He’s one of the nation’s top quarterbacks. But who is Garrett Nussmeier? And how far can he take the Tigers this season?
SCAN THE QR CODE TO WATCH THE VIDEO OF HER AMAZING STORY.
SHANNON
HANNEMAN, A KINDERGARTEN
TEACHER AT LSU LABORATORY SCHOOL WAS SUFFERING FROM PINCHED NERVES IN HER NECK. CONSERVATIVE THERAPY FAILED SO SHE REACHED OUT TO DR. ERIC OBERLANDER. DR. OBERLANDER PERFORMED A 45-MINUTE SURGERY TO UNPINCH HER NERVES. NOW PAIN FREE, SHANNON IS BACK IN CLASS TEACHING THE NEXT GENERATION.
BACK IN THE CLASSROOM!
Whether it’s getting back to teaching or even challenging the minds of future generations, getting pain free is the goal!
As one of the few board-certified neurosurgeons in Louisiana who has fellowship training in minimally invasive and complex spine surgery, his services are in high demand. Join the over 8,000 patients that see Team Oberlander per year.
Call (225) 768-2023 to schedule your appointment.
Small Business Engine Series Building Your Business Plan
CLINICAL TRIALS 45+
At Our Lady of the Lake Cancer Institute, we’re giving patients new hope through bold ideas and innovative research. With more than 45 clinical trials focused on cancer care, our patients have access to some of the most advanced treatments available today. From the latest breakthroughs in precision medicine to immunotherapy and targeted therapies, we bring new treatment paths and more possibilities to families across our region.
Backed by a team of experts and driven by innovation, we’re transforming the future of cancer care. Because every effort, every discovery and every patient matters. It all counts here. Learn more at ololrmc.com/cancer.
Pavani Ellipeddi, MD, Hematology Oncology
Shaping Great-Hearted Leaders
At Great Hearts Harveston, students are immersed in a classical education that forms both the heart and mind. Grounded in the pursuit of Truth, Goodness, and Beauty, our graduates emerge as well-rounded individuals prepared for collegiate success.
Sautéed crab fingers at The Chimes Highland
Garrett Nussmeier
LSU’s second-year starting quarterback returns to the gridiron this fall. And while comparisons are running rampant between the preseason Heisman hopeful and his predecessors, “Nuss” says he’s focused on being himself. 225 Staff Photographer Collin Richie captured him inside Tiger Stadium this summer. 225 contributor Mark Clements’ full interview with the Tigers’ signal-caller starts on page 32
Holding pattern
AROUND 10 P.M. every night, my husband and I ask each other: “Did you do your Duolingo?”
Because we’ve both been there, maniacally shouting broken Spanish at our phones at 11:58 p.m.—only to have the clock strike midnight before we can complete the last prompt.
Thank goodness for the “streak freeze,” the app’s feature that allows users to exchange its currency to omit a missed day.
Somehow, I always live to see another day on the app.
Without using freezes, I couldn’t have reached the milestone I hit this week: The Duo owl mascot, wearing sunglasses and surrounded by a yellow flame, announced I’d finally reached a 365-day streak.
Say what you will about Duolingo. But I couldn’t help feeling a little proud for keeping up this newfound habit. I took a screenshot.
I recently read a New York Times article about the increasing allure of the streak. The gamification of apps like Snapchat, Amazon Kindle or the Apple Watch’s Activity tracker can fuel productivity and even help strengthen connections with friends.
Read every day. Snap with your bestie. Close your movement ring. Crush your goals. Right?
But the streak’s true power might just be loss aversion. The fear of ending a streak can be an even stronger motivator, according to the article.
Falling back on something like a streak freeze does feel like cheating. But let’s be real. If it didn’t exist, and you lost your streak after 100 days straight, how likely would you be to start back at square one the next day? You might as well at least take a break for a week or two.
And sometimes it’s important to treat yourself with compassion, one of the scientists from The New York Times article argues. Missing a day due to an illness or emergency—or even just a rough evening—doesn’t mean you have to admit defeat.
As I was editing this month’s issue of 225, I thought about how that kind of grace might apply to LSU Football, too.
Last year’s team endured a roller coaster of hot and cold streaks. Six wins in a row, followed by three straight losses and then another series of three wins.
But sometimes the tough losses teach more than the victories. After all, the lessons from those three LSU losses propelled the team toward its next set of wins.
“Pressure is a privilege,” quarterback Garrett Nussmeier tells 225 contributor Mark Clements in our cover story, which starts on page 32. “We’ve made changes this offseason and have been so focused on the things that we need to focus on to make us not just a competitive team—but to change the program in a competitive way.”
Nussmeier’s determination is a reminder to keep pushing toward your goals—no matter how big or small.
My journey with Duolingo doesn’t have me watching 90 Day Fiancé without subtitles. Yet. But until then, catch me fighting for my streak while on vacation, shipping out this magazine or hanging with friends.
I’ve done it on public transportation in a foreign city. I’ve done it inside a loud bar. I’ve done it from my bed, half awake and struggling to keep my eyes open.
Don’t stop. No parar.
Jennifer Tormo Alvarez 225 Editor-in-Chief
Game on
We have an extra treat for you in this month’s issue of 225: our annual edition of Tiger Pride. The standalone publication is an homage to the passion and pageantry of LSU Football, stapled inside the August issue of 225 each year. Turn to page A1 for a special set of stories on local tailgaters, band members, athletes, Mike the Tiger and much more. Enjoy!
Publisher: Julio Melara
EDITORIAL
Editor-In-Chief: Jennifer Tormo Alvarez
Managing Editor: Olivia Deffes
Features Writer: Maggie Heyn Richardson
Staff Photographer: Collin Richie
Contributing Editor: Laura Furr Mericas
Contributing Writers: Riley Bienvenu Bourgeois, Mark Clements, Gracelyn Farrar, Matt Moscona, Oscar Tickle, Ben Warren, Avery White
Contributing Photographers: Ariana Allison, Jordan Hefler, Avery White
ADVERTISING
Vice President, Sales: Elizabeth McCollister Hebert
Circulation and Client Experience Manager: Ivana Oubre
Audience Development Campaign Manager: Catherine Albano
A publication of Melara Enterprises, LLC
Chairman: Julio Melara
Executive Assistant: Brooke Motto
Vice President-Sales: Elizabeth McCollister Hebert
Chief Content Officer: Penny Font
Chief Digital Officer: Erin Pou
Chief Operating Officer: Guy Barone
Circulation/Reprints
Readers’ notes TOP STORIES
About our First Look at Cookies By Freddie, a new food truck:
“I love this!! So fun.”
—@eat_carolinescookiesbr, via Instagram
On our profile of Shawn Gee, a Realtor whose social media presence has grown to 34,000 followers across platforms:
“Wanna be as cool as him when I grow up.”
—@iknow_imtall, via Instagram
Re: Our story about the arrival of summer tomatoes—and a whole crop of new vendors—at the Red Stick Farmers Market:
“I’m glad to hear that the number of local vendors is growing this year.”
—Isaiah Arbour, via Facebook
Comments and analytics are from June 1-30, 2025. They have been lightly edited for clarity and brevity.
New in
A reimagined version of 225 Daily landed inside inboxes on July 1. Our free newsletter includes First Looks inside new restaurants and boutiques, explainers on city projects, guides to local trends and much more.
We wanted its new look to be as sharp, smart and spirited as our content. Expect to see a playful emoji. Or three.
The newsletter launch is the final stage of our 20th anniversary digital rebrand, which also included a refresh of our website earlier this summer. See the new designs and subscribe at 225batonrouge.com/225daily.
PRAYERS, UMBRELLAS AND PURPOSE: THE STORY BEHIND MARIE MADELEINE
For Monika Guiberteau, the journey to launching Marie Madeleine wasn’t a carefully planned business strategy, but a profound calling rooted in faith. A Baton Rouge native with a background in dance and performance, she never imagined she would one day become an entrepreneur.
In January 2024, Monika embarked on her first pilgrimage to Medjugorje, a Catholic pilgrimage destination since the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to six visionaries in 1981 and continues to this day to appear to some of them daily. During this spiritual journey, she felt a strong calling to create what she calls a “rosary house,” an online Catholic supply store designed to help people deepen their faith
the courage and the grace to start her business and embrace the challenges. She worked with a design company in Austin to bring her vision of the holy image umbrellas to life and learned marketing strategies through determination and community support.
