September 2014 by BayouLife Magazine

BL contents 154

SEPTEMBER 2014

Shop Like a Pro

26 / ASK ERIN

Carolina on My Mind... And on the Water

28 / FISHING WITH KENNY

Pickled, Jammed & Preserved

32 / P. ALLEN SMITH

Seven Sister Style: The All-American Preppy Look

36 / BAYOU PAGES

Get in Gear

56 / BAYOU OUTDOORS

128

Bringing MoJoy to MoPeople

58 / MELANIE MASSEY GROVES

Substance Over Style with Janet Haedicke

66 / BAYOU ICON

A Profile of Karan & Rick Kirkham of Bullet Designs

90 / BITE THE BULLET

Moving the Farm Closer to the Table

92 / CLOSING THE GAP

Kelly Moore Bags Opens in Ruston

116 / STYLE IN THE BAG

Style Through the Decades

120 / COVER STORY

4 SEPTEMBER 2014 | WW W. BAY O ULI FEM AG .C OM

Local Coffeehouse, Parish Press, Opens in Ruston

128 / BAYOU EATS

LA Tech’s First Family, Kathy and Les Guice

140 / BAYOU HOME

BayouLife

OU MAY NOT BE ABLE TO

tell by my everyday wardrobe, but I am a style fanatic. Just because I wear yoga pants and am generally covered in spit up and coffee stains, doesn’t mean that I don’t enjoy reading VOGUE, Harper’s Bazaar and Town & Country to see what the latest trends in fashion are – it just means I’m the mom of a two-year-old, six-month-old and run a business (at least that’s my excuse). This month is our Style Issue, and the ladies on the cover of our magazine are some of the most beautiful and fashionable ladies we know. I want to thank Simran Emaus, Susan Saad, Holly Boyd, Dee Ledbetter, Amy Norris, Lillian McCullin and Sally Hines for being a part of our September issue. I may be a little biased about our 70decade representative, because she is my aunt and I’ve always thought she was beautiful. Love you, Aunt LeeLee! Also, a big thank you to my cousin, Rhonda McCartt, the national sales manager for Laundry by Shelli Segal, for sending the gorgeous gowns for this photo shoot. While I miss Joli Livaudais terribly, I am blessed to have worked with two of our regions’ most talented photographers, Martin G. Meyers and Brad Arender. Martin photographed our seven stunning women on the cover of the magazine, as well as Rheagan in our High Rise Romance photo shoot on page 94. We had a great time playing at Melody Olson’s penthouse in downtown Monroe and got a breathtaking photo shoot accomplished, too.

2107 Honor Street, Suite E Monroe, LA 71201 Phone: 318.855.3185 Fax: 318.855.4645

WW W. B AYO UL I F EM A G . C O M Our second fashion shoot was captured by the über talented, Brad Arender, at The Big Room Gallery in downtown Monroe. Our model, Emily Prestridge, looks fabulous in looks from area boutiques – thanks in part to the our master of makeup, Meka Bennett. See page 164. A couple of weeks ago, I saw a post on Caleb Seney’s Facebook page about a new coffeehouse that opened in Ruston. It looks stylish and cute, so I sent Martin and Michael to meet the owners, Katie and Bradley Walker and find out what was going on. They came back raving about their delicious cold-brewed coffee and scrumptious beignets. See page 128. If you ask me to name a person in North Louisiana who exemplifies style and grace, Janet Haedicke comes to mind...not to mention she’s incredibly smart, too. This is why she is this month’s BayouIcon. See Michael DeVault’s article on page 80. I could actually right a novel about the articles featured in this month’s magazine. It’s packed full of articles about local designers and fashion. We hope you enjoy reading this month’s issue of BayouLife.

Bayou Icon, page 80

~ Cassie Livingston

PUBLISHER Cassie Livingston cassie@bayoulifemag.com EDITOR Maré Brennan mare@bayoulifemag.com STAFF WRITER Michael DeVault michael@bayoulifemag.com ART DIRECTOR Melanie Moffett melanie@bayoulifemag.com ADVERTISING MANAGER Toni Navarro toni@bayoulifemag.com ADVERTISING SALES EXECUTIVE Scarlett Holland scarlett@bayoulifemag.com ADVERTISING SALES EXECUTIVE Tess Wilks tess@bayoulifemag.com OFFICE MANAGER Rheagan Sutton rheagan@bayoulifemag.com CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Tamour Allen Carol-Anne Barnes Dan Chason Kenny Covington Dr. David Finley Cindy Gist Foust Jordan Haddad Ronda Herlevic Linda Holyfield Kenan Irving Ariel King Trent Livingston Erin Love Casey Matthews Dr. Timothy Mickel Dr. Lauren Mickey Mary Napoli Rickey Robertson Melissa Sanderlin Jack Shepherd Delia Simpson P. Allen Smith Beatrice A Tatem Marlen Waters CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Brad Arender Martin G Meyers ON THE COVER Style Through the Decades, page 120 Cover Photography by Martin G. Meyers

6 SEPTEMBER 2014 | WW W. BAY O ULI FEM AG .C OM

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 | SEPTEMBER 2014

The Changing of the Beers Exciting New Flavors for Fall Seasonals

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

HILE WE MAY NOT HAVE A CEREMONIOUS changing of leaves for fall here in the South, we can always look forward to the changing of the beers! Here’s a look at some of the fun new brews we have to look forward to in the fall months.

Blue Moon Fall Variety Pack If you’re bringing beer to a gathering and want an interesting selection, there is nothing better than a variety pack. Blue Moon’s fall offering has some truly unique twists. A twelve pack containing six different brews, there is truly something for everyone. Of course, there are the traditional Belgian White, Rounder (a Belgian Pale Ale), and Farmhouse Red Ale. Harvest Pumpkin Ale, their fall seasonal, is a medium bodied ale that starts out with assertive malty notes balanced by the right amount of spices. The two real standouts are Caramel Apple Spiced Ale and cinnamon Horchata. Both available only in the variety pack, they are sure to intrigue your taste buds. The former is a blend of spice and caramel malts, highlighting a crisp apple taste. The latter is an ale brewed with long-grain natural rice and a touch of cinnamon for a creamy texture and a sweet finish. It is based on the traditional Latin American drink of the same name.

Leinenkugel’s Oktoberfest Oktoberfest is a hugely popular style, and Leinenkugel’s is a fine example of it. It’s a full bodied, traditionally brewed Marzen with a blend of pale malts, Caramel and Munich, as well as four hops including Hallertau and Tettnang. It is a perfect complement to German favorites like brats, sauerbraten, knackwurst and spaetzles.

Samuel Adams Harvest Pumpkin In addition to its own Octoberfest, Sam Adams also offers a delicious Harvest Pumpkin Ale. Fall spices provide a warmth that’s 8 SEPTEMBER 2014 | WW W. BAY O ULI FEM AG .C OM

deepened by an undercurrent of roasty, smoked malts. Seventeen pounds of real pumpkin adds a full body and sweetness to this dark reddish amber brew. It can be paired with anything from Pork Chops to dessert.

Magic Hat Wilhelm Scream The newest fall seasonal from Magic Hat Brewing Company out of Burlington, Vermont is sure to turn some heads. The packaging is vibrantly colorful and contains the face of a screaming pumpkin. Wilhelm Scream is ripe with flavors of pumpkin, cinnamon, nutmeg and caramel malts. Medium in body, the liquid is the color of a setting orange sun. It finishes with just a hint of bitterness. And, as always, don’t forget to look under the cap for a little of that famous bottlecap wisdom.

Abita Legendary Gator The latest in Abita’s extremely popular select series is Legendary Gator, a Helles Triple Bock. It is a strong lager that is brewed with pale malt and hopped with a combination of European and American hops. This beer ages for up to 6 months and during this time the flavors and aroma from the malt blend with those of the hops to create a well balanced lager. It packs a punch at 10.25% ABV, so this is definitely one to sip and savor. It will be available only on draft for a short time, so keep your eyes peeled!

Angry Orchard Cinnful Apple Cider (100% Gluten Free) A seasonal cider? That’s right! Our friends at Angry Orchard have brewed up a warming fall treat. Cinnful Apple cider is crisp and refreshing with a spicy twist. The sweet, slightly tart apple flavor is balanced with cinnamon spice, adding hints of cocoa and a slight heat.

For even more fun facts, like us on Facebook at facebook.com/choicebrands and follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/choicebrandsinc.

WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | SEPTEMBER 2014

Age-Related Macular Degeneration Haik Humble Eye Center

What is AMD? Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a degenerative eye condition that causes progressive loss of central vision and is the most common cause of vision loss among people age 50 and older. It gradually destroys the macula, the part of the eye that provides sharp, central vision needed for seeing objects clearly. The impact of developing AMD can be devastating to those who were independent and active prior to the onset of AMD.

Who is at risk? AMD usually occurs in people who are age 50 and older. Other risk factors include: • Smoking. Research shows that smoking doubles the risk of AMD. • Race. AMD is more common among Caucasians than among African-Americans or Hispanics/Latinos. • Family history. People with a family history of AMD are at higher risk.

What are the symptoms? People with AMD may first notice a blurring of central vision, especially during tasks such as reading or sewing. Straight lines may appear distorted or warped. AMD gets in the way of reading, driving, identifying faces, watching television, doing fine detailed work, safely navigating stairs and performing other daily tasks. It can make it more difficult to see contrast and can change the way color is seen.

As AMD progresses, blind spots may form within the central visual field. Periph-

10 SEPTEMBER 2014 | W WW. BAYO UL IFEM AG. C OM

eral vision may not be affected, and it is possible to see “out of the corner of your eye.” The extent of central vision loss varies depending on the type of AMD.

What are the forms of AMD that can cause vision loss? There are two forms of AMD: dry and wet. Either form can advance and cause severe vision loss. • Dry AMD is more common and happens when the light-sensitive cells in the macula slowly break down. As dry AMD progresses, you may see a blurred spot in the center of your vision. Objects may not appear to be as bright as they used to be. You may need more light for reading and doing other tasks. Both eyes can have dry AMD or one eye can be affected first. Dry AMD can turn into wet AMD at any time. • Wet AMD is the more advanced and severe form of AMD. It happens when abnormal blood vessels behind the retina start to grow under the macula. These new blood vessels can be fragile and leak blood and fluid. Although loss of central vision can happen quickly, eye doctors can slow down or stop the progression of wet AMD, if it is detected before severe vision loss occurs. What treatments are available for AMD? There are no medical treatments for dry AMD at this time. Eating healthy, exercising consistently and visiting your eye doctor yearly are the best ways to battle any eye condition, including AMD. Because AMD doesn’t damage

peripheral vision, those who have it are usually able to continue their normal activities with the help of low-vision optical devices or other vision aids. There are several treatment options and more are being developed for wet AMD: injections, photodynamic therapy and laser surgery. These therapies are aimed at sealing off the leaking blood vessels and/or preventing the blood vessels from growing back. Repeated treatments are necessary, as often as once a month, but doctors are now finding that treatments can be spaced further apart and still be effective. Each eye is different, so your doctor will watch carefully how you respond and will recommend what works best for you. With early diagnosis and proper treatment, you can delay the progression of wet AMD. The earlier it is detected, the better your chances of keeping your vision. Wet AMD typically results in severe vision loss. However, eye doctors can try different therapies to stop further vision loss. How is AMD detected? Those with AMD usually don’t notice it until damage has already occurred, but an eye doctor can detect early signs of AMD in an eye exam. With the eyes dilated, the doctor is able to check the retina for drusen (yellow protein deposits) or unusual growth of blood vessels. Be sure to make your yearly eye exam appointment, so your doctor can check for signs of conditions like AMD and help to prevent damage to your eyes.

WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | SEPTEMBER 2014

Did You Know?

Audibel The Hearing Center Supports the Starkey Hearing Foundation

UR INVOLVEMENT TO SHARE the gift of better hearing extends far beyond our office walls, as we continually reach out to those in need of hearing care in the community, across the country and around the world. Our community efforts and support of the Starkey Hearing Foundation ensures that thousands of less privileged individuals get the hearing care that they may need. We feel that hearing is an important gift which allows us to all connect to each other and the sounds we cherish. As a partner with Audibel and Starkey Hearing Technologies, we are proud supporters of the Starkey Hearing Foundation. Over the last decade, the Starkey Hearing Foundation has given out hundreds of thousands of hearing aids around the world and continues to embark on international mission work. The Foundation also supports the need domestically through their HearNow program with numerous U.S. missions each year as well. To find out more visit www.starkeyhearingfoundation.org. DID YOU KNOW? • 1 in 4 workers exposed to high levels of noise will develop a hearing loss

12 SEPTEMBER 2014 | W WW. BAYO UL IFEM AG. C OM

• Only 13 percent of general practitioners screen for hearing loss. • 3 in every 10 people over age 60 have a hearing loss. • 1 in every 6 baby boomers (ages 41-59) has a hearing loss. • 1 in every 14 Generation X-ers (29-40) already has a hearing loss. • Only 1 out of 5 people who could benefit from a hearing aid actually wear one. • 9 out of 10 hearing aid users report improvements in their quality of life.

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

MAKING A DIFFERENCE Our mission is to bring understanding among people through hearing care by focusing

on awareness, education, protection and treatment, So the World May Hear!

At Audibel The Hearing Center, we care about your well-being and the lives of the less fortunate around the world. As a proud supporter of The Starkey Hearing Foundation’s “So The World May Hear” program, we are changing lives through the gift of hearing. Your support through the purchase of Audibel Instruments and your donation and trade in of any model hearing aids goes to the foundation’s programs to provide hearing instruments to children in the most remote and poverty stricken regions of the world.

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

WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | SEPTEMBER 2014

Parenting Tips

Curb Misbehavior And Encourage Positive Behavior

BY MELISSA SANDERLIN, LPC NCC

OW MANY OF US WONDER IF we are doing a good job at raising our children? I question myself daily as to whether I am doing the right thing with my children. Am I teaching manners, modeling kindness, inspiring confidence, encouraging positive aspirations? And, of course, I have the question, “Are they happy?” None of us are the perfect parent, but I believe simply caring enough to ask these questions, makes for better parenting. All children go through different stages and phases in life. Some phases are more challenging to parents than others and can really make us question if we are doing what needs to be done. To help curb misbehavior and encourage positive behavior, it helps to first understand motivations behind a child’s behavior. According to the experts behind the STEP program (Systematic Training for Effective Parenting), there are generally 4 reasons a child misbehaves: • Attention • Power • Revenge • Feelings of inadequacy

These are easily identified by our own reactions to the behavior. We typically feel annoyed and irritated when a child is seeking attention; angry or disrespected when the child is fighting for power; hurt when the child is wanting revenge; hopeless when he/she is showing feelings or behaviors of in-

14 SEPTEMBER 2014 | W WW. BAYO UL IFEM AG. C OM

adequacy. Parents ask me all the time how they can get their children to behave appropriately. Here are a few tips I share with them - and use with my own child: • Focus on positive behavior rather than negative. Try to praise them 5 times for every criticism. This may seem difficult since we believe they should behave as expected, but remember that children have a lot more outside influences than previous generations. • Give children of all ages choices whenever possible. This gives them a sense of power and control in their lives while staying inside your guidelines. • Show interest in your child’s life. No you don’t really care about Pretty Little Liars or One Direction, but you do care about your child’s self esteem. Showing interest in the small stuff will increase the likelihood they will talk to you about the important stuff. • In addition to the previous tip, spend quality alone time with each of your children. A couple of hours a week of time spent on activities alone will strengthen your bond and improve their self worth. • Model positive behavior rather than parenting by the adage “Do as I say, not as I do.” This is rarely effective in curbing negative behavior. And remember you want ALL people in their lives to be positive influences – this includes you. • Make your expectations clear. Don’t assume they know what you want from

•

them. And be consistent with those expectations and consequences. Rather than having punishments for negative behaviors, try offering privileges based on positive behavior. Having written behavior and/or chore charts make this much easier and more motivating. Do not take it personally when your child lashes out at you. He or she does not actually hate you, but does want you to recognize he/she is unhappy. No matter how they behave, they really always want to please you and make you proud. Make sure that you and your partner are on the same page regarding rules. Try not to play good cop/bad cop and allow your children to play sides. Even if you two are not in agreement about specific things, the child needs to think you are a team. And finally, remember YOU ARE THE ADULT! Children of all ages need and crave structure and rules, despite what they may say. I’m sure now you appreciate the rules your parents had, rather than what they let you get away with.

I hope you will find these tips useful in your quest for parental success. If you would like more information about these ideas or if you are struggling with your child’s behavior, we are happy to help at Sanderlin Counseling Services. For more information or to make an appointment call 318.323.7575.

Revolution Park Racing NASCAR in Your Home Town

BY DR. LAUREN J. MICKEY

ASCAR’S DESIGNATION OF REVOLUTION PARK as a home track brings national attention to our track and to our home town. The home track program sponsorships awards Revolution Park with special advantages other tracks do not enjoy. In return, the track must comply with standards NASCAR sets and enforces to maintain their approval. At least once per season NASCAR officials visit our track to provide valuable advice as well as to administer on-site inspection of track compliance with the home track program requirements. Our affiliation with NASCAR ensures that Rev Park competes with the best of the best across the country. Drivers joining the NASCAR-sanctioned divisions compete for points that translate into cash and other prizes at season’s end. Because Revolution Park enjoys the additional distinction of being Louisiana’s only NASCAR home track, our track champ will also be the Louisiana State Champ. This title means additional recognition at the year-end home track awards program held each December in Charlotte, North Carolina, at the NASCAR Hall of Fame. Every NASCAR cup team champion started his or her career at a small home track. Most began in early childhood well before they were eligible to drive a streetcar. Skills and etiquette learned that young translate into talent at early adult years that latecomers to the sport have a hard time equaling. Self-discipline, hard work, athleticism and courage come with the territory. Winners must also possess passionate comprehension of the fine details of the set up and maintenance of a racecar. Visit the pit on any race day at Rev Park to see this in action. Each driver arrives as early as possible to take full advantage of practice time. The practice laps enable teams to make adjustments to their cars to ensure optimal performance at the feature race. Although there is a spirit of camaraderie and fellowship present in the pits before the race, once the green flag falls, the competition is on. Fans who arrive early on race nights at Revolution Park can watch practice. At our track, there is usually a live 16 SEPTEMBER 2014 | W WW. BAYO UL IFEM AG. C OM

band performing on the Speed Stage during practice. Concessions are also available during this time. Local NASCAR cup fans appreciate the young blood seen at the cup level this year with drivers like Hase Elliott and Kyle Larson. These young men sprang from the home tracks program. However, for our drivers to rise through the ranks they need support and sponsorships from their home track fans. We encourage your to come meet our drivers. The talent is here. The show is on. Don’t miss it. Our Kody Brusso, our Brandon Kent, our Catfish O’Neal and our Ethan McMillon put on a display of young talent every race. Our Freeland family just might produce the next Earnhardt style talent. Come see for yourself.

VIP TREATMENT AND MORE At Revolution Park, VIP Ticket Holders enjoy the Turn 1 Patio Suites as a luxurious way to enjoy their evening. The comfortable, quiet, air conditioned suites complete with televisions, ample seating and a deck overlooking Turn 1 are the perfect way to spend your night out. A wait staff is there to serve you and to ensure you are able to enjoy your racing experience in comfort and luxury. During concerts, your favorite artists are taking the Speed Stage while we provide the atmosphere and the service. Revolution Park is a great affordable entertainment venue for the whole family with something for everyone. Adult Tickets are $10, Children and Military/Law Enforcement Tickets are $8, and VIP Tickets are $25. Season Passes are also available. Become a member of our REV Club for the VIP treatment and many other perks. UPCOMING RACES • September 6 – Season Race #6 (Saturday Night Race) • September 19-21 – Night Races • Last Chance for Points Weekend and Checkered Flag Party (Season Race #7)

WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | SEPTEMBER 2014

Boo at the Barn

Jesus The Good Shepherd School is Fear-ing Up For Its Sixth Annual Fundraiser

ESUS THE GOOD SHEPHERD SCHOOL

is fear-ing up for its sixth annual fundraiser to build a better school: Boo at the Barn! Ralph and Jan Brockman, Alan and Caroline Brockman, and Wes and Claire Brockman have once again graciously agreed to host the party at their beautiful property on the banks of the Ouachita River on Saturday, November 1st from eight o’clock in the evening until midnight. And just like last year, there will be plenty of parking at the Monroe Athletic Club (MAC) with more than one shuttle bus running to and from the party all night long! Misti Hajj and Kelly Brister Southern have once again kindly volunteered to chair this amazing event for our school, and they have plans for an incredible night of fun and fundraising all in the name of JGS! Partygoers will enjoy the rocking sounds of the very popular and always fun Dr. Zarr’s Amazing Funkmonster. This is one of the most popular bands in the South and they are sure to keep the party going all night long! The music won’t be the only thing to look forward to at this year’s Jesus the Good Shepherd Boo at the Barn. Choice Brands, Daq’s and Marsala Beverage have kindly agreed to provide a refreshing assortment of beverages for the event, while Cormier’s will be serving some delicious food that night. Our amazing auction committee is

18 SEPTEMBER 2014 | W WW. BAYO UL IFEM AG. C OM

working hard to make sure all of our packages exceed everyone’s expectations! We continue to receive fantastic auction items, and we would like to thank all of the wonderful friends and families of JGS who are donating their services and products to contribute to the auction. Our students, along with our project coordinator Sherri Mowad, are donating their time and talents as well to make some artistic treasures for the auctions. Through the generosity of our donors, our students, and our volunteers, the Boo at the Barn auctions are promising to be some of the biggest and best of the year! A big thank you to The Costume Shop on Trenton Street in West Monroe! When deciding on your costume for the event, keep in mind that they will offer a 10% discount on any rental when you present your Boo at the Barn ticket, so be sure to get your ticket early. This year, there will be a costume contest and prizes will be given for the best costumes in several different categories including Best Couple, Best Individual, Best Group, Best Teacher and Best Overall so come scary, come flirty, come silly or just be creative! Sponsorships are still available with top sponsors receiving premium seating and party favors at reserved tables during the event. Sponsorship donation levels range from $250 to $2000 and more information

can be found on the school website: www.jesusgoodshepherd.org. We are receiving new sponsors every day and would like to thank the following friends who have already sent in their sponsorships: GHOULS & GOBLINS: Maria & Kevin Alexander; Jim Taylor Chevrolet; Sparks Nissan Kia; Dr. Terry Tugwell BLACK CAT: Acme Glass & Mirror Co., Inc.; Community Trust Bank; Estis Compression; Richland State Bank; Skent-NDent; Sleepy Hollow Furniture; Beth & Jerry Sparks; Sunquest Properties, Inc.; Brenda & Charles Taylor TRICK OR TREATERS: Abell, LLC; Agnew Sign & Awning, Inc.; Martha & Frederic Amman; Century Marketing Solutions; Lane Eddleman, DDS; Kristy & Jeff Golson; Lazenby & Associates, Inc.; Rosa Lee & Richard King; Mary Taylor & Jim Lewis; Martha Powell – Personal Trainer; Progressive Bank; Snellings, Breard, Sartor, Inabnett & Trascher, LLP; State Representative Jay Morris; Dr. & Mrs. John Spence Admission tickets are $50.00 per person and will be available through the JGS school office in September. Guests must be 21 to purchase tickets and/or attend Boo at the Barn. Start planning your costume and join us in support of Jesus the Good Shepherd School on Saturday, November 1st for a spooktacular night at Boo at the Barn!

WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | SEPTEMBER 2014

Naturally Beautiful Results Based on the Healing and Restorative Capabilities of Your Own Body

BY JACK SHEPHERD

INCE THE AGE OF THE RENNAISANCE, PHYSICIANS, scientists, poets and artists have been obsessed with beauty. Beauty was, is, and will likely always be a cultural obsession. Who wouldn’t want to look eternally young with healthy, glowing skin? That explains society’s fascination today with vampires with offering promise of “eternal youth.” Recently, one company discovered a secret to creating, restoring and preserving facial beauty – one that is surprisingly related to the vampire legends of old. It’s a beauty secret that each of us carries within our own bodies, but it took the research of a team of talented physicians and scientists to discover how to unleash it. What’s the secret? Believe it or not, it’s found in your own blood, and they call it the Vampire FaceLift®. “We brought the Vampire FaceLift to Monroe, because it’s really the bleeding edge of the science of beauty, no pun intended,” stated Judy Wagoner, CEO/owner of Professional Laser Center. “It’s the procedure of choice for the Hollywood elite,” Wagoner continued, noting that “Kim Kardashian recently devoted an episode of her reality TV program to her procedure.” Angelina Jolie, Demi Moore and Bar Rafaeli have all admitted to have undergone the procedure. She added, “Even the star of the Twilight vampire films, Robert Pattinson, has used the Vampire FaceLift to keep his skin looking taut, youthful and healthy.“ So what is the Vampire FaceLift? It is a non-surgical, in-office procedure, performed by Dr. Victor Zuckerman, Medical Director at Professional Laser Center. “We draw blood from your arm, and spin it in a centrifuge,” explained Dr. Zuckerman. “I then extract the result, Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP), and inject it into specific areas of your face, along with a filler, to give your face a fuller, softer look. PRP and other growth factors in the blood then trigger new collagen production over the next few weeks.” Wagoner, who is also a well-known news and media personality offered, “The result is smoother, more youthful skin, as the

20 SEPTEMBER 2014 | W WW. BAYO UL IFEM AG. C OM

process restores shape, color, texture and volume, with results lasting around two years.” Wagoner is looking forward to having the procedure herself. So how is this different from a traditional, non-surgical face lift? “Because it’s a process that uses your own healing properties of your blood, it achieves greater results than from filler alone,” continued Dr. Z. “This procedure costs less than 20% of a surgical facelift and has virtually no down-time.” Hollywood may have fallen in love with the Vampire FaceLift, but why should you consider it? As we age, our skin loses its elasticity, resiliency, color and tone. As we lose collagen, our faces lose their youthful shape. Our muscle tone decreases, and our faces start to droop, just as fine lines and wrinkles begin to appear. With advancing age, the dermis begins to thin out, and we literally become “thin-skinned.” The result? Our faces look “tired,” “worn,” or “droopy,” and our skin tone goes from the lively, rosy hue of youth, to the faded, dull gray of old age. But you no longer have to accept the ravages of time. Instead, you can use the same secret weapon of Hollywood stars, and put your own blood to work with the Vampire FaceLift. This revolutionary discovery is a not available everywhere. Currently, Dr. Zuckerman is the only physician certified to perform the Vampire FaceLift in Monroe and across North Louisiana. Is the Vampire FaceLift right for you? As with any procedure, the best way to decide is to get a free, one-on-one evaluation. Call Professional Laser Center at 318.361.9066 to schedule a free consultation, or for more information, visit their new location at 1401 N. 18th Street in Monroe, or www.professionallaser.com. The secret is out…the beauty is in the blood! To harness the secret for yourself, call Professional Laser Center today.

WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | SEPTEMBER 2014

Take Your Leap of Faith Breaking Through to Your Future Self

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

RE YOU LOOKING FOR A NEW LEASE ON LIFE? WHAT gets you going? Trying to discover a new way of viewing yourself in the world? How do you make change? Going after a goal you are wishing to obtain? Do you feel you are doing all you want to do? Have you gotten the recognition you deserve? Who or what pushes you? When do you attempt a leap and why? Who is stopping you…are you stopping you? To those wishing to take a leap of faith, this article is for you. Some regard faith as a noble and virtuous act characterized by strength of soul and spirit. Others define faith as “belief” without evidence. In this context, faith is referred to as confidence and an inner trust. A leap may be thought of as taking a chance or as an adventure of a lifetime. It can be viewed as a risk or a plunge into the unknown. It may be moving in a new direction, leaving the past behind. A leap is an emotional shift or a social transformation. It can be a decision prompted by a desire for improvement. A leap can mean taking action resulting in change. I recall as a child wanting to ride a bike (my first remembrance of my taking a leap of faith) but being hesitant for fear of falling down and getting hurt. The thought of removing the training wheels was unimaginable. My parents assured me falling was a part of learning to ride, I would learn fast and not fall much. My first attempt landed me in the rose bush. I had thorns in my arms and scrapes on my legs. My confidence was shaken. With their encouragement, I got back on the bike. By the end of the week, I was riding on my own. To this day I can recall the moment I realized I could ride. I remember looking back at my parents with glee and feeling as though I was flying…I had taken that leap, and I felt free. It was never my plan to ride into the rose bush. While it was hurtful and disappointing to fall, the pain at the thought of never learning to ride a bike was worse. When counseling individuals that want to take a leap a leap of faith I share with them what a friend told me during a difficult time in my life. When experiencing a major crisis in life my friend said, “perhaps one day you will be grateful for the pain you are feeling. It may be the very thing that you need to move forward in life.“ At the time I felt mis22 SEPTEMBER 2014 | W WW. BAYO UL IFEM AG. C OM

understood by my friend. I have since learned pain in life can be pivotal towards something better. In life we all have moments and times that do not go as planned. At the time we may not know why a situation may occur and yet these situations can blossom into new possibilities and our accessing aspects of ourselves once hidden. Taking a leap of faith is a personal willingness to take a chance at change. It requires letting go of the familiar to experience the unfamiliar and recognizing the outcome is not always predictable. It can be difficult trusting in one’s own ability to handle the possibilities a leap might bring. The process is different for everyone. It means acknowledging your fears and knowing yourself. It may mean saying goodbye to the former self, while recognizing that a promise of a future self is awaiting. To those aspiring to take a leap of faith, the following ideas are suggested: Surround yourself with those willing to give you a nudge to take a leap. Interact with supportive people ready to give you a lift in the event you fall. Learn from mistakes, regrets and failures. Fear of failure can be paralyzing. Keep in mind that there is power in trying even if the initial results are not what you want…try again. Avoid, “should haves“, “could haves,” “would haves“…assert yourself. Reflect on past leaps. Set goals for yourself. Go for more versus settling for less. Listen to your inner voice and believe in your self. Seek sources of power. Take measures towards wellness. Recognize what makes you come alive inside as well as outside yourself. Know your power; feel your power. Fortify your spirit with energy. Take a leap from wrong decisions, disappointments or hurt in life and instead leap into happiness, to joy, to capability. Remember, just when you least expect it, your break through will come. What is holding you back? Who is holding you back? Are you the one holding you back? Time to move forward. On your mark, get set, go! Take your leap of faith! 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 | SEPTEMBER 2014

ASK ERIN

SHOP LIKE A PRO by Erin Sharplin Love

ressing well doesn’t mean that you have to suffer through long hours of shopping only to return home with nothing to wear. Nor does it mean that you have to spend loads and loads of money. If the thought of shopping overwhelms you, relax, and let me give you a few of my secrets to shopping like a pro. First things first – Make a plan! Always know what you need to purchase before going shopping. Keep an ongoing list in or near your closet so when you come across something that you need but don’t have, you’ll be able to jot it down. Clothing shopping without a list is like going grocery shopping when you are hungry. You will always end up with something you don’t need! Think about what you should wear to go shopping – It’s best to wear something that is comfortable and easy to get in and out of, because it is never a good idea to buy a piece of clothing without trying it on first. You never know if it looks best on the hanger or on you. And, when choosing the outfit you will wear to go shopping, don’t forget about shoes! After all, you will be doing a lot of walking. It is also a good idea to steer clear of a lot of distracting jewelry. Now that we have discussed the two most important tips that will prepare you for shopping, let’s move on to the shopping experience itself. Below you will find tips ranging from the best times of the day to shop to what to splurge on and what to save on.

