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EXECUTIVE EDITOR
It was July 2nd, 1776. The Second Continental Congress were gathered in an unairconditioned room to declare our freedom from Great Britain. The 56 men thought they would need a document that would explain this action to the citizens. Five of these men were tasked with drafting this historic document: John Adams, Roger Sherman, Benjamin Franklin, Robert Livingston, and Thomas Jefferson. Two days later, with numerous changes and probably a few agonizing edits, it was finally approved and signed by the members of Congress who were present at the time. There were only seven members who did not add their signature. It was sent to a printer where 200 copies were made - only 26 copies remain today. It wasn’t until August 2nd, that the Congress began putting their signatures on the document we know today as The Declaration of Independence.
30 days total. I wish our United States Congress 2025 could work that efficiently. They didn’t even have telephones let alone the internet. Don’t get me started on AI. Just think how fast the Declaration could have been penned today. Mere hours perhaps. Still, it was a pivotal moment in history.
The Declaration articulated the fundamental principles of self-governance, individual rights, and the pursuit of liberty, laying the philosophical groundwork for the birth of the United States of America as a sovereign nation.
We hope your 4th of July 2025 was spent not just with the fireworks, barbeques, parades, family and friends but with a sense of pride. Let’s remember that our founding fathers did a monumental job of ensuring that we could remain a free nation.
Historian Herbert Friedenwald explained in his 1904 study of the Second Continental Congress that the signers on August 2 weren’t necessarily the same delegates at the Congress in early July when the Declaration was proposed and approved. (Scott Bomboy, August 2, 2023, National Constitution Center)
Send news announcements, story ideas, and other requests to editor@sbmag.net.
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Volume 24, Issue 12
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MAKE-YOUR-OWN PIZZA NIGHT
JULY 10 • 6:00PM – 8:00PM
Join us for a fun-filled, hands-on dining experience at Make-Your-Own Pizza Night! From dough to delicious, this interactive evening is perfect for families, food lovers, and anyone who enjoys a little culinary creativity. It’s flavorful, festive and one night only. Don’t miss it!
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DULCE VIDA ® TEQUILA DINNER
JULY 24 • 7:00PM – 9:00PM
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” “ Border Breach IN SHREVEPORT
IT HAPPENED RIGHT UNDER OUR NOSES
a combined figure from federal,
By any measure 4,000 apprehensions on our southern border in one day, 100,000 in a month, is a crisis.
- Jeh Johnson, Barack Obama’s former Secretary of Homeland Security
and the claims were being made by “non-profit organizations and others who are trying to put a happy spin on this.” In an interview with 710 KEEL, Johnson admitted he and thenMayor Perkins both found out about these busloads the same day they arrived, indicating they had no forewarning from anyone in the federal government. They “lamented together that there’s not a darn thing either one of us can do about it.” Johnson predicted that “we’re going to continue to see this surge of immigrants, (illegal aliens) dropped off at points near us and all over the country for the foreseeable future until the White House reverses course.”
to pour into the United States
visible incursion into our were being reunited with
As the stats indicated, Johnson’s prediction was correct. He was told by ICE that those Haitian immigrants that came to Shreveport were not fresh encounters from the border, but in fact had been in ICE custody for “some time.” They were released from custody because ICE was given an order from Washington to “empty out the facilities.” Johnson further elaborated that most of these people being dropped
off couldn’t speak English, didn’t have money, plans or any form of picture ID. According to the KTBS report, they did have Greyhound bus tickets and airplane tickets. They also had money paid for by taxpayer dollars for “transport to anywhere they wanted to go in the country.” Johnson said, “The best commitment we could get from the officials in charge is that they’ll give me, and Mayor Perkins a headsup next time right before they dump off the next busload of people.” Johnson’s guess as to why Shreveport was picked for these busloads is that “It’s a midsize city and they believe that we could accommodate them.
Shreveport has no
base to handle this; we’ve got economic crises upon economic crises. We have our own human infrastructure we can’t take care of. We cannot absorb all the poor folks from around the world... it’s fantasy economics, it’s not going to happen. We’re going to have people flooding into our community that have not followed the law. We don’t know who they are or if they’re
The Bossier Arts Council’s annual fundraising event was held at the new Live! Casino and Hotel June 14th. Guests enjoyed an evening of exquisite art exhibitions, live performances, and, of course, signature martinis by this region’s top mixologists. This event generates critical funding for the BAC’s programs that include art education, exhibitions, and community art initiatives.
ArtPort
Wheels went up on the largest airport revolving art display in America. The June 5th opening night festivities. The 2025 gallery features a variety of artistic mediums extending beyond the traditional dimension of canvas. Local, regional, national, and international artists were celebrated by hundreds of Shreveport-Bossier art lovers and supporters.
Michael Colvin & Victoria Avila
Steve & Gayla Ford, John Mabry
Steven Llamar & Anna Papadimitriou
Sarah Jayne Driskill & Leslie Postles Tabitha & Rebekah Reed
Erica Smothers-Franklin & AL
Mefan Bruce & Teresa Stewart ulie Miller, Cindy Gross, Michael Miller, Liz Gouletas
Byrd Reunion
A completely SOLD OUT party of the century, June 7th at the Shreveport convention Center, was the place to be and be seen. The event did not disappoint. With entertainment by Souled Out Entertainment, tons of historic Byrd artifacts, and Byrd High School cheerleaders in Period cheerleading uniforms, the crowd of alumni from several decades and their guests were thoroughly entertained.
Maya Beasley, Caroline Wood, Savannah Ardoin, Averi Jones, Abbigail Wilson, Chloe Clark
Keith Harris & Charles Lowder
Lindsey & Clayton Burris, Jolie & David Adams
Lisa Kosmitis & Nancy Borden
Mitzie and Bill Overdyke, Jill Faurot
Speedboat Races
Formula 1 powerboat championship returned to Shreveport-Bossier for Red River Rumble F1 Powerboat Showdown. The races were held May 23 through the 25th. Fans were treated to a weekend of thrilling races along the Red River with 50 high-speed F1 powerboats vying for the titles.
Chris _The Real Deal_ Rinker
Jeremiah Mayo
Dylan Anderson
Neal & Chris Barclay, Matt Smith
Art & Culture Scissors to Paint Brush:
– Kay Wallace the Painter
by Seva May
Meet an artist whose journey began not with a brush, but with a pair of scissors in a determined second-grader’s hand and a set of World Book encyclopedias. This is the story of Kay Wallace, a woman who, through a series of unexpected turns and unwavering dedication, found her true calling as a painter.
Little Kay was working on a school project that required an image. Misunderstanding the concept of an encyclopedia, (she thought it was a magazine) she armed herself with scissors, ready to liberate a picture from the hallowed pages of a newly purchased World Book set. Her mother, witnessing this impending literary desecration, quickly intervened. "No," she gently but firmly instructed, "you'll have to draw it." What followed was a revelation. Hours upon hours, Kay painstakingly worked at replicating the image, determined to make her drawing "look just like that." It was a moment of discovery, not just for Kay, but
for her family, who suddenly realized, "Oh, she can draw." Kay, ever humble, maintains her personal philosophy: "We all can draw; some of us have just been taught more than others." Her artistic inclination continued through school, nurtured by her teachers When it came time for college, Kay dreamed of fine art, of studio painting, but her parents, ever practical, steered her toward a path with a more reliable outcome. So, she enrolled at Louisiana Tech, earning a degree in graphic design. This was the era before digital dominance, where "graphics was all handdone"—a foundational training that would prove invaluable in her later life.
After a brief stint in newspaper advertising, Kay embraced the freelance world, honing her skills and juggling her growing artistic endeavors with the joys of raising a family.
Then, in 1996, came the "God thing." Kay wasn't looking for a job when an opportunity arose at her church in Baton Rouge (where her husband's job had taken them after meeting at Louisiana Tech). What started as a temporary maternity leave fill-in turned into a remarkable 24-year career. She began in children's ministry, eventually overseeing family ministry for ages zero to eighteen. Though not her primary role, her artistic talents found outlets in stage designs, backdrops, and creative projects for the kids—a subtle, persistent thread of art weaving through her busy life. But the true artistic awakening was yet to come. In 2018, Kay retired from her church position. With her children grown and out of the house, she made a bold decision: it was time to paint, truly paint. Despite her foundational graphic design skills, painting was a relatively new frontier. "I just started painting," she recounts, with a
disarming simplicity that belies the courage it took.
She quickly found a supportive community of artists in Baton Rouge, gathering in a studio setting where each had their own space. Committed to her craft, Kay treated painting as a full-time endeavor, showing up at her studio every morning, painting for hours. This disciplined practice, coupled with the generous mentorship and encouragement from gifted artists around her, rapidly accelerated her growth. Her dedication bore fruit. Kay began participating in art shows and competitions, including the River Road competition in Baton Rouge, Bloom, and the prestigious New Orleans International Jury Show, where her work has been selected twice. She also takes on commissions, creating bespoke pieces for clients who appreciate her distinct style.
Now, settled back in Shreveport to be closer to her daughter, with two sons and their families in Dallas, Kay Wallace continues her vibrant artistic journey. From an inquisitive child with scissors to a respected painter, her story is a testament to the unexpected paths creativity can take.
Kay’s “Herby-K Inside Out” is currently one of the featured pieces at the juried ARTport show at the Shreveport Regional Airport. This delightful representation of the beloved “hole-in-the-wall Shreveport institution is available in prints. Kay’s website is kaywallaceart. com.
Happy Birthday
to ‘The
To
Bees’
By Teddy Allen
As Querbes Park Golf Course turns 100 years old, she beats stronger than ever as the heart of Broadmoor and in the hearts of thousands who grew both their golf games and their friendships at a place many have known as a second home.
Dependable. Charming. Legendary.
At 100 years old, Querbes Golf Course has been called a lot of names, some affectionate and some, through no fault of her own, unfit to print.
She’s been cussed and coddled, abused and nurtured. She’d been the victim of unintended divots and dragging spikes, the object of affection for players who, at whatever age, suddenly became afflicted with “golf fever,” the cradle for lifelong golfers who’ve won at every level, and the siren song for lifelong golfers who couldn’t break par with an ax and a sledgehammer.
Querbes.
She’s been down; she’s been up. She’s weathered storms, bad etiquette, hail (golf-ballsized, of course), and lighting.
But by and large, she’s kept generations of squirrels — and golfers — happy.
Not every golfer. Such is the nature of the game. It’s a tough game to master, and the ornery golfer can always find plenty to gripe about. (You don’t want to be paired with one of those.)
