BayouLife Magazine January 2014 by BayouLife Magazine

Features JANUARY 2014

32 Bayou Home Garden Vieux: The Home of Susan and Brian Crawford

46 Eating In Season P. Allen guides us through foods that are in-season and locally grown

64 Bayou Icon Richard Chardkoff The Professor Emeritus

76 Born on the Bayou Birds of a Feather

80 Keep Calm and Carry Om Incorporating Meditation Practices in Your Daily Routine

84 Authentic and Appetizing Restaurant Sageâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Renewed Spirit

94 Beauty Basics A Beauty Guide for All Ages

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NEW YEAR IS A TIME FOR SIMPLE

reflections, resolutions and change. Change is inevitable for my family, as Trent and will be growing from a family of three to a family of four next month. This means that I will no doubt resolve to lose weight after the baby is born and vow to start washing clothes more than once a week (resolutions that I have made in previous years and failed to accomplish). My first goal is to actually prepare for this child by getting a nursery painted and furniture in the room. It’s funny how prepared I was with my first baby - and I’m pleased to have at least bought a rug for the room a month from my second child’s arrival. Maybe it’s knowledge gained from having a twenty-one month old living in my home. I know that the new arrival will not be sleeping in her room for at least four months and that when she does, she probably won’t judge me if it’s not decorated. That’s the great thing about stepping back and realizing what the new year is about - setting goals that can be reached, working toward the positive but being prepared when there are setbacks. I am so excited about this issue and the amazing day that we had at M.D. Minerals working on our Guide to Beauty Basics. Not only did we get to work with the talented Joli Livaudais but our models Rheagan Sutton, Ashley West and Sandy Dansby were simply stunning. It takes a strong woman to agree to take a “before” photo with no makeup, and these three ladies let us do just that - and it makes me jealous to note how beautiful they were barefaced. And, I would be remiss not to mention the dynamic duo, Lori French and Cathi French-Roberts. I don’t know too many daughter and mother-in-law teams who could work together so seamlessly, each anticipating the other’s thoughts, bouncing ideas and inspiration as if they were more like twins than in-laws. They’re an incredible team, always smiling and making those around them happy, too. I sure do love those French women!

BAYOU ICON, PAGE 64

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December was a great month for social events in the Twin Cities and beyond. We made it downtown to the Gallery Crawl, where I visited with my former painting professor, Bob Ward, and his lovely wife, Linda. We also had wonderful night at the Twin City Ballet Company’s Festival of Trees. I sampled all of the twenty desserts that Thurman Dickey had at the patron’s party, bid on a beautiful tree and got to see some of my favorite people and watch a captivating ballet. Trent and I were the “old people” crashing our nephew Morgan Livingston’s graduation party that night as well. He and Blake Gillikin are two lucky guys. Their sweet moms rented Austin’s By The River for the celebration and I think every graduate from ULM showed up for the party, not to mention U.S. Representative Vance McCallister made an appearance. We are so proud of you Morgan, Blake, Bam and Tim on graduation! I have to mention Marlen Water’s column on page 40 on Louisiana Tech’s 1973 National Football Championship reunion. I have been working with the spirited Marlen for years now and had no idea that in 1973 she was the first Champ mascot! Also, I’d like to apologize for a mistake that we missed correcting in our final edits. We would never intentionally leave a question mark in a caption and as we were checking the last name of the beautiful Abby Campbell, we did not go back and add her name, and we are genuinely sorry. With all my love and thanks, I truly hope you enjoy reading this issue of BayouLife Magazine. We wish you and your families a very happy New Year. Cheers!

Cassie Livingston

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A New Year, A New You? Setting SMART Goals for Yourself Going Into the New Year

BY MELISSA TATUM SANDERLIN, LPC NCC

NEW YEAR IS UPON US. IT seems 2013 has passed in the blink of an eye. But before rushing into 2014 with big plans and a list of goals, first take a moment to reflect on the past year. We so often forget to assess our lives. To take pride in our achievements, appreciate our blessings and learn lessons from our missteps. We rush into a new year with grand resolutions that are rarely put into action. We are so quick to note all of the things we did not accomplish that we forget to enjoy what we have. So before you chastise yourself for what you planned and did not do in the past year, give yourself some praise for what you did. Did you graduate? Get a new job or promotion? Develop a new relationship? Or improve on an existing one? Learn to be more patient with others? Positive things happen to us all the time, but we usually ignore them and attend to only the few negatives. Reflection is a necessity if progress is to be made. We must build upon the positives and learn from the negatives. That being said, how do we make 2014 a productive and satisfying year? New Year’s resolutions are a great way to set goals for ourselves - if done properly. Unfortunately, we tend to make broad, vague goals. The most common are: get in

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shape, make more money and quit smoking. Though they sound like straight-forward goals, they are only wishes that need defining and action. First, it is helpful to work towards the positive rather than the negative. For example, make a plan to drink 3 glasses of water a day, as opposed to give up sodas. Both will have the same result, but we are less likely to stick to something that feels like punishment. Phrasing goals in positive terms give us something to look forward to and produce more lasting changes. Second, set SMART goals for yourself: (S) – specific (M) – measurable (A) – action-oriented (R) – realistic (T) – time based Rather than saying “I will exercise more” say, “I will work-out at the gym Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 5:00 to 5:30.” Or instead of “I will make more friends” say, “I will attend one social event at school, church or in the community once a week.” Using SMART goals helps define exactly what you are working for, makes you more accountable and helps you manage your time accordingly. Also, be prepared for setbacks! We let

slip-ups and procrastination hinder our plans. One week off schedule and we throw the entire goal out the window. But setbacks will happen. It doesn’t mean we have failed, and it doesn’t mean all you have done so far has been for nothing. Expect life to get in the way sometimes. Recognize it as part of the process and move forward. It doesn’t need to be January 1st to make plans for change. In fact, that day may put undue pressure on us to have meaningful goals for ourselves that we just haven’t defined yet. So make resolutions for change at any point you feel motivated! And make sure the goals you set are for YOU. No lasting change will happen if you are only changing to please someone else. If you are struggling with difficult issues, consider speaking with a licensed professional counselor. You can contact Melissa and her staff at 318.323.7575 or info@sanderlincounselingservices.com.

What’s Brewing in the Kitchen? Incorporating Beer Into Your Favorite Recipes

BY DELIA SIMPSON, CRAFT, SPECIALTY & IMPORT MANAGER, CHOICE BRANDS, INC.

ROM BREADS AND CAKES TO SOUPS and sauces, beer can add a depth of flavor and interest to some of your favorite dishes. It can be used to marinate, deglaze and generally “jazz up” your culinary creations. Check out some of these delicious recipes!

Grilled Oysters with Samuel Adams Boston Lager-Japanese Barbecue Sauce 2 cups soy sauce 1 cup sugar 8 ounces (1 cup) Samuel Adams Boston Lager 2 ounces (1/4 cup) sake ¼ cups fresh orange juice 24 fresh oysters, still on the bottom shell 6 tablespoons unsalted butter 1 bunch (5 to 6) scallions, light green parts only, thinly sliced 2 lemons, cut into wedges

In a medium-sized saucepan, bring the soy sauce, sugar, beer, sake and orange juice to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce the heat slightly and simmer briskly for 10 to 15 minutes or until reduced to a syrupy consistency and measures about 1/2 cup. Shuck the oysters to serve on the half shell. Prepare a charcoal, gas or stovetop grill, so that it’s medium-hot or heat the broiler. Put the oysters on the grill or under the broiler, drizzle ½ teaspoon of the reduced soy glaze over the oyster meat and top with a pat of butter. Grill for about 5 minutes or until hot 10 BayouLife Magazine JANUARY 2014

and bubbling. Top each oyster with scallions and serve with lemon wedges.

Blue Moon Rounder Belgian-Style Pale GoatCheese Crostini 5 oz. goat cheese 1/4 cup fresh chives, chopped Orange zest (equivalent to one small orange or 2 tsp.) 1 tbsp. clover honey Whole-wheat crackers or crostini pieces 1 2–3 oz. pack prosciutto (6 slices) 1 tbsp. Blue Moon® Rounder Belgian-Style Pale

To zest the orange, use a small cheese grater to remove the top layer of the orange rind. Then, in a small mixing bowl, combine goat cheese, chives, orange zest, beer and honey. Mix until all ingredients are fully combined and cheese becomes soft. Spread cheese mixture over crackers (about 1 tbsp. per cracker). Top with 1/2–1/3 slice prosciutto and serve. Makes about 15-18 small crackers. Abita Turbodog Espresso Brownies Nonstick vegetable oil cooking spray 1/3 cup plus 2 tablespoons Abita Turbodog 1/3 cup vegetable oil 2 large eggs 1 tablespoon plus 2 teaspoons espresso powder 1 (19.8-ounce) box brownie mix 3/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips

2 tablespoons vanilla extract 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, room temperature Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a 9 by 13-inch baking pan with nonstick spray. Whisk 1/3 cup of Turbodog, 1 tablespoon vanilla extract, oil, eggs and 1 tablespoon espresso powder in a large bowl to blend. Add the brownie mix. Stir until well blended. Stir in the chocolate chips. Transfer the batter to the prepared baking pan. Bake until a toothpick inserted into the center of the brownies comes out with a few moist crumbs attached, about 35 minutes. Cool completely. Meanwhile, dissolve the remaining 2 teaspoons of espresso powder in the remaining 2 tablespoons of Turbodog in a medium bowl. Whisk in 1 tablespoon vanilla extract. Add the powdered sugar and butter and whisk until smooth (add a little more Turbodog if the mixture is too thick). Pour the glaze over the brownies. Refrigerate until the glaze is set. Cut into bite-size pieces. Arrange the brownies on a platter and serve. (Recipe yields 36 bite-sized brownies) For even more fun facts, like us on Facebook at facebook.com/choicebrands and follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/choicebrandsinc. We will be posting weekly trivia questions and opportunities to win cool prizes!

JANUARY 2014 BayouLife Magazine 11

Hearing Loss In The Elderly Hearing Loss - Associated With Alzheimer’s, Dementia and Falling in the Elderly

HIS NEW YEAR, MAKE IT A GOAL TO HELP A PARENT or grandparent prevent any of the causes of Alzheimer’s or dementia. One of these causes, unbeknownst to many, may commonly be hearing loss. Recent studies conducted at the University of Washington’s Department of Medicine found that out of 100 patients with Alzheimer’s, 83 patients had a hearing loss. Once fit with hearing aids, a third of those patients were classified with a less severe case of dementia.

SO HOW IS HEARING LOSS RELATED TO ALZHEIMER’S? Well, hearing loss actually plays a large role in brain function and stimulating brain activity in processing sounds. The term ‘auditory deprivation’ refers to depriving the brain of stimulation from sounds. For those with untreated hearing losses, the reduced ability to hear every day sounds may lead to reduced sound processing activity by the brain. As the brain receives fewer sounds, it becomes less active in processing a person’s surroundings and recognizing speech.

HEARING LOSS LINKED TO THREE-FOLD RISK OF FALLING Hearing loss has been linked with a variety of medical, social and cognitive skills, including dementia. However, a new study led by a Johns Hopkins researcher suggests that hearing loss may also be a risk factor for another huge public health problem: falls. Dr. Lin, an otologist and epidemiologist, says among the possible explanations for the link is that people who can't hear well might not have good awareness of their overall environment, making tripping and falling more likely. Another reason hearing loss might increase the risk of falls, Lin adds, is cognitive load, in which the brain is overwhelmed with demands on its limited resources. "Gait and balance are things most people take for granted, but they are actually very cognitively demanding," Lin says. "If hearing loss imposes a cognitive load, there may be fewer cognitive resources to help with maintaining balance and gait.

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WE CAN HELP! A simple hearing test and video otoscopy can answer a lot of questions about your hearing. We will have a consultation about options to get you on the right track to improve your speech understanding and to make listening in group situations less fatiguing and more enjoyable. We will discuss technologies and fitting options to best fit your lifestyle and budget. The sooner we can get you started with your Aural Rehab, the sooner you will start enjoying those soft sounds.

MAKING A DIFFERENCE Our mission is to bring understanding among people through hearing care by focusing on awareness, education, protection and treatment, So the World May Hear! At Audibel The Hearing Center, we care about your well-being and the lives of the less fortunate around the world. As a proud supporter of The Starkey Hearing Foundation’s “So The World May Hear” program, we are changing lives through the gift of hearing. Your support through the purchase of Audibel Instruments and your donation and trade in of any model hearing aids goes to the foundation’s programs to provide hearing instruments to children in the most remote and poverty stricken regions of the world. ABOUT US Audibel The Hearing Center is Northeast Louisiana’s Audibel dispenser. Cherry Phillips “The Hearing Lady” has been serving this area for over 25 years. We offer free hearing screenings, free second opinions, extended warranties and repairs on all makes and brands of hearing aids. You can find out more by visiting our website www.AudibelMonroe.com and you can see more and like us on Facebook.com/AudibelMonroe.

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Make 2014 The Year to Lose Weight

Ouachita Community Hospital Surgical Weight Loss Center

OW THAT WE’VE GOTTEN PAST the holidays and are looking with excited anticipation at the New Year ahead, it’s a great time to resolve to live healthier. For people who have been obese for years, it’s a perfect time to make a decision that could change their lives forever. The Ouachita Community Hospital Surgical Weight Loss Center helps patients lose weight and keep it off. We specialize in the surgical treatment of clinically obese patients by offering Adjustable Gastric Band, Sleeve Gastrectomy, Lap Band, Abdominoplasties and Brachioplasties. We go far beyond the surgery by providing a life-changing program that includes nutritional, physical activity and emotional guidance, as well as support groups. Weight-loss surgery treats obesity in three ways: 1) restricting how much food the stomach can hold at any time, 2) preventing the digestive system from absorbing all the nutrition in the food that is eaten or 3) a combination of these two ways. Research has shown that diet and weightloss medications are of little use to people with extreme obesity. Their best chance for longterm weight reduction and improved health is bariatric surgery to promote weight loss. Even more than a decade after surgery, 90% of those who have undergone gastric bypass, the most common bariatric procedure, manage to keep off an average of 50% of the excess weight. The result is cure or improvement in diabetes, sleep 14 BayouLife Magazine JANUARY 2014

apnea, degenerative arthritis, hypertension and a reduction in major cardiovascular risk factors, including cholesterol. Surgery, performed only on those who are severely overweight or for whom diet and exercise have failed, is a life-changing decision. It has the potential to resolve or improve many serious obesity-related health issues and improve quality of life. Some studies also suggest that people live longer after weight loss surgery, compared to equally obese people who do not have surgery. The Ouachita Community Hospital Surgical Weight Loss Center program provides you with a multidisciplinary team to help maximize your results. Team members are Henry Zizzi, MD, OCH Bariatric Surgeon; Stephan Maguire, MD, OCH Plastic Surgeon; Andi Holyfield, RD, Bariatric Nutrition; and Charlene Smith, RN, OCH Bariatric Coordinator. ARE YOU A CANDIDATE? Below are questions you can ask yourself to determine if you are potentially a candidate for weight loss surgery. • Are you more than 100 lbs. over your ideal weight? • Is your BMI over 40? • Do you have a BMI of over 35 along with high blood pressure, high cholesterol, hypertension or Type 2 diabetes, related to being severely overweight? • Do you suffer from sleep apnea?

• Does your weight stop you from doing activities you enjoy? • Are you unable to achieve a healthy body weight for a sustained period of time, even with medically supervised dieting?

ATTEND A FREE SEMINAR ON MONDAY, JANUARY 6TH Register now to attend our next seminar on Monday, January 6th at 6:00 p.m. at Ouachita Community Hospital. We’ll discuss the challenges of obesity and the role of bariatric surgery, as well as outline the different types of weight loss surgery procedures and programs we offer. Bariatric Surgeon, Dr. Henry Zizzi, along with Bariatric Nutritionist, Andi Holyfield, RD and Bariatric Coordinator, Charlene Smith, RN will present and answer any questions you may have. Spouses, family members and partners are encouraged to attend. Space is limited so if you would like to attend, call 318322-1339 to reserve a seat. Reservations may also be made online by visiting ouachitacommunityhospital.com/weightloss.

The Ouachita Community Hospital Surgical Weight Loss Center is located at 1275 Glenwood Drive in West Monroe. Ouachita Community Hospital is directly or indirectly owned by an entity that proudly includes physician owners, including certain members of the hospital’s medical staff. To schedule a FREE consultation, call (318) 388-1956.

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Appreciating You in the New Year Be True to Yourself and Put Things in Perspective

BY BEATRICE A. TATEM, PH.D., LPC-S, NCC, ACS

T IS THE TIME OF THE YEAR WHEN MANY ARE CLOSING OUT the old and looking forward to the new. For some, it is a mere change on the calendar, for others it is symbolic of new beginnings and a another chance to get things right. Soon many will be setting New Year’s resolutions. Why do we make resolutions every year? Why is it associated with the new year? How do we decide which ones to pursue? Why do we set the same ones year after year? Will you set a resolution; will you keep it; will it be effective or will it fade away as the year progresses? There was a time in my life when each year I would set a New Year’s resolution, and each year I would not keep it. I would forget the resolution almost as quickly as I came up with it. Was I not committed to self; were my goals unrealistic; did I lack discipline? Why did I feel the need to correct what was wrong rather than enhance what was good? One year, my resolution was to forgo setting a resolution. In fact, my resolution was not to set a resolution. Recently, a woman called inquiring about counseling. She expressed her concerns and reasons for seeking counseling. She described her decision to seek counseling at this time of the year as a holiday gift to herself. A goal she wanted to pursue before the new year. She said “ finally, I am going to do something for myself.” She stated that she was emotionally lost and wanted to find her true self…she needed to “put things in perspective.” I listened to her goals for counseling. As I explained the process of counseling, I thought, “This sounds like a New Year’s Resolution…a commitment to self, a promise to self.“ A resolution is an unwavering determination to carry out a thought, wish or idea. It is a commitment one makes to bring about change in life or to a situation that is generally determined as positive. A resolution can be a meaningful conviction of the soul. We seek change for a number of reasons. Perhaps it is because we feel the need for an emotional makeover or because it is the new year. When seeking change particularly to enhance our mental health, 16 BayouLife Magazine JANUARY 2014

whether through counseling or through setting a resolution it is important to acknowledge the reality of the situation. Often we look for opportunities to change but are afraid of what we might find or who we might discover. Recognize and accept that challenges and difficult times are a part of life to be resolved. This will position you to be a better manager of the goals you set. Actively confronting problems tends to reduce feelings of being overwhelmed and stressed. The decision to bring about change in one’s life is a personal choice and yet is often influenced by societal expectations. Putting things in perspective helps with follow through and the realization of goals. The New Year symbolizes birth, renewal, life and hope. The new year is often met with mixed emotions shaped by what has happened and hopeful contemplation as to what will come. Often we put energy into recreating or correcting what is perceived as bad while failing to appreciate the good. New Year is the time to ensure that we bring balance to our life with positive influences to over play the not so positive. In essence, it is a chance to start with a clean slate. This time of the year can be a great catalyst for change and for appreciating the good that is there. Look to the new year as an opportunity to recognize your recurrent positive qualities. Recommit to the person you are and pay attention to your intentions. Set resolutions that are purposeful and meaningful to you. Approach the resolutions you set in your own way and time. Resolve to maintain good mental health and emotional balance. Remember your life is about years and not one year. Anticipate what lies ahead. Whether you bring in the New Year filled with party favors and cheer or quietly reflect with family and friends, remember to inhale life and exhale joy. Happy New Year to all and to all a good year. For more information, contact Dr. Beatrice Tatem at Wellness Initiatives, LLC 1900 North 18 th Street, Suite 414, Monroe, La 71201, 318-410-1555 or at btatem.bt@gmail.com.

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Bayou Pages

A PRAYER JOURNAL BY FLANNERY O’CONNOR | REVIEW BY CASEY MATTHEWS

lannery O’Connor is one of the greatest writers the South ever produced. O’Connor wrote two novels and a myriad of book reviews and commentaries; however, she is best known for her short stories. Recently, O’Connor’s prayer journal was found among a collection of her papers. Her friend, W.A. Sessions, has edited this journal and published it to give us yet another glimpse in this amazing author’s life. O’Connor was a devout Catholic, and her belief in God and God’s grace is present in her stories. In every story, she creates deeply flawed characters who readily see the faults of others, but who can rarely turn a discerning eye upon themselves. O’Connor allows her characters to wrap themselves in their smugness and self-vindication, and just as the reader is ready to enter the book and throttle these characters, O’Connor gives them a moment of grace. She gives them the opportunity for self-reflection and repentance. Some characters recognize their sins; others do not. Regardless, O’Connor’s deep belief in God’s grace and forgiveness is reflected in the characters’ potential redemption. Everyone, good or evil, has the same access to the same God. O’Connor attended the University of Iowa from 1945-1947. She was away from home trying to figure out if it was God’s plan for her to be a writer. She desperately wanted to be a good writer, but she also wanted God to work through her, and she decided that reciting prayers was not fulfilling enough. She writes:

I do not mean to deny the traditional prayers I have said all my life; but I have been saying them and not feeling them…I can feel a warmth of love heating me

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when I think & write this to You…Let me henceforth ask you with resignation – that not being or meant to be a slacking up in prayer but a less frenzied kind – realizing that the frenzy is caused by an eagerness for what I want and not a spiritual trust. - A Prayer Journal

As a rule, journals are deeply personal, and no one writes a journal with the knowledge or belief that it will be published one day. But O’Connor’s struggles of faith and existence are universal; as you read over her words, you will have a deep understanding of her fears and contrition because you have felt them as well. O’Connor’s own humility reminds us that perhaps we could (and should) do with more humility in our own lives. A Prayer Journal is a simple, yet beautiful read. Reading O’Connor’s thoughts reminds us that we, like her characters in her stories, have the opportunity to have God’s grace; we just have to acknowledge and accept it. The intellectual & artistic delights God gives us are visions & like visions we pay for them; & the thirst for the vision doesn’t necessarily carry with it a thirst for the attendant suffering. Looking back I have suffered, not my share, but enough to call it that but there’s a terrific balance due. Dear God please send me Your Grace. – A Prayer Journal

Casey Posey Matthews graduated with her Bachelor of Arts degree in English Education from University of Louisiana in Monroe and her Master’s of Arts degree in English from University of New Orleans and is now an English teacher at Beachwood High School in Cleveland, OH.

