BayouLife Magazine November 2014 by BayouLife Magazine

BL contents

NOVEMBER 2014

38 / ASK ERIN Organizing from A to Z 40 / P. ALLEN SMITH Let’s Get Comfortable 44 / BAYOU OUTDOORS Thankful for Friends Like Leon “Sonny” Miletello 56 / PROVIDENCE ON THE ISLAND The Camp Home of Mechelle and Brad Terral 66 / FISHING WITH KENNY If You Build It, The Bass Will Come

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68 / FAITH, FAMILY & FOOTBALL Andrew Whitworth On and Off the Field 81 / BAYOU ICON Corre Stegall Leads a Life of Service 86 / ENDURING APPEAL Historic Logtown Plantation 90 / VINTAGE HOLLYWOOD Glamorous Looks for Holiday Parties 102 / MAIN MAN Jonathan Cummings Talks About Making It as a Christian Rapper 104 / BOOK OF PHILANTHROPY Local Non-Profit Organizations 122 / BAYOU ARTIST Joey Slaughter is a Presence in the Arts 138 / LA DOES L.A. Sadie Robertson, Damien Lawson and Kelsey Bourg-Tanner 162 / BAYOU EATS Thanksgiving in Cotton Country

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WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | NOVEMBER 2014

BayouLife

HERE ARE TIMES IN ALL OF OUR

lives when we get a big wakeup call. I’ve had several of these moments, but most recently October 13th was a day that I will not soon forget. I woke up panicking about our photo shoot. The weather was terrible, and Melanie and I were late going to Ruston. We took off in a mad dash and were quickly slowed down when we hit bad weather passing Calhoun. I didn’t think much about it, until I got a phone call from Toni telling me that a tornado must have hit the Garden District. It was in that moment that my heart sank, and I felt overwhelmed with fear. My baby was at daycare, and I was thirty minutes away. The phones were out, and no one could get through the traffic and falling debris to see if she was ok. I finally reached a friend who has a child in the same daycare – she had picked up her son, and all the kids were ok. Relief. We never know when things may suddenly change. North Louisiana is blessed that no one was injured terribly in the storm. Power went out, but the community came together in what seemed to be an outcry of support and thanksgiving. This month as we near Thanksgiving, may we all take the time to share love and laughter to those who mean most to us. May we reach out our hand and help those in need. There are so many non-profit organizations in our area that could benefit from your generosity this season. On pages 104 113, we’ve highlighted local non-profit organizations that would benefit greatly from your charitable giving. I would be remiss not to mention the ongoing efforts to diminish the Ebola Virus Disease in West Africa.

Viva la Vida, page 150

2107 Honor Street, Suite E Monroe, LA 71201 Phone: 318.855.3185 Fax: 318.855.4645 Take your Starbucks money for a week and give it to those who are genuinely in need of your kind donations. www.cidi.org/ebolangos has a complete listing of websites actively requesting funds to combat the spread of this deadly disease. In the midst of the storm and the outages that followed, we were so thankful that our advertisers stuck with us as we navigated through uncharted territory. On pages 56- 62, Maré Brennan and Martin Meyers took a mudhogging trip out to Mechelle and Brad Terral’s Pittman-Hogue Island camp. I didn’t know that camps could be so chic. The hunting camps that I’ve been privy to in West Texas are much more...basic (aka funky). Trent Livingston and I need to have a talk about what a real camp looks like after seeing these beautiful photos. We definitely had to talk Rheagan into this month’s jewelry shoot. She didn’t really like the idea that I was going to give her a unibrow and make her look like Frida Kahlo, but she was a trooper and the photographs and jewelry are gorgeous. See pages 150-153. When we met Kay Malone last month, we were also able to meet her adorable daughters and recruited the youngest, Karlee, to model for us this month. See her in this month’s fur shoot on pages 170-178. I am and have always been a fan of Martha Jane Anderson and Dianne Cage and this month, these ladies were part of our Thankgiving in Cotton Country article. Current members of the Junior League of Monroe along with original Cotton Country Collection cookbook members walk us through the pages to create a Thanksgiving feast. See pages 162-168. There are a million things that I have to be thankful for this month. I have a wonderful family, supportive parents, the hardest working staff on the planet and a community that I feel grateful to be a part of. We want to thank you for supporting our publication and hope that you enjoy reading this month’s issue of BayouLife Magazine.

~ Cassie Livingston

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WW W. B AYO UL I F EM A G . C O M PUBLISHER Cassie Livingston cassie@bayoulifemag.com EDITOR Maré Brennan mare@bayoulifemag.com STAFF WRITER Michael DeVault michael@bayoulifemag.com ART DIRECTOR Melanie Moffett melanie@bayoulifemag.com ADVERTISING MANAGER Toni Navarro toni@bayoulifemag.com ADVERTISING SALES EXECUTIVE Scarlett Holland scarlett@bayoulifemag.com ADVERTISING SALES EXECUTIVE Tess Wilks tess@bayoulifemag.com OFFICE MANAGER Rheagan Sutton rheagan@bayoulifemag.com CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Maré Brennan Dan Chason Lyla Corkern Kenny Covington Dr. David Finley Cindy Gist Foust Linda Holyfield April S. Kelley Erin Love Casey Matthews Dr. Timothy Mickel Dr. Lauren Mickey Jennifer Schmeer Delia Simpson Ann Bloxom Smith P. Allen Smith Beatrice A. Tatem Judy Wagoner Marlen Waters CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Brad Arender Martin G Meyers ON THE COVER Thanksgiving in Cotton Country, page 162 Cover Photography by Martin G. Meyers BayouLife Magazine is published and distributed by Redbird Publishing, LLC. Circulation: 12,000 copies monthly. Postal subscriptions ($20) can be ordered online at www.bayoulifemag.com. BayouLife Magazine is not responsible for unsolicited photographs, manuscripts or other materials. Reproduction of contents without express written permission is prohibited.

WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | NOVEMBER 2014

Hoppy Thanksgiving! Spice Up Your Holiday with These Beer Inspired Recipes

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

OOKING WITH AND PAIRING FOOD

with beer has become increasingly popular in the last few years, and with good reason. Beer’s complexity of flavor can enhance, contrast and liven up your meal in many ways. An effervescent sip between bites can even act as a palate cleanser. Try these beer inspired recipes at your next holiday meal and wow your family and friends!

ROASTED GARLIC AND HARPOON IPA MASHED POTATOES For Potatoes: • 2 pounds potatoes, peeled and cut into large chunks • cold water • sea salt

Directions: Place the potatoes in a large saucepan or dutch oven with enough cold water to cover, add enough salt to taste like ocean water and bring to a boil over high heat. Cook until tender, about 15 – 20 minutes. Drain well. Press the potatoes through a ricer or mash them with a potato masher until smooth.

For Roasted Garlic Paste: • 2 each heads of garlic • 2 TBSP olive oil • 2 each thyme sprigs • sea salt and pepper • 1 cup butter, unsalted • 1 cup heavy cream

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• 2 each thyme sprigs • 4 TBSP Harpoon IPA (drink remainder) • sea salt and pepper

Directions: Preheat an oven to 300° F. Take each head of garlic and remove as much of the papery outside skin as you can. With a sharp knife, cut the top 1/5 of the head off, exposing the tops of the garlic cloves. Take a small square piece of foil and place the cut head in the center. Drizzle 1 tablespoon of olive oil on top of each head then a sprig of thyme. Season with a touch of salt and pepper; wrap each up and place in the oven for 25-30 minutes or until the smell of garlic fills your kitchen. Remove from the oven, open each pouch and let cool for 5 minutes. Use a paper towel folded over a few times to act like a small potholder and squeeze the cloves out into a bowl and mash with a fork until smooth. In a medium pan, add butter, cream and 2 sprigs of thyme and turn heat to medium. Bring the mixture to a boil, turning down to low and simmer for 10 minutes. Remove the sprigs and add garlic paste and simmer another 3 minutes, using a whisk to stir and breakup the garlic. Season with salt and pepper and add Harpoon IPA. Add 1 cup of the garlic cream to the mashed potatoes and fold in. Taste and see if you need more flavor, depending on your garlic hop geek need.

Everybody knows you can’t have mashed potatoes without gravy! Try this delicious variation on your standard recipe.

ABITA AMBER BROWN GRAVY For Gravy: • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour • 1 yellow onion • 2 garlic cloves • 2 cups beef, chicken or vegetable stock • 2 cups Abita Amber • Salt (to taste)

Directions: Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the flour and whisk until smooth. Add the onion and garlic and cook until soft, about 5 minutes. Add the stock and beer and bring to a boil, stirring constantly until thickened, about 6 minutes. Remove from the heat. Add salt to taste. Enjoy.

The beers used in these recipes can also be served with each dish as the perfect complement. As always, the cook gets the first glass!

For more information on our products and to keep up with events etc., like us on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/choicebrands.

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Thankfulness This Holiday Season Lyla Corkern Discusses Finding Something to Be Thankful for in Ourselves and Our Lives

BY LYLA CORKERN, LPC MFTI

ACH YEAR AT THANKSGIVING, I have sat at my mother’s dinner table as my family slowly went around and discussed the people, things, events, etc. that have touched our lives. We share stories of things that happened and things that we are probably grateful didn’t happen. We reflect on our lives, the good and the bad, and review the things that have changed our lives for the better. Although many of us are too caught up in the hustle and bustle of our daily lives, this ritual is such a benefit to our well-being and sense of self. Throughout the year, we get caught up in what items on our to-do lists we have missed and what we still have to worry about for tomorrow, and any number of other concerns. What would life be like if we put half that amount of energy into focusing on what we have completed on those to-do lists and what we no longer have to worry about tomorrow? We would be able to reflect and find a sense of peace and inner strength from all that we have been able to accomplish. So, this Thanksgiving, I am hoping to help deliver some of this peace into your home by helping you consider areas of your life in which you may be more grateful. Let’s take Time to consider our Talents, those things that set us apart from others and allow us to give

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something extra. How have you used this to Touch the lives of others? Take time to appreciate the time that we DO have, and don’t focus on the time that we don’t. Let’s consider being thankful for Home. Whether you rent, lease, own or are sleeping on someone’s couch, consider the safety and security that having a home provides. Consider being thankful for the hard times that you have endured. Focus on what you have learned, how you have come out better than before, and how it has improved your future. Let’s talk about all the Adventures you might have had this year, all the things you thought you would never be involved in. Think about all the Activities that you enjoy and you get to participate in. Consider the Abundance of food, things and people, you may have in your life. Let’s explore all the New things in your life. There have probably been new people, new places, and new experiences which have changed the course of your life. Try to consider the positives that you have gained from having these difficult situations. Think of the strength and courage it takes to face new things. Let’s thank our Kith and our Kin. Family and friends make up so much of what people consider to be their best memories. Most of our positive experi-

ences come from our interactions with other people. Consider how you may have attributed to the lives of others and how you have the opportunity to do that in the future. Let’s finally make a point to be thankful for the little experiences that go unnoticed; the Sights, Sounds and Sparks that make life exciting and worth living. Think back on all the things you may have overlooked which brought taste, color and vibration into your life.

With all of these things to consider, it would be difficult to go through this Thanksgiving holiday without finding things to be thankful for, within ourselves and within our lives. If reviewing this information helps you realize that you might not be living up to your full potential, then maybe we can help. Feel free to contact us with any questions or come in and see how we can work together and make your life one to be thankful for.

Contact the staff at Sanderlin Counseling Services by calling 318.323.7575 or emailing them at SanderlingCounselingServices@gmail.com. Visit their website for more information – www.MelissaSanderlinCounseling.com.

Balloon Sinuplasty Technological Advancements in Sinus Treatment

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

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

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

WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | NOVEMBER 2014

U.S. Corrugated Growth Continues Fourth Quarter Holds Big Promises

USTOMERS OF U.S. CORRUGATED WILL SOON SEE faster delivery, thanks to continued expansion and ongoing improvements in the Monroe, LA facility. Meanwhile, the corrugated box manufacturer continues to seek out qualified employees to join the U.S Corrugated team, with positions ranging from entrylevel operators to plant management. U.S. Corrugated's Kingsley McCrocklin says the company anticipates spending more than $500,000 in the fourth quarter of this year on new equipment and upgrades, and that means good paying jobs for qualified individuals. "We've had a number of good candidates come in and find placement, but we still have more jobs open," McCrocklin says. Those employees are needed to enable U.S. Corrugated to continue to exceed its customers' expectations in quality and delivery time, one of the current focuses of a growth strategy at the Monroe operation. To that end, McCrocklin says U.S. Corrugated is adding new equiment to its corrugating machine and in the conversion department. "This will improve our efficiencyand make our products even more economical." Elsewhere in the facility, a new design table is set to change the way U.S. Corrugated serves new customers and develops new designs. Under the current system, all box design and prototyping must be completed in U.S. Corrugated's Tennessee facility. However, by the end of the fourth quarter, the Monroe facility will have its own design table. "That will allow us to rapidly prototype new boxes and new designs for our customers," McCrocklin says. Under the current method, where designs must be developed in Tennessee, a customer's turnaround time on receiving a prototype can be as much as three or four days. By moving design in house, that time virtually vanishes. "We'll be able to provide a same-day turnaround time on prototypes," McCrocklin says. "Same-day turnaround is pretty quick." Local design and prototyping and newer, faster equipment are just two of the ways U.S. Corrugated hopes to improve customer service times. But that's not all they're working on. Once the product 14 NOVEMBER 2014 | WW W. BAY O ULI FEM AG .C OM

is manufactured and ready to ship, it still has to get to the customer. McCrocklin is excited to reveal that U.S. Corrugated has plans on that front, as well. "For the first time in our ten-year history, we're starting to build a trucking fleet," he says. "We'll no longer be outsourcing our delivery." With an in-house fleet of 18-wheelers, U.S. Corrugated can cut its delivery time significantly, and it will be able to provide rapid regional delivery where previously delivery schedules relied on outside parties. This is a win-win for U.S. Corrugated and its customers. "We'll be able to deliver to the tri-state area much faster," McCrocklin says. All of this expansion and growth means more opportunities for personnel growth. Currently, McCrocklin says the company still has many openings at virtually all levels of the manufacturing process. He encourages individuals who are interested in joining the operation to visit the company's Web site at www.uscorr.com, to submit résumés or to inquire about openings. Since opening its doors as Louisiana Corrugated in 2004, the company has seen steady and powerful growth in the corrugated manufacturing market. Now, they're looking for the right people to continue that growth. “When you really look at it, what we're trying to look for as a growing company are those operators and assistant operators and junior level technicians that have the skills to grow rapidly but don't have that opportunity where they are. So we're looking for those people who are looking to make the jump," McCrocklin says. U.S. Corrugated is currently recruiting nationally for supervisor positions and a number of local positions at various levels within the organization. Training and relocation benefits are provided and that means long-term potential for employees looking for new opportunities in the paper and packaging industry. “We have open jobs from electrical technicians to maintenance technicians, floor supervisors and floor operators,” McCrocklin said. “We're in a continuous mode of growing and upgrading our capabilities.”

WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | NOVEMBER 2014

The Gift of Giving Yourself Generosity, Gratitude and Kindness Make a Difference

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

HE HOLIDAY SEASON IS THE TIME OF THE YEAR associated with gift-giving. A time when people are more open to sharing and giving. Society is more intent about giving, donating and volunteering. It is the season of the year when focus is on the needs and wants of others. Many experience this as a favorite time of the year; especially the heightened awareness of human need and the spirit of giving in response. It is a spirit of generosity, gratitude, kindness and giving of yourself; an intense spirit associated with the holiday season that wishfully could be bottled and released through out the year. Recently, the act of getting pleasure from giving was exhibited when a youngster entered my office with a bag full of candy. She enthusiastically stated, “I brought you some candy to buy; it is my ‘Race for the Cure’ project.” On her face was a broad smile and a look of satisfaction. She stated unassumingly, “we are selling candy to make a donation, so people will stop getting sick from cancer.” I am not sure how many bags were sold nor how much money was raised. What was apparent was this childs’ eagerness to step outside of her traditional gift giving to friends and family and make a difference in the lives of others. It was a gift from the emotional heart, a gift of herself. The act of gift-giving is a universal way to show interest, appreciation and gratitude. It has been found that giving gifts is a significant part of human interaction. Gift-giving is a way of expressing and acknowledging how you feel. It serves as a way to celebrate and to bring people together. Gift-giving in its true and pure sense is an act of love and care. Research shows giving to others can affect emotional well-being and psychological health. Giving leads to positive emotions, such as satisfaction, joy and warmth. The act of giving for the giver can create feelings of happiness, increased self worth, improved self-esteem and social connectedness. Giving is a way of expressing gratitude while instilling feelings of gratitude in the recipient which is key to one’s happiness. One of my favorite quotes by Virginia Satir, a family therapist is, “The greatest gift I can conceive of having from anyone is to be seen by them, heard by them, to be understood by them, to be touched by them. The 16 NOVEMBER 2014 | WW W. BAY O ULI FEM AG .C OM

greatest gift I can give is to see, hear, understand and to touch another person. When this is done, I feel contact has been made.” This quote represents the embodiment of the gift of giving of yourself. “Giving of yourself” is a priceless and invaluable gift for both the giver and the recipient. “I wuv you,” were the words of a young client at the end of his counseling session. “Thank you for my counseling; it makes me feel better.” I thought what a huge expression of gratitude from such a small child. I was reminded small can be huge and how fortunate for me to have a career full of gifts, gifts in the form of people, people who bring me the gifts of their words, thoughts, actions, experiences, empathy, ideas, feelings, values, beliefs and appreciation. Gift-giving changes with circumstances. Give unconditionally and genuinely. Give the gift of a kind gesture and a smile. Select in memory of a loved one a charity and give throughout the year. For the sick, lonely and shut in, give the gift of quality time. Plan a trip to be with a friend or loved one and create the gift of memories and experiences. Giving can be contagious; model the act of giving. Encourage children to add to their holiday wish list something they want for another child. Avoid the commercialization of buying gifts, instead give gifts of love and interest. Strengthen interpersonal relationships with gifts of listening. Develop a list of random acts of kindness, and select people or groups to be beneficiaries. In the day of bullying, be a friend. Share the gifts of your talents and creativity. Stop and take note of the gifts around you. Give the gift of forgiveness. Give thanks for the gifts you have been given by giving in return. After all, it is better to give than it is to receive. When giving, reflect on the words of Mother Theresa, “It is not how much we give, but how much love we put into giving.” The greatest gift is giving of yourself. In the spirit of the holiday, this Thanksgiving give thanks for the act of giving.

For more information on counseling and outreach services contact Dr. Beatrice Tatem at Wellness Initiatives, LLC, 1900 North 18 th Street, Suite 414 Monroe, La 71201, 318-410-1555 or at btatem.bt@gmail.com.

WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | NOVEMBER 2014

Cherry Phillips, LHIS,

Audibel The Hearing Center

An Important Decision

How to Buy the Right Hearing Aid

HEN A HEARING AID IS RECOMMENDED,THE hearing healthcare professional tries to offer the best option for that particular patient's unique listening needs. As part of that decision, it is important for one to consider a few factors, such as their lifestyle hearing needs, technology features and the overall cost. In this article, we discuss each factor to help anyone who is considering purchasing a new hearing aid. The first consideration is how your lifestyle impacts your hearing needs. For people who are active in the community or workforce, managing background noise is an important feature to consider. New hearing aid technology offers many levels of this sophisticated feature to help speech clarity in noisy settings. This allows for more comfortable listening experiences in social venues, such as loud restaurants, meeting rooms or gatherings. Also worth consideration is the overall sophistication of the technology. Not only does today's hearing aid technology help manage background noise, but it also helps with compatibility with media devices and with telephone conversations. For example, the new Audibel A3i™ hearing aids are made for iPhone devices which allow the user to wirelessly sync hearing aids to an iPhone to stream music, television and phone calls. Lastly, consider the cost of the hearing aid technology. This is often a significant concern for many people, but we advise to not let it be the primary part of a decision. There are many affordable, quality hearing aid options for anyone who needs hearing assistance. In particular, we offer no-interest financing plans to help manage the cost of new hearing aid technology. 18 NOVEMBER 2014 | WW W. BAY O ULI FEM AG .C OM

We recommend always taking advantage of free hearing consultations to determine the degree of hearing loss and then discuss the most beneficial hearing aid technology for you.

MAKING A DIFFERENCE Our mission is to bring understanding among people through hearing care by focusing on awareness, education, protection and treatment, So the World May Hear! At Audibel The Hearing Center, we care about your wellbeing and the lives of the less fortunate around the world. As a proud supporter of The Starkey Hearing Foundation’s “So The World May Hear” program, we are changing lives through the gift of hearing. Your support through the purchase of Audibel Instruments and your donation and trade in of any model hearing aids goes to the foundation’s programs to provide hearing instruments to children in the most remote and poverty stricken regions of the world.

ABOUT US Audibel The Hearing Center is Northeast Louisiana’s Audibel dispenser. Cherry Phillips “The Hearing Lady” has been serving this area for over 25 years. We offer free hearing screenings, free second opinions, extended warranties and repairs on all makes and brands of hearing aids. You can find out more by visiting our website www.AudibelMonroe.com and you can see more and like us on Facebook /AudibelMonroe.

WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | NOVEMBER 2014

Exceptional Service Carwash West Sets the Bar High for Customer Service and Quality

ARWASH WEST, CASTROL Premium Lube Express and Café ExpressO provides for the community a pleasant environment to bring your car for the finest service available in the Monroe – West Monroe area. Enjoy a gourmet coffee with breakfast or have lunch in Café ExpressO, their 1950s era café while your car is treated to a service with quality brands from certified technicians. They only use premium products such as Castrol, BG Products, RainX and Mighty to name a few, all designed to pamper you and your car with the award winning service you deserve. Carwash West has received many awards, such as the Southeastern Car Wash Association’s Top 5 Car Wash Award and the Full Service Best in the Southeast Award for Outstanding Service, Quality and State-ofthe-art facilities. They have received the 2013 Angie’s List Super Service Award. And the Castrol Premium Lube Express has received the Best Waiting Area Award by National Oil and Lube News. Carwash West has partnered with Carfax to make your life easier with a simple download on your phone. They report all service work to Carfax, so you can track your service easily on your phone. Just download the app at mycarfax.com, and you will receive updates for services.

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Since 1991, Carwash West has provided Monroe and West Monroe with the finest wash available for your automobiles. They provide a variety of options from Full Service, Exterior Express and Hand Washes. They use only the gentlest biodegradable solutions in their soft cloth wash system, to keep your automobile looking its best. Castrol Premium Lube Express at Carwash West is one of Castrol’s select privately owned quick lubes. They are evaluated on a regular basis to ensure that the highest standards are met. Their AOCA certified lube techs have the knowledge and expertise to keep your vehicle performing at factory recommended specifications. Café ExpressO STEP BACK IN TIME! Whether waiting on your vehicle or just meeting someone for lunch, the list of delicacies at Café ExpressO are just the treat. Café ExpressO was created for the comfort and convenience of Carwash West’s Guests. Meet friends for lunch or just enjoy a cup of gourmet coffee and a fresh baked muffin. Pick up a last minute greeting card and some Woodwick Candles or Mrs. Myers’ environmentaly friendly home cleaning products as a gift or get a little something for your car, all in a friendly fifties era envi-

ronment with free WIFI. The main perk that Carwash West, Castrol Premium Lube Express and Café ExpressO has to offer is their unrivaled customer service. They provide a friendly environment for you to relax and get a cup of coffee while you wait on your vehicle. The staff of the Castrol Premium Lube Express is highly trained and ready to serve. The staff of Carwash West works fast and efficiently to get you back on your way with a sparkling clean vehicle. It won’t take long before the staff knows your name and your preferences. Owners Cathi and Ross Thompson pride themselves on providing the most unique customer service in the area in a clean, cheerful and energetic environment. They invite you to stop by soon and let their outstanding staff take care of you. Carwash West is located at 3111 Cypress Street in West Monroe. Stop by between 8-5:30 Monday through Friday and on Saturday 8 to 4. Starting November 2nd, Fall/Winter hours will be 8 to 5 Monday through Saturday. Check out their website www.carwashwestmonroe.com for more information. And don’t forget to download the Carfax app on your phone to stay upto-date on services with Carwash West!

BayouKidZ

Hot List For Christmas Make A List And Check It Twice have three words to start this month's column…time.slow.down. It seems like I just put my Christmas decorations in the attic and here I am, about to start dragging them out again. Unbelievable. But, time does march on, whether we want it to or not, and as we put the suntan oil and flip flops away, we find ourselves thinking about what to get our children for Christmas. With those thoughts in mind, I decided to treat this month's readers to a little "peek" inside this year's "toy must haves" in an effort to save a little time, and attempt to put you ahead of the proverbial eight ball. Well, it sounded easy enough (long sigh). As I began my research for the "2014 Hot Toy List," several things, however, began to creep into my mind. For one, who is the actual toy expert? ToysRUs? Wal-Mart? The North Pole? In my day, we couldn't wait for the J.C. Penney or Sears Wish Books to arrive in the mail, but I'm not sure either one of those retailers even sell toys anymore! Next, I wonder how much influence I might even have over our reader's shopping lists, especially after the fashion finasco article (no, fiasco is not misspelled, it's simply another Dr. Seuss-type word that sounds better than the original), because I am fairly confident I didn't influence any of our readers to run out and buy yellow boat shoes.

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by Cindy Gist Foust

Finally, in comparing the different "hot lists," I realized that toys today still have a little commonality with those some 40 years ago (I can see your eyes rolling, as I yet again put us in the time machine and take us back to circa 1974.) So rather than just write about the 2014 Toy Hot List, I decided it would be more fun to actually compare a few. It is my column, after all, and it does have to do with children…well, sort of. So time warp with me if you will, to 1974, when I was 8 years old, and reminisce about the popular toys of that year. Number one would be the Mrs. Beasley (from Family Affair) doll. Yes, she had "rooted hair" so you could brush it; she said 10 different sayings; and yes, I had one. In fact, her carcass is in my attic, just needing a little TLC. If you were looking to buy one in 1974, you could have done so for $10.97. Comparable to Mrs. Beasley on the 2014 must haves is Disney's Frozen Snow Globe Elsa doll, who also has "rooted hair" (I'm sorry, that is just a strange use of words to entice someone to buy a doll), and has 15 sounds and phrases (which you can get her to say in Spanish or English), a magical snowflake necklace, a light up dress, and get this, her necklace plays "Let It Go!" Folks, I'd start ordering this steal of a deal at just $34.99, because my shopping intuition tells me "anything Frozen" will be

popular this Christmas. Number two to make the short list from 1974 is Tonka toys construction trucks. Yes, these trucks were made with steel bodies, chip resistant paint and shatter resistant windshields. I hate to state the obvious, but "real trucks" we purchase these days don't have those features. In 2014, the comparable sale that I found is the Mutant Mania Mutant Masher (say that three times fast). I'm sorry, but I think children's truck manufacturers could learn a thing or two from those Tonka folks. For starters, how about that name? Mutant Mania Mutant Masher? And from what I can tell about this must have, it's made of plastic and looks about as durable as a carton of eggs. However, it does have character ejector seats and for $19.99, you can have one of your own (I personally might look on E-Bay to see if anyone is selling a 1974 concrete mixer). Third to make the list in 1974 was a Winnie the Pooh pop up box, which played "For He's a Jolly Good Fellow" after you cranked him up. This had to be the steal of a deal because at $3.47, your child had one under the tree. From the 2014 wish list, I see a Transformers Stomp and Chomp Grimlock, and I have to tell you, I had trouble going to sleep after I looked at this toy. It looks like some

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WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | NOVEMBER 2014

Holidays in CedarTown

Celebrating 25 Years as North Louisiana's Premier Holiday Shopping Market

WHAT ARE YOU DOING NOVEMBER 1315th? For the 25th year in a row, the Ruston Civic Center will be a holiday one-stop shopping destination. Holidays in CedarTown, a project of the Cedar Creek School Parent Club, will once again provide North Louisiana with an amazing marketplace that will allow you to jump start your holiday shopping. Our three-day event kicks off on Thursday from 10:00 a.m. till noon with exclusive shopping and our Holidays in CedarTown’s Silver Anniversary Brunch, sponsored by Community Trust Bank and Louisiana Plastic Industries and catered by celebrity Chef Cory Bahr with special guest Kay Robertson. This duo is sure to give the event an extra bit of Southern flair. Tickets are being scooped up like hard-to-find snowflakes in the South! Entering the Ruston Civic Center, you will find a festive holiday marketplace decorated by the Lauren Roebuck Design Team. Be sure to grab your shopping bag provided by Patton’s Western Wear that will include special coupons and goodies and remember to register for the amazing door prizes. Who knows? You may already have your first Christmas gift without spending a penny. Door prizes will be offered throughout the three day event. The Ruston Civic Center will feature over fifty booths overflowing with holiday gifts for every person on your shopping list. We are excited to offer a unique shopping experience that includes vendors from across the south: All of Us Soups & Dip, Berken Unlimited, Bullet Designs Inc., Cinnamon Roasted Nuts & Fudge, Crayon Princess/Shabby Chic Two,

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Cutie Patootie, Embellishments, Hart Designs, Just Ask Creations & Indoor Golf, Kelly Moore Bag, Killgores Pharmacy, Lagniappe Embroidery, Laura Glen Lawson Collections, Lauren Roebuck Designs, Lincoln Outdoor Living, Miss Persnikety Joon, Mr. P’s Tees, Nanette’s Notes, Oh! So Chic, Paperglaze Calligraphy, Park Avenue Antiques, Patton’s, Patton’s Downtown, Pearlie Sue & Co, Rodeo Boutique, Ruston Florist & Boutique, Scentsy Fragrance, SeneGence Cosmetics, Silpada Designs Jewelry, Smile Moore Photo Booth, Sue Paperie, Townsend House Gifts, Tyler’s Toy Box, Usborne Books and More and Zija International. Lunch will be available for purchase on Friday from Iron Cactus and Saturday from Jarrell’s Specialty Food + Catering. Enjoy the holiday music, and don’t forget to have your complimentary party pic taken with friends in Kelly Moore’s newest venture, Smile Moore Photo Booth. Holidays After Hours is our second ticketed event held from 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, November 13th. Live music will highlight the evening of shopping and hors d’oeuvres will be provided by five area restaurants: RAW, Roma Italian Bistro, Portico Ruston, Iron Cactus, Jarrell’s Specialty Foods & Catering and Moore Cake Please. This year, we are adding a third ticketed event for both children and adults alike. Join us on Saturday, November 15th for A Frozen Wonderland from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Blue Bell Ice Cream, House of Flowers, Parish Press and Social Bites will provide treats that will

satisfy any sweet tooth. Children’s Christmas crafts will be provided by the North Central Louisiana Arts Council. The “Snow Sisters” and “Snow Hunk” will be on hand to sign autographs and pose for that perfect Christmas picture with your child. Mark your calendars, and plan to join us November 13th-15th for Holidays in CedarTown’s 25th anniversary. Holiday shopping has never been so much fun! Silver Anniversary Brunch Featuring Chef Cory Bahr and Kay Robertson Thursday, Nov. 13th 10:00 a.m. – Noon Exclusive Shopping • Limited Tickets $20.00

Open to the Public Thursday, Nov. 13th, Noon – 5:00 p.m. Friday, Nov. 14th, 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 15th, 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.* *Area educators get in free with school ID Admission $5.00 Holidays After Hours Thursday, Nov. 13th, 6:00 – 8:30 p.m. Tickets $5.00 Frozen Wonderland Saturday, Nov. 15th, 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. Tickets Adults $5.00, Children $3.00

For tickets, contact Cedar Creek School at 318-255-7707.

An Institution Comes to Monroe Doe’s Eat Place Set to Open in Novemeber

N THE WORLD OF FAMOUS SOUTHERN EATERIES, FEW names carry more tradition and history than Doe’s Eat Place. The Greenville, MS institution has been serving up some of the world’s best food since Mamie and Dominick “Big Doe” Signa first opened the doors in 1941. Mamie had perfected a unique hot tamale, and by the end of their first year, Doe’s Eat Place was a Mississippi legend. Today, that legend continues, as Monroe is poised to become the newest home to a Doe’s Eat Place franchise, thanks to Sean Hammons, Andy Eaton and Andy’s mother Virginia. The Monroe restaurant will be the twelfth Doe’s Eat Place to open. Hammons says Doe’s will bring something to Monroe that people here have never seen. “It’s not a fancy, upscale restaurant, but the food is certainly upscale,” Hammons says of the Doe’s Eat Place menu, that still features Mamie’s famous tamales alongside the Doe’s signature steaks selection. Hammons is partial to the bone-in ribeye, which he points out is enough food to feed two people. The steak is served with two sides, two salads. “It will be the best steak Monroe has ever experienced,” Hammons says. Opening in the historic Washington Plaza, a site that was previously home to restaurants such as New Orleans Café and the Cellar, Hammons says he and his partners undertook a complete renovation of the storied restaurant. Where previous tenants capitalized on the subterranean feel of the facility and combined rustic wood and raw brick to give the restaurant a haute cuisine flare, Hammons says Doe’s Eat Place will be different. “We’ve made it more environmentally friendly, more family oriented. We want it to be a place where no one feels out of place and everyone feels comfortable.” He describes the decor as “Mississippi Delta” and says a lot of handcrafting went into every element of the restaurant. “The ta26 NOVEMBER 2014 | WW W. BAY O ULI FEM AG .C OM

bles were hand made, not prefab,” Hammons says. Overall, the effect is striking. Hammons expects Doe’s will quickly become the go-to restaurant for a nice meal, whether it’s prom night, before a fundraiser at the country club or after a day on the river. “We’re definitely a come-as-you-are kind of place.” Hammons says he and Eaton chose to open a Doe’s Eat Place in Monroe, because the restaurant is a well-known for its southern cuisine. During the 1992 presidential election, the Little Rock Doe’s was a frequent haunt of politicos, and then-Gov. Clinton could be seen dining with staff just a couple of tables away from national news correspondents. For Hammons, the original Doe’s Eat Place in Greenville is a second home. “I’ve been going to Doe’s for nine years, and I got to know the family during that time,” Hammons says. He fell as much in love with the business concept as he did with the Signa family. “It’s not a big corporation, but it works like one.” With Doe’s Eat Place, diners will get big-restaurant quality and service with a down-home familiarity that Hammons calls unique to the restaurant industry. Hammons and Eaton had planned to open by the end of October. However, inclement weather set them back a few days and he now expects the opening could be delayed. Still, he’s optimistic, and says by the first week of November, the restaurant should be dishing up the food that made Doe’s Eat Place a southern institution. This Doe’s will have its own, special flare. “Every location of Doe’s is going to be different,” Hammons says. “But they all have a common theme—great food, great atmosphere and a great time.”