But the golf disciple understands that the game is about more than scores. Such is the overwhelming majority of satisfied customers drawn back time and again to Querbes, the knowing majority who can’t help but smile at the mention of a Shreveport treasure who’s proved herself over time.
Querbes.
As she turns 100, even her harshest critic would have to say this:
She’s never looked better.
Shoot, at 100, “The Q” is just getting broken in, just
making the turn. Querbes Park Golf Course has never aimed higher, been stronger, or shone brighter. This beloved and trusty tract, the birthplace for hundreds of thousands of stories, just keeps on making golfers, making friends, and making memories.
If you don’t know Querbes, this can be your introduction. There’s a story on page 20 featuring Jimbo West and the Querbes Foundation and a team effort that, along with other visions for the course that began 20 years ago, have rocketed the park into a new and promising reality. (Plate lunch, anyone? Pickle ball? Sundown Scramble?)
Then on the final page, there’s what’s basically a love letter to Our Favorite Public Course.
There is also this: some pictures, some drives, a few putts, a punch-out or two, stories that hopefully sound for Querbes faithful like a
Ned White & Oree Marsalis
Querbes being in the center of Broadmoor, you had a lot of kids there all the time, hunting for golf balls, playing, doing different things, all over or around the course. At the time when I got to The Q (in the early 1970s), it was wide open for kids.”
Weekdays, kids played the front for free in the summer, 8 ’til noon. The grownups started on the back. It worked. Kids and clubs and bikes descended on Querbes from Leo and Carrollton and Arthur Avenues, from Ockley Drive and Slattery Boulevard, all roads leading to the clubhouse (or “pro shop”) at 3500 Beverly Place.
Think about it: Querbes was built to anchor a new neighborhood, Broadmoor, in 1924. Broadmoor and its families and Querbes grew up together. The course is easily accessible for anyone in Shreveport-Bossier, but if you live in Broadmoor, what was true then remains true now: Querbes is your back yard.
The youngest of nine brothers, Ken Shaw grew up in the ’50s and ’60s on East Elmwood, no more than a hard wedge from the clubhouse.
“I wasn’t big enough for football, played a little basketball,” said Shaw, now retired and living at Southern Trace. “I started going to Querbes to play at 9 or 10, and once I did, my whole life was golf. I knew every grain of grass on the greens, everything about the place.”
He worked there, shagging balls, watering greens (riding a scooter and using hoses in the hot, dry pre-sprinklersystem days), delivering 50-pound blocks of ice to tin water coolers before sunrise.
“It was a great, great place for me,” said Shaw, who in time graduated from ballshagger to “big boy golf” involving folding money, and lots of it. (More on that in a minute…)
Querbes has also been a great place for Meredith Duncan, and not just because it was where she learned a game that would earn her all sorts of notoriety and hardware, later on the LPGA Tour but initially as a First Team All-American at LSU and U.S. Curtis Cup member in 2002 and as U.S. Women’s Amateur Champion in 2001.
Querbes was where her
grandfather, Oree Marsalis, played in the course’s first tournament, July of 1925. Those who knew him say he never stopped giving back to the game and to the course.
“If he’d have been a race car driver, I’d have been a race car driver,” Duncan said. “He just happened to be a
golfer. My favorite junior golf tournaments were any that I got to go with my granddad.”
The father of three daughters, all champion amateur golfers, Marsalis started a Querbes family tradition that continues — and has grown.
Hilary Duncan
The Shaw boys
“I can’t remember my first time (at Querbes),” Duncan said. “I just remember being there; I don’t remember ever not knowing about Querbes. I mean, my family has pictures of me hitting in my diapers.
“Even today I’ll be eating there and mom (three-time state am golf champ Debbie) will call and ask me to bring her something Duncan said. “So yeah, it’s hard to imagine my family without Querbes; it’s kind of a big part of our
Though not by his choosing, Freddie Burns, now 72 and caddie for Tom Pernice Jr. on the Champions Tour, was a bit late to the Querbes party. He first stuck a tee in the ground at the Q at age 14, thanks to his boyhood friend Johnson Ramsey, who’d later develop Southern Trace.
me,” said Burns, who advised and carried clubs for Hal Sutton on the PGA Tour for years and was inducted into the Ark-La-Tex Museum of Champions in 2016. “It was one of the first places blacks could play in Shreveport, besides Lakeside.”
That memorable day, Ramsey picked Burns up in his new 1965 Mustang. “I got my little sticks and got in the car,” Burns said. “I lived in the ’hood, and nobody had ever seen a car like that go to my house.”
Two things:
One is that Mooretown, the boyhood neighborhood of Burns, now has a street called Freddie C. Burns, Sr., a part of Long Street dedicated in 2024; and,
Two, that round with Ramsey was the first of many at Querbes for “Freddie Charles.”
He was in the middle of a heyday of sorts, when a cast
Saturday Game Querbes 1975
Oree, Hal, Debbie, Querbes Park 1983
Rob Atkins
Monday “games” at The Q.
Maxie Waites. Steve Fields. Bob Getters. Jim Belton. John Bolt. Charlie Higgs. Robert “Blew” Blewett. Hobbs Shaw and little brother Ken. Bobby Moore. Matthew Martin. Al Montana. The Netherton brothers, Mickey and Pat. Al LeGrand. Randy Simmons. Just to name a few.
Barbara Faye Boddie was in that group. The daughter of former local pro Ned White and then wife of Querbes pro Ted Boddie, Barbara Fay was not only undefeated in Curtis Cup play and, at that time, a future Louisiana Sports Hall of Famer (Class of 2008), she was by far the best scorekeeper in those weekend games, no small feat when you consider there might be 50 bets going at a time.
The Monday game was the most intriguing. On Mondays all the other courses in town, the country clubs, were closed, so the pros came to the mothership.
They came to Querbes. They flocked to Querbes.
Before he was the publisher
of SB Magazine, Byron May was a champion amateur golfer and, before that, a teen who grew up on and later worked at Querbes. Called “Robot” and “Long Hair” by Burns because of his consistency and mane to his shoulders, May remembers the Monday game being a bit stronger than the weekend game, but only in the caliber of talent.
Otherwise, the competition was just as fierce and the bets — dollar front, two on the
back, dollar for 18 — were the same.
“And you’d always have group bets,” May said. “So, me and Freddie are playing these guys and me, and Matthew are playing these other guys and … you might have 20 of those (side bets). What I remember most was the quality of golf was staggering … and sometimes the quantity of bets was staggering too. It was a lot to deal with for a 18-year-old kid.”
“It was just a thrill to be out there in that competition,” Burns said. “I couldn’t wait to do it. You’d wake up and … ‘Now I’m going to play.’ Bets were EVERYwhere.”
“HUGE game,” Ken Shaw said. “Same players all the time. So many bets going, I never knew if I was winning or if I was losing.”
For that era, golf was just the half of it. There was The
Former Shreveport Mayors at Kickoff celebration
Past City Champs
Cub afterward. Maybe the Sandpiper Lounge or the Quality Inn in Bossier. Card games. Pool. For a little while, a whole little world around a big little game.
“The Q,” May said, “was the nucleus.”
And so, it still is.
Those games ended. People go to college, retire, go to work, move, quit the game, get hurt, get lazy. But other games go on. Like water filling a vacuum. New faces. New bets. New swings. New ideas. New traditions.
The nucleus remains The Q.
On a particular recent weekday, Nathan Barrow, the current director of golf for Querbes, is hosting Ladies Day, preparing for the Thursday night scramble, doing a TV interview, leading
a clinic, and squeezing in four private lessons.
“We’ve created a monster out here,” he said, “and we’re loving it.”
This year, Querbes expects to welcome 50,000 rounds of golf. Ten years ago, it was half that. Plus, that Monday
Jim Belton, Former Head Pro Querbes
Jim Belton Rt. Former Head Pro Querbes with Hal Sutton
Ted Boddy, Former Head Pro
Hal Wright Former City Champ
Freddie Charles Burns
game from 40 years ago? It’s more or less back. Sign up at the clubhouse, establish a handicap, and come getcha some.
“This is the biggest resurgence in golf we’ve seen in a long, long time,” Barrow said.
At its heart is the 100-yearold gem tucked in between Kings Highway and Youree Drive. Visionary partnerships have given her a facelift, whipped her into what might well be her prime. Good deal, because a healthy Querbes means better property values, a giant playground for children, a giant playground for grownups, a place to enjoy being outdoors. What we’re witnessing is the makeover of a jewel that’s been serving citizens for a century.
Querbes.
A few first dates happened here. A few last dates. She’s probably responsible for a few divorces but probably responsible for keeping a few marriages together, too.
She’s witnessed clubs thrown into Gilbert Drive and into trees, windmilled off innocent fairways and into adjacent properties.
She’s seen people learn the game and people swear off the game. She’s seen carts run
into fences and get stuck in ditches.
She’s seen spilled beers and spilled bourbon and spilled tears.
She’s heard laughter and more laughter and has maintained a depth at both squirrel and charm, even at her lowest point when the fairways were dry as desert and the color of oatmeal.
There’s always been plenty to love about The Q. Now there’s even more.
Just a public course? Please. Please hush. Querbes has the respect of the tens of thousands who learned to love golf here, who learned how to be a friend, who learned how alive it feels to be hugged by invisible arms, by a place you are “part of.”
Familiarity breeds contempt? Not always. Not at “The Bees.”
At Querbes, familiarity breeds comfort. It breeds gratitude. Tranquility.
That’s one of the many priceless things The Bees offers. A feeling of acceptance. Of belonging. A peace. A second home.
Bill Slack, Former Head Pro Querbes
Pam Kimbrough (Marsalis)
Debbie Duncan (Marsalis)
Hilary Duncan
Sam love
Gus Marcotte
Gordon rountree
James “Jimbo” West runs the Querbes Park Foundation, which just turned 9 years old in May of this year. Querbes Park holds a lot of fond memories for West. He grew up playing golf out
James “Jimbo” West 10 years as Head of the Querbes Park Foundation
BY CASEY ALLEN
there as a teenager, his brother was the first night manager of the tennis center and his mother, who played and practiced a lot at Querbes, was a tennis champion at across-town Pierremont Oaks Tennis Club.
When Jimbo West moved back to Shreveport after living and working in Fort Myers, Florida for 20 years, he was sad to see his childhood course in bad shape. Even the squirrels, a population so ingrained in the living landscape that one is pictured in
the park’s logo, seemed sad. “I was shocked at the condition it was in overall,” West said. “The course was growing on top of itself. There were so many fallen trees. It was spiraling.”