1. The best times of the day to go shopping are when the mall or boutique are at their slowest – such as weekday mornings. If you must go on a weekend, try to get to the store when it opens.

2. Get to know the salespeople at your favorite boutiques. They will call you when your size or style of clothing comes in. You may get first “dibs” on the most popular items.

3. Invest in classic pieces. Don’t feel guilty for investing in a timeless purse, shoes, LBD (little black dress) or a versatile suit.

4. Steer clear of sales racks, if you are a sucker! You will more than likely be swayed by the discounted price and end up buying something you don’t need and possibly will never wear. Many stores have a “No Return” policy on reduced items. So, play it safe.

5. Believe in fate…if you spot something that you absolutely love and can’t stop thinking about it for days afterwards, it may be a sign that you need to go back to the store and try it on!

6. Don’t be afraid to try new things! This is one rule I stress to all of my clients. Try something on before you rule it out completely. 26 SEPTEMBER 2014 | W WW. BAYO UL IFEM AG. C OM

7. Look for well-made clothing. In many instances, you can buy clothes that are both well made and reasonably priced. But be careful - look for unfinished hems, loose threads and mismatched patterns. If you spot any of these things…move along.

8. Look for the latest trends in accessories such as purses, necklaces and shoes. You will be able to incorporate the lastest trend into your existing wardrobe without looking like a fashion victim.

Shopping like a pro doesn’t have to be difficult or overwhelming. It’s fun and rewarding! Just think of all of the great purchases you will make if you incorporate good shopping practices into every trip to the mall or your favorite boutique.

Erin Sharplin Love, owner of Panache by Erin, is a Certiﬁed Fashion and Image Consultant, Professional Organizer and Certiﬁed Wedding Coordinator whose specialties include outfit coordination and closet organization. Love has a knack for helping her fashion clients develop their own personal style, as well as, helping her wedding clients create the wedding of their dreams within their budget and without the stress. To learn more, please go to www.panachebyerin.com.

FISHING with KENNY

Carolina On My Mind… and On the Water by K EN N Y C OV ING TON I AM A SHALLOW WATER FISHERMAN BY trade. There is nothing I like more than to find a good looking bank and plow down it with a spinnerbait in hand. But many times when fishing with this and other fast moving methods, we tend to miss catchable fish, because they aren’t aggressive enough to chase a fast moving offering and/or we are too stubborn to slow down. Several years ago, I was fortunate enough to fish with and learn from the best deep water fisherman that has ever fished in our local waters. Glynn Blankenship was a master at finding and catching fish, and one of the most effective tools he used was a Carolina rig. Let’s start with the set up for a Carolina rig. You want to make sure you have the right rod for this technique. I personally like a 7- 7 ½ foot medium heavy to heavy action rod. The 28 SEPTEMBER 2014 | W WW. BAYO UL IFEM AG. C OM

longer rod will make casting the rig much easier and will allow you to move more line for a more effective hook set. The Carolina rig consists of a heavy sinker, egg shaped or bullet style, either in ¾ or 1 ounce versions, placed on your main line that should be 15 to 20lb test. After the sinker, add one or two colored beads and then tie the main line to a barrel swivel. Many people debate the use of the beads on the rig; I simply use them to protect the knot connected to the swivel. The next step is to tie your leader line to the bottom of the barrel swivel. There has always been a lot of debate about the size and length of the leader to use on a Carolina rig. I have used them as long as 5 feet and as short as 12 inches. They each have their purpose. My standard length I start with is usually about 2 ½ to 3 feet. I always used 15 lb. line for my leaders. Now that we have the basic set up in place, we need to choose the right hook for the job. I try to match the size of my hook to the type of lure I will be using. For example, if I know I will primarily be using smaller baits on my Crig, then I will use a 2/0 or 3/0 fine wire hook. However, if I am C-rigging a big 12 inch worm on Caney Lake, then I will use a 5/0 or even 6/0 hook. I primarily use finesse worms and small creature baits, so I will usually will go with a 3/0 hook. I prefer the offset thin wire hooks, because I believe you get better hook penetration on long casts.

For lure choices, I normally prefer smaller lures such as finesse worms and smaller creature baits. To me in most cases a C-rig is mostly a numbers technique and smaller lures tend to be more effective. I keep my color choices simple, as any shade of watermelon will catch fish on practically any lake in our area. Another good color choice for our waters is Cotton Candy. If the water clarity is stained, I will dip the tail of whatever my soft plastic choice is in chartreuse or orange dipping dye to give a color variation. Now that we are rigged and ready to go, where do we use it? On the Ouachita River, I like to focus on sandbars and river cuts. On Lake Claiborne, it’s a good choice to use around the numerous boat docks. On Caney Lake and Darbonne, it is used mostly to cover the deeper channel drops and ridges. The idea of the Carolina rig is to slowly drag the weight, keeping contact with the bottom, allowing the lure to move around freely as the retrieve progresses. But the key is to do this slowwwwwwwwwwly! The biggest mistake I see people make when fishing this technique is they simply move it too fast. The best way to accomplish this is to sweep your rod to the side instead of the traditional rod lift used in Texas rig worm fishing. Strikes can be anything from a mushy feeling to the typical taptap felt when worm fishing. When setting the hook make sure you have taken up enough slack to allow for good hook penetration. I have found that a side sweeping hook set tends to work best. This technique is a great for the beginning fisherperson as well as the tournament angler looking for a quick limit. It is universally effective no matter what body of water you might be fishing. Does it have limitations? Actually no, this method can be effectively modified to fish any situation your lake may have to offer. Lighter sinker for grass applications, shorter/longer leaders depending on cover, the possibilities are endless for this fishing catching technique. I hope this information will be helpful to you and allow you to put more fish in your livewell. Be careful on the water, and catch one for me! See you next month!

30 SEPTEMBER 2014 | W WW. BAYO UL IFEM AG. C OM

WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | SEPTEMBER 2014

P. Allen Smith

Pickled, Jammed and Preserved Saving Seasonal Flavors Year-Round PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF: HORTUS LTD, JANE CLOCLASURE AND MARK FONVILLE

ou probably already know that preserving fruits and vegetables is a simple way to get the most out of your summer harvest, but did you know that you can do this year-round? That’s right! If you’re as crazy about canning as I am, you’ll find yourself looking for something to put up in every season. The good news is that you have options. Stock up on canning jars and freezer containers, so you can try seasonal recipes like pickled peppers, fig preserves, clementine marmalade and strawberry freezer jam. Every summer I pickle plenty of peppers for spicing up dishes like black-eyed peas and turnip greens. This mix of cayenne, hot cherry and sweet banana peppers in garlic-infused vinegar makes a great treat.

Pickled Peppers • 2 cups cayenne peppers, chopped • 3 cups red hot cherry peppers chopped • 6 cups banana peppers, chopped • 6 cups white vinegar • 2 cups water • 3 garlic cloves, crushed

Instructions: To make Process the pickling solution, heat jars in a six cups of white vinegar, two cups of water and three hot water crushed garlic cloves in a bath for 10 large saucepot. Bring this to minutes. a boil, then reduce to a gentle boil for about five minutes. This will infuse the solution with good garlic flavor. Remove the garlic and set aside. Layer the peppers evenly in warm, sterile jars leaving 1/2-inch head space. Fill each jar with the vinegar solution. Run a small, plastic spatula along the in-

32 SEPTEMBER 2014 | W WW. BAYO UL IFEM AG. C OM

side edge of the jars to remove air bubbles. Loosely screw the lids on and place the jars into a canner. Makes 6 – 8 quarts.

On my farm, I have a ‘Brown Turkey’ fig tree – I call her Miss Big Fig – and she’s about 100 years old and produces the best fruit. ‘Brown Turkey’ is an excellent variety for making home preserves. Uncle Mikes Fig Preserves • 5 cups brown turkey figs • 1 box pectin (1.75 oz.) • 1 tbsp. butter • 1/2 cup lemon juice • 1/2 cup water • 7 cups sugar

Instructions: Thaw Process five cups of whole figs and jars in a put them in a large stock hot water pot. Add one box of pectin and one tablespoon of but- bath for 10 ter. The butter helps preminutes. vent the figs from foaming, and adds a nice flavor. Next add 1/2 cup of lemon juice and 1/2 cup water. Slowly bring the figs to a rolling boil. Mash the figs to distribute the fig pulp with the juice and get everything consistent. Lower the heat to medium. Now add the sugar and return the preserves to a full boil. Stir the preserves for a full minute, making sure nothing sticks. Ladle the preserves into sterile, warm jars, leaving 1/4-inch head space. Screw the lids on the jars and place the jars in a hot water bath.

You'll find that fig preserves may take up to a week to "set up," as they say. After the hot water bath and you've tightened the bands, leave the jars upside down until the preserves have set up. Makes 3 pints.

Another fruit I love to use in preserves is the strawberry, which are plentiful in spring. I picked up and planted 10 strawberry plants, and you wouldn’t believe how much sweet fruit these little plants produced in one growing season. They can be used as flower borders and ground covers, and the bonus to these great little plants is the wonderful strawberries they produce. Strawberry Freezer Jam • 8 cups strawberries, hulled • 6 cups sugar • 1/3 cup lemon juice

Instructions: Combine the strawberries, sugar and lemon juice in a deep, heavy bottomed saucepan. Boil the berry mixture for 20 minutes, stirring frequently. Transfer the preserves to a flat pan and stir to evenly distribute the berries. Pour the preserves into plastic freezer containers and store in the freezer. Because there isn’t any pectin in To preserve this this recipe, the jam jam, just put it in isn’t stiff; expect it to the freezer. Thaw be more honey-like it in the fridge in consistency. Makes 5 – 6 pints. when you are Although not ready to use. everyone has an or-

ange tree in their garden, homemade orange marmalade is still a wonderful condiment to have in your pantry. Mid-December when citrus is plentiful is a great time to make marmalade. For a sweet twist use clementines, a cross between sweet and mandarin oranges. This recipe is so easy, and it’ll make enough marmalade to keep for yourself and to give as a gift.

Clementine Marmalade • 24 clementines • 4 lemons • 10 cups sugar • 4 cups water • 2 small packages fruit pectin plus hot water listed on package

Instructions: Cut clementines and lemons into quarters removing the naval end. Be sure to remove the seeds. This marmalade Leave the skins on. will keep in the Using a food processor, chop the clemenrefridgerator for tines and lemons fairly thin. Your food three months. processor may not hold all of the citrus at one time; if so, do this in batches. Place the chopped citrus in a large pot. Add 10 cups of sugar and four cups of water to the citrus and mix well. Over a medium heat, cook the mixture for 40 minutes, stirring often to prevent burning and sticking to the bottom of the pan. When the cooking time is close to an end, mix together two packages of fruit pectin in a bowl, following the manufacturer’s instructions. Stir the prepared pectin into the marmalade and let boil for one minute. Ladle into sterile jars and store in the refrigerator. Makes 6 half-pint jars.

Preserving these fruits and vegetables in the above recipes is a fun and creative process to enjoy your harvest all year long. They also make great gifts. Give it a try.

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. WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | SEPTEMBER 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 Lap Band™ surgery to their patients. Now, after years of growth, they are relocating from their original offices near Paul Michael Co. to a state-of-the-art facility at 3130 Mercedes Drive. Using a unique medical device, Lap Band™ 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

34 SEPTEMBER 2014 | W WW. BAYO UL IFEM AG. C OM

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, Stamper also offers a walk-in urgent care clinic for patients. Another new feature that have 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. 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 | SEPTEMBER 2014

Bayou Pages SEVEN SISTERS STYLE: THE ALL-AMERICAN PREPPY LOOK BY REBECCA C. TUITE (RIZZOLI) | REVIEW BY CASEY MATTHEWS

ashion is one of those great, fluid enterprises that takes from and inspires others. For some, fashion is more than articles of clothing; it is an art form all its own. In Seven Sisters Style: The All-American Preppy Look, fashion historian and Vassar graduate, Rebecca Tuite, explores a powerful influence that shaped American fashion. Seven universities— Barnard, Bryn Mawr, Mount Holyoke, Radcliffe, Smith, Vassar and Wellesley—collectively referred to as the “Seven Sisters” colleges, became the nucleus for women’s fashion and gave life to one of the quintessential American styles: Prep. In her book, Tuite chronicles the development of what she refers to as the “collegiate look,” a look for these young women that was inspired by the boys (letterman sweaters, scarves) but was made feminine and stylish by the girls. The look accompanied this new “American Girl”- a girl who was “brimming with youthful athleticism and vigor.” These Seven Sisters women were not afraid to get their hands dirty on the playing field and were not afraid to replace restrictive hoopskirts and crinoline with softer and looser layers, and for them, this was just the beginning. By the late 1930s and 1940s, Seven Sisters women pushed fashion boundaries by incorporating baggy denim jeans into their everyday wardrobe. While many people were shocked by the sight of women in such casual wear, these women fought against tradition and created unwritten rules of “denim etiquette,” such as stating that the best jeans were those “borrowed” from a boyfriend or brother and these jeans needed to have a worn-in look. Of course, women’s denim today is a direct reflection of this style revolution- the “boyfriend” jean and the “destroyed” denim look are now staples in the denim section any department store. The Seven Sisters women also made sweaters more popular. These

36 SEPTEMBER 2014 | W WW. BAYO UL IFEM AG. C OM

sweaters were similar to men’s sweaters, except they were now softer with a more feminine silhouette. Major department stores, such as Macy’s and Lord & Taylor, and traditional menswear clothiers, such as Brooks Brothers, began marketing and selling clothing directed not only towards women who attended one of the Seven Sisters colleges, but these stores introduced this look to mainstream American women. Fashion magazines begin to include this trend in fashion spreads, and Hollywood followed in the 1970s (think Ali McGraw in Love Story). Presently, there are many American companies who have made their fortune selling this “American Girl” look. Ralph Lauren, Tommy Hilfiger and J. Crew are all companies who blend traditional men’s looks of blazers and plaid with feminine silhouettes and more attention to detail. Television shows, such as Mad Men and Gossip Girl, have also revitalized these looks, and websites like Etsy and Modcloth have provided a place for American women to purchase these styles to indulge their inner prep. Seven Sisters Style: The All-American Preppy Look is a book meant for fashion lovers, especially because this original “prep” look can be incorporated into other styles of fashion (the “grunge” look of the 90s loved plaid!) and is in no way limited to the East Coast or Ivy League colleges. What Tuite also thoroughly demonstrates in her book is how these young women who were trailblazers inspired decades of American fashion design that are found in so many women’s closets around the world today. 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 | SEPTEMBER 2014

St. Fred Warriors Make History Success Increases Support and Enrollment

UCCESSES IN THE CLASSROOM and extracurricular activities have contributed to increased enrollment and community support for St. Frederick High School. “We had to add lockers in our field house because of the number of players that came out for football this season,” said Athletic Director and Head Football Coach Jeff Tannehill. “And it’s not just athletics. We have a waiting list for junior high for the first time in school history,” Tannehill added. The excitement and buzz around the football team has been tremendous says head coach and athletic director Jeff Tannehill. Much of that excitement comes on the heels of the school reaching the Division IV state finals last year for the first time in school history. When the 2013 season began, few outside the field house at Chip Luffey Field believed the St. Frederick Warriors would come close to having the dream season they had. In the semi-finals, the Warriors defeated Southern Lab, the team that eliminated OCS from the playoffs, and earned a trip to the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. “Anytime you have that kind of success, people want to be a part of it,” Tannehill said.

38 SEPTEMBER 2014 | W WW. BAYO UL IFEM AG. C OM

“We are excited about the depth and numbers we have. It is about an atmosphere for football, the culture is one of excitement right now. Everybody is working hard,” Tannehill added. The increase in numbers, especially with those players who have previous football experience, gives coaches options. Tannehill is seeing a rise in strength and speed out of the Warriors after a grueling spring in track and field, plus another year in the weight-training program under strength coach/defensive coordinator, Billy Bell. Another extracurricular achievement involved three members of the St. Frederick Future Business Leaders of America who competed at the 2014 FBLA National Leadership Conference in Nashville, Tennessee this summer. Mattie Kincannon, J.T. Brown and Austin Clark presented the chapter’s American Enterprise Project that won first place at the Louisiana FBLA Leadership Conference last spring. Clark placed 10th in the nation in the agribusiness event after winning at the state level. Kincannon and Brown also competed in the marketing event at nationals. Citing yet another extracurricular success, Principal Guy Farber said, “We’re proud of the Robotics team who made it to the finals this year to earn the Louisiana

state runner-up position.” The baseball team made a deep run into the State Championship playoffs, losing to the eventual state champions. Our golf team qualified for state and finished fifth. In other spring sports, the girls’ tennis team made its annual push for the state title and the track team had its most successful finish in school history, sending eight athletes to state competition in Baton Rouge. “We’re looking forward to another great year in all of our extracurricular teams and clubs,” Farber added. “However, I’m most proud of what we are accomplishing in the classroom. The 2014 St. Frederick seniors earned an average of 24 college credits. This level of college credit gives the graduates a first-year head start and allows them the opportunity to extend scholarship funding into the first year of graduate school. St. Frederick students’ ACT average scores consistently exceed the city, state and national averages. In the last two years, our ACT average has increased two full points and we are committed to increasing it even more.”

St. Frederick High School serves grades 7 through 12. For more information about St. Frederick, go to stfrederickhigh.org.

WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | SEPTEMBER 2014

B AY O U P R O F I L E

BOW HUNTING Pre-Season Preparation BY TRENT LIVINGSTON eptember, right? Where did the time go? Hopefully, during your time of getting ready for dove season, you took some time to prepare for bow season. If not, Scotty Crockett and Michael Little of Simmons’ Sporting Goods took some time to come up with the top 5 bow season preparations you need to be doing NOW.

1. Laws/Regulations: Always take time to review and find what the current regulations are for the locations you plan to hunt this season. Whether it is in or out-of-state, take a few moments to do the necessary research prior to your hunt. The last thing you need is a law or a regulation ruin your perfect hunt.

2. Bow Tuning: Remember, it takes at least two weeks to get new strings for your bow. Don’t wait. Check your bow now and get it in store to make sure you don’t have a dire situation when the “big one” steps into range.

3. Practice, Practice and Practice: Notice how many times practice is used? 3 times, which is the exact minimum you should be seeing a bull’s eye or vital section each week. You have at least 3 weeks left, depending how good the doves are in your area, to get a total of 9 practice sessions in before the opener…start today! 40 SEPTEMBER 2014 | W WW. BAYO UL IFEM AG. C OM

4. Tree Stand Safety: Nothing comes before safety. As you work on getting things in order, make sure to take into account a lifeline system. Anytime you are off the ground, be secured by a safety harness. Please keep in mind all safety aspects as you make your preparations.

5. Scouting: Take time to get out to your hunting areas for scouting. Spend your time in the woods learning the trails, bedding areas and food sources. Know the animal you are pursuing and follow suit with the appropriate preparations.

For you wing shooters, you have less than two weeks with the Louisiana teal season slated to open on Sept 13-28. Remember, you can get your federal stamp online at www.duckstamp.com for $15.00, and use your confirmation number and receipt until you receive actual stamp in the mail. Hope your season has started with a full bag limit and continues to be one of the best ever. And for those of you looking for some motivation –

”Before anything else, preparation is the key to success.” – Alexander Graham Bell

MICHAEL LITTLE

SCOTTY CROCKETT

WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | SEPTEMBER 2014

BayouKidZ

Fashion Rules O

Creating a List of “Do’s” and “Don’ts” for Your Family

H,THE DREADED E-MAIL,THE e-mail I’ve been dreading since accepting this job as a feature writer for BayouLife. No, not the e-mail dismissing me or thanking me for my service that is no longer needed, but dreaded just the same. This email would be from my editor telling me that the September issue would be about fashion, and to feel free to contribute to the issue with all things apparel. Uh...excuse me? I tried to delete it quickly, thinking might be a hoax or maybe a cruel joke that the staff at my beloved BayouLife might be playing on me. Even worse, what if a virus had invaded my personal email space? Fashion? Really? Me? Anyone who knows me will tell you there is absolutely no way to confuse me with anything fashionable. What’s worse, my husband depends on me periodically to help him match his outfits, a rather scary thought. No, what’s really worse is my nine-year old daughter can breeze through a department store and "put an outfit together" for her mother, with accessories and shoes, before I can even find the dressing room. It’s shameful. No, what’s actually the worst, is even when I think I’ve "put it all together" or found that "perfect swimsuit" to enhance or minimize "my assets," then I find myself standing in the line at the waterpark, deciding how many people have seen the "hole" in the crack 42 SEPTEMBER 2014 | W WW. BAYO UL IFEM AG. C OM

by Cindy Gist Foust

of my swimsuit. Now, does this sound like someone you want writing fashion tips for your child? I didn’t think so. However, duty calls and I began to research feverishly for this month’s column. Oh, it was painful, but I’m am a professional, so rather than send an SOS email to Cassie, I trudged ahead with my research. As you know, the Internet is a wealth of knowledge on any subject in the world, and children's fashion is no exception. As I continued to read article after article, hope began to replace the pensive, distressed look on my face; the air began to get lighter in the room; my fingers became antsy to get to the computer keys; and the joy of writing this column quickly returned. As it turns out, there are many experts that have similar "fashion rules" as we do at my house; we just have never labeled them that. Admittedly, my family doesn't sit around the dinner table and discuss the do's and don'ts on how to dress for success; however, we have had standing rules for as long as I've been dressing my children (it only took reading hundreds of other people's fashion rules for their children, to realize that I wasn't as much of a fashion risk as I thought I was). So, without further delay, I have committed to paper the following fashion must do’s (or must don’ts) for my family: Number one, at our house, we must

dress age appropriate. This rule really started after I had a little girl, because there was never a time my son asked to wear a suit or had Bieber Fever. There have been times, however, that my little girl wanted to look like Miley Cyrus, when I wanted her to look like Rebecca from Sunnybrook Farm. Therefore, this rule quickly shot to number one. I may not can match my earrings with my necklace, but I know how a nine year old should dress, so absolutely, the number one fashion rule at our house is to dress your age, not like the cover of Seventeen magazine. Number two, which will seem like a contradiction to number one, but our children have always been able to make their own fashion choices. Yes, they were able to choose from the clothes that were purchased, washed and put in their closets. I'm just kidding, well sort of. During clothes shopping outings, my children are able to pick their clothes for themselves, after all, our house is not a military academy. If you refer to rule number one, however, there has always been a tremendous amount of input from their parents in making their decisions. Oftentimes, the opinions were not on the "same page," but there have been occasions of compromise, and hopefully, a parenting "veto" to an outfit won't have long lasting negative consequences for our children. CONTINUED ON PAGE 136

Miss America Pageant >

On July 22, Glenwood Regional Medical celebrated the service of Dr. Russell Lolley with a reception in his honor. Dr. Lolley has reached 40 years of service to Glenwood. Many friends and family attended the celebration. The staﬀ of Glenwood wants to thank the doctor for his service and hopes for many years to come.

Lacey Sanchez, Miss Louisiana

Oglesby Garners Top Financial Advisor Awards

Darren Oglesby, Registered Financial Consultant®, and founder of The Oglesby Financial Group, a comprehensive wealth management firm in Monroe, Louisiana, was recently honored with multiple esteemed awards. For the second consecutive year, Oglesby was named the World Leader of Financial Advisors by Money Concepts Capital Corporation. For twelve consecutive years before these recognitions, Oglesby was named the Money Concepts International Financial Advisor of the Year. "This honor extends to our whole team," stated Oglesby. "Each and every member works diligently, and with a caring and professional attitude, to deliver the services we provide." Oglesby was also honored by being asked to be a keynote speaker at the Money Concepts 2014 Financial Planning Congress in Santa Ana Pueblo, New Mexico on July 15, 2014. Darren Oglesby founded his firm as a comprehensive financial services company, committed to helping its clients improve their long-term financial success. The Oglesby Financial Group, headquartered in Monroe, has a two-decade track record of helping others manage and protect their wealth. 44 SEPTEMBER 2014 | W WW. BAYO UL IFEM AG. C OM

Put A Song In Your Heart >

Not everyone grows up in a home where their mother sang for the soldiers at Selman Field during the war, studied opera at LSU and was the “Leading Lady” in local Little Theatre musicals. My appreciation for acting and singing came early in life. Thank you, Lee Slagle Pierson. In this wonderful area, we all have the opportunity to support and enjoy theater and music at its ﬁnest. The recent Strauss production of LES MISERABLES at ULM was the most superior performance I ever wit-

nessed in this community. The LOCAL talent was premier – superb and extraordinary. Many people attended both nights, including my “Lyric Soprano mother” who felt she was at the Metropolitan. Shreveport, Dallas and New York have great entertainment. Monroe’s stood as an equal! Thank you Strauss Theatre, Monroe Symphony and ULM for sharing your talent. Northeast Louisiana friends, let the love and appreciation of acting and singing ﬁll your hearts. Support OUR arts.

~ Anne Pierson Patten

Kirksey Agency Blood Drive

Tune in to ABC on September 14th to watch Miss Louisiana, Lacey Sanchez, compete in the 2014 Miss America pageant. Join us in wishing Lacey good luck as she departs from the Monroe Regional airport to Atlantic City on August 31st at 2:00 p.m. Photograph by Steven Palowsky

Glenwood Regional Medical Center Celebrates Dr. Lolley

BayouBuzzworthy

On August 5, 2014, The Kirksey Agency hosted their 2nd Annual Blood Drive. The Kirksey Agency provided Johnny’s Pizza and other snacks and drinks for those participating, as well as t-shirts and Outback Steakhouse coupons. They exceeded their donation goal set by LifeShare and increased count from last year.

WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | SEPTEMBER 2014

THE PERFECT

COIFFURE Article by JORDAN HADDAD

recently came across a post from a writer for Man Repeller that dissects the ponytail hairstyle and what it says about the type of person on which it sits. The article was not only hysterical, but also intriguing. I suddenly began to think of all of the people I know with very distinct hairstyles and what that might suggest about them. Never had I given so much thought to the hairstyles of others, let alone my own. My hair is fine, which makes it relatively thin overall, but it's deceiving because it doesn't look thin. I have told anyone who questions my thin hair to take a handful. It's like the pigtail of a young child. There's hair intact, but again, it's fine! Due to this genetic disposition, I am very weird about haircuts. I probably have mine cut once a year. I consider it "long" even if it's a single strand that is providing the “length.” Pretty sure I am the pet peeve of any hairstylist. However, when I do have it cut, she takes about 4-5 inches. So after considering all of this I thought to myself, "Does my hairstyle say that I am boring?" I wouldn't even consider it a style. It's definitely not "The Rachel," there are no long layers or bangs (been there, done that...never again), and my hair color is natural. Aside from some experimental bangs and highlights, I've pretty much had the same cut since 2002. I have learned to be experimental in execution by straightening, curling with a wand or embracing the freedom of the au naturale 80’s wave, amongst other attempts. Long, luxurious and totally envious are the words that come to mind when I think of Sue Sartor’s hairstyle. Sue’s long, thick mane with an occasional strand of gray is gorgeous and strong. It’s long and loose and says, “I am an artist and let loose, but I am also elegant.” I would literally take someone’s life for a thick head of hair. Everyone with thick hair reading this right now is thinking that I am crazy, because thick hair is hot and takes FOREVER to blow dry, but from where I’m sitting it looks pretty swell. Lucy Shackelford is another woman whose hairstyle I admire. Now, she doesn’t mix it up much, except for that one time she wore it curly to a party at Bayou DeSiard Country Club. It’s blonde, slightly flips out, and short and

46 SEPTEMBER 2014 | W WW. BAYO UL IFEM AG. C OM

blunt, much like Lucy herself. With every move of her head, it swings around just above the shoulder, but in a uniform manner, of course. Similar to Anna Wintour, it is the signature look of this exceptional Carlisle captain. As much as a consistent hairstyle is appreciated, I admire those who aren’t afraid of change. Lindsay Jones sees no difference between her hair and the blank canvases upon which she paints. Each canvas is a clean slate for something great, as is her hair. It’s been long, short, layered, symmetrical, asymmetrical, brown, black, pink, purple, yellow blonde, platinum blonde…she gives Lady Gaga a run for her money! How it hasn’t all fallen out is the eighth wonder of the world. It’s amazing! Funny enough, all of these different hairstyles actually look good on Lindsay. With cheekbones higher than the Eiffel Tower and big, beautiful eyes, courtesy of her mother, each unique, odd, crazy, interesting hairstyle perfectly frames her face and looks fantastic! Men should pay as much attention to their hair as women, and some do. Similar to my situation, some men don’t have much hair, and there’s not much that can be done about it, unless you want to try Rogaine. There aren’t as many style options for men to disguise the thinning hair, but I respect the men who just embrace it! I am partial to a thick head of hair, which is probably because mine is not! John Thomas has an amazing head of semi-curly hair that is a rich, brown color. Somehow he is able to master the perfectly disheveled hairstyle, and I’m sure Analeise Reeves had some input on how to achieve it. I may be biased, but I think most would agree that my dad, Joey Haddad, has a lovely, dark coif for a 60 year old man, and he knows it. Lately I’ve noticed a little more salt in that pepper, which he is quick to say it was caused by me. For a while, he jokingly thought of himself as a version of “McDreamy,” who is known for his hair on Grey’s Anatomy. My dad is not vain, but the head full of hair paired with the Lebanese genes seems to work in his favor. These are my simple thoughts on a few hairstyles and types. You’re allowed to try something new every now and then. Hair will always grow back. However, refrain from screwing up your eyebrows, they frame the face, but that is a whole separate issue!

WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | SEPTEMBER 2014

HAUTE DOG BViz Canine Couture Collection | article by Maré Brennan

ecky Vizard, the St. Joseph native and designer who introduced the world to most extravagant pillows made with antique fabrics and trims sourced from around the globe, is known for her Steve Jobs-like ability to see a need and fill it as well as her ability to take left-overs, find the beauty and create a masterpiece, like her Beer-de-lier, a chandelier made with colorful recycled bottle caps, or her collectible mini-Christmas stockings made from fabric and trim scraps that she can’t bear to throw away. Her newest venture, the BViz Canine Couture Collection, is no exception in that it combines gorgeous Venetian fabrics, a need to repurpose and great design to give pampered pets a little neck lift.

BayouLife: You are world famous for your pillows which are works of art, collected and treasured by sheiks and prized by designers. What do you find most different between your pillow work and the collars and leads? Becky Vizard: With the BViz Canine Couture Collection, I'm not spending as much time going over each design like I do with the pillows. But it appears people agonize over which color or pattern to buy like I agonize over my pillow designs…so I guess there is a similarity.

BL: You are the ultimate fabric/textile conservator/recycler. How does that trait play a role in the dog collar venture? BViz: I kept saving these scraps thinking there had to be something I could make with them, and it thrills me to be able to use every inch of the fabric! But sadly I've already gone through all of the scraps, and now am getting into my Fortuny inventory….yes, we are selling more dog collars than pillows!

BL: What made you think, "I think I'll make a dog collar from this gorgeous fabric?" BViz: I had just hung some fabulous curtains from Coleman Taylor Textiles (A wonderful custom fabric company from Montgomery, Alabama) and Lucille, our Brittany Spaniel, could not stop looking at them. Either she was not used to seeing the window with floor length curtains, or she has incredibly good taste and was just stunned! For 3 days, every time she got to the top of the stairs, she would just stop and stare at the curtains…sometimes even bark. I took a photo of her entranced by these beautiful curtains, and her reflective hunting collar just ruined the shot. I sent it to Sarah, my daughter in New Orleans (who works for Gerrie Bremermann in New Orleans) and Sarah said, "Mom, you need to make collars out of Fortuny fabric." It was a light bulb moment, because I have been saving the one inch borders from the fabric for years, not sure what 48 SEPTEMBER 2014 | W WW. BAYO UL IFEM AG. C OM

I was going to do with them, but hated to throw them out because the fabric is so gorgeous and expensive.

BL: Was Lucille your test model? BViz: Yes, we made a prototype for Lucille, and she immediately bolted through the soybean field in front of our house and came back with green slime all over her cream and silvery gold collar of Orsini Fortuny. I thought, "Well that was the dumbest idea I've ever had." I retreated to the studio to design pillows and didn't really think about it again until that afternoon when we jumped in Lake Bruin for our afternoon swim. Lo and behold Lucille emerged from the lake in a pristine cream and silvery gold collar of Orsini Fortuny! I called the guys who own Fortuny to tell them of this discovery, and they LOVED it! They said people constantly call them to ask how to clean their fabric, and it would be tempting to say, "For the best results, submerge in lake water!"

BL: How are the collars constructed? Is it a difficult process? BViz: It was very difficult to get to this stage. We tried many different ways of covering the nylon webbing plus many kinds of hardware. We finally found a collar with a thick linen webbing and discovered it doesn't hold smells and is easily washable...and just much nicer not to use a synthetic material. We also had to give up making them here, because we needed industrial machines. But I did find a very talented lady in Louisiana with a small factory, and she is lovely to work with. That only took about a hundred phone calls!

BL: Where can we purchase collars and leashes for our lucky dogs? BViz: The BViz Canine Couture Collection can be purchased online at www.bviz.com or by calling 318.766.4950. Gerrie Bremermann in New Orleans, Indulge in Houston and Annelle Primos in Jackson also have the line. The collars sizes and prices can be found on the bviz.com website.

BL: What's new on your horizon? Any upcoming shows? Where we can find your work? BViz: The collars were featured in House Beautiful in January. By June we had leashes, and the collars and leashes were featured in this August's Architectural Digest. I have a few speaking engagements for clubs this fall, and some possible pillow shows around the country in November, but I'm getting ready for my son's wedding in Nashville this October. And yes, I'm having a jacket made of Campanelle Fortuny fabric. I'm saying it's for the rehearsal dinner, but truthfully, I just want to match Lucille!

WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | SEPTEMBER 2014

STORIED SWIMSUITS T H E NA R R AT I V E R O O T S O F S W I M W E A R â&#x20AC;&#x2122; S H O T T E S T N E W B R A N D

VanVeckhoven said, ness," igh in the Atlas Mounadding that music took him to tains, nomadic Berbers California. His business partner toil for hours to spin Nick's background was in marrugs of great beauty keting and advertising. "We've and quality, practicing as they work thrown ourselves into this. Luckan ancient art steeped in mysticism ily, we've had some great mentors and the ancient world. Eventually, who've been able to help us out; each of the rugs created finds its way people we could go to and ask to the storied Marrakech Market in questions." Morocco and into the consciousness The advice the pair has reof LeDoux VanVeckhoven and Nick ceived must have been worthBradley, co-founders of Pangea while. Pangea Swimwear sold Swimwear, an L.A. based boutique out its entire first-run for 2014. line of men's swimshort that While the styles are all still availlaunched earlier this year. Patterns able for sale on the web, each suit like those created by the Berbers are is now sewn-to-order. Current what inspire each Pangea creation. styles include the Moroccan "The idea behind Pangea was to Berber, mentioned previously; a build a rich narrative around each Thai Elephant print, steeped in print," said VanVeckhoven, a MonBy MICHAEL DEVAULT the history of this ancient symbol; roe native who now lives in Los Anand a vintage star chart print, geles. Each of Pangea's limited-run highlighting some of the most faswimsuits are inspired by the kinds mous constellations in the night of exotic locales most people only sky. For 2015, Pangea plans to inread about. Incorporating those pattroduce four new prints and three terns into new, high-quality prints is new styles of swimshort, with a just one part of the Pangea experilaunch set for February. ence. "We researched not only the deThough Pangea Swimwear signs and art, but the stories behind products can be a little on the exthose designs and art as well," Vanpensive side, they're definitely Veckhoven said. "So we tie those narworth the investment. All are tairatives to our prints." All branding, lored, sewn from luxury fabrics, from the PangeaSwim.com web site and feature imported Italian to the hangtags in stores, include the hardware. It all combines to make stories behind the print, lending to a product that looks and feels the swimsuit a substance that might special. "The pattern is basically a otherwise be missing. blueprint for how the clothing is For VanVeckhoven and Bradley, constructed, broken up into pieces," VanVeckhoven said. For comcreating the narrative was an important part of standing out for parison, VanVeckhoven noted the current trend in men's swimwear, Pangea, which enters a crowded field of swimwear creators--very where cheaper offerings have four to ten pieces. "With ours, we have few of whom stand out in any way. "All of them really looked the anywhere from 15 to 19 pieces in that construction. With that comes same. There were really generic offerings from the companies out more flattering, more tailored fits, and it's more customized." there," VanVeckhoven said. Before Pangea, the world of men's preAs they approach their first year in business, Pangea Swimwear mium swimwear was filled with stripes, solids and a few unoriginal is starting to think beyond the swimshort, with plans to take its narpaisleys. There were no stories, either, according to VanVeckhoven. rative-centric focus into other lifestyle products, from button-down "The narratives were all the same." shirts to jogging pants. "I can expand and scale with that print story, If VanVeckhoven sounds like a storyteller, it's with good reason. that narrative," VanVeckhoven says. "That's what Pangea is He went to L.A. with no intention of launching a successful clothing all about." line. "I had zero background in fashion. I come from the music busi-

50 SEPTEMBER 2014 | W WW. BAYO UL IFEM AG. C OM

WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | SEPTEMBER 2014

Disk Golf Tournament 28th Annual Louisiana Disc Golf Championships On October 4th article by Rickey Robertson

everal men and women in our area are diligently preparing for one of the most prestigious tournaments in the state of Louisiana: the 28th Annual Louisiana Disc Golf Championships. Now some may be reading this wondering “What in the world is disc golf?” And that is a question that often comes up in conversation. Disc golf is very similar to what most people call “regular golf.” Both sports share the same concept: get to your target in the fewest number of shots. However, in disc golf you do not chase around a little white ball with a metal club. Instead one chases around discs that are thrown that resemble “Frisbees.” And these discs are thrown using different techniques to try to land that disc in a “target” or basket. Discs are used much like a ball golfer would use clubs with drivers, fairway drivers, midranges and putters. Each disc is molded a little differently to help

52 SEPTEMBER 2014 | W WW. BAYO UL IFEM AG. C OM

it fly farther, better through the wind, cut hard to the right or left or the just throw it a short distance with pinpoint accuracy. They all serve a unique purpose, and the player knows what each disc does so they can shoot the lowest score. As one of the fastest growing sports in the United States, our area has seen tremendous growth in the sport as well. The Twin City Disc Golf Club calls Lazarre Park its home course. The club has about 80 members that pay annual dues and play in minitournaments held each weekend. Members also organize clean up days to help maintain the course through picking up litter, riding the course of fallen tree limbs and general clean up. Several tournaments are hosted at Lazarre each year, with one major tournament during the summer and one in the fall with some other charitable fundraiser tour-

naments played throughout the year. This year marks only the second time the City of West Monroe, Twin City Disc Golf Club and Lazarre Park Disc Golf Course have hosted the Louisiana Disc Golf Championships with the only other time being 2006. This tournament will hopefully bring nearly 150 players to our area from around the state of Louisiana, as well as players from surrounding states, as they set out to show who might indeed be the best disc golfers in Louisiana. Competitors will vie for trophies and prizes in over 15 divisions ranging from juniors under the age of 18 to senior grandmasters, a division for players over 70 years old. Beginner, intermediate, advanced and open players will set out to conquer the courses at Lazarre Park on October 4th and 5th to see who can bring home the bacon.

WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | SEPTEMBER 2014

ESSENTIALS FOR FALL FROM ANALEISE REEVES La Mer cream Anastasia brow kit Rag & Bone "Newbury" booties (any color) KUT from the Kloth boyfriend jeans LUSH "Ro's Argan" body conditioner Urban Decay "Naked 2" eyeshadow palette Rails "Hunter" plaid button up shirt Leather moto jacket in loden green and black Brown felt wide brimmed hat Manolo Blahnik suede pointed toe pumps Camel robe coat Cashmere long sleeve turtleneck Equipment classic white button up Creed "Green Irish Tweed" eau d'parfum (for men and women) MAC Retro Matte lipstick in "Ruby Woo" Billy Reid tweed blazer Short sleeve v-neck tees in all basic colors from Target Gold collar necklace My vintage Susan Farber fringe leather handbag Skinny corduroy jeans Classic riding boots Diptyque candle in "Roses" MiH "Marrakesh" flare jean Kerastase "Elixir Ultime" hair oil Victoria's Secret "Incredible" sport bra

54 SEPTEMBER 2014 | W WW. BAYO UL IFEM AG. C OM

WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | SEPTEMBER 2014

WEARING THE APPROPRIATE HUNTING AND FISHING GEAR hen your publisher emails you and says that the next issue will be "style" related, it can be a stretch to stay on subject when you are an outdoor writer. It took a couple of weeks of hard thought but after thinking about it, I realized that there is some style to hunting and fishing. With hunting season approaching, I figured I would see just how "stylish" I can be in relation to the great outdoors. Every good hunter knows that being comfortable has a lot to do with what you are wearing. We are blessed in Louisiana with balmy or hot temperatures which can stretch into the winter months. If you are not properly clothed, it can bring a swift

56 SEPTEMBER 2014 | W WW. BAYO UL IFEM AG. C OM

end to the hunt. Such was the case on my first duck hunt. I had a good friend who was a little older than me who was an avid duck hunter. Doug had all the latest and greatest gear, including neoprene waders, waterfowl jackets and head wear. I, on the other hand, had little to nothing. I pretty much hunted in blue jeans and put on coveralls when the weather got nippy. That was the extent of my hunting gear, save one ragged orange vest for deer hunting. Doug called me the week before the opening day of the second split and invited me to go duck hunting with him on Corney Lake. I had never been there and had no idea what to expect. The weather had been unseasonably cold and

ARTICLE BY DAN CHASON

an arctic cold front was expected that day. I made the trip to the local big box store and shopped for a set of chest waders. The waders at the time were close to $100, and the selection was not very good. I then spied a pair of rain bottoms. "Bingo!" And they were only $10. I reasoned that if I was going to wade, I could take my knee boots and duct tape the boots to the rain bottoms and I would be in business. We arrived the night before, as we planned on camping out. The temperature was hovering around freezing, and it was cold beyond belief. We spent the night in the boat ramp bath house as the tent was not sufficient to keep us warm. I got up the next morning, donned my rain pant/boot

combination and off we went. I had no sooner waded into the edge of the trees when I felt the cold rush of freezing water. Miserable does not describe my feeling. After about 30 minutes, I could not feel my feet. At the urging of Doug, we CUT the boots off of my feet and built a fire. It is a miracle I didn't have frost bite. At that moment, I would have paid $500 for a good pair of waders. I have said all that to say this: When going afield, do not cut corners on gear. Good, dry clothing is a necessity not only for comfort, but for safety. On the other end of the spectrum is the issue of staying cool during the early days of hunting season. I opt for Under Armour shirts, light camo pants, dry wick socks and comfortable boots. The only option for getting away from scent issues is the Scentlock brand of clothing. I have used them for years, and I can attest that they do indeed work. They are also great when it is cold, as moisture is the enemy when it comes to staying dry and warm. Your inner clothing should pull moisture away from your body and feet, which helps with scent control and staying comfortable. On the fishing side, anyone who knows me will tell you that I fish rain or shine, hot or cold. I always wear slip-on shoes when fishing. This is important if you have ever taken a swim when it is cold. Being able to slip out of shoes allows you to slip out of clothing. Remember that your pants can be utilized as a flotation device as well. If you fall overboard without a PFD (personal flotation device), simply tie the bottoms of your jeans in a knot, exhale air into the pants' legs and they will float and possibly save your life. The air gets trapped in the legs and all it takes is holding the waist closed and in the water to float freely. I never wade in unfamiliar areas while duck hunting without a PFD. I use a Mustang inflatable vest that automatically inflates if you hit a hole. Waders are hard to shuck if you go over your head and this device is a life saver. In the heat, it is very important to stay hydrated but more important to protect exposed skin from the sun and stay cool. The trick to this is to keep your head cool. I use various head wraps or a wet towel to accomplish this task. However, the signs of heat exhaustion aren't always apparent until it is too late. Hydration, even if you are not necessarily thirsty, is the most important thing. A good head cover is a must to stay cool. Your body loses or gains temperature via your head and feet. If you keep your head cool in the heat and warm in the cold, you have half the battle won. The last thing I will cover is how to fight the sweats when deer hunting. I utilize a gallon Ziploc bag for scent control. First, I don a pair of shorts and a t-shirt for my walk to the stand (with snake boots). Just prior to reaching my hunting area, I take off the shorts, shirt and socks and put them in the Ziploc and leave the bag hanging for my exit. I then put on my Scentlock hunting clothes and ease to my stand. This changes if I am using a climbing stand. I change my shorts and put on my Scentlock once I am in the tree. This eliminates odor, as I am not wearing sweaty clothes. I hope that you, too, can be "stylish" this season. Remember, don't cut corners. Control your body temperature and you can enjoy your venture at a higher level. WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | SEPTEMBER 2014

We love these 32 shades of gray. These anything-but-hazy items from area boutiques are on trend for fall fashion and accessories. Photography by Scarlett Holland.

1 5

11 12

1. Bayou Gypsy 2. Bent Oaks Boutique 3. Deirdre McGehee Designs 4. Salt and Pepper Accessory Boutique 5. Beau Monde Boutique 6. Legacy Silver and Gifts 7. The Paper Market 8. HerringStone’s 9. The Fashion of Ruston 10. Duck and Dressing 11. Hollis & Co. Jewelers 12. The Diamond Vault 13. Mr. P’s Tees 14. Debbie’s Hallmark 15. Pearl Pumphrey’s 16. Serendipity Designer Jewelry 58 SEPTEMBER 2014 | W WW. BAYO UL IFEM AG. C OM

WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | SEPTEMBER 2014

3 1

7 12

11 15 16 14

1. Mojo’s of Louisiana 2. The Toggery 3. Cara’s Boutique 4. Fabulous Fabric 5. The Market 6. Haven/Intelligent Designs 7. Maison Couture Clothiers 8. Fiesta Nutrition Center 9. The Muffin Tin 10. Material Things 11. The Children’s Shoppe 12. Hemline Monroe 13. Pelican District 14. Sleepy Hollow Furniture 15. Thurman’s Food Factory and Gifts 16. Woodstock Furniture Revival 60 SEPTEMBER 2014 | W WW. BAYO UL IFEM AG. C OM

Downtown Gallery Crawl

The final Downtown Gallery Crawl of the summer was held Aug. 7, and art enthusiasts were pleased that cooler temperatures and fair weather prevailed. Strolling among the galleries, visitors viewed art by some of the region's best known and best loved artists, including new photography from Burg Ransom, paintings by Ricky Sikes, and video and mixed media installation by Kelsea McCrary and Austin Bantel. As they sipped on complimentary beverages and noched on snacks provided by Nonna, visitors also got the chance to take in a bit of wordplay at the Arender Gallery. Around the corner at Luna Blue, Ian Blaylock displayed a selection of dramatic portraits running the gamut of human emotions. The gallery crawls have become one of northeast Louisiana's signature arts events, often featuring live music, entertainment, and some of the best art in the South. The next Gallery Crawl will be held in October.

On the BayouScene

1 Chris and Kathy Czeschin and Ann Bloxom Smith 2 Hans Beutner, Rachal Russell and Michelle McCally 3 Taylor Kemp, Rebekha Guadalupe, Eryn Parker, Angie O'Pry Blades and Kayla Smith 4 Shelly Marsala and Mandy Marsala Pruitt 5 Kelli and Kurt McEnery and Delia Simpson 6 Cindy Blanchard and Mike Hartt 7 Amber Savana, Andi Sherman and Hans Beutner 8 Justin Lacombe, Logan Murray, Allison Franzen and Tommy Lang 9 Betsy Putnam and Lane Davis 10 Debra Heard, Margaret Ellerman and Jane Dixon 11 Ahmaad Solmone and Kylie Stracener 12 Jamie Ballard and Kari Patton 13 Kelsea McCrary and Austin Bantel 14 Arely Castillo Vargas and Emi Harris 15 Kelsea McCrary and Hope Anderson

12 62 SEPTEMBER 2014 | W WW. BAYO UL IFEM AG. C OM

WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | SEPTEMBER 2014

MELANIE MASSEY GROVES

Bringing MoJoy to MoPeople article by Maré Brennan photos by Martin G. Meyers

elanie Massey Groves needs an accordion fold-out business card. This energetic, mother-of-two established one of the most successful physical therapy practices (Melanie Massey Physical Therapy) in 1995 to serve patients in West Monroe, Monroe, Ruston and Shreveport and has never shied away from an opportunity or a challenge. Her physical therapy motto is “to joyfully use your gifts to brighten the lives of others.” Known for her innovative approaches to physical therapy, it is no surprise to find “creativity” is a word frequently used wherever Melanie leads. Her inspirational, painted canvases and intricate, handcrafted jewelry and beadwork have gained a huge following of devotees. Melanie has for years used the creative arts as part of occupational therapies in her practice. As part of her outreach as a John Maxwell Co.-trained motivational life and leadership coach, Melanie has hosted creativity workshops, where women would join together for a weekend of crafts, fellowship, canvas painting, jewelrymaking and inspiration. Through MoCo (a 64 SEPTEMBER 2014 | W WW. BAYO UL IFEM AG. C OM

play on Melanie’s nickname of “Mo” and the word “motivational,” Melanie offers individual and business coaching, public speaking, motivational retreats and corporate leadership training. Melanie’s blog, www.mymojoy.com, blends all of her worlds in one easy and fun to read online stop. Melanie’s latest endeavor, MoJoy Studio is a logical “nextstep” for this dynamo. “It’s like it was meant to be,” explains Melanie about having the building next door to her Melanie Massey Physical Therapy West Monroe office come up for rent this past January. MoJoy Studio is a one-of-a-kind artspace where the creative process becomes a key to learning and unlocking self-awareness through any number of media. For Melanie, who was an art major before going to physical therapy school, her life has come full circle with all aspects perfectly interwoven. For Children: MoJoy Studio has afterschool art classes forming now for the fall. If

this summer’s children’s activities are any indication, MoJoy is the place to be if you are a budding young artist. Led by local artist/instructor and Best Artist of the Delta winner Emery Thibodeaux or art education major Suzy Allen, kids are able to explore the world of art in a way that is geared to instill a sense of accomplishment and confidence and teach skills that open up untapped creativity and problem solving. “Teaching kids to be creative is good for any career,” explains Melanie, as she points to a mixed media canvas that is centered with a child’s photograph in profile with words like “awesome” and “kind” filling the spaces around the child’s face. “This summer we did several esteem building projects, like these canvases with self-portraits and the words they used to describe themselves.” Camp Creative Kids’ Classes (ages 5-10) will take place on Mondays starting September 8 and on Wednesdays beginning September 10 from 4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. This class focuses on creativity and will get your child exposed to many dif-

EMERY THIBODEAUX

ferent art forms, including painting with acrylics and watercolors, drawing mixed media collage and ceramics. With a different project each week, this class is the perfect way to start developing artistic skills. The Tribe - Devoted Young Artists (ages 10-14) classes take place on Thursdays starting September 11 from 4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. This class is for young artists who are looking to make the leap from creativity to fine art, offering a more in-depth approach and incorporating the elements of art, principles of design and the creative process. The Tribe starts out with drawing basics (pencil, ink and charcoal) and transitions into color theory and focused, multi-session canvas paintings. All children’s classes will run for twelve weeks throughout the fall semester, breaking only for the week of Thanksgiving and ending the first week of December. An Artists’ Reception will be held Saturday, December 6 to celebrate each artist’s best works. Call 318.884.8334 or email classes@mymojoy.com for more information about classes. Children will love to celebrate and create with Birthday Parties by MoJoy. The birthday boy or girl gets to pick their favorite art project, invite their friends and create unique and meaningful art with a MoJoy instructor. The project can be customized to suit any birthday theme. And if you are busy mom with no time to plan, MoJoy Studio can even handle every detail from cake to decorations. Call to find out how easy and fun your child’s next birthday can be! MoJoy Studio is not just for kids! August has been Teacher Month at the studio with teachers receiving 10% off classes or products, including the incredible “Let’s Grow! Teacher Edition” Planners that Melanie has developed especially for teachers. Each of these workbooks for teaching professionals helps chart areas of personal growth and can be used as evidence toward reaching Common Core goals. You have to see these planners to believe them!

Feeling jealous and want to get in on the creativity? MoJoy Studio offers custom classes that are perfect for a day trip or girls night out. If you bring 5 friends, then you get to come free! Simply pick the kind of project you and you friends will want to do, whether it’s a mixed media canvas, ceramics, jewelry design, painted wooden bangle bracelets or any number of fun projects. Invite your friends. Bring your own food and beverages. And come make unique and meaningful art! The possibilities for fun are endless... Melanie envisions Big Sis Lil’ Sis Sorority get togethers, Bachelorette parties, Mother/Daughter collaborations and so much more centered around a unique class creating memories and awesome projects to take home. As the holidays start to approach, be on the lookout for a handmade pop-up shop within the MoJoy Studio where you can find artisan crafted gifts, small stocking stuffers or the beads, materials and tools to create your own holiday masterpiece. Melanie is known throughout the country for her women’s art/personal growth retreats that she has hosted at her home, drawing participants from as far as New Jersey, New York and Florida. Says Melanie, “Everything we do at the retreat is based on determining your core values and priorities and how to maximize those in your life.” The crafts created during the retreat are used to reinforce those core values, like jewelry featuring key words from value statements, subtle reminders in a chic wearable cuff or necklace. Want to learn more and unleash your inner creative spirit or that of your child’s? Call MoJoy Studio at 318.884.8334 or email classes@mymojoy.com to sign up today. To learn more about MoJoy Studio or MoCo Motivational Coaching, follow Melanie’s blog at www.mymojoy.com or follow them on Facebook or Instagram @mojoystudio.

WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | SEPTEMBER 2014

Louisiana Arts and Crafts

Betsy Putnam and Victoria Smith were in good company during a recent Downtown Gallery Crawl event, as their art was featured during the Louisiana Arts and Crafts event. Hosted upstairs at Cotton, Choice Brands invited visitors to sample Abita Brewery's popular seasonal offerings. Art lovers enjoyed cold brews from Louisiana's most famous brewery, including the Louisiana Black & Tan, Restoration Pale Ale, Turbodog, Legendary Gator and Seersucker Summer Pils. Also, the Abita crew set up an Oak Aged Abita Abbey Ale Cask, and those who sampled it took home a commemorative pint glass. Also, visitors enjoyed an appetizer menu and live music â&#x20AC;&#x201C; a bit of cool refreshment during a hot summer!

On the BayouScene

1 Chris and Amanda Stucker 2 Jameson Keeton and Betsy Putnam 3 Janelle Briggs and Lee Edwards 4 Delia Simpson and Leigh Ann Palmer 5 Shannon and Kira Jordan 6 Harley Price and Bethany Skinner 7 Brad McConnick and Devin Knowles 8 Shelley and Scott Malsam 9 Andy Harbor and Kitty Kervin 10 Reid and Jamie Guillot with Betsy Putnam 11 Virginia and Jermiah Lee 12 Johnny and Tracey Brown 13 Brandon and Barbara Gray

66 SEPTEMBER 2014 | W WW. BAYO UL IFEM AG. C OM

WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | SEPTEMBER 2014

Revolution Park Race Day

Family and fun were the order of the day at a recent Revolution Park Racing and Entertainment Complex race day. While enjoying the roaring thunder on the track, off the track race fans spent time with family, visited with friends and enjoyed some of the best racing of the season. The event featured live entertainment, food and fellowship. But it was the on-the-track action that kept fans in their seats. The highlight of the night: an impromptu pyrotechnics display. Following a minor fender bender and a fuel spill, track crews lit the track on fire. The display was perfectly safe, but the audience loved every minute of it!

On the BayouScene

1 Wanda and Wilie Smith 2 Mallory Williams, Kacey Ezell and Abigale Williams 3 Tara Beekman and Daylyn Gowan 4 Anna, Max, Nick and Mick Dlugosh 5 Linda and Terry Keefe 6 Jason and Christina Sharp 7 Doug and Danny Ross 8 Cameron, Spencer, Alayna and Alicia Young 9 Barry Hubbard and Neal Cantor 10 David McKinney and Tammy Chapman 11 Kevin and Cole Edwards 12 Kody Brusso 13 Kevin Kindrix and Susie Whittington 14 Alivia Green, Brianna Tramble and Cathy Ross 15 Christi and Kevin Hogard 16 Gus and Jane Campbell

68 SEPTEMBER 2014 | W WW. BAYO UL IFEM AG. C OM

WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | SEPTEMBER 2014

HOSTING

WITH

STYLE Whether Throwing Together an Impromptu Party or Dinner for Friends, These Simple Tips Will Help You Entertain in Style A B AY O U L I F E P R I M E R

t’s Saturday night and a coterie of your co-workers and their spouses will descend upon your house for an informal party. You want them to have a good time, to enjoy themselves and to leave satisfied. Most importantly, though, you want them to be impressed with your stylish party. Don’t despair. By following just a few simple guidelines—and a little bit of careful planning—your guests will think they’ve just stepped into an episode of Mad Men.

1.) THE SETTING: Your home is your domain, and chances are it’s comfortable for you. But not everyone will have the same appreciation for that collection of vintage Princess Diana Beanie Babies you’ve amassed on eBay. Glance around your living room and make sure it’s decluttered. Personal effects should be stowed. So should magazines. It’s nice for people to have something to flip through, but a table full of magazines can undermine conversation and turn your living room into a dead zone. That goes for the remote controls, too. Unless it’s movie night, the T.V. stays off.

2.) THE ATMOSPHERE: Lighting is important. Too dark, and your friends won’t want to hang around in Dracula’s Castle. Too bright, they’ll think you are prepping for surgery. So strike a balance. If your lights are on dimmers, knock it down a bit and be sure to keep tuning

72 SEPTEMBER 2014 | W WW. BAYO UL IFEM AG. C OM

it up as the evening progresses. Also, think indirect lighting, but only so long as it fills the room. The last thing you want are people leaving, because they feel like the cast of an Ed Wood film.

3.) THE TUNES: Music is that afterthought we toss on once we’ve done everything else. Sure, there’s Dianna Krall and a bit of Nora Jones never killed anyone. So you put the iPod on shuffle and begin a nice conversation with your boss over chevre brioche. Five minutes later, the conversation is interrupted when your shuffle strays into your workout selection and Semi-Precious Weapons starts shouting about paying the rent. Avoid this embarrassment by sitting down at the computer and programming a playlist that matches the mood you’re hoping to set. And who know? Maybe Semi-Precious Weapons is what you are going for. In which case, ditch the Nora Jones.

4.) THE FOOD: Anyone can pop by the big box by the airport and pick up some cream puffs and pinwheels. But where’s the fun in that? While pre-made finger foods can help in a pinch, you’ll want to make sure your friends feel like you’ve put forth an effort. No matter the method of delivery from the store, food should never be served in the packaging it was delivered in. Place those cream puffs on a tiered tray and add in some fresh berries.