Glenwood Emergency Services Fast•ER, Bett•ER Emergency Care

T SOME POINT DURING YOUR life, it is very likely that you will be faced with a medical emergency, such as an injury, life threatening illness, potential heart attack or stroke. Whether it’s a broken bone, a deep cut that needs stitching or something more serious, we’re prepared to take care of your medical needs 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Our board-certified emergency room doctors and nurses are always here to handle a medical crisis with timely, high-quality treatment. We know that all medical emergencies are stressful. Our staff is committed to easing your fears and concerns by providing frequent progress reports about your diagnosis, condition and treatment. Our state-of-the-art, 16-bed Emergency Department includes: • Only fully accredited Cycle IV Chest Pain Center in Northern Louisiana • Private patient triage area • Comfortable treatment rooms • Bedside registration • Fast-track for minor illnesses and injuries • InQuicker online minor emergency registration service • Advanced patient monitoring equipment • STEMI heart protocols “Seeing patients quickly is vital to providing optimal patient care,” said Ron

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Elder, GRMC CEO. “We are striving to provide a high level of care, while addressing the growing problem of long emergency room waits. At Glenwood Regional Medical Center, your emergency is our emergency.”

INQUICKER® InQuicker® is an innovative online service that allows patients to virtually hold their place in line at the emergency room without having to be present. Patients arrive at Glenwood’s ER at their projected treatment time and are seen as quickly as possible. InQuicker estimates treatment times based on the facility conditions. The InQuicker online portal allows patients to be assessed by evaluating their medical symptoms online to see if immediate care is necessary. Those who indicate a life or limb threatening medical condition are prompted to dial 911 or go immediately to the ER. It’s another way that Glenwood is taking busy lives into account and making access for minor medical emergencies faster and more efficient. To schedule an appointment using InQuicker, visit GRMC.com. FULLY ACCREDITED CYCLE IV CHEST PAIN CENTER When you’re having a heart attack, where you go for treatment could be one of the most critical decisions of your life. Cycle

IV accreditation is the highest rating a Chest Pain Care facility can earn. Glenwood earned it by demonstrating expertise and commitment to quality patient care by meeting or exceeding a wide set of stringent criteria. Glenwood is the only fully accredited Cycle IV Chest Pain Center in Northern Louisiana.

ER STEMI PROTOCOLS A STEMI is the most severe type of heart attack, in which a clot blocks the coronary artery, and as a result, the heart muscle being supplied by the affected artery starts to die. Rapid percutaneous intervention (PCI), commonly referred to as angioplasty, is crucial to the survivability of a heart attack. Experts say the sooner that a patient is treated to relieve the blockage causing the STEMI, the better the outcome. The Glenwood ER’s STEMI protocols ensures that patients with chest pain who need advanced care in a cardiac catheterization lab are taken care of as safely and quickly as possible. The STEMI service, along with Glenwood’s state-of-the-art cardiac catheterization labs and Hybrid OR, is designed to save lives. For more information about Glenwood’s emergency services, visit www.grmc.com or call 877-726-WELL (9355).

Living with Low Vision

Haik Humble Eye Center

oping with age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and vision loss can profoundly affect your life. This is especially true, if you have just begun to lose your vision or have low vision. Having low vision means that even with regular glasses, contact lenses, medicine or surgery, you find everyday tasks difficult to do. Activities like reading, shopping, cooking, writing and watching TV may be hard to do. However, help is available. You may not be able to restore your vision, but low vision services can help you make the most of what is remaining. You can continue enjoying friends, family, hobbies and other interests just as you always have. The key is to not delay use of these services.

What is low vision? When you have low vision, eyeglasses, contact lenses, medicine or surgery may not help. Millions of Americans lose some of their sight every year. While vision loss can affect anyone at any age, low vision is most common for those over age 65. Low vision is usually caused by eye diseases or health conditions. Some of these include AMD, cataract, diabetes and glaucoma. Eye injuries and birth defects are some other causes. Whatever the cause, lost vision cannot be restored. It can, however, be managed with proper treatment and vision rehabilitation. You should visit an eye doctor if you experience any changes to your eyesight.

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How do I know if I have low vision? Below are some signs of low vision. Even when wearing your glasses or contact lenses, do you still have difficulty with— • Recognizing the faces of family and friends? • Reading, cooking, sewing or fixing things around the house? • Selecting and matching the color of your clothes? • Seeing clearly with the lights on or feeling like they are dimmer than normal? • Reading traffic signs or the names of stores?

These could all be early warning signs of vision loss or eye disease. The sooner vision loss or eye disease is detected by an eye doctor, the greater your chances of keeping your remaining vision.

How do I know when to get an eye exam? Visit your eye doctor regularly for a comprehensive dilated eye exam. However, if you notice changes to your eyes or eyesight, visit your eye doctor right away!

What can I do if I have low vision? To cope with vision loss, you must first have an excellent support team. This team should include you, your eye doctor and other specialists in low vision therapy. Together, the low vision team can help you make the most of your remaining vision and maintain your independence. Second, talk with your eye doctor about your vision problems. Find out where you can get more information about support services

and adaptive devices. Also, find out which services and devices are best for you and which will give you the most independence. Third, ask about vision rehabilitation. Vision rehabilitation programs offer a wide range of services, including training for magnifying and adaptive devices, ways to complete daily living skills safely and independently, guidance on modifying your home and information on where to locate resources and support to help you cope with your vision loss.

What are some low vision devices? Because low vision varies from person to person, specialists have different tools to help patients deal with vision loss. They include: • Reading glasses with high-powered lenses • Handheld magnifiers • Video magnifiers • Computers with large-print and speech-output systems • Large-print reading materials • Talking watches, clocks and calculators • Computer aids and other technologies, such as a closed-circuit television, which uses a camera and television to enlarge printed text

Keep in mind that low vision aids without proper diagnosis, evaluation and training may not work for you. It is important that you work closely with your low vision team to get the best device or combination of aids to help improve your ability to see.

WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | NOVEMBER 2014

Much to be Thankful For Jesus the Good Shepherd Catholic School Gives Thanks

ESUS THE GOOD SHEPHERD Catholic School has much for which to be thankful. The strength of our school is a tribute to all of the teachers, staff, principals and pastors who have served our school families since 1960. Over the years, many things have changed not only in American culture, but also in the landscape and lifestyles of the people of northeast Louisiana, but one thing has stayed constant: the mission of JGS. Our mission will always be to instill in each child a love of learning and a love of God, self and others. On September 11, 1960, Bishop Greco dedicated and blessed the school while the Daughters of the Cross of St. Matthew School and St. Vincent Academy in Shreveport graciously provided the original staff. Sr. Maria Smith, D.C., who served as a teacher for seven years and subsequently principal from 1980-1997, remembers when she was first driven to Monroe to see Jesus the Good Shepherd and witnessing the “beautiful buildings” of the church and school in the midst of acres and acres of cotton plants. She remembered the love that parents and grandparents had for the Sisters and how the students of JGS School considered school a wonderful place because they always felt welcomed, loved, secure and respected. One of the unique aspects of a JGS education for which we are very thankful is our

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enrichment classes and activities. Spanish, computer, art and music are only some of the additions to the exceptional core curriculum at JGS. A popular enrichment activity, especially during this time of the year, is tending the school’s organic vegetable garden. Each grade is responsible for a plot, and the entire school benefits from the fresh vegetables that are prepared and served in the cafeteria during each harvest. Our students are encouraged to consider what they are thankful for in their lives, especially during this time of year. This year, we asked our 5th and 6th graders to fill in the blanks of the following sentence: “I am thankful for ___ because ___.” We received some wonderful answers! “…my family because they take care of me, and take me to all-star practice – which is super fun!”– Grace Tannehill, 5th grade “… our wonderful teachers who help us learn and grow closer to God.” – Margaret Barham, 5th grade “… great friends, school and teachers, because the teachers provide a great education and my friends are there to support me every step of the way.” – Lauren Bratton, 5th grade “… my brother, because he is funny and sweet.” – Graycee Hill, 5th grade “… my parents, because some don’t have parents, and mine are very thankful and kind. If I didn’t have them, I would not be able to do anything.” – Collier Barham, 5th grade

“… my body, because I know many children aren’t as lucky to have a perfectly functional body.” – James Mayronne, 5th grade “…for Lulu, because we always wanted another sister!” – Emery Pipes, 5th grade “… my awesome family, because I love them so much!” – Barrett Couvillion, 6th grade “…my friends because they are nice.” – Faith Gurba, 6th grade “…everything God gave me and for my family, because some people don’t have one.” – Victoria Frusha, 6th grade “…for my family…” – Josh Rychart, 6th grade

At Jesus the Good Shepherd, we are thankful for our faithful, certified teachers who nurture and educate our children with Christian compassion in a Christ-centered atmosphere of academic excellence. We are thankful that we are able to offer tuition assistance to families who otherwise may not be able to send their children to our school and become such vital parts of our school family. We are most especially thankful for the vision, generosity and hard work of our parishioners and school families over the years. Because of their dedication, Jesus the Good Shepherd has been a thriving school and parish for more than fifty years. God has truly blessed us, and we pray that He will continue to do so.

WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | NOVEMBER 2014

Bayou Pages STONE MATTRESS: NINE TALES BY MARGARET ATWOOD | REVIEW BY CASEY MATTHEWS

riter Margaret Atwood is probably best known for her dystopian novel, The Handmaid’s Tale, and she was also recently in the news for being chosen to write the first selection for the Future Library Project, a collection of stories that will be published in 2114. Since there is a really, really good chance that none of us will be around in 2114 to read Atwood’s contribution, we can certainly enjoy her latest collection of short stories, Stone Mattress: Nine Tales, now. Stone Mattress: Nine Tales is Atwood’s return to short stories since her last collection, Moral Disorder, was published in 2006. There is something macabre about each of these tales, and just when I thought that I could figure out the ending, Atwood takes the story in a different direction, sometimes not even giving the reader a decisive conclusion, so the reader may be left with a sense of uneasiness. However, this unresolved resolution seems to be completely purposeful. Each story involves fears that most people try to forget (as some of the characters do in their respective stories) or issues of revenge and anger, and by leaving the reader with no ending, the only remaining connection to the story becomes the reader’s resurrected emotions. In the last tale of the book, “Torching the Dusties,” a radical group begins burning down retirement homes, using the elderly as a scapegoat for economic and social problems in society. The story focuses on a virtually blind resident, Wilma, and her friend, Tobias, who watch with growing nervousness as the crowd outside their

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own retirement home grows larger and more unruly. In “Torching the Dusties,” Atwood brilliantly forces forward the fear of aging and facing our own mortality, and the reader is left uneasy to ponder an uncertain future. But dark humor is also a skill that Atwood utilizes in her stories. In the title story, “Stone Mattress,” a woman has an opportunity to get revenge on someone who hurt her badly in high school. In “The Freeze-Dried Groom,” a recently-separated antique store owner bids on abandoned storage units and comes across a bizarre discovery. The first three stories, “Alphinland,” “Reverant” and “Dark Lady,” have a common thread that is woven throughout all three and years of anger and resentment are only solved with the death of a friend. Atwood is an incredible storyteller, and the advantage of reading a collection of short stories as opposed to a novel is that each story introduces the reader to a new set of issues and emotions that are redolent in our own lives: Do we forgive? Do we get revenge when presented with the opportunity? How do we move forward when no one will let us? Stone Mattress: Nine Tales is a reminder of what Atwood does best; she tells a good story and gives the reader something to consider. Casey Posey Matthews graduated with her Bachelor of Arts degree in English Education from University of Louisiana in Monroe and her Master of Arts degree in English from University of New Orleans and is now an English teacher at Beachwood High School in Cleveland, OH.

WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | NOVEMBER 2014

New Location

Premier Urgent Care and Bariatric Services Relocates to Mercedes Drive

IVE YEARS AGO,THE PREMIER Urgent Care and Bariatric Services team of medical professionals introduced LapBand™ surgery to their patients. Now, after years of growth, they are relocating from their original offices near Paul Michael Company to a state-of-the-art facility at 3130 Mercedes Drive. Using a unique medical device, LapBand™ creates a small pouch in the upper part of the stomach. This device allows patients and their doctors to adjust the size of the stomach without permanent damage or removal, providing the freedom to adjust gastric intake as needed. With more patients recognizing the benefit of Lap-Band™ surgery for weight loss and health, the practice has grown. Some of the benefits of Lap-Band™ include: • Actual procedure can be performed in under an hour • No hospital stay is required • Minimally invasive surgery requires no cutting or stapling • Covered by most PPO Insurances • Financing is available • Procedure is 100% reversible and Adjustable.

Not only do they offer Lap Band™ surgery, at the new facility patients can enjoy the benefits of in-office Lap Band™ fills, a minimally invasive adjustment that allows precise monitoring of nutritional intake. Saline is injected into a small port under the skin, which

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tightens the band around the stomach and reduces the frequency and craving to snack more frequently or to eat larger meals. In addition to lap band, Premier Urgent Care also offers a walk-in urgent care clinic for patients. Another new feature that has set patients of Premier Urgent Care and Bariatric Services abuzz is the addition of a compounding pharmacy service. Premier Urgent Care and Bariatric Services' Michael Stamper explains, "Some patients aren't able to swallow pills whole, so we're able to help them with that. But not only that, we can help with scar creams for patients with long-term scars." Those scar creams can reduce signs of scarring or even eliminate those signs in some cases. "It's great for bariatrics, because after bariatric surgery there is some scarring," Stamper says. With compound pharmacy scar creams, patients get the treatment and relief they need with the added benefit of reducing or eliminating the appearance of scar tissue. Among the best uses for scar creams are: • C-Section Scars • Stretch Marks • New and Old Scars • Surgical Scars • Keloid Scars • Acne Scars • And more...

Results vary, but most patients begin to show improvements within ten to 14 weeks of continued use. Also, for patients with joint inflammation, chronic pain or arthritis, the com-

pounding pharmacy produces a pain cream. Pain creams specialize in treating: • Acute Sports Injuries • Joint Pain • Back Pain • Arthritis • Diabetic Neuropathy • Surgical Pain • Fibromyalgia

"Pain cream is one of the greatest things that we do," Stamper says. "If people have joint or arthritic pain, you apply it straight to the joint." Within a matter of moments, pain is greatly diminished or eliminated all together, restoring quality of life and range of mobility previously lost. "We have some really awesome multivitamins that are fantastic for weight loss. It's important to get all the multivitamins you need for daily life," Stamper says. Those multivitamins aren't always available in an overthe-counter product, so many times patients will have to take two or three vitamins. Our compounding pharmacy is as much an art as it is a science, and it has been growing in popularity in recent years as patients realize the benefits of customized pharmaceutical delivery. Physicians are able to custom-tailor medications to meet the needs of patients, and the pharmacist is skilled in delivering those medications with precision. Compounding allows the patient to get everything they need in a single dose, customized to their specifications.

WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | NOVEMBER 2014

ASK ERIN

ORGANIZING FROM A TO Z D by Erin Sharplin Love

oes the mere mention of the word “organizing” make your heart race and cause you stress? The organizational process can be extremely intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be! Often it takes simplifying a daunting task to complete it, and what is simpler than your ABC’s? To begin your path to an organized life, follow my ABC list below: A is for ACTION – You have to start somewhere! Resolve to do something every day that will make your world a little more organized. Small steps lead to big results that can become habits that last a lifetime. B is for BOOKS – If you are like most people, books and magazines tend to stack up on you. I suggest a quarterly purge of any books that you have read or those that you aren’t interested in anymore. Give them to someone who will enjoy them or donate them to a charity. As far as magazines go, recycle any that are older than three months. C is for the COAT CLOSET – More times than we wish to admit, our coat closet tends to end up as the “catch all” closet instead of actually functioning as it is meant to, but it’s easy to prevent this. Start by ridding the closet of anything that shouldn’t be there. Depending on how packed your current closet is, you might need to clean out a little at a time instead of tackling the whole job at one time, making the task seem not so overwhelming. D is for DESK – Can you see the top of your desk? If not, it’s time to pay special attention to the area and make it an inviting place to pay bills, do homework, etc. Take the time to develop a plan – without an end goal in mind, it will be harder to complete the task. E is for ELECTRONICS – How many electronics and electronic cords do you currently possess? Now, how many of those are actually in use? Free up much-needed space by culling the electronics and cords that you don’t like or need anymore. F is for FREEDOM – Now is the time to stop and see how far you’ve already come in the ABC’s of organizing. Notice how much

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K is for KITCHEN – When was the last time you went through all of the drawers and cabinets in your kitchen? What about the hidden nooks and crannies? Kitchens are notorious for holding duplicate items, so I suggest making a yearly appointment to clean out the kitchen of unneeded items. Don’t forget to check the pantry and refrigerator for expired products, too! L is for LIKE WITH LIKE – If you are unsure where an item should be stored, take a cue from your utensil drawer – you never have to wonder where your forks are, do you? That’s because they are organized by like with like. M is for MEDICINE CABINET – As with your kitchen, I suggest going through your medicine cabinet once a year to rid yourself of any expired or ruined items. Expired medication is not as effective and can be dangerous in some cases. N is for NECKLACES – How many pieces of jewelry do you own? Could you name them and then put your hands on them? Many times, jewelry drawers become bottomless pits full of pieces that are forgotten and never worn. Some of those necklaces are probably even in a tangled mess or disrepair by now. Save your jewelry pieces by creating a boutique-like atmosphere in which to display and store them. I love to use busts, vases, frames and other items I have lying around to create a unique and fun display. O is for OBJECTS – How many objects do you have displayed in your home? An “object” in this sense is any item that serves no other purpose than taking up space. Accessories can also be described as “collectibles.”

freedom you have gained by completing tasks A through E. Imagine how much more freedom is yet to come. G is for GARAGE – Is your garage a dumping ground for items you no longer need or use? If so, consider holding a garage sale. Not only will you make a little extra cash, but you will also be able to use your garage for what it is meant to be used for – holding your cars! H is for HANDBAG – How often do you clean and reorganize your handbag? I suggest you make time weekly to clear your purse of any trash, receipts, toys and other unneeded items. Also, replace any items that may have come out of their designated area of the purse. I is for IDEAS – I can bet that your head is swimming with ideas for other areas of your home that you would like to spruce up and organize, so take the time to search for inspiration throughout magazines and on websites. You can start a “pinboard,” dedicated especially to home organization. J is for JUNK MAIL – The quickest way to rid yourself of wasted time and stress is to CONTINUED ON PAGE 154 get rid of junk mail immediately upon Erin Sharplin Love, owner of Panache by Erin, is a Certiﬁed receiving it! Don’t Fashion and Image Consultant, Professional Organizer and even let it in your Certiﬁed Wedding Coordinator whose specialties include home if you are outfit coordination and closet organization. Love has a knack for helping her fashion clients develop their own tempted to lay it on personal style, as well as helping her wedding clients crethe nearest table. ate the wedding of their dreams within their budget and Put a trash can next without the stress. To learn more, please go to to your door for easy www.panachebyerin.com. and quick access.

WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | NOVEMBER 2014

P. Allen Smith Let’s Get Comfortable

A mix of gourds and squashes from the garden and wild pears gathered from the neighborhood. Tossed in a footed bowl these finds make an effortless centerpiece.

Creating Warm Indoor Spaces When It’s Cold Outside PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF: HORTUS LTD AND JANE CLOCLASURE

don’t know about you, but I love a rainy November Sunday. I like to light a fire and stretch out on the couch with a good book or spend time in the kitchen cooking up comfort foods. Warm, dry and snug; for me it’s pure luxury. What about you? Do you love a rainy Sunday, too? Well, I’ve got a few ideas on how you can maximize the cozy factor in your home. These simple touches will make the indoors so inviting you’ll find yourself staying inside even when the sun is shining.

Cozy Up

It’s easy to transform your home as the seasons change by switching out the fabrics and textiles. I always knew colder weather was on the way when my grandmother replaced her sisal rugs with wool rugs in the fall. You can warm up a room by changing window treatments and slip covers on your furniture to darker, richer colors and heavier fabrics. Adding a plush throw over a chair or a few soft pillows is a simple, inexpensive way to transform your room. Another effortless way to make a room more inviting is with lighting. This is especially true in fall and winter when the days are so short. Stock up on candles; there are many lovely fall colors and scents from which to choose. Now when it comes to light bulbs, you may have noticed that the new fluorescent and LED types cast a cooler light than the old-fashioned incandescent. These bulbs get an A+ for energy efficiency, but they don’t do much toward giving a space a homey glow. There is

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good news, though. New to the market, the Finally Bulb (FinallyBulbs.com) produces a rosy luminance that is pretty close to the incandescent. Give it a try.

Bring Life Indoors

Shop your yard for bare branches, pine cones and evergreen boughs that you can use to scatter autumn around your home. Just by placing pine cones in a bowl, branches in a vase or evergreens on the mantle, you’ve created a heavenly vignette that keeps you connected with nature. Another way to breathe life into your home this fall and winter is with living flowers. Paperwhite narcissus is the most enjoyable flower to grow indoors during the cooler months of the year. It can be grown in water, gravel, soil or sand. Plant three to four bulbs in a six-inch pot with the pointed end facing up and just slightly exposed. Paperwhites like plenty of moisture, light and a temperature of around 65 degrees. After planting, you’ll have lovely, delicate white flowers in about four to five weeks. And the fragrance is heavenly. To enjoy the blooms for months to come, keep some extra bulbs in the refrigerator and stagger your plantings every two weeks. Amaryllis bulbs are also great for forcing indoors. Plant one bulb in a container with topsoil up to the shoulder of the bulb and place it in a warm window. To keep the bulb from rotting, don’t water it until you see some growth. In about six weeks, you’ll have dramatic colorful blooms.

Pillow, throws and slip covers in warm hues transform a room from summer to fall.

Homemade Meals

There’s nothing that makes your home feel more cozy and warm than the smell of a homemade meal. Fall is my favorite time to entertain, and I love cooking with pumpkin. One way to put a fall twist on a classic comfort food is to toss a little pumpkin into traditional macaroni and cheese. Try this recipe:

Pumpkin Mac and Cheese 1 cup pumpkin puree (homemade or canned) 3 cups macaroni pasta 4 tablespoons unsalted butter 5 tablespoons all-purpose flour 1 tablespoon fresh thyme, minced (1 teaspoon dried) ½ teaspoon salt black pepper to taste 1 ½ cups milk 1 ½ cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese ½ cup shredded Swiss cheese 3 tablespoons breadcrumbs 2 tablespoons cheddar and Swiss cheese mix

Directions: Homemade pumpkin puree isn’t essential for this recipe, but it does make the dish more flavorful. And it’s pretty simple to prepare. Poke holes in the pumpkin with a fork. Bake the pumpkin in a pre-heated 375° oven until softened. (A five pound pumpkin will take about an hour.) Remove the pumpkin from the oven and set aside to cool. Once cooled cut the pumpkin in half and scoop out the flesh, discarding the seeds.

While the pumpkin is baking, cook the pasta according to the package directions, drain and set aside. Combine the pumpkin puree and milk in a blender and mix until smooth. Set aside. Melt the butter in a large sauce pan. Whisk in the flour, thyme, salt and pepper and continue to cook for another minute. Add the pumpkin mixture. Whisk and cook until thickened. Removed from the sauce pan from the stove. Fold in the cheese and stir until the cheese melts and everything is well blended. Pour the cheese sauce over the cooked macaroni. Stir to combine then transfer to a 9” x 9” baking dish. Top with bread crumbs and 2 tablespoons of shredded cheese. Bake in a pre-heated 400° oven for 20-25 minutes until golden.

I hope you’ll give some of these decorating options a try, and you’ll find comfort in this wonderful fall recipe. P. Allen Smith P. Allen Smith is an award-winning designer, gardening and lifestyle expert and host of two public television programs, Garden Home and Garden to Table, and the syndicated 30-minute show P. Allen Smith’s Garden Style. Smith is one of America's most recognized and respected design experts, providing ideas and inspiration through multiple media venues. He is the author of the best-selling Garden Home series of books. Allen is also very active on social media such as Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Learn more at www.pallensmith.com.

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3 Color, color and more color. Be bold and bright with jewel-toned accessories and clothing this fall. From sapphires to rubies, these fashion-forward items are must-haves for the holidays.

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1. Bent Oaks Boutique 2. Cara’s 3. Hollis & Co. Jewelers 4. HerringStone’s 5. Serendipity Designer Jewelry 6. Salt & Pepper Accessory Boutique 7. Haik Humble Eye Center 8. The Muffin Tin 9. The Children’s Shoppe 10. Hemline Monroe 11. The Pelican District 12. Sleepy Hollow Furniture 13. Beau Monde Boutique 14. Woodstock Furniture Revival 15. Duck & Dressing 42 NOVEMBER 2014 | WW W. BAY O ULI FEM AG .C OM

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BayouOutdoors

UNCLE SONNY

THANKFUL FOR GOOD FRIENDS LIKE LEON “SONNY” MILETELLO article by Dan Chason nyone who knows Leon "Sonny" Miletello will tell stories of a man who is small of stature but bigger than life. I call him “Uncle Sonny,” even though we are not related. I have told him many times I am up for adoption, but it hasn't worked up to this point. The first time I met Sonny, I was immediately impressed with him. We shared a love of hunting and business and our relationship has led to various ventures where the relationship has grown to where I consider him one of my closest friends and associates. Sonny is a fireball when it comes to any project he undertakes. Nothing he does comes before his faith and family but golf and duck hunting run a close second. His face literally lights up at the first of October when we start preparing fields and blinds. He reminds me of a kid at Christmas as we start talking about hunts in the past and friends we

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have made in the blind. This year, my goal was to try and convert him into a deer hunter. Now remember, this is a man that OWNS a deer farm but does not deer hunt. We arrived at my "sweet hole" for deer hunting, as I had invited Sonny to "advise" me on how to convert some timber holes into duck holes. Once we had tramped around the woods for a while, he soon saw what I was talking about as to the hog and deer sign where I hunt. I had to crack a smile as we were riding off in the Ranger. Sonny looked over at me and asked if I would sight in his crossbow. I guess the conversion was complete. But as always, we ended up in a duck hole in Collinston where Sonny has amassed one of the best group of duck blinds I have ever hunted. We almost ended up there permanently, as Sonny politely wedged the Ranger across a rice levee. I had to laugh as he rarely pulls a bone-headed stunt but this

was one of his best. Upon returning from walking out four miles for our rescue, Sonny just looked at me with sweat pouring down his face and quietly said, "Chason, don't you say nothing!" Sonny wouldn't be Italian if he didn't like food. As the owner of the Sports City Grill in West Monroe, he has turned what was a burger joint into a large menu of quite delicious food from duck wraps to all of the Italian dishes you love. Of course, you can still get the burger and fries, but you are missing it if you don't get the duck wraps. I credit his wife Gayle for the upgrade, and Sonny will agree that between her and his nephew, they have a winning combination. But he would shut the doors if it interfered with golf or duck hunting. Duck hunting with Sonny is different than hunting with anyone else you have ever shared a blind. He will insist that you stay at the "camp." This "camp" is luxuri-

ous with an out-camp for mud and noisy guests. He will load you into a F-250 Ford and upon arrival five minutes later, load you onto a Polaris Ranger that seats six for the trip to the blind. At 72 years young, Sonny will flat walk you in the ground. He is in remarkable shape and has few restrictions that should go with his age. This man who I assume stands less than 5'7", then opens a gun box to reveal Remington ten-gauge shotguns. One for everyone in the blind, including shells. His theory on his weapon of choice is "it makes life easier on Wendy (his lab)." I have to agree as few cripples get away with a 10 gauge cannon. You can leave your duck call at home as Sonny can flat work a mallard duck. The day ends with a big meal at lunch, while the ducks are cleaned and naps planned. That is, naps for everyone but Sonny, who is ready to roll on to another project or look at the next day's duck hole. I asked Sonny his trick for finding good duck holes and how he went about setting them up. He first joked and said, "Just hang around Jeff Simmons" (one of his regular hunting partners), then he smiled and told me the truth. "Work hard and play hard. Keep your eyes and ears open and when a good, reputable hole comes available....grab it." I have to admit the system works. With blinds in Collinston, Mer Rouge, Jones, Holly Ridge and Hwy 15, Sonny is not going to run out of a place to hunt anytime soon. One thing I learned this year that I did not know was how much Sonny loves to squirrel hunt. I just thought I had met my match in the duck field, but this man is a real woodsman. I didn't have to show him the lay of the land but once, and he was off and hunting. After meeting up during the day, he showed me food sources and travel lanes that I didn't know existed on my own place. His sense of direction is extremely good, but his knowledge of critters is second to none. He reminds me more of a twenty-five-year-old's drive, with the maturity and knowledge of a man of years. The man has hunted around the world, including Russia, for every critter known. But his true love is the break of dawn in a duck blind, or in a boat with a crappie pole in his hand. I recently took him, hoping to "smoke him" at fishing the way he does me at golf. Well, that didn't work out as well as I wanted, even when I tried to "front end" him. As the time of year approaches to give thanks, I am certainly thankful for good friends. I am very thankful for a good friend like Sonny Miletello. I look forward to the many hunts, fishing trips and times together that we will share in the future. It is said that you can count your true friends on one hand. I know Sonny is definitely one of them. A man of deep faith, family, golf and ducks. I just hope I can add deer to his menu this year. WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | NOVEMBER 2014

It’s in the

Whether you need to carry a lot or just a little - we’ve got the right handbag for you. Looking for something fun and funky, or maybe more streamlined and classic, these bags are the best of the season. Find these and more at our local retailers. PHOTOGRAPHY BY MARTIN G MEYERS

BCBGeneration Tote DUCK & DRESSING

Tribal Fringed Bag DIERDRE MCGEHEE DESIGNS

Snakeskin Clutch by Ceri Hoover HEMLINE

Leopard Bag by Pietro Allesandro HERRINGSTONE’S

Glacier Bay Satchel by Splendid THE FASHION OF RUSTON

Crossbody Messenger Bag by Noelle

MAISON COUTURE CLOTHIERS

THE PELICAN DISTRICT

Faux Fur Handbag RANDY SMITH JEWELERS

Bow Tote by My Flat in London SERENDIPITY

Colorful Miss Margo Designs Bag BEAU MONDE

Snakeskin Treska Handbag SALT & PEPPER

Multi-Patterned Messenger Bag BENT OAKS BOUTIQUE

Kate Spade Leopard Bag THE TOGGERY

Vegan Leather Bag by Isabelle CARA’S

Hand-woven Cross Body Bag

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Top Handle Bag by Hobo the Original

MOODY BLUES

Tan Faux Leather Bag

MOJO’S BOUTIQUE

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Chartreuse Pear Grand Opening

Customers of Chartreuse Pear were treated to a sneak peak at the new Ruston location Sept. 18, as the boutique celebrated the grand opening of their new location. The store is located at 210 West Park Avenue in historic downtown Ruston. While browsing the wares and visiting with friends, customers enjoyed wine and hors d'oeuvres while being serenaded by an intimate string trio. The Grand Opening celebration marked the perfect blend of taste and style for the new store. With a touch of something for everyone, you won't want to miss this exciting new addition to downtown Ruston.

On the BayouScene

1 Teena Doxey and Patti McFadden 2 Brenda Lee, Charlotte Urban and Travis Lee 3 Rosy Bromell, Olitsa Robbins, Larken Norton 4 Charlene Willis, Jamie Cherry and Dr. Hoyt Grafton 5 Sallie Anzelmo and Nancy Bynum 6 Michelle KoďŹ&#x201E;er, Brenda Lee and Charlotte Urban 7 Kaye Rabb and Jamie Cherry 8 Stephanie Akers and Dana Trauth 9 Lynne and Dan Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Neal 10 Richard Lee, Jane Grafton, Dr. Hoyt Grafton and Bill Hogan 11 Blake Wheelis and Jodi Wheelis 12 Kim and John Ellis 13 Bill Hogan, Jennifer and Brian Estes 14 Jane Grafton and Richard Lee 15 Brenda Lee and Travis Lee

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BayouBuzzworthy

On October 13, our community was hit by an EF2 tornado that struck Monroe and West Monroe, snapping trees and ripping down power lines. What commenced after the storm was nothing but a true sense of community and thanksgiving.

