HAIR FLAIR

Let it Snow

Mistletoe Marketplace Presented by the Junior League of Jackson

FOR MORE THAN FOUR DECADES, THE JUNIOR LEAGUE of Jackson has transported thousands of guests from near and far to the whimsical holiday wonderland that is Mistletoe Marketplace. Join in the holiday wonder this year as we “Let it Snow” November 2-5 at the Mississippi Trade Mart in Jackson, Mississippi.

Each year, hundreds of Junior League of Jackson volunteers plan, organize, and execute Mistletoe Marketplace, which serves as the Junior League of Jackson’s largest fundraiser and the South’s premier holiday shopping event. This year, over 100,000 square feet in the Mississippi Trade Mart will be seamlessly converted into a cozy, snowcapped ski village. “What evokes classic holiday nostalgia more than a snowcapped ski lodge decked out for the holidays?” says Kristen Blackard, the 2022 Mistletoe Marketplace Chair. “Picture yourself surrounded by earthy greens, cozy textures, and wooden accents. You will feel as if you’re sitting fireside in a mountain lodge!”

Held just two hours east of Monroe, Louisiana, Mistletoe Marketplace is so much more than a shopping extravaganza. Funds raised support the Junior League of Jackson’s mission and more than thirty community projects and initiatives for children and youth in impact areas focused on children’s health, early literacy, and social development. Junior League volunteers donate more than 55,000 hours of service each year. They pack backpacks with school supplies, create access to nutritional foods, and help children improve problem-solving skills and build self-esteem through Junior League projects. “Bring your friends and family along for this memorable event that is sure to put you in the holiday spirit!” says this year’s Co-Chair, Adriane Louie.

After you make your way into the Trade Mart, grab your shopping bag and get ready to shop over 150 merchants from all across the country showcasing their unique and exclusive products. Shop women’s, men’s, and children’s apparel; home décor; health and beauty products; specialty foods; jewelry; and more. Some merchants have been to every Mistletoe Marketplace, but the event also features several first-time merchants each year to keep the shopping new and exciting.

In addition to shopping, Mistletoe Marketplace provides fun and exciting special events for all ages. Each event is different, so you are sure to find an event that is perfect for you!

“Mistletoe Marketplace truly has something for everyone,” says Bethany Smith, 2022-2023 Junior League of Jackson President. “For me, Mistletoe is an opportunity to discover the perfect gift for my loved ones, to see my children light up when Santa walks into the room, to enjoy all the festivities and admire the beautiful holiday decorations— but most of all, to know that I am contributing to an organization that gives back to our community.”

“On behalf of the Junior League of Jackson and all of the volunteers who have been working tirelessly to prepare for Mistletoe Marketplace, I hope you will join us for what is sure to be a fun-filled and memorable event.” You’ll be SNOW glad you came!

GENERAL SHOPPING HOURS

Thursday, November 3 | 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM

Friday, November 4 | 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM

Saturday, November 5 | 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS Wednesday, November 2

7 – 11 PM | Let It Snow | Mistletoe Marketplace Preview Gala Presented by the Junior League of Jackson

Thursday, November 3

8 – 11 AM | On the Mountaintop | Mistletoe Morning Presented by Trustmark 6– 8 PM | Après-Ski | Girls’ Night Out Presented by Visit Mississippi

Friday, November 4

8 – 11 AM | Sunrise on the Slopes | Marketplace Brunch Presented by Regions 12 – 2 PM | Sleigh Bells Ring | Baptist Luncheon and Style Show Presented by Mississippi Baptist Medical Center 4 – 5:30 PM | Hot Cocoa and Haute Couture | Tween Fashion Show Presented by University of Mississippi Medical Center 7 – 10 PM | Up to Snow Good – 90’s Nostalgia Night Presented by Southern Beverage Co., Inc.

Saturday, November 5

9 – 10:30 AM | Bunny Slopes Breakfast | Children’s Event Presented by Alliant Construction, An Ergon Company

For more information about Mistletoe Marketplace or to purchase tickets, please visit www.mistletoemarketplace.com.