Marie Madeleine isn’t just another online shop. It’s a carefully curated collection of Catholic supplies that reflects Monika’s mission to assist people in nurturing their spiritual lives. The store offers several collections: the Rosary House (featuring rosaries and prayer booklets), Holy Gifts (including Baptismal and First Communion gifts), a unique Children’s Collection and Greeting Cards with artwork inspired from Monika’s Medjugorje trip and painted by artist Kellyn Queyrouze.
Perhaps the most distinctive product is her line of holy image umbrellas. These black umbrellas feature interior designs
of Jesus, Our Lady of Guadalupe and St. Joseph. More than just rain protection, they’re symbolic reminders of faith, with inscriptions like “By Thy Holy Cross, Thou Hast Redeemed the World.”
“I wanted to create something that keeps our eyes on Jesus,” Monika explains. “These umbrellas are an experience, a sentimental gift that serves as a reminder of one’s devotion.”
Her children’s products are equally thoughtful. The Mary Magnet Play Set allows children to dress a magnetic Mary figure, fostering early devotion. Her prayer booklets – one for adults and another for young Catholics – are small enough to carry anywhere but contain prayers for every life moment.
Her faith remains the cornerstone of her business. She starts her pop-up events with a Rosary and continues to draw inspiration from her daily prayer routine and adoration visits. “I live for Jesus,” she says. “He’s my King and Savior.”
Rooted deeply in Baton Rouge’s closeknit Catholic community, Monika sees Marie Madeleine as more than a business – it’s a ministry. Her goal is simple: help people deepen their faith, their prayer life and most importantly to encourage parents to plant the seed of faith in their children’s little hands and hearts. This is why Monika made sure Marie Madeleine was for both children and adults.
As she continues to grow her business, Monika remains guided by the principles that started her journey – faith, hope and an unwavering commitment to her spiritual calling. To learn more about Marie Madeleine, scan the QR code or visit shopmariemadeleine.com.
ELEGANCE. EXPERIENCE. EXCELLENCE.
What’s up August
MAGGIE HEYN RICHARDSON
FOOTBALL DOMINATES
THIS time of year— full stop. Basketball, gymnastics and baseball will soon follow. But those aren’t the only outlets for the LSU faithful’s epic enthusiasm.
Volleyball, soccer and other less-hyped sports provide nail-biting matchups with familiar rivals year-round. And, bonus! Their settings are less hassle and more affordable to enjoy.
Volleyball is a great place to start. Fast-moving matches showcase the physical strength and agility deployed by a hardworking Tiger team led by All-SEC outside hitter Jurnee Robinson.
“It’s going to be an exciting season,” Head Coach Tonya Johnson says. “We had a really good spring and are looking forward to putting all the pieces together.”
A second All-SEC outside hitter, Nia Washington, will start for the Tigers. Originally from New Orleans, Washington transferred to LSU from Ole Miss to finish out her career with friends and family in the stands.
South Alabama and Baylor— three well-respected teams. That’s followed by a home match against fierce in-state rival Southeastern Louisiana University, Johnson says. SEC play opens by mid-fall, giving fans a chance to catch home matches against Tennessee, Florida, Kentucky, Texas A&M, Texas, Mississippi State, Ole Miss and Auburn.
Johnson, a Zachary native and former LSU player, was hired to lead the program in 2021 after serving as associate head coach and recruiting coordinator at Texas. Under her leadership, LSU volleyball saw its highest attendance in program history last season.
“We’re pretty stoked about having two All-SEC first teamers on our squad,” Johnson says.
This month’s opening weekend, Aug. 29-31, features back-to-back matches against SMU,
“I would encourage anyone who’s never seen a volleyball match to come and watch,” Johnson says. “It’s fast paced, and you get to see the true athleticism of our players. You will get hooked.” lsusports.net/vb
Beach Volleyball
Watch the purple-andgold’s dynamic duos take down rivals at the LSU Beach Volleyball Stadium, completed in 2019.
Season: February-May
Free
Cross Country Elite runners take on tough, outdoor courses throughout the region and country.
Season: August-November
Free
Golf
See the men’s and women’s teams hit the links to face down conference and national opponents.
Season: September-June
Free
Soccer Head for the LSU Soccer Stadium to experience why this sport is the world’s most popular.
Season: August-December
Tickets required
Softball
Fast-pitch phenoms and expert fielding wow fans at Tiger Park.
Season: February-June
Tickets required
Swimming & Diving
Rosters with Olympians have helped the Tigers rise in the ranks. Catch the wave at the LSU Natatorium.
Season: October-March
Free Tennis
Who needs Wimbledon?
The LSU Tennis Complex serves up exciting matches against fierce opponents.
Season: September-May
Free
Track & Field
LSU’s legacy of excellence unfolds first at Carl Maddox Field House, then at Bernie Moore Track Stadium.
Season: January-June
Free
Earn your stripes across Tiger Nation 8 more sports to cheer for Find
The team saw its highest attendance in program history last season.
Jurnee Robinson, an All-SEC outside hitter, is one of LSU Volleyball’s standout players.
This Month @ BREC [JULY]
MOVIE AT THE LAGOON: SONIC 3
Liberty Lagoon
Aug. 1 | 7:30-9:30 p.m.
ZOO + ME MORNING
Baton Rouge Zoo Aug. 9 | 9:30-11 a.m.
TEEN FOCUS GROUP
North Sherwood Forest Community Park Aug. 11
Highland Road Community Park Aug. 12
Forest Community Park Aug. 13
Virtual on Zoom Aug. 14
5:30-6:30 p.m.
PERSEID METEOR SHOWER
Highland Road Park Observatory Aug. 12 | 10 p.m.-2 a.m.
SENIOR DAY AT LIBERTY LAGOON
Liberty Lagoon Aug. 15 | 3-6 p.m.
SWAMP FLASHLIGHT NIGHT
Bluebonnet Swamp Nature Center Aug. 15 | 5-9 p.m.
SUNSHINE SOCIALS
Milton J. Womack Park Ballroom Aug. 15 | 6-9 p.m.
BATON ROUGE AMATEUR GOLF
TOURNAMENT
Beaver Creek Golf Course Aug. 16 + 17 | 8 a.m.
CAMP UNITE
Milton J. Womack Park Ballroom Aug. 22 | 4-7 p.m.
BREC.ORg/thismonth
NATURE NIGHT HIKE + CAMPFIRE
Cedar Ridge Park Aug. 29 | 7-9 p.m.
10 + UNDER TENNIS TOURNAMENT
Capital One Tennis Center at City-Brooks Community Park Aug. 30 | 8:30 a.m.-noon
PLAINSMAN 4-BALL GOLF TOURNAMENT
Beaver Creek Golf Course Aug. 30 + 31 | 8 a.m. BREC.ORg/calendar
Drinks and dinks
Compiled by Gracelyn Farrar
NEW RESTAURANT and pickleball concept Court to Table opened in late June, providing Baton Rougeans with a place to dine, drink and dink. The new multiuse space on Burbank Drive, in the spot formerly occupied by The Shed BBQ, features 11 indoor and outdoor pickleball courts, a sitdown restaurant, a bar, an outdoor music stage and lawn games. It was thought up by local attorney Gordon McKernan and partners Ozzie Fernandez, Bob Barton, Destin Thibodeaux and Clay Furr. With
Executive Chef Carlos Foret (who served as chef for Fernandez’s GO Eat Concepts restaurants Rocca Pizzeria and Modesto Tacos Tequila Whiskey) at the helm in the kitchen, the team aims for the venue to be “a restaurant and bar first—that has pickleball,” Fernandez says. Think: staples and classics with an extra flair, like Brussels sprouts served with whipped feta, smashburgers and cheesesteaks made with Cooper American cheese or wings that are smoked first, then flash-fried. courttotable.com
What else is new?
The spice is right
Spicy Rico, a new Mexican-inspired restaurant situated off LSU’s campus, soft-opened in late April. Siblings and owners Raul Mendez, Thalia Fuentes and Diana Fuentes plotted everything themselves, from the punky decor to the fastcasual, build-your-own lineup of bowls, burritos, salads, tacos, nachos and quesadillas; plus, desserts, aguas frescas and Mexican soda. The team plans for a grand opening in August. Find it on Instagram at @spicy.rico
Sweet spot
Cookies By Freddie officially opened in June in the AcadianPerkins Plaza shopping center. The food truck bakes up eight cookie flavors—four classics and four deluxe varieties—and will serve four flavors every weekend. Owner Frederique Bekale says she tested her chocolate chip cookie recipe for eight months to ensure the best quality and flavor. Find it on Instagram at @cookiesbyfreddie
Common grounds
Mandeville-born Cherrybomb Coffee Co. debuted in late May inside a 1973 Airstream parked on West Chimes Street. The trailer serves up a variety of the shop’s classic bevs along with other seasonal sippers and a few specialty drinks unique to the Baton Rouge location, like Bengal Brew and Geaux Juice. Pastries and breakfast sandwiches from CounterspaceBR are also on deck. cherrybombcoffeeco.com
BILLY CA N NON:
ON ADMISSION TO CAPITOL PARK MUSEUM FOR LSU SEASON TICKET HOLDERS DURING FOOTBALL SEASON.
