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Elevating Outdoor Living

For over 60 years, Hooglandʼs Landscape has been rooted in legacy — now proudly owned and operated by the fourth generation of the family.

From residential retreats to commercial masterpieces, their team brings visions to life with unmatched attention to detail.

OUR EXPERTISE INCLUDES:

• Custom Landscaping & Lawn Care • Outdoor Living Spaces, Kitchens & Fire Features • Patios, Hardscapes, Water Features & Lighting • Pergolas, Treehouses & Custom Outdoor Carpentry • Artificial Turf, Putting Greens & Irrigation Systems

Our goal is to take each client's dream and turn it into a reality that's not only beautiful but also functional. We believe outdoor spaces should be a true extension of the home — a place where people gather, relax, and create memories."

— John Hoogland

We're here to answer your questions!

(318) 746-8655 | hello@hooglands.com Visit hooglands.com to request your free estimate.

Follow us on Instagram! @hooglandslandscape

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Cancer Survivor

Shreveport’s home for truly compassionate cancer care.

When advanced cancer care is close, you can get a screening or treatment and still make it home for dinner. And that’s exactly what CHRISTUS Health offers – exceptional care delivered with exceptional caring, close to your home and Learn more about advanced cancer care.

your life. Learn more about our cancer health risk assessments and screening programs at CHRISTUShealth.org.

sbmag.net | may 2025

1

PUBLISHER G. Byron May

OWNERS

G. Byron May Seva May Noble Feldman

EDITOR EXECUTIVE EDITOR

EXECUTIVE EDITOR Seva May

PHOTOGRAPHY Byron May Melissa Airhart

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Stephanie Pringle Candace Lyles

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Teddy Allen Adam Bailey Donesa Walker Kevin Hinson Anne Rosen

HOW TO REACH US

318.221.7264 • Fax 318.676.8850 850 Stoner Ave. Shreveport, LA 71101

ADVERTISING

318.221.7264 ext #104

Commemorating a quarter-century this month, SB Magazine debuted its inaugural issue, embarking on a challenging journey to establish itself within the Shreveport-Bossier community. Through perseverance, SB flourished, solidifying its reputation by delivering consistently high-caliber editorial content. Readers have been captivated by insightful columns, informative features, and compelling cover stories, each reflecting the pulse of Shreveport and Bossier City. From indepth interviews with civic leaders and government officials to poignant narratives of local residents, SB has become a benchmark for regional journalism.

Celebrate this Silver Anniversary with us as we spotlight distinguished Shreveport-Bossier businesses also marking significant milestones.

Send news announcements, story ideas, and other requests to editor@sbmag.net.

2 may 2025 | sbmag.net

WEBSITE

www.sbmag.net

SUBSCRIPTION QUESTIONS subscriptions@sbmag.net

POSTMASTER Send address changes to SB Magazine, Inc., 850 Stoner Ave., Shreveport, LA 71101. SB Magazine is published monthly by SB Magazine, Inc., 850 Stoner Ave., Shreveport, LA 71101. Advertising Rates on request.

Subscription Rate: $16 per year. Views expressed herein are those of the authors and do not necessarily constitute the view of SB Magazine, Inc. SB Magazine reserves the right to accept or reject advertisements. Third Class Postage Paid at Shreveport, LA 71101.

Copyright © 2023 SB Magazine, Inc. Volume 24, Issue 12 This publication features materials protected by the Fair Use guidelines of Section 107 of the Copyright Act. All rights reserved to the copyright owners. The information in this publication is believed to be accurate. However, SB Magazine cannot and does not guarantee accuracy. SB Magazine cannot and will not be held liable for the quality of performance of goods and services provided by advertisers or any other portion of this publication. SB Magazine cannot be responsible for unsolicited photographs, artwork, or manuscripts. All vendor information for SB Magazine was supplied by the advertiser and/or a third party.

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COVER STORY

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BUILDING THE SBC

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BRAIN MATTERS

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sbmag.net | may 2025

5

BUILDING THE

SBC There’s a certain character to the structures that make up Shreveport and Bossier City—bold, enduring, and unmistakably Southern. Walk into a civic building, drive past a medical complex, or glance across a revitalized street corner, and you may very well be seeing the work of Wieland Construction.

Quietly and consistently, this Michigan-based firm (with regional offices in both Orlando and Shreveport) has been building more than just physical spaces— they’ve been shaping the evolving story of the SBC, one carefully crafted project at a time.

Founded in 1981, Wieland Construction has grown into one of North Louisiana’s most respected and enduring names in commercial construction. Its work is embedded in the hospitals we depend on, the schools that nurture our next generation, and the civic structures where our communities gather, plan, and progress. Over four decades, the company has earned a reputation not just as a skilled builder, but as a

6 may 2025 | sbmag.net

WIELAND CONSTRUCTION

Strengthening the Foundation of Shreveport-Bossier

By Adam Bailey

conscientious partner—one that understands the impact of good design, honest craftsmanship, and long-term thinking.

Wieland's philosophy centers on building with intention.

Each project is approached not as a one-off assignment but as a permanent addition to the built environment—a piece of the architectural and cultural fabric of the region. This is not a firm that cuts corners or rushes through plans. Instead, it’s one that listens deeply, engages collaboratively, and builds deliberately. There’s a quiet confidence in that approach—a belief that what’s done well, lasts.

The firm specializes in general contracting, designbuild, and construction management. Its portfolio spans an impressive range: healthcare, education, aviation, infrastructure, worship spaces, and private development. Notable clients include LSU Health Shreveport and Barksdale Air Force Base, though Wieland’s reach extends beyond the high-profile. They’ve also delivered countless community-facing projects— libraries, fire stations, youth centers—that serve the public in profound, often invisible ways.

What makes their work stand out is not just what gets built, but how. Wieland is known for its high-touch, detail-driven process. Site walks are deliberate. Client meetings are collaborative.

And blueprints are treated as living documents—plans that evolve thoughtfully to meet both practical and emotional needs. While many firms operate with a “bid low, build fast” mentality, Wieland takes the opposite approach: build smart, build right, build with care.

That care extends to the visual language of the spaces they create. Wieland understands that buildings communicate something— even if subtly. A public building, for instance, can say “you’re welcome here” or “this isn’t for you.” A medical facility can feel clinical or calming. A school can feel impersonal or inspiring.

Wieland aims for the latter in each case, bringing form and function together in a way that supports not just use, but dignity.

Equally important to the firm is its internal culture—one built on trust, loyalty, and collaboration. Relationships are the cornerstone of their success. Many clients return for future projects.

Subcontractors become longterm partners. Employees often stay for decades, growing their careers within a company that values consistency as much as it does innovation. There’s a palpable sense of pride in doing the work well—and doing it together.

Beyond the blueprints and job sites, Wieland remains deeply involved in the community. The company supports local nonprofits, student mentoring, and invests in efforts that make Shreveport-Bossier a better place to live. Whether it’s rebuilding a community center or helping a school expand its campus, Wieland understands that construction is never just about the building—it’s about the lives inside it.

In the end, the best builders don’t just leave their mark— they raise the standard. They shape how we move through the world, how we gather, how we heal, and how we grow. Wieland Construction has been quietly shaping the identity of ShreveportBossier for more than forty years, with a blend of vision, integrity, and Southern sensibility that feels both timeless and timely.

sbmag.net | may 2025

7

THE COMPANY REPERTORY THEATRE:

BRINGING HISTORY TO LIFE, ONE STAGE AT A TIME

By Ann Rosen

When the Company Repertory Theatre (CRT) takes the stage, history doesn’t just whisper— it speaks, sings, and sometimes even dances.

This includes Theatre Eclectic, a unique touring component of CRT in which historical and literary figures step out of the pages of time and into classrooms, senior centers, and nursing homes across the region. Lineup includes full main stage productions, with the most recent production of Drinking Habits in partnership with the Bossier Arts Council.

Dick arrived at the first rehearsal unprepared. He was not needed until page 25, so he sat quietly until it was his turn, only to discover that every other actor had memorized their part.

Joris’ Spare Ribs marked the beginning of Theatre Eclectic, CRT’s signature touring series where historical and literary figures are brought to life by actors who research, write, and perform their roles.

Theatre Eclectic is more than a performance, it's an immersive, living educational experience.

From Louisiana folklore to world-renowned literary giants, the program challenges both actors and audiences to connect with history in a uniquely personal way.

A Founders’ Legacy Renewed

A Legacy of Storytelling: THE

Weathering Storms, Rising Anew

At the heart of CRT’s outreach is Theatre Eclectic, the touring program that transforms history and literature into intimate, onetothreeperson performances. Building on the founders’ original model, Carsillo is driving fresh innovation: “One program that I am excited about is our new Shakespeare Gets Schooled project.” This expansion of the classic schooltour initiative will bring interactive Shakespearean scenes to public schools.

ORIGINS OF CRT AND THEATRE ECLECTIC

The Company Repertory Theatre (CRT) was officially founded in 1994 by Mary Joris, Dick King, Pam Captain, and the late Richard Folmer. For over three decades, CRT has been enriching the cultural landscape of the Shreveport-Bossier community with live theatre that both entertains and educates.

Founding member Dick King fondly recalls Company Rep ‘s unofficial beginning—a serendipitous production of Under Milk Wood. After the read-through, Richard surprised the group by instructing everyone to memorize their lines. Dick, thinking it was a joke—especially given that the four-person cast was expected to portray multiple characters—

8 may 2025 | sbmag.net

Like many arts organizations, CRT faced tough times during the COVID-19 pandemic. The sudden halt in live performances and the passing of founder Richard Folmer were devastating blows. Funding cuts only compounded the challenges, making it difficult to tour and fairly compensate artists. But CRT refused to fade into the wings.

Today, under the dynamic leadership of Board President Jennifer Carsillo—an acclaimed violinist with the Shreveport Symphony—CRT is charting an exciting new course.

Carsillo’s deep roots in the arts community and her passion for expanding CRT’s reach have brought renewed energy to the organization.

“I am grateful to these four visionaries and to Ginger Folmer, Richard’s wife and creative partner,” Carsillo reflects, acknowledging the creative force behind CRT’s inception. Yet, as Carsillo emphasizes, the road ahead must also honor the founders’ entrepreneurial zeal. “My mission is to honor the Founders’ desire to pay our actors and crew,” she states, underlining a commitment to artistic integrity.

Theatre Eclectic: EVOLVING AN ICONIC SERIES

Equally groundbreaking is CRT’s renewed focus on seniors, inspired by interactive programs in California that Carsillo’s mother participated in—programs that give a renewed sense of purpose. Carsillo envisions workshops and collaborative productions “so that we aren’t just performing for our seniors, but with them.” This participatory approach promises to deepen intergenerational

bonds and demonstrate the transformative power of performance art at every age.

Looking Ahead

Recent accomplishments—such as the successful production of Drinking Habits in partnership with Bossier Arts Council— affirm the value of collaboration.

Carsillo believes the future lies in shared resources and shared audiences.

Yet challenges remain. Operating on a micrononprofit budget, CRT must continue to secure grants, sponsorships, and inkind support to sustain its expanding programs. Carsillo invites patrons to engage however they can—whether by attending a show, volunteering, or donating props and period pieces for upcoming productions.

“Every ticket sold, every chair filled, every reaction from the audience fuels our performers,” she notes. Another great way to support CRT is by participating in this year’s Give for Good campaign through The Community Foundation on May 6, 2025. All donations collectively keep CRT’s stage lights glowing.

As CRT steps into its next three decades, Jennifer Carsillo’s vision strikes a delicate balance: honoring the entrepreneurial legacy of CRT’s founders, while embracing innovative models of outreach, compensation, and artistic collaboration. In doing so, the Company Repertory Theatre reaffirms its belief that live theatre, at its best, educates, uplifts, and unites—no matter the stage.