“The first thing we did as a Foundation was clean up the park,” he said. “We spent a quarter of a million dollars just cleaning up, and that is what sparked the renovation of the park.” The Querbes Park Foundation is a non-profit, or “grass roots thing,” as Jimbo puts it. “We operate by donations,” West said. “Most of it comes from an annual fundraising letter. There are some other larger donors that give every year, along with neighbors of the park, too.”
The impact the Foundation has had on the community is practically incalculable — but
there are a few measuring sticks. The total rounds of golf to be played is expected to go from 22,000 to 50,000 this year. And the community around Querbes is grateful. “There are a lot of people in the neighborhoods around there, like Broadmoor and South Highlands, that want to see Querbes Park succeed,” West said. The Querbes Park Foundation is committed to improving the entire park, not just the golf course. “We committed a quarter of a million dollars to the tennis center,” West said. “The tennis courts were condemned for tournament play because they were too dangerous for players. The USTA couldn’t hold any sanctioned tournaments there.” “The city can’t bid what they can’t pay for,” he said. “We all knew they were short of the money to get it all done at one time. We, as a Foundation, wanted to see it all get done at one time. We asked them to alternate bid it. They were half a million short. Through the local tennis community and grants from the USTA, we were able to raise that quarter million.”
In 2022, The Querbes Tennis Center was among the winners of the USTA’s Outstanding Facility Award, recognizing excellence in construction and/or renovation of tennis facilities across
America. The criteria included overall layout and adaptation, court surface and lights, maintenance, accommodations for players and spectators, and landscaping and amenities.
Jimbo West and the Querbes Park Foundation have put a lot of time and energy into making Shreveport-Bossier shine a little brighter. They still have some more plans in place to make things even better.
West serves on the mayor’s bond committee and says they have $300,000 marked for more Querbes renovations. “They’re looking at adding a building to the
clubhouse,” he said. “Something for events. Also, we’re looking at the pool and the recreation center. The recreation center is a steel-frame building; I’d like to see it redone. We’re not there yet, but the plans are in place.”
Jimbo is retired now from his work running the real estate department for Chico’s FAS Inc. He still plays a lot of golf at Querbes. You might see him out there if you’re included in one of the 50,000 rounds being played this year. Anybody who has played Querbes lately is grateful for Jimbo and the Querbes Park Foundation. I know the squirrels are.
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.
A Day Overflowing with Love
ANSLEY & REECE’S WEDDING | MAY 17, 2025
An Unforgettable Union
On May 17, 2025, First Baptist Church served as the picturesque setting for the wedding of Ansley Tipton and Reece Ware. The wedding was defined by elegance, creativity, and impeccable attention to detail. The couple’s vision came to life through a sophisticated and cohesive design centered around a bespoke pattern that appeared as a recurring motif throughout the celebration. From the moment guests received their invitations, they were introduced to this custom design, which was first seen delicately lining the envelope. On the day of the event, the pattern reappeared, seamlessly woven into every detail, evoking both timeless beauty and modern flair.
The reception was held at East Ridge Country Club. Here, custom linens adorned the dining tables, mirroring the signature design in subtle hues and rich textures. The cake table linen echoed the same artistry, providing a luxurious stage for the elegant confection it displayed with pearl centered sugar flowers crafted to match the floral lace on the bride’s custom wedding dress. The band’s backdrop continued the motif, tying the entire visual experience together.
From the lavish floral displays to the mirror dancer and crafted DJ set every element was curated to complement the bespoke aesthetic, making the celebration feel uniquely personal yet effortlessly grand. The result was a wedding that was not only visually stunning but deeply reflective of the couple’s refined taste and fun-natured spirit.
The evening unfolded with warmth, music, and joy — a beautifully choreographed beginning to a lifelong union.
First dance surrounded by a shower of confetti on a custom wrapped dance floor that mimicked the invitation design
Personalized
Surrounded
The wedding story began with engraved invitations inspired by Aynsley Cottage Garden china, a lifelong collection of the bride
by love, laughter, and Ansley’s dearest friends
The mirror dancer lit up the dance floor while the DJ beats and light up props had everyone on their feet
A sweet twist on tradition, a Reese’s inspired cake for the Groom, Reece
Ansley’s couture wedding dress was designed by Patti Flowers
Custom-made lilac linens lined the dance floor, mirroring the cake table’s elegance
chopsticks for a stylish sushi moment, a little detail with a lot of flavor
A blooming welcome at East Ridge Country Club complete with custom duo-gram and an elegant hanging chandelier
Vendor Listing
Planning & Design | Jackson Southard Events
Floral & Design | Colony House of Flowers
Photography | John Cain Photography
Videography | Brittany Nasser Photo and Film
Stationery | Please and Thank You Paper Co.
Production | Party Central
Venue & Catering | East Ridge Country Club
Linens | Reverie Social
Custom Linens | La Tavola
Cakes | Social Bites Confections
Ice Sculpture | Red River Ice
Band | Crescent City Soul
Mirror Dancer | Kelly Connolly
DJ | Emilee Ryba
Fireworks | Pyromania Fireworks
Live Painting | Hannah Paints Events
Photo Booth | Bash Booth
Content Creator | Creative Reflection
Dance Floor | Sistematik Graphics
Bride’s Dress | Patti Flowers
Mother of Bride Dress | The Bridal Path
HMU | Meka Bennett, Hayley Cotton Artistry, Kimmie Cutting Hair, Traci Golden Wojciechowski
Custom Jeweler | Sid Potts
Ceremony Venue | First Baptist Church - Shreveport
Ceremony Music | All Strings for Granted
Transportation | Shreveport Limousine
Pearl-touched sugar flowers atop lilac linen, perfectly echoing the custom pattern woven throughout the day
Ansley & Reece with the bride’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. Alan Ray Tipton, junior, brother Neal Tipton and sister Corinne Tipton
A dazzling ribbon wand and bubble exit, led by a lively jazz second line, finished with sparkling fountains lighting up the night
The newlyweds entering their beautiful reception to celebrate with family and friends
Being part of our clients’ lives is such a privilege. Thank you Ansley & Reece for allowing us to be part of your story.
If you are looking for the perfect ring to start your next chapter, schedule an appointment with our experienced team today.
Congratulations ANSLEY & REECE
Schedule Your Appointment
Redefining Luxury with GRACE, GRIT AND GRANDEUR
By Adam Bailey
In one Shreveport’s most coveted gated enclaves, a masterpiece of contemporary design rises from the Louisiana landscape, redefining what it means to live well in the modern South. There’s something undeniably magnetic about a home that commands attention without demanding it. Tucked at the end of a quiet culde-sac in St. Andrew’s Place, this striking estate exudes a kind of quiet confidence—the kind that distinguishes the truly exceptional from the merely impressive. At 6,280 square feet, this five-bedroom, sixbathroom residence isn't just another luxury home. It’s a vision fully realized—where elevated design, impeccable craftsmanship, and thoughtful functionality intersect.
Completed in 2024, the home is a definitive statement on what contemporary Southern living can be: grounded in tradition, yet wholly modern in its expression. Set on just over an acre of manicured land, the property blends seamlessly with the refined atmosphere of its gated surroundings. In St. Andrew’s Place— where architectural excellence is expected—this residence still manages to stand apart.
A VISION REALIZED IN STONE AND STEEL
The architectural language is transitional, bridging classical Southern charm with clean-lined modernity. Ten-foot ceilings anchor the interior experience, lending each space a sense of airy grandeur. But this is no museum—this is a home where modern luxury is integrated into everyday life.
The design boasts timeless elegance. From the classical symmetry of Greek Revival to the warmth and hospitality
of Lowcountry vernacular homes, the final product is an elevated blend of influences rendered in a modern format.
Large steel-framed windows are a signature feature, inviting natural light to flood interior spaces while echoing the industrial-chic notes of modern design. Exterior materials include locally sourced stone and painted brick, selected for both durability and aesthetic integrity. Architectural overhangs and subtle roof pitches pay homage to historic Southern estates, while embracing clean geometry and minimalism.
Inside, the home unfolds with a thoughtful floor plan anchored by a strong axial layout. This nod to classical design principles ensures balance, proportion, and flow—all hallmarks of sophisticated architecture. There’s a rhythm to how the spaces transition, from public to private, from social to serene.
The interior color palette draws from nature: soft alabasters, muted taupes, pale grays, and warm oak tones. The result is a calming environment that feels curated but never contrived. Every finish—from hardware to millwork—was selected for its ability to age gracefully and maintain relevance for decades.
Rather than showcase design for design’s sake, the home tells a cohesive story— one of comfort, elegance, and livability. Dual offices reflect the new work-fromhome realities. Separate laundry rooms upstairs and down remove domestic inefficiencies. The build, a collaboration between forward-thinking designers and master craftsmen, emphasizes form and function in equal measure.
Outside, the home’s façade exudes approachable grandeur. Materials and proportions strike the right chord between traditional Southern vernacular and sleek modern refinement. The landscaping—lush yet restrained— creates natural transitions from
public to private, evoking the feeling of an estate that’s been rooted here for generations.
The Kitchen: Function Meets Art
The kitchen is the pulse of this home—a high-performance space wrapped in sophistication. Designed with the understanding that the kitchen has become the new living room, this one delivers on every level. Whether it’s casual family breakfasts or cocktail parties that stretch into the night, the kitchen facilitates connection and conversation without sacrificing performance.
Dual dishwashers may seem like a small luxury, but anyone who entertains often knows this is a game changer. A builtin espresso machine elevates morning routines into rituals. And the direct pantry access from the garage turns grocery runs into efficient moments of grace.
The layout allows for a fluid transition between food prep, casual dining, and living spaces. Premium appliances, sleek finishes, and generous counter space all serve a design ethos that prioritizes usability without compromising aesthetics. This kitchen isn’t just beautiful—it works. Cabinetry was custom-designed, with inset panels, soft-close mechanisms, and hardware finished in antique brass. Quartzite countertops, chosen for their durability and luminous finish, anchor the palette. The lighting—a mix of recessed cans and sculptural pendants— strikes a balance between task function and atmospheric glow.
THE PRIMARY SUITE: A STUDY IN RESTORATIVE LUXURY
While the kitchen is the social heart of the home, the primary suite is its soul. More than just a bedroom, it’s a complete sanctuary—a space designed for restoration and calm. Tall ceilings
lend the room vertical drama, while warm lighting and smart home controls provide the comfort of effortless customization.
