enjoy communicating, problem solving and having tough conversations because there’s not always clear-cut solutions. The job allows me to be ingrained in the community and know how the community is being affected by decisions in the courthouse, fire house, police jury, school board. At the courthouse, we’re making sure we’re dedicating ourselves to making the community a better place and protecting the safety of everyone. It’s essential to keep the lines of communication open and it’s a pleasure to see the parish forging ahead.

What message would you like to give to the community?

I’m just a normal person. I hope people see somebody like me running for office and say if she can do it, I can do it. Be brave enough to step outside your comfort zone. We need regular people to step up. People who care, who are intelligent and understand the problems the community faces in local politics. I hope more people take up that gauntlet.

Micah O. Clemons

Todd S. Clemons

LNG Industries Put SWLA on the Global Map

Local LNG industries have a positive economic impact in Southwest Louisiana, putting our area on the global map as the largest exporter of liquified natural gas in the country. Natural gas is a cleaner-burning, abundant and affordable source of energy. When LNG is converted back to natural gas, it can be used instead of coal, reducing carbon emissions to the air by over 50%. With additional projects federally approved in SWLA, we are well-positioned to continue to be a world-wide leader in the LNG industry.

$48.5 million in property tax $40+ billion existing LNG facility investment

1,085 employees

PLANS FOR LC RESILIENCY SUMMIT 2024 ANNOUNCED

Lake Charles Mayor Nic Hunter announced plans for LC Resiliency Summit 2024. The one-day summit will be held on Tuesday, August 27, at the Lake Charles Event Center. Panel discussions will begin at 8 a.m., and the day will close with a reception beginning at 5 p.m. Cost to attend is $50 and includes lunch.

LC Resiliency Summit is being held on the fouryear anniversary of Hurricane Laura to highlight the recovery progress and to share valuable lessons learned throughout the process.

“The goal of LC Resiliency Summit is to highlight how a place The Weather Channel once described as ‘America’s Most Weather-Battered City’ picked itself up to make incredible strides in recovery. Just four years later, Lake Charles has become one

of America’s most resilient cities,” said Mayor Nic Hunter. “The hope is that our testimony may help other communities better prepare for and recover from future disasters by sharing the lessons learned along the way.”

LC Resiliency Summit will explore topics such as navigating and maximizing CDBG-DR, envisioning sustainable futures, unlocking FEMA, strengthening community lifelines and the state of insurance in Louisiana.

The summit will feature a series of panel discussions featuring representatives from the Office of Community Development, Community Foundation SWLA, HRI, GOHSEP, Entergy, and more. The Summit will feature a keynote address from FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell. To register, or learn more about LC Resiliency Summit, visit www. visitlakecharles.org/summit.

FOUR LYONDELLBASELL FACILITIES RECOGNIZED WITH AFPM SAFETY AWARDS

LyondellBasell is proud to announce four of its U.S. manufacturing facilities have been awarded some of the highest safety awards in the industry during the American Fuel and Petrochemical Manufacturers’ (AFPM) 2023 Annual Safety Awards event. The AFPM Safety Awards Program is part of a comprehensive safety program developed to promote accident prevention in the petroleum refining and petrochemical manufacturing industries.

“LyondellBasell is committed to championing our people by ensuring the safety and well-being of our colleagues and holding ourselves to the highest standards. Exceptional occupational and process safety performance is part of who we are and receiving these prestigious awards signifies our commitment to safety,” said Chris Tagoe, senior vice president, health safety and environment.

The Elite Platinum Safety Award is among the most distinguished safety awards, which represents the top 1-5% percent of the industry’s safety performers. The LyondellBasell Lake

Charles Louisiana Integrated PolyEthylene Joint Venture Site was the recipient of this award for its outstanding performance in 2023.

“At LYB, we strive to achieve industry-leading safety performance while partnering with our communities to advance education and create opportunities for tomorrow’s workforce. By championing our people every day, we work to develop, empower, and enable everyone to be part of a sustainable performance,” Yasser Elouri, manager, health, safety, environmental, and training.

AFPM's Elite Gold Award, the second highest safety award, recognizes facilities with safety performance within the top 5% of industry, demonstrating excellent program innovation and leadership over time. The LyondellBasell Elite Gold Award recipients include the Matagorda Complex and the Corpus Christi Site. AFPM's Elite Silver Award recognizes the top 10% of industry safety performance. The LyondellBasell Elite Silver Award recipient is the Victoria site.

OPTIMUM BUSINESS AND THE SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ALLIANCE ANNOUNCE THE FOUNDING OF THE L.L.B. GRANTS

Optimum Business, the provider of internet, mobile, TV, and phone services, and the Southwest Louisiana (SWLA) Economic Development Alliance

announce the founding of the L.L.B. Grants, which will directly fund 30 businesses across five parishes in Southwest Louisiana. The program will distribute $3,000 grants to each selected business recipient in Optimum’s service area to support their success and growth and expand upon their ability to provide for their customers and community

The SWLA Economic Development Alliance will offer grant winners a basic membership to the Chamber SWLA, which includes access to programs and services to ensure businesses in Southwest Louisiana have the resources they need to succeed.

“Optimum Business recognizes the vital role that small businesses play in the economic and social well-being of Southwest Louisiana, and we are proud to support them with the reliable and innovative connectivity solutions they need to evolve and thrive in a digital economy,” said Jesse Garcia, vice president, general manager of Mid Central at Optimum. “It’s critical that Optimum Business meets the needs of businesses across Louisiana, and we are thrilled to partner with the SWLA Economic Development Alliance to launch this grant program, which demonstrates our ongoing commitment to helping small businesses access the tools, resources, and opportunities they need to grow and prosper so that they can continue supporting their local communities.”

“Our region’s small businesses are critical for our economy and our communities, and we are grateful to Optimum Business for their support and partnership. Together with the SWLA Economic Development Alliance, they are offering 30 businesses a unique opportunity to share their stories and learn how technology and innovation can help them grow and thrive,” said George Swift, president and CEO of the SWLA Economic Development Alliance. “We are proud to partner with Optimum Business to launch this program and invite eligible businesses across the five-parish of Southwest Louisiana from all sectors to apply to the L.L.B. Grants.”

For more on the L.L.B. Grants, including submission requirements, official program rules, and how to submit, visit www.allianceswla.org/llbgrants.

PORT PRINTING MERGES WITH LAKE CITY PRINTING (LCP).

Port has served the Lake Charles area since 1910, with Joe Soileau as the manager for the last 32 years, while LCP opened in 1977. Owned by Peter Romero, LCP is the largest printing and mailing company between Houston and Baton Rouge. Port is LCP’s second acquisition. In 2017, they acquired Becker Printing in Beaumont. LCP also started FASTSIGNS in 2015, which is now owned by Mathew Romero. Learn more at www. lcpmail.com.