BayouLife Magazine June 2020

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20 20 / BAYOU EATS In The Spirit Of The Most Active Time Of Year, We Came Up With A Must-Eat Checklist

JUNE 2020

34 / BAYOU DRINKS This Refreshing Blackberry Mojito Is The Perfect Cocktail For Summer Weather 52 / NOBLE ART Joni Noble’s Art Has Often Been Inspired By Her Travels Teaching And Creating Abroad 64 / JOYFUL SOUL The First Word People Think Of When They Meet TJ Stevenson Is “Joy.” This Is Why TJ Is This Month’s BayouIcon

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74 / MASON HOWARD Mason Howard Will Tell People He’s Been Performing For About Seven Years, But His First Paid Gig Was Actually When He Was Eight 86 / SUSTAINABLE LIVING With The Assistance Of Local Experts, BayouLife Offers These Sustainable Living “First Steps” That Can Ensure Our State’s Natural Resources Remain Healthy And Thriving

102 / SUCCULENTS If The Quarantine Found You Realizing That Your Thumb May Actually Be Black Instead Of Green, We Have The Perfect Solution To Get You Gardening Again, Succulents

A P R I L 2 0 1 8110 / ALL COOPED UP

100 / BAYOU WEDDING Kayla Leann Edwards And Logan Murry Exchanged Marriage Vows On Saturday, February 22, 2020

Two Photographers And Friends Playing Dress Up In Great Summer Pieces Make A Great Editorial For This Month’s Fashion Shoot 120 / DAY TRIPS It Seems Like Everyone Has A Little Cabin Fever These Days, And We’ve Got The Perfect Cure – Socially Distanced Day Trips

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am more than happy to say “we’re back.” Last month was our first time to publish an online edition, and while we had the liberty of not having to restrain our page count, we are so happy to return to print.

If you missed the May issue of BayouLife Magazine, you can always visit our website at bayoulifemag.com. Just click on the issuu link and you will be directed right to it. In fact, if you click on previous issues, all of our printed issues are available to read online in the same format that you would see them here.

During Easter, our area suffered a terrible loss from a devastating tornado.

People were without power, food and a roof over their heads. Thankfully, our community rallied and stood in unity to take care of those most severly affected.

One person, in particular, was at the forefront of this ministry of kindness – but, it wasn’t something new to her.

As the unofficial Mayor of Adams Street, T.J. Stevenson not only cooked for neighbors but went door to door to find out what her neighbors needed besides food. As a result, in May her tables also held toilet paper, toiletries, and other personal needs that her neighbors were no longer able to get. T.J. divides her time advocating for children and her community, operating a cleaning service and running L.O.L.A.’s (“Living Our Lives Abundantly”) serving Fresh Fruit Blasts and the “Best Chicken Salad This Side of Glory”. Because of her unwavering optimism about life and her lifetime of unselfish giving, T.J. Stevenson is our June BayouIcon. Read her story on page 64.

Longtime friends and neighbors Kelly Moore Clark and Heather Land collide in this month’s fashion editorial pages. Inspired, instead of discouraged, by the stay-at-home days of the last few months, they found themselves using the beaten path between their homes more than usual with extended brainstorming on a little fresh take for BayouLife’s June issue - coming back to print. The story? Just a few girls at

heart, cleaning out the closet, making new outfits and playing a bit of dress up in the midst of the mundane. This is something most women, of all ages, can relate to. Who doesn’t love to crank up some good music and make the chores more fun? And a reason to put on a little red lipstick just because… why not?

Not only would the two photographers pair up to shoot, they would also be the models - representing the spirit of 41.

Collaborating with 4 local boutiques for some great summer pieces, the plan was to shoot in Heather’s home and hopefully tell a story that was a bit tongue-n-cheek. A typical editorial shoot takes a village. This one took two. Kelly and Heather spent the day taking dress up to the next level. See these images on page 110.

Local artist Joni Noble is a professor of art who coordinates the art program at the University of Louisiana in Monroe. In her role as a professor, Noble has spent a portion of the last twelve summers teaching and creating art abroad. Although the pandemic has stuttered those plans this summer, Noble looks forward to her next adventure and continuing to make inspired art. Read her article on page 52.

This month will be the last for one of my long-time employee, Amanda Singley. For the last five years I’ve watched as her kids were born and grown, and been a part of so many memories. Knowing that this day was coming has been tough, it’s hard letting friends go, especially the ones that keep you laughing even when they’re in trouble. I’m going to miss you, Amanda.

I know your family will love having you back in their neck-of-the-woods, but you’ll always have a home in NELA and at BayouLife.

Thank you to our advertisers and friends who have made printing possible again. Please remember to shop local. As always, we hope you enjoy reading this issue of BayouLife Magazine.

Cassie

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BayouLife 1201 Royal Avenue Monroe, LA 71201 Phone 318.855.3185

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PUBLISHER & OWNER Cassie Livingston cassie@bayoulifemag.com GENERAL MANAGER Ashley Hubenthal ashley@bayoulifemag.com COPY EDITOR Cindy Foust GRAPHIC DESIGNER Meagan Russell meagan@bayoulifemag.com ADVERTISING SALES EXECUTIVE Amanda Singley amanda@bayoulifemag.com ADVERTISING SALES EXECUTIVE Katelyn Tolbert katelyn@bayoulifemag.com ART DIRECTOR Taylor Bennett CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Steven Atchison, MD Dan Chason Laura W. Clark Kenny Covington Shannon Dahlum Lou Davenport Cindy Gist Foust Lori French Kerry Heafner April Clark Honaker Paul Lipe Erin Love

Meredith McKinnie Dr. Timothy Mickel Guy Miller J. Preston Parry Georgiann Potts Cathi French-Roberts Dr. Scott Shelby Delia Simpson Beatrice A. Tatem Julie and Heber Tuft Vanelis Rivera

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Andrew Bailey Kelly Moore Clark Heather Land ON THE COVER Clark girls fishing at Lincoln Parish Park BayouLife Magazine is published and distributed by Redbird Publishing, LLC. Postal subscriptions ($30) can be ordered online at www.bayoulifemag.com. BayouLife Magazine is not responsible for unsolicited photographs, manuscripts, or other materials. Opinion columns do not represent the views of the publisher. Reproduction of contents without express written permission is prohibited.

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The Spirit of Giving

St. Francis Medical Center Foundation Coordinates Donations

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HROUGHOUT THE COVID-19 CRISIS, ST. FRANCIS Medical Center team members have worked diligently to provide the best care possible for our patients impacted by this global pandemic. Caring for those who are critically ill and require isolation from their families and loved ones takes an emotional toll on the caregiver, but our dedicated team has more than risen to the challenge. Kayla Johnson, Chief Nursing Officer for St. Francis, stated, “I’ve always known that our clinical team was the best but seeing how they’ve come through this and the care they’ve given our patients suffering from COVID-19 is truly inspiring. Our team members are caring, compassionate, and stronger than ever before. They have pulled together and pushed any personal fears aside to provide the best possible treatment for our patients during a time when they had to be both caregivers and family for them. I am so very proud of our St. Francis team.”

The support our front-line team members have received from the local community and beyond has been uplifting and inspiring to say the very least. Individuals, local businesses, churches, and schools have all stepped forward to help shore the gap in personal protective equipment and supplies, recognize and celebrate our healthcare heroes and offer prayers and any kind of support they could.

Over the last two months, the St. Francis Medical Center Foundation has worked continuously with donors and the hospital’s materials management team and department heads to coordinate and distribute donations where they were most needed in the hospital.

“As we continue to navigate through these uncertain times, I am constantly reminded of the good that remains. The outpouring of kindness and compassion has been amazing and a true blessing.

We are so grateful for our community’s support,” said Aimee Kane, Vice President of Business Development & Strategy and Foundation President.

Sewing groups and concerned individuals lovingly crafted handmade masks for our patients and team members with care sewn into every stitch. Students and business owners repurposed their 3-D printers and even manufacturing equipment to produce ear tension guards and much-needed face shields. Medical and dental offices, nail salons, and other businesses donated their personal inventories of masks, gloves, hand sanitizer, equipment, and supplies to ensure that 8 JUNE 2020 | WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM

our clinical team caring for those affected by the virus had what they needed to keep themselves and their patients safe. Other individuals held supply drives to “raise” items that were in short supply, so they could, in turn, donate them to St. Francis. The list goes on and on.

We’ve also been amazed by the generous businesses and restaurants that have reached out to provide meals or snacks for our team members during a time when many of them have had to remain closed to the public or faced significant challenges of their own. Throughout this difficult time, their donations have been such a blessing.

To date, over 245 individuals, businesses, schools, and churches have donated supplies, equipment, and meals valued at more than $121,535! Just a few highlights are:

• 319,012 Gloves

• 8,166 Procedural/Surgical Masks

• 6,611 Meals

• 3,325 Face Shields

• 2,837 N95 Masks and Respirators

• 1,315 Handmade Masks

• 1,512 Caps, Gowns, Scrubs, Goggles

In addition to all of this, we will be announcing a very special donation on Tuesday, June 2, 2020. We look forward to telling you all about it in the next issue so stay tuned.

It’s difficult to fully express appreciation when there just aren’t enough words to adequately describe it. We will have to settle for humbled, amazed, overwhelmed, appreciative, and touched. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts. St. Francis cares for you because you care for us, and we are truly #Thankful.

To see a list of those who have donated, please visit stfran.com/ ways-to-give/covid19-donations. If you are interested in donating call the St. Francis Foundation at (318) 966-7833 or go to stfran.com/ ways-to-give.

We Wear the Mask Facing the World With a New Perspective

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

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EARING THE MASK MEANS DIFFERENT THINGS TO different people. Wearing the mask has become symbolic of the measures we take to live our lives. We wear the mask as a mandate, for safety and protection, for our well-being, out of respect for self and others. For some it suggests prevention, advocacy and the ability to exercise control during a time when so much seems out of our control. Others have described the mask as a barrier impeding their need to read lips while others report the fear of mistaken identity.

Many have discussed the impact it has on communication and the need to pay closer attention to other’s eyes to determine if looks are of friendliness and acceptance or glances of mistrust and avoidance.

For others wearing the mask provides a sense of comfort while facing the world we once knew with a new perspective. Masks come in a variety of sizes, styles, colors and designs. They project images of our favorite sports team, superhero or alma mater (my favorite has been my friend’s three year old’s Hello Kitty mask) and reflect our personalities, social, religious and political views.

“We Wear the Mask” is the title of a poem written by Paul Lawrence Dunbar. The mask in the poem refers to people hiding their true feelings behind a false expression. Influenced by the implications of this poem, I frequently use the phrase “we wear the mask” in reference to how often we hide depression, anxiety, stress and in general our emotions. I consider this phrase applicable as to how society responds to the coronavirus outbreak and its impact on the nation’s mental health.

How long do we wear the mask? What are we thinking and feeling behind the mask? At the time of my writing this article it is May (May is mental health awareness month) and the nation is several months into the battle against the coronavirus. It is also the eve of the first phase of the ban being eased in the state of Louisiana. This article is written from a personal and professional perspective inspired by family, friends, colleagues and clients fighting COVID-19 as essential workers and in some cases as survivors. COVID-19 has rocked the world we thought we knew. After weeks of being quarantined and longing to take back our lives there is the question of society being ready and the existence of back-to-work anxiety, short falls in testing, retail reopenings, political divisiveness, issues about wearing a mask, food

shortages, rising prices and the debate about opening the economy.

Physical distancing is commonplace as we eagerly anticipate the magical time when things will be back to normal. Under the cloud of COVID-19 in hopes of brighter times many have celebrated birthdays, recognized graduates with car parades, attended virtual religious services and witnessed the births of babies. Whereas, I readily admit few people have sought my counsel in direct response to COVID-19, I am equally as quick to say that the presence of the virus has amplified and inflated the pre-existing day-to-day stress, anxiety, fear, confusion and depression many felt prior to the crisis. With the pressures of the pandemic, daily reports of the incidence of the virus, our emotional reaction to hearing tolls I am unapologetically concerned about societies’ need for mental health care.

Keeping calm in this ever-changing world is a common goal.

With the world facing so much uncertainty, it is not unheard of to feel tired, bored and overwhelmed. Although the world seems at times to be awry we can experience calm while protecting our mental health.

Embrace the unknown. We can be down about the unpredictable changes associated with COVID-19 and live in anxiety or we can recognize the good and appreciate the differences that are positive.

The world has slowed down; celebrate slowing down. Reframe the concept of quarantine as quality time to get to know your inner self better. This is also a great time to address your needs. Staying home does not mean social isolation; avoid isolating yourself for long periods of time as it can lead to feeling down and being emotionally sluggish.

Take up a new DIY project and change your home environment.

These are emotionally challenging times; if you struggle with a way to process difficult emotions and experiences, journal your way to calm.

Redefine your self-care. Emphasis is being placed on the impact of COVID-19 on our physical health, let us not forget the impact it has on our mental health. Nurture your mental health because it deserves attention. Be selective as to what and who you listen to; know your emotional limits; when inundated with information about the virus or just take a break. You can also stay active and keep moving; doing nothing over time makes it hard to do something. Engage in outdoor activities sensibly, soak up the sun and boost your mood. (continued on page 91)

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PRESTO PESTO

This classic pesto recipes combines fresh basil leaves, pine nuts, Parmesan cheese, extra virgin olive oil, salt and pepper for a delicious sauce or spread.

Photograph by KELLY MOORE CLARK Styling by TAYLOR BENNETT

WHAT YOU’LL NEED: 2 cups of fresh basil leaves 1/2 cup grated Parmesan 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil 1/4 cup pine nuts 2-3 garlic cloves, minced 1/2 teaspoon salt black pepper to taste

Place basil leaves and pine nuts into the food processor and pulse. Add garlic and Parmesan and pulse several more times, making sure to scrape the sides.While processor is running, slowly add in olive oil. Add salt and pepper to taste.

Alumni Spotlight ULM Alumna: Alberta Brown Green

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LBERTA BROWN GREEN ALWAYS KNEW HER PURPOSE was to impact, inspire, and change the lives of people. As a child, she served as a mediator, problem solver, and counselor on the playground. At home, you would find her creating and inventing items to better the lives of others – she was an entrepreneur before she knew what the word meant. Alberta is currently the CEO of ABG Professional Development Solutions where she provides Organizational Effectiveness, Professional Training and Development, Executive Coaching, and Mental Health Counseling.

Alberta was introduced to ULM through her love of music.

Throughout elementary, middle school, and high school, she attended ULM sponsored band camps, competitions, and events. Her senior year, she won 7th place in a national clarinetist competition. Her academic and musical accomplishments lead to numerous scholarship offers at several collegiate institutions. However, she chose ULM due to the close relationships she formed with the music faculty and familiarity with the college campus.

Alberta graduated from Ouachita Parish Highschool in 1997 and began ULM on a full music scholarship. She majored in Biology Premed, determined to fulfill her parents’ desire for her to become a medical doctor. She loved the major but unfortunately, it was not in her heart. After changing her major several times, she sought counsel from her favorite college professor, Dr. Davis Pritchett, the head of the Biology Department. Seeing her distress, he stated, “Alberta, I know you feel like you are not winning at the moment because you don’t know what you want to do in life. However, when you figure it out, you will be great!”

Dr. Pritchett’s encouragement and guidance gave her the assurance she needed to change her major for the last time.

Alberta formed several close relationships with professors such as Sharon Roach, Dr. Ruth Smith, and Dr. Steven Pederson. These mentors helped mold her into a strong, confident, and well-educated woman.

Alberta was also a prominent fixture in campus life. A member of Marching Band, Wind Ensemble, and Orchestra, Alberta continued pursuing music. She also was involved in the Union Board, organizing on-campus events; Drama Club, performed in the play “Little Shop Of Horrors,” Mortar Board for her academic success; and Prep Staff. She dove into campus life, diversifying her resume. She pledged Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc., also and learned the value of leadership, sisterhood and service. Alberta was heavily involved in extracurricular campus life activities and it has served her well.

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Alberta earned her Bachelor’s Degree in General Studies in 03 and her Masters Degree in Mental Health/Career Counseling in 09, both from ULM. Alberta is currently pursuing her PhD in Human Capital Development at the University of Southern Mississippi. In between degrees, Alberta worked various positions, always accumulating more skills. Alberta previously served as the VP of Organizational Strategy and IT Initiatives for NLEP, as a Lead Organizational Effectiveness Consultant for CenturyLink, and served as the Director of Career Connections at ULM. The layers of knowledge Alberta gained from working in different industries over the span of 20 years prepared her to confidently step out six years ago to be her own boss, the CEO of ABG Professional Development Solutions. In 2019, Alberta received the Thomas H. Scott Award of Excellence for Small Businesses, and the “Women in Business Excellence Award” for the Louisiana Cluster I of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. In 2018, she received the James M. Shipp Young Business Leadership Award. In 2015, Alberta was named “Rising Young Alumni” at the University of Louisiana at Monroe. Alberta also received the “Top 20 under 40” Award for North Louisiana.

Alberta and her love, Toby Green, have been married 20 years this October. Their two sons, Toby Jr. and Jacob will both attend Ouachita Parish High School in August as a senior and freshman. Alberta’s husband is a 1999 ULM graduate in Business Administration. Alberta and Toby acknowledge the emphasis that higher learning has had on their lives. ULM is a strong economic force for the community they call home. Alberta currently serves as the President of CYC Board and is a member of the ULM Foundation Board, The Living Well Foundation Board, the ULM Women Symposium Board, and the United Way of North LA Board. Alberta and her husband are Lifetime Legacy Members of the ULM Alumni Association and believe in giving back to the university that has given so much to them. Alberta is forever grateful for the mentors who helped light her path and the educational background that has equipped her for professional success.

The ULM Alumni Association reaches, connects and celebrates alumni and friends to build lifelong relationships, and commit to the university’s missions of academic freedom, scholarship, diversity, excellence, integrity and service. We represent alumni who honor the traditions of our university and who share a sense of achievement and pride. We create a network of professionals, establish scholarships and advocate for our University through community engagement.

Members of the Alumni Association support countless initiatives, and annual memberships are just $35. To learn more or to become a member, please visit our new alumni network at ulm.edu/alumni.

MONROE’S NOT SO REGIONAL AIRPORT Historical Impressions

b y G u y M i l l e r, V i c e C h a i r E m e r i t u s , C h e n n a u l t Av i a t i o n a n d M i l i t a r y M u s e u m

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ake the occasion to go to the Monroe Regional Airport for travel or at least to pick up or drop off visitors. What has always surprised me is there are a lot of local folks who don’t realize how much important history of our nation occurred at the airport location. Monroe’s airport, originally known as Selman Airport or Selman Field, is the birthplace of one of the world’s largest airlines and also was once America’s only complete navigation school for the Army Air Forces.

In the 1920s and 1930s Selman Airport was a small civil airport. It was named after a Navy pilot, Lieutenant Augustus J. Selman, a native of Monroe who was killed on November 28, 1921, when his plane crashed into the ocean near Norfolk, Virginia. By the summer of 1925 Selman was home to a small crop dusting operation called Huff Daland Dusters. In 1928 this company changed its name to Delta Air Service. In June 1929 Delta Air Service began flying five-passenger aircraft from Dallas, Texas to Jackson, Mississippi with stops in Shreveport and Monroe. Within a year Delta’s route had expanded eastward to Atlanta, the fastestgrowing city in the South, and westward to Fort Worth, Texas. After some setbacks and recovery, Delta Air Service became Delta Air Lines in 1934 and kept growing into the Atlanta-based powerhouse it is today.

In 1939, Northeast Junior College (now the University of Louisiana at Monroe) became one of 404 colleges to participate in the Civilian Pilot Training Program. This program was created to establish a pool of trained pilots in case the American military had a immediate need for pilots at some future date. Classroom instruction was given on campus and flight instruction was given at Selman Field. When war did come in December 1941, Selman was well positioned for its new role.

Construction of Selman Army Airfield

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began on June 15, 1942 and the base was in full operation three months later. Of the hundreds of fields that were operated by the Army Air Forces, only at Selman could an aviation cadet stay at one location and complete his pre-flight and advanced training and receive both his commission and navigator’s wings. Over 15,000 navigators trained at Selman Field and went on to fly in every theatre of operation during World War II. In fact three out of four heavy bomber navigators who few in the war were Selman alumni. Possibly the most famous of the Selman Field navigation trainers was Theodore “Dutch” Van Kirk. Van Kirk later served as the navigator for the Enola Gay, the plane that dropped the atomic bomb on Hiroshima.

The USAAF administered six phases of instruction at Selman Army Airfield including: • USAAF Instructors School For Navigators, • Pre-flight School for Cadets, • Advanced Navigation School for Cadets, • Bombardier Replacement Training Program, • Pilot’s Transition Training Program, • Pilot’s Transition Training School, • Combat Crew Continuation Training Program.

A navigation cadet at Selman Field had to know all aspects of navigation in order to determine where he was, where he wanted to go and when he would get there. “Zero Zero” was the navigator’s ultimate objective which meant navigating through hundreds or thousands of miles of space, wind, and weather and hitting a dime-sized objective “on the nose” at the precise second you said you would.

Among the interesting facts from Selman’s history is the location of the current Waterfront Grill was the restaurant serving Selman Airport, and many Hollywood stars such as John Wayne ate there during travel stops. This restaurant became the Non-

commissioned Officers Club during the war.

Also, on April 27, 1943, Bob Hope and his company performed three shows at Selman Field, followed by a bond rally at Neville High School that helped raise more than $1 million in war bonds. The Selman Field base was also the wartime home of the Monroe Little Theatre. Then-famous Hollywood star Shelley Winters performed at the Little Theatre when her husband was attending the navigator school.

The 15,349 navigation personnel who trained at Selman Field served our country with skill and courage. Sadly, approximately 10% of the Selman graduates lost their lives in wartime service.

Navigator training at Selman ended on September 1, 1945. Selman Field was then used as a separation center for returning overseas personnel. By mid-December 1945, the last of the Monroe-based training aircraft were flown to reclamation centers for sale or for scrapping. In early July 1946, Selman received orders from Air Training Command to shut down operations. The airport was returned to civil control on July 31, 1946.

If you visit the Monroe Regional Airport today you will find outside facing the main entrance a large memorial to the navigators who gave the lives in service to our country.

Inside the airport in the far northwest corner the Chennault Museum has a small room with a Selman Field exhibit. At the main museum location at Kansas Lane and Central Avenue there are lots of memorabilia related to Selman Airport, Delta Airlines and the Selman Army Airfield navigator school. In fact the museum is housed in the only remaining World War II era classroom building that was used by the navigation cadets.

The Chennault Aviation and Military Museum is normally open Tuesday through Saturday from 9 until 4. During these unusual times call 318-362-5540 to be sure.

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Bayou Eats

IN THE SPIRIT OF THE MOST ACTIVE TIME OF YEAR, WE CAME UP WITH A MUST-EAT CHECKLIST SURE TO COMPLIMENT THE LAZY DRIFTING DAYS OF SUMMER.

FOR HIS TEMPLE FAMILY FOODS The Kale Power Salad features fresh kale tossed in their house-made Maple Lemon Vinaigrette, and topped with chopped pecans and dried cranberries.

Summer Staples ARTICLE BY VANELIS RIVERA PHOTOGRAPHY BY KELLY MOORE CLARK ST YLING BY TAYLOR BENNETT

FOR FIFTEEN YEARS, Deborah Callaway’s snowball and ice cream stand has served as an oasis for the parched, sweet-seeking, and nostalgic. Callaway runs a tight operation, five-star general style. “We do not close,” she affirms, boasting that the only day of the year you’ll find an empty stand is on Christmas. Her workers like Santa’s elves toil as tirelessly as she does, cranking out their iced treats about every ten to fifteen minutes, particularly during peak hours. “I mean, it just never stops,” she says. When BayouLife food stylist Taylor Bennett reached the establishment, he was met with a line that reached the road. It’s hard to believe a small stand could pull the numbers they do, but it’s not an exaggeration. “I should have come on a cooler day,” he joked.

With about sixty-five snowball flavors, it’s hard to choose. Stick to a simple favorite like strawberry, bubblegum, greenapple, blue raspberry, peach, or piña colada? Or venture into their more eccentric flavors like Frog in a Blender, Swamp Water, or Alligator Blood? Either way, you can’t go wrong because at Debbie’s there’s no cutting corners. She takes her product seriously, making fresh syrup daily and using all the sugar necessary to keep the right consistency befitting a proper snowball.

Though not part of the establishment’s label, Debbie’s ice cream is a huge hit.

Their ice cream is made from scratch! At times, you may notice the thousand-pound stacks of sugar they get every three days from Brookshires. Three industry-standard electro-freeze ice cream machines make it easy to meet orders for her in-high-demand flavors. Her distributor from New Orleans informed her she’s the only one in the state with three machines of that caliber. There are five varieties of current flavors, but we highly recommend starting with blackberry or strawberry. Both are made with fresh berries! Callaway recounts her blackberry distributor in Alabama being stunned at the amount of berries he was selling, asking “Where are all these blackberries going?”

He’d be delighted to know they are going into one of the most flavorful and refreshing ice creams in Northeast Louisiana.

D E B B I E ’ S S N OW B A L L S

With about sixty-five snowball flavors, it’s hard to choose.

And, if a snowball isn’t your favorite summer sweet, make sure to taste their ice cream made from scratch.

Though a small operation compared to most, Callaway and her girls go above the call of duty seven days a week between 12 PM and 7 PM. Whether you order from the drive-thru or treat ya’ self on their picnic tables, show them some love because that’s what they’re serving to customers on the daily.

DA I LY H A RV E S T SA N DW I C H E S

The name alone promises fresh and nutritious food items, both of which this Monroe staple delivers. Breakfast items, raw juices, smoothies, baked goods, sandwiches, salads, and wraps; though the options are bountiful, they are piling the finest ingredients into hearty, healthy, and delicious sandwich combinations, perfect for an outdoor picnic or a quick bite between

running errands.

Their bestseller is the Chicken Salad Sandwich, a recipe inherited from the original owners who opened around 2004.