SHOW SEASON TICKET PASS INFO FOR DISCOUNT AT THE DOOR.
4 OCTOBER, 2025 | 7-11PM CAPITOL PARK MUSEUM
John Foster
THE SAYING “THIRD time’s the charm” rings especially true for Louisiana musician John Foster.
The 19-year-old singer from Addis captured the hearts—and votes—of viewers on American Idol earlier this year. He advanced to the finale, finishing as the runner-up. And though he had a great journey, Foster reveals to 225 that season 23 was actually his third shot at the show.
Foster first attended open auditions at age 15 but didn’t make it past the initial producer round. He tried again in 2023 but was cut before singing in front of the celebrity judges.
“There was this little voice that said ‘Do it one more time,’” Foster says. “Although the human side of me was like, ‘Absolutely not. I’m not failing again.’ … I’m super, super glad that God put my path this way.”
Since winning over Idol fans with his traditional country sound, crooning renditions of hits like “Take Me Home, Country Roads” and
“Callin’ Baton Rouge,” and his original song, “Tell That Angel I Love Her,” written in memory of a close friend, Foster has hit the ground running.
It’s June when I catch up with Foster over Zoom, and he’s in Nashville, hot off his Grand Ole Opry debut.
“The Grand Ole Opry has been my No. 1 goal ever since I started music, and I achieved that goal because of American Idol,” he says. “I did not get the crown. But I feel like I got the crown in country music.”
Foster’s first musical foray took place during a power outage at his family's camp in 2020. There, Foster found the courage to belt out during a karaoke hangout, finding comfort in the dark. Soon, he was playing with local bands. In 2021, the then-15-year-old was gifted a guitar. And in 2022, he performed his first solo gig.
Now, he’s in talks to secure a record deal— another reason for his Nashville stay this summer. But don’t expect Foster to abandon his roots.
An Addis guy through and through, Foster says he wouldn’t be where he is today without the community who rallied behind him, many of whom were among the more than 10,000 at his homecoming performance on American Idol
And while his sophomore year is on hold, Foster says he still aims to earn a degree from LSU.
As we chat, Foster talks fondly of his hometown and the Cajun food he’s missing from his family’s shop, Benoit’s Country Meat Block. He’s also excited for shows at iconic Capital Region venue the Texas Club this month and the new Boots on the Bayou festival in Gonzales this fall.
“Don’t think that I’m going to be staying here, holed up in Nashville, or playing way around the place where (local fans) can’t see me. I will be around,” Foster says. “Home will always be Louisiana, no matter where I’m at. And if I have anything to say about it, I’ll die in Louisiana.”
johnfmusic.com
Birthday cards
As 225 celebrates its 20th anniversary year, we’ll also be spotlighting other organizations and businesses celebrating milestones in 2025.
Golden
hour
The LSU Foundation’s historic impact and bright future
BY ANDREW ALEXANDER
PHOTOS BY COLLIN RICHIE
World-Class Care for Local Student-Athletes
A walk-in clinic for orthopaedic injuries. Weeknights 5 - 10 PM, Saturday 10 AM - 8 PM, Sunday 12 - 6 PM.
MUSCULOSKELETAL INJURY TREATMENT AFTER HOURS
Provides on-site athletic training services to local high school athletes.
Provides evaluations and specialized treatment plans for athletes of any age or skill level. For an appointment, call 2 25.924.2424.
FRIDAY NIGHT
A complimentary walk-in clinic available every Friday night of the regular football season from 9 to 11 PM.
CONCUSSION MANAGEMENT PROGRAM WITH C3 LOGIX
Baseline and post-concussion technology developed by neuroscientists and sports medicine specialists. Utilized by collegiate and professional teams across the country.
Krista Raney, executive vice president of development for the LSU Foundation, will succeed Robert Stuart Jr. as president and CEO in 2026.
FOR 65 YEARS, the LSU Foundation has served as the primary fundraising entity for academics at the university. Founded in 1960, at a time when public universities were still heavily reliant on state funding, the LSU Foundation was created not only to fundraise for LSU but also to act as a focal point for donors who wished to contribute to the university’s fledgling endowment.
Although LSU was late among SEC schools in creating a foundation, it has since evolved into a 90-person organization with about 60 staff members directly supporting fundraising efforts.
Led by Robert Stuart Jr. as president and CEO since 2020, the heart
of the LSU Foundation’s mission revolves around students.
“Our goal is to provide people with real opportunities,” Stuart says. “We want to provide pathways for our students to get internships and get jobs.”
Over the last three decades, the LSU Foundation has helped spearhead three major fundraising efforts to fund scholarships, research and campus infrastructure improvements. The LSU Campaign launched in 1997 and raised $255 million, exceeding the original $150 million goal. Less than a decade later, the Forever LSU campaign kicked off in the summer of 2006 and raised $764 million in less than five years.
The most recent, and ambitious, Fierce for the Future campaign achieved unprecedented results. The historic endeavor brought all eight LSU campuses together in 2019 to raise over $1.5 billion by the summer of 2022—three years earlier than anticipated.
Despite its Louisiana roots, the LSU Foundation operates more like a national fundraising institution. And although the foundation raises more money in Louisiana than elsewhere, less than half of the donations come from within the state.
“Texas is our next biggest market, but we’re raising money in California, Florida, New York, Georgia, you name it,” Stuart says.
$1.5 billion
Amount raised by the Fierce for the Future Campaign, Louisiana's largest ever fundraising campaign for higher education, launched in 2019
DIGIT
The Foundation’s outreach strategy is rooted in relationships— with alumni, corporate partners, and what it calls “Friends of LSU,” or people who have a connection to but did not graduate from the university.
The developments along South Stadium Drive, from Highland Road to Nicholson Drive, are the most obvious impact of their dollars. The “building boom,” as the foundation calls it, is the result of its tireless fundraising to revitalize that academic corridor.
“Facilities communicate things to communities,” Krista Raney, executive vice president of development for the LSU Foundation, explains. “If you are interested in pursuing a degree in engineering, and you come and tour Patrick F. Taylor Hall, it’s obvious to you that LSU takes engineering really seriously.”
The Business Education Complex, Patrick F. Taylor Hall, and the under-construction Our Lady of the Lake Health
Interdisciplinary Science Building have transformed South Stadium Drive from what was the outer edge of campus to a critical educational core of the university.
With fundraising underway for a new library and the Construction and Advanced Manufacturing Building, both located in the same developing southern area of campus, the road to Tiger Stadium will look drastically different within the next five to 10 years.
Raney, who will succeed Stuart as president and CEO of the LSU Foundation next summer, has a vision of LSU where “it all matters,” both athletically and academically.
“We have the Taj Mahal of stadiums in Tiger Stadium,” Raney says. “We have world-class academic structures that sit right alongside the world-class athletics. That is what it is about, that rising tide. Everybody comes up. Athletics come up, and academics come up.” lsufoundation.org
COURTESY
Breaking ground
A look at some of the LSU Foundation’s projects underway along South Stadium Drive
The Our Lady of the Lake Health Interdisciplinary Science Building
• Estimated cost: $148 million
• Status: Under construction
• The details: A 200,000-square-foot, four-story building for science-focused academics, research and industry collaboration that’s expected to be completed in late 2025
Construction and Advanced Manufacturing Building
• Estimated cost: $107 million
• Status: Raising funds
• The details: A 148,000-square-foot complex with enhanced lab space that will serve as a hub for LSU’s construction management program
A rendering of The Our Lady of the Lake Health Interdisciplinary Science Building
You’re free to live your life out loud! Because you’ve got the compassion of the cross, the security of the shield, and the comfort of Blue behind you.
City Slice Pizza is on the Move!
We will soon be relocating from our current spot on Chimes Street to a new home just down the road, the former Pluckers location on Nicholson Drive.
In early August, this bigger and better space will allow us to serve up the pizza, wings, & craft beer you love with more room, improved parking, & some fun updates we can’t wait to share.