SUMMER

BRAIN DRAIN

By Donesa Walker, M.Ed. BCCS Owner of LearningRx Shreveport

As the days grow longer and the heat intensifies, we long for the dog days of summer to lay around and relax. It is nostalgic to remember the long days of playing summer games in the yard with friends and family but also important to remember that playing is an important part of cognition. Too often, we allow a summer of video games and television now as the heat arises which can lead to a phenomenon known as summer brain drain. Summer brain drain," also known as the "summer slide" or "summer learning loss," refers to the decline in academic skills that students experience during the summer break. This phenomenon is most pronounced in math and reading with research studies showing that students can lose a significant amount of ground which on average is equivalent to up to 3 months of school-year learning. The lack of structured learning and practice during the summer break can lead to a decline in skills, especially in areas like math and reading as these skills require repetition to grow and retain. Here are a few tips to stop the slide: Engage in summer learning programs: Summer programs can provide structured learning opportunities and help prevent skill loss. These can be camps provided locally, vacation bible schools, sports and academic activities or even just competitions such as reading bingo challenges provided by local community partners and LearningRx. Make learning fun: Incorporate learning into everyday activities and outings, such as visiting museums or going on educational trips. We have quite a few science and math facilities locally such as Sciport and the museums that have

art, science and nature.

Use technology: Utilize educational apps and online resources to supplement learning. Remember that too much technology and blue light does not benefit the brain so choose this wisely.

Focus on hands-on learning: Encourage activities that involve problem-solving and critical thinking. Outdoor scavenger hunts can be a great way to boost these skills.

Exercise the body and the brain: Being deliberate about getting proper exercise, nutrition and hydration is essential and especially important for the thinking skills in summer heat. A dehydrated brain cannot function properly and can lead to permanent memory loss.

Remember while exercising, both mentally and physically that hydration is necessary.

It is also important to realize that summer brain drain doesn't just happen to children. Summer brain drain" for adults refers to the potential decline in cognitive skills and knowledge retention that can occur during periods of reduced activity and engagement, like summer vacations. To combat this, adults can engage in stimulating activities, pursue hobbies, read challenging books, and volunteer their time. While often associated with children and students, "summer brain drain" can also apply to adults who experience a decrease in mental activity during periods of reduced work or leisure engagement. This can lead to a decline in cognitive skills, knowledge retention, and overall mental sharpness. Reduced intellectual stimulation is the primary cause and heat of our area cause many to just stay indoors rather than socializing.: Summer vacations and periods of reduced work can lead to less exposure to challenging tasks and learning opportunities. This can cause changes in routine: Altered schedules and routines can disrupt cognitive

processes and make it harder to maintain focus and engagement.

Additionally, due to heat, there can be Increased screen time and excessive reliance on passive activities like social media or video games can lead to a decline in active thinking and engagement. Much like children, this can be combatted by a few things: Engage in stimulating activities: Pursue hobbies, learn a new skill, take a class, or engage in creative projects.

Read challenging books: Just like exercise for the body, reading can keep the mind sharp and engaged.

Volunteer your time: Participating in volunteer work can provide opportunities for learning and engagement.

Set aside time for learning: Dedicate specific periods for reading, studying, or engaging in educational activities.

Limit screen time: Reduce passive activities and focus on engaging in activities that require active thinking and problem-solving.

Stay physically active: Exercise improves cognitive function and helps maintain mental sharpness. Mental exercise is equally beneficial and should be pursued diligently also.

Hydrate well and often: 80% of the hydration taken in daily is used by the brain so when there is a lack of hydration, the cognitive skills suffer greatly leading to short term memory loss that can become permanent.

All water is not created equally so remember that mineral enhanced waters such as hydrogen water or that rich in natural minerals can be good for your brain. Research suggests that using electrolytes during the heat of summer can be especially important as age progression happens.

Follow these helpful tips and you’ll be sailing through summer, and your children will be ready to jump back into the classroom when August rolls around. sbmag.net | may 2025

9

Over the last 25 years, you may have noticed a magazine laying around in only the finest waiting rooms in town...

Shreveport-Bossier Magazine, or simply “SB,” the one you hold in your hands.

This magazine is the brainchild of an array of people, working in unison every month to produce the finest product possible for you, our readers. Regularly comprising a cover story, columns on a wide variety of topics, feature stories and special sections, a belief in a page over a screen and the overall desire to make the local community the ultimate showcase have likely been the keys to SB’s success.

While it may not be significant enough for its own Wikipedia page, after only 15 years, SB could proudly claim to be the #1 publication in Shreveport-Bossier City, so it has found a happy niche, and here is our story, as told by a few of our most prominent contributors.

10 may 2025 | sbmag.net

th

Anniversery Issue eat r g a uch ess. s n e s bemy busin sguise a h g SB Mato grow Cinderella in Di way

Byron May

Byron May is not only the first and only president, current owner and creator of SB lo those 25 years ago...he has been working in the building since 1979 (it was built in 1978).

Who better to tell the origin story than he?

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN WITH THE COMPANY? I started the company 25 years ago. So, I’ve been here the whole time. This building was a printing company, and we printed the Shreveport Magazine for years, we started in like ’55, back before I was born, my father (Gordon May) was involved in this. He was working for the journal printing company, which was tied to the journal newspaper.

They were printing Shreveport Magazine, which was a

Chamber publication, and a guy named Gradon Smart was the publisher...he was a great guy.

He retired, and a lady named Mary Baldwin and her husband Dan, who were in the agency world, took that over for the Chamber, and kind of moved it into more of a community publication like we’ve got now, but the Chamber shut it down in ’95. That was a pretty big job for our printing company every month, and suddenly it was gone. So, my father and I were trying to figure out whether we could start our own publication, and my father wanted it to be a business publication but he wanted me to run it, and I said, ‘well I don’t want to do a business publication, if we’re going to do one, I want to do a community publication.’ We fought about that for about three or four years, and finally, in 2000, we launched this magazine, SB Magazine, as a community publication that

Gordon May sbmag.net | may 2025

11

was more of a lifestyle publication as opposed to a Chamber publication. It was bleeding money about as fast as you could bleed money for about three years, and my father got sick, he got pancreatic cancer and passed away pretty quickly...one of the last things he told me was ‘You gotta’ shut down that magazine,’ and I didn’t, and that year (he passed away in September) we showed our first profit. And then the next few years it just boomed...I mean it was amazing what it did. I was trying to find somebody to buy it, somebody to invest in it, because it was drowning the printing company.

The printing company was basically taking on all the debt, because the biggest debt to a publishing company like this is the printing cost, and you know that was being absorbed with the printing company, Mid-South Press. When my father died, actually the year after that, I was able to get a loan to pay off the printing company and everything worked out OK. It was a long hard road...I see these other magazines that pop up and I just shake

12 may 2025 | sbmag.net

my head because I know what they’re about to face, and sure enough, most of them don’t make it through the first year because it’s just an expensive proposition to get to the other side.

WHAT ARE SOME HIGHS AND LOWS OF BEING IN THIS BUSINESS? It’s always a struggle, even when things are going perfectly because it only takes a couple months to really blow things out of the water. Certainly, the early years were difficult just trying to get over the hump, but...we had a couple fantastic years in ‘07 and ‘08, then it was a struggle for a few years. Not just in this business it’s any business, it takes good people to make it work.

Back when Seva (May, his wife and current Executive Editor, whose true home is the stage as she is a former pageant winner and theater actress who gives acting and voice lessons and was teaching theater at Providence Classical Academy in Bossier until

duty called at the magazine) was sales manager, we had a real eclectic group... they were all very good and very competitive at what they did, and each one of them wanted to be the top salesperson every month, so they were fighting tooth and nail to get there, and that competition is what drove that group. If I can keep a group of people together for a year the company is going to be very successful.

WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE THINGS ABOUT DOING THIS? It’s neat that we’ve created a brand and a product that so many people enjoy in this market. It’s nice to be able to do that. SB Magazine has an extremely strong brand, and I would guess there’s not many people in our markets that don’t know SB Magazine. They either picked it up at doctors’ offices or they’ve purchased it at some newsstand, or they’ve bought a subscription, but there’s a lot of people out there that enjoy SB Magazine every month. That’s really nice to

be able to create a product for Shreveport and Bossier that’s been so accepted. I appreciate that.

DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE MEMORY OF DOING THIS? It’s got to be some of the stories that we’ve done, and one comes to mind that Mike Whitehead (a former editor, more on him later) actually did...and it was of a golfer who was a friend of mine growing up, and he became one of the best amateurs in the country.

It was a guy named Randy Simmons, and Randy passed away, he ended up with a drug habit, but he was going to be the next Jack Nicklaus on tour, that’s how good he was. But he never got his tour card, he missed it by a shot twice.

Then he got into drugs, and he was never the same after that. And Mike did the story on him after he passed away, and Golf World actually picked the story up it was so incredible.

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WHAT DO YOU SEE FOR THE NEXT 25 YEARS? (laughs) “I don’t know, I certainly won’t be around that long...it’s going to take somebody that comes in here and wants to do this and wants to be in this publication and live the publication like we have to keep it going. That’s what’s going to happen, I don’t know how quickly that’s going to happen but it’s going to happen at some point in time, because I’d hate to see it end. I think there’s way too much life left in it for that to happen... there’s too many people that count on it every month and yeah, I hope it’s around in 25 years. That would be a great compliment.”

C O N T R O V E R S I A L ,

A L W A Y S

I N T E R E S T I N G .

JULY 2008 • VOLUME 9 • ISSUE 7

the Orange County Register and the Shreveport Times, Mr. Whitehead is also a published author (a book called The Weekend, which is available on Amazon), and still exudes passion for journalism and SB Magazine.

Mike

Whitehead For me, as a traditional journalist my whole career, I was a reporter, a mid-level editor, then a managing

Undoubtedly, as you will see, if you have spent any length of time reading this publication, the one who influenced the final product you held in your hand more than anyone else was Mike Whitehead (although he would probably insist you not know that but all his colleagues outed him). A man who spent 14 years as editor at SB, after stops in north Texas, California and Oregon at publications like the Dallas Morning News, Mike Whitehead

editor, an executive editor for Gannett on the West Coast, then they transferred me, and I was the editor of the Times. So, for me it was an exciting opportunity to be with a startup (SB).

In fact, my first day was September 10, 2001...so it was a great opportunity for me to try to take a startup and try to make it blossom. Byron’s vision was a community lifestyle magazine, so I wanted to see if I could take not just the journalism piece, but the financial piece, and make it

all work and make it alive and well and here we are 25 years later.

For people who don’t know what it’s like to run a magazine, what are some highs and lows of running a magazine like SB? My whole goal was to make the magazine a part of the fabric of the community. If we could do that, if we had integrity, credibility in our reporting, in our writing, and design, no errors in the magazine...just consistency, then we could be a positive force for change in the community. That’s what I believed, that’s what I still believe now. That was the whole thing. Now I never forgot that it was a forprofit company. I never forgot that, so we made money, but we also did a lot of good journalism that hopefully moved the community forward in a positive way. The best example I can give you of that, I got a call one day from a manager at a casino, and he said, “I would like to buy the last 12 issues of your magazine,” and I said “Wonderful, could you go into depth about why you want the last 12 issues?”

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from the East Coast, and I believe if he read SB Magazine for a year, he would have a real understanding of what Shreveport-Bossier is all about.” It’s called a “sense of place,” and that’s what I wanted in the magazine, a “sense of place.” If a reader could pick up that magazine and say ‘yes, this is who I am, this is Shreveport, this is Bossier City,’ then we met our goal.

HOW DID RUNNING SB COMPARE TO A BIG TOWN PUBLICATION LIKE DALLAS MORNING NEWS? When you go to different communities...California, Oregon, Texas...you learn that it’s about shaping that product, meeting the people where they are. It’s not about Mike Whitehead covering golf and bowling, my faith life, what I eat...it’s not about me. It’s about making sure we are responding to the community. What are the important topics that the community wants

14 may 2025 | sbmag.net

to read about? What will make them pick up that magazine? I was out in the community all the time. I was at a reception and this woman comes up to me and says, “I love your magazine because I can’t wait to pick it up each month to see what new thing you’re going to allow me to learn next month.” That’s when you know you’re responding to what they want to read about. It was never about me, I’m just one piece of a puzzle, and I think that if you work together as a team rather than me dictating to you everything you need to do every day, people get excited about working there, and that’s when you do really good things.