It’s made with locally sourced pecans, red grapes, their “secret sauce,” and served on their in-house cranberry pecan bread.

Right behind at a very close second is the Smothered Chicken Sandwich--loaded with savory chicken, premium bacon, sautéed onions and mushrooms, drizzled with their chipotle mayo dressing, and served on a marbled pumpernickel bread. “Most people can only eat half of it,” owner Jacob Rennick playfully informs. Patrons can’t go wrong with the club sandwich as Daily Harvest deli meats are hormone and preservative free and sliced on-site, guaranteeing fresh, thick slices on every sandwich. Try their WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | JUNE 2020 21

DA I LY H A RV E S T The Smothered Chicken Sandwich is loaded with savory chicken, premium bacon, sautĂŠed onions and mushrooms, drizzled with their chipotle mayo dressing, and served on a marbled pumpernickel bread.

Whether you’re needing to cool off with a snowball, keep charged with a sandwich, switch it up with a salad, or top off your day with a light wine, these local must-visit eateries should have you covered for all your summer cravings.

Club Trio to see for yourself--generous portions of turkey, ham, and thick bacon slices, tomato and fresh greens, best on their in-house harvest wheat bread made with freshly ground wheat. On the wraps side the Grilled Chicken is their number one--premium grilled chicken, fresh spinach, melted cheddar and mozzarella cheese with vidalia onion dressing. Spruce up any sandwich or wrap by adding avocado slices or goat cheese, a unique and delightful option. On that keto kick? No problem. Ask for their Naked Turkey Burger or Naked Black Bean Burger--turkey burger made in-house or the vegetarian version of their turkey patty on a bed of spinach, topped with tomato, fresh avocado, purple onion, and served with a side of in-house made ranch dressing.

Enjoy any of their signature sandwiches or wraps with a side of fruit, pasta salad, chips, or cookie. Before you second guess going the sweet tooth route, just know Daily Harvest cookies aren’t your average sugar-flour treat. Not only are they massive and hearty, but they use the wheat they grind in-house on their cookies, as well as using sucanat, a more raw sugar with higher molasses content that gives their cookies a more complex flavor, and even makes them more nutritious than those made with fine sugar. Finish off your Harvest meal with any of their lactose-friendly kefir smoothies (full of vitamins and probiotics), made with their own kefir or any of their 100% fresh raw juices, served fresh to order. Get your daily dose of Daily Harvest all summer long.

WA S H I N G TO N W I N E & S P I R I T S

“When you think about summer, you think about a gorgeous day, being outside,” says Erica Hearn, one of the establishment’s spirits guide, adding “we also have so much to celebrate during the summer months.” For this reason, she suggests choosing a wine on the economic side, one that provides quantity as well as quality. That’s where Washington Wine & Spirits can best serve you. The wines that are usually appropriate for hot weather are light and crisp whites that “make you feel refreshed and relaxed,” she says. Her top picks include: ● Sauvignon blanc: Crisp and bright, it reminds Hearn of a freshly mowed yard. With citrus notes, and a little melon, she recommends Sand Point from California. ● Rosé: Always a fine wine to drink casually with friends or at a nice dinner, Washington Wine & Spirits has plenty of options, but Hearn’s current obsession is sure to turn heads. “This rosé, oh my gosh, I love this rosé,” she beams, referring to Hampton Water. Made by *drum roll* Jon Bon Jovi and his son, with the help of well-known French wine maker Gerard Bertrand, this wine is light but has a sweet oakiness with rosey floral notes. ● Spanish white wine: “You get a lot for your money right here,” says Hearn, referring to the liter bottle they carry. Taste-wise, it’s similar to a sauvignon, but carries more depth of flavor. “If you just got done exercising and you want to treat yourself, this is what I would do. Go for the Gulp!” ● Champagne: Affordable and made for celebrations, champagnes make a great cocktail mixer or served alone with fresh berries. Her choice, Saint Hilaire Brut, has creamy apple and bright citrus notes with a zesty lemon finish for the pop of flavor.

The Washington Wine & Spirits team often gets the opportunity to try wines when they come in, so they stand by their stock and encourage you to branch out, try their recommendations, and let them help you find a revitalizing elixir you’ll truly enjoy.

FO R H I S T E M PLE SA L A D S

For His Temple Family Foods has made the teaching from 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 the foundation of their business-- ”Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.” They aim to serve the community great tasting, nutrient dense food, devoid of chemicals and toxins. Restaurant, health food store, and a great source educating about clean eating, this is our summer stop for fresh salads.

Choosing to cook using seasonal bounty as much as possible, they don’t have a set bill of fare. Every week their menu changes, which allows their clientele to await in eager anticipation their inspired kitchen staff’s newest creations. Currently they’re offering two power-packed salads. The Rainbow Garden Salad which consists of a variety of greens, including microgreens from Wall Greens Farm & Seed, tossed with tomatoes, cucumbers, and other seasonal veggies, and topped with your choice of their housemade dairy free Ranch or Maple Lemon Vinaigrette. Another energizer is the Kale Power Salad, which is fresh kale tossed in their house-made Maple Lemon Vinaigrette, and topped with chopped pecans and dried cranberries. Sourcing locally when they can for most of their meals, they are soon going to partner with DeLa Terre Farm for fresh produce, sure to result in more delicious salad creations.

It’s worth the effort to find this tucked away gem on Wood Street in West Monroe in order to indulge in a menu crafted with organic ingredients and the care and attention that our temples deserve.

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Striving To Keep Guests Safe Rain The Salon and Day Spa Reopens with Added Measures and Procedures

L

IKE MANY LOCAL BUSINESSES, RAIN WAS FORCED to close their doors on Saturday, March 21st due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Those doors stay closed for nearly two months until they reopened on Saturday, May 16th. During that time, the team at Rain had to cancel nearly 2,000 appointments. However, during that time, Rain was able to retain all of their team members. “We are very fortunate to be able to keep our entire staff, which is very important to us,” said Holly McCready, owner/stylist.

In order to open the doors in Phase One, Rain has gone above and beyond to ensure the safest environment for their guests. They have added extra measures to meet and exceed the guidelines set by the Louisiana State Barber Board, the Center for Disease Control and the State Fire Marshall. One of the biggest changes is the fact that they have expanded into the open space located directly next to the salon. “The space next to us recently became available and it worked out where we could move some of our stations over there, add sinks and create a similar space that our guests are used to,” explained Holly. “This allows us to meet the necessary space requirements between the stations. If we had not done this, we would have been able to serve only one guest at a time or have half of our team working at a time. We did everything we could to meet our guests needs and keep our entire team working and we are so grateful to be able to do that.” When guests check in, a team member will greet them and walk them over to the next door space if that’s where their service provider is. “While there are measures and new policies in place, we hope that our guests will still feel the Rain experience that they have come to know and love over the past 16 years,” said Holly.

Another system Rain has put in place is installing Reme Halo air purifiers into their AC units. This system is designed to recreate the natural way the environment removes impurities in outside air. It does this by sending out ionized hydro-peroxides into the space, attacking microbes like bacteria, viruses and mold spores. It also destroys impurities like VOCs, chemicals and odors in every cubic foot of air in the building at the same time. This system has been used in medical facilities and long term care facilities. In fact, public schools that have installed this system have seen a documented 15 percent decrease in absentee rates because students aren’t out as much with illness and allergy issues. This system is the only product laboratory tested and proven to reduce the germs in a sneeze by 98 percent before they travel three feet. This air purification system was certainly not required to re-

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open, it is just another way Rain wanted to ensure the safety of their guests and team members. Rain has also added contactless pay options with Apple and Google Pay, added touchless soap and towel dispensers in all bathrooms, placed hand sanitizers throughout the salon and provides a complimentary face mask to any guests that needs one.

“We understand this time has been tough on everyone and we want to thank our guests for their incredible patience, generosity and encouragement,” said Holly. “Our guests have checked on us, sent us texts, sent gifts and food, we are truly grateful. This may be overused, but it is true - we are all in this together and we will get through this together!”

Rain The Salon and Day Spa is located on Desiard Street in the heart of downtown Monroe. And while they have never experienced a global pandemic before, the team members are experts in what they do.

They complete continuing education and classes throughout the year to make sure they are up to date on the latest styles and techniques; knowing techniques is only part of the process. They are also there to make everyone who walks in the door feel great. You are always greeted with a smile and treated well. Whether you are coming for a quick trim or want to get the latest color trend, you will walk away happy. Rain is locally owned and operated by owners Holly and James McCready and has a team with years of experience and training. In fact, some team members have been at Rain for over a decade! This speaks to the salon’s professionalism, dedication and commitment to the community.

Rain carries Paul Mitchell products as well as Oribe. Oribe is the eponymous product line from one of the most influential hairdressers of all time, defines luxury in hair care. Combining over 30 years of styling heritage at the top of the editorial and salon worlds with old-world craftsmanship and cutting-edge innovation from the most sought-after beauty artisans, the Oribe line delivers the highest possible levels of performance and sophistication. Beautiful in function and form alike, this line is for taste-driven individuals who know that personal style is the ultimate luxury.

Rain is open Tuesday through Saturday. You can find them on Facebook, Instagram and check out their website for more information.

They even have an app available on iTunes and Google Play where you can book online, see what’s new and stay up to date with all things Rain!

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STORING HERBS If you’ve been buying or planting fresh herbs, you may have found them wilting sooner than you were able to use them. We’ve asked a few experts to guide us in the best ways to preserve our summer bounty.

FRESH ROSEMARY: Fresh rosemary is one of the easiest herbs to store. Simply wash and dry leaves and stems completely before putting them in an airtight container.

Make sure to get as much air as you can from the container and then place in the freezer. It should last for several weeks.

Photograph by KELLY MOORE CLARK Styling by TAYLOR BENNETT

OREGANO AND THYME: Like all herbs, make sure stems and leaves are dry. Moisten a towel with water so that it is damp and them wrap it loosely around herbs. Put the bundle in an airtight container. This should keep wiry stemmed herbs fresh for around two weeks.

FRESH BASIL: Cut basil stems and put in a glass filled partially with water, making sure not to get leaves in the water. Because of its aversion to cold, it’s best to leave it out on countertop.

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PARSLEY, CILANTRO OR MINT For herbs with soft stems, it’s best to store them like you would fresh flowers. Cut a small bit off of the stems and make sure to dry completely. Fill a glass partially with water and put the stems in the glass making sure no leaves are caught underwater.

Put the bundles in the refrigerator. *This also works well with dill.

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H OW TO H A N D L E YO U R S E N T I M E N TA L C LU T T E R

O

by ERIN SHARPLIN LOVE | erinlove@panachebyerin.com

ne of the main hurdles I help my clients overcome is how to handle the sentimental clutter that has accumulated.

This delicate issue is definitely a hard part of my job because I know and understand some of these items are family heirlooms or they are things that hold special memories. These feelings are held deep in our hearts and can bring a flood of emotions. For most of us, the heart speaks A LOT louder than our brains, and that is where the fight comes in. What do I do? That is the question I hope to help you answer with this article. Below are a few things I want you to understand before I get into my tips for handling your sentimental clutter:

1. Understand that you DO NOT have to get rid of everything! I will be offering ideas on how you can keep the most important items in ways that make them useful and/or visible.

2. Begin subscribing to the belief that each item doesn’t actually hold the memory. It is inside of you and will be forever.

3. The process will be difficult at first, but once you realize that the memory is not lost once the item has been released from your home, there will be a sudden rush of inspiration and determination. That is where you should stay.

4. If you already know that you have an issue with sentimental clutter, take the process slowly or you will fizzle out quickly. If you become frustrated, physically upset, or angry, take a break and start again at a later date.

With that out of the way, I would like to give you a few tips on how you can handle your sentimental clutter:

FIRST AND FOREMOST, YOU MUST BE ABLE TO ENJOY THE ITEM FOR IT TO BE ADDED TO THE KEEP PILE! In other words, I don’t like to recommend a client keep an item if it is stored in a cardboard box.

Cardboard will not protect items for the long term, and they are also often forgotten and left to rot and ruin. If an item is in the keep pile there must be a definitive use and plan for the item. If the item is to be stored, it must be stored properly for preservation.

ASK YOURSELF THREE QUESTIONS. When deciding whether to keep or part with an item, I have found three questions to be helpful – 1. Do I love this item? 2. Do I have a use for this item? 3. Do I have the space for this item? Each question will guide you closer to whether you should hold on to the item or let it go.

RELEASE THE ITEM TO A BETTER HOME. If you decide that it is time to let go, know that you are releasing the item from not serving a purpose to serving a great purpose for someone else. It is always easier

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to let go of something when you know that someone loves it and will use it more than you did.

REPURPOSE THE ITEM. I can give you unique ideas where this tip is concerned. For instance, my grandmother had an old sewing machine that I repurposed into a console table. It now resides behind my couch and holds other keepsake items that I love. Here are some more ideas – Use an old vase to hold pencils, paintbrushes, or cooking utensils. Use an old rotary phone as decoration in a home office. Take old t-shirts to a seamstress and have her fashion you a bag or blanket. Turn an old cannister into a light for the garage or storage room. Use an old silver tray as a table centerpiece. Use old books to elevate pictures or tchotchkes on your bookshelves. Have a wood craftsman turn old furniture into bowls, earrings, etc. Use an old chair at a vanity table. Frame an old flower arrangement and add it to your bookshelf.

Repurpose a hanky as a book mark.

There are TONS of ideas that we could bounce off of each other, so if you want to do that, feel free to email me! My contact information is below. The trick is to think outside of the box and make an item useful to you.

TAKE A PICTURE. It will last longer.! I had to throw that little joke in. But really, as I said before, the actual item doesn’t hold the memory; it is just a reminder of the memory. So a picture could serve the same purpose and not take up the room that the item does. Just be sure you put the picture in a frame or a book that you will be able to enjoy.

KNOW THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN GUILT AND SENTIMENTALITY Ask yourself if you are holding onto the item out of guilt or because it really holds a special memory. If you do not really love it, release it to someone who will use and appreciate it.

STORE IT CORRECTLY. There is absolutely no reason to keep an item if you are not going to store it correctly or, furthermore, if you do not have the space to store it correctly. For instance, papers and pictures should be stored in archival quality boxes and bins. The same holds true for clothing and fabric covered items – they should be stored in air-tight containers.

HIRE A PROFESSIONAL. If the decluttering process becomes too much to handle, a professional organizer can help. If you do not have the means to be able to hire one, a friend could serve the same purpose in some instances. However, a professional organizer has the knowledge on how to handle difficult situations better than a friend might.

Always remember that your memories are contained inside of you, and no matter what happens, that memory cannot be taken away by the loss of an object.

Wisdom Teeth Extractions Ensure Your Smile Is Healthy, and Feel Comfortable While You Do It WHAT ARE WISDOM TEETH?

Wisdom teeth, or third molars, are the four permanent adult teeth in the back corners on the top and bottom of the mouth. They are the final permanent teeth to appear in your mouth. Most people get their wisdom teeth in their late teens or early twenties, but this can vary depending on each individual.

WHY SHOULD I CONSULT A DENTIST ABOUT MY WISDOM TEETH?

Many people develop wisdom teeth that are impacted and do not have enough room to grow into the mouth normally. The teeth become enclosed in the soft tissue or jawbone and only partially break through the gum. An impacted wisdom tooth can grow angled towards the back of your mouth or against your other molars. If a wisdom tooth is impacted and does not have room to grow, it can result in infection, pain, or other difficulties, and you will likely need to have it pulled.

WHAT IF MY WISDOM TEETH DON’T HURT?

You should still speak to your dentist about your wisdom teeth even if they are not currently causing pain or other problems. Partially erupted teeth are more likely to experience tooth decay and gum disease because their location and positioning makes brushing and flossing difficult. An unchecked partial eruption allows bacteria to enter around the tooth and cause infection, which can result in swelling, pain, and illness. It is challenging to predict complications with impacted wisdom teeth, and a symptom-free wisdom tooth could still cause difficulties in the future.

HOW WILL I BE SEDATED DURING A WISDOM TOOTH EXTRACTION?

There are a few types of sedation our dentist can use so you won’t feel any pain during your surgery. You and your dentist can discuss which option is best for you and your situation.

Intravenous sedation, or IV sedation, is delivered through a vein in your arm to make you drowsy. IV sedation is an anti-anxiety medication, and the level of sedation can be adjusted to suit your needs.

You will most likely sleep throughout the entire procedure.

An oral sedative is as simple as taking a pill, so it is easier to administer compared to other types of anesthesia. There is no needle involved, and it is just as effective as any other sedation option.

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Oral sedation can be administered to patients who may have some anxieties about IV sedation to reduce their fear and make them more comfortable. There are a variety of single or incremental doses used to help medicate a patient during a dental procedure. These oral medications can help to reduce memory of the sights and smells of the dental office to avoid any discomfort. The sedation allows a more complicated procedure to finish faster and more comfortably for a patient.

IS SEDATION AVAILABLE FOR OTHER DENTAL PROCEDURES? Whether it’s root canal therapy or a routine procedure like a cleaning, IV and oral sedation is an option. Often times, sedation allows patients to have multiple procedures completed in one visit. Thus, cutting down cost and the number of visits to the dentist. We are proud to be one of the few certified dental practices in the area to offer IV Sedation.

START SMILING TODAY

Whether it’s for dental implants or a check up, visiting the dentist is the key to overall good oral health. NELA Dental wants to make that financially easier for our patients. That’s why we offer membership plans to help alleviate the cost of some procedures.

MEMBERSHIP PLANS:

Our “Adult Plan” is designed for patients ages 12 years or older.

The membership includes comprehensive exams, emergency exams, regular cleanings, annual exams, oral cancer screens, bitewing x-rays, 20% off minor and major treatment, 20% off orthodontics (excluding Invisalign), and $99 teeth whitening. The cost is $315 per year.

Our “Child Plan” is designed for patients ages zero to eleven. This membership option includes comprehensive exams, emergency exams, regular cleanings, annual exams, oral cancer screenings, bitewing x-rays, and 20% off minor and major treatments. The cost is $215 per year.

We accept most major dental insurance plans, third-party payments, and offer flexible financing options. Call one of our three convenient locations in Farmerville, Monroe, or Oak Grove to schedule your free consultation. Don’t let anything stand in your way of a great smile this year, contact NELA Dental and Start Smiling Today!

BULK SPICES Spices and seasonings found on the shelves in most grocery stores are usually highly adulterated and beefed up with fillers. Instead of getting the true flavor of an herb that stands on its own, you are getting a lot of unwanted MSGs and poor quality sodium, preservatives and additives.

Oh, and wasted packaging that goes back into the landfills.

Photographs and article by HEATHER LAND

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Order bulk herbs and spices from a trusted company that sources from farmers who grow sustainably and without the use of chemicals and pesticides. Not only will the product be superior, it will also be packaged with the earth in mind. And you will save on costs and trips down the aisle.

Herbs and spices last longest when stored in glass out of direct light.

Gather up old glass jars and some sort of a simple label maker and you are ready to go.

Pink Himalayan Sea salt and cracked pepper are staples, as are garlic, onion, oregano and cinnamon. Try noting the ingredients on some of your favorite blends and create your own. Taking note that the first listed ingredient will be the most and the amounts of each descend from there. Use your tastebuds and instincts to concoct something you love.

Get your little ones to help funnel, label and organize. Kids love this kind of stuff. And it’s a great way to introduce smells and textures and individual ingredients - learning to identify flavors with cultural cuisines.

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BERRY MOJITO

This refreshing blackberry mojito is the perfect cocktail for summer weather. It combines fresh berries with the smooth taste of mint for an easy-to-make drink.

Photograph by KELLY MOORE CLARK Styling by TAYLOR BENNETT

WHAT YOU’LL NEED: 6 fresh blackberries 5 mint leaves 1 1/2 ounces simple syrup 1 1/2 ounces white rum 1 ounce fresh lime juice 1/4 cup soda Garnish with fresh mint and blackberries

Combine mint leaves, blackberries, lime juice and simple syrup in a small cup and mash with a muddler. Stir in soda and white rum, then strain to remove remnants of mint and seeds. Pour into glass and add ice. Garnish with fresh mint sprig and blackberries.

Simply Lou It’s the Little Things

article by LOU DAV E N P ORT

I

admit I got that title from a Robert Earl Keen song, “It’s the little things, the little bitty things.” That’s what “solitary confinement” has been like lately. I’m learning to appreciate those “the little things.”

Which brings me to the “little things, those little bitty things.” In this weird time we find ourselves, I’m laying low.

I’m doing all the “safety precautions” “they” say to do and it’s not too bad. I will admit that I have had a few “19th Nervous Breakdowns” and I guess I would be abnormal if I hadn’t. But, I have also

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discovered some “very good little things” and that’s my topic for today. Hope you like it.

I have discovered that my patio at my new apartment is my haven. I’ve cried out there, I’ve cussed (to myself, not out loud, thank God!) and I’ve thought deep thoughts and come up with new ways of doing old things. I’ve learned to stop doing stuff I was doing BEFORE “the plague” hit and I think I am doing pretty well, all things considered. My dear little dog, Walter, hasn’t let me out of his sight. How thankful I am to have him!

I’ve gotten to know many of my new neighbors as they pass by walking their dogs. I know their names and the names of their dogs. We chat and have gotten to know each other and that probably would not have happened “before.” I even have a bowl of dog treats for the dogs who are now Walter’s friends, too. I even “jerry-rigged” a water bowl with a rock to hold it down from the winds. It’s for all of those that might need a drink on their runs and/or walks. One of my favorite dogs, Mojo, tried to play ball with that rock! I do get to watch “The Mojo Show” every afternoon when his big pointer self gets out in the yard and plays with his kick ball. Everybody seems to have dogs out here and I have fallen in love with every one of them and of course, their mammas and daddies. I feel almost like the den mother since I’m the “crazy old lady with the funky decorated patio.”

But, I am honored to be the den mother.

They are a bunch of great young adults, and they have kept me laughing! It is the best medicine, you know!

I have little green anoles that live on my patio, those little lizards that change color!

I have named the three of them, Hopper, Thomas and Woody. Those names are all plays on the names of famous artists since one of my great joys has been teaching a bit of art appreciation every day on Facebook.

It’s been good for me to brush up on so much of the information about these artists that I had forgotten. I call it my service to the lock down. I love art appreciation and it is something I can safely share. And, I am thrilled to say it’s catching on!

A note about those little anoles. They shed their skins. Right now, Hopper is molting and the skin that has shed is blue.

A beautiful shade of blue, at that!

I’ve seen a beautiful blue dragonfly that seems to visit several times a day.

I’ve murdered red wasps with no guilt whatsoever. I watch a mocking bird find bugs and worms for her babies, wherever

her nest is. I’ve seen an obnoxious squirrel pester all the dogs and just today he was being a high wire artist walking down the top of the fence, a little sparrow stops by who recently had babies hatch across the way at one of the apartments. I’ve seen some of the most beautiful moons sitting right out there in my own little bit of paradise. Three red tailed hawks catch the wind and go sailing along. There’s a white cattle egret that flies by going somewhere.

There’s even a block of ducks, mallards I think, that honk down at us. A white heron flies by at least two or three times a day and I just found out there’s a nest of crows right across the tracks from me. Oh how they caw! And the most exciting birds I’ve seen were a pair of house finches sitting on my bottle tree. I haven’t seen any of them in years!

I am watching all the plants that I transplanted from my former yard prosper in pots and that’s like bringing your old friends to come live with you. And, I’ve gotten excited about learning to use rooting hormone to root my roses. My cuttings of them have all rooted and one has even bloomed.

I’ve had a nice man stop by and give me a bouquet a beautiful wild flowers.

The next day he stopped by with an even prettier bouquet. Now, he stops by on occasion and has a beer while I have an afternoon cocktail. Seems like he paints, too, and he paints very well. Carries on a good conversation, too! This has been almost an unheard of thing for me since not many a man, aside from family, has made me laugh in over ten year. He wears cool hats, too.

So... my point is, if you look, there’s a lot to enjoy, so appreciate “the little things, the little bitty things” right in your own back yard. Stay safe my friends but do not forget to notice all the little miracles that come though your life each and every day.

We only come around once, so, let’s all make it count. I’m over here trying. I do know a good whiskey sour does seem to help. It’s medicinal, you know?

I am going to end this with a lyric by John Prine. I have done some grieving for him out on that patio… His passing was a hard one. So… ”When I get to Heaven…

I’m gonna have a cocktail, vodka and ginger ale. I’m gonna smoke a cigarette 9 miles long. I’m gonna kiss that pretty girl on the tilt a whirl cause this ol man is goin’ to town!” I pray he is doing that and much more. Rest easy, dear one.

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B AT H TEAS

There is nothing like soaking in a hot tub to ease worries and relax the mind and spirit.

Mix the recipes below and fill a muslin tea bag. Drop it in a bath of hot water and let the mixture infuse before taking a dip.

Photograph by KELLY MOORE CLARK Styling by TAYLOR BENNETT

ORANGE YOU AWAKE This mixture is sure to wake you up and get your day going with these uplifting ingredients.

2 tablespoons mint leaves 2 tablespoons dried basil 2 tablespoons dried rosemary Several dried orange peels SWEET BEDTIME Get ready to relax and unwind with this calming bath tea.

2 tablespoons dried lavender 2 tablespoons chamomile flowers 2 tablespoons dried rosemary 3 tablespoons Epsom salts

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ROSY CHEEKS

This blend of almond and rosewater is a great homemade addition to your skincare regimen. Use it as a cleansing cream to gentle remove dirt and hydrate skin.

Photograph by KELLY MOORE CLARK Styling by TAYLOR BENNETT

WHAT YOU’LL NEED: 1/4 cup rosewater 1 tablespoon beeswax 1 tablespoon almond flour 1/4 cup almond oil 2 Vitamin E capsules

Warm the almond oil and beeswax in a double boiler until melted. Remove from heat and break open the capsules and add oil. Mix the oils and slowly add rosewater until mixture turns creamy. Then stir in almond flour and pour mixture into a glass jar. Keep refrigerated and use within a week. *Use a toner after to remove any oily residue.

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Our Office is Open!

Is it Safe to Go?