CAMPING MISERY

ARTICLE BY DAN CHASON

Ionce said that I think that my one and only older brother starting picking on me while I was still in the womb. I was 2 1/2 years younger than my brother Steve. I was a chunky young man, and wore Huskies and my brother wore Slims. He was lean, mean and had an attitude that his job for life was to toughen me up. That is strange, as we did everything together. We did our chores together (which always ended in a fight). Our afternoons were spent fishing, hunting or exploring. For the most part we lived in the country. Our minister father was an engaged dad, who would come home from his work so we could shoot some hoops, toss a football, work in the garden or play his favorite game, paperball. This game was played with no running bases, much like baseball. The “ball” was cylindrical rolled newspaper and a broom handle was the bat. My mom once said that my dad knocked out more church windows than her two sons ever did. Dad was a gamer. But my brother Steve was something. I never saw him without a knife. Not just one - hunting knife (that he slept in the bed with me and had it under his pillow) and a sharp folding pocket knife he took everywhere. I can recall four stabbings and one mishap with a dart where he dared me to run and I was stupid enough to do it. Now, of course, he would be very apologetic and I would cover for him, he was my brother. But the one thing we loved to do was to go camping. We started camping around the age of 10. You have to remember this was in the early 70’s and our camping equipment consisted of a sheet we stole from Mama, a quilted blanket to sleep under and an old pillow Mama had put outside for the dog. We stole wieners, bread if we had any and a jug of water. That was about it. Steve liked camping because he could drag out a machete along with the trusty hunting knife and pocket knife to retrieve a pile of wood for a fire. He would cut enough fire wood for a family of six to survive the winter, but we were never cold.

We spent our nights running “set lines.” This meant somebody (guess who) had to wade into the edge of the pond and hang the lines. Daddy always had chicken livers so we had bait. Most times we would dig up under the old oak tree in the back yard and take some night crawlers. Daytimes were spent exploring. Steve was an arrowhead geek and if he found a rock with any point on it, he called it an arrowhead. I never found one as I was always figuring out how to hook up to a big bass on my Zebco 33. Steve cared little for bass fishing and we soon developed a fierce competition when it came to any kind of fishing - all the way into our late 50’s.

Steve had a habit that drove me nuts. I don’t remember a single time he didn’t walk by me and take his middle finger, poke me hard in my belly and call me “fatboy.” He was relentless. I promised myself that one day I would get the courage to challenge him. I didn’t plan it and I didn’t want it, but the constant picking on me was getting old.

Then Steve turned 15. At that time a young man could get their driver’s license at 15. We begged, we pleaded and finally broke my Dad down so he would loan us his truck and his boat to go camping and fishing on Spring Bayou in Marksville, where we lived. Anyone that knows Spring Bayou knows that it is a swamp. To this day I would not let any one of my kids go there and would never loan my boat for them to go. It is a spooky, dark place littered with stumps, alligators and cotton mouths. But dad relented. We hoed the garden, cut the lawn (twice), washed his car, anything to be able to go on our own and enjoy the great outdoors.

The big day finally came and 15-year old Steve and 13-year old Dan took off on our adventure of a lifetime. Now, mind you we took no food, we were gonna live off of what we caught. We caught some crawfish in a ditch and borrowed dad’s bucket where he kept his trot line. Our goal was to fish until we dropped, but then it got dark and the mosquitoes showed up. The one thing we didn’t bring in all of our great planning was mosquito spray. We launched our boat at a ramp we had used hundreds of times with our dad. We set our trotline and went back to our spot to light a fire. We piled every pile of cypress moss and green limbs we could to stave off the mosquitoes and waited. When it got past suppertime, Steve looked at me and said he was ready to go home. The mosquitoes were just too bad. We then opted for the inside of the truck. About midnight our stomachs were screaming, so I had the bright idea to cook the crawfish we had left over. I’ve eaten crawfish about every way you can, and I will say those were the best I’ve ever tasted. At daylight we left out to check our lines and try the catfish. I hooked a huge one only to see my brother reach out with his hunting knife and cut my line. To make it worse, he laughed. I was furious and I exploded. Round and round that boat we fought until we were exhausted. We went back to the landing and that’s when we could see our reflection in the rearview mirror. Our disdain for each other turned into fear, as we knew that dad would literally kill us.

We came up with every scenario a kid could come up with to explain my black eye, his bloody nose and our torn up clothes. To our relief, dad walked out, looked at both of us and said, “Well boys ya’ll look like you had a good time” and walked away.

I lost my brother to brain cancer in 2019. I think of him and our times together often I miss those days so badly. I would give my world to have my brother back. Even if he poked me in the belly and called my “Fatboy.”

Meredith’s Musings

MILESTONE MISHAP article by MEREDITH MCKINNIE

March marked a milestone. I turned 40. I remember my 30th birthday. I had a large, overly populated party at two locations. I felt high on life and anxious for a new decade. My twenties consisted of hard changes. My thirties brought positive life developments. I feel like my 40s are for me. And the unknown feels alluringly exciting. Birthdays are tricky in that we don’t know how or even if people want them recognized. As I’ve gotten older, I appreciate smaller gatherings, with one group conducive to conversation rather than random chatter bubbles that require my constant migration. Long gone are the days for social interactions that wear me out, especially when I am the honoree.