ALL ABOARD THE
By Mark Clements
BUSNuss
GAME-DAY
He’s one of the nation’s top quarterbacks. But who is Garrett Nussmeier? And how far can he take the Tigers this season?
Portraits by Collin Richie
PHOTOS BY JORDAN HEFLER
Garrett Nussmeier is back for his second year as LSU’s starting quarterback.
GGARRETT NUSSMEIER HAS HEARD THE COMPARISONS.
They’re far too easy to make. A second-year starting quarterback coming off a breakout season paired with an embarrassment of riches at the skill positions around him.
The last two times that happened at LSU, Joe Burrow and Jayden Daniels each went home with the Heisman Trophy.
There are plenty of reasons to think Nussmeier’s trajectory tracks with his predecessors’—as well as a handful of clues he may be on a path to even bigger numbers.
But Nussmeier isn’t trying to be the next Burrow or Daniels.
He’s just gonna be Garrett.
“Look, at the end of the day, I’m not Joe Burrow, and I’m not Jayden Daniels. I’m Garrett Nussmeier,” Nussmeier tells 225. “I’m just gonna be me and do things the way I’ve learned. Joe’s process is different than Jayden’s process, which is different than my process. I fully respect who they are and what they’ve done, and I would love to be able to (accomplish) what they did, as well. But it’s also about understanding that you have to be yourself, you know?”
So, who is Nussmeier?
Fans know the 6-foot-2, 200-pound gunslinger for his lively, accurate arm, his poise under pressure, and his passion for the purple-and-gold.
But it’s the intangibles that make Nussmeier uniquely positioned to carve out his own piece of history. There are layers to the man behind the facemask. Traits that have tailor-made him to be the face of LSU’s football program.
“Every quarterback is different. Every player is different,” Nussmeier says. “So I wouldn’t say I’m focused on making that year two jump like they did. I’m just focused on being the best quarterback I can be for the LSU Tigers.”
ACE IN THE HOLE
Catch Nussmeier in warmups, and he’s likely dancing, doing pushups or dropping pinpoint passes with his earbuds in.
His pregame playlist isn’t overly complicated or intricate, but it is uniquely Nussmeier.
“George Strait all day,” he says. “It keeps me calm to listen to country music. I have all the George Strait essentials, and I just shuffle it all day.”
His favorite song? “Ace in the Hole.”
It’s a track from the 1989 album, Beyond The Blue Neon, with some strikingly apropos lyrics for Nussmeier’s footballing journey.
The song explores life as a game, and the necessity of playing your cards right while simultaneously having a few tricks up your own sleeve.
“When life deals out a surprise, have a few surprises of your own,” Strait sings. “No matter what you do, no matter where you go, you’ve got to have an ace in the hole.”
For much of his life, regardless of where he’s lived,
Nussmeier has been that ace. The 23-year-old has played quarterback for as long as he can remember, dating back to his days with the Juanita Rebels in Seattle, Washington, when he was 8.
As the son of longtime NFL quarterbacks coach Doug Nussmeier, Garrett and his family moved 12 times across eight states throughout his childhood, following his father wherever he was working at the time.
No matter what grade he was in or where he was living—from Washington to Michigan to Florida or everywhere in between—Nussmeier always found a way to fit in with the team he was quarterbacking. He’d meet people from all walks of life and all stretches of the globe, but he was sure to make an effort to establish a connection with his teammates.
“I had to go into 12 different locker rooms and play for 12 different teams and get to know 12 different groups of guys,” Nussmeier says. “I couldn’t be afraid to get to know somebody. I had to just throw myself out there. I feel like one of my strong suits now is being able to lead a football team and being able to
Depending on the day and website, Nussmeier ranks either No. 1 or No. 2 in the preseason Heisman odds.
“I’m just focused on being the best quarterback I can be for the LSU Tigers.”
—Nussmeier
“This is one of the closest teams I’ve been on since high school,” Nussmeier says.
connect with my teammates, and that is definitely because of the way I grew up and all the different situations I was put in. It built me into who I am today.”
Nussmeier’s move to Baton Rouge marked the 13th of his life. It fittingly matches the jersey number he wears each Saturday.
And just like the majority of his previous dozen stops, he’s managed to make his mark on the city.
Setting aside his on-field accolades, Nussmeier’s bond with his current teammates seems as strong as ever.
Find yourself on the LSU social media algorithm, and you’ll regularly see Nussmeier dancing in the background of his teammates’ posts.
His now-fiancée, Ella Springfield, recently posted a TikTok of him participating in the internet trend where guys call their fellow guy friends simply just to tell them goodnight.
The laughter between Nussmeier and teammates like Aaron Anderson, Nic Anderson and Trey’Dez Green is contagiously funny, and it’s obvious the group’s bond is tight.
It’s not just friendly camaraderie. Nussmeier has also taken on more of a leadership role as a fifth-year senior and returning starter, serving as a mentor to the underclassmen.
Sophomore Ju’Juan Johnson, who joins Nussmeier in the quarterback room this fall, says he’s leaned on Nussmeier’s experience to help pick up the nuances of the position.
“It’s fantastic because he has been in that fire on the football field as an SEC quarterback,” Johnson
tells 225. “I tend to ask a lot of questions like, ‘What were you thinking in this situation?’ and (he’s) not selfish with his knowledge. It’s very helpful that he’s in my corner.”
Johnson says he’s spent the offseason picking Nussmeier’s brain whenever he can and soaking up all the knowledge the experienced signal-caller has to offer.
Those are just the vibes of this 2025 unit. Head coach Brian Kelly even hosted a “B.K. BBQ” at his house this summer, featuring pool basketball, a slam-dunk contest and a full spread of barbecued meats for the team.
“This is one of the closest teams I’ve been on since high school,” Nussmeier says, recalling that TikTok video with a smile on his face. “That’s the weird thing and one of the hardest challenges about college football nowadays ... trying to build chemistry with guys who are all coming from different places and have different stories to their career. We’ve done a good job of that so far, and it’s something we’re definitely focused on. I enjoy them a lot. They’re all good dudes, and we have a lot of fun.”
And the fun is not just limited to social media trends.
On the field, Nussmeier and co. constructed some of the best offensive numbers in the nation in 2024.
They could be on track for even bigger things this fall.
“No matter what you do, no matter where you go, you’ve got to have an ace in the hole.”
IT RUNS IN THE FAMILY
Nussmeier's father is Doug Nussmeier, a former quarterback who recently joined the New Orleans Saints as its offensive coordinator. Doug has coached quarterbacks and offenses since 2001. In college, he played for the Idaho Vandals, where he won the 1993 Walter Payton Award. He played in the NFL for about six years, starting with the New Orleans Saints in 1994.
Nussmeier’s younger brother, Colton Nussmeier, is following in the family footsteps, too. He ranks as the No. 3 quarterback prospect in the class of 2027 with scholarship offers from powerhouses including LSU.
Nussmeier says he and his brother have been close and competitive all their lives, and he’s been trying to recruit Colton to join the purple-and-gold.
“Whether it was hoops in the driveway or playing wiffle ball in the backyard or whatever, we were always competing in everything,” Nussmeier says. “We play video games now to this day, or if we go shoot around in the driveway, it's still super competitive.”
LEAP YEAR
COUNTING HIS ACCOLADES
Here’s how Nussmeier ranks in LSU history, after one full year as starting quarterback:
# 5
Touchdown passes (40) # 7
Attempts (744) + completions (466) # 9
Yards (5,772)
The similarities between Burrow’s and Daniels’ LSU careers and Nussmeier’s projected path aren’t hard to follow. But it’s their differences that make the current situation a little more unique.
Both of LSU’s recent Heisman winners transferred to LSU after beginning their college careers elsewhere.
Nussmeier could have easily followed suit, albeit in the opposite direction.
He was born in Lake Charles, and after bouncing from state to state every couple years throughout his childhood, he eventually returned to Louisiana following a stellar prep career at Edward S. Marcus High School in Flower Mound, Texas.
Nussmeier racked up 8,160 pass yards and 83 touchdowns in high school while becoming a four-star recruit and one of the top prospects in the entire country. He received scholarship offers from college football powerhouses including University of Georgia, University of Texas at Austin, Penn State and many more. Ultimately, he chose the Tigers. When he arrived at LSU, Nussmeier sat behind Max Johnson his freshman year and Daniels the next two seasons.
There were plenty of opportunities for him to make a move to another school in search of immediate playing time.
No one would have judged him. No one would have blamed him.
In fact, 247Sports reported in 2023 that 62.3% of the Power Five starting quarterbacks had transferred at least once in their careers. Nussmeier says the thought of transferring “definitely” crossed his mind. But he wanted to be the exception.