> Moody Blues

On September 25th, Antique Alleyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s newest store Walsworth and Company hosted its ribbon cutting at 311 Trenton Street in West Monroe. Leo Walsworth started Walsworth Furniture Company in 1957 and now his son Mike and wife Dawne continue the tradition

Annual Open House >

Ribbon Cutting

Eye of the Storm

Moody Blues Boutique hosted a Ladies Night Out on September 11th. This sneak preview party allowed guests to see the new space before the store opened its doors. Refreshments were served while patrons mingled and strolled through a selection of clothes, boots, handbags, candles and more.

Anne Patten

On October 20, Spa Nouvelle / Derma MediQ held their annual Open House celebration. Door prizes were given away every 30 minutes as well as special discounts on products and services. Live demonstrations of MicroNeedling and DermaPlaning were presented.

Happy Tails Fall Festival

We all remember the days of our Fall Festivals as kids, with fond memories of streaming through the halls of our elementary schools and bobbing for apples, playing gold fish games, and taking goofy photos in the photo booth. Why shouldn't our four-legged friends have those same memories, too? Thanks to the folks at Happy Tails in West Monroe, many pets now do. Happy Tails hosted its annual Fall Pet Festival, complete with plenty of carnival games, paw painting and even a cupcake walk. Happy Tails hosts the annual event to give doggies and their owners a fun night out together and a chance to socialize with other furry friends.

Chef Byron Bailey and Chef Cory Bahr

On the BayouScene

1 Joy Douglas with Oscar 2 Fred, Landon and Ashlea Kalil 3 Carolyn and Michael Watkins with Bella and Davie 4 Trish and Matthew Burrows and Elana Hunter with Meeko 5 Celeste McGrew and Nick Carroway with Cooper and Case 6 Joy Bright with Iris 7 Kim Parker with Waylon 50 NOVEMBER 2014 | WW W. BAY O ULI FEM AG .C OM

photos courtesy of Brad Arender

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1. Rose Boutique 2. The Fashion of Ruston 3. Moody Blues 4. Haven/Intelligent Designs 5. Maison Couture Clothiers 6. The Pewter Company 7. National Jewelry Co. 8. Randy Smith Jewelers 9.Pearl Pumphrey’s 10. Moss Eyecare 11.Material Things 12. Mojo’s 13. Thurman’s Food Factory and Gifts 14. The Toggery 15. Fiesta Nutrition Center 16. Louisiana Purchases 17. Debbie’s Hallmark 18.Simmons’ Sporting Goods 52 NOVEMBER 2014 | WW W. BAY O ULI FEM AG .C OM

FUN MYTHS AND FACTS ABOUT THANKSGIVING BY RHEAGAN SUTTON

Myth: The Pilgrims held the first Thanksgiving. Fact: The largest pumpkin pie ever baked weighed 2,020 lbs. Myth: Pilgrims dressed in black. Fact: Four places in the U.S. take their name from the Thanksgiving bird. Including one in Louisiana: Turkey Creek, LA... Population: 440. Myth: Thanksgiving was about family. Fact: The first Thanksgiving celebration lasted three days. Myth: The pilgrims landed on Plymouth Rock. Fact: Snoopy has appeared as a giant balloon in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade more times than any other character in history. Myth: Pilgrims and Puritans are not the same thing. Fact: Turkey has more protein than chicken or beef. Myth: Thanksgiving is about religion. Fact: Black Friday is the busiest day of the year for plumbers. Who knew? Myth: The first Thanksgiving was in 1621, and the Pilgrims celebrated it every year after. Fact: About 280 million turkeys are sold annually for Thanksgiving. Myth: The Pilgrims and Indians sat down to a Thanksgiving dinner. Fact: The first TV dinner was born because of Thanksgiving. Myth: Pilgrims lived in log cabins. Fact: Abraham Lincoln declared the final Thursday in November as a national day of Thanksgiving Myth: The Thanksgiving feast took place on the fourth Thursday of November. FACT: Thomas Jefferson thought the concept of Thanksgiving was "the most ridiculous idea I’ve ever heard." Myth: Native Americans and the Pilgrims were “besties.” FACT: Twenty percent of cranberries eaten are eaten on Thanksgiving. Myth: Eating Turkey makes people drowsy. Fact: Male turkeys gobble, Female turkeys, or hens, cackle! (Imagine that).

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PROVIDENCE on the ISLAND MECHELLE AND BRAD TERRAL’S PITTMAN-HOGUE ISLAND CAMP

ARTICLE BY MARÉ BRENNAN & PHOTOGRAPHY BY MARTIN G MEYERS

THE HONK-HONKING OF GEESE RISES FROM THE WAVES of the Delhi Reservoir and the hint of rust colored leaves on tall cypress and the faint purple of feathery muhly grass further signify the changing of the season as cooler air pushes its way southward.

Today is my lucky day as I meet with Mechelle Terral who’s offered to take me to “The Island,” also known as Pittman-Hogue Island, where she and her husband Brad have recently completed construction on their new hunting camp on an outlet of the Mississippi River. Driving past newly harvested cropland, bare fields take on an earthy hue punctuated only by cotton modules, treelines and country churches with peeling whitewashed walls. Just past Panola Pepper company and acres of pecan orchards, we travel up and over a tall river levee with the windows down as the crunch of gravel under tires adds authenticity to the ruggedness of the experience. We pass “Camp City,” where all the older camps on the Island are located, navigating our way to the Terral’s Dan Tyree custom-designed camp. “We wanted it to look like a tugboat and have

the feel of 1950’s camp house,” explains Mechelle as she cuts the engine as we park near the camp, which is raised on stilts to protect from the Mississippi’s high waters. Underneath the structure, an outdoor kitchen is protected from the elements. Stone sourced from Arkansas Stone is used generously throughout the outdoor living areas, from the kitchen to the circular fire pit expertly crafted by stone mason Jerry Swafford. Above the front door hangs a nameplate “Terral” made from cypress and large bullet casings by family friend Mark Scurria. The spacious front porch features Restoration Hardware’s anodized aluminum nautical sconces with cages to protect light bulbs and handcrafted rocking chairs. Thomas Woods, Brad’s cousin, served as contractor for the project. “I gathered stuff for a year,” laughs Mechelle of the building

process and her inspiration for this one-of-akind camp. “The first thing we ordered for the camp was a vintage looking turquoise stove and refrigerator. I knew these really bright appliances would set the tone for a different look for the camp. The master bedroom, a study in contrasts, juxtaposes rustic hand-pieced walls of reclaimed wood with silvery metallic bedding and a dreamlike flokati rug from World Market and sequined pillows from Paul Michael Company. At bedside are a pair of gold leaf wheat lamps, heirlooms from Brad’s grandparents in Lake Providence, which up the glamour quotient in this stunning bedroom. Mirrored bedside tables, a Stein Mart find, emphasize the Hollywood Regency vibe. Monroe-based designer Clowe Wright designed the shimmery, metallic silver floor-toceiling curtains in the master. On one

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bedroom wall, Mechelle, a consummate artist with a propensity for using nature as a starting point for her creations, has hung a series of deer skulls and antlers which she has embellished with turquoise, crystals and even a Bicentennial belt buckle. A custom designed, sliding barn door made of reclaimed wood separates the master bedroom from the luxurious, en suite bathroom. The contractor found an antique door track system and modified it to work for the homeowner. “Thomas Woods, let me tell you,” says Mechelle, “That man has a very artistic eye. We had so much fun – and we agreed on everything. And if I wanted something, he would find it and make it look damn good.” Woods and the homeowner would travel to Ruston’s Rustiques to find the antique beadboard found on all ceilings and porches throughout the home as well as the reclaimed wood found throughout the camp. Large plank flooring retains its beautiful patina, oiled but not finished. “I wanted the floors to feel like an old country store,” says Mechelle. For the master bath, Mechelle chose rectangular oversized tiles with a metallic finish for flooring and to line walls of the generous shower which features floating glass doors, deep blue mosaic tile accents and a ceiling mounted rain showerhead that features LED lighting that indicates the temperature of your water. Blue jeweled hardware on custom vanity cabinets hand-finished by Vicky and Jimmy Jones with a soapstone countertop and his and hers square sinks create a rejuvenating oasis. Custom Carpets was Mechelle’s source for tile throughout the camp. In the downstairs guest bathroom, Mechelle chose decorative Italian tiles which create a cheerful border above an elegant bath tiled with white subway tiles with a distinctive matte finish. An ikat shower curtain plays off the colors found in the Italian tiles. On the bathroom wall hangs a hand lettered sign framed in river birch bark for Mechelle’s nephew’s deer skinning service, Big Dave’s Skinning. In the downstairs guest room, four enormous bucks taken in Kansas provide a focal point above the rustic bed, which was a purchase from Crazy Bob’s Furniture in Tallulah. Mechelle designed and created the gourd lamp, which she wired herself. Brad’s bow hangs on one wall as does a Mississippi River photo taken near Sondheimer when Brad and his friend and fellow adventurer, Skeeter Wilks, decided to go down the Mississippi in a john boat. “I took that photo the day they took off for New Orleans,” says Mechelle remembering how the men made their way to the Big Easy and how the wives had to go pick them up, dirty and victorious from their days as Huck Finn and Tom Sawyer. Transoms over doorways, one of Brad’s many style contributions to the camp’s design, let valuable light permeate interior rooms. Says Mechelle of her husband, “Brad notices everything and is very detail oriented and had the great idea to add molding between sets of windows to make them look beefier.” Vintage-looking, porcelain doorknobs add an eclectic authenticity to the rooms. In the camp’s foyer is a wall-sized map of “The Island” showing waterways, roads, trails and deer stand positions along with a built-in gun cabinet. Just beyond the gun cabinet, Mechelle gold leafed a European-mounted buck and hung it within a gilded, carved frame. “This was my “trophy” buck,” tells Mechelle of accidentally taking this buck which didn’t meet the strict require58 NOVEMBER 2014 | WW W. BAY O ULI FEM AG .C OM

ments for harvesting which resulted in the loss of her hunting privileges for a year. Built-in’s under the stairs feature a prized gator head and family photos. An old International Harvester tractor hood from Mechelle’s daddy’s shed becomes industrial art and a conversation piece when placed on the camp’s wall. An extra large globe light illuminates the foyer and staircase which leads to upstairs guest rooms. At the top of the stair landing, a set of mid-century twin beds which belonged Brad’s daddy provide ample room for younger guests. Mechelle stripped the beds of their honey-lacquered finish, giving them a more rustic, down-to-earth feel. “My boys used these beds, and now they are here.” Tailored coverlets from World Market and grain sack pillows from Paul Michael Company create a daybed look. A patriotic flag-painted lawn chair, red chalk painted chest and an Aztec kilim rug in rugged shades of red, white, blue, brown and tan pull the room together. It is in this space that windows are most often opened for a cross breeze that feels like you are really camping out of doors. An upstairs hallway leads to a bathroom and bedroom which reveals a secret hideaway balcony that overlooks Bunch’s Chute. The upstairs balcony is floored with blue stone and lounge chairs offer a vantage point to view nature from above. In the living room, the custom fireplace with hand-stacked stones by mason Jerry Swafford creates a perfect focal point for Brad’s trophy elk taken in Truth or Consequences, New Mexico. Says Mechelle of the unique fireplace, “Brad and I cut and pasted fireplaces we liked to reach the final design, which is wrapped in reclaimed planks that taper as it reaches to the ceiling. It’s a piece of art in itself.”

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THE ISLAND IS VERY family oriented. ON ANY GIVEN WEEKEND, YOU’LL FIND KIDS ON FOURWHEELERS, WITH WIVES AND CHILDREN EVERYWHERE. IT’S JUST A NEAT COMMUNITY.

Mechelle’s inventive use of fabric choices allowed the family to recycle a beloved sofa. “I had this huge great neutral couch that we’d had since our kids were little. I went to Fabulous Fabrics and started picking out fabrics.” The fabric used on the bottom cushions is a turquoise animal print; while the back cushions are covered in a multi-hued fabric reminiscent of a rag rug. Throughout the camp Mechelle determined ways to save on furnishings in order to splurge on a few key touches. 60 NOVEMBER 2014 | WW W. BAY O ULI FEM AG .C OM

In the living room, Clowe Wright designed ikat panels to edge windows, adding color and softness to the room without compromising light. Seating arrangements around the fireplace are generous and include a linen sofa from Paul Michael Company, an extra wide leather chair with nailhead trim and a turquoise stool with cowhide top. Light from a large plate glass window bathes the open concept Great Room which includes the kitchen, eating area and living

room. With an abundance of windows in the kitchen and living room, art and objects find a home nestled above cabinets. New Orleans paintings, decorative plates from Mexico, old ice coolers and a cute crawfish find a home above the kitchen cabinets. The kitchen countertops are black granite with a soft matte finish. Two pendant lights, which began their “lives” at Paul Michael Company as candlesticks, were repurposed and wired by contractor Thomas Woods to accommodate Edison bulbs and hang above the kitchen is-

land. It is here in the kitchen that the 50’s camp house feel comes to life. White subway tile with a matte, rougher surface serve as the backsplash as the Elmira Stove Works oven range and fridge add pops of color that set the tone for the space. Near the dining table, the art that brought the whole camp project into focus for Mechelle is prominently featured. “Brad and I were in Santa Rosa, Florida, and I walked across the street after dinner to an art gallery where I found this painting of a finger pointing with a taut rubber band with the words, ‘You’ll shoot your eye out.’ on it. I thought it summed up the whole 50’s/hunting camp vibe in one painting,” says Mechelle. A generous back porch, complete with infrared space heaters as well as ceiling fans to use depending on the weather, has steps leading to the gentle sloping banks of Bunch’s Chute off the Mississippi River. A gathering spot for family and friends during hunting season and beyond, this outdoor living area features custom made Adirondack chairs are made all the more comfortable with bright orange pillows found at West Brothers in Delhi. Drinks are often served from the turquoise WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | NOVEMBER 2014

bar and counter stools while the Big Green Egg Cooker is called into service. Handhewn and notched, reclaimed beams throughout the porch and home were sourced at Rustiques. A plantation bell from Rustiques was installed so that kids could start a new tradition of ringing the bell when they get a deer. First and foremost a hunting camp, Mechelle tells the story of how she first got hooked on the sporting life. “When my boys were younger, we left church one day. I remember I had on go-go boots and a long skirt. Brad was trying to get our oldest son to start hunting. He was probably about 10 years old. Well, we were going straight from church to get into a stand early. I would sit with them in a stand so they could hunt. That particular day, the boys were in the back fighting, as boys do, and I told Brad to ‘put me out.’ Nobody else wanted to hunt at that point. So I put on bibs and a jacket and got up in a stand by myself. I sat up there, and it was so peaceful and pretty. You are just anticipating what’s going to come out of the woods. From then on, I started loving the hunt.” Of their new camp on the exclusive Pittman-Hogue Island, Mechelle says, “The Island is very family oriented. On any given weekend, you’ll find kids on fourwheelers, with wives and children everywhere. It’s just a neat community. Brad and I even started riding our bikes around the island. The other day we biked up on a doe and her baby. They just looked at us like, ‘What are y’all?’ They were so confused!” One thing is for sure, this creative and innovative couple will never lack for adventurous spirit, fueling their passions for the outdoors and family in this island setting that serves as base camp for the best of memories.

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ULM School of Construction

On Friday, September 26, 2014, alumni, friends and students of the University of Louisiana at Monroe gathered at the beautiful bayou home of June and Charles Poole to welcome the new director of the the school of construction management, Dr. Ed Brayton. The Poole's home was the perfect retreat for the newest Warhawk and his lovely wife. The celebration was hosted by: Jane and Kenny Brown, Kathryn and John Hunter, June and Charles Poole and Melinda and Joe Tannehill. Among those in attendance were: President Nick Bruno and First Lady Linda Bruno, Laurence Favalora, Richard Matkins, Thurman Potts, Darren Ford, and many more.

On the BayouScene

1 June Poole and Mickey Bennett 2 Mary and Ed Brayton, Charles Poole 3 Joe Tannehill, Ed Brayton and Ron Berry 4 Linda and Nick Bruno, Bob Hammack 5 Richard Matkins and Eric Pani 6 Matt Bridges, Andrew and Kathy Brown and Caleb Poole 7 Ross and Donya Riles 8 Kirk and Terri Gallien, Crystal and Jerry Brasher 9 Jayne and John Smith 10 Jo and Malcolm Maddox 11 Ruth and Randy Russell and Mickey Bennett 12 Melinda and Caroline Tannehill

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FISHING with KENNY

If You Build It, the Bass Will Come by K ENN Y COV ING TON I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN ONE TO TINKER with lures. Rarely have I ever bought a lure and not tried to change it, in some fashion, in order to make it “better.” I think it is a natural instinct in fisherman to attempt improvements, even on things that may work just fine to begin with. However, sometimes while trying to make these improvements it can lead the individual to believe…“I can build one that is just as good.” Many years ago my dad and a few of his friends used to pour their own spinnerbait and jig heads. This was done, not from a money saving idea, because they had found out that some of their tournament competitors were doing so. Back then the logic was the better 66 NOVEMBER 2014 | WW W. BAY O ULI FEM AG .C OM

fishermen had “secret” baits that couldn’t be purchased and so the emphasis was placed on creating newer, improved, yet secret, lures. I can remember hearing a gentleman who won a particular tournament telling his awed competitors that it wouldn’t do any good to tell them how he caught his fish, “You can’t buy what I caught them on, so I have to make my own.” To this day, I can still see the defeated looks on the fishermen’s faces. If you couldn’t make your own, then you couldn’t compete. Fast forward 30 years. My dad has since passed, as well as most of the fishermen I knew growing up that he competed against. I still have the melting pot and the molds my dad used to pour his own jig heads. While the aura of the “secret” lure has diminished somewhat, building our own lures has taken on a new interest for different reasons. In a time where people are looking to find more inexpensive ways of doing things, it is no surprise that even in the sport of bass fishing people are becoming more conscious of saving a few dollars. A few years ago, I had found a particular jig and jig color that was very successful for me on our local waters. I was fortunate to win quite a bit of money on this one lure, but the problem was they were hard to locate for purchase. One evening while contemplating my short supply of jigs and my purchasing plight, the idea of making my own jig to keep from having to buy it hit me like a lightning bolt.

The very same evening I happened across a video where professional angler Gary Klein was discussing the process in building his own lures. I watched as he demonstrated how easy it is, while he discussed the different components involved in each process. His video introduced me to Fishboss.com and Fishingskirts.com, two websites built and designed for the angler, both tournament and recreational, interested in building their own lures. Everything you will need to create your own lures can be found on these two sites. If you wish to build your own spinnerbaits, buzzbaits or jigs, there are an endless variety of components that are available as well as the tools needed to help you with the process. There are thousands of different skirt combinations that are also available to anyone who is interested in bait building. With a little imagination and a bit of time, the possibilities are endless when it comes to creating your own lures at half the cost it takes to buy them from a tackle store. The jig which I was originally spending up to five dollars to buy, can now be make for less than a couple of dollars per lure. While they can’t be made at quite the lower price of a jig, the same can be said about spinnerbaits and buzzbaits. A lure that will cost you six dollars in a tackle store can be produced with a little time and effort for close to half the store price. The best part of it all? You are producing tournament quality lures that won’t break your bank account, plus you will have your fishing buddies wondering why you are successful and what you are using. Fishboss.com and Fishingskirts.com sites also include several how to videos and the online store accessibility is quite easy. On those days when you can’t be in the deer stand or on the water, not only is bait building a great way to spend an afternoon, it is also a way to get your son or daughter interested in this great sport. For years, serious white perch fishermen have tied and colored their own jigs. So this is not just a “bass fishermen’s only” idea. There is just something extra special about building a lure and catching fish on the very lure you created. It is one of fishing’s greatest pleasures. Remember to be careful in the woods and on the water and catch one for me. See you next month!

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THE WHITWORTH FAMILY Melissa, Andrew, Sarah, Michael and Drew Whitworth

FAITH, FAMILY

& FOOTBALL Andrew Whitworth on and off the FIELD. What heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s doing in Cincinnati and at HOME in Monroe. By MICHAEL DEVAULT

ou don't have to tell Cincinnati Bengals offensive tackle Andrew Whitworth how far Cincinnati is from Monroe. It's a distance the AFC Pro Bowl lineman knows all too well as he navigates a successful NFL career, raising a family with his wife, Melissa, and trying to maintain close ties to his hometown. Yet, through all the game day travels, Spring training sessions and players' union meetings, Whitworth has managed to make the distance seem just a little smaller. And the community here at home is better for it. Shortly after he signed with the Bengals in 2006, Whitworth and his wife established the BigWhit 77 Foundation with a goal of filling a niche in his hometown. A West Monroe Rebel, Whitworth came up in this community and he said he was inspired by the way the people of the region reached out to embrace him. That's something he's always wanted to give back. "We're trying to find new ways to inspire people and make people's day," Whitworth said of his foundation's work. The foundation serves this mission through the Whit's Warriors program, a scholarship awarded to students of merit from high schools in Lincoln and Ouachita Parish. Each year, more than 150 outstanding students apply for scholarships of $1,000 each to go toward college expenses. To qualify, the students must have maintained a 3.0 GPA, taken part in community and campus service activities, and taken advantage in either the arts or athletics opportunities offered by their schools. Last year, 30 students received scholarships from the organization. In addition to receiving scholarship funds, students also benefit from mentoring relationships to help them better prepare for the transition from high school to college. In the end, Whitworth believes Whit's Warriors is about achieving dreams. "It's about inspiring kids and helping them reach their dreams, helping them feel like they have the ability to dream," Whitworth said. But BigWhit 77 isn't just about high school kids. At

the other end of the spectrum, the foundation provides hope of a different sort through an adoption aid fund. Couples seeking adoption are thwarted too often by the high costs associated with the process. Whitworth's foundation is changing that by offering financial grants to prospective adoptive parents, in order to minimize the costs associated with adoption. The effort is called Open Arms, and it is quickly becoming one of BigWhit 77's central missions, which makes sense, given Whitworth's motives for the foundation to begin with. "I want everyone to feel welcome and everyone to feel loved," Whitworth said. The foundation offers other services, too, including a Christmas program to help families in need celebrate the holidays and the Broad Horizons effort, which provides after school services to at-risk youth. Whitworth said the foundation is his way of staying connected and having a positive impact on the community that gave him the foundations he's needed to succeed both on and off the field. Whitworth sometimes finds the work of running a foundation remotely to be challenging. Distance can get in the way of maximizing impacts, and even with a dedicated staff and volunteer network, Whitworth recognizes that being out of town from July through January can prove difficult. During the season, he utilizes email and telephones to keep in touch with foundation staff. "That's one of the things that makes the foundation a little harder. We're not there for so much of the year," Whitworth said. At 32, Whitworth is just beginning to look to life after football. And, while he enjoys the game and the opportunities it has afforded him, he sees a silver lining. "One of the most exciting things about when my career is over is coming home and focusing my energy on the foundation," he said. For now, though, Whitworth must continue to split his effort between the foundation's work and the game of football, which makes the foundation possible. Here, too, Whitworth has set ambitious goals. "We're three and

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when professional football is faced with challenges to the way the sport is played on the field and the lives the players lead off of it. Whitworth embraces some of the new rules, which he credits with improving player safety. But, he also recognizes the changes they're bringing to the sport. "There are some plays that used to be in the game of football that aren't there anymore," Whitworth said. Gone are the days of the big, late hits, the crushing blindsides and the tell-tale thwack of helmet-to-helmet contact. But all of that is little cost in a sport where men put their lives on the line to entertain their fans. "I think when you weigh guys' futures and their overall health, you want to make sure that you're not crossing a line that says it's okay to put their lives in danger just for us to have an exciting game," Whitworth said. "I think it's crucial that we take care of guys and worry about health and safety. There's nothing that says you can't play the game competitively. We haven't taken the fun out of football." Changes are afoot off the field, too, where a series of high profile scandals have rocked the NFL. Stories of domestic abuse and off-field violence have appeared at regular intervals for months. Whitworth said the NFL is taking note, but he also pointed out that society at large should, too. "I think it's a bigger problem for society than just for the NFL," Whitworth said. The numbers bear that out, as domestic violence rates are more than three times higher in the general population than they are in the NFL. Still, Whitworth points to his fellow players and dismisses protests from some players justifying personal behaviors off the field. "Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m a proponent that we should be held to a higher standard," Whitworth said. "I don't care what guys say about not wanting to be a role model. You are a professional athlete. It's not up to the players what they become. That's up to the fan." For Whitworth, football has given him a tremendous set of opportunities, opened up doors to service and supporting his family well. And Whitworth believes players should be thankful. "They're given a lot, and we're treated exceptionally well," Whitworth said. "By that, we should respect it, live in a way and act in a way where families can look and see that not only do the players act like a professional athlete on the field, but they act like it off the field as well." In the meantime, Whitworth focuses on raising his three young children--and looking forward to their fourth, which is set to arrive sometime soon--and to bring them up to appreciate the opportunities they've been given. Together with Melissa, he also tries to keep them grounded in the faith that has brought them this far. "We pray with our kids every night," Whitworth said, expressing hope that they'll grow up to appreciate the lessons he and Melissa are teaching them now. "Faith, hope and love need to be the greatest thing for us. We try our best to make that happen every day." A SUPER TRIO Andre Smith, Andy Dalton and Andrew Whitworth

one," he said of the 2014 season. "It's a good start to the first quarter of the season, but there's still a lot of season ahead." At LSU, Whitworth got a taste of the national spotlight when the Tigers won a national championship in 2003. Though he was just a Sophomore, he started all 14 games. Now, he's set his sights on a larger prize. "It's been a fun time. We're just trying to find a way to get to that big game and win us a Super Bowl," Whitworth said. For an SEC player who spent the majority of his youth and career playing on southern fields, Cincinnati has provided its own set of challenges. Particularly, there's a bit of difference in the weather. Whitworth was shocked the first time he awoke to find a foot of snow on the ground and businesses still operating. "Schools are still open, and everything's just the same," Whitworth said. The resilience of an Ohio winter became something the southern Whitworth clan began to look forward to. "We appreciate it now. We have a lot of fun with the kids, with the snow days," Whitworth said. Since football is a sport played during the fall and winter, Whitworth said his family has gotten used to not being home for the holidays. "I've never had an August, because I've always had training camp. I've never had a Thanksgiving or Christmas at home." Instead, his family and Melissa's family travel to Cincinnati for the holidays. "It kind of makes it feel like home for us," he said. For those months of the year, the Whitworth family is all about football. In fact, Whitworth's two-year old son, Michael, is "obsessed with football. It's all he wants to talk about all day." Sarah likes the game, but she has one major concern, according to Whitworth. "She requests every week that I don't run through the fireworks. She gets real mad when Dad does the run through." If football has left a mark on Andrew Whitworth's life, he's not going to leave the sport without leaving his imprint on it, either. And while his 6'7" build can leave a strong impression on an opposing team's defense-in 2010, he caught the first touchdown pass by a Bengals offensive lineman since 1995, and he's known for hitting hard--it's off the field where Whitworth is leaving a bigger mark, as a players' representative during a time 70 NOVEMBER 2014 | WW W. BAY O ULI FEM AG .C OM

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MOVE ASIDE NECKTIE, THERE’S A NEW SHERIFF IN TOWN. BOWTIES AREN’T JUST FOR “OLD SOUTH” ANY LONGER, THEY SHOULD BE A STAPLE IN EVERY GENTLEMAN’S WARDROBE. WITH THE HELP OF THE TOGGERY AND HEMLINE MONROE, WE’VE PICKED A FEW FOR YOU TO “TIE” ON.

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Black and White Ball

The stars came out Sept. 27 at Bayou DeSiard Country Club for the annual Black and White Ball to benefit the Center For Children and Families. Each year, the Center hosts the formal event to raise funds to support the Children's Advocacy Center. Organizers helped ensure the 2014 Ball was an even bigger success than last year. Working tirelessly, volunteers and Center staff transformed Bayou DeSiard into a chic and sleek ball room. All the while, Country Club staff created a feast fit for the occasion, including crowd favorites like the chef's own Prime Rib. This year's ball featured a huge silent auction and raffle, with prizes including vacation packages, hunting trips, a shot gun, a gorgeous pendant necklace and a Big Green Egg--but in black, of course! We love seeing north Louisianaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s finery and this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Black and White Ball was not disappointing. Some of our most fashionable folks included: Susan Hopper, Dana Tarver, Janelle Snellings, Leslie Culp, Arabella Moore, Nelsie Bershen, Zeke Wetzel, Josh Sanders, Jarod Stokes and Matt Dickerson.

On the BayouScene

1 Cindy Murray, Valerie and Chris Ramsey, Greg and Lori Guthrie, Aleta and Aaron Eley 2 Claire Gordon, Jennifer Lord and Dana Tarver 3 Marc and Susan Saad, Courtney and Zeke Wetzel 4 Jennifer and Troy Lizenby 5 Sarah Baker and Jessica Crain 6 Renata and Donald Rushing 7 Kelly and Carson Rutz 8 Dr. Jody and Miranda Moss 9 Caroline and Alan Brockman 10 Trey and Heather Parker 11 Jason and April Fontana, Kelsi and Matt Dickerson 12 Nick and Claire Rosenzweig, Reannon and Nils Bouquist 13 Jodee Bruyninckx and Flea Hardwick 14 Harry and Cherie Donias 15 Arabella and James Moore

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Downtown Gallery Crawl

Inclement weather may have driven art lovers inside, but it wasn't enough to dampen art spirits Oct. 2, as Art Alley played host to the bi-monthly Art Crawl. Visitors made their way between the various galleries and braved the rain to take in art by some of the region's best loved talent. Also, more than a few entertainers who had been slated for the outdoor festivities set up shop in galleries. In addition to art and music, gallery crawlers enjoyed complimentary beverages and light hors d'oeuvres prepared with care by supporters and fans of each gallery. The Downtown Art Crawl is held the first Thursday of every other month.

On the BayouScene

1 Bob and Linda Ward 2 Peggy Cruse, Kathy Alger and Nancy Wallace 3 Mary Ann Riddle, Jane Golden, Dylan Riddle and Lisa Riddle 4 Ali Hijazi and EmJ Cruz 5 Brad Arender and Gabe Cardinale 6 Kim Kelly and Michelle GriďŹ&#x192;n 7 Lindsey Simpson, Allison Vestal and Ben Rabalais 8 Emily Caldwell and Kelby Ouchley 9 Casey Massel, Ari and Brooke Foy 10 Caleb Fryer and India Jennings 11 Joe HolyďŹ eld and Anne Patten 12 Victoria Smith and Joshua Mitchell 13 Jacob Evans and Shelby Hill 14 Nadia Morris and Kaleb Keene

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Wiggin’ Out

The fourth annual Wiggin’ Out event was held on Thursday, October 2nd at Squire Creek Country Club. Supporters donning their best 80’s attaire and a variety of colorful wigs showed up in huge numbers to support this worthy cause which donates all proceeds to help men and women in North Louisiana currently undergoing treatment for cancer. Entertainment was provided by The Steve Hearn Project. Special guests from the LA Tech Athletics were on-hand and Teddy Allen was the perfect emcee for the night’s activities.

On the BayouScene

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1 Elizabeth Turnley, Patrick Walsh, Vicki Caskey and Tami Davis 2 Kristin Bruce, Whitney Wheelis, Kelsey Olson, Rachel Davison, Kelly Hogan and Anna Hall 3 Connie Stuckey, Karen Richardson and Brenda Pipes 4 Allison Barton, Deborah Joyner and Sarah Adkins 5 Cassie Wade and Tabby Soignier 6 Nickie Fitzgerald, Denise Juluke, Allison Rattay, Jennifer Holtz and Roslyn Baker 7 Muriel Ryder, Libby Woodard, Ronny and Heather Walker and Jennifer Gray 8 Nichole Kitishian, Brittany Soto and Jillian Burns 9 Elaine Eaton and Pam Beck 10 Mary Linda McCann, Susan Moss, Melissa Johnson and Sandy Kunz 11 Charlene Ragan, Brandy Stevenson, Sandy Ezell, Debrah Marsh and Cristy Halley 12 Stacy Hathaway, Stacie Turner, Shannon Hancock, Cali Larson and Kaylyn Hernandez 13 Laura Chesnut, Regina Rowe, Michelle Jimerson and Ann Marie Mills 14 Jamie Freeman, Melissa Salter and Rachel Roach

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Life of Service CORRE STEGALL IS A ROLE MODEL TO YOUNG WOMEN ACROSS THE UNITED STATES. SHEâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S SMART, CHARMING, GIVING AND HUMBLE. SHE IS THIS MONTHâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S BAYOU ICON. By Michael DeVault | Photography by Brad Arender

orre Stegall's home sits on a quiet, tucked away corner of Squire Creek, a comfortable walking distance from the golf course. Like virtually all facets of her life, the location of Stegall's home was driven by a passion--in this case, for the sport of golf, of which Stegall describes herself as an avid player. "Golf is my great passion, outside of the other things I do," she told BayouLife Magazine. Golfing and the promise of being near to one of the newest and most challenging golf courses in northeastern Louisiana is what first drew her to Squire Creek and to the "smallest house in the neighborhood," as she describes her home. It was one flash of the humility and graciousness that marks Stegall's character, the desire to downplay her accomplishments and the many accolades she's received--and there are many--in exchange for highlighting the accomplishments or services provided by others. In fact, essentially every part of Stegall's life, from her career at Louisiana Tech University to her volunteer work on behalf of improving the medical community in Lincoln Parish, has been marked by both leadership and service. Even with golfing, Stegall approaches the sport with a sense of service. She is co-chairing the committee that will host the U.S. Golf Association's 2015 National Women's Mid-Amateur Championship next year, the first time the USGA will hold a championship event in Louisiana in more than 50 years.