Pinwheels look great on long sushi plates, too. And under no circumstances do you serve a sandwich tray on plastic. Take the time to transfer all those meats and cheeses to a series of several dishes. It’ll allow ease of service at a buffet and give you the flexibility to spread the plates around. With the food goes the conversation!

5.) THE BEVERAGE: You keep your vodka in the freezer, just above the orange juice in the fridge. It makes sense, since that’s how you use it. But what about your friends? Consider the flow pattern of your party and the desires of your guests. Most guests will come in, visit for a moment and then head for the bar. Your bar should be close enough that it welcomes your guests but far enough away from the entrance that it doesn’t create a bottle neck. Also, be sure you have a good variety of what people will want to drink. That means you’ll need a couple of bottles of wine—red and white, and some liquor. There are your staples of vodka, gin and bourbon. And then you’ll want a couple of mixers. Consider keeping on hand some orange juice, cranberry juice, tonic and soda water, and a good margarita mix. That should cover most of the bases. And if you really want to spice things up, consider serving Captain Morgan, Coke and lime…if only because it’s fun to hear your guests saying “Cuba Libre” all night.

WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | SEPTEMBER 2014

2767 Point Drive

This Beautiful Bayou Home on Point Drive Listed at $1,495,000

RCHITECT AND OWNER, SAUL MINTZ, A HIGHLY respected graduate of Tulane School of Architecture, carefully designed this timeless and functional residence that is rich in detail and quality for himself, his wife and three children in the 1970s. he had the genius to create a modern, ground-breaking masterpiece that is at the same time warm and inviting. It is almost indescribable. Upon entering the gates to the front door of this three-level, stoneclad home, one is mesmerized by the open air courtyard. Understated elegance best describes the honed marble flooring and designer carpet throughout most of the home. The majestic windows and sliding doors offer the most stunning views from every vantage point and you feel as if you are entering the ultimate retreat. This home offers over 200 feet of bayou frontage, 7,000 heated square feet, amazing indoor lighting with many special features, perfectly book-matched walnut wood walls, four bedrooms on the upper level - several of which are designed with their own private balconies, five bathrooms and two half bathrooms. The comfortable master bedroom suite is on the main level and has its own private office space and separate den. The 14ft. ceiling living room has a hidden bar, and the dining room has a concealed serving area perfect for entertaining. The rooms are divided by

74 SEPTEMBER 2014 | W WW. BAYO UL IFEM AG. C OM

an impressive double-sided fireplace. Both rooms overlook an amazing and gracious architectural terrace where there are splendid views of the bayou and tiered flowing ponds with calming sounds. Naturally, this modern treasure includes a very workable kitchen with architectural windows and lots of cabinets and drawer space. A few features on the lowest level are a bedroom or hobby room with a bathroom, recreation room/den, fireplace, a stylish sunken wet bar equipped with ice maker and sink, an office, and a garden storage or work room. The views here are breathtaking as well. This breathtaking home offers bayou living at its best with his/her full outdoor marble bathrooms, outdoor storage and a 2-story boat house with a large deck to watch colored-soaked sunsets. One of the many hallmarks of the homeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s gardens, remaining with the home, is a magnificent artistic sculpture. The outdoor lighting, designed by John Watson Lighting of Dallas, TX, creates a nighttime ambience like no other. The residence has an alarm system, sprinkler system and mature landscaping. Please call Susie Husted Realty at 318.322.8268 or 318.366.1472 for a confident showing. Thank you for taking the time to view this listing. Serious and qualified buyers only.

On the Cutting Edge of Eye Care

Eye Specialists, Dr. Barron and Dr. Fernandes, Bring the Latest Advancements in Eye Care to Our Region

HE PHYSICIANS AT THE EYE Clinic of Monroe are taking specialty eye care in our region to a new level. Dr. Joseph Barron and Dr. Joshua Fernandes are utilizing top-of-theline technology and techniques in the office and operating room to provide excellence in eye care. Among their latest advancements, Drs. Barron and Fernandes are now using Alcon’s CONSTELLATION® Vision System in the operating room, which is the most advanced system on the market for performing surgery inside the eye. They are using the system to treat conditions such as advanced diabetic eye disease,

76 SEPTEMBER 2014 | W WW. BAYO UL IFEM AG. C OM

retinal detachment, macular hole, macular pucker and many other conditions. Dr. Fernandes, a retina specialist who recently joined The Eye Clinic of Monroe, trained with some of the top eye surgeons in Chicago who currently utilize this system. “I have used several different machines for surgery inside the eye, and I can tell you this one is truly a game changer,” says Dr. Fernandes. “I am excited to bring this technology to the patients in our region.” With this technology, Drs. Barron and Fernandes can now perform surgery inside the eye with instruments so small

that their incisions in many cases won’t even need a stitch. This may result in increased patient comfort and faster recovery time. Drs. Barron and Fernandes continue to bring advances in technology such as this to our region in an effort to provide superior eye care. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Barron or Dr. Fernandes, please call 318-325-2020.

Fraxel

Safe and Predictable Laser Skin Resurfacing

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

RAXEL. SURELY YOU HAVE HEARD the name by now. It has been featured in countless morning shows and magazine articles around the country. Almost a decade ago, we introduced this innovative new laser technique to the area. It has revolutionized laser skin rejuvenation, because it offers significant advantages over traditional laser skin resurfacing. Instead of messy dressings and ointments, there is virtually no wound care. Instead of 2 – 3 weeks of wound healing, there is minimal down time. Instead of months of redness, there is virtually none after a week. And best of all, instead of looking like you have been in a house fire, you could go to your class reunion in a few days… without makeup! Fraxel uses an innovative technique developed at Harvard’s Wellman Laboratory called fractional photothermolysis. In a nutshell, researchers have figured out a way to

take the large beam of a traditional resurfacing laser and split it into thousands of tiny laser beams. The advantage is that between the areas treated by these tiny beams are islands of normal skin, so healing is extraordinarily rapid. Four to five days after treatment, instead of looking like you stuck your face in the oven, you essentially look normal. Because the tiny beams leave small untreated “islands,” multiple treatment sessions are necessary. Our experience over the past several years suggests that 4–5 sessions spaced 2 - 3 weeks apart is optimal. We use both a topical anesthetic gel and a cool air handpiece to minimize discomfort. While this is adequate in the vast majority of patients, some require oral sedation. Rarely, regional nerve blocks are necessary. Results are both immediate and progressive; maximal cosmetic improvement – smoothing and tight-

ening of the skin and diminution of fine wrinkles - is usually visible in 3–6 months. We recommend Dr. Obagi’s new Z.O. skin care system in conjunction with an annual followup Fraxel treatment to maintain the results over time. We have performed thousands of treatments over the past seven years involving multiple areas of the body. Treatment of the entire face and neck is the most common application, but we have seen excellent results in rejuvenating hands and in isolated treatments involving the area around the mouth or around the eyes. About three years ago, we added a wavelength that specifically targets areas of brown pigmentation. This “Fraxel Dual” treatment is more effective than the original single wavelength treatment in patients with hyper-pigmentation. Moreover, through experience and through communication with colleagues in other parts of the country, we have learned to tweak the laser settings upward (increased power and increased density of fraxel spots per square inch) to obtain even better and more predictable results. The end result still may not be quite as good as aggressive full-face laser resurfacing,

CONTINUED ON PAGE 174

WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | SEPTEMBER 2014

Making a Difference

CASA Volunteers Serve as a Powerful Voice for Children in Need in Our Community

OME. IT’S A WORD THAT MOST OF US TAKE FOR granted, but for the hundreds of children in Northeast Louisiana that are abused or neglected each year, it’s not so clearly defined. For a child that has been in three foster homes and two schools in the past year, the idea of home can seem like a distant memory. CASA volunteers are appointed by a judge to help ensure that each abused or neglected child finds a safe, permanent home as quickly as possible. The role of a CASA, or Court Appointed Special Advocate, is to act as an extra pair of eyes and ears for the court system, collecting information through observation and interviews with key people in the child’s life and then reporting back to the judge. CASA volunteers come from all walks of life and are a powerful voice for a child in need, making a lifelong difference, one child at a time. CASA of Northeast Louisiana currently has 130 volunteer advocates serving about 275 children across the region; however, there are more children waiting. Right now, there are over 100 foster children across Northeast Louisiana who need a voice.

78 SEPTEMBER 2014 | W WW. BAYO UL IFEM AG. C OM

That’s where you come in. By giving just a few hours a month you could be making a lifelong difference for a local child. No legal experience is required to become a CASA. Our caring staff trains and guides our volunteers through the process of child advocacy. The need for CASA volunteers is not just confined to the Twin Cities. Volunteers are needed in Rayville, Columbia, Winnsboro, Tallulah, Oak Grove, Lake Providence, Ruston, Farmerville and everywhere in between. Our next volunteer training begins September 11th. Call us today at (318) 398-0945 to learn more about you can give a child hope. A child with a CASA volunteer is twice as likely to find a permanent home and not languish in long term foster care. Since our inception, CASA of Northeast Louisiana has advocated for approximately 1,900 children in need of care and has trained nearly 800 community volunteers. These CASA volunteers come from all walks of life and are a powerful voice for a child in need, making a lifelong difference, one child at a time.

Balloon Sinuplasty™

The New Minimally Invasive Procedure for Treating Chronic Sinusitis

INUSITIS IS ONE OF THE MOST COMMON CHRONIC health problems in the U.S., afflicting 37 million Americans each year with symptoms like congestion, fatigue, headache and facial pain. Here in Louisiana, the number of sinus sufferers is exceptionally high due to higher year-round humidity and pollen counts. Anyone with chronic sinusitis can tell you that it’s a condition that significantly impacts his or her quality of life and productivity. Glenwood 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™ is designed to open blocked sinuses without removal of tissue or bone from the nasal passages. Dr. Metts passes a small, flexible balloon catheter through the nostril and into the blocked sinus. When the balloon is inflated, it gently expands the sinus’ natural drainage pathway to permanently restore normal sinus drainage and function.

ABOUT DR. METTS Dr. Metts is one of the few surgeons in the nation who are fellowship trained in minimally invasive and endoscopic assisted thyroid and parathyroid surgeries. He specializes in treatment of sinus disease, thyroid disease, hearing loss, voice care, sleep apnea, throat problems, tonsillitis and ear infections. To 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.

WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | SEPTEMBER 2014

SUBSTANCE

OVER STYLE JANET HAEDICKE – PROGRESSIVE THINKER, PROFESSOR, BEAUTY, TREND-SETTER – SEPTEMBER’S BAYOU ICON. ARTICLE BY MICHAEL DEVAULT. PHOTOGRAPHED BY BRAD ARENDER.

icture this in your mind. It's nine a.m. on a Friday morning, and you are sitting in a college classroom. The topic of today's discussion, William Faulkner's As I Lay Dying, is hardly an approachable text for your average college student. The professor enters. She's wearing pleated khaki slacks, a white button-down and wisps of blonde hair trail behind her like a cape. When she steps up to the podium, she dons a pair of reading glasses--a solitary concession to her age, which you incorrectly peg somewhere around fifty. Then, she speaks, and the room is captivated. Now, flash forward twelve hours. You're at work tending bar at the catering gig that's helping fund your degree. It's an indoor-outdoor event, and your station is by the pool of a lavish home. Candles float amid magnolias in the blue water of the pool. All around you mill men and women dressed to the nines. It's a fundraiser for a children's charity, black ties and ball gowns. For a single second, you allow yourself to be captivated by the lights twinkling through the bushes that separate you from the band tent. Then, you hear it. "What are you doing here?" asks a familiar voice. And, when you look up, you're not working the bar anymore. For a flash, you're back in the classroom that morning and standing before you is the professor, only this time she's not wearing khakis and a button down. She's in a black and white ball gown that slinks gently against a pair of peep toe pumps. Before you can answer her question, she laughs and promises that she's not here to quiz you on her lecture. Instead, all she wants in this moment is a glass of white wine. It's a pretty piece of fiction, unless you're one of countless students at the University of Louisiana-Monroe who've lived this moment, or any of a hundred more like it, as a student of Janet Haedicke, a professor of English at ULM. Like someone out of a Rand novel, Haedicke moves gracefully between the classroom and the ballroom, commanding attention in both spaces by expert use of attentiveness, wit and blinding intellect. Spend more than five seconds speaking with her on any subject, be it David Mamet's latest play or sewer pipes--and she can speak with authority on both--and you leave with the impression that she's the real deal, a modern-day Dagny Taggart, effortlessly in command of virtually any situation. "Janet is a no-nonsense kind of person and pretty to-the-point when it comes to her thoughts on matters," says Monroe Mayor Jamie Mayo. Mayo has known Haedicke for years and has always been impressed by the depth of commitment she brings to organizations and efforts she supports. "She's a doer. She gets involved." Mayo appointed Haedicke to a seat on the city's Infrastructure Commission, the governing body tasked with keeping critical infrastructure projects moving. The commission assists in prioritizing infrastructure needs, from road lighting to street paving to, yes, even sewers. Mayo says he's watched Haedicke become an informed and involved force on the Infrastructure Commission, someone who can be counted on to bring foresight to the commission as it strives to end a federal consent decree. "She's a progressive thinker," Mayo says. If experience shapes the mind of the thinker, Haedicke should be. Each of her 67 years has been packed with experiences, any one of which would be enough to fill a lifetime. Born in Monroe, Haedicke graduated from Neville High School in 1965 and immediately announced to her parents she was done with Monroe. "I left here swearing I would never move back to Louisiana," Haedicke tells BayouLife. "I told my parents that." She enrolled in Hollins College in Virginia, where she pursued a Bachelor of Arts in English from the same program where Annie Dillard was a graduate student. Dillard's husband at the time was a Hollins professor who taught contemporary American Literature. Haedicke recalls him as one of her favorite instructors. Hollins proved to be a good fit for Haedicke, something she says her mother encouraged because it had a well-respected study abroad program. "It was always just an understanding that I would go away to school," Haedicke says. It's important to remember Haedicke was 19 and this was 1966--a time when young women of stature simply did not go gallivanting across the Western world. Yet, that's precisely what Haedicke did. For a year, she lived in Paris, where she studied at the Sorbonne. Together with a friend, she traveled Europe extensively during that period. "We went to thirty different countries and lived with different families," Haedicke says. On one such visit, they stayed with a family in Dubrovnik. The family did not speak English, and neither of the girls spoke Croatian. Yet, over the course of their stay in Yugoslavia, the girls bonded with their hosts. "I remember thinking that there is this commonality. Sometimes you have to dig deep for it, but even at 19, I recognized that," Haedicke says. That commonality, those universal threads that unite people across language and cultural barriers, would become one of the common themes in her literature classes. But those classes were still years away. Haedicke still had traveling to do. After traveling to Istanbul, Haedicke spent her twentieth birthday on a train platform at the SovietTurkish border. The girls had planned to visit Russia, but they were stopped due to a smallpox outbreak. Still, she

WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | SEPTEMBER 2014

recalls it as one of her favorite birthdays. Haedicke and her companions returned to Paris and, eventually, back to the states. "I left Paris a year before the student riots." The world was changing quickly, and the roles of minorities and women in society were being hotly debated. She had attended Hollins College, one of the cradles of Eastern Feminism, and traveled Europe extensively during the run-up to an historic student movement. The world had not yet invented the word that would drive intellectual inquiry for the next fifty years. Yet, her time in Europe and at Hollins not withstanding, Haedicke described herself as apolitical. Like the rest of the world around her, she did not realize the world was on the verge of post-modernism. "No one was calling it that yet," she says. In fact, though the post-modern movement had been taking shape since the 1950s and Feminism had become a recognized school of thought, most of the world was unaware of the huge sea change the 1960s brought. That realization would come later, when in the mid1970s and early 1980s academics began to take a close look at the powers driving social thought during the decade. A recent spate of CNN 82 SEPTEMBER 2014 | W WW. BAYO UL IFEM AG. C OM

specials has taken an in-depth look at the 1960s, and Haedicke watched each episode in awe with her husband, Steve. "When you see it condensed that way, 50 years later, we were both struck by how incredibly tumultuous it was," Haedicke says. "I teach American Literature, and I teach the history along with the literature. Even so, having it condensed the way they did for the series makes you realize it was a complete paradigm shift." Following Europe, Haedicke settled in New York, much to the chagrin of her mother, who had grown up in Queens. "It was absolutely beyond her why anybody would want to live there," Haedicke recalls of her mother, who had embraced life in the South with both arms. Neither Mildred Vanderpool nor her husband, Lee, were natives. She was from New York, he was from Galveston, and they loved life in Monroe. So much, Haedicke recalls, that when she went to Europe for school, neither of her parents had traveled abroad. Haedicke calls it "a testament" to her parents' progressive attitudes, and she credits this openmindedness with her own inquisitive nature. "My mother at 94 is the most inquisitive person I know," Haedicke says. While living in New York, Haedicke worked in advertising. She met Steve Haedicke, whom she would marry, while he was working on Wall Street. They knew they wanted to build a life and a family, and doing so would require leaving New York behind. "We were getting married, and the couples there were all headed to the suburbs," Haedicke says. The idea of life in the 'burbs did not appeal to them, so they relocated to Houston, TX, where Steve took a job. The move was supposed to be temporary, but it proved even more temporary than either expected. "Our first week there, Steve got ticketed for jaywalking," Haedicke says. Houston was not the right fit for them, so they relocated again, this time back to Monroe, which Haedicke says was meant to be "a stopgap." Neither she nor her husband expected to spend any significant amount of time in Louisiana. "To get back to New York was our trajectory," Haedicke says. "Forty-three years later, it's a life. And it's a good one." Together, they raised three children--two sons, Stephen and Cameron; and a daughter, Jordan. They became involved in civic organizations, charities and even politics. It wasn't an easy reintegration, though, as Haedicke had a particular view of what life could be, and she wanted that life for herself. For a long time, Haedicke says it was easy to define she and Steve by what they were against rather than what they were for. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I remember my oldest friend, Amanda Morgan, saying, 'You and Steve are just pro-Anti,' because the easiest way to describe yourself is not what you are but what you are not," Haedicke says. It took a little while, but Haedicke eventually rejected defining herself with negatives. "You learn that's not the way. You don't create a life or an identity negatively." Back in Monroe and building a life, Haedicke needed a career. For a while, Haedicke considered law school, but she ultimately dismissed the idea as too radical. Even though the world was changing, a woman attending law school was still objectionable enough to raise eyebrows and rare enough to make even the smartest women question the potential for success. Only two of her Hollins classmates chose a law school path. One was the daughter of a U.S. Supreme Court justice, the other the daughter of a U.S. senator. "Truthfully, we all thought they were really radical to be doing that," Haedicke says. So instead of a groundbreaking career in law, Haedicke returned to her first love, literature, and earned a Master of Arts in English from Northeast Louisiana University. After completing that degree, Haedicke took a job teaching Eng-

“

WHEN THE GAP BETWEEN THE PERFORMANCE AND THE REALITY NARROWS, LIFE BECOMES MORE NAVIGABLE.

“

lish as an instructor. "I came back to get my masters with no intention of pursuing the Ph.D." she says, describing herself as not particularly ambitious on the academic front. "I got into teaching by default," Haedicke says, adding that, had they returned to New York, she wouldn't have become a teacher at all. Yet, teaching became a passion for her and, by the late 1980s, Haedicke realized continuing her career would require further study. She entered the Ph.D. program at LSU and began studying in earnest. While raising a family. And teaching. Full time. At a university more than 300 miles from LSU. Yet, challenges aside, Haedicke completed her Ph.D. in Modern Drama in 1996. "I look back, and I can't believe I did it," she says. Following completion of her doctorate, Haedicke continued teaching at NLU, eventually ULM, and her skills in the classroom grew exponentially. Students in her classes came to appreciate a "Haedicke class" as a challenge, albeit an enjoyable one according to ULM graduate Rachel Richardson Vaesslar. Vaesslar studied feminist theory and Modern Drama class as part of her own M.A. studies. "She's the idea of what I strive to be academically," says Vaesslar, who today is a high school English teacher. "She sparked my desire to push my students beyond what they thought was possible," Vaesslar says. Haedicke's feminist theory classes were so foundational to her education that Vaesslar decided to bring one of her senior English classes to a Haedicke lecture. "My students blew her away with their knowledge of modern drama," Vaesslar says with relief. She was nervous that one of her mentors might have been unimpressed. "She was so intimidating!" Vaesslar says. "But she challenged me and my way of thinking." That challenging persona extends beyond the classroom, too, according to Rev. Weldon Gaddy, pastor of Northminister Church, where the Haedickes attend services. In her church life as well as her academic life, Haedicke has frequently found herself a part of committees, groups or governing bodies, and that can be a challenge in and of itself, according to Gaddy.

"I think that a group is a challenge to Janet, because she's a very independent thinker. She's a creative person," Gaddy says, adding that Haedicke's opinions are strong, well considered and in groups, she must balance her own integrity with the work of the group. That's not a bad thing for Gaddy. "I think it makes for difficulty sometimes with people who don't understand a lot of questions being asked and a lot of doubts being raised. But I appreciate Janet." Mayo echoed that sentiment and says that she frequently raises issues and elevates the nature of discourse. "She was one of those I wanted to contribute to the city," Mayo says. And contribute she has. Gaddy's not surprised. "I always find her intensely attentive and filled with questions," Gaddy says. Haedicke is aware of her public persona and embraces it as just one of her many facets. "I increasingly am fascinated by the depth and strength of the human spirit and less interested in the surfaces," Haedicke says. "The 'situations' created are generally meaningful and sustaining connections, both professional and personal. Value to me notwithstanding, there are doubtlessly those whose adjective of choice would be intrusive!" Yet any intrusion Haedicke brings to the table is borne with an aim to better the student's understanding of a complex element of literature or the goals of the organization she's serving. And serve she has. Haedicke served as editor of the Tennessee Williams Literary Journal for four years. She also sits on the Pirate’s Alley Faulkner Society Executive Committee, is the Secretary of the Louisiana State Museum Board and holds a seat on the board of directors of the Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities. Closer to home, Haedicke sat on the board of directors of the Center for Children and Families, where she was elected president and established the Black and White Ball with Sue Sartor. “It’s become a signature fundraiser, which I’ve become very proud of,” Haedicke says. Immediately, she deflects attention from herself to the cause she supports. In this case, it's abused and neglected children. “The statistics are horrifying.” That service mentality extends to ULM, where she continues to WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | SEPTEMBER 2014

84 SEPTEMBER 2014 | W WW. BAYO UL IFEM AG. C OM

teach. In addition to the classroom, Haedicke sits or has sat on numerous college and university committees. She was elected president of the ULM Faculty Senate, a position that created around Haedicke an impression of her as firebrand and lightning rod. ULM biologist Anna Hill served two terms as Faculty Senate president and knows the demands of the job. She described Haedicke as a ferocious defender of faculty interests. "I know from experience that there have always been difficult negotiations between faculty and administration," says Hill. Those competing interests arise from different goals, according to Hill. "They want more students to graduate, while we want to maintain what we consider to be college level academic standards and academic freedom," Hill says. That often means whomever the faculty elects as its representatives finds themselves in a sometimes contentious relationship with administrators. Hill recalls that Haedicke never compromised on matters of principle and did not shy away from a fight. "She never backed down during a tough argument, and she was always well informed and well spoken," Hill says. "I may not always have agreed with what she said, but she gained the respect of the administration by stating her case well." Haedicke tempered her opinions with the knowledge that her position was one of honor and influence, highlighting an acute self-awareness that at times can border on selfconsciousness. Haedicke is aware of her public persona, but she says it has tempered over the years. “I think that’s one of the redeeming facets of aging, that the disparity between the public and the private narrows," says Haedicke, who likens life to performance. "We all perform. I teach drama and film. We all perform. But when that gap between the performance and the reality narrows, life becomes more navigable.” At 67, Haedicke shows no signs of slowing down. She's still teaching a full load at ULM. She and Steve divide their weekends between Monroe and their home in New Orleans, where Haedicke just welcomed a new grandson, Stephen William Peltier. And she's returned to the board of the Center for Children and Families. Yet, today, she approaches life with a circumspect attitude and knows what she would do differently if she could turn back the clock. "I didn't laugh enough," she says. Whether the topic was her personal or professional life, Haedicke believe she missed opportunities at humor. "Everyone has a sad story. And being able to…it’s absolutely essential...to gain a perspective on your own story. The best means to that perspective is humor," Haedicke says. “In my personal and professional life, there were times where I just took myself too seriously.” The journey's not over, though, so Haedicke has many days left to laugh. She returns to the subject of her mother, Mildred, who at 94 hasn't slowed down. "My greatest hope is that I can be as vibrant as she is at 94." In the classroom, Haedicke hopes she's building a legacy of thinkers, students who don't parrot back what the professor says but, instead, learn to process information in a way that leads them to be independent. Students today give her cause for "tremendous hope." "When you have to denigrate, demonize in order to feel a sense of personal power, if you translate that by person, by state, by nation, by country, then you end up with the world we see every day in the news," Haedicke says. She paints a clear picture of what success looks like in the classroom: "If I can reach these students, most of whom are first generation college students, many of whom have never seen the parish line, and inculcate them that identity is essential and powerful so long as it is acquired positively, rather than through polarization.” The substance of the thing is vastly more important than the style of it, and when Haedicke realizes she's yet to touch on style, she laughs. "Ah. Good."

Two Great Chairs, One Low Price Burney’s Furniture Offers Great Savings on La-Z-Boy Recliners

YOU ARE SEEING DOUBLE! Burney’s Furniture has a well deserved reputation for doubling up on already fantastic promotions. When the tax free holiday came around, Burney’s doubled the state savings on every ticket, all day long for an entire week! So guess what Burney’s is doing now? Burney’s is giving you TWO GREAT CHAIRS, for ONE LOW PRICE!

BUT BURNEY’S DIDN’T STOP THERE Not only do you get two great chairs for one low price, you also get FREE in home design service, express delivery and 12 months interest free to pay for your purchases. Pick out a new LaZ-Boy and get TWO of them during this special extravaganza of two for the price of one! We do it, because we’re serious about saving you money. AUTHORIZED, LIMITED TIME OFFER This sale creates a huge buzz, but hurry, because it’s very much a limited time offer.

AND WE’RE NOT KIDDING! Burney’s never kids about saving you money, and neither does La-Z-Boy! This authorized sale offers you TWO iconic, quality assured La-Z-Boy Reclina-Rockers in a number of styles and price points, and the price will just astonish and delight you. The the trend we’ve seen with recliner owners is that one is never enough! Everybody wants to recline in the La-Z-Boy, so don’t miss your chance to update your home with two of them for one great price. And while we’re not kidding, we don’t want you to waste another second in getting on over to Burney’s, because when they’re gone and the lights of this famous sale go out, your opportunity will be gone. Don’t miss it!

Burney’s Furniture is located at 3111 Louisville Avenue in Monroe. 318-322-4959. www.burneysfurniture.com

WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | SEPTEMBER 2014

Deirdre McGehee Designs

Local Designer Opens Her First Retail Outlet in Keystone Plaza

EIRDRE MCGEHEE, A LOCAL DESIGNER, IS PROUD to announce the opening of her first retail outlet. She has been creating beautiful, one-of-a-kind items for the community for years. "I think people are amazed at having a product produced here in our area. This is not a common business these days," says McGehee. But Deirdre has done it. She has had a love of sewing anything from swimwear to décor for home interiors. Her bag business took off a few years ago. Over time, she juggled her website, selling to stores and doing shows at various markets. But alas, the time was right, the location was perfect and she had her workers lined up, so she took the plunge to have her own store. The store is located conveniently in Keystone Plaza near Sterlington High School. “It is mainly a bag and purse store, but I infuse my handmade jewelry and other accessories that make great gifts. I plan to add original DMD apparel later on. I even have thoughts of my own shoe line! Each week I will be bringing new items to the store. The store will be open every Wednesday through Saturday. Mondays and Tuesdays the store will be closed for restocking,” says McGehee. The designer has so many luxurious creations in the form of handbags, travel bags, totes, organizers, wristlets and more. There are a variety of fabrics and hues to choose from, and each product is expertly handcrafted. While she is still a small manufacturer, she plans to continue to meticulously train her staff and grow her manufacturing business. "Keeping up with demand is my biggest problem, but I suppose that is a good problem to have." Visit her website, dmdbags.com to view the latest styles or stop by the store ,located at 8823 Hwy 165 N Ste. #4 in Monroe.

86 SEPTEMBER 2014 | W WW. BAYO UL IFEM AG. C OM

A Healthy Heart, For a Healthy Life Cardiac Rehab Can Improve Quality of Life for Congestive Heart Failure Patients

ESPITE ITS NAME, HEART FAILURE DOES NOT mean your heart has suddenly stopped working. However, it is a serious disease that develops when your heart is unable to properly pump blood and oxygen throughout the body to meet the needs of your organs. As a result, blood can pool in the heart and fluid can build up in the limbs and organsâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;commonly referred to as congestive heart failure. It can be caused by coronary artery disease, heart attack, high blood pressure or any condition that damages the heart muscle. According to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), chronic heart failure is the most common reason for hospitalizations and 30-day readmissions in the Medicare population, and it affects approximately six million Americans. Since congestive heart failure is also a progressive condition, it is important to properly manage it to prevent the worsening of symptoms, including the further weakening of the heart muscle. Recently, CMS has announced that cardiac rehabilitation programs are an effective, and therefore, covered treatment for congestive heart failure. Additional cardiac conditions that qualify for cardiac rehabilitation services include: acute myocardial infarction within the preceding 12 months, coronary artery bypass surgery, current stable angina pectoris, heart valve repair or replacement, Percutaneous Transluminal Coronary Angioplasty (PTCA) or coronary stenting, and heart or heart-lung transplant. After reviewing many research studies on the topic, CMS stated that cardiac rehab exercise programs have demonstrated consistent improvements in heart failure symptoms, cardiac mortality and hospitalizations. So now, the expert cardiac rehab team at Delhi Hospital can help patients living with congestive heart failure work to manage their symptoms and decrease the risk of their condition worsening. The Delhi Cardiac Rehab facility was recently renovated and includes weight lifting and cardio equipment as well as the monitoring technology necessary to improve the strength of the heart. Plus, all graduates of the Delhi Cardiac Rehab Program are eligible for a lifetime, heart healthy membership at the facility for only $10 a month. So whether itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s controlling congestive heart failure or recovering from a heart attack or surgery, Delhi Hospital Cardiac Rehab is here for you, ensuring you have a healthy heart, and therefore, a healthier life.

WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | SEPTEMBER 2014

Quality Care

First Choice Hospice Offers the Best for the People You Love the Most

BY RONDA HERLEVIC

UALITY, COMPASSIONATE care for people with an end-stage disease is one of the many benefits of hospice care. The main focus of our hospice staff is pain and symptom management. First Choice Hospice assists the patient with emotional and spiritual needs, and also provides medications, medical supplies, medical equipment and education for the family on how to care for their loved one during this time. First Choice Hospice uses a team approach in developing a plan of care that meets the individual needs of every patient. Our team of professionals includes the patientâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s personal physician, our medical director, a RN case manager, home care aide, social worker, chaplain and trained volun-

88 SEPTEMBER 2014 | W WW. BAYO UL IFEM AG. C OM

teers. At First Choice Hospice, we treat the patient rather than the disease and manage the symptoms to increase quality of life. Angela Yarborough, Director of Nursing, and her clinical staff are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for all of our patients. In most cases, hospice care is provided in the patientâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s home, enabling them to be surrounded by their loved ones. First Choice Hospice may also provide care in nursing facilities, assisted living facilities and hospitals. Our hospice services are available to patients of any age, religion, race or illness, and are covered under Medicare, Medicaid, most private insurance plans and other managed care organizations. First Choice Hospice has a phenomenal group of 35 trained volunteers, led by Denise

Smith, our Volunteer Coordinator and Community Liaison. These volunteers offer a wide variety of services for our patients and their families, including haircuts, manicures, baking/cooking, etc. This unique service, paired with our clinical expertise, makes us a preferred choice when choosing a hospice company. Choosing hospice care is not giving up. It is making a decision to maximize quality of life by managing symptoms and controlling pain. For more information about hospice care or to schedule an informational visit, call Ronda Herlevic, Director of Business Development, or Lauren Walker, RN Liaison, today at 318-322-0049.

A Successful Year The Yoga Barre Gears Up for One Year Anniversary with Specials September 15-20th

S ALWAYS, SUMMER SEEMS TO COME AND GO IN the blink of an eye, and before you know it, the kids are back in school and routines are back in order. Usually at the beginning of a new year we try to make resolutions pertaining to our life choices; some of us are good to stick with them for an entire year and some of us forget we even made them. Let this new school year be the beginning of something new and fresh for you. Begin your day with a morning ritual and choose something that will set you up for success! We started our summer with a new schedule that will continue on for the rest of the year. Check out these upcoming events. Tuesday, August 5th was the first day of our 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training, led by Courtney Thibault. This is a six month training program that is certified by the Yoga Alliance. The group meets every Tuesday and Thursday from 12:00-2:30 p.m. until the end of January. If you are an existing yoga teacher or someone who wants to gain more knowledge of anatomy or yoga philosophy or correct alignment for different yoga poses, we are offering a drop-in rate for the training. This means you do not have to

sign up and pay for the entire training – you have the option to only come to the sessions that you are interested in. If you have any questions about the training, feel free to e-mail CourtneyThibaultYoga@yahoo.com or yogabarrestudio@gmail.com. We are excited about this opportunity to grow our community of yoga instructors in the area. September 17th will mark our one year anniversary! We could not be more pleased with the response we have gotten from everyone. To celebrate our year in business, we will be offering specials for the week of September 15-20; discounts will be available for our monthly and class packages. This week will also be “bring a friend for free” week. You can bring one friend who has never visited the studio before, and their class will be free of charge. If you have any questions, please feel free to email, call, text or stop by the studio! We hope y'all enjoyed this beautiful summer!

WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | SEPTEMBER 2014

BITE THE

B UL L ET

Karan and Rick Kirkham of Bullet Designs Make It Possible to Take the Outdoors With You By Incorporating Bullet Into Jewelry article by AR IEL

amouflage print clothing, weapons and ammo can be a large part of an outdoor sportsman’s identity. These are telltale signs of someone who is proud of their firearms and the hobbies — or way of life — they are used for. This is all well and good, until hunters and gun owners have to dress up and attend a formal event, like a wedding for example. Depending on the bride (or “bridezilla,” in some cases), it may be seen as rude to come to the ceremony openly packing heat or wearing camo attire, and usually this means they are left behind in the deer stand or duck blind. “ Karan and Rick Kirkham founded Bullet Designs in 2010, and they specialize in making accessories that make it possible to take a little bit of the outdoors with you in your daily life and to any event. Bullet Designs makes everything from earrings to cuff links to fan pulls, and all incorporate bullets of varying calibers, makes and models. (Karan Kirkham added that the bullet cufflinks even make a great gift for the groomsmen.) Bullet Designs is based in Choudrant and has experienced amazing growth in the past four years of operation. The company went from a small operation to a full staff of 10 people — complete with marketing, accounting, customer service, jewelry assemblers and head “bullet cutter.” Karan Kirkham said that Bullet Designs began as a side project for her and her husband. Before Bullet Designs became their full-time career, the Kirkhams owned an auto repair shop and Karan did taxes, but they learned how to make items to sell online during slower seasons of the year to supplement their income. Karan and Rick both have entrepreneurial spirits and tried many different things — including selling coupons on eBay to “extreme

90 SEPTEMBER 2014 | W WW. BAYO UL IFEM AG. C OM

K ING

couponers”— before striking gold with their idea to fuse recycled bullets and accessories. “My husband and I started selling things online in our spare time,” Karan Kirkham said. “He made bullet key rings, and I had learned to make some jewelry — starting out with guitar pick jewelry. I learned how to make jewelry online and did video tutorials.” The Kirkhams began selling their products online in 2007, but Bullet Designs did not officially organize until 2010. Karan said Rick has the mind of an engineer, and while it took many rounds and months of trial and error to get it right, he was able to modify machines to be able to cut recycled bullets quickly and easily. Bullet Designs uses spent cases and cuts them so down to the round bottom, leaving only the brand and caliber engraving visible. The bullets are then added to jewelry, accessories, key rings or used as ink pens or fan pulls. Another aspect of the jewelry and accessory line that took trial and error was reaching their target demographic. At first, they believed their products would speak to men, so they began attending gun shows to sell them but found that their products were more successful at other shows. “(The gun shows were) okay, but it didn’t really take off until we went to our first craft show,” Karan Kirkham said. “That’s when we found that women were our target audience.” Karan Kirkham was also surprised to discover that it was not just hunters and Southern women that bought Bullet Designs products. She said that the bullet jewelry and accessories appeal to any women looking for original and unique products, regardless of whether they are gun enthusiasts. Every item is handmade, and it takes between 15 and 30 minutes to assemble each piece.

Ironically, even the anti-gun crowd can’t take issue with Bullet Designs, since they take bullets out of circulation that could be refilled and reused as ammo. The company prides itself on being “green” as well, so they also appeal to those who care about the environment. “It could be somebody that doesn’t have any interest in guns. These are different, and nobody else has them,” Kirkham said. “And that appeals to a lot of women. It’s not something that everybody has… And of course, if you’re a man and you have to wear cufflinks, you’re going to prefer to wear one from a gun if you are a gun enthusiast.” Once they pinpointed their target demographic and created products with them in mind, Bullet Designs’ sales took off. The success of the company caught the eye of firearm manufacturer Remington. Bullet Designs partnered with Remington about 3 years ago to produce items for the company to resell to their customers. Karan said this partnership allowed the Kirkhams to shut down their other businesses and focus on Bullet Designs full-time. It also helped Bullet Designs grow even more as a business and branch out to new customers. At the time this article was written, Bullet Designs had 89,703 “likes” on Facebook, and it’s safe to say the company has graduated to a larger market than just within Northeast Louisiana. They currently ship products all over the country, and according to Karan Kirkham, Bullet Designs actually sells more products to people in other regions of the U.S. than it sells locally. “You’d be surprised! A lot of people have thought that our market would be a Southern thing, but it’s not,” Kirkham said. “We ship to New York City regularly. And then Chicago and California. We have a picture of a gentleman who wore his (Bullet Designs) cufflinks in the Boston Harvard Club for his wedding.” Not only does Bullet Designs sell products all over the country, they actually ship a large portion of their products overseas and to our neighbors to the north. “It’s actually a global market,” Kirkham said. “I was looking earlier at a few of the countries we have shipped to, and we have wholesalers in Germany, Australia and New Zealand. Then, we ship to Canada probably on a daily basis. Some of the other interesting countries lately were Russia, Japan, China, United Kingdom and Brazil.” Even though business is good, Bullet Designs has encountered issues the Kirkhams didn’t anticipate when they started production in 2007. “When we first started, it was really easy to find what we needed,” Kirkham said. “But when the political climate changed a few years ago, it became harder and harder. So we’ve had to get a little bit creative there too, because we can’t always find what we need so we’ve bought other equipment to modify the bullets somewhat when we have to.” Thanks to the Bullet Designs team’s creativity and ability to adapt under the new circumstances, they have persevered and gained the attention of some high profile entities. The company was awarded the 2014 Louisiana Small Business Innovative Award

HIGH C A L I B E R JEWELS in Baton Rouge earlier this year and recently entered into a partnership with major gun manufacturer, Winchester. According to Karan, Winchester is taking Bullet Designs’ products to shows and adding them to the company’s licensed products on its website winchestergear.com. Through all the success, growth and the promising future of Bullet Designs, the Kirkhams have never lost sight of what’s important. No. 1 on Bullet Designs’ “Our Core Values” list on their website is “Put God first in all that we do,” and the Kirkhams abide by this and have stayed humble. They are thankful for what they have and are grateful for the opportunity to combine their interests and to have created a unique, popular product. Karan Kirkham said she is blown away by how her life has changed in the last few years. “It’s hard to describe; it’s just so much better,” Kirkham said. “We’re both so happy. This is our thing. I worked for other people and for other companies. We learned a lot, and it helped get us to where we are today. But we were never truly happy doing that. We’re true entrepreneurs, and it’s in our blood. This is where we are happy.”

WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | SEPTEMBER 2014

Photography by MARTIN G MEYERS Hair and Makeup by MEKA BENNETT

BEAU MONDE

Rheagan looks stunning in a ďŹ&#x201A;utter sleeve, taupe maxi by Missy Robertson. The lace accents add a feminine touch.

Special Thanks To MELODY OLSON

K-SERAâ&#x20AC;&#x2C6;BOUTIQUE

Take a walk on the wild side in this sizzling snakeskin dress. Featuring a high-low hem and lace shoulders, this dress is perfect for fall nights.

WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | SEPTEMBER 2014

THEâ&#x20AC;&#x2C6;TOGGERY

Rheagan is the belle of the ball in this breathtaking evening gown from The Toggery. This dress features a stunning sweetheart neckline, peplum overlay and beautiful lace and sequined accents on the skirt. Accessorize with Gypsy jewelry for a glamorous look that is sure to turn heads.

BENT OAKS BOUTIQUE

Both chic and comfortable, this oﬀ-the-shoulder dress in blush has 3/4 length sleeves. Accent the look with a statement necklace in a complimentary color. This dress is great for date night.

DUCK & DRESSING

Both feminine and bold, this look features a black top with sequined embellishments paired with a graphic, maxi skirt with grid print and a gathered, wrapped front. Finish the look with a black ﬁsherman sandal and a modern clutch.

WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | SEPTEMBER 2014

SALT & PEPPER ACCESSORY BOUTIQUE Coco Chanel may have started the trend, but Salt & Pepper continues it with this elegant LBD. With a lace bodice and deep-V neckline, this dress will have you ready for fall’s social scene.

HERRINGSTONEâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S

Sassy and sophisticated, this brocade cropped top and bell skirt is a great addition to your fall wardrobe. Add a gold and agate stone necklace in a contrasting hue to punch up the look.

WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | SEPTEMBER 2014

101

CARA’S BOUTIQUE

This cream-colored dress from Cara’s Boutique is simply elegant. It features a high neckline with lace accents and a belted waist. Add a simple suede bootie and rhinestone earrings for a ﬁnished look.

102 SEPTEMBER 2014 | W WW. BAYO UL IFEM AG. C OM

MAISON COUTURE CLOTHIERS

This woven tunic dress features a dip dye gradient at the bottom hem, a crocheted panel at the top and ﬂoral lace inset panels on the skirt. Simply adorable, this dress is perfect for day or night.

WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | SEPTEMBER 2014

103

Award-Winning

Oglesby Honored with Multiple Esteemed Awards

OR THE SECOND CONSECUTIVE year, Darren Oglesby, Registered Financial Consultant®, and founder of The Oglesby Financial Group, a comprehensive wealth management firm in Monroe, was named the World Leader of Financial Advisors by Money Concepts Capital Corporation. For twelve consecutive years before these recognitions, Oglesby was named the Money Concepts International Financial Advisor of the Year. "This honor extends to our whole team," stated Oglesby. "Each and every member works diligently and with a caring and professional attitude to deliver the services we provide." Oglesby was also honored by being asked to be a keynote speaker at the Money Concepts 2014 Financial Planning Congress in Santa Ana Pueblo, New Mexico on July 15, 2014.

Darren Oglesby founded his firm as a comprehensive financial services company, committed to helping its clients improve their long-term financial success. The Oglesby Financial Group, headquartered in Monroe, has a two-decade track record of helping others manage and protect their wealth. "The Oglesby Financial Group is based on the principle that education and understanding is vital to successfully making prudent decisions concerning one’s future financial condition," stated Oglesby. "The strategies employed by the Oglesby wealth management team are developed through our concierge-style financial services platform to take advantage of opportunities and help protect our clients' financial future and live a better life." Oglesby, an accomplished author, shares his knowledge of financial planning and

104 SEPTEMBER 2014 | W WW. BAYO UL IFEM AG. C OM

wealth management in his book, “The Concise Encyclopedia of Investing,” a user-friendly handbook that presents simple, brief explanations of various investing terms and concepts, along with a short discussion on each as to how it applies in everyday life. He is in demand as a speaker and commentator on radio and television and also evaluates current economic trends in a monthly article for DeltaStyle Magazine.

Oglesby Financial Group is located at 2443 Tower Drive, Monroe, LA 71201 (318) 322-1366. The Oglesby Financial Group is an INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR OF MONEY CONCEPTS INTERNATIONAL, INC. "All securities through Money Concepts Capital Corp." “Oglesby Financial Group is not affiliated with Money Concepts Capital Corp.”

Excellent Care

U.S. News & World Report Ranks St. Francis Medical Center as One of Louisiana’s Top 3 Hospitals

T. FRANCIS MEDICAL CENTER has been ranked as the third best hospital for 2014-15 in Louisiana by U.S. News & World Report and recognized in northeastern Louisiana as a best regional hospital in neurology, neurosurgery and orthopedics. The annual U.S. News Best Hospitals rankings, now in their 25th year, recognize hospitals that excel in treating the most challenging patients. “We are honored again this year to be part of this prestigious U.S. News Best Hospitals list which recognizes hospitals achieving high standards of excellence," says K. Scott Wester, Interim President and CEO of St. Francis Medical Center. "Since we opened in 1913, our mission has remained unchanged: to extend the healing ministry of Jesus Christ to God’s people, es-

pecially those most in need. This wonderful accomplishment is another testament to our remarkable team members, physicians and volunteers who provide exceptional care to those we are privileged to serve throughout Northeast Louisiana.” For 2014-15, U.S. News evaluated hospitals in 16 adult specialties and ranked the top 50 in most of the specialties. Just three percent of the nearly 5,000 hospitals that were analyzed for Best Hospitals 2014-15 earned national ranking in even one specialty. The recognized hospitals represent valuable regional sources of quality care. “The data tell the story – a hospital that emerged from our analysis as one of the best has much to be proud of,” says U.S. News Health Rankings Editor Avery Comarow. “A Best Hospital has demonstrated

K. SCOTT WESTER, INTERIM PRESIDENT AND CEO

its expertise in treating the most challenging patients.” U.S. News publishes Best Hospitals to help guide patients who need a high level of care because they face particularly difficult surgery, a challenging condition or extra risk because of age or multiple health problems. Objective measures such as patient survival and safety data, adequacy of nurse staffing levels and other data largely determined the rankings in most specialties. The specialty rankings and data were produced for U.S. News by RTI International. The reports are freely available at http://health.usnews.com/best-hospitals and appear in the U.S. News “Best Hospitals 2015” guidebook.

WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | SEPTEMBER 2014

105

Take Years Off Rejuvenate Your Smile BY DAVID FINLEY, D.D.S

BEFORE

AFTER

AKE NO MISTAKE – CROWNS DO REJUVENATE smiles. Crowns are an attractive time-tested option for teeth that have been severely damaged or weakened by trauma, root canal treatment or too much filling. They can also support bridges that fill gaps and be attached to dental implants to rebuild and enhance your smile. Crowns have come such a long way from the all-metal originals, through porcelain fused to metal, and finally to allceramic or all-porcelain. Today, replacing outdated crowns is a surefire way to take years off your appearance. You’ll love your improved great looks, too! Can my smile really become as good as new? Yes, even better actually. Because of today’s superior ceramics and bonding materials, crowns are strong and longlasting like your natural enamel and they can be precisely matched to the translucence, color and contours of your other teeth. How do I know if a crown would work for me? A protective crown is an excellent choice for many candidates. They can fix: • Poorly shaped teeth • Discolored Teeth • Cracked Teeth • Unstable Teeth • Damaged and Aging Restorations • Teeth that have been weakened from root canal treatment

What if I have multiple smile issues? If you have missing teeth, several crowns can be attached to a bridge appliance to prevent drifting teeth and further damage. For extensive discoloration or chips, porcelain veneers restore teeth and improve smile proportions.

If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact Dr. David Finley at Bayou Dental Group today. The office is located at 901 North 3rd Street in Monroe. Call today to schedule an appointment at 318-323-9303. Or visit their website at www.smile-creator.com 106 SEPTEMBER 2014 | W WW. BAYO UL IFEM AG. C OM

Technology in Health Care

P&S Surgical Hospital Makes Health Information Convenient for Patients

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

LMOST EVERY ASPECT OF OUR LIVES HAS A digital element. We stay in touch with our children via text message; we bank online; we take education courses through the Internet. Healthcare is no exception. You have probably heard the phrase, “electronic health record," but what does it mean, and how does it benefit you, the patient? An electronic health record (or EHR) is a digital version of a paper chart that contains a patient’s complete medical history. EHRs are designed to contain and share information with every healthcare provider involved in a patient’s care. EHR alerts can be used to notify a healthcare professional when a patient is in the hospital, allowing them to check on the patient’s progress. This technology allows every provider to access the same accurate information about a patient. This is especially helpful when a patient is being seen by several doctors for different medical conditions. EHRs can even prevent medical information from being susceptible to loss or destruction. When Hurricane Katrina struck the Gulf Coast in 2005, many evacuated hospital patients were left with minimal—if any—paper records, because they were destroyed in the storm. At the time of the hurricane, EHRs were in the early stages of adoption. Today, EHRs would make a significant impact in the safety of our health information. Technology plays a vital role in what we practice at P&S Surgical Hospital. Our patients can now access their health information anytime, anywhere through our newest innovation—the Patient Portal. Launched this year, our portal allows patients to fully participate in their healthcare through convenient, simple and secure access to their medical information. Patients can view test results, current medications, allergies and more. Patients—and those who care for them—can also access upcoming appointments, recovery instructions, billing statements, personal information and hospital visit history. Convenience is so important in today’s busy world, and our portal is built around that concept. If a patient is traveling, she can access her medical history through the portal via her smart phone and share that vital information with another hospital. Utilizing the portal, she can download her child’s medical history to her desktop computer or upload his information—including allergies—to a usb drive and send CONTINUED ON PAGE 174

WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | SEPTEMBER 2014

107

Not Your Mother’s Gift Shop

Legacy is Your One-Stop Shop for Gifts, Clothing, Accessories, Bridal Registry, Baby Gifts and Much More

EGACY SILVER AND GIFTS IS NOT your mother's gift shop. It is, in fact, the fresh, new generation of a family business that started nearly 40 years ago in Judy C. Martin's den. The Monroe native's business grew to become the premier gift shop and bridal registry spawning 10 locations across a 500 mile radius including Jackson, MS, Little Rock, AR; and Baton Rouge. Her success was based on providing quality gifts, product knowledge and extra frills such as complementary gift wrapping-- all at prices well below retail. Since Judy's retirement in 2009, Lori Martin Bernard continues her mother's tradition with Legacy Silver and Gifts, the name a tribute to her family's history. Lori takes the concept of discount shop-

ping to a new level, applying the cost-cutting principle to every “department” inside the spacious 4,000+ square feet of shopping area with a year-round Christmas Room and the Great Walls of China, an entire room devoted to active and discontinued patterns that can be purchased or rented for special occasions. Get the latest looks in Lori B.'s Boutique area. All clothing is marked down 25% less another 25% upon its arrival! Accessorize with our stylish jewelry, bags and scarves. For the tiny fashionista, Legacy Baby section has adorable clothing, baby gifts and keepsakes. Our bridal registry is unsurpassed in experience to assist with bridal selections from all major lines of china, silver and crystal. Legacy stocks sterling flatware priced at least

108 SEPTEMBER 2014 | W WW. BAYO UL IFEM AG. C OM

60-70% off retail. Engraving and mail-order services are available. Unique to our registry is the Legacy Advantage. Consider, for example, a bride has chosen Spode Woodland, and a guest would like to spend around $30. A dinner plate retails for $46.25 and a salad plate for $31.50. At Legacy, the dinner plate is $29.80 – well under budget for the nicer gift! When your “to do” list requires you to buy a wedding gift, a baby shower present, replace the broken wine glass for your dinner party (and find the perfect outfit to wear to it!), drive right up to Legacy Silver and Gifts where the legacy of local hospitality, convenience, experience and great prices live on.

Gluten Free with VHP!

Vantage Earns GREAT Kitchen Accreditation from the National Foundation for Celiac Awareness

BY CAROL-ANNE BARNES

EGISTERED DIETITIANS AT Vantage recently completed a Glutenfree Resource Education Awareness Training (GREAT) Kitchens’ Accreditation from the National Foundation for Celiac Awareness (NFCA). This accreditation allows them to work with local restaurants to create gluten-free dishes for their existing menu. Gluten-free menu options are in high demand as it is reported that over 3 million Americans suffer from some level of gluten intolerance. ABOUT GLUTEN INTOLERANCE: Gluten is a protein found in wheat, barley and rye. About 30% of people inherit the inability to completely metabolize gluten. The un-metabolized gluten causes inflammation in different parts of the body. About 3% of these people have Celiac Disease, which can be life threatening. The other 97% have gluten

sensitivity. Many common conditions, such as allergies, arthritis and diabetes, can be worsened by gluten if a person has gluten sensitivity.

HOW TO BECOME A GREAT KITCHEN: Vantage’s certified Registered Dietitians will meet with the owner or chef to evaluate the restaurant’s current menu. Together, they begin the application process with NFCA. Then they work to develop a planning and implementation process. The registered dietitians will help identify and replace gluten ingredients and explain proper storage procedures. They will also assist with training front management, back management and staff in order to serve dishes that are safe. Once the application is approved, the restaurant will receive accreditation from the NFCA which will provide national publicity for the

restaurant. The Vantage dietitians will then schedule follow-up appointments for protocol verification. All services offered by the dietitians are at no cost to the restaurant. Crystal Fox, Registered Dietitian, believes, “Restaurants with gluten-free menu items allow those with gluten intolerances to socialize without the fear that their meal is unsafe.” Amanda Wood, RD, LDN, adds, “The gluten-free diet is popular throughout the country, and we are excited to assist our local eateries and help improve the health of everyone.” “Creating a few gluten-free dishes is actually pretty cost effective and can provide every customer with a healthy alternative,” explains Katie Dean, MS, LDN, RD, CDE. For information on how your restaurant can become a GREAT kitchen, call 318-998-3423.

WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | SEPTEMBER 2014

109

Clothing, Home Décor and More

The Market in Bastrop Offers Unique Items for You and Your Home

HE MARKET, LOCATED ON THE Courthouse Square in Bastrop has been located there for 15 years. It began as an antique shop, Past Perfect, owned by Pauline Kinnaird. Two years ago, her daughter Jennifer Stephenson opened The Loft inside The Market. It is a clothing boutique offering styles for all ages and sizes with brands such as Kut, Union of Angels, Ivy Jane, Gypsy Junkies, Comfy, RD Style, CP Shades and many more. Pam Laird also opened The Shoe Shack and offers many stylish shoes with brands such as Nicole, OTBT, Sbicca, Havaianas, Matisse and Madeline. We offer many unique items throughout The Market from furniture, home décor, bath products, gourmet foods and

much more. We offer unique jewelry from designers John Wind, Andrea Barnett, Gracewear, Susan Shaw and Gypsy Junkies. You can find gift items from Niven Morgan, Caldrea and Archipelago, just to name a few. We have several candle lines from Himalayan, Swan Creek and Michel. Whether you are looking for something new or an antique piece of furniture, you can find it at The Market. We travel throughout the states to find unique pieces for your home. We are getting ready for the fall season at The Market and are kicking it off by having a Fall Night Out on Sept. 11 from 5 – 7 p.m. We will be serving wine and cheese, and you will also have a chance to try some of our new gourmet foods. Be the first to

110 SEPTEMBER 2014 | WW W. BAY O ULI FEM AG .C OM

try our newest items – beer bread and several flavors of beer cake. You won’t believe how delicious the beer cake tastes until you try it. We also participate in the annual Holiday Open House each year in November. Please join us this year on Nov. 16 from 1– 5 p.m. for a fun shopping experience, register for door prizes and enjoy refreshments while you shop. When you are in Bastrop, please stop by and enjoy a cup of coffee or cappuccino and check out our unique shop. It is a great place to find gift items, clothing, shoes and unique items for your home. We are open Wednesday-Saturday 11 a.m.– 5 p.m. and are happy to make appointments if needed.

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 place 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 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 as 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.

WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | SEPTEMBER 2014

111

Les Miserables: The Concert

For one weekend this summer, it seemed as if the theatre stars aligned and showed high favor upon the amazing artists and musicians performing a vocal concert of the award-winning musical, Les Miserables. This amazing concert was organized as a fundraiser for the venerable Strauss Theatre Center and collaboratively combined the talents of musicians and performers from both Strauss and ULM. Based on a novel by Victor Hugo and set in pre-revolutionary France, the concert version was performed to two packed houses at ULM’s Brown Auditorium and was directed by Jason Rinehart, ULM’s assistant director of bands and director of athletic bands, and conducted by Deborah Chandler, ULM’s director of choral activities. Les Miserables: The Concert included brilliant and inspired vocal performances by Russ Givens as Jean Valjean, Hunt Neely as Javert, Brittany Paulk as Cossett, Lauren Cross and Baylee Regan who were double cast as the young Cossett, Claire Givens as Eponine, Katie Anzalone as Fantine, Nathanael Medlin as Marius, Jace Cascio as Gavroche, Ben McQuillin as Enjoiras, Dan Phillips as the Bishop, Caleb Wilkins as the Pimp, Sarah Younger and Robin Jordan as Lovely Ladies, Allison Friloux as the Old Woman and Giuseppe Riviella as Bamatabois. McKenna Rae Giovingo and Strauss Theatre’s newly appointed artistic director Corey Trahan delighted audiences with their show-stealing roles as Madame and Monsieur Thenadier. The men’s chorus included Christopher Domingue, Bruce Stanton, Josh Fowler, Bob Collier, Daniel Steffins, Caleb Wilkins, Robert McClandish, William McClandish, Gray Hall and Giuseppe Riviella. The women’s chorus included Melissa Cross, Laine Farber, Quinn Warner, Stephanie Gifford, Cindy Scott, Laura Arrington, Randi Domingue, Allison Newton, Victoria Steffins, Laura Smith, Courtney Williams, Maggie Rocket, Nancy Miller, Sarah Young, Robin Jordan, Kylie Pitman and Priscilla Wilkins. Don’t miss out on Strauss Theatre Center’s incredible season! Get your season tickets today! First up is Dolly Parton’s “9 to 5,” directed by Gayle Frick. This ode to working women takes the stage Sept. 26-28 and Oct. 3-4. For more information, 4 call 318.323.6681.

On the BayouScene

1 Corey Trahan as Thenadier 2 Dorothy Tipton, Nancy Kay Peters and Anne Patten 3 LaVerne Bodron, Barbra Cattar, Suzanne Wolﬀ, Pat Blanchard and Jane Sartor 4 Steven Burnside and Derle Long 5 Nancy Kay and Ben Peters 6 Ashley Janes and Mary Bruzeau 7 Mary Ann Wooten and Blanche Betz 8 Claire Givens and Gray Hall 9 Nathanel Medlin and Christopher Domingue 10 Pam Givens and Vickie Krutzer 11 Ava McCarty and Olivia Wier 12 Brenda and Bill Harrison, Katherine Harrison and Tommy Usrey

112 SEPTEMBER 2014 | WW W. BAY O ULI FEM AG .C OM

WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | SEPTEMBER 2014

113

The River Gallery

The River Gallery Featured Artist for September is Photographer Allen Harrison

114 SEPTEMBER 2014 | WW W. BAY O ULI FEM AG .C OM

“One of the reasons I am a photographer,” states Harrison, “ is the fact that I like a challenge, and taking good photographs is always a challenge. Some people would disagree with that statement and sight the user friendly, point and shoot, fully automatic, digital cameras as an example of how easy it is to take good pictures. I agree, those cameras and cell phone cameras are capable of taking really good pictures without much of a challenge. The problem is that most of the pictures taken with these cameras are merely snapshots and although that may be all the photographer was after, the images are far from being the art form photography can be. I shoot a mid-level Canon digital camera that has a fully automatic setting and several pre-programed settings. I rarely use any of these and prefer to shoot in manual mode (RAW) most of the time. I do this, because in the automatic modes a significant number of pixels and colors are lost due to the way the program works.” During the last ten years, Allen has sold prints to people in 14 different states, and was selected to show work at the Masur Museum three times. Allen has had prints published in two magazines, and he was selected to participate at three other gallery events. Many of his pieces hang in physicians’ offices, lawyers’ offices, several retail businesses and many individual homes. “I am not sure how to classify my photographs, because I take pictures of such a wide range of subjects. If I see an image and think it would make an interesting photograph, I grab my camera and take the picture. A lot of these shots are taken on mini photo expeditions that my wife and I take.” The Ouachita River Art Gallery, voted Best Art Gallery in 2011 and 2014, is located at 308 Trenton Street, West Monroe and is open Tuesday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The gallery is the oldest and largest co-op gallery in the state. Many of the artists accept commissions, so if you see a style of work that you like, don’t be afraid to inquire about having one of the artists create a custom piece. Admission is always free. Call 322-2380 for more information or visit www.ouachitariverartgallery.com and don't forget to "like" us on Facebook for sneak peeks of new art.