The ensuite bathroom is pure indulgence, with spa-like finishes and zones designed for both function and luxury. It’s less a bathroom and more a wellness retreat—crafted to slow time and soothe the senses.
The closet, too, deserves applause. Custom built, it rivals high-end boutiques with its thoughtful organization, integrated lighting, and intuitive layout. It’s a space where mornings begin on the right foot and style finds its rhythm. The overall effect is one of tranquility—the kind of space that restores, revives, and reflects its owners’ lifestyle.
WHERE LEISURE LIVES: GAME ROOM & MEDIA LOUNGE
Understanding that luxury today includes purposeful play, the home includes both a dedicated game room and a separate media lounge. Each space is tailored to its function—not a one-size-fits-all rec room, but thoughtfully designed environments for both high-energy fun and low-key relaxation.
The game room is sophisticated and inviting, ideal for hosting spirited matches or quiet evenings with friends. It’s a grown-up version of a playroom—complete with durable surfaces and ambiance worthy of cocktail hour.
Meanwhile, the television lounge offers a more intimate experience, with acoustics, lighting, and plush seating all carefully considered. This isn’t just a room with a screen—it’s a destination for family movie nights, binge-worthy weekends, and everything in between.
Together, these leisure spaces offer something deeper: the ability to entertain, unwind, and reconnect, without ever leaving home. Whether it’s poker night with friends or a quiet film with family, these rooms provide dedicated settings for the full spectrum of downtime.
The Garage, Reimagined
If you think a garage is just a place to park, think again. This seven-car garage—including two climate-controlled bays—treats automobiles with the reverence they deserve. For collectors, daily drivers, or anything in between, this is a space built to honor the machine.
Storage and organization are elevated to an art form here, with enough room for tools, gear, and maybe even a project or two. And above the detached garage, a blank canvas awaits—a readyto-finish space that could become a guest suite,
studio, or private office. It’s flexibility with foresight. Whether housing classic cars or safeguarding modern marvels, the garage is an extension of the home’s dedication to both style and practicality. Like every other space, it’s built to enhance lifestyle.
DESIGNED FOR WELLNESS, BUILT FOR PEACE OF MIND
In a home this refined, health and security aren’t afterthoughts—they’re essential components of luxury. The dedicated home gym brings fitness in-house with professional-grade equipment in a private, motivating environment. No traffic, no excuses—just results. A discreetly located safe room offers peace of mind in uncertain times, while a whole-home dehumidification system ensures comfort year-round in Louisiana’s famously humid climate. These aren’t flashy upgrades; they’re intelligent investments in quality of life. The home also incorporates smart-
home technology throughout, allowing the control of lighting, climate, window treatments, and security with a simple touch or voice command. It’s convenience, privacy, and personalization, seamlessly woven into daily routines.
THE POWER OF PLACE
St. Andrew’s Place is more than a neighborhood—it’s a statement. Private, secure, and impeccably maintained, it offers proximity to Shreveport’s cultural and commercial amenities without sacrificing the serenity of seclusion. The community’s emphasis on architectural integrity means that every home contributes to the whole. For the homeowner, that means rising property values—and more importantly, a sense of belonging among like-minded neighbors who appreciate excellence in design and lifestyle. Trees, manicured lots, and a strong HOA presence ensure that every home’s beauty is supported by its surroundings. The result? A neighborhood that enhances the prestige
of every address within it.
A SOUTHERN BLUEPRINT FOR WHAT’S NEXT
This estate is not just a beautiful home— it’s a case study in modern Southern living. It celebrates the richness of tradition while boldly embracing innovation. It’s smart, stylish, and wholly livable. And above all, it’s personal. Here, luxury isn’t about opulence for its own sake. It’s about creating spaces that enrich the everyday—from the quiet pleasure of a morning espresso to the joy of hosting a celebration with friends. It’s about honoring the past, seizing the present, and preparing for whatever the future brings.
In a city steeped in history, this home represents a compelling future—one in which sophistication, comfort, and intentionality aren’t just compatible; they’re essential. Shreveport’s design narrative is evolving, and this home is
leading the conversation.
It’s a residence where elegance and ease coexist, where tradition meets technology, and where Southern hospitality finds its modern voice. In the quiet majesty of St. Andrew’s Place, a new standard of living has been set—not just for Shreveport, but for the South at large.
For more information on this home, contact April Moore of the Mike Moore Team, 318505-9403. Photography by Jessie Griffin, Griffin Photography, 318-469-5096.
BUYING
BUILDING THE SBC
Hoogland’s Landscape
Keeping it in the Family
BY CASEY ALLEN
Hoogland’s is a name that has been a part of the Shreveport/ Bossier City landscape for decades. If you’ve ever driven a car around Northwest Louisiana, you’ve seen a Hoogland’s truck parked in front of a business or someone’s pretty yard. It's a legacy that dates all the way back to 1950, with Jasper Griffith and Griffith Nursery.
After working for his father-in-law at Griffith Nursery in Shreveport for a few years, Fred Hoogland, a Louisiana Tech graduate with a degree in horticulture, moved back home and bought out the only nursery in Ruston. In 1962, Hoogland’s Nursery and Garden Center was in action.
It’s been in bloom ever since.
When Fred’s son, Mike (Jasper’s grandson), was about to graduate, (also with a horticulture degree), Fred had already been thinking about expanding to the bustling Bossier City area. In 1983, the new North Bossier store was launched.
Through the 1990s and 2000s, Mike Hoogland, with his vision, skills, and overall creativity in landscape design — as well as his infectious personality and, fittingly, his heart as big as all outdoors — really grew Hoogland’s to what it is today: the largest landscaping company in North Louisiana — 100-plus employees and growing.
Mike's oldest son, John, is continuing the legacy in 2025.
John Hoogland is the President and Lead Designer at Hoogland’s Landscape. He and his wife, Carlyle, Director of Marketing, Brand and Business Development at Hoogland’s, have a baby boy named Marshall, who will be 2 years old in August.
“He’s interested in tools,” John says. “Hopefully, he’ll be the fifth generation. He loves hearing the yardwork outside; he’s already making weed eater noises with his mouth when he hears one out there.”
The Hoogland’s Landscape Facebook and Instagram pages are filled with pictures and videos of beautiful
work they’re doing around North Louisiana. They recently posted a video of their seasonal refresh of Margaritaville in Bossier City, originally installed when it was being built back in 2013.
Some other recent large-scale projects of theirs include the Amazon Fulfillment Center and the LSU Health Shreveport Center for Medical Education, which included the largest drainage job Hoogland’s has ever handled.
They help landscape the grounds at Chimp Haven in Keithville and even did the arboretum inside the Shreveport Aquarium when it was built in 2017. Looking ahead, Hoogland’s has some even bigger projects on the horizon.
“We pretty much do everything,” John says. Hoogland’s offers full lawn services and full lawn care, as well as lawn health services for treating fungus and insects. If you spot signs of critters or fungi, call Hoogland’s; they’ll provide treatment and spray as needed, just another one of their many services.
Hoogland’s is also the only company in Louisiana using Scythe Robotics’ AI-Powered mowers. They still use traditional mowers, but they like being able to offer more sustainable, high-performing options for their clients.
Hoogland’s offers pretty much every service you could think of when it comes to making your home or business pop. They do full landscape design, installation, and maintenance. Hoogland’s also does hardscaping for patios, walkways, chimneys,
and retaining walls. They offer carpentry for pergolas, gazebos, and arbors. They do artificial turf and even putting green installations. They’ve even done some fun custom work before, such as luxury treehouses and horse barns.
They offer wedding installations, as well. It’s that time of year, too. So, if you’re planning on tying the knot, let Hoogland’s design something special for you.
There is a great video on their Facebook page encompassing a whole lot of Hoogland’s craft and creativity, featuring one of a client’s homes in Shreveport’s Long Lake subdivision.
A relatively new service they are offering, too is holiday lighting. Their team is trained and certified in holiday lighting through Bright Lights Academy. From Christmas lights to
Halloween and Mardi Gras lighting, Hoogland’s has got you covered.
“My favorite thing is creating social spaces for families,” John says. “Something to draw people to the outdoors and enjoy it. I mean, a water feature that draws you out to enjoy the tranquility...you can’t beat it. Or watching football with a fireplace and getting people together.”
Whenever John, Carlyle and Marshall get some down time, they like to enjoy it together.
“We like to go to the lake as a family, and we really like doing anything outside in nature,” John says.
From Jasper to John. From Mike to Marshall. Hoogland’s keeps it in the family.
Homeowners often embark on home improvement Homeowners often embark on home improvement and renovation projects to enhance their living spaces, increase property value, or simply address evolving needs. These undertakings, ranging from minor cosmetic updates to major structural overhauls, offer an exciting opportunity to personalize a home and transform it into a dream environment. Whether you're considering a complete kitchen remodel, a bathroom refresh, or adding a new extension, careful planning, informed decisionmaking, and a clear vision are essential for a successful and rewarding home transformation. Whether you are planning to remodel one room at a time or you’re going to go all-in and renovate your entire home, you’d be wise to follow an established “order of renovations.”
Transforming Your Space
On the following pages, you’ll find suggestions that will enhance your remodeling/ renovation experience. Planning & Design
The initial phase is crucial. This is where you define your vision, set a budget, and determine the scope of the project.
• Define your goals: What do you want to achieve with this renovation? More space? A modern look? Improved functionality?
• Set a budget: Be realistic about how much you can spend, and factor in a contingency for unexpected costs (10-20% is recommended).
• Design and layout: Consider how you use the space and
how you can optimize it. Think about workflow, storage, and aesthetics. For kitchen renovations, the "kitchen triangle" (the relationship between the sink, refrigerator, and stove) is a classic concept for efficient design.
• Hire professionals: Consider whether you need a general contractor (GC), an architect, or a designer. A GC manages the entire project, while an architect focuses on the structural and design aspects. You can also act as your own GC, hiring subcontractors directly, but this requires significant time and management skills.
• Permits: Obtain all necessary building permits before starting any work.
Your contractor can usually assist with this.
EXTERIOR
Choosing the home's exterior finishes is paramount, as it's the first impression your property makes and serves as its primary protective shield. This decision impacts everything from curb appeal and architectural integrity to longterm maintenance, energy efficiency, and ultimately, resale value. It's a complex interplay of aesthetics,
practicality, and environmental factors.
1. Defining Curb Appeal and First Impression:
• Visual Identity: The exterior finishes are the "face" of your home. They immediately communicate its
style, personality, and overall quality. This visual identity is crucial for curb appeal, which is how attractive your home is from the street.