The actual day is big for me. I want all the texts and salutations. I want those closest to me to remember. Oddly, my husband has often missed my birthday. Being a coach, he is typically in season, and spring birthdays conflict with spring seasons. I was excited this year because for this sport, he is the head coach. He makes the schedule. His availability is not contingent on the whims of a superior. We don’t discuss his schedule well in advance. We arrange childcare and compare notes usually a week out. So, when a friend mentioned my birthday falling on the following Thursday, I saw panic in my husband’s eyes. He had forgotten. I knew it. My husband doesn’t let me down often, but when he does, I tend to milk it - shameless, but I am who I am.

I casually shook it off, changed the subject when he tried to address the issue. And get this, not only did he schedule a game on my birthday, but it was an away game, an hour from the school. Even if he rushed, I could expect his presence no earlier than 9 pm - after the girls have gone to bed and the day is essentially over. The morning of, my husband woke up early, tried to give me the attention normally reserved for a weekend, but I was irritated. I knew my birthday wouldn’t feel like one. I just wanted it to be over.

At ten am, I get an enthusiastic call from my husband. He had confirmed an earlier start time for the game. He was grasping at straws, but I could tell he was bothered by my disappointment. I carried on with my day, colleagues acknowledging the occasion, no doubt informed by Facebook (as we all are now). I started a typical afternoon at home alone with the girls, luring them to the backyard and curling up with my book of the moment. Suddenly, around 4 pm, my husband comes barreling in the door, motioning me to the front yard. I froze, as I could see something unexpected was happening and I hate surprises. I walked through the carport and immediately noticed the police lights bouncing off the neighbor’s windows. A long yellow bus was parked in front of my house, and my husband’s entire softball team was leaning out of the windows. He raised his arm and they launched into a Happy Birthday serenade. I stood awkwardly with my hands on my hips, not sure how to respond to these girls I barely knew. About the third line, I settled a smile on my face and just let the moment play out. My husband dug deep in the chest for a romantic gesture. He’d detoured the game route, police escort and all, to wish me Happy Birthday. As the head coach, he’d erred, but as the head coach, he still had power.

My husband made it home by 8 pm due to the earlier start time. I’d kept the girls awake, and we had cake and presents, and it felt like the birthday I’d imagined in my head. Though the celebration was small, it involved all my favorite people, relishing in the same conversation, in which I was the honoree. I know birthdays seem trivial as we age, but as I get older, I want to celebrate being alive. I want to smile around a table of loved ones who appreciate my presence. I want to make a big deal, on a small scale, about an occasion that always happens if we’re still around to appreciate it. It sounds complicated, and the dynamics will change every year, but I’m worth it. We all are. Make it a big deal; when in doubt, make it bigger than she ever imagined.

Prost!

Raise a Stein for Oktoberfest

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

THE OKTOBERFEST TRADITION started in 1810 to celebrate the October 12th marriage of Bavarian Crown Prince Ludwig to the Saxon-Hildburghausen Princess Therese. The citizens of Munich were invited to join in the festivities, which were held over five days on the fields in front of the city gates. The main event of the original Oktoberfest was a horse race. Anniversary celebrations were held annually thereafter that eventually became larger and more elaborate. When the city began allowing beer on the fairgrounds, makeshift beer stands began cropping up, and their number increased steadily until they were eventually replaced by beer halls in 1896. The beer halls, like the beer tents of today, were sponsored by the local breweries.

Oktoberfest beer is of a variety called Märzen. Darker and stronger than traditional beer, Märzen is bottom-fermented, and is lagered for at least 30 days. Samuel Adams began brewing its own version, Octoberfest, as a seasonal offering in 1989. Since then, many other breweries have joined in on the trend. Here are some of our favorites, available locally.

Sam Adams Octoberfest, 5.3% ABV (Alcohol by Volume)

According to Sam Adams’ founder, Jim Koch, “Sam Adams OctoberFest is fall in a glass, brewed for the good times it was both named for and continues to inspire. In keeping with tradition, our brewers have meticulously maintained the integrity of this classic Oktoberfest beer for over thirty years. In that time, we’ve watched drinkers rally behind Sam Adams OctoberFest in unique ways, from stocking up on the seasonal the moment it hits shelves, to participating in stein hoisting competitions at festivals.” Sam Adams Octoberfest is available locally in six and twelve pack bottles and on tap at select locations.