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Balloon Sinuplasty Technological Advancements in Sinus Treatment

S IT ALLERGIES, A COLD OR SINUSITIS? Your nose is congested, and it’s hard to breathe. Thick mucus irritates the back of your throat. Your face, head and even your teeth hurt from the pressure. You’re losing your sense of smell and taste. You’re incredibly tired and irritable. You think that it must be yet another cold or allergy attack again this year. You take allergy or cold medicines to relieve your symptoms, but they don’t help. Finally, you see your physician. After listening to your history of symptoms and conducting an exam, the doctor says you have acute sinusitis, which is temporary inflammation of the sinus lining that is cause by a bacterial infection and commonly called a sinus infection. Your doctor may recommend saline nasal spray, antibiotics, nasal steroid sprays, decongestants and over the counter pain relievers to help the condition. However, if you experience symptoms for longer than 12 weeks you could have a chronic sinus infection. When you have acute or chronic sinusitis, the mucous membranes of your nose, sinuses and throat become inflamed, possibly from a pre-existing cold or allergies. Swelling obstructs the sinus openings and prevents normal mucus drainage, causing mucus and pressure to build up. Symptoms include: drainage of a thick, yellow or greenish discharge from the nose or down the back of the throat; nasal obstruction or congestion; tenderness and swelling around the 20 BayouLife Magazine JANUARY 2014

eyes, cheeks, nose and forehead; and/or a reduced sense of smell and taste. The impact of chronic sinusitis on a person’s quality of life could include: throbbing facial pain or headaches, congestion, bad breath, irritability, fatigue or nausea. Patients who do not respond well to medications become candidates for conventional sinus surgery, which is known as functional endoscopic sinus surgery. Conventional surgery is no longer the only option. Balloon Sinuplasty is a breakthrough procedure that relieves the pain and pressure associated with chronic sinusitis. With Balloon Sinuplasty, a specially designed catheter is inserted into the nose to reach the inflamed sinus. A small balloon is slowly inflated, which widens and restructures the walls of the sinus passage without cutting and with minimal bleeding, helping to drain mucus from the blocked sinus and restore normal mucus flow. The balloon is then removed, leaving the sinus open. Balloon Sinuplasty can be safely performed in the physician’s office under a local anesthetic. This procedure can also be performed in the operating room under a general anesthetic, in conjunction with other more invasive procedures such as a nasal septal reconstruction. Ninety-five percent of patients who have had Balloon Sinuplasty in an office setting say they would have it again. Many patients when presented with sinus surgery using traditional methods decide to

delay or forego surgery. Surgery with the Balloon Sinuplasty devices now provides a minimally invasive option for these patients who want safe and effective, clinically proven relief from their symptoms and the ability to return to their normal activities sooner. Sinusitis patients require nearly 30 million prescriptions each year. While the medical management of sinusitis is designed to reduce the severity and duration of symptoms, some patients become disappointed when their symptoms recur or are persistent. When patient response to medical management fails, referral to an Ear, Nose and Throat specialist is appropriate. It is estimated that up to 60 percent of chronic sinusitis sufferers do not respond to medications. Some of these patients, but not all, can be made better with procedural intervention such as sinus surgery. A specialist has more diagnostic tools with which to assess the sinus patient. An endoscopic exam using a sinus telescope is one such tool. Allergy evaluation is often indicated. CT scan of the sinuses will delineate the sinus anatomy and look for occult polyps or growths causing sinus symptoms. When symptoms have been present because of anatomical obstruction to the sinus, drainage procedural intervention can be of benefit. If you would like additional information about the office performed Balloon Sinuplasty, please call Dr. Lauren J. Mickey’s office at 318322-9882 or visit our website at www.laurenjmickeymd.com.

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Escape to the Alps

The Cancer Foundation League Presents Evening Accents in the Swiss Alps

HE CANCER FOUNDATION LEAGUE (CFL) would like to whisk you away to the Swiss Alps without ever leaving Monroe! You will feel like you have entered a winter wonderland when you enter the West Monroe Civic Center. On Saturday, February 8, 2014, it will be the premier event in town and a fabulous way to spend an early Valentine’s Day. Your ticket to excitement also includes fabulous food, drinks and the chance to dance the night away to the exciting sounds of Almost Famous. Almost Famous is a band out of Memphis, TN and is guaranteed to get everyone up and moving. Almost Famous showcases three lead singers and members of the band are credited with performing for 2 former US Presidents, 2 Superbowl performances, national television appearances, movie sound tracks, touring with top Grammy Award winners and have their own recording contracts. Bottom line, you will not want to miss out! There will be an opportunity to place your bids in both our live and silent auctions. And back by popular demand is the ability to purchase a ticket to win a Benelli shot gun. Tickets for the Benelli are only $20, but you have to attend to purchase one as tickets will only be sold at the gala! The Cancer Foundation League’s famous Champagne and Diamonds raffle will also be 22 BayouLife Magazine JANUARY 2014

featured. A glass of champagne may be purchased for a chance of going home with a sparkling treasure. If that’s not your style, try your luck in winning a mystery gift box, with each box containing a fabulous surprise item. Also, don’t forget to stop by our “Wine Pull” and pull out a wine cork to win a corresponding bottle of fine wine! For a unique experience that you can’t find elsewhere, come out and join us and help us meet our mission of offering financial assistance to Northeast Louisiana cancer patients undergoing treatment. Escape to the Alps on February 8, 2014, starting at 7 p.m. Tickets are $100 each and can be purchased from the Cancer Foundation League office or by calling 9661953. Tickets will also be available from Albritton Photography, The Coffee Bean and Vieux Carré Gourmet. The Cancer Foundation League was founded in 2002 by two Northeast Louisiana women, Dee Dee Cook and Virginia Knickerbocker, who saw the need to address the immediate concerns for cancer patients. The two women collaborated about offering financial assistance to those impacted by the cancer diagnosis. The Cancer Foundation League was initially formed with a $25,000 donation from philanthropist Kitty DeGree and the contributions have grown over the years. Funds are used to help pay patients’ non-medical bills,

such as rent or groceries or giving gift cards to help patients with travel expenses to treatment sites. In the 11 years inception, the Cancer Foundation League has spent over $1,000,000 assisting over 3,000 patients. All proceeds from the Cancer Foundation League gala serve to benefit cancer patients of Northeast Louisiana and the mission of the Cancer Foundation League. The need for the Cancer Foundation League in our community continues to grow, and we need your support. The numbers are staggering, and it is events like our gala that allow the CFL to continue to assist cancer patients in need. Escape to the Alps will be followed by the Cancer Foundation League golf classic “Theresa Marsala Memorial” which will be held in mid-May 2014. For more information about the golf tournament, please contact the Cancer Foundation League office, 966-1953. For further information on the Escape to the Alps gala, any other CFL events or the Cancer Foundation League in general, please visit our website www.cancerfoundationleague.com or find us on Facebook, www.facebook.com/cancerfoundationleague. We will see you in the Alps!

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January’s To-Do List by Kenny Covington

ow that the holidays

are over, it’s time to do some maintenance to our fishing equipment to prepare for the upcoming days on the water. What I want to discuss in this month’s article are some things we can do to help ensure not just productive days on the water but some time and money saving tips as well. Many people have spent the past several months in the woods so this would be a good time to take your boat in for a scheduled maintenance at your local boat dealership. Changing the lower unit oil and other such preventive measures are always good and it will also allow them to check for other potential problems down the road. Also, ask them if they will check your batteries for wear and chargeability. This overlooked problem occurs due to a lack of use or extremely cold weather. If you were able to periodically charge them throughout the hunting season, this should help with this issue. There is nothing worse than getting to the lake only to find that your batteries are weak or that they didn’t take a charge at all.

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Before you head to the water, make sure the required equipment such as a throw cushion or a fire extinguisher is in place in your boat. If you are not aware of the needed safety equipment for the type or size boat you have, make sure you consult the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries for any questions you may have. Once I start working on the actual fishing aspect of the “to do” list, I start with my rod and reels. I like to take each individual reel and make sure they are working properly. If you are familiar enough with the inner workings of your reels, this will be a good time to clean and grease each one as well. One of the common mistakes people make when working on their own reels is they tend to overuse the lubricants. A small amount will go a long way and too much will affect the performance of your reels. This will also be a good time to replace old line or at least prepare to spool them at a later date. Rod maintenance is critical and easily as important as the upkeep of your reels. Look for any cosmetic damage such as a crack in the rod blank or chips in the cork handle. Check to see if any eyes on each rod are damaged or in need of replacement. A good way to do this is to take a Q-tip and run it around the inside

of each eye on the rod. Any suspect areas will be easily noticed as the cotton will catch on any imperfections found on each eye checked. As we fish throughout the year it’s easy to accumulate a mass of lures that we have taken out of their respective boxes, used and left them to be put up later. This is not just a good time to sort them and put them away but also check for any imperfections that will hinder their usage at a later date. Clip off line ties, check the O-rings and replace hooks if needed. Many times while sorting through our tackle, it gives us the opportunity to take inventory of what we do or don’t have. Make note of the things you may have used the most and replace them if needed. Surely some of you will receive gift cards to our local outdoor retailers, and there is no better time than to stock up on some newer colors or other soft plastics that need replacing. I like to buy in bulk quantities if possible and also keep my color choices as basic as possible. Both are good ways to save a few extra dollars. Terminal tackle such as hooks, sinkers and other accessories need to be attended to as well. I have found it more efficient to have a separate box just for these items. They are easily located, thus making the replacement of anything missing more feasible. I keep several sizes of hooks for soft plastics fishing and for replacing hooks broken on moving lures such as crankbaits and topwaters. I prefer tungsten sinkers, and while they are a bit more expensive than lead, I feel they are worth the extra cost, because it seems you catch more fish when using them over lead. I hope these tips will help you save both time and money in the long run. Much of this can be accomplished on one of those weekends when the weather is more conducive to being indoors than out and is also a really good way to get your kids interested in upcoming fishing adventures. Catch one for me, and I will see you on the water!

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BayouKidZ

Resolutions For Kids H

A New Year’s Resolution For You and Your Children APPY NEW YEAR TO THE BAYOULIFE

nation, as I sit recovering from the back injury I received from my Thanksgiving Day shopping expedition. Of course, I jest, but I don’t know what shopping spirit took over my body and forced me to lift the moratorium I placed on myself years ago, that precludes me from shopping on Black Friday, MUCH LESS, Thanksgiving Day! I guess the same spirit that took over the lady that rammed her buggy into my buggy in a local department store (to remain nameless in the event of a hit and run lawsuit), in her haste to get the 2 for $1 multi-colored toe socks. For real? I recently told my dear friend, Maré Brennan, that I intended to write about having good Christmas spirit, all year, every month, in the hopes that it might seep into the heart of those of us who get wrapped up in trying to save a buck seventy five (yes, one dollar and seventy five cents) on tubes of frosted lipstick. Hey, don’t get me wrong, I’m all for saving money, it’s the American way; but fist fights at the local retail giant over televisions and allegedly breaking in line (or, heaven forbid, letting someone out of line to go to the bathroom because they had been standing there for four hours) really got my writing juices going. Why? Because the logical topic for my January column would be New Year’s resolutions and I’m gearing up to relate some of my 2013 shopping experiences (and

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by Cindy Foust

those of you that know me best, know I would rather suntan in an bikini than shop) to New Year’s resolutions. Okay, right about now it is safe to start questioning how in the world I will tie manic Black Friday shopping with New Year’s resolutions, but here goes. I have been giving this column a lot of thought over the last few weeks, and doing some reading on having your children write down their resolutions for 2014. I even used my 15-year son old as my guinea pig (there’s a name you don’t hear much anymore), in trying to decide if he even knew what a resolution was. I was encouraged that he did in fact know what a resolution was, and in fact, showed a spark of interest in discussing his for the next year. After I assured him that I wasn’t going to make him write down, "I promise to put sun screen on every time I leave the house" or "I promise to eat two servings of fruit and two servings of vegetables everyday" I did attempt to redirect his focus to how he treats others. In researching for this month’s column, (I realize I am not a bio-chemist trying to find the cure for cancer) I read with interest the many, very credible, websites that offer ideas for New Year’s resolutions for children. Trust me, some of them are a little far-fetched, but one consistent thought was discussing with your children how important it is to be kind to others. I know it’s the Golden Rule, and most of us are taught that

from childhood. But some of us, get lost along the way, like the rude, Christmas-spiritless (just call me Dr. Seuss, I am not making up my own words) shoppers that we have no doubt all been around. I’m telling you, just trying to get in and out of a parking lot during Christmas will sometimes give you a "Grinch-like" attitude. Being kind and considerate goes a long way sometimes and certainly gets the attention from others, when we exhibit kind behavior. Even if you don’t call it "resolutions," sitting down with your children to focus on how they can improve their behavior is a great way to start the new year. And as I close, for those of you who also can’t believe that I wrote an entire column on being kind, just remember that a huge movement in ths country in our schools pertains to bullying and the shameful treatment some children receive. I’ve referenced being kind to others in other columns I have written over the last year, but now, I feel it is important enough to start the new year off with a gentle reminder to our children that being kind to others is one of the most important attributes a person can have. And that my friends, is how you connect the dots with New Year's resolutions, Black Friday madness and the Golden Rule. I wish for you and your family a year of good health, prosperity and kind deeds.

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The Monroe Garden Study League, member of The Garden Club of America, is presenting an educational lecture featuring Dr. Douglas J. Meﬀert on Thursday, January 30, 2014 at 6:30 p.m. at the Vantage Ballroom in Vantage Tower (130 DeSiard Street) in downtown Monroe. Meﬀert is the Executive Director and Vice-President of Audubon Louisiana and will present “From Wetlands to Woodlands: Integrating bottomland hardwood forest and coastal restoration into a successful Louisiana conservation strategy.” The program is free to the public and a reception will follow.

From Wetlands to Woodlands

BayouBuzzworthy

Paul Michael Company Open House Material Things Open House

A Tribute to Jewish American Composers

On January 25, 2014, the Congregation B’Nai Israel presents the Eighty Annual Concert, “A Tribute to Jewish American Composers.” This annual event will take place at 7:00 p.m. and will feature Rod Allen Payne on keyboard with Carvel Avis on guitar and Lawrence Gibbs on clarinet and saxophone. Also, the beautiful vocal talents of G.G. Shinn, Lisa Spann, Nancy Wilson, Zelia Logan and Margaret Zentner will be on display. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased by visiting the Temple Oﬃce at 2400 Orell Place or by calling (318) 387-0730.

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Founded in Nashville, Tennessee, by former Monroe native and lawyer turned entrepreneur Deena Drummond, daughter of Joan and Richard Chardkoff, Roux Maison has introduced a line of cleaning products that protects your fine fabrics as well as the environment. "I was so frustrated with available laundry products. The scents were strong and overwhelming, and my clothes either didn't seem clean enough or else they began to fray and fall apart. The numerous chemicals caused fabric deterioration as well as skin and eye irritation," stated Deena. As she researched the various chemical ingredients in available detergents, she became more and more concerned and convinced there had to be a better way to keep clothing clean and intact while keeping homes and health safe. Roux Maison products have recently been featured in magazines and blogs throughout the country including Huffington Post, Cosmopolitan, Real Simple, Prevention, Southern Living, Marie Claire, Elle Decor, People, The New York Times and many more. Roux Maison comprises a line of American-made, super-concentrated laundry products that contain only the highest-quality ingredients available. They save money on dry cleaning while also keeping you and your surroundings safe from allergens and irritants. The detergents come in compact 16-ounce bottles that clean 40 full loads of laundry. The line includes two delicious scents created exclusively with all-natural essential oils. Roux Maison's products are also available in fragrance-free versions. Roux Maison crafted a line of fabric-specific products to suit all home laundering needs, thus eliminating the need for most dry cleaning - another source of highly toxic chemicals and premature clothing deterioration. The line currently includes Essential, Sport, Delicate and Swimwear detergents as well as a Stain Remover. Products can be ordered from the Roux Maison website: www.rouxmaison.com

Linda Lavender Ford was presented with the 2013 Entrepreneurial Success Award at the Chamber's Annual Banquet on December 10. Shown in the photo are Melvin Delacerda of Johnny's Pizza House, the 2012 Entrepreneurial Success winner, and Staci Albritton Mitchell, the 2014 Chamber of Commerce Chairman. Members of Blake Wheelis' family attended the Chamber's Annual Banquet on December 10 to accept the A.O. Evans Award on his behalf. The A.O. Evans Award is the highest honor bestowed upon an individual by the WMWO Chamber of commerce. Photos by Patty Stewart

Ooo-La-La!

WMWO Chamber Awards Banquet

ESSENTIALS FOR THE NEW YEAR BY RHEAGAN SUTTON

Start blending the spring colors of 2014 into your wardrobe It’s all about the bag in 2014. Make plans to travel somewhere you’ve never been before Use an embellished jacket to kick up the basics Stick to your New Years’ resolution. You’ll be glad you did! Avoid unnecessary stress Invest in a sassy pencil skirt if you don’t already have one Look for unique shoe trends this season Clean out your closet! Make room for the fabulous trends of 2014 Don’t be afraid to be fashion forward Invest in new workout attire-it will give your workout a boost Join a yoga class. It works wonders when you’re stressed. Don’t put away your peplum tops just yet Patterned pants are a must Floral patterns are definitely in this year Do something that you’ve always wanted to do Set a financial goal for yourself Keep your nails freshly manicured just because it makes you feel good Set a weight loss goal that is practical Sport the pantone color of the year: Radiant orchid Embrace an all white outfit-it is huge for spring Make exercising a habit Maintain a healthy diet. Your mood, skin and body will thank you! Dust off the old-you will see different decades in fashion trends Kick bad habits

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GARDEN VIEUX THE HOME OF SUSAN AND BRIAN CRAWFORD BY MARÉ BRENNAN PHOTOGRAPHS BY MIKE HEALEY From behind a stucco and brick capped wall and through a wrought iron gate with a distinctly New Orleans feel, a fountain gurgles and beckons visitors to slip into the French Quarter-inspired courtyard gardens that envelope the home of Susan and Brian Crawford, tucked on a quiet cul de sac in North Monroe. Designed as a double gallery house, like those made famous in James Michalopolous’ paintings of New Orleans Garden District beauties, the Crawford’s home is a variation 32 BayouLife Magazine JANUARY 2014

of the American townhouse that was popular in the Crescent City between 1820 and 1850. Master builder Joe Holyfield was enlisted by the original owners, Terri Kay and Dave Luffey, for construction of their home, which was one of the first within Point Place subdivision. Around ten year ago, the Luffeys once again called on Holyfield to add a sunroom onto the back of the home which improved the home’s flow. In the summer of 2012, the Crawfords made the house their place to nest while in

Monroe. As most homeowners know, there is nothing like having a party in order to get your house in top shape. After moving into the home in July and a month away spent at their North Carolina home, the homeowners kicked it in to high gear to get ready for a party to celebrate a friend’s wedding. Crawford’s upholsterer was making frequent trips, dropping off a newly upholstered sofa one week and valances the next. All the while, Susan worked with her good friend and designer Gregory Hudgins to determine the op-

timum furniture placement. In the spring of 2013, the Crawford’s home was featured on the Northeast Louisiana Children’s Museum’s Home and Garden Tour. As the home is set slightly back from the street, a brick walkway in a basket weave pattern leads to the lower gallery and the front door, which is illuminated by a large gas lantern. Creating a graceful transition from the street to the home, manicured yaupon hollies and colorful perennials fill articulated beds. An intricate wrought iron railing, crafted by Kelly Ironworks after examples found in New Orleans, embellishes the second story gallery. Combining old and new, high and low is a recurring theme at the Crawfords’ home due to Susan’s eclectic and resourceful nature. In the foyer, Susan has placed a dainty French chair reupholstered in a beautiful soft green silk with a modern metallic pattern at the foot of the staircase leading to the second floor. Opening into the foyer is the dramatic dining room. Oak hardwood flooring is covered by a room

sized Persian rug THIS PAGE: The dining room (above) in bold hues of is a mix of antique red and navy. and new. The table Distressed French is an antique dissconces, found at covered in Natchez while the chairs are Scott Antique Restoration HardMarket in Atware. (At right) The lanta, add light to player piano in the living room fills the either side of a Crawford home with custom designed gorgeous sound Trumeau mirror any time of year. above an antiqued console. When faced with finding a Trumeau mirror, Susan recalls exorbitant price tags, so she and designer Richard Carroll came up with a solution – they would just make one! Susan found a lovely French scene painting and Richard put the mirror together, complete with gilded accents. Susan mixes new linen covered chairs from Restoration Hardware with the antique table from Natchez which had been her husband’s law office conference table. The buffet and window treatments with deep swags and fringe were original to the home. JANUARY 2014 BayouLife Magazine 33

The living room is painted a light grey with green undertones, adding light to this interior room. A focal feature is a baby grand player piano, which Susan employs for music throughout the year. “My grandson loves it when he comes to visit,” she explains. A tall grandfather clock, a gift from her husband Brian, stands watch beside the fireplace mantle. A comfortable seating group with a federal style sofa covered in a creamy silk is artfully arranged. Sconces flank a neoclassical gilt mirror which hangs above a demilune console. The sunroom lives up to its billing with bright cheery walls lit naturally from the extra large windows that look out onto the back gardens. A contemporary stained glass window by Baton Rouge artist Charles Devillier, originally commissioned by the couple for their home on Jasmine, has made several moves and now resides in a perfect spot to THIS PAGE: (Top) The graphic black and white kitchen has ample storage and a stained glass window by Liz Ormes. (Middle) The keeping room is filled with eclectic furnishings including a collapsible glass topped campaign table and an unusual lamp made from an antique bobbin advertisement.. (Bottom) The light fills the incredibly open sunroom.

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send beams of color across the room’s hardwood floors. An Oriental screen the Crawfords found on a trip to New York City finds its place above a toile covered banquette. A trio of nesting tables beside the sofa are family heirlooms from Susan’s mother. A pair of French bergere chairs got a total makeover by Richard Carroll who painted and distressed the once-dark wood and are now covered in a light toile. A builtin entertainment center maintains order for electronics. A spiral staircase leads to the upstairs office loft space, which also doubles as an extra sleeping quarters when family comes to town. The thoughtfully planned out kitchen makes great use of space with ample countertops of black granite and plentiful storage throughout. Glass pendant lighting hangs above the sink and gas range for task illumination. Leather covered counter stools fit neatly under the peninsula island. A leaded and stained glass window made by Liz Ormes found a new home above the double sink. Says Susan, “Liz made this window when I was president of the [Monroe Junior] League, and she was the president-elect.” Just past the kitchen is a cozy

keeping room with several unique pieces of furniture. An antique oak phone booth is definitely a conversation starter, says Susan. “It was in the Federal Building on Breard where Brian had an office. When he moved to a new office, it went with him. Now our grandkids like to play in it,” she laughs. Just to the right of the phone booth is one of Susan’s masterful paintings of her dogs, a Westie and Toto, her Norwich Terrier. Susan’s painting of her daughter’s King Charles Cavalier Spaniel lies just around the corner in a half bath. Explains Susan, “I paint while at our home in Cashiers, [North Carolina], usually with a good friend and neighbor who has a room below her house where we’ll have art classes and paint.” A leather sofa and upholstered club chair create an intimate seating arrangement in front of a cool, collapsible coffee table on wheels that was another find from Scott Antique fleamarket in Atlanta. Susan shows her creativity in finding serious uses for unique objects. Case in point: When Susan discovered a unique, antique bobbin advertisement, it became a statement-making lamp. Just beyond is the breakfast room where a Welsh dresser, an Antique Alley find from Hilda Nancy Perkins’ store, is filled with majolica. Antlers and Staffordshire plates create a lovely vignette above the dresser. The “cute and feminine” THIS PAGE: (Above) The breakfast room’s Welsh dresser and adorable French chairs set the tone for informal dining. (Left) A Federal style four-poster bed is a focal point of the master bedroom which uses a botanical toile to unify the space. (Right) One of the guest bedrooms uses a neutral linen palette with floral prints to add coziness and warmth.

