PLUM PROSECCO SPLASH

BAYOU COCKTAIL

This delicious craft cocktail combines seasonal fruit with a bright, bubbly Prosecco. Whether you are hosting a party or just need a weekend wind down, this drink is at the top of our list.

Styled by TAYLOR BENNETT Photo by KELLY MOORE CLARK

WHAT YOU NEED: 2 Plums 6 Thyme sprigs Juice from one lemon 4 Tbsp Thyme syrup (1/2 cup of sugar, 1/2 cup of water, boil, remove from heat and add thyme sprigs, stir and let cool) 1 Bottle of Prosecco DIRECTIONS: Peel and chop 2 plums. Muddle plums with thyme simple syrup and lemon juice until plum juice has been released. Shake with ice in a cocktail shaker. Pour over crushed ice evenly in two glasses. Top with Prosecco and garnish with extra plum slices and thyme sprigs. Enjoy!

WHEN GARY FUNDERBURK JOINED OUACHITA Valley Federal Credit Union as a member almost three decades ago, he had no idea he would one day be President and CEO. But what better person to lead the credit union than someone who had worked his way up the ranks, learning everything about the organization. Gary came from the banking world and after becoming a member of OVFCU, he saw the way they had a personal connection with their members, he jumped at the opportunity to become more than a member…he became an employee. “I saw how decisions were made on a local level and it wasn’t a disconnected corporate environment and that really appealed to me,” said Gary. He began his career with the credit union as a loan officer and his responsibilities grew to include special projects like Y2K coordinator, as well as implementing the ATM and debit cards. “Since it was a smaller organization, I wore many hats and that was really benefited me today because I have seen how many of the departments work,” said Gary. He eventually worked his way up to Vice President of Lending then Senior Vice President of the Credit Union to Executive Vice President. When the outgoing President, Katie Pilcher, retired, Gary was named President.

Katie has been at Ouachita Valley for 33 years and actually hired Gary. They have worked together hand in hand over the years and have the same mentality and mindset - whatever they did was for the betterment of the members and employees of Ouachita Valley. “We truly believe it is our members first, then policies and procedures,” said Gary.

As Gary leads Ouachita Valley, he is excited about their vision and plans for the future. “We are excited to introduce new technology, making our members able to access their accounts with ease,” said Gary. “However, we still want our members to come in and visit with us if that is what they prefer. We want to offer whatever is most convenient for our members.” He is also looking forward to expanding the area that the credit union currently serves. “We currently serve seven parishes and we are looking to serve more,” said Gary. “We want to continue to grow and offer more control to our members on how they do their banking, whether that is on their mobile device, computer or in person. I believe we can compete with larger financial institutions and I am excited to share that with our community.”

Originally from Alexandria, Gary found his way to Monroe is 1986 when he came to ULM and has been here ever since. He is married to his wife, Trish, who works as a librarian for Ouachita Parish. They have two children, Andrew, 21 and Macy, 17 who is a junior at West Monroe High School. Over the years, Gary has coached soccer, softball and baseball, as well as been involved in a variety of community service projects. “I am looking forward to continue to serve the community with this new position,” said Gary. “I do want our members and our community to know that while we do have goals and things we want to accomplish, you won’t see big changes. Our vision and focus remains the same - our members and our community - and we will continue in that direction!”

Ouachita Valley Federal Credit Union is a full service financial institution dedicated to serving its members and the community. The credit union offers a wide variety of financial services, most any type of loan from small personal loans to mortgage loans, plus so much more.

In May of 1955, Ouachita Valley Federal Credit Union began as Ouachita Parish Teachers Credit Union. Over 64 years of service, Ouachita Parish Teachers Credit Union continued to grow adding additional school systems, sponsor companies and mergers. For this reason, in the mid-80’s, the name was changed to Ouachita Valley Federal Credit Union to better represent the credit union membership.

They recently opened their fifth location in the Twin Cities at 2400 Louisville Avenue. Other convenient locations include Natchitoches Street in West Monroe, Well Road in West Monroe, Sterlington Road in Monroe and Martin Luther King Drive in Monroe.

Ouachita Valley Federal Credit Union is proud to serve their community. For the past 16 years, Ouachita Valley has partnered with Sunny 98.3 to host the Sunny School Supply Drive. This supply drive helps children who need assistance with supplies to return to school each August. Throughout the years, over 10,000 students have benefited from the supply drive with the help of the community. Each year during the month of July, they host several events to raise awareness and accept donations on behalf of the supply drive.

Ouachita Valley currently serves over 32,000 members in the parishes they serve which are: Caldwell, Franklin, Jackson, Lincoln, Morehouse, Ouachita and Richland. For more information log onto www.ouachitavalleyfcu.org or call 318.387.4592 and begin taking advantage of the credit union difference today.