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OW THAT THE TIME HAS COME AND OUR orthodontics office is reopening, you may be wondering what precautions we are taking to ensure your safety. While the appointment process may look a little different, don’t worry, we have always been on the front lines of preventing the spread of diseases. From treatment and waiting room disinfection to the strict use of personal protective equipment (PPE), the safety of patients and staff members continues to be of utmost importance.

During the COVID-19 crisis and beyond, the safety of patients and staff continues to be a top priority: BEFORE, DURING AND AFTER TREATMENT:

When it comes to preventing the spread of disease, rest assured that our office has always been strict on universal precautions. Precautions have always included the use of masks, glasses, gloves, sterile instruments and devices as well as clean and disinfected environmental surfaces.

Additionally, frequently touched surfaces such as door handles, chairs, desks and bathrooms are cleaned and disinfected often. Other objects that may be difficult to disinfect, such as magazines, reading material and refreshment stations, will be removed all together. Our office also asks that you brush your teeth at home before coming to the office.

THE PROCESS MAY LOOK A LITTLE DIFFERENT:

While your check-in may involve a few extra steps this will help ensure the safety of patients and staff. For instance, our process includes screening and triage questions, waiting in your vehicle versus the waiting room, checking your temperature and asking that you follow social distancing and infection control etiquette. Anyone entering our office is required to wear a face mask. As soon as someone enters our office, we also have them immediately sanitize their hands. Our office recommends against bringing companions to appointments, unless absolutely necessary. If companions do accompany patients, they will also be screened during patient check-in and are required to wear a mask.

During your appointment, you may be asked to use a hydrogen peroxide rinse, which just helps bring down the amount of germs and viruses in the mouth to a lower level. There will be less patients in the office at one time to promote social distancing. Our 3 locations have

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a combined 9 private rooms that we will be using to work on patients for procedures that may generate significant amounts of aerosols. If you have any questions or concerns, our team is available to provide answers.

Rest assured our office will be following any recommended precautions to treat all orthodontic patients safely.

SO WHY CHOOSE TURPIN ORTHODONTICS? Not only are both orthodontists members of the American Association of Orthodontists and graduates of LSU orthodontics two-year orthodontic residency program, but they have also over 37 years of combined practice experience.

Dr. Melannie Turpin is a 2nd generation Board Certified orthodontist by the American Board of Orthodontics and has been continuously carrying on the family business started by Dr. Hoye Grafton, since 1966.

She is proud to be the first female to ever practice orthodontics in all of North Louisiana, since 2001. She has 4 children, all who attend Cedar Creek School, and treats all of her patients like they are her own family.

Dr. Corbin Turpin is a 1st generation orthodontist and also Board Certified. He has been in practice since 2000 and loves his profession, patients and their families.

We feel our team at Turpin Orthodontics is truly the friendliest and best at what they do. Feel free to go check out our awesome online reviews!

We offer the most advanced technology for treatment, including digital 3D x-rays if needed, digital “goo-free” 3D scanning of teeth for optimum patient comfort, and can utilize our in office 3D model printer and digital lab to fabricate any needed appliances or retainers directly from your digital scan. This eliminates the need for any old fashioned and sometimes uncomfortable impressions.

We offer Invisalign for both adults and teens.

Our team is efficient and on time, and if we have all of your correct insurance information, and you or your child are up to date with all dental work, then in some cases, we can start treatment the SAME DAY as your complimentary exam.

Adult’s and children’s initial exams are complimentary. So Mask Up! and give us a call today to experience what Turpin Orthodontics has to offer.

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SUMMER S L AT H ER

This all-purpose slather can be concocted in a variety of ways to top any ole’ summer dish you can dream up. This one is perfect for a slab of fresh wild caught salmon thrown on the grill. Slather it on and bake in the oven, or use it as a chilled sauce with the fish fresh off the grill.Combine with fresh parsley and dill and a season blend that includes garlic and lemon peel for a combination that it is both indulgent and clean.

Photograph and recipe by HEATHER LAND

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WHAT YOU’LL NEED: 1 cup COYO (dairy free coconut yogurt) Handful of fresh herbs Seasoning blend

Mix the COYO (or substitute with sour cream) with a handful of fresh herbs. This recipe has dill, parsley and chives, but cilantro can be substituted for the dill for a Spanish spin. Next add seasoning blend - pink sea salt, cracked pepper, garlic and onion powder, red bell pepper flakes, lemon peel and parsley. Add a bit of cumin, oregano, and even cinnamon for a great taco topping.

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A N ATO M Y o f TO OT H PA S T E Thankfully, we are all at a place where it is easier than ever to live sustainably. Below are step-by-step directions on making your own toothpaste. Make sure to choose a soft bristle brush made of renewable resources that can be composted after use.

Photograph and article by HEATHER LAND

WHAT YOU’LL NEED: 1/2 cup organic unrefined coconut oil 3 tablespoons baking soda 1 1/2 tablespoon finley granulated Xylitol 1 teaspoon activated charcoal 10+ drops peppermint essential oil* Melt coconut oil in glass measuring cup inside simmering sauce pot of water. Stir in remaining ingredients. Fill a repurposed metal tin, glass jar or other small container.

Once oil has begun to set, give another stir to incorporate any settling. Lightly brush soft bristled tootbrush across surface of paste and brush as normal *only use the purest of essential oils intended for internal use from trusted companies

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COCONUT OIL: Pulls impurities and bacteria, helps prevent gum disease and tooth decay, reduces plaque buildup and gives smooth shine surface.

BAKING SODA: Acts as a mouthwash by getting in all the crevices of teeth, gums and tongue, freshening breath with antibacterial/ antimicrobial properties.

XYLITOL: Prevents tooth decay and stops the growth of harmful bacteria on the surface of teeth, and neutralizes the pH in saliva.

ESSENTIAL OIL: PEPPERMINT - it’s cooling properties help to soothe - natural anti-inflammatory fights oral pathogens and kills bacteria.

CLOVE - has strong inhibitory effect on staph.

CINNAMON - antioxidant that inhibits bacteria and fungi.

ACTIVATED CHARCOAL: Helps remove stains from surface - it is antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal and detoxifying.

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Fishing With Kenny

Becoming a Better Angler article by K E N N Y C OV I NGT ON

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ith the ongoing pandemic, it appears that more and more people are spending their time “social distancing” on our area lakes and rivers. The number of people who own boats, fish or just enjoy the outdoors is staggering. Drive to a local boat ramp and you will see what I am talking about.

In the last several years, with the introduction of high school and college fishing, as well as people being introduced to fishing as a result of having little else to do socially, for this month’s Bayou Life article I thought I would share my thoughts and ideas on how to become a better angler. This information isn’t just for the novice angler just starting out or to the young person trying to join their schools fishing team but can be helpful to the seasoned angler as well.

This list will be comprised of things I believe are basic but important aspects of fishing that often get overlooked. While some of my ideas might seem trivial, years of experience have taught me they are more important than you might think. Today’s anglers, especially the younger ones, are a wealth of technological information. Let’s take a different look at things.

LEARNYOUR EQUIPMENT. I have seen and heard people on numerous occasions complain about their rods/reels and other equipment while they are on the water. My first thought is always, “why didn’t you try it out before you put it into action?” I never use a piece of equipment without trying it out first. Never. I will go to a local pond or even my front yard to see how a rod will throw, a reel will perform or even how a line feels. Test it before you incorporate it into your arsenal. This will save you a lot of headaches on the water.

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DEVELOP YOUR OWN STYLE. Over a period of time, the more you fish, you will develop lures and techniques you prefer over others. This can be a blessing and a curse. While creating your own way of doing things, remain open minded.

Myself for example, I love to fish shallow water and have won a lot of tournaments doing so.

However, I have learned how to fish deep water and the techniques that are needed to effectively do so. My preference is to fish less than five feet deep, that is my style of fishing but if need be, I can pull out a Carolina rig or a deep crankbait and still be competitive.

ASK QUESTIONS. The best way to learn things, other than through your own experience, is to ask questions. I will admit fishermen can be fickle about sharing information but if you ask questions in the right way, most anglers are more than willing to share good information with you. Instead of asking specific questions, ask general ones. For example, instead of asking what part of the lake someone caught their fish, ask them how deep they caught them. Instead of asking what color spinnerbait or crankbait, ask them about the blades or how deep the bait would run. The answers to these basic questions can put you on the path to finding and catching your own fish.

“IT’S HARD TO CATCH SOMEONE ELSE’S FISH.” This is a follow up to the previous information but a cardinal rule in fishing has always been, “It’s hard, if not impossible, to catch someone else’s fish”. While fishing all those years with the late Glynn Blankenship, I learned just how difficult catching fish off of a particular area or spot can be if you don’t know the specifics of what you are doing. Unless you are in the boat with someone and can see exactly what they are doing, how the boat is positioned and the casts they make, you are better off taking the general

information given to you and finding your own areas. Over time this will also make you a better fisherman.

LEARN ON THE WATER ETHICS. I could write a whole article about this particular aspect of fishing but I believe I can condense it down to a few suggestions. Learn how to properly operate your boat using the big engine. Learn how to control your boat’s wake at slow and fast speeds.

Be courteous to other fishermen. If they are in an area you want to fish or a particular spot, give them room to do so. Don’t crowd them or impose on the area, a common practice I have experienced with many of today’s younger anglers. Don’t let an on-the-water incident ruin your day and more importantly, don’t let something you do ruin someone else’s day.

PREPARE BEFORE YOU LEAVE YOUR HOUSE. To me, preparation has always been the key to success.

If I know the body of water I will be fishing, the week before I will spend my time getting my tackle ready for my practice period or the tournament itself. Wasted time is killer for a tournament angler. The more casts you can make, regardless of the technique, the more successful you will be. I need to know where everything is in my boat so that I waste as little time as possible if I have to re-tie or find another bait. Extreme? Maybe, but if you want to be successful then you have to create and adopt positive habits.

YOU WILL CREATE YOUR OWNLUCK, BOTHGOODAND BAD. If I had a dollar for the times I’ve heard the, “he broke my line or I lost a big one at the boat” story, I could possibly retire. I know that is a bit of an overstatement but at every tournament weigh-in, I hear anglers talk about it. In order to become good at this sport the most important thing you need to remember is that luck has very little or if anything to do with being successful at it. The fishermen who consistently have their share of good luck prepare in such a way for good luck to happen to them. The fishermen who have constantly experienced bad luck, the same can be said for them.

If you are using the wrong rod/reel combination for a particular technique, you will lose fish. If you are using hooks that aren’t as sharp as they should be, you will lose fish. If your line isn’t compatible to the technique you are using, it will break. All of these variables can be and should be controlled by you the angler.

An angler’s oversight is usually the reason for their bad luck. Being prepared is the reason they have good luck.

Well it looks like we have run out of time and space again for another month. I hope we have shared some information with you that will help you become a better angler. Please be safe and if you are out on the water, please catch one for me! See you next month!

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BAYOUOUTDOORS

THE GREAT TURKEY CONQUEST ARTICLE BY DAN CHASON

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any articles have been written about successful hunts and trips afield. Not a whole lot of articles are written about the jaunts made outdoors that are successful but short on bringing home the bacon. Such was the case this spring as I made my annual effort to harvest a wild turkey.

My first trip was on an invite to Arkansas with my brother-in -law, Wayne Vondenstein. Wayne is my hunting buddy and has been ever since I met his wife’s sister. We have traveled all over the world together as couples. The cruise to the shores of Mexico, trips to the mountains of Tennessee but most notably, our trips deer hunting, fishing and turkey hunting. Wayne and I are alike in our favorite past times and as we have aged, our hunting and fishing styles are pretty much related. Wayne is originally from Duson, Louisiana and the deep Cajun roots he possesses also hold one thing dear to my stomach, the boy is a gifted cook.

Our first trip after turkeys this year was a planned event. With the Covid-19 war raging, we waited until late in the season, did the prescribed “quarantine” routine and set out to look for an old thunder chicken. He has a couple of places to turkey hunt with one being just north of Felsenthal National Refuge in southern Arkansas and the other being in Jackson Parish, not far from his camp on Caney Lake.

We opted for Arkansas due to being late to the party and hoped that we would have better luck, as it was late in the season. We had done some “phone scouting” and the only turkeys that were talking seemed to be north and not south. We could not have been more wrong.

The club there is a combination of rolling timber bottoms and cutovers. He had plenty of acreage to look as the 3500 acres holds an abundance of wildlife. At least that is the rumor. The first afternoon, we decided to attempt to “roost” a bird. Easing up the many roads that wind and turn in bottoms that all contained ditches big enough to need a monster truck to cross was our first obstacle. The second obstacle was the birds had been struck with the late season lock jaw. They had already bred and the men had left the ladies’ party. After settling on a choice area on a gas line, we set up a pop tent and comfortable chairs and decided to just sit and see what we would hear or see. We sat that

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morning and watched the sun rise. It was as if the turkey gods were not on our side again and nothing was moving. Crows screeched and owls hooted but not one gobble was heard. One of the other hunters had put out some cell game cameras to get some more eyes in the woods. About lunch time, we carried it back to the camp to regroup. Our afternoon was spent scouting again. After high centering the side-by-side on a stump and having to be rescued, it was truly turning out to be a normal adventure for us. We opted to go back to our honey hole and sit it out again. I pulled every call out that I owned. I tried soft calling; I tried shock calling; it was as if the turkeys had read the hunting pamphlet.

They were not going to cooperate. We did see one gobbler about 200 yards away. Even with a mechanical decoy, he would not even look up. Pretty discouraging but the rain ended this trip. We never saw or heard him, even when the thunder and lightning showed up to give us a hand. They would not gobble. True to course, the game camera sent the picture on our ride home. Of course, big boy turkey paraded past the camera as soon as he saw us leave.

After returning home, very much discouraged and worn out from our walks, we soon started talking about a plan B. I called my friend in Tennessee, Jamie Benson, who is constantly sending me pictures of turkeys. Jamie doesn’t turkey hunt and has invited me up to his place year after year since the “BUT THE GREATEST late 90s. Wayne and I decided that we would make the trip THING ABOUT HUNTING and see what Tennessee had to offer. We hit the road we on AND FISHING IS NOT our next optimistic adventure.

The hills of eastern THE HARVEST. IT IS THE Tennessee are quite different.

I will say that Tennessee FRIENDSHIPS FORGED, THE has more ticks per acre than anywhere I have ever hunted. I L AUGHS, THE TRIUMPHS am still scratching just thinking about the pure number that AND THE DEFEATS.” succumbed to the constant mashing and scratching from the both of us. Even pure Deet didn’t phase these pesky varmints. We had 6 different properties to hunt, and it was encouraging as you cannot drive down the road up there without seeing birds. The problem was I did not see a single gobbler or jake that had any hens with him. This is not a good sign for an avid turkey hunter. We walked and walked; our run-and-gun method was methodical but ineffective. I did hear one gobble but believe he was hanging out near downtown Memphis. The last day, we did get one hen to cooperate and came into our set up but would not work. She was in a thicket and decided our decoys were not real or our calls were not to her liking. For whatever reason, she left.

To say the word defeated would be an understatement. But we had brought a bag of crawfish with us and after Wayne fired up the cooker, it was all a distant memory. We had boiled crawfish and the second night I made some crawfish etouffee. We fed our hosts some boudin and good sausage to boot. We ate good and slept even better.

I have made many a trip out of town and far away chasing turkeys.

I would not say we were turkey experts but we usually do well enough to keep the fire lit to keep after them. But the greatest thing about hunting and fishing is not the harvest. It is the friendships forged, the laughs, the triumphs and the defeats. To share this with a friend and family member builds memories that last forever. Defeat only stokes the fires for future jaunts. And I can’t wait to go back.

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Noble Art

JONI NOBLE IS A PROFESSOR, PHOTOGRAPHER AND PAINTER. HER ART HAS OFTEN BEEN INSPIRED BY HER TRAVELS TEACHING AND CREATING ABROAD

ARTICLE BY APRIL CL ARK HONAKER PHOTOGRAPHY BY KELLY MOORE CL ARK

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ocal artist Joni Noble is a professor of art who coordinates the art program at the University of Louisiana in Monroe. In her role as a professor, Noble has spent a portion of the last twelve summers teaching and creating art abroad. Since 2006, she has taught courses in The Catalyst, a 5-week program that takes university students to London, Paris, Prague, and Berlin.

During the regular school year, Noble said her primary focus is on teaching and fulfilling her administrative duties, but when she’s abroad, she not only continues to educate students. She also soaks up the inspiring scenery, culture, and lively international art scene. In a single 5-week trip, Noble produces upwards of 1,000 new photographs. Some of these photographs then serve as inspiration for her paintings while others stand alone as art in their own right.

Unfortunately, this summer will be dramatically different due to the new coronavirus, which has wreaked havoc on travel plans. The Catalyst program for summer 2020, which had 100 students signed up, has been postponed, and the disruption of Noble’s regular summer plans has left her deprived of her most reliable source of inspiration.

Nevertheless, Noble’s training as an artist and her innate passion for creating make her capable of finding inspiration almost anywhere, whether it’s in one of her old photographs or in her own backyard. Her formal training in art is extensive, including a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Louisiana in Monroe (formerly Northeast Louisiana University), a Master of Fine Arts from Louisiana Tech University, and a Doctor of Philosophy in art education from the University of Texas in Austin.

This education, combined with a keen eye and a wealth of experience, makes Noble uniquely capable of transforming the scenes, objects, and people that inspire her into striking works of art. These works have garnered regional, national, and international recognition, including acceptance into the annual Royal Academy of Arts summer exhibition in London.

This exhibition held its 250-year anniversary last summer and, according to the website, is the world’s largest and oldest open submission exhibition. Noble is still waiting to hear whether her work has been accepted to the 2020 exhibition but received notice that she made the first cut and is hopeful for another acceptance.

In the past, her accepted works included infrared photographs of trees, which have been a constant subject for her and one she can continue to seek despite her change in summer plans. “I go through creative phases where I’m just obsessed with some subject,” she said, “and I have been a little obsessed with trees lately.” She loves photographing them and painting them. In fact, the last three large canvases she’s painted have been of live oaks at sunset.

According to Noble, there are a lot of historic trees in Europe but also here in Louisiana. As it happens, there are actually trees on the campus of the University of Louisiana in Monroe that are hundreds of years old. These trees first caught Noble’s eye when she was a student beginning to take classes as an undergraduate in the early 1970s. “It’s important to me to document them and to remember them,” she said.

“They have a life.”

L

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Before Noble was a tree-obsessed professor and world traveler, she was just a girl with a passion for art.

Even in the beginning, Noble found that her talent for art was reinforced through awards and encouragement.

In fact, before Noble graduated from high school, she had won a national art competition sponsored by the Veteran’s Administration, which resulted in having her art printed in a brochure that was distributed in post offices to promote hiring of veterans. Then, during her senior year of high school, her work won 1st place in a senior competition judged by the University of Louisiana faculty. Noble said that being recognized by the faculty of the university she wanted to attend really helped solidify her path. “I thought, ‘This is what I was meant to do,’” she said.

Despite her early recognition as an artist, Noble’s path to becoming an artist and professor of art was not straight. Like many of her own students, Noble was initially discouraged from pursuing art. Her students will say, “My parents don’t want me to do this,” and Noble had the same experience. On some level, she understands where these parents are coming from.

After all, art doesn’t have the best reputation when it comes to generating a dependable, comfortable income.

“If you major in art,” she said, “there’s something inside you that has to be a passion because it’s not typically a high-earning career path. It’s a calling.” She believes if you are meant to be an artist, no other path will fulfill you.

After a year of taking classes at the University of Louisiana in Monroe, Noble’s Dad convinced her to leave art behind and change her major. Consequently, for a brief period, she studied history. During that period, love found her, and soon she was getting married and starting a family, which drew her away from her studies.

After a while though, Noble started to miss academia, especially art. She had always wanted to finish her degree, but at the same time, she wasn’t exactly looking to return to school. Fortunately, a little push from a friend set her on a new path. Twelve years after she had left her studies to start a family, that friend, who was working at the university, located the number of the art department head and shared it with Noble. Dr. Ron Alexander filled that role at the time, and Noble’s friend encouraged her to call him, which she did. After speaking with him, Noble agreed to come back with her portfolio.

When Alexander saw Noble’s work, he told her she needed to start right then, even though they were already two weeks into the semester. He was able to place her in some special topics courses, and that was all Noble needed. “It was just a passion of mine,” she said. “I always felt connected to art, and I missed it,” so starting right then was an easy decision. “There was no going back to being a history major,” she said. “I was going to study art.” And with further encouragement from Alexander and art professors, such as Bob Ward, she followed this new path all the way through her PhD and has come full circle, now holding the art program

coordinator position at her alma mater.

One of the best pieces of advice that Ward has given “There have been a lot of fateful moments that her that she continues to apply concerns the use of black have turned my career in different directions,” she said, in paintings. “He has always said, ‘Don’t use black,’” “but I think that was the most pivotal.” Because Noble she said. Noble described his work as impressionistic went back to school with a family at home, she took full in style, inspired by Vincent van Gogh and the plein advantage of the time she could spend air landscapes of his contemporaries. His in the studio and the dark room during works are studies of light and color, and the day. “It was such a luxury,” she said, like the impressionists and many of the “and I loved the challenge of it and being post-impressionists before him, he doesn’t “IT’S SUCH A around other artists.” Noble admits that use black. “Everyone is drawn to the in the beginning she was somewhat SAT I S F Y I N G impressionists because of that,” Noble said. idealistic in her mindset, looking forward According to Noble, black can really dull the F E E L I N G TO K N OW to the day when she’d be able to make a colors in a painting and, as a result, can dull T H E PE O PLE I LOV E living as an artist, doing what she loves. the painting as a whole.

In reality, there are a lot of other tasks,

Like Ward, Noble loves the broken E N J OY M Y A R T A N D including administrative tasks, that go color of impressionism, and allows the style to WA N T TO V I E W I T.” along with being an artist and professor, influence her paintings. Typically, her photos but Noble is confident she made the right are black and white, and her paintings are in choice. “Sometimes it takes several years color. “I need both,” she said. “It’s like yin to realize your true calling, and that’s and yang.” But even when she’s painting, her what happened to me,” she said. photographs play an important role. Usually she uses a

Now that Noble has years of professional experience photograph to help her start a painting—as a basis for as an artist and professor, her former professors have the drawing. Then, once she gets started painting, she become her peers. One in particular, Bob Ward, now puts the photograph away, lets her imagination for color trusts Noble with critiques of his work. “We exchange, take over, and lets the painting have a life of its own. and it’s a wonderful collaboration between us,” she said.

Noble also takes some of her inspiration from

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other artists. “I think we’re all inspired by other artists,” she said. “I get so inspired for instance when I go to the Louvre or the National Gallery in London.” She said her recent paintings have been inspired by fellow artist Erin Hanson, a modern impressionist who created a style she calls open-impressionism. “The way she captures light is just mesmerizing to me,” Noble said. “It’s a technique I love. I just can’t get enough of it.”

With regard to her photographs, Noble is focusing on infrared photography primarily of trees. Infrared photography is unique because it literally allows the photographer to capture the unseen. The human eye can only detect a certain spectrum of light, and infrared light is not included in that spectrum. However, an infrared camera can capture the way infrared light reflects from objects in a way we can see. The results, according to Noble, can be moody, dramatic, and surprising. Although she’s tried other processes, infrared is her current favorite, and she described herself as “addicted” to it.

The addiction is one she credits to her friend and fellow photographer George McCarty. When Noble was just beginning to take photographs, she would take her photos to Quick Print Photo on N. 18th St. in Monroe, which was owned by McCarty. Over time, they became friends. In fact, McCarty encouraged her to attend a two-week workshop taught by Elizabeth Opalenik in Provence, France, in 2000 that changed her direction dramatically, leading her to create more art inspired by travel abroad. She and McCarty have been “photo buddies” for years now, and McCarty actually gave Noble her first infrared camera.

Now Noble has been creating art for so long that she has an entire room in the back of her house that is filled with her work. Her brother, daughter, son, and mother’s houses are also full of her work. “It’s such a satisfying feeling to know the people I love enjoy my art and want to view it,” she said. But it’s also satisfying for Noble to know that her work is enjoyed by an extensive list of others who have hung her work in their offices and homes here in Louisiana and across the world.

Dental Implants

Start to Finish... In One Convenient Location

I

N TODAY’S WORLD, WE ARE BOMBARDED WITH THE latest and greatest ways to make us look better and feel younger.

There are countless procedures and products available to us today that attempt to help us achieve these ends.Without question, a person’s smile can make a person look and feel younger more so than any cosmetic procedure. Missing teeth can not only make a smile less esthetic but make a person feel older and can lead to poor function, speech, and nutrition.

Thankfully, there is a solution to these issues. At the office of Dr. Patrick McGee, there are solutions for missing teeth: from single tooth replacement to full mouth rehabilitation with dental implants or dentures. Dr. McGee has the latest technology to help safely replace missing teeth using minimally invasive technology and in-house tooth fabrication techniques.

Here’s what you can expect when you contact Dr. McGee’s office. At your first phone call, you will hear from a team that is knowledgeable and compassionate. Our reception team will be able to answer any question you may have about the process of tooth replacement, insurance benefits, costs, or any other question you may have. Once you arrive in the office, you will experience a modern, stateof-the-art facility that is conveniently located on Forsythe Avenue.

At your initial consultation, Dr. McGee will thoroughly review your medical history and current medications, along with discussing any significant findings from your 3-D x-rays, and answer any questions you may have about treatment options and processes. On the day of your implant placement, Dr. McGee utilizes the X-Nav dynamically guided surgical system to place your implant(s) at their exact position which he has determined is best for you. Once an appropriate healing period has occurred, Dr. McGee will utilize in-office tooth fabrication software and milling systems to fabricate your replacement tooth inoffice and on-site.

If you are interested in other cosmetic options, Dr. McGee can also discuss options available to you. He and is team are able to provide cosmetic procedures to revitalize your smile and boost your confidence. He is able to provide same day crowns and veneers which means you can have a completely new smile in about a half-days time.