• Setting the Tone: Whether you aim for a grand, traditional look, a sleek modern aesthetic, a charming rustic feel, or something
eclectic, your exterior materials are the primary means of achieving that vision. They set the tone for what guests can expect inside.
Influencing Resale Value:
• Market Appeal: A wellmaintained and aesthetically pleasing exterior significantly boosts your home's
marketability and resale value. Buyers often make quick judgments based on curb appeal, and quality exterior finishes signal a wellcared-for property.
• Perceived Quality: Durable and attractive materials suggest a higher quality build and lower future maintenance concerns for
potential buyers, making your home more attractive in the competitive real estate market.
FLOORING
Choosing the right flooring is a foundational decision in any interior design project, carrying immense importance for both aesthetic appeal and practical functionality. It's not merely a surface to walk on; it's a critical element that dictates the entire feel, flow, and longevity of a space.
Here's an elaboration on the importance of choosing flooring:
1. Setting the Foundation and Defining the Overall Aesthetic:
• The "Fifth Wall": Think of the floor as the "fifth wall" in a room. Its color, texture, and pattern are incredibly impactful, often forming the largest single surface area in a space. It lays the groundwork upon which all other design elements – furniture, wall colors, decor – are built.
• Establishing Style and Tone: The type of flooring immediately communicates the style of a room.
• Warm Hardwoods: Evoke classic, traditional, cozy, or rustic feelings.
• Sleek Tiles or Polished Concrete: Suggest modern, minimalist, or industrial vibes.
• Plush Carpets: Create a sense of comfort, luxury, and warmth, often preferred in bedrooms or living areas.
• Cohesion and Harmony: Consistent or complementary flooring choices throughout an open-concept space create a sense of unity and visual flw, making the area feel larger and more cohesive. Mismatched or clashing flooring can break up a space, making it feel disjointed and smaller.
2. Influencing Mood and Ambiance:
• Light Reflection: Lighter flooring colors (e.g., pale wood, white tiles) reflect more light, making a room feel brighter, more open, and spacious. This is especially beneficial in smaller rooms or those with limited natural light.
• Creating Warmth or Coolness: Darker flooring colors absorb light and can make a room feel more intimate, cozy, and sophisticated. The undertones of the flooring material (warm reds/yellows, cool blues/grays) also contribute significantly to the room's temperature and mood.
• Acoustic Impact: Different flooring materials have varying acoustic properties. Carpet absorbs sound, making rooms quieter and more conducive to relaxation or concentration (e.g., bedrooms, home offices). Hard surfaces like wood, tile, or concrete can amplify sound, creating a livelier but potentially echoey environment, which might be desirable in social spaces like a kitchen or entryway.
3. Addressing Functionality and Practicality:
• Durability and Wear
Resistance: Different rooms experience different levels of traffic and potential for wear.
• High-traffic areas
(entryways, hallways, kitchens): Require highly durable, scratch-resistant, and easy-to-clean materials like porcelain tile, luxury vinyl plank (LVP), or engineered hardwood.
• Low-traffic areas
(bedrooms, formal dining rooms): Can accommodate softer, less durable options like carpet or solid hardwood.
• Water and Moisture
Resistance: Bathrooms, kitchens, and laundry rooms require flooring that can withstand spills, humidity, and moisture. Ceramic or porcelain tile, LVP, and sheet vinyl are excellent choices for these areas, while traditional hardwood is generally not recommended unless specifically treated or engineered for moisture resistance.
• Maintenance Requirements: Consider how much time and effort you're willing to put into cleaning and maintenance. Some materials (e.g., polished concrete, large format tiles) are low maintenance, while others (e.g., natural stone, certain hardwoods) may require more specialized cleaning and sealing.
• Comfort Underfoot: The feel of the floor significantly impacts daily living. Carpet provides softness and warmth, while hard surfaces can be less forgiving but may be preferred for their
coolness or ease of cleaning.
• Slip Resistance: Especially in areas prone to moisture (bathrooms, kitchens), choosing flooring with adequate slip resistance is crucial for safety. Textured tiles or specific finishes can offer better grip.
• Pet and Child Friendliness: Homes with pets or young children might prioritize scratch-resistant, stainresistant, and easily cleanable flooring options.
CABINETS AND APPLIANCES
The selection of cabinets is arguably one of the most impactful decisions in any interior design project, particularly in kitchens
and bathrooms. This isn't just about storage; cabinets occupy a vast amount of visual real estate and fundamentally dictate the aesthetic, functionality, and overall "feel" of a space. The importance of selecting cabinets that fit the rest of your decor cannot be overstated for several key reasons:
1. Establishing the Core Aesthetic and Style:
• The Foundation of Design: Cabinets are often the largest and most visible element in a kitchen or bathroom. Their style, color, finish, and hardware immediately set the tone for the entire room. Whether you're aiming for a sleek modern, rustic farmhouse, classic traditional, industrial chic, or transitional look, the cabinets will be the primary driver of that aesthetic.
• Cohesion and Harmony: When cabinets complement other design elements like flooring, countertops, backsplash, paint colors, and appliances, they create a cohesive and harmonious environment. A mismatch in styles can lead to a disjointed and visually uncomfortable space, even if individual elements are attractive on their own.
• Visual Dominance: Because they take up so much vertical and horizontal space, cabinets essentially become the "walls" of the working area. Their appearance significantly influences how spacious, bright, warm, or cool a room feels.
2. Influencing Mood and Ambiance:
• Color Psychology: The color of your cabinets profoundly affects the mood of the room.
• White and Light Colors: Promote feelings of cleanliness, openness, and spaciousness, making smaller rooms appear larger and brighter.
• Dark Colors (e.g., navy, charcoal, black): Create a sense of drama, sophistication, and luxury. They can make a large room feel more intimate.
• Warm Wood Tones (e.g., oak, cherry): Evoke feelings of warmth, comfort, and natural beauty, often associated with traditional or rustic styles.
• Cool Colors (e.g., blues, greens): Can bring a sense of calm, tranquility, and freshness, popular in coastal or serene designs.
3. Dictating Functionality and Flow:
• Ergonomics and Workflow: While primarily aesthetic, the style of a cabinet can indirectly influence functionality. For instance, handleless flat-panel cabinets often contribute to a streamlined, modern look that also facilitates easy cleaning and movement in a high-traffic kitchen. Traditional cabinets with prominent hardware might offer a different tactile experience.
• Storage Solutions: The choice of cabinet style often goes together with internal storage solutions. While custom cabinets offer the most flexibility, many stock and semi-custom lines offer various configurations (e.g., deep drawers for pots, pullout pantry shelves, spice racks) that should align with your storage needs and how you use the space. The exterior style should complement these functional choices.
• Openness vs. Enclosure: Glass-front cabinets, for example, create an airy feel
and allow for display, which fits well with a more open and curated decor. Soliddoor cabinets offer more hidden storage, ideal for a decluttered, minimalist aesthetic.
How Adding a Pool Can Add to Your Home's Resale Value
The decision to add a swimming pool to your home is a significant investment that can profoundly impact both its financial valuation and your personal lifestyle. While the immediate allure is often about leisure and enjoyment, a well-planned and maintained pool can also contribute positively to your home's resale value.
The impact of a pool on resale value is nuanced and highly dependent on several factors:
1.Location and Climate:
• High-Value in Warm Climates: In regions with consistently warm or hot weather and long swimming seasons (like the Sun Belt states, including Louisiana where you are), a pool is often considered a desirable amenity rather than a luxury. In these markets, a pool can significantly enhance appeal and, consequently, resale value, sometimes even becoming a "must-have" for many buyers.
• Less Impact in Colder Climates: In areas with short swimming seasons, a pool might be seen as a highmaintenance liability rather than an asset, potentially even deterring some buyers or offering a minimal return on investment.
2. Quality, Design, and Condition of the Pool:
• Well-Integrated Design:
A pool that is aesthetically pleasing, well-designed, and seamlessly integrated into the overall landscape and home architecture will add more value than a poorly designed or awkwardly placed one. Features like attractive decking, landscaping, and a cohesive outdoor living space significantly enhance its appeal.
• Good Condition: A clean, well-maintained pool with up-to-date equipment and no visible issues (cracks, fading liner, broken tiles) is an asset. A neglected or outdated pool can be a liability, as potential buyers will factor in the cost of repairs or renovation.
• Modern Features: Features like saltwater systems, energy-efficient pumps, automation, heating
capabilities, and attractive lighting can increase desirability and value.
3. Overall Home Value:
• Proportional Investment: A pool should be a proportional investment to the home's overall value. Adding a lavish, expensive pool to a modest home might lead to "over-improving" for the neighborhood, making it difficult to recoup the cost. The ideal scenario is a home where the pool complements and elevates an already appealing property.
Finishing Touches
The culmination of a construction or renovation project is truly where the myriad of meticulous planning and painstaking labor converge into a polished, habitable space. This pivotal stage, often referred to as the finishing or detailing phase, is dedicated to refining every element to achieve both aesthetic perfection and functional excellence.
1. Interior Wall Finishes:
• Painting: Interior walls receive their final coats of paint, meticulously applied to achieve an even, consistent, and aesthetically pleasing finish. This often involves multiple layers, including primer, and sometimes specialized techniques like accent walls or textured finishes, depending on the design specifications.
• Wallpapering/Wall Coverings: If specified, wallpaper or other decorative wall coverings are expertly
installed, ensuring seamless patterns and durable adhesion. This step adds texture, color, and a unique design element to the space.
2. Trim and Millwork Installation:
• Baseboards: These protective and decorative elements are installed along the bottom of interior walls, providing a clean transition to the flooring and safeguarding the wall from damage.
• Door Casings: Trim is meticulously fitted around door frames, enhancing their appearance and providing a finished edge.
• Window Casings: Like door casings, window trim is installed to frame windows, improving their aesthetic
appeal and creating a cohesive look.
• Crown Molding: Where desired, crown molding is installed at the junction of walls and ceilings, adding an elegant and architectural detail that elevates the perceived value and finish of the space.
• Other Trim Elements:
This can include chair rails, wainscoting, picture rails, or any other decorative wood or composite elements that contribute to the interior design. Each piece is precisely cut, fitted, and secured, often requiring sanding and painting or staining to match the overall scheme.
• Cabinetry and Built-ins: Custom or prefabricated
cabinetry for kitchens, bathrooms, and other areas are installed, along with built-in shelving, desks, or other integrated furniture elements. This step involves precise leveling, secure fastening, and often includes the installation of countertops.