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French ladderback chairs are a favorite of the homeowner and were purchased from Ramona Caldwell after one of her trips to Europe. In the master bedroom a Federal style four-poster bed commands attention beneath a series of botanical prints. A Bayonne caned settee is placed at the foot of the bed, which is accented a green mattelase coverlet with botanical-inspired fabric-covered pillows and a tailored dust ruffle with a green vine embroidered hem. The botanical-inspired toile which unifies the room is also employed on a pair of wingback chairs, as well as the cushion for the settee and the room’s drapery. The guest bedrooms are a treat and retreat for the Crawford’s friends and family. A comfortable tufted ottoman and a crib make travel easy on those with little ones. While a second bedroom features a linen uphol-

stered headboard with nailhead trim and a floral print mattelase coverlet. Swing arm sconces provide task lighting for bedtime stories with grandchildren. Outside, the gardens are lush and filled with fragrant herbs, exquisite topiaried forms, clipped boxwoods and sculptural elements, including statuary and fountains. An outdoor fireplace provides a gathering spot for cool nights. Brick pathways wind their way to secluded seating areas. Initial planning for the gardens was done by Ron Brubaker for Terri Kay Luffey. Although the Blue Ridge Mountains may have a special allure the Crawfords, there is nothing quite like their piece of Louisiana, right here at home.

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THIS PAGE: The Crawford’s garden transports the visitor to an other-worldly New Orleans courtyard.

Dental Implants Create The Smile You’ve Always Wanted with Bayou Dental Group

BY DAVID FINLEY, D.D.S.

HEN WE LOSE TEETH AS adults, our primary concern is the annoyance of having to contend with a gap in our bite. We do not realize that there are far greater concerns than difficulties biting and chewing. Bone, like all living tissue, must work to remain healthy and strong. When teeth are removed, the bone that held them in becomes weak and begins to erode away. Bridges and dentures do fill the gaps, but they do nothing to stop bone erosion. Once again, science has provided the answer – dental implants. Teeth that are lost to gum disease, cavities or trauma from an accident can be permanently replaced by dental implants – artificial teeth permanently anchored in the jawbone. This is important. Bone loss will always follow the loss of a tooth. And if bone is lost even from only one tooth, the surrounding teeth will shift.

This can affect your appearance, speech, ability to enjoy food and your self-esteem. A dental implant is a tiny threaded post made from titanium alloy, a strong, biocompatible metal. Through a tiny incision, the implant is threaded into the jaw or mandible becoming actually fused with the bone. Once fused, this durable, permanent post is ready to receive your ceramic replacement tooth. Not only is the restored tooth stable and ready for use, the bone below the gum is regularly exercised, stopping bone erosion in its tracks! Let us help you decide whether dental implants are for you. Like any other cosmetic restoration, we’ll take into account your health, where the implant is needed, the best implant design and its suitability for your lifestyle. HOW CAN IMPLANTS HELP? • Placing dental implants soon after tooth loss

can save bone, teeth and the look of your smile. • For people with good overall health and healthy gums and bone, implants can be an attractive alternative to a denture or bridge. • Implants really do look and feel just like real teeth. • Implants help to keep gums looking healthy and young. Dental implants are more than restorative; they can help you to look great! We are excited to announce that Dr. David Finley is eager to offer this breakthrough procedure to you in the office. Whether you require a single implant or a full-mouth restoration, we are available at your convenience. Please let family and friends know that they have a whole new reason to smile. They can book their implant consultation with Dr. David Finley today.

JANUARY 2014 BayouLife Magazine 37

We Deliver... Quality Care

Morehouse General Hospital Provides Quality Care and Delivery Services For Mothers and Babies

OREHOUSE GENERAL HOSPITAL HAS PROUDLY SERVED residents of Northeast Louisiana and Southeast Arkansas since 1930. Delivering babies is one of the things that we do best. We love bringing new babies into the world at Morehouse General Hospital, and we are committed to providing quality healthcare before, during and after birth for all of our mothers and their babies.

Dr. Martin Young graduated from the University of London, in London, England. He completed a fellowship in pediatric endocrinology at Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Hospital of Boston and in 1992 was appointed Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at Tulane University Medical School. He is a member of the Endocrine Society and the American Diabetes Association. Dr. Young has practiced for more than 30 years and in 2012 joined the medical staff at Morehouse General Hospital. He is accepting new patients at his practice in Bastrop, located at 420 South Vine Street. To schedule an appointment, call (318) 283-3032

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Dr. Janos Guoth graduated medical school in Hungary and relocated to the US in 1986. He completed his residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Cincinnati, College of Medicine in Cincinnati, Ohio. Dr. Guoth has practiced in the US for more than 25 years and has been a valued member of the Morehouse General Hospital medical staff for the last 6 years. He is board certified with the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology. He is currently accepting new patients at his practice in Bastrop, located at 425 South Vine Street. To schedule an appointment, call (318) 281-8555. Dr. Curtis Sanders earned his medical degree from the University of Kansas, School of Medicine in 1996. He completed his internship and residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at LSU Health Sciences Center in Shreveport in 2000. He practiced at EA Conway in Monroe for 12 years before joining the medical staff at Morehouse General Hospital. Dr. Sanders is board certified by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology and is a Fellow of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. He is accepting new patients at his practice in Bastrop, located at 618 South Washington. To schedule an appointment, call (318) 281-5035.

Convenience for the Whole Family

A Kid’s Closet is Your Destination Boutique for Babies, Mothers and Grandmothers, too! T’S EXHAUSTING TO GO ALL OVER TOWN SHOPPING for each member of the family. Thankfully, A Kid’s Closet is doing their part to help. This cute boutique now stocks full lines of women’s clothing from small up to 3x. They’ve got linen, Silver jeans up to size 24, cute tops, dresses and beautiful hand-stamped jewelry creations. All your wardrobe shopping can be done in the convenience of this precious one-stop-shop. The New Year is here and that can only mean one thing – A Kid’s Closet is offering the best prices of the season. Stop by today for their end-of-season deals for children and women. And, you definitely will want to check out their Spring and Easter arrivals which will be hitting the racks soon. Carrying the most sought-after lines in town, A Kid’s Closet is your first place to shop for the best selection of the season. These outfits are perfect for the sweet chick on your list but will hop at the door fast. A Kid’s Closet is more than thrilled to announce that they will be heading back to Junior League of Monroe’s annual Spring Mar-

ket on March 21st-23rd. Their bow selection will be bigger than ever and overrun with the latest designs in double-layer and single-solid and patterned bows. Your little one will be the belle of the ball in a bow-tiful creation by A Kid’s Closet. A Kid’s Closet has also enhanced their monogramming capabilities by adding a second machine to better serve their customers needs. Bring in your ideas or items, and the friendly staff at A Kid’s Closet with help customize your creation and get it back to you quickly. Now clothing babies, mothers and grandmothers, too, A Kid’s Closet is your destination boutique for everyone in the family. Located at 200 Bell Lane in West Monroe, this charming store will keep babies to young ladies of any age looking cute. Stop by their location today, visit them on Facebook at A Kid’s Closet or call 318.855.3355.

JANUARY 2014 BayouLife Magazine 39

Louisiana Tech 1973 National Championship Football Team Reunion

he year was 1973. Hair was long, shoes were chunky and skirts were short. Elton John, Paul McCartney, Grand Funk Railroad, John Denver and Gladys Knight were playing on 8-track tape players. All in the Family, The Young and Restless, Mary Tyler Moore, and Bonanza ruled the 3 television networks. Louisiana Tech University had passed 7,000 students and was on its way to 8,000 (now 12,000). Dr. F. Jay Taylor was the University President and Maxie Lambright was the head football coach. As usual, the fall semester was electric with football games. As the season progressed, it was evident that the Louisiana Tech University Bulldog football team was going to be #1. When they returned from the Camellia Bowl in Sacramento, California they had beaten the nation’s scoring leaders Western Kentucky 34-0 to become the first ever NCAA College football champions. The record for the year was 12 wins and 1 loss. This is a special group of men who have remained close through the years. In 1973, Charlie New was a senior and was famous for organizing the “Charlie New Get Togethers” after the games. True to his style, he continues this tradition each June. He was the organizer for this 40th Reunion. Coming literally from one coast to the other, thirtyfive players, three coaches, six cheerleaders, one mascot, trainers, staff members and numerous family and friends attended the reunion. Special guests included President and Mrs. Les Guice; Tommy McClelland, Tech Athletic Director; Mrs. Maxie Lambright; Dr. Billy Bundrick, team physician; and Buddy Davis, Ruston Daily Leader Executive Sports Editor who covered that championship season. The pride that these men have in this team and their teammates was evident when several got up to speak. Reverend Denny Duron of Shreveport (quarterback) remarked, “I wanted to bring my whole family, so they could experience just a little of the camaraderie that we had and still have.” One of the amazing statistics presented was that most of the men had been married to the same woman for over 35 years. President Les Guice was attending Tech during this year. He commented that he met his wife Kathy at an Arkansas State game. This team of student athletes produced several doctors, engineers, preachers, computer personnel, advertising and sales executives, teachers and coaches. Several

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coaches couldn’t be in attendance, because their teams were still playing. Many of these players had been recruited by much bigger colleges and football programs, yet they chose to come to Louisiana Tech. Most attribute their choices to a higher power. Reverend Glen Berteau said, “I am not sure what life would have been for me had I gone to a bigger school.” The coaches and players embraced the support that the community, parents, families, wives and girlfriends gave to the team. Several team members remembered how the fence around the practice field was surrounded with spectators every day. They also remembered how James Davison provided the Thanksgiving meal for the team, when they couldn’t go home because of the playoffs and how he flew the parents out to Sacramento to the championship game. Seven members of the team went on to become professional football players: Mike Barber, Houston Oilers; Roger Carr, Baltimore Colts; Fred Dean, San Diego Chargers; Roland Harper, Chicago Bears; Billy Ryckman, Atlanta Falcons; Pat Tilley, St. Louis Cardinals; John Henry White, Canadian League. Several of these men were Pro Bowlers and Fred Dean was inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame. Maxie Lambright was the head coach and his assistants were Pat Collins, Wallace Martin, Pat Patterson, E.J. Lewis, and Mickey Slaughter. These coaches lead this team not only to the National Championship, but they were the Southland Conference Champions and received numerous other honors. All in all, it was a special time with a special group of players and coaches that turned into a special season. That chemistry or “tipping point” is hard to explain and doesn’t come around often.

On the BayouScene at the LA Tech National Championship Team 40th Anniverary Reunion

1 1973 Champions today 2 Billy Belding (Athletic Trainer) and Glen Berteau 3 Roger Sheppard does a magic trick for Linda Lambright Causey 4 Bruce White, Don Hiller and Glen Berteau 5 Kathy Guice, Undine and Roger Carr and President Les Guice 6 1973 and 2013 Cheerleaders and Mascots

BY MARLEN WATERS

National Catholic Schools Week

St. Frederick, JGS and Our Lady of Fatima Celebrate

T. FREDERICK, JESUS THE GOOD Shepherd and Our Lady of Fatima will celebrate National Catholic Schools Week with a community service projects, spirit days, games and more. During the week, students will also participate in a Scholars Bowl to be held in Shreveport as well as an All Schools Mass to be held in the Marsh Memorial Gym at St. Frederick. The events are also part of the 40th anniversary of the nationwide celebration of Catholic education during the week of January 26 to February 1. This year’s theme is “Catholic Schools: Communities of Faith, Knowledge and Service,” which highlights the schools’ focus on faith development, academic excellence and dedication to community service. With high academic standards grounded in strong moral values and high graduation

rates. Catholic schools and their graduates make a significant contribution to society. Catholic Schools Week will kick off a yearlong celebration of the 150th Anniversary of Catholic education in Northeast Louisiana. The celebration will look to the past and future of Catholic education in our area, and to changes since the first school, St. Hyacinth Academy, opened its doors in 1864. Catholic schools have not only benefitted the northeast Louisiana area for 150 years, but have set the standard nationwide for excellence in education. “Our Catholic schools appreciate the support we have received throughout the years and encourage our students to give back through service projects all year,” said SFHS President and JGS Principal Lisa Patrick. “It’s

part of our effort to provide a well-rounded, Christ-centered education.” National Catholic Schools Week is a joint project of the National Catholic Educational Association and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Jesus the Good Shepherd and Our Lady of Fatima serve students in PreK 3 through 6th grade while St. Frederick serves students in grades 7th - 12th. Prospective students, their families and community residents are encouraged to visit each school to see how these schools benefit the northeast Louisiana area. A great opportunity to visit St. Frederick would be their Open House on January 15, 2014. For more information or to make an appointment, please contact a local Catholic school today.

St. Frederick 318-323-9636 • www.stfrederickhigh.org Guy Farber, principal • Lisa Patrick, president Jesus the Good Shepherd 318-325-8569 • www.jesusgoodshepherd.org Lisa Patrick, principal Our Lady of Fatima 318-387-1851 • www.fatimaschool.org Carynn Wiggins, principal

JANUARY 2014 BayouLife Magazine 41

Have Questions? Ask a Therapist

Lyla Corkern Addresses the Stigma of Seeing a Counselor BY LYLA CORKERN, LPC MFTI

DEAR LYLA: I have been really having some doubts in my relationship. Nothing serious has happened, but we seem to just be really disconnected and I can’t seem to get us back on track. We both feel unhappy and have considered splitting, but we have children and our families are very close. I have considered going to therapy, but he is resistant. He doesn’t want to be blamed for the problems or have someone “analyzing” him. Do you have any suggestions for me? Do you think therapy would help? Sincerely, Weary in Winnsboro DEAR WEARY: I am sorry to hear that you are feeling so at a loss. It is actually common for partners to hit

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this plateau in their relationships. One key to conquering this is improving communication. You have to be able to talk to each other about thoughts, feelings and observations. Being able to speak to and hear each other is a great step in finding solutions. Regarding your question about therapy, I do believe it would be helpful for you. Tell him not to worry; therapy doesn’t have to involve a “shrink” or years of uncovering your childhood. It is really about understanding the breakdown and finding ways to resolve it. You may consider a Prepare/Enrich program. It is a series of sessions with a trained and certified professional such as myself, designed for couples at every stage to help develop and refine skills that lead to lasting, healthy relationships. It allows couples to take

an assessment online that identify strengths and growth areas within your relationship. It’s customized by cultural, spiritual and demographic information. The results are discussed in couple’s sessions, and all parties work together to improve/change behaviors through exercises and interpersonal skill building. Some areas that are addressed are: communication, stress, conflict resolution, family issues, finances, personality, roles, spirituality, sexuality and more. This might also help you.

If you, or anyone you know, has questions about pursuing therapy, relationships, or scheduling an initial consultation, please don’t hesitate to contact me at lyla@sanderlincounselingservices.com. I would love to help!

What’s the Difference? Primary Care Provider, Urgent Care Clinic and Emergency Room PRIMARY CARE PROVIDER The best place to receive care and to establish a regular relationship for you and your family is with a primary care provider. Appointments are usually open during normal business hours, and some providers have extended hours and weekend appointments. See your primary care provider for the following conditions: • Common colds, flu, fever or rash, earaches or infections, sore throats and migraines. • Sprains and minor broken bones, back strains or pain, minor cuts, burns or eye injuries. • Health screenings and vaccinations or when you need to talk to someone about a medical concern. • Management of chronic conditions, such as diabetes and heart disease.

URGENT CARE CLINIC Have a medical issue that is non-life threatening at a time your primary care provider is unavailable? Your next best option is to walk in to your nearest urgent care or after hours clinic. These facilities are often open seven days a week and holidays with extended hours. An urgent care or after hours clinic is there for you when you or a family member has a condition that you feel needs to be addressed before you can get in to see your doctor or primary care provider.

EMERGENCY ROOM Serious and life threatening situations warrant a visit to the emergency room. If you feel you are in an emergency situation, call 911 or get to the nearest ER. If you or a family experiences any of the following symptoms, seek emergency care: • Chest pain or pressure, numbness in face,

arm or leg, severe pain anywhere on the body, coughing or vomiting blood, severe allergic reaction. • Heavy bleeding or deep cut, any broken bones breaking through the skin. • High fever with a stiff neck, severe burns and any other condition you believe is life threatening.

Accessing the right care can save you time and money. Did you know that treatment for non-life threatening conditions in an emergency room costs two to three times more than seeking care at a primary care provider or urgent care clinic? Know what to do to access the right care at the right time for you and your family. Source: NIH National Institutes of Health

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Premier PreK-K Education

Grace Episcopal School Strives for Excellence in Education

RACE EPISCOPAL SCHOOL offers a premier educational experience in PreK-K, and we invite you to walk through the halls of Grace. We know that you will instantly sense the energy and excitement of learning and the feeling of community. Our primary purpose is always to do what is best for our students. We strive to identify and recognize the potential of each and every child, while challenging our students academically and teaching them to be responsible, compassionate members of our school community and the global community. When touring our Early Childhood classrooms, you will immediately notice engaging spaces that facilitate whole-child instruction and support small class numbers. Current research reveals that being in small classes from

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early grades results in higher achievement scores for students, especially in reading and science and that class size reduction appears to be the most influential intervention that can increase achievement levels for all students. Grace Episcopal School offers an Early Childhood Program that is developmentally appropriate and nurtures a child’s academic, social, emotional, spiritual and physical growth. Academic experiences focus on critical thinking and inquiry-based instruction that includes explorative and hands-on learning, and our highly-qualified, certified teachers have over 50 years of combined experience in Early Childhood. The classroom environment welcomes curiosity and exploration as children are actively engaged in learning. The PreK3-K classrooms

are characterized by a large variety of learning centers that the teachers carefully and thoughtfully plan which promotes a total growth experience for each child. The curriculum integrates weekly themes that build development in these areas: • Pre-reading/literacy, language arts and language development, including skills in visual and auditory recognition, Spanish and American Sign Language • Mathematics • Science and Social Sciences • Technology including use of computers and iPads • Fine arts including dance, music and art • Social, emotional and spiritual development • Physical development, including use of manipulatives and time with Athletic Republic trainers • Self-esteem • LA A+ School Essentials We invite you to visit and experience what makes Grace Episcopal School a great place to be!

VISIT THE RIVER GALLERY THIS JANUARY THE FEATURED ARTIST FOR JANUARY IS JEWELRY ARTISAN, MARA LOEB

ARA CAME TO MONROE IN 1985 AS THE COSTUME Designer at then NLU and spent 6 years dividing her time between teaching and costuming, directing and acting. Her education includes both Art and Theatre degrees, so it was a good fit. She had also been active in regional and community theatre before that time in Portland, Oregon at the Wilson Center for the Arts; in community Theatre in Vancouver, British Colombia, Canada and in several other states and cities. As the fifth of eight children raised in rural Iowa, it was a chance to get center stage for a change! In 1991 Mara moved to Carbondale, Illinois to get a Ph.D in Performance Studies at SIU. Her dissertation examined family storytelling, a constant passion of all the Loeb family members. In 1995, she returned to Monroe, because she had never found people “whom I enjoyed more, or who were more fun to live around.” In 2002 Mara was appointed Director of International Student Programs and Studies, in addi-

tion to maintaining a half-time teaching load in Communication Studies and has savored all the personalities and cultures that this puts her in touch with. Mara says, “To keep my artist identity fed, I have been involved with both the YoungTroupe and the Strauss Theatre Center. A few years ago I made huge puppets (15 to 20 feet tall!) for a Russian story theatre project that Cathy Webb directed. What an adventure that was! There was a lovely princess, a handsome prince, an Evil Tsar, the Tsar of the Sea – a supernatural fellow, a foolish musician and even an 8-foot-tall horse. In 2007, I signed on to do the fantasy costumes for the Strauss Theatre Center production of Beauty and the Beast, we’re talking Lumiere the candlestick, dancing plates and silverware, Cogsworth the clock, really any costume that had to be “engineered.” It must have been successful, because Marcy Hall and I shared the Outstanding Costumes award for the season.

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P. Allen Smith

Eating In Season

Make This The Year You Pledge To Eat Foods That Are In-Season And Locally Grown PHOTOGRAPHY BY MARK FONVILLE AND JANE COLCLASURE 46 BayouLife Magazine JANUARY 2014

Eating locally produced food is essentially an effort to close the gap between consumers and farmers and to live more harmoniously with the seasons. A locavore diet offers an abundance of benefits: a healthier body, connection to the earth and support of the local economy. Eating a variety of food helps ensure a balanced diet, one that provides the body with all the nutrients it needs. Harvested at its peak time, locally produced food offers the most flavor and nutritional value. Moreover, seasonal foods match what the body needs throughout the year. Water-packed produce like cucumbers and berries keep the body hydrated in summer, while winter’s calorically dense foods like beef and potatoes give the body energy. Plus a rotating selection of ingredients leads to creativity in the kitchen and keeps your taste buds from getting bored. In addition to offering the best flavor and nutrition, seasonal, locally produced food costs less for both the farmer and the consumer. Farmers spend less producing food in season. They can avoid relying on greenhouses to grow summer produce in winter’s low-light conditions and bypass the negative environmental impact of shipping their harvest thousands of miles. Farmers pass on those savings to consumers. WHERE TO FIND SEASONAL FOODS In addition to growing a portion of your own food, you can utilize farmer’s markets. Most communities have farmer’s markets where often you can find not only produce, but also canned goods and meat and cheese products. Small businesses like grocery stores and delis often have locally sourced produce, and you can always choose to visit restaurants that use local ingredients. TIPS FOR EATING IN SEASON If you can’t envision a winter without summer produce like blueberries or tomatoes, buy in bulk in season and preserve, freeze and can. This requires planning, but will be worth it.

Winter

SEASONAL FOODS

2. 3. 4. 5.

1. 2. 3.

4. 5.

1. 2. 3. 4.

Beef - Naturally grown beef isn’t a year-round product, contrary to popular belief. Grass-fed cattle are seasonally slaughtered in late fall when the meat is at its peak. In the winter months, the cows’ bodies begin to consume the fat, leading to leaner, poorer-tasting meat. Potatoes - Don’t remove the skins; they are packed with fiber. Pork - Like beef, late fall is when pork is at its peak. Citrus - Look for heavy fruit; heavier fruit means more juice inside. Store for up to six weeks in the fridge. Nuts - High in protein and heart-healthy fat, most nuts are ready for harvest between September and November.