"These are national and international golfers," Stegall says, and she gushes about the excitement the event will bring to the community, with more than 130 of the best female golfers in the world converging on Squire Creek for the tournament. "It's going to be a terrific opportunity for us to showcase our area." This is the kind of visionary leadership and ambitious foresight that has been a constant driving force in Stegall's life and career. At almost every step of the way, she has been at the forefront of creating something special, beginning with one of her first jobs out of college. She was married, a young wife in need of a job, and she had just graduated with an English degree. But, in northern Louisiana, she could find no jobs for English teachers. So she improvised. After a visit with the principal at West Monroe High School, she learned there was an opening in the Journalism department. The principal was willing to give it a shot, if she was interested. "I wasn't certified in journalism, but I told him I could figure it out." She began working in earnest to build up the department, advising the yearbook and student newspaper. She even established a student-led creative writing booklet. It's important to recall that, at the time, West Monroe High School was not the athletic and academic powerhouse it is today. "At that point, it was quite frankly a tough school. But to me, it was a great opportunity."

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“

I've made a life out of surrounding myself with outstanding people,” Stegall says. “Sometimes, I get the credit, but it's never about me.

“

hen Stegall left West Monroe High School, she was chairman of the Journalism department. For the next twenty years, she spent time in Dallas and Houston, raising her family and following her husband's career. Eventually, though, she felt the tug of home and, in 1993, she returned to Louisiana Tech. Over the years at the school, she worked as an assistant professor of English, director of Alumni Relations, and as the executive director of development. Presently, Stegall is the vice president for University Advancement, the first female vice president in the university's history-something she learned only after she had been in the job for some time. "It didn't even occur to me that I was the first woman, I didn't even think of it, until someone put it in a book somewhere," she says. With more than forty years of educational experience as a student, a teacher, and an administrator, Stegall sits in a position to have plotted the many changes to higher education. For her, it's a time of tremendous optimism and excitement. "One of the most exciting trends is the interdisciplinary aspect," she says. "The art professor and the biology professor work together. The art professor and the nanotechnology professor work together." Stegall has watched as engineering students worked with business students on projects that, eventually, led to the creation of new businesses. Learning has become experiential. "When I was teaching English, you taught out of a book. You don't do that anymore." Like many career academics, Stegall's work at the university has become an extension of her own college career. When she was a student at Louisiana Tech, she pledged Kappa Delta--KD for short--as had her mother and many other women in her family. Stegall credits her time in the sorority with helping her "major in leadership and campus organizations," as she was involved in every group she could join. While she never served as a leader in the sorority itself, Stegall is quick to pass her success on that front on to her sorority sisters. "I wouldn't have been a leader in campus organizations if it weren't for my sisters in KD. So any kind of leadership ability I have, I attribute to KD." Apparently, the women at Kappa Delta agreed. She served as the faculty advisor for the Louisiana Tech chapter, which led to a spot on the KD advisory board. From 1971 through 1976, Stegall was national director of chapter education. In 1977, she was elected national vice president of Kappa Delta. By 1983, Stegall was such a known figure in the national body she became national president, a position she held until 1989. Traditionally, sororities reserve their national officer positions for elder stateswomen, those individuals who have marked decades of service and support of the sorority and its mission. Frequently, sorority presidents are in their sixties or seventies. At the time Stegall became president, she was barely in her thirties. Stegall says she didn’t know that, at the time, she had the ability or the experience to lead the organization. "I guess I was just young enough to think I could do it," she says.

Stegall succeeded, and in 1989, Kappa Delta bestowed on her the Order of the Emerald for service to the sorority. They also named the top leadership award the Corre Anding Stegall Leadership Award, which is given annually to the top collegiate leaders of Kappa Delta. In 2013, Kappa Delta installed Stegall in the National Hall of Honor. And, as icing on the cake, Stegall's family isn't done with Kappa Delta yet. The clan is set to induct another of her immediate family into Kappa Delta this year. Even with these successes, Stegall is quick to slough off any attention or accolades and, instead, deflects the praise to those around her. At the KD national council, she says an extraordinary national council staff made her successful. "I've made a life out of surrounding myself with outstanding people," Stegall says. "Sometimes, I get the credit, but it's never about me." It would be too easy and wrong to dismiss Stegall as "just another sorority girl." Her work has taken her far from campus life, and she's served as director on the executive board of the United Way of Northeast Louisiana, on the executive committee of the North Louisiana Race for the Cure, and as president of the Board of Trustees for the Northern Louisiana Medical Center. She even chaired the Board of Trustees at Trinity United Methodist Church, where she, her son Christopher and daughter-in-law Amy attend services. Amy is on staff at the church. Over time, Stegall says she's become a bit more selective about the causes she supports, and it's paid dividends. "I look at those things where I can make the most impact and the things I have a passion for," Stegall says. Her credentials and her track record show she has many, many passions. Still, she encourages the young women coming to school at Louisiana Tech to consider the sorority system as one of their activities. And she's an equal supporter of them all. "Although KD is my sorority, I believe so absolutely in the sorority system," she says. "It's just a wonderful way for those who want to embrace those things to really enhance their lives." That enhancement comes not only in student leadership. It also shows in the classroom, where the 130 active members of Louisiana Tech's KD chapter boast an average GPA north of 3.4--well above the average of the full student body. "That's 130 girls who are active in everything else," Stegall says. "I don't have much trouble selling that to parents." As she looks back, Stegall is sometimes surprised at the trajectory her life is following. Capable people and remarkable opportunities converged with perfect timing to place her where she is today. She laughs off any mention of her own capabilities and demurs from any hint of praise. "I'm just a gal from Delhi who just happened to fall into some wonderful opportunities," Stegall says.

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Race for the Cure

Breast cancer is one of the leading diseases affecting women in America today. That's why each year the Susan G. Komen Foundation sponsors the Race for the Cure. This year's event was held Sept. 27 in Forsythe Park. More than 1,000 racers took part in the 5K run, and festivities continued into the morning as visitors and runners alike milled about the park in support of the Komen Foundation's efforts. The Race for the Cure is one of the Susan G. Komen Foundation's largest annual efforts, and this year proved to be one of the biggest races on record. For more information on how you can support Komen's efforts, visit komennela.org.

On the BayouScene

1 Irma Rabun, Anne Paylor and Mary GriďŹ&#x192;n 2 DeAaron Reed, Jennifer Reed, Carolyn Wright and Glenda Greggs 3 Connie Antley, Kathy Prophit 4 Debbie, Paige, Charlotte, Shelly and Riley Nugent 5 Annie S. Stalin and Evelyn Coleman 6 Gloria Ellis Elmore and Clotiel Thomas 7 Peggy Harbor and Debbie Elliot 8 April Jackson, Norris Chase, Elaine Chase, Eddie McCord and Liyah McCord 9 Jaime Roberts, Keisha Crum, Dee Ellis 10 Trey Sartor, Claire Tannehill, Haley Morris, Bailey Richardson and Jack Alexander 11 Emily Coody and Heather Evans 12 Theresa and Dr. Meghan McNease with Phantom 13 Debbie Lemoine and Wendy Gosdin 14 Dee Shirley and Ashley Kellebrew 15 Annette McDonald and Christy Heath

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11 15

Enduring Appeal JUST MINUTES SOUTH OF MONROE AND A WORLD AWAY LIES HISTORIC LOGTOWN PLANTATION article by MARÉ BRENNAN and photography by MARTIN G MEYERS Just off Highway 165, a quick ride along the top of the levee that overlooks the Ouachita River on one side and fields of row crops on the other leads to the plantation which unfolds itself first with the sight of its red barn buildings then its genteel picket fence and gate leading to its beautiful fourcolumned portico with fan-lit pediment. But the appreciation for the place that began as part of the settling of Louisiana takes on 86 NOVEMBER 2014 | WW W. BAY O ULI FEM AG .C OM

more meaning when we know the history. The acres that make up Logtown Plantation were part of an enormous Spanish land grant to Jean Baptiste (Don Juan) Filhiol (1740-1821) in 1785. He was a Frenchman commissioned by Estevan Miro, the Spanish governor of New Orleans, to establish an outpost in the Ouachita River Valley in the early 1780s. Don Juan Filhiol named the post Fort Miro. In 1820, the post was re-

named Monroe. Don Juan’s grandson Jean Baptiste Filhiol (1815-1885) and his wife Nancy St. Clair Bellew Filhiol (1823-1887) built the first two rooms of the Greek Revival cottage in 1847. H. Layoux, a French cabinetmaker, directed the work. The cypress lumber was cut on the tract and sawn with a pit saw by slave workers. The bricks in the chimneys and in the piers which elevate the construction four

feet above the ground were made on the site. The doors, sashes, transoms and fan windows were made by hand as well. The beaded exposed rafters in the parlor and the Rose Bedroom are a typically French construction detail and are very unusual for north Louisiana. The ceilings in these two rooms have always been painted a unique robin’s egg blue and have only been painted three times in over 150 years. Reminiscent of the grand style of Thomas Jeffersons’ Monticello, the entrance and parlor is perfectly portioned with elegant, tall ceilings, an entry with fan light and windows on all sides that bathe the space in natural light. One can easily imagine Filhiol creating this sophisticated home to entertain visiting dignitaries as they passed through the Ouachita River Valley. The house has been enlarged many times, most notably in the 1880s when Roland M. Filhiol, (18481906) added a bedroom and a bathroom with unusual pocket windows of stained glass. He moved the kitchen and dining room, previously located away from the house because of danger of kitchen fires, adjacent to the house. He also replaced the original mantels in the parlor and Rose Bedroom with fancy Victorian millwork and redecorated the dining room in Victorian “Steamboat Gothic” style. The brass light fixture in the dining room is original to the house and probably burned kerosene. The fixture was rescued from the red barn by former owner Fred Hancock III in the 1980s, rewired and rehung in the dining room. Every old house is said to have a ghost and Logtown’s is rumored to be Roland, who died in the Rose Bedroom in 1906. John Baptiste Filhiol (1876-1946) connected the kitchen and dining room to the house around 1910 and brought them to the same elevation as the rest of the house and under the same room for the first time. The house and surrounding cotton fields and woods remained in the hands of the Filhiol family until 1999. The last Filhiol to live at Logtown was Marie Adelle Filhiol (1908-1997), who served as the principal of nearby Logtown School for many years. In 2000, Fran and Don Beach thoughtfully extended the living room and added the wrap-around porch at the rear of the home. The old kitchen was converted into a bedroom and bath and a new kitchen was built in what had previously been a bedroom. All cabinets and hutches in the new kitchen were designed by Fran Beach and built of cypress by Ricky Harris and Everett Gilmore, and floors are made from reclaimed pine. The coat rack was made from siding taken from the red barn.

THE MASTER BEDROOM

MASTER BATHROOM

BREAKFAST NOOK THE DINING ROOM IN “STEAMBOAT GOTHIC” STYLE

THE ROSE ROOM

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THE COTTAGE

THE GARDEN AND DEPENDENCIES

THE COTTAGE BEDROOM

THE CLAWFOOT TUB IN THE COTTAGE DETAIL OF WALLPAPER

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The picket fence around the flower yard originally surrounded the residence of Jean and Nancy Filhiol’s friend M. Avet on Esplanade Avenue in New Orleans. The Filhiols so admired the fence that when M. Avet, a merchant and importer, replaced his fence with an iron one, he shipped the wooden one by boat to his friends on the Ouachita River. The two-room cottage to the south of the main house was built prior to 1880 and is constructed with square nails. A modern gas fireplace and mantel mark the location of the original brick chimney and hearth that could not be saved in the building’s restoration in 2004. One of the neat details of the restoration of this building is that a small sample of the two oldest layers of wallpaper are “framed” and remain as a feature that graphically shows the building’s design history. The opening in the ceiling around the fan reveals the early, blue, “French” ceiling above the later beadboard ceiling which was added in the early 1900s. The centerpiece of the cottage’s bathroom, a claw foot tub, circa 1880, was original to the main house. The Cistern House which is attached to the main house by way of a porch walkway could possibly be the oldest structure on the plantation and has been used as a wash room as well as a walk-in freezer. The cistern had gutters to collect rainwater from the roof. After a remodel in 2004, the Cistern House now boasts a bedroom and bath for guests. There was a row of slave cabins northwest of the house as late as 1883 when they were torn down and the lumber reused in other structures on the plantation. The red barn on the north end of the property dates to the mid 1800s. The gardens feature a four-acre pecan orchard, several varieties of camellias and 130-year-old magnolias which tower beside the home. In early spring, dozens of Peruvian Scilla send up their star-shaped, electric blue blooms in the formal flowerbed around the birdbath. Despite its name, the bulb is native to the Mediterranean. According to family tradition, the original bulbs were a gift to the first Mme. Filhiol from Don Juan’s cousin, the Compte de Grammont. Gardeners will appreciate the variety of flora, including daffodils, narcissus, snowdrops, spirea, quince, redbud, dogwood, forsythia, azaleas, iris, crinum, daylilies, red spider lilies, canna, figs, pears, pecans, crepe myrtles, sasanqua, mock orange, magnolia fuscata, sweet olive, gardenia, roses and more. Another fascinating part of the history of this plantation is yet to be written as the home and its outbuildings, which sit on 200 feet of Ouachita River frontage, are currently for sale. Additionally, four acres of pecan orchards located behind the home are also available for sale. For

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VINTAGE

HOLLYWOOD THESE GLAMOROUS LOOKS ARE PERFECT FOR HOLIDAY PARTIES. FROM THE SILVER SCREEN TO LOUISIANA NIGHTS, THESE VINTAGEINSPIRED OUTFITS ARE A SAVVY WAY TO START THE SEASON. PHOTOGRAPHY BY BRAD ARENDER HAIR AND MAKEUP BY MEKA BENNETT MODELS: ELLIE JACKSON AND JOSH SANDERS PROPS FROM EIGHT & TWO VINTAGE RENTALS

Duck & Dressing:

Glide stylishly from one event to another in this elongating openback dress. Featuring an allover abstract print and elbow-length sleeve, this dress is paired with beaded bracelets and a beautiful statement necklace.

The Fashion of Ruston:

Golden sequins blanketing the surplice bodice step up the glam of this stylish one-piece jumpsuit. Add a handbag with chain strap and jeweled necklace for a look thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ready for the holidays.

The Toggery:

Josh looks handsome in this blazer which blends old world tailoring with southern classic good looks. His look is complete with a fitted pant and button-down in a haute hue. Ellie is stunning in this gold glittered gown with ruched center. Accessorize with a gorgeous pearl necklace by Gypsy Global for a dreamy date night.

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Pearl Pumphreyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s:

Timeless elegance. From top to bottom, this dress is perfect on all accounts. Featuring a figureflattering silhouette, this sleeveless dress has a high neckline and mid-calf hemline. Add a luxe shagreen cuff in cream.

Salt &â&#x20AC;&#x2C6;Pepper Accessory Boutique:

Ellie looks radiant in this first-rate textured jacquard dress, featuring two-toned fabric with a folded crossover neckline at the front. This party dress is a must-have for holiday gatherings.

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Hemline Monroe:

A gorgeous mix of sequins in shimmery blue hues decorate the stunning party dress worn by Ellie. On Josh: Small diamonds and squares litter this classic button-down that is paired with a light grey sweater and pants by French Connection.

Moody Blues:

Ellie looks dreamy in this cute black cocktail dress with lace detailing. Perfect for a cocktail party or night on the town, this look is flawless.

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A Rare Culinary Collaboration Arts lovers and foodies alike were in for a treat Oct. 11, as Nonna and Restaurant Cotton hosted "A Rare Culinary Collaboration," a gathering of nine award-winning chefs from across the South. With chefs traveling from as far away as Montgomory, Houston and New Orleans, diners feasted on some of the best food prepared by the most celebrated names in food. The event was held to benefit the Northeast Louisiana Arts Council and the Southern Foodways Alliance. Guests enjoyed cocktail creations and hors d'oeurves while rubbing elbows with the celebrity chefs at Nonna. Following the Oct. 10 event, festivities moved to Restaurant Cotton, where a limited-seating event of sixty guests feasted on a five course dinner and premium wine pairings.

On the BayouScene

1 Josh and Melissa Cross 2 April Pealer, Wesley True, Cory Bahr and Arely Castillo Vargas 3 Marc and Susan Saad, John Bruscato and April Dovorany 4 Mead Hardwick and Michael Ryan 5 Regina Wood, David Crews, Derek Emerson and Allyson Campell 6 Brad Arender and Kelsea McCrary 7 Mary Simpson and Delia Simpson 8 Trent and Lindsey Thomlinson, Jeremy Cook 9 Lauren Creekmore, Nancy Creekmore and Bryan Creekmore 10 Georgia and Bill Street 11 Jennifer and Jody Cain 12 Wesley True, Jim Smith and Byron Bailey 13 Justin and Dana Tarver 14 Spencer Serrette 9 15 Katie Dear and Mary Kathryn Crigler

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PORTRAIT BY BRAD ARENDER

MARCIA SCOTT

MARCIA SCOTT, IS A FAR JOURNEY FROM HER SOUTH LONDON STUDIO WHERE SHE NORMALLY SPENDS HER DAYS EXPLORING ABSTRACTION

he is here as a visiting guest artist at the University of Louisiana Monroe at the behest of friend and fellow artist, Joni Noble, who met Scott four years ago while exploring galleries in London. Says Noble, “Marcia and I struck up a conversation and became fast friends. Every year when I take a new group of students to London, we always get together. Marcia will do a lecture and studio tour for the students that they always enjoy.” And now they don’t have to travel to London to learn from Scott, who will conduct lectures and display her work on ULM’s campus. “I want to take students across the line to be able to see themselves as creative beings, no matter what the medium,” says Scott, whose boundless creativity is outwardly expressed in her wardrobe of cut velvet kimono and dashing fedora. In addition to ULM students, Scott was able to encourage Ouachita Parish Art Teachers through an in-service in West Monroe to help encourage their students to go beyond the figurative and make use of color to express themselves creatively beyond realism. “I started working in realism, and now I am drawn to abstraction,” expressed Scott. “Painting is about self-discovery. Teachers should offer encouragement as art connects people.” 100 NOVEMBER 2014 | WWW.B AY OU LI FE MAG . CO M

Scott’s most recent paintings which will be on display at ULM’s Bry Gallery illustrate the continuity and flow of life. The oils work like watercolors, creating layers of veils of color on canvas. Originally an interior designer by trade, Scott began seriously painting about five years ago, traveling to Spain and immersing herself in the work. “I dove in and made a commitment to the creativity,” says the effusive artist. “My stepfather, the artist Frank Bowling, is my inspiration. America has been very supportive of his work. (He had a solo show at the Whitney during the 1960s.) And I am inspired by the color field work of Mark Rothko.’” On Thursday, October 30th, Scott will give a Gallery Talk about her work 'We Are All Related' at the Bry Art Gallery at 2 pm, and the University of Louisiana at Monroe will host an opening reception for the solo show of Scott’s TOP TO BOTTOM: work from 6-8 pm at the Bry ARTIST MARCIA Art Gallery located in Bry Hall SCOTT AT ULM. on the University Campus. (TOP RIGHT) ‘US’ 10” x 10”. (MID'We Are All Related' will run at DLE) SCOTT’S the gallery from October 27th SHOW IN BROOK- November 26th, 2014. The LYN. (BOTTOM) public is invited to attend. ‘PLEASE’ 10” x 10”

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JONATHAN COMMINGS

Main MAN

NEW TO THE SCENE, JONATHAN COMMINGS TALKS ABOUT MAKING IT AS A CHRISTIAN RAPPER

he rap game has a new player, who is devoted to his faith and has a message to share. With his first single expected to drop in three months, Jonathan Commings, aka Main Main, is only sixteen years old, but has been rapping since the tender age of eight. “My mom had a friend who knew someone with a studio. When they played some instrumental music, I started dancing and rapping. Fell in love with it ever since. When I held the mic to my mouth, it was not a strain for me to rap. It was natural to me.” Born in Houston, TX with a move to Tallulah, LA at the age of five, Jonathan has experienced both sides of the coin. With a mother as a correctional officer and a father who has been in and out of jail for distributing, Jonathan knows the path he plans on taking. The impacts of an absentee father

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ARTICLE BY JENNIFER SCHMEER AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY MARTIN G MEYERS are clear, but Jonathan remains positive. “I have so many responsibilities and things that I have to live up to. It has made me stronger as a man. If my dad would not have been in jail, he would have been at home with me seeing it (drugs) all the time. Not that I would have done it, but it would have been a temptation for me to go out and sell drugs since my dad was doing it. I think the Lord does everything for a reason. God had something better for me.” Jonathan descibes his mother and his two young sisters, ages nine and eleven, as his biggest fans and supporters. As they sit by his side, it is clear to see who has been the positive influences in his life. “My mom has been my biggest influence. She is strong and is the only parent to three kids. She is responsible for the house mortgage, car and everything is on her, and she still maintains three kids and got our heads straight.”

Jonathan is planning on a successful career as a Christian rapper, but plans on avoiding the pitfalls that usually catch so many of the current rappers today. “I don’t do it (rap) for the money. I do it to touch people’s lives. I would rather make a song that touches fifteen people than rap about drugs and make fifteen million dollars.” With Christian rappers not in the forefront of mainstream, Jonathan focuses on his purpose which is sharing his life story. “I am a Christian and was raised in a Christian home. I like telling stories through rapping. I like sharing my life. I do it, because I get to tell about my life and the things God has done for me and the pain I have been through.” Currently, Jonathan is a student at Ouachita Parish High School, but life lessons have shaped him with wisdom beyond his years. “I have seen what drugs have done to my dad. Drugs took away our father and my mom’s husband from us, so when I see those pitfalls; I just push away.” To deal with the pain, Jonathan goes straight to his notebook to vent his thoughts and feelings through rap lyrics. Four years of band under his belt achieving honor band and winning metals, Jonathan has mastered reading music and plays instruments such as the clarinet and the drums with future sights on the saxophone. His motto in life is the Bible verse Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Jonathan looks up to legends like Ray Charles and Stevie Wonder as he relates to those that have endured pain and have succeeded in life. LeCrae and the late Lil Snupe are two rappers that have also influenced him in his journey. Besides his natural ability to rap, Jonathan likes to play basketball, football and is a master at 2k Madden. Self-described as humble, funny and respectful, there seems to be no limits as to what Jonathan can accomplish. He goes by Main Main which was a name bestowed on him by his dad, who is currently serving time for distributing. Jonathan’s dearest possession is a photo of him with his dad. Through his pain, Jonathan focuses on sharing his message. “My goal with rapping is to touch people. Let people know you’re not the only one who grew up without a father. You’re not the only one that is a kid with grown responsibilities. You’re not the only that has a burden on your back. I say praise God because there is nothing he can’t fix.” As Jonathan maps his way through high school life, he surrounds himself with positive influences. “Some great advice I received: keep squares out of your circle. The people that mean no good. Every day when I wake up, it’s a positive thing that I am trying to do, but if you have people that are negative like kids my age that want to do drugs or have sex; I don’t need to be in that crowd. I get with a group mainly church kids that are going to push me forward in a positive way.” Besides plans to conquer the rap game, Jonathan’s future goal is to be a successful man by being there for his family. Not just financially, but with uplifting words. “Words can go farther than money could ever go.” With the dreams of playing one day at Madison Square Garden, Jonathan can usually be found in the studio or at New Life Church. His first single is scheduled for release in about three months with plans to create a fan base. Jonathan wants people to know that he is a guy who cares about people and through his music he has a message he wants to share. You can follow Jonathan on Instagram @MainMainJC and on Facebook: Jonathan Commings. Special thanks to Scott Frick at Music City Studios.

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Sponsored by:

OUR MISSION The Big Whit 77 Foundation strives to make an eternal, positive impact on the lives of youth and families in north Louisiana by creating and supporting programs that provide love and encouragement to help each individual grow intellectually, spiritually and physically. OUR PROGRAMS Whit’s Warriors: The Big Whit 77 Foundation has awarded over $150,000 in college scholarships and supplies. High school seniors in Ouachita and Lincoln parishes who meet the criteria are invited to apply for the $1000 scholarship toward higher education. Students applying will also be given the opportunity to attend a Leadership Conference. This scholarship program is unique and is intended for students who are looking for mentorship on how to excel in everything they do. A Whit’s Warrior is a student that wants to embody all the characteristics of a Leader; work ethic with balance, humility with confidence, passion with persistence, and a leader through consistency. By forming a group of community leaders, the program will be able to shape the lives of our youth while familiarizing participants on the communitiy’s opportunities, needs, challenges and resources. Warriors will establish an effective dialogue among participants and community leaders while also forming friendships with participants and develop a network of peers through fun and interactive exercises. The participants will develop leadership and management skills by receiving training in goal setting, effective communication, decision making, team building, motivation, organization and work ethics.

Open Arms: The Big Whit 77 Foundation believes that every child deserves a loving and supportive home. Open Arms offers financial grants to families going through the adoption process. It is important to us that those families who are called to adoption are not turned away because of the overwhelming cost. Applications are accepted twice a year ,and two financial grants are awarded in the fall and spring. We are excited to bring this new opportunity to families in Ouachita and Lincoln parishes. Visit our website for the application and guidelines.

COMING UP Whit's Warriors applications are being distributed into all area high schools and are due in January. Applications and criteria can also be found on the website. All eligible students who apply for the scholarship will be invited to attend the Leadership Conference with Melissa and Andrew Whitworth and other exciting guests. Don't miss this rewarding opportunity. Continue to check our website for updates in the fall and spring. There will be new opportunities to partner with us where dollars raised pour directly back into the community and also a new event launching this winter. Make sure to follow us on twitter. Andrew will keep you up to date!

For more information, contact Julie Emory at foundation@bigwhit77.com or check out our website at www.bigwhit77.com

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OUR MISSION To provide services to area cancer patients and also to support the Louisiana Cancer Foundation. OUR MOTTO Seldom Seen, but Strongly Felt. OUR COMMITMENT AND VISION The Cancer Foundation League (CFL) is affiliated with the Louisiana Cancer Foundation as a fundraising arm to help with outreach and to support the Foundation’s programs and services. We aim to provide direct financial assistance to individuals diagnosed with cancer. The CFL is committed to improving the financial, emotional and physical wellbeing of cancer patients in Northeast Louisiana. We hope to help lighten the financial burden, so that a patient and his/her family can concentrate their efforts on fighting the disease of cancer. The CFL was founded in 2002 by two Northeast Louisiana women, Dee Dee Cook and Virginia Knickerbocker, who saw the need to address the immediate concerns for cancer patients. The two women collaborated about offering financial assistance to those impacted by the cancer diagnosis. The Cancer Foundation League was initially formed with a $25,000 donation from philanthropist Kitty DeGree and the contributions have grown over the years. Funds are used to help pay patients’ non-medical bills, such as rent or groceries or giving gift cards to help patients with travel expenses to treatment sites. Since our inception, the Cancer Foundation League has spent over $1,300,000 assisting almost 3800 patients. EVENTS President Vice President Secretary Treasurer Marketing & Development Patient Services LCF Representative Immediate Past President Members At Large

Christie Messinger Veronica Wood Kim Adams Melissa Ducote Holly Veasey Donna Nolan DeeDee Cook Johnette Sellar Anjel Liles Dana O’Briant

Staci Albritton Mitchell Alise Oliver

EVENTS The Fall Campaign for the Cancer Foundation League (CFL) is Shave to Save. Our goal is to raise more than $100,000 by November 30th by involving the 5 C’s of our Community: Congressional, Community Members, Churches, Colleges, Commerce. Our website, www.cancerfoundationleague.com has all the details on how to donate. Follow us on Twitter (@CFLShavetoSave) or Facebook and share your story about how cancer has impacted your life, #EveryoneHasAStory. The annual CFL Gala will be held on February 28, 2015 at the West Monroe Convention Center. We hope to see everyone again in mid-May 2015 for the annual Theresa Marsala Golf Classic. 106 NOVEMBER 2014 | WWW.B AY OU LI FE MAG . CO M

Sponsored by:

OUR MISSION The mission of The Cinderella Project is to support young adults statewide with resources that may not exist for them otherwise. Our goal is to provide educational outreach and community-based projects that are designed to build confidence and self-esteem for young adults. ABOUT US The Cinderella Project provides free prom dresses to junior and senior high school students in Louisiana who cannot otherwise afford them. Cinderella Project was founded in Baton Rouge in 2008 and has since branched out to be statewide, with chapters in Lafayette, Shreveport, Monroe and New Orleans. The Cinderella Project of Monroe will mark its 5th year with their annual prom dress giveaway on Saturday, March 7, 2015 at the Monroe Civic Center. “Dresses are collected throughout the month of January and then sorted, cleaned and labeled in preparation for our big dress giveaway,” said Ashley Yeldell, founder of Cinderella Project of Monroe. “Community is the only way we make this work each year. The community comes together and donates their dresses or gives monetarily so that we can purchase dresses.” The Cinderella Project asks that any donated dresses are age appropriate and suitable for a high school student and be in good condition. “Each year, we get hundreds and hundreds of dresses donated throughout Monroe, West Monroe, Ruston and the surrounding areas,” said Yeldell. “But, we still struggle with getting plus size dresses. We raise money to be able to purchase some new dresses so that every girl can find a dress that fits her and walks away happy.” However, The Cinderella Project is about more than just a dress. Each girl that receives a dress is eligible to attend the Cinderella Project Leadership Academy, an intensive college prep-workshop at Louisiana State University. The Cinderella Project hosts the Leadership Academy in partnership with the LSU Office of Equity, Diversity and Community Outreach. The Academy immerses the young women in a college setting, exposes them to educational opportunities available after high school and inspires them to pursue their future academic goals. Mentorship experiences with professional women and female college students provide students with opportunities to learn life mapping skills and receive career building advice. In addition, each girl will receive a $500 scholarship to any college in the country and a stipend to take the ACT. Businesses sponsor the Monroe chapter of Cinderella Project to make each year bigger and better. “Raising Cane’s and Cross Keys Bank have stepped up the plate, and we are happy to add Career Technical College this year as one of our key partners, helping to make it another successful year,” said Yeldell. In kind sponsors include Tower Storage, Sir Speedy, D&D Dry Cleaners, BayouLife, The Radio People, Lamar and the City of Monroe. The Cinderella Project is a completely 100% volunteer organization and relies heavily on donations to pay for storage, racks for the dresses and other costs throughout the year. If you would like more information on how to donate a dress or would like to volunteer, please contact The Cinderella Project of Monroe’s website – www.cinderellaprojectla.org or Facebook page – www.facebook.com/CPofMonroe

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ABOUT EPSILON SIGMA ALPHA ESA is a nonprofit service organization that makes a difference in the lives of others. We work together in support of important causes, to develop meaningful and lasting relationships and to encourage personal growth. HISTORY Since 1929, ESA has created a powerful network of more than 1,000 chapters to excel in community education, service and philanthropy. “Hands-on” philanthropic endeavors provide more than 650,000 hours of direct service to those in need. Each year, ESA’s 15,000 members also help to raise over $10 million for charitable causes. The Monroe/West Monroe chapter of ESA, Alpha Gamma, was formed on March 15, 1970 with ten charter members. Today, Alpha Gamma has fifteen members who are dedicated to service and philanthropy. Although Alpha Gamma can best be recognized for its St. Jude’s Dream Home project, the chapter works to provide support to other local, national and international charities. WHO WE SUPPORT Locally, ESA raises money for the following charities: ARCO, Camp Quality, the Food Bank of NELA, Emergency Preparedness, MedCamps of NELA, the Ronald McDonald House and Pilots for Patients. Nationally, we support St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, Easter Seals, ESA for Literacy, Hats for Hope, Hope for Heroes, Santa America, Strike out Domestic Violence and Warm Welcome. UPCOMING EVENTS • November Meeting – Tuesday, November 4th at 6 p.m. (Hamilton House) – Come join us! • Alzheimer’s Walk – Saturday, November 8th at 9 a.m. (Forsythe Park) – Join our team! • Bingo with Claiborne Creek Residents – Tuesday, November 11th (Claiborne Creek in West Monroe) • ESA at the Rivermarket – Saturday, November 15th (Downtown Monroe) – Dessert Fundraiser • ESA at the Rivermarket - Saturday, November 22nd (Downtown Monroe) – Pulled Pork Fundraiser • Weekend Getaway at the Hamilton House Raffle - $5 per ticket – Drawing December 2nd • Holiday Wreath Raffle - $2 per ticket – Drawing Dec. 2nd • Christmas with the Vets – Saturday, December 6th • Bunco and Split the Pot Schedule (Pavilion RV Park on Well Rd.): Thursday, January 22th @ 6:30 p.m. Thursday, April 16th @ 6:30 p.m. Thursday, July 16th @ 6:30 p.m. Thursday, October 15th @ 6:30 p.m.