Create Your Own Perfect Space HGTV® Home Furniture Gallery at Sleepy Hollow Furniture

GTV® HAS BECOME A TRUSTED SOURCE FOR SMART home and garden advice and inspiration for more than 99 million U.S. households. The creative minds at HGTV HOME™ tapped into the decorating advice that you know and love from their shows to create furniture collections rooted in their philosophy: Fresh Style from the Design Experts at HGTV®. We know that decorating can be daunting, but we like to keep it simple. Everything we do is a fresh take on two timeless styles we love: Modern and Classic. With over 300 pieces and growing, we’ve got every room covered… bedroom, dining, occasional, upholstery, home entertainment and accents. We’ve done the work so you don’t have to! Mix and match pieces from our collections to create your own perfect space. Each collection offers very different looks that mix, match and mingle. Choose from signature pieces, fashionable upholstery options and timelessly stylish bedroom, dining room, entertainment and accent selections. We’ve even added extra features that help make life at home a little easier, like hidden plugs in select pieces, so you’re never far from a power source and versatile storage items to help you stay organized. The furniture collections complement the HGTV HOME™ portfolio of products which includes paint, flooring, lighting, plants and other home products. We’ve wrapped this all up together in rooms that inspire, yet are easy to transform. The HGTV HOME™ Furniture Collection is produced under license by Bassett Furniture Industries, who has been making quality furniture for 110 years. Bassett Furniture Industries, Inc., is a leading manufacturer and marketer of high quality, mid-priced home furnishings. Bassett's retail strategy includes affordable custom-built furniture that is ready for delivery in the home within 30 days. The Bassett Home Furnishings stores also feature the latest on-trend furniture styles, more than 750 upholstery fabrics, free in-home design visits and coordinated decorating accessories. Sleepy Hollow Furniture is proud to partner with HGTV and Bassett Furniture 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! WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | SEPTEMBER 2014

115

STYLE

IN THE BAG Article By TA MOUR ALLE N

AM SURE IT WAS A SKILLED FASHIONISTA WHO ONCE SAID that the only thing that separates us from the animals is our ability to accessorize. The purse being the star attraction in this fashion arena can make or break a personal statement. Another aspect of the accessory quandary is finding - the practicality of carrying everything that we need in this busy world - in one simple bag. Happily for us, noted Ruston-based photographer Kelly Moore, developed the perfect solution to both of these vogue problems in one delightfully beautiful accessory. Kelly Moore Bags in Ruston shows us how to be classy yet functional with designer bags that were meant to inspire. What began as an idea to provide herself with the kind of operational bag a professional photographer needed, add that with the sensible features that a mother would require – and it quickly became a sellout success. It all began in 2009 as a dream Kelly and her husband (also named Kelly) had. As things moved quickly from their modest concept to the nuts and bolts of design, she explains while she could sew a button on, she had no experience with manufacturing or any knowledge what so ever of making purses. Kelly admits that aside from sounding slightly clichéd, she and her husband felt that it was similar to the belief of having God in one’s life. If things were meant to be, they would happen, and if not, everything would still be alright. Starting out not having the vaguest notion of how to bring their vision to fruition, they simply asked friends if anyone knew of someone who could assist them in their novel endeavor. Then, almost as if by a small miracle, someone gave them a name of a man who might be able to help with the creation side of their conception. They called him and as she explains, “We immediately hit it off. At first he was slightly perplexed as to our somewhat unconventional notion, although I was very happy that he was quickly able to take the picture that was in my mind and transform it into an actual object.” She also says they had such a great meeting of minds that he is now actually a business partner, although she quickly adds she fully owns the Kelly Moore Bag business. Everything else is history as they say and within a year they launched their site. They took orders on the first style of Kelly Moore Bag and sold out in two months. By 2010, they were shipping orders from their garage. They have since grown by leaps and bounds, and in January 2013 they purchased and renovated a 100 year old building in historic downtown Ruston, that is now their headquarters and showroom store. While everyone desiring a Kelly Moore Bag is the accessory crafters desired effect, true happy success is achieved when a designer gets notice and adoration from those in the celebrity set. Recently, the Cooking Network’s country style kitchen show, The Pioneer Woman host, the lovely Ree Drummond, has become smitten with Kelly Moore bags as well. She raves about her Kelly Moore Bags purchases from her wildly popular blog and brags especially on The Libby Bag, saying this, “Though the bag is gorgeous on the outside, the real beauty is its interior. And, in terms of quality, I’ve had the same bag for a while now, and you can hardly tell it isn’t brand spanking new. And the (satin) lavender interior…well, it’s just gorgeous. So if you need a really, really good bag for travel or business or just everyday run-around-town use, you can rest assured this will stand the test of time. I really can’t imagine using a different bag anytime soon.” Ree also adds that, “This bag garners more compliments when I’m out and about than any bag I’ve carried in recent history! It’s purty.” If you happen to be of the male species reading this, please don’t let the previous woman talk make you feel left out. Kelly Moore Bags are clearly not just for women. For one, Kelly Moore has designed the Kelly Boy bag (named after her husband) that a photographer, traveler, professional or student would appreciate, minus the featureless, boring style of most career bags. The prag116 SEPTEMBER 2014 | WW W. BAY O ULI FEM AG .C OM

WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | SEPTEMBER 2014

117

matic features of the Kelly Boy bag include a magnetic front flap and three padded Velcro dividers that can be configured to fit specific individual needs, such as a camera and all the accessories. Of course, by way of pockets it also has all the bells and whistles that working men need to stay organized as well. Additionally, the Kelly Boy bag’s water resistant exterior comes in brown, caramel and the perfunctory black. The Kelly Boy bag is not the only bag Kelly Moore bags have designed for men. There are also gender neutral bags that have the capacity to make both men and women feel well packed and ready for whatever comes their way. One such bag is the Jude Bag that has a showy exterior of gray canvas and black leather trim and sports exclusive antique brass hardware, reminiscent of old school doctor bags. The spacious interior can carry quite a lot of gear efficiently with the adjustable eight pocket Velcro compartments. The latest bag that Kelly Moore is thrilled to bring her devoted fans and customers is the "A Beautiful Mess" Bag. Collaboration began when Kelly Moore got together with Elsie and Emma, a vibrant and lively pair of sisters who run A Beautiful Mess Blog. Together they own the woman’s lifestyle company with the altru-

istic dictum of blogging on “creating happiness through a homemade lifestyle.” Their sprightly home spun company also features apps, books and online courses. The entrepreneurial trio collaborated for over a year and devised an innovative yet lovely bag. They desired something similar to the vintage style satchels that they adored so much, but with the ability to fit their photography equipment and laptop, but also all the small objects that roll around in our purses. So, they came up with the A Beautiful Mess bag, which includes adjustable exterior straps and also accommodates all the aforementioned objects, including iPads as well as baby things. The bag’s generously spacious interior accommodates lens holder, camera and all additional pieces and has removable and adjustable Velcro dividers, also in the pretty striped lining. Elise says the bag works very well as a carry on for airplane travel since it easily fits under the plane seat. The Kelly Moore A Beautiful Mess bag has a very roomy interior, and Elise brags she even used it recently as the sole bag on an extended trip. Kelly says that while they have been blessed with a thriving business, she and her husband feel that staying humble in the face of success is the only way to go. The couple and

118 SEPTEMBER 2014 | WW W. BAY O ULI FEM AG .C OM

their three children still live in Ruston on their small farm and enjoy the simple existence that comes from small town life. She believes that while there are a lot of bags on the market today, customers appreciate and gravitate toward the merchandise that is not mass produced and more importantly has an actual face behind the product. Just speaking with her gives one the instant impression there is much humility and unpretentiousness in such a young and yet successfully imaginative couple. Kelly and Kelly Moore seem to be able to remain down-to-earth, while still fashioning this grand idea to provide customers with an outstanding and useful product. With creativity and an innovative spirit, Kelly Moore has shown how to carry all accessories with sophistication and flair, as well as offering effortless functionality! Kelly Moore Bags supplies bags for women, men, professionals, students and just about anyone who needs to carry everything from hiking equipment to laptops to school books and all the way to baby gear. For those wanting to make a hued fashion statement, most bags come in 50 striking colors to match any season or mood. With free shipping on all bags to boot, who could ask for anything Moore!

A New Lift on Life

Robotic Surgery Brings Relief to Women With Pelvic Organ Prolapse

ELVIC ORGAN PROLAPSE IS A very common condition among women. It occurs when a pelvic organ, such as the bladder, drops (prolapses) from its normal position into the lower belly and pushes against the walls of the vagina. The risk of developing pelvic organ prolapse increases with age. It can occur in women who have had one or more vaginal births. Normal aging and lack of estrogen after menopause are also contributing factors. While many women have some degree of bladder and urethral prolapse, few ever have symptoms. Or the symptoms do not appear for years. Symptoms may include difficulty urinating, involuntary release of urine (incontinence), and lower abdominal

pain. If symptoms interfere with daily activities, surgery may be required. If you are facing pelvic organ prolapse surgery, you may be a candidate for da Vinci Sacrocolpopexy (pelvic prolapse robotic surgery) performed exclusively in our area by board certified urologist, Edward Rutland, MD. With robotic surgery, Dr. Rutland is able to make just a few small incisions instead of a large open incision generally required in laparoscopic surgeries. Using the Glenwood daVinci system, Dr. Rutland operates with enhanced vision, precision, dexterity and control. Compared to traditional open surgery, the benefits of robotic surgery include less blood loss, smaller incisions, shorter hospital stays and less recovery time.

FREE SEMINAR To learn more about pelvic organ prolapse robotic surgery and to find out if you are a candidate, bring your lunch and join us for a FREE seminar at 11:30am on Tuesday, September 30th in the Community Room at Glenwood Medical Mall. Dr. Rutland will discuss risk factors, symptoms and the robotic surgical techniques performed to correct and improve prolapse conditions in women.

Dr. Edward Rutland is a board certified urology specialist and the only robotically trained urologist in Northeast Louisiana. His services include the evaluation and treatment of bladder, kidney and prostate cancer, kidney stones and urinary incontinence. Glenwood Urology is located at 102 Thomas Road, Suite 111 in West Monroe, LA. To schedule an appointment, call 318329-8517. .

WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | SEPTEMBER 2014

119

STYLE THROUGH THE DECADES Article by MICHAEL DEVAULT & Photography by MARTIN G MEYERS In the play As You Like It, Shakespeare illuminates the seven ages of Man beginning with infancy and ending with incapacity. But what of the seven ages of Woman? BayouLife Magazine sat down with seven impressive ladies from seven different decades to find out their secrets to happiness, beauty and living. With wisdom and

humor, these ladies share with us what inspires them in youth and what keeps them from slowing down as they grow older. Hailing from all walks of life, each of these women represents a unique viewpoint on life and style, and share wisdom gleaned from the experiences they've gained at each step of the way.

THANK YOU TO PENNY & EDDIE HAKIM AND LAUNDRY BY SHELLI SEGAL

20 s

SIMRAN DHALIWAL EMAUS

Simran Dhaliwal Emaus grew up around her family's numerous businesses, and even though she knew she would end up working in business, she avoided the subject in college. Instead, she had something else on her mind: the mind itself. "I wanted to study something different. I like the brain and how it works," Simran says, who graduated from Tulane University with a degree in neuroscience--hardly what one would expect from a young woman who at first seems more Penny than Amy Farrah Fowler. Yet, Simran's confidence and poise betray her intelligence. When she starts to talk, you want to pay attention. From a style perspective, Simran's Indian heritage informs almost every decision, from casual wear to eveningwear. "I'm Indian, so everything I wear incorporates something Indian." Day to day, she sticks with conservative choices, usually skinny jeans, "in any color," and a muscle tee with fun or hip sayings. If she's dressing for an evening out on the town with her husband, Bradley, she sticks to a basic dress that may incorporate a pattern, and then she accessorizes. "I'm a huge jewelry fan," Simran says. Pearls are a ubiquitous presence, and she encourages wearing them at all times. "I always wear pearls or some sort of studs, even if I'm doing hard labor like stocking at one of my businesses. For Simran, dressing well is about confidence. It helps her define who she is to the world and reminds her to maintain her poise. And it's not a shallow decision, to pay attention to fashion. "You should look good for yourself, not for others. You should feel comfortable with who you are." Simran embraces her heritage, and she makes frequent trips back to India, where she still has family. When she's there, it gives her a chance to shop and to soak in the colors and patterns. "The culture is just so colorful itself, it's beautiful to me," Simran says. WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | SEPTEMBER 2014

121

30 s

SUSAN SAAD

122 SEPTEMBER 2014 | W WW. BAYO UL IFEM AG. C OM

When you first meet Susan Saad, it's easy to picture her during college standing at the beauty counter, poised and prepped to apply the perfect makeup for the perfect outfit. She's got the perky personality and bright smile that makes her approachable and easy to talk to. It was this job, which she worked before graduating from Our Lady of Holy Cross, that led her into her program of choice, counseling. "You're basically a counselor," Susan says. "I think I really enjoyed hearing about their personal lives more than actually doing their makeup. So it was a good fit." Before she could put her skills to practice, though, she met the love of her life, Marc, and decided to skip a counseling career to manage his medical practice, which brought them to Monroe, a town Susan's loved since an overwhelmingly positive first impression. "I thought everyone was perfect. Everyone was very, very pretty, well put together, and there were some of the best dinner parties I've ever been to," she says, pointing out that New Orleans is a far more casual city than Monroe. "Everyone here is genuine and friendly." That genuine attitude comes across in Susan's style choices, as she strives to let her mood dictate her look. "When I'm getting dressed, I try to determine what I want to feel like that night," Susan says. "Do I want to be a little fashion forward, a little funky, or a little playful?" To that end, she rarely follows fashion trends, opting instead to stay close to her roots. "I love getting dressed up. It's fun for me, because I kind of go where I want to go." She encourages women to avoid boxing themselves in on fashion choices. Instead of picking just one store, shop around and make bold choices. One of her favorite bold choices? A pair of sequined M.C. Hammer pants. "I wear them all the time." She also recommends "a statement necklace or three" as a way to set yourself apart. "I wear them like they're Mardi Gras beads. I layer them."

40 s

HOLLY

SHAW BOYD

With three sons and a husband who works in outdoor equipment, the word "casual comfort" takes on a whole new meaning for Holly Shaw Boyd. "I rarely ever dress up!" she says. "We ball park it, we hunt and fish, and run and play. I'm in yoga clothes or athletic wear most of the time." That's not to say, though, that she doesn't make an effort to look good. Even in choosing athletic wear or a good pair of yoga pants--she's a yoga instructor, after all--it's important to pay attention to how it fits. "If you look good in what you're wearing, I think you'll feel good," Holly says. When she's jetting out to class or to the grocery store, she always grabs a flattering sweater or her Lululemon jacket. With winter just around the corner, she's excited. "During the winter my favorite boots, the boots I tend to pull on no matter what I'm wearing, are my Manitoba," she says of her three pair of Muckluck boots. "I wear them all the time." Living in a house with four men or, as she puts it, "a house full of testosterone," can be a challenge. So, sometimes it's fun to get out the fancy clothes and put on the makeup. "It's fun to play dress up," Holly says. "But it's playing dress up." That means it's important to have a good time, enjoy yourself and be "real," which is a lesson she hopes she's passed on to Cecilia, her "other" daughter. The Boyd family hosted Cecilia as a foreign exchange student, and even today the Boyd kids call her "our sister." When Cecilia visits, it gives Holly the opportunity to impart some of the wisdom she's gleaned over the years. The most valuable lesson she has is the one she hopes Cecilia has learned. "Being real and being true to yourself is probably the most important thing to do," she says. WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | SEPTEMBER 2014

123

50 s

DEE

McDONALD LEDBETTER

Quality matters to Dee McDonald Ledbetter. "If it's made well, it lays well and looks pretty," she says. That's why she pays extra attention to fabric choices and how something is made. In fact, for Dee that quality is what drives a good design. It's also what makes picking her favorite fashion choice from her closet nearly impossible. She has paid such close attention to the details that matter that when she considers favorites she can't pick. "I don't have one thing that stands out. I love them all that much." Dee studied education and was a teacher in Richardson, TX. Later, she worked in banking. This background has helped foster what Dee calls "conservative forward," and she says, "I love beautiful lines, but I like something with a little twist." The designer that comes close to epitomizing her particular taste is Carolina Herrera, though she stops short of calling Herrera her favorite. "I don't know that I have a favorite. I know I love what I can't afford," she says with a laugh. So Dee uses her attention to details and keeps her closets in check by applying a single rule. "I try to discipline myself to buy only what I love, and not what I like," Dee says. "That's really been helpful to me." In a world of attention to this kind of detail and quality, classic choices become important. But that's not to say Dee isn't without a style all her own. Quite the contrary, she says, especially if you apply her second rule. "Accessorize!" "Everybody has the little black dress," Dee says. "It's how you accessorize that little black dress that makes you different from everyone else." Through accessories--maybe the perfect necklace or a set of unique bangles-your individual style comes through and begins to inform the classic, which otherwise might appear boring. "Accessories add your individual style to an outfit," Dee says. "Accessories also help your wardrobe go further." 124 SEPTEMBER 2014 | W WW. BAYO UL IFEM AG. C OM

60 s

AMY NORRIS

If you sense a touch of international flair in Amy Norris's look, it's not your imagination. Instead, it's the influence of Amy's lifestyle. A retired travel agent with The Travel Company, Amy spent years working to help people build the perfect business trips, vacations and honeymoons. It was a career choice borne out of a love of traveling. "When you visit places like Italy and Paris, and you see glamorous women even in the countryside, there's a sense of style," she says. Amy tries to recreate that sense of style in her own look, in which she aspires to the kind of style tone set by Audrey Hepburn. "I tend to like to look elegant but casual, more simplicity than high fashion. At least that's what I try to adhere to, beautiful designs in classic and simple clothing," she says. More times than not, that means you'll find her in simple blacks and whites in simple patterns or even solids. "It helps to not detract from your own sense of grace and inner beauty," Amy says. This timeless look is something she's carried forward since her days as an English major at LSU. "When I was a freshman at LSU, we wore dresses and scarves to the football games," Amy says, though she notes times were changing. "By the time I left, things had become a little more casual." Still, style was important, as was etiquette. Spend any time with Amy and it's easy to see that poised, elegant confidence that comes with years of business experience and travel. Amy says she's inspired by the Italian style and the confidence shared by Italian women. "They carry themselves with grace--and definitely in a sexy way," Amy says. It's something that she noticed first in the larger Italian cities, but it's present in the country girls too. "But it's in a much more casual way." On the accessories front, Amy says she tends to keep it simple with a couple of "really nice pieces" and she's careful not to overdo it-with one exception. She laughs. "I do like big earrings," she says. WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | SEPTEMBER 2014

125

70 s

LILLIAN McCULLIN

126 SEPTEMBER 2014 | W WW. BAYO UL IFEM AG. C OM

For more than 40 years, Lillian Green McCullin was a staple of banking in Lincoln Parish, first at Lincoln Bank, which became Central Bank and, eventually, Iberia Bank. During this long career, she racked up a number of firsts: first female loan officer in Lincoln Parish, first female branch manager and the first female president of the Louisiana Peach Festival. "So I've had a lot of firsts." Lillian's career has helped to define her sense of style and fashion, which she describes as "pretty conservative." Elegance, though, may be a better word for it, the kind of style one would expect from a career banker. "We suited up every day," she says. In the beginning that meant dress suits, blouses and jackets with a coordinated skirt. Things began to change, though. "Then, the pantsuits came in." Pantsuits not withstanding, Lillian doesn't shy away from color, though she avoids most overly complicated patterns. "I like bright colors, but I don't like flowery prints," she says, pointing out that orange--hardly a "conservative" color--is her favorite. "That's just been in the last few years. When you retire, you get more freedom to do whatever." Good style seems to come naturally to Lillian, which she credits to her mother, a Louisiana Tech home economics graduate who made clothing for the children. "My mother had a great sense of style," Lillian says. It's a trait she hopes she's passed on to her daughter, the national sales manager for Laundry by Shelli Segal. "She keeps me straight in the wardrobe department," Lillian says of her daughter. Good style also doesn't have to be expensive, though, and Lillian says she shops locally. On the jewelry front, Lillian's consistency continues. She doesn't frequently change out her jewelry and, instead, wears a few nice pieces regularly. She shows a delicate diamond bracelet, an add-a-link that she assembled via gift certificates given by her family over many holidays. It's her favorite piece, she says. "A lot of people have contributed to this piece of jewelry, and it's really special."

90 s

SALLY HINES

Pioneer, LA is hardly the place from which one would expect a fashion maven to hail. Yet, perched attentively on the edge of her seat in a stylishly slinky black and white top, Sally Hines looks more like she's just arrived from the pages of Vanity Fair than from Pioneer. At 91, she's not planning on slacking up any time soon, either. "No matter what your age, I always believe that you should present yourself in the best way possible," says Hines, imparting a bit of the wisdom she's developed over the years. A homemaker, Sally married when she was sixteen and, together, the Hines family traveled the country as part of her husband's work. "He was an electrical engineer," she says, so the family followed the jobs. But, they had children, and the children were growing up. "One day, when my daughter Linda was starting school, we decided we better settle somewhere." That daughter, by the way, was Linda Reeves, proprietor of Monroe's storied Signatures by Linda Reeves. Of her mother, Linda gushes, "She was just born with style, to come from a small town, to work the way she did. But I think that's what's kept her young. Also, she thinks young." Eternal youth is apparent in a fresh application of lipstick and a elegant dusting of light pink on Sally's cheekbones, a practice she attributes to her mother. "My mother always loved makeup, no matter what. That's how I grew up." Starting out, Sally was more interested in making sure her two daughters were stylish before herself. "I always wanted them to look pretty, and I just gave them the look," she says. But, eventually that changed. "As I got older and they left home, then I wanted to be that fashion icon. And I still want to be." She chooses unique, subtle outfits that are tailored and simple, an effort to accentuate her frame. "I'm tall, and I don't like a lot of jewelry or accessories." If she could pick just one designer to define her style sense, Sally says it would be Ellen Tracy. "She was tall, tailored, simple, sophisticated and beautiful." She sums up her love of Ellen Tracy with a statement that could just as soon be about herself. "Timeless beauty is always in style." WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | SEPTEMBER 2014

127

PARISH PRESS

Local coffeehouse, Parish Press, opens its doors in Ruston. From delectable treats to cold-brewed coffee, this new establishment is committed to the community. Photographed by Martin G. Meyers. Article by MICHAEL DEVAULT

radley and Katie Walker are no strangers to good customer service. For years, the couple have operated a pair of Smoothie King franchises in Ruston and Shreveport. Yet, they're the first to admit they never expected to end up where they have. Early in August, they opened Parish Press, a fullservice coffee shop on North Trenton Street in Ruston. "I wasn't really actively looking to open a coffee shop, but this was an opportunity we saw," Bradley says. That's not to say they jumped in without first taking stock of what they were hoping to offer. The location, which has previously been home of Crescent City Coffee and did not meet the aesthetic they were hoping to set. So they met with Ruston architect Cassidy Keim to flesh out the designs. Meanwhile, they began studying design books, photos of coffee houses, pretty much anything they could get their hands on. "We saw some stuff we liked, what we didn't, and we thought about the things we knew we wanted," Bradley says. In renovating the space, Bradley and Katie wanted an open feel with a brighter atmosphere than what some in the area are

128 SEPTEMBER 2014 | W WW. BAYO UL IFEM AG. C OM

used to in a coffee shop. They chose bright lighting and gray floors and walls. The bar and table tops all feature reclaimed wood, purchased at Rustiques. A pair of matching mid-century inspired sofas flank the entryway, a find Katie says came from Woodstock Furniture Revival in Monroe. Behind the counter, the menu hangs atop a gleaming wall of white tiles, installed to give the space a bit of "pop," according to Katie. Along the wall opposite the counter, a black leather bench runs the length of the building, providing comfortable and ample seating. "The basic look was opening it up," Bradley says. "We wanted to open the space up." As a final touch, Katie contacted Jessica Slaughter, an artist with the Northwestern Louisiana Arts Council, to solicit art for the walls. Katie plans to swap out the art every six weeks, and if a customer likes the art, she's ready to sell it for the artist. Homegrown artists are just one of the many ways Parish Press stays close to its roots. "I'd like to get more local items in here, more locally grown things," Katie says. Both Bradley and Katie are committed to providing as much local product as possible, be it in fresh produce, baked goods or even the coffee, which is roasted just up I-20 by Shreveport-based Louisiana Roasters. "It's all organic, fair trade beans," Katie says of the shop's

exhaustive coffee offerings. For the purists, baristas prepare fresh espresso drinks, pressed and steamed at the counter. For the brewed coffee enthusiast, Parish Press offers a fresh twist on the coffee house experience. All of their brewed coffees are cold-brewed. That's right, cold brewed coffee. The process of cold brewing coffee begins 24 hours before the first cup is served. A pound of freshly ground beans is placed into a filter container, which is then filled with cold water. The concoction is left to sit for a day, held in place by a cork at the bottom of the filter container. When the brew is done, the cork is removed and the coffee drips into a glass carafe and then refrigerated until use. The filter and carafe are called a Toddy, and Toddy "mix" is stout--it's usually diluted before serving. If you haven't heard of cold brewed coffee, that's okay. Many people haven't, even though the process has been around for more than 600 years. Cold brewed coffees are less acidic than their hot brewed siblings. This lends a sweeter flavor and helps avoid some of the bitterness. Just prior to serving, hot water is added, which heats the Toddy mix and produces as perfectly smooth, savory coffee experience. It's important to note that, while cold brewed coffees can be served 130 SEPTEMBER 2014 | W WW. BAYO UL IFEM AG. C OM

over ice, they are not iced coffees, per se. They are, instead, a unique twist on the traditional coffee experience, a twist that some aficionados claim is closer to the "original" coffee experience than drip brews today. Parish Press isn't just about local coffee, though. Bradley and Katie encourage visitors to sample some of the food offerings from the menu, as well. And the menu is a delectable sampling of some of the best baked goods in the region. Hearty bagels and gourmet oatmeal begin the offerings. For the bagels, there is a selection of toppings, and the same goes for the oatmeal, too. Fresh fruit is always available, so a banana or an apple is never more than a hand's length away. Parish Press fresh bakes cookies and muffins. And those muffins are a to-die-for testament to the rich, buttery goodness that a hearty, chunky muffin should be. (Try the blueberry, not to sweet, not to blue. Ask them to slice it, heat it, and butter it and you won't regret it.) But what Louisiana coffee shop would be complete without that most "Louisiana" of all the breakfast confectionaries, the beignet! "Our beignets are the single most popular item on the menu," Bradley says. Each serving of beignets is prepared to-order and is delivered still steaming to the table under a fine dusting

BAKED GOODS

Cold-brewed coffee is not the only thing Parish Press has to offer, a delectable assortment of baked goods, from rich and buttery blueberry muffins to beignets, also round out the menu.

of confectioner's sugar. Deep fried to perfection, the first bite explodes with all the flavors of a New Orleans breakfast, and you immediately want to reach for a cafĂŠ au lait and the TimesPicayune. Fluffy, buttery and delicate, Parish Press proves itself the master of this dish, and it's pretty clear midway through the second beignet that you're going to want another helping. They also offer Mini Beignets, the same beignet goodness in small, bite-sized chunks. Katie and Bradley say they're hoping Parish Press becomes the kind of place anybody in Ruston feels at home. "This is a great place for college groups, for the older crowd, for stay-athome moms," says Katie. Bradley adds that Parish Press is planning to offer extended hours during finals weeks at Louisiana Tech. So all those budding engineers will have somewhere to burn the midnight oil as they cram for the big exam. Also, Katie and Bradley are hoping to offer catering services for groups outside of the shop, for meetings and gatherings where a cup of coffee and a muffin are in order. Eventually, they envision growing the menu to incorporate lunch, perhaps sandwiches, soups, and a few salads. Meanwhile, they're keeping it simple and focusing on growing the core business--and that means fostering a coffee house. After all, that's why Parish Press exists. "I feel like there is a need for one in Ruston, trying to get away from the big chain coffee stores," Katie says. Bradley agrees, and he encourages people to drop in, drink a cup and say hello. "One of us is always here," he says. Even if you're in Monroe, it's worth the drive to experience this top-notch coffee house experience. But, if the drive is a little much, don't despair. The Walkers are already scouting locations in Monroe. "It's something we definitely want to do," Bradley says. Always the businessman, he's already envisioning taking the Parish Press brand to Ouachita, Caddo and beyond. "That's why we chose Parish Press for our name." Parish Press is located at 1007 North Trenton Street in Ruston. They are open daily from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.