Spring

Egg - Eggs are more abundant in Spring, as the days lengthen and chickens are exposed to more light. Lettuce - The darker and leafier the green, the better. Deep green leaves are packed with antioxidants, which are believed to help prevent cancer. Strawberries - Harvest strawberries by cutting the stem, not pulling on the berry. Spinach - These nutrient-rich greens produce a bountiful crop in the lowlight conditions of Fall and Spring. Asparagus - A good source of multiple vitamins, including zinc, magnesium, B, and calcium. Stem thickness indicates the age of the plant. Plants need to be eaten when young before the stems go woody.

1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

picked promptly when they turn their mature color. Blueberries- These have a short shelf life, only about 14 days, and are best stored in glass or plastic. To increase the shelf life of fresh berries, spread out in a single layer for storage.

Fall

Grapes - Look for fully colored, plump grapes that are firmly attached to the stem. Sweet Potato - The longer a sweet potato cooks, the sweeter it becomes as the starch turns to sugar. Apple - Best stored in the fridge. Avoid buying bruised or damaged fruit. Varieties can be chosen based on climate. Arkansas Black is well-suited to our region. Cabbage - Select a firm, heavy cabbage that is not cracked or dry. Store in the fridge for up to two weeks. Once cut, the cabbage will stay fresh for only a few days. Pumpkin - Choose small, thin-skinned varieties for eating. These smaller varieties are bred to maximize sweetness and flavor as opposed to their bigger more fibrous cousins that get turned into Jack-O-Lanterns.

Summer

Chicken - Spring-born chickens reach full size during the summer and are ready for consumption. Tomatoes - Don’t store these in the fridge; it alters their texture. Corn - To determine if corn is ripe, look for brown, dry silk and see if the end is round or blunt rather than pointed. If you’re still not sure, pierce a fresh kernel. The corn is at its peak sweetness if liquid comes out. Peppers - Pick peppers at their earliest maturity to increase and extend yields. Peppers tend to deteriorate quickly if not JANUARY 2014 BayouLife Magazine 47

Sharing Great Surroundings

Burney’s Furniture is Proud to Serve the Ark-La-Miss

URNEY’S FURNITURE IS SENTIMENTAL ABOUT MANY things, and at the top of that list is how long we’ve been serving the Ark-La-Miss. Burney’s is passionate about bringing great new furniture and accessory ideas to you, so that you can make occasions sentimental by sharing great surroundings with your family. This tradition is what has enabled our family to work together and have fun doing it for years. Bob and Toni Foss began this tradition in 1979. After Bob passed away in 2008, Lisa (Toni and Bob’s daughter) and Dr. Scott Hicks (Lisa’s husband) continued in that tradition with Toni. On any given day, you might find any of the three of them on the sales floor greeting customers and helping with a sale. The family loves the furniture business and loves helping meet customer’s needs. So in true form to the past way of doing business, 2014 at Burney’s is going to offer you promises you’ll love. We promise to always offer some sort of interest-free financing to make your furniture purchase easy and affordable. We promise to stay on top of market trends, so that the latest looks and styles and colors being brought to New York, Chicago and Los Angeles will be available right here to you. And we promise to always have in home consulting services to help you make good design decisions, so that you may integrate your current home furnishings with some new and exciting accent pieces. Or if you’re ready to refurnish or redecorate a room or your entire home, we will help make that process fun, easy and affordable. Burney’s offers some of America’s best known brands, including La-Z-Boy, Bernhardt, Serta and Flexsteel. Find leather in all colors, find design styles from contemporary to transitional and traditional to the imported, edgy looks that are one of a kind. Burney’s is known for some of these home accessory items: • A Lamp Gallery that is sure to satisfy every need and look • Reclaimed, Reinvented and Rustic Accent Pieces from Afar • Sassy and Groovy and Comfortable Accent Chairs • Decorative Wall Art for Special Places

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You will be utterly delighted with the offerings you'll find at Burney's Furniture. We make sure every customer who walks in our doors will not leave without a taste to please their designing palate. That's Burney's Furniture on Louisville Avenue in Monroe... 318-322-4959.

Transforming Lives at LCWLS

Q&A with Louisiana Center for Weight Loss Surgery Gastric Sleeve Patient Mattie K. McGuffee Far Left:â&#x20AC;&#x2C6;Mattie, prior to her gastric sleeve surgery.

Left: Mattie poses with her surgeon Dr. Walter Sartor. She has lost 149 lb.

ATTIE K. MCGUFFEE, 26, IS A PHOTOGRAPHER living in Swartz. She has lost 149 pounds since her gastric sleeve surgery at Louisiana Center for Weight Loss Surgery in 2011.

What motivated you to have bariatric surgery? I could not enjoy life anymore due to my obesity. I knew something had to change.

Why did you choose Louisiana Center for Weight Loss Surgery? I did a photo shoot for LCWLS and talked to one of their patients. I was amazed at how great she looked after surgery. I knew right then that I had to get on board. I would definitely recommend the LCWLS program to friends and family, because the surgery is safe and it works. I would do it again in a heartbeat!

How has your weight loss surgery changed your life? LCWLS has truly saved my life. I can actually live and enjoy life without worrying about getting out of breath, getting tired or having people looking at me because of my weight. I have been a photographer for five years, and I can enjoy taking pictures now! I can get up and down if needed and feel comfortable about myself. I'm healthier, happier and full of energy! I did my first 5K this year, and it felt great. LCWLS has given me a second chance at life.

What would you say to someone who is considering bariatric surgery, but is nervous about doing so? I was terrified, but when I got out of surgery and Dr. Sartor came in to check on me, I said, "The surgery was easy peasy, Doc!" And it really was. There's nothing to be afraid of regarding this surgery. You're starting a whole new life that you never got to live!

Tell us about a moment in which you were most proud of your weight loss success. I remember feeling very overwhelmed, because I had never seen myself this small. Family, friends and strangers told me how beautiful and great I looked! I am very happy with myself and couldn't have chosen a better surgery or surgeon to make all of this happen. LCWLS is a partnership between Dr. Walter Sartor, P&S Surgical Hospital and St. Francis Medical Center. Like us at www.facebook.com/LCWLS, and call us today at 1-866-821-LIVE.

JANUARY 2014 BayouLife Magazine 49

Open House Kicks Off St. Fred’s Enrollment

St. Frederick High School Open House Set for January 15th

T. FREDERICK HIGH SCHOOL IS hosting an Open House for prospective parents and students on Wednesday, January 15th from 5:30 – 7:00 p.m. After a brief welcome and introduction, the parents are encouraged to visit the classrooms and meet the teachers. “The Open House allows parents to hear the latest about our academic and extracurricular achievements as well as meet our highly qualified faculty and staff in person,” said principal Guy Farber. Teachers will have a chance to speak about smaller class sizes, increased academic rigor and college preparation. Parents are encouraged to ask questions about scheduling, curricula and instructional methodology.

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Parents will get the opportunity to meet the coaches, and Athletic Director Jeff Tannehill will talk about athletic opportunities plus the recent success of the football team. “The team worked hard, and with the support of the students, administration, faculty, alumni and fans, they were able to achieve record-setting success,” said Tannehill. Melissa Shepard, Director of Admissions, will be there to answer questions about admission policy as well as extracurricular activities and club opportunities. You can reach her at (318) 323-9636. St. Frederick is a Catholic school with a very diverse student body from many religious backgrounds. The school serves grades seven through twelve. St. Frederick students’

St. Frederick High School Principal Guy Farber

ACT average scores consistently exceed the city, state and national averages. By facilitating a modified block schedule, students at St. Frederick have the opportunity to begin their college studies while also earning high school credits.

The mission of St. Frederick is to nurture students to be living examples of the teachings of Jesus Christ in an atmosphere of academic excellence. Please visit them at their Open House on January 15th. The school is located at 3300 Westminister Avenue in Monroe, LA. For more information, call the number listed above or visit their website at www.stfrederickhigh.org. Guy Farber, principal • Lisa Patrick, president

Just Do It.

“I’m in Shape. Round is a Shape.” – Anonymous

BY TIMOTHY J. MICKEL, MD, FACS, BOARD CERTIFIED PLASTIC SURGEON

IT HAS BEEN SAID THAT INSIDE MOST OF US IS A THIN person struggling to get out... but they can usually be sedated with some cookies or a few pieces of chocolate cake. As the New Year begins, fitness club parking lots will be packed and cross-fit classes will be full. But after a few weeks, they will empty out. Then my parking lot will be packed and my waiting room full. Look, I’m not complaining…I’m just saying. If only our willpower matched our resolve. Most people think plastic surgery is an alternative to working out. Either you sweat and toil and burn off the fat, or you have it sucked out. Either you tighten skin by building muscle, or you have the skin cut off. I strongly believe that the two things are complimentary. The first step in all body contouring is diet and exercise. Patients who are fit and close to their ideal body weight are better surgical candidates for a number of reasons. First, a fit patient will get a better result because the procedure will entail fine-tuning, not a total overhaul. Second, a fit patient will be more likely to meet me halfway and maintain optimal results, because they work out and maintain muscle tone after surgery. Third, fit patients heal better, because fitness means better blood flow and oxygen delivery to the tissues. Finally, anyone familiar with the hard work that goes into a fitness regimen tends to be more realistic about the results. Even though surgical results can be dramatic, they usually won’t take you from the couch to the front of Shape Magazine overnight. So, set a goal and stick with it. As Yogi Berra famously said, “If you don’t know where you are going, you’ll end up somewhere else.” Make a New Year’s resolution, and do your best to persevere. Whether your goal is to have “holiday arms,” “Easter abs” or “bar mitzvah biceps” work hard and keep at it. When you’ve done all you can do and you still have problem areas that just won’t improve, come see me, and we can discuss surgical options like liposuction and abdominoplasty, or non-surgical options like Coolsculpting to make you look your best. Of course, there is no exercise to increase your cup size--so if you want “bikini breasts,” the only option is surgery. I wish everyone a safe, happy and prosperous New Year. Good luck reaching your fitness goals, but if you hit the wall or are simply ready to take it to the next level, call Mickel Plastic Surgery at 388-2050 to see if breast or body contouring surgery is right for you. Visit www.mickelplasticsurgery.com for more information.

JANUARY 2014 BayouLife Magazine 51

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CURBSIDE RECYCLING IS ALMOST HERE

A COMMUNITY SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT FROM THE MONROE GARDEN STUDY LEAGUE

Curbside Recycling for Ouachita Parish is coming as soon as the required number of contracts is submitted. You are not signed up until you submit a contract to Progressive Waste Management. You can find a copy of the contract on The Facebook page, Monroe Recycles: Love Your Community or by contacting Brent Johnson, Progressive Waste Management Sales Representative at 318-651-0404, brjohnson@iesi.com, or Penny Perry, Progressive Waste Management District Sales Manager at 318-651-0404, pperry@iesi.com. Curbside Recycling will be provided by Progressive Waste Solutions. ALL Items that are collected are recycled. 80% are recycled and sold in the U.S. The remainder is sold to international companies. The majority of the paper recycled in Louisiana stays within the state. There are MANY benefits to recycling. In fact, 49% of our region’s landfills are full and vanishing. Recycling avoids trash overflow. It conserves our depleting resources. It beautifies our community. It attracts businesses to our community and increases job opportunities. Recycling establishes good practices for the next generation and promotes good stewardship of our planet. The following are items that can be recycled through this program: Cardboard boxes, milk cartons, paper towel rolls, cereal boxes, and paper board times. Paper goods that can be recycled include: Office paper, junk mail/discarded paper, magazines, phone books, newspapers and catalogues. Aluminum cans and tin cans are included in this program. Plastics number 1 through 7 can be taken and thin plastic bags from the grocery store are allowed. Items DO NOT need to be sorted or bagged. Each customer will be given a recycling receptacle. Residential cost is $7 a month and pick-up will be once a week. There is a $3 fee for each additional receptacle. Items DO need to be rinsed from food material. Labels DO NOT have to be removed. The following items CANNOT be recycled on this program: Glass, Styrofoam, food waste and wood.

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textures, patterns & prints

FASHION

Venture beyond black this season by combining prints with neutral colors. Highlight the look with bold accessories and leggings with a tall boot. STORE: A KID’S CLOSET IN WEST MONROE

ACCESSORIES: STATEMENT NECKLACE AND BONE-COLORED BOOTS WITH BUCKLES 54 BayouLife Magazine JANUARY 2014

PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOLI LIVAUDAIS | LIVAUDAIS-STUDIO.COM

FASHION

textures, patterns & prints

Get turned out in lace this season. The classic silhouette gets an update with a bell sleeve. Pair with a leather jacket in a fresh hue. STORE: SALT & PEPPER ACCESSORY BOUTIQUE IN WEST MONROE

ACCESSORIES: EMBROIDERED LEATHER BOOTIE, LAYERS OF BRACELETS AND NECKLACES AND GORGEOUS GOLD EARRINGS JANUARY 2014 BayouLife Magazine 55

textures, patterns & prints

Be fur real is this gorgeous winter white, oﬀ-the-shoulder knit top with fur detailing. Accentuate the look by pairing it with a skinny jean. STORE: PEARL PUMPHREY’S IN WEST MONROE

ACCESSORIES: KEEP IT SIMPLE WITH A BEAUTIFUL DROP EARRING, ROSE-COLORED SUNGLASSES, FRYE BOOTS AND A LEATHER BULLET BELT.

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FASHION

textures, patterns & prints

Printed pants pack a punch this season. Pair with an embellished top and denim jacket for a night out. STORE: DUCK & DRESSING A LIFESTYLE BOUTIQUE IN MONROE

ACCESSORIES: ADD A METALLIC GOLD BOOTIE WITH A CLUTCH WITH MULTIPLE STRAPS JANUARY 2014 BayouLife Magazine 57

Christmas on the River

Hundreds of families braved frigid temperatures to celebrate Christmas downtown with a parade, vendors and fireworks. Before the festivities kicked off, though, many visitors got in a little extra Christmas shopping at the RiverMarket, which was relocated to the Civic Center arena due to the weather. The Christmas Parade, presented by Kiwanis Club of West Monroe and sponsored by Ouachita Independent Bank, began in West Monroe, where school and church groups joined marching bands and businesses to ride floats along historic Antique Alley before crossing into Monroe for a ride along the river. The entire route was lined with parade goers of all ages, who took in the sights and sounds--and more than a little holiday candy. Following the parade, many people chose to stay downtown for the annual Monroe Renaissance Christmas Fireworks Extravaganza sponsored by Ouachita Independent Bank.

On the BayouScene

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1 Lisa, Allen and Hannah Mason 2 Ambia Baker, Jo Hale and Maydra Pomeroy 3 Carol Antley and Gloria Mims 4 TiďŹ&#x20AC;any Shepherd, Tina Shepherd and Don Antley 5 Sage Smith and Bob Kelly 6 Sherra Fertitta and Allen Tuten 7 Karen McAdams and Kenzlie Johnson 8 GriďŹ&#x192;n, Amy and Lennon Scott 9 Georgie Haney and Harolyn Falgoust 10 Verna and Alvarez McCrutchens, Faith Porter 11 SYAA Float 12 John, Kaiden and Londyn Dukes with Brad Young and Sarah Schmidt 13 Sheila Marling, Rheagan Stewart and Abigail Arledge

Balloon ™ Sinuplasty

The New Minimally Invasive Procedure for Treating Chronic Sinusitis

INUSITIS IS ONE OF THE MOST common chronic health problems in the U.S., afflicting 37 million Americans each year with symptoms like congestion, fatigue, headache and facial pain. Here in Louisiana, the number of sinus sufferers is exceptionally high due to higher yearround humidity and pollen counts. Anyone with chronic sinusitis can tell you that it’s a condition that significantly impacts his or her quality of life and productivity. Now available at Glenwood Ear, Nose and Throat is a clinically proven, minimally invasive procedure for treating chronic sinus inflammation and pain outside of the operating room and without general anesthesia. Balloon Sinuplasty™, performed by Brent

Metts, MD, PhD, delivers all the benefits of conventional sinus surgery without the bleeding, pain and prolonged recovery time. Most patients feel immediate relief following the procedure and are able to walk out of the office and work without restriction the next day. Until recently, the only surgical option available to correct chronic sinusitis has been standard endoscopic sinus surgery, where bone and tissue are cut and removed from the nasal passages to open obstructed sinuses and promote drainage. This more traditional procedure is usually associated with moderate pain, bleeding and a 7-10 day recovery time.

Balloon Sinuplasty™ is designed to open blocked sinuses without removal of tissue or bone from the nasal passages. Dr. Metts passes a small, flexible balloon catheter through the nostril and into the blocked sinus. When the balloon is inflated, it gently expands the sinus’ natural drainage pathway to permanently restore normal sinus drainage and function. ABOUT DR. METTS: Dr. Metts is one of the few surgeons in the nation who are fellowship trained in minimally invasive and endoscopic assisted thyroid and parathyroid surgeries. He specializes in treatment of sinus disease, thyroid disease, hearing loss, voice care, sleep apnea, throat problems, tonsillitis and ear infections. To obtain more information about Balloon Sinuplasty™ or to schedule an appointment with Dr. Metts, call 318-329-8458. Glenwood Ear Nose and Throat is located in the Glenwood Medical Mall, Suite 202 on Thomas Road in West Monroe.

JANUARY 2014 BayouLife Magazine 59

MRI Exams and Claustrophobia

Northwest Imaging Offers A Helpful Tool on Your Side

F YOU SUFFER FROM CLAUSTROPHOBIA (THE FEAR OF being in closed or narrow spaces) and find yourself with a health issue that requires you having an MRI exam, you have a helpful tool on your side. MRI machines can be a bit intimidating and even frightening for many people, especially those people that deal with claustrophobia. After all, the idea of being slid into a tube for a long period of time, not moving and listening to a continuous knocking can be intimidating for even the heartiest soul. MRI exams are commonly used in the diagnosis of everything from lower back and neck pain to headaches and vascular issues, so there is a good chance that you or someone you know will require this procedure. To help calm your fears, you can ask your physician to schedule your exam at a facility that utilizes an OPEN MRI. Open MRI machines are similar to traditional MRI units but with one major difference. They are designed for large or claustrophobic patients but offer comfort for all patients. Traditional MRI units require the patient to be wrapped with a coil and slid inside a tunnel or gantry, which is a continuous, donut shaped magnet. The experience has been described by some patients as lying in a coffin or culvert for at least thirty-five minutes per exam. Open MRI units also use coils and a powerful magnet, but rather than a continuous round tunnel, an Open MRI uses two magnets â&#x20AC;&#x201C; one above and one below the patient which leaves plenty of room to the sides. This design change allows the OPEN MRI to produce the same quality images as traditional MRIs but without the tight cramped spaces. Another benefit of the Open MRI is that a loved one can sit in the room and speak with you during the procedure which makes many claustrophobics more comfortable. Whether you suffer from claustrophobia or would just like a little more space and comfort for your procedure, you and your physician have a tool and choice for your procedure. For more information about Open MRI and its abilities, go to www.nwimaging.net. 60 BayouLife Magazine JANUARY 2014

Serendipity Designer Jewelry

New Location Coming Soon!

T SERENDIPITY, WE HAVE TONS OF TOP DESIGNERS and brands waiting for you to discover! We select only the best in fashion, quality and price to present to you, our customer. From hot trends like Pandora, Kameleon and Virgins Saints and Angels to locally-made jewelry in West Monroe like the Mother’s Necklace, we search high and low to bring you what all women want…variety! Here is a quick look at some of our favorite jewelry.

ELLE ELLE Time & Jewelry is a brand extension of ELLE Magazine, the world’s No. 1 best-selling women’s fashion magazine. KAMELEON Kameleon’s base jewelry designs include rings, earrings, pendants, bracelets, necklaces and pins that accept small interchangeable inserts called Jewel Pops. Jewel Pops are available in a rainbow of colors and materials and, being the same size, are able to migrate amongst the entire Kameleon Jewelry collection. MARIANA Each piece of Mariana is hand-crafted, layered with 18 carat rose gold, antique silver or antique gold and uses a colorful array of hand-made crystals, hand-cut gem stones and fabric beads combined with Swarovski crystals some of them antique and over 100 years old. Mariana jewelry has a lifetime guarantee and is nickelfree. VIRGINS SAINTS AND ANGELS Designed by Cheryl Finnegan and inspired by goddesses, recognized saints and biblical figures, each Virgin Saints and Angels piece offers a glimpse into the past. THE MOTHER’S NECKLACE The Mother’s Necklace is locally-made in West Monroe, LA and is personalized with your family names for a piece you can cherish and hold close to your heart. BRIGHTON Excellent quality and 1 year warranty on every piece of Brighton Jewelry. Made for everyday wear at affordable prices. LORI BONN Designed with your personality in mind, a slide charm bracelet with charms of every color and shape.

SKAGEN AND FOSSIL WATCHES Start your wardrobe off on the right note with sparkling crystals and our signature coiled mesh.

SEASONAL WHISPERS Elegant or laidback, striking or subtle, Seasonal Whispers jewelry is made to mix and match season after season. Beautifully handset with Swarovski crystals or Czechoslovakian pearls, pieces have the look and feel of treasured gifts.