“I felt like God had brought me to LSU for a reason.”
—Nussmeier
“I felt like God had brought me to LSU for a reason,” he says. “Louisiana was my home, and just because it wasn’t happening the way I wanted it to or on the timetable that I wanted it to, I felt like it was my job to trust in God and his time for me. I had to stay grounded, keep my head down and keep working.”
His patience paid off.
In his first full season running the offense, Nussmeier statistically finished as the most prolific first-year starting quarterback in school history with
more passing yards, completions, attempts, touchdowns and total offensive yards than any first-year starter in program history— including Burrow and Daniels.
He finished the season ranked No. 5 in the country with 4,052 yards and No. 10 with 29 touchdowns. He’s returning this fall with a year of starting experience under his belt, hoping to build off those impressive numbers.
“There’s experience you have to get from playing,” LSU offensive coordinator Joe Sloan said in a 104.5 ESPN Radio interview this summer. “There were things that
happened during the season, and he’s now aware of how they transpired … and (he’s) practicing and preparing year-round to avoid some of the negatives and highlight (his) strengths. There’s a calmness, and that’s what experience brings you. I couldn’t be more excited about what he’s done and the way he’s shown his leadership.”
Nussmeier is garnering national attention. The fifth-year senior ranks either No. 1 or No. 2—depending on the day and website—in the preseason Heisman odds and is widely considered the most experienced quarterback returning to college football this fall.
WHAT ABOUT THAT NICKNAME?
Expect to hear about the “Nuss Bus” all season long. Nussmeier’s teammates call him “Nuss,” and when he’s leading the offense, he’s “driving the Nuss Bus.”
Issue Date: AUG 2025 Ad proof #4
• Please respond by e-mail or phone with your approval or minor revisions.
“I’ve heard that nickname for a long time,” Nussmeier says. “People actually called my dad that when he worked at the University of Washington. Then people called me that in high school, so it’s just kind of always been a thing. I think it’s pretty funny, so, yeah, I’m good with it.”
• AD WILL RUN AS IS unless approval or final revisions are received within 24 hrs from receipt of this proof. A shorter timeframe will apply for tight deadlines.
• Additional revisions must be requested and may be subject to production fees.
He brings with him a fully stocked arsenal of weapons at running back, tight end and, most importantly, wide receiver—where four- and fivestar talents litter LSU’s lineup.
“We have a lot of talent, and we have a lot of different things we can do because of the talent we have,” Nussmeier says. “We have tight ends that can run like receivers, and we’ve got tight ends that can block like linemen. We’ve got receivers that can run so many different routes with so many different types of builds at receivers, and they’re all fast. There’s going to be a lot of ways for us to get people involved.”
AFTER HOURS WHERE IS NUSSMEIER HEADED FOR DINNER?
Phil’s Oyster Bar—for sure. “That’s my favorite place in town,” he says. “That’s a good place.”
And, he promises one thing: “We’re going to be very explosive.”
It’s an exciting prospect for LSU fans as they hope to improve off last season, which was a bit of a roller coaster for the Tigers.
After a tough opening-season loss to USC in a game that many in purple-and-gold felt they should have won, the Tigers rattled off six straight wins highlighted by a thrilling 29-26 showdown against No. 9 Ole Miss.
Three consecutive losses followed, only for the season to end with a three-game winning streak, capped by a 44-31 win against Baylor, in which
Nussmeier threw for 313 yards and three touchdowns. It’s easy to see why national sports forecasters have their eyes on LSU this offseason.
Kelly is entering his fourth year in charge. Nussmeier is back and more ready than ever. And the Tigers are chock-full of talent at nearly every position.
The pressure is on. But as Nussmeier will tell you: “Pressure is a privilege.”
“We know (the pressure) is there, and we invite it and we accept it,” he says.
“We know our expectations. I mean, this is LSU. If you don’t have these expectations at LSU, something’s wrong. We know what’s expected of us, and we also expect that of ourselves as well. I think there’s a fine line between falling into (the pressure)—and acknowledging it but ignoring it. We’ve made changes this offseason and have been so focused on the things that we need to focus on to make us not just a competitive team—but to change the program in a competitive way.”
Nussmeier before and after LSU’s matchup with Vanderbilt last year
Style
ON-TREND HATS
Where meets collegeculture
A local designer is making clothes for HBCUs across the country—and catching the attention of sports celebs and music icons
BY DILLON LOWE
PHOTOS BY COLLIN RICHIE
Anthony Lawrence Collection founder De’fron Fobb at the brand’s Bluebonnet Boulevard storefront
TUCKED AWAY OFF Bluebonnet Boulevard, the Anthony Lawrence Collection isn’t your typical collegiate apparel store. Sure, there are tees and sweatshirts emblazoned with logos for schools like LSU and Southern University. But the difference is in the details.
“We focus on breathing life into fashion through different patterns, fabrics and designs,” founder De’fron Fobb says. “Our main vision is to tailor culturally inspired garments with legacy and legendary influence.”
Fobb’s journey into collegiate apparel began when he was working at Tiger Mania, the nowshuttered LSU merch retailer. There, he noticed something that didn’t sit right. Big schools had plenty of high-quality merch. HBCUs? Not so much. So, he did something about it.
After a lot of research and a lot of hustle, the Anthony Lawrence
Collection evolved into what it is today: a brand licensed to sell for 17 colleges, most of them HBCUs. Fobb named it the Anthony Lawrence Collection in honor of his father, who passed away while Fobb was a freshman at Southern.
All of the collection’s offerings are designed by Fobb himself.
“Nothing you see in the Anthony Lawrence Collection is something you see by any other brand,” he says.
The collection’s influence now stretches far beyond Baton Rouge. Fobb’s designs have been sported by household names like Boosie
SHOP THE COLLECTION
Visit the brick-and-mortar at 7566 Bluebonnet Blvd. or explore all of Anthony Lawrence Collection’s offerings at anthonylawrencecollection.com
Badazz, Lil Wayne, Usher and “Coach Prime.” Yes, that “Coach Prime”—as in Deion Sanders.
DeSean Jackson, the former NFL wide receiver and new head coach at Delaware State University, will soon join that number.
Despite the star power, Fobb keeps the focus local. His current storefront opened in 2022, and though he does have his sights set on opening up shop in three or four other states at some point down the line, his priority for now is to keep building his hometown presence.
“We would love the store to be a staple of Baton Rouge,” he says. “Right now, we’re just focused on the flagship store in Baton Rouge and bringing in bigger and better opportunities.”
For Fobb, growth isn’t just about signing on more colleges. In fact, he’s selective about the schools he partners with, preferring to
build authentic relationships over striking licensing deals that are purely transactional.
Current partners include Louisiana colleges like Grambling State, LSU and Southern, as well as schools across state lines like the University of Colorado, Howard University and Morehouse College.
“We like to be involved with our colleges,” he says. “We go into the schools and give back. That’s one of our biggest things—being there for the community.”
That involvement takes many forms. The Anthony Lawrence Collection donates to both
“We go into the schools and give back. That’s one of our biggest things— being there for the community.”
—Anthony Lawrence Collection founder De’fron Fobb
academic and athletic programs, supports alumni associations and even signs student-athletes to name, image and likeness deals. Fobb also works directly with his partner colleges to craft custom apparel that feels more personal than corporate.
“We like to design different things for those clubs,” he says, “so they can feel special and have something unique of their own.”
The last STRAW
Stylish hats from local boutiques to pack for that final summer beach trip
THE SUN IS OUT! The UV index in Baton Rouge—or your Gulf Coast beach destination—is no
Labor Day. (And, if we’re being honest, well into “fall,” too.)
You can shield some rays with sunglasses and sunscreen, but they won’t complete an outfit the way a hat will.
Here are some trends to look out for when choosing hats from Capital Region shops this season.
Issue Date:
shoplondonsboutique.com
• Please respond by e-mail or phone with your approval or minor revisions.
• AD WILL RUN AS IS 24 hrs from receipt of this proof. A shorter timeframe will apply for tight deadlines.
• Additional revisions must be requested and may be subject to production fees.
Carefully check this ad for:
Statement pieces
Sunshine Tienda "She Sells Seashells" palm hat, $149
From Wanderlust by Abby
Western cowhide hat, $24
From London’s Fashion Boutique
Paulina green gingham palm hat, $118
From Shop The Chic Girl
Eye-catching colors
BA palm hats, $205
From Love Boutique
Nearly 130,000 votes were cast to decide the 2025 Best of 255 Awards. To celebrate the winners, 225 Magazine threw the Best of 225 Awards Party on June 24 at Bin 77!