DO YOU HAVE A PARTICULAR FAVORITE MEMORY OF YOUR TIME AT SB? In journalism, it’s not about winning a Pulitzer (and his past stops were Pulitzer Prize winning publications), it’s the stories that touch people’s lives.

Those personal stories...we

used to highlight different non-profits, and the good they did, so if they increased the amount of volunteers they had, increased the dollars to do more stuff, if they helped more people because people got inspired from what we wrote, then that’s touching someone’s life. Those are the kind of stories that make a difference. We did a series of stories about the impact of Katrina on ShreveportBossier. Everything we did at SB Magazine was local news. I didn’t believe in doing stuff that wasn’t local news. All those little stories to me could make a big difference in people’s lives.

WHAT DO YOU THINK SB DOES WELL COMPARED TO OTHER PUBLICATIONS OF ITS SIZE? First of all, every time I gave a talk about SB Magazine, I’ve said this about Byron and his dad...it took a lot of courage to start that magazine 25 years ago.

We’re kind of a medium market, but we have three

TV stations, we have multiple radio stations, multiple print publications, multiple advertising tools, billboards...there’s a lot of stuff going on. For them to say, ‘yeah we’ll start a community lifestyle magazine,’ that took a lot of courage. I would never have done that. I would never have taken my life savings and said, ‘yeah let’s just do this.’ So, I always admire him for doing that.

Byron had this vision of a very high standard. Byron is a designer at heart, he’s a businessperson, but he’s a designer at heart. So, we set this very high standard for design, writing, reporting, content...and this is the problem in my humble estimation...SB Magazine, when we hit the streets, it was way ahead of the market. It was a better magazine than the market could ever envision.

It took the market a little while to catch up to SB Magazine, because it was so visionary. It just took a while for the community to say, ‘wow, this is pretty special stuff.’ So, from the very beginning there was that high standard... if you go back and look

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at the first issue of the magazine, it said on there, “Sometimes controversial, always interesting.” Now for a businessperson to put, “Sometimes controversial, always interesting” on the cover of their magazine every month speaks volumes. Every year, we didn’t just roll over to a new year, we went position by position, topic by topic, to make sure we were covering the right things... we did focus groups, we did editorial boards, we did everything we could to make sure that the magazine was evolving with the community. It wasn’t about us dictating to the community, it was about the community dictating to us, ‘what should this magazine be from year to year to year to year,’ and we have evolved over the years. Hopefully we did the right things, and I think that could be why we’re still around. I’m very happy for Byron and the Mays.

Byron’s dad was a tour de force, and they worked well together...but he got to see the magazine in the infancy stages, but he never saw the top of the mountain, and I

wish that he had gotten to see that. Because like I said it took a lot of courage to pull the trigger to start that magazine. I hope it lasts another 25 years, that’d be great.

WHAT DO CONSUMERS OF THE MAGAZINE NOT KNOW ABOUT THE DAILY OPERATION BEHIND THE SCENES? There’s a lot of balls in the air...it really is an art form to watch it all come together. But it’s also a blessing to see that happen.

It’s sort of like having a child every month. Every issue is different. There’s a lot of warm feelings when you see that thing you hold in your hands be successful every month.

DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE PARTICULAR STORY OR ISSUE THAT EVER HAPPENED? No, it’s sort of like saying, which child do you prefer?

We had a lot of good issues that spoke to the community where they are, what they wanted to read about, whether it’s business or education, Barksdale Air Force Base, the medical community...but like I said those stories that touch people’s lives, those are the ones that were special to me. Doesn’t have to be a big story, but if it touched someone’s life and made the community better, then we were successful to me.

To put a finer point on the contributions of Mr. Whitehead, another steady contributor, Teddy Allen (who writes for many publications but can always be found at the back of SB), had this to say: “I was lucky to be a part of SB and to become friends with the creative, intelligent, funny bunch who duked it out with the fates during those early days. We started to zero in on themes and specific spotlights for each issue, and because of that we were all thrilled at the end of my only year there when the magazine started making money...but the best thing I ever did for SB was introduce Byron to Mike Whitehead.”

g you in is t r e v d a t For localepartinthe staying ponwer can’t b agazine...I’ve seeices of SB Min professional off em fter printing. h O v er th t succe e years, ths a n o m s I ’ anders s v f e u c Kenneth S

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sbmag.net | may 2025

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And last but not least, someone who Mike Whitehead described as “so smart and talented” and “wonderful”...Devin White.

Devin was the assistant editor and editor at SB between January 2014 and August 2019. She is now a schoolteacher with Caddo Parish Schools.

Devin

White

(Her time at SB) Life changing. Wonderful.

It helped me grow professionally, it helped me learn more about this community, both good and bad things...definitely, I would say it was a learning experience. Even though I finished college here, and I was at the Times...I felt like SB Magazine kind of showed me a different side, more local businesses...just a different side of Shreveport (she is originally from Las Vegas) and it was really neat.

Then going from a...well at the time, a large newspaper... under Gannett, and then to a lifestyle publication...it was really a cool jump because SB Magazine...locally owned, it’s a family-owned business... it was just different. It was neat (she agrees that it gave her that “sense of place” Mike Whitehead was aiming for: “He achieved that,” and helped her learn about Shreveport).

How would you describe running the magazine to readers? What are the highs and lows? Well always the highs is the storytelling.

Whether it is through the businesses or just being able to highlight what families are doing in the area...you know just neat stories from

16 may 2025 | sbmag.net

Shreveporters and people in Bossier and the surrounding areas. Meeting a ton of people from all over...being able to tell their stories, the creative part of the production... people don’t know really what goes into a magazine and the process is beautiful, it really is. The cover shoots, what goes into a cover shoot, designing a cover afterwards, the editorial planning... getting together with Mike, the creative director and advertising director at the time, freelancers...it’s so much fun, I can’t even explain it. It’s a lot of hard work when you’re hitting that deadline, especially with big issues like Top Attorneys and Top Doctors. We were pushing 15, 16 hours days to get that issue out, that’s hard. But when you finish it, when you see it, and then people are happy with it, you’re like, OK...and then let’s do it all over again for next month. That’s a hard thing for people to understand unless they experience it, but it’s really like crafting this beautiful piece of art every month, and then it’s off. You get to do it all over again.

Do you have a favorite particular issue or story during your time? My story on sex trafficking is one that’s really dear to me (July 2015)...we had a “Sweet Sixteen” party when we turned 16. It was funny.

We had a party...we opened it up for people...readers, advertisers, anybody from the community, come party with us. It was just almost like an appreciation party, and it was goofy and fun. Definitely SB Fashion Week, September of 2018, that was one of my favorite issues and one of my favorite things that we ever did. One thing about Byron...

Byron’s ideas are great, and

sometimes he would have these ideas and as a staff we would be like, ‘how do you expect us to pull this off...’ he would make sure it happened.

If you go into a city the size of Shreveport, you’re not going to see a publication like this.

What he’s done is bigger than this market. I’ve got to give him a lot of credit for that.

Another issue that was one of my favorites was, we did an interview with Kevin Costner for “The Highwaymen.” That was just wonderful. We had dinner with him (at Cush’s in Shreveport). Kevin Costner, when he filmed “Mr. Brooks,” he apparently fell in love with this restaurant, and he came back to do Highwaymen... and he loved going to Cush’s, that’s where he would go after filming (Mr. Costner apparently wanted to go fishing, and none other than Bryon May went with him, who convinced him to do the interview with SB...the interview wound up being about 45 minutes long over dinner at Cush’s).

What do you think SB does well compared to other publications of its size? It’s hyper-local. I think it does that really well. I’m sure Byron would love to have some bigger advertisers in there, but he also is very much a champion of local businesses. I think it does well with lifestyle...there may have been times when the magazine kind of struggled with its identity, like ‘what do we want to be, what is this? Are we going to be like The Forum, are we going to be more hard-hitting, are we going to be more of a lifestyle publication...’ and that’s what it does well. It gives our community a publication that really for the most part highlights the good and focuses on that. Except for

your occasional story on sex trafficking. But I think we need some positive reading material. And artistically it’s very well done. It’s pretty.

It always has been. The photography has always been really good, whether it was from in-house or someone they hired...and the variety too of lifestyle content. You’re going to get something on restaurants, entertainment, you’re going to get the social photos for “Eye on SB.” So it’s hyper-local, that’s important.

So here’s to those next 25 years SB readers.

What got us here will keep us here. For all the growth Shreveport is likely to go through in the future, it’s going to need a local publication to keep tabs on it and make this medium-sized city continue to have a small-town feel.

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LEGACY BUSINESSES So, family businesses, right? Either they're the Titanic sinking fast, or they're like that ancient oak tree still standing strong. Turns out, most companies worldwide are family-run – we're talking a whopping 85%! But here's the kicker: only a tiny fraction makes it past a couple of generations.

Think about it – seeing a "Family Owned since 1927!" sign is basically like spotting a unicorn.

Celebrating a 200 year anniversary, even more rare.

Why? Well, imagine mixing family drama with business decisions.

It's a recipe for chaos!

But the families that nail it? According to Inc. com they've got a few tricks up their sleeves:

18 may 2025 | sbmag.net

1.Keep it professional: Business is business, family is family – try to keep them separate. Easier said than done, but crucial!

2.Tell the story: Remember why the business started in the first place. Pass that passion down!

3.Use everyone's talents: Got a

tech-savvy niece? Let her shine!

Don't get stuck in the old ways.

build the city is celebrating its 200th this year.

4.Get the kids involved: Early

Centenary College was

exposure can spark that entrepreneurial fire.

5.Education matters: Send the

next gen out to learn before they come back to lead.

6.One boss, one vision: Too many cooks spoil the broth.

Pick one leader to avoid a power struggle.

Basically, passing down the family biz can be done, but it takes some serious planning and a dash of magic to make it work!

Here in Shreveport-Bossier City, we have dozens of generational businesses that are thriving. We also have a few institutions that have been in existence for over 100 years. One that was brought to Shreveport to help anchor and

founded as a public college in 1825. “John Wesley, founder of Methodism, believed strongly in an educated laity. So, the Methodists were under a charge to for institutions of education.

They started Centenary College in Mississippi, named in honor of the 100th anniversary of John Wesley,” Christopher Holoman, President of Centenary College shared. It later merged with a struggling school in Jackson, Louisiana. After the Civil War, the college was moved to Shreveport. The school has been at the forefront of many positive changes. Today, the school continues to focus on growth and providing a quality education to its students. A comprehensive campaign is in progress to raise money for maintenance and overhead, for

endowments, for renovating and adding to the science building, and creating a transformation fund designed to be seed money for new initiatives. “The transformation fund has helped get football launched, it helped get kinesiology launched, it’s helping with a number of other initiatives,” Dr. Holoman added.

The campaign started with the goal of $40 million. “As we began to work on Mickle Hall (the science building), it became clear that it was going to be a much more expensive project than we anticipated,” he continued. Supply chain disruptions and triple the original costs have made it necessary to add another $10 million to the campaign.

Centenary has survived wars and pandemics. It has seen its share of economic ups and downs.

Through it all, it has stood as a beacon of knowledge and intellectual pursuit. Centenary

Alumni have gone on to become doctors, lawyers, educators, musicians, actors, artists, members of the clergy, and businesspeople. Generations of students have walked its grounds, their minds shaped by rigorous academics, stimulating discussions, and a strong sense of community. Centenary is more than just a college; it’s a place of ideas where young minds are ignited. It’s a place where generations of students have graduated and forged their future.

One of Shreveport’s most influential families has strong ties to Centenary College.