We are so excited to annouce that we’ll be moving to a bigger and better location in early 2014! Our new location will be in the center of Northgate Shopping Center, formerly Blockbuster, on Forsythe Avenue in Monroe. We are looking forward to our “big move” and are excited to bring you new jewelry lines and more! JANUARY 2014 BayouLife Magazine 61

BayouOutdoors

A Dog In The Hunt

JACKIE HOWARD HAS A LOVE FOR THE CHASE article by Dan Chason

ackie Howard is a mountain of a man. He is one of a very few men that I can say are truly my friend. That friendship has lasted many years, and I cherish the memories I have shared with him. Back in the day, as they say, Jackie was a formidable baseball player and could hurl a fastball like a rocket. But bad knees and a shoulder injury turned this world class athlete in another direction. Our directions were much the same as we both went from a love of athletics to the field of fishing. I made a promise to Jackie many years ago. I won't tell your road stories, if you won't tell mine. You see, Jackie and I became not only good friends, we shared a love for competitive fishing and burnt up the roads between here 62 BayouLife Magazine JANUARY 2014

and East Texas to learn the business. Some of the stories I will relate will give you an idea of what true friendship is and how sometimes you need humor in your trips to cut down on the stress. The first trip Jackie and I decided to take was when Lake Fork, located in Emery, Texas first came into the national spotlight. Jackie and I loaded up and headed east on I-20. About an hour the other side of Shreveport, we started looking for a sign saying "Lake Fork"...turn here. When we got to the corporate city limits of Dallas...You see, Lake Fork sits north of I-20 (about 2 hours Northeast from Dallas) and there were NO signs telling two grown men (who could have invested in a map) where to turn. Such began just another adventure with

Jackie. Then there was the trip to Sam Rayburn for a tournament. The lake was high, and we knew it. We bought a map this time and made our "room" reservations. When we got there our "rooms" were literally out in the lake with a row of pallets lined up to get to them. With the high water, no one bothered to tell us the surprises that awaited us that evening. I opened the door to the portable building/room and was met by not only every rat that called the area home, but fire ants, roaches, a snake and every other creature looking for high ground. Jackie and I slept in the truck. Then our next tournament was on Possum Kingdom Lake in East Texas. Not to be a repeat offender, I called and got directions to the lake. I laid them carefully on the dash of the truck, as

Jackie drove west bound from North Louisiana. Again, about an hour from Shreveport, Jackie rolled down his driver's window for some reason and SWOOSH....there went the directions. The funny part is when he pulled over immediately, 18 wheelers nearly blowing our doors off, only to look at me and say in his pure southern drawl, "You gonna go get them directions, Dan?" Picture this small piece of paper blowing down the Interstate with me trying to catch them. Another Jackie adventure or should I say, another misadventure, with the dynamic duo. The thing we learned in East Texas was how to lose graciously. At least we did for the first couple of years. Fishing there and fishing here in channel holes or around cypress trees is two completely different animals. I remember my first ride up Toledo Bend in a 4 foot swell. It looked like an ocean. Or the first bass boat I saw turn upside down in the marina at Sam Rayburn. It was an eye opening experience. But time changes everything, and we went our separate ways, as Jackie had a business to run and so did I. Jackie took that passion that comes from fishing and turned it into a new one. Jackie has always had a pack of beagles for as long as I have known him. He comes from a long lineage of dog men who love to hear the sound of a pack of hounds after their prey. I am cut from the same cloth, as I dearly love to hear a pack of rabbit beagles tearing up a briar patch and have to say that it is an adrenalin moment when you are in a deer stand and hear the dogs coming. Now there are some who don't agree and to them I say "to each his own." There is just something about the relationship with a hunter and his dogs that is indescribable. In the early '90s a group of deer hunters headed by Gary Rambin, took their love of dogs to another level. They started the National Fox Beagle Association as a way of putting their bloodlines against the best in the country. What was born was a group that expanded from our area all way into the East Coast, across the Mason/Dixon well into Oklahoma. Jackie Howard became a part of the Central Fox Beagle Association as a way to share his love of dogs in a competitive arena. The hunt takes place in the Fall and Spring, where 60 to 70 grown dogs (older than 13 months) are scored on their ability to take on a track, stay on the track and the speed at which they track. This ability is nurtured with the puppy division with dogs under 13 months showing their skills in the Spring and Summer hunts against like aged animals. This is Jackie's favorite division as he gets to see if that pretty beagle pup has what it takes to become a hunting animal. These hunting animals aren't cheap, and regardless of bloodline, if they don't hunt, they don't find a home in his kennel. It is much the same with various breeds of hunting dogs, and beagles are no different as bloodline doesn't always mean the dog will do what he is bred to do. To see Jackie's face when he talks about the "races" is like watching a kid at Christmas. To think that he has taken two adult dogs, watched new puppies come into the world all clumsy and awkward only to see that same animal take off on a hunt with nothing but his instincts to drive him, is the ultimate award for the effort. Even with the numerous accolades and trophies, the true driving force is the love of the chase, the love of the beagles and a man who loves the camaraderie of fellow hunters and dog men. I just hope the dogs have a better sense of direction than their master and I have exhibited in the past. *If you are interested in participating or joining in on one of these hunts, contact Jackie Howard at 318-366-3903 or email him at jackiehoward892@aol.com. JANUARY 2014 BayouLife Magazine 63

BAYOU ICON:

t one point, Richard Chardkoff oversaw the academic careers of more than ten percent of the ULM student body. He traveled Latin America to research his dissertation on the 1944 Guatemala Revolution. He taught for 36 years and was recently appointed professor emeritus at ULM. Along the way, Chardkoff found the time to write two major historical works chronicling critical moments of World War II through the perspective of individuals who lived the events. For any one of these accomplishments, Chardkoff deserves recogniztion. Yet, because all of them are true, Chardkoff is a Bayou Icon, recognition he protests he doesn't deserve.

"There are so many more deserving people," Chardkoff told BayouLife, when asked to sit for this interview. The statement is just one example of a quiet, sometimes self-depricating humility that quickly becomes one of Chardkoff's most endearing traits. He first came to Monroe from Florida in 1971, to take a job teaching history survey courses in the ULM Department of History. His wife, Joan, accompanied him with their young daughter. The Chardkoff family settled in Town & Country, which was at the time a new subdivision filled to capacity with academics from the university. "It really was an academic enclave at the time," Chardkoff recalls. For the next 36 years, through the birth of a second daughter, a move to a charming Garden District home and an eventual retirement, Chardkoff slowly and methodically dissected Latin American and American history for students at ULM.

But, like the history he teaches, Chardkoff's narrative is incomplete without the backstory. He had received his PhD in History from Florida State University after a bachelor's degree in history at Vanderbilt, where he discovered his love of history. "I was always intrigued by history, and while at Vanderbilt, I had a couple of professors in my core curriculum who really steered me in that direction," Chardkoff says. Once he had settled on history, he needed to pick a specialty. Again, he turned to the Vanderbilt faculty for guidance. One of his professors taught Latin American history. "I was so transfixed with his lectures and with the history and cultures of Latin America that I just wanted to explore it more," Chardkoff said. Chardkoff's life took an interesting turn when a college buddy invited him for a weeklong visit to Toronto over break. "The short of it was, I didn't have the right clothes," Chardkoff says. "I nearly froze!" Underdressed and cold, Chardkoff nevertheless agreed to go on a blind date. "They told me to break the date, because he was a hillbilly," Chardkoff's wife, Joan, recalls. But, she didn't

RICHARD CHARDKOFF article by Michael DeVault & photography by MarĂŠ Brennan

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break the date. Instead, for several years they corresponded by letter. The courtship culminated when Chardkoff spent a summer in Toronto working. "That was it," Chardkoff says. "We got married, and she transferred from the University of Toronto to Florida State." By the time the couple married, Chardkoff was well into his PhD coursework. Also, he was beginning to study the 1944 Guatemala revolt that overthrew dictator Carlos Castillo Armas. After Florida State awarded him the PhD in History, Chardkoff and Joan relocated to Panama, where he taught at the American University there, to "fulfill my obligation to Uncle Sam," he says. A commissioned captain in the Army, Chardkoff served out his time as a professor, teaching American history. His time in Latin America also afforded him the opportunity to travel the region, furthering his expertise in the field. By 1971, though, with a young daughter at home and a future to build, Chardkoff accepted a job at a little state school in Louisiana. Then known as Northeast Louisiana University, the history department was 16 strong, highlighting for Chardkoff just how much has changed in his time at ULM. "Today, there are six," Chardkoff notes. "That gives you an idea of the downsizing." Like so many other academics who joined ULM's ranks during the 1970s, Chardkoff would remain well beyond retirement eligibility. Chardkoff's students were thankful for those extra years, too. Sunny Meriwether was one of Chardkoff's students."He was immensely knowledgeable

"He really intrigued me because he was the only professor I had and have had since that really embodied what I had long since believed college to be," Arender says. That's not to say his courses were easy. In fact, both Arender and Meriwether note how challenging his classes were—especially his tests. Yet, Arender says, she worked hard and, eventually, she scored an A in his class. "The following semester, I changed my major to history," Arender says. Meanwhile, Chardkoff worked diligently in a side endeavor. He was the general studies advisor, overseeing the academic careers of students who chose to major in general studies—a sweeping portion of the student body. At one point, Chardkoff was advising more than 800 students, when the typical faculty member might advise a couple dozen. "At that point in time, there was a period where I couldn't do any writing at all," Chardkoff says. The decades marched on and advisee folders piled up. But he wasn't going to be without a pen for too long. Chardkoff's world was getting ready to change again. The election of Edwin Edwards in 1992 had highlighted a growing problem in Louisiana. David Duke, a former klansman, had received a significant part of the vote and had even made it into the runoff. In 1993, Stephen Spielberg released Schindler's List, a sweeping epic chronicling the Holocaust from the perspective of Oskar Schindler, who worked to save as many Jews as he could.

I was always intrigued by history, and while at Vanderbilt, I had a couple of professors in my core curriculum who really steered me in that direction,”

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Chardkoff says. and extremely engaging in the classroom, always enthusiastic about the subject and never boring," says Meriwether. "He encouraged me to go to law school and wrote one of my recommendations." Another student recalls Chardkoff fondly, as well. "I had him my first semester of my college career," says Mindy Arender, who is now completing her bachelor's of history at Middle Tennessee State University. Arender credits Chardkoff with her decision to study history. "Until taking Dr. Chardkoff, I had no interest in history. My love for history stemmed from his lectures and the five seconds he took to acknowledge my efforts in his class," Arender says. Part of her love of history began because of the mystique Chardkoff brought to the subject.

Monroe resident and businessman Sol Rosenberg had reason to be afraid of the near election of Duke, an avowed anti-Semite. He had lived through the Holocaust. It was time to tell Sol's story. "It was his wife who contacted me," Chardkoff recalls. Through a series of interviews, in-depth research and more than a little prodding, Chardkoff wrote Sol's Story: A Triumph of the Human Spirit. Part of the challenge of reconstructing an accurate narrative of Rosenberg's experiences involved getting events aligned in the right order. "There were no calendars in the death camp," Chardkoff says. "It took a long time to piece together the chronology of events." Also, too many of Rosenberg's stories were too graphic to share, shocking even a steely historian like Chardkoff. "There were stories he told me that I thought were so horrific," Chardkoff says. "I couldn't put them in." Rosenberg also self-censored much of his stories, Chardkoff says, which only added to the difficulty. Eventually, though, a narrative began to emerge, and in 2002, Sol's Story was published. Almost immediately, Chardkoff was approached about another project. Like Sol Rosenberg, this story was centered around a group of extraordinary individuals—and rooted firmly in the psyche of World War II. The Selman Field Historical Association reached out to Chardkoff to ask if he would be interested in capturing the history of the fliers who passed through the navigation school there. Chardkoff thought about it, did a little digging and made a realization. "People here had forgotten Monroe's role in helping win World War II," Chardkoff says. "That's what set me on the path of writing The Flyboy Heroes of Selman Field." Chardkoff grows quiet when he discusses the men who trained at Selman Field. Like all of America's Greatest Generation, the number of Selman Field veterans is diminishing quickly. More than a thousand World War II veterans pass every day. "They are dying so quickly," Chardkoff says. The rate at which history was disappearing quickened Chardkoff. Already, the Selman Field association had ceased having annual reunions. The largest reunion had drawn more than 500 veterans. The last reunion a few years ago drew just 30. "They don't have reunions anymore," Chardkoff says. For Chardkoff, it's impossible to understate the contributions the graduates of the Selman Field navigator's school had to winning the war. These airmen guided virtually all of the United States bombers to targets in Europe and the Pacific theatre. And, underneath the surface of it all—the studies of the Guatemala Revolution, the Mothers of the Plaza de Mayo, Sol Rosenberg's life and the heroes of Selman Field—Chardkoff found the importance of a life of study. "The tragedy is, as I wrote, I realized history does repeat itself," Chardkoff says. He points to Cambodia, to Rwanda, to Serbia, and in each case, he says a holocaust occurred there. These tragedies underscore, for him, the importance of teaching and studying history. "People tend to forget," Chardkoff says. JANUARY 2014 BayouLife Magazine 67

Making a Healthy Lifestyle Change

The Eat to Lose Corporate Wellness Program Can Benefit You and Your Employees

ICENSED NUTRITIONIST AND REGISTERED DIETITIAN Andi Holyfield has over 15 years of experience in guiding children and adults to achieve weight loss goals. With Eat to Lose, she has developed a six-week program that instructs patients how to make manageable, positive lifestyle changes that promote their wellbeing and overall physical health. Eat to Lose is not a diet. It is a wellness plan that provides lasting results and healthful benefits. Not only do Holyfield's patients shed pounds, they also remove the need for costly medications that were previously used to manage physical conditions brought on by poor dietary choices. Holyfield has found great success in the business world by developing a program specifically designed for corporate employees. Her corporate program offers patients the option to sign up for the six-week program through their Marketing Director. After participating in a free webinar, patients will receive an individual phone consult with Holyfield, and a customized plan will be formulated for each participant. Through the duration of the program, Holyfield provides continuous, personalized guidance via email, phone calls and texts. When the program concludes, the CEO of the corporation is offered a final report on group weight loss, physical health improvements and decreases in re-

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quired medications. Healthy employees are not only happier, but also more productive and successful! Enterprising local companies, like Gas and Supply, Progressive Bank and Scott Equipment have found great success using the Eat to Lose program in their businesses. Lynne Logan of Gas and Supply feels that offering Holyfield's services to employees has caused countless benefits within the company. She has high praise for Holyfield and her effective program. Logan says, "Eat to Lose has been one of the most successful programs that we have offered to our employees. It is easy to follow and our employees had dramatic results. No gimmicks such as prepackaged foods or expensive supplements to buy really sold the program to us. Not only did they lose weight, but some got off of expensive medications. This program teaches you how changing your eating habits can change your life. It is a program that our company will continue to offer our employees." Consider the Eat to Lose Corporate Wellness Program and receive special pricing for a group rate. Take advantage of this offer and assist your employees in making healthful, lasting changes to their lifestyle.

St. Francis Medical Center Foundation

Providing Care for Another Century and Beyond

HE FRANCISCAN MISSIONARIES OF Our Lady (FMOL) and the St. Francis Medical Center Board of Directors established the St. Francis Medical Center Foundation in 2012, commemorating 100 years of healthcare service to our area in 2013. The Foundation helps to ensure that St. Francis Medical Center continues to provide care for another century and beyond. Each and every Foundation gift goes directly towards making a difference in the lives of thousands across Northeast Louisiana who reach out to St. Francis Medical Center each year for healthcare. Foundation donations count… whether you donate one time or annually, participate in a fundraiser, honor someone through a tribute gift or make a memorial. Each gift contributes to fulfilling healthcare needs of the community through the expansion of services or projects, the purchase of needed technology or equipment or

the development of a new healthcare service. With 501c3 designation, the Foundation accepts contributions from individuals, corporations and other donors, with your financial gift being taxdeductible. The Franciscan Path of Peace offers an opportunity to honor someone special, as well as support the Foundation. This calming space, which will be located at St. Francis Community Health Center’s new campus, will be a frequented destination for patients and visitors who will utilize the garden area for walking, meditation, reading or prayer time. For donations or information: St. Francis Medical Center Foundation Attn: Cindy Rogers 3421 Medical Park Drive, Monroe, LA 71203 Phone: (318) 966-7833 Email: cindy.rogers@stfran.com

St. Francis Medical Center Foundation…the next 100 years. The Foundation is governed by a local Board of Directors, a group of community leaders who dedicate their services to furthering the work and mission of the Foundation. We thank them for sharing their time and talents. Members of the St. Francis Medical Center Foundation Board of Directors include: • John Luffey - Attorney-At-Law, Foundation Chair • Rev. Larry Stafford - Foundation Secretary/Treasurer • Marilyn Scott - St. Francis Medical Center Auxiliary President • Louis Bremer - St. Francis Medical Center President/CEO • Dianne Cage • Alana Cooper - Monroe/West Monroe Convention and Visitors Bureau • Ron Hogan - St. Francis Medical Center Chief Financial Officer • Stuart Keys - CenturyLink • Malcolm Maddox – Iberia Bank • Laura Kilpatrick Marchelos - Kilpatrick Funeral Homes • Charles Marsala - Marsala Beverages • Judge Milton Moore CONTINUED ON PAGE 105

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The IDEA

T H E A R T O F C R E AT I O N JEN BRISTER kickstarts a new art subscription service called Story Box. BY MICHAEL DEVAULT A FEW WEEKS BEFORE THANKSGIVING, Jen Brister sent

With Story Box, subscribers will get a little touch of whimsy each month – and inspiration to be creative.

Visit them online at Story-Box.us, if you are interested in becoming a subscriber. 70 BayouLife Magazine JANUARY 2014

identical packages to two friends in different towns. In the packages, she put several items—all unrelated—and a note instructing each friend to "make art." A few days later, both friends sent her photos of their wildly different creations. "What they both created was just so different from the other," Brister says. "And both creations used the same items." In that moment, Story Box was born. Brister kicks off a crowd-funding drive in January on Kickstarter for Story Box, which she likens to Birchbox for creative types. Each month, subscribers will receive a box containing the month's art challenge and supplies. The challenge may include post cards, found objects like playing cards, or even bits of art supplies. The edict will be to create. It doesn't matter what, but just create something using all of the materials in the box. “There are no rules. This is your creation, your inspiration," Brister says. She envisions poetry creations, short stories, paintings, collages, all created by crafters and artists who subscribe to the service. Because each Story Box contains actual products and items of interest, Brister says it means something special each month. Also, each Story Box represents a uniquely inventive way for companies to advertise their products to a new audience through samples for subscribers. “It makes a huge difference if a company sends me something promotional. I’ll be your customer forever if you send me a mug, a tee shirt, a window sticker, anything," Brister says. Subscribers to the site will be linked via a web page, Story-Box.us, which is currently under construction. The site will feature forums for discussions, a blog and a gallery of each month's creations. Also, as the site grows, Brister hopes to add a storefront section where subscribers can purchase the supplies sampled in each month's Story Box. Story Box is an idea that's ignited Brister's own creative spirit in a positive and constructive way, which is kind of the point. “For one thing, for people to get something positive and uplifting in the mail today is a huge deal. All people get are bills and junk mail," Brister says. With Story Box, subscribers will get a little touch of whimsy each month—and inspiration to be creative. “I plan to put between five to eight items in the box each month," Brister says. Items might include music CDs, poems, short stories, art supplies or toys. The only rule? Create. “The fun thing is, when you get done, you get to share it with everybody else," Brister says. "And you get to see what they’ve done with the same items.” If you're interested in Story Box, visit them online at Story-Box.us. Or, you can find them on Kickstarter in mid-January.

For the Love of Teeth

Williams Orthodontics Clinic Now Accepting New Patients

EVIN WILLIAMS CAME TO orthodontics later than many. He had been working as a pharmaceutical sales representative, but his heart was no longer in it. “There were changes in the industry, and I really had a desire to be self-employed,” says Williams, who opened his Lamy Lane orthodontics office this year. Orthodontics was a good fit for Williams, because as he put it, “I love seeing people be proud of their smile.” The Ferriday native attended LSU for dental school and then went to the University of Louisville for his orthodontics training. His wife, Kathryn Jarrell Williams, supported the decision. Together, the couple have two sons— Clay, 16 and Andrew, 13—who both attend St. Frederick High School. Williams owes the decision to community encouragement.

“Several local dentist-mentors really encouraged me to return to school,” says Williams. Williams Orthodontics serves both children and adults in their state-of-the-art treatment facility tastefully decked with art and designs selected by Inside Indigo’s Tish Miller. Beyond just a pleasing décor, Williams’s patients enjoy a calm bedside manner and a personable staff. Williams says that’s one of the key benefits of his practice. “We try to create a family friendly environment where everyone feels comfortable and appreciated.” “We recognize patients and parents have a choice, and we’re honored when they choose us,” Williams says. A typical course of treatment for an orthodontic patient begins with an initial consultation. That often includes x-rays, photos and the

initial workup. Dr. Williams then meets with patients a second time to review the proposed treatment plan. “If everyone agrees on the course of treatment, we can usually start that day,” Williams says. From that point on, the patient will return every six to eight weeks for adjustments. “A typical patient takes about eighteen months, give or take a few months depending on difficulty,” Williams says. Williams encourages parents to bring their children in for an early consultation around age 8 or 9 to monitor tooth and skeletal development. Usually patients will be ready for braces between ages 11 and 13, when most of the permanent teeth have erupted. And, if you’re an adult patient that wants some privacy, Williams offers a private treatment room.

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The Cinderella Project of Monroe

Local Non-Profit Organization Is Collecting Prom Dresses Throughout The Month of January

HE CINDERELLA PROJECT OF Monroe is in its fourth year and provides local junior and senior girls prom dresses, while building self-esteem, self-confidence and the importance of giving back to others. The Cinderella Project of Monroe is collecting prom dresses throughout the month of January for its dress giveaway in the spring. “We have collected hundreds of dresses since we started and been able to serve hundreds of girls right here in our community,” said Ashley Yeldell, Director of The Cinderella Project of Monroe. Dresses should be age appropriate and suitable for a high school student, clean and in good condition. Donations can be dropped off

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at Raising Cane’s on Louisville Ave., Raising Cane’s in West Monroe, Raising Cane’s in Ruston, Herringstone’s Boutique, Bayou Gypsy, Salt & Pepper, K-Sera, Rain the Salon, Rodeo Boutique of Ruston, any of the three D&D Cleaners locations and any Cross Keys Bank branch in Monroe, West Monroe, Sterlington, Rayville, St. Joseph, Tullulah and Waterproof. After the dresses are collected, The Cinderella Project will host a Dress Giveaway in March, open to area junior and senior high school girls. Each girl is assigned a personal shopper, a Cinderella Project volunteer, to help pick out a dress and try dresses on. This year, Cross Keys Bank has joined The Cinderella Project as a sponsor along with

Raising Cane’s. “Raising Cane’s and Cross Keys Bank are essential to The Cinderella Project because of their convenient locations for drop off points. Plus, they are truly committed to serving their communities. We would not have grown without their help” says Ashley Yeldell. The Cinderella Project of Monroe is already looking for volunteers for the Dress Giveaway on March 8th. If you would like to get involved or make a monetary donation, please contact Ashley Yeldell at Ashley.m.yeldell@gmail.com. For more information on The Cinderella Project of Monroe, please visit cinderellaprojectla.org or find them at Facebook.com/CPofMonroe.

Putting a Stop to the Middle-age Spread

Fitness Together Discusses Ways to Avoid Additional Mid-Section Weight OUR 30s CAN BE AN EXCITING TIME of change, opportunity and positive personal growth. Before you know it, the growth that becomes the most present in your life is the spare tire around your mid-section. This unwelcome feature is a compilation of the choices you make in regard to the food you eat, your daily activity and your quality of sleep each night. All three of these critical factors are tightly intertwined, so when even one is lacking, it creates a snowball effect that can leave you feeling tired and out of energy, as well as subject to gaining additional mid-section weight.

STAND UP In addition to consistently working out regularly, daily non-exercise activity such as taking the stairs instead of the elevator, parking your car furthest away from the door and taking regular

recess breaks from your desk, will help combat your middle-age spread.

EAT GOOD FOOD While fad diets that target mid-section may seem like the best choice to reduce your spare tire, eating without fueling your bulge actually can be simpler than following a strict eating plan. Use these guidelines when choosing foods that are good for busting your bulge: • Ninety percent of what you eat should come naturally from the earth (fruits, vegetables, etc.), or should have a mother (meats, eggs, fish, etc.). • Everything that comes in a package shouldn’t be a part of your diet. • Stay away from foods without expiration dates or with a long shelf life. • Shop the perimeter of the store where most

fresh, preservative-free foods exist. • Avoid the middle of the store foods which should be eaten sparingly. • Shop more frequently, buy more locally grown foods and shop seasonally, when possible. COLLECT YOUR Z’S When you sleep poorly, you typically don’t eat well and then you don’t have enough energy to work out. Skimping on your sleep leads to increased mental and physical stress and unhealthy lifestyle choices.