AS THE LARGEST OUTDOOR FESTIVAL IN NORTH Louisiana, the multi-award-winning Red River Revel Arts Festival, often referred to as “The Revel,” attracts thousands of locals and visitors to “Celebrate the Arts” together. The nine-day event offers an extensive assortment of exciting and unique experiences for all ages.

This year’s festival includes more than 75 juried visual artists from across the country; over 40 musical, theatrical, and performing arts entertainment on two stages, over 20 vendors serving delicious food, and an area dedicated to introducing children to the arts. Each day will offer new experiences and memories, so get ready to Revel!

Here’s your guide to the 45th Annual Red River Revel Arts Festival:

ARTISTS from across the country make the Revel their home the first week in October. Whether you are an avid art collector or a novice, you can enjoy and celebrate the arts of the Revel. Over 75 juried artists will have one-of-a-kind works of art, including multimedia paintings, jewelry pieces, photography, pottery and more. Artwork pricing varies, allowing for shoppers to purchase art within any budget.

Plan to stroll down Art Alley to view the varied artworks of established artists, visit the Emerging Artist Tent to see up and coming artists showcasing their work, and support local artisans in the Market Area. Some artists rotate throughout the week, so festival-goers are encouraged to return to see who is new in these areas.

Plan your shopping before heading to the Revel by previewing the artists’ portfolios at redriverrevel.com/rrr/artists/.

MUSIC The Red River Revel Arts Festival is known for bringing in chart-topping names in music from across the country, along with local and regional favorites. With over 40 performances on two stages, music will fill Festival Plaza every day of the 2021 Revel!

Headliners for the 45th Annual Red River Revel Arts Festival include: · Marc Broussard. Southern Rock/Bayou Soul singer-songwriter, 8:30 pm – 10:00 pm on Saturday, October 2nd · Kings Kaleidoscope. Alternative Rock band, 7:45 pm – 9:00 pm on Wednesday, October 6th · Samantha Fish. Blues/Rock singer-songwriter and guitarist, 8:30 pm – 10:00 pm on Thursday, October 7th · Inaugural Step Competition with Special Guests. 6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. on Friday, October 8th · Laine Hardy. Country/Southern Rock. 8:30 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 9th

In addition to local, regional, and national musicians, cheer and dance group performances are scheduled, along with martial arts and gymnastic demonstrations, theatrical performances, and more!

View the full entertainment schedule at redriverrevel.com/rrr/ music-lineup.

FOOD Bring your appetite to the Revel! The Red River Revel Arts Festival is a place where one will find mouthwatering menu items such as boudin balls, brisket grilled cheese, chicken and waffles, funnel cakes, and more! Local nonprofit organizations, booster clubs, schools, other community groups, and for-profit vendors operate food stations. Craft the perfect menu by visiting redriverrevel.com/rrr/food before you go.

KIDS’ ACTIVITIES The Red River Revel Arts Festival is dedicated to providing children an opportunity to experience first-hand performing and visual arts. Children can channel their inner artist at the sand art station, build art structures at the Bricks4Kidz tent, and show their creativity at the Junior League of Shreveport-Bossier’s Artist for a Day tent! The fun doesn’t stop there! Children can become an archaeologist in the mock geological dig; use their imagination in Shreve Memorial Library Land; shop for the perfect ingredients at the Brookshire’s Mini Grocery Store and put their physical health to the test in the Ochsner LSU Health Shreveport obstacle course. And don’t forget about face painting!

Plus, stilt walkers, magicians, and balloon animal artists will be bringing joy to everyone throughout the festival!

Many of the kids’ activities are free with admission, while others may be ticketed or have a nominal fee. Check out all the kids’ activities at redriverrevel.com/rrr/kids-activities.

ADMISSION The Red River Revel Arts Festival officially opens Saturday, October 2nd and runs through Sunday, October 10, 2021. The festival hours will be as follows: Monday-Wednesday 11:00 am -9:00 pm, Thursday- Saturday 11 am -10 pm and Sunday 11:00 am - 7:00 pm.

Admission is $5.00 5:30 p.m. to close Tuesday through Friday, and all-day Saturday and Sunday. Admission is free Monday, October 4th, as well as from 11:00 am to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday through Friday. $10.00 Reveler Passes are available to allow guests access to the festival any day and time. Military and First Responders with a valid ID are free. Children ages 12 and under are free (an adult must accompany children).

Location: Festival Plaza, 101 Crockett Street, Shreveport, Louisiana.

Come join us for Art, Music, Food, and FUN at the 45th Annual Red River Revel!

A huge thanks to our sponsors: Chase Bank, Pepsi Beverages Company, City of Shreveport, Junior League of Shreveport-Bossier, and The Alta & John Franks Foundation.