Rose-Neath Funeral Homes, Crematorium, and Cemeteries, Inc., a

prominent funeral service provider in northwest Louisiana, traces its origins to the vision of Lonnie Benjamin Kilpatrick and his wife, Nellie Peters. In the early 1930s, during the Great Depression, the couple established both the Kilpatrick Life Insurance Company and Rose-Neath Funeral Home in Shreveport, Louisiana.

Their daughter, Virginia Ruth Kilpatrick Shehee, played a pivotal role in expanding and leading these family businesses,

significantly impacting the region's funeral and insurance services.​ Born in Houston, Texas, on July 12, 1923, Virginia moved to Shreveport with her family during her childhood. She began working at Kilpatrick Life Insurance Company while still in high school and later earned a degree in English from Centenary College of Louisiana.

Virginia furthered her education with a master's degree in social work from Southern Methodist University. She led Kilpatrick Life Insurance Company to become the largest domestic life insurance company in Louisiana and expanded Rose-Neath Funeral Homes to 12 locations with three cemeteries across the state. ​ Under Virginia's leadership, the Shehee family businesses became integral to the Shreveport community.

Virginia's legacy includes numerous civic and philanthropic contributions, such as supporting the restoration of the historic Strand Theatre in Shreveport. Her dedication to public service and community development left a lasting imprint on the region.

Today, Kilpatrick's RoseNeath Funeral Homes, in the capable hands of Virginia’s children, continues to operate multiple locations throughout northwest Louisiana. Nell Shehee, Margaret Shehee and Andy Shehee are equally committed to the compassionate service provided by Rose Neath.

Another prime example of keeping the business in the family is Porter’s Fine Dry Cleaners. Since 1965, Porter’s has been providing garment care in the Ark-La-Tex. Founders

by John and Jane Porter, have been committed to offering superior quality, making ethical decisions, and providing exceptional customer service.

What distinguishes Porter's is their blend of craftsmanship and community involvement.

With decades of experience, their expert team takes pride in helping customers look their best while caring for cherished garments. They handle delicate items like wedding gowns alongside everyday wardrobe essentials, combining tradition with modern innovation.

Porter's now offers free pickup and delivery service, making their services more accessible. sbmag.net | may 2025

19

Their commitment extends to supporting local initiatives and giving back to the community.

Ellington Joffrion, the Project Manager, emphasizes the special connection to Shreveport and the ability to support the community through their work, ensuring that each garment preserves a special memory for their clients. “Working for Porter’s has been special for me because I grew up in Shreveport. After graduating from LSU and being able to move back home after a successful career in the NFL has honestly been a blessing,” he said. Porter's Fine Dry Cleaners remains a third-generation family business, upholding the values that formed its foundation. Their legacy is built not just on the garments they clean, but on the relationships they have fostered and the trust they have earned within the community.

Tubbs Hardware took an untraditional path to the traditional “family” business.

Tubbs Hardware has a rich history in Bossier City, celebrating 100 years of service in Northwest Louisiana. Don Tubbs, the current owner, began his journey in the hardware business as a 12-year-old at Holmes Hardware, where he learned the ropes from stocking shelves to threading pipe. In 1979, he purchased Holmes Hardware from Mr. Julian Holmes, who owner-financed the deal. This marked the beginning of Tubbs Hardware's growth and legacy in the region.

Today, Tubbs Hardware in Bossier City offers a wide range of products, including lawn mowers, parts, services, outdoor cooking equipment, rentals, and unique Louisiana souvenirs like Cajun spices and Mardi Gras accessories. Tourism is a significant part of the Bossier City location's appeal, especially with their famous King Cakes, baked from a secret family recipe.

Don’s son, Kenneth operates a second location in Benton, specializing in outdoor power equipment and other country-living necessities. Both stores maintain a tradition of closing on Sundays, a practice that began with Mr. Holmes and continues to allow employees time with their families or to attend church. Tubbs Hardware's commitment to its customers, employees, and community has solidified its place as a beloved institution in Bossier City.

Both Don and Kenneth emphasize customer service, a philosophy that has kept the business thriving. They prioritize helping customers find the right solutions, even if it means recommending a simple, inexpensive fix over a costly replacement. This approach fosters trust and loyalty within the community. Not to mention, longevity.

20 may 2025 | sbmag.net

Speaking of longevity, Gullo's is a longstanding, family-owned and operated business in Shreveport, Louisiana, having served customers for nearly 60 years.

Originally established in 1970, Gullo's has become a local staple known for its fresh produce, home-cooked meals, and awardwinning burgers. The business faced a closure due to a fire but reopened in 2016, with Craig Hamilton, the founders' grandson, taking the helm and bringing new life to the establishment.

Craig Hamilton's vision for Gullo's involves elevating the dining experience by incorporating his experiences from launching restaurants in Mississippi and collaborating with high-caliber chefs. Today, Gullo's offers a brand-new menu featuring chef-inspired dishes and sandwiches, all made with locally sourced farm-raised produce, beef, pork, and chicken. Customers can enjoy crafty eats at a fast-casual level, as well as grab-and-go casseroles, vegetables, and canned goods.

Gullo's is not just a place to grab a quick bite; it's a community hub where friendly service and delicious food are guaranteed.

“Our mission is for everyone to walk through the door to take a step back into time and feel right at home. My grandparents treated everyone like family. We believe community plays a large role in creating something people will believe in,” Craig said.

Gullo's continues to evolve, with Craig Hamilton expressing excitement about the future and hinting at more to come. The business has thrived thanks to the support of its customers, family, and friends, and they are constantly "cooking up a storm".

In a community like Shreveport, a longstanding jewelry store like McCary's Jewelers is considered a local institution, building trust and relationships with customers over many years. Known for their personalized service, expertise, and high-

quality products.

Jim McCarey opened his jewelry store in 1941 on Milam Street in downtown Shreveport. In 1960, the store moved to the then new Shreve City. By then, son, R.L McCary had joined the family business. His daughter, Lynn McCary Thomas became involved and became a certified gemologist and a certified gemologist appraiser – one of only 150 in the U.S. The store moved once again to West 70th Street. Lynn’s son, Miles, joined the business and was the designer behind the new location on Fern Loop. The store is nothing short of a work of art with the jewelry taking the spotlight. His wife, Ann, helped with the interior design making the new store truly a family endeavor.

Even R.L. stays involved at the age of 94.

He still comes to work to create and craft custom pieces. Now, his grandson, Miles is following in his footsteps working as a bench jeweler.

When you walk into McCary’s Jewelers today, you think state-of-the-art. Luxury and elegance. Then you go back to where the work is done, and it’s like you’re stepping back in time. There’s modern equipment sitting on top of 75-year-old workstations. You will see the original Milam Street sign still a bright blue and in remarkable condition. And you’ll probably get to talk to Uncle David who will be working on a piece of jewelry using some of the same tools he used when he first became a jeweler.

The Gamble family certainly checks all six of the boxes for growing a family business.

Each member of the Gamble clan has a specific job to do in the company. At the helm is Kit Gamble. He and his two brothers began Gamble Guest Care with their father, the late Dr. Denny Gamble.

After selling their eight nursing homes and five senior care centers in 2016, there

was a shift in the organization’s focus.

Today, the Gambles have three nursing homes and seven hotels. They also started a drug rehabilitation business, Lincoln Nova Vital Recovery, an in-patient and out-patient recovery facility. Three of the four Gamble children are actively involved. Denny (Denn) Gamble III found his niche in construction and maintenance of all the facilities under the Gamble umbrella. He and his wife, Betsy (Askew), have two children, Denny the IV and Miller. Jonathan Gamble uses his degree in information technology running the day-to-day operations, the financials and acquisitions. He’s a newly wed to Jennifer. He has a 14-year-old stepdaughter who shares his love of music. Sister Elizabeth Gamble Michaels makes use of her background in clinical psychology specializing in addiction and recovery. She also has a flare for interior design and is responsible for choosing the look for new construction and all the remodels. She and her husband, Daniel, have twin 10-yearold-daughters. The elder sister, Katherine Gamble Zimmerman has equal share but spends most of her time raising four of five children (one is an adult) with husband Wade Zimmerman.

The Gamble machine works incredibly well together in business and in their personal lives. “My mom and Dad raised us to be close, even with our cousins, so we’re definitely all each other’s best friends,” said Elizabeth. With plenty of grandchildren in the mix, Kit Gamble should have little doubt that the family business will continue for years to come. It must be true that a family that prays together, plays together and works together stays together.

Keeping a family together is challenging enough. Keeping a family business alive and well takes careful planning, mutual respect, sometimes great leaps of faith, and always a great deal of grace. The next time you step into a business with a sign that reads “Family Owned,” take the time to appreciate the enormous effort that went into keeping the doors open. When you drive by the Centenary Campus be reminded of the graduates that great institution has produced who are perhaps now a part of a Shreveport-Bossier family business and be grateful the college chose Shreveport as its home.

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Our company’s goal for 2025 is to help 35 cancer patients right here in Shreveport/Bossier and raise $3,000 for the nonprofit that helps make it all possible. Join us today and make a positive impact for those in need.

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LEGACY BUSINESSES 25 YEARS +

Legacy businesses and institutions, those family-owned gems and community cornerstones, are more than just dusty storefronts with old-fashioned signs. They're the economic equivalent of a wellseasoned as a Tubb’s cast iron skillet – reliable, enduring, and capable of producing something truly special. In a world of fleeting trends and here-today-gone-tomorrow startups, these businesses offer stability, authenticity, and a tangible connection to the past. They're the places where your grandpa bought his first suit, where your mom picked up her wedding cake, and where you now find yourself browsing for a unique gift, all while supporting local jobs and keeping the spirit of the community alive.

Think of legacy businesses as the anchors in a turbulent economic sea. They’ve weathered storms, adapted to change, and emerged stronger, often with a unique story woven into their very fabric.

They’re not just about making a profit; they're about preserving traditions, fostering relationships, and contributing to the local identity. In an era where everything feels increasingly digitized and impersonal, these businesses offer a human touch, a sense of belonging, and a reminder that some things – like quality craftsmanship, genuine customer service, and a deep-rooted connection to the community – never go out of style.

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A frame shop that thrived for decades is still providing the same quality services in a new location.

HISTORY

Waddell's Gallery has been a Shreveport staple since 1970. For decades, it thrived on Ellerbe Road, becoming known as the go-to place for custom framing. Many residents fondly remember the Ellerbe location as a hub for local art and quality craftsmanship. However, in 2020, the gallery closed its doors, leaving some to wonder if Waddell's had become a thing of the past. But the story didn't end there.

In 2021, Waddell's Gallery was reborn at 1200 Marshall Street under new ownership. This wasn't just a simple relocation; it was a reimagining. The new space underwent a significant remodel, culminating in a grand reopening in May of 2024. The focus shifted to encompass a larger fine art gallery alongside the established framing services. This marked a new chapter of growth.

1200 Marshall St Box #8, Shreveport, LA 71101

24 may 2025 | sbmag.net

GALLERY TODAY Today, Waddell's Gallery at 1200 Marshall Street is a vibrant center for art, custom framing, and community. The new space features one of the largest framing selections in the area, with thousands of samples on display. Each framing project is carefully crafted by their expert framer, who brings nearly 20 years of experience to the craft. Alongside its framing services, the gallery showcases the work of 12 artists, both local and nationally recognized, offering a diverse mix of mediums ranging from oil paintings to sculpture. It’s not just a place to purchase art; it’s a place to experience it.

The gallery has become an active event space, hosting art exhibits, seasonal events, and painting classes since its reopening. Recently, they held a Spring Pottery Fair, featuring nine ceramic artists and over 300 pieces. The event included a live pottery demonstration, allowing guests to witness the artistry firsthand and connect with the creators. These events are fostering a renewed sense of community around art in Shreveport.