If you don’t put in the time to take care of yourself, then it will ultimately be impossible to stop the middle-age spread. Take a stand against the belly bulge in 2014 by making good food choices, exercising and making sleep a priority.

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Comprehensive Patient-Centered Healthcare

New Beginnings Wellness Center and Spa in Ruston

UCY DOUGLAS HAS A VERY SPECIFIC vision for healthcare. It’s personalized, original and joins traditional family practice with nutrition and spa services. Douglas, a family nurse practitioner, is founder and owner of New Beginnings Wellness Center and Spa, located at 1809 Northpointe Lane, Suite 202, in Ruston. “The reason I opened New Beginnings is that I want to offer comprehensive, patientcentered, individualized health care,” Douglas said. New Beginnings is also a full-service medical spa offering a wide variety of esthetic, facial and massage services, as well as Obagi, Guinot and Face Reality skin care lines. “We also provide traditional primary care services with a comprehensive, integrative ap-

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proach,” Douglas said. “We utilize the latest in specialty lab tests, including hormone, advanced cholesterol and blood sugar analysis and ALCAT food sensitivity testing. These allow us to identify excesses or deficiencies BEFORE they become a problem, so that each client can achieve and maintain their most vibrant state of health.” New Beginnings treats adults and children, takes most major insurance, including Medicare, and is accepting new patients. New Beginnings also provides nutritional and diabetic counseling. Douglas, nationally certified as a diabetes educator, said about 90 percent of the patients she sees have health issues directly related to their lifestyle. “My focus is mainly on chronic disease which is crippling our healthcare system,”

Douglas said. “I’m trying to change that by aggressively treating the cause of disease, not just the symptoms. I want to empower and educate people so they can fulfill their purpose in this life.” Douglas said she considers New Beginnings her way to use her passion, knowledge and experience to help people achieve optimum health. “I just want people to know that this is different here,” Douglas said. “I do feel that what I offer is quite fabulous and unique.”

For more information about New Beginnings, like them on Facebook, visit their website at www.newbeginnings-ruston.com, or call 2551155.

Sugar and Spice and Everything Nice

HATâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S WHAT MY MOTHER TOLD us in an old nursery rhyme about girls and boys. And since she was so sweet and made the best of everything, how could we not think otherwise? Kool-aid and bologna sandwiches were our feasts in the summer. Her biscuits with honey in the morning kept us going â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;til lunch. We played outside all day and after school. We liked it that way, and she did, too. Yes, girls were wonderful, and our mother was the best. For the most part, Mom was right about girls. They sure smelled better than our friends, especially when we were about fourteen or so. And they started looking a lot better, too. So, fast forward to medical school, and we all had to "learn how to deliver a baby." I delivered my first baby after hours of in-

struction and very intense supervision in the Charity Hospital in New Orleans. I will never forget that day. It changed me. People do this for a living? I was hooked. I did a detour in surgery before I came to my senses. My surgical experience lent a discipline in thinking and acting that I am very thankful for. After residency in obstetrics and gynecology, I have practiced in the Twin Cities ever since. Delivering babies and taking care of the mothers has been a privilege for me. Time marches on, as it has a way of doing, and my practice has changed. Missing my families' birthdays and holidays takes its toll, so I started concentrating on taking care of the mothers that I delivered and the other women that needed specialized gynecologic care.

A glaring hole in the medical care in this area that I noticed was varicose vein care. We took care of venous problems in our surgical training, so it was surprising that most of the folks here sought varicose vein treatments elsewhere. Women are more prone to this problem than men. What needed to be done was obvious, make contact with experts in this field and get training. It was there for the taking. After joining the American Phlebology Society, I made contact with experts in the field. I learned how veins worked and how they don't work. Part of my training was in Germany and Italy. There was opportunity to participate in missionary work in Latin America. The first vein clinic in Northeast Louisiana was established. Modern care of veins in this area began, and it was amazing to see how well the patients responded and felt! Women are especially prone to varicose veins, and they have more symptoms from these veins. Even though varicose vein problems affect men and women, by far women suffer more from this malady. Pregnancy places tremendous pressure on the leg veins.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 105

JANUARY 2014 BayouLife Magazine 75

BORN ON THE BAYOU BIRDS OF A FEATHER

article by MARY NAPOLI & illustration by AUSTIN BANTEL

y past 18-year-old self would certainly roll her eyes at me now, but I am constantly finding new and exciting reasons to love my hometown. After fifteen years spent in other cities, I have realized there isn't any place I would rather call home. For me, moving back to Monroe has been a rebirth of sorts and has reignited my childlike sense of wonder. I met my sweet friend Virginia when I returned to Monroe in 2010, and it wasn't long before we were thick as thieves. Only a few minutes into our first conversation, I knew I had met a kindred spirit. We share the same sarcastic sense of humor, enjoy similar interests and have the same values. Over the last three years, I have gotten to know her well. Not only is Virginia as beautiful on the inside as she is on the outside, she is intelligent, thoughtful, dependable, tells it like it is and possesses a sardonic wit that I absolutely adore. I can honestly say that there isn't a woman on earth that can make me laugh quite like her. She's got beauty, brains and also one of the kindest hearts I have ever encountered. These last three years, she has often been the first person I would call when I had really good or bad news or needed a sounding board. Much wiser, and only a wee bit older, she often serves as my tether back to reality when my head is in the clouds. I simply could not do without her. In fact, if I could choose my own sister, that girl would be at the top of my list. Being the faithful friend that she is, Virginia reads my columns each month and always gets the backstory on my bayou excursions. When she agreed to spend an afternoon educating me on local flora and fauna, I knew it would be memorable. Most spontaneous adventures with her are. Virginia grew up in--wouldn't you know it--the Commonwealth of Virginia. Norfolk, to be exact. She developed an astute knowledge of birds from her mother, who had a passion for ornithology. Virginia recalls that her mother knew every bird in the sky. After she had passed away, Virginia learned that her mother had been taught by her own mother. Its an interest that has endured throughout generations of women in her family. Whether we are at Virginia's camp on Lake D'Arbonne or riding the roads, she never fails to impress me with how easily she can spot a bird or how quickly she 76 BayouLife Magazine JANUARY 2014

can identify it. Together, we decided that my bird watching education would begin by paddling around a small tributary of the Ouachita River and looking skyward. Leaves crunch underfoot as Virginia and I walk over the levee toward our mighty vessel--a johnboat that has seen better days. As we approach the water, we notice a large raft of birds floating together. They look like inky-black geese to me, but before I can ask, Virginia explains that they were cormorants, a common water bird in our area. These large birds have small heads on large, kinked necks with thin, strongly hooked bills. Cormorants are dark brownish-black, and float low to the surface of the water. There were well over a hundred of the birds floating silently in the water as we approached. After a few moments of watching them, the bird at the head of the raft began to flap is giant wings and the other birds followed. As they took flight, their heavy wings beat against the water, and caused a loud distinct noise, similar to water rushing over a fall. It was an unexpected, powerful sound. I handed my friend a life vest. Since I only had one adult size, I gave it to her. This left me with the only other vest I had, which belonged to my oldest daughter--who is five. Somehow, I managed to get my arms in, although it was nowhere close to buckling. My buddy laughed at the sight of me, and I was sure that I looked just as ridiculous as I felt. I laughed along with her and shrugged my shoulders. This is the kind of thing that happens when two mothers of young children decide to take an impromptu paddle down the river. Virginia took a seat in the johnboat, and I shoved us off the shore. As we paddled away from the bank and attempted to go to the left, we quickly realized that the wind was unwilling to allow us to plot our own course. Pretty soon, we were slowly rowing in circles. "You know, in my head, I pictured us being a female version of Lewis

and Clark, stealthily maneuvering the waterways and exploring the area," I said. "Not spinning around in circles." "The first thing we need to figure out is who is Lewis and who is Clark in this situation," said Virginia jokingly. "Let's just float a bit and see where the breeze takes us." After drifting for a few moments, Virginia called my attention to a hollowed cypress snag near the shore line. At the top was a large nest which was home to a majestic red-tailed hawk, who circled above. This type of hawk is the most common of the species in North America, and gets its name from its cinnamon-red, short, wide tail. Its broad, rounded wings allow it to soar in circles as it scouts the area for food. From far away, it may look similar to an eagle to some people. We were so impressed with the hawk that we barely noticed that we had gotten close to the bank, which was lined with cypress trees of various heights. I noticed the cypress knees, which I have always found to be interesting, jutting through the dark water. The knees are actually woody projections of the root system that provide support and stability in the saturated soil. For years, they were once thought to provide oxygen to the

roots. I reached out to touch one of the smooth, fibrous knees when Virginia startled me with a gasp. "Look at that fox!" she said in an excited whisper, pointing to the river bank. Only ten feet ahead of us was an aged red fox, who had been sunning himself on a fallen, hollowed cypress tree. Our presence roused him from his slumber. He raised his head and stared at us, and we silently gazed back. He did not seem alarmed to find us so close and slowly stood up on all fours and trotted away toward a wooded area, unimpressed with the humans who had interrupted his sunny nap. He was a sight to behold, and we guessed that he was up in age judging by his slow reflexes and unsteady gait. After guiding the boat to the opposite bank of the river and back, we decided to go back to shore and follow the fox's lead. With the boat secured, we took off for the more densely wooded area nearby. There was enough distance between us and the city streets to permit the beautiful silence of nature. We were surrounded by a variety of trees, nearly all of which my friend could identify by examining the shape of the leaves and JANUARY 2014 BayouLife Magazine 77

78 BayouLife Magazine JANUARY 2014

texture of the bark. We observed vibrant yellow beech trees, white oaks, Chinese tallow trees and pin oaks. Lovely persimmon trees were easy to determine by the soft red-orange spheres they bore. There were also several sycamore trees, with their grayish bark and lobed leaves that had grown dry and amber colored. It had been a very long time since I closed my eyes and listened to the sounds of nature. Each bird sang such a unique song. The small, brown house wren cheerfully trilled her energetic and bubbly call as she hopped from branches into the thicket. The tiny, spherically-shaped Carolina chickadee, with her black cap and white cheeks called out her fournoted song. Almost anyone would recognize these lovely melodies, and although they are common, they are beautiful nonetheless. Piercing through the sweet chirping was a loud rattle that was impossible to ignore. Virginia identified it as a belted kingfisher. The stocky bird has a large head with a shaggy crest and a straight, thick, daggerlike bill ideal for capturing the aquatic prey it feeds upon. The stunning creature is powder blue on top and white underneath with a squaretipped tail and broad band around its breast. Its loud, rattling call can be heard near the wetlands it prefers. Although my friend spotted it soon after we heard it, I wasn't able to find it until the bird flew to a tree rooted in the water and quickly disappeared inside. As the sun began to set, we decided to call it a day. Strolling back through the woods, we noticed the brilliant foliage made even more dazzling by the golden sun, now low over the water. In that moment, I felt blessed and lucky to share the habitat of the local fowl in all its colorful, autumn splendor. This time of year, it is hard not to appreciate the fact that nature provides us such breathtaking sights. Near the end of our path, we heard the familiar drumming sound that only a woodpecker could create. High in the deciduous trees above, Virginia noticed two species of these birds, which she identified by their colorful feathers and individual calls. She pointed to the downy woodpecker, an acrobatic forager with a blocky head and shoulders. Its black and white markings give its wings the appearance of being checkered. Males of the species sport a red patch a top their heads. A shrill, whinnying call is released from their straight, chisel like beaks. The redheaded woodpecker, with its vibrant, crimson head, white body and half black, half white wings, produces a scratchy, raspy call. Unlike other woodpeckers, it is adept at catching insects in mid-air with its spike like bill. It also feeds on acorns or beech nuts and often hides its food in trees to consume later. Like many of the birds we had seen, it is attracted to the wetlands of our area. Without a word, Virginia stopped short and grabbed my arm. She motioned to our right, where our old friend the fox could be seen resting in the bottom of a hollowed out white oak. His nest was picturesque and appeared to be created just for him. Curled up with his fluffy tail wrapped around him, his eyes were closed. We observed him for a few quiet moments and walked away as noiselessly as we could. The visual glory of the countless unique species of birds that we share our region with is truly amazing. Their individual beauty, specific habits and resplendent songs are intriguing and worth taking the time to notice. It is easy to forget that they are as important to the earth as we are, regardless of who is more powerful. Spending time with Virginia that day gave further proof to the notion that it is often the most simple things in life that are taken for granted-- like the majesty of birds in flight, the vibrant hues that autumn leaves produce and the value of true friendship. These are only some of the precious things that bring color and beauty to our world. Like Virginia often does, they provide an earthly tether and remind me to recognize the simple beauty that surrounds us when we slow down enough to appreciate it.

Livingston Family Adventures

BayouTravel

by Marci Livingston

E HAVE WORKED HARD TO SHOW OUR CHILDREN THE country and its beauty. But along the way, our boys still have the same desires as most other children; to play and to see in person the things that mean so much to them. Legos and Legoland are no exception to this rule. The Lego company is very smart. It mails a magazine each month to our post office box for free. And sometimes in those magazines they send DVDs, which do a great job of marketing to my children and convincing them that they need to visit Legoland (our kids’ favorites are Legoland Florida and Legoland Prague). Although I am not sure if we will ever see Legoland in Prague, we decided that we would make plans to visit Legoland while we were in California. We waited until the day before to tell the boys where they were going the next day. They were very excited, and we talked all day about what we would see. I even pulled up the map on the computer, so they could take it all in. After a quick breakfast, we were ready to go. We had about an hour drive to get there, and with every minute closer to the park, the more it rained. Like most theme parks, Legoland was mostly outdoors and it had us a little worried. We were disappointed that it was raining (after a week of beautiful sunshine), but the boys had a blast regardless of the rain and cold. We enjoyed watching them and seeing what excited them. And I learned a few lessons along the way: • There are times that it is worth it to do something really special just for the boys. When we choose to save and be frugal, we can celebrate when it is important. • I enjoy watching kids have fun. Not only our boys, but the other ones at the park. The place was filled with laughter, giggles, excitement and surprise. • Although I was never a Lego fan growing up, I sure love them now. What a wonderful way to inspire kids to think, create and work together. Throughout the park were work stations. Children all over the park were inspired to stop and create or build on something that was already started. • Our boys love roller coasters. Yes, these were small and simple ones, but they loved them. I see in our future some boys wanting to do that again. • 9 hours is just not enough time to see all of the park. I think we might have covered a third of the place. Although it was an expensive day, I wish we had an additional day (or 2) to see everything.

Although I am a nature girl and love the beauty of this earth, taking the boys to Legoland was one of the highlights of this last year of travel. I am sure it was to the boys’, too.

JANUARY 2014 BayouLife Magazine 79

OM K E E P CA L M A N D CA R RY “By practicing meditation techniques, a person can get some control over autonomic nervous system responses.”

~ Dr. Ronald Koepke

article by Angela Genusa

80 BayouLife Magazine JANUARY 2014

rian Sivils sits on a yoga bolster in front of the room, his wiry frame straddling the cushion, with his knees touching blankets spread out on the floor. His eyes are already shut as he strikes a Tibetan singing bowl with a mallet. We close our eyes and rest our attention on our breath. Thoughts of finances, family, relationships and work begin to fade away as we focus on the sensation of air in our lungs with each inhale and exhale. This is no New Agey, “woowoo,” mystical stuff. Meditation is an ancient technique in which practitioners enter a deep relaxation that helps them go into meditative states. All is still in the yoga studio, and the noise of traffic, car horns and the occasional siren outside the studio recede into the distance. Several minutes later, the silence is broken when Sivils strikes his bowl again. We open our eyes, stretch our legs and arms, and blink as he turns the lights up in the yoga studio—a long, rectangular room with a painted concrete floor. The meditation practitioners gathered here on a Sunday afternoon in Monroe are of all ages and religions and from all walks of life. Sivils leads these sessions as a practitioner—not a teacher—each week at Blue Sky Yoga Studio. “Meditation is a set of practices that help train and discipline the mind,” he said. “It’s not a religion or belief system and not anything mystical. It is a very simple practice that has proven over time to discipline the mind.” A growing number of people—not just in northeast Louisiana, but across the nation—are taking up Eastern practices. A 2007 government study found that in the previous year, nearly 10 percent of the population—more than 20 million people—had used meditation. Since then, its popularity has increased dramatically. Meditation has become de rigueur among celebrities; its practitioners include Oprah, David Lynch, Angelina Jolie, Paul McCartney, Katy Perry, Kourtney Kardashian and Hugh Jackman. Classes on mindfulness and meditation sessions have become part of the workday

“MINDFULLNESS IS PAYING ATTENTION IN A PARTICULAR WAY: ON PURPOSE, IN THE PRESENT MOMENT AND NONJUDGMENTALLY”

routine for executives and employees at many of Silicon Valley’s most well-known companies, including Google, Facebook, Apple, Yahoo! and Twitter. The David Lynch Foundation, a not-forprofit organization, offers transcendental meditation training at no cost to troubled students, women who are victims of domestic violence and sexual assault, veterans, homeless people, American Indians, prisoners and other at-risk populations. “Not only is it a trend, but there has also been a lot of research in the last few years that has shown how helpful meditation practice can be,” said Billy Ledford, a therapist in Monroe. “It helps with mental, emotional and physical problems.” Indeed, studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of meditation in the treatment of stress-related health problems such as anxiety, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, substance abuse, cardiovascular disease, obesity and diabetes. As a result, a growing number of medical centers are offering meditation classes to their patients. Repeated studies have shown that meditation can “rewire” the brain’s response to stress. Hundreds of studies on meditation have been

conducted since the 1970s, and the results of the practice’s positive benefits continue to pour in. Some of the most recent include a study published in the journal Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes in November 2012, which found that patients with coronary heart disease who practiced transcendental meditation regularly had a 48% reduction in their overall risk of heart attack, stroke and death. A paper published in the February 2013 issue of Frontiers in Human Neuroscience showed that mindfulness meditation helps give patients control over depression and anxiety levels and levels of chronic pain. Previous studies have found that mindfulness meditation can cut the recurrence of depression by 50 percent, and neuroimaging scans have shown significant positive change in brain activity of long-term meditators. A study in the January 2011 issue of Psychiatry Research: Neuroimaging reported that an eight-week mindfulness meditation program made measurable changes in parts of the brain associated with memory, sense of self, empathy and stress. And a study in the 2011 Journal of Obesity indicated that meditation could help people control their dietary habits and lose weight.

Meditation isn’t just “relaxing,” like watching TV or going to the beach, said Ronald Koepke, M.D., a cardiologist in Monroe. “Meditation is more of a training program whereby people condition their autonomic nervous system, that part of the nervous system that controls things we normally don’t think about—breathing, digestion, sleep, heart rate— the things that go on in our bodies without us having to make any conscious decisions or control,” he said. The autonomic nervous system is also responsible for the human body’s response to stress and anxiety, Koepke said. In what is called “the fight or flight response,” the nervous system causes a variety of bodily responses: heart rate increases significantly, the pupils dilate, blood pressure increases and adrenaline is secreted by the adrenal glands. The whole body is put in a state of alertness, so that it can respond appropriately to the danger facing the person. Because of our busy-busy, go-go-go American culture, many people suffer from stress-related diseases and disorders. “In our society, chronic stresses aggravate or instigate the same responses that cause the nervous system to stay on edge constantly, so it’s chronic stress that causes a lot of the anxiety and depression that is rampant today,” Koepke said. “By practicing meditation techniques, a person can get some control over these autonomic nervous system responses.” Ledford, who began meditating when he was in high school, incorporates mindfulness meditation into his treatment of clients for a variety of psychological and emotional issues. He likes the definition of mindfulness that comes from Jon Kabat-Zinn, the well-known teacher and founder of the Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction program at the University of Massachusetts Medical Center. Kabat-Zinn said that mindfulness is “paying attention in a particular way: on purpose, in the present moment and nonjudgmentally, to the unfolding of experience moment to moment.” Ledford said that in mindfulness, the attitude that one brings to the present moment is acceptance. “Contrast acceptance with the two other attitudes that people often have toward situations: aversion to those thing they dislike and attachment to the things they do like,” he said. “The problem with aversion and attachment is that they ultimately lead to some sort of suffering. Those things we dislike, we try to avoid or resist them, which leads to more tension in our lives and more stress. The things we do like, unfortunately, they don’t last either. We JANUARY 2014 BayouLife Magazine 81

live in a world that’s impermanent, so when they end or go away we tend to feel pain or disappointment. With mindfulness, we’re cultivating acceptance—as opposed to aversion or attachment, an openness to whatever is occurring in the present moment.” Meditation is difficult to describe to someone who has never tried it. Many myths abound about the practice. “One of the misconceptions that people have about meditation is that we’re trying to stop thinking, but that’s not true,” said Bill Savage, a yoga and meditation instructor from Collinston. “The human mind will never stop thinking. One of the things that I have learned in practice and that I teach is that it’s not about not trying to have thoughts, but trying to develop a different and more healthy and constructive relationship with one’s thoughts.” All of Savage’s meditation practices are based on awareness of the breath. “We have this incredible gift that is the one thing that every living being shares—the breath. By being conscious of the breath, you are doing lots of things: you are calming the mind, you are becoming more present to being, because that’s what allows us to be is the breath. There is an awareness of the breath being a messenger between the health of the mind and the health of the body.” Savage, who has meditated every day for 35 years, believes that meditation has made him more compassionate and more aware of how he speaks to others, how he interacts with others and how he behaves. He believes he also possesses a sense of calm, well-being and peace of mind that comes from meditating. He notices things around him that other people usually tune out. “As an example, this morning when I was driving to the pool and crossing the bridge at Bayou DeSiard, there was this beautiful duck just taking off from the water,” he said. “There was this really great moment that I was aware of—the duck taking off from the water. So many people miss the beauty that’s all around us.” In one meditation exercise, Savage teaches practitioners to mentally recite these sentences as they inhale and exhale, “Breathing in, I know that I am breathing in. Breathing out, I know that I’m breathing out.” That’s consciousness, he said. “You are conscious of what you are doing. That’s all you’re doing: You’re sitting and breathing.” “Of course, the question arises: What’s the ultimate purpose of all that?” he said. “It’s to be more conscious in life. Sure, you could sit on a cushion—all the time, all day, but what good is that? It’s about taking the mindfulness you develop out into the world and being more mindful in your relationships, in what you give out into the world, in what you’ve received from others. There’s that connection between being mindful of everyone else who’s breathing.” Sivils credits meditation practice with changing his life. Before he began meditating regularly and two years ago, small things would trigger his temper. “As Shakespeare put it, it was ‘the slings and arrows of life,’ the normal kind of things that happen everyday—the cell phone doesn’t work, the credit card goes over the limit—that would happen,” he said. “I would get very angry and upset.” His methods of coping with these stressors were blaming others and zoning out in front of the TV. “I had an internal monologue in which I was trying to tell myself that I wasn’t at fault in situations, that it wasn’t me,” he said. “I would check out with television or other entertainment.” After two years of meditating practicing yoga regularly, his blood pressure and heart rate are lower, his sleep is better, he has less chronic back pain from an old military injury, he has more compassion for and better relationships with others, and he is happier and more relaxed. “So now I can enjoy just a drive across town, a day at work or holding one of my grandchildren, and I am able to focus on that event right then and there.” 82 BayouLife Magazine JANUARY 2014

TCBC Gala

Bells were jingling as the holidays got an official merry welcome from Twin City Ballet at the highly anticipated 5th Annual Festival of Trees Auction and Gala that took place before the ballet Saturday, December 7th at the Monroe Civic Center Theatre. A capacity crowd filled the Jack Howard Theatre lobby where patrons gathered at the Ballet Barre where delicious signature "Sugar Plum Fairy" drinks were served along with ice cold beverages from Marsala. Thurman's Food Factory turned up the cool factor with an impressive menu of hors d'oeuvres and desserts that turned the lobby into a Land of Sweets fit for Clara and her Nutcracker Prince. Chairing the event was the incredibly talented duo of Beth Swanner and Christy Flanigen. Throughout the hall, tall cocktail tables, topped with clear glass cylinders filled with sculptural branches of silver from which hung pink and white orbs, were interspersed between designer decorated Christmas trees and wreaths, which were auctioned off to the highest bidder by celebrity auctioneer and children's book author Cindy Foust. The Duck Dynasty-inspired Christmas tree, created by Kristy Ross and Susan Norris, got the extra special auction treatment when Korie Robertson was on hand to assist in the sale of the tree inspired by her family's record setting A&E television show! Special thanks go to the many businesses and designers the Diamond Vault, CenturyLink, Laura Marchelos and Kilpatrick Funeral Homes, The Paper Market, the Rodrigue Foundation, Choice Brands, the MAC, Clint Downing and K Sera, Cindy Barnes, Janelle Snellings, Pam Lavender, Tashia Hines, Paula Ford, Patti Wilhite, Sandy Dansby, Tracey Babusek, Charlotte Milonski, Lori Rawls, Misty Cordell, Melanie Moffett, Cassie Livingston and BayouLife Magazine, Meredith Smith, Ashley Burkett, Courtney Thibault, Portico, Heather Trettin, Breanna Young, Melanie Massey Groves, Ellie Nagem, Herringstone's, Amy Thornhill, Linda Lou Bourland, Bailey and Kim Glover, Guy Campbell, MarĂŠ Brennan and many many more just like them!

