WWW.TIMESSW.COM • MARCH 6, 2008 / VOL. 13, NO. 5
March winds are blowing, and hopefully, they’ll guide this beautiful bracelet straight to your wrist! Cameron State Bank’s
Dazzling Diamond Giveaway is like a breath of fresh air, with a new diamond giveaway every month. You’ll be floating on a cloud if you’re the winner of this gleaming diamond bracelet.
But, you can’t get dazzled if you don’t register; so stop by any convenient location of Cameron State Bank. By registering for the diamond bracelet, you’ll also register for our Grand Prize, this $14,000 diamond ring to be given away in June.
THIS 14K YELLOW GOLD BRACELET GLISTENS WITH 2 CARATS OF RADIANT DIAMONDS.
DRAWING MARCH
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RegisterToday! PAGE 2
MARCH 6, 2008
Hurry in, before this dazzling bracelet sails away!
GENERAL . . . . . . . . . . . 617 Drew St., Lake Charles, LA 70601 Phone: 337-439-0995 Fax: 337-439-0418 PUBLISHERS Patrick Marcantel Scot Hebert
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march 6, 2008 Volume 13 • Number 5
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NEWS . . . . . . . . . . . EDITOR Kathryn Bergstrom timesedit@timessw.com
E M HO W O SH ICES V R E &S CTS U D PRO
ASSISTANT EDITOR Joseph Frazier CONTRIBUTORS Robert Dimmick Joseph Frazier Amie J. Herbert Roddy Johnson Matt Jones Ernest Levingston Jeanne Owens Patricia Prudhomme
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E N T E R P R I S E B O U L E VA R D Strengthening the Area Workforce . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
POLITICS John Maginnis ADVERTISING SALES MANAGER Andy Jacobson
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COLUMNS Who’s News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 Business Notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 Inside Baton Rouge: Biting the Hand That Feeds Them . . . . . .11 Roddy Johnson, Action Sports Photo
ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Patricia Prudhomme LeShai Brown GRAPHICS . . . . . . . . ART/PRODUCTION DIRECTOR Darrell Buck BUSINESS . . . . . . . . . BUSINESS MANAGER Romona Richard
The Times of Southwest Louisiana is published every two weeks by Patsco Publishing, 617 Drew Street, Lake Charles Louisiana 70601. Phone (337) 439-0995. SUBSCRIPTIONS: $25 per year. Bulk mailing permit #9 paid at Lake Charles, La. Postmaster: Send address changes to The Times of Southwest Louisiana, 617 Drew Street, Lake Charles, LA 70601. FAX to (337) 439-0418. The Times of Southwest Louisiana cannot be held responsible for the return of unsolicited manuscripts, photographs or illustrations, even if they are sent to us accompanied by a self-addressed envelope. Copyright 2008 The Times of Southwest Louisiana all rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without prior written permission is prohibited. DISTRIBUTION: The Times of Southwest Louisiana is available free of charge, limited to one copy per reader. The Times of Southwest Louisiana may be distributed only by The Times of Southwest Louisiana authorized distributors. No person may, without prior written permission of The Times of Southwest Louisiana, take more than one copy of each monthly issue from its racks.
COVER STORY It’s All At the Home Show . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23 FEATURES Saints & Bucs Take State Soccer Finals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12 Paving the Way – Traditional Neighborhood Development . . .14 Natural Wood Construction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18 Self-Guided Tour of Historical Lake Charles . . . . . . . . . . .20 The What-Used-To-Be-Here Tour . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26 Poison Ivy – A Year Round Problem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30 Plan Your New Lawn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31 The Suite Life at L’Auberge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37 ENTERTAINMENT Etiquetteer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7 Times Picks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34 Coffee Break Cross Word: “Pretty Cheesy” . . . . . . . . . . . .36 The Shadow: Fab Feb Food & Fun . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .39 Parting Shots . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .47
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Visit us online at: www.timessw.com Saints Cover Photo by Roddy Johnson, Action Sports Photo MARCH 6, 2008
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LETTERS
Another Success Story... The Times of Southwest Louisiana has been an instrumental part in starting my business. You really do get your words worth going with The Times of Southwest Louisiana. — Stacey Vezinot, Owner, Stacey’s Armoire
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MARCH 6, 2008
I saw Jim Serra's editorial last night, (Feb. 27) about "eyesore buildings" and I must say that my reaction was somewhat different. What exactly defines an "eyesore”? He never got around to that hingepin of a point. To blame property owners for crime and drugs in the city is a little like blaming the guy who brings you beach towels on a cruise for rainy weather. (There may be a relationship in timing, but it isn't causality). It's not unlike the Supreme Court trying to define pornography several years ago. To say that "you know it when you see it," to paraphrase one of the Supreme Court Justices, just does not pass muster social or legal muster. For KPLC to threaten property owners with being publicly outed on network television if they don't fix up their properties to Serra's or KPLC's unpublished standards really crosses the line for both reporting news and legalities. His suggestion that property taxes on defunct, warehoused, fallow or "eyesore" properties" should be based on a standard of what the property revenue would be if it were not an "eyesore" is idiotic. Serra also makes some specious and wrongly-based assumptions about
TO
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EDITOR
the cost to purchase, maintain, insure and profit from real estate, in the posthurricane environment. Personally, I think that the Bell South microwave relay towers across from KPLC are an awful eyesore and should be torn down and relocated. The same thing could be said of downtown parking lots where once historically significant buildings stood and now all we have are vacant "eyesore" spaces for cars. Second, the city has actually been extremely aggressive about pushing local building, home and land owners to bring properties up to code and visual standards since the hurricane. In fact, the city has been on a condemn and demolish spree over the past 2.5 years which has had both positive and unanticipated negative consequences. Serra's “eyesore outing” also comes at a time when loan money for refinancing, rehab and fix-up is scarce and expensive. Even though the Fed has been lowering rates, the cost to borrow for property purposes has barely budged, and in many cases, increased due to lenders tightening to try and cover their foreclosures and risk.
Property owners are, as a group, already overstressed financially due to the hurricane and the Rita's consequences of insurance entanglements, city building codes, taxes and lost revenue from both commercial and residential vacancies. These property owners as a group have few resources to fight KPLC on this blatant mission of a publicity stunt disguised as easy news. Richard Hogarth Lake Charles
Submitting a “Letter to the Editor” Send your comments for consideration by email to timesedit@timessw.com or fax to 439-0418, or mail to 617 Drew Street, Lake Charles, Louisiana, 70601. Include your name, address, phone number and other pertinent information. We will not print anonymous comments.
NEWS
ABOUT
SOUTHWEST
LOUISIANA
ENTERPRISEBOULEVARD Strengthening The Area Workforce By Amie J. Herbert evelopment has been a big buzzword around SWLA. Lakefront development, economic development and downtown development have each become part of the collective conscience, and the glue that holds them all together is workforce development. In 1998 President Clinton enacted the Workforce Investment Act (WIA,) which provides states and localities with the opportunity to build effective systems of labor exchange and develop the workforce on a broad scale. The result of the WIA locally is the One Stop Career Center, located on 5th Avenue. There are 18 of these One Stop job shops across the State of Louisiana, and the 5th Avenue branch covers Calcasieu, Cameron and Jeff Davis Parishes, while the Police Jury offers guidance and oversees the program. It’s something Calcasieu Parish Consortium Workforce Investment Board Director Jean Augustine feels very strongly about. “We can provide everything from teaching interview skills and hosting job fairs, to customized individual training that include special accounts to provide books, supplies, even tuition and childcare,” says Augustine. Augustine says the One Stop Career Centers offer complete job-training consolidation, which makes it easier for both those seeking employment and the employers to find their match. “The employer can come to us (with their specific needs) and we can provide the training required (for the employee,”) Augustine says, “We provide total business and career solutions.” The One Stop Career Centers have seen their share of problems. In trying to implement the WIA, One Stop Centers often are left working with limited, thinlystretched resources. Hurricane Rita, also, did her fair share in damage, however Augustine says the impact of the ‘05 storms led to a redesign of the centers to offer more continuity. “We have definitely seen a spike (in people coming in) since Katrina and Rita,” says Augustine, “We are seeing an increase from both employers and employees.” A vital task facing the Police Jury and other policy makers is creating a broad vision to face the changed realities of the labor market. With this vision in mind, the Imperial Calcasieu workforce team is hoping to collaborate with the Southeast Texas Workforce Development Board which has seen great success, especially with outreach to high school students. Partnership Strategies, LLC President and Industrial Alliance Facilitator for the SETX Workforce Development Board Mark Viator sees the Southwest Louisiana and Southeast Texas partnership as a natural fit.
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“We really are mirror images of each other,” says Viator, “Both have a petro-chemical base, share the Sabine, have a similar culture, and a shared workforce, along with (our regions) sharing the same issues such as dealing with Hurricane Rita and the housing shortage.” Viator along with area policy makers are hoping to reach a common goal when dealing with the developing workforce, but the going, according to Viator, can be somewhat slow. “It’s a little like pushing a rock up a hill,” says Viator, “But we could have four Senators instead of two working towards this common goal.” According to Viator, both Southeast Texas and Southwest Louisiana must focus on two objectives. The first is to identify the workforce needs by recognizing how many citizens are currently seeking employment, and how many citizens are anticipated to seek employment. The second task to is get the workers trained locally, which would include recruiting skilled workers, setting training goals, and to pull from both the general population as well as students. According to its website, the mission of the Southeast Texas Workforce Alliance, which is an ad-hoc subcommittee of the SETX Workforce Development Board, is to work with existing development groups to identify resources that provide employers with solutions to meet their manpower needs and support economic development, wealth, and quality of life for individuals, businesses and communities. Viator sees this mission as being a common goal to be met between both of our regions. “If we can (together) develop the vision and communicate it,” says Viator, “We can do so much more together than separate.” Viator stresses that what he is proposing isn’t about creating a competing workforce, but rather a collaboration, and says that especially since the 2005 Hurricanes, the Southeast Texas and Southwest Louisiana regions have shared a common construction workforce. He sites one job in Southeast Texas where out of a pool of 3500 workers, 20% of them were from Southwest Louisiana. “Hurricane Rita caused us to work together as never before,” says Viator, “and by (our regions) continuing to work together, we can reach our goals.” For more information on the Lake Charles One Stop Career Center, visit their website at LaWorks.net, which offers comprehensive online services including resume posting, on-site service listings including fax machine and internet access, as well as business planning and youth career planning.
Who’s News Numerous associates with RE/MAX Realty Pros in Lake Charles received honors at the RE/MAX Dixie Region Louisiana Awards Ceremony held recently at the Sheraton Barbara Diamond Hotel in New Orleans, LA. Barbara Diamond received the Platinum Club Award. It was the second consecutive year she had received this award. Tammy Ardoin, Karen Lydia Holland Davis, Robert Denison, Analee Gregory, Lydia Holland, Julie Lewis, Rohn J. McManus and Suzanne McCoySawatzki received the RE/MAX 100% Club Award. Ernestine Karen Davis Andrus, Arthur Dial and Jade Miles all received the RE/MAX Executive Club Award for the first time. All the awards are given by RE/MAX International and based on their criteria. hese RE/MAX Club Jade Miles Level Awards are presented to associates based on the associates gross closed commissions for the year 2007. Robert Denison was also awarded the Cooperative Spirit Award by Continued on Page 6 MARCH 6, 2008
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Who’s News, Continued from Page 5
his peers at RE/MAX Realty Pros in Lake Charles. This is the second time Mr. Denison has been so honored by his peers. Brian Bimle received the award for the Highest First Gross Commission Check paid to a new RE/Max associate during 2007. Broker/Owners Pat and Barbara Diamond were named Broker/Owners of the Year for 2007 out of the 37 RE/MAX offices in Louisiana. LSU School of Veterinary Medicine students, David Espinosa and Kayla Prejean were recently presented their white coats as they enter the second phase of their education at the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine. The ceremony of presenting the students with the traditional white coat of a doctor represents the transition from the classroom to the clinical stage of their education. The Sulphur graduates are two of 74 remaining students that are expected to earn their Doctor of Veterinary degree in 2009. Espinosa is a 2002 graduate of Sulphur High and received his Bachelor of Biological Science from LSU in 2005. David is the son of Romeo and MeMe Espinosa of Carlyss. Prejean is a David Espinosa and Kayla Prejean 2003 graduate of Sulphur High and was also accepted to the LSU Veterinary School program in 2005. She is the daughter of Tommy and Paree Prejean of Sulphur. Both students have received scholastic honors and been named to the Dean’s Honor List. Rodney K. “Poncho” Seaford, a 20-year veteran of the Louisiana banking industry, has been promoted to Market President of Chase in Lake Charles and head of the firm’s local Business Banking unit. Seaford is a Sulphur native and a graduate of Sulphur High School and McNeese State University. He was an All-Academic All Conference football player in the Southland Conference and a member of the Blue Key Honor Fraternity. Seaford replaces Wayne Gabbert, who will remain on the team as a Senior Advisor in the Lake Charles market. Lake Charles Memorial Hospital has announced that W. Gerry Hebert, M.D., Peter W. Karam, M.D., Brian D. Clements, M.D., and Craig V. Broussard, M.D., internists with Internal Medicine Clinic of Lake Charles, were recently awarded recertification by the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM). Certification by Peter W. Karam, M.D. W. Gerry Hebert, M.D. the ABIM, a non-profit, independent evaluation organization, demonstrates that a physician has met vigorous standards through intensive study, self assessment and evaluation. Additionally, certification encompasses the six areas established by the Accreditation Council on Graduate Medical Education (ACGME), and sets the stage for continual professional development through valCraig V. Broussard, M.D. Brian D. Clements, M.D. ues centered on life-long learning. Internal Medicine Clinic of Lake Charles is located at 2770 3rd Avenue, Suite 350. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call (337) 494-6800. Belinda Y. Hughes invites Lake Area art lovers to experience her new online gallery at http://belinda-y-hughes.tripod.com/. Images include sites throughout the area, from shrimp boats at sunset on the Intracoastal Canal to a shadowy cypress swamp at Sam Houston Jones State Park. Other works range from Iowa railroad scenes, sunrises and sidewalks to the Bilbo Cemetery’s Millennium Christ and Children with Dove statuary. Mostly self-taught, Hughes is a member of Lake Area Photographers and http://www.foundmyself.com art communities.
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MARCH 6, 2008
Rebecca Robinson performed with the Universal Cheerleader Association “All Stars” in the 2008 New Year’s Parade in London, England. Robinson is a 10th grader at Westlake High School. Additionally, Westlake High cheerleaders Brittany Guidry (11th grade) and Jacey Newlan (12th grade) were selected as “All Stars” for the Universal Cheerleader Association. Patty Hamilton is the cheerleader sponsor.
Leslie Harless, Vice President of Marketing at Cameron State Bank, along with Roy Raftery, Jr., President and CEO, and Mary Williams, Senior Vice President, presents a diamond ring to Lydia Jacob, winner of the January giveaway.
Lydia Jacob of Lake Charles was the first winner in the Dazzling Diamond Giveaway, sponsored by Cameron State Bank. Jacob won January’s prize, which was a diamond ring valued at $1,000. She registered at the University banking center in Lake Charles. Jacob was presented with her new diamond ring by Roy Raftery, Jr., President and CEO of Cameron State Bank. The Dazzling Diamond Giveaway continues with a new diamond jewelry piece to be given each month through June. February’s giveaway is a diamond heart necklace. The grand finale drawing will take place in June for a $14,000 diamond ring.
Cole Bistok, Rose Pekol, Robert ‘Bret’ LaBauve, LaShonda Manuel, Tom Gaspard, Kenneth Stratton, III
L’Auberge du Lac Casino Resort recently announced its February Five Star Employees: Cole Bistok, a Jack Daniel’s Bar & Grill barback; Kenneth Stratton, III, a beverage server; LaShonda Manuel, an advertising coordinator; Robert ‘Bret’ LaBauve, a table games dealer; Rose Pekol, a table games dealer; and Tom Gaspard; a slot floorperson. Tom Gaspard was also designated as the Employee of the Month and is now eligible to receive the coveted Employee of the Year award. In recognition for their hard work, the employees receive a substantial cash prize, a personalized L’Auberge gift, a month of VIP parking and gift certificates. The employees received their awards on February 26 at a Recognition Luncheon with L’Auberge Vice President and General Manager Larry Lepinski. At an earlier Chamber SWLA Executive Committee meeting, the Chamber SWLA ratified its affiliation with Fusion Five, a young professional’s organization, to promote community involvement within the 21-45 age bracket. Fusion Five Board members include: Chairman, Courtney Hearod of U.S. Senator David Vitter’s office; ViceChairman, Adam Benoit of Flavin Realty; Publicity Director, Andrea Bacarisse of E2E Technology; Scribe, Charles “Vic” Vicknair of Ronnie Johns’ State Farm Agency; Founder, Sharon Galicia of Coffee Beanery; Tech Chairman, Chris Bacarisse of E2E Technology; Meeting Facilitator, Deb McCormick of TEAMed Up. Board Members at large are Mallory Wall-Padgett of Capital Cyclery and Cody Vicknair of Reeves Development. Fusion Five began meeting in the Spring of 2007 with the goal in mind to create a true Young Professionals Organization that would educate, facilitate and illuminate the voice of young professionals. To join Fusion Five log onto our website at www.fusionfive.org or contact Andrea Bacarisse at (337) 436-4774.
still trouble with white bucks, unfortunately. And Haspel, the venerable maker of seersucker suiting, neatly sidesteps the issue by not photographing any of their seersuckered models full-length in their catalog. Once upon a time, as recently as forty years ago, loafers were considered casual shoes and lace-ups or wingtips were the only shoes you could wear with a suit. Nowadays, with everyone wearing athletic shoes and Crocs with casual clothes, loafers or slip-ons are seen more often with suits. But Etiquetteer thinks the tassels might be just the least bit too flippant, so plain loafers might look more professional.