So what does all this mean to you as a patient? When you contact Dr. McGee’s office, you can be confident that you will have a secondto-none experience from start to finish, all in one location without bouncing from multiple offices. If you are interested in seeing what modern dentistry has to offer to help achieve the smile and confidence you’ve always wanted, please contact us today. You’ll be so happy you did!

COVID-19 Update: Our office has returned to normal working hours. We are ensuring that our office is complying with recommendations from the CDC, ADA, and LDA.All patients are screened upon entering for temperature and other coronavirus symptoms. We are committed to ensuring the safety of our patients and team members. Our goal, as always, is to provide the best dental care possible in a safe environment.

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Exciting News for Material Things Material Things Announces New Online Shop

S

OMETIMES IN OUR LIVES GOOD things can come out of unexpected and or tragic events… such is the case for the new and thrilling direction that we are adding to our normal line up at Material Things.

In no way are we changing the existing way that we provide our services and hand selected products to Northeast LA and beyond! We are just adding a new layer to the process-this unsought out “down time” has given my husband Robert and I the much needed push to get our Material Things website finished and ready for business!

It really is a very simple process-just go to www.materialthingsshop.com and click on shop, and from there you can find your favorite products or perhaps something newjust add it to your cart and head to the check out. You have the option to choose local pick up or have it shipped. And, if you spend $99 or more, we will ship it for free! While you are on the website, be sure to sign up for

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our email notifications. I promise I won’t inundate you with unnecessary emails! Once a month I will be sending out an email called “MT Connections”-this is just to keep you up to date and informed on what’s happening at the shop.

Another exciting aspect that has been added to the shop is “MT Haberdashery.”

This is something I can truly say has been a lifelong dream of mine. As a lot of you may, or may not know about me, I am thoroughly enchanted with the entire idea and process of selecting fabrics, trims and absolutely everything that goes along with that. Hence the use of the word “haberdashery”-the British meaning for this is “small items used in sewing.”

The back left area of the shop will be transformed and used for this purpose. We will be offering bolts of the latest designs in 100% cotton fabrics that can be purchased by the yard, as well as threads, needles, trims,

scissors and many other accouterments that go along with this. I hope to have this particular aspect of the store up and running very soon, as we have already laid the ground work for it like clearing out the space. So, if you come in, don’t be alarmed by the large empty area in the back. It’s just preparation for new things to come!

In times of uncertainty, our cocooning instincts kick in and we go back to things that we have done before, as in handwork or we learn new things that we have never attempted before. I think this will be a time of learning and expansion for everyone.

XO-Joyce

We Know How to Make Your Skin Glow Mickel Plastic Surgery - Experts on ZO Skin Health

BY TIMOTHY J. MICKEL, MD, CERTIFIED, AMERICAN BOARD OF PLASTIC SURGERY

T

HE RECIPE FOR GLOWING SKIN used to be pretty easy... wash your face; get plenty of rest; drink a lot of water and don’t sleep in your make up. But skin care has come a long way since then - just type “skin products” into your internet browser and you’ll see what I mean. There are creams and potions that will lift, smooth, rejuvenate, remove hair and give you inner peace all at the same time.

In general, these over-the-counter products, no matter what they claim, contain a lower concentration of active ingredients than comparable prescription products so they are not as effective. Unfortunately, they don’t always cost less. So, if you are going to spend money on a skin care regimen, it makes sense to spend it on products that have ingredients with proven medical benefits at a high enough concentration to produce a noticeable result.

That’s why I introduced the ZO Skin Health

program to this area about a decade ago. It is built around Retin-A and retinol - timehonored agents with proven therapeutic results - in high enough concentrations to do some good. Scores of scientific studies have shown that Retin-A increases cell turnover to freshen your skin, improves fine wrinkles and reverses the signs of skin aging over time. I believe Retin-A, or its milder cousin retinol, should be the cornerstone of any skin health and maintenance program.

While Retin-A and retinol are the foundation of the ZO program, they are used in conjunction with cleansers, exfoliants, toners, pigment equalizers and sunscreens that smell good, feel good and are all designed to work together to give you smoother skin, even pigmentation and a youthful glow. The ZO Skin Health program is not “one size fits all,” but is infinitely flexible, and can be customized according to skin type, patient

preferences or therapeutic need. So a teen with oily skin and acne would require a different combination of products than a young woman with pigmentation issues, who would require a different regimen than an older patient with sun damage and aging skin. This is where knowledge and experience are key.

Even though we introduced ZO to this area ten years ago and have extensive clinical experience with the program, our entire office staff recently elected to complete educational course work to earn the designation of ZO “Expert.” When you come to my office, whether you speak to me, my front office, my office manager, my nurses or my licensed aesthetician, Natalie Todd, you can rest assured that you are dealing with a ZO Expert who can answer your questions and help you with your product needs.

To learn more about the ZO line, we invite you to call Mickel Plastic Surgery at 388-2050 and set up a free skin care consultation with Natalie – or just drop in, sample the products and let any of our six, ZO Experts help you make the transition from your old regimen to the ZO program. We have both the knowledge and the experience to help you look your best.

And you can be certain that you are dealing with an expert. More than anyone else in this area, we know Z.O.!

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JUNE WATERMELONS LSU AG CENTER

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First, on behalf of the Northeast Louisiana Master Gardeners Association, I want to thank everybody in the community who supported our rather unconventional plant sale during the COVID-19 situation.

Believe me, it was a first for us and we hope we never have to do another “online” sale. We would much rather have had the annual spring plant sale at the Farmer’s Market at Seventh Square as usual. Hopefully, 2021 will be much kinder to us all. It seems more of you than ever started home gardens this year. We hope you’ll keep your gardens going after all of this is over. Stay tuned for our fall sale, and we’re going ahead with plans for our annual January seminar.

Since we’re moving into summer, let’s talk watermelons!

Back in February, I spoke to the Marion Garden Club about heirloom apples. After my talk, while everybody was chatting and enjoying refreshments, Mrs. Lula Shurtleff walked up and said, “Let’s sit down and talk.

I have something you might be interested in.”

Mrs. Shurtleff explained that a now-deceased agent, Jessie Peterson, from West Carroll Parish had left her a lot of seeds and she thought some of what he left had been developed at the Calhoun Research Station. If you’ve been following my personal Facebook page or reading these monthly epistles, you know my horticultural interests lie in heirloom and passalong plant. And, since being employed by the LSU AgCenter, I’ve developed a strong interest in the work done at the now closed Calhoun Station. Once I start researching something, it’s over. I have to find it and try to grow it. Such is the case with southern apples and the Calhoun Purplehull pea I wrote about last year. It turns out that several varieties of field pea, peach, and watermelon were developed at LSU’s Calhoun Research Station here in Ouachita Parish.

Indeed, a significant chunk of Louisiana’s agricultural and horticultural heritage comes from work done at Calhoun and I think it’s important to keep that heritage alive so home gardeners can reap the benefits if any of these varieties are still out there somewhere.

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My pulse raced when Mrs. Shurtleff said “watermelons.” Every year, a number of inquiries come into the office about the ‘Calhoun Sweet,’ a watermelon rumored to be both unparalleled in sugar content and a good producer in North Louisiana’s sandy loams.

Sadly, ‘Calhoun Sweet’ is either extinct or at least functionally extinct, meaning if seeds are still out there somewhere, they aren’t being shared or traded and it’s a shame because based on descriptions by people visiting the office asking about it, and there have been many, it seems like a watermelon home gardeners in our area would be interested. Anyway, Mrs. Shurtleff and I set a date and time to meet at her house in Marion to sift through these seeds, and I was not disappointed. After some digging around in her freezer, she lifted out a veritable time capsule, a wonderful old Puerto Rican cracker tin! Remember when Geraldo Rivera opened Al Capone’s secret vault on national television back in ‘86? This was way better.

There was actually something in the cracker tin: one jar and several wrinkled-up paper bags full of seeds! The first bag had “watermelon” hand-printed on it! Could this be the elusive ‘Calhoun Sweet?’ Closer inspection revealed the seeds to be those of a variety called ‘RedN-Sweet,’ which I figured had to be a close

relative. There were three lots of ‘Red-NSweet’ seeds: those collected in 2001, 2003, and 2006. As quickly as my heart had almost leapt out of my chest, it sank as I read the dates on the paper bags. Could watermelon seeds be viable after so many years? How many times had they been taken out of the freezer through the years? Would they produce this variety?

This got daunting fast.

After getting back to the office, I dug through some old files and found the original publication for ‘Red-N-Sweet.’ It was released in 1987, just a year after the Geraldo debacle.

The first cross in the breeding line was made in 1972 by J.C. Taylor, who also bred the Calhoun Purplehull pea. The two original, parental varieties were derived from crosses of other LSU watermelon varieties ‘Calhoun Gray,’ ‘Summit,’ the venerable ‘Calhoun Sweet,’ and ‘La Queen.’ The rest, as they say, is history. It took fifteen years to develop ‘Red-N-Sweet.’

The first step with these precious seeds was to do a viability test. I placed ten seeds

THE TIN MRS. SHURT LEFF SHARE

D

RED-N-SWEET VINES

PHOTO FROM THE ORIGINAL RED-N-SWEET PUBLICATION from each lot between moist paper towels, which were placed in open Ziploc bags. Sure enough, not only did the seeds imbibe water, some, not all, germinated! Embryonic roots, called radicles, were visible after about two weeks. Those seeds that germinated have produced vigorous plants, so here’s hoping for at least one fruit! Maybe we can get ‘Red-NSweet’ back out into circulation.

Watermelons are truly a hot weather crop and make great additions to home vegetable gardens if space is sufficient. Soil temperatures for optimum germination range from 70 to 90 degrees F. Select a site in your garden that gets 6 to 8 hours of full sun and has good drainage.

Watermelons are heavy feeders. A 10 foot row will need a pre-plant fertilizer application of 0.5 lb. (1 cup) of 13-13-13. Another application as plants start to vine out is recommended. Calcium nitrate is an excellent fertilizer for side dressing using 1 to 2 tablespoons per plant. Like other cucurbits, male flowers are produced first, followed by female flowers, which are indicated by the tiny, watermelon-shaped ovaries just behind the petals. This becomes the watermelon if the flower is pollinated.

Because watermelons are susceptible to a number of fungal pathogens, a mulch layer, whether plastic or natural, under the plants is always recommended.

The question of when a watermelon is ready to harvest always comes up and the answers are varied. The LSU AgCenter recommends harvesting when 1) the bottom surface of the melon that has been resting on the ground has turned yellow and 2) the tendril closest to the watermelon’s stem has turned brown. A ripe watermelon will typically sound hollow when “thumped.” Red-fleshed varieties recommended for home gardens include ‘Jubilee II,’ ‘Crimson Sweet,’ ‘Starbrite,’ and ‘Royal Sweet.’ Recommended yellow-fleshed varieties ‘Amarillo,’ ‘Desert King,’ ‘Goldstrike,’ and ‘Tendersweet.’ ‘Sugar Baby’ is a popular ice-box variety for gardens lacking space for larger varieties. A number of heirloom watermelon varieties are available from online sources. Keep in mind that these varieties have not been bred for disease resistance.

For advice on how to make your garden thrive, click on the Louisiana Living link under News at www.myarklamiss.com and submit your questions. I’ll answer them every Tuesday on Louisiana Living!

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A Personal Touch Makes a Difference

Yancey’s Pharmacy - Amazing Service During a Difficult Time

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O SAY THAT THINGS ARE different would be an understatement.

Our daily lives have been altered in a way that many of us never would have imagined. For some, the change has been minimal, essential workers still get up everyday and head to work. While others have had their life altered completely, from working from home, to home-schooling their children, they have had to adapt to staying home for over two months.

There has never been a more important time for our community to come together.

Supporting local has never been more imperative. These are our neighbors that strive each day to serve our community and pay their employees. Each business has had to make adjustments in the way they operate and Yancey’s Pharmacy is no exception.

Yancey’s has had to not only change the way they serve the community but they have adapted to the new rules and regulations.

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Luckily, the pharmacy’s new owners, Mary Spicer and her husband Matt, have made a few changes which have proven to be convenient and beneficial to the customers. These changes include a drive through window, curb-side pick-up, multi-dose packaging (for those who take numerous medicines and vitamins), and med-synchronization and immunizations for ages 7 and older. Yancey’s also provides long term care services to surrounding nursing homes and offers free home delivery services in Rayville. These changes have provided a seamless transition into the “new normal,” as some would say and have made it easier and more convenient for customers to get the medication they need.

In a day where big box retailers and online shopping have shut down so many family businesses, there is still a need for local pharmacies. Just as people develop a personal relationship and trust with their physician, it is very important to have that same trust and

relationship with your pharmacist. Mary’s desire is to develop that trust and build relationships that will last a lifetime. Shorter wait times, small town atmosphere and a personal touch continues to make Yancey’s an excellent choice in choosing a pharmacy home.

Mary and the entire staff at Yancey’s would like to thank the community and their customers for their continued support and being so patient, understanding and appreciative throughout all of this. They are truly grateful for everyone they serve.

Mary would also like to thank her wonderful employees that have embraced this new world and have worked so hard to deliver only the best service to our community.

Don’t forget about Father’s Day! K&K Giving Tree, is a gift shop and children’s clothing boutique located in the front of the store. Kristy Crook, owner of K&K Giving Tree in Mer Rouge, LA, provides a variety of gift items perfect for dad.

A Mother’s Hug Symbolizes Hope Michelle Learns to Love Herself After a Lifelong Battle

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HE FIRST TIME MICHELLE’S 15-year-old daughter Lilli wrapped her arms around her mother’s waist, they

cried.

“I was at the stove cooking dinner, and she hugged me,” Michelle remembered. “She took a step back and said, ‘I can wrap my arms around you and squeeze you tight.’ I asked her to do it again. She did, and we burst into tears.

I never realized that she had not been able to hug me that way. Now she can, and she does it often.”

Lilli observed Michelle struggle with obesity and ultimately achieve her ideal weight.

Michelle said, “She told me, ‘If I can see you do it, I know I can also achieve my goals.’”

Michelle’s success began soon after Dr. Bart Liles, a surgeon at the Surgery Clinic of Northeast Louisiana, performed the gastric sleeve procedure on her in 2018. Since then, she has maintained a 118-pound weight loss.

Her surgery became the catalyst for new, lifelong habits. She eats healthily, and when

she craves something, she consumes a small portion. She also weighs herself weekly and receives guidance from Marci Parker, the clinic’s dietitian. Michelle’s biggest tips? “Make yourself accountable. Do not hesitate to ask for help; your surgeon and your dietician are there to encourage you.”

Like many, Michelle, now 40, has battled obesity her entire life. As a young child, she did not allow the extra weight to deter her; she swam, enjoyed dance lessons, and played sports. She did not understand she was “fat” until her teenage years. When she reached her 30s, she gained more weight.

“The weight made me feel like less of a person emotionally, and I was in physical pain due to the extreme weight on my joints. I didn’t feel worthy. Looking in the mirror made me want to vomit. When this began happening, my self-esteem hit rock bottom. I had to learn to love myself again.”

Michelle remembers the moment she decided to undergo surgery. “I learned I was on

the verge of becoming a type 2 diabetic. That was when I decided I had to do something and that I could not do it on my own.”

During her appointment with Dr. Liles, he immediately made her feel comfortable. “He was not judgmental about me being obese.

He truly wanted me to be a healthier version of myself,” she said. “He is very relatable, understanding, and caring. He is extremely knowledgeable about the procedure. After surgery, he continues to check your progress— ensure you’re healing properly, and eating and drinking appropriately. He often says, ‘Do what you are supposed to do. Don’t make me worry.’”

Her emotional health has improved since the surgery. Michelle, a medical coding supervisor for a large medical group, now has the confidence to speak with providers, administrative staff, and other coworkers.

“Before this, I would avoid them as much as possible, due to lack of confidence and selfesteem.”

She also exercises without pain or shortness of breath, and she tries on clothes without tears.

She describes her life now in one word. “Free. I am free. Free from the burdening weight, free from the mentality that I am not good enough, free from the side glances I received from being that big, and free to just be me.”

In addition to Dr. Liles, the clinic is also home to surgeons Dr. Walter Sartor and Dr. Patrick Smith.

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B A Y O U

I C O N

JOYFUL SOUL ARTICLE BY GEORGIANN POT TS PHOTOGR APHY BY K ELLY MOORE CL ARK

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he first word people think of when they meet T.J. Stevenson is “joy”. Hers is a joyful soul, a loving soul, and a benevolent soul.

Throughout life, she has experienced it all – sorrow, sadness, anger, love, and --- more than anything --- joy. As she said recently, “Life owes me nothing. I wake up every morning praising God and looking forward to the day that He is giving me. When I was growing up, the Ouachita River bridge was the longest bridge I had ever seen. Thanks to God, now I have seen much of this world. I have everything I need.

That’s why I give as much as I can, as often as I can, to those who don’t have enough.” Because of her unwavering optimism about life and her lifetime of unselfish giving, T.J. Stevenson is our June BayouIcon.

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Thelma Jacquelyne Stevenson (known as “T.J.” after her father) was the only child born to Thomas J. Stevenson and Lois Brooks-Tyler. Both of her parents were well-educated and enjoyed careers as teachers.

Her father went to Southern University and taught in Louisiana; her mother graduated from Gilbert Academy in New Orleans; Wiley College in Marshall, Texas; and did graduate work at the University of Arkansas.

EA R LY Y E A R S

While a child, T.J. lived with her maternal grandparents, Foster and Mattie Brooks Sr., through her elementary and junior high years until she moved to Arkansas for high school with her mother. She is an only child on her mother’s side, but T.J. says she is a member of a “tribe” on her dad’s side.

T.J.’s mother was the eldest of 10 children. When T.J. was born in her maternal grandparents’ home on Breard Street in Monroe, one of her uncles (quite a young boy at the time) was so excited to meet the new baby that he brought the infant some pecan candy and put it in her mouth. His gift, according to T.J. “. . . nearly killed me, but has been a favorite family story my entire life!”

One of T.J.’s favorite early memories is taking the bus with her maternal grandmother and traveling to Gary, Indiana, or Seattle, Washington, to visit family for a month. Her Uncle Foster who lived in Gary would come every fall to Monroe for a visit. T.J. remembers his coming to J.S. Clark Elementary to get her and carry her on his shoulders back to the house. This was an annual tradition she looked forward to. Her Uncle Lawrence from Seattle would come in the spring and his tradition was to go to Oak Ridge together to clean the family cemetery. They would pack a lunch and spend time there after cleaning, sharing stories about their ancestors and their family values.

“These were memorable times when my uncles came because we were family together for a little while again,” T.J. recalls.

H ELPI NG OT H ER S I S A FA M I LY T R A DI T ION

When T.J. was a child, her home was known as “the house on the side of the road” by many. Here, she says, everyone knew they could come for a meal, a blessing, or just a listening ear. As a result, the young girl saw in actual practice acts of charity toward others taught in the Bible. It was no surprise then, when she began practicing those acts herself.

When T.J. was in second grade at J.S. Clark, she noticed that a classmate didn’t have a sweater on an especially cold day. T.J. happened to be wearing a new sweater, so she gave it to her classmate. When she came home without a sweater that afternoon, her grandmother said, “If your heart wasn’t connected to your body you would give that away, too.” Her grandmother saw in the child the beginnings of the giving woman that child would become.

During her elementary school years and in junior high at Carroll, T.J. was active in both Brownie Scouts and Girls Scouts. She also took dancing lessons that she dearly loved. At Holly Grove High School in Holly Grove, Arkansas, she excelled – except in one area. Her Aunt Emma was the choir director, so T.J. decided to take choir as a class.

Soon after joining the group, her aunt pulled her aside and advised her to just stand there and “lip sync.” “Aunt Emma had discovered that I couldn’t carry a tune in a wheelbarrow!” says T.J. with a laugh.

Also at Holly Grove High T.J. was a cheerleader – a role that she embraces even today. She describes herself as a “cheerleader for life for all children” and she is. Ever eager to show her support for the students, she was known around Monroe for her “special” cheer at St. Fredericks and Neville games. She would spray paint her hands and face in the school colors and cheer. With a whistle, bells, flags, pompoms and a megaphone, off she would go.

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At the end of each game, win or lose, she would do a somersault on the field, ending with her arms in the air signaling “Touchdown!”

For years after, when she would walk through a store she would be greeted with “There’s our cheerleader!” from fans who had enjoyed her exuberance over the years. “To me, there are no winners and losers,” T.J. explains. “I don’t care the score – when the game is over, both sides have done their best and so everyone is a winner!”

T.J. remained close to her maternal grandparents throughout their lives. They set a wonderful example for her of truly caring for others, whether related or not. They were married for nearly 50 years (he was buried on what would have been their 50th anniversary) and lived their entire lives in the same neighborhood even building two homes there. T.J. was the self-described “gypsy of the family” – living in many cities and traveling the world. “My dad always wrote my address in pencil,” T.J. says with a chuckle.

LI F E A S A YOU NG A DU LT

All of those dance lessons paid off in an unexpected way when T.J. was in college. She was attending the University of Arkansas – Pine Bluff majoring in social science with a minor in education. One day she was walking across campus when the band director stopped her and told her he wanted her as majorette. She was a member of the marching band, but had never twirled anything more than a hula-hoop. Still, as with every challenge life presented, T.J. quickly learned the necessary twirling skill to go along with her dance moves and became majorette for the band.

T.J. did graduate work at Jackson State University in guidance and counseling. These courses were to help her in the future as she became a mentor to so many troubled souls in need of direction.

When asked what her earliest career dreams were, T.J. is quick to respond with two very different aspirations. “I wanted to work for Diana Ross or Queen Elizabeth,” T.J. says with a laugh. “Ms. Ross was the most beautiful spirit in my day and I thought she would be wonderful to be around. The Queen was, well, the queen so I wanted to be around her, too, although I was never sure what my position would be there.”

Later on T.J. considered becoming an anesthesiologist for a time until she learned that putting people to sleep was only half the job.

When she found out that she would have to wake them up, too, she abandoned the idea and went with her family’s tradition of education.

T.J.’s earliest “real” job came when she was 8 years old. She babysat 3 boys for $10 per week for a lady who was renting from T.J.’s grandmother. “I learned then that you should spend some and save a lot,” she remembers. “That lesson has served me well. In that day, $10 was a huge amount.”

LI V I NG LI F E TO T H E F U LLE ST

T.J.’s first job in what she calls “the real world” was as an academic instructor at the Breckinridge Job Corp Center in Morganfield, KY. From there her career path was as varied and interesting as is T.J. herself. She has worked at various times as a senior flight attendant at Eastern Airlines (Miami, Atlanta, and New York City), a funeral director (Louisiana and Arkansas), a mixologist (Atlanta), a cosmetologist (Memphis and Little Rock), a radio personality (Monroe), and a restaurant owner (Monroe). Today she stays mostly in Monroe and divides her time among advocating for children and her community, operating a cleaning service, running LOLA’s, and serving as the unofficial Mayor of Adams Street (where she has lived for the past 18 years in one of the two family homes there). She also takes special joy from her daughter, Scheherazade Hyacinth Brooks-Blackman, and her granddaughter Kelsey Paige Prudhomme and grandson Keveous Jovan Prudhomme who live in Lake Charles, Louisiana.

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to take care of their transportation while in the city. T.J. was working at the time as a limousine driver for Gregory & Paschal Mix Limo Service and was assigned to be Mrs. Mandela’s driver. When asked what her impression of the Mandela’s was, T.J. said that she was with Mrs. Mandela much more often than with Mr. Mandela so she didn’t have much time to develop a personal impression of him.

Of Mrs. Mandela, however, T.J. says that she remembers well how peaceful and humble she was. “Mrs. Mandela was very caring and considerate of her staff and those of us working with her,” T.J. says.

“She was just a great diplomat.”

“I am a 4th generation woman working to feed and bless others. My great-grandmother, grandmother, mother, and now me – all of us have been givers and sharers.” ~ T. J . S T E V E N S O N

One of the hallmarks of T.J.’s personality is her willingness to embrace life to the fullest. Because of that, combined with her considerable talent in dealing with people, she has experienced rare opportunities to meet some amazing folks including the late music superstar Michael Jackson, and international civil rights leaders, the late Nelson and Winnie Mandela.

When she was flying for Eastern Airlines, she discovered that Michael Jackson was on her flight. She was flying the LaGuardia to Orlando route and spotted Jackson in the corridor. She screamed and his bodyguard rushed Jackson into the men’s room. T.J. rushed right in after them. The bodyguard asked her, “Ma’am, do you mind?” to which she replied, “Where is he going?” The bodyguard replied, “Miami”. T.J. thought, “Oh, my God! Show time! My flight!”

T.J. describes that flight as a non-stop party from NYC to Orlando.

When she approached Jackson’s seat to remove his dinner tray, she noticed that he was drawing on the linen napkins. She tapped his hand and told him not to write on her linen. When the flight was over, Jackson gave her the linen napkins on which he had drawn three caricatures and signed his autograph. Today that treasure resides in her safety deposit box at the bank, a lovely memory of a chance encounter with one of the truly greats.

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M A K I NG A HOM E

There comes a time in one’s life when the call to come home becomes too strong to be ignored. For T.J., it happened when she stopped in Monroe in 2002 for a quick family visit before going on to North Carolina where she had a job waiting. Her brother asked her to stay and keep his son until he and his wife got off work each day.

T.J.’s life had come full circle. She unpacked, moved into the home her mother had built long ago for T.J.’s grandmother, and set down permanent roots.

Many are unaware that T.J.’s father was not only an educator, but also the first Black DJ in the south. “Dr. Jive” had a distinctive voice (which T.J. shares) that made him very successful as a disc jockey.

After moving back to Monroe, T.J. took her own turn at working in radio, hosting a weekly show called “The Deacon’s Daughter With Words of Wisdom” for TALK 540 KMLB.

T.J. also found time to appear as an extra in 3 movies (“Blond Ambition” with Jessica Simpson in 2007, “Cleaner” with Samuel L. Jackson in 2007, and “Year One” with Jack Black in 2009). For “Cleaner” T. J. played a bag lady. To dress for the part, she went door-to-door among her neighbors and borrowed a single item of clothing from each. She put all of them on together as her costume for her role. This way, her Adams Street neighbors shared her experience.