• 2015 St. Jude Dream Home Tickets – on sale beginning January 21st; Giveaway April 26th • Spring 2015 Social Events – Make and Take Workshop (February 17th), Movie Night (March 28th), and Appetizer Party (April 21st). For more information about us or upcoming events, please e-mail AlphaGammaESA@gmail.com. You can also visit us on Facebook at facebook.com/ESAAlphaGamma.

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Sponsored by:

OUR MISSION The Junior League of Monroe is an organization of women committed to promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women and improving communities through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. ABOUT US Since 1930, members of the Junior League of Monroe have devoted countless volunteer hours to meet the needs of the people and organizations of our community. Community leaders have always looked to the JLM for leadership in starting new community programs. As a result, the JLM has often been the catalyst that turned an idea into a success that benefited many in our area. Here are a few examples of programs that we have started in recent years: CASA - Court Appointed Special Advocates, Teen Screen, Shots for Tots, Teen Court, Operation Abstinence and Project Child. 2014-2015 BOARD OF DIRECTORS Jennifer Ables: President Jenny Pankey: President Elect Ashley West: Financial VP Tomi Tharp: Asst. Financial VP Mandy Green: Membership VP Melissa Kiper: Communications VP Heather Guillott: Community VP Cydni Hanks: Nominating and Placement Miranda Moss: Secretary Jodee Bruyninckx: Fund Development VP Ashley Joiner: Planning and Research VP Jan Mattingly: Advisory Planning Chair Kerri Wall: Sustainer Advisor COMMUNITY IMPACT Education Task Force – Each year this committee awards mini-grants to area teachers in the amount of $500 per grant. In addition to the mini-grants, the Education Task Force Committee will also fund ACT workshops for qualifying high school seniors and support the 2014 Ouachita Parish Scholars' Banquet. Families Can’t Wait – As a partnership with Families Helping Families, this program provides a hospital-based primary prevention plan for at-risk mothers and has a positive impact on the health of infants. To prevent child abuse, neglect and to reduce the death rate of infants in Northeast Louisiana, volunteers are trained to provide education, support and referrals for assistance. In addition, first year calendars containing information regarding developmental milestones, vaccinations, breast-feeding, co-bedding and local and national resource numbers are given to all new moms. Car seats and pack-and-play systems are distributed to those who are in need. Tools and Literacy for Children – This program addresses the overall needs of at-risk children and families. TLC focuses on the physical, emotional and educational needs of a selected area elementary school with a high number of free and/or reduced lunches, conducts several parent nights which highlight various services and also provides uniforms and school supplies for all enrolled students. The program also provides new or gently used books, backpacks filled with school supplies, parenting classes, school uniforms, food at Thanksgiving, Christmas gifts, and new or gently used coats for the entire student body. Done-in-a-Day – This project is intended to provide a single day of volunteer work from a team of League members to provide local non-profit organizations the man-power to fulfill an immediate need that they otherwise would not be able to accomplish on their own. WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | NOVEMBER 2014

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MONROERENAISSANCE OUR MISSION Monroe Renaissance is a non-profit organization made of volunteers working to stimulate and make possible the re-awakening of downtown Monroe through community participation, resulting in an enhanced quality of life. BOARD MEMBERS Matthew Cameron, President Melody Olson, Vice President Kevin Caston, Treasurer Babbette Adcock, Secretary Butch Tolbert

Josh Freeman Matt Sanderson Michael Echols Stuart Scalia

ABOUT US Monroe Renaissance is one of the key groups responsible for the current transformation of the downtown area. In 1999, the group was organized to raise money for the Riverwalk area, on South Grand Street, across from the Ouachita Parish Courthouse. After raising $1 million for that particular project, the group continues to organize and fund beautification efforts and events to grow and revitalize downtown Monroe! Below are just some of the projects and efforts that Monroe Renaissance has worked on in recent years -

• Raised $1 million from private donors to fully funded the Riverwalk area on the Ouachita River, which led to the current RiverMarket • Donated the Riverwalk to the City of Monroe • Donated $19,200 to the City of Monroe to complete the RiverMarket area • Donated funds to Louisville Avenue Beautification Project • Created and organizes the bi-monthly Downtown Pub Crawl, which highlights the downtown restaurants and bars and brings thousands of participants to the area • Coordinates, produces and funds the annual Independence Day and Christmas Firework displays • Partnered with Monroe Garden Study League, Acme Brick and The City of Monroe to create brick planter on the end of Art Alley and beautify the area • Funded trees to be planted along DeSiard Street and Art Alley • Organized “Pink Out Downtown” for Breast Cancer Awareness month • Coordinated and funded the “Finding Home” mural, painted by local artist Nicholas Bustamante • Hosts annual “Up on the Rooftop” holiday party • Coordinates “Walking in a Window Wonderland,” a partnership with the Monroe-West Monroe Convention and Visitor’s Bureau and local junior high and high school art classes to decorate the windows along DeSiard for the month of holiday season • Funded and organized the “Light up the Night” effort to decorate the downtown area with white Christmas lights for the holiday season • Coordinated and funded beautification efforts of Bry Park • Coordinated and funded beautification efforts of crosswalks areas throughout downtown • Funded benches on Art Alley in honor of local artists • Funded and installed downtown signage, including historic sign on Art Alley and welcome sign at Bry Park

Monroe Renaissance is always looking for volunteers to help with their revitalization efforts. If you are interested in getting involved, contact Monroe Renaissance at 318-8071177 or MonroeRenaissance@gmail.com

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Sponsored by:

ABOUT THE FOUNDATION Known for our community commitment, the St. Francis Medical Center Foundation was founded in 2012 by the Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady (FMOL) and the St. Francis Medical Center Board of Directors who remain dedicated to fulfilling the mission of extending the healing ministry to those most in need. Your support to the foundation enables us to continue our mission by providing a broad range of healthcare and educational services for our patients and the community. Whether you donate one time or annually, participate in a fundraiser, or honor a loved one through a tribute gift, each donation allows us to fulfill the healthcare needs of our community through the expansion of projects, the purchase of needed equipment or development of new services. Each foundation gift goes directly towards making a difference in the lives of many people across Northeast Louisiana. FOUNDATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS Stuart Keys John Luffey, President Malcolm Maddox Rev. Larry Stafford, Sec./Treasurer Laura Kilpatrick Marchelos Louis Bedell Charles Marsala Dianne Cage Judge Milton Moore Alana Cooper Cindy Rogers Ron Hogan

Thad Ryan Nell Seegers Sr. Mary Ann Sepulvado Roderick Worthy

UPCOMING COMMUNITY SUPPORT OPPORTUNITIES A gift in honor or memory of a family, friend or associate can be the most appropriate way to express a lasting tribute or to honor someone at an important milestone in his or her life, for instance a birthday or anniversary. One perfect opportunity to honor a special person or family is through the Franciscan Path of Peace. THE FRANCISCAN PATH OF PEACE will be a special part of the new St. Francis Community Health Center campus. The Path of Peace is a 100 x 70 square foot outside area designed as a peaceful green space within a larger, beautifully landscaped garden. A meandering pathway within the Path of Peace offers community partnership opportunities through the sponsorship of engravable items: • Two Different Sized Bricks • 8” x 4” with four lines, 18 characters per line including spaces (sponsorship is $75) • 8” x 8” with seven lines, 18 characters per line including spaces (sponsorship is $150)

Each day, some 300 patients and their caregivers visit the Community Health Center. We know the Path of Peace will be a frequented destination for patients and visitors who will utilize the garden area for walking, meditation, reading or prayer time. Each sponsorship provides the opportunity for an engraved memorial or honorarium for someone important in one’s life or an engraving of a company or individual name. These partnerships promote community support of an institution that enriches lives, inspires hope and provides health and healing for those in need. For more information regarding the foundation, please call (318) 966-7833 or visit www.stran.com and click on the St. Francis Foundation link.

The St. Francis Community Health Center (CHC) will be moving to a new location on the corner of Tower Drive and Fulton Drive just around the corner from its current Oliver Road location in the very near future. The new multi-million dollar facility will be a 4-story brick and stucco 97,000 sq. ft. building surrounded by gardens, walking paths and fountains. Features will include a 2-story glass atrium, covered drive-thru pharmacy and covered drive-thru main entrance. Outpatient services at this new location will remain the same, including physician offices. The architect for this project is Bradley-Blewster Associates of Baton Rouge, LA, and the contractor is Lincoln Builders of Ruston, LA.

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Sponsored by:

MISSION Twin City Ballet Company achieves and inspires excellence in dance by offering mastery of the discipline, outstanding performances and community education and outreach. We take seriously our mission to provide quality training for our area’s talented young dancers, giving them opportunities to perform and provide superb entertainment for our community. ABOUT US Twin City Ballet Company, under the Artistic Direction of Linda Ford, is a premier regional dance company with over 44 years of commitment to community enrichment through artistic and educational excellence. Based in the twin cities of Monroe and West Monroe, Louisiana since 1970, the company offers a year-round program of performances and classes providing young dancers with training by an experienced faculty and worldrenowned guest artists as performers, choreographers and teachers. The company embraces all styles of dance and has become a haven for exceptional dancers from a two-state region. The company enjoys the passionate support of its Board of Directors, Professional Board, Ballet Guild, enthusiastic Arts Council, area foundations and many local, state and national sponsors. Twin City Ballet’s Honor Company includes three Artists-in-Residence, a 33-member Senior Company and support and training groups. The company’s repertoire demonstrates our dancers versatile training, featuring classical and contemporary ballet, modern and jazz pieces. The 2014-15 TCBC Season began with our Summer Dance Intensive Workshop, cohosted with the University of Louisiana-Monroe’s School of Visual and Performing Arts. The October production of Talk of the Town was a mixed repertoire concert that featured a high energy, sultry, mesmerizing tango, a had-to-see-to-believe contemporary piece, and for the classical dance lovers, the spectacular Tarantella, and an evening closure featuring The Sleeping Beauty Act III, with special guest stars from New York City Ballet. In December, school children will delight in seeing Santa’s Spy, Joe Istre’s new, whimsical tale loosely based on The Elf on the Shelf. The Christmas Gala will feature A Winter’s Night – a beautifully choreographed spiritual tribute to the miracle of that most wondrous winter night so long ago. TCB will close the season in April with its 18th Annual Ballet Under the Stars that includes a children’s show about the antics of the fun inhabitants of Holy Kiroli! and evening performances in the amphitheater by the beautiful lake, plus a Sunday performance for the community – all at the picturesque Kiroli Park. UPCOMING EVENTS December 2-5, 2014 School Performances of Santa's Spy

December 6, 2014 Holly Jolly Children's Breakfast with Santa – 8 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Festival of Trees Auction at 5:30 p.m. Christmas Gala Performance - 7:30 p.m.

April 24-25, 2015 Ballet Under the Stars

Call 318.388.2011 for tickets and more information.

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Sponsored by:

OUR MISSION The YMCA provides programs based on Christian principles that build strong minds, spirits and bodies for all. ABOUT US As the “A” in our name denotes, the YMCA is fundamentally an association of people who join together for the mutual benefit and the common good. The YMCA is able to provide after school care, sports leagues and summer day camps for our children. We provide our teenagers a forum in which they can grow into tomorrow’s leaders, finding confidence in their own voices. OUR FOCUS We focus our work in three key areas, because nurturing the potential of kids, helping people live healthier and supporting our neighbors are fundamental to strengthening communities.

Our Areas of Focus: The Y is a cause-driven organization that is for youth development, for healthy living and for social responsibility. That’s because a strong community can only be achieved when we invest in our kids, our health and our neighbors. Defining Our Areas of Focus: • YOUTH DEVELOPMENT: Nurturing the potential of every child and teen. • HEALTHY LIVING: Improving the nation's health and well-being. • SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY: Giving back and providing support to our neighbors.

PROGRAMS • After School and Summer Academy • Health and Wellness • Mobile Fitness Unit • Positive Action • Youth Sports • Aquatics STAFF MEMBERS Chief Executive Officer – Ellis Lewis Sports Director – Robert Underwood Aquatics Director, Positive Action Director – Olivia Mills Healthy Living Director, Child Care Director – Rebekah Elliot BOARD MEMBERS Allison Chapman Stephanie Polk George Britton Andre Fuller Ronald Hogan Verbon Muhammed Pat Williams

Matthew Cameron Dean Baugh Stewart Cathey Jr. Frank Hoffmann Jeff Laudenheimer Clint Rider

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Improving Your Smile

Create The Smile You’ve Always Wanted BY DAVID FINLEY, D.D.S.

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BEFORE

AFTER

O YOU EVER TRY TO HIDE YOUR TEETH WHEN YOU are talking? Advances in cosmetic dentistry can make you proud of your smile. A dazzling smile can ignite a room. It projects strength, confidence and beauty. For decades, dentists have worked on ways to treat dental problems. We can now change the way your teeth look and the way you feel! Because your mouth is one of the focal points of your face, it plays a major role in how you perceive yourself and how others perceive you. And now, taking steps to improve your appearance is an investment in your long-term health and well-being. Here’s a glossary of what the most popular – and quick – treatments can do for your smile... apart from making a lasting impression this holiday season! Whitening – Erases stains and discolorations for a brighter, whiter smile. It’s so popular because it’s so fast, safe and effective. Veneers – Stains and chips, or overlapping and uneven teeth, may require veneers which are extremely thin but strong porcelain shells that are layered over the surfaces of natural teeth. Veneers can be designed to improve the proportions of your smile. White Fillings – White composite, porcelain, cast glass or resin inlays and onlays replace silver-colored fillings. Patients have options to improve their smile thanks to new materials and advances in cosmetic training. Increasing numbers of adults are improving the appearance and function of their teeth. We often correct cracked, chipped or unevenly spaced teeth using bonding or with veneers. This patient chose porcelain veneers prior to her wedding. What’s so special about cosmetic veneers? Handsculpted porcelain veneers, applied to the outside surfaces of your teeth, can dramatically recontour your smile and they’re long-lasting. Also, applying veneers doesn’t involve moving your teeth. The procedure is quick and your picture-perfect smile will look completely natural! We want your smile to radiate the health you feel. Reward yourself... ask us about how we can help you to achieve your best smile possible: healthy, vibrant and natural! Give us a call today, and get in today! Your smile can be bright and white ... just in time for the holidays!

Thanksgiving

P&S Surgical Hospital CEO Reflects on Holiday Blessings

BY LINDA S. HOLYFIELD, PRESIDENT AND CEO, P&S SURGICAL HOSPITAL

HE THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY GIVES US THE opportunity to reflect on our many blessings. All of us at P&S Surgical Hospital extend our sincere appreciation to our patients and their families for entrusting us with their health. We are also grateful to our dedicated referring doctors, nurse practitioners and physician assistants who depend on us to provide their patients with excellent specialty care. We sincerely value the support of our extended community of healthcare recipients and healthcare providers, and we will continue to strive to provide them with the best care. We are also thankful for the exceptional physicians as well as our own staff members who work at P&S Surgical Hospital. The dedication of our employees has allowed our hospital to receive truly impressive national recognition for outstanding surgical and cardiovascular outcomes in 2014. Our hospital received the 2013 Louisiana Hospital Quality Capstone Award—the most prestigious honor awarded by eQHealth Solutions—for excellence in hospital care. This award recognizes hospitals that achieved a score—based on surgical outcomes and patient experience surveys—greater than or equal to the 70th percentile. P&S Surgical Hospital scored in the 95th percentile. We are also proud to announce our hospital achieved the Healthgrades 2014 Patient Safety Excellence Award. We are among the nation’s top 10 percent in safeguarding patients from serious, potentially preventable complications during hospital stays. In addition, P&S Surgical Hospital has been awarded the 2014 Press Ganey Guardian of Excellence, an award that honors hospitals who have reached the 95th percentile for patient satisfaction, physician and medical staff engagement and quality clinical performance. Our hospital, the only bariatric center of excellence in north Louisiana, has earned another such honor. P&S Surgical Hospital is now a Center of Excellence in Minimally Invasive Gynecology—one of the first 100 hospitals in the country to earn the distinction. The achievement, designated by the AAGL and Surgical Review Corporation, recognizes the efforts of both the surgeons and the hospital in delivering safe, effective, evidence-based care. These impressive national recognitions exemplify P&S Surgical Hospital’s focus on patient satisfaction and achieving the most successful procedural outcomes, and we are so proud of our CONTINUED ON PAGE 130

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Give. Advocate. Volunteer United Way Focuses on Key Issues in Northeast Louisiana

NITED WAY OF NORTHEAST LOUISIANA WORKS with volunteers, donors and other organizations locally to identify common issues in our community related to Education, Income and Health, as well as Basic and Emergency Needs—the building blocks for a good quality of life. Together, our work is focused on addressing the following key issues: Education: Increasing local graduation rates United Way of Northeast Louisiana READ. LEARN. SUCCEED. focuses on 3rd grade students reading on grade level to improve graduation rates • Boy Scouts of America, Louisiana Purchase Council: Traditional Scouting, Learning for Life, Multicultural Markets • Boys and Girls Clubs of North Central Louisiana: Core Programming • Boys and Girls Clubs of Northeast Louisiana: Core Programming • Community Development Institute: Ouachita Parish Early Head Start • Girl Scouts, Pines to the Gulf: Girl Scouting Leadership Experience • O.I.C of Ouachita: I CAN, GED Program • The Wellspring: Big Brothers Big Sisters of NELA • YMCA: Y-Kids After School • Youth Services of Northeast Louisiana: Teen Court

Income: Increasing income, building savings, and gaining/sustaining assets United Way of Northeast Louisiana Dollars and $ense Reality Fair provides area teens with sound financial education • ARCO: Vocational Program • O.I.C. of Ouachita: Career Training Program, Financial Literacy Program • Louisiana Methodist Children and Family Services: Family Counseling Center • Massey Miracle Run Foundation (Grant Agency): Saving Our Youth (S.O.Y.) • MedCamps of Louisiana: Summer Camping Program • NELA Sickle Cell Anemia Foundation: Social Worker Program • Ouachita Council on Aging: Congregate Meals, In-Home Assistance • Rays of Sonshine: Substance Abuse Prevention Program for Children • The Health Hut: Social Services Program

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Fall in Love with Your Home... Again! HGTV® Home Furniture Gallery at Sleepy Hollow Furniture

ET EXPERT HELP FROM THE HGTV® HOME DESIGN Studio at Sleepy Hollow Furniture to create custom sofas, sectionals, beds and ottomans in the perfect combinations of finishes and details, including hundreds of fabric options. Your made-in-USA design will be delivered within 30 days. Expert craftsmen have created coordinating furniture collections and accent pieces available in showrooms across the country. Whether designing a bedroom, dining room or living room, our collections offer exclusivity, quality construction and outstanding value. Are you getting tired of your living area? Is your living space feeling lifeless or stale after having the same furniture around for years? It might be time to upgrade your couch to a new leather sofa or turn your television viewing into an entertainment experience with a new media center. Maybe all your room needs is simple yet elegant accent furniture from our HGTV design experts to pull your room together. HGTV Home has chairs, sofas and loveseats, sectionals, credenzas and tables to suit every need. No matter what your needs are, HGTV Home Furniture Collection has all the furnishings you need for an inviting and useful living room. If you are looking to make more of a statement with bright vibrant colors, the Greenwich Sofa may be a perfect addition to your home. The Greenwich sofa has a casual full front sock arm with seats and backs that are loose and reversible. This sofa includes 2-19" pillows. The Greenwich is also available as an L-shaped sectional. With Greenwich style, you will be transported to the city in a setting that screams urban chic. If you know that it is time to update your living room or you haven’t decided yet, now is the time to visit Sleepy Hollow Furniture and see the HGTV Home Furniture Collection for yourself. With amazing furniture collections, we have every look and style your home may need. Do you enjoy spending time in your living room? Make your living area worth living in even longer with HGTV. Sleepy Hollow Furniture is proud to partner with HGTV as North Louisiana’s only HGTV Home Furniture Gallery! Create. Inspire. Refresh. Imagine. Custom. Your way to a look that reflects your own personal style!

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Shop, Save and Serve Charity Shopping Pass

Junior League of Monroe Offers Discount Card November 14-21

OULDN’T IT BE GREAT TO BE able to support local businesses, save some money and give back to your community? The Junior League of Monroe has the opportunity to do just that with their Charity Shopping Pass. This discount card allows you to SHOP at local businesses from November 14 – 21, SAVE on each purchase and SERVE your community with your $25 donation to receive the card. This is the third year that the Junior League of Monroe has organized the charity shopping pass, and this year is the biggest yet! With over 80 local businesses, from fitness, apparel, restaurants and décor, there is something for everyone. “We are truly excited about this year’s Charity Shopping Pass,” said Therese Nagem,

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Junior League of Monroe member and Charity Shopping Pass Chair. “Not only are we excited about supporting our local businesses, but we are excited about being able to use the money we raise to make a difference in our community.” Committee members include Stephanie Bryant, co-chair, Amy Chevalier, Ashley Norred, Leigh Liles, Emily Cassis, Lillian Paxton, Allison Earl and Kristina Kight. Proceeds from the purchase of the Charity Shopping Pass support community projects and volunteer training conducted by the Junior League of Monroe, focusing on children’s wellbeing, education and healthy families. “By purchasing a Charity Shopping Pass, you are helping the Junior League of Monroe to provide literacy education, purchase school uniforms and supplies for our TLC school, as-

sist new at-risk mothers by providing education and baby supplies, recognize and support local student scholars and provide educational mini-grants to local school teachers,” said Jennifer Ables, Junior League President. The Junior League of Monroe is an organization of women committed to promoting volunteerism, developing the potential of women and improving communities through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. Its purpose is exclusively educational and charitable. Charity Shopping Passes are available at participating retailers and the Junior League house at 2811 Cameron Street in Monroe or by calling 322-3226. For more information, visit jlmonroe.org.

Sinus Sufferers

Get Back to Life with the New Minimally Invasive Procedure for Treating Chronic Sinusitis

LENWOOD EAR, NOSE AND THROAT OFFERS A clinically proven, minimally invasive procedure for treating chronic sinus inflammation and pain outside of the operating room and without general anesthesia. Balloon Sinuplasty™, performed by Brent Metts, MD, PhD, delivers all the benefits of conventional sinus surgery without the bleeding, pain and prolonged recovery time. Most patients feel immediate relief following the procedure and are able to walk out of the office and work without restriction the next day. Standard endoscopic sinus surgery used to be the only surgical option available to correct chronic sinusitis, where bone and tissue are cut and removed from the nasal passages to open obstructed sinuses and promote drainage. This more traditional procedure is usually associated with moderate pain, bleeding and a 7-10 day recovery time. Balloon Sinuplasty™ opens blocked sinuses without removal of tissue or bone from the nasal passages. Dr. Metts passes a small, flexible balloon catheter through the nostril and into the blocked sinus. When the balloon is inflated, it gently expands the sinuses’

natural drainage pathways to permanently restore normal sinus drainage and function. Join us for a FREE seminar on Tuesday, December 2nd at 6:00PM at the Glenwood Medical Mall to learn more about Balloon Sinuplasty and to find out if you may be a candidate. To register, call 877-726-WELL (9355). Attendees will receive a free box dinner.

ABOUT DR. METTS: Dr. Metts is one of the few surgeons in the nation who are fellowship trained in minimally invasive and endoscopic assisted thyroid and parathyroid surgeries. He specializes in treatment of sinus disease, thyroid disease, hearing loss, voice care, sleep apnea, throat problems, tonsillitis and ear infections. To get more information about Balloon Sinuplasty™ or to schedule an appointment with Dr. Metts, call 318-329-8458. Glenwood Ear Nose and Throat is located in the Glenwood Medical Mall, Suite 202 on Thomas Road in West Monroe.

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Take Action Against Addiction

Helping Families and Loved Ones Overcome Drug and Alcohol Addiction

HE PAST TWO DECADES HAVE been a remarkable age of change. Old world views of many things have come into sharper focus. One of the many new sophisticated perspectives to shift include those of the view of alcoholism and chemical dependence as a disease. The latest data reveals that like awareness, the manifestations of this disease process have become more evolved. Alcohol and marijuana, while still very prevalent have been usurped by a new king destructor, opioids and prescription medications. The United States is responsible for 99% of the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s use of Hydrocodone. In recent data, Hydrocodone has passed marijuana as the most common drug of abuse among those who use controlled substances. In fact, it is such a notable event that it has prompted the CDS to categorize Prescription Opioid

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Abuse as an epidemic in our culture. The DEA has responded in kind by making Hydrocodone a Schedule II medication. The medical community has largely contributed to this problem, and many reforms in primary and specialty care medicine are being implemented. Nevertheless, the time to address the problem is NOW! The face of the addict has changed. In the 1940s and 50s a subculture criminal was the stereotype. The advent of the HIV and Hepatitis era often painted the addict as a subversive deviant ravaging the community at large. These days, we are more aware. These days, we know that the face of addiction can be well dressed and professional. It can be a mother, a father, a son, a daughter, a sibling. The face of addiction can be in the mirror, and there is treatment available.

DR. CESAR GONZALES

As modes of awareness have become more sophisticated, so have the modalities of treatment. In our day and age, treatment is tailor made to the individual receiving it. Gone are the days of blanket castigation to months and months of isolation. We are parents; we are professionals; we are busy. Treatment has evolved to support this fact, not hinder it. If you have a problem or suspect that someone you love does, do not hesitate to take action. This is a deadly disease, and the sooner it is addressed the better life can be. Please reach out and help us in making this epidemic a story of victory that we will tell future generations about. Help us in the creation of an age of Recovery with a New Day of promise and hope.

Celebrate the Reason for the Season

Handmade Gifts and More at Material Things

E ARE PROUD TO BE carrying beautiful engraved stationary from New Orleans designer, Alexa Pulitzer. Her line doesn’t stop with stationary and note cards. In fact, some of our best sellers are the King Gator Styro 20 oz. cups and beverage napkins. Her line includes note pads, gift tags, cups and monogrammed coasters. All great gift ideas! The holidays call for pretty table décor, and Material Things has added April Cornell and Pomegranate Table Linens to their list of “Must Haves” for your perfect holiday table setting. Not to be forgotten are our ready made drapery panels made of 100% linen.

These panels are 108” long, French pleated and lined with a heavy combo lining. Consider this option when sprucing up for the upcoming holidays. Our one of a kind bookmarks are made from liturgical ribbon, vintage silk and religious medals. Another great gift idea is our custom made lavender sachets sewn with liturgical ribbon, vintage silk and velvet fabrics, ranging in small, medium and large sizes. Our lovely handmade pillows are embellished with vintage trims from priest vestments. For that special hard-to-buy for person, consider a custom lavender sachet, personalized by using a beloved photograph or memento. Another great gift to

consider is our Turkish silk velvet and European grain linen pillows. Caldrea is always a wonderful gift that everyone loves! We carry four different scents from their home keeping and laundry care line. A gift bucket of Caldrea products is sure to please even the hardest-to-buy-for person. Great candles featuring new options from Archipelago and everyone’s favorite home scent company, Aspen Bay, are also in stock! Material Things is located at 2305 Forsythe Avenue in Monroe, LA. Call them at 318-699-8964 or visit the store today!

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bayouartist

JOEY

SLAUGHTER

THERE ARE MANY ROLES THAT DESCRIBE JOEY SLAUGHTER: TEACHER, CREATOR, COUNSELOR, FATHER. HE IS AN ACTIVE MEMBER IN THE COMMUNITY AND A PRESENCE IN THE ARTS. ARTICLE BY ANN BLOXOM SMITH & PHOTOGRAPHY BY BRAD ARENDER

Connections, communication, consistency. Connections, communication, consistency. And creativity. Most of all, creativity.

Those are the themes, the qualities, that seem to summarize this artist, this amazing human being, Joey Slaughter. Slaughter is one of those rare people who exhibit an enviable consistency throughout their various roles. For Slaughter, the roles include being a professor of art at Louisiana Tech University; a teacher, counselor and advisor of art students; a sculptor/painter/designer/wood worker; a father, husband and son; a house remodeler and interior designer; and an active community volunteer. In conversation, he refers to his life as a “balancing act”—so many decisions, so many opportunities for creative choices. Appropriately, Slaughter’s next exhibition will be called “Making/Decisions.” He’ll display this collection of work at Arender Studio and Gallery during the December 4th Downtown Gallery Crawl. Pieces will include free-standing sculpture, wall-mounted wooden assemblages, computer-aided designs and paintings. Words, however, are completely inadequate to describe these works, which are impossible to categorize but must be viewed in person. The road to this point has been winding. Slaughter began his life in El Dorado but grew up in Junction City and Ruston. He spent a year studying and working in New York City, completing his AICAD Studio Art program in 1996. In 1997, he finished his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree at the Memphis College of Art in Memphis,

Tennessee, followed in 2000 by a Master of Fine Arts from Cranbrook Academy of Art in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. After receiving the MFA, Slaughter was awarded the prestigious Joan Mitchell Foundation Grant and then in 2006 was nominated for the Louis Comfort Tiffany Grant. Recently, he received a Career Enhancement Grant from the Louisiana Division of the Arts. He’s had art shows in Memphis, New Orleans, WinstonSalem (NC), New York City and Richmond (VA). The periodical New American Paintings has twice published his work. Locally, Slaughter has recently presented a site-specific exhibition called “Sympathetic Distraction Reaction” at the Masur Museum of Art in Monroe. So this is a young artist with a distinguished past and a promising future. But the present is our main interest here. For in the present this artist is in the midst of life—in the midst of art.

First, Connections: As an artist Slaughter is constantly watching the world around him, connected to it, looking at colors and patterns, textures and surfaces. For instance, on a drive through Ruston he notes an orange plastic fence surrounding a work-site. The fencing is flexible and drapes at haphazard angles. A red-dirt levee is piled around the perimeter. The fencing itself is full of diamondshaped holes. Lots of shapes, colors and textures for an artist to see and possibly use at some point in a future work—the connections between outward and inward realities are apparent. WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | NOVEMBER 2014

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he connections can also be both personal and professional. As a faculty member, Slaughter has collegial responsibilities, including those committee assignments and administrative tasks that all faculty share. He explains that students, usually art students, often ask for advice or simply need a willing and patient ear. Students’ counseling needs run the gamut from career advice to family problems to creative blocks—and more. As a professional artist and also a teacher of art, guiding (and often grading) students as they learn to tap into their own creativity, Slaughter must divide his time and energy while maintaining the connections among these related parts of his life. And then, of course, there are the family connections—a family of artists, indeed, which both eases and complicates the choices that this artist must make. Slaughter’s first and most obvious connection is to his wife, Jessica, who, besides being a sculptor herself, is also the executive director of the North Central Louisiana Arts Council. Her position in the artistic community has increased Slaughter’s connections to fellow artists as well as to the community at large, he muses, increasing his feelings of responsibility to share the love of art. In fact, he says, “artists can be selfish sometimes, but they shouldn’t be. They, of all people, should be generous with the people around them, sharing their art with the world.” Slaughter’s connections to his community extend to such commitments as his leadership role in the Twin City Art Foundation, the nonprofit that partners with the City of Monroe to maintain and develop the Masur Museum of Art. His committee assignments on that board include an active involvement in decision-making concerning the museum’s permanent collections. The family connections continue. A visit with the Slaughter children is telling. Clearly they “do” art as naturally as most children drink water—it’s an integral part of daily life. Son Sylas, seven years old, takes found objects—pieces of disassembled computers, roadside trash, empty drink bottles and more—and combines them with Lego blocks to make robots, rockets and strangely beautiful objects of all sorts. Shelves in his room display some of the favorites, and the room itself reveals his parents’ as well as his own commitment to his creative pursuits. Four-year-old Eero, at this point, is more interested in connections with people and her surroundings, and although she clearly has a style of her own (PINK is everywhere!), her artistic inclinations seem less about the objects and more about the relationships. These connections—the ones with family—are expressed in Slaughter’s art too, including the family home. A walk through the Ruston house, which he’s completely gutted and rebuilt, suggests these connections and commitments as he takes care to nurture each family member’s individuality. The home itself has an open, almost spare style, ready to receive the works of art that this family creates, separately and together. Slaughter explains, “The house was a sculptural project.” One wall, for instance, is made up of old pieces of wood, variously colored, that came from the original house—reminding the couple of the original owner, whom they helped care for in his later years. A large, curtainless picture window overlooks the street out front, with a street sign on the corner—a kind of mural in glass and light. And, of course, each inside wall highlights one or more works of art. One favorite is labeled “DAD LOVES YOU EERO”—the overlapping pieces 124 NOVEMBER 2014 | WWW.B AY OU LI FE MAG . CO M

of wood within the frame suggesting the scalloped edges of a little girl’s dress, with dashed lines suggesting stitching. Stitching: sewing two pieces of fabric together: connections.