On the BayouScene

1 Tashia Hines, Laura Bryan, Lori French and Paula Ford 2 Mike and Jennifer Street, Micah and Kenny Walker 3 Sue Haynes, Blaine and Barrie Brennan, Penny Sims 4 Sylvia Masur Thompson, Georgia Street, Jamie Pettway and Sandy Dansby 5 Korie Robertson and Cindy Foust 6 Lizzie Swanner, Taylor and Keelie Koechner 7 Sammy and Therese Nagem with Ellie and Traylor 8 Dan Babusek, Lisa Sullivan and Traci Babusek 9 Linda Lou Bourland and Steve Brennan 10 Caroline Dixon and Susan Lolley 11 Janelle and George Snellings 12 Paula Johnson and Pam Posey 13 Leah Stephens, Kristy Ross and Beth Swanner 14 Anne Marie and Tina Smith 15 Sandy Dansby and Meredith Smith

AUTHENTIC and APPETIZING R E S TA U R A N T S A G E ’ S R E N E W E D S P I R I T

article by MARY NAPOLI & photography by JOLI LIVAUDAIS

onroe's Restaurant Sage has been a local favorite since its inception seven years ago. Known for comfortable, yet sophisticated dining, Sage has consistently provided elegant meals that guests enjoy and savor. Throughout time, the menu has developed more diversity and gives faithful patrons the opportunity to broaden their culinary horizons. Now more than ever, Sage is offering a contemporary, globally-inspired menu that is more exciting and flavorful than it has ever been. The King Restaurant Group, owners of Restaurant Sage, welcomed Marc Able as Manager of Operations and Chef Mark Smith as Executive Chef and General Manager slightly more than a year ago. The two men, who share valuable and varied experience within the culinary field, reevaluated the concept of the restaurant and endeavored to give the already successful business a fresh, modern approach. "We get to take a great place to a new level," says Able. Able and Smith are passionate about providing a memorable culinary experience to their guests, and both have focused on a customer based approach when making adjustments to the restaurant. They gave much consideration to what their patrons expected and wanted most, and how they could deliver

the highest quality dining experience at Sage. "Sage is not just a place to come to for a special occasion," says Chef Smith. "We have a very reasonable lunch menu where guests can get a great, healthy meal that they can feel good about. We want the food we serve to be recognized as fast, fresh and affordable." When it comes to preparing fresh dishes, Sage goes to remarkable lengths. With an emphasis on healthful food with a more globally inspired influence, Smith and Able have incorporated a paleolithic dietary approach. The "paleo diet" is a hot topic currently and is based on following the diet of our hunter and gatherer ancestors. This basically consists of fish, grass-fed pasture raised meats, eggs, vegetables, fruit, fungi, roots and nuts. Although the menu at Sage does not feature solely dishes that are strictly within the "paleo diet," it does provide many highly nutritional options that are healthful, but not lacking in flavor in any way. One of the most exceptional aspects of Sage's menu is that the steaks they offer are all provided locally by Kingsland Ranch. Because the beef is hand cut, Sage is able to provide the exact cut and weight of beef that the guest requests. What's more, the steaks produced by Kingsland Ranch are incredibly high quality, mouthwateringly tender and unbelievably flavorful. Kingsland Cattle Ranch, located in West

Monroe, was the brainchild of Dr. Terry King. Dr. King is well known as a one of the area's best loved pediatric cardiologists and is largely responsible for advancing the neonatal pediatrics unit at St. Francis Hospital before he began considering raising cattle and investing in the restaurant business. During his career, he saw first hand how the health of our youth is effected by the steroids and hormones in food. "As a physician, I believe we are what we eat," says Dr. King. The prospect of raising grass-fed cattle without the use of hormones or antibiotics appealed to Dr. King, and the idea of Kingsland Ranch began to form. Within only a few years, Dr. King, along with his sons David and Brady, were partnered with the Louisiana Cattleman's Association and had begun raising red brangus cattle, a brahman-angus cross breed. The cattle at Kingsland Ranch are big, healthy, beautiful animals who freely roam the wide open spaces of the ranch. Their health and living conditions are of the utmost concern to the Kings. The animals are regularly examined, evaluated and vaccinated by Cooper Veterinary Clinic of West Monroe, who are considered experts in livestock health and breeding. The King family goes to great lengths to ensure that the cattle are treated humanely at all times and live the least stressful life possible. These factors conJANUARY 2014 BayouLife Magazine 85

At left: The grilled oyster appetizer served on the half-shell with a topping of rich, buttery parmesan cheese and fresh herbs are a house favorite. Above: The salted caramel mocha is topped with whipped cream and garnished with roasted pecan chips, Hawaiian red salt and a swirl of rich caramel.

tribute to producing healthy, superior animals who yield organic, exceptionally high caliber cuts of beef. When it comes to dietary health of the cattle, the ranch takes a "from the ground up" approach. On the pastoral ranch, the cows feed on a variety of seven species of grasses that the cows transform into a high quality protein. The assortment of grasses also assists in providing a rich, complex flavor to the incredibly tender meat, which possesses marbling that rivals 86 BayouLife Magazine JANUARY 2014

Kobe beef, known worldwide for its intense marbling. The term "marbling" refers to the distribution of intramuscular fat that resembles a marbled pattern. A high concentration and even distribution of the marble contributes to the tenderness, texture and flavor of the meat. The meat is butchered locally and results in exemplary primal cuts of beef that are supremely tender and exquisitely flavorful. Currently, these steaks are packaged under the "flavor" brand, which will eventually distribute the

product to the public. For now, the beef is exclusively available at Sage. Order any steak on the menu, and you will taste the difference in the beef from Kingsland Ranch, the freshest cut of beef you may have ever encountered--cleaner, richer, and more texturally consistent than anything available in this area. "There is beef, and then there is beef from Kingsland Ranch," explains Chef Mark Smith. "This steak is like Christmas morning. The texture is incredible. Every bite counts." Although Sage enjoys providing "pasture to plate" meals for their patrons, their endeavors to eat locally do not stop there. The restaurant serves produce that is locally grown, such

as sweet potatoes from Delhi, and heirloom tomatoes, micro-greens and herbs from their own garden. Sage also offers several different choices of fish regularly, which is caught nearby and delivered fresh. Even the red oak used in their wood burning grill is locally harvested from--you guessed it--Kingsland Ranch. In Sage's chic dining rooms or cozy Red Oak Bar, guests can be found enjoying their favorite dishes. Menu items such as the Sage Wraps, shrimp and grits, and crab cakes give a nod to the restaurant's culinary history and remain popular. More recently, the grilled oyster appetizer has been a frequent order. The tender, salty oysters are grilled to perfection and served on the half-shell with a topping of rich, buttery parmesan cheese and fresh herbs to brighten the dish. Accompanied by grilled french bread and lemon, it is a perfect way to start a meal that includes a heavier entree. Considering the quality of beef that Sage serves, it is difficult to pass up an expertly grilled steak, even though there are many items that tempt the tastebuds. Order the ribeye, and be prepared to indulge in a memorable meal. The generous cut of beef arrives sizzling, moist and marvelously luscious. Do yourself a favor and request that this impressively tender cut of beef be cooked medium to medium-rare. A steak with such supreme marbling, delicate texture and natural flavor should be prepared to a temperature that enhances the flavor of the meat rather than destroys it. This steak is obviously incredibly fresh, and this is evident not only in the complex, earthly flavor, but in the rich color of the beef and the gentle ease at which your knife is able to carve through each exquisite bite. Served with tender, roasted potatoes complemented with a delicious smoked gouda mornay and blanched and grilled broccolini, the ribeye is an unforgettable delight. Grilled to impart the perfect amount of seasoned crust, each bite is moist and intensely flavorful. This is the way steak is meant to be enjoyed. The perfect way to end a meal on a winter day at Sage? Try Chef Mark Smith's heavenly creation--a warm and wonderful salted caramel mocha. This scrumptious coffee beverage is served in a generously sized mug and topped with whipped cream that has been infused with decadent caramel flavor. Garnished with roasted pecan chips, Hawaiian red salt and a swirl of rich caramel, this drink is not only delightfully indulgent, it is visually artful in its presentation. Sage offers a variety of dishes sure to satisfy the diverse crowd that continually walks through the doorway. Their approach to food is simple and honest: premium quality yields delectable, enjoyable dishes. Whether itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a lunch during the work week or a celebratory dinner, Restaurant Sage is a consistently excellent and positively memorable dining experience.

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Up on the Rooftop

Monroe Renaissance hosted the annual "Up On the Rooftop" gala and Christmas celebration in style--and with more than a few heaters to provide warmth. More than 300 people braved the sub-freezingtemperatures for the "best seat in town" for the Monroe Renaissance Christmas Fireworks Extravaganza sponsored by Ouachita Independent Bank. Area restaurants provided hors d'oeuvres and patrons enjoyed drinks from some of the area's premier beverage companies. Choice Brands even turned out with hot spiked cider to provide an extra kick of warmth. Originally, Dallas favorite The Hit Machine had been slated to provide entertainment into the evening. But snowy, icy weather in the Metroplex meant Hit Machine couldn't make the engagement. Instead, Monroe's own Monty Russell wowed the crowd with Christmas hits. Other sponsors included the City of Monroe, The City of West Monroe and the Monroe-West Monroe Convention and Visitor’s Bureau.

On the BayouScene

1 Austin Bantel, Melody Olson and Kevin Caston 2 Scott Terral and Linda Ellis 3 Kelly Gregory and Holly Brooke Acklin 4 Hanna Jordan and Daniel Walters 5 Jeﬀ and Robin Birchﬁeld 6 Jacob Norton and Themis Jacob 7 Phoebe Richard and David Verrett 8 Jennifer, Joey and Scott Albritton 9 Santa and Mrs. Claus 10 Shelly and Randy Jack Slayton 11 Tammie and Eddie Ball 12 James and Michelle Freeman 13 Margery and Richard Benton 14 Laura and Sean Chenoweth

B AY O U P R O F I L E

BY TRENT LIVINGSTON

If you take Exit 132 off of Interstate 20 and head south for about 30 miles towards the community of Liddieville, you will find the father-son team of Ronnie and Joel Hatton carrying on the family tradition of meat processing. Hatton’s Meats was rebuilt in early 2000’s after the elder Lonnie Hatton’s slaughterhouse in the late 50’s. Ronnie’s work for the McLemore’s and Jitney Jungle for numerous years provided the base for what today is a well-kept secret amongst meat processors of our region. Providing summer sausage, snack sticks, six specialty flavors of smoked sausage, tenderized steak, burgers, steaks and the “however you want it done” motto that Hatton’s hangs it’s hat on is the bones of the business. With six full-time and six part-time workers, Hatton’s works for “can till can’t”

providing customers with true satisfaction. In speaking with Joel, work for customers as far as Shreveport and Alexandria doesn’t stop. “We don’t’ sleep until February,” was his reply with a smile and pride of a craftsman carrying on the family tradition. As hunters drop by to complete their orders, Joel generously stopped for a few minutes to show me around and speak about the life in the meat processing business. Familyowned and operated, Hatton’s has meat processing down to a science. Ronnie was kind enough to take me back to the smoker and bring out a rack of fresh smoked sausage for a picture. “This is some of the best we have to offer,” Ronnie stated with a smile on his face. I concurred stating, “It sure smells like the

best!” Hunters looking for a different place to have their game processed should give Hatton’s Meats a shot. With turn around time of four days during peak and two days during normal activity, customers are sure to come away completely satisfied. If you don’t have game to be processed, Hatton offers “in-store” retail of sausage, pork chops and hamburger meat for those that want to grab something to go. If you don’t have time to swing by and check out their facilities, be sure to look on the shelves at Brookshire’s for their line of smoked sausage.

Hatton’s Meats – Specialty and Smoked Sausage is located at 2313 Hwy 135 in Winnsboro. 318.435.6840.

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Renowned New York City-based interior designer and Wisner native Keith Carroll in the Material Things workroom. Carroll’s designs and the handiwork of Material Things’ Joyce Sims and Peggy Gonzales are featured in the new book Scalamandré Haute Décor.

INTERIOR OUTLOOK A Look Inside Keith Carroll’s Creative Décor

article by Mary Napoli & photograph by Martin G. Meyers

eith Carroll is home, but he can't stay. In only a few days, he will trade the bayou for the big city and return to his life in Manhattan. Several years ago, the Wisner native embarked on a successful interior design career in New York City and quickly made a name for himself. He began by moonlighting as a designer for friends and associates while working in corporate communication, but it wasn't long before he transitioned into design full time. Now, his creative talents and artistic expertise are sought after by high profile clients with recognizable names. Carroll has a successful career in Manhattan, but he still has strong ties to our region. He regularly returns to the area and remains close to family and friends who reside here. The designer is dapper and stylish, and yet modest, approachable and relatable--an unusual combination, but a necessary one when dividing time between a world class city and rural small town life. He is equally comfortable in either environment, an endearing and admirable trait. Although his client base is in New York, his Louisiana roots continually provide creative inspiration. It is his southern upbringing that provided the foundation for his interest in interior design at an early age. "Being from the South and Louisiana, that

clients. Carroll has a masterful talent of layering color, print and texture within a room. His inventive designs combine intriguing elements of classic, tasteful sensibilities with a contemporary edge. He sets himself apart with the unique quality of possessing inventive elegance and restrained whimsy. It is a recognizable mark that has become second nature as his career has blossomed. "As I have gained experience, I find myself becoming more bold in my color and pattern choices," says the designer. "Attention to detail has become increasingly important to me – the construction of upholstery, trims – details hold so much value to a space." His compelling perspective and captivating style have not gone unnoticed by the design world's elite. Carroll was invited to compose a guest room and bath in the Hamptons Designer Show House, orchestrated by Scalamandré, the leading purveyor of decorative fabrics, wall-coverings, trims, furnishings and accessories. Carroll incorporates the fine fabrics that Scalamandré produces whenever possible, as they are known not only for their artful designs but also for their superior craftsmanship. The Manhattan-based design house has a rich 82-year history and has been commissioned by countless landmark properties for their creative services, such as the White House, U.S. Capitol and the Metropolitan Opera House. It is high praise to be recognized by and associated with the respected and esteemed institution. Steven Stolman, President of Scalamandré, built a successful design career before beginning his career with the textile house and feels Carroll is an asset to the exclusive design world and that his talent is exceptional. "What I love about Keith is his absolute grasp of tradition and propriety...contrasted with his ability to embrace the new with such

“AS I HAVE GAINED EXPERIENCE, I FIND MYSELF BECOMING MORE BOLD IN MY COLOR AND PATTERN CHOICES.” has had a big influence on me. I used to go with my mother to Natchez when I was younger and tour all the Antebellum homes, and the neoclassical style was a big influence from way back," he explains. He may be a southern gentleman, but his bold design choices are far more forward. The modern, livable environments he designs gracefully combine genteel antiques with stylish furnishings and contemporary art. His unique point of view also resides in the alluring details and provides endless fascination. The designer enjoys working with vibrant colors and winsome patterns that appeal to his

JANUARY 2014 BayouLife Magazine 91

skill...along with a very clear joy in the work," says Stolman. Carroll's work was recently featured in the much anticipated publication ScalamandrĂŠ Haute Decor, which illustrates in exquisite detail the history of the high-end textile house. On December 3, Peggy Gonzales and Joyce Sims, chic designers and owners of Material Things on Park Avenue in Monroe, hosted an open house for Carroll. The stylish interiors shop was crowded with locals who were eager to visit with Carroll and to have their copies of the elegant, voluminous coffee table book signed by the designer. Ever gracious and obliging, Carroll thoroughly enjoyed chatting with the crowd and talking shop. "I always enjoy my time here and working with Peggy and Joyce," says Carroll. "People in Monroe definitely have a high level of taste. There are some truly beautiful homes here." During his visits home, Carroll is often asked for guidance in designing and decorating personal spaces, and he is happy to oblige. He encourages friends and clients to use their walls to reflect their own personalities. By viewing the collection of art in a person's home, guests are able to determine a sense of the individual. When selecting art, Carroll advocates an open minded look at your surroundings. "There is so much to draw from in this area. Consider what inspires you. The natural terrain of the area is amazing. Go to an art crawl and view the local artists. You never know what might appeal to you," he suggests. Decorating a home or room can feel like a daunting task to some. However, Carroll advises to allow the space to develop over time and to invest in key pieces of furniture to begin. "Most people aren't able to redesign their entire home at one time. Find a great piece of upholstered furniture to build your room around. A good sofa and chairs will last, and antiques are always a great investment," he recommends. "A jute rug is consistently a great equalizer. I use those from Park Avenue clients all the way to small 92 BayouLife Magazine JANUARY 2014

apartments in Brooklyn. Also, if you have a wood floor that isn't in the best shape, consider painting the floor a solid color or in a pattern. Don't be afraid of color. Let it reflect your taste and personality." He also places emphasis on composing a lighting design that enlivens the concept of the space. He encourages creating layers of lights within the room from multiple sources, and prefers "pools of light" from table lamps, floor lamps and sconces rather than strong overhead lighting. Designing a lighting plan can soften the room, enlarge the space or create a dramatic effect. Light is far from an meaningless detail in Carroll's designs. Every aspect of the room is significant and intently considered. When working with clients, each project is an adventure. Not only does Carroll keep his exceptional designs fresh and distinctive, but he also possesses the ability to assist the client in expressing their own character, taste and temperament throughout the space. "Each project is unique and tailored to the individual client. As a designer, I have to figure out who they are and how they live. There is a lot of psychology involved, as well as intuition. Your home should be your refuge. I want to design spaces that reflect the personality of the homeowner," he relates. The designer remains down to earth and approachable in spite of his flourishing career. He is passionate about his work and enjoys providing his clients with warm and welcoming designs that represent their individuality and combining function and luxury. While maintaining his client base in New York, the southerner endeavors to provide his services in North Louisiana and in the New Orleans area. The comfort and timeless style that Carroll effortlessly provides is an attainable luxury for clients above and below the Mason-Dixon. To further explore his design aesthetic, visit www.keithcarrolldesign.net. Photography of Hampton Showhouse by Jeremy Frechette.

ULM Partners with Affinity Health Group

ednesday, December 16th, the University of Louisiana at Monroe announced a partnership with Affinity Health Group, LLC to offer student health services on campus through Affinity Health Clinic at ULM, which will allow enhanced services to students, faculty and staff. “We are pleased to enter into this partnership with Affinity,” said University of Louisiana at Monroe President Nick J. Bruno. “This agreement allows ULM to redirect financial resources from this function into areas more aligned with the university’s mission while providing expanded health services to our faculty, staff and students.” Dr. Stephen Richters, executive vice president at ULM says that other universities are interested in this relationship and have voiced interest in providing the same type of services. “Basically, we are doing something that no one else is doing,” he said. “This is a unique partnership between a regional healthcare presence and the university.” The clinic will operate within ULM’s existing Student Health Center on University Ave. Hours are from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. It will be operated with current ULM staff and Affinity will add additional healthcare professionals and services. The clinic, which is currently closed for training, will reopen Jan. 6, under Affinity’s management. “This partnership will only enhance the quality of care provided to the students, staff and faculty at ULM” said Michael Echols, Director of Business Development for Affinity. “We are very excited for this opportunity to work with the university.” Dr. W. Wayne Brumfield, Vice President of Student Affairs says that students are the beneficiaries of the partnership. In addition to routine health services, Affinity will implement many programs such as: a wellness program, drug and alcohol education, tobacco cessation program and weight loss education and treatment. They will also offer student immunization, laboratory services, flu clinics and a comprehensive retail pharmacy. In addition, Affinity will implement electronic medical records technology which will connect all Affinity clinics allowing students, faculty and staff to have their medical records available at any Affinity clinic when the ULM site is closed. No copayment will be required of faculty and staff that are covered through Vantage Health Plan. Those with other health plans will receive a reduced rate on their health care coverage. Those with no healthcare will receive a significant discount, Brumfield said.