Looking to the future, Waddell's Gallery aims to continue its growth as a cultural hub. They plan to host more events, further expand their art offerings, and maintain the same excellent custom framing standards to solidify their position as a vital part of Shreveport's artistic landscape. The goal is to remind the community that Waddell’s remains a thriving part of the community, still delivering the quality people trust while embracing a new artistic vision. sbmag.net | may 2025

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Paul and Tina Broussard opened Oasis Pools over 40 years ago. The pool industr y and been one that lacked technical and structural developments comparable to other industries. Oasis Pools' goal was to become an innovative leader of pool builders locally and nationally.

Paul was one of the first builders nationally to achieve the prestigious "Certified Pool Builder" designation issued by the APSP, the governing body or the swimming pool construction.

Oasis Pools is licensed in Arkansas, Texas, and Louisiana, both as commercial builders, building contractors, residential pool builders, and municipal and public works.

Today, Paul is joined by his son Jacob Broussard and Stewart Jordan as business partners. Paul offers 40 years of construction knowledge and a master's degree in psychology. Jacob graduated from Emor y University and LSU M. Hebert Law School. He is a licensed attorney. Stewart has a business degree from LSUS. Tina Broussard has a Nursing degree from Northwestern state.

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Tailored LIVING IN

SOUTHERN TRACE In the heart of Shreveport’s Southern Trace—beyond winding fairways and manicured hedges—lies a home that doesn’t just sit on the land; it belongs to it. It’s the kind of place that stands with quiet confidence—elegant but unpretentious,

timeless yet deeply personal. At first glance, it’s everything you’d expect from a Southern Trace original: stately presence, thoughtful craftsmanship, and effortless curb appeal.

But look a little closer, and you’ll find something more—a

story carefully built into its bones.

Measuring 3,243 square feet, this five-bedroom, four-bathroom home was the vision of homeowners Peter and Robin Burgess, whose eye for detail and passion for livable luxury turned a simple

floor plan into a oneof-a-kind residence.

Constructed by Justin Sevier of Vintage Homes and showcased in the 2011 Parade of Homes, it’s now on the market for the first time—listed by Courtney Lowry of Southern Trace Community Real Estate.

“I knew from the beginning that this house not only had to be a reflection of our style, but of our life as well,” says homeowner Robin Burgess. “We started with a solid foundation, but everything from the layout to the finishes was about creating warmth, flow, and functionality.”

FROM BLUEPRINT TO BESPOKE The journey began with a floor plan from Acadiana Design of Baton Rouge—a custom home planning firm known for blending classic Southern charm with smart, open layouts. But the Burgesses didn’t just copy and paste. They modified the design to suit the specific rhythms of their lifestyle,

42 may 2025 | sbmag.net

carefully deciding where walls should open, how rooms should connect, and which finishes would age with grace.

The process was anything but impersonal. Robin recalls poring over samples and sketches, envisioning conversations that hadn’t happened yet and memories

not yet made. “Every choice was deliberate,” she says.

“This wasn’t just about aesthetics—it was about function. We designed around real life.”

The exterior makes a statement without ever raising its voice—warm-toned brick, subtle architectural

flourishes, and a front porch deep enough for rocking chairs and unhurried conversations. From the moment you step inside, you’re greeted with a sense of symmetry, proportion, and effortless flow.

High ceilings offer vertical breathing room, while

wide-plank hardwood floors stretch throughout the main living spaces—drawing the eye forward and anchoring a palette of rich neutrals, natural textures, and ambient lighting. Trim and molding details throughout echo a traditional Southern sensibility, but with cleaner lines and modern restraint.

“It was always about layers,” Robin explains. “We didn’t want trendy. We wanted it to feel like it had always been here.”

And those layers tell a story—of handpicked wood species, subtle stains chosen for warmth rather than gloss, and a strategic use of antique finishes that lend the home a lived-in elegance. “We leaned into materials that

patina beautifully,” she says. “A little imperfection makes it human.”

THE HEART OF THE HOME At the center of the home is a living space that radiates understated sophistication.

The living room, flanked by wide entryways and oversized windows, is anchored by a gas fireplace framed in custom millwork. Built-ins add asymmetry and visual interest—perfect for books, objects d’art, or heirlooms passed down with love.

“I’ve hosted everything here—from birthday parties to wine nights,” Robin says with a laugh. “It’s a space that

Photo Credits: Marc Gibson Photography

expands when you need it to but also feels intimate when it’s just you and a good book.”

Adjacent to the living room is the kitchen—a study in balance between high design and home-cooked comfort.

Custom cabinetry finished in a soft ivory glaze, granite countertops with restrained veining, and stainless-steel appliances come together in a way that whispers “chef ’s kitchen” without the bravado. A generous island with seating for two becomes the natural landing spot for morning coffee or late-night snacks.

“We designed for real life,” Robin adds. “Not a showroom.”

Just beyond, the keeping room offers a cozy, sun-

drenched escape. A hallmark of Southern design, it’s a space made for reading, relaxing, or chatting with the cook while dinner simmers.

It’s also the kind of room that quietly becomes your favorite.

“It’s the room I go to for five minutes of peace—or an hour of doing nothing at all,” Robin says. “Every home needs a room like that.”

Off the main hallway, the formal dining room is designed to accommodate the moments that matter— whether it’s a holiday feast or a casual Tuesday dinner.

With a view of the landscaped front yard, it’s a space that feels both elevated and welcoming. sbmag.net | may 2025

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A SUITE ABOVE THE REST The primary suite, tucked away on the main floor, feels like a retreat within a retreat. Tall ceilings, soft lighting, and well-placed windows allow natural light to pour in without sacrificing privacy. The bedroom comfortably fits a king-size bed and a seating area—with room to spare.

The ensuite bath offers a spa-like sanctuary: a soaking tub set beneath

a picture window with plantation shutters, dual vanities with undermounted sinks, a central makeup station, and a walk-in shower wrapped in frameless glass and timeless tilework. The walk-in closet is nothing short of a dream—complete with built-ins, thoughtful lighting, and storage space for every season.

“There’s something indulgent about a closet that feels like a dressing room,” Robin says. “It makes even a Tuesday morning feel like an occasion.”

Curated lighting and an easy connection between the bedroom and bath give the suite a quiet luxury— one that’s more about comfort than opulence.

FLEXIBILITY MEETS FUNCTION Upstairs, a bonus room stretches across the top floor—ideal for a game room, home theater, office, or guest suite. With a full bath and generous closet space, it offers the kind of square footage today’s families appreciate. Whether

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you're working, relaxing, or entertaining, this room adapts effortlessly.

Three additional bedrooms and two full bathrooms provide a layout that emphasizes privacy without sacrificing connection. One of the bedrooms currently

functions as a home office, complete with a balcony overlooking golf hole #16— arguably the best view on the course.

Even the laundry room gets its moment, with custom cabinetry, a full sink, folding station, and natural light that

transforms everyday tasks into peaceful rituals. Builtin drying racks and ample storage prove that utility doesn’t have to sacrifice design.

Photo Credits: Marc Gibson Photography

DESIGNED FOR EVERYDAY LIFE —AND THE OCCASIONAL ESCAPE What truly sets this home apart is how smartly it’s built for life. Every corner was considered. The oversized three-car garage—with an additional designated golf cart bay—is a nod to Southern Trace’s signature lifestyle, where tee times are a daily

ritual, and the commute might just involve a putter.

Built-in storage proves that luxury can—and should— support the daily rhythm of a busy family. Step outside to the covered back patio, where evenings stretch a

little longer. The backyard is perfectly scaled: enough space for children, pets, or garden parties, without tipping into weekendconsuming maintenance.

There’s even space to add a pool (should the next owners feel inspired).

“I’ve sipped hot tea out here, hosted crawfish boils, and listened to summer rain hit the roof,” says Robin. “It’s a space that meets you where you are.”

A NEIGHBORHOOD THAT FEELS LIKE HOME Southern Trace isn’t just a community—it’s a legacy.

With private golf, tennis, swimming, and a full social calendar, it offers resort-level amenities with small-town charm. But the real magic?

Neighbors who still wave.

Kids who still play outside.

And a sense of belonging you feel as soon as you drive in.

“We raised our kids here,” Robin says. “We built

friendships we’ll carry with us for life. There’s something comforting about knowing the names of the people walking past your house.”

Located on one of Southern Trace’s most picturesque streets, this home strikes the perfect balance between privacy and connection. The only sounds you’ll likely hear.

The quiet hum of a golf cart,

the rustle of leaves, and the occasional wind chime.

“We’ve celebrated every milestone here—from birthdays and graduations to quiet Sunday mornings,” says Robin. “This home holds years of joy, but it’s time for someone new to fill it with their story.”

And that’s what makes this house more than just a listing. It’s a chapter waiting

to be written. It’s not just a structure—it’s a spirit. One built on love, memories, and the quiet luxury of thoughtful design.

Now, for the first time since its debut, this Southern Trace original is ready to welcome its next chapter—and its next storyteller.

sbmag.net | may 2025

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THE SOUTH’S LARGEST STUDENT ARTS FESTIVAL

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A COMICAL FEAST THAT EMBRACES THE WACKINESS IN EVERY FAMILY, THE ADDAMS FAMILY is the magnificently macabre hit musical featuring everyone’s favorite creepy, kooky characters. Wednesday Addams, the ultimate princess of darkness, has grown up and fallen in love with a sweet, smart young man from a respectable family—a man her parents have never met. And if that weren't upsetting enough, she confides in her father and begs him not to tell her mother. Now, Gomez Addams must do something he's never done before—keep a secret from his beloved wife, Morticia.

Everything will change for the whole family on the fateful night they host a dinner for Wednesday's "normal" boyfriend and his parents.

On the heels of Wednesday, the third mostwatched Netflix show of all time, Big League Productions, Inc. presents THE ADDAMS FAMILY. It’s a devilishly delightful musical comedy based on the bizarre and beloved characters by legendary cartoonist Charles Addams.

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IN THE KITCHEN Frank’s Pizza Frank Harris's journey to creating Frank's Pizza Napoletana began in 2000 when he worked in Italian restaurant kitchens and traveled throughout Italy.

Inspired by the simplicity and freshness of Italy's regional dishes and wines, he dreamed of bringing that 50 may 2025 | sbmag.net

authentic Italian experience back to Shreveport. After running a private catering business for 12 years, Frank and his business partner, Brian Flournoy, gathered a team of local investors and made that dream a reality.

The centerpiece of Frank's Pizza Napoletana is its traditional Neapolitanstyle pizza. The thin crust is a hallmark of this style, featuring a puffy, crisp, and blistered edge that gradually softens towards the center.

The dough is made fresh daily with Caputo flour imported from Naples, ensuring an authentic base.

The red pizzas are topped with a simple yet flavorful sauce made from crushed San Marzano tomatoes and sea salt. The cheese is either imported from Italy or made in-house, with the kitchen hand-stretching around 50 pounds of mozzarella daily.

Each pizza is baked for approximately 80 seconds at 850°F in a 7,500-pound oven, handcrafted in Naples

by Stefano Ferrara using volcanic material from Mount Vesuvius. The result is a pizza with a slight smoky flavor from the oak fire, a touch of char, and a unique, artisan quality.

Beyond pizza, Frank's offers a diverse menu that showcases the culinary talents of Chef de Cuisine Oscar Davis. Nightly dinner specials include dishes like quail, rack of lamb, gratinéed oysters, speckled trout, and soft-shelled

crabs, all prepared in the wood-fired oven. Lunch combos are designed for busy professionals, and a daily happy hour is also available. Other menu items include the popular woodfired "Vino Rosso" burger, wood-fired beef fillets, pasta Bolognese, panini, seasonal risottos, and house-made desserts and gelati.

The atmosphere at Frank's Pizza Napoletana is fun, friendly, and lively, with an open kitchen visible from anywhere in the dining room. The pizza bar is a favorite spot, where customers can watch the Pizzaioli prepare their pizzas from start to finish.