Dear Etiquetteer:
Dear Etiquetteer:
I have a blue seersucker suit, but am confused as to what shoes to wear with it. I have a pair of slip-on light brown loafers with tassel. Will this work, or am I just plain tacky?
Dear Shod:
It depends on when you’re wearing it. Between Memorial Day and Labor Day, white bucks are most Perfectly Proper with a seersucker suit. There aren’t that many men who
I’m getting married soon, and want to know if it’s OK to include a link to our gift registry on our wedding website. So many people ask it seems like it will be easier.
Dear Bride to Be:
It depends on how greedy you want to appear. If you don’t mind at all that people will think you’re a grasping, selfish young lady who is only inviting people to her wedding because of the gifts she expects to receive, then by all means, post a
Unique Gifts and Accessories
link. Please forgive Etiquetteer’s Moment of Temper. You are very correct that a large number of guests at any wedding will ask about what a couple might want as a gift. But not everyone does, far from it. Create a registry page, by all means, but don’t provide a link to it from your wedding home page. When your guests ask you or your mother (these questions frequently come to the bride’s mother), e-mail them the link to the registry. In this way, Perfect Propriety is preserved. And if your mother doesn’t have e-mail (still a possibility) she can go back to the old-fashioned way and tell the querents “Oh, they’re registered at [Insert Name of Retailer Here]. Just ask for the list.”
Dear Etiquetteer:
What should I wear to a wedding in March?
Dear Guest Appearance:
for the lady is most Perfectly Proper. Assuming that you are invited to a wedding that begins before 5:00 PM, gentlemen would wear dark business suits and ladies could wear day dresses or suits. Etiquetteer immediately thinks of those nubbly wool Chanel suits of the early 1960s. Add a hat, and Etiquetteer will love you forever. If March in your region is cold, this is also the time to get out your fur piece. Etiquetteer remembers Edith Wharton’s amusing description of “all the old ladies of both families” at Newland Archer’s wedding to May Welland. The wedding was in earliest April, and the ladies in question had all dug out their grandmother’s fur pelisses, scarves, tippets, and muffs for the occasion – so much so that Newland Archer noticed the smell of camphor over the wedding flowers.
Do you have questions about restaurant etiquette? Please send them right away to query@etiquetteer.com!
Regardless of the time of year, take your cues from the invitation. For an evening wedding, if it says “black tie” or one of its many tiresome variations as “festive black tie” or “creative black tie,” then a tuxedo for the gentleman and a long gown
• Crabtree & Evelyn • Bluewick • Ayala Bar • The Thymes • Onesoles • Caldrea • Jon Margeaux • Votivo • Z Becky Brown • Voluspa and much more!
3204 Ryan St. • 337-433-6200 MARCH 6, 2008
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BUSINESS Graywood has announced the completion of the Cypress Turn Townhome development. The new neighborhood features charming New Orleans architecture, easy-to-maintain landscaped yards, scenic views and easy access to all the recreational amenities located within the Graywood community. There are only five units remaining, and each is ready for immediate occupancy. The home sizes range from 1860-2352 square feet, and several floor plans are offered. Additional amenities include granite counter tops, hardwood floors, 10-foot ceilings in living areas, crown molding throughout, private courtyard and enclosed garage. An open house at Cypress Turn is being held on Sunday, March 9, from 1 to 4 p.m. Visit Graywood online at www.graywoodllc.com for more information, or contact Linda Roan, listing agent, at Flavin Realty, broker, 540-2773. The Hanchey Law Firm has relocated its offices to 535 East Street in Lake Charles. The new location is in a beautifully restored Garden District house originally built in 1909. Attorneys David H. Hanchey and Carl H. Hanchey bring together over 60 years of experience in the legal field. They formed this firm a year ago to focus on personal injury and wrongful death litigation, commercial litigation, general civil litigation, real estate, successions and commercial law. For more information, call the Hanchey Law Firm at its new number, (337) 436-5551, or visit www.hancheyfirm.com. Free Small Business Forum. Need cash for your small business? What are bankers looking for when they consider your request for a business loan? What kind of cash and collateral requirements and interest rates can you expect? Area bankers will answer your questions regarding funding for small businesses in your community at the Free Bankers Forum, Tuesday, March 11, at Walker’s Cajun Dining (just of of I-10) in Jennings. Registration begins at 4:30 p.m. This event is free, and dinner is included. To pre-register, phone 337.475.5529, or email to LSBDC.MSU@lsbdc.org. Event is presented by the Imperial Calcasieu Resource Conservation & Development and Louisiana Small Business Development Center, McNeese State University.
notes Cameron State Bank now offers Community Check Cashing to help the “un-banked” population in Southwest Louisiana. Roy Raftery, Jr., President and CEO, says the service was created to provide a more affordable check cashing option for those people without a regular or local bank. Community Check Cashing can be used for payroll, government or tax refund checks, and is available inside all Cameron State Bank banking centers. A brief, secure enrollment process is required. Leslie Harless, Vice President of Marketing and Product Development for the bank, explains that this enrollment process takes a little over one minute, and all that is needed is picture ID, social security number and thumb print for security. From now through April 16, Community Check Cashing is being offered free of charge. After that date, a 1.5% fee will apply. The maximum check amount that can be processed with the service is $4,000. Three free money orders are available every time the service is used. For more information about Community Check Cashing at Cameron State Bank, stop by any branch, or call (337) 312-2265. McNeese State University has been awarded $55,478 in service-learning grants by the University of Louisiana System to fund three projects that will enhance the teaching and learning experiences both in and out of the classroom for McNeese students. The McNeese grant was among 22 service-learning projects recently awarded grants totaling over $450,000 by the UL System. The grants are made possible through a three-year, $1.2 million grant to the UL System from the Learn and Serve America division of the Corporation for National and Community Service. These awards are in the second phase of the three-year grant program. The grants will fund the following McNeese service-learning projects: *Assessment of Rural Well Water Quality in Southwest Louisiana in the PostRita Era, a partnership with McNeese students and the Calcasieu Parish Health Unit and the Lake Charles Division of the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality to assess well water quality in Southwest Louisiana that may have become contaminated from the 2005 hurricanes. *Children in Balance Service-Learning Project, a partnership with McNeese dietetic students with Fairview Elementary School to teach elementary students how to select healthy food and how to participate in fun physical activities. *Technology Training for Hurricane Preparedness, is a partnership with McNeese students and local public libraries and non-profit agencies to provide technology training to the public, specifically focused on how to search for and post information in the event of an evacuation. Left: William “Dub” Henning, vice president of Cameron Communications and president of Unibill LLC, presents a $5,000 check to McNeese Coordinator of Athletic Development Pam McGough for the 2008 Denim and Diamonds event. Cameron Communications served as presenting sponsor for the athletic foundation fund-raiser.
Suzanne Germany with Waste Management with Missy Stuart and Bryan Redler with Amerisafe.
Recently, Waste Management teamed up with Amerisafe Corporation to Think Green in a big way. Amerisafe, based out of DeRidder, La, had been storing all of their outdated computer equipment in one of their warehouses for quite some time and was quickly running out of room. When local sales representative Suzanne Germany met with Vice-President Ed Longanacre, she asked how they were going to dispose of it. She then introduced them to eScrap™, one of Waste Management’s recycling programs, which allows companies to safely dispose of all of their computers, fax machines, printers, etc. Amerisafe estimates they are now properly disposing of over 2.5 tons of equipment and are thinking green. Waste Management also has recycling initiatives for fluorescent bulbs, used batteries, and dental equipment. For more information, contact Suzanne Germany at 337.430.3057 or sgermany@wm.com. PAGE 8
MARCH 6, 2008
Get Some Green to Keep It Beautiful. For the third consecutive year, Keep Louisiana Beautiful (KLB) is offering grants to communities committed to reducing litter in their jurisdictions. Keep Louisiana Beautiful will award up to $15,000 per entity to eligible applicants who are are 501c3 nonprofit organizations, governmental agencies, and affiliates and pre-certified affiliates of Keep America Beautiful. The application deadline for interested organizations is March 17, 2008, and all grants will be awarded on or before April 1, 2008. Recipients must complete all projects and work related to the grant by January 31, 2009. The original application and five copies must be postmarked by March 17, 2008. For a complete list of requirements or questions regarding the Keep Louisiana Beautiful Community Grant Program, please visit the website at www.keeplouisianabeautiful.org or contact KLB Executive Director Leigh Harris at leigh-harris_klb@cox.net. Keep Louisiana Beautiful is a volunteer based service organization dedicated to a healthy and litter free Louisiana. For more information, visit www.keeplouisianabeautiful.org.
BUSINESS
notes
PPG Re-routing Discharge Canal. PPG Industries will begin work on the next phase of a project to remediate and re-route the water discharge canal at its facility here. PPG uses the canal to control rainwater runoff and to discharge its treated cooling and process water. The water is treated to meet Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (LDEQ) and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) standards. The one-year $10.8 million project will include work on the upper section of the canal. PPG’s contractor, Remedial Construction Services, LP, will stabilize sediments containing low levels of chlorinated hydrocarbons and metals. These sediments will be contained in place through the use of a fabric material filled with concrete. This process will prevent movement of the sediment in the future. The project will also involve re-routing the canal’s discharge point from Bayou d’Inde to the Calcasieu River. Manns said this work will simplify future remediation work on the lower canal. He added that the project will benefit wildlife and fishery habitats in the area by creating approximately 15 acres of wetlands adjacent to the I-210 bridge. All necessary local, state and federal permits for this project have been received. The project is expected to be completed by the end of 2008.
Shelley Johnson, executive director of the Southwest Louisiana Convention & Visitors’ Bureau presents a certificate or recognition to Chad Talbot and Johnny Guillory, representatives of the Iowa Rabbit Festival, at the bureau’s Feb 21 board of directors meeting. The Iowa Rabbit Festival was recently named a Top 20 Event of the Southeast Tourism Society
Rabbit Festival Takes Top 20 For March. The Southeast Tourism Society (STS) recently honored the Iowa Rabbit Festival as a 2008 Top 20 Event for the month of March. The festival will be held Friday-Sunday, March 1416, at Lawrence Toups Jr. Memorial Park with Cajun, Country, and Zydeco music, carnival rides, a petting zoo, food and craft vendors, a parade, and of course, rabbits! The Top 20 Events publication is distributed to 125 American Automobile Association offices and to more than 300 newspapers, periodicals, radio stations and television stations. For more information, contact the Southwest Louisiana Convention and Visitors Bureau at (337) 436-9588, or visit www.visitlakecharles.org. Excellence Proven at The Paper Place. The Paper Place of Lake Charles, Louisiana received a Carlson Craft excellence award for 2007. Each year Carlson Craft, the nation’s leading wholesale printing company, presents only a few select businesses with this prestigious award for outstanding performance and exceptional sales achievements. McNeese Athletics Selling Grass. A bit of McNeese State athletic history is available to the public as one and a half foot squares of Cowboy Stadium turf is being sold. Persons interested in the souvenir can contact the athletic ticket office at 475-5203. The squares are $10 each. McNeese State just broke ground on the replacing of the sod with artificial turf. This new turf is expected to be in place in 60 to 70 days. Local businessman and longtime McNeese supporter Robert Noland provided the funds for the new turf. The Cowboy Club, Quarterback Club and Petrochem Club supplied some additional funding.
United Way Welcoming Alternative Spring Break Volunteers
H
undreds of students from across the country will be spending their spring break in Southwest Louisiana as part of United Way’s Alternative Spring Break (ASB) 2008. Young adult leadership has helped to multiply the effects of ASB, bringing young adults to communities along the Gulf Coast and in Detroit, Michigan, and resulting in ongoing community involvement beyond the event. “Young people — age 18-24 — will begin arriving this weekend to help with hurricane recovery. They will show up at the Southwest Louisiana Volunteer Housing Center, drop off their backpacks and suitcases and roll up their sleeves – ready for work”, stated Tom Morris, President/CEO of United Way of Southwest Louisiana. “Some of them are returning veterans from last year when we hosted, with the help of others, the first Alternative Spring Break in the nation. Some 600 volunteers contributed more than 27,000 hours of service by the end of March 2007, working on nearly 40 rebuild and reconstruction housing projects. More than $495,450 was erased from our regional FEMA tab. It was a success that warranted an encore and United Way of America agreed.” “More than 2,500 families in our region remain in temporary housing. These young volunteers assist our local nonprofit and faith-based organizations. Damaged houses are repaired. New dwellings are constructed. The month of March goes by quickly. That’s why we also encourage local church and civic groups to consider donating volunteer hours to these projects after our guest volunteers leave”, said Morris. While Southwest Louisiana benefits, Alternative Spring Break also serves as an inspiration for young people to help change their own communities through service. That’s why there will be three encores this spring in Detroit, Biloxi and here. Participants of past ASB events were often so moved by the scenes they witnessed in the Gulf Coast and
their realizations that they were able to make a difference, they have become dedicated to community engagement. In a survey after ASB 2007, 84 percent reported they were more likely to volunteer in their communities after their ASB experience. Within three months of the event, 40 percent of them had already followed through on that pledge. They also remain committed to ASB. This year, 27 percent of last year’s participants are returning, generally as team leaders this time around. “We continue to build on the groundswell of compassion and commitment of Generation Y,” stated Brian A. Gallagher, President and CEO, United Way of America. “We’re extending service projects beyond the Gulf Coast because there are communities across the country that have pressing needs that can be addressed through thoughtful, focused and committed volunteer work,” Gallagher continued. As part of their crucial support of United Way’s campus engagement efforts, Deloitte and FedEx, two United Way National Corporate Leaders, are lead sponsors of Alternative Spring Break 2008. Promotional Partners joining them: CheapTickets, supporting the program with travel and maintaining a joint volunteer vacations website volunteer.cheaptickets.com, and MTV, providing online promotion via think.mtv.com. United Way of Southwest Louisiana serves the people of Allen, Beauregard, Calcasieu, Cameron and Jeff Davis parishes. Its goal is to improve the quality of life in our community one citizen, one family, one neighborhood at a time. Its mission is to unite the community for the assessment of human needs and the delivery of appropriate services. To follow the efforts of those participating in Alternative Spring Break 2008 during the month of March, log on to: http://blog.unitedway.org/asb.
MARCH 6, 2008
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MARCH 6, 2008
INSIDE BATON ROUGE — by John Maginnis
Biting the Hands That Feed Them oughening ethics laws is good for Louisiana’s economic development, says the governor. But don’t tell that to the owners and waiters at Baton Rouge’s pricier restaurants, who warn darkly of layoffs, even closures, should the Legislature pass a $50 limit on meals lobbyists can buy for legislators. Senators grumbled some but raised barely a public objection when Senate Bill 8 sailed through that body without dissent. Lawmakers turned away entreaties from—who else?—the restaurant lobby that the cap be raised to a more palatable level, say $100. They also failed to bite at lobbyists’ offer to disclose from dollar one what they spend entertaining legislators, but with no cap. The bill is likely to get the same uncritical treatment on the House floor, where the appetites of new members are even less refined. Indeed, legislators have more to worry about than what’s for dinner, as evidenced by the hours they have spent debating and heavily amending bills directly affecting themselves: one requiring disclosure of their income, assets and debts and another banning their and their families’ participation in state contracts. In face of that, lobbyists stand by mute, their credit cards dangling impotently. For the creatively devious, the bill could be interpreted to allow two lobbyists to split a legislator’s $100 tab, though the Ethics Board could easily rule otherwise. The bill’s language does rule out a public official kicking in $10 to make a $60 dinner legal. So if the restaurant scene shifts from Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse to Outback, will political morality improve with it? Not necessarily in the eyes of the goodgovernment groups that rank the states’ ethics laws and which the governor and his team are out to impress. The Center for Public Integrity awards points for total disclosure of entertainment spending on officials, which Gov. Jindal did not propose, but gives no points for the spending cap he demands. The dining limitation, however, will score points with constituents, cheerily advises Senate President Joel Chaisson II, the bill’s author. That seems to be the case, as talk-show comments and letters to the editor show little sympathy for either side of the table. Lawmakers won’t go hungry, however, even without dipping into their per diem. The large legislative receptions thrown by trade associations will easily fit under the cap per invited official. And popular restau-
T
rants are bound to come up with $49.95 legislative specials. The proposed law would even give an advantage to certain lobbyists and business groups that entertain legislators at houses and offices near the Capitol. There they can wine and dine their political guests in private, with costs controlled and beyond the prying eyes of ethics spies or—retch—the press. This intimate method of lobbying has proved so successful that it has been employed at the swankest address in the neighborhood, the Governor’s Mansion. Before and regularly during this special session, the governor has had 30 to 35 legislators at a time over to eat lunch and talk ethics legislation. Past governors have lunched with legislators, but lawmakers don’t remember it being as frequent or systematic as at Chez Jindal.
“...THEIR CREDIT CARDS DANGLING IMPOTENTLY.” The governor’s press secretary says the luncheons with lawmakers will continue during this and future legislative sessions because “he values their input and believes it is important to the people of Louisiana that their elected officials work together.” According to one representative, at a Mansion luncheon before the session was called, that valued input took the form of legislators being asked to raise their hands if they favored including certain topics in the ethics agenda. As long as the governor’s luncheon guests never comprise a majority of either chamber, the open meetings law is not being violated, though some lawmakers find it fudged in spirit. The same for the notion of separation of powers. If that’s how the governor wants to do his business, fine, but let me suggest, in the spirit of transparency and accountability, that he disclose what he spends entertaining and influencing which members of this separate branch of government. He’s not going to do that, of course, and his lunch bunch wouldn’t last long if he did. That’s because one thing that would upset citizens more than having freeloading legislators fed by special interests is learning that taxpayers are picking up the tab.
MARCH 6, 2008
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#22 Alexander Gallier is overcome with emotion as her teammates celebrate after what turned out to be the winning goal.
Opponents close in as the Saints Maddie Landry moves the ball upfield.
The St.Louis Saints pose for their championship photo.