GI V I NG BAC K Faith was always a mainstay in T.J.’s home. Her greatgrandfather Maryland Brooks supported the church financially and was a board member even before he officially became a member of the St. James United Methodist Church. T.J. took lay classes and became a lay leader in that same church, and later served for a time as Lay Servant Minister there. The lesson of being a part of the solution was ingrained in her.

A stroke in 2004 hit T.J. hard, physically and emotionally. When she was released from the hospital, old friends Jerdan and Gail Miles canceled a vacation and came to stay with her for a week. Years later, when her mother transitioned, T.J. called the Miles and again they came, taking care of everything for her family during this difficult time. They helped reinforce for T.J. the importance of “being there” for your friends.

Later, she was able to return their kindness when the Miles suffered the tragic loss of their son, Devin. She rode Amtrak to get to Philadelphia where she located the funeral home, and waited at the head of the casket for the Miles to come in for visitation. They had no idea she was coming and were deeply moved.

T.J. felt strongly the need to give back to her community when she moved back to Monroe. When she was in high school, her mother was the director of the ESEA Title 1 food program. T.J. watched her plan meals, make shopping lists, and prepare meals.

Back in Monroe, she began putting those skills to work to feed her people. “I am a 4th generation woman working to feed and bless others,” T. J. says. “My great-grandmother, grandmother, mother, and now me – all of us have been givers and sharers.”

Eventually, T. J. opened L.O.L.A (“Living Our Lives Abundantly”) serving Fresh Fruit Blasts and the “Best Chicken Salad This Side of Glory.” Today it is not unusual for T.J. to get orders from distant towns and even out-of-state. This is the cornerstone of her blessings ministry on Adams Street.

EA ST ER TOR NA D O S BR I NG H I DDEN OPPORT U N I T Y

Easter Sunday 2020 is a day many will never forget. Tornados touched down in T.J.’s hometown destroying entire neighborhoods. The horror brought back memories of another tornado – in Little Rock years earlier -- that T.J. had survived.

An earlier storm had destroyed the metal roof of a church across the street from T.J.’s home.

Together with neighbors, T.J. secured the property and removed screws and twisted metal onto her yard. When the tornados hit later, again her own home was spared. She immediately checked on her neighbors and canvassed the area to assess needs.

For the last 15+ years, T. J. has been feeding her neighbors so she knew exactly what had to be done. She always shares what she can personally, and others donate to help her. Thanksgiving and other holidays find her smiling with her tables set out, loaded with enough food to feed 125. “It just feels great to be a blessing to someone,” she explains.

After the tornados, T.J. went door-to-door to find out what her

neighbors needed besides food. As a result, in May her tables also held toilet paper, toiletries, and other personal needs that her neighbors were no longer able to get. On top of the storm destruction, a pandemic had taken over the land and made things even harder for the poor. “Everyone is just one disaster away from poverty,” T.J. says. “The joy that I feel when I know that God brings blessings to others through me is the greatest joy anyone can feel.”

If she could have lunch with anyone, living or dead, not surprisingly T.J. would choose three strong women -- two former First Ladies, Michele Obama and Hillary Clinton -- and her late mother. “I would like to have Mrs. Obama and Mrs. Clinton together, if that could be arranged,” she says with a grin.

“What a time we would have!”

But her demeanor turns more serious when she says that lunch with her late mother – perhaps on June 5th, her mother’s birthday -- would be a special blessing. T.J. says that she would ask her mother, “Am I making you proud daily?”

No doubt her mother would be extremely proud of the strong, successful, caring woman her daughter has become. Fiercely dedicated both to helping others and to finding joy in each new morning --- what mother wouldn’t be proud of that?

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IVF Made Simple Positive Steps Offers Answers

BY J. PRESTON PARRY, MD, MPH

I

T IS A MIRACLE THAT WE’VE advanced to the point where single cell surgery is not only possible, but for experts even routine. Despite IVF (in vitro fertilization) being one of the most advanced treatments for infertility, for many going through it, IVF is far simpler than they expect. I often repeat advice I got from a patient a decade ago who said, “You can have all the fear of flying you want, but what matters is if the pilot has a fear of flying.

As long as you get on the plane, the rest is up to the pros.” Similarly, just as you don’t need a pilot’s license or an aeronautics degree, you can get good IVF outcomes without understanding much of the underlying science.

That being said, there are some parts of IVF that when explained make it easier to understand why it works and how to channel your energy in to things that matter most. For example:

Who gets pregnant? There can be subtle factors, but the overwhelming determinant is

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how many eggs you have (figured out through testing) and whether the eggs are good quality (age is the best, but a limited proxy). If at 30 you need 4 eggs to get one good blastocyst with a roughly 50% chance of taking, the person getting 8 eggs averages 2 chances, while the person getting 20 eggs averages 5 chances.

Nothing is 100%, but the person getting 20 eggs typically does better than the person getting 8.

What medications do I take? Though each fertility specialist has his/her own recipe, most of it boils down to a few core treatments:

- FSH: (Follistim, Gonal-F) The “quantity” medication (how do we get enough eggs) - LH: (Menopur which also has FSH) The “quality” medication (how do they mature appropriately) - GnRH agonist/antagonist: (Lupron, Ganirelix) How you avoid ovulating early - Estrogen/progesterone: How you synchronize the ovaries and lining before retrieval and support it after transfer.

These have to be customized to each woman’s anatomy and fertility, and more is not always better. For example, too much FSH adds cost, risk for hyperstimulation, and may force retrieving eggs before they reach ideal quality.

Do I need PGT-A? Preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy (i.e. identifying Down syndrome and other changes in chromosome numbers) won’t change whether

an embryo has 46 chromosomes or not. If 2 out of 5 embryos would ultimately implant, PGT-A won’t change that, but adds cost from testing.

However, PGT-A can tell you which embryos are most likely to implant, reduce the risk of miscarriage, guide future family planning, and depending on clinical style possibly reduce the risk for multiples. Though many women worry IVF creates twins (and some even want this), the chance of multiples entirely relates to how many embryos are put back, so if a woman has a single embryo transferred, the chance of (identical) twins is ~1%.

How can I make sure that I’m pregnant with IVF? No one can give a 100% guarantee for pregnancy, not even with donor egg, donor sperm and a gestational carrier (“surrogate”).

However, many women have 70-80%+ chances with a single cycle. If eligible, we even offer “Reassurance Packages,” where if not bringing home a baby, 100% of our IVF fees are refunded.

When you want a baby and things aren’t working easily, there can be a lot of questions.

Know that you are not alone, there are straightforward answers and we can help you on your journey to the family of your dreams.

We’re all about Positive Steps and are happy to be your guide on the way

Please join us on Facebook every first Friday of the month for First Friday Fertility Live 12:00 PM CST.

Become a Better You

Confidence Is The Best Thing You Can Wear This Summer

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HE SUMMER IS QUICKLY CREEPING up on us which means tank tops, shorts and swimsuits. If you have some stubborn areas on your body that you would like to fix, DermaMediQ has you covered.

Dr.Sowma-Fakhre and her staff are eager to help you be your most confident and strong self.

Here is everything you need to know about the body contouring treatment, Emsculpt.

Emsculpt uses high-intensity focused electromagnetic energy to trigger what’s called supramaximal contractions (the kind that cannot be achieved by voluntary muscle action).

It improves abdominal tone, strengthening of the abdominal muscles, development of firmer abdomen, and strengthening, toning and firming of the buttocks. Oh, and there’s no downtime, of course.

With this treatment, even after a single visit, you’ll notice the area looking better a day or two later. Four sessions, spaced a few days apart, is the recommended dose, with full-on

wow results surfacing two to four weeks after your final appointment . You essentially get the same look and feel that comes from exercising and dieting for six months.

This is what one of our clients, Katelyn, had to say about her experience. “Walking in for my first treatment was kind of nerve racking just because I didn’t really know what to expect. I had seen the machine and some before and after pictures of clients who had gotten it done but that was about it. So the first day, I walked in to the room and sat down and they started strapping the pads on my arms.

They put extra pillows around your arms to make you as comfortable as possible during your treatment. Once she got me situated and comfortable, the treatment began. At first, it kind of just felt like a nice little massage because she had the settings down really low. After I got used to that feeling and we got the pads on the correct parts of my arms she cranked that bad boy all the way up. The feeling of this treatment is something I have never felt before.

It definitely isn’t painful or anything like that, it feels like your getting a very, very deep tissue massage/workout at the same time, which makes no sense but I don’t know any other way to describe it. The treatment consists of different variations of pulsing sequences. Long drown out pulses, quick contraction, and then tapping to get the built up lactic acid out that makes you sore after working out.”

“After you finish the treatment you definitely feel like you did an arm workout but I wasn’t crazy sore or anything. I starting seeing results immediately, and it blew my mind! Not only did I see results in the overall look of my arms but I could tell that my strength improved drastically. I am so pleased with the results I got with Emsulpt.”

“Let me just say, if you are self conscious about a specific area of your body and need help or a little jump start to getting toned, I would definitely recommend this treatment for you. It’s mind blowing honestly!”

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Azalea Estates of Monroe

Compassionately Caring for North Louisiana’s Seniors for Over 24 Years

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HIS IS A DIFFERENT WORLD WE live in today. With new rules, restrictions and policies everyone we know and love has had to make changes. It is important to remember that with these new changes we keep in mind what is important to each of us and maintain hope. Azalea Estates continues to care for their residents, as they always have, and to strive for services, amenities, and programs designed to keep their residents as active and independent as possible.

While our communities’ surroundings and home-like atmosphere are wonderful, what truly sets Azalea Estates apart is our staff and their understanding of the true meaning of service to our residents. Our goal is for you walk into one of our Azalea Estates and say, “It feels like home.”

We strive to accommodate all of our residents and make them feel at home. We have individual apartments in single or two bedroom. We also have a studio option

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available, as well as, our new secured “Legacy Wing.” The Legacy Wing provides care for residents with Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease.

We want our residents to be comfortable and happy while staying at Azalea Estates.

Some of the accommodations we provide are weekly housekeeping and laundry service.

We also provide transportation to and from doctor appointments. There are scheduled daily group activities, weekly social outings, family dinners and special events. Table service breakfast, lunch and dinner in the dining hall everyday. We want the transition into assisted living to be easy and carefree.

Our living options include:

• Retired Living • Assisted Living

• Memory Care

• Respite Care Few other senior living communities can compare to the lifestyle, features,

amenities, and outstanding value that Azalea Estates offers each resident. The very best way to learn about us is to call and learn about our communities, have a meal with us, meet our residents and staff, and see how much fun we have and how you can make tomorrow better than today.

Special offering is happening now for a limited time. Please call to see how you or your loved ones can continue living your best life.

Azalea Estates of Monroe 318-350-6576 4380 OLD STERLINGTON RD MONROE, LA 71203

Striving To Be the Best For Our Community Try the new Dill-icious flavor at Chicken Salad Chick

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E AT CHICKEN SALAD CHICK are so happy to welcome you back and invite you to join us on our patio.

Please know we’re taking proper precautions to ensure that we are strictly following the State’s regulations and guidelines for our restaurant.

However, we have always maintained the highest levels of food safety and cleanliness.

Chicken Salad Chick has been recognized nationally as one of the top restaurants for food safety and cleanliness procedures and scores, and we have added these new practices to address Covid-19 requirements and keep our guests and teams safe and healthy while enjoying us on our patio, curbside takeout or online ordering curbside. A few ways we are doing this is: • Social distancing before, during and after placing your order with floor markings to guide our guests where to stand

• Face masks on every employee • Low contact transactions • Socially distant and limited seating, as well as limitations on party size, aligned with state requirements

• Extra cleaning after every guest

• New cups for any guest drink refills

• And extra smiles behind the masks!

At Chicken Salad Chick, our guests and team members are like family to us, so your health and safety have always been a top priority. As a neighborhood place for family and friends, cleanliness and food safety are part of our culture.

Chicken Salad Chick serves full-flavored, southern-style chicken salad made from scratch and served from the heart. With more than a dozen original chicken salad flavors as well as fresh side salads, gourmet soups, signature sandwiches and delicious desserts, Chicken Salad Chick’s robust menu is a perfect fit for any guest. For limited time only, try our

new Dill-icious Diva. Made with fresh dill and cucumbers!

Chicken Salad Chick also features a catering menu with assorted mini-croissant platters, fruit trays, executive-style boxed lunches, and desert platters. From Bridal showers, to teacher lunches, tailgate parties to holiday soirees, Chicken salad Chick can tailor to your order to fit any occasion.

From intimate gatherings to large corporate events, let the Chick cater your next event. For more information on menu items and store hours, please “like” the Monroe Chicken Salad Chick facebook page at www. facebook.com/ChickenSaladChickMonroe or visit the website at www.ChickenSaladChick. com/Monroe.

Chicken Salad Chick would like to thank all their loyal guests for their continued support!

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B A Y O U

B E A T S

Mason Howard will tell people he’s been performing for about seven years, but his first paid gig was actually when he was eight. His impressive range of ability is embodied in the amount of instruments he owns, his natural knack for composing melodies, and the people who have taught him along the way.

Mason Howard ARTI CLE BY VANELIS RI V ER A AN D IMAGE S BY AN DRE W BAILE Y

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USIC FOR M ASON HOWA R D wasn’t always communal, especially when he was younger. There was a time when he would plug into headphones, mount his bike, and trail around his neighborhood.

“Which wasn’t very safe, but I had this hack,” he says. He would ride in the left lane, so he could see anyone coming toward him, and anyone driving behind him would just pass him anyway. “That’s what I did for at least six to seven years just to get away from the stress at home and later on in college with some of the stress from classes.” Even as a student enrolled in the University of Louisiana’s music program, music maintained an element of getaway. He considered the bandroom one of the safest places he could go, when he couldn’t be anywhere else mentally. “It could dig you out of a hole if you let it,” he says. Now at just twenty-five, Howard’s stepping into his own and leaving the growing pains behind.

When they ask, Howard will tell people he’s been performing for about seven years, but his first paid gig was actually when he was eight. Young for most, but not so much when most of your older relatives are fully immersed in bluegrass. “Grandma Josephine Poole had a lot of brothers and sisters. I had an uncle John who played the mandolin and an uncle Ray. He cut his left ring finger off at a sawmill and was a banjo player. He’s one of those three-fingered banjo players that you hear about,” he says. Out with his grandparents to see his uncle’s gospel group perform, they asked young Howard to sing a song with them on stage. Before it happened, he was all about it, but when they pulled him up, he didn’t realize it was going to be in front of people. “I just didn’t think about that part,” he laughs. “I just awkwardly stood there.” Afterward backstage, the lead singer gave him a five dollar bill. Too young to understand the transaction, he went to his grandmother confused. “Uh, one of them gave me this,” he recalls saying. He didn’t realize until much later that it was, in fact, his first paying gig.

When in fifth grade, Howard first picked up a guitar. “A lot of people don’t really know that because they see me on the horn all the time,” he says, referring to the saxophone, which he first picked up at Good Hope Middle School, and which was also the instrument of focus for his music degree. Around town, he has been mostly known for his sax playing, often backing Doug Duffey or performing with other groups, but with the increase of live streaming becoming a norm for many musicians, he’s been able to show off another strong talent. “There just isn’t an immediate need for saxophone,” he says, adding “nobody wants to sit there and listen to a saxophone by itself for three hours.”

His impressive range of ability is embodied in the amount of instruments he owns: “I’ve got cases of instruments stacked by my door. It’s embarrassing because they go down the wall.”

Somewhere along his former journey of teaching, he was making enough money to invest one of his first checks into a pedal steel guitar, which he has had for a year. Unlike the guitar sound most commonly used in rock bands, the pedal steel has pedals and levers that enable playing more varied and dynamically complex sounds that have been historically associated primarily with country music. His girlfriend has told him that steel guitar sounds like it was his soul, probably referring to the lyrical variety the instrument offers, a feature that Howard deeply connects to: “With guitar you can play a few notes, but in a steel guitar you’re playing with ten strings and you can spell out all kinds of stuff with it, not really putting much effort into it.”

It’s an intimidating-looking tool. Even Howard’s well-intentioned explanation would only make sense to seasoned musicians: “You’ve gotta know that the middle pedal brings the third of the chord up to the fourth and the outside pedal brings the fifth of the chord up to the sixth.” He was drawn to the instrument after going down a torrent of YouTube clips. In one video he saw Brian Blade, drummer for the Wayne Shorter Quartet, playing alongside a musician playing a steel guitar. “When would Brian Blade ever play with a steel guitar player?!” he thought. The guy playing was Daniel Lanois, known for producing albums for a variety of artists like The Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, and Emmylou Harris. “He played that instrument and made it sound like I never thought one would sound,” says Howard.

Though Howard’s music bent is currently well formed, while in college he was still discovering his own tastes. “The problem with being nineteen and being a musician is that you don’t know enough. No matter how good you are, you’re kinda guessing,” he admits. At the time, many of the music faculty at ULM, including Dan Sumner who would later become a colleague and mentor, were also working musicians, which deeply inspired Howard to play outside of his academic requirements. That became an easy feat living with musicians at N McGuire Avenue, “in this big fat house.” His style developed by way of playing house parties and listening to a lot of Miles Davis, Coltrane, Wayne Shorter, Herbie Hancock, and Charlie Parker. Presently, he’s been gravitating and creating the kind of sounds he describes as study music or “stuff that you would hear on the home menu of a really fancy game console.” Howard adds,“With that you have to be careful where you stick it in a set because it feels like you’re sitting in a funeral parlor after a while.” Ultimately, it’s music that evokes pondering and reflecting. “And this is such a huge time for that,” he says.

Though composing melodies comes naturally, lyrics can be a challenge for Howard at times. “It’s the same reason that I’m kind of bad talking to people on the phone,” he claims. At one point, he thought he was losing his hearing because he often would ask people to repeat themselves, but his girlfriend, more keen to his

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“One thing that I figured out in the long run corresponds with a Mr. Rogers quote that I read,” Howard says. “That there are three main ideas to succeeding in life. The first is to be kind, the second is to be kind, and the third is to be kind. That’s the main thing that I learned out of this.” ~ MASON HOWARD

nature, made him aware of his predispositions: “Mason, you’re not hard of hearing. You literally only hear everything as just music. You don’t hear words at all.” So when he writes a song, he rarely hears words first. Instead, a melodic sound develops, which he’ll compliment with a set of chords, and finally work on lyrics that will fit the sound. “It’s easy to sit down and write a song, but it’s harder to keep coming back to it and making it better, and to keep going back to it everyday,” he says, acknowledging that as an artist you should write everyday, even if it’s one sentence.

Most of the time “up in my head,” as he claims mentor and local legend Doug Duffey would say, “it’s just sound effects and garbage” he has to make some kind of sense of. When he does manage to sift through the rubble, the results can be quite interesting. Some of his blues songs are conflict-driven with a comical edge, like “Two Step Staircase,” a song about a man who lives in an apartment just high enough above ground that his staircase is two steps. Constantly failing to remember this, whenever he walks out of the door he falls

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down: “Two small steps were enough to make me forget / And I spilled my coffee all over the driveway flo’.” Another blues song is about being a saxophone player with two titles--“Nobody Wants You” or “Everybody Wants You Sometimes, But Nobody Wants You All The Time.” Other songs are more personal, like “Driving Down The Outside Mile,” which was written on his steel guitar and recounts the time he was able to find his faith amidst tumultuous relationships: “There’s a mile of road that stretches to the north / Where the wheels have traveled many times before / There’s something sitting out there undisturbed / The same old thing that brought me right to her.”

The setting of the song is a nod to the church he plays at in Bastrop, Louisiana. “There’s a stretch of road before you get to the church; it’s exactly straight and exactly one mile,” he says.

Duffey’s music group Louisiana Soul Revival was one of the first “real” New Orleans style bands Howard has played in. “They’re part of a large tribe of musicians that I’m not ever gonna be able to get out of,” he says, adding he wouldn’t want to if he had the choice.

Musically, there may be a lot Howard owes his mentors, but one of the standout pieces of advice he has gotten from Duffey was more about grit than craft. On a gig, after hearing some bad news, Duffey retorted with, “Roses are red, violets are blue, they say it don’t be that way, but it do,” which Howard cheekily delivers, in his best Duffey impression.

Hoping to become an established career musician, Howard has been wise to keep close to masters like Duffey who constantly encourage his own “natural self and let the past be the past.” He has learned the goal is not so much to move somewhere else, but to keep moving and working. “I don’t care to be famous or have my name on social media, but I do hope to sustain myself and be able to travel and see

the nation while doing it,” he says. In such an uncertain time for musicians, it’s easy to get discouraged, but Howard has been able to stay grounded through sage advice. Lucky enough to be at The Eli when Monty Russell and Robert “Guitar” Finley, American blues and soul singer-songwriter, were playing, he learned that hard times are meant to roll in and out of our lives. Finley, coming from a history of being a sharecropper and farmer, informed an attentive Howard that sometimes there will be years you just have a bad crop and there’s nothing you can do about it, except take what you can when you get it. “That’s been the attitude lately in the music community.

We’re experiencing a bad crop and hopefully the growth back will be bountiful,” Howard says, expressing gratitude for events like the NELA Couch Concert Series, Brown Bag Concert Series, and Locked Up Live, which have kept musicians working.

“One thing that I figured out in the long run corresponds with a Mr. Rogers quote that I read,” Howard says. “That there are three main ideas to succeeding in life. The first is to be kind, the second is to be kind, and the third is to be kind. That’s the main thing that I learned out of this.” Performing music has taught him, “the severely, severely difficult way,” how much he owes to everyone, and that no one really owes him anything. Whenever he sees his name on a sign, he begins to think of all the people he has a relationship with, that have contributed and continue to contribute to that possibility.

Follow Mason Howard on his Facebook promo page and make sure to tune in to his live streams.

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Get Smart.

Eat Catfish.

Haring Catfish Offers Locally Raised Catfish

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OR THREE GENERATIONS, THE HARING FAMILY HAS BEEN blessed to raise only the finest catfish. While their operation is based right here in North Louisiana in Wisner, they provide their farm raised and grain fed catfish all over the country. They are constantly working to bring the safest highest-quality catfish to plates across the United States.

And now, there is even more of an importance placed on sourcing local food. Additionally, with shortages of beef and chicken, catfish is not only an easily locally accessed product, but it is packed with nutrients as well. Catfish is a low calorie, high protein seafood that’s a great source of nutrients, including vitamin B12, selenium, and omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. Try some of these recipes this summer and find even more available from The Catfish Institute at USCatfish.com.

CATFISH DIP | SERVES 10-12 2 pounds U.S. Farm-Raised Catfish Fillets 2 quarts water 2 tablespoons salt ½ cup liquid crab boil 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened 1 (8-ounce) container sour cream ½ cup mayonnaise 1 tablespoon Worcestershire 2 teaspoons dried dill weed ½ teaspoon dried basil

1 teaspoon cayenne pepper Juice of 2 lemons 1 cup green onion, finely diced ½ cup celery, finely diced ½ cup green bell pepper, finely diced ¾ cup parsley, chopped ½ cup pimentos, drained Salt and black pepper, to taste Fresh dill and lemon zest, for garnish

Bring water, crab boil and salt to a boil. Add fish and return to a simmer 5 to 7 minutes or until done. Remove fish and refrigerate until cool; flake into small pieces. In mixing bowl, combine cream cheese, sour cream and mayonnaise. Mix until smooth. Add Worcestershire, dill, basil, cayenne pepper and lemon juice. Add remaining ingredients and season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve with crostini and garnish with fresh dill and lemon zest.

ONION-CRUSTED CATFISH | SERVES 8 8 U.S. Farm-Raised Catfish Fillets 1 cup all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon salt ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper

1 teaspoon lemon zest 1 cup French Fried Onions, crushed

Combine flour, salt, cayenne pepper and lemon zest in shallow bowl.

Dredge fillets in flour mixture and press in crushed fried onions, coating well. Brown fillets over medium-high heat serving side down for 3 to 4 minutes. Turn fillets and cook 3 to 4 more minutes or until done. While fillets are cooking, make Pecan Sauce. Place fillets on plate and serve with sauce.

Pecan Sauce for Onion-Crusted Catfish ½ cup butter 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce ½ cup chopped pecans 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, 2 tablespoons lemon juice chopped

Melt butter in small saucepan until bubbly and slightly browned.

Add pecans and cook 1 minute to lightly toast. Add lemon juice and Worcestershire sauce. Remove from heat; add parsley. Spoon over fish.

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Finding Joy in Quarantine Tips for Social Distancing With Kids

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HE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC HAS PUT A SPECIAL strain on kids. The initial excitement of school being closed early was followed by the reality that they couldn’t play with friends, have birthdays, or even go to prom. While we all need social interaction, that can be hard to balance with staying socially distanced.

Here are a few of the things we have done to help our kids enjoy this unprecedented time in a responsible, socially distanced manner.

PROM ON THE PORCH

When our daughter realized she wouldn’t be going to prom this year, the boys all jumped into gear. They picked flowers for her bouquet, dressed up in their Sunday best, and she had 5 little dates to “prom.”

Dad and I served them a fancy dinner on the porch followed by a dance party with Corona-themed songs like “Stayin’ Alive” and “Don’t Get So Close To Me.” It was such a blast and a memory she will never forget.

Where brother dates aren’t an option, “Mask”querade themed prom on the porch could be a solution.

BIRTHDAY DRIVE-IN

We’ve all seen birthday parades with signs and friends driving by cheering. When the local firetruck saw the procession heading to our house, they joined in the fun by following with their siren. We love our emergency responders! That night we turned our front yard into a drive-in by projecting a movie on a sheet. Friends backed their cars in and watched from truck beds 6+ feet away. Although we were spread out, it was nice to feel together.

RESPONSIBLE SPORTS

Several of our children have expressed relief to have a break from organized sports. This time off has allowed them to just be kids again, not having the anxiety team sports can produce. Staying active is important to us as a family, so where we haven’t had the busy schedule, we have replaced it with outdoor family fun. We have discovered new bike trails at Lincoln Parish Park, the levy, and Chennault Park. We’ve taken up frisbee golf and tennis. Our kids set up a workout track using sidewalk chalk on our Cul De Sac. Every stop had directions for a new exercise. It was fun for them to watch out the window as our neighbors used their creation. They’re currently planning neighborhood Olympics with distanced activities like water balloon wars.