Bell’s Octoberfest, 5.5% ABV

Crafted as a flavorful session beer, Bell’s Octoberfest Beer is a signal that autumn is upon us. Octoberfest spends a full six weeks maturing in the fermentation vessels and trades in the assertive hop presence for a focus on light caramel malt notes, lending body without too much sweetness. Bell’s Octoberfest is available locally in six pack bottles and on tap at select locations.

Flying Tiger Oktoberfest, 7.2% ABV

This malt bomb Märzen style Oktoberfest is chock full of biscuit malt goodness with layers of caramel and a hint of dark fruit on the finish. Flying Tiger Oktoberfest is available locally in four pack cans and on tap in the brewery’s taproom.

Shiner Oktoberfest, 5.5% ABV

Shiner Oktoberfest is a classic Oktoberfest style brewed with premium two row malt, Munich malt, and caramel malt. It is balanced with Mount Hood, Hollertau Tradition, and Hersbrucker hops. This beer pairs well with spicy foods, chicken, sausage, and mild cheese. Shiner Oktoberfest is available locally in six pack bottles and on tap at select locations.

Celebrate your own Oktoberfest with this fun twist on a traditional German recipe!

SAM ADAMS OCTOBERFEST CHICKEN SCHNITZEL SLIDERS

INGREDIENTS • 1.5 lb. boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut to fit the slider rolls • 12 oz. Samuel Adams OctoberFest • 2 tbsp. salt • 2 tbsp. brown sugar • 1 cup water • 1 cup all purpose flour • 2 tsp. ground cayenne pepper • 2 tsp. smoked paprika • 2 eggs • 2 cups breadcrumbs • vegetable oil, for pan frying • sauerkraut, for serving • honey mustard, for serving • slider rolls, for serving

INSTRUCTIONS 1. Whisk together beer, salt, brown sugar and water in a large mixing bowl. Add chicken thighs, cover and refrigerate for 4-6 hours. 2. Place flour in a shallow bowl. Mix in cayenne and smoked paprika. Whisk eggs in another shallow bowl. Place bread crumbs in a 3rd shallow bowl. Dredge chicken in flour mixture, egg, then bread crumbs, shaking off excess. Arrange on a parchment-lined baking sheet. 3. Heat about 1/2 cup of oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 2 chicken thighs to the skillet at a time and cook until golden brown on both sides, 8-10 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate and season. 4. Repeat for remaining chicken, adding more oil as necessary in between batches. 5. To assemble sliders, top rolls with chicken schnitzel, sauerkraut and honey mustard.

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IN THE GARDEN

Louisiana’s warm and humid climate sets the stage for an impressive array of mushrooms to be observed, and the roles they play in our gardens and both natural and cultivated landscapes cannot be underemphasized. So, this month, let’s look at some of our fleshy fungi.

What exactly is a mushroom? Any mushroom is simply the spore-producing structure of a fungus classified as a basidiomycete. This means the fungus produces its spores on microscopic structures called basidia. A single basidium with the spores on it looks rather like Jughead’s hat and if you get that reference, then you’re old. Mushrooms typically don’t last more than a few days. When certain environmental parameters like soil moisture and nighttime temperatures are right, mushrooms emerge, oftentimes in a matter of hours, throw their spores, then die away. The rest of the fungus is in the soil or potting medium, so we never see it. Out of sight, out of mind. Microscopic spores are carried away by air currents, land in a suitable habitat, and start a new mycelium in the soil. Spores of two mating types (+ and -) are required for mushroom, and therefore spore, production. Mushrooms that have gills on the underside of the cap are called agarics. If it has pores instead of gills, then it is called a bolete. Many fleshy fungi don’t resemble mushrooms at all. Some look like coral from the sea, blobs of jelly, brains, or even a slice of beef liver. There are even mushrooms that glow in the dark!

Some gardeners freak out when they see a mushroom growing in a flowerpot or in a bed. But mushrooms themselves are harmless to most garden plants. Bracket fungi, or mushrooms growing out of live trees, are a concern, however. In fact, having fungi like that in your soil or potting medium is a good thing. Ecologically, fungi are important as decomposers. Imagine if all the leaves dropped by deciduous trees every fall never decomposed. Fungi help turn those dead leaves back into nutrient-rich soil. During decomposition, nutrients tied up in leaf tissue are made available once again to other plants. Fungi do the same thing in our gardens and especially in compost piles. All the straw, hay, grass clippings, wood chips, or dead leaves used as mulch this year will be soil in coming seasons thanks to fungi.