Live music is a regular feature, with weeknight performances on the covered front patio and the "Frank's Live Spring Concert Series" in the courtyard between Frank's and Sportspectrum.

The concert series features local bands like The Barksdale Bubble, Dirtfoot, Professor Porkchop & the Dirty Dishes, and Bayou Gypsy, as well as out-oftown acts like Flow Tribe

from New Orleans and Zach Edwards & The Medicine from Lafayette. The "Frank's Live Spring Concert Series" has scheduled events, for example, on Saturday, April 5th, 2025, featuring Sonny Boy Rambin & Jennifer Janét (or Jonny Boy Rabin & Jenn Jenet).

Frank Harris emphasizes that Frank's best asset is its staff, some of whom have been there since day one, such as General Manager Jeremy Shows and Service Manager Horia Hebert. Staff members tend to stay for at least five years, creating a cohesive and dedicated team. The emphasis on caring for people and the strong camaraderie among the staff contribute to the welcoming and inviting atmosphere of Frank's Pizza Napoletana.

Frank's Pizza Napoletana is located at 6950 Fern Avenue in Shreveport, LA 71105, and can be reached at (318) 230-7130. More information is available on their website, frankspizzanapoletana.com.

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LOUISIANA RANKED SECOND IN THE NATION FOR ELECTION INTEGRITY Secretary of State Nancy Landry announced that Louisiana is now ranked second in the nation for election integrity by the Heritage Foundation after previously being ranked ninth by the same group. Scores are calculated from 12 different categories, including voter ID implementation, absentee ballot management, vote counting practices, and verification of citizenship.

“This latest ranking proves once again that Louisiana’s elections are safe and secure,” Secretary Landry said.

“I am proud of the hard work that our elections team does day in and day out to ensure the integrity of our elections. While this news is cause for celebration, there is still much work to be done. I 52 may 2025 | sbmag.net

won’t be satisfied until Louisiana is number one in the nation, and I am confident that will happen when we transition to a new, fully auditable voting system.”

The Department of State has begun the process of procuring a new voting system, and Secretary Landry has indicated that the agency will secure one within the year.

SILVER BEACON AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE Ochsner LSU Health – St. Mary Medical Center’s Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) has been awarded the Silver Beacon Award for Excellence by the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN). This recognition places the PICU in a select group of hospital units across the nation delivering top-tier critical care. Ochsner LSU Health is one of

only four hospitals in the state to currently hold this designation and the only location outside of New Orleans. It is the only pediatric unit in Louisiana to earn this award.

The Beacon Award for Excellence, established in 2003, is a prestigious honor in critical care, recognizing units that exceed national standards in patient outcomes, staff engagement and work environment. The recognition highlights the expertise and dedication of the St. Mary Medical Center team, reassuring families that their children are in capable and caring hands during critical moments.

“The AACN Beacon Award reaffirms our core value at Ochsner LSU Health – putting patients and their families first,” said David Callecod, CEO of Ochsner LSU Health. “This recognition demonstrates the exceptional care and unwavering commitment

by our PICU team to ensure children and families receive not only the highest standard of medical treatment but also a supportive and reassuring environment.

It exemplifies our mission to lead with compassion, excellence and innovation.” This recognition adds to St. Mary Medical Center’s growing list of accolades for women’s and children’s services, which also includes a Leapfrog Grade A rating for hospital quality and safety, The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval® for Advanced Certification in Perinatal Care, and a 2025 High Performing hospital for Maternity Care designation from U.S. News &World Report.

Know Good to

Willis Knighton Bossier Receives AORN Go Clear TM Award Willis Knighton Bossier’s surgical staff is continuously working on efforts to enhance care and safety for the patients and staff. Their efforts have been recognized by the Association of Perioperative Registered Nurses (AORN).

The hospital’s surgical services department has earned AORNs Go Clear TM Award as a Center of Excellence in Surgical Safety: Smoke Evacuation. The award is for outstanding efforts to protect patients and healthcare workers from the hazards of surgical smoke

which is created by heatgenerating devices used in most surgeries.

“I am very proud of the staff for all of the time and hard work and communication with surgeons to make it possible for us to receive this award,” said Danielle McWilliams, RN, patient care coordinator for surgical services at Bossier.

“This initiative is not just about following guidelines or policies; it is about protecting our patients and empowering our staff to deliver the best care in the safest environment possible.”

Willis Knighton Bossier joins a select group of facilities across the country recognized for prioritizing surgical safety and advancing the standard of surgical care.

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Person of Interest

Von Jennings QUEEN OF SOBEK 2025

Von Jennings, the Queen of Sobek XXII, is crazy about Mardi Gras. In fact, her whole family is, so it seemed inevitable that one day, Jennings would wear the sparkly crown.

Sparkly is how one might describe Jennings’ demeanor and personality. She is friendly and bubbly. She likes bright colors, and you can bet her makeup, nails, and outfits will match. On this particular day, hot pink was the theme.

And while Mardi Gras is a passion, she’s also passionate about people, community, and service.

Jennings works for the City of Shreveport as the Financial Inclusion and Equity Manager.

She holds a bachelor’s degree from Grambling State University, and she earned her Master of Public Administration (MPA) from Southern University. In her role with the city, she and the people she works with help educate people about financial goals like creating a budget, developing a savings plan, and first-time homebuyer incentives.

Her passion for community runs deep. While she does not have a husband or children at home, her family of community-focused organizations is dear to her heart. The question isn’t what is she a member of, but what isn’t she? Jennings is in her 28th year as “Ivy League Reporter” for Alpha Kappa Alpha. She’s also chair of the economic education committee. She’s on the board - or a member of - Dress for Success, Caddo Council on Aging, Boy Scouts of America - NORWELA Council, Mount Canaan Baptist Church, The Links Inc., and more.

For years, she and her mother, Carolyn Jennings White, have been self-described “fanatics” for tablescaping. She knew her mother had an artistic streak,

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and then one day she found hers. As favors and gifts, she started decorating “second line” umbrellas.

“It lets me have that time to unplug,” she said. “It’s my creative outlet. My quiet time.

When I’m not thinking about anything serious. I’m not trying to solve any problems.

I’m not trying to fix anything or save the world. I’m just making something pretty.”

They became so popular; she started selling them on Facebook under “VJ’s Special Accessories.” Her designs are gorgeous and full of flair, just like Jennings.

Jennings’ quest for Queen began a long time ago, nearly ten years in fact. She was on Sobek’s royal court, and royals are chosen by an election. “Thank goodness for that poli-sci,” she said about waging her campaign for queen.

Jennings started a year prior to the election, but she said that was nothing compared to the duties of this royal. Only halfway into her reign, Queen Jennings has attended 11 balls, three parades, 10 schools, and another halfdozen special events.

“It’s been a beautiful experience,” she said.

Her reign still has several months to go before she must pass the torch of the queenly duties. There is one thing for sure, though, Jennings will not give up all things Mardi Gras, and she will take new friends with her going forward.

“I have this new family,” she said. “You spend a lot of time with the royalty of the other krewes because we go to each other’s balls. So, I have a royal family, a queen family.

They’re so supportive and kind, and we help each other.

[These are] people that I don’t know that otherwise I would have met.”

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By Seva May

IN THE

GREEN

ROOM

Prepare to be dazzled! Shreveport and Bossier City's vibrant theatre scene is about to ignite with a spectacular lineup of productions that will leave you breathless. Get ready to be swept away by the raw talent and captivating storytelling of our local actors as they bring unforgettable characters and narratives to life on stage. Forget your everyday routine and immerse yourself in a world of drama, laughter, and awe-inspiring performances. This season promises to be an exhilarating journey through the magic of live theatre, a much-needed escape into the extraordinary. Mark your calendars now and secure your seats for an experience that will ignite your imagination and leave you craving more. Don't just plan your calendar, plan to be transported! Go to the following theatre group’s websites for ticket reservations and more information: EMMETT HOOK CENTER emmetthookcenter.org Fiddler on the Roof July 11-20, 2025 A timeless classic, Fiddler on the Roof tells the heartwarming story of Tevye, a Jewish milkman in prerevolutionary Russia, as he struggles to maintain his family's traditions in the face of a changing world.

THE SHARK IS BROKEN August 15-17, 2025 Dive into the behind-the-scenes drama of the iconic film "Jaws" with The Shark is Broken.

BACK-ALLEY COMMUNITY THEATRE Backalleygrandcane.com The Sound of Music May 30-June 7, 2025 A beloved classic, The Sound of Music tells the story of Maria, a free-spirited nun who becomes the governess to the seven children of Captain von Trapp.

THE COMPANY REPERTORY THEATRE thecompanyrep.org Merry Wives of Windsor STAGE CENTER TBA stagecenterla.com A comedic masterpiece by William Hairspray Shakespeare, The Merry Wives of July 17-20, 2025 Windsor follows the hilarious antics Get ready to rock and roll with of Sir John Falstaff as he attempts to Hairspray! This exuberant musical woo two married women in the town bursts onto the stage with infectious of Windsor. energy, celebrating the spirit of the Theatre Eclectic 1960s and the power of inclusivity.

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MAHOGANY ENSEMBLE THEATRE mahoganyensembletheatre.org A Soldier’s Play

February 13-22, 2025 (In conjunction with Shreveport Little Theatre) A gripping and thought-provoking drama, A Soldier's Play explores themes of racism, prejudice, and justice within the ranks of the U.S. Army during World War II. SHREVEPORT LITTLE THEATRE shreveportlittletheatre.com Guys and Dolls July 17-27, 2025 A classic musical comedy, Guys and Dolls transports you to the vibrant world of 1950s New York City.

BOSSIER PARISH COMMUNITY COLLEGE THEATRE

THE 39 STEPS September 5-14, 2025 A fast-paced and wildly entertaining play, The 39 Steps is a comedic take on the classic Alfred Hitchcock thriller SWEENEY TODD October 17-26, 2025 A dark and thrilling musical, Sweeney Todd tells the tale of a barber seeking revenge for the injustices done to him.

An Evening with Edgar Allan Poe LESLIE ODOM, JR. (Aaron Burr in “Hamilton”) “The Christmas Tour” December 19, 2025

October 3 - 12

Edgar Allan Poe’s short stories are adapted by Robert Mason here into a full evening of theatre. Enter the wonderfully creepy world of Edgar Allan Poe with six faithful adaptations of some of his most haunting works.

THE AMERICAN MUSIC “MARDI GRAS IN A CHRISTMAS CAROL NEW ORLEANS” featuring Santa’s Christmas Adventure Trumpist, December 5-21, 2025 December 5 - 7 Byron Stripling A timeless holiday classic, A January 24, 2026 Christmas Carol brings to life the Once again, all the performing groups story of Ebenezer Scrooge, a miserly of Bossier Parish Community College CONCERT OF ALL AMERICAN old man who is visited by the ghosts join here to herald in the Christmas Season with our favorite annual MUSIC of Christmas Past, Present, and tradition. The Cavalier Players, the “Barber Plus Bhee Cathedral” Future.

Cheerleaders, the Ladies in Gold Barber’s “Violin Concerto” with Dance Line, The Concert Choir, and of OLIVER! violin course Santa, Mrs. Claus, Frosty, and Soloist Amaryn Olmeda. Also: March 13-22, 2026 the Elves band together to offer you Dawson’s Negro Folk Symphony this spectacular holiday celebration February 28, 2026 (and a few laughs in the process!).

Based on Charles Dickens' "Oliver Twist," Oliver! is a beloved musical that tells the story of a young orphan who escapes the workhouse and finds himself navigating the treacherous streets of London.

THE SHREVEPORT SYMPHONY Romeo and Juliet and Prokfief’s Suite from Lieutenant Kije October 18, 2025 BRAHM’S VIOLIN CONCERTO WITH VIOLIN SOLOIST, JENNIFER KOH November 15, 2025

“BEETHOVEN PLUS MACDOWELL” MacDowell’s “Piano Concerto No. 2,” with Pianist Jon Nakamatu. Other pieces: Beethoven’s ”Overture to the Creatures Of Prometheus,” Franck’s Symphony in ‘D’Minor.