Congratulations to all of this year’s winners and runners-up, and thank you to the 225 fans who joined us to party with the best. Attendees enjoyed a rosé tasting experience, along with hors d’oeuvres prepared by Bin 77 and Solera. Dizzy! played a variety of hits as guests flipped through the pages of 225 Magazine’s hottest issue of the year to discover the 2025 Best of 225 winners.
Thank you again to everyone who celebrated the Best of 225 issue! To stay up to date with 225 events, announcements and more, subscribe to 225 Daily at 225batonrouge.com.
The BEST local boutique for game day attire
Thank you for voting us Best of 225 four years running!
HIGHWAY LA-16 | JUBAN | JONES CREEK bayoubelleboutique.com Q @bayoubelle_juban
recipeWinning
Scratch cooking and craft beers have fueled fandom for The Chimes for more than 40 years
BY JILLIAN ELLIOTT // PHOTO S BY SEAN GASSER
Taste of history
About this feature: Each month across our 20th year, 225 will revisit restaurants from our past coverage. From Capital Region classics and award-winners to trendsetters and hidden gems, these businesses have helped shape our dining culture.
WHAT MAKES AN LSU game-day legend?
A great beer selection? Sure. Proximity to Tiger Stadium? A given. A handful of Baton Rouge establishments share these qualities, but it’s hard to remember a time around campus B.C.—that’s “Before Chimes,” of course.
The Chimes Restaurant & Tap Room predates the birth of most LSU undergrads, and many Tiger fans have grown up stopping by on trips to Baton Rouge. Scooping up the eatery’s famous spinach and artichoke dip with a fried bow tie pasta chip has become a tradition akin to throwing the football on the LSU Parade
Ground or visiting Mike the Tiger.
Today, The Chimes serves 28,000 spinach and artichoke dips and 18,000 gallons of beer each year. It’s cemented itself as a local legend, as prophesied by the dining room’s iconic football team-goes-ancient-Greek mural.
Longtime owners Michael Ryan and the late Tim Hood took over the business three years after its opening in 1983.
“They didn’t anticipate that nearly 40 years later that would look like multiple locations and a much larger footprint than when they started,” manager Jim Howard says.
The North Gates corner fixture,
which once served as a drug store, is today one of four locations across Louisiana—with an additional Baton Rouge location, The Chimes East, opening in 2005 on Coursey Boulevard. A Covington location followed in the 2010s, and, most recently, The Chimes opened its Lafayette outpost in 2023.
The key to success? Doing things “the hard way.”
The kitchen relies on scratch-cooking and hand-battering, according to management. And its practices and relaxedmeets-quality vibes have been carried over to other institutions like Parrain’s Seafood Restaurant,
The Chimes’ storied history dates to 1983.
which Hood, Ryan and John D’Antoni opened in 2001. Other local restaurateurs found their footing at The Chimes, including Paul Dupré, owner of Elsie’s Plate & Pie in Mid City.
Dupré, who served as kitchen manager at both Baton Rouge locations, says his 10 years at The Chimes helped inform his menu and management style at Elsie’s.
“Some of the philosophies there—like teaching people beyond just getting trained when you first start and the constant evolution of every person getting better—I always really appreciated that and tried to keep that aspect within my own business,” Dupré says.
But the excitement was halted in the middle of the rooftop’s inaugural college baseball season.
While COVID-19 was shuttering businesses across the Capital Region, The Chimes pivoted to takeout orders, a trend they recognized and bought into even before pandemic restrictions.
Their adaptability, along with the team’s commitment to fans’ experience, even at home, carried the business through.
“We were able to weather that storm because our staff made an effort every day to show up and make the best of a bad situation,”
Howard says.
The Chimes’ longstanding success can be reduced to its dynamic ability to be just what you need it to be—on any random Tuesday afternoon or Super Bowl Sunday, for a pile of boudin balls or one of the 92 beers and wines on tap.
Issue Date: Aug 2025 Ad proof #1
• Please respond by e-mail or phone with your approval or minor revisions.
In August 2019, The Chimes’ original location on Highland Road unveiled its new rooftop expansion, featuring an open-air patio and bar. The addition was and remains a high point for the business, giving fans yet another inviting pub-themed space to grab a local beer, check the score and enjoy some Lousiana fare.
• AD WILL RUN AS IS unless approval or final revisions are received within 24 hrs from receipt of this proof. A shorter timeframe will apply for tight deadlines.
And after plenty of winning seasons, The Chimes keeps fans coming back for more. thechimes.com
• Additional revisions must be requested and may be subject to production fees.
The Chimes has long been known for its craft beer selection.
DINING IN
Tiger bites
Tiger football season is approaching, and all through the place, fans gather together for the best Louisiana has to taste.
The Tiger Band will march in playing the LSU Fight Song as Mike the Tiger roars and fans cheer along.
LSU’s campus will be filled with many sights to behold, with gumbo pots overflowing and tents decked in purple and gold.
There will be jambalaya, burgers and chicken wings, too. Or throw these boudin egg rolls in the air fryer to try something new. Add a spicy dip for those crispy rolls and a festive tea. They are sure to help lead our team to victory. It's time to get ready for football 2025— where tailgating is one of the best ways to show your Tiger pride!
Air-fried snacks, tailgate tea and a spirited poem for pregame BY
TRACEY KOCH
// PHOTOS BY AMY SHUTT
Boudin egg rolls
Yields 18 pieces
12 ounces boudin (preferably smoked)
6 egg roll wrappers
12 ounces pepper jack cheese, grated
½ cup green onion, chopped
1 egg
1 tablespoon water
3 tablespoons avocado or grapeseed oil
1. Remove the boudin from the casing and crumble it into a bowl. Set it aside.
2. Place an egg roll wrapper onto a cutting board with the points facing up and down in a diamond shape.
3. Place 2 tablespoons of the crumbled boudin on the center of the egg roll wrapper to form a log, leaving about an inch of space at the top and bottom of the wrapper.
4. Sprinkle 2-3 tablespoons of the grated pepper jack cheese on top of the crumbled boudin. Add a little chopped green onion.
5. In a separate small bowl, create an egg wash by cracking the egg and adding the water. Use a whisk to beat the egg and water together until there are no lumps or strings of egg.
6. Use a small pastry brush to brush a little egg wash along the edges of the egg roll wrapper.
7. Fold the top and bottom points over the filling. Next, fold the left corner over tightly, tucking the corner under the filling to prevent leakage. Finally, roll up the right corner to seal the egg roll. Place the boudin egg roll onto a baking sheet and set it aside. Continue steps 2-7 with the remaining ingredients.
8. Liberally brush the boudin egg rolls with the avocado or grapeseed oil and place them into an air fryer.
9. Set the air fryer to 375 F and cook for 7 minutes. After the time has elapsed, carefully open the air fryer. Use kitchen tongs to flip the egg rolls, then continue cooking for an additional 7-8 minutes.
10. Remove the boudin egg rolls from the air fryer and allow them to cool for 2-3 minutes before slicing them into thirds. Serve the warm boudin egg rolls with the pepper jelly dipping sauce (recipe follows).
Pepper jelly dipping sauce
Yields 1¼ cup
1 cup Tabasco Brand Classic Pepper Jelly
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
2 teaspoons low-sodium soy sauce
1. Place the pepper jelly in a microwave-safe dish and heat on high for 20-30 seconds. Stir until the jelly is no longer congealed.
2. Add in the apple cider vinegar and soy sauce. Stir until all is well incorporated. Serve.
Tipsy Tiger Tea
Yields 1 gallon
4 Earl Grey tea bags
4 spiced tea bags
8 cups water
½ cup agave syrup or honey
1 cup fresh lemon juice
1 cup fresh orange juice
1 cup triple sec or Cointreau
4 cups vodka
1 orange or lemon (for garnish)
1. In a sauce pot, bring 8 cups of water to a simmer. Remove from the heat and add the 8 tea bags.
2. Allow the tea to steep for 10 minutes. Then remove the tea bags from the water and discard them.
3. Pour the tea into a gallon jug. Add in the agave or honey and the remaining liquid ingredients. Stir to combine.
4. Chill the Tipsy Tiger Tea for several hours or overnight. Serve the tea over ice with a fresh orange slice or lemon wedge.