Fungi do something else that is vitally important for plant health. Fungi form symbiotic relationships with roots and allow plants to take up nutrients, especially nitrogen and phosphorous, from soil more readily than they would otherwise be able to. These beneficial

> Mushrooms with pores under the cap are called boletes. < Amanita virosa and related species are solid white mushrooms found under oaks and pines. They are deadly toxic.

Chanterelles are much sought after by those in the know. They are summer mushrooms in our area.

Bird’s Nest Fungus by Joseph Roy Saproamanita thiersi Saproamanita thiersii

“Bottom line, never eat a mushroom you’re unfamiliar with or that you don’t have a positive identification for..”

associations are called “mycorrhizae,” which literally means “fungus root.” Plants ranging from oak and pine trees to Bermuda and St. Augustine grass rely on mycorrhizal fungi for this exact purpose. This plant/fungus relationship was established when plants first colonized land and has remained a vital component of land plant evolution. This is one reason the species of mushrooms found in any given habitat, from lawns to woods, can be predicted. For example, the deadly “destroying angels,” Amanita virosa and related species, occur here in the ArkLaMiss under oak and pine trees with which they are mycorrhizal. They are solid white, even the gills (hence the “angel” part of their common name) and will have a ring around the stalk. They will also be sitting in a little fungal cup that occurs either at or just below soil level. While they are deadly poisonous to anyone or anything that ingests them, they are biologically beneficial to the trees under which they are growing. Other than being admired for their haunting beauty, they are best left alone.

Several less dangerous fungal species that mimic Destroying Angels are to be found here in the ArkLaMiss. One is called “The Vomiter” (Chlorophyllum molybdites), a large, white mushroom occurring in lawns. The gills under the cap turn sea-green momentarily after being picked. While The Vomiter is a toxic species, it is not deadly poisonous. It will simply live up to its nickname. Another solid white mushroom that colonizes lawns is a close cousin of Destroying Angels, but information on its toxicity is ambiguous. I’ve photographed Saproamanita thiersii in Monroe’s Garden District in a grassy area off Stubbs Avenue. As the genus name suggests, this species is not mycorrhizal. Rather, it is saprophytic, meaning it decomposes dead thatch and the grass clippings that are left after the area is mowed. Its shaggy appearance is distinctive, but its solid white color is also a red flag. When in doubt, toss it out.

Relatives of the grocery store mushroom, Agaricus bisporus, are also in Louisiana’s fungal flora. Agaricus species have gills that turn from salmon pink to chocolate brown after being picked or after the spores have been discharged. The next time you buy fresh mushrooms at the grocery store, look at the gills. They’re brown and this immediately separates them from the dangerous Amanita species.

Chanterelles are much sought after by foragers and fungal aficionados, and Louisiana has plentiful populations. One of the more oddball fungi is Bird’s Nest Fungus, genus Cyathus. The “eggs” in the nests are called peridioles and contain the spores. Bird’s Nest Fungus is another example of saprophytic life history. They break down organic matter into nutrient-rich compost from which our gardens and landscapes benefit. Of course, a lot of folks are interested in whether a mushroom is edible or not. Bottom line, never eat a mushroom you’re unfamiliar with or that you don’t have a positive identification for. As mycologist and author David Arora writes in Mushrooms Demystified (Ten Speed Press), some mushrooms are “better kicked than picked.” But, before you punt that toadstool across your lawn, think about the fact that that fungus simply means you have healthy soil. Consider yourself lucky!

Tune in to Louisiana Living every Tuesday at 4:30 for In the Garden with Kerry Heafner of the LSU AgCenter.

Does a Hormone Imbalance Have You Out of Balance?

Louisiana Center for Women’s Health Can Help

EXPERIENCING HORMONE FLUCTUATIONS AND A general drop in estrogen, progesterone and testosterone production with age can have major consequences for your sexual health and wellness. These menopausal occurrences are also responsible for the inconvenient or downright irritating symptoms you experience as your body stops its menstrual cycle for good. Hormone replacement therapy offers a way to replenish the hormones within your body so they can better regulate certain processes. As a result, you’ll experience fewer menopausal symptoms and relief from any resulting sexual dysfunction or pain. Furthermore, hormone replacement therapy can lower your risk for bone density issues that can come as a result of a drop in hormones during menopause. The team at Louisiana Center for Women’s Health tailors your treatment to suit your needs, and uses the lowest dosage of hormones possible to achieve results safely. bone fractures or bone density loss, vaginal dryness, vaginal itching, painful sex, insomnia, weight gain, mood changes or early menopause or an estrogen deficiency.