March 28, 2026 A CONCERT OF ALL AMERICAN MUSIC: “John Williams. From Stage to Screen.”

Spotlights world-renowned saxophonist Timothy McAllister.

May 2, 2026

This is for all audiences!

Goldilocks and the Three Heberts

February 13 - 22

A show for children of all ages—this musical fable offers a new spin to the traditional fairy tale of Goldilocks and the Three Bears as told with a “Louisiana twist” by the founder of BPCC’s Theatre Program and master storyteller, Stephen W. Slaughter.

A Year with Frog and Toad (the Broadway Musical)

April 17- 26 Arnold Lobel's treasured characters hop from page to stage in a story of friendship and adventure. Based on Arnold Lobel's well-loved books, and featuring a hummable score by Robert and Willie Reale, this whimsical show follows two great friends – the cheerful, popular Frog and the rather grumpy Toad – through four fun-filled seasons.

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SB EVENTS May 6

Bonnie Raitt

With the launch of her twenty-first album, "Just Like That…", Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee Bonnie Raitt continues to incorporate the diverse influences that have defined her illustrious career, while crafting music that resonates with the unique challenges and circumstances of today's world.

Shreveport Municipal Memorial Auditorium 7:30 PM. Tickets starting at $49 May 11

Shreveport Royal Princess Ball

A princess character themed children’s event.

Dancing, story time, games, theatrical style performances! Photo opportunities with your favorite princesses!

Hilton Garden Inn in Bossier City 12:00 PM-3:30 PM

May 17

8th Annual ThinkFirst of the Arklatex Crawfish Boil

The Elks Lodge #122, 310 Preston, Shreveport A Fundraiser for National Injury Prevention Foundation 200 PM-4:00 PM. Tickets: $20

May 30

Six (Teen Edition)

A Full-length adaptation of Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss’ international phenomenon SIX, modified for performance by teen actors for family audiences.

Marjorie Lyons Playhouse 7:00 PM. Adults: $22; Senior/Military: $20; Students: $18 Send your event details to editor@sbmag. net at least six weeks prior to your event.

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Visit us online at www.sbmag.net

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SAY HELLO TO ONE OF

SHREVEPORT’S MOST AVID CAR COLLECTORS

Walter

Smith.

Walter was the owner of RoadRunner Car Wash on Youree for 40 years (although he sold it last August). RoadRunner, originally built in 1969, was a clear expression of his passion for cars, something that has not abated since his retirement and that began very early in life. He now has about a dozen cars in his collection of many shapes and varieties. These include a bright yellow Ferrari (a 2006 F430 F1), the Porsche from Risky Business, and a Jaguar that is the same model and trim as one Frank Sinatra had (1995 XJS V12), along with assorted knickknacks gearheads would find very interesting. Walter graciously sat down with us in his mancave (this is no mere garage) that leaves just enough space for people to discuss his hobby.

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So, what started your passion for cars?

My father...I was lucky enough that I was a World War II baby and after World War II, the GI Bill, all these guys were getting good educations and getting lots of money, and we turned loose the industry of the United States from making tanks and stuff to going back to making cars and things and they were all just absolutely beautiful, and my father just was a car nut. So, every three or four years he’d be bringing home a new Thunderbird or a Lincoln Continental or something like that, and I just fell in love with cars. When I got out of college and had a little bit of money I started buying cars. My first car was a ’63 Impala SuperSport, and then I had a ’61 Corvette and a ’68 Corvette, and I was like my father...I loved

the diversity and all the different makes and stuff, I don’t have a favorite car.

I’ve got my Oldsmobile from high school which has a 455 cubic inch engine, I have a couple Mercedes, three or four Jaguars...my goal was always to have a Ferrari, and I finally achieved that about 13 years ago. I’ve got a couple Porsches...but like I said I love the variety of having all the different makes and models and how they’re all built differently by different people, it’s fascinating. So, I’m really into it more as artwork than how fast it will go or whatever. I’m trying to not go to any auctions or anything anymore because I buy things because it’s a very addictive habit. But I’ve got lucky, I’ve bought a couple cars that I’ve kept for 10 or 15 years, and I made quadruple my money on them. So, it’s paid for my habit, but that’s more of a luck

thing than anything else so be careful, whatever you buy, buy what you really want to drive.

What are some of your favorite memories with your cars?

I think just hunting for what I want. I think if you’re looking for a car you need to know exactly what you want. Don’t wait for a good deal to come along...you need to be online, you need to be looking at cars, you want a particular color, interior color, mileage, all of that...and don’t give up until you find exactly what you want because if you buy something, you settle, I can promise you two weeks later your exact car that you’ve been looking for is going to come.

When I bought the Ferrari, it took me three or four years to find that car. I wanted that color, I wanted that interior, my wife used to go by and just

start making chicken noises at me like ‘bock bock bock bock bock, you’re not going to buy anything.’ Then one night, it was in Houston at the Ferrari dealership, they had just taken it in on trade, I just told them ‘bring it up here to me.’ I didn’t even need to go down there.

And deal with honorable and reputable people you know, but don’t give up on what you really want. Don’t go to an auction because you’ll end up buying something that you’ll wish you hadn’t. I just have so much fun driving cars, my car from high school...we drove like maniacs back in the late ‘60s, early ‘70s... none of us got killed by a miracle. A car was everything, you just rode around in your car, meeting people and hanging out at the Burger King...that movie American Graffiti, where all the guys are going to the hamburger malt shop and just hanging out, just chilling.

America was just car crazy.

I’m glad to have been part of that.

That’s what I would suggest to you. There are some fabulous automobiles you can buy out there...Jaguars, Mercedes, BMWs...that are selling for 20 cents on the dollar, 25 cents on the dollar, and there’s nothing wrong with them, they’re just fabulous cars. That’s what most of my cars are now; I’ve only got two that I’d call high-end cars...I paid $130k for that car (the Ferrari) and it’s worth $130k now, so except

for inflation, really hadn’t cost me much to own the car for the last 10 or 12 years.

Any tips for people in Shreveport who want to own fancy cars?

Not to buy new. If they want to buy fancy cars...I like buying cars that are at least five years old, six years old, but if they’re European cars, buy a warranty.

While surely you like /PHOTOGRAPHY PRINTS, them all, which ones are your favorites that you ANNERS, SCANNING & have?

GEMENT AND MORE! People ask me that all the time, I say ‘whatever I’m driving.’ I’ll think about selling one, I get in it and go ‘man I can’t sell this car.’ What I have done lately that people don’t realize is that you can buy fine supercars that are new, that are over $100k, and through the miracle of depreciation, those people that have spent $110-$150k whatever it is, the car will end up being, seven or eight years later, worth $30k. I’ve got some Mercedes that were over $150k that I paid low $30s for, with low miles and they’ve been kept perfect because the people that owned them loved them.

SMALL. We print it ALL REPROGRAPHICS, ART/PHOTOGRAPHY PRINTS, BUSINESS CARDS, BANNERS, SCANNING & DOCUMENT MANAGEMENT AND MORE!

THINK BIG. THINK SMALL. We print it ALL

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EYE ON Dogs Are a Girl’s Best Friend Robinson’s Rescue celebrated a remarkable milestone—100,000 spay and neuter surgeries—at its Best in Sheaux 2025 gala! This year’s dazzling theme, Dogs Are a Girl’s Best Friend, set the stage for an unforgettable evening filled with glamour and excitement.

Hundreds of guests indulged in signature cocktails, savored delicious bites, and bid on silent auction and raffle items.

The highlight of the night? Voting for their favorite pup-star as the evening’s four-legged celebrities—ranging from regal purebreds to lovable mutts—strutted the runway in a bid for the prestigious Best in Sheaux title.

More than just a night of fur-filled fun, Best in Sheaux is a vital fundraiser supporting Robinson’s Rescue and its mission to combat pet overpopulation, ensuring every pet has a loving forever home.

Kelly Beaty, Donna Tripp & Trixie (runway star)

Katie Adger, Hebe (runway star), & Ashland Thibodeaux

Laura Devasier & Higgy Piggy (runway star)

Ian Summers, Elise Spoor & Tin Tin (runway star)

Besties, Bubbly, & Blooms The Rose Center reintroduces Besties, Bubbly, & Blooms, its quarterly event series aimed at celebrating and supporting the American Rose Center. Each event will be thoughtfully curated to highlight rose-centric activities at this local treasure and engage the community in meaningful ways.

Planned future events include a flower arranging workshop in June during National Rose Month, a candle pouring in September, and—during Sarah-Katherine Semon (paint party hostess)

Beth Smiley (Interim Executive Director Gardens of the American Rose Center)

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Lucy Medvec

Charlotte Ellzey

Defenders of Liberty Air Show Shreveport-Bossier City and surrounding communities showed up in full force for this year’s Defenders of Liberty Air Show at Barksdale Air Force Base. The patriotic weekend featured awe-inspiring aerial performances, up-close encounters with military aircraft, and plenty of family fun. A highlight of the festivities was the Bugs & Guns Crawfish Boil, celebrating the air show’s headliners—the United States Thunderbirds. Pilots, team members, and local guests gathered after hours at the Red Chute Gun Club on base to enjoy a hearty spread of crawfish and jambalaya.

2nd Bomb Wing Commander COL Mike Maginness, Air Show Director CAPT Miller Trant, Caddo Commissioner Grace Anne Blake, & MAJ Shane Lockridge

Defenders of Liberty Chairman Parker Maxwell & Shreveport Bossier Military Affairs Council President & CEO Trey Giglio

MAJ Krystal Jimenez (Thunderbirds Public Relations Officer), COL Taylor Wight (Thunderbirds Operations Officer), & MAJ Tyler Clark (Thunderbirds Pilot)

SBC Phi Mu Alumnae The SBC Phi Mu Alumnae celebrated Founder’s Day alongside the Epsilon Xi Chapter in the ballroom of LSU Shreveport’s University Center. The event featured a silent auction benefiting the Phi Mu Foundation and a Kendra Scott profit-share supporting Phi Mu’s national philanthropy, Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. Guests enjoyed a delicious luncheon, took home exciting door prizes, and honored the recipients of the Debbie Noone Scholarship and the Vibrant Woman Award.

Olivia and Ava Osbon & their mother, Kasey Osbon

Tiffany Sandifer, Shreveport-Bossier Phi Mu Alumnae Chapter President Tess Pepitone, & Kaylynn Craig

MAJ Krystal Jimenez (Thunderbirds Public Relations Officer), COL Taylor Wight (Thunderbirds Operations Officer), & MAJ Tyler Clark (Thunderbirds Pilot)

Phi Mu Epsilon Xi Chapter Advisor Kristen Hickman & Phi Mu Fraternity Epsilon Xi Chapter Faculty Advisor Caitlin LeBlanc

Maggie Koeppen & her mother, Jill Koeppen

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The Krewe des Ambassadeurs The Krewe des Ambassadeurs took guests on a fantastic cultural journey at Grande Bal XXIII with the theme “Ambassadeurs See the World” at Sam’s Town Hotel & Casino. The Minden krewe dazzled with elaborate costumes inspired by global history and traditions, including a Greek sea goddess, a Japanese anime character, a Spanish conquistador, an Icelandic snow queen, and more. Guests enjoyed a spread of heavy hors d'oeuvres and danced the night away to the high-energy sounds of The Mix.

Lydia Helton & Duchess Ambassadeurs Ashton McEachern

King Ambassadeurs Jason Kirkland & wife Carol

Queen Ambassadeurs Traci Keen

Outgoing King & Queen Ambassadeurs Thomas & Alicia Adams

Defenders of Liberty 2025 Air Show The Defenders of Liberty 2025 Air Show was a spectators dream as thousands of people from across the state and beyond gathered to witness a spectacle of exciting air acrobatics. Food vendors, souvenir stands, and sponsor tents crisscrossed the tarmac but the real show was in the sky.