3. Fixture and Hardware
Installation:
• Lighting Fixtures: All interior light fixtures, from recessed lighting and chandeliers to sconces and under-cabinet lights, are meticulously installed, wired, and tested to ensure proper functionality and illumination.
• Faucets and Plumbing Fixtures: Sinks, toilets, showers, bathtubs, and
all associated faucets and plumbing hardware are installed and connected, with thorough testing for leaks and proper water flow. This often includes final connections to the rough-in plumbing completed in earlier phases.
• Door Hardware: Door handles, hinges, locks, and any other door-related hardware are installed, ensuring smooth operation and security.
• Cabinet Hardware: Knobs, pulls, and other hardware are installed on cabinetry, adding a finishing touch and enhancing usability.
4. Electrical Device Finishing:
• Outlet and Switch Covers: Once all wiring and devices are tested, decorative cover plates are installed on all electrical outlets and light switches, providing a clean and finished appearance.
• Damaged Outlet and Switch Repair/Replacement: Any electrical outlets or switches that were damaged during previous construction phases or discovered to be faulty are promptly repaired or replaced to ensure safety and functionality. This also includes verifying that all outlets are properly grounded, and circuit breakers are correctly labeled.
5. Final Quality Control and Punch List:
• The punch list is the crucial penultimate step, serving as a comprehensive document detailing all remaining minor issues, imperfections, or incomplete tasks that require rectification before the project's official handover. This list is typically generated through a thorough walkthrough conducted by the client, architect, and general contractor.
• Common punch list items often include paint touchups, minor drywall repairs, adjusting misaligned doors or cabinets, addressing small scratches or scuffs on surfaces, verifying all systems (HVAC, plumbing, electrical) are fully operational and performing as expected, and ensuring all areas are thoroughly cleaned of construction debris.
• Each item on the punch list is meticulously documented, often with specific locations, photographs, and assigned responsibilities, along with target completion dates. This systematic approach ensures that all identified deficiencies are addressed, guaranteeing the highest level of quality and client satisfaction. Only after all punch list items are satisfactorily completed and verified is the project considered truly finished and ready for occupancy.
Snell's Prosthetics
A Century of Caring and Innovation
For over a century, Snell's Prosthetics has been a cornerstone of care and innovation in the Shreveport, Louisiana, community. Established in 1911 as Snell's Limbs and Braces by R.W. "Pop" Snell, this familyowned business has grown through four generations, consistently adapting to advancements in prosthetic and orthotic technology while maintaining a steadfast commitment to patient well-being.
The story of Snell's in Shreveport began in 1939, when Pop Snell's son, Jim "J.D." Snell, arrived in the city. Despite the economic hardships of the Great Depression, the business thrived, driven by a dedication to serving those in need. Jim Snell was a pioneer, developing a revolutionary process in 1948 for making lightweight leg braces from heat-treated aluminum. This innovation, initially met with skepticism, eventually set a new standard in the industry, showcasing Snell's early commitment to improving patient mobility and comfort.
Today, Snell’s has grown to include three additional locations: Alexandria, Monroe, and the South Shreveport cranial molding clinic just for infants. The Shreveport office at 1833 Line Avenue stands as a testament to this enduring
legacy. Led by W. Clint Snell, CPO, a third-generation practitioner with over four decades of experience. Clint received his prosthetic training from UCLA, Rancho Las Amigos (a renowned national rehab hospital) and Cerritos Junior College for his associate degree in orthotics and prosthetics. His son Chris Snell, also a certified technician, represents the fourth generation. Snell's continues to embody a philosophy where "caring moves, listens, lasts, and gives back to the community." This isn't just a slogan; it's a guiding principle that informs every aspect of their work.
Snell's offers a comprehensive range of prosthetic and orthotic services, utilizing cuttingedge technology to create custom-fitted devices. From advanced prosthetic limbs
that restore remarkable mobility and confidence to specialized orthotics designed for various musculoskeletal conditions, their expertise is broad. They are particularly noted for their use of CAD/CAM (computer-aided design and manufacturing) for precision fabrication, ensuring each device is tailored to the individual's unique needs and provides optimal comfort.
“A lot of times people don't know what to expect. Even the research they've done online you kind of get a feel, but you don't really know because everything we do is patient by patient,” Chris explained. “There's nothing we pull out of a box and just slide on and say, here you go. The patient is naturally concerned that the things that they enjoyed doing they aren't going to be able to do anymore. Which a lot of
times is not the case. Those fears are alleviated once we do test fittings and get them up and walking.” This commitment to technology extends to specialized areas, such as their partnership with the Ark-La-Tex Cleft and Craniofacial Team to provide Starband Cranial Remolding Orthoses for infants with positional plagiocephaly.
What truly sets Snell's Prosthetics apart is their unwavering focus on the patient. They understand that facing limb loss or a disabling condition is a life-altering experience, and their team of prosthetists, orthotists, and technicians approaches each case with empathy and respect. Their goal is not just to provide a device, but to empower individuals to
regain independence, confidence, and a fulfilling life. Clint Snell is quick to point out that this industry is surprisingly small. Advocating for the patient is paramount. “We actually go to legislative sessions where we present legislation that we're trying to push forward that will give more rights, to give better access to certain things to our representatives and senators.” This patientcentric approach is evident in the numerous stories of inspiration shared by those who have walked through their doors.
The evolution of prosthetics and orthotics has been dramatic. Snell's has consistently embraced these advancements, from the introduction
of lighter thermosetting resins to today's hightech componentry and microprocessor technologies. Yet, amidst all the technological progress, the human element remains paramount. The team at Snell's Prosthetics in Shreveport strives to treat every patient like family, fostering an environment of trust and understanding that is crucial for successful rehabilitation.
Snell's Prosthetics is more than just a medical facility; it's a beacon of hope and a testament to the power of compassionate care combined with cutting-edge expertise. Their centurylong journey is a story of adaptation, innovation, and an unwavering commitment to helping individuals move forward, one step at a time.
The Brain
Multiple Intelligences and the Learning Experience
By Donesa Walker, Med. BCCS
The power of “yet” is the idea that if you haven’t achieved something or learned a specific skill, it doesn’t mean you can’t or won’t in the future. When faced with challenges, people may say, “I’m not good at that.” Now, add the word “yet.” I’m not good at that yet. This stops the negative thoughts that may drag you down and opens the door to growth and possibility. It changes our mindset completely. (C., Annabelle, Grade 11, 1/3/2024, The Power of YeT, stansteadcollege. com/news)
Most of us think we only have one brain and while that is physically true, we actually have many different parts to the brain that impact the way we live and function. The theory of multiple intelligences is not a new theory, and it varies from psychologist to researcher with some saying we have seven and another saying we have twelve.
According to Harvard University Psychologist Howard Gardner, all normal individuals have seven different independent forms of intellectual accomplishment: LINGUISTIC, LOGICAL-MATHEMATICAL, SPATIAL, MUSICAL, BODILYKINESTHETIC, INTERPERSONAL AND INTRAPERSONAL. Gardner believes that each person possesses all seven, though one or more may be stronger than others. This tendency toward greater strengths in certain intelligences over others makes a difference in many areas of our lives, from the things that interest us, both in school and through our career choices.
“We know that individuals have very different kinds of minds, that they learn in different ways, and that they can even demonstrate their knowledge and understanding in characteristic ways. Because these findings are quite well established, it becomes educational malpractice to continue to serve education in the same way to all consumers. Rather we are challenged to find the optimal means to address each child, and to remain ever vigilant to new and better ways to educate that child to his or her fullest potential.” (Howard Gardner 1992) According to Hayder H. AL-Hadrawi, Intelligence is a mental capability not a thing that cannot be captured in a single number such as IQ. Intelligence according to him, enables individuals to act purposefully, think rationally, and deal effectively with the environment and in his definition, thinking refers to how we use our intelligence. He believes there are eight types of intelligence. Another researcher says
twelve. Whichever theory one holds to, it is reasonable to believe that intelligence varies from person to person. When headed back to school or a learning experience as an adult, it is important to remember to reflect on this.
The Learner’s Quotient (LQ) refers to our willingness and ability to grow and adapt to new situations and challenges in our work lives. It refers to our ability to learn also called our “learnability”. Along with IQ (Intelligence Quotient) and EQ (Emotional Quotient) assessments, the practice of testing a candidate’s (LQ) learning quotient as part of the process for careers is gaining traction. Understanding LQ and learning how to enhance it benefits both schools, career practitioners and their clients. In fact, ACT WorkKeys has become as important as the ACT in determining college and career placement for many students. The LQ is also known as cognitive flexibility and is now touted to be the top determining factor of success in a career placement. IQ, EQ and LQ all matter because they determine the overall learning outcomes of the learner. As the summer draws near to a close and many prepare for the back-to-school rush, it is important that one remembers to embrace all aspects of the learning process.
To boost IQ, brain or cognitive exercises with a personal trainer is a good way to boost the skills. Family game nights or engaging in activities that are challenging such as learning a new language or playing a difficult piece of music can help with this also. For boosting EQ, there are so many great techniques out there to be had. Visit with a local counselor, play therapist or psychiatrist as well as using mindfulness and mediation/prayer and listening to calming music may be useful. There are many tools such as tapping and vagus nerve resets that are also super helpful. Check to make sure that nutritional needs are being met as nutritional deficiencies affect the brain in all areas of intelligence. To grow the LQ or cognitive flexibility, determine that it is important to embrace the principle of YET and get out of the comfort zone to challenge each person in the family to grow in all of the areas of learning. For additional resources such as game packs or to find out about testing, feel free to reach out to the BoardCertified Cognitive Specialists at LearningRx Shreveport.
Locally trusted. Nationally recognized.
At Ochsner LSU Health – St. Mary Medical Center, our commitment to excellence has earned us top national awards for patient safety, quality care, and innovation. These honors reflect what matters most—our unwavering dedication to your health. Trusted by our community and recognized by experts, we’re proud to set the standard for compassionate, world-class care—right here at home.
Learn more at ochsnerlsuhs.org/smmc
Why are locally owned businesses crucial to our community?