QUARAN-TEAMING

Many people have been quaran-teaming with extended family or neighbors. We’ve loved doing family game nights on Zoom, but decided to have a staycation with those who had been safely quarantining as well. The older cousins have been teaching the younger cousins to dance and fish. Tonight is our backyard graduation! As our kids recently stated, “Quarantine is the BEST!”

We hope this ends soon but in the meantime we hope you are able to make some special memories with your children so they will look back on this time with fondness.

Love,

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I REMEMBER A LOT OF THINGS ABOUT MY FATHER

Eventually, he purchased that store

I REMEMBER, with Father ’s Day and, subsequently, several others on the horizon, a lot of things about in the area. In his case, hard and my father. One thing that stands disciplined work has produced good out in my mind is his work ethic. results. No doubt, his grandfather He was a man who was not afraid of would be proud of him. hard work and one who gave every Someone has noted that it task his best effort. No one could is interesting to observe this ever accuse him of being satisfied phenomenon: the harder one works, with just “getting by” – he tried the “luckier” he seems to be. If there to do every undertaking well and is truth in that reasoning, my father right. The example he set for fellow was very “lucky” man. I wish that workers and for his family is worthy he could be here this Father ’s Day of our emulation. so I could thank him and express my His approach to his work is appreciation for the impact his life highlighted by the way he undertook had on me and my two kids. He was the harder, more difficult tasks first. a good example. And his memory is Some of us may be tempted to tackle SOMEONE HAS NOTED THAT IT IS honored by the way his progenies do the easier chores before giving our their work. attention to those that are not so INTERESTING TO OBSERVE THIS But the prime example of how demanding, with the result that PHENOMENON: THE HARDER ONE WORKS, one should go about caring out we never get around to those more his responsibilities is seen, not in a challenging jobs. Not so with my THE “LUCKIER” HE SEEMS TO BE. father, but in the Son. Jesus honored dad; he attacked the arduous before His Father by always doing His very addressing the less difficult.

I think this trait may have been in his genes, for, though it may best to fulfill the task given to Him by God. Once when His disciples have jumped my generation, it showed up in my children -- so much were urging Him to eat some food, Jesus told them, “My food (that so, that it impacted the choice of vocations for my oldest offspring. which satisfied Him) is to do the will of Him Who sent me and to Mary Linda was an excellent student, but, in her high school years, accomplish His work.” (John 4:34) Paul the Apostle exalts Christ’s she did not like science. However, when she began her schooling devotion to His calling, saying that He was “obedient to the point at Belhaven and discovered that she was required to take at least of death, even death on a cross.” (Philippians 2:8) And when Jesus one science course, she signed up for biology the first semester of had secured salvation (by His death on the cross) for those He came her freshman year. To her amazement, she discovered that she loved to redeem, He said, “It is finished!” (John 19:30) He had completed biology and ended up pursuing a double major in biology and the work which His Father had commissioned Him to do. And His chemistry. She finished her college training by graduating with the Father was proud of Him (Philippians 2:9-11).

Those who have put their trust in Jesus are all children of God highest scholastic honors and then continued her vocational training in medicine and is now a successful practicing radiologist in Tupelo, (John 1:12). As His children, we have all the privileges commensurate Mississippi. Had she put off taking the challenging biology course with that relationship. With those privileges, there are also until her senior year, her life could have been, and likely would have responsibilities, including carrying out His commission of taking been, vastly different. Were he still alive, I am sure that my father His Gospel and His love to all those around us. May our Father be “proud” of us as we seek to serve Him. would be proud of her.

God is pleased when His children work hard for the causes of

Our son, Jonathan, also had some of his grandfather ’s genes.

After earning a doctorate in pharmacy, he secured a job with a popular His kingdom. So, as we honor our earthly fathers on their special day, store chain in Dallas. As the result of his hard work, he was soon let us also honor our heavenly Father by doing our utmost to please made manager of the pharmacy. Not long after that, he was hired Him by our devotion to His cause. ▪ to manage one of the leading independent drug stores in the city.

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Hot Off the Press Press Seltzers Launch in Northeast Louisiana

BY DELIA SIMPSON, CRAFT BRAND MANAGER, CHOICE BRANDS, INC.

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RESS WAS FOUNDED IN 2015 BY AMY WALBERG WHEN she couldn’t find a premium alcohol seltzer on the market. In between working a full-time job in advertising and another as a single parent to two children, she started experimenting with different flavor profiles and created Press’ first flavor, Pomegranate Ginger, from her kitchen in Milwaukee. “I had trouble finding a premium product that really spoke to flavor profiles and delivered an elevated experience,” she says. “I wanted something low in calories, low carb and low sugar, but that first and foremost tasted good.” A friend of a friend connected her with a beverage manufacturer, and she took the risk to leave her corporate job and dive headfirst into bringing Press Seltzers to market.

Being a single mom, Walberg notes she often has to “jump back into mom mode at any minute,” so she also wanted something lower in alcohol by volume (ABV); Press has just 4% ABV per 12-ounce serving. She started working on the product in 2015, turning her Fox Point kitchen into a mixology lab. She muddled different flavors and experimented with a SodaStream, a gadget that turns tap water into fresh sparkling water. “I used to travel abroad quite a bit, and I experimented with flavors influenced by those travels.” As a foodie, she also wanted a beverage that didn’t dictate meal pairings and could be enjoyed with a variety of entrées.

Amy’s vision for Press really sets it apart. She sought to create an elevated seltzer experience that would appeal to discerning consumers like herself through “foodie” flavor profiles and understated, sophisticated branding. The lower ABV also allows for the complex and subtle flavor notes to break through.

The name Press is derived from a beverage Walberg drank during her college years—the vodka press, which balances alcohol with seltzer and a hint of sweetness. All four flagship varieties pack very pronounced, refreshing pops of flavor into just 110 calories. “I taste every batch going out and make sure the flavors are spot on. When you’re dealing with only 110 calories, there’s not a lot of room to hide,” she says.

Walberg just happened to catch an alcohol seltzer wave. This fairly new beverage category picked up as the hard soda craze began to fizzle. Walberg notes there’s still some misconceptions about lowalcohol hard seltzer, such as people equating it to sweeter hard sodas or 82 JUNE 2020 | WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM

confusing Press with other low-alcohol seltzers made by large beverage companies that have lines of beer or beverages in other categories.

The low-alcohol seltzer category is exploding because it is so fluid, Walberg observes, and it attracts people who also enjoy beer, wine and spirits, as well as people who generally don’t drink because they don’t like the taste of alcohol. “People are also drinking differently now. Before, people would save up for a Friday night after a long work week, but now, people are drinking in a different way—drinking at soccer games or while making dinner, or on the patio with the kids when friends are over,” she says. Press can be enjoyed alone or used in cocktail recipes.

Despite being a small, woman-owned company, or the “David” in what Walberg refers to as the “David and Goliath” beverage market, Press has enjoyed much word-of-mouth success. It’s now available in 41 states and has received accolades in food and beverage publications like Chowhound and Martha Stewart Living. It’s available locally in 12-count variety packs.

Press seltzers, with their clean flavors and effervescence, lend themselves beautifully to summer cocktail recipes. Here’s one of our favorites.

SKINNY POMEGRANATE MULE Ingredients: 1oz Vodka 1Tbsp Fresh Lime Juice 1 Can Press Pomegranate Ginger Seltzer Pomegranate Seeds and Lime Wedge (for garnish) Method: Fill copper mule mug with ice and add vodka and fresh lime juice.

Stir to combine. Top with Pomegranate Ginger seltzer. Garnish with pomegranate seeds and lime wedge. Sip and savor.

Be sure to like Choice Brands on Facebook and follow us on Twitter and Instagram to keep up with new product releases and message us for information on where to find your favorite brands. Find us at facebook.com/choicebrands, twitter.com/choicebrandsinc, and instagram.com/choicebrands.

Your Number One Local Dealer

B&L Marine Has Been Serving Our Community for Almost 50 Years

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HE WATER IS ALWAYS OPEN! Boating is the best way to spend your summer while also social distancing. If you are looking for a to have some fun while being safe, B&L Marine has you covered.

Summer is here and everyone is ready to get out of the house. The sun is out, the temperature and our spirits are rising, and a good time is right outside. If you have been on the fence about getting the boat you’ve been waiting then the time is now to get up and get on the water. Whether you want a boat for leisure, water sports or fishing, B&L Marine in Monroe has been our community’s marine since 1973 and will continue to do so through this “new normal.”

For 47 years, B&L Marine has been family-owned and operated and conveniently located in the Lakeshore area of Monroe. Bill and Hazel Buckley started the dealership in 1973. In 1985, their son in law, Pat McDonald

came to the dealership and started working his way up. He purchased the dealership in 1997 from Bill and Hazel and continues to run it today with the help of his son Nick McDonald.

The family is deeply rooted in the Lakeshore and Swartz area and continues to support the community which has come to know B&L Marine as a local landmark. Bill and Hazel’s goal was to make B&L Marine the best choice and a one-stop dealership for your sales, service and on the water fun.

They continue that philosophy today with great customer service, the best products and the ability to handle any boating need that you may have.

They offer a variety of marine products, and their selection of high quality boats is second to none. B&L Marine prides itself on having the friendliest and most knowledgeable staff in Northeast Louisiana.

They have been here in Monroe for almost 50 years and have no plans of stopping now. It is their goal to help customers find the perfect boat to fit their lifestyle, along with the right parts and accessories to truly keep you on the water!

B&L Marine 110 Old Bastrop Rd Monroe, LA 71203 bandlmarine.com (318) 343-1250

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Coping Skills

BY THE CHILDREN’S COALITION FOR NORTHEAST LOUISIANA

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anaging stress is an important part of building resilience. Having a range of healthy coping skills to turn to allows young people to bounce back from challenges. We hope our children will come to us to talk about the stress in their lives.

The reality is they often attempt to manage stress on their own.

And in their attempts to reduce discomfort, teens often turn to things that make them feel better quickly. This may include taking part in risky behaviors like drinking or drug use. These short-term “fixes” are often misguided attempts to deal with stress. Equipping teens with a wide range of healthy coping DR. SCOTT skills reduces the need to turn to worrisome behaviors and supports emotional and physical health.

Dr. Scott Shelby is the owner and CEO of Family Solutions. Family Solutions has three divisions: The Counseling Center which provides outpatient counseling, therapy, psychiatric care, medication management, and psychological testing; Behavioral Developmental Services which provides comprehensive autism treatment with ABA

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therapy for children and adolescents diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder; The Therapy Center which provides occupational therapy, speech therapy, and physical therapy to children and adults. Family Solutions has grown to serve individuals and families in North Louisiana having 8 practice locations and employing a staff of over 130 passionate employees that provide the highest standard of care.

Q: What is the most important thing parents need to know about coping skills?

A: It’s important to know that it is never too early or too late to learn a new coping skill or fine tune the prior learned skills.

It is one thing to learn the skills, SHELBY however, parents need to help their children put these methods into practice. Practice, practice, practice!

Teaching your child healthy, appropriate coping skills could be the most important thing parents teach their children. Self-care is something you can teach your child to do that incorporates many coping skills. Self-care is not something you do once you are totally stressed out, but rather, self-care is a daily practice of engaging in healthy activities that make you

happy and help you maintain you physical, mental and emotional health.

Q: Why is it important for parents to talk to their children about coping skills? How does this impact their health?

A: Talking to your child in a positive way when they are struggling is critical. It can be as simple as creating a safe place for children to express their feelings. Keep in mind their feelings are very important to them, even if you do not agree. By creating a safe place to explore your child’s feelings, you can then help them discover healthy methods to deal with the situation they are facing. Talking it out can be very helpful. Remember, talking with your child about the struggles they are facing is very different from you as the parent trying to solve their problem for them.

Q: What are some examples of coping skills that you can share that parents can help teach their child?

A: Talking it out is a great way for anyone to express feelings and find solutions to circumstances. Talking it out with parents, a friend or a professional can help your child not feel like they are dealing with this alone.

It is important to not be judgmental, rather supportive and encouraging. Taking a break is a great way to stop and shift your focus

thoughts and energy. Doing something you enjoy can help reduce stress and create a positive mindset. Eating well and exercising play a big role in your child’s wellbeing. It is no surprise that physical health has a huge impact of mental health. Remember that exercise helps reduce tension and increases energy levels and a well-balanced diet will help their body during stressful times. Engaging in positive selftalk can help your child know it is ok to share what they are doing well with you. This can help them gain confidence.

It is just as important for parents to remind them they are great! Encouraging this type of behavior can help encourage a positive mindset and motivation. Lastly, it is most important for parents to model healthy, positive coping strategies themselves. Kids model their parent’s behavior even when they are told “to do as we say, not as I do.” Showing children, it is ok not be perfect allows them to feel normal when they experience challenges, too. Sharing what has worked well for you can help them gain the confidence to speak up when they need help.

“It is common for children and teens to experience stress, worry and anxiety following a crisis or life event change.”

Q: What are signs and/or symptoms my child may be showing if they are struggling with everyday stress and not properly coping?

A:It is common for children and teens to experience stress, worry and anxiety following a crisis or life event change. Most often, the stress and worry will resolve itself in a short period of time. However, some children need a little more time to process new or unusual circumstances. When children struggle, they are searching for a safe, secure place to process

their emotions while recovering from their distress. Parents play a big role in helping children after a crisis a child faced by reinforcing normal routines and practice healthy coping skills. Some common examples of difficulty coping in children are: change in sleep patterns, change in eating habits, low or no energy, unexplained aches and pains (stomach aches/ headaches), resisting authority, uninterested in school, withdrawing from peer groups, and thinking of hurting their self or someone else.

RESOURCES

Coping Skills for Kids

Coping Skills for Kids (https:// copingskillsforkids.com) provides products and resources to help kids learn to cope with the daily challenges of life. There’s a list of helpful books that can support both parents and children on the journey to finding healthy coping skills. There are also a variety of recommended products, like popular fidgets, toys and games that can be coping skills for kids to use to help manage their big feelings.

Jan Daniels, Youth Development Director at the Children’s Coalition, works with middle schools in northeast Louisiana to provide the suicide prevention program Signs of Suicide (SOS) and the abstinence-plus program Rights, Respect and Responsibility. Call Jan at (318) 323-8775 or go to www.childrenscoalition.org to learn more about how you can get these programs at your child’s school.

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CHOOSING SUSTAINABILITY One Step at a Time article by Vanelis Rivera

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s if reviving Henry David Thoreau’s vision of self-reliance, Americans are currently turning away from commercial providers and shifting their gaze to their own backyards. Having experienced what shortages can look like amid a pandemic, many are exploring sustainable living practices that not only allow them to rely on their own resources, but also reduce impact on Earth’s natural resources by altering lifestyle methods. What’s commonly called “earth harmony living” may seem like a trend, but it’s increasingly becoming a cultural revolution.

With the assistance of local experts, BayouLife offers these sustainable living “first steps” that can ensure our state’s natural resources remain healthy and thriving.

Say No To Single-Use Plastic

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eather Land, modern-day home and lifestyle maker, advises “Just say no to plastic!” Of course, easier said than done. Plastic has been hailed as a genius invention due to its convenience, versatility, and low cost. It’s also non-biodegradable, meaning, like cockroaches, it’ll most likely be here until the end of time (unless we do something about it now). If you don’t believe there’s a plastic problem, then you should probably visit your local landfill. “It just breaks my heart,” says Land who has witnessed the scourge of piles upon piles of plastic waste. Land knew she needed to make a change in her waste management when she realized she was taking out the garbage one to two times a day. “If we are producing this much trash,” implores Land, “think of other families that have more people or are not even conscious of it and then multiply that.” In order to examine how much she could reduce, she simply looked at items she was throwing away that could be either recycled or reused-soap containers, milk jugs, cardboard boxes, and food waste. “That’s one to two trash bags of recyclable materials,” she says.

When it comes to single-use plastic, bottled water takes the cake. But with an increase in awareness of its environmental impact, more and more people are turning to alternate sources for drinking water:

• If you want to get serious, go the Land way and purchase a whole-house filtering system. Though the most expensive option, it boasts the most benefits.

Clean filtered water from every water source in the house can mean healthier showers and baths, extended life of water using appliances and household pipes, brighter and longer lasting clothing, and healthier skin and hair, free of contaminants.

• Less pricey, but still quite an investment are carbon filters. These filters are installed under the sink and only need replacing every three to twelve months.

• The most popular and economic filtration systems are tap filters or filteredwater pitchers. If you go this route, make sure the company you purchase from has a recycling program. For instance, Brita has partnered with TerraCycle® to recycle their filters.

• Some spring water delivery systems use glass jugs, like The Mountain Valley Spring brand.

• If you live in an area where wells are plentiful, you may want to take advantage of access. However, before drinking, take important steps to make sure your well water is suitable for drinking by testing for bacteria, nitrates, and pH levels. There are also filtration systems available.

Small transitions are better than none at all. Land believes you can live “real life” and at the same time, still make significant changes that can last for generations.

For a portable alternative, Land suggests purchasing a glass bottle to fill before leaving the house. Many have already opted for the popular stainless steel canisters, but Land points out “there’s something so clean about glass, especially in the heat of the summer.” So many people leave individual plastic bottles in their car or cases sitting in their garage while the Louisiana heat leeches the chemicals from plastic into your water. Some huge benefits to glass (even for baby bottles) are that it’s easier to clean compared to plastic, can be sterilized quickly in boiling water, and is readily recyclable (depending on your area). If you’re like Land and can’t stand to throw away your glass bottles, you may want to explore glass-cutting. Recently, Land turned her “Topo Chico problem” into a use-reuse-recycle project, turning 12 oz. bottles into perfect “juice/kombucha-size” glasses. Ideally, Land hopes companies will eventually go back to the glass bottle system where they would take back bottles after use. Until then, she takes her glass container to establishments, instead of using their plastic, paper, or styrofoam containers.

Quick Fixes:

• Invest in grocery tote bags instead of using plastic bags from the grocery store.

Land uses 2-3 bags for a buggy full of groceries.

• Avoid using straws! Though some restaurants in town are offering eco options, you can also purchase aluminum straws you can carry on the go.

• Each member of Land’s family has their own bamboo flatware roll they take when eating away from home to avoid using plastic utensils.

• Invest in real dishes and napkins or reusable washcloths instead of paper towels and paper napkins.

• Use cloth coffee filters and/or recyclable ones that can actually decompose.

• Wool dryer balls with essential oil work just as well as dryer sheets.

• Avoid buying single-serve snacks. It’s just plastic inside of plastic.

• Consider alternative food storage options like beeswax wraps for leftovers.

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Turn Your Yard Into A Produce Aisle

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ne of the most common misconceptions Donna Isaacs and Waylon Breaux from DeLa Terre Farm encounter from those wanting to begin a home garden is not having enough space. “You would be surprised at what your production is going to be even in a small yard,” says Breaux who recommends measuring your space using random empty containers and setting them in rows to eyeball available space. Still skeptical? You don’t have to unearth your garden to grow.

“A lot of things can be grown in containers,” says Breaux, particularly herbs. If you don’t want to grow from seed, then purchase plants from your local seed or feed store and repot. For the rest of the year, you won’t have to buy herbs because they grow so well. “There’s nothing like fresh picked herbs,” chimes in Isaacs. A few veggies that grow well in a single pot include peppers, tomatoes, and some beans. “As long as the container is able to drain and it’s the right size, “you’re good to go,” says Breaux.

For those willing to get dirty, Isaacs recommends following the Mel Bartholomew method of planting in a square foot. Clear a full day for this fun project:

• Start with a 12 foot long, 4 foot wide area, and cover it with corrugated cardboard (avoid cardboard with plastic seals).

• If you have a friend with a farm, “help them clean their stable,” chuckles Isaac. In other words, get bucket loads of manure and pile it on the cardboard. You’ll want it to be 6 inches deep. Make sure there is still cardboard extending 10 inches around the bed, so that you’re not filling the whole piece of cardboard. “The reason for that is the grass will start growing into your garden and that would make it challenging,” says Isaacs.

• Mound up all the manure, which is “instant, amazing fertilizer” and cover it with several layers of newspaper. “This is your instantaneous weed protection,” says Isaacs.

• Grid your garden bed into square foot blocks, then begin to plant or transplant. Even though it’s a small space, you can actually grow quite a bit of food in that area. For example, you can actually plant 16 carrots, or 4 lettuce plants, or 9 turnips per square. Mel Bartholomew’s guide offers information on how much to plant in a square foot.

In Louisiana, you can generally grow year-round, but it’s important to identify the crops that are heat tolerant and those that prefer cooler temperatures. Isaacs recommends consulting the LSU Ag Center vegetable guide for planting dates and crop spacing information.

Thankfully, there are many crops that can be grown during the warm summer months, such as tomatoes, sweet or hot peppers, peas, beans, and cucumbers. Keep in mind that some plants require more care than others. Once fall brings in cool breezes, consider planting carrots, mustard greens, turnips, beets, radishes, and Brussel sprouts. When choosing what to grow Isaac says it’s as simple as knowing what you love to eat. “You’re not just planting a garden. You’re doing your own backyard grocery shopping,” says Breaux.

Growing Hacks: Lettuce

Plant this favorite leafy green under a tree or where it can get some shade and make sure to provide a lot of water. Isaacs recommends choosing a loose-leaf lettuce you can keep eating from whenever you desire a salad or need to dress a sandwich. “You don’t need a whole lot to feed yourself,” she says.

Tomatoes

If you really want variety, consider planting a slicing tomato, plum tomato, and a cherry tomato. They do need some support, but instead of going to the store to buy a tomato cage with three rings, Isaacs encourages repurposing an old 4 feet tall fence. Simply roll it into a circle, and pop it right over your tomato plant.

Garlic

Go to the store, buy the whole clove, break out each peg, and plant them with the shell around it. Garlic grows best around October to November and, though it takes a while to grow, once the sprouts appear, it takes care of itself.

“If you start small, you’ll make it easier for yourself,” attests Isaacs.

With maintenance that requires no more than an hour of weeding and watering per week, starting a home garden is a gift to yourself and the planet.

Feed Soil With Food Scraps

Having children made Lissy Sanders Compton, co-owner at Mr P’s Tees, begin to think about the kind of world she wanted them to grow up in. For Compton, sustainability means not wasting, and one of the ways her family reduces waste is putting their food scraps to powerful use by composting. She has bowls set up in her house for remnants of meals that either go to their chickens or their compost pile. They dump “everything” into the pile: vegetable scraps, egg shells, branches, leaves, fish heads, crawfish tails, and even dryer lint, though Compton does not recommend using dairy or meat-based products, as the sour smell can attract wild animals.

Compton’s husband built their compost pile using three-sided wood pallets, but a trash can with drilled holes all over the body can also work (air plays an important role in your compost, so make sure your pile can breathe).

Besides diminishing waste, saving your food scraps for a compost pile also helps turn dirt into soil, helping nature “do her thing.” The key to a usable pile is making sure you have as much brown material (dry leaves and/or branches) as you do food waste. “If it stinks, there is a problem. You’re out of balance,” says Compton, adding “It should smell earthy.” After about six months from starting your first pile, it should look like dirt and be ready to use for sprinkling into your flower or vegetable beds, raking into tree beds, or blending with potting soil.

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Upkeep is simple: sprinkle with water and turn.

Not planning to compost? You can still save your food scraps for neighbors or local farms that are composting.

Compton got twenty-one families in her neighborhood to collect compost for her.

Every Sunday evening she gathers their buckets, and leaves a fresh one for the next week. “They say it has definitely made them more aware about what they’ve been eating and not eating,” Compton reports.

“The most sustainable lifestyle was presented to us at the beginning of the Bible with Adam and Eve in the garden,” says Isaacs. “It’s just caring for the planet that we’re living on and doing it in a way that would make Mother Nature proud.”

Though sustainable living is a modern term, it’s not a novel practice.

Our grandparents and their parents lived close to the earth. Switching to a conservation mindset doesn’t just honor the place we call home, it recalls and honors their way of life. By following these practices, we also honor future generations. We honor creation. We honor life.

Learn more about DeLa Terre Farm by visiting their website: https://www. delaterrefarm.com/. If you are planning a garden, give Mel Bartholomew’s Beginner’s Guide a read: http://www.melbartholomew.com/. Follow Heather Land and her projects on Instagram: @heathersuez. And learn more about Lissy Sanders Compton’s farm journey on her blog: http://comptonfarms.

We Wear the Mask Continued from Page 12

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OW MORE THAN EVER IT IS CRITICAL TO STAY healthy; in addition to washing your hands well, strive to keep your immunity up and wear a mask particularly if you cannot maintain a physical distance of 6 feet. Replace losses with wins, fears with triumphs, disappointment with hope.

Just think, 6 months ago at the start of the new year and new decade many regarded 2020 as the year for new vision. Yet who envisioned the life we currently live? This year has already been a testament to our perseverance, fortitude and emotional tenacity.

There is the saying that history has a way of repeating itself. Some of us are old enough to have witnessed the nations response to the AIDS, SARS, EBOLA and the H1N1 epidemics, many remember 911, and some have even felt the impact of the Great Depression.

Needless to say, society’s reaction to COVID-19 has been interesting.

As a nation we have entered into a world when business as usual has taken on a new norm; when ZOOM is a household word aiding our connectedness; when drive-in movies and family nights featuring board games have regained popularity; when airports require the wearing of masks; and when curbside pick-up is in vogue. We are living in a time when all of us have been affected by a health crisis

that makes us uncertain about the future. We cannot turn the clocks back to the way things were before (in some ways we do not want to), but when our concern about the future sets in we can draw on memories of the nation’s past survival to bring calm back into life.

The human spirit is strong, it is courageous, the mind and willfulness are powerful tools against anxiety and stress. It continues to be my belief that society will endure. May we wear the mask and face the world with an enriched and new perspective.

