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BayouLife
ULY IS ALWAYS A BUSY MONTH
for our family. I am lucky to share my birthday with my brother-in-law, Johnny Max Livingston and also my birthday month with Jon Michael and Morgan Livingston, Maré and Barrie Brennan, Jess Cochran, Sam Smith (BIG 40th), Mary Fuglaar, Erin Williams, and AMERICA! Cindy Foust wrote a great column this month for BayouKidz about truly celebrating our nation’s independence and what this holiday actually means. It’s humbling to hear veteran’s stories and know that there are people who gave their lives and continue to sacrifice their lives for our freedom. If you’ve ever crossed the 18th Street overpass, you might have heard the sound of a saxophone in the distance. If you look closely, beyond the concrete and treetops, you might get a glimpse of one former soldier standing under a gazebo playing for pasersby. On page 72, Donald Givens tells Meredith McKinnie about his time in Vietnam and the way his service to our country changed his life. Maré and Martin made the trip to Lake Bruin to meet up with Judi Horton, the owner of The Oxbow Lodge. This charming lake house has a rustic, yet modern feel with all of the amenities a vacation-goer would want. Located in the quaint town of St. Joseph, LA, this lodge will sleep up to 30 people. We are already making plans to go and stay at this gorgeous retreat. See this BayouHome on page 104. A quiet, unassuming mother and grandmother, you’d never suspect she was a player in foreign relations with world superpower China. That is precisely why Nell Calloway is our BayouIcon for July. The granddaughter of General Claire Chennault, it is fitting that Nell is the director of the Chennault Aviation and Military History Museum. See her story on page 116. I met Lou Davenport over a decade ago and from the first time I was introduced, I thought she was captivating. I was excited to read Mary Napoli’s article on this month’s BayouArtist and it seems like she captured her perfectly. Mary describes Lou this way, “Davenport is not your typical southern magnolia of a woman. She is more like the wild, red 6 JULY 2015 | WW W. B AY OU LI FE MAG . CO M
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WW W. B AYO UL I F EM A G . C O M honeysuckle winding its way freely around her front porch. Like the fiery flowers, she is unruly, vibrant, and seemingly unstoppable.” See this article on page 42. On April 25, a 7.8 magnitude earthquake hit the South Asian country of Nepal. For five days, M. Douglas Walton, and his art touring group of 13 other artists and their guide were stranded in a mountain village with little food or water and no amenties. Included in the group were Monroe residents Jan Quiett, Susan and Rudy Miksa. See their story on page 86. I am extremely excited about visiting Monroe’s newest restaurant, The Fat Pelican. Owners Mandi and Chris McKnight are bringing southern-inspired dishes to a delectable new level at their family-owned and operated restaurant. See page 60. We hope you enjoy reading this issue of BayouLife Magazine. Have a great Fouth of July! ~ Cassie Livingston
PUBLISHER Cassie Livingston cassie@bayoulifemag.com EDITOR Maré Brennan mare@bayoulifemag.com STAFF WRITER Michael DeVault michael@bayoulifemag.com ART DIRECTOR Melanie Moffett melanie@bayoulifemag.com ADVERTISING MANAGER Toni Navarro toni@bayoulifemag.com ADVERTISING SALES EXECUTIVE Scarlett Holland scarlett@bayoulifemag.com ADVERTISING SALES EXECUTIVE Ashley Hubenthal ashley@bayoulifemag.com OFFICE MANAGER Ellie Jackson ellie@bayoulifemag.com CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Maré Brennan Dan Chason Kenny Covington Samantha Evans Dr. David Finley Cindy Gist Foust Linda Holyfield Kathryn Joyce Trent Livingston Erin Love Dr. Brent Metts Meredith McKinnie Dr. Timothy Mickel Mary Napoli Analeise Reeves Delia Simpson P. Allen Smith Beatrice A. Tatem Marlen Waters CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Brad Arender Martin G Meyers ON THE COVER Monroe-West Monroe Convention & Visitors Bureau Show Us Your BayouLife Photo Contest WinnerFouth of July Fireworks by Jeremy Thornhill BayouLife Magazine is published and distributed by Redbird Publishing, LLC. Circulation: 12,000 copies monthly. Postal subscriptions ($20) can be ordered online at www.bayoulifemag.com. BayouLife Magazine is not responsible for unsolicited photographs, manuscripts or other materials. Reproduction of contents without express written permission is prohibited.