They are the colorful threads that weave us together. They aren’t just about t transactions; they're about cultivating relationships. The friendly face behind the counter knows your name, your preferences, and maybe even a little bit about your family. They're the sponsors of your local little league team, the donors to the school bake sale, the very neighbors who make a place feel like home. When you choose to spend your dollars at a local bookstore, bakery, or boutique, you're not just acquiring goods or services; you're investing in the dreams of your fellow citizens, bolstering the local economy, and preserving the distinctive charm that makes Shreveport-Bossier special. The importance of our locally owned businesses extends to the tangible wellbeing of a community. They are the economic engines, generating jobs right where we live, and often provide better wages and benefits than larger chains. A significant portion of the money you spend at a local business recirculates within the community, supporting other local businesses and services, strengthening the tax base that funds our schools, parks, and infrastructure. Local businesses foster innovation, create vibrant and walkable town centers, and contribute to the unique character and identity of ShreveportBossier making it a more attractive and resilient community for everyone.
AUTHENTIC ITALIAN CUISINE SINCE 1976
Fresh Pasta made from scratch every single day! Available by the bowl, by the pan, or by the pound!
DINE IN • PRIVATE DINING CATERING • TAKE OUT
MON-THURS 11:00AM-8:00PM FRI-SAT 11:00AM-9:00PM
Beyond the Scoreboard
By Seva May
The City Tennis Tournament
Serves Up a Century of Thrills! Hold onto your hats (and visors!), tennis fanatics!
The legendary City Tennis Tournament is back, bigger and better than ever, celebrating a whopping 102 years of hardhitting action! This isn't just a tournament; it's a Shreveport institution, a testament to the enduring love affair our city has with the fuzzy yellow ball.
For the eighth consecutive year, the Bossier Tennis Center was transformed into a gladiatorial arena of serves, volleys, and nail-biting tiebreakers. And if you thought tennis was just a leisurely Sunday afternoon activity, think again! According to Todd Killen, the director of the Bossier Tennis Center, "The City has always been the ultimate yardstick for local tennis enthusiasm. With a jaw-dropping 318 players signing up and the tournament reaching capacity a full two weeks before the deadline, it's crystal clear: tennis is absolutely BOOMING!"
Rewind to 2018, when tennis enthusiasts Jeffrey Goodman, Todd Killen, and Rick Holland decided to resurrect the tournament from its near decade-long slumber. They knew that to reignite the passion, they needed to stoke the embers of nostalgia. As
Goodman eloquently put it, "There was a whole generation or two who missed out on the magic of The City or only caught it in its twilight years. We knew that to make it a big deal again, we had to remind everyone what it meant to so many of us for so long."
And boy, did they succeed! This year marked the 102nd edition of The City, a tournament that first graced the courts of Princess Park back in 1923, with Burford McGuffin etching his name in the history books as the inaugural champion. This year’s event featured 23 different divisions with a cool $8,000+ in prize money up for grabs!
Since its return in 2018, The City has not only captured the hearts of players but has also snagged some serious hardware, being crowned "Adult Tournament of the Year" by both USTA Southern and the Louisiana Tennis Association. Talk about a comeback story!
But the excitement didn’t stop there! This year's edition featured a special City Hall of Fame ceremony to honor three local legends: Bill Borders, Anne Borders, and John Liles.
Goodman summed it up perfectly: "The City is just as much a spectacle for the fans as it is for the players.”
Tyler Lloyd and Paul Gordon
Aaron and Megan Hunt
Lyndzee McConathy and Jennifer Richardson
aleb Kwok and Bill AllredRichardson
Valarie and Chris Thiels
Crissy Burchett and Rachael Deere
Anne Jenkins and Shelly Valiulis
Jesse Waller and Brian Furqueron
Suren Visvanathan and Andrew Inabnet
Nicktavius Wainwright and Amy Phipps
Lynn Ferry-Nelson and Ashlie Kyle
Michael Lauseng and Val Quarles
David Wilkes
Jeffrey and Angela Basto
Todd and Kevin Killen
IT HAPPENED RIGHT UNDER OUR NOSES
” “ Border Breach IN SHREVEPORT
By
By that standard, the United States was in a crisis the last four years under Joe Biden. In Fiscal Year 2022, there were over 2.3 million migrant crossings, or about 6,500 a day (up from 1.7 million in Fiscal Year 2021), costing U.S. taxpayers $150.6 billion. This is a combined figure from federal, state and local government expenditures. Contrary to popular belief that illegal aliens’ tax contributions offset the fiscal burden they bring to the country, that $150 billion figure for FY22 is after $31.3 billion in tax contributions from illegal aliens is factored in. Fiscal years 2023 and 2024 showed no relief, with 3.2 million encounters in FY2023 and 2.9 million in FY2024 (these figures do not include “got-aways,” migrants Customs and Border Patrol were not able to apprehend). These statistics show a marked departure for the Democratic Party and President Obama’s immigration strategy. He stated as an Illinois senator during a 2005 press conference, “We simply cannot allow people to pour into the United States undetected, undocumented,
unchecked and circumventing the line of people who are waiting patiently, diligently and lawfully to become immigrants in this country.”
We watched as our nation was besieged at our border on television...but did it ever get to Shreveport? The most visible incursion into our municipality you likely did see on television were migrants entering via the bus station or airport. After a small uproar was quickly raised by locals, our then-Representative Mike Johnson (now Speaker) did a flurry of local and national media appearances to discuss the issue. When KTBS aired a segment on approximately 80 Haitians being bussed into Shreveport in the spring of 2022 (in governmentmarked buses), Tucker Carlson aired the segment on his primetime show on Fox News. He interviewed Representative Johnson on the matter. Johnson told Carlson that ICE couldn’t give him any specific answers and just told him to “expect more busloads.” Johnson highlighted the claim that all these migrants were being reunited with families was a “dubious claim,”
any measure 4,000 apprehensions on our southern border in one day, 100,000 in a month, is a
crisis.
- Jeh Johnson, Barack Obama’s former Secretary of Homeland Security
and the claims were being made by “non-profit organizations and others who are trying to put a happy spin on this.” In an interview with 710 KEEL, Johnson admitted he and thenMayor Perkins both found out about these busloads the same day they arrived, indicating they had no forewarning from anyone in the federal government. They “lamented together that there’s not a darn thing either one of us can do about it.” Johnson predicted that “we’re going to continue to see this surge of immigrants, (illegal aliens) dropped off at points near us and all over the country for the foreseeable future until the White House reverses course.”
As the stats indicated, Johnson’s prediction was correct. He was told by ICE that those Haitian immigrants that came to Shreveport were not fresh encounters from the border, but in fact had been in ICE custody for “some time.” They were released from custody because ICE was given an order from Washington to “empty out the facilities.” Johnson further elaborated that most of these people being dropped
off couldn’t speak English, didn’t have money, plans or any form of picture ID. According to the KTBS report, they did have Greyhound bus tickets and airplane tickets. They also had money paid for by taxpayer dollars for “transport to anywhere they wanted to go in the country.” Johnson said, “The best commitment we could get from the officials in charge is that they’ll give me, and Mayor Perkins a headsup next time right before they dump off the next busload of people.” Johnson’s guess as to why Shreveport was picked for these busloads is that “It’s a midsize city and they believe that we could accommodate them.
However, Shreveport has no revenue base to handle this; we’ve got economic crises upon economic crises. We have our own human infrastructure we can’t take care of. We cannot absorb all the poor folks from around the world... it’s fantasy economics, it’s not going to happen. We’re going to have people flooding into our community that have not followed the law. We don’t know who they are or if they’re
Border Breach IN SHREVEPORT
IT HAPPENED RIGHT UNDER OUR NOSES
dangerous. We don’t know if folks on the terrorist watch list have squeezed through the border. Johnson went on to say that it would continue until we regain a Republican majority in Congress in the next election cycle in 2022, or until some leaders on the Democratic side in Washington come to their senses and join us to get these crazy policies reversed.
In those 2022 midterm elections, the House of Representatives did indeed win the majority back from Democratic control, but the Democrats gained one Senate seat, and as the stats tell, those “crazy policies” were not reversed.
Rep. Johnson noted in those interviews that non-profit organizations were getting involved. One organization called Louisiana Advocates for Immigrants in Detention, or LA AID (located at www.laaid. org), ran their operation out of
the basement of the Highland Center, an offshoot ministry of Church for the Highlands. This organization is not noted on the Highland Center’s website, but it is listed on their door signage. LaAID has received grant funds from Caddo Parish, United Universalist Service Committee, The Beaird Family Foundation, Grayson Foundation and Community foundation of N. LA. LA AID took in migrants released from ICE detention facilities to the Highland Center and held them in the basement until travel could be arranged for them out of Shreveport via a family member or other sponsor elsewhere in the country.
Louisiana has nine ICE detention facilities, the third most in the country, and trails only Texas in total ICE detainees. Among those detained was Mahmoud Khalil, the Syrian-born Columbia University student that ICE arrested in New York for
anti-Semitic protests at the college. He was transported to the Central Louisiana ICE Processing Center in Jena. He is still being held pending legal battles in Louisiana and New Jersey.
According to their website, LA AID would transport these migrants for free to the Shreveport airport or bus station once they got an airplane or bus ticket to go elsewhere in the country. Often asylum seekers could get a free plane ticket. In the meantime, they were housed in the basement of the Highland Center. Anonymous sources from the Highland Center said under the Biden administration, they were receiving as many as 100 asylum seekers a week. Since the Trump administration began, they have only successfully removed 12. Because of this drastic change in operation and much lower release of ICE detainees, the basement operation has been
shut down. However, the organization is still running an office out of the Highland Center.
While Representative Johnson and Mayor Perkins were exasperatedly trying to stop the problem, another local politician was looking to exacerbate the issue. Bossier City District 2 Councilman Jeffery Darby, whose official party affiliation is Independent, added his name to a letter addressed to President Biden in September of 2024. This letter included signatures of 477 state and local elected officials entitled “Welcoming Refugees 2025.” This was a project of the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP). Councilman Darby was the only elected official at any level in the state of Louisiana to add his signature to the letter. The letter (documented at www. welcomingrefugees2025. org) called for the Biden administration to “protect
our nation’s standing as a leader in welcoming refugees by ensuring the refugee resettlement program is resourced, robust, and sustainable for years to come.” It also claims that “Our communities have benefited directly from their contributions: refugees established businesses, filled labor shortages, and enrichment of our cultural and social fabric, ensuring our states – and country – remain economically and socially vibrant.”
As of January 2025, Councilman Darby did a complete 180 on his position. He sponsored a resolution that congratulated President Trump for becoming “Only the second President in the history of the United States to be elected to a second non-contiguous term,” winning “...both the popular vote and the Electoral College vote,” and for taking “historic
action in the first week of his term to address the immigration crisis and the current economic crisis.” The resolution was initiated by Councilman Darby who was not present at the January 28th meeting that would have adopted it. It was removed from the order of business by a unanimous vote from the rest of the city council at his request.