Next, Communication: The artist communicates through his art—through materials like wood, paper, metal, scraps, found objects, acrylic paint and composite fiberboard. He uses such tools, such as CNCs—computer-numeric-control devices. These can be CNC routers, plasma cutters and vinyl cutters. He also uses computer programs like Illustrator to sketch out his ideas before actually creating them with the intended materials. He can experiment with colors and perspective, instantly changing angles, sizes and shapes on the screen. Computer-aided design has become a tremendous time-saver, according to Slaughter. A tool that he once thought of as “cheating,” in a sense, has helped him to be even more creative. His process usually entails first the digital media and then the hands-on acts of painting and sculpture, aided by available computer programs. Slaughter’s methods include traditional shop tools, too—such as table and miter saws, drills and welding tools. A visit to the shop reveals a place that looks less like an artist’s studio and more like an industrial workplace. But all the tools and materials aid in the creative process—the process that results in communication, artist to viewer. Some of the creative choices result in a refusal to label his work as purely “sculpture” or “painting” or even “multi-media.” Slaughter believes, and tries to communicate to his students, that there don’t have to be lines firmly drawn between genres. His sculptures and paintings are not necessarily either one but are both together. “Each work begins with a commitment, a decision, and then the magic starts,” he says. That magic is often hard to name, to quantify or box in. Slaughter describes his recent work as “simple,” as abstractions

related to the internal self, referencing moods, thoughts, feelings and impressions. Because his work is referential, it isn’t considered purely abstract. He explains that he has always been attracted to abstract expressionism. As a “maker of objects,” he is interested in “information, how it’s transmitted and received, how it’s communicated.” He is especially fascinated with how and why we communicate. This fascination becomes clear in his work, which includes many references to methods and modes of data transmission—wires, tubes, webs, pipes, capsules, antennae and so on. The fact that we are bombarded with information is a repeated theme. Although Slaughter has recently been moving toward multimedia pieces, combining light and sound with visual media, he enjoys the process of painting. Even the painting of slats of wood in various, carefully chosen colors is an enjoyable process for him, knowing that he’ll be combining those with almost mathematical precision to communicate a mood or idea later on. His process, he agrees, suggests a comparison to musical composition, with its mathematical structures of harmonies, rhythms and melodies combining to elicit deeper emotional responses from the hearer. The “balance of structure with randomness” is satisfying to Slaughter. And watching him selecting just the right combination of slats with their various colors and widths, taping them together so that he can use a miter saw to create just the desired angle, is a satisfying experience, too. Communication: artist to viewer and back again.

Finally, Consistency: Isn’t that the goal, after all? But most of us fail at our attempts, dividing our lives into not-so-neat segments of time, resources, talents, relationships and activities. For the artist, though, the world and his time in it are the canvas, with the task being to “create” a life that is a work of art. Every decision is a brushstroke, every decision a commitment. “And that’s where the magic starts.” Life is art; art is life. For Joey Slaughter, even a drive across town includes artistic observations. Playtime with children includes artistic encouragement. Classroom instruction is an avenue for artistic expression. Architectural and interior design decisions are artistic choices that also affect the quality of life for all living within the home. Even the choice of objects (“I am an admirer of objects, especially toys and furniture”) to place in the artist’s office becomes a significant artistic expression. Joey Slaughter’s art is consistent with his life, and in fact is just one facet of his life—that balancing act that comes full circle to a work-a circular assemblage--called “Take a Breather.” It hangs in his family’s dining room. In it, a hand reaches up among, or over, various shapes, colors and lines, suggesting to the viewer an overabundance of stimuli. The hand could indicate “Stop.” Just take a breather from all the confusing data being thrown at us. Maybe take a breather at home, at the dining table, with loved ones. Circular art. The most obvious of personal artistic expression—the most obvious union of life and art—is the tattoo of his own artwork on Joey Slaughter’s arm. This most generous of artists didn’t explain the significance, and this writer didn’t ask. After touring the artist’s office, studio, shop and home—after meeting the artist’s family – this one question seemed too personal, too private to ask. One thing is certain: no one, after spending time with Joey Slaughter and his art, would question the pure creativity of his expression, no matter the medium. WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | NOVEMBER 2014

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Hot List For Christmas Cindy Foust Gives Her Must-Haves for Christmas 2014 (Continued From Page 22)

thing from a Sci-Fi movie where the human race vanishes and the Stomp and Chomps are the culprits. But, if you don't mind scaring the life out of your children, you can own this "must have" for $69.99. Frankly, I'd rather take my $70.00 and put it in a paper shredder, but what do I know? Fourth on the list from the world of 1974 were the boysâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; and girlsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Spyder Bikes by Free Spirit. I never had bikes that fancy in my day, and as previously reported, the bike I did own didn't have gears. These Spyder bikes were rocking with 3-speed rear hub gears, and trigger shifters on the handlebars. Can you say d-e-l-u-x-e? I'm disappointed to report that this year's hot toy list didn't even have a bike on it! The only comparable toy I found was the Doc McStuffins Get Better Talking Mobile Cart. For $49.99, it is deemed to be a fast seller and in hot demand for Christmas. I could make all kinds of com-

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ments here about a "no-bike" list, but I guess we aren't in Mayberry anymore. Finally, because BayouLife doesn't have enough pages for me to publish all the must haves, I will end with my favorite, (although we didn't own one), the Odyssey Electronic game. This video game console was the "hoss" in its day with two controllers, six printed circuit cards (whatever that means), and you could play table tennis, tennis, hockey, haunted house and Simon Says. Whoa! In 2014, we have toothbrushes more sophisticated than that, but in 1974, for $100, you could be a video trailblazer. Rounding out this year's holiday hot list is the LeapFrog TV Leap TV Active Video Game System. This gaming system has a library of over 100 games and uses a motion sensing camera and controller to put learning in motion. Simon Says you better get online to get this one preordered for Christmas, because it looks like

the best deal to me at $149.99. And while you are at it, google the toys that were popular when you were a child. There is a list for every year that we've had a world, and some of the toys we had as children will make you laugh out loud (interestingly enough, most board games have transcended time). It was also fun to show my children some of the "antiquated and really old" toys that I played with as a child ("Yes, Angel Grace, we had Barbies when I was your age.") I just wish I had been the one to invent the Odyssey video game system, because right on its heels was the Atari, and I have the feeling that had I been the trailblazer with this invention, I would be on an island sipping out of a coconut rather than starting my early Christmas list. So get those notepads out and start making your lists and checking them twice, because the holidays are here again!

The Real Facelift

Q& A with Mickel Plastic Surgery

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

“The body, she says, is subject to the force of gravity. real anatomic changes require real facelift surBut the soul is ruled by levity, pure.” gery done by real plastic surgeons. – Saul Bellow I have done hundreds of facelift proceRAVITY. TOO BAD IT ONLY WORKS dures over the past twenty-five years. Here are vertically. But because it does, gradu- some of the most common questions patients ally over the years, everything goes ask me about facelifts. south – whether its your buttock, your breast, your brow or the fatty tissue overlying your How long does the operation take? It depends on what type of facelift is being cheekbone. The effect of gravity on the soft tisdone. I do a thorough and complete deep-plane sues of the face and neck produces predictable face/neck lift that involves fat removal and creand familiar changes: drooping of the outer ation of a muscle corset in the neck, conservathird of the eyebrow, gravitational decent of tive removal of lower jowl fat and release and cheek fat with loss of fullness over the cheekrepositioning of the deep tissues of the face. In bone, deepening of the fold between the base of my hands, this takes about five hours of operathe nose and the corner of the mouth, a sad, tive time. Simple procedures like thread lifts downturned mouth, jowl fat collections that hang off of the lower cheek and obscure the and skin-only facelifts don’t take as long and flow of the jaw line and a “turkey gobbler” the results are only short term.

neck. Topical creams, passing threads through your face or squirting fillers into the cheeks to temporarily plump them up, don’t magically reverse these real anatomic changes. No, these

Why don’t you do the simple procedures? Because they don’t make anatomic sense, and the results are less natural. I would rather

BEFORE

AFTER

have my patients look natural and rested, not “operated.” Moreover, the results don’t last very long – usually only a few months and sometimes only a few weeks – so unless money is no object, these “shortcut” procedures are not a very smart way for a patient to spend their cosmetic surgery dollars.

How long does a facelift last? On average, a facelift will make you look about ten years younger – but the end result depends upon many factors, not the least of which is your starting point. Skin quality, overall health and whether or not you exercise all play a role. Aging is like a conveyor belt, slowly and inevitably moving you toward the way you will look at the end of the line. Cosmetic surgery moves you back to an earlier spot on the belt, but then it keeps right on moving. So you continue to age, but you will still look about ten years younger than your age matched peers. CONTINUED ON PAGE 168

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Visit Ridgeland!

Come Experience a Place Where Hospitality is More Than Just a Word; It’s Our Art.

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IDGELAND IS YOUR DESTINATION FOR FABULOUS shopping, outdoor recreation, a delicious meal and awesome accommodations. Whether for business or pleasure, in a group or on your own, our city offers so much to see and do. Just across the street from Mississippi’s capital city of Jackson, there is an abundance of culture and history at your fingertips. Ridgeland is the state’s premier shopping destination with centers like Northpark Mall, the world-class lifestyle center Renaissance at Colony Park and Township at Colony Park, a beautiful collection of signature shops and restaurants. For the ultimate shopping experience, check out the Ridgeland Retail Trail, a compilation of Ridgeland’s locally owned boutiques, galleries, shops and spas. And don’t miss the Mississippi Craft Center, featuring the works of over 150 members of the Mississippi Craftsmen’s Guild. More of the outdoor type? Ridgeland has numerous opportunities to enjoy sports and nature at quality parks and facilities. The massive Ross Barnett Reservoir has 105 miles of shoreline and is bounded on the north by the historic Natchez Trace Parkway. This All American Road and National Scenic Byway offers natural excitement with miles of Scenic Trails and a roadway perfect for motorcycling, RVing and bicycling. Within this treasure, you will find 157 types of birds, state parks, riding trails, civil war historic interpretations, American-Indian artifacts, cultural and heritage opportunities and waterways. This Bicycle Friendly Community also features a 14-mile MultiUse Path for cyclists to utilize through the Ridgeland area of the historic Natchez Trace Parkway with outfitters near to help supply your needs. Visitors return to Ridgeland time and time again to participate in great events like the Ridgeland Fine Arts Festival, Santé South Wine Festival and Natchez Trace Century Ride, each event punctuated by Ridgeland’s incredible dining options. Ridgeland has all the charm of a small Southern town with the amenities of a larger city. With the metropolitan area of Jackson next door, it’s easy to plan an extended trip while staying in Ridgeland. Contact us today, so we can help you plan your getaway – www.visitridgeland.com or 800-468-6078. Come experience a place where hospitality is more than just a word; it’s our art.

Students as Family

River Oaks School Takes Education Personally

N 1969, FACED WITH A CHALLENGING PUBLIC SCHOOL environment and crowded classrooms, a group of families and educators embarked on a mission: to create a learning center focused on student achievement that valued community and family. What started in a collection of portable buildings grew quickly, and today the legacy of excellence that started there stands as River Oaks School, which is frequently recognized as one of Louisiana's top performing private schools. River Oaks students begin as early as age 3 in the pre-K 3 class. As they progress, River Oaks takes an active role in shaping the child into a fully realized person, fostering academic, creative, athletic and personal development in each student. In a very real way, River Oaks becomes an extension of the kind of care children receive from their family. That's why River Oaks principal Ja-Nell Tillman trusts her family to the school. Her granddaughters Mia and Ava are students in the 3rd Grade and Pre-K programs. "Our work here goes beyond just providing education," Tillman says. "We really view these kids as part of our family, and that means we are concerned about the whole person--not just the student." River Oaks students are expected to comport themselves with academic focus and a strong moral compass. Developing a student's morals is as important a part of growing successful students as is working on mathematics or science problems. And, at River Oaks, students receive focused attention on both. "Trust and honesty are important parts of life for any River Oaks Mustang," Tillman says. "Every student knows what honesty is and how they're expected to go about their lives in a trustworthy and honest manner." These efforts have proven effective, too. Over the years, River Oaks has developed a reputation as an exemplary academic school. Students succeed in the classroom, where students have received millions in scholarship dollars, and on the athletic field, where the Mustangs are frequently competitive in state play. Currently, River Oaks is accepting applications for the 2015-2016 academic year, and it's not to early to visit the school to find how River Oaks is right for your child. WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | NOVEMBER 2014

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United Way Focuses on Key Issues in Northeast Louisiana

Continued From Page 116 •

The Wellspring: Counseling and Family Development Center

Basic and Emergency Needs: Ensuring people in Northeast Louisiana have access to food, shelter, medicine, transportation and disaster relief United Way of Northeast Louisiana 2-1-1 is a free call from any land line or mobile phone and is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to connect people to resources in our community

• American Red Cross: Emergency Services • D.A.R.T.: Domestic Violence Program • Food Bank of Northeast Louisiana: Adopt-A-Senior, Agency Program, Backpack-for-Kids, Kid’s Cabinet • Lincoln Council on Aging: Home-Delivered Meals • Ouachita Council on Aging: Transportation, Home-Delivered Meals • Our House: Crisis and Youth Center • Rays of Sonshine: The Zone • Saint Vincent de Paul Community Pharmacy: Prescription Counseling and Services • The Salvation Army: General Social Services, Emergency Shelter • The Wellspring: Domestic Violence Program, Housing and Supportive Services • Union Council on Aging: Home-Delivered Meals • West Ouachita Senior Center: Community Supportive Services for Elderly and Families For more information about United Way of Northeast Louisiana, dial 2-1-1 on any landline or mobile phone, a free call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week or visit us online at www.unitedwaynela.org. Get social! Join the conversation on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest @UnitedWayNELA. #LIFECHANGING #LIVEUNITED

P&S Surgical Hospital CEO Reflects on Holiday Blessings Continued From Page 115

outstanding physicians and medical staff members for their excellent work. The dedicated staff at P&S Surgical Hospital embraces the opportunity to serve the healthcare needs of northeast Louisiana. We encourage you to choose to have your next procedure with us, and experience why our hospital is so appreciated by our patients and their families. We also wish you good health and happiness during the holiday season.

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P&S Surgical Hospital is a joint venture between St. Francis Medical Center and 50 physician specialists.

Kasasa with Centric

Centric Federal Credit Union Rewards You for Using Your Account

HERE’S NO BETTER WAY TO BANK THAN TO KASASA with Centric! Free Kasasa Cash checking makes it possible to earn way above the national average with 3.25% APY on balances up to $10,000. Not to mention an added plus, refunds on ATM fees, nationwide*. It’s easy to earn your rewards! Kasasa Cash checking pays you to do simple transactions you’re probably already doing. Simply complete twelve debit card purchases and one automatic payment (ACH) or direct deposit that posts and settles to your account within the qualification period and enroll and review an e-Statement notification. You shouldn’t pay for your own money. Instead, you should be rewarded for using your account. Here at Centric, we believe in that and live it daily! Kasasa Cash checking continues to pay, even if you come up short on your qualifiers. There’s no doubt you can maximize on the benefits by completing the qualifiers, but you have the opportunity to earn our base dividend rate of 0.05% APY, even if you don’t qualify. Your account is always free. Plus, you can still earn a higher rate and refunds on ATM fees the very next cycle. No shame in trying again next month. So, basically, you earn higher dividends just for Kasasa-ing! No gimmicks, no standing on one leg and raising your right hand. Simple. Free. Kasasa! To begin reaping the benefits today, visit www.MyCentric.org. Here, you can enroll and fund your account online the very same day! Centric has four convenient locations to serve you in Ouachita and Lincoln parishes. Our staff is trained and highly skilled to provide efficient service to you. The goal at Centric is to remain focused on our members, provide fast but friendly service and to follow-up with our members regardless of their need, all while having F-U-N, FUN! That’s why our staff feels there’s no better option than to bank at Centric. We know the choice is yours, and we respect your decision. Your financial well-being matters to us, and it’s our responsibility to ensure your funds are secure and available to you as needed. So what’s holding you back? Do you Kasasa?

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Downtown Monroe Transforms

Monroe Renaissance Presents “Up on the Rooftop”

ESTIVE, FUN, FOOD AND FIREWORKS. THESE ARE THE elements that culminate to create one of Monroe’s best parties of the year – the Monroe Renaissance “Up on the Rooftop” party! Monroe Renaissance is a group of volunteers that are constantly working to stimulate and make possible the re-awakening of downtown Monroe through community participation, resulting in an enhanced quality of life. This event is a VIP viewing of the Monroe Renaissance Christmas Fireworks Extravaganza sponsored by Bancorp South on Saturday, December 6, atop the roof of the Vantage Parking Garage, at the corner of DeSiard and North Grand Streets. Other sponsors include The City of Monroe, The City of West Monroe and the Monroe-West Monroe Convention and Visitor’s Bureau. The party is from 6 – 9 p.m., with the fireworks shooting off the Endom Bridge at 7 pm. Guests will enjoy complimentary drinks from Choice Brands, Marsala Beverage and Glazer’s, as well as food from local restaurants! To add to the flurry of festivities, there will be live music to rock the night away! One lucky patron will take home Santa’s Sleigh…. literally. For $20, you can purchase a ticket to win gifts and prizes from local retailers in-

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cluding clothing items, jewelry, gift certificates and more! This gift filled sleigh is valued at thousands of dollars, and one person will win it all! Partygoers can also visit with Mr. and Mrs. Claus as they mingle through the crowd and can even take a piece of the party home with a snapshot from the party photo booth. Single standing room tickets are available for $30, $50 per couple and $500 to reserve a table, with all proceeds benefiting Monroe Renaissance. For more information, contact Monroe Renaissance at 318-8071177. Monroe Renaissance is a non-profit organization that works on various projects throughout the downtown area. In addition to the Up on the Rooftop Party, the group has several other projects and plans for the month of December. They have partnered with the Monroe-West Monroe Convention and Visitor’s Bureau and local junior high and high school art classes to present “Walking in a Winter Wonderland,” an effort to decorate windows in a Christmas theme along DeSiard Street. The group has also dedicated over $5,000 to pay for lights, supplies and labor to “Light the Night” and cover the downtown area in white Christmas lights for the holiday season.

Celebrate You This Holiday Season

Sparkle Inside and Out with Help from Professional Laser Center

BY JUDY WAGONER

HORTER DAYS AND COOLER NIGHTS are a sure sign the year is coming to an end and the holidays are approaching. Rather than stress out during this season, take a “Spa Holiday” at Professional Laser Center in Monroe. You don’t need to travel far to enjoy our menu of services, designed to help you look your best for the holidays and into the new year. Our services are available not only for women, but for men, as well. So, if you want to surprise your loved one with a great Christmas or birthday gift, beautiful gift certificates are available. Professional Laser Center has always been on the cutting edge of technology. Through much research and planning throughout the year, we strive to bring the latest, non-surgical technology to the Ark-La-Miss. Dermapen is a fractional, micro-needling device that tightens, lifts and rejuvenates skin, reduces fine lines and

wrinkles, and greatly improves stretch marks, keloid, surgical and acne scars. Botox is a medication injected by our Medical Director, Dr. Zuckerman, in very specific areas, with the purpose of decreasing fine lines and wrinkles. You’ll notice a difference within 24 to 48 hours. Results have been shown to last up to four months. Consultations are free. IPL, Intense Pulsed Light, is our most popular procedure for improving the appearance of the skin and restoring its youthful look by removing brown spots and unsightly pigment. Fillers, such as Restylane and Perlane, are products that can be used to add volume and fullness to the skin to correct moderate to severe facial wrinkles and folds. It may also be used for lip enhancement, to hide dark circles under the eyes, or to give volume to the cheeks. It’s an instant “liquid face lift.”

The "Vampire FaceLift" takes the fight against aging to a new level. It not only adds volume to your skin, but also stimulates the growth of new tissue by using growth factors found in your own blood. That's why it's called the “Vampire FaceLift." Other services and procedures offered at Professional Laser Center include the Ideal Protein Diet, Pinpointe Foot Laser, permanent Laser Hair Removal, Endermologie for the treatment of cellulite, DiamondTome Microdermabrasion, ClearLight for Acne, and Age Management/Hormone Replacement. Please visit our website for more information on these services, www.professionallaser.com. As your holidays and new year begin, let Professional Laser Center help you be the best and most beautiful you can be…inside and out.

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A Franciscan Evening Over the Ouachita The friends and supporters of the St. Francis Medical Center Foundation turned out in force Oct. 9 for "A Franciscan Evening Over the Ouachita." Visitors enjoyed food provided by Sports City Grill and Dan Blakeney as crowd-pleaser band The Reactors provided more than a few toe-tapping numbers. But the big star of the night wasn't the band or the food. It was the view, as revelers took in the sweeping views of the Ouachita River from atop the St. Francis Medical Center parking structure. Fair weather and a beautiful sunset helped to make this event a success, and it's sure to become a fixture in the annual calendar. The Franciscan Evening Over the Ouachita is an event organized to raise money and awareness for the St. Francis Medical Center Foundation, which supports activities of SFMC.

On the BayouScene

1 Brittany Ramsey and Carol-Anne Barnes 2 John and Melissa Saye 3 April Burns and LeaAnn Rawls 4 Ann Hayward and Dr. Barbara Hanson 5 Chris Hilburn and John Tom Murray 6 Christina Kroger, Kristen Hatten and Hailey Hill 7 Allyson and Keith Burford 8 Tom and JoAnn Deal 9 Laura and Jason Turner 10 Ashley Yeldell and Andrew Hubenthal 11 Johie Caples and Charles Goldwait 12 Tim and Aimee Kane

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History, Nature and Architecture of New Orleans

Serendipity is Monroe’s Exclusive Source for Mignon Faget

IGNON FAGET IS DRIVEN TO design jewelry derived from natural and architectural forms found in her native New Orleans environment. “I was born here, and I’ve lived here all of my life. What is so beautiful about Louisiana comes out through my work. It is a mysterious place.” From the beginning, she has worked closely with natural forms, never simply duplicating but always extracting the substance, the essence of a particular shape…refining it to perfection. “My work is like a journal. Whatever it is that I am particularly interested in at that phase of my life comes out in my work.” A fifth generation New Orleanian, Faget has flourished in the culture and traditions

of her birthplace. Her collections reflect this. Her first jewelry collection, SEA, is the transformation of the natural jewels found on the Gulf Coast into wearable objects of adornment. Botanical designs include HIVE and indigenous plants such as Banana Leaves, Cycas, Palmae and BAMBOO. ROMANESQUE RETURN reflects the architectural details of the historic Henry Hobson Richardson Library located on the famed Lee Circle. IRONWORKS is a study based on the historic Vieux Carré work of Marcellino Hernandez, the most renowned of the Spanish iron forgers in Louisiana. LOUISIANA features touches of whimsy with the Gumbo Necklace and Mardi Gras Charm Bracelet. Mignon Faget’s formal training in the

arts began at Sophie Newcomb College of Tulane University from which she received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree, with a concentration in sculpture. She furthered her studies at l’Atelier de la Grande Chaumiere in Paris and the Parsons School of Design in New York. Faget returned to Tulane University to take post graduate classes in botany and other areas of personal interest. "For me, designing a collection of jewelry is highly personal. It begins with an idea and evolves into objects of adornment." From now through November 24th, get a $25 Serendipity gift card to be used between now and Christmas, when you purchase $125 or more in Mignon Faget jewelry. 1840 Forsythe Avenue, 318-410-0811, Mon-Sat 10-6, Sun 1-5.

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ULM Warhawk Sporting Clay Classic The University of Louisiana at Monroe School of Construction Management’s Industry Advisory Council hosted an exciting fundraising event, the first annual University of Louisiana at Monroe Warhawk Sporting Clay Classic for alumni, students, faculty and colleagues. The event took place on Saturday September 20th, 2014 at the beautiful Los Paloma Sporting Range and Event Center in Benton, Louisiana just north of Shreveport. Proceeds for the fundraiser will go to the ULM School of Construction Management. Sponsors for this event were Action Mobility Services, B&J Flooring, BayouLife, C&J Insulators Inc., Cangelosi-Ward General Contractors LLC, Diamond B Construction Co., LLC, Hand Construction, LLC, Haydel’s Game Calls, Inc., JB Mouton Builders, Mechanical Contractors Association of America, Mobile Enterprises, Spectra Shot, The Plumbing Warehouse, American Tile & Marble Co, and James Construction Group. The event began with breakfast at the main lodge followed by rounds of competition. A Bar-B-Q buffet lunch was served at noon with delicious deserts provided by the Bayou Pots, a Dutch Oven group from north Louisiana. Winners were announced with top prizes going to Blue Line Rental in the team competition whose members included David Black, Mike Axen, Rikki Black and Kent Skains. Top shooters in the individual male category were Mike Axen, Art Martin and Neil Havard with Laura Havard and Josette Habetz winning in the female category. Volunteers who so graciously worked to make the event a success included Neil Havard, an NSCA level ‘AA’ Shooter, Level 1 Instructor, and NSCA licensed referee, Vernon Bradley, NRA Certified Instructor in shotgun, rifle, muzzle-loader and

archery, SCA National Champion in Wing and Clay, BSA and 4-H Certified Instructor whose also the ULM Shooting Team Coach, William Dawson Howard whose tireless work established the ULM Shooting Team, the members of the School of Construction Management Student Guild, the ULM 31 Ambassadors, and the ULM Shooting Team. The Bayou Pots are a chapter of the Louisiana Dutch Oven Society, International Dutch Oven Society and the Lone Star Dutch Oven Society. We are charted with preserving the art of black pot cooking, also known as Dutch Oven cooking. The Bossier Parish Sheriff’s Office Young Marines Program volunteered to provide the color guard for our event. The Young Marines was officially chartered by The Marine Corps league as a national program in 1965. The Young Marines is a youth education and service program for boys and girls age 8 through completion of high school, The Young Marines promotes the mental, moral and physical development of its young recruits. The program is sponsored and administered by the Bossier Sheriff's Office. The ULM Nursing School provided First Aid Station coverage for the shoot. The aid stations were manned by student nurses supervised by Amy Kincannon, Assistant Professor, Kitty DeGree School of Nursing. The event provided a great day of food, fun and friendly competition that was enjoyed by all. For inquiry regarding next year’s event, please contact Richard Matkins, ULM School of Construction Industry Advisory Council at 318-342-1871 or ULM Construction Alumni Chapter at 318-3425420. We hope to see everyone next year!

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8 On the BayouScene

1 Action Mobility Services’ Shooting Team 2 Cangelosi Ward General Contractor’s Shooting Team 3 James Construction Group’s Shooting Team 4 Men's winners: Art Martin (center left) and Neil Havard (far right) 5 Ladies winners: (left) Josette Habetz and Laura Havard (far right) 6 Top Team: BlueLine Rental; David Black, Rikki Black, Mike Axen and Kent Skains 7 Adele Arthur and Amy Kincannon 8 Young Marine Color Guard: Harley Woods, Victoria Landman, Rachel Elmore, Trinity Cowles and Bossier Sheriﬀ Deputy Preston Parker

What Have You Got To Lose?

Morehouse General Hospital Offers Bariatric Surgery

F YOUâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;VE THOUGHT ABOUT surgical weight loss, Morehouse General Hospital can work with your primary care physician to determine if you are a candidate for bariatric surgery. Our multidisciplinary team of professionals consists of Dr. Reginald Williams, who is fellowship-trained in advanced laparoscopic and bariatric surgery, and highly-skilled clinicians committed to making your weight loss journey a long-term success.

Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding (Lap Band) Lap Band is a restrictive surgical procedure in which a band is placed around the upper-most part of the stomach. This is one of the least invasive bariatric surgical

techniques and doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t interfere with the normal digestive process. The band has an inner balloon that is injectable to make the band tighter. Adjustments to tighten the band make patients feel full faster. Band adjustments are a necessary part of followup care and are necessary for weight loss. Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy is a restrictive procedure in which about 85 percent of the stomach is removed, so that it takes the shape of a tube or sleeve. Because this sleeve is already connected to the stomach naturally, no rerouting of the intestines is needed. This procedure reduces stomach size and also removes the part of the stomach that produces the hormone responsible

Staff Members Heather Self and Macie Walker

for stimulating appetite. Patients experience a high rate of success with this procedure and experience fast weight loss.

Bariatric surgery is not a cosmetic procedure and should not be considered one. Bariatric surgery should only be pursued by patients who have thoroughly explored traditional weight loss and evaluated all other options with their physician. Success of any bariatric procedure is dependent on long-term lifestyle changes in diet and exercise. For further information about our bariatric program, call 318-281-1133.

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A STAR IS BORN Sadie Robertson of Duck Dynasty fame is now America’s dancing darlin’ on this season’s Dancing with the Stars.

LA DOES L.A.

From Dancing with the Stars to The Voice to Dance Wars, Monroe-West Monroe natives have taken Los Angeles by storm. Dancing and singing their way into our hearts and making us proud, Sadie Robertson, Damien Lawson and Kelsey Bourg-Tanner have proven that dreams can come true, even when you are from a small town. BY APRIL S. KELLEY Sadie Robertson from the hit show Duck Dynasty has struck out on her own path via Dancing with the Stars in its nineteenth season, dancing her way from ‘duckling’ to ‘dancing diva’ in one fell swoop. From the first episode, she has wowed judges, fans and competitors alike. “Duck Dynasty was my whole family just being ourselves and Dancing with the Stars is a completely different experience. Learning how to dance is way different, because I’ve never done it before,” Robertson said. Despite no previous dance experience, Robertson has been impressing judges and viewers with her performances on the show. “I honestly think it’s been good for me, because I have no bad habits. I really just haven’t done it before, so I’m totally starting fresh. Each week is a different dance, so I’m learning something new every week. I actually think it’s a good thing that I’ve never had dance,” Robertson explained. Robertson enjoys learning a new dance each week, but her favorite, as well as the most difficult for her to learn, was the Duck Dynasty inspired dance. “My favorite dance was the Duck Dynasty one. It was so much fun to have my family there, and it was really cool. The costumes were awesome, and the dance was really fun, but it was difficult to learn. It was really hard,” Robertson said.

Robertson trains every day for six hours with famedchoreographer and dancer Mark Ballas. On the first day, Ballas figures out the choreography. On the second, he begins teaching Sadie the moves. By the third day, Sadie is expected to have it down, and they practice the remaining days. On Sundays, they do what is called camera-walking, where they practice the dance in front of the cameras. “On Monday, we get there at 7 a.m. and practice the dance again on stage, and then that night is the real thing,” Robertson said. Other than the dancing, what Robertson values most from her experience on Dancing with the Stars is the relationships she has built. “Mark is amazing. He basically has become like my brother. We’ve gotten so close. With the switch-up, it’s been hard. He calls me. He’s texting me nonstop. We’ve just gotten really close,” Robertson said. Robertson loves learning to dance and has also gotten close with other cast members. “I love getting to know all of the people honestly, and getting to learn a new skill, getting to learn to dance. And the relationships I’ve built with Mark and Alfonso (Riberiro) and Witney (Carson) and all of them. We’ve become really close friends,” Robertson said. Julianne Hough, one of the judges on Dancing with the Stars, has always been

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someone Robertson admired. “Before I was on the show, I was so excited to meet Julianne Hough, because she is so cool. If I was going to meet someone and be star-struck, it would be her,” Robertson said. Many people have made a big deal about Sadie’s dad and one of the stars of Duck Dynasty, Willie Robertson, approving both of her outfits and her dances on the show, but she explains how she would never do anything that would reflect badly on her family or faith. “My dad definitely approves all of my outfits. The thing is though, everyone is always talking about whether my dad approves. But in reality, I would never wear anything that I wouldn’t feel comfortable in anyway. I have respect for what I’m going to put on my body. Yeah, my dad approves out of respect for my dad, to get a say in it, but I would never do anything that would make my faith look bad,” Robertson explained. Though Sadie would love to win Dancing with the Stars alongside partner Mark Ballas, winning is not everything to her. It is also about the experience and the opportunity to participate in such an amazing show. “If I won, that would be the most incredible thing. Honestly, I just want to get to learn every dance that I can and be on the show and represent my faith each week. So, this has given me a bigger platform. And I love hanging out with Mark. To win, would just be the best feeling ever, and it would really mean a lot,” Robertson said. Dancing with the Stars is one of a very few contest-reality shows where the winner is chosen by viewers, instead of merely by a panel of judges. “I would like to say ‘thank you’ to everyone that has been voting and supporting us, because this is total fan-based votes, and we really couldn’t do it without everyone voting and the encouragement. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts. We’re having a blast,” Robertson said. As for Robertson’s future after Dancing with the Stars, she is unsure of what she will do next. “I’ve gotten a few offers to do some different things, and I don’t know. I just have to take it one day at a time. I never thought I would be on Dancing with the Stars, so I don’t think I can say what I’ll be doing in the future, just whatever God opens up for me,” Robertson said.