For more information on counseling and outreach services contact Dr. Beatrice Tatem at Wellness Initiatives, LLC, 2485 Tower Drive, Suite 10 Monroe, La 71201, 318-410-1555 or at btatem.bt@gmail.com.

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B AY O U H E A L T H |

BY SHANNON DAHLUM

Herbs | the Forgotten Food Group egetables and fruits get all the credit for being nutritional powerhouses. We’re reminded to get in 5-9 servings daily of these health promoting plants, but poor herbs don’t get any recognition. The USDA food groups include fruits, vegetables, grains, dairy and protein, with no mention of herbs whatsoever. These tend to be seen simply as condiments; a way to add flavor and make our meals more enjoyable. Beyond adding a punch of flavor, though, herbs are actually some of the most nutrient dense foods available.

Harvard chemist Dr. Mat Lalonde created a chart that organizes various foods in order from the greatest nutrient density to least, which he presented at the Ancestral Health Symposium in 2012. Each food was given a score, and the higher the score, the greater its nutrient

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density. At the top of the chart is organ meats, which are an incredibly rich source of minerals, with a score of 21.3. Herbs and spices came in second from the top, with a score of 12.3. Raw vegetables are 8th on the list with a score of 3.8, cooked or canned veggies are 14th with a score of 2.0, and fruit is right behind at number 15 on the list, with a score of 1.5. The nutrients he included for this ranking system were vitamins, minerals, protein, fiber and essential fatty acids. It’s important to note that phytochemicals weren’t included. If they had been, vegetables and fruits would have ranked higher, since they’re rich in these beneficial plant compounds, so don’t start dismissing their importance. Without the inclusion of the phytochemicals, though, it’s evident that herbs and spices are far more dense in vitamins and minerals than other plant foods and aren’t given the spaces on our healthy plates they deserve!

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PA R S L E Y Parsley is generally used as a supporting roll, simply garnishing a plate to make it look pretty. As one of the most nutrient dense herbs, it should play a starring role in your meal every now and then. It also has natural diuretic properties, which helps with fluid retention, and it dilates blood vessels which improves blood flow and can lower blood pressure.

One delicious way to get it on your plate is in tabbouleh, a Mediterranean salad that uses parsley as the main green. It’s also easy to make batches of parsley pesto and chimichurri sauce to store in the fridge to add to fish, poultry, steak and pasta dishes.

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BASIL Basil has anti-inflammatory properties, promotes healthy digestion, and is even believed to stimulate the production of neurotransmitters that lead to feelings of happiness and energy. It’s a powerful adaptogen, as well, which helps the body adapt to stress. Use it to make traditional pesto which makes just about everything taste better, in my opinion. Or make a simple caprese salad: layer alternating slices of tomatoes and fresh mozzarella on a plate, tuck basil leaves between each, drizzle the whole thing with olive oil (and maybe some balsamic vinegar if you like), and season with salt and pepper. Nothing screams summertime to me more than a caprese salad made from tomatoes and basil picked fresh from the yard!

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BASIL

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MINT Soothing, refreshing mint is wonderful for settling an upset stomach, due to the anti-spasmodic effects of the menthol contained in its leaves.

It helps cool inflammation, and it’s antioxidant content gives the immune system a boost.

Only 1/4 of a cup of fresh spearmint leaves provides half of your daily needs for vitamin A, which protects your cells from damage. Compounds in peppermint leaves have been linked to inhibiting enzymes that promote tumor growth, as well. Muddling mint in the bottom of a cocktail shaker is the way many fabulous summer cocktails begin, but adding some leaves to a mug and topping with freshly boiled water and a spoonful of raw, local honey is a soothing way to get the benefits of fresh mint without the alcohol. It also pairs well with summer melons, so try chopping up a bunch of fresh mint leaves and tossing them with cubes of watermelon, canatloupe, and honeydew melon.

MINT

R O S E M A RY 4

RO S E M A RY Researchers at the University of Massachusetts have recently discovered that rosemary is a natural ACE inhibitor. Ace inhibitors block the formation of of angiotensin II, a hormone that promotes inflammation in the arteries, accelerates clogging within the arteries, and constricts the blood vessels.

Rosemary also promotes cardiovascular health through its significant anticlotting activity. It can provide relief from allergies, diminish pain, and fight metabolic disorder by reducing elevated blood sugar, decreasing cholesterol and triglycerides, and protecting the liver. You can easily add it to just about everything in the kitchen! Along with adding chopped rosemary needles to roasted vegetables or meat of any kind, you can whiz some up in a food processor with pink Himalayan salt to make a rosemary salt to sprinkle on your meal, or mix some into softened butter to make a tasty spread for sourdough bread or baked potatoes.

Herbs are easy and inexpensive to grow at home, even if you’re short on yard space. With a few pots in a sunny spot, you can continually harvest herbs for cooking all summer long and save a significant chunk of change on those tiny plastic clamshell packs of herbs from the grocery store. Make an effort to add fresh herbs to every meal and you’ll significantly enhance not only the flavor, but also the nutritional value!

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EVERYTHING YOU NEED is already at home

ave you pulled out your delicate bone china coffee cups and saucers you received years ago from your wedding? Opened up that special bottle of champagne that you saved for just the right time? What about worn a freshly ironed linen shirt when you had absolutely no plans to leave the house that day? If not – then when? Let’s celebrate our lives no matter what state or phase we are in. If there is one thing we have learned, it does change daily, so we might as well adapt and move forward the best we can!

Flip Through Magazines

If you haven’t done this yet, dust off those piles of magazines and start flipping through for inspiration.

We have been relishing our interior and home magazines to focus in on lighting options, wall décor, furniture placement and different architectural components. Just taking a concentrated look at a section of a visual that can inspire you. Maybe it’s a color that pops out or a texture or shape. It might be that there is an element that reminds you of something you need to re-think in an updated way. Be observant and search it out. And never toss your favorite issue of a magazine, it can be more valuable to your imagination than most of the books hidden deep in your bookshelves.

a metaphorical sense. Not only do they provide warmth, but a quilt or soft blanket can provide a sense of refuge and safety. Not a bad thing to have stacked in the top of a closet. Just think, the quilts you collect now will give life to the next person that is lucky enough to retreat beneath their beauty.

Search Old Photos

Take a journey down memory lane and relive those moments that genuinely only a photograph can capture. In a way that videos can never convey, that perfect photographed moment can tell the whole story – often without having to watch the 45 second version. It is not necessary to have elaborate books, perfectly dated and catalogued and captioned.

Get a small wicker bread basket or a favorite pottery bowl and pull a few printed pictures out of old albums to keep on the coffee table. If you don’t have any printed, send your selection to a printing service right now. If they are not already saved on your phone or computer, take a “picture of the picture” and print it out. Perfection here is not the goal. It is the tangible, physical photo that is picked up that will evoke the memory. And for those of us that need and crave these tactile objects (in addition to the digital), we will relish how they, in turn, touch us.

Novelty Coverings and Quilts

The quilt cupboard has been opened up as we had a wonderfully pleasant, cool spring. Let’s thank our vintage light weight softly faded quilts. They have been a staple in our homes forever, but it seems like these artisan treasures have a new meaning.

Think of the seasons these quilts have brought comfort to that we know (and sometimes don’t know) in such

DUST OFF YOUR MAGAZINES AND FLIP THROUGH THEM...

FOR YOUR OWN FRENCH TWIST CONSULTATION, CALL CATHI AND LORI AT 318-355-3041

LET OLD PHOTOS BRING BACK THOSE PRECIOUS MEMORIES...

ALLOW YOUR QUILTS TO BRING COMFRORT TO YOU...

Sweet Summertime at Waterfront Grill The Best Patio Dining in Northeast Louisiana

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ATERFRONT GRILL HAS BEEN here for you and our community for over 23 years and will continue to be here through these trying times. This family owned, local restaurant’s heart and soul is to bring the best food and dining experience to Northeast Louisiana. Their love for this community and its residents comes across in everything they do.

The best seats in Monroe just got better!

Waterfront has continuously strived to provide a one-of-a-kind dining experience.

They have recently added a cover for their deck on the bayou so customers can dine outside no matter the weather. Which is perfect for Louisiana summer. Visitors at the Waterfront Grill will be able to enjoy their meal in the expanded outdoor seating section. The patio includes a flat screen tv and a fire pit to keep customers warmed and entertained. Come out and enjoy some of your favorites like the Ahi tuna!

The sashimi-grade Ahi tuna is now one of the most popular items on the Waterfront Grill’s menu. It’s caught off the coast of Hawaii, where the deep, cold waters give it an extra buttery flavor and supple texture.

The word “Ahi” refers to the “fire” or smoke coming off the fishing line as it races over the side of the boat. The fish is never frozen but is flown overnight to the restaurant’s doorstep, and the chef hand cuts it right away.

Back in the kitchen, “Ahi” takes on a second meaning. The tuna is seasoned with a blend of Jamaican Jerk spices and either grilled or pan seared over the fire to form a thin, smoky crust. Customers can order the dish as an entree or as an appetizer with a basil cream sauce on the side to dress it in.

Daily lunch specials are also provided at Waterfront. From burgers to shrimp and grits, you are sure to find something that hits the spot. Take-out is still available for lunch and dinner!

The Waterfront Grill also provides Catering Services for your home or business functions. Visit the Waterfront Grill from Monday – Saturday for a memorable lunch or dinner dining experience. Located at 5201 DeSiard St in Monroe. For reservations or advanced orders call 318-345-0064.

Waterfront wants to give a big thank you to their customers and employees for their support over the years and especially recently. Also, a huge thank you to all of their employees that have worked so hard during this time keeping Waterfront Grill one of Monroe’s favorite locations to dine!

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B AYOUKID Z

What it Means to be Flexible Let’s Make the Best of What Has Happened article by Cindy G. Foust

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appy June to my QuaranTEAM community. I hope this month finds each of you safe and healthy as well as your family and friends. Here at the Foust house we are doing what most of you are likely doing, and that’s “phasing” back in to our lives, albeit those lives do seem to be remarkably different than they were just a few months ago. Anybody with me?

When I was trying to decide what I wanted to write about this month, I took a blank sheet of paper out of my printer and laid it on my desk and stared at it for a while (while I simultaneously watched my donkey lay on the ground and roll over on her back… I guess she had an itch). In the early days of my writing, I did this exercise when I wanted to start a book or something that I knew needed to be meaningful or exceptional.

Believe it or not, I try to approach each monthly article with that same mentality. Some months are easier than others, but this month felt “off” for me a bit so I thought I might just take it back to my “writing roots” if you would. So there I sat, staring at my single sheet of white paper, watching my donkey and pondering. At some point in that window of time, I picked up my pencil (I still write with a pencil, that I sharpen with my electric sharpener, my old friend who sits on my desk waiting patiently to

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prepare my writing utensil for my next literary adventure) and I wrote the word “flexible.” Titillating, right? Perhaps it’s not some remarkable and extraordinary word like “grace,” but I think it has some real relevance for the current circumstances we find ourselves in as a community and as a country. I want to rewind for just a moment to that fateful afternoon in mid-March when

I got a text from a teacher friend to tell me the kids were dismissing school that day and it would be a “few weeks before they came back.” Or so we thought. I don’t think anyone in the entire world of the nation could have predicted how long these few weeks would actually turn in to.

During this “time,” our lives were suddenly hijacked and we had to become… dare I say it… ”flexible?” I’ll say it because

that’s exactly where we found ourselves… in a world where flexibility ruled the roost, to quote Bitsy (my late grandmother for you late coming to the party).

Think about it, readers, in what area of your life did you not need flexibility?

Work… schoolwork… grocery shopping… medical appointments…all of it. I’ve read with interest, and complete understanding, different articles and different opinions on the “sheltering in place” opportunities and the joys, and challenges, of being home with your family.

I’m right there with you, let me be the first to say it.

I, too, loved being able to have dinner, play cards, listen to music, garden and exercise with my tribe… and I will absolutely cherish this time for the rest of my life. But, as the smoke has begun to clear, some harsh realities outside our home, our safe place, our haven, have started to emerge.

These realities sadly, involve our business friends, the restaurateurs, the magazine owners, the doctor and dental offices, the dance studios, the ones who are having to make difficult decisions on how and when to reemerge into the economic infrastructure.

And let me tell you, those decisions are not easy.

My best friend and her mother own a dance studio who has graced the area for 60 years, longer than I’ve been alive. It’s a

classic example of the little engine that could and at its helm is an iconic dance teacher who allowed her passion for dance to bring her art form to thousands of fortunate students.

Another good friend owns a restaurant, a restaurant that is nestled on their little parcel of the world and serves muffins and quiches and soups so delicious it will make your tongue slap the roof of your mouth (thank you Big Daddy).

And then there’s my very own editor, who has built this impressive magazine from just a “good idea,” driven from a place of wanting to focus on and support local businesses and artists, the same ones floundering for stability and without a “howto” book that gives step-by-step instructions on how to right the ship.

I mean, how many pandemics have we had that forced closures or restricted operations? Let me answer that for you… none… or none that we can use as a model or point of reference on how to “restart.” These are just a few of the many, many businesses that have been touched by this unexpected crisis and we all know and love many others who are also suffering.

So how can our families help? How can we use this time as a teaching tool for our kids? What part can we play in helping them

dust off the grime and get back to it? Enter the world “flexible.” We can be flexible if we have to read the magazine online rather than in our driveways. We can be flexible when we pick up or have our food delivered and our order is wrong. We can be flexible when dance classes resume or its time for recital.

We can be flexible when our doctor or dentist office has you wait in the car until it’s time for your appointment. We can be flexible when a boutique requires you to wear a mask before you enter a store.

We can also show grace in all of these situations, and many other hardship times, particularly in front of our children. They are, after all, your own little prodigies, who can especially learn in this time of “trial and error.”

It’s also okay, readers, if you don’t agree with a business philosophy or decision to return to work, that’s not the purpose of this month’s column. But just because you don’t agree with it doesn’t mean you can’t support their decision. After all, how do we know how we would handle a situation unless we were faced with similar circumstances? Would we walk away from our business… our blood, sweat and tears little empire that is as much as part of our DNA as our molecules or cells?

Wait. Is that even a good comparison? Not

sure, but you get the picture, right?

These businesses drive our economy and they deserve our support, our patronage, our cheers, even if we don’t think it’s how “we” would do it. No one is ever going to agree on how soon is too soon or how much is too much, so instead, let’s try to imagine what life would be like if these businesses were gone? It’s unthinkable, right? So while the rebuilding and the restructuring and the modifying and the simplifying and the completely rearranging is taking place in the next few months, let’s all exercise some flexibility. And some grace. Tip your waiter a little “heavier.” Donate to a non-profit that you love. Let’s get in behind these valuable, beloved and cherished businesses while they try to make the best of what has happened and do what’s best for the future of their businesses… businesses that have served us well and deserve the chance to continue to do so.

Cindy G. Foust is a wife, mom, author and blogger. You can find her blog at the alphabetmom.com for weekly columns about home life, parenting, small business stories and insight with a smidgen of literacy. Give her a like or follow on Facebook and Instagram.

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E XC U S E M E , I LOV E YO U

Meredith’s Musings article by M E R E DI T H MCK I N N I E

the last two months, my husband, my two girls, and I have been in relative quarantine. We make twice weekly grocery store runs and admittedly have had our fair share of trips to Home Depot for home improvement projects and to indulge our love of lush foliage for the backyard. I am the designated grocery shopper, while my husband and the girls sit idly in the car, as any means of escape from the house feels like a big event. My husband is managing most of the childcare duties throughout the day, as I am still teaching classes online. I do believe this newfound 24/7 home experience has been eye-opening for him. He is realizing how much actually has to be done while I juggle work responsibilities. And as our primary sources of childcare fall in the age bracket of primary concern for Covid 19 complications, my husband is given little to no reprieve from the constant chaos of life with a toddler, a newly crawling nine-month-old, and a wife quarantined to the home office inside our humble living quarters.

I am seeing my persistently patient husband have more bouts of impatience. Little Wilder loves to wait for time alone in the bath to methodically transfer buckets of water outside the tub. Little Fable is fascinated by phone charging cords and manages to locate even the hidden ones behind furniture for random snacking. The girls require a minimum of one set of eyes at all times to save them from detrimental curiosity and mess-inducing behavior. Parenting is hard. Constant parenting in the midst of a pandemic is a new level of hard for working parents who are not used to solely supervising their children for weeks at a time. It requires a reset, a come to Jesus, an acknowledgement that things aren’t as they were, and children don’t accommodate our frustrations with our new reality. As adults, we bear the burden of understanding and the responsibility of shifting our expectations.

I can sense when my husband is at his breaking point. His footsteps down the hall become more pronounced and quicker in frequency. The refrigerator door is shut with more vigor than

for

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necessary. Bedroom doors are closed for little five minute spells of relief throughout the day. The girls are corralled on the living room floor and fed a towering mound of blocks to occupy their attention just so he can take a quick shower. In an idealized world, parenting is evenly split between two doting parents, who both relish their time with and away from their children. Some like to call this life balance. But the true reality is that parenting often falls to one half of a parenting duo due to work schedules, societal expectations, and the necessity of routine. This global pandemic has scooped up the normalcy of my household, tossed the remnants into the air, and forced my husband to pick up the pieces. Admittedly, a part of me takes solace in his knowing how much energy the children require, how difficult managing a household alone can be. Another part of me takes joy in my husband catching the little moments I related to him before when he would return from a late night at work. Now our roles have shifted. What I miss in isolation is fed back to me in anecdotal conversations before bed, as we are both tired, but for different reasons.

The two-hour meltdowns occur regularly each evening between five and seven p.m. This is the dinner, bath, bedtime explosion of everyone needing attention at one time, and even with the equal adult/child ratio, it’s the most taxing part of our day. Often I am mincing garlic, while my husband hooks the girls in their high chairs, feeds pureed baby food to Fable, and diced chicken to Wilder, while our dog LuLu barks for her dry food on the floor. My husband is pulled in three different directions while I take comfort in dicing vegetables and retrieving herbs with jazz music blasting from the kitchen speakers. I love to cook; it is my wind down each evening, and my husband reaps the benefits of each of my culinary creations. Somehow I am able to block out the chaos happening four feet away on the opposite side of the counter top by getting lost in the rhythmic sounds of a saxophone.

A few evenings back, I paused during one of these intervals, knife suspended in the air, and just watched my husband until he returned my glance. I mouthed “I love you” and smiled, knowingly. His shoulders relaxed, and he mouthed it back, and a sense of calm entered the room. I let him know I saw him, saw what he was doing, and realized his efforts. I want my husband to know he is appreciated, and reminding him that I love him, that our love is the core of this entire familial operation is crucial. The solace I felt when my husband was forced to take the reins and delve into full time parenting is just my desire to be seen as well, to be appreciated for my efforts. During this time of upheaval and financial uncertainty, the show must go on. The children must be fed and bathed and read books and distracted with blocks. The garlic must be sauteed and the jazz music should continue to echo throughout the house. But our connection, the me and him, should not fall to the wayside even if the world does. It’s easy for couples to get lost in the often mundane ritual of parenting. It becomes even more likely when the weight of the world seems to be bearing down on all of us. A simple unexpected I love you, a sentiment known deep in the soul but never quite shared enough, is one way to keep focus on what matters. My husband is my rock, the girls’ jungle gym, Lulu’s warm lap, and my quaranteam mate through all of this. This Father’s Day, I thank my husband for his diligence in caring for our girls, his concern for my mental well being, for being our source of refuge. Saying I love you will never be enough, but it reminds us both why we’re here.

Raise the Curtain Again

Local Theatre Looks to Community For Support

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TRAUSS THEATRE CENTER IS seeking the community’s help now more than ever. After 88 years of continuous theatre in Northeast Louisiana, Strauss Theatre Center was forced to postpone performances in order to protect their audiences, artists and staff from the spread of the coronavirus. With no incoming revenue, the Board of Directors seeks your help through the “RAISE THE CURTAIN AGAIN” campaign.

“We are determined to weather the storm and re-open Strauss Theatre Center in accordance to state guidelines” shared Bob Chambless, Board president. “The financial threat is immense and we cannot ensure the future of Strauss without the help of this community.” Chambless shares that while expenses have been cut in every way possible, STC simply cannot continue without additional funding. “While we do plan to re-schedule last season’s shows and launch our new season, COVID-19 has had a 4 month impact on Strauss

Theatre. Your financial support will help us reopen.”

If you want to be a part of Raising the Curtain again, you can make a tax-deductible gift today at www.StraussTC.com. All major credit cards are accepted or you can mail a check directly to the theatre at 1300 Lamy Lane, Monroe, LA 71201 and include “Raise the Curtain Campaign” in the memo line. You can also call the theatre directly at 318-323-6681 and make arrangements for your donation.

Strauss Theatre Center has been a part of Monroe/West Monroe’s rich history and is an important part of the culture of this community.

Live theatre captured the fancy of Twin City residents as early as 1920 when a drama club was formed and Shakespeare was read at meetings. The group was originally organized as the “Community Players.” Soon after local leaders came together to select officers, appoint committees, and approve a charter. “The Little Theatre of Monroe, Inc.” was officially born in

1932. In July of that same year, the first play was performed entitled “The Whole Town’s Talking” at the Grand Street Theatre (originally called Valetti’s Motion Picture House).

In 1949, the theatre received its first home at the old Red Cross Recreation Building at Selman Field. At this location, Mr. Clifford Strauss attended a performance of “The Pajama Game” and saw the tremendous success of the show. He offered to donate $50,000 through the Carolyn Rose Strauss Foundation for a new theatre. Construction was completed on theLamy Lane property in 1961.

For 88 years, the Little Theatre of Monroe has provided the stage where thousands of artists and audience members experience live community theatre. Strauss Theatre Center looks forward to continuing the legacy with the highest quality theatre for years to come but can only do so with the help of the community.

Let’s all come together to Raise the Curtain Again!

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BAYOU WEDDING ayla Leann Edwards, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Joey Edwards Jr. of West Monroe and Logan Murry, son of Mrs. Leighann Ford of Monroe and Mr. Scott Murry of West Monroe exchanged marriage vows on Saturday, February 22, 2020 at The Hub in Monroe.

Kayla, along with her bridesmaids spent the morning in Castle Hall Condos Penthouse in downtown Monroe with the amazingly talented makeup artist Meka Reliford, who styled the bride’s hair in a romantic low twist pin up with soft face framed waves. Angela Groce with Unveiled Radiance Photography was there to capture the perfect shot and every moment in-between and Houston Bass with Honest Productions videographer spent the entire day gathering the simplest of moments to the grand highlights of the night.

Upon entering the ceremony, pictures of weddings past with loved ones near to the couple’s heart surrounded an “In Memory of” floral arrangement in honor of the

bride’s maternal grandmother, Ann Langley, and the bride’s paternal grandfather, Joey Edwards, Sr., as well as the groom’s maternal grandfather, Leon Caldwell, Jr., and the groom’s paternal grandfather, Terry Murry.

Bridal attendants were the bride’s sisters, Katie Edwards and Karoline Edwards, who served as the maids-of-honor. Bridesmaids were Kemper Baugh, Jordyn Murry, Kaylea Mayo, Anna Katherine Sikes, Savannah Smith and Molly Edwards. Kaleigh Cain served as a junior bridesmaid. Allison Edwards and Bella Costello served as candlelighters and Mattie Jane Davis served as the flower girl.

Escorted by her father, the bride wore a Martina Liana wedding dress, her something new. A prominent floral pattern of lace carried through the gown. The V-neckline was the focal point of the front and was accented on either side by off-the-shoulder bold lace illusion sleeves.

The bride’s veil added to the dramatic train of her gown with a crystal lace border tapering at the elbow. The veil was accented at the crown by an antique clustered pearl hair comb worn by the bride’s maternal grandmother, her something old. The bride wore her mother’s bridal garter accented with a blue ribbon, her something borrowed. A small blue handkerchief, given by the bride’s paternal grandmother, was her something blue. Kayla carried a French knotted satin ribbon cascading clutch bouquet consisting of peonies, cabbage roses, and waterfall orchids in various pink and blush hues.

Regan Murry, brother to the groom, served as best man. Will Bennett, Kendall Robinson, Casey Ellis, Kade Brandon, Jordan Baugh, Michael Mims and Caleb Reynolds served as groomsmen. Minor Davis was the ringbearer. Bodie Costello, Cameron Cain and Cory Edwards served as ushers.

Rev. Tom Lowe performed the ceremony, which included special moments like the family prayer time and unity candle lighting, as “Goodness of God” played. Ginger DeBruhl-Stapp was present to capture the couple’s ceremony with a live wedding painting on canvas.

The reception immediately followed the ceremony where guests were greeted with large rose bowls and trumpet vases, created by Clinton Downing, who designed all of the floral arrangements and bouquets. The couple had their first dance to “I Get to Love You” by Ruelle. Thurman Dickey and his staff created a classic culinary Louisiana feast with dishes that included boiled shrimp, duck wraps, jambalaya and more. Social Bites Bakery designed the six-tiered rolled icing wedding cake, with alternating layers of almond flavored cake with buttercream filling and strawberry cake paired with cream cheese filling. The groom’s cake was an LSU inspired three layered chocolate cake with buttercream.

La Legacy Jazz orchestra provided entertainment as guests danced the night away. The Bash Booth was on hand for a fun photo-op for guests wanting a take home memory of the evening. The couple exited to a sparkler lined pathway of family and friends to an Olde English White Rolls Royce awaiting them.

The couple honeymooned in Whistler, Canada and will make their home in West Monroe. The bride is a graduate of the University of Louisiana at Monroe and is employed by the Ouachita Parish School System. The groom is a graduate of the University of Louisiana at Monroe. He is employed by Glenwood Wellness Center.

HOW DOES YOUR GARDEN GROW? If the quarantine found you realizing that your thumb may actually be black instead of green, we have the perfect solution to get you gardening again... succulents. This family of plants is great for the beginner, as most require little care, and their ornamental beauty keeps things beautiful and easy to maintain.

Photograph by KELLY MOORE CLARK Styling by TAYLOR BENNETT

BLUE CHALKSTICKS Also known as Senecio serpens, this succulent is typically found growning from crevices in rocky slopes. It is a dwarf succulent of great ornamental appeal because of its cylindrical bluegreen leaves.