In the first week of President Trump’s term, he signed executive orders to end birthright citizenship and freeze refugee admissions for 90 days (which meant specifically freezing USRAP, the very organization behind the letter Councilman Darby sponsored in 2024). The order also called for reconsidering the freeze every 90 days. Construction on the southern border wall would restart and law enforcement personnel would be increased. Deportation of those illegally in the U.S. would become more aggressive and the Department
of Homeland Security’s (DHS) presence into all 50 states would be expanded. Federal funding from “sanctuary jurisdictions” would be cut and a more stringent vetting for visa and refugee applicants was also included in the order.
Considering our size, Louisiana has a surprisingly stout framework to curb illegal immigration. We have the third most ICE facilities of any state in the country and currently hold the second-most detainees in these ICE facilities behind Texas.
Texas has an estimated 1.7 million illegal immigrants and best estimates for Louisiana have our illegal immigrant population at 97,000 as of 2021. One of the ICE facilities in our state is in Alexandria and is strictly a staging area serving as a holding facility for no more than 72 hours before flying aliens back to their country of origin. One ICE
facility, in Basile, is designated as a women-only facility, while the rest are for men. As of March 2020, 1,730 DACA recipients (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, often referred to as “Dreamers”) lived in Louisiana. If you think illegal immigration doesn’t affect ShreveportBossier, consider this: in April of this year, a six-time deported Mexican national was convicted by a federal jury in Shreveport for possession of a firearm by an illegal alien and illegal re-entry into the United States after being removed. ICE can be reached by phone to report any number of issues, and they also have a field office at 4460 Viking Drive in Bossier City, which is open for appointments on Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
As the old saying goes, “See something say something” As we saw over the last four years, we may have a government at any given juncture who will want you to look the other way.
iN THE Green ROOM
The Violinist Elizabeth Beck
The Sound of Presence
From the reverberating grandeur of Carnegie Hall to the hushed glow of a candlelit chapel in Shreveport, violinist and educator Elizabeth Beck has mastered the art of connection not just through performance, but through presence. Whether she’s on a world-class stage or leading a student through their first scales, her voice rings out through four strings, one bow, and an instrument with more than two centuries of stories embedded in its wood.
A graduate of the Manhattan School of Music, Elizabeth brings both precision and soul to her craft, and her journey through the elite echelons of classical performance hasn’t diluted her devotion to the audience or to her students. “Playing in an orchestra in iconic halls like Carnegie or Lincoln Center is always a powerful experience,” she shares. “But what makes it meaningful for me isn’t just the venue, it’s the music we create together onstage.
An Instrument with a Soul
If Elizabeth’s violin, a Giuseppe Marconcini, crafted in 1805, could articulate its history, it would narrate a captivating story. “I have endured wars, traversed continents, and withstood centuries of wear and tear; yet, my greatest threat now is being left in a hot car,” she observes humorously. But her connection to the instrument runs much deeper. From grand performances to quiet practice rooms and even grocery store runs it’s rarely far from her side. She doesn’t just play it; she partners with it. She’s even given it a name: Giuseppe. “It’s more than just an instrument,” she says. “And I like to think he knows that together we are still making music that can touch people’s hearts.”
That idea of connection has been the heart of her journey. Whether she’s performing with an orchestra or teaching students of all ages, she sees music as more than just
by Ann Rosen
sound. It’s a way to communicate feelings, stories, and truth. “One lesson that’s really stuck with me is how to teach students how to teach themselves,” she explains. “It’s not just about playing well in the lesson—it’s about knowing how to practice with a clear plan and extreme focus.”
Lessons Beyond the Notes
Though Elizabeth trained at the Manhattan School of Music and studied under some of the most revered names in classical music, her most impactful lessons aren’t about technique they’re about transformation.
As a teacher, she’s grown not just in knowledge, but in empathy. “What works beautifully for one student might completely miss the mark for another,” she shares. “I’ve learned to listen more, ask better questions, and meet students where they are.” In a fast-paced world, Elizabeth believes in preserving something rare: the value of slow, consistent, thoughtful work.
Her teaching approach mirrors the very tradition she hopes to preserve in an era of instant gratification: the power of slow, steady work. “With music, there’s no shortcut. You show up, day after day, working on the tiniest details, and over time it all starts to come together.”
Finding Direction in the Unexpected
It’s a philosophy that was tested in real-time just as the pandemic shuttered performance venues around the globe. “One day I was preparing for recitals and planning auditions, and the next I was packing up my apartment with no job, no concerts, and a lot of uncertainty,” she recalls. “What surprised me, though, was how often I still found myself reaching for my violin even without anything specific to prepare for. That experience taught me that my love for music wasn’t dependent on external goals or achievements.”
But in the stillness, she discovered something lasting. “I kept picking up my
violin—not for a deadline or performance, but just because I needed to,” she says. It was during this time she turned more fully to teaching. “What felt like a dead end turned out to be a redirection, and it completely reshaped how I think about success and purpose in my musical life.
New Stages, New Stories
Elizabeth’s passion has also led her to fresh stages and new formats. She is a featured performer in Fever Candlelight Concerts, a growing series that brings classical music to unlikely venues—from historic mansions to modern rooftops. “They take a traditional ensemble, like a string quartet, and mix it up with everything from Taylor Swift to Coldplay to Vivaldi,” she says. “Our audiences are completely different from a typical symphony crowd and I find that so encouraging.”
Still, not all stages are created equal. As one half of the Beckthoven Duo, a violinpiano act formed with her sister, Allison Beck, musical chemistry becomes familial. “Playing with my sister is a bit like chamber music meets family dinner equal parts collaboration and spirited debate,” she
laughs. “There’s no tiptoeing around ideas we just say what we think, work it out, and somehow end up creating something more interesting than either of us imagined alone.”
That fearlessness serves her well in her newest adventure: taking on the role of the Fiddler in the theatrical production of Fiddler on the Roof. (opening July 11th at the Emmett Hook Performing Arts Center, downtown Shreveport) “It’s been a wild mix of everything I’m trained for and a whole lot of things I’m definitely not,” she admits with a smile. The role demanded both musical and physical agility. “Now I’m climbing platforms with my violin, trying not to drop my bow or fall into the orchestra pit,” she smiles. “It’s stretched me in new ways and pushed me to loosen up and focus more on presence than perfection.”
Her True Voice
No matter the stage or the spotlight, Elizabeth’s intention remains grounded. Her artistry isn’t loud, but it resonates. There’s no question that her violin sings. But the real power of her voice lies in what remains unspoken. As she puts it, “Yet, at the end of the day, my goal is still the same, to tell a story without saying a single word, using my
true voice, my violin.” In a world full of noise, distractions, and fast answers, Elizabeth offers something rare: the quiet strength of focus, the beauty of tradition, and the power of music to speak where words fall short.
She’s a beacon of forgiveness and fun, a lush green island in the sometimes-mean-spirited waters of the world, a place to soothe the soul and calm the discontent — even if you hook a Titleist now and then, or fall victim to the dreaded chili dip.
She’s Querbes Park Golf Course, “The Q” for short, a friend for all seasons, a shelter from the storm, the best public golf course we could ever ask for.
Car’s in the shop? Go to Querbes, play a round. Got a broken heart? Go at dawn and plan for 27, be open to 36.
Boss is a pain in the rump? An emergency 9 should do the trick.
Feeling good and want to feel even better? Great. Go hit a few at the range. Or eat a plate lunch at the clubhouse and just THINK about hitting a few at the range.
The Q is there if you need it. And has been for 100 years. Maybe she’s not the G in “golf,” but she’s the D in “dependable.” Seven on a Friday morning. The sun rises above the oaks
and crepe myrtles along Stratford Avenue, its glow fighting and finally nudging the seventh green of The Q. And just as they are most every morning, weather and health permitting, faithful retirees are caught in its light. The wheels of their pull carts kick dew in tiny arcs, and onward they march in soft-leather shoes. A twosome plays second shots on No. 10. By the gazebo on No. 4, a few practice swings in the 81-degree early morning. More cars come into the parking lot. Hoods pop. Nearby, the hums of golf carts.
In the air, chatter. Casual conversation. Golf talk. A squirrel on a cart path chews a gift, a vanilla crème cookie. Birds. The sound of a ball hit by a club, not a BOOM!, but instead a solid THWACK!, a sound signifying a shot fashioned by hands that have practiced that swing for 70 years.
Querbes is doing on this morning what it does most every day, what the sun does every day: though neither ever moves, they both seem to rise, and shed a little light. Querbes isn’t perfect, but there’s a warm spot for it in the
A-Plus and a Standing O for ‘The Q
heart of most every local golfer who calls public courses home. It is golf’s Statue of Liberty, its arms open to all.
“Bring me your young and your old, you’re scratch and your high handicappers, your hookers and your slicers…” Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder, and while Huntington Park and Jerry Tim Brooks Golf Course (the artist formerly known as Lakeside) have their loyalists, The Q is, to me, the fairest of them all.
Quaint and charming. The crown jewel. Challenge yet forgiving. Loved by both men, women, and wildlife. There are more squirrels on sugar highs from free treats at Querbes Park than there are leaves on the storied tree by No. 10 green. Querbes is really a squirrel zoo; the 18 holes are only a comforting coincidence. Broadmoor Golf Club at its birth a century ago. Now, The Q. The Bees. The Royal & Ancient.
Querbes is the deceptive par-4 No. 4, which was No. 1 until the recent facelift made No. 7 the new No. 1 because “the old” No. 1 was long, always into the wind, and in general, a bear.
(If you wish to be even more confused, the new No. 1 was the original No. 1. It was No.1, then No. 7, now No. 1. Everything old is new again. (Also, this is the only complicated thing in the otherwise beautiful simplicity that is Querbes.)
It is a course that at times promotes “fencelock” and cursing, shouts of “casual dog!” on various fairways, and even moments of silence when you look around on the ground on which you’re blessed to stand, short iron in hand, compelled to take off your cap, place it on your heart and say, “We pause now to remember those who couldn’t play today because they had to mow grass or get their car fixed or get new grips.” Both 17 and 18 are bittersweet. It’s almost over. The squirrels are the lucky ones, you always think. They get to stay all the time. The rest of us have to leave.
But if we don’t leave, we can never “come back,” right? And we always do. We always come back. And The Q is always where it’s been for 100 years, waiting, and welcoming.