NEVER TOO OLD

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Thirty-five year old Damien Lawson of Monroe broke out on the Los Angeles scene with his moving rendition of Boyz II Men’s classic “It’s So Hard to Say Goodbye” on the season 7 premiere of The Voice. While performing the song during his blind audition, all four coaches turned around. “In that moment, I felt like I couldn’t really breathe. I couldn’t believe that all four chairs turned around. I was really surprised at how fast they turned around. If you look at the video and my facial expression, I bowed my head and closed my eyes, because I just really couldn’t believe it.” Lawson said. As soon as Lawson finished performing his song, he broke into tears. “I didn’t realize it, because I never planned on crying on national television. That’s the last thing I wanted to do, but one thing I learned from the Blind Audition is that I had been holding in a lot of feelings from rejection. It was a display of happiness, but it was also a display of relief from hearing the word ‘no’ over and over again. Now, I think I have only recently healed, or had the door opened to heal,” Lawson said. After all four coaches---Adam Levine, Gwen Stefani, Pharrell Williams and Blake Shelton--- turned their chairs and pleaded for Lawson to choose to be on their individual team, Lawson chose Adam Levine as his coach. “After I heard all of the coaches give their pitches, I felt like Adam really genuinely wanted me the most and what he said resonated with me. He said he felt like there was no one like me on the show, so that was one of the reasons. And I also felt like he was more passionate than anyone else,” Lawson said. Though Lawson chose front-man of Maroon 5, Adam Levine, as his coach, he had not always known who he would choose if given options. “When I came into the audition, I always had in mind that I would pick Pharrell. I love Pharrell and his work. I also like Adam and Maroon 5. I always liked both of them. Those were my two choices, but at the time I didn’t have a definite choice. I decided I would make the decision once they spoke to me. After they spoke to me, that’s when I made the decision,” Lawson said.

Lawson hopes to learn a lot from Adam Levine, namely how to fine-tune his singing voice and appeal to a larger audience. “I think that Adam can teach me how to be a better overall singer, how to just polish everything up and how to appeal to a broader audience. I just think he’s going to be able to enhance the things I’m already doing,” Lawson said. Over the years, Lawson has auditioned for many, many things including other television programs, such as American Idol. He has been rejected more times than he count, but his determination and persistence never faltered. “At 26, I was told that I was too old, and I think in the back of your mind, you start to build a shame of your age. You don’t want to tell people your age. I think that being 35, I would just say to people: Do not ever give up. Never ever give up. I don’t care if you’re 40 or 55 or 62, you never give up. You never allow people to tell you, ‘No,’ because if I did, if I had chosen to give up, I wouldn’t be where I am today,” Lawson said. Prior to his breakout on The Voice, Lawson worked as a TSA agent at LAX. Lawson was working during the fatal airport shooting on November 1, 2013. It was this experience that impacted him and encouraged him to try even harder to pursue his dreams. “I think it affected me greatly, and I am still recovering to a certain degree. I would say that it opened my eyes even more. Life is not promised. Tomorrow is never promised to anyone. So you have to live every moment to its fullest and go after your dreams,” Lawson said. Lawson is now getting the chance to go after his dreams, and winning The Voice would be nothing short of a dream fulfilled. “If I win The Voice, that would be a dream come true for me. It would be something that I have dreamed of all my life,” Lawson said.

THE VOICE OF THE SOUTH Damien Lawson is charming viewers everywhere with his powerful voice.

GENERATION TO GENERATION

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Kelsey Bourg-Tanner, daughter of Debbie Bourg, owner and found of Debbie’s School of Dance in West Monroe, led the pack. She hit the stage in Los Angeles in 2008’s Dance Wars. She was picked to be on Team Bruno, led by Bruno Tonioli, a famous television personality, choreographer and dancer. She enjoyed her time working with Bruno. “He is crazy. He is exactly the same in person as he appears on camera,” Bourg-Tanner said. One of Bourg-Tanner’s most memorable experiences from the show was her breakthrough moment, when she was chosen to be the lead for Jessica Simpson’s version of “These Boots are Made for Walkin’.” “I watched the video over and over and over again until I felt comfortable enough that I could do the song justice and perform it the way I was supposed to. On the day of the show, we performed the dance, and I got a lot of positive feedback from Bruno and Carrie Ann. That was kind of like my favorite moment. I felt like, ‘Hey, I could really do this,’” Bourg-Tanner said. By the end of the show, it was announced that Kelsey’s team, Team Bruno, had won. “When they announced that we had won, I can’t describe the feeling that came over me. It was overwhelming and exciting, just amazing,” Bourg-Tanner said. When Dance Wars wrapped, Bourg-Tanner moved to Los Angeles for three years where she got a dance agent. She went on to do many things. She performed in a Pussycat Dolls’ music video. She was a voiceover in The Princess and the Frog. She even performed with Catherine Zeta-Jones and Jennifer Lopez. After a whirlwind career as professional dancer in Los Angeles, Bourg-Tanner moved back to West Monroe to teach and choreograph at Debbie’s School of Dance. “I love teaching, and I love choreographing and I love my kids. With my mom owning a studio, I just feel like that’s what I’m called to do, to teach. So, I wanted to come back home for more experience with choreographing and teaching,” Bourg-Tanner explained. Bourg-Tanner is now trying to get the ball rolling on a reality television program that would focus on a family dance business. “You see all this Dance Mom stuff, and we just kind of want to show what it’s really like. My future goals are to get this T.V. show up and running and to show people that the dance world is not all about negativity, that it is something positive and what a positive experience it is for children to learn the art of dance. I want to be able to share my gift with millions of children all around the world,” Bourg-Tanner said. For Bourg-Tanner, dancing is a family tradition. Her mother taught her an invaluable skill which led to amazing opportunities. Having recently had a daughter of her own, she hopes to pass it down to the next generation. “I would like to personally thank my mom, Debbie, because I would not be the successful dancer I am if it weren’t for her. I’d like to share what my mom shared with me with my own

Solving Your Sleepiness

Treating Sleep Disorders Can Do More Than Just Fix Daytime Tiredness

ENTAL HEALTH, PHYSICAL HEALTH, QUALITY OF life and safety. All of these can be significantly affected by one thing—a bad night of sleep. And while we all experience an occasional sleepless night, when it becomes a nightly occurrence, sleep insufficiency can put your life and the lives of others at risk. Because when you are tired, you are less alert, less focused and more irritable, which can lead to dozing off while driving or working and make everyday tasks more difficult to perform. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 50-70 million American adults have a sleep disorder. Most notably, 18 million of those suffer from obstructive sleep apnea. This sleep disorder is the result of airways in the back of the throat failing to stay open while you sleep, despite your body’s efforts to breath. The result? Snoring, pauses in breathing, choking and gasping for air in the middle of the night. All of these symptoms not only interrupt your sleep—leaving you tired and groggy during the day—but they also reduce your blood oxygen levels and can lead to more chronic medical conditions such as heart disease, high blood pressure, heart attack, stroke and depression. Another common sleep disorder is insomnia, or the inability to fall asleep or stay asleep. Acute insomnia is typically due to life circumstances like a stressful week at work or receiving bad news. However, people can suffer from chronic insomnia if they experience symptoms three or more times a week for three or more months in a row. The experts at Delhi Hospital can turn your sleepless nights around. Our recently opened Sleep Center is led by Dr. Lowery Thompson. He is President of the Louisiana Academy of Sleep Medicine and also serves as a site visitor for the American Academy of Sleep Medicine. Delhi Hospital Sleep Center features a comfortable and homey sleeping environment and offers access to close-to-home sleep studies and treatment options. This includes an overnight sleep study where we monitor a variety of factors that affect your sleep such as eye movement, muscle activity, heart rate, respiratory effort and blood oxygen levels. From this information, we are able to determine if you have a sleep disorder as well as its severity. So you can go from feeling like you could fall asleep standing up to getting your best night of sleep, every night.

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Annual Holiday Arts Tour

North Central Louisiana Arts Council Hosts Annual Event

HE NORTH CENTRAL LOUISIANA Arts Council is pleased to present its 17th annual Holiday Arts Tour in downtown Ruston, November 20-23. Holiday Arts Tour is “all about the arts,” with music, visual artists, writers, dance and theatre. Beginning on Thursday, November 20th, there will be live music each day, including jazz, bluegrass, country, barbershop harmony, classical, blues, Chinese harp, reggae and body percussion. Thirty-five downtown Ruston locations will play host to artwork by regional artists, as part of Ruston’s Main Street Christmas Open House. On Friday, artists will be on site in these shops selling their works from 5 till 9 p.m. One of the special parts of the Arts Tour is the artist-viewer dynamic; it’s an interactive

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weekend. Shoppers are welcomed to speak with the creators about their works and to get the inside scoop on these one-of-a-kind items. Saturday’s hours are noon till 6pm and will expand to include artists’ demonstrations, such as oil painting, printmaking and quilting. In the afternoon, there will be a round-robin poetry reading featuring four regional poets. The poetry reading, was added to last year’s Tour and was a great success. On Sunday, from 1:30 till 3:30, will be Sprout Sunday, art projects for children with six of the participating Arts Tour artists. A book reading by a local children’s author, a fiber-based ornament and a paperfolded puppet are included in the roster. A perfect ending is the Community Variety Show at 4:00 p.m. on Sunday. This

show will include dancing, vocal and instrumental music and theatre. It’s an entertaining line-up! All of the performances and activities in Holiday Arts Tour are free to the public as part of NCLAC’s mission to foster opportunities for creative expression and build a region where the arts can thrive. For a complete schedule and listing of all artists and sites, please visit nclarts.org/HolidayArtsTour. Holiday Arts Tour is supported in part by a grant from the Louisiana Division of the Arts, Office of Cultural Development, Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism in cooperation with the Louisiana State Arts Council and administered by the Shreveport Regional Arts Council.

Keeping It “All” in the Family

Jason Martin to be New President and Operations Manager.

HERRY AND GENE MARTIN, owners of All Plumbing Heating and Cooling have been in business for more than 25 years. In the tradition of keeping it “All” in the family, they are now releasing the reins to their son, Jason Martin. Jason will become the President and Operations Manager of All Plumbing Heating and Cooling, but don’t worry; Sherry and Gene are very much still in the field. Both Sherry and Gene help plumbers maintain their certification and stay up-to-date by instructing requisite continuing education classes. “In a residential plumbing company, there are very few that do plumbing and AC. That’s how were different,” says Jason. “I’ve always been a part of the

business, but the older I got, the more it became a goal of mine to run it.” All Plumbing Heating and Cooling started in 1989, and Jason has always been a part. “I was a teenager at the beginning. I rode with my dad and assisted him on jobs. My dad is one of those guys who can do anything, very skilled mechanically. I have been full time for 21 years.” Jason also sees a bright future for All Plumbing Heating and Cooling. Jason says they are taking customer service to a new level by improving training programs for new apprentices and they have “plans to go paperless, along with improving and promoting the benefits of our maintenance agreement program to our customers.”

The company website promises: “Above all, we will always do what we feel is right for our customers.” All Plumbing Heating and Cooling was established with the focus of Prompt Expert Service. All Plumbing Heating and Cooling is available 24-7, hence their website www.allservice247.com. Their office is located at 605 Sterlington Road in Monroe. Call (318) 322-6970 between 8-5 M-F and the highly trained customer service staff will be there to schedule your service call. All Plumbing Heating and Cooling also offers 24-hour emergency service.

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Egret Landing Ribbon Cutting Soon, the broad streets and winding sidewalks of the most innovative community in northern Louisiana will be brimming with residents. Holyfield Construction joined representatives from throughout the community to cut the ribbon on Egret Landing, Monroe's latest subdivision development, located in northern Ouachita Parish near CenturyLink. Among the amenities, the development sports ultra-fast AT&T UVerse service, the first market in northeast Louisiana to receive the service. Residents will also enjoy monitored security as they stroll along the bayou or take a hike through Black Bayou National Wildlife Refuge. Lots in the subdivision are still available, but they're going fast. To view Egret Landing for yourself, take Technology Drive east off of 165 North, just past the CenturyLink Corporate Headquarters.

On the BayouScene

1 Sarah Heatherly and Diane Miletello 2 Ginger Holton and Ashley West 3 Benny Evans and Walt Caldwell 4 Lisa Holyfield and Chris Holyfield 5 Patty Stewart, David Sorrell and Stephanie Smith 6 Mark and Courtney Holyfield 7 Linda, Christopher and Joe Holyfield 8 Kylee and Billy Holyfield with Tim Green 9 Rebecca and Jeff Leaumont 10 Sandy Wylie and JoAnne Caldwell 11 Lila Strode and Angie O’Pry Blades 12 Chuck Adams and Paul Holzem 13 Eric Mahaffey, Lisa Holyfield and Sherry Mahaffey 14 Clint Downing and Andi Holyfield

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Holyfield Unveils Egret Landing

The Perfect Blend of Luxury and Leisure

NJOYING A QUIET STROLL ALONG the tranquil waters of Bayou DeSiard or a hike through Black Bayou National Wildlife Refuge before dinner will soon be a reality for the residents of a new neighborhood taking shape in the northern corner of Ouachita Parish. Situated along the banks of Bayou DeSiard, Egret Landing promises premium homesites, tree lined streets and the convenience of a location near to business, health care and shopping. Egret Landing will be an architecturally restricted subdivision, which means house plans will have to be submitted and approved prior to construction. Also, the neighborhood will feature sidewalks throughout and the lush, attractive landscaping features that have become Holyfield signatures. Holyfield called Egret Landing "a premier community," and said home prices will begin at

the $300,000 price point and range up to $2 million. That makes the architectural restrictions important, according to Holyfield. "The restrictions will create future value for all of the owners who opt to make Egret Landing their home." Nineteen lots enjoy the vistas of Bayou DeSiard, one of Louisiana's most scenic waterways. Another fourteen lots lie adjacent to the Black Bayou National Wildlife Refuge, promising sweeping views and wildlife spotting opportunities. Because the property is locked between two significant geographic features, overdevelopment and encroachment will never be a problem. "The area is zoned for Lexington-Sallie Humble, Lee Junior High and Neville," Holyfield said, which makes Egret Landing the ideal location for a young family. In addition to educational opportunities, Egret Landing will also enjoy the benefits of state-of-the-art technology.

"We'll be the first development with AT&T's new UVerse service in northern Louisiana," Holyfield said. UVerse is AT&T's entry into the ultra-highspeed Internet arena, with speeds of up to one gigabit. Egret Landing also anticipates ranking among the safest communities in the region. "It won't be gated, but there are cameras throughout," Holyfield said. "Egret Landing is a state-of-the-art community, with beautiful architecture, gorgeous scenery and the quiet comforts of a small neighborhood without sacrificing the convenience of city life," Holyfield said. To visit Egret Landing, turn off 165 North just past CenturyLink Corporate Headquarters and proceed east along Technology Drive, adjacent to the Wildlife and Fisheries Monroe Headquarters. Or, if you are interested in inquiring about a lot in the subdivision, contact Joe and Lisa Holyfield at 318.366.6307 (Joe) or 318.547.7083 (Lisa).

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50 Years of Faith, Scholarship and Service

St. Frederick Celebrates 50 Years of Homecoming

T HAS BEEN 50 YEARS SINCE THE STUDENTS FROM ST. Matthew Catholic High School moved to the new St. Frederick Catholic High School making the senior class of 1964-65 the first to graduate from St. Frederick. Bishop Michael Duca of the Catholic Diocese of Shreveport opened the St. Frederick’s 50th year Homecoming Celebration with prayer. A record crowd attended the Alumni, Family & Friends reception, the Warrior Foundation tailgate and the presentation of the Homecoming Queen and the Court. The Warriors won their Homecoming football game 47 to 12. This year’s Homecoming Queen is senior Abigail Reed Johnson. Abigail is the daughter of Jeff and Evelyn Johnson. Jeff graduated from Loyola College Prep in Shreveport and Evelyn graduated from St. Vincent’s Academy that was the sister school to Loyola, both are Catholic schools located in Shreveport, Louisiana. Abigail is the Interact Club President and a National Honor Society member who is on the “A” honor roll.

She is a member of the Gardening Club and Yearbook staff. Abigail has been a Cheerleader for four years and currently serves as this year’s captain. She was a UCA All-American for two years and a USA delegate at the London, England UCA New Year’s Day Parade in January of this year. She has been on the tennis team for four years and is a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Abigail plans to attend the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) and major in business. She is on schedule to graduate with 47 college credit hours. St. Frederick’s optimal class size and modified block schedule provides an excellent learning environment for student success. “I’m very proud of what our students are accomplishing in the classroom. Our students' scores increased in every benchmark this past year while the State averages decreased in every benchmark." said Guy Farber, St. Frederick Principal.

photo by Patty Stewart

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photo by Lana Haire

Gifts, Home Décor and More

The “Je Ne Sais Quois” of The Pewter Company of Ruston

ROM CANDLES TO MAKE-UP BAGS to jewelry and home-décor, The Pewter Company has it all. Specializing in pewter of all kinds from the popular dot pattern to the French-inspired fleur de lis pattern, customers can find cake stands and food platters for any occasion. Pewter, however, is not the only thing the store has to offer. “We’re called The Pewter Company, and pewter is our backbone, but we have so much more to offer,” manager Kristin Daigrepont said. The Pewter Company is like a sensory euphoria, with scents and textures to be discovered and indulged. Beautiful, eye-catching home décor lines the shelves as customers choose whether they want something with a vintage, classic or rustic look to

add to their personal sanctuary. A new addition to the array of product lines is an option to personalize any gift with a decal. Launched in September, customers can now add a personal touch to almost anything in the store. “We wanted to come up with something that would allow the customer to personalize different items that we have, whether it’s to show school spirit or monogram a gift for someone special,” Daigrepont said. Drink tumblers, serving platters and magnetic memo boards can now become oneof-a-kind with a personalized decal! Custom orders are their specialty. The fragrance of candles permeates the store leading you into a scent utopia. The Southern line, Orleans, has almost a cult-following, according to Daigrepont. Displayed

in acropolis jars, scents like Garden District, French Quarter and Orleans #9 are hard to keep on the shelves. Swan Creek is another popular candle line, with seasonal scents like Mistletoe Kiss, Pumpkin Vanilla and Home for the Holidays in stock now. The Pewter Company’s newest brand of candles, Flaire, showcases unique scents like Southern Sweet Tea and Bonfire in beautiful ceramic and mercury glass vessels. The Pewter Company has a plethora of holiday items, such as gravy ladles, serving trays, garden flags, as well as kitchen essentials, for every season. With unique products, such as magnetic hour-glass, three-minute kitchen timers and initial burlap runners and wooden door hangers, you are bound to find the perfect gift for anyone you know. If you are looking for something a bit more thoughtful, you can pick and choose between a myriad of charms and chain variations to make a bracelet or necklace for that special someone. And the best part, The Pewter Company has options suitable for every budget. “We have both ends of the spectrum. You can get a really extravagant gift or something completely affordable,” Daigrepont said.

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Viva la vida Inspired by the colorful world of Frida Kahlo, local jewelry retailers interpreted her look with the beauty of bold gemstones.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY MARTIN G MEYERS HAIR AND MAKEUP BY MEKA BENNETT MODEL: RHEAGAN SUTTON CANVASES BY MELANIE MOFFETT AND AUSTIN BANTEL

HOLLIS & COMPANY Mother of pearl and blue topaz earrings by Armenta. Polished citrine pebble multi strand necklace by John Hardy. Polished aquamarine pebble with 24KT gold necklace by Gurhan. Whisky Quartz and 24KT gold ring by Gurhan. 18KT gold bracelets by John Hardy. Polished aquamarine pebble and 24 KT gold multi strand bracelet by Gurhan.

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SERENDIPITY DESIGNER JEWELRY Marianaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s exotic designs are handcrafted to the highest standard with an unconditional lifetime guarantee. This look features Mariana "Blue Suede Shoes" collection silver plated petite round Swarovski crystal drop earrings and a beautiful double strand crystal necklace with rounded stones in various hues of blues and quartz. WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | NOVEMBER 2014

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NATIONAL JEWELRY Round cut sapphire and diamond gold ring. Pink Tourmaline and diamond pendant. Hammered gold and diamond drop earrings. Vahan Fleur de Lis Bracelet Sterling and gold Vahan two tone latch bracelet.

RANDY SMITH JEWELERS Antique locket with 18k yellow gold with Cabochon ruby on a 18k yellow gold antique chain, 18k yellow gold antique bangle with mine cut diamond cluster, matching bangles are antique reproductions of rose cute eternity bracelets, the band is an antique reproduction rose cut diamond eternity band, antique reproduction rose cut diamond fashion ring and pear cut ruby with diamond halos antique reproduction earrings WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | NOVEMBER 2014

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Ask Erin CONTINUED FROM PAGE 38

P is for PETS – Don’t forget that these members of your family come with “stuff,” too! Food, toys, shampoos and even clothing for pets can cause a clutter problem in your home, so create a special place for your pet items, too. Q is for QUITTING – Now is not the time for quitting! You have made such progress, and it can only get better from here. If you are feeling a bit burned out by this point, it’s ok to take a break, but also make firm plans on returning to the organization process. R is for REWARD – A break in the organizational process is the perfect time to reward yourself for the progress you’ve made so far. Take yourself to dinner, savor a glass of wine, or treat yourself to a manicure. After taking such brief respites, begin again soon! S is for SPARE BEDROOM – What do you use your spare room for? Most spare rooms are guest rooms, but you can utilize

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your spare room for whatever you wish. My only suggestion would be that it serve that purpose and that purpose alone. And, do not make it a holding ground for clutter and junk. T is for TIME MANAGEMENT - As you continue to complete the ABC’s of organization, you will begin to notice that you have more time to do the things you need to do and even the things you love to do. So, creating a time-management system is another step in the right direction. How do you manage your time now? Do you create a to-do list? Do you have a daily planner? If not, I suggest you invest in both immediately. U is for UPKEEP – The one and only way to stay organized is to commit to the upkeep it will involve. For instance, put items back in their assigned spaces immediately upon finishing with them, and make sure the entire household is on board with your efforts. V is for VIPs – A “VIP” is “a very important piece,” and I subscribe to the belief that you should allow nothing in your home that isn’t on the VIP list. If you don’t love it and/or use it, it shouldn’t be in your home. W is for WARDROBE – Ah…my favorite topic. I could write a complete article dedicated to organizing your wardrobe, but let me

just give you a few of my favorite tips for now. 1. Refresh and reorganize your wardrobe at the beginning of each season. Get rid of anything that no longer fits or you no longer love. 2. Make sure all of your hangers are heavy duty and match. Nothing else will make such an immediate difference in the way your closet looks and feels. 3. Pair like with like. In other words, hang all of your pants together, dresses together, etc. X is for X-RAY VISION – You don’t have x-ray vision, so why are you storing items in containers that you can’t see through? I prefer clear storage boxes so you can see what is actually in the box. Sometimes, labels aren’t enough, and you will forget what you have stored. Y is for YOU DID IT! – You have pretty much completed the ABC’s of organizing! How do you feel? Z is for ZEAL – Hopefully, this article fuels your zeal to succeed in the organization process. Now I’ve said my ABC’s, won’t you come and organize with me?

The Vein Treatment Center of Shreveport

Dr. Robert Barrett Helps with Unsightly Spider and Varicose Veins

R. ROBERT BARRETT AND HIS team of professionals are on hand to provide patients with excellent service and first-rate patient care in treating their vein diseases. Only the most effective, efficient, but least invasive procedures will do for Dr. Barrett, thus ensuring each patient is given the best treatment available, while maintaining the safety of the patient in the process. All the appropriate safety measures are taken to make certain that each patient is provided with the most welcoming and safe environment possible, in which to receive treatment. All treatments are administered using the most advanced equipment and cutting edge technology available. The Shreveport Vein Treatment Center knows the importance of their work to their patients, as vein diseases can be very painful

and unpleasant conditions. Spider veins and varicose veins are usually embarrassing to those suffering from them due to the unsightly nature of the condition. Those at the Shreveport Vein Treatment Center are happy to share their experience and expertise in helping patients find relief from such conditions. Some of the treatments used at the clinic include compression stockings, endovenous laser ablation, ELVeS, microphlebectomy, venous reflux exams and varicose vein surgery. Dr. Robert Barrett is a Phlebologist and Vascular Surgeon, practicing in the North Louisiana area. He is certified by the Board of Venous and Lymphatic Medicine. Exclusively treating venous disease for sixteen years, he is one of the first physicians in Louisiana to devote his practice to venous disease, having performed over 25,000 laser procedures on

varicose and spider veins. He is a graduate of LSU Medical School and completed a Residency in General Surgery and a Vascular Surgery Fellowship at Eastern Virginia Medical School in Norfolk, Virginia. Dr. Barrett offers a full-service outpatient clinic where your needs may be diagnosed and treatment options evaluated. Dr. Barrett offers laser treatments for both spider and varicose veins in addition to aesthetic treatments for facial and skin rejuvenation. Treatments are performed in office or in an outpatient surgery facility. Hospital stays are not required. These treatments are provided with a complement of six different lasers, depending on evaluation results. So if your ready to give varicose and spider veins more than childâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s play, give the Vein Treatment Center a call!

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Bark in the Park

Forsythe Park went to the dogs Oct. 4, during the annual Bark In the Park fundraiser and celebration. Local vendors passed out doggie treats and water for the animal attendees and helped their owners give their furry friends a good time by distributing toys to the pampered pooches. In addition to the doggie-tainments, humans enjoyed food and fun of their own, with entertainment provided by Stephan Wall, Mike Brown and Brett Barclay. The popular event draws hundreds of dogs and their human families out to Forsythe every year. For more than 15 years, the Ouachita River Valley Animal League has provided help to people and animals in the community through money raised to pay for veterinary care, animal shelters, rescue groups, and low income families.

On the BayouScene

1 Landon, Fred and Ashley Kalil 2 Lauren Dobbins with Bentley and Brittni Audirsch with Macy 3 All Hounds on Deck 4 Lauren Wall with Sprockett 5 Dorothy Donald and Beth Ann Dollar 6 Kim Parker

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Our Family Taking Care of Yours

Welcome to The Rosemont Assisted Living

EST MONROE AND THE neighboring city of Monroe are often referred to as the Twin Cities of northeast Louisiana. In the midst of this diversified community lies The Rosemont Assisted Living and Memory Care Community. Personalized care is our specialty at The Rosemont, where our goal is to improve each resident’s life, well-being, health, and safety. Each resident has an individualized service plan that is tailored to meet their specific needs. Our staff is trained to provide any required assistance with grooming, dressing, eating and supervision of medication. Staff members are available 24 hours a day to assist our residents. Our community was designed and built from day one to focus on the comfort and

care of our residents. • We offer spacious private or shared suites with ample closet space and large bathrooms. • Residents can bring their own touches from home to personalize their rooms or we can provide that home-like feel for you. • Linen and housekeeping services are included as well as cable television. • Our dining room is served restaurant style with three delicious meals served daily. • In addition, snacks are available throughout the day.

The Rosemont of West Monroe offers a wide range of stimulating activities, field trips and shopping excursions. In addition, we frequently offer live entertainment and

fun filled family nights at the facility. We provide transportation to doctor’s appointments, church or anywhere else your loved one would like to go. Because everyone enjoys a bit of pampering, a full service beauty parlor and barbershop are located on the premises. The Rosemont of West Monroe is dedicated to providing the highest quality, professional care in a dignified home-style setting. We have created a community that nurtures the mind, body and spirit. This focus on quality care, excellent food and entertaining activities has brought quality of living back to many residents who felt the best days were behind them. The result has been that residents live longer and happier lives. For information, call us at 318-329-1021.

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LA Disc Golf Championship

The Twin City Disc Golf Club, the Monroe-West Monroe Convention and Visitors Bureau and the City of West Monroe welcomed some 122 disc golfers to Lazarre Park on October 4 and 5 as they hosted the 28th Annual Louisiana Disc Golf Championships. Participants competed in 13 divisions for cash and prizes valued at over $13,000 throughout the weekend. Several community sponsors and club members helped to make this the largest disc golf event the area has hosted in the club's 15-year history.

On the BayouScene

1 Stephanie Chamberlain, Cody Johnson, Connie Stewart and April Johnson 2 William Thompson and Matthew Garcia 3 Paul Houston, PJ Day, Shawn Wiese, Kim Pratt, Rickey Robertson, Dave Reeves, Mike Dombrowski 4 Ronnie Matz and Jason Lafoon 5 Baxter “The Dog” and Tonya Wilson, Kim Pratt, Barbie Bice 6 Disc Golfers playing a round of “Ring of Fire”

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Revolution Park

Race fans got their fill of on-track excitement, as Revolution Park hosted the final points day of the year in the quest for track success. The stands were full of enthusiasm as more than forty racers took to the track for their chance at racing glory. The final day for points was Sept. 20, and at the end of the standings, five drivers stood tall. Kody Brusso of Pensacola, FL, took the top spot in Late Models. West Monroe's Dennis Carpenter topped the board in the Thunderstocks division, while Kory Kulp, also of West Monroe drove his #511 to the top of the Compacts division. In the Legends series, Bastrop driver Christopher Freeland finished in the top slot, with Ronny Freeland just 32 points behind for a bit of family action. And in the Bandoleros, the #9 car driven by Dawson Moore of Bastrop took top honors.

On the BayouScene

1 Bill and Robin Jennings 2 Cameron and Liz Guest 3 John Gordon, Lilly, Bridget, Ian and Stephen Maguire 4 Kathy and Frank Weinholt 5 Dan Street and Denice Hodge 6 Richard Covington and Mike Dlugosh

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THE COOKBOOK COMMITTEE

Arabella Moore, Ashton Mintz, Cynthia Rodriguez, Jennifer Ables, Shannon Pittard, Martha Jane Anderson, Dianne Cage, Jane Sartor, Bobbie Jo Stinson and Suzanne Wolff

THANKSGIVING in Cotton Country

BY MICHAEL DEVAULT PHOTOGRAPHY BY MARTIN G MEYERS

y any measure, The Cotton Country Collection has been an international phenomenon. But in 1972, on the eve of publication of the first edition, members of the Junior League of Monroe were wary. The cookbook faced stiff competition in the Louisiana cuisine cookbook market from River Road Recipes, a publication from Baton Rouge. Martha Jane Anderson recalls River Road as the impetus for the Junior League's own effort. "I was at LSU at the time, when the community got behind the River Roads cookbook," Anderson tells BayouLife. Upon returning from LSU and joining the Junior League, she decided a cookbook would make a good fundraiser for the organization. And, she says, she thought it would be fun. Anderson's "fun" comprised two years of steady, hard labor to test and retest each recipe. On the eve of publication, the women of the league were worried that the cookbook would flop. Each league member was tasked with selling their allotment of The Cotton Country Collection, and even then, they were worried about their prospects. "Of course,

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we sold out immediately," says Jane Sartor, a member of the original Junior League cookbook committee. "Just immediately. And we had to reorder." For two years, members of the original cookbook committee tested recipes--and they tested them on their families at home. "When I brought home the twelfth helping of gumbo for my husband to taste, he said he would never eat gumbo again and threw the bowl in the sink," says Suzanne Wolff. "I figured that was the last time I should serve gumbo!" But the women finished the project, and the herculean efforts that had tested and tried these women created a cultural and culinary phenomenon. Over the course of the last 42 years, The Cotton Country Collection has never been out of print. It continues to perform well. Copies grace baker's racks on six continents and in all 50 states. Dianne Cage knows a thing or two about cooking and cookbooks. A television personality and cookbook author in her own right, Cage believes The Cotton Country Collection's longevity is due as much to the hard work of

each new class of Junior Leaguers as it is to the book's merits--which she calls "superb." As Cage puts it, "Every generation comes in, they run with it. It's hard work to sell a cookbook." And sell it has. In a space where a "good" selling cookbook is lucky to break 50,000 copies and books by celebrity chefs barely scratch 100,000 volumes sold, The Cotton Country Collection continues to surpass expectations and has sold more than 250,000 copies. Original committee member Bobbie Jo Stinson says The Cotton Country Collection is a classic. "I think it's got such a variety of good, delicious and elegant foods," Stinson says. "It's from every day to elegant food, all there in one book." Meanwhile, closer to home, The Cotton Country Collection has given rise to more than a few good, wholesome family traditions. And in its pages are a stable of dishes that make Thanksgiving, Louisiana-style even more delicious. This month, Bayou Eats joins five of the women who made the book a reality and five of the women who continue that legacy, as they revisit the cookbook's creation, to Thanksgiving dinner, The Cotton Country Collection way.

Jane Sartor & Ashton Mintz

3 cups sweet potatoes, about 4 good-sized ones 1/2 cup sugar 1/2 cup butter 2 eggs, beaten 1 teaspoon vanilla 1/3 cup milk TOPPING: 1/3 cup melted butter 1 cup light brown sugar 1/2 cup ďŹ&#x201A;our 1 cup chopped pecans

Sweet Potato Casserole Simply delicious

Boil and mash potatoes. Mix in sugar, butter, eggs, vanilla and milk. Put in 13 x 9 inch baking dish. Topping: Melt butter and mix in remaining ingredients. Sprinkle on top of potato mixture. Bake 25 minutes at 350 degrees. Serves 10 to 12. Mrs. C. D. Hamaker Bastrop, Louisiana

Jane Sartor's Junior League was much different than the Junior League of today. Whereas today, the Junior League of Monroe is a non-profit powerhouse, with numerous fundraises and more than a dozen supported organizations and efforts, back then things were more low key. "We didn't have the kinds of projects they have now," Sartor recalls. "We were a small club then." For two years, Sartor co-chaired the cookbook committee with Marilyn Irby. Each woman contributed numerous recipes, some from family traditions, some they had clipped from magazines and improved upon, and some they had invented outright. "There were just so many," Sartor says. "I put in a pound cake, my mother's pound cake." Her favorite dish to make the Collection was called Skillet Cabbage. "That's my favorite cabbage recipe." Ashton Mintz joined the Junior League in 2012 because of the community service opportunities the league offers. "It's a great way to give back to the community." Ashton says she's also learned a lot from the women about the history of the region. There are just so many histories and stories of why they were active in the league." Her favorite dish in The Cotton Country Collection is Rich Pumpkin Pie. "It's sweet, a hint of spicy, and everyone loves to compete for the last slice!"