Adair Flynt set to hit a free kick.
#3 Laura Carleton of St. Louis hits a header to keep the ball moving and in play.
Barbe goalkeeper Makenzie Chaumont making sure one doesn't get in.
Barbe's Ali Zaunbrecher works hard to elude two defenders.
St. Louis goalkeeper Allison Mosely focuses and gets ready to defend a corner kick.
Saint Louis Takes First and Barbe Bucs Place at
Soccer Championships Story and Photos by Roddy Johnson, Action Sports Photo
Lake Charles delivered a one two punch during the Louisiana State soccer championships played at Shreveport’s Independence Stadium February 22nd and 23rd. Southwest Louisiana was skillfully represented as the Saints won the Division Three State Championship over Sacred Heart of New Orleans, while the Lady Bucs placed second in Division One. PAGE 12
MARCH 6, 2008
Saint Louis played admirably and it was a great game throughout. The first goal came at the 22:50 mark by # 14, Rahseema Clark of St. Louis, and at halftime the Saints lead 1-0. The rest of the first half was scoreless as both teams played tough defense. The second half began like the first half ended, with defense being really tight, and it was not until the 63:51
mark that Sacred Heart scored to tie things up. That’s where we were at the end of regulation and the game went into overtime. The first overtime ended with neither team able to score, but at 6:05 into the second overtime, the Lady Saints had a corner kick opportunity and the goal was made by Alexander Gallier. That goal turned out to be the winner since Sacred Heart could not
The ball being driven upfield by Natalie Ieyoub.
score in the remainder of the overtime. The Barbe Lady Bucs played their hearts out against a very good St. Thomas Moore team, but came up a little short. It was the third time Barbe played them this season and the first two games had been very close. This time, however, Barbe struggled to keep the ball in possession and only managed three shots on goal. They had a few opportunities to break away and score, but each chance was quickly countered. Coach Stewart spoke highly of Jana Barrow who was asked to play multiple roles this season and did so with enthusiasm. The Barbe Lady Bucs will graduate eight seniors, all of
which were starters, but their future season still looks bright. All in all, the games were a thrill to watch and the support by the girls for each other was really nice to see. There was a good fan base supporting both games. If you did not get an opportunity to watch these teams play this year mark your calendars for next season. Both teams should do very well next year and, with support and a little good fortune, they should be back in the championships in ‘09. Go to www.actionsportsphoto-la.com to view all of the pictures.
This was an all out sprint for the ball won by #2 Courtney Duplechin of Barbe.
Barbe Lady Bucs and coaches take their turn for pics after the game. Headers like this one by Barbe's Taylor Boyett were frequent in this game.
A free kick from about 40 out hit by Anne McAtee of Barbe.
y tograph vent pho e d n a , e u rts, leag g in spo in z li ia c Spe
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Contact Us: Lake Charles: 337-433-2979 DeRidder: 337-462-5585 Email: action_sports_photo@yahoo.com www.actionsportsphoto-LA.com MARCH 6, 2008
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Home Improvement
Paving The Way –
A New Way Of Lake Area Living By Patricia Prudhomme The Old Neighborly Path
d Terrell an r Toups, e e if ill n n st a Je Anna C Larry and eard, Jo Becky H
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While borrowing a cup of sugar from your neighbor may not be as common as the Ozzie and Harriet days, most people still desire a feeling of community and belonging. There is the constant struggle between a growing, thriving metropolitan center and the desire for a cozy hometown. In Southwest Louisiana, new growth has recently been rivaled by rebuilding. It is hard to remember a time when FEMA trailers were not sprinkled along our streets. Even Governor Bobby Jindal has expressed his passion for not only bringing new life to Louisiana, and in nurturing the resources that already exist. New faces and families are being drawn to our community. New industry is being courted as potential new business partners in the lake area. By providing industry, culture, and a sense of community, our native Louisiana brothers and sisters can be encouraged to contribute their talents in their own hometowns. The outward flowing tide of young families and professionals can be stemmed to help Louisiana blossom.
Lake Charles has chosen to seize this time to not only rebuild, but more importantly to develop new opportunities for communities and entrepreneurs. Former Lake Charles residents, Terrell and Becky Heard of Heard Development have noted that drastic changes have been sketched for our lakefront and downtown business district. Although the Heards now live in Ontario, Canada, “The passing of time and our travel experiences to many places has developed even more of an appreciation for the unique culture and the beauty of the natural resources that surround the Lake Area.”
Traditional Neighborhood Development Many in Southwest Louisiana are letting their footsteps follow an old neighborly path to a new future. There is no question that a journey of this magnitude does not happen overnight. It requires the heartfelt efforts of citizens who are passionate about building a new way of life for the Lake Area. Looking around our city, the seeds of this path have already been sown in existing residential developments. Canal Place
Development established the old world community atmosphere. Developers Larry and Jennifer Toups sought to build a neighborhood of traditional homes featuring brick, natural tones, cypress, and ironwork. This first step of creating sidewalk communities builds toward a Traditional Neighborhood Development (TND). According to the National Association of Home Builders, Traditional Neighborhood Development (TND), refers to a pattern of land planning and development that emulates the towns and suburbs built in the early to mid-20th century, more than the automobile-dominated suburbs of the 1960s and beyond. While the typical suburbs and planned communities built since the 1960s have stressed a separation of residential and commercial uses and great emphasis on the automobile, traditional neighborhood development stresses a “walkable” scale; an integration of different housing types and commercial uses, and the building of true town centers with civic uses. These concepts may be expressed as an interconnecting street network (rather than a reliance on culde-sacs); a town center, formal civic spaces and squares (rather than informal or “leftover” open spaces); and pedestrian oriented design. “You can envision a New Orleans-style block of families,” says Jennifer Toups. “It’s going to be a great place to live and a nice addition to Lake Charles.” Canal Place Development/Heard Development plans such a community with the Providence project. The Heards, who plan to return to Lake Charles when they retire, say, “We want to give back to the community of Lake Charles. Providence is the result of this vision. The location off Country Club Road for Providence was selected for its high appeal to the local residents, school district. The convenience of being in the progressive south Lake Charles area made the choice a great business decision. Being in the same area where Terrell grew up and attended school (Prien Lake Elem and SJ Welsh) made it a personnel decision as well.” Terrell Heard pointed out, “Although Becky and I were raised in Lake Charles, a job opportunity years ago caused us to be away from the area for many years, but we have continued to maintain strong ties to our roots.” Larry Toups noted, “We’re looking forward to starting actual construction of homes in Providence by early summer. We will have a model home along with several French Country designs for sale immediately. We’re also pre-selling lots now with many new custom homes soon to start.” The passion that Jennifer Toups feels about TND’s is evidenced when she shares her ties to the concept. “Providence-TND is our vision of the first true multi-use (retail shops, cafe, park and ponds) community in the Lake area. We have advertised “A New Way of Lake Area Living” which is really
the way I was raised as a child in the Oak Park area. Sidewalks, parks and playing in the street with all the neighborhood kids created a sense of place and a tie to traditions of the past with its old town environment feel. Our goal is to bring progress to Lake Charles area with these types of developments or TND’s, and to portray a message to the rest of the state that Lake Charles is a Great Place To Live!” Of particular note for the Lake area is the identity of the person involved with the evolution of the TND concept, Andrés Duany. To recap, Mr. Duany was invited to Lake Charles to create a plan for the lakefront development, which was in turn approved by the citizens at
the polls last year. In the 1980’s, Duany and Elizabeth Plater-Zyberk designed a town plan for Seaside, Florida. Placed roughly midway between Fort Walton Beach and Panama City. Mr. David Stine of Stine Lumber Company shares the enthusiasm of his long time friends and clients, Jennifer and Larry, about the Providence development. David comments that despite the doom and gloom of the national housing market, this is truly an opportune time to invest in a new home. “Not only are building material prices at their lowest in years, interest rates are also at phenomenal levels. Decking plywood is actually at one half of the price of two years ago.” Joanna Castille with Providence says,
“As the Office/Sales Manager for this project, I have had the opportunity to speak with many interested individuals. And after discussing the plans for Providence with them and showing them the brochures their feedback has been 100% positive. Keep your eyes and ears open to the progress of our downtown areas, new residential opportunities, and new cultural venues. That is the most reliable way to cure a tough case of frustration.” If you have any questions about Traditional Neighborhood Development, please contact Jennifer and Larry Toups or Terrell Heard at 337-474-9891 or www.Providenceoflakecharles.com.
A New Way of Lake Area Living! WHILE TIMES CHANGE, THE CHARM AND GRACE WILL ENDURE.
Providence is being developed in the highly sought after Barbe School district in a very convenient location near highways and all the latest shopping and amenities. As you approach the beautiful stone and wrought iron entrance to Providence, you will be drawn by the inviting view of the park and pond just ahead and down the wide beautifully landscaped boulevard. City spec streets and City utilities means carefree water, sewer and disposal services will be maintained by the City of Lake Charles, at no additional cost to you. Street lighting illuminates the quiet streets and parkettes.
The warmth and colorful charm of Country French blends with subdued vintage European and Spanish “olde world” styles. Together with an appealing selection of the well loved and timeless Louisiana designs, include raised cottages, the classic styles make this a most unique community of homes. Comprising of 50 acres overall, Providence will be on a scale to create just the right feel of being in your own world and yet be mere minutes from most of your home and personal needs.
Providence is located at the south end of Pecan Acres Drive off of Country Club Road.
Office: (337) 474-9891 • Fax: (337) 474-9876 300 E. McNeese St. Suite 1-A, Lake Charles, LA 70605
www.ProvidenceofLakeCharles.com • info@providenceoflakecharles.com RESERVE YOUR LOT TODAY! MARCH 6, 2008
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Home Improvement
Harness your Home Equity for
Home Improvement Does your kitchen need a facelift? Bathroom out of date? Need a new roof? If you’ve been waiting for the right time – and the money – to make needed improvements in and around your home, you may be overlooking one simple solution: your own home equity. According to Mike Harmison, Executive Vice President and Chief Lending Officer with Cameron State Bank, a home equity line of credit can be a great way to get the money you need for home improvement projects. He explains that a home equity line of credit is a revolving line of credit based on the amount of equity you have in your home. “When you purchase a home, you are basically purchasing an investment. This tangible
piece of property is something that has a high value, both now and in the future. As you pay off your mortgage, you will continue to ‘own’ more parts of the home, until you have paid off the principal and own the entire value of the home investment. This is equity - the value of the home you own.” Most people spread their home investment over 20 or 30 years. It is these payments that provide your accumulated equity, the difference between how much your home is worth and how much you owe on your current mortgage or mortgages. For example, if your home cost $250,000 and you’ve paid off $50,000 (not including interest), you have access to $50,000 worth of equity. This means you can re-borrow that amount of money (or less) to
pay for other things in your life. That amount will then get rolled back into your loan payment plan or into a separate payment plan. This money can then be accessed through a line of credit that works much like a credit card. “Once your home equity line of credit is approved, you can borrow what you need, pay it back, and access again later,” says Harmison. “An added benefit of using home equity for financing is that the interest is tax deductible. In fact, this is the only type of interest consumers pay that is still tax-deductible.” A home equity line of credit can be used for any type of expense: home improvement, vehicle purchase, college expenses and more. “It’s also a good idea to have this type of credit
337-794-8109
available as an emergency back-up plan,” says Harmison. “Having it approved and available will give you access to funds if an unexpected need arises.” The main difference between a home equity line of credit and a standard home equity loan is the flexibility to keep the line of credit open. A home equity loan allows a person to borrow money from a financial institution using their home’s equity as collateral. “In essence, you are taking out a second mortgage when you get a home equity loan. You will get a set amount of money, which is repaid in monthly payments over a specified time period,” explains Harmison. “The amount of the loan is set and when it is paid off, the loan is closed.You’ll have
154 School Street Lake Charles, LA 70611
337-302-4202 337-513-3201
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MARCH 6, 2008
Fax: 337-217-0697 www.candcinsulation.com
to apply again in order to access your equity if you want more funds. In contrast, once you qualify for a home equity line of credit, you can access available funds whenever you need them.” Harmison says although both a home equity loan and a home equity line of credit are convenient and affordable ways to get needed funds, they aren’t for everyone. “There are almost daily news reports about the number of people losing their homes because they are unable to make their mortgage payments. I believe in many cases, this is because they borrow more money than they can afford. In addition, there are unscrupulous lenders out there who aren’t doing homeowners any favors by giving them home equity financing. Anytime you are tapping into your home’s equity, you have to carefully evaluate the financing structure. Make sure you don’t use all your equity – even if a lender is willing to let you do so. I usually recommend that you try to leave at least 20% of your equity, over and above your debt, untouched. This will help protect your investment in your home and make sure you don’t get in over your head.” The most practical way to use a home equity line of credit is to reinvest it in your home in the form of home improvements. “The key is to make sure whatever you do adds to your home’s value, which will only increase your equity for the future,” says Harmison. “Kitchens and bathrooms are the critical areas to focus on in order to add real value to your investment, and to ensure that you get the most benefit from using your existing equity.” He also stresses that when using a home equity line of credit, you also have to be disciplined about making payments, just as you would with any other type of credit. “You don’t want to risk your home, or your ability to access your line of credit, due to missed or late payments. The bottom line is don’t borrow more than you can afford.” For more information about a home equity line of credit, call the Cameron State Bank nearest you or the main office at (337) 310-2265.
MARCH 6, 2008
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Home Improvement
Natural Wood Construction is Beautiful and Green
By Jeanne Owens
Timber Frame Buildings: Beautiful, Energy Efficient, Environmentally Responsible
Ernest Levingston hammers the first peg into a timber frame model home that uses natural timbers and is energy efficient. Levingston is a third generation Miller who has been in the construction business all his life.
Soaring ceilings, lots of windows and glass, warm, inviting wood—timber frame homes put a new spin on the grand old homes with energy efficiency and a “green” attitude. Building the old way is now the new way with timber frame construction, new to Lake Charles. A timber frame home is a weather-tight structure of first-class timbers designed, cut, and delivered to your homesite by Timberpeg© architects, structural engineers, and a local consultant. It is an energy-efficient home with high-quality millwork and a continuous insulation system. The home builder can choose from hundreds of custom or standard home plans, or the Timberpeg© design group works with a builder’s contractor or architect. Being green isn’t just for “wacky Californians” according to a leading environ-
Age-old artistry meets today’s efficiency. Build elegantly. Build green. Learn more about centuries-old timber frame construction blended with innovative materials and techniques for energy-efficient, breath-taking homes and offices. Come visit the home under construction. For more information and directions contact
James Owens
337-304-0156
www.owenstimberframe.com PAGE 18
MARCH 6, 2008
An Independent Representative of
mental expert. Rising energy prices, a healthier attitude, and a desire for natural beauty cause home builders to choose timber frame over traditional construction. They are realizing that timber framing showcases the beauty and strength of one of the earth’s most renewable resources—wood. Timber framing requires significantly less lumber than the traditional “stick-built” housing and incorporates superior insulating panels which keep heating and cooling from escaping. Timbers arrive at the building site ready to be assembled, paring construction waste from cutting, sawdust, and left over cut-offs. Additionally, a timber frame home can be pleasingly traditional or strikingly contemporary in design, yet environmentally responsible. The first timber frame model home is going up in southwest Louisiana; it is open
to the public through Owens Timber Frame, Inc. Prospective home builders are invited to a hands-on tour of this unique home and to discuss how a timber frame home can be their dream home—and beyond. Contact James Owens at Owens Timber Frame, Inc., 337-304-0156, or jamesowens@bellsouth.net for more information. To see photographs and floor plans of breath-taking timber frame homes go to www.timberpeg.com.
Palm Sunday Tour Shows Adaptive Reuse: New Life For
Historic Buildings Calcasieu Historical Preservation Society’s 33rd Annual Palm Sunday Tour Of Homes is March 16, from 1 to 5 p.m.tour Chair, Winnie Guillory, of the Calcasieu Historical Preservation Society, announced the theme for this year’s tour is “Adaptive Reuse: New Life for Historic Buildings.” The tour will feature the interiors of five historic structures which have been brought back to life with a new vision. Buildings showcased include the Crawford Service Station which was recently renovated by Michael Flurry into a single family home, two wonderful restorations of side-by-side historic offices by Bryan Gill and Jeff Kudla, and a view of two occupied lofts in the newly restored Muller’s building. Come see what it would be like to live and work in the middle of Lake Charles’ history. To round out the day, the Gingham Ladies of the SWLA Historical Association will be selling cool drinks and homemade treats at the Majestic Grocery.
Adaptive Reuse Tour: Crawford Service Station, 520 7th St. Owner: Michael Flurry, Resident: Terri Ross Gill Law Firm, 427 Kirby St. Owner: Bryan Gill Jeff Kudla Architect, 429 Kirby St. Owner: Jeff Kudla Muller’s Lofts #203, Resident: Madilyn Bonnet Muller’s Lofts #208, Resident: Chris Khoury Tickets are available for advance purchase at a discount price of $8 per person at the Curiosity Shop and at Gordon’s Drug Store. Tickets will also be available for purchase on the day of the tour at each of the locations; the ticket price that day will be $10 per person.
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MARCH 6, 2008
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Home Improvement
Self-Guided Tour of Historical Building Sites Begin This Spring By Jeanne Owens
The Convention and Visitors Bureau of Southwest Louisiana is publishing a tour guide of hundreds of historical sites throughout Calcasieu Parish in Spring 2008. Here is a sample of some of them from Lake Charles. Some what-used-to-be-here notes are inserted pointing out sites along the way where the imagination comes into play.