JANUARY 2014 BayouLife Magazine 93

94 BayouLife Magazine JANUARY 2014

BEAUTY

Through the Ages

anine Hopkins says the secret of the fountain of youth begins during a woman's youth, when parents should be paying close attention to skin health. She compares the advice to dental care, where parents pay such close attention to their children's teeth, with dental appointments and ardent instructions to brush teeth before bed and when the little ones get up. There's a good reason, too. Teeth have to last you a lifetime. But Dr. Janine Hopkins thinks parents are only addressing half of their child's lifetime health needs. "Parents should put just as much emphasis on their children's skin as they do on their teeth," says Hopkins, a dermatologist. Hopkins says that's where the fountain of

youth begins with womenâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;in childhood. Harmful ultraviolet radiation penetrates a child's skin and causes damage that, eventually, could lead to skin cancer and other illnesses. "Health-wise, skin care should start during childhood," Hopkins says. "The kids out playing have got to have sunscreen on." But skin care doesn't stop in youth. In fact, applying sunscreen to children is just the beginning. The one major mistake Hopkins sees women commit over and over again: tanning beds. "There's no point in doing anything if you're going to go to the sunbed, because you're just destroying the health of your skin," Hopkins says. Hopkins is among a growing number of area doctors and businesses aimed at maintaining youthful, healthy skin through all ages.

B Y M I C H A E L D E VA U LT

Judy Wagoner's Professional Laser Center caters to women beginning in their 20s, with an array of products and treatments designed to prevent the signs of aging. Wagoner says women begin to see the early warning signs in their 20s and 30s, when they've begun to have children and hormones begin to change. "The key is to never let yourself get overweight," Wagoner says. "You don't want to get so overweight that you can't bounce back. And, you're stretching the skin." Also, pigment changes often follow pregnancy, leaving behind discolorations, darker or lighter skin, and this adds to the aging appearance. To that end, Hopkins and Wagoner both offer services tailored to address the problem. Topical ointments and other treatment regimens help correct the discolorations. >

JANUARY 2014 BayouLife Magazine 97

"Specifically, we offer skin care products with botanicals to help diminish discolorations," Hopkins says. Also, when choosing a product, Wagoner says both women and men needs to pay close attention to the products they choose. Always select products that are FDA tested and approved. "Products that are FDA approved mean they do what they say they are going to do," Wagoner says. By the end of her 30s, a woman's skincare needs begin to shift. Signs of aging are not only appearing around the eyes and mouth, but also other areas as well. "We start having to pay attention to the neck area, the dĂŠcolletage region, because that's another area that starts to show early signs of aging," Hopkins says. By this age, Botox becomes a part of the treatment plan, as women begin to see creases and folds in the brow, around the eyes and mouth and around the nose. "By mid to late 30s, a lot of women have started developing fixed lines or wrinkles," Hopkins says. She recommends many patients begin "mini-Botox" treatments to prevent these kinds of wrinkles. Wagoner also recommends treatment by Dermapen, a micro-needle treatment that restores collagen naturally. "It causes a wound to the dermis and that in turn makes collagen remodel," Wagoner says. As the 30s give way to the 40s, the attention shifts to maintenance. Women begin to turn their attention to fillersâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;replacing the collagen and keeping the skin plump and full. Hopkins says Botox three times a year will help control wrinkles and crowâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s feet. Wagoner recommends treatment with Intense Pulsed Light therapy. "It destroys the pigment, which lies in the dermis. That pigment comes off in three or four days," Wagoner says, leaving behind skin that is beautiful and milky. Dermapen treatments also continue to play a part in keeping a woman's skin plump and vibrant, according to Wagoner. Both Wagoner and Hopkins agree, though, that volume loss begins to be a problem in the 40s. That means adding fillers to the treatment plan. "Volume loss can cause some sagging and draping of the skin, with deeper lines starting to show, especially around the mouth," Hopkins says. 98 BayouLife Magazine JANUARY 2014

Wagoner adds that Botox continues to be useful above the eyes. But, she agrees with Hopkins. "From the eyes down, typically you're going to need a filler," Wagoner says. Filler treatments can last up to a year, which makes them a significant value and a striking effect. By the 50s and 60s, fillers have become a significant part of maintaining youthfulness. Hopkins uses a filler product called Sculptra. "It really helps to give lift and symmetry," Hopkins says. "That's going to significantly decrease the skin laxity, the lines and the wrinkles." Meanwhile, as women approach their 70s, the cumulative efforts of an effective skincare and treatment regimen have paid dividens. But time does march on, and women need to become aware of changes in their skin, by age 70. "Then we add a little more aggressive hydration for them, so the skin doesn't get dry," Hopkins says. But Wagoner notes women in their 70s do not have much collagen remaining. This makes IPL treatment so much more important, because according to Wagoner, it keeps pores small and skin attractive. Wagoner also notes one often ignored component of beauty care: hormones. When a woman reaches menopause or has a hysterectomy, changes in hormones will cause significant signs of aging. "You've got to get your hormones straight before you do anything else," Wagoner says. "Otherwise, you're just fighting against the stream." Dr. Janine Hopkins, founder of Hopkins Dermatology and M.D. Minerals by Janine Hopkins, is a board-certified dermatologist in Monroe. Dr. Hopkins established her medical practice in 1996 after completing her residency training in the Department of Dermatology at LSU School of Medicine in New Orleans. Her practice is located at 2509 Broadmoor Blvd. Suite #A in Monroe, LA. Judy Wagoner is the owner of Professional Laser Center, which is a physician supervised facility, with Dr. Victor Zuckerman serving as medical director. Professional Laser Center is located at 1801 North 7th Street, Suite C in West Monroe, LA.

Downtown Gallery Crawl

Everyone was “happy, happy, happy” on December 5th as art patrons visited the ten galleries associated with the Downtown Arts Alliance. New to the December crawl was Luna Blue, owned by Kim Batteford, whose gallery showed a variety of art including photography, painting and sculpture. We enjoyed visiting with two of our favorite artists, Linda and Bob Ward, as they charmed guests who visited MAD Gallery. And, right down the road, we caught up with Austin Bantel and Alana Cooper at the Palace Art Gallery as they awarded prizes to junior high and high school art departments for the best decorated Christmas trees. With so much phenomenal creativity, it was a memorable event for all patrons to enjoy local art.

On the BayouScene

1 Alana Cooper and Austin Bantel 2 Joey Slaughter and Catherine Nix 3 Bob and Linda Ward 4 Vicki Bross, Diana Poindexter and Haleigh Harell 5 Shelby Steﬀeck and Hope Anderson 6 Debra Heard, Don Hudnall and Sondra Hartt 7 Leesa Patterson, Lisa and Robert Riddle 8 Jeﬀ and Melanie Douthit

JANUARY 2014 BayouLife Magazine 99

TRIMMING theFAT

offer personal training My life changed on services. For a more handsChristmas Eve, 2011. Comon approach, choose a service plaining of chest pains, I folsuch as Boyer's Fitness Together, lowed a friend's advice and which pairs individuals with a perwent to the emergency room. Dursonal trainer for each workout. That's ing the workup, between the moa powerful motivator, according to ment the triage nurse weighed me and Boyer. Too often, you're going to talk yourtook my blood pressure, I caught a self out of a workout without a trainer," glimpse of the clipboard. He had recorded Boyer says. "But if I'm waiting on you, you're my weight as 284 and circled "obese" as my going to keep the appointment." classification. It was a defining moment, and article by Also, Boyer says start moving. Walk at least a the word "obese" hung over me when I was reMichael DeVault mile a day—which he points out isn't that far. It beleased a few hours later with instructions to "lose gins to add up, too. "Eventually, you'll walk two miles some weight." a day," Boyer says. That's almost fifteen miles a week, or Simple advice from a doctor, but advice that is far more than 3,500 calories burned. more complicated that it seemed. Over the next few days, Overall, Boyer's message is that most people don't exI wondered what I was going to do. I knew the doctor was ercise enough. In fact, the average American adult exercises less right. I was overweight, and I knew why. than 1.8 hours a week. That's why the nation's midsection continPersonal Trainer Rico Boyer says the average American ues to grow, according to Boyer. Too little exercise makes losing packs on between three and seven pounds during the holiday the pounds almost impossible. "If you're obese and only working season. That normally would not a big deal. A person could out 1.8 hours a week, a strict calorie count diet is the only way to lose the extra pounds in a few weeks of healthy eating and exlose weight," Boyer says. ercise. But salads and jogging aren't what many do. "In five years, you've already gained 20 pounds," Boyer says. "And that's on the lighter side." Now, you're beginning to PROGRESS AND PERSEVERANCE feel the effects of the extra pounds. Sluggish to get out of the Using a strict calorie count diet, I had lost more than 20 pounds dining chair, you linger longer, eat more and the weight goes in a little over two months. By my birthday in March 2012, I was up. able to look down and see my toes—a major milestone. Also, I had Instead of the balloon-and-diet method, Boyer recombegun to pay closer attention to what I was eating. While a cheesemends holiday revelers focus on enjoy-and-maintain. Use porburger accounts for 700 calories or more, a large salad of leafy tion control to govern your caloric intake. Also, make sure to greens tops out at just 300 calories—and that's if you add grilled add an additional exercise to your regimen. chicken or shrimp and a serving of light dressing. If it's already too late, though, the only way to lose the I eliminated virtually all liquid calories. That meant no soda, weight and keep it off is diet and exercise. Personal dietician no cream and sugar in the coffee, and possibly worst of all for a Andi Holyfield reinforces the point. "To lose weight in 2014, southerner, no sweet tea. Water, unsweet tea and black coffee beyou need to be supermarket savvy," Holyfield says. "Every came the order of the day at every meal. Occasionally, I might good weight loss program has two parts: food and exercise." enjoy a glass of wine, but as the pounds began to melt away—two That's the situation in which I found myself in 2011. The here, three there—the idea of drinking calories was itself discourChristmas Season upon me, the calendar was full of parties, of agement enough to avoid drinking. dinners and of extra trips to the pub. How was I going to lose All the while, I ate pretty much what I wanted, the things I enthe 80 pounds I needed to lose and keep it off? Overwhelmed, joyed. I still ate hamburgers and bread; I still enjoyed the occaI began to research diet plans. And by research, I of course sional slice of lemon icebox pie. But with each item I added to my mean I turned to Google. diet, I upped the level of exercise I put in that day. Time and again, the message was clear: pay close attention By the summer, I was thirty pounds down. Another app, to what you eat, how much of it you eat and keep track of your Couch25k, added the idea of jogging to my exercise regimen. There exercise. Luckily, in today's technocentric world, there's an app was one thing I didn't do, though. And the mistake proved costly. for that. In fact, there are more than two dozen, all of which are available for iPhone, Android and Windows Phone users. THE FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH Boyer says the apps are an invaluable tool, because they The secret to eternal youth—or at least appearing youthful— help keep track of intake, exercise and your weight-loss is quite easy, according to Boyer. progress. "Apps are great, but don't get too crazy," Boyer says. "Muscle is youth," Boyer says. That's why he recommends all Instead of relying on an app and personal motivation, he recpeople incorporate resistive weight training to their regimen. ommends a different course of action. "If you can maintain the muscle from your youth, you'll look "Get a trainer," Boyer says. Most gyms and fitness centers younger," Boyer says. Also, maintaining that muscle tone helps to

Losing Weight the Right Way

100 BayouLife Magazine JANUARY 2014

maintain range of motion, strength and stamina. In other words, not only will you look better, but you'll feel better, too. That's the step I missed. So with each pound I lost, while much of the weight was in fat, I was losing muscle tone and strength, too. Losing muscle is easy. Putting it back? That's a much different story. Yet, Boyer says it can be done. All it takes is a little focus and effortâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;and about one hour a day. "What's one hour a day?" Boyer asks. "All I'm asking you for is one hour a day, when there are 23 more." It's really very little to ask, considering what's at stake. "The Number One commodity you have is your health," Boyer says.

THE END GAME

Just a couple of years removed from the Christmas Eve emergency room visit, I'm down below 220, where I've consistently remained. While I still feel like I have a way's to go (I'd eventually like to hit a solid 200), I'm more focused on healthy living through good diet and careful selection. Luckily for me, I enjoy salads, vegetables and fruits. Also, I enjoy the challenge of finding new and interesting ways to build lowcalorie, high-impact meals. And, Boyer is happy to know, I've added more exercise to my regimenâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;including resistive weight training. But don't just take my word for it. Give it a try. After all, what have you got to lose?

FIVE

TIPS FROM ANDI HOLYFIELD 1. Keep your portions under control. Black salad size plates are a great way to decieve the human eye; black makes your food pop. Reseach proves we eat less on black plates. 2. If it swims in the ocean or has two legs like a chicken or turkey it metabolizes faster. If it moo's and has four legs make sure to limit red meats less than three times a week. 3. Let a Registered Dietitian teach you to make trade offs, so you do not have to give up your favorite foods; Andi customizes plans to meet authentic food cravings and busy schedules to create lifestyle diet changes that are so easy! 4. Drink and Drive! Water only! Dehydration can decrease metabolism by 3%, which can lead to 13 pounds of body fat gain in only 1 year. Every time you get in your car make sure to drink water while you drive. 5. Stop mindless eating! If you are on Twitter, Facebook, or emailing, avoid eating while you are on your computer or phone. 90% of the human brain is focused on the task, and only 10% of the brain can recall eating.

Above: Michael DeVault at his heaviest realized that he had to make a change to his eating and exercise habits to lose weight. At right: After a change of lifestyle, Michael has been able to lose over 60 pounds watching his caloric intake and exercising regularly. JANUARY 2014 BayouLife Magazine 101

Bank of Ruston’s "10th Anniversary of Art"

ank of Ruston is hosting the work of 14 local artists at their annual Holiday Art Show. Angie Biscomb, Employee & Community Engagement Officer of Bank of Ruston said, “This is our tenth show here at the bank, so we decided not to feature only one or two artists, but bring all the artists back, add a few and show everyone some of the amazing amount of talent that we have in our area.” The “10 Year Anniversary of Art” Exhibit kicked off with a reception on Tuesday, December 3 and will remain on display weekdays from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. through Thursday, January 2. The exhibit is located in the lobby of Bank of Ruston’s downtown location at 505 North Vienna Street, Ruston. All pieces are for sale and can be purchased at the bank. Participating artists have been asked to contribute a portion of their sales to the North Central Louisiana Arts Council. The featured artists are: Maggie Jones Boudreaux, Dean Dablow, Shelley Nealy Edgerton, Albino Hinojosa, Patricia Jones, Peter Jones, Laura Lewis, Catherine McVea, Charlie Meeds, Loretta Owens, Ed Pinkston, Annie Richardson, Douglas Walton and Marlen Waters. Bank of Ruston has been part of the Ruston community since 1905. As a truly local banking institution, Bank of Ruston is devoted to community reinvestment and is especially committed to supporting the arts within North Central Louisiana. For more information, please visit www.bankruston.com or contact: Angie Biscomb, abiscomb@bankruston.com or 318-255-3733.

102 BayouLife Magazine JANUARY 2014

On the BayouScene at Bank of Ruston’s “10th Anniversary of Art” Show 1 Beulah Laster, Maggie Jones and M. Douglas Walton 2 Janie Cherry and Lue Napper 3 Loretta Owens and Kandi Hinojosa 4 Dean Dablow, Barbara Sharp and Marlen Waters 5 Megan Davenport and Mark Farley 6 Maria and Jerry Huckaby 7 Ashley James and Angie Biscomb 8 Marlen Waters 9 Patricia Jones and Nan Cole 10 Jhola McGee and Cherie Freeman 11 Bill Hogan and Ed Pinkston

Art with a Bayou View

The Monroe Symphony Orchestra took to the University of Louisiana-Monroe Library in November to celebrate Art and Music, with the annual Art With a View fundraiser. This year's art show, auction and gala enjoyed the new location with a new name, celebrating the bayou flair at ULM. Patrons turned out in droves. Among other changes to the annual event, the show became a juried competition—with artists submitting works from more than 26 states for judging and selection. Even with the national call for entries, the local art community was well-represented, highlighting the quality of artists in northeastern Louisiana, according to Symphony president Hunt Neely.

On the BayouScene

1 Georgia Street, Mignon and Mike Riley 2 Terry Cunningham, Leesa McMillan, Mona Cree and Janna Rorex 3 Kevin Sweet, Lisa Holyfield and Brian Dollar 4 LaVerne Bodron and Phoebe Mathys 5 MaryAnn Riddle and Barbara Hansen 6 Rebecca and Jeff Leaumont, Robert and Lisa Riddle 7 Richard and Bobbi Hoag 8 Johnette Sellar and Steve Mintz 9 Mayor Jamie Mayo and Vicky Valenzano Pampe 10 Marge and Steve Richters 11 Tim and Val Antley 12 Savannah and Linda Holyfield 13 Hunt Neely and Joe Holyfield

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Monroe Chamber Gala and Auction

The Monroe Chamber of Commerce annual gala and auction was held at Bayou DeSiard Country Club, and business leaders joined social and community figures turned out for the 2013 Great Gatsby Holiday Gala and Auction. Following hors d'ouevres and beverages, attendees took part in the chamber's auction, which featured art, wines and even a vacation package provided by area businesses. Meanwhile, before and after the auction, gala-goers took to the dance floor to party like Jay Gatsby to the tunes of Flashback 5.

On the BayouScene

1 Sue Nicholson, Scott Martinez and Gretchen Kovac 2 Mike and Amanda Hufnagel, Lisa Hackard 3 David and Dianne Moore 4 Cindy and Dennis Rogers 5 Bernard and Gin HeďŹ&#x201A;in 6 Tony and Ann Hayward 7 Dot and Carl Stanitzky 8 Weldon Nipper and Christina Kinnaird 9 Jay and Jon-Marie Byram 10 Matt and Kelley West, Lesley and David Bush 11 Sue and John Patel, Sue Nash Patel 12 Reginald and Maggie Fontana, Jim Moony 13 Liz and J. Rodney Pierre 14 Sarita Daniel and Juanita Woods 15 David and Bridget Hampton

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ARTICLES CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGES

St. Francis Medical Center Foundation CONTINUED FROM PAGE 69

Members of the St. Francis Medical Center Foundation Board of Directors include: • Cindy Rogers - St. Francis Medical Center Foundation President/CEO • Thad Ryan - Ryan Auto Group • Nell Seegers • Sister Mary Ann Sepulvado - Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady • Roderick Worthy - Entergy

Sugar and Spice and Everything Nice CONTINUED FROM PAGE 75

The predominate hormone in pregnancy affects veins. The same hormone in the latter half of the female cycle also affects these bothersome veins. Well, you don't have to be bothered with these veins any longer. Make a visit, and let's get started! The modern, in-office, minimally invasive treatment of these veins is available in our area! You will be glad you did. William B. Belsom M.D.,R.V.T. Specially Qualified in Venous Problems The Woman's Clinic Director of the Vein Center of Northeast Louisiana

BayouLife Magazine

BayouLife Magazine would like to hear feedback from our readers. If you have any suggestions on future editorial copy that you would like to see in our magazine, have questions or comments regarding our publication, please email our publisher, Cassie Livingston, at cassie@bayoulifemag.com.

JANUARY 2014 BayouLife Magazine 105

Calendar of Events Through February Biological Regionalism Biological Regionalism will feature paintings, videos and objects created during and after artist Alberto Rey’s visit from October 23, 2013 – February 8, 2014 Rey strives to document the ﬂora and fauna in the areas he visits for posterity’s sake and as a means of educating his audiences about the importance of conservation. While he does not directly portray human culture in his work, it is us that end up being on exhibition. Masur Museum of Art (318) 329-2237 www.masurmuseum.org Narratives Near and Far Selections from the Wells Fargo Collection-Ends February 8th This exhibition showcases well known artists working in many media. Narratives Near and Far will lend a largely American perspective to the art historical narratives of exploration, regionalism, iconography, portraiture and interpretation in general. Exhibiting artists include Dennis Ashbaugh, Karl Bodmer, Birney Imes, Roy Lichtenstein,

O. Winston Link, Robert Rauschenberg and Eudora Welty. Gracious sponsors are: Wells Fargo and Michael Ryan, First Vice President, Branch Manager, Wells Fargo Advisors, Monroe, Louisiana. Masur Museum of Art (318) 329-2237 www.masurmuseum.org January 11 The Marjorie Stricklin Emerging Artists Competition Time: 7:30 p.m. The Marjorie Stricklin Emerging Artists Competition is an annual event established by the Monroe Symphony League and the Monroe Symphony Orchestra to promote and encourage excellence in musical performance and to provide orchestral performance opportunities for youth and young adults residing in Louisiana. The Final Round of auditions, determining the competition’s overall winners, will be presented in recital format. Tickets are required for the Final Round of the competition. ULM Emy-Lou Biedenharn Recital Hall 318-342-1568

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January 15 Harlem Globetrotters Time: 7:00 pm America's favorite family show is coming to Monroe Civic Center! The Harlem Globetrotters take fan participation to the extreme by letting fans decide which NEW Globetrotter rule they'll add to the game like 6 on 5 or the Trick Shot Challenge! Experience hours of fun for kids, grandparents and everyone in between. Monroe Civic Center • (318) 329-2338 www.ci.monroe.la.us January 17 AG EXPO 2014 Time: Friday: 2:00-8:00 p.m.; Saturday: 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. AG EXPO is a combination of several events tied into one venue, which assures wide appeal for people of all ages. There is an educational "ag alley" which includes a mini farm that targets youth but is enjoyed by all ages; a junior livestock show, a miniature cow show, a trade show, and an Agricultural Awards & Legislative Appreciation Luncheon which recognizes regional agricultural leaders and legislators. Ike Hamilton Expo Center Arena (318) 325-9160 www.westmonroe.com January 18 Fourth Annual NELA Master Gardener’s Spring Seminar Time: 7:30 am-12:30 pm The LSU Master Gardeners’ presents the Fourth Annual NELA Master Gardeners’ Spring Seminar. This year the featured speaker is Melinda Myers, contributing editor and columnist for "Birds and Blooms Magazine." Melinda

will present a program on "Beautiful, Easy and Affordable Landscape Makeovers," in keeping with our southern climate zone. In addition to Melinda, three locals, Jeff Landry of Landry Vineyards, Robert Rickett and James Dean, will speak on topics of which they have expertise. Door prizes, exhibitors, free garden seeds and refreshments. West Monroe Convention Center (318) 396-5000 www.westmonroe.com January 17-19 Antique Show Time: Friday & Saturday: 10:00-6:00; Sunday: 12:00-5:00 Enjoy the Annual Antique Show with dealers from all over the United States. Expect unique glassware, furniture, linens, jewelry, silver and also glass repair. You don't want to miss out on a one-of-a-kind find! Monroe Convention Center (318) 323-3188 www.ci.monroe.la.us January 24-26 6th Annual KNOE Boat & Outdoor Show Time: Friday the 24th: 12:00-7:00 p.m.; Saturday the 25th: 10:00-7:00 p.m.; Sunday the 26th: 11:00-5:00 p.m. Boats, RVs & Campers, ATV's, Guns & ammo, knives, camping gear, outdoor supplies, fishing equipment, demonstrations, food and much more at the Boat & Outdoor, Gun & Knife Show! Monroe Civic Center (318) 329-2225 www.ci.monroe.la.us