132 SEPTEMBER 2014 | W WW. BAYO UL IFEM AG. C OM

Embrace Your Individuality

Serendipity Designer Jewelry is an Official Authorized Retailer of Pandora

ERENDIPITY DESIGNER JEWELRY, ON FORSYTHE IN Monroe, is pleased to announce a special event featuring the extremely popular Pandora collection. From September 18th through September 21st, Serendipity is offering a free Pandora Sterling Silver Clasp Bracelet or Bangle with any $100 Pandora purchase. Serendipity's Corey Hamilton says the line continues to be popular because of the nearly endless variety it offers. "As Pandora continues to expand their selection of charms, beads and even stackable rings, we continue to be amazed by the near-infinite variety we can offer," Hamilton says. "There are thousands of combinations." Pandora is most known for its charm bracelet, allowing the owner to mix and match meaningful and interesting charms to show off individual tastes. For more than 30 years, Pandora has been making its mark in the international fine jewelry industry and is world-renowned for its high-quality, hand finished designs made from genuine materials at affordable prices. The collections inspire women to embrace their individuality with romantic and feminine pieces that capture the unforgettable moments of life. The strength of the Pandora charm bracelet is the detailed design, the high quality and the unique

threaded bracelet system. The affordable luxury collections include customizable charm bracelets, rings, earrings, necklaces and watches made from sterling silver and 14K and 18K gold. In addition to Pandora, Serendipity Designer Jewelry recently introduced it's newest shopping experience, Serendipity Girl. A "store within a store", Serendipity Girl offers selections covering a wide age range, from newborns to teenage girls. Featuring items from youthfriendly designers like Bottle Blond, Cherished Moments, Good Works Leather, Moon & Lola and Pink Pewter, Serendipity Girl encourages young girls to express themselves with fun accessories and affordable jewelry. Synonymous with luxury and quality, Serendipity Designer Jewelry is proud to be an official authorized retailer of Pandora. Recognized for edgy, trend-setting jewelry from exclusive designers around the world, Serendipity is located at 1840 Forsythe Avenue in the Northgate Shopping Center in Monroe, Louisiana. Their telephone number is (318) 410-0811. Serendipity is open Monday through Saturday, 10:00 a.m.- 6:00 p.m. and Sunday, 1:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m You can always shop 24/7 on-line at: www.SerendipityDesignerJewelry.com

WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | SEPTEMBER 2014

133

LO CAL JE W ELRY ARTIS T

CLARE MILLS

Inspired by nature and beauty, Louisiana native Clare Mills designs jewelry to make women happy

a woman — the true heart of a woman. I want to bring smiles to people’s faces and warmth to their hearts “I know that sounds like a Hallmark card,” Mills laughed. “But I really love people, and I love what a piece of jewelry can do for a woman to just make her day, week or whatever it may be. Just to make her feel special.” The first design she created was a pair of beaded chandelier earrings, and those earrings were good enough to get the attention of someone who opened many doors for her. Mills sported her new earrings on a trip to the now defunct Shreveport location of String A Bead to get more supplies to make jewelry. While Mills was shopping, the owner of String A Bead — who just happened to be visiting from the flagship store in New Orleans — loved the earrings and was impressed that Mills had learned how to make jewelry just from reading a single pamphlet. “She said, ‘You seem to have a knack for this. Would you like to sit down and learn a little more?’ and it just snowballed from there” Mills said. “I was in there every day after that and just in heaven. It felt so good, and it was so what I needed at the time. I feel like God really just placed the right things in my path at the right time.” Jewelry design quickly went from hobby to a passion for Mills, and she has since turned it into a successful career. Mills began traveling to Arizona annually for the Tucson Gem, Mineral and Fossil Show to get higher quality materials for her jewelry and she hand selects every stone that goes into her one-of-a-kind, handmade pieces. Mills jewelry frequently incorporates interesting and rare accents as well. Just a few examples of these are: a bracelet design that includes an actual fossil; the “Stalactite Burst” necklaces that use slivers of geodes in their design; and pieces that use what Mills refers to as “religious metals,” which depict religious symbols and figures from the Catholic and Greek Orthodox Churches, as well as Buddhism and

ouisiana’s bayous and swamplands have helped the state earn its nickname “Sportsman’s Paradise.” They also have served as an inspiration to artists for centuries. For Shreveport native, Clare Mills, nature and the world around her has served as one of her biggest inspirations. Mills is a jewelry designer that got her start creating her products in northeast Louisiana about eight years ago, but she has been a creative soul for much longer. Mills’ love affair with all kinds of art began at five years old when she brought a drawing of a frog home from school. Her parents were so proud of her creation that, instead of the standard display spot for children’s art — the refrigerator —they chose to hang it in a front window of the house for the world to see. Mills saw how her art affected her parents and making them happy made her happy. It was then that she embarked on her journey as an artist and began creating everything from paintings to embellished birdhouses. Like many other successful and unique artists, Mills found her signature style and turned heartbreak into her best work yet. By her early twenties, Mills was married and had amassed a large collection of art supplies and machines to help her create her work. A few years after walking down the aisle, Mills lost all of it in the midst of a divorce. But like the powerhouse songstress Adele, Mills channeled the breakdown of her relationship into an opportunity. Naturally, she used artistic expression as a form of therapy in the months following the separation and — since supplies for making jewelry are cheaper than other art supplies — Mills began using jewelry as a medium for her creative outlet. She really liked the idea of creating art for women that could make them feel more beautiful and that they would be able to carry with them throughout the day. “I feel that there is so much beauty within all of us,” Mills said. “Within every woman, there’s something that needs to be tapped into, and it’s the true beauty of

arti cl e by ARIEL K ING 134 SEPTEMBER 2014 | W WW. BAYO UL IFEM AG. C OM

other religions. It can be difficult for jewelers to track these kinds of supplies down, but Mills will search far and wide in order to create the perfect piece. “I have antiques dealers in Buenos Aires, Belgium and Russia,” Mills said. “I get them from all over the world. (Religious medals) are actually our pieces that do the best –obviously, most of our pieces are one-of-a-kind — but definitely, the locket-style pieces from the late 1800s to early 1900s are really, really cool.” Mills prides herself on the fact that no two pieces of her jewelry are alike. Mills is inspired by natural beauty, and because the majority of her materials are formed in nature as opposed to a lab, each stone, metal and fossil she uses in her designs has its own unique flaws and characteristics — much like the women she designs them for. She believes that the sale of each of her pieces is predestined and meant for a specific woman. “I like to consider that my buyers don’t pick the jewelry but that the jewelry actually picks the buyers” Mills said. “I like to think that it speaks to them and calls them by name and says, ‘I am yours.’ That’s really my mantra and the running theme through my jewelry.”

Mills was not content with just being naturally gifted in jewelry design. She wants to be the best at what she does, and in order to accomplish this goal, Mills uprooted her life and moved to Carlsbad, CA in February to attend the prestigious Gemological Institute of America (GIA). Mills is currently attending school fulltime and will soon obtain her Gemology degree from the Jewelry Design and Technology program at GIA. Even with full days of school and exploring her surroundings on the West Coast with new friends, this Louisiana native’s heart is still completely committed to creating new designs and maintaining her brand. Mills receives help assembling pieces from a couple of associates back home, but she is still the brains of the Clare Mills Designs operation and hasn’t let the stress of her new life slow down her production. She creates new designs constantly and — at the very least — releases new collections seasonally. Mills’ pieces currently in the works include more precious stones. She aspires to create pieces like those produced by one of her major jewelry design influences Kimberly Mc-

Donald — who uses geodes like Mills does, but sets them off by incorporating diamonds and other gems. Things are looking up for Clare Mills, and her designs are currently being carried in three different stores in Louisiana (McCary’s Jewelers Inc. and Absolutely Abigail’s in Shreveport and K-Sera Boutique in West Monroe) and, as of late, a new retailer in California. Her pieces are also available for purchase on her website www.claremills.com and she regularly posts updates about new designs to her company’s Facebook page “Clare Mills.” Mills is optimistic about her company’s potential for future growth, but for now she is just grateful for the opportunity she has been given to hone her craft. She looks forward to creating art that makes people happy and makes women feel beautiful. “I feel so blessed to have this opportunity, because GIA is a world-renowned institution,” Mills said. “And with all the doors that have been opened for me, I feel so fortunate and blessed to be able to pursue my dream further.”

WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | SEPTEMBER 2014

135

Fashion Rules BAYOUKIDZ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 42

Number three, how do you smell? Are you wearing your deodorant? Have you brushed your teeth (fresh breath is a priority at our house)? Are your feet clean (for someone with no sense of style, I am, however, a person who leaves her house everyday with clean feet and polished toes)? What is your cologne choice for today (if I can smell you before you get downstairs, chances are your choice was a bit much)? Number four, how is your hair working today? Is it washed? Brushed? Rats out (good grief, I sound like my 89-year old grandmother)? I'm of the now distinguished fashion opinion, that if your hair looks like someone fried a hamburger on it, then your outfit might as well be duct tape and staples, because no one is looking past your "do." So, clean, wellgroomed coiffure makes the list.

Finally, fashion rule number five, do you like what you are wearing? Even if I weigh in on my children's fashion choices, I do want them to be comfortable and enjoy what they are wearing. As they are getting older, as contradictory as this may sound, I have begun to allow them a little more latitude in what they choose to wear. But anytime I get on the fence about something, I just refer to rule number one, and ask myself if they look like they are going to third grade or going to a punk rock dance for their sorority? That usually gives me a little perspective. So there you have it...Fashion at the Foust’s. I’m sure every children's label in the world will be calling me soon as a consultant, so, going forward, I am not sure how many articles I will have time to write for BayouLife. Seriously, after you read this article, ask

136 SEPTEMBER 2014 | W WW. BAYO UL IFEM AG. C OM

yourself what are the fashion rules at your house? I can assure you that if we polled our readers, everyone would have different rules, different expectations, but as much as we might not want to admit it, fashion can be important to some children. Most of the time, this fascination with clothes gets stronger as they get older. I think we could do an entire column on putting too much pressure on children where clothes are concerned, or should every school have mandatory school uniforms? I don’t know the answer, remember, I’m the girl who wore yellow boat shoes in high school. I do know it wouldn’t hurt for every family to have their own "dress code"; for parents, including myself, to be a little flexible with wardrobe choices; and for parents to teach their children that just because they don’t have Gloria Vanderbilt jeans (yo-yo a blast from the past), the world will not come to an end. Speaking of an end, I am so grateful to the journalistic gods that this column is over...and I just pray it’s a long time before someone asks for my input on skinny jeans and rhinestone accessories. After this column, I bet, that’s not likely to ever happen again.

See Fall’s Newest Collections

The Toggery Hosts Trunk Show Featuring Gypsy and Cole Haan

HE FALL FASHION SEASON IS UPON US, AND THE Toggery welcomes it to Monroe with a Trunk Show featuring two of the world's finest accessory designers. Tuesday, September 9th through Friday, September 12th, Cole Haan and Gypsy will offer an exclusive showing and buying opportunity of their newest collections for Fall.

COLE HAAN Modern, innovative and essential, Cole Haan is a global lifestyle brand that defines American style, beauty and luxury. Trafton Cole and Eddie Haan began Cole Haan in 1928, resolving to make nothing but "good goods." Their entrepreneurial spirit and timeless vision guide the company to this day. Make a statement this season with the latest bold looks in fine footwear. Cole Haan shoes and accessories are a combination of style and substance crafted on the cutting-edge of technology and timeless quality. Always street-ready, these modern classics are built to move with you effortlessly through city terrain and beyond.

GYPSY From bracelets and earrings to necklaces and rings, this extraordinary collection is handcrafted in Istanbul by skilled artisans using centuries-old techniques. Gypsy beckons “come hither” to fine jewelry collectors and art-lovers alike! Each piece is timeless by its very nature and yet appeals to those who desire distinctive style that will set them apart from the fashion herd. The collection delivers a diverse array of designs, complementing either the sophisticated or the sassy. Be sure to circle Tuesday, September 9th through Friday, September 12th on your calendar and join The Toggery for these two exciting trunk shows! The Toggery knows that with every new season comes new possibilities in personal style, so come explore the possibilities and experience the pleasure of The Toggery. 1400 N. 18th Street, Monroe, Louisiana. (318) 388-4939. Monday through Saturday, 10:00 a.m. 'til 6:00 p.m. www.TheToggery.com

WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | SEPTEMBER 2014

137

Scholarship Awarded

The Monroe-West Monroe Convention & Visitors Bureau Awarded Ralph Calhoun, Museum Director of the Biedenharn Museum and Gardens, with a Scholarship

The Monroe-West Monroe Convention & Visitors Bureau (MWMCVB) recently awarded Ralph Calhoun, Museum Director of the Biedenharn Museum and Gardens, with a scholarship to attend the 2014 Southeast Tourism Society’s (STS) Marketing College. “I'm excited to receive the scholarship,” Calhoun said. “I hope I will walk away with a better understanding of how the Biedenharn can use social media, what methods and forms are right for our audience. Most importantly I want to learn to evaluate what marketing works for me so I can spend my marketing and advertising dollars wisely.” The STS Marketing College is the premier educational program in the Southeast region of the United States. According to

their website, “For one week each year, tourism industry professionals from all over the Southeast meet at University of North Georgia for the Southeast Tourism Society Marketing College. During the week, students experience a broad-based curriculum of courses designed to teach marketing techniques from all facets of the tourism industry. Marketing College professors are working, experienced professionals from across the U.S. who not only bring expertise, but real-world knowledge and experience, to the classroom.” This is the first scholarship awarded in the newly created program by the MWMCVB. Another scholarship will be awarded to at tourism industry professional to attend the Lt. Governor’s Tourism Summit, an event organized by the Louisiana Travel

138 SEPTEMBER 2014 | W WW. BAYO UL IFEM AG. C OM

Promotion Association (LTPA), later this month. “We feel the experience gained will benefit our tourism industry as a whole as well as the organization represented by the scholarship recipient.” Cooper said. “Part of the scholarship includes a year’s membership for the recipient’s organization to STS and LTPA respectively. This is a great way for our area attractions to offer continuing education to their employees through these organizations.” For more information on this program and/or the recipients, contact the MonroeWest Monroe Convention & Visitors Bureau at (318) 387-5691.

Grand Opening

Pelican District Grand Opening Celebration to be Held Saturday, September 20th

HE PELICAN DISTRICT OPENED ITS DOORS August 1, 2014 and, so far we have had a great response from the community. With school now back in session, we have some fun ideas to make this year memorable. We have several new t-shirt designs available and more on the way this fall! Our glassware line has been very popular, and we look forward to its expansion as well. We have joined forces with several new vendors in recent weeks. Be sure to check us out for new men’s and women’s apparel, as well as those hard to find gifts for our local sorority sisters. For the frat guys, be sure to see our large selection of Rowdy Gentleman and Cotton Snaps. We would like to invite the public to our Grand Opening celebration on Saturday, September 20th, where we will be celebrating and giving away great prizes! Come by and meet our friendly staff and have a look around! In the upcoming months, we have some fun ideas in store to make our boutique a one of a kind place to shop. We will debut our “Pigskin and Pearls” nights where couples can take advantage

of our extended shopping hours and men can still see the games in our man cave! In addition, we will be opening our store after hours to corporate functions for groups, such as healthcare professionals, who do not have the opportunity to shop during regular business hours. If you have a corporate group and would like to schedule an after hours shopping experience, please call or come by to schedule a date! Our store hours are 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Monday thru Saturday and our telephone number is 318-812-0005. We look forward to many great things in the future. Be sure to stop by weekly to see what great new t-shirt styles we have in store! We are designing new styles to help you show off your southern pride and Louisiana traditions. We are also pre-ordering our fall boot line, and expect styles to start arriving in a few weeks! Pelican District is dedicated to bringing you unique fashion at a price for every budget! Thank you to everyone for already making our local boutique a great success! We truly appreciate your support.

WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | SEPTEMBER 2014

139

THE

Bayou Home

PRESIDENT’S The New First Family of Louisiana Tech University, Kathy and Les Guice, Open Their Home to BayouLife Magazine

AR TICLE

MARLEN

WATERS

estled in the trees just a stone’s throw from Joe Aillet Stadium in Ruston is the Louisiana Tech University President’s home. Completed in 1973 at a cost of $137,000, the 5,000 square foot house has recently become the home of new Tech President Dr. Les Guice and his wife, Kathy May Guice. After the retirement of President Dan Reneau, Dr. Guice became the University’s fourteenth president a year ago and life changed for the couple. One of the first things for the new First Lady to do was to supervise the remodeling of the President’s home. The third family to live in the house, Kathy wanted an easy, relaxed feel, but was conscious of the fact that it belongs to the taxpayers and is a university building to be shared. Most of the repairs and changes were suggested by Connie Howard, owner of Woodvale Interiors in Ruston. She holds three degrees from Tech and designed the interior of the Ruston Southern Living House at Squire Creek several years ago. “Les and I depended on Connie and her staff for guidance,” said Kathy. Mrs. Howard stated, “While the house is the official residence of the Louisiana Tech President, it is very much a family home. Kathy wanted a warm, inviting place where friends and family, as well as official visitors would feel welcome and relaxed. Many of the furnishings came from her former home.”

140 SEPTEMBER 2014 | W WW. BAYO UL IFEM AG. C OM

HOME &

PHOTOGRAPHY

The extensive renovations began last August and continued until mid-December. The couple in the meantime had to live in basically two rooms upstairs in the Ropp Center, the university’s faculty center. Upstairs in the Ropp are three bedrooms that are reserved for visiting VIP’s and a conference room. The Guices were in one of the bedrooms and the conference room that had a small kitchenette. Fortunately, a fabulous lunch is served each day downstairs for the faculty, but evenings and weekends they were on their own. “If you couldn’t microwave it, you didn’t eat it,” said Kathy. President Guice even blogged about it! A clothes rack was brought in from the university bookstore to serve as a closet. And President Guice used the conference room as his study. The Guices moved into their new home just in time for Christmas, even though all the renovations were not complete. It was important to them to be in their new home to share it with family and friends for the Christmas season. The yard, maintained by Tech’s own Buildings and Grounds crew, is landscaped with many trees, azaleas and extensive plantings. The home has water features complete with koi on two levels of the outside brick entries. Behind the home, Building and Grounds cleared underbrush in the woods, giving a view of a lake and a park below. “You couldn’t see the lake before. It opens up the view,” said Kathy. Several of the home’s

MAR TIN

MEYERS

collection of bulldog statues (Tech’s mascot) greet visitors under the spacious covered entryway. The exquisite leaded glass door opens into the foyer, which features a newly updated floor of cream tile bordered by dark marble. Stepping away from the foyer, the split level living room and dining room comes into view. One can see that this home was beautifully designed to entertain large groups easily. A college president entertains a variety of campus guests from around the country and the world…college supporters, community members, students and alumni. This will be the couple’s first football season in their new home, and they plan to have smaller, more intimate gatherings this fall. They are looking forward to one of the traditions at Tech football games when Tech’s marching band and cheerleaders come to the home and lead a pep rally for the President and his guests and then march down the driveway and into the stadium revving up tailgaters and fans for the big game. The Guices’ dining room table from their former home was set with the official Tech china by Mikasa, a simple but elegant service of white with a gold band. Framed in a shadow box on the wall is a set of flatware presented to Les by a student from India. The buffet and credenza also came from the Guices’ former home in north Ruston. On the wall above the credenza is a colorful photograph by photographer William Carr pur-

The Louisiana Tech University Presidentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Home

The beehive fireplace was restored in the upper level living room.

chased from a Las Vegas gallery while the couple was on vacation. A beehive-style fireplace, apparently inspired by the brick ovens of the Southwest, was discovered in the upper level living room. Part of the house’s original design, for many years it was hidden by a flat facade. “We were thrilled to find it and wanted it restored. We were told that the bricks came from the original A.E. Phillips Laboratory School on campus,” stated Kathy. Gold couches facing each other at an angle, a game table and four chairs complete the upper living room. A lot of the home’s original furniture and draperies were recovered and repurposed in an effort to be cost conscious. The beautiful rich wood floor that runs throughout the entire house was donated by a Tech benefactor. Removing some of the sheet rock in this area revealed some of the original rich wood paneling which the couple had restored giving this area a warm feel. New colors throughout the home include Tech’s royal blue and deep red, along with gold and neutrals. The lower living room is adorned with these colors and rich woods.The 142 SEPTEMBER 2014 | W WW. BAYO UL IFEM AG. C OM

grand piano is the star of this room. Donated to the University, this is the piano on which John Graham wrote the Tech Alma Mater in 1903. If you want to sit a while and enjoy the fabulous view of the wooded yard, there is a beautiful red leather chair and ottoman, sofas and an antique coffee table. One visitor commented, “With this view, you feel like you are in a tree house!” On the wall is an abstract floral painting donated by area artist, M. Douglas Walton. Mr. Walton was one of Les’ architecture professors at Tech. The Guices intend to add art by Tech students and other Louisiana artists to accessorize the house. On the floor are custom made floor treatments. Because of the high traffic of the President’s home, instead of the usual floor coverings, Mrs. Howard of Woodvale Interiors had beautiful rugs made from carpet. Renovations in the kitchen include a large new island, granite countertops, new appliances and a gas cooktop. “Les is a master gumbo chef and needed the gas stove,” said Kathy. The old electric cooktop was incorporated into an outdoor cooking area. The appliances are covered in discreet panels that

match the kitchen cabinets. Over the kitchen sink, the window treatments of blue and yellow fabric feature a print of a bulldog in a chef’s hat. “We just couldn’t resist this fabric when we saw it. It seemed to be just made for this house,” stated Kathy. Several bulldog statues including a whimsical bulldog cookie jar are present…just enough to make you smile. A separate breakfast nook just off the kitchen looks out onto a small brick enclosed garden. The couple’s own collection of Thomasville furniture adorns the master bedroom and one of the guest rooms. Heavy and massive, the gorgeous bed with beautiful neutral bed linens accented with gold and burgundy creates a restful retreat for the busy couple. Two of the bedrooms have access to the beautiful terrace and a relaxing view of the tree-filled yard and woods. All the bathrooms received an update. Neutral colors, new tilework and new granite countertops freshened up the look. The living areas open up to the wonderful terrace. When Les was a young Tech architectural graduate, working for Wells &

LA Tech President Dr. Les Guice and First Lady Kathy Guice

WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | SEPTEMBER 2014

143

144 SEPTEMBER 2014 | W WW. BAYO UL IFEM AG. C OM

“

While the house is the official residence of the Louisiana Tech President, it is very much a family home.

Parker of Monroe, he designed the dramatic and popular terrace which cantilevers over the expansive lawn in back. It is rounded with a wrought iron rail and has a raised stage area. Kathy found the original drawings in a drawer. At the time of course, Les didn’t know he would someday live in the house. A set of old Tech stadium seats add a nostalgic touch. Howard found the Guices easy to work with. “And they were conscious of spending public funds,” added Howard. “Many items were redone and repurposed.” Corre Stegall, Vice President for University Advancement stated, “It is hard to give a figure for public funds expended for the project. Howard’s work was her gift to the university, while private monies provided the bulk of the expenditures. The electrical and structural repairs, landscape work and replacement of some appliances were done as part of the maintenance of university property by Tech’s Buildings and Grounds department.” Originally from Bastrop and West Monroe/El Dorado, respectively, Les and Kathy met at Tech. They actually met in a freshman English class, but it wasn’t until one of Kathy’s Zeta Tau Alpha sorority sisters was interested in Les’ architecture studio mate in the old Hale Hall that they really got to know each other. Her friend talked Kathy into coming with her, she met Les and the rest is history. They met in 1972 and married in November of 1975, two quarters before they both graduated from Tech. Kathy graduated in Education and was a special education teacher and assessment administrator in the Lincoln Parish School System for 30 years. Les first graduated with a degree in architecture and received his master’s degree from Tech in Civil Engineering. Then in 1986, he received his doctorate from Texas A&M in Civil Engineering. He worked his way up from assistant professor at Tech (1978) to Dean of Engineering and Science (1999), later becoming Vice President of Research and Development (2004). Kathy beams when she talks about her family. Les and Kathy are parents to three grown sons, who all went to Tech, of course. Chad and Kyle both graduated in Chemical Engineering. Chad is an intellectual properties lawyer for Exxon/Mobil and lives with his wife, Shannon in Houston. Kyle has his PhD in Chemical Engineering and works in research for Exxon/Mobil. He, too, lives in Houston with wife, Ginger. Youngest son Bret graduated from Tech in History and after a stint working at the Louisiana Tech Athletics Ticket Office, he was hired by the Gator Bowl Association in Jacksonville, Florida. He and his wife Christy have one son Christopher, the Guice’s only grandchild…“for the moment anyway” said Grandmother Kathy. Kathy’s mother is also a frequent visitor to the home. She recently moved to Ruston to be closer to Kathy and Les. Kathy is busy working with Ryan Richard, former Director of Alumni Relations and newly appointed Coordinator of Programs and Development in planning the many fall events that the Guices will host, as well as planning a reunion of her sorority at Louisiana Tech, Zeta Tau Alpha, for Homecoming on November 1. She is moving into her job as First Lady humbly and with grace. Proud of her husband’s and Tech’s accomplishments, Kathy bubbled with excitement about the future at Tech. “The University is really growing. They have plans for enrollment to be at 15,000 by the year 2020. There is so much to offer a student here.” At present LA Tech has over 11,000 students from 44 states and 65 countries. Louisiana Tech University is a four-year selective admissions research university awarding bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees. WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | SEPTEMBER 2014

145

M O

O J

FINDING the CREATIVE Family, Talent and the Kennedy Mystique

JOHN AND DOUG KENNEDY STOOD OVER THE table, lifted the frame of the silk screen press, and waited for the print to set. It was 1989, and neither of them quite knew what to expect. At the very least, John is pretty sure today that they weren’t planning on creating a brand with a global reach. That changed a couple of years later, a couple of thousand miles away when a young man decided to wear a Mojo tee shirt to work. At the time, few people in Louisiana had even heard of the young man. But they would. He was Jason Priestly and “work” for him was a little television program called “Beverly Hills 90210.” Overnight, it seemed, the Mojo brand sprang into the collective conscious. "That was in the early 90s,” John told BayouLife Magazine of the early fame. Suddenly, people everywhere were taking note of the funky boutique with the funny name. People were excited about Mojo. “I remember that got us very excited, as well." Finding a tee-shirt made in West Monroe on a nationally-televised broadcast was a major event. More would follow, as Mojo creations popped up elsewhere

on television--on “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” for instance—and in feature films. One of the bad kids in Jack Frost is wearing a Mojo tee. So is Scott Evil in Austin Powers. It was an auspicious transformation for the little art gallery Carole Kennedy had started back in 1988. John’s sister, Kim Kennedy Bryan, still operates the shop in its original Trenton Street location. "It actually was an art gallery first,” Kim said. “Then, my mother and I went to some trade shows where John and Doug were showing some Mojoware." They purchased a few pieces of jewelry, a trial run for expanding Carole Kennedy’s gallery offerings. Quickly, the jewelry sold out. So, they bought more and expanded the offerings. It seemed with each visit to a different trade show, the Kennedys added another line. Customers, too, were getting excited. “Customers would actually suggest items. ‘What about hats? What about clothing?’" Kim recalled. So the Kennedys responded by adding tee shirts, accessories, candles, fragrances and whatever else their growing customer base demanded. "It's literally a store that customers built."

article by MICHAEL DEVAULT & MARY NAPOLI | photography by BRAD ARENDER 146 SEPTEMBER 2014 | W WW. BAYO UL IFEM AG. C OM

JOHN KENNEDY

WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | SEPTEMBER 2014

147

MOJO’S SIGNATURE SCENTS

ow, more than 25 years later, that first tee-shirt has evolved into a thriving business, and Mojo’s Boutique attracts more fashion forward trendsetters to Trenton Street than ever before. A lot has changed over the years, as the family lost Carole and their brother Glenn to illness. But one thing has remained constant: the art. “It was a boutique that featured her artwork, the art of my brother, Glenn, and my brother Doug. Even today, you're going to find original artwork,” Kim said. The art is just one aspect that has helped Mojo stand out. That art has inspired many of the designs that helped make the teeshirt brand a global phenomenon. And global is by no means an exaggeration. John recalls the moment he knew Mojo was truly a global brand. He and Doug had traveled to the Magic Men’s Wear Show, a major market for menswear held annually in Las Vegas. One year, they received the kind of polite attention one expects at a market show. People bought their product, but demand was hardly overwhelming. The next show marked a remarkable shift for the brand. “That was when the Japanese really took hold, when we went to the Magic Menswear show in Las Vegas,” John said. “One show was a basic show, nothing special. At the very next show, there were oceans of Japanese buyers showing up and buying our shirts." Mojo’s distinctly artful style has become something of an obsession for fans of the look. The shirts that brought life to the boutique have given the brand an edgy, eccentric identity that is uniquely Southern in flavor. In the hands of John Kennedy, Doug’s designs are now the cornerstone for a flourishing business that seems to know no bounds. Mojo’s Boutique now offers much more than the shirts that it began with. On trend, contemporary apparel lines the walls; fresh, sophisticated accessories are offered; intriguing home goods fill the shelves; divinely inspired personal fragrances are displayed; and the mercurial, hand crafted shirts with an unmistakable local flavor are impossible to ignore. While John has proven himself to be masterful at creating the Mojo brand that is not only popular locally, but also internationally, he is quick to give his siblings credit for their roles in the business. Together, the Kennedys have established the unique identity that Mojo is known for. Each of the siblings has their own area of expertise when it comes to making the brand a success, but it is the collaboration of their talents that gives them a creative edge. “One thing that is different about us, is that Mojo is a collaborative effort,” John said. “ We have a collection of ideas and each give our input. We talk about ideas together and look at the finished products together. ”

148 SEPTEMBER 2014 | W WW. BAYO UL IFEM AG. C OM

he result of this collaborative effort is a style that is distinctly Mojo. Doug’s locally influenced designs are now featured on more than the shirts that got them their start. John and Kim have expanded the creations to include items for the home, such as tote bags and pillows. The designs have a mystical, vintage feel, and this style comes innately for the artist. Their hometown of Monroe and native region have had a direct influence on their style, and this translates easily into Doug’s designs. The result is an artful look that resonates with locals and has garnered attention much farther away from home. Doug explains that the style Mojo is known for comes from the childhood roots the siblings share. This helps create a mystique around Mojo and drives season after season of remarkable prints. “It’s something of a collective consciousness that people (of our area) have,” Doug said. “You’ll see pulses of our personal history throughout the collections, (in t-shirt designs) like the Tonga Lounge, Twin City Queen, …our schools have been every influential on us. We are focused locally, and people respond to that. Elsewhere, people respond to the feel and vibe of this area. They respond to that mysterious quality of Louisiana.” Their love of the mysterious, magical side of Louisiana shines through in all aspects. From the shadowy bayou scenes to the local characters that would seem completely out of place in any other part of the country, these characteristics are interpreted into the designs with a wink to locals. “It’s a compellation of our experiences growing up here,” said John. “We love to incorporate things that are meaningful to us, and this area is especially important. There is such a wealth of creativity here.” The artistic endeavors go far beyond the quixotic and detailed images on original Mojo apparel that locals can’t get enough of. Within the last few years, John and Doug have expanded their line to include fragrances that were specifically created for Mojo by master perfumers from Paris who were so inspired by the project that they traveled to John Kennedy’s home in Calhoun to experience the natural beauty of our area. Mojo Magique debuted to rave reviews in 2013. The unisex fragrance offers a subtle infu-

sion of notes that were specifically inspired by our area, such as cedarwood, sandalwood, jasmin, lavender, cinnamon and mandarin. Magique was such a success that it led the Kennedys to create two more fragrances—Voodoo Child and Belle, fragrances that evoke the sensuality and decadent qualities that are often associated with the South. The Kennedys had the opportunity to work with international perfumer Jean Marc Chaillan, the nose behind the highly successful fragrances of Carolina Herrera, Burberry, Calvin Klein and Vera Wang among others. Belle is a feminine fragrance, which brings forth notes of gardenia, rose, moss and patchouli. Voodoo Child is another unisex fragrance, and the most complex and exotic of the line. It opens with notes of pink pepper to reveal scents of orange flower from Africa, rose oil from Turkey and hints of leather. Over the fall, John hosted perfumer New York-based Helen Murphy. For Helen, the experience was transformative, according to John. “She was inspired,” John said. “She said, 'I now get the whole Louisiana thing.'" The result of that extended stay at John’s Calhoun home, of walks in the woods and listening to the sounds of a southern night, were a selection of possibilities for the 2015 line. In one short month, Helen had fallen in love with Louisiana.

WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | SEPTEMBER 2014

149

FINDING THE CREATIVE MOJO CONT. “She came up with a roster of fragrances for us to start working on. They're just unbelievable.” John expects to launch the first of two new fragrance offerings in February. A second new offering will join the Mojo brand in June or July. The line of perfumes are known as “niche fragrances,” which are made in small batches for specific tastes. The individuality and depth of each fragrance is alluring and unforgettable. John said every aspect of creating the perfumes has been a fascinating experience for the Kennedys, from designing the stunning packaging to the striking label, which is visible from the outside, as well as from within. “What’s interesting is that some of the senses translate differently to individuals,” John said. “Taste, eyes perceive things differently. The blue and orange you see may be different than what I see…but scent is the same to each of us. The market is referring to the line as ‘the South’s only fine fragrance.’” Fragrances are not the end of the road for the Mojo brand, either. In the near future, the Kennedys plan to unveil a line of handbags that also have a local inspiration. The bags, made from local alligator skins and leather, have been designed with the attention to detail and quality that Mojo is known for. “We love to use local resources in our own work and watch them compete with the best in the world,” said John. The luxurious bags are created by the same craftsmen who produce high end handbags for brands like Coach and Chloe. The release date for the bags has not been

150 SEPTEMBER 2014 | W WW. BAYO UL IFEM AG. C OM

determined, but the current designs promise to be extraordinary. Kim, who divides her time between Mojo and her own successful career as an author of young adult and children’s fiction, feels that the boutique provides a special aspect to the region. “I like to think of Mojo’s Boutique as a Louisiana shopping retreat, because it truly embodies a Louisiana sensibility,” Kim said. “From contemporary fashions and accessories with a Southern edge to handcrafted and printed pillows depicting a dreamy bayou landscape, the store reflects our love for the area.” As the new tee-shirt designs debut in the coming months, there will be more fresh and exciting merchandise to explore at the boutique. “This fall and holiday season, customers will enjoy our expanded offerings of jewelry, gifts and handbags, including the introduction of our original leather and locally sourced alligator goods,” Kim said. “ In addition to many new clothing lines, customers can look forward to new bath and body products, European cashmere scarves and exclusive objects for the home.” Despite the international success of their original designs and the popularity of their line of fragrances, Mojo maintains the same artful craftsmanship and imaginative creativity that caught everyone’s eye in the first place. “Something about Mojo really resonates with people in an intense way,” said John. His twin brother Doug agrees, “It’s fun and interesting to see the world recognizing Louisiana in pop culture, but we don’t chase after it. We do our own thing.”

WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | SEPTEMBER 2014

151

Monroe Renaissance Kicks Off Football Season

Pigskin Pub Crawl on Thursday, September 4th

ONROE RENAISSANCE IS kicking off the festive football season with their bi-monthly Downtown Pub Crawl on Thursday, September 4. The non-profit group, made of volunteers that are working to revitalize downtown, have coordinated a pub crawl to bring together pubs, bars and restaurants in downtown Monroe. Participants check in at Bry Park, located at the corner of South Grand and DeSiard Street. They will receive their pub passport, which will have a map and list of the participating locations, along with drink specials at each location. After making each stop and getting their passport stamped, pub-crawlers will drop off their

completed passport at the last stop – Shananigan’s – for their chance to score a touchdown in the form of prizes donated by Marsala Beverage. The Downtown Pub Crawl is a free event and participants must be 21 years of age. Participants can also hop on the party bus for free transportation along the pubcrawl route. The five participating locations are Enoch’s Irish Pub, Shananigan’s, Live Oaks, Restaurant Cotton and River & Rail Cantina. Local distributors – Marsala Beverage, Choice Brands and Glazer’s – will be on hand at each location to showcase some of their products that will be hits at the your tailgate parties throughout the season!

152 SEPTEMBER 2014 | W WW. BAYO UL IFEM AG. C OM

The Pigskin Pub Crawl is sponsored by Monroe Renaissance, BayouLife Magazine, Lamar Outdoor and The Radio People. The Downtown Pub Crawl takes place the first Thursday of every other month. For more information, find Monroe Renaissance on Facebook – facebook.com/MonroeRenaissance Monroe Renaissance is a non-profit organization consisting of volunteers whose mission is to stimulate and make possible the re-awakening of downtown Monroe through community participation, resulting in an enhanced quality of life.

Sleepy Hollow Open House

Realtors and interior designers flocked to Sleepy Hollow Furniture's Open House for a real treat, as they became the first in the area to view the exclusive HGTV Home™ Furniture Gallery. The HGTV Home™ line comes from the creative minds at HGTV, and Sleepy Hollow is the only local retailer. In addition to enjoying stagings featuring HGTV Home™, visitors were treated to hors d'oeuvres catered by The Punchbowl, as well as a Mimosa bar. Sleepy Hollow is the closest you'll find this exclusive line, as the next nearest dealer is located in Dallas!

On the BayouScene

1 Debbie Cummins, Jo Tiﬀany Faulk and Benay Knowles 2 Michelle Miller, Jo Tiﬀany Faulk and Aaron Beeson 3 Cheryl Yarbrough and Janet Pearson 4 Michael and Nicole Creighton 5 Emmalyne, Aleta and Molly Kate Eley 6 Ronnie Scott and Aaron Beeson 7 Tish and Emery Miller

WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | SEPTEMBER 2014

153

BAYOU | FASHION

TREND

WATCH Local boutiques have everything you need for summer to fall transition. Whether there is a cool breeze or the sun in shining, we’ve got the latest trends. P H O T OG R APH Y BY MART I N G MEYERS

WHERE TO FIND: Wool hat with feather accent - Mojo’s of Louisiana, Boyfriend jeans - Bent Oaks Boutique, White and yellow Michael Star’s scarf - Pearl Pumphrey’s, Beaded necklace - Mojo’s of Louisiana, Nude pumps Pelican District, Sunglasses - Haik Humble Eye Center, Grey plaid scarf - Duck & Dressing

IT’S A

GUY

THING

WHERE TO FIND: Slip-on shoe - Bayou Beau, Cypress print tee - Mr. P’s Tees, Hudson jeans - Hemline Monroe, Sunglasses band - Pelican District, Baseball cap Pelican District, Southern Tide shirt - The Toggery, Sunglasses - Haik Humble Eye Center WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | SEPTEMBER 2014

155

INTHE BAG

WHERE TO FIND: Camel-colored tote Hemline Monroe, Patch-work leather handbag -Deirdre McGehee Designs, Tan snakeskin clutch - KSera Boutique, Noelle 3-in-1 shoulder bag - Maison Couture Clothiers 156 SEPTEMBER 2014 | W WW. BAYO UL IFEM AG. C OM

OFF THE

CUFF

WHERE TO FIND: Coordinates collection gold bracelet - The Fashion of Ruston, Lenny & Eva fuschia, studded cuff with charms - Salt & Pepper Accessory Boutique, Gold and pearl cross cuff - The Market in Bastrop, Shagreen and gold cuff - Pearl Pumphrey’s, Silver glitter and gold cuff - Legacy Silver & Gifts, Mignon Faget Hive cuff - Serendipity Designer Jewelry, Gold and enamel wedding bracelet with diamonds and pearls circa 1880 Hollis & Company Jewelers, Beaded cuff - Mojo’s of Louisiana

GOT THE

BLUES

WHERE TO FIND: Bourbon & Boweties bangles Beau Monde, Cobalt beaded Kendra Scott necklace The Fashion of Ruston, Blue, green and gold necklace - Legacy Silver and Gifts, Kendra Scott Statement earring - The Fashion of Ruston, Cobalt jeans Cara’s Boutique, Blue clutch with studs - Duck & Dressing, Strapless dress - HerringStone’s

THE GILDEDAGE

WHERE TO FIND: Beaded necklace with fleur de lis pendant - Bayou Gypsy, Small, coin earrings - The Market in Bastrop, Bou Cou teardrop earrings with blue accent - HerringStoneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, Lace, cross earrings with emerald drop - Bent Oaks Boutique, Emerald and pearl statement necklace by GYPSY - The Toggery

WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | SEPTEMBER 2014

159

4 6

GEAUX

TEAM

WHERE TO FIND: 1) Black & gold necklace - Cara’s Boutique 2) Louisiana Tech Bulldog sweatshirt- Mr. P’s Tees 3) Maroon and gold Louisiana tee Salt & Pepper Accessory Boutique 4) Purple and gold zippered pouch Maison Couture Clothiers, 5) Gold tiger necklace - Legacy Silver & Gifts 6) Purple and gold chevron dress - Cara’s Boutique 160 SEPTEMBER 2014 | W WW. BAYO UL IFEM AG. C OM

FRINGE BENEFITS

WHERE TO FIND: 1) Fringe heel - Hemline Monroe 2) Brocade leather shoulder bag - Deirdre McGehee Designs 3) Beaded, fringe scarf - Caraâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Boutique 4) Kimono with fringe - K-Sera Boutique 5) Leather and suede handbag - Pelican District 6) Black fringe and chain shoulder bag - Beau Monde 7) Minnetonka bootie - Salt & Pepper Accessory Boutique

2 5

7 WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | SEPTEMBER 2014

161

CANDY-COLORED

GEMSTONES

FROM LEFT TO RIGHT, TOP TO BOTTOM: Emerald - Hollis & Company Jewelers, Tanzanite - Hollis & Company Jewelers, Blue Topaz - Diamond Vault, Morganite - Hollis & Company Jewelers, Emerald - Diamond Vault, Purple Kameleon Jewel Pop Serendipity Designer Jewelry, Blue Topaz - Flair Monroe’s Fine Jewelers, Sapphire - Flair Monroe’s Fine Jewelers 162 SEPTEMBER 2014 | W WW. BAYO UL IFEM AG. C OM

Pelican District Grand Opening

Melissa Hammett and Barry Dopson hosted a private Grand Opening Party Aug. 1 for Pelican District, their locally owned and operated clothier that opened its doors on August 4th. Pelican District is located in a newly remodeled store on DeSiard Street, across from ULM. Visitors browsed the merchandise, enjoyed snacks and learned something special: there's a man cave for him while there's shopping for her. That's not to say Pelican District doesn't have offerings for him. More than a few gentlemen picked up a bit of dashing during the busy grand opening.

On the BayouScene

1 Melissa Hammett, Brook Hagen with Allie and Pam Dopson 2 Annmarie Madden, Alix Duncan and Heather Boyett 3 Don Hammett, Matt Hammett, Roddy Watts and Gary Richardson 4 Pam and Barry Dopson 5 Matt and Stephanie Durham and Rep. Mike Walsworth 6 Lacy Bagbey and Mattie Henry

WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | SEPTEMBER 2014

163

PHOTOGRAPHY BY BRAD ARENDER HAIR AND MAKEUP BY MEKA BENNETT MODEL: EMILY PRESTRIDGE

THE FASHION OF RUSTON: THIS DRESS IS PERFECT FOR FALL GATHERINGS. STYLISH AND CHIC, THIS BLACK AND WHITE, PANELED DRESS FEATUREDS STUDDED EMBELLISHMENTS AND POCKETS. ADD GORGEOUS KENDRA SCOTT EARRINGS AND A SIMPLE BLACK STRAPPY HEEL TO COMPLETE THE LOOK.

ART IN MOTION

PEARL PUMPHREY’S: CASUAL DAYS HAVE NEVER LOOKED THIS GOOD. THESE COATED JEANS HAVE A SUBTLE SHEEN AND PAIR WELL WITH THIS WHITE MICHAEL STARS TEE. ADD LAYERED NECKLACES, CHAN LUU WRAP BRACELETS, METALLIC BELT, FRINGED SCARF AND THESE CLASSIC FRYE BOOTS FOR A LOOK THAT WILL TURN HEADS.

WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | SEPTEMBER 2014

165

PELICAN DISTRICT: BE A TRENDSETTER IN THESE STRIKING BLACK AND WHITE STRIPED PANTS. ADD A FEMININE TOP WITH RUFFLE AND LACE ACCENTS, LONG BEADED NECKLACE AND CUTE WEDGES TO COMPLETE THE OUTFIT.

MOJO’S OF LOUISIANA BREAK OUT OF YOUR WARDROBE RUT BY MIXING PATTERNS. WE ADORE THIS FRINGED KIMONO PAIRED WITH A FIGURE-FLATTERING LACE PENCIL SKIRT. ACCESSORIZE WITH A STATEMENT NECKLACE AND FEATHER EMBELLISHED HAT FOR A STUNNING LOOK.

WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | SEPTEMBER 2014

167

LORI B’S BOUTIQUE INSIDE LEGACY SILVER & GIFTS: PRETTY IN PINK, EMILY LOOKS HAUTE IN THIS REVERSIBLE WRAP FROM LORI B’S BOUTIQUE. FINISH THE LOOK WITH A SUEDE WEDGE AND DAINTY, RUFFLED PURSE.

168 SEPTEMBER 2014 | W WW. BAYO UL IFEM AG. C OM

THE MARKET: THIS DRESS FROM THE MARKET INSIDE PAST PERFECT IN BASTROP IS DECEIVINGLY SIMPLE. FEATURING A SHOULDERLESS SLEEVE, THIS TOP IS ACCENTED WITH LEATHER STRAPS THAT BUCKLE IN THE BACK FOR A MOTO-CHIC LOOK. ADD BRAIDED, ANKLE BOOTS AND DANGLING EARRING WITH A HORN NECKLACE.

WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | SEPTEMBER 2014

169

HEMLINE MONROE: THIS TYE-DIED BOHO ROMPER FEATURES A RELAXED FIT, SHORT DESIGN, CUFFS AT THE SLEEVES AND A DEEP WRAP V-NECK. ADD A BEADED TASSEL NECKLACE AND LARGE STONE RING FOR PLAYFUL CHARM.

MR P’S TEES: SHOW YOUR TIGER PRIDE WITH THIS SHORT TEE DRESS FROM MR P’S TEES. LOOK CUTE AND CHEER LOUD IN DEATH VALLEY IN THIS CUTE AND COMFORTABLE DRESS.

WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | SEPTEMBER 2014

171

BAYOU GYPSY: THIS FALL OFFERS A LOT OF WAYS TO LOOK TRENDY AND FEMININE. WE LOVE THIS CROCHETED TOP FROM BAYOU GYPSY WITH FRINGED HEM. PAIR WITH A SKINNY JEAN AND LEATHER BOOT WITH CROCHET INSET.

172 SEPTEMBER 2014 | W WW. BAYO UL IFEM AG. C OM

WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | SEPTEMBER 2014

173

St. Baldrick’s CHARITY EVENT ON SEPTEMBER 6TH

The St. Baldrick’s Foundation, a national volunteer-driven pediatric cancer-support charity will have a local presence for the first time when the inaugural “Monroe Goes Bald” event takes place on September 6th. The Monroe event is one of hundreds nationally, but the first of its kind in Northeast Louisiana. Event coordinator Justin McLeod says, “St. Baldrick’s is a wonderful organization, and I am glad to be a part of bringing it to NE Louisiana and raising some money to fight for the kids.” Hosted by Newk’s Eatery on Tower Drive, the event will feature a raffle of items and gift certificates donated by local businesses and individuals. Local children who have battled cancer will be in attendance with their families, in addition to other special and celebrity guests that will be present. Internet sensations Hannah and Kaylee will headline the celebrity guest list and entertainment, which will also include live music.

Dr. Mickel CONTINUED FROM PAGE 77

but if you can achieve 75-80% of the benefit of traditional laser treatment with minimal down time, no wound care, four to five days of redness and virtually no risk of scarring or loss of pigmentation, it’s no contest. Give me multiple Fraxel sessions any day. Ideally, patients who have had laser treatments should limit their sun exposure, so the fall and winter months are the ideal time to consider a series of Fraxel treatments. Call Mickel Plastic Surgery, 3882050, to set up a consultation and see if Fraxel is right for you. Of all the non-surgical tools for facial rejuvenation on the market today, this one is based on hard science with proven results, and in my opinion, clearly makes the most sense.

P&S Surgical CONTINUED FROM PAGE 107

174 SEPTEMBER 2014 | W WW. BAYO UL IFEM AG. C OM

it with him to summer camp. She can even transfer her medical records to another authorized healthcare provider in a matter of seconds. Following a surgical procedure, it can be daunting to remember all of the care instructions. Our portal will contain detailed recovery instructions for the patient, such as how to care for a wound, what medications to tak, and when to resume normal activities like work and school. Our portal's security is of the highest calibre. Each patient will use a unique username and password, ensuring the safety of their information. We encourage all registered patients to enroll in the portal. Anyone interested in enrolling should call (318) 388-4040. P&S Surgical Hospital is a joint venture between St. Francis Medical Center and 50 physician specialists.

WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | SEPTEMBER 2014

175

THE

CANCER JOURNAL PROJECT article by K E NA N I R V I N G

When I was 14 years old, I met Ashley. Four years later, we were married. Nine years after that, she died. On May 8, 2013, our 9th wedding anniversary, we found out that the lymphoma we thought Ashley had was actually stage 4 stomach cancer. The two of us responded to the news quite differently. She cried and almost immediately accepted the possibility that she might die. I just stood there. I was unable to process and deal with that information. I felt that if I ignored it long enough, I could somehow bend the world to my will. Ashley’s sister had given her a journal the day before the full diagnosis and Ashley started writing in it. The ability to write down exactly what she was feeling at any given moment, was comforting. It helped her cope. I never could have written in a journal because I never accepted any of it. In fact writing this now and admitting that it happened is probably one of the hardest things I’ve ever done.

176 SEPTEMBER 2014 | W WW. BAYO UL IFEM AG. C OM

For Ashley though, that journal was calming. It went with her everywhere. Through diagnosis, treatment, vomiting, pills and pain she could write whatever she wanted. I would notice her at times while she was writing. Sometimes she would smile. Sometimes she would cry. No matter the emotion though, I knew it helped. As soon as an event happened, she would write in the journal. It became almost a stream of consciousness. What she has left is an incredibly intimate and honest portrayal of what life is like for someone dying of cancer. Ashley and I made a deal that no one would read the journal until she died. The hope of course was that she would get better and no one would EVER be able to read it. That’s not what happened though. On the last page of the journal, Ashley wrote a list of the things she wanted to do when she beat cancer. Among the list was start a charity.That is what The Cancer Journal Project is.

I wanted the journal itself to be part of the charity. I wanted this amazing historical document to be shared with the world. We will release excerpts from the journal and artwork designed around what Ashley wrote. This will happen on our website and social media accounts. It’s the hope that these words will help others to cope and understand what can be accomplished in the face of tremendous adversity. Cancer completely consumes your life. Not only is this disease mutating through your cells but it robs you of time. There are doctors’ visits, tests, procedures, trips to the pharmacy, chemotherapy and that’s not even counting the time your body needs to heal. Cancer treatment leaves no time for anything else. Especially not a vacation. Ashley and I loved going to Walt Disney World. We went there on our honeymoon. We also went back every year that we were married. She even ran the Disney Marathon four months before she was diagnosed. I guess we never really grew up. What’s sad is that so many kids are forced to deal with things they were never intended to have to. Cancer is robbing them of their childhoods and forcing them to grow up way too fast. We want to help. We want to be able to send these children and their families on a trip. We want to give them a break from the doctors and pills. A break from their homes that have become extended hospital rooms. We want to send them to Walt Disney World. This is how you can help. 100% of your donations go directly to the Make-A-Wish foundation. The Cancer Journal Project is completely self funded. We don’t keep a dime of your donation. Make-A-Wish will use the money to help kids and their families get a much needed break. To forget for a while that they’re sick. To make as many memories as possible. It takes approximately $6500 to sponsor a wish and send a family to Disney World. We want to be able to send as many families as possible. We need your help to make this happen. Please donate whatever you can. What else can you do? Tell everyone you know about The Cancer Journal Project. Visit our site often. Like us on Facebook. Follow us on Instagram, Twitter and Tumblr. Like our posts and pictures. Share and retweet. The more people that know about Ashley and The Project, the more families we can help. Ashley and I had several trips planned while she was sick. We only got to take one of them. We kept waiting for one more chemo round or one more procedure. We were always waiting for the next week, when surely she would feel better. Time just ran out. Please help these families take the time while they still can. Ashley would have liked knowing that this journal, this coping mechanism, helped others to cope. www.thecancerjournalproject.org www.facebook.com/thecancerjournalproject www.instagram.com/thecancerjournalproject www.twitter.com/cjournalproject www.thecancerjournalproject.tumblr.com

WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | SEPTEMBER 2014

177

178 SEPTEMBER 2014 | W WW. BAYO UL IFEM AG. C OM

WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | SEPTEMBER 2014

179

Calendar of Events Through September 1 42nd Annual Cottonland Cluster of Dog Shows Time: 9:00 am to 4 pm daily Get ready for intense competition at this year's Cottonland Cluster of Dog Shows. The event includes four all breed dog shows and 23 specialty dog shows including Boxers, Basset Hounds, Chinese Shar-Peis, Schnauzers and many more. Many of the dogs that participate continue to compete in New York’s televised broadcast of the Westminster Dog Show. More information to come. Venue: Monroe Civic Center Address: 401 Lea Joyner Memorial Expressway, Monroe LA, 71210 Admission Cost: Adults $5; Children $2 Phone: (318) 329-2225 September 4 Brown Bag Concert Time: 12:00 Noon A free concert hosted by the Northeast Louisiana Arts Council in downtown Monroe. Join NLAC for a mid-day celebration of art, music, and a good time in Monroe! Venue: Anna Grey Noe Park Address:251 Oak Street, Monroe LA, 71201 Admission Cost: Free Phone: (318) 807-9985

For a full list of event happenings in Northeast Louisiana, see our website at www.bayoulifemag.com September 6 Dirty South Running presents Downtown Donut Dash Time: 8:00AM - 11:00AM In the Downtown Donut Dash, participants will run a 5K race through the historic downtown Monroe, LA. At every mile, the racers will stop running and start eating. Racers will eat one tasty donut before running the next mile or finishing the race. The first person to finish the race and hold down their donuts will be crowned the champion! Venue: Monroe RiverMarket Address: 316 South Grand, Monroe LA, 71201 Admission Cost: $20 Phone: 318-366-4188 Web: www.downtownmonroe.org

Revolution Park presents: 2014 Season #6 Race Time: Gates open-5:00 pm; Race begins-7:15 pm Racing action includes: Bandos, Thunderstock, Factory Stocks, Legends, Compacts and Pro Late Models. Join the thrill of all things racing out at Revolution Park. Venue: Revolution Park Race Track Address: 8850 Frontage Rd, Monroe LA, 71202 Phone: 318-812-7223 Web: www.revolutionparkentertainment.com

180 SEPTEMBER 2014 | W WW. BAYO UL IFEM AG. C OM

Warhawk Football Time: 6:00 pm Get your "Talons Out" as the ULM Warhawks take on Idaho! Venue: ULM Malone Stadium Address: 514 Warhawk Way, Monroe LA, 71203 Admission Cost: Ticket prices vary Phone: (318) 342-3856 Web: www.ulmwarhawks.com

September 7-14 Cotton Stakes Classic Don't miss this exciting competition. Cutting is a sport where a horse and rider are judged on their ability to separate a single animal from a cattle herd. Venue: Ike Hamilton Expo Center Arena Address: 501 Mane Street, West Monroe LA, 71292 Admission Cost: Free to the public Phone: (318) 325-9160 Web: www.cottonstakescutting.com September 8-9 Homeward Bound with Bonalyn Nelson Boyd Time: 7:00 pm Don't miss Soprano Bonalyn Nelson Boyd in concert with accompanist Julian Jones. Bonalyn returns to Monroe to present "Homeward Bound," a vocal concert featuring a variety of songs to include several from Broad-

way musicals, opera, and sacred hymns. Garden gates open for guests at 6:15 p.m. There will be a reception in the garden immediately following the concert. Venue: Biedenharn Museum and Gardens Address: 2006 Riverside Drive, Monroe LA, 71201 Admission Cost: $15 per person Phone: (318) 387-5281 Web: www.bmuseum.org September 13 Landry Vineyards presents: Code Blue & The Flatliners Time: 4:00 pm-7:30 pm Landry Vineyards winery outdoor concert featuring Code Blue & The Flatliners. A mix of 60's, 70's and 80's music will have you, family & friends dancing all night. Make sure you pack your lawn chair, blanket and picnic dinner and enjoy the outdoor show. Venue: Landry's Vineyard Address: 5699 New Natchitoches Road, West Monroe LA, 71292 Admission Cost: Per Person: $5-$8; Children 12 & under: Free Phone: (318) 557-9051 Web: www.landryvineyards.com September 19-21 Revolution Park presents: Last Chance for Points Weekend & Checkered Flag Party

Time: Gates open-5:00 pm; Race begins-7:15 pm Enjoy a weekend full of racing, food, entertainment and fun at Revolution Park. Racing action includes: Bandos, Thunderstock, Factory Stocks, Legends, Compacts and Pro Late Models. Don't miss out on the last action packed weekend of the season! Venue: Revolution Park Race Track Address: 8850 Frontage Road, Monroe LA, 71202 Phone: 318-812-7223 Web: www.revolutionparkentertainment.com September 20 Yoga in the Garden Time: 7:00 am to 8:00 am The Biedenharn Museum & Gardens will host a morning yoga session in their beautiful gardens. Stretch and enjoy the beautiful, serenity of their lovely gardens. Venue: Biedenharn Museum and Gardens Address: 2006 Riverside Drive, Monroe LA, 71201 Admission Cost: $10 per session Phone: (318) 387-5281 Web: www.bmuseum.org Hunting and Fishing Day at Tensas River National Wildlife Refuge Time: 9:00 am to 3:00 pm Bring the whole family for a fun day at Tensas River NWR! All activities are free and food will be available and reasonably priced. Vendors and exhibitors will be present. Available kids activities include live animal exhibits, Cutest Kid in Camo Contest (ages 0-7 yrs), BB gun shooting, archery shooting, skeet shooting, arts and crafts, hay rides, music, game calling contest and the opportunity for youths 8-15 to apply and be drawn for a guided deer hunt on the Refuge. Please call or visit website for driving directions. Venue: Tensas River National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center Address: 2312 Quebec Road, Tallulah LA, 71282 Admission Cost: Free Phone: 318-574-2664 www.fws.gov/refuge/Tensas_River September 26-28 9 to 5: The Musical Time: Friday & Saturday shows- 7:00 pm; Sunday show- 2:00 pm Strauss Theatre Center opens its 83rd Season with the outrageous, thought-provoking and even a little ro-

mantic 9 TO 5: THE MUSICAL, a hilarious story of friendship and revenge in the Rolodex era. Featuring music and lyrics by Dolly Parton, the story focuses on three female co-workers who conspire to take control of their company and learn there’s nothing they can’t do - even in a man’s world. Venue: Strauss Theatre Center Address: 1300 Lamy Lane, Monroe LA, 71201 Admission Cost: Ticket prices vary. Phone: (318) 323-6681 www.strausstheatrecenter.com September 27 Race for the Cure Time: 7:30 am This is the 21st Annual Northeast Louisiana Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, a run/walk event where 75% of all proceeds go the local grant projects. Venue: Forsythe Park Address: Riverside Drive & Forsythe Avenue, Monroe LA, 71201 Admission Cost: $10-$30 Phone: (318) 329-2439 Landry Vineyards presents The Tim Free Band Time: 3:30 pm-7:00 pm Landry Vineyards winery outdoor concert featuring The Tim Free Band. A mix of Blues and Classic Rock music will have you, family & friends dancing all night. Make sure you pack your lawn chair, blanket and picnic dinner and enjoy the outdoor show. Venue: Landry's Vineyard Address: 5699 New Natchitoches Road, West Monroe LA, 71292 Admission Cost: Per Person: $5-$8; Children 12 & under: Free Phone: (318) 557-9051 Web: www.landryvineyards.com Warhawk Football Time: 6:00 pm Get your "Talons Out" as the ULM Warhawks take on Troy! Venue: ULM Malone Stadium Address: 514 Warhawk Way, Monroe LA, 71203 Admission Cost: Ticket prices vary Phone: (318) 342-3856 Web: www.ulmwarhawks.com

WWW.BAYOULIFEMAG.COM | SEPTEMBER 2014

181