The Lumbermen Tour These houses—just a sampling of many— were directly associated with the floodtide of Northern lumber barons who immigrated here to harvest thousands of acres of virgin forest tim-
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ber. They built their own houses out of the finest Louisiana long-leaf pine, cypress, curly pine, burl wood, curly cypress, and other woods available to them like walnut, oak, and rosewood, contracting skilled craftsmen and carpenters. The houses they built were usually tall, angular, and vertical, and with elaborate decoration much like the mainstream American period homes in contrast to the wide, galleried, raised Louisiana cottages and plantation style homes. 626 Broad—The W. E. Ramsey House—1885 Travel directions: From downtown,
travel east on Broad. President of Bradley-Ramsey Lumber, the largest lumber company in the area, Bradley lived here from 1885 to 1906. Ramsey was also an original organizer of First National Bank and served as director and president. If he stood where you stand today, he would surely recognize it as the same home he built 100 years ago because so few changes have occurred. A different gallery was added in 1910, and repairs after the 1918 hurricane included widening of the dining room and adding the tower; porches were later enclosed to make additional room. The home still features 11-foot ceilings,
sliding pocket doors, stained and leaded glass windows. Extensive use of oak, curly cypress paneling including wainscoting in the foyer, stairwell, study and on the ceilings; parquet floors of black walnut, red and white oak. Intricate carved spindles and decorative wood throughout the house. A dining room walled china cabinet with leaded glass; fireplaces with highly decorative mantels are in every room. 705 Broad—The R. H. Nason House An Englishman by birth, Nason had thirty years experience in the lumber industry in Michigan when he came to
Lake Charles to explore for new virgin forests after depleting timberlands in the north. One of the “Michigan Men,” he formed the Calcasieu Lumber Company in 1883, which later reorganized as the Bradley-Ramsey Lumber Company. It was a gargantuan operation with tow operating mills on the lake. Most of the northerners did not live in Louisiana, but Nason and Ramsey both built the impressive homes on Broad Street that survive today. 929 Broad—The Frederick G. Lock Home Lock was Vice President of Lock, Moore & Company. This impressive Greek revival was built around the turn of the century. Four fluted columns with Doric capitals make a strong statement across the front of the home. A Palladian window and magnificent leaded glass adorn the front windows and stairwell. Oval windows in the stairwell have a spider web pattern. The cantilevered sun porch above the front port cochere is unusual because it is not supported by the two colossals next to it. The original carriage house in the rear is now a private home. Today the home is the studio of photographer Victor Monsour and affords a lovely background for hundreds of portraits and photographs of his clients.
624 Ford—The Walter Goos House—Built 1891-1990 Travel Directions: Turn left (north) on Bank. Take note of the “carriage house” now adapted as a private residence at 728 Bank. Turn left (west) on Division, then right (north) on Ford. Son of pioneer lumberman Daniel Goos and Vice President of Bel Lumber Company, Walter Goos purchased this property in about 1891. This impressive home replaced a modest one story; originally, the huge home had no bathrooms, no light fixtures, and only six rooms. The imposing three-story home is built entirely of cypress and is classified as Colonial Revival. The façade showcases four stately “Lake Charles” columns unique to this area and characterized by their tapered square shape. Two large pocket doors in the entrance foyer open into a large living room and dining room. A mahogany staircase winds to a spacious third-floor attic. The story goes that the two-story building behind the house was for the Goos family sons to entertain young ladies who were not necessarily deemed socially acceptable!
605 Mill—The Flanders Home Travel directions: Continue north on Ford to Mill. Turn left (west) on Mill. This mansion was built for Catherine Goos and Willie Flanders, Secretary-Treasurer of J. A. Bel Lumber, and is an outstanding example of intricate wood workmanship and is
one of the best examples of raised cottage architecture. The builder, a Bel brother, mixed architectural style— Roman and Greek Revival, Dutch, Flemish, Gothic, and Victorian. The exterior is clapboarded cypress raised six feet. A wide circular porch surrounds the front and both sides, bordered with a spindle balustrade beneath a flat handrail. A pent roof is supported by a colonnade of double and fluted shafts topped with Roman Ionic capitals. The double-door façade is flanked with side lights and transom of brightly colored glass in geometric and floral designs. Amazingly, curved bow windows at each turn of the façade have survived the years and the time when the home was a boarding house and later neglected. Decorative work in the home is fanciful with three ellipticalshaped arches hanging from the twelvefoot center hall ceiling, and other woodwork in tracery, rococo, bead-andreel style with heavy finial ornamentation. Stair banisters are shaped like crosses and each is topped with a finial. 530 Mill—The Ernest F. Bel Home—1883 Home of Ernest F. Bel with the J. A. Bel Lumber Company. This large Queen Anne Revival also has a Greek Revival porch, with a second-floor balcony supported by Italianate brackets that opens to the second floor. Front fluted columns stretch to the second floor and end in carved fern design, tipped with Ionic capital with elaborate carvings. Victorian twin bracket are above each column. A second front entrance on the west side has similar but smaller columns. The interior foyer has twin arched doors; the house has fourteen rooms, three open porches, and two sleeping porches. A charming caretaker’s cottage is still in the rear of the yard just feet from the main house, as are remnants of the gateposts. Robert Nason, lumber baron, owned this home also in 1883. What Used to Be Here Turn around and walk directly across the street to the empty lot. Place your hand on the hitching post that still stands next to the street. Close your eyes and imagine—horses snorting as carriages roll to a stop. Ladies in taffeta with parasols dismount and chatter as they stroll into the massive J. A. Bel home that once stood here, complete with two-story galleries across the front, a widow’s walk, bay windows, gardens, and picket fence. The structure was removed in the 1950’s and now stands at Boys’ Village on Highway 90
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925 Mill—Built 1890 Travel directions: Go east on Mill What Used to Be Here Believe it or not, this one-story house was once the grand two-story Victorian home of G. B. Stanford who MARCH 6, 2008
PAGE 21
built numerous homes in the city, was a craft-master for young carpenter apprentices, and who owned a brick factory on Haskell Street. Fire destroyed the upper story years ago, but the remaining one-story retained features from the original home—three nicely ornamented fireplaces with fancy mantle shelves and beveled mirrors, colored glass squares surrounding the front door and windows. Gone is the tall gabled roof with fancy cresting along the peaks and the porch railings that dripped with gingerbread finials and railings. In the lumber hey-day, carpenters had limited gingerbread patterns to follow in architectural books, so they designed their own fanciful brackets, balustrades, finials, shingling, and other imaginative wood ornamentation.
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742 Pujo—Samuel T. Woodring House Travel directions: Continue on Mill to Kirkman. Turn right (south) and go approximately 5 blocks to Pujo Street. General Manager of Calcasieu Longleaf Lumber Company who hand selected the finest lumber milled in the area for this massive home built by T. Miller & Sons. Over 90 windows allow daylight to play on the fine interior curly pine paneling, exposed beams, Doric columns, and one-inch pine floors. The reception foyer is overwhelmingly spacious and startling with tall ceilings, the dado and stairwell of curly pine paneling alternated with grooved strips. The foyer, parlor, library, and formal dining room open into each other to accommodate the large flow of people who often attended the Woodring dinners and dances. A sun parlor features French doors with an intricate diamond lattice which is repeated on other glass porches. Stained glass windows shoot color over the stairwell. A very large master bath featured an original marble steam bath. (Note: T. Miller & Sons also built a “country” home for the Woodrings at 1401 Country Club Road in 1910. Peacocks and buffaloes roamed the grounds which included a pecan
orchard, giant azaleas, and wisteria— all of this presumably to hide the fact that the house operated as a gambling and drinking joint during Prohibition as the rumor goes. During refurbishing in the 1960’s, original glass keg chandeliers were discovered along with the marks of where a large circular bar had been; pink flamingo wallpaper splashed over the walls in the salon; rosewood ceilings and heart pine floors were still beautifully intact. The house has since been moved to Sweetlake, but you can still see rows of the pecan tree between the old Stine Lumber and The Guardians. An almost identical house—the Brundrette home—was at 3700 Ryan, but is now an attorney’s office on the lot behind its original location. 739 Pujo—Built 1900 Travel Directions: Turn around and walk across the street to the northeast corner of Pujo and Kirkman. What Used to Be Here The only thing left of the magnificent T. H. Watkins home at 739 Pujo, is an empty lot and a couple of azalea bushes. The Victorian giant looked like a large wedding cake solidly frosted into place with its large rounded tower and cupola, paneled pillars, heavy cornice work, and gables and windows. Dr. Watkins hand-picked the lumber for the home which was built by Miller and Ory Construction Firm. The dining room was paneled with walnut from historic trees in Walnut Grove, a shaded recreational area on the lakefront where the Port of Lake Charles now stands.
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MARCH 6, 2008
337
477-8400
2008 It’s All At The
HOME SHOW!
From financing to final decorating, Home Show 2008 has it all. The Home Builders Association of Southwest Louisiana presents the Home Show, Saturday and Sunday, March 15 and 16 at the Lake Charles Civic Center. This year, vendors in over 140 indoor booths plus outdoor demonstrations will offer ideas for your new construction, renovation, rebuilding, repair or redecorating. Experts will help you with ideas for major construction or weekend do-it-yourself projects. Here is the list and layout for Home Show 2008 exhibitors (as of press time). 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35
Coldwell Banker Legacy Creative Concrete Williams Wood Terminex Lake Arthur Butane Lake Arthur Butane Gen Set Centerpoint Sears Contract Sales Sears Contract Sales Eco Water Eco Water Eco Water Booth Envir. Serv. Merchants & Farmers Kitchen Craft Kitchen Craft Moss Bluff Floors Moss Bluff Floors Jeff Davis Bank Superior Windows Superior Windows Superior Windows Superior Windows La. Mortgage Gen Set C & C Audio C & C Audio C & C Audio C & C Audio C & C Audio C & C Audio Holiday Travel Mid-South Bank Stine Lumber
36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74
Stine Lumber Stine Lumber Stine Lumber J & J Exterminating La. Mortgage Superior Windows Superior Windows Superior Windows Superior Windows Fence Stainers Lake Area Mosquito Lake Area Mosquito Knot Wood Absolute Gutters Hixon's Pest Dupont Sewer Mallett Inc. Mallett Inc. Mallett Inc. Vac Central Budget Blinds Budget Blinds Foret Floors A Door Works LB Computers Stine Lumber Stine Lumber Stine Lumber Stine Lumber First National Bank Joseph's Electrical Tub Doctor Tub Doctor CSE Credit Union Advantage Insulation Southern Fastening Southern Fastening Owens Timber Frame A Door Works
The Home Show opens Saturday at 9 a.m. and closes at 5 p.m. Sunday, the doors are open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is $5 per person and children under 10 are admitted free when accompanied by an adult. For more information, contact the Home Builders Association of Southwest Louisiana at 337- 478-7893 or visit http://www.hbaswla.org.
75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100 101 102 103 104 105 106 107 108 109 110 111 112 113
Foret Floors Acme Brick Lake Area Electric Lake Area Electric Mallett Inc. Mallett Inc. Mallett Inc. Copper Shop Copper Shop American Marble C & C Insulation C & C Insulation C & C Insulation Allied Waste National Wastewater LCR LCR K & K Water K & K Water Creative Door Creative Door Creative Door Henderson Implement Henderson Implement Pretzels Plus Picerne Military Gulf Coast Gulf Coast Biofoam of LA Larry Toups Larry Toups Propane Gas Assoc. Modern Wood-Men CJ Tech Services Home Builders Association Richey's Insulation Richey's Insulation Richey's Insulation East Aluminum
114 115 116 117 118 119 120 121 122 123 124 125 126 127 128 129 130 131 132 133 134 135 136 137 138 139 140 141 142 143 144
Majestic Homes Tony Bourgeois Aquatic Pools & Spas Titan Insulation Creative Concrete By Ron Fender Homes Priola Realty Red Alert Red Alert Southern Marble Southern Marble Norandex New Creations AFI Mortgage Elite Countertop Elite Granite Elite Granite PBM Log Homes of LA Huggy Bears First Federal Bank Better Business Bureau Granicrete of SW LA APIC Systems Chase Bank Guillory's Insulation Wells Fargo Wells Fargo Cameron State Bank Tony Houseman Homes Heritage Builders Mortgages First
Outside exhibitors include: Dunham Price Gen Set Transit Mix Angelle Port Aggregate Concrete Eaters
MARCH 6, 2008
PAGE 23
Gayle’s Hardware AND GENERAL STORE
2626 RYAN ST. • 436-4126 Outdoor Cooking Retailer Get your fish/crawfish pots and supplies now. • Cracklin Pots • Stainless Steel Burners
Open Sat. 8:30 - 4:30 Est. 1902
108
CJ Tech Services
107
Modern Woodmen
106
Propane Gas Asso
1
Locally Owned & Operated
Elite Countertops Specializing In Granite Countertops FREE Estimates
802-7252 See us at the Home Show,
Booth’s #128, 129, 130
66
31
34
65
Creative Concrete
3
Williams Wood
4
C&C Audio
Mid-South Bank
30
68
69
36
63
Gulf Coast
Tub Doctor
64
Stine Lumber
101
67
Tub Doctor
Stine Lumber
29
Gulf Coast
First National Bank
35
C&C Audio
102
100
Picerne Military
Henderson Implement
97
Henderson Implement
96
CSE Credit Union
Creative Door
70
95
C&C Audio
Stine Lumber
Stine Lumber
Advantage Insulation
Creative Door
28
37
62
71
94
C&C Audio
Stine Lumber
27
Stine Lumber
38
61
Southern Fastening
72
Stine Lumber
Southern Fastening
K&K Water
7
26
39
60
73
92
J&J Ext.
8
25
40
Center Point
La Mortgage
LB Computers
59
La. Mortgage
A Door Works
Owens Timber Frame
K&K Water
74
91
A Door Works
9
Sears Contract Sales
11
Eco Water
12
Eco Water
13
Eco Water
24
41
Superior Window
58
Superior Window
23
Foret Floors
42
Superior Window
57
Superior Window
22
Budget Blinds
43
56
75
Foret Floors
76
Acme Brick
Superior Window
Budget Blinds
Lake Area Electric
21
44
55
78
Superior Window
20
Vac Central
45
54
Moss Bluff Floors
Lake Area Mosquito
Mallett Inc.
Mallett Inc.
18
47
52
81
16
Kitchen Craft
Moss Bluff Floors
Mallett Inc
79
15
19
Fence Stainers
Lake Area Electric
46
53
Lake Area Mosquito
Mallett Inc.
Mallett Inc.
80
Mallett Inc.
17
Kitchen Craft
FIRE EXIT
17.5
Household d Furniture
86
C&C Insulation
85
C&C Insulation
84
American Marble
83
FF
State Farm John Davison
121 Red Alert
122 Red Alert
GG Snack Area
7 11Titantion
132
ula Ins
138
6.5 1S1hanniotnh
Guillory’s Insulation
Sm
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CPPJ
A ol Po pas S
137.5
5 11Tonyeois
Dippin' Dots
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Coliseum Floor
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PBH Log Homes of LA
131
Champion Flooring
130 Elite Countertop
143.5
129
Chase Bank
Heritage Builders
136
142
Elite Countertop
APIC Systems
Tony Houseman Homes
135
141
134
140
128
GraniCrete Cameron of SWLA State Bank
i um Al
Exhibition Hall
Huggy Bears
Mortgages First
Elite Countertop
B
4 11ajestiecs
144
143
137
4.5 11Whitanneky
2 1i1cheyo’sam
Better Business Bureau
R F ion 3-Dsulat In
1 1i1cheyo’sam
133
First Federal Bank
R F ion 3-Dsulat In
Wells Fargo
139 Wells Fargo
0 1i1cheyo’sam
88
C&C Insulation
LSU AG Center
m Ho
Allied Waste
87
al Re
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C ncr n Co y Ro B
National Wastewater
77
Superior Window
Superior Window
89
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Water SBSB Purification Enterprises Systems LLC
E erm t Ex
LCR
Jeff Davis Bank
Merchants & Farmers
.5 m 1x1te9rmTinriating
90
14
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LCR
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93
Stine Lumber
Gen Set
CC
1P2ri0olaty
Creative Door
C&C Audio
Gen Set
99
Pretzels Plus
98
Lake Arthur Butane
10
912-8892
33
103
Biofoam of LA.
2
Sears Contract Sales
www.elite-insulation.com
FROM Hall
Josephʼs Electric
6
Most Energy Efficient Spray Foam on the Market Homes, Buildings & Pier Structure
32
ENTER Exibition
Holiday Travel
Lake Arthur
& SEAMLESS GUTTERS
Larry Toups
C&C Audio
5
ELITE INSULATION
104
Larry Toups
Coldwell Banker
Terminex
The Times of SWLA is distributed throughout our region and via the world wide web. Call Andy, Patricia or LeShai at 337-439-0995 and let them show you how to grow your business today.
105
HOME SHOW PRODUCTS & SERVICES
127
R F ion 3-Dsulat In
AFI Mortgage
9 1H0omeers
ild ion Bu ociat s As
126
Bobcat of Lake Charles Sales & Rentals
New Creations
1801 Hwy. 14, Lake Charles
125
433-4500
Norandex
AA
BB
State Farm State Farm C. Bailey Jim Mitchell
123
124
Southern Marble
Southern Marble
HOME SHOW ENTRANCE
Copper Shop
82
48
Knot Wood
49
Absolute Gutters
50
Hixonʼs Pest
51
Dupont Sewer
OUTSIDE BOOTHS: Dunham Price GenSet Transit Mix Angelle Port Aggregate Concrete Eaters
Copper Shop
FIRE EXIT
2008 HOME SHOW • March 15-16 LC Civic Center Sponsored by the Home Builders Association of SWLA PAGE 24
MARCH 6, 2008
MARCH 6, 2008
PAGE 25
Pujo Street 1905 with a dirt road and no trees; new houses. Photograph Collection, Archives & Special Collections Department, Frazar Memorial Library, McNeese State University.