You might still get periods as you approach menopause, but they don’t come as regularly or consistently as before. You’ll know you’ve reached menopause when you stop getting menstrual periods altogether.

HOW WILL I TAKE MY HORMONES?

Louisiana Center for Women’s Health works with you to decide on the best way to take your hormones. If the team has decided that taking hormones will benefit your health and wellness, they may recommend: Low-dose hormonal vaginal products products like vaginal estrogen creams or tablets can improve some vaginal or vulvar symptoms of menopause, like vaginal dryness or painful sex.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF HORMONE REPLACEMENT THERAPY?

Hormone replacement therapy has the potential to ease many of the symptoms and complications that arise as you approach menopause. The symptoms are so diverse that you might not even link many of them to menopause at first. The Louisiana Center for Women’s Health team might recommend hormone replacement therapy if you have moderate-tosevere symptoms of menopause like: hot flashes, night sweats, frequent

SYSTEMIC HORMONE REPLACEMENT THERAPY

Systemic hormone therapy is available in several of its own forms, like skin patches, pills, or implanted pellets placed under your skin. These contain higher doses of estrogen than low-dose products and are absorbed throughout the body instead of just in the vaginal tissues.

If you’re interested in learning more about hormone replacement therapy or finding out if it can relieve your symptoms, call Louisiana Center for Women’s Health for a consultation or book online today.

Helping People Find Home

List It. Sell It. Move On.

SUMMER IS OVER, AND THE KIDS ARE back in school. Temperatures will start dropping before you know it, but the housing market is still hot! Interest rates just aren’t that bad. There are still more buyers than homes available in our neck of the woods. Here are some simple DIY projects that can increase the appeal of your home.

BREATHING ROOM Your first inclination might be to arrange all your furniture flush against the walls. Though this may add a little extra room to move through the room, it’ll make everything feel more crowded and congested. Instead, try arranging items at an angle, or pulling them six inches away from the wall.

MIRRORS AND STRATEGIC COLORS

Dark paint will make the room feel smaller. Instead, opt for whites, light grays, and other light colors. A well-placed mirror will also expand the room’s appearance. Just think of the times you’ve been in a restaurant and a mirror made the space look twice as large.

RAISE YOUR WINDOW TREATMENTS

It’s common to hang your curtain rods just a few inches above your windows, but to make the ceilings appear taller, you can hang them just a few inches below the ceiling. It can have a dramatic effect.

BAD LIGHTING Have you ever seen the episode of Seinfeld where Jerry’s date looked different depending on where they went to dinner? It was the lighting. I know you may feel that your “daylight” white light bulbs help to reduce fatigue, but it’s very harsh lighting. Soft warm lights always have a cozy, inviting vibe.

Some things are better left to the professionals. No matter how handy you are, I would not advise tampering with electrical, plumbing or other systems that require a licensed professional. Which brings me to my next point, the services of an experienced Realtor and a full service professional real estate firm. I have systems in place to address both common and not so common issues that arise when selling a home. My extensive network of licensed contractors are on speed dial when a home inspector comes in and finds a laundry list of items to repair. My knowledge of the local market is invaluable to circumvent problems like having a low appraisal. My contacts with local title companies are essential when dealing with a title issue you never knew about. These problems only come into play after you get a buyer on the hook. My marketing strategies and systems are proven effective time and time again. You can’t sell the home if nobody sees it, or worse, if buyers see it and are turned off by a bad impression. I showcase your home in it’s best light with professional photography and videography to ensure maximum exposure in today’s digital age.

In this “new normal,” I have adjusted the way I show homes, ensuring clients’ safety, while still maximizing the ease and accessibility of showing options. Many of my listings have three dimensional 360 degree virtual tours available, allowing buyers to virtually walk through the home. This is just one of the ways that I work to exceed my clients’ expectations, ensuring that they get their home listed, sold so they can move on! Again, it’s best to leave the big jobs to the professionals. I would love to be your real estate professional.

MARK SISK - REALTOR ®

Dixie Cleaners

Locally and Family Owned

FOR RACHEL AND ZACH MADDEN, their business is all about family. “Dixie Cleaners has been around since the late 50s or early 60s…which is a legacy in itself. When my in-laws, Craig and Ann Corder, bought the business in 2013, it was important to them to carry on that same legacy under their direction,” says Rachel. And carry on they did, as Dixie Cleaners has become a name you can trust with your dry cleaning and laundry.