Ellie and Scott Ward welcome the Oklahoma Air Show performers

Dr. and Mrs. Lex Hubbard and Rex Hubbard

Paula Chandler, Mayor Tommy Chandler, Espe Moran, and Bossier Webster DA Schyler Marvin

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Members of the European Air Show Council from the Czech Republic: Zbynek Paclacik, Joe Jones (Trojan Flyers) Mayor Tommy Chandler, and Jiri Verner.

CELEBRATE MOTHER’S DAY AT ERNEST’S ORLEANS!

Honor your mother or your wife for her special day with an evening of music and laughter at Ernest’s Orleans Restaurant.

A CABARET WITH ROCKEY MADDOX & SEVA MAY

SUNDAY, MAY 11TH, 2025 Limited Seating, Make You Reservations Now.

1601 Spring Street | Shreveport, LA | 318.226.1325 | ernestsorleans.com

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SO LONG

LOWER BACK PAIN?

Get ready to say goodbye and good riddance to lower back pain.

By. Seva May

In a world driven by progress, a select group of individuals stands at the forefront of innovation, particularly in the realm of medicine.

These are not just scientists or researchers, but minds of exceptional intellect, fueled by an insatiable curiosity and a profound desire to alleviate human suffering.

What compels these highly intelligent individuals to dedicate their lives to the pursuit of new and innovative medical breakthroughs? Is it simply the allure of scientific discovery, or is there a deeper, more personal motivation driving their relentless pursuit of knowledge and solutions? To find the answers to these questions, one would have to climb into the brain of such an individual- let’s say a man like Dr. Pierce Nunley, the first spine surgeon in the nation to perform a spinal disc nucleus replacement procedure using the PerQdisc™ device.

Sitting in his office, surrounded by 3-D models of the spine and various disc replacement devices that Dr.

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Nunley has personally been involved with, it was difficult to NOT be overwhelmingly impressed with his accomplishments.

Dr. Nunley’s work with the Spine Institute Foundation, a research foundation that has done over 35 FDA studies involving new spine care technologies, has been truly extraordinary. The most recent device, the PerQdisc, shows exceptional promise in the treatment of degenerative disc disease.

Dr. Nunley became involved with Spinal Stabilization Technologies’ (SST) PerQdisc program two years ago as consultant and later a principal investigator (PI) in the US IDE Clinical Investigation. The PI leads the clinical research team and together they monitor the trial participants’ health and progress while collecting important data pertaining to safety and effectiveness of the PerQdisc device. “When I first heard about this trial, it was at a spine conference in Cabo, two years ago. Dr. Marcus Stone and I are

the principals at The Spine Network,” Dr. Nunley said (Dr. Marcus Stone runs the Spine Institute Foundation and now lives in Salt Lake City, Utah.) The Spine Network’s purpose is to assist companies with innovative ideas from inception through navigating the Food and Drug Administrations trial and approval process. “For the PerQdisc study, we worked

What makes the PerQdisc Nucleus Replacement procedure such a breakthrough in the treatment of degenerative disc disease (DDD) compared to other devices and traditional spinal fusion?

through the design of the trial, all the inclusion/exclusion criteria, and the surgical approach.” After weighing the positives and negatives of various surgical approaches, it was Dr. Nunley who came up with the technique that will be used in the study.

For the FDA study, the ideal candidate is one that has single-level symptomatic

•It’s less invasive, which is a plus for the patient. Unlike a traditional disc replacement which requires the removal of the entire intervertebral disc, PerQdisc focuses on replacing only the nucleus pulposus (the gel-like center). This minimally invasive approach aims to preserve more of the natural disc anatomy, including the annulus fibrosus (the outer ring) and cartilaginous endplates.

•The PerQdisc implant is designed to provide a patient-specific, custom implant. The PerQdisc is formed within the disc space using balloon technology and a biocompatible silicone polymer. The surgical approach is from the side requiring about a oneinch incision. Dr. Nunley described the procedure as removing the center of

degenerative disc disease.

“They need to be super clean.

They need to have one thing wrong with them,” said Dr. Nunley. “The scope is very narrow, and patient selection is very important. A thorough work-up must be performed in order to rule out other potential pain generators,” he added. Dr. Nunley, TSN, and SST worked diligently with the FDA for nearly 18 months

to develop a study that would produce valuable data, while ensuring patient safety. The first study will evaluate five patients, gathering a tremendous amount of data to be able to assess the safety and effectiveness of the PerQdisc over time.

the disc nucleus and then introducing a series of imaging balloons to assess the disc space and cavity that was created. “…is the cavity concentric? Is it even? If not, we’ll work it a little bit.

Finally, the PerQdisc implant is introduced and filled with a silicone polymer”. This allows for a patient-specific, form-fitting implant that fills the void left by the removed nucleus, potentially leading to better stress distribution and stability. The patient is observed in the OR for about 15 minutes to allow the polymer to harden. It can be performed as an outpatient procedure with the instructions of not putting too much stress on the disc for the first few days. The less invasive nature of the PerQdisc procedure may lead to shorter surgery times, less blood loss, and a potentially faster recovery period

compared to more extensive surgeries.

•Fusion surgery typically involves a more extensive surgical approach, often requiring bone grafts and hardware (screws, rods, plates) to stabilize the spine.

The PerQdisc, as mentioned, is a minimally invasive procedure with no need for such hardware. Due to the less invasive nature, patients receiving the PerQdisc may experience a quicker recovery and return to daily activities compared to the oftenlengthy recovery associated with spinal fusion.

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it can relieve pain, it sacrifices natural movement and can lead to increased stress and degeneration in adjacent spinal levels (adjacent segment disease) By preserving motion at the treated level, PerQdisc has the potential to lower the incidence of adjacent segment degeneration, a known long-term complication of spinal fusion.

The PerQdisc is designed to restore and maintain disc height and thus, can better mimic the natural biomechanics, physiological motion and nerve function of the spine compared to TDR (total disc replacement), which, while motion-preserving, involves a complete disc removal and replacement with an artificial joint The PerQdisc is indicated for patients with mild to moderate disc degeneration who are experiencing significant pain but are not yet candidates for fusion or total disc replacement, which are often reserved for later stages of disease continuum.

The PerQdisc Nucleus Replacement Device is still investigational in the United States and has not yet received FDA approval and is not yet commercially available in any region. The plan is to gain longterm efficacy and safety data gathered from clinical trials currently underway outside of the United States, in addition to the recently approved FDA IDE study, which Dr. Nunley and his team are leading in the U.S. Once all the data is submitted to the FDA it will take six to twelve months from that endpoint to be approved for a panel process. This last step requires sitting before a panel and submitting to a litany of questions, arguments and anti-arguments. “… you make your final arguments, like a trial, and then they literally vote in front of you,” Dr. Nunley

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explained. Before the FDA moves forward, this panel must approve the procedure by a majority vote. It will take about four years and roughly 40 million dollars from the beginning of the trials before this procedure will be made available to the U.S. market. That doesn’t include marketing the device, selling it and getting insurance companies to approve paying for the procedure. This last step shouldn’t be too difficult since the PerQdisc procedure will be less expensive than a disc replacement or a fusion by far.

Once the PerQdisc Nucleus Replacement Device is approved by the FDA, it will offer a potentially breakthrough approach to treating degenerative disc disease. One that is a less invasive, motion-preserving alternative to traditional fusion and a less extensive option compared to total disc replacement. Its custom-fit design and focus on nucleus replacement aim to restore natural disc function and potentially reduce the long-term complications associated with more invasive surgical treatments.

Hopefully patients who suffer with lumbar back issues won’t have to wait too much longer.

Even though it is still an investigational device, Dr. Nunley and his fellow team members are determined to see the FDA process through.

Judging by the artifacts scattered throughout his office, Dr. Nunley is not one to throw in the towel when it comes to better outcomes for his patients.

About Dr. Pierce Nunley Pierce Nunley, M.D., brings international experience to his position as the director of the Spine Institute. He received his M.D. from the University of Kansas Medical College and did his internship and residency at LSU Health Sciences Center, where he has served as a clinical instructor since 1999 and as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Orthopedic Surgery since 2006.

He completed a spine fellowship at the University of Basel in Switzerland in 1996 and at the Dallas Spine Group in 1997. Nunley also received specialized training at the Mississippi Sports Medicine Center in Jackson. Dr. Nunley is board certified by both the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgeons and by the American Board of Spine Surgery.

Dr. Nunley is a fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, serves on the research fund management committee of the North American Spine Society, is a board member of the American College of Spine Surgery and has membership in the Southern Orthopaedic Association and Louisiana State Medical Society. He serves on the board of the Spine Institute of Louisiana Foundation and Syndicom Inc. The company’s flagship product is SpineConnect, a leading collaborative innovation network for spine surgeons to collaborate on difficult and unusual cases.

He is published in numerous journals and books and has presented papers in Canada, Mexico and Italy, as well as all over the United States.

You’re free to live your life out loud!

Because you’ve got the compassion of the cross, the security of the shield, and the comfort of Blue behind you.

01MK2770 01/25

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Moms

THANK YOU FOR SUPPER

AND SO MUCH MORE

By Teddy Allen Contact Teddy at teddy@latech.edu

Contact Teddy at teddy@latech.edu

Something happened in West Monroe 80-plus years ago around right now that greatly influenced my being here in general and my writing this effort in particular.

My own personal mother was born.

It is never hard for me to imagine her as a girl. I have pictures of her in pigtails, grinning, a wisp of a gal, sugar and spice. I wonder if it was taken on a day her mother made a chocolate pie or on an evening after her daddy came home from the papermill and wrapped her in his big arms.

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I have seen that same little-girl grin thousands and thousands of times. My mother’s smile, the one like the one in that long-ago picture, unrestrained and nearly wet-eyed, is one of my favorite things.

My mom. The little girl in her had my first pair of blue jeans and my first pair of boots, little red Roy Rogers ropers, framed in a shadow box for me one Christmas. She gave it to me in October. Couldn’t wait.

The mother in her bought me a coffee pot when I was 21. For some reason, I was surprised.

Maybe it was because I didn’t drink coffee. Never had.

“Drinking coffee will keep your colon clean,” she said to my face. “It helps prevent colon cancer.”

I remember standing there for a minute, like a statue, a statue with a colon, suddenly worrying a little about my colon and a lot about my mother.

But you know what I did when she left? I made my first pot of coffee. Then I drank it.

I do not carry a picture of her in my wallet, but I carry several in my mind, complete with soundtracks.

One is of her sitting on the brick steps leading to the side door of my boyhood home in Carolina, blue jeans rolled up over her calves to just below her knees. An oversized shirt is untucked. Hair is falling into her eyes. She is shucking corn, happy, hollering something across the yard to our neighbors.

Here’s one of her singing “School Days” to get me up in the winter. And another of her frying an egg and putting it on a piece of toast for me before sunrise on all those priceless summer mornings before I’d go to Mr. J.P.’s to drive a tractor through those tobacco fields.

I carry pictures of her singing in church, each of us holding half the hymnbook, her looking down at me and smiling.

Even in those moments, with sounds of “What a Friend We Have in Jesus” filling the tiny wooden church and my mother brushing my hair with her

hand, I’m sure she was wishing those days would slow down.

Little boys grow so fast …

In my favorite picture, my mother is leaning out the screen door and calling me home to supper. I’m across the gravel road shooting basketball or in the woods in the back, and it is a summer evening, and I smell like a little boy because that’s what I am. My mother’s voice, at dusk in the Carolina summer, is always there, always expected. When I think about it now, it sounds like music.

She would often have to call me more than once. It’s not easy for a guy to come inside when he can still see the baseball, even just barely, when the fireflies are dancing, when his legs feel strong on his bike and his dog wants to play.

“Teddy! Tedddd-eee … Come on in sugar…”

If I could go back for one day, if I could hear her call me like that one more time, she’d have to call me only once.

TM