The What-UsedTo-Be-Here Tour By Ernest Levingston as told to Jeanne Owens
Ryan Street and Beyond Hundreds of homes and businesses have come and gone over the years in Lake Charles as the city grew, shifted economic directions, and changed with the times. The following points out where some places used to be from the recollections of Ernest Levingston, born in Lake Charles in 1921. (The political correctness is relevant to a young boy’s standards 80 or so years ago.) The tour is more enjoyable if you double on a bicycle like Ernest and Clyde, young Levingston brothers, did in the 1920’s and 30’s.
Service Ice Company (The Ice House)—231 North Ryan. Travel directions: Start on North Ryan near the river and travel south. Catwalks covered the floor—they were the floor— and a big vat of brine was under us. It wouldn’t freeze because of the salt. Marsden* and Clyde talked me into going in. To make blocks of ice, they’d lower big containers of fresh water into the vat, and it would freeze because the water around it was lower than 32 degrees. Sort of like making ice cream in an ice cream freezer. No one had refrigerators at home—just ice boxes with a drip PAGE 26
MARCH 6, 2008
pans. They’d load blocks of ice on the ice truck and cover them with blankets. The ice man slung a pick and tongs over his shoulder and rode on the back of the truck to deliver to us. We would have already placed our order for 10 pounds or so; we’d get a new block every couple of days—it cost a nickel or a dime. Davidson Sash and Door— 100 Ryan This company made almost all the millwork in area. Offices were on the east side of Ryan, and they did the actual millwork on the west side. It was started by old man Joe Davidson at least a generation before me. I’ve seen stairways all laid out there, molding, doors, finials, trim. They made the millwork for Levinwood [the Levingston home in 1968]; it was all custom made—I designed it. Calcasieu Lumber Company— 119 Ryan This was a small lumber yard here started up by a red-headed guy—just a small yard—the only thing left is steps. A lot of big lumber companies like Long Bel came here during the lumber boom to ship lumber all over the world. But a lot
Photogra p Frazar M h Collection, A rchives emorial &S Library, McNees pecial Collecti o e State Univers ns Department, ity.
Cavaleri Santo at his Shoe Shop
The Royal Italian Band
artment, lections Dep ersity. iv Special Col & Un e es at iv St ch Ar y, McNeese Collection, orial Librar Photograph Frazar Mem
of little mills operated for the local people. This was one of them. Mostly empty land— 100, 200, 300 Blocks of Ryan near Interstate 10 This was a big neighborhood—lots of families—the Corbellos, Guy See and his brother Harry, I think. The Viglias lived right here in a big white house. After a while they had a grocery store there in the late ‘20’s. Later on the Williamsons lived here and had a café and cash grocery. Lake Auto Parts used to be here. When I was a kid, an Italian—Bill Santoro—had a grocery store on the corner, and there was a tin shop, and some other cafes. Several of the houses were boarding houses. The Pecorino’s had a grocery store way south of here; lots of Italians had stores. (Note: A large Italian/American community lived in Lake Charles in the early 20th century, families with names still known in the business community—Navarro, Manena, Runte, Pecorino, Timpa, Caldarera, Barras for a few. Traces of these earlier merchants are still on buildings on Railroad Avenue; the Pecorino store sign is still visible on East Street behind the former Trinity Baptist Church on Ryan, and, of course, some names are still quite prominent in the business community.) Vincent’s Cleaners & Dryers— 325 Ryan That was where men took their hats to be blocked. You could bring in a flat hat, and they’d set it on a wooden head, steam it and shape it, and it’d look brand new. (Note: As late as the 1960’s, the LaGrange Gatorettes made yearly trips there to get their white Jean LaFitte hats cleaned and blocked.) Kansas City Southern Depot— Corner of Ryan & Lawrence We used to call Railroad Avenue “battle row” because there were so many fights there; it was a rough place. I never got to go anywhere on a train except when I shipped out to go to the war [WWII]. Five years later I saw your Mama for the first time in five years at the KCS Depot in Vinton when I was coming home. Boy, that was a good train ride. Jake Shaheen’s Cash Store and Dry Goods— 411 Ryan When we’d get a nickel, we’d get us a cold pop there. Service Barber Shop— 505 Ryan Somewhere around here was a barbershop on the corner—that’s where Ned Gossette and his brother had a shop where I used to get my hair cut. Podrasky’s Dry Goods (1917); Podrasky’s Shoes (1939)— 539 Ryan
See that green terrazzo tile? It’s just the slab left now, but I was standing there when that was poured. They poured terrazzo like concrete, then ground it down with a disk to make it look like real terrazzo. T. Miller & Sons built that store. That seems like yesterday. Ritz Theater—603 Ryan There were three picture shows I’d go to—the Arcade, Paramount, and this one here, The Ritz. I’d make all three in one day. There was a fourth one—The Palace on Railroad Avenue—but it was strictly segregated, so I never went there. Everything was segregated. On the walk home to Grandpa Miller’s [on Sallier and Ryan] I’d get a big drink out of an artesian well in Pithon Coulee and get ice cream at Borden’s. [Ryan at Park Avenue] Berdon Campbell Furniture— 619-623 Ryan That’s where my Mama worked after my Dad died. She’d help people with decorating ideas and would sell a lot more that way. Look, you can still see the Berdon-Campbell name on the building. It was a real big store; later on Muller’s took in the whole building and made it part of their store. I remember there was some kind of uneven stepdown between the two buildings even though it was inside Muller’s. Mama started out at Southern Furniture [718 Ryan] and also bought up used furniture and re-sold it on her own. She was always into something; later on she went into the orange and grapefruit business in McAllen, Texas. Note: Ernest’s father, Vernon Levingston, died in 1926 leaving his wife, Adele (Titus Miller’s daughter), alone to raise two young children. The grandparents, Titus and Lillian Miller, took Ernest in and he was raised right along with the Miller boys. Chavanne Building— 725-729 Ryan See that small stairway opening? That’s where I’d go to work everyday for T. Miller & Sons. I was timekeeper and handled the payroll for all the Miller construction jobs...On Thursday nights I’d stay up all night, calculate how much to pay each worker so when the bank opened on Friday morning, I’d have lists of the pennies, nickels, dimes, quarters, ones, fives and tens I needed. I’d put the money in envelopes with workers’ names on them, then go to the job sites and pass them out. Right there was our window—office # 10. I remember a newspaper guy who came in every day to give us our newspaper —he had something wrong with him and rode a bicycle. He always liked me, but people he didn’t like he’d point at and say “hey, hey, crooked, crooked.” Those he did like he’d point at and say “straight, straight.” MARCH 6, 2008
PAGE 27
Rosa Hart and her brother Fred had an insurance agency there, and there was a dentist named Amos Litton, and Stanley’s Photography Studio, and Louise’s Beauty Shop. This was my routine for lunch: Everyday I’d go around the corner to The Palace Sandwich Shop [310 Broad] run by the Yohandras brothers, all the Greeks—except for Frenchie; he wasn’t Greek. They would take orders and yell out “two hombuga, cut da onion” and they’d fuss and fight with each other, but they did a big business. Later on they split up and opened different restaurants and it just wasn’t the same. After my hamburger, I’d walk to Walgreen’s and get a dish of ice cream with diced fruit on it. My uncle Frank Miller who worked in the Chavanne Building had a lunch routine too. Every day at exactly twelve noon, he’d walk downstairs and step out on the curb. At that exact minute Aunt Laura would drive up, and he’d immediately get in the car and go home for lunch. They did that for years. Chavanne was a realtor in town; his family came here from France in the 1860’s and bought this corner then. He had a bakery here first, then built this building after he got into the real estate business. First National Bank Building— 800-802 Ryan
This bank has been here since the early 1900’s. It’s been refurbished now, but it was once covered in small blue and white tiles sometime during the 1950’s. My cousin was the architect who did that; everyone hated it. Paramount Theater—816 Ryan T. Miller & Sons built the new Paramount after the first one burned in about 1944, I think. I went there in the ‘30’s and ‘40’s to see Faye Wray, Jimmy Stewart, Clark Gable—all the popular ones. Our cousin Bill Levingston, a local photographer who photographed area scenes, was hired to produce large murals for the walls. There were brown—sepia, that’s it— photographs of cows grazing, marshes, cypress trees— huge murals. A hat shop, haberdashery, was between the Paramount and the Arcade. Arcade Theater—822 Ryan The Arcade was one of my favorite hang-outs. You’d walk down a long corridor with shops all along the side to get to the ticket booth—that’s why it was named the Arcade. The Kushners had a beautiful jewelry store there. I saw Charlie Chaplain there in person. He made his grand entrance by pulling up the curtain and crawling out beneath it onto the stage. A big organ played for the silent movies. I wonder what ever happened to it.
Northwest Corner of Kirby and Ryan Travel directions: Continue down Ryan Street towards the courthouse area. Farm Supply and Awning was on this corner, a one-story building. They sold saddles and made awnings; they were in business here at least up through the ‘40’s. Levingston Abstract and Title was behind them then, and is still there in the same spot. A filling station was across the street, and a pool hall somewhere. I never went in it. Across Town This was my idea of a perfect day. First I’d hit all three picture shows. Then on the way home we’d go to Pithon Coulee that had an artesian well coming up from the ground. The water poured from a pipe on the side of the coulee. That was the coldest, best water I ever had in my life. I tried to find it the other day, but the sides of the whole coulee is covered with concrete now. It would have been somewhere behind where Home Furniture is now. Then, I’d go to Borden’s [1500 Ryan] and get a nickel cone. I didn’t get too many days off even when I was a kid, but that’s how I’d spend them. Dr. T. H. Watkins Home— 739 Pujo—Northwest Corner of Pujo and Kirkman Travel Directions: Turn left (east) on
Kirby, left (north) on Kirkman, left (west) on Pujo. It’s not here anymore, but Grandpa Miller built a huge house on this corner when he was with the Miller and Ory Construction Firm. The house was sort of Victorian with a big round tower and cupola. Walnut Grove—over where the port is now—was full of walnut trees. The dining room of this house was paneled with walnut from those trees when they cleared the grove to build the port. I’m pretty sure the foundation was cypress and they used a lot of long leaf pine. It was real fancy, like the Woodring house Grandpa built right there across the street. Samuel Woodring Home— 742 Pujo—Southwest corner of Pujo and Kirkman Grandpa built this house sometime around 1908. It’s different because of the odd number of columns; see, the center column is right under the center dormer. One of Grandpa’s signatures was to build closets in houses—that was pretty rare back then. This house even had a marble steam bath and a built in seat next to the stairs with a curved handrail. Now, this was the Woodring’s town home. You know where their country home was. (Note: T. Miller & Sons also built a “country” home for the Woodrings at 1401 Country Club Road in 1910—
Office hours are 8:30am -4:30pm Monday through Friday. Call us at 337-721-3000,fax us at 337-721-3021 or e-mail us at rjcolejr@cppj.net.
PAGE 28
MARCH 6, 2008
today the site of The Guardians. Peacocks and buffaloes roamed the grounds which included a pecan orchard, giant azaleas, and wisteria—all of this presumably to hide the fact that the house operated as a gambling and drinking joint during Prohibition. We lived in the house during the 1960’s, and in refurbishing it discovered original glass keg chandeliers, the marks of where a large circular bar had been, rosewood ceilings, heart pine floors, and pink flamingo wallpaper in the salon. The house has since been moved to Sweetlake. An almost identical house— the Brundrette home—was at 3700 Ryan, but is now an attorney’s office on the lot behind its original location.)
check us out online:
Chinese Cooking with Jack Monday March 17th and Tuesday March 18th 7:00pm to 9:00pm $25 Registration Charge
Call 310-8833 to sign up
www.timessw.com
Chinese King 723 Ryan Street Lake Charles Banquet and Reception Hall Available
Louisiana Western Lumber Company—1830 Ryan Travel directions: Return to Ryan Street, turn left and travel south. Continue driving towards McNeese State University. This empty lot is where a big lumber company was—right next to LCR. I was a kid—-seven years old—and already working for T. Miller & Sons. One day Clyde and Marsden sent me to Louisiana Western Lumber Company to buy some striped paint. I walked over there and told them what I needed, and the salesman just asked, “What color?” Delta Theater & Southern Amusement Theater— 2401 Ryan—at 15th Street There were two theaters on this corner. Southern Amusement started building one, and the Delta people decided they wanted to build one right next to them and get it finished first. So they hired T. Miller & Sons to build it and paid the workers time and a half to hurry and get it built before the other one. We did. Both of them stayed in business for quite a while, but then they shut down and other outfits came in. A used car lot was one. Only one of them is there now; they tore the other one down not long ago.
McNeese State University— 4100 Ryan—The arena on the far northeast side of campus. You can hardly tell it’s an arena now, but when T. Miller & Sons got the contract to build it for McNeese, there was nothing out here but the poor farm. Not even any trees. I was timekeeper on this job. There were just two other buildings the first year McNeese opened up— Kaufman Building and the Bulber Auditorium. Note: Ernest Levingston and his future wife, Kathleen Bordelon, were both in the first class at McNeese in 1939. They have now been married for 64 years. * Marsden Miller—Titus Miller’s son, a master carpenter and builder who worked with T. Miller and Sons. MARCH 6, 2008
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Summer
Gardening
Poison Ivy I s A Ye a r - R o u n d P r o b l e m Courtesy of the LSU Ag Center Poison ivy is a year-round problem in Louisiana. It gets us in the spring and summer when it’s out in full glory but also in the winter when we spend so much outside once the days cool off. Because the vine is deciduous (drops its leaves in winter), you can unwittingly yank up a handful of bare vine and end up with every inch of bare skin covered with the itchiest, ugliest rash ever seen. Identification of poison ivy is really simple if you learn the little verse that goes with it, according to LSU AgCenter Northwest Region horticulture agent Denyse Cummins. The verse is, “Leaves of three, leave it be.” The horticulturist notes, however, that people often confuse poison ivy with Virginia creeper, another deciduous vine that’s common in the state. The main difference between the two shade-loving, tree-climbing vines is that the nonpoisonous Virginia creeper has five leaves, not three. The bare vine of poison ivy also can be distinguished, even without the leaves. Poison ivy vines are covered with little root hairs that help it cling to trees. The nonpoisonous creeper just has a little bit of root here and there, not covering the whole stem like poison ivy. Old, mature poison ivy vines can be as big around as your wrist, have huge leaves and produce flowers and berries (birds love them), but they still have those “leaves of three.” Poison oak looks like poison ivy except that the ends of the leaves are rounded instead of pointed. The awful skin inflammation is the same, however. Avoid it, too. “There’s always some smart aleck in every group of woods-trampers who swears that they aren’t allergic to poison ivy,” Cummins says, adding, “My advice is: Don’t touch it anyway!” People become sensitized to allergic materials with repeated contact. If the smart aleck doesn’t get the rash now, he probably PAGE 30
MARCH 6, 2008
will become sensitive in the future. “Complete avoidance is the ticket,” Cummins says. The easiest way to kill poison ivy is to cut it off at the ground and paint the poison ivy stump with full strength triclopyr, an herbicide. Painting the stump removes the risk of accidentally spraying triclopyr on your valuable tree. Herbicides kill anything you spray them on. Another method of eradication is the repeated use of an herbicide like Roundup or a brush killer containing triclopyr. Be careful when spraying around garden plants. If the dreaded ivy is growing into an azalea, you are, unfortunately, going to have to pull it out by hand. Choose a cool day because you should dress head to toe in long sleeves and pants and wear disposable plastic gloves and rubber boots. Tape your sleeve wrists to the gloves to be sure no skin is exposed. If you accidentally touch the poison ivy with bare skin (including your face and neck) stop and wash the area with water. When you’ve grubbed out every piece of the vine and sealed it in a plastic trash bag, go directly to the trash can and strip off your gloves, then to the water hose to wash off your boots. Next, go to the washing machine and take off your clothes. Finally, head for the shower. All parts of the poison ivy plant contain the oil urushiol, which causes the rash. If clothing is not disposed of or washed well, the oil will be waiting for you the next time you touch those clothes. What to do with the vines you’ve pulled? Send them to the landfill, where they will wait like a toxic time bomb till the end of time. Whatever you do, don’t burn them, even if burning is still legal in your neck of the woods. Smoke can carry the tiny droplets of oil. “Don’t even let your non-allergic smartaleck friend burn the vines,” Cummins warns, explaining, “Inhalation of poison ivy smoke can be fatal.”
Plan Your New Lawn For
Green Seasons Courtesy of the LSU Ag Center
If you planted sod this past winter, be sure to avoid letting the sod dry out because it doesn’t have many roots yet. Root growth will start when soil temperatures are about mid-60 degrees, but roots will do better as temperatures get above 70 degrees. Before planting your lawn, have a well-prepared planting bed. This is true for sodding, but especially true for seeding a lawn. Without the right start, a newly sodded lawn can be an expensive disappointment. Start out by selecting the right type of grass for your needs and the environment that you will grow in. Consult www.lsuagcenter.com or your local parish agent. All warm-season grasses can be established vegetatively with sod or
grass pieces, but seed-type Bermudas and carpet grass are usually directly seeded. Centipede grass is sometimes seeded as well. Before laying sod, horticulturist say it is important to have a well-prepared soil bed. This means that the soil should be amended as needed for organic matter, lime and phosphorous, then graded for drainage. Never put sod on hard, uncultivated or weedy ground. Soil needs are best determined by a routine soil test available through your local agent’s office for a fee. Allow two to three weeks for return of test results. Incorporate lime, phosphate and organic matter (if needed) as recommended, to a depth of several inches. Before laying sod and after amending the soil, install irrigation and establish final drainage
grades and contours. Allow grades of 1 percent to 2 percent slope away from the house and plant beds. If you bring in some sandy topsoil fill, first establish a rough grade to accommodate the general drainage flow. If this topsoil is very different from the native soil, lightly till it in to reduce a pronounced boundary between the two very different soil types. Create swales (depressed areas) if needed to move surface water to drains, or lay field drains with pipe in low areas. “Figure where the water wants to go, and then help it to do so,” horticulturalist Tom Koske says, adding, “Remember, it is going to go somewhere no matter what and on our normally heavy soil it won’t perk down well.”