Celebrating 20 years
A SPECIAL COMMEMORATIVE EDITION TO CELEBRATE 20 YEARS OF HIGHLIGHTING THE CULTURE, CUISINE AND COMMUNITY THAT MAKES BATON ROUGE ICONIC
SCAN TO BE A PART OF THIS SPECIAL ANNIVERSARY ISSUE
UPCOMING ARTS + MUSIC EVENTS
space Intentional
BY MAGGIE HEYN RICHARDSON
A mural by artist Malaika Favorite on the outside of the West Baton Rouge Museum's Juke Joint depicts regional and national blues and jazz figures.
At the West Baton Rouge Museum, exhibits form a web of connections
PHOTOS BY COLLIN RICHIE
gallery at the West Baton Rouge Museum in Port Allen, a wall of mounted metalwork sculptures captures the joy of music.
Fashioned from bent and twisted wire, the pieces portray musicians playing a variety of roots music instruments. There’s a washboard, numerous horns, a bongo, a fiddle and a piano. Other figurines show subjects dancing. One eye-catching set features a couple mid-dip, the female partner’s back arched dramatically as her counterpart hovers above.
The works are by one of West Baton Rouge Parish’s best-known artists, Ronald Trahan, a native of the region and self-taught sculptor
who began working with metal in his teens. South Louisiana’s rich music scene was his muse, informed by childhood trips to New Orleans with his mother. Years later, he would become a regular artist vendor at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival. But taking in his work at the West Baton Rouge Museum is a singular experience, thanks to the institution’s dogged effort to connect the dots across its galleries and south Louisiana’s strange and fascinating history. Trahan trained briefly with the late Frank Hayden, the nationally renowned sculptor and Southern University art professor who was mentored by lauded Louisiana sculptor Angela
Two Antebellum-era cabins that once housed enslaved people were relocated to the museum grounds.
Gregory. A four-part exhibition on Gregory’s life and work is currently underway in the museum’s front gallery.
“They’re interconnected,” says Angelique Bergeron, West Baton Rouge Parish Museum executive director. “The artists in these galleries have an overlapping history.”
Minutes from downtown Baton Rouge and two blocks off La. Highway 1 in Port Allen, the West Baton Rouge Museum has been the keeper of west side history since it opened in 1968. While a small institution, it’s packed with exhibits inside its numerous buildings and across its live oakstrewn, 6-acre grounds.
The museum is a hive of activity, with monthly live music, Creole immersion camps and other kid-friendly events, and the 30th annual SugarFest on Oct. 5. Visitors can even learn blacksmith skills through a hands-on apprenticeship program set in its vintage barn.
Past lives
Another throughline at the museum adds further context to Trahan’s story, Bergeron says. Members of his family were slaves at Allendale Plantation, which the museum explores through its sugar production exhibit inside the main
gallery and authentic slave cabins outside, one of which was brought from Allendale.
The story-within-a-story phenomenon continues here in “Rooting Metal - The Trahan Gallery.” Trahan’s greatgrandfather Valery Trahan was the enslaved valet of the plantation’s owner and former Louisiana Gov. Henry Watkins Allen, for whom Port Allen is named.
In 1961, Gregory was commissioned to create a bronze likeness of Allen, which was completed the following year and now sits near the museum on the courthouse grounds.
The museum has become known for convening a wide variety of perspectives, Bergeron says. When protestors sought to remove the Allen monument in 2020, the institution saw an opportunity for a broader conversation.
Indeed, Allen had been a slaveholder and Confederate officer, but the bronze work had been created by Gregory, a pioneering female sculptor who sought to depict diverse subjects in honest repose, including Black people. Bergeron says the museum took the opportunity to listen to protestors, planning a multiyear, comprehensive exhibit
“This is our role, to contextualize. We want to interpret and be a space for these conversations.”
—Executive Director Angelique Bergeron, on how the West Baton Rouge Parish Museum’s many exhibits aim to provide a complete historical picture
on Gregory’s work and process. The final installment of the Gregory exhibit, which focuses on various aspects of the Allen monument, opens Sept. 6. Paired with the museum’s many exhibits on racial struggle, Bergeron says it sets up a more complete historical picture.
“This is our role, to contextualize,” she adds. “We want to interpret and be a space for these conversations.”
Elsewhere in the museum, exhibits explore West Baton Rouge Parish’s long and complex history with sugar, a key commodity produced first with slave labor. The two authentic slave cabins that were relocated to the museum grounds, along with thoughtful interpretive material inside, give glimpses into slaves’ lives in Antebellum Louisiana.
the fibrous byproduct of sugar production. In the gallery next door, they’ll see it used in art.
Issue Date: AUG 2025 Ad proof #2
• Please respond by e-mail or phone with your approval or minor revisions.
House of blues
• AD WILL RUN AS IS unless approval or final revisions are received within 24 hrs from receipt of this proof. A shorter timeframe will apply for tight deadlines.
Modern sugar production is shown through a large model that was part of the 1904 St. Louis World’s Fair. More of the museum’s intentionality appears here, too— visitors will learn about bagasse,
The best way to experience the museum, according to Bergeron, is to notice how its exhibits are related.
• Additional revisions must be requested and may be subject to production fees.
Trahan’s whimsical sculptures show how oppressed people found freedom in live blues and jazz. A life-size version of this exists in the museum’s Juke Joint, one of several ancillary buildings on its grounds. Purposely left unairconditioned, the space replicates a Southern juke joint, complete with an upright
NETWORKING, LEADERSHIP & SERVICE
Hear live music from the porch of the museum’s Juke Joint during its popular Historical Happy Hours, held on the third Friday of every month.
piano, jukebox, guitars, a bar and memorabilia, much of which was donated by the Neal family, best known for blues musicians Raful Neal and Kenny Neal.
The exhibit is a community favorite. Live bands set up on the Juke Joint’s porch for the museum’s Historical Happy Hours on the third Friday of every month to play for assembled crowds.
The Juke Joint’s colorful exterior wall mural, created by Louisiana artist Malaika Favorite, shows the Neals; native blues musicians Slim Harpo, Silas Hogan and Lazy Lester; and vocal legends Billie Holiday and Ella Fitzgerald; among others. Inside, visitors spot more of Trahan’s metal sculptures, a breadcrumb trail leading back to his installation in the main building.
Love language
In another gallery, visitors pick up the thread of bagasse in the temporary exhibit Kont Kréyol-yé, or Creole Folktales, open through Oct. 12.
Louisiana artist and Creole language advocate Jonathan Mayers helped coordinate the exhibit with Bergeron, which features about two dozen pieces painted or drawn on paper that Mayers made from bagasse and dried banana leaves. He and Bergeron invited regional Creole artists to illustrate historic folktales that had been formally recorded in Creole communities in West Baton Rouge and Pointe Coupee parishes in 1930. Bergeron, a native Creole speaker who holds a doctoral degree in French, ensured the exhibit and its companion book used both English and Creole.
“I think it’s very important to hang on to our language,” she says. “If we lose it, we lose a big part of our culture and the way we express ourselves.”
VISIT THE MUSEUM
The West Baton Rouge Museum is at 845 N. Jefferson Ave. in Port Allen. Tours are available by request. westbatonrougemuseum.org
Creole language advocate Jonathan Mayers, pictured here with Bergeron and exhibit contributor Clif St. Laurent, helped coordinate the Kont Kréyol-yé exhibit that illustrates historic folktales from Creole communities.
‘Summerween’
How hardcore Halloween-ers jumpstart spooky season over the summer
By Maggie Heyn Richardson
IN LATE MAY, the 10/31 Consortium held its annual Black and Orange Bash. The halfway-to-Halloween gathering gave revelers an excuse to channel their favorite holiday early. It’s also when the consortium revealed the theme of this October’s Fifolet Halloween Festival: “What Lies Beneath the Wicked Waves.” The announcement built hype for the 15th annual event, which will include a zombie pub crawl, Halloween parade, costume ball, fun run
and kids costume giveaway spread over multiple days.
“We like the idea of Halloween as a lifestyle, not just a holiday,” says 10/31 Consortium founder Kelley Criscoe Stein.
The Black and Orange Bash isn’t related to the recent phenomenon of “Summerween,” but Stein says she’s pleased to see anything that spreads Halloween enthusiasm beyond the confines of fall.
Summerween went viral last summer, inspired by the Disney series Gravity Falls. TikTok influencers began advising viewers to mark the occasion on the summer solstice, carving jack-o’-melons with fresh summer watermelon and making Halloween crafts. Many also suggested cutting pumpkin faces out of sliced cheese for backyard burgers and mixing pitchers of Halloween cocktails.
And, of course, it wouldn’t be Summerween without a slasher movie, preferably one situated at a summer camp.