For the next nearly 10 years, Craig and Ann ran their business with the same care that had preceded them, and when retirement began to call their name, Zach and Rachel decided to make a move. “Zach was working pipeline and I was teaching Pre-K and the furthest thing from our minds was running the family business. But as our family continued to grow, we knew we wanted Zach to be home, so for over a year we prayed for a different opportunity. That’s the real story here, God answered our prayers by making the way for us to buy Dixie Cleaners, and we are so grateful for the opportunity,” says Rachel.

So with crossed fingers and a lot of prayer, Zach and Rachel took over the reins in March of this year. Zach was able to train and learn the ropes as it was so important that their customer’s maintain confidence in their business. Says Zach, “Rachel especially loves being up front visiting with our customers but for me, I love the satisfaction of the before and afters! Our customers bring in their laundry with the expectation that we can remove the stains, and we work very hard to meet that expectation!”

Actually, together Zach and Rachel both work hard at quality control because they truly care about how they take care of their customer’s clothes. “We like being in the stores working close with our employees to service our customers,” adds Zach. And a true reflection of their good name is how satisfied their customers are and that’s a responsibility they take very seriously. Says Rachel, “We are truly here for the long haul as we would love to pass this business on to one of our children one day. We work hard to carry on the long legacy of Dixie Cleaners so it’s important to keep our customers happy. We love that they trust us with their dry cleaning. With three locations, in Monroe, Rayville and Bastrop, things can get pretty busy, but we love our business and look forward to taking care of all of our customers. We are just so grateful that we were able to work into the family business, which brought Zach home and our family of four kids under six all together.”

Visit Dixie Cleaners at one of their three convenient locations!

Helping Bring Your Confidence Back

Dr. Robert Marx - Urologist

THERE IS NO NEED TO LIVE IN fear to live your life to the fullest. If you are having bladder problems it’s okay to seek help. You don’t have to continue living with a leaking bladder and you don’t have to be embarrassed by it. There are many ways to manage bladder control problems.

Robert D. Marx, M.D. is this community’s hometown urologist. He was born and raised right here in Monroe, Louisiana. He graduated from NLU, now ULM, and graduated from medical school and completed his residency at LSU Shreveport. Dr. Marx has traveled extensively working with the leaders of the field in order to keep up with the latest and most successful techniques in incontinence. He has been in practice for over thirty years and conveniently operates at Glenwood, Monroe Surgical and P&S. Specializing in female urology since 1998, Dr. Marx is board-certified offering specialized care for female incontinence. Dr. Marx promises caring, confidential consultations and personalized solutions for any related problem such as: bladder prolapse, removal of mesh, InterStim, urethral bulking. He also treats male incontinence. Vasectomies are done in the office with a no cut technique.

Because bladder incontinence seems so common, it’s sometimes difficult for women to understand that they may have an actual problem that requires medical attention. The best way to address your concerns is to talk to Dr. Marx.

Depending on the severity of your condition, as well as how frequently you feel urges to use the bathroom or urinary accidents, Dr. Marx will be able to determine if you have minor to moderate incontinence that can be improved with physical therapy, Kegel exercises, or medication. In some instances, incontinence is severe and doesn’t respond to non-invasive treatments. In these cases, Dr. Marx may recommend bladder suspension surgery. This procedure can be performed in several ways, including through an incision in the vagina. Each procedure involves pulling the bladder back into place and securing it with sutures so that it stays put.

Success rates for bladder suspension surgery are good. Success often depends on a patient’s medical history or other medical conditions, age, how long she’s been managing with incontinence, and how active she is following surgery. To maximize the effectiveness of your post-op results, be sure to discuss your lifestyle, limitations and any concerns you may have with Dr. Marx.

Whatever level of severity your problem is, Robert D. Marx, M.D. and his dedicated staff are ready to assist you. Dr. Marx prides himself on the personal attention he provides each patient. He understands that this is a sensitive time for you. Dr. Marx has decades of experience providing careful, appropriate treatment to put you at ease. The office’s goal is to make you feel comfortable, so you can openly address your problems and let them help you fix it.

Conveniently located in the Glenwood Medical Mall, they are happy to be accepting new patients. Call today for an appointment.

The Second Annual Angel’s Gala

Proceeds Will Provide Comprehensive Bereavement and Infant Loss Training

LOCAL NONPROFITS,THE ZOEY RENEE PROJECT, I Will Carry You: Birth + Bereavement Doula Services, and Sam’s Love, have teamed up to host the Second Annual Angel’s Gala on Saturday September 17, 2022 at Bayou Pointe on the campus of ULM in Monroe, Louisiana.