Lay sod pieces tightly together so edges will not dry out. Where voids exist, shovel in some soil. After planting the sod, it is best to roll it flat to level the sod and press out air pockets that develop in the rooting interface. If seeding, be sure that the soil is 70 degrees or warmer before planting. In the prepared seedbed, broadcast or drill (drop) the fresh seed. After spreading the seed, be sure to plant it by light raking, rolling or a combination of both. “Don’t allow freshly planted seed or sod to dry out,” Koske says, emphasizing, “This is especially important for new seed, which is trying to develop a sustainable root system.” Newly planted seed requires light but frequent applications of water to keep the seedlings moist without washing away. Reduce watering as the second and third leaves become visible. With sod, we water less each week until the sod is considered established, which is after the third week. After that, it’s water as needed. “Get a real good start on your lawn and hopefully, you won’t need to do this again,” Koske says.
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PAGE 31
The
“Original”
Best Of SWLA
ReadersPoll 2 0 0 8
The Polls Are Open! It’s that time again – time for “The Times Original Best of Southwest Louisiana Reader’s Poll.” Since the Times readers have strong opinions and are not shy about sharing them, we were the first in the area to ask you to vote on your favorites in everything from boudin to banks, from barbeque to barber shops.
Polls close at midnight, April 4. Voting is exclusively on-line at www.timessw.com. Click on “Best Of Ballot” and find your "Best Of" in each category on our on-line ballot. Please check the drop down list FIRST. If you don't find your favorite in the drop-down list, write in your answer. Some categories will be write-in only.
We will announce the 2008 "Original Best Of" winners in The Times May 15 and May 29. ENTRY RULES Only one entry per person and only one entry per email address are allowed. Ballot stuffing is prohibited. The Times reserves the right to reject any suspicious ballot. At least 25 categories must be completed for the ballot to be eligible. However, participants are urged not to vote in a category if they are not familiar with it.
Vote Online At www.timessw.com
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MARCH 6, 2008
Summer
Gardening March Means Planting For
Vegetables Courtesy of the LSU Ag Center March is a critical month for vegetable gardens – early for planting some veggies and late for raising others. With proper timing, gardeners can increase potential yield and decrease production problems, according to LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dr. Tom Koske. March is the time to start planting seed for snap beans, lima beans, butter beans, butter peas, cucumber, muskmelons, okra, radishes, corn, collards and watermelons. You may plant the entire garden with early and late varieties, or plant the same ones but stagger plantings by a few weeks for later harvests. Sweet potato roots may still be bedded early in the month on well-drained, warm beds for slip production for May. Pepper, eggplants and tomato transplants may be planted now whenever danger of frost is mostly over. Using black plastic mulch with these crops is a good idea for weed and moisture control as well as an early start. “Don’t be in a rush to set out the peppers, okra and eggplants if the soil
is cold,” Koske advises. All these vegetables can be hurt by a late frost. Northern parishes still may plant shallots, Chinese cabbage and cabbage transplants, and southern parishes now can start seeding southern peas, squash and pumpkin. In the southern half of the state it is too late for good spring plantings of beets, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, carrots, cauliflower, garlic, onion, Irish potatoes, lettuce, parsley, English or snow peas, spinach, mustard and turnips. Try more timely crops. Northern parishes may still try some early beets, carrots and loose-head lettuce. Vegetables to plant in April include collards, squash, pumpkins, okra, tomatoes, corn, radishes, peppers, mirliton, melons, eggplants, cucumbers, bush or pole snap beans and limas, watermelons, southern peas and early sweet potato slips.
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C I T Y A N D W E L L WAT E R T R E AT M E N T
Mulch With
Pine Straw Courtesy of the LSU Ag Center
Mulching is one of the most important tasks for a successful landscape. Ornamental plants benefit greatly from it. Mulching should be part of garden maintenance at least twice a year, according to LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dr. Allen Owings. Pine straw is an excellent choice among mulch products available on the market. It saves time in landscape maintenance; it greatly reduces weeding time, watering and clean-up after heavy rains; and it creates an environment in which plants grow uniformly. In addition, pine straw gradually breaks down to release nutrients and organic matter and to improve soil texture. Owings recommends a 3-inch layer for the initial application. He says onehalf pound per square foot will give this desired depth. Most bales sold in
Louisiana weigh 25-51 pounds and contain 3-6 cubic feet of mulch. A 25pound, 3-cubic foot bale will cover 50 square feet 3 inches deep. Annual or semi-annual reapplication of pine straw mulch can be done to a depth of 1 inch. When reapplying, one bale of pine straw should go three times as far. Good mulching benefits plants, the soil and surrounding areas in many ways. Owing says these benefits include conserving soil moisture, preventing crusting of the soil surface, maintaining uniformity in soil temperature, reducing weed seed germination and subsequent growth, preventing upward splashing of soil fungus, lessens possibilities of cold damage, slowing erosion, preventing soil compaction and adding to the beauty of the landscape.
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t i m e s
picks the best in lake area entertainment
AND THE CELEBRATION CONTINUES… ST. PATRICK HOSPITAL, MARCH 14 — Throughout the month of March, Christus St. Patrick Hospital will be celebrating 100 Years of Service to the Southwest Louisiana community. To commemorate this major milestone, a Centennial Mass will take place on Friday, March 14, at 4 p.m., in the Immaculate Conception Cathedral, 935 Bilbo Street, Lake Charles. The community is invited to attend, as well as former St. Patrick employees, physicians and patients. The Mass will be led by The Most Reverend Glen John Provost, Bishop of Lake Charles. A reception will follow at the Lake Charles Historical City Hall, 1001 Ryan Street. An unveiling of the St. Patrick Hospital 100th Anniversary historic photograph exhibit will take place during the reception. This special exhibit will feature an array of photographs and stories of St. Patrick Hospital, some dating back as far as 1907. The 100th Anniversary exhibit will be available for public viewing from March 17 through April 25, at the Historic City Hall Arts and Cultural Center (2nd Floor). For more information, call (337) 491-7177. SECOND ANNUAL ST. PATRICK’S DAY BALLADEER FESTIVAL MARCH 15 — The St. Patrick’s Day Balladeer Festival is 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, March 15, in downtown Lake Charles. The festival will feature live performances by guest artists, arts and crafts, an activity area for children, an Irish food cook-off competition and other food and drinks. Featured performers include Danny O’Flaherty, Drowsy Maggie, Constant Billy, and The Lone Star Pipe Band. The children’s activity area will have face painting, an inflatable jump area and games and activities that teach about Irish culture. Categories for the St. Patrick’s Day cook-off are Irish stew, corned beef and cabbage, and fusion. Entry fee for teams is $25 per category or $65 for all three categories. Festival-goers will be able to sample all the entries for $5. For more information, e-mail charles@celticnations.org . The festival will also accept canned and dried foods in memory of the An Gorta Mor, or the Irish Potato Famine. Food collected at the festival will be donated to local food pantries. Admission is free to the public and is made possible, in large part, because of the corporate sponsorship of Christus-St. Patrick Hospital. Vendors interested in reserving space at the festival can do so by calling Nanette Singer at 439-4888 or 513-6514. Booth space will be free. The event is hosted by the Celtic Nations Heritage Foundation.
Sue Foley
LOUISIANA CROSSROADS NEARS THE END, MARCH 12 — You won’t want to miss the season finale of Louisiana Crossroads Wednesday, March 12 at 7 p.m. at Central School Theater, 806 Kirby Street. Barbara Lynn and Sue Foley will cover musical turf from Texas to Louisiana and beyond while sharing the stories behind their incredible songs and intersecting
Barbara Lynn
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MARCH 6, 2008
careers. Left-handed six-stringer Lynn is a potent musical force hailing from Beaumont, and in the company of fellow blues guitar woman Foley, musical sparks are sure to fly. Louisiana Crossroads is a musical series of live radio broadcasts in front of an audience. The format includes music, an interview with the host of the program, and a question and answer segment from the audience. The broadcast is a two-hour show on KRVS, a National Public Radio Broadcasting Station. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at the door on the night of the concert. Doors open at 6 p.m. To purchase tickets online or learn more about Louisiana Crossroads, visit www.louisianacrossroads.org. For more information, call (337)491-9147. INTERNATIONAL ARTIST TEACHING PAINTING WORKSHOP, MARCH 16–28 — There will be a three day oil workshop on March 26, 27, and 28, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the ALA “Gallery By The Lake” new Creative Art Center. Artist, Judy Crowe of Houston has been featured in several art magazines, most notably “International Artist”. She is known for her beautiful loose “A La Prima” paintings which are completed in just a couple of hours. The first of the 3 days, she will demonstrate and instruct students on a “still life”. The second day, painting will be a landscape outdoors, working in “Plein Aire.” The final day will be at the choice of the students. At the end, students be able to go home content with at least a nearly completed painting. This is an opportunity for local artists to learn to loosen up and paint somewhat more impressionistic, from a very accomplished artist. Judy’s paintings can be seen on her web site, www.judycrowe.com . The cost is $275 for the three days. A light lunch will be available each day for $5. For those who can only come on Saturday, March 29, Judy is willing to give a one day workshop for $100 per student. For more information, call ALA at 436-1008. MARCH EVENTS AT THE CHILDREN’S MUSEUM — Artist of the Month: Dr. Susan Boyd, Monday’s: March 10 and 17. Join Susan in the ArtSpace and create your very own ceramic pots! Workshops are limited to 15 children and begin at 3:30 p.m. Friday, March 7: Report Card Day — The Children’s Museum is very proud of area students that earn Honor and Banner Roll. To acknowledge their hard work we are offering $2 off admission for Honor and Banner Roll students. Students must present their report card at the front desk for the discount. Saturday, March 8: Sasol’s Second Saturday Science Show — “Emergency Worker Chemistry” Sasol employees will demonstrate chemical reactions used in different emergencies. Watch how they make a fire extinguisher, a cold pack and a hot pack using everyday items. Program begins at 11 a.m. Monday, March 17: Hunt for Pots of Gold — It’s St. Patrick’s Day. Hunt for hidden “Pots of Gold” in the Museum. Lucky explorers may find rewards at the end of the rainbow. Thursday, March 20: Third Thursday — Third Thursdays is a special program for families of children with autism spectrum disorders only. This is an afterhours opportunity to enjoy the museum with families dealing with similar impairments. It also allows parents to help their children develop language and social skills. Admission fees paid by SWLA Autism Chapter. Friday, March 21: Member’s Easter Egg Hunt — The Museum will be closed to the general public and open to Members Only for the Member’s Easter Egg Hunt. Hunt times vary for different age groups and prizes will be awarded. The fun begins at 10 a.m. Monday, March 24: Kids in the Kitchen — Join Chef Joe for culinary fun. Learn how to be creative in the kitchen and have fun while cooking. Program time To Be Announced. Tuesday, March 25: Interactive Drama — Experience storytelling in a new way with Neil and Mary Early. This program features stories from around the world with a justice theme and positive character values with puppets, costumes and props.Program begins at 11 a.m. Wednesday, March 26: ArtSpace Workshop — Join us in the ArtSpace as we assemble, paint and decorate Wheely Bugs. The workshop is free of charge for museum members. Non-members will be charged $1.00 per child. Classes are limited to 15 children and begin at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Thursday, March 27: Mr. Yuk — It’s Poison Prevention Month! Join Dr. Mark Ryan for proper safety precautions on poison prevention. Program begins at 11 a.m. Friday, March 28: Silly Sing Alongs — Go buggy! Come in and sing silly songs with Suzie about birds, worms and bugs! Program begins at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 29: Food Drive (All Day Event) — Help the Children’s Museum support Abraham’s Tent. Bring in any non-perishable food item and receive $1 off admission. Visit www.swlakids.org for more information!
2ND ANNUAL HORSE EXPO, MARCH 8–9 — The Louisiana Equine Council (LEC) will hold their 2nd Annual Horse Expo on March 8-9 at the Lamar-Dixon Expo Center in Gonzales. The Expo will include a trade show, clinics, education sessions and competitions. Southwest Louisiana makes up District 4. The Expo is held to showcase and introduce many different breeds and disciplines to the citizens of Louisiana. Admission to the event is $5 a day for non-LEC members. For more information, call Ruby Halter at (337) 234-8652 or visit http://www.laequinecouncil.com/expo2008.html COUSHATTA HOSTS GRAMMY NOMINEE DIERKS BENTLEY, MARCH 21 — Coushatta Casino Resort is proud to host Capitol Nashville recording artist, singer-songwriter and four-time Grammy nominee Dierks Bentley, Friday, March 21 at 8 p.m. in The Pavilion at Coushatta. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Dierks Bentley is currently nominated for four Grammy Awards. Bentley’s No. 1 hits include: “Free and Easy (Down the Road I Go),” “Every Mile A Memory,” “Settle for a Slowdown,” “Come a Little Closer,” and “What Was I Thinkin’.”
Dierks Bentley
BAYOU PLAYERS TAKE ON THE BARD’S TWELFTH NIGHT, MARCH 12–16 — “Twelfth Night,” William Shakespeare’s fast-moving comedy will be on stage at 7:30 p.m., March 12-15 with a Sunday matinee at 2 p.m. March 16, performed by the McNeese Theatre Bayou Players in Ralph Squires Hall, Shearman Fine Arts Center on the McNeese campus. The people of Shakespeare’s England celebrated Twelfth Night with games, music, plays, and dancing. The action revolves around the mistakes into which love can lead the comic failings of human nature. “Twelfth Night” is an adventure of mistaken identity, confusion, as lovers play the intricate game of love. And, amidst all the high-paced action and adventure, love is triumphant. Joy Pace is director. John Abeggelen is scenic and lighting designer. Ticket prices are: $15 for adults; $ 10 for McNeese faculty & staff, senior citizens, and youth (K-12). McNeese students are admitted free with a current ID. The box office is open 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. weekdays and Saturdays 10 a.m. to noon, through performance dates. TROY AT THE TUPPER MUSEUM, MARCH 10 TO APRIL 18 — The W.H. Tupper Museum will present “Troy Broussard Paints the Town”, an art exhibition featuring area landmarks and landscapes. Over 40 paintings will exhibit in the Tupper’s Old Magnolia Room ranging from scenes of downtown Jennings to the Lake Arthur lakeshore. The exhibit will open with a reception Tuesday, March 11, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Troy Broussard was born in Lafayette and raised in Jennings. He has shown paintings in Houston galleries since 1995. In 2007 he returned to his hometown of Jennings. Troy set up his art studio adjacent to his home and works for the Zigler Art Museum. “Troy Broussard Paints the Town” represents a body of work accomplished since the artist’s return to Jennings in summer 2007. The W.H. Tupper Museum, 311 N. Main Street, Jennings, is open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. For information call (337) 821-5532. PORCELAIN ART GUILD EASTER EGG SALE, MARCH 15 — The Lake Charles Porcelain Art Guild are having their annual show and sale of fine hand-painted porcelain and Easter eggs at the Imperial Calcasieu Museum, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. For more information contact Audrey Miller at 474-2192.
Shoulder Pain?
You Don't Have to Reach Far to Find Relief
Sometimes, the best answer is right in front of you. It’s a relief to know that the latest treatment options for shoulder pain are available right here in Southwest Louisiana. Whether the pain is caused by wear and tear of your shoulder joint, rheumatoid arthritis, sports injury or rotator cuff problems, shoulder pain can bring your quality of life to an abrupt halt. Thanks to the experience of Geoffrey Collins, MD, orthopaedic surgeon, along with the multidisciplinary healthcare team at West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital, you can stay local and stay moving. Dr. Collins has 10 years of experience in shoulder replacement surgery, and is specifically trained in reverse shoulder replacement. Together, Dr. Collins and West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital's orthopaedic team provide the experience you can trust to get you back in the swing of life.