Late summer is also an ideal time to start sourcing decorations, Stein says. From orange and purple lights to 12-foot skeletons,
yard decorations usually make an appearance sometime after the
Stein says she likes to hit up Party Time, along with Hobby Lobby, where she observes fall décor and Halloween trimmings lurking in the back of the stores. They’ll creep their way toward the front as the summer weeks go by, she adds. Seasoned Halloween practitioners know that if you wait until October to shop, you’re probably out of luck. Christmas will have taken Halloween’s place.
And if ever there was a year to get the jump on jack-o’-lanterns, this one is it. Stein says that the combination of LSU Football’s 2025 home game schedule and the fact that
November 2025
A SPECIAL ANNUAL EDITION THAT HIGHLIGHTS NONPROFITS & BUSINESSES MAKING AN IMPACT IN OUR COMMUNITY!
Share your organization’s mission, the ways you impact the community, or sponsor an organization your company is involved with.
2ⁿᵈ ANNUAL
FACES OF PHILANTHROPY
Scan the QR code for advertising opportunities or to sponsor an organization!
Aug. 1
Take it easy with A Salute to the Eagles at L’Auberge Hotel Casino. The Hotel California tribute band will transport the audience back to the heyday of the American rock group with performances of classics like “Life in the Fast Lane,” “Lyin’ Eyes,” “Take it to the Limit” and more. lbatonrouge.com
Compiled by Olivia Deffes
Aug. 1+2
From Addis to American Idol, John Foster is taking the country music scene by storm. Born and raised in the 225, Foster is looking forward to playing two shows at Baton Rouge’s iconic Texas Club. Catch the teen star covering traditional country songs and playing some original tunes—and read more about Foster in our feature on page 21. thetexasclub.com
Aug. 10
Aug.
8
The rumours are true. New Orleans cover band Where Y’acht is coming to Chelsea’s Live with A Tribute to Fleetwood Mac Expect to hear covers of Fleetwood Mac’s biggest hits along with other popular songs that fall into the yacht rock genre. chelseaslive.com
Join 225 Theatre Collective for a night of passion, rhythm and raw emotion for its Poetry Slam. Local creatives are invited to take the stage with readings, spoken word performances and lyrical storytellings of original works and credited pieces. 225theatrecollective.com
Aug. 15
Show your support for the Mid City Redevelopment Alliance by attending its fundraiser, Mid City’s Got Talent. This show will feature an open bar, silent auction and live entertainment from local talent that will be judged by regional figures like Mayor Sid Edwards and singer Quiana Lynell. Find it on Facebook
Aug. 21-24
Dig up some new features and indie projects at the inaugural Baton Rouge Underground Film Festival. Head to Manship Theatre to listen in on panels and view independent and genrefocused movies from filmmakers with ties to the Red Stick. batonrougeunderground.com
Aug. 23
Get game-day ready with Sweet Baton Rouge’s Ultimate Tailgate event at Perkins Rowe. Don your purple and gold, or head to the outdoor market to shop from local vendors, boutiques and artists. This event showcases locally made apparel, gifts, crafts and more. And if all that retail therapy makes you hungry, there will also be a jambalaya cook-off on-site. sweetbatonrouge.com
CHRISTOPHER
Compiled by Olivia Deffes
2+3 GAME ON! Celebrate 40 years of Super Mario Bros. at Louisiana Retro Con. This video game event will host retro and modern tournaments along with video game vendors, local artists, cosplayers and more. louisianaretroconvention.com
Enjoy a baseball game with a twist when the Banana Ball World Tour makes its way to Alex Box Stadium. Watch a battle between the Party Animals and the Texas Tailgaters as they compete for a win while dancing, singing and bringing the crowd into their wacky on-field antics. thesavannahbananas.com
AUG. 6-10: NOLA Pickle Fest, nolapicklefest.com AUG. 9: Red Dress Run, neworleanshash.com/reddressrun
RAISE A GLASS
ALSO THIS MONTH
AUG. 2
Wine and dine at L’Auberge Casino Hotel during the Baton Rouge Epicurean Society’s annual Fête Rouge. This tasting party features award-winning wines and dishes from local restaurants and catering businesses. Try bites ranging from sweet to savory, and sip a variety of wines. bresbr.org
Stretch with furry friends at Old Rusty Gate Farm’s Hot August Night Goat Yoga. Get into relaxing poses while friendly goats hop around the workout. Attendees can also grab fuel from a coffee cart or shop homemade products. Find it on Facebook
AUG. 2
Get ready for a day of binge-watching at the 15th Annual Baton Rouge Irish Film Festival at Manship Theatre. Presented by the Baton Rouge Irish Club, this fest shows off full-length and short films from Ireland. Enjoy refreshments and watch performances from Irish dancers between showings. batonrougeirish filmfestival.com
23+24
A WILD TIME
Reptiles and amphibians and insects. Oh my! See all these animals and more when the HERPS Baton Rouge Exotic Reptile & Pet Show comes to the Lamar-Dixon Expo Center. Shop for exotic pets directly from breeders and attend demonstrations, educational talks and more. herpshow.net 22
AUG. 9 + 10
Follow the twinkle of geodes and other shiny stones to the Lamar-Dixon Expo Center for the Baton Rouge Gem & Mineral Show. Hosted by the Baton Rouge Gem & Mineral Society, this event features vendors with rocks, gems, fossils, jewelry and more. brgemandmineral.org
AUG. 30
Calling all top dogs! The Capital City Dog Show arrives at the Raising Cane’s River Center with something for every pup and fur parent. All breeds are welcome to compete for trophies, ribbons and prizes. raisingcanesrivercenter.com
MORE EVENTS
Subscribe to our newsletter 225 Daily for our twiceweekly roundups of events. 225batonrouge. com/225daily
ACADIANA
AUG. 13-17: Delcambre Shrimp Festival, shrimpfestival.net
AUG. 21-24: Gueydan Duck Festival, duckfestival.org
AUG. 28-SEPT. 1: Louisiana Shrimp and Petroleum Festival, shrimpandpetroleum.org
Later, Gator
Mike the Tiger with Deanna Ashworth at St. James Place’s Men’s College World Series watch party
Special delivery
CHEERS ROARED and Jell-O shots flowed June 22, during the Men’s College World Series in Omaha, Nebraska. But back in Baton Rouge, one watch party was particularly lively.
Lee Drive senior living community St. James Place was abuzz during what would turn out to be the final game of the series. Residents filled the common areas, decked out in their best purple and gold garb for a viewing of the game, fit with the only slices of Rocco’s Pizza & Cantina pizza found outside of Omaha.
The plan to have a watch party with pies from the iconic pizza restaurant now synonymous with the College World Series came from St. James Place Director of Active Lifestyles Tonya Dixon. She was looking to outdo herself after the retirement community gained national attention two years ago during LSU’s last championship, when St. James Place recreated the famed Rocco’s Jell-O shot challenge.
Dixon made a call to Rocco’s owner Kevin Culjat, who was very willing to send pizzas down to Baton Rouge.
“Seeing the residents at St. James Place having fun with their own Jell-O shot challenge … that’s what the Jell-O shot challenge is all about. It’s more than just a good time in Omaha,” Culjat says. “It’s about bringing fans together, no matter where they are.”
AVERY WHITE
Catch
BALLY’S BATON ROUGE HOTEL IS ROARING WITH PRIDE AS OUR LSU MEN’S BASEBALL TEAM BRINGS HOME THE
NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
At Bally’s Baton Rouge Hotel, we celebrate champions—on the field and in our community. Thank you for inspiring Baton Rouge and showing the world what Tiger grit and heart look like.
Located 15 minutes away from campus, our newly renovated hotel boasts contemporary luxury and comfort, right in the heart of Downtown Baton Rouge. Whether you’re coming home to celebrate with family or visiting to experience the energy of a championship town, we’re here to welcome you with the hospitality Baton Rouge is known for.
A lot of people don’t know where to start or might be afraid of surgery. My experience has been exceptional.”
— CECILIA GAYLE, PATIENT
A back injury can trigger pain throughout the body. For Cecilia, a landscape architect who was packing to move from Tampa to Baton Rouge, a simple lift — followed by a ten-hour drive — left her with excruciating pain in her legs and down to her toes.
Fortunately, Cecilia’s son urged her to call The Spine Center of Louisiana, where Dr. Chambliss Harrod had treated him five years earlier. Within days, she was scheduled for minimally invasive outpatient surgery to relieve her herniated disc pain — and the results have been life-changing.