Jane Sartor, Junior League Member Since: 1963 Committee Co-Chairman, The Cotton Country Collection Thanksgiving Partner: Ashton Mintz, Member since 2012

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Suzanne Wolff & Cynthia Rodriguez

Before The Cotton Country Collection could make its name in the world of cookbooks, it first had to be developed. That meant the women of the Junior League prepared every recipe, every variation and then improvised on the variations to make sure each TSP of salt was a teaspoon and not, as they found time and again with the handwritten recipes, a tablespoon. "These are tried and true recipes. They were tested," says original cookbook committee member Suzanne Wolff. The Cotton Country Collection would play a significant role in her family's dining habits. The Wolffs kept a camp on Lake D'Arbonne, and they visited it frequently, where Pasta Salad became a fixture at lakeside cookouts. In the end, she says the cookbook, like so much else about the Junior League, was about personal growth in service. "It made me a better person, that I know we helped the community," she says. Cynthia Rodriguez has a special place in her heart for The Cotton Country Collection: right now, she's the committee chair. Her favorite dish in the collection: Pecan Pie. "It's a recipe I'd never seen before. You have to brown the butter first and that lends and extra-rich flavor," she says. Cynthia is impressed by women like Wolff, who've turned out year after year. "They have done so much for this community as far as being business professionals, as advocates for so many initiatives, and they've been the glue for this community," Cynthia says. "I'm so glad to be a part of what they've already initiated." Suzanne Wolff, Junior League Member since 1963 Member, original cookbook committee Thanksgiving Partner: Cynthia Rodriguez, member since 2010

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1 stick butter 1 cup light Karo 1 cup sugar 3 large eggs, beaten 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice 1 teaspoon vanilla 1 dash salt 1 cup chopped pecans 8 or 9 inch unbaked pie shell

The Best Pecan Pie Perfect for Fall

Brown butter in saucepan until it is golden brown, do not burn; let cool. In separate bowl add ingredients in order listed; stir. Blend in browned butter well. Pour in unbaked pie shell and bake at 425 degrees for 10 minutes, then lower to 325 degrees for 40 minutes. Mrs. Russell Bulloch

Spinach ĂĄ la Sophia Defrost the spinach and drain well to remove all moisture. SautĂŠ the onion in butter. Combine the onion, spinach and cream in a casserole. Mix well and do not stir again! Place the chopped eggs over the spinach mixture and cover with the mushroom soup. Top with the grated cheese and sprinkle with paprika. Bake at 375 degrees for 40 minutes. Before serving, stir to mix all ingredients. Flavors mingle when this is prepared a day ahead. Variation: A delicious main dish casserole may be made by adding chicken or shrimp when you add the eggs. 4 boxes chopped spinach 1 stick butter 1 large onion, chopped 1 cup Half and Half 3 hard-boiled eggs, chopped Chicken or shrimp, optional 2 cans mushroom soup 1/2 pound sharp cheese, grated Paprika Mrs. Edel Blanks, Jr.

Dianne Cage & Jennifer Ables

Dianne Cage knows a thing or two about cooking and cookbooks. A fixture on morning television for more than 20 years, Cage is also the author of successful cookbooks of her own. She credits the continued success of The Cotton Country Collection as much to community support as to the committee's vision. "The community was just so generous with recipes," she says. "Everyone got behind us." For Cage, the Junior League of Monroe

has provided years of friendship and service. "Junior League is friends, a commitment to the community and making a difference in the community," Cage says. It's certainly made a difference in the lives of these women. Many early Junior Leaguers came from backgrounds where women rarely pursued work outside the home. But it changed those women, Cage says. "It has promoted women. I think it helped instill the courage and the will to pursue a career." The cookbook was a big part of that. Not only did The Cotton Country Collection take women out of the home and place them into roles as writers, editors, publishers and salespeople, it also encouraged them to grow in the community. It was never about great chefs or aspirations to culinary greatness, but about home and fun. "We all loved to cook," Cage says. "We were all stay-at-home mothers. We were entertaining, southern style." Courage is just one of the traits current League president Jennifer Ables has gained. She says she's continually learning from her elders in the league. "You gain wisdom, and you learn about the history of the league, where it started and came from," she says. "I feel like I'm gaining an appreciation for the hard work they've done."

Dianne Cage, Junior League Member since: 1964 Member, original cookbook committee Thanksgiving partner: Jennifer Ables, 2009

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Bobbie Jo Stinson & Shannon Pittard

As much as The Cotton Country Collection changed the women of the Junior League, it also helped transform the league into the powerhouse organization it is today. From its goals to the organization's membership practices, so much is different today, according to Bobbie Jo Stinson, who joined the league in 1963. "Back then, you were invited," she says. "You didn't just want to join or be a member." Also, the Junior League was a smaller body. "It wasn't national then. It was the local Junior League." Stinson recalls the two years of working on the cookbook as some of her favorites. "I made some close friends. It was just a regular get-together," she says. For almost all women in the Junior League, the cookbook yielded numerous family traditions, too. She frequently prepared for her family Cajun Chicken. And the Sweet Potato Casserole is a family tradition. "I do that every Christmas," she says. "It's delicious and sweet. With the pecan crust, it's nearly a dessert!" For Stinson, years of involvement in the Junior League have meant maintaining close ties to the women she got to know there. For Shannon Pittard, now in her third year in the Junior League, it's been about personal growth. "I've learned it's good to move outside your comfort zone," Pittard says. "I think you get a little safe sometimes. But the Junior League has taught me to move outside that zone a little." Particularly, Pittard says the cookbook has pushed her to learn about sales. Still, there's something more. The women in the league help her feel connected to tradition. "I think tradition is very important, passing things along, especially today, with people not having time to sit together at the table," Pittard says. Bobbie Jo Stinson, Junior League Member since: 1963 Member, original cookbook committee Thanksgiving Partner: Shannon Pittard, Member since 2012

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2 cans French style green beans Salt pork 1 medium onion, chopped ďŹ nely 2 Tablespoons butter 1 teaspoon MSG 1 teaspoon salt 2 teaspoons soy sauce 1/8 teaspoon Tabasco 2 Tablespoons Worcestershire 1 can mushroom soup 1-5 ounce can water chestnuts, sliced and drained 3/4 pound sharp Cheddar cheese, grated 1 can fried onion rings

Green Bean Supreme Great for any occasion

Cook beans and juice with salt pork. Drain beans. SautĂŠ onion in butter. Add seasonings and soup. In a 1 1/2 quart casserole layer beans, chestnuts, sauce and cheese. Repeat the layers. Bake at 350 degrees for about 30 minutes or until hot and bubbly. Top with onion rings and heat 10 more minutes. Serves 6 to 8.

Mrs. D.L. Gibbs

Martha Jane Anderson & Arabella Moore

Martha Jane Anderson always knew The Cotton Country Collection would be a success. But she never dreamed it would be the explosive success it became. "I knew we had the talent here, plus the fabulous recipes," she says. But when she made the proposal at the old Neville House, where the Junior League was then meeting, she expected it to be a local effort, hardly a worldwide phenomenon. Today, with more than 40 years of success behind it, that's what The Cotton Country Collection is, though. And Anderson is pleased. "That is just an exciting thing to know it touches so many lives," Anderson says. She submitted her mother's turkey dressing recipe, a slightly more complicated version than the Easy Turkey Dressing recipe, because it contains oysters. Over the years, she's learned firsthand just how far and wide The Cotton Country Collection has traveled. "People call me every year from everywhere about that turkey dressing recipe, to make sure theirs is going to be the best it can be," she says. As the proposer of the collection, Anderson was the original chairman of the cookbook committee. But the demands of home and education required her attention. "So, I had to step down," she recalls. "It was probably the best thing that ever happened. Marilyn Irby became the committee chairman." And the rest, they say, is history. Arabella Moore joined the Monroe Junior League as a transfer from Baton Rouge. The Monroe league's history is just part of the draw for Arabella. More importantly, though, she says she values her time with women like Anderson, Stinson, Cage, Wolff and Sartor. "They are women to look up to and to esteem, to become. They inspire me to continue their hard work in our league," Arabella says. "They're role models to all of us." Martha Jane Anderson, Junior League Member since: 1963 Proposed the original Cotton Country Collection Thanksgiving Partner: Arabella Moore

1 black iron skillet of cornbread, any recipe 1/2 bell pepper, chopped 3 celery ribs, chopped 1 bunch green onion, chopped 1 medium onion, chopped 1 pound Bryan’s sausage 4 chicken bouillon cubes, dissolved in 1 cup boiling water 1 can Morton’s chicken broth 1 cup chicken fat or butter 4 eggs 1 teaspoon Lawry’s seasoning salt 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper 1/4 teaspoon pepper Salt to taste 1 pint oysters, drained 1 package Pepperidge Farm dressing mix

Bess Burn’s Cornbread Dressing Make cornbread ahead of time by your favorite recipe in your iron skillet. Sauté bell pepper, celery and onion with the sausage. Melt 4 chicken bouillon cubes in the boiling water. Add chicken broth and chicken fat or butter. Pour all the ingredients into a large Dutch oven with the crumbled cornbread. Add the remaining ingredients. Bake in a 450 degree oven, about 1 to 1-1/2 hours, until the crust is brown on top. This will serve 12 amply.

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Brewsiana

Restaurant Cotton and Choice Brands joined forces Sept. 25 to give patrons a taste of beer, Louisiana-style, with Brewsiana, A Bayou Beer Tasting Feast. The tasting was held upstairs at Cotton, and dozens of beer connoiseurs turned out for the event. Featured this go round were perrenial favorites like Abita Pecan, served with Chef Cory Bahr's signature duck wraps. Also making an appearance was the Abita Rosemary Lemon Wheat, paired with New Orleans-style barbecue rabbit wings. For those with a sweet tooth, Delia Simpson had Abita favorite Strawgator, served with an almond biscuit with cheesecake topping and strawberries. Chef Jack Melson was on hand, as was Chef Cassie Kacvinsky, Restaurant Cotton’s pastry chef.

On the BayouScene

1 Jim and Missie Broyles 2 Delia Simpson, Simran Emaus and Julia Taylor 3 K.C. and Hillary Sirmon 4 Mervin and Eileen Kontrovitz 5 Dana and Brian Harris 6 Richard and Mary Drew Breiten

The Real Facelift CONTINUED FROM PAGE 127

How can I make the results of a facelift last longer? Good genes are probably the most important way, but we don’t have any control over that. Common sense things like adequate sleep, a healthy diet and regular exercise help. So does a good skin care regimen involving retinols or retin-A. Minimally invasive procedures like regular microdermabrasion, Fraxel laser treatments, Botox and the judicious use of fillers like Radiesse, Juvederm, Restylane and Belotero are also a great way to maintain the results of a facelift. All of these things are available at my office.

Facelift surgery has evolved over the past century from simple procedures that merely pull on the skin to more sophisticated operations that relocate skin, fat and muscle and put them back where they came from. I am fortunate to have been trained in Dallas by some of the recognized masters of facial cosmetic surgery - Drs. Fritz Barton, Sam Hamra, Steve Byrd and others - at an exciting and innovative time in the development of facelift techniques. We were taught how to avoid the stigmata of a bad facelift and to deliver a safe, reliable, natural, lasting result. The broad and extensive experience I received during my training has been fine-tuned during the 25 years I’ve been in practice in Monroe. You can’t reverse the effects of gravity with levity. It takes a real facelift done by an experienced, board certified plastic surgeon. So if you are interested in a real facelift – one that delivers a natural and lasting result – call Mickel Plastic Surgery at 388-2050 for a comprehensive evaluation. 168 NOVEMBER 2014 | WWW.B AY OU LI FE MAG . CO M

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superstar beauty Real or faux, this season fur is the superstar PHOTOGRAPHY BY MARTIN G MEYERS HAIR & MAKEUP BY MEKA BENNETT MODEL: KARLEE MALONE

THE PELICAN DISTRICT

Layer on the style this season with this cute ensemble from The Pelican District. This cute two-toned pants feature a textured panel and is paired with a fringed bootie and brown fur vest. Add a tassel necklace and boho bag with fringe.

BENT OAKS BOUTIQUE

Karlee looks gorgeous in these printed leggings from Bent Oaks Boutique. Add a ribbed fur and knit vest and a pop of color with this soft red long-sleeve shirt.

HERRINGSTONE’S

Looking for the wow factor? This vest with hood will add lots of depth to any outfit this fall. Add a textured top with bouclé knit skirt and fringed boots with studded accents for the perfect look.

MOJOâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S BOUTIQUE

This fall look trendy with this printed dress from Mojoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Boutique. Combine textures and layers to add interest to your fall wardrobe. This cozy sherpa vest is paired with a fabulous faux fur hat.

CARAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S BOUTIQUE

Make a bold statement with a bold printed dress this fall. This flirty little number has a bell sleeve with lace detailing peeping out. Add a cream-colored faux fur vest, statement necklace and the perfect bootie.

MAISON COUTURE CLOTHIERS Ultra-shaggy yarns lend movement and intriguing texture to an open-front knit vest. Add a ultra-soft long tee, classic black leggings and knee high boots.

SIMMON’S SPORTING GOODS

Karlee is cute and comfortable in this fleece jacket with quilted nylon collar stand and shoulders. Add a leather NorthFace Boot that’s lightweight and finished with a colorful wraparound laced ankle.

BEAU MONDE BOUTIQUE

Karlee looks stunning in this white shift dress from Beau Monde Boutique in Ruston. We love the delicate ruffled sleeves. Add a peep toe bootie and fun fur vest to complete the look.

Stauss Christopher Awards

JEAN AND SAUL MINTZ THEATRE LOBBY DEDICATION

he Strauss Theatre Center held a star-studded event on Saturday, September 16, 2014 to honor not only its amazing stars of the stage with Christopher Awards but to dedicate the lobby of the Theatre Center to Jean and the late Saul Mintz, whose leadership and dedication to the Strauss and countless other civic organizations shines like a Kleig light. A portrait of the couple will hang in the lobby that now bears their name. President of the Strauss Board of Directors Bobbette Prince presented the Lifetime Achievement Award to Jean Mintz by describing the blessings which the Strauss and Mintz families had bestowed on our community through their service to the Strauss Theatre Center. Jean, dressed in an impeccably tailored suit and her signature platinum bob, told the capacity crowd, “This place has meant so much to our entire family. Mother and Father wanted to create a place to see live community theatre...Saul used to say the theatre here was as good as any in New York City.” And she added that most of her “productions at the Strauss Theatre” were often held in the lobby, organizing and decorating for receptions. Strauss Executive Director Corey Trahan sang Billy Joel’s “She’s Got a Way” to express the gratitude everyone feels for Jean and the Mintz family and their contributions. Throughout the evening, the capacity crowd was treated to musical numbers by Corey Trahan, McKenna Rae Giovingo, Margaret Ann Zentner, Lisa Lee Phifer, Katie Anzalone, Brittany Paulk, Ben McQuillin, Allison Frilloux, and Brenda Rowan and the cast of 9 to 5. Holli Conway, dressed in a stunning blue sequined gown, presented awards to each of the award recipients.

The evening’s Christopher Award winners included: Best Supporting Actor in a Play: Jacob Branson Best Supporting Actress in a Play: Wendy Ryland Best Supporting Actor in a Musical: Troy Wold Best Supporting Actress in a Musical: Shonda Butts Strauss Appreciation Award: Donna Branson 2014 Volunteers of the Year Award: Joel Willer and Mike Gibbens Best Newcomer to the Strauss: Benjamin McQuillin Best Lead Actor in a Musical: Hunt Neely Best Lead Actress in a Musical: (tie) Brittany Paulk and Aslen Tucker Best Production: Fiddler on the Roof

The event was chaired by Evelyn Scott Johnson and catered by Thurman’s Food Factory with beverages provided by Glazer’s and Choice Brands. Dawne and Rep. Mike Walsworth helped sponsor the event. Clint Downing was responsible for the floral arrangements and décor that set the mood for the party.

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1) Jean Mintz and Bobbette Prince 2) Susie Husted and Melinda Mintz 3) Tommy Usrey and Corey Trahan 4) Pat Wolff, Barbara Cattar, Marilyn Stern, Janice Landry and LaVerne Bodron 5) Morris Mintz, Barbara and David Cattar 6) Sue and Tom Nicholson 7) Gene and Melanie King 8) Jay and Susan Marx

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ACTRESS

DODIE BROWN Q&A WITH RAYVILLE NATIVE AND ACTRESS DODIE BROWN by Jennifer Schmeer

were you born did you get started Q How Q Where and raised? in acting? Born and raised in Louisiana, which I will always consider my home. I was raised and graduated high school in Rayville. My husband, Alan and I met in 6th grade at Riverfield Academy, and in November we will celebrate 15 years of marriage.

What did you want to be as a young girl?

As a young girl, I didn’t have dreams of any particular occupation. I just wanted a family and to be a great mom.

words to describe Q Three yourself? God-seeking, ambitious and caring.

I grew up being a part of the Richland Players Theatre group in Rayville. We performed mostly musicals like Oklahoma!, Annie Get Your Gun, Oliver, and Lil Abner at the Richland Civic Center.

Your first principal role Q was in the film Stephen

King’s The Mist. What was this experience like?

It was very exciting because my oldest daughter, Taylor, and I were cast as mother and daughter. It was a very educational experience not only about acting, but also about filmmaking. We worked with the talented director Frank Darabont (who also directed Shawshank Redemption and

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created the hit television show The Walking Dead). It was definitely a once-in-a lifetime experience for us that we will always cherish.

is the latest tv show Q What you’ve worked on?

American Horror Story: Freak Show. It’s a FOX television show that has been nominated for 34 Emmy awards. Matter of fact, the night of the 2014 Emmys, I was on-set working on AHS. Jessica Lange and Kathy Bates accepted Emmy’s for their performances the very day I was working on the show.

Do you have any films coming out soon?

Yes, The Town That Dreaded Sundown is set to be released in the-

aters on October 16th. This film is produced by Ryan Murphy and Jason Blum and is a remake of the 1976 horror film based on true events that happened in the small town of Texarkana. Also, White Rabbit is an independent film making its southern U.S. premiere at the New Orleans International Film Festival on Saturday, October 18th. It will have a theatrical release this winter.

could choose, Q Ifwhichyoudirector, actor and actress would you like to work with?

I’m a huge fan of Tom Hanks and Meryl Streep, because the characters they create have so much depth, while being so real. They are not only extremely talented

actors, but some of the hardest working actors alive today. Also, to be directed by Steven Spielberg in one of his masterpieces would be validation like no other. The opportunity to work with any of these artists would be beyond my wildest dreams!

star in your Q Ifownyou could television show, what would it be like?

I would love to work on a comedy or a variety show similar to The Carol Burnett Show. How awesome would it be to go to work each day and perform skits and play pranks while making people laugh?!

you say living in Q Would the South creates an ob-

does your diet consist of?

I love tennis! I began playing tennis in high school and currently play on a women’s league in Shreveport. I am married to a very health conscious physician, so I try to behave when it comes to providing a proper balanced diet for my family. However, I will admit that I have massive chocolate cravings and desperately desire caffeine and pizza.

is something you Q What can cook really well and will you share the recipe?

Prime rib and seasoned pretzels. Everyone always request the recipe when I share seasoned pretzels, so here it is:

stacle when pursuing acting?

Obstacles can be found in anything and everywhere. As an actor, I have learned to appreciate obstacles and make the most of them (usually they make you a stronger person, too). I know God will present me with all the opportunities He wants me to have no matter where I lay my head at night.

advice would you Q What give southern hopefulsto-be in acting?

My best advice would be to know and fully understand that this is usually a long process. It's a development. Becoming an actor is like training for a sport. If someone wants to play soccer, for example, they would need to learn all the rules and understand all the ins and outs of the game. They would need to work constantly and train their body physically, also. Only if someone truly enjoys the game of soccer will they develop a passion for it, which will drive their success. Same goes for acting, and if you love it, don’t let anything or anyone stop you from doing it.

is your preference Q inWhatexercise and what

Seasoned Pretzels: 1lb. bag of Tiny Twist brand pretzels Marinade: 1 Cup canola oil; 2 tsp garlic powder; 2 tsp of lemon pepper; 2 tsp dill weed Whisk together ingredients for marinade and pour over pretzels separated out on two large ﬂat bottomed roasting pans. Stir well and marinade at least 30 minutes. Bake at 250 degrees for 15 minutes (stirring well). Pour out onto paper towels to drain. Cool and ENJOY!

can someone best Q How follow your career? Please follow me on twitter @DodieBrownLA or you can visit my website where you are free to email me words of encouragement: http://www.DodieBrown.net

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Calendar of Events For a full list of event happenings in Northeast Louisiana, see our website at www.bayoulifemag.com

November 1 Diwali Festival Time: 5:30 pm The Heritage of India Association is putting on a Diwali Festival on November 1 at the Monroe Civic Center - BD Robinson Conference Hall. This is an amazing opportunity for the whole family to enjoy exposure to a culture with a beautiful heritage. There will be traditional food, beautiful dancing (by trained dancers) and henna artists. Venue: Monroe Civic Center Admission Cost: $450 for a table, $50 a person; $15 per child ages 4-12 and children under 3 are free. Holiday Open House Time: 10:00 am - 5:00 pm Come celebrate the holidays with retailers along Forsythe Avenue: Haven, Legacy Silver and Gifts, Louisiana Purchases, Muﬃn Tin and Trenton House Admission Cost: Free

PowerHouse Tumble and Cheer presents: Workout for St. Jude Time: 12:00 pm PowerHouse Tumble and Cheer invites children, families, teams and businesses to raise money for St. Jude throughout this fun-filled day of events. The event features tumbling clinics by PowerHouse staff, classes and clinics from area children’s fitness centers like Zumba, Tae Kwon Do, Cross Fit classes, a bounce house from Giant Jumps Inflatables and special performances by area cheerleading squads and spirit groups. Venue: Monroe Civic Center Address: 401 Lea Joyner Memorial Expressway, Monroe, LA, 71201 Admission Cost: free Phone: (318) 387-2626 Poverty Point State Historic Site: Nature Base Night HIke Time: Dusk Come for a guided tour along the paths of Poverty Point at dusk to observe nature. Guest will also discuss noises and animals viewed during the tour. The hike will include spider snig182 NOVEMBER 2014 | WWW.B AY OU LI FE MAG . CO M

ging and hot chocolate and storytelling around a campﬁre. Venue: Poverty Point Historic Site Address: 6859 Highway 577 Admission Cost: Admission: $4 Phone:888-926-5492 www.crt.state.la.us/parks/ipvertypt.a spx

RiverMarket Days: Dance Fest Time: 10:00 am-4:00 pm The RiverMarket is bringing in the new season right, with our Fall Fling spectacular in October. The fabulous dancers from Debbie’s School of Dance will be performing throughout the day. A gymnastics group is also coming to show the market what they’re all about. If you missed the ﬁrst, there will be another pumpkin decorating contest at the market sponsored by Lagniappe Broadcasting. PAWS of NELA is bringing furry friends that are up for adoption to visit us also. Venue: RiverMarket Address: 316 South Grand, Monroe Admission Cost: Free Phone: 318-807-9985 Web: downtownrivermarket.com A Taste of the Twin Cities Time: 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm In its 19th year, Taste of the Twin Cities is still going strong! On November 2nd, 2013 the Pilot Club of the Twin Cities will host its 19th annual Taste of the Twin Cities. The event will showcase local restaurants featuring samples of delicious food and retail exhibitors oﬀering opportunities to shop from an array of specialties! Venue: WM Convention Center Address: 901 Ridge Avenue Admission Cost: In Advance: $10, At the door: $12 Phone: 318-396-5000 Web: www.tasteofthetwincities.org November 2nd Poverty Point State Historic Site: Tool Demonstration Time: 1:00pm-4:00pm Come and watch the rangers demonstrate the tools used by early CONTINUED ON PAGE 184

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Calendar of Events inhabitants to build, hunt with and create other articles used in their culture. Venue: Poverty Point Historic Site Address: 6859 Highway 577 Admission Cost: Admission: $4 Phone: 888-926-5492 www.crt.state.la.us/parks/ipvertypt.a spx Antique Alley Fall Open House Time: 1:00pm to 5:00pm Kick off your holiday shopping by joining us for our Annual Fall Open House. Enjoy refreshments while you shop. Venue: Antique Alley Address: 100-400 blocks of Trenton Street, West Monroe, LA, 71292 Admission Cost: Free Web: www.antiquealleyshops.org November 5th -11th Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall Time: Wall opening Ceremony: 4:30pm; open for viewing 24 hours a day View this powerful symbol of American sacrifice at the Chennault Aviation & Military Museum. The Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall stands at 3/5 of the size of the Wall in Washington, DC and is almost 300 ft. from end to end. Venue: Chennault Aviation and Military Museum Address: 701 Kansas Lane, Monroe Admission Cost: Free Phone: (318) 362-5540 Web: chennaultmuseum.org November 8th RiverMarket Days: Freedom Fest Time: 10:00 am-4:00 pm November 8th is a day dedicated to our veterans. The RiverMarket will show its patriotism by displaying many different flags. The first annual Little Miss/Mister Freedom Fest pageant will take place at 11am. Many different talented singers, including Miss Spirit of the Ouachita, will join us to sing patriotic songs and plans are to have children’s groups performing all day long. Venue: RiverMarket

Admission Cost: Free Phone: 318-807-9985 Web: downtownrivermarket.com Poverty Point State Historic Site: Interpretive Hike Time: 11:00am Visitors are invited to accompany a ranger on a 2.6 mile hike around the pre-historic site. The ranger will discuss how the earth works as well as other interesting things that might be seen along the way. Venue: Poverty Point Historic Site November 11th - January 1st Freedom Trees Time: 5:00pm Start oﬀ the season with the tree lighting ceremony of the Chennault Aviation & Military Museum Freedom Trees honoring veterans with a patch, ribbon, medal or photo from their military service. On November 11, the trees will be turned on at a Special Ceremony at 5 pm. Venue: Chennault Aviation & Military Museum Address: 701 Kansas Lane, Monroe Admission Cost: Free Phone: 318-362-5540 Web: www.chennaultmuseum.org November 13th 3rd Annual pARTy 318! Time: 5:30pm It's time for the third pARTy 318! The Masur Museum of Art is continuing our new series of FREE special events for young professionals and museum members. This fun party will feature food trucks, free drinks, home brew and more. Please join us and come see what the Masur has to oﬀer. The pARTy is free, so please bring cash for the food trucks. Venue: Masur Museum of Arts Address: 1400 South Grand, Monroe Admission Cost: Free Phone:318-329-2237 Web: www.masurmuseum.org Art Battle at the Masur Museum of Art Time: Battle from 5:30pm-6:30pm;

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Voting 5:30pm-7:00pm Five teams of artists will compete to create an original work of art in one hour in front of a live audience! The public will choose the winning team by depositing tips into their favorite team’s tip jar. This fun and friendly competition will provide a great opportunity to see art being made live! Competing teams will include art students from Grambling University, the University of Louisiana at Monroe and Louisiana Tech, as well as artists from the Downtown Arts Alliance and a Masur Museum team led by local artist Vitus Shell. Venue: Masur Museum of Arts Address: 1400 South Grand, Monroe Admission Cost: Free Phone:318-329-2237 Web: www.masurmuseum.org Louisiana Delta Waterfowl Time: Doors open at 5:30pm; Dinner 7:00pm Northeast Louisiana Chapter of Delta Waterfowl Annual Event. Venue: Monroe Civic Center Address: 401 Lea Joyner Memorial Expressway, Monroe Admission Cost: Youth Ticket - $25; Single Ticket- $50; Couples Ticket$75; Corporate Sponsor Table of 8$500; VIP Sponsor Table of 8 - $1,000 Phone: 318-329-2225 Web: www.ci.monroe.la.us/monroecivic-center.php November 14th & 15th Annual Mistletoe and More Show Time: 9:00am-2:00pm Enjoy a free glass of wine while you shop over 76 booths ﬁlled with gifts for everyone's taste, style, and budget. Tasty foods for your holiday parties, jewelry, small home based businesses, hair bows, holiday décor, bath and body, candles, home décor, and so much more! Venue: WM Convention Center Address: 901 Ridge Avenue Admission Cost: Admission: $4 Phone: 318-396-5000 November 15th RiverMarket Days: Gumbo Fest

Time: 10:00 am-4:00 pm Cajun Country, get your taste buds ready…. November 15th is GumboFest at the RiverMarket. The Pilot Club will host a gumbo cook off, with the winners announced in the closing announcements. Venue: RiverMarket Address: 316 South Grand, Monroe Admission Cost: Free Phone: 318-807-9985 Web: downtownrivermarket.com November 16th Holidays Southern Style: Traditions with a little sass and a whole lot of class Time: Tea Time 3:00pm; Worship Center 4:00pm Popular Christian bloggers Melanie Shankle a.k.a "Big Mama" and Sophie Hudson a.k.a "BooMama" will be featuring at First West for Holidays Southern Style: Traditions with a little sass and a whole lot of class. Tea Time in Tennison is at 3:00pm, leading into their speaking in the Worship Center at 4:00pm. Venue: First West Baptist Church Address: 500 Pine St, West Monroe, Admission Cost: $16 Phone: 318-322-5104 Web: www.firstwest.cc November 21st Art With a Downtown View Time: 6:00pm to 9:00pm Celebrating its 13th anniversary, Art with a Downtown View will showcase both local artists with art for viewing and purchase, live auction, cocktails, food and music. Proceeds benefit the Monroe Symphony Orchestra. Venue: The Vantage Building Address: 130 DeSiard Street, Monroe Admission Cost: $50 per ticket Phone: 318-812-6761 monroesymphonyorchestra.com November 22nd RiverMarket Days: Praise & Gospel Time: 10:00 am-4:00 pm The RiverMarket will kick off the weekend of Saturday, November 22nd with its “Praise & Gospel” festi-

val, an alcohol-free day dedicated to the faith community. There will be various praise and gospel groups and individuals, as well as dance groups and choirs back to back all day. Venue: RiverMarket Address: 316 South Grand, Monroe Admission Cost: Free Phone: 318-807-9985 Web: downtownrivermarket.com Little Miss Christmas On The River Pageant Time: 12:00pm Enter your little princess or cheer on your favorite contestant at our Little Miss Christmas on the River Pageant. Venue: Pecanland Mall Address: 4700 Millhaven Road, Suite 2000, Monroe LA, 71203 Admission Cost: Free Phone: 800-843-1872 Web: www.pecanlandmall.com City of Monroe’s Annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony Time: 6:00pm The public is invited to join Mayor Jamie Mayo and the Monroe City Council, Miss Monroe, the J.S. Clark Elementary School choir and others for a fun time of seasonal songs, hot chocolate and cookies, and a special visit by Santa Claus (trading in his sleigh for an exciting ride on top of a Monroe Fire engine). Venue: Monroe Civic Center Address: 401 Lee Joyner Expressway Admission Cost: Free Phone: 318-329-2225 www.ci.monroe.la.us/monroe-civiccenter.php North LA Motorcyclist for Kids 35th Annual Toy Run Time: Registration from 10:00am12:30pm; Motorcycles leave at 1:00pm Rain, sun or snow, this event must go! Come ride with us for the North LA Motorcyclist for Kids 35th Annual Toy Run. Gathering at Lampkin Convenience Store 4 miles north on 165 North, Monroe, LA. Must bring 1 NEW toy and 4 can goods or minimum $10.00 CASH to Ride. There will be many prizes and free chili at the Big Top Restaurant. Venue: Big Top Restaurant & Lounge Address: 2055 Old Natchitoches Rd West Monroe, LA, 71292 Admission Cost: $10 Phone: 318-325-9578

November 22nd-December 31st Dancing Lights Monroe-West Monroe is shining with festive light displays painting each city bright! Drive the trail of light shows that tell jokes, dance and more. See the map for locations. Venue: Downtown Monroe and West Monroe Address: DeSiard and Trenton Streets Monroe and West Monroe LA, 71201 Admission: Free Email: www.christmasontheriver.org Phone: 800-843-1872 November 29th: RiverMarket Days: Shop ‘Til You Drop Time: 10:00 am-4:00 pm Shop local and unique at our “Shop ‘Til You Drop” day. Wear your comfy shoes and come join us. When you start to feel tired out, visit one of the delicious food and drink vendors to get pep back in your step, then keep on shopping. Admission Cost: Free Phone: 318-807-9985 Web: downtownrivermarket.com Holiday Outdoor Movie Time: 5:30pm Enjoy a family friendly holiday movie under the Christmas lights in Downtown West Monroe's Antique Alley. Venue: Antique Alley Admission Cost: Free Phone: 800-843-1872 Web: www.antiquealleyshops.org November 30th: Kansas City Southern Holiday Express Time: 4:00pm The KCS Holiday Express will make a stop in Downtown Monroe. Don’t miss this festive six car train featuring the smiling tank car “Rudy”; a ﬂatcar carrying Santa’s sleigh, reindeer, and a miniature village; a ginger bread boxcar; an elves’ workshop; the reindeer stable; and a little red caboose. Guests are invited to tour the train and visit with Santa! Address: 100 DeSiard Street Monroe LA, 71201 Admission Cost: Free Phone: 318-807-9985 Web: www.downtownmonroe.org

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