The Angel’s Gala is a black-tie fundraising event held each year for three primary reasons: to raise awareness for pregnancy and infant loss, to give loss families an avenue to freely and openly celebrate the lives of their precious babies, and to improve the care families receive during their loss.

Proceeds from The Angel’s Gala will be used to provide Louisiana hospitals and The Woman’s Clinic with comprehensive pregnancy & infant loss specific bereavement training courses through Rachel’s Gift, a team of medical professionals and grief specialists based in Atlanta.

We hope you will join us as we celebrate angels + improve bereavement care with features including cocktails, a seated dinner, special guest emcees Friday + Ashley Ellis, Mayor & First Lady of Monroe, live music from the Main Event Band, and both live & silent auctions. You will also hear heartfelt testimonies from this year’s spotlight family, Danny & Amber Boyd as well as St Francis Medical Center Labor & Delivery Nurse, Jackie Tichenor. These special guest speakers will give those in attendance a glimpse of the impact quality bereavement care has on the family through two totally different perspectives.

With one in every four women experiencing the devastating loss of a pregnancy, it is necessary to give medical professionals at our local hospitals the tools they need to confidently provide the best care possible. The quality of bereavement care that families receive in the hospital and clinic settings make a great impact, not only during the loss, but also throughout the grieving and healing journeys that follow. The highly specialized training that Rachel’s Gift provides will ensure that all families who experience pregnancy loss in our community receive the care they deserve and so desperately need.

If you have an Angel of your own or love someone who does, we hope you will consider supporting our mission. We look forward to celebrating angels alongside you at the Second Annual Angel’s Gala!

Event tickets and sponsorship opportunities are available now at www.angelsgala.com.

Peel and Reveal

Repair Summer Sun Damage at The Woman’s Clinic

SUMMER IS OVER, WARM MEMORIES and beach photos remind us of all the fun we had. However, an unwanted reminder is the damage we may have done to our skin. Even with the use of hats and sunscreen, many of us have hyperpigmentation and sundamaged skin.

Now that fall is officially here, we can get to work restoring our skin to a healthy, even glow.

The Woman’s Clinic offers free consultations with our certified ZO Skin Health Expert and Registered Nurse, Claire. She will recommend a tailored protocol for you from a wide range of dermal and epidermal retinols, hydroquinone, blending cremes, enzymatic brighteners, and in-office 3-step peels. Dr. Zein Obagi has pioneered advanced skincare solutions and is ranked among the world’s top experts on chemical peels. His ZO Skin Health products are physician-dispensed only, and they set the standard for skin health restoration and rejuvenation. We asked the expert some questions of our own:

Q: What is a 3-Step Peel?

A: A potent peel that provides epidermal exfoliation and boosts skin renewal. It is designed to improve the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, sun damage, acne scarring, rough texture, large pores, and dullness.

Q: How do I know if I am a candidate for a peel?

A: Anyone interested in a peel will need to be prepped with a retinol of at least 0.5% or tretinoin for a minimum of 6 weeks prior to the peel. Even so, some patients are not candidates and would have better results with some milder treatments such as enzymatic brighteners, exfoliating polish, vitamin C, and hydrators. All of which can be found at The Woman’s Clinic.

Q: I used a retinol in the past, and I got red, dry, and itchy. I decided I must be allergic to it, or my skin just cannot tolerate it. Is that right?

A: Your skincare professional should educate you on anticipated reactions when using medical grade retinols. Potent retinols will cause this temporary reaction. It is usually a sign of tissue repair.

Q: How do I know which retinol is the best for me? What’s the difference?

A: We have dermal and epidermal retinols as well as different strengths. The dermal/ epidermal depends on the formula and delivery system. The strength will depend on the condition of your skin. We will guide you at your consultation depending on your needs.

Q: When will I start to peel after the procedure?

A: You will use a second application of 6% retinol the next morning. This will be given to you after the procedure. Expect peeling to begin by the evening of the third day. You will peel days 3-5 post procedure. Some peel up to day 7.

Q: Will my skin be very sensitive while peeling?

A: No. It will feel good. The temptation is to pick or pull since the peeling will be in sheets. We recommend that you leave it alone. Underneath of that peeling is fresh, glowing skin that will not be sensitive but will need to be protected with good skin care and sunscreen. *3-Step Peels and *Retinols are 20% off until September 30th!

Peels may be purchased during the month of September and used at a later date. Retinols include Radical Night Repair, Wrinkle and Texture Repair, and Retinol Brightener.