SQUAROSA This Aloe Squarosais a small, short-stemmed aloe with stem and branches formed at the base and white speckled leaves.

BLUE PRINCE This ornamental succulent thrives in full sun in a welldrained mix. It’s dark, blue-grey leaves form a perfect rosette.

LONGIFLORA This fascinating succulent has a perennial character, which forms bushes of low height yet has a creeping habit. The leaves are light green but will turn reddish due to the sun.

MESEMBRYA NTHEMOIDES This succulent subshrub has long, pointed leaves covered with soft hairs that give the plant a frosted appearance.

The leaves are organized in rosettes which give it a delicate look.

Marsala Beverage Company Bud Light Family Gears Up For The Summer

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N 1982, ANHEUSER BUSCH INTRODUCED

Bud Light nationally. Bud Light, the most popular beer in the country, is a light bodied lager with a fresh, clean and subtle hop aroma. Its delicate malt sweetness and crisp finish provide the ultimate refreshment. Bud Light is brewed using a blend of premium aroma hops, both American grown and imported, and a combination of barley malts, water and rice. Its superior drinkability and refreshing flavor make it the worlds favorite light beer. Bud Light contains 4.2 percent alcohol by volume (ABV). Brewing an American Light Lager, like Bud Light, is hard. The style is so clean and clear that any imperfection can come through. That’s why we believe in brewing the highest-quality light beer on Earth using the finest ingredients that come from the Earth. And that’s why we pay special attention to every step throughout the brewing process to ensure the Bud Light in your hands is the best it can be. We believe you, the light beer drinker, deserve the very best with every single sip. We work hard to make sure that’s exactly what you get with every Bud Light.

Bud Light Platinum

Bud Light Platinum has reinvented the category of light beer. Within each cobalt blue bottle lies a bold formula that’s triple filtered with a smooth finish to create its stop shelf taste. Its the first of its kind, and the only beer worthy of the name Bud Light Platinum. Bud Light Platinum contains 6.0 percent alcohol by volume (ABV).

Chelada Clamato: The savory combination of Bud Light and the spicy richness of a Clamato 104 JUNE 2020 | WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM

Tomato Cocktail. Best served over ice and garnished with Lime.

Chelada Extra Lime: Enjoy the incredible combination of a refreshing Bud Light with Clamato and extra lime. Drink it straight from the can or make it your own with your favorite ingredients.

Mango Chelada: The savory combination of Bud Light and the sweet richness of a ripe Mango. Best served over ice and garnished with Lime.

Bud Light Peels Series:

Just in time for summer, Bud Light welcomes back their very popular Peels family. Which includes; Bud Light Lime, Bud Light Orange and the all new Bud Light Lemonade. All three light lagers are brewed with Real Orange, Lime and Lemon Peels.

They deliver a clean crisp taste that highlights natural citrus flavors in every sip. Look for a 12 pack of each flavor or even you can find all three of them in a variety pack. The color packs for Lime, Orange and lemonade feature bright details, with accents of real citrus peels. Together these beers form the ultimate citrus combo for a taste that’s unmistakably summer.

Bud Light Orange is brewed with real orange peels for a “clean and crisp taste that highlights natural citrus flavors,” according to a press release. It has 142 calories—more than Bud Light and Bud Light Lime, for those keeping score at home. Bud Light Platinum contains 4.2 percent alcohol by volume (ABV).

Bud Light Lime is a refreshing twist on America’s favorite light lager. Our new brewing process uses real lime peels to ensure a clean, crisp and refreshing taste with a hint of real lime flavor in every sip. Pick some up and try the summery goodness today! Bud Light Lime contains 4.2 percent alcohol by volume (ABV).

Bud Light Lemonade

Bud Light Lemonade is made with real lemonade. It is refreshingly crisp, with a citrus twist that has a delicious balance of tart and sweet. It is perfect for easydrinking occasions under the sun - It’ll be the summer’s main squeeze! Bud Light Lemonade contains 4.2% ABV.

Locally, Marsala Beverage employs about 100 full-time employees. Marsala Beverage, LP is the largest malt beverage, wine/spirits and non-alcoholic distributor in Northeast Louisiana. Their success is based on the fact that they never lose sight of delivering what is really important – quality products, timely service and a genuine concern for our customers’ needs. Annually, they deliver over 2.4 million cases of beverages to over 700 retail accounts.

Please find us at www.marsalabeverage. com or follow us on social media: Facebook: Marsala Beverage Twitter : @marsalabeverag1 Instagram: @marsalabeverage

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Bayou Pages

NIGHTSTANDS & COFFEE TABLES “Grand Union” by Zadie Smith REVIEW BY MEREDITH MCKINNIE

“We’re submerged, all of us. You, me, the children, our friends, their children, everybody else...The plain fact is that we will be carried along by the Lazy River, at the same rate, under the same relentless Spanish sun, for ever, until we are not.”

This book of short stories is from one of the newer voices in literature, one the critics praise and the professors teach. I found the writer Zadie Smith as interesting as her writing. While reading through this book, I found myself searching for interviews with her on YouTube, curious what she was saying about her writing in hindsight. Her stories are laced with meaning and truths about life, often hard ones or those often ignored. She doesn’t shy away from hard topics, nor does she rely on them for shock value. Zadie Smith writes eloquently about life. I found myself reading several of the stories over again, particularly the third one in the novel titled “The Lazy River.” At the same time, some of the stories I could hardly relate to at all, and sometimes didn’t even really understand.

This book of stories is like that movie that people you admire really love, but you can’t quite get into even though you know it’s done well. I felt like I needed to know more about life or have lived someone else’s to fully grasp what she is trying to convey in some of her stories. Or perhaps I’m overthinking it all. This book took me some time to read, as once one story ended,

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I didn’t feel compelled to immediately start the next because there was so much to unpack. Sometimes that unpacking was pleasurable, and sometimes it felt like a burden. Other than “The Lazy River,” I did enjoy “For The King,” about two old friends who meet up and spend an evening walking and talking, catching up on each other’s lives and experiencing the city. She writes, “I had informed my friend that I was exhausted with talking, that I had talked myself to death, and he should do all the talking, on all subjects, no matter how small.

I wanted to hear everything, even the dullest minutiae of his life.” We’ve all felt like this, wanting to get lost in the life of someone else we know and trust, as our own life has been too exhausting to explain.

Smith’s words are the ones writers wish they’d written. Each line is sopping with detail and emotional exploitation that several people could read the same story and probably take away entirely different messages, as if she intended the story to be so complex.

Smith is British, as many of her stories are set in Europe, with intricately woven details that may be new to an American unfamiliar with the culture. I found these little surprises exciting, like maybe I’d be more equipped to blend in having been exposed to them.

For those readers who love literature, particularly the modern writer’s take on life in a modern world, this book is probably your speed.

SANDAL SEASON ‘Tis the season for cute sandals and our local boutiques have a plethera to choose from. From espadrilles to wedges to a stylish pair of barely there heels, these sandals are on our must-have list for spring and summer.

D U S T Y & C O M PA N Y These fun and flirty slingback wedges are a go-to favorite. The insole is padded for extra comfort and a side buckle makes them adjustable.

Photograph by KELLY MOORE CLARK Styling by TAYLOR BENNETT

HERRINGSTONES These stylish aztec printed espadrilles are perfect for summer season. Pair them with a great maxi or pair of denim shorts for extra long looking legs.

HEMLINE MONROE Clearly a new fave, we love the ease of this vinyl and snake print combination. It’s like a neutral but so much cooler.

Bayou Pages

NIGHTSTANDS & COFFEE TABLES “The Gifted School” by Bruce Holsinger REVIEW BY MEREDITH MCKINNIE

“These crises and catastrophes had braided the four of them together, like vines around a trunk. Easy to believe those bonds hid no malice in their grip; easy to believe they could hold forever.”

Holsinger’s novel explores the ties that bind and the lies that break. The story is set in Crystal, Colorado, a fictional town for the wealthy and privileged, all vying for the perfect life for themselves and their kids. When a new school is announced for the gifted children in the area, all the parents are convinced their children will be part of the small percent of students accepted. Having always had everything at their fingertips due to their fancy degrees and disposable income, the idea of being told they’re not quite good enough is terrifying. Parents take extreme measures to ensure their kids’ success, challenging their friendships and relationships, all in the names of their children being part of an esteemed group. This novel shows how we all succumb to peer pressure, even as adults who know better. We want our kids to have the best chance, and are often willing to sacrifice ourselves and their happiness for a specified ideal.

Lauren, Rose, Azra, and Samantha met ten years ago, and have been raising their kids alongside each other for the past decade. Lauren’s son Xander is a chess prodigy while her daughter Tessa is a rebellious teenager that Lauren has all but given up hope for.

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Rose’s daughter Emma Q and Samantha’s daughter Emma Z are like shadows, always together, always challenging one another. Azra’s twin boys are soccer stars who are assumed to be dumb jocks dealing with their parent’s divorce. Their lives are so intertwined, that any accomplishment or misstep is met with comparison. The story shifts perspectives, from parents, to kids, to one daughter’s vlog. Holsinger saturates his narrative with acute details, some uproariously funny and others intensely heartfelt and honest. The novel reads like it’s meant for smart people, the type of book they read for fun. I found myself frustrated a few chapters in when I couldn’t keep the characters straight, which daughters belonged to whom and who used to be married to someone else. I was both shocked at the lengths some of these characters were willing to go in the name of esteem, and yet could easily see how the pressure cooker of society can make the path inevitable for some.

A shocking revelation is made near the end, and worth the wait. After each chapter, readers are anxiously seeing the school applicants cut in each round, guessing which kid will make the cohort of students chosen not only for their supreme cognitive skills but exceptional individual talents. It’s a competition, though none will acknowledge the race. In the end, it becomes less about who gets in the school, and more about who the people have become in the process.

BAYOU BU Z Z WO RT H Y TO HONOR AND REMEMBER > On Friday, May 22nd the City of West Monroe and the Blue Star Mothers of Louisiana - NELA Chapter hosted a live stream of a Memorial Day Remembrance Ceremony via Facebook Live for the public. They held the ceremony on Antique Alley in West Monroe at the Bell Tower. The Blue Star Mothers read the names of the 45 Louisiana fallen soldiers from military engagements spanning from Iraqi Freedom in 2004 to current military engagements.

^ WMPD RECEIVES GRANT

The West Monroe Police Department recently received a grant from the Living Well Foundation for automatic external defribillators (AEDs) to be placed in police units, helping ensure officers are equipped to assist in saving lives more quickly and efficiently.

<ONE TEAM ONE HEART The West Monroe West Ouachita Chamber is proud to assist Glenwood Regional Medical Center by coordinating an effort to support the Employee Appreciation Committee. Donations received will go directly to employees and will be used for bereavement and hospitality purposes. There are three levels of giving. Each level includes a special thank you gift with artwork celebrating our hometown heroes by local artist Leah Reitzell. The prints are a limited series and hand signed by the artist. To support the Healthcare Heroes at Glenwood Regional Medical Center, make a donation at westmonroechamber.org, click One Team One Heart. The deadline to order is Tuesday, May 26, 2020. Pick up and delivery will be the following week.

< THE STRICKLANDS ADVOCATE FOR AUTISM BILL

On May 11th, Jan and Josh Strickland traveled to Baton Rouge to advocate and testify before the House Transportation Committee for House Bill 317. This bill allows for an elective autism designation on drivers licenses and mandates Aautism training for law enforcement officers. Senator Francis Thompson helped draft the bill, which passed unanimously and will go before the House of Representatives next.

Josh and Jan both serve as Government Relations committee chairpersons for the Autism Society of North Louisiana (ASNLA). The coupleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s oldest son was diagnosed with autism last spring, and they have become involved in the ASNLA, a group of concerned and passionate individuals with autism, parents of children with autism, providers and community members whose goal is to support and increase the quality of life for all individuals impacted by autism.

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Longtime friends & neighbors - Kelly Moore Clark {Entreprenuer / BayouLife Photographer} and Heather Land {Modern Day Homemaker / Photographer} collide in this month’s editorial pages. Inspired, instead of discouraged, by the stay-at-home days of the last few months, they found themselves using the beaten path between their homes more than usual with extended brainstorming on a little fresh take for Bayou Life’s June issue - coming back to print.

ALL COOPED UP

Two photographers and friends playing dress up in great summer pieces make a great editorial for this month’s fashion shoot. Representing the spirit of 41, these girls modeled looks from area boutiques which brought together the perfect mix of dramatics, wardrobe and a collision of creative energy between two friends.

Photography by KELLY MOORE CLARK and HEATHER LAND

HEMLINE Kelly looks gorgeous in this 1/2 sleeve maxi wrap dress with V neckline and kimono sleeves. The dress features a side tie closure and cascading ruffle hem. The dress is worn with gold metallic double-band slides crafted from soft suede.

HEMLINE This one piece swimsuit features an elegant straight across neckline and wide straps for a classic look reminiscent of old Hollywood. Pair it with a simple lace coverup and white booties.

ROSE BOUTIQUE This linen ensemble is perfect for warmer weather. Kelly is wearing Match Point charcoal linen pants paired with a white linen button down top with asymmetrical hem.

ROSE BOUTIQUE Find a staple piece that will instantly add pizzazz to any wardrobe. This cotton pinstripe duster from Rose Boutique in Rayville pairs perfectly with Heatherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s personal jeans and tank.

HERRINGSTONES Above: Heather looks glam in this beige and black polka dot dress worn with a Gucci-inspired short-sleeve military jacket.

At Right: Kelly is wearing effortlessly cool shorts with distressed features and a longline, high-rise silhouette paired with a charming satin tie-front long sleeve top and gold studded wedges (left of model).

D U S T Y & C O M PA N Y: At Left: Heather layers a cheetah print romper with a checkered “CHILL” crop tee and gold studded fanny pack.

At Right: Kelly is sporting a “Chips & Salsa” muscle tee and white ripped skinny jeans with layers of bracelets and heart-shaped earrings.

YOUR TR AVEL GUIDE

DAY TRIPS IT SEEMS LIKE EVERYONE HAS A LITTLE C A B I N FE V E R T H E S E DAYS, A N D W E’ V E G OT T H E P E R F E C T C U R E – S O C I A L LY D I S TA N C E D DAY T R I P S . N E X T T I M E YO U S TA R T I TC H I N G F O R N E W S C E N E R Y, L AC E U P T H O S E H I K I N G BOOT S AND HIT THE TR AIL S AT ONE OF THESE BE AUTIFUL LOC AL S TATE PAR K S.

A R T I C L E B Y S TA R L A G AT S O N A N D P H O T O G R A P H Y B Y K E L LY M O O R E C L A R K

M

aybe you’re itching for a break from the hustle and bustle of the everyday routine. Or perhaps you have a Pinterest board filled with dream destinations for years, hoping for the opportunity to escape to one of them for a few days. Or maybe, you are merely curious about the world around you, eager to know and see what it has to offer.

No matter its source, wanderlust — a strong desire or impulse to travel and explore — is an affliction with just one remedy: wander. Get away and take in new scenery.

However, getting away does not always mean booking flights and heading thousands of miles across the country, and it does not mean you have to shell out hundreds of dollars for an extravagant trip. A perfect getaway needs only moments of time carved out and set aside to center oneself, and believe it or not, these opportunities can be found anywhere, even a few short hours away from home.

That’s the beauty of the day trip. As the duration of the trip is a single day, there is no need to wait for

vacation time from work; one can simply plan to get away on a weekend afternoon and still make it home in time to resume business as usual the following day. Day trips are simple to plan and can be just as beneficial as a long vacation, as they offer moments for rest and relaxation, a change of pace and scenery, and the potential to learn about and experience a new or unfamiliar location, all without breaking the bank.

Outdoor activities are often popular choices for daytime excursions, and luckily for Louisiana residents, this state offers no shortage of locations to unwind in the great outdoors. The Sportsman’s Paradise is packed with trails for hiking and bicycling, lakes for fishing, and parks for camping, should your adventure turn into an overnight stay.

Whether you regularly frequent a Louisiana park or have never found yourself at one of the state’s outdoor attractions, they provide wonderful settings to recharge and reconnect. So, on your next Saturday off, grab the kids, pack up the car, and lace up those hiking boots; it’s time to see what North Louisiana has to offer.

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K I S AT C H I E N AT I O N A L F O R E S T

Divided into five ranger districts, spanning over 600,000 acres, and spread among seven parishes, Kisatchie National Forest is sure to offer a recreational activity for everyone to enjoy.

Established in 1930, Kisatchie is the only national forest in Louisiana, and luckily for Monroe-West Monroe residents, entrances to each of its five districts — Caney, Calcasieu, Catahoula, Kisatchie, and Winn — are less than three hours from Ouachita Parish.

History buffs should put Calcasieu Ranger District’s Wolf Rock Cave on their lists of must-sees, as the historical site is the only known cave in Louisiana that was used as a rock shelter by its early people. Hikers and sightseers will not be disappointed, either, as the forest has a variety of trails to choose from, with distances ranging from 0.5 to 27 miles long. Kisatchie sites also offer spaces for aquatic activities like boating and swimming, which is a perfect fit for those who would prefer to spend their day off on the water.

If you’re looking to make your trip a two-day affair, book a cabin, pitch a tent, or park an RV at one of the districts’ campgrounds and spend an evening recharging among the pines. But before you leave, make sure to jump on your mountain bike and head down one of the forest’s bike trails.

Each of Kisatchie National Forest’s ranger districts has its own unique attractions, so to plan the day or overnight visit you would most enjoy, be sure to visit www.fs.usda.gov/kisatchie for more detailed information.

L A K E D ’A R B O N N E S TAT E PA R K

Though the lake for which it is named is what draws visitors to the 655-acre state park in Union Parish, it is the tall pine trees, fishing piers, and nature trails that keep them there. Sandwiched between Farmerville and Bernice, Lake D’Arbonne State Park was founded in 1992 and boasts 65 campsites, 18 cabins, 2 lodges, and a group camp for overnight visitors.

Begin your visit by walking or biking one of the park’s 7 miles of trails, then take a break from the heat with a dip in the pool. If you have a competitive streak, challenge your family to a game of tennis on one of the four courts or a round of disc golf on the facility’s 18-hole course. This park even has a place for the children to call their own as well, with playground areas available to use during the day.

Don’t forget to take advantage of the park’s crowning glory: the lake. The manmade Lake D’Arbonne was completed in 1963, and since then has been a prominent North Louisiana landmark.

Lake D’Arbonne is beloved by both locals and tourists, so before you leave the park, be certain to head down to one of 5 fishing piers to catch crappie, catfish, bass, or bream, take the boat out for a spin, or hit the jet ski for some fun on the water.

For more information on Lake D’Arbonne State Park, call (318) 368-2086.

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L I N C O L N PA R I S H PA R K Lincoln Parish is home to more than just juicy peaches, Louisiana Tech Bulldogs, and Grambling Tigers. It also houses Lincoln Parish Park, founded in 1990 by Ruston resident Fredrick Hoogland, a dreamer who long envisioned a park in his hometown.

Park-goers can take a stroll on the 1.25-mile paved walking path that surrounds peaceful Hoogland Lake and stop on one of the piers to catch the sun setting over the water. The park also features 10 miles of trail for the hikers and bikers of the family, and if youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re lucky, you just might stumble across a charming little waterfall.

At just over half an hour away from Ouachita Parish, Lincoln Parish Park makes a good destination for a Saturday afternoon getaway, but if your heart is set on camping, the facility offers both RV spots and primitive campgrounds for the weary traveler to rest his head.

To find out more or plan your trip to Lincoln Parish, dial (318) 251-5156.

F R O M G R I L L I N G OV E R A N O P E N F L A M E , B I R D WAT C H I N G , H I K I N G , O R C A M P I N G , YO U R N E X T A DV E N T U R E I S O N LY A DAY T R I P AWAY.

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S I C I LY I S L A N D H I L L S

You can find one of Louisiana’s hidden gems — and one of its tallest waterfalls — at the J.C. “Sonny” Gilbert Wildlife Management Area. Many people, even longtime Louisiana residents, have never even heard of the special spot, however, the wildlife management area formerly known as Sicily Island Hills has proven itself to be a prime location for nature-lovers to explore and enjoy.

Standing at 17 feet tall, the Rock Falls can be found on the Rock Falls Trail, a 0.7-mile looped path in the area. On the walk to the waterfall, hikers can take in all the sights and sounds of nature, from the view of the tall pine and magnolia trees to the sounds of the birds chirping above.

The area’s second trail is St. Mary’s Falls, and the 1.1-mile loop, characterized by its two smaller waterfalls, is good for hiking and sight-seeing. You can even bring the four-legged members of your family to enjoy this hilly walk, as long as they are kept on a leash.

Though both the Rock Falls and St. Mary’s trails are considered beginner-friendly, the steep inclines and rough terrain may make it difficult for some to travel, so tread carefully. And for the more experienced trekkers, there is Big Creek Trail, a 6.9-mile loop, but if hiking is not your forte, not to worry: the wildlife management area is also equipped for hunting and trapping, birdwatching, and fishing and boating on the Boeuf or Ouachita Rivers.

Choosing one trail to hike makes a perfect daytime outing, but if your adventurous spirit tempts you to hit them all, you can extend your visit and opt to stay in one of the area’s primitive camping areas.

To learn more about Sicily Island Hills, visit www.wlf.louisiana. gov/page/jc-sonny-gilbert.

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C AP TURE IT IN PIC TURES: We’ve been spoiled by technology, these days everything is available with a click of a button – even pictures on a camera phone. We’re challenging our readers to take things back a little ole school by shooting some Polaroid memories. There is still insant satisfaction in seeing the images print before your eyes – and kids love being part of the moment. We’ve compiled a Photo Scavenger Hunt for you to take on your next day trip. Feel free to change it up to fit your surroundings – whether it’s a camp out or visit to the zoo, these fun activity will capture memories for a lifetime.

H E R E ’ S YO U R L I S T: D E C AY I N G W O O D M O SS G R OW I N G O N R O C K S WILD MUSHROOMS WILDLIFE WAT E R FA L L SOMETHING MAN-MADE W I L D F LOW E R S D O N ’ T F O R G E T TO LO O K U P

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We’re Cleaning and Screening

Patient Guidelines at Orthopedic Specialists of Louisiana and Specialists Hospital Shreveport

BY STEVEN ATCHISON, MD

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O OUR PATIENTS AND FRIENDS, ALL OF US AT Orthopedic Specialists of Louisiana and Specialists Hospital Shreveport want to thank you for your support and patience during this unprecedented time. By staying home and practicing social distancing, we are starting see progress and can now begin to take steps towards recovery. In response to the Covid- 19 pandemic, my partners and I have implemented numerous measures to keep our patients, staff, and community safe. On Monday, April 27th, the Orthopedic Specialists clinics in Shreveport and Bossier City reopened to resume our regular hours of business. Both clinics are again open Monday- Friday from 8 am until 5 pm. In addition, we are continuing to limit the number of patients we see to maintain a safe and efficient environment.

Specialists Hospital Shreveport is proudly physician owned. We opened our hospital doors in in 2007 with full intent and resolve to offer our patients the best in orthopedic and spine care. We have stayed true to our goal to be actively involved in patient care and continue to strive to maintain the highest standard of care for our patients. We have been incredibly blessed to see our patients thrive as the result of their surgeries. We have met numerous challenges, but skill, loyalty, determination, and faith have allowed us to rise above them. Covid-19 is an unprecedented challenge that my colleagues and I are prepared and willing to take. In the next months, we will gradually begin to reopen Specialists Hospital Shreveport and Orthopedic Specialists of Louisiana to their full capacity. We know many of you may be wondering if your surgery will take place as planned or may be worried about staying in a hospital. My partners and are working diligently to make sure we maintain our surgery schedules and our amazing staff are taking every precaution and we are increasing our already stringent cleaning and safety guidelines. We encourage our patients to ask questions and voice concerns about clinic visits or scheduled surgeries… talk with your loved ones, your family physician and as always, if we may assist, contact our clinics.

As we enter these phases we will remain in compliance with the CDC and the Louisiana Department of Health. We ask our patients as we transition to Phase 1 to take note of our patient guidelines and restrictions.

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There are a few guidelines and requirements for our patients at Orthopedic Specialists of Louisiana:

1) All patients are required to bring and wear their own face mask or face covering to enter our clinics. You must wear your face mask for the entirety of your visit. The physicians and staff will be wearing face masks while in clinic.

2) V isitors will not be allowed to accompany adult patients to their appointment unless special assistance is required. No visitors under the age of 18.

3) Patients under the age of 18 must have a parent or guardian accompany them to their appointment.

4) We will limit the number of patients in our waiting room to 10.

We are asking that you practice social distancing while at our facility to protect yourself and others.

5) Patient and visitor screening will continue for both the clinics and hospital.

We greatly appreciate your cooperation as we move into our first phase of recovery. The world, nation and our beloved Louisiana’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic has necessarily been quick and abrupt. As much as we all want to jump back into what we know to be “normal,” we are going to have to take pause and recover at a slower pace… we all have to take responsibility to create a “new normal.” My partners and I want you to know that we are making every effort to care for and treat our patients, but we will move forward with caution and purpose to ensure your safety, as well as, our staff’s. Please feel free to call our clinic with any questions or concerns. We will be updating our Facebook page regularly addressing any changes in clinic and hospital operations.

May God bless you and keep you and your loved ones safe and healthy during this difficult and unknowing time.

Steven Atchison, MD is one of the Nation’s leaders in Stryker Mako Robotic Partial and Total Knee Replacement and has performed over 1500 Mako robotic knee procedures since 2010. Dr. Atchison practices at Orthopedic Specialists of Louisiana in Shreveport and Bossier City. To schedule an evaluation with Dr. Atchison, please visit: orthopedicspecialistsla.com or call: 866.759.9679.

THESE ARE A FEW OF YOUR FATHER’S FAVORITE THINGS This month, we asked area retailers for Father’s Day gift ideas. From koozies to insect repellent and grills, these local stores will have the dad in your life taken care of.

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