Geoffrey Collins, MD, orthopaedic surgeon To schedule an appointment, call
(337) 721-7CFO (7236)
MARCH 6, 2008
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"Pretty Cheesy" — any way you prepare it.
by Matt Jones • ©2008 Jonesin' Crosswords Brought to you by Melanie Perry, Agent State Farm Insurance
Last Issue’s Answers
Another Success Story... I have advertised with The Times of Southwest Louisiana for over ten years. Having a degree in advertising, I know The Times definitely reaches my target audience and the quality of the paper is impeccable. — Susie Book, Owner, Expressions
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MARCH 6, 2008
Across 1 1970s PBS show hosted by LeVar Burton 6 Prom rental 10 Drug carrier across the border 14 "Leave Britney ___!" (Chris Crocker catchphrase) 15 City where Camus's "The Plague" takes place 16 Operating system option 17 Fall heavily, as into a chair 18 Main man 20 It holds your logs 22 Lithium-___ battery 23 Hallow ending 24 "___ Nacht in Venedig" (Strauss opera) 25 Bright aquarium fish 27 Ovine opinion 29 Spinners for the party 32 Fruity dessert 36 "Frida" subject 39 Enjoyed endives 40 Fabric also called "art silk" 41 Modern English hit of 1982 44 Rapper who had a role in "Chicago" 45 "___ You Experienced" (classic rock album) 46 Twin surname 49 Company that introduced non-stick cookware
52 53 55 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66
Blowhard's feature Bad, in Bogota Minimal amount of self-esteem 3 for 27, 4 for 64, etc. Like some Greek columns Kid who gets away with a lot "Dirty Jobs" host Mike Back burner location Formal letter opener Hoodwink Number of seasons "Arrested Development" lasted
Down 1 "Baby Beluga" singer 2 "Scrubs" character ___ Reid 3 Recurring role for Damon 4 "This round's ___!" 5 Philadelphia soup variety 6 Lindsay nominated for two "Worst Actress" Razzie Awards in 2007 for two roles in the same movie 7 ___-Z (Camaro model) 8 Arcade emulator program 9 Single-speed bike feature 10 Animated Disney film with George Takei 11 Coalescing around, as a cause 12 "___ Capades" ("South Park" episode)
13 PC file extension used with the "run" command 19 Indo-___ Lanka Peace Accord 21 Bound 26 Like some tales 27 Joan's "What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?" costar 28 Banda ___ (city devastated by the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake) 30 Glow by ___ (celebrity women's fragrance) 31 Chinese revolutionary Sun Yat-___ 33 Dragon's pad 34 Doctor who must've been a whiz in med school? 35 Art Spiegelman graphic novel 36 ___ Jong Il 37 "The Party Faithful" author Sullivan 38 Candy in a Ben & Jerry's flavor 42 Hotel that lent its name to a salad 43 Ranger Smith's nemesis 47 It shares the same keys as a G major scale 48 Home-grown 50 Guitar neck features 51 ___ Lingus (Irish airline) 52 Ford flop introduced 50 years ago 54 School for French students 55 Daughter once nicknamed "TomKitten" by the media 56 "When We ___" (2001 Janet Jackson song) 57 Battleship guess 58 Chris of "Law & Order" 59 "Jericho" network
It’s a simple recipe for spoiling a Shadow reporter. Give her a night in a new suite at the justopened hotel tower at L’Auberge, allow her to steep in a fabulous tub of fragrant bath salts in a luxurious bathroom, add in sweets (chocolate at beside and complimentary breakfast scones) and a shopping spree through The Shops at L’Auberge where free gifts were given out at each store. Suite life indeed! This “Briar Patch Assignment” came in the way of an invitation to explore the latest expansion at L’Auberge du lac Casino Resort. Kerry Anderson, Manager of Community and Public Relations greeted us as we checked in Thursday evening, February 28, and gave us each a personal tour of our suites in the new VIP wing for the evening. Oh, how nice to be pampered. My suite was sweet! It was comfortable and luxurious without being frou-frou. A dark wood tray ceiling crowns the suite and recessed lighting provides ambient illumination. I loved the rheostats so that one can create just the relaxing atmosphere desired. And a special gift from Pinnacle awaited us – a plush kitten-soft, chocolate-colored robe. Yummy! The furnishings are comfortable and the color scheme is a refined burgundy and tan. Plaid carpeting warms the space and the comfy sofa and chairs. Cork wall covering wraps you in quiet comfort. I love the
silky iridescent drapes with sheen of bronze, gold, green and burgundy. The view from my wall of windows was the new adults-only pool with private cabanas and tropical palm trees. Lovely. And the bathroom! Oh my…It’s all marble and dark wood and glass. The tub is a work of art, surrounded by cast metal cattails. On one side the large walk-in shower is enclosed with clear glass. On the other side, frosted glass provides privacy for the toilet and bidet. Vanities on either side of the room of dark wood and shiny granite allow for plenty of primping room. But back to the tub. I must admit I felt very backwoods when I realized that there was not a spigot for the tub. How do you fill it with water? Oh, surely there wasn’t some awful mistake in such a luxurious room and they forgot to install a faucet! After puzzling over it for a while, I finally turned the elegant handle on the marble tile wall and water poured from the ceiling and into the tub without making so much as a splash! Oh, and the recessed lighting over the tub is also controlled by rheostat so that you can tailor your lighting for your own bathing comfort. On a nearby ottoman, the remote to the TV on the bathroom wall allows you to catch your favorite program while you bath.
I couldn’t wait to have a nice long soak in that heavenly tub. But first, supper. I met my publisher and his wife, Scot and Bea Hebert, my co-worker Patricia Prudhomme and her mother, our newest best friend, Kay Andrews at Jack Daniel’s Bar and Grill for supper. Lance, our server, recommended the delightful shrimp appetizers and we made short work of the creamy spinach dip. Our entrees were perfect (of course). I chose the rare filet mignon. Patricia tried the ribs and announced them to be perfection. Lance cheerfully joined us for photo ops and after my luscious frozen vodka martinis, I retired to my room — and that tub! Well, first I turned on the hot water and dropped a bath fizzy tablet into the oversized tub. While it filled, I stepped into the shower and washed my hair in the luxury of not only the complimentary herbal shampoos, but also the wonderfully soft water. (It’s not just my imagination, is it? Hasn’t the city water become even harder since Rita? I swear it comes out of my faucets at home in chunks. But I digress…) I slathered on fragrant hair conditioner and stepped into the hot tub. I turned on the TV to Family Guy and luxuriated in the sinful comfort. And actually, that was the only time I cared to turn the TV on. The suite also had a wonderful TV, but the quiet restful ambiance kept me from allowing the electronic intruMARCH 6, 2008
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Photo of the newly-opened suite
sion. I wanted to just rest and enjoy. After my soak, that kitten-soft robe felt wonderful and so did the bed. Oh, the bed is waaaay too comfortable, with four generous sized pillows — right over the top on the snuggle-factor scale! I drifted off to sleep– best sleep I think I’ve had since Rita, actually. Morning came too soon, but breakfast was being served at Le Beaucoup Buffet so I joined Scot and Bea for delightful coffee, eggs, ham and scones. And then there was actual work to do. The grand opening and ribbon cutting, and the tour of the new garden suites was scheduled for noon. So you see, it wasn’t all play and pampering. We had to actually prepare to report on the event. L’Auberge welcomed elected officials, representatives from the Parish Police Jury and the City of Lake Charles, the Port of Lake Charles, the Convention and Visitors Bureau and the media to the formal ribbon-cutting ceremony and tour of the new suites and the new retail outlets At noon we gathered at the VIP reception area to check in and received our special gift/shopping bag. We were given a tour of the exclusive Garden Suites which offers butler service and private gardens.
You know you are in exclusive lux territory when the suite numbers are Roman Numerals! L’Auberge staff offered us delightful iced lemon drinks (with a nice punch to them) and delicious hors d’oeurvres including tiny cheeseburgers garnished with a pickle slice. The tiny sesame buns were so cute, I imagined the Keebler Elves must have baked them! I visited with Willie King, Gary Shannon, Julio Galan, Blanche Landry and Stitch Guillory as we began our tour. Lovely harp music greeted us from musician Paula Page. Frances Walker, Aimee Monk and Anne Trapp admired the marble outdoor tubs that grace each Garden Suite. Maria and Beau Faul were taken with the resort amenities of each suite and began planning an anniversary getaway. I chatted with Eligha Guillory, Jr. and Calvin Collins. Celia Case, Patricia Philmon, Brad Goins and Greg Webb visited with L’Auberge VP Larry Lepinski. JoAnn Fontenot, Glenda Bennett, Wanda West, Peter O’Carroll and George Swift were enjoying the tour. I also spotted Lynn Hohensee, Lee and Anne Monlezun, Mark Herbert, Darlene Manuel, Marshall Simien, John Cordone, Mark Abraham, Mark
Eligha Guillory, Jr. and Calvin Collins visited during the L’Auberge grand opening tour.
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MARCH 6, 2008
Mark Herbert, Darlene Manuel and Marshall Simien explored the lounge area around the new Garden Suites pool.
McMurry, Hal McMillin, Greg Wise, Katie Harrington, Leslie Harless, Hector San Miguel, and Eric Cormier. We gathered in front of Studs of L’Auberge, a new menswear shop for the official ribbon cutting. Kerry Anderson welcomed us and then introduced Wade Hundley and Larry Lepinski. According to Pinnacle President Wade Hundley, the addition of the 250 rooms and suites in the new tower brings the total accommodations at L’Auberge to 1,000 rooms, making the resort the largest hotel in Louisiana outside of New Orleans. Vice President and General Manager, Larry Lepinski told the assembly at the grand opening and ribbon cutting Friday, February 29, “We exceeded the budget and we took more time completing this project, but it was well worth waiting for…We have hosted visitors from every state in the union. We thank the community. We wouldn’t be here without your support.” The retail outlets include Loved Ones, a pet boutique; L’ove with fabulous lingerie; Desserts, a confectionary featuring gelato, pastries and candy. Studs of L’Auberge offers ele-
gant resort clothing for men; L’Arcade offers high tech fun and classic video games. These new retail shops join Modele, The Floral Shop, L’Sundries and Ambalo, as well as the golf pro shop. We each had a special card and with each visit to the retail outlets, we had our card stamped and received a welcome gift. We also received coupons for discounts for shopping through the weekend. So that’s how you spoil a Shadow. Let her luxuriate in a spacious suite, steep in an oversized tub of fragrant bath salts, offer her sweets and libations and then turn her loose for a free shopping spree! I figure, why bother to travel and take off your shoes for TSA and count the number of tiny bottles you can fit in a zip lock just to fly to a resort. Right across town, you can enter another world of pampering and relaxation. You’ll feel a million miles away and return home rested. Thank you Kerry and L’Auberge for a great Briar Patch Shadow assignment!
Mark Abraham and John Cardone enjoyed the tour of the new Garden Suites at L’Auberge.
Honorees Denise and Sam Hebert visited with Janet and Joe Stoma at the Family Foundation Awards.
Lynn Hohensee, Julio Galan, Denise and Tom Morris, Esther Vincent and Leslie Harless visited at the Family Foundation Awards.
Fab Feb Food, Fun and Fund Raisers!
F
ebruary was fabulous with tons of fun places to go, food to sample and people to meet. So much fun, that the Shadow had to call upon her intrepid Honorary Assistant Shadows, Patricia Prudhomme, Joseph Frazier and Assistant Shadow Assistant, Keith O’Neal, to report on all the activity. February 15, The League of Women Voters met for their regular monthly luncheon at Reeves Uptown Catering — but this meeting was extra special. The League celebrated its 88th year of empowering individuals in an effort to keep government in the hands of the people at a grass roots level. We enjoyed a lovely lunch of smothered chicken with mushroom gravy, shrimp Creole, and corn maque choux with carrot cake for dessert. Current LWV President Alfred Doucette, Jr. recog-
Past presidents of League of Women Voters celebrated the LWV’s 88th Year. They include Evelyn Cloutman, May Gray, Maureen Koscurik-Trott, Senator Willie Mount, Helen Curol, Marilyn Cox, Lollion Elmer, Debbie English, Elizabeth Hall, Carrie Diaz, Connie Pascale, Sheila Babineaux, Ann Polak, DeAnn Gibson-Sinrich, Nena Menard, Nancy Tower, Pam Mattingly, and Alfred Doucette, Jr.
Roy Lee McKinley, Lillie Wilson, Rev. Miller, Stella Miller, Cathy Banks, Dr. Lillie Jackson and Dora Kennison at the Family Foundation Philanthropy awards reception.
Susan and Mike Breaux and Sue and Harvey McMillin at the Pioneer Club.
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Nomica Guillory visited with Denise Morris at the Pioneer Club.
nized each of the past presidents in attendance, while First Vice President Terry Backhaus presented them with a certificate. Those honored past presidents included: Evelyn Cloutman, May Gray, Maureen Koscurik-Trott, Senator Willie Mount, Helen Curol, Marilyn Cox, Lollion Elmer, Debbie English, Elizabeth Hall, Carrie Diaz, Connie Pascale, Sheila Babineaux, Ann Polak, DeAnn Gibson-Sinrich, Nena Menard, Nancy Tower, Pam Mattingly, and Alfred Doucette, Jr. The Shadow also spotted David Wilburn, Senator Cox, Sandy Peck, Tony Guillory, Janell Fontenot,
Brian and Michelle Jordan and Bernadette Seaberry visited at the Pioneer Club.
George Ben, Dorothy Durret, and Amber Click. Family Foundation of Southwest Louisiana honored Sam and Denise Hebert, Stella Miller, Thomas J. Morris, and Roy M. Raftery, Jr. at the Philanthropy Day celebration at L’Auberge du Lac, Wednesday evening, February 20. These five citizens were singled out for generously giving their time, talent, and treasure to the betterment of Southwest Louisiana. I met Lt. Joel Bolton and his lovely wife Sandy and their adorable granddaughter, Jolie as I arrived at L’Auberge. Honorees Denise and Sam
Hebert visited with Janet and Joe Stoma. Lynn Hohensee, Leslie Harless, Shelia Champagne, Esther Vincent and Julio Gala chatted with honoree Tom Morris. Honoree Stella Miller and her husband, Rev. Earl Miller, shared a table with friends, Roy Lee McKinley, Lillie Wilson, Dora Kennison, Dr. Lillie Jackson, and Cathy Banks. I also visited with Judith Washington, Gwendolyn Garner and Catherine Thomas. A group from Cameron State Bank congratulated honoree Roy Raftery, including Lyles McDaniel, Red Pickett, Elmo Sartin, Mike Rowe
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and Leslie Harless. During the awards ceremony, we learned that philanthropy is the act of individual citizens contributing money or goods, along with their time and skills, to promote the well being of others and the betterment of the community in which they live and work. And those honored truly have gone out of their way for the betterment of our neighbors. Sam Hebert, a long time Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) volunteers and his wife Denise initiated the Dinner at Mi CASA event which has raised thousands for children benefiting from CASA.
Patrick and Blair Tadlock, Katie Cherhoniak and George Cestia at the Pioneer Club.
Stella Miller has touched many lives through her fundraising commitment to support the Black Heritage Festival, and the many generous hours of personal time she gives towards the betterment of our community. One of her former students, Cathy Banks had the honor of introducing Ms. Stella. Thomas J. Morris, with United Way, was honored for being instrumental in raising millions of dollars for human service organizations in Southwest Louisiana, and his leadership and contributions to the Rotary mission. Besides being a dedicated contributor and supporter of quality education, Roy M. Raftery, Jr. , of Cameron State Bank, sets the tone when it comes to corporate responsibility to the community. Over the years, Roy has and continues to lead in supporting endowments on behalf of children and families. Philanthropy Day is a national celebration that recognizes the profound impact that philanthropy has on our communities. This is the fifth year the Family Foundation has honored local philanthropists who, through their hard work and dedication, enhance Southwest Louisiana. The Family Foundation of Southwest Louisiana serves as the
endowment and philanthropic arm of Family & Youth, connecting donors to the priorities that enhance the quality of family and community life for generations to come. The staff at L’Auberge served us delightful hors d’oeurvres of sirloin, grilled shrimp, chocolate-dipped strawberries and melt-in-your-mouth coconut macaroons as we gathered for conversation and photos after the awards presentations. The Lake Charles Rotary hosts a delightful dinner theatre evening each year. Rotarians and their guests enjoy a delightful supper at the Pioneer Club and then we all go over to the Lake Charles Little Theatre for an exclusive preview of their spring production. This year I was once again the guest of Tom and Denise Morris who greeted guests as they arrived at the Pioneer Club along with Rotarians Dan Plummer and Shelia Babineaux, and Rotary President Eligha Guillory, Jr. and Nomica Guillory. All the ladies received a long-stemmed red rose upon arrival, and the gentlemen received scratch-off lottery game tickets. Susan and Mike Breaux chatted with Sue and Henry McMillin, Shelia Champagne, Alvin Joseph, Rudy Young and Bob Pumpelly. Brian and
Wanda fans Lucy Cavys, Andrew Hebert, Derick Fendly, and Beth Sneve.
Reanie Nunez, Romona Walden, and Amy Blanchard enjoyed an evening with Wanda!
Michelle Jordan visited with Bernadette Seaberry, Patrick and Blair Tadlock, Katie Cherhoniak, Lynn and Marie Hohensee, Laura Heller and George Cestia. I sat at Morris’ table with the Breauxs, Dr. McCandless and Katherine Rose and Hanh Vu. We enjoyed our meal (I chose the perfect rare roast beef!) and trademark Pioneer Club desserts of banana cream pie or cheesecake. And we also enjoyed great laughs and conversation. After dinner we all headed over to the Lake Charles Little Theatre where LCLT Board President Joanne Hanks welcomed us. Ms Hanks and Mr. Guillory together, held a brief ceremony to dedicate the new metal awning that graces the LCLT entry. Thanks to the generosity of the Rotarians, the cloth awning that had been destroyed by Hurricane Rita was replaced. The plaque for the theatre entrance states, “Protection from the weather provided by Rotary Club of Lake Charles and H & H Metal.” After the presentation, we took our seats for the final dress rehearsal – and the first presentation of the play before it opened the next night – of “Peg O’ My Heart.” The lively romance was directed by Jo Ann Rigney and fea-
tured a cast of veteran actors and newcomers including, Waverlyn Bayard, Edwin Sherwood, Caroline Downer, Jordan Bell Ashworth, Brett Chase, Greg Cooper, Randy Partin, Jean Goodwin, and Christian White. Among the veterans of the LCLT stage was T-Beau Partin who aptly played the part of Michael, Peg’s little poodle! “Peg O’ My Heart” runs through March 9, so there’s still time to get over to the Little Theatre and enjoy the show – and the sturdy blue metal awning courtesy of the Rotary and H& H Metal. “Yikes It’s Sykes!” When this Assistant Shadow found out Wanda Sykes was appearing at the Isle of Capri Casino on February 23rd, it was all I could do to beg the editor and offer up my first born for the opportunity to see her! Well, thankfully, the editor assigned this gig to me (instead of the regular Shadow — neener, neener!) and cut me some slack on the first born promise. I officially thank her here. The evening of the event I arrived early, hoping to run into some very interesting people, and I was not disappointed! While waiting to get into the Flamingo Bay Ballroom, where Ms. Sykes was appearing, I was thrilled to bump into Earl and Carolyn Jones,
Molly and Carly Hand at the Symphony.
MARCH 6, 2008
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Donna, Darryl and Molly Jones at the Symphony.
recent retirees and friends of the Shadow. Just remember Ms. Jones, THE SHADOW KNOWS! Another friend that the Shadow was thrilled to see was Ms. Erica D. Woods and her finance, John Chavez. Congrats Ms. Woods! Checking my sources at the river boat, I was happy to hear that Ms. Sykes had spent a little time enjoying the Isle facilities and gaming. (I was secretly hoping to “bump” into her at the Black Jack table!) Also spied seeking their seats were Shadow acquaintances Mary Lou Covington, Tony Dupuis, Greg Cormier, Michelle Breaux, Tia Seeley, and Sheila Leopold. Michelle, I must say, you ALWAYS have the best shoes! How big is your shoe closet? MY GAWD! While mingling with the early bird crowd, I met some wonderful Houston folks, who drove in just to see her, and maybe spend a little time on the boat, you know, since they are already here...LOL! These Lone Star visitors were Lucinda Baldwin, her mother Bessie Butler, and Gilbert and Cynthia Miles. With the lights dimming, I squinted to spot Amy Duplechin, her beau-hunk boyfriend Jesse Jenkins, and Louella Saltzman, Darlene Broussard, Terry
Hungerford, and Sanqueisha Devereaux all running to claim their seats. Just as the “warm-up” comedian, Keith Robinson, came out, I sent my Jr. Assistant Shadow (Keith O’Neal) to the bar for a fast refill of liquid laughter and settled in for a fun evening. From the opening of her set, Wanda did not disappoint. The crowd responded enthusiastically to Ms. Sykes “blue” humor, for which she has become famous! After a couple of hours of non-stop laughter, her appreciative, but exhausted audience, made our way to the eateries, bars, and established entertainment that the rest of the fabulous Isle of Capri had to offer. A truly great evening. A crowd gathered at the Rosa Hart Theatre Sunday afternoon, February 24 for the Lake Charles Symphony Orchestra performance. I visited with Executive Director Debbie Reed, Board President Mary Beth Huber and volunteer Anne Drake as patrons entered. Among those enjoying the afternoon of music were Fred Sahlmann, William Kushner, Rebecca and Kenneth Lormand, Donna, Darryl and Molly Jones, and Molly and Carly Hand. The Barrilleaux siblings, Elizabeth, Vivian, Claire, Paul and
Jennifer Toups shares her enthusiasm Christopher Guillott and owner of Fleur de Lis, Wendy Wallace at the Canal Place/Heard Development reception to kick off Providence.
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Marion Fox, Burt Tietje, and former Senator Jerry Theunissen at the new Prien Lake Park facility for the A&HC Gold Key Quest.
Scout arrived. Marilyn Vaughn and Roger Breaux visited with the Junior League volunteers Daphne Letlow, Dana Hebert and Tiffany Guidry. They were selling copies of the League’s wonderful new cookbook, “Mansions to Marshes” and offering samples of the recipes for sweets from the book. Sunday February 24, at the brand new Prien Lake Park facility, the Arts and Humanities Council of Southwest Louisiana kicked off the 2008 Gold Key Quest with a spectacular reception. While musicians played in the background, everyone enjoyed a sparkling glass of champagne and sampled the delicious food. There were crawfish bites, meat pies, mini cordon blues, spinach dip, fresh fruit and cheesecake bites. The generous partners providing Gold Key Quest prizes were set up to showcase the offerings. The prizes this year include a gold and gemstone bracelet from DuFlo’s - valued at over $3,000, a Ducks Unlimited Gun of the Year 12-gauge magnum shotgun from Lynn Miller of Cajun Elite Shooting Club, a 50” Flat Screen HDTV, a $1,000.00 VISA Gift Card from First Federal Bank of Louisiana, and many more fantastic treats. The Grand Prize
will once again be the winner’s choice of either a 2008 Ford F150 Pickup Truck or a 2008 Ford Mustang from Bolton Ford! Executive Director, Irene Vandever, shared a few words and even gave away several door prizes. I spotted Sylvia Stelly, Hillary Gayle, Anne Dentler, Charles and Suzanne Vincent, Carol Ann Gayle, Oili Barchak, Kay Andrews, Danny and Jackie Dowden, King and Kaysie Bolton, Peggy Borel, and LaDonna McKnight. You can purchase your Gold Key Quest 2008 tickets by visiting www.goldkeyquest.com or call (337) 439-2787. Scarlet, garnet, crimson, pomegranate, ruby, burgundy, rosy, cherry and all shades in between created a sea of red at the annual American Heart Association “Go Red For Women” luncheon at Treasures of Marilyn’s, Thursday, February 28. Participants all wore red complimented with black and white. We were delightfully coordinated. I met Angela Jouette and Cindy Desonnier as they made a bid on one of the many exciting “Red Purse” silent auction items. Dorene Gothreaux, Mary Didelot, Pam Whitehead, and Charlotte Comeaux looked over the creative red purses for bid. They includ-
Dorene Gothreaux, Mary Didelot, Pam Whiteard and Charlotte Comeaux visited at the Go Red Luncheon.
MARCH 6, 2008
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Anne Drake, Cassondra Guilbeau, LaJeanne Crawford, Tanya Bell and Anoinette Keller at the Conoco table at the Go Red luncheon.
– “5 STARS” “Dark’s Vietnam memoir powerful and well-told,” – Greg Langly, Book Editor Baton Rouge Advocate
“Incredible Read”, – Dr. CA Hoyer, Newport News, VA “Dark’s Utter Honesty Gives This Memoir Importance”, – Grady Harp, Amazon Top Ten Reviewer “An Opportunity for those of us who want to understand what happened, “ – Reader Views, Austin Tx. WINNER: Pulisher’s Choice Award, Editor’s Choice Award, Reader’s Choice Award These are just some of the words critics are using to describe The Brutality of War, an awardwinning, critically-acclaimed memoir written by local businessman Gene R. Dark. The book details his experience as a 19-year-old marine and the year in Vietnam that changed his life forever. If you are interested in a gritty and realistic account of the reality of war that requires you to dismiss the version portrayed by Hollywood and politicians, The Brutality of War offers a viewpoint rarely seen.
Autographed copies of The Brutality of War are available at Walden Books in Lake Charles. The book is also available online through barnesandnoble.com and amazon.com. Additional information about Dark can be found on his website, www.GeneRDark.com. PAGE 44
MARCH 6, 2008
ed “Midnight Pomegranate”, a Kate Landry hand bag filled with fragrant indulgences from Bath and Body Works by Lisa Walker of Home Health 2000. The “Love Yourself” was a CHI bag with perfume, lotions, love song CDs, Kate Landry sunglasses and a sliver heart pendant donated by Nancy Tower and Sasol. Anne Drake with Conoco contributed three purses to the silent auction; “What Women Want”, “Rooted in Red”, and “Have a Heart.” The “Have a Heart” package was proving quite popular with bidders and Nancy Tower continually raised the bid until the last bidder left a note after raising Tower’s bid that ominously read, “Put the pen down, Nancy and back away!” Someone really, really wanted the ruby and white sapphire jewelry, Go Red rhinestone pin, and other goodies in an elegant red evening purse. (And she got it, too!) Jeanne Reed, Karen Parker, LaJeanne Crawford, Claudia Williams and Carol Collins with Conoco created a most coveted red leather bag titled “Very Irresistible” which included three gorgeous red negligees with matching robe. The Gridiron GoGo’s (Girls of Gridiron) including Barbara Downer,
Pam McGough, Laura Heller, Crystal Miller, and Leslie Harless created a great red tote with everything needed to experience (or survive) Gridiron; a shot glass, Tequila Rose, foot relief gel, aspirin, red lipstick, bling jewelry, stress ball, Rachel Ray’s cookbook, hair spray and two tickets for Gridiron 2008. Kevin Hodge donated a great Red Hatter collection of Red Hat jewelry, purple gloves and wonderful accessories prized by those of us who have achieved the status of Red Hat Member! Shelia Handy presented the “Lady’s Handy Girl Kit” a great red bag filled with real tools for the DYI or “tomboys”. And Faye Blackwell of KZWA created a “Moulin Rouge” with CDs, DVDs, a gift certificate to Donna’s Lingerie, a bottle of wine and perfumes. So after chatting and shopping the silent auction, we could have our blood pressure checked by nurses from Christus St. Patrick. Eva Thompson and I took advantage of the check while we visited with Marcella Thierry, Donna Bonvillain, Rhoda Treme and Sandra Semien. I spotted Jenny Griffith, Rose Thomas, Doris Minard, and Maria Faul, Mark Herbert, Tom Morris and Lynn
Barbara Downer, Laura Heller and Crystal Miller at the Go Red luncheon.
THE MERRYVILLE HERITAGE FESTIVAL March 27 - March 29, 2008
From Musical Roots to Cowboy Boots! Whether its cowboy fun, carnival rides, musical entertainment or pageants, you can enjoy it all at the 2008 Merryville Heritage Festival. The event will be held in the town of Merryville with the combination of family fun and entertainment with music, food, arts, and crafts. The Merryville Heritage Festival celebrates the unique heritage of Southwest Louisiana and the area known as “No Man’s Land”.
Louisiana Slow Rollers “GatorRama 2008”
Cathy Chapman, Jo Ann Hanks, Tom Cole, and Joy LeBleu at the opening night at A Block Off Broadway in Jennings.
Hohensee in the crowded room. We filled our plates with a lovely heart-healthy lunch of grilled chicken breast, fresh salad, and a light and delightful strawberry cake. The lunch program included a special tribute to Claire Sorkow, and to Mrs. Vida Pumpelly. Vida’s daughter, Jane Brumby accepted the memorial honor to her mother. Attending from Mrs. Pumpelly’s family were Norma Pruitt, Willadene Rawley, Ione Vincent and Audra Pumpelly. The program was by popular inspirational and comedic speaker, Theresa Hay Needham who reminded us “Experience is what you get when you don’t get what you want.” She encouraged us to “Live in the moment; live in the now.” This wonderful luncheon was full of fun and laughs, and also reminded us of the seriousness of heart disease and how many families it touches. Don’t miss the AHA “Go Red” luncheon next February. Larry and Jennifer Toups opened their lovely home at Canal Place, Thursday evening, February 28 to share details of the exciting new Providence development. Their beautiful old-world inspired home held a large crowd that had a first look at drawings of the development and homes for Providence
planned community. A delightful jazz band played and the Shadow spotted Joanna Castille, Terrell and Becky Heard, Dennis Stine, Mr. and Mrs. Alvin Touchet, Scot and Bea Hebert, Jimmy Snider, David Stine, Tony Cornner, and Tammy Andreas among the crowd. Nothing odd about “Oscar and Felix.” Opening night at “A Block Off Broadway’s” “Oscar and Felix”, Neil Simon’s remake on the original stage play, “The Odd Couple”, made for a great evening of fun for everyone at the historic Strand theatre in Jennings, Friday, February 29. Playing to a nearcapacity crowd, actors David LeBleu, Carl Benoit, Scott Lewis, Frank Cooper, Monica Gary, Ronnie Petree, Terry LeJeune, and Wesley Saucier wowed the crowd with expert timing and a delicious sense of fun. The show was a sensation thanks not only to the consummate acting, but the skillful direction of Tom Cole, who lead his cast on the comedic journey. With an outstanding set and costumes, it was hard to decide what was better; the acting, directing, or scenic wonders. Truly, an evening worth the drive to Jennings! Spied in the audience, laughing for all they were worth were Ellie Marquez,
March 29 - March 30, 2008 Collector Car, Truck & Bike Show & Swap Meet! March 29th -30th. The event location will be held in the Downtown DeRidder area from 9:00 am ‘til 4:00 pm.
Louisiana Doll Festival April 4 - April 5, 2008
If you're a lover of dolls, then the place to be on April 4-6, 2008 is in DeRidder, home of the Lois Loftin Doll Museum. The collection of over 3,000 dolls, donated to the Beauregard Tourist Commission in 1996, is located in the Beauregard Museum. The festival will include Doll Appraisers, Doll Show, Amusement Rides as well as live entertainment and activities for the kids. The Louisiana Doll Festival will be held at the Beauregard Parish Fairgrounds in DeRidder.
For more information please call: 1-800-738-5534 / 337-825-5380 or visit us at www.beauparish.org
Marion Bono visited with Samaritan honorees Clarice Raichel, Father Henry Mancuso and the Rev. Mike McLaurin.
For a free tour guide highlighting affordable adventures close to home, call or visit our Web site today. 1-800-876-7899 LouisianaTravel.com
© 2007
Louisiana Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism
MARCH 6, 2008
PAGE 45
Deacon Lavine and his lovely wife, Brenda, visited with John Bridges before the Samaritan awards presentations.
Mary Jo Canik, Joseph Frazier, Joy LeBleu, Cathy Chapman, Dave Brown, Kristy Hanks, Mike Benoit, Ricky Webre, Ashley Lewis, and Sheila Smith. Meanwhile, at Reeve’s Uptown in Lake Charles, the Samaritan Counseling Center celebrated 20 years of offering help and hope to Southwest Louisiana. And to celebrate, six nominees for Good Samaritan of the Year were honored and one chosen for the award. I met Marion Bono, Clarice Raichel, Fr. Henry Mancuso and Rev. Mike McLaurin when I arrived. Clarice and Fr. Mancuso were both nominees. Rev. McLaurin with the First United Methodist Church in DeRidder came down for the special evening. I visited with Pam Spees, Ron and Troye Ware, Dick and Debbi Thomas, Shelia Champagne, Rudy Young, Deacon and Brenda Lavine. I spotted Robert Piper, Mayor Roach and Nancy Roach and the Rev. James Monroe. The dinner was wonderful…pork tenderloin or tilapia with a shrimp cream sauce, new potatoes, crisp and spicy green bean almandine, fresh salad and white chocolate bread pudding. I sat with a delightful group including Danielle Granger, Barbara Van
Gossen, Christine Fisher, Kristy Armand, Charles St. Dizier, Mickey Shannon and John Bridges. Our Master of Ceremonies was John Bridges, and KPLC TV broadcast the announcements live that evening. Father Whitney Miller gave the invocation. Executive Director Mickey Shannon and board president Charles St. Dizier presented the awards to the nominees. They were Terressitta Victorian, introduced by Victoria Courville; Nola Mae Ross Adams, introduced by Connie David; Lisa Sober, introduced by Mickey Shannon; Clarice Raichel, introduce by Lenn Knapp; Keith Dickerson by Susan Paschal; and Fr. Henry Mancuso by Bernell Ezell. The nominees’ stories were amazing and we were honored to be in the same room as such generous citizens. Mayor Roach noted that they are, “Everyday people doing quietly things that make a tremendous difference…What people do really makes a difference and the good things are never wasted.” Charles St. Dizier and Mickey Shannon announced that Nola Mae Ross Adams is the Samaritan of the Year for her life-long generosity and philanthropy. Then Pastors Jerry and Hope Snider lead us in singing “Happy
Nikki Hebert, Mindy Marcantel and Rana LeBlanc welcomed teams to Bowling For Kid’s Sake.
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MARCH 6, 2008
“Swag Booty”, a scurvy crew of bowlers from the Clerk of Court office raised money and fun for BB/BS Bowling for Kids Sake.
Birthday” to Samaritan and Pastor James Moore gave the dismissal blessing. It was a very inspiring evening. The next morning, it was “Pirates on the Bayou” for Big Brothers/Big Sisters annual Bowl For Kids’ Sake at Petro Bowl. I was greeted by Darrell Boyd and Nikki Hebert, Mindy Marcantel and Rana LeBlanc. Keith O’Neal and Princess Heather were on hand to cheer on the teams. Buccaneer Sherman Corbello and Gumbeaux Gator were enjoying the fun. I got photos of the Clerk of Court team, “Swag Booty”. Baby Brinlee Buxton and Becky Vincent cheered on Capt. Joey and Patricia Landry. Supplying grilled hamburgers, hot dogs, and sausages to hungry volunteers were the Petro Bowl employees, members of the US Bowling Conference, Debbie and Rusty Stroderd, Kent Lucas, Belinda Matthews, Susan Carpenter and A.J. Douget. I left the fun at Petro Bowl to check in on the festivities at the Black Heritage Festival at the Civic Center. I was greeted by volunteers Stella Miller, Roxie Boxie, Betty Edwards, Chantell
Smith, Joan Rigmaiden, Frankie Lane and Audrette Metoyer. I visited with Lannie Molo, Lillie Wilson and Journee and Jasmyn Washington. Over at Lydia GuilloryLee’s booth for her upcoming campaign, Myra Borurque and Tom Cole chatted with friends. I chatted with Barbara Cahee who was enjoying the music with her granddaughter, Zion Grace. Over in the Exhibition Hall, kids’ activities were in full swing. I gathered the Etiquette Dancers in their gold and green costumes for a photo op before their performances. Led by teacher/choreographers Ms. Felicia Hawkins and Mrs. Mary Jones, the girls are Quayanlte Jones, Miricle Bush, Jakara Jiles, Jorina Voorhies, Shaneiqua Glenn, Janesha Bush and Jalessa Smith. I also spied LaKeisha Simien modeling a fabulous balloon tiara as she and Cameron and Nicholas Simien enjoyed all the fun at the Black Heritage Festival.
The Etiquette Dancers performed at the Black Heritage Festival: Quayantie Jones, Miricle Bush, Jakana Jiles, Jorina Voorhies, Shaniequa Glenn, Janesha Bush and Jalessa Smith.
Below: Ms. Billie Chavanne’s 2nd grade class at St. Theodore Holy Family Catholic School celebrated their own "Snow Day." Below: Kristina Lange of "Marilyn's Voice" in Cleveland, Ohio hugs Tina, a LAPAW rescued Pomeranian.
Above: Vaughn Richard with nephew Chance, niece Carley and granddaughter Sydney waiting for the Krewe of Krewe’s parade.
Above: Mr. and Mrs. Alvin Touchet and Bea Hebert are enjoying themselves at the Providence reception.
Parting Sh o ts
1) Email your snap shots to myphoto@timessw.com. Must include a contact name and phone number. 2) Photos should be attached as a file and not imbedded in copy or photoshopped into a format. Original size, please, do not compress the file. No mailed or fax photographs can be used.
3) Subjects in photo must be identified by name. Children should also be identified by parent or guardian. Unidentified or anonymous photos will not be considered for publication. 4) The Times reserves the right to decline publishing photos of questionable taste or subject matter, or for space limitations.
MARCH 6, 2008
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